THe state of Spaine, as I said in my discourse of their discipline, is go­uerned by two sorts of people; Captaines and Clergie. The Cap­taines animate the King to warres, to maintaine their wealth and great­nesse; so doth the Clergie to main­taine their estate against them of the religion. The Spanish counsaile tou­ching the Lowe Countries. By these meanes, the ambition of the Duke D'Alua, of Cardinall Granuill, and their seconds, perswa­ded the king to vndertake to subdue the Netherlanders to his pleasure; to lay vpon them such gables, taxes, and all manner of tributes as should please the King to de­mand. But this they could neuer effect without making away their warlike and politike Nobilitie; namely, the Prince of Orange, the Counts of Egmond, of Horne, of [Page 2] Battenburgh, the Lord of Brederode, the Marquesse of Bergues, with diuers others of good qualitie. Besides, they had a great number of strong Townes, innumera­ble treasure and riches; the seate of the most of their Pro­uinces being meruailous strong by nature, by reason of their great riuers and streights, furnished plentifully with Artillerie, munition, and other necessaries for warres. Also t [...]eir liberties were such, that no stranger might go­uerne either their Prouinces, or any of their Townes. And this grieued the Spanish not a little, that such base people as they esteemed the Netherlanders to be, should possesse peaceably such a braue and rich Countrie, and their King carrie no other title than Duke, Count, and Lord ouer their seuenteen Prouinces. Duke D' Aluaes commission. Herevpon the king resolued to send his great Captaine Duke D' Alua with a mightie army, giuing him commission to alter place and displace whome, and as many as pleased him, as well in their prouinces in generall, as in any particular Towne. Also giuing him authority to execute as many as pleased him, without respect of persons. This being discoue­red vnto the Prince of Orange, The intelli­gence of the Prince of O­range. from a Gentleman Bur­gundian of the Kings Chamber (who was greater with one of the Kings Secretaries wiues, than with her hus­band) by reason of the Spanish long counsailes in their re­solutions, it came in good time to the Prince, long before the Dukes troupes marched from Spaine into Italie. In the meane time the Prince animated the people all hee could against the Spanish, making diuers of his assured friends acquainted with his intelligences; His policie, but durst not trust Count Egmond, fearing his ambition and choler would marre all. Notwithstanding considering his vogue and greatnesse with the men of warre, hee durst attempt [Page 3] nothing without him. Wherefore politickely the Prince fed both parties, assured the Gouernesse the Dutchesse of Parma, of his loyalty towards the King and his religion: but in troth he was of the Protestant religion, fauouring them what he could vnder hand; so much, that hee and his instruments procured the people in great numbers to present supplications openly to the Gouernesse, for the libertie of their consciences. Likewise diuers Papists and Martinists presented her with supplications, to perswade the king to stay his Duke D' Alua and his armies: shewing her plainly that it was against their liberty and customes, that strangers should gouerne them. In this time the Prince and his instruments animated a quarrell betwixt Count Egmond, and Card. Granuill; so as after a banquet at Brussels, vpon a dispute with multiplying of words, the Count tooke the Cardinall a boxe on the eare, Cardinall Granuill taketh a boxe vpon the eare. to the Prince and his parties great ioy. This Count (as I said be­fore) was so ambitious, that hee thought it his due to bee chiefe ouer all warlike actions, Count Eg­monds nature. which either King or his Country would vndertake (I meane among the Nether­landers) without comparison he deserued it. He was most valiant, most liberall, and greatly fortunate in all his acti­ons. Amongst the rest of his actiōs, the chiefe praise of the battaile of S Quintins, and of Grauelin belonged to this Count. The Prince of Oranges fauour, popular. Notwithstanding the Prince of Orange carried all the vogue amongst the popular, by his fine and poli­ticke gouernment; and wanne a number of men of qua­litie with great courtesies & affable discourses: Insomuch that these two Chiefes being ioyned, would haue carried all the Countrey in general to haue done what they had listed. After this disgrace, the Cardinall very politickly shewed neither choler nor minde to reuenge, but rather [Page 4] sought all meanes vnder-hand to stay the Count from proceeding further with the Prince; and both hee and the Gouernesse procured lotters from the King, with great speed to that end. In which letters were contained, that nothing should be done in the Netherlands, as wel by Duke D' Alua, as by his base sister the Gouernesse, The Kings letters. with­out the Counts consent; and to repose all trust in the Count onely for martiall affaires. The King wrote also vnto the Count, assuring him, that nothing should bee too deare for him; and that his great seruice should not be forgotten, but recompenced to the highest degree: Shewing him, how all these stirres proceeded from the Prince of Orange, and his instruments, to ouerthrow re­ligion, and to maintaine his estate and greatnesse. Be­sides, they sent counterfeit letters vnto the Count, as though the Prince or his faction had certified the King often aginst the Count to his disgrace. Before these posts arriued, the Prince or his instruments had procured the Count, and all or most of the Nobility with a great num­ber of quality, to meet at Tilmount in Brabant: where, after a great banquet, most of them signed a letter to the King, rather to dye than to suffer the gouernment to al­ter. This letter was written very humbly to perswade his Maiestie to stay his Duke D' Alua, assuring him to be loyall in all poynts: desiring his Maiesty to remember their liberties and customes, which his Maiesty was sworne to maintaine in as ample manner as his ancestors before. At this banquet all signed these letters, sauing the Count Peter Ernest of Maunsfelt, gouernour of Lux­enburgh, and the Lord of Barlemount, Peter Mauns­felt, and the Lord Barle­mount will not signe. who politickly promised to doe the like the next morning: excusing themselues, that at that instant the wine was their master. [Page 5] But at midnight they stole post towards Luxenburgh, excusing themselues by letters vnto the Prince of Orange, that Count Egmond would be deboshed from them by the Spanish instruments; and that they would not be­lieue the contray, vntill they heard that his person and men of warre were in battaile against the Spanish. It seemes Peter Ernest was willing to second them, for hee left his sonne Count Charles as deepe as the best. They had reason to feare the Count, for the next day he began to repent him of his bargaine; Count Egmond repenteth. taking occasions to mur­mure, and to stirre factions against the Prince. But the Prince politickly courtesied him with all fauours, in such sort, Is pacified. that all fell in a banquet the next dinner; at which feast, according to their custome, there was great carow­sing: where the basest sort came in great multitudes with glasses in their hands, crying to the Prince, Count, & No­bility, Viue les gueses, viue les gueses, le diable emporte les espanioles: Combination of the Nobility, with the Prince God saue the beggers, and the diuell take the Spa­niards. After ending the banquet, the Prince procured many of the Nobility and of the best sort, to promise to second him in the action he would vndertake against the Spanish. Egmond offen­ded. This being discouered vnto Count Egmond, he commanded his horses & coaches to be made ready; see­ming to bee much offended with the Prince of Orange and his faction, and withall departed toward Louaine.

True it is, all murthers are villanous; Charles Mauns­felts councell concerning Egmond. but had the Prince credited Count Charles Mansfelt, Count Egmond had beene dead. I heard the Prince relate his counsaile, which was; Let vs kill Count Egmond, then are we sure all the men of warre will follow you and yours. Also his coun­tenance is such amongst them, as at his reconcilement vnto the Spanish, they will al follow him. But for feare of him my father [Page 6] and all the rest would ioyne with you. True it is, this young Gentleman was the wilfullest amongst them, but spake the grearest reason to maintaine the Prince of Orange, as it fel out afterwards: for without doubt the reconcile­ment of Count Egmond, lost himselfe and all his friends. Long afterwards in Fraunce I heard Count Charles speak this, & also how he would haue wished the Prince after­wards to haue marched with all his forces vnto the edge of Louain, To take the streights a­gainst Duke D' Alua. there to haue kept the streights betwixt Louain & Luxenburgh, where Duke D' Alua must pass without all doubt. With the fauour of God, had the Prince & Count Egmond marched thither with their forces, by all reason they might haue fought with twice Duke D' Aluaes num­bers. For there were foure thousand braue Lanciers and light horsemen vnder their charge, ready alwayes enter­tained; besides as many more who would haue moun­ted themselues most willingly, The forces of the Lowe Coun­tries. with at least twenty thou­sand footemen against the Spanish and the Prince, had they made away the obstinate Count. Besides, the na­ture of the Neatherlanders is to be very willing to second any nouelties; much more against a people they hated so much as the Spanish, whose forces and policies were vn­knowen to them at their beginning. Being as high as Lovaine, they had bin sure all the Countries and Townes behinde them, would haue seconded them with all neces­saries. For the humour of the Nation is to bee vnreaso­nable prowde with the least victorie, The dispositi­on of the Nea­therlanders. or aduancement with a reasonable armie; and deadly fearefull with the least ouerthrow, or at the retreit of their men of warre from their enemie. The posts being arriued with the Go­uernesse and Cardinall (who receiued expresse com­mandement from the King to dissemble his disgrace [Page 7] with the Count, assuring him Duke D' Alua should re­dresse all) Count Egmond hauing receiued the Kings let­ters, fell cleane from the Prince vnto the Gouernesse, and beganne to make all the faire weather he could vnto the Cardinall; Egmond draw­eth all to the Spaniard. thinking himselfe sure. This poore Count perswaded all the rest to forsake their Prince, assuring them that hee would vndertake to make all well againe with the King; in such sort, that most of the Nobilitie quited the Prince. The Prince of Orange seeketh conference with Egmond. Who fearing that the variable po­pular would doe the like, resolued to acquaint Count Egmond what the King had passed against them in his Spanish councell; and opening his minde vnto diuers of the best sort, the Prince procured Count Egmond, with most of the rest to giue him audience: whose words I heard the Prince himselfe report, as followeth.

The Prote­stants at Ant­werpe. During these treaties and delayes, diuers brawles and bickerings fell out in Antwerpe, betwixt them of the religion, the Martinists, and Papists. Twice or thrice a weeke great numbers would bee in armes, sometimes before the Gouernesse Court, sometimes before the Prince of Oranges house, but often or continually in places of greatest note. Al­though the Prince was most politicke; yet his courage was nothing cōparable to a number of others: if it had, without doubt hee might haue hazarded to haue surpri­zed Antwerpe: Hauing done it, he might haue engaged the rest of the Country. For in Gant and in the great Townes was faction for Religion, especially throughout the most of the Villages and Countries, where was prea­ching & defacing of Images in many places; Insomuch, that the Papists and Martinists drew them of the Religi­on out of Antwerpe. Notwithstanding, they gathered together at a Village hard by Antwerpe, Their ouer­throw at Oster­well. called Osterwell; where they preached in great numbers: in such sort, that the Gouernesse and all hers stood in doubt, whether it were best to hazard their defeate there, or to stay for more forces. Being cōsidered how they encreased daily, resolution was taken to charge them where they were; Intelligence being brought them, that the Papists and Martinists, with a number of Souldiers did salie to de­feat them. Notwithstanding they were voyde of any men of conduct, or souldiers gaged vnder ensignes, or Cornets; and all or the most Craftesmen, Mechanicks, or poore peasants; yet they resolued to fight, The Prince of Orange his O­uersight. making head with good courage against their enemies. But for want of heads to direct them, default of armes and muni­tion, [Page 10] they were defeated in plaine field. Iudge you what they would haue done being in the Towne of Antwerpe, hauing with them a Prince of Orange, who had with him continually two or three hundred Gentlemen, diuers of charge and conduct. Besides, he was Gouernour of the Towne, neuer without a good partie, so as the Gouer­nesse and hers durst not lay hands on him; although they knew him an enemy and a fauourer of the Religion. Hee openly ta­keth part with the Papists. To say truth, he cloaked it what he could; Insomuch, as all their parties being often in armes in the great places, him­selfe went to the strongest, which were the Papists and Martinists: protesting to them to liue and dye with the Gouerness & religion. Without doubt his meaning was, touching the Gouernesse, to be true to his Country, and to liue and dye with the Religion. For amongst them of the religion hee had diuers instruments, some of his best Gentlemen and Captaines, who (God knowes) at that time had but little skill in warres; notwithstanding they were assured by them of his good will, in such sort that they would haue marched often against the others, Perswadeth the Protestants to quietnesse. but for the Princes perswasions to the contrary. Sometimes he would tell them their enemies were more in number, and in charging them they should ingage their Towne, wiues, children, and goods: assuring them, if they would goe forward, the basest sort would ransacke their houses. Since I heard the Prince say, that if hee had knowne the warres then so well, as he did since, he would haue ranged on their sides: wishing then his valiant bro­ther Count Lodowicke in his place. Pitie or feare ouer­threw the Prince often, as I will shew hereafter. Great warriers account the pitifull Captaine a foole in warres, A pitifull Cap­taine. and neuer cruell vntill hee masters his enemie; then hee [Page 11] must bee bloudy to execute, if hee cannot liue in safetie. This order continued vntill the newes came that Duke D' Alua was marching: Then it was high time for the Prince to shift for himselfe. The Prince of Orange into Germany. Before he arriued, the Prince was in Germanie. After, moouing the whole state of the Empire, except the house of Austria, hee found little comfort at their hands; sauing the Count Palatine of the Rheine, and his owne house of Nassau. Not without mer­uaile; for those flegmatique people will second no body without money before hand, & assurance to be payd mo­nethly, especially being gaged to serue the weakest partie. When they come into the field, they will endure neither hardnes nor wants without their due guilt. When they haue ioyned battaile, they haue often cryed guilt, hur­led their weapons from them, and suffered their enemies to cut them in pieces. I doe perswade my selfe all Poten­tates and estates hyre them, onely fearing their enemies would haue them. Without doubt, if one side hath them, and not the other, likely it is master of the field; they come in such multitudes of Horsemen, as no Christian Nation besides is able to furnish. Else perswade your selfe 500. hundred of either English, Scottish, Burgundi­ans, Wallones, French, Italians, Albaneses, Hungarians, Poles, or Spanish, is worth 1500. Almaines.

Duke D' Alua being arriued in Loraine, Duke D' Alua arriueth in Loraine. Count Peter Ernest Gouernour of Luxenburgh feared him; but like a wise politicke man, sent vnto him to offer him all ser­uice. Count Mauns­felt vpon his guarde. Notwithstanding hee kept himselfe in his strong Townes of Luxenburgh, and Tyonuill, hauing garrisons at his deuotion: the Gouernours and Captaines either his kinsmen or assured friends. Neither would hee suffer Duke D' Alua to enter those Townes, or any other vnder [Page 12] his gouernment of any strength; except onely his owne person, Duke D' Alua courteth him. with so many more as the Gouernours could dispose of at their pleasures. Duke D' Alua knowing this man to be a very expert valiant Captaine, would not of­fend him, but rather pleased him all that hee might. In­somuch as hee procured diuers fauourable letters from the King, to encourage him of their good meaning to­wards him; fearing otherwise that it lay in him to giue the Dutchie of Luxenburgh to whom hee listed: which might haue beene a good present to the French King, being joyn'd with Mets in Loreine. Duke D' alua remained quiet in the Kings state at Brussels, with some tyrannous Spaniards about him, who from the highest to the lowest gaped for the spoyles and confusion of the poore Nether­landers. These (God knows) at that instant were better fed then taught in marshall discipline, (except a few of their Nobility & men of war, who were all at the deuo­tion of Duke d' Alua, by means of the ignorance & obsti­nacy of Count Egmond, who was deceiued & lulled asleep in his vaine glory, by certaine treacherous, tyrannous and vngrateful Spaniards.) Insomuch as they refused neither the tenth pennie, Duke D' Alua surpriseth the chiefe of the Nobility. nor any other demaunds that pleased Duke d' Alua to charge vpon them. Duke d' Alua hauing intrapt the Counts of Egmond, and Horne, with diuers others of great qualitie, sent for them to counsaile. At their entrie into a chamber where he was, the great Pro­uost arrested them of high treason, taking from them their Rapiers and armes. You may easily iudge their sentences, when they were to be tryed by the Cardinall Granuill and his friends. So for the boxe on the care and other follies, Count Egmond lost his head, with di­uers others, and principally the men of best quality; [Page 13] whom they feared and mistrusted to haue any vogue with the popular, or meanes to annoy them either with forces or Councell. Count Charles Maunsfelt fly­eth. At this instant Count Charles Mauns­felt had with him a vigilant politicke companion, which his father (the olde Foxe) had foysted into the seruice of Duke D' Alua, onely to aduertise him and his sonne of their proceedings. This espy-all ranne to Charles into a tennis-Court, and brought him presently into his lodg­ing, where they mounted themselues speedily to recouer Luxenburgh: which they did, Duke D' Alua pursueth him. although Duke D' Alua sent diuers others on the spurre to bring them to him dead or aliue. These mist them narowly. For they had not passed the bridge of Namurs, but the others were in the place within one houre. Duke D' Aluaes trechery a­gainst Count Maunsfelt. Returning to Duke d' Alua, he was in great choler for not intrapping Count Charles, and not without reason. For hauing him, he might haue held him prisoner for the better assurance of his father. Duke d' Alua dispatched present posts to the great Pro­uost of Arden, who was altogether at his deuotion; The Prouost of Arden the instrument. by reason of a Picke betwixt Count Maunsfelt and him. By good espy-all Count Maunsfelt was aduertized of their practise; which was, that the Prouost should vse all dili­gence and meanes to intrappe the father or the sonne. If both, hee should doe the King and him great seruice. Count Charles being aduertized of the match, vsed all meanes possible to meet the Prouost at equall handes. This Count was rather desperate then valiant in all his quarrels; but politicke and full of wit in all his affaires. By good espy-alls he met this Prouost, Charles Mauns­felt meets the Prouost. hauing with him about twenty horsemen; all or the most his owne ser­uants. The Count had about twelue, the most or all Captaines and Souldiers. This encounter (God knows) [Page 14] was farre against the Prouosts wil, considering the match. For most men of iudgement in those affaires value sixe chosen men well mounted, worth twenty ramassets, as the brench tearme them. The Count (as of greatest cou­rage) beganne to speake as followeth. Master Prouost, I doe vnderstand Duke d' Alua commands you to bring my father or my selfe vnto him, and that you gaue your word you would doe it. All honest men ought to main­taine their words and promises, especially great Officers of qualitie like your selfe. I must confesse you ought to obey the Kings Lieuetenant, but not to make promise of more than you are able to performe. You know my fa­ther, my selfe, and you, are neighbours children; and kinsmen a farre of. Wherefore for all your small picke, you might haue vsed the Duke with lesse assurance. But to giue him and all his proude Spaniards to vnderstand that a Netherlander carrieth as good resolution as any Spaniard, and to terrifie such base fellowes as thou art from the like attempt, Killeth him. there is for thee. And withall strooke him with a pistoll in his bosome, downe from his horse. Himselfe and his company mastering the rest, ex­ecuted no more; all yeelding to his mercy. The Count told them, vpon condition that some of you will tell Duke d' Alua that I wished him here with his Prouost, I giue you all your liues, and leaue to goe where you list. Tell him also I am gone to the French King, and from him to the Turke, rather then to yeeld to his mercie. The Count being in France, Goeth into Fraunce. was greatly fauoured & well vsed by the French King, and remained there vntill Don Iohn d' Austria came into the Lowe Countries, to be Gouernour and Captaine Generall. As I sayd before, Count Peter Ernest would neuer hazard himselfe at the mercy of Duke [Page 15] d' Alua; notwithstanding there passed courteous let­ters of dissimulation betwixt them. Duke d' Alua all this while plaied gloria patri, as pleased him; thinking his worke at an end in the Lowe Countries; sauing the finishing of two Citadels, the one at Antwerpe, and the other at Flushing. In the meane time, he, the Cardinal, & others perswaded the King all they might, to vnder­take the conquest of England: thinking thereby to op­presse religion in all other places. Being resolued both in Spaine and Flanders, he dispatched his great Captain and Marshall Chiapine Vitelly vnto her Maiesty, with some fained message: but by all likelyhood they had intelligence of our discountents. For immediately af­ter Vitellies retreit out of England, the Earles of Nor­thumberland, and Westmerland were in armes in the North-countrie; And the Duke of Norfolke was char­ged as faulty presently after. At which time Duke d' Alua had ready in Zeland some ten regiments to em­barke for England. But by Gods prouidence our stirs were quieted before they could embarke. Also God blinded his affaires in such sort, that hee vndertooke to finish the Citadell of Antwerpe, before that of Flushing, to his vndoing; as I will shew in this discourse.

I Can speake little touching the first iourny Count Lodowick made into Frizeland; Count Lodo­wicke into Frizeland. but I heard the Prince report, that Count Lodowick mar­ched into Frizeland with some two thousand and fiue hundred horsemen, and seauen thousand footemen, all Germanes. And ha­uing intelligence with the Counts of Schowenburgh, and his brother in law the Count Vanderbergue, hee tooke the Castle of Wedle, with diuers other places in Frizeland, hauing ingaged Groining. Count Aren­burge and Count Meguen sent against him. The Counts of Arenbergue and Meguen were dispatched from Duke d' Alua to stop his courses, hauing with them the master of the Campe Don Gonsalvo de Bracamount, with his Tertia of Sardinia, and some companies of Wallons, Gel­drois and Almans; Bracamount master of the Campe. with the two bands of Ordinance of the Counts, & about fiue other Cornets, Launciers, and Hergoletters, Albaneseis, and Wallons. Count Aren­bergue carried the Commission, and marched before with Bracamount and other bands of footmen; giuing charge to Count Meguen to follow him speedily with the rest. Count Arenbergue being arriued within two leagues of Count Lodowick, The pride and insolency of certaine spa­niards. and vnderstanding his for­ces, would haue staid from Count Meguen; who would haue been with him that night. The pride of Braca­mount and diuers of his Spaniards was such, as valuing [Page 17] Lodowicke and his forces as nothing, they vrged Count Arenbergue with hainous words; Insomuch that a num­ber of the basest sort of the Spaniards began to call him cowardly traitour: although Count Arenbergue was a valiant expert Captaine, and onely would haue staied for more forces. For he knew, and all the world with him, that Lodowicke was a most valiant obstinate executioner, Lodowicke a braue com­mander. who alwaies directed his troupes to fight in good order; and so resolutely, that at an encounter with the French, he and Count Maunsfelt made a discreet valiant retreit. The Admirall and his Frenchmen being defeated, Bra­camount and his Spaniards vrged the Count to approach Lodowicke, who was lodged in a Village by Groning, ha­uing on both sides broad high waies, both towards Gro­ning and his enemies. At the end of the lane towards the enemie there was a great heath, with three high waies entring vnto it. True it is, Lodowickes companions were Germans, but of the best sort; for fiue hundred of his horsemen were Gentlemen that accompanied him and his brother Count Adolfe of Nassau, for good will: Lodowicke [...] forces. All his rest were a thousand horsemen, which he led himselfe. Count Arenbergue being approached Count Lodowickes quarters diuided his horsemen on both sides of his foot­men, which marched in one squadron, conducted by Bracamount. The order of the Spaniards. Hee placed some fiue hundred shot before his squadron, the rest on both his sides. Count Arem­bergue himselfe led the right wing of the horsemen, his Lieutenant of Frizeland the left wing. He commanded the Herguleters to march before the forlorne shot of his battell on foote, and with some fiftie Herguleters to keep as nigh Lodowickes quarters as they could, and to keepe centinell at the entrie of the lane into the plaine. Count [Page 18] Lodowicks Curriers hauing discouered them at the Nuse, Lodowicke aduanced out of the Village, commanding two hundred reysters to displace Arenbergues Curriers, Lodowickes or­der to traine out the enemy. and to stand in the mouth of the streight. Lodowick came with all his forces, placed his Lieuetenant Henrick Vausi­can with a squadron of Pikes, some thirtie score in the plaine, halfe of his shot on both sides of his squadron, aduanced the two hundred reysters thirty score before his battaile, placed his brother Count Adolfe with 600. Reysters on the right wing of his battaile, and so many more with one of his best Captaines on the left wing; the rest hee hid in two squadrons in both the out-lanes, lea­uing in the middle lane a good squadron of pikes, with some three hundred shot in the hedges on both sides. He gaue charge to the two hundred Reysters to skirmish with all courage; gaue directions to his brother to retire softly as the enemie approached, himselfe standing with some seuen hundred of the best horsemen, hidden in the right lane from the enemie; and gaue order to the other wing to run through the pikes which stood in the mid­dle mostlane, who had directiōs to shift themselues ouer the hedge as though they were defeated. His directions were no sooner giuen, but Arenbergues Curriers and his were together by the eares, and the Nassauians forced to retire vnder their battels of pikes. Arenbergue aduanced with all speed both horse and foote. Being neere Braca­mount and his Spanish cryed to Count Arenbergue to charge: withall Arenbergue and his Lieuetenant charged at once. According to direction Count Adolfe retyred, bringing Count Arenbergue (who had by far the greatest wing) on Count Lodowicke. So did the other bring Aren­bergues Lieuetenant through the lane where the pikes [Page 19] were. Lodowicke giuing signe to his Reysters in the third lane to charge, withall chargeth himselfe, and found Count Arenbergue and his Lieutenant good cheape; by reason they were out of order in running after Adolfes troupes. His Lieuetenant Henrick Vausichan was bro­ken by the Spanish and Wallons: but at the sight of their horsemen which were in route, their courage quai­led; in such sort, that valiant Lodowicke ranne thorow them cheape. In this place the Count of Arenbergue was slaine, all or most of the Tertia de Sardinia slaine or taken prisoners; with a number of Wallons and Geldreis. Diuers Spanish Captaines escaped by recoue­ring their horses, which were led not farre from them. So did diuers Wallons, and many of their horsemen, The Spanish discipline. by reason Lodowicke executed the most of his furie on the Spanish footemen. At the returne of the Spanish Captaines that escaped, Duke D' alua executed them, as I shewed in my discourse of their discipline, for vrging their Generall to their ouerthrow.

