delivered and a Swedish Commander put into it Gleen according to the order received from Caesar was then upon his march towards Westphalia to unite his Wirtembergers to Goetz and Hatzfie dt when Bannâ—er thus thrived in Thuringen The depth of winter could not stay his journey nor the cold of the season congeale the burning desire the Imperiall Commanders had generally to inable themselues to meete and fight with the Swedish Armie but succours came in slowly else-where the Duke of Lunenburgh stood a while as a newter nor declaring himselfe till the Spring approached onely Gleen the most forward for the present proved most unfortunate Foure compleate Regiments by the assistance of the Land-grave of Darmstad he had drawen together 4. Imperialâ— Regiments defeated by Stalhaus and knowing where the grosse of Banniers Army was thought to finde a way from Franconia to Westphalia by Hessen-land or if any stragling Swedes should happen by the way able to encounter with them and chase them and so cleare the passage by his power Some Swedish troopes appeared in Franconia upon the river of Sala and they descrying the Caesarean Commander upon his march retyred as afraid of him into the Forest of Thuringen It is the condition of an ambitious man to thinke all others stand in awe of him and he that concludeth of colours by a false glasse apprehendeth things otherwise then they are The Caesarean tooke their retirement for a plaine flight and thinking to over-reach and surprise them spurred up after them when suddenly himselfe was overtaken being encountred by Stalhause whom till then they had nor discovered unexpectedly There were in that Army some men of qualitie and of a spirit transcending the condition they were then in the Count of Furstemburg the Colonels Princk Mantenfell and Ramsdorff all daring men and as able for service as daring though now they were unhappily over-weighed These great hearts saw the present danger yet undaunted with it they rather armed for battel then either to run or yeeld 700 of them slaine and 2 Colonels taken prisoners and fight they did valiantly but not fortunately and the Wirtemberger Regiment encouraged by the example of their Leaders followed on as resolutely holding out almost to the last man The horse onely played the jades for the Cavalliers seeing the Swedes come on impetuously and finding themselues a little galled by the Swedish Musketiers instead of fighting against them ranne unto them leaving the foote to the mercie or furie of their enemie who slew 700. upon the place tooke neere as many prisoners and amongst the rest the two last-named Colonells gained three peeces of Ordnance marked with the armes of Gleen and pursued the rest almost to Wertzburg where Princk who had his horse slaine under him in the battell and Gleen and Furstemberg saved themselues with much difficultie Bannier having ordered things at Ertford marched thence with his Armie consisting of sixteene Regiments of horse and two thousand foote Decemb. 21. old-stile when taking up his head quarter at Eckersburg and Schult-porten he first summoned Naumburg the first Citie in Misnia on the west side of Sala and the Commander there refusing to come in upon his summons hee planted a batterie and without much expense of powder and shot the Citizens carefull to preserue their owne estates dissenting from the Praesidiarie Souldiers he entertained the Burgesses friendly but forced the men of Armes to come in upon discretion and the Saxon Lieutenant Colonell which commanded there the Major and two Captaines he detained as prisoners of warre yet the common Souldiers 150. in number obtained their lives and liberties by taking service under him Thence hee removed his Campe towards Moersburg an Episcopall Citie upon the same River which submitting it selfe to the Swede upon the sighf of his Army Leipsich summoned he conducted his forces immediately towards Leipsich where finding two resolute Commanders the Earles of Transdorff arming themselues and fortifying the place against the furie of his ordnance and danger by the granadoes vessels of water being placed in the streetes the houses covered with wet skinnes and nothing omitted which the case of a besieged place required for its conservation Ian. 1. old stile he summoned the Citie and the Castle of Pleisemburg adjoyning to it and receiving a joynt answer of refusall to surrender from the brethren which commanded severally in the Fort and Citie he threatned to enforce it yet for the present onely blocked it up and before he had spent a shot against ir or received one from it marched thence with the other part of his Army towards Eulenburg whither he had sent Stalhause before him The Governour resolved to defend it with the greater part of his Cavallarie to discover the power and posture of the Generall Major Dehne whose purpose by intercepted letters directed to the Governour of Leipsich being to bring 2000. men which he had then at Eulenburg in foure Regiments for his assistance was by this meanes prevented and way made for the Swedes further conquests The Saxon Commander had notice of the Swedes before hand and halfe an houre before that Stalhause his Avantguard could reach to his late quarter was risen and rode upon the spurre toward Torgaw the care of that Citie being committed to his trust by the Elector who himselfe being secure no where went from Leipsich to Torgaw upon the first report of the Swedes being at Ertfort and thence to Dresden every where as hee passed giving a great charge to the Commanders and Governours and taking oathes of them to stand to him faithfully and not deliver up his townes unlesse by necessitie into the hands of his enemies Yet the fate of the Generall Major depending upon that dayes service though he had gotten the advantage of way and was upon the speed could not preserue the Citie nor his forces Stalhause seeing him gone made after a-maine and though he could nor overtake the Avantguard of the Saxons wherein Dehne and Wilsdorffe his aequall in militarie dignitie was he overtooke the Reere conducted by the Colonell Shletonitz Colonel Dehne rowted and after a small battell wherein he had slaine 200. of his men tooke the Colonell himselfe and 200. others prisoners deprived them of foure Standards and Ensignes and pursued the Generall Major to the gates of the Citie which though it held out that night was surrendered the next day to the Generall Bannier as soone as he appeared before it with his Army the season favouring his attempt glazing up the Elve and exposing the Fort before the Bridge and the Bridge too to his obedience upon conditions to spare the lives and liberties of the Praesidiarie Souldiers both Commanders and ordinarie men they againe condescending to depart without weapons to deliver the Swedes the Ensignes and 32. Standards which were then in the Citie CHAPTER III. Torgaw taken from the Saxon the Garrison turne to the Swedes with the siege of Leipsich and the abandoning of it againe
by the Swedes and other things THis Conquest was of no small consequence the Saxons losse was greater in the conclusion Torgaw taken by Bannier then in the beginning and the Swedes advantage much more Besides 1200. foote which were garrisond in the Citie there were at the same present also 2500. men belonging to severall Regiments fled thither for their securitie and these upon the surrender of the place thinking to have had libertie to depart with their Armes and baggage as being none of the Garrison were upon their march in a fayre aequipage with 12. Ensignes 5. peeces of Canon which the Electour had saved from the Swedes at the battell of Witstocke But upon them too the Swede seized and giving libertie to the Commanders to be gone but not without a checke and some reproaches for their perfidious dealing with the Crowne of Sweden to which they had once sworne fealtie and sincere alliance and surprisall of their baggage The Saxon Garrison taketh pay of the Swedes he dismounted and disarmed the under-officers and common Souldiers who perceiving their nakednesse of a sudden tendered him their service and tooke pay under him hoping of better wages from him then they could expect from the Elector Bannier having lately taken from him the most part of his treasurie at Leichtenburg and now enriched with a new bootie valued at above one million 16000. Rix-dollers whereof lately appertained to the Generall Major Dehne Some men haue got wealth by their losses like Pomponius Laetus in Sabellicus who having his house pillaged received double so much as he lost by the bountie of his friends But the Saxon Generalls case was otherwise with the Citie The Colonell Dehne beheaded to the Government whereof he was recommended by the Elector for his good service in relieving the Fort of Mansfeldt he lost his estate and life the Swedes having got his treasure and the Elector soone after cutting off his head for surrendring the Citie and the Elector himselfe with that particular place lost more Meissen the chiefe Citie of Misnia Eulemburg Grim Borne Debitz Bitterfeldt Belgeren and Hall yeelding instantly to the Conquerour having no hope of reliefe by any confederate Armie Onely Dresden of all the umbilicall Cities of Saxonie held out still yet not without feare of being made the spoyle of strangers the Imperiall Armies being so farre from their succours that their march and places of rest were unknowne to the Citizens But the losse of Torgaw was no small meanes for the libertie and deliverance of Leipsich the vigilant Commander there slipt