ADVERTISEMENTS OVT OF BRITANIE, IN SEPTEMBER. 1591.

SIR, by my last letters of the 20. of August, I did acquaint you with those reasons that moued the Prince de Dombes in such earnestnesse to vrge, and my Lord Generall to yeeld vnto this viage of the South: which conclusion so mightelie perplexed the In­habitantes of S. Brieux, that their greeues forcing th' ordinarie passage of a popular discontentment, re­solued into most bitter railinges against the Prince, vpon whom they publickly exclaimed: That hauing sixe moneths since supplied his armie with al things necessarie, (entertained both him and it 14. daies in their Towne, and lastly yeelded to a contribution of a thousand crownes,) he woulde now abandon them vnto the implacable furie of their professed e­nemies, the Lambalists, and the greedie couetousnes of the Duke de Mercurie, who alreadie had extorted 1400. crownes from them: Some did solemnly vow [Page] to seeke new habitations, and the greatest number absolutelie to geue themselues vnto the League. How be it in verie trueth these reasons were not suf­ficient, to binde an armie to the conseruation of so meane a place, which by neither partie can be other­wise preserued.

The Gentlemen of those partes seeking to di­uert this resolution, by drawing the Prince vnto a se­conde vndertaking of Lambalta, made proffer of 10000. men, toward the better performance of the seruice, and offered an hundred of the best of them, vnto the first breach that should be made by the Ca­non. These were of those Gallants, which left vs at the late siege of Lamballa. who cōtented themseles to looke on at the cutting of our throats, while they (good men) did figure vnto themselues no other care, but the fetching in of haruest, and the conserua­tion of their petie menage; as if the warres of their Countreie, nothing apperteining to themselues, were onely to be determined by her Maiesties For­ces. But seeing the armie readie to march, and that reckoning some what disappointed, knowing withal notwithstanding, the Duke de Mercuries safegard, which the most of them haue, that their owne neere neighbouring hungry Garrisons, woulde eternallie praie vpon them: after the fayned instance of Ixion, and the Aegle: they became vntimely sutors for that, which not long before (thorow their owne ende­uors) they might easilie haue conquered vnto them selues.

Vpon this Text you must geue me leaue tonote, that these Petitioners were onlie such, whose whole [Page 2] liuings did lie subiect to the dailie incursions of the Lamballists. Those which dwelt but six leagues from Lamballa, were neuer moued at our departure, no more doe the Britanes otherwise apprehende this general quarrel, then in regard of some particular in­terest: which error, the King (being assisted with her Maiesties Forces) may easilie reforme.

The Prince being taught by former experience that those fewe particularities could bring no great aduancement to the Kinges seruice, continued his former determination of carrying his armie into the South, where a great supplie of forces was promised by Monsieur de la Verdun, and others: and according to that, our army dislodged from S. Brieux, vpon the one and twentie day of August. That night we came to Kersoe, the 23. to Plemy, the 25. to Collinie, where the Prince receiued information, that the Duke de Mer­curie was dislodged from Dinant, and marched that night toward a sdmal village called Brun: by the opor­tunitie of which place, he might, to his reasonable aduantage, charge vs in our next daies march. Brun is somewhat more then two leagues from Collinie, and not a quarter of a league from the hie-way, by which we were to passe vnto S. Meyn.

Vppon which intelligence, the Prince, with some of his principal Counsellers, came to my Lord Generals lodging, which then was an English mile from Collinie, where Monsieur de la Verdun, dilating all the circumstances of that late receiued aduertise­ment concluded with these two doubtfull conside­rations. The first, that in regard of the enemies pur­poses to crosse our passage into the South partes of [Page] Brittanie, it was necessarie to consider, whether our Forces were sufficient to second our defences. The other, that in holding a right forward course, the Duke de Mercurie might cut vs from al supplie of vic­tuals, comming from Reines, and Monford, by taking his lodging at S. Meyn. Vnto these two doubtes, be­ing the onelie matter of moment propounded by Monsieur de la Verdun, my L. Generall most grauelie and resolutelie answered, that the Prince, Monsieur de la Verdun himselfe, and the rest of the Princes Counsaile, after a long deliberation, and most ear­nest opportunitie, hauing embarked themselves, and him into this course, it was not now to looke into their weakenesse, which before should haue beene weighed with better iudgement. Wherby since their reputation were so deepelie engaged, hee nowe thought them all tied in honour, to march directlie forward, without anie regard to their smal numbers; and that to take any other course, would altogether sauour of an exceeding feare, vnto the second, that Duke de Mercurie could no more anoy vs by putting himselfe betweene Reynes and our armie, then we, by possessing those passages which leade to Dinant and S. Malo, from which place he was likewise to attend his greatest reliefe.

