was his common custom as soon as he had pitched his Tents to cause a white Banner to be displayed on the top of his Pavillion and there to remain two or three days If the Town or City did yield whilst that was up the Inhabitants were to expect good Quarter and the preservation of their Lives and Estates without the least Injury but if they resisted obstinately his offers of Grace and would try his Strength he did then put up a Red Banner which did threaten them with Death and the loss of many Lives After that if they did not open to him their Gates he commanded his Black Banner to be hung out after which he would never admit of any parley nor conditions of a surrender but was wont to command that Town with all its Inhabitants to be destroyed with Fire and Sword This custom of his struck such a Terror into the minds of all his Enemies that after one or two Towns had experienced this Severity none had the confidence to withstand him but readily yielded at his first Summons CHAP. LX. How the Governour of Croizon obliged his Soldiers to defend themselves and their Fort when they were ready to yield THis Fort was hardly besieged by General Norrice and several Breaches being made in the Walls the Soldiers within began to talk of a surrender The Governour a very stout and ingenious Man to prevent the dishonour of a base and cowardly yielding caused a Post to be set in every breach made by the Enemies Canon and to it chained all such persons as were willing to yield or had behaved themselves cowardly but with their Weapons in their hands that they might if they pleased defend themselves and their Castle By this Policy he forced all the rest to stand stoutly to their Arms and saved both himself and Fort from the Enemies Power CHAP. LXI How the Lord Willoughby prevented the Siege of Bergen-op-Zone whereof he was Governour when the Duke of Parma began to besiege it AFter the loss of the Spanish Fleet in 1588. the Duke of Parma who was ready with a numerous Army for the Invasion of England but being hindred from that design by the unexpected ruine of the Invincible Armado he employed all his Forces against the Towns of the Netherlands This of Bergen was one of the first that he endeavour'd to win As he was considering of the method to be used because the Town was fortified both by Art and Nature and was guarded by a strong Castle which was first to be mastered before the City could be taken secret Letters were brought to him to give him to understand that a certain Spaniard kept a Prisoner in the City had contracted Friendship with two English Men a Captain and an Ensign and perswaded them for a Sum of Money to betray the Castle and City to the Spaniards They according to their Duty discovered the whole plot to the Lord Willougby who designing to make advantage of this business for the destruction of the Spanish Army ordered them to proceed on and promise the accomplishment of the Treason which was to be effected in this manner they were to perswade for a sum of Money some of the chief Captains to open the Gates at night for them and a party of Spanish Soldiers who should secure the strongest and most considerable part of the Town The Spaniards being come according to appointment one of the Officers went out to them and offered himself to be bound hand and foot for their greater assurance At his approach before the Gates they were instantly opened and when so many were entred that the Guards could easily Master the Lord Willougby let down the Port-Cullisses and gave such as were hastning in such a Volley of small and great Shot that several hundreds were killed of the Spaniards The Treacherous Officer escaped in the hurly burly and saved himself from such as guarded him for they were more sollicitous how to save thir own lives than to destroy his At the return of the Spanish Army which was come to take the Town the Sea being high and the Air very dark there were a great many that for want of knowing the right way fell into the Water and were found drowned the next morning There were so many killed of the Dukes Army that he was forced the next day to raise his Siege and depart for that time CHAP. LXII How Ferand King of Naples won a Gity and Castle from the French FErand understanding that the King of France had fought a great Battel with the Venetians and Millanoys near Fernon considered with himself how he might make an advantage of the Kings absence and hazard for the re-taking of his lost Kingdom He had some Troops on foot ready at command with them he marches to the City of Naples at such a time as the Issue of the Fight could not well be known and sent his Summons to the Governour of the Castle to deliver it to him together with this false news That there had been a Battel fought at Fernon wherein their King