CHAP. I.

THE Parliamentarie Councell of the Swedish States at Stockhohne, was not then dissolved, when the ti­dings of their victorie at Witstock, were confirmed by two expresses, sent from the Generall Banniere to the Queene and Diet there as­sembled. His Letters gave such life to their counsels, that they which formerly tottered in their opinions (feare of the Emperours and the united Princes Forces, and suspition of their owne weaknesse projecting many doubts of ill successe) tooke heart againe, and resolved to have the Warre continued in the Empire, but especially against the House of Au­stria. The state of the German Protestant Princes, The States of Sweden resolve to continue the Warre. which had forsaken the Crowne of Sweden, and adhered to Caesar, rather moved pitie then anger; and the Rix-Chancellor, by the advice of the whole Senate, conclu­ded it fitter, to treat with them first as friends, then to fight against them as enemies; hoping by arguments, [Page 2]to perswade them to breake off their late alliance with Caesar, and renew the offensive and defensive League, which they had formerly made with the Crowne of Sweden. The Duke of Mecklenburg (who since the Treatie of Prague had laboured, though vainely, with the Lunenburger, to disclaime the Articles of Prague) was againe desired to treat with the Elector of Saxonie to the same effect; and he, according to his instructi­ons, first putting the Elector in remembrance of the benefits he had received by the late King, of his slight forsaking the Confederacie, which he made to his de­ceased Majestie; of the happie successe of the Crowne of Sweden, in the late battaile against him; and the danger he exposed himselfe and his subjects unto, by provoking his faithfull friends to enmitie; advised him to renew his alliance with the Swedes, promising on their parts, an Amnestie of what was past, and rea­dinesse to complie with him in all mutuall offices of love. The Message was delivered bluntly, without much Courtship, and answered in the same accent; neither did the Duke expect a pleasing answer, neither could the Saxon (without shame, and note of incon­stancie) fall off from Caesar, and give one: as hee found it, so hee returned it to the Generall Banniere, whose Commission was, to proceede with the Elector accordingly.

Each unkinde office done by a friend, wounds true affection; but the iterating and reiterating of injuries, murthereth that amitie, which had its life from hu­mane politie; and it is more easie to stop the streame of a quicke Current, then to restraine the irascible ap­petite, if it be thus provoked to wrath, and armed (though but in opinion) with power to execute re­venge. The Elector, who till hee had made his peace with his Imperiall Majestie, had made good use of the [Page 3] Swedes, for protecting of his Countrey; having now attained his owne ends, The Saxons preparation for Warre with the Swedes. would faine be rid of them: and though his losse at Witstock had much weakened his power, yet himselfe raysed some fresh forces; im­ployed all the Smiths and Carpenters in his Domini­ons, to prepare a new Artillerie, and their Carriages; commanded his subjects to fortifie his Townes, against invasion by the Swedes; whilest the Imperiall succours (rallyed by Hatzfield, and supplyed with the Regi­ments, under the command of the Field-Marshall Goetz) might come in, to their reliefe; either by stopping the Swedes, in their victorious March; or, if haply it might be, by an happie Victorie to drive them quite out of Germanie.

The Swedes againe were become formidable to the Empire; and the feare of those strangers, strengthe­ned the new band of alliance betwixt Caesar and the native Princes of that Territorie. The Imperiall Bands sent to the Saxon; under Marazim and Hatzfield, before the late Victorie, were but small, to what was now intended for them. The Colonels, Wartenburg-Wahil, and Flanz, were designed to continue the Warre in Hessen, whilest Goetz with the maine Body of the Army, was deputed to joyne with Hatzfield; and the Baron of Dona, Generall Major for the Elector of Saxonie, to make head against Banniere and Lesle; and the Duke of Lignitz, the Colonels, Truchses, and Knowbeldorfe, were appointed to raise forces in Silesia, and consigne them over to the Generalate of Count Mansfeld, to withstand Wrangell, The Swedes counsell for managing the Warre. who threatned to Winter in Silesia. The Swedish Generals not ignorant of these preparations, endeavoured first, with some part of their forces, to hinder these forces from mee­ting; Lesle undertaking Goetz, in Westphalià; Ban­niere, Hatzfield, about Fulda; Wrangell, the Imperia­lists, [Page 4]about the Oder; and then, with the other part, under the command of Stalhanse, to invade Misnia, the upper Saxonie, and the other Territories, which either then actually did, or might afterwards, con­veniently accommodate or appertaine to the Elector of Saxonie.

The meeting of the two Imperiall Generals, was of as much difficultie as consequence; neither of them, single, was able to stand before the Swedes; which fleshed with their late Conquest, carryed all before them; nor could they come together, without danger; the one being to make his way with the Sword to the other, through the Swedish Armies, and their forces yet every way inferiour to their adversaries. Hatz­field, which by flight from Pomerland saved himselfe in Misnia, being pursued by Banniere, was constrained more Southward still; and had not (in probabilitie) beene able to have re-enforced his Armie at all, had not the Swedish Generall stayed a while by the way, in the Countie of Mansfeld, to subject it to the obe­dience of his Armie, either by a willing submission, or necessitie. And yet, his stay there was not long; the timerous people being readie to submit, and the Townes generally comming in, save onely the strong Fort of Mansfeld: The Fort of Mansfeld be­sieged. which (not yeelding to his first summons) the Garrison being confident, that their owne, and the Castles strength, was able to hold out, till they might haply be relieved; hee first block'd up, and then began to batter, though vainely; his desire to reach Hatzfield (as soone as might be) prompting him on, to depart thence with his maine Body, and to leave foure Regiments onely, before the Fort: which, though they performed as much as so small a number could, were forced to rise within few dayes, by Adolphus Dehne, the Saxon Colonell; [Page 5]who knowing the weakenesse of the Campe, by or­der from the Elector, marched thither-ward Novemb. 4.14. with seven Regiments of Horse and Foot, Dehne sent to relieve it. to relieve the necessitated Garrison. The Saxons march was discovered to the Campe the next day following; and the Armie (not yet intrenched) to avoid the danger of being compassed in, resolved to meet the Saxon upon the way, and to give him battell betwixt Cracow and Seburg, about twentie English miles from the Fort: Three hun­dred Saxons slaine, and ta­ken prisoners. The Swedish Armie fell upon the Saxons avantguard, consisting of three hundred Horse, envi­roned them round about, put the greater part to the sword, and tooke the rest, both officers and common souldiers, prisoners.

This beginning was of a faire aspect, and promised a better issue, then attended it: the undanted Saxon Commander (for this small defeat not dejecting his courage, but raising it to a higher pitch,) went on with his Battalia, and in a well ordered fight, The siege rai­sed, and the Fort relieved. charged upon the Swedish Armie, which consisting meerely of Horse, without any Infanterie, being galled with the Muske­tiers, was compelled to retire to Ascherleben, in the Bishopricke of Halberstat, where Bannieres Forces were lately inquartered for safety, leaving the Fort to be releeved by the Saxon Commander; and hee Novemb. 11.21. furnished it with fresh Men. Victu­als, and Ammunition, according to the Electors di­rection.

Those accidents, which to the eye of reason, seeme fortunate; doe sometimes prove unhappy beyond ex­pectation: The departure of the Swedish Generall from Mansfeld, gave liberty to the place, and plained the way for the Colonels present honour, yet the suc­cesse in fine, was pernicious to the Saxons, being fa­tall to the Commanders person, and of dangerous con­sequence [Page 6]to the Electors Territories. The Generall Banniere, mustering his Forces at Aschlerben and Eglen, Two Imperiall Regiments de­feated and routed by Ban­niere, at Helm­stat. received avisoes of two Imperiall Regiments inquartered at Helmstat, not farre from thence, made up to them, defeated and routed them totally, and pursuing his conquest, marched with all speede into Thuringen, (where Hatzfield and the Saxon Armie appointed to meete,) to prevent their forming of a Reall Armie, which being conjoyned, might have some power to make head against him, and his speedy removall, made those Saxon Troupes, which the Ele­ctor had raised for the safeguard of his Countrie, to leave the Elve, and repaire towards Sala, to the great affrightment of the Misnians, that Territorie, being by this meanes, destitute of defence, and open to the Swedish invading Armies.

But the storme which threatned Misnia, was for a time turned to Thuringen. The Swede held it fitter as yet, to chase the Imperiall Armie under Hatzfield in open field, which must either flie before him, or fight desperatly, and upon disadvantage; then to sit downe before any fortified Townes; where a Winters Siedge might consume him, and continu­ance there, give the Caesareans opportunity to re-en­force their weake Armie. Notice was given him, that the Generall Gleene, Banniere mar­cheth into Thu­ringen. had received commandment from Caesar (then at Regenspurgh) to muster up the Imperiall Troopes, which then lay in the Dukedome of Wertemberg, and to carry them through Franconia, to the generall Rendezvous at North-ausen; that Goetz had made his way as farre as Osterode, in the Territory of Grubenhagen in Brunswick-land, to the same intent, though hee suffered much by Lesle, who stopped his journey, and slew some of his men in con­tinuall skirmishes; that the Lantgraviate of Thuringen, [Page 7]upon which (in regard of the late alliance, betwixt it and the Crowne of Sweden) hee tooke much compas­sion, indured much violence, by reason of the Impe­riall Army, which first exacted great contributions of the Imperiall Cities, North-ausen, and Mulhansen, and afterward pillaged them, though yet they were of the same party, and burned the villages as farre as to Ertford, and as well to preserve the Country from further spoile, as to prevent the Caesarians in their de­signe of meeting, hee removed his Campe out of the Bishopricke of Halberstat, sending before him the Generall Major Stalhanse, with ten Regiments, and fol­lowing himselfe with the grosse body of the Army. The presence of the Swedish Forces removed the Imperiall Generall from his quarter, but not out of that Country, his intention was, to abide about the River of Werra, where the Field-Marshall Goetz had order to meete him, and though pursued by the Swedes, flitted onely from place to place, fled not, being assured that Goetz, though danger threatned him in the prosecution of his designe, would leave no stone unmoved, that might hinder his journey towards him. His first sta­tion was at Crewtzberg, a Towne appertaining to the Duke of Eisenack, where being reinforced, by some Saxon Regiments, hee fortified the passage, by which the Swedes must passe, if they marched after him, re­solving not to stirre from thence, till his partner was arrived with his Forces to assist him. And now began the time of action, Lesle having much wasted Goetz his Army by sundry Skirmishes, still wayted upon him, expecting more opportunity to fight, the Imperiall Commander still marching warily, and not exposing his Army to any disadvantage; and now, like two pa­rallell lines, which alwayes observing an equall distance, though neere each other, never meete, both made [Page 8]their way towards Thuringen, to joyne with their se­verall confederates.

The Swedish Army in all, thirty thousand strong, Horse and Foot, joyned together Novemb. 5.15. in the Bayliwick of Ringleben, and the Towne of Gebe­zen. Banniere having his head Quarter at Werninhau­sen three English miles from Gebezen, and sixe from Ertford, and the Imperiall Army the ninth of the same month at Trefort, nothing having passed betwixt them memorable, save onely the defeature of some Imperiall Companies at Sommerda, a passage betwixt Gebezen, and Werninghausen, since the first day of the Swedes arrivall thither, and a little scuffling betwixt some parties of both the Armies, which met together in the Territorie of Eischfeld, Novemb. 8.18. being sent abroad by their Commanders for Forrage, and other Provisions.

Banniere sends to Ertford, for reliefe for his Army. Banniere, in this time of his rest, sent a Trumpet to the Citty of Ertford, (which hitherto stood as a neutrall, and had flatly denyed the entertainement of the Saxon Garrison, though the Elector had few dayes before sent thither an agent to that purpose,) desiring food for his Army, and their best assistance for his expedi­tion, according to the Capitulation of the deceased King his Master, and the Magistrate of that Citty in the yeere 1631. The Magistrate desirous to continue the neutrality, The Magi­strats answer. and unwilling to provoke the Swede to doe the Citty any act of hostility, denyed neither, but ex­cused himselfe for not complying to his desire in both requests, the last being expressely against the Treaty of Prague, which he said, was not accepted by the Citty, without consent of the Rix-Chancellour, who drew out the Swedish Garrison, which they had formerly en­tertained, and the first such as might provoke the Cae­sareans, with whom they had yet good termes and [Page 9]correspondence, to be their professed enemies. Ne­verthelesse, that the Generall might know, that their former alliance could not be forgotten, hee would give free ingresse and egresse for the Officers of his Armie into the Citie, for their refreshing: but against the common souldiers, whose rudenesse and multi­tude might oppresse him, hee would keepe the Gates shut; not for any ill affection towards them, but the preservation of the estates of the Citizens. The Officers, for the present, were not displeased with his answer, but used the libertie granted them: but the enraged common souldiers, without the Ge­nerals knowledge, pillaged the bordering Villages; till complaint being made by the Peasants to the Generall, he made a search, to finde out the Ring­leaders in those disorders; and by a publike Pro­clamation through the Armie, commanded his soul­diers to doe no more detriment to the Territorie of Ertford: of which, he professed that he was as care­full, as of the Duchie of Weymar, into which he had layd safe guards, for D. Bernhards sake; whose former service, and present faithfulnesse to the Crowne of Sweden, had deserved that and many farre greater favours.

Novemb. 11.21. the Swedish Armie was ordered by the Generall, to meete at their common Rande­vous, in the Bayliwike of Ringleben: the safe guards, which had beene layd abroad the Countrey, The Swedish Armie remo­veth. being summoned the day before to returne to the grosse Body of the Armie at Hensleben, a Citie upon the River of Vnstrut, about seven English miles West­ward from Gebezen: from whence, the Armie that day marched forward, toward the Imperiall Campel the Cavallarie, by the way of Langen-salsa; and [Page 10]the Foot, by Tonna, towards Creutzburg, upon the River of Werra: The designe of the Comman­der, being first to assault the then joyned Impe­rialists, before any new accreut could be brought unto them; and afterward, to invade the Electors Territories.

