THE Souldiers Companion OR MILITARY GLORY Display'd In a True and Impartial Description of all the Memorable Battels and Fights by Land and Sea c. That have been fought in Europe Asia Africa and America for upwards of Six hundred Years deduced from the Conquest of England by the Normans Anno 1066 to the last fight in Hungary Anno 1687. Wherein is contained the manner of marshalling Armies and Fights of divers Nations the Policies and Stratagems of Emperours Kings Princes and great Captains of several Ages together with their Success or Misfortunes on sundry Occasions drawn and collected from the most Authentick Histories and Relations Antient and Modern c. To which is added Seasonable Advice to young Souldiers and Officers c. Together with the Art of Gunnery and preparing Artificial Fire-works for War or Recreation with other things and Matters necessary to be known on the like Occasion By J. S. Timidi nunquam statuerunt Tropaeum Mars Dubius victorque cadit victusque resurgit Qui fugit Huic merito nulla corona datur LONDON Printed for Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey 1688. LICENSED And Entred according to Order THE PREFACE TO THE READER READER it frequently appears by the Histories of all Nations that Military Glory has not only taken up the Thoughts but the Business of the most Illustrious part of Men in courting which they have not only spared to expose themselves to all the hazards and dangers imaginable but pressing on even beyond the sense of danger have performed to their immortal Fame such Heroick Enterprises and Actions as have shaken the belief of many into the highest degree of Incredulity especially such as have received them upon bare report naked and unadorned with the many Circumstances that attended them wherefore I have thought it highly convenient at this juncture to restore if possible their belief by giving them a true Relation of the many famous Battels and Sea-Fights that have been fought under the leading of Emperours Kings Princes and Great Captains the most expert of their times in Warlike Discipline with their various Success and Fortune Nor may it serve less to incite or inflame the Valiant where a Just cause offers an Invitation Precedents of this Nature always being attended with powerful Motives to stir up even the Pusilanimous at least to conceive a generous esteem of great Atchievements and kindle in Heroick Minds a restless Flame not to be extinguished but by Death Themistocles that Noble Graecian whose Fame reaches to the end of Time having seen the Triumph of Miltiades for a Victory he had obtained could not as the story of him goes sleep but became altogether restless till he found Opportunity to enter upon a command wherein he became the Bulwork and Glory of his Country and it is reported of the Great Julius Caesar first Emperour of Rome that whilst he was but in a low Station seeing the Statue of Alexander the great and being sensible what vast Kingdoms and Countries that Monarch had subdued and brought under his Subjection in a short spaoe he wept because being equal to him in years himself had not arrived at his Perfection and thereupon ceased not till he made almost all the then known World at his Devotion nor of this kind is he who was truly stiled the delight of Mankind and the Honour of our English Nation the wise and valiant Sir Philip Sidney to be omitted who reports of himself That hearing the Ballad of the fight between the Earls Piercy and Dowglass sung but by a common Chanter it raised in him such a desire of Martial Enterprises that he from that time coveted nothing more than to signalize his Valour in the Field which afterward became to his immortal Fame the wonder of the Christian World. Nor does this Treatise consist only of Battels c. but of the Policies Stratagems and Practices of the most Expert and Renowned Generals and Captains whereby they secured themselves in a retreat circumvented the Enemy or obtained the Victory To which a Scheme of Military Behaviour is added c. with the most material matters and things appertaining to Engenry especially as to what relates to Gunnery and Artificial Fire works c. with somewhat that refers to Fortification by which even the unlearned may have an insight into that great and curious Art and Mistery and be made sensible at once of the danger and advantage that attendâ— it which insight if it be his fortune to seek for Honour in the Field c. may greatly profit the Reader or if otherwise he will at least get this advantage by it to know in his Retirement what otherâ— have sought for not without effusion of Blood through innumerable hazards and dangers And so hoping it will prove advantageous not being perverted to a sinister end I humbly take leave to subscribe my self Reader Your devoted Friend and Servant J. S. ADVERTISEMENT REader be pleased to take notice that the Battel of Alcazar is by an unhappy Mistake placed out of due order and ought to have followed the Battel of St. Quintines after Page Folio 134. A POEM Recommended to the Reader upon the Perusal of the Book intitled The Souldiers Companion c. By a Person of Quality IF Fame and Martial Glory you affect Reader what more than 's here can you expect Or if you 'd know what in days past was doneâ— This Book informs you how much Fame was won How by their Valour Heroes got Renown How never-fading Laurels wreath'd their Crown And rising Monarchs grasp'd a lasting Throne Or won vast kingdoms to augment their own How Nations felt a sudden change of State And Fortune's treacherous smiles perceiv'd too late How Princes set in Blood how Armies fell How Plains with might heaps of Ruine swell How Rivers with a Crimson Torrent rise How th' Victors shouts and how the vanquish'd's crys Pierce thinner Air and rend the blushing Skies How clashing Arms a horrid discord bray And Earth-born Thunders cloud the Lamp of day How Iron Globes with Death pave all their way Whilst angry Vollies bellow'd o're the Plain And made it seem but one great Field of Flame Here you may count the number of the slain Or see the yielding Souldier on his Knee Begging for Life from 's enrag'd Enemy See others nobly bold maintain a fight And in despair to conquer take delight More in a noble death than slavish flight See those in rout cast every way their Arms Whilst hot pursuit their rear with slaughter storms Sad sights you 'l say but he who War will court Must steel his Heart and think the Danger Sport Yet safely you may sit and view a Sceen That fatal has to bleeding Nations been Nor is this all in it more things you 'l find That may more please a weak and tender mind Though it for Heroes chiefly was design'd With Magick Flame it treats the God of War And new created Fires adds to his Star. THE Souldiers
fight whilst the Battel had wandered over the Field came to a bloody Encounter on all hands so that the slaughter grew hot and the Wings still charging each other each Nation strove by all possible means to express its Valour for in this battel fought not only French and Germans but Spaniards Italians and Switzers indifferently on either side being Mercenary Souldiers and hired for pay and especially the French for the Honour of their King who spared not at once to give command and charge the Enemy ranging through the fiercest attack as knowing that if he lost that Battel it would be hard for him to escape nor were the black Battalion of Almayns fighting on the Part of the King less diligent in charging the Switzer so that one party ingaging after another they fought in the end in all parts so that the field was in a trice covered with the bodies of the slain and so eager were they to shed blood that they minded not as yet the taking of Prisoners on either side by reason of which many men of Note were slain that might have been made Prisoners and amongst others Solice whose Horse being slain under him and he oppressed with Armour would have yielded to the Captain of the Squadron of Horse that fought on that part but a certain Spaniard envying the Horse should have the Ransom of so Noble a Prisoner bent his Harquibuss against his Brest and killed him on the Place also Tremoville an other great Captain that had in his time won many great Victories was shot upon the like account and Galeazo Sansenerino was slain in the Kings sight so that the Imperialists pressing on as having brought their whole strength into the Field many Gallant men were slain and especially of the Horse who were for the most part in