Governour of the Provinces of Ghelderland and Zutfen had another The Duke then ordered that as many of the High Dutch as could be had should fall down into those parts He dispatched away thither also the Camp-Master Bracamonte with almost his whole Spanish Brigado and some horse and six Field-Pieces Lodovick had begun to fortifie the Town of Dam from whence there runs a Channel to Delfeziel but hindred by the coming of the Spaniards he resolved to quit those Quarters and to go to a certain Priory not far from thence which was more commodious and safe the ground was higher here then in other parts and there were some trees which served for the use of the Priory Here the Count took up his Quarters not knowing whether the Spaniards would assault him or indeavour by reducing him to straits to make him return to Germany If they should assault him it would make for his advantage by reason of his situation and because the Spaniards were of necessity to pass through the hollow places where they had cut out Turfs which stood ful of water and mire as did likewise all the fields thereabouts He feared rather to be straitned in victuals and consequently inforced to retreat but he was not left long in this doubt The Spaniards assoon as they descri'd the enemy began to murmure for that Aremberg would not suffer them to fall on and assault them which he was against considering wisely that Mega was not yet come and that he expected some further reinforcement of horse and foot his present forces being fewer in number then were the enemy But his councel was but little listned unto nor his Authority respected For the Spaniards impatient of all delay despising his Command would forbear no longer Nay some of them using injurious and offensive words towards him tearmed him a coward for matter of War and disloyal in the Cause of the Church and King Whence much incenst he said Let us then goe not to overcome but to be overcome and not by the Arms of our Enemies but those which Nature adoperates for them Shall not we be buried in water dirt and ditches before we can come to assault them How strong in all other respects is their situation and how much greater are their numbers then ours I notwithstanding will be one of the first that will fight and dye Thus will I shew whether I degenerate from my blood or no whether I be a Coward and whether I be faulty in my loyalty to my Religion and to my King This being said he with the rest felt headlong into the battel The Spaniards were on the front the High-Dutch followed and the Horse were placed more where the quality of the ground would permit them to be then in any good order the Artillery guarded one flank of the Enemy where they lay most open Lodovick on the contrary seeing himself at such advantage full of joy put his Army in order and encouraged them thus unto the battel What Victory my fellow souldiers was ever more certain then that which we shall this day win upon the Spaniards Doe you see how rashly and with how much arrogancie they come to assault us as if this Quarter of so valiant Souldiers were the proud Alva's Palace and that they were by their base treacheries to imprison here some other Egmont and Horn to make them afterwards laughing-stocks and to destroy them in their new Forts wherewith they have inthralled Flanders every where But this day undoubtedly will make them repent their so many tyrannical proceedings and make the Country conceive a certain hope that all bondage being shaken off it shall soon recover its former liberty If we consider Forces ours are twice as many as theirs If the Cause Violence displayes the Colours on their side and Justice on ours If the condition of Souldiers many of theirs are to be accounted ours and how can their Germans differ in opinion from you But say they were all Spaniards that they were more in number then we and that they had the better cause were not our so many other advantages sufficient to win us the victory The water dirt and holes will rob us of the honour of overcoming them This will not be like the encounter at Dalem where those few of our men thinking to be safe in the Country of Liege were set on at unawares and routed without almost any fighting Deceits will not avail here We will here soon repay our selves for that loss with good use to boot In wars the beginning useth to presage the end And therefore we by this present Victory will ascertain the future But loâ— the Enemy already comes on receive him couragiously For as Justice leads them on to punishment so doth it you to prey revenge and glory He had ordered his men thus The Horse on the right wing under his brother Adolphus who had the command of them on which side the ground was more tractable the Foot on the left where they were sheltred by a little hill whereon he placed some Files of Musquetiers he left the ground on which were trees on his back and on his front that which was most myery At the first the Spanish Artillery did somewhat prejudice his men and some of them did so couragiously charge Lodovicks Musquetiers who were placed to defend the little hill as they hoped to win it whereupon the Spaniards gave on upon the Enemy with more obstinate resolution then before But they soon were aware of their errors For bemyred in the water and mud the more they endeavoured to get out the faster they stuck and the rest who came to help them had need of help themselves They were then wounded and slain by the Enemies Foot who ran no danger thereby And Lodovick making his Horse wheel about invironed Arembergs men and without any trouble routed and defeated them In the Battel about 600 Spaniards were slain and almost none of the Germans for they suddenly yielded upon discretion to the Enemy who easily gave them their lives upon obligation that they should never bear arms more for the Spaniard Aremberg playing the part rather of a common Souldier then of a Commander whilst he fought couragiously was slain at the first encounter There were but few lost on Lodovicks side their greatest loss was in his brother Adolphus Some will have it that he was slain by Arembergs own hand and that Adolphus slew Aremberg The Spaniards lost their Artlllery and their Baggage and some monies which was brought to their Camp to pay the Souldiers The Battel was not well ended when a Troop of horse appeared led on by Count Curtio Martinengo and by Andrea Salatsar which Count Mega had sent before to reinforce the Horse of the Kings army Their arrival helped at least to hinder the Enemy from slaughtering any more of the disbanded men who ran away from the Spanish Camp Nor was Mega himself long after in coming up who considering the danger of Groninghen
being likewise come up had brought the whole burthen of the war on that part hither but the hereticks still giving ground they at last began to run The business was better disputed between the horse of both sides the Kings horse Harquebusiers were so furiously assaulted by Lodovicks Rutters and especially the Germans led on by Schinck who stood forwardest as being first broken and then totally disordered they did not only forsake the place but running away to the next neighbouring Towns they gave out every where that the enemy had won the day The Rutters having discharged their first Volly of shot wheeled about to charge again and make a second more furious assault but the Kings Lanciers afforded them not time who fell on with such violence and did so vigorously charge them on divers sides as breaking their orders they forced them back and opened them In this the foot-wing played their part miraculously by whom the Rutters being gauled on their flank were put yet into greater disorder Lodovick and the Palatine couragiously endcavoured to re-order them and incouraged them by their own examples acting the parts rather of common souldiers then of Commanders in chief But the Kings horse still more inheartned both by the apparent victory of the foot and by the advantage which they themselves continually got did so closely pursue the Rutters as not being able longer to be withheld and fear getting the upper hand of shame they turned their backs and at last ran directly away Fortune would likewise have her share in this battel as usually she hath in all For just as the Rutters began to give back three Company of Lanciers came up to the Catholicks led on by Nicholas Basti by George Macuca and by Peter Tassis all of them Captains and this new inforcement finisht the business so as instead of fighting they fell to execution The Kings men being masters of the field slaughtered the enemy horribly in all places and it was commonly believed that above 4000 of them perisht About 200 of the Kings men were missing This success was particularly innobled by the death of the two brothers of Nassaw and of the Palatine which being all of them joyntly resolved either to make their way by their swords or by indeavouring to do so to lose their lives were slain fighting valiantly The Kings forces got great advantage and reputation by this victory For though the battel was not between numerous Armies yet the chief consequences of Flanders lay at stake on both sides And those which concerned the King being particularly considered 't is no doubt but if the enemy had got the better of the day their Forces being joyned with those of the Prince of Orange would have overrun the Country every where and would have made the Stanshest raise new rebellions But this so important victory was not well gotten when they who had been the chief Authors of it spoyled the effect thereof Instead of expecting their reward from the King the Spaniards to the great disservice of his Majesty would be their own pay-masters The very night after the day of battel and upon the very place where the battel was fought they resolved to mutiny And the effect thereof was seen before the thing it self could be imagined It began at first to be whispered by a few afterwards it was put in practise by many and at last it was fully consented unto by all They complained and seemed much incensed to see their labours so ill rewarded 'T was their hands and their bodies by which Towns were taken Battels won and all other actions of greatest danger done The honour and advantage redounded to the Commanders their reward was only wounds and poverty That their bare pay was given them rather as a reward then as of due Which yet being so far in arrear they could not fully receive How could so miserable a condition be longer tollerated that it was in their own power to satisfie themselves for the monies which were every day promised them and never paid And that therefore they were now rather to have it at their command then to wait for it any longer and that perhaps in vain They made no long delay they in a great hurly-burly flew to their arms and violently laying aside their former Officers they chose new ones This being done they went immediately from Mouch and marched towards Antwerp intending to enter the City and there with all safety and commodiousness to cause their whole pay to be given them Sancio d'Avila and all the Camp-masters used all possible diligence to remedy so great and so unexpected a disorder but they could do nothing that would prevail And because after this mutiny so many others of the like nature insued in the progress of this war whereby the Kings affairs in Flanders were more prejudiced by the arms of his own souldiers then by those of his enemies It will not be amiss to relate here anticipately with as much brevity as may be what is best worthy knowledge in a business which we shall so often have occasion to treat of An Army in the field is a great moveable City governed by Military Laws within walls of Iron this City is distinguished into personages of divers qualities The chiefest place is possest by the Captain-General who hath supream Authority in the Government thereof The other chiefest Commanders follow after him and after them the lesser And in the last place remains the inferior order of common Souldiers who having no share in Command are only to obey In this popular order of the Army if I may term it so do mutinies fall out the usual cause whereof is the want of pay In the meaner sort of souldiers Interest prevails more then Honour wherefore being unpayed first they complain then they grow angry and at last mutiny In long Wars this is oftner seen by reason of the excessive expences which they occasion This length of time makes souldiers mary whereby they have children and in that respect grow still more necessitous and this necessity at last turning into corruption they mutiny many times rather because they will do so then that they have any just occasion to do it The Laws of obedience being then broken this popular order riseth up against their Superiors and out of their body do tumultuarily chuse new Officers This happens usually when the Armys are in the field because it would be almost impossible to compass it with security in Garisons In the change of Government 't is commonly seen that we degenerate from the better to the worse And thus it happens upon this occasion The supreme Command of one only passeth then into the whole multitude which being composed of horse and foot makes a body of each of them which they call the Squadron of the incensed so to shun the always ignominious title of mutiners The Authority consists then in the Squadron and all the command in the united body thereof This tumultuous Commonwealth
advantages He was not ignorant of these the passions of the Commonalty but knowing very well how to make use of them he was not offended that the vulgar should vent them and maintaining such correspondencie as was needful with the graver sort and minding with them the carrying on of the common designs he slackned not a whit from his fervencie in advancing Alansons affairs When the first Ceremonies of the new Principality were ended in Antwerp Alanson past by Sea with Orange into the Province of Flanders and made his solemn entry first into Bruges and then into Gaunt Here they stayed expecting the Forces which were to come from without and to reinforce those that were within Those Souldiers which were first sent to succour Odenhard were now almost within sight of Gaunt But Fernese being past from hopes to manifest effects had received the Militia which was expected from farthest abroad which consisted of two Brigadoes of Spanish Foot under the Camp-masters Christopher Mandragone and Peter Paze and of two other Italian Brigadoes under the Camp-masters Camillo de Marchesi del Monte and Mario Cardoine together with many Troops of Horse of both those Countries He then delayed no longer but picking 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse out of the Army he went to find out the Enemy His Quarters were as hath been said near the wals of Gaunt in a Village well intrenched At first the Enemy seemed not to refuse battel they drew out in good order but went not far from their Trenches not from the shelter of the wals of the City which were well furnisht with Artillery Yet did not the Royalists cease advancing but skirmisht with the Enemy hoping that as the skirmish should grow hot they might be brought to a full battel But the Enemy making valiant resistance and yet loth to lose his advantage kept still in good order till at last they resolved to draw nearer to the wals of Gaunt as to a place of more safety The Kings men advancing charged the Enemy very fiercely and they facing about and sustaining the Charge with their Horse retreated very valiantly and in good order to where they would be Alanson and Orange stood upon the wals looking upon this action and encouraging their men without and assisting them with the Artillery from within they made their Retreat the more noble and the more secure This Combat lasted many hours being much more then a bare skitmish and much less then a joyn'd Battel The Kings men lost most and of the Italians Ferrante Gonzaga was in particular grievously wounded Of the Enemies amongst others Monsieur de Sansoval and Monsieur de Rochepot won great praise both of them being French Gentlemen that were come with Alanson The Enemy being retreated Fernese did for a while keep his men in good order that he might to their faces taxe the Enemy for refusing battel all that day and challenge them to it again But seeing they did not stir he resolved at last to retreat also and to bethink himself of somwhat else 'T was said that those Forces which were to come from France into Flanders to serve Alanson were a gathering up about Cambray Fernese therefore turn'd his men thitherward to oppose them But understanding afterwards that the said French were resolved to enter by Dunkirk he being more at liberty begirt the Castle of Cambresis and took it He then threatned to besiege Cambray but they were only threats For winter now drawing on hindred him from prosecuting his design and moreover necessity called upon him to oppose the Enemy elswhere who seeing Fernese so far off and hoping thereby to reap some advantage assaulted and took Gaesbeck in Brabant and soon after they likewise took the Town of Mega upon the Mause But Fernese returning speedily upon them he retook Gaesbeck took Nienove and secured Lira which was in some danger Verdugo this mean while continued making further progress on the other side the Rhine He had tryed the Town of Lochem and had lain some moneths about it but not being able to get the Town by siege he easily took Stenwick afterwards by surprise On the contrary the Enemy had stormed the Town of Hasselt situated upon the River Haa and much advantaged their affairs on that side But the whole body of both Armies was reduced to this side the Rhine And now after so long expectation Alansons men were come They were not in all above 3000 Switzers Foot 2500 French Foot and 1000 French Horse Their Leaders had brought them into Flanders by the way of Dunkirk And because winter was already begun 't was fitter thinking of putting them into garrisons then of drawing them into the field Their chief Commander was the Duke of Mompensiere a Prince of the blood-royal and with him was the Marshal Biroun a very gallant Gentleman and who was highly esteemed throughout all France for his valour in war The men were distributed to winter in Dunkirk in Newport in Ostend in Bruges in Dixmund and in Terramonde and in some other part of the Country of Vas all which were garrisons within the Province of Flanders Alanson having been solemnly received in Bruges and in Gaunt was come to Antwerp Here all the other French Commanders that were newly come staid with him But when they saw how little account was made of Alanson that he hardly enjoyed the bare title of Soveraignty that the Government was wholly in Orange his hands that the Flemish did already discover themselves not very well minded towards the French and that in effect they did not pay the Duke the monies which they had promised him for the maintenance of his men nor did adde such men of their own as were needful to his It is not to be exprest how much the Marshal amongst others fretted within himself as also did the other Commanders that were come with him Those who were of best esteem with the Duke and who were come first in with him were likewise sensible of the same shame and anger insomuch as some of the forwardest of them could no longer contain themselves Entring then into a very secret consultation they resolved to perswade the Duke to ground his new Principality upon Arms since the other Form of exercising it which was prescribed him was altogether vain and unworthy Monsieur de Fervaches a Gentleman of a very Noble family very discreet and stout and who during the Civil wars of France was also made Marshal of that Crown was in great favour with the Duke This man easily arrogating unto himself the chief place in this design took upon him the care of propounding it to the Duke and taking a fitting time spake thus unto him How much most gracious Sir had we who have the honour to enjoy the prime places in your Highness his service rather never have come into Flanders then in coming hither find the Royal blould of France so much vilified consider Sir your birth and then fee whether your present condition here
The flying Squadron thrust forward before the rest which being used to march before the Army upon occasion of fight came now in the Reer for the Reer as hath been said was now to be the Van. This Squadron consisted of choice and select Captains Officers and other Souldiers and Augustine Messia one of the most esteemed Spanish Camp-masters that was then in Flanders had the particular charge thereof The Duke Du Mayne had placed himself in the last files of Foot of that Squadron which were to be the first toward the Enemy Saying That he would that day serve as a Souldier under Camp-master Messia and divers others of the best of the Army were there likewise They were to march almost three leagues before they could bring themselves in safety into La Fera. The Van rising thus about midnight the Battel began to move in its due time and about the break of day the Reer began also to march When the King heard of this Retreat he delayed not doing what he could to disturb it Assembling the Flower of all his Cavalry he charged the Enemies Rear on divers sides as they came out of the Wood into which the Leagues Camp for their better advantage had taken their way And often renewing his assaults endeavoured to overcome them But still in vain For the Squadrons keeping still a stedfast order and the Muskets serving the Pikes with admirable discipline and the Pikes the Muskets alternately in making the fittest opposition the Kings men could not in the least part effect what they desired Every encounter was valiantly sustained in particular by the flying Squadron they ever and anon faced about and received the Charge with their Pikes couched so great a shower of Musket-shot hailing down continually upon them as they oft repented their being so far advanced In all these conflicts wheresoever the greatest danger was there was the Duke Du Mayn with his Pike in his hand discharging the duty of a private Souldier much more then of a Commander And the vigor of his mind was the better seen by the proportion of his body for being very tall of stature and his limbs very well proportioned and armed with all such peeces as he ought to be upon such an occasion he drew not only the eyes but the praise of all men upon him The assaults continued a while on the Kings part but the Colleagues being more molested then prejudiced thereby and still marching in very great order at last free from all disturbance their Camp came safe to La Fera And the King having compast his end in hindring the succour he presently betook himself to finish the taking of Laon. The besieged defended themselves gallantly for many dayes making many bold sallies and persevering with singular courage in all other resistance But the batteries never ceasing from without after having sustained many assaults and many of the defendants being slain and having no hopes of further assistance the City was at last delivered up unto the King upon honourable conditions about the end of July This mean while the King of Spain's own affairs in Flanders were still in greater disorder and confusion to boot with the former two mutinies which have been already mentioned another had at this time hapned in Brabant some Foot colours of Italians were quartered in that Province in the Towns of Ariscot and of Sichem which Towns were very neer one another the want of pay was very great as you have often heard by reason of the excessive charges the King was at both in France and Flanders and it was the greater at this time in Flanders because the people which had mutined in St. Pauls and in Pont had but just now received satisfaction of thir pay which had cost a great sum of money The foresaid Italians being therefore moved thereto in part by need but certainly much more by the example which they had before their eyes of seeing so fowl an action in their companions so advantagiously recompenced they resolved by the same means to endeavour the same satisfaction The practice being carried on with wonted secresie from the beginning it was soon after put in execution and those of Ariscot vying for dispatch with those of Sichem at last all of them being agreed they met together in Sichem as in the greater place and which might be the better fortified and here throwing off all obedience they openly mutined This licentious ensign being raised many other Italians flock'd suddenly unto it and many souldiers of other Nations mingled also with them their whole number came to between two and three thousand The Arch Duke was highly displeased at this disorder both in it self and for the consequences it drew after it he saw that one mutiny begot another nay that divers were on foot together that though they pretended necessity it was rather out of corruption and that the King of Spains condition was now very lamentable his own forces proving more prejuditious to him then those of his enemies VVherefore he concluded that laying aside all fair proceedings 't was best to try once if such a mischief could be supprest by rigour The Councel of VVar inclined hereunto but howsoever it was thought to be too dangerous a business and of too bad example to set those souldiers one against another who did militate under the same Colours wherefore they resolved to proffer some just satisfaction to the mutiners whereby to reduce them to their former obedience The offer was large enough but they would by no means accept of it for being become resolute both by reason of their own numbers and by the good success of their other fellows in their mutinies they obstinately refused ever to return to their former Colours till they were fully satisffed for their whole pay These contumacious speeches were followed by much more contumacious actions Not contented with such usual contributions as in such cases are imposed upon the adjacent Countrie they began to lay heavy taxes upon the Towns round about which were further off And they grew to that insolency that in raising their contributions they came once even to within the sight of Brussels where the Archduke and the Court was But neither did their audaciousness stop here Fearing lest open force might be used against them they began to hold intelligence with Count Maurice not that they would turn over to the adverse party They never were so base but that they might have a safe refuge in case of necessity if they should be pursued by Arms. The Archdukes anger was much increased by these actions nor made he any delay He raised a good body of men out of the Spanish mutiners who had already received their pay and of many others of the said Nation and resolved to send them against the last mutiners Amongst other Commanders Lewis de Velasco a Spaniard of great esteem was of the oforesaid opinion that this new mutiny was to be quelled by force The business was therefore
Army was sheltred on the right hand by the Channel of the River and on the left by the Carriages and Baggage which joyned together in a long Train by three and three did shelter and secure that Flank Thus was the Spanish Camp ordered It was argued at the same time in the Kings Camp by his Councel of War what they were to do in this behalf Some were for going out of their Trenches with all their Forces and giving battel in the field And Marshal Biroun was stiff of this opinion saying That the Kings Horse was far superior to theirs both in number and goodness that they ought likewise to hope very well of their Foot so as what better occasion could there be wisht for to fight the Enemy and get a glorious victory That the whole Genius of France was naturally addicted to such fights as these and particularly the King himself who excelling each other man in all military qualities had only overcome himself in this in knowing how to win so many and so dangerous battels That the present Victory being got not only Amiens but whole Picardy would be the Kings and with what advantage might they afterwards assault the Enemies frontiers of Flanders and carry those mischiefs thither wherewith France had been so long afflicted Marshal Biroun as we have often said was naturally very fierce and fell often upon businesses which partook much more of precipitation then boldness And amongst other things it was observable how much he differed from the opinion of the Marshal his late Father who no less couragious but much more circumspect then his son had in the siege laid by the King to Roan some years before as we then told you perswaded the King to keep the Duke of Parma from relieving the Town by defending his own Works But divers others of the Councel were of another opinion chiefly the Duke Du Mayn who was a compleat Commander and was thought to be the best that was then in France He in a grave and considerate manner said thus That the Kings end in this siege was to recover Amiens and not to call all France thither to see him vainly defie the Enemy in a Battel And what military wisdom was it that taught to provoke Fortune unnecessitated which was always deceitful in all Feats of Arms and chiefly in the success of a Field-battel Then let the King enjoy those advantages which his Trenches gave him and suffer the Spaniard to come and assault them at their pleasure For finding them well defended they would either not assault them or if they should it would be in vain Nor was it to be feared that those within would move at the same time both by reason of the same opposition of the Kings Trenches and for that they were already reduced to so small a number as they were hardly able to man the remainders of their own Defences Thus the Enemy soon despairing of ever effecting the succour the King without any further danger would happily compass his desired end of the siege This opinion carried it But howsoever the King desirous himself to see at a near distance in what posture the Spanish Camp marched went out with the greatest part of his horse which meeting with the Enemy afforded occasion of skirmishes which lasted for a while no advantage appearing on any side and the King wheeling about came in good order back to his Trenches The Spanish Camp still advanced till from the top of a little Rise within two Cannon-shot of the Enemy it made them a gallant and stately spectacle and passing forward from thence came almost within musket-shot of the Enemies Trenches The French thought for certain that the Spaniards would assault them insomuch as many of the meaner sort of them began to waver many of the Victuallers and those who had care of the Baggage transported by blind fear went to convey their goods to the other side of the River for their more safety sake This disorder began also amongst some of the more ordinary souldiers which manifestly appeared in the ambiguous form of defence which they put themselves in Which the Admiral of Arragon and Count Sora perceiving who led the Van of the Spaniards horse they failed not suddenly to advertise the Cardinal thereof and did earnestly perswade him not to lose so advantagious an occasion of assaulting the Enemy But Count Mansfield who had the first place under the Cardinal and some other of the Commanders were absolutely of a contrary opinion He said That it would be manifest rashness to give so upon the Enemies Works That the tumults which were seen there might be caused by some occasional confusion which the French Commanders would soon remedy That if they should resolve to present Battel and consequently come out of their Works it should be accepted and a good end hoped for But that to assault the Exemy within their own Fortifications with so much advantage to them would be to adventure that Army to too evident a blow and all Flanders to too manifest danger The Cardinal thought this the safest councel which he resolved to follow though the whole Army was generally of opinion That if the Enemy had been assaulted then with due resolution they should have met with but small resistance and that together with the sudden relieving of Amiens the Cardinal might peradventure have obtained one of the greatest victories that the Spaniards had of a long time gotten over the French The French Commanders had this mean while provided for the abovesaid disorders and the King coming himself in person to where it behoved most to secure the Trenches he furnisht them with such men as were most valiant Nor herewithall content he went forth with all his Horse and dividing them into many Squadrons he extended them a great space and sheltred those parts of his Trenches which were most threatned by his Enemies to defend them so much the better Then letting his Artillery flie furiously against the Enemy he did so prejudice them as they resolved to remove from that so near place and went to another where they were sufficiently sheltred The night came on this mean while and the Cardinal staid there with all his Army resolving to accost the Enemy again the next day and to provoke them to battel The night past over more quietly then was expected the so very nearness of two so powerfull Armies being considered Nor did the Cardinal fail to draw near with his as formerly to that of the Enemy But the King being stedfast to his former resolution and preparing in like manner as before to defend his Trenches he would not lose his advantage The Cardinal having staid with his Army drawn out into Battel-array as long as he thought fitting resolved at last totally to retreat considering that he could come by victuals but too hardly in those parts and that the other incommodities which his Army suffered in those quarters were too great Turning therefore his Van into
Enemies Camp without having first well known what it is and when so considerable a number being behind the Catholicks would come short of them in numbers Then turning more freely towards the Archduke he said Most mighty Prince Your Highness in my opinion hath a glorious Victory safe in your hands if you will be carefull in the carriage thereof Doth not your Highness apprehend Count Maurice his rashness He is come firmly believing that he should take Newport before it could be succour'd and did confide more then became him to doe in the Forts which he had taken and which were afterwards so easily lost again Now when he shall see himself faced by our Army he must of necessity think of retreating which must be done either by land or by sea He hath no place whither to have refuge by land but Ostend and if he retreat by sea he must of necessity reimbarque his men together with all his Artillery munition and baggage which were formerly landed Let our Army then halt between the Towns of Newport and Ostend so as Maurice shall not be able to get by land to the latter He will then be inforced to retreat by sea which if he doe how great will his disorder in imbarking be and how great opportunity shall we then have to assault the Enemy with all advantage to rout and to disperse them This opinion was grounded upon very sound reasons But Claudio Barlotta the antient Walloon Campmaster a lover of hazardous enterprises and who oft-times degenerated from audacity to rashness did with such vehemencie oppose it as he drew most of the other Commanders to side with him He said That it was too great an error to let slip so fair an occasion of assaulting the Enemy that it was to be believed they had already received a great blow both by the loss of the Forts which they before had got and much by their loss of so many men that very morning That they did not expect so furious a tempest wherefore it was to be believed that possest with fear and confusion they would in all haste imbarque themselves and rather think of flying away then of fighting That he did therefore earnestly press that the Army might be speedily led on to pursue their begun victories That of all others the Mutiniers were impatient of delay and of what advantage was it upon such an occasion to make use of the Souldiers forwardness That some of the Catholicks were behind but that it was very well known the Enemy was likewise very much lessened in their numbers nor was it numbers but valour that gave the victory That this victory might be built upon for certain if they would march immediately towards the Enemy and fall upon them And what doubt was there to be made of it since the Souldiers were to fight under the command and in the eye-sight of their own Prince who would likewise be their Captain-Generall and to detain the Army in so fair a course would it not be totally to discourage the Souldiery would it not be to bereave them of certain hopes and to feed them with more uncertain For if time were allowed unto the Enemy they would peradventure provide so for their retreat as the success of victory might prove as doubtfull as it might now be thought certain The Souldiers ardencie to fight was really very great and chiefly the fervor of the Mutiniers who stormed saying that they had not left their Companions to stand idly now before the Enemies and they did very much press to fall immediately upon them The Archduke notwithstanding did stand somewhat in suspence between these two Opinions when a Chance made him resolve to march immediately against the Enemies Camp Fortune hath always a great stroke in all humane affairs here below But in the concernments of war she does almost what she pleaseth and ofttimes by unexpected accidents causeth losses to insue where victory was expected The Army marched upon the Sea-shore and it so fell out that just as the Archduke was to put on his resolution a great many of the Enemies ships were descried which upon several occurrences came from Newport towards Ostend The Catholick Camp did then verily believe that the enemy was resolved to retreat and that this was already the beginning of it Wherefore being now more incouraged then before they pursued their march each souldier with all fervor solliciting one another There remained yet four hours of day when the Catholicks came within sight of the enemies Camp 6â—0 horse marched foremost in the van and then the foot followed devided into two great Battalions each of which was confusedly mixed of all Nations the rest of the horse took their place in each of them where it was fittest And the Spanish mutiners both horse and foot that they might signalize themselves the more upon this occasion had obtained to march in the head of the Army Count Maurice was not this mean while idle At the first news that the Enemy came to assault him he called a Councel of war where it was resolved that they would manfully joyn battel They thought that to retreat by imbarking themseves would not onely appear base and unworthy but that it might likewise prove dangerous That the Catholicks would come weary whereas their men were in good plight and vigor That the Catholicks were fewer in number then they and that their men were not to yeild in goodness to the Catholicks That the mean while they might make choise of the most advantagious place to fight in and out of so many reasons have assured hopes of victory This being resolved upon Maurice rose with all his men from before Newport and drew as far from thence as was needful to keep unmolested by that Garrison whilst he should fight the Catholicks and that he might the more incourage his men by leading them to encounter with those of the Arckduke's Then staying in an oppertune place he was very diligent in fitting his Army for the battel And that he might necessitate them the more to fight he gave order that all the ships should stand off at sea that there might be no hope of safety that way His camp consisted likewise or divers Nations furnished with gallant Commanders and long accustomed to the wars of Flanders to boot with the Flemish which consisted chiefly of Frieslanders and men of Ghelderland there were in the Army of the united Provinces a great number of French English and Scots and there were then also some Foot of Switzers amongst them Colonel Sir Francis Vere an old Souldier of known valour and of whose Military actions you may have often heard in this our Story Commanded all the English foot But Count Maurice willing to encourage his Army to battel before he composed his squadrons advanced before them and said thus I ingeniously confess my fellow souldiers that I am deceived in the hopes I had when I first undertook this siege I hoped that the Passes and
therefore resolved not to suffer him to tarry long in Friesland When he had certain information that the enemy did not stir he entred into Groninghen and having refresht his men he led them out of the City and drew near the enemies Camp The Duke gessed just as it fell out To wit that Lodovick when he should be faced with â—o powerfull an Army when he should see himself in danger to want victuals and that he should not be able to retreat when he would better weighing his designes he would prevent these difficulties and without more adoe resolve upon retreat Lodovick at last resolved to do so and that he might do it without loss of men or reputation he effected it thus that very day towards the evening he sent away his baggage before after it his foot and left the horse for the last having taken order for breaking down the bridges which were over the river to the end that the Spaniards might not follow him The Duke had foreseen this and to be the more sure he gave order that Robles the camp-master with 400 Walloons should possess himself of a certain house conveniently seated to discover the enemies goings the retreat was then apparently seen the Duke made no delay he forthwith sent forth 400 Spaniards of the Neopolitan Brigado to assault the great trench which was formerly spoken of which was so wel perform'd as they drove away those that defended it who suddenly firing the bridges repast over the river The night now drew on and the enemy was already so far advanced and in so good order as the Dukes men could do them no great harm Yet some Spaniards and Walloons waded over the river where it was shallowest but they met with such hindrances by the squadrons of the enemies horse and by the narrowness and badness of the ways as they could make no further progress But few of the enemies were slain in this action yet were they much discouraged and confused therwith seeing themselvs so boldly set upon After this rather flight then retreat Lodovick continued his march backward towards East Friesland intending for as much as was conceiv'd to stay notwithstanding on this side the river of Embs in some good situation and as near Embden as possibly he could that by the nearness of the river and the City he might come the better by victuals and come what would come secure his last retreat By which means he stil thought he might compass his intention either of keeping the Duke of Alva busied or to keep with his former hopes in Friesland if the Duke should in some other parts oppose his brother He thought he might likewise believe that the Duke would not touch upon Germany nor hazard the want of victuals or suffering of other incommodities in a Countrey which appeared openly averse unto him And howsoever he thought he should be able so wel to fortifie himself as the Duke should not so easily dislodg him the second time as he had done the first To boot with the river which fenced him on the one side the Country was almost altogether impassable since it hardly allowed conveniency to be marcht upon and that upon the banks and muchless to fight And moreover the river swelling much more then ordinarily at a high tide the Country might easily be overflown by means of certain sluces which cutting the banks of the same river in divers places are usually opened or shut by the Inhabitants according as the sea swels or lessens This was Lodovicks designe So he pursued to march after his first retreat and did advance so far that very night and some days after as at last he quarter'd in a great village on this side the Embs call'd Geminghen He might first have staid in another call'd Rheeden and have had the passage over the Embs more coÌ„modiously there also by reason of a bridg which was nigh at hand but it was known that he would stay on this side the river and yet as near as he could to the City of Embden for the reasons which have been already spoken of On the other side the Duke continued his purposes which were to follow Lodovick to the Embs and to endeavour by all means possible to send him back routed and defeated into Germany that so he might be the freer afterwards to turn back upon Orange He therefore made his Army march leaving almost all the new raised horse in Groninghen because they could not be serviceable in those parts He lodged the first night in a Village called Sclotenem and not hearing any news of the enemy nor of good conveniency for victuals for all that Country was against him he was inforced to stay two days in that place He doubted that Lodovick might be tarryed in Rheeden that he might enjoy the oportunity of that near bridg which secured unto the passage over the River Knowing afterwards that he was past further on the Duke liked the business much better and staid his Camp in Rheeden securing that pass for himself Here he at last had certain advertisement that the Enemy were lodged in Geminghen From Rheeden to Geminghen at some 8 miles distance there runs a continued bank which serves as a curb to the River whereby the better to tame the swelling thereof occasioned by the sea The Duke was to make his men march upon this Bank if he would defeat the Enemy Divers Channels ran into the River which had houses and bridges upon them for the use and service of the Country people who in the summer time which now it was had some abidings not so low nor not so muddy as in the Country Lodovicks Quarters were thus fortified He had the Town of Geminghen upon his back on his left side the River and on his right the open fields fortified with Trenches where the situation would allow it On the Front the Bank it self somewhat distant from the River gave the entrance which without was cut in two by two Ravelins and better guarded within by two peeces of Artillery In this so strong place he either did not expect or did not fear the Duke Who desirous to try all wayes to fight and defeat him resolved to goe to him He sent some Horse before under his natural son Fernando who had the charge of the Horse and made the houses and bridges still as he marched be taken to secure his retreat upon all occasions From hence he advanced Sancio d' Avila with 50 Horse and 500 Harquebusiers all of them Spaniards and sent the two Camp-masters Romero and Londonio after him with each of them 600 Spanish Foot part Harquebusiers part Musquetiers and with two Companies of Lances commanded by Cesar d' Avalos and Curtio Martinengo The rest of the Army marcht in this order The Spaniards were the Van the High-Dutch followed next and the Walloons brought up the Reer inclosed by some Troops of Horse the Files were very strait for they could not march well but upon the
and Monsieur de Lumay and some other Flemish of good quality together with many German Commanders of great consideration The Army was well enough furnisht with Artillery and ammunition for war but had not so much mony nor victuals as was needfull This being understood the Duke of Alva resolved to make his Rendezvous at Mastrick the most commodious place upon the Mause that he might oppose Orange where it should be most convenient There were come unto the Duke from Spain at this time 400000 Crowns and 2000 Spanish Foot which being all of them new Souldiers he placed in the Garrisons and drew out from thence the old ones His eldest son Frederick came likewise then to Flanders to whom he gave the command of all the Foot The Rendezvous being appointed the Kings Army was found to consist of 16000 choise Foot to wit 6000 Spaniards the rest all Germans and Walloons and of 6000 Horse some whereof were Spanish some Italian some Germans some Burgonians and some Walloons and those Train-Bands of Flanders which were commanded by Carlo Philippode Croy Marquis of Haure The Duke removed the Camp afterwards from Mastrick to Haren a great Village not far from thence and seated likewise upon the Mause And here he made a Bridg of Boats that he might have free passage overfit at all hours and receive victuals the better from all those parts This place was almost in the midst between Liege and Ruremonde upon which two Cities Orange his designe was likeliest to be Ruremonde is in Ghelderland as hath been said It stands upon a little River called Ruer just where it fals into the Mause 'T is rather a place of great circuit then much people but the situation thereof is of importance by reason of both those Rivers Liege lies upon the same River a little higher The Mause hath not a City upon it of larger circuit nor better peopled 'T is divided by the River but joyned together again by divers Bridges The Bishop governs the Inhabitants there as well in temporal as in spiritual affairs being also Prince thereof though the City enjoy such ample priviledges as the form of Government therein partakes more of a Common-wealth then of a Principality 'T is one of the most Catholick Cities of all the North fullest of Ecclesiastical goods and most devoted to the Apostolical See Orange desired to try Liege first he wrote to the Magistracy omitting to write to Gerardo Grosbech who was then Bishop of the City and a personage of great worth thinking that he adhered too much to the Kings and the Catholick cause But the same mind and zeal appeared to be in the Magistracy for they determinately answered That the City would not receive in any foreign soldiers and that they had men enough of their own to defend themselves against any violence that should be offered them This practising of Orange with the Ligeois and his marching with his Army towards that City made the Duke resolve likewise to draw near it with his But Orange his designe upon Liege proving vain he without trying Ruremond turned suddenly elsewhere with intention to pass the Mause where he might best foard over it The river happened to be very low that year for the climat of Flanders which even in Summer is very rainy and moyst was of some late months more drie then usual Having found the most commodious foard and making use of the night season Orange in great silence past his Army over the river just against Stocchem in the State of Liege Which when the Duke heard he forthwith went thither also and drew near Orange with his Army Their designes were notwithstanding very different Orange would have fought at the very first for finding himself much streigthned in mony and victuals and with men who he was rather to obey then command he thought he could not long maintain his Army And nothing being done as yet in Flanders in favour to him he knew that if he should not have some favourable success by way of battel the Countrie would hardly rise having so powerfull an Army as was that of the Duke of Alva's within its bowels The Duke out of the very same reasons shun'd giving or battel He saw that Orange in losing a battel could lose nothing but his Army whereas he together with the loss of his Army should hazard the loss of all Flanders Resolving therefore rather to coast along by his enemy then to fight him and to vex him so with sufferings as at last he should disband of himself he only kept near him And because it was already evidently seen that Orange his intention was to enter into Brabant the Duke provided the places of greatest danger with all things needfull which were Tilemon Lovayne and Brussels and had an eye also to all other parts where there was any cause of suspition The two Camps being thus quartered Orange moved towards Tongueren a great Town in the State of Liege intending to possess himself of it and there to get victuals for his men But the Duke did so secure it as Orange durst never assault it Getringberg a very good Town in the same Countrie was more easily perswaded to let him have victuals and to receive his soldiers into the Town Which it soon repented by reason of the insolencies which they committed particularly against the Churches and sacred things Departing suddenly from thence for that it was not tenable He quartered upon the confines of Brabant hoping that when his Colours should be seen so nigh at hand the malecontents within the Countrie would likewise display theirs But the Duke flanking still upon him and streightning him now on one side now on another did not afford him one minutes rest Chiapino Vitelli had the particular care of the quarters which he was very diligent in taking and muniting To which purpose he had a great many pyoneers in the Army and upon occasion he would make the very soldiers work within the Trenches In these the Camps approachings one unto the other in their quartering and disquartering and particularly upon occasion of forrage there happened almost continually some skirmishes between the soldiers of the two Armies Nor was there any considerable advantage got on either side for many days But at last one action proved very bloudie Brabant is watered by many small rivolets which fall almost all of them into the Demer which inlarged by their accessions doth at last disgorge it self into the Scheld Amongst other the Geet runs into it Orange being advanced into Brabant he could not pass this river so speedily and with such caution before that a good part of his Reer ere it could re-joyn with the rest was in danger to be assailed upon great advantage by the Dukes soldiers who did not lose that oportunity The Camp-Masters Romero Bracamonte and Bigli advancing with their Spaniards and Walloons gave violently upon the enemy who seeing the danger had tumultuously fortified themselves in a Village upon the
willing to waste his time and forces before it to the prejudice of his chief design which was to relieve Mons as soon as might be and afterwards to make there a great Magazine of Arms. He therefore friendly intreated those Citizens to accommodate him with victuals and other things which his Army wanted But they answering more boldly then they ought to have done and not measuring their Forces by their words gave him a flat denial He did not expect such an answer so as he grew much incensed and to his anger necessity was joyned for his people suffered already in many things There were not Hereticks wanting in the City and they desired to see it in Orange his possession who had formerly held some intelligence with them to that purpose Practises being then renewed within and the men prepared without he made a fierce assault upon one of the Gates which with equal valour was defended by those within who shewed the like stoutness twice after when Orange renewed twice his assaults In the heat of this resistance which the Catholick defendants made the Heretick Townsmen making use of opportunity possest themselves of another gate and thereby let them in that were without Orange either could not or would not hinder the sacking of the City withheld perhaps on one side by judging it was not fit to use examples of cruelty when the Flemish did most expect clemency and inforst on the other side to provide for the necessities of his people which since he was not able to satisfie with pay he must supply the want thereof by plunder But sacking was the least misery which Ruremond suffered For the Hereticks with unheard of barbarism mingling slaughter with pillage grew cruel to all sexes and all ages especially against Church-men and Church-adornments By the taking of Ruremond Orange got another City in those parts which gave him a secure pass over the Mause He turn'd from hence to Malines which was already wrought to be at his devotion by Monsieur de Dorp so as he put a good Garrison thereinto of High-Dutch In his march he likewise made himself master of many other places of lesser consideration And being come to Lovain desired to be there received But meeting with more stiffness in the Citizens then he expected and fearing that he should lose too much time in staying to force it he resolved to accept of a certain sum of money which the City was contented to give him Thus leaving Brabant he came in the beginning of September into Henault and here he mustered his Army His Forces consisted as it was said of 16000 Foot and 9000 Horse all of them Germans except some French and Walloons He was aided by the success of a business which had happened a little before in favour of his adherents in Zealand to move sooner then he himself had thought A great many Flemish ships were at this time returned from Lisbone richly laden and out of choice rather then necessity they put in according to their custom at Flushing not knowing till then any thing of the new revolutions which had hapned there The Inhabitants of that Town being masters of so great a booty made suddenly monies thereof and sent the greatest part to the Prince of Orange just when he stood in most need to assemble his men together and make them march But the greater his Army was the greater was his difficulty in maintaining them For neither had he sufficient monies to that end nor any authority grounded upon command but only upon intreaties He came with the like resolutions as before to wit to doe all he could to draw the Duke to battel hoping at least thereby to find some means to succour Mons the more easily On the other side as the Dukes ends were clean otherwise so did his resolutions appear to be He as before desired to beat Orange by the Arms of his own Necessity so as despairing of Battel and no less of succour and forced by disaccommodations and sufferings he should at last confess himself overcome by returning discomfited The Duke doubted towards which part Orange would betake himself The speediest and shortest way was towards Nimi and St. Sinforiano Between these two Villages stands a Wood and therefore the Duke used all needful diligence to fortifie all those places so to hinder his passage on that side Which Orange hearing of he changed his way and turning Eastward past by Perone a Village some two leagues distant from Mons and fording without any difficulty over the Heyn and Trulla he marched towards the other part of the City drawing straight upon Jumampel The ground was here a little more hilly then in other parts thereabouts and was therefore thought less easie to fortifie and therefore Orange judged he might soonest succour the besieged on that side But as soon as the Duke had discovered this design he turn'd most of his men suddenly thitherward and resolved to raise a Fort there which was done with all speed and the Duke Medina celi took particular care of it To boot with the Fort which was provided of Artillery the better to entertain the Enemy on that side the Duke surrounded his Camp on that side too with a Trench Having thus secured himself and having a watchfull eye over all things he commanded upon severest punishment that no man should stir from the Squadrons without his order nor should in any manner whatsoever offer to fight Orange was this mean while drawn neer this place And having sent his brother Henry a little before who was a gallant Youth with fifty Horse to learn some news of the Spanish Camp he met with almost as many which the Duke of Alva had sent out towards the Enemy to the same purpose A bloody skirmish was had between these two Parties of Horse wherein the Dukes men coming off with somewhat the worse Orange came up soon after with his whole Army and offered the Duke battel But he still more stedfast in his first resolution kept all his men in great order within their Trenches suffering only the Artillery to play upon the Enemy who did the like upon the Spanish camp Orange took up his Quarters afterwards at Querenon a Village not far from Jumampel and endeavoured divers times to provoke the Duke to fight To this end he greatly annoyed the Kings Camp with continual thunder of Cannon he endeavoured to keep them from forrage or victuals and sallied out in skirmishes as oft as he could so to provoke them to battel the sooner wherein having much the greater number of Horse he hoped to be Victor There were some with the Duke who advised to fight the Enemy shewing how much his men did exceed the others in valour saying That victories were not won by numbers but by worth How oft had their first Squadrons born it away nay how oft their first Files What comparison was there to be made between new tumultuary base people such as were the Enemy and
old Souldiers so well disciplin'd and so nobly born as were his Let him then go out of the Trenches and fighting in so just a cause and with such valiant men he might be sure to overcome The Archbishop of Cullen was particularly of this opinion who being of a warlike mind was come in person into the Camp But the Duke still firm to his old Maxim not to fight with Fortune which in all humane affairs is ever fickle but especially in affairs of war and battel answered in words befitting such a Commander That the end of those who govern an Army was alwaies to overcome but not alwaies to fight And that he should have fought sufficiently when he should have overcome Orange being thus deluded of all hopes of bringing it to a day of battel apply I himself wholly to the relief and the Duke wholly to keep him from it and this was the chiefest indeavor of them both Orange propounded unto himself the consequences of preserving such a place as Mons was and the Duke the importancy of re-possessing himself of it Orange had assur'd his friends that he would succor and relieve it and the other had signified no less assurance in Spain that he would hinder him from so doing Each of them argue the future from the present success And warring one against the other rather out of privat hatred then the publick respect each of them fervently desired to compass their ends with reputation and glory the more to thwart the adversaries designe with loss and dishonour Orange was much afflicted to find himself amidst the aforesaid necessities which did foretoken that if he did not very speedily relieve Mons his Army would immediately moulder away he had no money to maintain it nor was it any longer nourishable by rapine and fearing every day lest the souldier might mutiny he knew that in such a case his own forces would be more prejudiciall to him then those of his enemies And doubtlesly he ran hazard either of being brought into great agony by his own men by actual imprisonment or through greater perfidiousness and avarice of being delivered up into the Duke of Alva's hands which was the most hideous thing his thoughts could suggest unto him Without any further delay then chusing out 2000 of his best horse and 1000 of his best foot he sent them with great resolution towards that part where he thought they might easilyest enter Mons on the side of Jumampel He divided the horse into two squadrons and by them sheltered the foot which he intended to put into the City and disposed of all the rest of his Army so as might serve upon any occasion which fortune might present of battel But the Kings men who had very well furnisht that pass before and especially with some Spanish Colours under Sancio d' Avila and Julian Romero did so gallantly oppose the Assailants and were so advantagiously seconded by the Artillery which from the Fort commanded the Champian as Orange could in no ways compass his intent The conflict was notwithstanding very fierce and was accompanied by a double tempest of Canon-shot wherewith the Kings men played continually upon the Enemy both within and without they being no less playd upon by the others likewise both from within and without but few of the Spaniards were slain Of the Enemy about 300. Orange despairing of bringing in any relief on that side removed his Camp that very night and lodged in the Village Hermenes upon the bank of Trulla not far from St Sinforiano The Duke of Alva turned such forces likewise as were requisite on his side thitherward to hinder the enemy from all relief on that side Nor was it long ere he made them lose all hopes thereof Orange his souldiers were quartered in great disorder especially the Germans all other things also in his Camp were in much confusion nor was it any wonder For the souldiers being for the most part pickt up here and there without pay or the curb of discipline they obeyed no longer then they listed The Duke of Alva was very well informed of all these disorders and wants amongst the enemy which he suddenly made advantage of Having himself viewed the Germans nearest quarters he resolved to assault them that very night hoping that fortune would befriend him in their change of quarters He gave the charge thereof to Norchermes who was then very much imployed by him in Vitelli's absence he being gone out of the Camp to be cured of his wound The business insued thus A thousand Spanish foot were pickt out and the Camp-Master Romero was chosen to conduct them who though he was very good at Councel yet was much better at execution To these thousand Spaniards as many Walloons were added to secure the retreat where need should require In the deepest silence of night the Kings men began to move and that they might be known from the enemy in the dark they went with snirts uppermost The Germans were then in a great deal of carelesness all of them fast asleep so as they were slain before they knew they were assaulted they thought som tumult had casually hapned amongst them but being disdeceived by their wounds and bloud and suddenly seised upon by confusion and fear they betook themselves rather to flight than to fight The Kings men at the same time they assaulted the Germans the more to increase their terror and loss had fired their quarters the fire burst forth on a sudden in sundry parts and burnt many of the enemies So as it was questionable whether more of them perisht by the Sword Fire or Water whereinto many of them did blindly precipitate themselves So to shun one death met with another and the Kings men having continu'd slaughter a good while they were forced at last to retreat for the Enemies Camp was by this time in Arms. In this action about 500 Germans were lost and some few of the Spaniards who not observing well their orders were either borne away with too much heat of fighting or were not well acquainted with the places of retreat But the Enemy was hereat so affrighted as forgoing all obedience and discipline and leaving behind them great part of their baggage they of their own inclination betook themselves presently to be gone They stormed against Orange for having abused and betrayed them and that instead of returning home loaded with spoyl and booty they were now to carry away nothing but sufferings and disaccommodations Amidst these outcries which tasted more of threats then complaints Orange being strangely confused and being reduced to a condition rather of obeying then commanding raised his Camp and marched towards Malines The Duke was councelled by divers not to let slip so fitting an occasion of falling on the enemy whilst they retreated in disorder But he answered with the vulgar Proverb Let us make a Bridg to them that fly and shew'd how that without doubt Orange would within a few days be forced to quit
safety into their neighbours quarters Lodovick being out of all hope of getting into Mastrick by fraud or of being able to pass the Mosel there he resolved to follow the course of the river and to go towards Ruremond hoping likewise to get into that City by the way of Treaty wherein if he should fail his determination was to continue his march still on and between the Mause and Vahal to joyn with Orange who to that purpose was to march that wayes and joyn with him When he was come near Ruremond he lost all hopes of being received in there by way of underhand dealing either for that the Kings men had discovered his plot or for that his partakers had not courage enough to perform covenants He therefore marched suddenly from thence and keeping along the River side he marched towards Niminghen the chief City of all Ghelderland situated upon the Vahalle where he and Orange had many adherents who gave them hopes of making them be received in by surprise which would have been much for their advantage as well by reason of the wealth of the Town as by its situation But Avila who had already either suspected or discovered these designs followed him apace on this side the River to keep him from passing over and from joyning with his brother The Kings Army was this mean while more recruited both with Horse Foot the Campmaster Bracamont was in particular come from Holland with 2000 old Spanish Foot and almost all the other Spanish Camp masters and those of other Nations were with Avila the Army till then not being above 4000 Foot and 800 Horse Avila being ascertained of Lodovicks last intent after his vain attempt upon Ruremond which was not to pass over on this side but to joyn with Orange on the other side he likewise increased his diligence and made his men mend their march And all the Towns upon the Mause which were convenient for passage being in the Kings hands Avila sent therefore such Scouts forth as were requisite to scour the contrary shore and to learn continual news of the Enemy that he might the better know how to govern his affairs on this side It appeared at last that the greatest advantage lay in making haste and in the preventing of one another So as the Kings men passing the Mause might hinder the Enemies Camp from advancing further or the other hastning his march might prevent the passing over of the Kings men and so joyn as he intended with Orange But the difference was too great between the Souldiers of the two Armies The Kings men being trained up under accomplisht Commanders might be said to know their orders before they received them and obedience being as readily given as was Command all things were quickly understood and readily executed whereas on the contrary the Enemies Souldiers being tumultuously gathered together all of them almost new men divers Princes subjects and who were not incited either by punishment or by reward in the service of their own Prince they had no other sense of military affairs save only Prey and Plunder and what by difficulty of victuals and incumbrance of baggage depending oftentimes more upon necessity then choice they could not advance so fast as occasion required and some disorders were already grown amongst them Therefore those hopes failing which Lodovick had very confidently built upon and finding the Towns upon that Frontier ready to keep him out which he thought would have willingly received him and the scarcity of victuals and difficulty of lodging being hereunto added Out of these reasons a great many of the Enemies Horse were already disbanded and their Foot lessened every day and the Captains authority availed very little the Souldiers not caring much to obey them to whom they had no natural obligation The Kings Army advancing then with speedy march it came to Graves before Lodovick could get over against it with his men The Town of Graves is seated upon the Mause on the left side and Avila having given formerly order for the throwing a bridge of Boats over it his Army without loss of time past over to the other side and quartered there Monsieur de Hierges came soon thither from Niminghen having first made that Town sure for the King and brought with him 300 Spaniards And soon after came two other Spanish Companies and one of Burgonians which were a good recruit for the Army The Enemy marched likewise a great pace when being come to the village of Mouch they understood by their Scouts that the Kings men were on that side the River and not above a league off Hereupon they must either retreat or fight To retreat was dangerous For to boot that retreating bears always fears with it the enemy had neither provision of victuals nor any place of safety to stay in on that side And to hazard a battel against old Souldiers though fewer in number appear'd to be too doubtful a business But at last they must go on though they cut the way through with their swords Wherefore staying in Mouch they presently raised a Trench on the side where they feared most to be set upon by the Kings men the better to fence their Foot Their greatest hopes lay in their Horse though they were not above 2000 in number yet were they more then the Kings Horse who were notwithstanding more favour'd by the situation which was somwhat narrow by reason of certain hils which stood not far from the river and allowed but a small space for the Horse to exercise in The Kings men having the Enemy on the Front prepared with much resolution for combat And because either the preservation or the loss of the Low-Countries in the Kings behalf lay almost wholly on the success of this Battel it is not to believ'd how the Royalists encouraged each other And Avila before he gave out his orders did rather by reason then by words in a military manner exhort them thus to fight Our reward is to be measured by the service which we shal this day do our King who doubts but that if we overcome these countries will by our swords be preserved unto his crown He hath not many other forces in these parts then what are now with us then consequently the merit of so important an action will be wholly ours And as the King is to acknowledge it from us alone so is it not to be doubted but that he will royally reward it And what greater security can we have of obtaining the victory now then the so many which we have already won This very Lodovick had not the better before in Friesland 't was we who through too much eagerness of fighting did force him to overcom How soon were we afterwards quit with him at Gimingen where that river saved him peradventure that he might perish the more unworthily upon this all the ingagements in fine which either he or his brother through their perfidiousness have undertaken against these countries have