His directions were obeyed punctually; and what hee had advised discreetly, was put in execution as speedily; and his fortune still attending him, the counsell and action were seconded with a prospe­rous issue. Guntrad, Field-Marshall to the Lant­grave of Cassell, had much impeached Goetz in his march, before hee came to Trefurt, as well as Lesle, and for his part, slaine and taken prisoners eight hundred of his men: and now the Generals as well wanting men, as foode for those they had, knowing themselves unable to encounter the Swedes Brigades, being advertised by their Spyes of Ban­nieres designe; marched speedily by the Abbyes of Fulda and Hirzfield, towards the Bishopricke of Wirtzburg, The Imperi­alist, march towards Fran­conia. and Franconia, to joyne with Gleene, be­fore they would adventure to put their fortunes to the hazard of a Battell; being still followed by Banniere, who hasted to overtake them. It might have staggered the Swedes designe, could they have reached thither; but there fell out a Rub by the way: The Count of Eberstein, Lieutenant Generall to the Lantgrave William, lay then in Cassell: and hee hearing of the Imperials march, and the Swedes pursuit after them, seconded by the Governour in the Fort of Zigenheim; made all the haste hee could, to stop their journey; but the Vant-guard, under Hatzfeld, was passed, before hee could reach them: Onely the Rere-guard, commanded by [Page 11] Goetz, was stayed by the Hessian Forces, neere Rotemburg, upon the River of Fulda: where, Foure Imperi­al Regiments defeated. be­ing compassed in behinde and before, by the Swedes and Hassians, foure of his Regiments were utterly defeated; three Peeces of Canon, thirteene En­signes, three hundred Horse, and two hundred Pri­soners, being taken by the Swedes and Hassians: all which were sent immediately to Cassell himselfe, Goetz his flight. and the other part of his Armie hardly escaping by flight, through the Countie of Waldeck, into West­phalia.

The Earle of Hatzfeldt having escaped this Brush, still made on towards Wirtzburg, Hatzfeldt plun­dereth the Countrey, as he goeth. but not without plundering the Countrey-Villages of the Lantgra­vate as hee went, ( Bannieres stay, to take order with his Armie, giving him opportututie to doe violence to the unarmed Peasants) though not without en­dangering the lives of many his friends, Prisoners at Zigenhaim, whom the enraged Governour once resolved, (and was hardly disswaded from that re­solution) to deliver up into the hands of the Boores, that by the losse of their lives, by those (then fu­riously mad, and mercilesse men) they might give them some satisfaction for their goods, and houses, which the Imperiall Generals so hostilely had con­sumed.

The separation of the Imperiall Armies, caused the Swedes also to divide theirs: and Stalhanse was ordered, with six thousand Horse, and some Regiments of Foot, to pursue Hatzfeldt into Franconia; Lesle, with foure thousand foot, and twelve hundred Has­sian Horse, to follow Goetz: Banniere reserving the rest of his Armie, to prosecute his designes against the Electorate.

Stalhanse strucke the Franconians into such a ter­rour, that like distracted men, distrustfull of preser­ving their lives, and livelyhoods otherwise, they conveyed their goods into Wirtzburg, and some other fortified Townes, and retyred themselves into the Woods, leaving the Territorie to the mercie of the Invaders: Mellerflat and Newflat in Franconia taken by Stalhanse. who tooke and plundeted Mel­lerstat, and Newstat; and had done more there, had they not beene restrained, by order from the Generall, from engaging himselfe too farre; and had not the care of the Bishop of Wirtzburg, arming some thou­sands of men speedily, with the Garrisons of Swine­furd, consisting of eight hundred, and that of Kizin­guen, of five hundred men, made some head against them, Lesle, assisted with his Hassian Forces, not be­ing able to reach Goetz, who shifted from place to place, declining any encounter with his Enemie, in respect of his much weakened Armie; that he might not returne to the Generall, without some tokens of his actions, Paderborne and Wartzburg in Westphalia ta­ken. first assaulted Paderborne, and tooke it by Onslat: then summoned Wartzburg (a Towne of note still in Westphalia, though something eclipsed of her first splendour, as having beene the head of a Countie, stiled by that name, and now a Minor Citie, in the Diocesse of Paderborne, situate upon the Northerne Banke of Dimula) and tooke it in by composition; the Citizens prefering the safe­guard of their persons, and families, before a little Money; and so purchasing their quiet, rather then hazarding all to the fortune of Warre. And now both these Commanders, being ruled by Com­mission, returned to the grosse of the Armie, in Thuringen; giving leave to the Imperiall Gene­rals to meete againe in Westphalia, and to re­enforce [Page 13]their Armies, with the Troupes belong­ing to the Marquesse of Darmstat, the Generall Wahle, the Major Fehle, and the Count of War­temburg: All which, wee must leave a little time in the Bishopricke of Cologne, and about Dortmund: doing more dammage to their friends, by lying still, and consuming the Victuals of the Countrey, then to their Enemies, by any Hostile action.

The beginning of December was the time when the Swedish Commanders were repairing backe to­wards Saxonie, and then began that horrid con­fusion, which hapned upon the Elector and his Allyes, in his owne and Confederates adjacent Territories. The Lant-gravate belonging to George of Darmstat, was not onely threatned with a storme, as bad as a West-Indian Hericano, but a skirt of the cloud fell upon it; Giesen, where the Lantgrave himselfe was in person, The Lant-gra­vate of Darm­stat molested. for his better security having sent his wife and chil­dren into East-Frizeland was menaced. The In­habitants of Marpurg (the Metropolis of Hassia, and an University famoused by Hyperius the Di­vine, Eohanus Hessus the Poet, and Johannes Oldendorpius the Civilian) both Students and, Op­pidans, betooke themselves to flight; Smalkalden surprized and pillaged, the Cittie of Elfeld was ta­ken by assault, and the Suburbs burnt downe to the ground, Elfeld taken and the Sub­urbs burned. and this distresse caused the Lant-grave to write a dolefull Letter to the Elector of Saxo­nie his father-in-law, desiring him to take com­miseration of his Subjects, who was able to pitie him onely, but not for the present to releeve him.

But the mayne tempest fell not in that Pro­vince, it steered more North-easterly, into Mis­nia and Thuringen, where what spoyle it made, shall be related afterwards. The Lant-grave-George thus distressed by the Swedes, of the one side, and receiving divers by-blowes by the Garrison of Hanaw, at the same time hasted to treat with them of a Truce, and cessation of Armes for a time to be prescribed and agreed upon, fearing that if the Swedes should thrive, and come neerer the Wete­raw, there would neither be time, nor place for any Compromitters to mediate betwixt him, and our Noble Countrie-man, (as wise in his dire­ctions, as nimble and valiant in the executi­on,) Ramsey Governour of the Militarie men there.

A Regiment of Crabats sur­prised neere Wormbs, and their Colonell taken prisoner by Ramsey.About the tenth of December, stilo vetere, some selected Troopes being drawne out of the Presidiarie Souldiers, to scoure the Countrie there­about, passed the Rivers of Mayne, and the Rhine, and at Dirmsteim, a village neere Wormbs, lighted upon a Regiment of Crabats, and their Colonell Dishchlier with them. The Crabats see­ing how they were surprized, prepared at once, (according to their custome, borrowed from the Parthians) both for fight and flight; but being surrounded by the Hanawers, and forced to their Tackling, they fought till the major part of them being slaine, the Colonell and the rest, submit­ting themselves as prisoners of Warre, they were carryed thence to Hanaw, with five Cornets, store of money, and other good booty. One Prize prepareth the way for another; upon their returne homeward, intelligence was brought them, that [Page 15]forty Tunnes of Wine were to be transported the next day from Franck-ford to Giessen, A Convoy for forty tunnes of Wine, taken by the Hana­wer. for the use of the Lant-grave of Darmstat. The Comman­der was made acquainted with the businesse, and hee instantly arming foure hundred men, sent out to attend the Convoy, which they met with­all fortunately, before they had passed a quarter of the journey, and in a short conflict, having subdued the Waggoners which drove it, and Soul­diers which guarded it, brought it home to the Garrison, with the Lieutenant which commanded it. This small losse incensed the Lant-grave a­gainst the Frank-forders, (whom hee accused as conspiring with the Hanawers against him, though five of their men were slaine in seeking to pre­serve the charge committed to their trust, pressing them to make it good, otherwise menacing to confiscate their goods which were in his Domi­nions) but hastned the Treatie with Ramsey, A foure mo­neths Truce concluded be­twixt Darmstat and Ramsay. to prevent any further detriment, which he follow­ed so closely, that by the fourth of the month en­suing a Truce was concluded on, to indure till May, with conditions of free trade and com­merce betwixt both parties, and that the Lant-grave should furnish the City with some thou­sands Malders of Corne, at sixe Rixe-dollers the Malder, and if so much could not be obtained in the publike Markets, it should then be taken out of his private Granaries. And this conclusion was joyfully received of all parties: however the premises were displeasing, the Frank-forders, ho­ping by this meanes to enjoy the benefit of those Musarum Nundinae, their Mart, the Hanawers a time of breathing, and the Lant-grave more [Page 16]liberty to arme himselfe for the assistance of the Saxon and Imperialists his Confederates.

The Electorall Diet convented and commenced at Regenspurgh the last Summer, went on all this hurly-burly notwithstanding; Many and severall dayes were appointed for the Election of a King of the Romanes, A new King of Romans elected. and at the last, the twelfth of December old stile, was resolved for the time, when without further delay the choyse should be. The Circumstances required by the Golden Bull of Charles the fourth were all observed, save onely in the time of consultation, the place of Election, and the persons of the Electors. The time of consultation prescribed was bounded formerly with 30. dayes, and if in that space the Electors could not agree, omnibus aliis detractis cibariis, praeter panem, & a­quam, nihil aliud illis detur, The Electors were to be fed with bread, and water, and nothing else till their votes were given up; yet here had beene a consultation above foure moneths space. The Ele­ction was confined to Frank-ford, and there to the Church of Saint Bartholomew, this was made at Ratisbone. The power of Election was given to three German Prelates, Mentz the Arch-chan­cellour of Germanie, Cologne Arch-chancellour of Italy, Triers Arch-chancellour of France; and three temporall Princes; the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Arch-sewer, the Duke of Saxony Sword-bearer, and the Marquis of Brandenburgh High Chamberlane, these sixe being all to be summo­ned by the Elector of Mentz, and not to lose their suffrages, unlesse by a will-full default of absence; yet here the Elector of Triers was ex­pressely denyed admittance, and the Elector Pa­latine [Page 17]never called, but another thrust into his place, by the Title of the Elector of Bavaria; The Elector of Triers and Lant-grave of Cassell. to the just greevance of some German Princes, who questioned the Justice of this Election, and not without some ground protested against it, not in respect of the person elected by the Se­nate, being reported an hopefull Prince, of a good nature, and promising condition, but the indirect meanes of that Election. But disputes were vaine, the Gowne-Law could not proove the Course illegall, and what-ever objection could be made to the contrary, the Electorall Col­lege proceeded, according to their first determi­nation. To this end the Magistrate of Ratisbone attended with the Burgesses and the Governour, the Colonell Nidrun, wayted upon by the men of Armes assembled in the Towne-house, and by an oath of Allegiance confirmed the assurance of their loyalty to the Electors. The Bull required a privacie, that the Electors might conferre toge­ther freely, without interruption by the Embas­sadors of Forraine Princes, or the Nobilitie of the Empire, by whose sollicitation in behalfe of their particular friends, their Consultation might be disturbed, and a worke of this high consequence be hindred. The same Evening therefore, dili­gent search was made throughout the Citie for all strangers and such as had no dependance upon the Emperour or the Electors, that they might be warned to depart the Citty, and not to returne thither, till the King of Romans was chosen, and this inquisition was done so effectually, that the Spanish Embassadour, and his retinew retired the same night to Straubinguen, to abide there, till [Page 18]hee might without offence to their proceedings returne to Ratisbone. The day following the Duke of Bavaria and his Lady, arrived at the City in great state, and the next day December 11.21. about nine in the morning, the Electors having before that fathomed each other, and designed the person privately whom they meant that day to proclaime publikely, repayred first to the State-house, the place appointed for their meeting, and thence marched magnificently towards the Ca­thedrall Church, where they were to give in their suffrages.

The processe of all was thus: the present Electors and the Deputies of them which were absent, having used the State-house as a Vestry for putting on their Electorall Robes, went thence to the Thumb (or Cathedrall Church) in this order. They were divided into three rankes, which in State observing an equall distance, each from other, were thus marshalled. First went the Electors of Ments and Cologne; The manner and Ceremo­nies of the E­lection. Mentz ha­ving the right-hand File, and Cologne the left; The next to these were the King of Bohemia on the right-hand, and the Duke of Bavaria on the left, and last Frederick of Metsch, representing the Duke of Saxonie, who had on his left-hand the Count of Swartzemburg, as Deputie in the present Diet for the Marquesse of Brandenburg. Before them was carryed a Sword in its scabberd, but as soone as they came to the Cathedrall, the Sword-bearer retired, the Church doores were made fast, a Masse sung by the Elector of Co­logne, and then, after some few other Ceremo­nies, which lasted till about twelve of the clocke, [Page 19] FERDINAND the Third, King of Hun­garie, and Bohemia, eldest Sonne to Caesar, was proclaimed the Elected King of the Ro­manes.

These Ceremonies past, the Emperour adorned with his Imperiall Habite was brought in a chaire to the Church, and Te Deum being sung, inter­mingled with many great thunderclaps from the great Ordnance and Musquets, the Electors tooke horse, twenty foure Trumpets and a Kettle-drum sounding before them, the Duke of Bavaria car­rying the Ball of the Empire, Metsch and Swart­zenburg the Scepter, and the Marshall Pappen­heim, a naked Sword immediatly before Caesar, who followed in a Chaire of State, with the Im­periall Crowne upon his head attended by the King of the Romanes, both of them being under a starry Canopy, guarded with the Elector of Mentz on the right hand, and the Elector of Cologne on the left, and so passed upon a Galle­rie addressed for that purpose to the Emperours Pa­lace, where they were entertained the next day with a sumptuous Feast, the Confectioners shew­ing all their Art to set forth a Banquet, and his Imperiall Majestie desiring to expresse his grate­full heart for their willingnesse to suffragate so unani­mously for the Kings election.