no opportunitie which presented it selfe unto him and perceiving the Swedish Armie both horse and foote discamping Ian. 4. old stile and upon their march towards Torgaw the same night sent forth three hundred Musketiers and two hundred horse to search for the stragling Swedes which were lurking about the Villages neere Eulenburg and were not gone with the maine body of the Armie The Saxon Souldiers went on with as little noyse as might be and covering the designe with the darknesse of the night fell unexpectedly upon a small Troope of Swedish horse A Troope of Swedish horse surprized which had taken up their nights lodging in one of the Villages and surprized them The Swedish Ritmaster whose courage surmounted his present power began to make some resistance yet opprest with a farre superiour number of Saxons and dangerously wounded was forced to yeeld and himselfe and the most part of that Cavallary some few onely saving themselues by flight with a Preacher to the Swedish Armie were made prisoners and carried to Leipsich This prosperous designe gaue the Souldiers and Inhabitants a small assurance of speedie deliverance some concluded that the Swedes had received notice of the Imperiall succours which the Leipzickers expected daily others that Mansfeild with his Silesian Armie had invaded the Marquisate of Brandenburg and was too strong for Wrangell to whose care that Province was left and that Bannier was enforced to march backe againe to relieue him others it is common with men to beleeue what they desire that Bannier and his Armies discamping Leipsich victualed and fortified was rather a flight for their owne preservation than a warlike March for further execution and with confidence fed with ayerie hopes proclaimed their owne deliverie But the provident and valiant Commander fore-casted what might ensue and as one not fearing any present danger opened the Grimmer or South gate yet as not secure kept the rest locked up and knowing that besides offensiue and defensiue Armes Victualls and other provisions necessarie for life were required to hold out a Siege in the absence of the Swedes which continued the space of seaven dayes sent into the Countrey for Cattell Corne Hay Oats and Wood which he bestowed in the Zimmer house and Baarfuper Church necessitie causing him to turne that consecrated ground to a prophane use as in two Magasines armed two thousand lustie young Prentices and Journeymen to serue as Souldiers strengthened the fortifications and omitted nothing which might seeme needfull to preserue the Citie suspecting the returne of the Swedish Forces thither His conjecture was not misplaced Ian. 12. old stile the avantguard of the Swedes was discovered upon Gods-aker early in the morning and were saluted with some Volleyes of Canon-shot from the Fort of Pleissenburg and Saint Peters Bulwarke yet without any offence done the Ordnance not answerable to the Commanders desire Leipsich again summoned could not reach them the whole Hoast designed for that service with their Waggons and baggage were descryed comming over Schoenfeldt under their Generall the Earle of Brandesteine The Swedes observed the methode of a faire Enemie sending word first by a Trumpeter to the Citie of their purpose intending to prepare for the blow if the answer did not suite with their demand The instructions given the Messenger were in round and peremptorie words to tell the Commander that his Generall desired to know whether he would surrender the Citie upon a faire Composition or see it become a pillar of fire and smoke and though delivered rudely was answered as roundly the Commander replying that he could not nor would complie himselfe to his desire and that whatsoever the Swede had promised to himselfe it was not in his owne abilitie to performe but must be referred to the fortune of warre Words were bootlesse the Swede prepared presently for the Siege and the next morning was strongly entrenched before the Grimmer gate upon the stone way and planted himselfe in the New and Back streets and other houses neare the Citie And the Earle of Transdorff againe neglected not to make his defences armed the Colledges which were neare the wall namely Saint Pauls Colledge the Great and New Colledges and St Thomas his Schoole with Souldiers and Artillerie making a vacation for the Students by converting those Nurseries of pietie and policie into Blockhouses Bulwarkes and Cittadels replenished with militarie men and instruments
Suburbs burned and this distresse caused the Lant-grave to write a dolefull Letter to the Elector of Saxonie his father-in-law desiring him to take commiseration of his Subjects who was able to pitie him onely but not for the present to releeve him But the mayne tempest fell not in that Province it steered more North-easterly into Misnia and Thuringen where what spoyle it made shall be related afterwards The Lant-grave-George thus distressed by the Swedes of the one side and receiving divers by-blowes by the Garrison of Hanaw at the same time hasted to treat with them of a Truce and cessation of Armes for a time to be prescribed and agreed upon fearing that if the Swedes should thrive and come neerer the Weteraw there would neither be time nor place for any Compromitters to mediate betwixt him and our Noble Countrie-man as wise in his directions as nimble and valiant in the execution Ramsey Governour of the Militarie men there A Regiment of Crabats surprised neere Wormbs and their Colonell taken prisoner by Ramsey About the tenth of December stilo vetere some selected Troopes being drawne out of the Presidiarie Souldiers to scoure the Countrie thereabout passed the Rivers of Mayne and the Rhine and at Dirmsteim a village neere Wormbs lighted upon a Regiment of Crabats and their Colonell Dishchlier with them The Crabats seeing how they were surprized prepared at once according to their custome borrowed from the Parthians both for fight and flight but being surrounded by the Hanawers and forced to their Tackling they fought till the major part of them being slaine the Colonell and the rest submitting themselves as prisoners of Warre they were carryed thence to Hanaw with five Cornets store of money and other good booty One Prize prepareth the way for another upon their returne homeward intelligence was brought them that forty Tunnes of Wine were to be transported the next day from Franck-ford to Giessen A Convoy for forty tunnes of Wine taken by the Hanawer for the use of the Lant-grave of Darmstat The Commander was made acquainted with the businesse and hee instantly arming foure hundred men sent out to attend the Convoy which they met withall fortunately before they had passed a quarter of the journey and in a short conflict having subdued the Waggoners which drove it and Souldiers which guarded it brought it home to the Garrison with the Lieutenant which commanded it This small losse incensed the Lant-grave against the Frank-forders whom hee accused as conspiring with the Hanawers against him though five of their men were slaine in seeking to preserve the charge committed to their trust pressing them to make it good otherwise menacing to confiscate their goods which were in his Dominions but hastned the Treatie with Ramsey A foure moneths Truce concluded betwixt Darmstat and Ramsay to prevent any further detriment which he followed so closely that by the fourth of the month ensuing a Truce was concluded on to indure till May with conditions of free trade and commerce betwixt both parties and that the Lant-grave should furnish the City with some thousands Malders of Corne at sixe Rixe-dollers the Malder and if so much could not be obtained in the publike Markets it should then be taken out of his private Granaries And this conclusion was joyfully received of all parties however the premises were displeasing the Frank-forders hoping by this meanes to enjoy the benefit of those Musarum Nundinae their Mart the Hanawers a time of breathing and the Lant-grave more liberty to arme himselfe for the assistance of the Saxon and Imperialists his Confederates The Electorall Diet convented and commenced at Regenspurgh the last Summer went on all this hurly-burly notwithstanding Many and severall dayes were appointed for the Election of a King of the Romanes A new King of Romans elected and at the last the twelfth of December old stile was resolved for the time when without further delay the choyse should be The Circumstances required by the Golden Bull of Charles the fourth were all observed save onely in the time of consultation the place of Election and the persons of the Electors The time of consultation prescribed was bounded formerly with 30. dayes and if in that space the Electors could not agree omnibus aliis detractis cibariis praeter panem aquam nihil aliud illis detur The Electors were to be fed with bread and water and nothing else till their votes were given up yet here had beene a consultation above foure moneths space The Election was confined to Frank-ford and there to the Church of Saint Bartholomew this was made at Ratisbone The power of Election was given to three German Prelates Mentz the Arch-chancellour of Germanie Cologne Arch-chancellour of Italy Triers Arch-chancellour of France and three temporall Princes the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Arch-sewer the Duke of Saxony Sword-bearer and the Marquis of Brandenburgh High Chamberlane these sixe being all to be summoned by the Elector of Mentz and not to lose their suffrages unlesse by a will-full default of