the heart of the battel sustaining not only the Charge of Horse against Horse but frequently of the Foot-men who flanked them so that the shot flying like hail a great number were overwhelm'd Men and Horses strugling together for Life and many being dismounted were trampled to death so that it frequently hapned that the Front of the Battel was so barrocaded with the slain that neither Party could well advance to break into the Squadrons especially those on Horse-back and now the Switzers over-charged began to give ground in striving to restrain which the Lord Bonevet was slain and the King's Guard being miserably cut off with the shot of the Foot-men he was left almost void of Succour to the fury of the Enemy and many who loved their Lives dearer than their Honour left him and scatter'd in all parts which the King perceiving and that it was now but too apparent that the battel went against him having fought courageously and done all that could be expected from a great a Cptain he laboured to get from amongst his Enemies but being surrounded by the Horsemen of divers Nations tho' they knew not directly who he was yet supposing him a Person of Note they pressed hard upon him nor did he forget himself though he was forsaken by his Guard but continually wheeling his Horse to avoid the thickest of his Pursuers defended himself with his Sword both giving and taking divers Wounds but whilst he attempted a Bridg that passed over a Water-course or small Rivolet his Horse was thrust in with a Pike falling immediately down in which fall he was much bruised so that he bled in abundance lying at the same time with his Leg under the Horse and not able to relieve himself when one Didaco de Aebilla and John Orbieta a Biscaian coming in and not well knowing him in that Condition shook their Swords over him and willed him to yield or he was a dead man but whilst he disdained to reply or at least to discover himself Monsieur de La Motte came up who knowing the King kept off the Crowd and relieving him from the misery he lay in required him to yield himself to the Duke of Burbon whom he said was at hand but that duke having revolted from the King whose Feudetary he was he grew angry and in a chafe at his very Name fiercely replying No but call me hither Lenoy who in the end being sought for in all parts came of himself and removed the great Crowd from about the King who pressed on all sides to see him It being known throughout the field that the King was made a Prisoner the Courage of those French that yet stood to it altogether failed them so that the Imperialists crying every where Victory they fled in all parts as likewise did the Switzers that sought on the Kings side fearfully running into the River Teniso where being unskilful in swimming they were drowned in whole Troops and those that remained on shore although they threw down their Arms and begged for Life were mostly slain and all the Spoil of the Camp besides much rich Furniture of Horse and Armour taken as likewise was Henry King of Navar and a great number of the French Nobility and the Count of St. Paul lying on the Ground wounded a Spaniard cut off his Finger to take his Ring which he could not otherwise get off As for the Duke of Alanson who with a Regiment of Horse he brought during the Battel having stood a while a looker on he turned Tail and fled with those under his Command into France to tell the doleful News In this Battel fought Anno 1523 upwards of 10000 men were slain and as many wounded and taken Prisoners not reckoning those that were drowned in the River Ten. so As for the King he soon after obtained his Liberty in consideration of his quitting claim to Millain Naples and Asti as also his Superiority over Artois and Flanders paying moreover to the Emperour 120000 Crowns By this we see how Fortune deals with Kings Casting in doubtful chance all Earthly things He who an Army late in Triumph led Bereft of Power 's a woful Captive made A description of the Battel of Gabiniano fought between Philbert Prince of Orange General for the Emperour Charles the Fifth and Franaio a Captain of the Florentines Anno 1530. THE Florentines having banished the Family of the Medicâ—'s the Emperour Charles the Fifth was so far offended thereat that he caused his Forces under the Command of Philbert Prince of Orange straitly to besiege the City of Florence in Italy which being accordingly done the Citizens resolved to send for Farnaio a Captain of theirs who was abroad with some Troops on the Frontiers who by his falling into the Imperial Quarters whilst they sallied out of the City might be a means to raise the Siege and so without further delay they sent Han a chosen Messenger promising him great Rewards if he prospered therein which made him incontinently gather what Forces he could and advance with all imaginable Diligence and Secrecy yet his Approach was made known by the Imperial Espials The Prince of Orange sent to Fabrico Marmaldo and
Nevers who soon after died of their Wounds and many noble Prisoners were taken on either side neither having cause to boast of any advantage for the slain computed to ten thousand were in a manner equally divided and the battel parted by the Night as aforesaid the Admiral repaired with his Forces to Orleance and the Duke of Guise with those that were now under his command to Paris Thus Night drew Curtains o're the fatal Field To spare that Blood which yet remain'd unspill'd But calm'd not their wild fury for again Grown big with War the Captains take the Plain A Description of the Battel of Bassiack fought in France between Henry Duke of Anjou Brother to and Lieutenant-General for Charls the Ninth King of France and Lewis Prince of Conde General of the Hugonot Army Anno 1569. ALthough the strengths of either party had been sufficiently tryed and France yet reeked with Blood yet it sufficed not the hot Spirits of the Leaders but they again drew out their Forces The Catholicks under the leading of the Duke of Anâ—ou and the Hugonots under the leading of the Prince of Conde and the Admiral of Castillion and after divers Skirmishes the Forces on either part increasing though not half the Prince's Army were come up Necessity obliging him to ingage the fight began with great fury but lasted not long before Fortune declared against the Hugonots for the Prince perceiving a great Troop approaching to fight him at disadvantage with 4 or 500 Horse he turned head to charge them till more of his Forâ—es might come up and gave a very hot charge upon the foremost pressing on with such fury that he bore down and obliged to retreat all that stood before him but not being seconded as he expected and in hight of his Valour advancing too far he found himself inclosed by the Ranks of his Enemies who layed upon him so forcibly that having done all that could be expected from true Valour he was in the end beaten from his Horse sore bruised and wounded where no timely succour coming in he was constrained to give place unto force so that being bidden to yield by de Argence and Monsieur Jean upon their Promise to spare his Life he surrendred himself but soon after being known Montesquoin a desperate fellow contrary to Justice or the Law of Arms shot him dead with a Pistol and thus ended the Great and Warlike Conde who with a handful of men for many years had resisted the power of a potent Kingdom but here ended not the misery for his men understanding he was dead no longer kept the field but were a great number of them slaughter'd in the pursuit During the battel Dacier the Prince's Lieutenant and drawn his men to the number of 6000 out of Cognac and advertised that his General was ingaged hasted by a great march towards Bassiack but coming within a league of it he understood by those that fled that the battel was lost which caused him to march towards Jarnac but scarcely arrived there before the Catholick Troops appeared against whom he made head with much bravery obliging them to recoil in such a manner as gave him Opportunity to make his retreat good with small loss by passing Rivers and cutting off Bridges c. to hinder the Horse that hung upon his Rear The Admiral and Dandelot his Lieutenant perceiving the fight irreparably lost and the confusion in all places was great retired with a small number of the Nobility shunning the greater number the better to hinder the pursuit and so came to St Jean de Ae'ngly where being advertised that the young Princes of Navar and Conde were at