Sidney Master George Cary and Master Iohn and Master Robert Cary his brethren with many other Gentlemen who ariued at Flushing in Zeland where he withall these Nobles of England and his owne and their traine in princely and friendly manner was receiued by the aforesaid noble Prince William Countie of Nassaw and the other Nobles of the Low Countries conducting them from thence to Midleborow and so to Antwerpe in Brabant where on the 19. of February Anno 1581. the said Duke of Aniow was created Duke of Lothier and Brabant with great solemnitie which being ended the Nobilitie of England returned home againe and left him there Gouernour of those Countries he repaired with his traine of French Noblemen and Gentlemen into France where the King his brother Henry the 3. of that name furnished him with men money and munition for the better supportation and countenancing of his princely port and new attained authoritie in the Low Countries aforesaid And so on the 27. day of August in the yéere following 1583. for greater securitie of himselfe and his charge now taken vpon him he returned into Brabant with those forces containing in all companies foure thousand fighting men These being placed in a certaine Village neere vnto the citie of Gaunt straightway the Duke of Parma hereof vnderstanding and hauing in a readines a great number of his most valiant souldiers with their cariages and furniture maketh all haste possible to encounter him Again his cōming being no sooner perceiued by the Duke of Brabants espials but aduertised vnto him the Lord Pierri a noble Frenchman Campe-master of the Duke of Brabant commandeth his companies quickly to arme and encounter and with all carefull diligence and skilfull experience he aduiseth them of due obseruations in their warlike order of fight and how to march softly and fight slowly with the enemie Martialling his men on this manner first in the front of his battell next vnto the enemies were the band of English souldiers and to them were ioyned the troupes of Germanes next these were the bands led by Bouquoy and after these marcheth the worthie Generall Norice in the Rereward with thrée troupes of English horse foure troupes of French horsemen after these followed thrée troupes of French horsemen with certaine footebands of Flemmings and of Scots and last of all in the Rereward marched a band of English footemen and a great companie of pikemen Contrariwise againe the Duke of Parma had in his Vaward or front all Spaniards a great multitude whereof were very many footmen and more then a thousand horsemen for whom euery where by the way the Duke of Aniowes espials lay in ambush so as not a few enemies were slaine with the shot of the Ambush only of the Duke of Aniowes companie amongst others were wanting thrée or foure Captaines of hundreds After this welcōming made by the Duke of Aniowes souldiers vnto the Prince of Parmaes and his forces thus approching towards him which was short of Gaunt two Dutch miles being sixe of our English miles the Duke of Aniow and the Prince of Orange thought good to send Sir Iohn Norice to the Campe where the forces lay and thither he came with the thrée troupes of English horsemen and foure troupes of French horsemen as aforesaid for his conuoy into the Campe about twelue of the clock at night aforesaid where there were of all nations English French Dutch and Scottish some sixe thousand men And comming into the English quarter he enquired where his quarter was and where Capaine Edward Strange lay who had the commaund of all his house and his horses where finding him lying in a little cabbin hard by his Tent he asked him how he had bestowed all things for the enemie was hard at hand To whom Captaine Strange answered he had deliuered all vnto Captaine Peter Cripse to send it away to Gaunt Then said the General We haue the Vauntgard to day but I thinke the French are fled from vs and wee must then haue the Rereward in spight of our hearts So he hauing a squadron of horse lay from the Camp a quarter of an English mile where one William Winter a tall souldier being one of the Corporals and commanding the squadron sent out a very good watch so as the enemie must of force come by them and by no other way Two houres before day there came from the Prince of Parma certaine troupes of horse Albanoyses and Italians talking together and being within hearing of y e watch those which stood Sentinell discouered them and presently sent word to their guard lying in a house hard by to certifie the Generall that the enemies forces were at hand The word comming to the Generall he presently commaunded that euery companie should be ready to answere the alarme but it was found that as well others as the French were marched and retired towards Gaunt There the Generall stood fast vntill his owne companie came vnto him and presently thrée companies of Albanoyses came thither and offered to charge him he being accompanied with Master Henry Knowles a most worthie and gallant Gentleman all that day So the Generall marched from the quarter downe the hill and at the foote of the hill by the counsell of the said Master Knowles he armed himselfe asking Captaine Strange where the Turney horse was for he would ride vpon him that day hauing thrée other horses led euery one by two groomes a péece to serue for that day and being first mounted vpon the Turney horse the said Albanoyses durst not come downe themselues but sent against him those English Rebels which a little before ranne away from before Bridges They being both Targatiers and Musquetiers came downe the hill as the Generall made his retreit towards his owne battell of Pikes the English Rebels very hardly assaulted him amongst whom one of them calling to the Generall as he was in retreit which he could not long endure but turning vpon that Rebell with his Rapier he strooke the Rebell on the head with such a force that his Rapier bowed to his very hand vpon this came downe the troupes of the enemies horse and charged the Generall thrée waies vz. vpon the Rereward so that he and Master William Knowles were both faine to put their horses among their pikes for their safegard and so marching at the push of the pikes foure English mile they continued the fight still and none but this Generals Regiment consisting of seuen Ensignes which might be in number some one thousand strong vntill they came to the very walles of Gaunt The enemie forcing them so néere that they came and attempted to pill the waggons putting the whole force of the Campe so néere as the very towne ditch vntill such time as the Ordenance plaied so fast out of Gaunt that thereby the enemies were enforced to retire from those places Where the English forces vz. Colonell Thomas Morgan Colonell Cotton and Colonell North
and their countrie fortified themselues and the same euery where Notwithstanding on the 7. Ides of Aprill Anno Dom. 1577. King Philip confirmeth this as a perpetuall decree Hereupon the Prince and the States doe call vpon the new Gouernour Don Iohn the Bastard of Austrich for money and hauing receiued some certaine pay doe satisfie in part the souldiers there so long soiourning So the Spanish Italians and Burgundian souldiers as well footmen as horsemen on the 11. of May doe forsake and depart from Vtrich and from all the Castles and Fortresses thereabouts About the same time the before named Countie Egmont captiue with the other two Noblemen taken by the Spaniards the last yéere and besides these Valdesius with fiue or sixe others taken by the States were all dismissed and sent home and at length all other strangers also vnto whom their promised pay being now made Countie Maunsfeld Gouernour of Luxenberg performeth safe-conduct departing out of Luxenberg into Italy very rich and passing ioyfull To conclude Don Iohn who before the departure of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands could not be made gouernour of the same now in the meane time prepareth himselfe to take vpon him that gouernmēt at Louaine where when very many Noblemen came to congratulate his thither comming on the Calends of May this said yéere 1577 he with a great number of Noblemen of his traine in great solemnitie honour and triumph went to Bruxels where on the 4. of May he was enstalled Gouernour General for the Spanish King ouer all those Netherlands The people verely perswading themselues that henceforth now perfect stabilitie of peace would possesse their expectations But within a while after he seeing the gouernment of the Countrie in his absolute power and possession began forthwith to execute that authoritie which in secret manner he had from the King enioyned him And hereupon priuily conferreth out of hand with the Germane souldiers as yet staying in the Netherlands to this end especially that he may haue certaine chiefe Cities there by some suttle sleight or cunning deuice rendred into his hands But his Letters mentioning those secret deuices were intercepted as God would haue them in France and so his fraude or guile being now discouered he aforehand taketh the citie of Namur But when he attempted the like thing against Antwerpe his enterprise had no successe for the Castle being fortified and defended by Boursius in the behalfe of the States this meanes policie and power sufficiently preuailed against the enemies enterprise Againe also Bergen opt Zome Breda and Shertogenbusch this Don Iohns forces were discomfited by Champigny in the States behalfe valiantly encountring and ouermatching the enemie at all assates Hereupon the Prince of Orange and the States doe write vnto the Spanish King accusing the said Don Iohn of his indirect dealing contrarie to the confidence they reposed in him They also certified his Maiestie that this Don Iohn faining peace and the procuring thereof amongst them would not sticke to depart the countrie if he were sure to bring it to passe thereby that the Catholike Religion as he termeth it and the kings authoritie might so rest in safetie And yet in the meane time after all this protestation this Don Iohn sendeth for the Spanish and other dismissed souldiers to come backe againe To crosse him therefore another way preuenting his purpose the States doe cast downe the Castle of Antwerpe mistrusting he would forth with be their euill