The Continuation of our Weekely NEWES. The Extract of an Oration of his Majestie of Sweden, made in the presence of his cheifest Peeres, Earles, Lords, Warlike Commaunders, and other Officers, on the 10. of August. 1632. neere the City of Norimbergh.
HIS Royall Majestie of Sweden caused all his Commanders and Officers from the highest to the lowest to come before him, and made an Oration vnto them of an houre long, concerning the pillaging and robbing, and some insolencies committed by his Souldiers: which his said Majestie labouring to suppresse, vsed in this his Oration such motiues and arguments, that his earnest and eloquent expression forced teares from the eyes of many of his chiefe Commaunders. The Contents whereof you haue in this Extract.
You Peeres, Earles, and Lords, Yee are partly of those, who haue shewed themselues vnfaithfull and disloyall to your owne Countrey, and doe helpe to ruinate the same. You Generalls, Lieutenant-Generalls, (and all you the rest inferiour Officers) I haue ever held and esteemed you for vpright and stout Cavalliers, and I doe witnesse for you, that vpon occasion offered, you haue in fighting given such demonstration of your valour, as that I haue therewithall rested satisfied.
But when I doe behold you present here before me, and doe consider of, and call to mind your stealing, robbing, and pillaging, and that ye also doe participate, and are guiltie of those insolencies, and obserue no discipline, nor doe no justice, all my haires doe stand an end. Is not this a dolefull case and lamentable, and odious in the sight of God, that one Christian and joynt religious, one friend another, yea one brother shall pillage and ransacke another, and spoile, and ruinate, and vndoe another: the Devills in hell doe shew more loue, and are more trustie one to another, then you Christians are among your selues.
My heart faileth mee, and my bowels yearne within mee, when I doe heare that the Swedisb Souldiers are more insolent then those of the enemy: when indeed not Swedes, but the Germanes commit the insolencies: had I knowne that ye had beene of such an humour, and had borne no more affection to your owne natiue Countrey, and that you would haue done no better service for the same, nor shewed more fidelitie: I had never so much as sadled an horse for your sakes, much lesse ever haue adventured my Kingdome, my life and goods, and with mine owne person haue adventured so many stout and valorous men for your welfare: but I would rather since I perceiue that you aff [...]ct and desire it, haue suffered you to remaine plunged in the greatest and most miserable servitude and slaverie. Yee know full well, that I do not easily or slightly denie any of you any reasonable request, & my God knoweth, that I never intend [...]d any other thing, but (by his blessed assistance) to restore every man to their owne, and their own to them: and for the remainder, especially what I obtaine in Franconia and Bavaria, to distribute and impart among you, and to leaue none of you vnrecompenced for your faithfull service: but your accursed and divellish robbing and stealing doth hinder and keepe me backe in all my Christian intentions. Can you not consider what praise and fame posteritie will leaue you in future histories? what a burthen you will lay on your owne consciences? and what judgements and [Page 3] punishments you draw vpon your selues, your posteritie, the whole Countrey, and those that shall succeed you? Oh that you doe not consider, what an account you are to yeelde vp at that great and dreadfull day of account. I would rather haue remained within mine owne Kingdome, than I would longer behold such base insolencies. Perchance you may say, you want monies; but when I haue the meanes to satisfie both you, and the whole Armie, and you by pillaging, robbing, and stealing depriue me of those meanes, I beseech you than where is the fault? What doe I receiue of all your prey? just nothing. I doe protest before God, and it is truth, that of all this warre I haue not so much enriched my selfe as the worth of a paire of bootes; and I professe withall, that I would rather ride without bootes, than any wayes in the least measure to enrich my selfe by the losse and prejudice of other poore men. I will make it appeare to you, and to those that desire therein to be satisfied, that I haue had made over vnto me since I came out of mine owne Kingdome, at 32. severall times, aboue 40. tunne of Gold, which I haue spent for your good, and the restauration of those that are vnited with mee in the true Religion. I confesse I might herein bee silent, but the consideration of the great losse that I haue sustained of so many braue Worthies and Cavalleres, whose vertues indeed were beyond estimation, constrained mee to speake what I doe; and truely I valued them beyond all my wealth. And for your parts what haue you contributed? I desire nothing at your hands but onely this, that you depriue and rob not others of their goods, but leaue vnto every man his owne.
