TO enter into the bosomes of Princes, or from a prophetique bold­nes to interpret the hidden myste­ries of their de­signes, shows in an ignorant presum­ing nature, such an impudence as can neither finde warrantie nor excuse: therefore [Page 2] to trace myne Authors relation truly without any inquitie of the grounds, ends or determi­nations of these strange, sodaine, and vnlookt-for garboyles, which haue euen with much ad­miration, set open all the eyes and eares in Eu- You shall vnderstand that about the fiue r [...]pe.

And twentyth of August last, in this present yere 1614. according to the Roman computation, Spinola com­ming before Accon. and the fifteenth of August in our account: The Marquesse Spinola (to whom they giue the title of excellence) being generall of the king of Spaines forces, came with a power of 1500. horse, and 12000. foote, before a Towne in Cleueland called Aix or Accon, famous both for the antiquitie thereof: as also for certaine hot Bathes which are therein, but especially for the priuiledge of keeping (as Guychardine reports) of an Iron crowne wherewith the Emperours are crowned at their first elections. Before this towne the Marquesse Spinola with his forces set downe and planted against it three peeces of Cannon vpō Saint Siluesters Hill, & foure other great field peeces of Brasse at the gate of the bridge against the great Tower or Bulwarke: yet before he began to make any shot or play v­pon the towne, he sent certaine Ambassadors into the town, vpon whose deliberate & perswa­siue intreaties, Accon taken by compo­sition. the towns-mē accorded to make composition, vpon these conditions following. [Page 3] First, that all Soldiers of what name title or qualitie soeuer, being then resident in the town (being at that instant to the number of sixe hun­dred) should depart from thence, with bag and baggage, full arm'd, Drums beating, and their ensignes displayd, which were of white silke chargd with a blacke crosse. Also that they should haue safe conduct for fortie Carts to conuay and carie them & their baggage: to all which the Marquesse accorded. Now as Cap­taine Iohn Van Diick alias Seram and Mounsieur de Potlites, with Captain Peter Galon de Meres com­mander of the Marquesse of Brandenborch soul­diours, were issuing out of the towne with their white ensignes flying and chargd as beforesaid with blacke crosses, diuers wealthy Burgers or men of account in the towne, whether fearfull of euills to come, or suspitious of euills with which they had beene formerly acquainted, or stirred vp by their conscience then likely to tast tyranny, attempted to issue out of the towne, with the souldiours, but were by strong hand hindred and turnd backe againe, by certaine bands or companies of Almaines to the number of 600. who entred at the same gate at which they departed.

Also at the same instant at another gate of the towne called Collogne port or gate, entred ano­ther company of Almaines equall to the former number.

Likewise at the Bridge port or gate, there entred other sixe ensignes of Almaines, who presently marched vp into the towne, especially to the place where the Protestants were ac­customed to heare their preaching.

An other part of the army marched towards a place in the Towne called the Asses head, where other Protestants did exercise their reli­gion; The rest of the Army went to the Cytadell or Towne Hall neare to the Hospitall, without hurting or offending any that were of that which they cal the Catholique Religion, whom likewise they exempted and made free from all charge, disbursments or taxations due for the reliefe of their Souldiours, lodging the army only vpon the charge of the Protestants, whom they suggested to haue (whilst they were masters of the towne) stopped and barred against them all these gates or entrances; that is to say first the port Royall, secondly, the Hill port; thirdly, the Zongle port; fourthly, the port Albertus; fiftly, the port Winaerte Bongaerts; sixtly the Roost [Page 5] port, and lastly, Saint Iames port; not leauing any open for vse but these only: the Bridge port, the port of Collogne, the Bortscher port, and the Younkers port.

The twentie seauenth of August, the Army a­rose from before the towne, and marched a­bout some two leagues from Aix or Accon, and there encamped againe.