AFter this, Lodowicke be­siegeth Gro­ning. Count Lodowicke ransac­ked Frizeland at his pleasure, inso­much that he besieged the faire and rich Towne of Groning. Duke D' Alua hearing this, dispatched his Martiall, otherwise called Master of the Campe, Vitelli in ayde of Groning. generall Chiapin Vi­telli with sufficient troupes of hors­men and footmen, being ioyned with Count de Meguen, to stop Lodowickes course. Duke d' Alua vsed all diligence to gather his whole forces; who marched with all speed after Vitelly. Vitelly being arriued by Groning, Lodowicke retired his siege into one quarter, resoluing to giue Vi­telly battaile; to which end he sent his Trumpets to Vi­telly to dare him, Is dared to bat­taile by Lodo­wicke. a small riuer being betwixt both. Vitel­ly kept the passages, brake the bridges, answered Count Lodowicke hee had no order to giue battaile, but to dis­charge the Towne of Groning; delaying the Count po­litickely, Refuseth, and yet giueth hope thereof. D' Alua appro­cheth. and telling his messengers: I will send vnto my Generall to obtaine his good will; your Master may be assured, hauing leaue, a battaile will be my first businesse. Duke d' Al­ua being arriued with his faire armie within a daies iour­ney of Vitelli, Count Lodowicke retyred into Iemming, a Village by Nuse-heile towards Emden, Lodowicke rety­reth. breaking the bridges after him. At the end of the Village towards the enemie, he left Henrick Vausichan his Lieuetenant, with all his infanterie, being some eight thousand; which were encreased by reason of his good successe at the last battaile. This Iemming was a place enuironed with wa­ters, [Page 21] sauing two or three large wayes which came into it from Groning. Fortifieth him­selfe at Iem­ming. On euery way Count Lodowick made trenches, placed strong guards, ranged his horsemen in foure squadrons; making what meanes he could to fill ditches, to enlarge grounds, to make waies for his horse to fight out of the high wayes in diuers of the meadowes towards Nuse-heile. By reason of the streights, his horse­men stood behinde the footmen in the great wayes. Hen­rick Vausichan hauing intrenched himselfe reasonably strong, with fiue thousand men to defend the place a­gainst the enemie; Seeketh to stop the enemy. planted diuers field peeces which flan­ked the quarter where the enemie must attempt. Hea­ring Duke D' Aluaes Curriers aduanced within the sight of the Nassawians guardes, Lodowicke sent two hundred Reysters to re-encounter them, giuing them charge to stoppe their course what they could; to winne time to strengthen his trenches, w ^th were in working with all his hands. Being re-encountred, both these Curriers fell in­to a hot skirmish. Iulian Romero hauing the vantguarde with Robelos, seconded their Curriers with some foure or fiue hundred Horguleters, Relieueth his Curriers. in such sort, that the Nas­sauians were forced to retyre on the spurre. At the sight whereof Lodowicke passed some foure hundred Reysters, commanded by a valiant man, who charged the Spani­ards into the squadrons which Iulian and the other led, beeing foure regiments of Spaniards and Wallons. The grand Prior Duke D' Aluaes sonne commanded the battaile, hauing with him don Iohn de Mendosa, Generall of the horsemen with Vitelly. They passed with all speed through the vaunt-guarde some seuen hundred Lanciers, which chaced the Nassawians into their infantrie. And withall Iulian and Robelos aduanced with all speed: so did [Page 22] the grand prior with his battaile; and Duke D' Alua with his sonne Don Frederico accompained with diuers others of great quality, seconded the battaile in great march. Lo­dowicke giuing courage to his infantry, the base villaines (as I shew'd you before) cryd gilt, gilt, according to their simple and olde base customes. Iulian and Robelos being Pell mell with them, His Germans cryed for guilt, and are payed by the Spani­ards. they hurled downe their weapons, crying, Liue Spaniard, bone Papists moy. Notwithstanding Lodowicke recouered his horsemen, who beganne also to shake and to crye for money. True it is, at the first ap­proach of Duke D' Alua in Frizeland, foure dayes before the horsemen beganne to murmure, and to counsaile Lo­dowicke to returne to Emden. His braue reso­lution in grea­test distresse. Lodowicke seeing this disas­ter, pulled off his caske, desiring his horsemen to follow him, or to stand to beare witnesse how honestly his bro­ther stoode with some fiue hundred horsemen; desiring him to charge those Launces which aduanced hard be­fore them. The valour of Count Adolfe. Count Adolfe did it with great courage, although halfe his squadron quitted him. At which in­stant Lodowicke cryed to his horsemen, All you that haue a humor to liue follow mee. Withall he gaue the spurres. Some three hundred horsemen followed him, the rest ranne away. Notithstanding, his brother and himselfe with lesse then sixe hundred Reysters draue aboue eight hundred Launciers besides Herguleters into their van­guarde of foote. Count Lodo­wicke defeated. By that time the Spanish Generall of horsemen was arriued with great troupes, which soone mastered the Nassawians; in which place Lodowicke was hurt very sore in two or three places, and his horse also. Notwithstanding hee escaped with wonderfull hazard by swimming a riuer, Adolfe slaine. and recouered Emden. His bro­ther Count Adolfe with the most or all the Gentlemen [Page 23] that followed him were slaine, or taken; so that scarce fortie escaped of both their troupes. All or the most of his infantrie were taken and slaine, sauing a troupe which made a composition, being strongly entrenched with Henrick Vausichan. Notwithstanding the Spanish vsed them cruelly, according to their cowardly deserts; put­ting all or the most to the sword, & winning all their ar­tillerie munition & baggage. This ouerthrow recōpen­ced double Lodowicks victorie: But without doubt had the base people fought & followed Lodowickes directiōs, the losse had bin the Spaniards, the seate of the Nassauians was such. Besides, I forget to speake of a ditch which Lodowicke commanded to bee cut, in such sort, that the water could haue assured their quarter within lesse then tenne howers. The cause of Lodowickes da­ting Vitells. This valiant Count had reason to draw Vitelli to battaile; knowing, in retyring before greater forces, the courage of his base souldiers would quaile. But hauing intelligence of Duke D' Aluaes approach, and finding the mindes of his men failing, hee had greater reason either to retire without ingaging a fight, or to haue fortified a strong passage where hee might haue made head safely, vntill the Prince his brother would haue succoured him with more supplies. This hee might haue done, considering the time and warning hee had since the arriuall of Vitelli, vntill the com­ming of Duke D' Alua; principally since the ouer­throw of Arenbergue; finding Groning not to bee taken, and seeing forces encreasing daily against him. But giue him his worthy right, to correct his deedes I may bee compared vnto a counterfeit Alexander on a Stage, better then to the valiant and discreete Count.

TOuching the Prince of Oranges iourney into Brabant, The Prince of Orange towards Brabant. I can speake no more than this. By the ayde of the Count Palatine of the Rhyne, and his own house of Nassau, which ingaging the greatest part of his owne Countrey of Nassau, he leaui­ed some tenne thousand Reisters, and twelue thousand Launce-Knights. With those, and some two thousand Ramassees, of Watlons, French, and Flem­mings, fugitiues; but a number of them braue Gentle­men of good quality, especially the Count of Holdestocke, being entred Cleueland, the Prince bent his course to­wards the riuer of Mase: resoluing to passe the said ri­uer by the great and rich Towne of Leige, making ac­count to finde some good partie in that Towne. Besides, diuers of the other Townes of Brabant, Flaunders, and other Prouinces promised him assistance, in case hee would encounter D. D' Alua in the field. Commeth to Liege. Hauing passed the Mase, & being encamped by Liege, D. d' Alua vnder­standing his meaning by good espy-alls before his arri­uall, sent some Captaines of quality who were expert in those affaires, both to the Bishops and to the Clergie; to aduertise and direct them to defend themselues; D' Alua sen­deth to Liege. assuring them (if neede required) hee would hazard battaile for them. This Towne being Neuter, and of the Empire, onely gouerned by Priests and such men, with the assi­stance and counsaile of Duke D' Aluaes instruments, be­ganne [Page 25] to shew themselues rather enemies then well-wil­lers vnto the Prince; Liege enemy to the Prince. Insomuch that diuers sacked and spoyled some baggage and victuals loosely guarded, which passed vnder their fauours. The poore Prince see­ing himselfe so vsed by the Liegrois, was vncertaine what to imagine, fearing the rest of the Townes would doe the like; hauing but small store of munition of his owne, and little hope to procure from others. Also Duke d' Al­ua fronted him with a faire armie, but not comparable to his, especially in horsemen: for the Prince had more then double his numbers. Notwithstanding, Duke d' Al­ua was on the surest hand, by reason all the Townes and passages were at his deuotion. Diuers skirmishes passed betwixt both parties; but the Prince could neuer ingage Duke d' Alua to battaile, by reason he would bee sure to be strongly entrenched (especially being in the field) and lodged often vnder the fauour of his Townes. Hauing intelligence that the Prince meant to enter Louaine, Sendeth forces to affront the Prince. to front him in his passage; he sent his great Captaine Robe­los and Mondragon, with some twentie ensignes of foote­men Spanish and Wallons, and fiue Cornets of horsemen into Tylmount. This Tylmount is within three leagues of Louaine; a place of no strength, but sufficient to with­stand the Princes forces, hauing an armie hard by to countenance them. For D. d' Alua was encamped within three leagues. The garrison there annoyeth the Prince. In the Princes march the garrison of Tyl­mount annoyed him greatly: so that all his forces were constrained to stand in battaile before Tylmount, vntill his reregard and baggage were past. Louaine refu­seth a Spanish garrison. Insomuch that Duke d' Alua had the better meanes to looke to Louaine: but offering them garrison, they refused it; assuring him they would be loyall vnto the King, and him. Duke d' Al­ua politickely contented himselfe, fearing by despaire to [Page 26] enforce them to reuolt to the Prince. Notwithstanding, he vsed them with threatnings, that he would looke vn­to to their doings; assuring them that hee would account them rebells, if they would assist the Prince with any ne­cessaries. But he doubted not their loyalties in defending the Towne.

To be the better assured, he sent diuers of good iudge­ment to assist & counsaile them, as he did to Liege. Him­selfe retired with his armie neere vnto Brussels; to assure both Brussels and Monts in Henault. The Prince being en­camped vnder Louaine, found not them so angrie as the Priests of Liege. For Louaine was an Vniuersity gouer­ned by good natured people, and a number of Nobilitie (as strangers tearme all Gentlemen) were allyed to the Prince, or to diuers of his followers. Besides, at that time the people in generall hated the Spanish deadly; in such sort, that for all Duke d' Aluaes instruments (but for their buttered hearts and flegmatique liuers) they would haue opened their gates. The Prince perceiuing their peeuishnesse, seeing his Orators could not preuaile to make him enter, he burnt their barriers, and terrified them in such sort, But yet yeeld him money & victuals. that either feare or loue made them to giue a great piece of money, with much victuals. Per­ceiuing his fortune that no place would accept him, and that Duke d' Alua would aduenture no battel; The Prince retyreth. he thought it his best to retire. But politickly he and his instruments perswaded their armie, that the Admirall Chastilion was arriued in the frontiers of Artois with a mighty armie of Frenchmen; His policy to keepe his army from mutinie. and that they would ioyne with them. They gaue out also, that the Queene of England had sent a great treasure vnto the Admirall to pay both their for­ces. Hereby they encouraged the Mechanick mercenary [Page 27] Reysters to march; Hauing intelligence at Valentia a Towne in Henault, neere vnto the frontiers. He commeth to Valentia. Being arri­ued there, the Prince and his armie beganne to take cou­rage, partly because they knew Duke d' Alua would fol­low them no further, but chiefly because they might bee presently in France. Auoydeth the danger of his mutinous soul­diers. And although the army should mu­tinie, according to their custome, as I said before, the Prince and his commanders might easily escape and shift for themselues; who otherwise should be in great danger. For being engaged amongst their enemies, they might haue beene deliuered by their owne souldiers to Duke d' Alua, either for passage or for money. In this place the Prince finding his rutters alert, (as the Italians say) with aduise of his valiant brother, Biddeth d' Alua battaile. hee sent his Trumpets to D. d' Alua to tell him: that he would bee the next day fower leagues towards him, with fewer in number then himselfe did lead, where hee would stay his answere and dare him battaile. The Duke lay entrenched within six leagues of the Prince, hauing with him some twenty thousand. True it is, his horsemen did not amount to fower thousand. But they were Italians, Wallons, and Albaneses, who in troth were to be valued with thrice as many Reisters: yea, in my iudgemēt with six times so ma­ny, being not accompanied w ^th such Chiefs as Count Lo­dowicke. The trumpets being arriued, Hee hanged one of the Trumpetters. D. d' Alua hanged one, & answered the other: Well, Refuseth to fight. tell thy Master, my Master will maintaine his armie continually; and thy Master (I am assured) will breake his within few dayes vpon wants. There­fore I haue no reason to fight, were I sure to winne the battaile. And although I know the valure of my men farre surmoun­ting his, yet notwithstanding no battaile can be fought without some losses on both sides. For these causes I will not fight. [Page 28] Vitelly perswaded him all he could to accept the offer, Vitelly persua­deth to fight. and to fight: alleaging the danger not to be great, considering the difference betwixt the men. Alleaging also that in de­feating the Prince, & leauing his person dead in the field, their warres would be ended by all reason. For my part I am of Vitellyes mind; but the wisest and of best iudge­ment will be of Duke d' Aluaes. For all battailes end as pleaseth the great God. The danger of the losse of the battaile to the Spaniards. Had Duke d' Alua beene defea­ted, he had not onely lost his forces, but all his Masters countries. The next day the Prince rose from Valentia according to promise, The Prince marcheth to the place assig­ned. leauing all his baggage and worst disposed souldiers in safety by Valentia. Hee marched with all or the most of his horsemen and footemen tri­umphing with drums and trumpets towards Duke d' Alua, to the place his trumpets did assigne. Duke d' Alua was also in order of battaile, but kept all his footemen in trenches with his horsemen; sauing the guards which were beaten in by the valiant Count Lodowicke, Count Lodo­wicke hath the vantgard and beats in the Dukes guards. who led the vant-guarde with three thousand of the best sort of Reisters. But the Prince and Manderslo his Marshall, with diuers others, would not march so fast as Lodowicke, with the battaile and rereguard. Wherefore Lodowicke was forced to retyre, being within sight of Duke d' Al­uaes trenches; Counselleth to force his tents. raging with the Prince and the rest, for not marching to force the trenches. Alleaging vnto thē, as it was very true, it were better to bee defeated in figh­ting, then for wants; as they were sure in a short time to be. Being retyred, they resolued to follow their first de­termination, the sooner the better; seeing Valentia would doe nothing for them. D' Alua follow­eth. Duke d' Alua hauing news of their retreit and resolution, rose also, following them a farre off like a fox; in such sort that he would be surely lodged, [Page 29] and march safely from hazarding battaile, by Peronne on the French frontiers. Vitelly cutteth off straglers. Vitelly ouertooke diuers baggages and straglers, in such sort, that he put a number of them to the sword: who were not guarded by reason of their owne negligence, in stragling behinde and aside the rereguarde, Is forced to run, by Lodo­wicke. vnknowne to Count Lodowicke who made the retreit. But so soone as Lodowicke had knowledge hereof, he returned in such sort, that Vitelly and his vant-guarde of horsemen were forced to runne till hee met Duke d' Alua, to his disgrace; considering his speeches fower dayes before. D' Alua rety­reth. After this the Duke pursued no further, and the Prince and his armie entred France, ha­uing no meanes to content his armie but with spoyles of the French: The Prince in Fraunce. which they did not spare (as the Prouin­ces of Champaine and Picardy can witnesse) in their retreit to Germanie.

THis was the fortune of the poore Prince, for want of meanes to nourish his men of warre: and will bee of all others, The causes of the Princes bad successe. vnlesse their Chiefes prouide in time either money or spoyles. To say troth, the Princes fortune might easily haue beene iudged when he feared to enter Liege. For all voluntary armes, I meane that are not payed, are gone and defeated in short time; in case they misse rich spoyles at their first entry into the enemies Countries. In my time I remember fower came to ruine with those fortunes. Besides this, they did some other matters about Zutphen, Ruremond, and those parts, by meanes of the Princes brother in law the Count of Ber­gues: But it proued to small effect. For alwaies the Ma­sters of the field commaund all weake places in a short time. Wherefore (as I said before) a voluntary armie [Page 30] must either be enriched presently with spoyles, or else as­sured by strong seats. But let the seate be neuer so strong, the master of the field will command it in time, vnlesse it be some strong port like Flushing, What townes are defensible. Rochell, Callice, Mar­sillis, Brouage, Graueling: or at the least some frontier strong place, that a State or Potentate dares not assiege, hauing no hope to despaire the Gouernour to deliuer it into their enemies hands. For example, Goorden of Cal­lice being wooed and desired by his Master the French King, to deliuer Callice vnto his fauourite Espernon; for all his faire words and large offers hee would bee Gouer­nour still. So likewise S. Luke held Brouage; also Lamote kept Graueling; making his peace as pleased him with the Spanish King, and after offending to the highest de­gree. Wherefore in a troubled estate, there can bee no surety comparable to a strong gouernment.

AFter this, the poore Prince remai­ned in Germanie (God knowes) al­most despairing to doe any more good against the Spanish; but that the Almighty stirred new instru­ments to maintaine his cause, and blinded the Spanish in their affaires. As I said before, they left the Citta­dle of Flushing, being the onely port and key of the Nea­therlands vnfinished, and ended that of Antwerpe: All [Page 31] men of warre of any iudgement may easily conceiue, The Duke D'Aluaes error in not building & fortifying the the Cittadle of Flushing. had they finished first the Cittadle of Flushing, Zealand had neuer reuolted. Yea, had they placed some 2000. souldiers in garrison in their ports of Brill, Medenblike, and Harlem; with some fiue hundred in the Cittadle of Flushing; Holland and Frizeland, with the rest of the Pro­uince had beene sure. For the Spanish with their infinite Indian treasure, beside the rich Netherlands and other places, were sure to be master of the field; hauing none to feare or to annoy them, but England, Scotland, Germa­nie, and France. England. Touching England, we had neither reason nor surety to haue meddled with their actions; without being assured of some of their best ports; the mutability of the people is such. Scotland. Touching Scotland, I perswade my selfe they would not haue meddled with thē, in case they had not bin ioyned with England. Fraunce. Touching France, you saw the Spaniards meanes so great in those parts, that his faction was to be compared to the Kings, or any other; and would haue beene farre greater if the Guyse had liued. Touching Germany, Germany. their house of Austria compassed the contrary of the best sort in those parts. Mercenaries. As for Merce­naries, we know it by good experience, commonly they follow the best purse; and by that reason the multitude of that Nation and Swizers had beene theirs. Italie. Touching the state of Italy, either it is his, or dare not offend him. For the Venecians are no body without Mercenaries; Venice. The Geneuois are all or the most part at his deuotion: Genua. the great houses of Mantua, The great houses. Ferrara, Parma, Vrbin, Graftino, with all the rest of any qualitie of those stirring spirits, are ei­ther his seruants or Pensioners. Clergy. Touching the Clergie, either his loue or feare makes Popes and Cardinals as pleaseth him. Portugall Portugall. is his. Touching Denmarke, Denmarke. [Page 32] Sweden, Sweden. The Hauns The Hauns townes. townes. Poland. Poland. and such like; they are either mercenaries too farre off to annoy them, or the most of them Mechanicks, without Chiefes of any con­duct. Being assured (as they thought) of the Neatherlan­ders affaires, D'Aluaes pride. Duke d'Alua made his statue in brasse, pla­ced it in the middest of the Castle of Antwerpe, treading on the Counts of Egmond and Horne; with the Prince of Orange looking vnder him for wayes to escape. Hee made also peeces of Arras, wherein were represented his sieges, battailes, and actions of armes in one peece: his owne portraiture standing like the picture of the Sunne, with all the ensignes and Cornets which euer he wanne, placed round about him.

AT this time the French King and they of the religion were at peace, so that the Admirall Chastilion thought him­selfe assured of the King: but poore Lord, himselfe & many others were treacherously handled, as the mas­sacre of Paris can witnesse. The massacre of Paris. At this time Count Lodowicke was in Paris: and finding accesse to the King by the Admirals meanes, Lodowicke cra­ueth ayde in France. procured diuers principals of the religion to promise, to succour the Prince his brother, & him against the Spanish. To whose demaunds the King agreed most willingly, by his Machi­auell mothers counsaile; Obtayneth the Kings consent. who neuer cared what became of any estate or world to come, so shee might serue the present purpose, and maintaine her owne greatnesse. [Page 33] Considering her Machiauell humors, she was much too blame in this; The French humors. knowing the French disposition, rather then to liue long in peace, to fall into fight one with ano­ther. In going with Count Lodowicke shee was assured, that most or all which would goe with him, would bee of the religion: If they prospered, Lodowicke promised some frontier townes to the French for the Kings vse; if not, they might be glad to lose so many enemies. By reason of the Kings and his mothers distembling leaue, and master Secretarie Walsinghams true and honest mea­ning to the cause in generall, M Secretary Walsingham. and to Count Lodowicke in particular, the Count esteemed his affaires in good estate. Master Secretarie then beeing Embassadour for the Queenes Maiestie in Paris, furnished the Count all hee could with countenance and crownes; in such sort, that the Count resolued to depart into the Lowe Countries: hauing the Admirals assurance to second him, if his iour­ny prospered. But presently there went with him Moun­sieur De la Noue, Mounsieur de Poiet, Mounsieur de Ro­ueres, Sir William Morgan, Mounsieur Ianlis, Mounsieur de Mouie, with diuers other French Gentlemen of quali­tie. Lodowicke dis­patcheth his in­struments to Mounts. These by the Admirals meanes were to second him presently with sixe thousand footemen, and some foure hundred horse, all Frenchmen. Count Lodowicke sent sundry Gentlemen Netherlanders, some known in Mounts in Henault, some strangers vnknowne, appareled like Merchants. Who with their practise and meanes vsed the matter well with diuers of the Religion, which were well knowne vnto them: Besides a number of Papists honest patriots, who loued the Prince of Orange, princi­pally because they knew that he and his hated the Spani­ards. And although the Prince were of the religion, his [Page 34] promise was to grant liberty of conscience being victo­rious: for which cause he carried many thousand hearts more then he should haue done otherwise. In those daies few of the popular were of the religion, but all in gene­rall hated the Spanish deadly. Count Lodowickes instru­ments behaued themselues so well, that promise was made vnto them; when they would deuise any meanes, they should be seconded to doe the Prince seruice, or a­ny of his. This message being declared to the Prince, hee returned the one partie presently to their fellowes, whom they had left behinde them in the towne; giuing them charge in the breake of morning the third day, to vse the matter so, that the porter should let them out at the Ports of Hauery. That being out, The stratagem for gaining the towne. they should giue the watch some bribe, and shoote off a Peece; appoyn­ting that hee would be in person hard by ready to enter. According to promise, the parties executed his com­mandement: acquainting therewith an honest Inne-kee­per of the religion. The Count giuing order vnto some seuen hundred footmen to march with all speed possible towards Mounts, The surprizing of Mounts. departed with the chiefs named before, accompanied with some foure hundred braue horsemen; all or the most Gentlemen and officers who had com­manded before. The worst of these three, either la Noue, Poiet, or Roueres deserued to command twenty thousand men. The worthy Count hauing made a great Caualca­doe (as they tearm it) from his last lodging, arriued three howers before day at the place appointed: After, lea­uing Mesieurs de Poiet, and Roueres in ambush with­in foure hundred pases of the port, himselfe, Mounsieur de la Noue, Sir William Morgan, and some fiftie horsemen approached as neere vnto the port as they could bee co­uert. [Page 35] According vnto promise the Merchants were let out, and withall a Peece went off; at which noyse the Count and his troupe rushed in, Lodowicke en­treth the town. diuers peeces and pet­tronels going off. The watchmen ranne away at the noyse, Mesieurs de Poiet, and Roweres dislodged on the spurre, Assembleth the Magistrates. and entred also. The Count entring the Market­place, and there setting his men in order, caused all the Magistrates to be assembled. Being together hee vsed these speeches.

