75 G GAnt infected with heresie 32. Those of that Town take up Arms against the Walloons 176 Ter-Goes 89. Besieged by the hereticks ib. The Kings men endeavour to relieve it 91 Granvel his qualities and customs 11 Exhorts the execution of Edicts against hereticks 14. Fears his own person and gets leave to depart 16 H HArlem one of the chief Cities in Holland made a Bishoprick 97 Treats to side with the King but suddenly changes ib. Some Companies of German hereticks enter it 98. It is besieged by the Kings men ibid. It receives a very considerable succour 100. Their cruel actions 102. Their sallying out upon the Spaniards ib. The Town is assaulted on many sides at once ib. It makes stout resistance 103. Relief is brought in by water 104. It is assured not to be sackt and yéilds 106. The cruel punishments inflicted on the Citizens ib. 107 The Hague a gallant Village 124 Henry the third King of France 171 The Heresie of the Countries neighbouring upon Flanders 4. The mischiefs proceeding thence 13 The Hereticks in Flanders how they used the Churches and Images in Antwerp 30. Their rage against Church-men 89 The Hereticks that come to the relief of Valentiennes defeated 38. Those of Flushing got a great Prize of Flemish ships 86 Holland opposeth the Duke of Alvas Taxations 70 It rebelleth 81 The Hugonots relieve Orange 66. Promise to aid the Flemish geuses 72. are beaten by the Spaniards 84 I AN Inundation of the Sea upon the Country about Leyden 126 Isabella Infanta of Spain her praises ' 71 The Island of Finaert in Holland 133 Of Duyveland 134 Of ter-Tolen ib. Of Scowen ib. Of Walcheren ib. Of Filisland ib. L LAncelot of Brederode in Harlem 97. Beheaded 106 A League between the Queen of England and the States of Flanders 165 A Letter of Orange Egmont and Horn against Granvel to the King of Spain 15. Their reply to the Kings answer ib. of Montigny written to Count Horn 34. Of Francesco Alava Spanish Ambassador in France intercepted in Flanders 35 Letters published against Don John 160 Leyden one of the chief Cities in Holland that stood out 98. Besieged by the Spaniards 124. Those of the Town make gallant resistance ib. They assault the Fort of Lammen and are beaten off 124. They are freed from the siege 127 Lodovick of Nassaw brother to Orange shews himself very arrogant 35. leaves Flanders 46. Enters Friesland with an Army 55. Fortifies Dam 56. Fights Aremberg and overcomes him 57. Pitcheth his Camp in strong quarters 62. Is routed by d'Alva ibid. Hath much adoe to save himself by swimming ib. Goes over into France to his brother 66. Surprises the City of Mens 78. Yeilds up the Town to d'Alva 88. Retires into Holland and thence into Germany ib. Prepares once more to enter Flanders with an Army 114. He lies down before Mastrick 115 Attempts Ruremoad but in vain ib. He comes to Mooch 117. Is slain there in a pitcht battel 119 Lovain compounds with Orange 85 Lovesteine recovered by the Spaniard 72 Lewis Boisot Admiral of Holland opposeth the Kings Fleet 113. remains Conqueror ib. Goes to relieve Zirickzees and dies in the enterprise 129 M MAdonna Margarita Aunt to Charls the fifth Emperour 4 Madama di Lorena and Madama di Parma proposed for the Government of Flanders 7. She of Parma preferred and why ib. Malines taken and sackt by the Duke of Alvas Army 93 A Manifesto published by Orange 75 A Manifesto of the Duke of Alanson 172 The Marquiss of Berghen despiseth Granvel 14 Sent into Spain 29. Badly entertained at Court ib. He dieth 47 Marquiss Chiappino Vitelli passeth with the Duke of Alva into Flanders 46 Sent into Friesland 59. His advice for turning the Kings Forces into Holland and Zealand 82. Wounded before Mons 83. Wins a victory not far off against the Hugonots of France causing himself to be carried in a chair 84. Sent by the Commandador against Orange 1â—2 Undergoes the main charge of the Militia in Flanders ib. Passeth over to the Island of Scowen 139. Where he dies ib. His praises ib. Mary Princess of Portugal marryed to the Prince of Parma 21. Cometh to Brussels ib. Mary Queen of Hungary sister to Charls the fift governs the Low-Countries 4 Maximilian the Emperour interposeth for the quiet of Flanders 128. His reasons ib. Merchandize how it once flourished in Antwerp 147 Middleburgh 74. Stands for the King 107. Comes into the Rebels hands 114 Mons surprized by Count Lodovick of Nassaw 78. Besieged by Frederick of Toledo 83 Yeilded to d'Alva 90 Mutiny of Germans in Alvas Army 70 Of Spaniards in Harlem 108. At Mooch 119. In Zealand 141. Of Spanish horse 129 N. NAerden and its scituation 94. Besieged by Frederick of Toledo ib. sackt ibid. Nature of the Flemish 2. quality of their Countrey 3 The Nobility of Flanders shewes it self discontented that the King absents himself from thence 5. despiseth Granvell 16. the Catholick Nobility sets up a Faction apart 161. the number of the Provinces of the Low-Countries when they were joyned in one body 2 The form of their government ibid. 3. O THe Oration of Granvel at the Kings departure for Spain 7. Of the King or rather his discours to the Dutchess at his leaving her Governess 9. Of Brederode to his Companions 24. Of Orange at the Meeting in Terramond 36. Of Egmont in opposition to him ibid. Of the D. of Feria to disswade the King from sending an Army into Flanders 42. Of the D. of Alva to the contrary 43. Of Orange at the Diet of Germany to move them to favor the Flemings 52. of Count Lodwick of Nassau before the battel 57. Of the D. of Alva to his Souldiers 59. Of the President Vigilius against the Impositions propos'd by d'Alva 69. Of Avila at the succouring of Middleburg 77. Of Vitelli to move the Kings Forces against Holland and Zealand 81. Of Norchermes to the contrary 82. Of Captain Plumart to attempt the ford 91. Of Montdragone to the Souldiers 92. Of Romero to the Souldiers 100. Of Riperda to the Harlemers 97. Of the same man to the same 106 Of Orange or his incitements still more and more to kindle the Insurrections in Flanders 114. Of Avila at the battel of Mooch 117. Of Count Lodwick and Christopher Count Palatine in the same battel 118. Of the Admiral of Holland for the relief of Leyden 125. Of the Commendador to his Souldiers 135. Of President Vighlius in the Councel of State to hinder that the Spaniards might not be declared to be Rebels 142 Of John Navarre see Elect perswading the Mutineers to relieve the castle of Antwerp 145. Of Don John to the Souldiers 166. The Ordering of the Kings Army in the battel of Friezland 57. Of Count Lodowick's in the same ibid. Of the Catholick Army in the fight at Geminghen 62. Of the enemies in the same ibid. Of the Royal party in the battel of Mooch 117. Of the enemies in
therefore resolved not to suffer him to tarry long in Friesland When he had certain information that the enemy did not stir he entred into Groninghen and having refresht his men he led them out of the City and drew near the enemies Camp The Duke gessed just as it fell out To wit that Lodovick when he should be faced with â—o powerfull an Army when he should see himself in danger to want victuals and that he should not be able to retreat when he would better weighing his designes he would prevent these difficulties and without more adoe resolve upon retreat Lodovick at last resolved to do so and that he might do it without loss of men or reputation he effected it thus that very day towards the evening he sent away his baggage before after it his foot and left the horse for the last having taken order for breaking down the bridges which were over the river to the end that the Spaniards might not follow him The Duke had foreseen this and to be the more sure he gave order that Robles the camp-master with 400 Walloons should possess himself of a certain house conveniently seated to discover the enemies goings the retreat was then apparently seen the Duke made no delay he forthwith sent forth 400 Spaniards of the Neopolitan Brigado to assault the great trench which was formerly spoken of which was so wel perform'd as they drove away those that defended it who suddenly firing the bridges repast over the river The night now drew on and the enemy was already so far advanced and in so good order as the Dukes men could do them no great harm Yet some Spaniards and Walloons waded over the river where it was shallowest but they met with such hindrances by the squadrons of the enemies horse and by the narrowness and badness of the ways as they could make no further progress But few of the enemies were slain in this action yet were they much discouraged and confused therwith seeing themselvs so boldly set upon After this rather flight then retreat Lodovick continued his march backward towards East Friesland intending for as much as was conceiv'd to stay notwithstanding on this side the river of Embs in some good situation and as near Embden as possibly he could that by the nearness of the river and the City he might come the better by victuals and come what would come secure his last retreat By which means he stil thought he might compass his intention either of keeping the Duke of Alva busied or to keep with his former hopes in Friesland if the Duke should in some other parts oppose his brother He thought he might likewise believe that the Duke would not touch upon Germany nor hazard the want of victuals or suffering of other incommodities in a Countrey which appeared openly averse unto him And howsoever he thought he should be able so wel to fortifie himself as the Duke should not so easily dislodg him the second time as he had done the first To boot with the river which fenced him on the one side the Country was almost altogether impassable since it hardly allowed conveniency to be marcht upon and that upon the banks and muchless to fight And moreover the river swelling much more then ordinarily at a high tide the Country might easily be overflown by means of certain sluces which cutting the banks of the same river in divers places are usually opened or shut by the Inhabitants according as the sea swels or lessens This was Lodovicks designe So he pursued to march after his first retreat and did advance so far that very night and some days after as at last he quarter'd in a great village on this side the Embs call'd Geminghen He might first have staid in another call'd Rheeden and have had the passage over the Embs more coÌ„modiously there also by reason of a bridg which was nigh at hand but it was known that he would stay on this side the river and yet as near as he could to the City of Embden for the reasons which have been already spoken of On the other side the Duke continued his purposes which were to follow Lodovick to the Embs and to endeavour by all means possible to send him back routed and defeated into Germany that so he might be the freer afterwards to turn back upon Orange He therefore made his Army march leaving almost all the new raised horse in Groninghen because they could not be serviceable in those parts He lodged the first night in a Village called Sclotenem and not hearing any news of the enemy nor of good conveniency for victuals for all that Country was against him he was inforced to stay two days in that place He doubted that Lodovick might be tarryed in Rheeden that he might enjoy the oportunity of that near bridg which secured unto the passage over the River Knowing afterwards that he was past further on the Duke liked the business much better and staid his Camp in Rheeden securing that pass for himself Here he at last had certain advertisement that the Enemy were lodged in Geminghen From Rheeden to Geminghen at some 8 miles distance there runs a continued bank which serves as a curb to the River whereby the better to tame the swelling thereof occasioned by the sea The Duke was to make his men march upon this Bank if he would defeat the Enemy Divers Channels ran into the River which had houses and bridges upon them for the use and service of the Country people who in the summer time which now it was had some abidings not so low nor not so muddy as in the Country Lodovicks Quarters were thus fortified He had the Town of Geminghen upon his back on his left side the River and on his right the open fields fortified with Trenches where the situation would allow it On the Front the Bank it self somewhat distant from the River gave the entrance which without was cut in two by two Ravelins and better guarded within by two peeces of Artillery In this so strong place he either did not expect or did not fear the Duke Who desirous to try all wayes to fight and defeat him resolved to goe to him He sent some Horse before under his natural son Fernando who had the charge of the Horse and made the houses and bridges still as he marched be taken to secure his retreat upon all occasions From hence he advanced Sancio d' Avila with 50 Horse and 500 Harquebusiers all of them Spaniards and sent the two Camp-masters Romero and Londonio after him with each of them 600 Spanish Foot part Harquebusiers part Musquetiers and with two Companies of Lances commanded by Cesar d' Avalos and Curtio Martinengo The rest of the Army marcht in this order The Spaniards were the Van the High-Dutch followed next and the Walloons brought up the Reer inclosed by some Troops of Horse the Files were very strait for they could not march well but upon the
and Monsieur de Lumay and some other Flemish of good quality together with many German Commanders of great consideration The Army was well enough furnisht with Artillery and ammunition for war but had not so much mony nor victuals as was needfull This being understood the Duke of Alva resolved to make his Rendezvous at Mastrick the most commodious place upon the Mause that he might oppose Orange where it should be most convenient There were come unto the Duke from Spain at this time 400000 Crowns and 2000 Spanish Foot which being all of them new Souldiers he placed in the Garrisons and drew out from thence the old ones His eldest son Frederick came likewise then to Flanders to whom he gave the command of all the Foot The Rendezvous being appointed the Kings Army was found to consist of 16000 choise Foot to wit 6000 Spaniards the rest all Germans and Walloons and of 6000 Horse some whereof were Spanish some Italian some Germans some Burgonians and some Walloons and those Train-Bands of Flanders which were commanded by Carlo Philippode Croy Marquis of Haure The Duke removed the Camp afterwards from Mastrick to Haren a great Village not far from thence and seated likewise upon the Mause And here he made a Bridg of Boats that he might have free passage overfit at all hours and receive victuals the better from all those parts This place was almost in the midst between Liege and Ruremonde upon which two Cities Orange his designe was likeliest to be Ruremonde is in Ghelderland as hath been said It stands upon a little River called Ruer just where it fals into the Mause 'T is rather a place of great circuit then much people but the situation thereof is of importance by reason of both those Rivers Liege lies upon the same River a little higher The Mause hath not a City upon it of larger circuit nor better peopled 'T is divided by the River but joyned together again by divers Bridges The Bishop governs the Inhabitants there as well in temporal as in spiritual affairs being also Prince thereof though the City enjoy such ample priviledges as the form of Government therein partakes more of a Common-wealth then of a Principality 'T is one of the most Catholick Cities of all the North fullest of Ecclesiastical goods and most devoted to the Apostolical See Orange desired to try Liege first he wrote to the Magistracy omitting to write to Gerardo Grosbech who was then Bishop of the City and a personage of great worth thinking that he adhered too much to the Kings and the Catholick cause But the same mind and zeal appeared to be in the Magistracy for they determinately answered That the City would not receive in any foreign soldiers and that they had men enough of their own to defend themselves against any violence that should be offered them This practising of Orange with the Ligeois and his marching with his Army towards that City made the Duke resolve likewise to draw near it with his But Orange his designe upon Liege proving vain he without trying Ruremond turned suddenly elsewhere with intention to pass the Mause where he might best foard over it The river happened to be very low that year for the climat of Flanders which even in Summer is very rainy and moyst was of some late months more drie then usual Having found the most commodious foard and making use of the night season Orange in great silence past his Army over the river just against Stocchem in the State of Liege Which when the Duke heard he forthwith went thither also and drew near Orange with his Army Their designes were notwithstanding very different Orange would have fought at the very first for finding himself much streigthned in mony and victuals and with men who he was rather to obey then command he thought he could not long maintain his Army And nothing being done as yet in Flanders in favour to him he knew that if he should not have some favourable success by way of battel the Countrie would hardly rise having so powerfull an Army as was that of the Duke of Alva's within its bowels The Duke out of the very same reasons shun'd giving or battel He saw that Orange in losing a battel could lose nothing but his Army whereas he together with the loss of his Army should hazard the loss of all Flanders Resolving therefore rather to coast along by his enemy then to fight him and to vex him so with sufferings as at last he should disband of himself he only kept near him And because it was already evidently seen that Orange his intention was to enter into Brabant the Duke provided the places of greatest danger with all things needfull which were Tilemon Lovayne and Brussels and had an eye also to all other parts where there was any cause of suspition The two Camps being thus quartered Orange moved towards Tongueren a great Town in the State of Liege intending to possess himself of it and there to get victuals for his men But the Duke did so secure it as Orange durst never assault it Getringberg a very good Town in the same Countrie was more easily perswaded to let him have victuals and to receive his soldiers into the Town Which it soon repented by reason of the insolencies which they committed particularly against the Churches and sacred things Departing suddenly from thence for that it was not tenable He quartered upon the confines of Brabant hoping that when his Colours should be seen so nigh at hand the malecontents within the Countrie would likewise display theirs But the Duke flanking still upon him and streightning him now on one side now on another did not afford him one minutes rest Chiapino Vitelli had the particular care of the quarters which he was very diligent in taking and muniting To which purpose he had a great many pyoneers in the Army and upon occasion he would make the very soldiers work within the Trenches In these the Camps approachings one unto the other in their quartering and disquartering and particularly upon occasion of forrage there happened almost continually some skirmishes between the soldiers of the two Armies Nor was there any considerable advantage got on either side for many days But at last one action proved very bloudie Brabant is watered by many small rivolets which fall almost all of them into the Demer which inlarged by their accessions doth at last disgorge it self into the Scheld Amongst other the Geet runs into it Orange being advanced into Brabant he could not pass this river so speedily and with such caution before that a good part of his Reer ere it could re-joyn with the rest was in danger to be assailed upon great advantage by the Dukes soldiers who did not lose that oportunity The Camp-Masters Romero Bracamonte and Bigli advancing with their Spaniards and Walloons gave violently upon the enemy who seeing the danger had tumultuously fortified themselves in a Village upon the
much the greater that City might be the easilyer succoured But Genlis persisting in his own opinion would needs pursue it so took his way through Picardy to the Confines of Hennault Frederick being advertised hereof resolved by Vitelli's advice to incounter him and fight him before he should get into the Kings Countrie When the Kings men were come to the River Heyne and heard that the Enemy began to appear out of a Wood near the Town Hoterage they marched towards them and by a skirmish kept them at first somewhat farther from the Wood and from the Town Here the skirmish was turn'd into parties and the parties into a battel The French seeing the necessity of fighting made two squadrons of their foot and but one of their horse placing them all according as best fitted the situation of the Wood and of field-room The Kings foot were likewise divided into two bodies which were seconded to the best advantage by the horse Vitelli who by reason of his wound was brought into the field in a chair not without great pain and danger ordered the battel Fulian Romero a Spanish Camp-Master and one of known valour and experience had the charge of the Van. Here they fell to it but the fight continued not long the circumstances whereof being well considered it might rather be called an Incounter then a Battel The French did not look to be so soon faced by the Kings men and therefore came not so well prepared to fight as 't was needfull they should have been that they might have disputed the victory better then they did Being vigorously set upon by the Kings men they made at first some resistance but their first force suddenly failing they fell soon into disorder and for the rest 't was nothing but slaughter and flight They suffered more by the Country people afterwards then they did at first by the souldiers For many Country people of those frontiers having followed the Spanish Camp fell bitterly upon the French after their defeat suffering few of them to escape and fully revenging themselves for the losses their Country had suffered by this their march The common opinion was that Genlis had with him about 7000 foot and 1000 horse whereof a third part together with the loss of almost all their Colours were either slain or taken prisoners Genlis himself was taken prisoner and Monsieur de Genisack who Commanded the horse and another Chieftain of the Hugonots of good quality called the Ringrave The Baron of Ranti and one Giumella both of them foot Colonels were slain in the battel These were the chief of the Hugonots Camp all the rest of their men what by being slaughtered by the Country people and what through terror of the discomfeiture were reduced to so weak a remainder as they could not be any more serviceable to the Hugonots neither within nor without the Kingdom Genlis was carried to the Castel of Antwerp where he soon after fell sick and died Very few were found missing of the Kings Camp and of those not any one of quality Thus ended the succour brought by the French Hugonots whose unfortunate success was a presage of that no less unhappy event which was soon after seen both in the Army Commanded by Orange and in the siege sustained by his brother The fight was not many miles distant from the City so as the Kings party returned suddenly to the siege And Puluighlier being come not long after unto the Army with 4000 foot and some horse Frederick incouraged by so great an addition of Forces and by the coming likewise of Fronsbergs horse and Bracamonts foot began very hotly to begirt the besieged He took up his quarters particularly in the Village of Nimy St. Sinforiano Bertamonte and Jumampel which inviron Mons and he indeavoured to secure his quarters every where the best he could by the Rivers Heyne and Trulla There was a Priory under the Walls of Mons well furnisht with Edifices And because the Kings men might be much prejudiced from thence they within the Town had put a good Garison into it and seemed as if they would strive to defend it At which Frederick being moved he resolved howsoever to take it but he failed in his first attempt through the valiant resistance made by the defendants and by the help they received by the Cannon which were at that time drawn out of the City But returning the second time with greater Forces and playing upon the place with two pieces of Cannon the Spaniards prepared for the assault when the French knowing they could no longer hold it forsook it and withdrew themselvs within the Walls of the Town The Priory being lost the Town was more narrowly besieged The Duke of Alva came at the same time to the Army as well to encourage the enterprise by being present thereat himself as to hasten whatsoever was needfull to oppose Orange his designe of relieving Mons and freeing his brother With him came the Duke of Medina-Celi who was then come by sea to Flanders from Spain with fresh men being sent by the King to succeed the Duke of Alva in that Government The Country had in these dayes contributed a great sum of money more then usual so as the Army was much increased by their arrival and by the new Levies of Flanders and much more by those that were raised in Germany to boot that set the chief Garrisons aside all the old Souldiery were ordered to come to the Camp The Duke therefore presently prepared divers Batteries and Trenches where it was easiest to fall down into the Ditches and the City-walls began already to be furiously plaid upon from sundry sides The greatest part of the Canon were placed against the gate Bartimonte and against a Ravelin which fenc'd it the Battery was one day so fierce as some of the Peeces broke and the Ravelin was almost quite level'd But the resistance and valour of those within was no less Monsieur de la Nue was with Lodovick a man of great valour and the best esteemed of any that was then in France of the Hugonot Faction the defence of Mons past chiefly through his hands and by his directions and therefore the besieged failed not to do what in them lay for their best advantage Fearing therefore to lose that place they made a Work more inward and placed two Culverins upon it and prejudicing the Kings men greatly thereby they forced them to proceed more cautiously in their assault which they design'd against that side But though they were not wanting in defending themselves the best and most resolutely that they could yet their chiefest hopes lay in their succor from Orange who being already upon his march with a powerful Army raised almost wholly in Germany was got into the Low-Countries by Ghelderland and made towards Ruremond He intended to use only fair means and not force to be accommodated with victuals by that City thinking he should not so easily win it nor was he
