Mantua Vasey Courtain and Roche du Maine the Rhinegrave the Count Rochfocault the Lords Obigney the two Birons Montbrun and Merne and about 4000 taken Prisoners with all the Bagage and Ammunition whilst on the part of the Spaniards not above 1000 were slain the chief being the Sieur Binecourt Master de Camp and two Noblemen of Germany Count Mansfield was wounded in the thigh and Count Monbrey in the knee After this Battel the strong Town of St. Quintines fell into the hands of the Spaniard as likewise did Haron and Chastellet they ranging freely in those parts for that Summer without any interruption Out of Notalis Comes c. Thus VVars sad Chance we see in blood is writ And Vict'ry flies to whom she thinks most fit VVhilst mighty Realms contend for Soveraignty By the devouring Sword brave Heroes dy Mix't with Plebean deaths the Nobles ly A Relation of the great Sea-fight fought off the Coast of England between the English and Spaniards in the year 1588. vulgarly called the fight of the Spanish Invasion KIng Philip of Spain fretting in his mind at the prosperous success of Elizabeth Queen of England both abroad and at home and more especially resenting her assisting the Flemings in their Wars held against him in the Low-Countries as also the depredations made by Sir Francis Drake and others in the West-Indias he at the Instigation of Pope Sixtus V. and some English Fugitives prepared a great Navy to Invade England for whose vastness and seeming strength it was named by the Spaniards the Invincible Armado though in the sequel it proved otherwise This great Fleet at its setting out consisted of 130 Galleoons Gallies-men of War and Tenders containing 57808 Tuns where in were 8405 Marriners 19295 Souldiers or Landmen and 2088 Gally-slaves furnished with 220000 great shot 4200 Kintaâ—s of Powder 1000 Kintals of Lead for small bullets 1200 Kintals of Match 7000 Musquets and 10000 Halberts with Partisam Field-Pieces and other Provisions requisite for such an undertaking of which the Duke of Medina Sidona was Admiral and was to be joyned by the Prince of Parma Governour of Flanders and to be supplied with further necessaries which accordingly he provided and prepared in all parts of those Provinces upon notice of which and the other preparations the Queen whom they thought by reason of the close carrying on of their design to surprize unprovided for so important a defence caused her Navy Royal immediately to be fitted out under the command of Charles Lord Howard of Effingham whom she constituted Lord Admiral and Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admiral with a Squadron was dispatched to the West of England there to cruze and observe the motion of the Enemies Fleet whilst Henry Lord Seymour second Son to the Duke of Somerset stood with Forty Sail to the Coast of Flanders to prevent Parma's joyning with Medina and thereupon mustered an Army of Land-Forces consisting of 10000 Horse and 32000 Foot with part of which she not only Encamped at Tilbury in Essex but with the rest secured the Places that seemed to Render the Enemy the easiest Access of Landing though through many distresses and disappointments the Spaniards had met withall it was confidently reported and believed by some that they could not in any convenient time make their intended attempt or enterprize yet contrary to the expectation of the English they on the 11. of July cast Anchor in the Chanel and from thence sent a Dispatch to Parma in the King's name to joyn his Forces with them and send such necessaries as were convenient to further the Expedition but on the 20th following about noon being discried by the English they hasted out of the Harbours and on the 21. of the same instant viz. the Lord Admiral Howard Drake Hawkins and Forbisher the most expert in Maritime Affairs that Europe then afforded played furiously in the Rear of the Enemy who were drawn up in the form of a half Moon and so battered Rechalde who commanded a Gally of great force that he his Squadron being put to the worst was so disabled that he had fell into their hands had he not been Received shatter'd as he was into the middle of the Armado as likewise was the Catharine of Spain a Ship of great burthen although the Spanish Admiral declined fighting as much as was possible bulwarking the smaller Vessels with those of greater force bearing from the Coast of England towards Calais so that a great Ship of Biscay commanded by Don Oquendo being fired on the 22. of June a great Gally commanded by Pedro Valdez fell into the hands of Sir Francis Drake in which beside the Commander Don Pedro de Valdez were Vasques de Sylvas and Alanzo de Saijs and other Noblemen the whole number of Men on Board according to their own computation being 430 which were made Prisoners and disposed of in divers places till they were afterward Ransomed nor fared the Vice Admiral De Oquendo better for his Ship having received great damage by fire she was taken with much treasure and carried into Plymouth and although hitherto it had been a kind of a moving Fight the Spaniards shewing an unwillingness to Ingage before they Received their Succours and supply from the Prince of Parma who was indeed blocked up at the same time by the Hollanders who stood upon their guard on the Coast yet now the English Admiral pressed their towring Castles with his shot so furiously that many of them were miserably rent and torn with small damage to the English for that the Spaniards being high built could not well bear their Canon upon the English Ships whose hulls were much lower and when at any time they did the Commanders with their nimble Ships shifted and tacked to a better and more commodious station of anoying the Enemy and so incessantly the Batteries were made that nothing was heard but the thundring of the Canons and the cries of Men whilst ascending smoke made dark the Skies But the Lord Admiral not thinking it convenient to graple with such strength who had a strong Army on board After he had taken and sunk Twelve of their Ships and Gallies and killed them above 5000 men whilst they lay at Anchor before Calais in vain expecting the Prince of Parma A stratagem was found out to break and disperse them which took more effectually than what had before been put in practice viz. into Eight of the oldest and least serviceable English Vessels were put Pitch Tarr Rosin Hemp Flax and other combustible matter their Guns charged and rammed higher than usual with stones crossbar-shot pieces of Iron and the like when in the Night time the wind standing fair they were sent amongst the thick Squadrons of the Spaniards under the Conduct of two expert Sea-Captains viz. Mr. Young and Mr. Prowess with a command to fire them so soon as they were within Musquet-shot of the Enemy and let them drive which by Trains lay'd for that purpose they accordingly did with