absence yet here the Elector of Triers was expressely denyed admittance and the Elector Palatine never called but another thrust into his place by the Title of the Elector of Bavaria The Elector of Triers and Lant-grave of Cassell to the just greevance of some German Princes who questioned the Justice of this Election and not without some ground protested against it not in respect of the person elected by the Senate being reported an hopefull Prince of a good nature and promising condition but the indirect meanes of that Election But disputes were vaine the Gowne-Law could not proove the Course illegall and what-ever objection could be made to the contrary the Electorall College proceeded according to their first determination To this end the Magistrate of Ratisbone attended with the Burgesses and the Governour the Colonell Nidrun wayted upon by the men of Armes assembled in the Towne-house and by an oath of Allegiance confirmed the assurance of their loyalty to the Electors The Bull required a privacie that the Electors might conferre together freely without interruption by the Embassadors of Forraine Princes or the Nobilitie of the Empire by whose sollicitation in behalfe of their particular friends their Consultation might be disturbed and a worke of this high consequence be hindred The same Evening therefore diligent search was made throughout the Citie for all strangers and such as had no dependance upon the Emperour or the Electors that they might be warned to depart the Citty and not to returne thither till the King of Romans was chosen and this inquisition was done so effectually that the Spanish Embassadour and his retinew retired the same night to Straubinguen to abide there till hee might without offence to their proceedings returne to Ratisbone The day following the Duke of Bavaria and his Lady arrived at the City in great state and the next day December 11.21 about nine in the morning the Electors having
entertained them with a stately Banquet during the which tenne Hogges-heads of Wine being brought one after another into a great Bay-Window were rapped and let runne into a Cisterne below for the use of the people who shared therein and in many pieces of Gold and Silver halfe Pistolets Ryals of eight and lesser Money which hee scrambled amongst the people to be divided by fortune not his owne arbitrement The former Magnificence was in expence of Money but another sort followed it by advancement of some persons of qualitie to some Titles of Honour The Kings comming to the Crowne was not in all points like the Sunnes appearing in the Horizon to eclipse the glory of the Minor Starres and burie their splendour in his owne his promotion to the height of Majestie was the exaltation of certaine Peeres to more Honour Sixteene Noblemen were created Knights of the Empire namely the Lord Maximilian Williband New Knights of the Empire made Earle of Wollfseck the Earle Adam Budiani John Jacob Earle of Zyll Peter Earle of Goetsen John Anthony Earle of Cratz Henry Erneskerpen Earle of Toringe Ladislaus Schechii William Voight Lord of Maxwein John Rudolph and George Rudolph of Haslang the Baron William Dieterick of Runen John Jacob of Startzhausen George of Seibolsdorff Stephen Esterhasi John Philip Gunter and Henry Christopher of Flaus The Duke of Newburg attending upon the King in the qualitie of a Cup-bearer and the Prince of Anhalt performing the Office of his Carver during the time of feasting at this Solemnitie THE Astrologians benigne Starre Iupiter seemed now to smile upon the Court at Ratisbone with a sweet aspect but Mars and Saturne reigned abroad Prodigies terrifying the hearts of the people while the Princes and Peeres were in this jollitie and Warre with his grim attendants Famine Pest Feare and Distraction raging abroad in the Empire What might happen by the fault of a carelesse or unskilfull Mason not well bedding or cementing the Stones Strange Prodigies at the building of a new Steeple at Vienna was by the construction of the vulgar sort counted ominous The Spire of S. Shotten lately built fell downe suddenly about the time of the Coronation and demolished the Church and that was made portentous the rather being accompanied with another of the same time at Rome where a great blazing Starre called by the Naturalists Cometa Crinitus appeared for a space and then vanished away suddenly over S. Pauls Church with a noyse And diverse Monuments placed in the Church fell downe and were defaced utterly CHAPTER II. The death of the Emperour Ferdinand the second with the siege and taking of Erford by the Swedes and other things IT would relish of over-much boldnesse to peepe into the Arke of the divine secrets nor dare I nor can I conclude any particular consequences to haue been portended by the accidentary fall of the Pyramis yet doubtlesse the Comet though caused by the meeting of secondary and naturall causes was the significator of what ensued about that time and not long after Within the space of a moneth a titular God of the world and one that claimed a superioritie aboue the rest though all absolute and undependant Princes which hold the Scepter by inheritance not election may justly vie with him for eminency of place Ferdinand the second who had long been sickly at Regenspurgh and then removed to Vienna The death of the Emperor Ferdinand the second gaue a testimonie of his mortalitie by subscribing to the lawes of Nature and exhaling his last spirit Feb. 2 15. betwixt 8. and 9. of the clock in the morning to the great griefe of the Court and City which had prepared triumphs and tournaments and in much bravery determined to receiue the new King of Romanes but by this occasion laid aside their gallantrie put on the face and weeds of sorrow and by their dejected lookes and mourning apparell shewed their anxietie for his losse who so long had steered the ship of State to their content and was then taken from them when the tottering Empire freshly assaulted and ransackt by strangers required such a Nestor as by sage directions grounded upon mature deliberations might preserue it from feare of utter ruine The same afternoone his bodie was embalmed and two dayes after he was laid in the Antecamerâ to the sight of all that came in and Feb. 8 18. his corps was carried into his own Chappell at the Palace to be kept there till the King of Hungarie who was then upon the Danubie returning with his Queene from Ratisbone by water was come thither to giue order and instructions for the manner of his interrment About the same time abroad the Swedes growne every where Masters of the field began againe to take in Townes giue Lawes to the Citizens sweare the Magistrates to alleageance to the Crowne of Sweden take Hostages for performance of Conditions plunder the Countrey where they enquartered to furnish their Armies with necessaries and force the Cities which stood in faire tearmes of agreement with Caesar the Elector of Saxony and the other Princes which either sided with the Emperour before the treatie of Prague or came in to him thereupon to renounce their alliance and take in their Swedish Garrisons Leslie the Feeldmarshall being come back from Westphalia from pursuit of the Caesarean Generall Goetz was come back to the Lantgravate of Hessē Cassell wher meeting with the Swedish Generall he received a new Commission to returne towards the Weser to haue an eye upon the mperialists and the League Bannier supposing that bodie of an Armie which himselfe commanded sufficient for performance of his own designes in the upper Saxonie there yet appearing no adverse Armie which was able to stand against him Leslie conformed him to his Generalls Command and Bannier without further stay marched with his forces towards Misnia But Ertford that goodly Citie of Thuringen againe presented it selfe to his fancy as he was upon the way somewhat he resolved to doe there yet what or how he made a pause on to leaue it behind him he concluded to be no part of policie the place being of great receit and well fortified both with a Moat good walls and the strong Castle of Ziriacksburg and so if once furnished by his enemies but with fifteene hundred presidiaries might molest his Armie to attempt it by force or a long Siege might waste his forces and consume much time These doubts stumbled him yet in fine he resolved to take it by a finenesse if it might be and if that way thrived not to worke otherwise And take it in the end he did nor was the designe any remora to his further proceedings being but a whet to sharpen the courage of his Souldiers no stop or let to his purposes Decemb. ½ 1 1. Bannier tooke up his head-quarter at Deberstead a village not farre from Ertford and the same Evening to lose no time first presented part of his Forces in a small Battalia before
