c. with the rehearsall of his death and funeralls BEfore we set downe the great and valorous actions of the most illustrious Prince Maurice of Nassau vve will briefely in manner of an introduction speake somewhat of the Genealogie descent birth life and death of my Lord his father William of Nassau of happie memorie William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau Catzenelbogen Dietz Vianda c. Marquis of Veer and Flushing Vicount of Antuerpe and Bezanson Baron of Breda Diest Grimberg Arley Nozeroy c. Lord of Castelbelin Lieutenant generall in the Low-countries and Gouernour of Brabant Holland Zeland Vtrecht and Frize-land Admirall of the Belgick Seas was sonne to William of Nassau brother to Count Henrie of Nassau both of them sonnes to Iohn who was brother to Engelbert to whom Iohn of Nassau was Father and Marie of Loon their mother This William married Iulian Countesse of Stolberg a verie wise and vertuous Ladie by whom hee had fiue sonnes namely William of Nassau Prince of Orange c. Iohn of Nassau Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie three of them vvere slayne in the Low-countrie vvarres and seuen daughters all excellently well married to Earles and haue had many children so that the sayd Ladie mother to my Lord of happie memorie being 75 yeares old did in anno 1578 see of her owne issue 123 persons both Earles and Countesses her children and childrens children how the number is since encreased to me is vnknowne The late Prince of Orange of happie memorie was borne at Dillenbourg in anno 1533 the foureteenth of Aprill old stile He was of more than middle stature the colour of his beard browne more leaue than fat What his inward parts were his heroicke actions testifie Being come to mans state he married first the onely daughter and heire of Maximillian of Egmont Earle of Buren Leerdam c. on whom he begat Philip of Nassau Count of Buren now Prince of Orange and a daughter called Marie married to Graue Hohenlo His second wife was Anne sole daughter to the Elector Maurice Duke of Saxonie by whom he had a sonne called Maurice of Nassau borne of Dillenbourg in the Countie of Nassau the thirteenth of Nouember anno 1567 by whose discreet and valorous conduct it pleased God to blesse these Low-countries before extreamely afflicted He had moreouer two daughters by her the one named Anne the other Emillia His third choice was the Ladie Charlotta of Bourbon daughter to Duke Mompensier of Fraunce by whom he had sixe daughters namely Louisa Iuliana Elizabeth Catherina Belgica Flandrina Charlotta Brabantina and Emillia Secunda His fourth and last wife was Louisa of Colligni daughter to the Admirall of Fraunce and widow to the Lord Telligni both her father and husband were slaine in the masacre at Paris by whom he had a sonne borne in the Towne of Delft called Henrie Frederick a Prince worthie such a father I vvill not vvrite the life and actions of this valorous Prince For it is not my meaning or intent to make a long discourse of all his victories and defeatures by sea and land taking of towns sieges difficulties trauels miseries vvhereunto this life is subiect especially that of Princes and great men nor likewise how often and by sundrie wayes his enemies haue sought to murther him Onely I vvill briefely set downe how he was treacherously slayne in the Towne of Delft And if any be desirous to see a more ample description thereof let him read the Histories of things done in the Netherlands written by Emanuell Demetrus Iohn Petit and others In the yeare 1584 in the beginning of May there came to the Princes Court in the Towne of Delft a young man of the age of seuen and twentie yeares of a middle stature simple countenance and euell aspect his name vvas Baltazar Gerard borne at Villesans in Burgondie he had changed his name and termed himselfe Francis Guyon of Besançon sonne to Peter Guyon of Lyons vvho had beene put to death for his Religion and for enterprising somewhat in behalfe of those of the reformed Religion This fellow deliuered a letter to the sayd Prince shewing vnto him the zeale he did beare to the reformed Religion and how desirous he was to serue him and withall how that passing through Luxembourg he had visited a Cosin of his called Iohn du Prè Secetarie to Count Mansfelt vvith whom he had continued for a time till at last he resolued for the quiet of his conscience to leaue him The vvhich he was the sooner enforced to do because the Iesuits began to suspect him He told him besides how that he had gotten from his Cosen diuers blanks signed by Count Mansfelt whereof hee thought good vse might be made for enterprising vpon certaine towns of Luxembourg elsewhere with many other such like discourses circumstances tending to this end to insinuat himselfe into the Princes fauour and to enter into his seruice He grew likewise familliar vnder colour of Religion vvith certaine of the Princes houshold seruants and vvas present at Sermons and vsuall Prayers carrying eyther a Psalme Booke Bible or Testament still in his hand The Prince acquainted vvith all this answered that he thought those signed blankes would doe small good in any enterprise but onely serue to safe-conduct messengers from Bruxels to Cambray and therefore vvilled him to leaue some of them And at vvhat time the Lord of Schoonwall vvent into Fraunce his Excellencie thought good to send the sayd Baltazar vvith him to the Marshall Byron who men thought should haue beene Gouernour of Cambray that he might make vse of these signed blankes And vvith him he vvent into Fraunce After that he returned from Fraunce with Letters both to the Prince and States mentioning the death of the Duke of Brabant A njou in vvhich regard the Prince sent for him into his Chamber as he lay in his bed that he might particularly informe him of the Dukes death He hath confest since that if his dagger had beene then about him hee vvould haue killed him in his bed Within a vvhile after he was commaunded to returne into Fraunce whereupon he craued some money shewing how his hose and shooes vvere broken the Prince commaunded his Secretarie to giue him some on the eight day of Iulie with this money he bought two Pistols of one of the Gard therewith to execute his diuelish enterprise The tenth of Iulie about dinner time he came to the Prince of whom with a fearefull and trembling voice he craued a passe-port which the Princesse there present did well obserue who asked the Prince what he was because shee saw he had a bad countenance his Excellencie told her that he vvas a fellow that sued for a passeport and so gaue order for his dispatch Whilest they were at dinner he was seene to walke neere the stables behind the house towards the Towne Rampiers After dinner as the Prince was