neighbour there first of all and incontinently they prepare them to warre against Don Iohn Therefore they send speedely for the Prince of Orange not farre off as then whom they condiscend to make the chiefe Gouernour of Antwerpe Hereupon groweth a ielousie whereby many of the Noblemen being mooued in some manner contrarily doe send for the Archduke Matthias brother to the then now still Emperour Rodolphus 2. and sonne of Maximilian before Emperour hoping vnder his authoritie to haue particular iurisdiction in the seuerall Prouinces there which thing when they of Gaunt did heare of they take the Duke of Ascot with others of that faction and commit them to safe kéeping Here it is especially to be remembred that on the 17. day of Iuly that yéere 1577. came first to the Prince of Orange a worthie and forward souldier Master Iohn Norice second sonne to the Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot in Oxfordshire a Gentleman of great courage and dexteritie who as Captaine Peter Cripse a follower of him in this his first seruice and in all others afterwards for a long time saith landed first at Dunkirke with thrée hundred Englishmen where he arming thē marched toward Antwerpe with them where the said Prince of Orange remained and so from thence to Brokam where he made pay to all his souldiers the last day of that moneth of Iuly 1577. aforesaid Duke Matthias being come into those countries and at the first thus forsaken of them whom he should haue had his assistance by the perswasion yet of the Prince of Orange is by the States chosen and ordained their chiefe Gouernour for the King and Don Iohn is publikely proclaimed an enemie to all the Low Countries Datum Bruxellae 7. Decemb. 1577. The States in this yéere send their Ambassadours vnto diuers Monarchs and Princes of diuers kingdoms and countries to excuse themselues and accuse Don Iohn of the misgouernment of the Netherlands In France they were offered by the King his brother and Quéene Mother both fauour and furtherance for their defence And here it is to be remembred that whereas by reason of the same request of the States made vnto the Quéenes Maiestie of England certaine euill disposed persons flattering the King of Spaine bore him in hand that the Quéenes Maiestie did ambitiously seeke to vsurpe the gouernment of those Low Countries contrarie to his good pleasure Her Maiestie therefore being giuen to vnderstand of those slanderous and false bruites giuen out against her to purge her selfe of such sinister dealing and of that false and vndeserued surmise suggested to the said King and dispersed abroad to blemish her Highnes credit and estimation with other Christian Princes to the intent she would rather be knowne to God and the whole world To eschue euill and doe good to seeke peace and insue it Psal 34.13 and not to be an intruder into those troubles as it was falsely surmised to nourish the ciuill warres in those Countries laboureth by princely and friendly meanes of perswasion to the Spanish King for carefull conseruation and preseruation of the same and likewise in Christian and friendly manner exhorteth the Prince of Orange and States of those Countries to submit themselues to their soueraigne Lord and King in all humilitie and obedience and so ceasing from ciuill discord if that they would reiect their weapons and practise to appease those troubles with patience no doubt of it God would worke in the Kings heart to forget and
Duchesse of Suffolke widow of that nobly renowmed Souldier Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke being borne at Wesell in Duchland in Quéene Maries time his parents making their iourney out of England for the profession of the Gospell by the tender care and good education of his parents being named Peregrine as borne in a strange countrie in processe of time from his youth forwards to his manhood proued pregnant in wit prompt in knowledge and practised especially in Martiall or Militarie actions whereby he became the most rare and surpassing ornament of his noble progenie and a most honourable and worthie Instrument for the seruice of his Prince and Countrie In somuch as his first seruice wherein the Queenes Maiestie employed him was when in his Adolescencie he was sent her Ambassadour vnto Fridericke the second of that name king of Denmark towards whom he so wisely behaued himselfe from whom he so discreetly demeaned himselfe towards her Highnes in his returne and answer that seldome a better or the like Ambassade hath beene in the like case found in one of so young yeeres for her Royall Maiestie vnto any forraine parts either before or since his time Next after that his Heroicall spirit yet further affecting Militarie affaires as one more desirous to serue his Prince and Countrie it pleased her Highnes with the aduise of her most Honourable priuie Counsell vpon the great good opinion and liking they had conceiued of his dexteritie when the Erle of Leycester was the first time returned into England to send him ouer to the Netherlands as Lieutenant Generall of the English forces there Anno 1586. where his noble courage so conioyned with dexteritie and his forwardnes with such fortune that he himselfe was formost in all attempts and enterprises of his forces fiercelie like a Lyon he assayled the enimies fought with them spoyled them and foyled them wheresoeuer he came So verilie and in such sort as the Duke of Parma then himselfe confessed of this worthie Lord Willoughbie and his seruice for foure yeers space in those Countries neuer anie English man enterprised more boldlie to meete his enimies in the face more brauelie encountered them nor more painefullie pursued and sought them out neere and farre off to their disgrace spoile and foyle wheresoeuer he found them At Sutphen as before is mentioned when the Prince of Parma came thither to releeue that Town this worthy Lord Lieuetenant Willoughbie vnder the Erle of Leycester who came not into the fight being in place more forward then the rest marched well mounted met the enimies couragiouslie brake his Launce in the middest of them made way with his sword euerie where and so forciblie aduentured his noble person through the thickest of them that all his men nearest him much feared when his bases were bereued from his bodie his plumes pluckt awaie from his head his Armes be battered with blowes except God would then mightilie preserue and protect him aboue all expectation he should vtterlie haue beene foyled in the fight and spoyled both of life and all things els about him he was so desperately endaungered euery way Yet so mightilie God himselfe doubtles preuailed with him and for him in the instant hazard of his life that hee pressed through the thickest of them without any bodilie harme and in this hot broile with his owne hands caught hold of Seignior George Cresâ—yonyer Albanoys before mentioned page 88. one of Parmaes châ—efâ— Commaunders of his horse carried him away prisoner perforce and maugre all resisting force of the enimies sent him to the Estates to be kept their Captiue No Conuoy could at anie time escape his victorious hands neyther durst anie enimie approch the Towne of Berghen where and while he was then Gouernour Such by the fauour of God was his vertue ioyned with his fortune in his said gouernment that he was highlie honoured of his owne garrison and also greatlie feared of his enimies when he often times made chalenge of the brauest of them as namelie the Marquesse of Guasto a Nobleman of chiefest account with the Duke of Parma who yet for all that refused to encounter with him hand to hand After the returne of the Erle of Leycester Generall of her Maiesties forces in the Netherlands this worthie Lord Willoughbie as Leiutenant with great wisedome circumspection diligence fidelitie discharged his dutie so honourablie and vprightly in all points and at al times that he withstood the enimies attempt gained the good will of the people of those Prouinces appeased their troubles and ended all controuersies in the Townes of Medenblick and Narden in Holland and also of Camphere and Armude in Zeland to the great peace and common quiet of the same Townes and Countries For when Counte Maurice and the Estates had with their forces ensconced the Towne of Medenblick aforesaid and had opposed their forces against the souldiers in that Towne they did what they could to surprise and take the spoile of the Towne from Mounsier Snoy Gouernour thereof but little therein did they and their forces preuaile vntill by her Maiesties most Princelie care and chargeable expences this worthie Lord Willoughbie treated a reconciliation betweene the States and those townes so as those townes were rendred into the States hands againe without bloodshed After all this the Enemies hauing vainly inuaded the Isle of Thole lost foure hundred of their men They then marched with their forces towards Berghen opt Zome néere the Riuer of Schalde which citie they prepared to besiege seeing they could not obtaine the Isle of Thole being therein hindred by the watchfulnes vertue and valour of the Count Solme who in his owne person watched night and day in the Fortresse all the time that the Duke of Parmaes souldiers besieged Berghen This citie or Marquisate of Berghen opt Zome hath a dignitie which after the death of the last Marques of that house named Iohn being poysoned in Spaine Anno 1567. descendeth vnto his Sisters daughter begotten by the Lord of Merode and Peterson who is maried to the Lord of Bersole Baron of Brabant a follower of the Spanish Kings warres and his adherents yea though he dwelt at Leyden This citie is situate in Brabant by the Riuer of Schalde and is very large and commodious builded at the flood Zoma now by ouerflowings somewhat distant from Schalde but with a fit Hauen stretching toward Schalde where it hath a certaine head or foreland which being inuironed with strong Ramparts and munitions a Garrison did vse to kéepe the same sometime There was the same time Gouernour of that Citie a certaine Colonell named Sir Thomas Morgan since for his valour knighted a Welshman borne he succéeded that worthie Knight Sir William Drury in that gouernment The Garrison in that Citie were Englishmen vnto whom were adioyned some few Netherlandish horsemen amongst all these certaine aduenturers which made great spoyle and tooke many booties from the enemie and