always had the same end they have not so soon been entred but they have been beaten out to their slaughter and shame and to our everlasting glory and honour And upon all these occasions experience hath sufficiently shewn how much valour exceeds numbers order before confusion and what advantage th y have who fight out of the zeal of honour over those who bear arms only for rapines sake The same will certainly be seen in this present conflict since our conditions and the conditions of our enemies are not the same Ours by being bred so many years in the wars and the knowledg how to defend a good cause being added to the favour of the cause which we defend and that of the Enemy in bringing new men to all military actions and in basely maintaining wicked causes under rebellious Captains The narrownes of the place makes much for our advantage which will not suffer their Horse which are more then ours to have too much the better of us and yet ours shal be so well fenced by Foot as that advantage shall supply the other default And that weak Trench which the Enemy have raised for defence of their Foot what doth it argue but an abjest fear in them an evident desire rather of flight then of fight We on the contrary shall assault them with our wonted resolution and undauntedness shall assuredly have the like success as formerly in overcoming and they in runing away This Speech of Avila's was received with great acclamations by the souldiers Whereupon he with the other field-Officers disposed their orders thus For the more safety-sake he placed the foot towards the River on the right hand and divided them into proportionable squadrons lining the Pikes with shot where it was most convenient He divided the horse likewise on the left side into divers squadrons and munited them toward the field-side with a good wing of Spanish and Walloon musketiers the better to break the enemies greatest force which was to be expected on that part The Camp-masters Consalvo di Bracamonte Fernando di Tolledo and Christopher Mandragone who had brought with him his Walloon Regiment which did remarkable service that day had the chief command of the foot And the chief places in the Cavalry were supplyed by Bernardino di Mendoza and John Baptista de Marchesi del Monte with whom were other Captains of try'd valour The German Harquebusiers under Schinck were placed in the front together with those of other Nations and after them the Lanciers which made up the greatest body of the horse and this was so executed as if the enemies Rutters should charge upon the Harquebusiers the Lanciers might charge them To boot that the wing of Musketiers which flankt the Kings horse on the outside might be of great use to break their first violence as hath been said The enemy this mean while had not omitted any thing which might make for their advantage in the battel Lodovick had his brother Henry with him who had likewise a warlike spirit But Christopher one of the sons of the Prince Elector Palatine was of great preeminence in their Army He commanded all the horse and the whole Government of the Camp was almost equally had between him and Lodovick They left some foot-companies to defend the Trench which hath been spoken of and which lay nearer the river on the left hand On the right hand they composed a great squadron of the other foot in good order and extended their horse towards the hill as far as the narrowness of the place would permit them and made thereof one choice squadron apart wherein were the two Generals and Count Henry Which made it be doubted whether they did this to be in that part of the battel where victory was most to be hoped for or in case they should be worsted so to make their way sooner through the enemy and joyn with Orange who was already come with great forces to Niminghen The two Generals as they ordered their squadrons were not wanting in encouraging their souldiers They affirmed that this was the day which must free the Flemish from slavery the Germans from jealousies and which would throw a thousand rewards upon them the souldiers for obtaining the victory of which no doubt was to be made That the new Spanish Governour trusting little in himself and peradventure less in his men would not be in person where the greatest danger was That he was constrained to draw his people out of their Garisons almost by force who howsoever came rather with a mind to mutiny then to fight and were so lessened in their numbers as they were able to make but a very weak body of an Army How much did they exceed the enemy especially in horse And how great would their storm be That when the victory should be got on this side it would the more safely be had on the other side where the foot would notwithstanding so signalize themselves as they needed no other to assist them in overcoming That the enemy being routed and made to fly Flanders was to be wholly at their disposal And what Laws would not she be ready to receive having the Prince of Orange with his forces on one side theirs on the other or when they should be all joyned together Holland and Zealand invincible Provinces in the defence of their Country would certainly share in the fruits of so happy a success as also every other Province which would cordially joyn with them in the same Cause That in such Provinces as would prove refractory the sword should do what fair means could not effect and as they should be joyfully received by those so should they find rich pillage in these That every souldier should therefore enter the combate with firm resolution of being victorious And that adding one incitement to another every one of them should think they were looked upon by the eyes of both the Germanies which expected by means of their valour that day the one to recover what she had lost the other to keep what she had feared to lose When both Armies were ordered in manner aforesaid they began to skitmish Avila advanced 300 foot part Spaniards part Walloons against those who guarded the Trenches on the other side who coming forth with a proportionable number received the Kings men with much stoutness but these as being more experienced began to get advantage over the others driving them back into their Trenches and endeavouring to fall in with them Here the fray grew hotter and each side received new courage accordingly as they received new succours But the Kings men still prevailing they at last got upon the Trenches and of them Captain Diego di Montesdock was one of the first that was slain Then the chief squadron of the enemies foot began to move Whereupon the others making a stand who before began to give back they fell all again a fighting and for a while did manfully withstand the Kings men whose squadrons
being fuller of respect and abounding more in monies by reason of those the Queen of England had furnisht him withall might easily raise an Army and have it ready to enter Flanders But he would likewise first honest his coming by some specious pretence which was That he could not deny his assistance to the Flemish who were so united to the Germans in so just a cause as not to suffer them to be opprest by the Spaniard Having mustered his men about the end of June at the Rendezvouz appointed to that purpose in the Territories of Zutfen beyond the Rhine 't was said they came to about 16000 Foot and 8000 Horse being of divers Nations but most of them Germans The States endeavoured then to draw over unto them all that Country beyond the Rhine especially the Province of Overisel a good part whereof remained yet in the Kings obedience The Count Renenberg bore Arms for the States there who did every day somewhat advance their affairs not meeting almost with any opposition by reason the Kings forces were so far off He had newly taken Campen a place of great consequence where the Ysel fals into the Sea and prepared to straiten Deventer which is the chief City of that Province To facilitate the which and to make the States Forces greater in those parts John Casimire resolved to leave some of his men with him He marched from thence and advancing with those men which were fittest to travel he suddenly past over the Rhine and Mause and within a few dayes entred Brabant He incamped himself suddenly about Diste and finding the place but ill provided made himself soon master thereof and by the taking of that Town got footing in that Province The Conditions in this interim were agreed upon by which the Duke of Alanson and the Rebels of Flanders obliged themselves together in endeavouring those Advantages which in the Dukes expedition the one part was interchangeably to receive from the other These were the most considerable Articles This Agreement being made the Duke went presently to the Town of Mons which is the chief Town in the Province of Henault And here in the name of the States he received a solemn Ambassie by the Duke of Ariscot who was attended by many other personages of quality He was sent particularly to sollicite the Duke to move with his men and to enter as soon as he could to the end that the Forces of Germany and France joyning quickly with the self-Forces of Flanders Don John might be the sooner and more easily driven out of the Country The States had this mean while brought their men to the Rendezvouz about Lira in the bowels of Brabant and Archduke Mathias was gone thither in person next whom Count Bossu commanded in chief he being chosen Camp-master General of the Army Their Souldiery was composed part of their own Flemish part of Foreigners and they were chiefly English and Scots Nor were they as then above 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse Whilst so great a body of Arms was preparing against Don John on all sides he had likewise been diligent in making all necessary provisions on his behalf He had raised as many men in the nearest parts of Germany and particularly in the County of Burgony as the shortness of time and his scarcity of mony would permit him to doe He expected fresh and powerful Supplies speedily from Italy as the King had promised him as also to furnish him with monies to maintain the war galantly Having then assembled the body of an Army together which might consist of 12000 Foot and 4000 Horse he made no longer delay Having left the places of greatest importance which were in his possession well provided for he resolved speedily to fight the Flemish forces and to doe his utmost to break them before the Foreigners were come to them The Flemish were come from their rendezvouz to quarter in a strong and very opportune situation near the Village Rimenante not far from the City of Malines Brabant is cut almost through the midst by the River Demer which having about the end of its course watered the City of Malines fals afterwards into the Scheld The Flemish were quartered between this River and the Village Rimenante the River served them for a rampier on one side and they were covered on the other side by a Wood which stood in the neighbouring fields not far from the Village they were well fortified in all other parts by good Trenches especially on that side where they might be the easisiest assaulted by the Kings men Towards that place Don John bent his course and being past the Town of Ariscot situated upon the same River he approached orderly towards the Flemish quarters His chiefest endeavour was to draw the Enemies out of their Trenches and to engage them in some hot Skirmish which might afterwards bring them to a downright Battel To this purpose he sent forth a good number of Horse to provoke the Enemy but they making only such opposition as was needful would not engage themselves further He laboured once more to provoke them and facing them with his whole Army boldly bade them battel though still with lesser hopes to bring them to it for the Flemish knew themselves to be too inferior to the Kings men both in numbers and in valour There hapned notwithstanding a bloody skirmish The Enemy had a place of great consequence without their Trenches which was guarded by the English Foot and who were commanded by Colonel Norris a Gentleman of the same Nation and a Souldier of great experience and courage Don John would try to make himself master thereof hoping still that when they should be engaged in fight all the rest of the Flemish Camp would be drawn to battel Hee therefore assaulted the English with a number of choice Spanish foot and in their front were placed 200 yet more choice men of a particular famous Company which Alonzo Martines di Leva had brought out of Spain to Flanders at his own cost and charges The same Leva had a little before quitted the place of General of the Spanish Gallies and to shew his greater zeal and valour in the Kings service had by his own monies raised the aforesaid 200 foot and resolved to lead them to the Kings Army in Flanders There was not any one of them that was not either a Gentleman born or a souldier of quality for many that had formerly been Officers in Flanders had put themselves into this Company The assault was exceeding fierce but it was no less couragiously sustained by the English who were all of them likewise old souldiers and who being favoured by the neighbouring Trenches covered by Artillery did by the advantage of their shot make more lively and more stout resistance Here the conflict grew greater according as hope or fear altered on either side the succours on both sides did likewise alter But the Kings men fought upon too great disadvantage for the enemy fighting in
which had happened since the so solemn agreement made between him and the Provinces as if that he had desired to govern rather armed then unarmed and that he believed he might compass some of his own ends easilyer by troubles then by quiet So as by reason of these jealousies which were had of Don John and which had got a little rooting in Spain peace in Flanders was the more desired by the Spaniards Wherefore about the end of August all these Ambassadors met in Antwerp The Count Zuarzemburg from the Emperour President Belliure from the King of France and from the Queen of England Walsingam her first Secretary and with him another called Gobham But it was soon seen that Cesars endeavours wanted authority and the rest candidness For both England and France did sufficiently desire to have the troubles and disorders wherewith Flanders was afflicted continue Nor did this opinion prove vain The meetings were more for shew then substance and their endeavours ended almost as soon as they were begun to boot that in very deed the difficulties which were met with on all sides were very great Each party would justifie all they had done and all that they pretended to Wherefore all Treaty of Agreement being suddenly broken they continued in their former heat of preparing for war The Flemish regained Ariscot and Nevile and tryed but in vain to recover Lovain On the other side the French entring into the Province of Henault besieged Bins and after some assault took it and put it to the plunder But these were businesses of small importance in respect of what the Rebels hoped for from the union of so many Forces which they had received to side with them from all parts Orange laboured more then all the rest to bring them together and herein his adherents used likewise their best diligence Miserable Flanders every where so full of Arms and so lacerated as it was questionable whether she were more afflicted by her own or by foreign Forces and whether those or these in seeming assistance bore the most spetious title Don John this mean while kept with his men within his quarters which he had fortified without Namures to withstand the assaults of the enemy These Fortifications were about two miles and a half in compass and did so much the more shelter the City so as that passage towards Germany and Italy was very well secured and his Army very well provided of all things necessary for the maintenance thereof Wherefore Don John hoped shortly both to receive powerfull aid and to see those disband which the enemy had assembled together for their service These were his designs these were his hopes when in their very hight he fell sick his malady so increasing as he died within a few days When he was near his end he sent for the Duke of Parma and after having in a very affectionate manner recommended the Kings service to him he substituted him in his own place not any ways doubting but that by the so many Prerogatives both of bloud and valour which met in him the King would suddenly confirm him in that Government Thus dyed Don John not being yet full thirty three years old The Emperour Charles the Fifth was his Father and Madam de Plombes a Lady of noble birth in Germany his Mother The Emperour before his death gave the King his Son great charge of him who at first had in his private thoughts destin'd him to an Ecclesiastical life but afterward changing his mind bred him up in the Military profession Wherein by three memorable enterprises he eterniz'd his name In the first he bridled the Moors Audacity in the second the Ottoman Pride and in the third the Fury of the Flemish In each of these his successes did much exceed his years He overcame the Moors when but yet a Youth he abated the edge of the Turk at the very entrance into the flower of his age and he did so master-like suppress the Belgiques as greater skill could not have been shewn by any whatsoever antient and most perfect Commander He had in him very excellent gifts both of body and mind In his aspect Majesty and Grace strength of Body to undergoe labour He was affable with the Souldiery vigilant answerable to his Command wise in the greatest difficulties but having a heart much willinger to encounter then to shun them Many could have desired that he had been less amorous and not so easie to believe reports He was so greedy of Glory as many judged it to be an aspiring after Empire Which made him at last be envied and so far suspected as made his service to the King doubtful as if from being Governour he had aspired to be Prince of Flanders and that to this purpose he had held private correspondencie with the Queen of England and proceeded more secretly to express negotiations of Marriage Which was cause why his death was thought to be rather procured then natural But whatsoever the business was wherein truth might be overclouded by Calumny He dyed with the fame of singular valour and great applause Worthy assuredly to have lived longer and not less worthy to have proceeded from a Conjugal bed and to have commanded rather as absolute Prince then as a subordinate Officer Finis Partis Primae THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK I. The Contents The Prince of Parma is confirmed Governour of Flanders by the King The Prince thought first to draw the Walloon Provinces to side with the King by the way of negotiation but in the interim he applies himself with all fervor to the management of Arms. He stands at first upon his defence The Foreign Forces vanish Alanson returns for France and John Casimir for Germany The Prince here upon passeth from the defensive part to the offensive He resolves to besiege Mastrick The description of that place The Royalists endeavours in oppugning it and the resistance made by the Defendants The Royalists at last prevail and the Prince is master of the Town An agreement between him and the Walloon Provinces It is endeavoured to reconcile all the other Provinces likewise to the King but in vain Small successes of War on all sides The Flemish think of choosing a new Prince and to cast off their obedience to the King of Spain This is chiefly fomented by Orange Their Deputies meet together in Antwerp to this purpose and there is much consultation about it Some of the Hereticks are for the Queen of England other some for the Duke of Alanson The Catholicks opinion in this point The Assembly leans much more to Alanson The Deputies depart and return to their own Provinces to make each of them severally resolve fully upon the choise The war continues this mean while on both sides The King would have the Dutchess of Parma return to Flanders and why She is not well come thither when she earnestly desires to go back to Italy which
she obtains leave to do The whole Government of the Country remains therefore in the Prince her son The Flemish Rebels agree in their former resolution of chusing the Duke of Alanson for their new Prince What followed thereupon and with what conditions THe Kings Army was much afflicted for the death of Don John it is hardly to be believed what sence of sorrow was shewed for it for many days throughout the whole Camp The news thereof coming to Spain the King staid awhile before he would confirm the Prince of Parma in the Government of Flanders He very well knew the Prince his Military worth But then again he feared lest that his warlike spirit might not rather make him desire the continuance of the war then to see those Provinces restored to peace which the King desired above all things always provided as hath been often said that all due obedience were given to the Church and the like to his Crown Moreover the King had had it often formerly in his thoughts to send the Dutchess of Parma back again into Flanders if it should prove needfull to remove Don John from that Government He called to mind what satisfaction her former Regency had given unto those people and to make it prove the better again he thought to place her son the Prince of Parma with her for the part of Arms thinking that the Government being thus tempered the people would be much better pleased and his service might on all sides be better done The King therefore was a while doubtfull what to do in this case But because speedy remedy was to be applyed to the evils of Flanders and for that the King could not doubt but the Prince of Parma would with all loyalty and devotion do as he should be by him directed therefore without more adoe he approved of Don Johns Declaration and confirmed the Prince in the Government of those Provinces The Kings Army was greatly rejoyced to hear of this choice thinking that by the proximity of his bloud and by his greater resemblance in valour Don John might seem to live still in the Prince Wherefore Fernese applyed himself wholly to the Government committed to his charge His first resolution was To endeavour by all means possible to draw the Walloon Provinces over to the Kings side He considered of what importance it would be to have so great and such Catholick forces within the Country side with the Church and with the King And that on the contrary Rebellion and Heresie could not be weakened by any means better then by this He therefore began to endeavour this by several ways He treated chiefly with the Nobility who enjoy particular prerogatives in the Walloon Provinces and to whom the vulgar sort do usually adhere when the States do meet But notwithstanding this overture of a Treaty did not at all allay his ardency to War Putting on therefore Don Johns resolution he determined likewise to keep within those quarters wherein the Army was fortified about Namures and to expect there till the enemies forces should vanish especially the foreign aids which out of the reasons formerly alleadged he thought would not be long a doing Nay his hopes thereof were the more increased for that the dissentions grew every day greater amongst the Flemish He therefore attended the guarding of his quarters the keeping of his souldiers in perfect good discipline and did at the same time very much sollicite the King that he would speedily provide moneys for the necessaries of the Army and send over new men This mean while the disorders grew daily greater amongst the Flemish Rebels For divided in divers sorts amongst themselves both in affairs of Religion and in other things which respected the State of one common cause they had made many particular ones and every Province having its own particular ends few of them joyned any longer in their resolutions as they ought to have done with the rest The chiefest contestations were between the Walloons and Gaunteses as hath been said nor was it ever possible to find any means how to accord them Whence falling from words to blows neither of them paid their Contributions first agreed upon to the common Cause being kept from doing so by the necessity of converting it to their own peculiar uses The Faction of the Malcontents grew this mean while still the stronger for almost all the Nobility of Henault and Artois had wound themselves thereinto The Gaunteses and their adherents received their greatest indammagements from this Faction nor could there be a greater contrariety then was between them The Malcontents seemed more resolute then ever to continue in their Catholick purity and their due Allegiance to the King and the Gaunteses shewed themselves full as resolute to have only the contrary exercise in point of Religion and in all other things shewed their abhorrition of the Soveraignty of Spain So as by reason of this variance between the Confederate Provinces their first Union was mightily weakned Together with their want of money they began daily to be wanting in their Souldiers and not being able to maintain their own home-Souldiers much less able were they to maintain those very many that they had received from abroad Wherefore the French and German Aids did no more service but instead of easing the Country ran out licentiously on this side and that side and failing of their Pay paid themselves with large usury by Rapine insomuch that it was doubted whether they might not fall from tumultuary Free-booting to some downright Mutiny This necessity and these dangers were represented to the States by Casimir and Alanson who desired instant remedy But such evils could not be helped unless provisions were had first for the discords which were the occasion thereof which by reason of the aforesaid difficulties were become irremediable though the States and in particular Orange used all possible care and diligence to compose them It was clearly seen that the greatest novelties arose from the Gaunteses wherefore at the States desire John Casimir went again to Gaunt and used all the most efficacious means he could to reduce the Gaunteses to a more moderate sense But all was lost labour especially by reason of the obduration of those Ringleaders who for their own self-interest did the more willingly nourish sedition in that City This was the cause why John Casimir by Orange his advise resolved to go himself to England to perswade the Queen to be more firm in favouring the Flemish with her assistance especially in point of monies But the Queen after having received him very honourably were it either that she would not further offend the King of Spain or that she could not really be at further expences sent him away with bare terms of good Intention and with ambiguous hopes which were soon after resolved to the negative John Casimir being returned from England to Flanders without any good issue in his Negotiation found many of his men already disbanded and the
was a man born certainly for very great renown if contented with his own peculiar Fortune he had not through precipices sought after a greater The Emperour Charles the 5. and his Son Philip the 2. did undoubtedly alwayes acknowledge him to be their chiefest Subject in all Flanders and each of them seemed to strive with the other which should most favour him or put a higher esteem upon him He was notwithstanding still in the condition of a Subject but he had so high-pitcht thoughts as would not suffer him to be at quiet under the condition of a Prince He aspired therefore to raise himself thereunto as hath been seen by the Revolts of Flanders And the heat of his ambition being still carried on by the ordering of his designs he had brought his ends to that pass as had he lived there was little doubt to be made but that he would at least have been Prince of Holland and Zealand Vigilancie Industry Liberality Eloquence and a quick insight into any business did vie in him with Ambition Fraud Audacity Greediness and with an application of himself to all Natures And these his good and bad Qualities were accompanied with all others which the most skilfull School of Ruling could teach At all publike Meetings and in all other kind of Negotiations no man knew better then he how to dispose of mens minds how to wheel about opinions how to colour pretences how to hasten business or how to prolong them nor in brief how more artificially to take his advantage by all other means He was therefore thought much better at the government of Civil affairs then at the Military profession He altered his Religion according to his Interests Whilst he was a Child in Germany he was a Lutheran Passing into Flanders he seemed to be a Catholick At the begining of the Revolts he declared himself to be a favourer of the new Sects but not an open professor of any of them till at last he seemed to follow Calvinism as that which of all other Sects is most contrary to the Catholick religion which is maintained by the King of Spain THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK III. The Contents In this Book the memorable Siege of Antwerp is described The Prince of Parma resolves upon this enterprise the rather because Orange is dead and by reason of the great perturbancie of the Consederate Provinces He sits down before that City It s great advantages both in situation and in all things else Fernese in the first place treats of shutting up the Scheld to hinder all succour on that side To this purpose he designs a Bridge and the difficulties in making it are mentioned Howsoever it is resolvod to be made Fernese begins it He raiseth a Fort-Royal at each head thereof and these greater Forts are accompanied here and there with lesser Oppositions made by the besieged Their chief Fort at Lillo upon the Scheld By this means the Antwerpians receive great Aids from the Hollanders and Zealanders and therefore they pass freely up and down the River Fernese causeth a Navigable Ditch to be cut the better to bring the materials which were requisite for the Bridge Hereby the labours are increased Fernese endeavours likewise to keep the Enemy from succour by Lillo on the Land-side And therefore secures himself still better there by a Counterdike What is to be understood by a Dike and Counterdike Rubais takes the particular care of the Bridge and of some men of War to oppose those of the Enemy The Antwerpians begin to be troubled They use divers means both in France and in England for succour The Lord of S. Aldegonde endeavours by a perswasive Oration to encourage them as much as he can They therefore resolve to make all manly resistance Divers of their preparations to that purpose They build a Ship vastly great Their Fire-ships They first make use of them to the prejudice of the Bridge which is already perfected but doe no great good thereby nor doth the great Ship prove more fortunate They try their Fire-ships again but still to no purpose Then they bend all their might to prejudice the Counterdike and hope by that means to bring in succour Their first Assault does no good They with better order and greater Forces try a second Assault A bloody business thereupon Fortune varies the dangers and at last gives the victory to the Royalists The Antwerpians treat of a Surrender and after many difficulties deliver up the Town NEver was the loss of Father Benefactor or Prince so bewailed as was Orange his death by those of the Confederate Provinces And since they could no longer enjoy his person alive they without any manner of delay substituted his son Maurice in his place a Youth but of 16 years of age conferring all those self-same honours and offices upon him which they with so liberal a hand had bestowed on his Father Count Buren Orange his eldest son was still detained in Spain being sent thither by the Duke of Alva as hath been said And therefore the Confederate Provinces chose Maurice to succeed in his Fathers commands This Maurice was Orange his second son and by his second wife Anne of Saxony They gave Maurice the Count of Hollack for his Lieutenant and to be assisting to his youth in the Government of Arms. The Prince of Parma hoped that this novelty might occasion some great commotion in the Confederate Provinces which would make for the Kings advantage judging that having lost such a Governour as their councels were thereby weakened so would their courages be also And truly so it fell out with many particular men But in the generall this action did so inhorrid and so incense the people as they resolved to continue their former resolutions more obstinately then before and to keep dead Orange his sense still alive Wherefore Fernese soon saw that he was to place all his hopes in Arms. He had then a very strong Army and such were his advantages over his Enemies as he thought he might assuredly hope yet for much greater every day From the time that he had besieged Mastrick he had still had a great desire to begirt Antwerp But the then difficulties and those which every day arose would never suffer him to undertake a business of so great consequence But all things seeming now to smile upon such a design he would no longer delay the doing of it We therefore will here proceed on to the description of this Siege which we will doe with all brevity and yet with great diligence that by the one we may shun the tediousness of trivial things and by the other present you as punctually as may be with so cry'd up an enterprise And doubtlesly such and so memorable was this action as by the common opinion it was sufficient of it self alone to make Alexander Fernese his merits be very highly valued by the Church and King and his honour
side Idiaques and Cajetan's Foot coming in to assist Basti's Horse a very hot skirmish had likely to have been had not the King considering his disadvantage made his men retreat in a warlike posture The Dukes men pursued them no farther least they might break their establish'd order of marching And here did end the King of Navar 's assaults all the molestations which Fernese till then had suffered by them Who being come with all his Army safe into the confines of Flanders he and the Duke Du Mayne parted He again confirm'd more then ever hopes in the Duke Du Mayne of new and potent succours in assistance of the League and assured him that he himself would very speedily be their Conductor The mean while he left with him about 4000 Foot and 500 Horse thinking that such a recrute might serve for the present to boot with a Regiment of Germans which was formerly maintained in the service of the League and defray'd by the King of Spain under the command of Count Colalto The Duke passed forward and distributing the souldiery into Garisons to rest themselves after so great labours he came about the beginning of December to his winter quarters which was usually in Brussels THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK VI. The Contents The Duke of Parma after his return from France findes the Kings affairs in Flanders but in ill condition Advancements made in many parts by the Enemy They take Zutfen and Deventer both of them places of great importance The Duke incamps before the Fort opposite to Niminghen does all he can to take it from the Enemy Count Maurice draws neer it with great Forces to relieve it This mean while Fernese receives precise orders from the King to prepare suddenly to return again to France he therefore immediately raiseth his siege Maurice maketh use of this occasion He goeth to before Hulst a Town in the Province of Flanders and quickly takes it From thence he goes to before Niminghen and hath the like good fortune there The League in France does this mean while decline daily Their danger of losing the City of Roan which is straitly besieged by the King of Navar Wherefore the Duke of Parma presently enters France The Army of the League joyns with his They march towards Normandy to relieve Roan The King of Navar marches to oppose them A noble fight between both the Camps at Umaile wherein the King is hurt and in danger to be taken The Army of the League advances draws neer Roan and puts some succour into it It then falls further off and the King reinforceth his siege But at last the Duke of Parma forceth him to quit it The Colleagues enter forthwith into the Peninsula in the County of Caux and besiege Caudebeck In discovering the Place the Duke is wounded and is much disturb'd in continuing his command The King makes use of this occasion He possesseth himself of the entrance into the Peninsula and reduceth the Colleagues to great scarcity of all things The Duke that he may not be forced to fight upon too much disadvantage resolves to secure his Army by passing over the River Which he fortunately doth He then leaves France and returns with speedy march to Flanders New successes on that side to the advantage of the enemy and to Fernese's great grief His affliction is increased by his growing every day worse and worse in his health And yet he is again commanded by the King to return with all speed possible into France To this purpose he goes to Arras and deligently prepares for his third passage into France But his sickness increasing still upon him he dies WIth the Dukes return to Flanders we will return to our former narration though we shall be soon diverted from it by the new necessity put upon the Duke of returning again into France Great had the sufferings been which he had undergone in his first journey wherein those of his mind were more then those of his body He had learned by experience how hard a business it was to joyn the Kings designes together with those of the League That the King after the vast expence he had been at in his late expedition against England did now consume himself in these disbursments which he was at for the League of France And that in the interim his own Territories of Flanders was but ill furnished with men mony and almost all things else in so much as doubtlesly much damage was to be expected thereby To boot with the men that were left with the Duke Du Mayn it was necessary to place many on the Frontiers which lay towards France to encourage the League nearer at hand and that they might be ready to march in the behalf thereof when it should be needfull at any hours warning So as the Kings Garisons in Flanders were much lessened even in the most important places And the Towns themselves left but slenderly provided with victuals or warlick ammunition to maintain a siege if the enemy should sit down before them Which they knowing their own advantage were not long adoing as we shall successively relate Amongst other things which had mightily afflicted the Duke of Parma whilst he was in France one was the mutiny which happened at that time in Emanuel de Vega's Spanish Brigado which remained in Flanders which the Duke after his return did very much rescent at both the Mansfields hands they not having been diligent enough as he thought in preventing it And the disorder grew so much the greater because it was above a year before those people could be paid and reduced to their former wonted service At the beginning of the year 1591. the enemy did not delay seconding the good conjunctures on their parts Colonel Norris an English man of whom we have often spoken was in Ostend who with that Garison which was then very numerous by reason of a new recruit of men which the Queen of England had newly sent thither overran all the parts thereabouts Yet the Fort of Blanchemberg which lies between Ostend and Sluce as hath been said was a great obstacle in his way Resolving therefore to free himself thereof he assaulted the Fort so unexpectedly and upon such advantage as he soon took it and it was soon after dismantled This happened in the Province of Flanders about the midst of February Not long after the enemy made two other surprisals in Brabant The one was of the Castle of Westerlo and the other of Turnehaut which is one of the greatest Villages in all Brabant There is likewise a Castle in this Village into which as also into the Village some souldiers did enter in country attire as having something to sell and without any difficulty made themselves Masters of them both But these were but slight acquisitions in respect of others which Count Maurice intended to make and which he sufficiently did that year as you shall
quarters had been much indamaged that many Peeces of their Artillery had been clog'd and many of them brought into the City that their munition was in part spoil'd and their victuals prejudiced that the Marshal Biroun himself was hurt in the fight divers other Captains and Officers of quality slain together with above 600 common souldiers That since they had no other urgent occasion Monsieur de Villers desired only a small recruit of men and advised that the Army of the League might bend somewhither else where it might be more necessary or more advantagious to imploy their Forces In this Sally was Villiers himself in person and had shewed singular valour for which he wan great praise throughout the whole Cawp But as for his present advice Fernese seemed not to approve thereof He rather thought That by all means the occasion ought to be seconded that it did manifestly invite to finish what had been so well begun and how could it be believed but that to the Assault within this other of so great Forces without being added the Enemy must needs raise the siege That it was to this purpose that the Army of the League was joyned had marched and were come so near and not onely to bring a small relief to Roan If this so advantagious an opertunity should be now lost when should they ever expect the like And what doubt was there but that when their Army should be drawn off the Enemy would return to besiege the City more stricktly But the Duke Du Mayne urging many reasons to the contrary said That for the present the succour which was required would suffice and that the Army ought not to be adventured to another more dangerous conflict That it might be imagined the Enemy had been more afraid then hurt within their Trenches That it was to be imagined the King of Navar would immediately come out of his quarters upon the news of such a sally upon the noise of such a succour That he was very strong in Horse wherefore his forces being soon joyned it would be a very dangerous business to assault them That it would be better therefore to secure the City for the present with the desired succour That in the mean while the King would grow weary so would his Nobility also and many of them would abandon him when they should see the siege should be again prolonged and all hopes of coming to a battel lost That the sharpness of the winter was yet very great great the sufferings in the Enemies Camp And that therefore the Army of the League going now upon some more important design and where they might be more commodiously lodged they might afterwara with greater advantage imploy themselves to a total freeing of Roan The Duke of Parma would have his opinion to yield to that of the Duke Du Mayne's though he thought it a manifest error to lose the present advantage in expectation of an uncertain futurity Wherefore sending 800 Foot to Villars part French part Walloons the Duke made the Army suddenly turn back and brought it almost in its former quarters from Normandy into Picardy The King of Navar was this mean while on his march to relieve his Foot and seeing the League 's Army draw off he thought that the Duke of Parma continued still his former opinion of evading battel wherefore assuming the more courage for that he thought his Enemies cooled therein he forthwith returned to remake the Trenches which had been prejudiced in the sally He endeavoured to fortifie them better every where and with all necessary provisions applyed himself intentively to continue and to straiten the siege on the other side The Army of the League when it was entred into Picardy and was got beyond the Some towards the confines of Artois it was brought to besiege the Town of Rue a place seated low and which together with the advantage of its situation was made very strong by works This place was at the King of Navar 's devotion though almost all the rest of the Province adhered unto the League At the first begirting of it they began their usual work of Trenches but slowly and reservedly that they might save their men as much as it was possible and not to imploy them so much here but that they might be alwaies ready to return again to Roan when the occasion might peradventure require it which was not very long before it did For the King of France growing still hotter upon that siege the City grew into so great necessities as it was reduced to the same danger as before The Dukes of Parma and of Mayne were hereof advertised by Villiers to Fernese's great astonishment who could hardly perswade himself that Villiers would have desired so weak an aid in the former succour unless he had known he had not needed a greater This mean while daily news is brought of the besieged's necessities And though what the Duke Du Mayne had guest at touching the diminishing of the Kings Army had partly proved true yet were his forces sufficient doubtlesly to have taken Roan if it had not been quickly relieved again 'T was thought the King had not then above 5000 Horse and 16000 Foot wherein was comprehended 3000 which were lately come from Holland with some men of war that they might the better command the River But on the other side the League 's Army was likewise much lessened The Popes Zwitsers were not above 1000 and the change of Pope had made the Duke of Montemarchiano leave France and almost all the rest of that aid vanish Lorain's Forces were likewise brought very low and being so near Artois many Walloons and Flemish were run away from the Army and returned to their own homes Yet was the League 's Army as numerous as the King of Navar 's and their Foot were much the better Upon these terms were the Forces on both sides when Monsieur de Villiers renued his desires of being speedily succoured with much more earnestness then before and protested openly afterwards that if he were not relieved before the twentieth of April he should be forced to deliver up the Town Wherefore the Duke of Parma rising speedily from before Rue and passing the neerest way over the Some re-entred Normandy to come speedily where the greatest necessity of succour required He saw he must of necessity assault the Enemy within his Trenches and consequently come to a down right battel Great certainly was the advantages which the Enemy had in his rampiers but Fernese thought his advantage the greater by the double assault which should be given to the Enemy at one and the same time by his Army without and by the Garison within The Duke of Parma drew near with this designe to Roan He marched after his former fashion thinking that the King of Navar might peradventure meet him and rather chuse to give battel in the open field to the Leagues Army alone then adventure to receive and to sustain the two
side they resolved to assail them though they had small hopes or none of doing any good For making the Trenches he surveyed on several sides they found them to be so strong as the enemy had no reason to fear any thing And to this was added the inundation almost on all sides with which it was first to be contended before they could come to try the Trenches Mansfield passed notwithstanding from Steeloune with all his Army divided into squadrons and halted in sight of the Quarter where Maurice himself was lodged where a certain point of a chief Dike stood out which was fortified by a great Trench which Mansfield would endeavour to take from the enemy as he by assault did but not without much adoe by reason of the opposition of the water and of those that did defend it but he soon lost it again and therewithall all hopes of effecting the succour on that side Upon these occasions some skirmishes happened between the two Camps and Mansfield staying but a little while there went to the Village of Waestech towards which Count Hollack was quartered The Kings Army was not well got thither when it was unexpectedly set upon in the reer by 800 of the enemies horse who were come to this purpose a little before out of Breda and who put their quarters into some confusion but suddenly re-ordering themselves and opposing the enemy they beat them back and with some slaughter put to flight They then with all diligence endeavoured the succour on this side to facilitate the which Mansfield sent for some further provisions and particularly for some Artillery from Antwerp But the difficulties appeared alike here also All this while Count Maurice slack'd not his proceedings against the Town on the inside One battery play'd continually after another and oft-times they thundred all together And the enemy falling out of their Trenches were already lodged in the Ditch which being very large and deep Maurice had formerly caused the water to be drained from thence and drawn into lower situations Wherefore the besieged found themselves not only weakened in their defences but in danger to lose them Nor was it long ere they lost a Ravelin against which Maurice had made a great battery and accompanied it with a fierce assault yet did the defendants make valiant resistance and Gesan their Commander in chief dyed in so doing But the Town not being able to hold out longer of it self and no succour appearing from abroad they treated of surrendring which upon good conditions was done about the latter end of June Count Maurice being entred into Getrinberg and made all fitting provisions for the City he distributed his men into the adjacent parts that he might observe the Royalists designs and oppose them the best he might This mean while the abovesaid Recruit which Mansfield expected was come from Antwerp Wherefore desirous to try whether he could make any acquisition which might at least in some part make amends for so great a loss he resolved to turn upon the Fort of Crevecoeur This Fort is situated upon the mouth of a River called Demel which taking its rise in Brabant and having past through the City of Balduke or the Busse falls about a league from thence into the Mause The Country thereabouts was infested from this Fort and particularly Balduke was thereby indammaged great was the advantage moreover which the Enemy received from it by the further command of the River Mansfield advancing with his Army made some of his men draw nearer the Fort intending to possess himself of some convenient seat These men had much adoe to pass forward for they found the fields overflown and the Fort so well defended on all sides as Mansfield despairing of ever getting it drew quickly off from it again He then disposed of his Army as he thought best And because the Enemy did already openly threaten Friesland and in particular the City of Groninghen he therefore sent new men to Verdugo to sustein the Kings affairs in those parts as well as for the present they might be Verdugo commanded the Kings Forces thereabouts who was not wanting in using all his accustomed diligence as well in doing what might be for the service of his party as also in impeding the Enemy from advantaging themselves The two Counts Hermano and Frederick de Berg did every day signalize themselves more and more with him in the Kings service And Verdugo making use of them chiefly was in continual action on one side or other But to say truth he was so inferior in Forces as the Adverse party prevailed for the most part in all that was undertaken But the successes on neither side were of such consequence as that by making a distinct relation of them here that of the greater and more important events ought to be retarded One of the greatest and most prejudicial which hapned on the Kings behalf at this time was the Mutiny of the Italians Walloons who were with Count Charls for the service of the League in France A good number of the Spaniards which were with the Count in those parts had mutinied as you have heard before And because there was some discourse had of giving some Payes to the rest of the Spaniards who kept under the obedience of their Commanders the like respect not appearing to be had to the other Souldiers who had kept in the like obedience therefore the Italians and Walloons resolved to mutiny as they easily did afterwards They made up a body between them of 1500 Foot and 700 Horse and possessing themselves unexpectedly of the Village of Pont in Henault upon the borders of France they diligently fortified themselves there and providing for their necessities by excursions they resolved not to return to their former obedience till they were fully satisfied for their pay Count Charls his Forces were so lessened by these Mutinies as they could be of no longer service neither for the affairs of France nor yet of Flanders Thus ended this year and the next of 1594 began In this interim Archduke Ernestus brother to the Emperor Radolphus was come from Germany to be Governour of Flanders The King had very much desired that a Prince so near allied to him both in blood and affection would take upon him the care of those Countries and the Emperor joyning with the King in the same desire the Archduke was easily perswaded to please them both Parting then from Vienna about the beginning of the year he came to Flanders and was received in Brussels with all demonstrations of joy and honour by the obedient Provinces At his arrival he found the affairs of the League in France very much declining For the King of Navar having at last declared himself to be a Catholick and having setled his Cause well in this point wherein he stood in most need it was not hard for him afterwards to advantage it in all others Wherefore being received without any expence of blood into Paris
Varras got notice of it He had with him the Marquis of Trevico's Italian Brigado which was commanded by his Serjeant Major Count Sols his new Regiment of Germans and two Walloon Brigadoes of Barlotta and Assicount These Germans and Walloons were also without their Commanders and were Governed by other inferior Officers Nicholas Basti Commanded the horse which were all Spanish and Italian Count Varras having discovered the Enemies march and thinking that he had not sufficient Forces to fight him in the Field knowing also that Turnaut as being an open Village was not a place for defence resolved to go to Herentales a Town which he might easily get unto being but three hours easie march from Turnaut Yet he would retire by day lest if he should have marched by night his retreat might have seemed a running away Thus resolved and sending out his baggage by night upon the break of day Varras left Turnaut and made his men march in this manner He devided the foot into three squadrons in the first he placed the Walloons in the second the Germans and in the third the Italians But that which at their first going out was the reer if the enemy should come upon them was to be the van The horse were placed on the right hand where the field was more free and a great wood served for a sufficient defence on the left hand Maurice hearing of this removal he suddenly advanced with all his horse and with 300 musketiers behind so many Curassiers en Croup and the Curassiers advancing foremost with the musketiers en Croup he gave them order to charge the enemy home in the reer and that they should endeavour to hold them play till his foot should come up With Maurice were the Counts of Hollack and Solm Colonel Vere an English-man and divers other Commanders of great experience and valour The Kings Horse valiantly opposed the like of the Enemies and the Squadrons facing about did likewise sustain the first charge of the Enemy But all Maurice his Horse coming in and soon after his Foot the Kings Horse being no more in number could make no longer resistance So as these being routed the rest were discouraged though Count Varras galloping here and there and in every place shewed all the proofs of valour and undauntedness which could be desired of him upon such an occasion And finally pressing forwards amongst the Italians when he saw their Squadrons begin to flie he was suddenly slain and he failing the Kings men were wholly overcome and the Enemy had the total victory over them The Walloons fought not that day according as they were wont to doe and the Germans made but little resistance And therefore the most that were slain or wounded were Italians In all there were above 1200 slain and almost as many taken There were 37 Colours lost and a great part of the Baggage There were not above 100 of the Enemy slain And Maurice wan such a Victory with the loss of so little blood as made much for the advantage of the Consederate Provinces and for his own Honour in War After this mischance the Cardinal failed not suddenly to provide for the necessities of Brabant by sending in many Horse and Foot He was about likewise to make many great new Levies But the King was in so great scarcity of monies as the Cardinal could not make provisions so soon nor yet so fully as the necessity of the Flanders affairs required and much more those which were of so great concernment on the part of France Nor was it long ere an occasion arose in France which being one of the most remarkable which the wars of France or Flanders hath produced in point of Surprise and Siege you shall have a particular diligent account thereof in the next Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK IV. The Contents The Spaniards surprise the City of Amiens by stratagem The King of France immediately besiegeth it The chiefest successes thereof and of the Defence are related The Cardinal-Archduke goes himself in person with a powerfull Army to relieve the besieged but being kept off by the Enemies forces the Town returns at last into the Kings hands who presently fortifies it with a strong Castle The Cardinal retreats to Artois and from thence passeth into Flanders Here he visits Ostend but not attempting any thing he returns to Brussels and puts his Army in garrison The acquisitions this mean while made by Count Maurice to the great advantage of the Confederate Provinces are related Nor is it long ere Peace is declared between the two Crowns so as the Kings Forces are now at liberty to attend only the proper affairs of Flanders At this same time great consultations are had in the Court of Spain about a Marriage propounded between the Cardinal-Archduke and the Infanta Isabella the Kings eldest daughter with the giving of the Low-Countries to the Infanta for her portion The King inclines thereunto out of many good reasons and therefore will have it effected The Archduke parts from Flanders to go for Spain and Cardinal Andrea d' Austria stayes in his place The Cardinal-Archduke is not well gone when the King of Spain dyes and his son Philip the Third succeeds him To whom the King had also a little before destined the Archdutchess Margaret of Austria for Wife HErnando Teglio Portocarrero was Governour of Dorlan being left there by Count Fuentes after the taking of that place as chosen by him for one of the best Souldiers that the Spanish Nation had in Flanders Portacarrero not satisfied with the bare custody of Dorlan wherein he was extraordinarily vigilant he oft-times issued out with his Garrison and assaulting the Enemy sometimes in open fields sometimes by ambushes now preying upon their Cattel and then setting their Villages on fire he was almost become the Terror of that Frontier But neither did his thoughts end here He had an earnest desire to doe some great action for the Kings service in those parts by which he himself might likewise acquire reward and glory Amiens is the chief City of Picardy and Dorlan is not above seven leagues distant from it This neighbourhood afforded occasion to Portacarrero to penetrate almost â—â—urly into what was done in Amiens and thereabouts That City had appeared much for the League and being now fallen into the Kings hands it coveted much to have its antient priviledges observed and especially that the City should be governed by Personages of their own Inhabitants and by their own proper Forces Nor would the King the present condition of affairs considered doe any thing to the contrary Thus the City was its own Guardian And though there were a great number of Citizens who had listed themselves under Colours yet were they not any way disciplind according to custom in the handling of their Arms nor were they so vigilant as they ought to have been in guarding their Gates The Country
for the continual musket-shot to play upon By which some of the defendants being continually slain it unfortunately fell out that Portacarrero passing by there upon a certain occasion he received a shot in the flank which immediately threw him dead to the ground The greatest loss certainly which could befall those within and which was generally much lamented But almost at the same time another misfortune befell those without which greatly displeased the whole Army and especially the King himself which was the death of Monsieur de Saint Luke who approaching too near the Batteries was likewise slain by a musket-shot The Marquis Montenegro was by full Military consent chosen in the place-of Portacarrero as he who even in the others life time had always sustained the second place both in commanding the horse and in all the other most considerable actions of the siege He failed not together with the Office to make good the valour of the former commander in chief who was slain Labouring indefaticably and excellently performing all things that belonged unto him But the French were this mean while so farr advanced as they already lodged upon the Platform of the Wall and with new impetuous Batteries had brought the great Ravelin to that pass as no longer defence could now almost be made And yet though often assaulted the Kings men met still with stiff and stout resistance This was the condition of the siege when newes was brought to the Kings Camp that the Cardinal Archduke was already upon his march with a powerfull Army to come to the relief of the besieged It was now September and the Cardinal could not assemble together such Forces sooner as were requisite to carry on the propounded business for want of monies Declaring the rendezvouz to be at Avene del Conte a place within a league of Dorlan the Cardinal came thither in the beginning of the aforesaid Month with all his men His Army consisted of 20000 foot and 4000 horse The foot were composed of 4000 Spaniards 300 Italians 6000 Germans and 7000 Walloons Burgonians and Irish and the Horse of 1500 Flemish men of Arms and of 2500 other Horse Lances Curasiers and Harquebusiers of the oft aforenamed Nations Upon this occurrencie Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield took upon him the office of Campmaster Generall which was formerly exercised by Monsieur de Rony though Mansfield was full fourscore years old and much fitter for rest then labour The Count de Sora commanded over the Flemish Men at Arms being one of the chief Lords of that Country and the rest of the Horse were commanded by the Admiral of Arragon who being come with the Cardinal into Flanders when he first came thither and being suddenly sent in the King of Spains name by way of complement to the Emperor and King of Poland was just then returned The first thing consulted on in the Spanish Camp was on what side they were to bring in the succour The River Some passeth through the midst of Amiens as hath been said and doubtlesly the side best fortified by the French and hardest to be overcome was that which lay towards the Frontiers of Artois as hath likewise been said And therefore the Enemies Trenches being weaker on the other side the River toward France they might easeliest be forced on that side But they must first pass over the River the banks whereof the French had fortified And when the Spaniards should have past over the River either above or beneath where-ever it was worse guarded how to get back over it again was too uncertain by reason of the opposition which the French would make So as the Army being shut up by the River and in an Enemies Country and without continual recruits of victuals in such a case it would be in very great straits and in evident danger to undergo some strange misfortune These things being well weighed it was resolved that they should endeavour the relief on the nearest side towards Artois and that if need should be they should give battel For though the Enemy did far exceed them in Horse yet it was thought that the Spanish Foot was so much better both in discipline and valour as all their Forces being duly considered they might very well hope for victory The Cardinal staid four days at the Rendezvouz in which time he ordered that John Contrera Commissary Generall of the Horse and Gaston Spinola formerly the Italian Camp-master should go with 500 Horse to discover the Enemies quarters nearer hand The King had notice hereof and getting on horseback himself he sent divers Troops into other parts that they might the easilier light upon and defeat the Enemy And it so fell out as those Horse wherein he himself was met first with them The King was far fewer in number then the Enemy yet with his wonted undauntedness despising all danger and all his men fighting valiantly by his example the Enemies Horse were routed and put to flight who knowing the Kings person could not believe but that he was followed by a greater body of men The Cardinal came afterwards to a full knowledge how the Fortifications of the Kings Camp stood by another means wherefore he marched with his Army towards Amiens on the 13 day of September in this order The Admiral of Arragon and Count Sora marched foremost with all the Horse divided into divers squadrons The flying squadron marched before the Foot which was composed of 2000 very choise Foot pickt out of those of every Nation and these were led on by Diego Pimantel formerly one of the most esteemed Spanish Camp-masters in the whole Army Then followed three great Battalions one after another with 6000 Foot and 4 Peeces of Field-Cannon in the front of each of them In the first marched Luigi di Velasco a Spanish Camp-master with his Brigado of the same Nation and the Counts of Suls and Belio with two Regiments of Germans and to these were added three Walloon Brigadoes In the second were the Campmasters Luis di Viglier with his Spanish Brigado Alphonso d' Avalos with his new-come Italians Count Bucquoi with a Brigado of Walloons and Colonel Eslegre with a Regiment of Germans And in the last were Carlo Colonna with a Spanish Brigado of which he was chosen Camp-master but a little before Il Signor di Barbenson with a Regiment of Germans Colonel Estenly with a Regiment of Irish Count Varras with a Brigado of Burgonians and the Campmaster Barlotta with his Brigado of Walloons The Cardinal Archduke took his place in the Front of the first great Battalion and with him to boot with his particular Guards were the Flower of all the Court. After the Souldiery there were a convenient number of Boats carried upon Carts whereof to make a Bridg and Pass over the Some when they should think fit so to do In this manner did the Army draw near the River below Picchingny a good Town seated upon the same River and not above three leagues from Amiens The
as they could and securing them better then formerly by oblique Windings and Redouts But the besieged willing to use all their force to the contrary sallied out on divers sides about the midst of May against the Royalists and in such numbers as it might be thought rather an intended Battel then a Sally The Italians and Walloons were quartered upon the Bank above Bomel the Spaniards in certain Pastures and the Germans Burgonians and Irish were quartered on another side The Enemy being recruited by new men which Count Maurice had sent unto them from the other side the River sallied out about Noon at once against all the aforesaid quarters and that they might the more indamage that which was quartered upon the Bank they placed above 30 Barks loaded with Artillery in the River just over against it The first assault was made on that side by 3000 Foot and 400 Horse and 4000 Foot with a proportionable number of Horse divided into two parts gave on upon the other quarters The Kings Camp was very vigilant so as the Enemy came not so suddenly out but they were ready to receive them The fight was therefore very resolute on both sides the Enemy striving to get into the Kings works and the others valiantly defending them Nor was the business less hotly disputed between the Horse nor did the Artillery of both parties forbear to play at the same instant violently But the Enemy at last not being able to have the better of the Royalists they resolved after three houres fight to retreat The number of the slain and of the wounded was much alike of both sides and the action well considered was cause of greater noise then loss of blood The Enemy returned the next night to assault the Kings men thinking that they should find them the less provided for that they would not in likelihood expect so suddenly such an assault The charge was notwithstanding only upon the Italians and Walloons And truly it came so unexpected as at the first falling on many of both those Nations were slain and wounded and Avalos the Italian Campmaster was in particular sorely hurt The Enemy had the better of the Assault for a while But the Kings men rallying together and reassuming courage did so well defend their Trenches as the Enemy not being able to injure them retired They were notwithstanding much inheartned by finding their numbers still so increase so as within three dayes after they returned to make a brisk assault upon the Kings men and resolved to make it by night to the end that it might come so much the more unlooked for and be the more dreadfull Monsieur de la Nue was come from France with many Hugonots to serve the United Provinces He was son to the late Monsieur de la Nue a so cry'd up Commander and of whose valour you have often heard in divers parts of this History This man in his military comportment proved himself worthy to be the son of such a father Count Maurice therefore gave him the chief charge of this new sally and would have it performed chiefly by the French Foot together with a select number of English which in all might come to about 5000 Foot The assault was chiefly to be made against the Works which the Kings men continued to make upon the bank and in those neighbouring parts La Nue therefore sallied out couragiously and assisted by a fog gave so fiercely on upon the Royalists as he put them in disorder The Walloons had the Van with the Camp-master Achicurt who had then the command thereof He and his men failed not to make all possible resistance till being himself sorely wounded and the Enemies force still increasing he was forced to retire and to crave a new recruit of men But the noise of the Assault had already caused those of the Royalists who were nearest hand to move and had given the Alarm to those that were further off so as the whole Army was in a readiness to fight Some Companies of Spanish and Italian Foot were to come first in to the assistance of the Walloons These stopping the fury of the Enemy did stoutly sustain them and fresh men coming in they secured their Trenches And the Enemy despairing of doing any further damage when the day began to break retreated in very good order being pursued by the Kings men to beneath the Fortifications and wals of Bomel and the fight continuing still fervent on both sides The siege had by this time been laid twenty dayes and no considerable progress had been made And it was plainly seen that the enterprise would prove totally vain since they could not keep the besieged Town from being relieved and that Count Maurice was thereabouts with so great Forces The chief end of the Kings men in endeavouring to get Bomel was that they might have a strong Hold upon the Wahal so as they might command the Pass of that River and might introduce themselves into the heart of the Enemies country and especially into Holland Despairing then of the enterprise of Bomel the Cardinal propounded that a Fort Royal might be raised in some part of the same Island whereby they might reap the same end Where the Mause and Wahal met first together and then imediately part again they shape a certain point of ground which delating it self a little doth afterwards grow straiter from thence doth the Island afterwards inlarge and extend it self till the two aforesaid Rivers meet again and inclose it it was therefore propounded unto the Cardinal that a great Fort should be raised in that narrowest neck of ground by which they should possess themselves of all that Avenue which lay between the one River and the other which might prove a great curb to the Enemy and which would keep them more in awe then that of Schink would have done for that it was nâ—â—rer their very bowels then the other was The Cardinal was mightily herewithall pleased and causing it to be well discussed in the Councel of War it was with a general applause agreed upon Nor herewithall contented he would go with some of the chief Commanders to the very place it self and there put on his last resolve which was That by all means the Fort must be raised and must with all speed be begun The Cardinal resolving upon this presently raised the Camp from before Bomel which was done about the beginning of June and the charge of seeing that effected which was resolved on was chiefly given to Velasco Generall of the Artillery The siege being abandoned the Camp removed to the Village of Hervin and came coasting from thence to the place where the Fort was intended to be built Count Maurice having discovered the design past over likewise a little higher upon the contrary shore and staid just over against the Kings Camp He afterwards placed many Peeces of Artillery upon that side and with them began immediately to annoy the Kings men who were to begin the
Forts which we had taken would have so long entertained the Enemy till the Town being as we know but ill provided might have faln into our hands The Fortune of war alters the condition of affairs in a moment and so she hath dealt with us upon this occasion But we ought to thank her for it because that suddenly altring the face of affairs she hath proved more favourable to us when it was to be feared she might have proved more averse And truly if the Arch-Duke weighing affairs better on his behalf had made his Army stay betwixt Newport and Ostend in what straits should we now be All hereabouts unless it be Ostend is the Enemies Country we should not have been able to have got thither And then being enforced to have retreated by Sea with how much advantage might the Enemy have assaulted us Clean contrary the advantages will now lie wholly on our side They come wearied with marching short in numbers blinde with rage and with the very fury of mutineers Did they peradventure after this mornings tumultuous action think that we either buried in sleep or born away by fear would either not have taken up Arms at all or else have thrown them away without any waies disputing the business Will this be the first time that our Forces shall have beaten theirs Nay I hope this shall prove the most noble victory that we ever got of them Our men are as good as theirs we exceed them in numbers and we will take the most advantagious place to fight upon But still our greatest advantage must lye in our Arms and courage I for my part will be in all places and from this time forward I declare my self unworthy the prerogatives of a Commander if upon this occasion I be not equally forward in all danger with every common Souldier And that there may be no escaping out of the Battel I have given order that all the ships stand off at Sea far from the shore That I might make the Victory certain I have chosen to adde despaire to hope In fine my Souldiers we must this time either overcome or die with our swords in our hands This discourse was received by the Army with joyfull acclamations and all readiness to fight was shewn Then Maurice gave out his Orders He assigned the Van to Colonel Sir Francis Vere the Battel to Count Solme and the Rear to Monsieur de Temple mixing together the Souldiers of all the several Nations He disposed of the Horse of which Count Lodovick de Nassaw was Generall some on the Front and some on the Flanks and kept no particular place for himself resolving to be at his liberty of transferring himself wheresoever the greatest need should require He had with him his brother Henry a Youth of 16 years of age and the Duke of Alsatia the Prince of Henault and Count Coligni Grandchild to the late Admiral of France together with divers other young Gentlemen of great quality who were come a little before from the Heretick Countries into Flanders to be trained up under him in the exercise of Arms would keep near his person The Armies met upon the Sea-shore From thence more towards the Land appears great Hills of Sand which seem to be on purpose placed by Nature to keep the Land from being swallowed up in those low situations by the Seas when they are most tempestuous Those little Mountains of Sand lie all along the Coast of Flanders and are called Downs The Sand is there moveable and is easily raised by the wind which makes them the more troublesom to be dealt with The Tide began to flow when the Armies marched wherefore they were forced still to draw towards the Downs and in fine the Main Battel must be given there To boot with the Catholicks being wearied and fewer in number the Sun was then going towards the West on which side the Enemies Camp was and therefore his beams gave upon the Catholicks faces which were on the East side It was in July and the hottest hours had very much inflam'd the sands and there was then likewise a little wind stirring which raising the sand did much more incommodiate the Catholicks Camp then it did their Enemies Count Maurice placed some Peeces of Artillery between the Downs and the Sea-shore where the high Tide had left way for his better advantage on that part He possest himself of the highest parts of the Downs where on one of the most advantagious sides he likewise placed some Peeces of Artillery And having all these advantages expected that the Enemy should come and assault him Nor were the Catholicks long in coming The Archduke in few words endeavoured still to encourage them to the conflict He put them in mind of their former victories of the service they did to God to the Infanta to himself and to the King of Spain And that as he himself would be an eye-witness of their this dayes behaviour they might with more security expect to be largely recompenced The Mutiniers Horse gave the first assault who led by the Admiral through that passage which remained then betwixt the Downs and the Sea met with a fierce encounter and were quickly very much indammaged by the Enemies Artillery placed with the aforesaid advantage At the same time almost did the Foot fall on on both sides upon the Downs betwixt whom happened one of the fiercest fights that hath any time been known The Spanish Mutiniers were on foot in the Front of the first Catholick Battalion who together with the rest gave miraculous testimony of their valour And the Enemies Van began already manifestly to give ground for Sir Francis Vere who commanded them being wounded and many of their first Ranks slain the rest observed orders no longer But new Souldiers of the Battel coming in to reinforce the Van the latter was sustained by the former and the fight continued more hot then before Their Muskets and other Fire-weapons being discharged they came to closer fight to the push of Pike and managing of their swords Various but equally fierce were the instigations on each side They fought out of Honour and out of Hatred as if what for hope what for despair they had been mad Each side hoped to overcome and as if they had despaired at the same time they would rather die then be vanquished You might therefore see the Squadrons of each side to billow up and down like waves sometimes advancing sometimes giving back the place whereon they fought being full of dead and wounded men and the fighters full of sweat blood and fierceness And by this time all the Forces of both sides were joyned in Battel But the disadvantage on the Catholicks behalf was too great Tired men fought against those that were fresh and the excessive heat of the sand made them more sensible of their weariness they suffered likewise more by the dust and by the sun Yet did they valiantly make good their party when the Catholick Horse