Deare Countrimen, my comming is not against you, He speaketh to them. but against the tyrannous Spaniards; who haue vndone the Prince my brother, and all his house, and will make you slaues if you doe not resolue to preuent them; which you may if it please you. Ioyne with mee, and I assure you, I come not hither of my selfe, but am promised by the French King, and other Potentates to bee seconded presently. In the meane time you shall see Lodowicke and his troupes sufficient to answere the furie of Duke d'Al­ua. Assure your selues without the ayde of mighty stran­gers, & assurance that my brother the Prince will march with all speed to our succours with a puissant army, and these Gentlemen had neuer engaged our selues vpon any land towne as this is. Although wee neede not to feare, knowing the strength of the place to be sufficiēt to with­stand any forces that shall present themselues before it, being manned with a reasonable troupe; much more ha­uing so many Chiefes as you see here; naming vnto him the great Captains that accompanyed him, whose names were well knowne vnto most of the Burgesses.

His speeches gaue great courage vnto the Burgesses, who were soone perswaded to depart peaceably to their houses, and to deliuer the keyes of their gates to the [Page 36] Count. Although the people hated the Spanish deadly, they knew not what to make of this surprize; whereat great murmuring was in corners. The Papists perplexed. Some feared Lodowick would alter their masse, which they most esteemed (for all or the most part were Romane Catholickes) others feared Duke d'Aluaes furie, in such sort, that many pre­sented supplications to the Count, that hee would per­mit them to depart the towne, with their wealth and baggage. Some had leaue; especially such as were known to be obstinately spaniolized; The spanioli­zed Mount [...]is depart with good leau [...]. who eased the rest greatly that stayed. For in their houses the Count lodged diuers of his troupes, and were for the most part the wealthiest of the towne. Duke d'Alua bearing this, The King of France his ad­uertisement to Duke D'Alua. was greatly a­mazed; although the French King aduertised him how all promises passed in Fraunce; and that he had made a draught for his master and himselfe, to be quit of a great number of enemies; thinking indeed that Lodowicke and all his followers should fall into his hands. But the Count himselfe and his vigilant followers deceiued both King and Duke: who (as you heard) surprized Mounts so­dainly and vnlooked for at both their hands. D'Alua distru­steth the Frēch. This made Duke d'Alua amazed, thinking the French King doubled with him and his Maister; as King Henrie and his Con­stable Mountmorency did for Mets in Loraine, with Charles the fift. Count Lodowickes footemen (named before) be­ing arriued, and the Count perceiuing the murmure of the greatest part of the townesmen, who were very well armed, strong, and in good order (in such sort that Duke d'Alua vsing before all the policie hee could, neuer could place garrison in this towne, by reason of their strong seate well fortified, and aboue three thousand men bea­ring armes; besides as many or more able to carrie [Page 37] armes; all obstinate, mutinous Wallons, wanting neither victuals, artillery, nor munition) hee sought to make his partie and himselfe as strong as he could. And hearing how Duke d'Alua gathered all the forces he could, with great speed and preparations to besiege him presently; he acquainted therewith them of the religion, and such burgesses as he thought assured vnto him. After placing his men in order in the market-place, Lodo wicke dis­armeth such as he distrusted. and seising on the best in Mounts, hee made proclamation vpon paine of death, that all townesmen should bring their armes into the Towne-house within sixe howers, which was obay­ed with all possible speed. This done, he gaue armes vn­to some fiue hundred of the religion, and assured vnto him; the rest he fed with faire words; assuring them on his honour, that neither himselfe nor any of his compa­nies should abuse them. But what he did was for the sure­tie of himselfe and his companie; assuring them, if the siege presented not, to deliuer them their armes againe: If it presented, & it pleased the Almighty to fauour him, at the enemies retreit he would leaue them as hee found them; Conditionally, to accept a small garrison during the Spanish gouernement. Hee giueth thē leaue to depart. As for such (said hee) as will not endure my gouernement and orders, let them come vnto me, they shall haue free leaue to depart with all their goods: leauing behinde them victuals and such necessaries as may pleasure their besieged friends. They choose to stay, and for what causes. They seeing their fellowes houses who departed before vsed with hauocke, which happened (as they thought) for want of masters to keepe them, and to complaine of their guests abuses: seeing also they could not carrie a­way the one quarter of their goods; the most part resol­ued to stay. Desiring the Counts leaue to signifie vnto [Page 38] their friends in Antwerpe aud Brussels, how they were constrained to stay perforce in the towne; meaning by that meanes to excuse themselues vnto Duke d'Alua, whom they feared aboue all the world. Euery day some of Lodowickes horsemen ranne vnto the ports of Brussels, Lodowicks hors­men spoyle the Country. and vp and downe the Countries as pleased them; spoi­ling and wasting what they listed. Often they had great skirmishes, but alwaies they defeated their enemies with halfe their numbers, in such sort that d'Aluaes Captaines made ambushes for them, fiue hundred at a time, and the others would passe through them being scarse halfe their numbers. This continued some time: but d'Alua hauing gathered his forces, Chiapine Vitelly encloseth Mounts. dispatched Chiapin Vitelly with the most of his Caualrie, and certaine regiments of footmen; giuing him charge to inclose the towne in such sort, as the garrison could not sally forth. Being ap­proached Mounts, Lodowicke sallied, Lodowicke salli­eth, and in what order. accompanied with the Lord of la Noue, and Poyet, Sir William Morgan, and diuers other aduenturers of good qualitie, with all his horsmen, & halfe his footmen; leauing Mounsieur de Ro­ueres in the towne, well accōpanied with the rest. Being past his Counter scarfe, he left Mounsieur de la Noue, who gaue order vnto fiue hundred Harquebusiers to hide themselues close in the high wayes, some hundred score from the gates; Poyet and la Noue in am­bush. Poyet and la Noue stood with two squa­drons of horses a little before them, either squadron be­ing of an hundred and fiftie; the rest the Count comman­ded to go to ingage the enemy to skirmish. Mounsieur de Roueres Roueres left in the towne. caused diuers pieces of artillerie to be transpor­ted from other Mounts, vnto the Mounts that comman­ded the field towards the enemie. The enemie aduan­ced brauely both horse and foote; at which sight Lodo­wickes [Page 39] Curriers encountred theirs with sundry Cornets. The first med­ley. But they forced the Nassawians to retire, and double their pases towards la Noue and Poyet. At this sight la Noue aduanced, desiring the Count to giue order to Poiet to stand, and the Harquebusiers to keepe close, La Noue char­geth. telling him; I know the enemy will repulse mee, notwithstanding I will charge with your leaue; in my retreit, let the ambush of shot discharge their voles; then Poyet may charge the better cheap. The Curriers being hard at hand, la Noue aduāced, crying to his company, Courage, turne bridle. And withall charging some 400. Launciers, & Herguleters, gaue thē the retreit into our squadrons, Retyreth to draw the ene­my to the am­bush. which aduanced to re-en­counter la Noue. At whose sight la None retired, bringing the enemies full vpon the ambush of shot: which gaue them such a salue of Harquebushes, The ambush sheweth it selfe. Poiet chargeth. that happie was hee that retyred first. Withall Poyet charged very couragi­ously, in such sort, that the enemies doubled their pases towards their battell. Lodowicke rety­reth his foote­men into the Towne. At whose retreite, the Count wise­ly retyred his footmen into the towne, with his horse­men in good order. In the meane time Mounsieur de Ro­ueres forgot not to plague them with his artillery. The Generall of the horsemen and Vitelly aduanced, their bat­taile remained halfe of horse & foot in armes, vntill their quarters were entrenched; The enemies order for en­trenchments. which they did in a short time: For they were furnished with a great number of pioners, and all necessaries, in such sort, that in lesse then fortie howers they assured the one halfe of the towne from salying forth. Notwithstanding, the ports towards Valentia and Hauery were cleare. The holding of an Abbey without the towne. There stood an Abbey or Cloyster some halfe an English mile from the towne, on a little riuer which ran frō the towne to the Cloister. The place was not strong, nor able to abide the Cannon. [Page 40] Neuerthelesse, it was necessarie to be kept; For what cause. for betwixt it and the Towne there was good store of grasse and corne, with other necessaries to feed horses and cattel: Besides, they were assured the enemie would attempt this place first. Therfore to winne time, it was most necessarie to be kept. Into this Cloister Mounsieur de Poyet desired to goe with some eight hundred Harquebusiers: Al­though the Count and the rest were loath to hazard his person. Notwithstanding the other alleaging himselfe to be but the third person in the towne, desired and perswa­ded them, that halfe their footemen should not goe to keepe any place, without the company of a principall Chiefe. To fulfill his desire it was granted him, refer­ring all vnto himselfe: being entreated not to engage himselfe further then he might well retyre; and assured that Lodowick & the rest would quite the towne and all to follow him, although they were sure to perish. Moun­sieur de Poyet hauing possest the place, Fortifieth the place. and furnished with about tenne dayes victuals, vsed all meanes to strengthen himselfe. By this time Vitelly had made the quarters to­wards Brussels very strong; Vitelly finish­eth his worke begunne. in such sort, that two thou­sand were sufficient to guarde it against tenne thousand. For he made there good forts about a quarter of a league one from another, with strong trenches that ranne from fort to fort, that no horsemen could sally ouer them; And their footemen durst not passe those guardes, for feare of the Counts horsemen. Vitelly dislodged with all his horse and foote, sauing the guards which he left in his forts; and remained in battaile betwixt the ports of Valentia and Hauery, Maketh a new fort. vntill he erected a large fort like vnto the o­thers. Hauing left two regiments of footmen in it, hee retyred with his Caualrie and the rest of his footemen [Page 41] vnto the next Village, some halfe a league off, leauing neere halfe his troupes in guard, that they might be sure vntill the arriuall of Duke d'Alua: D'Alua setteth forth. Who beganne to set out from Brussels with the rest of his armie, artillerie, mu­nition and baggage that night, about two howers before day. The towne and cloyster hauing intelligence, sallied out from both quarters some eight hundred footemen, with all their horsemen; to giue a camisado vnder the conduct of Mounsieur de Roueres. Being met in one place, Roueres salyeth vpon Vitellyes quarter. they gaue furiously into Vitellies quarter, and forced his guardes into their place of armes. Mendoza suc­coureth the quarter. Mendoza being lod­ged apart with most of the Caualrie, gathered presently his horsemen in order, and gaue resolutely into Vitellies quarter: which was in danger to be runne through with this Camizado. Roueres order for retreit. Mounsieur Roueres like a discreete souldier had left one of his best Captaines short of the enemies quarter, with some three hundred of his best shot, and a hundred and fiftie horsemen for his retreit; which saued him and the most of his troupes. Mendo­za charged Roueres in such sort, that happie was he who could returne first. Comming vnto his ambush, they pep­pered Mendoza and his horsemen with a salue of Har­quebushes, that turned them backe vpon the other: At which instant the hundred and fiftie horsemen charged them on their backes. By that time, Vitelly and the most of his troupes were in order; aduancing with all speed towards Roueres. Roueres rety­reth. Notwithstanding Roueres and his braue Captaines (especially his Caualerie) retyred with small losse into the Cloyster, where Poyet was readie to receiue them in order without; in such sort, that Vitelly pursued no further. At this Camisado the enemie lost six for one of the Nassawians; by reason Roueres had forced their guardes before the rest were in armes. The next [Page 42] day toward night Duke d'Aluaes vantguard was in sight of the Towne; but before his rereguard came to their quarter it was nine of the clocke the next morning, by reason they marched very slowly: and not without reason. For they haled with them two and twentie pieces of batterie, besides some other field pieces, with all the munition belonging vnto them. Duke d'Alua be­ing arriued, Duke D'Alua arriueth. incamped on the riuer side betwixt the mea­dowes and the hills, from the wayes towards Valentia downe to the Cloyster. Along this riuer he made strong trenches, Entrencheth himselfe. which assured his armie towards the fields; to­wards the towne he made large deepe trenches, impossi­ble to be entred. This man would commonly assure him­selfe with trenches, although the enemies were lodged three dayes iourney from him. Now before Mounts hee entrenched all his quarters, as though hee meant to bee besieged; and not without reason, hauing intelligence how Mounsieur Ianlis marched for their succours with seauen thousand Frenchmen, and the Prince of Orange making ready a mighty armie in Germany. After his ar­riuall, Battereth the Cloyster. the next day hee prepared to beate the Cloyster; vnto which place hee brought sixe pieces of Cannon. Mounsieur de Poiet resolued before not to keep the place, but to winne time in forcing them to place the Cannon. This Cloyster was so neere the towne, that none could encampe betwixt it and the towne, by reason of the townes artillerie, and of wet meadow grounds which could not be entrenched. Payet abydeth one dayes bat­tery, and rety­reth by night. Wherefore Mounsieur de Poyet did most brauely abide this whole dayes batterie, and in the night set the Cloyster on fire with a traine: and so re­tired himselfe and his troupes safely into the towne, lea­uing nothing behinde. Within few dayes Duke d'Alua beganne to make his approaches, in such sort that hee [Page 43] assured the towne from sallying (sauing their secret sallies through the rampier & bul-workes) before he mounted his pieces to beate the forts and defences. The towne plagued him greatly with their counter-battery: and be­sides they often sallyed, and annoyed them with sundry attempts on their artillery and trenches. With much a­do, after receiuing great losses, he made three platformes. The middest did batter the port of Hauery; Battereth the towne. the two o­thers the flanks and parts of the Curtaines on both sides. On these three platformes hee placed two and twentie Cannons, with which, and with his Culuerins that did beate the defences, he discharged during his siege aboue 24000. shot. The furie of the batterie. The furie of all batteries are past at the first, I meane within two dayes: yea, commonly in one. For the defendants knowing the place, and the successe of the furie, will re-enforce their breaches & re-entrench themselues in such sort, that the assailants can doe small hurt with their approaches. A breach made. The second day they bat­tered: and hauing made their breach reasonable (as they thought) they prepared to the assault. Preparation to the assault. The poynt fell by lot to the Tertia of Lumbardy, led by the valiant Moun­sieur of the Campe Iulian Romero: Iulian Romero hath the poynt. who was seconded by the master of the Campe Don Francisco de Baldesso and his Tertia de la Ligue; after him the regiments of Wallons, of the Marquesse of Hauery, Count Barlemount, Mes­sieurs de Ligues, and of Capers. So were all the rest of the armie in battaile ready to second one another, according to their direction; with their whole Caualery in order of battaile, some quarter of a league from their trenches. Diuers had leaue to dismount themselues, who accom­panied Iulian at the poynt. Preparation of the defendants. The Count re-entrenched himselfe ouerthwart the breach with a halfe moone. [Page 44] Himselfe and some two hundred horsemen stoode at the mouth of the great lane towards the breach; the rest of his horsemen were in three troupes, making Patroiles (rounds we call it) from place to place round about the towne. As one troupe came vnto him, hee sent another out. Mounsieur de la Noue stood with the armed men in the midst of the halfe moone. Mounsieur de Poyet stood on the one quarter of the moone, with halfe the shot. Mounsieur de Roueres on the other with the rest. At e­uery corner of the moone they placed diuers pieces of Ordinance, laden with nayles, small bullets, and stones; which flanked the mouth of tbe breach. Iulians Cap­taines would not giue place one to another, more then the Collonells, but by lot. After knowing who should lead, The assault. and the breach discouered saultable, Iulian comman­ded the poynt to the assault: which were suffered to en­ter. But being in the middest of the moone, they were murdered like dogs; in such sort, that happie was hee that could retyre first. Notwithstanding Iulian aduan­ced with all courage with his seconds: but being on the breach, and hauing discouered their trenches and workes within, The retreit. he caused his troupes to retire, not without losse. For all their small shot playd incessantly vpon his troups. At this assault the Spaniards courge was quailed from assaulting any more. Iulian escaped with great danger, Iulian Romerees danger & losse. hauing sundry Harquebushes on his armes. His Lieu­tenant Collonell was slaine, with fiue of his principall Captaines, and the brauest part of his souldiers; be­sides many aduenturers as well horsemen as footemen, The Counts losse. which were not of his regiment. The Count escaped not freely, for diuers of his best men were slaine; especially Mounsieur de Roueres shot in the head with a musket. Roueres slaine. [Page 45] Duke d'Alua perceiuing the valure and conduct of Lodo­wicke and his men, resolued not to force his breach, D'Alua will no more assault. but cunningly attempted them often with alarmes and coun­terfeit assaults; in such sort that hee spoyled many of the defendants with his artillerie, in presenting them­selues on the breach.

At this instant Mounsieur Ianlis was marching with The ouerthrow of Ianlis. his succours, in number (as I said before) seauen thou­sand French, all footemen; sauing some foure hundred horsemen. Being arriued hard by Valentia, Duke D'Aluaes forces. Duke d'Alua sent don Frederico with his Martiall Chiapine Vitelly, accom­panied with one thousand fiue hundred horsemen, and foure thousand footemen; himselfe remained in strong trenches with all the rest in armes, who being all together were about one and twenty thousand footemen, and three thousand horsemen. Mounsieur Ianlis, although he was a most gallant souldier, at this re-encounter shewed small discipline: Vitelly hauing intelligence of his march and order.

Don Frederico being arriued at Saint Gellane, Chiapine Vitel­lies ambush to entrap Ianlis. some two leagues from Mounts, hearing Ianlis was in march, and that he meant to passe that way within tenne howers; Vi­telly desired him to leaue all his men in ambush in that place in troupes, on both sides of the high waies. Hauing finished his orders, His order to traine him to it. he commanded his nephew Iohn Bat­tisto del Mounte, Lieutenant generall of the horsemen, to march with fiue hundred horsemen halfe Launciers, the rest Herguleters, giuing him in charge to march in three troupes softly, vntill his Curriers should meete his ene­mies: then to returne one troupe after another without ingaging himselfe to fight, vnlesse the enemie would en­force him; but to vse all meanes to bring them engaged [Page 46] vnto the ambush; then to run with his troupes as though hee were afraid, The order put in execution. aside of the ambush. Hee was not two leagues from Vitelly, but his Curriers met the French: who according to their accustomed furie charged the Spanish Curriers, and they according to their direction retyred before them; so did their second, and Battisto himselfe with the third; bringing them in his taile vnto the place directed. By this time all or the most of the French horsemen were arriued, charging Battisto his troupes who could first; perswading themselues all to be theirs. The French fall into the ambush. Vitelly like a discreet Captaine, desired don Fre­derico to suffer them to runne vntill they were entred into the ambush of fiue hundred musketiers, which stood vnder a hedge where they must passe; and being entred, to charge them with halfe the horsemen, which stood e­qually diuided on both sides of the way. By that time the French were entred the ambush of Musketiers; and perceiuing the squadrons of Launciers aduancing to­wards them, they beganne to retyre and to double their pases backe; but withall don Frederico charged. Iohn Battisto being on the other side turned also; so did Vitelly second with the rest; in such sort, that presently their few horsemen were forced to runne through their owne footemen, The disorder of the French march. which brake in a short time; for they mar­ched farre a sunder (as they said) two leagues from their first troupes vnto their last Besides, they had no compa­nies of pikes to make any stand; especially their horse­men being broken. Mouy escapeth. Mounsieur de Mouie escaped into Mounts by reason of the woodland Countries. Few re­turned into France, because the Peasants murdred them in cold bloud. After the ouerthrow, the greatest part of them were executed. M. Ianlis with diuers Gentlemē re­sisted [Page 47] valiantly: but at the last he was mastered, I anlis prisoner. & carried prisoner into the Castle of Antwerpe. Executed at Antwerpe. Where himselfe and an English Gentleman taken with him, named ma­ster Iohn Winkfield were executed long afterwards. Duke d'Alua hearing that the Prince of Orange was readie to march with tenne thousand Reysters, and twelue thou­sand Launce-Knights, besides diuers fugitiue Netherlan­ders, commanded his Officers to strengthen his trenches with all speed, D'Aluaes order against his arri­uall. as well towards to towne as the field: gi­uing order that all the munition and victuals that might be gotten should be brought into his Campe, and that his horsemen should bring in all the forage they could, and spoyle the rest. For he resolued to stay in the field, and at least to amish either the Prince or the Towne; giuing charge vnto all men not to ingage any skirmish or fight, but to make the town frō sallying forth. The Prince arri­ued w ^th his armie mentioned before, without any let to speake of, vntill he encamped on the top of the hils to­ward Valentia, within halfe a league of Duke d'Aluaes trenches. At whose sight the Duke gaue straight charge, that none should sally out of his trenches; giuing the Prince leaue to encampe quietly without skirmishing. That night the Prince sent often diuers troupes vnto the Dukes trenches, thinking to keepe his army in armes; but none seemed to stirre, or to take an alarme. The next morning the Prince sent great troupes of horse and foot to procure the enemy to sally; standing himselfe with the rest in order of battaile in sight of the towne and of Duke d'Alua; Attempt to Duke d'Aluaes trenches. but none would sally out of the trenches: In such sort, that the Prince dislodged with his whole forces, resoluing to force their trenches, or to lose not a fewe of his best men. Being in order of battaile neere [Page 48] vnto Duke d'Alua, hee sent his Martiall Manderslo with three thousand Launce-Knights, and three thousand Reysters; giuing them order to charge the trenches with all resolution. Being approached within musket shot of the Spanish and Wallons, The Almans forced to retire. the poore Almans courage be­ganne to quaile, not without reason; finding better shot then themselues within the trenches, and their horsemen not seruiceable, vpon whom all their glory did rest. Not­withstanding that Manderslo and his troupes beganne to retire, A second at­tempt with great losse. the Lord of Drume the Princes Lieutenant, and Count Holhocke, with diuers others of quality, accompa­nied with many troupes of horse and foote, marched re­solutely and attempted the trenches against reason. For receiuing hot salues of musketadoes, they were forced to retyre. At which attempt the Lord of Drume was slaine, with diuers others of quality, and a great number of their souldiers both horse and foote.