would forsake his trecherous course and become a faithfull obedient subiect He answered with great protestations that he was sorie for his offence and that there was no Prince in the world whom he did or would more honour and reuerence then her Maiestie neuer naming her Highnes but with his hat off all which shewes of obedience in him made many beléeue that he meant to become otherwise then since he hath proued himselfe But those that haue liued long in that countrey amongst them know by experience that they are a people full of malecontentment inconstancie rebellion and treason desiring no other gouernment but their owne rude barbarous and disordered kinde of life and manners most horrible and odious to all that feare God obey their Prince and loue their Countrey It was euer doubted by Sir Iohn Norice and to be beleeued of euery one that know the Rebell Tyrone that he neuer meant to be faithfull in his word wherefore his trecherous delaies could not be imputed to any remisse course held by Sir Iohn Norice towards Tyrone But there is no question had Sir Iohn Norice liued he would haue made it appeared vnto the world as he hath done heretofore that the zeale he did beare to doe her Maiestie and his Countrey seruice was such as that priuate malice in crossing him shuld neuer haue had power either to make him faile in the least point of his alleageance or to burie any of his honourable intended enterprises I haue heard him say my self and so haue others which now liue in Ireland that if he could but hope that the Rebel Tyrone would vnfainedly accept of her Maiesties grace and mercie towards him and that he the said Sir Iohn Norice might haue béen the instrument to haue perswaded him to become a faithfull subiect he would not haue cared what labour or paines he endured to be assured thereof It was thought that the prosecuting of Feugh Mac Hugh was contrary to the Articles agreed vpon betweene the Commissioners and the Rebell Tyrone and it should appeare that he disliked thereof For after his pardon was sent him by Sir Edward Moore and he in all things to the shew of the world readie to haue accepted thereof on the sudden his pardon was brought backe and he returned excéedingly discontented After the time of this last treatie with Tyrone which was in the latter end of Ianuary aforesaid he remained vpon the borders of the North still expecting direction how to procéed in those Northerne affaires which continued from the moneth of Ianuary aforesaid 1596. vntill the moneth of May in the yéere 1597. following for the space of foure moneths At which time he the said Generall Norice receiued aduertisement out of England that the Lord Borowes should come ouer Deputie into Ireland So vntil his comming the Generall kept himselfe vpon the borders of the North. It was thought at the Lord Borowes comming ouer the old grudge would be renewed but I think that matter was carried into England before the Lord Borowes departed thence For that after their méeting contrarie to the expectation of many Sir Iohn Norice caried himselfe very discréetly and respectiuely towards him besides that he made knowne vnto him the state of the countrey at that present together with his best counsell and aduice for the reforming of the desperate estate that then the kingdome was left in In so much as it was thought before Sir Iohn Norice his going into his gouernment of Munster that they were both good friends But now vpon the Lord Borowes his receiuing of the Sword Sir Iohn Norice was absolutely sequestred from all commaund except that of the Prouince and so sent downe into Munster with an opinion to get leaue to passe into England But that fell out contrary to his expectation So he hast ouer three moneths with a shew of his health although inwardly he felt his owne griefe And thus the cause of his conceiued griefe was the hastening of his death and so iudged of by most men which knew the same The manner of his death was answerable to his honourable life and knowne to some of his seruants and followers who now with great griefe must rew it He died the third day of September 1597. at his Brother Sir Thomas Norices house in the towne of Mayallo in the Prouince of Munster within the kingdome of Ireland at the 50. yéere of his age hauing spent 26. of them being the most flourishing time of his life in her Maiesties seruice against her enemies in the Netherlands Spayne Portugall France Britaine and Ireland as particularly before and here finally is mentioned The Honourable Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot father of the said Lord Generall had fiue sons moe all Martiall men vz. Master William his eldest sonne seruing in Ireland and there deceased Sir Edward his third sonne seruing lastly at Ostend now liuing Sir Henry Norice his fourth sonne and Sir Thomas his fift sonne both seruing lastly in Ireland hurt and died there but buried in England and Master Maximilian his sixt and youngest sonne died in France The honorable Ladie Margerie Mother to all these died at London 1599. The said honourable Lord Henry their father died at Rycot Anno 1601. Thus being intreated to set downe what I knew that passed vpon Sir Iohn Norices side at his latter daies in Ireland I haue although not iournally yet of my certaine knowledge truly and duly described all the notable occurrents that passed from his last comming out of Britaine to the time of his death in Ireland as before is said All this seruice in Ireland was set down by Daniel Gyles sometime Page and after lately seruant to the said Generall Norice at his death as aforesaid FINIS 1547. 1. Edw. 6. Exordium de quatuor circumstantijs The first circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The second circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The third circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The fourth circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. Historia Belgica lib. 2. Anno 1566. The States finding thēselues greatly iniuried and grieued by y e Spanish Inquisitiō do exhibit vnto the Regent a iust protestation of their cause The keyes and custodie of Antwerpe in Churchyards hands at this vprore witnes Master Ioseph and his brother Master Richard Candeler Churchyard Captaine of 30. thousand in this time at Antwerpe The Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw departeth out of the troubled Low Countries in happie time Churchyard then fled to England in a Priests apparell and came to y e Queene The Protestants chuse Churchyard their Captaine The Duke of Alua sent as Gouernour ouer the Low Countries vnder King Philip Lib. 3. He made a general restraint of Englishmēs ships goods Historia Belgica lib. 4. Anno 1569. Certain Christian Princes assist y e Prince of Orange to fortifie the Low Countries Historia Belgica lib. 3. King Philip imprisoneth his owne son The Duchesse of Parma departeth into Italy
said sonne Philip married with Mary Quéene of England on the 19. of Iuly 1554. and in the next yéere following 1555. he gaue this his said sonne Philip full possession and principalitie ouer the said Countries of the Netherlands which hee had himselfe so gouerned not without some seueritie 38. yeeres Finally omitting larger discourses of this Charles the 5. Emperour of his so many notable and memorable expeditions in in his life time performed let these few words suffice that he made nine into Germanie seuen into Spaine seuen into Italy tenne into the Netherlands foure into France and two into England which in all were nine and thirtie After all this to make an end of his memorials he resigning vp the Empire and iurisdiction thereof vnto the Princes Electors of the same in the yeere of our Lord 1557. and so leauing Germanie departed into Spaine where he finished the race of his mortall life on the 20. day of September in the yeere of our Lord 1558. hauing been Emperour for the full space of nine and thirtie yeeres The third circumstance is this That his aforesaid younger brother Ferdinando succeeding him in the Empire on the 18. day of March 1558. did so godly and so religiously gouerne the same from his first inauguration thereunto that he had much adoe to be confirmed in this Imperiall dignitie by Pope Paul the 4. of that name Bishop of Rome because he this good Emperour granting peace vnto the Churches of Germanie preferring the Gospell the same Pope Paul withstood him in Italy and thwarted him with warlike forces out of France to come of purpose to Rome there to disgrace and disanull his gouernment euen in that same very yeere 1558. aforesaid This good Emperour notwithstanding perseuering an Imperiall sincere Patrone of the sacred religion to his great comfort saw his sonne Maximilian also chosen and crowned King of Romanes in the moneth of Nouember 1564. And so he himselfe hauing been Emperour sixe yeeres and vpwards was by the God of peace called out of this troublesome world on the 25. of Iuly Anno 1565. The fourth and last circumstance yet not the least which I gather out of my Authors first booke is this That as the said King Philip of Spaine had been from the yeere of our Lord 1555. aforesaid possessed in his soueraigntie ouer the Netherlands vntill this yeere 1565. aforesaid so his father Charles the 5. Emperour in his time was not so seuere an Eagle but this his sonne now becomes as sore a Lion ioyning hands as it were with the Pope of Rome And whereas they two made other Christian Princes beléeue they became right restorers of Christian policie in processe of time they prooued themselues to be destroyers of the peace and weale publike of a good gouernment in sending foorth the Spanish Inquisition as the ground of al the griefe in the Netherlands and the originall cause of the ciuill warres there now following The originall ciuill Warres in the Netherlands vnder the Duchesse of Parma FOr first by the said Inquisition sent from the Pope and the Spanish King into the Netherlands against the professors of the Gospell or of the reformed religion thus it fell out That the King hauing chosen new Bishops for the purpose sent them thither to execute the said Inquisition amongst them They of the reformed religion hereupon exhibit to the Lady Margaret Duchesse