willing to waste his time and forces before it to the prejudice of his chief design which was to relieve Mons as soon as might be and afterwards to make there a great Magazine of Arms. He therefore friendly intreated those Citizens to accommodate him with victuals and other things which his Army wanted But they answering more boldly then they ought to have done and not measuring their Forces by their words gave him a flat denial He did not expect such an answer so as he grew much incensed and to his anger necessity was joyned for his people suffered already in many things There were not Hereticks wanting in the City and they desired to see it in Orange his possession who had formerly held some intelligence with them to that purpose Practises being then renewed within and the men prepared without he made a fierce assault upon one of the Gates which with equal valour was defended by those within who shewed the like stoutness twice after when Orange renewed twice his assaults In the heat of this resistance which the Catholick defendants made the Heretick Townsmen making use of opportunity possest themselves of another gate and thereby let them in that were without Orange either could not or would not hinder the sacking of the City withheld perhaps on one side by judging it was not fit to use examples of cruelty when the Flemish did most expect clemency and inforst on the other side to provide for the necessities of his people which since he was not able to satisfie with pay he must supply the want thereof by plunder But sacking was the least misery which Ruremond suffered For the Hereticks with unheard of barbarism mingling slaughter with pillage grew cruel to all sexes and all ages especially against Church-men and Church-adornments By the taking of Ruremond Orange got another City in those parts which gave him a secure pass over the Mause He turn'd from hence to Malines which was already wrought to be at his devotion by Monsieur de Dorp so as he put a good Garrison thereinto of High-Dutch In his march he likewise made himself master of many other places of lesser consideration And being come to Lovain desired to be there received But meeting with more stiffness in the Citizens then he expected and fearing that he should lose too much time in staying to force it he resolved to accept of a certain sum of money which the City was contented to give him Thus leaving Brabant he came in the beginning of September into Henault and here he mustered his Army His Forces consisted as it was said of 16000 Foot and 9000 Horse all of them Germans except some French and Walloons He was aided by the success of a business which had happened a little before in favour of his adherents in Zealand to move sooner then he himself had thought A great many Flemish ships were at this time returned from Lisbone richly laden and out of choice rather then necessity they put in according to their custom at Flushing not knowing till then any thing of the new revolutions which had hapned there The Inhabitants of that Town being masters of so great a booty made suddenly monies thereof and sent the greatest part to the Prince of Orange just when he stood in most need to assemble his men together and make them march But the greater his Army was the greater was his difficulty in maintaining them For neither had he sufficient monies to that end nor any authority grounded upon command but only upon intreaties He came with the like resolutions as before to wit to doe all he could to draw the Duke to battel hoping at least thereby to find some means to succour Mons the more easily On the other side as the Dukes ends were clean otherwise so did his resolutions appear to be He as before desired to beat Orange by the Arms of his own Necessity so as despairing of Battel and no less of succour and forced by disaccommodations and sufferings he should at last confess himself overcome by returning discomfited The Duke doubted towards which part Orange would betake himself The speediest and shortest way was towards Nimi and St. Sinforiano Between these two Villages stands a Wood and therefore the Duke used all needful diligence to fortifie all those places so to hinder his passage on that side Which Orange hearing of he changed his way and turning Eastward past by Perone a Village some two leagues distant from Mons and fording without any difficulty over the Heyn and Trulla he marched towards the other part of the City drawing straight upon Jumampel The ground was here a little more hilly then in other parts thereabouts and was therefore thought less easie to fortifie and therefore Orange judged he might soonest succour the besieged on that side But as soon as the Duke had discovered this design he turn'd most of his men suddenly thitherward and resolved to raise a Fort there which was done with all speed and the Duke Medina celi took particular care of it To boot with the Fort which was provided of Artillery the better to entertain the Enemy on that side the Duke surrounded his Camp on that side too with a Trench Having thus secured himself and having a watchfull eye over all things he commanded upon severest punishment that no man should stir from the Squadrons without his order nor should in any manner whatsoever offer to fight Orange was this mean while drawn neer this place And having sent his brother Henry a little before who was a gallant Youth with fifty Horse to learn some news of the Spanish Camp he met with almost as many which the Duke of Alva had sent out towards the Enemy to the same purpose A bloody skirmish was had between these two Parties of Horse wherein the Dukes men coming off with somewhat the worse Orange came up soon after with his whole Army and offered the Duke battel But he still more stedfast in his first resolution kept all his men in great order within their Trenches suffering only the Artillery to play upon the Enemy who did the like upon the Spanish camp Orange took up his Quarters afterwards at Querenon a Village not far from Jumampel and endeavoured divers times to provoke the Duke to fight To this end he greatly annoyed the Kings Camp with continual thunder of Cannon he endeavoured to keep them from forrage or victuals and sallied out in skirmishes as oft as he could so to provoke them to battel the sooner wherein having much the greater number of Horse he hoped to be Victor There were some with the Duke who advised to fight the Enemy shewing how much his men did exceed the others in valour saying That victories were not won by numbers but by worth How oft had their first Squadrons born it away nay how oft their first Files What comparison was there to be made between new tumultuary base people such as were the Enemy and
old Souldiers so well disciplin'd and so nobly born as were his Let him then go out of the Trenches and fighting in so just a cause and with such valiant men he might be sure to overcome The Archbishop of Cullen was particularly of this opinion who being of a warlike mind was come in person into the Camp But the Duke still firm to his old Maxim not to fight with Fortune which in all humane affairs is ever fickle but especially in affairs of war and battel answered in words befitting such a Commander That the end of those who govern an Army was alwaies to overcome but not alwaies to fight And that he should have fought sufficiently when he should have overcome Orange being thus deluded of all hopes of bringing it to a day of battel apply I himself wholly to the relief and the Duke wholly to keep him from it and this was the chiefest indeavor of them both Orange propounded unto himself the consequences of preserving such a place as Mons was and the Duke the importancy of re-possessing himself of it Orange had assur'd his friends that he would succor and relieve it and the other had signified no less assurance in Spain that he would hinder him from so doing Each of them argue the future from the present success And warring one against the other rather out of privat hatred then the publick respect each of them fervently desired to compass their ends with reputation and glory the more to thwart the adversaries designe with loss and dishonour Orange was much afflicted to find himself amidst the aforesaid necessities which did foretoken that if he did not very speedily relieve Mons his Army would immediately moulder away he had no money to maintain it nor was it any longer nourishable by rapine and fearing every day lest the souldier might mutiny he knew that in such a case his own forces would be more prejudiciall to him then those of his enemies And doubtlesly he ran hazard either of being brought into great agony by his own men by actual imprisonment or through greater perfidiousness and avarice of being delivered up into the Duke of Alva's hands which was the most hideous thing his thoughts could suggest unto him Without any further delay then chusing out 2000 of his best horse and 1000 of his best foot he sent them with great resolution towards that part where he thought they might easilyest enter Mons on the side of Jumampel He divided the horse into two squadrons and by them sheltered the foot which he intended to put into the City and disposed of all the rest of his Army so as might serve upon any occasion which fortune might present of battel But the Kings men who had very well furnisht that pass before and especially with some Spanish Colours under Sancio d' Avila and Julian Romero did so gallantly oppose the Assailants and were so advantagiously seconded by the Artillery which from the Fort commanded the Champian as Orange could in no ways compass his intent The conflict was notwithstanding very fierce and was accompanied by a double tempest of Canon-shot wherewith the Kings men played continually upon the Enemy both within and without they being no less playd upon by the others likewise both from within and without but few of the Spaniards were slain Of the Enemy about 300. Orange despairing of bringing in any relief on that side removed his Camp that very night and lodged in the Village Hermenes upon the bank of Trulla not far from St Sinforiano The Duke of Alva turned such forces likewise as were requisite on his side thitherward to hinder the enemy from all relief on that side Nor was it long ere he made them lose all hopes thereof Orange his souldiers were quartered in great disorder especially the Germans all other things also in his Camp were in much confusion nor was it any wonder For the souldiers being for the most part pickt up here and there without pay or the curb of discipline they obeyed no longer then they listed The Duke of Alva was very well informed of all these disorders and wants amongst the enemy which he suddenly made advantage of Having himself viewed the Germans nearest quarters he resolved to assault them that very night hoping that fortune would befriend him in their change of quarters He gave the charge thereof to Norchermes who was then very much imployed by him in Vitelli's absence he being gone out of the Camp to be cured of his wound The business insued thus A thousand Spanish foot were pickt out and the Camp-Master Romero was chosen to conduct them who though he was very good at Councel yet was much better at execution To these thousand Spaniards as many Walloons were added to secure the retreat where need should require In the deepest silence of night the Kings men began to move and that they might be known from the enemy in the dark they went with snirts uppermost The Germans were then in a great deal of carelesness all of them fast asleep so as they were slain before they knew they were assaulted they thought som tumult had casually hapned amongst them but being disdeceived by their wounds and bloud and suddenly seised upon by confusion and fear they betook themselves rather to flight than to fight The Kings men at the same time they assaulted the Germans the more to increase their terror and loss had fired their quarters the fire burst forth on a sudden in sundry parts and burnt many of the enemies So as it was questionable whether more of them perisht by the Sword Fire or Water whereinto many of them did blindly precipitate themselves So to shun one death met with another and the Kings men having continu'd slaughter a good while they were forced at last to retreat for the Enemies Camp was by this time in Arms. In this action about 500 Germans were lost and some few of the Spaniards who not observing well their orders were either borne away with too much heat of fighting or were not well acquainted with the places of retreat But the Enemy was hereat so affrighted as forgoing all obedience and discipline and leaving behind them great part of their baggage they of their own inclination betook themselves presently to be gone They stormed against Orange for having abused and betrayed them and that instead of returning home loaded with spoyl and booty they were now to carry away nothing but sufferings and disaccommodations Amidst these outcries which tasted more of threats then complaints Orange being strangely confused and being reduced to a condition rather of obeying then commanding raised his Camp and marched towards Malines The Duke was councelled by divers not to let slip so fitting an occasion of falling on the enemy whilst they retreated in disorder But he answered with the vulgar Proverb Let us make a Bridg to them that fly and shew'd how that without doubt Orange would within a few days be forced to quit
the Country That it was sufficient for him that he had compast his end in the same manner as he desired Orange left a strong Garison in Malines intending to keep that City which lying in the heart of Flanders might serve him for many purposes His Army afterwards wholly disbanding and he luckely escaping out of their hands whom he now suspected more then the enemy he at last by way of a fugitive rather hiding himself then retiring got to Delfe a City in Holland there to put on such new resolutions as time and necessity should administer When Orange was gone from about Mons the Duke of Alva began narrowlyer to begirt the besieged He re-inforced the begun batteries and used all other necessary diligence to the end that being rid of this siege he might the sooner also recover thole other places which Orange had made himself Master of The besieged did notwithstanding valiantly and constantly defend themselves for some days but at last all hopes of succour failing them they resolved to yield having received such honourable conditions as upon such occasions are usually articled and agreed upon between the vanquishers and vanquished Count Lodovick went sick out of Mons and passing into Holland to see his brother he departed suddenly for Germany to move every stone there which might serve to disturbe Flanders Whilst affairs went thus about Mons many important novelties had happened in Holland Zealand and in other places Monsieur de Seras was Governor of Flushing being sent thither as hath been said by the Prince of Orange and many hereticks were come from the neighbouring Countries to joyn with him He therefore borne away with greater designes and desirous in particular to lend his helping hand to the besieged in Mons by entring into Flanders and afterwards into Hennault betook himself thereunto He gathered together 3000 foot and easily imbarked them in the maritine coasts of Flanders he had not notwithstanding sufficient Artillery to force any place wherefore he placed his hopes more in the peoples rising then in his own forces But the Duke having used all needfull care to secure that Province and Seras meeting with good resistance in all parts he came from thence almost as soon as he was entred and laid aside all thoughts of doing any good on that side The chief end of the tumultuaries in Zealand was to possess themselves of Midleburg They thought that the Town of Targoes placed on the Northern parts of one of those Islands called Southbeverlant would be a hindrance herein unto them This Town was guarded by some Spaniards and Walloons and Midleburg might better be relieved by the Kings men from thence then from any other part Seras applying himself to get this place brought a good number of men with him and endeavoured to enter it by force but he found such opposition as he soon forsook the enterprise And being despised by his own men for these two unfortunate successes as also for some other things those of Flushing would no more receive him nor the rest any longer follow him so as he was fain to forgoe the Province with as much shame as he was at first received thereinto with honour At the same time that Count Lodovick had possest himself of Mons the abovesaid insurrections had happened in Holland and except it were Amsterdam the whole Province was almost revolted To the Brill where Lumay had raised the first tumults of those parts many heretick souldiers were come from the neighbouring Countries especially from England People were likewise raised by the Rebels in other parts of the Province who fortified divers other Passes which lay more inward in the Countrie to the end that they might be Masters of the best Avenues on both sides The Duke of Alva had taken with him to the relief of Mons and to oppose Orange almost all the whole Army as hath been said especially the Spaniards in whom he did most confide So as Holland being as it were abandoned to the will of the tumultuaries it was no wonder if having so large a field to break forth in into novelties they were both so easily contrived by them and so easily executed Divers notable alterations to the Kings prejudice arose likewise in the contiguous Provinces of Utricht Friesland Overisel Groninghen and Zutfen At Orange his entrance into Flanders many of the chiefest places in each of them followed him and his fortune not meeting with almost any opposition by the Kings men And the people baited by the spetious titles of common good run almost from all places to assist his cause as if it had been their own The Count de Berg one of the chiefest Lords of all the Low-Countries had married a sister of the Prince of Orange who had great adherencies particularly in Friesland and the parts thereabouts He was likewise apparently inclin'd to favour heresie and joyned with Orange no less in Councel then in Bloud He therefore came into the aforesaid Province beyond the Rhine at the same time that Orange past from them to the other more inward Provinces and made divers places of importance rise and placed Garrisons in some of them which were most considerable either for their Situation or Inhabitants amongst others the City of Zutfen was fallen into his hands which gives the name to that Province and which being seated on the River Isel is held for one of the chiefest of all those parts He had taken and sackt the Town of Amersfort upon the Frontiers of Holland and indeavoured thus to draw the people by force where they would not of themselves be wrought unto it to joyn with him Orange and the other Flemish exiles It is not to be believed how ill they observed their promise which Orange in the aforementioned Manifesto made to the Catholicks in point of Religion For the first thing the hereticks did when they were entred into any Town was to violate this promise nay growing more outragious then ordinarily against Ecclesiasticks and especially against Votaries not content to use scorn they proceeded to rapine to imprisonment to torments and with unheard of cruelties even to death The end which to the praise of Martyrdom some Franciscan Votaries made in the Towns of Alckmar and Gorcham was very memorable The affairs of the abovesaid Provinces were at this pass when Mons was delivered into the Duke of Alva's hands A little before this siege was ended the Tumultuaries in the heat of the advantages they had gotten and whilst the Duke was busied about Mons with all the Kings forces had resolved to attempt the taking of Tergoes in Zealand They despaired of getting Middleburgh if they had not Tergoes first Putting therefore 8000 Foot together many whereof were French Germans and English and being provided of Artillery to batter they shipt the one and the other at Flushing with all other things necessary for the enterprise and from thence went to the Island of Southbevolant and incamped themselves underneath Tergoes
siege of Tergoes But the work allows no longer time I will be the first that shall enter the water but every one afterwards undantedly follow me and let each of us perform our parts so as that by this glorious action the world may think me a gallant Commander and you no less gallant Souldiers These words were followed with a great appiause each Nation seeming ambitious of the enterprise and Mandragone ordered his people thus The Spaniards went first the Germans next them and the Walloons last all in very close files to the end that the soldiers might wade the better and if need should be be the readier to help one another Nor was there any delay made Mandragone stept first into the water bare footed and bare leg'd taking Plumart for his guide Then all the rest did the like in the abovesaid order and thus they continued to march one file still incouraging the other And the voyage was so well fitted to the floud as also their courage in enduring it to the labour of doing it as unless it were nine who perisht either through misfortune or weariness all of them got safely to the banks of Yersichen a Village on the contrary shore after a long march by water Yersichen is two leagues distant from Tergoes when they were got thither Mandragone gave notice thereof presently to Avila by fires and resting himself and his souldiers that night he resolved to proceed on to the succour the next morning But it was not needfull to make use of their Arms for when the enemy heard how that they had passed the water and in what manner they were so astonished and so sorely frighted as they immediately raised their Camp and began to imbarque themselves Mandragone being hereof advertised from Tergoes and being desired to send some souldiers to the Town to assault the other in their retreat he forthwith sent them 400 Harquebusiers who made such haste as they met with those of the Town time enough to anoy the enemy on their reer and slew many of them before they could imbarque themselves Mandragone entred afterwards into Tergoes and by mutual demonstration of military joy the soldiers received each other on both sides contending whether the one had shewed more valour in maintaining the siege or the others in raising it When Mandragone had furnished the Town with things necessary he returned to Avila and both of them with their men went to the Army where the Duke of Alva was Some of the antientest Spaniards who were in Flanders during my being Nuntio in those Provinces were present at this memorable action and amongst others John Rivas who was come into those parts with the Duke of Alva and who from a private souidier was by his worth arrived by degrees to the highest places of Military profession In my time he was Governour of the City and Citadel of Cambray which is one of the chiefest charges which is given to those of his Nation A man of a venerable aspect and in whom it might be disputed whether his wisdom in Civil or in Military affairs was the more eminent He hath sundry times related this success to me and I have in this place willingly commemorated so worthy and so grave an Author But to return to what the Duke of Alva did after the recovery of Mons when he had provided for the safety of that City and the rest of that Frontier he turned his Army into Brabant and marched towards the City of Malines He went thither intending to use more severity then clemency He thought that the Malineses had favoured Orange upon too easie terms both in receiving a Garison from him and in furnishing him with whatsoever he desired He therefore made his son Frederick advance to prepare all things requisite for storming the City The rest of the Camp followed him breathing forth threats and revenge But not having received any pay for a long time they were rather desirous of booty then of bloud and therefore inclin'd to allay their anger more by pillage then by slaughter The Citizens were not ignorant of their danger so as after a short skirmish which happened between Orange his Germans and the Kings men at their first arrival they presently put that Garison out of the Town and indeavoured by all means possible to appease the enemies anger They used the greatest submission that might be to the Duke and finally sent forth the Clergy in solemn procession to induce them the more to clemency and commiseration The Duke began to listen to conditions when the Spaniards laying aside all delay forced the Walls and being followed by the rest they entred the City and overrunning it on a sudden put it wholly to the sack Their fury extended to all sexes and to all ages The Churches did not escape their avarice nor did the Monasteries escape their Just. There was but little bloud shed and the Duke not being much troubled to see the City punisht as also being in great arrears unto the Army he was contented rather to excuse the plunder then to resent it When he had reordered his affairs he went from Malines to Mastrick and from thence to Niminghen the chiefest City in Ghelderland Here he staid some dayes thinking how he might recover the Towns of that Province which were lost Ruremond fell without any difficulty into his hands together with whatsoever Orange had possest himself of thereabouts He then resolved to begirt Zutfen where the Enemy had fortified themselves and seemed as if they would make it good To this end he sent his son Frederick thitherward with a good proportion of men and Artillery Zutfen is fituated upon the River Isel and on one side of the Town a lesser River called Berchel fals into the said Isel The other situations without the Town are very low and myerie Zutfen was at this time walled about after the ancient form and was every where provided with good and deep ditches But being many years after fallen into the absolute power of the Hereticks they have made it one of the strongest places of all those Countries Frederick pitched his Camp about it about the latter end of November at which time the weather grew very sharp and cold and there was great store of Ice which as it made for the advantage of the Kings men so did it to the contrary for the enemy who had placed their chiefest hopes of defence in their low and watery places wherewith the Town was environed on all sides Frederick drew neer it without much difficulty and having raised two Batteries where he thought it fittest in those low situations he began by them to make great breaches Signior Hierges a valiant Souldier had the charge of the Artillery and the Kings men were not likely long to forbear the assault when the Garrison which was within the Town growing apprehensive resolved to steal privately away wherefore the Townsmens fear growing greater they fell presently to treat of agreement But