THe Prince being retyred into his Campe, A Camisado on the Princes army by Iulian Romero. Iulian Ro­mero with earnest perswasions procured licence of Duke d'Alua, to hazard a Camisado that night vpon the Prince. At midnight Iulian sallyed out of the trenches with a thousand musketiers, and two thousand armed men, most pikes; all the rest stood in armes in the tren­ches, their horsemen ready without the trenches to se­cond Iulian, Iulian Romeroes order for the Camisado. principally for his retreite if need were. Iu­lian diuided his forces into three troupes. The first two hundred olde shot, which could keepe their matches close, led by a desperate Captaine named Munchecho. The second one thousand armed men and shot, led by Iulian himselfe. The third led by his Lieutenant Collonell and Sergeant Maior; whom he commanded to stand fast in [Page 49] the midst of their way betwixt the two Campes for his retreite, and not to stir vnlesse some of credit came from him to command the contrarie. Presently after his di­rections, he commanded Muncheco to charge; He chargeth. who reso­lutely forced two guards, being at the least a regiment of Almaines. Iulian seconded with all resolution, in such sort, that hee forced all the guards that he found in his way into the place of armes be [...]ore the Princes tent. Here he entred diuers tents; amongst the rest his men killed two of the Princes secretaries hard by the Prin­ces tent, Only not sei­zeth vpon the princes person. and the Prince himselfe escaped very nar­rowly.

FOr I heard the Prince say often, that as hee thought, A dog saueth the Prince. but for a dog he had beene taken. The Camisado was giuen with such resolution, that the place of armes tooke no alarme, vntill their fellowes were running in with the enemies in their tailes. Whereupon this dogge hearing a great noyse, fell to scratching and crying, and withall leapt on the Princes face, awaking him being asleepe, be­fore any of his men. The princes care of himselfe. And albeit the Prince lay in his armes, with a lackey alwaies holding one of his horse ready bridled; yet at the going out of his tent, with much adoe hee recouered his horse before the enemie arriued. He recouereth his bo [...]se hardly. Neuerthelesse one of his Quiries was slaine taking horse presently after him; and diuers of his seruants were for­ced to escape amongst the guards of foote, which could not recouer their horses. For troth, euer since, vntill the Princes dying day, he kept one of that dogs race; so did many of his friends and followers. The most or all of these dogs were white little hounds, with crooked noses, called Camuses. The Campe being in armes and in [Page 50] some order, made head towards Iulian in such sort, that he commanded the retreit, Iulian retireth. Before he could recouer his stand with his Lieutenant, the armie beganne to charge him in great troupes; in such sort, that with much adoe he could arriue with his troupes; As hardly be­stead. and for all his good order, hee lost many of his men, as well taken as slaine. Hauing recouered his stand, Yet he saued himselfe & his roupes. with the presence of the two thousand horsemen, which came for his retreit, the Nas­sawians followed no further.

Without doubt had Duke d' Alua followed Iulians councell, Iulians councell to defeat the Princes army. the Prince had beene defeated in that place. Iu­lian aduised that all their horsemen and halfe their foote­men should haue beene in a stand, where he left his Lieu­tenant, and himselfe with his three thousand to enter the Princes Campe: that hauing good successe, the stand should haue entred also. For my part I am of Iulians minde; but the wisest sort are of Duke d'Aluaes. Al­though Iulians courage assured him victorie, The danger of following it. Duke d' Al­ua had reason not to hazard his forces in battaile; being assured the Prince would be forced to retire with wants. For if the Prince and his armie had been in armes and in order, it must haue sorted to a battaile, hauing made halfe his armie to runne: and perhaps by that meanes the Prince might haue succoured the Towne. For without doubt let two armies incampe one hard by another, the first that discountenanceth his fellow, is in great hope of victorie; The retreite of the Prince of Orange, and his fine stratageme and speeches to escape from his mutinous ar­my. or at least by all reasons to make his aduersarie to retire. This Camisado quailed the poore Almaines in such sort, that the Prince was glad to vse all the policie he could to retire; thinking the sooner the better, for feare least his Reisters would grow to their olde custome, to cry for gilt, which he had not. To preuentall mutinies, he [Page 51] caused his officers & many of his best instruments to giue forth, that his brother Count Iohn was arriued with fiue hundred Reisters by Ruremount; and with great treasure (sufficient to pay all his forces for three moneths) from the Queenes Maiestie, the King of Denmarke, and the Germane Princes of the religion. His retreit. His Campe being throughly furnished with these speeches, he dislodged the next day; making all the haste he could to recouer the Mase. Withall he aduertized his brother of his fortune, desiring him to make the best shift for himselfe that hee could.

The Prince being arriued by Ruremount, hauing intel­ligence with diuers townes in Holland, fed his armie with good speeches: assuring them that his brother Count Iohn was at Serenbarke, with his brother in law the Count of Bergue; and that hee would send for them to make his passage ouer the Mase, where his brother Count Lo­dowick would arriue; whom he looked for daily to come from Mounts.

After the Princes retreit, Count Lodo­wickes compo­sition for Mounts. Count Lodowicke finding no remedie, beganne to parle; but stood on most honoura­ble tearmes. Duke d' alua knowing him to bee a most honourable resolute man, and the towne not to be taken by furie, fearing delayes would grow to disaduantage, accepted his parle, agreeng to such conditions as pleased the Count: In such sort, that Lodowicke and his garri­son was to passe ouer the riuer of Mase, He commeth to his brother the Prince. where his bro­ther the Prince was staying for him. Being met, resolu­tion was taken that Lodowicke should passe into Germanie, and the Prince into Holland. The Prince de­parteth from his army by night. The Prince fearing the worst, passed the riuer by night, with a few Gentlemen: Amongst others Sir William Morgan was one. The [Page 52] Princes sodaine departure gaue a great murmuring a­mongst the Reisters. Notwithstanding, he wrote a letter to his brother, to assure him that he would content them with all speed possible, and that his going into Holland was principally to seeke meanes to pay them; giuing to his brother leaue and authority to sell all that hee had in Germany, rather then hee should bee disgraced with false promises. This letter being read openly gaue some con­tentment vnto the armie; but principally the person of Count Lodowick stayed them, whom they much honou­red and respected, knowing no fault to be in him.

I forgot to write how Malins accepted a garrison of the Prince, Malins recei­ueth the Prin­ces garrison. as some of his forces passed by it in going to Mounts; which after wards retyred with the Prince. Duke d'Alua for their reward after the taking of Mounts, sent his master of the Campe Iulian Romero, with his Ter­tia of Lumbardy and others, Is sacked by the Duke d' Aluaes appointment. who entred the towne, and sacked it to the vttermost.

THe beginning and ending of this siege was most ho­nourable, although vnfortunate. Sometimes great Captaines wrong themselues. Had the Count left either Mounsieur de la Noue, Lodowickes errour. or Mounsieur de Roueres, or Moun­sieur de Poyet gouernour in Mounts. and retyred himselfe with the other to prepare their succours, by all reason it had beene farre beter. For the least of the three had been sufficient to command the towne, and the two others would haue stood the succours in good stead: I meane the Prince and Mounsieur Ianlis. The onely way for the Prince had been to haue encamped before Brussels, The Princes errour. which was a weake rich towne, vnfortified; where hee must haue forced Duke d'Alua either to leaue his siege to fight [Page 53] with him, or else to lose the towne: and not to attempt treanches which wanted no defence that could be desired. Touching Mounsieur Ianlis, the world may iudge there might haue beene better order at his defeate.

DVring the siege of Mounts, one Seig­niour Pacheco came from Duke d'Alua, Pacheco ap­pointed Gouer­nor of Flushing. with a Commission to be Gouernour of Flushing and of the Ramkins. Pacheco had also autho­ritie to execute diuers of the In­habitants in Flushing, principally the Baily Mounsieur de Berland, and Vorst the famous Sea-man. At this instant they be­ganne the Cittadle of Flushing. The Cittadle begunne. Pacheco being let in with some of his fellowes, and the restat the gates; hauing in­telligence with Mounsieur de Beauoir Gouernour of Middleburgh, thought within three dayes to haue pla­ced a garrison of Spaniards and Wallons in Flushing, A garrison to be brought in. and then to haue finished the rest of his purposes at pleasure. Vorst beganne to mistrust the matter: Whereupon hee went to Mounsieur de Berland, telling him resolutely that he would not stand to the Spanish gouernment, nor trust to their courtesies. Mounsieur de Berland beganne to leane to his opinion and to apprehend some feare; be­cause he had receiued diuers letters from his friends in [Page 54] Brabant, that Pacheco would come to bee gouernour of Flushing, and that Duke d'Alua was informed of some matters against Barland, Barland. and the said Vorst, with diuers others. Hereupon Mounsieur de Barland and Vorst resol­ued to lay hands on Pacheco, Conspire a­gainst the Spa­niards. and to seize vpon the towne. Being respected, and greatly beloued of the popular, they made diuers acquainted with Duke d' Aluaes practises; and how Pacheco was the man that should execute his de­termination. Presently they gaue order to make good watch at the water-port, to preuent the entry of the Spaniards; who were hard by it with their armes in their hands, ready to enter. Withall they assembled all the Ma­gistrates and Burgesses into their Towne-house: whe­ther they sent for Pacheco, making him belieue they would obey all his directions, conditionally that hee would shew them his authority. Pacheco being arriued amongst them, Mounsieur de Barland asked him for his Commission. Pacheco shewed it. Withall Vorst layed hands on him, Seize vpō him. saying, Shellum Spaniard, thou hast more directions then these. Pacheco striuing with Vorst, Vorst and his companions threw him downe, giuing him and his followers store of good blowes. Rifling Pacheco, they found about him all his directions; whereby diuers of them were to be executed. Presently they carried Seig­nior Pacheco to the gallowes; Hang him with Duke D' Aluaes Commssion a­bout his necke. where they hung Duke d' Aluaes Scutchion, at which they hanged Pacheco, with his Commission about his necke; although Pacheco of­fered them assurance of tenne thousand Duckets to haue his head strucke off. And 25. of his followers. They hanged also some fiue and twenty of his followers; beating them with stones and cudgels all the way as they passed to the gallowes. Moun­sieur de Beauoir arriued at the gates towards Middleburgh [Page 55] with some foure hundred Wallons, within two howers af­ter the executing of Pacheco. The Flushingers resolued to resist his entry. Beauoir retyred to Middleburgh Beauoir being a white-liuered souldier retyred into Middleburgh.

Without doubt had he shewed any valour, Beauoir want of resolution. Flushing vnfor­tified. he might haue entred. For at that instant Flushing was nothing fortified to speake of, sauing towards the water; The rest was a lowe greene rampier, without Flankes, Pare­pet, or Ditch (but such as men of any resolution might haue entred) or any pieces mounted towards the land; vnlesse it were some paultry rusty olde Clinkes, which a man would as readily choose in a maner to stand before, as behinde, at their going off. Presently the Flushingers fell to working night and day on their rampier; The Burgesses fortifie. and drew diuers pieces of Ordinance out of their ships, and mounted them thereon. They dispatched also letters into England and France for succors, with a few crownes. Flushing was in those daies (God knowes) a poore beg­gerly Towne of Fishing, in respect of that it is now: without Towne, fort, fortresse, or Village to friend in all that Countrey.

As God would, there were diuers followers of the Prince of Orange, Succours into Flushing. and of his brother Count Lodowicke. Some were Sea-men, named by the enemies Freebotters; but some of them were resolute gallant Gentlemen: namely Mounsieur de Lambres, de Skonuall, Batelentia Ruchable, &c. These were Sea-Captaines, rouing out of their Countries where fortune serued them best, in the Prince of Oranges name. There were also diuers Wal­lons and Flemmings which kept the woodes of Flaunders, not knowing how to escape; namely the Captaines Barnard, Ely, Ambrose Duke, and others. Hearing of [Page 56] the reuolt of Flushing, they marched directly thither; and at a place named Meerchauen they made a strong trench: In which place they remained not three dayes hut the Flushingers sent their boates to fetch them. The Captaines Barnard, Ely, and Ambrose Duke being en­tred Flushing, Wallons & Flemmings 400. with some foure hundred Wallons and Flemmings well armed, did something assure the towne. Some of these had good vnderstanding in the warres: principally in fortificatiō, they did helpe the townsmen greatly; in such sort that they mounted their pieces in good order, and mended their fortifications.

AT this time there was a faire muster of Londoners before the Queenes Maiestie at Greenewich. A muster be­fore the Queene at Greenewich. Amongst the Londoners were diuers Cap­taines and souldiers, who had ser­ued some in Scotland, some in Ire­land, others in France. And hauing nothing to doe, with the counte­nance of some great men who fauoured the cause, and the small helpes of the deputies of Flushing, Captaine Thomas Morgan leuied a faire company of three hundred strong; amongst whom were diuers Officers which had commanded before, with many Gentlemen, at the least aboue one hundred, amongst which my selfe was one. This band was the first that serued the Neatherlan­ders; [Page 57] I meane since Duke d'Alua came to be Gouernor and Captaine generall of the Neatherlands. Duke d'Alua sendeth forces against Flushing. Captaine Morgan and his Company arriued in good time: For at his arriuall Flushing was in distresse. For Duke d'Alua had sent forces of Wallones and Spaniards vnder the conduct of Don Ruffello, to second Mounsieur de Bea­uoir; who had commaund to entrench themselues on the Dike towards the Rampkins. Had they done it, the towne could not haue cut the ditch, as they did after­wards; and Duke d'Alua was to second them with all his whole forces. He pauseth vp­on the arriuall of the English. But hearing how the English were arriued in greater numbers then we were indeed, Duke d'Alua staid, to march in good order, and with great meanes: For he wanted a number of sea prouisions. Al­so Beauoir and Ruffello hearing of our arriuall, made no haste to march. In the meane time there arriued from Rochell three faire Companies, ledde by the Captaines Henry, Tristan and Vtiran: of which one was leuied for Mounsieur de Saras, who was appointed Go­uernour of Flushing by letters from the Prince of O­range. These troupes beeing arriued, wee thought our selues assured in the towne. Beauoirs & Ruf­felloes faintnes. Belike Duke d' Alua was of­fended with Beauoir and Ruffello, not without reason; For no two Captaines could doe their Generall worle seruice then they did. For without doubt they might haue lodged on the ditch before the arriuall of Captaine Morgan; besides the cowardliness of Beauoir, for not for­cing the towne when Pacheco arriued. They endea­uour to amend their faults. Perceiuing Duke d' Alua to be in choler, they (to repaire their fault) resol­ued to attempt the ditch. And to doe it the better, they thought good to mount certaine Culuerings on a forced hill (I meane made with mens hands) which stood By attempting the dike. [Page 58] some halfe a mile from the towne, betwixt the way of Middleburgh and the dike; I meane the fourth dike from Flushing to Middleburgh. Beauoir kept some 200 Wal­lones in a strong house, halfe way betwixt Middleburgh and Flushing. This place was guardable without batte­rie. Into this place Beauoir and Ruffello brought their forces, which might be some 2500 Spaniards and Wal­lones. They lay in ambush. Out of that place they aduanced at midnight; lea­uing their great troupe hidden out of the high-way, within a quarter of a mile of the said hill. At the break of day, they sent some 100 shot towards the hill. The garrison perceiuing their meaning, sailed with about 700. English French and Wallones; who were desired & commanded by Saras to digge downe the hill. The garrison fallieth. Accor­ding to direction the garrison aduanced; and beeing ap­proached, the enemy retired. Our men beeing at work, the enemy aduanced some 400 shot, which entered into hot skirmish. Ours followed them so fast, that their ambush was faine to discouer themselues for their safe­guard; Beateth back the shot of the Spaniards. at whose sight ours retired in good order, by reason halfe our men made a stand, for the retreit of those which charged. After this skirmish, Saras discouering the number of enemies, retired the garrison into the towne; not without reason. For hee thought hee mar­ched to besiege vs; and knew no other, but that the most of their army might be at Middleburgh or there abouts. Our men so behaued themselues at this skirmish, that the enemy lost three for one; The losse of the Spaniard. notwithstanding the ene­my tarried in the place, and after dinner made as though they would take the hill. The morning skirmish liked our Captaines so well, Another sally to dislodge the enemy. as they desired the Gouernours leaue to sally. Which earnest request was granted, vpon con­dition, [Page 59] not to engage themselues too farre. Whereupon the Gouernour and the Captaines mounted on the Ram­pier, to direct their fight. Hauing resolued, Captaine Morgan and our Englishmen had the vantguard. The English haue the vant­guard. To make the skirmish the more honourable, we sallied with our Ensignes; the French-men were to second vs; the Wallones and Flemmings last; The whole were in num­ber some 800. Captaine Morgan beeing arriued within a great musket shot from the enemy, Captain Mor­gans order for the skirmish. made a stand, and aduanced his shot forwards: giuing them commande­ment to stand also, vntill hee commanded them, or the enemy forced them. Hee placed his armed men on both sides of the bridge, leauing a ditch betwixt them and the enemy: and stood himselfe with a troupe of gentlemen on the Causway before the bridge. The two troupes of French-men and Wallons placed themselues in meadowes, on both sides of the causeway; leauing their few armed men right against Captaine Morgan. They placed their shotte in ditches, a little before their armed men; sa­uing some 100. whom they directed to enter into skir­mish when the English began. Our order was scarce di­rected, but the enemy charged our men very hotly; The enemy chargeth the English very hotly. in such sort, that all or the most part of both parties shotte were by the eares. Who acquit themselues va­liantly. The retire. Notwithstanding that theirs were twice so many, ours quit thēselues very valiantly; vntill a great squadron of their armed men aduanced, which forced our English shot to retire: by reason that most of the English shot skirmished on the causeway, & hard by it on both sides, where the enemies could ioyne with them. Captaine Mor­gan at the push of the pike. At this sight Captaine Morgan and his armed men aduanced resolutely to the push of the pike: and so did the French and Wallones shot flank amongst them their [Page 60] vollies, The enemie retireth. that they plagued them greatly; in such sort that the enemy aduanced no further. To say t [...]oth, they could not ioyne with ours, by reason ours kept the dit­ches and bridge. Perceiuing they could not force our quarter, the enemy retired; but stood fast, within a great musket shot of the place. Saras perceiuing the enemies minde, thinking they would charge againe, and fearing wee had lost more then we did, sent vnto ours to retire; which they did with good order into the towne, with small losse in respect of the skirmish; which endured very hot and almost the space of two houres; In which time our men came twice to the push of the pike. Once the enemy had holde on Captaine Morgans Ancient; Captaine Mor­gans ensigne rescued. which was rescued brauely by George Browne and di­uerse other young gentlemen. Master Mackwilliams, Bostock, The losse of the garrison. with other gentlemen were slaine, with some fifty English souldiers: and as many or more hurt of the French and Wallones. So they killed and hurt some 100. of which were many gentlemen and officers. Some prisoners were taken on both sides. By the enemies own confession they had slaine and hurt aboue 400. The enemies losse. whereof some were of good account.

AT this instant Mounsieur de Lumay otherwise called the Count De la Marke, being on the coast of England with the Prince of Oranges directions, finding the Sea-men named before; I meane Lambert, Batelentia, Roucha­ble, and Skonall; they made a partie betwixt them to take the Brill in Holland. Count Dela Marke attemp­teth the Brill. True it is, the Prince of Orange had intelligence with most townes in Holland; but not with the Brill, that euer I could learne. At this time there were but few Spaniards in Hol­land; in the Brill some hundred; in diuers other places so many or fewer. Hereupon this Count de la Marke and these Captaines gathered into some eight sayles (the most Fly-boats) seauen hundred Wallons, Dutch, some English and Scots; all Mariners. Landeth his men. Arriuing at the Brill, they landed; hauing Drummes, Trumpets, and Ensignes with them, sufficient to haue furnished thrice their num­bers. At their sight, the simple Spanish Gouernour thought himselfe betrayed; iudging that these troupes would neuer haue come thither without intelligence with the townesmen. The Spanish countenance, The rest of the Spanish made proude faces, as though they meant to abide their furie and siege: Notwithstanding, they signified a feare vnto the Burgesses, in sending their baggage and women to­wards Roterdam. The Count and his Captaines appro­ched with courage; and withall landed three Pieces out of their ships, with straw, pitch, and wood. He appro­ched [Page 62] the gate, The Count fi­ercth the gate. and put the same soone on fire. In the meane time the Spaniards escaped towards Reterdam. Thus was the Brill wonne without blowes; The towne en­tred. in such sort, that all Holland reuolted, sauing Amsterdam: but diuers townes would accept no garrison. The Princes courtesie to the Hollanders. Notwithstanding, the Prince politickely wrote vnto the Count, to vse them withall courtesie agreeing with their humors; suffering them to doe what they listed, as well for religion as for gouernement; whereby he gained all their hearts. For at that instant the most of the popular were Papists. The Counts disorder. The Count De la Marke had almost marred all with his go­uernement. For albeit hee was valiant and liberall, yet was hee lasciuious, wilfull and obstinate; in such sort, that he would enioy and wench or woman that pleased him. Towards wo­men. Also hee called an Abbot and his Fryers into a Chamber, Towards the Papists. where hee forced them to denie their Masse and to preach against it, in case they would not be han­ged. Besides these, he committed many other disorders: So as his insolency had almost thrust the Prince and his faction out of Holland.

THe French, Wallons and Dutch which were in Flushing, had beene for the most part in the warres before: and diuers of the basest sort would take any thing they could carry away, and liued at farre greater charges to the Burgesses then the English did. For indeed the English at that time were rawe, The ciuill be­hauiour of the English. and looked for no more then bare victuals, lodging, and promise of pay. Hereupon the Burgesses grew in great liking with our Nation: Insomuch that for a small suspect, they would haue made Capt. The Flushingers affection to­wards them. Morgan their Gouernor, & haue cashe­red Saras; hauing no occasion, but that he had a brother that dwelt amongst the enemies, whom the enemies for­ced to write vnto the Gouernor, to perswade him, They suspect Saras, & would make Captaine Morgan Go­uernour. to run a course on their sides. Without doubt, Saras was ho­nest vnto the cause: For his brothers message and let­ters came no sooner vnto him, but he shewed them vnto his Captaines and the principall Burgesses. Also this was hee that commanded afterward chiefly in Harlem. Captaine Morgan, finding this man honest vnto him, friended him also vnto the popular; refused their of­fer, and maintained Saras what hee could in his place. Who maintai­neth Saras. Notwithstanding, fewe men of warre would haue done it, vnlesse a man had beene greatly beholding vnto him; I meane farre more then hee was to Saras; considering [Page 64] what a rich strong gouernement Flushing was. To say troth, Is not ambiti­ous. this Captaine had neuer any great ambition in him; although fortune presented faire vnto him often, beside this time. Also immediately he wrote letters in­to England, which shewed the strength and goodnesse of the place. Sir Humphrey Gilbert the first English Colo­nel in the Lowe Countries. Withall he procured Sir Humphrey Gilbert to come ouer, to bee Colonell ouer the English souldiers: which hee might haue easily obtained himselfe. Here­upon Sir Humphrey contracted with the Flushingers, to come vnto them with one thousand fiue hundred Eng­lish; besides those who were with them before. In the meane time, the Count De la Marke assured the most part of Holland.

