Giuen in the Castle of Prague, in the Counsell Chamber of Vs the said Directors, the 20. Day of the Month of August. Anno. 1618.

THE Conditions that bound him to bring certaine Troupes thither, within a time appointed, were by him happily performed, as euery man knoweth, and the pro­cesse of the Affaires will make it more euidently appeare. Now it resteth to know, whether the said Troupes were im­ployed, to the endes pretended; that is for the Defence of the said Crowne: and whether he proceeded diligently and carefully in that charge which was imposed vpon him: That is it which wee doe and will Iustly proue.

Among the great Sea or gulfe of difficulties, whereinto the States of Bohemia found themselues to be plunged at the beginning of their warre, there was nothing that more trou­bled them then the shutting vp, and stopping of the great passage into Germany: for it was from thence that they ex­pected their ayde and reliefe of munition, money and men. The Towne of Pilsen principall among the rest, and the most important places of that Realme shut vp that passage. It is ten miles distant from Prague, vpon the great and open way [Page 7] to Nuremburg, seated in a plaine Countrey, rising a little on the South side, betweene two small Riuers, which flancke it on the East and west sides, and ioyne together towards the North, garnished with a deepe ditch, and double walls, grounded vpon a rock, and full of a great number of Towers, with two faire Suburbs, To conclude, a Towne very strong, according to the auncient manner, and found to be such, by two sieges made about the same, which in former time it va­liantly sustained: The first against Zischa, anno 1470. the other against the Hussites anno 1434. which continued 10. moneths, in such manner, that it had the report and commen­dation, that in 700. yeares time, no man could enter into the same against her will. Besides this, that the Towne is strong, the Citizens were Catholikes, and therefore extreamely af­fected vnto the Emperour: as in effect they shewed the same by infinite insolencies by them committed against the States, whereby they hindred them from the free vse of that pas­sage: So that in the end, all well considered, specially the discommodities which that Towne brought vnto the Com­mon-wealth, The States resolued to reduce the same vnder their obedience. And Commission was giuen vnto the Earle of Mansfield, their Generall of the Artillerie, who without any delay, went and besieged the same, but yet very weake­ly and ill prouided of all things necessary: hauing in all but nine Cornets of horse, hired, and some of the Country people, and 2000. foot-men, to whom he ioyned 3. Companies more of 200. in each Company, which he raised during the siege, with some Companies of the Countrey people, which the States sent vnto him. With all them, and sixe field Peeces, (whereof the greatest bare a bullet of fiue pound of Iron) he began the siege vpon the 16. of September 1618. and first assailed the Towne vpon the South side, (the Suburbs being burnt vp by them within the Towne,) thinking to preuaile by the aduantage of the heighth, which that side gaue him without: but perceiuing that it was but in vaine, he altered [Page 8] his purpose, and planted his Cannon against the Cloyster on the East side, where he began to play vpon the same, and to set his Souldiers on worke both night and day, and at last made a breach, but so hard to come at, and within so well rampard by those that were besieged, that hee was wholly out of hope to take it on that side, specially with those small field Peeces, qui vuol vada qui non vuol manda, saith the Ita­lian: He had written to Prague, to haue certaine peeces of greater Ordnance, but those being not sent, and perceiuing that of force he must haue them, or else leaue the siege, hee tooke horse, and rode post to Prague, and effected so much, that he got two great Cannons, which hee speedily brought thether: there stood a house a little beyond the breach North­ward, gitturing halfe without the walls, and the Counter­scarfe of the Towne: which finding fit and conuenient for his designe, hee caused it to be battered and suddenly with those two Peeces, and the rest that were there before, from thence beate so violently vpon it, that within lesse then an houre he had made a reasonable breach. Now in his absence, and by commaundement from himselfe, the Officers had so much annimated the Souldiers, that by extraordinary tra­uell, they turned the ordinary course of the riuer, in such manner, that they might goe dry-foot vnto the said breach: a thing which gaue great aduantage vnto the said Earle; whereof he failed not to take the benefit, and caused a furi­ous assault to bee giuen, a bon chat bon Rat it is commonly said; for if they without assayled valiantly, they within as gallantly defended themselues, they without fought for ho­nour, and they within for their liues. The breach was flan­qued, in such manner, that they could not get vnto it; but in the face of Musket shot, which playd vpon them, as thick as hayle-shot. But the courage of that Earle, and the credit that he had with his Souldiers, made them to contemne the danger. And to conclude, after diuers houres of resistance, and when they within had made all manner of resistance that [Page 9] possibly they could, it proceeded so farre, that they began to parley and to agree within the Towne to yeeld, with Swords in their handes, the said Earle making them within to know, that he was as well able to deale fauourably, as to take aduantage of his victory by force. This was done vpon the 21. of Nouember the same yeare, being the first fruites of his labours, and newes that well pleased the States, who thereby perceiued themselues to be deliuered from that troublesome Thorne in their feete. Yet there rested ano­ther, which wee will seeke to pull out, the next yeare fol­lowing, we shall see what it will be. In the meane time the season of the yeare comming on, wee entred into Garrison till winter was gone.

Winter being past, the Irons began to heate, Mars with his colour euery day produced some other new effects. The Enemy then held no places more of importance in Bohemia, but Crumaw, and Budweis, places in a manner enuironned on all sides with our Garrisons, in such manner, thus to issue out to forrage the Countrey, they must of force be strong, 300. Horsmen, and 200. Muskatiers of the Enemy entred into the Field to that end. Iohn George Earle of Solmes, Lieutenant Colonell to the Generall who as then comman­ded those Garrisons, was aduertised thereof, and mounting on horsebacke with his Company, and a certaine number of Muskatiers, went to seeke the Forragers, and hauing found them, beat and wholly ouerthrew them. The state of hu­mane affaires is subiect to change and alteration, and there is no posperity so great, but either it is mixed, or else followed with aduersity. Fortune enuying at the fauour which shee had shewed vnto that Lord, began to turne her backe against him, and prepared a crosse for him. The 10. of Iune, anno 1619. shee gaue him the blowe, checke and almost a mate. VVe will declare the circumstances thereof in some sort, for speciall cause.

He had Commission to leaue certaine men in the Garri­sons [Page 10] for the Defence and keeping of them, and with the rest to goe and joyne himselfe with the Army that lay before Budweis: and in pursuite of that Commission he departed from Pilsen, and went to Portewin, an houres going from Vodnian, where he attended for 500. Horsmen that the Earle was to bring vnto him; there he expected them from day to day. In the meane time the Generals prest him to goe for­ward, without staying any longer for them: so the Tenth of the said month, he departed from thence with his Troupes, being about 8. Companies of Foote, but not compleat, be­cause of the Garrisons aforesaid: and about 450. Horsmen; among the said Garrisons there was one of 30. Souldiers, in a Village called Netoliz, on the right hand of the way, which the Generall held. The euening before his departure, the Hungarians that serued the Enemy set Fire thereon, and constrained the Garrison to withdraw themselues into the Church. The Generall being arriued with the Army at Zablatti (in Dutch Grossen Lasken) a Village distant about a Germane myle and a halfe from the said Netoliz, was ad­uertised by the Earle of Solmes, (who as then was at Vodnian with charge to prouide for the said Garrisons) that the said Souldiers yet made resistance and desired him to ayde them, to goe thither with the Army: my Lord found it to be a dangerous matter, to abandon them, he feared a reproach. Therefore he resolued vpon another course, and commaun­ded the body of his Army to stay there, while he himselfe with 150. Horsemen ranne thither, causing part of them to stay by the way, to ayde him in his retraict, and to the same end commanded 400. Muskatiers to march, to lye in Am­buscado, and to stay his returne. He thereupon put forward with the rest of his Horsemen, and met with the Hungari­ans, whom he valiantly charged, but the first part of them being seconded by a great number of others, and by some Troupes of Cuirasses, he was constrained to retire by ano­ther way, without hauing meanes to preuaile of the aduan­tage [Page 11] which he prouided for himselfe by the Ambuscado, which neuerthelesse hee caused to be aduertised, that they should slide along through the Wood and by the water side, and so get to the Army, which they effected in such man­ner, that they safely arriued there, but yet were narrowly pursued by the Enemy.