growne rich though it may seeme contrary to nature and reason do vvonderfully flourish as appeares by their fortes number of great townes and sumptuous buildings So that the low countries may generally vaâ—nt to be according to the bignesle thereof in number of great strong and vvell peopled Cities and Fortes the excellenrest countrey in the world in vvhich for the space of fortie yeres that the warre continued the brauest soldiers of Europe haue been and yet are trained vp and exercised in the schoole of Mars If any desire to reade a more ample description of these Low-countries let him for Brabant read Adrianus Barlandus for Flanders Iacobus Marchantius for Holland Adrianus Iunius the Hollander borne in Horne or the generall description of the Low-countries written by Lodouico Guicciardin all which may giue him better satisfaction For it sufficeth me to haue written thus much briefely and as it were by the way ¶ A description of the Hague and Court of Holland As also by whom and when the sayd Court was builded and to what end BEsides all the goodlie rich pleasant and walled towns of Holland there are diuers and sundrie Seigniories or townes not walled sumptuously built and so inriched as in beautifull stately building doe not onely equall many Cities but farre excell them being by their Princes and Lords adorned with sundrie priuiledges Among which there is none more excellent beautifull better seated or plesanter than the Hague of the Earles which because it is such was chosen by the Princes and Earles of the countrie for their delightfull aboad there establishing their Priuie Councell and Court of Iustice where all suits pleas and controuersies of Holland and Zeland are debated and decided The Hague in wealth stately buildings pleasant gardens and great number of Nobilitie surpasseth diuers cities of Holland and Zeland there are in it more than 2000 great and goodlie houses and many new are daylie built yea whole streets Among all the great and goodly houses of the Nobilitie in the Hague there is none more stately and magnificent than that which is called the Court of Holland Which rightly may bee termed Royall because it was built in anno 1249 by Earle William second of that name and the fifteenth Earle of Holland Zeland Frizeland c. who for his excellent vertue and valour was by the mutuall consent of the electors chosen king of Romans and afterwards confirmed on the day of all Saints in anno 1246 as appeares by the old Cronicle of Holland in the eighteenth diuision and thirteenth Chapter This Royall Court is after the manner of Castles enuironed with Dikes and hath sundrie gates in which the Princes gards doe watch day and night On the North side of the Court there is a large and goodlie fishpond incompassed with many high trees vnder whose shade it is pleasant walking in sommer to auoid the heate of the sunne and the place where these trees stand is called in the vulgar tongue Viuerberg which is as much to say as the fishponds hill Within this building is a large and spacious hall built as the auncient chronicle of Holland saith of a certaine wood brought from Ireland which will neuer rotte nor beare any spiders or other venimous worme This hall is inuironed with diuers and sundry shoppes well furnished with all manner of books in all languages and with goodly pictures But the most excellent of them are the siluer coate armours trumpets and ensignes which hang there in great number woon from the enemie at the defeat of Turnhout and at the battaile of Flanders which are hung vp in the roofe of the hall for a perpetuall remembrance There is the prince or gouernor of Holland Zeland Westfrize-lands court which is the illustrious and mighty lord Maurice of Nassau prince of Orange c. who hath gouerned three and twenty yeeres with such fortunat successe as we may rightly terme him Pater patriae It is also a place dedicated to law and administration of Iustice where the Councell being moe in number than were the Consentes dei in times past debate all causes examine and iudge them they are I say moe in number for the councell of Consentes were but twelue and these counsellors are foureteene beside their chiefe whom they call president This assemblie of counsellors who were wont to remaine at Grauesand was transported hither by count William aboue mentioned after that hee had receiued the title of king of Romans Beside this assemblie of counsellours which is called the prouinciall councell an other was established in anno 1582 in stead of the great councell of Malines and it is a soueraigne councell of Iustice called the great councell whether all causes which are brought to be decided by appeale or reformation of the sentences of the aboue named prouinciall court and other iudges are sentenced by finall decree without any appeale from thence to any other yet re-examination may be craued and error propounded in such cases the States of the Countrey appoint certaine men beside the aboue named Councell to reuiew the pleas which haue beene iudged and to deliuer their opinions whether there be any error in the said sentence or not and according to their conclusion euerie man must rest satisfied without any contradiction An other Councell is likewise established called the Councell of Brabant which hath power ouer that part Townes Villages and inhabitants of the sayd Countrey of Brabant vnder the gouernment of my Lords the generall States In this Councell all matters are handled by commission commaundement and instruction of the generall States according to the ancient custome of the Chauncerie and Court fiscall of Brabant to the end euerie man may be orderly gouerned by their Lawes and Priuiledges Lastly beside all these there do reside in this Court of Holland my Lords the States generall the States of Holland and West-frizeland the Councell of State the masters of accounts of the Chamber of Accounts of Holland the Councell of warre c. euerie of these hauing their Chamber apart Before we end this description of the Hague it shall not be impertinent briefely to speake of the situation of the Parke which is in length 1500 paces but nothing so much in bredth there growe Oakes Elmes Ash and other Trees on whose boughes great and small melodious Birds doe with their Songs delight and recreat the sences of the hearers there are Deere Hares and Conies It is a place worthie the Muses and where Princes Earles Lords Councellors Aduocats and all sorts of people doe vsually walke to recreat themselues after their toyles I might speake of many other matters but because mine intent is onely to touch them as it were by the way I referre the curious Reader to Lodouico Guicciardine his description made many yeares since which of late hath beene newly printed augmented and inriched with maps The Genealogie of William of Nassau Prince of Orange
of Grutere Lord of Direxland The second was conducted by the Lord vander Delft and the Lord N. de Roules And the Lord Iohn of Egmont carried the banner with the Armes of the Marquisat of Terueer and Flushing The third by the Lord of Sprangen and the Lord Iohn of Oestrum Captaine of the Castle of Woerden And the Lord of Rosuè carried the banner with the Armes of Chalon The fourth was conducted by the Lord Floris Serclays and the Lord Peter of Roon baylie of Putte and the Lord Iasper of Poelgeest carried the banner with the Armes of Diest The fist by the Lord Iacob of Almond and the Lord N. of Raephorst and the Lord Gerard vâ—nder Aa bore the banner with the Armes of Vianden The sixt was led by the Lord of Wijngaerd and the Lord of Linden and the Lord Lancelot carried the banner with the armes of Catzenelbogen The seuenth was borne by Philip vander Aa and the Lord Harman of Outenhorst and the Lord Cornelius de Swete carried the banner with the armes of Nassau The eight was conducted by the Lord Iohn Baex Captain of the Castle of Heusden the Lord Dieric of Dvuenuoord baylie of the Briell and the Lord of Marquet carried the banner with the armes of Orange All these Lords were clad in blacke with long Clokes downe to the foot Next followed the Lord of Mansardt bearing the Cornet the Lord of Rihouen the Guidon and the Lord of Naeltwijck the banner in euerie of which was the Princes Embleme After them followed foure Scutcheons of the Princes foure Signiories viz. Nassau Stolbourg Hessen and Conningstein borne by the Barons of Peterschen and Deure the Lord Wencelij of Botselaer and Iohn of Assendelst Lord of Cralingen The lord Iohn of Egmond lord of Kenensbourg followed bearing his armes with his crest and colors After him followed the Lord Daniell of Botselaer Lord of Mervve bearing the Helme the Lord Duits