was killed and the French utterly routed The credulous Governour believing the Messenger because he knew that there had been a Fight but never had any certain Intelligence before and fearing lest he should anger the King and make him less willing to grant Honourable Conditions to him and his party if he should obstinately hold out and oblige him by Compulsion he yielded up his Castle and City into the Kings power which occasioned the loss of the whole Realm from the French CHAP. LXIII How Mahomet Bassa concealed the Death of Soliman at the Siege of Sigeth in Hungary from his Army near Two Months until his Successor was come into the Camp and the Town taken WHen Soliman the Magnificent was dead before Sigeth in Hungary the great Bassa caused him to be put in a Horse-Litter as if he had been only troubled with the Gout and obliged the Phisitians to go to and fro with their Physick as if they had him in cure to hide his Death from the mutenous Janizaries who would have taken advantage of the Interregnum to have plundred the Christians and Jews and perhaps have broken up the Siege Yet he could not conceal this death long but they had a Jealousie that the Bassa dealt not fairly with them therefore to satisfie them he promised the next day that they should see their Emperour himself alive for that purpose he cloathed the Corps in its Imperial Robes and placed it in a Chair of State at the end of a long Gallery with a little Boy behind him who was to move secretly the Emperours hand and to lift it up to his Head as if he had therewith stroakt his Beard as it seems was his usual custom The Soldiers seeing this at a distance off imagined him to be yet alive and departed very well satisfied for that time Thus the subtile Bassa concealed his death from his Army and Guards about Forty days more
thousand common Soldiers Though the Enemy was fled the King for the publick safety commanded his Army to stand in Array for the Earl of Faulconbridge suddenly appeared with 600 Horse to take the English upon an advantage but they were soon routed After this Solemn thanks was given there to God and the Soldiers had then liberty to take the Plunder of the Field From thence King Henry marched to Chalice loaden with Riches and Honour The next year with a new Army he landed in Normandy besieged and took Caen and all the chief Towns invited by the Kings promises yielded without resistance only Rohan being well manned and fortified held out so long till Famine scal'd the Walls and deliver'd it to the English Bedford and the Earl of Huntington returned likewise with Victory over the French Fleet. In the beginning of this War the English had no assistance but from their own Skill and Valour and from the divided State of France and the discontent of the Grandees who commonly find fault with one another in an unsuccessful War But there happened an Action which mightily increased the strength of the English The Duke of Burgundy the Dolphins Enemy sought to be reconciled to him for the publick good The Dolphin though he professed much kindness took his advantage and murdered the Duke The Earl of Carolois the Dukes eldest Son sought to be revenged on the Murderers and therefore from thence favoured King Henry's Claim A peace was concluded by which King Henry was proclaimed Regent and Heir apparent of France and he marryed with Catherine the French Kings Daughter All these sudden successes of the English were owing to the young Duke of Burgundy's revenge the French Kings weakness and the Dolphins unjust dealing for he had purchased to himself many Enemies by the illegal murdering of great men chiefly the Duke of Burgundy A Foreign Enemy hath a great advantage in a strange Country when a Potent Person or a considerable Party joins with or assists them in their Conquest The Dolphin though he was discouraged by the French Kings rejection and the defection of many Towns he gathered his Forces and put a period to the English Victories and Joys by the gain of a Battel wherein 2000 English were surprized and slain with the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Earls of Tankerville and Kent and the Lord Ross only for want of a right intelligence of the Enemies state and numbers The Duke being perswaded by a deceitful Scout to leave behind him the strength of his Army and engage the French Army only with his Horse Too much Confidence and Valour hath been the ruine of the stoutest and best Generals of former Ages The Dolphin to be revenged upon Burgundy employs Fire and Sword to destroy his Country but the King of England pursued him from one City to another till he fell sick by the way in marching towards Burgundy which caused him to be carryed back to Bois d'Vnicermes where after he had given order for the preservation of his Kingdom