Zaincles they marched thither and made that the place of their Randezvouze whither a great number of such as escaped out of the battel resorted and soon became a formidable Army being joyned by those Troops that were not in the battel In this disaster were slain on the Hugonot Party many of great Note besides the Prince As de la Tour Chustebers Portant Chandenire Mesauchere Brandanire Besolones Taberiere Barette Lay Mesleray and about fifty Gentlemen of lesser Note for the heat of the battel fell upon the Horse the Foot scarcely coming to ingage though it went not unbloody on the other part for a great number of prime Men lost their Lives especially in the quarter where the Prince charged yet the Prisoners Protestants were many and amongst them divers of the Scotish Nation who had engaged themselves as Voluntiers on the part of the Prince the chief was Corbeson Brother to the Earl of Montgomery As for the whole number of the slain it exceeded not 2000 yet the winning the battel proved of great Importance to the Catholicks for soon after they over-run Zantougevis Anguemois Limousin and other Places of Note though thereby they gave way to the increase of the Hugonot Power which gathered to the Standard of Henry the young Prince of Navar whom they chose their General constituting at the same time the Admiral the Protector of his Person whereupon the War continued as hot as ever and many great Battels were fought with various success nor ended it till after the death of Henry the Third Henry Prince and afterward King of Navar was Crowned King of France as being the next of the blood Royal. Thus France the fate of Civil Discord found Which in her Bosom made a deadly Wound War raging through her Confines Terror yields Encumbring long her blood-bedabl'd Fields More Red with slaughter then her Town 's with Wine More Crimson Streams from Wounds than from the Vine For still where Native Arms oppress the soil The Ground 's made fat with Blood the Rivers boil No Foes at Odds are swell'd with so much Rage As when two kindred Hoast's fierce battel wage Nor need we to Pharsalian Plains retreat Nor fatal Mundas Field's nor Africks beat VVhere Roman Civil Hands in slaughter tir'd Could not give Death those Lives their Rage desir'd Since Native Albion with like Ruine spread Yet mourns the Blood her mad-brain'd Sons have shead And drops sad Tears upon the mighty dead A Description of the famous battel or Sea-fight commonly called the battel of Lepanto fought near the Gulph of that Name between the Navy of the Christian League under the Conduct of Don John of Austrian half Brother to Philip the First King of Spain and Haly Bassa Commander in chief for Selimus the Second Emperour of the Turks Anno 1572. THE Turks under the Reign of Selimus the Second of that Name greatly infesting the Seas and riding triumphant as it were with a powerful Navy on the Ocian the Christian Princes especially the King of Spain the Pope and the Venetians began to consider the great damage they had done and what more they were like to do them if not curbed in time which made them conâ—derate and hasten out their Ships of War that they might in Conjunction oppose the growing Mischief which meeting in the Fair or
but some Affronts put upon him he sent Antelop his Pursuvant at Arms with Letters of defiance and having discovered and escaped a Conspiracy against his Life laid by the Contrivance of the French who had promised several of his Nobles a Million of Gold to effect his Death he embarked with his Army for France and landed at Harflew in Normandy where he had Burdeaux and many Towns of Note put into his Hands in which he left Garrisons and placed in them English Artizens with small Resistance which made him resolve to pass through the Countries of Caux and Ewe to his Town of Calais though his Army consisted of no more than 13000 Foot and 2000 Horse and so set forward with easie Marches the Country in his way being all destroyed before him for the French having notice of what he intended had not only removed the Forrage and Provisions but destroyed and brake down the Bridges fell'd Trees and plashed Woods in the way he was to take raising in the mean time great Forces in all parts of the Country as not doubting but they had him and his Army at their Pleasure and indeed for want of Necessaries and by reason of the Difficulties the Soldiers were forced to struggle with many oâ— them in a short time became sick and infirm so that the King finding himself in a strait began to repent him that he had so far advanced into the Enemies Country as knowing should he now retreat he must fight his way wherefore he made some Overtures to the French Generals proposing to surrender several Towns he had taken in Normandy but they rejected these Propositions with Derision as not doubting but himself and them together with his small Army wherein were many of the English Nobility would be at their disposal and so confident were they herein that the three Generals viz. The Dolphin the Dukes of Burgundia and Orleans had conditioned and agreed amongst themselves for the Prisoners and Spoils and with their huge Army consisting of 150000. Horse and 10000 Foot many of the former being the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom who hoped to win Honour in such as they thought it an assured Enterprize they advanced apace so that King Henry a Man of an undaunted Courage seeing no way but to fight disposed his Army to the best Advantage placing in the front a competent number of Archers who carried beside their Bows and Swords long Stakes pointed with Iron to fix in the Ground slauntwise that when they retired they might secure them against the Horse And in a Meddow with a convenient Ditch to defend it he placed as in an Amubush five hundred Archers who lay within half shot of the French Wing whilst in the main Battel stood the men at Arms and the Horse divided into two Squadrons were to charge as advantage gave them Opportunity And now whilst the French who covered the Country were advancing in three main Battels as to assured Victory the King with a moving Oration exhorted his Captains and Souldiers For the Honour of their Country and their own safety not to faint but stand to it manfully and confiding in the justness of their Cause not to despair of Victory nor should for his part let France see him a Captive or England be put to the Charge of his Ransom as being resolved to dye with Honour if things came to Extremity And so the Charge being sounded the thick squadrons of the French who scarcely had room for an orderly march came furiously on and were when within shot met by a flight of English Arrows which gauling their Horses and dismounting divers of their Chiefs command was given to press on and come to a close fight thereby to frustrate the Archers of the use of their Bows at what time a furious charge being given the Archers retreated a few Paces and left bare a triple tire of pointed Stakes which till that time they had covered upon which the French Horse-men rushing a great number of their Horses were gored and sticking as it were altogether disabled barrocaded the English Army from the approach of the rest so that not only the Archers in the front continued to pour in their shot but likewise those in the Meadow that flanked the squadron of the Right Wing began incessantly to deliver their shafts which in a short time wrought such Confusion that the French finding no place to retire amongst the thick Ranks that still pressed on and wedged as it were each other in began to fall into disorder many of them disranking as not being able to manage their wounded Horses nor could their Foot conveniently advance to their relief so that the men of Arms breaking in with great fury and the English Horse charging their Right Wing a miserable slaughter ensued nothing but death and flight being seen on their part throughout the field whilst the King himself distinguished by a Crown he wore on his Helmet fought courageously piercing their main Battel forcing his Horse over heaps of the slain which the Duke of Alanso who commanded on that part perceiving broke through the formost rank in a desperate manner and charged with his Sword so forcibly that with the blow he bruised the Kings Crown and made him a little recoil but the King soon advancing gave him such a stroke as beat him to the Ground at which time he cryed out he was Alanso and begged for quarter notwithstanding which and though the King