In the meane time, the Earle of Bucquoy with the maine body of his Army consisting of 5000. Horse, and 4000. foot­men, marched forward, following the traces of the said Lord Generall, who being come to the Village, where the rest of his men stayed for him, and thinking to refresh himselfe, so­dainly all the Earle of Bucquoyes Army shewed it selfe. Whereupon the Generall mounted on Horsebacke, with all his Souldiers in order of Battaile, commanded them to make a Fortification or sconse of Waggons, which was presently begun on the left side, but by reason that the VVaggoners were put into a great feare by the running away of certaine Caroches, it was not made round about as it should haue bin. The length of the Village was behinde at the backe of the Generals Army, his Horsemen being deuided into 3. Batta­lions, in manner of a Triangle, the better to ayde one the o­ther. The Foot-men were behinde, and the Carriage in the middle, being 4. Companies on the left hand and 3. on the right, and one before the Carriage, all in such manner dispo­sed, that the Horsmen had meanes to be defended by the Muskatiers. The Enemy being very neere, and all the field couered ouer with his horsemen, my Lord Generall set vp­on those that were formost, and scattered certaine Squa­drons of Hungarians, but the Cuirassiers belonging to the Baron of Walstein comming forward, he was repulsed, and so whotly charged on all sides, that he was put to flight. A little before the Enemy began to giue the on-set, 50. Soul­diers of the Colonels company that were on the right side, were commaunded to goe to the Generals lodging, to de­fend it and the little Street betweene both: but as they went, [Page 12] the rest of the Company followed them by misunderstan­ding. And the two other Companies did the like, and were no sooner gone, but the Enemies entred into their places: who acknowledging and perceiuing their errour, turned backe againe, to place themselues as they were at the first: but then it was too late, in such manner, that they were constrayned to looke for their owne safety: There was a Wood beyond the Village, whether they sought to retire: but finding themselues to bee out of the Vil­lage, to crosse ouer a plaine, They were presently enuiro­ned on all sides by the Hungarians, and so hardly charged, that few of them could saue themselues, the rest were either slaine or taken prisoners. In the meane time the horsemen were broken, part of the footmen lost, and the fiue Compa­nies remaining in great hazard to be spoyled. Carpezo the Serieant Maior, the Rhingraue, The Captaines Haid, Scheam­merdorf, and N. commaunding them, had the great body of the Enemies forces before them, the fire at their backes, and all the Amunition (except some carkes of powder) with all the carriage burning, whereby they were put to their shifts, and if they had any blood at their fingers ends, it was then time for them to shew it, as it became them: Assoone as the horsemen were dispierced, the Enemy began to set vpon the fiue Companies, on all sides, where they could come at them, and they defended themselues valiantly, as they were in a Garden, hauing the aduantage of a hedge, which was a good defence and safegard vnto them. The Earle of Bucquoy, made certaine peeces of Cannon to be shot at them on that side, thinking to beat it downe, but he could not doe it that day. The Sunne shone very hot, and the heat that encreased by the fire that burnt in the Village, was the cause that the fire which the Enemy put into the hedge, easily burnt: but the diligence of those that were assayled, surmounting all diffi­culties, presently quenched it. In the meane time, the Ge­nerall, without any astonishment at that disorder; had re­assembled [Page 13] and gathered his horsemen againe together, and with them forcibly past through the Hungarians squadrons, and ranne too and fro in field, and returned againe into the Village, with an intent to mount vpon a fresh horse, and to put on his Cuirasse, being then vnarmed. But hee found his lodging already taken vp by the Enemy, and that side of the Village that was behind at the backe of his Souldiers all set on fire: which notwithstanding, he sought by all the meanes he could, to get among his footmen, but the way was stopt on all sides. At the last, as hee turned and lookt about him to finde some passage out, he was desired by his Officers, to regard the euident danger, whereinto he might fall, if he stay­ed there any longer, and to yeeld vnto necessity, to saue and preserue his owne person, and those few horsemen that were left for a better occasion: who seeing that hee could doe no otherwise, he resolued to retire, which he did with the point of his sword, being enuironed, followed, and pursued by a great number of Hungarians. On the other side the Enemies did all what they could, to enforce the rest of his foot-men, and they for their parts defended themselues as well as they could. In which conflict they continued from one of the clocke in the afternoone, vntill foure of the clocke, when the Earle of Bucquoy by a Trumpet summoned them to yeeld. There was no apparance, that they could long desist against so great an Armie. But for that the Lord Generall, as soone as the Enemy began to shew themselues, had sent two Soul­diers to Budweis, (which was not aboue a mile and a halfe from thence) to haue some ayde, they verily beleeued that it would come, and therefore would not yeeld themselues: within an houre after he sent another Trumpeter, that pre­uailed no more then the first. At the last, betweene 7. and 8. of the clocke in the euening, hauing spent all their bullets, as also the buttons of their dublets, and their powder, and be­ing out of all hope of reliefe, they yeelded vpon condition, and a solemne promise made vnto them, by the Earle of [Page 14] Bucquoy, in faith of an honourable Knight, holding his hat in his hand, that he would keepe good quarter with them, and release them all and euery one of them, paying a moneths wages for their ransomes. A faire promise indeede, but badly holden. Words are feminine, and deeds masculine: for they being carried to Crumaw, they were lodged, (being in all among others about 1200. hundred in Chambers, by great heapes together, so close, that they could neither sit, nor lie downe: and besides the little pittance of victuals that was giuen them, they gaue them no drinke, which continued for certaine dayes: which they did, thereby to draw them to serue the Emperour, as after it happened: for when they had endured all kindes of extremities, without hauing drunke a drop of Wine or Beere for certaine dayes together, the most part of them yeelded vnto necessity. Men of good qualities, and worthy to be credited, made this report, and withall had the testimony of the Enemy, of that great God who knoweth all things, and of those poore Souldiers, that were dealt with­all in such manner. The number of the dead was easie to be knowne, by the number of the prisoners, the Generals Soul­diers being not aboue 1600. fighting men, horse and foot: all the carriage was lost, onely his owne Caroch laden with certaine thousands of Florins, that was saued: which was good fortune in so great a misfortune, and which serued the said Lords Generall, as an instrument to re-establish his af­faires, and to set them on foot againe. This is the victory which hath beene reported so many times with great tri­umphes. The Lord Generall saued himselfe from that dis­comfiture, at Thein, and from thence rode to Piseck, and ha­uing taken order for the Garisons, hee returned to Pilsen, where by little and little he re-assembled the Souldiers that rested of that discomfiture: The more that Palme is prest downe, the higher it groweth, generous spirits wax bolder in aduersities. The Generall was beaten, but not vtterly ouerthrowne, and it was not a new matter to him, to know [Page 15] that warre is variable: The warre is his practise, he hath vsed it from his youth vpwards, and is accustomed to all hazards: and as he is of a prompt and actiue nature, so he slept not vp­on that accident, he put that money which he had left to ano­ther vse, hee gaue out Commissions, to leuie and take vp more Souldiers in Germanie, in such manner, that in the space of foure or fiue weekes, hee had gotten two Regiments of foot, and a good number of horse-men together againe. On the other side, the Emperours Armie daily encreased, in such maner, that in the moneth of September, when it was at Mi­roditz, it was 30000. fighting men. The States of Bohemia earnestly apprehending y ^e approching of so puissant an Army, wrote in hast to the Lord Generall to come to Prague, with all his troopes, in all chances to preserue and defend it from an inuasion: which was the cause that hee went to Veraun, from whence at last, by order from the said States, he went to ioyne himselfe with their great Armie. The Earle of Buc­quoy was resolued to hazard a battaile, and to set vpon the Bohemians: but the Generals comming to ioyne with them, made him alter his aduise, so that within few dayes after he retired to Pisack, where he receiued newes, that Bethlem Ga­bor was entred into the field, with a puissant Armie, to inuade Austria, in fauour of the Bohemians: So to diuert or impeach the inundation of that storme; he went from Pisack and mar­ched towards Austria. The Bohemian Armie also breaking vp, and followed after him: at which time there was three great Armies all in the field together. I leaue the rehearsall of their proceedings, vnto those that were then present with them, to returne to our course in Bohemia.

After the ouerthrow at Zablatti, and the Earle of Bucquoy being Master of the Field, enlarged his borders, and tooke Prachadis, Vodnian, Winterberg, and Pisacke. But then the States of Bohemia beleeuing (as it was true) that when hee was gone, It was time for them to repaire the ruines that he had made, during the time of his Victory, recalled the Lord [Page 16] Generall of the Artillery, and gaue him Commission to ru­ine those places againe, and according to that Commission he returned into Bohemia, and with the Companies that he had left in Garrison, and the Prince of Anholts Regiment, and some Troupes of horsmen, as he marched along he tooke Vodian, and set vpon Prachadis, and Winterbergh, one after the other, and with great agility wanne them againe. I said before, that Pilsen is one of the principall places in Bohemia: and Pisacke, Tabor, Wittingaw, and Budweis, are the next. VVhereof Pisacke and Budweis, were in the Emperours power, the other two in the States hands. Pisacke being a good place, by reason of the scituation, and the walles and Ditches thereof, commaunded by a Spanish Captaine, that vnder him had none of the Countrey Pesants, but good Sol­diers, and the time of the yeare comming on, (for it was a­bout the middle of Nouember) it was more difficult to bee wonne, and it was thought, that that yeare it was impossible to be effected. And the Prince of Anholt finding that enter­price to be very difficult, wrote a Letter to the Lord Ge­nerall from Ambergh, bearing date the 15. of Nouember, in manner as followeth.

MY Lord, I am of opinion and so still continue, that your Designe will take no effect, for that the time of the yeare is now contrary, as also that the proportion of the assaylers, to the assayled, and the mutenies and Discords whereon you ground are vncertaine, as likewise that the E­nemies in this season, making you beleeue their weakenes, will haue aduantage against you. But bee it as it will, if you obtaine the Victory, you shall deserue to be Crowned with commendations. I pray you let me bee informed of your [Page 17] proceedings at Nurembergh. If there be any man in the world who with all that hee hath, to the vttermost of his power, will doe you good, it is hee that is and will be my Lord.