and returned thanks to God for his Conquests he departed this troublesome life leaving by his Queen a young Henry born at Windsor whom he committed to the Protection of his good Brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester but the Regency of France was left to his Brother John Duke of Bedford After the Kings Death Montacute Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot were the most noted Champions and the most successful Commanders for the English Salisbury surprised the Town of Pont-Melance and raised the Siege of Cravant in Burgundy with the destruction of 8000 of the Enemy He took several other Towns and at the Battel of Vernoyle between the Regent and the Duke of Alanson who was assisted by William Stuart and a strong party of Scots this brave Commander routed the French Army kill'd 7000 French 2700 Scots with many of the chief Nobility so dreadful was his name to the French Nation that when St. James in Benyon was besieged by the Constable of France with 40000 men about 600 English sallying out of the Town and crying out St. George a Salisbury put the whole French Army to flight and took 14 great Guns with much of their Baggage and Ammunition In the prosecution of this War many Towns were lost and taken on both sides several sharp encounters happened between the English and the French Garrisons The French King was Crowned at Rheims and young King Henry at Paris where he received the Homages from the Nobility and Citizens The English Affairs prospered mighty well whilst there was a good agreement between the chief Commanders whilst they humoured the Duke of Burgundy and treated the French with Civility and kindness but when discord happened to be between the English Lords and they suffered the the Soldiers to oppress the Natives of France the Cities fell away from them apace Yet Lord John Clifford took Pouthois when the English Interest began to decay In a Snowy and Frosty Night he caused all his party to cloath themselves in White and in that colour he scal'd the Walls undiscover'd put most part of the Inhabitants to the Sword and plundered the Town Yet for all the brave Exploits and couragious endeavours of several English Commanders within a few years all France was lost with Aquitain and Normandy through the division of the English the cruelty of the Soldiers the Falshood and Treachery of the Natives and the presumption and negligence of some great Captains CHAP. XLIII Of Alexander Duke of Parma and his successful Stratagems WHen this excellent General came first to the Government of the Netherlands the King of Spain of the Seventeen Provinces was in possession but of three of the least but in a few years Parma by his industry and skill in Arms recovered almost all Holland and Zealand excepted This Prince had given the first Specimen of his Courage and Understanding in War in the Famous Battel of Lepanto against the Turks where he adventur'd to board a great Commanders Vessel named Mustapha the Treasurer of the Turks and after a bloudy Fight he took that Gally and another that came in to assist the former with unknown Riches in both But when John of Austriae was sent Governour into the netherlands he invited Alexander the young Duke of Parma into the Low Countries At the Battel of Gemblack between John of Austria and the States Alexander perceiving the Enemies Horse to march in a crooked and uneven way gave notice of it to the General and without expecting any return caused some Spanish Commanders to assault them in the Front and upon the Flanks which was performed with that Gallantry that they were put to flight and run back upon their Foot which they broke and disorder'd so that 10000 were there slain and taken in half an Hours time and but nine of the Spanish Army were found wanting All their Carriages and Guns were there taken with their General and several Noblemen This great Victory
and suffer them to refresh themselves amongst them which being granted he sent the stoutest of his Souldiers in the Habit and Garb of sick men and with them took the City and kept it for his Use 3. When Alexander had overcome and conquered Thrasia and he was to pass over into Asia because he feared that after his Departure they would take up Arms against him he took with him with an honourable Pretence their Kings their Governours and all such as did seem to be concerned for the Recovery of the Liberty that they had lost he left behind the common People and appointed them Governours out of the meanest of them By this means he obliged their Princes by many good Deeds so that they would not rebell against him and for the common People they were not able to do him mischief when they were deprived of the Assistance of their Princes 4. When Antipater saw the first Army of them of Nestos