Companion c. The Relation of the Great and Memorable Battel fought in Battel Field in Sussex between Harrold King of England and William Duke of Normandy on Octob. 14. 1066. KING Harrold having no sooner defeated the Army of Norvigians and Danes in the North with exceeding slaughter in which of note fell Harfagar King of Denmark Tosto his Brother and Olave his Son but News was brought him that the Normans under the leading of their Duke were landed in the South whereupon he made such speed with his Army that before they could pass through the County of Sussex he was drawing out of London and so with the like celerity marched to give them battel after having sent back the Messenger who came from the Duke of Normandy to demand possession of the Kingdom by vertue of a promise he had made him when being a private man he was taken Prisoner upon his Coast so that both Armies pitching their Tents upon a great Plain now known by the name of Battel-field the King sent divers Spies to view the Norman Camp who being taken and presented to the Duke he generously feasted them causing them to be carried from Tent to Tent and then they were dismissed without any damage or detriment And now Duke William a second time sending to demand the Kingdom or a single Combat with King Harrold and both of them being refus'd as also another proffer which was to hold the Kingdom as a Feudetary of Normandy the Armies drew out on the 14th of October 1066 to try the Fortune of a King and Kingdom by more Swords than one when being set in array of Battel and incouraged on either side with moving Orations the bloody Blast was sounded and the Kentish Men who claimed the Avaunt-guard or From of the Battel as their Right moved and charged the Enemy in the Front with great fury the Battalions and Wings of Horse on the other parts doing the like yet keeping firm in their thick and closed Ranks so that what with the shot of Arrows and those that came to the Sword and push of Pike a bloody and doubtful Fight ensued nor could the Normans with the continual wheeling of their Horse and shot of Archers of which they mostly consisted dismay or disorder the English Battel thoâ— in their motions they shot a slaunt in the Air that the Arrows in their fall might disable the inmost Ranks and gaul the Horse which the Duke perceiving and finding that unless he could loosen the Battel it was in vain for him to expect the Victory nor had he any hope of return his Fleet being before fired at his command he ordered the Retreat to be sounded but â—n such a manner that the whole Army consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot might suddenly face about and charge at the Signal appointed to be given which Stratagem answered his Expectation for the English supposing the Normans fled suddenâ—y disranked to pursue them so that their Orders being open and the Duke rallying 〈◊〉 is Men broke in with a furious Charge â—nd made such slaughter that the ground was covered with heaps of the slain nor â—ould the King though he laboured to cast â—â—em into a thick Body restore the Battel â—ut as he was intent upon it he received the â—ot of an Arrow which entred his Brain â—nd of which Wound he fell down dead â—ter which a miserable slaughter ensued â—ough a party of the English cast themselves into a Ring and manfully resisted however being in the end routed on all parts there fell 97974 by the Sword and shot of Arrows amongst which were the King and his two Brothers Leosin and Grith together with the flower of the English Nobility and of the Normans not above 9000 and although their Duke escaped he had three Horses slain under him yet by this Battel so gained he won a Kingdom for the Land being thus deprived of her King and Nobles no farther resistance was made but all things were left to the disposal of the Conqueror who soon after caused himself to be Crowned King and is known in our Cronologies by the style oâ— King William the First or William the Conqueror Thus Normans fierce possess'd our fruitful Soile And stain'd with blood the famous British Isle Speed de vitae W. C. The Battels of Jerusalem or Jerusalem noâ— by the Armies of the Western Princes December 25. 1099. JErusalem being in the hands of the Infidels their unheard of Cruelties loudened the crys of the oppressed Christians anâ— obliged them to importune their Patriarch to implore the Christian Princes to send their Armies by Battel to rescue them from their Oppressors who accordingly sending his Letters full of lamentations by one Peter a Hermit with other proofs and attestations of the miseries they suffered in the Holy Land such credit was given to them that in a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised wearing on their Breasts red Crosses in token of their holy Warfare and were chiefly under the leading of Godfry of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin Hugh brother to the French King Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders Robert Duke of Normandy Son to William the Conqueror Stephen de Valois Earl of Chartires Adimer Bishop of Podolia c. and with this Army they passed the Hellespont covering the shores of Asia and brought a great Terror upon the Infidels who gathered what Forces they could to oppose the progress of such a War and were not altogether unsuccessful for Peter the Hermit advancing before the rest of the Army with 40000 men raised in the Territories of the Church being furiously charged by the Enemy lost the greatest part of his Forces and was obliged to retire with the rest to Civite a Town a little before abandoned by the Turks not daring to depart thence till the arrival of Duke Godfry when with their united Forces the Christians marched to the City of Nicea which they besieged and made themselves Masters of it in fifty days finding therein great Riches and many Persons of note amongst whom were the Turkish King Solyman's Wife and two Children and the King who came to the Relief of it with the whole power of the lesser Asia consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot was overthrown with such slaughter as covered the Fields with the dead Bodies and filled the Ditches with blood nothing being to be heard but crys and dying groans for the Christians following the Execution 40000 of the Infidels fell by the Sword which brought such a Terror upon those Parts that Cities and Towns were abandoned without so much as being disputed Antioch only of all in that large Tract held out yet made but a weak resistance for after a furious Assault it was taken which being known to the Garrisons of Iconium and Haraclea they surrendred upon the first summons still flying before the Victors and daily sending to his Cozen Axan the Persian Sultan for Aid but he not being able to
Anno 1390. THE Turkish Kingdom founded by Othoman in Asia having spread it self in a short time over the Hellespont into Europe and their Arms brought a Terror upon the Greek Empire now sick and languishing by reason of intestine broils to prevent the further incroachment of Amurath the Despot or Prince of Servia made a private League with the King of Bosna that with their united Powers they might defend their Territories which was not yet so secretly done at an interview between them but the Turk had notice of it and having overthrown Aladin the Caramanian King in Asia and stripped him out of his Countries he drew all his Forces into Europe to oppose the Princes who were raising what Power they could to march against him and knowing they had to deal with one of a fierce and cruel nature resolved to try what might be done by stratagem in order to which a Captain that kept a Castle on the Confines of Bosna hasting to the Camp of Amurath promised him for a large Reward no put the greater part of the strong holds into his hands if he would follow his directions confirming him in what he said by many specious Pretences and Protestations insomuch that the covetous Turk credited him so far as to send 20000 men under the leading of his Tutor Lala-Schahin which the Captain suffering for a while to plunder some inconsiderable Places to give them thereby the greater confidence of their security in the end he trained them into an Ambush of 30000 Besniacks who as they were stragling fell upon them and cut off 15000 of them the other 5000 with Schahin hardly escaping to make a relation of