of war the present adversary being not to be repelled with scientificall demonstrations or probable arguments out of Topicks but with fire and sword shot and powder from the throats of the roaring Ordnance Besieged by the Swedes Now the confusion which attends upon warre began to appeare attired in her proper dresse houses flaming and set on fire not by the enemie but their proper owners that they might be no shelter for the adversaries Churches Altars and the dwelling places of the Muses battered by the Canon endangered by the fire Morterers and Granadoes the Ports boared on the one side with shot from the Campe and stuffed againe with wood and dung by the defendants to keepe their owne people from going forth and excluding their foes Sallies made out desperately Mines wrought with difficultie and where force avayled not for the assaylants threats and fiery menacing Letters sent to the defendants and by them answered as spightfully It is almost beyond beliefe that in so small a space as this Siege endured which was but from the twelfth of Ianuary till the seventh of February such and so many things should be done But thus I finde them set downe in a Journall by one which was engaged in the action and therefore to be credited Ianuary 13. Old stile from about eight in the morning till nine at night the Swedes played upon the Citie with their Canon fire-workes and Granadoes and the Garrison upon the Campe with their great Ordnance dublehaukes and Muskets yet without much detriment to either side the Commander within having well provided to prevent the mischiefe which might be done by the Granadoes and the Swedes without being so strongly earthed that they could not easily receiue damage Holdeth out for the Electour of Saxonie They who stayed in their trenches were secure but some few others which ranged abroad to please their genius became the spoyle of the Garrison which sallying out in the Evening found eight men of the Armie in an house without the Rhanish gate which had formerly beene a Taverne and put them all to the sword Thus that day was spent in thunder which was not againe so violent till about seaven dayes following the Souldiers on both sides in the meane time being employed rather to strengthen their defences than otherwise The Commander within first gaue order that from that day till the Siege was done no clock should strike no bell be tolld thereby teaching the people that the businesse of the time was such as required all their hands men women and children and would not giue leaue to listen after what 's a clock And the next day having received Letters from the Elector to doe his endeavour for preservation of the place faithfully and to perswade the Inhabitants to constancy imployed as many as were serviceable in raising of Pallisadoes stuffing of packs with wooll and bringing them into the severall streets neare the wall to be in a readinesse to fill up such breaches as might be made in the wall and the Generall without imployed his Souldiers in raysing of batteries digging of Mines about the Grimmer-gate and other fortifications not omitting sometimes to send a Salute by shot to the Citie and seldome fayling of an answer yet the adventure of some of the Garrison Ian. 18 28. is worth a remembrance for seeing the Swedes intended to make use of a Glasse-makers house for a battery they sallyed forth and after a sharpe Skirmish which endured the space of an houre burned the house to the ground and returned to the Citie and the day following perceiving the Swedes to begin to plant many Canon-baskets upon the foundation of the same house which was of stone and so escaped the fire cut off the Damme betwixt the Pleissenburg and the Towne Moat without Saint Thomas gate and by that meanes drowned the foundation under water and prevented the designe The defence made by the Garrison and the offence done by the Swedes But the 20 30. of that moneth and from thence forwards to the time of the Swedes rising were each remarkeable dayes A great peece of Ordnance called the Lazie maid and three Morterers placed on the Grimmer gate by the Garrison were then imployed against the Campe without any more intermission than was necessary to coole them and make them serviceable againe Sallies were made daily by the praesidiarie Souldiers and to keepe the Swedes from the Castle fired the Suburbs without St. Peters gate and the Water-arch as farre as to the Sand-streete thinking it better to demolish those ragged buildings which in time of peace had beene of some use for the meaner sort of people no ornament to the Citie than to haue them imployed by the Swedes for execution of their hostile purposes The Swedes againe imployed all their diligence to bring the Citie to obedience battered and boared the Grimmer-gate with three Demi-Canons and other great Pieces slung massie stones into the Citie by helpe of the Morterers threw in fire bals and granadoes and Ian. 22. Old stile sent a Drumme againe to require the Governour to surrender threatning that if it was taken by assault no person of what condition or sex so ever should finde mercy and receiving a scornefull answer by the Commander who had received new Letters from the Electour with a promise of the Imperiall succours very speedily betooke themselues againe to their tackling blew up a Mine neere the Grimmer-gate and having dressed themselues with plaited strawe about their hats and armes the same cognisance by which they were distinguished from the Saxons in their day neere Witstocke thinking thereby to dishearten the defendants stood in battellaray as if they intended a present assault A threatning countenance may daunt a Coward and the representing of those Instruments to a degenerous spirit which haue beene formidable unto him formerly may strike him into an amazement though there be no cause for it They were but the Corinthian slaues which having beate their Masters with Martiall weapons yeelded upon sight of the whip the Commander was of another mould and answered them in their owne tearmes from the mouthes of the tall and Lazie Maids two great Gunnes and smaller Pieces and that so inraged the Swedes who by this were supplyed with some thousands of fresh men from the Campe neere Torgaw and twelue new Pieces from Ertford that to worke they fall againe as not meaning to parlee any more and followed the designe so hard till the beginning of Februarie that although they could not conquer the Citie they did much deface and ruine it the wind-mill streete being burned to the earth some Churches especially that of Saint Nicholas and that of St. Paul the first having his roofe broke downe and the other the Steeple battered with the Canon and falling upon the roofe utterly demolishing it to the greaterrour of the people who were more rerrified by another shot from a Demi-canon which smote the Altar the Organs and carried away one moytie of
the Apostles Statues and the Colledges being much ruined by the violence of those stormes attended with artificiall thunder A smart resistance was made by the defendants which sometimes visited the Swedes in their trenches yet that had ocene truitlesse had not the succours come in maturely but thei estate being growne almost desperate newes was brought to them and the Campe of the comming of the Imperiall Armie The Campe was lesse disheartened by the report than the Citie incouraged and to make it appeare that they played not in jest but earnest resolved to attempt some-thing againe before the Imperiall Hoast could march unto them To this end February the sixt Old stile being Saint Dorotheas day they played afresh upon the Citie with foure Demi-canons eight great field Pieces and some lesser Gunnes and in the space of fiue houres by force of the Ordnance which had vomited three hundred thirtie and fiue times upon the wall and vertue of their Mines made two breaches one upon the East another upon the West side of the Grimmer-gate like Sampson in the sacred Storie doing the Saxons more mischiefe at the last conclusion than in the whole time of their continuance there and stood in Battalia againe as if they meant to assault it The Commander a man never enough to be praysed for his undaunted courage vertue where ever it is found is amiable drew out foure Companies of selected foote armed them with short Pikes two-handed-swords Morning starres a deadly weapon where it falls and Musquets and marched himselfe in the head of them to the breach to encounter the Swedes if they adventured to enter by those breaches forcibly It was done carefully but needlesly an expresse was brought to the Campe that the untied Forces under Hatzfield and Goetz were within a dayes march and the Swedes thought it fitter to retire with their unbroken Forces safely than to expose them to a double hazard The Siege raysed and goe on desperately and February the sixt Old stile betwixt seaven and eight at night while the Morterers cast great stones and Granadoes into the Citie and the Garrison was busie to prevent the mischiefe which might ensue thereby the Canons were drawne from the batteries the Armie began to march and the Swedish Generall tooke up his head Quarter at Stoteritz For the space of almost six weekes since the first summons Ian. the first New stile the Citie was thus troubled with an uncouth Feaver neither alwayes intermittent nor continuall but the seaventh of Februarie the malice of the disease appeared to be abated though some grudgings thereof like the after-drops of a violent shower were still remaining The Arriere of the Swedes that day set the Superintendents Gaden-house on fire and the day ensuing the Villages neighbouring unto it inferious ministring members to that more worthy body were sacrificed to Vulcan fifteene severall Hamlets were seene from Leipsich flaming at once and at Grolzschoker a Dorpe exceeding any of the other in greatnesse the fire appeared biggest The ninth day brought with it an happie crisis the fag end of the Swedes was not to be discovered the Auantguard of the Imperiall succours appeared to the view of the almost distracted Citizens the clocks were permitted againe to giue notice of the houre the Bells were rung to congregate the people to divine service and the tenth day the Rhanish gate being opened the Countrey people and Souldiers