which upon the News of the Death of Alexander were gathered together to disturb his Government he pretended that he knew not the intent of their coming but gave them Thanks because he supposed that they designed to assist Alexander against the Lacedaemonians and assured them that he would give the King an Account by Letter of their Readiness to serve him But because he had then no need of their help he advis'd them to depart home to their Houses By this subtle Speech he delivered himself from the danger of a Rebellion that threatned him 5. Scipio Africanus being in Spain had a Prisoner amongst the rest a noble Lady and a Virgin of a rare Beauty brought to him which ravish'd the Eyes of all that beheld her he caus'd her to be very well guarded and to be delivered to her Spouse named Luceius and besides he gave the Gold that her Parents brought to him for her Ransom to her Beloved as an Addition to her Dowry By which several Expressions of his Bounty the whole Nation was overcome and yielded to the Roman Empire 6. It is also reported of Alexander the Great that he very carefully preserved a Captive Virgin of a rare Beauty which had been espoused to a neighbouring Prince and would not so much as see her but sent her to her Husband and by this good Deed he got the Favour and the Hearts of the whole Nation 7. When the Emperour Caesar Augustus sirnamed Germanicus in that War in which he overcame the Enemies and purchased to himself the Name of Germanicus was in the Borders of them of Collen and built certain Castles commanded that the Value and Price of the Fruits of those Places which he inclosed within his Fortifications should be paid to the right Owners by the Report of his Equity and just dealing he obliged and confirmed all that Country in their Obedience CHAP. XII What is to be done in a Camp if we have not sufficient Confidence in the present Forces Example 1. T. Quintius the Consul when the Volsci were ready to assault his Camp kept only a Company upon the Guard and sent the rest of the Army to sleep and take their rest only the Trumpeters he ordered to ride about the Fortifications and to sound their Trumpets by which Appearance and Dissimulation he detained and kept off the Enemy all night and the next Morning when they were weary with watching he suddenly sallied out and easily overcame them 2. Q. Sertorius in Spain being too weak for the Enemies Cavalry which was wont to ride up to the sides of his Camp caused in the night Holes to be dig'd in the Ground and drew up his Army before them At last when the Troops of Horse returned according to their former Custom he told his Men that he had found that the Enemies had prepared an Ambush for them and therefore they should not depart from their Colours nor forsake their Ranks which being observ'd according to the Discipline of War he fell by chance into the true Ambushes which because he had foretold his Souldiers they were the more courageous 3. Chares the Athenian General expected some Recruits but was afraid that the Enemy in contempt of his slender Forces would in the mean while assault his Camp he therefore sent a great many of the Souldiers that he had with him on the other side of his Camp away in the Night and commanded them that they should return to him again in the most visible manner to his Enemies and shew the Appearance of Recruits and fresh Succours By this appearance of Recruits he kept off the Enemy untill he was really relieved according to his expectation 4. Iphicrates the Athenian having his Camp in plain Fields and understanding that the Thracians intended to invade and plunder his Camp and that they would come down the Hills by one way that led from the top to the bottom he privately led his Army and placed them on both sides of the way through which the Thracians were to pass and when the Enemy came running down to the Camp where many Fires were purposely made by a few to shew the appearance of the Army continuing there he assaulted them on both sides and overthrew them CHAP. XIII Of Escaping Example 1. WHen the Gauls were to fight with Attalus they delivered to certain Guards all their Gold and Silver and ordered them that if they were put to Flight they should scatter it in the way that whilst the Enemy was busie in gathering it up they might more easily escape them 2. Triphon King of Syria being overcome in Battel scattered in all the way where he fled his Money by that means he detained the Horsemen of Antiochus that pursued him and escaped from them 3. Q. Sertorius being overcome by Q. Metellus Pius and forced to a Retreat and not judging his Flight to be safe commanded his Souldiers to scatter and depart and acquainted them with the place where he advis'd and ordered them to meet all again together 4. Viriatus General of the