intentions To this end he sent forth Roderigo Zappata with a party of Harquebusiers Which when the Harlemists saw they forth with sallied out couragiously and made the Spaniards retreat and in this action Zappata lost an arm This did not flacken but did more inflame the Spaniards They therefore soon after assaulted the Forton two sides at once and the Harlemists came forth the second time to defend it But the number of the latter was neither equal to the others nor yet their valour so as they did rather yield then fight And the Spaniards ceased not till passing over the ditch upon the ice and still pressing harder upon the Harlemists they entred the Fort joyntly with them where they slew many and easily drove out the rest The Spaniards incouraged hereby drew near the City and begirt it on sundry parts The Kings Army consisted not of above 12000 foot but all of them choice souldiers and mightily puft up by their so many prosperous successes There were about 6000 Spaniards 3500 Germans and the rest Walloons They brought but 400 horse to the siege part Lances part Dragoons which were as many as they needed respect being had to the Country and to the season As Frederick advanced and as he divided his quarters he understood that Lumay came from Leydens side to bring a good succour to the City He brought with him the remainder of the German Regiment which was raised by Muller and some other Companies of French and English which might make 3000 foot with some pieces of Artillery and some victuals Frederick hearing this hasted to meet the enemy a thick cloud favoured both the parties each of them thinking the better to conceal themselves by the obscurity thereof and to fall upon the contrary party at unawares But the event proved better for the Kings men The encounter was near the Town of Berchenrode where the business lasted not long for the Kings men were so much the better both in numbers valour and diligence as the enemy were quickly routed Many of them were slain and the rest disperst they lost their Artillery many Colours all their Baggage and all the provision which they brought Frederick returning to order the siege chose for his quarters a certain Hospital with some few houses of a Burrough which answered upon one of the Gates of the City called de la Croce and kept with him all the Spaniards On this side a great battery was soon prepared But this situation which was the most commodious for quarter was not so for battery for the Gate was fenced by a good Ravelin and the Wall was there also more defensable On the side opposite to them which looked towards Leyden the rest were quartered with little or no commodity of covert But the Wall being weaker on that side and worse flankt therefore the oppugning on that side might be the easier This error was rather despised then not known The Spaniards could not perswade themselves but that the Harlemists would throw open their Gates at the very first thunder of their Canon as they had done in other places which they had lately taken And they were the more confirmed herein by their double good success of taking the Fort and keeping back the relief So as not observing the Military proceedings in sieges and too scornfully neglecting to make their Trenches so to draw near by degrees as is usual under their Rampires they resolved to fall immediately to the battery of the said gate de la Croce and of its Ravelin They placed sixteen piece of great Canon against that side and on the 18 of December began a very fierce Battery So great was the first days rain as they of Harlem could hardly work upon the Ravelin and the Gate But the night following they did so well provide for all things necessary as they manfully made good the defence to the great praise in particular of Captain Steinback Mullers Lieutenant who had the custody of the Ravelin They continued therefore to play more fiercely with their Canon from without Il Segnor della Cressoniera commanded the Artillery and Captain Bartolomy Campi an Italian was chief Ingenier of the Army a man greatly esteemed in that profession The souldiers seemed very desirous to proceed to the assault They were eg'd on by anger hatred and desire of booty but especially by finding so obstinate a resistance in the Harlemists The Ingenier Campi made a portable bridg and the ruines being still made greater by the Batteries the Tolledan not contented with the commodity which the ice afforded him commanded that the bridg should be thrown over the Ditch Yet for the better discovery he made Captain Francisco Vargas advance with 150 Harquebusiers all Spaniards The rest of the foot staid not to expect orders but ere it was time to fall on they advanced Three could hardly march abrest upon the bridg yet the souldiers striving who should enter first thereupon and eagerness prevailing more with them then discipline they came in such disorder as one hindred another and they could not advance because the breach was not so great as that the bridg could reach unto it This mean while a furious tempest of musquet-shot of fire and of Canon powred down upon them from the City they lying open with their squadrons upon the side of the ditch and making themselves too near a mark for the wounds which they received Yet were they so transported with the fury of assaulting as forgetting their obedience to their Commanders they would not retreat Insomuch as the Camp-master Romero who was both greatly beloved and feared by them was forc'd to go to them and bitterly chiding them to say What rashness or rather what Frensie is it that causeth you doe thus Are these errors learnt in the Duke of Alva's Military school Doe men go to assaults by the air Will you suffer your selves thus to be slain when you are not able to fight being made a But or rather a laughing-stock to these Rebels who secure within their Rampiers mock you whilst they wound you Shall you not have occasions enough to punish their perfidiousness Lay aside now then that violence wherewith you are blinded I who have so often shar'd with you in victory will at this time share willingly with you in loss Thus at last they retreated but they left little less then 200 dead behind them whereof one Captain and some Ensigns The Spaniards by this success found their error of their opinion touching the taking of Harlem So as finding it now to be as hard as they thought it easie before they resolved to forgo all manner of action till they were largely provided of all things necessary to lead on the siege at leisure To this end such orders as was requisite were given in the neighbouring Cities of Amsterdam and Utricht But it was not so easie to bring provisions to the Camp because the Rebel Hollanders infesting all the wayes did all they could to hinder them
was remarkable in Flanders particularly for this Siege which we now describe It lasted above seven moneths the accidents were as various as the time was long and they doubted oft-times most of the victory who at last got it We notwithstanding will only set down the chief accidents which hapned there the dignity of the story it self so requiring it and the worthiness of future things calling us with too much reason from observing every smaller accident But to return to the Siege As vigilant as the Kings men were in providing that victuals might be safely brought to the Camp the Enemy were altogether as industrious in endeavouring to hinder them To this purpose they sent a good number of souldiers to possess themselves of one of the most important Passes towards Naerden and Amsterdam And they were led on by one Antonio Pittore who had the chief hand in the surprisal of Mons when Count Lodovick of Nassaw entred it as we then observed But notice hereof being brought to Amsterdam the Townsmen sent forth souldiers enough to hinder the success who meeting with the enemy routed them and slew many of them in particular Antonio Pittore was there slain and the Spaniards in scorn of his misdeed threw his head into the City together with the head of another who was called the King and who was much esteemed of by the Harlemists Who incenst by this action were not long in resenting it They chose out twelve of those prisoners which they had of the Kings Army and cutting off their heads they put them into a barrel and rouling it down the walls made it fall into the Spaniards Trenches with this Inscription upon it This Tribute of the tenth penny is sent by the Harlemists to the Duke of Alva and foruse-mony they have sent the twelfth This cruel act was answered by another no less cruel from without for some of their men were in their sight hung up by the head and the heels and they soon after served some of the Kings men with the same sauce So much doth the fury of war inrage mens minds especially of such war where rebellion is punished on one side and maintained on the other This mean while the number of souldiers within the City was mightily increased Besides the Townsmen there were there 4000 foot many of which were Germans French and English And Orange ceased not to labour hard in all the neighbouring Countries the raising of so potent a succour as by open force might make the Spaniards raise their siege The besieged growing therefore daily more jolly made frequent excursions and made one so fierce against the German quarter of the Kings Camp as they drove them from one house wounded and slew many of them and put all the rest into great confusion They sallied forth yet more furiously a few days after against the Spanish quarters and indeavoured mainly to recover the Ravelin which they had lost and so far forward did their courage carry them as they had almost nailed up the Canons mouths as they stood upon the battery But being valiantly withstood they re-entred the City without reaping any advantage The action was notwithstanding very gallant and cost much bloud on both sides Frederick on the contrary still incouraging his men the more resolved to raise the Ravelin which they had taken so high as it might command and hinder the Works within and having caused much earth to be brought to that purpose he planted two pieces of Artillery upon it but the good did not answer expectation so well did the besieged behave themselves on that behalf The Kings men grew this mean while every day fewer by reason of their sufferings Signor della ressoniera who had the charge of the Artillery was dead of sickness Signor Norchermes being wounded could not have such diligence used in his cure as was requisite many other Spanish Officers of quality were found missing as also many of other Nations And in fine the affairs of the Army were reduced to such terms as the success of the business began greatly to be feared Yet the Duke of Alva's instructions to his son were still more peremptory Though in case the siege should draw out in length he had written effectually to Spain to have two old Brigades of that Nation sent him who were then in Italy and raised new men in the neighbouring County of Burgundy Frederick delayed not then to make one tryal more before his men were consumed Resolving therefore to give a fierce assault in divers places at once against that side which ran from St Johns gate to that of la Croce and to the other of Sill on which side as we have already said the Kings men had opened their Trenches made Batteries and wrought in the Ditches the determination was thus put in execution The three Spanish Camp-Masters Roderigo de Tolledo Julian Romero and Consalvo de Bracamonte took upon them to assault with the souldiers of their Brigades one of them the gate de la Croce and the other two the two next sides on the right hand and on the left Signor de Bigli with some Walloons of his Regiment was appointed against a Work which fenced St Johns gate and such orders were given as were requisite so to annoy those within at once both from the Ravelin and the fittest places of the Ditch as they should not be able to hinder those without who were to get upon the Breach All these directions were valiantly performed by the Kings men but the besieged shewed no less valour on their side running with vigilancy and courage whether soever danger called them So as it behoved the Kings men at last to fall off with a considerable loss for above 300 of them were slain and in particular many of Bigli's men who met with the geatest difficulties and most resistance In this assault Roderigo de Tolledo was sorely wounded and Captain Lorenso Perea was slain with some other inferiour Officers It cannot be said how afflicted the Kings Camp was at this unfortunate success And the affair growing every day more doubtfull Frederick thought good to hear the opinion of the chief Commanders herein Many of them shewed very little hopes of any good success That the difficulties of the siege were now greater without then within That the cold was very extream and the season a greater enemy then the enemie's self That they suffered all other greater straits in their lodgings and in their victuals That their men were but few being more consumed by sufferings then by action That on the contrary there was great plenty of all things in the City that they were every day strengthened with new aids and appeared still more obstinate in their defence whence it was to be concluded that either the siege was never to have an end or if it were to have any the conqueror would at last be greater losers then the conquered That it was then better to withdraw the Army as soon
they let slip any occasion of hastening the effects thereof by way of terror and especially of Plunder So as threatening it every day and the Antwerpians every day fearing it they were so much affected therewithall as they were resolved to contribute whatsoever monies were requisite to free themselves as soon as might be from so dreadful a danger The Mutiniers were notwithstanding contented to receive six payes in Cloth and other Draperies which the City furnisht them withall they were paid the rest in mony And having obtained a large Pardon from the Commendador in the Kings name upon solemn oath in the greatest Church they at last went out of Antwerp and return'd to joyn with the rest of the Army which had already re-entred Holland and had begun to besiege Leyden Amongst other prejudices which the Kings affairs received by this mutiny one of the greatest was the loss of many ships which the Commendador had prepared upon the shore of Antwerp for new designs upon Zealand In Glimes his place who was slain in the former related Sea-fight was Adolphus Hansteede put Who fearing lest the Mutiniers might fall upon the Navy which he had the charge of and would have it in their power for their better security of getting their pretended satisfaction resolved to launch forth with it into the deepest part of the Scheld and there secure himself from that fear But by shunning this danger he ran into a greater The Zealanders had quickly notice hereof and would not lose the opportunity They came unexpectedly with many armed Vessels and without much adoe took most of the Kings ships which what great what little were about forty and almost all of them well provided of Artillery and all Naval preparations and the rest they either burnt or sunk or shatter'd them so as they were for no more service The design was to assault Zealand with this the Kings Fleet by the Rivers and Gulfs which inviron it within and which cannot receive great Vessels and at the same time to doe the same with another Fleet of greater ships on the outside which ships were with all speed preparing in Spain intending chiefly to possess themselves of some good Haven and stil to streighten that maritine Tract the more and to endeavour by all means possible to possess themselves of that Province without which the King could never hope to keep Flanders firm in his obedience And although the same design was continued in Spain after the unfortunate success of the Navy in Flanders yet so many difficulties arose on all sides as it was impossible afterwards to effect it The Prince of Orange was this mean with many Forces about Niminghen whither he was come to joyn with his brother Lodovick as we have said whose defeat and death ensuing and instantly thereupon the Spaniards Mutiny he staid still in those parts and failed not to make his advantage of the disorders hapned in the Kings Camp But seeing the Enemies forces hindred by the said mutiny within themselves he made many incursions into those parts hoping to make some considerable progress He was possest of the Town of Bomel a strong place and which gives the name to a large Island made by the Mause and Wahale Here Orange staid as in a place naturally very advantagious and annoy'd the neighbouring parts which were still in obedience to the King And because Balduke which is one of the chiefest Cities of all Brabant was in greatest danger the Commendador sent men suddenly to secure it and fortified the chiefest Passes thereabouts The Mutiny being afterwards accommodated he dispatched away the Marquis Vitelli with a good strength to disturb Orange in all his designs With him went John Baptista and Camillo brothers to the Marquis del Monte and Vitelli his Nephews by the sisters side Each of them commanded a Company of Lances but came to much greater preferment afterwards in the continuation of the war and won therein a great esteem of valour The greatest weight of the military affairs in Flanders lay then upon Vitelli as well in regard of his place of Campmaster-General which was the chiefest charge in the whole Army next to the supreme command of Governour as for his long experience in war which appeared yet more after the Duke of Alva's departure so cry'd up a Commander and of so great reputation of the Italian Nobility which were then in the Army of Flanders Rafell Barberino was in great esteem and was much imployed in many weighty actions He was very well skill'd in particular in matter of Fortification and therefore his advice was asked and his opinion followed upon all occasions of that nature He was as well esteemed in treating of businesses as in Military imployments and therefore having been formerly sent into England by the Duke of Alva the Commendador continued to make good use of him in divers negotiations which were then in hand to breed if it were possible a better intelligence and correspondency between that Queen and the King of Spain in the occurrences of Flanders This Rafell was Uncle by the Fathers side to Maffeo Barberino which our age hath seen pass through all the chiefest degrees of Prelatship with much applause in the Apostolick See and who by his worth becoming afterward Cardinal and lastly Pope precedes now in the universal Government of Christs flock by the name of Urban the eight A Prince who amidst his so many sublime vertues leaves it in doubt which of them merits more praise and in whom it is no less questionable which of his Principalities becomes him best or that which the Church gives him over men or that which he by his learning hath acquired over knowledge Vitelli being then gone towards the Island of Bomell he reduced many Towns thereabouts to the Kings devotion and built two Forts there the better to curb the enemies in those parts The chief Towns which he took were Leerdam Asperen and Huechelen all of them seated upon the River Linga which runs through Holland He hoped likewise to surprise the Town of Bomell but were it that his practises were discovered or not well managed he could not effect his hopes From hence Vitelli returned to Antwerp and of the people which he had with him a Regiment of Swissers were dismist which the Commendador had lately raised and the rest marched more inwards into Holland to joyn with those of the Kings men who were in that Province A new general pardon was at this time publisht by the Commendador-general in the Kings name like that which was formerly in the Duke of Alva's time came forth with such solemnity And because the other had begot more fear then trust by reason of the so many exceptive clauses which were in it therefore in this the King inlarged his clemency goodnesse and to all such as would enjoy the fruit thereof except such as were guilty of the most heynous offences and he thereunto added also the Ecclesiastical Authority touching such faults
thereupon and the thing chiefly resolved on is that all Foreiners shall be expelled the Country FLANDERS was thus consumed with the flames of war when the Emperor imployed his authority to reduce those Provinces to peace Maximilian the 2. was then Emperor To boot with the common Austrian tye he and the King of Spain could not be more nearly joyned in their own persons for the Emperors wife was Sister to the King and the King had taken to wife a Daughter of the Emperors Wherefore Cesar valued the Kings affairs in Flanders as his own And on the other side that fire so near Germany to foment the which the Heretical Faction of the Empire had been so ready kept his thoughts greatly agitated fearing left the fire being redoubled by passing likewise into the German Provinces his house might thereby be set on fire as was the King of Spains in the Low-Countries He therefore well weighing in his Councel what the condition of the affair considered was best to be done and having adjusted what was most necessary for the Catholick Kings interest and honour sent an Ambassador to procure a Treaty concerning it in Flanders This Ambassador was Count Suarzemburg one of the ancientest Counts of Germany and who was no less esteemed of in chose parts for his wisdom then for his bloud He came into Holland about the beginning of the year 1575. he staid some days in Dort whether Orange and some of the Deputies of Holland and of Zealand came to meet him The Ambassador negotiated with him in particular in the name of Cesar and gave unto him a Letter from his Imperial Majesty wherein mingling authority with intreaties he exhorted him to be a means of facilitating the Ambassadors negotiation After this private Treaty they came to the publick management in Breda a Town situated upon the uttermost bounds of Brabant towards Holland and therefore very fit for the intervening of the people on both sides Orange was master of that Town before the troubles began in Flanders but being afterwards forfeited to the King 't was kept as one of the Kings Garisons as we shewed in the beginning Here then met the Deputies on both sides in March following for the King there was Monsieur de Rassenghien the Connt Della Rocta Arnold Sasbout Charis Suys and Albertus Lexino and for the Rebels James Vanderdoes Philip Bernice Bharls Boisot Arnold Dorp and Junius de Giuâ—ge And for their security whilst they were to stay in a Town garded by the Kings Forces the Camp-master Julius Romero and Christopher Maxdragone together with Mihell Cruiglias and Mihell Allentor all four Spaniards were committed into particular custady in Dort as Hostages In the opening of the Treaty the Ambassador in a very grave and gracious manner exhorted the Deputies on both sides that they would set their whole minds and endeavours to procure a happy issue of this Treaty and he laboured the Rebels Deputies apart giving them a Letter which the Emperour had writ to the States of their Provinces They then fell to Treat We told you in the former book that in that Treaty of peace which was then indeavoured to be introduced the Rebels Proposals were chiefly reduced to two heads The first That all the Spaniards together with all other foreign souldiers should be made to leave the Country and that then the General States being assembled Religion and the peace of the Provinces should be established as they should think best The Rebels Commissioners made the same Proposals at Breda As for the first Head the Kings Deputies answered That the Vassals of the same Prince were not to account one another strangers That indeed the Germans French and English were such of which the Rebels made use and that notwithstanding as soon as Flanders should be reduced to peace the King would forthwith cause the Spaniards and all those others that they called foreigners leave the Country As for the convocation of the States General they answered That the whole body of the Provinces which by the troubles of War were now so divided was likewise first to be re-united by peace Which being done the King would willingly and suddenly call such an Assembly would hear their opinions and would agree unto whatsoever they should think fitting After this the Kings Deputies fell to propound such conditions as they thought fittest to effect the desired concord Which were these That in the first place all past effences should for ever be forgotten That the revolted Cities and Towns should be restored to their Priviledges and every other person to their former Honours and possessions That all the Towns Cities strong Holds Artillery Warlike Ammunition and Arms which were now in the Rebels possession should return into the Kings hands That the Catholick Religion should be restored in all places without the permitting of any other Sect. That notwithstanding the King would out of his clemency and goodness permit all those that had followed Heresio to go freely out of the Country and would allow them time to sell such goods as they could not carry with them All business between the Commissioners was transacted in writing The Rebels Commissioners having seen the Propositions proposed by the Kings side answered fully on their behalfs but in so bitter words and in so contrary a sense as it was easie to be seen how little hope there was of bringing the begun negotiation to a happy issue The Papers which were propounded were very prolix and therefore to avoid tediousness we will give you here only a breviat of them The Rebels Deputies in the râ—answers made first rather a long Invective then any complaint against the Spaniards exagerating that they had been the chief cause of all the evils that had befaln those Provinces Then reassuming the head concerning foreigners they repeated the same things over again more at large They said That the Spaniards and all the rest which were not native Flemish were not as strangers any ways to participate of that Government That those foreigners which they on their sides were forced to make use of were meer mercenaries But that the Spaniards contrary to the immunities and priviledges of the Provinces were by violence brought thither and there by violence established That the Government of Cities keeping of Forts chief Commands in the Army were in their hands And that it was they who according to their arbitrary will gave now the Laws That if the King when he went from Flanders was pleased to take away those who were then there he ought much more be induced to do the like now when it was seen by evident proofs how prejudicial their stay there was Touching the Convocation of the States General they stood stiff to their first principles Saying That in making such a peace as might be best for Flanders the King could not be better advised then by those who were best acquainted with her malladies and who knew best what were the firtest remedies for her cure
