ALthough the desire of aduancing my re­putation, caused me to withstand the ma­nie perswasions you vsed, to hold me at home, and the pursute of honorable acti­ons drew me (contrarie to your expecta­tion) to neglect that aduise, which in loue I know you gaue me: yet in respect of the manie assuran­ces you haue yéelded me of your kindest friendship, I can not suspect that you wil either loue or estéeme me the lesse, at this my returne: and therefore will not omit anie occa­sion which may make me appeare thankfull, or discharge anie part of that dutie I owe you; which now is none o­ther, than to offer you a true discourse how these warres of Spaine and Portingall haue passed since our going out of England the xviii. of Aprill, till our returne which was the first of Iuly. Wherein I wil (vnder your fauourable par­don) for your further satisfaction, as well make relation of those reasons which confirmed me in my purpose of going abroad, as of these accidents which haue happened during our abode there; thereby hoping to perswade you, that no light fancie did draw me from the fruition of your dearest friendship, but an earnest desire by following the warres, to make my selfe more worthie of the same.

[Page 2]Hauing therefore determinately purposed to put on this habit of a Souldiour, I grewe doubtfull whether to imploy my time in the warres of the Lowe Countreyes, which are in auxiliarie manner mainteined by her Maie­stie; or to follow the fortune of this voyage, which was an aduenture of her and manie honorable personages, in re­uenge of vnsupportable wrongs offered vnto the estate of our Countrey by the Castilian King: in arguing where­of, I finde that by how much the Challenger is reputed before the defendant, by so much is this iorney to be pre­ferred before those defensiue warres. For had the Duke of Parma his turne béen to defend, as it was his good for­tune to inuade, from whence could have procéeded that glorious honor which these late warres haue laid vppon him, or what could haue béen said more of him, than of a Respondent (though neuer so valiant) in a priuate Du­ell? Euen, that he hath done no more than by his honour he was tied vnto. For the gaine of one Towne or anie small defeate giueth more renowme to the Assailant, than the defence of a Countrey, or the withstanding of twen­tie encoūters can yéeld any man who is bound by his place to gard the same: whereof as well the particulers of our age, especially in the Spaniard, as the reports of former hi­stories may assure vs, which haue still laid the fame of all warres vpon the Inuador. And do not ours in these daies liue obscured in Flanders, either not hauing where withall to manage anie warre, or not putting on Armes, but to defend themselues when the Enemie shall procure them? Whereas in this short time of our Aduenture, wee haue wonne a Towne by escalade, battred and assaulted ano­ther, ouerthrowen a mightie Princes power in the field, landed our Armie in thrée seuerall places of his Kingdom, marched seauen daies in the hart of his Countrey, lyen thrée nights in the Suburbes of his principall Citie, bea­ten his forces into the gates thereof, and possessed two of his frontier Forts, as shall in discourse thereof more par­ticulerly appeare: whereby I conclude, that going with [Page 3] an Inuadour, and in such an action as euerie daie giueth new experience, I haue much to vaunt of, that my fortune did rather carrie me thither, than into the warres of Flan­ders. Notwithstanding the vehement perswasions you v­sed with me to the contrarie, the ground whereof sithence you receiued them from others, you must giue me leaue to acquaint you with the error you were lead into by them, who labouring to bring the world into an opinion, that it stood more with the safetie of our Estate to bend all our forces against the Prince of Parma, than to followe this action, by looking into the true effects of this Iourney, will iudicially conuince themselues of mistaking the mat­ter. For, may the Conquest of these Countreyes against the Prince of Parma, bee thought more easie for vs alone now, than the defence of them was xi. yeares agoe, with the men and money of the Queene of Egland? the power of the Monsieur of France? the assistance of the principall States of Germanie? and the Nobilitie of their owne Countrey? Could not an Armie of more than 20000. horse and almost 30000. foote, beate Don Iohn de Austria out of the Countrey, who was possessed of a verie few frontier Townes? And shall it now be laid vpon her Maiesties shoulders to remooue so mightie an Enimie, who hath left vs but 3. whole parts of 17. vncōquered? It is not a Iourney of a few months, nor an auxiliarie warre of few yeres that can damnifie the King of Spaine in those places, where we shall méete at euerie 8. or 10. miles end with a Towne, which will cost more the winning, than will yearly pay 4. or 5000. mens wages, where all the Countrey is quartred by Riuers, which haue no passage vnfortefied: and where most of the best Souldiers of Christendome that be on our aduerse partie be in pencion. But our Armie which hath not cost her Maiestie much a­boue the third part of one yeares expences in the Lowe Countries, hath alreadie spoyled a great part of the pro­uision he had made at the Groyne of all sorts, for a newe voyage into England; burnt 3. of his ships, whereof one [Page 4] was the second in the last yeares expedition, taken from him aboue 150. péeces of good artillarie, cut off more than 60. hulkes, and 20. French ships well manned, fit & rea­die to serue him for men of warre against vs, laden for his store with corne, victualls, masts, cables, and other mer­chandizes; slaine and taken the principall men of warre hee had in Galitia; made Don Pedro Enriques de Gusman̄, Conde de Fuentes, Generall of his Forces in Portingall, shamefullie runne at Penicha; laide a­long of his best Commaunders in Lisbone: and by these fewe aduentures discouered how easelie her Maie­stie may without any great aduenture in short time pull the Tirant of the World vpon his knées, as well by the disquieting his vsurpation of Portingall as without diffi­cultie in keeping the commoditie of his Indies from him, by sending an armie so accomplished, as may not bee sub­iect to those extremities which we haue endured: except he draw for those defences, his forces out of the Lowe coun­tries and disfurnish his garisons of Naples and Milan, which with safetie of those places he may not doo. And yet by this meane shall rather be inforced thereunto, than by any force that can be vsed there against him: wherefore I directly conclude, that this procéeding is the most safe and necessarie way to be held against him; and therefore more importing, than the warre in the Lowe Countries.

Yet hath the iourney (I know) béen much misliked by some, who either thinking too worthely of the Spaniards valour, too indifferently of his purposes against vs, or too vnworthely of them that vndertooke this iourney against him, did thinke it a thing dangerous to encounter the Spaniard at his owne home, a thing néedlesse to procéede by inuasion against him, a thing of too great moment for two subiects of their qualitie to vndertake. And therefore did not so aduance the beginnings as though they hoped for any good sucesse thereof.

The chaunces of warres bee things most vncertaine: for what people soeuer vndertake them, they are indéede [Page 5] but as chastizements appointed by God for the one side or the other. For which purpose it hath pleased him to giue some victories to the Spaniards of late yeares against some whome he had in purpose to ruine. But if we consi­der what warres they be that haue made their name so ter­rible, we shall finde them to haue béen none other, than a­gainst the barbarous Moores, the naked Indians, and the vnarmed Netherlanders: whose yéelding rather to the name than act of the Spaniards, hath put them into such a conceipt of their mightines, as they haue considerately vndertaken the conquest of our Monarchie, consisting of a people vnited and alwaies held sufficiently warlike: a­gainst whom, what successe their inuincible Armie had the last yeare, as our verie children can witnes, so I doubt not but this voyage hath sufficiently made knowne, what they are euen vpon their owne dounghill: which had it béen set out in such sort as it was agreed vppon by their first de­maund, it might haue made our Nation the most glorious people of the world. For hath not the want of 8. of the 12. péeces of Artillerie which was promised vnto the Ad­uenture, lost her Maiestie the possession of the Groyne, and many other places, as hereafter shal appeare; whose defen­cible Rampiers were greater than our batterie (such as it was) cold force: and therefore were left vnattempted.

It was also resolued to haue sent 600. English horse of the Lowe Countries, wherof we had not one, notwith­standing the great charges expended in their transporta­tion hither: and that may the Armie assembled at Puente de Burgos thanke God of, as well as the forces of Portingall: who foreranne vs sixe daies together: Did wee not want seauen of y ^e thirtéene old Companies, we should haue had from thence: foure of the ten dutch Companies: & sixe of their men of warre for the sea, from the Hollanders: which I may iustly say we wanted, in that we might haue had so many good souldiers, so many good shippes, and so many able bodies more than we had?

Did there not, vpon the first thinking of the Iourney [Page 6] diuers gallant Courtiers put in their names for aduentu­rers to the summe of 1000 li. who séeing it went forward in good earnest, aduised themselues better, and laid the want of so much money vpon the Iourney?

Was there not moreouer a round summe of the aduen­ture spent in leuieng, furnishing, and mainteyning three moneths 1500. men for the seruice of Berghen: with which companies the Mutinies of Ostend, was suppressed: a seruice of no small moment?

What miserie the detracting of the time of our setting out, which should haue been the first of Februarie, did lay vpon vs, too many can witnesse: and what extremitie the want of that moneths victualls which we did eate, during the moneth wee lay at Plimoth for a winde, might haue driuen vs vnto, no man can doubt of, that knoweth what men doo liue by, had not God giuen vs in the end a more prosperous winde and shorter passage into Galitia, then hath béen often seen; where our owne force and fortune re­uictualled vs largely: of which crosse windes that held vs two daies after our going out, the Generalls being wea­rie, thrust to Sea in the same, wisely choosing rather to attend the change thereof there; than by being in harbo­rough to loose any part of the better when it should come by hauing their men on shoare: in which two daies 25. of our companies shipped in parte of the fleete, were scattered from vs, either not being able or willing to double Vshant.

These burthens laid vpon our Generalls before their going out, they haue patientlie endured, and I thinke they haue thereby much enlarged their honor: for hauing done thus much with the want of our Artillarie, 600. horse, 3000. foote, 20000 li. of their aduenture, and one moneths victualls of their proportion, what may bee coniectured they would haue done with their full compliment?

For the losse of our men at Sea, since wée can lay it on none but the will of GOD, what can be saide more, than that it is his pleasure, to turne all those impediments to the honour of them, against whome they were intended: [Page 7] and he will still shew himselfe the God of hoasts in dooing great things by them, whome many haue sought to ob­scure: who if they had let the action fal at the height there­of in respect of those defects, which were such especially for the seruice at land, as would haue made a mightie subiect stoope vnder them; I doo not see, how any man could iust­ly haue laide any reproach vpon him who commanded the same: but rather haue lamented the iniquitie of this time, wherein men whom forrein Countries haue for their con­duct in seruice worthily estéemed of, should not only in their own Countrey not be seconded in their honourable ende­uors, but mightily hindred, euen to the impairing of their owne estates, which most willingly they haue aduentured for the good of their Countries: whose worth I will not valew by my report, least I should seeme guiltie of flatte­rie, (which my soule abhorreth,) and yet come short in the true measure of their praise. Onely for your instruction, a­gainst them who had almost seduced you from the true o­pinion you ought to holde of such men, you shall vnder­stand that Generall Norris from his booke was trained vp in the warres of the Admirall of France: and in verie young yeares had charge of men vnder the Erle of Essex in Ireland: which with what commendations he then dis­charged, I leaue to the reporte of them who obserued those seruices. Vpon the breach betwixt Don Iohn and the States, he was made Colonell Generall of all the English forces there present, or to come, which he continued two yeares: hée was then made Marshall of the field, vnder Conte Hohenlo: and after that, Generall of the armie in Frisland: at his comming home in the time of Monsiers gouernement in Flanders, hée was made Lord President of Monster in Ireland: which he yet holdeth, from whence within one yeare he was sent for, and sent Generall of the English forces her Maiestie then lent to the Lowe Coun­tries: which hee held till the Earle of Leicesters going o­uer. And hee was made Marshall of the field in England, the enemie being vpon our Coast, and when it was expec­ted [Page 8] the Crowne of England should haue béen tried by bat­taile. All which places of commandement which neuer a­ny English-man successiuely attained vnto in forraine Warres, and the high places her Maiestie hath thought him worthie of, may suffice to perswade you, that he was not altogether vnlikely to discharge that which he vnder­tooke.