Nothing was then wanting, which could be expected at a dayes preparation, but the Corona­tion of the new King, December 19.29 was with much more solemnity then his Election, and the Coronation of the Queene, though celebra­ted more privately, was nothing inferiour to the Kings in glory. The time betwixt his Majesties [Page 20]Election and Coronation, was spent in ordering of things required for such a day, and admini­stration of Civill Justice. The dignitie of State required the first, the safety which by impunity of offenders must needs be endangered, prescri­bed the other. The Royall Vestiments which from the time of Charle-Magne, were customa­rily used at such Solemnities, were then at No­remberg, and thither a Currier was dispached to the Magistrate and Governour for them, who upon sight of the Letters, attended with them per­sonally to Regenspurgh. Thus this order was obser­ved faithfully; but the designe for execution of Ju­stice fell not out so happily; V [...]schius a Doctor of Lawes, The Syndick of Cologne mur­dered at Re­genspurgh. and Advocate for the Elector of Cologne, was murdered in his owne lodging by some malitio [...]s assassinates, who either sought his life, or treasure, of which though they were seized, yet fearing it seemes to be discovered,

( Quinam hominum est, quem tu contentum videris uno Flagitio? One sin never comes unattended) they deprived him also of the other, and remaining still unknowne, the Magistrate propounded great rewards to them, or him that could reveale them, whether parties in the crime or not, and to the first a pardon for their trespasse, besides the pecuniary guerdon, upon condition onely, to descrie their, or his complices, but all was frivolous; the nigh-birds kept still close together, and all they which once had so farre exceeded the bounds of honesty, were resolved to continue in their course and not reveale the villany.

Yet, though the course of Justice was thus impe­dited, the Pompe of State went on: The prefixed [Page 21]day, for setting the Crowne upon the Kings head, was observed; and then the King, The King of Romans crow­ned. to shew his Mag­nificence scattered some Medalls of Gold and Silver amongst the people, whereon his Armes, Name, the day and yeere of his Coronation, were engra­ven. An Oxe roasted whole, larded with Partridges, and stuffed with a Calfe, and two Muttons, was ex­posed to the spoyle of the common people: The great Conduit ranne White and Claret Wine. The Marshall of the Empire, having brought a great heape of Oates into the open street, carryed away a small Measure, and left the rest, not to be shared amongst the people by measure, but caught up and carryed away by as many as would and could catch it; tore the Cloth in pieces, with which the Bridge was covered that day, for the passage of Caesar, and the Grand States of the Empire, and distributed it amongst the common people. And thus the Mag­nificent Ceremonies, for that day, were accom­plished.

The Queene as yet remained uncrowned: for hough the King and shee made but one Body, and it might be supposed, that in him shee had seisure of that Character of Royall Dignitie, yet her tem­ples were to bee impaled also with a materiall Crowne, according to the custome of the Empire; and Decemb. 29. Jan. 7. was designed, for that Rituall transaction. Three dayes before, were spent in revelling; the Queene giving entertainment to the Empresse, the Duchesse of Bavaria, and the La­dies of the Court, with Feasts, Musicke, Maskes, and what-ever else could be thought of, requisite for the Bien-venu of such great Personages. This time thus expired, the solemne day for the Queenes in­auguration [Page 22]was come: and then shee in State being brought into the Church, after a Masle chaunted by the Arch-Bishop of Mentz, The Queenes Coronation. was carried in a Chaire to the high Altar, close to the King her Husbands side, and had the Crowne put upon her head; which, though weightie, shee wore by the space of a quarter of an houre, and returned to his Impe­riall Majesties Palace.

It was a day of much joy to the Spaniards then at Ratisbone; and they, to expresse the content re­ceived by this Solemnitie, made the Night aemulate the Day, shining as bright with Piles of artificiall Fires, raysed before their Doores, as the Sunne in his glory. But the Embassadour, as in dignitie of place alone, so in expence there, exceeded all the rest joyntly; the night did not terminate his acti­ons. The next day, hee invited the new King and Queene, and the personages of qualitie in the Im­periall Court, to his house, entertained them with a stately Banquet; during the which, tenne Hogges-heads of Wine being brought, one after another, into a great Bay-Window, were rapped, and let runne into a Cisterne below, for the use of the peo­ple; who shared therein, and in many pieces of Gold and Silver, halfe Pistolets, Ryals of eight, and lesser Money, which hee scrambled amongst the people, to be divided by fortune, not his owne arbi­trement.

The former Magnificence, was in expence of Mo­ney; but another sort followed it, by advancement of some persons of qualitie to some Titles of Ho­nour. The Kings comming to the Crowne, was not in all points like the Sunnes appearing in the Ho­rizon, to eclipse the glory of the Minor Starres, [Page 23]and burie their splendour in his owne; his promo­tion to the height of Majestie, was the exaltation of certaine Peeres to more Honour: Sixteene Noblemen were created Knights of the Empire; namely, the Lord Maximilian Williband, New Knights of the Empire made. Earle of Wollfseck; the Earle Adam Budiani; John Jacob, Earle of Zyll; Peter, Earle of Goetsen; John Anthony, Earle of Cratz; Henry Ernes­kerpen, Earle of Toringe; Ladislaus Schechii; William Voight, Lord of Maxwein; John Ru­dolph, and George Rudolph, of Haslang; the Baron William Dieterick, of Runen; John Ja­cob, of Startzhausen; George, of Seibolsdorff; Stephen Esterhasi; John Philip Gunter; and Henry Christopher, of Flaus: The Duke of New­burg attending upon the King, in the qualitie of a Cup-bearer; and the Prince of Anhalt perfor­ming the Office of his Carver, during the time of feasting at this Solemnitie.

THE Astrologians benigne Starre, Iupiter, seemed now to smile upon the Court at Ratisbone, with a sweet aspect, but Mars and Saturne reigned abroad; Prodigies terrifying the hearts of the peo­ple, while the Princes and Peeres were in this jollitie; and Warre, with his grim atten­dants, Famine, Pest, Feare, and Distraction, raging abroad in the Empire. What might happen, by the fault of a carelesse or unskil­full [Page 24]Mason, not well bedding or cementing the Stones, Strange Pro­digies. at the building of a new Steeple at Vienna, was by the construction of the vulgar sort counted ominous: The Spire of S. Shotten, lately built, fell downe suddenly, about the time of the Coronation, and de­molished the Church, and that was made portentous; the rather, being accompanied with another of the same time at Rome; where, a great blazing Starre, called by the Naturalists Cometa Crinitus, appeared for a space, and then vanished away sud­denly, over S. Pauls Church, with a noyse; And diverse Monuments, placed in the Church, fell downe, and were defaced ut­terly.

CHAPTER II.

IT would relish of over-much boldnesse to peepe into the Arke of the divine se­crets, nor dare I, nor can I conclude any particular consequences to haue been portended by the accidentary fall of the Pyramis, yet doubtlesse the Comet though caused by the meeting of secondary and naturall causes, was the significator of what ensued about that time, and not long after. Within the space of a moneth a titular God of the world, and one that claimed a superi­oritie aboue the rest (though all absolute and undependant Princes, which hold the Scepter by inheritance, not ele­ction, may justly vie with him for eminency of place) Ferdinand the second, who had long been sickly at Re­genspurgh, and then removed to Ʋienna, The death of the Emperor Ferdinand the second. gaue a testimonie of his mortalitie, by subscribing to the lawes of Nature, and exhaling his last spirit, Feb. 2/15. betwixt 8. and 9. of the clock in the morning, to the great griefe of the Court and City, which had prepared triumphs, and tournaments, and in much bravery determined to receiue the new King of Romanes, but by this occasion laid aside their gallantrie, put on the face and weeds of sorrow, and by their dejected lookes and mourning apparell, shewed their anxietie for his losse, who so long had steered the ship of State, to their [Page 26]content, and was then taken from them when the tottering Empire, freshly assaulted and ransackt by strangers, requi­red such a Nestor, as by sage directions, grounded upon mature deliberations might preserue it from feare of ut­ter ruine. The same afternoone his bodie was embalmed, and two dayes after he was laid in the Antecamerâ, to the sight of all that came in: and Feb. 8/18. his corps was car­ried into his own Chappell at the Palace, to be kept there till the King of Hungarie (who was then upon the Da­nubie, returning with his Queene from Ratisbone by wa­ter) was come thither to giue order and instructions for the manner of his interrment.

About the same time, abroad, the Swedes growne eve­ry where Masters of the field, began againe to take in Townes, giue Lawes to the Citizens, sweare the Ma­gistrates to alleageance to the Crowne of Sweden, take Hostages for performance of Conditions, plunder the Countrey, where they enquartered, to furnish their Ar­mies with necessaries, and force the Cities which stood in faire tearmes of agreement with Caesar, the Elector of Saxony, and the other Princes, which either sided with the Emperour, before the treatie of Prague, or came in to him thereupon, to renounce their alliance, and take in their Swedish Garrisons.

Leslie the Feeldmarshall, being come back from West­phalia, from pursuit of the Caesarean Generall Goetz, was come back to the Lantgravate of Hessē Cassell wher mee­ting with the Swedish Generall, he received a new Com­mission, to returne towards the Weser, to haue an eye upon the mperialists, and the League, Bannier supposing that bodie of an Armie which himselfe commanded, sufficient for performance of his own designes in the upper Saxo­nie, there yet appearing no adverse Armie which was a­ble to stand against him.

Leslie conformed him to his Generalls Command, and Bannier without further stay marched with his forces towards Misnia. But Ertford, that goodly Citie of Thu­ringen [Page 27]againe presented it selfe to his fancy, as he was upon the way; somewhat he resolved to doe there, yet what or how he made a pause on; to leaue it behind him, he concluded to be no part of policie, the place being of great receit, and well fortified, both with a Moat, good walls, and the strong Castle of Ziriacksburg, and so, if once furnished by his enemies but with fifteene hundred presidiaries, might molest his Armie; to attempt it by force, or a long Siege, might waste his forces, and con­sume much time: These doubts stumbled him, yet in fine he resolved to take it by a finenesse (if it might be) and if that way thrived not, to worke otherwise. And take it in the end he did, nor was the designe any remora to his further proceedings, being but a whet to sharpen the courage of his Souldiers, no stop or let to his pur­poses. Decemb. ½ 1/1. Bannier tooke up his head-quarter at Deberstead, a village not farre from Ertford, and the same Evening, to lose no time, first presented part of his Forces in a small Battalia before the Fort of Ziriacks­burg, and then rode in person to the gates of the Citie, demanding of the Governour, Ertford sum­moned. whether he would declare himselfe a friend or enemy to the Crowne of Sweden? The former passage, and treatie before his pursuit of the confederate Imperiall Generalls, made him confident, that the Governour would answer his demand modestly, without any rude expression of hostilitie: and modestly he answered indeed, that he had no order from the Ma­gistrate to declare himselfe an enemie, when the Swede catching the words from his mouth, before he could make an end, replyed mildly, Nor am I yours. The Governour intended to tell him, that he would conferre with the Ma­gistrate, and follow the order which he should prescribe, but Bannier unwilling to admit any demurre in the busi­nesse, stayed not to attend their conference, but instantly having before hand expressed himselfe by writing, called for a Trumpetter and sent him into the Citie with Let­ters, requiring the Magistrate to send his Deputies to the [Page 28]Campe, with whom he would parlee for the benefit and preservation of that Citie. The Magistrate regarding the safetie of the Citizens, and conceiving that the Swede would demand nothing but a supply of necessaries, as cloaths and victualls for his Armie; sent some of the gra­ver Burghesses the next day to deale according to the di­rections, which himselfe by advise of the Senate the night before had concluded on, and confined them to. Early in the morning the Swede roade about the Citie, viewed the fortificatio s, and before the Deputies came, was returned to his tent. Yet at last they came, were entertained kind­ly, and with many protestations of his affection to their State, which he desired, that they would answer againe with a Remonstrance of the like loue to him, by renoun­cing the treatie, and conclusions at Prague, by remaining constant to the Crowne of Sweden, as they had been for­merly, by surrendring unto him the Fort of Ziriacksburg, and accepting of a Swedish Garrison; which conditions if they liked of, he promised to protect them, and would neither desire any supply of money, or other necessaries from the Citizens.

The Burghesses perceived, that his Oration which at first was smoothed with oylie words, came off with a sharpe twang, that a bitter pill was tendered them, though covered with gold, and though they might haue answe­red him without pausing, being instructed by their Com­mission, yet desired leaue to goe backe to the Senate, promising faithfully to returne an answer the next mor­ning. Their desire was granted by the Swede, and the pro­mised answer was sent by a Trumpeter according to the set time by them; but not suiting to the demand, saue onely in flat deniall, the Citizens having resolved to stand upon their defence, and rather endure the inconve­niences which attend a Siege, than subscribe to those pro­positions.