This Oration which was in part penned by many, tooke vp divers sheetes of paper. This is but onely the extract and part of it.
After the Oration ended, his Majestie made strict prohibition, and added therevnto a commination, that hee would spare none hence-forward, Peere, nor Earle, Generall, nor Commander. And in case they should mutinie, hee with his [Page 4] Swedes and Finlanders would vndertake so to rattle them, that the very shivers should flie about. Which prohibition was no sooner proclaimed with the sound of trumpets, but hee caused a Lieutenant to be hanged for commiting some of the aforesaid insolencies.
When as a certaine Pesant or Countryman came and made complaint to his Majestie of some Souldiers who had robbed him of a Cow; his Majestie himselfe in person rod along with him to find out the parties: when hee shewed his Majestie where the Cow was notwithstanding the Captaine & Lieutenant excused the partie, he caused him to be brought to the Provost, and delivered vp into the hands of Iustice; But there was earnest intercession made for him by the Commanders and Captaines vnto his Majestie, who with compassion spake thus vnto the Delinquent: My sonne, it is better that I should punish you, than that for your mis-deedes the wrath of God and his Iudgments should fall vpon me, and thee, and all of vs.
From Norimberg the 2. of August, 1632.
Concerning my dolefull estate I doubt not but all the world is therewith acquainted, In these 4. weekes we haue received no letters from Overland nor Augsburg: The Enemy is rou [...]d about vs with two great Armies, and is enquartered about Steyn, and Eyba, and the same River a mile from this Citie, and as farre from the Army. We can daily see the Enemy swarue to and from our Steeple. The skirmishes continue daily, and many Spies are brought prisoners hither: which Spies are pub [...]ikely examined, by which meanes we know all the Enemies designes and enterprises. Yesterday was brought prisoner here the Generall Quarter-Maister of Wallensteyn, who had the bed-role or Catalogue about him of Wallensteyns and the Duke of Bavarias whole Armie; he is daily served at [Page 5] Table with 6. silver dishes of good cheare, and 2. bottels of wine; he and his doe all complaine of extreame hunger and want in their Armies.
His Majestie of Sweden shews himselfe wondrous curteous and loving towards all the Citizens here, & remaines exceeding couragious. His Army is very well fortified, insomuch, that it is impossible for any enemy to raise the same, or almost to oppose him; notwithstanding his Army alone is none of the greatest.
The Swedes doe daily defeate some of the Enemies Convoyes: and although I confesse indeed by reason of these troubles and turmoiles our trading ceaseth, yet God bee praised: wee are exceeding well provided of all things. It doth very much animate and comfort vs, that his Majestie is so chearie and tender of vs, and doth so couragiously protect vs, and establisheth decent and good order overall.
Another from Norimberg of later date, wherein is declared the whole present estate of both Armies.
Walsteyn and the Duke of Bauaria doe now onely striue and endevour to intercept and cut off all victualls provision and convoyes from his Majestie of Sweden, as yet remayning within his Fortifications before Norimbergh. Wherfore the better to accomplish his ends, the said Wallensteyn by force hath taken a strong Castle Liechtenaw not farre from Anspach and 4. miles fom Norimbergh which Fort otherwise, is vnder the power of the Norimbergers. The King to revenge himselfe and to bee euen with and requite and serue his enemy with the same sauce did inquire and found out where the store or Magazen of corne was reserued for Wallersteyn & the Duke of Bauaria to wit at [...]ryenstaat) which is a Citie in the vpper Palatinate situated in a very [Page 6] moorish place, fiue miles from Norimbergh, and 2. from Newmarch which also is in the superior Palatinate. Wherefore with 1000. Muskets, and some troupes of horse, in the night they went to Karnbergh, two miles distance from the towne of Fryenstadt, and from thence he sent a certaine Colonell farther) namely to Fryenstadt. Who assisted with his souldiers, and hauing hung some Patars at the gate of the Citie broke them open, entred, and puts some to the sword. Hee there burnt a great multitude of Corne, which was enough to supply Wallensteyns Armie for two moneths together. Among other victuals, there was 70000. pounds of bread; the Swedish brought with them 400. Bullockes, and 500. Horses to Norimberg. In their returne the Commander, a Colonell of Wallensteyns Armie, with 3. Regiments comes towards the King, whose number of Souldiers did not exceed Wallensteyns Colonels number, to wit Spaar. The Kings Majestie with his forces behaved himselfe so valorous and strong▪ that many Ensignes were taken by them, and 400. of Spaars forces were slain, and an hundred Officers or more, beside the Commander Spaar himselfe were taken prisoners. The King lost 40. men, and one Captaine, with two Officers.