Captaine of the Gard bearing the sword and the Lord Wolfart of Brederode with the Coat-armor Next the Lord of Brecht and the Sr. of Malderè led the mourning Horse trapped with black Veluet down to the ground The Earle of Ouerstein followed carrying a drawne sword and the Baron of Creange a Coronet of Gold these were attended by three Stewards or masters of houshold to witt the Lords vander Aa Audenfort and Viry with white staues in their hands after them followed twelue men carrying the Beere wherein was the Princes bodie hung with the Princes armes On each side of the bodie went the Lord Iohn of Burgondie Lord of Froymont the Lord Walraue Lord of Brederode the Lord of Merode and the Signior de Soeterwoude After the bodie and Heraulds of Armes followed Prince Maurice of Nassau sonne to the Prince in a mourning robe the trayne whereof was borne by the Lord of Sonsfelt his Tutor On his right hand went the Elector Truxses of Cologne on the left Count Hohenlo After them followed Count William of Nassau Count Philip of Nassau and the Earle of Solms each of them going alone They were followed by my Lords the generall States the Councell of State the States of Holland the Presidents and Councellors of the great Councell and of the prouinciall Councell of Holland with their Secretaries Next them the Pretor Burgomasters and all the Magistrats of Delft after them followed ministers the Princes Captaines and Officers confusedly attended by multitudes of people These funerals were solemnised with incredible sorrow of the whole towne of Delft There was nothing seen heard that day ouer the whole citie but sighs teares and lamentations for the death of this good and vertuous Prince the people beseeching God to preserue and defend these Countries from greater daungers and difficulties which by this Princes death seemed to threaten them At what time Prince Maurice of Nassau receiued the gouernment of these Countries MY Lords the States of Holland Zeland Friseland and Vtrecht well weighing the good faithful seruice which my Lord the Prince of Orange had done to these Countries both by his counsell and actions in no sort sparing his owne person but had alwayes beene present at sundrie daungers and difficulties the better to effect his designes considering besides that the sayd Prince had not onely spent all his substance in those bloudie wars but all his brethrens wealth and not alone lost his owne life therein but also three of his brethren viz. Counts Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie gaue the gouernment of these countries with the Admiraltie of the sea to his sonne Prince Maurice of Nassau in recompence and acknowledgement of all his merits appointing Philip Earle of Hohenlo for his Lieutenant So as in the yeare 1584 my Lord Prince Maurice of Nassau of the age of seuenteene yeares succeeded my Lord his father in the gouernement a Prince whom God haâ—h made an instrument to reuenge his fathers cruell death vpon the bloudie Spaniards and their adherents and to let the world see that it is he alone who with the father lie eye of mercie beholding these wretched and oppressed Prouinces hath freed and set them at libertie and that it is he which derideth all our enemies enterprises and determinations who thought that when this illustrious and valiant Prince was dead they should easily subdue these poore afflicted countries being then as they supposed without a Head and with their bloudie hands ruine it But their hope was vaine for from this goodlie tree which was cut downe God hath raised a plant which as a man may say is sprouted vp to heauen so as the accessaries to this murther haue by experience seene the contrarie of their vaine imaginations For the whole world knowes and I hope to shew it in this description what victorious blessings God hath giuen and granted to these countries by meanes of this Gedeon Before the Earle of Leycesters arriuall whom the Queene of England sent to be Gouernour my Lords the generall States gaue an instruction to his Excellencie Maurice of Nassau concerning the gouernement of Captaine-Generall and Admirall of Holland Zeland and Frizeland but on condition to carie all respect to the Gouernour Generall whom the Queene of England should send which hauing accepted he honourably discharged In anno 1586 vnder the commaund of the sayd Gouernour he went accompanied by Sir Philip Sidney Gouernour of Flessigue with two or three thousand men into Flanders to Ter-Neusen as well to diuert the Prince of Parma from the siege of Nuys as because la Motte did sore oppresse the towne of Ostend hauing made a sort in S. Katherines churchyard vsing meanes by secret intelligence to make himselfe master thereof which by corrupting and drawing diuers by money to his partie he had almost effected But his Excellencie made another attempt vpon the towne of Axel in this maner The taking of the towne of Axel in Flaunders THe sixteenth of Iulie anno 1586 his Excellencie and Sir Philip Sidney with their souldiers and prouisions did
yet to my Lords the States as chiefe Lords Whereupon they were constrained to vse force because that to reduce him to obedience did greatly import the countries And for that we wil set downe euerie thing according to truth we will adde in this place in manner of an introduction the reasons which moued my Lords the States and his Excellencie so to do euen as it was printed by their owne Printer in anno 1588. It is knowne to all men that the most illustrious high and mightie Lord the Prince of Orange of happie memorie was so affectionat to the wealth and commoditie of the Netherlands and especially of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland vnder his owne gouernement as he hath for the conseruation of those Prouinces offered and exposed not onely his own substance and that of his kinsmen but euen his owne person and those of my Lords his brethren and others of his kindred so that the said Lord Prince being pursued by the King of Spaine by all hostile meanes for the cause abouesaid and by the Duke of Alua during his tyrannie in the Low Countries perceiuing the state of these countries to be wonderfully opprest he hath shewed so many honourable commendable and heroicke markes and testimonies of his affection to the good of these Prouinces as during his absence from thence the inhabitants thereof and namely the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland did mutually determin to free themselues from the tyrannie of the said Duke of Alua to embrace the Christian and reformed Religion and to liue free vnder the lawfull gouernement of the abouesaid Lord Prince And for the maintenance of the sayd resolution he did at the beginning of the warre appoint and send into sundrie parts and townes of the afore mentioned countries vnder his gouernement such persons as himselfe thought fit for the seruice of the countrey with such Commission as the affaires of the time then required and among others sent the Generall Senoy into North Holland and West Frizeland who vpon his Excellencies commission was willingly without any contradiction receiued there the inhabitants of the said countries hauing no respect to the person of the man who was a stranger vnknowne and borne forth of the countrey but onely for loue which they bare to the said Lord Prince and for that they were there desirous to shew what honour and respect they did beare to his commaundements It is a matter likewise knowne that euer since that time the sayd Generall hath beene verie honourably respected by his Excellence of happie memorie and by the countrey as also that after the lamentable death of his said Excellencie the States of Holland and West Frizeland and the high and