What fame Generall Drake hath gotten by his iour­ney about the world, by his aduentures to the west Indies: and the scourges he hath laid vpon the Spanish Nation, I leaue to the Southerne parts to speak of, and referre you to the booke extant in our own language treating of the same; and beseech you, considering the waightie matters they haue in all the course of their liues with wonderfull repu­tation managed, that you will estéeme them not well in­formed of their procéedings, that thinke them insufficient to passe through that which they vndertooke, especiallie ha­uing gone thus farre in the viewe of the world, through so many incombrances, and disappointed of those agrée­ments which led them the rather to vndertake the seruice. But it may be you wil thinke me herein either too much o­pinionated of the Voiage, or conceited of the Cōmanders, that labouring thus earnestly to aduance the opinion of them both, haue not so much as touched any part of the misorders, weakenes and wants that haue béen amongst vs, whereof, they that returned did plentifullie report. True it is, I haue conceiued a great opinion of the Iour­ney, and doo thinke honorably of the Commanders: for we finde in greatest antiquities, that many Commanders haue béene receiued home with triumph for lesse merite, and that our owne Countrey hath honoured men hereto­fore with admiration, for aduentures vnequall to this: it might therefore in those daies haue séemed superfluous to extend any mans commendations by particuler remem­brances, for that then all men were readie to giue eue­rie man his due. But I holde it most necessarie in these daies sithence euerie vertue findeth her direct opposit, and [Page 9] actions worthy of all memory, are in danger to be enuious­lie obscured to denounce the praises of the action, and ac­tors to the full, but yet no further than with sinceritie of truth, and not without grieuing at the iniurie of this time, wherin is enforced a necessitie of Apologies for those mē, & matters, which all former times were accustomed to en­tertaine with the greatest applause that might be. But to answere the reports which haue béen giuen out in reproch of the actors & action by such as were in the same. Let no man think otherwise, but that they who fearing the casu­all accidents of warre had any purpose of retourning, did first aduise of some occasion that should mooue them there­unto: and hauing found any what so euer did thinke it suf­ficiently iust, in respect of the earnest desire they had to séek out matter that might colour their comming home.

Of these there were some, who hauing noted the late Flemmish warres, did finde that many young men haue gone ouer and safely retourned Soldiers within fewe Moneths, in hauing learned some words of Art, vsed in the warres, and thought after that good example to spend like time amongst vs: which being expired they began to quarrell at the great Mortallitie that was amongst vs.

The neglect of discipline in the Armie, for that men were suffered to be drunck with the plentie of Wines.

The scarsetie of Surgions.

The want of Carriages for the hurt and sicke: and the penurie of victualls in the Campe.

Thereupon diuining that there would be no good done. And that therfore they could be content to lose their time, and aduenture to returne home againe.

These men haue either conceiued well of their owne wits (who by obseruing the passages of the warre: were become sufficient Soldiers in these fewe wéekes) and did long to be at home, where their discourses might be won­dred at, or missing of their Portegues and Milrayes they dreamed on in Portingall, would rather returne to their former manner of life, than attend the end of the [Page 10] Iourney. For séeing that one hazard brought on ano­ther: and that though one escaped the bullet this day it might light vpon him to morow, the next day, or any day; & that y ^e warre was not confined to any one place, but that euerie place brought foorth new enemies, were glad to sée some of the poore Soldiers fall sicke, that they fearing to be infected by them might iustly desire to goe home.

Answere in the first.The sicknes I confesse was great, because any is too much. But hath it béen greater than is ordinarie amongst Englishmen at their first entrance into the warres, whether soeuer they goe to want the fulnes of their flesh pots? Haue not ours decayed at al times in France, with eating young fruites and drinking new wines? haue they not a­boundantly perished in the Lowe Counteries with cold, and rawnes of the Ayre, euen in their Garrisons? haue there not more died in London in sixe Moneths of the Plague, than double our Armie being at the strongest? And could the Spanish Armie the last yeare (who had all prouisions that could bée thought on for an Armie, and tooke the fittest season in the yeare for our Climate) auoide sicknes amongst their Soldiers? May it then be thought that ours could escape there, where they found inordinate heat of weather, and hot wines to distemper them withal?

But can it bée, that wée haue lost so many as the com­mon sort perswade themselues we haue? It hath béen pro­ued by strickt examinations of our musters, that wée were neuer in our fulnes before our going from Plymoth 11000. Soldiers, nor aboue 2500. Marriners. It is al­so euident that there returned aboue 6000. of all sorts, as appeareth by the seuerall payments made to them since our comming home. And I haue truely shewed you that of these number verie neare 3000. forsooke the Armie at the Sea, whereof some passed into France and the rest re­tourned home. So as wee neuer being 13000. in all, and hauing brought home aboue 6000. with vs, you may sée how the world hath béen seduced, in beléeuing that wée haue lost 16000. men by sicknes.

[Page 11]To them that haue made question of the gouernment of the warres (little knowing what appertaineth therunto in that ther were so many drūkards amongst vs) I answer, Answere to the second. that in their gouernment of shires & parishes, yea in their verie housholdes, themselues can hardlie bridle their vas­salls from that vice. For we sée it a thing almost impos­sible, at any your faires or publique assemblies to finde any quarter thereof sober, or in your Townes any Alepoles vnfrequented: And we obserue that though any man ha­uing any disordered persons in their houses, doo locke vp their drinke and set buttlers vpon it, that they will yet ei­ther by indirect meanes steale themselues drunke from their Masters tables, or runne abroad to séeke it. If then at home in the eyes of your Iustices, Mayors, Preachers, and Masters, and where they pay for euerie pot they take, they cannot be kept from their liquor: doo they thinke that those base disordered persons whome themselues sent vn­to vs, as liuing at home without rule, who hearing of wine do long for it as a dainetie that their purses could ne­uer reach to in England, & hauing it there without money euē in their houses where they lie & hold their guarde thay can be kept from being drunk? and once drunk held in a­ny order or tune, except we had for euerie drunckard an of­ficer to attend him. But who be they that haue runne in­to these disorders? Euen our newest men, our youngest men, and our idlest men, and for the most parte, our slo­uenly prest men, whome the Iustices (who haue alwaies thought vnworthely of any warre) haue sent out as the scumme and dregges of their Countrey. And those were they, who distempering themselues with these hot wines, haue brought in that sicknes, which hath infected honester men than themselues. But I hope (as in other places) the recouerie of their diseases dooth acquaint their bodies with the ayre of the Countries where they be; so the remain­der of these which haue either recouered, or past without sicknes will prooue most fit for Martiall seruices.

If we haue wanted Surgions, Answers to the third. may not this rather be [Page 12] laide vpon the Captaines: who are to prouide for their se­uerall Companies, than vpon the Generalls, whose care hath béen more generall. And how may it be thought that euerie Captaine, vpon whome most of the charges of rai­sing their Companies was laid as an aduenture could prouide themselues of all things expedient for a warre, (which was alwaies wont to bée maintained by the purse of the Prince:) But admit euerie Captaine had his Sur­gion: yet were the want of curing neuer the lesse, for our English Surgions (for the most) part bée vnexpe­rienced in hurts that come by shot; because England hath not knowen warres, but of late, from whose ignorance procéeded this discomfort, which I hope will warne those that heereafter goe to the warres to make preparation of such as may better preserue mens liues by their skill. Answere to the fourth.

From whence the want of carriages did procéede, you may coniecture in that we marched through a Countrey, neither plentifull of such prouisions, nor willing to parte from any thing: yet this I can assure you that no man of worth was left either hurt or sicke in any place vnproui­ded for. And that the General commanded all the Mules & Asses, that were laden with any baggage, to be vnbur­dened and taken to that vse: and the Earle of Essex and hee, for money hired men to carrie men vpon Pikes. And the Earle (whose true vertue and Nobilitie, as it dooth in all other his actions appeare, so did it very much in this) threw his owne stuffe: I meane apparrell and necessaries which he had there from his owne carriages, and let them be left by the way, to put hurt and sicke men vpon them. Of whose most honorable deseruings: I shall not néede here to make any particuler discourse, for that many of his actions doo hereafter giue mée occasion to obserue the same. Answere to the fifth.

And the great complaint that these men make for the want of victualls: may well proceed from their not know­ing the wants of the warre; for if to feede vppon good [Page 13] beenes, mutton and goats, be to want, they haue indured great scarcitie at land; whereunto they neuer wanted two daies together, wine to mixe with their water, nor bread to eate with their meate (in some quantitie), except it were such as had vowed rather to starue, than to stirre out of their places for food: of whom we had too manie; who if their time had serued for it, might haue seene in manie Campes in the most plentifull Countries of the world for victualls, men daylie die with want of bread and drink, in not hauing money to buy, nor the Countrie yeelding a­nie good or healthfull water in anie place; whereas both Spaine and Portingall, do in euerie place affoord the best wa­ter that may be, and much more healthfull than any wine for our drinking.

And although some haue most iniuriouslie exclaimed a­gainst the small prouisions of victualls for the Sea, ra­ther grounding the same vppon an euill that might haue fallen, than anie that did light vppon vs: yet knowe you this, that there is no man so forgetfull, that will say they wanted before they came to the Groyne; that whosoeuer made not verie large prouisions for himselfe and his com­pany at the Groyne, was verie improuident, where was plentifull store of wine, beefe, and fish, and no man of place prohibited to laye in the same into their shippes; wherewith some did so furnish themselues, as they did not onely in the Iourney supplie the wants of such as were lesse prouident than they, but in their return home made a round commoditie of the remainder thereof. And that at Cascais there came in such store of prouisions into the Fleete out of England, as no man that would haue vsed his diligence could haue wanted his due propor­tion thereof: as might appeare by the Remainder that was returned to Plymouth, and the plentifull sale thereof made out of the Merchants ships after their comming in­to the Thames.

But least I should seeme vnto you too studious in con­futing idle opinions, or answering friuolous questions, I [Page 14] will addresse me to the true report of those actions that haue passed there: wherein I protest, I will neither hide anie thing that hath happened against vs, nor attribute more to anie man or matter, than the iust occasions ther­of leadeth vnto: wherein it shall appeare, that there hath been nothing left vndone by the Generalls which was be­fore our going out vndertaken by them; but that there hath been much more done than was at the first required by Don Antonio, who should haue reaped the fruite of our Aduenture.

After 6. daies sailing from the Coast of England, and the fift after we had the winde good, beeing the 20. of A­pril in the euening, we landed in a Bay more than an En­glish mile from the Groyne, in our long Boates and Pin­nyses without anie impeachment: from whence we pre­sently marched toward the Towne, within one halfe mile whereof we were encountred by the Enemie, who being charged by ours, retired into their gates. For that night our Armie lay in the villages, houses and milles next ad­ioyning, and verie neare round about the Towne, into the which the Galeon named Saint Iohn (which was the second of the last yeres Fleete against England) one hulk, two smaller ships, and two Gallies which were found in the Rode, did beate vpon vs and vpon our Companies, as they passed too and fro that night and the next mor­ning.

Generall Norris hauing that morning before day view­ed the Towne, found the same defended on the land side (for it standeth vpon the neck of an Iland) with a wal vp­pon a drie ditch: wherupon he resolued to trie in two pla­ces what might be done against it by escalade, and in the meane time aduised for the landing of some Artillarie to beat vpon the ships & Gallies, that they might not annoy vs: which being put in execution, vpon the planting of the first péece the Gallies abandoned the Road, and betooke them to Farroll, not farre from thence: and the Armado being beaten with the artillary & musketers that was pla­ced [Page 15] vpon the next shoare, left her playing vpon vs. The rest of the day was spent in preparing the Companies, &c other prouisions readie for the surprise of the Base towne, which was effected in this sort.

There were appointed to be landed 1200. men vnder the conduct of Colonell Huntley, and Captaine Fenner the Vizeadmirall, on that side next fronting vs by water in long boates and pynnises, wherein were placed manie péeces of artillarie to beate vpon the Towne in their ap­proach: at the corner of the wall which defended the other waterside, were appointed Captain Richard Wingfeild Lieutenant Colonell to Generall Norris, and Captaine Sampson Lieutenant Colonell to Generall Drake to en­ter at lowe water with 500. men if they found it passa­ble, but if not, to be take them to the escalade, for they had also ladders with them: at the other corner of the wall which ioyned to that side, that was attempted by water, were appoynted Colonell Vmpton, and Colonell Brett with 300. men to enter by escalade. All the Companies which should enter by boate being imbarked before the lowe water: and hauing giuen the Alarme, Captaine Wingfeild and Captaine Sampson betooke thē to the escalade, for they had in commandement to charge all at one instant. The boates landed without anie great difficultie: yet had they some men hurt in y ^e landing. Co­lonell Bret & Col. Vmpton entred their quarter without encounter, not finding anie defence made against them: for Captain Hinder being one of them that entred by wa­ter, at his first entrie (with some of his owne Companie whom he trusted well, betooke himselfe to that part of the wall, which he cléered before that they offered to enter, & so still scoured the wall) till he came on the backe of them who mainteined the fight against Capteine Wingfeild & Captaine Sampson; who were twice beaten from their ladders, and found verie good resistance, till the Enemies perceiuing ours entred in two places at their backs, were driuen to abandon the same. The reason why that place [Page 16] was longer defended than the other, is (as Don Iuan de Luna who commanded the same affirmeth) that the Ene­mie that day had resolued in councel how to make their de­fences, if they were approached: and therein concluded, that if we attempted it by water, that it was not to be helde, and therefore vpon the discouerie of our Boates, they of the high Towne should make a signall by fier frō thence, that al the low Towne might make their Retreate thither: but they, (whither troubled with the sodaine ter­ror we brought vpon them, or forgetting their decrée) o­mitted the fier, which made them gard that place till wee were entred on euerie side.