being oft-times disordered and oft times raâ—â—ed again were at last wholly routed and as they turned back fell foul upon their own Foot and disordered them also which gave so great advantage to the Enemy as it totally secured the victory to them Amongst the Enemies Horse there were some Troops of French Curasiers who gave particular proâ—â— of their valour that day And questionless the Enemies Horse were so much the more in number as the Foot being sundry times thereby invigored which was likewise more numerous then that of the Catholicks they also had the better of the battel The Arrchduke by being present every where was not wanting in playing the part which upon such an occasion became a generous Prince and Commander thrusting himself sundry times into where the fight was hottest he exposed himself to apparent danger of death Nor did he this without the loss or blood for wearing no helmet to the end that he might be the better known he was struck with a Halbert on the head towards the right ear but the blow was given so at random as it did him but little harm The Archduke being by reason of his wound retired it was noised abroad amongst his men that he was not only wounded but taken The Enemy had already taken the Admiral prisoner slain taken or wounded almost all the Campmasters Captains and other most considerable Souldiers of the Catholicks Army In somuch as the rest discouraged through so many great losses threw away their Arms confusedly here and there and seeking to save themselves by flight yielded the final victory to the Enemy The number of the slain in Battels is always uncertain but at this time it was most uncertain For many thought it was equal on both sides and many that the Catholicks lost many more men It was certain that the best and valiantest amongst them were found missing Besides the Admiral two of the Spanish Campmasters Gasper Zappena and Luis de Viglâ—ar were taken prisoners the first whereof was so sorely wounded as he soon dyed The Campmaster Bastock an Irish-man was slain in the battel Roderigo Sasso Captain of the Archdukes Horse-guard was wounded to death so likewise was the Italian Campmaster Avolas Count Bucquoi and Barlotte both of them Walloon Campmasters were more slightly wounded And in fine all the Catholick Officers as well greater or lesser were either slain wounded or taken They lost above a hundred Colours together with all their Artillery Baggage and Ammunition and the common report was that above 3000 of each Army were slain in the battel Amongst divers Italian Nobles Alexander and Cornelius Bentivoglio dyed in the first ranks and when the battel was at the hottest the one of them was our Brother the other our Nephew both of them being young men about 20 years of age who were come a little before into Flanders There were slain of the Enemy to boot with the ordinary Souldiers above 30 Captains and a good number of Under-Officers They fought certainly upon great advantage and Count Maurice knew very judiciously how to make use of it and in all things else proved himself to be a good Souldier and a gallant Commander and by that dayes action he either caused or continued the opinion that if he were good at Sieges he was no less good at Battels This Battel lasted the space of three hours and the Catholicks being fled many councelled Count Maurice to purfue them but because night came on and much blood was spent and for that his side likewise had laboured hard he thought it sufficient to have prevailed thus far without attempting other advantages which might have proved uncertain The Archduke retiring that very night to Bruges went soon after to Gaunt where the Infanta was who welcomed him with a manlike spirit as she had likewise done the various reports that he was either slain wounded or taken He came accompanied by the Duke d' Aumale who was likewise slightly wounded and but by few other people of quality for all the chief Lords of the Country were then at Brussels by reason of the States-Generall which as yet continued being desired so to doe by the Archdukes themselves that by their presence and authority they might facilitate such resolutions as were to be taken This is the so famous Battel of Newport or of the Downs for it is equally called by those two names wherein according to the usual sports of Fortune that Army was overcome which thought it self sure of the victory From Gaunt the Archduke returned suddenly again to Bruges where having rallied the Souldiers that were dispersed here and there after the Battel he gave order that they should joyn with those that were under Velasco Generall of the Artillery who had not been at the Conflict and that they should all of them draw down near Newport To this purpose Velasco marched to Dixmuda a good Town within three hours march of Newport This was done with such diligence as Velasco was able to reinforce Newport with men and to furnish it likewise so with all things else as there might be no fear of losing it This mean while Count Maurice after he had got the Victory had resolved to reassume the Siege and began already to open the Trenches on one side but understanding that Velasco was thereabouts and that the Town was well provided he would not ingage himself any further therein considering how much his Army was diminished by the Fight and the new difficulties which he might meet withall in case he should be inforced to retreat He therefore raised his Camp from before Newport and with all his Naval preparation past to Ostend We told you before that to keep the Enemies of that Town from making excursions the Archdukes had divers Forts about it to boot with those which were a little before lost and again recovered and amongst the rest one which was called Sancta Catherina and which was well garrison'd and munited Maurice before he left Ostend would try whether or no he could make himself master of that Fort and began to begirt it But Campmaster Barlotte being sent by the Archduke to relieve it and Count Frederick de Berg coming in afterwards to the same intent the Fort was so secured as Maurice was forced to quit the enterprise Yet there happened a loss which the Archduke was much displeased at which was that as Barlotte was advancing from a certain place against the Enemy he was shot into the head by a Musket and presently knockt down dead In him certainly the Catholick Army lost a Souldier exceeding forward in execution though it may be said that throwing himself too oft into dangers he had delayed his death therein too long Count Maurice losing all hopes of making any further acquisition in the Province of Flanders went quite away from thence and returned with all his men from Ostend by Sea into Hollaud and the adjacent parts not reaping almost any advantage by so noble a Victory save only
a Spaniard was Governour of Graves and he had with him about 1500 Foot of several Nations good men but not so well provided as they ought to have been with necessaries for defence Yet the Governour and Garrison did with equal courage prepare to defend the Town hoping that the Town might in good time be relieved from the Catholick Camp Maurice turn'd first of all upon the aforesaid little Redout and playing furiously upon it took it within a few dayes He then began with great fervencie to begirt the Town on all sides and advancing with his Trenches on three sides he accompanied them with three Batteries nor was it long ere he came to the ditch But those within shewed themselves no less valiant both in making use of Counter-batteries in defending the ditch and in endamaging the enemy by their fallies It was argued this mean while by the Captains of the Catholick Camp whether it were better directly to relieve the Town or by assieging some other place make Maurice raise his siege It was thought a hard matter immediately to relieve the Town for the Catholick Camp-stood in need of many things to accost the enemy and they could not so soon make provision thereof But it was yet thought harder to be able to besiege any of the Enemies Towns for they must then pass the Mause and provide great store of Victuals and Ammunition for their Army whereof as also of all other things they knew the Enemy had great abundance They at last resolved to relieve Graves to which purpose the Admiral went presently to Ruremonde which is a City standing upon the Mause not far from Graves and which was therefore better able to furnish such things as they needed but yet they could not make such hast thereof but that many dayes were spent therein From Ruremonde the Admiral went for Venelo a good Town standing likewise upon the Mause that he might enjoy the oppertunity of the River by means whereof victuals might be the more easily brought to the Army From thence he marched strait upon the Enemy but as he drew neer their fortifications he found them such and so far advanced as he was clean out of hope of doing good upon any of them yet he knew that one of their quarters was neither so well fortified nor so well guarded as were the rest wherefore he resolved to try whether he could relieve the Town by that way or no. He therefore ordered John Tomaso Spina formerly a Neapolitan Camp-master that advancing unexpected by night towards that quarter with a thousand Italian Foot he should endeavour to force the Enemies Trenches and to get with that relief into the Town And that Spina might have a safe retreat in case he should not succeed therein the Admiral commanded Camp-master Simon Autunes to follow Spina at a proportionable distance with one other thousand Spanish Foot To divert the Enemy as much as it was possible from the defence of that quarter he likewise ordered that Marquess Spinola should move with two thousand Foot at the same time against the opposite quarter and should give a counterfeit hot Alarm to the end that the Enemy might the likelyer give over the defence of the other aforesaid quarter All these orders were fully observed but without any fruit for Spina found the aforesaid quarter so well defended as he was forced presently to retreat nor did the Marquis his fained assault on the other side any thing avail for though the Enemy flocked thither in great numbers yet the other defence against which Spina had made the true assault was not a whit weakned After this ill success the Admiral dispaired of any more succoring the Town wherefore he resolved to retreat Yet did not the besieged forbare defending themselves for many dayes making the business much more bloody to the besiegers But having no hopes of relief they at last resolved to yeild and upon the best conditions they could get delivered the City up to Count Maurice A little before the surrender of Graves upon the retreat of the Catholick Camp there began a mutiny in it amongst the Italians which every day increasing quickly became one of the greatest and most dangerous that had yet happened in Flanders The mutineers endeavaured first to possess themselves of Diste and not being able to get in there went hastily towards Hostrat a small Town in Brabant but provided of a Castle and so near Breda as they might receive succour from that Town of the Enemy if the Arch-duke should use violence against them which the Arch-duke was resolved to do that he might once more try whether he could by severe means remedy that mischief which grew still worse by being fairly proceeded with and truly they gave too much accasion of it at this time for growing every day more perverse then other and being in a short time gotten to be two thousand Foot and a thousand Horse there could be no mischief done by excursions which they did not nor any other sort of hostility which they did not threaten Being therefore declared Traitors and Rebels the Arch-duke resolved to proceed by force against them which when they discovered they began to fortifie themselves so in the Town and Castle of Hostrat and did still receive such advantages from the Enemies parts thereabouts as all the endeavours to suppress their audacity by force proved vain as shall be afterwards shewed nor did there any thing else of military action succeed that year The next year being 1603 they resolved in the Court of Spain to reinforce the Army in Flanders as much as they could possibly It was by this time clearly seen that the marriage between the Arch-duke and Infanta would prove steriâ— Wherefore it being considered in Spain that the Provinces of Flanders would again revert to that Crown they therefore treated of providing for the necessities of those Provinces with the Kings Name Authority and monies as in case of a Country that were intirely his Count Frederick was returned to Flanders with three Gallies only as we told you He had in this his second voyage to Spain so negotiated in that Court as the King being willing vigourously to assist the affairs of Flanders was resolved that the two brothers Frederick and Ambrosius Spinola should levy twenty thousand Foot and two thousand Horse that these should be attended by a proportionable number of Artillery And in fine that there should be an entire Army raised apart which should be commanded by them alone and which might be imployed where the most advantagious occasion should require When Frederick was come to Sluce his brother the Marquess came to him nor was it long ere orders came from Spain for them to raise the aforesaid men and because they were to be composed of Germans Italians and other new Flemish the Marquess went about the end of March into Germany being to go afterwards for Italy and the mean while Frederick stayed to infest the Enemy upon the
together with some other of our writings concerning the Affairs of Flanders and that even since then we had a thought of composing this intire present History of the War which happened in those Provinces till by the Truce Arms were laid down we will therefore here insert the same Relation though it were formerly printed it being a member which ought also to be joyned to this body in this place and which will now fully compleat it The Command of the Catholick Army being past into Marquis Spinola's hands great were those designes as you have heard which he brought with him from Spain to Flanders to make the chief seat of the War on the other side the Rhine and to straiten the enemy the most they could in those parts To this purpose were the extraordinary Forces in the two last fields raised But though great advantages were gotten thereby yet fell they far short of the conceived hopes It was seen that Spain could not continue to maintain so excessive an expence That for want of money a new Mutiny had again happened That another might insue and that one of these disorders did much confound and distort the whole body of the Army Spinola was so troubled with these and some other reflections of importance as he at last fell upon those very considerations which already divers of the gravest and best experienced State-Ministers both of Spain and Flanders had faln upon touching the difficulties and dangers which the Warre of Flanders and the going about to weaken or subdue the Enemy by force of Arms brought with it They discoursed thus amogst themselves That all the good they had reaped by forty years War was their having made the Enemy the more strong more resolute to defend their usurpt liberty more firm in the union which they had established amongst themselves and better united to the forein Princes whho sided with them That Nature's self might be said to have fought always for them by their Bulwarks of Sea and Rivers and their strong scituations in all other parts and that where nature was wanting there industry together wih their so many well munited places did make amends That their power by land was verygreat in all things else and their power as sea so great as that the Crown of Spain had been much indamaged thereby even in the East-Indies and was in danger of being a greater sufferer by them in the West-Indies also What amass of strength on the other side and money must it cost the King to maintain the War of Flanders That doubtlesly his Empire was very large but much discunited Flanders the most disunited member of the whole body of his Dominions both by sea and land That the sea was blocked up by the Enemies ships That their passage by land did depend upon many Princes which alwaies caused great difficulties in their sending of aid and destroyed their men more by their marches then by their bickerings Then how many corruptions and disorders had been rooted in their Army and how could they be remedied during the War they being the effects which so long a War had inevitably produced That instead of obedience strife reigned amongst the Nations That there were now more wives then souldiers more mutinies then years that their own Forces were almost as dangerous to them as those of their Enemies And mutinies growing so familiar now of one now of another Nation and ofttimes of many Nations at once what a sad day would that be when the whole Army should mutiny together a day which would bring the Kings affairs in Flanders to their utmost danger as also the Cause of the Catholick Religion for the defence whereof the War at first was chiefly made and hath been so long maintained by the Spanish side If then by so many reasons and so long experience War against the Enemy were to be esteemed so fruitless is it not better said they to come to some fair agreement with them is it not better to order our Army anew and in the mean time to get strength and laying down Arms except what with time would make most to the Spanish advantage Arms being laid down the King of France already grown old might in this interim die and with him that assistance might chance to cease which was subministred to the Enemy by a Prince of such power and repute That after his death the affairs of France might peradventure change face their King being so young the like might be expected in the affairs of England their King being a new King and a Scotchman but ill looked on by that Kingdom the Enemy having likewise received considerable succours from Scotland And in case any of these things should happen how much would the affairs of Spain be bettered But above all it was to be hoped that even peace it self might turn to a secret war against the Enemy That the fear of the Spanish forces was the bond which fastened their union closest so as this fear ceasing through the enjoyment of quiet some domestick evil might arise amongst them which might break the union and some opportunity in favour of the King and Arch-dukes of regaining some of the Rebelious Provinces by underhand-dealing and of subjugating the others afterwards by force These reasons were doubtlesly very weighty and of great consideration and had been oft-times argued in Spain whereupon the King had at last resolved that if he could not effect his ends by arms all possible means should be used to come by some convenient Treaty of agreement with the Enemy in Flanders and the affairs of Flanders may be said totally to depend upon the King For the marriage between the Arch-duke and the Kings sister proving barren and the Provinces of Flanders being consequently to return unto the King again he had therefore chiefly maintained the War with his Forces and consequently all Treaties ' of agreement were chiefly to depend upon his Authority The Arch-duke inclined also very much to bring things to some accommodation he being a Prince naturally given to love his quiet and full of years and experience might comprehend better then any other the dangerous consequences which the War of Flanders brought with it but it was very hard to find out a way how to treat of accommodation A while since the enemy seemed to be quite averse unto any such Treaty and still swelling with prosperity and success they resolved never to listen to any whatsoever Treaty till such time as the King and Archdukes should first publickly declare that they treated with them as with Free Provinces and States unto the which the King nor Arch-dukes made no claim nor pretence whatsoever wherein the Arch-duke found great repugnancy in himself and foresaw the like in the King He thought that to declare those now to be a free people against whom they had fought as against rebels would be to confess that their former war had been unjust and that to seem now so willing to put an end
75 G GAnt infected with heresie 32. Those of that Town take up Arms against the Walloons 176 Ter-Goes 89. Besieged by the hereticks ib. The Kings men endeavour to relieve it 91 Granvel his qualities and customs 11 Exhorts the execution of Edicts against hereticks 14. Fears his own person and gets leave to depart 16 H HArlem one of the chief Cities in Holland made a Bishoprick 97 Treats to side with the King but suddenly changes ib. Some Companies of German hereticks enter it 98. It is besieged by the Kings men ibid. It receives a very considerable succour 100. Their cruel actions 102. Their sallying out upon the Spaniards ib. The Town is assaulted on many sides at once ib. It makes stout resistance 103. Relief is brought in by water 104. It is assured not to be sackt and yéilds 106. The cruel punishments inflicted on the Citizens ib. 107 The Hague a gallant Village 124 Henry the third King of France 171 The Heresie of the Countries neighbouring upon Flanders 4. The mischiefs proceeding thence 13 The Hereticks in Flanders how they used the Churches and Images in Antwerp 30. Their rage against Church-men 89 The Hereticks that come to the relief of Valentiennes defeated 38. Those of Flushing got a great Prize of Flemish ships 86 Holland opposeth the Duke of Alvas Taxations 70 It rebelleth 81 The Hugonots relieve Orange 66. Promise to aid the Flemish geuses 72. are beaten by the Spaniards 84 I AN Inundation of the Sea upon the Country about Leyden 126 Isabella Infanta of Spain her praises ' 71 The Island of Finaert in Holland 133 Of Duyveland 134 Of ter-Tolen ib. Of Scowen ib. Of Walcheren ib. Of Filisland ib. L LAncelot of Brederode in Harlem 97. Beheaded 106 A League between the Queen of England and the States of Flanders 165 A Letter of Orange Egmont and Horn against Granvel to the King of Spain 15. Their reply to the Kings answer ib. of Montigny written to Count Horn 34. Of Francesco Alava Spanish Ambassador in France intercepted in Flanders 35 Letters published against Don John 160 Leyden one of the chief Cities in Holland that stood out 98. Besieged by the Spaniards 124. Those of the Town make gallant resistance ib. They assault the Fort of Lammen and are beaten off 124. They are freed from the siege 127 Lodovick of Nassaw brother to Orange shews himself very arrogant 35. leaves Flanders 46. Enters Friesland with an Army 55. Fortifies Dam 56. Fights Aremberg and overcomes him 57. Pitcheth his Camp in strong quarters 62. Is routed by d'Alva ibid. Hath much adoe to save himself by swimming ib. Goes over into France to his brother 66. Surprises the City of Mens 78. Yeilds up the Town to d'Alva 88. Retires into Holland and thence into Germany ib. Prepares once more to enter Flanders with an Army 114. He lies down before Mastrick 115 Attempts Ruremoad but in vain ib. He comes to Mooch 117. Is slain there in a pitcht battel 119 Lovain compounds with Orange 85 Lovesteine recovered by the Spaniard 72 Lewis Boisot Admiral of Holland opposeth the Kings Fleet 113. remains Conqueror ib. Goes to relieve Zirickzees and dies in the enterprise 129 M MAdonna Margarita Aunt to Charls the fifth Emperour 4 Madama di Lorena and Madama di Parma proposed for the Government of Flanders 7. She of Parma preferred and why ib. Malines taken and sackt by the Duke of Alvas Army 93 A Manifesto published by Orange 75 A Manifesto of the Duke of Alanson 172 The Marquiss of Berghen despiseth Granvel 14 Sent into Spain 29. Badly entertained at Court ib. He dieth 47 Marquiss Chiappino Vitelli passeth with the Duke of Alva into Flanders 46 Sent into Friesland 59. His advice for turning the Kings Forces into Holland and Zealand 82. Wounded before Mons 83. Wins a victory not far off against the Hugonots of France causing himself to be carried in a chair 84. Sent by the Commandador against Orange 1â—2 Undergoes the main charge of the Militia in Flanders ib. Passeth over to the Island of Scowen 139. Where he dies ib. His praises ib. Mary Princess of Portugal marryed to the Prince of Parma 21. Cometh to Brussels ib. Mary Queen of Hungary sister to Charls the fift governs the Low-Countries 4 Maximilian the Emperour interposeth for the quiet of Flanders 128. His reasons ib. Merchandize how it once flourished in Antwerp 147 Middleburgh 74. Stands for the King 107. Comes into the Rebels hands 114 Mons surprized by Count Lodovick of Nassaw 78. Besieged by Frederick of Toledo 83 Yeilded to d'Alva 90 Mutiny of Germans in Alvas Army 70 Of Spaniards in Harlem 108. At Mooch 119. In Zealand 141. Of Spanish horse 129 N. NAerden and its scituation 94. Besieged by Frederick of Toledo ib. sackt ibid. Nature of the Flemish 2. quality of their Countrey 3 The Nobility of Flanders shewes it self discontented that the King absents himself from thence 5. despiseth Granvell 16. the Catholick Nobility sets up a Faction apart 161. the number of the Provinces of the Low-Countries when they were joyned in one body 2 The form of their government ibid. 3. O THe Oration of Granvel at the Kings departure for Spain 7. Of the King or rather his discours to the Dutchess at his leaving her Governess 9. Of Brederode to his Companions 24. Of Orange at the Meeting in Terramond 36. Of Egmont in opposition to him ibid. Of the D. of Feria to disswade the King from sending an Army into Flanders 42. Of the D. of Alva to the contrary 43. Of Orange at the Diet of Germany to move them to favor the Flemings 52. of Count Lodwick of Nassau before the battel 57. Of the D. of Alva to his Souldiers 59. Of the President Vigilius against the Impositions propos'd by d'Alva 69. Of Avila at the succouring of Middleburg 77. Of Vitelli to move the Kings Forces against Holland and Zealand 81. Of Norchermes to the contrary 82. Of Captain Plumart to attempt the ford 91. Of Montdragone to the Souldiers 92. Of Romero to the Souldiers 100. Of Riperda to the Harlemers 97. Of the same man to the same 106 Of Orange or his incitements still more and more to kindle the Insurrections in Flanders 114. Of Avila at the battel of Mooch 117. Of Count Lodwick and Christopher Count Palatine in the same battel 118. Of the Admiral of Holland for the relief of Leyden 125. Of the Commendador to his Souldiers 135. Of President Vighlius in the Councel of State to hinder that the Spaniards might not be declared to be Rebels 142 Of John Navarre see Elect perswading the Mutineers to relieve the castle of Antwerp 145. Of Don John to the Souldiers 166. The Ordering of the Kings Army in the battel of Friezland 57. Of Count Lodowick's in the same ibid. Of the Catholick Army in the fight at Geminghen 62. Of the enemies in the same ibid. Of the Royal party in the battel of Mooch 117. Of the enemies in
secure the Towns of Dunkerk Dixmund and Terramund ib. The Fort of Blankemberg taken by the Duke of Parma 245. Recovered by Colonel Norrice and by him demolisht 277. of Engelen taken by the Rebels who change the name calling it Creve coeure 247 Francis Drake 254 Fire-barks in Antwerp for destruction of the Bridge 224. How they were made 226. what was the effect 237 228 A gallant Fight between the Duke of Parma's men and the Rebels 279 Fire-ships sent out by the English against the Spanish Armada 256. what was the effect ib. G THe Gantois oppose the Catholick Religion and the Soveraignty of Spain 181. They seize upon the Town of Menin 188 Gaunt taken in by Farnese 236 George Basti fals upon the King of Navar and puts him to a retreat 285 Groninghen besieged by Count Hollack 198. t is freed ib. H HEnry the third King of France how he excused himself for the D. of Alansons accepting the Government of the Low-Countries 196. Signior d'Hierges General of the Artillery in Flanders 183. Slain at the siege of Mastrick 185 I IPre taken by the D. of Parma 213 The Island of Cassante 245 Signior d' Insy Governor of Cambray 193 K THe King of Navar besieges Paris 266. His exhortation to the Commanders of his Army 268. Raises his Camp from before Paris 269. Challenges the enemy to a set battel 270. Attempts the surprizal of Paris 2 2. Annoys the Enemies Camp 274. Besieges Roan 281. Removes to Aumale whence he goes in person to view the Camp of the League 284. Is shot with a fire-lock 285. Returns to streighten Roan he riseth from that siege 287 He cuts off all Convoys from the Leaguers Camp 289. His hope to conquer the enemy by way of Famin 290 L LAgny stormed by the Duke of Parma 271 Lyra in Brabant taken by the Royalists 207 The Earl of Leicester sent into Holland by the Queen of England 239. He besiegeth Zutphen 243. But is forced to retreat by the Duke of Parma 244. He returns thither afresh and takes in some of the Forts ibid. The jealousies which the United Provinces entertain of his actions ib. he brings over new aid from England 246. He is appointed by the Queen to defend the banks of the Thames 253 M MAlines taken by Farnese 188. recovered by the Rebels 193. reduced the second time by Farnese 232 Maria della Laygne defends the City of Tornay in the absence of her husband the Prince of Espinoy 203. her words to encourage the souldiers ib. She is wounded ib. She yeilds up the Town 204. The honours done her by the enemies Camp at her going forth of it ib. The Marquiss of Rubays Governor of Artois 186. He fals upon Monsieur Della Noue and takes him prisoner 194. He prevails with the Walloon Provinces for the returning of foreign souldiers 201. He takes the Fort of Lifetensuch 218. Oversees the building of the Bridge upon the Scheld 223. Takes Monsieur de Teligni prisoner 225. his death 228 The Marquiss of Vasto General of the horse in Flanders 233. Made Knight of the Golden Fleece by the Duke of Parma 242. Returns out of Italy into Flanders to wait upon the Duke of Parma in his second expedition into France 284 Marshal Biron comes into Flanders 208. Takes the Castle of Vouda 213 Is routed by Mansfield ib. Returns into France 214. His Oration for not breaking up the siege of Roan 282. he is left there by the King of Navarr to continue it 284 Martin Skinck and his conditions 198. He relieves Groninghen ib. His victory over the Rebels at ter-Goes 199 He is taken prisoner 206. He comes over to the States service 237. His speech to Count Maurice for the raising of Skincks Sconce 259. He surprises the Town of Bona ib. He routs some Companies of the Kings party 263. he attempts the surprisal of Niminghen ib. where he loseth his life ib. Mastrick besieged by the Prince of Parma 182. Assaulted by the Royalists 183. It is stoutly defended ib. is stormed and sackt 186 The Meeting of the States General in Antwerp for chusing of a new Prince 189. They shew themselves inclined towards the Duke of Alanson 193 To whom by a solemn Ambassy they proffer the Government of the United Provinces 195 A Mutiny of the Germans in the Kings Camp 206 N NImegen comes in to the King 236 Is in great danger of being surprized 263 Monsieur de la Noue Lieutenant to the Prince of Orange and Governor of Mastrick 182. Will not be shut up in it ib. His diligence to relieve it 185. He is taken prisoner 194 Nuys stormed and sackt by the Spaniards 242 O OUdenarde in the Province of Flanders besiged by Farnese 206. the assault made upon it ibid. it is yeelded 207 The Oration of James Tayard in behalf of the Queen of England 189. Of the Seignor de St Aldegonde in behalf of the Duke of Alanson 191. Of the same to the Antwerpians 223. Of the Pr of Parma that foraign Souldiery might be suffer'd to return 200. Of the same to the Commanders of the Army at their entrance into France 267. Of Seigneur di Feruaches to the Duke of Alanson 209. Of the Deputies of the United Provinces to the Queen of England 237. of the King of Navarre to the Commanders of his Army 268 Of Marshall Biron that the Siege before Roan might not break up 282. Of the Duke of Boloigne to the contrary 283 P PAris besieged by the King of Navarre 266. Relieved by the Duke of Parma 269 The Princess of Espinoy see Maria de la Laigne The Prince of Orange takes great care for the Relief of Mastrich 185. He useth all possible diligence to disturb the Treaty of accommodation in Colen 186. He follows close the Election of a New Prince 189. his particular ends herein ibid. He holds with those that stand for Alanson 193. he divulgeth a Writing in justification of himself and in Answer to the Kings Proclamation issued out against him 205. He is wounded with an Harquebuse shot ib. he endeavours to re-unite the Flemish Rebels and Alanson after the mischance at Antwerp 212. He is slain 214. His character 215 The Prince of Parma receives a Confirmation from the King for the Government of Flanders 180. He besiegeth Mastrich 182. And at last stormeth it 185. he brings the Walloon Provinces to an Agreement 187. He takes in Malines 188. Besiegeth Cambray but is forced to Retreat by the D. of Alanson 200. his Speech that the Foraign Souldiers-might be suffer'd to return ibid. he besiegeth Tournay 202. and takes it 204. recovers the castle of Cambresis 208. makes himself Master of Dunkerk and Newport 211 Resolves to besiege Antwerp 217. Fals to making a Bridge upon the Schelde 220. causeth a Ditch to be cut of 15. Miles in length 221. Ran a great hazard at the playing of the fire-Barques 227. beats off the Enemy from assaulting the Counterdike 232. Receives the Order of the
to send a Commander in chief thither with a foreign army They said that the King would find greatest obedience they sought to honest as much as they could the Covenant and the Petition and though they detested the popular insolencies against the Church yet they would make it be believed that it was done out of ignorance or levity but not out of infidelity That therefore the King should come himself in person and that imitating his father and his fore-fathers in his benignity he might expect answerable effects in their obsequiousness from the Flemish The King himself had long nourisht this opinion of his going into Flanders and such a speech was spread abroad in Spain and such was the preparation of ships which were built in Biscay to make that voyage as it was given out as all Europe did firmly believe it and to say truth the aforesaid reasons being well considered it could not be judged but that the King had some such thought but oft-times those councels which are advisedly taken are out of necessity past by The consequences which made against it being therefore put into the contrary scale it appear'd almost impossible for the King to resolve upon such an action And first to keep a long time aloof off from the heart of his Monarchy bore with it those important considerations which were toucht upon in the beginning when it was shewed for what reasons the King resolved to make his residency in Spain And a double fear did still continue as well of the Moors who were spread thoroughout all those Kingdoms as also of some dangerous infectious heresie which might be brought amongst those people But suppose the King had been free of those suspitions how should he have gone into Flanders by sea or by land with or without forces by sea he must depend upon storms and wind and upon the meer will of fortune which useth to make her greatest sports of the most eminent amongst mortals And the King himself not many years before had experienced the danger of sea-voyages in his return from Flanders and had not his own example been sufficient that of his Grandfather Philip was yet very fresh who by the violence of the winds was thrown upon England and detained by force many days in that Kingdom Upon which occasion he notwithstanding received all fair entertainment and Courtly hospitality from Henry the seventh which the King could not exspect from Queen Elizabeth who did rather conspire with his enemies to his prejudice On the other side the journey by land seemed very difficult for the King was of necessity to pass through the Countries of several Princes and would depend with too much danger upon their wills The King of France would peradventure consent that he should pass through his Kingdom and would perhaps have received him with no less friendly demonstrations then King Francis had done the Emperour Charls the fifth but the hereticks wherewith all the parts of that Kingdom were then almost infected would have opposed his journey and would doubtlesly have made the event prove dangerous It remained then that he must land in Italy and afterwards take his way either through Savoy or by the Switzers so to enter into the Country of Burgundy and Lorain and from thence into Flanders On both which parts he was likewise to pass through the Countries of strangers and to coast so near upon France and Germany as he must needs be subject to many sinister accidents which easily might have befaln him These were the difficulties which were taken into consideration if the King were to pass into Flanders either by sea or by land with only his Court attendance But how much greater were to be feared if he should pass with an Army since carrying with him so great a â—ne as the occasion would doubtlesly require all States would be jealous of so great Forces and peradventure would have raised Forces likewise and instead of friends have become enemies lest that which was termed a passage might turn to an oppression Then the Councel of Spain not thinking it fit that the King should go himself in person into Flanders for the aforesaid reasons it remained to see whether it were better to send some warlick Commander thither with an Army or laying aside all asperity endeavour to compose the affairs by fair means The King was much at variance within himself upon this point He was naturally given to love quiet he loved the Flemish and would rather have been beloved then feared by them knowing very well how much securer the Garison is which Princes have in their subjects hearts then those of Citadels or Cities moreover that he might be very uncertain of what the event of his forces would be against a people by nature so fierce so far remote from all the rest of his Dominions and who were invironed on all sides by the Crown of Spains greatest enemies and enviers But on the contrary he saw how little good fair means had done as yet since the authors of the begun disorders had rather been incouraged thereunto then otherwise by too much tolleration and might likely if unpunished grow worse and worse Nor were the Kings Councelless at a stand then the King The Councel of Spain was then full of many eminent personages Amongst the rest Ferdinand de Tolledo Duke of Alva and Gomes de Figheroa Duke of Feria were in great esteem both with the King and Councel Feria chiefly for Civil affairs and Alva for Military actions who was so excellent therein as the first place in the profession of Militia was unquestionably given to him by all Spain These two were of differing opinions Feria thought it better to reduce the Flemish to their duties by fair means and Alva by force Upon a certain day then when the King himself was in Councel to resolve what was to be done in this so important business The Duke of Feria spake thus The cure of an evil most glorious Prince lies chiefly without all question in knowing what it is Cities and Monarchies are born and die grow sick and are cured as humane bodies are so as if diligence be used in the private indispositions of one onely man how much more necessary is it to be used in the publick maladies of whole Kingdoms To provide then for the evils wherewith Flanders is afflicted 't is very necessary first to know their causes And this without all doubt ought chiefly to be attributed to the terror which the Inquisition and the Edicts have infused into that Country The Flemish have apprehended and do apprehend now more then ever to have their consciences violated by such ways and to undergoe all other greater affliction and misery and this it is which hath made them fall at last into so many and so hainous outrages That under which Flanders doth at the present labour is if I may so call it a Frenzie of fear which is fomented by such as are ambitious and turbulent that they
to the lower by her breadth In these respects their friendships adherents and allyances were very great in those parts Moreover divers of the best Families of Flanders derived from Germany and amongst others that of the Prince of Orange who afterwards married with the house of Saxony as hath been said The heretick Princes held therefore their streightest corespondencies with him and to him did discover their most intimate sence of the affairs of Flanders because it was most conformable with his own Orange being afterwards gon to them by reason of the Duke of Alva's being come into Flanders he still indeavoured to increase in them a resolution not to tollerate that oppression which he in the most horrid manner he could invent affirmed to be already introduced by the Spaniards amongst the Flemish Affirming that this cause was common to both the Germanies he mingled the Interest of Religion together with that of State and by the strength and vivacity of wit made dangers a far off seem very near at hand He chiefly propounded a meeting between those Princes who were most to dread the Spanish forces in Flanders the Queen of England assisted him herein by her authority and the Hugonots of France by their practices So as the resolution was soon put on and divers Hans Towns joyned therein likewise by sending their Deputies thither particularly those which are situated upon the Rhine in which by reason of their neighbourhood with Flanders the aforesaid power of the Spanish forces was most dreaded Of the Princes the Count Palatine of Rhine was most remarkable his State lay nearest to Flanders he had the best forces and being past on from Luthers heresie to that of Calvin he held greater corespondency with the hereticks of France and with the Queen of England The rest were the Duke of Wittenberg the Landgrave of Hesse the Marquis of Bada the Marquis of Durlack and some neighbouring Counts besides those of Nassaw The King of Denmark and the house of Saxony sent likewise their particular Deputies to the Diet. Business doth still proceed slowly which is to be agitated by many either they differ in their ends or agree not in the means or for the most part are lost through confusion But their progress is more slow then ordinarily in Germany where negotiations are not had without much prolixity more by writing then by word of mouth and where more time is spent in banqueting then in business The Diet proceeded on then but slowly and by reason of the variety of opinions many difficulties were met with in the things proposed Whereupon the Prince of Orange being all on fire himself and that he might set others on fire likewise spake one day thus It is not assuredly any waies to be doubted most Noble Princes and worthy Deputies but that we now treat upon a common cause The one and the other Germany are sufficiently united in situation tongue name traffick life and in all things else And who knows not that in former times they both made but one body their people do chiefly affect liberty And though in Flanders the Prince be heriditory whereas in Germany he is elective yet almost the same preeminence is due by them to their States as is here attributed to your Dyets But how oft and with how much labour and danger hath it behoved the one and the other Nation to oppose themselves to the avaritiousness of their Princes I will leave the pursuit of ancient affairs that I may come to the more modern and those of Germany that I may descend to the present affairs of Flanders When the Emperour Charls the fifth was dead every one knows the King his son's chiefest desire was to leave those parts and settle himself in Spain Being there wholly transformed into the sence and Customs of that people he grew desirous to govern Flanders after the same manner and Empire as Spain was governed And what more imperious Minister of State could he leave behind him with the Dutchess of Parma then the Cardinal Granville Did I say Minister of State nay rather supream Governor since whilst he was there the Dutchess bore only the name of Regent the whole power lay in him base Burgundian The first Author of Flanders's mischiefs and who deserves chiefly to be punished since the fault was chiefly his The Government of the Ecclesiastical and Temporal affairs was suddenly altered in divers sorts by absolute Authority but chiefly by new Edicts still more grievous to the conscience and by introducing the Inquisition The secretest Oracles are come from the Councel of Spain and are executed by secret consultations in Flanders If the Nobility have complained their complaints have proved vain to Petition is counted treachery to seem troubled rebellion and the casual headdy giddiness of the common people a premeditated insurrection of the whole Country In fine nothing but to have a pretence to use force against Flanders was expected in Spain And what more light pretence could be taken then to go about to suppress those tumults which were seen to cease almost assoon as begun When so suddenly hereupon the Flemish are insolently declared in Spain to be rebels to God and to the King and a foreign Army marches to cause Flanders to be treated hereafter not as a successive Nation but as a Conquered Countrey And who could be better chosen to execute such violences then the Duke of Alva the most haughty minded man of all Spain Flanders greatest enemy and who knows better then any other how to extinguish all remainders of religion and in lieu thereof to use all sorts of Tyranny And just so it fell out He hath begun to raise Citadels in the chiefest Cities he hath placed Garisons every where the places of execution run down with bloud in all Towns no more home-Laws are heard of but forein ones The Country is almost unpeopled by exilement imprisonment and running away And nothing but gastly looks complaints misery desparation and calamity is seen every where In this deplorable estate is Flanders at the present How much more happie then is Germany which enjoys her former libertie and which abhorring all forein force knows no other Empire then her own I partake of this felicity for from hence I derive my bloud and my first stem remains still here Nay I am more hated in Spain then any other of the Flemish by reason of my German spirit I am held to be the contriver of Conspiracies the head of sedition the pestilence of those Countries Their greatest anger thunders against me and the severest punishments are already fallen upon me Thus they seek to turn my glory to infamy And what greater glory can there be then to maintain the liberty of a mans Country and to die rather then be inslaved I then most high Princes and Noble Deputies who am both a German and a Fleming after having laid before you the miseries of the Lower Germany whose tears and supplications I bring hither with me
bank At Avala his first advancement he found some of the Enemy who had opened the Sluces to overflow the Country and saw that the water entred already in abundance But putting them to flight suddenly he made the Sluces be shut and kept as they ought to be The Duke himself advanced this mean while together with Vitelli Norchernes and some few others who came in fight of the Enemies quarters He understood by the Spies that they were in some disorder as well for that they saw his Army so neer as that Lodovicks men were almost all of them tumultuous and so ill paid as some uprore was already feared in the Camp The first Spaniards had this mean while drawn the Enemy forth to skirmish who not thinking that the body of the Army was so neer thought they might easily break the forerunners There was no long delay made Two great Squadrons of Foot for as much as the narrowness of the place could permit vigorously assaulted the Spaniards by whom they were no less vigorously withstood The Dukes Van this mean while advanced and look how much courage this added to the Catholicks so much did it lessen in the Hereticks They then would have retreated but being hotly pursued by the Spaniards they began basely to run away and the Spaniards followed them so close at the heels as they fell in with them at the same instant into their quarters where the Dukes men shewed no less valour nor the Enemy any more resistance who being still more imbased and thinking only how to save themselves fell every where into disorder and confusion The rest was not to be termed fighting but execution The Spaniards more greedy of blood then booty by reason of the slaughter which the others had committed the preceding battel put as many of the Enemy as they could unto the sword but there were almost as many drowned as slain for seeing they could not escape the fury of the sword they blindly threw themselves into the River which was very large and deep in that place It was said that Lodovick swom it over with much adoe and that 7000 of his men perisht the rest ran away some here some there in so great terror as there hardly was left any remainder of that Army Few of the Dukes men were flam And the Battel was such as certainly few will be the like wherein the vanquished were more indamaged and the vanquishers less THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO BOOK V. The Contents Orange enters Flanders with great Forces raised in Germany The Duke of Alva goes to meet him They lie many dayes in the face of one another Orange at last gives way and must quit the Country The Duke returns triumphant to Brussels His necessity in matter of monies occasioned by a great reprisal made thereof in England He therefore resolves to impose unusual grievances Commotions which insue thereupon A general Pardon proclaimed by him The Arch-Dutchess Anne of Austria passeth through Flanders to marry with the Catholique King The Flemish are scandalized at a Statue of the Dukes which was set up in the Citadel at Antwerp The Castle of Lovestein is surprised by Orange his followers but is suddenly recovered by the Spaniard Lumay more luckily takes the Bril A particular Description of Holland and Zealand The troubles of Zealand Sancio d'Avila goes to the succour of Middleburgh Valentiennes fals into the Hugonots hands who not long after are made to quit it By their assistance Lodovick steals into the City of Mons and prepares to maintain the siege THe Duke of Alva after having obtained so notable a victory return'd to Groninghen and staid there some dayes the better to secure it from any new danger He therefore munited it according as was requisite And because he feared danger more from within then from without he left a Citadel begun to be built there according as he intended at first the better to bridle the Inhabitants From thence he past to Utrecht whose Province is as it were incorporated in Holland He thought to have stayed there some time the better to secure the affairs of Holland But the news which he heard from divers parts of Orange his approach or preparation so to do made him go from thence much sooner then he had intended From thence he went to Balduke giving at the same time such order as was requisite for the gathering together of the Army and the reinforcing it with Foot and Horse To this end he fill'd up the German and Walloon Regiments and added another Regiment of Walloons under Christophero Mandragone a Spaniard and commanded that the Train-Bands of Flanders which came to about 2000 Horse should be in a readiness This sort of Militia distinguished into Companies of Curasiers and Harquebusiers under the chief Lords of the Country was of great 〈◊〉 in time past but afterward it lessened much in reputation When there is need to make use thereof the charge is given apart to some one chief Lord of the Country who knows no other Superior then the Generalissimo of the Army Whilst the Duke was preparing in this manner the Prince of Orange used no less diligence in gathering together great Forces to enter Flanders with them where it might be more for his advantage He had received very considerable helps but more in men then mony from the aforesaid Princes and Free-Towns of Germany To boot with the German souldiers he and his adherents had assembled together a good number of those Flemish and Walloons who had left the Country and some French He was upon the banks of the Rhine with all these people part whereof were taken into pay and part were a taking in intending to pass the River and then to thrust into Ghelderland or Brabant as it hath been said and fix himself in the best parts of the Country He was not to expect any obstacle in his passing over the Rhine not wanting means to doe so in many of his friends territories in Germany His greatest difficulty lay in passing over the Mause which did wholly appertain unto the King of Spain except the State of Liege which was also wholly a Catholick Country and almost incorporated into the Kings Dominions But he hoped to possess himself of some important place upon that shore which might secure his passage both for his entrance if he should advance and for a safe retreat if he were necessitated to turn back Orange having thus mustered his whole Army together he past freely over the Rhine above Colen about the end of August and then over the Mosel at Trovers And winding to the right hand he advanced towards the Country of Juliers confining upon the Kings Provinces of Ghelderland and Limburg and upon the State of Liege The common report was that his Camp consisted of 20000 Foot and 9000 Horse all of them Germans except the aforesaid Flemish Walloons and French With Orange was his Brother Lodovick Count Hostrat
could in his affairs of Flanders Both sides being thus incensed divers means of mitigation were used But this made nothing at all for the Duke of Alva's present necessity who finding himself much in arrears to the Army and at great charges with the Citadels which he had begun to build particularly with that of Antwerp which he would suddenly see finished could not bear with the malitious delayes made by the English Moved therefore by so urgent necessity and considering what new troubles might befall him by Orange his plots and machinations which he was framing both within Flanders and without it he resolved to have recourse for aid to the Flemish themselves by laying new Impositions upon the Country his design was to raise so much mony as might suffice for the present necessity and to establish a setled Treasury for the future so as the grievances should not be every day to be renewed and therewithall the danger of incensing the Provinces with odious demands as doubtlesly those would be which should be made in so abhorr'd a business The Duke thought therefore to lay on so great impositions at once as might suffice to carry through his whole business And the way was this That a true value being made of all moveable and immoveable goods for once only but one of a hundred should be paid but that upon every contract the twentieth part of the immoveables should be paid and the tenth of the moveables and that these two last payments should last as long as the publike necessities should require This being resolved upon the Duke call'd together the States General of all the Provinces to meet at Brussels to acquaint them with the Kings mind in this business and to get their consent He first represented unto the Deputies what great necessity the King had of monies at that time He said That to boot with the great expences of the Armies late march the Queen of Engiand out of malicious pretences and which argued more malicious machinations in her had detained 40â—000 Crowns which were sent from Spain to Flanders That howsoever the Souldier must be satisfied which had long wanted their due pay That from the vigilancy of the Kings enemies in procuring by all means how to beat down his authority and to raise tumults amongst his people the necessity of those remedies might appear which were to be opposed to so many perverse intelligences and conspiracies That without doubt the best lay in building of Citadels and in maintaining of Garrisons in fitting places upon which the peace and safety of the Country did depend and that all whatsoever monies ought to be held well laid out to that purpose He wisht them to remember what the obligation of every good Subject was towards their Prince how great the Kings affection was towards those Provinces and how behovefull it was that in such and so urgent need the Kings desires should be by them willingly received and readily executed He afterwards propounded the demand in manner abovesaid It would be hard to say how much troubled and how full of confusion the Deputies of the Provinces were at the hearing of it Flanders had never formerly been wont to suffer the grievances of taxes and impositions as is used in Spain Italy and other places The antient custom was for the Prince to desire such assistance from the people in his necessities as was thought needfull and the often denying thereof shewed that the granting it lay in the peopleâ— free will When they were resolved to grant any every Province imposed upon it self such a proportion as was fit for that purpose These contributions were demanded by the Prince and granted by the people but for a certain prefixt time and as oft as the one was necessitated to make new desires as oft was the other to renew again their consents So as this unaccustomed fashion propounded by the Duke of taxing the Country so integrally for an unlimited time and in a manner not prescribed by the Provinces but by himself did strangely move mans minds especially at this time when humours were stirred every where The Deputies took time to give their answer and in the mean while acquainted their several Provinees with the whole affair Who when they heard thereof the people strove who should most storm Nothing but complaints lamenting and execrations were heard against those who had counselled it and against the Governour who had made it That the misories of Flanders did infinitely increase Was it not sufficient to introduce forein Armies by violence to violate her liberties by Garisons and strong Holds and to unpeople Cities by banishments imprisonment and death but that the people whose contributions were formerly voluntary and moderate must now be compel'd to submit themselves to immense and everlasting tributes That the Flemish did not only not desire but did wholly detest the bringing in of these forces and these unaccustomed yokes And yet how faithfull had the Countrie apreared when the House of Nassaw was in arms and how ready was it by its ownproper forces to streng then the Kings Army That the enemies forces being driven out the Kings were now become the greater enemies And as if the war had been begun by the Flemish 't is they that must now bear the burthen thereof That Flanders was astonished at the very name of Tribute How much more would she be so to feel the effects thereof Hence it was that the concourse of foreiners grew less and therewithall the Traffick of the Provinces That Merchandizing ceasing by which the people did chiefly sustain themselves what was to be expected but to see them fall into the greatest misery and calamity that might be Where was the former moderate Government of their preceding rather Fathers then Princes where the Emperours rescent goodness that in lieu thereof the King deriving his bloud from Spain and his opinions yet more and imitating the Spaniards yet more particularly in his afflicting Flanders seemed as if his only end were to take from her all shews of Liberty and reduce her to the miserablest condition of slavery That to this purpose he had made choice of the most Imperious and cruel Duke Alva for his Agent who was come to ruine not to govern the Low-Countries But the Flemish had already tollerated too much 't was now time to turn their patience into generosity and retaining as well the worth of the antient Belgiques as their descent from them they ought for the future to be as forward in withstanding vyolence as they had been formerly in tolerating it The Dukes ears were fill'd with these complaints from all parts much agitated therefore between his desire of promoting what he had propounded and the difficulties he found of so doing he treated very fervently thereof with the Councel of State to find out some means whereby he might overcome the difficulties which therein were met withall The Councel differed likewise in their opinions there were not wanting some who incouraged
the Country That it was sufficient for him that he had compast his end in the same manner as he desired Orange left a strong Garison in Malines intending to keep that City which lying in the heart of Flanders might serve him for many purposes His Army afterwards wholly disbanding and he luckely escaping out of their hands whom he now suspected more then the enemy he at last by way of a fugitive rather hiding himself then retiring got to Delfe a City in Holland there to put on such new resolutions as time and necessity should administer When Orange was gone from about Mons the Duke of Alva began narrowlyer to begirt the besieged He re-inforced the begun batteries and used all other necessary diligence to the end that being rid of this siege he might the sooner also recover thole other places which Orange had made himself Master of The besieged did notwithstanding valiantly and constantly defend themselves for some days but at last all hopes of succour failing them they resolved to yield having received such honourable conditions as upon such occasions are usually articled and agreed upon between the vanquishers and vanquished Count Lodovick went sick out of Mons and passing into Holland to see his brother he departed suddenly for Germany to move every stone there which might serve to disturbe Flanders Whilst affairs went thus about Mons many important novelties had happened in Holland Zealand and in other places Monsieur de Seras was Governor of Flushing being sent thither as hath been said by the Prince of Orange and many hereticks were come from the neighbouring Countries to joyn with him He therefore borne away with greater designes and desirous in particular to lend his helping hand to the besieged in Mons by entring into Flanders and afterwards into Hennault betook himself thereunto He gathered together 3000 foot and easily imbarked them in the maritine coasts of Flanders he had not notwithstanding sufficient Artillery to force any place wherefore he placed his hopes more in the peoples rising then in his own forces But the Duke having used all needfull care to secure that Province and Seras meeting with good resistance in all parts he came from thence almost as soon as he was entred and laid aside all thoughts of doing any good on that side The chief end of the tumultuaries in Zealand was to possess themselves of Midleburg They thought that the Town of Targoes placed on the Northern parts of one of those Islands called Southbeverlant would be a hindrance herein unto them This Town was guarded by some Spaniards and Walloons and Midleburg might better be relieved by the Kings men from thence then from any other part Seras applying himself to get this place brought a good number of men with him and endeavoured to enter it by force but he found such opposition as he soon forsook the enterprise And being despised by his own men for these two unfortunate successes as also for some other things those of Flushing would no more receive him nor the rest any longer follow him so as he was fain to forgoe the Province with as much shame as he was at first received thereinto with honour At the same time that Count Lodovick had possest himself of Mons the abovesaid insurrections had happened in Holland and except it were Amsterdam the whole Province was almost revolted To the Brill where Lumay had raised the first tumults of those parts many heretick souldiers were come from the neighbouring Countries especially from England People were likewise raised by the Rebels in other parts of the Province who fortified divers other Passes which lay more inward in the Countrie to the end that they might be Masters of the best Avenues on both sides The Duke of Alva had taken with him to the relief of Mons and to oppose Orange almost all the whole Army as hath been said especially the Spaniards in whom he did most confide So as Holland being as it were abandoned to the will of the tumultuaries it was no wonder if having so large a field to break forth in into novelties they were both so easily contrived by them and so easily executed Divers notable alterations to the Kings prejudice arose likewise in the contiguous Provinces of Utricht Friesland Overisel Groninghen and Zutfen At Orange his entrance into Flanders many of the chiefest places in each of them followed him and his fortune not meeting with almost any opposition by the Kings men And the people baited by the spetious titles of common good run almost from all places to assist his cause as if it had been their own The Count de Berg one of the chiefest Lords of all the Low-Countries had married a sister of the Prince of Orange who had great adherencies particularly in Friesland and the parts thereabouts He was likewise apparently inclin'd to favour heresie and joyned with Orange no less in Councel then in Bloud He therefore came into the aforesaid Province beyond the Rhine at the same time that Orange past from them to the other more inward Provinces and made divers places of importance rise and placed Garrisons in some of them which were most considerable either for their Situation or Inhabitants amongst others the City of Zutfen was fallen into his hands which gives the name to that Province and which being seated on the River Isel is held for one of the chiefest of all those parts He had taken and sackt the Town of Amersfort upon the Frontiers of Holland and indeavoured thus to draw the people by force where they would not of themselves be wrought unto it to joyn with him Orange and the other Flemish exiles It is not to be believed how ill they observed their promise which Orange in the aforementioned Manifesto made to the Catholicks in point of Religion For the first thing the hereticks did when they were entred into any Town was to violate this promise nay growing more outragious then ordinarily against Ecclesiasticks and especially against Votaries not content to use scorn they proceeded to rapine to imprisonment to torments and with unheard of cruelties even to death The end which to the praise of Martyrdom some Franciscan Votaries made in the Towns of Alckmar and Gorcham was very memorable The affairs of the abovesaid Provinces were at this pass when Mons was delivered into the Duke of Alva's hands A little before this siege was ended the Tumultuaries in the heat of the advantages they had gotten and whilst the Duke was busied about Mons with all the Kings forces had resolved to attempt the taking of Tergoes in Zealand They despaired of getting Middleburgh if they had not Tergoes first Putting therefore 8000 Foot together many whereof were French Germans and English and being provided of Artillery to batter they shipt the one and the other at Flushing with all other things necessary for the enterprise and from thence went to the Island of Southbevolant and incamped themselves underneath Tergoes
A moneths space past over therefore before the Kings men did any thing of consideration concerning the siege In which interim the Harlemites received a succour of 800 French and Walloon Foot who had been at the defence of Mons led on by Signior di Serras together with good store of ammunition and victuals The enemy grew so proud upon this success as becomeing rather insolent then audacious they appeared openly upon the walls jeering and scoffing at the Spaniards And joyning impiety to their insolence they caused themselves to be seen in usual places as it were in Procession with Priests and Friars habits upon them with Mitres and other Church-accoutrments contending who could best express their hatred to the Spanish Nation or their derision to the Church and Catholick religion And this their heretical frensie grew to that height as exposing in that wicked Scene the sacred Images and chiefly such as were most frequented in the Churches they made them a mark to be shot at and finally cut them all to peeces with their swords This mean while the Kings men when they had made necessary provisions desirous to redeem the time they had lost they betook themselves with all fervencie to the siege intending notwithstanding to pursue it not with immature assaults but with well ordered patience Whereupon opening their Trenches they diligently pursued them The Battery followed which they made not in the former place but placed it against the Curtain which ran between the Gate de la Croce and that of Sil which lay nearest the Camp on the right hand They made a great breach therein and yet those within did so well repair it as they without thought it not yet fit to fall to an assault And because the Curtain was too well fenced by the aforesaid Ravelin therefore 't was thought absolutely necessary to bereave the Defendants of so great an advantage Leaving then the Battery for a while they came in a short time to the entrance of the Ditch here their whole endeavour was against the Ravelin For going the longest way about but yet the most secure they would advance by degrees with the pick-axe spade and mines and thus drive the enemy from thence At last they made themselves masters of it but with no less expence of blood then of time such valour did they within shew and plaid so often their parts rather of Assaulters then Assaulted The Harlemists lost not their courage though they had lost their Ravelin But their diligence increasing answerable to their danger they ran suddenly from every place women as well as men to fortifie the gate de la Croce which the Ravelin being lost lay altogether open They did the like to the Curtain which was already battered and which ran as hath been said toward the gate Sill. And fearing lest the Kings men should play likewise upon the other Curtain on the left hand which joyned with the next gate called S. Johns gate they fell industrionsly to repair that side also not omitting any labour either in making of Ditches Traverses Countermines and other Inventions which are usually found out by the most industrious Defendant against the most cunning Opposers But they without lay at too much disadvantage in comparison of those that were within The Kings men by reason of the Enemies continual excursions came hardly by their victuals Great store of men were required to conduct them the remainder were not able to maintain the siege well And together with other hardships being mightily tormented by the cold their numbers lessened every day by sickness death and running away The Harlemists on the contrary did abound in warlike men they were easily succoured with men and victuals their houses saved them from the injuries of the weather and the ice was not of greater use to the Kings Camp for ordering the Country then it was to them by affording them means to bring all necessaries into the City It is not to be said how dexterous the Hollanders are upon the ice Their Country as we have often said is full of standing waters which are usually frozen over every year though they be not so excessive there as in other less humid and watry Countries The waters doe therefore then loss their nature and the use of Boats being changed into the like of Chariots those Fields of ice as if they were so much firm land are travel'd on by men and horses Their Chariots are usually little and drawn but by one horse they are not born upon wheels but upon little joysts or rafters according to those sledges which are used in Lombardy Their men are likewise very ingenious in going a great pace and yet very safe upon the ice They harness the whole length of their feet with sleek and narrow irons bowing a little outward in the part before they govern themselves upon these and upon these wings if I may so call them they rather flie then walk their course being then so fast as it can hardly be followed by the eye Nor is the use hereof less practised by women then by men nay in contentions which have somtimes hapned herein between both sexes the women have often had the better The women there find no trouble at all in running upon the ice but at the same time when they go fastest do some one or other of their womanly works By means then of these Chariots or Sledges the Harlemists received whatsoever they needed they came in troops upon that great neighbouring Lake call'd Harlem-meer All that side is call'd by that name which looks most upon the City whereinto the River Sparen enters on that side And because the same Lake comes almost as neer Leyden on another part it is there called Leyden-meer This communication between Leyden and Harlem by means of this Lake furnished the besieged with all things necessary who with frequent excursions received in their succours and oft times made the Kings men repent the going about to hinder them Nor did Orange forbear to bring in such aids into the City as he could by the usual land-way But to secure the succours the better from those parts he made a Fort be erected almost half way between Leyden and Harlem whither bringing the provisions he conveyed them the easilier from thence to the besieged But the Kings men though upon such disadvantagious terms ceased not to pursue what they had begun They pursued to batter the broken walls and to endeavour the undermining them hoping thereby to make the breach more commodious and consequently the assault more easie On the contrary the Defendants were not less vigilant in using all possible means to obviate all the Enemies endeavours and make them invalid To Mines without they opposed Mines within meeting thus with them spoiling them and springing them They repaired the walls where they were amiss So as they no wayes feared the threats of being assaulted from without This mean while December ended and the new year of 1573. began which