The Generall was the same day invited to dinner by Duke William of Wymar, and had appointed to meete [Page 29]him, that their alliance might be renewed, and by a good correspondence, they might be assistant, each to other; and this occasion hindered the Swede from planting his battery against the Citie that day, conceiving that unlesse his eye was over the worke, it would not be done to the best ad­vantage: onely for that present, he gaue order to some Troopes of Horse, to scoure the tetritorie about the Ri­ver of Saal; which was done, and at night they returned to the Campe, Besieged by the Swedes. bringing with them some Saxon Officers prisoners. The next morning very early the Generall commanded his Canons to be planted upon an hill neere Daberstead, and then the Gunnes played their parts so well, that fiftie great shot in a small space were discharged against the Citie, and more were readie, but that a Fire­ball cast into the Towne, having fired two Barnes, and a dwelling house, the Generall gaue order to giue off shoo­ting, till he had againe felt the pulse of the Magistrate, by sending a Drumme unto the Citie, to wish the Inhabi­tants to treate with him fairely, and not hasten their own ruine, promising that whatsoever was past notwithstan­ding, he would use them with all lenitie, and lay no un­supportable burdens upon them. The Senate gaue audi­ence to the Messenger, and sent two selected men of qualitie, to conferre againe with the Generall, yet first re­ceiving Hostages for the safetie of the Senators (Colo­nell Goltz, and his Lievtenant) a cessation of Armes for twenty-foure houres was the first proposition made by the Agents for the Citie, and that obtained, they craved leaue to depart, shewing a contentednesse in their coun­tenances, that they could so easily prevaile for what they desired with him, which not many houres before seemed an implacalbe Enemie. But the Campe made better use of this time of forbearing offensiue Armes, than the Ci­tie did; defences were not prohibited, it was lawfull for either partie to doe any thing in that short time of truce, for their owne defence and safetie; though not to the de­triment of the other: and Bannier used not his men as [Page 30]Souldiers, but pioners, their weapons that day were mat­tock and spade, and those proved as serviceable for his purpose, as the thundering Ordnance. The Briarean hands of the labouring men, not hindered by any adversa­rie, made a quick dispatch of much worke; by the Eve­ning, the approaches were brought to the very gates of the Citie, and the Castle-walls, and then both the Com­mander of the Militarie men, Surrendred upon com­polition. and the civill Magistrate, perceiving how the Swede had over-reached them by a finenesse, feared his force, and yeelded themselues and the place upon these ensuing Conditions.

First, That the sort of Ziriacksburg should receiue for a Garrison, The Articles a hundred of the Swedish Souldiers, and a hun­dred of the Citie, all to be commanded by a Swede, who should giue an oath of loyaltie, both to the Crowne of Sweden, and the Citie.

Secondly, The Citie shall not be charged with enter­tainment of any Souldiers, but its owne, and which shall be governed by a particular Commander, and both the Souldiers and their Chieftaine shall sweare as well to the Crowne of Sweden, as the Citie.

Thirdly, The Keyes of the gates shall be kept by the Se­nate.

Fourthly, The Citizens shall abide true and faithfull to the Crowne of Sweden, till a firme and constant peace be setled in the Empire, &c. that the Citie at all times when necessitie requireth it, shall giue free passe and repasse to the Swedes, according to the occasion.

Fiftly, The Citie shall pay the Souldiers in the Armie 36000. Rix-dollars, whereof 10000. shall be paid imme­diately in readie money, and 16000. in wares, and the rest within the space of six weekes.

Lastly, In this agreement shall be comprehended all the Nobilitie, Gentry, and Saxon Officers, which are fled to the Citie for refuge and protection, with their moveables, and other goods.

These Articles were sealed on both sides Decemb. 16/26. [Page 31]the gates of the Citie set open for the Swedes entry, the Castle delivered, and a Swedish Commander put into it.

Gleen according to the order received from Caesar, was then upon his march towards Westphalia to unite his Wirtembergers to Goetz and Hatzfie dt; when Bann [...]er thus thrived in Thuringen. The depth of winter could not stay his journey, nor the cold of the season congeale the burning desire the Imperiall Commanders had generally, to inable themselues to meete and fight with the Swedish Armie: but succours came in slowly else-where, the Duke of Lunenburgh stood a while as a newter, nor de­claring himselfe till the Spring approached: onely Gleen the most forward for the present, proved most unfortu­nate. Foure compleate Regiments by the assistance of the Land-grave of Darmstad he had drawen together, 4. Imperial [...] Regiments defeated by Stalhaus. and knowing where the grosse of Banniers Army was, thought to finde a way from Franconia to Westphalia by Hessen-land, or if any stragling Swedes should happen by the way; able to encounter with them, and chase them, and so cleare the passage by his power. Some Swedish troopes appeared in Franconia upon the river of Sala, and they descrying the Caesarean Commander upon his march, re­tyred as afraid of him, into the Forest of Thuringen. It is the condition of an ambitious man to thinke all others stand in awe of him, and he that concludeth of colours by a false glasse, apprehendeth things otherwise then they are; The Caesarean tooke their retirement, for a plaine flight, and thinking to over-reach and surprise them, spurred up after them; when suddenly himselfe was o­vertaken being encountred by Stalhause, (whom till then they had nor discovered) unexpectedly. There were in that Army some men of qualitie, and of a spirit trans­cending the condition they were then in; the Count of Furstemburg, the Colonels Princk, Mantenfell, and Ramsdorff, all daring men, and as able for service, as da­ring, though now they were unhappily over-weighed. These great hearts saw the present danger, yet undaun­ted [Page 32]with it they rather armed for battel, then either to run or yeeld, 700 of them slaine, and 2 Colonels ta­ken prisoners and fight they did valiantly, but not fortunate­ly, and the Wirtemberger Regiment encouraged by the example of their Leaders, followed on as resolutely, holding out almost to the last man. The horse onely play­ed the jades, for the Cavalliers seeing the Swedes come on impetuously and finding themselues a little galled by the Swedish Musketiers, instead of fighting against them ranne unto them, leaving the foote to the mercie, or furie of their enemie, who slew 700. upon the place, tooke neere as many prisoners, and amongst the rest, the two last-na­med Colonells, gained three peeces of Ordnance mar­ked with the armes of Gleen, and pursued the rest al­most to Wertzburg where Princk who had his horse slaine under him in the battell, and Gleen, and Furstem­berg saved themselues with much difficultie.

Bannier having ordered things at Ertford, marched thence with his Armie consisting of sixteene Regiments of horse, and two thousand foote Decemb. 21. old-stile, when taking up his head quarter at Eckersburg, and Schult-porten, he first summoned Naumburg, the first Ci­tie in Misnia, on the west side of Sala, and the Com­mander there refusing to come in upon his summons, hee planted a batterie, and without much expense of powder and shot, the Citizens carefull to preserue their owne e­states, dissenting from the Praesidiarie Souldiers, he en­tertained the Burgesses friendly, but forced the men of Armes to come in upon discretion; and the Saxon Lieu­tenant Colonell which commanded there, the Major and two Captaines he detained as prisoners of warre, yet the common Souldiers, 150. in number, obtained their lives and liberties by taking service under him. Thence hee re­moved his Campe towards Moersburg, an Episcopall Citie upon the same River, which submitting it selfe to the Swede upon the sighf of his Army, Leipsich sum­moned. he conducted his forces immediately towards Leipsich, where finding two resolute Commanders the Earles of Transdorff, arming [Page 33]themselues and fortifying the place against the furie of his ordnance, and danger by the granadoes, vessels of wa­ter being placed in the streetes, the houses covered with wet skinnes, and nothing omitted which the case of a be­sieged place required for its conservation. Ian. 1. old stile he summoned the Citie, and the Castle of Pleisemburg ad­joyning to it, and receiving a joynt answer of refusall to surrender, from the brethren which commanded several­ly in the Fort and Citie, he threatned to enforce it, yet for the present onely blocked it up, and before he had spent a shot against ir, or received one from it, marched thence with the other part of his Army towards Eulen­burg, whither he had sent Stalhause before him, The Gover­nour resolved to defend it. with the greater part of his Cavallarie to discover the power and posture of the Generall Major Dehne, whose purpose by intercepted letters directed to the Governour of Leip­sich, being to bring 2000. men which he had then at Eu­lenburg in foure Regiments for his assistance, was by this meanes prevented, and way made for the Swedes further conquests. The Saxon Commander had notice of the Swedes before hand, and halfe an houre before that Stal­hause his Avantguard could reach to his late quarter, was risen and rode upon the spurre toward Torgaw, the care of that Citie being committed to his trust by the Elector, who himselfe being secure no where, went from Leip­sich to Torgaw, upon the first report of the Swedes being at Ertfort, and thence to Dresden, every where as hee passed giving a great charge to the Commanders and Go­vernours, and taking oathes of them, to stand to him faith­fully, and not deliver up his townes, unlesse by necessitie into the hands of his enemies.

Yet the fate of the Generall Major depending upon that dayes service, though he had gotten the advantage of way, and was upon the speed, could not preserue the Ci­tie, nor his forces. Stalhause seeing him gone made after a-maine, and though he could nor overtake the Avant­guard of the Saxons, wherein Dehne, and Wilsdorffe, his [Page 34]aequall in militarie dignitie was, he overtooke the Reere conducted by the Colonell Shletonitz, Colonel De­hne rowted. and after a small battell, wherein he had slaine 200. of his men, tooke the Colonell himselfe, and 200. others prisoners, deprived them of foure Standards and Ensignes, and pursued the Generall Major to the gates of the Citie, which though it held out that night, was surrendered the next day to the Generall Bannier, as soone as he appeared before it with his Army, the season favouring his attempt, glazing up the Elve, and exposing the Fort before the Bridge, and the Bridge too, to his obedience, upon conditions to spare the lives and liberties of the Praesidiarie Souldiers, both Commanders and ordinarie men, they againe condescen­ding to depart without weapons, & to deliver the Swedes the Ensignes, and 32. Standards which were then in the Citie.

CHAPTER III.

THis Conquest was of no small conse­quence, the Saxons losse was greater in the conclusion, Torgaw taken by Bannier. then in the begin­ning, and the Swedes advantage much more. Besides 1200. foote which were garrisond in the Citie, there were at the same present also 2500. men be­longing to severall Regiments fled thither for their secu­ritie, and these upon the surrender of the place, thinking to have had libertie to depart, with their Armes and bag­gage, as being none of the Garrison, were upon their march in a fayre aequipage, with 12. Ensignes, & 5. peeces of Canon, which the Electour had saved from the Swedes at the battell of Witstocke. But upon them too the Swede seized, and giving libertie to the Commanders to be gone but not without a checke, and some reproaches for their perfidious dealing with the Crowne of Sweden (to which they had once sworne fealtie and sincere alliance) and surprisall of their baggage, The Saxon Garrison ta­keth pay of the Swedes. he dismounted and disarmed the under-officers and common Souldiers, who percei­ving their nakednesse of a sudden tendered him their ser­vice, [Page 36]and tooke pay under him, hoping of better wages from him, then they could expect from the Elector; Ban­nier having lately taken from him the most part of his treasurie at Leichtenburg, and now enriched with a new bootie, valued at above one million, 16000. Rix-dollers whereof lately appertained to the Generall Major Deh­ne.

Some men haue got wealth by their losses, like Pompo­nius Laetus in Sabellicus, who having his house pillaged, received double so much as he lost by the bountie of his friends. But the Saxon Generalls case was otherwise, with the Citie, The Colo­nell Dehne beheaded. (to the Government whereof he was re­commended by the Elector for his good service in relie­ving the Fort of Mansfeldt) he lost his estate, and life, the Swedes having got his treasure, and the Elector soone after cutting off his head, for surrendring the Citie; and the Elector himselfe, with that particular place, lost more, Meissen, the chiefe Citie of Misnia, Eulemburg, Grim, Borne, Debitz, Bitterfeldt, Belgeren, and Hall, yeelding instantly to the Conquerour, having no hope of reliefe by any confederate Armie; Onely Dresden of all the umbi­licall Cities of Saxonie held out still, yet not without feare of being made the spoyle of strangers, the Imperi­all Armies, being so farre from their succours, that their march and places of rest, were unknowne to the Citi­zens.

But the losse of Torgaw, was no small meanes for the libertie and deliverance of Leipsich; the vigilant Com­mander there, slipt no opportunitie, which presented it selfe unto him, and perceiving the Swedish Armie, both horse and foote discamping Ian. 4. old stile, and upon their march towards Torgaw, the same night sent forth three hundred Musketiers and two hundred horse, to search for the stragling Swedes, which were lurking about the Villages neere Eulenburg, and were not gone with the maine body of the Armie. The Saxon Souldiers went on with as little noyse as might be, and covering the de­signe [Page 37]with the darknesse of the night, fell unexpectedly upon a small Troope of Swedish horse, A Troope of Swedish horse surprized. which had taken up their nights lodging in one of the Villages, and surpri­zed them. The Swedish Ritmaster, whose courage sur­mounted his present power, began to make some resi­stance, yet opprest with a farre superiour number of Sax­ons, and dangerously wounded, was forced to yeeld, and himselfe and the most part of that Cavallary, some few onely saving themselues by flight with a Preacher to the Swedish Armie, were made prisoners, and carried to Leipsich.

This prosperous designe, gaue the Souldiers and Inha­bitants a small assurance of speedie deliverance; some concluded, that the Swedes had received notice of the Im­periall succours, which the Leipzickers expected daily; others, that Mansfeild with his Silesian Armie, had in­vaded the Marquisate of Brandenburg, and was too strong for Wrangell, to whose care that Province was left, and that Bannier was enforced to march backe againe to re­lieue him; others, (it is common with men to beleeue what they desire) that Bannier and his Armies discamping, Leipsich victu­aled and for­tified. was rather a flight for their owne preservation, than a warlike March for further execution, and with confidence fed with ayerie hopes, proclaimed their owne deliverie. But the provident, and valiant Commander, fore-casted what might ensue, and as one not fearing any present danger, opened the Grimmer, or South gate, yet as not secure, kept the rest locked up, and knowing, that besides offen­siue and defensiue Armes, Victualls, and other provisions necessarie for life, were required to hold out a Siege, in the absence of the Swedes, which continued the space of seaven dayes, sent into the Countrey, for Cattell, Corne, Hay, Oats, and Wood, which he bestowed in the Zim­mer house, and Baarfuper Church, (necessitie causing him to turne that consecrated ground to a prophane use) as in two Magasines: armed two thousand lustie young Pren­tices, [Page 38]and Journeymen, to serue as Souldiers, strengthe­ned the fortifications, and omitted nothing which might seeme needfull to preserue the Citie, suspecting the re­turne of the Swedish Forces thither.