Then the Towne being entred in thrée seuerall places with an huge crie, the inhabitants betooke them to the high Towne: which they might with lesse perrill doo: for that ours being strangers ther, knew not the way to cut thē of. The rest that were not put to the sword in furie, fled to the Rockes in the Iland, and hid themselues in chambers and sellers, which were euerie day found out in great nūbers.

Amongst those Don Iuan de Luna a man of verie good commandement, hauing hidden himselfe in a house, did the next morning yéeld himselfe.

There was also taken that night a Commissarie of vittels called Iuan de vera, who confessed that there were in the Groyne at our entrie 500. Soldiers being in seauen companies which returned verie weake (as appeareth by the small numbers of them) from the Iourney of Eng­land, namely.

Vnder Don Iuan deluna.

Don Diego Barran, a bastard sonne of the Marques of Santa Chroche; his companie was that night in the Galeon.

Don Antonio de Herera then at Madrill.

Don Pedro de Mauriques Brother to the Earle of Paxides.

Don Ieronimo de Mourray of the order of Saint Iuan, with some of the Towne were in the fort.

[Page 17] Don Gomer de Caramasal then at Madril.

Captaine Mouson, Caucaso de Socas.

Also there came in that day of our landing from Retanzas the companies of Don Iuan de Mosal­le, and Don Petro poure de leon.

Also hee saith that there was order giuen for ba­king of 300000. of Bisquet, some in Bataneas, some in Riuadea, and the rest there.

There was then in the Towne 2000. pipes of wine, and an 150. in the ships.

That there was lately come vnto the Marquis of Seralba 300000. ducats.

That there was 1000. Iarres of oyle.

A great quantitie of beanes, pease, wheate, and fish.

That there was 3000. quintells of beefe.

And that not 20. dayes before there came in thrée Barques laden with match and harquebufes.

Some others also found fauour to bée taken prisoners, but the rest falling into the hands of the common Soldi­ers, had their throates cut: to the number of 500. as I coniecture first and last after wee had entred the Towne; and in the enterie thereof, there was found euerie celler full of Wine, whereon our men by inordinate drinking, both grewe themselues for the present senceles of the dan­ger of the shot of the Towne, which hurt many of them being drunke, and tooke, the first ground of their sicknes, for of such was our first and chiefest mortalitie. There was also aboundant store of victualls, salt and all kinde of prouision for shipping and the warre: which was confes­sed by the sayd Commissarie of victuals taken there to be the beginning of a Magasin of all sorts of prouision for a new Voiage into England: whereby you may coniecture what the spoile thereof hath aduauntaged vs, and preiu­diced the King of Spaine.

The next morning about eight of the clocke, the Ene­mie abandoned their Shippes. And hauing ouercharged [Page 18] the Artillarie of the Gallion, left her on fier, which burnt in terrible sort two daies together, the fier and ouerchar­ging of the péeces being so great, as of 50. that were in her, ther wer not aboue 16. taken out whole, the rest with ouer charge of the pouder béeing broken and molten, with heat of the fire, was taken out in broken péeces into diuerse Shippes. The same day was the Eloister on the south side of the Towne entered by vs, which ioyned very neare to the wall of the Towne, out of the Chambers and other places whereof wee beate into the same with our Mus­quetiers.

The next day in the afternoone there came downe some 2000. men gathered together out of the countrie, euen to to the gates of the towne, as resolutlie (led by what spi­rit I knowe not) as though they would haue entered the same: but at the first defence made by ours that had the gard there, wherein were slaine about eightéene of theirs, they tooke them to their héeles in the same disorder they made their approach, and with greater speede than ours were able to followe; Notwithstanding, we followed af­ter them more than a mile. The second day Col. Huntley was sent into the countrie with thrée or foure hundred men, who brought home verie great store of Cowes and Sheepe for our reliefe.

The third day in the night the Generall had in pur­pose to take a long Munition house builded vpon their wall, opening towards vs, which would haue giuen vs great aduauntage against them; but they knowing the commoditie thereof for vs, burnt it in the beginning of the euening: which put him to a newe councell, for hee had likewise brought some Artillarie to that side of the towne. During this time, there happened a verie great fire in the lower end of the towne; which had it not béen by the care of the Generals héedilie seen vnto, and the furie there­of preuented, by pulling downe many houses which were most in danger, as next vnto them, had burnt all the pro­uisions we found there, to our wonderfull hinderance.

[Page 19]The 4. day were planted vnder the garde of the Cloy­ster two demie Canons, and two Culuerings against the towne, defended or gabbioned with a crosse wall, through the which our batterie lay; the first & second tyre whereof shooke al the wall downe, so as the ordnance lay al open to the enemie, by reason whereof some of y ^e Canoniers were shot & some slaine. The Lieutenant also of the ordnance Master Spencer was slaine fast by Sir Edward Norris, Master thereof: whose valor being accompanied with an honorable care of defending that trust committed vnto him, he neuer left that place, till he receiued direction from the Generall his brother to cease the Batterie which hee presently did, leauing a guard vppon the same for that day: and in the night following made so good defence for the place of the Batterie, as after there were verie fewe or none annoyed therein. That day Captain Goodwin had in commandement from the Generall, that when the as­sault should be giuen to the Towne, he should make a pro­fer of an escalade on the other side, where hee helde his guard: but he (mistaking the signall that should haue béen giuen) attempted the same long before the assault, & was shot in the mouth. The same daye the Generall hauing planted his Ordenance readie to batter, caused the towne to be sommoned, in which sommons, they of the Towne shot at our Drum: immediately after that there was one hanged ouer the wall, and a parley desired, wherein they gaue vs to vnderstand, that the man hanged, was he that shot at the Drum before; wherein also they intreated to haue faire warrs, with promise of the same on their parts: the rest of the parley was spent in talking of Don Iuan de Luna, and some other prisoners, and somwhat of the ren­dring of the Towne, but not much, for they listened not greatly thereunto.

Generall Norris hauing by his skilfull viewe of the Towne (which is almost all seated vpon a Rocke) found one place therof myneable, & did presently set workmen in hand withal: who after 3. daies labor, (& the seuenth after [Page 20] wée were entred the base Towne) had bedded their pow­der, but indeed not farre inough into the wall. Agaynst which time y ^e breach made by y ^e cannon being thought as­saultable, and Companies appoynted as wel to enter the same, as that which was expected should be blowen vp by the Myne: namely, to that of the Cannon, Captaine Ri­chard Wingfeild, and Captaine Philpot, who lead the Generalls foote Companie; with whom also Captaine Yorke went, whose principall Commandment was ouer the horsmen. And to that of the Myne, Captaine Iohn Sampson, and Captain Anthonie Wingfeild Lieutenant Colonell to the Master of the Ordinance, with certain se­lected out of diuers Regiments. All these Companies be­ing in Armes, and the assault intended to be giuen in all places at an instant, fier was put to the train of the Myne: but by reason the powder brake out backwards in a place where the caue was made too high, there could be nothing done in either place for that day. During this time, Cap­taine Hinder was sent with some chosen out of euerie Companie into the countrie for prouisions, whereof hée brought in good store, and returned without losse.

The next day Captaine Anthonie Sampson was sent out with some 500. to fetch in prouisions for the Armie, who was encountred by them of the Countrie: but he put thē to flight, & returned with good spoyle. The same night the Myners were set to worke againe, who by the second day after had wrought verie wel into the foundation of the wall. Against which time the Companies aforesaid being in readines for both places (Generall Drake on the other side with 2. or 300. men in Pinnaces, making profer to attempt a strong Fort vpon an Iland before the Towne, where he left more than 30. men) fier was giuen to the trayne of the Myne, which blew vp halfe the Tower vn­der which the powder was planted. The Assailants ha­uing in charge vpon the effecting of the Myne presently to giue the assault, which they did accordingly; but too soone, for hauing entred the top of the breach, the other halfe of [Page 21] the Tower, which with the first force of the powder was onely shaken and made loose, fell vppon our men: vnder which were buried about 20. or 30. then being vnder that part of the Tower. This so amazed our men that stood in the breach, not knowing from whence that terror came, as they forsooke their Commanders, and left them among the ruines of the Myne. The two Ensignes of Generall Drake and Captaine Anthonie Wingfeild, were shot in the Breach, but their colours were rescued: the Generals by Captaine Sampsons Lieutenant, and Captaine Wing­feilds by himselfe. Amongst them that the wall fell vpon, was Captaine Sydnam pitifully lost: who hauing three or foure great stones vpon his lower parts, was helde so fast, as neither himselfe could stirre, nor anie reasonable Companie recouer him. Notwithstanding the next daye being found to be aliue, ther was 10. or 12. lost in attemp­ting to relieue him.

The breach made by the Cannon, was wonderful wel assaulted by them that had the charge therof, who brought their men to the push of the pike at the top of the Breach. And being readie to enter, the loose earth (which was in­déede but the rubbish of the outside of the wall) with the weight of them that were thereon slipped outwards from vnder their féete. Whereby did appeare halfe the wal vn­battered. For let no man thinke that Culuerine or Demie Cannon can sufficiently batter a defensible Rampier: and of those péeces we had, the better of the Demi Canons at the second shot brake in her cariages, so as the battrie was of lesse force, being but of three pieces.

In our Retreat (which was from both breaches tho­rowe a narrowe lane) were many of our men hurt: and Captaine Dolphin, who serued verie well that day, was hurt in the verie Breach. The failing of this attempt, in the opinion of all the beholders, & of such as were of best iudgement, was the fall of the Myne: which had doubt­lesse succeeded, the rather, because the approach was vn­looked for by the Enemie in that place, and therefore not [Page 22] so much defence made there as in the other. Which made the Generall grow to a new resolution: For finding that two dayes batterie had so little beaten their wall, and that he had no better preparation to batter withall: he knewe in his experience, there was no good to be done that way: whith I thinke he first put in proofe, to trie if by that ter­ror he could get the vpper Towne, hauing no other waie to put it in hazard so spéedelie, and which in my conscience had obtained the Towne, had not the Defendants been in as great perill of their liues by the displeasure of their King in giuing it vp, as by the bullet or sword in defen­ding the same. For that day before the assault, in the view of our Armie, they burnt a Cloyster within the Towne, and manie other houses adioyning to the Castle, to make it the more defencible: whereby it appeared how little o­pinion themselues had of holding it against vs, had not God (who would not haue vs sodainly made proud) laid that misfortune vpon vs.

Hereby it may appeare, that the foure Cannons, and other pieces of batterie promised to the iourney, and not performed, might haue made her Maiestie Mistres of the Groyne: for though the Myne were infortunate, yet if the other breach had béen such as the earth would haue helde our men thereon, I doo not thinke but they had entred it throughly at the first assault giuen: which had been more than I haue heard of in our age. And being as it was, is no more than the Prince of Parma hath in winning of all his Townes endured, who neuer entred anie place at the first assault, nor aboue three by assault.