was remarkable in Flanders particularly for this Siege which we now describe It lasted above seven moneths the accidents were as various as the time was long and they doubted oft-times most of the victory who at last got it We notwithstanding will only set down the chief accidents which hapned there the dignity of the story it self so requiring it and the worthiness of future things calling us with too much reason from observing every smaller accident But to return to the Siege As vigilant as the Kings men were in providing that victuals might be safely brought to the Camp the Enemy were altogether as industrious in endeavouring to hinder them To this purpose they sent a good number of souldiers to possess themselves of one of the most important Passes towards Naerden and Amsterdam And they were led on by one Antonio Pittore who had the chief hand in the surprisal of Mons when Count Lodovick of Nassaw entred it as we then observed But notice hereof being brought to Amsterdam the Townsmen sent forth souldiers enough to hinder the success who meeting with the enemy routed them and slew many of them in particular Antonio Pittore was there slain and the Spaniards in scorn of his misdeed threw his head into the City together with the head of another who was called the King and who was much esteemed of by the Harlemists Who incenst by this action were not long in resenting it They chose out twelve of those prisoners which they had of the Kings Army and cutting off their heads they put them into a barrel and rouling it down the walls made it fall into the Spaniards Trenches with this Inscription upon it This Tribute of the tenth penny is sent by the Harlemists to the Duke of Alva and foruse-mony they have sent the twelfth This cruel act was answered by another no less cruel from without for some of their men were in their sight hung up by the head and the heels and they soon after served some of the Kings men with the same sauce So much doth the fury of war inrage mens minds especially of such war where rebellion is punished on one side and maintained on the other This mean while the number of souldiers within the City was mightily increased Besides the Townsmen there were there 4000 foot many of which were Germans French and English And Orange ceased not to labour hard in all the neighbouring Countries the raising of so potent a succour as by open force might make the Spaniards raise their siege The besieged growing therefore daily more jolly made frequent excursions and made one so fierce against the German quarter of the Kings Camp as they drove them from one house wounded and slew many of them and put all the rest into great confusion They sallied forth yet more furiously a few days after against the Spanish quarters and indeavoured mainly to recover the Ravelin which they had lost and so far forward did their courage carry them as they had almost nailed up the Canons mouths as they stood upon the battery But being valiantly withstood they re-entred the City without reaping any advantage The action was notwithstanding very gallant and cost much bloud on both sides Frederick on the contrary still incouraging his men the more resolved to raise the Ravelin which they had taken so high as it might command and hinder the Works within and having caused much earth to be brought to that purpose he planted two pieces of Artillery upon it but the good did not answer expectation so well did the besieged behave themselves on that behalf The Kings men grew this mean while every day fewer by reason of their sufferings Signor della ressoniera who had the charge of the Artillery was dead of sickness Signor Norchermes being wounded could not have such diligence used in his cure as was requisite many other Spanish Officers of quality were found missing as also many of other Nations And in fine the affairs of the Army were reduced to such terms as the success of the business began greatly to be feared Yet the Duke of Alva's instructions to his son were still more peremptory Though in case the siege should draw out in length he had written effectually to Spain to have two old Brigades of that Nation sent him who were then in Italy and raised new men in the neighbouring County of Burgundy Frederick delayed not then to make one tryal more before his men were consumed Resolving therefore to give a fierce assault in divers places at once against that side which ran from St Johns gate to that of la Croce and to the other of Sill on which side as we have already said the Kings men had opened their Trenches made Batteries and wrought in the Ditches the determination was thus put in execution The three Spanish Camp-Masters Roderigo de Tolledo Julian Romero and Consalvo de Bracamonte took upon them to assault with the souldiers of their Brigades one of them the gate de la Croce and the other two the two next sides on the right hand and on the left Signor de Bigli with some Walloons of his Regiment was appointed against a Work which fenced St Johns gate and such orders were given as were requisite so to annoy those within at once both from the Ravelin and the fittest places of the Ditch as they should not be able to hinder those without who were to get upon the Breach All these directions were valiantly performed by the Kings men but the besieged shewed no less valour on their side running with vigilancy and courage whether soever danger called them So as it behoved the Kings men at last to fall off with a considerable loss for above 300 of them were slain and in particular many of Bigli's men who met with the geatest difficulties and most resistance In this assault Roderigo de Tolledo was sorely wounded and Captain Lorenso Perea was slain with some other inferiour Officers It cannot be said how afflicted the Kings Camp was at this unfortunate success And the affair growing every day more doubtfull Frederick thought good to hear the opinion of the chief Commanders herein Many of them shewed very little hopes of any good success That the difficulties of the siege were now greater without then within That the cold was very extream and the season a greater enemy then the enemie's self That they suffered all other greater straits in their lodgings and in their victuals That their men were but few being more consumed by sufferings then by action That on the contrary there was great plenty of all things in the City that they were every day strengthened with new aids and appeared still more obstinate in their defence whence it was to be concluded that either the siege was never to have an end or if it were to have any the conqueror would at last be greater losers then the conquered That it was then better to withdraw the Army as soon
will of their own Forces In the continuace thereof you all know what their losses have been what their sufferings and how oft they have been at the point of being rather besieged then besieging to such great straits have they been brought by snow frost rain want of victuals want of men and chiefly by our so many and so valiant excurtions wherewith we have somtime more indamaged them in their quarters then they us within our walls But at last their rage hath prevailed more over us in overcoming all difficulties so to finish their siege then the rage of earth and heaven as it may be said hath prevailed over them Behold them therefore thirsting after our bloud and already panting at our gates and ready to enter our City thirsting after our goods And shall we expect any mercy at their hands any favourable dealing from them I say whose rape as it is every day seen is not to be satisfied by women their firings by houses their plunder by goods nor their bloud-thirstiness by all the people We must then believe that as soon as they shall be entred they will put us all to the sword or to some more ignominious death without respect of age sex or condition The welfare of the miserable consist in the despairing of welfare Why shall not we therefore endeavour placing the weakest sex and weakest age amidst us to make our way through our enemies with our swords in our hands whether we yield or whether we be overcome we must die But if we must perish as there is little hopes of doing otherwise death will come the more welcome when sought by our selves with undauntless valour then when with scorn and disdain received from the pride our enemies of These words were of such force and found their minds so ready to entertain any whatsoever desperate resolution as they already spake of following Ripardo's councel which came to Fredericks car Who better considering the danger what despair might make so many valiant men do and that by overcoming them he should find the whole City consumed he forthwith sent a Trumpet to the Town to let the Harlemists know that they might hope for better then they deserved In particular he promised to secure them from Plunder and from all other licentious Military violence That there were so many amongst them who knew there was no saveguard for them as between their despair and the others hope it was often doubted whether the more fiercer or more mild resolution should prevail amongst them at last the last prevailed and thus the City about the beginning of July was surrendred to the mercy of the enemy A Brigade of the Spanish foot forthwith entred the Town and unarmed every one therein They then fell to inflicting punishment Captain Rypart as chief head of the sedition had his head immediately struck off and Lancelot Brederode not long after received the like punishment All the rest of the Harlemists who were thought most guilty either of Heresie or Rebellion ended their lives either by the rope or sword And the like was without remission done to all those foreign souldiers who had been in Mons or in any other place which the Spaniards had taken and who had promised never to bear arms any more against the Kings party Above 2000 were put to death and the very executioners were either so weary or so glutted or so affrighted with the work as for speedier dispatch they drowned a great many of them in the River which ran through the City The Inhabitants freed themselves from plunder by the payment of 24000 pound sterling the Kings men raging and storming to see their hopes so far deluded This was the end of the siege of Harlem Noble for being so valiantly and so long both sustained and prosecuted Remarkable for the variety of successes both by land and sea but at last so horrid by the severe punishments inflicted by the vanquishers upon the vanquished as it was doubted whether the faults committed by the one or the punishments inflicted by the other were the greater THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO BOOK VIII The Contents The Commendador-Major resolves to succour Midleburg to this purpose he disposes of two Fleets in several parts but had ill success therein the one being routed by the enemy whilst he himself looked on and the others indeavours proving vain Midleburg is therefore surrendred Count Lodovick in Germany moves to enter with an Army again into Flanders Orange makes great preparations and conspires with him to that purpose Incitements used by him to this end The Commendadors perplexities and dangers Lodovick comes into Flanders Draws near Mastrick and hopes to win it but the Royalists secure the Town Their forces oppose the enemy various successes and incounters between the two Armies A battel insues The Royalists get the victory The Spaniards presently mutiny Things best worth knowledg in matter of mutinies The mutiners go to Antwerp The City is in great dread of them They are at last pacified and joyn with the rest of the Camp-Royal A great loss of many of the Kings ships Orange his proceedings against whom Vitelli is sent by the Commendador A new general pardon publisht in Antwerp in the Kings name An indeavour of accommodation with the Rebels but in vain The siege and description of Leyden Divers difficulties in the prosecution and in the maintaining thereof Actions which succeed thereupon Those of Leyden are in a desperate condition More desperate resolutions taken by the Rebels to relieve the Town Which is at last succoured with great slaughter and prejudice of the Spaniards WHen the Government was in the Commendador he applyed himself with all his might to relieve Midleburg Mandragone was as hath been said at the defence of that City and had continually prest very much for speedy succour and turning his desires into protestations he declared that unless he were reliev'd within very few days he should be constrained to put the City into the Rebels hands He wanted all sort of victuals not only of the better sort but even of the most vile The Commendador gave order then that two Fleets should with all diligence be prepared the easilyer to relieve the Town by two wayes upon the Scheld The one Fleet were of lesser Barks to be sent by that narrower and lower branch which parts not far from Berghen ap Zome and which as we have said retains the name of the River The other consisted of greater Vessels which were to pass through the Honte the Scheld being so called in her other larger and deeper branch The Commendador added his own diligence to that of others Going therefore himself in person to Antwerp he did so hasten the preparation of both the Fleets as about the end of January both of them put to Sea to effect the intended succour Bevoir the Admiral of Zealand was then fallen sick who was to have had the chief charge thereof So as
Country free from that violation which had been occasioned in them by Forein Laws That to compass so just an end Holland and Zealand had at last taken up Arms That their success had been alternately various but that yet the greatest part of both these Provinces were in the hands of their own inhabitants That the new Governour was not acquainted with his Souldiers nor his Souldiers with him That his experience in war was not great That he found the Spaniards in mutiny the others but ill satisfied and that monies were very scarce to give them satisfaction That the Empire of Spain by reason of the too great division and largeness of its bulk was so incumbred within it self as it could not furnish Flanders with sufficient Forces to maintain war long Then let the Flemish once resolve to joyn in one and those their neighbours with them who were most interessed in their cause That thus the Country would be soon restor'd to her antient form of Government and her present miseries be turn'd into her formerly enjoy'd Felicity Otherwise how could it be hoped for but that the Flemish divided at home within themselves and forsaken by their friends abroad were shortly to receive all hardest and proudest Laws from the Spaniards Orange gave abroad these conceits as well to incense the Flemish still more against the Government of Spain as also to make the neighbours the more ready to joyn with his brother in his aforesaid endeavours But these practises were chiefly had in Germany and were as usually fomented by the Heretick party of England and France The design of the Nassaw Brethren was That Lodovick should enter Flanders from the side of Germany with all the Forces he could assemble together and that Orange at the same time coming out of Holland should endeavour to joyn those which he had mustered in the Country with the Foreiners To this end very close intelligence was held by both of them in sundry parts of Flanders and by Lodovick particularly in some Cities which were most commodious for him for his passage over the Rivers but of all others he coveted to be master of Mastrick a very fitting place towards the Frontiers of Germany there being a bridge there over the Mause as hath been formerly shewn When Lodovick had got all things necessary for the body of an Army he marched from those parts about the beginning of February not valuing the threats of the season that so he might not lose the opportunity of the Crisis He knew in what straits the new Governour was by reason of the difficulties which were raised against him by Orange and his partakers Having therefore past the Rhine and Mosel he drew near Ghelderland intending as might be conjectured to pass over the Maus and get into Brabant where his brother was to joyn with him 'T was said that he had in his Army 7000 Foot 3000 Horse gathered out of the neighbouring Nations and that his greatest strength lay as it had done formerly in German Souldiers These and all the rest came with great opinion of good success which would prove so advantagious to them as might make abundant satisfaction yea with use for their last unfortunate losses Lodovick had with all industry strove to nurse them up in this belief shewing all which made for his advantage and his Brothers in the affairs of Flanders which might most confirm hope in them both of making large Conquests and of getting the Victory with ease This expedition of Lodovicks was so speedy as the Commendador heard of the effects thereof before he heard of the preparation So as very much troubled at the news and meeting with difficulties on all sides he knew not what resolution to take He saw the Kings men were mightily decreased in their numbers that to muster them together and march towards Lodovick to defend the Land frontiers was to leave all the Sea-side in prey to Orange that to divide his Forces were not to have sufficient to break their designs as it behoved on both sides that to draw them out of the garrisons was not without danger because peradventure they would not be drawn out without receiving their pay at least in some proportion that howsoever it was requisite to make other great Levies shortly which would cost great sums of money that the provisions from Spain were not sufficient to furnish requisite monies for so many affairs and that Flanders was every day more backward then other in contributing thereunto When Rhechesens had advised upon all these difficulties with all the chief of the Army the resolution which was taken was That he and the Marquis Vitelli should not go far from Antwerp where Orange's secret practises did threaten most That leaving a sufficient number of Souldiers in Holland to keep what they had gotten they should only stand upon their defence on that Frontier and that all the rest of the Army being assembled together Sancio d' Avila should lead them towards the Mause to secure the Kings Towns thereabouts and to hinder Lodovick from passing over that River This being resolved upon it was suddenly put in execution Necessary orders were speedily given forth for the making of great Levies of new men in the neighbouring Catholick parts of Germany Burgony and the Walloon Provinces of Flanders But because they were straitned in time they betook themselves to draw the old Souldiers out of the garrisons using all the means they could to satisfie them with hopes since they could not doe in effect This mean-while Lodovick still advanced and halting with his Camp near Mastrick he staid expecting whether he might according to his hopes steal into the City by way of Intelligencer The Commendador fearing this dispatcht away Bernardino di Mendoza suddenly thither with some Troops of horse to which he afterwards added some Foot-companies And the Royalists flocking thither from all parts to make it their rendezvous Sancio d'Avila came thither likewise about the beginning of March who was to be the chief Commander there Thus that City was secured in its obedience to the King and Lodovick was likewise kept from passing over the River on that part He took up his quarters near the Castle of Walchemburg little more then two leagues from Mastrick in divers Villages thereabouts Avila had likewise disposed of the Kings men towards that side accordingly as they came to the rendezvous And in the interim the more to encourage his men and to discover the Enemies courage the better he sent forth Skirmishes almost every day in one of which which proved more bloody then the rest Francisco de Medina who was Commissary-General of the Kings horse was slain the remainder of the loss being equal on both sides But Avila taking his advantage another time took a number of selected Spaniards and Walloons and set upon the village of Bemelen wherein divers Companies of the Enemies German Foot lay and slew above 400 of them the rest sorely confused flying for
will notwithstanding have a head who is called the Elect. Next him it will also have some others of greater imployment and these they call Councellors The foot and horse are likewise distributed under two chiefer Heads They call the head of the horse Governour and him of the foot Sergeant Major The Captains and usual Officers follow in either sort of these men and divers other places are distributed according to occasion The Offices are distributed by votes allowed and in the like sort all other resolutions are taken The Squadrons first intention is to possess itself of some good Town or City and here to fortifie it self so as it cannot be forced From thence it takes in all the Country thereabouts which to shun greater damage is brought to pay equal Contributions The Office of the Elect is barely to propound what upon all occasions is to be resolved on the businesses being first well weighed in the Councel He therefore dwels in the best Piazza or Market-place of the Town possest and out of a window makes his Propositions to the squadron which meets there to that purpose The multitude grumble often at those which they like not and being born away by rage instead of shewing their negative by the usual way of votes they many time witness their gainsaying by a peal of musker-shot They are hereunto chiefly induced through the jealousies which reigne amongst them One souldier fears to be betrayed by another and they easily grow to distrust their heads wherein they did at first impose their chiefest trust The Elect is therefore never left without one particular sentinel he can neither receive nor write any Letters without the knowledge of the squadron and thus in all things else his voice is as well bound up as his hands unless the impediment be first taken away by the squadron The Ministry of his Councellors is bounded in like manner Amongst the other souldiers all separate commerce is absolutely forbidden it being their pleasure that by irretractable rigour as the squadron makes but one body so it have but one will Their discipline in all other things is very severe so as it may be doubted whether it were introduced with straiter laws or executed with more severe And no fault in point of execution is pardoned Never did disobedience beget better obedience The Squadron in withdrawing it self from the command of its first Commanders doth with so much rigor bereave it self of all liberty in submitting to second heads though as hath been said it keeps the supreme authority in it self and will ever and anon make it appear by horrid examples It therefore often punisheth great faults with its own hands making those who according to their laws have deserved it sometimes pass the pikes and sometimes be shot to death Their laws offend for the most part on the more severe side but many of them are so well regulated as better cannot be desired in whatsoever compleat Commonwealth Theft play blaspheming drunkenness dishonest women all brawls running in debt further then men are able to pay and many other such like excesses are forbidden upon heavy penalties which in the form of all good Governments are born withall since they can never be fully irradicated In this their chief respect is to avoid all occasion of contention or discord which may disunite the Squadron Of so much greater force with men is service done to themselves then when to others And so much prevails the uniform consent of many though of differing births customs and language For in the war of Flanaers divers Nations have been seen to mutiny together and all of them to make but one body and lead to one end as if they were but one onely people Generals and other Warriors have sometimes endeavoured to break and punish Mutinies but they have seldom hit in their designs For the better sort are oft-times won over to side with the worst and the remedy is turn'd into a greater malady It is therefore best to agree the divided Souldiery which is done by delivering up some principal Personage into their hands for a Pledge till full satisfaction be given And we in our time have seen the Duke of Ossuna a Grandee of Spain given up for an Hostage This in brief is the form of Government observed by Mutiniers When they have received their Pay they soon return to their former obedience and there is no sign left of any such pestilence For so may all Mutinies which happen in Armies be called since so great a part of their body is infected thereby the union thereof is broken the government disturbed their forces then rendred weakest when they should be strongest and those advantages are either lost or those evils caused by their own Forces which the Enemy could never have effected Now to reassume the thread of our discourse The Spaniards when they had formed this Mutinie took their way suddenly towards Antwerp passing over the Mause at Grave Sancio d'Avila gave speedy advertisement of this to the Commendador who forthwith went himself in person to that City to keep the Mutiniers from entring thereinto which if he could not doe then at least to keep them from sacking it Of one side of the City the wall met not by a good space with the Ditch of the Citadel and that open place was only shut up with certain Palisadoes Towards this part did the Mutiniers march in such diligence and presented themselves before it with such resolution as neither the Inhabitants of the Town nor yet the Garrison which were some German Companies durst withstand them They might have been best resisted by the Spanish Garrison which was in the Citadel but these not being very well pleased neither did rather incline to joyn with them nor had the Governour thereof Sancio d'Avila little to doe in keeping them from so doing At their entrance into the Piazza the Mutiniers put themselves in order and made the Citizens sorely afraid that they would have plundred the City Here the Commendador came before them on horse-back and with fair words endeavoured to reduce them to their obedience assuring them that they should very shortly receive full satisfaction with advantage But neither were his intreaties of validity nor did his Authority prevail yet they assured him that set their present maintenance aside the City should not suffer any prejudice provided always that they did receive speedy satisfaction They then took up their quarters in houses in the Town having first made the German garrison which was in Antwerp under Frederick Perenotto Lord of Champigni and brother to Cardinal Cranville withdraw out of the City But were it either for some particular distaste which they had taken against him or that they could not well moderate their own heat they could not forbear plundring his house together with some other houses where either their jollity or hatred did most transport them After this all possible diligence was taken to give them satisfaction Neither did
atleast to disorder their passage Yet the Kings mens courage increasing as did their danger they marched on in good order and made resistance at the same time turning their Pikes upon the assailants and shewing most courage where most dauger lay Indeed the Night made very much for them for the Enemy could go but blindly to work and with great disorder in the dark which made them guide all their actions more by chance then by advice The Kings men then having still kept their order and made manfull resistance where it was needfull past over the Channel in such a space of time as they were not to receive any other disturbance neither from the increasing of the Tide nor from the Enemies Barks Having escaped this danger they thought to have met with a much greater in getting to land For the Enemies who were all of them almost Mercenaries and of the aforesaid Nations stood upon the shore ready to oppose them But scarcely staying the first assault made by the Royalists they basely ran away and shamefully forsaking the shore retreated to some parts more inward in the Island where some of them had fortified themselves Yet this action of the Royalists was accompanied with some misfortune for the Pioners being overtaken with the Tide not being able to go further on nor yet to go back time enough were almost all of them drowned And for the same reason Captain Peralta with his Spanish Company could not enjoy the commodity of the passage but was forced to return to the Navy Of the rest who made the passage Captain Isador Pacecco was slain together with some Souldiers of lesser account and some other that were wounded perisht in the water For what remains the Enterprise all the circumstances considered was certainly one of the most memorable that ever the war of Flanders produced and such a one as deserved indeed rather to have been beheld by day-light then to have the lustre thereof lost by the obscurity of the night John Rivas a Spaniard who in the time of our being in Flanders was Governour of the Castle and Citadel of Cambray was in this action of Ziricsce as also in that other of Tergoes as we touched upon in that place He hath not only often related both these passages to me but comparing them together he concluded that in his opinion that of Tergoes was in one consideration more to be preferr'd as being a novelty never before tryed and this last in another respect as having met with much greater difficulties When the Kings men were past over they forthwith gave the appointed signe to their ships which without any considerable opposition put also to shore and the men being landed went presently to joyn with the rest and without any difficulty drive the Enemy out of the whole Island of Dwellant The Channel which divides this from the other Island of Scown was yet to be waded over where their chief intention of getting footing was that they might come by Zurrichsee That Channel is almost a league over and therefore required new resolutions and courage for the passing through it especially for that the Enemy stood on the contrary bank in a posture of opposition Mandragone would needs make one here as also Sancio d' Avila who was with him Whereupon the Royalists being encouraged by the example of two such Commanders with their wonted daring overcame all the difficulties of the passage and the Enemy in their endeavouring to withstand them shewed likewise their accustomed cowardliness Running basely away they retired to Zurickzee and there joyned with the Townsmen to sustain the Siege which they expected The town of Zurickzee stands not far from the aforesaid Channel which divides the Island of Scown from the other of Dwellant On that side a lesser Channel cut by hand enters into the greater and so the Town enjoyes the Sea as it were within its own bosom The ground about it is very low and by the cutting of some banks it may easily be overflown on all sides the walls thereof are but weak and the Ditch very ordinary The Inhabitants hoped much in the relief which Orange had promised them as also in that which they expected from the season of the year which drawing towards winter made them believe that the Royalists would not be wel able to bear with the bitterness thereof The enemy had fortified themselves in three other places upon the shore-side and on the North in the Villages of Brouversaven and Bommene in each of which there was a commodious Haven and on the South upon a certain point of land which lies between the Village of Borendam and the Town of Zuricsee The Kings men would first make themselves masters of these Forts They found no resistance in that of Brouversaven from whence they went to the other upon the aforesaid point of land and falling to the Assault more out of eagerness then good advice they lost 60. Spaniards amongst which Captain Peralta was slain and some other Dutch and Walloons Irritated therefore by Anger and no less by shame they prepared to make a more orderly assault But the Defendants not staying for it forsook the Fort and setting it on fire went to Zirickzee Bommene yet remained which was the best munited and according to appearance ought to have been the best guarded Captain Lye a French-man a stout souldier commanded within He had with him the Flower of all the Foreigners who all of them shewed equal resolution with him to defend themselves and to recover the honour lost in the last actions The Fort was inexpugnable at high Sea because the Sea-water came then into the Ditch and likewise into a Channel which cut through a good part of the Fort on the other side so as at that time the Enemies ships might both greatly assist those within and molest as much those without When the Kings men came near it they advanced with their Trenches and set up a great Battery near unto it from whence they plaid for two whole dayes against the Fort Then at the next Ebb they made a fierce assault which the besieged did as couragiously withstand and made the oppugners retreat at last with much loss for above 150 of them were slain and twice as many hurt The Kings men angry to be beaten back with so great a loss resolved to fall upon the Fort the next day on sundry parts at once but the like resolution was found in the assailed as was in the assailants both of them resolving either to die or to overcome The Kings men at the Ebb set upon the Fort in divers parts and those within running to all places and shewing much undauntedness were not wanting in defending themselves manfully on all side Equal fear and hope did both encourage and discourage both of them but with contrary effects the Royalists feared the coming of the new tide and hoped to force the Fort first the Defendants on the contrary hoped to defend themselves till
the tide should come and feared to be first forced by the Royalists Wherefore the conflict proved exceeding bloody great numbers falling on both sides and worth and fortune varying the success a long time They fought thus for six hours together when the Kings men perceived that the Tide began to come which brought them to their last endeavours which was such as those within not being able longer to hold out were forced to give back whilst they still defended themselvs valiantly til they were in so doing all cut in pieces there were slain about 200 of the Kings men and the number of the wounded was much greater The chief of each Nation wan much renown in this conflict and amongst other Italians the two Brothers of Monte Nephews to the Marquis of Vitelli Raphael Barberino and Curtio Martinengo each of which playing the part of a Common-Souldier exposed themselves to each common danger After the reducing of the Forts the whole body of the Kings forces betook themselves to doe the like to the Town of Zuricsee the greatest difficulty lay in bereaving them of the succour which might be brought by the abovesaid greater Channel and by the lesser which comes as we have said into the Town Signor di Dorp was the Governour thereof a vigilant and stout man For the better securing of the concourse of the lesser Channel with the greater he had fortified the banks thereof on both sides to where it joyned with the other he likewise from the very first caused all the fields round about to be overflown So as the Kings men had no hopes of taking the Town by the wonted way of Trenches Batteries and Assaults Succour was easily conveyed thereinto nor was the Kings Fleet though disposed of in the most convenient places and assisted by the Boats made like Gallies able to hinder them Wherefore the Siege drew on in length and the cold weather was already come yet was it so favourable this year as it did never hinder the passage of the Boats upon those Channels The chief care of the Siege lay upon Mandragone who was not wanting in using all means possible to shut up all passages whereby relief might be brought to the town He planted a great Palisado at the mouth of the lesser Channel and placed some big Barks there to hinder the entrance But to work in that place cost both time and blood for Musket shot hail'd down continually from the fortified banks and much harm was done likewise by the Artillery Two little Islands of very small circuit lay on that side at the entry of the greater Channel the one near the other Towards that which lay most inward and where the Channel grew narrower Mandragone caused also another Palisado to be planted on both sides and sought to block up the passage on that side also by great chains of iron He likewise raised a Fort upon the Bank neer Doveland the more to hinder that succour And lastly he resolved to inclose the two fortified Banks of the Channel which leads to the Town planting a Fort upon both sides of the chief Bank the better to impede all entrance on that side Raphael Barberino was author of this last advice which proved to very good purpose The Marquis Vitelli held particular correspondencie with him who not being able to be himself in person at that enterprise he reposed very much upon Raphael in all the most weighty affairs both by sea and land The enemy were brought thus every day into greater streight yet their vigilancie still increasing they provided for succour one way or other so as the Kings forces were not able to disturb them Count Hollac brought in a very considerable succour in the beginning of February But Mandragone did so secure the Traverse which lay at the month of the Channel which leads to the City and did so well shut up that passage on all sides as the Enemy could come to the Town no more by that way They had cut many gaps in the chief Bank as hath been said to overflow the ground about the town the largest part whereof was towards the village Dreischer lying in the midst of the Channel The Enemy endeavoured to enter into the little Island by this gap and so into the Town from whence divers little Boats were to be sent out the better to receive such provisions as should be brought which could not be brought in by greater Barks at a low Ebb. Count Hollac endeavoured to relieve the Town by this way but the Kings men who for want of high situations elswhere had placed themselves chiefly upon the said greatest bank and did very well guard it in all parts did so behave themselves as the enemy failed in their design This bad success moved Orange the more to try a greater by the same way again for it was thought impossible to bring relief by any other way To this purpose the Rebels assembled together as great a strength of Boats men and victuals as possibly they could Orange would be present himself at this succour and Lewis Boisot Admiral of Holland bad the chief care thereof But the preparation was not answerable to the need not did the success answer the hopes Orange by the advantage of the high tide came about the end of March to the abovesaid Gap of Dreischer he assaulted the Kings men and at first put them into some disorder slew some of them and took some of their Canon from off the banks But their courage increasing together with their danger and the ebb being by this time come they drove the enemy away from all parts many of which were slain many drowned and amongst the rest the Admiral Boisots self for his ship running upon the sands which were very deep neither the ship nor any of the souldiers that were in it could be saved This last indeavour of the rebels proving vain they dispaired of ever relieving the Town which notwithstanding under the sufferings of a lingring siege which lasted almost eight months did still hold out till it was at last surrendred about the latter end of June which we have thought good to relate here so not to break off the thread of this success with other narrations This mean while many other important affairs hapned which we shall now set down For the better incouragement of the siege Marquis Vitelli was come in the midst of Winter into the Island of Scown great were the moystures in these low Teats especially this year the cold not being so very bitter as usual Here he who was already well strucken in years were it either by reason of the air or other disaccommodations fell dangerously sick and taking a boat that he might be carried to Antwerp to be cured his mallady so increased as he died by the way before he could get thither His loss proved very prejudicial to the King affairs for upon him at that time lay as we have often said the greatest weight of the
was the Duke of Alanson wanting in nourishing all hopes of good assistance from his side The noise of these succours were greatly amplified by Orange and his faction to make the States Generall still the more resolute in not listning to any accommodation with Don John The Bishop of Liege now become Cardinal had by Commission from the Emperour endeavoured to begin a new Treaty of Agreement and though the difficulties grew daily greater yet he would never give over the Negotiation hoping that it might one day prove more successfull On the contrary that it might be the harder to effect Orange caused the States to publish an Edict against Don John wherein in bitter tearms they declared him to be a Violator of the Peace and made all those that followed him subject to the punishment of Rebellion if within 15 dayes they did not resolve to leave him Don John this mean while leaving a sufficient garrison in Namures was gone into the Province of Lucemburg that he might be the readier to receive the Forces which were to come to him from Italy and which were raised in the other neighbouring parts And mightily encouraged by reason of the resolutions which were put on in Spain according to his desire he had designed the Town of Marks for his Rendezvouz that he might be the nearer to relieve Namures if need should be and afterward to enter with all his Forces more into the heart of the Country This design which was soon known by the Flemish Commanders made them hasten the more to besiege Namures and to keep Don John from re-entring into Brabant They therefore approached the City on divers sides and possest themselves of divers places that they might begin to begirt it But neither had they as then men enough nor did their condition correspond with the imployment Their men were almost all of them of their own Country taken up where they could find them and the most of them ill provided and their Horse consisted of the old Trained-bands of Flanders which were but seldom wont to go into the field and to be imyloyed in war They notwithstanding made some progress For Bovigni a Town upon the Mause and not far from Namures fell by Treaty into their hands and in some skirmishes which hapned between their men and those of Namures they had somewhat the better But all these were but petty businesses in respect of what they had proposed unto themselves as their chief design The year 1578. now followed In the beginning whereof all the men being arrived which Don John expected from Italy and those being added unto them which he had raised in the neighbouring Countries he would no longer defer drawing near the Enemy At first he temporised till he was better provided of Forces but now that he was so well furnished he thought it made much for his advantage to fall upon the Enemy as soon as he could and fight them before they should have received the foreign Forces which they expected The Flemish Commanders changed likewise their designs For whereas before they thought to have besieged Namures they now decermined to retreat to Brabant and to put themselves into some safe quarter till strengthened by foreign forces they might face Don John They had about 10000 Foot the most of them Walloons the rest Flemish unless it were one English Regiment wherein were some Scots and French They had not above 1500 Horse composed of the Train'd-Bands of Flanders of 300 Rutters and as many Dragoons In the Kings Army there was about 15000 Foot and 2000 Horse the most of which were Spaniards and Italians all of them choise men and all of them long practised in military affairs in Flanders At the Kings first resolution of taking up Arms Alexander Fernese Prince of Parma appeared in Flanders being desired so to doe by the King himself and Den John having very much desired it Don John had had sufficient experience of this Prince his valour in the memorable League against the Turks and particularly in the Battel at Lepanto wherefore he assured himself he would prove as valiant now in Flanders Nor was he deceived in his expectation Fernese was no sooner come then laying aside all prerogative of blood wherein he was so nearly allied to the King and to Don John he applied himself wholly to those military actions which were to make him appear as much superior to others in 〈◊〉 as he was in quality None could be more carefull then he in providing for all things from time to time in receiving of the Kings men as they came into the Province of Lucemburg in quartering of them in bringing them to the rendezvous and in all other imployments of the Army He applied himself to those of every Nation he spoke almost all their languages He was the first in undertaking any labour the last in giving it over He was no wayes curious in his diet nor sleep in his apparel more a Souldier then a Prince and always more intent upon the Kings service then his own The vigor of his body was no whit inferior to that of his mind and his martial aspect did promise Victory before it was won When the Army was come to the Rendezvous Don John desirous to make the justice of the Kings cause appear and thereby the more inflame the Souldiers to defend it he with a chearful countenance spake thus unto them Hardly had Don John done speaking when the whole Army filled the air with shouts of joy and gave all such signes as might shew both will to fight and hopes to overcome The Kings Camp marched from their Rendezvous towards Namures and Don John advancing himself was the first that came to that City eg'd on by his desire of knowing the enemies proceedings To this purpose he sent Mut. Pagano an old souldier towards them with his Company of Dragoons who brought him certain tidings that the enemy did already quit their quarters and did depart from about Namures That never the less they seemed as if they would make an orderly retreat and that their intention was to fortifie themselves at Geblurs a Town upon the Confines of Brabant towards Brussels towards which place they had already sent their baggage When Armies are near at hand retreats prove usually dangerous and Fortune makes the Commanders vie most for valour and industry then whilst the one seeks to retire with honour and safety and the others to beat up their quarters with ignominy and loss But the latter have still great advantage upon the former Don John would not therefore let slip the occasion Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield was Camp-master-general of the Army and Octavius Gonzaga General of the Horse He ordered Mansfield to hasten his march towards Namures and Gonzaga to come up speedily with the flowre of his horse that he might advance at least some of them against the enemy and entertain them in the reer whilst the rest of the Army might come time enough to
give battel and fure therein according to their hopes Gonzaga readily obeyed he advanced towards the Enemy with nine Companies of Lanciers and four of Dragoons At the same time came 1500 Foot most of them Spaniards which Mansfield had with all diligence dispatcht away The Flemish were gathered together in S. Martins a Village between Namures and Geblurs where they ordered their retreat with all diligence that they might not allow the Kings men time to joyn and to come upon them with the more advantage They rose with their whole Camp from that Village the last of January and ordered their march thus They divided their Foot into three bodies and left the Horse in the rear the better to secure them behind and to beat back the Kings horse in case they should fail upon them in their rear as they retreated as they reared they would When Don John understood that they were on their march he furnished some advantagious places with Foot which lay betwixt him and the Enemy to secure the retreat likewise of his Horse if need should require He then set forward and they were not gone far when they overtook the Enemy whose Foot could not hasten so fast as did the Kings Horse All their Leaders were men of valour and experience The Lanciers were commanded by Bernardino de Mendoza Curtio Martiningo the two brothers John Baptista and Camillo del Monte Nicolo Basti Alfonso di Vargas Ernando di Toledo Aurelio Palermo and Georg Macura And the Dragoons by Antonio Oliviero Commissary Generall of the Horse Antonio d' Avalos Mutio Pagano and John Alconeta The Dragoons came up first and galled the Enemy when they were not far from Geblures and when they had discharged their shot they gave way to the Lanciers who charged them more close and more home The Enemies Horse faced about and boldly receiving the first onset of the Harquebusiers they seemed as if they would with the like stoutness stand the second assault of the Spear-men but the effect proved otherwise The Prince of Parma would be on the head of the Kings Lanciers and one of the first that should charge the Enemy which he so couragiously did and was so well followed by the rest as the Flemish Horse after having made some appearing resistance gave manifest signs of yielding Don John came up this mean while with some few Foot for it was impossible to have many time enough to fight But the Enemy believing that all the Kings men were come up or at least the greatest part of them turned their retreat into a downright running away and sought only how to save themselves The Horse throwing away their Arms began to run and being closely pursued by the Kings Horse they fell foul upon the rear of their own Foot They charge and therewithall confusion past into the body of the Battel which was likewise soon disordered and routed the Van which had much advantaged themselves in their march received no harm at all The Enemy being routed the Kings men fell to execution but they were so few in number as they could not draw so much blood from the Enemy as they would have done The Enemy fled sundry wayes and could not be equally pursued by the Kings men insomuch as many of them saved their heads by their heels The report was notwithstanding that about 3000 of them were slain and many of them taken prisoners amongst which I l Signor di Goigny who was the Enemies most considerable Commander There were hardly any of the Kings men slain very few hurt And truly the Victory was such as it was doubted whether it were more to be ascribed to fortune or to valour Don John having got the better of the business pursued his victory He presently turned towards the Town of Geblures neer unto which the battel was fought And putting the Enemy to slight a second time a good many whereof after their defeat were got under those wals and seemed as if they would reorder themselves he easily perswaded the Townsmen to submit to the Kings obedience The Kings Camp meeting all here together the greatest part whereof as hath been said could not be at the battel Don John sent Octavio Gonzaga to take in Lovain and the Lord Hierges to recover Bovigne Gonzaga met with no oppotion and Hierges presenting his Artillery before the walls he with small resistance reduced that Town likewise But the Prince of Parma found harder work at the Town of Sichen to the taking whereof Don John had sent him a part by himself The Town was not strong by nature nor was it made so by industry there was also but a weak garrison in it And yet the Townsmen and the Souldiers being obstinate in the defence thereof the Prince was forced to batter the walâ— divers times and to make many fierce assaults in the last whereof the Kings men falling with the Townsmen into the Town they made great slaughter of them and afterwards plundred the City in hostile manner The Captain of the Garrison and some of the Souldiers saved themselves in a little Castle within the Town but were forced soon after to yield upon discretion and all of them were put to death by the Hangman for having been more fool-hardy then stout and for having chosen force before clemencie By the example of Sichen Diste Ariscot Leuvâ— Tilemone and divers other less considerable places of Brabant on 〈◊〉 thereof which lies towards Namures came without any dispute into Don John â—ands Neville one of the best Towns in all Brabant lay nearer Brussels Don John would have taken it by force but he met with such opposition as he was forced to tarry longer about it then he had thought He came therefore to batttery and from thence to assaults which cost much blood Monsieur de Villiers commanded in chief within the Town who egregiously performed his part as did also all his Souldiers The Town was not strong notwithstanding nor could it hold out long whereupon the Kings men being much incensed and threatening to deal with Neville as they had but lately done with Sichen the Townsmen upon better consideration came to Articles and resolved to yield the Town when the Garrison should be marcht out with their Arms and baggage From hence the Army entred into the Province of Henault and without much opposition took the Towns of Reus Gognie Bins and Mabuge with divers others of the like condition which were all but very weak So as these petty victories seemed to correspond but badly with that so noble a one which Don John had but a little before got at Geblures After the taking of Nivelle Don John would willingly have straitned Brussels from whence the Archduke Matthias and the Prince of Orange with evident signs of fear were gone to Antwerp to secure that City wherein lay the greatest consequence of all the affairs of Flanders But the besieging of Brussels would not have been a business of such dispatch For it was
sight of their own works and under the shelter of their own Canon might easily repress the violence of the Spanish souldiers whereas the others not having any of those helps must trust only to their courage and to their swords Don John knew this very well and advancing with all his squadrons in order to give battel he staid a while to try again whether the enemy would accept of it But failing in his designe he caused a retreat to be sounded and withdrew his foot in good order from the fight This action was on the first day of August it lasted many hours with equal valour and slaughter though the Flemish pretended to be victors and that the Kings men not being able to compass their ends were worsted Don John departed then from thereabouts and resolved to put himself wholly upon the defensive part in some strong situation which might joyn his quarters with the City of Namures hoping that the tempest of so many contrary Forces would soon vanish and that then he might have his share of the advantage He considered that though the ends of England Frrnce and Germany were the same in general either to make the King of Spain lose the Low-Countries or at least to keep them troubled with war yet their several particular ends did very much differ The Queen of England aimed at some particular conquest of her own especially in those Maritine parts of Holland and Zealand and she could not any ways tollerate those advantages which were to redound to France out of the ruining of Flanders The French on the contrary were very jealous of those aids which were lent unto the Flemish by the English The Germans ends were rather plunder then purchase who when they should have overrun the Country wanting mony to maintain themselves they would soon be inforced to return to their own homes Amongst the Flemish themselves Orange had likewise his particular ends The Archduke Mathias had his ends also and the whole body of the Provinces was greatly divided in its parts as well in point of Religion as in their obedience to the King For those parts which were infected with heresie seemed well inclined totally to throw off the Spanish Government and those which remained Catholicks desired to be rid of the Spaniards and other foreigners but yet still to remain in their obedience to the Crown of Spain So as amongst such diversity of ends Passions and Opinions Don John verily believed that this machination prepared and plotted against him would soon dissolve and that he might afterwards meet with many happy occasions whereby to maintain the cause of the Church and King with honour and advantage And really at that time the two Provinces of Hennault and Artois began to fall out with the Province of Flanders and particularly with the City of Gaunt which is the chief Town thereof The two abovesaid Provinces had always kept firm to the Catholick Faith together with the rest of the Walloons Country which contains all that large Frontier which lies along the whole body of Flanders towards France In the Peâ—ce of Gaunt which was so solemnly concluded by the States General and which was afterwards confirmed by Don John in his agreement with them the Walloon Provinces had laboured more then all the rest for all advantages to the Catholick Religion nor were the people thereof ever inclined to forgoe their obedience to the King so long as they might enjoy their ancient Priviledges and he according to the form of their former Government On the contrary the two Provinces of Holland and Zealand had still fomented the new Sects and the more the Country was troubled the more did they labour to make the evil thereof be felt every where These were Orange his inward drifts and his efficacious Councels And to his industry in knowing how to give them the favour of the times had added great Authority in him to make them be received Briefly his end was to increase the heretical faction and still to alienate the Flemish further from the Spaniards out of those reasons that we have often mentioned Wherefore minding the conjuncture of times he thought it now a very fitting season to bring together the two Armies which came from Germany and France the one of which was composed almost altogether of Lutherans and the other in a great part of Calvenists The Sectaries were not then idle in Flanders Some of them joyned together and presented the States with a Petition in the names of them all wherein under the most specious pretences that they could find out they desired that liberty of conscience might be permitted throughout the Country There wanted not those who opposed this request but the contrary side prevailed Nor had Orange forborn tacitly to infuse a great fear suggesting that upon the coming up of so many Forces who profest the Reformed Religion it was not good to deny that to the pressures of intreaties which might easily be afterwards gotten by force of arms And because the peace of Gaunt made against this the sense thereof was so wrested as that the peace was judged rather favourable then contrary to this sort of concession Yet the Provinces of Hennault and Artois and the rest of the Walloon Countries were firm for the sole exercise of the Catholick Religion But the Provinces of Brabant and Flanders did for the most part give way to the liberty of conscience This mean while the Palatine John Casimire was come as hath beeen said and Alanson drew still nearer on the other side Whereupon the Sectaries boldness increasing not contented with many Churches which were assigned to them but resolute to have the best and the greater number they brought affairs to that pass as on a sudden there was hardly any Churches left for the Catholicks And because one presumption usually cals on another after they had usurped the Churches they came soon after to the driving out of Votaries and their fury and madness grew to be such as there was hardly any safety to be found for any Catholicks Those who had any zeal of true religion in them were therefore highly scandalized hereat and the Walloon Provinces fell particularly into such commotion by reason of these novelties as they began to separate themselves from the rest first in their Councels and then in their executions The Flemish souldiery was maintained by the Countries contribution mony And by the same moneys provision was to be had in a great part for the pay and other necessaries of the foreigners The Provinces of Hennault and Artois becoming therefore refractory to this contribution the States began to be in great straits for money and to foresee the disorders which would quickly insue hereupon They used all means industry and authority to overcome the aforesaid difficulties but they increased rather every day for the occasions thereof did so likewise The Catholicks in those parts stormed mightily complaining That under false pretences of liberty Flanders was now faln
rest ready to doe the like unless he would reconduct them to Germany Alanson's French forces were likewise much lessend and the Commanders authority on either side did but little avail to retain the Souldiers in their due obedience when once they failed of their Pay Insomuch as both of them were inforced to return almost at the same time Alanson to France and Casimir to Germany leaving it questionable whether of them had with greater hopes undertaken the expedition or ended it with less good The Foreign Aids being thus vanisht the Flemish Forces were likewise suddenly dispersed into sundry parts Fernese dallied then no longer but thinking that it was now time to pass from the defensive to the offensive part resolved immediately to take the Field and to endeavour such success to the Kings Forces as might most strengthen his Cause The Enemy had no more Forces to withstand the Royalists in the Field wherefore Fernese was forced to betake himself to some of their chief Towns by the gaining whereof greater advantages might derive unto the King Consideration being had hereupon in the Councel of War they pitched upon one of two important Sieges either that of Antwerp or that of Mastrick But there was great opposition in the Councel concerning which of these they should resolve upon To perswade to the first it was said That the Acquisition of Antwerp was much to be preferr'd before that of Mastrick That Antwerp lay in the heart of the best Provinces of Flanders and for its so many Prerogatives was esteemed the nown paramount of all the Country that by it the Scheld was commanded in particular so noble a River and so seated as having its Ebbs and Floods it may seem to partake more of the Sea then of a River That from thence a man may soon be in the heart of Holland and Zealand in which two Provinces Rebellion was first radicated and they were the first which ought to be reduced to their obedience That Antwerp and the Scheld had abundantly furnisht Forces which had so often been imployed by water against those Provinces That Zealand was the chief Sea-Port of Flanders which was by all means to be opened for the receiving of such Aids as were to come by Sea from Spain And that though the siege of Antwerp was likely to cost more time more mony and more blood yet all these were to be esteemed but light losses in respect of making so important and so desireable an acquisition But it was said on the contrary That first of all they were to secure the Pass of Germany That from thence the Flemish Army had alwayes received their greatest aids And by what pass but by that which by her Bridge over the Mause the City of Mastrick doth so advantagiously open and shut How oft had that place been made a Rendezvouz not only to receive Aid from Friends but to repulse the Enemy That in the siege of Antwerp it would prove a very hard business to master the Scheld by any whatsoever Bridge by reason of her breadth and depth and by the force which the ebbing and flowing of the Sea would adde thereunto And yet that was the first thing that was to be done to cut off the relief which would be hourly brought to the besieged by that way That on the contrary in the higher parts towards Mastrick the Mause was neither very large nor very deep nor held she any commerce with the Sea so as that River might be shut up above and beneath whereby all succour by water might be cut off from the City and doubtless the Camp would hinder all relief by land That when this Siege should be ended there would be much greater hopes of happily effecting the other And that finally the present conjuncture of affairs did require that the easiest enterprise should be first undertaken and the Army so imployed within as first to secure the Aids which might be received from abroad This opinion at last prevailed and was willingly imbraced by the Prince of Parma He saw that really the Army was not sufficiently furnisht with Arms and provisions to besiege Antwerp wherefore he bent himself wholly against Mastrick resolving to doe his utmost to make himself Master thereof This mean while the year 1579. was begun When the sharpest part of winter being over the Prince began to assemble his Army and about the end of March marched to effect his premeditated design The Kings Army consisted of about 15000 Foot and 4000 Horse all of them men trained up in war and much more considerable for their quality then for their number When the Flemish Rebels had discovered the Prince his resolution they failed not to provide with all diligence for that City being as resolute to use all means for the defence thereof as the others were for the taking it Monsieur de la Nue was then in Flanders with the title of Lieutenant under Orange He was one of the chief Heads of the Hugonot Faction in France But that Kingdom being at this time in some sort of quiet he was come into the Army of the Confederate Flemish and had with great esteem the aforesaid place conferr'd upon him and moreover was made Governour of Mastrick Wherefore he very much laboured the preservation of that place which he thought would chiefly consist in procuring succour from without He therefore thought it not best to keep within the Town believing he might be more serviceable abroad But he did so order it as such Commanders were placed there as questionless would make stout and manful resistance These were Suarzemburg di Herle a Dutch-man and Sebastian Tapine a French-man both of them advised and resolute Souldiers and who were to expect their fortunes only from the hazards of war They had with them about 500 Foot part Flemish part French part English and to them were added a great number of Country-people who were to be imployed in such manual works as should at any time be requisite for defence of the Town to which the Townsmen seemed very well disposed The Kings Army was this mean while drawn near Mastrick and when the Prince of Parma had distributed the Quarters they begon to fortifie them in such order and with such advantages as are used in the best regulated and straitest sieges We have formerly in this our History described the Situation of this City but rather in general then in particular wherefore that you may the better understand what is now treated on it is requisite that we give you here more particular and more distinct knowledg thereof The City of Mastrick lies on both â—â—des of the Mause but not in an equal proportion it is larger on the left side of the River and not so large on the right side The one by reason of the largeness of its circuit retains the name of the City and the other being of lesser compass is called Vich The former looks towards Brabant the other towards the State of
assaulted the enemy furiously and strove to get upon the breach and to make themselves fully Masters of the wall But on the contrary the enemy did so stoutly oppose as it was not for a good while to be discerned to which side the fortune of the day did incline On the one side Herle and on the other side Tapine shewed all manner of gallantry in their behaviour and were no less ready to act then to order They with their fervent speeches encouraged the defendants and shewing themselves forwardest to encounter danger made the rest the more despise it On the other side the Royalists inraged to see the enemy so obstinate in their resistance did their utmost to overcome them There could not be a fiercer nor a more bloudy conflict They did not fight a loof off with Musket or Cannon shot but in close fight opposing pike to pike sword to sword and souldier to souldier the better or the worse consisted and lay only in their arms and brests Bloud run down on all sides where ere they fought all places were full either of wounded or dead bodies and of weapons either lost or thrown away and to these were added great stones and instruments of artificial fire which those within had powred down upon the assailants And that the action might prove the more horrible it so fell out that at the same time fire tooke in the powder which both sides had brought that they might have it nearer at had which was the unfortunate loss of a great many the air refounding with miserable outcries and the ground being covered with torn bodies evidencing how many several ways fortune doth oftentimes vary the bitterness of war and the tragical scenes on which the fatal success of Arms are acted The conflict lasted many hours and great was the mortality on all sides But the Kings men were at last forced to retire not having ever been able to advance so far as might suffice to make themselves Masters of the breachâ— or at least to lodg themselves as was their designe upon the walls if they could not wholly drive the enemy from their new rampires raised more inwardly These two assaults together with some other skirmishes that had preceded bereft the Army of many Commanders and of a great number of other valiant Officers and souldiers Of those of the better quality amongst the Spaniards there were lost John Manrique Blasco di Acugna Peter Gusman and Peter Pacecco and of the Italians Fabio Fernese Markantonio Simonetti Guido St Georgio the Marquiss Conrado Mallespina and John Grimaldi Many Germans and Walloons of good account perished likewise But the Spaniards suffered most as those who both for numbers and place had upon all occasions had the chiefest imployments Particularly in one of the aforesaid actions the Lord Hierges was slain which was a great lose to the King for of all the Flemish there was not a better souldier nor a more Loyal Subject The Kings Camp by reason of so many and so bloudy conflicts was much weakened in so much as it became the Prince of Parma to get new recruits of men He therefore took as many as he could from all places where the King had any Garisons he increased the number of Pyoners and not willing to adventure the flowre of his Army any more in assaults he resolved hereafter to make more use of works then men and to proceed more slowly to the end it might prove more sure But this mean while the incommodities and wants of those within the Town grew proportionably greater For not having received any relief from without they were now reduced to great scarcity of all things The most of their foreign souldiers were lost and a good many of the Townsmen and of those Country people which served for Pyoniers they wanted Ammunition and Victuals and to this was added sickness occasioned by their incessant labour and watching The Flemish Rebels had it often in their thoughts to gather together a good body of men which might be sufficient to force the Kings Fortifications and to bring in some considerable succour into the City The designe was that Monsieur de la Nue should have been their Conductor and that he should afterwards tarry himself in Mastrike the better to maintain the siege But the discords being still greater amongst the Rebels then their union they could never raise men enough for such a business Yet still they fed the besieged with new hopes and with great cunning made the effects appear near at hand wherein Orange and La Nue did chiefly labour Wherefore the besieged seemed more refolute then ever to hold out The Prince on the contrary still doubling his diligence left nothing untry'd to bring his enterprise to a happy end One of the chiefest disturbances which the Royalists received in their works towards the Gate Tongres proceeded chiefly from that Ravelin which hath formerly been spoken of And though they had endeavoured to beat it down with their Canon and by all other ways to bereave the enemy of that defence yet could they never fully effect it The Prince resolved notwithstanding howsoever to gain it He therefore redoubled the mines and all the other works in that place which were requisite to effect it but on the contrary the besieged were no less fervent in their works against the besiegers So as the others could advance but very slowly for they must win what they would have by inchmeal and lose bloud as wel as time Here therefore was the hottest doings and hither was the greatest bulk of the oppugnation brought But the besieged were at last inforced to yeild though the Royalists spent above a month in taking this Ravelin The Prince raised the platform yet much higher which was turned upon the enemy on that side and began to beat down the City to boot with the batteries which were every day made against the walls in so much as the besieged could neither find rest nor safety any where wherefore their hopes of holding out any longer were very small Yet they seemed willing rather to lose their lives then their resolution of defence though they were offered very honorable conditions when fortune favoured the Royalists with an unexpected way how to end the siege sooner then they could have imagined It was now about the end of June and the great heats made the defendants labours and sufferings the more insupportable so as they could not make good their Guards as was needfull The which being discovered by some Spaniards they would not let slip the occasion but stealing privately into one of those ill-guarded places they found the Defendants to be very few and those few by reason of their continual labour and watching fast asleep Whereupon the Spaniards being encouraged drew their swords and fell to slaughter The noise occasioned hereby made many flock speedily thither both from within and from without And the Royalists having already forced the walls in some other parts the
in his own Kingdom of France where he should more suspect their ways then ever Alanson his new principallity being proclaimed throughout the Provinces of the Flemish Union when their Deputies were returned the King thought it was no longer time to defer the utmost rescentment of his indignation against Orange who was the framer and chief contriver of this action And therefore by his Royal Proclamation in print he declared him to be the Author of the troubles in Flanders the Seducer of those people against the Church and against their Prince and therefore guilty of High Treason both Divine and Humane and to be a publick Rebel in both those respects and that as such a one he deprived him of all Dignities Goods and Honours condemned him to the most capital punishments and set 25000 crowns upon his head to be given to whosoever should bring him to him either alive or dead together with other greater rewards Orange answered this Writing with another very long one in print also and endeavoured therein to justifie whatsoever he had done And for the better confirmation thereof made it to be under-written and confirmed by the States of the Provinces exagerating again therein rather in an invective then bemoaning manner the same things which had been so often before both said written and printed by him and his followers against the King against his Ministers of State and against the Spanish Nation THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK II. The Contents The War proceeds on several sides with diversity of success Fernese besiegeth Cambray at a distance but Alanson by mighty Forces succours and secures it Whereupon Fernese prevails with the Walloons to give way to the returning of Foreign Forces The mean while he besiegeth Torney and takes it The Archduke Mathias departs and goes to the Emperours Court The Duke of Alanson the new Prince comes from the Court of England into Flanders His reception in Antwerp Orange is treacherously wounded by a musket shot in the face but the wound proves not mortal The danger which Alansons French men run thereupon Fernese is better encouraged by the daily increase of his Army He begirts and takes Odenarde and gets many other advantages The Rebels storm thereat and complain of their new Prince A Noble combate between the Royalists and the Enemy under the Walls of Gaunt Alansons expected men come at last The opinion of the French Commanders to make the Duke lay the ground-work of his new Principallity upon arms Their Councel chiefly to surprise Antwerp They com to the execution thereof but the success is not answerable The Confederate Provinces are hereat greatly offended And though Orange re-unites them and Alanson yet great diffidence is had on both sides Alanson resolves therefore to return to France And soon after his men do the like By this means Fernese's advantages increase Orange endeavours again to reconcile the Flemish and the French But in the mean while Alanson dies and soon after Orange THese were the novelties which Flanders was threatned withall from France But in the mean while those were no less felt under which the Country already laboured and though the Kings Forces were very weak as were also those of the enemy yet such endeavours were had on both sides as still some atchievement or loss of importance was had and made by each of them The Rebels took Conde a Town of some moment in the Province of Henault towards Flanders But the Royalists suddenly recovered it and each time that it was taken it was miserably pundered The Walloons this mean while continued their inrodes into the Countries of Tornay and Cambray And the Prince of Parma resolved to besiege Cambray at large at the preient till â—e should have sufficient Forces to beleaguer it nearer hand That place 〈…〉 particular cause of jealousie out of the aforesaid reasons and howsoever 〈…〉 would have been willing to have bereft the French of so commodious and advantagious a place of receipt At this time there happened a very considerable surprise in favour of the King on this side the Rhine in Brabant By intelligence with some Catholicks il Signor d' Altapenna was privately brought into the Castle of Breda and entring from thence into the Town he made himself wholly master of it and the Prince of Parma placed a good garrison there Orange was hereat mightily displeased for that Town was his own wherefore he esteemed the loss to be wholly his Altapenna by the like intelligence endeavoured afterwards to get by stealth into San Getremburg and into Heusden but he failed of both As the States did likewise in the surprising of Balduke which was endeavoured by John Junius Burgomaster of Antwerp who afterwards in his return took Eindoven and Elmont by sudden assault both of small consequence Whilst they proceeded thus on both sides of the Rhine the Prince of Parma had at large besieged the City of Cambray He would very willingly for the aforesaid reasons have sate down before it with a Royal siege to force it to return to its former obedience to the King and the whole Country of the Walloons joyn'd with him in this desire but he had not sufficient Forces Wherefore the Prince after having infested that City with continual incursions and endeavoured still to bring it to a greater scarcity of victuals finally with some Forts from a certain place where he might most molest it he was come so near it as there was already great scarcity of all necessaries in the Town In former times that City depended wholly upon the German Empire but of later times having always shewed great affection towards the Princes of Flanders it at last permitted the Emperor Charles the fifth to build a Citadel there that he might keep it so the better from ever falling into the French mens hands It had still kept in the same devotion to the King his Son But in these last revolts Signor d' Insy the Governour thereof being desirous to adhere unto the Flemish Insurrection the City was likewise induced by him to doe the same The Walloon Provinces being afterwards reconciled unto the King the Flemish Rebels could not provide sufficiently for it by reason of the impediments caused by the same Walloon Country lying between those parts which favoured the Rebels and Cambray The Governour therefore seeing it in so great straits and being of the same mind with the Rebels in favouring the Duke of Alanson he addrest himself to the same Duke and earnestly desired succour of him protesting that otherwise the City would soon fall into Ferneses hands The Flemish Rebels and Orange in particular had likewise with great fervencie intreated the same of the Duke Wherefore he thought he must by no means lose such an occasion to bereave Spain of such an advantage and to turn it to the benefit of France The Dukes designe of succouring Cambray together with the hopes of winning it being known