His conjecture was not misplaced, Ian. 12. old stile, the avantguard of the Swedes was discovered upon Gods­aker, early in the morning, and were saluted with some Volleyes of Canon-shot, from the Fort of Pleissenburg, and Saint Peters Bulwarke, yet without any offence done, (the Ordnance not answerable to the Commanders de­sire, Leipsich again summoned. could not reach them) the whole Hoast, designed for that service, with their Waggons and baggage were descryed, comming over Schoenfeldt, under their Gene­rall the Earle of Brandesteine. The Swedes observed the methode of a faire Enemie, sending word first by a Trum­peter to the Citie of their purpose, intending to pre­pare for the blow, if the answer did not suite with their demand: The instructions given the Messenger, were in round and peremptorie words, to tell the Commander, that his Generall desired to know, whether he would surrender the Citie upon a faire Composition, or see it become a pillar of fire, and smoke; and though delive­red rudely, was answered as roundly: the Commander replying, that he could not, nor would complie himselfe to his desire; and that, whatsoever the Swede had promi­sed to himselfe, it was not in his owne abilitie to per­forme; but must be referred to the fortune of warre.

Words were bootlesse, the Swede prepared presently for the Siege, and the next morning was strongly entren­ched before the Grimmer gate, upon the stone way, and planted himselfe in the New, and Back streets, and other houses neare the Citie. And the Earle of Transdorff, a­gaine, neglected not to make his defences, armed the Col­ledges, which were neare the wall, namely, Saint Pauls Colledge, the Great, and New Colledges, and S ^t Thomas his Schoole, with Souldiers and Artillerie, making a vaca­tion [Page 39]for the Students, by converting those Nurseries of pietie, and policie, into Blockhouses, Bulwarkes, and Cit­tadels, replenished with militarie men, and instruments of war; the present adversary being not to be repelled with scientificall demonstrations, or probable arguments out of Topicks, but with fire and sword, shot and powder, from the throats of the roaring Ordnance.

Besieged by the Swedes.Now the confusion which attends upon warre, began to appeare attired in her proper dresse; houses flaming and set on fire, not by the enemie, but their proper ow­ners, that they might be no shelter for the adversaries. Churches, Altars, and the dwelling places of the Muses battered by the Canon, endangered by the fire Morterers, and Granadoes; the Ports boared on the one side with shot from the Campe; and stuffed againe with wood and dung by the defendants, to keepe their owne people from going forth, and excluding their foes; Sallies made out desperately, Mines wrought with difficultie, and where force avayled not, for the assaylants; threats and fiery menacing Letters sent to the defendants, and by them answered as spightfully. It is almost beyond be­liefe, that in so small a space, as this Siege endured, which was but from the twelfth of Ianuary till the se­venth of February, such, and so many things should be done. But thus I finde them set downe in a Journall by one which was engaged in the action, and therefore to be credited.

Ianuary 13. Old stile, from about eight in the morning till nine at night, the Swedes played upon the Citie, with their Canon, fire-workes, and Granadoes; and the Gar­rison upon the Campe, with their great Ordnance, duble­haukes, and Muskets, yet without much detriment to ei­ther side, the Commander within, having well provided to prevent the mischiefe, which might be done by the Granadoes, and the Swedes without, being so strongly earthed, that they could not easily receiue damage.

Holdeth out for the Ele­ctour of Sax­onie.They who stayed in their trenches, were secure, but some few others which ranged abroad, to please their genius, became the spoyle of the Garrison, which sally­ing out in the Evening, found eight men of the Armie in an house without the Rhanish gate, which had former­ly beene a Taverne, and put them all to the sword. Thus that day was spent in thunder, which was not a­gaine so violent, till about seaven dayes following, the Souldiers on both sides in the meane time, being employ­ed rather to strengthen their defences, than otherwise. The Commander within, first gaue order, that from that day, till the Siege was done, no clock should strike, no bell be tolld, thereby teaching the people, that the busi­nesse of the time was such, as required all their hands, men, women, and children, and would not giue leaue to listen after what's a clock? And the next day having re­ceived Letters from the Elector, to doe his endeavour for preservation of the place faithfully, and to perswade the Inhabitants to constancy, imployed as many as were ser­viceable in raising of Pallisadoes, stuffing of packs with wooll, and bringing them into the severall streets neare the wall, to be in a readinesse, to fill up such breaches as might be made in the wall; and the Generall without, imployed his Souldiers, in raysing of batteries, digging of Mines about the Grimmer-gate, and other fortificati­ons, not omitting sometimes to send a Salute by shot to the Citie, and seldome fayling of an answer: yet the adventure of some of the Garrison, Ian. 18/28. is worth a re­membrance, for seeing the Swedes intended to make use of a Glasse-makers house for a battery, they sallyed forth, and after a sharpe Skirmish, which endured the space of an houre, burned the house to the ground, and returned to the Citie; and the day following, perceiving the Swedes to begin to plant many Canon-baskets, upon the foundation of the same house, which was of stone, and so escaped the fire; cut off the Damme betwixt the [Page 41] Pleissenburg, and the Towne Moat, without Saint Thomas gate, and by that meanes drowned the foun­dation under water, and prevented the designe.

The defence made by the Garrison, and the offence done by the Swedes.But the 20/30. of that moneth, and from thence for­wards to the time of the Swedes rising, were each remarkeable dayes. A great peece of Ordnance cal­led the Lazie maid, and three Morterers placed on the Grimmer gate by the Garrison, were then im­ployed against the Campe, without any more inter­mission, than was necessary to coole them, and make them serviceable againe. Sallies were made daily by the praesidiarie Souldiers, and to keepe the Swedes from the Castle, fired the Suburbs without St. Pe­ters gate, and the Water-arch, as farre as to the Sand-streete, thinking it better to demolish those ragged buildings, which in time of peace had beene of some use, for the meaner sort of people, no orna­ment to the Citie, than to haue them imployed by the Swedes, for execution of their hostile purposes. The Swedes, againe imployed all their diligence to bring the Citie to obedience, battered and boared the Grimmer-gate with three Demi-Canons, and other great Pieces, slung massie stones into the Citie, by helpe of the Morterers, threw in fire bals and gra­nadoes, and Ian. 22. Old stile, sent a Drumme againe to require the Governour to surrender, threatning that if it was taken by assault, no person of what con­dition or sex so ever, should finde mercy; and recei­ving a scornefull answer by the Commander, who had received new Letters from the Electour, with a promise of the Imperiall succours, very speedily be­tooke themselues againe to their tackling, blew up a Mine neere the Grimmer-gate, and having dressed themselues with plaited strawe about their hats and armes, the same cognisance by which they were di­stinguished from the Saxons in their day neere Wit­stocke, [Page 42](thinking thereby to dishearten the defen­dants) stood in battellaray, as if they intended a pre­sent assault.

A threatning countenance may daunt a Coward, and the representing of those Instruments to a dege­nerous spirit▪ which haue beene formidable unto him formerly, may strike him into an amazement, though there be no cause for it: They were but the Corin­thian slaues, which having beate their Masters with Martiall weapons, yeelded upon sight of the whip, the Commander was of another mould, and answe­red them in their owne tearmes, from the mouthes of the tall and Lazie Maids, two great Gunnes, and smaller Pieces, and that so inraged the Swedes (who by this were supplyed with some thousands of fresh men, from the Campe neere Torgaw, and twelue new Pieces from Ertford) that to worke they fall againe, as not meaning to parlee any more, and followed the designe so hard till the beginning of Februarie, that (although they could not conquer the Citie, they did much deface, and ruine it, the wind-mill streete being burned to the earth, some Churches, especially that of Saint Nicholas, and that of St. Paul (the first having his roofe broke downe, and the other the Steeple battered with the Canon, and falling upon the roofe, utterly demolishing it, to the greaterrour of the people, who were more rerrified by another shot from a Demi-canon, which smote the Altar, the Organs, and carried away one moytie of the Apostles Statues) and the Colledges being much ruined by the violence of those stormes, attended with artificiall thunder.

A smart resistance was made by the defendants, which sometimes visited the Swedes in their trenches, yet that had ocene truitlesse, had not the succours come in maturely; but thei estate being growne [Page 43]almost desperate, newes was brought to them, and the Campe, of the comming of the Imperiall Ar­mie. The Campe was lesse disheartened by the re­port, than the Citie incouraged, and to make it ap­peare, that they played not in jest, but earnest, resol­ved to attempt some-thing againe, before the Im­periall Hoast could march unto them.

To this end, February the sixt Old stile being Saint Dorotheas day, they played afresh upon the Citie, with foure Demi-canons, eight great field Pieces, and some lesser Gunnes, and in the space of fiue houres, by force of the Ordnance, which had vomi­ted three hundred thirtie and fiue times upon the wall, and vertue of their Mines, made two breaches, one upon the East, another upon the West▪side of the Grimmer-gate, (like Sampson in the sacred Storie▪ doing the Saxons more mischiefe at the last conclusi­on, than in the whole time of their continuance there) and stood in Battalia againe, as if they meant to assault it.

The Commander, a man never enough to be pray­sed for his undaunted courage, (vertue where ever it is found is amiable) drew out foure Companies of selected foote, armed them with short Pikes, two-handed-swords, Morning starres, (a deadly wea­pon where it falls) and Musquets, and marched him­selfe in the head of them to the breach, to encounter the Swedes, if they adventured to enter by those breaches forcibly; It was done carefully, but need­lesly; an expresse was brought to the Campe, that the untied Forces under Hatzfield, and Goetz, were within a dayes march, and the Swedes thought it fit­ter to retire with their unbroken Forces safely, than to expose them to a double hazard, The Siege raysed. and goe on de­sperately: and February the sixt, Old stile, betwixt seaven and eight at night, while the Morterers cast [Page 44]great stones and Granadoes into the Citie, and the Garrison was busie to prevent the mischiefe which might ensue thereby, the Canons were drawne from the batteries, the Armie began to march and the Swe­dish Generall tooke up his head Quarter at Stote­ritz.

For the space of almost six weekes, since the first summons, Ian. the first, New stile, the Citie was thus troubled with an uncouth Feaver, neither alwayes intermittent, nor continuall; but the seaventh of Fe­bruarie the malice of the disease appeared to be a­bated, though some grudgings thereof, like the af­ter-drops of a violent shower, were still remaining. The Arriere of the Swedes, that day set the Superin­tendents Gaden-house on fire; and the day ensuing, the Villages neighbouring unto it, inferious mini­string members to that more worthy body, were sa­crificed to Ʋulcan; fifteene severall Hamlets were seene from Leipsich, flaming at once, and at Grolz­schoker, a Dorpe exceeding any of the other in great­nesse, the fire appeared biggest.

The ninth day brought with it an happie crisis, the fag end of the Swedes, was not to be discovered, the Auantguard of the Imperiall succours appeared to the view of the almost distracted Citizens; the clocks were permitted againe to giue notice of the houre, the Bells were rung to congregate the people to di­vine service; and the tenth day, the Rhanish gate be­ing opened, the Countrey people and Souldiers brought in greatstore of wood, straw, and hay, into the Citie: in fine, upon the twelth day was a so­lemne assembly, Thankesgi­ving for the Cities deli­verance. and the people were summoned to­gether, in all the Parishes, to render thankes to him, who had watched over the Citie, for its preservation and deliverance, and to joyne in prayers, for a firme, honourable, and generall peace.

Hazardous adventures are not surpassed vithout dif­ficultie; yet industrie and diligence perfecteth any Her­culian enterprize. Famine, and extreame danger at­tended the Imperialls march, yet but a Citie in Thu­ringen, famoused of old for excellent wine, the name being thence derived, as Stigelius probably conje­ctures.

The Imperi­all Armie re­united, and re-enforced march to­wards Mis­nia.And of late for their Theriacall Antidote, relieved the first; and their valour overcame the later; 200000. pound of bread, was extorted by the Imperiall Gene­ralls, from the Citie, and the Armie thus refreshed, intended to march, with all possible speed, toward Leipsich, but was hindred in the speed by the Gene­rall Major Stalhause, who having passed the River before them, cut off the bridges behind him, A Conflict betwixt Stal­hause, and tho Imperialists at Saba, wherein foure Imperi­all regiments▪ were ruina­ted. guarded the advemies with his Canon, and in three severall skirmishes with Hatzfieldt, wholed the Avantguard, consisting of ten Regiments, ruinated foure of them, without much losse of his owne partie; and then see­ing Goetz was come with the rest of the hoast, in an orderly Retreat, marched up to Bannier, and the maine of the Swedish Armie.

The Forces on both sides, like so many lines drawne from severall points of the Circumference, began to tend to one Center; and as if both parties had set up their rest, and were concluded to venture all at once, summoned their associates from their se­verall stations, to the generall Randevouz in Misnia. The Crabats under Isolani, and Budiani, were called out of the Dukedome of Burgundy, to assist Hatz­fielde in his designe against the Swedes in Saxonie; and were by the end of Februarie advanced as farre [Page 46]as Hessen Cassell, where they not onely pressed the Lantgraues Subjects which lived in undefenced pla­ces, The Crabats under Isolani oppresse the Hessians. and oppressed them with mightie exactions for reliefe, but required Contributions of the great Citie it selfe, as deeming it to be under their Command, and threatned Ertford in Thuringen with a Siege and hostile Armes, presuming that they were able to master it, with as much ease, as Bannier had lately done. But the Swedish Colonell Goltz, who com­manded in the Citie, prepared to entertaine them; and fortified the place, as much as might be; not o­mitting the hill Daver, (the place of advantage, where the Swedish Generall planted his Ordnance, when he had surrounded it) amongst his preparati­ons for defence; knowing that the prepossessing of that hill, was almost sufficient alone, to secure the Ci­tie from the Crabats violence. This his labour shew­ed his care, to maintaine the place committed to his charge; no man can conclude certainly of contingent futures; nor could he, but upon probabilities, haue a­ny assurance of what successe, these bands of Crabats, might haue in Hessen-land; or what forces they might bring against him. Otherwise, that labour might haue beene spared, those forces being dispersed, the stings of those Serpents being taken away, before they could reach the Thuringer forest, by the Lantgraue William, who had formed a new Army of his owne, consisting of ten Regiments, and was then assisted with seaven Swedish Regiments sent unto him from the Campe by Bannier, under the Command of Colonell King, to that purpose. This true professor of the Evangelicall faith, thought it unbeseeming his dignitie, to recede a jot from the promise of alliance, which he had made and confirmed by oath, to the Crowne of Sweden, and being at that time courted by the Imperialists, to re­linquish their partie, coyned some new Rix-dollars, with these German words upon them;

Which may be Enlished thus,

Not so much, to nippe the Saxon for his perfidiousnesse, as some have judged it, as to testifie his owne integritie, and loyal­ty; and ayded by the Swedes, March 1/11. visited Budia­ni in his Quarter at Skenkanfeldt, Budiani rai­sed, & his Re­giments routed by the Land [...] ­grave William. where after a sharpe conflict, in which the Crabat saw 300 of his Souldi­ers put to the Sword, himselfe was forced to slight, and that too, so full of horrour and confusion, that to save his life, he was faine to cast away his Coat, Saddle, Sable, & to leave his Horse & gajētie, for feare of being discovered and exposed to danger personally, sheltring himselfe in the Woods to preserve him from the rage of the Victor who by this action gained 300 Horse and their furniture, carried with him to Cassel 26 Pri­soners, all or most of them men of note, and eminent Commanders in the Army, cleared his Countrey of those Caterpillers and marched up towards the Weser and Westphalia, where hee doubted not to inlarge his Victory, there being then no Imperiall Army to op­pose him. Isolani in the interim, taking his way tho­row Voidlandt, to attaine to the Caesareans Campe, un­der whose protection, hee promised himselfe more se­curitie, as being joyned with Confederates, and no lon­ger building upon his owne power.