of Parma and Placencia sent by the King thither for their Regent and Gouernesse vnder him a little printed booke wherein they craue mitigation of the Kings Decrée hoping as they alleaged that he would not infringe and frustrate their ancient priuiledges and franchises in those points and for that cause they were reputed and called Geusij viz. poore men Which thing being interpreted to the worst in Spaine and sore stomacked by the King they of the reformed religion perceiuing the same fire euery day more and more to burst foorth to quench or at least as it were to auoide the same by publike assemblies at Sermons and conuenient places doe prouide for their profession and for protection of their particular estates Hereupon on the other side began Idolatrie to outface and disanull their doings by the Papists yet for all this the said Ladie Margaret Duchesse of Parma then Regent was commaunded by the King to graunt securitie vnto the Nobilitie of the professors who had béen before suiters vnto her for the same that they might fréely haue their assemblies and Sermons till further order were taken therein Then they of the reformed religion laid away their weapons and some Idolatrous personages were put to death Meane while the Regent hauing gathered vnder her some forces began to sow discord and debate amongst the reformed Nobilitie whereof the lesser part being stirred vp or rather enforced by her menacings and threatnings doe againe take them to their weapons whereupon at Antwerpe did sedition and tumult arise To auoide future daunger William Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw hereupon departeth out of the Netherlands in happie time Againe at Antwerpe was commandement giuen in certaine places that Sermons should be prohibited and so all things seeme to stand in vncertaintie though some hoped that the Kings displeasure would be pacified To conclude yet so many as were suspected of the reformed religion were taken and violently put to death many others taken endured long imprisonmēt many others fearing worse to come fled these Low Countries dispersing themselues into diuers parts of Europe And all this continued vnder the said Duchesse of Parma Regent for the space of twentie moneths In the time of these troubles and graunt of an Interim to haue frée libertie in preaching the Gospell there fell out a bloodie conflict neere Antwerpe at a place called Austeruile for one Monsieur de Toloze a Protestant suspecting bad practises of the Regent gathered and assembled two thousand souldiers in a fortification not fullie accomplished at the said Austeruile meaning with that force to aide them of Antwerpe if ill measure were offered them which the Regent went cunningly about for she in all secret manner raised a thousand horse and foure thousand footemen and gaue the charge of them to a gallant Captaine called Monsieur Beauvois albeit a cruell man who immediatly marched priuily towards this new fortification and before Monsieur Toloze could make himselfe strong to withstand his enemies the Regents power in the breake of day set vpon the vnreadie and féeble force of Toloze and charged them so furiously and hotly that they entred the weake fortifications ouerthrew the whole companie of Toloze sauing a few that escaped dangerously into Antwerpe among which souldiers Captaine Churchyard saued himselfe and entred Antwerpe Notwithstanding Toloze being slaine and almost all his men the enemie after the victorie gotten marched with all possible spéede towards Antwerpe where fortie Ensignes of the Regents power were in battell on the Market place readie to
same in time do not so spéedely prouide for the premisses and still he earnestly calleth vpon thē to looke well to the present necessitie in time so for their safetie and defense he doth the part of a good carefull Captaine that in the meane time they resisted and repelled the enemies forces for thrée moneths And he telleth them they should lack no helpe that he could performe or procure any way notwithstanding they of the citie being to too negligent and slow in following his aduice in time shortly after for want of better prouision in due time fiue Ensignes of those English souldiers were constrained to step aside to the enemie contrarie to their promise to the States This towne was rescued by cutting certaine bankes and letting in the sea which drowned many of the enemies troupes In the beginning of the next yéere 1575. the King of Spaine hauing victualles manned and rigged a Nauie of souldiers purposely sent to inuade the Netherlands a great part of the same Nauie ariued by contrary winde and weather vpon the coasts of England all for the most part of these ships were such as they call Assabres Pinasses so small as that they might passe thorow the narrow and deepe riuers of those countries who when they chanced vpon the coast of the I le of Wight in England such a friend was the Quéens Maiestie vnto them that by the helpe of certaine her Highnes and subiects ships they were wafted ouer to Dunkerke where after they had landed their souldiers and conueied their treasure which they brought to the Commaunder staying vpon those coasts the latter part of that winter these ships with those that were left in them by huge and terrible tempests there arising were one frushed with the other quite sunke and cast away a thing surely reputed for Gods wonderfull worke This yeere also the States of Holland and Zeland by the chiefe perswasion of the Prince of Orange after much and graue consultation with no lesse aduice and deliberation determined condescended and agreed to make suite vnto some forreine Prince to protect and defend them from the horrible furies and outragious tyrannies of the Spanish gouernment In that yeere 1575. was Ziricksea also besieged by the enemies forces which continued for nine moneths space where when the Prince of Orange had resisted the enemie what he could with men munition and money to his power it was afterwards sore against this good Princes will yeelded vp vnto the Spanish King and his forces in the next yeere following 1576. The same next yeere following 1576. what time the said Commaunder Generall with his Spaniards and others bent their forces to inuade Antwerpe there then the Marques of Hauery being General and Champigny another valiant Captaine for the States ioyned their forces to the full resisting of that inuasion and valiantly withstood the enemie But then the Earle Obersteyn making haste from the Offerlings house in Antwerpe being pursued by the Spaniards thinking by flight to escape that daunger rushed into a Flemmish ship in the riuer where by the way through the heauines of his armour borne downe he fell from that ships side and was drowned At that inuasion also were missing pursued by the Spaniards certaine others of the chiefest personages of authoritie and valour in Antwerpe There then also the young Count Egmont was taken prisoner in the Abbey of S. Michael and with him Capreyse and Gogneyse two Noble men and so caried captiues away Then the Spaniards thus inuading the noble citie of Antwerpe entring it with fire and sword most furiously sacked ransacked and spoyled the same citie in horrible manner so that they were Lords and conquerours of the same by the fourth day of Nouember in the yeere aforesaid 1576. where I note by the way that on the selfe same day when the noble citie of Antwerpe most tyrannously and most lamentably was thus taken burnt and spoyled by the Spaniards euen then the same day Don Iohn de Austria the bastard sonne of Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and new sent Commander Generall for the King of Spaine came into the Netherlands to gouerne the same As for the late Commander Don Lewis Requisensius when he had so serued his Prince King Philip as Generall of the Netherlands foure yéeres he deceased at Bruxels vpon whose death by the author were written these verses following IN MORTEM LVDOVICI REquisens Regis Hispan Commendatoris magni praedicti in Belgia 1576. Carmen I Lle Requisensus Regi percharus ipsi Vrbis Quirini flaminis Nunc chlamydem quandoque togam quandoque cucullum Triplex Chymera gestitans Belgarum genti Rector datus ante faeraci Praefectus Insubriae Mitis Horrenaus turgens abdomine Praedo Prouinciarum subdolus Emunctor populi Procerum Calcator Asylum Rasis Piorum Carnifex Numen Iberorum Batauorum terror Iniquus Belli atque Pacis Arbiter Ad generum Caereris subito se contulit illuc Citatus à Vitellio O stupidos Belgas passi qui talia Monstra Adhuc supini stertitis FINIS The ciuill Warres there vnder Don Iohn de Austria IN Ianuary following the next yeere 1577. after he was there setled a certaine space the Prince of Orange and diuers of the chiefest of the States by a certaine humble endeuour to doe all things for the best doe offer him in friendly manner for his present intertainment vse and benefit the possession of Louaine and Machlin to the intent to haue some treatie of pacification confirmed by him The said Prince and States at his request first demaunding the same on their parts giuing for hostages the before named Marques of Haury the Burgraue of Gaunt and the Abbot of S. Gertrude He accepteth their proffer made receiueth the hostages and bearing them in hand if he might be beleeued he would remaine either at Machlin or at Louaine where he would further procéede in treatie according to their former request to him so made In so much as the same being on the 5. of Ianuary 1577. condescended confirmed published by the aforesaid Prince of Orange and the States at Bruxels Don Iohn then as it seemed being moued by many reasons to make vnitie with the States promised them first to send away and quite dismisse the Spanish Kings forces out of those Countries and after that maketh them many faire promises on his part to be performed to the number of 19. Articles which were on the other partie likewise by and for himselfe and his Councell on the 17. of February 1577. condescended confirmed exhibited and published But howsoeuer this appeared in outward shew as the Poet saith it fell out Exitus acta probat caret successibus opto For the Prince of Orange and the States looking into his water more iudicially and prudently preuenting the worst sought by al meanes to prouide in time for their owne securitie and safetie and like prospecting Patriotae for the protection of themselues