A great courage accompanied with a good Iudgement, effecteth strange thinges, if there were difficulties: the Lord Generall of the Artillery, assured himselfe to finde the meanes to surmount and ouercome them all, and vpon that assurance he went to besiege Pisacke. But because he had not sufficient Cannot shot, he sent for some to Prague. And in the meane time while he stayed for them, tenne or twelue dayes past ouer. When they were come, the Lord General set them so well on worke, that within few dayes after, (that is vpon the sixth day of December) he wanne the Towne. I will not take on me to set downe or declare the great impor­tance of that enterprise. I am content to let the Reader [Page 18] know it by the Coppy of certaine Letters, that were written to the Lord Generall touching that Subiect, by the Prince of Anholt, from Ambergh the 29. of Nouember, S ^t. V. in manner as followeth.

MY Lord, I am aboundantly wel satisfied with the good newes, which you haue imparted vnto mee by my Poast, touching the taking of Pisacke, which I esteemed to bee very difficult, in so hard a time, and specially in respect of the small prouision, that might be sent vnto you, where­in you haue once againe yeelded a proofe of your valour and vertue, which I haue presently made knowne vnto his Maiesty, who therewith will bee exceedingly well pleased, and haue the greater opinion of your Valour. And there­fore as well in his Maiesties name, as for my selfe, I giue you most hearty thankes, as also vnto all your Lieutenants, Colonels, Captaines, and all your Souldiers, for the paines, trauailes, and other endeauours by them taken and vsed in the taking of the Towne, desiring no other, but condignly to requite them all and euery one in particular, for the same. And therefore I thought it good to dispatch this present Bearer, to assure you, of the great accompt that I make of the taking of the said Towne. My opinion at this present is, that you must not refraine to assault the Castle of Straconits, hauing the commodity of the Cannon so neare, and that there is no appearance that the Captaine therein, will long withstand you, whome you must not pardon, as you did at Winterbergh. That done, you must looke to your Cannon, and if the wayes be too bad, you may leaue them for a while at Pisacke. But if it may bee done, I had rather they should be left at Pilsen, and that they should bee kept there, till I [Page 19] giue you further order concerning the same. In the meane time, if you can affect any thing, against the Fortes of Gul­denstein as I haue heretofore written to the Lieutenant Co­lonell Poblis, I assure you, you shall much please his Maie­sty. And in effect, it will be no small matter, if you can take order there for Victuals and Munition, and that you can spoyle the wayes toward Passaw, which will put our Enemies on that side in dispaire. And therewith I am of o­pinion, that wee must content our selues for this Winter time, vnlesse some good supprise happen by the way, which for my part I will not let slip, &c.

[Page 21] AFter all these exploites, the Lord Generall retired his forces into the Garisons, the season of the yeare in all places lesning the fury of Armes, but not the fire of iealousie, which the sound of his happy successe had caused to rise vp, in certaine malicious Spirits. A fire which in time to come will consume many good Designes in the first beginning of their birth, to the great preiudice of the Crowne of Bohemia. Plinie writeth of a small fish called Remora, and saith, that it is of such a quality, that cleauing fast to a Ship, though it be exceeding great, it stayeth the course thereof in the maine Seas: small matters preuent great enterprises. Our Ship will set sayle, but the stinking waters of euill will, will pro­duce so many Remores, that on what side so euer it sayleth, it will hardly arriue at any good Hauen. The Reader shall see how it will fall out, by the issue of this discourse, then let vs proceede.

If it be greeuous to a particular man, to lose that small substance that he hath: It may easily be iudged, how much it displeaseth great personages to lose Crownes and whole Kingdomes. It was easily to be seene and perceiued, that Crumaw and Budweis being lost, Bohemia would be cleane quit out of the hands of the house of Austria. And that how much the more those places were of great importance for the conseruation of that Kingdome, so much the more, the Em­perour, and all the Princes of that house, would enforce and strengthen themselues for the maintainance of them.

The Lord Generall of the Artillery foresaw this, and that to pull those two Townes out of their hands, they must not goe empty handed thereunto. Now for that the great Ar­mie of Bohemia was in Austria, and he in Bohemia with the rest of the Troupes, he esteemed that the conquest of those two Townes was reserued for him, as the rest of his taske. In the Winter time he began to dispose of his affaires there­after, framed intelligences, and lent his Spirit to looke after that which in any wise might serue for the furtherance of his [Page 22] Designe. But before all things, hee sought in good time to prouide for the assurance of the Towne of Pilsen, and that in time of neede he might be furnished with money and men. He knew the slacknesse of the land Officers, and how hard­ly they were to be drawne thereunto. Therefore he wrote vnto them from Pilsen, to desire them to commaund the Countrey Pesants to trauaile about the fortification of that Towne: and to take order that it might be prouided of Mu­nition both for the belly and the warre, that hee might haue sufficient Cannon, and Horses to draw them into the field, and that they would send him money, and men to effect his Designe, &c.

They made prouision touching the first point, but so slen­derly, that in steed of a thousand Pesants, that should ordi­narily haue beene employed, and changed at that worke, there was neuer aboue 300. together: for the rest of the points, there was nothing but promises made in steed of ef­fects. The Lord Generall knowing their humours, and that if he prest them not forwards, the matter would rest there, sent them Letter after Letter, the moneth of March being almost spent in following that. At last the said Lord Gene­rall perceiuing the season to come on, wherein something was to be done in the field, and that they went so slackly for­ward, he began againe, and writing with the best Inke that he could get, protested, that in case they tooke no better or­der for their affaires, that if any mischiefe fell vpon them, the fault should not be imputed vnto him: and that from that time forward he would discharge himselfe thereof both be­fore God, and all the world. These protestations were by him reiterated diuers times one after the other, with as ma­ny passions as he could well expresse. In the meane time, he could not (and that with great intreaty) get but one part of that which he required, and none, or very little money. Their ordinary answere being, that they would take order for the same, withall still complaining of the insolencies com­mitted [Page 23] by his Souldiers. He still continued his replies, and touching their complaints, shewed them, that without mony it was impossible for him, to restraine so many malcontents: and as they required that correction should be inflicted on them for the said insolencies, hee solicited for themeanes to effect the same. And among other things hee propounded a course which is much practised, and common in other Na­tions, and easily to be put in vse among them, which was a Contribution to be raised vpon the Countrey Pesants, offe­ring to make an account of that which he should gather, and to deduct it out of his, and his Souldiers pay. But they (be­ing altogether ignorant of matters of State,) knew not how to accept of so good a condition, much lesse to effect it. They rather desired to lose all the Countrey, then a little wealth, and all the body, rather then one member, thinking to make warre without money.

In the meane time the complaints encreased, and from thence euill will began to arise, which ioyning with enuie, (whereof I haue formerly spoken,) will heereafter produce slaunders and iniuries, in effect preiudiciall both vnto the State, and to the Authors thereof. Now as we cannot denie, much lesse excuse the excesse and insolencies, which the Soul­diers as then committed, and did commit during that warre, so it is well knowne, that it is impossible to restraine and hold them vnder Discipline, if their wages be not paid them. Neither they nor their horses can liue by the ayre, all that they haue, whether it be Armes or apparrell, weareth, wasteth, and breaketh. If they must buy more, they must haue mo­ney, And if men haue it not to giue them, they will take it where they finde it, not as in part of that which is due vnto them, but without weighing or telling it. This gate being once opened vnto them, they enter into the large fields of liberty: There is no more staying, nor bounds for them; in steed of contenting themselues, with that whereof they haue [Page 24] neede, they seeke to enrich themselues thereby: they take all, force, beate, and kill those that resist them: and to con­clude, there is no disorder, which they will not commit, en­couraging themselues in their wickednesse, by the practise thereof, and frequentation with diuers Nations. The Ger­maine, the Flemming, the French man, the Italian, and the Hungarian, euery one contributeth somewhat of theirs there­vnto, and there is no subtilty, nor craftinesse, which they know not, and which they doe not put in practise to haue it. They spare no person of what quality soeuer he be, respect no place how holy so euer, neither Churches, Altars, Tombs, Sepulchres, nor the dead bodies that lye in them, can escape the violence of their Sacriligeous hands. Wee know and confesse all this, and to our great griefe haue seene many ex­amples thereof. These are the mischiefes of the warre, which makes it become detestable, and abhominable. But what? It is not enough to know it, and to complaine thereof. Wee must preuent the same by the true and right meanes, if wee will be exempted thereof. The onely meanes to remedy all such disorders, and so many mischiefes, is Discipline: but how shall it be established, where money for their pay want­eth? I know not who would vndertake the same, no not the Prince of Orange, (that great Master of Discipline) him­selfe. In the meane time the land Officers of Bohemia taking things cleane contrary, would turne the course of ordinary astaires, and to hide and couer their ignorance, would serue their turnes with the cloake of pouerty, making a great shew and matter of the charges which they are forced to disburse, and the small meanes that they haue to defray the same: and when they are required to pay any money, they make an­swere, and say, wee haue none, wee are not able to doe it. Those that were in this Countrey during the time of peace, and that knew the riches thereof, can well iudge of the truth of such an excuse.