laboured to save him he was there slain and now the French began to retire in great disorder nor was it in the power of the Commanders to restore the battel which advantage the English perceiving had the Execution of them with such a fearful slaughter that it is reported by divers Historians and some of them their own that no less that 4000 Noble-Men Knights and Esquire were slain together with 100000 of the meaner sort though all agree the French lost 60000 in that defeat and so many Prisoners many of them of the first Rank were taken that the King fearing upon fresâ— Troops showing themselves upon the Hills which were indeed come too late to the battel as not hearing of the overthrow thaâ— being more in number than his own men if the French reinforced should rally anâ— come to another tryal they might fall upon his Rear in the battel caused them all except some of the Chief to be slain â—thâ— which although it was a bloody Sentencâ—â— yet Self-preservation at that time made it State Policy And soon after this Victory which he ascribed to God alone the King had not only Paris put into his Hands but Marrying Catharine Daughter to Charles the French King he was Crowned King of France in Reversion and possessed himself of all the Cities and Towns of that Kingdom except a few the Dolphin held out against him in Berry Nor did this Glorious Victory cost the English much Blood there being not above 2500 slain and of Note only Edward Duke of
York and the Earl of Worcester Thus Haughty France drunk with her Blood did reel And fell before a Conquering Monarchs Steel Thus in old Days kind Heav'n for England fought And Mighty Realms to her Subjection brought A Description of the Glorious Battel and chievements of the Mighty Scanderbeg King of Epirus being an Account of his many Victories over the Turks under the leading of Amurath the Second King of that Name c. AMurath the Second Turkish King of that Name by the many Conquests he had made growing dreadful to the lesser Princes divers of them conditioned to become his Tributaries and amongst others John Castriot Prince of Epirus for the due Observance of which he gave his four Sons as Hostages viz. George after named by the Turks Scanderbeg Stamsius Reposius and Constantine Amurath promising well and honourably to intreat them yet he had no sooner gotten them into his Possession but he caused them to be circumcised and to be instructed in the Mahometan Superstition poisoning upon a Jealosie of their intending to escape all but the first and after the Fathers Death seized contrary to his Promise upon the Kingdom of Epirus which not a little grieving George Castriot or Scanderbeg whose Right it was he sought 〈◊〉 ways to escape but the crafty Turk 〈◊〉 watchful Eye over him intending at 〈◊〉 times to put him to death but by 〈◊〉 â—eans or other was as often prevented 〈…〉 being at length made a Commander in the Turkish Army against the Hungarians and that Army with a fearful slaughter overthrown by the Great Huniades on the Plains of Moravia he then thought it the best time to escape and fly the Turkish Servitude whereupon taking with him Amurath's Secretary with divers of his trusty Friends he led him into a large Wood and there compelled him to write in his Masters Name to the Governour of Croija the chief City of Epirus as also to sign it with his Signet to the intent that he might deliver him up his Charge which accordingly he did and then having secured him from making any Relation thereof he posted thither and had it upon the sight of those Letters surrendred at what time sending for Prince Amasa his Kinsman Moses an expert Captain and divers others he acquainted them with the purpose he had to deliver his Country from the Turkish Tyranny who approving his undertaking his Subjects frequently resorted to him so that he became very powerful and divers Cities revolting from the Turks put themselves under his Protection as Stelusia Petra Alba Petrolla so that with a great Power he entred Macedonia and laid those Countries that were under the Turkish Sovereignty waste at which unexpected News Amurath being greatly alarmed sent 40000 of his best Souldiers under the leading of Alis Bassa to surprize him but Scanderbeg retiring into Epirus gave him battel with no more than 6000 Men and after a sharp dispute overthrew him with the slaughter of 22000 of his Men not losing above 300 of his own carrying in a manner the battel with his Prowess for charging the Turkish squadrons he broke through beating down all with an irresistible force that stood before him so that his men following him had little to do but to slaughter the routed and amazed Turks After which Amurath sent Mustapha Bassa with a great Army to waste Epirus who was by Scanderbeg overthrown and himself taken Prisoner These overthrows so enraged Amurath that raising a mighty Power he came in Person promising great Rewards to those that could bring Scanderbeg's Head and so besieged Sfetigrade but although he batter'd it incessantly with his Cannon and made frequent Assaults with the loss of 20000 of his best men it was so resolutely defended by the Governour who would not be corrupted by any offers of Gold that he despaired with his huge Army to win it and fearing by the Sallies of the besieged and the frequent Assaults Scanderbeg made with his flying Army by breaking into one quarter or other of his Camp that his multitude being consumed he should be obliged to return with disgrace he in the end indented for a Sum of Money in hand and a larger quantity when it should be effected with an inconsiderable Fellow by Occupation a Smith to cause the City to be surrendered which he brought to pass in the following manner The City of Sfetigrade by most held impregnable being scituate upon a Rock and for that Reason affording but one Well or main Spring which in abundance furnished the Citizens and Souldiers into this Well in the Night-time the Traitor cast the stinking putrefied Carcass of a Dog that had lain a long time in the Streets which being found and drawn thence the next Morning as likewise noised throughout the City as well the Citizens as Souldiers refused any more to drink of it nor could the Governour with all his Perswasions and Intreaties oblige them to it though himself to convince them of the wholsomness of the Water drank often in their sight but they rather chose to undergo the worst Extremities of Thirst by which means many of them died so that the Governour through this Nicety of his Souldiers not finding the City tenable was obliged to capitulate and marching out with Bag and Baggage was conducted to Scanderbegs Army and he by whose Treachery the City fell into the Hands of the Turks being for a while seemingly carress'd was in the end secretly made away yet upon Amurath's return Scanderbeg fell upon the Rear of his Army and cut off 3000 of his Men. The year following Amurath returned with a greater Army and besieged Croija the chief City of Epirus but losing under its Walls without success 30000 men and despairing notwithstanding to win it he died in his Tent Anno 1450. leaving his Son Mahomet to succeed him in his Empire charging him to be revenged of Scanderbeg with whom his Armies under the leading of divers Bassa's fought many bloody Battels but were always worsted by the invincible Prince even with a handful of men his Force and Courage being such that he often with his own hand turned the Scale of Victory when it was inclining to his Enemies nor could the Corruption of his great Captains with vast Sums of Turkish Gold alter his Fortune so that having stood twenty four years the Champion and Bulwork of Christendom he at last died in Peace at Lyssa which Town nine years after his Death being taken by the Turks they opened his Sepulchre and took thence his bones for which they had such a Veneration that happy was he that could get the smallest piece of them which being got they counted of great Value and wore it about them as an inestimable Jewel fancying that ever after Scanderbeg's Fortune would attend them Thus di'd the Hero far Renown'd in Arms Whose very Name the Globe with Wonder charms No Pow'r from him could take the Laureat Prize Till All-subduing Death seal'd up his Eye And lay'd him up till he