The eight and twentith day of August the Army arose, The taking of the Towne of Duren and marched before the Towne of Duren, against which they encamped them­selues againe, and whilst the Army there lay, there came out of the said towne of Duren cer­taine principall men of great account and rec­koning mounted on hors-back, and apparelled all in blacke, who by a mutuall and generall consent were sent out of the towne, as agents or negotiators for all the rest, humbly to craue that it would please his Emperyall Maiestie to pardon their offences and misdemeanors how euer ignorantly or otherwise committed a­gainst him: most humbly and affectionately de­firing to render and subiest themselues to the Lawes and ordinances of his Emperiall Maie­stie, bringing and offering the Keyes of the Towne to the Marquesse Spinola, which hee [Page 6] receiued in the name and right of the Empe­rour, with all the curteous humanitie that his great place could any way extend: All which accomplements being finished, the very same day the Marquesse sent into the towne two Companies or Ensigns of Souldiours being to the number of three hundred men well apoin­ted, being vnder the command of the Count Emden.

The taking of Mersweicke & Rangleroy.The same day also being the twentie eight of August the Army arose from this Towne of Duren, and marched forward toward Mersweicke and Rangleroy.

The taking of Nuys.The nine and twentieth of the same moneth of August, the Armie marched towards the towne of Nuys.

Vpon the thirtieth day of August the chiefe Burgamaster of Nuys came to salute the Mar­quesse Spynola, being brauely attended, and his person drawen in a Caroach, with foure hor­ses, and after some conference and ordinarie accomplement, to which, none but themselues were priuie, the Marquesse entred into the [Page 7] Towne with fiue troopes of horse, whilste all the rest of the armie remained without the Towne.

Assoone as the Marquesse had ordered and disposed of the Towne of Nuys, and placed ga­risons as he liked best, without any stay at all, but euen the very selfe same day being the thir­tieth day of August, he departed thence, and marched towards Dusseldorpe, which is about a league from Nuys, yet at his departure from Nuys the Towne discharged six Cannons in ho­nour of the Marquesse, and as it seemed in a ve­rie triumphant and gallant fashion: after which the armie marched towards the towne of Rey­sers-wert.

The thirtieth day of August aforesaid, The Duke of Neuwenborch Ioynes with Spinola. the Duke of Neuwenborch met and ioyned his armie with the Marquesse Spynola neare to the towne of Iuliet, which armie of the Dukes was com­posed of seauen thousand foote and one thou­sand horse, in so much that at that time the Marquesse Spynola's armie was increased and ac­counted to be twentie sixe thousand foot, and foure thousand and three hundred horse, one thousand Waggons for munition, euery wag­gon, [Page 8] hauing three horses, besides Victualers & other necessarie depēdants to the Army, which are in number aboue two thousand waggons.

A bridge made ouer the Rheyne.The one and thirtieth day of August, being the day after the ioyning of these two great bo­dies into one, they began to make a bridge ouer the Reine, a little aboue Rein-Berke betwixt the two forts; in the labour and workemanship of which Bridge was imploied aboue one hun­dred men, besides Pyoners, and other mecha­nicall labourers.

The Bridge being perfitted as it were in a ve­rie moment of time, The taking of Orsoy. the armie passed ouer and marched the first day of September to the towne of Orsoy, which they presently tooke, and at the same instant there ariued at the same Towne of Orsoy, a companie with Italians which came out of the towne of Geldre.

The sacking of Mulham.The same day they marched thence with the whole armie, and comming to the new built Cittie of Mulhem neare vnto Colloigne, beganne that day to sacke, destroy, and make an vtter deuastation of the same, finding it as it seemed, [Page 9] either vtterly vnpeopled, or so weakely proui­ded of resistance, that nothing stood to oppose their furies.

The same day also the armie was drawne to Meures, Meurs com­pounded [...]. being a towne lying against Rijnsburge, where the Gouernor or Commander thereof came forth, and with all humilitie and reue­rence saluted the Marquesse Spynola, and so ob­tained all such conditions as were thought meete for the places ouer which he had com­mandment.