which had happened since the so solemn agreement made between him and the Provinces as if that he had desired to govern rather armed then unarmed and that he believed he might compass some of his own ends easilyer by troubles then by quiet So as by reason of these jealousies which were had of Don John and which had got a little rooting in Spain peace in Flanders was the more desired by the Spaniards Wherefore about the end of August all these Ambassadors met in Antwerp The Count Zuarzemburg from the Emperour President Belliure from the King of France and from the Queen of England Walsingam her first Secretary and with him another called Gobham But it was soon seen that Cesars endeavours wanted authority and the rest candidness For both England and France did sufficiently desire to have the troubles and disorders wherewith Flanders was afflicted continue Nor did this opinion prove vain The meetings were more for shew then substance and their endeavours ended almost as soon as they were begun to boot that in very deed the difficulties which were met with on all sides were very great Each party would justifie all they had done and all that they pretended to Wherefore all Treaty of Agreement being suddenly broken they continued in their former heat of preparing for war The Flemish regained Ariscot and Nevile and tryed but in vain to recover Lovain On the other side the French entring into the Province of Henault besieged Bins and after some assault took it and put it to the plunder But these were businesses of small importance in respect of what the Rebels hoped for from the union of so many Forces which they had received to side with them from all parts Orange laboured more then all the rest to bring them together and herein his adherents used likewise their best diligence Miserable Flanders every where so full of Arms and so lacerated as it was questionable whether she were more afflicted by her own or by foreign Forces and whether those or these in seeming assistance bore the most spetious title Don John this mean while kept with his men within his quarters which he had fortified without Namures to withstand the assaults of the enemy These Fortifications were about two miles and a half in compass and did so much the more shelter the City so as that passage towards Germany and Italy was very well secured and his Army very well provided of all things necessary for the maintenance thereof Wherefore Don John hoped shortly both to receive powerfull aid and to see those disband which the enemy had assembled together for their service These were his designs these were his hopes when in their very hight he fell sick his malady so increasing as he died within a few days When he was near his end he sent for the Duke of Parma and after having in a very affectionate manner recommended the Kings service to him he substituted him in his own place not any ways doubting but that by the so many Prerogatives both of bloud and valour which met in him the King would suddenly confirm him in that Government Thus dyed Don John not being yet full thirty three years old The Emperour Charles the Fifth was his Father and Madam de Plombes a Lady of noble birth in Germany his Mother The Emperour before his death gave the King his Son great charge of him who at first had in his private thoughts destin'd him to an Ecclesiastical life but afterward changing his mind bred him up in the Military profession Wherein by three memorable enterprises he eterniz'd his name In the first he bridled the Moors Audacity in the second the Ottoman Pride and in the third the Fury of the Flemish In each of these his successes did much exceed his years He overcame the Moors when but yet a Youth he abated the edge of the Turk at the very entrance into the flower of his age and he did so master-like suppress the Belgiques as greater skill could not have been shewn by any whatsoever antient and most perfect Commander He had in him very excellent gifts both of body and mind In his aspect Majesty and Grace strength of Body to undergoe labour He was affable with the Souldiery vigilant answerable to his Command wise in the greatest difficulties but having a heart much willinger to encounter then to shun them Many could have desired that he had been less amorous and not so easie to believe reports He was so greedy of Glory as many judged it to be an aspiring after Empire Which made him at last be envied and so far suspected as made his service to the King doubtful as if from being Governour he had aspired to be Prince of Flanders and that to this purpose he had held private correspondencie with the Queen of England and proceeded more secretly to express negotiations of Marriage Which was cause why his death was thought to be rather procured then natural But whatsoever the business was wherein truth might be overclouded by Calumny He dyed with the fame of singular valour and great applause Worthy assuredly to have lived longer and not less worthy to have proceeded from a Conjugal bed and to have commanded rather as absolute Prince then as a subordinate Officer Finis Partis Primae THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK I. The Contents The Prince of Parma is confirmed Governour of Flanders by the King The Prince thought first to draw the Walloon Provinces to side with the King by the way of negotiation but in the interim he applies himself with all fervor to the management of Arms. He stands at first upon his defence The Foreign Forces vanish Alanson returns for France and John Casimir for Germany The Prince here upon passeth from the defensive part to the offensive He resolves to besiege Mastrick The description of that place The Royalists endeavours in oppugning it and the resistance made by the Defendants The Royalists at last prevail and the Prince is master of the Town An agreement between him and the Walloon Provinces It is endeavoured to reconcile all the other Provinces likewise to the King but in vain Small successes of War on all sides The Flemish think of choosing a new Prince and to cast off their obedience to the King of Spain This is chiefly fomented by Orange Their Deputies meet together in Antwerp to this purpose and there is much consultation about it Some of the Hereticks are for the Queen of England other some for the Duke of Alanson The Catholicks opinion in this point The Assembly leans much more to Alanson The Deputies depart and return to their own Provinces to make each of them severally resolve fully upon the choise The war continues this mean while on both sides The King would have the Dutchess of Parma return to Flanders and why She is not well come thither when she earnestly desires to go back to Italy which
rest ready to doe the like unless he would reconduct them to Germany Alanson's French forces were likewise much lessend and the Commanders authority on either side did but little avail to retain the Souldiers in their due obedience when once they failed of their Pay Insomuch as both of them were inforced to return almost at the same time Alanson to France and Casimir to Germany leaving it questionable whether of them had with greater hopes undertaken the expedition or ended it with less good The Foreign Aids being thus vanisht the Flemish Forces were likewise suddenly dispersed into sundry parts Fernese dallied then no longer but thinking that it was now time to pass from the defensive to the offensive part resolved immediately to take the Field and to endeavour such success to the Kings Forces as might most strengthen his Cause The Enemy had no more Forces to withstand the Royalists in the Field wherefore Fernese was forced to betake himself to some of their chief Towns by the gaining whereof greater advantages might derive unto the King Consideration being had hereupon in the Councel of War they pitched upon one of two important Sieges either that of Antwerp or that of Mastrick But there was great opposition in the Councel concerning which of these they should resolve upon To perswade to the first it was said That the Acquisition of Antwerp was much to be preferr'd before that of Mastrick That Antwerp lay in the heart of the best Provinces of Flanders and for its so many Prerogatives was esteemed the nown paramount of all the Country that by it the Scheld was commanded in particular so noble a River and so seated as having its Ebbs and Floods it may seem to partake more of the Sea then of a River That from thence a man may soon be in the heart of Holland and Zealand in which two Provinces Rebellion was first radicated and they were the first which ought to be reduced to their obedience That Antwerp and the Scheld had abundantly furnisht Forces which had so often been imployed by water against those Provinces That Zealand was the chief Sea-Port of Flanders which was by all means to be opened for the receiving of such Aids as were to come by Sea from Spain And that though the siege of Antwerp was likely to cost more time more mony and more blood yet all these were to be esteemed but light losses in respect of making so important and so desireable an acquisition But it was said on the contrary That first of all they were to secure the Pass of Germany That from thence the Flemish Army had alwayes received their greatest aids And by what pass but by that which by her Bridge over the Mause the City of Mastrick doth so advantagiously open and shut How oft had that place been made a Rendezvouz not only to receive Aid from Friends but to repulse the Enemy That in the siege of Antwerp it would prove a very hard business to master the Scheld by any whatsoever Bridge by reason of her breadth and depth and by the force which the ebbing and flowing of the Sea would adde thereunto And yet that was the first thing that was to be done to cut off the relief which would be hourly brought to the besieged by that way That on the contrary in the higher parts towards Mastrick the Mause was neither very large nor very deep nor held she any commerce with the Sea so as that River might be shut up above and beneath whereby all succour by water might be cut off from the City and doubtless the Camp would hinder all relief by land That when this Siege should be ended there would be much greater hopes of happily effecting the other And that finally the present conjuncture of affairs did require that the easiest enterprise should be first undertaken and the Army so imployed within as first to secure the Aids which might be received from abroad This opinion at last prevailed and was willingly imbraced by the Prince of Parma He saw that really the Army was not sufficiently furnisht with Arms and provisions to besiege Antwerp wherefore he bent himself wholly against Mastrick resolving to doe his utmost to make himself Master thereof This mean while the year 1579. was begun When the sharpest part of winter being over the Prince began to assemble his Army and about the end of March marched to effect his premeditated design The Kings Army consisted of about 15000 Foot and 4000 Horse all of them men trained up in war and much more considerable for their quality then for their number When the Flemish Rebels had discovered the Prince his resolution they failed not to provide with all diligence for that City being as resolute to use all means for the defence thereof as the others were for the taking it Monsieur de la Nue was then in Flanders with the title of Lieutenant under Orange He was one of the chief Heads of the Hugonot Faction in France But that Kingdom being at this time in some sort of quiet he was come into the Army of the Confederate Flemish and had with great esteem the aforesaid place conferr'd upon him and moreover was made Governour of Mastrick Wherefore he very much laboured the preservation of that place which he thought would chiefly consist in procuring succour from without He therefore thought it not best to keep within the Town believing he might be more serviceable abroad But he did so order it as such Commanders were placed there as questionless would make stout and manful resistance These were Suarzemburg di Herle a Dutch-man and Sebastian Tapine a French-man both of them advised and resolute Souldiers and who were to expect their fortunes only from the hazards of war They had with them about 500 Foot part Flemish part French part English and to them were added a great number of Country-people who were to be imployed in such manual works as should at any time be requisite for defence of the Town to which the Townsmen seemed very well disposed The Kings Army was this mean while drawn near Mastrick and when the Prince of Parma had distributed the Quarters they begon to fortifie them in such order and with such advantages as are used in the best regulated and straitest sieges We have formerly in this our History described the Situation of this City but rather in general then in particular wherefore that you may the better understand what is now treated on it is requisite that we give you here more particular and more distinct knowledg thereof The City of Mastrick lies on both â—â—des of the Mause but not in an equal proportion it is larger on the left side of the River and not so large on the right side The one by reason of the largeness of its circuit retains the name of the City and the other being of lesser compass is called Vich The former looks towards Brabant the other towards the State of
Liege Yet both these sides are joyned together by so large and noble a Bridg as it is not well discerned whether it be of greater beauty or of greater advantage to the City The whole compass thereof is about four English miles But though much of it be inhabited a great part of it is void ground especially towards the Walls which are notwithstanding well provided with platforms and may have all requisite commodity to make inward retreats or to withstand outward assaults According to the situation so are the flanks some of them being built more after the modern fashion and some of them being of the more ancient form Round about the Walls runs a deep ditch The earth about it is every where manyable so as Trenches may easily be made or any thing else which the necessity of oppugning requires yet it is not peopled answerable to the circumference of the walls The people in general partake more of the warlike then of the weak Though there be many Ecclesiasticks there by reason of the great revenues which they enjoy in that City The Government thereof in point of Justice is equally divided between the King as Duke of Brabant and the Bishop of Liege as he is a Temporal Prince who extends his Jurisdiction to within Mastrick But for what concerns the custody of the City and Garrisons the power lies wholly in the King it being seen upon all occasions that the Empire of Arms admits not of a companion and that two several Forces cannot continue so long together but that at last the weakest will be inforced to submit it self to the more powerfull Now to pass to the description of the siege The Quarters being given out by the Prince of Parma the souldiers fell to fortifie them especially towards the field-side to hinder the sending of aid into the City The Prince encamped himself against the greatest incompassed precinct and on that side were the other Commanders likewise quartered who held the first places in the Army The Lord Hierges in particular was quartered there who was General of the Artillery with a mighty Train of great Canon for on that side were the Trenches to be opened the Walls to be plai'd upon and such assaults to be given as were requisite for the taking of the City Christopher Mandragone was placed against the Burrow of Vich and in a short space all the outward Fortifications towards the fields side were brought to so good a pass as the Royalists had little reason to fear that the besieged could be succoured on that side At the same time the Mause was likewise shut up both above and beneath with two Bridges of Boats in such sort as no relief could be brought to Mastrick by water neither And this served for a double use the better to unite the Army upon both the banks Here did the Royalists begin to advance their Trenches the besieged had no great store of men for their defence wherefore they could not hazard many in making out fallies yet did they not forbear to make some even from the beginning and that with such courage as they more then once retarded the Royalists from continuing their works nor were they less diligent in disturbing them with their Artillery The Trenches of the Camp opened on two sides which were thought the fittest to fall into the ditch and batter the Wall The one was towards the gate called Tongres and the other over against a Curtain which runs between two Ports called Hoctor and the Cross. When the Trenches were advanced the Lord Hierges placed two Batteries on each side by which he annoyed the enemy The Royalists were by this time come to the Ditches mouth and the souldiers working as well as the pioneers they endeavoured to get thereinto as soon as they could that they might afterwards fill it up and be the better able by their assaults to second the breaches which were to be made by the batteries From the Fort Tongres there was a good Ravelin thrust out and upon the top of the Platform a great Cavallier The Kings men received most disturbance on this side from both these Works Wherefore to be eased of this impediment it was necessary to play upon those two places with some peeces of greater Canon which was done and those peeces plaid so furiously as the Royalists might safely continue their working and finally fall into the ditch Here as the besieged's danger did increase so did their courage As fast as the Royalists strove to lodg themselves there the others laboured to keep them out The labours of the night equalled those of the day they flock'd to every place strove who should soonest incounter danger and it was hard to discern whether the foreign souldiers or those of the Town or the Country people who were come to defend the City were more willing to work Yet the Royalists did so far prevail both with their working in the ditch and with the breaches which their batteries had made in the walls as they thought they might now fall to assault This resolution being taken the Prince of Parma appointed out so many souldiers as were requisite to do it And he chuse them out of every several Nation of those that were in the Army desirous that each of them should equally partake both in the honour and danger of the imployment In all new Governments the report goes be it good or bad according to the tenor of the first successes but especially in the administration of war it is not to be said how much fortunate beginnings make for the progress of good success This was the first enterprise which since his Government the Prince of Parma undertook wherefore to make the rest which were to insue the more successfull he very much desired he might be fortunate in this He therefore incouraged his souldiers with lively exhortations to the assault nor seemed they any whit less ready on their parts to fall on The batteries had already made great breaches in the walls and especially upon one side and the Kings men were already so far advanced in the ditch as it was thought high time to come to this resolution on that side They did what could be desired against the enemies but they on the contrary made such resistance as all the assailants endeavours proving vain they were at last forced to retire with the loss of much bloud This first assault shewed that the breaches in the walls were not yet such as they ought to be and therefore the batteries were with much violence renewed on all sides The works in the ditch were still increased and to these were added mines the sooner to beat down such repairs as the enemiestill renewed They then prepared for a second assault and it was resolved to make it on both sides of the batteries at one and the same time that the besieged being devided in making their defence might be the more disabled to do it When they came to it the Royalists