Lusitanior Portugals escaped from the Roman Army and out of a difficult place in the same manner as Sertorius by scattering his Army and gathering it again together 5. Horatius Cocles when he was pursued by the Army of Porsenna ordered his Souldiers to return into the City over the Bridge and to break it down that the Enemy might not follow which while it was in doing he exposed his Life as the Defender of his City to keep off such as pursued after him And when he had heard the noise of the Bridge falling down he cast himself into the River and pass'd over it loaden not with Arms but with Wounds 6. When Afranius in Spain at the City of Ilerda fled from Caesar who pursued him at the Heels he pitch'd his Camp and when Caesar had done the like and had sent out a Party of his Men for Forrage he suddenly gave a Command to his Army to march 7. When Antonius retreated with his Army which was followed by the
his Father in the Government of France and in his ambitious designs for he confined his Lord and King to to a Covent and took from him his Regalia with the Popes approbation when Pipin sent to him to know who was fittest to Reign a Stupid prince or an Active Subject the Pope understanding his meaning gave orders to the Archbishop of Mentz to set the Crown of France on Pipins Head Thus the Popes of Rome have secured their Interest and Authority by obliging Persons of the greatest Valour Activity and Authority that they might help to enlarge and defend their Dominions For Pipin having received so great a Courtesie from Pope Stephen he could do no less than assist him with an Army when he was overpowred by Aistulphus King of the Longobards from whom he took Ravenna Bononia Imola Faventia Ferrara c. and bestowed them as a Gift on the Church of Rome And when Aistulphus besieged Rome with an Army at Pipins return into France the Pope was forced to implore again his Aid which he easily granted and forced Aistulphus to purchase his Peace with the yielding of the third part of his Treasures and a yearly Tribute which he paid to the French Afterwards Pipin at his return out of Italy with his Army conquer'd Aquitania and Goscony Pipin was a Politick Prince and because the Pope and Clergy in those days were in high esteem he did them all the reverence shewed them all the favour that was in his Power and they to requite his kindness raised him from the condition of a Subject to that of a Monarch When Pope Stephen came to implore his Assistance against the Longobards he met him with his Wife Children and Nobles three Miles out of his City and received him with a knee upon the ground took the Reins of the Pope's Bridle and led him to his Pallace whilst multitudes of the People sung Songs to the Praise and in honour of the Pope and the new King For it concerned him and his Posterity to vindicate and extol that Authority by which he was established in the Throne and his lawful Prince thrust out Therefore both he and his Son Charles did always magnifie the Popes Power Credit and Dominion and would never suffer them to be questioned by any other earthly Judges Pipin sounded the Bishopwricks of Saltsburg Ratisbone Aihstrat and Frisinge in Germany and was very bountiful to other places He was the first who brought in the use of Organs into the Western Churches having received one as a present from the Emperour of Constantinople And 't is observed of him that he was sincerely Zealous and Religious in his perswasion He endeavour'd to propagate the Christian Faith and to employ that Power that God gave him to advance his Glory He suppress'd Heathenism Judaism and all manner of Heresies and established a civil Government for the execution of Justice The Parliament of Paris was first appointed by him not to give a check to the Royal Authority but that the Kings of France might advise with the most ingenious and excellent Men of his Kingdom who were well acquainted with the conditions and necessities of the People that all Resolutions and Royal Acts might be made for the common good and the preservation of the Grandure and Authority of the Monarchy This King highly promoted also all those who had bin active to establish him upon the Throne and was very careful not to suffer Virtue in the meanest person to go unrewarded CHAP. X. Of Carolus Magnus the first Northern Emperour CHarles the Son of such a wise successful and Religious Prince as Pipin was inherits his Fathers Estate and Zeal for Religion At his first coming to the Crown he was solicited by Pope Adrian to relieve the Roman Church then likely to be robbed of all St. Peters Patrimony by Desiderius King of the Lombards With a strong Army he marches into Italy and in a notable Fight overcame Desiderius and besieges him in Ticinum took him with the Town and sent him and his Wife