all things distressed he takes his way towards the Abbey of S. Bernard from thence purposing to passe ouer the riuer Schaldis and Dermonde the Citizens of Antwerpe with all festination sending their shippes of war against him doe stoppe the way at Macklin in Brabant Hereupon also forthwith was the noble Generall Norice addressed with 23 Ensignes of English men and Scots into the countrie of Waste to withstand his passage that way who out of hand drowneth a great part of the countrie néere vnto Dermond with the waters there abouts but the Duke necessitie so constrayning him with great hazard passeth at Duffle ouer the riuer Nete and so with no little shame returned home into Fraunce where he afterwards for very sorrow sore repenting him of these things ended his life in such manner as I shall declare truelie reported in the historie thus procéeding This Duke of Aniow and late Duke of Brabant by the Sates so created as before you haue heard thus being sore abashed at his owne indirect dealing and returning as he came first with his powers by Dunkerke into Fraunce when he was there ariued the Duke of Parma presentlie beséegeth the same towne of Dunkerke and taketh it with certaine other Cities left at all aduentures being therein aided by the Citizens of Gaunt and by the Prince of Chymay the Gouernour And the said Duke of Aniow then being in Fraunce notwithstanding all former inconueniences tolerated by the States they yet once againe séeke for mutuall reconciliation with him and offer their friendships to receiue him againe vpon good assurance of better expectation but he newlie returned with his souldiers dismissed scattered abroad and discouraged as well falling sicke in bodie as wearied in minde with thinking vpon his former great misfortunes saw in himselfe now y t which he loathed being laughed to scorne of his aduersaries and besids that little accounted of with manie others by reason he was at some discord and ods with the King his brother Againe the Quéene mother a woman of most subtill wit and perillous mind who had first fostered the discord betwéene these her two sonnes to the end shée might preuaile in her purpose otherwise then practized to reduce them to vnitie and brought the matter to that passe that the Duke as humble suter for fauour acknowledging his fault should craue pardon of the King his brother Being constrained so to doe that hée might againe insinuate a renued mind into the affections of the States to make the former breach a more firmer knot of amitie concord and league with them who had by experience well learned that the Duke without the king his brothers countenance and supportation could not well accomplish any thing answerable to their expectation for they hoped hereby only the French forces shuld the rather returne vnto them and by his more carefull consideration all should yet againe be amended which before was farre amisse And in this behalfe the States beforehand prudentlie prouiding for their securitie do send the Lord Schonwalley as their Ambassadour vnto the French king and the said Duke his brother but or euer this ambassage could take effect or once be solicited the said Duke of Aniow remouing himselfe to the Castle of Theodor incontinentlie fell most grieuouslie sicke the blood gushing out of all the pores of his bodie as if his veines had béene burst with too much vehement ryding So as at length refusing naturall sustenance after the fortieth day of his sicknes come gone he died on the 10. of Iune in the yéere of our Lord 1584. At his death being in good mind memory it is affirmed he would not haue anie Monke or such other person for his Confessor He acknowledged professed and protested to such as were present at his death That hee reposed all his hope in the bloodshedding of Iesus Christ onelie as his onelie and alone Sauiour which thing for certaine the author of this historie had related vnto him by credible persons then present which his death some say was not without suspition of poysoning His desire before he died was to be buried as Gouernour and Duke of Brabant with his coate armour shields of armes and such other appurtenances to the same dominions vsuall and accustomed but his brother the French kings Counsellors thought it not so conuenient for fauour that they bare to the king of Spaine He was somewhat aboue the meane stature of men well compact of bodie of a swart complexion blacke eyed blacke head curled of a hie forehead a greater nose then anie his ancestors had he was very fierce of nature wittie eloquent affable nobly minded bountifull ambitious nothing blood thirstie or desirous of reuenge but mercifull and curteous not contemning anie man for religion sake yet vnquiet quicke and hastie in his doings but for all this as his disposition sufficientlie well shewed a peaceable person as appeared by his indeuours when hee went vnto the king of Nauarre now king of Fraunce as then being his aduersarie the Ambassadors of the Low-countries then thither accompanying the said Duke Men say that he two dayes before his death sent a copie of his testament vnto the king his brother and therein declared the great sorrow of his heart in that he had offended his Maiestie with his doings and enterprises he requested of him manie things especiallie he humbly beséecheth him to bee gratious Soueraigne Lord vnto many his retained Nobles and Officers at armes lately seruing him in the Low-countries and there impouerishing themselues And further where he in conscience was touched with consideration of a certaine debt to the summe of 300000. Florens which he had not yet satisfied he humblie besought his Maiestie of all brotherly loue betwéene them to take some order for the payment thereof acknowledging touching his presentabilitie that he could not leaue behinde him sufficient restitution or satisfaction neither should he carrie away with him out of this world into his graue anie other riches but the teares and sighes of sorrowfull persons to conclude he desired neither sumptuous nor statelie funerall but wished the monument of his memorie to be founded and fixed in the mindes of his friends and vassals Whose funerall in decent and honourable maner the king his brother accordingly accomplished within the Citie of Paris in the month of August that yéere 1584. Thus much for the manner of the gouernment actions life and death of the said Duke of Aniow after he was Gouernour in the Low-countries being for the space of two yéeres and a halfe as before is declared You haue heard hitherto what interchange of Gouernours haue béene on both sides as well for and vnder the king of Spaine as for the States what wars what slaughters of men and what infinite charges and troubles it hath béene for all parts and yet no placart of peace purchased at the Pope and King of Spaines hands but rather the one more like blood thirstie
lyonlike force practised against the nobles and States of the Low Countries infringing their ancient priuiledges breaking fidelitie in contracts violating the bonds of amitie and violentlie oppressing al integritie of loyal subiects and faithfull seruants of God seeking to make hauocke of high and low rich and poore young and old with more then Turkish tyrrany in those dominions most vntollerable Neither rest these two there contented with the great effusion of innocent blood like conquerours preying on or spoyling euery sillie shéepe with their iawes imbrued waxing euer more hungrie neuer rest raging hither and thither casting down Bulles threatning silly lambs swift of foote and gréedie of tooth to teare in péeces the christian members and to quaffe vp their blood in their vnquenchable thirst in those Countries but this Anti-Christ and his adherent vniustlie without cause giuen them as the iust God iudge and reuenger of all wrongs knoweth doe now also bend all their forces euen in this yéere against the most lawfull naturall christian and religious Phenix of feminine sexe and the most peerelesse Paragon of true professing Princes Elizabeth Quéene of England her gratious Royall person her noble lawfull kingdomes naturall faithfull subiects and happie peaceable estate and gouernment This Antichrist I say this Romish seauen headed tenne horned and triple crowned Dragon whose taile draweth the third part of the starres from heauen and casteth them to the earth presumeth to approch néere the woman the Church of God the defender of the faith and watcheth wililie with inward and outward Serpentine malice to deuour the innocent harmelesse child whereupon although this Dragon send forth his angels to war with the woman though he send forth his Iesuits the English fugitiues whom he hath nuâ—led vp in Popish abhomination manie yéeres and though he againe likewise infect and enforce the Locusts and Scorpions of the bottomlesse pit with his infernall furie such as Francis Throgmorton and manie other vipers which would haue wrought intestine warres and ciuill bloodshed against their naturall most gracious Prince their countrie and friends by forraine confederacies of the Pope and Spanish King their abbetters subborners and supporters yet to the perpetuall glorie of God these wicked Angels Locusts and Scorpions hauing no power to hurt anie good or godlie member but such as themselues which haue not the seale of God in their forehead were ouertaken by Gods power and prouidence and cast out into the earth and so the Lord of hosts fought for our Quéene and vs in peace mercie to our comforts but in his iustice and iudgement against our inward and outward enimies for which God make vs thankefull to his glorie for euer After the death so sought for and procured of the aforesaid noble Prince of Orange by the said Pope and Spanish king as afore mentioned the ordering of the affaires both ciuill and politike rested in the wisedome of the Nobilitie and States of the Low Countries who seeing themselues like sheepe left without a Shepheard a nation without a Gouernour and a bodie without a head plucking vp their spirits vnto them taking heart and christian courage vnto them in their godlie iust and lawfull cause for defence of Gods true religion of their auncient priuiledges themselues their wiues