ROterdam being without garrison, the Count Bossue Count Bossue towards Roter­dam. approached it with some troupes of Spaniards and Wal­lons from Vtricke. Being arriued with­in a quarter of a league, he placed his troupes in ambush, Lyeth in am­bush. at a little Castle in a small woode on the riuer side to­wards Dordrecht; leauing with them his Lieutenant go­uernour, and giuing him charge at the shooting of Pieces to dislodge with all speed towards the towne. The Count being Gouernour of Holland and off Vtricke came to the gates, Commeth to the gates. with some two hundred Wallons and Flemmings; and leauing them within tenne score of the port, went himselfe vnto the port with some tenne or twelue Gentlemen, offering to enter. They shut the wicket against them. Is refused. He shewed them, bow hee was their Gouernour and Country-man; aduised them not to deale so, and to looke vnto themselues; else he [Page 66] would make them know him: Desiteth to speak [...] with the Burgomasters. Withall he desired some of the Burgesses to goe fetch the Burgomasters vnto the port, that hee might speake with them. In this T [...]e there was no garrison, but Burgesses; poore men of warre, as you may iudge by their gouernement. The Burgomasters being arriued, the Count vsed fine speeches to perswade them to let him enter with those men, to saue them from the Heretickes, as hee tear­med the Prince of Oranges faction. [...] answere. They answered, that they durst doe nothing without the consent of their Burgesses in generall; and that they would as­semble themselues presently in their Towne-house, and vse their best meanes to perswade them to fol­low his directions; promising to returne presently vnto him. Being departed, this Count, who was a good souldier and of good vnderstanding, knew the multitude would cry against the Spanish: wherefore he thought the sooner hee beganne his play, the better. And first hee did deliuer some pieces of gould vnto the Guarde; The Count shareth the Guarde with wine. desiring them to fetch him good store of Wine and Beere: the which was brought, presently. Hee and his company beganne to carowse one with another, and with the Guarde; in such sort that they opened the little Wicket to speake with the Count. They open the wicket. Beeing armed vnder his Coate, and valiant, hee gaue signall vnto his troupes, Hee rusheth in. and therewith rushed in with some fiue or sixe Gentlemen, giuing blowes of Pi­stols and Swords on the poore Guarde; In such sort, that his two hundred entred, Seizeth the port. and kept the port vntill the ambush named before entred. Taketh the Market-place. Then hee mar­ched vnto the Market-place, executing all hee could [Page 67] finde in his way; thence through the towne as plea­sed him: where hee slue a great number, Sacketh the Towne. and sacked what he listed. In this sort (God knowes) he soone mastered the towne. The Prince of Orange hearing this, The Prince perswadeth o­ther townes to garrisons. acquainted many of his friends with this action of Count Bossue; shewing, that hee knew he would doe the like in other places, vnlesse good guardes were kept; which could neuer bee without some garrison, or at the least Gouernours that vnderstood the warres. In those dayes the names of Souldiers were odious vnto them. Notwithstanding, they feared the Spani­ards so much, that rather then to accompanie with them, they would accept Diuels. Whereupon di­uers agreed to accept garrisons: and the most of all to receiue Gouernours, They accept them. except Dort. But finally the Prince so vsed the matter with them, that all were content that Dort should bee surprized; but not with murder and sacke, as the Spanish did at Roterdam. After this resolution, the Prince wrote vnto the Count of Marke, and his Captaines, to doe the best they could to surprize Dort. The Prince promiseth re­formation of Count De la Marke. Withall hee wrote vnto him, both to desire and to command him, to vse the Bur­gesses with all courtesie; assuring them of Holland, to redresse all the Counts abuses at their next meeting, which should be before long; sending them the Copie of his letters to the Count. In the meane time hee vndertooke the Count should leaue his insolency, and bee guided by the Princes directions. The Count made ready a great number of skutes, hauing placed some thousand Souldiers among them, with a great number of Trumpets and Ensignes; leauing the Brill [Page 68] notwithstanding in good order of defence: for his vi­ctory encreased his forces. The Count takes Strin­land. He tooke Strineland, right against Dort. The next morning before day hee lan­ded his men at the head, before the faire, strong and rich Towne of Dort, Entreth Dort. inuincible without famine or treason; hauing in it a garrison and munition, with a good Gouernour. This fortunate wilfull Count with his shews and lookes entred the towne without blowes. By this time the Counts deputies had sent him three English companies, Three more English com­panies. vnder the conduct of the Captaines Moris, Drise, and Read.

ALSO Collonell Gilbert arriued at Flushing with ten English bands: Collonell Gil­bert at Flushing. at whose arriuall Flushing was most assured. Hearing that the towne of Mounts was in great distresse, & of the Prince of Oranges retreit, with his successe; Saras and Collonell Gilbert deuised their best meanes to relieue Count Lodo­wicke; Hauing a little intelligence with some Burges­ses of Bruges. Saras Saras and he entred Flanders. and Sir Humfrey resolued to enter Flanders: And so leauing a good garrison in Flushing, they landed at New-hauen, right against Flushing, some 1400 Englishmen, 400 Wallones and Flemmings, with some 600 braue Frenchmen, newly arriued from Ro­chell vnder the conduct of the Captaines, With 2400 men. Lariuere, Gen­tane and others. Presently we tooke our march towards Sluce: & beeing arriued at a village called Ardenburgh, we resolued there to stay; both to prooue if wee could doe any good on Sluce, and to haue further intelligence from Bruges. This place was a league from Sluce, and three leagues from Bruges. They attempt Sluce with am­bush. The next night Saras and Sir Humfrey sent some eight hundred English, French and Wallones; giuing them charge to keep themselues close as neare Sluce as they could, vntill they heard further from them. Before day wee placed our ambush neere [Page 70] the ports, in such sort, that at the opening of the gates (had our men knowne the warres then as diuers of them did since) wee might haue easily entred the towne. Knew not how to take the ad­uantage. To say troth, those that sent vs were as ignorant as our selues: In such sort, that we did no more than we were comman­ded, which was to ly close. Notwithstanding diuers people came amongst vs; some wee tooke, and some we suffered to goe back againe. The enemie hauing dis­couered our numbers & lodging, The garrison sallieth. sallied some 200 shot, where wee fell to hot skirmish. But all we were lodged in three places, not able to succour one another sodainly. Neuerthelesse, halfe our troupes charging them resolute­ly, Is beaten into the towne. forced them to run one after another into the ports. At this alarum, Saras and Sir Humfrey hearing the ar­tillery going off, marched with the rest. Beeing arriued, the Gouernour like an olde souldier, politickly to win time to aduertise Duke d' Alua, held Sir Humfrey & Saras in a parley: The Gouernor ouerreacheth the chiefs of the Flushingers. as though hee meant to deliuer both towne and castle vnto them. Withall hee requested them to retire vnto their lodgings, where they were before; or else to lodge nearer where pleased them. Hereupon they retired to Ardenburgh, Dallieth with them. leauing their first troupes in a village hard by the towne. The next day our Go­uernours were desirous to haue the Captaine of Sluce his resolution; Who seeing he could not deferre them longer, requested them to take patience that day, and the next morning hee would keep promise with them. The next morning, They approach the towne. ours marched with great glory to receiue the towne, as wee thought. Beeing hard by the port, He plagueth them with his ordinance. the Gouernour welcommed vs with a good vol­ley of shot; making vs to retire faster than wee came; [Page 71] by discharging their artillery against vs. Hauing recei­ued some losse, Saras and Sir Humphrey retired into Ardenburgh, Aduertiseth Duke d' Alua with his pur­pose. to their griefe. With this stratageme the Gouernour of Sluce wan foure dayes; in which time hee aduertised his Generall of our meaning: who sent the Count of Reux with certain horsemen into Bruges, He strengthe­neth Bruges. and a good troupe of footmen marching after him. Notwithstanding, Saras and Sir Humfrey dislodged with our forces, and marched vnto Bruges. At the breake of day, They summon Bruges. Sir Humfrey sent his trumpet to sum­mon the towne. The trumpeters horse was kild with a shot from the Rampier: and they made answere vt­to diuers gentlemen, who were approached neare the walls, that the Count de Reux desired all our troupes to stay where wee were; assuring vs, either within foure and twenty houres the Count would deliuer vs the towne, Count de Reux answer. or finde meanes to hang vs all, at the least our confederates in the towne. Sir Humfrey in a chafe. Sir Humfrey was in great choler; swearing diuers oathes, that hee would put all to the sword, vnlesse they would yeeld. After staying some sixe or eight houres, Saras vnderstan­ding the warrs better then Sir Humfrey, The Flushin­gers retire. perswaded him to retire: withall assuring him, vnlesse hee would doe it quickly and in good order, hee and his troupes would repent it. For the peasants aduertised him, there were diuers troupes of horsemen entred the towne, & a great number of footmen marched towardes it, which would arriue within foure houres. Beeing in a march, wee doubled our pases in such sort, that wee recouered Ardenburgh that night. Come to Ar­denburgh. To say troth, the Count Reux was either a white liuered souldier, or an [Page 72] ignorant Captaine; else hee and his horsemen might haue slaine a great number of our men; our march was so disorderly. Insomuch, as had the Count beene a braue Captaine, with three hundred horsemen hee might haue defeated our troupes. After our retreit, the Count executed many Burgesses, who had intelligence with vs. He executeth the Burgesses. The Flushin­gers stand at Ardenburgh. Saras being arriued at Ardenburgh, we resol­ued to remaine there certaine daies. This place was such, that it might haue been kept against double our numbers. Besides, betwixt vs and Flushing wee had meadowes and wood-land countries: In such wise, that horsemen could not hurt vs marching in any good order. Heare of a conuoy. Resting in Ardenburgh two dayes, wee had in­telligence that there was marching from Gaunt to Bru­ges sixteen peeces of artillery, with some munition, conducted with one of the Counts Captaines like him­selfe. Send to surprise it a certaine number of souldiers. Whereupon Saras and Sir Humfrey sent 300 En­glish, French and Wallones, of the best sort; giuing the charge vnto Rowland Yorke, Lieutenant to Captaine Morgan, and vnto Tristan, and Ambrose Duke, ouer the French and Wallones. Hauing receiued direction, wee marched foure leagues off; Who laid an ambush. and placed our ambush by the breake of day, in the high way, where the con­uoy was to passe. We had not staied eight houres, but wee might discouer the conuoy, which marched as followeth. The order of conuoy. Before, they had some fifty horsemen; be­hinde, as many, with a good band of footmen, Wal­lones; the artillery and munition in the midst. At their sight commandement was giuen vnto vs, to lie very close, vntill they were entred our ambush; which was on both sides of a great way, that passed through a [Page 73] small groue of wood. We had gotten some twenty or thirty iades or mares, which wee trimmed vp with olde saddles, cushings and halters, that wee got in Boores houses as wee passed. Those wee placed be­hinde the ambush; who had commandement to lie close, vntill the ambush discharged their volley: then to charge with all resolution. These iades were in the charge of Ambrose Duke the Wallone, an expert souldier; who had seene seruice on horsebacke often before. It entreth the ambush. The conuoy beeing entered the ambush, our volley went off in good order; Which brea­keth vpon it. in such sort that their first fifty horsemen ranne on their foootmen Withall, Ambrose Duke charged with the mares and iades: So did our footmen enter the high-waies against theirs; And defeateth the Spaniards. in such sort, that their horsemen ranne away, leauing their footmen & conuoy to be executed by vs: which were for the most part, with small losse, or none at all to our selues. Out of this place we arriued at Arden­burgh the next day, Conueying a­way the mu­nition. with all the artillery and munition, in like order as wee found them. By a bridge we staid, and tooke a great number of boates laden with wol­sackes and marchandize, which wee returned all into our quarter. To say troth, these three leaders named before, were the minions at all attempts of our troups in those daies. The Flushingers retire to Flush­ing. The next day after our arriuall at Arden­burgh, intelligence was brought, that Mounts was deli­uered, and Mallins taken and sacked; and that Iulian Ro­mero was marching into Flanders to as sist the Count of Reux, with 20 ensignes of footmen & some cornets of horsemen. This newes made vs not to take counsell twice for our retrait. Whereupon we marched with all speed towards Flushing.

BEing arriued right against Flushing at Newhauen, wee made stand; They resolue to assiege Ter­goose. where Saras & Sir Humfrey tooke resolution to assiege Tergoose; which stands in an Iland of Leland, bordering on Brabant, and Flan­ders. Our shipping being arriued from Flushing, wee embarked and arriued the next day at night, by Beereland, a village of the said Iland. After, anchoring and giuing directions, Rowland York, Vtran, Land their men and Ambrose Duke, landed with their accusto­med troupes or more; albeit diuers were slaine at the exploit of Sluce and the conuoy. The brauest youthes desired to goe alwaies with the first; in such sort, that these were alwaies well accompanied. Beeing landed vpon the ditch which inuirons the Iland, the ene­my perceiuing (as it is like) our nauy long before wee anchored, sallied the most of the souldiers out of the towne; The Tergoosi­ans in ambush. and placed themselues in ambush, in a village hard by the place wee landed at, through which we must passe to goe to the towne. After Saras and Sir Humfrey were landed, the vantguard was giuen to Cap­taine Morgan: and commandement to York, Vtran, & Ambrose Duke, to enter the village. The enemies ha­uing with them their Gouernour, a braue Captaine, Pacheco Gouer­nor of Tergoose. The ambush breaketh vpon the English. named Pedro Pacheco, kept themselues close in the vil­lage, vntill Yorke and we entred the ambush. Then they deliuered a hotte volley of shot vpon vs, and withall [Page 75] charged with some 100 pikes; in such sort, that with much adoe the one halfe of our troupes could recouer the place where Captaine Morgan stood with our se­conds. True it is, the enemy stood in the village round about the way where wee marched, and receiued vs at the entry of some 100 of ours into the village, out of the narrow way where wee passed, Forced to re­tire. and could not march about fiue in a rank; wherefore they found vs good cheape. Our retrait was so fast, that the enemy followed vs vpon the heeles, into the troupes which Captaine Morgan led: who charged them resolutely with his armed men, in such sort, Captaine Mor­gan chargeth them. that the enemies ran back. But wisely hee had placed halfe his men in the village, for his retreit; who deliuered their volley on Captaine Morgan; They retire. In such sort, that hee staied for Sa­ras and Sir Humfrey, who were not within a mile, by reason they stood at the first alarum, and not without maruell: For I perswade my selfe, the most of them were afraid. I am to blame to iudge their minds; but let mee speake troth. I doe assure you, it was not with­out reason; The losse of the English. for the most of vs who entred with Yorke were slaine: such as escaped, swam, and struggled tho­rough muddy ditches. Amongst other gentlemen, Ed­ward Argoll was slain by Sir Humfrey his standard. The enemy recouered their towne; and all our troupes en­tred Barland, some two houres after their retreit. The Flushingers enter Barland. The next morning wee dislodged towards Tergoose. Before Tergoose Our vantguard beeing arriued within halfe a mile of the towne, wee made a stand, vntill the rest arriued. In the meane time, The enemy sallieth. the enemies sallied, and gaue surious­ly into our guards; forced our first guards to runne [Page 76] amongst our battels of pikes: which stood in a large place, by the house of the Count Egmond, hauing a a bridge betwixt them and the enemy. Notwithstan­ding, Captaine Morgan with his braue shot entered an orchard, and flanked the enemy which stood on the high ditch, beating on our pikes with volleyes of shot. Withall, Sir Humfrey and his armed men passed the bridge, and charged the enemy with great resolution; In such sort, Is repulsed. that the enemy fell to running. Notwith­standing, our men executed a great number; and a­mongst others, three Spanish Captaines, with diuerse other officers. We lost also diuerse of our men. You must think that in those daies few of vs, or of the ene­my, knew the warres so well as since. The order of Pacheco. For this Pacheco and his men quited Ziricksea, some seuen daies before; as a place not guardable. Also being Gouernour of a towne, hee was to blame to sally with his garrison so farre as Barland, especially himselfe: for without doubt, had Saras and Sir Humfrey knowne of his be­ing there with most of his troupes, and therewith gi­uen a right direction, it had cost him his towne, be­sides his defeat. Sir Humfrey should haue directed at least halfe his troupes, Sir Humfrey Gilberts order. to cut betwixt them and the towne, at the first allarum. Some may say perhappes, there were no waies, or he knew of none. There were other waies, although not so neer. Besides, a Cōmander that enters the enemies countries, ought to know the places that he doth attempt: If not, he ought to be fur­nished with guides; especially in cōming to besiege a towne. But we were so ignorant, that we knew not our owne estate; much lesse the enemies. For the next day [Page 77] after our arriuall and skirmish, we marched to imbarke our troupes; The Flushing­ers retire to their ships. alleaging we wanted artillery & munition, with all other necessaries that belonged to a siege. Be­fore our imbarking, the olde souldiers Captain Gentoine and Henrie the French-man vsed a fine stratageme. They requested Saras and Sir Humphrey to cause all their ensignes to imbarke, The ambush by the French Captaines. with the baggage, and a good number of souldiers; and to leaue in a Church, and in a Church-yard, and in a great Close adioyning, the most of their ablest men: and they to keepe close that day, to see if the enemie would sally, to cut off their rere-guard and straglers. As they directed, Saras and Sir Humphrey placed one thousand two hundred of their best men in that place; which was halfe wayes be­twixt our quarter and the imbarking place, about a great league from the towne. Our ensignes were not all aboard, but Pacheco salied with the most of his garri­son; which might be some foure hundred. Disappoynted by a foolish Officer. Being ap­proached our first ambush, who were Wallons; a foo­lish Officer contrary to direction discharged a volley of shot on the enemies, who were some quarter of a mile before their troupes, whereby all was marred. Belike our armed men gaue them such sound blowes in the last re-encounter, that they desired no more. So vpon this volley the enemie retired into their towne: and we embarked presently, not vnwilling for any thing I could perceiue. The Flushin­gers embarke. To say troth, our losses might bee in a manner cōpared equal, from our landing to our embar­king. Let mee not wrong our Gouernours too much. They said they were aduertized that Tergoose was voyd of garrison, sauing some hundred: and that they knew [Page 78] nothing of Pachecoes arriuall. Land vnder their towne. Being embarked, we ar­riued at our towne of Flushing, where we landed vnder our towne, March to Southland. and marched to a Village named Southland; three leagues from Flushing, in the same Island. Before this time, Camfier reuol­t [...]th. Camfier reuolted also vnto the Prince of O­range, by reason of their Gouernour Mounsieur de Rouse.

MOunsieur de Beauoir Gouernour of Middleburgh, and don Rufello hearing of our arriuall in South­land, (belike Pacheco aduertized them that we had receiued greater losse then we did before Tergoose) thinking our courage qualified, prepared all their forces to defeat vs with a Camisado. To doe it the more terribly, they prepared a great number of haulters; giuing them to their souldiers with a commandement, to hang all the prisoners they should take. The olde saying is true, It is no surety to reckon without an host. Being ready, af­ter directions giuen, they salied out of Middleburgh, [Page 79] some two thousand Spaniards and Wallons, at the shut­ting of their gates; and tooke the next way towards the sandy hils, betwixt Flushing and Southland. As God would, The Victualers giue aduertise­ment. certaine of the victualers discouering their march, cut their Mares out of their Waggons, by w ^ch meanes they recouered Southland an hower before the enemie arriued; which, next vnto the Almighties will, saued all our troupes. Hauing the alarme, the e­nemies vanguarde was in sight; which presently char­geth our guards, Beauoir char­geth the guards making them to run into the Campe, and to quite the sandy hils. All their forces seconded with all speede very resolutely; forcing our first and se­cond troupes to runne into our place of armes, Forceth them to runne. which was neere vnto the other side of the towne in a church-yard, and a large streete before it; Winneth the Artillery. so as they wanne our artillery, turning the same towards vs. But resolute­ly our Officers gathered a sufficient number of armed men into the Market-place: who being ledde valiantly with braue Captains, Is beaten backe charged the enemy, giuing them a retreit and defeat beyond our field-pieces. Rechargeth. Here they came againe with a fresh charge; but our armed men re-encountred them at the push of Pike most valiantly; in such sort that the Ensigne-bearers Philip Watkins, Thomas Louet, Iohn Hamon, with diuers others, brake their Ensigne-staues at the push of Pike: So our men gaue the enemie a full ouerthrow, driuing them cleane out of the Campe, Is ouerthrowne and following them in defeate halfe way to Middleburgh. After, our men hung a number of them with their owne haulters. This piece of ser­uice was one of the best and worthiest encounters that our men had from that time to this hower, in all their [Page 80] warres of the Lowe Countries. The losse of the enemie. The enemies were all o­uerthrowne: notwithstanding many escaped, by reason of the ditches and narrow wayes; especially the most of their Officers and leaders, by reason of their horses and Tades. And of the Flu­shingers. Ours scaped not scot-free: for wee had slaine and hurt about two hundred and fifty; many of them Officers, and amongst others the Captaines Bou­ser, Bedes, and Bostocke English; besides Wallons and French which serued most valiantly. The English commended for their seruice But the chiefe praise next vnto God, ought to bee giuen to the English Ensignes and armed men. Captaine Walter Morgan serued very well; who was ouerthrowne with a Mus­ket shot in the head of the armed men. All the rest did most valiantly. Some will blame me for the naming of our owne losses: but it is a shame for a souldier to write lesse then truth. There can bee no braue encounter without men slaine on both sides. True it is, the fewer the better conduct; but the more dyes, the more ho­nour to the fight. This encounter so encouraged our men, The second at­tempt of Ter­geose. that Saras and Sir Humphrey resolued to returne to Tergoose. After finishing their preparations and or­ders, we landed at the same Village we did before: in number aboue three thousand English, French and Wal­lons: for our troupes were encreased with Rowley and his garrison of Camfier. Their landing Our second landing was in bet­ter order then the first, by reason our ships attempted the Island in two places; In two places. but all or the most part that carried souldiers, were at the landing place. The other being so many vessels in number, approached the shore; in such sort that the enemy durst not separate their for­ces to attempt both: fearing that the other would cut [Page 81] betwixt them and the towne. Being all on the shore, we marched vnto a faire Village named Bifling, Come to Bi­fling. some league from Tergoose; where we lodged that night and the next day. The second night at midnight we mar­ched towards Tergoose; before sixe of the clocke in the morning we were all within an English mile of the towne. Finding the inconuenience of our last skirmish in the one place, order was giuen to the companies of the Captaines, Direction to take the fort. Morgan, Henrie Barnard and Vtran, to march with all speed to attempt the fort which stoode on the head of the Hauen which entred into Tergoose. And if the enemie would not quite their fort, then to lodge on the one ditch betwixt them and the Towne; where they stoode in battaile on the other ditch, to see the effect of our attempting the fort. Being hot in skir­mish with the fort, The fort assaul­ted. according to our direction; a compa­ny of our men began to seek means to pass ouer the dit­ches, to cut betwixt the fort and the towne. There was also a way that passed throgh the medows, frō the ditch where our battell stood; whither Sir Humfrey and Saras sent many to second vs. The enemy perceiuing our re­solution to lodge betwixt the fort & the towne, Quitted by the enemie. quitted the fort. Notwithstanding York, with most of C. Morgans cōpany, re-encountred thē on the ditch; in such sort, that halfe of those who were in the fort were cut off, before they could recouer the towne. True it is, the enemie had reason to quit the fort, by reason they were not victualed but from hand to mouth; neither was it wor­thy of any great munition, because it could not endure any battery. Being entred the suburbs, The Flushin­gers enter the Suburbs. Pacheco salied with great courage, and skirmished in such sort, that our first troupes were forced to stand for their fellows; Pacheco salieth. [Page 82] at which instant the enemy fired all or the most of the Salt-houses. Fired the salt-houses. Our men being arriued close together, we charged Pacheco, Is forced to re­tire. forced their troupes to double their pases into their gates; and withall lodged and placed our first guardes at a Chappell within eight score of the towne: where we stayed and made good, vntill all our troupes were lodged. By reason of our small army, we could not assure the one halfe of the towne: for the garrison were eight hundred strong, The number of the garrison. all naturall Spani­ards, commaunded by more expert leaders then our selues. Yet hauing made our trenches and approaches, wee landed sixe Pieces of battery within sixe score of the walles; Ordinance planted. which did beate on the port towards the hauen. Perceiuing those Pieces could not make any breach to content our Gouernors, we dislodged them, to beate on the bulwarkes which flanked that curtaine. Hauing battered this parapat, A breach made. and made it fit as wee thought, to be attempted with a small scalado; reso­lution was taken to assault it the next night. In the meane time so great a picke and iealousie grew betwixt Sir Humfrey and Saras, The Pieke be­tweene the thiefe of the Flushingers. that each would faine disgrace his fellow. Notwithstanding both agreed to attempt the scalado. After midnight, we dislodged from our quarter some two thousand of our best men, all in Ca­misadoes with scaling ladders, God knows like ignorant souldiers: else we would neuer haue attempted a sca­lado on such a troupe. For lightly a scalado neuer takes place, vnlesse it bee on a simple troupe, or a negligent guarde, hauing a rampier or fort to defend. Notwithstanding ambition and courage so pushed vs on, The scalado giuen. that Sir Humfrey and Saras being approached, [Page 83] aduanced vp their ladders: so did a great number of Gentlemen and souldiers on sundry ladders. The ene­mie politickely kept close vntill many were ready to en­ter. Then they discharged a voley of shot full in our faces, killing many. And withall, their armed men ad­uanced to the push of the Pike; In such sort, that they dismounted the most without ladders. The Flushingers repulsed. At which terror we retyred without commandement, vntill wee came vnder the dike where the enemies shot could not hurt vs. And not without reason. For being on the bul­warke, it was flanked from the curtain in such sort, that none could abide it. Neither could we ioyne with the enemie, vnlesse he listed; by reason of a dike betwixt both, one which they had a draw-bridge at their com­mandement. At this scalado Sir Humfrey and Saras serued very valiantly: he that escaped best of both, had sundry Hagabushadoes on their armours and Camisa­does. I meane their shirts that couered their armours. Many young Gentlemen and Officers performed also couragious seruice. Diuers were slaine and hurt: among others one Bourege was taken by the enemy, whom they commended greatly for his valour: but hee dyed afterwards of his hurts in their hands. This attempt so quailed our courage, that we despaired of the towne: Notwithstanding resolution was taken to continue the siege, The Prince ad­uertized of all. vntill the Prince of Orange were aduertized how the world went. Hereupon Saras, Sir Humfrey and Rowland dispatched posts to the Prince; both to ad­uertize him, and to procure more meanes. The Prince vnderstanding our case, Writeth for succours. dispatched letters to the towns of Holland, and to the Count De la Marke, to desire them [Page 84] to doe their best endeauour to assist vs before Tergoose. The Count sent his Lieutenant Bartelencie with some 2000 Neatherlanders and Almaines. Being ioyned with vs, they gaue some courage at the first; but when their discipline and valour was tried, Their igno­rance in seruice. we found them simpler men then our selues: yea, so rawe, that they brought vs euery day into more disorders. Neuerthelesse, the sight of our numbers caused vs to besiege the towne round about. The Tergoosians iu want. Belike the enemie feared vs, or wanted some necessaries. And finding meanes to acquaint D. d' Alua with their wants; Certifieth D. d' Alua. Who sendeth them Mondra­gon with 3000. strong. he sent w ^th all speed his Colo­nell Mondragon with his regiment of Wallons, and about seauen companies more of Wallons & Spaniards: who might be in all some 3000 strong. This Colonell was expert, valiant and vigilant. Being arriued at Bergham vp Zoone, and finding our forces masters of the seas, & making good guarde round about the Island where we were; he was in great paine, and knew not how to passe the water. Hee entreth the Iland at a lowe water. By good espy-alls and guides, he found the Island easie to be entred at a low water, from the banke of Brabant; where the passage in the deepest place was not aboue fower foote, and for more then halfe the way dry lands; But at quarter floud all was coue­red with seas; at the least sixe English miles. So as his troupes must recouer the dike of the Iland from the place where they entred, The hazard of his entrance. in lesse then three howers; or else be ouerflown with the sea. Also being ready to en­ter on our dike, had our gouernour kept good guards with any valour, his troups must needs haue bin defea­ted. Also he could not bring many hands to fight in or­der; the narrownes of the place where he marched was [Page 85] such. But this Collonell remembring the streight com­mandement of his Generall, fearing the towne to be in greater wants, then indeed it was; resolued to passe, and landed without resistance. Notwithstanding, he lost in his passage neere two hundred. Besides, he and his troupes were so wet and weary, that they remai­ned all that night in the place where they landed: which was about two great leagues from our Camp. The error of the chiefes of the Flushingers. Then iudge you what would haue become of his troups, had we been cōmanded by expert Gouernors, & charg'd them at their landing with half our numbers. In reason we had defeated them. The next morning Mondragon tooke his march towards Tergoose, Mondragon in sight of the towne. hauing intelligence with the towne: Who sallieth. And beeing in sight, the towne sallied and entred into hotte skirmish with our guardes, on the side from their succours: In such sort, that the most of our Campe made head towards them. While wee were in hot skirmish with the garrison, Mondragon passed his men through the towne pel mel with ours: Mondragon commeth vpon the Flushingers. In such sort, that they forced our guardes to runne, and quite all our trenches, euen to the fort, at the head of the water towards the sea. Forceth them to the fort. This fort was so little, that it could not hould 300 of our men. Wherefore our disorder was great, in seeking meanes to escape into our nauy; Thence to their ships. which anchored within a har­quebush shot of the fort. A great number were drow­ned, besides those that were slain; & some yeelded vnto the enemy: especially those who were in the fort. Di­uers officers were carried prisoners into the castle of Antwerp: & amongst others Cap. Tristan, & Vtran. Thus ended our ignorant poore siege. And but for the skuts [Page 86] and small boats which came hard by the shore to re­ceiue vs in, Sir Humfrey Gilberts discou­ragement and desire to return into England. all had been lost. Our blowe was so great, that Sir Humfrey and the most of our men not being acquainted with such disasters, sought all meanes to returne into England. Notwithstanding, before we embarked, Sir William Morgan arriued from the Prince, with authority frō the Prince & the States in Holland, to make large offers to stay Sir Humfrey and his regi­ment for their seruice. But all would not serue to stay either Sir Humfrey, Ziricksee taken by Vorst. or any of his troupes. Whilst our siege of Tergoose endured, Vorst the Admirall and his seamen wan Ziricksee without blowes. By that you may perceiue, that Pacheco and his were not exceeding expert, in quiting such a place in such manner as they did.