These reasons being highlie approoued by the prince, and Monsieur de la Verdun himselfe, who wil­linglie would haue driuen a wider course by Malle­troit and Plermer, it was concluded, that by breake of daie following, the armie should dislodge, & marche directlie towards S. Meyn, and that foorth with cer­taine light horses should be sent foorth, to discouer [Page 3] whether the enemie was that night come to Brun, or not. The order of march, and the place whereun­to the army should the next day march, was referred to the morning consultation, at the place of Kende­ [...]ous.

At the Councel, I remember, Monsieur de la Verdun would needes prescribe a solemne platte of battell, against the next daies expected encounter, but that deuise was readelie altered by my Lord Ge­neral, who affirmed, that al formes of fighting were euermore tied to the circumstances of those places, wherein men were to fight, and therefore, not to be determined, til the place were first viewed.

The 26. our armie dislodged from Collinie; and because the Prince was certainly enformed by those light horse, sent foorth the night before, to discouer that Duke Mercurie was not come to Brun, it was re­solued that the armie should march that day to Saint Meyn: But through the vnreadines of al things ap­pertaining to the Cannon, whereby the best part of the morning was wasted, and the dishabilitie of our weak men, in so short a time to performe a march of such length, this course was cutte off by the waste, and at night we came to Medrimack, which standeth in the mid way betwixt Collinie, and Saint Meyn. At Medrimack the Prince was truelie enformed, that the Duke de Mercurie, the day before in al secrecie, about seuen of the clocke in the euening, dislodged from Dinant with his armie, and was that night come to Plenaden, where this day he reposed himselfe, mea­ning thereby (as afterwarde it appeared) the better to couer his intention, which was, with a speedie [Page] march in the night following, to possesse Saint Meyn before we should suspect his departure from Plena­den, which is foure Leagues from S. Meyn. From Me­drimack thether are counted but three leagues: but this fraud was easilie discouered by my Lord Gene­rall, who aduised the Prince, our Grose being not able to performe that march, through the comber of the Cannon, and the great number of weake men, that Monsieur de la Verdun, hauing foure hundred of our ablest Footemen ioyned to his fourscore Cu­races, and not aboue fiue hundred Harquebuzers, a cheual should dislodge about midnight, and assaie, if by a speedie diligence he coulde disappoint the e­nemie of his intended lodging at S. Meyn; which was accordingly performed.

My Lord Generall, most exceedinglie carefull vpon al hazards to second these troupes, caused our armie to dislodge from Medrimack the next mor­ning, almost two howers before day, which was the seuen and twentieth. In our march the Prince re­ceiued aduertisement from Monsieur de la Verdun, that Saint Meyn was inuested with his Forces, and that nothing could be discouered of the enemies in­tention that way: So that all seemed to be very sure on our side. But my Lord Generall suspecting that which in trueth folowed, perswaded the Prince to aduance with his Caualarie in so much the greater speede towards S. Meyn. And to the ende that our Footemen might follow with the better hast, his Lordship commanded the Cannon and baggage to be placed after the Rerewarde, and for the guarde thereof appointed certaine Launceknightes. The [Page 4] euent did shew some spirite of diuination of what should follow. For the Prince had not beene three quarters of an houre in S. Meyn, when a very warme report was brought vnto him, that the Duke de Mer­curie with his whole armie, was within halfe a league of the Towne. The trueth of these matters was verie sensible, for the reporter brought with him two Spa­nish Captaines, whom he and his companions, be­ing all but common Soldiers, had presently made prisoners: the one of these two did afterward sweare Bota dios, that hee was taken per Caritad in their march, and going to their succours; they were ta­ken by those French companions, which came the­ther A la picoree, not two hundred pace from the head of the Duke de Mercurie his armie.

Some wil say, that Monsieur de la Verdun, did this day forget himselfe: for comming by sixe of the clock in the morning to Saint Meyn, hee did neither send foorth his light horses, (pour batre le strado,) whereby the enemies approaches might haue been aduertised in time conuenient; nor imploy the ser­uice of his foote in garding the enemies, but in a plaine securitie of all that might happen, he lodged himself and his in a village, halfe a league from Saint Meyn, quite opposite from the way the enemies should take, and left our foote embattailed in the towne, rather for a Parade, then to any other seruice­able purpose. By the like carelesnesse in Monsieur de la Verdun, the Countie Soysons was two yeeres since taken at Shateau-giron, his armie absolutely defeated, and himselfe did meete with a very narrowe escape: but our leisure at that time did not verie well serue [Page] vs to dispute of errors.