[Page 25] Bohemia is one of the best countries, that is to be found within the borders of great Germanie, rich of wools, corne, pearles, pretious stones, and of mines both of gold, siluer, copper, iron, lead, and all sorts of minerals, environed with most rich neighbours, with whom they traffique in diuers manner, a country which of long time hath enioyed peace, and for an ornament thereof, the ordinarie seat of the Emperors, a place whereinto so great riches haue come and beene brought from all places in the world, for the space of these 200. yeeres together. Euery man knowes the great number, and riches of the Barons and Lords of this country, there being some of them, that pos­sesse a million and a halfe of wealth, besides the riches of the great Towne of Prague, without speaking of the rest. In such manner, that to alledge pouertie, for enduring of a yeere and an halfes warre, it is too grosse an excuse, & not to be allowed. But to say the truth, (as we ought to doe) it is the couetousnesse of certaine particular persons, it is the great disorder that was therein, touching the receiuing and distributing of the treasures, which hindred them from paying the souldiers, that discipline could not be establi­shed, and so many mischiefes preuented. The good peo­ple had made the wolfe a shepherd, popel de Lobkowiz, was their Lord Tresurer, all men know his nature, and with what wood he warmes himselfe. The three Estates, and the Nobilitie haue sufficiently disliked of his dealings. The children went to fetch mustard. And not to hold you too long with this subiect, I will only say, that men worthy of credit, and such as had that credit, to haue a sight of the bookes of account, affirme, That since the be­ginning of the direction, vntill the month of Nouember, anno 1620. which is not aboue two yeeres and a halfe, the States of Bohemia, without comprehending therein the Prouinces incorporated, haue not disbursed three milli­ons of Florins. Good God, what a summe of money is [Page 26] that, in respect of the great reuennes of so rich and opu­lent a Realme, as that is? Now let men consider of the great summes of money, that haue beene leuied by contribu­tion in the plaine country, and in the villages, let them only set downe the contributions of the Towne of Prague, and it shall be seene, whether it was for want of money, that the souldiers were not paid, or for want of good will. One of them of the first Estate, (for touching the two other, I am perswaded, they did their endeuours) being asked, how much he would willingly contribute to the maintenance of the warre, out of 20000. dollars yeerely rent that he possessed, durst offer 300. dollars a yeere. And one of the principallest of them, that had a great hand in managing the affaires of the Land, and one that could doe much, being rated at 2000. dollars a yeere, was willing to giue but 2. or 3. hundred a yeere. An other of the same coat, in steed of 2000. florins, that he ought for his part, would pay but 500, because (as he said) he had no more money. In the meane time, running away from Prague, after the battell, he left 300000. dollars ready money be­hinde him, which he could not saue among other things. What profit did some of them make, of the opening of the Emperor Rodulphus chamber? what benefit of Ecclesiasti­call goods? I will not speake of the rest. And yet they are poore, they haue no meanes to pay a little entertainment to those that are strangers, that haue no part of that abun­dant riches, that daily expose their liues and bodies, for the good of the Bohemian Crowne, and for the mainte­nance of those, who so richly enioy the blessings of that country. Let the vnpartiall Reader, that is acquainted with the affaires of the world, iudge, if it pleaseth him, by that which I haue said, and shall say hereafter, what is the true cause of the disorders and insolencies committed by the souldiers, and of the mischiefes and miseries hapned, and fallen vpon that country. To that end, I haue made [Page 27] this digression. Now we will leaue these great masters following their affaires in Prague, and popel de Lobkowiz telling their money, separating the old grosches from the new, to melt and make his particular profit of them, stay­ing for the taking of the said Towne, when Colonel Iugge [...] g [...]es him a bastinado, as a beginning of a reward, for his accursed auarice. To returne vnto our purpose. The Ge­nerall, although ill prouided of that which was necessarie for him, yet weary to be enclosed within the walls of a Towne, and desirous to take the aire of the fields, entred into the field, with his troupes, and some peeces of Can­non, in the moneth of Aprill, and marched to Grunberge, from whence he once againe gaue an other countercharge vnto the principall land officers, sharper then the former, but to the same end, and then went forward. There is a Castle that stands ten miles distant from Prague, in the way to Vodnian and Prachadis, neere to the riuer of Mol­dauia, in a village called Thein, which as then the enemie held, and thereby much disturbed the Kings affaires, which he determined to take from the enemie, and to that end wrote to Colonel Franc, (who as then was at Tabor, with six companies of Hollanders) to come with his men, and some troupes of horse and foot men of the country people, vnto the said village of Thein vpon a day appoin­ted, and there to seize vpon the bridge, that so he might ioyne with him. Which he did, and all the troupes mee­ting together at the time appointed in the said village, in the morning when the Generall had giuen two or three volleys of Cannon shot at the enemie, he vnderstood that some second was comming to aide them, and that the vangard was already in sight. Whereupon he caused his Armie to enter into the field, and placing it in order of battell, resolued to fight, if the enemie would giue the on­set. Now hauing staid in that manner vntill euening, and no man seene to appeare, and considering the danger that [Page 28] might ensue, to lodge so many men in a village, and that the season of the yeere as then was not fit to lie in the fields, as also the newes that came from the Earle de la Tour, who wrote for aide, he resolued to defer that matter to a more conuenient time, and to retire to Bekin. You must vnderstand, that in the meane time, the Earle of Bucquoy, that was strong in Austria, held our men at a bay, in such manner, that the Earle de la Tour, who as then commanded the Armie in the absence of the Prince of Anholt, and the Earle of Hohenloe, was constrained to send to the King for aide. Whereupon his Maiestie gaue com­mission to the Lord Generall of the Artillerie, to goe thi­ther with his troupes, as he did, but against his will, suffici­ently foreseeing, by experience of the time past, that a­mong so many great persons and commanders, iealousie might easily arise, to the preiudice of the common good, and of some of them, as it hapned. When he came to Niddreller, a village two miles distant from Egenburg, in the lower Austria, where the other Armie was, he stayed there two or three weekes with his troupes, attending the comming of the Prince of Anholt, Generall of all the Ar­mie, who as then was at Prague, in the which time he cea­sed not to write againe vnto the land officers, and to harpe vpon the same string that he had done before, withall shewing them of the pouertie and great necessitie of his souldiers, growing by the dearth that was in that country, all ouer-runne and ruinated by the former warres, praying and hardly pressing them to haue a regard vnto so many braue men, that deserued rather to die in battell for the Kings seruice, then so miserably to perish for want of food. But they were so farre off from hauing any regard vnto his propositions, that to the contrary they sent mo­ney, to all the rest of the Armie, without sending him one penny thereof, a most great inequalitie, and which mo­ued him extremely. And to the purpose, I forgot one [Page 29] important thing, which is to giue light vnto all this mat­ter, but I will set it on worke, and place it here. The cu­stome of the warre is such, that when an Officer dieth, he that is next in degree after him that is dead, succeedeth in his place. Now the late Monsieur de fels, in his life time being Marshall of the Bohemian Armie, hauing beene slaine in a skirmish giuen by the enemie a little aboue E­genburg, the Lord Generall of the Artillery, pretended that the same place, escheated vnto him, by order of warre; and therefore wrote vnto his Maiestie, to the land Officers, and to the Prince of Anholt, his Generall, for the same; which was granted vnto him, according to his request, and so being Marshall of the Armie, he began to execute that Office in the Kings Campe at Egenburg, where all the Armie was lodged, & continued two or three weekes without any contradiction. In the meane time, one day the Generall hauing done him that honour to come to visit him in his lodging, told him, that in truth he had beene made Marshall of the Bohemian Armie, but that touching the office of the Marshall of the Armie Royall, that was reserued for the Earle of Hohenloe. Whereupon complaining of that wrong, he maintained that the same Office had beene absolutely conferred vnto him, without any other condition, but only that he should resigne that of the Generall of the Artillerie: and that if he had beene told so much at the first, he would neuer haue accepted thereof, but would rather take his Office of Generall of the Artillery againe. But the Prince of Anholt replying, that then it was too late, because the same was conferred to another: he spake no more thereof at that time, onely to conclude, he desired the Prince of Anholt, to giue him leaue to depart, that hee might withdraw himselfe else­where: his discontentment was great, but that which grieued him most, was, that it seemed vnto him, that men made more difficultie to grant him his conge [Page 30] to bee gone, then to crosse him, and that they sought to giue him so many discontentments, that in the end, he should goe away with some disgrace, by that meanes to giue the greater shew vnto other mens actions. Certaine dayes after the Prince of Anholt comming againe, into his lodging to visit him, hee sought to perswade him, to content himselfe with that Office, with the limitation aforesaid, and to suffer the Earle of Hohenlo, to execute the office of Marshall Gene­rall, of the Armie Royall; which he wholly refused, say­ing, that if he were but Marshall of the Bohemian Armie, he would goe thither, and being there, would obey the Earle of Hohenloe; but as Lieutenant Generall, and for that there were a great number of braue Lords, in the Ar­mie to command, there was no need to take any great care for him, once againe beseeching the Prince of Anholt, to doe him that fauour, to grant him leaue to depart. Which he gaue him. Discord and misconstring or mista­king of matters among domesticall seruants in a particu­lar house, are to be desired for the good and profit that ariseth thereby, vnto those whom they serue. But dissen­tions betweene the seruants of Kings and Princes, that haue the managing of affaires, cannot but be preiudiciall and hurtfull vnto their Masters, whatsoeuer Matchiauell and others like him say, or discourse thereof. The Lord Marshall being already wearied with the cold answers, and long delaies of the land officers, & grieued at the vn­iust inequality which they vsed in the distribution of their monies, wrote also vnto them to haue leaue to depart. In the meane time there was an occasion offered, that see­med to be fauourable vnto him, which was that newes came that Don Balthazar, being onely Commander in Bohemiah, and hauing none other there to crosse him, was determined to issue out into the field, and to besiege Ʋod­nian, whereupon the Prince of Anholt determined to [Page 31] send some aide thither, and committed the charge there­of vnto the Lord Marshall, who as then tooke certaine troupes of horse-men out of the Armie to goe with him. But before I leaue the affaires of Austria, I must touch one point more (which I had almost forgotten,) among the rest of those that increased the Lord Marshals discon­tentment: our Armie was lodged (as I said before) about Egenburg, and the enemies toward the riuer of Danubia, within three miles of Germanie; on which side the Prince of Anholt determined suddenly to assaile it. The exploit was well and wisely vndertaken, and dexteriously persu­ed, vpon the tenth of Iune about 3. or 4. of the clocke in the euening, & to that end our Armie consisting of 18. or 20. thousand men, departed from the said towne of Egenburg: and the next day early in the morning, got to Heiterswrf, where the first quarter of the enemies Armie lay, with­out being once discouered, or meeting with any senti­nels. Neuerthelesse it stayed there, without going any further (I know not the reason why) and from thence returned backe againe, without performing any thing. Those that then were there may if it please them remem­ber, that the Lord Marshalls soldiers, thought then to haue set forth, to giue the first onset vpon the Hungarians, and others that lay in that quarter, as also what was further done at that time. This being spoken to no other ende, but only to refresh the memory of those, that then were present there, and know what I intend to speake, it being most certaine, that if the onset had beene giuen, they had driuen the enemie from thence, and gotten a great aduan­tage vpon them. Now let vs proceed.