their welcom Amurath being not a little grieved and vexed at the misfortune and disgrace put upon him by one in whom he thought he might have confided considering the Rewards he had bestowed to ingage him on his part breathed nothing but Revenge against the Christians and in the height of his fury commanded his Army to march into Servia where somewhat contrary to his Expectation he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to bid him battel when as some inconsiderable Towns being taken and possest on both parts and the dreadful day of battel drawing nigh the Armies as if by consent met upon the large Plains of Cossovia where the Generals and Great Captains on either side having made many Speeches and moving Orations to animate the Souldiers to try their utmost Power and Force and set them in battel array the charge was founded and the battalions joyned with such fury that the Earth trembled under their Feet and such was the horrid clashing of Arms the noise and shouts of the Conquerors the Groans and Crys of the vanquished and the neighing and trampling of Horses that many report the wild Beasts in the Mountains stood trembling at what it might signifie or whence so great a Clamour proceeded and that such as beheld the fight at a distance imagined the showers of Arrows that darkned the Plains descended from the Clouds and so furiously the Despot to revenge the mischiefs the Turks had done in his Country charged upon the right wing that he broke and disordered it and pierced the main battel But the Turks being double the number of the Christians and Bajazet Amurath s Son coming in with twenty thousand Horse restored the battel so that the Christians being wearied with slaughtering their Enemies and having done all that could be expected from true Valour for the space of eight hours for so long the battel lasted they were at length overset and put to the worse in all parts and the Plains were made mountainous with the heaps of the slain so that they in some measure hindred the pursuit though the Christians like men desperately resolved to conquer or dye fled not till Lazarus the Despot and all the great Captains were killed valiantly fighting or whilst there was any hopes of Victory or of an honourable Retreat Those that fell in this battel on both sides not being accounted less than 50000. But of this Victory Amurath had but small joy for whilst he was glutting his Eyes with the vast heaps of the slain a Christian Souldier named Cobelites half dead and faint with Wounds and loss of Blood rising as it were from a Golgotha or Grave came staggering towards him falling two or three times in twenty paces whilst those that were about him would have hindred his approach but Amurath forbad them to hinder him as supposing he came to petition for Life when on the contrary without a word speaking suddenly drawing out a Dagger he stabbed him into the Belly for which he was hewen in pieces by those that attended their King who likewise died of that wound soon after and for this Reason the Turks when any one is admitted to his Audience of the Emperour lead him by either Arm c. Thus were Cossova's Plains made fat with Blood And Death was glutted with a Crimson Flood The tot'ring State of Christendom found there A fatal Scar which still she 's forc'd to wear A Description of the Memorable Battel fought on the Plains of Sennas in Asia between Tamerlane the Great Prince of the Tartars and Bajazet the First of that Name King of the Turks c. BAjazet succeeding Amurath who was kill'd on the Plains of Cossovia not only prosecuting his Wars against the Christians but stripping the Mahometan Princes out of their Dominions in the lesser Asia and they hearing of Tamerlane's Conquests in the great Kingdom of China where he had wrought Wonders and of his Power with the Tartarian Emperour whose Daughter he had married many of them fled to him for Refuge imploring him by Arms to restore them to their just Rights that had been wrongfully taken from them which so far prevailed with him being at the same time sollicited by Emanuel the Greek Emperour whom Bajazet had besieged in Constantinople the chief City of his Empire as to send Ambassadors to the Turk with Presents on their behalf requiring him to cease from molesting his Allies and more especially so worthy a Person as the Greek Emperour had been represented to him to be but instead of answering his Expectations Bajazet in a proud manner not only rejected his Presents but in opprobrious Terms made him many foul Reproaches telling his Ambassadors He desired nothing more than to meet him in the Field and so dismiss'd them with Threats and Scorn which so enraged the Tartar that being before perswaded by Axalla his great Favorite a Genoa by Birth and by Profession a Christian and having an Inclination to assist the Christian Emperour whose Opinion he favour'd to raise an Army he now resolved to do it and such an Army as should cover the Countries he passed through which he soon did in those vast Dominions and taking leave of his Father-in-Law and his Wife passing the Mountains marched through divers Countries drawing a World of People after him none daring oppose
more Glorious Rise Englands Pharsalia or the bloody Civil War between King Henry the Sixth of the House of Lancaster Richard Duke of York and Edward the Fourth of the House of York describing the several Fights and pitch'd Battels wherein 100000 Men on both sides are accounted to be slain c. RIchard Duke of York taking distaste at the Release of the Duke of Somerset by King Henry the Sixth he with the Earl of Warwick and divers others his Accomplices fell to open Force and levied an Army about the Marches of Wales with which they marched towards London under pretence of redressing Grievances and removing evil Counsellors to oppose whom King Henry drew out and both Armies meeting at St. Albans in the County of Hertford the Duke sent to the King to demand divers Lords that were about him and such as he should name or prescribe but being rejected with disdain the charge was sounded and both Armies joyned Battel furiously and maintained a doubtful fight till at length Victory began to declare for the King but the Scale was soon turned for Warwick breaking through the Gardens with about 2000 men and his approach not being there suspected the Kings Army many of the chief Nobility being slain was broken yet would he not fly but stood the shot of the Archers till wounded in the Neck he was taken Prisoner and being carried to London and a Reconciliation made on both parts the Duke being shortly constituted Governour of Ireland In this fatal Batal of St. Albans between the Houses of York and Lancaster fell forty eight Noble-men Knights and Esquires and amongst them the Earls of Somerset Northumberland and Stafford together with 5000 of the meaner sort and many were wounded amongst whom was the King. Long did not the seeming Reconciliation last but the Duke of York raising new Troubles was together with the Earls of March Rutland Warwick and Salisbury with others of less Note attainted of High Treason in Parliament but it so little discouraged them that drawing out from the several places where they were retired with their Army consisting of 25000 men they took the Field against whom the Kings Army advanced with great speed so that meeting at Northampton a cruel and bloody fight ensued but in the end the King being unfortunate in War his Army was worsted and himself a second time made Prisoner there being on both sides not less than ten thousand men slain and of Note Humphry Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Egremont