I Did heare also, Sir William Pelham vieweth Flushing. that Sir William Pelham was sent from England, to view the seat of Flushing. Being re­turned, they said his report was, His iudgement that it was a place not worthy to be kept; meaning not sufficient to withstand so great an enemy any long time. If that bee true, we were not very great Captains at that time; for then without fellowe, hee was accounted our chiefest soul­dier. By this time the Prince had gotten a sure footing in Holland, The Prince Lord of all Holland. so as all places of any importance were his.

DVke d' Alua seeing the people ge­nerally ready to reuolt, with the lest shew the Prince could make; resolued to gather his forces, and to charge the Hollanders with all fury: Dnke d' Alua against Holland swearing to his Captaines and souldiers, that the spoile of Holland shold be theirs, vpon condition they would ex­ecute all they found. Hauing prepared a mighty army with all necessaries, hee dislodged out of Brussels to­wards Holland. Beeing arriued at Newmegen, hee pas­sed the riuers of Wale and Rhyne in the dead of winter; In winter. and against all reason marched from Arnam towards Vtrick. His high Marshall or Master of his Campe ge­nerall was Chiapine Vitelly; His Chieftains. Don Iohn de Mandosa was Generall of his horsemen; his Generall of the artille­ry, Mounsieur d' Cressoneir; his masters del Campe were Baptista de Mounte, Dorkus Iulian, Romero, Iohn Francisco d' Baldeso, Lanchio, Auila and Mondragon. There were with him also many other of Nobili­ty and Gentlemen of quality; as well Italians, Almaines, Burgonians, and Netherlanders, as also of Spanish. Being arriued at Amsterdam, he commanded his sonne Don Frederick, Chiapine Vitelly, and Mandosa, to march with the vanguard, and to engage the towne of Harlem; [Page 88] In such sort, that nothing could passe from it to Leyden, or to any other place by land. Hauing placed foure re­giments of Almaines and Wallons, well entrenched in the wood hard by the towne, and in the waies towards Leiden; Don Fredrick placed himselfe with a Spanish Ter­tio or Regiment well intrenched, Don Fredricks quarter. in a village and a strong house betwene the towne and the sea; and so lodged the rest of his companies, that the towne sallies were cutte off; sauing on the one quarter, which was meadowes & marish towards the Meere. The forces of the towne. In the towne were the most of the Princes best Captaines; namely, Mounsieur d' Saras, Steuen, Butch, Balford, Smith, with diuerse others of the Scots, French, Almaines and Wal­lons. Amongst whom were some 200 English, in sun­dry Companies; without any Ensigne of their owne. The garrison in the whole might be some three thou­sand souldiers. The order of the siege. They caused also about sixe hundred Burgesses to carry armes; besides two thousand and more of all sorts of people, sufficient to supply the place of pioners: of which were some three hundred women, all vnder one Ensigne. The womens Captain was a most stout dame, named Captaine Margaret Ke­nalt. Hauing diuided the towne into quarters, and gi­uing charge of euery quarter vnto a principall chiefe, they fell to working in great numbers on the weakest parts of the Citie, and mended continually some part of the fortifications; In such sort that within one month their towne was three times stronger, then the first houre the enemy encamped before it. Two skonces at the mouth of the water. They kept also two small sconces on the mouth of the water that ranne from the towne into the meere, which assu­red [Page 89] the passage that waies; by which meanes they re­ceiued daily all manner of commodities, that pleased the Prince & the States of Holland to send them. The Prince kept at Delfe in Holland. He chose for his Lieu­tenant of the wars the Baron of Battenburgh; The Princes care of the towne. for Ge­nerall of his horsemen and Marshall, Mounsieur de Carlon; for Admirall of the Meere for that seruice, one Noris Brand. By reason of the Spanish long delaies in their resolutions about their martiall affaires, He dispatcheth an army to the Cage. the Prince dispatched away his chiefes with some fiue thousand souldiers, and about sixty boyes and crom­sters; of which, sixe were galliots and friggats. This army arriued at the Cage within three leagues of Har­lem, a place inuironed with waters; where because the Spanish could not attempt, by reason the Prince was master vpon the waters, the Baron Battenburgh furnished Harlem at his pleasure with all necessaries. There stood in the mayne right against it on the Meere side, a village named the Sase; Which landeth at, and entren­cheth the Sase. where hee landed and entrenched very strongly. In that place he encamped with some six hundred horsemen, and the most of his foote-men. At the Cage there was no danger, wherefore he anchored his shipping hard by the shore; leauing for their guard six hundred souldiers, with the Admirall and one Ashilers. By this time Duke d' Alua arriued before the towne with his whole forces, Duke d' Alua before Harlem with 30000. artil­lery and munition; amounting in the whole neere to thirty thousand; of which might be some thousand & fiue hundred horsemen. He needed no great cauallery, by reason he was assured there would bee but few a­gainst him. Also those grounds did not serue for great [Page 90] troupes of horsemen to fight in. After viewing the strong seate of the Baron of Battenburgh, Vieweth the seat of Battenb. and percei­uing no good could be done vpon his troupes; to af­front him, Affronteth him with forces. hee aduanced Iohn Battisto del Mounte with fiue Cornets Italians; who entrenched strongly with sixteen Companies of footmen in a village called Hel­lingham, halfe the way betwixt both our companies. Afterwards, Makes his ap­proaches. he began to make his approaches careful­ly; sparing neither pioners nor cost, to spare his soul­diers. The towne sal­lieth with good successe. Before hee planted his battry, the towne made many braue sallies, killed a great number with small losse to themselues. Once they carried diuers Ensignes out of their enemies trenches, & nayled sundry peeces of battery. The battry. After, placing his battry and playing furi­ously, he gaue two sharp assaults: which were defended worthily by the besieged, to the enemies great losse; of whom a great number of quality were slaine and hurt; and amongst others, the braue master of the Campe Iulian Romero lost his eye with a hargabusha­do. The enemy often possest the breach: but beeing entred their halfe moone, I meane the trench which the defendants made ouerthwart the breach within, The towne re­ceiued the as­sa [...]ants. they were murdered like dogges. The defendants had diuers fowlers and other peeces loaden with nailes and small shot, which they placed on the corners of their halfe moone. Those were discharged full against the enemies, being entred vpon the breach. Also they had placed a great number of small shot in houses both high and lowe, full of Cannoners who flanked the halfe moone; and besides, the halfe moone was dou­ble manned with Musketiers & Calliuers. Duke d' Al­ua [Page 91] his losses were so great, To their losse that perceiuing the braue resolution of the defendants, Who retire. hee gaue ouer his as­saults, and began to myne and to approach carefully with sape and other stratagems. D' Aluaes stra­tagems. Sometimes he would mount Cages on masts, Cages erected. made with plankes and such deuices, of musket proofe. In those hee would place diuers musketiers, who by reason of their height did beate into the trenches of the halfe moone. The de­fendants good Cannoniers plagued those Cages in Which are bea­ten downe. such sort, that often the Cages, birds and all fell downe and brake their necks in their owne trenches. So, at last no birds could be found to sing in Cages, where fire-worke and Cannon-shot could annoy them. His mynes tooke little effect. Some the defendants found with counter-myne. Mynes. One myne beeing passed vnder a bulwarke before it was found, and then discouered, the defendants made such trenches round about it, that the myne being fired, and the enemies entered, the trench plagued them like the halfe moone; so as they were driuen to quitte their myne, as before they had done their breach. Another time they bat­tered a new bulwarke: and the defendants perceiuing they would lodge in it, left rampiring against their battery, and fell to myning their owne bulwark. Af­ter, making many trenches round about it, and placing diuers barrells of powder in their myne, the enemies offered to enter. The defendants quitted the bulwark, sufferd the enemies to enter in great numbers; and beeing at the push of pike at a barrier of their trench, they fired the myne, Blow it vp and sally vpon the enemy. blew, slew, and toke at least 1600: and withall sallied into their trenches, and [Page 92] recouered their owne ground where their bulwarke stood, And recouer their ground. which they entrenched & kept. Duke d' Alua his losses were so great, that albeit his choler encreased, yet the courage of his souldiers much quailed; so that the wisest sort requested him to saue his men from such furious terrors, and rather to spend a long time either to famish the towne, or to procure the Princes for­ces to fight; which he could not doe without meanes to fight by water. Beeing in Amsterdam, with the re­solution of his Admirall Count Bossue, Duke d' Alua giueth order to force the towne. and good in­telligence with the principall Burgesses of the saide towne, hee resolued to cut a passage from the Sou­therne sea into Harlem Meere; He maketh a cut in Harlem Meere. Passeth 45 ships into it. which they did, and passed some forty fiue sailes, whereof most were grea­ter then those of the Princes. These they armed and double manned, with the best sort of souldiers out of their Campe, besides their mariners. Anchoring close vnder a fort of theirs, not farre from ours, they resolued to besiege the two forts at the mouth of the water, Besiegeth the two forts. that came from the towne to the Meere. Hauing those, they were sure to stop that passage, and to famish the town without giuing battel. In short time they made a platform to beat th [...]se forts, which would hold good if their shipping could stay where they were. The Prince hearing their intent, commanded the Ba­ron of Battenburgh to prepare all his Nauie to attempt the Spanish fleete. Preparation for a sea fight. Collonell Mor­gan ariueth out of England. By this time Colonell Morgan was arriued with tenne English companies: who, by reason he was but newly landed, stood on some poynts of contract with the Prince. But the seruice required haste; and the Prince commanded the Baron [Page 93] of Battenburgh to aduance his Nauie with all speede, and to vse all diligence to succor the distressed skonces. And albeit the English regiment stood on tearmes, Co­lonell Morgan (his owne band commanded by Row­land Yorke, being arriued some moneth before their fel­lowes) offered himselfe, and so did his Lieutenant Captaine Bingham, with diuers others, The English re­fuse to march without money to serue where the Prince would command them. But their regiment refused to march without money. To say troth, they were promised to bee mustered and payd at their lan­ding. Battenburgh wanteth men to man his Nauie. The Baron of Battenburgh wanting souldiers to man both his Nauie and his trenches at the Sase, was forced to depart with the Nauie before towards Har­lem; God knoweth, nothing well manned, in respect of the Spanish. The Spanish Admirall hauing intelli­gence, was ready with his Nauie double manned, wan­ting no necessaries: For the faire and rich towne of Amsterdam had furnished them with all wants, especi­ally with store of Marriners. The Nauies ap­proached each other. Being approached with­in sight one of another, we found the Spanish in good order of battaile, keeping close together. They aduan­ced towards vs triumphing with Drummes, The brauery of the Spaniards. Trum­pets and glistering armours, with great courage; so as the sight quailed the courage of our white-liuered Ge­nerall and cowardly Admirall. In such sort, that being approached neere ready to board each other, The Princes Generall and Admirall flie. our Gene­rall and our Admirall shranke out of our first ranke backewards; and aduancing their fellowes forwards, both themselues and diuers others of our best vessels made all the sailes they could to fly; leauing their poore companies engaged to the mercie of their enemies, by [Page 94] whom (God knowes) they were soone discountenan­ced. The rest discō ­sited. Our Admirall and Generall with our best [...]a [...]les es­caped to the Cage, as I said before; a place of ours, where we kept garrison: the rest of our Nauie made to the contrarie shore from Harlem. Diuers escaped by reason they drew farre lesser water then the Spanish; di­uers were boarded and burned; among others two Hoyes, where Yorke and Captaine Morgans companie was. Notwithstanding, halfe our men escaped with lea­ping into the water, and recouered the shoare. Thus lost we our Sea-battaile; principally for want of soul­diers to man throughly our ships; but partly with ill directions and cowardly executions of the Baron of Battenburgh, and Admirall Norris Brand. For no Ge­nerall or Chiefe can excuse himselfe escaping out of an ouerthrow, without staying with the last troupes that fight. The two skon­ces lost. After this our two skonces were lost, and Har­lem engaged to be lost without succours by land; which could not be without battaile. Shortly after, the towne beganne to fall to distresses; hauing in it at the least one thousand sixe hundred mouths, The town seeks to passe away their vnprofita­ble people. with no meanes to be rid of any of them, but through the enemies Campe: which they offered to passe often, but alwaies they were returned into the towne, or massacred in the Campe. The Prince at­tempteth to re­lieue the towne by land. The poore Prince perceiuing the distresse of the town, sought all meanes to relieue it. Hauing no other means, he went to Cublick Banquets; where he encouraged the Hollanders to take armes, and aduenture themselues with his men of warre, rather then suffer their distres­sed Countrimen to perish. These poore Hollanders ha­uing ingaged themselues with promise, resolued to [Page 95] meete on a day in the Campe of Sase. Being arriued, the Baron of Battenburgh and Mounsieur de Carlo Ge­nerall of his horsemen, tooke resolution to try the for­tune of warres with the enemie, rather then to suffer the world to cry out, that the towne was lost without blowes on their sides: and thinking his name to be in­famous (as indeed it was) for the Sea-fight, he thought it better to be buried dead then aliue. Battenburgh leadeth toward Harlem. Hereupon hee dislodged from his trenches of Sase, accompanied with some sixe thousand footemen and sixe hundred horse­men; and hauing with him some thousand Mares. Vpon most of the which he placed two shot a peece: the rest were led with Boures loaden with pouder and other necessaries, which the towne wanted greatly. Re­soluing to put those necessaries into the towne, hee ad­uanced his forces. Being arriued hard by Hellingham, Commeth to Hellingham. a place (as I said before) which the enemie kept; at the breake of day, the enemy taking the alarum, the Ba­ron made a stand. After, conferring with his Cap­taines, hee tooke resolution to deferre their dessigne, Retyreth. and returned with our Campe to Sase. The besieged being in great distresse for victuals, especially for mu­nition, and finding the ill conduct of our Generall and Chiefes; Saras sent to the Princes Campe. dispatched out of town their Captaine Moun­sieur de Saras, and Hauton his Lieutenant; who passed with great danger, and were forced to swimme many ditches, hard by the enemies guardes. Being arriued at the Sase, bearing with them the townes resolution; which was, at the first sight of our Campe to sallie on the enemies trenches; and so either to receiue their wants into the towne, or to escape how they could. Sa­ras [Page 96] hauing conferred with the Prince and Baron at Ley­den, returned to the Sase; where they tooke a full reso­lution either to dye, or succour the towne. Hereup­on they dislodged from the Sase, The Princes power towards Har [...]em. with our armie na­med before, hauing with them some sixe hundred wag­gons loaden with victuals and munition; with skonces made of boards of the proofe of Muskets which ranne on wheeles, [...] mouea­ble skonces. hauing in them places to play with sundry field-pieces; which skonces were to ioyne and to open as pleased our Enginer, euery fiue and tenne pases. Be­ing all ioyned together, I meane in one, it might couer at the least three hundred men. This skonce was to be drawen with horses on both sides, and in the middest, vntill we were ingaged with the enemies smal shot; then to be pushed vvith poales by the force of men. Being parted vvith all necessaries, and arriued betvvixt their Campe at Hellingham and the sea, the enemies tooke the alarum in all their quarters. Arriuing vvithin sight of their Campe, The Spaniards keepe close. they kept their men very close, vvithin their trenches, and on the side of the vvood; so that vve could not see them. Our men vvithin the tovvne had made a great salie through the Curtaine; The townsmen make a sallie. in such sort, that they might issue out, where there was neither guard nor trench of the enemy. But a traytour lea­ping ouer the walls in the night discouered all their intent. Are hindred by wet straw fired. Whereupon the enemy prepared great quan­tity of straw, which beeing made wet, they set on fire in sundry places, at such time as their Curriers gaue the alarum of the approach of our army, when the townse­men were ready to sally out; by which meanes the townesmen could neither see the approaching of our [Page 97] armie, nor knew what time they ought to sally. D [...] d' Aluaes or­der against the Towne. So the enemie directed fiue thousand of his best footemen, and three hundred horsemen to charge the townes­men if they sallied, and the rest to charge our Campe, if it were possible vnknowne to the townesmen; And so they did, by their gouernement and fine stra­tagem. For at the sight of our armie (being within two Musket-shot of their trenches) Duke d' Alua cau­sed the 5000 footemen, Sendeth forces of the retreit of the Princes power. and 3 hundred horsemen, to discouer themselues before the breach which our men had made in the curtaine: withall he commanded the braue Baron Chiffero, and Iohn Battisto del Mounto, (who had quited Hellingham with all his horsemen, and was newly arriued in their Campe) with others, to march on the sea-sands, vntill his artillery went off in vollies; then to cut into the high wayes, betwixt Harlem and our Campe at Sase; Appointeth foots to charge them. hauing with them some fiue hun­dred horsemen, and about fiue thousand footemen. Al­so he commanded his master of the Campe Iulian Ro­mero, Del Mount, Donkus, the Barons of Likes, of Ca­pers, of Frunsberke, and Poule Viler to leape ouer the trenches with their regiments, and charge our army at the discharging of his artillerie. And horse against their horse. Also Don Iohn de Mendosa generall of his horsemen, who was hidden, as I said before, was commanded to charge our horsmen at the going off of the artillery. The Duke with the rest of his army stood in battell within the trenches. Our Generall and Chiefes placed our Waggons to frontier The order of the Princes armie. the fairest places where their horsemen could charge vs: our Wallons, Dutch and Flemmish, stood within the Waggons in good order of battaile, all in one squadron, [Page 98] with our horsemen on both the sides towards the ene­mies, our English, French, and Scots stood, some twenty score before the front of our battaile. The battaile. As we were basie in placing our engines, I meane our skonces and wag­gons, their artillery went off; and withall the enemies presented in all quarters, as they were directed. At this sight (God knowes) our courage much abated. Notwithstanding, The horsemen charge. the Baron of Battenburgh and Moun­sieur de Carlo charged Mendosa, he hauing better then eight hundred horsemen, and ours not sixe hundred: At which charge Mounsieur de Carlo generall of our horsemen was slaine, Carlo slaine. with many others of our best men. At that instant the Baron Chiffero, and Iohn Bat­tisto came on the spurre towards the Baron of Batten­burgh, leauing their footemen marching with all speede on the side of ours. Vpon their approach, the Baron and our horsemen ranne into our Waggons, with all the e­nemies horsemen in their tailes. The footemen defeated. Then Iulian and the rest named before, draue in the English and French shot, winning our skonces and Waggons; and our battell brake and ranne towards the Meere. By reason of mea­dowes & ditches diuers escaped into our Nauie, which anchored not farre off, vnder a strong skonce; whose boats rowing from our ships saued many. But the Ba­ron our Generall was slaine after he had recouered our battaile, with the most part of our men. All or the most part of our Cornets, ensignes, artillery, munition, wag­gons, engines and baggage were lost. Thus were wee ouerthrowen with ill directions and ignorant gouerne­ment. The errour of the Prince. What Prince or estate would direct their men of warre, especially being more then halfe their owne [Page 99] Countrimen, to attempt aboue 26000 good souldiers well intrenched, gouerned with great Captaines; not being in the whole 6500 footemen, and of those halfe poore spirited Burgesses? Or what Generall or Cap­taine would vndertake it, vnlesse he were ignorant and without iudgement in martiall affaires? Some will say, had our friends perished in the towne without blowes, it had beene our shame. I doe confesse it, hauing any reason to fight. But being sure to perish both, it was our greatest shame to attempt it. If wee had kept our selues vndefeated, and giuen order to the towne to haue compounded with the enemie, their composition had beene the better. But being defeated, the townesmen were faine to yeeld to the mercy of Duke d' Alua. The Towne yeeldeth. For the sight of our Ensignes and Cornets so quailed their courage, that hauing no other remedy, they yeelded to his mercy within foure dayes after our ouerthrow. But he executed the most part of them most cruelly, The cruelty of Duke d' Alua. sauing the Almaines of Stinbaghs regiment (who compoun­ded for the most part to serue the King) and Balfort with a few Scottish men; Balford. who to escape Duke d' Aluaes cruel­ty, promised to kill the Prince of Orange: but being ar­riued with the Prince, he confessed his promise, and ser­ued him faithfully long after.