The next day, the Generall hearing by a prisoner that was brought in, that the Conde de Andrada had assem­bled an Armie of 8000. at Puente de Burgos, sixe miles from thence in the way to Petance, which was but the be­ginning of an Armie: in that there was a greater leauie readie to come thether vnder the Conde de Altemira, either in purpose to relieue the Groyne, or to encamp them­selues néere the place of our embarking, there to hinder [Page 23] the same; for to that purpose had the Marques of Seralba written to them both the first night of our landing, as the Commissarie taken then confessed, or at the least of stop our further entrance into the Countrey, (for during this time, there were many incursions made of thrée or foure hundred at a time, who burnt, spoyled, and brought in victualls plentifullie. The Generall, I say, hearing of this Armie, had in purpose the next day following to vi­site them, against whom he carried but nine Regiments: in the Vangard were the Regiment of Sir Roger Wil­liams, Sir Edward Norris, and Colonell Sidney: in the Battaile, that of the Generall, of Colonell Lane, and Colonell Medkerk: and in the Rereward, Sir Henrie Norris, Colonell Huntley, and Colonell Brets Regiments; leauing the other fiue Regiments with Ge­nerall Drake, for the garde of the Cloyster and Artil­larie. About tenne of the clocke the next day, being the sixt of May, halfe a mile from the Campe, wee discoue­ring the Enemie, Sir Edward Norris, who comman­ded the Vangard in chiefe, appoynted his Lieutenant Colonell, Captaine Anthonie Wingfield to command the shot of the same, who deuided thē into thrée troupes; the one he appoynted to Captaine Middleton to be con­ducted in a way on the left hand: another to Captaine E­rington to take the way on the right hand, and the bodie of them (which were Musketters) Captaine Wingfield tooke himselfe, keeping the direct way of the march. But the way taken by Captaine Middleton met a little before with the way helde by Captaine Wingfield, so as he gi­uing the first charge vpon the Enemie, was in the instant seconded by Captaine Wingfield, who beate them from place to place (they hauing verie good places of defence, and crosse walles which they might haue held long) till they betooke them to their bridge, which is ouer a creeke comming out of the Sea, builded of stone vpon Arches. On the foote of the further side whereof, lay the Campe of the Enemie verie stronglie entrenched, who with our [Page 24] shot beaten to the further end of the bridge, Sir Edward Norris marching in the poynt of the pikes, without stay passed to the bridge, accompanied with Colonell Sidney, Captaine Hinder, Captaine Fulford, and diuers others, who found the way cléere ouer y ^e same, but through an in­credible volie of shot; for that the shot of their Armie flan­ked vpon both sides of the bridge, the further end where­of was barricaded with barrells: but they who should haue garded the same, seeing the proude approach wee made, forsooke the defence of the Barricade, where Sir Edward entered, and charging the first defendant with his pike, with verie earnestnes in ouerthrusting, fell, and was grieuouslie hurt at the sword in the head, but was most honorablie reskued by the Generall his brother, accom­panied with Colonell Sidney, and some other gentlemen: Captaine Hinder also hauing his Caske shot off, had fiue wounds in the head and face at the sword: and Captaine Fulford was shot into the left arme at the same counter: yet were they so throughlie seconded by the Generall, who thrust himselfe so néere to giue incouragement to the attempt, (which was of wonderful difficultie) as their brauest men that defended that place being ouerthrowne, their whole Armie fell presentlie into route, of whom our men had the chase three miles in foure sondrie waies, which they betooke themselues vnto. There was taken the Standerd with the Kings Armes, and borne before the Generall. How many, two thousand men (for of so many consisted our Vangard) might kill in pursuit of 4. sundrie parties, so many you may imagine fell before vs that day. And to make the number more great, our men hauing giuen ouer the execution, and returning to their stands, found many hidden in the Vineyards and hedges which they dispatched. Also Colonell Medkerk was sent with his Regiment three miles further to a Cloyster, which he burnt and spoyled, wherein he found fiue hundred more and put them to the sword. There were staire in this fight on our side onlie Captaine Coo­per, [Page 25] and one priuate souldier: Captaine Barton was also hurt vppon the bridge in the eye. But had you seene the strong Baracades they had made on either side of the bridge, and how strongly they lay encamped thereabouts, you would haue thought it a rare resolution of ours to giue so braue a charge vpon an Armie so strongly lodged. After the furie of the execution, the Generall sent the Vangard one way, and the Battell another, to burne and spoyle; so as you might haue seen the countrie more than three miles compasse on fire. There was found verie good store of Munition and Victuals in the Campe, some plate and rich apparell, which the better sort left behind, they were so hotlie pursued. Our Sailors also landed in an I­land next adioyning our shippes, where they burnt and spoyled all they found. Thus we returned to the Groyne, bringing small comfort to the enemie within the same, who shot many times at vs as wee marched out, but not once in our comming backe againe.

The next day was spent in shipping our Artillarie lan­ded for the Batterie, and of the rest taken at the Groyne, which had it béen such as might haue giuen vs any assu­rance of a better batterie, or had there béen no other pur­pose of our Iourney but that, I thinke the Generall would haue spent some more time in the siege of the place.

The two last nights, there were that vndertooke to fire the higher towne in one place, where the houses were builded vpon the wall by the water side: but they within suspecting as much, made so good defence against vs, as they preuented the same. In our departure there was fire put into euerie house of the lowe towne, in somuch as I may iustlie say, there was not one house left standing in the Base towne, or the Cloyster.

The next day, being the eight of May, wee embarked our Armie without losse of a man, which (had we not bea­ten the Enemie at Puente de Burgos) had been impossible to haue done; for that without doubt they would haue at­tempted [Page 26] something against vs in our imbarking: as ap­peared by the report of the Commissarie aforesayd, who confessed, that the first night of our landing, the Mar­ [...]es of Seralba writ to the Conde de Altemira, the Conde de Andrada, & to Terneis de Santisso, to bring al the forces against vs that they could possiblie raise, think­ing no way so good to assure that place, as to bring an ar­mie thether, wherewithall they might either besiege vs in their Base towne, if we should get it, or to lie betwéene vs and our place of embarking, to fight with vs vpon the ad­uantage; for they had aboue 15000. souldiers vnder their commandements.

After wee had put from thence, wee had the winde so contrarie, as wee could not vnder nine daies recouer the Burlings: in which passage on the 13. day, the Earle of Essex, and with him Master Walter Deuereux his bro­ther (a Gentleman of wonderful great hope), Sir Roger Williams, Colonell generall of the foot men, Sir Philip Butler, who hath alwaies been most inward with him, and Sir Edward Wingfield, came into the Fléete. The Earle hauing put himselfe into the Iourney against the opinion of the world, and as it seemed to the hazard of his great fortune, though to the great aduancement of his reputation, (for as the honorable cariage of himselfe to­wards all men, doth make him highlie estéemed at home; so did his excéeding forwardnes in all seruices, make him to be wondrred at amongst vs) who, I say, put off in the same winde from Famouth, that wee left Plymouth in, where he lay, because he would auoide the importunitie of messengers that were daylie sent for his returne, and some other causes more secret to himselfe, not knowing (as it seemed) what place the Generals purposed to land in, had been as farre as Cales in Andalosia, and lay vp and downe about the South Cape, where he tooke some ships laden with Corne, and brought them vnto the Fleete. Also in his returne from thence to méete with our Fléete, he fell with the Ilands of Bayon; and on that side of the [Page 27] riuer which Cannas standeth vpon the, with Sir Roger Wil­liams, & those Gentlemen that were with him went on shore, with some men out of the ship he was in, whom the enemie that held gard vpon the Coast, would not abide, but fled vp into the country. After his cōming into the fléet (to the great reioycing of vs all) he demaunded of the Generals, that af­ter our Armie should come on shore, he might alwaies haue the leading of the vanegard, which they easilie yéelded vnto: as being desirous to satisfie him in all things, but especially in matters so much tending to his honor as this did; so as from the time of our first landing in Portingall, hee alwaies marched in the poynt of the vangard, accompanied with Sir Roger Williams (except when the necessitie of the place hee held) called him to other seruices.

The 16. day we landed at Penicha in Portingall, vnder the shot of the Castle, and aboue the wast in water, more than a mile from y ^e towne, wherin many were in peril of drowning, by reason the wind was great, & the Sea went high, which ouerthrew one boat wherin 25. of Captaine Dolphins men perished. The Enemie, being fiue cōpanies of Spanyards vn­der the cōmaundement of y ^t Conde de Fuentes, fallied out of the towne against vs, & in our landing made their approach close by the water side. But the Earle of Essex, w ^t Sir Ro­ger Williams & his brother, hauing landed sufficient number to make 2. troups, left one to hold the way by the water side, and led y ^e other ouer the Sandhils: which the Enemy séeing, drew theirs likewise further into the land; not, as we coniect­ured, to encounter vs, but indéede to make their spéedie pas­sage away: notwithstanding they did it in such sort, as being charged by ours which were sent out by y ^e Colonell generall vnder Captaine Iacson, they stood the same euen to the push of the pike: in which charge & at the push, Captaine Robert Piew was slaine. The Enemie being fled further thā we had reason to follow them, al our companies were drawn to the town: which being vnfortified in any place, we found vnde­fended by anie man against vs. And therefore the Generall caused the castle to bee somoned y ^t night: which be [...]g [...]an­doned by him that cōmaunded it, a Portingall, name [...] Anto­nio[?] [Page 28] de Aurid, being possessed thereof, desired but to be assu­red that Don Antonio was landed, whervpon he would de­liuer y ^e same, which he honestly performed. There was taken out of the castle 100. shot & pikes, which Don Emanuel fur­nished his Portingals withall, & 20. barrels of powder: so as possessing both y ^e towne & the castle, we rested there one day; wherin some Friers & other poore men came vnto their newe King, promising in the name of their Countrie next adioy­ning, that within two daies he should haue a good supplie of horse & foote for his assistance. That day we remained there, the Generals company of horses were vnshipped.

The Generals hauing there resolued y ^t the Armie should march ouerland to Lisbone vnder y ^e conduct of generall Nor­ris: & that general Drake should méet him in the riuer thereof w ^t the fléete: that there should be one company of foote left in gard of the castle, & 6. of the ships: also y ^t the sicke and hurt should remaine there w ^t prouisions for their cures. The Ge­neral, to trie y ^e euent of the matter by expedition, the next day began to march on this sort: his owne regiment, & the regi­ments of Sir Roger Williams, Sir Henrie Norris, Colo­nel Lane, & Colonel Medkerk, in the Vangard: Generall Drake, Colonel Deuereux, S. Edward Norris, & Colonel Sidneis in y ^e Battaile: S. Iames Hales, Sir Edward Wing­field, Colonell Vmptons, Colonell Huntleis, & Colonell Brets in the arrereward. By that time our armie was thus marshalled, general Drake, who though he were to passe by sea, yet to make known the honorable desire he had of taking equal part of al fortunes w ^t vs, stood vpō the ascent of an hil, by y ^e which our Battalions must of necessitie march, & with a pleasing kindnes tooke his leaue seuerally of the cōmaunders of euerie regiment, wishing vs al happy successe in our iour­ney ouer the land, with a constant promise y ^t he would, if the iniury of y ^e wether did not hinder him, méet vs in the riuer of Lisbone with our fléete. The want of carriages the first day was such, as they were enforced to carrie their Munition vpon mens backes, which was the next day remedied.

In this march Captaine Crispe, the Prouost Marshall, caused one who (contrarie to the proclamation published [Page 29] at our arriuall in Portingall) had broken vp a house for pillage, to be hanged, with the cause of his death vpon his breast, in the place where the act was committed: which good example prouidentlie giuen in the beginning of our march, caused the commandement to be more respectiue­lie regarded all the iourney after, by them whom feare of punishment doth onlie hold within compasse. The Camp lodged that night at Lorignia: The next day we had intel­ligence al the way that the enemie had made head of horse and foote against vs at Toras Vedras, which wee thought they would haue held: But comming thither the seconde day of our march, not two houres before our Vangarde came in, they lefte the Towne and Castle to the possessi­on of Don Antonio.

There began the greatest want we had of victualls, e­speciallie of bread, vpon a Commandement giuen from the Generall, that no man should spoyle the Countrey, or take anie thing from anie Portingal: which was more re­spectiuely obserued, than I thinke would haue béen in our owne Countrey, amongst our owne friends and kindred: but the Countrey (contrarie to promise) hauing neglect­ed the prouision of victualls for vs, whereby we were dri­uen for that time into a great scarcitie. Which moued the Colonell Generall to call all the Colonels together, and with them to aduise for some better course for our people: who thought it best, first to aduertise y ^e king what necessi­tie we were in, before we shuld of our selues alter the first institution of abstinence: the Colonell generall hauing ac­quainted the General herewith, with his very good allow­ance therof, went to the King; who after some expostula­tions vsed, tooke the more carefull order for our men, and after that our Armie was more plentifully relieued.