The Allarum amongst our French, you may be sure, was verie hotte, the Prince confused, and those about him, who in calmes would ouer-rule all councels; in this little storme did knowe, neuer a point in the Compasse. The enemy was within halfe a league of S. Meyn, Monsieur de la Verdun had besto­wed himselfe and his troupes so farre, or farther off from vs. The French horse that came with the Prince, had alreadie lodged themselues in villages, and where the Prince was, were onlie left those four hundred, sent the night before with Monsieur de la Verdun, and my Lord Generals Cornets of horse: Our Vantgarde was at the least a long league and a halfe from vs. In which harde plight, neither the Prince, nor those about him, could apprehende anie other course of proceeding, but what they did see with the eies of a most desperate feare. But my Lord Generall, with a most chearefull countenance, and excellent perswasions, full of all comfortable assu­rance, did first winne the Prince vnto a better opi­nion of his fortune, and then, to repose himselfe on­lie vpon his seruice. By his Lordships commande­ment, the English troupes were presentlie drawn out of the towne, and by himselfe placed in those waies which did leade directly towards the enemie. First, the horse were appointed to aduance the foot some quarter of a mile. The dikes and hedges were lyned with shotte, to the best aduauntage that might bee thought on: and in the high-way which was some­what large, our pikes were disposed into three seue­rall standes. Meane while, the Prince had sent for [Page 5] Monsieur de la Verdun, and the rest; so that hauing a greater encrease of horse, discouerers were sent som­what further off, to see what course the Duke de Mer­curie did take, who being certainlie enformed, that the Prince had alreadie inuested S. Meyn, became so­denlie more perplexed in the field, then his Coun­treimen were in the towne: his armie was excee­ding weary, for the same had marched all that night. To make anie faire retreite they could not; to tarrie and fight with vs they durst not; much lesse to force vs from our lodging at S. Meyn, where they supposed all our armie was: So that the confusion amongst the enemie became verie great, and it was verely be­leeued, that at that time, with two thousand English men, the Duke de Mercurie and all his armie, might easilie haue beene defeated. But how so euer, cer­taine it is, that in a verie gentle feare hee retired to Luedilliack, which did verie wel appeare, for not fin­ding that place of such strength as hee ordinarilie v­seth to encampe in, and nothing liking our neere neighborhood, Luedilliack being but one league and a halfe from S. Meyn, hee was contented to dislodge from that place. After that the Logas for the Cor-de­gard Fiers were laide together, and to encampe at Saint Iohn. Whereby the Duke de Mercurie did find the meane, to put a reasonable good riuer betweene him and vs, and to lie two long leagues and a halfe from S Meyn.

Thus with a handfull of men, and my Lord Ge­nerals carefull foresight, the Prince was deliuered from the greatest hazard that euer he was in, and we became quiet possessors of our lodging at S. Meyn, [Page] which was a seruice of great consequence, princi­pallie, in regard of the multitude of our sicke men, who otherwise had beene left vnto many harde dis­comfits: besides, the enemies disgrace hereby recey­ued, was not little.

As for the rest of the armie, they came not vnto vs in two long houres after the enemies retreit, and it was almost night before the arriual of our Canon. This is the summe of that daies worke.

And because it was the nexte day founde that the Duke de Mercurie dislodged not, the Prince was aduised by some, in whose heartes (peraduen­ture) some relicks of the former daies feare yet re­mained, to follow his course towards Reines, which he might very wel doe, hauing aboundantlie satis­fied his reputation in his laste confronting the ene­mie, and crossing his purposes. But my Lorde Ge­nerall directlie opposed himselfe against this coun­cell; affirming, that if we dislodged first, the enemie would be encouraged to pursue vs, and beating still vpon the taile of our weake armie, trauel the same with continuall paine and trouble, which could not be tollerated; besides the performance of his former vaunt, which was, that he would driue vs before him into Reines. That it was therefore better for the Prince, to send for such succors as might be drawen from Reines, and other places not farre off, to make good the place whereof they were alreadie posses­sed, and to attend, either the enimies first dislodging, or some good opportunitie, whereby hee might be forced vnto the same.