in the King his brothers Court the Nobility ran from almost all the parts of the Kingdom to be with him upon such an occurrancy Wherefore the Duke having in a short time gathered together a gallant Army of 12000 foot and 3000 horse he marched towards Cambray to relieve it and free it from the straits wherein it was Fernese knew he could not withstand so powerfull a strength having so few Forces as he could neither incamp himself in face of the enemy nor sufficiently fortifie himself about the walls of the City Wherefore forgoing the Forts he resolved to retreat Some slight skirmishes happened upon this occasion between the two Camps and the Country being finally left wholly free to the French the Duke had leasure to relieve the City and to furnish it aboundantly with all things necessary He himself entred thereinto and being solemnly received he made a large Declaration that he was come into it as into a City of the Empire and that as such a one he would keep it and defend it He upon this occasion took likewise the Castle of Cambresis From hence he suddenly returned to France though he was earnestly desired by the Flemish Rebels who were now become his Subjects to come further into the Country and make good use of the so many Forces as he now had upon that occasion But because they were really to be esteemed rather lent Forces then any of his own being hastily and tumultuously gathered together and be not having monies to maintain the Army any longer at that time he could not satisfie them in their desires but made such excuses as were necessary He assured them notwithstanding that he would be suddenly with them with good Forces And that to that purpose he would not only use all possible dilligence and industry with the King his brother but go himself if need should be into England and use all other efficacious endeavours with his neighbours These Forces of Alansons being vanished sooner then it was believed they would be the Walloons took courage again and hoped for good success Yet was the Prince of Parma very much troubled within himself as well by reason of his retreat from Cambray as also for that he verily thought he should never do any thing of consequence by the sole help of those Countries who kept loyal to the King He had upon divers occasions endeavoured to make this known to those who were of greatest power amongst the Walloons and had dexterously suggested unto them how much they themselves ought to desire not only for the Kings service but even for the good of their own Country that the foreign souldiers might again return But he could not so represent the necessity thereof but that they had their equal jealousies for all the Country desired very much to be free of Foreign Forces The Prince found not therefore such a disposition in them thereunto as he desired The Marquis of Rubays was in great esteem amongst the Walloons as you have often heard And doubtlesly he deserved to be so by reason of his bloud valour and adherency of friends The Prince had contracted a particular friendship and trust with him wherefore he resolved to use all the means he could to draw him over to his opinion of fetching back the Foreign Souldiers into Flanders He therefore took him one day by the hand and after a Flemish familiarity joyn'd with a Military Authority he spake thus unto him How weak the Forces are most valiant Sir which we have now here in the Kings Service cannot be better known to any then to your self who have so great a share in the Command thereof The Agreement made with the Walloon Provinces hath certainly been of great advantage to the Kings Affairs It is every day seen that their Forces can neither be more faithfull nor more valiant But every day likewise confirms that which was then feared that their forces alone would not be sufficient to carry on the Warre And to descend to particulars tell me I pray you What thing of consequence have we done since the taking of Mastrick wherein the Foreign Souldiers did intervene Have we ever been able to take the field with any considerable Army or by any sufficient Siege forced any place of importance rather how shamefully have we been compelled to rise from before Cambray and also with how much loss The French before our eyes have not only relieved the Town but fully taken possession thereof which was the strongest out-work your Countrey had towards their Frontiers How much is the union of the Rebeis also encouraged by our weakness Is not their rash perfidiousness come now to the greatest height what more execrable thing could they devise to do then so affrontedly and by their own sole authority to chuse unto themselves a new Prince Then since reason requires that such enormous faults should be punished and that this cannot be done by the sole forces of the obedient part of the Country why should it not be thought necessary to be done by strangers Why should not the former souldiery be suffered to return again and an Army be thereby made which may be worthy of our King worthy of the Cause which he maintains and by which this still renewing Hidra of Rebeliion may be tamed When this wicked Monster shall be corrected and Peace and Loyalty shall be every where established throughout the Country it is not to be doubted but that the King will presently of his own accord remove all foreign souldiers and leave the Custody of the Country to their own Militia And thus when the Kings forces shall be returned hither in their former vigour how great shall our advantages be together with his Then when we with a flourishing Army shall be able to be Masters of the field storm all places win all battels and compass all our desires I who am the Commander in chief and you who next to me have the chiefest Command what shall our share of glory be in all these successes what rewards are not we to expect from the Kings bounty and goodness and how triumphant shall we be in the Church by suppressing Heresie Out of all these considerations Sir I most heartily desire you that you will be pleased particularly to interpose your endeavours and your Authority where need shall require it that the foreign souldiery may return hither again with the good will of the obedient Party Your desert was certainly highly valued by the King when you reconciled your Provinces to his Royal Crown but how much will it now be increased and how glorious shall I make it appear And I already pawn my faith unto you that if this may be done the King shall acknowledge it chiefly to be your work for what remains you know the friendship that I have promised you which you may be sure shall be inviolably observed by me in fine either I shall be of no power in this Government or your part therein next mine own
was that they should play upon one of the longest and worst flankt Curtains on that side where the Ditch was dry This space lay between two gates the one called S. Martins the other Valentiennes A good Ravelin was thrust out for the defence of the former and a great Platform stood over the other Yet these two Defences were so far from another and the Curtain which ran betwixt them bowed so far outward as neither could the one defend nor yet see the other Wherefore to make good this defect there was a great Cavallier of Earth raised about the midst of the Curtain But howsoever all that side was so imperfect as the Prince of Parma judged it most advantagious for him and therefore turned the strength of his siege upon it The Kings men coming before it with their wonted Trenches they began to plant three Batteries to deprive the besieged of the three aforesaid Defences They within were not wanting this mean while on their parts They with frequent shooting annoyed those without from the aforesaid Works and opposed themselves unto them nearer hand by stout Sallies though they were sparing therein by reason of the paucity of their Souldiers The Princess of Espenoy with great gallantry did herself encourage them and with incredible vigilancie performing all the manlike actions which her husband could have done exhorted some intreated other some used sometimes threats sometimes a more moderate power she herself did sometimes execute her own orders and in fine she omitted not any thing which might make for the sustaining of the siege On the oher side Fernese having his eye every where and playing himself also the part of a private Souldier more then of a Commander did con inually sollicite all the Works even the furthest off that he might come the sooner to those that were nearer hand So as within a few dayes the Trenches were so far advanced as they might come to the Batteries upon each of which were many Pieces of great Cannon placed and they began to thunder apace upon the Enemies works The Kings men were not long in falling into the Ditch the which being dry they might the more easily come to the wall and by their Mathooks and Mines the sooner throw it down Yet those within were not at all discouraged but with incessant labour both by day and night repaired the wall where it was most needfull and prepared for every other part of greatest danger The Siege past on quietly some dayes amidst these less noisefull endeavours But the Kings men renewing their batteries more hotly then ever as also their works in the Ditch they made such breaches in the wall as they thought they might by assault make themselvs masters of it wherefore with a great deal of courage and alacrity they prepared for it The besieged were no less couragious nor no less resolute to defend themselves Great therefore was the fierce and bloody Conflict when they came to it Many of the best of both sides were slain and Fortune smiling alternately sometimes on this sometimes on that side their hopes did accordingly vary In the very heat of the fight the Princess shewed miraculous courage and throwing herself where the danger was greatest Am not I here said she my self Doe not I here in mine own person represent the Prince my husband I am here no less ready then he to despise death that I may as we all ought be serviceable to the Country Let us therefore resolve my souldiers rather to lose our lives then our station Let us undauntedly make it good as we have done hitherto The Enemy must at last yield And the winning of this Battel will secure the like success unto us in all others She accompanied these her words with no less manlike actions for thrusting herself into the crowd whilst she either fought herself or encouraged others to fight she was wounded in the Arm. The Defendants still more set on fire by such an Example continued making so stout resistance as the Royalists were at last forced to give over and retreated with the loss of many of their men Besides many Captains and other Officers the Count Bucquoi the Signor de Gloine and de Bours perisht in this assault and the Marquis of Barambone John Baptista di Monte Signor di Montigni and the Baron of Bigli were wounded From the very beginning of this Siege the Duke of Alanson who was then in England had encouraged the besieged and assured them that he would undoubtedly soon relieve them either by coming to them himself in person or by sending succour Wherefore they betook themselves the more boldly to this defence Orange had fed them with the like hopes and more then all others their own Governour Espenoye But seeing that there came no men from Alanson and that the Flemish Rebels did nothing to relieve them their former vigour lessened with their hopes Yet was not the Princess wanting in keeping their hopes alive as much as she was able And Etreel the Lieutenant did the like And some days after the assault Colonel Preston a Scotchman forcing his way through some German Companies of the Kings Camp got with some horse into the City the besieged were at first somewhat inheartned by this success hoping that after this small relief some greater would shortly appear But when they understood by Preston that there was no tidings heard any where of the coming of any French into Flanders and that there was no appearance of any succour from the Flemish the besieged lost all hopes of being further able to continue their defence The City was of a large circuit the men in pay but few in number nor were the Inhabitants so many as were any ways able to supply all necessary occurrences besides many of both sorts were perished in the actions and they began already within the Town to have scarcity of many things On the contrary the Kings Camp was increased by Germans And Fernese encouraged by his expectation of having more men speedily from Burgony as also from Spain and Italy renewed all such works as were necessary for the taking of the City and speedy reducing it to the Kings obedience There were notwithstanding some amongst the besieged who blinded with rage and desirous to confound the privat with the publick evils would have had them stand it out till the last gasp but at last the more advised Councels prevailed For the City having no hopes of succour they foresaw it would be taken by force and like Mastrick plundered and put to fire and sword They therefore thought of a Parley wherein they might have the best conditions they could get The Princess was akin to the chiefest of the Kings Camp particularly to the Marquis of Rubays Wherefore she by their means agreed to surrender up the City upon such conditions as more honourable could not well be had The Town was surrendred the last day save one of November and the conditions were these That the City
that the Bischeyard to gain the fine that was set by the Kings Proclamation upon Orange his head and out of hopes of greater rewards had rashly resolved to undertake the business One Jaspar Annastro a Spanish Merchant had a share therein but he was broken and therefore gone from Antwerp And one Antony Venero and a Votary of St Dominicks called Antony Timmermanno were put to death and cruelly torn in pieces as complices in the misdeed This accident caused a great commotion in the Confedrate Provinces And the Prince of Parma hoping that thereby some advantage might result to the Kings affairs was not falling on his behalf to doe what was fittest upon that occasion But Orange being quickly out of danger and afterwards perfectly cured all fear ceased amongst the Rebels and they continued more firm then ever in their former resolutions Whilst these things past thus in Antwerp the Forces of both sides were not idle though they did but little Verdugo had made some further proceedings on the other side of the Rhine and had taken some Towns in Friesland and in the parts thereabouts And on the contrary the States had better secured the Towns of greater importance and strove to preserve those advantages which they had got on that side And they got one advantage of great moment at that time by the taking of Sehink prisoner as he returned from Germany being sent thither by Fernese to raise more Horse On this side the Rhine they had at unawares assaulted the Town of Alst with some of their men and taken it And the Walloons had done the like to Gaesbeck a Town not far distant from the other But this mean while Fernese growing stronger in men and yet more strong in hopes after the success of Tornay and after the accident which had befallen Orange resolved to besiege Odenhard one of the best esteem'd Towns in the Province of Flanders both for its situation traffick and people Odenhard lies upon the Scheld almost in the mid-way between Tornay and Gaunt It is begirt with a good Wall and the Wall with a large Ditch within the Walls it is furnisht with good Platforms but it hath never a Royal Bulwark without and therefore is but imperfectly fortified every where It hath on one side an eminent Rise which commands the whole Town Fernese incamped himself before it but first he seemed as if he would besiege Menin so to draw the greater number of the Enemy thither and that Odenhard might be thereby the more weakned And the effect did correspond with the design For there were not left above 500 Souldiers in Odenhard but under a very gallant Commander called Frederick Borch as he together with the Garrison made it appear to the very end of the Siege The Kings Army having taken up their Quarters Fernese quickly possest the Rise and from thence began to play upon the Town with his Canon he then came to the working of Trenches and preparing of Batteries The Prince was desirous to spare as much as might be the blood which is usually shed in Assaults wherefore his intention was to make a less bloody but more secure Siege Yet a great breach being made in a Ravelin which fenced the Gate they made an Assault but the event proved not fortunate For a Bridge which was to serve for passage over the Ditch and so to get upon the Breach not being so long as was requisite was with great disorder thrown down and those within made such resistance as the Royalists were forced to give over the attempt Wherefore Fernese was the more confirmed in his former opinion of proceeding with greater caution and in lieu of Assaults to use the Pick-axe and Mines This Siege did very much vex the Flemish Rebels wherefore mustering a considerable strength of Foot which were almost all of them English and Scots under Colonel Norris and Colonel Seaton together with a good number of Rutters they sent them into the Province of Flanders and disposed of them about Gaunt intending to adde thereunto and to endeavour the freeing of Odenhard But Ferneses Forces being likewise increased by Germans and Walloons and expecting the aforenamed others he fortified himself so well on that side as the Enemy could never bring in any the least succour into the Town This mean while a Mutiny hapned in the Kings Camp for want of Pay amongst some of the Germans and the Enemy both within and without hoped to reap some advantage thereby But the Mutiny being in a few dayes quieted and the Prince having by the punishment of some made the rest more obedient the Enemy despaired of holding out longer The Siege lasted notwithstanding from the beginning of April till almost the end of June And the Town was surrendred upon such Conditions as the Garrison marched out honourably and the Townsmen were contented Soon after the Royalists took Lira also a great Town in the bowels of Brabant not many houres march from Antwerp and therefore very proper to annoy that City There was in it amongst others Captain William Simple a Scotch-man with his Foot-Company of the same Nation Simple holding secret intelligence with Altapenna he under some other colourable pretence brought him in by night and driving out the rest of the Flemish garrison put the Town into the hands of the Royalists The Flemish seeing these continual losses not any assistance appearing as yet from Alanson and not being very well satisfied with him before his coming to Flanders they could no longer forbear breaking forth into sharp and spitefull speeches against him Where are said they these so many promised Forces where the Armies which would suddenly fall from France down into Flanders and where the helps which should also come from England That upon these assured hopes the Flemish had chosen declared and received him for their Prince and that in lieu thereof what had he brought them save only vain Titles and all other vain Appearances That his so many in vain reiterated promises were every day renewed by him but no performance seen That this mean while their losses were still increased and consequently the Enemies atchievements That by the taking of Tournay the Prince of Parma had gotten the whole Country of the Walloons into his hands That from Odenhard he might goe even to the wals of Gaunt and from Lira to the wals of Antwerp That his Army was already ingrost with Germans that he expected Recruits from Burgony and soon after from Spain and Italy So as now how did Flanders swarm with Foreigners and in what danger were the chiefest Cities of the Flemish Union That their new Princes succours would come just then when they should make not the strength but the scorn of his new Principality the greater These and the like Complaints did the Flemish make against Alanson and the French Nor did they spare Orange himself complaining that under pretence of procuring the publike felicity of the Country he had rather minded his own private
the one and the other Fort so strong was the ruling Tide and so bootless would it have been at least by night to have shot at the ships which should have been sent to bring succour to the City 'T was therefore concluded as necessary that the Scheld must be block'd up by a bridg and that this being to be done in some fitting place between the City and the Fort they were not to lose any time in getting the latter but that howsoever it was much better to bend all their forces against the former It was therefore thought that it would suffice so to begirt the Fort on the land side as that the enemy might be kept from making excursions that way Mandragone took the particular care of this who still kept his quarters thereabouts during the whole time of the siege as you shall upon all occasions hear They came then to consult about the bridg And in taking the business more seriously into consideration so great difficulties began to appear first in what concerned the making of it and then much greater touching the keeping of it when it should be made as many openly opposed it shewing that it could never be successfully done These said That an immence quantity of wood was to be had for such a Fabrick and that when means should be found where to have it there would be no means found how to have it brought That this was not to be done by land and that there was little or no hopes of doing it by water since the enemy did fully command all the River about the banks of Antwerp and that between those banks all the materials were to be brought which were to make the bridg That it was impossible ever to find rafters of such a length as might suffice to block up the deepest part of the River as well for the natural depth thereof as for the excrescency which the usual tides added thereunto So as in this only respect all thought thereof would be but in vain Nor would the difficulties be less if they should go about to make a bridge of boats That the Kings Army wanted all materials for these also and that these were likewise to be brought through the enemies ships and under the walls of Antwerp before they could come to the place where the bridge was to be built But when the River should be block'd up either by the one or the other way what hopes would there be to keep it it was to be presupposed so difficult a siege would be of long durance in which time why should it not be feared that the full and impetuous tides should not bear down the bridge or that this might not be done by the enemies ships by annoying it hourly on all sides or finally the river being so often frozen over in the winter why should not the ice when it is broken and carried down by the violence of the tide in danger the ruining of the bridg But on the contrary those that were for the making and maintaining of the Fabrick reply'd That as for the first Objection of finding and of fetching materials there was no doubt at all to be made of it That the Kings Army was every where Master of the field That Terramond was already taken and that in all likelyhood Gaunt would be presently surrendred By these successes the Scheld would be free for the Kings occasions even almost to the walls of Antwerp Wherefore by the vicinity of so large a Country and of such Cities it would be no hard matter to get timber enough and by such means as necessity would instruct to carry it where it should be requisite That in the mean time to make the way more passable they might raise divers Forts on both sides of the River and thereby either keep the enemies ships from troubling them or at least make their hindrance the less That they might place their Summers in the parts nearest the banks and where the River was shallowest and in the middle where it was deepest their boats which were neither to be so many nor of such a condition but that they might be easily found So the ice which the winter should occasion in the river the force whereof would certainly be greatest in the middle where the tide runs strongest might pass through the void places between the boats and no ways prejudice those parts which should be filled up with the rafters and summers of wood That then the Bridge being thus varied and defended and such things done in the advantage thereof as daily experience would teach why should it not be built and maintained And thus they might happily end their Siege which otherwise could never be either begun or ended The necessity of blocking up the River was so apparent totally to cut off all succours as the Prince of Parma not listening to any thing that made against it resolved immediately to have the Bridge made and to divide it into rafters and Boats in form abovesaid And as for the place where to build it it was thought fittest to be almost just over against two Villages upon the two sides of the River the one called Ordam on Brabant side the other Callo on the other side of Flanders Here the Channel was somwhat narrower and seemed to bend alittle so as the Enemies Barks could not invest the Bridge on that side in a direct course This place was some two leagues distant from the City and it was judged fittest likewise for other works which were to be done particularly for those Forts which were to be made on both sides The Bridge being thus designed the Prince betook himself with all ardencie to the putting of it into execution He forthwith raised a Fort-royal on each side the river and called that which was on Callo side S. Mary and the other S. Philip. These two chief Forts being raised and well furnisht with Artillery they began to build the Bridge though but slowly at the first there not being yet such preparation had of things necessary for the building of it especially of rafters as was requisite for the work Great diligence was therefore made every where thereabouts in gathering together what greatest quantities all places either champian or chiltren could afford The taking of Terremonde made much for this and afterwards the taking of Gaunt which hapned at this time For all manner of commodities were to be had in this so great City and so full of all things first to begin and afterwards to finish the building of the Bridge The Scheld passeth through that City as doe also some other Rivers which cut through it in divers places The Scheld continues its course from hence to Terremonde which was very convenient for the conveying of rafters and all other necessaries for the aforesaid work But as they came near the banks of Antwerp the Enemies ships did so oppose the passage as many of the Kings Barks were often endangered and often sunk Therefore to
secure the passage the better some other Forts were added to the former chief ones of S. Mary and S. Philip. But the proof did not answer the design for notwithstanding any shot that could be made from the Royal Forts the Enemies ships had ever the better of the business For this so great difficulty this remedy was thought on They made a great Cut in the bank of Scheld on Flanders side near to the Village Burcht which lay higher then where the Bridge was made and by means of that Cut they drowned all the neighbouring Country even to Callo where by another opening of the bank the water past again into the River a little above the Bridge and so the necessary preparations for the fabrick were at last brought with more safety The adverse ships ceased not notwithstanding to molest that situation likewise but to make the greater obstacle they raised a Fort on one side of the Cut to the which the Kings men opposed another on the other side but with little advantage for it did not sufficiently bridle the Enemies Fort so as their ships keeping still thereabouts were always prejudicial to the Prince his Barks The Bridge went therefore but very slowly on the which did as much glad the Antwerpians as it did trouble the Prince Great numbers of Boats appeared daily from Holland and Zealand with victuals and all other sort of provisions to furnish the City and to put it in a posture of standing out stoutly The great Fort of Lillo was already munited answerable to occasion and Monsieur de Teligni son to Monsieur de la Nue was put in to defend it one whose valour shewed him to be descended from his Father Wherefore the Enemy full of hopes thought that Fernese would never be able to finish the Bridge and if he should not thereby block up the Scheld the Siege would in all other considerations signifie nothing But no binderance can be so great which industry will not at last either overcome or make more easie The abovesaid remedy of the Cut not proving sufficient to convey materials by water answerable to the work the Prince bethought himself of another expedient which furnisht afterwards all things sufficient for the building of the bridg By the gap or Cut which was made in the bank at Burcht all the tract of Country from that Town to Callo was drowned as we have said From the utmost inundation within land the Prince purposed to make a deep and large Ditch and to lead it away from that part of Flanders to a certain Town called Stechen where the Ditch was to fall into a River which passeth by Gaunt by which all things which were necessary for the building of the Bridge might be brought by water from that City An egregious work of great praise to him that first proposed it but of greater glory to him who undertook it as did the Prince with very much resolution though many other were affrighted at the immense expence of monies time and labour for the Ditch was to be full 15 miles long The Ditch was afterwards commonly called Parma either for that it was first motioned by the Prince himself or that the Kings Camp did willingly shew their approbation thereof by giving it that name And not without reason for it may truly be said that this Ditch made the bridg and that the Bridg did afterwards fully compleat the Siege On that side towards Flanders was Fernese's own Quarters in a Village called Buren which lay very opportunely for the giving out of all requisite Orders for all that was done thereabouts and especially for the making of the new Channel To sollicite the making whereof the Prince himself did almost continually intervene in his own person nor was he wanting in doing the like in all the rest of the proceedings He encouraged others by his own example sometimes he himself would put his hands unto the work he oft-times transformed himself from a General to a private Souldier and set aside all rest and delight that the burthen of so great and difficult an undertaking might be the better sustained by his own labour and disquiet This was the condition of the Siege on Flanders side On the opposite side towards Brabant was the Lieutenant of the Army Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield quartered in the Village of Strabuch a little within land and Mandragone was quartered near Lillo almost upon the river and had intrencht himself there against that adverse Fort to keep the Enemy in on that side who did what they could to advantage themselves there and their design would have been to overflow the inland Country as well to incommodiate the Royalists as to make use thereof themselves for bringing succours the more easily to Antwerp But this their last design was conterdicted by a Counterdike which came to joyn with the principal Dike of the River from the Village Cowstein For it was seen that without either the breaking or gaining thereof they could by no means compass their ends A Dike in Flemish is a Bank in English and a Counterdike a Counterbank if I may so call it which is drawn out against another bank From the Village of Cowstein there was a lesser Dike thrust out for the space of a league which went to joyn with the greater Dike of the River which was commonly called the Counterdike of Cowstein This lesser Dike was made that it might be gone upon particularly in the winter all that part which lies very low being then full of water and mire It was not above ten or twelve handfuls broad nor higher then was requisite for the necessary service of the Country people This Counterdike was guarded by the Royalists chiefly to hinder the excursions which the Enemy might make from the Fort of Lillo and out of no other fear of danger on that part But when the Enemy letting in the water of the river had drowned the Country thereabouts Mandragone suspected the truth which was that they would either make some Cut or gap in the Counterdike or endeavour to make themselves wholly masters of it so to have that passage free to bring in succours into Antwerp And at the first they did make a Cut but the Royalists running quickly to where the danger lay did soon remedy it driving the Enemy from thence and stopping the gap as well as for the present they could And indeed if the Enemy had either sooner or with more forces endeavoured to cut the gap the Royalists could never have brought their Siege to a good end But all those of Holland Zealand and Antwerp were so verily perswaded that the River could never be blockt up by a Bridg as they neglected the taking of the Counterdike and even the victualling of the â—ity more then it became them to have done whilst yet the passage by Scheld was but weakly secured by the Royal Forts Fernese finding what danger the siege might inour on that part gave order to Mansfield to
by exposing their own to danger The Souldiers suddenly reassumed their courage but that which did most inhearten them was to observe that the Tide began to ebb which would soon inforce the Enemies shipe to retreat But as this consideration incited the Royalists to doe their utmost so had it the like effect upon the Enemies They thought the Victory already so sure their own as Hollack and Aldegonda were gone to carry the news thereof to Antwerp which occasioned an incredible joy in those Citizens The fight was then renewed more hot then ever upon the Counterdike and particularly near the Fort of the Palata and each side had their hopes and fears for a while But it was clearly seen that the Enemies courage ebb'd with the Tide and the courage of the Royalists did as much increase In fine the Enemy could no longer hold out for many of their ships being already on the ground on both sides the Dike they saw there was no more hopes left for them All the rest was blood and slaughter being void of all succour they were hewed in pieces every where nor did the Royalist thirst more after victory before then they did now after cruelty Above 2500 of the Enemy were slain and many of them men of quality Of the Kings side little less then a thousand most of which were Spaniards and Italians though the Dutch and Walloons did sufficiently act their parts Some 30 of their ships fell into the Royalists hands and but few of the Enemies were taken prisoners for all but those that were slain got easily away by water The fight being ended Fernese gave forthwith order for filling up the Cuts which the Enemy had made in the Counterdike he better secured the Forts he reinforced the Guards and did so provide for all things on that side as the Enemy was either not to make any more assaults or if they did they were to hope for no good thereby But the Antwerpians falling from so high hopes into so deep despair knew not what to doe nor how to evade their threatning misfortune They could hope for no assistance from France The Queen of England by the aforesaid artifices held them on in hopes Their confederate Flemish could doe no more then they had done To boot with Gaunts being long before fallen into Fernest's hands as hath been said Brussels Malines and Niminghen the chiefest City in all Ghelderland were likewise surrendred unto him wherefore as the Flemish Union was brought very low by so many losses the Kings party was as much advantaged by so many acquisitions Antwerp began long before this to suffer much in scarcity of victuals which increasing every day they began to think daily more and more upon the horror of Famine and upon the inevitable necessity of yielding to that enemy The Antwerpians kept as yet some Towns about the walls of the City and kept gartisons in them that they might likewise enjoy some part of the open fields wherefore all their hope lay now in getting maintenance by the means of that neighbouring Territory expecting what might afterwards fall out to their advantage But Fernese soon foresaw this their design nor did he lose the benefit of the opportunity Rubais being slain he had given the chief command of the Horse to the Marquis of Vasto who scouring the Country every where suffered not the Enemy to breath and had already laid waste all that Territory of those Country people And the Enemy opposing the Marquis one day with some of their Horse they were by him routed and defeated Wherefore Fernese presenting his Cannon before some of the forenamed Towns which were the best munited he quickly reduced all the rest And so the Antwerpians were shut up within the precinct of their own walls They began then allso far to despair as there was no talk amongst them but of their necessity of surrendring and the mind of the most was to begin a Parley so to get the best Conditions that they could Hollack and Aldegonda were still obstinate and those that did most pertinacioufly adhere unto them and by sophisticated Letters endeavoured to make the people believe that the Earl of Leicester was already parted from England being sent by the Queen with a powerfull Army to relieve Antwerp that he was every day expected to enter Zealand and that so many Foreign forces being added to those of their own Confederates they might very well hope to see that City quickly free from fiege This cheat might prevail for a while but the deeds speaking a contrary language and famine together with other extremities which usually are suffered by those who are besieged every day increasing the people would be no longer deluded They were first seen to gather together in small companies and then in more open assemblies which at last brake out into open tumults They chafed at the obstinacie of a few saying that for their own private passions they would make the City run hazard of suffering its late misfortune and misery Those who were better accommodated and who had most to lose either by plunder fire or other miseries which Cities are accustomed to suffer when either taken by force or surrendred upon discretion began to be of the same mind On the other side Fernese was not backward in inviting the Antwerpians to surrender and not by standing out to make their conditions the worse Thus the Magistracie resolved at last to send some to the Army to treat of surrendring the City They were fairly received by the Prince and so the Treaty began on both sides wherein at first was found a great deal of intricacie and difficulty and therefore many dayes were spent in adjusting them till such time as Aldegonda coming forth himself with some others of the best of the City the Articles of Surrender were concluded of about the midst of August which made up a just year since the first begining of the siege The Articles in effect were these that follow That the City of Antwerp should return under the obedience of the King of Spair as formerly That the Prince of Parma in the Kings name did pardon and forgive the Inhabiants thereof all faults committed in the late revolutions as well in taking up of Arms as in what soever else they had done against the King and his Royal crown That to maintain Traffick in that City as much as might be it might be lawfull for any body whosoever to live there for four years next ensuing without any particular tye in matter of conscience and religion provided no scandalous act were committe against the Catholick religion which was solely to be profest and exercised for the future in that City That the aforesaid four years being ended those who would not profess the Catholick religion might freely depart from thence and carry all their goods away with them without any manner of hinderance That the City should by the least grievous way that might be find means how to repair the
best Councellor and whose advantages are infallible to those that can discern and make use of them The Queen inclined to this opinion And because Antwerp was already in very great danger she gave order for the immediate sending over of 3000 Foot into Zealand to facilitate the relief of that City And the Flemish resolved to put Ostend for the present into her hands But this was not performed because the Aid came not time enough Wherefore they past on to the chief Negotiation and these following Capitulations were agreed upon between the Parties interessed That the Queen of England should be obliged to assist the States of the United Provinces with 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse all of them to be paid by her and that she should send a Commander in chief over with them who should have the Government of their Forces and the chief Command over all their Souldiers That to secure the repayment of the monies which the Queen should spend the States should put Flushing and the Ramekins into her hands in Zealand and the Bril in Holland and leave the same Artillery and ammunition of war in them which was at the present That when the war should be ended and the monies repaid the Queen should be bound to restore the same Towns in the same condition as they were now assigned over unto her That the United Provinces should not make peace with the King of Spain nor league with any other Princes without the Queens consent neither should the Queen come to any particular treaty with the King of Spain without the knowledge and approbation of the Vnited Provinces That to boot with the Queens General Governour two other of her State-Ministers might intervene at all the Councels and negotiations of the Vnited Provinces That in the default of any Governour of Province or Town the States should name two or three personages of which one should be chosen by her General Governour with the participation of the Provinces Councel of State That in case war were to be made by Sea for the common service the States should concur thereunto with equal Forces to those that the Queen should therein imploy and that her Admiral should have the chief Command over them all That the General Governour and the other of the Queens Officers should swear obedience not only to her but to the States also That all of them should inviolably maintain the wonted Priviledges of the Country and that there should be no the least alteration of Government made in those Towns whereinto there should any English garrisons be put and that such Garrisons should be suffered to live for matter of Religion according to the manner of England These were the most essential Articles Which being agreed upon sudden order was given for the putting of them in execution The Queen declared the Earl of Leicester for supreme Head of her Forces of whom mention is made in other parts of this our History and many of the Nobility of England prepared to go along with him That year in this interim ended and the year 1586 insued In the begining whereof Leicester being imbarked with all his people arrived at the Hague in Holland about the first week of February where he was received with all the expressions of Honour and joy that the States could make The Places which were assigned over unto him were of very great importance Flushing and the Ramechins were the chief Key of Zealand and the Bril was likewise a Port-Town of very great concernment in Holland The Garrisons being placed according to agreement the States did so very much intreat Leicester that to boot with the chief Command of their Forces he would likewise accept of the general Government of their whole Country as he inclined to yield thereunto At which the Queen seemed to be displeased and sorthwith sent an Express to complain thereof But the States renewing the same intreaties to her she did not any further repugn it thinking perhaps that she had already so highly offended the King of Spain as he would be but little pacified though she should forbear this second irritation Besides to say truth 't was hardly to be believed but that this declaration of the States had been secretly made known unto the Queen and that Leicester would not have accepted of it without her tacit consent But howsoever it was Leicester accepted of the Administration He distributed his own men and those of the Provinces where it was most needfull and prepared to impede the progress of the Kings Forces as much as might be and to doe all that he could expect was to be done by his men Fernese through the acquisition of so many chief Cities and particularly that of Antwerp did verily believe to put an end to the troubles of Flanders either by some way of fair Agreement or by absolute Conquest Wherefore he was wonderfully moved to see this Victory which he had so assuredly fancied unto himself either by the one way or the other taken from him by this English succour and the King thought himself thereby so highly offended as he did not long delay the resenting of it as you sâ—all shortly hear But though the Enemy had received such a succour yet Fernese did not doubt but that as his Forces were far the greater so likewise should his successes be He therefore resolved as soon as the winter should be over to march with his Army into the field The Enemy though they had lost Mastrick were yet masters of two Towns of great concernment in that lower side of the Mause the one was Graves which belongs to Brabant and the other Venlo in Ghelderland It made very much for Fernese to have all those parts at his devotion to the end that he might the better unite his Forces on both the sides of so important a River and that he might likewise with the less impediment carry them on the other side of the Rhine Wherefore he resolved by all means to make himself master of those two Towns And though the winter were not yet over he resolved to send Count Mansfield to straiten Graves at a distance and gave him such men as were requisite for that purpose He gave order likewise for the besieging of Venlo after the same manner And being much prest thereunto by the Archbishop of Colen he likewise sent the Signor d'Altapenna Governour of Ghelderland to make the like preparation against the Town of Nuys where the Enemy had still fortified themselves more and more and still more prejudiced the adjacent parts by their continual excursions When Mansfield was come before Graves be planted two Forts upon the two banks of the Mause that he might have the freer passage over the river and he raised some others more within land towards where the Town stood The River did very much help the fortifying of the Town on the River side and on the Land side the Enemy had likewise very well bastion'd the walls The Souldiers that
then before and at last the defendants were forced to yield Fernese allotted all that side to the Spaniards to accost the Town on that part and planted a good number of Canon against the walls On the land side he placed the Italians with a like battery in other places he likewise set those of other Nations against the Town in so much as the besieged were soon brought into great straites One battery play'd after another and sometimes they plaid all together The wall towards the river was very well desended by a great Tower◠but the Spaniard did assault it so fiercely as at last they lodged themselves there Whereby the Town was still more infested on that side and was still in more danger to be taken Nor had the Italians reduced them to lesser straits on their side Wherefore the besieged failing in their courage and the Governour of the Town being sorely wounded they began to think of surrendring The Army was much incensed against this Town for they found that the Townsmen were inclined to receive in the enemy besides many of the Inhabitants were hereticks and were still openly disposed to favour that aforesaid Apostate Bishop Truxes Whilst then there was a cessation of Arms by agreement and that they were upon Treaty of Surrender and that they were weighing the Conditions The Spaniards and Italians despising all good Military 〈◊〉 assaulted the Town with blind fury on two sides at once The enemy astonished hereat endeavoured as much as they could to desend themselves but had no good success For the Royalists being thereat more incensed after they had over come all obstacles entred the Town in a hostile manner and in excess of anger which soon turned into down right fury they put all they met with to the sword Nor did bloud satisfie their cruelty Neglecting the avarice of plunder they fell to fire the Town which they did in so many places as the Town which was almost wholly built of wood was suddenly all on a fire One house served to fire another and the division of streets no whit availing the flames flew from one side to the other and in a rapid motion spread themselves over the whole Country And that the Town might be the sooner and the more miserably destroyed the wind conspired with the fire whereby it was in very few hours wholly reduced to ashes With much adoe two Churches were saved whereinto many sacred virgins together with other women of the Town had recourse for shelter And the Marquiss of Vasto did in particular shew himself generously pious in saving them all from the fury of the souldier he being greatly respected by the Army no less in consideration of his bloud then of his valour and imployment Before the Duke of Parma for so we shall call him hereafter his father Duke Octavius being now dead went from about Nuys the Bishop of Vercelles who was the Popes Nuntio in the City of Cullen came unto him and in the name of Pope Sextus Quintus presented him with the Trunchion and Helmet which the Popes do use to bestow as a token of their esteem and affection to such Princes as deserve well of the Church The Ceremony was solemnly performed in the Camp and the Elector of Cullen and Duke of Cleves would be present at it for he was likewise come at that time to visit Fernese And at the same time the Marquis of Vasto received the Order of the Golden Fleece Which the King had sent unto him a little before and Fernese's self put it about his neck The enterprise of Nuys having received this Tragical end the Camp past to before Reinburgh which Town depends likewise upon the Bishoprick of Cullen and lies lower upon the Rhine It was then in the enemies possession and the Archbishop and Fernese did both of them desire to see it reduced under the Catholick power The enemy had fortified it very well and had likewise munited a certain Island which stands before the Town Lester thinking it too great a shame that Fernese after having made so many acquisitions even as it were before his eyes should likewise make this reinforced his Army as much as he could resolving either to relieve the Town or to make some diversion by besieging some of the Kings Towns He was on the other side of the Rhine in the Province of Overisel so called for that the river Ysel runs through it On the right hand thereof stands Zutfen one of the Towns of greatest importance in all those parts Lester bethought himself to take this place and in order thereunto he would first take Deosburg a little Town upon the same river but which might help him in his chief designe There were 300 Walloon foot in Deosburg who assisted by the situation of the place might make it good a long while but as soon as the enemy had opened their Trenches on their side and ordered their Batteries the defendants offered to parley and put the Town into Lesters hands From hence he went with his whole Camp to Zutfen the City had a great Fort made of earth on the side opposite to the River and two lesser ones which did so much the more defend it Lester incamped himself on both sides the river and having made a bridg of boats the better to joyn his Camp together he endeavoured first to take the Fort hoping that the taking thereof would facilitate the taking of the Town John Baptista di Tassis of whom you have heard before was Governor of the Town Who forthwith advertised Fernese what danger the City was in of being taken unless it were very speedily relieved for they had not provisions answerable to the circuit of the place Fernese had already made some progress against Reinburg and had taken the Island yet fearing he should not take the Town time enough to succour the other he left the Island well munited and resolved to tarry no longer before Reinburg but to go speedily to the relief of Zutfen Wherefore in great haste making a bridge of boats over the Rhine at Burick and raising a Fort at each end thereof he went with all his Army to the other side and marched towards the enemy As he was upon his march he was advertised that there were 2000 Rutters on that confine of Germany who were raised by the Count de Meurs to assist the enemy He therefore chose out 1500 horse and put one of the Spanish foot behind each of them commanding them that with all speed they should march thitherward And he himself followed with more men to back them The Rutters expected not such an incounter and therefore marched not in any good order nor any waies provided to fight wherefore meeting at unawares with the Kings men they were soon routed and defeated The Duke continued his march from hence and came so neer Zutfen as he prepared to send in succour to this purpose he put all his Camp into battel array and made the Marquess
Village Hence Barambone went to Reinberg and sate down before it but not by way of any close siege because as hath been said he had not men enough to that purpose wherefore it was not hard for Schinck to relieve it often though upon a certain occasion he was routed and lost many of his Souldiers The Duke of Parma in this interim after the taking of St. Getrimberg hoped to get further advantages thereabouts He therefore dispatcht away Count Charles Mansfield with a great body of souldiers to take first some weaker places that he might afterwards the easilier force Huesden a good Town very well fortified and garrison'd The Count took Hemert and Brachel places of small importance and hoped by intelligence to get into Romersvel a more considerable Town and by the getting thereof to come the more easily by Huesden But neither did his intelligence take nor could he by any means compass his other great design This expedition proving but weak the same Mansfield was sent by the Duke towards the Mause to try whether he could get the Castle of Lovestein situated upon the lower point of the Island of Bomele as hath been formerly said But he found both that Town and all others in those parts so well provided for by the Enemy as he could doe nothing considerable there Schinck this mean while overran all those parts and the terror occasioned by the Sconce which he had newly built and which was usually called by his name still increased Finding out an occasion to assault some of the Kings Foot-Companies who past over the Rhine to assist Verdugo and who conveyed some monies to Groninghen he hasted towards them and meeting with them at unawares he routed the men took away their monies and retired safely to his own Sconce His chief design was as we have said against Niminghen Where the Rhine divides it self at the point of Schincks Sconce leaving its former name the left branch thereof is called Wahale upon the right side of which branch stands Niminghen not above sixe hours march from Schincks Sconce Schinck being exalted in his imagination by so many advantages which he had gotten in those parts watcht continually for some opportunity to surprise Niminghen the Citizens whereof were very watchfull and already a great hatred was conrracted between them and Schink But it was not long ere he lost his life in that design And thus it fell out Having made a great preparation of Boats and men he went from his Sconce and from thence entred the Wahale to try a new surprise upon Niminghen He intended to come thither unexpectedly in the greatest obscurity of night and to assault the City on the Rivers side where he thought he might easiliest atchieve his enterprise But were it either that he did not well compute his Navigation or that his Boats were over-heavy loaded he could not get within sight of Niminghen till it was day Yet the greater the difficulty was the greater grew his daring Wherefore advancing some of his fleetest Boats he gave order that by all means the Souldiers which were in them should endeavour to get upon the bank and to make it good till he with the rest of his men should come up to them The first Souldiers succeeded in what they undertook But a great rumor arising amongst the Citizens at the first news hereof many of them hasted to that place Schincks men were on the contrary coming up against them and those that were first landed having taken a certain house which stood near the wall and near one of the gates staid there and fought very manfully In this interim comes Schinck himself and with couragious words which were accompanied with no less couragious actions he began to hearten his men and chiefly with the hopes of plunder which they should have by the winning of so rich a City Those within the Town were already in danger when all the people joyning together and men and women old men and children sacred and profane personages striving who should out-doe one another the Enemies were beaten back on all sides who could hold out no longer but being driven from the house which they had taken and from the gate which they thieatned they were sorced at last to think of retreating Nor could that be done without great disorder and prejudice by reason of the difficulty in imbarking and of the advantage which those of the Town had over them upon such an occasion Yet Schinck for a while made an undaunted resistance and many of his men proved themselves to be Souldiers worthy of so valiant a Commander But at last being wounded and bleeding apace and a great many of his men being likewise wounded and slain he could withhold his men no longer from throwing themselves headlong into the Boats Many of them could not get to them time enough who were all cut in peeces others striving to save themselves by swimming perisht in the River and others who were got unto the Boats not finding any room there for that they were already too full were made a prey either to the River which swallowed them up or to the Enemy who slew them from the bank Five of their Boats sunk as being too heavy-loaded in one of which unfortunately was Schinck So this was the end he made At which those of Niminghen were so overjoyed as for many dayes there was nothing but feasting and jollity heard of in the Town It was now July at which time the Marquis of Barambone had not advanced much nearer about Reinbergh wherefore the Enemy hoping to relieve it prepared succour and sent it chiefly under the Command of Colonel Sir Francis Vere an English-man who had already gain'd the opinion in those parts of being a gallant Souldier and whom the United Provinces made use of in their most weighty military occurrences Barambone was advertised hereof who speedily made it known to Mansfield desiring him either to joyn with him in person or else to send him some of his men Mansfield promised to come speedily to him and in the mean while sent some Companies of Spanish and Italian Foot Vere withheld not for all this but hastening his expedition the more began his march with 3000 choise Foot Which when Barambone understood he began likewise to move They came with great resolution the one to relieve the Town the other to hinder the relief So as the business was gallantly disputed for a while and many fell on both sides but at last Vere prevailed and routing the Kings men and killing many of them he entred Victor into the Town and did so provide for it as it might preserve it self though amidst the Enemy for some months A little after the conflict came Mansfield who took upon him the managing of that Siege Barambone having occasion to leave it The Town kept from surrendring afterwards till the beginning of the next moneth of February And because nothing insued of great importance we will therefore here rid our self
Marne he made Laigny in particular be guarded a good Town having a large bridge and Corbel upon the Seene on the same side which is a great Town and provided likewise of a bridge He caused likewise the places of greatest passage upon the Oyse to be guarded And thus Paris being kept from victuals on all sides it was reduced to the utmost necessity of Famine When the King heard Fernese was on his way and that he already drew neer Paris he called together all the chief of his Army and exhorted them that they now would make their accustomed military worth appear more then ever He said That the Duke of Parma was now in France with the Forces and sense of Spain That the true intention was to oppress that Kingdom under pretence of defending the League and that the Duke came with so great Forces to effect it as soon as he could That those of the League who called in such assistance were perfidious and the rest no less perfidious who made so false a cloak thereof That therefore such opposition as was fitting was to be made by those that were true French-men by birth and faithfull to their legitimate King against the Forces of these Rebel French and the Spaniards their enemies That it was Gods pleasure the Crown should fall upon him and that he hoped the Catholicks should very shortly receive such satisfaction as they desired in matter of conscience That the adverse forces were great but his no whit inferior Nay for number and goodness of horse he was far above them That therefore he desired to come to battel as soon as might be And that he thought to endeavour it on his side was a no less generous then profitable resolution That when the enemy should once be routed they knew not where to get new Forces and so the battel being won the war might be said to be ended That on the contrary if any ill should befall his men he could much more easily return again into the field But why should they doubt victory were not many of the Spaniards forces of Flanders joyned with the Rebels of France in the late battel of Yury yet where the cause was justest there was the greatest valour shown and there did fortune smile That doubtlesly the presence of so gallant a Commander as was the Duke of Parma in the enemies Army ought to be considered That therefore it was more necessary to use all such preparations as should be thought most advantagious upon such an occurrency not only in point of valour but also of discipline That to this purpose he had called this Councel wherein were so many and so famous Commanders in War He desired them that they would speak their opinions as well for what concerned the continuing of the siege or the raising of it as in the other point of provoking the enemy to battel That he would ground his opinion upon theirs nor should his acts come short of those words which he now had spoke The principal and most esteemed Chieftains of war that were with the King were the Duke of Monpenciere Prince of the bloud the Duke of Nevers the grand Prior the Marishals of Aumont and Bironne the Lord his son Messieurs de Ghishe and de l' Avardine who were all Catholicks The Duke of Tremullia the Vicecount Tureine and Messieurs de la Nue and de Chatillion who were Hugonots It was first considered whether the Kings Forces were sufficient both to continue the siege and to march to withstand the Duke of Parma And it was joyntly resolved they were not sufficient to do both these at one and the same time Wherefore the common opinion was that they should raise the siege and go with their whole strength to incounter with the Duke of Parma and to endeavour by all means but also upon all advantages to provoke him to battel That very oft and in very many wars the most cry'd up Commanders had raised sieges that to do so now would little advantage Paris if thereby the Duke of Parma might be kept from relieving it for that numerous people would soon consume whatsoever victuals they could at the present receive from the inlarged Country that the relief being hindred the King might soon reassume the siege and that then that City would immediately fall into his hands and he should with the greater glory compass his designe The King was very much troubled to think he must be inforced to rise from before Paris but conforming himself to the opinion of his Captains and to what his own Military experience did dictate to him he raised his Camp on the last day save one of Auguct and marched towards where the Army of the League was quartered In the Kings Army then was above 20000 foot and above 6000 horse His whole body were French except it were some Dutch and Swissers All the cavalty were choice men for the better half of them were Gentlemen who served upon their own inclinations and much more out of honour then for gain The King went from Paris to lodg in the Village of Celles some four leagues from thence This Town is situated in a spacious Champian having notwithstanding some appearances of waters and woods about it From this plain you mount by easie ascents upon two little hils betwixt which when you have gone a little you afterwards descend towards Maux The King possest himself of all that Champian about Celles till he came to those two little hils And the Army of the League was come to lodge on the other side towards Maux where the Duke of Parma had fortified himself in all places where it was necessary and the King of Navar failed not to doe the like on his side Who was not well got thither when desirous to make his Enemy acquainted with his intention to fight he sent a Herald with a Challenge to the Duke Du Mayn telling him That it would be much better to end all the Differences by another pitcht Battel then to carry them further on to the Peoples so great misery The Duke du Mayn excusing himself that he could not give the Answer for that he had not now the supreme Command sent the Herald to the Duke of Parma who returned answer That he was used to fight as he thought fit himself and not at the pleasure of his Enemy That he would not refuse battel when it should not become him so to doe and that upon other occasions he himself would offer it when he should think good There was only the two aforesaid Hills between the Kings quarters and the Dukes wherefore their being so near caused some skirmishes daily The Duke kept four whole dayes in his quarters in which time he himself had several times advanced towards where the King lay to the end that he might the better and more distinctly observe his Quarters He then began to move with his whole Army He had with great secrefie resolved to cozen the Enemy and
his own men too and when he should feign as if he intended to joyn battel to avoid it even when the two Armies were nearest falling on and to gain the Pass over the Rivers on the upper side and so free Paris from the siege This was the design which he thus executed He made the Marquis of Renty advance with the Vantguard and with him were the Prince of Semay and George Basty with most of the Horse all of them almost Lanciers He placed the Duke of Mayn in the Battel with the greatest strength of Foot and put Monsieur de la Motte in the Rear with the rest of the Foot and Horse As for his own person he would not oblige himself to any one part but be at liberty that he might the better effect what he intended Having caused the Army to move in this manner and giving out that he would draw the Enemy to battel he gave order to the Marquis of Renty that when he should be come to the top of the Hills he should descend slowly and should extend the Lanciers on both sides in large wings the more to obfuscate the eyes of the Enemy He commanded him therewithall not to offer or to accept of any occasion of fighting without some new orders from him and that he would in the mean time let him know what should happen from time to time The Army of the League appearing thus the King of Navar thought verily that they came with an intention to fight and all his Captains were of the same mind insomuch as it is not to be exprest how much they were overjoyed and especially the King in seeing that offered which they had so much coveted His Army was then suddenly put into the best and most advantagious order that could be and was likewise divided into a Vantguard a Battel and a Rearguard over each of which the King appointed a Head reserving leave to himself to be every where where need should most require The Marquis of Renty marched this mean while in the same order as he was commanded by the Duke and after him followed the Duke Du Mayn When Renty had extended the Lances and darkned the sight of the Enemy Fernese made then no longer delay but coming up to the Duke Du Mayn and taking him by the hand said unto him with a merry and smiling countenance We shall have fought very well and have overcome too if we relieve Paris He then commanded Renty to halt in that place but yet still to make as if he meant to fall on till the night should come Then turning the Battel into the Van and ordering La Motte to follow so as Renty might fall into the Rear he bent on the left hand towards the Marn and towards La Laigne which was not far from thence resolving to make himself master of that Town He then acquainted Renty with his design and commanded that Trenches should be raised both there and every where else towards the Enemy and Fortifications to the end that the resolution which he had taken might not be disturbed by the Kings Army Drawing towards night near Lagny he staid at Pompona a Village within less then half a mile of that Town giving order that the whole Army might be assembled thereabouts and with all diligence might there munite themselves The King this mean while could not imagine why Renty first halted and then returned back Nor could he ever perswade himself that the Duke of Parma in the face of such an Army as was his should assault Lagny especially the Town being on the other side of the River and the passage over the Bridg in the Governour of the Towns hands He therefore advanced some Troops of Horse to discover the Duke of Parma's design who being entertained by George Basty returned as uncertain as before In which time the Duke causing the Fortifications about his Camp to be made with incredible vigilancie he brought them to such a pass as he thought he might now prepare to batter the Town Lagny lies as it hath been said on the left side of the River on the right hand on which side were both the Camps there is an open Borough just over against it to which men pass from the Town over the said Bridg. Fernese suddenly possest himself of the Borough or Suburbs and that very night which was the 5. of September planted ten Peeces of Cannon there to play from that opposite side without delay upon the Town Monsieur de la Fin had the keeping thereof and had 1200 French in garrison who seemed all very ready to defend it hoping chiefly in the King who was so very near them La Fin thought the Duke would doe little good with his Battery the Bridg being between him and them which would hinder the assault But he was soon deceived For the Duke causing a Bridg of Boats to be thrown over the River three miles more upward he past over a good number of Foot and sent over George Basti with them with some Troops of Horse he ordered the Foot to prepare for the assault so soon as the Battery should have made its operation The King of Navar storm'd at this success when he came to know it and would not willingly suffer Lagny to be lost whilst he looked on Some of his Captains propounded that he should pass over the River and go with his whole Army to the relief of that Town Others were of opinion that he should go with all his Forces against the Works which the Enemies Camp had begun to make and should endeavour to throw them down and to fight the Duke The first advice was very dangerous for the Duke of Parma might assault the Kings Army and defeat some of them at least as they past over the River And the second might be thought bootless for the Dukes Works especially towards the Enemies Camp were already raised to a good heighth and so well guarded as there was small hopes of forcing them any where The King notwithstanding took the second advice and having drawn out his Army into large Squadrons came to assault the Army of the League but he found it in so very good order within its Fortifications which were continually increasing as he was at last forced to retreat and much to his grief to see the Town of Lagny not long after storm'd taken and plundred before his eyes for so indeed it was For the Duke of Parma having given order that a Battery should be planted against the Town and that his men should pass over in manner aforesaid caused the Walls of the Town to be immediatly plaid upon abundantly and preparation to be made at the same time for the Assault The Walls were but weak of themselves and had no Rampiers wherefore a sufficient Breach being soon made the aforesaid Souldiers strove who should first get upon the Breach The French for a while shewed equal courage but being overcome by the first number and by new