The third daye wee lodged our Armie in thrée sundrie villages, the one Battalion lying in Enchara de los Caua­liers, another in Enchara de los Obisbos, and the third in San Sebastians.

Captaine Yorke who commanded the Generals horse [Page 30] companie, in this march made triall of the valour of the horsmen of the Enemie; who by one of his Corporalls charged with 8. horses through 40. of them, and himselfe through more than 200. with some 40. horse: who would abide him no longer than they could make way from him.

The next day we marched to Loris, and had diuers in­telligences that the enemie would tarrie vs there: for the Cardinall had made publique promise to them of Lisbone, that he would fight with vs in that place, which hee might haue done aduantageouslie; for we had a bridge to passe o­uer in the same place: but before our comming hee dislod­ged, notwithstanding it appeared vnto vs that hee had in purpose to encampe there: for wee found the ground sta­ked out where their trenches should haue béen made: and their horsmen with some few shot shewed themselues vp­pon a hill at our comming into that village. Whom Sir Henrie Norris (whose Regiment had the poynt of the Vangard) thought to draw vnto some fight, and there­fore marched without sound of Drum, and somewhat fa­ster than ordinarie, thereby to get néere them before hee were discouered, for he was shadowed from them by an hill that was betwéene him and them: but before he could draw his companies anie thing néere, they retired.

Generall Drakes Regiment that night for the commo­ditie of good lodging, drewe themselues into a Village, more than one English mile from thence, and neare the Enemie: who not daring to doo anie thing against vs in foure dayes before, tooke that occasion, and in the next morning fell downe vpon that Regiment, crying, Vina el Rey Don Antonio, which was a generall salutation tho­rough all the Countrey as they came: whom our young Souldiers (though it were vpon their guard, and before the watch were discharged) began to entertaine kindly, but hauing got within their guard, they fell to cut their throates: but the Alarme being taken inwards, the Of­ficers of the two next Companies, whose Captaines, (Captaine Sydnam and Captaine Young) were lately [Page 31] dead at the Groyne, brought down their colours and pikes vpon them in so resolute manner, as they presently draue them to retyre with losse: they killed of ours at their first entrance 14. and hurt sixe or seauen.

The next day we lodged at Aluelana within thrée miles of Lisbone, where many of our Souldiers drinking in two places of standing waters by the waie, were poysoned, & thereon presently died: some doo thinke it came rather by eating of honnie, which they found in the houses plenti­fully. But whether it were by water or by honnie, the poore men were poysoned.

That night the Earle of Essex, and Sir Roger Willi­ams went out about eleuen of the clock with 1000. men to lye in Ambuscade neere the Towne, and hauing layd the same verie neere, sent some to giue the Alarme vnto the Enemie: which was well performed by them that had the charge thereof, but the Enemie refused to issue after them, so as the Earle returned as soone as it was light without dooing anie thing, though he had in purpose, and was readie to haue giuen an honourable Chardge on them.

The 25. of May in the euening we came to the Sub­urbes of Lisbone: at the verie entrance whereof, Sir Ro­ger Williams calling Captain Anthony Wingfield with him, tooke thirtie shot or thereabouts, and first scowred al the stréetes till they came verie neare the Towne; where they found none but olde folkes and beggers, crying, Vi­uael Rey Don Antonio, and the houses shut up: for they had carried much of their wealth into the Towne, and had fired some houses by the water side, ful of corne and other prouisions of victualls, least we should be benefited there­by, but yet left behinde them great riches in manie houses.

The foure Regiments that had the Vangard that day which were Colonell Deuereux, Sir Edward Norris, Colonell Sydneys and Generall Drakes whome I name as they marched, the Colonell Generall caused to holde [Page 32] guard in the nearest streates of the Suburbes: The Bat­taile and the arrierward stood in Armes al the night in the field neare to Alcantara. Before Morning Captaine Wingfield, by direction from y ^e Colonel General Sir Ro­ger Williams helde guard with Sir Edward Norris his Regiment in thrée places verie néere the Towne wal, and so helde the same till the other Regiments came in the morning. About midnight they within the Towne burnt all their houses that stood vpon their wall either within or without, least we possessing them, might thereby greatly haue annoyed the Towne.

The next morning Sir Roger Williams attempted, (but not without perill) to take a Church called S. An­tonio, which ioyned to the wall of the towne, and woulde haue béen a verie euill neighbour to the towne: but the E­nemie hauing more easie entrie into it than wee, gained it before vs. The rest of that morning was spent in quarte­ring the Battaile and arierward in the Suburbes called Bona vista, & in placing Musquetiers in houses, to frunt their shot vpon the wall, who from the same scowred the great streates verie dangerouslie.

By this time our men being throughly wearie with our sixe dayes March: and the last nights watch, were de­sirous of rest: whereof the Enemie being aduertised, a­bout one or two of the clocke sallied out of the Town, and made their approach in thrée seuerall streates vpon vs, but chiefly in Colonell Bretts quarter: who (as most of the Armie was) being at rest, with as much spéed as he could, drew his men into Armes, and made head against them so throughly, as himselfe was slaine in the place, Captaine Carsey shot through the thigh, of which hurt he died with in four dayes after, Captaine Carre slaine presently, and Captaine Caue hurt (but not mortally) who were all of his Regiment.

This resistance made as wel here, as in other quarters where Colonell Lane and Colonel Medkerke comman­ded, put them to a sodaine fowle retreate: in so much, as [Page 33] the Earle of Essex had the chase of them euen to the gates of the high Towne, wherein they left behinde them many of their best Commanders: their Troope of horsmen also came out, but being charged by Captaine Yorke, with­drew themselues againe. Manie of them also lefte the streates, and betooke them to houses which they found o­pen: For the Serieant Maior Captaine Wilson slewe in one house with his owne hands thrée or foure, and caused them that were with him to kil manie others. Their losse I can assure you did triple ours, aswell in qualitie as in quantitie.

During our march to this place, Generall Drake with the whole Fléete was come into Cascais, and possessed the Towne without anie resistance: manie of the inhabitants at their discouerie of our Nauie, fled with their baggage into the Mountaines, and lefte the Towne for anie man that would possesse it, till General Drake sent vnto them by a Portingall Pilot which he had on boord, to offer them all peaceable kindnes, so farre foorth as they would accept of their King, and minister necessaries to the Ar­mie he had brought: which offer they ioyfully embraced, & presently sent two chiefe men of their Towne, to signifie their loyaltie to Don Antonio, and their honest affections to our people. Whereupon, the Generall landed his Cō ­panies not farre from the Cloyster called San Domingo, but not without perill of the shot of the Castie, which be­ing guarded with sixtie fiue Spaniards helde still agaynst him.

As our Fléete were casting anker when they came first into that Road, there was a small ship of Brasil that came from thence, which bare too with them, and séemed by stri­king her sayles, as though she would also haue ankered: but taking her fittest occasion, hoysed againe, and would haue passed vp the Riuer, but the Generall presently dis­cerning her purpose, sent out a Pinnace or two after her, which forced her in such sort, as she ranne her selfe vppon the Rocks: all the men escaped out of her, and the lading [Page 34] (being manie chests of sugar) was made nothing woorth by the salt water. In his going thether also, he tooke ships of the Port of Portingal, which wer sent from thence, with fiftéene other from Pedro Vermendes Xantes Serieant Maior of the same place, laden with men and victualls to Lisbone: the rest that escaped, put into San Vues.

The next day, it pleased General Norris to cal al y ^e Co­lonells together, and to aduise with them, whether it were more expedient to tarrie there to attend the Forces of the Portingall horse and foote wherof the King had made pro­mise, and to march some conuenient number to Cascais to fetch our Artillarie and munition, which was all at our ships, sauing that, which for the necessitie of the Seruice, was brought along with vs: Whereunto, some carried away with the vaine hope of Don Antonio, that most part of the Towne stood for vs, held it best to make our a­bode there, and to send some 3000. for our Artiliarie: promising to themselues, that the Enemie being wel bea­ten the day before, would make no more sallyes: Some others, (whose vnbeléefe was verie strong of anie hope from the Portingall) perswaded rather to march whollie away, than so be anie longer carried away with an opini­on of things, wherof there was so little apparance. The Generall, not willing to leaue anie occasion of blott to be layd vpon him for his spéedie going from thence, nor to loose anie more time by attending the hopes of Don An­tonio; tolde them, that though the Expedition of Portin­gall were not the onely purpose of their Iourney, but an aduenture therin; which if it succéeded prosperously, might make them sufficiently rich, & wonderfull honorable; and that they had done so much alreadie in triall thereof, as what ende soeuer happened, could nothing impaire their credits: Yet in regard of the Kings last promise, that hée should haue that night 3000. men armed of his owne Countrey, he would not for that night dislodge. And if they came, thereby to make him so strong, that hee might send the like number for his munition, he would resolue [Page 35] to trie his fortune for the Towne. But if they came not, he found it not conuenient to diuide his Forces, by send­ing anie to Cascais, and kéeping a Remainder behinde, si­thence he saw them the day before so boldly sally vpon his whole Armie, and knew that they were stronger of Sol­diers armed within the Towne, than hee was without: And that before our returne could be from Cascais, that they expected more supplies from all places of Souldiers, for the Duke of Bragantia, and Don Francisco de Tole­do were looked for with great reliefe. Whereupon his con­clusion was, that if the 3000. promised, came not that night, to march wholly away the next morning.

It may bee here demanded, why a matter of so great moment should be so slenderlie regarded, as that the Ge­nerall should march with such an Armie against such an Enemie, before hee knewe either the fulnes of his owne strength, or certaine meanes how he should abide the place when he should come to it. Wherein I pray you remem­ber the Decrée made in the Councell at Penicha, and con­firmed by publique protestation the first day of our march, that our Nauie should meete vs in the riuer of Lisbone, in the which was the store of all our prouisions, & so the mean of our tariance in that place, which came not, thogh we continued till we had no Munition left to entertaine a verie small fight. We are also to consider, that the King of Portingall (whether carried away with imagination by the aduertisements hee receiued from the Portingalls, or willing by any promise to bring such an Armie into his Countrie, thereby to put his fortune once more in triall) assured the Generall, that vppon his first landing, there would be a reuolt of his subiects: wherof there was some hope giuen at our first entrie to Penicha, by the manner of the yéelding of that Towne and Fort, which made the Generall thinke it most conuenient speedilie to march to the principall place, thereby to giue courage to the rest of the Countrie. The Friers also and the poore people that came vnto him, promised that within two daies y ^e Gentle­men [Page 36] and others of the countrie would come plentifully in: within which two daies came many more Priestes, and some verie fewe Gentlemen on horsebacke; but not till we came to Toras Vedras, where they that noted y ^e course of things how they passed, might somewhat discouer the weakenes of that people. There they tooke two daies more: and at the ende thereof, referred him till our com­ming to Lisbone, with assurance, that so soone as our Ar­mie should be seene there, all the inhabitants would be for the King and fall vpon the Spaniards.

After two nights tarriance at Lisbone, the King, as you haue heard, promised a supplie of 3000. foote, and some horse: but all his appoyntments being expired, euen to the last of a night, all his horse could not make a Cornet of 40. nor his foote furnish two Ensignes fullie, although they carried three or foure Colours: and these were alto­gether such as thought to inrich themselues by the ruine of their neighbors: for they committed more disorders in euerie place wher we came by spoyle, thā any of our own.

The Generall, as you see, hauing done more than be­fore his comming out of England was required by the King, and giuen credite to his many promises euen to the breach of the last, he desisted not to perswade him to stay yet nine daies longer: in which time he might haue enga­ged himselfe further, than with any honor he could come out of againe, by attempting a Towne fortified, wherein were more men armed against vs, than wee had to op­pugne them with all our Artillarie and Munition, being fifteene miles from vs, and our men then declining; for there was the first shewe of any great sicknes amongst them. Whereby it seemeth, that either his Prelacie did much abuse him in perswading him to hopes, whereof af­ter two or thrée daies he sawe no semblance: or he like a sillie louer, who promiseth himselfe fauour by importu­ning a coy mistris, thought by our long being before his Towne, that in the ende taking pitie on him, they would let him in.