This counsel was folowed, and such diligence [Page 6] vsed in the execution thereof, that by the next mor­ning two hundred horse were come vnto vs, and two Cannons sent from Reines, were alreadie ad­uanced as farre as Monford. Vpon the arriuall of this small supplie, it was presently resolued, that our ar­mie should dislodge the next day, and encamp with­in a quarter of a league of Saint Iohn. But the Duke de Mercury (who al this while did but seek to coun­tenance himselfe with his staie at that place) vnder­standing the resolution of our armie, dislodged the next morning before tenne of the clock, and mar­ched foure leagues, vnto a village called Ereat, where (for him selfe and his Spaniardes) hee founde a lod­ging of great strength.

Certaine knowledge being geuen, that the Duke de Mercurie had made his retreate to Ereat, the Prince streitelie commaunded, that all our armie should be in readinesse by nine of the clocke in the night, to march towardes the enemie. For it was presuppo­sed, that by the aduauntage of that march in the night, we should fall vppon the Duke de Mercurie his army, weary, and not looking for vs, and so perform some great peece of seruice; or at his next mornings rising, distresse the rereward of his armie. Our sicke men and baggage were left at S. Meyn, and an hun­dred of ours for their gard.

My Lord Generall being wel acquainted with the weakenesse of our armie, and obseruing the thin repaire of those that were sent for, did very much oppose himselfe against this course, the rather, be­cause at that time ther was not one in our army, that [Page] coulde iustly enforme the state of the Enemies lod­ging.

But the Prince, to satisfie my Lord herein, told him in great secresie, that al was but Pour fair la Meyn; and that after some two leagues march, it was meant that we should returne. How be it, in our march one peece so pulde on another, that la Mein was quite forgotten, and something before day light, we were come within two miles of the enemies lodging: where, (and that not without good cause) a stande was made, and it was solemnlie demaunded, what could be done vpon the enemie. The state of their lodging was freshly enquired after, whereunto an­swere was made by a French Gentleman, dwelling in those partes, that there were but two Riuers be­tweene vs and the enemies Grose of his armie: wher­of the one was hardlie to be foorded. And that from thence, the way to Ereat was exceeding streite. By meanes whereof, wee did now begin to learne how our Canon might haue beene lost, and our enemies notablie engaged. Vpon which considerations, eue­rie man began to disauow this councell: first la Ver­dun, then Momertin, Bastine, and the rest: yet God of his goodnes did saue all our honesties; for while the Prince, my Lord General, and the rest were in coun­cell, some of vs had taken a priest and a peazaunt: by whom they were informed, that a compaine of the enemies hargabuzers a cheuall, did lodge within halfe a league of vs, and that there were nothing more easie, then the cutting them in peeces. To the seazing of this pray, la Verdun, and Monsieur de Ba­stine, [Page 7] with thirtie Curasses, and three hundred Har­gabuzers a cheuall, were presentlie sent foorth, (for in sodaine enterprises it was thought better to vse the seruice of those French shot on horseback, then on foote.

These following their guides, found not onlie that compaine, but three French Regiments lodged al estart, euerie man in a sounde sleepe, and not so much as one Centronel to geue the allarum, which being wel perceiued by Bastine, he willinglie would haue sent for foure hundred of our shot and pikes, wherewith questionles all the skirtes of the enemies armie might haue beene handsomelie cutte off. But la Verdun, either in an emulation towards vs, in too great impatiencie with himselfe, with his Curasses farre inough off, he sent those Herga a Chi to the en­terprise, who finding no kinde of resistance, slewe an hundred and twentie of the enemie. In which number Captaine Messandere was one: and at that time la Mott Cheure was taken prisoner, who com­maunded another compaine of Herga a Chi. The rest which were not, but might very well in like sorte haue beene assayled, receiued the allarum by their companions laste cries, and so saued themselues. The armie likewise warned by these, did presentlie put themselues in armes.

This seruice thus perfourmed, wee did stande three long houres imbattelled vppon a faire spatious heath, not halfe a league from the Duke de Mercury his Armie, but when it was perceyued, that neither honour, nor losse, could driue him vnto a tryall of [Page] Armes (although besides his French forces, it was certen that he had then with him aboue three thou­sand Spanyards) that it was not possible to passe any further without apparant losse, the Prince thought good to commaund our retreite.