The Lord Marshall hauing receiued that commissi­on, (as I said before) made preparation to leaue the Ar­mie, fully assuring himselfe that he had already found an occasion, by some notable action to make enuie it selfe blush for shame. It seemed that fortune would fauour him, [Page 32] and that from thenceforth he should saile in the seas of her good fauour. Yet it was but a vaine hope. The Remora cleaning fast to the keele of our ship, staied our course. The misfortune of our Realme was such, that all was for­ced to goe backward: and the most cleare sighted well perceiued that hatred in the court, and enuie in the Ar­mie, would cause contrary winds to blow vpon him. He set saile in Inne; tooke his course through vpper Austria, past along by Wittignaw, caused his soldiers to shew them­selues before the gates of Crumaw, and Budweis: to breake downe the mils about them, and to doe many o­ther exploits: after that he came to Tabor; from thence he went to besiege the Castle of Thein, which he battered, and after thirtie Voles of Cannon shot giuen against it, won it by composition, and by that meanes, freed the passage for the Kings Maiestie from Prachadiz to Prague. Long before he had a designe to doe something against Crumaw, where he had intelligences and diuers inuenti­ons to become Master thereof: and made account to win it within few daies, if he once went to besiege it. But two things withheld him from it, that is great want of money and men. He himselfe, his Captaines and soldiers being so extremely needy, that they could not be more. He was brought to such an exigent, that to buy victuals he was forced at times to borrow 30. or 40. Florins. To write to Prague for it, it was labour in vaine, he knew their humours too well with whom he had to deale: It was as if he should beate the aire, and lose his time, to seeke to doe any thing by letters. Therefore being prest by necessity, and the great instance that his officers made vnto him, he was constrained to interrupt the course of his victory, and personally to goe vnto Prague, there to finde the meanes, to minister some comfort vnto his Armie, and to that end went thither, with an intent to stay there but 3. or 4. daies, and then to returne againe, to persue his de­signe. [Page 33] But there it fell out with him, according to the manner of that court, that is, that in stead of foure, hee staied foureteene daies.

In the meane time, there hapned a little tragedie, which I will set downe here, because in many places it hath beene diuersly discoursed of, and specially concerneth the ho­nour of the said Lord Marshall. I will tell it truly as it was. I said before, that the States of nether Austria, had enter­tained one of the Lord Marshals regiments of soldiers into their pay. This regiment had happy and vnfor­tunate successe, as the course of the warre fell out. At Langenloyd the enemy comming from Crembs, to set vpon him that commanded the same in the absence of the Lord Marshall de fels, that was not farre from it with the Bo­hemian Armie ready to assist it. But the enemie charging them with a great number of horsemen, enclosed them on all sides, and put them to flight, euen in the face of the said Lord Marshall de fels, not without great suspition of some secret conniuence. And here it is to bee noted, that the said Lord Marshall, bare a deadly hatred vnto the Earle of Mansfields soldiers. After that againe it had another misfortune at Garst, whereby being some was di­minished, and the states of Austria, wanting money, they resolued to discharge it, (as they did) but in the absence of the Lord Marshall, who tooke that their proceeding in euill part, because they had promised, to send the said regiment againe to him into Bohemiah, to serue him there where he should haue occasion to imploy it. The said sol­diers went directly vnto Prague, there to aske for their pay; where he dealt in such manner with the first that came thither, that they were content, giuing to some three, to others foure, and to some fiue moneths pay, to stay for a moneth or two for the rest. After that came others, and among them, some seditious persons, that would not con­tent themselues with the former order, but would be paid [Page 34] forthwith. The Lord Marshall shewed them what neces­sitie and want of money he had: and that hee had not as yet receiued any thing of the States of Austria. But all that notwithstanding, they would not be satisfied, and were most importunate with him, specially after dinner, when the spirit of wine had heated their braines. To conclude they resolued to haue money, howsoeuer they came by it, and that they would not leaue the Lord Marshals lod­ging before they had it. And to that end at the least fifty of them in number assembled there together, who reso­lutely determined to stay in his drawing chamber, vntill such time as he came forth to supper, and not to leaue him till they were all paid. In the meane time the Lord Marshall diuers times caused them to be spoken withall, and made offer vnto them of seuerall conditions, as also to shew them the impossibility that he had to pay them all at one time: for that (as it is said before) he had recei­ued no money from the states of Austria. But all reasons and arguments notwithstanding, they would haue their full and entire payment: saying that otherwise they would not depart from thence. Supper time drawing on, Two of the Lord Marshals Captaines comming out of the chamber, thought with good speeches to haue dis­patched those rascals from thence, and accommodating themselues to necessity, make them leaue the place that euening, but it would not be: for in steed of yeelding, they became more obstinate, and in stead of good an­swers they vsed threatnings, and so from words they fell to blowes. The Lord Marshall hearing that noise, came forth with some Captaines and his houshould seruants, that were about him, and set fiereely vpon them. Where­with they being somewhat abashed at his presence, though they were the greater number, began to giue backe and at last to runne away, where many of them were hurt, and one amongst the rest deadly wounded. This was the [Page 35] first act. A little while after, againe all the Captaines and officers, that then were there, thinking to goe home vnto their lodgings, and going along the streetes, were set vp­on and assailed by those seditious fellowes, and driuen backe againe to the Lord Marshals house. This was the second act. The Captaines perceiuing what danger they were in, sent for their Pistols, and making themselues stronger, by more officers that ioyned with them, re­solued to retire in despite of those mutinous companions. In the meane time, it fell out that one of those which held not with the seditious company, seeking to goe forward, was by them laid hold on, and hardly vsed amongst them. The Captaines seeing that, stept forward to aide him, and charged them hotly, they for their parts likewise de­fending themselues. Whereby on both sides they fell at blowes. Neuerthelesse the seditious soldiers retired, the better to rancke and fortifie themselues. The Lord Mar­shall in the meane time looking out of his window, and beholding the insolency of those mutinous fellowes, went downe, and mounting vpon his horse, accompani­ed with his houshold seruants, ioyned with the Captaines, with whom he persued them, and laid some of them dead vpon the ground. At last the Kings Maiestie hearing of the quarrell, sent his gard to aide the Lord Marshall, and the Burgers made profer to assist him. But feare hauing already seized vpon the hearts of the seditious soldiers, there was nothing else done at that time. This was the last act of that Tragedie, which I haue particularly re­hearsed, for the reason aforesaid. The 14. daies being past, about the middle of Iune, he went from Prague, hauing first gotten some money, to comfort his soldiers, with promise shortly after to be better supplied both with men and money. And being at Thein wrote againe vnto the land Officers, and plainely made them acquainted with the necessity that he had of more forces, to execute his de­signe. [Page 36] But neuer the lesse, to lose no time, expecting grea­ter forces, he went to take the fort of Walleren, after that the better to bridle other Garisons that were neere there­unto, and so to prepare the way to besiege Crumaw. Before his departure, the Earle de la Tour sent from the Prince of Anholt, came into his Armie, and being come to Prachadiz, the Lord Marshall receiued letters out of higher Austria, whereby they were intreated to goe thither, in respect of the danger that they feared, least the Duke of Bauaria would enter into that countrey. He shewed the letters vnto the Earle de la Tour, and aduised his Maiestie thereof. To those of Austria hee made answer, that being so weake of forces as he was, he could not aide them, but that daily he expected more for­ces, and that then he would most willingly come vnto them; and therewith marched forward to the fort of Wal­leren, to besiege it, as aforesaid. That fort is seated vpon a little hill, iust vpon the comming out of the great wood, which is betweene Bohemia and Passaw, at the riuer of Moldauia running at the foot thereof; at the top of the said fort, there was a small sconse about 60. paces long, furnished with two rauelins, square at both corners, which flanked the curtaines of the fort, all furnished with good ditches and pallizadoes, besides the trenches that were within it. In the fort there was about 400. men. The Lord Marshall placed his Armie about it, and not long after in the marshie woods, by diligent search, he found out a pas­sage to get neere vnto the fort on the banke side, and that euening he sent one of his Captaines with 500 muske­teers, to seeke to passe through it, & to lie in the wood be­hind the fort. The next morning the Cannon was plan­ted, and two peeces and a murtherer, were set on worke, to hinder those that were within the fort, from fortifying the same. About ten of the clocke, the Captaine got neere vn­to the fort, and both parts saluting each other with a [Page 37] storme of musket bullets, they that were below in the halfe moone, perceiuing themselues to be assailed behinde, were in great feare, and running away, saued themselues in the fort; our souldiers pursued them hotly, and that with such diligence, that presently they got into the fort, and all the enemies were enclosed in the small sconce, well intrenched (as I said before) and in an instant all our musketeeres got so neere vnto them, that they might ioyne together at push of pike. And in the meanetime, while the musketeers on both sides, plaid one against the other, the Lord Mar­shall caused a mine to be made, which the next day was blowne vp with indifferent good effect, but that notwith­standing, the breach was not great enough, in such man­ner, that the next day another was begun to be made, and to conclude they within were kept at such a bay with Mus­kets, Cannon shot, and assaults, that the effects thereof, ioyning with the apprehension which they had conceiued of another mine, the second day they made composition, and the third day issued out of the fort, which according to the opinion of Don Balthasar de Marades, Serieant Maior, Generall of the Emperors horse-men, would haue beene strong enough to haue held our Armie before it all that summer. The taking of this fort procured great ioy to them in Prague; but it continued not long: for in the meane time while we were busied to pull out that thorne, the Duke of Bauaria, prickt vs with another, (hauing sei­zed vpon vpper Austria) which without comparison pro­cured more griefe vnto vs, then euer the other did. The Lord Marshall aduised his Maiestie touching the same, giuing him counsell what to doe in such occurrents: which because it is of great importance, I will here parti­cularly set downe the contents of his letter.