children and countrie and for eschewing the horrible tyranny of the forraine vsurping Pope and Spaniard their Idolatrie vniust exactions oppressions vnmercifull vexations and horrible desolations doe with most carefull consideration take oportunitie of time and with mature deliberation to consult vpon some peculiar and speciall protection of themselues and their countries thus grieuouslie distressed Whereupon in the next yéere following 1585. after conference had amongst themselues in the month of May that yeere they dispacht into England an honourable Embassade which ariued at London on the 26. day of Iune being personages of great account in the Netherlands Namelie the Lord Iames Gryse the Lord Roger Harsellus in the behalfe of Gelderland Maister Noelus Caronus Lord of Schonwall who at this day is resiant in England Agent for the Estates and Iohn Dousta Lord of Nortwich for the south part of Holland with eight others men of great account which for breuitie I doe here omit whom they substitute as their deputies to sollicite their cause vnto the Queenes Maiestie of England these were lodged about the Tower street and had their diet in worshipfull manner appointed at Clothworkers hall in London vpon her Maiesties owne charges On the 29. of Iune they repaired to the Court at Greenewich where they presented vnto her Maiestie the Soueraignetie of those Countries which being ratified contained at large 31. seuerall Articles as to the Duch historie I referre the Reader With godlie and neighbourlie commiseration whereof her Maiestie being pittifullie moued to put forth her helping hand to saue that which was in extreme perill considering well by former accidents how sinister a minde the Spanish king by the Popes instigation had of long time vniustlie borne of late put in practise and would now likelie proceed further if God and good regard in due time were not her best friends her excellent Highnes therefore to preuent the worst prouideth first for her own safetie and her subiects at home trayning and mustering of able men in all places of the realme for necessarie domesticall defence whatsoeuer might befall and afterwardes in the month of Iulie presseth out of the Citie of London certaine conuenient companies of Souldiers furnished for the warres at the charges of the Fraternities or Societies of the same Citie and on the 13. of August following with certaine special braue Knights approued Captains and worthie Seruitors ouer them transporteth all these into Holland Zeland Brabant c. as other the like Souldiers had beene before time sent out of other parts and places of the realme Of these seuerall Companies at this time was sent the before named valorous Generall Norice chiefe Commaunder who comming from thence for that purpose a little before taking his leaue of her Maiestie and her Nobilitie embarked himselfe and his retinue on the 24. of August this yeere 1585. and with a prosperous winde ariued in Holland about the 26. of the same where his forces being before ariued he disposed of them as was most conuenient till time and opportunitie serued for their purpose About this time the Right noble by birth and for vertue renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney sonne and heire of that most noble Sir Henry Sidney Knight sometime Lord Deputie of Ireland and then Lord President of Wales was by her Maiestie sent ouer after the said Generall Norice on the tenth day of October in the yéere aforesaid who ariuing in safetie at Flushing was on the ninetéenth of that moneth by the States established Lord Gouernour of Flushing in Zeland where by his valour wisedome and great diligence he surprised the towne of Axel in Flaunders and at Doesburgh in Gelderland made manifest proofe of
his valour and magnanimitie But as he had liued alwaies in honour excelling by the Lawrell and the Launce I am but Paruus Laodocus in re tam magna to describe his demerits of fame condignely so yet amongst others féeling in his life time his honourable fauour and finding after his death the want of his furtherance vnto my poore distressed Muse I cannot but in dutie honour his vertuous godly and learned life and with dolour deplore his vntimely death with his honorable actions then lastly performed as in the next yéere following hereafter shall appeare But to returne to the order and procéeding of the historie for this yéere 1585. aforesaid after that the said Generall Norice had disposed those seuerall companies vnder their seueral Colonels and Captaines and placed conuenient Garrisons in the frontier Townes before resigned to her Maiestie namely Briel Flushing Oftend and Berghenoptzome the very entries into Holland Zeland Flanders and Brabant the said Generall departed with his forces into Gelderland where by the speciall helpe of God his owne great valour and diligence of his souldiers he tooke the Sconce by Arnhem called Iselwerdt erected where the Isel falleth out of the Rhine wherein for better successe in the enterprise he placed fiue Ships and two Hoyes which sped very ill for that they were on ground and in the enemies reach knowing no way to escape the imminent daunger Which Captaine Hunnings on the said fifteene of Nouember that yéere 1585. perceiuing and seeking to escape the enemies hands being alreadie hurt very sore thinking to leape out of a ship into a boate but by reason of his armour somewhat heauie and lighting short hée was vnfortunately drowned Notwithstanding the said Generall Norice still continued his skirmish on land in a Sconce which he had butted against them so manfully that hauing sore discomfited them by meanes of his Fort and that hot assault the day drawing néere to an end they rested without any more adoe On the next day the Generall both in respect of his owne valour and his countries credit continued in his determination and purpose to giue a new assault But the enemies knowing the want of abilitie to withstand his force and being without hope of helpe voluntarily appealed to the law of Armes that they might depart with bagge and baggage and so they surrendring the Sconce into his hands the said Generall with no small credit to his countrie and honour to his name yéelding humble and heartie thankes vnto God for his clemencie entred the said Sconce of Arnhem in the which hée placed such a Garrison as was fit and conuenient for the kéeping thereof Moreouer the said Generall Norice determining to leaue no thing vnattempted that might any way annoy the enemie and profit his Prince and Countrie with a minde vnconquerable marched with his forces towards the citie of Nimeghem where by honourable force and Knightly chiualrie subduing another of the Enemies Sconces he partly cléered the Riuer Rhine by which déede he opened the passage from Colen and all the high Countries which was a very profitable and readie helpe to all the English Campe. This done by serious paines and industrie as a wise and politike Generall letting slip no occasion that might profit his purpose he raised a mount before the citie and that of such a height and strength that thereon he planted his Ordenance for that the situation of the towne was such that otherwise he could haue done it small hurt but by meanes of this new raised mount On the morrow he shot furiously into the Market place greatly terrifying the enemies and all the inhabitants of the citie The Prince of Parma hearing what had happened presently marched toward the succour of the citie purposing fully to haue giuen the said English Generall the repulse who for the better and more easie accomplishment thereof intēded to trauell secretly in the night thinking thereby to take the Englishmen vnprouided for their comming As indéede so they had done if the commendable and diligent care of our Espials had not preuented that inconuenience by fore warning the Campe of their comming who at that instant were not farre off At length the enemies approching hauing for their guide and gouernour the said Prince of Parma a man of great force and dexteritie in feates of warres and the English hauing for their Gouernour the said noble Generall Norice a man of no lesse courage then actiuitie he with a most valiant heart and cheerefull voyce encouraged his souldiers to the encounter wherein he himselfe for better emboldening of all vnder his charge and for their only euident example of valour and courage gaue the first charge and that so terrible to the enemies that turning their backs they fled away as mē amazed not being able to sustaine the force of his hands which the Englishmen well perceiuing most venturously followed their fleeing fainting foes with such furie that the Spaniards were by heapes laid leuell with the ground In which conflict were slaine of the enemies to the number of thrée thousand at what time also there was taken from them in the field nine Ensignes which losse was no small griefe to the enemies greatly bewayling their vnfortunate successe which was done with very small losse of the English as it was found by the due suruey and view made of such as were then missing This skirmish was sought on Monday the 15 day of Nouember in the said yéere 1585. after our English Generall with those worthie Knights Colonels and Captaines were employed in the said Low Countries as aforesaid For which gracious victorie by God giuen vnto them at this present great and memorable thankes and praise with singular ioy and comfort as well by the actors as by the inhabitants of those Countries were rendred vnto Almightie God and made manifest amongst them with mutuall consolation inspeakable And not thereabouts only where this honourable exploit was performed but also where and when the said Generall and the Campe returned thence to Briel being made Gouernour thereof vnder and for her royall Maiestie he was in most honourable manner receiued by all the States and Burghers with great triumph and ioy who in euery corner of the Citie made great bonfires in euery Church rung their bels and many a great volley of shot for to welcome him into the Citie where all the people with lowd voyces euery where said God saue good Queene Elizabeth God saue the good Queen of England The names of such Captaines as were hurt before this conflict at Arnhem Sconce were these Captaine Thomas Louell Sergeant Maior Captaine Borowes Captaine Thomas Knowles now Sir Thomas Knowles Captaine Charles Blunt now Lord Mountioy Captain Vauisor brother to the now Sir Thomas Vauisor and Captaine Thomas Wilson In all sixe Captaines hurt at that time The number of the English slaine at this conflict at Nemeghem as Captaine Thomas Louell told me was some 60. persons and not aboue The