into France All Italy submitted to the Victorious Banners of Charles who enlarged the Dominions of the Romish Church To the former gift of King Pipin he added several large and rich Towns At his return into France he undertook an expedition against the Saxons who were Heathens and with them he overcame the Westphalians the Huns the Angarians the Hestians but the Saxons kept him in play 33 years before they could be totally subdued The Christians of Spain desired his Assistance against the Moors to relieve them he marched with his Army into Spain where he had wonderful Success but at his return over the Pyrenian Mountains the passages were so beset by the Country People that he lost his Army and was forced to fly for his Life leaving Eginbardus Roland Anshelmus and many of his best Officers dead behind him Adalgisus and Thastilo the Son and Nephew of Desiderius raised some stirs in Italy to recover Lombardy but them he overcame by his Lieftenants the first he put to Death and confin'd the second to a Monastery After all these Victories and Successes Charles deserved well the name of Great and to requite his kindness to the Roman See Pope Leo the 3d. put upon him the Imperial Crown and made him the first Emperour of the West in St. Peters Church at Rome upon Christmas day in the year 800. From hence the Roman Bishops claim the priviledge of naming and Crowning the Western Emperors who have often desired to receive the Imperial Diadem from the hands of the Popes in former ages This Charles was a very Wise Learned Couragious and Fortunate Prince for he subdued the greatest part of France Spain Italy Saxony Pannonia Histria Ducia Liburnia and Dalmatia He was very liberal to the Churches and Clergy of his days 23 Metropolitan Churches inherited his Treasures besides he built many Religious Houses and Colledges and appointed the 12 Peers of France Six of the Clergy and Six of the Laity And it is reported of him that at Supper time he would have some Godly and Religious Book to be read to him So careful he was for the preservation of the right Faith in his Kingdoms that when Nestorianism was received by the Corruption and Wickedness of two Bishops he called together at Franckford a Synod of 300 Bishops to judge and determine that Controversie Therefore for his care of Religion and the regard he had in all his Actions to God's Glory he was blessed with wonderful Success in all his wars so that his Fame was spread all about the known World and he was courted by the remotest Princes by the Greeks Saracens Swedes and Danes c. CHAP. XI How Telerichus King of the Bulgarians found out those that discovered his Secrets to Constantine Copronymus WHen Telerichus succeeded in the Government of the Bulgarians to Sabinus he was resolved to make War against the Roman Emperour and endeavour'd to assault him suddenly before he could be well
CHAP. LXIV How the Duke of Bourbon made his dismayed Troops stand another Charge AT the Famous Battel of Agincourt where our English got so much Honour of the French Nation Lewis of Bourbon seeing his Left Wing routed and resolved to try the hazard of another Charge rallied some of his Troops that were broken and entreated them to follow him for he declared that the English were miserably shattered and would never abide one Charge more and that undoubtedly they would run away if they would but face them once more At that instant he had appointed a Soldier to run to him in hast before these Troops and to assure them that the English were yielding apace and crying for Quarter and that King Henry was ready to fly away desiring them to give their Assistance This Policy obliged the French to endure another Charge but King Henry having then taken twice as many Prisoners as were men in his Army commanded them to be killed upon a rumour that the French had rallied again taken the Kings Tents and were recruited with fresh Supplies so that being strengthned with a new Army they were ready to fall upon him again This obliged the King for the safety of himself and Army to command the Prisoners to be slain contrary to the Law of Arms after that he had granted and promised to them good Quarter CHAP. LXV How the Scots surprized the Town of Fast Castle from the English IN the days of Edward the Sixth one of his Generals took several Towns from the King of Scots amongst the rest he forced Fast Castle to yield to the English A Governour was appointed to command there in Chief and for the supplying of the Town with Provisions convenient for the Garrison he ordered the Neighbouring Villages and Country Farmers to bring in Contribution Corn When the Scots heard of it they resolved to take hold on this opportunity and to send Soldiers in the Garb of Scotch Peasants witth private Arms about them the appointed time