Wee poor soules were not this day able to march twelue thousand strong: but had you seene theyr notable resolutions, and earnest desires to fight, you would peraduenture greeue that such men, and a commaunder of my Lords woorth, should be expo­sed into so great an inequalitie as hitherto wee haue mette with. For I protest vnto you before the liuing God, that our soldiours onely haue borne the en­tire burden of this Sommers seruice. At Lamballa we were not assisted with three hundred French, which may seeme very straunge, but what I write is most true: and how farre my Lord Generall will in all seruice aduenture his owne person, is so well known vnto you, that I shal not neede to mention the same. Vpon euerie opinion of encounter with the Spany­ards, , a faire blew scarfe (in likelyhoode presented by some honourable Lady) is fastened to the ende of his Pike: for his Lordshippe vnderstanding that Don Iohn de Laguilla had vsed some braue speeches: did sende him worde by Monsieur Gibrian, that by that fauour hee would make himself knowne at their first meeting.

After our returne to Saint Meyn, the Prince per­ceiuing that the Duke de Mercury meant that daye to dislodge from Ereat, and that the place of our abode, did yeelde no kinde of comfort vnto our [Page 8] weake armie, other then such as came thither from Reines and Vittrie, which was sometime cutte off by the way, thought good likewise to dislodge the day following, and so for this time the Duke de Mer­curie and wee did part compaine. He vppon the thir­tith day leauing Ereat, did take the way towards Ioce­lin: we vppon the day following dislodged from S. Meyn, and so to Hendet: the second of September to Breall, the third to Noyall, where the Prince did ac­cord vnto vs twentie daies rest at Shatteau-grion, for the refreshing of our weake men: at this place wee arriued the fourth of September.

The day following, my Lord Generall was solempnly inuited by the principall Magistrates of Reines to visite their Cittie, and the thirde day af­ter was receyued into the same with all those te­stimonies that might assure a most kinde and frendly welcome.

The Prince in the meane time hauing three hundred men, and three Cannons from Vittrie, did inuest the Castle of Chattillion, vpon the seuenth of this instant. But after three dayes triall, finding those forces nothing sufficient (for he had but those three hundred French, and fiue hundred Launce-knights) he sent vnto Reines for sixe Cannons more, and to my Lord Generall, in all earnestnes, to assiste him with sixe hundred English. His Lordshippe considering, that after such a deduction, the remain­der would be verie weake, and by such a seperation subiect vnto hazard, thought good with all his com­panies to remoue to Saint Aubin de Cormer: whereby [Page] the strength of our Armie might stande still vnited, and the Prince, according to his desire, readily e­nough assisted. For from Saint Aubin to Chattillion are but three little leagues. In the meane season his Lordshippe sent two hundred shotte and pikes, to at­tend the Cannon of Reines, whose seruice afterwards the Prince vsed to great purpose.

Thus not hauing staide sixe dayes at Shatteau-giron, wee dislodged vppon the tenth of September, and incamped that night at Shatteau-burga, the next day to Saint Aubin.

The Prince hauing receyued those Canons sent from Reines, and planted the same, vppon the twelfth of September, were discharged some lost volleys vp­pon the defences of the Castle: The morning fol­lowing my Lord came to the Prince with three hun­dred English more, and then the battery was pursu­ed with such furie, that by twelue of the clocke the breach was made very faire and assaultable: which beeing well perceiued by the defendants, they came to a parley, and from the Prince receyued these last conditions: That all Gentlemen and Captains with­in the Castle should become prisoners: That the sol­diours should haue their liues, only except twentie, which should rest at the Prince his discretion: for he ment to make some examplary punishment of them.

While the enemie did entertaine somewhat too long time in the acceptance of these conditions, our launce knights in a hungrie desire after spoyle, drew themselues (vncommaunded) towardes the assault: my Lord Generall perceiuing the same, and doub­ting [Page 9] that some touch in honour to the Prince might thereby arise, partly by perswasions, and sometimes by threatnings, did stay them from that purpose a long half houre: but in conclusion they offered vio­lence to their Coronel, disobeyed all their comman­ders, forced the breach, where they founde no resi­stance, and of two hundred and thereescore that were within the Castle, left not twentie aliue. But in the eager pursuite after spoyle, they fiered (vnawares) some barrels of powder, with the furie whereof thir­tie of them were presently slaine, and at least fiftie more came from thence, the most miserable crea­tures that euer I did behold. The iudgement of God was most iustly executed vppon them both; in these for their disobedience; in the enemie, for their no­torious spoyles and infinite outrages committed vp­pon the country: it is constantly affirmed, that these companions did yearely spoyle La vall, Vittrie, and Reines, of more then twelue thousand crownes.