and a Parliament being called the Duke laid claim to the Crown deriving his Pedigree from Leonel the Third Son of Edward the Third elder Brother to John of Gaunt the Father of Henry the Fourth Grandfather to the King so that after a great debate at length it was concluded on all parts that King Henry during his natural Life should quietly possess and enjoy the Crowns and Kingdoms and afterwards they to remain in general Tail to the Duke of York and his Heirs But the Queen a Woman of a Masculine Spirit not approving that her Son Prince Edward a Youth of great hope should be so excluded withdrew her self into the North and there without the consent of the King raised Forces to secure his Right against whom the Duke advanced with an Army but unadvisedly giving her Battel near Sands Castle before his whole Forces were come up and falling into several Ambushes laid for the purpose he himself after a bloody and doubtful fight being slain together with the Earl of Rutland his Son and the Earl of Salisbury with three thousand more of lesser Note and his Head being cut off was crowned with a Paper Crown and in derision carried through the Queens Victorious Army The Duke slain many hoped that this Calamitous War would have an end but failed in their Expectations for Edward Earl of March having raised an Army of 23000 men in the Marches of Wales and hearing of his Fathers Death advanced with great speed overthrowing in a great Battel the Earls of Pembrook and Ormond who endeavoured near Ludlow to oppose his passage in which Battel were slain 3800 men and several Prisoners of Note taken and amongst them Owen Tuder Father-in-Law to the King whose Head by the Command of the Earl was cut off and so he continued his March to fight the Army that yet remained with the Queen who was advanced as far as St. Albans and had overthrown the Londoners who came to oppose her entering their City with the slaughter of 2000 of them and took the King whom they had brought along with them to countenance their undertaking But Edward Earl of March approaching her with his Army which was much increased by the way she thought it not convenient to give battel but suffering him to enter London retired into Scotland Whilst he taking upon him the Title of King was Crowned at Westminster but was not setled in his Throne before News was brought that King Henry with divers Lords were in the North with a great Army whereupon he drew out his Forces to give them battel marching directly to Pomfract in York-shire sending the Lord Fitz-Walter before to take the Charge of the Passage of Ferry Bridge where that Lord with many others were slain and King Henry's Forces gaining the Pass the Armies came in sight of each other and drew up in Battalia being the greatest that had been seen in England since the Conquest Edwards consisting of 48660 and Henry's of 60000 fighting Men when after some pause the Trumpets sounded the Charge and the Army moved furiously when Warwick who lead the Vaunt-guard to incourage his men put from his Horse by whose Example many did the like resolving to win the Field or dye in the Battel so that after It had continued with great slaughter for the space of ten hours and most of theCommanders on King Henry's part slain his Battel swerved nor could the Courage and Skill of those that survived restore it but a fearful flight ensued while the Victors following the Execution covered all the Field with dead Bodies whilst the Blood streamed in Channels for in this Battel fought between the Towns of Towton and Saxton on the twenty ninth of March fell Persons of Quality to the number of 375 amongst which were Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland and John Lord Nevel Brother to the Earl of Warwick John Lord Clifford and John Lord Wells and of the meaner sort 35091 whereupon King Henry with his Son and Queen fled into Scotland and Edward returned to London This fatal blow though it put a damp to their Spirits did not altogether discourage the Lancastrians for Queen Margaret going into France raised new Supplies in that Kingdom but making towards England her Fleet was scattered by a Tempest and she driven upon the Coast of Scotland with the smaller part of it yet finding her Husband in the Scotish Court highly entertained by James their King she took heart and soon after the
Alexander Vitteli who lay with their Regiments in the Territories of Pisa to haste to the Camp yet take such a way that they might follow in the Ear of Franaio's Troops and fall upon him as they found their Advantage whilst himself with a detached Power would oppose him in the Front which accordingly hapned after some skirmishing by the way in the Town of Gabiniano so that there the fury of the battel increasing they fought on all parts with great Fury especially in the Market-place where Franaio leaping from his Horse and taking a Pike in his Hand greatly incouraged his Souldiers nor failed Marmaldo to do the like who casting his men in a thick wedge sustained the charge valiantly whilst a part of Franaio's Foot sheltring amongst the Chesnut Trees that grow thick towards the Wall of the Town poured in their shot like Hail and as they saw it convenient advanced in parties and having camisado'd the Enemy as soon retired which the Prince of Orange who fought on Horseback perceiving pressed on to dislodge them to whose Relief with a Troop of Horse came Nicholas Mussio a Greek of great strength with whom the Prince fought hand to hand and although Mussu with his Battel-Ax had bruised his Helmet the Prince still pursued him with his Sword but entering too far amongst the Trees he received two mortal Wounds by Harquibuss shot and fell from his Horse and instantly died being stripped by the Souldiers of his Cloth of Siver-Coat and guilt Armour whereupon his Men were so discouraged that many of them fled away fearfully and unpursued of which Advantage Franaio laying hold cried Victory the better to hearten his own Souldiers and drawing his Troops close together made a desperate charge on those that yet stood firm so that the Streets were covered with dead Bodies and the Channels murmur'd with Streams of Blood nor had Victory failed to have declared on his part had not the Lansquenets of German Foot who were placed without the Town as a Battel of Succour advanced and restored the fight for upon the flying of Rusales a Collonel of Horse with those under his Command the News was carried to the Camp before Florence that the Prince was slain and his Army routed but these fresh Forces coming on and renewing the fight with great fury the Florentines after they had disputed Street by Street and House by House with the Imperials found themselves too weak to make any further resistance so that Franaio and Paul his Lieutenant after they had for many hours defended a strong House and from thence with their shot and Wild-fire overthrown many of their Enemies finding the battel inevitably lost yielded themselves to Marmaldo when being brought into his Presence armed as they were taken he said to Franaio in a great Rage And did you think when you hanged up my Drummer against the Law of Arms it would have been my Fortune to have had you in my Power To which Franaio without the least shew of fear or dejection replyed This is the chance of War and the like may also befall you serving in the War but if you take my Life you shall gain by my Death neither Profit Honour or Praise yet Marmaldo having caused him to be disarmed wounded him with his Sword in the Throat and left him to the Souldiers to be dispatched who incontinently