left where a Train of 60 pieces of Artillery was placed and caused them to be discharged without Intermission upon the Horse-men who likewise opened their Orders to avoid the murthering shot which overthrew them by whole Ranks yet the thundring of the Cannon so amazed the Horse not used to hear such Noises nor see such deadly Engines vomit Flame that they would not be ruled but flouncing and floundring many of them cast their Riders yet Hysmael with his Squadron still charging the Right Wing composed of Asian Horse-men cut a great number of them in pieces but whilst Vsta Ogli his General was endeavouring to do the like in the other part and entering too far amongst the Ranks he was slain with a Harquibuss shot which much abated the Courage of his Men yet could they not be prevailed with to retire till Selymus advanced with the Battalion of the Janizaries yet he gained but small Advantage whereupon in a great Rage he commanded another Tire of Ordnance which he had left as his last refuge furiously to be discharged upon the fighting Squadrons by which means such slaughter was made as well of his own men as the Persians mingled together in the attack that what for the Dust Smoke and thundring of the Artillery having on both sides lost in a manner their Sight and Hearing the Persian Horse were now so terrified that they were no longer to be ruled but disranking in divers parts the battel became broken and disordered at what time Hysmael having received a slight Wound with a Harquibuss-shot was retired at the Intreaty of his Friends to have it searched and dressed and there having notice that his General was slain as also what further had hapned he caused the retreat to be sounded which was done in such order that the Turks durst not pursue them nor durst they seize upon their Camp till they knew they were out of sight in which they found divers rich Pavilions wrought with Needle-work and Gold as also many beauteous Ladies that had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars all of which he caused to be set at Liberty except one of Hysmaels Wives whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassa's In this Battel fought in the Galderan fields near the City of Coy Anno 1514 30000 Turks were slain and amongst them divers Bassa's and Men of Note even all the flower of the Army though of the Persians not above 8000 the chief of Note being the General and amongst the slain were found the bodies of divers Persian Women who armed had accompanied their Husbands to share in their good or evil Fortune at which Selymus admiring caused them to be honourably buried and soon after had Tauris and many other Cities put into his hands but in his return through hardships and such as were cut off by the Persians and Mountaneers who still hover'd about his Camp to take all advantages he lost near three parts of his Army Thus Selymus with slaughter flesh'd at home Plotting fresh Murthers through strange Lands do's roame Like a Hircanian Tiger scenting blood From cold Araxis to warm Nilus flood Hastes to augment the Crimson stream late shed A Discription of the great Battel fought between Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt and Selymus the first of that Name Emperour of the Turks near Aleppo in Syria c. SElymus the year after his Persian Expedition having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules the Mountain King under pretence of Damage done him by the Mountaineers in his return and getting the King into his Hands by treachery cut off his Head. Whilst he was taking some Towns belonging to the Persian Sophy whom he heard was warring against the Indians and Bactrians He had notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt was coming against him with a powerful Army levied in Aegypt and Judea in favour of his Allie the Persian as hating Selymus for his Cruelty to his Father Brethren and Nephews whereupon fearing he should pass the River Euphrates and spoil his Dominions in Asia he sent Ambassadors to him to treat about renewing the League that had been between him and his Father Bajazet But the young Princes Aladine Son to Mahomet Selymus's elder Brother and Aladeules Son to the murther'd King of that Name pressing the Sultan to restore them by his Arms in so just a Cause his Embassy was rejected whereupon thinking it no time to delay he resolved to give the Persians rest and turn his Arms against the Aegyptian Sultan and thereupon passed the Mountains with an Army of 300000 Men at three Places causing the rough Passages to be made smooth and the Straights to be opened for the more commodious passage of his Ordnance and Baggage so that in five days contrary to the Expectation or Belief of the Sultan he had passed the huge Mountain of Amanus with his whole Army and all his Baggage and Encamped in the Plains of Commegena where from Alis-Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingdom he had news of the Sultan's Army so that he immediately marched towards him when coming in sight of each other and the Battel on both parts resolved upon the Sultan divided his Army into four Battels the first he committed to Kerebeus the second to Sybevius the third to Gazzeles and the fourth himself reserved as a Battel of Succour as also to defend the Camp whilst on the other hand Selymus plac'd the Asian Horse-men in the Right wing and the European's in the Left and in the middle the battel of the Janizaries with the Artillery in the front of them and between the two Wings his Pentioners being Souldiers of great Experience and in this Order the Turks always fight if the Ground will permit it The Battels ranged and set in order Kerebeius with his Squadron charged the European Horse-men with great fury but resolved now to be revenged on the Sultan for the death of his Brother he intended nothing more than to betray his Trust and thereupon after the first Charge that he might seem yet to do something wheeling off he fell upon the Sculions and such other slaves as kept the Baggage making some small slaughter of them that at the same time like a cunning Traytor he might satisfie the Expectations of his Valour and yet penetrate the Treason But Sebeius the Governour of Damasco behav'd himself far otherwise for entring overthwart the Ranks of the Right wing of the Turks Army he with his Mamalukes charged with such fury that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horse-men he broke in like a Tempest bearing down all before him till he charg'd upon the Ensigns in the midst of the wing nor could Mustapha the Beglerbeg nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces stand before him or restrain the flight of their Souldiers so that cutting in pieces the Right wing he resolutely thrust in between the Battalion of the Janizaries and Pentioners there making so unexpected and lamentable a slaughter that Selymus was in great danger of being taken
for by the breaking in of Sebeius he was divided from his Foot-men in whom he reposed his greatest Confidence and now the Janizaries being hardly charged by Gazzeles who following the Fortune of Sebeius were brought to great distress nor could the routed Wing find any place of Retreat In this Confusion and Disorder Sinan Bassa who had been but lightly skirmished with by Kayerbeius came in with the Left wing of Horse and staid the fury of the Mamalukes whereat the disperced Squadrons of the Turks rallying and taking fresh Courage wrung the Victory out of their hands which they could not have done had Campson slighted the Baggage and come in in time with his Squadron or Kayerbeius been true to his Trust but the other Commanders having performed all that could be expected from men of Courage and Conduct and now the thundering Ordnance playing upon the ingaged Squadron as they had before on the Persian Horse-men they found the Place too hot and thereupon seering together in a thick Troop they broke through the midst of those that had enclosed them making great slaughter of the European Horse-men and Pentioners and so retir'd towards the Camp and City of Aleppo and being pursued by Sinan Bassa whist Campson Gaurus endeavoured to stay the flight and restore if possible the battel he was borne from his Horse in the Crowd and by reason of his Age and the weight of his Armour not being able to relieve himself he was in that Hurry and Confusion troden to death and being afterward found amongst the slain was expos'd to the view of the People that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive In this great battel fought on the 17th of August 1516 no less than thirty thousand Turks were slain and about the like number of Egyptians and Mamalukes so that after two other mortal battels with