SIR, yesterday I wrote vnto your Maiestie to certifie you of the heauy newes that is in vpper Austria. And for that it doth not only continue for certaine, but as it is to be feared, that the Duke of Bauaria will approch vnto [Page 38] this country, to enter therein; I thought it conuenient to giue your Maiestie this further aduise, and therewith to shew you what I thinke requisite to be done in these oc­currents. First, I thinke it conuenient, and most necessarie, to prouide for the defence of the country, whereunto we are not sufficient, when the two Regiments of the Duke de Weinmar, and that of Colonel Gray are come hither. And therefore it is requisite, that your Maiestie should hold Colonel Grayes regiment there about Prague, for your guard, and for other occasions, which shall fall out; and also to fortifie and keepe strongly these foure places, Pilsen, Piseck, Tabor, and Wittignaw; to the which end, it is requisite, to put my Regiment into Pilsen, because some of my men are therein already; into Piseck the Duke de Wein­mars regiment, with 100. horsemen, and 100. Hungarians; into Tabor, Colonel Francks regiment, with as many horsemen and Hungarians; and into Wittignaw, Colonel Seitans Regiment, with 50 horsemen, and 100. Hungari­ans: and all these to runne on that side whither the ene­mies shall bend their forces, to take breath, and thereby to stop them (if it be possible) from victuals. The rest of my horsemen, and of the Hungarians, must retire towards Pilsen, or to some other part, where occasion shall serue; by that meanes, at times, suddenly to doe some enterprise, to indamage the enemie. All these troupes being thus di­uided, it is requisite, that as soone as they are entred into the said places, they must begin earnestly to labour about the fortifications of the same; wherein your Maiestie must spare nothing, and make as great haste therein as possibly you can, because it is to be feared, that we shall be surpri­zed sooner then we thinke for, and that afterward it will be too late to remedie the same. For the enemie being strong of horsemen, (as in truth he is) we may easily be enuiro­ned by him, before we could auoid it. And our forces be­ing in that manner ouerthrowne, and hauing no other pla­ces that are strong and well garrisond; your Maiestie may [Page 39] well iudge, what danger and losse may thereby ensue, and whether we may not apprehend the same mischiefe to fall vpon vs, that is hapned to those of Austria; specially, con­sidering the mutable humor of this people, who vpon this occasion doing something to the preiudice of your Maie­stie, without doubt, to excuse themselues, will after seeke to couer it with the cloake of necessitie. But these foure places being fortified in this manner, that storme may be stayed at the brinke, while the Prince of Anholt comes out of Austria, to aide those that are in extremitie. And by this meanes we may withstand the enemies forces this yeere, and in the meane time your Maiestie may haue leisure to thinke vpon the meanes how to repulse them altogether, better, then you can doe now. For the rest, touching other smaller places, there must be garrisons put into them, to trouble the enemie, and set him on worke, and so to winne time. I beseech your Maiestie, to take a speedy resolution herein. For, first to write vnto the Armie, time will passe away. And to the contrary, If the Prince of Anholt should not like well of this aduice, there will be time enough to alter it, and to ioyne againe. May it please your Maiestie not to thinke ill of my boldnesse in aduising you in this matter, danger and necessitie ioyning with the desire, that I haue for the aduancement of your seruice, haue constrai­ned me thereunto, and forced me to cast all other consi­derations vnder foot: as also that neither my selfe, nor those that are about me, can see any appearance at all, that with so small forces, we may winne any honour against so puissant an enemie. Therefore expecting your Maiesties resolution, alwayes vnto the last gaspe of breath, I remaine your Maiesties