mightie Lord Maurice Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau and Marquesse of Vere Fiessingue c. son to the aboue named Prince after that he had receiued the gouernement of Captaine Generall of the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland haue continued and maintained the said Generall in the same office and authoritie in the sayd place as he had before his Excellencies lamentable death And although the sayd General ought to haue acknowledged these benefits receiued from the countrey at the least not to enterprise anything contrarie to the lawes thereof or to his Excellencies Commission as Gouernor general of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland especially seeing that the sayd gouernement was solemnely giuen to his Excellencie vpon sound consideration partly in signe of acknowledgement of the good and commendable seruices done by the late Lord Prince his father Neuerthelesse meanes hath bin made by some men for the most part borne forth of the countries badly affected to them and vngratefull to the house of Nassau that the said Generall hath obtained a certaine ample Commission from the Earle of Leycester whom the generall States had made Gouernour Generall of the Low Countries vnknowne to the States of Holland and West Frizeland or to his Excellencie of Nassau absolutely to commaund in all matters concerning the state and gouernement of the countries and townes of North Holland and West Frizeland as Gouernour and Lieutenant to the sayd Earle of Leycester And besides this hath likewise obtained other Commissions directly contrarie to the priuiledges and lawes of the sayd countries and authoritie of the Gouernour thereof By vertue whereof hee hath likewise begun to appoynt new Receiuors of the reuenewes of the countrey vsing forcible meanes to commit them into the possession of their pretended Commissioners Of which the States of Holland West Frizeland being aduertised they haue according to the charge of their calling for the defence and confirmation of the vnion and lawes of the said countries as also of the gouernment and authority of his said Excellency written to the sayd Generall to acquaint them with the sayd Commissions and not in vertue therof attempt any thing without the knowledge of his Excellencie and States But all this being to no purpose with him the States of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland complained to the Earle of Leicester concerning the graunt of the sayd Commissions as hurtfull to the lawes and customes of the said countries and to his Excellencies authoritie and by consequence repugnant to the oath made by the said Earle of Leycester crauing a reuocation thereof Whereupon the said Lord Earle at his first departure into England on the foure twentieth of Nouember 1586 did vpon mature deliberation and knowledge of the matter declare That he was content if the Commissions of the sayd Generall were preiudicious to the countrey and to the authoritie of his Excellencie of Nassau that the States should take order therein Which Declaration be subsigned with his owne hand Hereupon within a while after the States and his Excellencie of Nassau wrot to the sayd Generall to come and bring those Commissions to the Hague that order might be taken therein for the conseruation and vnion of the customes and priuiledges of the countrey as also for his Excellencies gouernement and authoritie Vpon this commaundement the sayd Generall in Ianuarie 1587 came to the Hague to his Excellencie and my Lords the States and deliuered his Commissions aswell concerning the sayd gouernement as Captaineship of the Castle of Medenblick into the hands of his Excellencie Which Commissions being well perused were directly found to be contrarie to the customes of the sayd countries and townes tending to dissention and disunion and likewise contrarie to the authoritie of the Gouernour and Captaine generall of Holland and West Frizeland His Excellencie and certaine chiefe Lords appointed to administer iustice in the sayd countries and verie zealous in the true Christian and reformed Religion together with many Noblemen of the countrey and townes of Holland did acquaint him with the loue and affection which his Excellencie of Nassau and my Lords the States did beare vnto him and that they were desirous to continue him in the same authoritie and commaund which he had had ouer the troupes now
his soldiers to another Corps du gard nere to the Castles great plat-forme where sixteene souldiers more made some resistance who were all slaine This done and a signall giuen Count Hohenlo two houres after came to the Castle with his Excellencies vangard but because the vttermost gate of the Castle could not be opened by reason of the yce his suoldiers entred nere to the Sluce by breaking down a pallisado Hohenlo being entred young Lansauecia made an accord with him to go his way himself soldiers with their liues Within a while after Prince Maurice and his souldiers both horse and foot arriued and with him the Earles Philip of Nassau and Solms Sir Fraucis Veer who commanded the English the Admiral Iustinus of Nassau the Lords of Famas Verdoes and other Captaines And as Count Hohenlo had exhorted the Burghers to returne to the obedience of their auncient Lord and Prince Maurice had giuen order to enter the towne at two gates they sent a drumme who craued leaue that some of the Burgomasters might come and parley who in lesse than an houres space made an accord that the Burghers should redeeme themselues from spoile by paying two moneths wages to the souldiers the summe amounting to 97074 florins In this manner their armes being throwne downe Prince Maurice sent the Lord Vander-Noot Captaine of his gard to seaze vpon the State-house and other places The same night that the first alarme was giuen in the Castle the Marquis of Guasto his horse companie and fiue other ensignes of Italians being affrighted did in disorder breake downe a gate and basely fled forth of the towne notwithstanding that the Burghers who feared the spoile of their goods promised them all ayd and assistance if they would tarrie and defend it but in vaine This was a great disgrace to so noble a Nation which the Prince of Parma reuenged by reproaching the Spaniards some of whom he imprisoned and beheaded certaine captaines among others Caesar Guitra Iulio Gratiauo Guastos Lieutenant whose name was Turlantino and the corporall who had so slenderly searcht the boat The towne and castle of Breda were miraculously taken without any great losse of bloud one onely man being lost who by reason of the darkenesse fell into the water and was drowned of the garrison in the castle fortie were slaine For this victorie all the vnited prouinces and townes gaue publique thankes vnto God in their Churches made bonefires and in memorie thereof coyned pieces of gold siluer and copper with this superscription on the one side how that the towne of Breda had beene on the fourth of March 1590 freed from the Spanish bondage by the conduct of Prince Maurice of Nassau and on the other side was the Dike with the turfe boat which carried the souldiers with this circumscription Readie to win or die and then The reward of an inuincible courage Prince Maurice by the consent of my Lords the States gaue the gouernement of the Towne Castle and Countrie of Breda to captaine Herauguieres with ample commaund to Captaine Lambert Charles the office of Serjeant Major and to other particular Captains and soldiers some of the sayd pieces or medâ—ls in pure gold with sums of money with promise of aduauncement according to euerie mans qualitie and merit the shippers were likewise aduanced and well rewarded The towne