slew him Nor fell there in this Encounter less than 2000 men being the more memorable for that the two Generals were slain with many more of Note upon News of which defeat of their Forces the Florentines yielded up the City having defended it to the last Extremity leaving no unclean thing un-eaten whereupon the Emperour deprived them of their Francises and made Alexander d' Medicis base Son of Lawrence d' Medicis Duke of Florence and of all the Countries depending thereon Thus one Succesless Battel Florence lost And a free State with servile Bondage cro'st Made Italy's chief Garden droop her Head As if her sragrant Flowers had all been dead A Description of the Memorable Battel of Cheresoles fought in Peimont between Alphons Marquess of Guisto General for Charles the Fifth Emperour and France Duke of Anghien General for Francis the French King Anno 1544. FRancis Duke of Anghien with a grea◠Power laving Siege to Carignano 〈◊〉 strong Town in Peimont Alphons Marque◠of Guisto Governour of that Province fo◠Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany◠thought it highly concerned him to hinde◠so important a Place from falling into th◠Hands of the French and thereupon drawing his Forces into a Body he resolved to raise the Siege at the hazard of a battel no◠was not many days before the Armies confronted each other and began the fight after they were arranged in battel array with their Cannon and thereupōn the Squardrons of Horse moved with great Courage the first that charged being the Horsemen of Thermes and Balleone which charge they maintained with so much Valour that many were slain on either part and a great many borne to the Ground with their Lances who for the most part were troden to death by the Horses so that they soon came to use their Swords and Battel-Axes but Thermes at length bending his Forces upon the Italian Foot-men was beaten from his Horse and taken Prisoner by a common Souldier nor could Baleone's Wing by reason of its being much inferior in number long resist the French men at Arms so that many in that sharp conflict were slain and amongst them Julio Azzo Son to the Prince of Tuderto and Baleone having his Horse slain under him himself at the same time wounded hardly escaped being taken Prisoner but the battel under the Command of Raimond de Cordona and Seisneich had better fortune for charging upon the Grevers a sort of Souldiers brought up in the Territories of Geneva they so plied them with Harquibuss-shot that they put their Battel into much disorder and won from them the Ground they had a long time maintained as likewise a Cottage that sheltered them from the shot of the other Wing with some pieces of Ordnance nor was it effected without great slaughter on either side so that a Troop of Horsemen were immediately sent to succour them lest they should be all cut off In this Encounter Monsiew Destro and Charles Drosse Collonels of Horse were slain as also Monsieur de Assier a young Gentleman of great hope for the Spaniard desirous to revenge old Wrongs pressed furiously upon the French-men in this part of the battel insomuch that they obliged them to retire with great slaughter even to the Gates of Carmagnola and at the same time the German Foot who had lain upon the Ground to avoid the shot o◠the great Ordnance rose up and set forward to the battel and Aliprando their Commander going some paces before them challenged out Monsieur de Mole a Captain of the French to fight him i◠single Combat which after being accepted both Captains mounted and running
the Duke finding the Day lost used what Industry he could to make an orderly retreat into the Neighbouring Wood but by reason his Array was broken the Imperialists entered with him making great slaughter of his men and pressed so furiously upon him that although he stoutly defended himself yet at length he was taken Prisoner by Hippalito a Venetian and disarmed as likewise were a great number of his men and some prime Commanders In this Battel 2000 foot were slain as likewise 800 Horsemen and 700 wounded on the part of the Saxons but of the Germans the slain exceeded not 500 there were likewise taken 42 Ensigns with all the Plate Jewels Baggage and Furniture of the Camp though the Saxons made a kind of a marching or running fight for the space of fifteen miles in all continuing about eight hours and after this Victory all the Country of Saxony submitted to the Emperours Pleasure as soon after did most of the other Estates and Principalities that combined to withstand and oppose him Thus Saxony in her own Confines prest Through one great loss is many years distrest Labâ—ring with War till Peace at last gave rest A Description of the Memorable battel of Muscle-borough-field fought in Scotland between Edward Seimour Duke of Somerset and James Hamilton Earl of Arran Regents of England and Scotland Anno 1547. A Great difference arising between the two Nations upon the Scots refusing as it had been agreed upon in the days of Henry the Eighth to give their young Queen Mary sole Heiress to the Crown of Scotland to Edward the Sixth King of England c. The English under the leading of the Duke of Somerset and other Nobles entered that Kingdom resolving by War to prosecute them for their Obstinacy and oblige them if possible to the performance of what they without any Colour or Reason had refused whereupon on the third of September Anno 1547 the Lord Regent passed the Tweed with an Army consisting of 10000 foot of which 600 were Harquibuses 4000 men at Arms and Demilances with 2000 light Horse-men of whom 200 were Harquibusiers mounted and 1300 Pioneers the Train of Artillery consisting of fifteen great pieces besides a Fleet of sixty five Vessels whereof a great Gally and thirty four Ships were well appointed for War the rest being Victuallers and Tenders and on the ninth of September incamped within two Miles of the Scotish Army under the command of the Earl of Arran who the next Morning dislodged as likewise did the English and advanced towards each other though the former had but a bad welcome for some of the English Ships riding at Anchor in the River let flye so soon as they came within reach of their shot and killed a Captain together with twenty five Souldiers which made the Battalion of Archers commanded by the Earl of Argyle retreat nor could they be perswaded to advance which made the whole Army change the intended course by marching more Southwardly nor stayed they till they had possessed themselves of the Hill called Fauxside-Bray which made the duke of Somerset the English General send some Troops thither to secure the Hill it being of great advantage to those that possessed it and so successful was he therein that he procured in a short time several pieces of Cannon to be mounted thereon which afterward proved very serviceable in battering the Enemies Ranks and in the Emergency the Council debated on Horse-back what was to be done as not having liesure otherways to do it and came to result this viz. that the Lord Grey of Wilton Marshal of the Army and Captain General of all the Horse-men should with his band of Bulloiners and other Troops to the number of 1800 Horse-men advance to charge the Enemy in the Front whilst Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Darcy Captains of the Pentioners and Men at Arms together with the Lord Fitz-Walter and his band of Demilances to the number of 1600 should be ready to support him that so by a furious charge they might break or disorder the thick front of the Enemies Pikes and although this was a hazardous undertaking yet the Captains disputed not the Order