The second day of September the armie came and incamped before the town of Weesell, The taking of Weesell. and hauing laine there the space of two dayes, in the end tooke it by a most kind and friendly composition, and albeit be wholie inhabited by Protestants, and that Spynola hath put thereinto a Garrisson of fiue hundred Spaniards, Clemencie shewed to the Protestants. yet in no degree whatsoeuer doth the Souldier offer vio­lence against any of the Townesmen; which clemency is supposed by the best iudgements, not to proceede so much from loue as from feare of after troubles, which might follow a­ny crosse or tyrannicall proceeding in these ho­stile and furious businesses.

After the departure of this great armie from Weesell, Spynola before Reinsberch. the Marquesse marched to Reinsberche, where he vrged many intreaties and offered di­uers capitulations, but all to no effect, for the towne being esteemed impregnable, and as it were invincible, there was little hope left of the winning of the same.

Graue Mau­rice riseth and marcheth to Emricke.During the time that this great armie called the most Christian league or warre, ranne thus like an vnresistable flame through all the bo­wels of Germanie, threatning an vtter losse to all the poore afflicted Protestants, as it is giuen out by most credible and assured information, from the one and the other side: The most ex­cellent and for euer renowned Prince the Graue Maurice of Nassau, with a very great and strong armie of all the best and most experienced soul­diers of the Netherlands, marched vp into the higher parts of those Countries, and about the second day of September in this present yeare 1614. (being the same time that the Marquesse Spynola tooke Weesell) the aforesaid most excel­lent prince Graue Maurice besieged and tooke a towne of the Catholiques called Emricke, Emrick taken. vpon the selfe same conditions as the Marquesse had [Page 11] taken the town of Weesell before, vsing the same clemencie and mercie (in a somewhat more larger measure) to the Catholiques, which hee vnderstood had beene practised before by the Marquesse to the Protestants, as it seemeth, to giue the world notice, how farre hee prefer­reth a noble president before any iust wrath, seuerity or reuenge: a nature so rich and com­mendable in the bosome of so worthy a Prince, that it can neuer bee sufficiently admired of any that take delight to hold their rancke a­mongst the best of the vertuous.

The third day of this present moneth of Sep­tember, Graue Mau­rice and Graue Henricke march to Reys the excellent Prince Graue Maurice ac­companied with the most noble count Henricke, raised their armie from before Emricke, and marched to another towne neare adioyning thereunto called Reys in the Dukedome of Cleue, against which they layd a strong siege and begirt the Towne round about, and there were remaining at such time as these and many o­other occurrents receiued their dispatches; so that what successe will issue from the same, may bee expected and wisht, but no certaine truth can be related, onely the great all-seeing eye of [Page 12] the diuine iustice no doubt will order their counsails and actions, so as it may bee best for his owne glorie and his Churches comfort, against which, questionles was neuer pre­pared so numberlesse, strong, and po­werfull an armie, as you may vn­derstand by the sequell of the Discourse which now followeth.

SOme few dayes (as it is gi­uen out by most credible report) after the Duke of Niewenborch had ioyned his forces with the Marquesse Spinola, there came [Page 14] also and ioyned with them these Armies fol­lowing.

The Popes Armie.First, from the Popes Holinesse (drawne as he vrgeth from a holy comiseration of the Catho­like cause) was sent an Armie of two thousand Horsemen, and fifteene thousand footemen, with all necessary prouisions needefull in such a busi­nesse, but by the distressed Protestants it is con­iectured; nay, almost now gathered to a full be­liefe, that this his huge liberalitie and expence of Men and Treasure would not haue come so freely, had not his designe some ayme at the vt­ter extyrpation of them, and their vndoubted true Religion, which, should it appeare or pro­ceede in any greater manifestation, no doubt but all Christian eares would be fild with his crueltie, and what he would guild with a noble charitable­nes, would of the wisest and most modest tongues be called a tyrannicall bloudinesse, a foule and ignoble-title for a man of his holy Order, or a Prince of his great Place and Authoritie.