was forthwith prouided for according to the Lord of Oldenbbarvelts direction with all kind of muniâ—ion and victuals from Holland for a yeare and a halfe and before ten dayes were expired foure hundred horse and twelue ensignes of foot were sent to lie in Garrison in the towne the Burghers were likewise diuided into fiue companies to keepe good watch And in this manner by Gods assistance the towne is till now preserued from the enemie ¶ Count Mansfelt batters and assaults the Fort of Nordam and is brauely beaten thence on the 14 of May 1590. THe Duke of Parma perceiuing that his Excellencie of Nassau had by a cunning surprisall taken the Towne of Breda from him did for auoyding a greater mischiefe before March was expired said Count Charles of Mansfelt with 40000 men towards Breda to hinder their incursions and secure the Countrie who presently seazed on all the places round about it as Oosterhout Tering and other townes wherein he placed souldiers hee likewise tooke Seuenberghen and other towns where he vsed great crueltie At Terheyden which is a village betwixt Seuenberghen and Breda seated on a little riuer called the Mercke he caused a great Fort to be built with a bridge ouer the riuer thereby to keep victuals from Breda and lay there encamped till the worke was ended thinking thereby to oppresse Breda In May following he besiged the fort of Nordam which my lords the States hold nere to Seuenberghen seated nere the water commaunded by Captaine Mathew Helt who was in the Turfe boat at the taking of Breda And the thirteenth and foureteenth of May the sayd Count Mansfelt battered it with seuen canon made 1200 shot vpon it and gaue a furious assault They did likewise at ful Sea bring a great barke before the Fort mand with good musketiers to anoy the defendants they had bridges likewise wheron to martch to the assault They twice assaulted it and were still repulsed with the losse of two Italian Captaines the one named Horacio Fontano of Modena and the other Giouan Francisco Pageno a Neapolitan with diuers others of name and marke Six or seauen hundred of the enemie died there for by often shooting they fired the barke and as many as were in her were burnt whereupon they were enforced to retire to the great commendation of Captaine Mathew Helt who thereby purchased much honour The vnited Prouinces in the meane time had sent a small Armie into the field vnder the conduct of Prince Maurice and Count Hohenlo with which in May they went to a place called Ouer-Betuwe or High-Betuwe encamping right ouer against NimmegueÌ„ where they built a strong Fort on the banke of the Riuer Waell the better to auoy the Towne they did it likewise to diuert Count Mansfelt from Nordam and to draw him forth of Brabant But Mansfelt not thinking himselfe stong enough came nere to Nimmeguen and hauing intelligence that Prince Maurice his forces began to make a Fort on the further side of the Waell nere to the State-house he marched towards them with his canon beating them thence and ouerthrew the worke new begun an afterwards the better to prouide his armie of victuals he went and encamped on the Mase in the Land of Cuyck So as Prince Maurice tarried there all the Summer to finish his Fort in view danger of the canon of Nimmeguen which with the help of Count Mansfelt plaid furiously vpon the towne Notwithstanding all these difficulties the Fort was made defensiue towards the later end of Iulie and was called Knodsenbourg or Maces-bourg in disdaine of those of Nimmeguen called Knodsendrages which
Nordam 119 Medenblick yeeded to his Excellencie 27 Meurs and the Castle there taken 207 Meurs againe taken 293 VVIlliam of Nassau Prince of Orange his genealogie death and funerals 14.15.16 c. Prince Maurice of Nassau receiueth the gouernement of the Netherlands 25. 27 Netherlands described 1 The Netherlands set forth ships towards Noua Zemla and the East Indies 174 The enterprises of the Netherlanders on Spaine and the Canaries 233 The Netherlanders in Luxembourg with an armie 351 The Netherlanders at truce with the Archduke for 1â— yeres 383 The battaile of Niewport woon by his Excelleâ—câ—e 270 Nimmeguen besieged and taken 134 Nordam fort battered and assaulted in vaine by Mansfelt 119 OAtmaersen taken 142 The same taken againe 213 Oldenbourg burnt and sackt 122 Oldenzeel besieged and taken 213 The fort of Opslach woon 128 The prince of Orange 〈◊〉 gâ—â—â—alogie death and funerals 14.15 c. Ostend besieged by the Archduke Albert to his great losse 302 The same fiercely assaulted 7. Ianuar. 1602. 317 The same againe assaulted 13. of April 1603 327 PArma defeated in the Betuwe 129 RHinberg besieged and taken 201 Rhinberg a second time besieged and taken 265 Rosendall taken 122 A Sea fight between the States men of war and the Spanish gallies 353 A Sea fight betweene the king of Spaines armada and the States men of war 372 Generall Senoy his articles presented to the councell of State 45 The gallies of Sluce put to flight by the Admerall of Holland 281 Sluce besieged and yeelded vp 359 Spaine inuaded by the Netherlanders 233 Spinolas gallies fought with by the States men of war 357 Steenberghen taken 122 Steenwijke besieged and taken 137 TErheyden taken 122 Tilemont taken and sackt 110 Turnholt taken 123 Truce for 12. yeares betweene the Archduke of Austria and the States 383 VIctorie got by his Excellencie on Tielsche-Heyde plaine 197 THe towne and castle of Wachtendonck taken 250 Westerloo taken 123 The strong castle of Woud taken 370 YSendike taken 359 ZVtphen besieged and taken 123 FINIS The originall name of the Low Countries Her situation It is diuided into 17. Prouinces and their names Why they aâ—e â—alled 17. Prouinces Her circuit The number of townes and villages How many Towâ—es and Villages there are in euerie Prouince Vnder what countries the Romans comprehended the 17. Prouinces wherefore they were called Belgia How highly the Romans esteemed this Nation and their ancient names The forme of the Countrie and fertillity thereof The originall of some Riuers which runne through the Countrey Holland and Zeland surpasse all other Prouinces in shipping Commendation of the Netherland women Commendation of the Dutch Tongue The Netherlanders louers of Liberty The Princes of the Low Couâ—tries haue done many valiant deedes How the Low Countries haue beene reduced vnder one Lord Margaret daughter to Lewis de Male marieth Philip the Hardie on whom he begat Iohn sans peur He marieth the Eâ—rle of Hollands daughter and begets Phillip le Bon. How Phillip le Bon obtained the possession of the whole Low-countries He that first instituted the order of the golden fleece marrieth Isabell of Portugall by whom he had a sonne called Charles the Warrior who is acknowledged for lord of the Low-countries and makes a purchase He goes about to make the Low-countries a kingdome How and where he dyed His daughter Marie of Valois marrieth Maximillian of Austria by whom she had two children Maximillian goes about to reduce some of the Low-countrie Prouinces vnder the Roman Empire Philip his sonne is acknowledged Prince and marrieth D. Ioan of Spaine How the Prouinces are at this day diuided and who possesse them Countries vnder the Archdukes Brabant Malines Limbourg Valckenbourg and Namur Luxembourg Haynault Artois Flanders Countries vnder the States gouernement Holland Zealand Frizeland Vtrecht Ouer-yssell Gronninguen The vnited prouinces flourish more than any other Conclusion Description of the Hague Her beautie number of houses Description of the Court of Holland By whom and when it was built The princes court A place dedicated to Law and iustice By whom the 〈◊〉 councel was transseâ— to the Hague The Councell of Brabant Description of the Parke at the Hague The Prince of Orange his Titles 〈…〉 Where when he was borne His first wife daughter to Count â—â—ren His second wife daughter to the Elector of Saxonie His third wife daughter to Duke Mompensier His fourth wife daughter to Count Colligni The manner of the Princes death The Prince of Orange slayne by Baltazar Gerard who nanamed himselfe Francis Guyon The Prince of Orange his last words He died on the 10 of Iulie 1584. 