Before the King came to Fryenstadt, a certaine Major was sent before (as it is the manner of warre) to spie out the wayes and devices of the Enemy. This Major by chance and vnawarres fell into the hands of the aforesaid Spaar, and was taken prisoner. Spaar presently questions with him, & askes him where is the King? the Major answers, he is hard by▪ what Army is hee provided withall? he answers, with some Troupes of horse; hath he no Musketiers? sayd Spaar: no, answers the other; then certainely it is the King said Spaar, and he shall presently be in my hands: but it was not long after ere Spaar found the contrary by woefull experience, for hee fell into the Ditch, which he had digged for another.
Moreouer because his Maiesty for the maintaining of such huge and great armies hath need of great store of moneyes he hath for a certaine time borrowed 480000. Ryxdollers of the Citizens of Norembergh, to the end that he may giue content in part to the soldiers, who otherwise (wee know) are not so ready to fight, but these moneyes being distributed amongst the soldiers of his Maiesty they are all of them exceedingly animated and forward to fight vpon all occasions. For other necessaries the Kings Armyes are supplyed from the City Norembergh, out of the Magazine, as Bread, Powder, shot, great O [...]dnance and the like necessaries. At Oxfurt (which is an Imperiall City) distant 6. miles from Norimbergh, there is a coniunction made of these Armies, to wit that of the Duke of Weymar, the Chancellor Oxensterne, the Landgraue of Hessen, and sixe Regiments of Saxons, the number of those Armies being all ioyned in one, doe make aboue 36000. men.
The City before mentioned Freynstadt, with another chiefe place named Holnsteyn were formerly by the gift of the Duke of Bauaria conferred vpon Mons: Tilly, for they are places of great note, and strength, and great reuenues, to the end that those charges raised might bee sufficient meanes for Tilly to establish and reserue his Authority but not onely Tilly but also the Duke of Bauaria himselfe, are stript & depriued of them. For they belonged not to them, but by right are due, to the Prince Elector Palatine.
From Polonia it is written hither, that the Coronation of the King is deferred vntill the 17. day of September.
It is beleeued that the eldest sonne of the defunct King will bee chosen. All the Euangelicall and Protestants in Polonia, are on that side, because hee hath promised vnto them, all free exercise of Religion, and a new Donatiue, and a confirmation of all their auncient priuiledges.
From Swaben the 5. of August.
The Duke Barnard of Wymar after the taking of Schongau, and Landsb [...]rgh, hath also by assault taken Fiesen, there put 300. men to the sword: 1100. with their officers, among them the [Page 8] Earle of Hoogen [...]m [...], Earle DE'arch [...], brother in law to Duke Altringer, the Lord of Dieringsteyn, and the Lieuftenant generall Waky, haue yeilded themselues prisoners with all their Colours. Herevpon the Duke of Ernbergh, hath also taken the 3. sconces and so with the Army they are returned to Donawert, but by order which came yesterday are recalled back.
This day 2. Regiments of Wurtenburgh march to Vlms. The Catholike councell is at Ausburgh arrested still, but as yet there haue no bels beene rung.
The City Heylbrun is fortified dayly, Schillingsfurst is burnt downe, and Kreysheym is ransacked and pillaged.
From Dresden the 13. of August.