Tomombeus whom the Mamalukes chose their Sultan after the death of Campson one in the great City of Caire which lasted three days with great Effusion of blood and the other upon the banks of Nilus no less dreadful all the Rich Countries of Egypt and Palestine fell into the hands of the Turks who possess it to this day for Tomombeus flying after the last Defeat was taken in a Marish among the Flags up to the Neck in Water and brought to Selymus who would not admit him to his Presence but after he had rid upon a rugged Camel with his Face to the Tail quite thro' the City of Caire in derision he was hanged upon a Hook under the Gate of that City and all the Mamalukes that could be found put to the Sword. Thus Turkish Cruelty do's wider spread And Death in Triumph by their Swords is Lead Glutted with Slaughter he no Famine feels But Drunk with Blood profusely shed He reels A Description of the fatal Battel of Nugis fought between Lewis King of Hungary and Selymus the First of that Name Emperour of the Turks at Nugis in the Kingdom of Hungary c. LEwis King of Hungary upon notice that Solyman was advancing to Invade his Kingdom with a powerful Army and not being able to obtain Assistance of the neighbouring Princes raised the whole Power of his own Country not amounting to above 30000 Men and those but slenderly skill'd in the Trains of War yet at the Perswasions of one Tomoreus who promised him assured Victory telling him he had it by Revelation the King young and unexperienc'd rejected the Counsel of some grave Captains who foresaw the Danger of fighting eight to one with an approved Warrior for Solyman approached with no less than 300000 Men and resolved to give the Turks battel so that it was not long e'r both Armys confronted each other near to a small Town called Nugis between Belgrade and Buda whenas the Turkish Commanders seeing the weakness of the King besieged his Camp for many days yet the said Tomoreus desisted not to promise him Victory and undertook to set the Army in Battel-array and indeed it was now too late to think of Retreating without fighting their way through so that the Foot being stretch'd in a long Line as commodiously as the Place would allow they were supported by the Horse almost in the like manner that they might not be absolutely inclosed or if they were by doubling their Lines they might cast themselves into a Ring or Oval battel whilst the Camp intrenched or barrocado'd with chain'd Wagons was left on the right hand to secure the approach on that part though but slenderly guarded and near thereunto was placed a Regiment of the most experienc'd Horse-men for the security of the King's Person who would not be perswaded to reserve himself for a better Day by withdrawing from the Camp e're the battel was joyned so that now the great Guns on either part begun to play furiously though doing little damage yet the Turkish Squadrons advancing upon the first Charge the Hungarian Horse gave ground and soon after broke their Array which so discouraged the Foot-men that they scarcely made any Resistance but throwing away their Weapons were miserably slain and in less than two hours space the whole Army was in Rout upon which the Turks following the Execution not above 5000 escaped all the flower of the Nobility of that Kingdom being slain and the King attempting to escape plunged with his Horse into a miry Place where none coming to his Assistance he was stifled nor did Tomoreus escape but fell to augment the number of the slain After this fatal Blow was given to Hungary which was follow'd by innumerable Calamities occasioned by Civil Dissentions Solyman entred Buda and taking out of the Castle divers Brazen Statues placed there by Matthias Corvinus he departed to Constantinople leaving the Kingdom in a manner desolate especially of its Nobility Thus Rashness see a mighty Ruine wrought And a free Kingdom to Subjection brought Which almost ever since has Groan'd with War And hides more slain than in 't the living ar ' A Description of the Battel of Pavye fought between Francis the French King and Charles Duke of Burbon Charles de Lenoy and the Marquess of Picara Generals for Charles the Fifth Emperour of Germany THE French and Imperialists contending for the Sovereignty of Italy with various Fortunes and Francis the French King endeavouring to recover the Dutchy of Millain the Duke of Burbon Charles Lanoy Vice Roy of Naples and the Marquess of Piscara drew out an Army to oppose his proceedings so that after some time spent in training their Souldiers and putting them in order it came to a pitched Field and the Generals exhorting their Souldiers to do their utmost Endeavours to gain Honour and Fame the great Ordnance began to thunder on either part but that of the French being on the lower Ground had much the Advantage the shot whereof passing through the Ranks of the German Horsemen greatly incommoded them which the Commanders perceiving drew their battels closer and after some doubtful
Alexander Vitteli who lay with their Regiments in the Territories of Pisa to haste to the Camp yet take such a way that they might follow in the Ear of Franaio's Troops and fall upon him as they found their Advantage whilst himself with a detached Power would oppose him in the Front which accordingly hapned after some skirmishing by the way in the Town of Gabiniano so that there the fury of the battel increasing they fought on all parts with great Fury especially in the Market-place where Franaio leaping from his Horse and taking a Pike in his Hand greatly incouraged his Souldiers nor failed Marmaldo to do the like who casting his men in a thick wedge sustained the charge valiantly whilst a part of Franaio's Foot sheltring amongst the Chesnut Trees that grow thick towards the Wall of the Town poured in their shot like Hail and as they saw it convenient advanced in parties and having camisado'd the Enemy as soon retired which the Prince of Orange who fought on Horseback perceiving pressed on to dislodge them to whose Relief with a Troop of Horse came Nicholas Mussio a Greek of great strength with whom the Prince fought hand to hand and although Mussu with his Battel-Ax had bruised his Helmet the Prince still pursued him with his Sword but entering too far amongst the Trees he received two mortal Wounds by Harquibuss shot and fell from his Horse and instantly died being stripped by the Souldiers of his Cloth of Siver-Coat and guilt Armour whereupon his Men were so discouraged that many of them fled away fearfully and unpursued of which Advantage Franaio laying hold cried Victory the better to hearten his own Souldiers and drawing his Troops close together made a desperate charge on those that yet stood firm so that the Streets were covered with dead Bodies and the Channels murmur'd with Streams of Blood nor had Victory failed to have declared on his part had not the Lansquenets of German Foot who were placed without the Town as a Battel of Succour advanced and restored the fight for upon the flying of Rusales a Collonel of Horse with those under his Command the News was carried to the Camp before Florence that the Prince was slain and his Army routed but these fresh Forces coming on and renewing the fight with great fury the Florentines after they had disputed Street by Street and House by House with the Imperials found themselves too weak to make any further resistance so that Franaio and Paul his Lieutenant after they had for many hours defended a strong House and from thence with their shot and Wild-fire overthrown many of their Enemies finding the battel inevitably lost yielded themselves to Marmaldo when being brought into his Presence armed as they were taken he said to Franaio in a great Rage And did you think when you hanged up my Drummer against the Law of Arms it would have been my Fortune to have had you in my Power To which Franaio without the least shew of fear or dejection replyed This is the chance of War and the like may also befall you serving in the War but if you take my Life you shall gain by my Death neither Profit Honour or Praise yet Marmaldo having caused him to be disarmed wounded him with his Sword in the Throat and left him to the Souldiers to be dispatched who incontinently slew him Nor fell there in this Encounter less than 2000 men being the more memorable for that the two Generals were slain with many more of Note upon News of which defeat of their Forces the Florentines yielded up the City having defended it to