[Page 37]What end the Friers had by following him with such deuotion, I knowe not, but sure I am, the Laitie did re­spite their homage till they might see which way the vic­torie would sway; fearing to shewe themselues apparant­lie vnto him, least the Spaniard should after our depar­ture (if we preuailed not) call them to accompt: yet sent they vnder hand messages to him of obedience, thereby to saue their owne if he became King; but indéede verie well contented to see the Spaniards and vs trie by blowes, who should carrie away the Crowne. For they bee of so base a mould, as they can verie well subiect themselues to any gouernment, where they may liue free frō blowes, and haue libertie to become rich, being loath to endure ha­zard either of life or goods. For durst they haue put on a­nie minds throughly to reuolt, they had three wonderfull good occasions offered them during our being there.

Themselues did in generall confesse, that there were not aboue 5000. Spaniards in that part of the Countrie, of which number the halfe were out of the Towne till the last day of our march: during which time, how easilie they might haue preuailed against the rest, any man may conceiue. But vpon our approach they tooke them all in, and combined themselues in generall to the Cardinall.

The next day after our comming thether when the sal­lie was made vppon vs by their most resolute Spaniards, how easilie might they haue kept them out, or haue giuen vs the Gate which was held for their retreate, if they had had any thought thereof.

And two daies after our comming to Cascaies, when 6000. Spaniards and Portingalls came against vs as farre as S. Iulians by land, as you shall presentlie heare, (all which time I thinke there were not many Spaniards left in the Towne) they had a more fit occasion to shewe their deuotion to the King, than any could be offered by our tar­rying there. And they could not doubt, that if they had shut them out, but that we would haue fought with them vpon that aduantage, hauing sought them in Galitia vpon [Page 38] disaduantage to beate them: and hauing taken so much paines to seeke them at their owne houses, whereof wee gaue sufficient testimonie in the same accident. But I thinke the feare of the Spaniard had taken so déepe impres­sion within them, as they durst not attempt any thing a­gainst them vpon anie hazard.

For, what ciuil Country hath euer suffred themselues to be conquered by so few men as they were; to be depri­ued of their naturall King, and to be tyrannized ouer thus long but they? And what Countrey liuing in slauerie vn­der a stranger whom they naturaly hate: hauing an Ar­mie in the Field to fight for them & their libertie, would lie still with the yoke vpon their neckes, attending if anie strangers would vnburthē them, with out so much as rou­sing themselues vnder it but they? They will promise much in speaches, for they bee great talkers, whom the Generall had no reason to distrust without triall, & there­fore marched on into their Countrey: But they perfour­med little in action, whereof wee could haue had no proofe without this thorough triall. Wherein hee hath discoue­red their weaknesse, and honorably performed more than could be in reason expected of him: which had he not done, would not these malingners who seeke occasions of slan­der, haue reported him to bee suspitious of a people, of whose infidelitie he had no testimonie: and to be fearfull without cause, if he had refused to giue credite to their pro­mises without anie aduenture? Let no friuolous Questi­onist therefore further enquire, why he marched so manie dayes to Lisbone, and tarried there so small a while.

The next morning, seeing no performance of promise kept, the gaue order for our marching away; himselfe, the Earle of Essex, and Sir Roger Williams remaining with the Stande that was made in the high streate, till the whole Armie was drawne into the field, and so marched out of the Towne, appoynting Captain Richard Wing­field, and Captaine Anthonie Wingfield in the Arrere­ward of them with the shot; thinking that the Enemie [Page 39] (as it was most likelie) would haue issued out vppon our rising; but they were otherwise aduised. When we were come into the field, euerie Battalion fell into that order which by course appertained vnto them, and so marched that night vnto Cascaies. Had wee marched through his Countrie as enemies, our Souldiers had béen well sup­plied in all their wants: but had wee made enemies of the Suburbs of Lisbone, wee had béen the richest Armie that euer went out of England: for besides the particuler wealth of euerie house, there were many warehouses by the water side full of all sorts of rich Marchandizes.

In our march that day, the Gallies which had some­what, but not much, annoyed vs at Lisbone, (for that our way lay along the riuer) attended vs till we were past S. Iulians, bestowing many shot amongst vs, but did no harme at all, sauing they strooke off a priuate Gentlemans legge, and killed the Sergeant Maiors moyle vnder him. The horsemen also followed vs a farre of, and cut off as many sicke men as were not able to hold in march, nor we had carriage for.

After we had béen two daies at Cascais, wee had intelli­gence by a Frier, that the Enemie was marching strong­ly towards vs, and then come as farre as S. Iulians: which newes was so welcome to the Earle of Essex and the Ge­neralls, as they offered euerie one of them to giue the mes­senger a hundred Crownes if they found them in the place: for the Generall desiring nothing more than to fight with them in field roume, dispatched that night a messenger with a Trompet, by whom he writ a Cartell to the Generall of their Armie, wherein he gaue them the lie, in that it was by them reported that we dislodged from Lisbone in disorder and feare of them (which indéede was most false) for that it was fiue of the clock in the morning before wee fell into Armes, and then went in such sort, as they had no courage to followe our vpon vs. Also he chal­lenged him therein, to meete him the nexte morning with his whole Armie, if he durst attend his comming, [Page 40] and there to trie out the iustnes of their quarrell by bat­taile: by whom also the Earle of Essex (who preferring the honor of the cause, which was his Countries, before his owne safetie) sent a particuler Cartell, offering him­selfe against any of theirs, if they had any of his qualitie: or if they would not admit of that, sixe, eight, or tenne, or as many as they would appoynt, should méete so many of theirs in the head of our Battaile to trie their fortunes with them, and that they should haue assurance of their returne and honorable intreatie.

The Generall accordingly made all his Armie readie by thrée of the clocke in the morning and marched euen to the place where they had encamped, but they were dislod­ged in the night in great disorder, being taken with a so­daine feare that we had béen come vpon them, as the Ge­nerall was the next daye certeinly informed: so as the Trumpet followed them to Lisbone, but could not get o­ther answere to either of his letters, but threatning to bee hanged, for daring to bring such a message: howbeit the Generall had caused to bee written vppon the backside of their pasport, y ^t if they did offer any violence vnto the mes­sengers, he would hang the best prisoners he had of theirs: which made them to aduise better of the matter and to returne them home, but without answere.

After our Armie came to Cascais, and the Castle som­moned, the Castillan thereof graunted, that vpon fiue or sixe shot of the Cannon hee would deliuer the same, but not without sight thereof. The Generall thinking that his distresse within had been such for want of men or vic­tualls as he could not hold it many daies, because he sawe it otherwise defencible enough, determined rather to make him yeeld to that necessitie, than to bring the Can­non, and therefore onlie set a gard vpon the same, least a­nie supplie of those things which hee wanted should bee brought vnto them. But he still standing vpon those con­ditions, the Generall about two daies before he determi­ned to goe to Sea, brought three or foure peeces of bat­terie [Page 41] against it: vpon the first tire whereof he tendered, and compounded to goe away with his baggage and Armes: he had one Cannon, two Enluerings, one Ba­siliske, and thrée or foure other field péeces, thréescore and fiue Souldiers, verie good store of munition, and victuals enough in the Castle; insomuch as hee might haue held the same longer than the Generall had in purpose to tarie there. One Companie of foot men was put into the garde thereof, til the Artillarie was taken out, & our Armie em­barked; which without hauing that Fort, we could not without great perill haue done. When we were readie to set saile (one halfe of the Fort being by order from the General blowne vp by myne) the Companie was drawne away.

During the time we lay in the Road, our Fléete began the second of Iune, and so continued sixe daies after to fetch in some Hulks to the number of 60. of Dansik, Sta­ten, Rastock, Lubec and Hamburgh, laden with Spa­nish goods, and as it seemed for the Kings prouision, and going for Lisbone: their principall lading was Corne, Mastes, Cables, Copper, and Waxe: amongst which were some of great burthen wonderfull well builded for sailing, which had no great lading in them, and therefore it was thought that they were brought for the Kings prouision, to reinforce his decaied Nauie: whereof there was the greater likelihood, in that the owner of the grea­test of them, which carried two Misnes, was knowne to be verie inward with the Cardinall, who rather than hée would be taken with his ships, committed himselfe vnto his small boate, wherein he recouered S. Sebastians. Into the which our men, that before were in Fléeboates, were shipped, and the Fléeboates sent home with an offer of Corne to the value of their hire. But the wind being good for them for Rochel, they chose rather to lose their Corne than the winde, and so departed. The Generall also sent his horses with them, and from thence shipped them into England.

[Page 42]The third of Iune, Colonell Deuereux and Colonell Sidney, being bath verie sicke, departed for England, who in the whole iourney had shewed themselues verie for­ward to all seruices, and in their departure verie vnwil­ling to leaue vs: that day we embarked all our Armie, but lay in the Road vntill the eight thereof.

The sixt day the Earle of Essex, vpon receipt of letters from her Maiestie, by them that brought in the victualls, presentlie departed towards England, with whom Sir Roger Williams was verie desirous to goe, but found the Generals verie vnwilling he should do so, in y ^t he bare the next place vnto them, and if they should miscarrie, was to commaund the Armie. And the same day there came vnto vs two shall Barkes that brought tidings of some other shippes come out of England with victualls, which were passed vpwards to the Cape: for méeting with whom, the second day after wee set saile for that place, in purpose after our méeting with them to goe to the Iles of Aço­res, the second day, which was the ninth, wee met with them comming backe againe towards vs, whose proui­sion little answered our expectation. Notwithstanding, we resolued to continue our course for the Ilands.

About this time was the Marchant Royal, with thrée or foure other shippes sent to Penicha, to fetch away the Companies that were left there; but Captaine Barton hauing receiued letters from the Generalls that were sent ouerland, was departed before, not being able by reason of the enemies speedie marching thether, either to bring away the Artillarie, or all his men, according to the direc­tion those letters gaue him; for hee was no sooner gone, than the Enemie possessed the Towne and Castle, and shot at our ships as they came into the Road.

At this time also was the Ambassador from the Em­perour of Moroco, called Rays Hamet Bencasamp, re­turned, and with him Master Ciprian, a Gentleman of good place and desart, was sent from Don Antonio, and Captaine Ousley from the Generals, to the Emperour.

[Page 43]The next morning, the nine Gallies which were send not fiue daies before out of Andolosia for the strengthe­ning of the riuer of Lisbone (which being ioyned with the other twelue that were there before, though wee lay hard by them at S. Iulians, durst neuer make any attempt a­gainst vs vppon our departure from thence) were retur­ning home, and in the morning being a verie dead calme, in the dawning thereof fell in the winde of our Fléete, in the vttermost part whereof they assailed one stragling Barke of Plymouth, of the which Captaine Cauerley being Captaine of the land Companie, with his Lieute­nant, the Master, and some of the Marriners abandoned the shippe, and betooke them to the ship boates, whereof one, in which the Master & the Captain wer, was ouerrun with the Gallies, and they drowned. There was also two Hulks stragled farre from the strength of the other ships, which were so calmed, as neither they could get to vs, nor we to them, though all the great ships towed with their boates to haue relieued them, but could not be recouered; in one of which was Captaine Minshaw with his Com­panie, who fought with them to the last, yea after his ship was on fire, which whether it was fired by himselfe or by them we could not well discerne, but might easilie iudge by his long and good fight, that the Enemie could not but susteine much losse, who setting also vpon one other Hulk wherein was but a Lieutenant, and he verie sicke, were by the valour of the Lieutenant put off, although they had first beaten her with their Artillarie, and attempted to board her. And seeing also one other Hulke a league of, a sterne of vs, they made towards her; but finding that she made readie to fight with them, they durst not further at­tempt her: whereby it seemed their losse being great in the other fights, they were loath to procéed any further.

From that day till the 19. of Iune, our direction from the Generall was, that if the winde were Northerlie wée should plie for the Açores; but if Southerlie, for the Iles of Bayon. Wee lay with contrarie windes about that [Page 44] place and the Rocke, till the Southerlie wind preuailing carried vs to Bayon, part of our ships to the number of 25. in a great winde which was two dayes before, hauing lost the Admiralls and Fléete, according to their direction, fell in the morning of that day with Bayon, among whome, was Sir Henrie Norris in the Ayde: who had in pur­pose (if the Admiralls had not come in) with some 500. men out of them all to haue landed, and attempted the ta­king of Vigo. The rest of the Fléete helde with Generall Drake, who though he were two dayes before put vppon those Islandes, cast off againe to sea for the Açores: but remembring how vnprouided he was for that Iourney, & séeing that he had lost manie of his great ships, returned for Bayon, and came in there that night in the Euening, where he passed vp the riuer more than a mile aboue Vigo.