only the Lord Grey desired the General that if he should miscarry in the Enterprize he would be good to his Wife and Children and so taking leave he advanced to meet the Scots who with no less speed came on in so thick a Wedge that it appeared very difficult if not impossible to pierce their Array for the Earl of Angues who commanded the Vaunt-guard had in his Battel 8000 Men and four or five pieces of Cannon which served as a flank on his Right and on his Left he had 400 Horse men and was supported with 10000 Highlanders and in the Rear-ward was the Earl of Huntly with 8000 Scots and 4000 Irish Archers who served as a Wing unto them both being furnished likewise with Ordnance as in the other battel nor was this all for the English had the difficulty of a great Slough or miry Ditch to struggle with in their Passage which not only obliged them to break their Ranks but mited divers of them that were not skilled in leaping yet surmounting these they came to a furious charge insomuch that although at the first onset the battel was not broken yet it swaied and gave back to Admiration so that the English gained Ground apace but the Lord Marshal finding he was not at that time capable of forcing their Ranks he made a softly retreat towards the Hill that they might disrank to follow him and he thereby have an opportunity to give a second charge before they could fall into order in which retreat he lost twenty five of his men and had divers wounded many of them Persons of Quality as the Lord Generals Son and Sir Thomas Darcy c. Nor did they fail to lay hold on the Kings Standard borne by Sir Andrew Flammock but it was so well defended that they only broke the Staff and carried away the nether end but the English Commanders having rallied their Troops and by moving Orations dissipated the fear the late slaughter occasioned and being re-inforced Peter Meucasa Captain of a Company of Harquibusiers on foot drew up in the front of the Enemies battel and was seconded by Peter Gamboa a Spanish Captain who commanded 200 Harquibusiers on Horseback who with their shot made such slaughter that the Scots durst not advance and by that means the English Archers had time to march on the Right-hand of our foot-men and feather them with their flights of Arrows and the great Ordnance playing transverse within Musquet-shot and the foot-men who had been obscured by the Horse advancing in good array the Scots began to shrink together though they were far superior to the English in number and quickly losing all Courage betook themselves to open flight their General the Earl of Arran flying foremost nor did Angues stand to it but followed with great Celerity so that the
Nevers who soon after died of their Wounds and many noble Prisoners were taken on either side neither having cause to boast of any advantage for the slain computed to ten thousand were in a manner equally divided and the battel parted by the Night as aforesaid the Admiral repaired with his Forces to Orleance and the Duke of Guise with those that were now under his command to Paris Thus Night drew Curtains o're the fatal Field To spare that Blood which yet remain'd unspill'd But calm'd not their wild fury for again Grown big with War the Captains take the Plain A Description of the Battel of Bassiack fought in France between Henry Duke of Anjou Brother to and Lieutenant-General for Charls the Ninth King of France and Lewis Prince of Conde General of the Hugonot Army Anno 1569. ALthough the strengths of either party had been sufficiently tryed and France yet reeked with Blood yet it sufficed not the hot Spirits of the Leaders but they again drew out their Forces The Catholicks under the leading of the Duke of Anâ—ou and the Hugonots under the leading of the Prince of Conde and the Admiral of Castillion and after divers Skirmishes the Forces on either part increasing though not half the Prince's Army were come up Necessity obliging him to ingage the fight began with great fury but lasted not long before Fortune declared against the Hugonots for the Prince perceiving a great Troop approaching to fight him at disadvantage with 4 or 500 Horse he turned head to charge them till more of his Forâ—es might come up and gave a very hot charge upon the foremost pressing on with such fury that he bore down and obliged to retreat all that stood before him but not being seconded as he expected and in hight of his Valour advancing too far he found himself inclosed by the Ranks of his Enemies who layed upon him so forcibly that having done all that could be expected from true Valour he was in the end beaten from his Horse sore bruised and wounded where no timely succour coming in he was constrained to give place unto force so that being bidden to yield by de Argence and Monsieur Jean upon their Promise to spare his Life he surrendred himself but soon after being known Montesquoin a desperate fellow contrary to Justice or the Law of Arms shot him dead with a Pistol and thus ended the Great and Warlike Conde who with a handful of men for many years had resisted the power of a potent Kingdom but here ended not the misery for his men understanding he was dead no longer kept the field but were a great number of them slaughter'd in the pursuit During the battel Dacier the Prince's Lieutenant and drawn his men to the number of 6000 out of Cognac and advertised that his General was ingaged hasted by a great march towards Bassiack but coming within a league of it he understood by those that fled that the battel was lost which caused him to march towards Jarnac but scarcely arrived there before the Catholick Troops appeared against whom he made head with much bravery obliging them to recoil in such a manner as gave him Opportunity to make his retreat good with small loss by passing Rivers and cutting off Bridges c. to hinder the Horse that hung upon his Rear The Admiral and Dandelot his Lieutenant perceiving the fight irreparably lost and the confusion in all places was great retired with a small number of the Nobility shunning the greater number the better to hinder the pursuit and so came to St Jean de Ae'ngly where being advertised that the young Princes of Navar and Conde were at Zaincles they marched thither and made that the place of their Randezvouze whither a great number of such as escaped out of the battel resorted and soon became a formidable Army being joyned by those Troops that were not in the battel In this disaster were slain on the Hugonot Party many of great Note besides the Prince As de la Tour Chustebers Portant Chandenire Mesauchere Brandanire Besolones Taberiere Barette Lay Mesleray and about fifty Gentlemen of lesser Note for the heat of the battel fell upon the Horse the Foot scarcely coming to ingage though it went not unbloody on the other part for a great number of prime Men lost their Lives especially in the quarter where the Prince charged yet the Prisoners Protestants were many and amongst them divers of the Scotish Nation who had engaged themselves as Voluntiers on the part of the Prince the chief was Corbeson Brother to the Earl of Montgomery As for the whole number of the slain it exceeded not 2000 yet the winning the battel proved of great Importance to the Catholicks for soon after they over-run Zantougevis Anguemois Limousin and other Places of Note though thereby they gave way to the increase of the Hugonot Power which gathered to the Standard of Henry the young Prince of Navar whom they chose their General constituting at the same time the Admiral the Protector of his Person whereupon the War continued as hot as ever and many great Battels