brought in greatstore of wood straw and hay into the Citie in fine upon the twelth day was a solemne assembly Thankesgiving for the Cities deliverance and the people were summoned together in all the Parishes to render thankes to him who had watched over the Citie for its preservation and deliverance and to joyne in prayers for a firme honourable and generall peace Hazardous adventures are not surpassed vithout difficultie yet industrie and diligence perfecteth any Herculian enterprize Famine and extreame danger attended the Imperialls march yet but a Citie in Thuringen famoused of old for excellent wine the name being thence derived as Stigelius probably conjectures Quippe vocat Iaijn solymae pius Incola terrae Hoc quod nos Latio dicimus ore merum The Imperiall Armie reunited and re-enforced march towards Misnia And of late for their Theriacall Antidote relieved the first and their valour overcame the later 200000. pound of bread was extorted by the Imperiall Generalls from the Citie and the Armie thus refreshed intended to march with all possible speed toward Leipsich but was hindred in the speed by the Generall Major Stalhause who having passed the River before them cut off the bridges behind him A Conflict betwixt Stalhause and tho Imperialists at Saba wherein foure Imperiall regiments were ruinated guarded the advemies with his Canon and in three severall skirmishes with Hatzfieldt wholed the Avantguard consisting of ten Regiments ruinated foure of them without much losse of his owne partie and then seeing Goetz was come with the rest of the hoast in an orderly Retreat marched up to Bannier and the maine of the Swedish Armie The Forces on both sides like so many lines drawne from severall points of the Circumference began to tend to one Center and as if both parties had set up their rest and were concluded to venture all at once summoned their associates from their severall stations to the generall Randevouz in Misnia The Crabats under Isolani and Budiani were called out of the Dukedome of Burgundy to assist Hatzfielde in his designe against the Swedes in Saxonie and were by the end of Februarie advanced as farre as Hessen Cassell where they not onely pressed the Lantgraues Subjects which lived in undefenced places The Crabats under Isolani oppresse the Hessians and oppressed them with mightie exactions for reliefe but required Contributions of the great Citie it selfe as deeming it to be under their Command and threatned Ertford in Thuringen with a Siege and hostile Armes presuming that they were able to master it with as much ease as Bannier had lately done But the Swedish Colonell Goltz who commanded in the Citie prepared to entertaine them and fortified the place as much as might be not omitting the hill Daver the place of advantage where the Swedish Generall planted his Ordnance when he had surrounded it amongst his preparations for defence knowing that the prepossessing of that hill was almost sufficient alone to secure the Citie from the Crabats violence This his labour shewed his care to maintaine the place committed to his charge no man can conclude certainly of contingent futures nor could he but upon probabilities haue any assurance of what successe these bands of Crabats might haue in Hessen-land or what forces they might bring against him Otherwise that labour might haue beene spared those forces being dispersed the stings of those Serpents being taken away before they could reach the Thuringer forest by the Lantgraue William who had formed a new Army of his owne consisting of ten Regiments and was then
according to the superstition of the Romanists commended himselfe to God and the blessed Virgin preparing for death and then againe hoping for life desired the Fryar to be an advocate for him to Worfusee as willing to be condemned by him to any prison or gallies if he had done him injury all which was related againe by the Confessour to the Count who stopped his eares against him and constrained the Good-man to that unwellcome worke of his office which was but the immediate Prodromus to the Burger-Maisters execution There was no remedy but patience they saw the guides which must coÌ„duct them to the black-chambers of death before them made their confession and prepared to bid the world good-night Ruelle the Burger-Master muâ—thered Ruelle was the first who had discarged his Soule of the burthen of sinnes upon it and he was instantly delivered by Warfusee to the Count de Millis who tooke him into another chamber thrust him through the body 7 times with a rapier and so murthered him The Abbot of Mousson a French-gentleman named Mounsier de Saison and two servants of the Burger-maisters surprized at the same time with those two prime men were advised in the interim by the Traytor to goe to confession and prepare for their dissolution The Abbot a well-spoken man a good Orator and now improved in that faculty by the goodnesse of his cause began to plead for his owne life and his companions declaring their innocency laying before the murtherer the hainousnesse of his offence But words were vaine Millis returned sodainely from the former execution drew out of â—â—s bosome a formall processe and sentence against them in the name of the new Emperour as they stiled him the Cardinall Infant and the Prince of Liege as offenders against his Imperiall Majesty The Abbot of Mousson and others strangely delivered which they conceiting to bee an act of of Court and not to be reversed pleaded no more for life but prepared for death Familiarity of conversation doth sometimes raise a strange affection while the Abbot was under confession a Souldier of Nairaigne who had formerly bin intimately acquained with one of the Burger-Masters-servants moved with compassion toward him rounded him in the eare and shewed him a way by which he might escape and save his life It was needlesse to repeate that lesson againe unto him Extremity ministers capacity and the apprehension of an eminent danger rouseth up a dul spirit to seek meanes to avoid it The way was open enough but too praecipitious to be attempted with security Danger attended the counsell of escaping yet that perhaps might be avoided but certain destruction waited upon his stay A chamber-window proffered a passage and through that the young-man escaped crying out Treason Ruelle is murthered Treason Ruelle is murthered in the house of Count Warfusee Treason Treason Treason The noyse was full of horror and the name of Ruelle much honoured among the Cittizens who instantly tooke up their armes assaulted the house which being strong and built of square stone was by the space of two houres maintained against the Cittizens by Warfusees Souldiers and servants who being in all seventy strong and more carefull of their owne preservation then the intended murther left the Abbot The rage of the Cittizens the end of the Assasinates the French-gentleman and the other servant bound to provide for their owne safety But it was vaine for the defendants to contest against such a multitude of assailants The Cittizens were ten thousand in number and they in the end broke open the doores fell upon the murtherers who cryed for quarter without pitty haled Warfusee into the open streets where he no sooner appeared but was hewen perce-meale by the Cittizens the truncke of his body drawne hanged upon a gibbet which wâ—s raised suddainely for that purpose and burâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—tely Milis the Burgundian had no bettâ—â— a fate and the common-souldiers employed in that massâ—câ—â— had as bad a fortune being all burned in and with the house in which they were assembled for excention of their villany The rage of the Citizens was not thus extinguished The Iosuits who were supposed the plotters of this device were the next day after inquired into and many fier-locks carabines pistolls ready charged being fouÌ„d in their cels two of the old Padres were put to the sword the rest banished the city A more strict watch theÌ„ had bin kept formerly was pointed presently Ap. 8 8 when their beloved Governour was buried in the church of St. LaÌ„bert under the greate crown with this remeÌ„brance ingraven on his tombe Pour estre fidel à ma Patrie P ay perdu mon sang ma vie Which may be thus Englished My studie for my Countries good Hath cost my life and dearest blood While the 32. Companies of the City were met together it was condescended that the 20. penny of eveâ—â— man lands and goods should be levied immediately to raise and maintaine a fresh traine-Band of 1000. men which at an houres warning should attend the colours of Bartholus Rolandus the Cities Generall to serve the City in case of necessity This is the History And now see how the crime would conceale its owne shame by the countenance of authority This ensuing Letter sealed with 3. seales was taken out of the Traytors bosome at his first apprehension directed in these words TO HIS MOST ILLVSTRIous Highnesse my Lord Elector of Coln BY ayde of the Soldiers which I raised for the Service of his Imperiall Majesty Warfâ—sâ—â—â—â— counterfeited Letter and by order and Commission from his sayd Maiesty I have slaine the Burgermaster Ruelle he having first confessed himselfe and submitted to the will of GOD and his Maiestie By his order also have apprehended the Abbot Mousson Mouns de Sesan and some others over whom I keepe a strict guard Had I stayed but two houres longer before I put the project into execution I should furely have bin a dead man to the disgrace of his Impâ—riall Majesty and your Highnesse as I shall shorrly show your Highnesse more particularly and at large It is much to be feared that the French will now murther my onely Son yet herein I reioyce that I have offered him up for the advantage of your Highnesse his said Imperiall Mas and my King I am resolved to continue their Servant and will not omit to certifie your Highnes daily of all that shall happen here and what I shall effect And now Time forbidding me to write more largely I humbly kisse your Highnes hand and shall remaine as long as I live Your Highnesse most obedient humble and faithfull Servant R. Count of WARFUSEE Liege Ap. 〈◊〉 1637. Historia Varia Hitherto we haue brought downe a continued History the wheeles of the worke answering each other though farre distant by place Now by a various and incertexted relation wee shall discover the most remarkable passages which haue happened since the period