[Page 40] This aduice was not followed, but to the contrary it was thought conuenient, to make a Campo formato. Our Armie then retired from Protwin, to Thein, and from thence to Pechin, where we continued all the month of August, increased by the regiments of the Duke de Saxon Weymars, and of Colonel Grayes, a Scot, and yet effected nothing, as being not strong enough to withstand so pu­issant an enemie. During this vnprofitable staying, the discontentment of our souldiers, but specially that of my Lord Marshall, increased more and more: because, that besides the affront that he had receiued in Austria, and so many vaine promises that had beene made vnto him, by the land officers, he had also beene frustrated of meanes to effect his designes, without being able to doe any good for the Crowne of Bohemia in time to come. In the end distasting these things, and still laden with enuie, he determined to withdraw himselfe from thence. To that end he wrote vnto the King, and to the States, who made him a gratious answer, exhorting him to continue their friend, and not to abandon them in so troublesome a time. Whereupon he sent a man expresly againe vnto the King, to let him more particularly vnderstand his in­tent. And in that persute diuers messages were sent and returned, and in the end it was concluded and decreed, that the States should in short time cause him to haue two months pay for his souldiers, and that generally his soul­diers should be vsed and dealt withall, in the same man­ner that those of the great Armie were: that in respect of the fiue companies of horsemen that he entertained and paid out of his owne purse, seeing that the Earle de la Tour had discharged him of two of them, that the land officers would take order, at the next meeting of the States, that he should also be discharged of the three o­thers; that he should execute his office of Lord Marshall in the same manner that the Marshall de Fels did, and [Page 41] that he should not expect any order nor commande­ment from any other then from the Lord Generall, and from such as it appertained vnto. Whereupon the Lord Marshall resolued to continue in his Maiesties ser­uice, vntill the end of the month of October, and so things rested for that time. In the meane time, this impo­sture and scandall was thereby raised, that the Lord Mar­shall would turne his coat (as it is commonly said) and serue the Emperor. A most grosse conclusion, and such as deserued to be punished in Schooles, to say, he will be gone and retire himselfe out of the country, ergo, he will ioyne with the enemie, and serue the Emperor. But how­soeuer the bruit thereof hauing beene once spread abroad in the Citie of Prague, it afterward ranne throughout all the Realme, and further, specially when it had encoun­tred with impudence, that met it in the way; and some ac­cidents sympathizing the same. In such manner, that in consideration of the force which from time to time it re­couered, by support of so many fautors, it was apparent that in the end it would take root in his Maiesties owne chamber. But it was so farre from that, that that wise King would not once giue it any place nor entertainment into the cabinet of his conceit, but to the contrary did encou­rage and exhort the Lord Marshall, not to respect such euill reports, assuring him of his Royall fauour, &c. While we were (as I said) about Berkin, the Lord Generall thought it expedient to send our Armie from thence, to goe to Newhats, lest that the Duke of Bavaria (that was not farre from thence) should suddenly surprize it. And when we came thither, there we stayed eight or ten daies. But his Maiestie and the land officers hauing a great ap­prehension of the neerenesse of so many troupes, that yet were in Bava [...]ia, and that the said Duke would doe some enterprise vpon Pilsen, he commanded the Lord Marshall to march with all his forces (as he did) to diuert, and as­sure [Page 42] the frontiers of Bohemia, against the Duke of Bava­ria. And being on the way, he had another charge from the land officers, who (as he had already past by Tabor) made him make haste, with assurance that his Maiestie had proclaimed the Ban, and that all the country was vp in armes, as also that a great number of horse and foot men were commanded to ioyne with him, by Glats and Taux, which they beleeued he should finde there when he came thither. The custome of Bohemia is, that when the King goeth forth in person to the warre, the Earles, Barons, and Gentlemen are bound to mount on horsebacke, and to follow him; and those that are called Gentlemen in that country, are at the least 60000 persons, besides the Nobi­litie, which are nothing so great a number. Now conside­ring these great forces, and the Kings resolution to goe personally into the field, the apparance was great, that they would doe some notable enterprise. These great composed bodies, haue their successe & courses as well as men, and are subiect to the same alterations and changes. To behold the countenances of those personages, it see­med that they were already rowsde out of a profound slumber, specially hauing such an alarme, as the Earle of Bucquoy made them with so puissant an Armie comming neere vnto them. We beleeued that being assisted and aided by so great forces, we should doe miracles. We did then already imagine nothing else, but an end of the warre. But parturiunt montes; we shall see that these great mountaines of promises, will bring forth nothing but a mouse. In the meane time, the Lord Marshall vnder that hope caused his Armie to march forward, towards Glats, and from thence about Taux, to discouer the ene­mies intent, and to gouerne himselfe thereafter. As hee marched on the way, and after he arriued there, he caused that aide aforesaid to be sought for, and nine miles all a­bout on this side to looke where those souldiers might be, [Page 43] but by no meanes could heare any newes of them: they had quartered themselues in Eutopia, therefore it is no more speaking of them. Thereupon the Lord Marshall made complaint vnto the land officers, who for an excuse made answer, that they had receiued a countermaund, and were sent to Piseck, Vodnian, and the places thereabouts, to secure them against Don Balthasars forces. Whether that were true or no, we cannot tell, but it is certaine, that the enemie soone after wanne all those places, as if no for­ces had beene in them. Briefly, the Lord Marshall seeing himselfe destitute of succours, and that the enemie fol­lowed close vpon him: fearing lest they should take the way of Pilsen before him, resolued to retire, and lodge there, as indeed he did. And thus ended the month of September. He being receiued, found there such wants and defaults, as nothing more: the fortifications very lit­tle furthered, want of labourers, of timber for the Pallisa­does, and of money to supply all: he once againe tooke pen in hand to write to the land officers, shewing them of all these wants, and the danger they were likely to be in, if all were not supplied in time: But especially he reque­sted they would send him in some munition, that he might be competently prouided to hold out a siege, and money to satisfie the officer and souldier: for otherwise it might be feared, the discontent already they were in, might burst out into a mutinie, to the great preiudice of the place and cause. Of these letters he had a faire answer, but to no effect, according to their custome. In the meane time, the Lord Marshall, who well foresaw, that the enemie (who had aduanc't himselfe daily with a puissant Armie, forcing all the places where ere he came) would not be slacke to come and visit him, did not sleepe for his part; but made the Boores as many as he could get, to worke in the forti­fications; and caused good store of timber to be brought in, for the Pallisadoes, and of corne and meale, all that he [Page 44] could puruey. Briefly; he did all that the time and ne­cessitie required, to fortifie himselfe against the enemie, who was violently comming vpon him. Neither was the enemie all this while idle, but grew stronger daily, by maine force making himselfe master of whatsoeuer might any way oppose him. Then also Vodnian, Prachaditz, Win­terberg, and Pisek, were wonne with great effusion of bloud: Schuttenhofen yeelded without stroke striking. The like had befallen to Taux and Glatta, had not the Lord Marshall strengthned them with new supplies, which he had sent in thither to lie in garrison, so that the enemie found more to doethere, then at the other places. Within Taux there were two or three troupes of horse, and some few foot, all commanded by the Rittmeister, Claudius Lin­staw. He is master of all the Cavaile­ [...]e. Don Balthasar came hither to asseige it, with a great power of foot and horse, and with 7. peeces of Cannon began to batter it, first on one side, and then on the other; they within the Towne in the meane time made it good with all their best endeuours. But the Towne being hard laid at on all sides, and not well prouided of munition, and especially wanting powder; after a few dayes resi­stance, by the aduice of the said Lord Marshall, gaue it vp vpon composition. Into Glatta, the Lord Marshall had sent 200 musketiers, with certaine companies of land­folke that were there, vnder the command of Sir Thomas Ferenz; who was charged by the Lord Marshall, not to tyre out himselfe, in regard the place could not be long kept; but to quit it, before he was driuen to extremities, lest they should lose themselues to no purpose. From Taux, Don Balthasar went to besiege Glatta, batterd it, and tooke it in by composition.

His Highnesse arriued with his Armie at Crassitz, fiue leagues from Prague, and wrote to the Lord Marshall the 3. of October, that he should come from Pilsen with such forces as he could draw out, (leauing a sufficient garrison [Page 45] in it) to ioyne with his Armie. The day after he sent him againe the same command. The Lord Marshall doubting his Highnesse was not throughly enough informd of the estate of the garrison of Pilsen, sent Captaine Roy, Quarter­master generall, to shew him the necessitie the place had to keepe still all the forces then within it, if they meant still to hold it: offering notwithstanding vnto his Highnesse, that if he would appoint him the expresse number of men and cannon, which he would haue sent, without leauing it to his discretion, he was ready to obey him. The 10. of October behold Generall Bucquoy and the Duke of Baua­ria, with their whole Armie, began to shew themselues be­fore Pilsen, and very neere the Towne. The outworkes were not yet in case to be defended, nor were there forces enough to man them; besides all other discommodities which vse to fall out, where money is wanting. So as if at the instant, the enemie with those great forces he drew af­ter him, had attempted the place, he had certainly either carried it, or at the least driuen it to strange extremities. The Lord Marshall the more leisure he perceiued they let him haue, the more diligence he vsed. He caused all his souldiers to worke by course day and night in the fortifi­cations; he enquired, and borrowed money of his Cap­taines, wheresoeuer he could finde it, to giue the souldier some content; and did so well and fairely, that within few dayes, the workes were defenseable.

All things going thus on, the King with his Armie was arriued at Rokezan, some two leagues from Pilsen, in the way towards Prague. The Count Bucquoy, a wise and old Captaine, seeing the resolution of the Lord Marshall; and that to force the place, would both lose time, and many a braue man; cast how to get it by policie;

Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat? and plotted how to make way into Pilson, by sending in thither K. Philip of Macedons mule: he had intelligence [Page 46] from thence, of the ill managing of businesse, amongst some principall personages of that partie; and of the dis­content giuen to the Lord Marshall: and well knew, there is nothing that can put a noble spirit sooner from his po­sture then enuie. Caesar was ambitious, but for that, he had neuer turned the point of his sword against his natiue country, if enuie had not ouercome him. And Charles of Burbon had neuer taken a resolution so contrary to his Countries good, had he not met with this passion, the most violent of all others, and which only ouerbeares the greatest courages. He studies therefore how to gaine him that was most potent in that place: and whosoeuer had voices in this counsell, held it so easie to bee brought about, that they no way doubted of the issue; yea they were so confident, that a rumor was spread throughout the Armie, as of a thing already done and effected. Now, notwithstanding that the bare euent might testifie Ger-contrary, yet for that it is published throughout all the many, and that there is no biting of calumnie, which leaues not behinde it some scarre, to the blemish of his honour, that hath once beene calld in question, if present­ly it be not washt off with the pure substance of the truth; I would not let to set downe for the Reader so much as should be necessarie, by the true narration of that which passed about this matter.

Ioachim de Carpzo, Lieutenant Colonell of one of the Regiments of my Lord Marshall, was yet prisoner with the enemie, euer since the last summer, when he was taken at Glax in Austria. Him they made choise of to be an in­strument of their designe to perswade the Lord Marshall to leaue the place to the Emperor, in consideration of the reward promised him, which was great, as tis commonly in such a case: in a word, mountaines of gold. He, desirous to part from them to procure his ransome, agreeth the willinger to take such a commission vpon him. But as the [Page 47] common prouerbe saith, A thin lining agreeth not with a thin outside. If the Count Bucquoy be honest, the Count Mansfield is iust: if the one be quicke of sight, the other is swift of foot. He was not so foolish, nor so ill a merchant, to make so bad a bargaine, and to sell his honour being in­estimable, for a thing that perisheth, to loose in one houre, what he had beene so long in getting, with such labours and danger of his life: He had too staid a iudgement, and a spirit better lodged, then to play such a Clerkes tricke. The Count Bucquoy thought he had knowne him; but knew him not. This messenger then being arriued, and doing what he had in commission, the Lord Marshall sent him presently to his Highnesse the Prince of Anhalt, who caused him to be examined by three persons, set on to sound the depth of this plot. The Lord Marshall for his part made this occasion of worth, to doe his Master ser­uice, by whose consent he gaue care to the Count Bucquoy, that he might in the while gaine time, and to make his out-workes defenceable, offers to treat with him, but vpon this condition, that first of all he should see right done to the Rittmeister, Linstau, whose troupes being gone from Heiden, in fauour of the capitulation of Taux, were spoi­led by the souldiers of the said Count Bucquoy, who now the more to further this treatie, endeuoured by all means to giue satisfaction to the said Captaine Linstau. Diuers ranne vp and downe about this satisfaction: but so much time was imployed about the accessarie, that they had no leisure to come to the principall. While these things were on foot, the Prince of Anholt sent for Colonel Pobliz to come to Pilsen, vnder pretext to view the fortifications; but his meaning was, as a man may easily discerne, to get a more exact insight into this negotiation: who being re­turned, and hauing made report of his commission to his Maiestie, his Highnesse wrote to the Lord Marshall, in these termes.