were fought with various success nor ended it till after the death of Henry the Third Henry Prince and afterward King of Navar was Crowned King of France as being the next of the blood Royal. Thus France the fate of Civil Discord found Which in her Bosom made a deadly Wound War raging through her Confines Terror yields Encumbring long her blood-bedabl'd Fields More Red with slaughter then her Town 's with Wine More Crimson Streams from Wounds than from the Vine For still where Native Arms oppress the soil The Ground 's made fat with Blood the Rivers boil No Foes at Odds are swell'd with so much Rage As when two kindred Hoast's fierce battel wage Nor need we to Pharsalian Plains retreat Nor fatal Mundas Field's nor Africks beat VVhere Roman Civil Hands in slaughter tir'd Could not give Death those Lives their Rage desir'd Since Native Albion with like Ruine spread Yet mourns the Blood her mad-brain'd Sons have shead And drops sad Tears upon the mighty dead A Description of the famous battel or Sea-fight commonly called the battel of Lepanto fought near the Gulph of that Name between the Navy of the Christian League under the Conduct of Don John of Austrian half Brother to Philip the First King of Spain and Haly Bassa Commander in chief for Selimus the Second Emperour of the Turks Anno 1572. THE Turks under the Reign of Selimus the Second of that Name greatly infesting the Seas and riding triumphant as it were with a powerful Navy on the Ocian the Christian Princes especially the King of Spain the Pope and the Venetians began to consider the great damage they had done and what more they were like to do them if not curbed in time which made them conâ—derate and hasten out their Ships of War that they might in Conjunction oppose the growing Mischief which meeting in the Fair or
the King charged being put to the retreat an Officer of the Cuirasiers knowing the King broke desperately thro' the Ranks that sheltered him and coming behind him as he was Retreating shâ—◠〈◊〉 through the Body with his Pistol 〈◊〉 at the same time this is the right bird yet enjoyed it not for scarce had he done it before himself was shot dead on the place by Luchan the Master of the Dukes horse and so lost his expected Reward yet so hotly the Cuirasiers charged that the Swedes were not capable of bringing off the dying King but were obliged to let him fall where he was barbarously mangled by the Enemy who stripped him every one getting something that could conveniently come at him as a Trophy of honour all that he was heard to say as those report who were about him when thâ—as demanded who he was for at first those that stripped him did not certainly know him was viz. I am the King of Sweden who do Seal the Religion and Liberty of the German Nation with my bloud and then after some hesitation subjoyning Alas my poor Queen and so recommending his Soul to God gave up the Ghost yet was his Body after ward Rescued and honourably buried his death being lamented even by his Enemies and although the King was thus slain yet he was a Conquerour even in death for the Swedes instead of being discouraged grew more inraged and breathing nothing but revenge for the death of their King charged so furiously on all parts that although â—resh Supplies came hourly to the assistance of the Imperialists yet after nine hours obstinate fight not only their right Wing but their main battel was broken and disordered which obliged the Generalissimo under the favour of the Night to draw off yet in such confusion that most part of his Souldiers fearing the pursuit of the Swedish horse disranked and fled leaving their Cannon and a great part of their Baggage behind them together with their wounded men and 6000 dead upon the place many of them of great Note when on the Swedes part there died not above 2000. the chief of Note on the part of the Imperialists were the Abot of Fulden by his place a Prince of the Empire the Counts Puppenheim and Bartholdus Walenstine's Serjeant Major General Bruner Lodovicus Westrum Lancius Comargo Witzeb and Fines all Collonels of the respective Regiments together with Borda Taxheim Lampart and Cammarhoff Lieutenant Collonels besides divers Serjeant Majors Captains and Lieutenants and on the Kings side of Note was himself Nicholas Count of Wesenburg Grave Nelees Serjeant General Isler and Collonel Gersdorf with some Lieutenant Collonels and divers Captains Thus great Gustavus fell yet conquering dy'd Fortune ne'er gave the battel from his side VVhere'er he fought be was victorious still His body only Fate had powr to kill A Brief Description of the memorable Battels and Skirmishes c. that happened during the unhappy civil Wars in England c. in the Reign of King Charles the First as they are taken and drawn from warrantable history c. AFter many Indignities had been put upon King Charles the First of blessed Memory by an inexorable Parliament whom no favours nor concessions could oblige he thought it highly convenient to oppose their force with force and thereupon in August 1642. he set up his Standard at Nottingham so that the Hostilities being begun after the loss of about twenty men by a Sally out of Hull and the routing of Collonel Fines and Sands by Prince Rupert at Worcester with coÌ„nsiderable slaughter of their men c. The King resolved to march towards London but finding the Earl of Essex who by this time was made General for the Parliament marched after him and hung in a manner upon his Rear he faced about to give him battel or oblige him to retire so that the Armies facing each other and the King having discovered the number of the Rebels from a convenient stand with a Prospective and desiring God and all good men to assist his cause on the 13 of October 1642. he drew into a large Field or Plain between Edghill and Keinton in the County of Warwick where Essex was putting his Army in order so that both Armies being drawn up in battel array the Charge was sounded and thereupon a dreadful fight began continuing bloudy and doubtful Prince Rupert who there commanded the King's horse making a great slaughter and pursuing the Enemies horse even beyond their Baggage so that they forsook the field but fresh Troops coming in the fight-was maintained with doubtful success till Night put an end to the fury yet the King soon after had many Places surrendred to him and marched triumphantly into Oxford with 150 Colours there taken and in this battel are computed to be slain between 5 and 6000 men on both sides And now the King's Army being Recruited and increased by the coming in of many Troops and the Revolt of two Regiments and a Troop of Horse from the Parliament upon his taking of Banbury he marched towards London whither Essex was retired upon which Essex with an Army composed mostly of Prentices and the City Trained Bands drew out to oppose his passage which made the King advance to gain the Bridge to prevent his being hemm'd in by reason the Parliaments forces possessed most of the Towns in those parts but part of Hollis's Regiment made head against him being seconded by two other Regiments the Passage was hotly disputed which lasted till Night at what time the Parlimentarians retreated and left the Town to the Ksng together with 200 of their men dead upon the place eleven Colours and fifteen Pieces of Ordnance but he slighting that place returned to Oxford with his Army nor was the King's success in other Parts less for in February following Prince Rupert with a select Party of 4000 horse and foot making shew to Regain Hadly Castle a little before taken by Collonel Massey marched immediately to Cirencester and charging the Guard forced his way into the Town with considerable slaughter possessing it in two hours dispute with all the Magazine of the County and 2000 Arms making at the same time 1100 persons Prisoners yet this Joy was somewhat lessened by the Defeat of 1500 Welch-men raised by the Earl of Worcester and his Son for the service of the King at Hingham house by the Forces under the command of Collonel Massey and Sir William Waller as for the rest of the Year 1642. it was passed over in sundry light Skirmishes sometimes successful to one Party and sometimes to the other the most material of which was that in Hoptón-Field near Hautly in Staffordshire where the Earl of Northampton was slain and that of Bramham Moor wherein Sir Thomas Fairfax was routed In April 1643 young Hautham the Son of Sir John Hautham whose Father had denied the King entrance into Hull was routed by Collonel Cavendish near Ancasâ—er in Lincolnshire and most of his party slain or taken