confined there the hearts of the people were terrified by a strange Prodigie which though it admits no particular interpretation Deus omen in Hostes Convertat A strange Prodigy at Isenach was as terrible as portentous The Conduit at Isenach scituated in the midst of the Marketsted sodainly instead of Water powred out Bloud and so continued for the space of two houres before it yeelded againe that Element for which that Aqueduct was ordained A bloudy time ensued it betwixt the Imperiall Generals and Banniers Forces though they kept their Fastnesse neere Targaw yet few dayes passed without blowes The Imperialists prepared two Ship-bridges over the Elve for the transportation of their Forces one at Dresden by the South-east or Pirner-gate the other at Stralen To the last of these places Stralen burnt by the Swedes the Swedes advanced with sixe full Regiments burned downe the City and the Castle to the ground planted their Horsemen on the other side of the River to hinder the Imperialists march over the Bridges surprised one of the Caesarean quarters neere Wurtzen carryed away 300 Wagons laden with baggage and made havock of the Country Villages forcing the Imperiall Safeguards burning the Townes to the ground the Caesareans herein not being behinde the Swedes Friends and Enemies as it were both conspiring so to ruine that Country that March 11 21 44 severall fires within two Leagues compasse might have at once beene discovered to the eye The defeat at Wurtzen was given by the Colonell Slangh 2. Imperiall Regiments defeated at Wurtzen by Colonell Slangh whom Banniere had sent with 1500 Horse toward the City Leisnick Golditz and Eylenburg the Colonell returned March 23 Aprill 2 giving this accompt of his action That at Wurtzen he had defeated two Imperiall Regiments carried away their Baggage slaine 600 upon the place taken many Prisoners amongst which were two Rit-masters five Lieutenants and many other Officers Banniere in the absence of the Colonel purposely to bring a generall terror upon the Imperiall Army that by their distraction being assaulted in severall places 200. Imperial Horse defeated by Baniev at Pegaw Slangh might be more secure ranged about divers of their Quarters and first at Pegaw incountred with 2000 Imperiall horse whom he defeated and routed utterly That victory incited him to proceed further and appearing in Battell-array before the Imperiall Campe provoked them to Battell but they unwilling to leave their holds kept still in their Trenches which made him returne to his owne quarters The Caesarean Army lay then betwixt Torgaw and Meisen on the East side of the River Elve and the greater part of the Swedish horse and Dragoons on the other side just against the Caesarean Campe which they kept waking with perpetuall Alarums April 2. new stile the Caesarean Commanders had a designe to transport some Regiments of Horse from their head-quarter at Riesa to the West side of the River that there being no impediment which might stay their courses they might sometimes breake in upon the Swedes and gall them with sodaine skirmishes The Swedes who well understood their purpose 3. Regiments of Imperiall Horse â—ouâ—ed by the Swedes suffered three Regiments to passe the River quietly intending to requite trick for trick but then having armed themselves for the assault charged them so furiously that they were forced to retreat in such a confusion that above 200. of them were drowned in the Elve and so many slaine that the Captives whom they took in the Battell confessed that those 3. Regiments were almost totally ruined The next day following Bannier resolved to visite the Caesarean Army in their quarters and to that purpose selected two Companies out of every Regiment both of Horse and Foot and attended with those expert Soldiers and the Watch-masters Regiment he marched directly to the Imperiall head-watch which consisted of 20. Companies of the best and ablest horse in the Caesarean Campe and were commanded by the Sergeant-Major Bretta The Head-Watch of the Imperiall Armâ— foâ—â—d to a 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ght The conflict betwixt them was short and sharpe the Swedes came on roundly and charged home upon the Caesareans which standing together in a close compacted body endured that shocke and prepared to entertaine the assailants again But then Bannier doubled the number of them that gave the charge and over burthening the Caesareans with the waight of that heavie body compelled them to slight in which they being stayed by the inconvenience of a small River many of them the number is uncertaine were cut off and left dead upon the place and many taken Prisoners All these severall Conflicts betwixt the two Armies were not without the effusion of much Christian bloud but the bloud so shed was not taken away by way of murther Warre justly grounded is continued lawfully the Sword is oft a just decider of controversies and though it bee accompted one of the great Plagues sent by God it is not attended with any injustice in the execution Black murthers and horrid treasons hatched in darknesse what ever the pretence thereof may be are not onely unexcusable but detestable also to God and man The Emperors Funerals The Court at Vienna was about this time clothed in blacke for the solemnization of the late Emperours Funerals which were solemnely celebrated by the Nuntius Apostolicus attended with 10. Prelates in their Miters The Herse was blacke but inlayd with silver and garnished with many burning white waxe Tapers the Imperiall Eagles were blazoned about it in the midst stood the Corpes covered with a blacke cloth intermingled with gold over his head lay the Imperiall Hungarian and Bohemian Crownes At his Feet the Golden-fleece and betwixt then both the Imperiall Ball and Scepter in the middest whereof was placed a Crucifixe of silver At his sides lay his Rapier Dagger and Spurres The Boots of the Herse were adorned with the pictures of Vertues and upon the top on a Pyramis stood a Globe and a Crowne The Church being hung with blacke and the solemnity ended his heart and bowels were lodged in three Cabinets and convayed without any pompe from Vienna to Gratz by his late Privie-Counsellours and other Officers of the Court which are since cashiered the young King his Sonne instantly reforming and by the hand of the Earle of Medaw the Major domo upon his Fathers decease having reduced his Counsell to the number of 5. which were the Bishop of Vienna the Earle of Trautmansdolff who is now the Major Palatii and the Earles of Slavata Frankenberg and Venda the care of his Chancâ—ry being committed to Doctor Prickmajor under the name and title of Vice-Chancellour The difference betwixt those two great Potentates the Christian and Catholike Kings drew severall free Princes and States to their parties and caused such a combustion in the City of Liege that the City was divided against the Bishop and the Bishop against the Burghesses He labouring to advance the Caesarean and Spanish cause and
therefore â—â—â—ing great impositions and taxes upon the Citizens and they rather inclining to the French King though at first submitting themselves to the Bishops orders with a kinde of unwillingnesse paying their contributions yet in the end flatly opposed him and in the beginning of the yeare they sent a complaining petition to the Bishop of Rome against him the heads whereof were these That as a childe by instinct of Nature in its sufferings will have recourse to the Mother so they did now humbly prostrate themselves at the feet of his Holinesse to desire his assistance and releefe in their present necessities That their case was to be pityed The Citizens on Liege complâ—ine to the Pâ—pe against their Bishop in that notwithstanding their due obedience which they had alwayes exhibited to S. Siege their proper Bishop who reciprocally ought to protect them hee yet oppressed them greevously to the great prejudice and dishonour of the Catholike Religion the warre raysed by him having already consumed and layd waste 5000. dwelling houses in the Country not without prophanation of the Sanctuaries Churches and holy Vessels as Chalices Bells and other sacred Vtensils and Ornaments which were imployed to other uses then what they were first ordained for That the hallowed Hoste was trampled on by them who ought to honour it that the Church-men designed for Divine Service were chased from their Parishes where by that meanes the Liturgie was quite abolished in some places and in the Major part much intermitted That the Religious women and others both Wives and Virgins were ravished before the