wall There was slaine Captaine Spencer and some few others and Captaine Goodwin shot through the face The same day in parley time a Spaniard shot at an Englishman and was hanged therefore by the Enemie In this parley the Enemie desired to haue faire warres with vs. Saturday the fourth of May they made a breach in the West side of the Corunna foure of our men making an assault retired againe without hurt The same day Captaine Young being dangerously shot died soone after Sunday the fift of May they assaulted the breach filled vp by the Enemie to the hurt of some of our armed men Two Captaines shot thorow and Captaine Breyton hurt Captaine Sydenham slaine and one Cuckfoot an Ensigne to Sir Francis Drake Monday the sixt of May Iohn Kempston Marshall of the Ordenance was slaine with a shot from the high Tower Tuesday the 7. of May we marched foorth nine Regiments vpon the Enemie which had encamped themselues at a towne called Faro foure English miles from the Corunna our men charged on them being eight thousand and tooke their bridge there On either side the bridge our men entred the water draue them away killed some Colonels wanne their Towne victuals and prouisions fired the rest of their Villages néere draue them to retreite pursued them in chase thrée miles or more and slew of them in all thrée hundred at least of vs Captaine Cooper was slaine and not aboue thrée moe There were only hurt of our chiefe Commanders Sir Edward Norice and Captaine Hender who recouered both thereof and Captaine Fulford who died thereof Of those Spaniards at Faro was chiefe Don Iuan Pacheco Marques de Guasto and Gouernour of all Galizia who fled on horsebacke with the formost Wednesday the 8. of May our Sailers went on shore ranged the countrie burned and spoiled aboue fiue miles returning with some victuall and pillage without any resistance The same night the Non per illa was fired about fiue of the clocke by negligence in the harbour of Corunna and about twelue of the clocke that night the Merchant Royall was fired sixe men blowne vp with powder and some few hurt besides without more harme praised be God Thursday the 9. of May we raised our siege from the Corunna fired some of their ships in the harbour burnt and rased the base towne and Mils vp to the high towne and so embarked away thence that night Friday the 10. of May we set saile from the Corunna and that day about noone met with vs againe sixe saile of our Fléete which at our setting foorth parted from vs about the Coast of France Tuesday the 14. of May we doubled Cape finister the winde then at the East Saturday the 22. of Iune we departed from Vigo in Galizia to goe towards Peniche From Peniche the Armie came to Lisbon where they staied some two or thrée daies expecting the comming of the Fleete to Lisbon of which preparation and stay there Sir Anthony Wingfield writeth thus It may be demaunded saith Sir Anthony Wingfield writing vpon this voyage why a matter of so great moment should be so slenderly regarded as that the Generall should march with such an Armie against such an Enemie before he knew either the fulnes of his owne strength or certaine meanes how he should abide the place when he should come to it Wherein saith he I pray you remember the decrées made in the Councell at Peniche and confirmed by publike protestation the first day of our March That our Nauie should méete vs in the Riuer of Lisbon in the which was the store of all our prouision so the meane of our tariance in that place which came not though we continued till we had no munition left to entertaine a very small fight We are also to consider that the King of Portugall whether caried away with imagination by the aduertisements he receiued from the Portugals or willing by any promise to bring such an Armie into his countrey thereby to put his fortune once more in triall assured the Generall that vpon his first landing there would be a reuolt of his subiects whereof there was some hope giuen at our first entrie to Peniche by the manner of the yéelding of the Towne and Fort which made the Generall thinke it most conuenient speedely to march to the principall place thereby to giue courage to the rest of the Countrey The Friers also and the poore people that came vnto him promised that within two daies the Gentlemen and others of the countrey would come plentifully in within which two daies came many moe Priests some very few Gentlemen on horsebacke but not till we came to Torres Vedras where they that noted the course of things passed might somewhat discouer the weakenes of that people There they tooke two daies more and at the end thereof referred him till our comming to Lisbon with assurance that so soone as our Armie should be seene there all the inhabitants would be for the King and fall vpon the Spaniards After two nights tariance at Lisbon the King promised a supplie of thrée thousand foote and some horse but all his appointments being expired euen to the last of a night all his horse could not make a Cornet of 40. nor his foote furnish two Ensignes fully although they caried three or foure Colours and these were altogether such as thought to enrich themselues by the ruine of their neighbours for they committed more disorders in euery place where we came by spoyle then any of our owne So while wée staied at Lisbon wée both failed of the aide which the King Don Anthony promised vs and wée expected and also because our English Fléete came not vnto vs thither to Lisbon wée rose vp thence and went for Cascayes where méeting with our Fléete wée returned altogether into England where some of vs ariued at Plimmouth others at Portsmouth and others at London in the beginning of the moneth of Iuly Anno 1589. aforesaid Here endeth the Iournall of the Portugall Voyage A Iournall of the Honourable seruice by the renowmed Knight S. Iohn Norie Generall of the English and French forces performed against the French and Spanish Leaguers in Fraunce 1591. THis morning being Sonday my Lord Generall with Sir Henry Norice Captaine Anthonie Shirley Maister William Deuoreux c. tooke Post-horses at London to ride to South-hampton where in taking order for shipping for diuers considerations his Lordship staid vntill Sonday the 25. day Monday the 26. dict we embarked and fell downe with the shipping to Portesmouth where his Lordship staid that night at Captaine Richard Wingfields house Tuesday morning the 27. dict we set sayle being of vs in all 23. ships and other small vessels and hauing a scant shifting winde at north and north east we cast an anchor before Saint Helenes poynt in the Wight Wednesday morning about ten of the clocke being vntill then becalmed wee hapned of a small gale of wind blowing N. N. west
seconded by the Lieutenants one Guest and Braconbury But the first of the French performing but badly and the second flatly denying Monsieur de Mo Martin was enforced to aduance himselfe somewhat further then his place required whereby he receiued a Harquebuze shot in the thigh Being iudged by my Lord Generall and Monsieur de la Noë that the Spurre when it should haue beene taken was not assaultable it was thought good that certaine shot should be sent out in the smoke of the Cannon to lodge themselues directly vnder a Bulwarke vpon the right hand of the gate whereby the breach might in some sort be flanked Whiles Monsieur de la Noë stood behinde a Baricado to beholde how those that were sent performed this seruice he was shot in the head with a Musquet whereof he died soone after At the time of this seruice one Monsieur de Boa Captaine of a Companie of Light horse was slaine with a small shot My Lord well weighing the slow successe of this enterprise thought it best to deferre the seruice vpon the Spurre vntill the darknes of the night following His Lordships purpose was to assault with some thirtie shot and Pikes well armed if the height of the breach would haue béen taken whereof little doubt was made The leading of these men was committed to Lieutenant Guest it was further resolued that Captaine Hender with other thirtie shot and Pikes should lodge himselfe vnder the great Baricado on the right hand of the Gate and to assay by all meanes he could to worke himselfe further vnder the very foundation thereof In the darknes of the night my Lord Generall caused two with firelocke péeces and two Pikes to discouer the breach who made their way without any great difficultie Lieutenant Guest followed with two Pikes only and sixe Musquetiers who winding to the height of the breach besides many sore blowes with stones receiued two shot vpon his armour whereof one was a very daungerous wound and so retired from the place which was so flankered as it could not well be kept Sunday the 11. day of Iuly 1591. Master Danyel desirous to see out of the height of a Tower receiued a shot in the shoulder with a Harquebuz And in the same place one Master Pawlet was shot in the head whereof he died presently Vpon an assured intelligence that Duke Mercoeur with his whose force was come to Pleny Ingot with a resolution to raise our siege my Lord Generall at the instance of the Prince most of our French hauing at that time forsaken vs thought good to dislodge and to méete the Enemie We dislodged and that night the Armie came to Queymer where we continued vntill the last of Iuly present Monday fourtnight following my Lord Generall sent letters to the Lords of the Councell by Master Browning Tuesday the 27. Monsieur de la Verdune came to the Prince with 220. horse and 700. foote The Marques de Villeures did accompany him Friday the Armie dislodged and lay that night at Brehake Sunday the first of August the Prince Dombeez my Lord Generall Monsieur de la Verdune and the principall Commanders amongst the French being followed with twelue hundred shot whereof foure hundred were English twentie being taken out of euery Companie and all the Cauallerie did march from the armie at Brehake towards