Churches which were ruined either before or upon the occasion of this siege That the City should be fuly restored to her antient priviledges and to all her former liberty and prerogatives of Traffick That in the mean while she was to pay 40000 pounds sterling to help to relieve the Army for the so much pains and expence which it had been at in that siege That the Antwerpians should give way to the receiving into the City and longing of 2000 foot and 200 horse in Garison till it should be seen what resolution should be taken in Holland Zealand and the other confederate Provinces of turning to the Kings obedience which if they should do the Prince promised to free the City of all Garisons and not to remake the Citadel as it was before That prisoners on all sides should be set at liberty except Monsieur de Tiligni concerning whose person the Prince was of necessity to receive some particular Orders from Spain and that the Signor de Aldegonda should promise not to bear Arms against the King of Spain for the space of one year These were the chiefest Articles of the surrender to which many others were added touching the restitution of Goods the restoring of Traffick and Merchandizing to the City and divers other petty interests which respected the accommodation and satisfaction of the Inhabitants This agreement being made the Prince for his greater applause in having made such an atchievement received the Order of the Golden Fleece which the King had sent him a little before The Ceremony was performed in the Fort St Philip accompanied with all the greatest Military celebration of joy and Jubilee and 't was done by Count Mansfield one of the antientest of that Order in all Flanders The Prince entred afterwards solemnly into Antwerp not only as a Conqueror but in Triumph he appeared in stately Arms on horseback many horse and foot in arms went before him and many in the like sort followed him Long files of armed foot were on each side And a little before him was all the flowre of the Nobility on horseback whereof there were very many then in the Army Thus he entred by the Cesarian Gate where he was received by the Magistrate by the heads of all the Orders of the City and by an infinite number of common people He found many Arches many Statues many Colums erected in divers parts with whatsoever else of glory could be shewn upon the like occasion by the conquered to such a Conqueror He then returned all due thanks to God in the chiefest Church and being still accompanied with both Military and City-like acclamations he lighted at the Castle and staid awhile in Antwerp to put in order such things in the City as stood in most need thereof THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK IV. The Contents The Cities of Gaunt Brussels Malines and Niminghen return to the Kings obedience The Confederate Provinces are hereupon in so great straits as they offer the Queen of England the Soveraignty of their Provinces that they may the more freely enjoy her protection The Queen accepts not of the offer but takes upon her their defence much more then formerly In lieu whereof she hath some of their Towns deposited in her hands The Earl of Lester arrives in Holland sent by her as Supreme Head of the Confederate Provinces The Prince of Parma resolves to march into the field He besiegeth Graves and takes it He continuing his victories takes Venlo Nuys passes the Rhine and succours Zutfen Lester looking on Distastes between Lester and the United Provinces The Duke of Parma continues his acquisitions takes Sluce a place of mighty importance During the heat of War an endeavour is moved between the King of Spain and Queen of England to accommodate in some sort the affairs of Flanders but the endeavour is thought but artificiall on both sides The King this mean while considers whether he ought to make open War upon the Queen or no. Consultations had hereupon in Spain The King at last resolves to set upon England with most powerfull forces Preparations made hereupon in Flanders and in Spain Preparations made by the Queen The Spanish Fleet begins to move and with an unhappy beginning is detained many days by a great tempest it comes to the English Channel The English Fleet hasts to incounter it The Spanish ships begin to suffer prejudice Fire-boats like those of the siege of Antwerp The Spanish Fleet is afraid of them and grows into great confusion At the same time the sea grows rough and makes the disorder the greater Some of the Spanish ships are lost and the rest at last are forced to return for Spain A horrible tempest ariseth which occasions the loss of many of their ships as they return and their whole Fleet is parted torn and shattered by the fury of the sea THese were at this time the advantages of the Kings Forces We told you before that ere Antwerp was taken Gaunt Brussels and Malines were reduced And not to interrupt the siege of Antwerp we forbore as then to acquaint you with what befell them if at least they may be called sieges For they were taken by only stopping up their Passes and keeping the Cities from victuals on all sides We will now briefly relate the several successes together with what insued in other parts during the siege of Antwerp After that the City of Bruges was faln into Fernese's hands Gaunt began to suffer great scarcities especially of victuals The Confederate Provinces held two places of very great importance on that Maritine Coast of Flanders to wit Sluce and Ostend And because relief might be sent from thence to Gaunt Fernese after the getting of Bruges endeavoured to possess himself of all the Passes thereabouts so as there could no communication be had between Gaunt and those two places and the success was answerable to the designe Those of Gaunt not being able to receive any help from abroad fell suddenly into great necessities yet they continued still to be contumacious And persisting in their opiniatracy against the Church and King they seemed as if they would rather undergoe any thing then submit themselves again to the Kings obedience and to the Catholick Religion On the other side Fernese though already busied about Antwerp ceased not to use all diligence to reduce those of Gaunt to the utmost necessity of Famin. Wherefore scouring the Country round about with his horse and destroying all every where he kept those Inhabitants from receiving any help or security from without their own walls There were not wanting many in the City who were well minded towards the Church and King Famine increasing then every day more and more those that were better inclined took occasion to lessen the obstinacy of the most contumatious which Fernese had formerly indeavoured to moderate by many gratious offers And so finally to keep from falling into greater mischiefs the
less severe in maintaining the power of command The King was more ready in resolving and the Duke more circumspect in ripening his resolutions The King loved battels it being the custom of France so to do the Duke a wel-wisher to industrious advantages according to the manner of waging war in Flanders but in the diversity of action they were notwithstanding so conformable in reputation and in the glory of souldiery as few will be found amongst either the modern or ancient Commanders more famous at one and the same time who in such a difference have continually so much resembled one another The Duke of Mayne had very much prest the Duke of Parma at their meeting that if Fernese could not go then himself in person to relieve Paris he would at least furnish him Du Maine with some men to recruit his Forces in France whereby he might indeavour that succour the which Fernese easily granted and to that purpose gave him a Brigado of Spanish Foot under the Camp-master Antonio di Zunica and another of Italians under Camillo Capizucchi and moreover 500 Horse But Du Maine could never compass his design wherefore the Duke of Parma hastning his departure went from Brussels in the beginning of August The Army which he carried with him consisted of 14000 Foot made up of Spaniards Italians Germans and Walloons and 2800 Hose which were of two sorts the one of the Flemish usual Train-bands and the other of the abovesaid Nations The Prince of Semay commanded the former and Marquess de Renty the others for that Marquess Vasto was not then in Flanders and the Lieut. General of the Horse being likewise wanting George Basti supplyed his place who was Commissary General of the Horse and a gallant souldier With the Duke were the Princes of Ascoly and of Castelvetrano the Counts of Aremberg and Barlemonte with divers other Flemish Lords and Count Charles Mansfield General of the Artilery not being to be dispenst withal in Flanders the Duke had assigned that command over to Monsieur de la Motte one whom he greatly esteemed and who for many famous military acts had won the same opinion of all men Amongst the Camp-masters Peter Cajetan Nephew to the Legat was particularly in very great esteem and Alonso d' Ideaques as well in consideration of himself as for the reputation that John his father was in in the Court of Spain who hath been spoken of before The Duke of Parma being come with this Army to the Frontiers of Flanders towards Picardy he called all the Commanders together and gravely advertised them whether he was going He told them That the Kings Forces were now entring into a Country which did naturally hate the name of Spaniard That those of the League had now invoked the Kings Forces and desired his protection meerly out of necessity of Interest That therefore they were to be reputed of the like nature that is to say soon jealous and therefore apt to change That then out of all considerations as well Civil as Military they were to proceed so in the leading on and in the ordering of this Army as not to hazard any action nor put any in execution without great maturity He desired that if Military Government were ever well observed under him in Flanders it might be now exactly observed in France that therefore he straitly commanded every Captain to be all of them very diligent in the performance of their duties That they should not permit the souldier to do any the least imaginable prejudice unto the Country people That they should always march in as good order as if they had the enemy before them That they should be very accurate in fortifying their quarters That to afford the better commodity for all things necessary he would make short marches That he would be moving by the sun-rising and be in his lodging before it should set Munite the Camp continually well bring it into as little a compass as he could have diligent Gards kept on all sides and especially in safely conveying the victuals which were to serve for the great necessity of Paris For what remained that they should all follow him couragiously That he hoped that France would now prove a Theatre still more and more to confirm the honour due to the King of Spain 's Forces in Flanders that he would not be wanting on his behalf but that he would expose himself to all labour and shew himself no less equal to every one of them in incountring dangers then he was superior to them all in point of command Fernese prest very much the observance of these things and to move others the more by his example after he once began to march he was almost every hour every where and more by night then by day he alwaies marched with his Army in good order which he divided into three parts The Marquess of Renty had charge of the first the Duke himself took the charge of the second and Monsieur de la Motte guided the third after whom followed twenty peeces of Canon In this manner and with short marches the Duke came on the 23d of August to Maux a City not above ten leagues from Paris Here did the Duke du Mayn's Army joyn with him which was about 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse the souldiers of both the Camps were selected men and under well disciplin'd Ensignes Paris was this mean while reduced to the very utmost of necessity after that so numerous a people had suffered what possibly was to be undergon in point of Famine their necessity grew at last so great as they must either dye or throw open the gates to the King of Navar. The Duke of Parma was much troubled at this news for he would by no means be precipitate in his councels and yet found the necessity of hastening the succour He therefore incouraged the Paresians and put them in great hopes that he would in a very short time free them from that siege The Legate incouraged them to sufferance and the Spanish Officers but chiefly the Duke of Nemours who was Governor of Paris and brother by the Mothers side to the Duke du Mayne Wheresore the people overcoming their misery with new constancy did with unexpressible anxiety number the hours in expectation of being succour'd When the Duke of Parma marching from Meos with both the Armies joyned in one came towards Paris The King of Navar was then in his hight of hopes that that City would every day fall into his hands The Seene runs through it and two other rivers accompany the Seene neer Paris the one is the Marne two leagues before the Seene come to the City walls and the other the Oyse a little lower on the contrary side These rivers are the nurses which continually give milk to this vast City to boot with the wonderful abundance of its own Territories The King had possest himself of all the Avenues as well by the rivers as by the land Upon the
side Idiaques and Cajetan's Foot coming in to assist Basti's Horse a very hot skirmish had likely to have been had not the King considering his disadvantage made his men retreat in a warlike posture The Dukes men pursued them no farther least they might break their establish'd order of marching And here did end the King of Navar 's assaults all the molestations which Fernese till then had suffered by them Who being come with all his Army safe into the confines of Flanders he and the Duke Du Mayne parted He again confirm'd more then ever hopes in the Duke Du Mayne of new and potent succours in assistance of the League and assured him that he himself would very speedily be their Conductor The mean while he left with him about 4000 Foot and 500 Horse thinking that such a recrute might serve for the present to boot with a Regiment of Germans which was formerly maintained in the service of the League and defray'd by the King of Spain under the command of Count Colalto The Duke passed forward and distributing the souldiery into Garisons to rest themselves after so great labours he came about the beginning of December to his winter quarters which was usually in Brussels THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK VI. The Contents The Duke of Parma after his return from France findes the Kings affairs in Flanders but in ill condition Advancements made in many parts by the Enemy They take Zutfen and Deventer both of them places of great importance The Duke incamps before the Fort opposite to Niminghen does all he can to take it from the Enemy Count Maurice draws neer it with great Forces to relieve it This mean while Fernese receives precise orders from the King to prepare suddenly to return again to France he therefore immediately raiseth his siege Maurice maketh use of this occasion He goeth to before Hulst a Town in the Province of Flanders and quickly takes it From thence he goes to before Niminghen and hath the like good fortune there The League in France does this mean while decline daily Their danger of losing the City of Roan which is straitly besieged by the King of Navar Wherefore the Duke of Parma presently enters France The Army of the League joyns with his They march towards Normandy to relieve Roan The King of Navar marches to oppose them A noble fight between both the Camps at Umaile wherein the King is hurt and in danger to be taken The Army of the League advances draws neer Roan and puts some succour into it It then falls further off and the King reinforceth his siege But at last the Duke of Parma forceth him to quit it The Colleagues enter forthwith into the Peninsula in the County of Caux and besiege Caudebeck In discovering the Place the Duke is wounded and is much disturb'd in continuing his command The King makes use of this occasion He possesseth himself of the entrance into the Peninsula and reduceth the Colleagues to great scarcity of all things The Duke that he may not be forced to fight upon too much disadvantage resolves to secure his Army by passing over the River Which he fortunately doth He then leaves France and returns with speedy march to Flanders New successes on that side to the advantage of the enemy and to Fernese's great grief His affliction is increased by his growing every day worse and worse in his health And yet he is again commanded by the King to return with all speed possible into France To this purpose he goes to Arras and deligently prepares for his third passage into France But his sickness increasing still upon him he dies WIth the Dukes return to Flanders we will return to our former narration though we shall be soon diverted from it by the new necessity put upon the Duke of returning again into France Great had the sufferings been which he had undergone in his first journey wherein those of his mind were more then those of his body He had learned by experience how hard a business it was to joyn the Kings designes together with those of the League That the King after the vast expence he had been at in his late expedition against England did now consume himself in these disbursments which he was at for the League of France And that in the interim his own Territories of Flanders was but ill furnished with men mony and almost all things else in so much as doubtlesly much damage was to be expected thereby To boot with the men that were left with the Duke Du Mayn it was necessary to place many on the Frontiers which lay towards France to encourage the League nearer at hand and that they might be ready to march in the behalf thereof when it should be needfull at any hours warning So as the Kings Garisons in Flanders were much lessened even in the most important places And the Towns themselves left but slenderly provided with victuals or warlick ammunition to maintain a siege if the enemy should sit down before them Which they knowing their own advantage were not long adoing as we shall successively relate Amongst other things which had mightily afflicted the Duke of Parma whilst he was in France one was the mutiny which happened at that time in Emanuel de Vega's Spanish Brigado which remained in Flanders which the Duke after his return did very much rescent at both the Mansfields hands they not having been diligent enough as he thought in preventing it And the disorder grew so much the greater because it was above a year before those people could be paid and reduced to their former wonted service At the beginning of the year 1591. the enemy did not delay seconding the good conjunctures on their parts Colonel Norris an English man of whom we have often spoken was in Ostend who with that Garison which was then very numerous by reason of a new recruit of men which the Queen of England had newly sent thither overran all the parts thereabouts Yet the Fort of Blanchemberg which lies between Ostend and Sluce as hath been said was a great obstacle in his way Resolving therefore to free himself thereof he assaulted the Fort so unexpectedly and upon such advantage as he soon took it and it was soon after dismantled This happened in the Province of Flanders about the midst of February Not long after the enemy made two other surprisals in Brabant The one was of the Castle of Westerlo and the other of Turnehaut which is one of the greatest Villages in all Brabant There is likewise a Castle in this Village into which as also into the Village some souldiers did enter in country attire as having something to sell and without any difficulty made themselves Masters of them both But these were but slight acquisitions in respect of others which Count Maurice intended to make and which he sufficiently did that year as you shall
famous enterprises hath fully declared him to be This mean while the Duke of Parma was returned to Brussels and wholly intent upon his passing again into France he endeavoured to get as great a strength for that purpose as he could The news which he heard from those parts was That the affairs of the League did every day decline that the Forces thereof were very much diminished and that the King of Navar did still grow stronger and that being Master of the Field he had besieged Roan which is the chief City of all Normandy and the second of all France The Duke de Mayn had sent Count Brisack a little before this to acquaint the Duke of Parma with thus much And the danger of Roan every day increasing Fernese was again the more sollicited to come for France as soon as he could Preparing then for his departure he left as formerly the two Mansfields his Deputies And a solemn Ambassie being at this time sent by the Emperor into Flanders to endeavour some accommodation in the affairs of those Countries the Duke upon that occasion did stay some dayes at Brussels The Emperor had likewise signified the same intention to the United Provinces But they fearing that the Ambassie was sent by the King of Spains procurement would not consent to any Treaty About which though neer upon a Moneth was spent yet we have chosen to acquaint you with the result thereof briefly here to dispatch the account of a Negotiation wherein there was hardly any Overture made The Duke being gone from Brussels went towards Picardy and there in Peroun met with the young Duke of Guise who not long before having escaped out of the Castle of Tours where Henry the Third had shut him up after his Fathers death and where the King of Navar had likewise detained him was suddenly come to find out his Uncle the Duke Du Mayn From Peroun the Duke of Parma went to the Town of Guise where the Duke Du Mayn came to speak with him In the same place was likewise Hercules Sfondrato Duke of Montemarchiano who a little before was sent by his Uncle Gregory the 14. with a very considerable strength both of Foot and Horse to assist the League But Gregory dying and Innocent the 9. succeeding him his men were much diminished Innocent excusing himself that he could not continue so great an expence by reason of the scarcity of monies which the Apostolick Sea was then in Nor did the Duke of Montemarchiano know whether he were to continue in that Command or no though in all things else Innocent seemed as if he would protect the League of France to which purpose he had made the Bishop of Piachensa Cardinal declaring him also to be Apostolick Legat in the place of Cardinal Cajetan who as we have said was already returned to Italy At this meeting of the Duke of Parma and the Duke Du Mayn the first thing that was agreed upon was That Fera one of the most considerable Towns of Picardy should be delivered up to the Duke of Parma that upon all occasions he might have a Town upon that Frontier towards Flanders which might serve for better security to his Army Here all their Forces joyning each of the chief Commanders muster'd his men and the whole amounted to about 25000 Foot and 6000 Horse the greatest part whereof belonged to the King of Spain and were composed as usually of Spaniards Italians Germans and Walloons the Foot were about 16000. and the Horse 3000. The Duke of Lorain had sent the Counts of Vaudemonte and Shalligny with 700 Lances and Curasiers in assistance of the League Of all the Forces which the Duke of Montemarchiano brought with him into France there remained little more then 2000 Foot Switzers and 200 Horse The rest of the Forces were made up by the League The Duke of Parma commanded over all in chief and next to him the greatest authority lay in the Duke Du Mayn with whom were then the Dukes of Umale and Guise the first his Cousin-german the other his Nephew to boot with the aforesaid Counts of Vaudemonte and Shalligny who were of the same house but in a degree further off During the preparation mustering and marching of this Army the year ended and the next of 1592 began All their men being met at the entrance into Picardy the Army began to move about the midst of January and marched towards Amiens that it might enter on that side into Normandy and endeavour to relieve Roan as soon as might be The King of Navar as hath been said was before this City and had advanced so far forward already in his siege as the besieged were not likely to defend it much longer Yet Monsieur de Villiers sustained the siege valiantly and endeavoured by all stout resistance to afford time for the aforesaid succour And much encouraged to hear that the Leagues Army was upon its march to that purpose he continued in his defence more resolute then ever though by reason of the straits that he was in he prest the Colleagues very much to come to his relief as soon as they could Roan lyes upon the banks of Sene and this River doth there much inlarge it self Some leagues above it the King had a Town called Pont d' Arke which is the last bridge which is now upon the Sene in its current to the Sea some of the Arches of that bridge being broken and gone to decay which the English did anciently build at Roan whilst they were Lords of Normandy The Town of Cawdebeck lyes some leagues beneath Roan upon the banks of the said River which was likewise in the Kings hands insomuch as he commanding the River both above and beneath by means of these two Towns and by some men of war which scour'd up and down the River had reduced that City into great straits But hearing of the Duke of Parma and that the Army of the League was already on its march towards Normandy he called his Councel of war to consider what was best for him to do upon this occasion The King had very great Forces he had between nine and ten thousand Horse and his Foot were as many as those of the Colleagues all the Horse unless it were some Dutch were French in the Foot there were likewise some considerable number of Dutch and some English which the Queen had sent to assist the King and three thousand Flemish Foot were likewise sent from Holland in his assistance It was argued in the Councel of war whether it were better to abandon the siege and to march against the Army of the League to fight them in the field as it was formerly determined in the business of Paris or continuing the siege to wait the Enemy within the works and to defend those works so as the succour might by that resistance be hindred The Mareshal of Biroune inclined particularly to this opinion who by reason of his long experience and