The assembly and generall meeting of the Senators and deputies of the Nobility at Warson in Polonia is ended and another day of meeting is prescribed in September the 17. for the choise of a new King, which generall Dyet, will last (according to auncient custome) sixe weekes. The common opinion is, that the eldest sonne Ʋladislaus without the competition of any other will obtaine the Crowne. The Protestants are much bent that way, but the Papists haue much opposed the same. The Papists did also oppose and hinder that liberty which the Protestants expected to haue beene granted them, in the late assembly, and now they must content themselues with a larger certaintie.
Concerning the warre in Muscouia, it seemes that all is there againe appeased. Onely in Polonia there is great feare of an inuasion by the Tartarians, but there is good order and prouision made to preuent that.
From Kitzingen the 15. dito.
God bee thanked all is well with our Army. Yesterday Duke Bernard of Weymar arriued here, whose troupes as also the troupes of Generell Bannier, which were left at Rottingen, are this day expected here; then shall our generall rendevous bee held, and our forces shall bee aduanced against our Enemies. God grant vs good successe, wee doe dayly take many prisoners who most of them betake themselues into the Kings seruices, they do exceedingly complaine of want and [Page 9] great need in their Armies. The old soldiers of the Enemiee, runne away, and the new ones are altogether vnskilled. They are constrained to fetch their provision and forrage 7. miles about, and indeed wee are herein to obserue the finger and powerfull working of the Almighty. First the good successe which it hath pleased God to affoord vnto Duke Bernard Weymar, insomuch that many cheife soldiers, are come into his seruice, and many of the cheife Commanders are taken prisoners. Secondly obserue, that those of Duderstadt, (which place is not onely well fortified by the Imperialists,) are strongly beset to wit with 350. of Bru [...]res Regiment, 300. of Vorstenburgs Regiment, 250. new leauied soldiers, 300. of Reynaclers forces, 400. Horsemen vnder the Commander Gol [...]z, who also was assisted by diuers Boores of Eischfield, notwitstanding all this they freely yileded vp themselues, and 2000. old soldiers also left their seruice, & are come over to vs, by reason whereof the officers being at our mercy, were faine to yeild themselues into our hands. Wee haue obtained some Cornets, 12. peeces of Ordnance, and great store of prouision. Adde vnto this the great aduantage wee haue gotten by our leuies, and Musterplace at Eichsfeild. Thirdly wee consider the great victory it hath pleased almightly God to affoord vnto his Maiesty of Sweden, at Freystadt, where was the Magazine for prouision of Walsteyns Corne, and Bread, &c. where 28. cornet of horse, and 500. Musquetiers being in all about 300. men were slaine and vtterly defeated.
From Leypsich 15. Dito.
It is certaine, that our Brandenburger, and Swedish forces, in all 30000. strong haue againe taken great Glogan in Salesia, and taken the Commander Golizen, prisoner with some companies of horse and foote which they haue all of them disarmed. Part of which Army after this happy defeat, are marching to Glatz in Bohemia. In the meane time the Crabats, with 1000. horse are fallen into this Dukedome, and haue taken the City Bishopsweerd [...], by assault and the City Stolpe, and pillaged and burnt downe the same. Hereupon the Prince Elector with all speed commanded some thousands of soldiers [Page 10] thither to stop their course.
Now instantly wee doe receiue tydings from Dresden, that Lignitz, and the Lord thereof are agreed with the Swedes, and haue taken in a Swedish Garrison. Other Lords, and Cityes, as also Breslau, haue done the like, In Glogau, in Silesia our soldiers haue obtained very good booty, and haue taken a whole waggon laden with siluer, from the Commander Goltzen aforesaid.
From Altenberg. 18. dito.
Yesterday certaine letters were brought hither, which were intercepted, with Cypher letters, written by the Duke of Bauaria, to Count Papenheym, which letters are sent to his Maiesty of Sweden. Wee vnderstand that the contents are to desire Papenheym suddenly to come and joyne his forces with his. Those that carryed these letters are apprehended and brought to Salfridt.
From Franconia the 19. Dito.