those would certainly be wanting which had at all times been and might still be the greatest and readiest for the service of Religion in that Kingdom That he was therefore inforc'd by all means to return to Flanders but that he would leave such a strength of men in behalf of the League as the cause thereof might not onely be alwaies sustain'd but by new achievements be still more advantaged The Duke Du Mayne finding this to be Fernese's resolution earnestly desired him that before his departure he would at least endeavour to take in the Town of Corbel upon the Sene so as that River might be free likewise for the bringing of victuals to Paris The Legat Cajetan was at this time gone from France upon the death of Sixtus Quintus and had left in his place Monsignor Sega a Bullonian Bishop of Piacensa a Prelate of great worth for divers imployments of Nuntiature and for other negotiations which had won him great honour This Monsignor di Sega was induced by the Duke Du Mayne to make the same intreaties which he effectually did to the Duke of Parma who was unwilling to hazard himself in a new siege especially knowing that the chief Commander in Corbel was a Frenchman and a very gallant souldier called Rigant who had given proof of his worth in Flanders under Monsieur de la Nue. Yet not to give further occasion of jealousie to those of the League he resolved at last to besiege that Town and encamped before it about the midst of September Corbel lies upon the Sene on the left side and hath a stone-bridge which passeth over to the other side the Town is but little and no waies strong having walls after the ancient form without any barworks the defence thereof consisted therefore in the valour of the souldiers and in the example which they should receive thereof from their Commander The Duke of Parma was not long in drawing neer it with his Trenches Those within the Town fallied out and couragiously resolved to oppose him Rigant's vigilancy was very great he was alwaies the first at undergoing labour at incountring dangers and in whatsoever else was necessary as well in action as in command insomuch as the Duke had already lost many men and the siege proved much longer then at first it was thought it would have done But resolving to see an end of it suddenly after a great Battery he made it be so furiously assaulted as Rigant being slain the Assailants entred the Town and cutting the Garison in peeces did with great hostility plunder it The Duke was notwithstanding troubled about it till the midst of October following and had not Rigaut been slain in that assault the Town peradventure would not have been taken so soon Corbel being taken the Duke suffered his men to rest till the beginning of the next moneth he then betook himself to return for Flanders and the more to deceive the Enemy he went not the neerest way through Picardy but through Campania thinking that the King of Navar would quickly follow him and that it would be best to leave the King in doubt what his intention in retreating might be He kept the same order in going out of France as he did in coming into it He divided his Army into four parts to the end that each part being less incombred they might all of them proceed on the faster and upon occasion be the readier to succour one another He gave the Van to the Marquess of Renty the first Battle to Monsieur de la Motte he kept the second Battle for himself and gave the Arrear guard to George Basti In this last part was the greatest danger likelyest to consist for the King of Navar might infest them behinde this was therefore furnisht with select men and in particular Peter Cajetan was placed therein and Alonso Idiaques with their two Brigadoes of Foot The Duke of Parma being gone from Paris he was not well got into Campania when he might hear of the loss of Corbel and not longafter the like of Lagny so ill were they kept by the Parisians who had taken upon them the care thereof Upon this occasion the Duke was again intreated to stay and to return back to the recovery of those two Towns But he being scandalized to see his pains slighted through so much negligence to boot that his necessity of returning into Flanders did daily more and more increase would not any whit delay the pursuing of his intended journey The King of Navar was by this time got to Compigy a Town which lies towards Champagnia and Picardy and having here gathered together a choice number of Foot but more Horse wherewith the easier to infest the Enemies Camp as they retreated he past on and followed them He lost no occasion of drawing neer them and of endeavouring to indamage them or any waies to molest them he set on them sometimes on the sides sometimes on the front but oftest on their back sometimes onely threatning sometimes suddenly assailing them but never adventuring upon any greater engagements by reason of the too much inequaility of his Forces This his altering of places and of assaults did not notwithstanding make the Duke of Parma any whit vary his order in marching His Squadrons marched the same pace kept the same distances environed on all sides with the carriages which served for well fortified Trenches ready to fight if provoked but still upon such advantages as might cause the Enemy repent The way was continually cleared by the Carabines and their quarters were every night very carefully fortified Thus did the Duke of Parma march amidst slight skirmishes for some dayes He was already entered into Picardy The King willing to have one other bout with the Duke sent some Squadrons of Horse against the Dukes Van about the end of November the Dukes Horse came out to oppose them and the dispute grew very hot Of the French the Baron of Biroune in particular shewed himself very forward who unwilling to yeild to the greater power of the Enemy was so engaged amongst them as his horse being slain under him he had undoubtedly been taken Prisoner had not the King himself despising all danger rescued him and fetch'd him off The night coming on ended the dispute The next day the Duke of Nevers came in to the Kings assistance with some new Forces which he had gathered up thereabouts and some other Forces from elsewhere came likewise in to the King The Duke of Parma was at this time about Guise upon the utmost confines of France towards Flanders Here did the King again assault the Duke in the Rear At first the Dukes Carabins came forth against the Curassiers and the former not able to withstand the Curassiers had been ill handled had not George Basti come in unto them with a great Squadron of Lances and beaten back the shock of the Curassiers But these being again reinforced by some of the Kings men and on the other
hear He prepared necessary forces for this purpose And therefore assoon as the season would permit him to go into the field he deferred not to be moving He judged that his greatest advantage did at this time invite him to the further side of the Rhine towards Friesland by reason of the great distance from thence of the Kings strongest Forces as also of the Duke of Parma's own person wherefore turning thitherward about the midst of May he resolved to besiege Zutfen and with an Army of 10000 foot and 2000 horse well furnished with Artillery and with whatsoever else was necessary for this and other sieges he sate down before it A little while before he came thither the Fort which did defend the City on the contrary shore was fallen into his hands by the like stratagem as the aforesaid Castles of Westerlo and Turnhaut had formerly done Having got this advantage he suddenly begirt the Town on all sides and with great celerity opened his Trenches and prepared for battery But the Garison in Zutfen was so small and the Town was so weakly provided of all other necessaries as at the end of three days those within the Town before the Artillery had played so much as once began to treat and soon after surrendred the Town Deventer is but two leagues off from Zutfen Both these Towns lie upon the Ysel And you have already heard how Colonel Stanly an English-man put Deventer into the Duke of Parma's hands Amongst other Commanders of great esteem Count Maurice had with him Colonel Vere an English-man This Vere did of all the rest chiefly desire that they might immediately go to the recovery of Deventer and that he might have the greatest share in that affair to make amends for the fault which was by all the English attributed to Stanly Count Maurice was easily perswaded hereunto He therefore without delay turning upon that City began to besiege it on both sides the River and secured the passage to his own men by two bridges whereby he also hindred the enemy from bringing in relief Count Herman de Berg was Governour of Deventer he was eldest son to William de Berg who married a sister of the Prince of Orange so as this Herman was full Cousin-german to Count Maurice He proved to be very judicious and stout and very faithfull to the King though he was very young But he had so small Forces in the Town and was so ill provided of all things else as he could not think to make any considerable resistance He prepared notwithstanding to do what he could and acquainted Colonel Verdugo who commanded the Kings Forces in chief in those parts with the danger that he was in Count Maurice having advanced his Trenches raised batteries on three sides The greatest was placed towards that part of the City which looks upon the River And Colonel Vere took upon him the guidance hereof to do it so as might speedilyest effect the work And immediately he began to batter the walls with such violence as above 100 yards thereof fell at the very first battery The defendants retreated more inward and Count Herman was not wanting in valiantly performing his part when he received so grievous a wound as he could no longer continue in the work that was begun Wherefore the besieged being the more discouraged and the Townsmen doubting least the enemies assault might occasion the plunder of the City a Treaty was had of surrender upon fair conditions whereunto Count Maurice easily gave way And thus in a few days he made this second acquisition which was far greater then the former From thence he went hoping to storm Stenwich but Verdugo who had not men enough to relieve Deventer had enough to secure Stenwich Wherefore Count Maurice turning upon Delfziel a place of importance of itself by reason of its situation and more particularly to facilitate the siege of Groninghen when as was his intention he should be in a fitting posture to incamp before it made himself-soon Master thereof and then faced about to effect by these his advantages other premeditated resolutions The Duke of Parma was this mean while on his march and having mustered all the Forces he could get in Ruremonde he marched towards the parts about the Rhine intending to pass over it and hoping to relieve Deventer and secure it which next to Groninghen was the place of greatest concernment in those parts But hearing that it was lost he resolved to attempt some enterprise and feigning to abuse the enemy that he would assault Schinck Sconce he passed over the Wahall at another place and incamped himself Before the Camp opposite to Niminghen from whence the Inhabitants of that City received much prejudice That side of the City which was opposite thereunto was continually infested by the perpetual playing of Artillery from that Fort in so much as all the houses on that side were already beaten down The Garison of the Fort did as much command the passage of the River as did the Inhabitants of the City Excursions on all sides were very frequent And in fine such and so grievous were the molestations as it was apparently seen that the Royalists must either win that Fort or else they must very quickly lose the City It was about the midst of June when Fernese began to besiege that Fort. But he could not come before it so on the sudden but that Count Maurice had reason to suspect his intention Wherefore he sent the Count of Solmes thither with good forces and new provision of Victuals whereby the Fort was so well provided as Count Maurice did no wayes fear the loss thereof at least not so soon The Duke having ordered his Quarters and fortified them on the out-side he began to advance inward with his Trenches But the Kings men paid dearly for all their works for the Enemy sallying out oft-times made strong opposition on all sides Yet after some dayes they came to Battery of which Monsieur de la Motte had the chief charge and wherein he used all diligence but yet proceeded but slowly For the walls of the Fort being made of earth which as it was thick was also soft the shot of the Artillery could not any ways considerably indamage it And it was likewise very hard to come to the filling up of the ditch which was very broad and deep and was well defended on all sides But in this interim Fernese's Cavalry received such a blow as did still much lessen his hopes of getting the Fort. Count Maurice's Camp lay very near the Dukes Camp in so much as there passed divers skirmishes betwixt them And the Kings men could not provide necessary forrage for their horses without continual danger of some ambuscado The Duke had given command that his men should avoid coming to any set business by reason of the condition of the Country which was very advantagious for the adverse party Pier Francisco Nicelli Captain of the Dukes lifeguard going one day forth for
famous enterprises hath fully declared him to be This mean while the Duke of Parma was returned to Brussels and wholly intent upon his passing again into France he endeavoured to get as great a strength for that purpose as he could The news which he heard from those parts was That the affairs of the League did every day decline that the Forces thereof were very much diminished and that the King of Navar did still grow stronger and that being Master of the Field he had besieged Roan which is the chief City of all Normandy and the second of all France The Duke de Mayn had sent Count Brisack a little before this to acquaint the Duke of Parma with thus much And the danger of Roan every day increasing Fernese was again the more sollicited to come for France as soon as he could Preparing then for his departure he left as formerly the two Mansfields his Deputies And a solemn Ambassie being at this time sent by the Emperor into Flanders to endeavour some accommodation in the affairs of those Countries the Duke upon that occasion did stay some dayes at Brussels The Emperor had likewise signified the same intention to the United Provinces But they fearing that the Ambassie was sent by the King of Spains procurement would not consent to any Treaty About which though neer upon a Moneth was spent yet we have chosen to acquaint you with the result thereof briefly here to dispatch the account of a Negotiation wherein there was hardly any Overture made The Duke being gone from Brussels went towards Picardy and there in Peroun met with the young Duke of Guise who not long before having escaped out of the Castle of Tours where Henry the Third had shut him up after his Fathers death and where the King of Navar had likewise detained him was suddenly come to find out his Uncle the Duke Du Mayn From Peroun the Duke of Parma went to the Town of Guise where the Duke Du Mayn came to speak with him In the same place was likewise Hercules Sfondrato Duke of Montemarchiano who a little before was sent by his Uncle Gregory the 14. with a very considerable strength both of Foot and Horse to assist the League But Gregory dying and Innocent the 9. succeeding him his men were much diminished Innocent excusing himself that he could not continue so great an expence by reason of the scarcity of monies which the Apostolick Sea was then in Nor did the Duke of Montemarchiano know whether he were to continue in that Command or no though in all things else Innocent seemed as if he would protect the League of France to which purpose he had made the Bishop of Piachensa Cardinal declaring him also to be Apostolick Legat in the place of Cardinal Cajetan who as we have said was already returned to Italy At this meeting of the Duke of Parma and the Duke Du Mayn the first thing that was agreed upon was That Fera one of the most considerable Towns of Picardy should be delivered up to the Duke of Parma that upon all occasions he might have a Town upon that Frontier towards Flanders which might serve for better security to his Army Here all their Forces joyning each of the chief Commanders muster'd his men and the whole amounted to about 25000 Foot and 6000 Horse the greatest part whereof belonged to the King of Spain and were composed as usually of Spaniards Italians Germans and Walloons the Foot were about 16000. and the Horse 3000. The Duke of Lorain had sent the Counts of Vaudemonte and Shalligny with 700 Lances and Curasiers in assistance of the League Of all the Forces which the Duke of Montemarchiano brought with him into France there remained little more then 2000 Foot Switzers and 200 Horse The rest of the Forces were made up by the League The Duke of Parma commanded over all in chief and next to him the greatest authority lay in the Duke Du Mayn with whom were then the Dukes of Umale and Guise the first his Cousin-german the other his Nephew to boot with the aforesaid Counts of Vaudemonte and Shalligny who were of the same house but in a degree further off During the preparation mustering and marching of this Army the year ended and the next of 1592 began All their men being met at the entrance into Picardy the Army began to move about the midst of January and marched towards Amiens that it might enter on that side into Normandy and endeavour to relieve Roan as soon as might be The King of Navar as hath been said was before this City and had advanced so far forward already in his siege as the besieged were not likely to defend it much longer Yet Monsieur de Villiers sustained the siege valiantly and endeavoured by all stout resistance to afford time for the aforesaid succour And much encouraged to hear that the Leagues Army was upon its march to that purpose he continued in his defence more resolute then ever though by reason of the straits that he was in he prest the Colleagues very much to come to his relief as soon as they could Roan lyes upon the banks of Sene and this River doth there much inlarge it self Some leagues above it the King had a Town called Pont d' Arke which is the last bridge which is now upon the Sene in its current to the Sea some of the Arches of that bridge being broken and gone to decay which the English did anciently build at Roan whilst they were Lords of Normandy The Town of Cawdebeck lyes some leagues beneath Roan upon the banks of the said River which was likewise in the Kings hands insomuch as he commanding the River both above and beneath by means of these two Towns and by some men of war which scour'd up and down the River had reduced that City into great straits But hearing of the Duke of Parma and that the Army of the League was already on its march towards Normandy he called his Councel of war to consider what was best for him to do upon this occasion The King had very great Forces he had between nine and ten thousand Horse and his Foot were as many as those of the Colleagues all the Horse unless it were some Dutch were French in the Foot there were likewise some considerable number of Dutch and some English which the Queen had sent to assist the King and three thousand Flemish Foot were likewise sent from Holland in his assistance It was argued in the Councel of war whether it were better to abandon the siege and to march against the Army of the League to fight them in the field as it was formerly determined in the business of Paris or continuing the siege to wait the Enemy within the works and to defend those works so as the succour might by that resistance be hindred The Mareshal of Biroune inclined particularly to this opinion who by reason of his long experience and
worth in military affairs was highly esteemed throughout the whole Kingdom and of whom the King did alwaies make use in all his most important and most difficult enterprises In maintenance of his opinion he spoke thus 'T is now most glorious Prince somewhat above a year since your Majesty was with your Army about Paris every one knows that the end of that siege was onely to inforce that City to surrender by Famine since so great a circuit of walls and so thick a forrest of houses and inhabitants were not otherwise to be forced There were no quarters therefore fortified about it no trenches were opened no batteries raised no assaults made When afterwards the Army of the League drew neer it was thought fitting that your Army should encounter it and endeavour by all means to engage it in battel since there was no other way to hinder the relief then by a field fight I together with the rest of the Commanders was of that opinion which was likewise approved of by your self who do no less excel others in counsel then in command Let us now consider this present siege In this the end of begirting Roan consists much more in using opugnancy then means of Famine It makes much for us doubtlesly that we are masters of the River on the upper side by means of Pont d' Arke and on the nether side by the Town of Cawdebeck so to keep Roan from victuals but the hopes of winning lyes chiefly in our arms and swords And how far are we already advanced with our trenches with our batteries with our works in the ditch and with assaults I am therefore of opinion that upon this occasion we ought to shun giving battel and that we ought with all industry to fortifie our quarters and use all vigilancy in defending them so as the Leagues Army may not be able to force them succour being hindred from without it is not to be doubted but for what within our flege will advance fortunately against the walls We have already made such progress as the City is in great terror the Inhabitants whereof being accustomed to Traffick and not acquainted with the Military profession will not run the hazard of exposing themselves to ruine plunder and other dreadfull calamities which often accompany the taking of places by storm and violence Doubtlesly Monsieur de Villiers doth sufficiently discharge his part in making defence But when he shall want victuals when his souldiery shall lessen and when he shall despair of succour how can be then hold longer out As for us the river furnisheth us with plenty of victuals we doe so abound in gallant horse as we shall keep a good part of the neighbouring parts at our devotion We expect new succours by sea from Holland we receive fresh aid daily by land from the Provinces hereabouts Wherefore since the advantages doe every day increase on our side by way of siege why should we not with all fervor and constancy prosecute it These neighbouring wars of France and Flanders have begot a common saying that sieges are there learn'd here battels Let it be once seen that Erance can do both the one and the other And that though it use to prevail by the force of field-fights yet it can use patience in bringing oppugnations when it shall be requisite to their right end It cannot be denyed but that the Duke of Parma won much praise the last year by taking Lagne whilst our Army looked on But how much greater will your Majesties glory be if you shall take Roan in the face of his Army Roan which is the second City of the Kingdom and which will quickly give you entrance into the first For it is not to be doubted but that the Duke of Parma being recalled by his own necessities into Flanders Paris will soon be reduced to your Majesties obedience and that by the example thereof all the rest of the Kingdom will strive to do the like But the Vicecount of Turein not long before made Duke of Bullion by the right of his wife who was one of the chief Commanders in war amongst the Hugonots of that Country and who through his valour and by his knowing how to make use thereof by a particular vivacity of wit became afterwards likewise one of the most esteem'd Marishals of France was of another opinion and spake thus I must confess unconquerable Prince I know not wherein the so great difference lies between the siege that was before Paris and this which is now before Roan as that the resolutions which were then taken should be now shun'd It was thought then that your Majesties Army was not sufficient at one and the same time both to maintain the siege before Paris and to fight the Army of the League but that either the one or the other of these resolutions must be pitched upon At last the latter prevailed over the former and therefere we marched with all our Forces against the enemy to give them battel in the field and by that means to keep Patis from being relieved 'T is true there were no quarters taken nor fortified in that siege nor was there any sort of oppugning made But notwithstanding I shall never be of opinion that to hinder the present relief we should rather shut our selves up within our own quarters then march with our Army into the field as we did then Roan is of such a bigness and doth consequently require that our Fortifications about it be of such a compass as we cannot bring them to such perfection as to be able to keep within them and to defend them Wherefore shall we expect to be doubly assaulted within them at one and the same time Onceby the Leagues Army without and again within by the Garison of the City What will our danger be when we shall be thus invironed by so great Forces on all sides The Duke of Alva some years agoe at the siege of Mons waited for the Prince of Orange within his Trenches the Prince came drew near was beaten back and the Town was afterwards surrendred But what Orange did then assault high and well munited Rampires defended by ancient and experienced souldiers against Tumultuaries And Count Lodovick brother to Orange had a very weak Garison within the Town and a people as contrary to him as well might be Let us pass from this President of Flanders to another of Italy which may be much better applyed to our present case The memory thereof is sad and will ever be so to France I speak of the unfortunate fiege of Pavia King Francis as it is well known suffered himself upon that occasion to be reduced to between the Spanish Army without and the German Garison within who were all of them men trained up in Arms and being set upon on both sides at once those mis fortunes and calamities befell him which are sufficiently known to all men The Army of the League comes now and is furnished with particular choice
an harquebuse about the reins which made him hasten his retreat At the news here of the Dragoons came in and lighting on foot were of great service to the King in sustaining the fury of the Enemy But almost all of them being slain the King had run the like hazard had not Jury and Lavardine advanced to defend him though they were accompanied but with few of their men for the rest frightned with the news that was given out that the King was either slain or taken prisoner had most of them abandoned the field So as their succour was not sufficient neither for fresh horse of the Leagues coming in the Kings men could not stand this new tempest Jury had his horse kill'd under him and Lavardine was ill hurt The Leagues Vantguard was already all in Arms and the Flying Squadron in particular was ready to move And the Duke du Mayn said unto the Duke of Parma with a loud voyce That such an advantagious occasion was not to be lost That the King of Navar was upon has flight most of his horse full of ruine and terror wherefore what labour would it be to dissipate all the rest That wanting Foot and having rashly run into such straits the King could by no means escape if they would be but as resolute to assault him as it was easie to oppress him 'T is said that the King seeing himself in so great danger made one of his Captains of set purpose be taken prisoner who was to affirm as he did that to boot with the Horse which the King brought with him he was followed by a good body of Foot The Duke of Parma detained by this relation and by his diffidence of being in a Country which he was not acquainted with and with Forces which did not fully depend upon his command would by no means hazard himself further in this conflict fearing some ambush or some other sinister accident which might befall him And he was chiefly perswaded thereunto for that he thought in reason of war it was impossible the King of Navar should with such resolution have exposed himself to such a conflict against the Army of the League unless he were accompanied with a great strength of Foot also Wherefore the King being no further charged the Dukes of Nevers and of Longueville came the mean while in to his aid and affording him sufficient commodity first to get into Aumaile and then to get out of it For it was no place wherein to resist the Leagues Army he put himself quickly into safety He lost a great many of his men in this action and Noble blood was mingled with blood which was more ordinary There were very few of the League that were either slain or hurt This was the Action at Aumaile so considerable especially for that on the one part the King of Navar through too much rashness was wounded and likely to have been taken or slain and for that on the other part the Duke of Parma through too much wariness did not bear away a victory which might have put the King into his hands either dead or alive together with the whole Kingdom The King retreated from Aumaile to Chasteauneufe which was not a considerable place to make resistance But because it mightily imported the King of Navar to entertain the Duke of Parma as much as might be the Baron of Jury seemed ready to tarry there and within it to make what resistance he could To this purpose the King leaving with him such men as were needfull drew off with the rest to have his wound cured and that he might again upon the first design turn to infest the Enemy Fernese being come to Chasteauneufe did so narrowly beset the Town as he took it within four dayes suffering Jury to goe out at the particular instance of the Baron of Shatres who was very near a kin to him Here the Duke staid some dayes longer to provide himself of victuals with part whereof to keep his Army in good plight and to succour the besieged with the rest The Duke having Chasteauneufe continued his march as formerly which was but slow because he would have it sure Wherefore the King being cured returned again to infest him and to use all means of detaining the succour till such time as he might be master of Roan Continual skirmishes were therefore had between the two Camps no great advantage being at any time had on either side save only that in one of them the Count of Saligni was taken prisoner The Leagues Army was now come so near Roan as there remained nothing but to resolve of the manner how they should endeavour to effect the succour In that upper part of Normandy wherein the two Camps now were there is a Peninsula which contains the Country of Caux It is flankt on the one side by the Sene and on the other by the River Diep even to the Sea which incompasseth the greatest part thereof so as there remains but a narrow entrance into it by land between the two Rivers Upon the Sene beneath Roan the King was master as hath been said of Caudebeck and upon Diep he was master of the Town called Diep and of Arques not far from thence The King with almost all his whole Horse was towards this side of the Peninsula as being the neerest part to annoy the Leagues Army having taken those horse from the siege as well because there was no need of them there as for that they might be the better kept in those spacious situations where he was His Horse-quarters were therefore five or sixe leagues distant from where his Foot were puartered about Roan Fernese was the more encouraged by this distance of the King of Navar 's Forces Wherefore rejecting the counsels of some who advised that they should endeavour to steal in some relief into Roan by night he marched with his whole Camp in Battel-array and going towards Pont del Ark at the furthest distance that he could from those places where the Kings horse lay he drew near Roan The resolution which was taken was to march as quietly as they could by night and to come unexpectedly about the break of day to the Enemies trenches and violently to assail them on the outside whereupon the Garrison sallying out from within and the assault being thus doubled and the King by reason of the too far distance not being able to succour his Foot time enough with his Horse it was not doubted but that the Enemy would forsake their Trenches and full of terror raise the siege wholly With this resolution and hope the D. of Parma was ready to march on the 26. of February when a Messenger came who was sent to him and the D. du Mayn with this advertisement from Monsieur de Villiers That the Garrison sallying out at four gates the day before about break of the day they had furiously assaulted the Enemy that great fear and execution had insued thereupon and their
afore mentioned assaults at one and the same time At the hearing of the Duke of Parma's march the King was in great dispute what to do But considering well his Forces and not thinking them such as that he was upon so great uncertainties to place all his hopes in them he set aside the more hardy advice and for the present giving way to the more cautious resolved not to undergoe the hazard of either of both these bickerings Wherefore he raised his Camp from before Roan on the 20 of April and marching in great order to Ponted Ark he stayed there to observe the enemies proceedings and to do what should make most for his advantage afterwards The King of Navar being gon from before Roan the Dukes of Parma and Main presently entred the Town and staid there the next day to the great joy of all the Inhabitants who ran from all parts to meet them and to receive them The Army was quartered in the neighbouring Towns till they might consider and resolve what designe to fall upon next Concerning which there were several opinions in the Councel But that which was most pursued especially by the French Commanders was that Rean not being to be reputed totally free till such time as it had the free passage of the river it was therefore necessary to take Caudebeck from the enemy by which Town they might be always much prejudiced in receiving their victuals by way of the river The Duke of Parma endeavoured upon all occasions to second the opinion of those of the League and particularly in working their advantages more in one part then in another of that Country wherein he was not well vers'd Though that resolution was to prove the ruine of the whole Army as shall be seen The Duke turning to the aforesaid siege of Caudebeck incamped before it with his whole Army This Town lies as hath been said upon the right hand of the banks of Seene It is three leagues distant from Roan of an indifferent bigness and without any considerable Fortification Yet those within the Town seemed as if they would defend it so as a battery must be prepared against it The Duke of Parma for his better satisfaction would go himself in person to discover the situation of the place And whilst in company of one Propertio an Italian Ingeneer and only three more having advanced too far he was observing the walls it so fell out as some within the Town giving fire to their Harquebuses he was wounded by one of them on the left arm between the hand and the elbow He said not a word nor seemed to be any ways concerned in the wound but with singular sufferance continued the work begun when great store of bloud was seen to fall from his arm and he was necessitated to retire Being come to his lodging his wound was drest and it was judged not to be mortal but that the cure would be long and troublesome A great disturbance insued upon this accident throughout the whole Army it not being known how the Government should be ordered The Duke du Main had the chiefest part in the general command but the Duke of Parma would have the Prince his son to command over all the Flanders Forces The former resolution of forcing Caudebeck was thus continued A great battery was planted against the walls which quickly made a great breach wherefore the next day the defendants began to parley and upon good Conditions went out of the Town The Duke of Parma was brought in thither that his wound might be the better tended nor was there any resolution taken wherewith he was not acquainted Good store of provision was found in Caudebeck and the gaining of that Town made the River more open in the behalf of Roan though the Hollanders men of war did continually infest it But this mean while new Forces flock'd continually to the King of Navar and particularly the Nobility on horseback out of new hopes of a field-battel since the siege had succeeded unfortunately The King hereby incouraged went from Pont d'Arke and began to inlarge himself in the field intending to keep it as much as he could from the Leagues Army The designe was to hinder them especially from that Pass which lies between the Rivers of Seene and Diepe and which serves for the coming by land into the Peninsula of Canx as hath been said The Army of the League was of necessity to return by that way as they should go out of Normandy to reenter into Picardy And this sort of opposition might certainly put it into great straits After the taking of Caudebeck the Duke du Main and the Prince of Parma with the approbation of the Duke his Father led the Army to quarter more within the Country and came to the Town of Yuetot little more then an hours match from Caudebeck that they might the better observe the King of Navars resolutions and oppose themselves thereunto the best that they could The Village was full of houses and very advantagiously seated and victuals might easily be brought thither from the Seene Here then the Army staid and to the natural strength thereof they added such Fortifications by handy work as were necessary By this the King of Navar judged that the Colleagues intended to quit Normandy as soon as they could which he being desirous to hinder advanced with all his Camp and lodged not above a mile from where the Colleagues were Here the King began likewise to fortifie himself and at the same time to scoure the Country to straiten it as much as he could from the enemies Camp And he might very well do it for the Nobility being come again from all parts to assist him his Cavalry was increased to the number of 8 or 9 thousand horse and his foot did likewise daily increase This their so near neighbourhood occasioned continual skirmishes each party endeavouring to advantage their own situations that they might the more offend the like of the enemy The King of Navar went not long after to lodge in another place where he might keep the enemy much more from victuals 'T was evidently seen that his end was either to fight them upon great advantage or to reduce them to such a scarcity of victuals as he must at last have the victory without fighting The Colleagues began to be much incommodated by these his last quarters Wherefore not to be too much straitned neither in place nor in victuals they were often forced to sally out in great bodies in opposition of the Kings forces which were by the King with ineredible vigilancy kept in continual exercise The skirmishes were therefore usually turned into parties one of which happened to be so fierce and so long as it was likely to have turned to a set battel On one side the Duke du Main and Duke de Guise were ingaged and Prince Ranucchio on another whose horse was slain under him and his own person was evidently indangered At the noise
of this conflict and for fear lest it might come to a general battel came the Duke of Parma himself in person at last being brought in a Chair and afterwards set on horseback not failing to be wheresoever it was most needfull though his wound did exceedingly pain him But the coming on of night kept them from coming to an intire conflict and it was seen that to come thereunto each side desired either to have the greater advantage or would not hazard greater losses There were two Captains of Launces with the Prince who had particular occasion to signalize themselves the one a Spaniard Carlo Colonna and the other an Italian which was Hannibal Bentivoglio our brother a youth of but 20 years old who received a sore wound in his leg This Carlo Colonna wrote the History of the Military Successes of Flanders which happened in the time of his own being there in his own Language a History very much esteemed of and which hath made the Author so much more famous for that he was ever after meritoriously employed by the King not only in matters of War but also in Civil negotiations Many hot conflicts insued upon this neither side having much the better Neither do we think it fitting to represent every particular success thereof here that we may not too long defer the reassuming what more properly belongs to our particular History of Flanders The King of Navar continued scouring the Country up and down every where particularly where he might most incommodiate the Enemy in their victuals wherein they already suffered exceeding much Bread was sold at a very dear rate and was not had without great difficulty Forage for Horses grew every day scarcer and all other sufferings were proportionable to that of victuals throughout the whole Army Wherefore many Souldiers began to disband and all in generall to complain That their so many and so renowned labours should terminate in the miserable necessity of Famine How much better would it be to dye with their swords in their hands and by that way to attempt their return So as the Enemy should not boast at least to have overcome without fighting and glory in the triumph before they had well got the victory And this was the King of Navars mind For it was apparently seen that laying aside all thoughts of fighting his only end was to reduce the Colleagues to the utmost extremity by Famine and he seemed already not any wayes to doubt it He considered that the Leagues Army before they could come out of Normandy and enter into Picardy was of necessity to pass through the entrance into the aforesaid Peninsula That that Pass was possest by his souldiers and that the Colleagues could not without manifest ruine force their way through that passage There remained then only the passage over the Sene But how difficult and how dangerous would this be likewise to them since they were to pass over a River of so great a breadth and depth continually infested with the alternate ebbing and flowing of the Sea and being flanked with so powerfull an Army as was his By reason of which straits on both sides the King thought he had the victory so sure as as I said before he made no doubt of it The Duke of Parma did also very well know all these difficulties and weighing them together resolved at last to pass over the River and to put his Army into safety Nor did he any whit delay the doing thereof for the necessities of his Camp were grown to that extremity as it began to threaten an intire dissipation unless some opportune remedy might quickly be found Having therefore secretly communicated this his mind to the Duke Du Mayn to Prince Ranucchio and to some few others who were to be actors in the business he in the first place resolved to draw near the River the better to facilitate all such preparations as was necessary for that end The Colleagues were as it hath been said in Yvetot which was a good way from the River Fernese going then from thence went to another place within less then a mile off Caudebeck where he likewise fortified himself as well as he could On the other side the King of Navar failed not immediately to draw near unto him so as continual skirmishes and parties were had as before This mean while such provisions were made as were requisite for passing over the River as Fernese had designed Wherefore not able to defer it any longer he ordered it thus With great speed he caused two Forts to be raised upon the two shores one over against the other Into that which was on the shore next the Army he put Count Bossu with 800 Foot of his Walloon Regiment and into that on the contrary side he put Campmaster Barlotta with as many of his Regiment of the same Nation also and he furnished both these Forts with some Peeces of Artillery whereby to secure the Barks wherein the Army was to pass The Forts being thus raised and provided he caused a great many great Barks and some of a middle sise fall down from Roan which were made of such a form as was needfull for the said design There were some flat-bottom'd like to Floats for the better transporting of the Artillery and all these greater Barks were accompanied by lesser Boats with oars which were to serve to make the passage of the greater the more easie On the 22. of May all these Barks came to the place destin'd for the passage nor did the Duke of Parma delay one moment the putting of it in execution That very night he past over all the French Horse and the next day almost all the Flanders Foot some part thereof staid on this side the River to cozen the King of Navar by feigning to make the wonted skirmishes and to make him believe that they would go to some other quarters And because the Barks would have been too long in conveying over the whole Army almost all the Flanders Horse the Baggage and the Artillery were suddenly sent to Roan to enjoy as afterwards they did the commodity of the Bridge before spoke of and which was patcht up in the broken parts thereof in such sort as necessity upon such an occasion could permit The next day as the Kings Hors-men were making their wonted excursions they were at last aware that the Enemies Army were passing over the River The King was mad to hear of this especially when he knew that there were but few left on this side the River and that those were sheltred by the Fort raised on the same side He without delay picked out a select number of Horse and came to the River to see if he could rout the aforesaid men who were all Spaniards and Italians But he found them so valiantly sustained by Prince Ranucchio and so well defended by the Fort as he could no wayes impede their passage To perfect the business the Duke of Parma would have his son
Fuentes arrived in Flanders who prepared to go from Brussels to find out the Duke at Arras but he could not come time enough for the Duke not able to hold out any longer and knowing himself first to be dead before he would as it were confess himself to be mortal breathed forth his very last spirits about the beginning of December Thus ended Alexander Fernese Duke of Parma in the 7 year of his age The Pontifical greatness of Paul the third placed the Title of Prince in his house This Alexander being from his birth highly minded began to give all signes thereof even in his childhood Whilst yet a youth he went to the Court of Spain to give the greater pawn of his dependancy unto the King and consequently to obtain the livelyer effects of protection from him But passing quickly from the Courtier to the Souldier he laid the first foundation thereof under Don John of Austria upon the memorable occasion of the League against the Turk Even then he gave such proofs of his warlike spirit that amongst the richest choice of Commanders that Christendom had in that enterprise he was chosen to take in Navarino one of the most considerable places of all the Eastern Seas Don John being afterwards made Governour of the Low-Countries he at the first news of the revolts which arose there hasted as hath been said to find out Don John And so behaved himself in every Military action as it was questioned whether he had better performed the quality of a common souldier or the greater prerogatives of a Commander Succeeding afterwards himself in the same Government it seemed Don John did still survive in him so near were they ally'd no less in affection then in bloud and so conformable were they both in their years in their conditions and in their valour Whilst Fernese fought amongst the Flemish his Forces were almost always waited upon by great good success but being forced to pass divers times into France he was necessitated to see the Kings affairs in Flanders mightily decline For what concerns the reputation of his Military profession none hath more in France then he for the two so memorable Succours of Paris and Roan And finally his glorious Retreat from Caudebeck won more renown unto him without fighting then if he had joyned battel in each of those actions and had overcome He was indeed a gallant Commander and doubtlesly of so clear a fame as his renown may rank him amongst the most cry'd up Chieftains of Antiquity and render his memory so reverenced in the present age as to make him be admired by posterity THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK I. The Contents Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield succeeds the Duke of Parma in the Government of Flanders He sends his son Count Charls into Picardy where joyning with the Duke du Main they besiege and take the Town of Noyon But the Spaniards in that Army mutiny awhile after in the Town of St Paul in Artois Count Maurice makes use of this he strongly besieges St Getringberg and takes it Mansfield having in vain endeavoured to relieve it Disorders increase in the Kings Army by another mutiny of Italians and Walloons at Pont in Hennault Archduke Ernestus comes to Flanders and is by the King declared Governour thereof A new expedition of Count Charls in Picardy with the taking of La Chapelle The Archduke indeavours a Treaty of peace with the enemy But they reject all Treaties Not long after they besiege Groninghen which after some opposition is taken by Count Maurice The King of Navar declares himself a Catholick And the League languisheth The King enters with great forces into Picardy He besieges Laon. Du Main and Mansfield march to relieve it But cannot doe it Their noble retreat in the face of the King This mean while another Mutiny happens amongst the Italians in Flanders who take the Town of Sichen The Archduke endeavours to break the Mutiny by force and not being able to doe it comes to composition The Confederate Provinces endeavour to find a nearer way by Sea to the East-Indies by the North. The design succeeds not It is briefly touched how they entred by the usual way into the East-Indies and afterwards into the West Archduke Ernestus dies and leaves the Government of those Provinces to Count Fuentes BY Commissions from the King of Spain which were brought by Count Fuentes into Flanders it was ordered That if the Duke of Parma should chance to dye the Government should remain in Count Peter Ernestus in the same manner as it had been in the Dukes two precedent expeditions into France That his son Count Charls should still keep the chief management of the Forces that he should continue to give all possible assistance to the League in France and that the greatest endeavours being made on that side it should suffice to stand only upon the defence on the Kings part in the affairs of Flanders These Orders being come from the King the first thing Count Peter Ernestus did was to dispatch away his Son with new Forces into France to boot with those that were there already in behalf of the League The Duke Du Mayn prest very much for these succours and that he might the sooner receive it he himself was already gone into Picardy Count Fuentes was in the first Place with Mansfield and bore such a sway with him as the power of Government seemed to be more in Fuentes then in Mansfield Fuentes then remained chief Superintendent in Flanders and Count Charls past into France with 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse part old souldiers part new men but then raised You heard before how that the Duke of Parma that he might have a safe retreat upon the Frontiers of Picardy had in his second expedition the Town of Fera delivered into his hands Here Count Charls made his rendezvouz and here did the Duke Du Mayn joyn with him Between the Flanders Forces and those of France which depended upon the League was framed an Army of 15000 Foot and 3000 Horse and in the beginning of March in the year 1593. the Camp moved against Noyon which is not far from La Fera. It is a Town very much peopled it hath a Bishops See in it and certain other circumstances which makes it be esteemed one of the most considerable places of all Picardy Noyon adhered to the King of Navar and was of much advantage to him in that part of the Province which lies nearest Paris For all things else it was not so strong neither by nature nor by industry nor by the condition of the people or garrison but that it might be soon won A little Rivolet runs through it which not far from the City falls into the Oyse When the Army of the League had begirt Noyon they began to fortifie their quarters towards the field lest the King of Navar might endeavour to succour the Town then
Souldiers he reviewed the Place very attentively and endeavoured to put it into such a posture as that Mansfield might have time to prepare succour and to endeavour how to introduce it On the other side Count Maurice thinking that his outward Fortifications were sufficient to keep him from so doing bent himself with all his might against the Town within When the Duke of Parma had got the Town he caused a Fort to be raised upon the chiefest Bank on the side of Donge The Fort was near enough the Town and guarded a Pass of great importance From the very first that Maurice had begun the Siege he had propounded unto himself to take this Fort which from the name of a neighbouring Village was called the Fort of Steenlo And giving the care thereof to Count Hollack the few Souldiers that were within it having made a slender resistance abandoned it From this Fort Maurice began to ply the Town with Cannon-shot nor contented with several Batteries by Land he did the like by water loading to that purpose many ships with great guns which were placed on the one side in the Donge and on the other in fitting places in the Merwe and were well joyned together The Town was continually plaid upon with above 60 piece of Canon Amidst these hard dealings which the besieged met withall on all sides they did not notwithstanding omit manfully to defend themselves They oft-times fallied boldly out upon the enemy and supplying their paucity in number with their valour they endeavoured to hinder their works as much as they could and to use all other means to retard the siege Messieres was the first no less in pains taking then in command being both within and without continually where occasion most required But with unfortunate success at last for ere many days were over he was slain with a Canon-shot The Garison substituted Monsieur de Gisan in his place who was the eldest Captain and held for the valiantest who failed not to continue the like diligence and labour The Town was notwithstanding straitned every day more then other and the danger of the loss thereof every day increased unless it were all the sooner relieved which both General Mansfield and Count Fuentes had from the first beginning of the siege effectually apply'd themselves unto But the Kings Forces were so weakened by the diversion of France as it was requisite to recruit them with new levies both of horse and foot and this could not be done without time and many other difficulties Mansfield had therefore given out orders for the speedy raising of Germans Lorainers and Burgonians and took divers Plemish and Walloons into pay within the Country also To boot with these provisions of men he provided likewise for all other things that were necessary And passing with Fuentes into Antwerp that he might be the nearer bringing relief he resolved to go from thence immediately about it But by reason of the aforesaid difficulties his marching thitherward proved so late as it was judged almost impossible to force those Fortifications which the enemy had so advantagiously raised against the Town Amongst the Maxims of War none is more practised then to endeavour to raise one siege by the diversion of another The Commanders who were with Mansfield did therefore consult whether that it were not better to besiege Breda then to endeavour the relief of Getringberg so to force Maurice to raise that siege the better to defend himself from the danger of the other To perswade unto the diversion it was shewed how well the enemies had fortified themselves and how well their Trenches were munited on all sides in so much as there being but very small hope of ever overcoming them it would be but in vain to endeavour it That therefore the only means was to try a diversion to which purpose none was more fit then to sit down before Breda with all the Kings Forces It was represented that Breda was of so great concernment both in respect of the publick union as also for Count Maurice his private considerations as doubtlesly the enemy would not suffer such a place to be lost wherefore it was to be believed that Maurice would raise the present siege and presently run to disturb the other And finally it was taken for granted that the enemy had come with so great Forces before St. Getringberg as it was to be believed Breda was but ill provided for and therefore the Kings men should be the better incouraged to go against it But many other weighty reasons were urged to the contrary And first it was said that the enemy were already so advanced in their siege as they would not by any means abandon it And that therefore it was the rather to be believed that when they should see Breda threatned they would lay the closer siege to St Getringberg so to make themselves the sooner Masters of it and afterwards apply themselves suddenly to relieve Breda It was added that they might easily do the one or the other for that if St. Getringberg were not quickly succoured the Town would be surrendred before Breda could be well besieged and that then the enemy might turn with all their Forces to the defence thereof That this way of oppugning was of it self to be thought very difficult for that the enemy since the surprisal of Breda had fortified it and provided better for it and was affirmed that in reason of war the Kings Army was not to be brought between such a Town and so great Forces as were in the enemies Camp Through all these contrarieties it was resolved that the better course would be to endeavour by all means possible to relieve St Getringberg for that peradventure the difficulties in doing it would not prove so great as was thought for and that howsoever they ought rather to endeavour the succour though in vain then by undertaking a vain siege be doubly shamed by the loss of Getringberg and by the not getting of Breda These last reasons prevailed in the Councel of War To boot that the Kings then Forces being well considered they were not thought to be such as whereupon to ground so weighty a designe in hopes to execute it For when Mansfield had sufficiently provided for all such places as it was judged the enemy might assail he could not muster above 8000 foot and 2500 horse Resolving then howsoever to endeavour the relief with these men he pitched upon Turnault for his Rendezvouz and brought his Camp thither about the end of May. Turnault is an open Village but the greatest and most populated that is in all Brabant It lies in equal distance almost a days journey from Antwerp and from Getringberg Here again it was taken into consideration by the Kings Camp on which side they should meet with least difficulty in bringing in the succour And through Intelligence which they had they resolved to go with all their men into Steeloune which lay near the enemies Trenches On this
that Port and that of Selle another great Ravelin stood out likewise called La Nue and so high was the ditch every where thereabouts as it appeared more difficult being dry then if it had had water in it But in all other parts thereabouts the earth was so soft and myery and so troublesome for the making of Trenches as Fuentes no less out of necessity then choice resolved to accoast the City on that higher and steeper side and to storm it there The works being then begun with great fervency great and sodain advancement was made therein through the incessant labour of so many Pyoners though it cost much labour by reason of the quality of the earth which most commonly was too hard and sometimes stony They wrought upon two Trenches the one just over against the wall which ran along from the Port di Malle towards the Bulwark Robert so was the abovesaid Orillion called and the other towards the same Port di Malle which the Townsmen by reason of the siege had then block'd up with earth Fuentes had given the care of all these works to the Campmaster Augustin Missia who with the Spaniards did most tend that which was the chiefest and which led towards the Bulwark Robert The Campmaster Barlotta with his VValloons apply'd himself to the other which led towards the Port di Malle and great diligence being had in the making of both these Trenches they were within a few days brought even to the edg of the ditch This mean while those within the Town ceased not continually to molest these works both nearer hand and at a further distance neerer hand by frequent sallies and at a further distance by their Canon from off their walls So as many actions had and did daily happen sometimes between foot and foot sometimes between horse and horse and often between both horse and foot Baligni was one of the Marishals of France and his wife was in Cambray A woman so highly spirited as she would not yield unto her husband in sustaining the difficulties of the siege She her self made the round She reviewed the sentinels incouraged the souldiers took care for what they wanted and behaving her self valiantly in all other Military exercise she appeared to be of so warlike a spirit as almost nothing of womanish was seen in her The husband and the wife striving thus who should most incourage their men to resistance they indeavoured to retard the enemies proceedings as much as they could But these did every day advance more and more and had already begun to fall into the ditch and to place their batteries on two sides the one being of 14 great piece of Canon against that part of the wall towards which the Campmaster Messia's works tended and the other of to such like Canon against the Port di Malle towards which the Campmaster Barlotto did address his works Nine pieces were placed in a battery apart against the Bulwark Robert And above 30 others here and there to play where it was most behovefull and so much the better impede the Defence They fought this mean while in the Ditch and the dryer the Ditch was the greater was the Contest But those within seeing themselves daily to be more and more straitned Baligni began to be afraid and to press very much for speedy succour which was no less desired by the French The King of France had just now reconciled himself to the Apostolick See and as Pope Clement the eighth could not have shown more zeal in endeavouring the preservation of that Kingdom in the unity of the Church nor more wisdom in guiding that business throughout so did not the King omit doing any thing which might make the reverence and honour most appear which he desired upon such an occasion to render to the Holy See His affairs in France were hereby mightily advantaged and no relicks of the League now remaining it was daily expected when the agreement already begun between the King and Duke Du Mayne should be perfected The King was therefore much grieved that amidst so much felicity he must be in danger to lose Cambrey unless it were speedily relieved Wherefore he resolved to go thither in person with powerful Forces but not being then in posture to do it so suddenly he resolved to send one of the prime Captains of France thither for the present very speedily by whose authority and valour the siege might in the interim be the better sustained To this purpose he chose Monsieur de Vich who was esteemed the best of all France particularly for what concern'd a siege Du Vich visited the Duke of Nevers first at St. Quintain And taking from thence 500 choice Dragoons he marched about the midst of September upon the coming on of night towards the Enemies Trenches and winding about on the left hand towards the gates Cantimper and Selle he came before them intending to enter by one of them into Cambray As he advanced the Spanish Scouts gave the alarm And Landriano advanced suddenly with some Troops of Horse and 300 Foot to obviat him Landriano knew not by which of the two gates Du Vich intended to enter wherefore placing himself between them both he hoping to keep him from entring at either of them Du Vich fained as if he would enter by the gate of Selle and drew Landriano with all his men thitherward but turning suddenly towards the other of Cantimper and making all his Dragoons light on foot that their sorrowful horses might serve for prey to Landriano's souldiers who already followed him and so to entertain them the longer he came to the City without the loss of so much as one man He was welcomed thither with great applause and soon confirmed the opinion both of the King that had sent him and of the others that received him He suddenly reviewed the Line and endeavoured divers wales to advantage it on that side where the Enemies Trenches and the Batteries which they were preparing did most threaten it He first raised a great half moon between the Bulwark Robert and the gate Malle thinking that that Curtain was not sufficiently Flank'd Upon the Rampire between the gate Malle and the other gate Selle he raised a great Platform the more to anoy the Enemies works and he furnished it with good store of Artillery he disposed of many other peeces by way of Counterbattery to the fourteen which were placed without to play upon the Curtain between the Bulwark Robert and the gate Malle He placed some likewise against those nine which were to play upon the Bulwark Robert in a Battery apart He raised divers other advantagious works in the ditch and from the first day that he entred into Cambray those within the Town were so encouraged as they ceased not afterwards to make continual sallies It was now towards the end of September and the Artillery on the outside were so prepared for Battery as they were ready to fall to execution
when Du Vich prevented them with his from within and began to showre down a horrible tempest upon the Enemy These continued to play a whole day and a half uncessantly and had such effect as they dismounted nine peeces of Canon of the Spaniards Camp and slew many Canoneers and many other souldiers Those within the Town by their accommodation of working within the dry ditch had underminded the nine peeces which were to play upon the Bulwark Robert so to blow them up and cause some impediment to the Enemy And though the effect was not altogether answerable to the design yet did the mine so much indamage them as four of those Canons were buryed in the ground and the rest were made unuseful for the present and for a good while after This so lively and so well wieghed resistance caused great confusion in the Spanish Camp Some of the Commanders propounded to Fuentes that the Assault might be removed from the higher to the lower side Nor were there those wanting who seeing further into the difficulties of storming so large a Town and which was so well defended advised to raise the so close siege and to beleaguer it at a further distance by the way of Forts These thought it impossible but that the cold and rainy weather would come in before the siege should be ended and that likewise the King of France would appear in succour of the City with great Forces in either of which cases they must of necessity doe that with shame which they might now doe out of choice with leaving at least such Forts as might keep those of Cambray from making such excursions as they formerly were wont to the great annoyance of all the parts thereabouts As for altering the place of assault Fuentes did no wayes incline thereunto For he considered that that would be to begin the siege anew that peradventure the difficulties would not prove less elswhere and that the mean while all the labour which they had imployed in making Trenches and raising Forts would be lost But he was much more against raising the fiege How could he excuse such an act to the King of Spain to the Walloon Provinces in Flanders and to his own Honour Nor yet could he approve of a siege at a further distance by the way of Forts For if the Duke of Alanson had formerly freed Cambray from those that the Duke of Parma had planted about it certainly the King of France might much more easily doe the like now to these Wherefore no ways yielding to the difficulty of the undertaking he resolved to continue the siege in the same place The Commanders in chief in all governments use always to keep somwhat to themselves of secret and of weight And thus did Fuentes at this time One of the chiefest motives which had made him fall upon that siege was the secret intelligence which chiefly by the Archbishops means he held in Cambray He had received much encouragement from his Complices within the City for his incamping before it and for his continuing the siege which had been so well begun Hoping therefore no less in these secret machinations of intelligence then in his other openly put in execution he appear'd more firm then ever in his former resolution And he did this the rather by reason of his new recruit of Forces of which a strength of 700 choise Horse was very considerable which the Mutiniers of Tillemone prepared to send to serve him in that enterprise but upon certain conditions whereby those Mutiniers were more ascertained of their pay They returned then again to work upon their Batteries the two Campmasters Messia and Barlotta being very diligent therein A great Rampier of Earth was raised to shelter Messia's greater Battery from Du Vich's new Platform and some pieces of Artillery were placed upon a Rise without towards the Gate Selle which did command that Platform which Pieces did not only serve to weaken that defence but also to clear all that wall which ran between the Gate Selle and the Flank Nua as also to beat down the houses within the City Another way to issue out was also opened in the Ditch over against the Bulwark Robert that they might have more Avenues and come the easilier to the Assault which was intended to be made on that side To these divers other Works were added to hasten the business as much as might be and all parts where succour was most apprehended were chiefly reinforced with souldiers This was the condition of the siege in the beginning of October when Fuentes thought he might now come to Battery and then fall suddenly to assault All the Batteries began to thunder tempestuously on the Enemies wall at day-break which they did with such uniformity as they seemed not to be severall but one sole Battery Barlotta's ten Peeces plaid against the Gate Malle Messia's fourteen against the Wall which ran from thence to the Bulwark Robert and Messia's other nine against the Orillioun of the same Bulwark to discover and take away that Defence which might more hinder the Assault which was intended to be made in that place then any other Nor did the rest of the Artillery which were placed elswhere cease playing at the same time especially those that were on that higher part without from whence the houses of the City were beaten down Alike was the Tempest which plaid from the batter'd Walls upon the Batteries So as by so great and horrible a Thunder the Fields shook without and the City within The use of Eyes was lost and almost the use of Ears Smoak clouded the Day and the horror was the greater for that it was obscured by Horror Whilst the great Batteries plaid thus from one part the Spanish Camp was in Arms in all other parts Fuentes being very carefull that at the same time the outward Line of the Siege should be well guarded to which purpose he had assigned particular stations and Forces to the Duke d'Umale to the Campmaster Generall Rony to the Prince of Avelino and to divers other Commanders And to the end that when sufficient breach should be made by the Batteries the Assault should immediately ensue on Messia's and on Barlotta's side Fuentes gave likewise such Orders as were most requisite for them both He gave Messia especial charge that when the Assault should be given he should by all means hinder the Town from being plunder'd and from suffering any other kind of disorder The Batteries continued the space of eight hours and had made such ruine as the Spaniards began to prepare for the Assault when it appeared that the machinations within the City had wrought more upon the Citizens minds then those without whereby the City-walls were so cruelly batter'd Those who were for Fuentes and especially the Ecclesiasticks who depended upon the Archbishop taking this occasion had sundry ways endeavoured to incite the People against Baligny and against the French And just at this time Baligny and his wife