The Ge­nerall.This great Army of the Popes hath ouer is for Generall or chiefe Commander, one named [Page 15] Don Pascor, or Pastor, of Constantinople; a man of great birth, place, experience, and vallour, a­mongst the Italians: He beareth in his Standard (which is all entirely redde without any other Embleme or Empresa, the collour as it were, His Em­presa. speaking the anger and reuenge his aymes leuell at) and in the midst thereof this Motto or words written, Mors & Vita, Death and Life; some translate it Death or Life; others dead or liuing, but I take it to be Death and Life; Death to his withstanders; Life to such as will be yoked to him. It hath beene reported by some, that he beareth in his redde Standard or Ensigne, a liuing man, standing ouer a dead man, and a Latine sentence written vnderneath, signifying, Thou hast thy me­rie: but this I rather take to belong to some o­ther great Commaunder, being as it were with him a second in authoritie.

Next to this Army of the Popes, marcheth the Emperour Mathyas, The Empe­rours Ar­mie. his owne Army being two thousand Horsemen, and twenty thousand Foot­men, compounded of seuerall Nations, and Pro­uinces; but all held well approued in Warre, and of a great expertation and experience.

The Gene­rall.The Generall, or chiefe Commaunder of this great Armie of the Emperours, is the great Lord of Rhodes; a man very highly esteemed for valour, wisedome, experience, and what else adorneth a perfect Souldiour.

[...] Em­bleme.Hee beareth in his Standard or Ensigne-Royall, which is all white, prefiguring a more hurtlesse and innocent temper, mixt with much more clemency & Iustice then the former, a Lady or Virgine aparayled in white also, and a Lyon standing by her, with a word or Motto, signify­ing, Both these belong to Accon: now there be some reporters which affirme that his Ensigne is all white, without any charge but onely cer­taine words, which signifie in English, I haue much to looke for, and neuer to runne away; others translate it, I expect much, but howsoeuer I will not flye: but this as I sayd of the former, may belong to some other high Commaunder; how­soeuer neyther but show the strength of a great and vndaunted resolution.

Touching the King of Spaynes Forces, which is called the Armie of the most Catholique King, The King of Spaynes Armie. they are numbred for certaine to be fifteene hun­dred Horsemen, and twelue thousand Foote-men, being for the most part all naturall Spa­niards, well experienced and approued Souldi­ers, as drawne from his most worthiest Garisons, and other places, of his most Warlike imploy­ments.

The Generall of this great and famous Ar­mie, is the Marquesse Spinola, The Gene­rall. held amongst all the Spaniards a man of rare valure, wisedome, and all greatnesse of minde, and one on whose re­putation doth lodge the badge of much good fortune in all his former affaires, whether they haue beene by Land or Sea, which haue knit so vnto him the King his Masters loue, that his ri­sings haue beene accounted more swift then any other of his ranke: a good note of worthinesse, if his vertues and lovaltie endeauour to keepe and preserue them without tyranie or ambition.

His Em­bleme.His Standard or Ensigne royall is all white like the Emperours, wherein is portrayed a man standing with a chayne about his necke, yet as it seemeth either vnmanacled and at liberty, or at most but in a willing and most pleasing serui­tude, for vnderneath him is writ a sentence, which signifieth in English, My Chayne shall binde others.

Now there be some Reporters that affirme, that in his Ensigne besides the chayned man, there is a Tyger and a Beare, and the word as a­fore-said, and I will not stand much to argue the contrary; for although it make the body of the Embleme, like a surcharged coate, somewhat too much burdened, against the strickt rules of our curious deuise-makers, yet are they all so signifi­cant, and so well expressing the resolution of a strong Conquerour, that they may well become the inuention of him to vvhom they are attri­buted.

Next this Armie is ranked the Armie of Al­bertus, Archduke of Austria, The Arch­dukes Ar­mie. and brother to the Emperour Mathyas, and are fully accounted to be one thousand fiue hundred Horse-men, and tenne thousand Foote-men, all good and approued Souldiers, by him bred, and discipli­ned, with great perfection in the Neather-lands, and other places, to which his occurrents haue drawne him.