worth in military affairs was highly esteemed throughout the whole Kingdom and of whom the King did alwaies make use in all his most important and most difficult enterprises In maintenance of his opinion he spoke thus 'T is now most glorious Prince somewhat above a year since your Majesty was with your Army about Paris every one knows that the end of that siege was onely to inforce that City to surrender by Famine since so great a circuit of walls and so thick a forrest of houses and inhabitants were not otherwise to be forced There were no quarters therefore fortified about it no trenches were opened no batteries raised no assaults made When afterwards the Army of the League drew neer it was thought fitting that your Army should encounter it and endeavour by all means to engage it in battel since there was no other way to hinder the relief then by a field fight I together with the rest of the Commanders was of that opinion which was likewise approved of by your self who do no less excel others in counsel then in command Let us now consider this present siege In this the end of begirting Roan consists much more in using opugnancy then means of Famine It makes much for us doubtlesly that we are masters of the River on the upper side by means of Pont d' Arke and on the nether side by the Town of Cawdebeck so to keep Roan from victuals but the hopes of winning lyes chiefly in our arms and swords And how far are we already advanced with our trenches with our batteries with our works in the ditch and with assaults I am therefore of opinion that upon this occasion we ought to shun giving battel and that we ought with all industry to fortifie our quarters and use all vigilancy in defending them so as the Leagues Army may not be able to force them succour being hindred from without it is not to be doubted but for what within our flege will advance fortunately against the walls We have already made such progress as the City is in great terror the Inhabitants whereof being accustomed to Traffick and not acquainted with the Military profession will not run the hazard of exposing themselves to ruine plunder and other dreadfull calamities which often accompany the taking of places by storm and violence Doubtlesly Monsieur de Villiers doth sufficiently discharge his part in making defence But when he shall want victuals when his souldiery shall lessen and when he shall despair of succour how can be then hold longer out As for us the river furnisheth us with plenty of victuals we doe so abound in gallant horse as we shall keep a good part of the neighbouring parts at our devotion We expect new succours by sea from Holland we receive fresh aid daily by land from the Provinces hereabouts Wherefore since the advantages doe every day increase on our side by way of siege why should we not with all fervor and constancy prosecute it These neighbouring wars of France and Flanders have begot a common saying that sieges are there learn'd here battels Let it be once seen that Erance can do both the one and the other And that though it use to prevail by the force of field-fights yet it can use patience in bringing oppugnations when it shall be requisite to their right end It cannot be denyed but that the Duke of Parma won much praise the last year by taking Lagne whilst our Army looked on But how much greater will your Majesties glory be if you shall take Roan in the face of his Army Roan which is the second City of the Kingdom and which will quickly give you entrance into the first For it is not to be doubted but that the Duke of Parma being recalled by his own necessities into Flanders Paris will soon be reduced to your Majesties obedience and that by the example thereof all the rest of the Kingdom will strive to do the like But the Vicecount of Turein not long before made Duke of Bullion by the right of his wife who was one of the chief Commanders in war amongst the Hugonots of that Country and who through his valour and by his knowing how to make use thereof by a particular vivacity of wit became afterwards likewise one of the most esteem'd Marishals of France was of another opinion and spake thus I must confess unconquerable Prince I know not wherein the so great difference lies between the siege that was before Paris and this which is now before Roan as that the resolutions which were then taken should be now shun'd It was thought then that your Majesties Army was not sufficient at one and the same time both to maintain the siege before Paris and to fight the Army of the League but that either the one or the other of these resolutions must be pitched upon At last the latter prevailed over the former and therefere we marched with all our Forces against the enemy to give them battel in the field and by that means to keep Patis from being relieved 'T is true there were no quarters taken nor fortified in that siege nor was there any sort of oppugning made But notwithstanding I shall never be of opinion that to hinder the present relief we should rather shut our selves up within our own quarters then march with our Army into the field as we did then Roan is of such a bigness and doth consequently require that our Fortifications about it be of such a compass as we cannot bring them to such perfection as to be able to keep within them and to defend them Wherefore shall we expect to be doubly assaulted within them at one and the same time Onceby the Leagues Army without and again within by the Garison of the City What will our danger be when we shall be thus invironed by so great Forces on all sides The Duke of Alva some years agoe at the siege of Mons waited for the Prince of Orange within his Trenches the Prince came drew near was beaten back and the Town was afterwards surrendred But what Orange did then assault high and well munited Rampires defended by ancient and experienced souldiers against Tumultuaries And Count Lodovick brother to Orange had a very weak Garison within the Town and a people as contrary to him as well might be Let us pass from this President of Flanders to another of Italy which may be much better applyed to our present case The memory thereof is sad and will ever be so to France I speak of the unfortunate fiege of Pavia King Francis as it is well known suffered himself upon that occasion to be reduced to between the Spanish Army without and the German Garison within who were all of them men trained up in Arms and being set upon on both sides at once those mis fortunes and calamities befell him which are sufficiently known to all men The Army of the League comes now and is furnished with particular choice
quarters had been much indamaged that many Peeces of their Artillery had been clog'd and many of them brought into the City that their munition was in part spoil'd and their victuals prejudiced that the Marshal Biroun himself was hurt in the fight divers other Captains and Officers of quality slain together with above 600 common souldiers That since they had no other urgent occasion Monsieur de Villers desired only a small recruit of men and advised that the Army of the League might bend somewhither else where it might be more necessary or more advantagious to imploy their Forces In this Sally was Villiers himself in person and had shewed singular valour for which he wan great praise throughout the whole Cawp But as for his present advice Fernese seemed not to approve thereof He rather thought That by all means the occasion ought to be seconded that it did manifestly invite to finish what had been so well begun and how could it be believed but that to the Assault within this other of so great Forces without being added the Enemy must needs raise the siege That it was to this purpose that the Army of the League was joyned had marched and were come so near and not onely to bring a small relief to Roan If this so advantagious an opertunity should be now lost when should they ever expect the like And what doubt was there but that when their Army should be drawn off the Enemy would return to besiege the City more stricktly But the Duke Du Mayne urging many reasons to the contrary said That for the present the succour which was required would suffice and that the Army ought not to be adventured to another more dangerous conflict That it might be imagined the Enemy had been more afraid then hurt within their Trenches That it was to be imagined the King of Navar would immediately come out of his quarters upon the news of such a sally upon the noise of such a succour That he was very strong in Horse wherefore his forces being soon joyned it would be a very dangerous business to assault them That it would be better therefore to secure the City for the present with the desired succour That in the mean while the King would grow weary so would his Nobility also and many of them would abandon him when they should see the siege should be again prolonged and all hopes of coming to a battel lost That the sharpness of the winter was yet very great great the sufferings in the Enemies Camp And that therefore the Army of the League going now upon some more important design and where they might be more commodiously lodged they might afterwara with greater advantage imploy themselves to a total freeing of Roan The Duke of Parma would have his opinion to yield to that of the Duke Du Mayne's though he thought it a manifest error to lose the present advantage in expectation of an uncertain futurity Wherefore sending 800 Foot to Villars part French part Walloons the Duke made the Army suddenly turn back and brought it almost in its former quarters from Normandy into Picardy The King of Navar was this mean while on his march to relieve his Foot and seeing the League 's Army draw off he thought that the Duke of Parma continued still his former opinion of evading battel wherefore assuming the more courage for that he thought his Enemies cooled therein he forthwith returned to remake the Trenches which had been prejudiced in the sally He endeavoured to fortifie them better every where and with all necessary provisions applyed himself intentively to continue and to straiten the siege on the other side The Army of the League when it was entred into Picardy and was got beyond the Some towards the confines of Artois it was brought to besiege the Town of Rue a place seated low and which together with the advantage of its situation was made very strong by works This place was at the King of Navar 's devotion though almost all the rest of the Province adhered unto the League At the first begirting of it they began their usual work of Trenches but slowly and reservedly that they might save their men as much as it was possible and not to imploy them so much here but that they might be alwaies ready to return again to Roan when the occasion might peradventure require it which was not very long before it did For the King of France growing still hotter upon that siege the City grew into so great necessities as it was reduced to the same danger as before The Dukes of Parma and of Mayne were hereof advertised by Villiers to Fernese's great astonishment who could hardly perswade himself that Villiers would have desired so weak an aid in the former succour unless he had known he had not needed a greater This mean while daily news is brought of the besieged's necessities And though what the Duke Du Mayne had guest at touching the diminishing of the Kings Army had partly proved true yet were his forces sufficient doubtlesly to have taken Roan if it had not been quickly relieved again 'T was thought the King had not then above 5000 Horse and 16000 Foot wherein was comprehended 3000 which were lately come from Holland with some men of war that they might the better command the River But on the other side the League 's Army was likewise much lessened The Popes Zwitsers were not above 1000 and the change of Pope had made the Duke of Montemarchiano leave France and almost all the rest of that aid vanish Lorain's Forces were likewise brought very low and being so near Artois many Walloons and Flemish were run away from the Army and returned to their own homes Yet was the League 's Army as numerous as the King of Navar 's and their Foot were much the better Upon these terms were the Forces on both sides when Monsieur de Villiers renued his desires of being speedily succoured with much more earnestness then before and protested openly afterwards that if he were not relieved before the twentieth of April he should be forced to deliver up the Town Wherefore the Duke of Parma rising speedily from before Rue and passing the neerest way over the Some re-entred Normandy to come speedily where the greatest necessity of succour required He saw he must of necessity assault the Enemy within his Trenches and consequently come to a down right battel Great certainly was the advantages which the Enemy had in his rampiers but Fernese thought his advantage the greater by the double assault which should be given to the Enemy at one and the same time by his Army without and by the Garison within The Duke of Parma drew near with this designe to Roan He marched after his former fashion thinking that the King of Navar might peradventure meet him and rather chuse to give battel in the open field to the Leagues Army alone then adventure to receive and to sustain the two
Fuentes arrived in Flanders who prepared to go from Brussels to find out the Duke at Arras but he could not come time enough for the Duke not able to hold out any longer and knowing himself first to be dead before he would as it were confess himself to be mortal breathed forth his very last spirits about the beginning of December Thus ended Alexander Fernese Duke of Parma in the 7 year of his age The Pontifical greatness of Paul the third placed the Title of Prince in his house This Alexander being from his birth highly minded began to give all signes thereof even in his childhood Whilst yet a youth he went to the Court of Spain to give the greater pawn of his dependancy unto the King and consequently to obtain the livelyer effects of protection from him But passing quickly from the Courtier to the Souldier he laid the first foundation thereof under Don John of Austria upon the memorable occasion of the League against the Turk Even then he gave such proofs of his warlike spirit that amongst the richest choice of Commanders that Christendom had in that enterprise he was chosen to take in Navarino one of the most considerable places of all the Eastern Seas Don John being afterwards made Governour of the Low-Countries he at the first news of the revolts which arose there hasted as hath been said to find out Don John And so behaved himself in every Military action as it was questioned whether he had better performed the quality of a common souldier or the greater prerogatives of a Commander Succeeding afterwards himself in the same Government it seemed Don John did still survive in him so near were they ally'd no less in affection then in bloud and so conformable were they both in their years in their conditions and in their valour Whilst Fernese fought amongst the Flemish his Forces were almost always waited upon by great good success but being forced to pass divers times into France he was necessitated to see the Kings affairs in Flanders mightily decline For what concerns the reputation of his Military profession none hath more in France then he for the two so memorable Succours of Paris and Roan And finally his glorious Retreat from Caudebeck won more renown unto him without fighting then if he had joyned battel in each of those actions and had overcome He was indeed a gallant Commander and doubtlesly of so clear a fame as his renown may rank him amongst the most cry'd up Chieftains of Antiquity and render his memory so reverenced in the present age as to make him be admired by posterity THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK I. The Contents Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield succeeds the Duke of Parma in the Government of Flanders He sends his son Count Charls into Picardy where joyning with the Duke du Main they besiege and take the Town of Noyon But the Spaniards in that Army mutiny awhile after in the Town of St Paul in Artois Count Maurice makes use of this he strongly besieges St Getringberg and takes it Mansfield having in vain endeavoured to relieve it Disorders increase in the Kings Army by another mutiny of Italians and Walloons at Pont in Hennault Archduke Ernestus comes to Flanders and is by the King declared Governour thereof A new expedition of Count Charls in Picardy with the taking of La Chapelle The Archduke indeavours a Treaty of peace with the enemy But they reject all Treaties Not long after they besiege Groninghen which after some opposition is taken by Count Maurice The King of Navar declares himself a Catholick And the League languisheth The King enters with great forces into Picardy He besieges Laon. Du Main and Mansfield march to relieve it But cannot doe it Their noble retreat in the face of the King This mean while another Mutiny happens amongst the Italians in Flanders who take the Town of Sichen The Archduke endeavours to break the Mutiny by force and not being able to doe it comes to composition The Confederate Provinces endeavour to find a nearer way by Sea to the East-Indies by the North. The design succeeds not It is briefly touched how they entred by the usual way into the East-Indies and afterwards into the West Archduke Ernestus dies and leaves the Government of those Provinces to Count Fuentes BY Commissions from the King of Spain which were brought by Count Fuentes into Flanders it was ordered That if the Duke of Parma should chance to dye the Government should remain in Count Peter Ernestus in the same manner as it had been in the Dukes two precedent expeditions into France That his son Count Charls should still keep the chief management of the Forces that he should continue to give all possible assistance to the League in France and that the greatest endeavours being made on that side it should suffice to stand only upon the defence on the Kings part in the affairs of Flanders These Orders being come from the King the first thing Count Peter Ernestus did was to dispatch away his Son with new Forces into France to boot with those that were there already in behalf of the League The Duke Du Mayn prest very much for these succours and that he might the sooner receive it he himself was already gone into Picardy Count Fuentes was in the first Place with Mansfield and bore such a sway with him as the power of Government seemed to be more in Fuentes then in Mansfield Fuentes then remained chief Superintendent in Flanders and Count Charls past into France with 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse part old souldiers part new men but then raised You heard before how that the Duke of Parma that he might have a safe retreat upon the Frontiers of Picardy had in his second expedition the Town of Fera delivered into his hands Here Count Charls made his rendezvouz and here did the Duke Du Mayn joyn with him Between the Flanders Forces and those of France which depended upon the League was framed an Army of 15000 Foot and 3000 Horse and in the beginning of March in the year 1593. the Camp moved against Noyon which is not far from La Fera. It is a Town very much peopled it hath a Bishops See in it and certain other circumstances which makes it be esteemed one of the most considerable places of all Picardy Noyon adhered to the King of Navar and was of much advantage to him in that part of the Province which lies nearest Paris For all things else it was not so strong neither by nature nor by industry nor by the condition of the people or garrison but that it might be soon won A little Rivolet runs through it which not far from the City falls into the Oyse When the Army of the League had begirt Noyon they began to fortifie their quarters towards the field lest the King of Navar might endeavour to succour the Town then
side they resolved to assail them though they had small hopes or none of doing any good For making the Trenches he surveyed on several sides they found them to be so strong as the enemy had no reason to fear any thing And to this was added the inundation almost on all sides with which it was first to be contended before they could come to try the Trenches Mansfield passed notwithstanding from Steeloune with all his Army divided into squadrons and halted in sight of the Quarter where Maurice himself was lodged where a certain point of a chief Dike stood out which was fortified by a great Trench which Mansfield would endeavour to take from the enemy as he by assault did but not without much adoe by reason of the opposition of the water and of those that did defend it but he soon lost it again and therewithall all hopes of effecting the succour on that side Upon these occasions some skirmishes happened between the two Camps and Mansfield staying but a little while there went to the Village of Waestech towards which Count Hollack was quartered The Kings Army was not well got thither when it was unexpectedly set upon in the reer by 800 of the enemies horse who were come to this purpose a little before out of Breda and who put their quarters into some confusion but suddenly re-ordering themselves and opposing the enemy they beat them back and with some slaughter put to flight They then with all diligence endeavoured the succour on this side to facilitate the which Mansfield sent for some further provisions and particularly for some Artillery from Antwerp But the difficulties appeared alike here also All this while Count Maurice slack'd not his proceedings against the Town on the inside One battery play'd continually after another and oft-times they thundred all together And the enemy falling out of their Trenches were already lodged in the Ditch which being very large and deep Maurice had formerly caused the water to be drained from thence and drawn into lower situations Wherefore the besieged found themselves not only weakened in their defences but in danger to lose them Nor was it long ere they lost a Ravelin against which Maurice had made a great battery and accompanied it with a fierce assault yet did the defendants make valiant resistance and Gesan their Commander in chief dyed in so doing But the Town not being able to hold out longer of it self and no succour appearing from abroad they treated of surrendring which upon good conditions was done about the latter end of June Count Maurice being entred into Getrinberg and made all fitting provisions for the City he distributed his men into the adjacent parts that he might observe the Royalists designs and oppose them the best he might This mean while the abovesaid Recruit which Mansfield expected was come from Antwerp Wherefore desirous to try whether he could make any acquisition which might at least in some part make amends for so great a loss he resolved to turn upon the Fort of Crevecoeur This Fort is situated upon the mouth of a River called Demel which taking its rise in Brabant and having past through the City of Balduke or the Busse falls about a league from thence into the Mause The Country thereabouts was infested from this Fort and particularly Balduke was thereby indammaged great was the advantage moreover which the Enemy received from it by the further command of the River Mansfield advancing with his Army made some of his men draw nearer the Fort intending to possess himself of some convenient seat These men had much adoe to pass forward for they found the fields overflown and the Fort so well defended on all sides as Mansfield despairing of ever getting it drew quickly off from it again He then disposed of his Army as he thought best And because the Enemy did already openly threaten Friesland and in particular the City of Groninghen he therefore sent new men to Verdugo to sustein the Kings affairs in those parts as well as for the present they might be Verdugo commanded the Kings Forces thereabouts who was not wanting in using all his accustomed diligence as well in doing what might be for the service of his party as also in impeding the Enemy from advantaging themselves The two Counts Hermano and Frederick de Berg did every day signalize themselves more and more with him in the Kings service And Verdugo making use of them chiefly was in continual action on one side or other But to say truth he was so inferior in Forces as the Adverse party prevailed for the most part in all that was undertaken But the successes on neither side were of such consequence as that by making a distinct relation of them here that of the greater and more important events ought to be retarded One of the greatest and most prejudicial which hapned on the Kings behalf at this time was the Mutiny of the Italians Walloons who were with Count Charls for the service of the League in France A good number of the Spaniards which were with the Count in those parts had mutinied as you have heard before And because there was some discourse had of giving some Payes to the rest of the Spaniards who kept under the obedience of their Commanders the like respect not appearing to be had to the other Souldiers who had kept in the like obedience therefore the Italians and Walloons resolved to mutiny as they easily did afterwards They made up a body between them of 1500 Foot and 700 Horse and possessing themselves unexpectedly of the Village of Pont in Henault upon the borders of France they diligently fortified themselves there and providing for their necessities by excursions they resolved not to return to their former obedience till they were fully satisfied for their pay Count Charls his Forces were so lessened by these Mutinies as they could be of no longer service neither for the affairs of France nor yet of Flanders Thus ended this year and the next of 1594 began In this interim Archduke Ernestus brother to the Emperor Radolphus was come from Germany to be Governour of Flanders The King had very much desired that a Prince so near allied to him both in blood and affection would take upon him the care of those Countries and the Emperor joyning with the King in the same desire the Archduke was easily perswaded to please them both Parting then from Vienna about the beginning of the year he came to Flanders and was received in Brussels with all demonstrations of joy and honour by the obedient Provinces At his arrival he found the affairs of the League in France very much declining For the King of Navar having at last declared himself to be a Catholick and having setled his Cause well in this point wherein he stood in most need it was not hard for him afterwards to advantage it in all others Wherefore being received without any expence of blood into Paris