[Page 48] My Lord: the Lord Pobliz hath well satisfied the King, who you may assure your selfe reposes great confidence in you, and holds you in his good grace, &c. From Rockelzan the 18. of October 1620.

The next day, hee wrote to him againe, and amongst other passages, one clause to this effect:

Furthermore I am aduertised, when the enemie shall vn­derstand that the treatie of Pilsen takes no effect, he will make his approch to the place, and entrench him­selfe about it.

This is to shew that the Lord Marshall did nothing in a thing of such consequence, without the aduise and con­sent of his Maiestie, and his Generall. The same day of the said month about 9. of the clocke at night, he wrote another, which I will adioyne, to the same end:

My Lord: although I am of the same opinion with you, to gaine time; yet so it is, that his Maiestie after he had deliberately considered, that of all that can happen, this is the most expedient; that you breake off the action: and when it be performed, that you will be pleased to send it; leauing to your discretion and will the dispo­sing of the two Companies, whereof you wrote vnto me, &c.

This is for substance the true discourse of this treatie, that hath cast such mists ouer the ignorant, and giuen such hopes to the enemie. In this time were presented some faire occasions to the enemie to doe vs hurt, be­cause of our want of horse, which were all at Rokelzan in the Campe, whither the Lord Marshall was gone to finde the King, to kisse his hand, and to take leaue of his Maiestie: following the Articles of Bechin, as it came to passe. The Count Bucquoy perceiuing at length that golden nets would not take this Lion; and that it was [Page 49] more necessarie to vse his iron and steele, resolued to try his force: for which purpose he caused great store of faggots to be made, entending without question to giue a generall assault. But changing his minde, he rose with his whole Armie the twentie one of the said month, to passe the water aboue Pilsen, and draw towards Sozer­grais, and so towards Prague. When he had passed the water, his reareward was lodged halfe an houres march from Pilsen. The next day the Count Hollach came with all the Kings horse as well Germans as Hungarians, and with 3000. musketeers, within one houres march of Pilsen: where the Lord Marshall meeting with him, a­mongst other discourses, propounded to him a meanes how to cut off the Reare of the enemie: That is, if he would please to aduance his troupes, himselfe would ioyne with him, with the best that he had in Pilsen, and charging thus ioyntly the enemie, who had also some disaduantages, they should certainly beat the Reareward, or at least greatly distresse them. But the Count thought it the better way to turne backe, and take the passage, to cut off the enemies way to Prague.

His Highnesse being possest for that purpose of Raco­niz, the two Armies houered some time thereabouts with various successe, according to the course of the warres. At the last, comming so neere, that it was thought the Count Bucquoy would hazard a battell; his Highnesse aduised the Lord Marshall & inuited him to come and attend his pleasure, who thanked him heartily, and assured him, that as this was an occasion he had alwayes sought, so would he not now slack to put himselfe forward with all readinesse: for that he should now be assured, there to be entertained in the qualitie of a Marshall of the field, to command ac­cording to his charge; desiring his Highnesse that hee would send him word with all speed, and to rest assured that in such a cause he would faile him in nothing. There­fore [Page 50] to lose no more time, and withall to know the short and the long, presently after this letter he dispatcht Sir Thomas Ferenz, with charge to sollicite his Highnesse in his behalfe, and to draw him to a speedy resolution. The said Lieutenant Ferenz went thence post; but because he could not haue audience of his Highnesse all the while he was in Racoviz, hee was constrained to follow him to Prague; where the ouerthrow of the Armie decided the question, before the said Ferenz could speake with his Highnesse, and bring backe an answer.

Vpon new businesse (as we say) we must take new con­sultations. The Lord Marshall, hauing before taken his leaue of his Maiestie, as was said, minded nothing but his retreat: but this new accident hauing quite altred all other things, chang'd also his resolution, finding himselfe alone in Bohemia (after the other Chiefes had withdrawne themselues) and engag'd in honour to keepe Pilsen; he cast his eyes round about him, to see if there were any like­lihood of succours from any part. His Highnesse some dayes after the battell wrote to him, assuring him that shortly he would send him new directions: these hee ex­pected with great deuotion, still hoping, they would lead him out of these troubles: but hauing long waited, and hearing no newes from his Highnesse, who after that time neuer wrote him so much as one word, he found himselfe by so much the more perplexed. The stopping vp of the passage of Germanie, from whence he only hoped to be releeued, doubled all these difficulties, which of them­selues were exceeding great already. For being thus enui­roned on all sides with enemies, and hauing small store of munition, and being bare of money, his souldiers ill paid, discontented, and which is worse, without any hope of succours, euery man may imagine in what estate he was. To be set to the helme when the winde is good, is but a pleasure, a simple Pilot may then steere the course: but [Page 51] when the windes are contrary, and the seas high-wrought, and danger still thrusting vpon them, then is the suffici­encie of a Master required.

The Imperialists being seiz'd of the Towne of Prague; re-establisht (by way of discharge) the States in their an­cient freedomes; and caused them to write to the Lord Marshall, and to his Captaines, and souldiers of the gar­rison of Pilsen, to this purpose: That they would bee contented with a summe of money which they should presently receiue in hand, with assurance of the rest here­after; and for this to render vp Pilsen, and other places vnto his Emperiall Maiestie. Furthermore, that seeing the King was now retired out of Bohemia, it was in the power of the said States to discharge the said Lord Mar­shall, seeing that they had entertained him of themselues into their seruice, and it was to them that he had taken his oath. These conditions were taken into consideration, and to say truth, so it was, that they seeing no other meanes to get their pay, suffered themselues to be stag­gerd with this offer. But the most part (especially the Lord Marshall) knowing that these were not the same States that had entertained them into their seruice; for these were of the religion, but those, Catholicks, thought it not his best not to hearken to them. The Lord Mar­shall brought into these streights, wrote to his Maiestie and his Highnesse, and to all those that might be any way interessed in the keeping of that place, made truce with the enemie, entred a treatie with them, and to that end sent Hieronimo de la Porta his Treasurer to Prague. In the meane time, to ease himselfe, and to discharge Pilsen of part of the garrison, he billeted some foot and horse in Heiden, a little Towne, where there is a reasonable good castle. Thus there passed 5 or 6 weekes, without hearing any newes either from his Maiestie or his Highnesse. In the end, weighing the profit that would redound to the [Page 52] publique cause by staying within Pilsen, with that which might be made by withdrawing into some other place; he resolued vpon a departure, to see if he might either re­leeue some way the ruinated estate of the present affaires, or else preserue it from an vtter fall; he went from Pilsen with the rest of his horse, about the middle of December, leauing the command there to Colonel Frank, and went to take in Tachaw, then without a garrison, and there to lodge his Cavallerie, as well to be assured of the passage from thence into the Palatinate; as also to enlarge him­selfe, and passe ouer the rest of the winter, so much the more comodiously. He wrote to Sir de Thilly Lieutenant Generall to the Duke of Bauaria, and other Chiefes of the contrary party in Bohemia; to assure them, that this was not with any intention to breake the truce, but the better to accommodate his Cauallerie, hee wrote also to those of Equer, who wauered already, and enclined to the Emperor, but vnderstanding his pleasure, they retur­ned to their obedience and held firme afterward.

This being done he takes his way towards Norimberg, with an intention to goe to Wormbs, to see the Lords the Princes; but the time being too short for him, and fea­ring to goe to farre from Pilsen: when he was once retur­ned to Norimberg, he dispatcht one of his Captaines, in post to Wormbs: from whence being returned, and ha­uing brought nothing but hopes, the Lord Marshall after he had sent an expresse messenger to his Maiestie, to ad­uertise him of what had passed, he turned againe towards Bohemia, and before he arriued there he had notice giuen how all went.

The enemie preuailing in his absence, and beleeuing perchance he was gone for altogether, wrought secretly vpon his Captaines, thinking to corrupt them, or at least to draw them to a speciall treaty, contrary to that which the Lord Marshall had begun with Bucquoy at Prague. Don [Page 53] Martin de Huetta Gouernour of Shuttenhofen, first attempted to draw some of them to a priuate conference, to which he being not able to bring them, or they at least not at liberty to come out to him, he wrote againe to them all in generall, and more openly: That vpon consideration of a summe of mo­ny they would yeeld vp themselues and the place to the Em­perour. The Prince of Liechtenstein did second him with let­ters to the same purpose. The foresaid Hieronymo de la porta ouercome by the large promises of the Imperialists, in stead of doing for his Master as he was obliged, did for himselfe and the aduerse party, and wrote also to the same purpose: endeuouring beside to perswade them that the Lord Mar­shall was gone neuer to returne againe. This letter comming from the hand of such an Officer, who had so good reputati­on with them, and meeting with humours symbolizing some­what with his intentions; I leaue it to you to iudge, whether this did stagger them or no.