DVke d' Alua hauing wonne Har­lem, and as he thought broken the courage of the Hollanders; thin­king the Prince of Orange and them not able to furnish any place like vnto Harlem, and that his crueltie on that Towne would terrifie any garrison from hazar­ding themselues to be besieged: hee resolued with his counsaile of warre to attempt one of the other stron­gest townes, as Alkmer or Leyden; which being wonne, the rest or most of the others would yeeld. Duke d' Alua a­gainst Alkmer. To that end he dispatched his Sonne Don Fredericke, accompanied with the master of his Campe generall Chiapine Vitelly, giuing them halfe his armie, and charge with all dili­gence to enclose the strong towne of Alkmer, situated in North-Holland himselfe with the rest of his armie, of­ficers, Nobility, artillery, munition, with all other ne­cessaries, was to second them with all speede. His or­ders being set downe, and his armie dislodged, hauing passed their fort of Sparendam, A mutienie a­mongst the spaniards. the Spanish Tertias began to mutinie; partly discontented for want of pay, but chiefly fearing to bee troubled with a more miserable lodging then they had before Harlem. This proceeded [Page 101] chiefely from a few of the Neatherlanders which ser­ued amongst their bands, and knew the seat of Alkmer to bee an ill fauoured ma [...]sh, farre more vnholsome then Harlem; and knew it also to be a seat thrice stron­ger then Harlem. To say troth (if it were lawfull for men of warre to finde fault with any enterprise that their Generall vndertakes) they had reason to fear Alk­mer, considering how their misery endured before Harlem aboue ten monthes: in the which time they lost aboue twenty thousand liues, the most with sick­nesse and misery. Whereupon beeing past the fort of Sparendam, and lodged on the firme land, hauing nei­ther riuer nor marsh betwixt them and the faire towne of Vtrick; the Spanish Tertias chose and forced one to bee their chiefe, named in their language an Electo, They chuse an Electo. who is lightly one of the finest stirring spirits a­mongst them, His quality and gouernment. well knowne to bee stout and valiant. Sometimes they forced a person to be their Electo a­gainst his will; But whether hee bee willing or not, they will be sure to giue him a strong guard of the chie­fest mutiners; with such articles as if they finde him faulty in the least point, they will murder him, had hee a hundred liues. Especially he must neither signe nor write any thing, but in publicke places before them all. Likewise, he must neither receiue writings nor spee­ches but in open audience; nor doe any thing without their generall consent. Obseruing their articles and or­ders, the multitude will respect and obey him during his gouernment; His authority. in as ample sort as the Kings Lieute­nant; and all are sworne not to doe any thing without his consent. And with their Generall and officers they [Page 102] promise to free him from all matters that can be laid vnto his charge; which they haue obserued firmely at sundry times, as I will shew hereafter. And to say troth, if there can bee any good orders in mutinies, the Spanish doe theirs in good order; and keepe as good and as streight discipline during the time of their Electo, as when their officers are amongst them. As I said in my little discourse of the Spanish discipline, there can be no dangerous mutinie without a Chiefe; Chiefes ap­pointed by States. which must be authorised by a Prince, or Estate. If any of them mutineth, there must bee present meanes to cut them off, as Alexander did his Parmenio, or some other meanes to be assured of their persons; else am­bitious Chiefes will often employ armies against their owne States and Masters, and will not faile to vse their meanes and credits to deceiue the multitude, to serue their owne turnes. Being stirred in armes, by all reason they are irreconciliable to their Princes or Estates; the multitude and followers may bee pardoned and forgiuen, but in no reason their principall instruments can looke for any sure reconcilement. A Chiefe ap­pointed by the mutiners. But a popular multitude either in armes, or otherwise mutined, may bee appeased and reconciled easily in respect of the o­thers, hauing no other instruments then were made by themselues; especially forced Electoes like vnto the Spa­nish. The Spanish mutiny against Vtricke. As I said before, the Spanish Tertias and some six regiments of Wallons resolued to enter the City of V­trick, and to sack it rather then to misse their due paie. Whereupon they marched with all speed to­wards Vtrick; and in their way they carried with them all the ladders they could finde in villages & Churches, [Page 103] which they thought would serue their turnes. Beeing approached hard by the towne, they found the wals well manned and in good order; The towne de­fended by Mounsieur de Hierges. by reason Mounsieur de Hierges Gouernour of Gelderland and of Vtrick, was arriued there vpon intelligence of their determinati­ons; who commanded the Captaine of the Castle vp­on his allegeance to the King, to vse all endeauours for the defence of the towne. The Castillian assured him of his loyalty, to the vttermost of his power.

To bee the better assured of his Spanish garrison, Mounsieur de Hierges caused halfe the garrison of the Castle to sally; and to manne the Curtaine, where the mutiners attempted. Before they offered any attempt, Hierges sent a Spanish drum vnto them; assuring them, rather then they should enter the towne, Hee and as many as loued the Kings seruice would dy in the place. Notwithstanding, the mutiners resolued, and aduan­ced the scale; giuing their fury on the Curtaine next vnto the Citadell; thinking belike, that their fellowes within would not be cruell against them. But being in the ditch, and hauing placed their ladders to the Ram­pier, both Hierges and the Captaine of the Castle and all the rest, plagued them with volleyes of shot both great and small; The mutiners retire. In such sort, that happy was he that could returne first, leauing behinde them all or the most part of their ladders, with many of their men slaine or hurt. Afterwards the mutiners returned into the countrie, so greatly discontented, as they did not onely raile on Mounsieur de Hierges, Rayle on their King. the Captaine, and garrison, but on their King, Generall, and Officers: In such sort, that most of them sware they would bee [Page 104] paid, and better vsed, or else they would serue the e­nemy against their King. Are pacified by D' Alua. Duke d' Alua hearing their resolutions, dispatched Commissioners to appease them: and in the ende was forced to content them, both with fiue moneths pay, and assurance to be for­giuen. Hauing pacified them and reconciled all, they accepted their Officers, and agreed to march whither they should be ledde. Send away their Electo. But first, according to their cu­stome, euery man gaue a crowne vnto the Electo, who was to depart with all speed out of the Kings domi­nions; but with good assurance and pasport not to be molested. This mutinie hindred Duke d' Aluaes in­tent some month. Notwithstanding, according to his first resolution, Don Fredricke. Don Fredrick and Vitelly marched with all speed to enclose Alkmer. D' Alua fol­loweth. So did the Duke followe with the rest in all speed. In the meane time, the Prince and States of Holland had sent into the towne, fiue or sixe expert Captains; Alkmer streng­thened by the Prince. especially the Scottish men Smith and Cornelleys, who entered the towne with some foure hundred souldiers. The most of these Captaines had been in Harlem, and saued the towne for a long time, next vnto the Almighties will. The vanguard being arriued, The towne ingaged. they soone ingaged the towne; so as none could either sally or enter. Duke d' Alua being ar­riued with the rest, Pontones for the ordinance. prepared great pontons or brid­ges, with other necessaries to plant his battry: which hee could hardly doe, by reason of the marish and wet rotten grounds, whereon the towne stood. Notwith­standing, with his expert Captaines & cunning Engi­ners he mounted eighteen peeces of Cannon, The Cannon planted. with som six Culuerings in a marshie ground against reason; im­possible [Page 105] to be done, as the defendants thought. These peeces did bea [...]e crosse, on two platformes, The battry. a weak bul­warke, and a Curtaine, some eight score off. Hauing no other flanke, by reason the ground serued not, they could not bring the battry within lesse then eight score: The distance of the battry. wherefore their fury was the lesse. To say troth, all batteries ought to be placed within lesse then eight score; if it be full seauen score, it is very farre to doe any great hurt: In case the defendants be in any great numbers within, hauing store of earth to rampier and entrench themselues. Notwithstanding, I heard some of the best defendants in that towne say, The feare of the towne. in their iudgements, the feare of the people and of most of the souldiers within was such; that had not the ene­mies enuironed the towne round about as they did, but left any place voide, the best of the defendants would haue quitted the place, and shifted for themselues. No way to flee. But beeing streightly enuironed and no waies to escape, remembring their cruelty at Harlem, they resolued to fight; by reason the souldiers which had been in Harlem, did importune the rest; especially the Captaines, who were assured to perish comming into their enemies hands. After some 7000 shot, The breach. the breach was reasonable, as the assailants thought. But in troth it was not; Not assaultable for aboue foure foot of the ground of the rampier was nothing battered, but falsely coue­red with the ruine of the parapet and the earth that fell from the highest parts of the breach. Also they were faine to giue their assaults on Pontons & such Engines; Pontons for assaults. which they had made against reason, to aduenture men against a place defended with any valour. For a breach [Page 106] (be it made neuer so assaultable) hauing many hands to defend it with any valour, lightly is neuer entred; In case they within be of any iudgement, as I said be­fore, and hauing earth to entrench themselues. But the fury of Duke d' Alua and his Commanders was such, The assault. that they aduanced to the assault, & attempted it with great courage. Being twice repulsed, notwithstanding they aduanced the third time, to their folly and deare costs. For at those assaults they lost diuers of their best Captaines, The Spaniards repulsed. and at the least 1600 of their brauest soul­diers.

The next day the raine fell in great aboundance, The siege lea­uied. in such sort, that they raised their siege in few daies; and lost diuers peeces of battry which they could not hale out of the marish. At this towne did the famous Duke d' Alua lose the greatest credite, D' Aluaes dis­grace. that hee did in any place since hee carried armes; which he had done sixty yeares. His experience for warre. For fifty yeares, the least commandment hee had, was Generall of the horsemen: which place hee had in Germany, when Charles the fift ouercame Duke Iohn Frederick of Saxony and his confederates. But had the Duke marched streight to Delfs hauen and taken it, His error. & Mayston-sluce, when he marched to Alkmer (which places were vnfortified to any purpose) by all reason he had carried all Holland in a short time. I am sure, the most men of warre who knowe the seate of the Coun­trie, will confesse no lesse then my selfe.

WHilest Duke d' Alua was busie a­bout his enterprise of Alkmer, Mounsieur de Poyet, who had bin with Count Lodowick in Mounts, being newly arriued out of France, was chosen Lieutenant of the warre to the Prince of Orange. Hauing conferrred with the Prince, they gathered certaine Companies of English, Scottish, French & Fle­mings, at Dort in Holland: which they embarked with petardes, Mounsieur de Poyet landeth his troupes in the night. ladders, and such Engines of warre. Moun­sieur de Poyet vsing great diligence, landed his troupes in the night, on the dike towards Seauenbrooke; some halfe a league from the strong towne of Gertrudenberg in Brabant, situated on the water side next vnto Dort. After, placing his troupes in order, hee sent before him a valiant French Captaine, named Malion, His order for the surprise. accompa­nied with a dozen resolute souldiers; amongst whom were two or three of the countrie souldiers, who had been often in the towne, and knew all the rampiers as well as the inhabitants thēselues. Whilest Malion spent som howr in discouering the place they meant to scale, Mounsieur de Poyet aduanced his troupes towards the towne. Beeing within a quarter of a league of the towne, hee staied vntill about an houre before day. Hauing conferred with Malion, he deliuered vnto him some two hundred of his best souldiers, giuing him charge to scale with all courage; assuring him to se­cond [Page 108] him with the rest. Malion and his troupes entred the ditch of a small raueling, ioyning vnto the ram­pier, where hee placed his ladders. After the passing of the round (notwithstanding that the sentinels gaue the allarum) Malion and his troupes recouered both raueling and rampier, Malion e [...]treth before any great troupe came to encounter him. The garrison being gathered toge­ther in reasonable numbers, charged Malion resolutely at the push of the pike; Poyet secon­deth him. but being seconded by Moun­sieur de Poyet and his troupes, they were quickly con­tent to quitte the fury, and also forced to runne into the market place, whither the assailants followed them in the taile. Notwithstanding, being entred the mar­ket place, Resistance in the market place. the Gouernour with his fresh troupes turned vpon vs, and gaue a hot charge at the push of the pike; but our many hands soone ouercame them, giuing them the retreit in rout. The garrison defeated. Some took themselues into the towne-house, which they kept a little while, and then yeelded to haue their liues saued. Diuers ran ouer the rampier towards Breda; More then halfe were slaine. The Gouernour with a few recouered his house, The Gouer­nour escapeth. which stood on the rampier; out of which hee escaped ouer the wall vnto Breda; leauing behinde him all that hee had, sauing what hee carried vpon him. Thus was the strong towne of Gertrudenberg surprised, with lesse then 1200 men; hauing in it at the least 600 souldiers, besides Burgesses, with the losse of foure and fifty per­sons of our side; to the great griefe of Duke d' Alua, not without reason. For considering his losse and dis­grace at Alkmer, it did equall at the least his victory at Harlem.

WHen Duke d' Alua aduanced to besiege Alkmer, hee sent the Master of his Campe Don Francisco de Baldeso, Baldeso sent into Holland. with his Tertia De la Ligue, with fiue Corners of horsemen, and some twelue companies of Wallons out of sundry regiments; commanding him to aduance into the bo­wels of Holland, to relieue his troupes in the rich Villa­ges (where he thought best) betwixt Leyden, Delfe, and the Sea-co [...]st, as farre as the riuer of Mase, and the town of Brill: Charging him to attempt nothing without his aduice and consent; vnlesse it were with sure intelli­gence with some of the townes. Baldeso being entred the faire and rich Village of Hague, Entreth the Hague. without any resi­stance, found it a place sufficient to lodge double his troupes; all in couert, The seat there­of. and most in beds. This Hague is counted the fairest Village in Europe, and the place of the generall assembly of all the Neatherlands, next vnto Brussels (I meane the seauenteene Prouinces since they were vnited vnder the house of Burgundy) where the King hath a faire Palace, and diuers of the Nobility houses, with a great multitude of Lawyers. This Hague is such a Village, that Charles the fift being reque­sted to fortifie it, answered; hee had rather it should re­maine the fairest Village, then a reasonable faire towne.

[Page 110] But I perswade my selfe, both hee and the Countrey would haue fortified it, but that it standeth more then halfe on sandie grounds: which can neuer bee made strong by the earth it selfe, by reason of the loosenesse of the sand. The Prince of Orange tryed to doe it, but could not to any purpose; so as it might be kept with any garrison against an army, without a reasonable ar­my to defend it. Baldeso after lodging a fewe dayes in the Hague, caused all the Villages to bring him such ne­cessaries as pleased him. Then he aduanced certaine of his companies to a Village called Riswike, Baldeso fortifi­eth Riswicke. in the way towards Leyden from Delfe; which he entrenched and baricaded. Placed his first guardes at the bridge towards Delfe. Likewise he entrenched his first guardes at the bridge, halfe the way betwixt Delfe and the Hague; where often our troupes and theirs had many a hot skir­mish, both neere vnto the guardes, and sometimes hard by the ports of Delfe. The States gar­risons. Colonell Morgans regiment and diuers companies of French men were lodged in the Villages, betwixt Delfe and Roterdam, safely from the enemie; by reason both the townes couered them be­hinde and before with great ditches on both sides, not to be passed with troupes, hauing any guards to defend them. These troupes serued alwaies ready to thrust in­to Delfe, Roterdam, Delfe- hauen, or Mayston sluce; where the enemy would haue attempted first. In Leyden. In Leyden was Mounsieur de Lorges, sonne to that braue Count of Mongomery, with a faire French regiment; and other companies of Scots, and of the Countrimen and Bur­gesses well armed. Captaine Che­ster in Delfe. In Delfe was Captaine Chester with two hundred English-men; whome afterwards the Prince aduanced to be Colonell of those troupes, by [Page 111] reason of some sting against Colonell Morgan. There were in it also three faire companies of French-men, be­sides the Burgesses well armed. In Roterdam. In Roterdam were some bands of Scots, and of the Countrimen, besides the Burgesses. In Delfs hauen. At Delfs-hauen was Mounsieur de Mayson­flure, with sundry bands of French, Scots, and of the Countrey. In Mayston-sluce. In Mayston-sluce was Mounsieur de Saint Alagondy, and Terlon, with some 1200, most of them Countrimen; a great number of Peasants and Bur­gesses. Besides, the garrisons wrought continually to fortifie both Delfs-hauen and Mayston-sluce; in such sort that both the places were strong and guardeable, with reasonable defences. Delfs-hauen fortfied. Especially Delfs-hauen was verie strong; not to be wonne easily, hauing necessaries that belong to a fortresse. The garrison of Delfs-hauen had fortified the Village of Ouerskie, halfe the way betwixt Delfe and Roterdam; where they kept a strong guarde. Mounsieur de Poyet, for the better assurance of Leyden, Mounsieur de Poyet in Leyden being the neerest place engaged and enuironed with e­nemies, thrust himselfe into it. Baldeso practised all he could with Leyden and Delfe; once by treacherie of some, who kept the towne-port towards Vtricke. Baldesoes at­tempts vpon Delfe. Bal­deso prepared sundry Turfe-boates, in which hee lod­ged good troupes of souldiers. Once being entred the ports, with the resolution of the garrison, and the good conduct of Poyet, they were repulsed; where Baldeso lost many of his men. Another time hee had intelli­gence with some in Delfe: but being discouered to the Townesmen and garrison, diuers of our bands which lodged hard by entred in the night; but either some of the Townesmen or Baldesoes guardes discouered [Page 112] our arming: so as he gaue ouer his enterprize, when he was ready to attempt, in the like order as he did at Ley­den. But had he come, we were ready at the least 1000 souldiers, besides the Burgesses, at the water-port where he should haue entred; and [...]ad bent sundry pieces of artillery, loaden with nayles, haile-shot, and such de­uices. Had hee presented himselfe, his troupes could not escape without great murther among them, with no danger to our selues. Aduertisemēts to d'Alua. After these attempts, Baldeso aduertized Duke d'Alua of his affaires; shewing him that no good could bee done, without an armie and the furie of artillery. To that end hee requested more troupes or meanes, or leaue to retyre himselfe with those troupes he had.

THe Duke remembring his disgrace at Alkmer, D'Alua retyreth to Brussels. fearing his armie would mutine if hee would ouercharge them with paines and trauel, hauing no treasure to content them; re­solued to retire to Brussels. But be­fore he departed, he sent the master of his Campe Iulian Romero to his armie, Sendeth Iulian Romero to assist Baldeso. which was lodged in the Country by Vtricke and Amsterdam; giuing him charge, if hee could, to procure his Tertia of Lumbardy (of which [Page 113] Iulian was Colonell) to march into Holland, With Moun­sieur de Capers. to ioyne with Baldeso. He sent also Mounsieur de Capers; com­manding him to procure his regiments of Wallons to do the like. Fronsberke. Also the regiment of Fronsberke the Almaine. These Colonels were directed to the Campe, to pro­cure their regiments to march willingly, and not per­force. He commanded Mendoza generall of his horse-men to send with them sixe of the best Cornets. Six Cornets of horse. After that these Regiments and Cauallery were contented to enter Holland, and had sworne to obey their Colonells in all manner of seruice; Iulian General. Duke d' Alua gaue the chiefe charge vnto Iulian, and the next vnto him was Baldeso. He placed Colonell Verdugo Gouernor in Harlem; Verdugo. with his regiment of Wallons, and one Cornet of horsemen, with three ensignes of Almaines out of Frunsbergs re­giment. Himselfe departed out of Amsterdam, D'Aluaes retire, and to what end. with his sonne Don Fredericke, Chiapin Vitelly, Mendosa and all the rest of his armie towards Brabant; resoluing not to attempt any great siege or seruice, before hee had ac­quainted the King how the world went. To that end being arriued at Brussels, he dispatched two of qualitie vnto the King; either to send him treasure and meanes more plentifully, and in better order; or to giue him leaue to retire himselfe, and to send another Gouernor.

IVlian and his succours being arriued, Iulian Romero attempteth Mayston sluce. and hauing conferred with Baldeso, resolued to attempt Mayston-sluce; and dislodged from the Hague with their forces named before, haling with them sixe pieces of battery. Be­ing arriued at the great Village called Florden, within a small league of Mayston-sluce, they quartred their horse-men, with a regiment of footemen for their guardes; His order. and departed with the rest to approach the Sluce. They carried with thē all the skutes and boats that might be found, in Waggons; with plankes, ladders, and all other necessaries that they thought fit, to scale and to make bridges ouer the dikes. Being before the Sluce, with their bridges and meanes they had made to passe the ditches, they tooke the great ditch on both sides of the Sluce; Taketh the dyke the Sluce stands vpon, dismounteth the artillery of the forte. I meane the dyke the Sluce stands vpon, and which keeps the sea from drowning the land. Hauing mounted their artillery on both sides of the dyke, they dismounted ours within, which did beate on the dyke. After, turning their artillerie towards the seas, I meane the riuer of Mase, which is aboue a league broad in that place, they beat away such vessels as the defendants had anchoring before their fort. Mounsieur de Terlon depar­teth. Mounsieur de Terlon being Admirall and Gouernour of Brill, perceiuing their suc­cesse, departed out of the fort in a skute, with great ha­zard, to recouer the Brill; presently the enemies passed [Page 115] their boates ouer the dyke into the Mase. Being passed, Iulians boats in the Mase. it much abated the courage of S. Aldegoundy & his gar­rison, not without reason. The w [...]aknesse of the fort to­wards the water For betwixt the fort and the water their Rampier was worth nothing; so as at a high water it couered the dyke of the fort, as high as the pa­rapet. The enemy perceiuing their successe, Iulian placed his artillerie vpon a Ponton. prepared a Ponton: which they builded artificially vpon their boates, and placed on it three of their pieces. The gar­rison perceiuing their stratageme, hauing no meanes to auoyde it, nor hope of succours; compounded for their fort, The forte yeel­deth. deliuering the enemies their chiefe prisoners with their ensignes and armes. Thus was the fort of May­ston-sluce lost, partly by reason our ships of warre durst not hazard to dismount the enemies artillery (which they might haue done, shewing their accustomed va­lour, as they did since and before in diuers places) but chiefly by reason our men did not cut the dyke on both sides of the fort, to haue drowned the Countrey; ha­uing done that, the enemie would neuer haue attemp­ted the place. By reason of the strength of Delfes-ha­uen, the enemy refused to attempt it. Delfes-hauen vnattempted. To say troth, they had no reason to doe it; hauing no meanes to ap­proach but on such a dyke; and the enemy being so well fortified and manned, as their approaches had beene vaine.