The Generall of this Army is the Archbishop of Albyod, The Ge­nerall. a very Noble descended Gentleman, full of great spirit and vvisedome, and one of high estimation with the Archduke, as may ap­peare by this great imployment, and many other graces and fauours done him in other seruices, all which hee seeketh to acknowledge in his rea­dinesse and preparation, for any imployment shall be fixed vpon him.

His Standard or Ensigne royall, is all blacke, His Em­press. and in the midst thereof a withered Tree, and a [Page 20] sentence vnderneath it, signifying in English, Waxe greene againe, or I will waxe greene againe. Some report that hee hath in his Standard a Hearce or Tomba, which in Herraldry is an Em­bleme of dispaire; but I referre that to some better intelligence, for I take the other to be much more proper, and better suiting with the goodnesse of a Noble nature, which indeede is of­ten darkned with these horrid and dreadfull pre­saging menaces.

The Pre­lates Armie.Last of all, is an Armie leauied by all those which they entitle Catholicke Prelates, in Germa­nie, as Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and o­ther inferiour Priests, all which haue with a mu­tuall consent drawne their mindes and substan­ces together, and from thence raised vp a power of one and twenty hundred Horse men, and fif­teene thousand Foote-men, not so well experien­ced or approued in the Warres (by supposition) as the others be: but no doubt men daring e­nough, and apt to goe on without either care or question of the enterprise to vvhich they are drawne, as is commonly seene and allowed in men of their mercinarie quality: and doubtlesse this Armie is composed of all Nations whatso­euer, their Purses for the most part being the [Page 21] entire commanders of their strengths, being by no other bond engaged to the obedience of their Lords and Masters; so that who so euer is out of imployment in this Armie, may finde bu­sinesse to preoccupate his whole spirits withall.

The Generall of this Armie thus gathered from the very fluxe and multiplicity of Masters, The Gene­rall. is the Archbishop of Riffin, or as some call it S ^t. Raffin, a man of great trust and estimation, with all the Clergie in those Countries, and much renowned for his valour, wisedome, poli­cie, and many other souldierly qualities, where­with he hath beene plentifully endewed, onely so violent in the blindnesse of his Religion, or as they call it Catholick profession, that many of his acti­ons may without offence vndergoe the censure or badge of much blood and cruelty.

His Ensigne or Guidon (for indeede it can haue no other title of greatnes added vnto it) His Em­press. is all of [Page 22] a gray colour, portraying the grauity, sobernesse, and discreation vvhich should be imployed in those mighty Desseynes, and most especially from men of such sanctity and purenesse of life, as in right the Masters of this Armie should be, and in the middest of this gray Ensigne there is grow­ing in his full glory a full blowne and faire flou­rishing Lilly, with his naturall leaues, branches, and beauties about it, and vnderneath a sen­tence signifying in English these words, Natures Innocence is the best cloathing: a Motto which no doubt promiseth vertuously, if the issues be an­swerable to the ostentation: but if they be rai­sed for any contrary purpose to goodnesse, as to expell from that long enriched Empire, the true preaching of the Gospell, and profession of the most true, auncient, Catholicke, and Apo­stolicke Faith, there is no doubt but the ruines of their owne Babell will fall vpon them, and confound them; if otherwise it be for the bene­fit of the Christian Faith, and the abollishing of Mahomet and his blasphemies, no doubt but their Armies will stand like the Israelites, and finde GOD himselfe continually fighting their battailes: how euer, to that power be all their powers and actions referred who is the GOD and Master of the hearts of Emperours, Kings, and Princes.

The vniuersall power and whole grosse body of this entire Armie, consisteth of nine thousand one hundred Horsemen, and seauenty two thou­sand Foote-men: the two bodies ioyned together make full foure-score and one thousand and one hundred able fighting men.

This Relation was Printed in Antwerpe, both in Dutch and French, as may appeare by the ori­ginall.