Wrangell, who at that time was marched 10 leagues up into Silesiae, to invade that Province, and make head against the Forces under Maerazini, and the Count of Mansfeldt, both which, with a new leavied Army there were putting forward towards Pegaw, where Hatzfield, and Goetz expected their comming, recei­ved [Page 50]instructions from Banniere to doe his best endea­vour, to cut them off in their march, or otherwise to hasten thence to the Swedish Campe, and joyne with him against the whole Caesarean united power. It was more then probable at the first, that the Swedish Field-Marshall might have encountred them (at least) upon equall tearmes, 10000 brave old Souldiers atten­ded him when he first passed the Oder at Franck-fordt. 1100. Polacks, 1100 Pollacks mutinying for pay, take service under Wran­gell. which had mutinied for want of pay, and vowed to pillage Mòravia, (a rich Countrey an­nexed to the Crowne of Bohemia, and abounding with Corne, being generally so full of Tillage, that there was scarce any place of Pasture, and hitherto, untou­ched in these present warres) to make up their sti­pend, seeing the Imperialists threatned to pay them with Swords, and bullets, revolted, and tooke service under him; The Imperialists Army was but on rai­sing, Colonell Truchses who had promised the decea­sed Emperour to supply him with many thousands of able men out of that Province, fayled of performance, and laying strange impositions upon the people grew odious; only Gl [...]gawe, and some other few places were left to withstand him; and who would not hence con­clude a doubtlesse happie issue? The change of Coun­cels often turneth the present state of things; to see a supposed Favorite brought to disgrace, infatuates the Common people, with a dotage of new affection to their Commanders. Truchses was arrested as an abuser of the Caesarean grace and mercy, sent a Prisoner to Vien­na; Mansfeildt authorised to supply his charge, Truchses ar­rest [...]d and sent to Vienna. and he complying with the peoples humour, soone raised a sufficient strength to deale with Wrangell, who grown weaker by this time then hee was at his first going to the Field, having left 4000 of his men in severall Gar­risons, and scarce confident of the Polish Cossacks, [Page 51](discrees Commanders will hardly give credit to a revol­ting Fee. He which alloweth the act will not easily trust the actor) retreated thence towards Misnia to joyne with his associate and fellow in Armes Banniere, and with their united forces, to give battell to the Army of the Caesareans.

CHAP. IV.

SOme remora's there were which hindered his expedition; one an act of humanity, or rather pi­ety, the other an effect of necessity; and though the first might seeme a Nullity, to the over-cu­rious inquisitors into each mans comportment, yet the last is beyond all exception, and requires no apology for it, nor admits argument against it. What Plow-jog­ger will not forbeare one day in Harvest to bury his de­ceased Father; though the Corne be ripe and ready to shake? what Merchant will not stay a little to give his friends the Foy, though the wind fill his sayles, and in­viteth forth to sea? An occasion of more consequence in Ethicks then a common farewell, and of more im­portance in humanity then the interrement of a pri­vate-man, though a parent, policy attending and play­ing the handmaid to his piety, stayed him. The gol­den Bough of Pomerania, was then cropped, and

Bodislaus the 14 aged 57 yeares, who had sate at the Helme of Pomerania by the space of 17 yeares perso­nally, [Page 52]whose auncestors had governed that Province for 700 yeares, March [...] deceased childlesse, and with­out issue; to the great griese of his subjects and confe­derates, who were the more sensible of his losse by their knowne assurance of his integrity: and this Prince his Funerals together with a provident care, for preservation of the Dukedome, were one cause of such a stay there, as might shew his affection to the memory of that good Prince, but not indanger his confederates.

But this was not all, his way was intercepted, and there was no passage through the Imperiall Army to his freinds, unlesse the way was cut out with the sword; The Caesarcans had blocked up his way, and unlesse he would fight desperately, and upon extreame disadvantage, it was vaine as yet to attempt it. The adverse armies lay then encamped within one German league each of other, both severally seeking to gaine, neither willing to give occasion to the other. The Cae­sareans, & Saxons surmounted the Swedes in number, the Swedes had the odds of them in ammunition for warre, and provisions of viands. Banniere thinking to consume his adversaries by famine, lay still in his fast­nesse without striving, and the Imperialists supposing at the length to catch him upon the hanck, observed the same order; nothing was done for many dayes to the prejudice of the other: the Imperialists at the end impatient of idlenesse, and releeved with Ordnance from Dresden, and victuals out of Bohemia, gave the first onset upon the regiment under Colonell Poye, The Swedish regiment un­der Colone [...]l Poye colected. consisting of 400. horse, and rooted it, then fleshed with this petit victory, fell foule upon the Earle of Hoditz, and came thence conquerours; and growen more confident by that successe, devided their army into two parts, whereof one was to passe the river of [Page 53] Mulda neere Dresden, and the other to abide in their former statiō. The Swede whose watchful eye attended upon this division, prepared some selected Troopes to watch the Caesareans as they crossed the water, The V [...]nt­guard of some Imperiall troops defeated upon the Mul­da. and they so faithfully performed their trust, that with a sud­den volly of shot discharged upon the enemies as they were passing over, they were so amazed, that in a strange confusion, they crouded so thicke upon the Bridge of Boates, which was made for their transpor­tation, that the Bridge sunke, and broke under their weight, many men and horses were drowned in the water, the Standards of those which were passed the River became a spoyle to the undertakers, and the rest of the Army was forced in a confused retreat to hasten backward to the Campe, which resided about Stralen, Rissa, and Oshatz.

Two Caesarean Regiments sur­prised neere great Hahin.Two Caesarean Regiments, were quartered at the same time neere great Hahin, under the Commands of the Colonels Shierstets, and Barkersdorff, and under a pretence to surprize them as it was after given out, Banniere who was strongly entrenched about Tor­gaw, and had an Army of 12000 Horse, and 8 Brigads of Foote, sent 8 Regiments, which fired the Suburbes of that small City, raysed the Imperialists from theyr lodging, routed them by a short but smart charge, pur­sued them to the very gates of Dresden, and possessed themselves of their baggage; the Caesareans prizing their lives above that pelfe, willingly leaving that Boo­tie to the victors, to secure their persons by an expe­ditious flight. But the designe tended to a further scope: Marazines Forces lay in Lusatia to keepe the passages against Wrangell, who (as they supposed) in­tended to march that way to his confederates in his Colleagues Army, and to guard him. Those Forces were commanded abroad by the Swedish Generall, [Page 54]whose intent being suspected by Hatzfield, the Ser­jeant Major Generall Bretta March 10/30. Was sent out with 5000 Horse to oppose them.

Hitherto Bannier's Forces are upon the winning at least not on the loosing hand, the Caesarcans saved a great stake at Leipsick, but drew very few, and those of small value; but his Confederates were sometimes loosers, failing of their owne intendments, and some­times vanquished, or overtaken by the adversarie. Nothing is sure under the Sunne, the Moone hath a blemish in the middle of her glorious Orbe, the Rivers which sometimes enlarge themselves into Lakes, and seeming Oceans of fresh waters are againe contracted into narrow Channels, yet the Macula of the Moone, makes the glory of her illuminated body more illustri­ous, the straightning of the current makes it more vio­lent, and the losse which his Allyes and Friends recei­ved did not derogate from their glory, nor brought any prejudice (certainely) to their enterprizes. The Ro­mans Honour and Empire was not lost, though adven­tured desperately, upon the valour of three noble Bre­thren against a like number of Enemies, when two of their Champions were slaine, the third by a politike stratagem, and his manhood performing alone what they had all undertaken joyntly; and so purchasing a name to his family, and victory to his Nation; it may be paralleld by this moderne story.

Hermanstein a Fort of consequence upon the Rhine neere Coblentz, The Fort of Hermanstein necessitated. which yet held out for the King of France, was straightly beleaguered by Iohn de Werth and reduced to extreame necessity; it was not to bee undermiend being seated on a Hill, nor to bee forced otherwise then by Famine; the place being so fortified by Nature and Art, that it was, and is not undeserved­ly esteemed impregnable; the Imperiall Commander [Page 55]lay before it, and hindered all supplyes of reliefe. The Landt­grave attemp­teth to releeve it, but is defea­ted twice. The Lantgrave twice adventured to supply it ith neces­saries, and was twice beaten backe by the asseegers with much losse. The neighbouring Boores, thought to steale thither with Hennes, and such like viands through the hedges and backe wayes, but were ap­prehended by the way, and hanged for their labour. The Cittadell was so much distressed, that the Com­mander (a man of singular wisdome and fortitude) was compelled to divide his provisions amongst the peo­ple by weight, and the Baron of Werth knowing their necessity, and how improbable it was that they should be releeved by and land auxiliaries (his army having stopped that way) or by succours from the Rhine all the Forts upon the Streame, being under the Austrians power) concluded, that the Fort must yeeld, and had in a manner assured himselfe, to take it in upon what tearmes he himselfe should be pleased to prescribe to the besieged: But the River yeelded a passage, though the earth denyed one, for conveyance of victuals, and other necessaries unto the Castle. The Story is thus related, by the Dutch from Hamburg.

A Spanish Don being sent Embassadour from his Catholicke Majestie to the King of Hungarie then at Weene, to condole with him for the deceased Empe­rour and congratulate his accumulated dignities; Ramsey relee­veth it by a stratagem. ha­ving dispatched his legation; was ready for his jour­ney towards Bruxcls to visite the Cardinall Infant, in­tending to goe by shipping from Mentz to Colin, and thence to Brabandt. The desolation of the upper Pala­tinate and a great part of Franconia, through which he was to passe from the Danubie to the Rhine, moved him to send some of his Servants five or sixe dayes be­fore to prepare his lodgings, and necessaries for him, selfe, and the rest of his retinew. This was revealed to [Page 56] Ramsey Governour of Hanaw, who aswell to preserve that City from the Siege, which Iohn de Werth threat­ned it, as soone as Hermenstein should bee surrendred, as also for to shew his good affection to his Confede­rates, had long beene plotting to releeve them: and now conceited, that if he could but surprize the Spanish Harbengers the businesse was halfe done, sent out seve­rall parties to watch the high wayes, with instructions that if they chanced to meet with those Spanish ad­venturers, they should doe them no other violence, then to bring them into the City. His order was ob­served, and it fell out in all things according to his wish, the Soldiers met with the Gentlemen, brought them to Hanaw, and presented them to the Comman­der, who entertained them with all gentlenesse, and by kindnesse screwed out of them, the time and day of the Embassadors comming to the Rhine, the number of vessels designed to attend him, their description by their colours, the number of his owne attendants which wayted upon him, their habits, and the habit, and favour of the Embassador himselfe: And beeing thus acquainted with each particular circumstance, trimmed up two ships of the like burthen, and condi­tion, selected some chosen men out of the Garrison, to personate the Spanish Embassadours followers, and one well versed in his Sibboleth the Spanish tongue and garbe to represent his person, all which being attired in the Spanish dresse, with their haire cut close (accor­ding to the Catholick Kings late edict, of which they seemed strict observers) and in long mourning clokes were brought to the Vessels, loaden with necessaries for the releefe of the Castle, and appearing upon the Decks, sayled downe the Rhine in the face of the Im­periall Garrisons, who taking, and mistaking them for Spaniards, not onely suffered them to Sayle quietly, [Page 57]but saluted them friendly with many Musquetadoes and Canonadoes from the Garrisons; the new Am­phitruo, not sparing to complement with them in a Spanish posture from shipboord, till having reached to Hermenstein, the subtle Sosia's turned in thither, to the vexation of the Spaniards allyes, who were ready to bite their fingers, to see themselves thus deluded.

It was a neate stratagem well carryed, and of great consequence. Hanaw which alone of all the Cities in the Weteraw, yet held out, had bin much indangered otherwise. The Caesareans began to appeare strong a­gaine in the Empire, and had done much damage to the Swedes and their allyes in the Bishopricke of Mun­ster, the Marke of Brandenburg, and about the Weser, and had certainly resolved to plunder the Weteraw, if the designe at Hermenstein had succeeded fortu­nately.