the last Extremity leaving no unclean thing un-eaten whereupon the Emperour deprived them of their Francises and made Alexander d' Medicis base Son of Lawrence d' Medicis Duke of Florence and of all the Countries depending thereon Thus one Succesless Battel Florence lost And a free State with servile Bondage cro'st Made Italy's chief Garden droop her Head As if her sragrant Flowers had all been dead A Description of the Memorable Battel of Cheresoles fought in Peimont between Alphons Marquess of Guisto General for Charles the Fifth Emperour and France Duke of Anghien General for Francis the French King Anno 1544. FRancis Duke of Anghien with a grea◠Power laving Siege to Carignano 〈◊〉 strong Town in Peimont Alphons Marque◠of Guisto Governour of that Province fo◠Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany◠thought it highly concerned him to hinde◠so important a Place from falling into th◠Hands of the French and thereupon drawing his Forces into a Body he resolved to raise the Siege at the hazard of a battel no◠was not many days before the Armies confronted each other and began the fight after they were arranged in battel array with their Cannon and thereupōn the Squardrons of Horse moved with great Courage the first that charged being the Horsemen of Thermes and Balleone which charge they maintained with so much Valour that many were slain on either part and a great many borne to the Ground with their Lances who for the most part were troden to death by the Horses so that they soon came to use their Swords and Battel-Axes but Thermes at length bending his Forces upon the Italian Foot-men was beaten from his Horse and taken Prisoner by a common Souldier nor could Baleone's Wing by reason of its being much inferior in number long resist the French men at Arms so that many in that sharp conflict were slain and amongst them Julio Azzo Son to the Prince of Tuderto and Baleone having his Horse slain under him himself at the same time wounded hardly escaped being taken Prisoner but the battel under the Command of Raimond de Cordona and Seisneich had better fortune for charging upon the Grevers a sort of Souldiers brought up in the Territories of Geneva they so plied them with Harquibuss-shot that they put their Battel into much disorder and won from them the Ground they had a long time maintained as likewise a Cottage that sheltered them from the shot of the other Wing with some pieces of Ordnance nor was it effected without great slaughter on either side so that a Troop of Horsemen were immediately sent to succour them lest they should be all cut off In this Encounter Monsiew Destro and Charles Drosse Collonels of Horse were slain as also Monsieur de Assier a young Gentleman of great hope for the Spaniard desirous to revenge old Wrongs pressed furiously upon the French-men in this part of the battel insomuch that they obliged them to retire with great slaughter even to the Gates of Carmagnola and at the same time the German Foot who had lain upon the Ground to avoid the shot o◠the great Ordnance rose up and set forward to the battel and Aliprando their Commander going some paces before them challenged out Monsieur de Mole a Captain of the French to fight him i◠single Combat which after being accepted both Captains mounted and running
Scots entered England as far as Durham when King Edward preparing to meet them marched to York and there making a halt sent the Lord Montacute to oppose and hinder their further Progress but being encountered on Hedgly Moor by the Lords Hungerford and Ross together with Sir Ralph Peircey he after a sharp dispute took Sir Ralph Prisoner which success incouraged him to pass on and give battel to King Henry who lay encamped at Hexam where both Armies striving to do their utmost devoir a bloody conflict ensued but many being slain and much blood spilt divers of the Commanders wounded and disabled and taken Prisoners Victory declared against King Henry who finding himself unfortunate in War fled into Scotland in this battel 5600 were slain and the Duke of Somerset with three other Lords and one Knight taken Prisoners who were all beheaded And now King Henry returning privately into England in disguise was taken Prisoner and carried to the Tower so that Edward seem'd established in his Throne yet Fate not satisfied with English Blood though the wounded Nation had bled such Streams as made her faint and languish another cruel War arose and the Factions began again to bandy as fierce as ever for Warwick who was called afterwards the make King of those Times being sent to solicite a Marriage between King Edward and the Lady Bona Daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and having finished his Negotiation to the liking of the Lady and her Father found upon his return thaâ— the King was married to Elizabeth the Widdow of Sir John Gray slain in upholding the Cause of King Henry at which the Eatâ— supposing his Honour that had been ingaged in the Savoiards Court greatly to suffer grew much inraged and finding mean to withdraw himself joyned with diver Nobles raised a Power and proclaimeâ— King Henry declaring for him and epousing his Interest growing on a suddeâ— so strong that King Edward was forced tâ— draw out his Army and march against him pitching his Camp at Wolney four Milâ— from the Plain on which Warwick was encamped but his Guards being negligent and the Earl having notice thereof entereâ— the Kings Camp and took him Prisoner yeâ— used him very courteously allowing him for his Keeper his Brother George Nevilâ— Arch-Bishop of York who suffering him tâ— ride abroad a hunting and to follow otheâ— Recreations till one day being with a slender Guard far from the Castle and meeting a great Troop of his own Men those thaâ— were with him durst not speak to him 〈◊〉 returning to his Confinement but were glaâ— to leave him behind them and escape for their Lives so that being again at Liberty he was received by his Army with great Joy and passed to London to the great discontent and dislike of the Earl of Warwick Things being at this pass Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells raised an Army of 30000 consisting mostly of the Commons of Lincolnshire on the behalf of King Henry in revenge of which King Edward caused the Lord Wells and Sir Thomas Dimmock his Kinsman to be beheaded and so marched to fight Sir Robert when charging furiously upon the unexperienced Plebeans they scarcely sustained the second shock but throwing away their Coats and Weapons fled for their Lives from whence it was called the Battel of Loose-Coat-Field and the Execution â—eing hotly pursued by the inraged Soulâ—iers 10000 of them are accounted to be â—ain As for Sir Robert Wells and Sir Thomas Deland who commanded under him â—hey were taken Prisoners Upon the News of this Defeat the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence Brother to King Edward â—ed to Callais but being denied entrance â—hey departed thence to the Court of France where they found Queen Margaret where gathering great Forces they returned to England every where proclaiming King Henry so that the People from all parts hasted to their Standart as well the Nobles as the Commons viz. the Earl of Pembrook the Lord Faulconberg and others so that marching towards London and King Edward finding his Mandates in many places disobey'd thought it not convenient in that juncture to attend the Sequel but with divers of his trusty Friends leâ—â— England and fled to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Burgundy who had a little before married his Sister so that King Henry waâ— Re-in-throned but continued not long iâ— that Estate before King Edward returned landing in the North with a small Army proclaiming King Henry as he passed and pretending he came only as a private maâ— to possess himself of his Inheritance bâ— which means deceiving the People hâ— surprized the City of York and having garrisoned it pulled off the Vizor and marched towards London reconciling himself by the way thro' the means of a Maiâ— who had been brought up by the old Dutches of York to his Brother the Duke of Clâ—rence whereupon the Citizens opening their Gates and every where proclaiming him King Henry was again taken Prisoner anâ— send to the Tower and now the whole weight of the War lying upon Warwicks shoulders he desperately resolved to carry the day or fighting courageously dye in the Bed of Honour and thereupon directed his March towards London out