Ardes So as almost at the same time he loseth the one Town and gets the other He then draws near the enemies Camp with all his Forces and endeavours to draw him out to battel Which the Cardinal avoids and having provided well for the Towns which he had newly taken he retreats with the rest of his Army into Artois From thence he passeth into Flanders and seeming first as if he would make some other sieges sits down before Hulst The description of that place the Country about it and the whole siege with the insuing surrender thereof This mean while the Marquis of Barambone is routed and taken by the Marishal of Biroun upon the Frontiers of Picardy And soon after Barambone's brother the Count Varras is put to flight and slain in Brabant by Count Maurice AT the Cardinal Archdukes arrival in Brussels all mens eyes were turned upon the Frontiers of France and Flanders It being the generally conceived opinion that the greatest heat and chiefest seat of war between the two Kings would be there The King of France not long before the Cardinals arrival was in Picardy He had hoped to establish himself at one and the same time in Burgony and to relieve Cambray not thinking that either Balignie's misfortune would be so great or yet Fuentes his happiness as to end that siege so soon Touching the affairs of Burgony the King had had all good success in those parts for Interest at last prevailing over Arms the Duke du Main had made his peace with him quitting the Government of Burgony and taking in lieu thereof that of the Isle of France together with divers other conditions wherewith he was fully satisfied Wherefore the Constable of Castiel returning to Milan Burgony remained eased of Arms and the King began already to have intire obedience therein The greater advantages he got on that side the more was he displeased with those which Fuentes had obtained in Picardy but he was chiefly troubled that Cambray should be fallen again into the King of Spains hands The King of France had not any great Forces as then yet they were such as he thought he might besiege la Fera and soon take it La Fera is strongly seated for being almost wholly invironed with Marishes there is no access unto it but by two narrow avenues It stands a good way within Picardy wherefore the Duke of Parma had chosen it as one of the best places that were in that Province and whereby the King of Spains affairs in those parts might receive the most advantage There are two avenues whereby access may chiefly be had unto the Town of both which the King did quickly possess himself and having block'd them up with good Forts he fell to dividing out his quarters Alvarus Osorio a Spaniard and a greatly esteemed souldier commanded in chief within the Town he had with him a choice Garison and had sufficient ammunition for war but was so very much straitned in victuals that unless he should receive good store thereof all the sooner it was impossible for him long to sustain the siege The King was not ignorant of this wherefore quitting all thought of assault he resolved to straiten it only by siege hoping that by keeping them thus from succour on all sides and especially from victuals he should soon be Master of it This was the condition of la Fera when the Cardinal Archduke came to Brussels Wherefore the first thing that was taken into consideration by his Councel of War was Whether they were to relieve Lu Fera with all their Forces or endeavour to necessitate the King to raise the siege by some important diversion There were so many and so efficacious reasons which made against the succour as they were not to be answered It was considered That La Fera being situated so far within Picardy it was as it were invironed with St. Quintain Han Guise and Peroune and some other Towns also which were all of them in the Enemies possession and were all very well garisoned and munitâ—â— That therefore if the Spanish Army would approach La Fera it must of necessity leave divers of these Towns upon its back that if so the enemy might at their pleasure scour the Country cut off the ways hinder victuals and especially disturb forage That La Fera was almost unaccessible on all sides by reason of the Marishes That the best Avenues were well guarded with Forts by the King of France That the siege was still more straitned by him on all sides and that new men came in daily unto his Camp which would abound as usually it did especially with choice Cavalry What hopes could they then have either of coming near La Fera or by doing so of introducing relief unless they would at the same time assault the enemy in his own quarters But what hope of good success could they have herein the King was intrenched ready to fight or not to fight according as should make for his most advantage That if he thought his Forces were such as he might buckle with the Spaniards in the field no reason either of war or yet of State would permit that the Spaniards should hazard themselves upon the uncertain event of a battel That if the King should be routed he might easily gather new forces but put the case the contrary should happen what difficulties would the Cardinal Arch-Duke meet withal and what expences would he be at in making new Levies of Spaniards Italians and of other Forraigners of which the chief body of the Kings Forces in Flanders is usually framed And say such a losse should insue what new acquisitions would the Confederate Provinces hope to make These reasons bore with them so much weight to plead against the abovesaid succour as the votes were already for proposing some diversion which might force the King to rise from before la Fera when news was brought that by George Bastie's means that Town was victualled sufficiently for at least two moneths not long before this Basty was returned into Flanders with leave for some short while from the Emperor who had long before imployed him in the wars of Hungary against the Turks he had won very great experience in war by his having spent so much time in the war of Flanders and by reason of the so many noble employments wherein he had served the Duke of Parma in particular in whose last expeditions in France Basti had almost alwaies commanded the Armies horse in which sort of service there was no man held more able at that time then he nor who knew better what belong'd thereunto neither in point of command nor execution He had received orders from the Cardinal that he should endeavour to relieve la Fera with some victuals from the neerest Frontiers of Flanders to which purpose 800 choice horse were in readiness upon the same Frontiers which were to take each of them a sack of corn behinde them and to cause them to
his endeavours to vvin Morual vvhich lay nearest the Tovvn and from vvhence the Kings Camp received most prejudice To effect vvhich the tvvo Camp masters Velasco and Barlotta after midnight and vvhen the tide vas at the lovvest began to move vvith some of their Spaniards and Walloons The Enemy had fortified themselves upon that bank vvith divers earth vvorks and hoped also to be better defended by the Artillery from the Tovvn and Forts Yet did the Royalists make so fierce an assault as after a bitter bickering the Enemy vvas forced to retire from the bank and the Royalists remained in full possession thereof But this business cost them much blood and in it divers of the best Spanish and Walloon Commanders and other Officers vvere slain Then Ronye began to batter the Fort Morual vvhich lay nearest the Tovvn and the Kings men being already lodged betvveen the Tovvn and the Fort so as the one could not succour the other the defendants vvould not vvait an assault but resolved to surrender the Fort vvhich vvas accepted of upon condition that the defendants vvho vvere almost 800 in number should not re-enter into Hulst but should retreat vvith their Arms and Baggage to the Holland Fleet vvhich vvas then about Lillo in the Scheld The taking of this Fort together vvith the command of the bank gave free passage for the bringing of victuals great store of vvhich vvas quickly brought into the Island and their very sore sufferings for many daies for vvant of victuals vvas remedied After this the Cardinal came himself in person to vievv the quarters trenches and all the other vvorks And then returning to his former quarter at St. Nicholas it was resolved in the Councel of vvar that all diligence should be used in advancing the Trenches upon vvhich in that higher part Velasco's and Zunigo's Spaniards and Trevico's Italians vvhich vvere quartered near them vvrought These Trenches vvere dravvn out against three Ravelins by vvhich the Tovvn vvas defended on that side Those Ravelins stood loose from the principal vvall and though they vvere made onely of earth yet they served for a good defence because they had a good ditch vvithout and there vvas a high Platform on that side vvithin the Tovvn vvhich did much disturb the oppugners insomuch as many persons of account were slain from thence and the prejudice grew daily greater Yet since it was thought the works could not be better advanced from any other part the Cardinal resolved they should be chiefly prosecuted there But a sore mischance rendred that resolution soon fatal Rony went oft thither to give such orders as were requisite and being one day under the Campmaster Velasco's Tent which lay open to the Canon from the Town an unfortunate shot came which took off his head A loss which was highly rescented in the Kings Camp Monsieur de Rony was born in Champania where that Province looks nearest Lorain And because in all the French revolts he always adhered to the Princes of the House of Lorain he was usually taken to be a Lorainer He was come of a noble family and was called Christian of Lavigny The Princes of the League had not a more zealous Officer nor a more worthy Commander then he in all their affairs both of State and War He executed the chiefest part under the Duke Du Mayn in those two so famous succours of Paris and Roan and may be said to have executed the second under the Duke of Parma Then putting himself wholly into the King of Spain's service valour was ever seen to vye in him with loyalty and loyalty with valour He was master of all the most practised Tongues and all they of so many and so different Nations took him for their Countryman so greatly was he beloved and esteemed by every particular Souldier He was equally good at Command and Execution though his being very corpulent made the latter somewhat troublesom to him But for the former there was never any who gave out more cleer Orders more speedy nor more resolute The Cardinal exprest more sorrow for this loss then any one To witness the which he made his Corps be carried to Brussels where by his direction his obsequies were solemnly celebrated in the chiefest Church The Cardinal declared the Count de Varras General of the Artillery to be Camp-master Generall in Rony's place He was brother to the Marquis of Barambone and of himself a person of great experience and much cry'd up in Arms. He had used much diligence and industry particularly in this Siege in conveying many Peeces of Artillery into the Island notwithstanding the difficulties sometimes of the high Tide sometimes of the low and miery situations And having already placed many of them against those Ravelins towards which the Trenches of the Spaniards and Italians pointed those Ravelins were furiously plaid upon and likewise their Defences with other Peeces They this mean while labour'd their falling into the Ditch which succeeding and then falling to fill it wherein they were much opposed by the Enemy the Spaniard at last and at the same time almost the Italians marched to go to the assault The Spaniards endeavoured to get upon a side of the Ravelin which was beaten down but meeting with stiff resistance there the Campmaster Velasco made the other side be assaulted By which the Assailants entring whilst they within were busied in making the first defence the second unexpected assault proved so lucky as the Enemy were forced to retreat from the Ravelin and to get into the Town The Italians had not so good success in their assault yet they lodged themselves under the very foot of the Ravelin and after three dayes making a Mine play and then returning with great courage to the assault they likewise possest themselves of that the Enemies Flank The two Ravelins being won Count Varras planted ten Peeces of Canon between them to play therewithall upon the opposite Wall and many other Peeces of Canon in places which were thought most fit to discurtain it on the sides and to take from it its defences The wall was likewise made of Earth and therefore the Batteries could not much ruine it and the Earth yielding they found that to make themselves masters of it they must use Pickaxes and Mines but they could not come to this kind of work till they had fill'd up the Ditch To effect the which all possible diligence being used and the Spaniards vying with the Italians who should most advance the Works they endeavoured to put an end to the Siege as soon as might be But still they met with many difficulties so often did the besieged sally out such bold opposition did they make on all parts and so fierce were the contentions every where A continual shower of shot powred down from their Artillery and the tempest of fire which was thrown by reason of the abundance thereof proved almost greater The which was done in several sorts particularly by Granadoes which shot off
three or four times miserably lacerating the souldiers which were near at hand and indammaging those that were further off It was impossible to keep the Enemy from being succour'd by way of the above mentioned Channels wherefore the more to encourage his men the Cardinal resolved to draw nearer the Camp and lodged in the Fort Fuentes From thence he went to view both the Channels and consultation was had how the use thereof might be taken from the enemy But the two Forts of Maurice and Nassaw did too much intricate the business In so much as all their indeavours in that point proved to no purpose For by night and especially at the high tides some boats by the said channels did continually bring victuals into the Town the Enemy being still incouraged by these advantages made out a great sallie against the Campmaster Mendosa's Trenches and did so resolutely assault them as they killed above a hundred Spaniards and clog'd some of their Artillery Mendosa after this fortified his Trenehes better and the rest of the Kings men grew more wary in theirs And being more vigilant then formerly in keeping out relief which was convoyed in by the Channels the Kings men took some of their boats and by the example thereof bridled the boldness of the rest Velasco's Spaniards and Trevico's Italians did this mean while eagerly attend to advance against the wall that was plai'd upon and being already entred into the ditch they endeavoured as much as in them lay to fill it up wherein the enemy manfully opposed them So as there was not any day that past which brought not forth some contest nor no contest which drew not the best bloud on both sides Mines and Counter-mines were used by these and those And all was done that Art could instruct both on the offensive and defensive part upon such an occasion The Kings men were this mean while notwithstanding so far advanced as they lodged at the foot of the wall which being continually plaid upon seemed as if it might be soon assaulted But the Cardinal understanding that the enemy had undermined it on sundry parts to blow up the assailants as they should mount the breach and that they had provided themselves within with a new and strong defence it was therefore judged better by the Councel of War to use countermines and to defer the assault for some few days This was the condition of the siege and these the difficulties which appeared of ending it when the Count de Solm gave the Cardinal to understand that he would listen to some honourable Treaty of surrendring up the Town The Cardinal greedily imbraced the offer and that the surrender might be all the sooner made he willingly granted all whatsoever large conditions to the Count as well for himself as for the Garison and for the Inhabitants And the agreement being made the Town was delivered up to the Cardinal about the end of August About 2500 souldiers marched out of Hulst besides those that were in the two Forts of Maurice and Nassaw Wherefore so numerous a Garison being considered and that of so select Souldiers and that by reason of the plenty of all provisions the Town might have held out longer it was thought that Solm had received express orders not to delay the delivering up thereof that so he might preserve those men for the Confederate Provinces other greater affairs The Cardinal went from Hulst to Antwerp where after he had tarried awhile he went to Brussels full of glory and reputation for the so many noble enterprises which he had undertaken and so happily atchieved in the beginning of his Government When he was come thither the first thing he did was to pay the Mutiniers of Tilemone that he might the sooner make use of so good a strength of men Though when they had received their pay a good part of them returned to Italy to enjoy the moneys in quiet at home which they had got by so long and bloudy service The Arms which on the behalf of France an Flanders lay then on that Frontier were not this mean while idle The Marishal Biroun commanded the French and the Marquis of Barambone the King of Spains men as hath been said in its proper place Nothing considerable had notwithstanding been done all this while But soon after the surrender of Hulst there happened an incounter of concernment Which ws this Biroun was resolved to enter the Country of Artois with soome troops of horse and to overrun it as far and in as hostile a manner as he could Barambone had notice hereof who with a good number of horse likewise went to meet Biroun Scouts being sent out to make the usual discoveries on both sides Biroun haulted and placed the greatest part of his in ambush in an opportune place This mean while Count Alfonso Montecucully Captain of a Company of Lanciers came up He immediately charged Biroun who being afterwards overlaid with the rest of Barambones horse retreated till he had drawn the Enemy into the Ambush The French came forth then very fiercely and Biroun fighting according to his wonted valour more then any of the rest Barambones men were soon routed and put to flight he himself and Montecucully were taken prisoners and Count John Jacamo Belgioso who was there also with his Company of Lanciers was sorely wounded The Marishal was much incouraged by this success who therefore endeavoured to do the aforesaid damage and greater also to the Frontiers of Artois But meeting still with such opposition as was sufficient to break his designs and the winter coming on he retreated with his men into their Garisons as did also the Spaniards Now began the year 1597. in the beginning whereof there happened another successe in Flanders which was of great dammage to the King of Spain's Party During the siege of Hulst the United States had caused Brabant be infested and overrun in so much as a good part of that Country to keep themselves from further evil had submitted to pay contribution by means whereof the States did so much the more easily maintain their Garisons of Breda St. Getrinberg and of other Towns which they were Masters of in that Province This grievance was likewise felt in Campagne VVherefore the Cardinal as soon as he was returned to Brussels he sent Count Varras General of the Artillery with 4000 foot and 300 horse to Turnaut a Town which lies towards Campagne to free the Country as he did from the contributions which they paid Look how much the Kings party was thereby eased so much were the United Provinces perplexed Nor was Count Maurice slow in endeavouring to regain the same advantage VVherefore gathering together with great speed and secrecy 6000 foot and little less then 1000 horse and making the Rendezvouz near Breda he marched with these men about the end of January towards the Royalists who were in Turnaut Maurice could not make the aforesaid preparation neither so soon nor so secretly but that Count
men could not march so concealedly as upon such an occasion was requisit it was resolved that Gusman only should attempt getting into the City with his horse He marcht away by night but being discovered when he was got near the Ditch and the French men moving furiously against him he would have had much ado to have got into the City had not the Defendants who fallied out in great numbers and did valiantly withstand the Enemy received him In this action those of the Town lost Captain Fernando Dezza a Spaniard and Captain Tomas an Irish-man two valiant Souldiers with divers others of ordinary rank The number of the French that were slain was greater but of meaner quality Portacarrero that he might have the Field more free and might the readilyer go out to skirmishes resolved to pluck down the Suburbs and all the houses which were near about Amiens which he did chiefly by fire It was a miserable spectacle to see such and so many delightfull contentments the blessings of Peace consumed in an instant by the fury of War There was above 3000 choise Souldiers in Amiens and therefore Portacarrero thought good not to suffer the Oppugnors to breath but to endeavour by frequent and fierce Sallies to hinder their Fortifications which every day increased so as the Cardinal might have time to come and relieve the Town with a full succour Nor was the Cardinal wanting in making all possible preparations to that purpose A Levy of 4000 Foot was expected from Italy which Alphonso Avalos was raising Other Levies were made to the same purpose in Germany and the same diligence was used in those parts of Flanders which were under the Kings obedience But the monies requisite for such an affair fell far short by reason of the Kings so many former excessive expences and by reason of the charge he was forced to be at in consideration of the vastness of his Empire And just at this time there had hapned a great disorder in this point For the King desirous to curb the insatiable covetousness of Merchants had who traffickt Mony with him he had in those dayes published an Edict whereby he moderated the excessive gain which they formerly made The Merchants therefore retired themselves and Antwerp which was wont to furnish such monies as were requisite to maintain the Kings Army was so pincht as the Cardinal could no longer find necessary supplies there And this as shall be seen hereafter was the chief cause why he could not lead up the Army time enough to Amiens and preserve the purchase he had made of so important a City Now to return to the Siege The Fortifications without increased exceedingly every day Biroun being continually very sollicitous therein He munited the two aforesaid Bridges with good Forts on the one and the other bank but especially on that side which looked most towards Flanders He raised likewise such Forts as were requisite to defend the innermost Line of the Trenches and did the like in the outward Line which looked towards the Fields And because succour was chiefly to be kept out on that side therefore the more Forts and the more nobler were raised there and greater care was had of all those Works Birouns souldiery increased also daily so as he would no longer delay opening Trenches against the City He intended to lead them on just upon a great Ravelin which sheltred the Gate Montrecurt and upon the adjoyning Ditch which was dry and where he thought he might easiliest fall in But Portacarrero was as vigilant as might be all this while in making defences His chief design as we have said was to annoy the Enemy as much as he could by Sallies and hinder their Works The Marquis Montenegro fallied therefore out one day with 400 Horse he having the command of all the Horse in Amiens And placing a Company of Carabins in the first Front commanded by Captain Francisco Fuentes a Spaniard he gave in so fiercely and so unexpectedly upon the Enemy as he slue above 200. some Souldiers some Pioners without losing almost any one of his men This Sally was pursued almost every day with some other the like which being so very many to shun prolixity in relating every least passage and to maintain the Decorum due to History we will acquaint you only with the chiefest Affairs were in this condition both within and without when the King of France came himself in person to the Camp attended by many Princes and great Lords who were then at Court particularly by the Duke Du Mayn from whose valour and councel as much good was expected upon this occasion as the Kingdom had experimented prejudice in the late troubles thereof Biroun was not very well pleased that the King should come so soon unto the Army for he would willingly have brought the Siege first to better perfection But the King very much approving all the Works and for a sign of honour confirming him in the same superiority of Command did so far satisfie him as he continued more fervent then ever in his former endeavours The King being arrived it was resolved by the Councel of War that the business should be orderly carried on and that winning ground by the spade and mathook leasurely great care should be had in preserving the Souldiery and that the rashness of too immature assaults should be shunned The number of Pioners was therefore mightily increased by whose handy-work the further the Trenches were advanced the broader and the deeper were they made and to boot with the usual windings thereof many and greater Redouts then ordinary were raised in them for their better defence The King lay in the aforesaid Hermitage and the Constable the Duke Du Mayn the Duke of Espernon the Prince Jeanvile Brother to the Duke of Guise and other great Personages were lodged in the several Forts whereof the Marshal Biroun kept that for himself which was nearest the Works that he might from thence hasten their progress the more The Kings Army did not as then exceed 16â—00 Foot and 4000 Horse but it increased every day for it is not to be said with how much impatiencie he desired the recovery of Amiens nor how much he was seconded therein by the inclination of the Kingdom and particularly by the desire of the Nobility His Forces consisted of 3000 Swissers 4000 English sent by the Queen in relation to the aforementioned Confederacie which was concluded but a little before and the rest were all French Foot and Horse Monsieur de Montigny commanded the Horse and Monsieur de S. Luke the Artillery which were brought unto the Camp in great abundance Both of them Commanders cry'd up and of a cleer reputation And the King willing that they should no longer forbear annoying those within with the Artillery they began to play furiously upon the City and Batteries were disposed of in divers places which were afterwards to indamage the Besieged nearer hand Amidst these publick works appertaining to the
the Rearguard he made his Army march leasurely and in good order off The French endeavoured more then once to indammage the Rear but the Flying-Squadron facing about and with miraculous discipline now handling their Pikes now their Muskets and being sheltred by the Horse likewise on both sides all the Enemies assaults proved vain Thus they marched for above two houres after which the Cardinals Camp being free from all molestation took up its quarters with all security and was by degrees divided in the neighbouring Frontiers of Artois At the Armies retreat the Cardinal signified to the besieged in Amiens that it being impossible to relieve them they should immediately surrender the City and not lose any more men to no purpose He infinitely praised their pains and promised them reward leaving them to make such conditions as they could at the surrender Which when they came to be treated of were granted them by the King in as ample manner and upon as honourable terms as could be by them desired He highly commended the worth they had shewed in defending themselves which had made the like of his Army appear in oppugning them The Marquis Montenegro marcht out of the Town with 800 sound Souldiers and above as many more that were wounded and was very graciously received by the King at his coming forth as also the other Commanders that came out with him When the King came into Amions he presently caused a strong Citadel to be designed there which was soon after built that it might serve for a greater curb to the people and be a greater safety to the City Then leaving Picardy he went to Paris where he was received with great applause by that multitude of people for his new atchieved glory in having so happily conducted so difficult a Siege for having hindred so powerfull a Succour and recovering a City of so great consequence to the interests of that Kingdom The Cardinal Archduke being retreated to Artois he presently sent some of his Forces to take Montalin the onely Town which remained in the French hands within the precincts appertaining to Calis and from whence Calis was much incommodiated The care of the enterprise was given to the Admiral of Aragon who finding the place not very strong nor yet well guarded took it within a few dayes The King of France was already gone from Picardy nor was it known that he had as then any further end upon that Frontier Wherefore the Cardinal resolved to leave Artois likewise and to give some satisfaction to the Province of Flanders which did very much desire that Ostend might be besieged The Cardinal would therefore go thitherward himself and causing the Town to be well surveyed he thought it was impossible to keep it from being succour'd Wherefore as also because Autumn was already well advanced the Cardinal determined to leave the enterprise till a better conjuncture Nor having any other in which it was fitting to imploy his Army at that time wherein there was hapned a new Mutiny again he resolved to send it to its winter-quarters and came himself with his Court about the end of November to Brussels But the United Provinces lost not the opportunity this mean whiles which offered it self so favourably to them The Cardinal by reason of the siege of Amiens being gone with so many Forces towards the Frontiers of France and having left the peculiar affairs of Flanders in a forlorn condition Count Maurice took presently to the Field And having speedily raised about the beginning of August an Army of 10000 Foot and 2500 Horse together with a great Train of Artillery and whatsoever else was requisite for his designed ends he went to besiege Reinberg a Town situated upon the left side of the Rhine It had but few Souldiers in Garrison and was but weakly provided of all things else Wherefore Maurice coming without any difficulty to the Walls and playing upon them with his Cannon he forced the besieged in a few dayes to surrender the Town From thence he went to before Mures a Town not far from thence but somwhat remote from the Rhine And meeting with the like weak defence he with the like easiness won it He this mean while had thrown a bridg of Boats over the Rhine and passing with all his Army to the other side he sate down before Groll a strong Town both by nature and art He found some greater resistance there yet many provisions being wanting which are most necessary for sustaining a siege having dryed the Ditch on one side and threatening a furious Assault he forced the Defendants to deliver up the Town From thence he turned to Oldensel a weak Town which he therefore soon took And no Town remaining now at the Kings devotion in those parts but Linghen a place well flanked and fortified by a good Castle Maurice incamped before it and besieged it straitly on all sides Count Frederick de Berg defended it which he did very valiantly for many days But that place being but ill provided as were the rest he was forced to surrender it upon very honourable conditions So to boot with Reinberg and Mures all the whole Country on the other side the Rhine fell in a short time under the Dominion of the United Provinces which in acknowledgment of so advantagious successes did forthwith give the same Town of Linghen with the Territories thereunto belonging which make up a very noble Lordship to Count Maurice and to his heirs for ever About the end of Autumn Maurice returned with his men to their quarters and passing himself afterwards to the Hague he was received there with demonstrations of great joy Which afforded new occasions to such Provinces as were yet obedient to the King to complain and grieve considering that for the interests of France which were very uncertain the self-affairs of Flanders were so much neglected And they were more scandalized that to defend the Catholick cause in that Kingdom for the advantage of strangers the same cause was abandoned in the Kings own Country suffering so great a part thereof to fall into the hands of Rebels and Hereticks who by all the most desperate means would implacably maintain their double perfidiousness against the Church and King Thus ended this year and the year 1598 insued memorable for two of the greatest events which could then have hapned The one Peace concluded between the two Kings after so bitter war and the other the Marriage between the Cardinal Archduke and the Infanta Isabella the King of Spains eldest daughter to whom the King her Father gave the whole Low-Countries for her Dowry As concerning the Peace Pope Clement the eight had mediated it awhile before moved thereunto by the same zeal whereby he had already so happily reconciled the King of France to the Apostolick See and afterwards indeavoured to reconcile the two Kings by making such a peace as might conduce to the establishing of universal quiet in Christendom To this purpose having first wisely
the end that such quarters might serve for pay to the Army the needs whereof he could not satisfie otherwise by reason of the vast sums of mony which the mutinies in so many parts had exhausted To boot that the Archduke was necessitated to be at great expences by reason of so long and costly a journey in which he had carried a flourishing Court along with him both for his own honour and that he might attend the new Queen with all the greater magnificency The Admiral having received these directions and the Archduke being gone the Admiral went immediately to the Army Not many months before 4000 Spaniards were come to Flanders to supply the foot which were wanting in the old brigadoes One of which being formerly commanded by the Campmaster Velasco who was now made General of the Artillery was given to Gaspero Zapena The Army was then composed of 7000 Spanish foot 3000 Italians 2000 Burgonians 1000 Irish and 7000 Germans and Walloons and to these were added 2500 horse all very gallant men The Army past over the Mause near Ruremond and continuing its march drew near Orsoy which is situated three hours journey above Reinburg upon the left side of the Rhine The Admirals designe was to possess himself of that pass and to fortifie it and raising a Fort upon the other side to secure the passage over the Rhine in that place The Town of Orsoy belonged to the State of Cleves and therefore it being a neutral Country he would not willingly have used any violence in entring into it but it could not be effected otherwise by reason of some opposition which was made which soon ceased and the Admiral entred causing all fair usage to be observed When he was Master of the Town of Orsoy Count Frederick di Berg who then supplyed the place of Camp-master General past over to the other side of the River to raise the aforesaid Fort as soon as might be on that shore He had such men given him as were requisite to secure the work nor was he wanting in using all diligence to perfect it yet he was forced to imploy above a moneths time about it during which the Admiral kept still in Orsoy and quartered his Army thereabouts When this pass was secured it was judged by the Councel of war that that of Reinberg would have been much better both in respect of the place it self for its nearness to Skincks Sconce This Town was in the Enemies hands and well guarded as it was known and by the Arch-Duke's direction the Admiral was to shun sieges yet the Councel though that this of Reinberg might soon be ended for that the united Provinces had no Army in the Field nor could they muster Forces any waies able to oppose the Kings wherefore about the beginning of October the Admiral incamped before Reinberg This Town as hath been said stands on the left shore of the River it is but of a small circuit it hath a Castle which guards the River and an Island made by the River in that very place For the greater security of the Town there stood a Fort in the Island which Fort was likewise defended by the Town on the left side of the River did the Admiral quarter with the greatest strength of the Army and on the right side Count Frederick di Berg with those that were already with him And because it was thought fit first to get the Fort within the Island they began to play upon it cruelly from the side where Count Frederick was till such time as the Camp-masters Lewis d' Villiar with his Spanish Brigado and Barlotta with his Walloons entred the Island on that side and Carlo Colonna and Estinley entred it likewise on this side with their Spanish and Irish Brigadoes Then the Fort was played upon nearer hand with regular batteries and the Kings men prepared already to fall on when they found that those within not willing to abide the assault had abandoned the Fort which being taken they hoped soon to take the Town for the Army had already straitly besieged it on all sides and having advanced their Trenches prepared their Batteries that accordingly they might come to the assault But by a strange accident they came by the Town sooner then they could have hoped All the Gun-powder whereof there was good store was kept in a Chamber of one of the Towers of the Castle It so fell out that a Cannon Bullet one of many which were continually shot from without both against the Town and the Castle entred by a window into the Chamber where the powder was kept and gave suddenly fire thereunto which caused so terrible an earth-quake not onely in the Castle and circuit of the Town but in all parts thereabouts as the very river was much agitated and many ships which were upon that shore were likely to be drowned the houses in the fields were shaken thereby great stones and great store of Ashes caused by the fire fell down but the force thereof was particularly such against the Castle as it blew it almost wholly up into the air The Governor of the Town with his wife and children were thereby slain and great was the number of others that perish'd in the Castle and in the houses neer unto it This made the Defendants quite loose their courage wherefore they treated that very night of surrendring and afterwards marched out of the Town upon honorable conditions The Kings Forces being entred into Reinberg all the adjacent Countries were put into great terror A little below Reinberg on the same side stood Burich a Town belonging to the Duke of Cleves This Town immediately accepted four Foot colours which were sent thither by the Admiral Over against Burich on the other side lyes Wesel one of the best inhabited most merchandising and best seated Towns of as many as stand upon the Rheine which River runs by the best part thereof and on another side the Lippa anoble River falls into it Wesel was likewise in former times under the Dukedom of Cleves but being infected with Heresie and by that means having brought it self into liberty it hath ever since maintained it self therein particularly by imbracing the Sect of Calvinism as that which is most opposite to Monarchy The Townsmen being sore afraid when they saw so great an Army approach it that if they should receive in a Spanish Garrison the City might fall into the Kings hands or else that he might restore it to the house of Cleves they treated presently of compounding by money for their not receiving in of Souldiers And thinking that to promise free liberty for the exercise of the Catholick Religion hereafter in Wesel would be of great help to them in their Treaty they added this second offer to the former The Admiral accepted of them both willingly so to get in so great a strait such a sum of money which was agreed to be 50000 Crowns as also that so great an advantage might be got in
of so many other Rivers which fall every where into it it divides it self into two branches each of them almost of equal greatness with it self These two branches frame the ancient Iland of the Battavians and at this hour it continues the corrupted name of Bettow That of the right hand doth for a good space keep the name of Rheine till assuming the name of Lech it goes with other waters and with other names thorow Holland till it looseth it self in the Sea The left branch as soon as it parts from the Rheine takes upon it the name of Wahal continuing which name for a long space it at last joyns it self with the Mause But these two Rivers are not well joyned when they part again and do not rejoyn till they have made an Iland of some good circuit which is called Bomel taking its name from the chief Town therein Having formed this Island these two enter not long after joyntly into Holland where together with other Rivers dispersing themselves into divers Gulfs and carrying as it were new Seas into the Sea they at last by many spacious mouths disgorge themselves and falls into the Ocean Upon the very point of this great Island of Bettow stands Schinks Sconce and is raised there with so much advantage both of Nature and Art as greater is not peradventure seen any where else Four leagues lower upon the Banks of Wahal is the City of Niminghen seated with her great Fort on the right hand bank Descending much lower from thence where the Mause and Wahal meet first together you finde the Fort Worden and presently the other point of the Island called Bomel formed by the Mause and Wahal in manner aforesaid The Town of Bomel stands upon the banks of Wahal about the midst of the Island on that side the River it self secures it sufficiently And it is provided with necessary defences on the other side And this may suffice for the abovesaid discription Cardinal Andrea not willing to keep longer out of the field mustered the whole Army about the end of April in the parts of Rheine towards Emrich and to satisfie them in some degree gave them one pay And upon discourse what was to be undertaken the Councel of war were of several opinions They all agreed that in the first place Wahal was to be past over and that they were to advance as far as they could into the Enemies Country But divers were the opinions concerning what they should fall upon The Admiral of Aragon was very earnest for the straitning of Schinks Sconce And what greater acquisition said he can we make It is the most important seat of the Rhine By this Key the passage of greatest consequence thereabouts is opened and shut So as when we shall have fixt our foot there we may endeavour other acquisitions in those parts and hope to atchieve them with much safety When we shall be entred first into the Island we must draw a great Trench from one branch of the River to the other so as the Fort shall not be able to be succoured by land If the Enemy will send any relief by way of the Rivers they must send it against the streame so the effect thereof may easily be hindered by armed barks on both sides Such a fiege considered with all its circumstances will doubtlessly prove difficult but when it shall be effected as it is to be hoped it will be the more difficulties we meet with the greater will our honour be So many weighty objections were made against this the Admirals opinion both for bringing the Army into the Island by reason of opposition which might be made by the Enemy and for their not being able to keep out succour by water wherein the enemy did so far exceed them in power as many of the Councel thought it would prove a desperate siege They instanced in the Duke of Parma for example who when the sconce was hardly tenable would never endeavour to take it Others advised to go at the same time against Niminghen and against its Fort on the contrary shore Thinking that so great an Army might undertake both these sieges at once But in this the opposition which they should find in passing the Wahal to besiege the Fort was considered As also that the Duke of Parma was sate down before it and forced to raise his siege And that the difficulties in besieging Niminghen would afterwards prove much greater A City of a large circuit and which as it was well munited would be well defended Others finally propounded that passing lower over the Mause as they might easily do the Army should march into the Island of Bomel and should try to take the Town situated as hath been said upon the Banks of Wahal Thinking that by the taking thereof they might command the whole Island as also the Pass of that River The City of Balduke which was then in the Kings hands is very near the Island of Bomel Wherefore it was considered that the making of this purchase would be very advantagious for that City and that it might be the better kept when it should be united to that Frontier The Cardinal inclined to this resolution and keeping it very secret it was resolved that to cosin and divert the enemy they would seem to besiege Schincks Sconce Count Frederick di Berg parted thus from Emrick with 7000 fot and 1000 horse and came almost within Canon shot of the Sconce on that side and the Cardinal passing over to the other side of the River with the rest of the Army made the Admiral advance in like manner towards the Fort. They then began to play upon it furiously from both sides with many pieces of Artillery not being able notwithstanding to do any thing but batter and indamage it Upon this motion of the Kings Camp Count Maurice made his move also and came to within sight of the Fort. He doubted that the Kings men would effectually pass over Wahal and get into the Island to begirt the Fort by land Wherefor he immediately fent away a great number of Pyoniers that they might raise a Trench towards the suspected shore whereby the passage of the Kings men might be the more impeded He afterwards manned it sufficiently for defence and sent 80 English into the Fort. And passing himself afterwards with a great part of his Army into the Island he totally secured it The Kings men continued notwithstanding to play incessantly upon it nor were those of the Fort less slow in letting fly at them And because the seat thereof is low Count Maurice caused a great Platform to be raised without and placed some great Canon upon it whereby he so much indamaged the Kings men on that side the Admiral was as he slew above four hundred of them in a few days The Enemies Camp being by the Spaniards cunning thus imployed the Cardinal had in the interim sent the Campmasters Zapena Estenly and Barlotta with their Spanish Irish and
Walloon Brigadoes and with some horse commanded by Henry di Berg to try whether they could get into the Island or no by passing over the Wahal on any side a little lower These made up the number of 4000 foot and 600 horse The Cardinals Orders were That they should endeavour to pass the River two leagues above a certain Town called Tiel where for divers circumstances it was thought more feisable The good event thereof consisted chiefly in secrecy But Maurice having an eye every where got notice of it and sending some armed boats down from Niminghen he ordered them to make fitting opposition by the River Wherefore these men when they found their designe discovered were very much in suspence and afterwards varied much amongst themselves touching what they were to take in hand Zapena was of opinion that howsoever they were to try the passage and Estenly was of the same mind on the contrary Barlotta thought it would be to no purpose and that to endeavour it would be the loss of many men They notwithstanding put some of their boats into the River and from the shore-side sunk three of the enemies boats with the Artillery which they brought with them And endeavoured to get with their men which were imbarked to the contrary shore But finding great obstacles both by land and water they saw they could not make the passage From thence the Kings men went down the River with their boats and the rest of their souldiers and provisions on the left shore And the enemy did the like on the other side that they might be the readier to meet with them every where The Cardinal had given order that if they could not pass the Wahal they should at unawares affail the Fort Worden and indeavour to take it which if they could not do that then the Campmasters were to use all diligence to get into the Island of Bomel and to secure themselves there of the Pass in the best manner they could As for getting the Fort they had no hopes to effect it considering what the enemy had done Wherefore leaving Wahal and carting their boats again they went forthwith towards the Island of Bomel and coming to the Mause about the Village Emple they past it with such secrecy as they scarce met with any impediment At their entrance into the Island they took the Castle Hill which was nearest the shore and did thereby so much the more secure themselves of the Pass Then coming again out of the Island according to the directions which the Cardinal had first given them they went against the Fort Crevecoeur which was not far from thence This Fort was very prejudicial to Balduke because it shut up the mouth of a River which runs through that City and which not above a league from the walls thereof falls into the Mause The Cardinal therefore intending to make himself Master thereof willed the aforesaid Campmasters that when they should have secured the pass whereby to enter into the Island they should incamp before that Fort. Which when they had done and had given the Cardinal notice of it and of all that they had done besides the Kings Camp rose presently from before Schincks Sconce and went to before Crevecoeur which was not in a condition of making any considerable resistance wherefore the Army was no sooner quartered about it and had threatned it with batteries and assaults but that those within expecting no longer and without making almost any resistance quitted the Fort. The Cardinal was this mean while gon to Balduke to make divers provisions there for the business of Bomel And therefore the Admiral after the taking of Crevecoeur turned towards the Island of Bomel and entred thereinto with all his Army about the beginning of May. Great banks are made all along the sides of those Rivers to defend the fields which are subject to innundation The Army parting thus from the Mause marched upon the bank on the right hand and bending towards the Wahal staid in the Village Hervin which stands upon the same River in which were many of the enemies men of war For Count Maurice had discovered the Cardinals intention and therefore had not omitted to prepare such obstacles as were fitting by water that the Kings men might find more difficulty in passing it They notwithstanding indeavoured by their Artillery to drive away those Vessels and did somewhat prejudice them but they putting themselves into some creeks that were in the River the Kings men could never free themselves from that opposition They past from Hervin and drawing nearer Bomel they quartered their Army in sundry parts one part thereof was lodged upon the bank and the rest more inward according to the opportunity of the situations Maurice was this mean while come with all speed and with the most of his Army and quartering on the other side of the River in the face of Bomel he had sent 1000 foot thereinto for the better defence thereof Here with all diligence he placed two bridges over the River the one above the Town the other beneath it the one was of small boats for the foot to pass over and the other of greater flat-bottomed boats which served for the horse and commodity of Carriages and this was so broad as two Carts might pass one by another upon it The Bridges being thrown over he sent 3000 foot more and 400 horse for the defence of Bomel and the Town not being capable of so many men hequartered them without the Town and did so shelter them with Trenches Flankers Redouts Ditches and strade coperte as Bomel of a little Town seemed suddenly as if it were a large City The Kings men were very much indamaged by the Enemie Artillery before they could sufficiently fence themselves on the Rivers side For being at the same time thundred upon both by those of Bomel and by those that were placed upon the contrary shore and in the ships that were in the River they knew not well what to doe nor how to defend themselves But at last such Rampiers of earth as were requisite being made and many Peeces of Artillery being placed upon the bank they likewise began to play furiously upon the Town of Bomel and upon all those Works wherein the Enemies Forces were lodged without the Town nor was the damage little which they did them till they sheltred themselves better This mean while the Enemies whole Army was met together which was so increased as it amounted to 18000 Foot and above 3000 Horse And Maurice having quartered them in divers Towns and Villages on the same shore that he was seemed not any thing to value the siege which the Royalists had undertaken nay rather his men which were in such numbers in Bomel resolving rather to play the parts of assailants then assailed began to issue out against the Kings men and to annoy them in sundry sorts both day and night They notwithstanding forbore not to advance with their Trenches covering them as well
men with all diligence as they could assemble together they made them all come into the same Province that they might make use of them against the Enemy and oppose all their designs A good part of their men had mutinied as you have heard and therefore they could not make so great a Body nor so vigorous Forces as so weighty an occasion did require The Spanish mutineers who as you have heard were in Diste were contented to come unto the Army with 800 Foot and 600 Horse provided they might serve under their own Commanders and Officers It was impossible to bring the Italian mutineers at Hamont to this because they were not yet wholly agreed nor gone to Verte as you heard before they were to do By reason of these mutinies and for that the Arch-Dukes souldiers did still diminish they could not assemble on their sides above 12000 Foot and 1200 Horse These came marcing apace and before the Arch-Duke's was come to Gaunt Velasco General of the Artillery was already march'd forwards towards Bruges with 3000 Foot and 300 Horse the rest followed under the two other chief Commanders The Admiral of Aragon General of the Horse Count Frederick de Berg who supplyed the place of Camp-master General in lieu of Count Mansfield who by reason of his great age could no longer exercise that place in his own person The Army was made up of Spaniards Italians Germans and Walloons together with some Burgonians and Irish. The way by which they marched led them close by the walls of Gaunt which the Arch-Dukes were well pleased withal that they themselves might appear in Person whereby the more to encourage the souldiery upon this so great Emergency They therefore went out into the field and the Infanta getting on horse-back and followed by all her Court on horse-back likewise she presented her self before the colours where in particular the Spanish mutineers were She was endowed with a Princely aspect and masculine valors and being so long bred up amidst the chiefest negotiations of the world in the School of such a father she was very knowing therein and capable thereof Suffering her self first to be fully seen and the Army being much joyed with her presence she by her weighty and sprightly words did yet more enharten them against the Enemy Saying There were never any souldiers who fought in the defence of a more just cause That many of them had been in Flanders from the very first beginning of the war and therefore knew how oft by all convenient waies the King her father had endeavoured to reduce the Rebels to their due obedience That now they had peculiar Princes of their own separated from the Crown of Spain according to their ancient desire and were notwithstanding still more obstinate then ever in their Rebellion That they warred likewise against God more then against their Soveraigns having opposed from the beginning and still continuing to oppose Heresie to the Catholick Religion That therefore neither she nor the Arch-Duke could any waies doubt but that the souldiers of that Army who were all of them so Catholick so valiant and so Loyal would shew themselves to be the same men in the present occasion as they had alwaies been formerly That to boot with the certain reward that their service which they should do to God bore with it they might also assure themselves to be rewarded by the Arch-Duke by her and by the King her Brother with whom their cause went joyntly hand in hand That they should not doubt of pay For monies were expected from Spain and some large sums were hoped for from the obedient Provinces of Flanders But that if all other waies should be wanting she would make use of her own Jewels to that purpose and of the very Plate she used for her own service These words were received by the Army with incredible applause each souldier striving who should shew himself most ready to dye for the Infanta with his sword in his hand and especially upon this occurrency Nor was the Arch-Duke wanting in adding what he thought fitting to continue the souldiers the more in their present good disposition declaring at last that he would be there himself in person and run the same fortune with them The Army being marched on the Arch-Duke went likewise from Gaunt and about the end of June came to Bruges where the whole Army was mustered The first counsel they took was to regain the Forts which were faln into the Enemies hands in consequence whereunto that of Audemburg was suddenly set upon with such resolution as the defendants either for want of Forces or want of courage did immediately surrender it From thence the Catholicks went and with equal violence assaulted the other of Sneascherch and being withstood by those within the Fort was soon stormed and all the Garrison put to the sword By this example the Enemies did of themselves forgo the Forr of Bredene From hence without any delay the Army marched towards the Fort St. Alberto which was the greatest and best provided and marched towards the Enemies Camp Count Maurice did then send 2000 Foot the most of which were Scots with some Troops of Horse commanded by Count Ernestus of Nassaw to possess themselves of a Pass wherein he thought to entertain the Catholick Camp longer thinking that it would not so soon advance towards his Army These souldiers of the Enemy gave at unawares upon the Catholicks who finding themselves so much superiour in numbers and with such advantage of fresh success soon routed the Adversary and made a bloody slaughter amongst them This happened on the second of July in the morning and they had yet a considerable way to march before they could come up to the Enemies Camp to assault it Wherefore the Arch-Duke desired to know what his Councel of war thought fittest to be done Velasco the General of the Artillery was so far behinde with above 3000 Foot as he could not come up time enough to the rest of the Army when the Arch-Duke would notwithstanding have marched speedily to the Enemy Who were likewise lessened in their numbers by reason of the late loss of the Scots by reason of those that were either lost or left in the Forts for that Maurice at his coming to Ostend had added to the former Garison thereof When the Archdukes Councel of war came to speak their opinions it was variously disputed Amongst the Spanish Commanders Camp-master Gasper Zapena was particularly well esteemed of for his valour and for his long experience which notwithstanding made him always rather imbrace cautious then hazardous resolutions He was clean against falling violently upon the Enemy then He considered That they were to make above an houre and a halfs march before they could come to where they were that the Catholicks would come thither after their journey and their that mornings fight And what military Maxim said he is it that doth teach to fall with blind resolution upon an
the cry'd up glory of having so happily atchieved it In this interim about the end of July the Deputies of the Obedient Provinces were met with those of the United to come to some Treaty of Agreement as it was touched upon before But as we then told you the Assembly was hardly well met when it was dissolved For the Proposals of the several sides were so far differing as it was thought impossible to find any way of adjusting them The Deputies of the United Provinces persisted in thier former opinions in matters of Religion Liberty and detestation of the Archdukes their new Principality and were the more resolute therein by reason of the advantages which the last Victory and their other preceding successes had brought to their affairs Whereupon the Catholick Deputies departed very ill satisfied from the Assembly and the Obedient Provinces shewed themselves presently ready to assist their Princes with large Contributions that since the others would not come to any Treaty of Peace the War might be the more vigorously maintained on the Catholicks behalf Nor did any thing else of considerable happen on either side that Year The Year 1601. being begun the Archduke who together with the Infanta was returned to Brussels gave order for the raising of new men in Germany and in the Walloons Country and in Spain they resolved to send a Brigado of Spanish Foot and three others of Italians Neither did the United Provinces use less diligence in their providing to come strong into the field that new year and they were speedier in their proceedings For as soon as the season of drawing into the field came Count Maurice failed not to muster his Army He made the Rendezvouz near to Schincks Sconce and seeming to threaten Balduke he turned upon Reinberg and about the beginning of June incamped before it He began from the opposite side of the Rhine to batter a little Fort seated in the Island whereof you have formerly heard and easily took it Then begirting the Town round about and having first well fortified himself on the outward side to keep off succours he began his Trenches The Archduke was not yet in a condition of coming into the field wherefore he was troubled at this news and at the difficulties he should meet withall in relieving the Town He notwithstanding commanded Count Herman di Berge who was Governour of that part of Ghelderland which was yet under the Archdukes that he should endeavour to convey some men into the Town and to doe what else was requisite But diversion was judged the best remedy for securing of Reinberg and that of Ostend was thought the most important The Province of Flanders did greatly desire as it hath been often said that that place might be taken from the Enemy by reason of the great prejudice it was to all the parts thereabouts for they must either be subject to excursions or else must pay great contributions to be free of them The same Province by contributing monies much more largely to the Archdukes then all the other obedient ones had renewed with all eagerness their former desires of getting Ostend offering what further assistance they could therein The Archduke applyed himself therefore to this diversion And parting from Brussels came to Bruges and about the end of July he himself began to straiten Ostend This mean while the people which were expected from Spain and Italy were come to Flanders The Campmaster John de Bracamonte commanded the Spanish Brigado And the Italian Brigadoes were one of them Lombards under Count Theodore Trivulsio and the other two Neapolitans under the Marquis di Bella and John Tomaso Spina The Archduke commanded Bracamonte that he should come with his Brigado joyn with the Army which was incamped before Ostend and that the rest of the new come Italians should joyn as soon as they could with Count Hermans men that if it were possible they might speedily relieve Reinberg But neither did this new succour doe any good nor did the diversion against Ostend keep Reinberg from being taken For upon Count Hermans march Count Maurice had so fortified himself without as there was no hope left for the Town Luigi Bernardo d' Avila a Spaniard was Governour thereof He had in it a Garrison of 1200 Foot and 100 Horse and from the beginning endeavoured as much as in him lay by many stout sallies to keep the Enemy from the Ditch Which when they had got those within did for a while valiantly defend the breach which was made But the terror of Mines whereof some one was every day made to play by those without succeeding the Batteries and especially there being no hope of succour upon the last of July the Town was surrendred up to Count Maurice upon honorable terms We will now come to the Siege of Ostend which being one of the most memorable of this our Age doth certainly challenge that as much brevity and diligence as may be being joyned together it be duly considered and represented with all clearness It was above three years before it was brought to an end and it was almost as uncertain at the last day as at the first to which side the victory did incline The besieged never wanted fresh succours by sea nor did the besiegers at any time cease advancing by land Infinite were the Batteries the Assaults infinite so many were the Mines and so obstinate the Countermines as it may be almost affirmed as much work was done under ground as above ground New names were to be found for new Engines There was a perpetual dispute between the Sea and Land The works on the latter could not operate so much as the ruines made by the former did destroy Great store of blood ran every where and men were readier to lose it then to preserve it till such time as the besieged wanting ground and rather what to defend then defence they were at last forced to forgo that little spot of ground which was left them and to yeild In as many other memorable sieges as are contained in this History we have endeavoured alwaies to give the continued description thereof that laying the daily success thereof before your eyes they might be the more fully and clearly conceived But it is impossible to do so in this siege of Ostend for continuing so long as it did we shall be forced often to divert the Narrative thereof to other important successes which cannot waite the end of this Ostend stands upon the sea shore and in the midst of a marish ground and of divers Channels which comes from the continent but it is chiefly environed almost on all sides by two of the greatest of them by which the sea enters into the land and grows so high when it is full sea as you would rather think the Town were buried then situated in the sea In former times it was an open place and served rather for a habitation for shepheards then for souldiers But the importancy of
the seat being afterwards considered the houses were inclosed with a Platform instead of a wall and from time to time the Line was so Flank round about it as it proved to be one of the strongest Towns of all the Province of Flanders It is divided into two parts which are called the old-Town and the new The former which is the lesser stands towards the sea the latter and greater lyes towards the land The old-Town is fenced from the fury of the sea by great piles of wood driven into the ground and joyned together for the defence of that part and there the waves sufficiently supply the part of a ditch The Channel may be said to do the like on the sides and especially at full sea of Channels they become Havens being then capable of any kinde of vessel and by them at all times the middle sise of Barks enter into the ditches and from the ditches in divers parts into the Town it self to boot with the chief well flanked Line on the outside of the ditch towards the land side is a Strada Coperta raised which is so well furnished with new flanks and with a new ditch as this outward fortification doth hardly give way to any of the inward ones The Town is but of a small compass and is innobled rather by its situation and fortifications then by any splendor either of Inhabitants or houses The united Provinces caused it to be very carefully kept at this time wherefore it was largely provided of Men Artillery Ammunition and of whatsover else was necessary for the defence thereof In this condition was the Town when the Arch-Duke resolved to sit down before it When Count Maurice went from thence he caused the Fort St. Alberto to be abandoned Wherefore the Arch-Duke entred thereinto and on that side was the chiefest quarter of the siege placed This Fort stood on the West-side amidst the Downs neer the Sea and on the East-side about the Downs likewise stood the Fort Bredene into which the Arch-duke put Count Frederick de Berg and made another quarter there And from both these places they began presently to advance with their Trenches and to straiten the Town After the Fort St. Alberto divers other little Forts were raised more towards land called by the name of St. Isabella St. Clara and St. Michael which were all erected before the Arch-duke besieged the Town to hinder as hath been said the continual excursions of the Garrison In St. Alberto's quarter lay most of the Spaniards Italians and Walloons and the Camp-masters Jerolimo di Monroy a Spaniard and Nicholas di Catris a Walloon were already got to a little sandy Hill neer enough the Town where placing some peeces of Artillery they did from thence much indammage the Enemy The better to fortifie themselves there they drew a great Trench towards the field side and there raised a Redoute And Count Frederick being likewise advanced from the Fort Bredene he had also possessed himself of a high seat of one of the Downs and from thence did much prejudce the Town In this first beginning of the siege Charles Vandernot was Governor of the Town nor did he omit any diligency which might make for the defence thereof He thought the weakest part of the Town was that which lay towards St. Clara and therefore going further into the land he began to entrench himself there On the contrary the two Camp-masters Monroy and Catris did likewise pursue their begun works and having already finish'd their first redoubt they would add another when Monroy was kild with a musket shot The Archd. gave his Brigado to Simon Antunes a Portuguese a valiant and an ancient souldier who together with Catris continuing the same design made the second Redout and joyned it to the other by a great Treneh The siege being thus begun the united Provinces put Colonel Sir Francis Vere into Ostend to the end that a Commander of known valour and authority might be there he brought with him 3000 Foot and new provisions of all things necessary for defence nor was he long in making use of such a recrute by sallying out almost immediately and assaulting the Enemy but being repulsed with some loss he thought to fortifie himself better to landward towards St. Clara and there he raised three new redouts which were by a popular word of souldiery called Pouldrons in which placing such men and Artillery as were requisit he was very diligent in making the fortifications which were already there yet more secure on all parts of the chief Line and on the Strada Coperta thereabouts judging like a souldier of great experience that the Arch-duke would turn the chief weight of the siege upon that side nor did his reason deceive him for the Arch-duke being minded to straiten the Town more on that side then on any other would have Count Frederick to forgo his quarters of Bredene to take them up in the Fort St. Clara and hinder the Enemy from advancing further into the field with other new redouts To this purpose Count Frederick raised presently two Forts in opposition of the aforesaid Pouldrons and called the one of them St. Mary the other St. Martin Yet the Enemy endeavoured to advance with another fortification but Count Frederick assaulted them killed divers of them forced them to forgo the work and possessing himself of that seat planted a Fort there which he called St. Anne because the place was won on St. Annes day These were as yet the works of the Catholick Camp more within land towards the Fort St. Clara and at the same time they were no less busie about their works begun in St. Alberto's quarter to boot with those that were still continued towards the fields they were resolved to draw a bank so far forward between the Downs and the Sea-shore towards the old Town of Ostend that it might hinder Barks to enter into the Town by the Channel which runs on that side They supplyed the ground which was there all sandy with other materials they made bavins of twenty foot long and they incorporated bricks which they joyned well together and placed one on the top of another in so great abundance as the bank was raised and drawn out in length by peece-meal according as occasion required They were called Saucidges but they were almost still contested with by the Sea which especially when it flowed gave against them with such violence as it ofttimes threw them down and did often so disperse them as they could no longer be of any service The workmen were likewise greatly indammaged by the continual Hail of Musket-shot which poured down upon them from the Town Yet the Bank was brought to perfection and a Fort was raised at the end thereof on which many peeces of Artillery were placed which did afterwards totally hinder the use of the aforesaid Channel They within had also a Bank without which beginning from the Downs towards the Fort St. Alberto came to
joyn wirh the great Bulwark of the old Ostend called the Sea Bulwark This Bank served to obviate the prejudice which the high-tyde which their outward fortifications might suffer thereby on that side but because they saw that the Catholicks made use thereof the better to advance with their works in that place they resolved first well to secure their aforesaid Fortifications with other materials and afterwards cut gaps in the Bank in divers places and thereby made the Catholiks dispair of advancing any further there This mean while the works on Bredene's side were not slacked when Count Frederick was gone to the quarter of St. Clara the Arch-duke had put Count Buckquoy into that of Bredene he forthwith advanced a little redout to which he added another greater and called it St. Charles whereupon placing some peeces of Artillery he began to prejudice the Enemies Barks which entred on that side into Ostend The Channel there divided it self into two parts the one whereof entred into the chief ditch of the Town and the other into the narrower ditch which shut up the Strada Coperta on the outside The Enemies Barks were therefore so plaid upon by the Artillery from the new Redout as they were forced to get into the Town by the chief Channel But this was no considerable damage by reason of the more commodious ingress which the Barks had and because the Artillery of the Redout shot from so far off as they did but little harm Wherefore the Archduke resolved that a great Bank should be led towards the master Channel from the Redout which was afterwards called a Fort which should be brought so near the shore side as that a Fort being there raised and well furnished with Artillery the Enemies might be as well hindred from making use of their Barks on that side of Bredene as they were on the other of S. Alberto These were the works about Ostend But at the same time Count Maurice suffered not his Army to be idle Having taken Reinberg he went to before Balduke hoping either to get a place of that concernment or to make the Archduke remove from before Ostend Incamping therefore before that Town he began to begirt it but with some leisure by reason of the great compass thereof Monsieur de Grolendunk a valiant Souldier and one the best esteemed of all Flanders was Governour thereof That City would always defend it self by its own Citizens who had always proved themselves very faithfull to the Church and King yet were not they of themselves able to defend themselves against so great and manifest a danger wherefore the Governour advertised the Archduke of what condition he was in and prest very much to be relieved The Archduke found himself in a great strait fearing lest his Forces were not sufficient at the same time to maintain the Siege before Ostend and to relieve Balduke Yet taking heart and leaving only so many men as might keep the Siege from rising he sent Count Frederick de Berg towards Balduke with 7000 Foot and 1500 Horse giving him order by all means to relieve the Town He likewise got the Italian Mutiniers at Verte to joyn many of their Souldiers to those of the Count. And therefore having got together a reasonable good body of an Army he seemed as if he would fortifie a certain Town called Helmont within four leagues of Balduke But dispatching away privately by night Count Jovanni Giacomo Belgioioso Commissary-Generall of the Horse by a certain way not well observed by the Enemy with 1000 Horse and 800 Foot he gave him order to convey those Foot into Balduke and to back them if need should be with the said Horse No order could be better given nor better pursued For the 800 Foot having with much resolution forced a Pass wherein they met with some opposition entred all into Balduke and did so secure that City as November being now near at an end and the season being colder then usual Maurice resolved to give over the Siege and to retreat Balduke being thus luckily relieved the Archduke turned to begirt Ostend with all his Forces And it so fell out as at this time it was thought that the Town would for certain have been surrendred For about the end of December a terrible storm at Sea did so shatter the Town in divers parts and especially the old Town as the Inhabitants despairing to resist an assault which upon this occasion they did expect began to parley and Hostages were delivered on both sides for observancie of what should be agreed upon But soon after this unfortunate chance there fell out another so favourable by the access of new men to the besieged together with all manner of provisions as they would treat no longer of surrendring saying they could no longer doe it with their honour The Archduke being thus deluded of his so firm hopes of having the Town gave order that a great Battery should be raised against the Old Town which had been most prejudiced by the Tempest That part was therefore furiously plaid upon and there was such a breach made especially in the Sea-bulwark as they hoped to make a happy assault Which was thus ordered The Campmaster Durango was to go against the Sea-Bulwork with the Spanish Foot and the Campmaster Gambaloitta a Milanese and Knight of the Order of St. John against another neighbouring Flank on the left hand with the Italian Foot These two Camp-masters were accompanied by divers of the best Captains of the Army and the Foot of divers other Nations were mingled with the Spanish and Italian Foot The assault was to begin about the coming on of night when the Tide was at the lowest And Count Bucquey was likewise ordered to pass over the Channel on the side of Bredene and to sall with his men upon the wall that was there beaten down To divert the Enemy on more sides it was commanded that Alarms should be given every where against the Town And the Archduke chose Augustine Messia Governour of Antwerp Citadel who had for many years before been a Campmaster amongst the Spaniards and ever held in good esteem to see these Orders well observed When they came to the Assault the Assailants behaved themselves gallantly and used all means to get upon the wall and though many of them fell down dead and wounded and that the horror of night which already came on made their dangers the more terrible yet did it serve rather to set the Catholicks on fire then to make them cool in their fight But there appeared no less resoluteness of resistance in those within For opposing themselves valiantly on all sides and being very well able to doe it as having so many men and such store of all other provisions they stoutly did defend themselves on all sides Upon the coming on of night they had set up many Lights in divers parts of the Town whereby they the better maintained the places assigned unto them did with more security hit