of the Christians over the Turks near the River Drave THE Hardships suffered by the Imperialists as well in going to the Enemies when they were encamped under Esseck as in returning thence having as it were spent all their Forces the Duke of Lorrain had no sooner pass'd the Drave again but that he prevail'd with the Duke of Bavaria to draw near the Danube where Provisions could not be so scarce as in the Parts whence they came This was a Course so necessary for the Army that there was no other way to rescue it from absolute Ruine the Cavalry more especially had been in want of Forrage for above a Month for having been almost continually in the Morasses it had had no other subsistence than what they afforded The Turks knowing its distress and being also encourag'd by what had befallen them near Esseck they marched after it In the mean while the Imperialists got to Mohatz ' where they stay'd eight whole days to recover themselves of their Fatigues There the Danube furnish'd them with abundance of Provisions and their Army being in some wise recoverâ—d a Council of War was held to consult on what undertaking it should be employed Herein it was resolv'd that Alba-Regalis should be besieged and that they should immediately begin their march to execute this design During these Transactions some Parties of Tartars advanced under favour of the Woods and snapt up our Forragers The next day they did the same again and our Spies brought back word that the whole Turkish Army was at hand and was moving onward with Intention of beleaguering Ziolos A deserter and a Prisoner taken by a Party confirm'd this Report whereupon a new Council of War was held the Result of which was to demolish Ziolos and Five-Churches take the Garrisons thence and all that was within them and then to march on to Alba-Regalis where we were in hopes of making good Lines before the Turks could come up to us On the 8th of August we left Mohatz to put this design in Execution but we had no sooner begun our march but that there appeared a body of 3000 horse that advanced very near us which compellâ—d us to halt It skirmish'd in good order insomuch as to hinder the Army from getting that day to the place where the Duke of Lorrain had design'd to encamp Thus it stop'd within half a league above Mohatz where the Spies not only confirmâ—d the News they had brought the day before but further that the Grand Visier had so efficaciously represented to the Grand Seignior that he was in a Condition to fight the Christians that he had received Orders to give battel The Duke of Lorrain imparted these News to the Elector of Bavaria and the General Officers who did not question the Truth of the Information seeing with what boldness the 3000 Horse had stoppâ—d them the day before Nevertheless they persisted in the design they had projected and orders were given for the continuing the march on the morrow In the mean while part of the Night was spent in sending out parties and in clearing our Arms. The Parties gave not any Account on which any Reliance could be had but a Spy that had been in the Turks Camp brought back word that the Grand Visier had caus'd the Orders he had received from Constantinople to be proclaimed throughout the Camp with a promise of rewarding all those that should behave themselves as became them in the battel The Imperial Army having renew'd its march at break of day it was again disturb'd by a body of Horse that did not discontinue skirting it and ever and anon coming up to try its temper the Duke of Lorrain drew up Forces to receive it but they made such an orderly retreat that there was no way to get them to an Engagement This passâ—d on the 9th of the Month and the Enemies Conduct was still the same on the 10th and 11th still following the Army that was marching towards Ziolos at last the Imperialists being come that day near the Hill of Hersan at the foot of which was formerly a fine Village bearing the same Name but which War has totally ruined the Duke of Lorrain had notice that the Grand Visier after having march'd day and night had made such expedition that he was but a league distant from him nay that he had possess'd himself of a Wood that was on his way and wherein he had put some Troops hoping to fall upon his in the flank as nothing was to be neglected with such an Enemy that since the beginning of the Campaign had exerted such great skill and experience as was not to have been expected in the Turks it was thought expedient to call a Council of War anew it was the Elector of Bavariaâ—s turn to command the Van-guard the next day but as it was dangerous to make such a movement it was resolved contrary to what is commonly practised in a march that every one should remain at the Post where he was the day before We again sent out several Parties but of few men only to know exactly whether what was said of the Enemy was true but the Enemy on his side being not willing to lye still sent 2 or 3000 Horse that very Evening which gave an Allarum to the Camp. As the whole Army stood at their Arms it was impossible for them to do any thing on the contrary they were driven back to the very thickets and we durst not push them further as fearing there might be some considerable Succours behind the Bushes The Duke of Lorrain to be ascertain'd of this caus'd men to climb up to the Hill of Hersan and they bringing him word that there appeared a great body beyond the thickets some Voluntiers advanc'd to fire their Pistols at them but not being so advantageously mounted as many of the Turks they went to attack they were immediately surrounded and their Heads hewn off in the Presence of the whole Army This was done with such fearful howlings that it daunted all those that had not yet been engag'd with those Barbarians In the mean while each man withdrow into the Camp and as it was not questionâ—d but that there would be a considerable brush the next day the greater part of the Generals spent the Night on Horseback and towards break of day the Enemies came to surprize and take away the main Guard. Some blows were given in this occasion but the Imperialists being in a due Posture they killed five or six Turks for as many of theirs which fell upon the Place One of those Barbarians who was not yet dead having been questionâ—d said that the Grand Visier was hard by with his Army consisting of 70000 men that he had been retrenching himself all the Night that he had also lin'd the Wood above mention'd with more men that he pretended he was so advantageously encampâ—d that he braggâ—d he should defeat the Christian Army without being compell'd to give Battel Hereupon a Council