of which King Edward drew his Forces to meet him and on Easter Day joyned Battel near Barnet since known by the Battel of Barnet-field where either of the Generals impatient of so tedious a War drew on their Forces with great force and fury Warwick charging upon the Kings Squadron broke in with his Sword and made such Distruction that they fled on that part and the Battel had gone on his side had there not been a mistake in part of his Men who by mistaking their Cognizances charged upon their fellows which making them suspect some Treason or sudden Revolt they threw down their Weapons and fled which Warwick perceiving and not finding it in his power to retain them or restore the Battel though he laboured by Example and Perswasion to do it resolving not to out-live the day â—he rushed furiously amongst the Squadrons of the Enemy and there fighting valiantly fell upon the heaps of the slain and with him died his Brother the Lord Montacute and three other Lords were slain on the part of King Edward and of the meaner sort on both sides 20000. The News of this defeat made known to Queen Margaret and Prince Edward her Son by such as fled the field she took Sanctuary in the Abby of Ceerne but the Lords that escaped the Battel of Barnet rallying their scattered Forces gave King Edward another Battel at Tewxbury in which they were overthrown with the loss of 3000 men and of Note the Earl of Devonshire and the Duke of Somerset's Brother there likewise Prince Edward was taken and soon after stabbed by Crook-back'd Richard Duke of Glocester in the Presence of King Edward and soon after King Henry was murthered and his Queen taken from Sanctuary and put to a great Ransom Thus stop'd the Stream of Blood
when drain'd near dry Thus our Pharsalia England's Tragedy Was Acted in a bloody Scene till Death With slaughter tir'd was almost out of breath What Lands what Kingdoms might our men have â—ane With that Bloods loss which Civil hands have drawn Such Pow'rs united as our Fields distain'd By Conquering on vast Empires might have gain'd Have overset bold Ott'mans Rising Throne And seen his Conquests far beneath their own A Description of the Battel of Bosworth-field fought between Richard the Third King of England and Henry Earl of Richmond known afterward by the Title of King Henry the Seventh c. AFter the Death of Edward the Fourth Richard Plantagenet Duke of Glocester having caused his two Nephews to be murthered usurped the Throne endeavouring to establish himself therein as he had first acquired it viz. by blood so that greatly oppressing his Subjects and especially the Nobility as also causing Queen Ann his Wife secretly to be made away that he might marry Elizabeth his Neece Daughter to his Brother King Edward the Fourth divers conspired against him and amongst the rest the Duke of Buckingham who had been the main Instrument in helping him into the Throne but raising Forces and being unsuccessful in his attempt his men flying and leaving him to shift for himself he resorted to the House of one Banister who had been his Steward and had got a good Estate under him where for a time he secured himself in disguise to attend his better fortune though it proved otherwise for King Richard seting 1000 l. upon his head the same Banister in whom he confided discovered him to the Sherif of the County who seizing upon him in the Disguise or Habit of a Gardiner carried him to Salisbury where by the Command of the King without Arraignment or Tryal he was beheaded And now by a secret Contract the Earl of Richmond being betroth'd to the Lady Elizabeth Eldest Daughter to Edward the Fourth after having escaped many Dangers beyond the Scas and his Faction being strong in England prepares with such an Army as he could well gather by the favour of the Duke of Brittany and increased by such English as fled to him for fear of the Usurper for England and landed at Milford-Haven his Retinue not exceeding 2000 but was soon increased to a far greater number by those that daily came to joyn him which made King Richard advance with his Army to oppose him and pitched his Tents at Radmore near Bosworth in Leicestershire and both Armies being drawn up in Battalia the Lord Stanly with a great Detachment kept aloof on the Hills and the King suspecting he intended to revolt from him to his Enemy sent to him to advance but he refused saying he would do it when he saw his time whereupon King Richard in a great Rage commanded his Son whom he had in Hostage for the Fathers Fidelity instantly to be beheaded but was by some of his Favorites perswaded to defer it till the Battel was over by which means the young man escaped for both Armies joyning with great fury a bloody and doubtful fight ensued so that for a long time the Scale of Victory hung in an equal poise King Richard commanding and fighting courageously in all parts but the Lord Stanly when both Armies had tried their Strengths and were weary with fighting coming in with his fresh men bore down all before him so that King Richard perceiving the Fortune of the War to go against him like a man in despair resolving not to survive it charged with great fury amongst the thickest Squadrons and having killed and beaten down many was at length over-pow'red and himself slain falling upon heaps of his Enemies his Crown was afterward found in a Hawthorn-bush and himself stripped naked was carried all bloody upon a Horse to Leicester and there buried in the Grey-Friars with much Solemnity after its being exposed two days to the People In this Battel called the Battel of Bosworth-field 6000 men on either side were slain and amongst them divers of Note And now the Earl of Richmond being Crowned in the Field marched to London and soon after solemnly married the Lady Elizabeth joyning the Houses of Lancaster and York he being the Heir of the one and she the Heiress of the other And so the Discord to soft Concord yields That with the Bones o' th' slain made white the Fields Dividing Friends in an unfriendly Jar Rending the tor'ring State with Impious War Whilst Father against Son Brothers with Brothers fight Not caring who was wrong or who was right But smeer'd with Blood in Cruelty delight Being emulous who most cou'd vent his Rage Such is the fate when Civil Arms ingage A description of the Battel of Seminara fought in the Kingdom of Naples between King Ferdinand then intituled to that Kingdom and the Great Gonsalves Caâ—tain of the Spaniards on the one part and the Lords Obignny and Persive for Charles the French King on the other part Anno 1495. CHarles the French King victorious in Italy having won many strong Places and Countries and amongst the rest the Rich and Fertile Kingdom of Naples Ferdinand in whose right it was raising an Army of Spaniards Sicilians Italians c. and entred the Provinces the French had a little before brought to their Subjection in order to recover them advancing as far as the Country of Seminara to oppose whom the Lord Obignny Governour of Calabria for the French King and the Lord Persive Governour of Bosilicula marched with their united Forces from their appointed Rendezvous at Terranova to Seminara to fight the King or besiege him in the Town who knowing nothing of their Conjunction and ignorant of their number issued out of the Town upon news of their approach to give them Battel not staying for the Troops he expected from Puglia Campagnia and Arbuzzo though Gonsalves counted the expertest Captain of his Age laboured to disswade him from fight for being in the flower of Youth and height of his Spirit he rather strove to expose his Valour than hearken to good Counsel and so having made an excellent Speech or Oration to animate the Captains and Souldiers to do their utmost he marched towards Terranova three miles along the Hills and coming to the River lodged his Foot on the left Bank and his Horse-men he stretched on the right to serve for a Wing and so continued to expect the Enemy By this time the French and Switzers came in sight and Obignny cast the latter into a firm Battalion placing the Foot raised in Calabria behind them as a Battel of Succour dividing the Squadron of Horse between them being Men at Arms and in the same order the light Horse-men and so in a square Battel they pass d the River whereupon the Spanish Horse advanced to oppose them but being hotly charged by the thick Battalion of the French in the Advaunt-guard after many of them were beaten down and slain the rest were obliged to retire by