〈…〉 The murderers 〈◊〉 confession 〈…〉 in writing Parma by Assonuille encourageth him to this diuelish enterprise Senâ—ence pronounced against Baltazar Gerard the 14 of Iulie The execution and death of Baltazar Gerard A description of the Prince of Orange his funeral 's What moued my Lords the States to make Prince Maurice Gouernour His Excellencie goeâ—h into Flanders His Excellencie takes the towne of Axel The Earle of Leycester goes forth of the Low Countries into England The generall States make Prince Maurice Gouernour Generall Article Answer Artic. Ans. Ans. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Disorder in Medenblick The States send Commissioners thither who doe no good Medenblick is besieged It yeelds to his Excellencie through the intercessioÌ„ of some English Lords Senoy goes into England to com plaine to the Queene Parma makes preparations to ayde the Spanyards The Queene of of England prepares a fleet The Spanish fleet set sayle on the 29 of May. The Spanish Armies proiect The fleet abandons D. Pedro Valdez his ship which bad spent her most on the 31 of Iune The 3 of August The 4 of August The 5 of August The sixt of August they came to an anker before Calais The stratagem of the English on the 7 of August to driue the Spaniards from an anker The Galleasse of D. Hago de Moncada vppon the sands before Calice Fight before Graueling on â— the 8. of August The English receiue smal losse Peter Vander Does takes D. Diego Fimentell prisoner carries his ship into Zeland The 8 of August the Spanish fleâ—◠〈◊〉 on fight The English on the 12 of August giue ouer pursuing the Spanish fleet The Spâ—nish fleet in dessaire Montigni attempts to enter the land of Tertholen An officer so named for which we in English can giue no proper name Those of the towne make a sallie vpon the enemie Certaine of the enemies musketiers are defeated The Queene of England makes Morgan gouernor of Berghen The strength of Parmas Campe. Eight of Bacx his horsemen take three captaines prisoners The enemie attempteth to surprise the North Fort. The enemie enâ—eth the Fort but to his small aduantage Grimston the victualler escape The enemie flieth Those of Berghen gâ—ue God thankes for the dissiâ—ation of the Spanish fleet The enemie forsakes the
the Captaine and his two sonnes were burnt and blowne vp Expecting the tide the two Admerals sent for six great vessels each of them manned with foure hundred musketiers to boord the Spanish gallions being not willing to hazard the Queenes ships Six ships of Lubeck and Dansk were sent from the fleet but they fell foule of the others and peraduenture willingly so as the earle of Essex about noone did set saile the like did the Lord Admerall but the Earles ship drawing too much water he went aboord sir Robert Dudleis who was base sonne to the earle of Leycester All the commaunders being aboord the generall they resolued to assaile the gallions commaunding the Lord Howard and sir Walter Raleigh to begin and they would follow So soone as these began to hoist saile the Spaniards fled towards the shore and sands on Puerto Reals side where their ships ran on ground and themselues leaped into small boats the better to get on shore and those which could not get into the boats aduentured to swimme and beeing many in number most of them perished The S. Mathew and S. Andrew were saued from running on ground and were carried away each of them were of one thousand tunne The two Easterlings ran on shore and were burnt As Raleigh thought to haue boorded the great gallion S. Philip a Negro gaue fire to the powder and escaped by swimming It gaue so great a cracke as the mast was blowne vp into the aire as if it had beene an arrow a Pinnace that lay neere it was likewise burnt but the men escaped in boats The other Gallion called S. Thomas was likewise blowne vp but did no harme to the English The Gallies fled towards the bridge of the Isle del Suazzo The Indian fleet lay about two leagues higher vp in the Riuer neere to Medina This fleet thus broken burnt and scattered the Generall began to land his men and to assault the towne of Cales The Hollanders and Zelanders tooke the Fort of Puntall by force and in it presently displaied and erected the Lord of Warmonts ensigne this discouraged those of Cales and encouraged the rest which landed neere the Fort who began to put themselues in order The earle of Essex led the vantguard the Lord Admerall commanded the battell and sir Iohn Winckfield led the rereward Vpon news of the Englishmens approach the gallants and nobilitie neere to Cales who are called Los Cauallieros de Xeres had armed themselues and were for the most part better furnished with braue horse than valour These with 600 foot drawne from Cales did presently offer skirmish Count Lodwick of Nassau whom the earle of Essex had honoured with the conduct of the voluntarie gentlemen went forward to encounter them and neere to him Melchior Leben one of Prince Maurice his Gentlemen and with them the General and sir Francis Veer with some foure hundred armed pikes and a braue companie of musketiers which stood behind a sand hil these men did put the Cauallieros to rout killing many of them some of whom for sooke their horse and fled towards the towne which was shut against them others fled to a bulwarke without the towne but perceiuing that Count Lodwick began to assaile and mount it they presently fled through the Dikes into the Towne at a place which was scarce made vp leading their enemies the way who presently pursued them and slid downe by their pikes into the towne running to open the gates for the Generall The earle of Sussex his companie was the first that entred who verie valiantly behaued himselfe the like did captaine Sauadge Bagnall Euants and others Captaine Nicholas Metkerck was hurt there and died within a while after yet before he died the General knighted him he was a braue and well experienced gentleman The English being thus within the town two companies of soldiers that lay there in garrison with many of the townesmen fled to the castle others with stones defended themselues in their houses But the Market place and town-house once taken euerie man yeelded without any great effusion of bloud Sir Iohn Winckfield who in former time had beene Gouernor of Geertrudenberg when it was sold and betrayed to the Duke of Parma being wounded rode vp and downe the Market place with his sword in hand being disarmed who not regarding the Marshal Veers good counsell that wished him either to arme himself or else to returne was shot into the head The Generals being busied in taking of the town forgat to pursue the Indian fleet Sir Edward Conway sir Christopher Blunt and sir Thomas Gerard offered with their souldiers in small boats to assaile and take it but Raleigh would not haue that honour taken from the Sea-men notwithstanding that the Earle of Essex and the Lord Admerall wold haue had it so and whilest they contested about it time passed away and they thought themselues sure enough of the fleet yet therein they were deceiued The towne taken and night being come the two Generals entreated sir Walter Raleigh to returne to the fleet to his ship fearing least the Galleis should the same night at a low water set fire on the