eyes of their owne husbands and Fathers Their Heards of Cattell were driven away their tillage decayed and to speake no more that the sole inhabitants of Liege were constrained to contribute above 60000. Florins to the Church to preserve the City from the Siege threatned by Charles Duke of Lorraine the Bishop of Verdun Piccolomini and Iohn de Werth upon his solicitation who had incensed one party of the Liegois against the other whose tyranny caused 5. principall Burghesses of Tongres to to be led as like slaves before his tryumphant Chariot putting two of them in the end to the Sword and bastinadoing the other three till they had promised a good ransome Much more was added and every particular expressed with such passion as might have moved a Scythian to compassion yet their onely prayer was that his Holinesse would excuse their boldnesse and send them some Cardinall for a Protectour by whose countenance they might be defended from such oppressions But the effect of this Petition and what it avayled is not yet discovered though it may bee thought fruitlesse if we may guesse upon consequents by this ensuing History The Count of Warfusee's treason at Liege Naturall respect must needes have moved teares from the eyes of Caesars Sonne at his Fathers funerall But the consideration of his care in preservation and for enlarging the honour of the House of Austria deserved a solemne mourning his decease ministred occasion to a bloody assasinate to attempt a deed of horror which for his owne credits-sake he meant to palliate with a cloake of authority forging letters to the Bishop of Cullen and thereby expressing an order and commission given him by the King of Hungary intending doubtles to mitigate his execrable action under pretence of his commission if he should hap to fayle and be discovered no sincere interpreter being able to conceive that so heroicall a spirit would consent to so foule a treason and to suppresse them if hee had happily executed his designe The story as some doe relate it is thus The Count Warfusee who some yeares past had revolted from the Catholick-King stood in displeasure during the life of the late Emperour both with his Imperiall-Majesty and the King of Spaine and now thinking to winne his Maisters fauour againe by the heads lives and states of those which entertained him in his rebelâ—ion plotted the death of la Ruelle prime Magistrate of Lieg some othâ—r principall members of that body-politique put it thus in practice The Count being lodged in St. Iohns-Cloyster in the house of a Prebend of that Church accommodated with a backe-doore toward the water-side invited to dinner thither the said Burger-master de la Ruelle the Abbot of Mousson and divers other principle men of the Citie whom he intended to murther trayterously To that purpose he suborned the Burgundian Count de Milis and some choice Spanish-Souldiers drawne out of the Garrisons of Narrigue and Argentoy to steale privately by the Posterne into his house and to lurke there secretly till the word being given they might be prepared for execution which they obâ—erved performed accordingly In the middest of the â—east as if his malice had not tended to the mine of their bodies but their Soules also when their hearts were merry with wine hee began a health to Lewis King of France surnamed the lust which had no sooner passed round but the Assasinates armed with Swords Pistolls broke into the dining-roome surprised the Burgermaister and the Abbot sent for a Priest and as soone as he was come as if they would doe them some favour at their death Ruelle the Burger-Master murthered bade them make their confession for they must dye The Priest who was sent for to take his confession was the Sub-Prior of the Covent by name Antory Evrard a Dominican who accompanied with his confrater William Lâ—ncon both which have testified this relation under their hands went and at their comming to Warfusee the Sub-prior hearing his demand to take Ruelles confession and give him absolution like a man amazed stood agast inquiring the reason of that proposition and what his Lordship meant by requiring him to that service which he might not doe but with licence from his Ordinary except onely in some cases in which upon the appearance of imminent death it was lawfull for him so to doe if the Priest deputed thereunto by his Superiour was not to be found To this the Count replied that Ruelle must dye and that within the space of one quarter of an houre therefore commanded him to dispatch immediatly as hee would answer upon his Soule the Burger-maisters salvation being desperate if he should die unconfessed The Frier seeing the inraged countenance of the Count fearing his owne life if he should disobey answered onely that he would not doe it till the Burger-maister called him there needed no further words A servant that stood by apprehended what his Lord meant and going in and comming suddainly againe from the Chamber where Ruelle lay bound he tels the Frier that he desired him to come in The sight of the Magistrate bound like a malefactor put the Dominican into a greater passion and compassion for him and with some language expressing sorrow wished him to prepare for death the Count being resolved to murther him Ruelle much distracted with the consideration of his estate one while
amitie with the Catholick King promising as honorable Conditions as could be demanded of them or expected from them There was no great choice The French succors were still at Asti the Spaniards grew stronger and himselfe weaker And though they had these advantages they stood not upon extremities but propounded freely That if the Duke would be onely a neutrall and not side with the Christian King against his Catholick Majestie they would remove all their Forces out of his Country restore the forts and towns they had taken from him and esteeme him as a Friend and Confederate The Conditions of his agreement with the King of Spaine The Duke conformed himselfe to the time and his owne occasion and willingly consented to the Spanish Proposition yet durst not acquaint the French Praesidiaries with his purpose for feare that they in a sudden displeasure should plunder the Citie nor would he by force of Armes bring it to effect At last he pretended a generall Muster without the Gates and thither drew all the Souldiers upon a promise of paying them their Monies due for wages but being there hee calls forth the Collonels and Officers declaring to them That the non-performance of things promised him by the King of France had brought all this trouble both upon himselfe and his Territorie That inforcing necessitie had compelled him to capitulate with the Crowne of Spaine and shewed them withall the Articles of the Treatie subscribed by himselfe and the Count of Leganez Governour of Millan in behalfe of the Catholick King rendered thanks to the Souldiers for their service paid them their stipends which they accepted better than his words and caused them to be conducted to the Frontiers of Piemont by 500 Spanish horsemen The Parmesan himselfe was thus quit of his troubles entertained in State at Millan commerce of trade was granted betwixt his Subjects and the Millanoys but Fabio Scotti his Embassador to the Christian King upon his returne from Paris Fabio Scotti the Pormesans Embassadour sent Prisoner to Paris whence hee came with Letters to the Confederate Generalls the Duke of Savoy and the Marshall Crequi was sent back by them as a Prisoner to the King of France the Duke conceiving as hee thought a just displeasure against the Prince of Parma for capitulating with the Spaniards who threatned to invade his Territories and soone after invaded Montferat driving away 700 great Cattell from the Territorie of Asti which caused him to fortifie his Frontiers especially at Turino and other places bordering upon the Dutchie of Millan and to give a sudden assault against the strong Fort of Frassionetta which hee tooke by onslat and garrisoned with 1000 men While these things were transacting in Italy there passed some light overtures of War in the Dukedome of Loraine and the Franch Countie Chavanes commonly called Chavagne a strong Piece in the Franch Countie placed betwixt two Hills upon the banke of the River of Suran neere the Frontier of France and the Territorie of Bresse garrisoned with 2 Spanish companies of Horse Chavanes taken by Thianges Commanâ—et of Trefforâ— bad lately pillaged Simanère a Towne in the Bressoys burned down five or six dwelling houses slaine the Inhabitants even to women and children and the newes thereof being brought to Thianges Covernour of Trefford he with a selected companie of that Garrison some Voluntiers of the Country 400 men of the Train-bands of Bresse and Bugey and 300 old Souldiers of the Regiments of Anguien and Rebe making in all 700 foot and 50 horse resolved if it was possible to surprise it The enterprise was put in practise about the middle of Ianuary but not carried so secretly as to be concealed from the Garrison who acquainted the neighbour Forts therewith defired them to have a vigilant eye upon the French Commander and they jointly blocked up the Passages attending the march of the French Armie but the number of the Defendants was too small to withstand the Assailants they made their vvay vvith Sword and Pistoll vvere at the Tovvn unexpectedly applied the Petards to the gates and those engines working effectually they forced the Garrison to yield upon discretion vvith their lives saved in the sight of five troopes of Light-horse