Concerning, & for the last happy victory which it hath pleased Almighty God to affoord his Mai: of Sweden. There hath both in the Army as also in the City of Noremberg, been openly & publikly thanksgiuing beene made, which hath not a little dismayed the Enemie, to wit, Walsteyn, and the Duke of Bauaria. Those forces of Rhyneland, and Hessens forces, as also Duke Saxon Wymars, all in one Army, vpon Monday and tuesday last passed ouer the bridge, at Kitzingen, to Newstadt by Aisch, and Winshey. At this Rendevous are met together 36. thousand of able warlick men. 14. thousand of Banniers men are also of a certaine to ioyne this day with our Army at Vffenheym, it is for certaine that when they shall bee all come together the Army will consist of aboue 50. thou [...]and able men. This Army is ere long to bee ioyned to his Maiesty of Sweden Army before Norimberg who is entrenched there with 25000. men. These are all of good courage, and God bee thanked want nothing. But haue victuals enough, onely there is some scarsity of Forrage. Doubtlesse ere long there must come a great alteration: Our soldiers are very greedy of a battaile.
From Elsatia the 19.
The fresh Army at this present is at Tryer, it seemes that they haue there sustained some losse, whereupon the sayd place is besieged and with Canon furiously playd vpon. There are more French comming tow [...]rds them, for their vaunt-guard is already come neere vnto Metz; which doth againe of new perplexe and terrifie Loraine, but they are marching toward the Mosell, and it seemes will not molest or trouble vs in those quarters. The Emperiall troupes are scattered here about.
From the Maynstream the 22. of August.
Some few dayes agoe certaine troupes came downe from the Rhyne-stream to Nieustadt by the Hart, and commanded to Lindau and those quarters, some troupes of horse also were lately set ouer the Rhyne at Wormes, to what end none of vs a [...] yet can tell.
Letters from Berlin doe confirme what formerly we heard, namely that the City great Glogaw was taken by force, and the Castle with agreement by the Brandenburger & Saxon forces. In the fury of taking the City a great part of the City was burnt, they haue sent and presented vnto tho Duke of Saxony sixe Cornets and ten Ensignes.
The Dyet in Polonia is deferred vntill the 17. of September next. Bethlehem-Gabors widdow, who is now agreed at last with Ragotzye hath commanded 20000. men to Polonia to bee revenged in this interregnum.
From Hassia we are certified, that Generall Bouditz with the Hessen forces is gone to Westphalia whither he is to march from thence we shall Learne in time.
From Cullin the 23. of August.
Letters from Soest and those places dated 21. Ditto, doe aver that the Swedes our enemies were passed the riuer beyond Weser, and were marching toward or neere vnto Soest, where 19. troupes of horse were already passed and doe keepe and command Dormondt, according to the common rumour they are six Regiments of horse and 85. Companies of foote. In their march they make terrible ruines & doe much harme. It is supposed [Page 12] that they are marching towards the Rhyne. In summe, I am sure we suffer, and those that did invite Papenheym and call him downe doe draw the second Army and party vpon vs, and as we doe guesse down to the Prouinces, and are the cause of the losse beyond Wezar.
According to Letters from Wirtzburg dated the 19. Ditto, the Chauncellor Oxenstern, Saxon Weymar, and the Landtgraue of Hessen haue past muster at Kitzingen of aboue 36000. men, & the day following Generall Bannier was to ioyne with them his Army of 14000. more. The King is yet before Norimberg, when all these forces shall be ioyned together guesse you what we may expect. The defeate which the Swedes haue lately giuen to our forces continues and is confirmed, and daily skirmishes are made wherein the Swedes doe still get the better. The forces of the Elector of Saxon and Brandenburg are in Silesia & haue there taken great Glaga [...], Breslaw, and Sagan and other places. In summe all goes not very well.
Copy of a Letter from Wesell August 24.
Now instantly is arriued an expresse Messenger, who brought letters from Colonell Melander to the Gouernour of this City Wesel, Rees, and others to his Excellence, which Letters to the Prince we haue already posted forward, the said Post doth certifie vs by word of mouth that 17. Swedish Cornets of horse passed on the 21. of this Moneth by Soetenare and We [...]rne, very able men, which 17. troupes were followed by Generall Bandits with 16. Regiments of foote and 3000. men more of horse, these in their passage haue taken Paterborne, they march along now toward the Rhyne & to Wesel. It seemes that there is some worthy enterprize in hand, God giue a blessing to their proceedings.