ships promising to keepe his share of the bootie and to giue him a good quarter in the towne He craued leaue to goe and take the Indian fleet desiring no more than his owneship and twelue merchant men of London but the Generals entreated him to giue them time to consider of it till the next morning at which time sir Walter sent his brother in law Throgmorton Henrie Leonard and Iohn Gilbert knights to know their resolution but the Generals sent him word to come a shore to the towne In the meane time the committee of the contractation house with the purueior Pedro Herrera the Corrigidor other the kings officers in the town offered 2 millions of ducats or 600000 pound sterling for ransome of the fleet this did Raleigh oppugne saying that they ought first to be masters of the fleet and then ransome it afterwards for if alreadie they offered two millions they would giuefoure when it was taken whilest the English spent time in consultation the Spaniards day and night vnloded all the richest wares because that the Duke of Medina gouernour of S Lucars and those parts for the king had commaunded to burn the ships which was done vpon the third day before the ransome could be agreed vpon the men saued themselues and escaped so as the contractors that were onward on their way to negociat for the ransome perceiued the ships to be all on fire this was a sharpe and rigorous resolution for which the Duke was greatly contemned by those that had a share in this losse but he knew the king his Masters mind Three and thirtie great ships laden for the Indies were burnt beside fiue ships which came from S. Lucars three of which ran on ground it was the greatest and welthiest fleet that euer went to the Indies The most
But within a while after as Count Nicholas of Teckelenbourg vncle to Conrade that was deceased called the matter in question as a fee belonging to the Duchie of Guelders the Emperour againe tooke it into his owne hand and disposed of it afterward according to his owne pleasure This towne was well fortified with Bulwarkes Dikes and a strong garrison for beside foure strong bulwarkes in the Castle the towne had double rampiers and dikes with foure bulwarkes and three rauelins and six hundred souldiers in garrison comprehended in three foot companies and one Cornet of horse vnder the conduct of Count Frederick of Berguen the Drossart Indevelt Laukema Verdugos Lieutenant with all other necessaries belonging to a siege Count Frederick had caused certaine houses that stood nere the towne to be burnt because the enemie should not seaze on them The next day the besieged made a salley burnt a mill which stood without the towne and skirmished with the Scots who did beat them in againe In the night as our men began to make their approches those in the towne and castle did nothing all that night and most part of the next day but discharge their ordnance so as the whole towne seemed to be on fire The thirtieth of October sixe ensignes of Frizons came to the campe and the besieged about eight of the clocke the same euening did with one thousand fiue hundred men assaile the gard of Frizons where captaine Peter Leenwaerd his Serjeant and two or three souldiers were slaine after which the townesmen with some losse retired The one and thirtieth of October and first of Nouember certaine canons were planted and our men began to batter the fortifications the better thereby to make their approach The night following we made a batterie with sixe canon and the souldiers marched the same day euen to the dike of the rauelin before the gate called Molen-port The second of Nouember nineteene boats came to Embden loden with ordnance and munition and passed along by a place called Oort notwithstanding the opposition of the castle which belonged to the Earle The third and fourth of Nouember the approches on euerie side were aduaunced so as the souldiers before Molen-port came so farre into the rauelin as they found a Myne which the townesmen had made and some of them tooke their hats and filled them with gun powder which beeing perceiued by the besieged they flung forth wild-fire vpon our souldiers which burnt diuers of them together with certaine Myners this happened on the 5 of Nouember The same day the Embassadors of Denmarke arriued viz. the Chanceller Witfelt and the Lord Barnekou with a great traine and strong Conuoy they came from the Hague and passed by Swoll to come and see the campe visiting the trenches but not without admiration wondering at and commending our skill in martiall matters The next day they departed thence and were strongly conuoyed towards Dulmenhorst The same day the workes were well aduaunced and the 6 of Nouember three galleries were made which were bargained to be done the one for one thousand six hundred the other for one thousand fiue hundred and the third for one thousand foure hundred florins this money was more bountifully bestowed because the States of Holland had sent 10000 florins to the campe for payment of the workes so as before Molen-port and Leuckport our men were gotten into the rauelins to leuell the causies which kept the water in the dikes The seuenth and eighth of Nouember the besiegers began to seaze vpon the rauelins before the gates and to let forth the water The ninth of Nouember artillerie and munition came to the campe whereupon three dayes after his Excellencie made another batterie with foure and twentie pieces of ordnance vpon the castle and after that vpon the twelfth day he had battered the fortifications for eight houres space and vnder fauour of the canon began to vndermyne two bulwarkes he summoned the towne thereupon the townesmen craued an houres respit for consultation and a cessation of the ordnance and Myne but his Excellencie would giue them no time so as they demanded two hostages for two of their men whom they would send vnto him the one was Verdugos Lieutenant and the other Euert de Ens and late in the Euening a composition was made That they should depart the next day with their horse armes Cornet ensignes and baggage and should crosse the Rhyne and Mase according to the agreement of those of Oldenzeel deliuering vp all their papers and writings concerning the demaines of the Countrie to his Excellencie crauing fiftie wagons for their first dayes journey and that all the officers and Burghers might remaine six weekes in the towne to end their businesse and afterwards with passeport to goe whither they should please This capitulation was made in the presence of the Earles of Lunenbourg Lippe Swartzenbourg and Benthem who were come to the campe to salute Prince Maurice The same night count Solms Count Lodwick and Count Ernestus went to sup in the castle with Count Frederick of Berguen and his brother Adolph and returned at night to the Campe where gards were euerie where placed The thirteenth of Nouember Count Frederick requested that he might remaine there that day which was graunted on condition that his men should leaue the Castle and Captaine Martin Cobbe with his companie was sent into the Castle and Captaine Telinghen with his companies into the Towne where they found one canon two demie canons one Coluering three demie Culuerings one Falconet and two morters with 12000 weight of gunpowder The foureteenth of Nouember the garrison went away it consisted of 500 foot and one Cornet of 50 horse and the first night they lodged at Salsbergue in the land of Munster The same day his Excellencies troopes began likewise to march the horsemen through Munster towards Berck and the Fanterie to Swoll there to be imbarked for Holland The fifteenth of Nouember his Excellencie Count William and the rest of the armie departed from Lingen and went that night to Vlsen where the next day they separated themselues each one going to his garrison Prince Maurice in all his exploits is highly to be commended for his great and continuall speed wisedome and skill in martiall matters hauing in three moneths space obtained such great and notable victories for in these actions beside the Danish Embassadours and the commissioner of the townes and Countries of Cologne Munster and Osnabrugge there were two Dukes nine Earles with many other Lords and Noble men which came in person to his campe to salute and congratulat him and to be eye-witnesses of his victories and valour In these actions he did in a short space vanquish two thousand men on the farther side of the Rhyne in the townes of Berck Alpen and Meurs and on the hither side thereof sixe and twentie foot companies and foure Cornets of horse all old souldiers vnder the conduct of two Earles sundrie old Colonels