The next morning we landed as manie as were able to fight, which were not in the whole aboue 2000. men, (for in the 17. dayes wee continued on boord wee had cast manie of our men ouer boord) with which number the Co­lonell Generall marched to the Towne of Vigo, neare the which when hee approached, hee sent Captaine Anthonie Wingfield with a Troope of shot to enter one side of the same, who found vpon euerie stréetes end a strong Barri­cade, but altogether abandoned: for hauing entered the Towne, he found but one man therin, but might sée them making way before him to Bayon. On the other side of the Towne entred Generall Drake with Captaine Ri­chard Wingfield, whose approach on that side (I thinke) made them leaue the places they had so artificially made for defence: there were also certaine ships sent with the Vizeadmirall to lye close before the Towne, to beate vpon the same with their artillarie.

In the afternoone were sent 300. vnder the conduct of Captaine Petuin and Captaine Henrie Poure, to burne another village betwixt that & Bayon, called Borsis, & as much of the Countrey as the day would giue them leaue to doo; which was a verie pleasant rich Valley, but they [Page 45] burnt it all, houses and corne, as did others on the other side of the Towne, both that and the next day, so as the Countrry was spoyled seuen or eight miles in length. There was found great store of wine in the Towne, but not anie thing els: for the other daies warning of the ships that came first in, gaue them a respite to carrie all away.

The next morning by breake of the day, the Colonell Generall, (who in absence of the Generalls that were on boord their ships, commanded that night on shore) caused all our Companies to be drawen out of the Towne, and sent in two Troops to put fier in euerie house of the same, which done we imbarked againe.

This day, there were certaine Marriners (without a­nie direction) put themselues on shoare, on the contrarie side of the Riuer from vs, for pillage; who were beaten by the Enemie from their boates, and punished by the Ge­neralls for their offer, in going without allowance.

The reasons why we attempted nothing against Bay­on, were before shewed to bee want of artillarie, and may now be alledged to be the small number of our men: who should haue gone against so strong a place, manned with verie good souldiers, as was showed by Iuan de Vera ta­ken at the Groyne, who confessed that there were 600. olde Souldiers in Garrison there of Flanders, and the Tercios of Naples, lately also returned out of the Iourney of England: vnder the leading of

Capitan Puebla.

Christofero Vasques de Viralta, a Souldier of Flan­ders.

Don Petro Camascho, de tercio de Naples.

Don Francisco de Cespedes.

Capt. Iuan de Solo, de tercio de Naples.

Don Diego de Cassaua.

Capt. Sanban.

Also he saith, there be 18. péeces of brasse, and foure of yron lately layd vppon the walls of the Towne, be­sides them that were there before.

[Page 46]The same day the Generalls séeing what weake estate our Armie was drawen into by sicknesse, determined to man and victuall 20. of the best ships for the Islandes of Açores with Generall Drake, to sée if he could méete with the Indian Fléete, and Generall Norris to returne home with the rest. And for the shifting of men and victualls ac­cordingly, purposed the next morning to fall downe to the Islands of Bayon againe, and to remaine there that daye. But Generall Drake according to their appoyntment be­ing vnder sayle, neuer strooke at the Islandes, but put straight to sea; whom all the Fléete followed sauing 33. which being in the Riuer further than he, and at the ente­rance out of the same, finding the winde and tide too hard against them, were inforced to cast Anker there for that night: amongst whom, by good Fortune was the Fore­sight, and in her Sir Edward Norris. And the night fol­lowing, Generall Norris being driuen from the rest of the Fléete by a great storme, (for all that daye was the grea­test storme we had all the time we were out) came agayne into the Islands, but not without great perill, hee beeing forced to trust to a Spanish Fisher-man (who was taken two dayes before at sea) to bring him in.

The next morning he called a Councell of as manie as he found there, holding the purpose he had before conclu­ded with Sir Francis Drake the day before, and directed all their courses for England, tarying there all that day to water and helpe such with victuall, as were lefte in won­derfull distresse, by hauing the victualls that came last, ca­ried away the day before to sea.

The next day he set sayle, & the tenth day after, which was the second of Iuly came into Plymouth, where he found Sir Francis Drake, & all the Queenes ships, with manie of the others, but not all: for the Fleete was dis­persed into other harbors; some lead by a desire of return­ing from whence they came, and some being possessed of the Hulkes, sought other Ports from their Generals eye, wher they might make their priuate commoditie of them, [Page 47] as they haue done to their great aduantage.

Presently vpon their their arriuall there, the Generals dissolued all the Armie, sauing 8. Companies, which are yet held together, giuing euerie Souldier fiue shillings in money, and the Armes he bare to make money of, which was more than could by anie meanes be due vnto thē: for they were not in seruice three months, in which time they had their victualls, which no man will value at lesse than halfe their pay; for such is the allowance in her Maiesties ships to her Marriners, so as there remained by ten shil­lings a month more to be paid, for which there was not a­ny priuate man but had apparell and furniture to his own vse, so as euerie common Souldier discharged, receaued more in money, victualls, apparell and furniture, than his pay did amount vnto.

Notwithstanding, there be euen in the same place wher those things haue passed, that either doo not or will not conceaue the Souldiers estate, by comparing their pouer­tie and the shortnesse of the time together, but lay some in­iuries vpon the Generalls and the action. Where, and by the way, but especiallie here in London, I finde there haue been some false prophets gone before vs, telling straunge tales: For as our Countrey doth bring forth manie gal­lant men, who desirous of honour, doo put themselues in­to the actions thereof, so dooth it manie more dull spirited, who though their thoughtes reach not so high as others, yet doo they listen how other mens acts doo passe, and ey­ther beleeuing what anie man will report vnto them, are willingly caried away into errors, or tied to some greater mans faith, become secretaries against a noted truth. The one sort of these do take their opinions from the high way side, or at the fardest goe no farther than Paules to enquire what hath been done in this Voyage: where, if they méete with anie, whose capacitie before their going out could not make them liue, nor their valour maintain their reputation, and who went onely for spoyle, complayning on the hardnesse and miserie thereof, they thinke they are [Page 48] bound to giue credite to these honest men who were par­ties therein, and in verie charitie become of their opini­ons. The others to make good the faction they are entred into, if they sée anie of those malecontents (as euerie iour­ney yéeldeth some) doo runne vnto them like tempting spirits to confirme them in their humour, with assurance that they foresawe before our going out what would be­come thereof.

Be ye not therefore too credulous in beléeuing euerie report, for you sée there haue béen many more beholders of these things y ^t haue passed, thā actors in the same; who by their experience, not hauing the knowledge of the ordina­rie wants of the warre, haue thought that to lie hard, not to haue their meate well dressed, to drinke sometimes wa­ter, to watch much, or to see men die and be slaine, was a miserable thing; and not hauing so giuen their minds to the seruice as they are any thing instructed thereby, doo for want of better matter discourse ordinarilie of these things: whereas the iourney (if they had with that iudge­ment seen into it, and as their places required) hath giuen them farre more honorable purpose and argument of dis­course.

These mens discontentments and mislikings before our comming home, haue made me labour thus much to instruct you in the certeintie of euerie thing, because I would not willinglie haue you miscarried in the iudge­ments of them, wherein you shall giue me leaue some­what to delate vpon a question, which I onlie touched in the beginning of my letter, namelie, whether it bee more expedient for our estate to maintaine an offensiue warre against the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries, or as in this iourney, to offend him in his néerer Territories, seeing the grounds of arguing thereof are taken from the experience which the actions of this iourney haue giuen vs.

There is no good subiect that will make question, whe­ther it bee behoofefull for vs to hold friendship with these [Page 49] neighbours of ours or no, aswell in respect of the infinite proportion of their shipping, which must stand either with vs, or against vs; as of the commoditie of their Harbors, especiallie that of Vlishing, by the fauour wherof our Na­uie may continuallie kéepe the Narrow Seas, and which would harbour a greater Fléete against vs, than the Spa­niard shall néede to annoy vs withall; who being now di­stressed by our common Enemie, I thinke it most expe­dient for our safetie to defend them, and if it may bee to giue them a reentrie into that they haue of late yeares lost vnto him. The one without doubt her Maiestie may doo without difficultie, and in so honorable sort as he shall neuer be able to dispossesse her or them of any the townes they now hold. But if any man thinke that the Spaniard may bee expelled from thence more speedilie, or conueni­entlie by kéeping an Armie there, than by sending one a­gainst him into his own Countrie: let him foresee of how many men and continuall supplies that Armie must con­sist, and what intollerable expences it requireth. And let him thinke by the example of the Duke of Alua, when the Prince of Orrenge had his great Armie against him: and of Don Ion, when the States had their mightie assem­blie against him, how this wise Enemie, with whom wée are to deale, may but by prolonging to fight with vs, leaue vs occasions enough for our Armie within fewe moneths to mutine and breake; or by kéeping him in his Townes leaue vs a spoyled field: where though our prouision may be such of our ownes as we starue not, yet is our weaknes in any strange Countrie such, as with sicknes and mise­rie we shall be dissolued. And let him not forget what a continuall burthen wee hereby lay vpon vs, in that to re­possesse those Countries which haue béen lately lost, will be a warre of longer continuance than wee shall be able to endure.

In the verie action whereof, what should hinder the King of Spaine to bring his forces home vnto vs? For it is certaine he hath long since set downe in Councell, that [Page 50] there is no way for him whollie to recouer those Lowe Countries, but by bringing the warre vppon England it selfe, which hath alwaies assisted them against him: and that being determined, and whereunto he hath béen vehe­mentlie vrged by the last yéeres losse he susteined vppon our Coasts, and the great dishonor this iourney hath laid vpon him; no doubt if we shall giue him respite to doo it, but he will mightelie aduance his purpose, for he is richlie able thereunto, and wonderfull desirous of reuenge.

To encounter wherewith, I wish euen in true and ho­nest zeale to my Countrie, that wee were all perswaded that there is no such assured meanes for the safetie of our estate, as to busie him with a well furnished Armie in Spaine, which hath so many goodlie Bayes open, as wée may land without impeachment as many men as shall be néedfull for such an inuasion. And hauing an Armie of twentie thousand royallie furnished there, wee shall not néede to take much care for their paiment: for shall not Lisbone be thought able to make so fewe men rich, when the Suburbs thereof were found so abounding in riches, as had we made enemie of them, they had largely inriched vs all? Which with what small losse it may be wonne, is not here to shewe; but why it was not wonne by vs, I haue herein shewed you. Or is not the spoyle of Ciuill suf­ficient to pay more than shall be needfull to be sent against it, whose defence (as that of Lisbone) is onlie force of men, of whom how many may for the present be raised, it is not to be estéemed, because wée haue discouered what kinde of men they bee; euen such as will neuer abide ours in field, nor dare withstand any resolute attempt of ours against them: for during the time wee were in many places of their Countrie, they cannot say that euer they made twen­tie of our men turne their faces from them. And be there not many other places of lesse difficultie to spoyle, able to satisfie our forces?

But admit that if vpon this Alarme that wee haue gi­uen him, he tendring his naturall and néerest soyle before [Page 51] his further remoued off gouernments, do drawe his forces of old Souldiers out of the Low Countries for his own defence, is not the victorie then wonne by drawing and holding them from thence, for the which we should haue kept an Armie there at a charge by many parts greater than this, and not stirred them?