be freed of the Taxes which are imposed upon us we shall fight no longer for the interests of others but for what concerns our selves And in fine all the good and all the bad will be our own which in defence of the common liberty we shall hereafter find This discourse wrought so upon the minds even of those that were most affectionate to the King as they knew not how to gainsay it The no appearance of succour was particularly of great force Nor is it to be believed how much indignation it wrought not only in Groninghen and the parts thereabouts but in all other places which were under the Kings obedience to see that his own affairs in Flanders were by him almost wholly abandoned to sustain those of France which did daily decline The chief of the Magistracy and of the Communalty went therefore to Count Maurice to agree with him touching the surrender of the City And being very graciously received the Agreement was made and these were the most essential Conditions thereof That the City of Groninghen together with the neighbouring Country which makes up that Province should for the future be under the obedience of the States-Generall representing the Body of the Confederate Provinces That it should oblige it self to the Union of this Body by being a particular member thereof for the time to come and that it should submit it self to those Lawes wherein the other Provinces were joyned for the defence of their common Cause That the City of Groninghen and all the aforesaid Country should enjoy their antient priviledges and all their former immunities That that City and Province should by the authority of the States Generall receive Count William of Nassaw for their Governour and that for the present five or six Foot-Companies should be permitted to come into the City to prevent all occasion of Tumults which might happen there That there should be Liberty of Conscience for matter of Religion in that City and Country but that that which was called the Reformed Religion should be exercised there publikely and no other That the City and Province should concur in contributing such taxes as did correspond with their abilities for the maintenance of the Souldiery and for other necessary expences concerning the common Cause That it should be free for any man to transport himself and goods into whatsoever place he would provided it were not in the Enemies country That the Government of the City should depend as formerly upon the Magistracie and that the Magistrate should be changed according to custom taking an oath to be true and faithfull to the States Generall as the other Cities under the Union had done These were the chief Articles of Agreement which were made with those of Gronin hen And as for the Foreign souldiers which were entred into the City they were permitted by Count Maurice to march forth honourably with their Arms and Baggage but upon promise not to serve the King of Spain for three moneths space on that side the Rhine The City was surrendred about the end of July and Count Maurice made his entrance into Groninghen afterwards with all military pomp and solemnity And leaving Count William there for the better ordering of all things in that City and Province he within a few dayes removed his Army from those parts and went himself unto the Hague Where it cannot be expressed with what applause and honour he was received by the States General for having so much increased the advantages of the Union on that side the Rhine by an acquisition of such consequence Whilst affairs went thus in Flanders the Forces which were on the aforesaid Frontiers of France were not idle The Duke du Main was Governour of Burgony the Duke of Guise Governour of Champania and the Duke d' Umale Governour of Picardy all of them being of the house of Lorain and upon whose personages the League did principally depend some discord was already faln out in their former Union and finally the Duke of Guise would be kept no longer from moving some Treaty of agreement with the King since he had imbraced the Catholick Religion and after his so many atchievements which had made him now be almost generally acknowledged for King of France Neither was the Duke du Main much averse from coming to a Composition with him But he endeavoured to negotiate with his sword in hand that he might thereby get the better conditions Only the Duke d'Umale were it either that he was more firm in his former adhering to the League or that he was a back friend to the King for some private respect of his own was resolved to come to no accommodation with him but rather in case the League should wholly cease to go into Flanders and put himself wholly into the King of Spains hands To this end he favoured the Flemish Forces more then ever in his Government of Picardy But such partiality was of no great availment For the Kings reconciliation with the Apostolick See being then mainly negotiated in Rome the League declined daily in so much as even almost whole Picardy was already come over to the King To get the full possession whereof the King was a little before entred into that Province with a potent Army and had laid siege to Laon. The City of Laon being very strong both by situation and Manual Fortification the Duke du Main did much indeavour the not losing of it To boot that the Count of Sommariva du Main's eldest son being within the Town and one that defended it who though he were but very young then was notwithstanding of great expectation the Father did the more desire to see his son free together with the Town To this purpose du Main was gon himself to use what diligence might be with the Archduke And returning with new and very strict Orders to Mansfield that he should use all the means he might for the preservation of the Town they joyned both their Forces together which were notwithstanding so weak as they exceeded not 8000 foot and 700 horse The Rendezvouz being made at la Fera which is within four leagues of Laon they marched from thence about the end of June with a resolution of relieving the besieged There was a choice Garison in Laon of 1200 foot and 30 horse nor were the Inhabitants less willing to make defence then were the Garison The King had about 12000 choice foot and 4000 horse which were the very flowre of his Army And having already taken and fortified his quarters he was very diligent in advancing his Trenches and other usual Works The besieged shewed all manlike resolution to resist which they witnessed by frequent sallies to the which they were the more encouraged by the expectation of relief so near at hand In the Colleagues Camp which still held the exterior Title of the League though it were almost wholly composed of Flemish Forces the Duke du Main commanded in chief the Archduke having
together with a great number of common souldiers In fine the success of this Assault was such as a more fierce bloody and longer doubtfull fight had not till that time been heard of neither in the Wars of France nor Flanders Fuentes having taken Chatelet and Dorlan and gotten the aforesaid victory in the field he had the greater desire to incamp before Cambray and he hoped the more to win it at last He first rested his Army for some days and in the mean while sollicited those aids which diversly and plentifully was preparing for him in Henault Artois and in the other neighbouring Countries and by the Bishop of Cambray The aids consisted in monies souldiers victuals ammunition Artillery together with a great number of Pyoners to serve for the mannual work of the fiege But in the Interim he being willing to gain as much time as he could parted from Dorlan and with those men which he had incamped about the midst of August before Cambray His Camp consisted not then of above 7000 foot and 1500 horse VVherefore the Duke of Nevers who was then in Peroune resolved to try whether he could bring any relief into the Town or no before his Army should be increased He to this purpose sent his eldest son the Duke of Retel who was not then above 15 years old accompanied with 500 horse By sending such a pawn Nevers desired to assure the besieged the more that he himself would soon come to succour them with other forces The young Duke met with a brisk opposition wherein Carlo Colonna with his Cavalry did particularly signalize himself But the French prevailed and having lost some of their men entred most of them into the City Fuentes his Army did this mean while daily increase in a short time his Camp conâ—sted of 12000 foot and 3â—00 horse he had moreover above 80 pieces of Artillery great aboundance of Ammunition and victuals and 40â—0 Pyoners At his first incamping Fuentes had rather designed where he would take up his quarters about the Town then taken them up deviding them the most advantagiously that the several situations would suffer him to do But now abounding in all things that was necessary to fortifie them he applyed himself suddenly to bring them to intire perfection Cambray is seated as hath several times been said upon that edg of Frontier made by the two Provinces of Henault and Artois on Flanders side towards France opposite to Picardy It hath under its command abroad only the little Castle of Cambresis with a very narrow precinct of ground but the Prerogatives of the City make good the smallness of the Territories It enjoys a free Government under the spiritual and temporal dominion of its Archbishop It is indowed with very large Priviledges full of noble Churches whereof the Cathedral is such as hath not its like in any of the chief neighbouring Cities It is sufficiently provided also of other Edifices either for use or ornament yet are not the Inhabitants answerable in numbers to the houses Many of which being Ecclesiasticks foreign Commerce and Merchandizing doe rather languish then abound there Neither doth the Scheld though it run through the City afford Commodity for it for that River takes its head but from a little above that City and hath therefore there so slender a Channel as it is hardly Navigable in those parts The City is about a league in compass and is invironed with an antient wall flank'd for the most part after the ancient manner but with many Bulwarks also after the modern way of Fortification It hath a ditch which is very broad and deep on the one side whereinto for a great part the Scheld runs but the rest thereof by reason of the hight of its situation is dry but so much the deeper On the highest side which is on the East stands a Citadel with four royal Bulwarks having a great half Moon between two of them which are next the fields and divers other defences for the better custody of the ditch The ground descending from hence towards the South side and still more and more as it inclines towards the VVest stands the Port Neufe and then that of St Sepulcher afterwards another called Cantimpre and more towards the South that of Selle And lastly more higher towards the Citadel there is another Gate called Malle Between these Gates is the compass of the City divided It had for the defence thereof about 2500 foot and 600 horse besides 500 foot which were reserved for the Citadel Amongst the foot some Companies of Swissers were comprehended and some others of the confining VValloons which served Baligni The rest were French all of them well trained up in wars The City and Citadel did abound in Victuals Ammunition Artillery and with whatsoever was requisite for the maintaining of a long and hard siege Now to turn to the adverse party Fuentes had taken up his quarters chiefly over against the Gates that he might block up the most frequented avenues and that he might the better keep out succour On that side which lay nearest France from whence relief was most to be feared and which was on the South side he raised a great Fort near the Village Nierny and gave the custody thereof to the Prince of Simay He raised another Fort towards the west called Premy taking its name from a near neighbouring Village and gave the charge thereof to Count Bilio Colonel of a German Regiment Then turning towards the North he added another Fort which was called St. Olao the name of a Church not far from it and he committed the defence thereof to the Baron Ausi On the fourth side towards the East did Fuentes his self quarter by reason of the near accommodation of the Village Evendunre and here he raised the greatest Fort for on that side which was the most eminent and where the ditch was dry he intended to open his Trenches and to make his batteries These were the chief quarters and the defence was to be secured by the abovesaid Forts From one Fort to another did certain little Forts or rather Redouts run with double Trenches because the inward might serve to refrain sallies and the outward to keep out succour To each Fort and Redout he assigned such men as were requisite together with all things necessary for the well maintaining of them And the horse were likewise distributed in places most-needfull to scoure the Country and to be ready to disturb relief The siege being thus setled they began to work their Trenches against the wall But as that highest or most eminent place which hath been spoken of was most commodious for the opening of them so was the wall on that side the City hardest to be forced A half Bulwark was thrust out from the Citadel with a great Orillioune which with the well covered fences within did serve for a curtain to a long line of wall which ran between that Bulwark and the Port di Malle Between
be brought by small boats into la Fera. This design required great secresie wherefore Basti having very secretly acquainted Osorio Governor of the Town therewithall and suddenly assembled the 800 Horse together upon some other pretence came with such speed so near the Town as he might easily effect the Succor The Agreement made between him and Osorio was that Basti should come at a certain prefixt time to a part where the Marish was most watry and that Osorio should send all the Boats he could get to receive the Corn to bring it to the Town And just so it fell out to Basti's unspeakable praise and honor he having been continually on Hors-back for little lesse than Forty hours and having known so well to choose his time to deceive his own men first and then the Enemy much better and how to return without the loss of so much as one man nay more having defeated some of the Enemies horse which would have opposed him as he returned This small succour gave some hopes that a greater might ensue but the former oppositions still arising and it being known that the King did still more and more fortifie his quarters and that his Forces grew still greater the Cardinal began to incline to the making of some important diversion and hereupon they gave their opinions in the Councel of war Some were for besieging Peronne others St. Quintain and others other Towns thereabouts The Camp-master General Ronye was very well acquainted with every corner and every pass of the Province by reason of his being so long thereabouts in the time of the League he was more averse to the succour then any other and advised more to the diversion and willing to speak his minde clearly therein to the Cardinal but with such secresie as so jealous an affair required He took an occasion to speak thus unto him in his Chamber when but some few were with him It is now agitated most excellent Prince whether it be better to succour la Fera by all our Forces or to endeavour such a diversion as the King of France may be thereby more damnified then he shall be advantaged though he doth not raise his siege enough hath been already said touching the difficulties of the siege which truly are so great as there is no hopes of overcoming them Let la Fera then be lost provided that in lieu thereof we get another Town which may recompence the loss thereof with advantage I must confess the keeping of la Fera and other Towns in Picardy was of some concernment during the League and Civil wars of France but now that there is no sign of League left nor of civil commotions and that la Fera is surrounded with so many Towns towards the Frontiers of Flanders what considerable advantage will it be to the King if be do chance to get it Nay how great will his trouble and expence be to keep it Let the King continue then at that siege and let us betake our selves to a diversion but as I have already said let it then be such a one as the acquisition which shall thereby be made may much exceed the loss which may be apprehended by the other I shall not propound Peronne St. Quintain nor any of those other Towns wherewith la Fera is surrounded unto your Highness every one of which may be thought equal or rather inferior to this I shall advise you to another of so much greater concernment as it may of it self alone weigh against all those put together I mean Callis Callis a Sea Port the Key to the English Channel from whence passage may be had in a few hours into that Island and in a few more into Holland and Zealand Callis where succour may so commodiously be received by Sea from Spain and which certainly will be the sharpest Thorne at the present in the sides of France which fears nothing less there abouts then to see Callis besieged The Commander there is a very weak man the Garrison at the present is as weak and you shall find all other provisions for defence of equal weakness This is the diversion which I propound in enterprises of this nature in the first place great secresie is requisite in the resolving thereupon and then speed in putting it in execution Your Highaess must therefore possess your self of all the Avenues about Callis before the Enemy get any inkling of it otherwise succours will be soon sent thither both by Sea and Land and so the undertaking will be defeated before it be begun when on the contrary if the Avenues be speedily secured either my military experience deceives me or our Arms and your Ensignes shall in a few dayes be seen to enter there The Cardinal seemed to be mightily pleased with the propounded diversion which was fully approved of by the rest that vvere vvith him vvho vvere the chief commanders of the Flanders Forces They then fell to treat of putting it into execution and the Cardinal chose Ronye to be the guider thereof vvho was the first adviser but for the better concealing it they gave out that they vvere resolved to relive la Fera or attempt some diversion thereabouts To this purpose Valentiennes vvas chosen for their Randezvous one of the neerest Cities upon that Frontier and after having made great store of victuals be brought thither the Army began to march vvhich vvas one of the most flourishing ones that had of a long time been seen in Flanders It consisted of 5000 Spaniards 1500 Italians 1000 Burgonians 1000 Irish 2500 Germans and 6000 Walloons all these vvere very choice Foot and to these vvere added 3500 Horse the Train-bands of Flanders being numbred thereinto vvhich did serve upon that occasion The Cardinal vvas in Valentiennes about the beginning of April and had with him the greatest part of his Army and ordered divers marches the more to confound the King of France and to keep his true design unknovvn to him From hence he sent Ronye vvith great celerity and secresie tovvards Callis vvith the Camp-masters Lewis di Vilasco Alonsa di Mendosa la Barlotta and the Count Buckquoy The tvvo first Spaniards vvith their Brigadoes and the other tvvo Walloons vvith their Brigadoes also and these Foot vvere accompanied by 400 Horse Callis lies upon the very brink of the Channel vvhich divides France from England and in that very point of Land vvhere the two Kingdoms are nearest one another This vvas the last place from vvhence the English vvere driven after they had so long possest Normandy together vvith so many other provinces of France and as the repurchase thereof made by the French vvas thought a great concernment so did they ever after studiously endeavour to keep it But the Kingdom falling into civil discord Callis vvas no happier then vvere the other Tovvns vvhich being all of them almost in private mens hands for their ovvn ends could not be so vvell kept as the service of the Kingdom and Crovvn
Varras got notice of it He had with him the Marquis of Trevico's Italian Brigado which was commanded by his Serjeant Major Count Sols his new Regiment of Germans and two Walloon Brigadoes of Barlotta and Assicount These Germans and Walloons were also without their Commanders and were Governed by other inferior Officers Nicholas Basti Commanded the horse which were all Spanish and Italian Count Varras having discovered the Enemies march and thinking that he had not sufficient Forces to fight him in the Field knowing also that Turnaut as being an open Village was not a place for defence resolved to go to Herentales a Town which he might easily get unto being but three hours easie march from Turnaut Yet he would retire by day lest if he should have marched by night his retreat might have seemed a running away Thus resolved and sending out his baggage by night upon the break of day Varras left Turnaut and made his men march in this manner He devided the foot into three squadrons in the first he placed the Walloons in the second the Germans and in the third the Italians But that which at their first going out was the reer if the enemy should come upon them was to be the van The horse were placed on the right hand where the field was more free and a great wood served for a sufficient defence on the left hand Maurice hearing of this removal he suddenly advanced with all his horse and with 300 musketiers behind so many Curassiers en Croup and the Curassiers advancing foremost with the musketiers en Croup he gave them order to charge the enemy home in the reer and that they should endeavour to hold them play till his foot should come up With Maurice were the Counts of Hollack and Solm Colonel Vere an English-man and divers other Commanders of great experience and valour The Kings Horse valiantly opposed the like of the Enemies and the Squadrons facing about did likewise sustain the first charge of the Enemy But all Maurice his Horse coming in and soon after his Foot the Kings Horse being no more in number could make no longer resistance So as these being routed the rest were discouraged though Count Varras galloping here and there and in every place shewed all the proofs of valour and undauntedness which could be desired of him upon such an occasion And finally pressing forwards amongst the Italians when he saw their Squadrons begin to flie he was suddenly slain and he failing the Kings men were wholly overcome and the Enemy had the total victory over them The Walloons fought not that day according as they were wont to doe and the Germans made but little resistance And therefore the most that were slain or wounded were Italians In all there were above 1200 slain and almost as many taken There were 37 Colours lost and a great part of the Baggage There were not above 100 of the Enemy slain And Maurice wan such a Victory with the loss of so little blood as made much for the advantage of the Consederate Provinces and for his own Honour in War After this mischance the Cardinal failed not suddenly to provide for the necessities of Brabant by sending in many Horse and Foot He was about likewise to make many great new Levies But the King was in so great scarcity of monies as the Cardinal could not make provisions so soon nor yet so fully as the necessity of the Flanders affairs required and much more those which were of so great concernment on the part of France Nor was it long ere an occasion arose in France which being one of the most remarkable which the wars of France or Flanders hath produced in point of Surprise and Siege you shall have a particular diligent account thereof in the next Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK IV. The Contents The Spaniards surprise the City of Amiens by stratagem The King of France immediately besiegeth it The chiefest successes thereof and of the Defence are related The Cardinal-Archduke goes himself in person with a powerfull Army to relieve the besieged but being kept off by the Enemies forces the Town returns at last into the Kings hands who presently fortifies it with a strong Castle The Cardinal retreats to Artois and from thence passeth into Flanders Here he visits Ostend but not attempting any thing he returns to Brussels and puts his Army in garrison The acquisitions this mean while made by Count Maurice to the great advantage of the Confederate Provinces are related Nor is it long ere Peace is declared between the two Crowns so as the Kings Forces are now at liberty to attend only the proper affairs of Flanders At this same time great consultations are had in the Court of Spain about a Marriage propounded between the Cardinal-Archduke and the Infanta Isabella the Kings eldest daughter with the giving of the Low-Countries to the Infanta for her portion The King inclines thereunto out of many good reasons and therefore will have it effected The Archduke parts from Flanders to go for Spain and Cardinal Andrea d' Austria stayes in his place The Cardinal-Archduke is not well gone when the King of Spain dyes and his son Philip the Third succeeds him To whom the King had also a little before destined the Archdutchess Margaret of Austria for Wife HErnando Teglio Portocarrero was Governour of Dorlan being left there by Count Fuentes after the taking of that place as chosen by him for one of the best Souldiers that the Spanish Nation had in Flanders Portacarrero not satisfied with the bare custody of Dorlan wherein he was extraordinarily vigilant he oft-times issued out with his Garrison and assaulting the Enemy sometimes in open fields sometimes by ambushes now preying upon their Cattel and then setting their Villages on fire he was almost become the Terror of that Frontier But neither did his thoughts end here He had an earnest desire to doe some great action for the Kings service in those parts by which he himself might likewise acquire reward and glory Amiens is the chief City of Picardy and Dorlan is not above seven leagues distant from it This neighbourhood afforded occasion to Portacarrero to penetrate almost â—â—urly into what was done in Amiens and thereabouts That City had appeared much for the League and being now fallen into the Kings hands it coveted much to have its antient priviledges observed and especially that the City should be governed by Personages of their own Inhabitants and by their own proper Forces Nor would the King the present condition of affairs considered doe any thing to the contrary Thus the City was its own Guardian And though there were a great number of Citizens who had listed themselves under Colours yet were they not any way disciplind according to custom in the handling of their Arms nor were they so vigilant as they ought to have been in guarding their Gates The Country