and three companies of Dragoons vvhich were sent from the neighbouring Garrisons for their succour carried avvay Prisoners the tvvo Captaines of the Horse vvith all their Officers and Cavaliers whom they carried to Burg having enriched the Souldiers with their Horse and Baggage and the hopes of great Ransomes Ericourt besieged by part of Gallas his Armie Ericourt in the Countie of Monbeliard was about the same time besieged by part of Gallas his Army battered with the Cannon some of the out-workes taken and the Mill neere the gate of the citie surprized by benefit whereof 400 of the Imperiall Army passed the water 400 Caesareanâ— slaine and taken Prisoners before Ericourt and tooke up their Quarter betwixt the River and the City The Baron of Annevoux understanding how the place was endangered with 300 Foot of his owne and 40 Horse attempted hereupon to relieve it the Quarter betwixt the River and the Citie was the place he first assaulted which being but weakly guarded and scarce brought to defence the Souldiers therein in became a prey to the Assay lants who slew 300 of them upon the place amongst which was the Lieutenant of the Marquesse of Grana his Regiment took the most part of the rest orisoners and amongst them the Lieutenant to Tieffâ—â—bach who afterward dyed of his wounds This beginning was but an introduction to his further proceeding The Baron who commanded a Regiment of 14 French Companies in Monbeliard for the King was informed afterwards that Collonell Mercie and the Baron of Suitz the Imperiall Commanders there since the last defeat were reinforced by a new accrewt of some troops appertaining to the Generall Gallas had continued the siege and brought the Garrison to the point of surrendring for want of succors Hereupon he had a designe to relieve it to bring his 〈◊〉 to effect he assayed to doe it many times in the night but then they having doubled their Guards and himselfe failing of the Enterprise hee resolved to accomplish that by day-light which hee could not bring to passe in the darke nor was his counsell crossed with an unhappy issue The command of his Infantery being deputed to Tilloy The Siege raised and Bailly himselfe in the head of his Horse fell upon the Trenches of the enemy put to the sword a guard of Cavalliers consisting of about 50 Maisters 10 only excepted who were taken prisoners compelled the Imperiall Foot to forsake a Fort which they had built upon the passage betwixt Monbeliard and Ericourt rowted some other Corpses du guard and sent the Auxiliaries into the Citie under the commaund of his owne Lieutenant Goliefer who also carried with him all manner of Ammunition for warre even to very Hand-mills whereof the besieged had much
need to the great incouragement of the Inhabitants and Praesidiaries who thus inheartened the next night made out two sallies in one of which they nayled foure pieces of Cannon and slue divers Caesareans to the great dis-hartening of the Imperiall common souldiers and Generals who seeing that place thus provided both of military and alimentary provisions after they had lost above 1000 men before it made 400 Cannon-shot against it cast in severall Bombards and Granadoes to fire it and broke downe some piece of the wall Ian. 27. old stile raised the siege marched the same night to Granges in the way to Burgundy where the next day they divided their Forces the Baron of Suitz taking the way of Germany to joyne with Gallas his Army and Mercie the way of the Franch Countie to Duke Charles who yet remained there Fortune smiled all this while upon the French by Sea and Land the affaires of that Kingdome went on if not prosperously yet not unhappily Zarquemine a frontier towne betwixt Alsatia and Loraine in possession of the Caesareans and Loranois was as a pricke in the sides of the Villages about Haguenau and the Countie of Bitche in the alliance and under the obedience of the French King but the Garrison there was forced Zarqueâ—â—ine surprised by Brevill Commander of Bitche and the Towne yielded to obedience by the Armes of Brevill Governour of the Countie Towne and Castle of Bitche against which place those of Zarquemine had a designe formerly who assisted with 100 Souldiers sent unto him from Aiguebonne Governor of Haguenau about the middle of Ianuary old stile marched against it came to the Fort broke it open became Masters of the place burning down the house of the Provost Controller of the Town the 2 Boutefeaues and principal Authors of their hostilities sparing the Inhabitants except one who was sent Prisoner to Haguenau till hee had paid his Ransome giving them this caution That they should comport themselves fairely toward the Kings Subjects and the Crowne of France threatning otherwise That they would returne thither and deale with them as they had done with that Provost and Controller who had suffered exemplarily to deter the rest from giving eare hereafter to such wicked Counsels The same day which was so fortunate to the French Commander in the North-east by land was as prosperous in the North-west by Sea The Ides of Ianuary ministred a fortunate adventure and the first was seconded by some others The Pirates of Dunkerque who often times had roved thrivingly upon the Coast of Callis were ranging about for more spoile The Count of Charost Governor of the Citie being advised therof dispatched to Sea a Frigate well armed Dunkerquerâ— Rovers taken by the Seamen of Callis meerly to discover the number of the Dunkerquers A small boat of Dunkerque haling a rich Holland Ship which the Fleet had taken 4 daies before appeared singly which being guarded only with 13 Wallons the French Pinace subdued and brought into Callis with the Hollander to the incouragement of the Seamen in the Port who presently rigg'd up a small Navie put forth to Sea resolving not to returne with emptie hands and the enterprise succeeded so well that the next day they brought into the harbor three other Prizes one wherof was a Vessell laden with all sorts of Marchandise from Spaine and bound for the Low-countries in which bottom and the two others were found also many Prisoners This good event rouzed up the courage of some other Adventurers to attempt the like The 3d of the Calends of February Intelligence was given That some of the Dunkerquers were in the Channell neere that Coast with some Ships which they had taken as prize from the Hollanders and that occasion was so powerfully perswasive that the Marriners needed no other Orator to incourage them to put to Sea and fight with them Three French Frigates were instantly lanched out of the Haven and upon the first sight of the Dunkerquers the winds filling their Sailes made up to them without delay let fly their Ordnance and the Dunkerquers rather willing to save themselves than fight to preserve their Prize left the Hollanders Ships to the French Adventurers who returned with them to Gallis and thereby so hartened the Sea-men that the Port which lately wanted Sailers and could scarse afford one good Commander soone after abounded both with Captaines and Marriners But these peteete Victories though the newes of them soone after arrived at the Court of France were not so pleasing to the Christian King as the reconcliation of the Monsiour his Brother was to his Matie for the Prince having vanquished himselfe dispossessed his heart of those jealousies which made him depart as a Malecontent from the Court returned againe of his owne accord in the beginning of February and gave the King such a plenary assurance of his loyaltie brotherly affection The Christian King and the Monsieur reconciled and true zeale to the Crowne and State of France that the King by his owne Letters made a kind of Proclamation through his whole Kingdom of the reunion of their fraternall affections and assurance of his fidelitie Thus his Letters ran The Kings letters to the Generalls c. TO all Generalls of our Armies and Governours of our Provinces Greeting My good Cosins since that the departure of my brother the Duke of Orleance to Bloys in the Moneth of November last without our permission hath given the world occasion to suspect his good intentions and I my selfe beleeved that if hee had accordingly as hee ought with attention examined the Motives of his Action according to our Letters sent after him immediatly to give him as good evidence as be could desire of our good will toward him by that imployment which hee had in the Command and Conduct of the principall Forces of the Realme hee might easily have knowne that those Avisements and Motives which caused him to eloyne himselfe from us were not onely contrary to truth but also to his proper good Yet this credulitie never hindered me from taking all care to prevent those evill consequents which might have followed this our separation But thanks be to God whatever hath ensued hath served to no other end then to make me know the fidelitie of my Subjects whose constancy I have found unmoevable My Brother who hath well concluded that the union of Hearts in these times of danger is as necessary as the forces of the Kingdome to oppose with the more puissance the Enemies of the greatnesse of this Crowne and its tranquilitie Of his owne accord hath applyed himselfe to all which I could desire and no sooner acknowledged his transgression His Majestie undertaketh for his zeale to the State c. then I was ready with all my heart to forget it giving such credit to the Assurances he hath given me of his good affection and zeale to the good of this State that I my selfe doe undertake and