Admit further our Armie bee impeached from landing there, yet by kéeping the Sea, and possessing his princi­pall Roades, are wee not in possibilitie to méete with his Indian Merchants, and verie like to preuent him of his prouisions comming out of the East Coun­tries? without the which, neither the subiect of Lisbone is long able to liue, nor the King able to maintain his Na­uie: for though the countrey of Portingall doo some yeres finde themselues corne, yet are they neuer able to victuall the least part of that Citie. And albeit the King of Spaine be the richest Prince in Christendome, yet can he neyther draw cables, hew masts, nor make powder out of his met­talls, but is to bee supplied of them all from thence. Of whom (some will holde opinion) it is no reason to make prize, because they be not our enemies: and that our disa­gréeance with them, will impeach the trade of our Mer­chants, and so impouerish our Countrey. Of whose minde I can hardly be drawen to be: For, if my enemie fighting with me doo breake his sword, so as I therby haue the ad­uantage against him; what shall I thinke of him that put­teth a new sword into his hand to kil me withal? And may it not be thought more fitting for vs in these times to loose our trades of cloath, than by suffering these mischiefes, to put in hazard, whether we shall haue a Countrey lefte to make cloth in, or no? And yet though neither Hamburgh Embden, nor Stode doo receiue our cloth, the necessarie vse thereof in all places is such, as they will finde meanes to take it from vs, with our sufficient commoditie.

And admit (which were impossible) that wee damnifie him neither at sea nor land (for vnlesse it bee with a much more mightie Armie than ours, he shall neuer be able to [Page 52] withstand vs) yet shal we by holding him at his home, frée our selues from the warre at our owne walls: the benefite whereof let them consider, y ^e best can iudge, & haue obser­ued the differēce of inuading, & being inuaded; the one gi­uing courage to the Souldier, in that it dooth set before him commoditie and reputation; the other a fearfull ter­ror to the Countrey man, who if by chaunce hee play the man, yet is he neuer the richer: and who knowing manie holes to hide himselfe in, will trie them all before hee put his life in perill by fighting: whereas the Inuador cast­eth vp his accompt before he goeth out, and being abroad must fight to make himselfe way, as not knowing what place or strength to trust vnto. I will not say what I ob­serued in our Countrey men when the enimie offered to assaile vs here: but I wish that all England knewe what terror we gaue to the same people that frighted vs, by vi­siting them at their owne houses.

Were not Alexanders fortunes great against the mightie Darius, onely in that his Macedonians thir­sted after the wealth of Persia, and were bound to fight it out to the last man, because the last man knewe no safer waye to saue himselfe, than by fighting? Where­as the Persians, either trusting to continue still masters of their wealth by yéelding to the Inuador, began to practise against their owne King: or hauing more inward hopes, did hide themselues euen to the last, to sée what course the Conquerour would take in his Conquest. And did not the aduice of Scipio, though mightely impugned at the first, proue verie sound and honorable his Coun­trey? Who, séeing the Romanes wonderfully amazed at the nearnesse of their enemies Forces, and the losses they dayly sustained by them, gaue counsaile, rather by way of diuersion to carrie an Armie into Affricke, & there to as­saile, than by a defenciue warre at home to remaine subiect to the commō spoyles of an assailing Enemie. Which be­ing put in execution, drew the Enemie from the Gates of Rome, and Scipio returned home with triumph: albeit his [Page 53] beginnings at the first, were not so fortunate against thē, as ours haue béen in this small time against the Spani­ard. The good successe whereof, maye encourage vs to take Armes resolutely against him. And I beséech God it may stirre vp all men that are particularly interested therein, to bethinke themselues how small a matter will assure them of their safetie, by holding the Spaniard at a bay, so farre of: whereas if wee giue him leaue quietly to hatch and bring foorth his preparations, it will bee with danger to vs all.

He taketh not Armes against vs by anie pretence of ti­tle to the Crowne of this Realme, nor led altogether with an ambitious desire to command our Countrey, but with hatred towardes our whole Nation and Religion: Her Maiesties Scepter is alreadie giuen by Bull to another, the honours of our Nobilitie are bestowed for rewardes vpon his attendants, our Clergie, our Gentlemen, our Lawyers, yea all men of what condition soeuer, are offe­red for spoyle vnto the common Souldier. Let euerie man therefore in defence of the libertie and plentie hee hath of longe enioyed, offer a voluntarie contribution of the smal­lest part of their store for the assurance of the rest. It were not much for euerie Iustice of peace, who by his blewe coate protecteth the properest and most seruiceable men at euerie muster from the warres, to contribute the charge that one of these idlemen doo put him to for one yere: nor for the Lawyer, who riseth by the dissentions of his neigh­bors, to take but one yeares giftes (which they call fées) out of his coffers. What would it hinder euerie Officer of the Exchequer, and other of her Maiesties Courtes, who without checke doo sodainlie grow to great wealth, honestlie to bring foorth the mysticall commoditie of one yeres profites? Or the Clergie, who looke precisely for the Tenths of euerie mans increase, simply to bring foorth the Tenth of one yeares gathering, and in thankfulnes to her Maiestie, (who hath continued for all our safeties, a most chargeable warre both at land and sea) bestowe the [Page 54] same for her honour and their owne assuraunce, vppon an Armie which may make this bloodie Enemie, so to knowe himselfe and her Maiesties power, as hee shall bethinke him what it is to mooue a stirring people? Who, though they haue receaued some small checke by the sicknesse of this last Iourney, yet doubt I not, but if it were made knowen, that the like Voyage were to be supported by a generalitie, (that might and would beare the charge of a more ample prouision) but there would of all sortes most willingly put themselues into the same: some caried with an honorable desire to be in action, & some in loue of such, would affectionately follow their fortunes: some in thirst­ing to reuenge the death and hurts of their brethren, kind­red, and friends: and some in hope of the plentiful spoyles to be found in those Countreyes, hauing béen there alrea­die and returned poore, would desire to goe againe, with an expectation to make amends for the last: and all, in ha­tred of that cowardly proud Nation, and in contemplati­on of the true honor of our own, would with courage take Armes, to hazard their liues against them, whom euerie good English man is in nature bound to hate as an impla­cable Enemie to England, thirsting after our blood, and labouring to ruine our land, with hope to bring vs vnder the yoke of perpetuall slauerie.

Against them is true honour to bee gotten, for that wee shall no sooner set foote in their land, but that euery steppe we tread will yéeld vs newe occasion of action, which I wish the gallantrie of our Countrie rather to regarde, than to followe those soft vnprofitable pleasures, wherein they now consume their time and patrimonie. And in two or thrée Townes of Spaine is the wealth of all Europe ga­thered together, which are the Magasins of the fruits and profites of the East and West Indies: whereunto I wish our young able men, who against the libertie they are borne vnto, (terme themselues Seruing men) rather to bend their desires and affections, than to attend their dou­ble liuerie and fortie shillings by the yeare wages, and [Page 55] the reuersion of the old Coppie-hold, for carrying a dish to his masters table. But let me here reprehend my selfe and craue pardon, for entring into a matter of such state and consequence, the care whereof is alreadie laid vpon a most graue and honorable Councell, who will in their wisedomes foresee the dangers that may bee threatned a­gainst vs. And why do I labour to disquiet the securitie of these happie Gentlemen, & the trade of those honest Ser­uing men, by perswading them to the warres, when I see the profession therof so slenderlie estéemed? For though al our hope of peace bee frustrate, and our quarells determi­nable by the sword: though our Enemie hath by his own forces and his pencionaries industrie, confined the vnited Prouinces into a narrowe roume, and almost disunited the same: if he be now in a good way to harbour himselfe in the principall Hauens of France, from whence he may frunt vs at pleasure: yea though wee are to hope for no­thing but a bloudie warre, nor can trust to any helpe but Armes; yet how farre the common sort are from reue­rencing or regarding any persons of conduction, was too apparant in the returne of this our iourney, wherein the base and common souldier hath béen tollerated to speake against the Captaine, and the souldier and Captaine a­gainst the Generalls, and wherein mechanicall and men of base condition doo dare to censure the dooings of them, of whose acts they be not worthie to talke.

The auncient graue degrée of the Prelacie is vphelde, though Martin rayle neuer so much, and the Lawyer is after the olde manner worshipped, whosoeuer inueigh a­gainst him: But the auncient English honour is taken from our Men of Warre, and their Profession in dis­grace, though neuer so necessarie. Either we commit I­dolatrie to Neptune, and will put him alone still to fight for vs as he did the last yere, or we be inchanted with some diuellish opinions, that trauaile nothing more than to di­minish the reputation of them, vpon whose shoulders the burthen of our defence against the Enemie must lie when [Page 56] occasion shall be offered. For whensoeuer he shall set foote vpon our land, it is neither the preaching of the Clergie that can turne him out againe, nor the pleading of any Lawyers that can remoue him out of possession: no, then they will honour them whom now they thinke not on, and then must those men stand betwéene them and their perills, who are now thought vnworthie of any estima­tion.

May the burning of one Towne (which cost the King then being, sixe times as much as this hath done her Ma­iestie, wherein were lost seauen times as many men as in any one seruice of this iourney, and tarried not the tenth part of our time in the Enemies Countrie) bee by our el­ders so highly reputed, and sounded out by the historie of the Realme; and can our voyage be so meanlie estéemed, wherein wee burned both Townes and Countries with­out the losse of fortie men in any such attempt?

Did our Kings in former times reward some with the greatest titles of honour for ouerthrowing a number of poore Scots, who after one battaile lost, were neuer able to reenforce themselues against him; and shall they in this time who haue ouerthrowne our mightie Enemie in bat­taile, and taken his royall Standerd in the field, besieged the Marques of Saralba fiftéene daies together, that should haue béen the Generall of the Armie against vs, brought away so much of his Artillarie (as I haue before declared) be vnworthelie estéemed of?

Is it possible that some in some times should receiue their reward for looking vppon an Enemie, and ours in this time not receiue so much as thankes, for hauing bea­ten an Enemie at handie strokes?

But it is true, that no man shall be a Prophet in his Countrey: and for my owne part, I will lay aside my Armes till that profession shall haue more reputation, and liue with my friends in the Countrey, attending either some more fortunate time to vse them, or some other good occasion to make me forget them.

[Page 57]But what? shall the blind opinion of this Monster, a beast of many heads, (for so hath the generaltie of old béen termed) cause me to neglect the profession from whence I challenge some reputation; or diminish my loue to my Countrey, which hetherto hath nourished mée? No, it was for her sake I first tooke Armes: and for her sake I will handle them so long as I shall be able to vse them: not regarding how some men in priuate conuenticles doo measure mens estimations vp their owne humours; nor how euerie populer person doth giue sentence on euerie mans actions by the worst accidents. But attending the gracious aspect of our dread Soueraigne, who neuer yet left vertue vnrewarded: and depending vpon the iustice of her most rare and graue aduisors, who by their heedie looking into euerie mans worth, doo giue encouragement to the vertuous to excéede others in vertue: and assuring you that there shall neuer any thing happen more plea­sing vnto me, than that I may once againe be a partie in some honorable iourney against the Spaniard in his owne Countrie, I will cease my complaint: and with them that deserue beyond me, patiently endure the vnaduised censure of our malicious reprouers.

If I haue seemed in the beginning hereof troublesome vnto you in the discouering of those impediments; and answering the slaunders which by the vulgar malicious and mutinous sort are laid as blemishes vpon the iourney, and reproaches vpon the Generalls (hauing indeede pro­ceeded from other heads): let the necessitie of conseruing the reputation of the action in generall, and the honors of our Generalls in particuler, be my sufficient excuse: the one hauing by the vertue of the other made our Countrie more dreaded and renowmed, than any act that euer Eng­land vndertooke before? Or if you haue thought my per­swasivie discourse long in the latter end; let the affectio­nate desire of my Countries good bee therein answerable for me. And such as it is I pray you accept it, as onely re­commended to your selfe, and not to bee deliuered to the [Page 58] publique view of the world, least any man take offence thereat; which some particuler men may seeme iustlie to doo, in that hauing deserued verie well, I should not here­in giue them their due commendations: whereas my pur­pose in this priuate discourse, hath béen onelie to gratifie you with a touch of those principall matters that haue passed, wherein I haue onelie taken notes of those men who either commanded euery seruice, or were of chiefest marke: if therefore you shall impart the same to one, and hée to another, and so it passe through many hands, I knowe not what constructions would be made thereof to my preiudice; for that the Hares eares may happelie bée taken for hornes. Howbeit, I hold it verie necessarie (I must confesse) that there should bee some true manifesta­tion made of these things: but bee it farre from me to bée the author thereof, as verie vnfit to deliuer my censure of any matter in publique, and most vnwilling to haue my weaknes discouered in priuate. And so doo leaue you to the happie successe of your accustomed good exercises, ear­nestlie wishing that there may bee some better acceptance made of the fruites of your studies, than there hath béen of our hazards in the warres. From London the 30. of August. 1589.