was severely carefull of Piety and Justice And did always imploy his worthiest Subjects in the administration of them both chusing them of himself unexpectedly according as their merits did suggest unto him His so great age and so long Government made him try the more various turns of Fortune and made it the more appear how equal how constant and how much superior to himself he was in all successes And indeed it may be doubted whether prosperous or adverse Fortune swayed most with him For what greater felicity could he desire then to enjoy Spain with so much quiet then to command it wholly every where with the addition of Portugal then to enjoy so peaceably his Territories in Italy and see himself so much respected in those that appertained to others then to have the memmorable victory of Lepanto in favour of the Christians in so great a part attributed unto him then to have so highly maintained the reputation of his name and made the Majesty of his Empire be still so reverenced and feared But he accounted it his greated fortune and glory to be held so great a defender of the Church and that upon so many occasions and in so many parts recourse was had to his zeal for the favouring and protecting thereof These and many others were his prosperities sundry times both in peace and in war On the contrary what greater adversity could befall him then to see Flanders amidst so long and so horrible troubles then to lose so much of that his most antient patrimony then to have his most remotest Countrys of the Indies wounded by that wound Then to have so unfortunately lost that great Armado which was to have assaulted England Nor had his designs in the revolutions of France any ways answered his hopes The domestical events of his own house may likewise be said to have been not very fortunate Having hardly one son by so many marriages The fatal death of the first with the suspitions also of Don Johns death So much more seeming then true are the felicities which the vulgar do so much adore in Princes And so much greater proof thereof do they give who are in highest places with them But in affairs of Fortune as most of these were humane wisdom is not to be blamed For what remains so eminent were Philip the second 's vertues and which made him so memorable a Prince as doubtlesly few like him have been found either in former or in latter times THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK V. The Contents The Archduke goes to carry the new Queen of Spain from Germany They arrive happily at the King her husbands Court. The King hath this mean while powerfull Forces in Flanders But great mutinies insue and great sums of money are spent in appeasing them So as for want of pay the Army is wintered in the neighbouring Countrys of Cleves and Westfalia and in other places under the jurisdiction of the Empire The Princes that are interessed are sensible of this Novelty They indeavour to receive satisfaction by way of Treaty which not obtaining they at last resolve to have it by force Yet they move but slowly The Kings Army is this mean while drawn out into the field under the Government of the Admiral of Arragon General of the Horse They advise what to fall upon and by Cardinal Andrea's intervention they resolve to enter the Island of Bomel and to besiege the Town of Bomel which denominates that Island But Count Maurice opposeth them with such Forces as the Admiral is forced to forgoe that design The Cardinal resolves afterwards to plant a great Fort upon a narrow passage of the Island to the end that so he might command the chiefest passes over the Mause and Wahal and cals it the Fort of St. Andrea Great haste is made in the erecting of it and notwithstanding all the enemy could do it is brought to perfection The German Camp begins at last to move It first besiegeth Reinberg but soon retreats with no great honour From thence it goes to recover the Town of Res and rises from thence likewise in great disorder and confusion Great discords happen between the Commanders thereof So as it soon disbands and is afterwards dissolved The new Princes of Flanders part from Spain They come to Italy and pass the Alpes at Turin They come to their own Country An Interview between them and Cardinal Andrea who returns into Germany and the new Princes are received with all solemnity in Brussels PHILIP the second King of Spain being dead the Archduke hastens his journey that he might the sooner bring a wife to the succeeding Philip the third to which purpose the Archduke was gone for Germany as you heard before He came with all speed to Prague where having visited his brother the Emperor he went to Grats and from thence to Italy by the way of Tirol with the new Queen and her mother the Archdutchess Pope Glement the eight was then in the City of Ferrara which together with the Dukedome thereof was devolved the year before to the Apostolick See The occasion of this his neighbourhood was very acceptable to the new Queen and the Archduke that so they might have their marriages celebrated by the Pope Nor was the Pope less glad to celebrate them They therefore passed from Trent with all their attendance to Ferrara where being received as became so great Princes both their marriages were effected by the Pope in the Cathedral Church with such solemnity and magnificence as was most requisite for such an action by such a hand between such personages The Kings part was supplyed by way of Proxy by the Archduke and the Infanta Isabella's by the Duke of Lasse the King of Spains Ambassador in the Popes Court. The Queen departing then from that City together with her Mother and the Archduke they followed on their journey towards Milan where having staid a while they went to Genua and taking ship there they in a few days fail arrived happily in Spain Where we will leave them and continuing to relate the affairs of Flanders we will with all brevity acquaint you with what passed there till such time as the new Princes came thither The Archduke at his departure had left these particular directions with the Admiral of Aragon That he should endeavour to preserve the Army as much as he could till his return from Spain That therefore he should shun all difficult sieges so not to lose his men nor be at greater expences That by all means be should endeavour to get some good pass over the Rhine that so if it were possible he might enter the Enemies Country on the other side and quarter his Army there Which if he could not do that then he should strive to quarter it in the neutral Countries of the Duke of Cleves and others of the like nature thereabouts The Archduke left this last condition in particular to
of so many other Rivers which fall every where into it it divides it self into two branches each of them almost of equal greatness with it self These two branches frame the ancient Iland of the Battavians and at this hour it continues the corrupted name of Bettow That of the right hand doth for a good space keep the name of Rheine till assuming the name of Lech it goes with other waters and with other names thorow Holland till it looseth it self in the Sea The left branch as soon as it parts from the Rheine takes upon it the name of Wahal continuing which name for a long space it at last joyns it self with the Mause But these two Rivers are not well joyned when they part again and do not rejoyn till they have made an Iland of some good circuit which is called Bomel taking its name from the chief Town therein Having formed this Island these two enter not long after joyntly into Holland where together with other Rivers dispersing themselves into divers Gulfs and carrying as it were new Seas into the Sea they at last by many spacious mouths disgorge themselves and falls into the Ocean Upon the very point of this great Island of Bettow stands Schinks Sconce and is raised there with so much advantage both of Nature and Art as greater is not peradventure seen any where else Four leagues lower upon the Banks of Wahal is the City of Niminghen seated with her great Fort on the right hand bank Descending much lower from thence where the Mause and Wahal meet first together you finde the Fort Worden and presently the other point of the Island called Bomel formed by the Mause and Wahal in manner aforesaid The Town of Bomel stands upon the banks of Wahal about the midst of the Island on that side the River it self secures it sufficiently And it is provided with necessary defences on the other side And this may suffice for the abovesaid discription Cardinal Andrea not willing to keep longer out of the field mustered the whole Army about the end of April in the parts of Rheine towards Emrich and to satisfie them in some degree gave them one pay And upon discourse what was to be undertaken the Councel of war were of several opinions They all agreed that in the first place Wahal was to be past over and that they were to advance as far as they could into the Enemies Country But divers were the opinions concerning what they should fall upon The Admiral of Aragon was very earnest for the straitning of Schinks Sconce And what greater acquisition said he can we make It is the most important seat of the Rhine By this Key the passage of greatest consequence thereabouts is opened and shut So as when we shall have fixt our foot there we may endeavour other acquisitions in those parts and hope to atchieve them with much safety When we shall be entred first into the Island we must draw a great Trench from one branch of the River to the other so as the Fort shall not be able to be succoured by land If the Enemy will send any relief by way of the Rivers they must send it against the streame so the effect thereof may easily be hindered by armed barks on both sides Such a fiege considered with all its circumstances will doubtlessly prove difficult but when it shall be effected as it is to be hoped it will be the more difficulties we meet with the greater will our honour be So many weighty objections were made against this the Admirals opinion both for bringing the Army into the Island by reason of opposition which might be made by the Enemy and for their not being able to keep out succour by water wherein the enemy did so far exceed them in power as many of the Councel thought it would prove a desperate siege They instanced in the Duke of Parma for example who when the sconce was hardly tenable would never endeavour to take it Others advised to go at the same time against Niminghen and against its Fort on the contrary shore Thinking that so great an Army might undertake both these sieges at once But in this the opposition which they should find in passing the Wahal to besiege the Fort was considered As also that the Duke of Parma was sate down before it and forced to raise his siege And that the difficulties in besieging Niminghen would afterwards prove much greater A City of a large circuit and which as it was well munited would be well defended Others finally propounded that passing lower over the Mause as they might easily do the Army should march into the Island of Bomel and should try to take the Town situated as hath been said upon the Banks of Wahal Thinking that by the taking thereof they might command the whole Island as also the Pass of that River The City of Balduke which was then in the Kings hands is very near the Island of Bomel Wherefore it was considered that the making of this purchase would be very advantagious for that City and that it might be the better kept when it should be united to that Frontier The Cardinal inclined to this resolution and keeping it very secret it was resolved that to cosin and divert the enemy they would seem to besiege Schincks Sconce Count Frederick di Berg parted thus from Emrick with 7000 fot and 1000 horse and came almost within Canon shot of the Sconce on that side and the Cardinal passing over to the other side of the River with the rest of the Army made the Admiral advance in like manner towards the Fort. They then began to play upon it furiously from both sides with many pieces of Artillery not being able notwithstanding to do any thing but batter and indamage it Upon this motion of the Kings Camp Count Maurice made his move also and came to within sight of the Fort. He doubted that the Kings men would effectually pass over Wahal and get into the Island to begirt the Fort by land Wherefor he immediately fent away a great number of Pyoniers that they might raise a Trench towards the suspected shore whereby the passage of the Kings men might be the more impeded He afterwards manned it sufficiently for defence and sent 80 English into the Fort. And passing himself afterwards with a great part of his Army into the Island he totally secured it The Kings men continued notwithstanding to play incessantly upon it nor were those of the Fort less slow in letting fly at them And because the seat thereof is low Count Maurice caused a great Platform to be raised without and placed some great Canon upon it whereby he so much indamaged the Kings men on that side the Admiral was as he slew above four hundred of them in a few days The Enemies Camp being by the Spaniards cunning thus imployed the Cardinal had in the interim sent the Campmasters Zapena Estenly and Barlotta with their Spanish Irish and
regaining it in those that were revolted The business was all this while put on by the two Kings Ambassadors but because to Negotiate by way of Letters was long and tedious the Ambassadors minded the Catholick Deputies who had been in Holland that it would make more for the purpose to have the meeting in Antwerp to end those difficulties which yet remained concerning the Negotiation This Proposition was willingly listned unto by the Arch-dukes whereupon the Ambassadors and the Catholick Deputies met in Antwerp in the beginning of February 1609. The greatest difficulty was touching the point of the Indies The Ambassadors had alwaies assured the Vnited Provinces that in the Truce they should be permitted to Traffick thither and they therefore desired that that Article might be laid down in clear and express words On the contrary the Catholick Deputies desired that if it should be impossible to come to a Truce without condiscending to that point it might at least be understood by tacit circumlocutions then by nominating the Indies expresly They desired also howsoever that the Vnited Provinces should forbear from coming into or from trafficking in those parts of the Indies which were already under the Crown of Spain At last after much arguing this point was agreed upon and was couched in such tearms as both the Vnited Provinces and the Catholick Deputies were satisfied therewith for the name of the Indies was left out and the said Provinces were forbidden entring into the Kings Countries in those parts And Richardotto had wont afterwards to say that this Article was so obscure as he himself did not understand it much disputation was likewise had upon the Article of Contributions 't was said that the United Provinces received every year 300000 Crowns of Contribution money which was a great help to their expences The Arch-dukes did not receive near so much but because these monies were all raised by hostility it was thought a thing too repugnant to the publick tranquility which was endeavoured that this kinde of Hostile proceedings should be continued in times of quiet so as the United Provinces were at last perswaded that all contributions of both sides should be laid down On the contrary 't was necessary to yeild to the pretention moved by them that the precincts which did appertain to such Towns as were enjoyed both on this and on that side should be restored to the said Towns Touching which point little or nothing returned to the Arch-dukes hands whereas large boundeurs were restored to the Towns of Breda and Berghenapzone together with some others in Brabant which were in the possession of the United Provinces Yet the Arch-dukes did so far prevail and my endeavours were also so earnest therein as the exercise of the Catholick Religion onely was left in those precincts as it was before To the which the united Provinces obliged themselves apart being promised by Jannines and Rossi his Collegue who gave it them under their hands that the King of France should oblige himself to see it performed Touching the point of exchange of Towns there was no means of accommodation therein to be found so as it was resolved that each party should still enjoy what they did possess at the present nor would the Vnited Provinces ever suffer themselves to be perswaded in the point of taking away the Taxes and other impediments to which those vessels were lyable in Zealand which passed through the Scheld to come to Antwerp whereby that City was much indamaged as hath been said This business was refer'd to be propounded and examined in a friendly manner after the Truce should be concluded And the Arch-dukes hoped by the benefit of the Truce the better to accommodate their own Ports in Flanders into which much merchandize was to be brought which in time of war went necessarily into Holland and Zealand because their Havens were continually block'd up by many of the Vnited Provinces men of war These were the chief points on which the Ambassadors of France and England treated with the Marquess Spinola and the other Catholick Deputies in Antwerp the Catholick Deputies endeavouring to proceed as slowlâ— as might be that the Arch-dukes Confessor might have time to Negotiate in Spain and to send away the resolution which was expected from thence which not long after came and was the same in sum which the Arch-dukes had desired and the Confessor by the reasons alledged by him had perswaded the King unto great consultations were had notwithstanding before this determination both in the Councel of State and amongst the gravest and learnedst Ecclesiasticks of Spain for the King would be fully satisfied in all those affairs which were to be considered in so important a business before he would suffer it to be brought to a conclusion The Confessor himself returned soon after so as the affairs being fitted by all parties for an agreement the two Kings Ambassadors who after the Negotiation at Antwerp were gone to give an account of the whole business to the Vnited Provinces thought it fitting to return again to that City and to bring thither the same Deputies of the Vnited Provinces who were first imployed in Negotiating the business in Holland which was approved of by the Arch-dukes and at the same time the Catholick Deputies returned thither likewise amongst which was Commissary Neyen who was then returned from Spain The Vnited Provinces thought this to be the business of highest nature and of greatest importancy which had befaln them since their withdrawing themselves from the obedience of the Crown of Spain and therefore it was judged necessary that it should be concluded by the Authority of the whole body of the great Assembly representing the general Vnion and that the Assembly should consist of as many Deputies as could be gathered together upon so great an Occurrency The Town of Berghenapzone was made choice of to this purpose situated not many leagues from Antwerp Here the great Assembly met and 't was said that the Deputies were eight hundred in number The Deputies of both sides together with the two Kings Ambassadors met every day in Antwerp in the publick Palace of that City From whence whatsoever past from time to time was sent to Brussels to the Arch-dukes and to the Vnited Provinces in Berghenapzone and resolutions were suddenly taken When all points were then adjusted after so many and so long obstructions a Truce for twelve years was established and concluded on the ninth of April in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and nine betwixt both parties The Articles were eight and thirty In the first it was declared that the Arch-dukes made Truce with the Vnited Provinces as with Free-States and Provinces unto which they did not make any pretence at all and they obliged themselves that the King of Spain should ratifie the same Declaration together with all the rest which was afterwards done in such manner as was requisit The other chief Articles contained the affairs of chiefest importance
Golden-fleece 234 his solemn entrance into Antwerp ib. he besieges the Grave and carries it 241. he incamps before Venlo ibid. which at length is yeelded to him 242 thence he goes against Nuys ibid. which is storm'd and sack'd ibid. He takes on him the title of Duke upon the death of his Father ibid. the Honour conferred upon him by Pope Sixtus the fifth ibid. he goes to the Relief of Zutfen he takes in Deventer 243. and after that the castle of VVowe 244. he layes Siege to Sluce 245. which at last is yeelded to him 247. his Opinion concerning Spains making war upon England 250 he goes over to Newport to further that enterprize 255. a Designe of his upon Berghen-ap-Zome 260. but it hits not 261. he falls sick of the Dropsie and passeth into France ibid. he joines with Du Main at Meaux 270. He besiegeth and stormeth Laigny 271. storms and sacks Corbeil 274. Returns into Flanders 275. Encamps before the fort of Nimeghen 278. but can do no good upon it 279. He receives order from the King to pass again into France ib. In the fight of Aumale against the K. of Navar he carries the day 285. He sends a supply of men into Roan and thence marcheth into Picardy where he besiegeth the Town of Rue 287. He returns speedily towards Roan and raiseth the King of Navars siege 288 Is wounded in one of his arms before Caudebec ib. resolves to pass the Seine performs it fortunately 290. marcheth towards Flanders 291. Petitions the King for leave to quit the Government 292. He prepares for the third expedition into France ib. He dies in Arras ib. His Character ib. Prince Ranuccio the Duke of Parmas eldest son brings off safe the Kings army in their retreat from the Fort of Nimeghen 279. He marcheth in the van with the horse of the Leaguers Camp 284. In the retreat from Caudebeck he makes good the rear with singular valour 291 Philip the second confirms Parma in the Government of Flanders 180. Resolves to send back the Dutchess of Parma into Flanders 194. yet afterwards gives her leave to return into Italy 195. Declares that he will aid the Catholick League in France 266 Q. THe Queen of England how she liked of the new Principality of Alanson 202. She examins in her councel the offer of the Severaignty of the United Provinces that had been made to her 239. Endeavours to compose the differences between the United Provinces and Leicester 244. She procures a Treaty of agreement in the affairs of Flanders to be moved for by the King of Denmark 248. But all Treaties come to nothing 252. She resolves to oppose the Spanish Fleet and prepares for it with great Forces both by Sea and Land ib. Her Oration to the Parliament ib. R. REberg besieged by the Marquiss of Barambone 262. Relieved by Skinck ib. and after by Colonel Vere 264. At last it is yeilded up to the Royalists ib. The Flemish Rebels at great difference among themselves 180. For want of moneys they cannot maintain the souldiers that flock to them from other parts 181 They feed with fair hopes of relief those that are besieged in Mastrick 184. They resolve upon chusing a new Prince 189. and publickly declare the election they have made 201. Their complaints against Alanson 207. How much they were inraged at the surprisal of Antwerp by him attempted 211 They are reconciled to the French by the workings of Orange 212. They rout the Kings party near Nimegen 279 Roan besieged by the King of Navar. 281 Receives a supply of men 363. Is in very great danger ib. S SEbastian Tappin a French-man and Swarzemburg at the defence of Mastrick 182. Their vigilance 184 They very stoutly beat back the Royalists 185 The Signior of St. Aldegond in great esteem with the Flemish Union 191. He is Governor of Antwerp 223. His speech to encourage the Antwerpians to hold out the siege ib. Sixtus Quintus Pope sends a Present to the Duke of Parma 242. Exhorteth Philip the second to the enterprise against England 250 Skinck See Martin Skinck T TOrnay besieged 202. The batteries that are raised against it 203. It stands out the first assault ib. Takes in a small supply 204. At length is yeilded up to the Duke of Parma ib. V VErdugo See Francis Verdugo Venlo besieged by Farnese 241. It yeildeth before it comes to an assault 242 Sign di Villars at the defence of Roan 281. Falls very valiantly upon the Camp without and sorely annoys it 286. Adviseth that the Forces of the League should turn some other way 286 Makes great suit for relief 287 W WAchtendonck yeilded to Mansfield 261 The Wallon Provinces contest with the Gantois 181. they come to an Agreement with the Prince of Parma 186. And upon what conditions 187. They consent to the return of the Foraign soldiers 201 Z. ZUtfen besieged by Leicester 243 Relieved by Farnese 244. Taken in by Count Maurice A Table of the most remarkable things contained in this THIRD PART A AUgustin Messia a Spanish Camp-master 309. Enters Cambray with Forces 329 Is declared Governour of that City 332 The Admiral of Arragon seizes upon the Town of Montulin 363. Made Governour of the Militia in Flanders 369. The Orders left him by the Archduke 372. He takes in Remberg 373 He distributes his Army in divers neutral places 374. His opinion for besieging Skincks Sconce 377. He makes the enemy retreat from the fort of Durang 382. Is taken prisoner 397 Being after released he attempts to relieve the Grave but in vain 409 Amiens the Metropolis of Piccardy 350 Surprised by the Spaniard 352. and after sackt 353. The description therof ib. besieged by the K. of France 355 The rendring of it up 362 Admiral Villars Governor of Normandy 320. Routed and slain at Dorlan 322 Archduke Albertus by way of Proxie espouseth in the Kings name the new Queen in the City of Ferrara 372 Departs from Madrid with the Infanta his wife 386. They both come into Flanders ib. He cals a consultation of the Officers of the Army 393. Resolves to assault the enemies Camp at Newport 394. His words to the souldiers 396. He is wounded in the battel of Newport ib. He besieges Ostend 399. His constancy in pursuing that Enterprise 406. His speech to the magistrates of Balduke 412. He commits the care of the siege of Ostend to Marquiss Spinola 413. He goes thither in person 418. He sends his Confessor into Spain to facilitate the conclusion of the truce 457 Archduke Ernestus Governor of Flanders 302. Sends with fresh men Count Mansfield into France ib. Endeavours to bring in some treaty of peace with the United Provinces 303. He sends Campmaster Velasco against the mutiners of Sichen 311. He aies 313 The Archdutchess Margaret of Austria intended for wife to the Prince of Spain 369 Ardres besieged by the Spaniards 339 It is yeilded up 341 Arras suddenly assaulted by the French 454 Articles of Marriage