others hoping to moue the Archduke to goe and besiege Ostend to free Flaunders from daily contributions and expence it was at for entertainement of so many garrisons and forts vpon passages and to that end offered the Archduke a great summe of money The States of Holland did with all possible speed build a great gallie at Dort to make head against those of Sluce in length eight and fortie paces so soone as it was readie it was in September sent into Zeland it carried fifteene brasse pieces many Bases it was mand with rowers and souldiers the rowers sat vpon benches and were shrowded with a defence which was musket proofe it was called the blacke gallie of Dort the Captains name was Iacob Michielz it was presently sent to Sluce and there recouered a ship taken by the enemie On the 29 of September the Admerall of Zeland and Captaine Legier with this gallie well prouided and certaine shalops went towards Antuerpe and in the night passed by Ordam Fort the garrison supposed they were boats which went to victuall Hulst About midnight comming before Antuerpe they there found the Admerals ship a goodlie great vessell called a Smackseil or Cromsteven so big and strong as the Hollanders had none such it was of the burthen of one thousand eight hundred tunne or more it carried sixteene or seuenteene brasse pieces beside those of Iron and the Bases it had three tier of ordnance one aboue another Captaine Maes the Admerall was then absent this vessell lay opposit to the new Towne towards Flanders point The blacke gallie stemd this ship with her yron beak so forcibly as they could hardly get it out againe but with great danger were faine to saw it off the souldiers in the meane time became Masters of the ship some of them that were in it were slaine others leapt into the water and escaped by swimming The ship being taken our souldiers enforced the two ship Boyes whose liues they saued to tell them where the sailes and other tacklings were which done they fell downe the riuer with the Tide They likewise took two new vessels which daily carried prouision to Bruxels and Malines each of them carrying foure brasen pieces and others of yron with fiue other vessels called Smackes which by chaunce they tooke the same night and with these eight vessels fell downe the riuer towards Lillo hauing gotten aboue fiftie pieces of ordnance a bootie more worth than the gallie Those of Antuerpe hearing the shot th' alarme was presently ouer the Citie and the sooner because our Trumpets vpon the Key sounded the song of William of Nassau so well knowne wherein they recorded the commendation of the late vertuous Prince of Orange Within a while after the Admerall and Count Arenbourg came to Antuerpe to punish the negligence of the Admerall Maes and others and to preuent the like affronts he likewise caused a Fort to be built vpon the Key to defend the ships by night ¶ Captaine Cloet winneth the Castle of Cracow on the 9 of Februarie 1601. THe Castle of Cracow and Lordship thereof being by the last will and Testament of the Countesse of Meurs giuen to his Excellencie as a Lordship vnder the jurisdiction thereof the Duke of Parma in ann ' 1586 had giuen it to Salentino Count of Isenbourg in regard of certaine claime he laid vnto it since when the said Earle had still possest it and placed a certain fellow for captaine there who was called long Huben with 15 or 16 souldiers to gard the Castle which by nature was strong being seated in a fennie soile But Prince Maurice being desirous to enjoy his owne and vnderstanding that the Dikes were frozen in winter commaunded Captaine Cloet a braue and valiant souldier to make an attempt vpon the said castle with three hundred horse of Nimmeghen and certaine foot companies from Watchtendonck The said Captaine according to his Excellencies commaund came to Niewkerke nere to Wachtendonck on the eighth of Februarie whereof the gouernour of Stralen hauing intelligence followed him with fortie horse and 500 foot who in the Morning by day breake did so fiercely assaile Cloets souldiers as 40 of them were surprised ere their fellowes knew it who at last turned backe and perceiued that those of Stralen retired through a certaine narrow way verie aduantagious for footmen against horse the enemy hauing by this time taken 30 of Cloets horsemen prisoners most of whom being of his Excellencies companie were soon released for Cloet thereby incensed took another way by which he intercepted their passage and incountring them at their comming forth of that way vpon a plaine he assailed the Gouernor of Stralen in front behind and ouerthrew many of his horse and foot the rest escaped into a house which he presently encompassed enforced them to yeeld on composition and on condition to pay ransome He freely sent away three hundred and seuentie souldiers and onely detayned the Generall Dulchen gouernour of Straelen prisoner with Captaine Golstein and seuen officers as caution for the rest Cloet lost sixe or seuen men and many of his men and horse were hurt After that the foot companies of Wachtendonck came to Cloet and went forwards towards Cracow and arriued there on the ninth of Februarie at night the horse men alighted and went ouer the yee into the first Court of the Castle thereupon those within it began to shoot but Captaine Cloet shot so terribly vpon the Gate as those within it durst not abide there and then he caused his men to crosse the dike to let downe the draw-bridge and to plant the Perard at the Gate which presently brake it open Whereupon those within yeelded themselues and Castle by day breake Captaine Cloet left his Lieutenant there with fortie men 20 horse til his Excellencies further pleasure were known and returned againe to his garrison hauing performed that which was enjoyned him and by this meanes his Excellencie became Master of this Castle and Lordship ¶ The second siege and taking of the Towne of Rhynberg in Anno 1601. RHynberg is a towne belonging to the Bishopricke of Collein seated on the Southward of the Rhyne eight miles from Collein it is rather small than bigge and fortified with double rampiers well seated both for warre and traffique taking great toll of all goods and Merchandise which come downe the riuer During these warres both parties haue sundrie times fortified it and first in the warre of Collein betwixt the two Bishops it fell into the hands of the vnited Prouinces which a long time held defended it against the atteÌ„pts of the Spaniards freeing the riuer both from the prince of Parma who after the taking of Nuis in anno 1586 did furiously assaile it on the 13 of August and wâ—â— enforced to raise his siege hauing lien three moneths before the towne which he left blocked vp with many Forts as also from the Marquesse Varrabon who pursued continued the said siege in