They of Fougiers were so terrified at the taking of Shattillion, that in doubt of our next remoue to­wardes them, they did beginne the verie same day to burne their Suburbs, which (peraduenture) was but a needlesse feare: for in plaine English, we haue neither men, nor meanes, to vndertake the siege of such a place.

Monsieur de la Verdun did leaue the Prince at I. Iendit, and promised to return within three weekes with three thousande footemen, and fiue hundred horse. His preparations (for ought that I perceiue) doe come but slowlie forwarde, and yet I know the [Page] King hath of late vrgentlie hastened the same, our men doe now begin to die, and that verie faste: so that without a present supplie, wee are like to haue but a poore armie.

The Spaniardes paie arriued at Blanett, about the eighteenth of August last. The same was brought thether in foure Galliasses. The Duke de Mercurie is gone to Nantes, where a Spanish Countie, of the house of Tolledo, hath these daies past attended his comming thether, sent by the King of Spaine to ne­gotiate about the affaires of Brittaine. Vpon the pro­mise of some honest bribe, you may peraduenture winne me to sende you a true report, both of what is past in the last yeeres trafficke, and in this present negotiation betweene the King of Spaine, and Ma­dame de Mercurie, for it is she that doeth swaie the ballance.

And so hoping that you will be as wearie in the reading, as I am in the writing hereof, I commit you to the comfort of your best desires: and vs both to the blessed protection of the Almightie.

From our poore armie at Saint Aubin de Cormer, this sixteenth of September, 1591.

BY LETTERS out of the lovv Countries, of the sixteene of October. 1591.

VPon the fourteenth daie of this present, there vvas intercepted beetvveene Antwerp and Newport, a Spaniard, named Barnar­do de Helena, late of the Castle of Antwerp, (repairing to his bro­ther, seruing in the companie of Don Car­los de Luna, Captaine of the Horse at New­port) this man being carefullie examined, saith, that the Duke of Parma is still re­mayning at Bruxels, vvithout any likeli­hood of performing his pretended viage into Fraunce: And deliuereth farther, that certaine of the mutined Spaniardes, [Page] to the number of one thousande and fiue hundred, being vppon promise of paie, dravven out of Heretalles, and the Sonne of the Duke of Parma sent to them, to induce them thereunto. By vvhose per­svvasion they vvere brought into the land of Waes, they novv vpon some nevv dis­contentment, are retired backe againe, haue seized the Tovvne of Tiel-mont, in Brabant, vvhere they fortifie against the Duke, and haue carried vvith them perforce, his Sonne, vvhom they deteine vvith a Collonell, named Don Sancho de Leua, sometime Gouernour of Liere, vn­till their demaunds be graunted and per­formed.

Mondragon is in the Land of Waes, vvith three thousande Foote and fiue hun­dred horse, to erect certaine Sconces for the freeing of the passage betvveene Ant­werpe and Gaunt, impeached by the ta­king of Hulsts, vvhich being performed, and the mutinie appeased, the Duke ge­ueth out that he vvill into Fraunce.

[Page] The late Gouernour of Hulst, and a Spanyard that vvas commaunder of the forces in the Tovvne at the time of rende­ring thereof, are novve close prisoners at Bruxels.

Monsieur la Mote is in Brabant, sent of purpose to pacifie the mutinies, vvho as yet doe obstinately make refusall of all his offers.

The Gouernour of Cambray vvith fiue hundred horse hath made of late a great rode into Henault, and there exceedinglie vvasted the country, vvhich hath beene vt­terlie contrarie to the Dukes expectation, and it is thought to bee the chiefest cause of his stay of his iourney for Fraunce.

It is aduertised, and from diuerse pla­ces confirmed, that the kingdome of Ar­ragon is reuolted, the Vice-roy massacred, and those of the Inquisition in that king­dome banished, beeing practised by the King of Spaines Secretarie, fled from the Court vpon discontentment.

The inhabitants of Venlo, by the assi­stance [Page] of the Italians there in garrison, haue put out the Wallons that vvere also in garrison in that place, and aftervvards by a notable dexterity haue ridde themselues also of the Italians, but doe as yet holde for the King, and onely as it is thought till they haue made their peace vvith the States.

The Duke of Parma renevveth his de­maund of fiue thousand poundes by the moneth, and vvould haue it to bee leuied for sixe moneths before hand vppon the vvalled Tovvnes, and they aftervvardes, to collect and reimburse the same vppon the countrie and villages.