From Arnheym the 24.
At Cullin are diuers Commissioners, who doe leuy forces publikely for the States Generall of the vnited Prouinces.
The Bishop of Cullin hath sent the Lord Foule as Ambassador to the Prince of Orange to excuse him concerning the Generall Papenheyms passing ouer the Rhyne.
We vnderstand that at Berck and Dusseldorf new preparation [Page 13] is made for some forces to passe ouer. Now whither it be for Generall Budaitz or others wee know not, yet some suppose it is for those forces which Papenheym left behinde him in the Countrey of Berg, others thinke it is for Papenheyms returne, who is sent for backe againe by Generall Walstein in all speed.
In Artoys and Henegaw people fly apace for feare of the French forces which daily are augmented, Monsieur De Hautery is gone thither to the aforesaid forces in the behalfe of Count Henry de Bergh.
At Bruxels are 5. great Low-country Lords taken in hold.
From Aken the 25. of August.
Yesterday the Magistrates in Mastricht prepared a very great Banket for the Prince of Orange to receiue and welcome him into that City, the workes are slighted, and by all likelyhood his Excellence will not rest so but proceed further.
From Maseycke the 26. Dito,
The dead body of the Earle of Hanaw, and an English Colonell were brought by this City in a Wagon, and presently with a Pont were conuayed ouer to Ruremond.
Count Papenheym after he was broke vp, on the 21. of this Moneth toward Weser, returned againe into the quarter of Graue-Maurice, and at this present is at Meelsen and about Sittert in the vi [...]lages, he is vnder the Doctors and Chirurgions hands to be cured of his hurt which was very dangerous.
Don Cordua also lyes still as yet but to small purpose, for the Bird is flowne away, and their prey is gone.
London, August 24.
We heare from the Leaguer by a Merchant of good note which is come ouer who heard the Prince of Orange himselfe speake it, that seeing they of Cullin did suffer Papenheym to passe by them. If the Lords the States would not reuenge it, that then out of his owne meanes he would doe it, although he left himselfe neuer a penny. The reason is because the States haue shewed themselues Neutrall vnto Cullin and they so perfidious to the States in suffering the enemy to passe.
It is reported that Walestine hath sent to the King of Sweden seuerall messengers, summoning him to a battaile, but the King, deferred to fight with him, till he was better fitted for him, yet still Wal stine required a Battaile: alleaging that hee the rather desired to fight with him, because he held him to be the great Captaine of the Christian World, and that if hee were overcome by the greatest Captaine, it could bee no dishonor to him: But if hee did overcome him, then the greater glory, would be his, that he had preuailed against the greatest Captaine of the Christian World, and it is reported, that the day appointed by them both for the battaile, is, the 31. of this our August 1632.
From Norimbergh, the 8. of August.
The King of Sweden, is still about this City, and all his other forces are ioyned together. The Enemie Walsteyn, and Bauaria, are not aboue a Dutch mile from him: By all likelyhood it cannot bee long before there happen a bloody encounter. Yesterday both in this City, and the Kings Army, (as wee did lately giue thankes publikely, for the victory about Freynsladt, so) wee had a day of Fasting, and Praying, for his Maiesties future good successe. And this day, his Maiesty hath distributed the monies amongst his soldiers, which monies hee borrowed of the Citizens of Norimberg, and Franckford, for a yeare, with 6. per cent. interest. So that the souldiers being they haue receiued pay, are the more animated: to what they must ere long vndertake. There are also diuers other collections made for the King of Swedens forces. I trust that now the King is so well provided and hath gotten all his forces together hee will shortly adventure vpon the Enemie, and indeed they must fight, for the victuals begins to fall very short, insomuch, that some are ready to dye for hunger. And in the Enemies Camp, is farre greater want then in the Kings Army. Wee in the City want no Corne, onely wee haue not Mills enough to grind the same.