out how much would the affairs of the King and Archdukes be thereby advantaged It not being to be doubted but that as the Enemy had done most mischief by Sea so most mischief was to be done to them thereby And for what concerned the place wherein the Gallies were to keep the Haven or Channel of Sluce was thought the fittest it being nearest Zealand capable of all manner of Vessels munited with good Forts in the mouth thereof and having so important a Town on the back thereof as Sluce whither the Gallies might at all times easily come and keep with all safety Frederick having then fully informed himself of the Maritime affairs of Flanders and especially concerning the aforesaid Squadron of Gallies he resolved to go himself to the Court of Spain to propound the business to the King and to get the imployment for himself Marquis Spinola Fredericks eldest Brother joyned in opinion with him desirous to raise his House as much as he could in his Country of Genua and to agrandise it by the way of War especially with the Crown of Spain And though the Marquis being thirty years old had not till then taken upon him the military profession yet he had always had a great inclination thereunto and had parts to make himself famous therein when he should be invited thereunto by any honorable imployment Frederick being come to Madrid he so negotiated the business as the Proposition of the Gallies was fully approved of both by the King and his Councel and the Command thereof with all fitting authority was assigned to him Six were thought sufficient for that time and they were taken from out the Spanish Squadron with intention to increase them if the effects thereof should answer their hopes Frederick having brought these Gallies to Flanders it is not to be believed how much the Navigation of the Hollanders and Zealanders in those parts was thereby incommodated For putting forth for the most part unexpectedly from the Channel of Sluce particularly in Calms when Vessels of sail use not to move he flew boldly sometimes upon one sometimes upon another taking some sinking others and much indamaging others It was notwithstanding found by experience that the six Gallies were not sufficient to carry men enough to in damage the Enemy by Land also and to endeavour some important surprise He therefore went again into Spain where being well received he used such prevalent reasons as prevailed with the King to send eight other Gallies to the former six and to give way that for the service of the whole Squadron he and the Marquis his brother might raise 800â— Foot in the State of Milan and might carry them to Flanders Frederick went with these Orders to Genua and from thence with his Brother to Milan where Count Fuentes was Governour from whom having received requisite authority for the raising of 8000 men the Marquis took the sole care thereof and with the like diligence Frederick returned to effect the aforesaid business in Spain They did both of them act their parts very well To which their own monies did contribute very much for thereby they were a great help unto the King in the monies he was to disburse and they did likewise procure many of their kindred and friends in Genua to doe the like So as what was to be done by each of them was with all speed effected When the Marquis had raised his men which were all very gallant men he departed in the beginning of May in that year 1602. towards Flanders The Levy was divided as we told you into two Brigades The Marquis himself was Campmaster of the one and had for his Serjeant-Major Pompey Justinian an old Flemish Souldier And Lucio Dentici was Campmaster of the other and Augustine Arconato was his Serjeant-Major both of them having served many years formerly in the same war The Marquis went by the way of Savoy and being well come to the Province of Luxenburg he presently went to Gaunt where the Archduke then was that he might receive such Orders from him as he upon such an occasion should think fitting But Frederick had not the like good success in the conducting of his Gallies For tarrying longer in Spain then he needed to have done as he went from Porto Sancta Maria two of his Gallies were taken from him in fight by some of the Hollanders ships and three more in the same manner as he past afterwards through the English Channel so as he could bring but three to Sluce yet most of the men were saved which were all of them Spaniards under the Campmaster John di Menesses a Portuguese who came likewise safe to the same place But to return to the Marquis He came with his men just at the time when the Archduke stood most in need of such a recruit Count Maurice was already marched into the fields and with such Forces as the United Provinces till then had never had greater He had made his Rendezvouz at Niminghen and his Army consisted of 24000 Foot and 6000 Horse with all other abundance of Artillery Ammunition and Victuals 'T was thought that his design was to cross through Brabant and so advance forwards to the relief of Ostend and then to to besiege Newport again All which he might easily have done For had it not been for the Aid which at that time came from Italy the Archdukes could have made no opposition in the field to so many adverse Forces with theirs of Flanders alone The Orders which the Marquis received from the Archduke was That he should presently go with all his men to find out the Admiral of Aragon who with other 6000 Foot and 4000 Horse was marching towards the Enemy to discover all their design and then to disturb them therein as much as he could The Marquis being joyned with the Admiral the Army was brought to Telemone a good Town almost in the heart of Brabant where making their rendezvouz it was resolved that the Army should lie without the Town towards that part where it was thought the Enemy would appear Nor was it long ere Maurice came to St. Truden a Town in the Country of Liege and within three leagues of Tilemone From thence Count Maurice came to within one league of the Catholick Camp but finding the opposition greater then he thought he should have done he resolved to retreat backward And after several false appearances of sieges that he might the better conceal the true one he at last sat down before Graves which as it hath been formerly said lies upon the left side of the Mause It is a Town which belongs to Brabant strong both by situation and art and which commands a Pass of great consequence upon that River On the opposite side there stood a little Redout which served for the better guarding of that Pass Maurice divided his Quarters on both sides and endeavoured particularly to secure them on the outward side which might be easeliest assaulted Antonio Gonsales
from relief But this could not so soon be done but that it was preceded by the other work of drawing the great Dike to the same Channel whereupon to raise afterwards a Fort by which that passage might be so much the more impeded To accelerate this work likewise Targone bethought himself of other Engines by which that so great quantity of materials whereof the Dike was made might the more easily be brought to imployment The said materials being put together in manner as they ought to be he put a certain number of little Barrels under the hollow of the middle thereof and on the sides by which at full sea the Engines floated and were afterwards brought by Cranes to joyn with the Dike in that part where the work was continued on These Engines were called Flotes But such was the tempest of the Enemies Canon-shot which incessantly fell upon them when they rested upon the sand and then again they were so prejudiced by the Sea-storms as ofttimes the work of many dayes was destroyed in a few houres And really it was a pittifull case to see how much blood was there shed and how little the meaner sort of people who were imployed therein did out of a desire of gain value it This was the condition of Ostend when the Archduke bethought himself to give the care of that Siege to Marquis Spinola Great certainly was the honour of such an imployment and Spinola in his coming so soon thereunto may almost be said to be become a Generall before he was a Souldier Yet the Archduke hoped his fervencie in the service would supply his want of experience And he had already shewed great abilities in those few military affairs which had passed through his hands The Archduke likewise hoped that Spinola by his credit in matter of monies might much help those expences which so difficult a Siege required when it should be managed by himself and from which if it should have good success such way should be made for him to greater Honours When the Archduke made him the offer the Marquis before he would accept of it would first consider what the event thereof might prove He therefore went to the place itself and was very diligent in making the business be well weighed by old Souldiers upon whose opinions he thought he might safely build But they differed very much in their opinions Some thought the business so difficult as there was no hopes of compassing it That it was one of the most generally received Maxims in the military profession not to venture upon a siege unless there were first firm belief of keeping out all succo And how was it possible to be hoped that this might be done to Ostend That the great Channel by which relief was brought was totally open and free That on the contrary the great Dike which was intended to hinder the ingress thereof was but slowly proceeded in and that by reasons of the ruins sometimes made by the Enemy sometimes by the Sea it was as fast torn in peeces as built But say it should be brought to a good end and that by the raising of a Fort there as was intended the mouth of the Channel should be commanded would the Enemies vessels notwithstanding forbear frequenting that passage For certainly so many would never be sunk by Canon-shot but that a great many more would succesfully pass by And as for the Castle which Targone proposed what foundation could there be for such a machine Which being exposed sometimes to be plaid upon from the Town sometimes to the assaults of the Enemies ships and sometimes to the fury and tempests of the sea the expectations of such as were unexperienced would certainly be soon seen to vanish Then since succour was not to be kept out the siege was onely to be pursued by maine force And that this would either never be done because of the continual retreats which the Enemy would make within their line or if it should be effected it would cost so much monies labour and blood as the purchase of Ostend would be too dearly bought But to this it was answered That to keep out succour was not so hard a matter as to be dispaired of That the Dike went still forward nor yet so slowly but that it might at last satisfie expectation That when it should be brought to the Channel and a great Fort be built there it was not to be doubted but that that passage would be thereby much impeded That truly for the Castle propounded by Targone the success thereof was to be thought uncertain but that if it should succeed how much more would the Channel be thereby hindred And say that machin should perish the Fort would yet remain by which though succour should not be totally taken away it would be at least so weakned as certainly the siege would be thereby much advantaged That in fine their greatest hopes were to be therein placed That the line of Ostend was not so large but that by winning now one fortification now another it might be kept from making retreats in perpetuity That so happy progress was to be expected from Batteries Mines and other continual works of the Spade and Mathook as the besieged should not at last know whether to retreat And in this case how glorious would the victory be And how great the profit which would be thereby got Since the Province of Flanders would be once free of so great a yoak nor would the expence of monies time or blood in such a siege be so considerable but that in all other considerations the atchievement of such a Town would be of far greater consequence The Marquess strugling between these two contrarieties of opinions thought at last that there was more hopes then fear in the offer which was made him and therefore resolved cheerfully to accept it and thought this a fair field for him to march in and to advance his fortune still further in in the wars Going then in the beginning of October to the siege he began to take upon him the command thereof and gave his Brigado to Pompeo Justiniano who was Serjant Major thereof leaving the other in Lucio Dontici as before The first thing the Marquess did was to make great store of provision of all such materials as were necessary as well for the work of the great Dike on Bredene's side as for the other works which were to be made on the side of St. Alberto on which side the Town was chiefly intended to be straitned and forced the ground over-against it was all sandy and full of several Channels and little revolets besides those two greater Channels which fell into the sea as you have often heard The same sea likewise at the flood did so whirle about every place thereabouts as ground was not any where to be found to make Trenches which were therefore to be supplyed with the abovesaid materials These were chiefly brought by the Flotes invented by Targone and though the
side he imagined that the Enemies Trenches were neither so well fortified nor so well guarded as in other parts He met with some obstacle in passing over some Channels but he got over them and giving the best sitting orders to march by night and to come unexpectedly upon the Enemy it was impossible for him by reason of divers difficulties he met with to get thither before it was day The Catholicks did notwithstanding valliantly assault the Enemy by whom being as stoutly withstood the fight continued a great while but Count Maurice coming in himself in person and reinforcing the defence answerable to the danger the Catholicks were at last forced to retreat There were some 400 of them slain and as many hurt amongst which the Campmaster Borgia was sorely wounded in both his arms In this action the Marquis of Renty was particularly slain who was in the prime of his youth of great expectation and one of the chiefest of the Nobility of that Country The enemy lost likewise much bloud and that of the best in this fight The assault proving ineffectual the Town was soon after delivered up upon honourable conditions Little less then 4000 souldiers marched out of it and went to Dama making a most compassionate spectacle for they were all so macerated with hunger having suffered the utmost extremities thereof as they rather seemed skellitons then men And in two short hours march for it is no more between Sluce and Dama threescore of them dropped down dead for very weakness Sluce being lost Spinola returned likewise to Dama and went from thence to the siege of Ostend again Sluce was surrendred about the midst of October when Count Maurice entred thereinto glorying that in three months time and with the loss of so little bloud he had made a greater acquisition then that of Ostend which would cost above three years expence of time and an infinity of Spanish gold and bloud if it could not at least hold out longer Great store of Artillery of all sorts was found in the Town and in the Forts and all the Gallies which were well furnished with all things which were requisite to the designe for which they were intended fell likewise into Maurice his hands The Archduke appeared much displeased hereat And it being to be doubted that the enemy favoured by so important an acquisition and having all their Forces almost still intire would presently come with displayed Banners to the relief of Ostend the Archduke therefore gave forth immediately all necessary Orders to keep them from so doing Those places towards which it was thought that Maurice might lead his Army from Sluce to Ostend were therefore speedily provided for and well fortified And the Archduke gave the chief care thereof to Spinola as to him who bore the whole burthen of the siege Amongst other places he endeavoured to secure the Town of Dama and the Fort Blanchemburg the former being seated more inward into the Country and the other upon the Sea almost in equal distance between Sluce and Ostend Maurice must needs pass either by the one or the other of these to bring his men to the relief And because it was feared that he would rather do it by Blanchemburg side Spinola drew thither as great a force as was necessary to withstand Maurice if he should have the aforesaid intent These Orders being given he returned to the siege resolving to carry it so as it might the speedilyer be ended And he already thought himself almost sure of it For the loss of Sluce had not only not disheartned the Catholicks in the siege of Ostend but had rather inflamed them the more out of a desire that the loss of that place might be counterpoised by the winning of this At the same time then that the enemies were hottest against Sluce the Catholicks were no less servent against Ostend Each of the aforesaid Nations had proceeded on in their several quarters pursuing to lead on their works in manner aforesaid but not without continual loss of bloud and amongst the rest Camp-master Melzi was ill hurt in his leg and Camp-master Justinian received such a wound in his arm as he was forced to have it cut quite off Yet the Catholicks at last made themselves masters of the ditch nor were they long afterwards in winning the first Line though the enemy made as many retreats as they could in every Bulwark making of one flank many and very much retarding the oppugnors proceedings When they had won the first Line they discovered a new Fortification which those within had raised with ditches flanks and other defences Sluce was just then lost and it was feared that Count Maurice would come to the relief of Ostend The Catholicks being therefore so much the more moved and Spinola being again returned it is not to be exprest with what servor they fell to their works on all sides The greatest progress was made towards the old Town of Ostend And because when they should have won that they might easily hinder the entrance into the Channel by the mouth whereof succour was brought from the Sea and for that the new Town was much commanded by the old therefore Spinola did more reinforce his Batteries assaults mines and all his other most efficacious works on that side then on any other Nor was it long ere the Catholicks had almost wholly taken it They likewise advanced after the same manner against the new Fortification so as now the besieged had no where whither to retreat wherefore wanting ground to defend when they most abounded in all things for defence they were at last forced to surrender the Town which was done about the midst of September upon all the most honourable conditions that they could desire Count Maurice was often minded to attempt the succour by main force but considering that he was to enter into an Enemies Country amongst strong and well garded Towns and that he should meet with men that were very ready to fight he thought it not fit after his prosperous success at Sluce to hazard falling into some misfortune as upon such an occasion he might peradventure do and therefore he forbore to do it It was a remarkable thing to see so many souldiers march out of a Town For there were above 4000 of them all strong and healthfull they having enjoyed great plenty of all things in Ostend by reason of their continual succours So as besides great store of Artillery there was found in the Town such aboundance of Victuals ammunition and of whatsoever else may be imagined for the defence of a royal Town as the like was never known to be in any other place Thus ended the siege of Ostend very memorable doubtless in itself but much more in consideration of the so great expence of monies and time which the winning and losing of it cost The siege continued above three years in which time the constant opinion was that there dyed what by the sword what by sickness above
thereabouts and began to fortifie himself in a certain part shewing clearly that he intended to begirt that Fort. But it was so well provided to make defence by Spinola as there was no fear of losing it Nor was he long in appearing thereabouts himself Spinola had with him thirteen thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with great provision of all other things He fortified himself also and the Armies were so neer one another as daily skirmisher past between them At this time came the three Brigadoes which were expected from Italy But the other which came by Sea from Spain had not the like Fortune Pietro di Sermiente who was Camp-master thereof conducted it in eight ships and meeting with many great ships of Holland in the English Channel which lay waiting for him he was assaulted by them and after a fierce fight most of the Spanish ships with the men that were in them were taken by the Enemy The Camp-master saved himself with the rest of the ships and souldiers and got to Dunkirk At the same time the Germans and those of the neigbouring Nations were likewise raised Wherefore the Arch-duke resolved Spinola should no longer delay to put the design in execution which was agreed upon in Spain which was to pass the Rhine to advance into Friesland and to make some great diversion against the Enemy on those parts Count Frederick de Berg stayed therefore only with such Forces as might suffice to oppose Maurice and Spinola went from the Province of Flanders and coming to Brussels past with all speed to make his randezvouz at Mastrick Prince Avelino conducted over the Neopolitans and returned presently for Italy Francisca Colonna Prince of Palestrina was then in Flanders being a little before come thither from Rome and there was likewise Andrea Matteo Aquaviva Prince of Caeserta who came thither likewise about the same time One of the two Neapolitan Brigadoes was given to Colonna and Alessandro di Monti was Camp-master of the other Count Guido St. Georgio commanded the Lombard Brigado and Christophero de Conti d' Emden was the principal of the German Colonels Before Spinola came to Mastrick he had dispatched away Count Buckquoy General of the Artillery to begin a Fort upon the right side of the Rhine which was the most suspected The place he chose was neer Casesuert a little Town belonging to the Arch-bishoprick of Cullen Here Buckquoy began to build the Fort whither it was not long ere Spinola came who hastning the work caused it soon to be erected with a Line of five Flanks and raised another lesser one on the other side towards Cullen The Arch-duke and Spinola kept their intentions of passing with their Armies over the Rhine very secret and therefore the Arch-duke seeming to his own Captains as if he had some other design had ofttimes had it argued in Councel whether it were better to endeavour the recovery of Sluce or Graves or to besiege Berghenapzome or rather Breda never touching upon the true design Upon the variety of these Proposals there was variety of opinions and the Arch-duke had industriously wrought it so as that the Enemy might be advertised of these consultations to make them the less suspitious that they intended any thing beyond the Rhine nor did his thoughts abuse him for the Enemy being thus deluded and out of other respects not beleeving that the Catholicks would put on so bold a resolution they were not time enough to relieve the Towns which Spinola begirt and took in those parts as shall be related this so speedy march of Spinola's towards the Rhine made the Enemy beleeve he would besiege Reinberg and the same opinion was conceived in the Catholick Camp which did not yet know the true design Of all others Count Maurice beleeved the like who therefore had made Count Ernestus march away with good Forces to the end that the fortifications of that place might be by him so strengthned both without and within as there might be no fear of losing it This mean while the two aforesaid Forts were finished by Spinola by which that passage of the Rhine was secured He then no longer deferred the making known whither the Catholick Camp was bent but calling a Councel of War he said That the King and Arch-duke had resolved to carry the war to the Rebels own homes and more inward if they could That so strong an Army was prepared to this purpose That to this purpose monies were prepared to maintain the Army And that to the same end he had already secured the passage over the Rhine That the determination was to enter the Enemies Country towards Friesland and particularly to make use of all their power to take the Town of Linghen in those parts That his Highness pleasure was that this design should by all means be kept secret that so it might be the easilyer effected and that there was almost no doubt to be made of it That they knew the Town was at this time but ill provided the Enemy never having dreamed that it could at such a distance and so at unawares be assaulted by the Catholick Forces That it was true it was a great way off and that they were to pass through a great part of the Neutrals Countries where it might be feared they might suffer for want of victuals But that there was already great provision made thereof and that they were to march through that Country with such discipline as the souldiers being no ways troublesome and having sufficient monies for plenty of victuals they need fear no want That for what remained the taking of such a Town would be of very great importance That Count Maurice had still fortified it better that it lay in the Havens of Friesland almost upon the Confines of Germany and that if once they should get footing there wherefore might they not hope that this happy success might be insued by many more happy The Councel of War did much approve of this advice and it was likewise very chearfully received by all the Souldiery The Army was compounded of the usual Nations and consisted of 16000 Foot and 3000 Horse They were particularly to pass over a great part of the neutral Countrey of Cleves and Westphalia And to the end that all things might be the fairlyer carryed on both in them and in all other places of the like nature Spinola had with him the Count di Lora one of the chiefest and best esteemed Lords of all Flanders who was to negotiate with the Magistrates of each Town and to give them all due satisfaction To secure the passage of the Rhine and the Army also on their back Count Bucquoy had the charge of the new Forts having 6000 Foot and â—00 horse with him From whence Spinola marched away with the rest and began to enter into the Countrey of Cleves and after into Westphalia He marched still orderly and with so exquisite and severe discipline as victuals were brought unto the Camp in
to boot with the usual contributions of the obedient Provinces of Flanders it was cast up that three hundred thousand Crowns a moneth would be requisite to come from Spain An excessessive expence in it self and much more in respect of the so many other great expences which the vastness of the Spanish Empire did necessarily require in so many other parts yet such diligence was used as there was course taken for it and some part thereof was disburst in Flanders before hand to raise new men and in providing divers other things which were necessary for going into the field These negotiations kept Spinola longer in Spain then the affairs of Flanders would allow of At his departure the King to witness his confidence in him and esteem of him made him one of his chief Councel of State He at last began his journey backward by the way of Italy and parting from Genua was stayed in his journey by a Feaver which kept him from coming to Brussels till the first of June Nothing of considerable had this mean while been done in Flanders only Monsieur de Teraglia a Frenchman had put himself into the Kings service he being very well versed in matter of Artillery and Petars which are made use of in surprisals Whereof he made use of divers on both sides the Rhine but since none of them wrought any considerable effect we will forbare to mention them Spinola being arrived and the Army being increased by new Germans and Walloons and by 2000 Spaniards who were come from Italy under the Camp-master Jovanni Bravoi the Archduke would no longer forbear putting the aforesaid designes in excution And thus it was carried Spinola made his Rendezvouz about the Forts upon the Rhine and having mustered there 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse he resolved to advance into that other part where Oldensell and Leghen were taken the year before The resolution was as we told you to passe over the River Ysel and to get into Vela which is an open Country and near Utricht a City of great circuit but badly fortified in so much as they might hope to take so principal a Town and having well fortified it to trouble Holland near which that City stands on that side Count Bucquoy prepared at the same time to pass over Wahal intending to bring the Catholick Forces into the Island of Betna and there to get footing and take some place of importance Niminghen would have been the most considerable of all others a great City scituated upon the left side of the same River and which bore great consequences with it We have so often upon so many other occurrences spoken of this City and of the same Rivers of Wahal and Ysel as it will be superfluous to make the same relations again here Bucquoy had with him 10000 Foot and 1300 Horse with plenty of all necessary provisions and in Spinola's Camp there were above 3000 Carriages with great store of Victuals and Ammunition with Mils Ovens and all other accommodations necessary This extraordinary great preparation on the Catholicks behalf made the United Provinces first very suspitious and then very fearfull They had not then Forces enough to oppose the Catholicks in the open Field they therefore resolved to supply that want by fortifying those River-banks where most fear was to be had that the Catholicks would endeavour to pass over by better fortifying those Towns which they thought they would assail And truly they made wonderfull Fortifications upon this occasion They made a great many Redouts upon the banks of all that shore of the Wahal which runs along the Island of Betua where it might be feared the Catholicks might attempt to possess it on that side A Corps de Gard was assigned with Sentinels to every Redout and according to occasion one Redout was to assist another At the same time divers men of War and other Boats were to scoure up and down upon the River to be another sort of impediment and strict Orders were given to all the Towns thereabouts that with great vigilancy they should be prepared to send forth men to make the like opposition The other yet greater tract of ground which ran along the shore of Ysel was likewise equally defended So as having made these provisions the Enemy seemed little to dread what the Catholicks could do And yet Count Maurice assembled so great a body of an Army together as being added to those so advantagious Fortifications where most need required might cause the greater hopes of rendring all contrary designes vain Spinola parted from the Rendezvouz about the beginning of July and marched towards Ysel The season was very rainy before he could pass the Rhine The Climate of Flanders doth naturally abound in moysture and rain And the Spring and Summer and Autumn are usually there so confounded together as one season can hardly be discerned from another but extraordinary store of rain fell particularly that Summer and all the while the Enemy kept in the Field during that year Spinola marched through low grounds where the water which was already fallen and which still continuing to fall had made the ways through which he marched extraordinarily durty and slippery It is not to be said how much the Souldiers suffered thereby how much the Artillery was incommodiated and particularly how great the disorder was in conducting such an unusual number of Carriages Spinola and the rest of the Commanders and the whole Army were greatly afflicted in seeing the season prove so perverse and they were more grieved when they heard that the Rivers were so swoln as they were not to be forded over in any part Spinola knew likewise what great Fortifications the Enemy had made on the contrary shore and whatsoever else they had done to impede the passage Yet he still drew towards Ysel and afterwards marched towards those parts where Zutfen and Deventer stand Between these two Towns on the other side the River did Count Maurice keep with his Army that he might turn where occasion should most require Spinola did studiously endeavour to make him still keep there till such time as Count de Sora might come to a certain place a good way from thence which was a little below the Town Suole where he intended that Sora should by all means attempt to pass over the River and in the mean while Spinola thought it might be advantagious for him to take Lochem a little Town not very strong but oportune for the condition of the scituations where he at that time kept He therefore sent the Camp-master Borgio who was a little before chosen Governour of Antwerp Citadel to begirt it with 3000 Foot and 500 Horse He met with but short resistance For the Catholicks being come in two days to the Ditch and having began a Battery on the third day those within surrendred the Town Spinola hoped still that the River of Ysel would fall and that Count Sora might get over it at the aforesaid place But he being
were chiefly trusted therewith These four were chosen for Deputies and Father Nyen was added for a fift as one who had hitherto had a great hand in the business Marquess Spinola was already got into great Authority by reason of his so many Imployments and Trusts He was Camp-master-general and Governor of the Army Administrator or Pay-master-general of the Kings monies of the Councel of State in Spain and through his hands all the Kings affairs in Flanders as hath been said did chiefly pass and the Arch-duke likewise seemed to put much confidence in him Indeed a States man of singular judgment and valour of incredible vigilancy and industry in the managing of whatsoever business either Military or Civil and indowed with so many other gallant parts as he had reason to be esteemed one of the greatest States-men that the Crown of Spain hath had these many years The Secretary Manchichidor was likewise highly esteemed of for his long experience in the affairs of Flanders for he had been Secretary of war even from the time that the Arch-duke whilst he was yet Cardinal was come to the Government of those Provinces In the affairs which belonged properly to the Arch-dukes the President Ricardetto was no less esteemed of he had for a long time been the man chiefly imployed in affairs of greatest importance by the Duke of Parma and other Governors and the Arch-Duke being made Prince of the Low-Countries chose him particularly to employ in making the last Peace with France and the like with the King of England so as almost all the important business of the Country passed through his hands Verreychin was likewise present at the making of the two above named Peaces and had long before exercised the place of first Secretary of State and was alwaies held a man of great wisdom and integrity Enough hath already been said of the Commissary-general and of his endowments But when the Spaniards who were in Flanders understood who the Deputies were and that they were to go to the Enemies own homes to treat of agreement with them it is not to be believed how much they stormed and how much they complained of the Arch-Dukes in particular Are the affairs of Spain said they come to so low an ebb that our King must abase himself thus hath so much time bloud and treasure been spent against the traâ—terous rebels to bring things to this end That the affairs of Spain were now in as glorious a condition as ever but that there wanted fitting instruments in Flanders to manage them That the Arch-duke had alwayes shewed himself to be better at peace then at war and that now that he saw himself not likely to have any children his only desire was to spend the remainder of his days in peace and quietness That it was impossible so great a Monarchy should be without a war nay it was to be desired that it should alwayes have an Army in the fields for its service And what other more fitting Theatre could there be found for the seat of its Arms then Flanders a place so opulent and of such extent and placed in the midst of Spains chiefest enemies and maligners That if the war could not be alwayes so plentifully maintained their Forces might be lessened and consequently their expences That thus the vigour of so great a Monarchy might be preserved even to eternity The Spaniards broke forth into these complaints and sent them from Flanders into Spain but to no purpose for it was then seen as also during the whole Treaty that the King and the Arch-duke did always jump in their opinions and â—s for the Deputies going into Holland without all doubt it might seem in all appearance no wayes to agree with the Kings and Arch-dukes dignity but the form of the Government of the United Provinces considered no other manner of negotiation could well be had for their Deputies were so many that Commissions so bounded and so many sendings to and fro as they were inforced to make Orders to receive new Orders and new Consents from every Province which if it had been to be done out of their own Country the Treaty would never have had an end and though afterwards as you shall hear it was concluded in Antwerp 't was because all things were already digested so as they went thither as it may be said to a business already concluded The Deputies departed about the end of January 1608. and being come into the United Provinces they were received by the Governors of their Frontier Towns with all honour and bravely lodged in all places They came to the Hague the first of February and were met half a league without the Town by Count Maurice of Nassaw accompanied by the other Counts of his House and all the chief men of those parts The Second BOOK of the TREATY of the TRUCE of FLANDERS HOLLAND is the greatest richest and best peopled Province of all the United seaven Nay it so far exceeds all the rest as it furnisheth half the monies which are issued out by the whole seaven Provinces It is made by the Sea and sundry Rivers a Peninsula it is incompassed on many sides by the Sea cut through in many parts by Rivers many Channels cut by hand joyn with these Rivers and there be many lakes within it so as it may be doubted whether it consist more of land or water Besides it doth so abound with shipping of all sorts as it may likewise be questioned whether the number of moveable habitations on water or of houses fixt on the land be the greater This Province is full of Cities and of a great many lesser Towns Amsterdam is its chiefest City and here is the greatest Traffick not only of Holland itself but almost of the whole North of all its Towns Hague is the principal an open Village but so large so well peopled and so delitious as it may compare with many Cities Here did the Counts of Holland formerly build a Palace for themselves to live in which the Vnited Provinces do now make use of for the meeting of their Councels which depend upon the Vnion Here likewise the Councel of the States General do meet almost every day wherein things of greatest importance are agitated and resoved by the Deputies of the whole seaven Provinces The chief affairs of the whole Vnion are then handled in the Hague and here staid the Catholick Deputies to give a beginning to the Treaty Before they arrived the Vnited Provinces had likewise chosen their Deputies one was chosen for every Province and two of the best of bloud amongst them in the common name of them all And these were Count William of Nassaw full Cousin German to Count Maurice and Min here Bredrode for Holland Barnevelt was named and by him the business on the behalf of the Vnited Provinces was chiefly to be agitated At their first meeting nothing was done but the producing of the credential Letters on all sides they then began to
the same 118. The Order the Spaniards observ'd in marching through the foord of Zirickzee 130. Octavio Farnese D. of Parma at Brussels 21. Octavio Gonzaga 150. takes in Lovain 168. routs some Companies of French 170. Oudewater in Holland and its situation 132. Besieged by the Spaniard ibid. Utterly ruined ibid. P. PEace establisht between the Provinces of Flanders 148 Pope Urban the eight 123 The Popes General Pardon proclaimed by the D. of Alva 70 Pius Quintus his particular demonstration of honour to the D. of Alva 66 Practises of the Germain Princes to foment the Flemish Hereticks 51. Of Orange and the Flemish vagabonds with the neighbouring Princes 73 The Predicants driven out of Antwerp 40 The Prince of Orange born in Germany 5. Coming over yong into Flanders he became a Catholick ibid His Nature and Cústom ibid. Opposeth Granvel 12. Proposes that there may be a Convocation of the States General ibid. His intelligence with the Admiral of France 13. He opposeth the bringing in of the Councel of Trent into Flanders ibid. His propositions to the Covenanters in Geertruydenberg 30. He goes into Holland and Zealand to pacifie the tumults there 32. terrified at the news of d'Alva's coming into Flanders he leavs the countrey 4o His Answer to the D. of Alva's citation 49. He seeks to interess Germany in the revolt of the low Countreys to which end he procures a Diet there 52. His discourse at it ibid. He raises an Army to enter Flanders 64. He desires to come to a battel with d'Alva his reasons for it 65. A great part of his men routed 66. He retires into Flanders where his Army disbands it self ibid. He assembleth new Forces to enter those Provinces a second time 85. He masters Ruremond and sacks it ibid. He takes in Malines ibid. He makes a hault in Henault ibid. He offers to give the D. of Alva battel 86. He retires with his Army defeated 88. He goes into Holland ibid. He passes to Leyden to ayd the Harlemers 98. He attempts the relief of the besieged there but those whom he sends are routed by the Royalists 102. He makes many inroads about Nimegen 122. In the conference at Breda he is absolute Umpire for the Rebels 131. He doth his utmost to relieve Zirickzee 138. He makes use of the Commendadors death for cherishing of the Flemish rebellion 140. his opinion concerning Don Johns coming 151. His ends in the affairs of Flanders ibid. He approves not of the Agreement made at Marck 153. He expresses his conceit of Don Johns retreat to Namure 160. He is received into Brussels by the States Generall 162. Created Governor of Brabant ibid. His Judgement concerning the Archduke Matthias his comming into Flanders 163. his diligence to compose the discords between the Provinces of the Low-Countreys 176 The Prince of Parma comes into Flanders 166. his Military employment ibid. He fights with singular valor at Geblours 168. storms the Town of Sichen 169. substituted by Don John in the Government of Flanders 177 The Propositions of the Provinces concerning the citadels designed by the D of Alva 71 Philip the second son to Charls the fifth 4 comes into Flanders ibid. Returns into Spain and upon what occasions 7 Before his departure he cals together the States Generall in Gaunt Ibid. creates some Knights of the Golden Fleece 9. his discourse with the Dutchesse of Parma ibid. his secret Orders to her about the Tumults in Flanders 33. his perplexity about sending an Army thither 45. he prepares a fleet in Spain to be sent into Flanders 134 with great secrecy he sends away his brother Don John of Austria for Governor to the Low-Countries 150 endevors by his means to compose matters in the Low-Countries ibid. is again constrained to take up armes against the Flemmings 164. makes great complaints in France about Alansons march into Flanders 177. the Provinces of the Low-Countries divided into many Principalities 1 Q. QUeen of England 6. see Elizabeth The Queen of Navarre passeth by the Frontiers of Flanders 158. A Book of hers ibid. R. RAphael Barberino and his qualilities 123. Uncle by the Fathers side to Pope Urban the VIII ibid. how bravely he caryed himself at the taking of the Fort of Bomell 138. he is wounded at Visenac 144 Efficacious Reasons for the Inquisitin 26. For King Philips going into Flanders 41. Against it ibid. Count Lodovicks Ruyters rout the Catholicks German horse 119. They are defeated by the Kings Lanciers ibid. The Rebels in Holland doe their utmost to cut off all Victuals from the Kings camp before Harlem 101. they attempt ter Tolen 107. they seize upon Ramechins 108. they become Masters of the Isle of Walcheren 114. a Treaty of accommodation with them 123 but it goes not forward ibid. they prepare for the defence of Leyden 124. they drown the Country all about it 126. they raise the Siege 127 A Relation of the Mutinies 120. The wonderfull Obedience yeelded to their Laws ibid. The course that was taken to reduce them to an agreement 121 A Rising in Maestricht against the Spaniards 145 Rodulphus the Emperor interposeth for the quiet of Flanders 152. he continues the Treaty of agreement by the bishop of Liege 164 Ruremond made a Bishoprick 9. Sacked by Orange's army 85 S. THe Sacking of Valenciennes 78 Sancio d'Avila comes into Flanders with the Duke of Alva 46. Sent against the Flemish Vagabonds 50 Captain of Antwerp castle 76. Routs the Enemy and secures Middleburgh ibid. brings Relief to ter-Goes 91 Overcome by the Rebels in a Sea-fight 107. is commander over a Fleet for the relief of Middleburgh 113. he enters Mastricht with the Kings men 115. he assaults the Enemy and routs him 116. he discovers Lodowicks designs and prevents them ibid. Conqueror at the battel of Mooch 119. Made Admiral of the fleet in ter-Tolen 135. Fordeth the channel of Scowen 136. his counsel to defend the Kings Souldiers against the States Militia 141. His words to Don John at the departure of the Spaniards out of Flanders 154 Sconhoven a Town in Holland besieged by the Royalists 132. It yeilds 133 The Suspicion of the Flemings and the conceit of the chiefest among them concerning the Inquisition 4 Spain greatly infested with the Moors 7 The Spaniards assault Harlem disorderly and are made to retire by Romero 100 They mutiny after the battel of Mooch 119. They take the way of Antwerp which they enter without any more adoe 121. They make the Garison there retreat ib. They are satisfied and return to their obedience 122. Many of them perish before Leyden 127. They prepare to defend themselves against the Flemings 141. Their designe to meet in Antwerp ib. The difficulties they met with ere they could get together 144. They assault and take Antwerp 146 States General of the Provinces of Flanders 2. Called together by the Duke of Alva 67 The States of Holland meet to consult upon the relief of Leyden 126 The States of
Golden-fleece 234 his solemn entrance into Antwerp ib. he besieges the Grave and carries it 241. he incamps before Venlo ibid. which at length is yeelded to him 242 thence he goes against Nuys ibid. which is storm'd and sack'd ibid. He takes on him the title of Duke upon the death of his Father ibid. the Honour conferred upon him by Pope Sixtus the fifth ibid. he goes to the Relief of Zutfen he takes in Deventer 243. and after that the castle of VVowe 244. he layes Siege to Sluce 245. which at last is yeelded to him 247. his Opinion concerning Spains making war upon England 250 he goes over to Newport to further that enterprize 255. a Designe of his upon Berghen-ap-Zome 260. but it hits not 261. he falls sick of the Dropsie and passeth into France ibid. he joines with Du Main at Meaux 270. He besiegeth and stormeth Laigny 271. storms and sacks Corbeil 274. Returns into Flanders 275. Encamps before the fort of Nimeghen 278. but can do no good upon it 279. He receives order from the King to pass again into France ib. In the fight of Aumale against the K. of Navar he carries the day 285. He sends a supply of men into Roan and thence marcheth into Picardy where he besiegeth the Town of Rue 287. He returns speedily towards Roan and raiseth the King of Navars siege 288 Is wounded in one of his arms before Caudebec ib. resolves to pass the Seine performs it fortunately 290. marcheth towards Flanders 291. Petitions the King for leave to quit the Government 292. He prepares for the third expedition into France ib. He dies in Arras ib. His Character ib. Prince Ranuccio the Duke of Parmas eldest son brings off safe the Kings army in their retreat from the Fort of Nimeghen 279. He marcheth in the van with the horse of the Leaguers Camp 284. In the retreat from Caudebeck he makes good the rear with singular valour 291 Philip the second confirms Parma in the Government of Flanders 180. Resolves to send back the Dutchess of Parma into Flanders 194. yet afterwards gives her leave to return into Italy 195. Declares that he will aid the Catholick League in France 266 Q. THe Queen of England how she liked of the new Principality of Alanson 202. She examins in her councel the offer of the Severaignty of the United Provinces that had been made to her 239. Endeavours to compose the differences between the United Provinces and Leicester 244. She procures a Treaty of agreement in the affairs of Flanders to be moved for by the King of Denmark 248. But all Treaties come to nothing 252. She resolves to oppose the Spanish Fleet and prepares for it with great Forces both by Sea and Land ib. Her Oration to the Parliament ib. R. REberg besieged by the Marquiss of Barambone 262. Relieved by Skinck ib. and after by Colonel Vere 264. At last it is yeilded up to the Royalists ib. The Flemish Rebels at great difference among themselves 180. For want of moneys they cannot maintain the souldiers that flock to them from other parts 181 They feed with fair hopes of relief those that are besieged in Mastrick 184. They resolve upon chusing a new Prince 189. and publickly declare the election they have made 201. Their complaints against Alanson 207. How much they were inraged at the surprisal of Antwerp by him attempted 211 They are reconciled to the French by the workings of Orange 212. They rout the Kings party near Nimegen 279 Roan besieged by the King of Navar. 281 Receives a supply of men 363. Is in very great danger ib. S SEbastian Tappin a French-man and Swarzemburg at the defence of Mastrick 182. Their vigilance 184 They very stoutly beat back the Royalists 185 The Signior of St. Aldegond in great esteem with the Flemish Union 191. He is Governor of Antwerp 223. His speech to encourage the Antwerpians to hold out the siege ib. Sixtus Quintus Pope sends a Present to the Duke of Parma 242. Exhorteth Philip the second to the enterprise against England 250 Skinck See Martin Skinck T TOrnay besieged 202. The batteries that are raised against it 203. It stands out the first assault ib. Takes in a small supply 204. At length is yeilded up to the Duke of Parma ib. V VErdugo See Francis Verdugo Venlo besieged by Farnese 241. It yeildeth before it comes to an assault 242 Sign di Villars at the defence of Roan 281. Falls very valiantly upon the Camp without and sorely annoys it 286. Adviseth that the Forces of the League should turn some other way 286 Makes great suit for relief 287 W WAchtendonck yeilded to Mansfield 261 The Wallon Provinces contest with the Gantois 181. they come to an Agreement with the Prince of Parma 186. And upon what conditions 187. They consent to the return of the Foraign soldiers 201 Z. ZUtfen besieged by Leicester 243 Relieved by Farnese 244. Taken in by Count Maurice A Table of the most remarkable things contained in this THIRD PART A AUgustin Messia a Spanish Camp-master 309. Enters Cambray with Forces 329 Is declared Governour of that City 332 The Admiral of Arragon seizes upon the Town of Montulin 363. Made Governour of the Militia in Flanders 369. The Orders left him by the Archduke 372. He takes in Remberg 373 He distributes his Army in divers neutral places 374. His opinion for besieging Skincks Sconce 377. He makes the enemy retreat from the fort of Durang 382. Is taken prisoner 397 Being after released he attempts to relieve the Grave but in vain 409 Amiens the Metropolis of Piccardy 350 Surprised by the Spaniard 352. and after sackt 353. The description therof ib. besieged by the K. of France 355 The rendring of it up 362 Admiral Villars Governor of Normandy 320. Routed and slain at Dorlan 322 Archduke Albertus by way of Proxie espouseth in the Kings name the new Queen in the City of Ferrara 372 Departs from Madrid with the Infanta his wife 386. They both come into Flanders ib. He cals a consultation of the Officers of the Army 393. Resolves to assault the enemies Camp at Newport 394. His words to the souldiers 396. He is wounded in the battel of Newport ib. He besieges Ostend 399. His constancy in pursuing that Enterprise 406. His speech to the magistrates of Balduke 412. He commits the care of the siege of Ostend to Marquiss Spinola 413. He goes thither in person 418. He sends his Confessor into Spain to facilitate the conclusion of the truce 457 Archduke Ernestus Governor of Flanders 302. Sends with fresh men Count Mansfield into France ib. Endeavours to bring in some treaty of peace with the United Provinces 303. He sends Campmaster Velasco against the mutiners of Sichen 311. He aies 313 The Archdutchess Margaret of Austria intended for wife to the Prince of Spain 369 Ardres besieged by the Spaniards 339 It is yeilded up 341 Arras suddenly assaulted by the French 454 Articles of Marriage
between Archduke Albertus and the Infanta Isabella 368 The Articles of the Truce 458 The Assembly general of the United Provinces in Bergen-ap-zoom 459 The Army of the German Confederates 383. How strong it was 384. Dissolves of it self 386 B THe Battel of Dorlan 322 The Battel of Newport 396 Balduke besieged by Count Maurice 402 Is relieved ib. Bommel how scituated 377. The Kings Army encamps before it 379. Relieved by Count Maurice 380 C CAmbray govern'd by Signior Balagni 317. Besieged by Count Fuentes 324. The description thereof 324 relieved by Signior de Vich 326 The valiant resistance made by the besieged ib. The Townsmen rise against Balagni 328. The Town is yeilded 329 Cardinal Archduke Albertus declared Governor of Flanders 332. His entry into Brussels ib. He besiegeth Callice 336. and carries it 339. He encamps before Ardres ib. and makes himself master of it 341. He takes the Town of Hulft 342. He goes to relieve 〈◊〉 miens 360. He is councelled to assault the enemy in their Trenches 361. He cannot relieve the Town wherefore he returns to Flanders 362. He puts off his Cardinals habit and goes into Spain to consummate his marriage with the Infanta Isabella 369 Cardinal Andrea d'Austria Governor of Flanders 369. Entertains the Deputies of the Elector of Colen and of the Duke of Cleves 376. Besiegeth Bommel 379. retires from that enterprise 380. Causeth a great Fort to be begun in the Island of Bomel 381 and names it St. Andrews 383. Returns into Germany 386. Cardinal Mapheo Barberino what Offices he did in the court of France with relation to the affairs of Flanders 434 Christoval di Moura count of Castel-Rodrigo 365. His Oration wherein he perswades the K. to give up the Low-Countries in Dowry to the Infanta Isabella his eldest Daughter ib. Claudio la Barlotta a Walloon Camp-Master 296. assaults the French before Laon 309. Gains a Fort near Hulst 344. Is slain 398 Colonell Christopher Mandragone with good Forces in the countrey of Lucemburg 317. Forces Count Maurice to retreat from the Siege of Grol 329. his good successe against the same man 330 He dies ibid Colonell Vere sent to surprize the Fort of Durang 382. Wounded in the battell of Newport 396. At the defence of Ostend 401 Colonell Verdugo commands the Kings Forces in Friesland 302. Makes the French retreat out of the country of Lucemburg 316. he dies 317 Considerations on the Spains part to see some accommodation with the United Provinces brought to passe 457 Consultations held in the Spanish camp concerning the laying siege to Cambray 318. about the besieging of la Fera 334 concerning the getting of Relief into Amiens 360. and in the French camp for opposing of the Enemy 361. in the councell of State in Spain about surrendring the Provinces of Flanders to the Infanta Isabella for her Dowry 365 In the Spanish camp in Flanders about besieging either Schincks-sconce or som other place 376. in the same Spanish camp whether it were convenient to fall upon the Enemy at Newport 393 Whether it were better to prosecute or give over the Siege of Ostend 413 Whether the relief of Groll were by all means to be attempted or whether it were to be let alone 430 Count Charles Mansfield passeth into France in aid of the League 296. He goes with the D. du Main before Noyon ibid. Takes in many places in Picardy 297. He conducts a new Army into Flanders 303. He makes himself master of la Capelle ibid. Count Frederick di Bergh camp-Master-Generall 392. a Fort raised by him in Ostend 402. Governor of Linghen 363 Presents himself with part of the Army before Schincks-sconce 378. Relieves Balduc 402. goes against the Mutineers of Hostrat 411 Count di Fuentes of great authority in Flanders 296. his Opinion that the vnited Provinces ought not to be sought unto for Peace by Spain 304. he succeeds Archduke Ernestus in the Government 314. he sends la Motte to recover the Town of Huy and Verdugo against the French in the countrey of Lucemburg 316. he resolves to fall into Picardie 317. Gains Han by Intelligence 319. and a while after loses it ibid. Besieges Chatelet 320. And carries it ibid. routs the French 322 Takes Dorlan by assault 323. Layes Siege to Cambray 324. his Opinion concerning the continuation of that Siege 327. gains the place 329. Departs from Flanders 332. his Oration wherein he exhorts the K. not to sever the Low-countries from the Crown of Spain 365 Count Henrick of Nassau Generall of the Horse to the United Provinces 424 Fals upon the quarters of the Spanish horse ib. Relieves Reinberg 428 Count Hollach sent by the United Provinces to the German confederates 384 Count di Lippa Generall of the Army to the German confederates 376 Count Maurice besiegeth Gertrudenberg 299. he carries it 301. comes before Groninghen with his Army 305. and gains that 307. Incamps before Groll 329. but afterwards draws off ibid. Overcomes the Royalists at Tornaut 348. Seizes upon Reinberg with other places 363. succours Schincks-sconce 378. relieves Bomell 380. Surprises Wachtendonch 389. Takes in the fort of Crevecoeur ibid. and then St Andrews 390. Enters the Province of Flanders with an Army 391. Resolves to besiege Newport 392. prepares to give batail to the Archduke 395. comes off conqueror at Newport 397. Besiegeth Reinberg and takes it 399. Incamps before Balduc 402. whence he is forced to retreat ibid. Besieges the Grave 408 and carries it 409. Goes to the Relief of the Mutineers at Hostrat 411. Besieges Balduc again ibid. and shortly after gives over the Enterterprize 412. Encamps before Sluce 416. Routs Velasco ibid. his Designe upon Antwerp 420. he fortifies near Sas ibid. He cannot relieve Reinberg 429. Encamps before Groll and is forced thence to retreat 431. His Opinion of the Negotiations then on foot for a Peace and a Truce 442. His Oration against them ibid. Count Peter Ernestus of Mansfield succeeds the D. of Parma in the Government of Flanders 296. Sends away his son Count Charles to the assistance of the League in France ibid. His diligence to relieve Gertrudenberg 301 to which effect he faces the Enemy with his Army ibid. Goes against the Fort of Crevecoeure ibid. is in the Army appointed for the relief of Amiens 360 his discourse against falling upon the Enemies Trenches 362 The Conde di Varras one of the chiefe Commanders in the Catholick Army 345. hinders the Enemies incursions in Brabant 347. is routed and slaine by Count Maurice 348 Complaints of the Loyall Provinces 364 made by some Provinces and Hans-Towns of Germany against the Spanish Armies invasion 375. Of the Spaniards about the going of the Spanish Commissioners into Holland 447 The Commissioners of the Princes and Hans-Towns in Germany resolve on a War with the Spaniard 375. Of the Provinces obedient and United met to Treat of some Agreement 398. Those of the Catholicks that are to goe into Holland to Treat of a Peace or
Truce 447. They come to the Hague ibid. their Negotiations 448. They meet in Antwerp 457. those of the United Province to intervene at the Treaty aforesaid 447. their Negotiations ib. Characters of Philip 2. 347. Of Archduke Ernestus 414. Of Verdugo 317 Of Mandragone 331. Of Campmaster Rosne 345 D A Description of Geertruydenberg 299. of Groninghen 305. of Cambray 324 of Calice 336. of Ardres 339. of Hulst 342. of Amiens 353. of Ostend 400. of Sluce 416 of Linghen 422. of Groll 427. of Reinberg 428. of a fierce Assault made upon Dorlan 323. of another made upon Ostend 403. of St Andrews fort 383. of Schincks-sconce and the Countrey about it 377. of the battail of Dorlan 322. of the battail of Newport 396. of the United Provinces and their form of Government 438 A Declaration of liberty pretended to by the United Provinces 437. how interpreted by the Archduke and Spanish Ministers of State ibid. Ratified in Spain 438. the first Ratification therof not admitted in Holland 439. How the second was afterward accepted of 446 Dorlan besieged by Count di Fuentes 323 taken by assault ib. The Duke of Sessa by way of Proxie acts the part of the Infanta Isabella for effectuating her marriage with the Archduke Albertus 372 The Duke du Main recruited from Flanders 296. he takes in Noyon 297. he concludes a Truce with the K. of Navar for three months 298. he endevors to relieve Laon 308. his memorable Retreat 310. he comes to an Agreement with the K. of France 334. His Opinion that they were not to tarry in their Trenches for the Spanish Army 361 E. ELector Ernestus of Bavaria makes suit at Brussels for the recovery of Huy 316. the dammage done to his Estate by the quartering of the K. of Spains Army upon it 375 The Elector Palatine of the Rhine 375 F. A Fight of great consequence before Laon between the K. of France his Forces and the army of the League 310. between Count Maurice and Mandragone 330. between Marshall Biron and the Marshal of Barambone 347. between the K. of Spains men and those of the United Provinces 348 betwixt Marquis Spinola and Count Maurice before Sluce 418. and afterwards at Bruch 424 Frederico Spinola 407. Commander of some Gallies in Flanders wherewith he indammages the Enemy ibid. he goes again into Spain for a greater number ibid. he loses five 408. is slain 410 La Fera besieged by the K. of France 334 Relieved 335. yielded 340 Forts erected by Spinola upon the Rhine 421 Forts raised by the United Provinces upon the banks of the Wael and the Ysel 426 G. SPanish Galleys in Flanders 407 Gaspero Mandragone relieves Lyra 331 The Grave besieged by Count Maurice 408. It is yeilded up to him 409 Groll besieged by Spinola 42â— it is yeilded ib. Count Maurice strenghtneth it 430. It is relieved by Spinola 431 Groninghen besieged by Count Maurice 305. It s description ib. t is yeilded â—07 Geertrudembergh besieged by Count Maurice 299. The description of it ib. It is yeilded up 301 H HAn a Town in Picardy yeilded up to Count Fuentes 319. Recovered by the Marshal of Bulloigne ib. Hernando Teglio Portocarrero Governour of Dorlan 350. He projects the surprisal of Amiens ib. The order in which he disposed of the enterprise ib. His oration to the souldiers 351. He seizeth on the City 352. He craves a supply of men 354. His diligence in defending the Town 355. He sallies out upon the French Camp 357. He is slain 359 The Hollanders and Zealanders put for a shorter navigation into the East-Indies 312. How they got into the West ib. Their ends for the aforesaid navigation 313. The difficulties they met with therein ib. Hulst and its scituation described 342 Besieged by the Catholicks 343. It yeilds 346 Huy a Town in the Country of Liege seized on by the United Provinces 316. Recovered by Count Fuentes ib. I JAmes Maldereo Commissioner for Zealand 452. His oration ib. James King of Scotland succeeds in the Kingdom of England 406. Stiles himself King of Great Britain ib. comes to an accommodation with the King of Spain and the Archdukes ib. His ends in the war of Flanders 441 John of Balen in Groninghen 305. his oration to the Townsmen 306 John Guzman brings relief into Amiens 355. his death 357 John Barnevelt Advocate of Holland and his oration in behalf of the negotiations for peace 444. His opinion prevails beyond that of Count Maurice 446 Infanta Isabella Philip the second his eldest daughter 364. her singular qualities 365. She parts from Madrid 386. comes to Brussels ib. presents her self to the Army on horseback and makes a speech to the souldiers 392 Her constancy in entertaining the Archduke wounded in the battel of Newport 398. She comes with the Archduke to see Ostend 418 Frier Inico di Brizuela the Archdukes Confessor sent into Spain 457. He returns to Brussels 458 The Intelligence that Count Fuentes held in Cambray 328. that the King of France held in Amiens 355 Italian mutiners in Sichen 311 They seek to hold intelligence with Count Maurice ib. Besieged by Campmaster Velasco ib. withdraw into the enemies country 312. come to an agreement with the Archduke ib The Journey of Albertus upon occasion of going to fetch his wife into Flanders 399. Of the new Princes in coming thither 386 K KIng of England see James King of Scotland The King of France declared a Catholick 302. He besieges Laon 308. and carries it 310. comes to an open war with the King of Spain 316. Is fully reconciled to the Apostolick See 326 Besieges La Fera 334 and takes it 340. How much he was vexed at the loss of Amiens 353. He concludes a League with the Queen of England 354 Goes over to the siege of Amiens 355 What Intelligence he held there ib. His affability to the souldier 357 He routs some troops of the enemies horse 360 Enters Amiens in triumph 362. makes a peace with the Catholick King 364 His Interests in the affairs of Flanders 440. His authority with the United Provinces ib. He sends an Ambassador extraordinary into Holland to assist the negotiations of peace or a Truce 441 The King of Spain Philip the second and his ends in the affairs of France 296 He sends the Duke of Feria to Paris ib. He makes peace with the K. of France 364. His intention to marry the Infanta Isabella to the Gardinal Archduke 365. which he puts in execution 368 His death 369. his character ib. The King of Spain Philip the third resolves to make up an Army apart to be commanded by the two Spinolas 410 He approves of the Archdukes designes against the enemie 425. he resolves to give way to an Overture that shall be made for an accommodation with the United Provinces 437 L. ALeague between the K. of France and the Q. of England 354. Between the K. of France and the United Provinces 451 A Letter from Archduke Ernestus to
the United Provinces 303. Their answer 304 Linghen taken in by Count Maurice 363. Besieged by Spinola 422. Yeilded to him 42 Lewis di Velasco a Spanish Camp-master ' goes against the Mutineers of Sichen 311 he is made General of the Artillery 372 Afterwards of the Horse ibid. Routed by Count Maurice 416. he succours Trivnltio 424 Lewis Verreychen chief Secretary to the Archdukes carries into Holland the ratification come from Spain 438 M. MArquis Ambrosio Spinola raises Souldiers for Flanders 407. Joyns his forces with the Admirals 408. Goes over into Italy and returns again into Flanders 416. he commands in chief before Ostend 414. his proceedings against that Town 415. he goes to the relief of Sluce 417. he returns to besiege Ostend 418. which at last is surrendred to him 419. he goes to the Court of Spain 420. where he is declared Camp-Master General and Governor of all the Kings Forces in Flanders ibi Forts raised by him upon the Rhine 421. his speech to the Councel of War ibid. he takes Linghen 423. his stratagem to relieve Trivultio 424. he returns to the â—ourt of Spain 425. he takes the field and with what forces ibid. he takes Groll 428. And after that Remberg 430. his Oration to the Army 432. he relieves Grol ibid. The Marquis of Barambone infests Piccardie in hostile manner 317. is routed aâ—d taken Prisoner 347 The Marquis of Montenegro commands the â—avalry in Amiens 351. Falls upon the French Camp 355. succeeds Portocarrero in the command of Amiens 359. Yeilds up the place 362 Marshal Biron routs the Leaguers 309. Left to defend Piccardie 341. he routs Barambone 347. his diligence for the recovery of Amiens 353. his attempts against Arras and Dorlan 354. his undauntedness in defending the trenches 357. his opinion that the Spanish Army was to be encountred with all their strength 361 The Marshal of Balagny Governor and after Prince of Cambray 317. The people rise up against him 328. he loses the City 329. his wives war-like spirit ibid. her death ibid. A Marriage proposed between the Cardinal Archduke and the Infanta Isabella 364. 'T is concluded on and upon what Articles 368. Solemnized in Ferrara by Pope Clement the VIII 372 A Marriage between the Prince of Spain and the Archdutchess Magaret of Austria 369. Celebrated in Ferrara by the Pope himself 372 Mutual Marriages between the two Crowns of France and Spain 434 The Meeting of the Catholick Commissioners and those of the United Provinces in the Hague to treat of an accommodation 447. Matters there propounded ibid. All negotiation for peace is quite dasht 451. A proposition made by the English ond French Ambassadors for a long Truce ibid. The meeting is transfer'd to Antwerp 458 The Mutiny of the Spaniards 297. Of Italians and Wallons 302. Of Italians 311. in divers Spanish garrisons 369. amongst the Germans and Wallons 389 N. THe memorable Navigation of the Hollanders and Zealanders 313 A Negotiation for Peace set on foot in Holland by the Emperors Ambassadors 390. It comes to nothing 391 Neutrality violated by the Spanish Army 375 Noyon besieged by those of the league 296 It is yeilded 297 O OLdenziel taken by Count Maurice 363. seiz'd on by the Royalists 422 Divers Opinions of the Kings Captains concerning the siege of Ostend 413. Of the same men about the relieving of Grol 430 Orations of John di Balen to the citizens of Groninghen 306. Of Monsieur de la Motta against the besieging of Cambray 318. Of Monsieur di Rosne for it ibid. Of Fuentes party in Cambray to the Townsmen 328. Of Monsieur di Rosne for the besieging of Calice 335. Of Portocarrero to encourage his men at the surprisal of Amiens 351. of Count Fuentes that the Low-Countries should not be sever'd from the crown of Spain 365 of Christoval di Moura Count of Castel Rodrigo that they may be made over for the Infanta Isabella her dowry 366. of the Infanta Isabella to the souldiers 393. of Campmaster Zapena against assaulting the enemy in his trenches 394. of Campmaster Barlotta for it ib. of Count Maurice to his Army at the battel of Newport 39 of the same against the negotiations of peace then on foot 442. of Archduke Albertus upon occasion of the battel of Newport 396. of the same to the Magistrates of Balduke 412. of Spinola to the councel of war 421. of the same to his souldiers at the relief of Groll 432. of Barnevelt for the negotiations of peace 444. of James Maldereo against all accommodation 452. of President Jannin for the Truce 453 The Ordering of the French Forces before Dorlan 321. of the Spanish Camp there ib of the same camp in attempting to relieve Amiens 360. of the Catholick Army at Newport 395. of the enemies camp there ib. of the Catholick camp before Grol 431 Ostend 399. the description of it 400. endammaged by the sea 402. assaulted by the Royalists but in vain 403. closely streightned by Spinola 414. is rendered up 419. great store of Artillery and Ammunition foundthere ib. P A Peace concluded at Vervin between the two Crowns of France and Spain 346 Pope Clement viii establishes the reconciliatiation of the King of France to the Apostolick see 320. he interposes to reconcile the two Kings 364. and brings it to pass ib. Paris peaceably receives the King after he is declared a Catholick 302 President Jannin Ambassador extraordinary for the King of France in Holland 441. his proposition for a long truce 451. his oration to perswade them unto it 453. Reasons brought in by him to satisfie all sides 455 Q THe singular Qualities of the Infanta Isabella and the Cardinal Archduke 365 The Quarters of the Catholick Camp how distributed at the siege of Hulst 344 R REasons that moved the two Kings to come to a peace 364 The Ratification sent from Spain the first time in favour of the pretended liberty of the United Provinces 438. It is not accepted of 4â—9 The second how it is explained 440. How received 446 Rembergh taken in by Count Maurice 363. Recovered by the Admiral of Arragon 373. Besieged by the German confederates 384 Besieged again by Count Maurice 399. Is surrendred ib. Besieged by Marquiss Spinola 428. t is yeilded up to him 430 Res a good Town upon the Rhine inforced to take in the Kings souldiers 374 Besieged by the Army of the German confederates 384. Restored by the Spaniards to the Duke of Cleves 486 The Rising of those of Cambray against Balagni 328 S SLuce besieged by Count Maurice 416 Weakly relieved ib. yeilded up 417 The Spaniards rout Count Ernestus of Nassaw 393. How they like of the Catholick Commissioners going into Holland 447 The Catholick States General meet in Paris 297 The States General of the United Provinces reject the negotiation of peace which Archduke Ernestus offers to set on foot 303. They aid the K. of France with men 316. They seize upon the Town of Huy ib. They give to Count Maurice the Town of Linghen 363. Their opinions of the marriage concluded between the Archduke Albertus and the Infanta Isabella 368. They joyn their Army with that of the German confederates 384 Their vigilancy in guarding Ostend 400. They raise a great number of Forts upon the banks of the Wahal Ysel 4â—6 The Declaration of their pretended Liberty before they will enter into any negotiation of agreement 43â— They admit of the Archdukes proposal and establish a suspersion of arms 438. They reject the first ratifi cation brought from Spain 439. The answer they give to the second 440 which yet is afterwards accepted of 446 The Catholick States General of the Provinces of Flanders allow of the articles of marriage between the Archduke and the Infanta 368 they assemble together in Brussels upon occasion of the arrival of the new Princes 390 The Stratagem of Portocarrero for the surprisal of Amiens 350 Spanish ships beaten by the Hollanders 421 T TElimone assigned for quarter to the Mutiners 312 A long Truce proposed by President Jannin 451. Difficulties exprest on the Spanish side in accepting of it 456. It is concluded upon 459 W WAchtendonch taken by Count Bucquoy 423 Wesel compounds with the Catholick army 374 Z ZApena a Spanish Campmaster 378 His oration to disswade the Archduke from assaulting the enemies quarter 394. Wounded and taken prisoner in the battel of Newport he dies soon after it 397 FINIS Anno. 1566. Anno. 15. 8. Anno 1568. Anno 1571. Anno 1572. An. 1573 Anno 15â—â— Anno 1578. 1578. Anno 1579. Anno 1580. 1582. Anno 1584 Anno 1585. Annò 1586. Anno 1587. Anno 1588. Anno 1588. Anno 1589. Annò 1591. Anno 1592. Anno 1593. Anno 1594. Anno 1595. Anno 1596. 〈…〉 Anno 1598. Anno 1598. Anno 15â—9 Anno 1500. Anno 1601. Anno 1â—â—2 Anno 1603. Anno 1604. Anno 1606. Anno 1607.