with Sacks of Corn upon their Horses At the Gate they alighted and carryed into the Town their Corn upon their backs and fell upon the Guard which suspected no such attempt and cut them off taking possession of the Gate which they secured until more Forces came to their Assistance which took the Town and mastered the English there in Garrison CHAP. LXVI How the Island of Sarke a strong place near Guernezey was taken from the French THis Island is scituated near Guernezey having on all sides round high and steep Rocks to defend it and its Inhabitants from all sudden Invasions of a Foreign Enemy and but one narrow passage that leads up to the Island which few may defend against the greatest Forces The Island is of that Compass and Fruitfulness that several hundreds may subsist and be maintained there without any Provision from elsewhere The French were once possessed of this impregnable Island which lies very convenient for Pyracy in the Road of all the Northern Trade It was therefore thought convenient to take it out of their hands A Gentleman of the Netherlands undertook to surprize it and performed his Enterprize in this manner He Anchored in the Harbour with a small Ship and sent a Messenger to the Islanders to tell them That his Merchant a very Wealthy Man was lately dead a shipboard and desired to be buried in a Coffin in Hallowed Ground and that he entreated them that they might have the liberty to bring him ashore and lay him according to his Will The Islanders granted the Request upon condition they should all come without Arms. The Seamen accordingly landed but instead of a Dead Corps they filled the Coffin with Arms and brought it up into the Church-yard whilst many of the Islanders went aboard to buy some Commodities but they were all secured When the Coffin was at the place appointed they who carryed it laid it down opened it and took their Weapons slew the Guards and mastered the rest of the Islanders By this means this little but strong Island was taken from the Enemy CHAP. LXVII How Count Peter Navaresse raised the Siege of a Town where he was besieged THis subtile Warriour was besieged in a Town where the Enemy had made a considerable breach and was ready to storm the Walls to prevent the approaching danger he caused a countermure to be made with other Works and undermined the breach where he placed several Firkins of Gunpowder stopping them up with Stones and Timber At the Time of the Assault he was ready with all his Garrison to receive the Enemy but suffered a considerable number to enter in as many as he was well able to master then he gave Fire to the Train blew up the Mine about the Ears of them that were hastening into the Breach and so discouraged and disordered the rest of the Army that they gave back when they saw the Arms the Legs the Heads and other Limbs of their Fellows fly and sall round about them In this disorder he sallied out upon them with part of his Forces and with another part he cut in pieces them that were already got within the Walls By this means the whole Army was routed and forced to raise the Siege with great loss This same policy was practised at Montalban in France when it was besieged by Lewis the 13th One thing remarkable happened there that a Regiment of Women led by a stout Virago with long Knives made for the purpose sallied out at the time of the blowing up the Mine and fell so nimbly upon the dismayed Soldiers and such as had bin knock'd down with the Stones and Timber whilst the Men were otherwise busily employed in fighting with the disorder'd Army that the Siege was thereby raised and the Kings Forces routed CHAP. LXVIII How the Prince of Orange relieved a Town besieged by the Spaniards A Town of the Low Countries being besieged by the Spaniards who had so well fortified themselves that the Prince of Orange thought it not safe to make any attempt upon their Works and the besieged being in great want of Provisions he contrives a way how to drown'd all the Country round by digging through the Banks that kept off the Sea and the neighbouring Rivers from overflowing the Land As soon as the Water found a Passage it broke into the Spanish Camp overflowed all their Works and forced them to retire upon the higher ground and give liberty to the Princes Boats to carry into the Town what Relief they thought needful by this means the Siege was raised and the Spaniards forced to depart with great Loss CHAP. LXIX How a Spanish Army consisting of almost all Foot routed French Forces both of Horse and Foot AT Lyrignola a Battel was fought between the Spaniards and the French The Spanish General considering his weakness in Horse and the French numbers and strength resolved to fight them in such ground that they could not well make use of thir numerous Cavalry He