IN this time order came from the King, to retire Duke d'Alua into Spaine, and to resigne his place vnto Don Lewis de Requesence, Commendador Maior de Castilli­a; a souldier of great reputation for counsaile, but no body for ex­ecution; as the battaile of Lapanta could witnesse. For this Commendador being chiefe Counceller to Don Iohn de Austria, did what he could to procure the Chri­stian armie, not to hazard battaile with the Turkes. Al­so being in the fight, he aduanced so slowly with a rere­guarde of Gallies, that he nor his came to any blowes; so as both there and in other places, alwaies the Com­mendador was reputed a coward. But belike in respect of his wit and mildnesse, the King sent him into the Lowe Countries; perhaps perswaded, that a milde Cap­taine would winne the hearts of the people, farre better with faire meanes, then Duke d'Alua with his cruelty. But in troth, both King and Councell deceiued them­selues; in calling away Duke d'Alua, and in making choyce of such a Generall as the Commendador Ma­ior. For by all reason, if the Duke had beene royally maintained as he ought; he had made his master abso­lute King ouer all the seauenteene Prouinces. To say troth, furie and resolution well vsed or executed, had [Page 117] been the onely waies to supprsse that nation; the Spa­nish being resolued to subdue them, as they were. For all other since, the witty politicke Neatherlanders did alwaies ouer-reach the Spanish; especially hauing such a head to direct them as the Prince of Orange, and be­ing so strongly situated; wanting no meanes to main­taine warres, and resolued to withstand the Spanish to the vttermost, rather then to yeeld to any compositi­on. For whether the people bee strongly situated or not; wealthie or poore; few, or great in multitudes; being resolued to be mutinous and discontented, The error of the Spaniard in remoouing D'Alua. and not willing (as I said before) to be brought vnto any composition, but such as pleaseth themselues: God helpe that Prince or State, that must be forced to com­pound with such a a people, by any meanes but by the sword; which had beene farre more easie in the hands of Duke d'Alua, then of the poore Commenda­dor. But the emulation amongst Councellers for great­nesse ouerthrew that seruice, with many others; as I will shew hereafter. The Spanish Priests, namely Car­dinall Granuill, the Bishop of Toledo, with the aide of Rigomus did perswade the King, that Duke d'Alua was too great a subiect. By such means rather then any other, Duke d'Alua was called home, and questioned for many disorders; committed aswell in other places, as in the Lowe Countries.

WHilest Iulian was busie in Holland, Walkheren be­sieged with ships by the States. Mounsieur de Poyet, and Boiset Go­uernour of Walkheren, with his brother, the Admirall of Zeland, had besieged the Iland, with a great number of shippes of warre; In such sort, that nothing could enter into Middleburgh, Armue, and Ramkins, which the enemies held. Messieurs de Beuoir, and Don Ruffello being distressed for want of victualls in the said places, found means to acquaint the Commendador with their estate. Iulian Romero out of Holland. Whereupon the Commendador sent for Iulian to come with most of his forces, and to leaue Baldeso with the rest in Holland. Hauing prepared a Nauy of some hundred saile of ships, The Cōmen­dador sendeth a Nauy to­wards Walk­heren. hoyes, and crumsters, giuing them in charge vnto the Masters of the Campe, Sanio, d'Auila, Castillan of Antwerpe, and Mondragon: After, furnishing them with all necessaries, both dou­ble manned with souldiers, and appointed with great store of victuals, as wel to relieue the distressed places, as the army abroad; he commanded them to vse all dili­gence, first to enter Middleburgh, and to relieue Mon­dragon Gouernour of the Iland (with his regiment of Wallons, and some soure Companies of Spaniards) [Page 119] both with victualls and munition; then, to returne with the Nauy for Antwerpe, and to carry with them Mounsieur de Beauoir with his troupes. Before this Nauie passed Lillo, The Ramkins attempted by the States. From the ships. Messieurs de Poyet and Boiset had attempted the Ramkins, and anchored with ships vn­der the fort, which did dismount diuers peeces with­in; hauing their tops of Musket proofe, out of which our Musketiers did command the parapet next vnto them. By the myne. Also a myne was made in the dike towardes Middleburgh; which being fired, rased a corner of the fort to little purpose; but that there was but a few soul­diers within, not halfe to man the walls, with a cow­ardly Ensigne bearer which commanded. By these meanes the Ramkins was deliuered to Mounsieur de Poyet some foure daies before the succours arriued. Yeelded vp. Also there arriued from Holland, Collonel Mor­gan arriueth. Collonell Morgan and his Regiment, with other Companies of Wallons and Flemings. The Spanish succours beeing in-sight, The Spanish in sight. our men planted the Spanish Ensignes on the Ramkins, and discharged a volley of artillery as if it were for ioy; only to bring their Nauie to anchor vnder the com­mandement of our artillery. Trained into danger of the shot. Beeing approached and anchored, they soone perceiued what friends did wel­come them: In steed of safe anchoring, they were faine to dislodge vnder the muck of the dike a league off, Retire into safety. Defended by the Cannon from land. to be safe from our artillery. Being anchored, Bea­uoir and Ruffello marched with the most of their men of warre to that place, haled with them foure peeces of battry, which stood their Nauie in great steed; for they commanded all the road where the Nauie lay; In such sort, that albeit our Nauy anchored within [Page 120] halfe a league of theirs, betwixt them and Flushing, we durst not attempt them in that road, by reason of their artillery mounted on the shoare. Perceiuing no hope to succour their distressed places by water, they tooke resolution to saile about the Iland, and to land their men at a place named the Hague, Saile toward Hague. which stands on the neck of the Iland, to the East-ward from Camfier; a league from the said towne, & some league and a halfe from Middleburgh. Whilest their Nauy was doubling about the Iland, Are affronted by land from Flushing. our men of warre mar­ched right against them alwaies, not knowing their in­tent, nor where they meant to land; but had they known our directions, they might haue easily entred and seised on the towne of Flushing, The danger of Flushing. in sayling by it. Of two thousand souldiers which wee had in the I­land, we had not in the towne two hundred. In pas­sing by Flushing, had their Nauy bent their course in­to the hauen, there was nothing to defend them, but a paultery bome; which God knowes, could neuer haue endured one push of the smallest vessell. For the towne artillery, it vexed them onely in sailing by it. Be­ing entred the hauen, the souldiers had nothing to do, but to haue leaped out of their shippes to shoare on both sides of the hauen: which might haue been done easily; hauing nothing to let them but the men of warre, which were at their passing by a great league off. For then (God knowes) the Burgesses were no­thing trained either with armes, or any policy of de­fence. Also at this instant the bulwarke that flan­ked the hauen was nothing furnished to any purpose. Therefore often true intelligence is the best part of an [Page 121] enterprise, and worth alwaies halfe an army. The Spaniards land at the Hague. Beeing anchored at the Hague named before, they landed their men and placed on that dike certaine peeces of artille­ry; in like sort as they did at their last anchoring, for defence of the Nauy. Hauing landed their victualls, & such necessaries as they had to furnish their distressed places; they sent to Beauoir and Ruffello, to send them all the meanes they could to transport their necessaries. Beeing arriued, Relieue Mid­dleburgh. Mondragons men with victualls and munition departed towards Middleburgh: where be­being arriued, Mounsieur de Beauoir & Don Ruffello re­turned with the olde garrison to the Hague. In this time all our men of warre were arriued at Camfier, the next place to front them; Are affronted by the Princes souldiers. so was our Nauie anchored with­in halfe a league of theirs, halfe the way betwixt the Hague and Camfier. Mounsieur de Roule Gouernour of the said towne, hauing set good order in his towne, Mounsieur de Boiset Gouernour of the whole Iland and Roule, sallied with the rest, to front the enemies at the Hague. Being arriued right against our Nauie, we being in number two thousand English, Scots, French, Wallons, Who intrench themseues. and Flemings, entrenched our mayne in that place; then wee aduanced some three hundred, twelue score further, and entrenched there two hundred; and ad­uanced six score further, one hundred. Our guard was narrowe, by reason we were entrenched on a dike of sixteen pases broad, the seas on the one side, on the other side meadowes inuironed with ditches, not passable with armed men, without meanes to make bridges. The enemies perceiuing our lodgings, belike thought it was to cut off their passage betwixt the [Page 122] Hague and Middleburgh. Whereupon not hauing pas­sed halfe their necessaries, presently to intercept vs, Are charged by the Spaniards. they marched full against vs vpon the dike: a thousand or more aduanced into the meadowes right against vs; some fiue hundred on our side towards Middleburgh, followed with all their troupes. Those on the dike for­ced our first troupe to runne, following them in rout vnto our second. Being on the trench of our two hun­dred, Who are for­ced to retire. we plagued them with a volley of shot, so as they were driuen to retire aboue twelue score; where they stood vntill their shot in the meadowes approached neere vnto vs. Collonell Morgan perceiuing the heate of their skirmish, The English aduance. aduanced his Lieutenant Collonell, Captaine Bingham, with two hundred shot and armed men: So did Boiset and Roule aduance with them, and many of the other nations. Withall, the enemies ad­uanced with great resolution vpon the dike: The Spaniards second charge so did the others in the meadowes passe ouer the ditches with planks and hurdles; In such manner that those troups annoyed vs greatly. For they flanked vs with volleyes on our sides so cruelly, that being at the push of the pike with the troupes on the dike, The Princes souldiers flee. The Spaniards enter the trench our men behinde made away. The enemies perceiuing their retreit, pas­sed ouer the trench, where they executed and hurt ma­ny: by reason wee fought and knew not of our fel­lowes retreit, vntill our backs were towards the ene­mies. Who followed vs so close and with such fury, Giueth chase to the Princes souldiers. that our great stand ranne aboue halfe a league; vntill we came to a strong trench at a winde-mill, where we kept a good guard, which was commanded by the towne artillerie. Retireth. The enemy perceiuing the place too [Page 123] hot to attempt; and not guardeable being possest, by reason of the towne arttillery, retired. Wee percei­uing their retreit, began to take such courage that wee resolued to charge them; Is pursued aduancing with a cry and fresh resolution; charging their rereguard, their van­guard doubled their pases. Perceiuing their counte­nances, it gaue further courage; wherupon our charge began to bee resolute and furious: Put to flight and executed. so as all their troupes ranne; where we executed of them a farre grea­ter number, then they did of ours in our first retreit. Wee followed them through their lost trenches, close to their trench and village of Hague. By reason of the nights approach wee quitted our skirmish, and kept guard at our trenches: which we mended all the night, keeping good guard and farre better order then we did before. All the night both towne and succours trans­ported their necessaries into the towne; so that by their great number of skutes and waggons, all their victuals and necessaries were entred the towne before two of the clock the next day in the afternoone; And as I said before, Mondragon with his, Mondragon in Middleburgh. entred Middle­burgh; and Beauoir with Don Ruffello and their fol­lowers arriued at the Hague. By reason of our equall losses and wearinesse, neither of both parties were ea­ger to procure any skirmish: The Spaniards returne to Antwerp. So that according to the Commendadors directions, their troupes embarked. Our fleete perceiuing their meaning to saile for Ant­werpe, belike to discharge an honest reporte to the world; our Chiefes resolued to fight with them by sea. Are charged by the Prince his fleet. Hauing taken resolution aud imbarked the most of our souldiers, wee made towards them with good [Page 124] courage, Capt. Yorke. as they sailed by Camfier; Captaine Yorke being aboard the vice-Admirall of Flushing, with a great number of young English gentlemen and souldi­ers, the most of Collonell Morgans Company, procu­red our vice-Admirall to board their vice-Admirall: which he easily yeelded vnto, for the man was valiant and eager of himselfe to charge. So was valiant Moun­sieur de Boiset our Admirall, Boiset. with the most or all his Nauie very eager to charge their fleet; beeing well manned with good store of gallant souldiers, of the nations of English, Scots, and French. Being close to­gether, with great courage ours cried Amain. Accor­ding to direction, The Spanish borded. our vice-Admirall boarded theirs: So did valiant Robinson a Scottish Captaine, beeing in one of the best Flushioners, board their rere Admirall. Mounsieur Boiset charged their Admirall through their Nauie, who escaped with good sailing. Captaine Harry & Ambrose Duke, the valiant Frenchmen & Wallons, be­ing aboard of some of our best sailes, boarded also two of their best sorts of vessels. The enemy percei­uing our resolution, Flee. fell in rout before the winde, with all the sailes they could make, to recouer the riuer of Antwerpe. Notwithstanding, wee tooke, burnt, and forced to runne on the sands, aboue two and thirty sailes; 32 sailes of theirs taken & returned victorious, with their vice-Admirall, rere-Admirall, and diuers others into our towne of Camfier: where we filled our prisons with Spaniards, Wallons, and great numbers of their marriners. This victory recompensed in honour double theirs; al­though not so profitable as their victualling of Mid­bleburgh and Armu; which by that meanes held out [Page 125] many a moneth the longer, and would haue done still, but for the defeat of Rumers wall. Notwithstanding that Middleburgh was victualled and farre better man­ned, principally by the person of braue Colonell Mon­dragon; the Prince gaue not ouer his determined pur­pose, but charged both the Besoits, The Prince a­gaine besiegeth the Iland. I meane the Gouer­nour and his brother the Admirall, to vse all diligence to make sure guarde round about the Iland with their ships, as they did before; and to cut off all succours from entring any more. His preparation To that end they prepared a farre greater number both of ships and souldiers; on which enterprise the Prince did set his rest, with good reason. For he was assured to winne the Iland in time, being master on the Seas. Mondragon [...] distresse. Within few moneths, Mon­dragon and his beganne to fall into distresse, for want of victuals. Mounsieur de Poyet sent into Walkheren. To terrifie them the more, the Prince sent his Lieutenant Generall Mounsieur de Poyet into Walkhe­ren, with the most of his men of warre, sauing Colo­nell Morgans regiment; which remained in Strinland, standing on tearmes for pay, and leaue to returne for England, The English malecontent. by reason of some discourtesies that fell out betwixt the Prince and the Officers of the said regi­ment. Notwithstanding diuers Gentlemen of that re­giment accompanied Mounsieur de Poyet; amongst o­thers Captaine Walter Morgan, Master Christopher Car­lell, and Master Anthonie Fant. Mondragon fearing Poyet would attempt Armu, sent his Lieutenant Colo­nell into the said towne with a strong guarde; by rea­son the place was but newly fortified, but very strong, without many hands to defend it. Also he kept a strong guarde at the head of Middleburgh, a mile out of the [Page 126] towne, to defend the hauen. Poyet aduanced his forces on the Ramkins dyke, towards Middleburgh. Being ar­riued right against the enemies guards at the head, ours intrenched themselues in that place; lodging our for­ces on the dyke, from the Ramkins to the said first guarde: hauing betwixt vs and the enemie the hauen, which might bee some threescore broad; where wee had diuers good skirmishes, as well by those that sallied from Middleburgh, as by them that lodged at the head.

COlonell Morgan being arriued in England, with his regiment in good order, to the number of seauen hundred, who being mustered before her Maiestie neere to S. Iames, the Colonell and some foure hundred of his best men were sent into Ireland; which in truth were the first perfect Harguebushiers that were of our Nation, and the first troupes that taught our Nation to like the Mus­ket, as I said in my little discourse of the Spanish disci­pline: There also I touch how Philip de Commines speaks much of Lewis the eleuenth, but nothing how he quitted his Duke of Burgundy. Most true it is, at Co­lonell Morgans going into Ireland, hearing how the young Prince of Condy was newly escaped from France [Page 127] into Germany, meaning (as it was told me) to leauie an armie, and to march with all speede into France: this bruit, and my greedy desires to trauaile to see strange warres, made me to quite the voyage into Ireland, and to goe with all speed towards the said Prince. Being ar­riued in Germanie, I found the Prince nothing ready to march, nor any speech of his sodaine leauie. Hauing spent there all the time I could, want of crownes forced me to returne for England. Passing from Colen towards Antwerpe, and entring Lire in Brabant, I was brought before the Master of the Campe Iulian Romero; who a­mongst many questions enquired of me, what Noble­men in England I knew best. I answered, the Earle of Pembroke; whom I serued a Page. He replyed, what? he that was Generall of the English before S. Quintin? I neuer honoured any man more: and withall requested me earnestly to trye his courtesie in the Spanish armie; assuring me to depart when pleased me. Hauing spent all my crownes, and being loth to returne into England without seeing something; I promised to stay. Also in those dayes there was no dispute betwixt her Maiestie and the Spanish King, to my knowledge. This was the manner, and the first hower that I entred into the Spa­nish seruice.

MOndragon feeling his wants, aduer­tized the Commendador; who per­ceiuing no meanes to succour him, but by sea, which could not bee without forcing the Princes ships, prepared all the sailes and meanes he could. In time he made ready some 120 saile: The Spanish preparation to relieue Middle­burgh. of which were foure-score of warre, as well ships as Crumsters and Hoyes, the rest victuallers, laden with all necessaries to furnish the distressed places. Being in readinesse, some at Antwerpe, some at Bargen vp Some, the rest at Tergoose, hee gaue them in charge to his masters of Campe, Iulian Romero & Santio d'Auila Generalls. Iulian Romero and Santio d'Auila, desiring them for fashion sake to accept Mounsieur de Beuoyr for Ad­mirall, and to giue him some grace, in respect of his disabling for the commandement of Zealand. This he did onely to flatter the Wallons: by reason Mounsieur de Beuoyr was descended from one of their principall houses. The Princes Nauie. The Prince hearing their intent, prepared for his Nauie all or the most of the ships of warre, that Hol­land and Zeland could make at that time, to the number of some two hundred: a few ships, the rest Crumsters and Hoyes. These are the best ships to fight in those waters, by reason the most of them draw but little wa­ter, and carry for the most part principal good artillery; [Page 129] some demy Cannons, and many whole Culuerings. For those waters are full of sands and many dangers, The nature of the sea. al­though it be broad in some places tenne of our myles, all couered with seas; notwithstanding not nauigable in the most places, but in narrow streames: Insomuch as in many places you may discouer steeples and bankes, which in time past were Ilands like vnto the rest. For this cause I suppose those Countries doe car­rie the name of Sealand. The best ships for that sea. Also those small sailes turne farre shorter and readier, then other ships in those nar­row passages; and keepe farre better by a winde. Ha­uing this Nauie in a readinesse well manned, especially with great store of good Marriners, besides a good number of souldiers of Scots, French, and Neatherlan­ders; he commanded his Admirall Mounsieur de Boi­set, to aduance with his Nauie betwixt Siricksey and Tergoose, The Princes Nauie at Sirick­sey. where the enemies must passe; there to trye the fortune of warre, rather then they should succour Mondragon. After finishing all preparations, the Com­mendador diuided his Nauie named before into three squadrons. 3 Squadrons of Spaniards. The greatest vessels and the farre more in number, Santio d'Auila at Tergoose. he commanded Santio d'Auila to aduance vn­der the Iland of Tergoose; there to anchor vnder the fa­uour of some artillery mounted on the shore, and to stay in readinesse vntill he receiued further direction. Him­selfe with the rest of his Councell and army marched to Bargen-vp-some; where he found Iulian Romero and his Admirall Beuoyr, ready to set out with the rest of his Nauie, staying but for his directions. He diuided their vessels into two squadrons; giuing them equally to the Admirall and Iulian. Iulian Romero and Boiset. All his Nauie being furnished to [Page 130] the vttermost he could, Want of Marri­ners among the Spaniards. they wanted Marriners, especi­ally of the same Countrimen, that were well acquain­ted with those sands and shallow waters; but they were very well manned with braue land souldiers: But not of soul­diers. for they had in them some 90. ensignes of souldiers, Spanish, Bur­gundians and Wallons. The Commendador, after placing himselfe with his Nobility and a great troupe of men of warre on the high banke of Brabant, within halfe a league of Bergen, where hee might see very easily the place where the battaile was fought: hauing giuen a signall to Santio d'Auila from a hill on Brabant side, The Commen­dador giueth a Signall. Santio de Auila aduanceth. which he might easily perceiue; Santio de Auila ad­uanced his squadron with all the sailes hee could to­wards Romers wall, where the Nassawians lay in good order of battaile, hauing diuided their battell into foure squadrons. The order of the Nassawians. Mounsieur de Boiset the Admirall of Zea­land, commanded the greatest; the Admirall of Hol­land, the second, which was his right wing; the Admi­rall of Sirickesey the third, which was the left wing; Boisets Vice-admirall Boenire commanded the fourth; whom Boyset commanded to make all the sailes hee could towards Santio d'Auila. Being arriued within culuering shot, he cōmanded Boenire to lead Santio d'A­uila ouer the shallow waters, if he would follow him; if not, to keepe in the wind as neere vnto him as he could; without fighting, vnlesse the enemie would force him, vntill Boyset began. Iulian and Beuoyr hauing not two leagues to saile vnto the Nassawians, who were ready vnder the head of Bergen in good order; and percei­uing that Santio d'Auila could not saile vnto them, by reason that most of his vessels drew too deepe water, [Page 131] and that his smallest vessels were in fight with Boenire: they aduanced with great courage in good order, Iulian & Beuoir aduance. thin­king to haue sailed betwixt the Nassawians and Brabant side, and to haue ioyned with Santio d'Auila. By this time Santio d'Auilaes smallest vessels were in hot skir­mish with Boisets Vice-admirall; but many of his grea­test vessels were runne on ground, with very ambition to come to fight before their fellowes; Iulian and Be­uoyr being right against the Nassawians. The ioyning of the fight. Boiset hauing the wind, made with all resolution towards the enemy; so did they abide them with no lesse courage: In such sort, that the valiant Admirall Mounsieur de Boiset, Boiset & Iulian boardeth each other. and the resolute braue Master of the Campe Iulian Romero, boarded each other: so did the Admirall of Sirickesey, So Beuoyr & the Admirall of Sirickesey. and the Admirall Beuoyr board each other, with no lesse courage; so did Boenire, Boisets Vice-admiral, board the Vice-admirall of Santio d' Auila. Being in wonderfull hot fight a long time, the most part of the vessels, especi­ally the squadrons of Iulian & Boiset, had bin on aboard each other neere two howers; The length of the fight. the most part of which time they were at the push of the pike, and blowes of swords. Boiset and his fellowes were more expert sea­men then the Spanish Commanders, The Nassawi­ans better sea­men then the Spaniards. and farre better furnished with all manner of prouisions that belong to a sea-fight; especially fireworkes: which they employ­ed to the Spaniards great losse. So that Iulians Alfere being aboard of Boiset, was blowen vp with powder; and with him threescore at the least of his brauest soul­diers. And had they not done it at that instant, Iulian himselfe had beene gone; for he was entring with the rest. The Spaniards were cruelly plagued in all quar­ters, [Page 132] especially by reason Santio d'Auilaes great vessels could not come to succour their fellows, among which he was in person; being a most valiant man, accompa­nied with a great number of their best souldiers. Iulian flyeth. Iulian perceiuing his fellowes distressed without remedie, and himselfe most of all; with wonderfull hazard, he and diuers of his Gentlemen and souldiers did leape into their skuts, which carried them to the shoare where the Commendador stood; so did many others escape by the like meanes. Likewise diuers of their smallest vessels ranne themselues on the shoare where the Commenda­dor stoode; many were fast on the sands; diuers were burnt; the rest made all the sailes they could to recouer the riuer of Antwerpe. And Santio d'Auila. Amongst these was Santio d'A­uila; notwithstanding he had grounded his own vessell, in seeking to come to fight. The Nassawians followed them into the riuer of Antwerpe, defeating and taking many as they ranne away. The Spanish losse. By the Spaniards owne re­ports, they lost in this battaile aboue threescore saile of all sorts; forty seauen ensignes; aboue sixe hundred brasse pieces, of which aboue 200. were taken out of the Cittadle of Antwerpe; slaine and taken aboue six thousand souldiers and mariners. Few were saued that came to their hands, but all or the most that were taken were slaine or drowned. Amongst many of their Commanders and men of good account, their Admirall Beauoir was slaine valiantly, at the push of pike: The Nassawi­ans losse. So was Santio Dauilaes vice Admirall. The vic­torious escaped not scotfree. For their Admirall Boi­set lost his right eye with the blowe of a pike, the Ad­mirall of Holland sore hurt with a shot in the thigh; [Page 133] Boenyre, Boisets vice Admirall was slaine, with many other of good marke, besides at the least sixteene hun­dred souldiers and mariners. Thus was tke battell of Romers-wall begunne and ended. Perhaps some will say, because there was no greater slaughter and confu­sion, it may not be tearmed worthy and comparable vnto diuers others. But in troth I heard diuers report, besides the Commendador, who had been at Lapanta and heer; that the fury there was nothing comparable vnto this; The furie of the fight. number to number. For my part, I neuer saw any thing so furious. I may well speake it, for there are some of good quality yet aliue, can testifie the same. But for Iulian Romero himselfe, I had bin blown vp with his Alfere; yet I escaped with as great hazard as any other of his followers. But I will dispute against any souldier, that no fight hath been comparable vn­to it by sea, these fiue hundred yeares; sauing that be­fore Sluce, fought by our famous King Edward the third, against the French King and the Earle of Flan­ders, and that of Lapanta.