Lemford in Westphalia, a Fort of a pretty strength out great consequence, Lemford ta­ken by the Im­perialists. as being one of the inlets of the Territorie about it, was kept and possessed by a com­pany of Swedish Dragoons, which did much spoyle in the Bishopricke of Munster, and were therefore com­plained of by the Country people, to the Baron of Lut­tersheim who commanded in Dieps-hold, and he with a Regiment of men sate downe before it, and forced the Swedes in the Castle to yeeld upon discretion, and to take Service under him. The Praesidiaries in Min­den and Osnabrugge made out sixe troopes of Horse, and 4. Companies of Dragoons, to bee revenged for this losse, thinking to have taken Dieps-hold by O [...] ­slat, and surprized the Baron and his Regiment which was lodged there. And to this purpose February [...]4/4. marched thitherwards, covering their intention with the darknesse and silence of the night. But the Baron had received some intention of their purpose, and [Page 58]having prepared for thē, The Praesidia­ries of Minde [...] & Osnabrugge, d [...]feated at Di­eps hold. charged upon the avantgard, before they expected it, and had then surprised it, had not the whole band come in sodainely to their rescue. But those old Souldiers practised in the handling and managing of their armes, needed no word of direction from the mouth of their Commander, the present state of their freinds assaulted by the enemy, taught them both the what, and the how, in their action. The bat­tell grew hot, and the Swedes being compelled by dark­nesse to sticke close together, and not to sever for feare of ambuscadoes sought manfully, frō 2. of the clock til 5. in the morning, & then perceiving that Luttershem surmounted them in strength, and advantage, betook themselves to plaine fight, and were pursued to Osna­brugge, but without great losse, their horses being good and speedy, and their flight well ordered, and not in confusion. But this losse was soone after regained, both in point of honour and benefit by the same Swe­dish garrisons; Feb: 10/2 [...] when they surprised suddainly 4. companies of Imperiall-souldiers, which lay in the the small City of Hagell, Surprise Hagell and put 4 com­panies of Caesa­rea [...]s to the sword. put them to the sword, and returned home with 150 horse, and other good boo­tie, and baggage of which they had spoyled the Impe­rialists.

These were the checks which were given to the Swedes associates, in those parts of the Empire, which the Generall valued the lesse in respect of the dam­mage he had done to the Saxon, with whom, above any particular Prince of the Empire the Crowne of Sweden was most offended; which detriment is ex­pressed particularly by letters from Dresden, The miserable con [...]i [...]i [...]n of the Dukedome of Saxony. March 18/2 [...] wherein with words delivered with an accēt of griefa the whole Dukedome of Saxony is said to be totally ruinated, except the Cities of Leipzick, Wittemberge, and Dresden, the Churches lying desolate, the woods [Page 59]being out downe, the earth untilled and lying waste, and the villages, and lesser Cities, made pillars of fire and smoake, not onely by the Swedes the enemies, but also by the seeming friends the Caesarians, who spare not to burne those places to the ground, where they finde not as much provision as they demaund for their armies, as the Duke Frederick of Saxon Alten­berg complained to Hatzfieldt, desiring him to order his rude souldiers by a better discipline, that such acts of inhumanity might be prohibited, and the offenders punished accordingly.

Thus far we have followed Bannier, and Hatzfield, both yet abiding in their fastnesse, expecting their ad­vantageous opportunity to sight. And now wee must looke backe to the Elector of Brandenburgh, and Wran­gell the Swedish Field-marshall, whom our last disco­very left in that Marquisate.

Berlin the Electors seate of residence, Brandenburgh the Metropolis of the middle Mark, Tangermund, once the seate of Charles 4. Emperour, and most pla­ces of note were brought by Wrangells army either to entertaine Swedish garrisons, or contribute to the maintenance of his forces; onely the Forts of Span­daw and Kustrin held out for the Elector, Kustrin belea­guered by the Swedes. whom the Swedes courted with faire language sometimes, and sometimes summoned in the language of a souldier, to surrender those places of strength to him as a surety of his good affection and love to the crowne of Sweden, or as a token that he would stand as a neutrall, and not shew himselfe an enemy. But both his courtshippe and summons were frivolous; the El [...] answered that those places were Forts of the E [...] that hee could not deliver them up to a strange [...]owne with­out prejudice to his honour and credit: and as for the Swedes menaces, that perhaps it might be in their [Page 60]power to deale with his territories in what manner they pleased, but they should never be able to force him from his first resolution. His answer not onely displeased, but inraged the Field-marshall, who where­upon immediately (being then Master of the Field) plundered the Countrie as far as Boeskah & Cotbutz, a towne in the lower Lusatia, tooke away sixe wagons loaden with baggage belonging to the Electour, as they were going to Kustrin, and sent them to Frank­fort upon the Oder; blocked up Kustrin, broke downe one of the bridges, and conveyed the Oder two Eng­lish miles from the Fort, by a new artificiall channell; the garrison all this time defending themselves vali­antly, and though fayling of victuals, not fainting in their courages.

The Electour who was gone from Berlin to Peitz, to raise such forces as might be able to make head a­gainst the Swedes, sent private instructions to Cracht the Commander in Kustrin to fortifie himselfe as much as might be, promising faithfully to relieve him, as speedily as might be. The Colonell carefull to per­forme his charge spared not cost; and seeing the sub­urbs about the Fort were rather serviceable for the E­nemy then himselfe, burned them downe, so making good use of this consuming element of fire for his safe­ty; while the other unmercifull destroyer water offe­red it selfe to his service: the Oder swelling above the banks of the new channell, and breaking out violent­ly, drowning some Swedish Souldiers, and overflow­ing the low land, in which the Fort is scituated; and this accident caused them to consent with the Com­mander for a cessation of armes for certaine doves, the Commander againe promising to requite them with a competent summe of money, if they would give o­ver the seege. It was but a small part of the Swedes [Page 61]which were sate downe before the Cittadell, the maine body was then with the Field-marshall at Franck ford, one part thereof was imployed to fetch in victuals, and money from the tributary townes to pay, and refresh the Army: another to plunder that part of the Coun­trey which had not submitted, and granted to pay contribution. And these last, ranging as farre as to Peitz, lighted upon sixe wagons loaden with provisi­on for the Electours houshould; seyzed upon them, and presented them to Wrangell, who being himselfe [...]ufficiently stored, and knowing the scarcity of the sCountrey, & desirous rather to vanquish the Electour by curtesie, then violence, sent them back by the E­lectours owne wagoners, and convoy, neither light­ning the carriages, nor offering any injury to their persons. And now the winter beginning to be in his strength, The siege inter­mitted. having well refreshed his Army at Frank­ford, after he had utterly demolished the bridge, and sent away all the Cities ammunition, and burnt downe all the bridges neere about the fortresse of Kustrin, save onely one, which he could not safely come to, it being within lesse then a musket-shot of the Castle. He divided his whole Army, which was then 3000. horse, and 7000. foote, and appointed them to their winter-quarters, the new Mark being appointed for the Ca­vallary, and the Veker and middle markes for the In­fantery, himselfe in the meane time retiring to Stetin, to be present at the Dyet then held by the States of Po­merania.

The Marquis Electour made good use of the Swedes absence, the Count of Mansfield had supplied him with some forces out of Silesia, Arnheim a Colonell of his owne, and kinsman to the late Generall, had raysed up some others in Lusatia, and the Marquisate; and armed with those forces one of his Colonels, and the [Page 62] Swedes not expecting it, came first with his like Regiment (December 18/3 [...].) of 300 Horse to Ber­lin, forced open the Southeast or Copenicker Gate, pressed in with drawne Swords and Pistols, Berlyn regai­ned by the Mar­quesse Elector. set a Watch upon the severall Ports, (the Citizens beeing ready to receive their naturall Prince) and tooke Pri­soners about 70 Swedish Souldiers, which were Billi­ted in the City, and some prime Officers.

In the Evening about 5 of the clocke, the Elector himselfe attended with 600 Dragoons and light Hors­men, Branderburg taken from the Swedes. came into the City; the three Regiments of Horse under the commands of young Buckersdorf. Duke Francis Charles, and Shierstett, beeing lodged that night in the Suburbs, whose apparition the next morning, made those few Swedes which lodged at Bernaw, and were severed from their company, to re­tire towards Newstadt, for their more security. A pro­pitious starre did then attend the Brandenburgher, his happy Fortune was not thus bounded, part of his Army was dispatched for Brandenburgh, and the Frost having then contracted the Elve into a more solid body of Ice, those Soldiers tooke that City also by a sudden Scalado and put the Garrison to the Sword.

Newes of the Brandenburgers Progresse, was brought to the Field-Marshall at Stetin, Drussen block'd up by the Swedes, & the siege relin­quished. who instantly gave order to the Commander of that City, to blocke up the Fort, and passage of Drussen, which he did accor­dingly. At the expiration of 8. dayes a rumour was spread in that small Swedish Campe, that the Imperiall Generall Marazini, with 6000 men, was comming out of Silesia to releeve that Garrison; and then the Commander left that siege, and returned homeward, plundring the inhabitants houses upon the way. The Field-Marshall himselfe began to muster up his disper­sed Regiments, which then lay about Shiffelbeane, A­renswald, [Page 63]Solden, and Lantzberg, intending againe to put into the Field, though the Winter Season did in a manner prohibite him. With these Forces hee first marched against Lantzberg, a frontier City of the Mar­quisat, Lantzberg surrendred to Wrangell. and forced that to yeeld upon composition, and thence unto the Vekermarck, where the Vangard of the Army encountred with Colonell Arncheim a Kinsman of the late Generall of the same name, Colonell Arnheim sur­prised by the Swedes and sent Prisoner to Stetin. whom after a short conflict, they tooke Prisoner with 400 Dragoons, and sent to Stetin, from whence againe, by the direction of the Lord Steno Biclke who in the ab­sence, and instead of the Rix-Chancellor is there resi­ding for the direction of affaires, he was transported to Stockholme in Swedland, to be used according to the discretion of the States.

Drussen was still in the Field-Marshals eye, as being a convenient place for the egresse and regresse of his Forces, and this againe he intended to besiege, and had provided much amunition, and other provisions, to effect it, intending to assault it by force, if he could not reduce it to a friendly composition; but then the said Embassadour of the Crowne of Sweden interpo­sed; being sent to treate of Peace betwixt the Elector of Brandenburg, and the Queene of Sweden his Necce, the Elector himselfe giving a willing eare to a friendly treatie, having appointed the Marques Sigismund, with a pleni-potentiary Commission to conferre with the Swedish Embassadour, at the little City of Shwed, distant 7 leagues Southwards from Stetin, and this de­tained the Field-Marshall from that siege.

Wrangell mar­cheth into Si­lesia.There was now a kinde of cessation of Armes be­twixt the Elector and Field-Marshall, in those Terri­tories: and Wrangel having plundered the lands and goods belonging to the Count of Swartzenburg, and taken Prisoners the chiefest of his Officers, garrisoned [Page 64]the Towns in Pomerania and the Dukedome of Meck­lenburg, marched into Silesia, to oppose the Imperiall Forces which were raised there, and there he received instructions from Banniere, to come and joyne with his Army, or otherwise to hinder Mansfield from comming to Hatzfield, as it hath beene related for­merly.

It was still a bloudy time in the Electorate of Sax­ony, and a generall feare was conceived by the adjoy­ning Provinces, that the Fury of warre, would not be confined there: the hearts of the people, were terri­fied by a strange Prodigie, which though it admits no particular interpretation — ‘— Deus omen in Hostes’ Convertat; A strange Pro­digy at Ise­nach. was as terrible, as portentous. The Conduit at Isenach scituated in the midst of the Marketsted, so­dainly instead of Water powred out Bloud, and so con­tinued for the space of two houres, before it yeelded a­gaine that Element, for which that Aqueduct was ordained. A bloudy time ensued it, betwixt the Im­periall Generals, and Banniers Forces, though they kept their Fastnesse neere Targaw, yet few dayes pas­sed without blowes. The Imperialists prepared two Ship-bridges over the Elve for the transportation of their Forces, one at Dresden, by the South-east or Pirner-gate, the other at Stralen. To the last of these places, Stralen burnt by the Swedes. the Swedes advanced with sixe full Regiments, burned downe the City and the Castle to the ground, planted their Horsemen on the other side of the Ri­ver, to hinder the Imperialists march over the Brid­ges; surprised one of the Caesarean quarters neere Wurtzen, carryed away 300 Wagons laden with bag­gage, and made havock of the Country Villages, for­cing the Imperiall Safeguards, burning the Townes to the ground: the Caesareans herein not being behinde [Page 65]the Swedes, Friends and Enemies (as it were) both conspiring, so to ruine that Country, that March 11/21, 44 severall fires within two Leagues compasse, might have at once beene discovered to the eye. The defeat at Wurtzen was given by the Colonell Slangh, 2. Imperiall Regiments de­feated at Wurtzen by Colo­nell Slangh. whom Banniere had sent with 1500 Horse, toward the City Leisnick, Golditz and Eylenburg; the Colonell re­turned March 23, Aprill 2, giving this accompt of his action: That at Wurtzen he had defeated two Impe­riall Regiments, carried away their Baggage, slaine 600 upon the place, taken many Prisoners, amongst which were two Rit-masters, five Lieutenants, and many other Officers.

Banniere in the absence of the Colonel, purposely to bring a generall terror upon the Imperiall Army, that by their distraction being assaulted in severall places, 200. Imperial Horse defeated by Baniev at Pegaw. Slangh might be more secure, ranged about divers of their Quarters, and first at Pegaw, incountred with 2000 Imperiall horse, whom he defeated, and routed utterly. That victory incited him to proceed further, and appearing in Battell-array before the Imperiall Campe, provoked them to Battell, but they unwil­ling to leave their holds, kept still in their Trenches, which made him returne to his owne quarters. The Caesarean Army lay then betwixt Torgaw, and Meisen, on the East side of the River Elve, and the greater part of the Swedish horse and Dragoons, on the other side just against the Caesarean Campe, which they kept waking with perpetuall Alarums. April 2. new stile, the Caesarean Commanders had a designe to transport some Regiments of Horse, from their head-quarter at Riesa, to the West side of the River, that there being no impediment which might stay their courses, they might sometimes breake in upon the Swedes, and gall them with sodaine skirmishes. The Swedes who [Page 66]well understood their purpose, 3. Regiments of Imperiall Horse [...]ou [...]ed by the Swedes. suffered three Regi­ments to passe the River quietly, intending to requite trick for trick, but then having armed themselves for the assault, charged them so furiously, that they were forced to retreat in such a confusion, that above 200. of them were drowned in the Elve, and so many slaine, that the Captives whom they took in the Battell con­fessed, that those 3. Regiments were almost totally rui­ned. The next day following, Bannier resolved to vi­site the Caesarean Army in their quarters, and to that purpose selected two Companies out of every Regi­ment, both of Horse and Foot; and attended with those expert Soldiers, and the Watch-masters Regiment, he marched directly to the Imperiall head-watch, which consisted of 20. Companies of the best and ablest horse in the Caesarean Campe, and were commanded by the Sergeant-Major Bretta. The Head-Watch of the Imperiall Ar­m [...] fo [...]d to a [...] [...]ght. The conflict betwixt them was short and sharpe; the Swedes came on roundly and charged home upon the Caesareans, which standing together in a close compacted body, endured that shocke, and prepared to entertaine the assailants again. But then Bannier doubled the number of them that gave the charge, and over burthening the Caesareans, with the waight of that heavie body, compelled them to slight, in which, they being stayed by the inconve­nience of a small River, many of them (the number is uncertaine) were cut off, and left dead upon the place, and many taken Prisoners.