the Enemie encamped by Ingon The intention was to haue cut off thrée Cornets of the Enemies horse which lay at a little Village about a mile and a halfe off from the strength of the Armie But vpo an aduertisement taken it was found that they dislodged themselues that morning and had drawne themselues to another Village not fiue hundred paces from their Armie We comming to the first place and missing the Enemie sought them in the second from whence likewise vpon their alarme giuen by their Sentinels they had withdrawne themselues to the armie Yet in this second place some small resistance was made by French shot which being soone ouerthrowne and some 25. of the Enemies horse taken which in a hastie feare they left behinde Monsieur Tremblay seeing some thrée or foure score of the enemies horse begin to make a head and proffer to passe a Riuer determined to charge the first that would attempt the same In which charge being least of all the rest foure only excepted that charge with him his horse stumbling and so falling with him he was taken prisoner after a sleight hurt receiued in his face with the shot of a Pistoll Tuesday our Armie dislodged to Kerso Thursday to Monconter Saturday from thence to S. Brieux Sunday my Lord Generall dispatched letters into England by Peter Browne the Poste Saturday we remoued to Ville Rabel To this place place came Master Barker with my Lords horses out of the Low Countries At this place considerations were drawne by the Prince and his Councell which implied a necessitie for the marching of the Armie in the high parts of Britany whereunto my Lord Generall in writing answered his opinion Tuesday the 24. of August dicto the Armie came to Collinee Thursday the Armie dislodged and because the Prince was certainly enformed that Mounsier de Mercouer came to Benne it was certainly resolued that the Armie should that day march to S. Meyn but through the vnredines of all things apperteyning to the Cannon and distance of place that course was altered and for that night we lodged at Medrimak a reasonable faire village in the mid way betweene Collinee and S. Meyn Here the Prince Dombeez vnderstood that Mounsier de Mercoeur had in all secrecie dislodged that night before from Diuant and was come to Pleumalan with a resolution to preuent vs of our lodging at S. Meyn Pleumalan is two leagues from Diuant and foure from S. Meyn from Medrimak to S. Meyn but three leagues Whereupon it was concluded that Mounsier de la Verdune accompanied with 80. Curasses 300. Harquebuz a Cheuall and 400. English should dislodge about midnight and assay if by a speedie march towards S. Meyn they could before the enimie should inuest the towne with those forces Friday we dislodged verie timelie and in our march were certified that S. Meyn was inuested with those forces sent the night before with Mounsier de la Verdune and that it was not heard that the enimie had anie such intention as before Tuesday the thirty one and last of August we dislodged to Yfendit Here Mounsier de la Verdune left the Prince Thursday the second of September anno dict the Armie remoued to Breal Friday the third from thence to Moyal Saturday from Moyal to Chasteauieron Sonday my Lord Generall was inuited by the inhabitants of Rheyas to visite their Citie Thursday we dislodged to Chasteau burg Saturday from thence to S. Hulbin At this place lay the Armie when the Castle of Chastileon was taken in by assault Friday my Lord
exploit against the Spaniards at the Fort of Coryzon leauing this towne inuested by the Marshall and thrée of our English Regiments commaunded by his brother Sir Henry Norice our Lieutenant Generall himselfe only with his owne Regiment and his owne companie of horse marching towards the Fort and lodged that night at Croyzon And the next day sate downe before the Fort. Thrée daies were spent in vnshipping bringing vp the Artillerie which were fourtéene péeces whereof the Marshall furnished but two Culuerings and in making of approches which was greatly hindred by the want of Gabions Pioners and other prouisions for the making of platformes which we hoped by promise to haue had in a readines sent vs from the Gouernour of Brest but our Generall could procure almost nothing from thence but with many difficulties by reason of the weather The fift of this moneth we had newes that the Marshall and Sir Henry Norice had Quimper yéelded vnto them The sixt of this moneth the Enemie made a sallie out vpon our trenches but were very brauely beaten home againe with the losse of seuen or eight of their men but yet this their losse was very vnfortunately answered by the death of Captaine Anthonie Wingfield our Sergeant Maior generall being shot with a Cannon out of the Fort as he stood by the Gabions with his Rapier drawne the which with the shot was beaten through his bowels This man with great reputation had long time serued her Maiestie both in the Low Countries Portugall and Fraunce and at his last going into Britaine so disposed of his estate as if he were neuer to returne and the same day or the day before his death tooke such order for his debts as if he had a presage of his end The next day the Marshall D'Aumond and Sir Henrie Norice with our English Regiments came to vs from Quimper and were quartered at Croyzon thereabouts After whose comming foure daies were spent in mounting of the Artillerie planting of our Ordenance and making of platformes for them to play On the 12. day the Enemie made a sallie vpon the French trenches who hauing not the leisure to arme themselues lost betwéene thirtie and fortie men and as many hurt and from thence they aduanced themselues towards our trenches where wee lost in their defence ten or twelue men but we did put them againe in possession of their trenches Hauing now all things readie for the batterie I will as well as I can describe vnto you the Fort. You shall vnderstand that more then two parts of the Fort was defended by the water the rest was made so excéeding strong as either by arte or charge could be done On the South front thereof on each corner were two exceeding strong Bastions that on the West side was seuentéene paces in the front that on the East side tenne paces the Curtaine betwéene both was 37. foote thicke at the top and within these they had made a very large intrenchment and the Bastions were excéeding well flanked from the Rocke by the water side planting both on the flankers and bastion some great Ordenance We lay entrenched within thrée or foure paces of their Counterscarp the Frenchmen on the East side and wée on the West side the batterie lay in the midst betweene the trenches These things thus prouidently ordered by the Marshall and our Generall on the 23. our Artillerie began to play and continued some seuen hundred Cannonodos but did so little harme by reason of the strength of the place as scarse any shew of a breach appeared onely wee did beate away their parrapete and some of their flankers whereupon some hundred men commaunded by Captaine Lyster were sent to view and see if they could hold the Counterscarp Then many of our braue men and gallants thirsting after honour desirous to doe somewhat further hauing possessed themselues of the Enemies Counterscarp which onely they were commaunded to attempt vndertooke the breach which they performed so well as that notwithstanding the vnsatiablenes of the place and the great resistance the enimie made Yet the most part of them attained to the verie top thereof which they held for a while but were afterwards repulsed This enterprise was with wonderfull great resolution and valour seconded by S. Thomas Baskeruil who likewise got so farre as the point of the breach There were lost in this attempt manie braue men namelie Slaine in the assault Captaine Barker Captaine Prudder Captaine Iackson Sergeant Maior of Ostend who had no charge there Haynes Ensigne to sir Henry Norice Corporall Essex M. Throgmorton and some 16. or 18. souldiers Hurt in the assault Captaine Audley Captaine Bartley Captaine Couch Captaine Goodwins Lieutenant Captaine Williams Lieutenant Captaine Bucks Lieutenant other priuate men Burned with Powder Sir Thomas Knowles Captaine Ashendon Captaine Bishop Lieutenant Larkeley Captaine Lopeley Maister Waineman and diuers others You are to vnderstand that this attempt was onelie made by the Englishmen on the bastion of the west side for the Frenchmen neuer attempted any thing against their Bastion aleaging that it was not Assaultable The Marshall and our Generall seeing the little effect that our Artillerie wrought deuised to make a mine on one of the bulwarks namelie on the East bastion towards the French trenches in perfecting thereof some 17. or 18. dayes were spent But on the 30. being an exceeding wet morning whereby our powder and match were not fit for seruice the enimie againe found thereby oppertunitie to fall out vpon the French trenches and killed so betweene twenty and thirty of them at the least among whom was Mounsier Lyscot a verie braue gentleman one of the Marshals of the Campe who was abandoned by the French and their trenches wholie possessed by the enimie but our English men did presentlie repossesse them of their trenches and killed some of the Spaniards Our nation lost an exceeding great friend of this Mounsier Lyscot he exceedingly loued our Generall as if he had bin his owne father and generallie fauoured all English men and gaue vs the reputation to be verie braue souldiers By the seauenth of Nouember our mine was reasonable well perfected and a determination held againe to begin the batterie with a resolution that so soone as the myne should be blowne vp which was made towards the bulwarke by the French trenches that the Frenchmen should assaile that part and the Englishmen their Bastion and that others with scaling ladders should make attempts in euerie corner so that the defendants should be on euery part assailed But the Marshall being that daie sicke sent in the morning for our Generall and shewed him his letters from the Gouernour of Rennes and from diuers others by which he was advertised that Iohn Don Ioan de la Auquilar Generall of the Spaniards was marching towards Croyzon with all his Spanish forces to rescue the fort was alreadie aduaunced to La-cornan a village within fiue leagues