All these severall Conflicts betwixt the two Armies, were not without the effusion of much Christian bloud, but the bloud so shed was not taken away by way of murther (Warre justly grounded, is continued lawfully; the Sword is oft a just decider of controver­sies, and though it bee accompted one of the great Plagues, sent by God, it is not attended with any in­justice [Page 67]in the execution.) Black murthers and horrid treasons hatched in darknesse, what ever the pretence thereof may be, are not onely unexcusable, but detesta­ble also to God and man.

The Emperors Funerals.The Court at Vienna, was about this time clothed in blacke, for the solemnization of the late Emperours Funerals, which were solemnely celebrated by the Nuntius Apostolicus, attended with 10. Prelates in their Miters. The Herse was blacke, but inlayd with silver, and garnished with many burning white waxe Tapers; the Imperiall Eagles were blazoned about it, in the midst, stood the Corpes; covered with a blacke cloth, intermingled with gold; over his head lay the Imperiall Hungarian and Bohemian Crownes. At his Feet the Golden-fleece, and betwixt then both, the Imperiall, Ball and Scepter; in the middest whereof was placed a Crucifixe of silver; At his sides lay his Ra­pier, Dagger, and Spurres. The Boots of the Herse were adorned with the pictures of Vertues, and upon the top, on a Pyramis, stood a Globe, and a Crowne. The Church being hung with blacke, and the solemni­ty ended, his heart and bowels were lodged in three Cabinets, and convayed without any pompe, from Vienna to Gratz by his late Privie-Counsellours, and other Officers of the Court, which are since cashie­red; the young King his Sonne instantly reforming, and by the hand of the Earle of Medaw the Major domo upon his Fathers decease; having reduced his Counsell to the number of 5. which were the Bishop of Vienna, the Earle of Trautmansdolff, who is now the Major Palatii, and the Earles of Slavata, Fran­kenberg, and Venda; the care of his Chanc [...]ry, be­ing committed to Doctor Prickmajor, under the name and title of Vice-Chancellour.

The difference betwixt those two great Potentates the Christian and Catholike Kings, drew severall free Princes, and States to their parties, and caused such a combustion in the City of Liege, that the City was di­vided against the Bishop, and the Bishop against the Burghesses: He labouring to advance the Caesarean and Spanish cause, and therefore [...]ing great impositions and taxes upon the Citizens, and they rather inclining to the French King, though at first submitting them­selves to the Bishops orders, with a kinde of unwil­lingnesse, paying their contributions, yet in the end flatly opposed him: and in the beginning of the yeare, they sent a complaining petition to the Bishop of Rome against him, the heads whereof were these. That as a childe, by instinct of Nature, in its sufferings, will have recourse to the Mother; so, they did now humbly pro­strate themselves at the feet of his Holinesse, to desire his assistance, and releefe in their present necessities: That their case was to be pityed, The Citizens on Liege com­pl [...]ine to the P [...]pe against their Bishop. in that notwithstan­ding their due obedience, which they had alwayes ex­hibited to S. Siege their proper Bishop, who recipro­cally ought to protect them, hee yet oppressed them greevously, to the great prejudice and dishonour of the Catholike Religion, the warre raysed by him, ha­ving already consumed and layd waste 5000. dwelling houses in the Country, not without prophanation of the Sanctuaries, Churches, and holy Vessels, as Chali­ces, Bells, and other sacred Vtensils and Ornaments, which were imployed to other uses, then what they were first ordained for; That the hallowed Hoste was trampled on by them who ought to honour it: that the Church-men designed for Divine Service, were chased from their Parishes, where by that meanes the Liturgie was quite abolished in some places, and in the Major part much intermitted: That the Religious [Page 69]women, and others, both Wives and Virgins, were ravished before the eyes of their owne husbands, and Fathers. Their Heards of Cattell were driven away, their tillage decayed, and to speake no more, that the sole inhabitants of Liege were constrained to contri­bute above 60000. Florins to the Church to preserve the City from the Siege, threatned by Charles Duke of Lorraine, the Bishop of Verdun, Piccolomini, and Iohn de Werth, upon his solicitation, who had incen­sed one party of the Liegois, against the other; whose tyranny caused 5. principall Burghesses of Tongres, to to be led as like slaves, before his tryumphant Chariot, putting two of them (in the end) to the Sword, and bastinadoing the other three, till they had promised a good ransome. Much more was added, and every par­ticular expressed with such passion, as might have mo­ved a Scythian to compassion; yet, their onely prayer was, that his Holinesse would excuse their boldnesse, and send them some Cardinall for a Protectour, by whose countenance, they might be defended from such oppressions. But the effect of this Petition, and what it avayled is not yet discovered, though it may bee thought fruitlesse (if we may guesse upon consequents) by this ensuing History.

The Count of Warfusee's treason at Liege.Naturall respect must needes have moved teares. from the eyes of Caesars Sonne, at his Fathers funerall, But the consideration of his care in preservation, and for enlarging the honour of the House of Austria, de­served a solemne mourning; his decease ministred oc­casion to a bloody assasinate, to attempt a deed of hor­ror, which for his owne credits-sake he meant to pal­liate with a cloake of authority, forging letters to the Bishop of Cullen, and thereby expressing an order and commission given him by the King of Hungary, inten­ding (doubtles) to mitigate his execrable action, under [Page 70]pretence of his commission, if he should hap to fayle and be discovered (no sincere interpreter, being able to conceive that so heroicall a spirit would consent to so foule a treason) and to suppresse them, if hee had happily executed his designe. The story (as some doe relate it) is thus? The Count Warfusee, who some yeares past had revolted from the Catholick-King, stood in displeasure, during the life of the late Empe­rour, both with his Imperiall-Majesty and the King of Spaine, and now thinking to winne his Maisters fa­uour againe, by the heads, lives, and states of those which entertained him in his rebel [...]ion, plotted the death of la Ruelle, prime Magistrate of Lieg, & some o­th [...]r principall members of that body-politique, & put it thus in practice. The Count being lodged in St. Iohns-Cloyster, in the house of a Prebend of that Church, ac­commodated with a backe-doore toward the water­side; invited to dinner thither, the said Burger-master de la Ruelle, the Abbot of Mousson, and divers other principle men of the Citie, whom he intended to mur­ther trayterously. To that purpose he suborned the Burgundian Count de Milis, and some choice Spanish-Souldiers drawne out of the Garrisons of Narrigue, and Argentoy, to steale privately by the Posterne into his house, and to lurke there secretly till the word be­ing given, they might be prepared for execution, which they ob [...]erved & performed accordingly. In the middest of the [...]east (as if his malice had not tended to the mine of their bodies, but their Soules also) when their hearts were merry with wine, hee began a health to Lewis King of France surnamed the lust, which had no sooner passed round, but the Assasinates armed with Swords & Pistolls, broke into the dining­roome, surprised the Burgermaister, and the Abbot, sent for a Priest, and as soone as he was come, as if [Page 71]they would doe them some favour at their death, Ruelle the Burger-Master murthered. bade them make their confession, for they must dye. The Priest who was sent for to take his confession, was the Sub-Prior of the Covent, by name Antory Evrard, a Dominican, who accompanied with his confrater William L [...]ncon (both which have testified this relati­on under their hands) went, and at their comming to Warfusee the Sub-prior hearing his demand to take Ruelles confession and give him absolution, like a man amazed, stood agast, inquiring the reason of that pro­position, and what his Lordship meant, by requiring him to that service, which he might not doe but with licence from his Ordinary; except onely in some ca­ses, in which upon the appearance of imminent death, it was lawfull for him so to doe if the Priest deputed thereunto, by his Superiour was not to be found. To this the Count replied, that Ruelle must dye, and that within the space of one quarter of an houre, & there­fore commanded him to dispatch immediatly, as hee would answer upon his Soule the Burger-maisters salvation, being desperate if he should die unconfessed. The Frier seeing the inraged countenance of the Count, & fearing his owne life if he should disobey, an­swered onely that he would not doe it till the Burger-maister called him; there needed no further words. A servant that stood by apprehended what his Lord meant, and going in, and comming suddainly againe from the Chamber where Ruelle lay bound, he tels the Frier that he desired him to come in. The sight of the Magistrate bound like a malefactor put the Domi­nican into a greater passion, and compassion for him; and with some language expressing sorrow, wished him to prepare for death, the Count being resolved to murther him; Ruelle much distracted with the con­sideration of his estate, one while according to the su­perstition [Page 72]of the Romanists, commended himselfe to God and the blessed Virgin preparing for death, and then againe, hoping for life, desired the Fryar to be an advocate for him to Worfusee, as willing to be con­demned by him to any prison or gallies, if he had done him injury: all which was related againe by the Con­fessour to the Count who stopped his eares against him and constrained the Good-man, to that un­wellcome worke of his office, which was but the immediate Prodromus to the Burger-Maisters execution.

There was no remedy but patience; they saw the guides which must cōduct them to the black-chambers of death before them, made their confession, and pre­pared to bid the world good-night. Ruelle the Burger-Master mu [...]thered. Ruelle was the first who had discarged his Soule of the burthen of sinnes upon it, and he was instantly delivered by Warfu­see to the Count de Millis, who tooke him into an­other chamber, thrust him through the body 7 times with a rapier, and so murthered him. The Abbot of Mousson, a French-gentleman, named Mounsier de Saison, and two servants of the Burger-maisters, sur­prized at the same time with those two prime men, were advised, in the interim, by the Traytor, to goe to confession, and prepare for their dissolution. The Abbot a well-spoken man, a good Orator, and now improved in that faculty, by the goodnesse of his cause, began to plead for his owne life, and his compani­ons, declaring their innocency, laying before the murtherer the hainousnesse of his offence. But words were vaine, Millis returned sodainely from the for­mer execution, drew out of [...]s bosome a formall pro­cesse, and sentence against them, in the name of the new Emperour (as they stiled him,) the Cardinall Infant, and the Prince of Liege, as offenders against his Im­periall [Page 75]Majesty, The Abbot of Mousson, and o­thers strangely delivered. which they conceiting to bee an act of of Court, and not to be reversed, pleaded no more for life, but prepared for death. Familiarity of con­versation, doth sometimes raise a strange affection, while the Abbot was under confession, a Souldier of Nairaigne, who had formerly bin intimately acquain­ed, with one of the Burger-Masters-servants, mo­ved with compassion, toward him, rounded him in the eare, and shewed him a way by which he might e­scape, and save his life. It was needlesse to repeate that lesson againe unto him. Extremity ministers capaci­ty, and the apprehension of an eminent danger, rouseth up a dul spirit to seek meanes to avoid it. The way was o­pen enough, but too praecipitious to be attempted with security, Danger attended the counsell of esca­ping (yet that perhaps might be avoided) but certain destruction waited upon his stay. A chamber-window proffered a passage, and through that the young-man escaped, crying out, Treason, Ruelle is murthered, Treason, Ruelle is murthered in the house of Count Warfusee, Treason, Treason, Treason. The noyse was full of horror, and the name of Ruelle much honoured among the Cittizens, who instantly tooke up their armes, assaulted the house, which being strong, and built of square stone, was by the space of two houres maintained against the Cittizens, by Warfusees Soul­diers and servants, who being in all seventy strong, and more carefull of their owne preservation, then the intended murther, left the Abbot, The rage of the Cittizens, & the end of the Assasinates. the French-gentle­man, and the other servant bound, to provide for their owne safety. But it was vaine for the defendants, to contest against such a multitude of assailants. The Cit­tizens were ten thousand in number, and they in the end broke open the doores, fell upon the murthe­rers (who cryed for quarter) without pitty, haled War­fusee [Page 76]into the open streets, where he no sooner appea­red, but was hewen perce-meale by the Cittizens, the truncke of his body drawne, & hanged upon a gibbet, which w [...]s raised suddainely for that purpose, and bur­ [...] [...] [...]tely. Milis the Burgundian had no bet­t [...] a fate, and the common-souldiers employed in that mass [...]c [...], had as bad a fortune, being all burned in and with the house, in which they were assembled for ex­cention of their villany. The rage of the Citizens was not thus extinguished. The Iosuits, who were suppo­sed the plotters of this device, were the next day after inquired into, and many fier-locks, carabines, & pistolls ready charged, being foūd in their cels, two of y ^e old Pa­dres, were put to the sword, & the rest banished the ci­ty. A more strict watch thē had bin kept formerly, was pointed presently, & Ap. 8/8 when their beloved Gover­nour was buried in the church of St. Lābert, under the greate crown with this remēbrance ingraven on his tombe.

While the 32. Companies of the City were met to­gether, it was condescended that the 20. penny of eve­ [...] man, lands and goods should be levied immediately, to raise and maintaine a fresh traine-Band of 1000. men, which at an houres warning should attend the colours of Bartholus Rolandus the Cities Generall, to serve the City in case of necessity.

This is the History. And now see how the crime would conceale its owne shame by the countenance of authority. This ensuing Letter, sealed with 3. seales, was taken out of the Traytors bosome at his first ap­prehension; directed in these words: