the beginning of the Siege was Zutphen delivered it stands in an excellent Scituation the River Barkâ— runs through it Issell passeth by it as it comes from â—phalia and not far off falling into the Rhine by the labour of Drasus as it is believed This with her neighbour-Towns and Country was of old subject to the Princes thereof who were called Earls and there remains a distinct 〈◊〉 of Jurisdiction though it be now united to the body of Gâ—lderland not so much by reason of its scituation beyond the Rhine as by the intermarriages of Princes Upon the same Banck stands Deventer formerly a free City of the Ausâ—ike League and the Metropolis of Over-Issell under the Bishops power Hither when the Army came with a swift march at the very sight thereof they were at a non-plus not knowing what to do But the strong Fortifications of the City and the greatness of the Garrison whereof the Army had Intelligence being one hundred Horse and fourteen Ensigns of Foot made the Prince at a stand Herman Count Herâ—nberg was Governour thereof both an instructer and an example of vertue and fidelity he was neerly allyed by bloâ—d to Prince Maurice himself as being born of his Aunt and therefore so much the more envying the glory and splendor of his Kinsman Above all the Duke of Parma was feared least he should draw together Forces and come and disturb them in their Siege which if it should happen there would be a necessity for them either shamefully to fly or doubtfully run the hazard of a battel And the taking of Zutphen as it was a great incouragement to all that hoped well so was it a warning to others that they should not endanger their gotten Honour but rather preserve it for more certain advantages On the other side some that fled out of the City brought Intelligence that the Souldiers were ready to mutinie that there was not Victuals to serve against a long Siege nay that they had not Gunpowder enough in any proportion for their Guns which being understood the middle course was resolved on to wit that they should with all speed fortisie their Camp stop â— all passages both by Land and Water that no Messengeâ— might be able to get to them with newes of Relief But if the Enemy should hold out it would be sufficient that all the Bancks being guarded they might for the future easily passe to the other side and force them and this was the sum of the Counsel before the expedition was undertaken Prince Maurice making a continual battery against the Town upon the ninth day to try the mindes of the besieged drew up his Army before the Walls then commands some Ships to be forthwith carried into the Channel where the River passing by the City is somewhat stopped and to place them near the shore These in regard they could not be rowed because of the narrowness of the River some Seamâ— drew under the very Walls with their hands in spight of al the Enemies Shot an undertaking certainly of such a nature as many couragious men would have shrunk at The Boats being placed in the very trench and a Bridge made over them every one was ready to take upon him the shoâ— and assault to merit the Princes prayse who called it an honourable piece of Service though it was not a work for ordinary Valour Thus while they made so much hast they hindred the Engineers and the Bridge it self being a little too short did not reach over to the other Bancks The Wall is this place together with an adjoyning Tower was partly beaten down by the force of the battery part of it yet being supported by Arches for it was an antient Structure and heaps of Earth thrown into the hollow places thereof The choyce men that were to give the onset and if they entred to make good the place were many of them drowned some few onely attaining the shore by leaping I cannot in this place passe by the glorious emulation of two Ensigns the one of whom being killed upon the top of the Walls the other brought off both his own Colours and those of his slaughtered Companion But all this time the Cannon did the greatest harm to the Enemy yet could not force them from the Walls for being full of Wine they made rather a desperate than a valiant defence Here in the first place Count Herman fought with more than necessary Valour in regard he was the Governour of the Town but he did it to make good his Honour and fidelity For some Spaniards had not stuck to report that it was an agreed design between the two Kinsmen Nor did he go away before the showres of Bullets yet continuing thick he was in the darkness wounded All night the Princes men were fain to defend the Bridge from being burned for the Enemy continually cast fire at it As soon as the Day again appear'd and the Enemy now grown sober saw plainly the Prince's Army before them in Battel Array and the Bridge whole the sight being also ready to begin again then they considered their danger especially upon the Return of some that had been sent as Spies who reporting the Prince's strength with the greatest Advantage made their disgrace in case they surrendred to seem the less Count Herman alone would not consent to surrender but he being very ill with his Wounds though he might suffer the Rendition yet could not hinder it For the Townsmen now called to the Souldiers that guarded the Bridge that they might have liberty to Treat whereof the Prince being informed and receiving from him safe Conduct they went out The Townsmen were left to the Conquerours Mercy and that thereafter they should have Magistrates appointed not according to their own Laws and Customs but as should be thought convenient by the Vnited States of the Reformed Religion And it appeared that as Zutphen so also Deventer did not reckon the Spaniards should dwell amongst them for ever for that before the Siege they burnt their Huts although they had not long before Wood enough Before their departure all the Captains and Officers were deliver'd bound in vain lamenting the own Necessities and the Civil Discords But Count Hâ— would not believe that the States were able to raise such numerous Forces yet he having been Governour durst not go into the Spanish Quarters fearing bitter and inveteâ— Accusers and prepossessed Judges Fit Garrisons being 〈◊〉 placed in the Cities lately taken the Frizons beseeched 〈◊〉 That now at last he would think of them whose Peace was diâ—â— bed by the pertinacious Obstinacy of one single City and that 〈◊〉 remained now but a few Towns and Castles which if they were taken the whole Country between the Rivers Issel and Ems would be free from the Enemies Incumbrances and be intirely in the States Power So much was their hope advanced by these first Successes that they who till this time hardly durst undertake any thing now on a suddain did not
somewhat more distant was the Cavallery ranged But Albertus that he might extend his Forces the middle Battel being commanded to march forward what before was the Van-Guard became now the Right Wing and the Rere-ward the left-Wing For putting his greatest confidence chiefly in the Spaniards and next them the Italians hoped the Enemy would not be able to sustain the Force of that double Band But the Prince opposed against the Enemy towards the Sea Sir Frances Vâ—res men and next to the Fields the French the rest he placed behind as Reserves And now the Enemy sent out from both Bands some small shot which as soon as it was perceived four Companies of French were drawn forth three of which were to fall on the Enemies left Wing for General Vere with some Select men of his own was set forward against the Right protesting to the Prince either by life or death to merit thanks that day Nor was he deceived for he fighting among the thickest and having beaten back the Musketiers and assayling a great stand of Pikes he received two wounds had his Horse killed under him and was mounted on another and upon the Arrivall of his Brother Sir Horace Vere with fresh Forces magnanimously brought his men safe off At this time the Enemies Horse which had been placed as Wings for strengthning the Foot violently falling into the Flank of the Statesmen made a great slaughter whereby it happened that the Spaniards Courages were encreased and the Nassavians began to faint upon which sight the Enemy falling on more violently suddenly a Panick fear and flight surprised all on that part of the Army with so inconsiderate trepidation that many of them for fear of the Enemies Sword ran into the Sea and there met a shameful and certain death But the constancy of the rest and the Prince himself who was careful of all things quickly restored that want of Courage The French came in opportunely to supply those that were in distress and for the better doing thereof were divided into two Bands by the care of the Count Solmes and the Captains Ommerville and Saul And these falling on at first at the push of Pike had good success by the help of the Musketiers who standing in the higher places powred their Bullets uncessantly upon the Enemies Pikes standing below which wounded and galled them infinitely And when an intire Body of Netherlanders and Irish Souldiers advanced against them Count Solmes commanded the Switzers and Souldiers of Fort-Andrew to give on upon them which they did with great Courage and while they were in the heat of Fight he sent both the Batavian Regiments to wit one of Utrecht the other of Holland to their assistance and last of all the Germane Souldiers put themselves into the Fight For Prince Maurice thought it convenient to assault the Enemy with shot and to renew the Fight in as many places as they could so as they that were tyred in the Fight might have time and place to retreat and fresh men still come to supply their places and this very thing broke the Enemies strength and made the other not to be Conquered for there was room reserved for recruiting the Forces in Fight so that the Enemy still encountred with fresh men as often as he offered unwarily to pursue any that fled But among the Hills there was one continued Fight especially where they grew less and also beyond by intervals the Fight was renewed When the Foot met at first Lewis of Nassaw with six Troops which were followed by three others fell in and routed the Enemies Horse At which time one Gentleman who Commanded the Princes Guards persuing those that were routed had passed all the Enemies Forces And three other Horse Commanders led their Troops against the Spaniards Nor did Count Lewis who was diligent to lay hold upon all occasions to get advantage neglect to take six Troops of Cuirassiers and with them to charge the Enemy afresh In many Conflicts this day did that great Commander shew his Valour until the Spanish Horse Rallying and comâ—g in on all sides had almost inclosed him being followed at that time by not above ten men of all his Company but the constancy of his own Resolution and the Captain of a Troop named Cloet came in season and saved him from that imminent danger In the mean time they who had formerly gone out of the Battel to be refreshed and comforted came in again and began the Fight anew whos 's both appearance and Fortune the Battel being in many places was various and different Sir Horace Vere in the Playn at the end of the Hills with six Companies fighting the Spaniards and others in other places as every one found or could get an advantage so that it seemed as if the Fight had been every where scattered and as fresh Forces or a new Enemy met on either side so did the Victory as yet continue uncertain now inclining to one party anon to the other But among the Horse the quarrel was sooner decided it easily appearing that the Mauritians would be Victors even from the Courage of the Commanders for the Enemies best Souldiers were absent as Contrera in Spain Landriano by reason of sickness And now the Spanish Lancters turning head sled to Newport the Nassavians pursuing them in the Rear yet for all this the Foot kept their ground and fought successfully enough even among the little Hills from whose tops they beat the Princes Men coming even to their Cannon which were placed upon a little Hill not far off as is before related Three hours did the Battell continue with equall Courage on both sides during all which time there was nothing seen but death represented in the most hideous shapes of horrour great effusion of blood and both near at hand and far off nothing but terrible spectacles of horrour and dying And then at length the fury began to abate and because at the beginning of the Fight most of the Souldiery was fighting through extremity of labours their Bodies began to grow faint onely the PRINCE infused Courage into his men from the hopes of Victory Here he busied himself in rallying such as were out of order there as often as any Enemy appeared to be made ready fresh Bands to encounter him and in another place he was not wanting to incite all undantedly to go through the residue of the fight At last towards evening he resolved to conclude the Battel with the Horse in that part of his Army being irresistable to this purpose he sent two Troops to stand upon the Sea-shore near the great Guns one of these belonging to Sir Frances Vere the other to Captain Bale These he directed to charge the Enemy nor did his hopes faâ—l him because from hence according as he fore-judged began the first appearance of Victory for the Enemy willing and earnestly desiring to put an end to the Fight came directly against them But the great Guns thundered upon them with that
fury that they were forced to retreat with a great slaughter both of Horses and Men yet fetching a compass about the next Hills and running further returned to the Sea-shore until the Mauritians attending the Artillery with great fury again powred shot upon them as they advanced By which means the Enemies Horse being utterly beaten off presently the Foot-Regiments were set upon and rouâ—ed and their Colonels Sapena and Villars taken alive On the other side the unwearied Valour and Vertue of the Prince his present Counsel yea and his very countenance made his Souldiers Conquerours while he would not suffer them to be overcome which when the Spaniards saw who fought in the middle Battel although they were yet equall or rather more strong than the other being terrified with the fortune of heir friends stood very tremblingly nor were they wearied out onely with the common troubles of a Fight but by the provident care of Prince Maurice had more than they could bear Their eagerness of spirit by the abating of Courage being wholly eaten up by fear For the Sun which was opposite to their faces was made use of to blind them so was the Wind which was higher than ordinary in Summer to drive into their faces the smoak and the Sand 't is true they endeavoured to have gotten that benefit of the Heavens to themselves but Prince Maurice being every where ready to prevent them hindered their design and by this means also their Guns were useless to them The Mauritians during the time of the Battel had so bestirred themselves and lost so little time that each of them had made thirty shots and they which were at the Planked battery did as much harm as those that were upon the firm ground The Enemy had not the same advantage and their Cannon being neither raised nor well planted by their own weight and force were fixed until at last the Sands giving way they were removed Besides Counsel and Policy Fortune also assisted the Nassavians the Enemies Powder being blown up wherewith they should have charged their Guns And Victory being cryed out though before the time yet was a good Omen to foretell a true one The Arch-Duke Albertus while any hope remained riding through the whole Army was reported to advance with those of Diest against the Enemy with his Face uncovered that so his example might be the more famed in which action 't is said that his Ear was struck by the top of a Germane Souldiers Lance There was one who had laid hold of his Horse Bridle but was immediately killed by the diligent fidelity of those that guarded his Person At length doubting the Fortune of the Field he departed out of the Battel It is believed he might have been taken if the Souldiers at Ostend had sallyed out upon them as they fled or they which were sent to Leffingen-Bridge had durst to have remained there but part of them being such as escaped the mornings slaughter being mindful of what was past and dreading what might happen in the future were timorous but the Horse whereupon the Arch-Duke rid being eminent for his Color but changed for that he was tyred became afterwards a Prey The General being fled they which till now had fought with equal Valour betook themselves to their Heels yielding their Backs to be harryed by their Persuers till by little and little all had left the Field but Four Thousand Germans who keeping their Orders fairly Retreated with Honour Nor did the Victors delay to follow their flying Enemies as they were scatter'd over the Marishy and unpassable parts of the Country But the Prince after Thanks given to God the greatest part of the Day being spent he withdrew some choice Regiments and Troops from the Battel to be a Safeguard and Reserve against any suddain Chances of War which done in the very place of the Fight with the chief of the Captive Lords he took his Supper and Repose that Night as the sole Support of the Victory All round about were scatter'd Arms and dismembred Limbs both the Hills and Valleys were cover'd with bloud and the place a Receptacle of Dead Bodies Some found fault that while the Victory was yet warm they did not presently prosecute the Reliques of the Enemy But the Slaughter before received the Souldiers being pinched with want after so long a â—igh and a great many of them wounded the Multitude of Prisoners the Darkness of the present Night the uncertainty of the Ways through Ditches and Boggs and the Forts and Castles lying in the Way deterr'd that Resolution However there was great Honour gotten thereby nor shall you easily find a famouser Action of many years past Some curious in Antiquity did observe that almost Three Ages before Albertus of Austria met Adelphus of Nassaw and took from him both his Life and Government and now the same day being the 2d of August the Face of the same Families is changed There were slain in the very Battel near 3000 of the Enemies the greatest slaughter falling upon them of Diest and where they fled all the Ways Fields and Marishes were strowed with their dead Bodies There were almost 1000 kill'd in the Victorious Army besides those lost with Ernestus the greatest part of the English whose Valour was most active with 8 of their Captains were slain in the Fight the rest all but two were wounded All the Artillery and above one hundred Colours were taken many Prisoners of whom several were Noble-men Mendosa himself while yet the Battel was uncertain when he was beaten from his Horse and led aside as a Prisoner Prince Maurice took great care for him in commiseration of the common Fortune and remembrance of Affinity for Henry of Nassaw being of Old very powerful in Spain marryed a Wife out of that Family Sapena dyed of his Wounds but giving infinite Applauses to Prince Maurice's Providence The Noble Young-men that belonged to the Arch-Duke's House were presently and without Ransome set at Liberty But the Legates of the States who were inclosed in Ostend never passed any day with so much Care and Sollicitude for they which came out of the Forts deliver'd to Albertus as also they that fled from the slaughter in the Morning brought with them into that Town very great Terrour And after when both Armies were in sight fighting as Fortune inclined either this way or that way so to them it seem'd that the Commonwealth reeled Now falling to their Prayers anon to the consideration of the Fortune of War and as any one had been the Mover of more venturous Counsels so he seem'd to be chiefly concern'd in the danger But after the Event had freed them from their fear and that early the next day the Prince bimself came with his Prisoners and all other Ensigns of Victory then might you have seen the Joy of their Countenances and superabundant and festivous Gratulations They had seen him often Victorious often deserving the highest Applauses but more especially famous was
as the Government grows famous being â— bounded among a few Families so neither is altogether popular as to be made up out of the multitude The Authority of the Nobles being left to themselves and all our power residing in the chief Citizens of the more Noble Cities Hence as it were by certain steps were they elected who were to govern the Provinces and to look after all other publike business not as in a meer Democratical form by promiscuous and accidentall choyce but by having a regaâ— to their descent and Progenitors the acquisition of their Wealth and their other laudable dispositions and vertuous qualities Nor was the Provision for securing liberty herein any whit mistaken while things of greatest difficulty and concernment were ordered by the judgment of many and the chiefest Authority passeth from hand to hand which â—s the cause that many without the hope of continuing their greatness have made it their study to learn and put in practice the true manner of well governing I have found it an experimented truth even when Wars were maintained against the Romans that the People both of France Germany and Britain were wont to examine and discuss their more weighty matters by the Peers of the Land and such choyces made by the Cities and that some remainders thereof appear even where Kingdoms have been since long setled But if we may dive into Records of greater Antiquity in Greece we shall find the like settlement among them under the name of Amphyctiones by whose unanimity the almost incredible power of the Median Monarch was both resisted and conquered And so in Achaja whose strength at first though inconsiderable yet by an harmonious Agreement waxed formidable But to proceed though every Province hath a Metropolitical City of its own yet now the chief and common Seat of Empire is among the Hollanders who as they far out vye the rest of their Confederates in Wealth so they do not a little go beyond them in Authority The Hague is a Village and the Seat of Prince Maurice exceedingly and choycely pleasant with delightful Woods and Groves and its neighbouring Bank The State of the Commonwealth in the Provinces under the Kings Command differeth not much from the other but that the great Assembly of the States for those parts are seldom called together except it be for setling of Taxes and raising Mony some few are selected to manage the private Affairs of every Province but the Senate with the Regent and the rest assistant thereunto as the Judges of Law and Treasury have the whole Government of all things and whoever is admitted into any Office he continues therein without alteration or change The Revenues of the United Provinces what they were is before declared afterward when they had shaken off all fear of Tyranny they began to settle Tributes for their own Commonwealth and when their Trading and Merchandizing encreased by the decay of Brabant their Spirits were augmented as their Riches and their undertakings were attended with success their confidence boldly venturing upon the greatest attempts enlarged their charges and expences their Fields Houses Victuals Cloaths nay their very Heads were not free but made lyable for payments of Mony They had the Sea open to bring them most certain Customs which not lyable to the hazard of War as other things though it was the endeavour of those in Power not to hinder Trassique if possible least Commodities of great value might by incertainty and hazards be carryed elsewhere But the Wealth of the Spanish Provinces though consisted much of Taxes very hardly and with an ill will gotten â— by the accession of great Sums of Mony from the King of exceed very far the other but that the multitude of â— who were interested in the receiving and payment of the same and the easiness of fraudulent dealing therein intercepted and devoured the greatest part thereof before it caâ—â— to the uses for which it was designed while some of theâ— would keep it as their own and others as profusely and prodigally wast it The Souldiery of the Hollanders consisting of Citizens Allyes and strangers besides the Auxiliary English Forces did not at this time exceed eighteen thousand Foot with a indifferent Cavallery the greatest part of whom lay in Gaâ—risons and were far short of their Enemies in multitude before France had made him divide his strength But the Earl of Leicester's neglect and their other many Seditions had taught them that it was better and more safe for them to defend themselves with small Armies than by exceeding their Treasure under the name of Souldiers to raise themselves enemies And now every day they brought their Discipline to be more strict that those Citizens and neighbouring Provinces and others that redeemed their Lands lying partly in the Enemies Country from spoil and pillage by paying mony for Composition might not be injuriously veâ—ed and when the Souldiers were drawn into Winter Quarters they were not to take any mony under-hand while they were there but the Commonwealth did defray all charges during their stay by this equality a wonderfull thing was brought to passe that every house was glad and willing to entertain them All the Infantry was divided into Regiments for so we will call them every Regiment containing ten Ensigns and seldom more Under every Ensign were to march an hundred men 't is true some Companies were at first greater but if you will look upon them generally what with Death and running away and what with the Captains false Musters they hardly arose to that Number Every Troop likewise was to contain so many Horsemen and three of these Troops as it were a Wing had but one common Commander And that all these might with the more ease be paid every Province took to themselves certain Companies of Foot and Troops of Horse to whom out of their proper Treasure they constantly gave their Pay And as every Province thus answer'd his proportion so they began a new Custom which was That they would in Vacancies name the Captains and other inferiour Officers under their Pay The Captains themselves managed the meaner Services but they who governed the Commonwealth either for their Vertue or out of Favour would appear in such as were more eminent The Forces of the Enemy were much more numerous than the other whereby they kept in awe what or whosoever they suspected and guarded their Borders though of a very great Extent The Common Souldiers Pay was alike on both sides but they had greater and more extraordinary Advantages with the Spaniard with whom also there were a great number of persons who had double Pay yet were they not less burthensome either to Towns or Countries whether in the Camp or in Garrison so that they were more than doubly destructive to the Treasury And their Military Discipline was much neglected by their private Emulations On the contrary Prince Maurice upon whom chiefly the whole Care and Weight of the War lay pretermitted none of
successful Sarlies disturbing their enterpâ—sed beginnings At this time Prince Maurice had left Groening and was going against Steenewie when heating of the Siege of Kâ—senburg he left Count William to defend the Frizons and himself with a flying Army coming to Arnheynie an Iâ—e of Holland by Signs encouraged the Besieged and likewise from thence sent Messengers that got through the adverse Army unespy'd by Night in a Boat But the Nassaniaâ— Commanders differ'd in Opinion whether they should 〈◊〉 the Enemy in the Field and fight him or passing the River Wael should fortifie themselves and hinder their Adversaries of Provision and make them leave the Works and Guns they had setled upon the side of the Hill by Niâ—â—ghen There was difficulty and danger in both these Attempts for without all doubt the Enemy was stronger in Horse whose Force and Valour they had often tryed both in Fight and Forraging At length Fortune determin'd their Doubt which many times is as profitable as Prudence for the Prince with Count Solms and Sir Francis Vere being brought near the Enemies Camp hid part of the forwardest Regiments with some Troops among the Thickets adjoyning to the way Other part of the Horse were commanded to march a good way forward to draw on the Enemy upon whose approach they were to seem to fly as if they were overpower'd for most of the Italians in Ten Troops among whom was the Duke of Parma's own Lifeguard were come out to pursue them and they were not to face about till they had drawn the Pursuers beyond the River and a narrow Bridge that went over it which being brought to pass according to expectation suddainly they that fled turned again and the others that lay in Ambush coming in they were inclosed and every valiant man among them dyed in the place he stood the rest were scatteringly slain as they were met with onely some few while the Conquerours took the Ensigns and some prisoners alive and the Horses escaped and fled to the Camp With the grief whereof and the loss of so many noble and valiant men not thinking it safe any longer to stay in the Enemies quarters he gave over his vain Siege but pretending that he was commanded to march once more into France and that the great Affairs of theâ— Kingdom were not to be neglected in striving to win a few Forts or Castles in Holland Wherefore sending the Carriages before he Transported his Army having onely built some slight Works upon the River to keep the Nassauians in play least they should fall upon his Rear and as soon as his Army was all over the Water he commanded them to make a stand that they might secure the ships coming after them But the City was highly displeased at his departure some few spoke of him favourably most smother'd their Anger in a threatning silence but the baser sort of people cover'd nothing of their Madness but shew'd their Fury in their Speeches as if they could by them draw back an Old General that fled at the sight of a stripling Enemy Undoubtedly Parma's Mind having always been accustomed to win Honour was grievously afflicted with this Disgrace so that his former Disease now again increasing be together with his Son Ranutio who lately came out of Italy augmented his Fathers Vexation that he should be a Witness of his Misfortune went to the Spaw there among the variety of his present Discontent and former Fortune to drink of the Waters From thence he sent to the Mutinous Spaniards at Diest for pacifying whom he gave a very prejudicial Example to wit That Emanuel Vega a Captain who was more severe than the Villany of the Souldiers would bear should be displaced and another put into his room The Citizens of Nimmeghen did many of them begin to look after Liberty especially after Desperation had multiplied those Evils which before they had scarcely undergone with the Promises and Expectation of better Things For six years before following the Duke of Parma's good Fortune 〈◊〉 by a general Consent but the Faction of a small Party when the Government of the United States after a long time and by much care came to be setled without whose Consent whatever Duty or Obedience they shewed was without any Affection yet they chose Safety and Profit And from that time there began a mutual Commerce between them and the Hollanders who suffer'd the Ships of Nimmeghen to go through the Wael because then the Channel of the Râ— wanted Depth of Water to bear them But in the Garrison were Three Companies one of Forreigners two of men â—ised within the Town for they positively refused to admit of more and as any one offended more heinously the parties of the great Ones they would by vertue of their received Power threatningly restrain or punish the Offenders There wanted now onely a close Siege least the Enemies Forces should lye at lurch about the Maes and that was onely delayed by the excessive increase of Water in the Wael so that there could not be had any use of a Bridge However the Souldier rested not long quiet in his Winter-quarters though they were purposely at a great distance the more to increase the Conquering Enemies Security For Prince Maurice prosecuting his good Fortune draws out of his Garrisons part of the Regiments and with them marches over the Scheldt into the Land of Wase and at the same time the Horse made an Intoad into Brabant And the fifth day after having taken all the Forts thereabouts Hulst a Town in that Province was deliver'd to him The suddainness of the Action amazed the Garrison Souldiers for the Governor by chance was gone out of Town before the Siege upon private occasions of his own and also because the Prince had digged through the Bank to make the River overflow all the adjacent places and by that means stopped the Enemy from assisting them The whole Land of Wase was given to the Souldiers to spoil and pillage until they promised Tribute and sent Hostages to the States for payment of the same But the Neighbours of the Hollanders seeing all the best of their Fruits and other Provisions possessed by the Enemy Prince Maurice's Army being gone as fearing to have bin met with unawares in the Enemies Country by the Duke of Parma cause Mondragâ—io the Governour of the Castle at Antwerp to take Arms who accordingly with the next Souldiers he could get and such as lived about the Maes goes over the Scheldt but not daring to look upon any Town for Count Solms defended them and Repaired the Works he recovered the Forts and Sconces in the Country and Erected some nâ—w ones for the straitning or cutting off Excursions Hereupon the Inhabitants of the Country denyed their promised Tribute supposing and not without Reason that the Clemency of the Enemy would not break its wonted bounds and revenge the injury upon the innocent pledges All things succeeding thus even beyond his wishes the Prince once again drawing his
new Regency be sent out some with Commissions both into England and into Germany to raise Four Thousand Foot and some few Horse These Souldiers supposed to be met by the Enemy at the Rhine though in vain marched safely and unknown to the Enemy But on the contray Ernestus his Musters were impeded by want of Money and other Casualties for the Regiment of Francis Saxon Lawrenburg assembling by little and little within the Territory of Munster part of them being slain by the Hollanders the rest melted away to nothing and Count Oldenburg denied passage to those that remain'd together of them through the Land The Lord of Cimace also gather'd Souldiers consisting of Flandrians and Waloons being partly promis'd that he should be put into Garrison But they that were Listed by Verdugo a great part of them ran away the rest were consumed either by Poverty or Diseases Another Regiment belonging to 〈…〉 tzenburg were kill'd partly by the Enemy and partly by the Boors about Carpen and Aquisgrave Others went aâ—â—y into Hungary to those Wars So that the new raised men being either dispersed or voluntarily departed and the old Souldiers disobedient and refractory all their hopes were 〈◊〉 frustrated and their boasting That they would divide 〈◊〉 Army of Thirty Thousand Men into two parts and thereâ—â—th at once make War on both sides the Rhine came to nothing Whereby Ernestus himself by how much he had raised mens Expectations of him by so much he fell into present Contempt especially when Leasure and Pleasure Idleness and Lust began to be seen as publike stains upon him So that he was lashed at by eminent and most bitter Invectives Besides he overcharged his Fame among the Netherlanders in that he would have imposed Spanish Garrisons upon several of their Cities And was with great Contumacy refused both by them of Namur and Lisle At the first beginning of the Spring marching into the Field Ambushes were laid but in vain for the surprize of two Ciâ—ies which would have been of great advantage Boisledue was the one which very seldom gave opportunity to such undertakings and now preserved by fortune for the Guards had no other notice of the Enemies approach than the falling down of a Stone Maestricht was the other and there also was a miscarriage by the fear of the Captains which the Prince had sent before in a Ship and because there were some Souldiers who unskilled in such Expeditions knew better to pillage than fight unless by chance sometimes we have no more power to command our Courage than Success when a fatall Cowardise and a suddain fear shall weaken and infatuate the Counsel and Courage of those who at another time are Sons of Valour and start back at no danger From hence Prince Maurice went beyond the Rhine resolving to set an end to all those great Enterprises formerly begun in Frizeland to which purpose not only Count William's strength but several new Companies were drawn into a Body leaving behind only Count Hohenlo with two Regiments to guard the Borders of Holland Not long before this Verdugoe's Souldiers while yet the Waters were all covered with Ice assaulted Delphzile a Castle scituate 〈◊〉 the River Ecnus they came on at first in a deep silence 〈◊〉 on a suddain made hideous out-cryes on purpose to reâ—â—â— the Defendants and they rushed on so unadvisedly that 〈◊〉 the Maritime Bank which by the unskilfulness of the Builders being carried beyond the Trench reached the Bulwark there was a sudden tumult and long dubious Fight untill a Neighbouring Ship coming in with Darts and Guns and the valour of the Defendants beat off the assaylants with great slaughter Then the Groeningers sent to Ernestus Gifts with humble Supplications that he would not defer forthwith to send the General and all the Strength of the Army so often promised to avert and prevent the common ruine and destruction of the City But the Prince knowing that he was feared in Brabant and therefore that part of the Enemies Forces stayd there and that another part was engaged in the French War sending before him Pioneers and Engineers as well to secure him in his march as in a Battel if need should be steers his course towards Coevorden He had ten thousand Foot divided into seven Bodies every of whose Flanks and Rere were guarded with Horse It was a new divised Policy that the Souldiers armed with Lances and Pikes and a few Engines or Guns in the Front should break the Enemies Troops for Verdugo put the greatest confidence in that part of his Forces and then the Cavallery being wearied would easily be routed Upon the left side were placed the Carriages and Wagons that brought Provisions to the Besieged with some of the best and stoutest Regiments At the right side they were â—nclosed with Artillery and the River Vidre Verdugo also had drawn up his men in Battel-Array before the Works as if he had desired to see the Strength and Courage of the Enemy knowing he could easily retire into the Coverts of his defences upon occasion Here the Prince took Counsel whether he should break through the Fortified Marshes to the Besieged or seek a more secure way to get to the Castle But 〈◊〉 Spaniard under the silence and covert of the night draws of his Regiments cruelly shattred with long penury and â—â—y to mutiny at the eminent danger together with the Duke of Parma's old Souldiers marching with them towards Oldenzeel there he pitched his Tents and suffered the Souldiers to glut themselves with prey instead of pay wasting the Fields of Germany robbing and stealing with so much more greediness for that they believed they should not stay long there for fear of the Enemy Some of these Souldiers were sent beyond the Eems to Lugen a Town under the King's Command Others were dispatched away to Groening that the common people who are naturally unstable might be kept in awe by them and any danger arising from sudden fear be prevented After the appearance of day had discovered the nocturnal slight and that the Castle was open and the deliverers and Besieged had with joy among themselves and extraordinary thinks to the Prince saluted one another the next thing in design was what had hitherto been aimed at to set upon Groening by force which in the former years they had so sorely teâ—tified Although it was very strongly fortified both with Walls and Bulwarks neither wanted any thing either as to Victuals or other Warlike preparations for defence And not a few of the chief Frizons had rather the City should have continued in the Enemies power than come into their own as believing it would draw the Trade from all parts thither However the Horse being sent away that they might stop all passages against the Enemy as well at Steenwic as at Coevorden and the Bourtange leaving only the Zuâ—phen Regiment to trouble and restrain the Enemy if need should be the great Guns were carryed by Sea The Prince at his
again surprized by the Spaniards who under pretence of their marching away in February had brought thither Cannon to the great terrour of the Magistrates though both the Souldiery and the Citizens were couragious enough and the passage besides so difficult by the increase of the Waters that they were forced to come in with Boats In the same place soon after the falling of the Jesuites House by the decay of a Pillar was by many looked upon as prodigiously ominous to them And Count Bucquoy the Governour of the Garrison there was taken prisoner while he followed a small party cunningly sent out to get booty until he fell into the Ambush which Lewes of Nassau had prepared for him And the truth is about this time the Kings Affairs suffered many and frequent damages but none of any great concernment for at the approach of the Spring the Horse being Quartered in divers places Paulus Emilius Martinengo became a Prisoner Frederick Count Heremberge also narrowly escaping the danger all his Friends and Companions being taken likewise the Guard of the Port at Antwerp was forced and great spoyl carryed away and at Sea a Ship carrying Arms from Hamburgh into Spain was taken As yet they had no money but at last three hundred thousand Ducats was taken up with the Merchants at excessive Usury meerly to stop their mouths for the present By which means Antwerp and Liereo by the change of their Garrisons were quitted of fear from whence the said Souldiers departing fearfully they that remained were afterwards thrust out of the Borders by Edict and every where fell into the hands of the Germans where they suffered as victimes to the publick hatred for all the faults had been committed by others At Gaunt the Souldiers having behaved themselves with more moderation stayed but a mutiny began in Bercke for the same cause which continued all the year These things together with their want of money and scarcity of all things else made the supplies which had been raised in Italy and Germany to delay their march towards them and besides daily some or other ran over to the Hollanders who had newly advanced their pay Cardinal Andrew and Mendosa that they might the better remedy these evils and also mollifie the Germanes with a kind of a promise in the beginning of April the Spring being dry and more early than is usual for that Clymate so that Cattel were put out into the Pastures they command their Army out of their Winter Quarters to descend on both sides the Rhine which Army consisted of fifteen thousand men But the Garrisons of Emeric and Rees by reason of the Commodity of the place were left there as also in Gennep by the Maes the rest of the Cities were compelled to give the Souldiers a testimonial of their just and modest behaviour during the last Winter Mendosa in the mean while not neglecting as a Gratuity for so long Entertainment to deduct a part of the Souldiers pay A whole moneth was almost spent in the march but at last the Army sate down on both sides the River against Gravewaert And this had been advised by Mendosa not without hopes of winning it which if it had happened had been of great advantage to them But Richardot was of Opinion that it could not be done because the Duke of Parma had formerly attempted it in vain The Cardinal Andrew preferred an Assault upon the Isle of Bommell And the chief labour was to obscure and keep from the Enemy this their design But Prince Maurice was so much perplexed as he could neither rest by day nor sleep by night being distracted with innumerable cares because he wanted his well-known Companions in Arms and was destitute of a sufficient Army for the chief of all his Captains Count William was forced to stay in Frizeland to have an Eye to the Affairs of Embden Vere was detained in England others were in Germany the raysers of the War were scattered here and there and they who were to serve therein were absent besides the foreign Regiments were not arrived which the States had commanded to be listed in several parts that they might be the better able to defend themselves against the greatest strength the Enemy should bring upon him He had onely with him Four Thousand men wherewith he was to defend the passage of Issell the right and left side of the Rhine and the superiour and inferiour parts of the Country Therefore having received the Castle of Lovec and other places which he had late before rendred to the people of Cleves he once again pitched his station in the Island of Geldre where he found all the fortifications he had erected there the last year standing intire and not at all defaced or demolished by the Enemy Part of the forces held the Isle of Holland it self with these orders that what City or Fort soever Mendosa should assail he would defend the contrary side and by Arms and Valor strengthen the weakness of the Bulwarks and for the more easy accomplishing his purpose upon the banks he placed Watch-Towers and on the Rivers Bridges that his Scouts and aids might with the less difficulty come at one another When this was done he made a defence about Gravewaert which he had before strengthened with a garrison that was too slender against the darts and shot of the Enemy on every side and into the River he put two rows of stakes for the stopping of those Vessels that by the command of Mendosa were said to be preparing at Colen His Cannon shot were aimed with that skill from a little rising whose scite they had tryed that many of the Enemy being cut off therewith they were forced to remove part of their Canâ— to another place In this interim the horse from Nimmighen tyred them with frequent excursions nor did there want the opportunity of obtaining a noble Victory upon the one part of their divided Army but his number was too small to â—ut it in execution as the Prince did afterwards confess not without a deep sense of grief At this time the Prince received intelligence both from his Scouts and some Prisoners but he feared least if he should go away the enemy would make his entrance otherwhere for he had indeavoured by various and false reports to make all things dubious using to advantage their fires in stead of a direction Among all these ambiguities nothing seemed more safe then to stand still and to have all things in readiness for a march to load the Waggons and keep the horses harnessed together both night and day The Spaniards did not without cause hope for many and great opportunities from the Isle of Bommel as from the inclosure thereof by the chief rivers and that it hath not one passage into the bowels of the Enemyes Country That the Rhine which is now called Waell mingling it self also with the Maes so ran into the Sea is every where declared in Romans writers But it cannot be said
onely Issue remaining of all their Labour The rest of the Souldiers being dispersed in Brabant returned to their old Licentiousness After this Barlotte had very near taken Worcum a Town of Holland by a Night Stratagem and while he protracted time in advising upon the very place of Action a Citizen being advertized thereof by a Sentinel had scarce time enough to get the Port before him While these Things were transacting with all earnestness among the Hollanders the Germans and Spaniards used on the one side Sloth on the other ridiculous Folly for the Spaniards were not secured by their own Valour or Vertue which was of no esteem with their other Enemies but the Germans Discords among themselves which made them so confident as to despise a Nation long unconquer'd and feared on every side openly For the Emperour Bishops and others of the Romane Religion were against the War These Princes by themselves to wit the Duke of Brunswic the Landgrave of Hessen and Marquess of Brandenburg for the Count Palatine had withdrâ—wn himself from the Quarrel pretending the Examples of the Bishops of Mentz and Triers long esteem'd all kind of Military Men unprofitable to the Common-wealth until in the middle of Summer they met about Berck to the number of 2000 Horse and 12000 Foot the chief Command whereof was intrusted in Simon Count of Luppen at the desire of the Westfalians as is before related but having obtain'd their desire they never sent the Aid they so strongly promised but rather on the contrary the Spaniards receiv'd from the very City of Colen both Souldiers and other Instruments of War The General not dissembling his small Experience in Matters of War did give all his Authority over the inferiour Saxons to Count Hohenlo and of those about the Rhine to Count Solms who under pretence of the Confederate States had associated Themselves by Oath Neither did these Two want any Valour or Daring but acted as if They could not have been tired with Labour But both were better Souldiers than Counsellors and so distructed the Affair by continual Contests the Souldier also ignorant of his Duty gave himself over to Sloth and Drunkenness and if their Pay was not ready for them as soon as it was due they were apt to Mutiny and fall into Sedition yet they took a Fort of the Spaniards at Berck and came forward in the Cause with great Slaughter and Cruelty At the same time they Garrison'd Viseo and Emmâ—ric but when they came to Berck they were neither prepar'd for the Assault or Siege thereof with any thing saving a few Canon and other Things sent to Them under-hand by the States lest they should seem to own either Party which the Emperour had strictly forbidden Moreover the Army was not supplyed with Provisions because the Neighbors refused rather by force than willingly the Spaniard sending to them continual Embassies excusing thereby former Miscarriages and for the future promising better Things whereby they grew so confident that when Berck was beleaguer'd round Mendosa as in Contempt refused either to augment the Garrison or send the Souldiers mutinying therein their Pay Wherefore the Germans thought fit rather to reduce Rees that so they might have Supplies of Victuals from the Hollanders nearer hand or any thing else that they stood in need of Thither was come Herman Count Heremberge by Command of Cardinal Andrew he might lay the blame of his own men with the Hollanders spun out much time with the hope of restoring cert in places and thereupon resolutely answer'd That the States had rendred up many Towns and more Forts without any Conditions and that they should not by an unequal Comparison seek to hide their Crimes And being asked If he had brought Money wherewith to satisfie so many People of the Damage done to them and what Caution should be given that the same Evils should not afterwards be re-acted when the taking so many Towns and the wasting so many Fields made manifest that the King's Promise and Seal were but Feeble Pillars for them to trust to or rely on But Deeds differ'd from Words and therefore the Commanders by wasting Time in Disputes and the Souldier growing effeminate more and more by Idleness began to commit Rapines and other wicked Acts doing nothing against the Enemy but daring to act over again those Villanies which They were come thither to punish and revenge At the very Siege of Rees there was no Hostility but as in Derision the Germans were invited to Drinking and some there were that went shook Hands with them and returned safe until this private Collusion of the Souldiers was at last changed into a Truce for certain Days Without all doubt the Confederate States expected many and great Things from this German Commotion which produced them no other benefit unless that while so great an Army grew stupid through Idleness Count William being sent from Bommel with seven Troops of Horse and fifty Companies of Foot to Doetichem taken by Mendosa the Year before and re-took it from the Enemy within three days although the Season were very wet and the Besieged made strong Defence by shooting and otherwise About the same time Lewis of Nassau being sent towards Grave with some Troops though the Enemy over-matched him in Number yet he pursued their Party and by provident Conduct through the narrow Passages of the Journey and by the side of the Maes brought back the Booty which the Enemy had taken in the Country And by this time the Truce was ended at Rees yet was no progress made in the Siege for the truth is the Commanders were not skill'd in those Affairs And the Pioneers of Holland that came thither chose rather continuance of small Wages and long Work with Safety than great Wages and short Work with Danger There were scarce any shew of Guards or Sentinels throughout the Camp so that their fresh Souldiers came into the Town with Relief And now Winter drawing on when according to the Custom of War a Herald being sent too inconsiderately by the Besiegers with a Summons the Besieged retaining the Messenger suddainly sally'd out upon the unprovided and unwary Enemy of whom they slew near 200 and carryed off with them some of their Guns which strook so great a Terrour into their weak and Cowardly Hearts that they not onely raised the Siege but deserted their Camp in an unworthy and almost unparallel'd flight leaving behind them both their Boats and all sorts of Provisions part of which the Spaniards carryed away other part the Germans themselves who were on the Spaniard's Party Thus in a short time this Army mouldred to nothing while some mutinyed for their Pay and others averred they were entertain'd onely for three Moneths Service The Duke of Brunswick punish'd many of his People with Death for their vitious Behaviour and Negligence The Souldiers also in the Fort near Berck fled and so did they that under Hohenlo had besieged Gennep as soon as the Spaniards
about Antwerp in a running Band and all that were quartered in that part of Flanders and Brabant where the Schelde divides them Care also was taken for appeasing those seditious Spaniards in Hamount who being translated thence to Diest under hopes of money to be there paid them and having other provision made for them at length by little and little returned to their old obedience And though there was a necessity of associating as many as possible for that otherwise the number of the forces would be too small yet still there remained a fear of their seditious humours but at last being won by prayers and promises which is often soen in War that they would lend their helping band to the repelling this common danger they yet retained their discords yet so as that the Enemy should not rob them of their reward But the Italians who succeeded the Spaniards both in Homant and the cruelty of their redition would not slir thence as suspecting that if they got the Victory yet they should be little advantaged thereby but that by their deaths the Princes would be great gainers The number of all they could gather into a body was but ten thousand Foot and sixteen hundred Horse with these as fast as so great and heavy a Body could be moved the Arch-Duke himself went not relyihg on the Care or Fortunes of others herein In their Journey they made a Halt it Gaunt where the Arch-Dutchess Isabella came to them not affrighted with the Noise of War and beseeched them That they would not leave her in this extremity of danger and frustrate her in the top of her hopes But turning particularly to them of Drest she said many Things both concerning the time and matter in hand and that she might raise in them the greater Confidence laying her Hands upon her Ear-Rings and Jewels she protested She would first part with all those principal Ornaments of her Fortune and Honour than that the well-deserving Souldier should want a Reward much less go without his Pay At once the News of the Enemies approach and the danger growing to them in the next Forts thereby arrived at Prince Maurice's Army so that some strucken with the force and Terrour of this so suddain coming of the Enemy fled from the said Fort For they that were to defend Plasâ—endale and Bredenede being but few in number would not so much as see the Enemy But they that held Oldenburg part of them being gone out to Forage and so the Garrison weakned yielded up their Charge The same did they that were left at Snaskerk surrendring the place upon Articles for Life But the Fury of the Rout thinking it long till they embrued their hands in the Enemies bloud contemning the Laws of Arms and the Religion of their Chieftain who had signed the Articles fell upon them and kill'd them all The blame of this wicked Cruelty he cast off from himself upon the Seditious Souldiers and this was done either to make them hated and odious or else these disobedient men really thought to make amends to their Prince for their dubious Fidelity by their perfidious Treachery upon their Enemies It was Night when the Report of this matter came to the Prince's Ears and the Terrour thereof frighted the rest who had foreseen nothing less Nor do I suppose them dis-ingenuous who believe that the Hollanders Affairs had not for many years been in the like danger 'T is true there were Forces which were without doubt considerable to their Party yet the gallantry of the Captain was more than the greatness of the Forces All the Country round about was Hostile and now the Enemy was at hand it was too late to fortifie the Camp nor indeed would it avail them who were ready daily to be surprised with Hunger for Provisions could not be expected from Ostend when the Enemy would lye between it and them To fly into France would be no less base and cowardly than doubtful and dangerous And if they should stay for the Enemy drawing nearer and nearer to them every minute the Souldiers being dispersed in the Siege so that the very Port might be taken from them it would rather seem to be a Slaughter than a Battail Yet for all this the Prince laid hold on one hope which onely remained by the Opinion of all the Commanders in Chief and other Officers the great and famous Day for Battel being not yet come sent Count Ernest with 10 Companies of Foot 4 Troops of Horse and 2 great Guns that by taking the Bridge at Leffingen which one single Passage was stit open the Enemies passage might be stopped towards them but if that could not be effected they should yet make them for a while delay their progress until he prepared his Army and took Counsel further what to do But Count Ernest though speeding all he could found the Enemy passed those Streights and out of hope onely to wear out some time with the two great Guns he had brought with him commodiously planted to that purpose be assailed the Enemy who at first doubting lest all Prince Maurice his Army were come to give him Battel but finding it otherwise drawing his men into a more compact Order and considering how far his Forces excelled the Enemy in number grew very fierce and ardent to sight Nor was the like Courage and Resolution wanting in them on the other side but by the inequality of Men they seemed rather to have taken Counsel to fight than by fighting to have conceived an hope of Victory For at first with singular Testimonies of Eminent Valour they were compelled to Retreat and soon after to fly so that there were slain 800 Men part of them fighting part after thâ—y had Quarter given them the Victory growing to that heighth of Fury that they would spare none This Slaughter as it often happens was the means that all the rest of the Army were saved For while the Enemy was busie in following the Chace and pillaging the Field Prince Maurice got time first to transpose his Horsemen and afterwards his Carriages into that part of the Sea-Coast which looks towards Ostend During whose passage if the Enemy had come upon them there must needs have follow'd a very great slaughter But he being grown more slow by his Security and measuring the whole Event by the former Fight sent Messengers into the Neighbouring Cities that a great part of Prince Maurice's Army was slain in the Fight and himself with the rest inclosed by Them Which Letters being read many of the same Cities applauding their Fortune with an over-hasty Joy posted to make Solemn Orations in their Praise and to declâ—â— their Exaltations by all expressive Signs of rejoycing Inâ—â—e into 〈◊〉 the Foot and the Remainder of the Horse soâ—â— Bâ—â—â— shewing them a Ford not far from the Sea in two Bodies 〈◊〉 over a Bridge made somewhat nearer the Town where the Haven is more narrow The Prince as he carryed any over still placed
them in Order of Battel yet hiding from the Souldiers the loss of the former Fight In the Van-Guard was Sir Francis Vere with a double Band of English and Frizons and two Ensigns more the one belonging to the Prince the other to Count Hohenlo who was absent being to guard Holland the Middle Ward or Battel was made up of French Switzers and the New Souldiers from Fort Andrew and of this Count Solmes had the Leading The Rereward consisted of Hollanders and Germans the last of which was all that remained of Count Ernestus his Forces There was also a Bard of Utrechers Commanded by Collonel Vctrembrouch The Horse were partly in the Front other part attended the Battel and some waited upon the Rear-Guard Thus the Prince order'd his Army according to the Antient Policy of famous Captains and then commanded the Ships to depart which by this time were in great Number come to him and to steet their Course to Ostend That the danger being equal to all so all hopes or causes of flight should be utterly taken away but they which had setled themselves in the Haven before could not presently obey that Order until they were assisted by the Tide Besides some Companies were left about Newport to keep in the Souldiers there that they might not break out on the Bank of the Prince's Men when they were engaged to fight And now the Morning being half pâ—ssed and Noon approaching the Enemies Horsemen going a great distance before their Battel came in sight and after some short Skirmishes with Pistols being driven from the Shore retreated to the Hills where a Band of Foot-men tarryed for them against whom moving in a slow pace towards the Sea the Cannon on both sides plaid very fiercely Some there were with Prince Maurice who advised at that time to meet the Enemy for that would inflame the Souldiers Valour and increase their Courage and Alacrity But others with more Wisdom that it was more fit to abide in the same place whereby they might repel the more easily the Enemies Fury after their long March over the difficulties of the Sands which when they had concluded and the Horse dispersed which had taken away the Prospect Prince Maurice from the Tops of the Hills which he had possessed for his Advantage in the Battel spyed the Enemy drawing nearer and in this manner ordered There were Three Battels according to Custom of which the Middleward being double fill'd the whole breadth of the Shore wherein were four great Bodies of Pikes to each of which were added as Wings both greater and lesser Shot which we call Musketiers and Bow-men They of Diest under many Captains having but one Standard made the first Battel wherein Mendosa was present The Right Wing of the second Battel which consisted all of Spaniards was commanded by Monteregio and Villars The Left made up partly of Italians was order'd by Sapena and Avilos Between these Two Bodies was a select Number of Horse which were the Arch-Duke's Life-Guard appointed to stand In the last place were the Netherlanders led by Barlotte and Bucquoy with Auxiliaries out of Ireland whose Captain was Bastuck The General of the Horse by reason of Landriano's infirmity was Peter Galen onely they of Diesl had their own Offiches whose power was no more over them than at pleasure And as they differ'd in Language or their Arms being either Lances Guns and Breast-Plates so were they drawn our and disposed into Troops The Day decaying as the Battels grew nearer each to other the wiser Spaniards thought fit to take Advice Whether they should engage in a general Battel and try the doubtful Chance of War For they did not find as was believed the Enemy hastning his slight into the Ships or running away but standing with Resolution to sell their Lives and revenge their Deaths Thus the Battels being prepar'd and all the Souldiers on both sides encouraged to fight That whoever was the Conquerour could not but expect great effusion of bloud They were to take care that they did not drive him to hope who being unawares fallen into so great Dangers was brought to such a condition that he could not fear or decline fighting That they had better besiege him since all the Countrey was theirs and the Enemy had no place of Retreat In the mean while the Souldiers should rest themselves being wearyed with long Journeys and one onely Fight But there were others of Opinion That they should make it their first care and business to recover the Fort Albertus before spoken of And besides the Minds of the Souldiers were so elate I with the success of the former Battel that they believed they were come thither rather to take Prey than to fight that old saying of the Spaniards being frequent in the Mouths of most The more are the Moors the more glorious the Victory Nay it was almost come to that That they would not go off without Battel though the Enemy seemed to decline the same And many of the Commanders thought that Alacrity of the Army and vehemency of their Minds was to be encouraged wherefore laying aside all further delay which was look'd upon rather as specious than advantagious They thought fit by Exhortations to raise the Souldiers Courage already inflamed That they would perfect the Victory already begun increase the Spoils already gotten and not onely slay the main Body but the very Remains of that Army begun to be Conquer'd by them That they themselves were men practised in Fights those ignorant and Rebels to God and their Prince till this time having received so great presumption as to pitch their Colours against Us on purpose onely to be destroy'd and are at this time ready to fight because they can find no means ready to fly Here are no Ditches to pass no Rampires to scale nor any Defences for Sloth or Cowardise but as Out-casts they come out of their lurking places having nothing but Arms and those depraved and made of no force by the guilt of their Consciences That it now lay in their viz. the Spanish Armies hands to make their Prince as great as they would have him for this one day would fully restore his Dominion to him if they would strive for the Victory nor should there be any further occasion of War for this would be the first and last Battel 'T is true indeed at Turnholt they kill'd some of the Spanish Army but what were they such as chose rather to run away than to meet the Enemy neither at that place was there either a Battel or an Army or a Prince whereas at this time he for them they fought should be a Witness of their Valour whose great Victories at Calais Hulst and Amiens they should call to Mind and each of them take Example from his Valour Constancy and Industry These were the general Exhortations used by the Nobles to all but to the Spaniards they were more particular repeating to them many famous Acts both of antient and
Arch-Duke's Commission wherein were of Walloons Italians Germans and Mariners almost to the number of Three Thousand Men sufficient Provisions Six and Thirty great Guns and the Works well augmented over what they were when Mendosa assisted by the Plague had taken the Town And while Prince Maurice with his wonted Prudence fortified himself against Force from abroad Lewis Bernardo Avila not ignorant otherwise but grown more expert by late practice at Bommell raised a Work without the Trench and comprehended therein a place for Pasture to feed Cattel because Salt was wanting for the preserving and powdering of Flesh besides he spoyled his own Ships lest the Enemy should get them But the Prince disposed the Fleet which he brought partly in the Rhine as far as Colen and part of them he kept near himself The Island which lay near the Town in the River being strengthened with a mean Fort yet quitted at the first battery was strengthened with more Works and joyned by Bridges to both Banks Then appointing several Quatters or Leaguers in every place where there was any likelihood of passage pitched his Camp in three parts one of which himself was resident in being scituate in the higher places next the Town The Charge of the superiour Bank he committed to Count Ernest of Nassau And the middle Camp to Colonel Gistell Commanding in two places Trenches to be made against the prominent Works without the Town with strong Guards all about because the Works were often hindred by Sallyes The first of which was of about a Thousand or more Men by the way that leads to Cassells this brunt was susteined and repelled by the French whose Commander in Chief Castilion a young man valiâ—â—tly fighting brought back an honourable wound And yet the besieged not terrified herewith made frequent Irruptions on the same side and also in the way towards Santem not without some loss as they unwarily issued out and presently beaten back to their next places of refuge While these things were doings News was brought That Albertus had besieged Ostend which drove the States into no small difficulty for it was dishonourable to leave the undertaking they had begun and on the other side to maintain Works against so strong a Garrison as was within the Town and to keep the Passâ—ges in all the Marishes and fallacious Fields could not be done without great Forces And besides General Vere whom they had appointed to the Government of Ostende refused the Burden unless he might have Twenty English Companies which would be a great weakning of the Army to go along with him which was granted and the Prince expecting Supplyes continued his Design In the Interim the Besieged began to come to an allowance of Victualls and they requested Relief both by Messengers and Signs the Messâ—ngers were intercepted but some hopes was given them by fires from the Town of Geldre And it 's true the Arch-Duke had sent Count Heremberge to raise the Siege with no small Forces and to this purpose were the Carriages of the Neighbourhood reteined But this Resolve was altered either because the Camp was impenetrable by the ingenious art of the Gâ—neral or else because they would keep the Enemies Army there that it might be the longer before they should come to Ostende When the Mines were fitted the Prince shewing his Army and making a Battery as if he intended a Storm allured out the besieged whom the violence of the Gun-powder buried beneath threw up into the Ayr in heaps and some being ready entred the ruines and possessed the place though the Enemy not long after valiantly assaulted them In short all the rest of the Works being by the like art or force taken and part by fear deserted they presently and directly by means of Galleries got beyond the Trench under the very Bull-work of the Town which the besieged fearing and because they wanted Chyrurgions to dress many of their wounded men they came to conditions and that the sooner that they might article for the safety and honourable marching away as well of the Renegado's whereof many were in the Town as the rest This accession was at first very acceptable to the people of Over-Issell who presently refused to pay Tribute which for fear of plunder they had hitherto done the very Boors being commanded to go to Arms and run to their Colours This Siege was begun in the middle of June and finished towards the end of July when at the same time Ostend had been begirt by the Enemy Five and Twenty dayes But before the Prince would come from those parts with his whole Army he reduced Moers a Town as we have said given to him into his own power the weak Garrison being ejected which the Duke of Cleves had put therein clayming the said dominion in Fee as returning unto him by the death of the right Heir But he was accused on the other hand by Patronizing many Wickednesses to have violated the Laws Ostend whose Siege for many Ages will be famous and which I shall Commemorate as a peculiar Warr is a chosen Seat for Fisher-men and scituate between Scluys and Newport but possessing a small tract of Land on the Sea-Coast of Flanders yet begun to be strengthened with a Port and Palizadoes so that at the very beginning of the Civil War it became an habitation for Pyrats who had filled all places with great fear of them And afterwards when the States Wealth began to increase by the Peace made at Gaunt this Town joyn'd it self to the League to which it hath constantly adhered ever since But soon after the Duke of Parma having taken Newport and Dunkirk was disappointed here of the Terrible Siege he threatned and afterwards Lamot having gotten into the Town but beat out again not onely added to their Fame but increased their Care of fortifying themselves which was augmented for that Scluys was lost and nothing more remained on all the Coast of Flanders besides Ostend The Front of the Town looking towards the North was washed by the open Sea On the left hand which is towards the East runs the River Iperlede into the Sea which makes the Port or Haven which is such as the rest of Flanders not able to receive any Ships but at the Tide of Flood Now they have by great Labour cut off the River yet the Haven remains intire The East part of the Town is full of Sand-Hills and uneven but of later time made much more even least those Neighbouring Heighths should advantage the Enemy Thus all things being removed that might hinder or damnifie them and the Sea of its own accord making a great Estuary of an hundred Foot wide in the Plain next to the Walls whose deepness was daily increased by the Recess of the Sands which at the coming in of the Tide was a vast Lake but when the Water was at lowest it exceeded two Pikes length in deepness and being somewhat more Fordable at the very Entrance and beginning thereof All the
Ground that lyes backward towards the South being full of Ditches is oveâ—flowed by the Sea which at the Tide of Flood covers the whole Surface of the Land for a Thousand Paces and sometimes more With so great strengths of Nature were the Artificial Fortifications helped Of old indeed there were Formless Heaps but now by Aâ—t were reduced into as much perfection as the Nature of the place would bear which Refinement began when Albertus returning Conquerour from Calais and Hulst threatned a Siege here which had been deferred till this time That which is call'd the Old Town was now nothing but a great Abyss of Waters and empty Ground looking towards the Sea but without the Line of Ostend they had filled the Sea-shore with five convenient Forts From hence began a Trench compassing the New Town into which the Water could be let in or out at pleasure by Sluces This place was divided with two Walls the inner of which had Eight Bulwarks to which the outer answer'd with as many Where the Stream passed by there was a more flight Work but at the Back thereof a strong Rampire and as it were a Threefold Line with a New Trench intervening This is the Circuit of the Towns of about half an hours Journey Beyond were several distinct and separable Forts and which if Necessity requir'd could be deserted without damage or prejudice to the Town One compassed about with Palizadoes beyond the Estuary at the end of the right side and others in the Fields close to the backside of the Walls or else not far divided from them by the interposition of some Marshes and Lakes The Flandrians growing weary of the Excursions of this Town whereby the whole Country was wasted and finding by Experience that the Charges of Seventeen Forts wherewith Ostend was then inclosed would be without end that the Licentiousness of the Souldiers waxed more grievous and almost equal to the damage received by the Enemy and of late a new Mutiny bringing their Fidelity in question urged the Arch-Duke That he would no longer suffer this most excellent Province of all his Dominion to be made unprofitable by one small part thereof Although there wanted not some Disswaders who from the strong Fortifications about the Town and the Sea being always open to it said it would not be a Siege but an unprofitable and long abode of the Army in one place But Hope overcame all these Difficulties which also was much advanced by the Flandrians Promises of large Sums of Money and the Enemies Residence at Berck made the occasion seem more fit to be embraced especially since new Forces were arrived both from Italy and Spain under the several Commands of Collonel Trivultio and Collonel Braccamonte Therefore the fifth day of July Frederick Count Heremberg sate down on the right side of the Town and soon after Jeronimo Montiregio on the Left at first approaching very near but the Cannon quickly commanded him to a greater distance Charles Nott then had Charge of the Town which was furnish'd with sufficient store of Victuals and other Materials for War besides One and Twenty Companies of Souldiers to whom upon the first notice of the Siege was added another Regiment sent by Collonel Ucterebrook And now the Garrison quickly began to shew their Valour in their first Salley slaying divers Noble-men among whom Montiregio and above five hundred Common Souldiers Afterwards when Sir Francis Vere came into the Town not singly as Governour but as General with his English Souldiers whose Number was augmented by new Supplies lately come out of England forthwith it was seen that he took care with strong Guards to secure what ever was of any strength without the Town and also to extend his Works further out one of which for all that being scarce finish'd the Enemy took notwithstanding it was defended by 40 men But from the back-parts of the Town the Besiegers being Repulsed with his greatest Force came to the left side of the Town In the places that were overflowed with Water he raised a Battery by a new kind of means the praise whereof is wholly due to himself though most of the other late Inventions were found out by the Devices and ingenuous Contrivances of Prince Maurice and the Hollanders and it was this They bound together Faggots Twenty Foot long and little less in compass wherein likewise were contained Planks and Boards that they might the more firmly by their Weight prevail against the Waters they were call'd Stuffing These by little and little moved forward and by the strength and weight of Engines pressed down into the Old Haven soon took away the use thereof that no Ships could come in that way But out of the Estuary or Gollet which we said flowed on another part by digging a little on the Shore a Channel was made which presently emptied it self within the very Works and afterwards became a better and more safe Haven This way there came in and out oftentime a hundred Vessels to carry out wounded men and to bring in Guns Wood Victuals and whatever else was wanting either to prevent the Injuries of the Weather or the fear of Diseases Nor could the Enemies though from the higher Ground prevail any thing against it their Shot being aimed thither at such distance as made them uncertain insomuch that because of its freeness from danger a great number of persons came thither onely out of a desire to see it to wit Of Forein Noble-men the Duke of Holsatia Brother to the King of Denmark and out of England the Earl of Northumberland who view'd with admiration the same place famous for all the Politike Devices of War Wherefore the Enemy finding the Terrour of his Cannon-Bullets to be of no force left off shooting and fell to throwing in Bags of Sands and great Stones to choke up the Gollet but that Design also prov'd vain the violence swiftness of the Waters being too prevalent Now when they saw they had no hope of keeping out all kinds of Relief Collonel Catrick who lay on the West part of the Town making Approaches and Batteries with great Violence assailed and shot at the Work on that side of which there were three close together which were named the Porcupine Helmont and Sand-hill formerly part of the Old Town but now a great heap of Sand in several little Risings one whereof being more eminent then the rest had on the Top thereof two small Forts one joyning to another besides other Works round about that those weak parts of the Town might from thence be the better defended To this place were so many great Shot directed by the Enemy that it seem'd wholly to be made of Iron yet got they not any benefit thereby equal to that vast Expence for whatever was beat down was easily repaired and as soon as they were killed or wounded fresh men were sent into their places Among those killed here by the Enemies Shot was young Castilion the French Collonel and
Brabant into Flanders to go to Ostend and there raise the Siege But Prince Maurice unmoved with all this noise resolutely affirmed That it was safer to use wary and cautelous Counsells then to run on in rash and adventurous attempts But the Queen of England and the King of France approved the Opinion of the States perswading them to go on with greater Authority because they assisted them with men and money Also a great strength of Germane Horse was hired and very well furnished with other very great preparations And in the Moneth of June Publick Prayers being first made by command though later then was necessary the Expedition was begun at the same time when the Italian Forces arrived at the Netherlandish borders And Letters were sent into divers places as Artois Brabant Flanders and the Deputies of other parts The United States wrote magnificent things concerning their Affairs and Assistance by Forreign Princes they spoke also of the Souldiers sedition on the adverse party and of the wasting and spoiling of Cities what was too much truth and what reward had they for all these miseries but that which is the last and greatest of all miseries Servitude for it was not unknown what the Spaniards formerly prepared and that a false Pretence or the bare Name of Archduke might no longer deceive any body they should see in whose hand was the Government of the State and the publick Power of Peace and War If they desired the Glory of their Ancestors or the Liberty of their Posterity they should then joyn with them or at leastwise assist their strong endeavors by some moderate Levyes Let the Archdukes go and seek more peaceable Kingdoms That it was easy to drive out the few Spaniards that remained in Garrison in several Castles and then they might put the State both Civil and Ecclesiastical into what form they would and that it would be no great pains and labour to attain to the chiefest felicities of Peace and Liberty This was the effect of their Letters which were quickly followed by Prince Maurice who divided his Army into three parts which he commanded to March three several wayes the whole number whereof was Five Thousand Horse and Eighteen Thousand Foot and almost Two Thousand Carriages the middle Tertia was led by Count William of Nassaw That on the right hand by General Vere and the last by Count Ernest of Nassaw yet at no greater distance then that they could easily meet and joyn upon occasion however thus divided they could proceed with more ease and celerity The whole rabble of Pedees and other inferiour people that attended the Army with Mills Furnaces and other necessaries that were usually sent by Sea now followed the Army by Land with no small difficulty Passing the Maes at Nimmeghen from thence the Army marched through the Countrey of Leige by the place where William Prince of Orange Prince Maurice's Father held his Camp with his Army which was conquered by Famine not the Duke of Alva's Arms which mischief because he would avoid by terrible threats he compelled the neighbouring Towns which of their own accord were more inclinable to the Spaniard to bring in Provisions daily to the Army and to sell it at a reasonable rate and yet was scarcely Victuals enough found to give sufficient to so great Forces The fifteenth day the whole army sate down at Centron a village in Leige not far from Tielmont where Mendosa then lay for the Arch-duke hearing of this preparation of the States had sent him from Ostend with forces having left there Don John de Rivez to guard the Camp and fortify it round about They that lay at Waert laying aside their sedition for a while were persuaded to come to Mendosa and increase the number of his forces so that now he had five thousand foot and four thousand horse Ambrose Count Spinola was sent to joyn with these with eight thousand Spaniards and Italians more which he had new brought into the Country in hope of winning honor and to assist his brother's endeavours at Sea and the Spanish affairs at land with this select band of men For he covenanted with King Philip to be reimbursed his charges and therefore at present he paid his men out of his own revenues and although Mendosa had the chief command as General yet he directed and commanded his own men and as he kept them from the want which the rest suffered so he would not give a licentious liberty but kept them in a strict discipline by which means it came to pass that no souldiers ever behaved themselves with more quietness and civility yet seldome was there any severity used towards them By which example it was evident that the strength of military government consisted in money Prince Maurice lying near them drew his souldiers out of the Camp provoking and chalenging the Enemy to fight But Mendosa kept his men within their trenches either because he was unequal in strength or else broken by his captivity he yet feared his unlucky fortune and having once received a great blow for the future it made him only fight by delay These by all means avoiding fight and objecting to themselves the danger and terror of a battel made the Prince perceive that all these glorious and great beginnings would come to nothing for it was not possible for them to goe into the inner parts of that Country with so great an army through so many narrow passages among all the Enemies towns and where the Enemy himself was ready to attend them upon all occasions wherefore he thought meet the sooner to make his retreat get to the rivers and the rather because Victualls began to grow scarce and the harvest was not yet come yet that the year might not pass away ingloriously after such great designs and ostentations turning his thoughts to things of less moment he presently sate down before Grave a town within the territories of Cuick hard by the Maes reasonably well fortified having therein a strong garrison all other things for the enduring of a siege Hither being come the eighth day after a tedious march through the parching heat of the Sun the Prince pitched his Camp in three several parts where many of the new souldiers unaccustomed to such toil and labour died On the upper part of the river lay General Vere on the lower himself and on that part where the fields grow marshy towards Brabant Count William of Nassau That done two bridges were built upon the river one hundred and fifteen foot long and whatever was within the Camp as also on the other side towards Gelderland was inclosed with one continued breast-work before which were very deep and broad trenches for the clearing whereof several forts and sconces were erected that were well furnished with Cannon The great Bulwark which the Townsmen held beyond the river being deserted as not tenable against so great force as was used about it proved afterwards a great assistance to
the Netherlandish Nobles Therefore Albertus notwithstanding the waving of his consent permitted the Provinces severally to meet cherishing those that were discontented in minde with the hope of money from the Indies which the wealthy and successful Spanish Fleet had brought or else of an approaching Peace if the Warre were more eagerly followed for a little time The beginning of the year among the Spaniards was spent in idleness and repose among the sweets and blandishments of mirth while Don Ambrosio Spinola having now the whole command of the Warre he was but newly come from Spain where he had consulted with the King concerning the method of managing thereof had likewise bestowed on him the honour of the Golden Fleece and before the King of Great Britain's Embassadour was sworn to the peace with Albertus Now also was the settlement of the Kingdome of Spain upon the Male issue celebrated with pompous Shews and publick Prayers and Thanksgivings At the height of the Spring and not before Prince Maurice having gathered together his Forces by the direction of the States he undertakes a great work for he went to Antwerp of old the most flourishing City of all the Netherlands and now the general Trade being gone to the Hollanders retaining their formerly-gotten wealth and renown A great hope of glory incited him to the gaining thereof for about twenty years before in the Duke of Parma's time while the Affairs of the Union were wholly unsetled by a long and difficult Siege scarcely grown into a full success yet such was the Victor's vainglorious ostentation as made the World believe that in that one City he had gained the possession of the whole Netherlands It was serious and considerate advice to shut up this large and spacious City with small Forces by overflowing all the adjacent plain Fields with the River Scheld and pitching their Camps on the higher ground but there appeared no sufficient reason of seising the opposite bank of the River on the edge of Flanders Some advised to send Souldiers through the Country by night-marches out of Cazant but Prince Maurice himself chose rather to goe by Ship which while it was preparing with great endevour as fortuned the Enemy immediately grew jealous and gave out in speeches that Antwerp should be attempted This News was received with various affections of the Townsmen part of them rejoycing as if their Liberty was drawing nigh others imagining a scarcity would follow presently began to inhance the price of Victuals and many gathering together their wealth and riches thought to betake themselves to flight But Spinola sending thither some Horse encouraged such as were afraid the same Horse behaving themselves modestly and without injury of the Citizens then viewed all the coast of Flanders which situate over against Antwerp is called Waesenland and left there three thousand foot-Souldiers in Guard that were to wait upon the Enemie's motion for he was not ignorant that the Enemy could not possess the River unless by drowning the Fields and placing Guards he made that coast also his own Wherefore chusing a particular day Prince Maurice with a strong Party went to Bergen op Zoom and Count Ernest of Nassau bringing the rest of the Souldiers in the Fleet out of Zeland came into the Scheld and first of all passing with good success all the Hollanders Forts when he came near Antwerp among the Enemie's Sconces although in the night he could not pass unseen but was forced to assail the Flandrian banks through all the Enemie's Shot but they which kept Guard in those parts being stirred up by the noise of the bullets and covered by the interposition of the banks following the fails Count Ernest the wind beating back the Ships into Brabant was hindred to come and joyn his Forces where he was commanded being otherwise engaged to fight at disadvantage with a resolute and well-provided Enemy However to try his fortune in small boats he transports almost four hundred men that were easily routed by the first shock of the Enemy and other part of them were taken Colonel Dorpen by the violent pursuit of the Enemy leaping armed into the River escaped one danger with another Count Ernest being driven back into Brabant Prince Maurice disappointed of his design compells the Castle of Woude situate not farre from Berck within five daies to surrender which was too mean a prize for so great an Army to look after and too small a reward for them that had before them so great hopes yet some satisfaction it yielded for from thence the Enemy infested the Rivers with Piracies But these great threats happened not onely to be in vain but to fall out quite contrary so that the Hollanders had not of a long time a more unfortunate year While Prince Maurice staid at Woude Spinola though at that time the Court there was full of mirth concerning the English Embassadour was not slow to take into his thoughts more serious affairs among those pleasant diversions but made a Bridge over the Scheld that went towards the Enemy which way soever he should turn by which means he was ready to pursue and therefore was the more severe to those that surrendred Woude as guilty of an over-hasty and cowardly fear so that he punished some of them with death Nor did the United States a little waver and grow afraid at the report of these great Forces approaching with Spinola not resolved whether they had best assault or defend but the Prince persuaded to remain about Rhine lest the Enemy that way should invade the undefended parts of their Dominion And his opinion prevailing command was given to goe into Flanders and to call a Councel at Scluys And now they thought fit to besiege the t'Zas not farre from Gaunt where the waters running from thence fall into the Hont and so into the Sea which if they brought to pass with good success they threatned some Cities but if not yet they would retain there Spinola's strength threatning the cruelty of a grievous Warre to other places Not farre from Ysendike Prince Maurice sate down with his Army which he had brought by Ship to Waterfleet whom Spinola sending some part of his Forces before immediately follows and at a place called Bucholt which was between him and the t'Zas settles himself as a fit place either to oversee or repress the Enemie's endevours Thus they remained a great while in view of each other without any thing done by either save a few light skirmishes of the Horse One time Pompeio Justiniano by Spinola's command entred the marishes in hope to have burned the Sutlers Boats which lay hard by Prince Maurice's Camp but being espied by the Sentinels he was soon met and repulsed In that Region over against Walcheren lies the Fort Patientia in the assault whereof Prince Maurice intended to drive away idleness but Spinola took a little Fort that lay in the middle of the way and joyned it to his Camp with a continued Breastwork but
this time fortified because it was lately agreed between the Arch-Duke and the Hollanders That he should suffer that place and they also Woud to be free and exempt from War to be enjoyed by the right Owners thereof And by Albertus his Order they heard that his Forces were coming to take Revenge upon them Therefore they drew towards Breda and sent to the Governour Justine of Nassaw to inform him That they according to the Example of others their Companions were fled to Prince Maurice 's Protection whom they knew to bear a respect to valiantmen That they did not esteem it so slight a matter to fight against him that they would do it without their Reward or Wages These Desires of the Seditious were answer'd by sending them Provision and Arms together with the hopes of Assistance in case they should be endanger'd Spinola moved herewith that this Evil might not spread further he sends the most Active and Cordial of his Men into the Neighbour Towns and disperseth the rest of the Army over the whole Country of Colen as Mendosa had formerly done and likewise he receives Money from some Cities to keep the Souldiers from coming among them who to say the truth were not evilly inclined as long as they were not necessitated From these troubled Affairs of the Enemy the United States conceived hopes of recovering what they had lost this year beyond the Rhine having a sufficient Army by the addition of those that were come out of Berck being near fifteen thousand Foot and three thousand Horse No less did the Enemy make hast in this juncture of time while neither party much minded the future that their Forces whose obedience for want of pay had been exhausted might be re-encouraged and brought again into one Body Count Ernest of Nassaw being sent to Lochem with part of the Souldiers the fourth day after his Arrival gained it upon the same Terms that Spinola had late given it About the same time also did the Prince attaque Groll Autumn then coming on apace which place was defended by Henry Count Heremberg with six hundred Foot and his own Troop of Horse and much Artillery And by chance a great quantity of Rain having lately fallen so that the Pioneers could not with conveniency come to work not only delayed and protracted the Siege but brought many diseases into the Camp And the Souldiers were spared in hopes that the Weather would become more seasonable when at the instant arrived News That Spinolaes Forces that had been dispersed into Garrisons up and down the Countrey were collected together from thence And then the Princes earnest desire to continue the Siege and Fortify the Camp against outward Force made the Souldiers work and Duty double though in regard of the Enemies being so near it was too late for Spinola himself and his Officers those Authority with the Souldiers was of high esteem ringling together Prayers and Promises incited them That they would not refuse that short and easy undertaking that would let to them of so great advantage and so much to their Honour He had gotten together seven thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse a number much unequal to Prince Maurice yet he pressed on to Fight either confident in his own mens Valor or knowing that the Enemy by all means endeavoured to avoid a Battel in which conceit he was not deceived He himself was in the Front with twelve hundred men the choicest Souldiers of all his Army then two Regiments of Spaniards and Italians and last of all were placed the New levyes of Germany to each of these Divisions were assigned ten Cannons the Horse were drawn up on the Banks being guarded by the Carriages lest they should be wer-run by Prince Maurice's Troops for that part of their Enemies Army they chiefly feared and receiving Intelligence by their Scouts what part of the Camp was fortified slightly only with Pallisadoes he shewed his Main Baâ—tel on the side although it was a great way about and his passage much hindred by the Marishes Prince Maurice Although the States had given him order and power to fight and that his Souldiers were earnest thereto but the French especially cryed out That they must perpetually seek lurking places and daily fly from the Enemy if now they should give place in a few and they tyred out with wet cold and long Marches yet he withdrew his men into the safety of his Camp which was the cause of the breeding Diseases among many of his men and striking a fear into those that remained healthful Spinola accounted it a great Victory to have raised the Siege and to have elevated the courage of his own men and to have impaired the Enemies Glory Soon after this both parties went into Winter Quarters This year the States dismissed Colonel Foxes German Regiment that had merited greater Honour and Rewards than the rest which example was taken in very evil part In this posture stood the War at Land But in the Spanish Ocean after the publick Arms were departed thence Private Men of War did no small damage and the Spanish great Ships pursued the Hollanders and their lesser were voluntarily set aside At the end of this Summer Admiral Hauteen was again sent to intercept the Fleets comming out of America and the Indies he had with him four and twenty Vessels but of these six were beaten back by Tempests And soon after Fiasciardo with eight great Galeons having a prosperous gale fell upon them unprovided and ere they were aware but the Galleyes that were with him not being driven by the Wind kept to the Shoar As the bulk of the Galeons so the terror thereof to that time had been very formidable and although the Hollanders remembred that some such had formerly been spoiled by Tempests or split upon the Rocks yet they had no president of any of them at any time worsted in fight One of these being grapled with a Ship of Zeland that was next the Admiral so affrighted the rest as soon as they saw it that at the very beginning of the night they retreated in all hast He thus left by his Companions being a man of an undaunted Resolution yet for two whole dayes did not leave off the Fight though most of his men were in that time lost but with his torn Ship casting aside all fear of danger protracted their Victory But after he saw no hopes of relief and that the Waves poured in upon him that none of them might come alive into the Enemies hands at once they unanimously agreed upon a noble but terrible action and of much advantage to their Countrey for kneeling down upon their knees and Praying God That he would please to pardon them in that they sought to shun the mockeries of the Spaniards by that sad and 〈◊〉 death they set fire upon the Gunpowder by the force whereof threescore men were killed two half dead lived a little while being taken by the Spaniards with wonder beholding their
his Valour but understanding by the Spies which he had sent under the pretence of Merchants and by some French and British Ships that he met that the Ships which had been there were most of them departed to the Indies and those that were to follow them were not ready but that a great Fleet of Spaniards lay in the Bay of Gibraltar which would take the Hollanders Ships passing out of the Mediterranean Sea into the Ocean in that streight thither he steered his course sailing as the Wind would give him leave sometimes near the Coast of Barbary and other whiles nearer the Coast of Spain for two very high Mountains generally known by the names of Hercules Pillars being the Mountains Abila in Barbary and Calpe in Spain do make narrow the Streight of the Atlantike Ocean winding it self between those Lands Fabulous Antiquity reported these to be one Hill and indeed so it is if you admit the strait to continue their union but divided by the labour of Hercules on purpose to let in the Sea whereupon the last of those separated Hills are called as aforesaid Hercules Pillars To the one of which the old name Calpe remained until the Arabian growing Victorious gave his own names to all things and places for at what time the lâ—acens had joyned their Arms to the novelty of Mahomeâ—â— Superstition Moses the chief of the petty Kings possessing Africa who was the Son of Nuzir of the Maravadine Family went over into Spain accompanied with Tarica the 〈◊〉 of Abdalla who setting fire on his Ships that his Souldiers might not be able to desert him when he was come within Calpe he named the place Gebell Taric which in the Arabian Tongue is as much as the Mount of Tarica and â—â—â—ce by the Spaniards is corrupted into Gibraltar Thus did 〈◊〉 Mountain and City Tarifa of old Carteja get their names This City is scituate at the bottom of those Hills where making a Haven in the manner of a Theater for his Ships on the horn thereof which stretches into the Atlantike Ocean he built a strong Castle In this most safe recess of the Sea within the bosome of that most exquisite Rock â—â—d under the protection of the City and Castle the Spanish fleet lay at Anchor It consisted of 9. Galeoones the greatest of which carryed the Commander in Chief Don John Alâ—â—rez de Avila four other Ships of War The great Vessel belonging to Lubeck and four French Bottoms belonging to private Merchants but for a time taken up for publike use besides three Holland Merchants Ships that had lately been taken as Prizes In these was a great number of Marriners and great Guns together with Souldiers for Sea-service whose strength was much increased by the accession of many noble persons who upon news that the Enemies Ships were seen both at Cadiz and St. Lucas de Barramede had flocked thither to shew their Valour and duty to the King In the Admirall were seven hundred Souldiers another a little less had five hundred Admiral Hemskerke now entring the Streight and not far from the Bay of Gibraltar calling together the Captains of his Ships to Counsel He said to them Ye know Fellow Souldiers for what cause ye are come hither The Honour gotten by our Ancestors both at Sea and at home is evident to the whole World They wasted Islands and besieged Ports others by chance assisting them therein We were the first who came even into Spain it self to assault the King of Spains Fleet as intending to let the World know how falsly the Enemy in the length of his arrogant Titles ascribes to himself the Dominion of the Sea A more noted place for Honour could not be wished for God hath appointed the Hollanders Forces to be tryed and approved in the Confines of Europe and Africa so that here we shall see the Enemies themselves certain Witnesses of our Valour and their own destruction On the one Shore he the Turks and Moors to whom being hitherto scarcely heard of we ought not to be made publickly known but by some great and honourable action Take now that Courage which of old Berghen Middleburgh the Zuyderzee beheld The same fortune follows you through the World So that it is a difficult matter for you not to Conquer at Sea And let not the greatness of the Enemies Ships affright you for that very Bulk being unweldy to be moved and turned and lying open to shot will be rather a cause of ruine then safety to them And moreover this is one chief thing that among us our very Seamen fight with them only the Souldiers who appearing to me as persons of effeminacy by the stinks of the Pump and the tossing of the Waves being grown heartless are hardly able to stand up to fight I require nothing of any man but what I shall give an example of my self you Lambert shall together with my self set upon the Admirall Brassen and Alterhasen on the next and so the rest on the remainder two of you still keeping together against one the lighter Vessels shall go up and down compassing the place of fight the better to impede the Enemies flight And as soon as the Battell is begun Remember that ye fight valiantly for your Ships wherein you are all either to be slain or taken unless you get the Victory Let us forward the anxious and doubtful cares of the States in this great Affair for this day will yield a great and happy Omen to us if forced to return to the War or else will make the Spaniard more seriously to desire Peace Then may the Conquering Hollander with freedom deliberate whether it will be more for his advantage to lay aside Arms or still to maintain War We however in the interim shall begin to be esteemed happy in the Honour of this Maritime tryumph or else shall be looked upon among the chief causes that lead to peace and for the benefit of Posterity shall set a noble end to a War of 40 years continuance Having spoken these things he encouraged the Captains as well by his eyes and countenance as his words who promising largely their best endeavours likewise stirred up both themselves and others by old and new examples of Spanish cruelty so passing about an encouraging Cup and renewing their Oath of fidelity for that time they departed Avilas the Governour finding Ships so much less than his steering their course directly against him commanded a Holland Prisoner that he had with him to be brought to him of whom he asked What he thought was their Intentions Who answer'd Either I know not my Countrey men or else they are ready to give you Battel The Spaniards laughed as thinking it a scorn that their whole Fleet should be compared with that onely Galeoon that was his Admiral But when the Holland Fleet drew nearer being compell'd to believe what he saw was true he carryed his said Admiral Galeoon which by chance lay outermost nearer to the City cutting its
Cables that the Fortune of the Battel might first be tryed by the other Vessels Notwithstanding which Hemskerk keeping still to his first purpose passing by the rest set upon that alone and at the first Onset cryed out That all should be lawful Frize therein to whoever took it and appointing a Reward besides to him that should bring away the Enemies Top-Mast Banner Commanding That they should not shoot until they were very wear whereby the greater Terrour might strike them on a suddain Therefore the Spaniard prevented him in giving the first Volley of Shot but he did no great damage by it Hemskerk by this time but a little way distant began to shoot from his Fore-Deck and presently striking upon the Enemies Ship he cast Anchor He stood openly in sight in the midst of the Ship when the Spaniard making thick and frequent shots a Bullet by chance killing one broke and tore off his left Thigh and threw him groveling being laden with Arms. He was sensible of the approach of Death and therefore praying God mercifully to receive his departing Soul he exhorted all about him That they would not be careless in following their business but would seek to repair the loss of their Captain with the Enemies Ruine The death of the Admiral being concealed by Captain Nerhoeven did spread over the Fleet until the Battel was ended The same endeavour'd that the Cannon on the Right-side might be discharged The Spaniard now having lost the use of his great Guns applyed himself wholly to fight with small Shot but the Hollanders Shot did the greatest damage in regard the Enemy stood thicker and more crowded together Lambert following as he was commanded at first shot at Avila's Ship at a distance but afterwards came nearer and lay side by side so that now a most furious Fight was begun and all were involved in Clouds of Smoke insomuch that at Noon-day they had the Resemblance of a Nocturnal Conflict The rest of the Battel wa ordered by Fortune not according to Command For while Captain Alterasen of Zeland delay'd to assault the Ship assigned to him 3 others invaded him to whom a fourth soon after joyned themselves Which having taken fire by the perpetual vomiting of the Cannon and that now danger drew near to the Assailants the Hollanders withdrew themselves and quenched their Sails which had likewise caught fire But the Spaniards astonished with fear casting aside all care of the Ship after all things in the Ship and the Ship it self were seized by the Flame forced also by the Enemies Shot leaped head long into the Sea and so exchanged one kind of death for another Captain Henry Long a Hollander with more Policy assailing another Galeoon was kill'd with a Bullet but that also was fir'd and utterly burned Again another of the same Magnitude being shot between Wind and Water by the coming in of the Waves and its own Burden suddainly sunk The rest of the Spanish Ships as also some of the Hollanders not during to run the hazard of a close Fight contested at a distance almost with equal damage to the Enemy and themselves There were many shot also thunder'd upon them from the Town and Castle of Tariff but suddain violence disheartned the Spaniards one of their best Ships being blown up and torn in pieces by its own Powder or else set on fire by themselves After the horrible Crack had thunder'd all over the Bay the torn Ships Reliques setting fire on those Ships next to him and they likewise drawing others into the like Danger and Ruine They that remained before the Mischief should reach to them cutting their Cables made hast to the Shore onely the Admiral prolonged the Issue of the Fight stoutly making good her part against two Ships until at last a Third came But then the Banner or Ensign being pulled down together with it they lost all their Courages and the Victors wholly entring it was no longer a Fight but a meer Slaughter All the Spaniards as they leaped into the Sea-hoping to escape by swimming were kill'd either by Swords Pikes or Bullets Not could one fix his Eye on any part of the Bay where the sad Spectacle of dead or dying People was not with Horrour represented Avilas not long survive Hemskerk He was an Antient Sea-Commander for he had accompanied Don John of Austria at the Battel of Lepanto Among his Papers were found King Philip's severe Instructions not against the Hollanders onely but all others who had in any manner assisted them The French whose Ships before surprized by the Spaniard but now deserted in his flight afforded a safe Retreat to the Conquerours They that were taken Prisoners and kept alive after by a rare chance of good Fortune the Souldier sent by a Spanish Captain to kill them was by a Bullet intercepted and a second sent to put the same Command in Execution perish'd by the like means at last had their Bonds and Chains struck off by an accidental shot After this Battel the Night continued quiet and the next Morning it appear'd that the Spanish Admiral which the Hollanders had neglected to keep as supposing themselves to have undertaken enough yet floted intire with some few Men in it who while the Victors Fury raged had hidden themselves in Holes from whence creeping our and getting into the Town the People voluntarily set fire thereon that it might not become a Prey to the Enemy Two days the Holland Fleet continued in the place of the Battel esteeming the Victory rather honourable than advantagious or gainful During all the time of their stay there Armed Men ran up and down and on the other side the Townsmen gathering together all their best and most precious Things prepar'd to fly For all Things were now fill'd with fear the News of this Action being brought by like Messengers to Cadiz which would certainly have been a great cause of making Hamskerk much more confident if he had lived but now all his Counsels fell to the ground with him Tittuan a City of Barbary not very antient scituate at the Foot of the Mount Atlas near these Streights is subject to the Turk Hither the Hollanders repaired to amend their ships and get help and remedy for their sick and wounded Men of whom they had Threescore besides almost one hundred slain in the Fight The Governour of the City both hating and hated of the Spaniards received the Conquerours with much Congratulations and sending to them also many Presents And moreover offer'd them a Supply of Foot Souldiers if they would please to assault Septa a Town upon the same Coast but scituate a little more inward and possessed by the Spaniard But they being more desirous of Booty than War so determined among themselves that the greatest part chose to Forage the Coasts of Portugal Others went to the Azores some to the Fortunate Islands and the rest coasted the Promontery of Antabria Two Ships of those that had brought Provisions were sent into
general That they might never be divided from Brabant and Holland While these Matters were argued pro contra Maximilian the Emperour much troubled thereat and also taking into commiseration the Prince of Aurarge his Condition so suddainly thrust out by violence from such great Estates and Prehemnences though that Design of his wrought no milder Temper toward those Dominions sent his Brother Charles into Spain to inform the King in his to wit the Emperours Name and the rest of the Princes of Germany That they thought it not convenient for the Publike Good that the Netherlanders should be used so harshly any longer But Philip as well as he could dissembling his Anger yet churlishly commanded to be returned for Answer That the Care of managing his own Affairs belonged properly to himself who as he knew when it was fit to shew Mercy so likewise he was not to learn when to use Severity to such who having first laid aside their Duty towards God would in a short time not fear to shake Hands with Obedience to their Prince and that it would be an Action more safe and honourable for them if they would desist to intermeddle in Affairs in which they were altogether unconcerned There were some that counselled the regaining of those Parts of Lower Germany by Warre which had been torn from the Body by the strong Hand of their Lords But the Emperour of his own Nature always loving Peace and being lately allyed to the Spaniard by a new Tye of Affinity sate down and medled no more But a few of the Germans either out of their regard to Piety Envy of the Spanish Greatness or Hatred of Alva too well known among them did aid the Prince of Aurange with Men and Money and it may be also moved with Suspition that Alva had a Design upon some Cities near the Rivers Rhene and Amasis to subject them to his Master because they had been Receptacles to many of the Netherlanders banished for their Religion Many of the Neighbouring People had bound themselves by Hostages to be true to and assist the Prince of Aurange in his Expedition and something also was given by the Netherlanders who now being compelled to inhabit abroad either the Desire of return to their Country or private Wishes of enjoying Liberty at Home prompted But many of those Promises failed in their Event so that having by the Dictates of his own Judgment and Fore-sight gathered together Six Thousand Horse and Fourteen Thousand Foot chiefly and the greatest part out of Germany where great Multitudes of Men caught with the Bait of present ready Money never thought of the future nor minded whose part they took but were ready for any that would hire them best the remainder of the said Army was made up partly of Netherlanders themselves and partly of French These Forces letting slip the first Opportunity of fighting Alva at the Passage of the Maze being then unprovided were afterward by him easily weakned and brought to nothing by not fighting getting the more noble sort of Victory Which Policy of evading Fight had before that been fortunate to him â— Italy when he stood in opposition to the Duke of Guise Therefore for three and twenty days together he lay stilâ— in the Rear of them as they marched with his Camp so circumspectly and with Prudence fortified toward the Enemy that they could never force him to fight with their Desperation Then was put in practice that Villany which will never be left off to wit that both Parties should maintain their Right by Countries living in Peace for whether a Passage was given or denied through the Lands of Cleve or Leige always the one Party would revenge it self either by robbing the Country or burning it However at last this great Army being neither admitted by one City nor relieved with any Provision in a short time mouldred away through an extream want of all things but chiefly of Pay with the slender Remains whereof the Prince of Aurange being hardly able to march into France carryed thither together with it all his Hopes where for some time finding Employment in that Forreign Warre though the cause thereof were something his for Alva had sent thither Forces also to help the King yet by the suddain making of Peace he was disappointed and not onely so but Traps laid to insnare him The Army being thus broken whereby without doubt the Nassauian Strength was much impaired and exhausted as he grew very wary how he ran into Dangers So Alva great now with Success esteeming himself a Conquerour of those People whom he had yet never felt as Enemies did ambitiously desire the Glory of his Authority thus won as he supposed by Conquest And under this Notion and Name of Conquerour he is presented with a Consecrated Sword from the Pope with an Inscription of his Deeds as Fame had reported them which being a Piece of most excellent Workmanship he placed in the beautiful Castle of Antwerp that serves to no other use than to keep under the People as the Scituation thereof averted from the River doth plainly testifie Moreover he erects a Statue in his Honour with a large Eulogy thereon to wit that by appeasing the Sedition destroying and punishing the Rebels and promoting of Justice he had restored Peace to these Provinces At this time he setled many things no lesse profitable than specious as concerning money Merchandises punishment of vices and enormities and rash divulging of Books works in themselves so good that they will never be forgotten unless by the Odium of his name who was the first settler thereof But now the Inquisition as to matters of Religion the Acts of the Councel of Trent the new Bishops and things hitherto winked at if not utterly repudiated were received willingly as it were for otherwise it was in sight that would compel them their hatred being now grown to that heighth that who over had been baptized by the Protestants according to the Rules of Christianity should yet be re-baptized though contrary to the institution and practice of the Antients Nor did this new Tribunall grow lesse furious against the old crimes of Treason to the number of whom were added all such as were but suspected to have wished good success to the late undertakings of the Prince of Aurange or to have grieved at the ill fortune and miscarriage thereof yet while these things are thus doing there was a way studied how to make their Victory seem more honourable by the report of Clemency which was this By setting out an Edict in the Kings name wherein a Pardon should be granted to all that would come in and confess their former misdeeds but still excepting and reserving to punishment all Teachers and Ministers of Religion and those which did assist or harâ— them all those whose impious villanies violated the Sacred â—cesses of Churches or holy places and all such as here Arms â— took preferment or were consenting to the confederacy of tâ—
nothing but Penury and Slavery so they are sure to have no other pity than that of Torments Fire and Death Meritedly therefore they desire an equal share of Liberty since nothing can be by them expected from a Kingdom but Tyranny They looked not after rich Benefices and ample Revenues but were content others should enjoy them onely they begged they might not be banished both from the Church and Court as profane Persons That they never were Apostates either in their Piety towards God or their Fidelity towards their Country Some doubt there was a while how to Resolve but at last praising the Examples of Germany and Poland agreeing many old Customs it was concluded by the Counsell of those who had put forward these things That it was very necessary for the maintaining of Unity and Concord that these just Desires should not be rejected for they could not have an Army of any value or strength but it must chiefly consist of them and they found by Experiment that no Persons might be with 〈◊〉 safety trusted with the care and management of Affairs that they In this Vicissitude of Affairs it came to pass that several of the Romane Opinion especially those who took to them selves the Names of Jesuits could not be drawn to takeâ— Oath against Dan John and no small part whose hope maâ— depended upon the King's Success voluntarily defend them But many of the Magistrates though so instructed â— if they had fore-seen the Rising Authority of that Side embraced that Form of Worship which the Nassanians helds And for these Causes Honours were communicative to them and in some places no less than a hundred Families desired they might have by Command places see apart for theâ— Publike Worship on the same Condition That the like should be granted to those who preferred the Doctrine of the Latin Church through Holland and Zealand which yet was never affected The things which followed after this are not to â— passed by without Compassion or a sad Remembrance Such Commotions such Hatreds and such Troubles one still following another For as the Romanists would grant nothing at all to the other so they not satisfied so much now with their Impunity and privacy upon their own private account took by force the Administration of the Law from the more violent and stubborn Magistrates and after they had therein prevailed they began to look at Revenge So that they whâ— but lately wished ill to the Spaniard now of a suddain joâ— both their Purses and Counsels against them Citizens now against Citizens standing armed in the very Cities which being free from their Publike Enemies they endeavoured â— drive away their private Adversaries there was not mâ— need here of the Souldier his help being onely necessary preserve Domestick Peace And as they which labour of a Deadly Disease for the most part despise all Remedies â— here they who were Lovers and Promoters of Peace and and Concord were on all hands hated by these strong Promoters of Sedition And indeed they ought to have studied nothing but Patience to see such persons by whom the common Plague of this Age was scattered into both Parties and the Names of all things inverted So that a blind and perverse Obstinacy in Discord was called a Holy Zeal and Modesty and meekness of Mind Sloth nay sometimes Treason The People of Gaunt now grown to that heighth of Licentiousness that they could not hope for Pardon or Impunity but from the monstrous Greatness of their Villany being still egg'd on further by that Boutefeu Imbis who had crept up into Power by a Thredbare Journey formerly to openly detract the Government They protest they will no longer so much as see those Romane Superstitions that have invented so many Wickednesses and Cruelties not that the Authors or Fomenters of the Sedition esteemed much of any Religion for they would raise Tumults under the pretence of both but onely they preferr'd Novelties before things received from Antiquity and their own Fancies before any Truth that could be taught them and having by chance convicted some Monks of detestable Sensualities first they expelled that Order yet groaning under the Weight of their fresh Malice and furious Hatred and afterwards all Priests Then being conscious to themselves of what they had begun they begin to fortifie their City with strong Bulwarks and Rampires which being of a vast compass equal almost to the greatest Cities was not totally inhabited for having been often besieged and fearing the like again from the vileness of their Action in time to come they inclosed many Fields within their Works or Wâ—ll And the more their Fortification proceeded and came nearer the finishing so much less they did hearken to the Commands either of Matthias or the States or take notice of their vain objecting their Crimes against them seeking backward still for new Pretences out of those very things which they had stirred â— against themselves Neither could the Prince of Aurange's Authority any whit prevail with them though by his Intercession the same People of Gaunt had obtained again their Antient Laws which they had before forfeited by a Rebellion against the Emperour Charles But the Mischief rather increased and spread into other Cities of Flanders On the contrary those of Artoys and Henault were more constant and stedfast to the Romane Religion for most of them were of that Judgment And the Lords being averse to the Prince of Aurange with a kind of civil Objuration refused to hear of the New Law for they said that it was specified in the League that nothing should be altered in Religion while the We continued Some did advise that the City of Gaunt being by this Sedition lyable to Treachery should by War be compelled to Obedience But neither the Prince of Aurange nor several other of the Nobles would consent to that to turn theâ— Arms or Forces against Citizens how ill deserving soever while the Spaniard their Enemy with a powerful Army lay almost in the middle of their Country for that indeed were to make good that which some of the wisest of their Enemies had fore-told of them that their own Discord wâ— destroy them But while it was dangerous to inforce them they slighted all Commands Counsels and Intreaties looking upon them onely as predetermined Malice At this tiâ— Bossis whom we formerly mention'd to have been taken in the Sea of Frizeland when he commanded the scatter'd Remains of Holland under Alva was General of the greâ— Army of the Netherlanders the States having taken that Honour from Lalain because at the unhappy Battel of Geâ— he forsook the Camp without their Leave or Commandment The Viscount of Gaunt was Commander in Chief of the Horse Lanove who had won great Renown in the Civil Wars of France was Camp-Master General Don John assaulted their Camp scituate not far from Mechlin at a Village called Rimenen and was onely Repulsed there being as many both believed and said a great Errour committed
to the War in regard it was so near Neighbour to Antwerp In the mean time also were some small Skirmishes with little Advantage to either side and not a few English turning Renegades and being contemned by the Spaniard were a good Example to teach others to be faithful to that Party under whom they first served Anon Verdugo was forced to leave Lochem a little Toâ— in Geldars not far from Zutphen which he endeavoured â— win by starving because while he was about it it was thâ—i relieved with fresh Provisions but presently won Steâ— which before had cost so many Lives without any danger by the help of Night and the Townsmens Folly At the time Philip having Valois his Opposit thought he now waâ—ed more strength and care than heretofore and therefore sends to Parma a Recruit of Spanish and Italian Souldiers nor durst any be so bold as to contradict the same notwithstanding the Artoysian Treaty and Agreements averring Thâ— in that Treaty the Obedience of the whole Netherlands was intended of which hope he being defrauded the Bond of the Obligation ceased together with the Cause The Summe of this Army upon Muster was Threescore Thousand Foot Four Thousand of whom would make good Horsemen and these Number remain or rather are increased to this very time whâ—â— Monthly Pay amounted to or rather was supposed to exceâ— Seven Hundred Thousand Florens and that the other Charge of the War came to no less than half as much That therefore Philip sent thither every year over and above the Tributes there raised above Twenty Hundred Thousand so much was consumed by the Spaniard upon the Netherlanders And that no more Money should be carryed over thither they who feared bad Success by the ill Carriage of Affairs there were believed to have hindred it On the other side the States that they might win fame to their new Commonwealth by great and noble beginnings advanced their Yearly Pensions and Tributes which were at present but Four and Twenty to Fourty Hundred Thousand with which Money they raised Souldiers and then had in Arms under the Conduct of Francis of Valois besides Netherlanders French Germans English and Scots The Forces on both sides were very strong but the greatest part of them lay in Garrisons because there being no determined Bounds they were as the Fortune of War required put into Towns which many times even joyned one to another but still kept their Opposition Hitherto Valois hoped for Succours from his Brother for the wasting of those Riches against or for which the Kings of France had for the space of Two Hundred years contested by War to suffering of much hardship yes to the loss of their Bloud and now by Conditions of Peace had made their Enemy equal to themselves But the King himself had no mind openly to denounce War nor privily to send the expected Forces although his Mother Medices had assailed and disturbed the possession of the Portugal Sea And the truth is Philip had prevented him having purchased a means to make Debate wherewith he might perturb the then peaceable Estate of France The stronger Party therefore did openly possess the King with fear advising withall That he should turn his strength against none but the Enemies of the Romane Religion another Party being politickly deceitful under pretence of more wise Counsel denyed that it was â—ther just or profitable for the King who was yet not satisfied iâ— his Successor to exhaust and consume his Treasure for the use of strangers but that he should rather leave both the Netherlanders and the Duke himself too to their poverty untill being drawn dry they would fall from their Capitulations and Contests for Government and submit themselves to the Laws as for the Spaniard though he could not be conquered by others yet he might in good time be overcome by a Neighbour Kingdom These were the Counsels but indeed the King was of his own nature averse to his Brother not that he was offended by him but rather had offended him and mindfull that he had once committed him to hard and close Custody more out of suspition than for any Crimes This cast the Duke head-long upon Counsels dangerous and full of desperation and fatall both to himself and the Netherlanders for when he perceived that they would easily set him at naught since he could not perform with them in the promised ayds and that he was burdened with an 〈◊〉 profitable Principality not forgetting that he ruled onely â— pleasure and that afterward that he was restrained and kept under by the Laws and Authorities of others which is very grievous to them that have been bred in a Kingdom having divers times desired an alteration of the same but not obtaining it he resolves to erect a peculiar power by force and to that end assigns the Towns of Flanders to be possessed and held by the most trusty Garrisons of his Captains Anwerp he takes to himself as the biggest City and that which most favoured the Prince of Aurange to whom he knew he did owe a part of his power by an implicit agreement and where the Deputies of the States were present who were the impediments of his greatness 1583. It is probable the main inciters to this rashness were not onely some secret spies that held Intelligence with the Enemy having their Faith corrupted by moâ—â—â— who offered to the Duke an unquestionable right of Dominion by a Spanish Marriage but also the Frenchmen who pâ—oposed to themselves the ransacking of Cities or greâ—â— Booty Honours which by the Laws they were cebarred â— of which covetousness there are as many Nations found guilty as the Netherlanders had Allyes or Confederates The success answered the Design where the French Garrisons were prevalent and Veward Dendremunde Dixmayâ— and Dunkirk a Sea-cost Town of Flanders excellently seated for French Trassique were taken At Bruges bâ—â— the old and new Governours were outwitted by the extraordinary and most politick ingenuity of the Magistrates wâ— desiring under pretence of consultation the Captains and Leaders to go to the Town-house there kept and detaineâ— them till they had by their Letters Commanded the Souldiers to march out from thence which they for fear of the Armed multitude without grudging did accordingly The danger of Antwerp was greater though some Signs of the bloody event burst forth and with a dissembled suspition of somewhat he did as much as he could hide the concourse of his People from the Prince of Aurange and the Governours of the Town There was the Army both of French and Switzers assembled that the Fort of Endouen being left and the Enemy fled the whole possession of Brabant might be regained To these the Duke going out under the very Walls as if to number them with his Customary Retinue onely about him he Commands the Watches immediately to be killed and the Ports to be set up and seized that so the rest of his Army might have the easier entrance And now seventeen
Companies of men fly about the Streets of the City like Conquerours crying out The Mass used in the Roman Religion is holy for this was the Signall of the Combination when the Townsmen running from their Tables for they were at dinner take their Arms against this sudden tumult the first that went out meeting the Valoysians Body to Body hindered their endeavour of passing further And in a moment more and more gathering together on every side fighting in defence of their Families and Fortunes with notable Courage and Concord they beat all that entred into the City back to the Port whereat they came in There was a horrible slaughter for in that straight they stopped out and hindred the living and those that sled could not escape their pursuers But Valois himself when he understood the infamous madness of his undertaking by the Event made with shame and terrour of Conscience and wanting all things with as many of his Forces as he could get together among many hazards of his life and the grievous loss of what belonged to him he sled by the marshes of the Fields beyond the River Dila This notorious and apparent injury most vehemently incensed the minds of many who before were no lovers of the name of France Nor did Parma and the Netherlanders that were with him omit by Letters to terrifie them laying before them their abominable defection and Revolt and to the oppressions of their new Government were more grievous than of that they shook off saying further that they must bear with the dispositions of their Superiours for a people could be safe that rebelled among so many Kingdoms But if now from this sad experience they would return to their obedience he offered them not onely equall as just Laws but also the Kings mercy and Pardon The Prince of Aurange was sensible that this time of appeasing this â—â—chief was too fit to be laid hold on for the Spanish Affairs and therefore though his Counsel had once proved unfortunate whereby he had lost the main part of his power the Peoples favour yet being asked his Opinion he declares the same with many acknowledgements of error to ave envy the more easily If the Common-wealth could by its own meanes be governed with the same unanimity as the King there would be â— dispute but that we might very well be without the Government of a single Person especially if he be a Forraigne Neither is it now to be enquired after if it be lawfull to desert him who first violated all publick Rights and Law it self of which there was so great care taken by Covenance and pact but they were to minde and observe his strength 'T is truth he hath no great Army but there were in â— to wit the Dukes Possession severall strong and well fortified Cities And the Netherlanders were now to advise whether they had rather continue their Possession to themselves or necessitate their delivery to the Enemy That it was much more convenient since they were by both abused that they should be in the French than the Spanish power for the Spaniards Dominion being well knit together by age would always find Instruments to oppress and enslave them where as the French if they should endeavour such a thing were not able to fit themselves with properties to serve their designs It were better therefore and more safe to assay and try the French who having been once taken tardy will never hereafter seek such an opportunity or if they should would never have impudence enough or courage to put it into action They ought alternately to weigh that in lieu of his own offence the Duke hath done them many kindnesses and to remember that for the last years his single care and pains had both defended their Cities and frustrated the Enemies designs That thus they would not onely revive but altogether such unity as their Warre required if Valois remembred his offence and they forgot it This Speech was seconded by others excusing the imprudence and rashness of Youth adding withall that it may be the greatness of his minde being sprung of Royall Blood and never made stoop to the humility of obedience and perchance too incensed by some contumacious persons he had taken that unfortunate way not with intent to kill and plunder but as their wickedness and mischievous Counsel informed him onely to secure his power and greatness And the King of France had with his promises and some implicite threats commended his Brother herein That therefore the Duke was to be treated with to restore the Towns he had in his power and to withdraw to Dunkirk whither the rest of his men who compounded for the other Towns they had should come to him In the Interim after many and long delayes and while he disputes the restitution of the Towns and Provisions begun to sail the Netherlandish Souldiers that were with him for fear of the multiude who mindful yet of their late danger doubted newer and greater matters and were scarcely satisfied Biron is sent thither Generall of an Army of French to stop the Duke of Parma's Carreer who then by the taking of some Towns had mightily infested and did over-run Brabant But yet the Warre did not go on as it should in his hand who with much adoe was drawn to a kind of Treaty Valois of his own accord finding fault that he had onely the bare name of a Prince that the account and disposall of monies and all other great affairs were concealed from him so that he was not able to gratifie any person And it was no wonder if after the examples of so many others who had been called in by the Netherlanders to assist them and they had found sad experiments of changed desires they had found him who long continuing in suspence concerning it would now depend upon the beck of another but he chiefly and with much regret insisted upon this That they denyed to him onely what was allowed to all other Princes namely that out of the Senate he might have a domestick Councel The use of which Custom John Bodin their Master of Requests had praysed above all others he being a man whose wisdom and affection was well known by his Writing but on the other side the Netherlanders feared nothing so much also the French offered somewhat in favour of the Roman Religion Among all these Disputes Valois being well nigh shut up in Dunkirk when now a new affliction was added to renew his old grief multitudes dying in the Town by sickness he goes thence into France either that he might refresh himself by the change of Ayr or which is most probable that he might recover his Brothers favour between whom yet remained some Seeds of discontent Certainly this Journey was made onely for a time And the Netherlanders as long as he lived never left off sending to him Embâ—ssies to intreat him to send ayd to Flanders in a staggering condition Earnestly beseeching the King also that he publickly would
own his Brothers Cause but if he could not do that yet that he would at least assist with men and money and that he should stop all the passages from France into the Enemies Country Which if they might request they did not fear to foretell to the King thereby a future Succession in his Kingdom so that he should according to the Laws of France for many Ages not want an Heir of his Body to govern the same But these Communications were shortly after quite broken off by the badness of the following times and the death of Francis de Valois He over-lived his Honour and disgrace not above seventeen moneths brought to his end as some thoughâ— by his lusts others by poyson but most believed he dyed with grief of mind the common end almost of all who either before or after him took a pride to aggravate the miseries of unfortunate people His Fune all was not attended with any Ensigns of his Belgike Government all his actions there with himself passing in oblivion while the King his Brother avoyded to incense with such toyes whom he durst not move with realities As soon as Valois was departed from Dunkirk the French Companies left there in Garrison accepting their pay marched away not daring to trust a People whom they had so mischieved Whereupon the Duke of Parma sends his inferiour Captains to besiege the Town thus destitute both of Souldiers and Shipping and anon after comes himself with an indifferent Army to strengthen the Siege Biron was commanded to follow the Enemy and fight him But the Gauntoys out of an old grudge they bore to Valois and making a shew of tumult denyed him passage alledging that it was unjust and unreasonable to use his Forces whom they neither took for their Prince nor scarcely their friends By the stubbornness therefore of those men Dunkirk came into the Spaniards power by which meanes the Sea ever after became dangerous and troublesome for upon that shore where there were no Havens or Ports there was scarce any refuge for small foysts hence as they saw it convenient or for their profit observing the passage out the Pyrates were wont to set upon the Dutch Ships as they sailed by either to fishing or with Merchandize where England being directly opposite doth narrow and streighten the Sea and they could easily escape by flight from the great Ships of Warâ—e either by their lightness and swiftness on the open Sâ—â— or else by helps of the flats and Sands whereof that part of the Ocean is full yet this losse of so eminent a Town could not mitigate or take away their dissentions but it was necessary that Biron with his Army should be sent out of the Country though the Prince of Auraage most earnestly urged the contrary for fear least they should betray the Common-wealth to their Enemy now in heart and attended with success so much mistrust had all of the French Nay the Prince himself was scandalized for them so that at Antwerp they all 〈◊〉 to their Arms upon a lye that was divulged that the Prince had brought the French into the Castles on purpose to be near to and command the City But he to whom nothing was so unusual and bitter as to live feared of his Citizens could not bear their changed countenances and suspitious ill boding silence instead of joyfull acclamations but leaving the place having lived there six years he went to Zeland and the more assured places of the Common-wealth thereby exempt from many eminent dangers and free from their ingratitude But the Duke of Parma having gotten spare 〈◊〉 for Conquest gained by surrender and otherwise Nempâ—â— scituate on the same shore but to the right hand of Dunkirk and more inward upon the Land Dixmuyde Voorne and Berghen that are called Winow Thence in Flanders the peoples hatred so increased against the Warre daily and many so highly resented the late actions that they would even take part with the Spaniards against the French About this time there was a certain base Fellow he was generally called Hog that by Discourse and Writing began to trouble Holland who notwithstandidg his Mothers vileness and his own mishapen Form yet vainly boasted the Honour and Greatness of his Bloud as being from his own Relation Son to the Emperour Charles Hence fed up with a foolish hope by some Spaniard that Philip would acknowledge him for his Brother he withdrew some led away with Novelties and others that were not pleased with the present ordring of Affairs from their then Principles to a hope of Peace and Submission to the Austrian Family But the Conspiracy being yet green and but in the Bud was by the punishment of its Author quickly nipped Now also a War did begin in the Jurisdiction of Colen which was offered together with the Bishoprick to Ernestus of Bavaria for the Marriage of Truxiors For being Bishop of that place before and being taken exceedingly with the Love of a Noble Woman had made hast to lay aside his Vow of single Life for by the Rules of the Latine Church no Priest may marry which in the Heat of his promiscuous Lusts was easily connived at Wherefore setting Humane Decrees in opposition to Divine Laws and finding himself unfit for such Charges by Casimire and Nienar Count of Nursa both Generals for indifferent Armies keeps the Cities until by his Enemies Forces and his own Mens Treacheries most of his Garrisons were taken from him and then making a League with the Dutch he fled to the Prince of Aurange whence he revenged him as well as he could by laying wast the Country And this War brings on a greater wherewith the Spaniard was well pleased because he might thereby the more colourably involve the Frontier Towns of Germany which were old Receptacles of Netherlandish Fugitives in the same And this every day augmented the growing Fortune of the Duke of Parma especially one Tasso a Captain winning by Surprize the Town of Zutphen held by a weak and ill agreeing Garrison and that by the help onely of one common Souldier that was his Prisoner From hence all the Country between the Rivers Issel and the Rhine were daily infested and harrased by Spanish Incursions nor could they at any time be hindred in their going off and the City it self was besieged but in vain Thus did the Netherlanders at this time lose both their Forces and other Opportunities And as a further mischief many of Noblemen and Chiefs utterly despairing any Remedy privately sought their own Security from the Grace and Pardon of the King which they knew was not to be hoped for by some heinous Adventure Therefore William of Heremberge who by Marriage of the Prince of Aurange's Sister was the sole Companion of his Hopes and Dangers inconsiderately and without Reason Resolved to deliver up Gelders which he then Governed to the Conquerours But his Treachery being prevented and Promise taken for his Fidelity he was dismissed yet notwithstanding he fled to
taken by the Commander in Chief of the Forces of the Garrison But the Lord of Cimace took him off with Gifts and laying hold on that present Opportunity by giving out to the Common People That both himself and the City were to be betrayed into the Enemies hands He conferreth all Publike Offices and the Honours likewise which he took from others upon those who were with him associated in Council And by the help of these be subjected the City to the Romanists and so in them to the King's Obedience In the like manner the Town of Dammâ— was surrendred and the Free Vniversity which of old being exempt from the Command of Bruges and other more Burthensome Duties of the Country is called by the Name of Frankenland And in all Assemblies of State in Flanders hath an equal Voice with the best Cities Nor would Ipre the Third City of Bulk in Flanders being next of all to Gaâ—â— and Bruges any longer wait upon the Hopes of a Common Pacification and endure the miseries of a hard Siege The Gauntoys themselves came to Treat by their Deputies offering Pledges and desiring a Truce But Imbisius his undissembled Treachery preserved the City for he would have delivered to the Spaniard the Town of Dendremund which Rikovius by the Prince of Aurange's Command stoutly defended and this out of a vain hope of greater favour he acted so openly that it could not be hid And when he was hindred in so base and nefarious a Counsel he would have besieged the Senate House with the Senators therein with a Regiment of Souldiers which he had taken into the Garrison to serve his own Designs These two heinous Faults so utterly alienated the Peoples Minds from him that they considered among themselves to punish him being thus convicted of Treachery with the loss of his Head A notable Example of unfortunate Ambition that he who was grown old had been loaden with the highest Honours and enjoyed so long the prosperous Affections of the Common People whom Civil Contentions had carryed so far beyond Reason that the greatness of their Crimes had devoured their Compassion This Ring-Leader of Faction was destroyed though the Tumults were not quite extinct yet for some time they who insisted upon the deceitfulness of the Pacification grew stronger But the Duke of Parma having almost inclosed the City and besieged it strongly with Warlike Troops was well satisfied not to assail them otherwise than by Hunger and to leave their Fate to the punishment of their own Discords But he had a better hope and therefore took more pains to get Sceldt and Antwerp scituate upon the same River the Noblest City of all the Netherlands which disperses all over Brabant the Merchandizes brought out of Zeland in regard his Troops were fresh and that he in breaking up the Siege at Zutphen had much weakned the strength of the Confederate Provinces By this means the one of these Cities was quickly won by force the other gained by fear Setting over therefore part of his Army he drives away those Netherlandish Ships that lay thereabouts as Guards and on each side of the River plants Artillery and Souldiers But the Antwerpers understanding that the Enemy did not lye upon the Coast over against Flanders built from the Ground for the safeguard of their Shipping two Castles or Forts the one below the City at the Village called Lillow the other upon the Coast of Flanders on the Backside overlooked as it were Hulst a Town of Waes This in regard it was not half finished being assaulted was taken but the other was gallantly defended with a great slaughter of Spaniards by Teling the Son of Lenove a noble Imitator of his Fathers Vertues But all these imminent Dangers were by the Prince of Aurange's Death too much hastned and in a time most inconvenient if we mind the Netherlanders because by his single Counsel and Conduct all their Affairs though at the present so full of Trouble and Vexation would have been brought to a setled Method But he to have been in a good Season as to himself because thereby he was taken from the growing Evils of the Publike to the Defence whereof he had most strictly bound himself For after his Death the Commonwealth partly with Intestine Seditions and partly by continual Victories of the Enemies was brought even to the last Gasp nor could it recover till by the appearance of his Son fresh Vigour was infused thereto and the half-forgotten Father's Memory revived in the Heroick Actions 〈◊〉 his Son He was shot with a Bullet at Delph in Holland by oâ— Balthasar Gerard a Burgundian who moved thereto either with the hopes of the Reward promised in his Proscriptionâ— else by the Zeal of his Party with a wonderful Condâ—â— bore up his Spirit as to the committing the Fact so to â— suffering the Torments inflicted on him for the same 〈◊〉 did there want some who much applauded his Resolution although the Duke of Parma an Italian being desired leave that some publike Demonstrations of Joy might be shewed because their Grand Enemy was gone fearing to blast 〈◊〉 Fame and cast an Odium upon the Justice of the War blâ—shed to suffer it The onely Expression of this dying Patriot sent together with his last Breath to the Almighty was this O Lord be mercifull to this poor People And all those who were more intimately acquainted with him now growing into years were well assured That the many Varieties and Changes of Fortune which from his Youth he had for above fifty years undergone and chiefly the Burthen of the present Cause attended with daily Envy replete with many Difficulties fought against with the Passion and Valour of the Great Ones murmur'd against by those of an inferiour Degree and oftentimes hazarded by the rashness of the Vulgar as it had inabled him to bear the greatest brunt of Humane Affairs so it had setled his Devotion and Religion on a firm Basis And this was the cause that he underwent all Businesses with a Mind so Resolute and a Body so indefatigable that he was observed never to be daâ—ced in Adversity nor elated or puffed up in Prosperity I do not hold it fit to bury in silence as a Token of his Abstinency and even as it may be called Infelicity that there was nothing so much by him neglected excepted the Glory he gained from the Civil War as his own private and particular Affairs which he freely assisted the Commonwealth with but left it much disturbed by the several Issues of a four-fold Marriage His first Wife was the Daughter of Count Egmond by whom he had Philip his Son whom the Spaniards carryed Prisoner into Spain and Mary a Daughter afterwards marryed to Count Hohenlo By another of his Wives which was the Second being Daughter to the Duke of Saxony one of the Electors of Germany he had one Son named Maurice and one Daughter His Third Wife was of the Family or Burbon Daughter to the Duke of
scarcely frequented Sea they should be brought back to the Island of Britain Nor were Commodities at Home onely of small value but those things which were wont to be fetched from far Countries by this forbidden Exportation became of no esteem in such sort that the States could find no other Remedy for this grand Mischief than by a publike Decree to lay a Restraint upon all Corn By which means those who had been the main Promoters of this hitherto unknown Necessity and who constiued all things in the worst Sense began malitiously to alleadge That the aim hereof was to bring a Dearth upon England A like Project was this The Earl of Leicester was of Opinion and so determined that the Enemies Lands though they paid Contribution should be laid wast and desarâ— This besides the fear of Revenge was very grievous to all who though at present by Force or Treachery driven from their Native Soil yet at some time or other hoped to return thither again The Souldiery also began to Mutiny because English Captains were put in Command of Companies of Souldiers from Forreign Places But Hohenlo coming thither who hastned those that before lingred upon the Earl of Leicester's words He undertook the Cause and would 〈◊〉 suffer a mixture of Officers but would that each should 〈◊〉 the Reward of their Arms and Valour And neither terrified with the Hatred either of that People or their Leader as 〈◊〉 was not to be corrupted with the greatest Promises so â— openly took the part of the Noble-men in a generous open heartedness hating Dissimulation and in a vehency of Spirit not caring to conceal any thing The Care of the War now beginning afresh to breaken did in some measure lay asleep this new arising Difference For the Duke of Parma having during the Winter had some small Skirmishes and several Castles about the Rhine being taken on both sides and now upon the News of the Leâ—â— between the English and Hollanders Recruited from the King both with Men and Money that he might perfect â— Conquest of Brabant besiegeth Grave a Town scitune â— the Bank on the left side of the Maes and surrounded with the River both above and below which he often before 〈◊〉 and now again experimented to be fortunate to him in stopping up the Passages and hindring Dealing But Count Hohenlo sent with a select Party of Souldiers brake through the Enemies Trenches and did them great Damage and aâ— onely so but helped with the vernal increase of the River â— relieved the Town that he deliver'd the Besieged as 〈◊〉 from the fear of Famine as all other wants whatsoever But the Enemy nevertheless with a greater Army obâ—tinately continued their Siege and Assaults of the Town 〈◊〉 especially one general Storm was intended which the Enemy being upon the point to fall on Hâ—merta a Dutch 〈◊〉 of Noble Bloud and left there Governour by Hohenlo prevented by an over-hasty and cowardly Surrender when 〈◊〉 new Supplies were ready just at hand to relieve him Solicited and won thereto as was believed by the Inticements of a Harlot for the Expiation of which Crime the Earl of Leicester soon after put him to death They who were Impartial called this Discipline but others imputed it to his Hatred of the Dutch in general because Rowland York having a hand heretofore in the mischievous Counsel of Imbisius and many oâ—her English of no better Repute in any thing at leastwise guilty of Cowardose not onely came off safe but were looked upon as fit to be admitted into the greatest Trusts Venloo a Town nearer to Gelderland and scituate on the other Bank followed Grave the Common People betraying it in spight of all the Souldiers Endeavours In the interim those loose Bands wasted the Enemies Country and Prince Maurice for his first Assay won Axell by Assault which going from Tornay this strong Town the United States held in the Coasts of Flanders he got by Night getting thereinto with Ladders But the War in the Bishoprick of Colen whereof somthing was spoken before grew very hot not so much by the greatness of the Forces as the expert Valour of the Captains For now Collonel Schenck had left the Duke of Parma's Service and was gone over to Truxius this man won and got Fortresses every where and destroyed with Fire and Sword whatsoever was subject to the Command of the Bishop thereof Afterwards by the Command of the Earl of Leicester he Fortifies the Isle called Graveward which lyes upon the left hand of Holland just at the dividing of the Rhine and now that is the best Defence of all those Quarters under that Government But the Count Nienarius who was Commander in Chief in those Parts took by surprize and on a suddain Nuiss a Town famous for its Antiquity for which the Duke of Parma intreated by the Bavarian and ambitious to contend in Honour with the most Fortunate Captains did contend For this place repressed and altered the before that most happy Fortune of Charles Duke of Burgundy But Parma more Fortunately Assaulted the same and obtained a glorious Victory his Entrance into the City being gratulated with Multitudes of Bone-fires Anon after this Alpa Creveceur and Mursa being taken into his Possession he makes a stop at Bergen defended by Schenck beyond hope and at length was forced to march off upon the Earl of Leicester's Approach to Zutphen after the taking of Dewesburg But yet it seemed to him a piece of little less than Cowardâ—e to stop up the Passages and Fortifie his Camp No like a Noble Enemy rather he returned bringing with him all his Provision by this means giving occasion of a Battel which In its Issue proved fortunate enough to the English had it 〈◊〉 been sullied by the Death of Sir Philip Sydney a young Gentleman born with the greatest Advantage of all things â— as who had honoured the Nobility of his Birth and greatness of his Wealth by the true Splendor of all Beautifying Learning in this excelling his Uncle the Earl of Leicester to whâ— and his Fortune how great soever it might come to be in the future he was intended Successour Not long after this Leicester got a Castle over against Zutphen on the other side the River which was begun by the Netherlanders who being forced thence by the increase and overflowing of the River left it to be finished by the Enemy The Charge of â— his with all the Land of Welaw was given by the Earl of Leicester to Rowland York before-named the Government of Daveâ—ry which he had before provoked to Madness by a Garrison â— Irish Souldiers stâ—angers both to Humanity and Civility upon Suspition of Revolt he committed to William Stanley and both these were done against the positive Will of the State who for divers weighty Reasons best known to themselves and as the Event proved feared the Treachery of those Men. I would not be taken here to accuse the Earl of Leicester of any unfaithfulness
want yet this fear and the Royalists Forces lying round about them were hardly able to restrain the People from revolting On the other side you might see the Towns of Holland enlarging themselves within their forbidden bounds and without and in the Sea-Ships lye up and down on every Coast And really I think this almost to be the only Nation which hath thriven by Trading and Commerce more in the War than it could have done in time of Peace and therefore to be accounted most fortunate if the beginnings its of greatness had not been held back and wasted by civil discords while they had also a powerful Enemy within their bowels the usuall end of old States and decaying Fortunes Altapen a Captain of the Spanish Party after he had drawn over the Town of Geldres whence the whole Province of Gelderland takes its name with the Governour thereof by Covenants was slain at Boisledue by Count Hohenlo he left him a Castle to take near the Town which from that slaughter committed there took the name of Crevicour But the Duke of Parma with a violent and almost incredible force of Guns and other Warlike Engines mightily weakened and damnified Sluys a Town by him then besieged in the furthest Coast of Flanders by the Sea-side that fronts Zeland an Isle called Catzen lying on the back thereof Which when the Earl of Leicester understood returning without any delay he resolves but in vain to break into the Haven but when his mind was altered going to Ostend because of the Enemy he pitched his Tents and fame increasing the number of his Army whose bigness was not yet known it appeared at last that each of them had been afraid of the others Forces more than they needed The Earl of Leicester marching away first imputed the losse of the Town which was very ill resented by all not to the Enemies valour nor the endeavours of their party yet not well agreeing in regard of suspitions for now his whole study was anew to prosecute and revive the long covered and almost forgotten dissentions and to lay the fault upon the States To this purpose he gives out that when he went about to repell and drive away the Enemy that both Souldiers Mony and all things else were afforded him with evill will and what at last they sent was hardly enough for Garrisons and Forts not proportionable in any respect for an Army And if their poverty was such they could afford no more why did they still involve the Common-wealth in such a desperate Case to the mischiefs of an unhappy and lingring Warre for now the Spaniard began to use his accustomed Policies after Victory and the Queen her self seemed to incline to Peace although a Fleet sent out under the Conduct of Captain Drake by wasting and spoiling the Coasts of Spain declared to the World how weak that Kingdom was at home that was feared so much abroad and another Fleet under Cavendish had roved over another Coast of America and fallen upon the Molucca Islands bringing away great advantage But many things now frighted her being a Woman and growing into years as the frequent Rebellions of the Irish who had now in the Belgick Warres become well skilled in Military Discipline That Scotland was suspected as a private foe while the Spaniard declared himself a publick Enemy That France had no kindness for her and not a few in England were desirous of novelty But the States knowing how much it had otherwise prejudiced their Affairs throwing off as much as they could any mention of a Treaty if the Treasury could be faithfully managed they denyed the annual pay of thirty Florens for that was properly the Wages of all the Forces except the English Auxiliaries and Souldiers for Sea-Service to be despised as such an inconsiderable allowance when the Prince of Aurange had oftentimes brought greater matters to passe with less charge and fewer men adding further That wise and considerate 〈◊〉 knew how to make the best use of a little whereas when men caâ—â— lightly and easily by money yet they are never satisfied though they have too much Afterwards some Letters of the Earl of Leicesters to his Friends being found wherein they were accused that they had forgot their duty and unjustly busied themselves in matters of importance not belonging to them they to wit the States do by an Edict set forth and declare that of old the Peoples Right was in them and of late the Princes Right was translated over to them that they still kept both notwithstanding the delated Lieutenancy and divers other things they spoke of relating to the honour of their Convention and whereby they might clear themselves from the objected crime of ambition But Leicesters hopes were now grows higher than to stand upon delaying niceties and policies that were understood wherefore scorning that the People should any longer have a voyce among the Magistrates with an hasty over-ruling Confidence he prepares by faction and Garrisons to bring under his Yoak the Cities that stood more inward upon the Land and thence to throw a sudden terrour upon the rest not taking warning by the example of Valois whom such an endeavoured violence thrust out of the Government though setled therein by Contract and Agreement But before the danger the whole Plot laid by the Inhabitant strangers of Leyden was discovered many of whom suffered death as a worthy punishment for seeking to induce novelty in a State where they were strangers And although perchance some of these might be offenders rather out of ignorance than malice yet was that severity towards them very necessary and broke the whole design of all either begun or intended commotions Thus at last being openly discovered guilty of an unworthy and unlawful ambition he went away into England And there the Queen after she had sent the Lord Buckhurst no great Friend of his to inquire into the Affairs of the Low-Countries that the less notice might be taken thereof in the Council protected him by her Royall Power yet made him to abjure all Authority over the Netherlands But while he yet supported his old Partakers with Letters and was after laid aside from Military Affairs by England he lived not out a full year uncertain whether taken off by his Wives Treachery who as it were confessed her Adultery in his Life by her unequal Marriage after his death or by any other means unnatural or the common Fate However it was his death was not so much lamented by the Queen as it was rejoyced at by the Low-Country men who were thereby once more freed from a Danger than which a greater in all their Affairs never hung over them In the interim of these Affairs Collonel Schenck took by Surprize Bonne a City of Germany scituate on this side the Rhine and then possessed by the Bavarian Now was there as one may say a Cessation of Arms throughout the Netherlands for the Duke of Parma did not as he was wont with so
Thus being frustrate of his hope while both the English and Hollanders being otherwise taken up denyed relief to greater necessities as well as to him he exhorts the Souldiers left in the Garrison to keep off the Enemy which they might with safety and valiantly to endure the Siege which accordingly they did and killing Baptista Taxis an eminent Spanish Commander and comming off Victors in many Sallies after the Enemy with six moneths toyl and hazard had in a manner beaten down all the Fortifications and the besieged suffered great hunger he delivered the City upon honourable Conditions into the Power of the Bishop a Bavarian for that name was used though Spanish Souldiers entred into and held the City Hence Count Mansfeldt is commanded who in the beginning of Autumn had carryed a Recruit to the Lord Cimace's Forces the Siege being now ended to attaque with part of the same Wacttendonc a Town that lies in the upper part of Gelderland near the little River Nersa The Garrison consisted of some Companies of Shenckes men and the scituation of the place being very marshy and the depth of Winter made the coming to an assault very difficult But the ground being raised by the Besiegers unto the heighth of a little Hill from whence they should look down upon the Houses and the Bullets shot from that place at some times and at other times fire cast thence into the Town so infested the Townsmen whom another fear had likewise possessed least the coming of a great Frost should make all those moyst and wet places by Ice passeable for the Enemy that they perswaded the Souldiers not to stand out hopeless of any second Relief because the Forces of their Allyes were small and a great way off and hazard all their lives and fortunes However the Town was defended till the very end of the year the continuing of the Siege till which time what with the extremity of the weather and what with want of necessaries cost many thousand of the Besiegers lives though at last they compassed their intentions by the getting of the Town At this time by reason of the great expense charge damage and losse of the Spanish Fleet which had wonderfully exhausted the Kings Treasure the Army had been a long time without any pay by reason whereof there were frequent Seditions and the hopes of great plunder allured many to revolt to the Enemy so that the Hollanders safe within their Rivers a little enlarging their bounds did without danger or detriment make incursions into the Enemies Country But the States of these parts while they shunned new fell into their old pressures for some who had been in Arms under the Arch-Duke Matthias and the Duke of Anjon Francis de Valois and boldly usurping the name of Princes strangers by publick Authority seized all the Dutch Ships that were in or about Scotland But an Embasse being sent to the Princes informed them of their error as â— understanding the Customs of Holland for the Hollanders though they assisted divers Cities with their Forces yet they never made themselves lyable to any debts by them contracted for they were only subject to the Authority of the Prince of Aurange Neither did they now rightly demand from the confederate States what those Provinces did owe which had receded from the League This I thought fit to insert because by such Speeches 〈◊〉 did refell those prejudicial exactions and occasion there was given of covenanting with the Commanders that remained with an Oath concerning their old debts to be paid by certain portions to the great ease of the Commonwealth Among these things partly by a common fear and partly by the Prisoners of Utrecht who thought to remedy their folly by pertinacy the differences begun by the Earl of Leicester burst out fresh But the Carrison Souldiers of Gertruydenburg consisting of one thousand five hundred Foot and three hundred Horse because they had usurped a greater Licence from the occasion of the discords than they supposed could be pardoned and fearing an Infamy among their fellow Souldiers would not be reduced to order but remained arrogant by the Neighbour-hood of the Enemy At the beginning of their Sedition though they turned out their present Officers and elected whom they pleased yet they would not hearken either to the Duke of Parma's Letters or Messengers Afterwards some Agents for the Enemy being mingled amongst them their ignorance not minding them and those Agents sent to the Hollanders to treat with them upon their return setting forth the threats they had heard to the worst with the fear of punishment they not only became enemies themselves but provoked others to be so so that contempt made them outragious after Willoughby the Colonel of the English Auxiliarias under pretence of appeasing the Souldiery had in truth made his Kinsman Wingfield the head of the Sedition according to the Advice of the Town and bestowed the pay sent by the States so as he might oblige or make sure such as were suspected not by any certain Rule but as he hoped to have them upon occasion whereupon the Souldiers mocked at them as being deceived by them and abused what they had as if it had been booty And as soon as the Captains and the Souldiers by their example had spent this money in riot and excess they sent forth parties of Horse every way to plunder and bring in booty from the Country Nay they retained all Ships that came within their reach without any distinction of friend or foe nor did they spare the Provinces that were absolutely at peace Thus passing the Winter they were solicited to treache-which would procure an easie Pardon for all their crimes by Odourdo Lanzavecchia the Governour of Breda for as he said true the manner of their offending was dangerous and that might be urged for an excuse to the Duke of Parma which neither the English or Hollander would ever admit of This Counsel they being now ready to receive any impression of evill hearkened to and according to the Custom of Sedition were inraged with all that perswaded otherwise And forthwith all of them as it were possessed with a sudden Frenzy seize all the Townsmens Arms some few in that mad multitude not daring to speak for fear The name of Englishmen is pre ended for all this uproar as well by the Captainâ— and most others of that Nation as by the Dâ— Souldiers themselves And the more insolent they grow 〈◊〉 more is impunity offered to them by Letters from the States who began to fear the worst desiring them to return to their Colours forgetting all those discords which publike erroâ— and the malice of fate had thrown amongst them and that they would do an acceptable piece of Service to the Common-wealth if they would put an end to those disturbances although they did not begin them But their Consciences accâ—sing them of all their evill deeds made them afraid to give credit to this Invitation Hereupon it was put
few fled and escaped with their Captain Vere having given this famous Testimony of his Valour and Judgment was shortly after prefer'd to the highest Dignitie to his great Renown Varembunius laid the blame upon Charles Mansfield for he was present also for the greatest part of this loss though he had brought to him at the time of this Fight some Companies out of the Isle of Bommell because lately both of them suing for the same Command wherein Charles being denyed and the other preferred it was said he now deserted him a emulous of his Glory But by this means the Conquerour-afterwards brought in safely to the Besieged all their Carriages both with Provision and Men they also having near the same time made a lucky Sally into the next Quarter of the Enemies Leaguer and this done returning through by-ways they escaped any danger intended to them by the Enemy And now the Besieged were in so good condition that they slighted the Enemies Forces though of late much recruited until the Spaniard had by force taken a Castle near to Rees that was their onely hopes of Succour and supply of Provisions Three Months after this in the next year the Winter continued when the Hollanders considering seriously with themselves that they had not Forces enough to relieve a place so far distant from them as occasion would require came at length to this last Result That the Town should be surrendred upon Honourable Conditions And thus the Duke of Parma obtained Berck and not so contented he clandestinely sought to get Bonne and Nuisse Cities belonging to the Dutchy of Cleves and this he did with the more Confidence in regard of the Prince's Age and Infirmity having also won many of the Nobles to be his Pensioners Thus he got Possession of Arnhem not far from the Rhine Not was Aquisgrave a free City of the German Empire let alone at peace among so many broils for Philip claiming the Custody of that City as antiently belonging to the Princes of Brabant for he endeavour'd to hide his Ambition of being Lord under the Title of Guardian thereof by his Edict banish'd many of the Inhabitants who had forsaken the Roman Religion But their stay being bought off with a Sum of Money given to the King's Commanders content onely to have wasted and forrag'd the Fields left the City until many years after the Fury of several Parties falling upon Germany this City among the rest was seized under the pretence of Right While the Armies thus range about the Maes and the Rhine and meeting Parties skirmish and fight every where the Mauricians got exceeding much Booty for the Hope wasted all the Enemies Country with Fire and Sword carrying away all manner of Provisions having either kill'd or driven away all those â—hat defended it But notwithstanding all this the most cruel Battails were at Sea because the Hollanders being stronger there had absolutely taken away all things that were wont to be Chaffer between Equals in Power by which means the Spaniard had lost all benefit of Exchange After this if any Enemies could prevail so much in strength as to infest all that Traded at Sea by Robbery they were called Pyrates Hence it came that the Flâ—drians provoked by their frequent Losses and such as fled out of the Hollanders Ships conscious to themselves of any great Crime as such men generally are fierce out of a desire both of Revenge and Prey put to Sea and not onely seized unarm'd Trading Ships but many times indanger'd the more able Many times it fell out and it is not to be forgotten because it equall'd the greatest Adventures of Antiquity that when any one part had by Boarding the others Vessel intermingled their Companies they in danger rather than be taken would with Gun-powder blow up both themselves and the Enemy so much do they care who despair of Life not to dye unrevenged The Kingdom of Spain which hitherâ—o had been undisturbed in the midst of all her Neighbour's Troubles now first began to be sensible of a War brought Home to her for the English accompanied with the Hollander's Ships and Souldiers advenâ—urously Forage all the Sea-Coasts of Gallicia afterwards they re-settle Don Antonio in his Kingdom pitching their Camp about Lisbone The Queen sent out six of her Ships on this Design the rest being One Hundred and Twenty Sir Francis Drake Commanded General Norris had the Conduct of the Foot Souldiers the Prey taken to be divided between them And so great was their good Success at the beginning that Albertus of Austria who was Governour of the City in the Name of King Philip had prepared himself for flight But by the Advice of some private persons in regard of the doubtfulness of the Portugezes Allegiance the small Provision they had of things necessary and that several Diseases raged among them springing chiefly from intemperate Drinking they went away and left all things unsetled whether because King Antonio was not able to perform the vain Promises he made of the Peoples Affection to and the Moors Assistance of him or that their too suddain Departure spoiled the Design is yet in doubt But sure it is the Hollanders were not hearkned to who had both offered and shewed themselves ready to defend and keep all the Castles and Forts on the Sea-Coast as well as the Entrance into the Kingdom As soon as ever the Siege was broke up presently all who had at this time been observed by the Spaniard to wish for a Change were very severely punished But the English did nothing more unless that they made appear the weakness of the Spanish Grandezza in that they were never hindred by them either at their Landing or during their stay nor ever resisted them in the Demand or taking of their Forts or Castles and a Fleet of Germans coming from the Baltick Cities being met and taken as Prize gave occasion to those People by Legates and Writing to contest among themselves whether Provisions wherewith People being at Peace with them do help the Enemy may rightfully be taken as Prize and disposed of accordingly And now France divided into parties was ingaged in â— like quarrel after the King had caused to be slain the Duke of Guise the head of that publike defection nor did the King long survive Guise being soon after assassined by a Monk he was the last of the name and Family of Valois in whose revenge as also of the Duke of Guise the whole Kingdom was divided into Arms. Without doubt by the Customs of France the right of Succession belonged to the Family of Bourâ—â— But Henry the head thereof Prince of Bearne who was called by the name of King of Navarre though hardly enjoying any thing besides the name for that the Spaniard had violently wrested it away he I say professing the Religion which they call Reformed though he promised equall Justice to both had drawn to him all the Nobility but the Cities and Towns would not receive or
hath been often girt about with ditches whereinto the Sea floweth especially on the North part and there is also a Redout and the whole by cutting away a part of the Bank is washed by the Estuary of the Maes like an Island It was at this time defended by Matthias Hellye one of the famous Adventurers in the taking of Breda who had as many Souldiers as he thought fit out of the next Islands After the Parmensians had spent some dayes in battering the place to no purpose they prepared Bridges and other Engines and materials for an assault and therewithall a Ship was set into the water and Armed men stood round about in the Station at the top of the Mast that were by the continual casting of Darts to drive away the Defendants The besieged as soon as they saw it approaching sent out in opposition to it Boats set on fire but the Wind averted that danger and drove it the Enemies Ship to the Banck And as it drew near the strong eddy or Whirlepoole of the River turning it round brought it into the Trench some set upon it as it lay upon the Shallowes o herâ— cast flaming fire-brands into it and the Souldiers from the top of the Mast are thrown down lying open to all wounds being obvious to the Enemy on the contrary side was intended and so this stratagem wrought not its effect Mansfeldt observing the great slaughter of his men and the resolute fidelity of the Garrison as also that he was no lesse worsted in the adjacent little Islands began to doubt and despair as well of the Siege of Breda as of its being betrayed And in the mean time while he lingers in vain about the Town the Horse that were therein wearied him out with daily Sallies and Skirmishes But Prince Maurice recollecting his Souldiers and though he had but a small Army about four thousand Foot and very few Horse marched into Gelderland as if he had had a design upon Nimmeghen But the Engine prepared to the sudden assault by the use whereof against the walls they would have fallen down missed of its hoped success this Engine was found among some French materials it was in the form of a Hat wherein were included Gunpowder Bullets and square pieces of Iron thenceforth knowing the weakness of his Forces and finding himself not fit for a Siege because from the adjacent places both Arms and Provision were daily brought into the City he resolved to draw off yet for a time he continued there and wearied them at a distance to try if by that meanes he could possibly withdraw the Enemy froâ— Breda which happened according to his expectation for after both of them had thus vainly spent their time in Sieges Mansfeldt with his encreased forces striving to help the neighbouring parts because the City in regard of the Souldiers known effeminacy scorned his most able defences pitched between the Maes and the Wael But Prince Maurice kept his Army within the Isle of Helland and to prevent the Enemies passing over the River he sent Ships into the Wael and fortified the whole Bank of the River with Forts and Guards from the division of the Rhâ—ne unto the place where the Maes falls into it in which place Count Sobâ— who commanded some Select Companies given to him by Prince Maurice was ordered to intrench himself in the Isle of Voorne as if he had been about to incamp And a large cut was made from the Waâ—l into the Rhine whereby without danger from Nimmeghen any Forces or Provisions might be brought from or carryed into Germany and several great Banks erected to restrain the overflowings of the Rivers chiefly at the charge and by the pains of the Hollanders 〈◊〉 were greatly benefitted thereby as well in point of Security as Trade and Prince Maurice at the same time getting this safe defence over against Nimmeghen built a continuing Station for his Camp The Souldiers gave it the name of Knâ—dsenburg from thence into the City which pleasantly ariseth as it were out of the Bank and from the City against the Workmen there was a vast nay almost an infinite exchange of Bullets But they that wrought in the building of the Castle did either work in the night or were fain to set up blindes to preserve them from the Shot But the greatest mischief afflicting the Townsmen was the falling down of Towers Steeples and other eminent Structures upon their heads and ready with their falls to destroy them So that now there was no safe Habitation in all the Town and the River was quite taken from them by which inconveniencies being a People not used to War and desirous of Commerce and Trade by little and little they were drawn to change their Masters Thus was the Summer spent at Nimmeghen when the Duke of Parma having been again to drink the Spaw waters and the success of his Affairs more luckily suiting his desires began a little to recover his health For Ricardot a constant participater with the Duke of all his Counsels had brought back out of Spain to him very gracious and well-pleasing Letters wherein after his confirmation in his old Government he received Orders concerning the French War for the King was of opinion that that being near he would not refuse it and that the difficulty of the undertaking would make him forget his present cares But the Duke of Parma was of another mind which was to leave the French to the division of their own quarrel untill the Netherlands were wholly reduced or quieted But well knowing that Princes humours must be born by one that is engaged he made a vertue of necessity imagining Honour offered him which by himself must be made glorious by dangerous enterprises Wherefore going into Henalt that by his vicinity he might take care the more easily Messengers followed him thither with the news of Egmonds overthrowes wâ— the slaughter of his Auxiliaries at Eureux and that the Conquerours Army pressed hard upon the Parisians And not lâ— after the Duke of Guise's Brother and Successor coming on him to associate Counsels he did publickly testifie that ill fortune of their parties At last after several debates and private Consultations with the chief Commanders concerning the managery of the War the Duke of Parma towards the end of Summer lead all the choyce and picked Souldiers of the Kings Army into France And new Levies followed out of Germany and those other Spanish Mutineeâ—s from Courtray and Menin but before their departure they compelled the Townsmen to give them part of their pay and the rest they had from the King and then was that president instituted for perpetuity that a Scuâ—e in payment to the Souldier should be currant for ten Royals The whole number of Foot was twelve thousand and of Cavalry there were three thousand The chief care of all Affairs in the Netherlands was left to Peter Ernest Count Mansfeldt as Deputy Regent the rest of the Souldiers left behind
out of fear compelled to obey them â— may be observed among the Indians who reverence them as they do Evil Spirits that they may not hurt them He to wit Paâ—a without blame undermines by Treachery the Cities of Cleâ—â— Others are voluntarily delivered as a Pledge of Friendship by him whose due they were as the Revenue of his Ecclesiastical Proâ—tions as is said which now are really become trusty Recepâ—cles of Villany and so many Dens for Robbery Nay the most opulent and wealthy Prince when his Souldiers want Money pâ—â—ts out you for their Pay Masters and whole Regiments of Souldiers as well as others are made fat with German Tributes We at this time onely strive for this that we may not suffer an unlike Fortune in a like Cause We certainly if ever â— People labour to keep our Souldiery unblameable and peaceable towards all our Neighbours by our constant Pay to them Our Subjects bear us Witness and the Legal Punishments inflicted on â— that are guilty that as far as War is to be Governed we striveâ— preserve the Peace of all that do not disturb us Onely herein â— hope you will pardon us if sometimes the Souldier takes may upon him than the Officers or Magistrates We have hitherto maintained the antient Estimation of Holland even in the Mischiefs of War among the most remote Nations much less shal we the antient Companions and Followers of the Romane Prowess and so near allied in Bloud to the Germans by any Perfidy violate that Great Parent which always furnished us with Captains instructed us in Vertue and shewed us the Example of Liberty As for Gravewaerdt the chief Government of it long before the War and Charges of a Disputed Right belonged to Gelderland as standing in that Jurisdiction We hold it not to injure others but to defend our Selvss and our Borders And for the rest of the Towns and Castles although being taken from the Enemy they lost their Priviledge of Peace yet we shall willingly yield them that as Force first began from the Spaniard so with us Right shall be both a beginning and Example The Burden laid upon Trade that passeth our Borders is nothing so heavy to our Neighbouring Nations as to our own People they have necessitated by War though they be no other than such as are frequently demanded and taken by most Potent Princes And to remove our Guards of Shipping when the Enemy lies all about the Rivers is not consistent in Policy with Safety but they are rather Safeguards to all such as pass that way and likewise defend you as well as our Selves About this time there came also an Embassie both from Colen and Leige Bojoarus was Bishop of both places Wherefore the States not medling with the cause of Truxius his Quarrel they complained of many things against the Bishop whose unasatiable Avarice took Confidence onely from the Spanish Greatness assisting him However they assured to Colonian's Safety and Peace if as standing in the middle they would onely converse with Parties as Neuters But the Condition of them of Leige was far different having both done and suffer'd by connivence many Acts of Hostility Against them also was objected the punishment of such as were innocent under colour of vindicating Religion and afterwards when the rest of the Netherlands were possessed by the Spaniards intermixedly they so openly set out for them Winter-quarters and raised Summer Provisions that if we may not plainly say it was a Voluntary Act yet we may well say it was not Compulsory And therefore to hope for Peace where they had so deserved and in the interim upon Order to send away their Prisoners there was little Reason It would not be amiss or any ways absurd to dive further into these Matters that both the Reason of War against the adjoyning Cities and what Peace they may expect may be understood And indeed after this there was Freedom taken both for Rapine and Injuries as every Province inclined hither or thither out of fear of Danger or sometimes out of Design They hardly ever took a Voyage free from Arms and Force while both endeavouring to get away by that very means drew on the Enemy Thus in several renewed Embassies there was nothing but the same over again heard at spoken But the Hollander yielded up several strong Holds as desired but in truth because they were so far distant that they could not easily be maintained or defended and that they might thereby heap upon the Spaniard Envy if not bring upon him a War because he would perform none of those things which before he had agreed to And there were some in the German Dyet who would have nothing but Force and Arms used against them for neglect of performing their Promise But the other Princes and Bishops who continued all in one Society of the Catholike Religion or were otherwise obliged to one another broke the strength of that Design to use Force by procrastinating Consultations and the hope of a Pacification with the Netherlands And now some were sent from the Confederate States to complain that they were betrayed by the Treachery of their Enemies and the careless Sloth and Neglect of their Friends They having given away from themselves the Rewards of their Pains and Charge in the War for as yet Truxius did not appear while Philip yet unquestion'd kept possession of all the Cities near the Rhine Nor could they obtain of the Emperour any whit the less every year to forbear to assist the Spaniard with Arms though he saw them averse to the desired Peace At the end of the year the Duke of Parma returning from France was afflicted and vexed with many things though he brought with him the Honour of having freed Paris from a cruel Siege and bringing his Army Home safe from among so many dangerous and mortal Enemies For both himself and his Army were hated by the French Commons and the Cities would not receive Garrisons of his Men for fear of Forreign Servitude so that here all Philip's hopes were blasted and he found there was no relying on such uncertain Friendship Another of his Vexations was That by the Enemies Excursions most of the Fortifications through the whole Netherlands had been Reduced That Verdugo in Frizeland onely taking the small Castle of Ementell had in all other Maâ—ters of War been unfortunate and the Souldiers at that present were ready to Mutiny And the Townsmen of Venâ—e a place in Gelderland near the Maes startled him for they being perplexed with the tedious Evils of a double Garrison first by the help of the German Souldiers drove out the Italians and afterwards taking more courage became too strong for them and turned them out Besides another Sedition grew more violent among the selected men hastned through Germany by Mansfeldt to hinder Prince Maurice his Progress because he had provided for the new raised men part of their wages and debarred the rest from any This Mansfeldt was an old Commander
in the War that made them rage against him more furiously Thus being about Herentals and other adjacent Towns of Brabant as if they had been Enemies they spoiled all that part of the Country which is called Kempenlandt yet pretended themselves the Kings Souldiers and if any resistance was made against them neither Rapes Murthers or any other villany was by them accounted unlawfull Thus while they harassed the Fields though the pay decreased yet their number that demanded it was increased But the Duke of Parma said that he suspected the Souldiery ought to have been dispersed into severall fortifyed Cities and there mixed with the new raised men Indeed it was time to shut the Stable-door when the Horse was stollen And this Counsel coming too late served to little purpose otherwise for surely the onely removing of the mischief to another place was but miserable comfort to a publick â—lamity But this Advise brought not to them so much 〈◊〉 but instead thereof more seditious Souldiers daily came together who being wearied with a hard and pinching Jâ— quickly laid hold of that opportunity to ease themselves and forcibly to seize those rewards which their Commandâ— had formerly denyed them But the Duke of Parma had â— some Companies in France with the chief Commander of the Guisian Faction to whom the Prince of Ascoli was commanded to conduct some more according to their desire 1591. The Enemies Forces being in this manner divided and the Souldiery remaining at home disobedient and â—fractory or else but lately raised the confederate Proâ—ces fleshed with the last years success now took heart and they who before could scarce defend their own bounds without great fear and hazard now resolve to invade others Some perswaded them to forbear till the Duke of Parâ— was gone into France but others thought it best to lay 〈◊〉 of all opportunities and if they did nothing else yet it 〈◊〉 well worth their time and labour to hinder the Duke of Parma's Journy into France Neither did they continue long â— suspence from what part to begin their business for although the Frizoâ—s desired their ayd yet it was of great concernment to them to free Issell from Garrisons of Spaniards to whom all Gelderland as well the Betuwe as the Velume and the others that were near for fear of the Hollanders incuâ—â—ons were tributary the which grievously enslaved ever since the Prince of Aurange his time they had omitted hindered either by their own weakness or the Enemies power As soon therefore as the time of going abroad to forage was come and the Souldiers numbers compleated and their pay ordered among them Sir Francis Vere whom the Queen had made her General of the English first went toward Deâ—burg Some few of his men in the habit of Country-women with Baskets running as if they fled from a following Enemy got into the Fort that lies over against Zutphen onely separated by the River whereinto they were no sooner entred but quickly laying hands on their Weapons which were hid under their Cloaths partly with theâ— and partly with Weapons taken there they killed the first Sentinels ere they were aware and afterwards the rest surprized with amaze and fear were easily either killed or taken Vere had not held the Fort above one day when Prince Maurice came thither with all his Army of eight thousand Foot and two Wings of Horse making two thousand they brought with them all things necessary for the assault of a Town And for the more ease of the Pâ—ince there attended a Selected Counsel of the Senate to the Companions of his Cares But fame hereof coming to the Enemy it was believed the Army was bent against the Cities of Brabant or elâ—e to take Gertruydenberg because a few dayes before the Sâ—uâ—â—iers had in those parts taken Forts and Castles And â—he Prince forwarded in them this error at first by a doubâ—full march as if he intended to go to the Maes but on a sudden at the winding of the Rhine turning into Issell there met him Count William and two thousand Frizons drawn out of the Garrisons Here Intelligence was received both from Sir Francis Vere and some Prisoners that the Banck was to be possessed Here the Enemy was secure in other places he was afraid and therefore that the City was neither well fortifyed nor victualled but for a few dayes That the besieged before any Relief or Provisions could be brought to them might be taken by foâ—ce there no being in the Town above six hundred Armed men and nothing considerable of force could be raised by the Citizens most of them having formerly left the place to avoid the Souldiers insultations At the very first Skirmish Count Falcosteyne the chiefest of all Truxius his Commanders was slain while he too furiously pursued the beaten Enemy flying into the Town but his body was fetched off and rescued from villanous usage Upon the River were placed Ships fixed with Anchors in form of â— Bridge which reaching orderly from Banck to Banck joynâ— the Souldiers Quarters together with a safe passage 〈◊〉 from thence others were commanded to dismantle all 〈◊〉 Guards upon the wayes and another part were ordered 〈◊〉 draw oblike and crooked Trenches up to the Castle that 〈◊〉 the casting up of the Earth they might come safe from the Enemies Darts or Shot up to undermine the very Walls and to this work the night was designed The Seamen and Marriners whose readiness and coâ— in Maritime Affairs was here of very great use for thâ— brought thirty great Guns with more celerity than Horse part into a little Island in the River and part against the main Buildings of the City that they might with the continuall Thunder thereof shake and overthrow that part of the Works which was weakest in regard the River was of it 〈◊〉 a strong defence But in the City though struck with a sâ—den fear yet they ran up and down every where to prevâ—â— the Enemies endeavours they increased the Rampiâ—es at the Gate shut up by the foe and within began new Works by which time a certain number of Cannon being shot off according to Military Custom Messengers were sent by the Prince with threats of the greatest extremity unless they would submit and render the Town They pray a time to consult but that would not be granted whereupon conscious to themselves of the want of many things and how fâ— they were to defend the large circuit of the Walls they â— rendered upon Articles that the Souldiers should march away safe and undisturbed and the Townsmen if they pleâ—ed might stay being ordered and governed according to the Laws and Customs of the confederate Cities According to which conclusion many Sieges afterwards being ended we shall not so often repeat the same The Spaniards found fault with the too hasty rendition of the Town and therefore the Governour of it as long as the Duke of Parma lived was never suffered to come to Court The fifth day after
boggle at the most adventurous Enterprizes With great speed therefore an Expedition into Frizeland was begun and least in the absence of the Army the Enemy should make any Imâ—ons the Regiments lately raised in Holland were ordered to keep good and strong Guards upon the Wael The Prouisions of War and all other Things that might impede their Journey being put aboard some Ships were carryed out of the Issel into the Zuyderzee and so through the Ocean to the River Ems. The Souldiery by this means free from Porsage onely in passing over the Marshes they carryed besides their Daily Provision Faggots were led into that part of Over-Issels which is called Drent where the People had inclosed their Marshy Grounds with a great many young Shoots of Places growing together for the Enemy stopped the better way being possessed of Coevorden which some did advise the Army to take as they went least from thence the Enemy should pâ—e them in the Rear averring that Verdugo who kept that Castle might easily be beaten thence either by some Stratagems publike Force or want of Victuals But this Câ—â—el was not approved by reason of the difficult bringing either of great Carriages for Battery in a Land-March and also because there was less necessity of fighting at Groeâ—â—g Among many other inconveniencies the Army met with in their March thither one was a Meor containing in 〈◊〉 Three Thousand five hundred Paces And though the upper Crustiness of the Turf was so hardned notwithstanding Natural Moisture underneath that it would endure a few to go over it yet such as follow'd in the Third or Fourth Rank sunk so deep into the yielding Mud that they could hardly be drawn out though sometimes their Captains came and gave their helping hand to them that so the Toil might not seem so grievous to the Souldier and in a few hours the whole Army had passed it which all the Inhabitants thereabouts had thought impossible to be done But the Souldiers could not be restrained by any Authority to forbear Injuring to the Country as they marched according to the Evil Custom of Armies their pilfering stealing and wasting of what would have served for many days had almost caused want of Provision and that would have bred a Sedition but that the Ships came in season loaded with Provision to prevent the same Now were all the Tents pitched about Groening where the Prince conceived a good hope of Success from the variable and unconstant behaviour of the Vulgar against those in Authority as also from the Discords within the City But indeed too confident in their words by Relations above Truth had for their own advantage drawn the Army thither 'T is true there were some within who remembred the League of Union but they were over-powred by the adverse Faction Moreover Verdugo upon the Report of the Armies coming into those Parts had strengthned both Steoâ—wic and Coevorden with Garrisons and with the Remainder of his Forces was come to Groening before Prince Maurice yet was not for all that admittâ— within the Gates for the City when it first submitted excepted that one particular but kept his proper Guards in the Suburbs as well to the Terrour as the Aid of the City The Prince not staying above six days there for fear the City should as out of Necessity admit that Garrison within their Walls and so for the future all their hopes be utterly lost an likewise because he heard the Duke of Parma was preparing an Army to raise the Siege on a suddain falls upon all the circumjacent Forts whereby all the Ways and Passages of Rivers were stopped And which had in the Series of this long War been often subverted by the Frizons and as often re-built Great was the Fear and Dread of the Souldiers as having been more accustomed to Theft and Depopulations than Fighting few of them enâ—uring more than the very sight of the Caâ—on and the weake places they left without any Siege at all The greatest Castle of all named Delfeziel and famous for a Hâ—ven where Fivel falls into the Ems was held by Souldiers of Groening the conveniency of the place had of old wâ—ough upon all that desired the Dominion of the City to get or keep iâ— which the Duke of Alva attempted but was hindred by the Times The States now having gotten this place inlarged the Old and strengthned it with new Works making the Tributes of the places near thereto bear the Charge dividing the Sea-Bank from the Rampire and building Houses therein threaâ—ning Groening That unless they repented they would not leave it any Inhabitants And at the same time a great wâ— of all Things shrewdly tempted the inclosed to alter their Faith and consequently their Lords But after the Prince had drawn away his Army Verdugo making his way by force through the weakest Fort opened a Passage to the City out of Westfalia by Bourtange But the Duke of Parma coming too late to help either Zutâ—â— or Deventer and imagining the Enemy durst not have â—â—â—uted so far for that many of the Spaniards by reason of their ill pay would not be commanded doubtful whither he should lead his Forces being now met together about the Maes and the Rhine either to distract the Enemy in his Design or to match after him voluntarily which would be the more noble and so to help Groening as he was desired he was deterred from the latter by the excessive greatness of the Iourney and besides all the Country lying between was wasted and spoiled either by the Frizon Souldiers or his own Wherefore at last he resolved to answer the desire of Nimmeghen whither being come he commanded the River to be passed over and the Fort which Prince Maurice had the former year begun to be besieged himself would do all that was necessary in the City Count Barlaymont lay upon that side of Knodsenburg which looks Eastward Another was Beleagueâ—'d by Octavius Count Mansfeldt who was shortly after shot by the Besieged and dyed of the Wound He was a Noble Person and although but young yet ambitious of Honour and for the winning thereof would shun no danger The back-side of the Fort was inclosed by the Horse and some other Regiments Lamotte brought thither the Artillery with ease by the help of the Rising Bank He afterwards finding the Bulwark too strong for the Cannon though a great part of the Ravelin was beaten down and seeing the Enemy were not terrified at the sight of the Army drawn up in Battel Array against them filled the Trench with Oziers and other Boughs and after that sends some privately to undermine the Bulwark they in the mean time who were to fill the Ditch helping the Work forward with many of their dead Bodies But the Defendants that were Six Hundred under the Command of Gerard Junius a Man of great Courage were ready in all places to answer the Force or Policy of the Enemy with Shot and otherwise many times by
if it should either rain or snow because the natural moysture and marishness of the ground would be exceedingly increased wherefore the Prince returning Victor into Holland loaden with honourable fame even among forraign Nations he was received by the 〈◊〉 even with an excess of joy The people of old were wont to rejoyce at their Princes good fortune as from Command not obliged by duty They had known the former Prince of Aurang onely in disguise under the Cloud of adverse fortune And in the Earl of Leicester's time they were perplexed between private discords and publick murthers Now only they saw their bounds enlarged by Arms and their Government setled by Rivers and strengthned with fortifyed Towns and yet their Leader requiring no other satisfaction for all his pains and labour than the glory thereof the benefit of the success being wholly left to the Country which looked not only with hope â—ut adâ—â—tion at his youth as if it had been on purpose set apart by the divine Providence for such weighty undertakings And then again casting their unsatisfied eyes upon his countenance they gratefully reverenced that tender Age and 〈◊〉 Blood which had so often thrown it self upon dangers for their defence And without all doubt the Princes good fortune was much forwarded by celerity besides he had learned the exquisite Arts of Fortification both as to the of sensive and defensive part the besieging or defending Towns and as far as the present Age was able to instruct him was well practised in the encamping of an Army The Enemies were nothing so industrious their confidence as it is generally observed breeding carelesness and slouth and sometimes overweening Temeriâ—y They who are weakest in power are for the most part strongest in Counsel as ayming to supply by prudent Resolutions and Industry what is deficient in strength Fame also is a great assistant where the first happy events are multiplyed to the great supportation of liberty But the mayn of all was the strength of Shipping among so many Rivers without which the rest would have profited but little According to Custom the Souldiers wintered in Garrisons from whence many times small parties going out wiâ—h various success brought in booty or were circumvented by the Enemy During which times also stratagems were frequently used for getting of Towns such were they whereby here Gertruydenburg Maestrict and Scluys were offered at and in another part Breda was endeavoured to be taken but the Ambushy being discovered the Armies marched back frustrate of their designs Now was the Sea scowned from Pyrates and the Duke of Parma being for France received joyfully an Embassie sent from the Emperour to mâ— and mediate a Peace But the United Provinces suspected it as they had reason but chiefly because they had intercepted Letters from the King of Spain written concerning it wherefore they shut their eâ— against those old deceits warned by the fresh example of the Arragonians who while they unwarily discoursed of liberty were surprised by craft and drawn into slavery and ruine These People of Spain of old called Tarraconia now â—â—garly Arragon first getting possession of that part of the Country by Arms which barbarous Nations from the other side of the Sea had invaded by the Counsel of such as weâ— esteemed wise among them erected a Commonwealth At the beginning Kings that name and honour being given to a limited power were chosen here by the suffrages of the people afterwards by the Custom of several Nations their Heirs were admitted by Succession to the Government yet obliging them to the observance of the Law whereby they who were then eminent as foreseeing the inconveniencies of a Kingdom conveyed some power to the people whose Authority was to be used in publick Counsels and gave a priviledge of Supreme Magistracy even over the Kings themselves and these boundaries were well observed as long as the Princes were careful to do Right and Justice and made use of no Forces to defend Crimes But afterwards there happening a Conjunction of Kingdoms and all Spain by that means becoming subject to King Philip all mens patience was tryed by the severity of the Inquisition and every thing by new forms of Judgment was disposed and they rather fitted to the pleasure of the Court and Courtiers then squared by the Rule of the antient Law or Prescript order of Justice The Case of Anthony Perez was greatly commiserated by the People who having been employed by King Philip about Eâ—oâ—vedo's death was yet by him falsly accused of but an ordinary fault for which deprived of all Authority and flying from Castile he was yet prosecuted by the Kings rage into this Region for the King hated him because he had been active as a procurer in matters of Love And when he Instruments of wrath impudently opposed the Laws and would by no means suffer Justice they were resisted by force and the first commotions being provoked by force were afterwards nourished by gentle endeavours and dissimulation And as the Tumults begun under a malevolent constellation so the City was perswaded under pretence of the French War to suffer the Kings Army to come through its Borders and to march through Sarragosa the Metropolis of that Region and so to go over the Pyrenean Mountains But instead thereof the Nobles were murthered and every one that either with Tongue or hand had been forward to advance liberty was by revenge marked and for the future nothing remained but a prospect of Tyranny and slavery Although these things are not suitable to my purpose yet I have not neglected to insert them here at such times as they happened that Posterity may compare their fortune and the Netherlanders together that as well the faults of Princes may be known as the People may be instructed that many times the cause is no less to be minded than the Forces of a King While these Transactions were a foot otherwhere the King of France being recruited with German Souldiers and English Auxiliaries besieged Roan Queen Elizabeth desiring that he would inclose the Enemy between the River Seine and the British Ocean this made the French Confederates with Parma take his long stay the worse who being slow in making ready his Warlike preparations or else consulting of some higher design how to augment the dangers at last though late in the year having first received the Town of Fer in pledge he drew near to the Borders of Normandy There were in his Army several new raised men and those Regiments which had lately fallen into a mutiny but now were restored to their Colours being full of booty and having also received their pay which the Duke of Parma very hardly extorted by the encrease of Tributes and selling the right of Commerce to the Enemies the Netherlanders not without cause complaining that their Borders were left naked and their mony and strongest men carryed away to help strangers Pope Gregory sent also Assistance to the French Rebels â— thing not used by
his Predecessors terrifying also their foes with cursings and threats such as might have frighted a former Age but such as either feared damage or loved profit forbore to meddle and such as really intended help were soon taken off by old age It is manifest that Sixtus withholden by envy to the Spaniard and rather than he would augment his Wealth inclined to the French King and this many suspected to be a cause of hastning his death Against the plague of this concuring War the United States rigged a Fleet and sent to the King for a Guard of the very â—lower of all their Regiments ten Ensigns of Scott and the like number of Netherlanders under the Command of Philip Nassau But when the Duke of Parma for now he mustered his Army long delayed his March King Henry dismissed for the Winter most of the Nobility that were faithful to him and the only support of his necessitated War that he might have them the more ready another time They were scarce departed when the King hearing of the Enemies approach to assault him was compelled to draw his Forces together and by that means the Siege was raised But when the entrance of the Spring had brought him a Recruit of Horse he pressed upon the Enemy and forcing him beyond the River pinched him with Famine for he was impatient of any longer delay and ready to decide the cause by Battel if the Duke of Parma silently repassing the River had not marched towards Paris Wherefore the King leaving Roâ—n and taking some other Ports on that Coast into his power and fortifying them where they wanted he brought to passe that thereafter he could not be hindred of any assistance coming to him by Sea In this Interim there were some light skirmishes famous only in this that in one the King was wounded and in another the Duke of Parma which wound troubled him moâ—e than his old Disease for cure whereof he had gone to the Spaw And now wearied with France about the latter end of Summer he brings his ragged Regiments through Vermandois the nearest way to the Netherlands At this time the English while the Spaniards passed backwards and forwards in America and other places very much annoyed them both the Wind and the Sea conspiring against them to deliver them up as a publick Enemy And whils they have spoiled one another the tempestuous Sea spared neither And now also that anniversary plague of mutinous parties returned into the Netherlands and that with the more violence because the Mutineers not only wanted their pay but were pinched with the miseries of Winter Some that were quartered about the Cities of Colen grew very outragious as looking upon Germany as able to yield them booty enough But such as remained about Leige and the Country near thereto after they had by a long stay wasted all the Country about part ran away to other parts but most of them perished either by poverty or Diseases and if any yet continued healthy they were so accustomed to discord that they would range far and wide to wast and destroy and by this meanes more was to be maintained yet there were fewer to defend it But the Land under the United States was more restrained having for defence in most places Rivers running round about it and the Sea securing another part Besides the valour and vertue of the Citizens was well known that they who were raised in the inner part of the Country would help to defend the furthest parts thereof and be faithful Supplies to the Regiments abroad Hence it was that there was a desire to go out with some part of the present Forces while the Duke of Parma was not yet returned and if they had made hast without doubt many of his men wearied with Travel and worn out with Battels and then also coming from a strange Country in the Winter would not have been able to have encountred half the number of their Enemies But laying aside talk they began to think of action Holland insisted upon the Siege of Gertruydenburg But the Frizons were preferred before all that the prosperous beginnings of the last year might be perfected in this themselves also offering their own Souldiers of whom they never need to fear a scarcity if there be a War continued for any time And indeed these were the main strength of the Union as long as the other Regiments attended the War in France About this time some Letters written by the Groningers to Count Mansfeldt were intercepted which declared the necessity of their condition and how want of all things grew upon them Moreover they sent some selected Deputies to the Emperour to tell him they had not fled to the greatness of the House of Austria when they were free that now they should be left undefended to the Government of Deputies and laid open to the injuries of their Enemies should they never be so happy as to see their General and his Army at least for example sake that no people might seem to have followed the fortune of that great House without Reason or unadvisedly Which complaints being sent into Spain produced yet no other effect than Exhortations to fidelity and great promises that an Army should come and cut open their passages with the Sword One Regiment was added for defence of those places held beyond the Rhine And while Verdugo endeavours by all means to encrease his Forces Herman Count Heremberg daring nothing further infested only the lesser Fortifications about Issell from whence the Inhabitants took an occasion to contract that they would undergo the sudden brunt of both sides and that they should enjoy by the levelling of the Castles a common possession of their Lands untill both Armies had decided their quarrel by a pitched Battel in the Field At this time as it were on purpose to hinder Prince Maurice his March the newes of the Vtrecht Factions came to his Ears for that unquiet City had not yet forgotten those differences in Religion which were begun in the Earl of Leicesters time And Zeland lying far from the reach or defence of his Sword began to deny the payment of their Taxes and Assesments but these being all by him easily and with speed composed in that same Spring he marched out not with any new raised Bands but for his supply and recruit he had sent Orders to several Captains And thus he did muster of Hollanders and Frizons eight thousand Foot very near and five hundred Horse and of Artillery greater and less fifty As soon as they were come to the utmost Border of Over-Issell which looks towards Frizeland the Walls of Steenwic were in sight the greatness of whose strength Fortification as well as the fame of the Town took up all their thoughts And some of the States being of late terrified therewith as also divers forreign Princes judged it a very rash undertaking for they remembred that this was the place from whence they had driven Renneberg after a
of the Tubantes whither the Prince being come with part of his Army while the Camp and Leaguer were Fortifying he drove away the Spaniards with his Guns whose Horse rather than they would be Besieged there broke through the middle of the Enemies Here was kill'd by the Enemies shot Charles Levinus Famarsh who having for a long time taken the part of the Confederate Nobility at this time was General of the Ordnance a Man excellently skill'd as well in the understanding and management of doubtful and difficult Affairs as the most prosperous Now was a very handsom Sally made out of Coevorden wherein many were slain whose Bodies the Besieged desiring that they might have Christian Burial they were deliver'd to them Frederick Count Heremberg with six hundred Souldiers part of whom were sent to him through the Marshes defended the Castle but he burned the Town least it should defend the Enemy in their Battery and breaking down of the Walls or else should be burdensom to him to keep yet he seemed to maintain the Ground-plat thereof though onely out of design to protract time untill the Prince by digging entred it and beat out those who stayed to fight in defence thereof and then raising a Mount he planted his Cannon for battery The Works which were without the Trench round about the Castle being over-hasty deserted the Besieged themselves voluntarily set on fire the Bridge And now as soon as they were gotten to the Trench the Prince received Intelligence what plenty of all things the Besieged had onely they had but one Well of water to drink off so that in the night they were forced to come to the Trench for water the same environing the Castle with a very great deepness This he found might be dryed up with Engines and likewise the Springs of the Well be stopped or at least intercepted But at the beginning of the work it appeared that there was an encrease of Water under the ground through continual bubling Springs which according to the nature of that Element will follow whithersoever the Workman can design to draw it Not was it long before divers falling shoures yielded comfort to the Thirsty Besieged and put a stop to 〈◊〉 But the French which was fed by certain little Câ— brought from the Marishes was drawn dry and fill'd and 〈◊〉 more safe passage had placed thereon Devices made of â—ber and Hurdles so that the Souldiers might come safely 〈◊〉 the very Walls the Flanks and Fronts of the Builders 〈◊〉 secured either by the darkness of the Night or a Line 〈◊〉 beyond them Between which Coverts great Posts 〈◊〉 indifferent distance being fixed were cover'd with Plâ— and Earth cast thereupon to prevent the Enemies shot 〈◊〉 preserve them against fire Being thus conveyed they â—dermined the Rampire at the very Bottom but the Cannon from more convenient places had beaten down all the Curtain and driven away the Defendants While these things were doing here Mondragonia in the mean while furnish'd divers little Castles and Forts in the Country of Brabant by the taking and forcing of which the Hollanders for some years past had fetched thence aâ— well great Booty as exacted Tributes This was his 〈◊〉 Care while the main strength of the Government beyond thâ— Rhine was by the hands of Assailants and Defendants eveâ— almost destroyed But as soon as the Duke of Parma returned from France Verdugo was very earnest with him to carry his Army that way But the Souldier was over-â—ryed with Travail and besides required before he would stir any more the Pay that was due and in Arrear Yet nevertheless he obtained that Ten Thousand Foot should be drawn together from sundry parts and 7 Cornets of Horse should be deliver'd to him to undertake that Journey and if he saw convenient to fight the Enemy besides he was to be Recruited with Three Thousand more out of the Garrisons beyond the Rhine Prince Maurice receiving Intelligence of these preparations in regard the compass of the Leaguer was greater than he could safely make good against the Besieged and withall defend himself from an External Force that might come at his â—ack he therefore began new Works more inward leaving and dismantling the former There came also to him out 〈◊〉 the Regiment of Collonel Stolberg as a Supply for these Souldiers which the prosperous though not unbloudy Sâ— of Sâ—nic had consumed and wearied The English Regiments also returned and the Hollander's Auxiliaries which had been in the French Service Count Philip of Nassau being order'd to bestow the wearied men into Garrisons 〈◊〉 to draw out in their stead such as were fresh with which he should defend Gravewaert the Watch Tower for the Vâ—r and turn towards the Enemy if by chance he should châ—fe the Isle of Holland or either of the Coasts adjoyning or near thereto for the Seat of the War and to follow him whithersoever he went Also Frederick Count Heremberg either from Intelligence or Conjecture had conceived to him aforehand the hope of Relief that would suddainly come to him and therefore being required to deliver up the Castle he answer'd That they must stay yet some Moneths first A few â—ts before the English Regiments and the other Forces under Count Philip of Nassau did arrive at the Camp or Leagueâ— Verdugo having got past the Rhine by taking a long Circuit as far as Berck had pitched not far from Prince Maurice at a place called Emlichem prying with all diligence into the scite and manner of the Prince's Camp and not onely with his Eyes but by the Treachery of a Noble Person with whom the Prince at that time was very familiar whose fault also the Prince afterwards pardon'd though it were manifestly proved The Enemy had conceiv'd a hope of straitning the Prince's Army of Victuals but when they knew there were two ways to supply him and that the Marishes lay between them and because his Forces were not enough numerous to be divided he resolved to try the strength of his Weapons and Men in an intire Body Now were Fires seen frequently whereby he admonish'd the Besieged that they should not be wanting to his Design being altogether ignorant that they could not sally because their Bridge was broken down But Night drawing on apace the Spaniards notwithstanding the delay in their passage from the Bridge over the River Vecht assault the ouâ—eâ— Camp where the Prince had placed Stolberg with his Regiment and a strong party of Horse in a place very convenient for as well in regard of the Trees as the Waters The Enemy had chosen to assault this place because they guessed the Horse-Guards would not be over-diligent in their Watch and the new Regiment was hoped to be unskill'd in all things belonging to War and thereupon they began to creep oâ— the Trenches in every part to attempt to scale the Rampire and successively climbed up one in the Foot-steps of another But the Nassauians although they suspected that Night as if
with the light security returned to them went to sleep till they were suddainly awaked with the noise of their Enemies Voices at a distance threatning â—errour and crying out that the Camp was taken Nor could the Battel be discover'd either by hastning thither or the place They who were unready or half asleep catching up presently such Weapons as came next to hand by chance made a stand at the doors of their little Huts while the Horse fought with the Enemies Foot Certainly this danger was averted chiefly by the Valour of the Commanders who gather'd together from the innermost Tents the most couragious Souldiers to make strong Defence Above the rest Coun. William of Nassau who was the more careful in this regard for that he contrary to the Opinions of many had perswaded the beginning of this Siege bringing out beyond the Camp as many Horse as he could get together fell in upon the Enemies Flank Alâ— they that entred the Camp were slain and they that follow them were stopped and driven back and by this time the clear Day light appearing turned the Invention of their distinguishable Mark against themselves for being thereby certainly known they were as certainly slain But they who were without stood round about the Camp in a Ring as if they were yet ready or resolved to take the same puft up indeed with a vain Confidence because they had been used to Conquer and for fifteen years together had onely seen the Backs of their Adversaries or their places of abode But now the whole Army of the United States being together in Arms easily beat off the rash Assailants sometimes in one place sometimes in another yet for all their Repulse they retreated in good order not betaking themselves to flight though they were most cruelly gall'd by the Cannon which was a great means of their future safety after such a bloudy Bâ—cketing And Prince Maurice contenting himself prudently to have won the Victory commanded his men not to pursue the Spaniards in their Retreat In the Camp a strange and incredible thing to be fore-told onely two or three were kill'd but many were wounded among whom was Count William the Governour of Frizeland Many days afterwards the Spaniard vauntingly drawing his men into Battalia challengâ— as it were into the field the other Army who were not over-hasty to run into danger as being ruled by more sound Advice And now was the hope of the Besieged turned into fear when they saw their Companions beaten off from those Works where they had at first gained and the rather too because the Top of the Fortress that was to be seen above the Rampire was overthrown and another which the Besiegers had substituted was endanger'd by the Pioneers Hereupon the other Officers and Souldiers also earnestly perswaded Frederick to surrender who was very unwilling thereto blaming him further as not understanding the danger they were in They desired that they might have leave to consult with Verdugo but that would not be granted But the Princes granted the rest of their Desires the more readily because the moist Temperature of the Heaven and inclination of the Air to Rain would cause a difficulty in bringing Provisions to himself and his own Army Thus was Coevorden surrendred and committed by the Prince to the keeping of the Prizons though they of Over-Issel denied their consent to the same maintaining that as well the Castle as the whole Region belonged to them and they of Dreâ—te affirming to be part of their Jurisdiction and never to have belonged by any Antiquity to them of Over-Issel unless that they might not transmit their Enemy through their Borders The Armies were not yet departed from one another but lay idle out of a mutual fear the States gave theirs to the King of France for that the Burden of the War lay more heavy upon him Shortly after when Autumn had made an end of all those that were ill before by choaking them up with Rheums and Catarrhs the Duke of Parma though much indisposed as to bodily health yet undertakes a new Journey into France that he being present with an Army might moderate and sway the Parliaments of that Kingdom which the Companions and Allies of the Spaniards had summon'd to meet the next Year But his strength failed him not being able to undergo so great Toil in the Borders of Artois where either by the increasing of his Disease or as some supposed by poyson he ended his Life For some who pleas'd themselves with the worst of Rumour stuck not to believe so This time of his death agreed with the coming of Fuâ—ain to King Philip who hearing by accident of the Duke of Parma's Infirmity had commanded him that is Fontayn to oversee the Netherlandish Affairs that he might settle any neglect caused by the Duke's sickness and compose any Troubles arising by his Death This Person was a man of a very harsh Nature and privately hated by the Duke of Parma And there were some who not long before did fore-tell either the Duke's Death or Restraint The truth is many Things began to be discover'd that manifested the King to be suspitious of if not highly displeased with him For he alone was looked upon to have hindred his Kinsman Farneze from being Elected Pope And of late had commanded That the Duke should not take up any Money at Interest unless by the Counsel and Consent of those who were set up rather as Spies or Guardians than Counsellors His Physitians said his Disease proceeded from the hard swelling of the Spleen and Hydropical Humour between the Skin and the Flesh of the growing of which Disease it appears he was sensible for that be abstain'd from Wine and accustom'd himself to drink Water and for avoiding the Gout and other pains of the Joynts he drank little of that too or else it may be he was suspitious of Poyson Most believe that he had Poyson given him more than once But herein Authors very much differ Thus dyed Alexander Farneze even in the most flourishing time of his Age being but seven and forty years old of which he had spent fourteen in the managery of this War his last five years had much decayed his Reputation nor indeed did he use the like diligence then as formerly whether that after the business of Antwerp as being glutted with Honour he gave himself over to pleasures or that being advised of Philips jealousie he sought by sloath and stupidness to procure a Remedy to allay the greatness of his fame He was descended from a Family as potent as antient drawing his Originall and greatness from Pope Paul the third At first being a young man under his Mothers tuition he spent his time in the Low-Countries without any honourable Employment and was so contemned that he was said to be of a heavy Spirit There is scarce any man that can say his publike and open Judgments were ever dissembled The first Warlike Honour he atchieved was at the winning
Navarre when he fought for the Spaniard under the Binner of his Uncle Don John of Austria against the Turk Being made Commander in the Belgike War he shewed how great he could be In the quest of Honour he was indefatigible ease and courteous in his access mercifull towards his Enemies and for as much as could ever be discerned by his outward appearance faithfull to the King and not to be corrupted against his own Honour and the Peoples affection He was very conformable to Counsel but was tyed up more strictly than ordinary to an Opinion once affirmed and would not endure such as dissented And then from the success of Affairs he took too much to himself and that very thing raised him many Enemies and caused much of His contrary fortune which indeed he took gently though which is 〈◊〉 more difficult he bore his good fortune with a great Spirit Some do observe that for a long time he followed the advise and Instructions of Caspar Robless a most ingenious and wise man And that after his death no one being prevâ—kâ— with him among variety of Counsellors differing in opinion he became unconstant and wavering in his Resolutions aâ— that from thence his Fortune reculed from him His maâ—er of speech was Majestick but withall amiably pleasant Hâ— Stature and other parts of his Body but of a middle size his Eye sharp and penetrating the true Emblem of a watchâ— disposition The rest of his was not his own naturally 〈◊〉 may be rather called the faults of the Court and the Age. The detractors of his fame among whom Campigny was one commanded lately by him to a recess in Burgundy attributed iâ— to the power of the Kings Forces or the wants and discoâ— of the Enemy Both whose Conditions being changed 〈◊〉 also was the fortune of the War On the other side soâ— wisely considering both affirmed that there was no small difficulty to govern with an equall hand and keep in orderâ— many several Nations in one Army some whereof were aâ— most insociable repressing therein all Animosities which nevertheless broke out soon after his death and so from time to time more bitterly Even in the greatest extremities he carryed security in his presence so that most of the Seditions of his time were begun in his absence 'T is true many Towns were lost but it was when he was employed other-where and as Fortune was pleased to wait on the Armies But how great a part of them did he conquer and certainly he could not resist the same Enemy afterwards with any other Design nor with naked Forces Without doubt all Discipline perish'd with him His Funerals were celebrated even with the Tears of the Netherlanders who wished such as would not grieve for him the Reward of the Severity of former Governours The Third BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES BY the Duke of Parma's Death the Expedition into France was broken off and the Regiments staying upon the Borders took some French Castles lying near them and not long after the Town of Nayon the 16th day after it had been besieged the French being first filled up and the Works that were interposed begun to be undermined But the King of Spain was willing now to make a Peace that he might the better employ his whole Endeavours against the Low-Countrey-mens present good Fortune and for the winning their good will he confers greater Honours on those Noble-men who by their continued Obedience were known faithful to him Bestowing upon them the Command of several Provinces and while one could be pitched upon for the chief Regency Peter Count Mansfeldâ— obtain'd the Name of Governour a man as well in Age as Experience before others being now in the Eightieth Year of his Aâ— The Chief in the Council were Peter Herrique Count Fâ—tayn and Stephen Ibarra both Spaniards This in the Agâ—ment of Artois formerly had consented That the Publike Government should be in the Citizens But discovering the Fraâ— he prevail'd for the Institution of a Council of War that might by degrees though not directly draw all Things under thâ— Care and Cognizance That Council consisted for the 〈◊〉 part of Spaniards to whom at this time were added Fontayn and Ibarra who had Order by Command to moderâ— the publike Charges and to overlook the Treasury which it was rumour'd in Spain that he had perform'd with fidelity The cause of believing this might be as it then hapned the unexpected Charges of the War though oftentimes under that pretence are hidden all manner of Deceit and Polling and the Mind being never throughly purged but the stain still increasing so that at last it becomes past all hope of Remedy They said who cast an Eye backward to those Things that the States did more with Two Hundred Thousand â—rens a Moneth than was done on the King's behalf with nine hundred thousand while Interest superstuous Sallaries and private Defraudations scarce left the third part of the Receits for the true intended purposes That King Philip's Forces were sufficient both to Conquer the Netherlands and to assist the French if they were rightly look'd after because his Father Charles the Fifth with far less Wealth had oftentimes maintained many great Armies in several parts of the World Therefore that there might be setled in the new acquired Empire of the Provinces a greater Authority or because the Regent should not be in fear there were added several Regiments and Money sent thither in abundance and this was no more than necessary because the Sea-men that were continually to Guard Antwerp unless they had present satisfaction would be ready to mutiny for their Pay and threaten to behave themselves as Enemies And the Garrisons of 〈◊〉 and Berck were no less audacious than they But the Spaniards who were newly come as they were ignorant of many things so they endeavour'd all they could to repair what they saw amiss that so they might creep into grace and favour And upon a certain day Fontayn coming into the Senate was the Author of a cruel Sentence and calling that them which was inforced by Necessity he began to abolish all the Customs of War for he said That the Dispute had his been thus long maintained by the Wealth or Valour of the Hollanders But that mean and inconsiderable people and if they were looked upon with the Eye of Reason far unequal to the whole Netherlandes did thrive and increase not onely by the Spaniard's Treasure but by their very Forces and Vices That their own negligence and ignorance was the great hinderance of their own fortune and that they fearfully wrought any Evil against a publike Enemy That the vast compass of Ground among the Cities under the King's power do yield Tribute to the Enemy without danger as if it were an easier matter to do an injury by Arms than to repell it Rather then so let all the Inhabitants be forced to take up Arms and so by doing and suffering all Acts of Hostility
Against all which there â—as onely hope in celerity while the flower of the Enemies Army was yet detained upon the Borders of France The â—se out of Brabant were commanded to environ the Town and that their store might be diminished to stop all provisions going to them for succour And forthwith the Prince having prepared all things for for War carried thither in Ships all his Foot-forces which in truth could not be called many for the Frizons had their own men and Prince Maurice in vain desired Count William to come thither to him with ayd A great Lake lies before the Town and washes indeed the greater part of it spreading it self backward from the mouth of the Maes since the year one thousand four hundred twenty and one at which time the Sea in a most impetuous manner broke through all its boundaries and drowned seventy and two Villages This they call it Merow by one common name with the Channel of the Wael and it is probable that it first received that name from some of the antient Kings of France is washed on the right side by the River Dungen springing out of the fields thereabout adjacent The Land on the other side of the Bank is in the Jurisdiction of Holland although for that it is doubtful the Brabander lay a claim to it It is part of the possessions of Nassau by right of pledge The Prince of Aurange after the Peace made at Gaunt fortified it as an entry or inlet into Brabant There were famous Pools that abounded with Fish but now the Fish is almost all gone being driven thence either by Fords and shallow Sands continually encreasing or else by the voyce and thunder of War about them and the daily mischiefs done them by men In the Bank which contains the water for the rest onely hiding the water with a thin film of Earth cannot be wrought to any thing are many turnings and coverts which lead to the Works of the Town lying beyond the Trench But the Northerly blasts of the Spring by tempest upon the Lake had broken down that part of the Bank it being weakened before by digging And again the same way for there remained no other the Darts and Shot out of the Castle which the Enemy yet held on the neighbouring Bank of Dungen infested all that attempted it This was difficult in the access but a kind of hurdles being made and covered with Loam were put there that they might cover and be as a Trench for such as should assault the place And out of the Isle of Dungen which is hard by were made many Shot and at the same time Count Hohenlo least fresh men should be sent out of the Town to supply the Castle invades the narrow and strait passage a happy adventure whereupon it was surrendred In these labours and fortifying the Camp almost a month was spent before Mansfeldt approached He sent part of his Troops before to Turnehout but Prince Maurice his Horse voluntarily made an incursion upon them while yet they were but coming together into a Body for they being of no use among the Marshes the Prince had quartered them in Town so as they could well infest the Enemies marche And Count Mansfeldts Son Charles being safe returned from the Enemy was in danger among his own men for being called out of France by hasty Messengers where he had first taken Noyon as is before mentioned and afterwards Vallery as he required a Centurion of a Spanish Band being then in the Borders of Artoys who had been found guilty of a Rape to be brought forth to punishment he scarcely escaped the fury and madness of the rest himself being struck at with the Souldiers Weapons under his Command they also casting off their Knapsacks as if they had been going to fight These tumultuary licentiousnesses were customary in forreign places with them in regard there was wages due to them for a â—s eâ— moneths Mansfeldt being a German and having a regard to his own Honour and his Fathers greatness which be perceived envyed was much vexed wherefore leaving them in the Town of St. Paul which they had set upon and gotten himself with some trusty Regiments slipping away castle to the Army and augmented its number which the Commandeâ—s marched withâ—ll but very slowly it s own multitude hindering its speed For having 12000 Foot and about 3000 Horse their Confidence was suâ—h that they believed immediately to over-run their Enemy who was not all so strong as they for Prince Maurice had not much above 5000. Wherefore from this action Honour was to be gained to the new Governour and they hoped from hence is to purchase glory to the one so to strike terrour into the other Neither did any suspect the immense largeness of the Fields in regard there were such incertain bogs and so many Moores scattered up and down among them and they were so inclosed that as the place yielded not room for the Armies to fight so the Fords and shallowes afforded no place for stratagems or Ambuscadoes Wherefore observing I suppose the face of the Siege and in what manner the War was managed he thought fit only to venture with a few because the other part of the Camp did not merit the like fame either in the danger or event and truly this first example of his was given with a very true consideration in praising the policy of the Antients who ever made use of all things to the purpose rather than for ostentation The Prince had pitched his two Camps in several Fields that had easie ascents that he himself might defend the left side of the River and other places near to the City towards the West the other part towards the East Hohenlo had the charge of the whole Leaguer every Regiment having his proper Station and Tents between which were the Ways and Markets was like a City and was on every side fortified with a strong incurvated Rampire wheâ—eon were planted many Cannon This could not be much weakned at a distance and the Enemy could not come near to fight without great hazard and damage Near the Trench that ran before it wherein there was a double Rowe of Palizadoes headed with Iron least the falling off of the Water should leave them bare or on the other side by a too great increase should overflow the Works There were Seluces and Engines fitted on purpose to let out the Water Dungen being also fitted with two Bridges by which means there was a very near way to the Camp and a Cross-way being made over the Marishy places with Cawseys where they were cover'd before with the Hurdles and Baskets stuffed and cover'd with Mud and Loam all that passed that way were secured on one side And then whatsoever part of the Fields had been more wet than was convenient it soon became firm by the throwing in of Faggots Bavins and other like Stuff and if any where they were hindred by Estuaries and the force of the Waters were
many intestine discords yet from the hatred of the present Lords it still chose other being ignorant of that good for which Arms are taken away from the people Thus first experimenting the Bishop of Utrecht it fled from them for fear of the Saxons to the protection of some living beyond the Ems then to Gelders and lately devolved to the House of Austria yet the Groeningers kept to themselves a power of chusing all Magistrates one onely excepted who was the Prince's Legate or Deputy who sate as Chief in the Supream Assembly of the Judges that had Cognizance of the Rights of possession in Lands In this Warre wherein all things have been unrivetted being vexed with most horrible Seditions at last it consented to the Spanish Dominion under the pretence of Liberty This was not as other Cities tormented with Disterences in Religion for when the Laws aged most furiously against all the Professors of the New Religion those that fled from all other places found here a Refuge and shelter But because there arose great Discords between them and the Citizens the Confederate Lords either out of a Love to Turth or in favour of the Nobility gave Sentence against the Citizens But the Spaniard being more crafty favoured the City and there upon it submitted to his Government being perswaded by this one thing they rejected Religion and all Leagues to follow Renneberg so prevalent in all men is Thirst of Hatred and Revenge It is to be remembred as we before declared that the Groeningers had refused a Garrison for so they had agreed with the King who also to gratifie them indulged them with the freedom from many Burdens But of the common for of Spaniards they hired Three Thousand The Forreign Souldiers to the number of Nine Hundred kept the Suburbs There was hardly any where to be found so great a quantity of Provisions Guns Gunpowder and other Military Engines as was here The Camp was placed a great distance from the City that the great Artillery might do the less harm to the Houses but was most strongly fortified both against Invaders from within and without A firm and wholesom Plain extended it self between the Rivers Horn and Scuyâ—diep which Rivers beginning in the Marishes of Drente 〈◊〉 through the Trenches of Groeningen and intermingle with the Sea at a place called Reidiep And because all the Army was not sufficient to incompass the City therefore on this side they thought fit to make their Assaults and Approaches being here also able to receive the Enemy if he came that so they might by opening the Rivers overflow all the circumjacent parts And it was found by Experiment that the adjoyning Waters were no less advantageous to the Tows for keeping away the Enemy than it was prejudicial to the inclosed Succours And the Prince also carryed the Rivers so that he might easily bring his great Guns over the Fields against the scattering Forts some whereof being deserted were easily won But the best and noblest of them all named Adoardysel when the Governour had defended it with more Resolution than the present necessity requir'd the Bridges and Ladders being taken it was assaulted by the Souldiers with so great fury mad to revenge the slaughter of their Companions made in the same place the Year before that neither the too late delivery was accepted nor the word of Command how and when to give the Onset was staid for Thus they made a great slaughter which was also increased by an accidental fire then hapning This Fort being taken provisions were more easily brought out of Frizeland into the Camp the people of Embden sending in no small quantity until Verdugo terrified them with Threats bidding them take heed they betrayed not their Affection Some successful Sallies were made both out of the Town and Suburbs the Keepers of the New Works being tyred out with continual showâ—s for those Works out of a Military Ambition were more hastily than warily promoted The next and greatest Care was by little and little to undermine on both sides the Port the one whereof was defended by the Bulwark adjoyning to the Trench the other by an outlying Foâ—t The great Guns on both sides plaid very furiously and however the Rampires â—nd other Works made of Earth resisted the Force of the Attempt yet the Bridges Gates Towers and other Buildings were utterly overthrown And some Letters being taken that were sent to Verdugo it appear'd by them that their store of Gunpowder what between a prodigal Expence thereof and other Accidents was well near consumed They were advised therefore least being left by their Associates some of whom were in France and other continued mutinous and full of Sedition that they would not being thus shut up by the Army rashly and without reason seek their own ruine To this it was answer'd but not as if it came from the Besieged but such as were proud with the Memory of their older and more novel Affairs That they should not be provoked by the greatest of their Commanders without danger although they were not all of one mind but had many causes of difference among them The Assemblies of the Commons whose Authority was greater in the publike Affairs than was necessary had deliver'd all their power to the Magistrates and a little before the Siege they had sent Messengers to get them some Succours But the Netherlandish Cities took no Thought of their so great danger all their Labours and Endeavours being busied about the New Regent they knew so profusely to wast their Money as if they had not known that by the want thereof many times the greatest Affairs are hazarded and Opportunities lost Therefore there were some who proposed that the City should be deliver'd to the Duke of Brunswick Hohenlo was a main stickler in that Advice because if it succeeded he promis'd to himself that he should be his Deputy-Governour But the Siege utterly blew away all those Imaginitions which being once begun there follow'd frequent Treaties between the Besiegers and Besieged sometimes that they might bury their Dead other times that they might exchange Prisoners and upon many the like occasions Sometimes also they made short Truces which at lâ—st the Townsmen desire one to be continued until they could send to Bruxels for a more certain Reply but it was meritedly refused Jorgius who was the principal person among all the Magistrates before that the Coâ—sul and now a Collonel withstanding Peace and confirm'd therein by the incouragement of the Jesuits had drawn unto himself the Rout of the poorer sort of People who had neither any hope or fear in the continuance or change of the Weal-publike These threatned death to all Messengers that should come from the Enemy and likewise to every one else who but spoke well of Peace not abstaining in the interim from committing Murthers and Rapines But now the Ravelins and other nearer places began to preach Ruine among which Evils it was far the most miserible Spectacle
Valquin consulâ—ed of certain Matters relating to the League Then began to appear how much those Presents were envyed which had been bestowed to gain the King of Scots Affection the Queen of England objecting to them Their unseasonable Magnificence while yet themselves wanted Forreign Aid Nor did it proceed so much from the Humour of her Regal Disposition that would endure none to vye with her as that she being a wise and subtle Woman and who would keep the Succession incertain as one of the main strengths of her Kingdom she would not that a Prince though next to her both in Kingdom and Bloud should be appointed her Heir by the Option of her Neighbours Therefore according to the Custom of angry persons she requir'd a part of her old Debt and if they gave her not satisfaction she threatned War Whereto a modest Excuse being made they were at quiet for some time And in the mean time that they might make amends for their Offence upon her Request They obey and grant That they will adde some Money and Ships to her Fleet for driving away the Spaniard from Bretaign in France For the Enemy being setled in some strong Ports lay at lurk upon both Shores to get the possession of that Sea which passeth by both France and Spain From whence proceeded the English-mens fear nor could the Hollanders sail to the Westward with any safety But now the English and Dutch Fleets being joyned they drove the Enemy from most of the strong Holds scituate on the Sea-Coast But the War after the taking of Groening continued in the Countries beyond the Rhine although there were other Things which promised their Hope a Reward of their Labours But at the instance of Mounsieur Buzanual King Henry's Embassadour it seemed more just since their own Affairs had so well thriven to look towards their Allies because then there was sharp War upon the Borders between the Netherlands and France Some there were that would not have sent Souldiers to the King but Money which Buzanuall withstood affirming That the King his Master had better learned to order Souldiers than Money And so far did his Reasons prevail that he had not onely very great hopes but the Charge likewise already begun would forthwith be laid aside for a New Expedition thither The Spanish Souldiers who had hitherto made War upon the French Borders after they had received their Money and taken the benefit of what Licentiousness they pleased being excluded from all Cities lest they might grow more insolent by Idleness under the Conduct of the Lord of Cimace besieged Cambray For that City as is before set forth was delivered in the Name of the Kingdom of France to Balagny to be kept for King Philip but he on the contrary usurped it to himself from thence the Neighbouring Country was wasted Nor had the Spaniards long continued the Siege but they wanted all Things necessary not excepting Provisions However lest that they might seem to do nothing they surrounded the City at a distance but with very careless Guaâ— for being in their Friends Country they supposed themselves terrible enough to the Enemy being in no manner changed from what they were before but onely in this that now being under Command yet they re-acted the Crimes of Sedition among other of their Exploits many times fetching great Booty out of France But Henry the greatest part of the Traytors being subdued finding himself really King and that he was so increased in strength that though till this time he had been able but weakly to defend his now he appeared able to vindicate himself and to threaten an equal Return for Injuries He accused Philip in an Edict That he had without any probable Reason broken the League that he had made with France five and twenty years before That he being King of France 〈◊〉 content with the Dominion of his Ancestors which by the Divine Providence he now enjoyed and being an august and magnificent Possession he did not desire to intermeddle in the business of other Princes That he would not seek a cause of War against the Neighbouring Cities of the Netherlands and hoped he should not be forced to one by injuries put upon him but since they had compelled him he exhorted the People of Henalt and Attoys and others his Subjects to fall upon those forreign Souldiers generalâ—y hated and burthensome to all about them whom none ever hated without danger but an Enemy and to drive them out of the French Territories and also from Cambray which if it wâ— not done by a set day he would bring thither his Armies and tâ— his force upon them This was all received in silence as if it had been denyed for the Cities durst make no answer but Philip shortly after mindfull of his affections to the Catholick Religion and remembring the League himself had formerly made with France declared that the Prince of Bearns for he would not vouchsafe the King of France any other name who had vainly pretended himself an honourer of that Religion which he had opposed and now called himself King of France was to be prosecuted with War on all hands Be this came too late for after they had for a whole year displayed their Ensign on the Netherlandish Borders all after actions seemed to claim a shadow of right But to this forreign War King Henry appointed Commander in Chief Turnis Viscount Turen who then raised the Repute of the name of Bulloyn renowned also by Alliance to Prince Maurice whose Sister Elizabeth descended by the Mothers side from the Royal Stock of Bourbon he had marryed And in this he would be more affectionately diligent in that thereby he advanced above the power of the League a Prince bound 〈◊〉 him by private Allyance and also very high in the King's favour It was thought convenient to carry the War into the Province of Lutzenburg because this way he might have a passage for his Italian and German Levies for the Hollanders hoped that if new forces were raised it might be possible to bring to nought the old being neither many nor well agreeing and this either by the Netherlanders consent of the conjunction of War But a Messenger met Philip of Nassau as he was hastening his march towards the French with supplies consisting of eight and twenty Foot-Companies for the States having onely promised twenty had now of their own accord augmented the number that they understood by four Switzers whom they had taken that Charles Mansfeldt lay in the middle between them Therefore for securing the Journey he took five Troops under the leading of Sir Francis Vere and a well ordered number of Foot least he should give any opportunity to Mansfeldt pressing upon him and leads them beyond the River Moselle to the Borders of Metz for the Enemy had prepossessed all the places more inward The greatest part of the Troops having either gained by leave or force a passage through Germany returned into Holland but the greatest
were not able to come near the Italians in these Arts they marched out seriously to shut them up in the Town and being so inclosed by Famine to reduce them to Reason Anon greater numbers are gathered together and several Castles assaulted with the loss of much blood and so much cruelty was used that they are reported to have been privately slain in the Spanish Camp that either by foresight or other affection repugned those Counsels But now none would suffer it that they should come to punish a fault in others whereof themselves but lately yea and often before had been guilty Thus on both parts they shewed a most pernitious example These in that they would savagely shed the blood of those who had been mutually engaged with them and were bound by the same sacred tye of an Oath Those that being taken for Enemies they desired Ayd from Enemies indeed For though they made their first Address to the King of France yet he commended them to Prince Maurice as nearer that so keeping the Sedition a foot he might when time should serve have ayd from them and enjoy the Valour of so many Couragious Men whereupon Pledges being delivered on both sides they confirmed the Truce formerly made Then they delivered up the Forts and Castles and because they durst not rely upon the Town against an Army approaching with Cannon and other Artillery the whole Bands accompanied with their Wives and Children marched away in the Covert and silence of the night through places not infested by the Enemy They took up their Winter Quarters not far from Bâ—iâ—ledue being secure both in their Rear and Flanks for that the City of Breda Hesden and Gertruydenburg did inclose them and were at all Essayes places of refuge for them when in danger and in the Iuterim for their more useless Company places of aboad If they wanted either Victuals or Provisions of War they were supplyed not otherwise than as Allies and Companions And besides this the Prince not despising the fame of liberality even from Enemies furnished them with Artillery and added to them some Horse that in their going abroad they might more powerfully compell the Country to pay Tribute or revenge themselves upon occasion by depopulations Thus daring to do even the greatest acts of Hostility yet not positively become Renegadoes they made up as it were a third party in the War Things being at this passe shortly after the Regent Ernestus sent Messengers to them promising their pay impunity and a free Pâ—sse-port But when they understood by some intercepted Letters that they should be circumvented and brought to punishment a long time after they suspected all things Nor were the onely troubles in these parts round about they were as unquiet for not a few both Horse and Foot-Souldiers when they fled from Verdugoes Camp being pinched with the extream want of all things and helped by the People of Cleves went beyond the Rhine and so into the parts next unto Brabant Besides the Garrisons of Dunkirk and of St. Amand and Capelle began to grow refractory to Commands And to be brief the very Spaniards themselves but a little while before appeased now again wanting their pay had begun a Sedition in the Town of St. Paul And the causes of all these evils proceeded from that old negligence and ill husbandry in the disposing of mony and that Ernestus was not able to punish the meanest offenders As also that the American Fleet was shattered and knised by cross Winds and retarding diseases almost into as forlorn a Condition as the Spaniard's Credit Moreover there were other damages they suffered by the English who although they were not so fortunate this year in the South parts of America yet in Brasile their Voyage proved well having taken the Town of Fernambuck where they got a most wealthy and plentiful spoyl The following Winter as it proved very dangerous by the fierceness of the Frost and cold and other wants to the Spaniards lying at the Siege of Cambray so it gave opportunity to Verdugo to make a Journey into Frizeland and the parts about Groeningen wherein he only vented his malice in wasting the Country and burning the Villages And now the Cavallery belonging to the United States when he returned out of Germany least he should often do the like lay in the way to hinder him This Winter also the Hollanders suffered very great loss by inundations for the Waters having been long frozen up in the Rivers as soon as it began to thaw the force thereof together with the Snow dissolving and falling violently from the tops of the Hills which was much increased by great Rains made both the Maes and the Rhine sâ—ell over their Banks and drown all the adjacent places making a great destruction of Cattel and doing infinite damage to the Country all about Towards the end of this Year an uncertain expectation had attracted the mindes and eyes of all People concerning a famous Judgment while some think severity expedient but others by too strict and nice a scrutiny blame every pretence given to such as are studious in mischiefs Arnold Dorpius sometime Governour of Zyrieneâ— when it was besieged by the Spaniards and familiarly conversâ— with the Prince of Aurange with whom he was very free in Discourse so managed both his own and the publike Affairs that he was become the Object of Envy from the common peoples vanity in giving him the Name of The Rich Dorpine He at the Death of the Prince of Aurange being laid aside had received from Monenius lately returned from a Danish Embassie so of the Covenants agreed upon with the Dane It fortuned that the Embassadors sent from Ernestus shortly after to the Dane objected the same things that there might be an Alliance with them whereby the Hollanders might be dispossessed of at least disturbed in their Northerly Navigations Thus the Secret was known to have been disclosed by Dorpius From hence a stronger suspicion was conceived of him and while his Papers are perused over and over at last a Copy of the Letter is found wherein he exhorted Ernestus To put himself into a Disguise and come to the Hague where professing himself hitherto unconcerned in the War but now the Author of Peace he would strike a fear into his Enemies from the common people and would win both to himself and to all Lovers of Concord Repute and Trust But when Dorpius constantly averred That this Letter was written to 〈◊〉 other purpose whatsoever than to try his Wit and exercise his Ingenuity he was freed from Prison and confined to his own House but afterwards by giving in Pledges he was discharged the heat of the Judgment as is usual in such cases vanishing by little and little and as in the power of many so at last he procured his Pardon But Menenius who descending from the great and publike Session of the Judges of Holland to be an Assistant in Dort had made himself a part of the
aside under the pretence of Honour with those Regiments which Philip sent to the Emperour he departed to fight against the Turk who at that time grew very potent in Hungary There being next of all to Matthias who was General of his Brothers Army he not long used his antient Valour and Policy against the well-skilled Enemy before among all the dangers of War he was taken away by sickness But Duke Areschot that the Netherlanders might never see him inferiour to Fontayne voluntarily exiled himself to Venice protesting he went thither where he would dye free and where Fontayne should have nothing to do with the more happy People because the Germane Souldiers that kept Bruxells making a small disturbance he had endeavoured wholly to possess the City by some Regiments of his own Countreymen This was odious to all so that now the tumults of others were not more feared than the modesty of the Spanish Souldiers And the rest of the Cities were possessed with the same fear Hence grew a double distemper from these complaining that they were excluded from the others that they were almost detâ—uded however upon this occasion the Fields were harased by both Whereupon when a new misery was added to the calamity of the former year and with the very fear of want the price of Victuals was inhansed the common people took to themselves such liberty as is proper to poverty and thereby vented their griefs and sufferings This made the mindes of all people of all degrees more inclinable to peace the desire whereof had been first inflamed by the hopes of it given them by Ernestus nor was Fontayne any longer able by vain experiments to resist the current of their resolved desires The Family of Croy was the most earnest of all in labouring for peace of which Family the Marquess of Haure sent Letters to James Malery of old allyed to their Stock but then of great Eminency in Prince Maurice's Court which were the very Index of his affection and being by Malery shewed the Prince and by the Prince to the chiefest of the States Malery was commanded to write back to the Marquess that there would be hopes of peace conditionally if the Spanish Souldiers going out not onely of the bowels of the Netherlands but Lutzenburg also and Burgundy would remove from them all cause of fear whereto the Marquess returning a reply but passing by that whole demand in silence therein Malerye was again commanded to write to him that there might be means of agreement and Concord between the Vnited States and the States of the other Provinces be found out but that they would have no Treaty with the Spaniards Therefore an Embassey was prepared to be sent to Prince Maurice in the name of the Belgick Noblemen for at this time Areschot was not retired to Venice whereby they desired him to be just and favourable to their allyed Nobilities To this Treaty came Theodorick Liesveldt sometimes Chancellour of Brabant when Frances de Valeis held the Government together with Masius and Hartye all wife men and well skilled in the prudent manage of Affairs The Prince was then at Middleburg in Zeland to whom being brought they spoke seriously to him to the effect following When first the forreign Souldiers had made a prey upon the Netherlands by means of intestine discords the Senate who then had the Authority determined that civill strife and made the King agree to a League Nor will it be any difficulty for them after they have agreed among themselves to free their Country from forreign Arms Not long after that first League many things intervened by the fault of both sides or else by the wrath of the Divine Providence which hindred the well-nigh cured wound to heal and grow well as it should but rather made it fâ—ster worse than before At this time the same Senate sits at the Helm of Government and being we aried out with the same or greater Calamities do entreat for an end thereof from their Neighbours and they might be confident the Senate would not be wanting to give them satisfaction and this they might expect with the more reason because the Covenants were desired of them while they were prosperous and in a flourishing condition That they had no doubt but Prince Maurice where such a thing may be with Honour would rather chuse to leave his fortune than by tyring it out force it to forsake him in regard there is no thing so much suspected by a wise man as long prosperity In good reason therefore they hoped they came to advise with his Highness who had outgone many of the most famous Souldiers to preserve intire his gotten Renown That he had many great Governments and plenty of all other things wherewith to content the greatness of his mind That the Family of Nassau was not onely famous for Arms but had been generally renowned for other excellâ—nt Endowments of Peace That it was their hope he would embrace those Honours which should be attended by joy of all and the teares of none and that he would rather exâ—ect obedience from the Princes of the same blood then compell any to execrate his Greatness But if he was best pleased with such Honour as was gotten with the expence of sweat and blood there were honourable Warres wherein he might advance his Standard against the Enemies of the name of Christ so would his Prudence and Valour arrive to that heighth of glory as for the greatness and Honour of the Adventure should exceed the ambition of the present Age. To which Prince Maurice a few of the Deputies of the States being present according to the usual Custom made answer to this purpose Wishing to God that he might be so happy as to set an end to these civill discords both for the benefit of the present Age and Posterity That he would account it more glorious than the Name of a Conquerour or then any Triumphed Garland If therefore now at last they were truly sensible of the smart of the Spaniards injurious dealing they should then shewâ— Courage suitable to their own Honour and the greatness of their Ancestors So it would come to passe that Freemen with Freemen might make what Agreements they pleased That by coming into the League of Vnion they were not only vindicators of liberty but would be Companions of Kings whose Authority they were now oppressed under Nor would the dissimilitude of Religion be any greater obstacle to Concord than it is now in France But he would not prescribe any rule to them therein the Judgement of Religion being to be left to God and the several Nations professing the same Between the United Provinces and the other parts of the Netherlands there are many things common as antient Allyances right of consanguinity and the Customs of the places But between them and the King of Spain all things were discordant and hostile necessity continuing and increasing those things which were begun at first either to please his will
Kings obedience by a Truce Thus in variety of Opinions all things were destined otherwise than they happened according to the Custom of Fortune who being a great Enemy to humane Prudence for the most part keepeth secret 〈◊〉 future Events But lest the People all their hopes of Peace being utterly cut off should run into Sedition Rumours weâ—â— scattered abroad that the Treaty was prolonged that thereby the Authority of Forreign Princes might intervene And to that purpose the Emperour sent Letters soon after superscribed to the States of Holland which they received and 〈◊〉 in their General Assembly whereto they returned this Answer That they wished for Peace with their Neighbours but had often declared why they could have no peace with the Spaniards nor had any thing happened which should cause them to alter their mind unless after the Kings sending poyson and assassines to destroy them they should therefore give credit to the Authour of such monstrous and barbarous actions And together with these Letters they sent others to the Emperour written by Taxis to Philip and by them intercepted wherein as he confessed it necessary for the Netherland States to make a Composition with the United States as it were upon equall tearms so that he would refer all things to Fontaynes pleasure setting forth may Evasions and first of a disswading that neither the Spanish Souldiers should be sent away nor the Germans admitted as Moderators of Peace In these parts this year Philip Count Hohenlo and George Eberhard Count Solmes were solemnly marryed and their Mariages celebrated with Playes Feasting and publick Gifts Hohenloes Wife was Mary Count Solmes's Sabina this the Daughter of Lamoral Count Egmonde that of the Prince of Aurange both famous and well approved Matches 〈◊〉 well in regard of the great Merits of the Bridegrooms as of the great Birth and Nobility of the Brides both whose 〈◊〉 as was yet fresh in memory became Sacrifices for the liberty of their Country Among all the mischiefs of Civil War this War one that the value of money was mightily inhansed and every Nation had converted the use of raising the same even into a matter of 〈◊〉 which some were of Opinion to restore to an equal Standard according to the Trades and Commodities of the Provinces But of a sudden even they who forbad that growing licentiousness failed and give over the attempt And there remain strong Arguments of an unsetled Society better against the Enemy than their consent and vanquished Laâ—â— agree among themselves And besides some Commotions among their Neighbours had made them attentive who unless they were shut out by right even loved to be involved in a Neighbouring War and making factions for the Spaniards had openly declared their mindes and design in claiming the Principalities of Cleves and Juilliers as by the Minority and tender age of the former Prince so by the sicknesse of his Son and Successor The Government hereof was snatched at on the one side by the Wife a Woman of very insolent and shameless Conditions of the Family of Baden and supported by the Austrian greatness On the other side by some Noblemen of the Country of Germany as the Princes of Brandenburg and Newburg who by their Wives the Sisters of the Duke took to themselves the hope of so great an Inheritance but altogether without the Emperours knowledge or consent who when a male line is extinct supposeth the right of bestowing those Principalities to be a new reverted to him These latter were favour'd by all the Protestants in those Regions and by some Catholike also who feated the Austria Families Pride ever grievous to the Subjects besides the vast Burthens of Tributes with other Charges These therefore using the Name of the States of Juilliers and Monts they set free the Duke who had been so inhumanely kept and handled that the grief thereof was believed to be no small meâ—â— of increasing his Disease and removed the Wife from the Guardianship as one that endeavour'd mischief In this iâ—teâ—im Count Suartzenburge hitherto a Follower of the Spaniards was observed to List Souldiers in those Quarters to go as himself gave out to the Turkish Warre but others câ—â—ceited it was to strengthen the Austrian Faction it not being probable that Forces which were to be used in the further part of Hungary should be raised in the most distant part of Germany as if they were purposely to be wasted and conâ—â—med by a long March after they had long been in pay to 〈◊〉 purpose But the Reverence of the German Empire was the onely Obstacle that kept the Souldiers of Holland within compass and restrained their Incursions into the seatter'd and unprovided Country At this time the Elector of Brâ—â—denburgh began to seek the Friendship and Alliance of the Vnited States The same also did the Nobles of those Regions desiring the Loan of a Sum of Money for a short time which would soon and easily be paid when they had draâ— to themselves both the Government and Treasury Some of the Hollanders would have speeded this for by that means they should have peace with all those beyond the Rhine and by the same Bond their Armies and the French could quickly 〈◊〉 joyned Others more prudently averred That so specioâ—â— a pretence for War ought not to be given to so potent 〈◊〉 Enemy in those Dukedoms That there come to take part not onely those who affect the Spaniard in Cleves but the Neighbouring Bishops and Priests also when of Money would be as well wanting to those that craved help as â—o themselves nor could it possibly be defended by their Forces it being so far distant from them and so scatter'd Wherefore they must wait till their Minds and Forces grew meet to undertake such a business At this time also the City of Emblen had no less Troubles a rich place scituate beyond the River Ems into whose Mouth runs a little Rivulet It is part of that Frized which of old contained the Cauchi an intermingled and broken Sâ—ore possessed part by the Hollanders part by the Danes from whence that Region is now called East-Frizeland because the antient Frizons on this Eemes lye against it towards the West Their Nature and Customs were like the rest of the 〈◊〉 and as to their Liberty being left both by the French Kings and the Emperours of Germany when they could not bear Rule they were content with any kind of Obedience All publike Affairs were taken care of by Contentions of the people divided and sometime in common of 〈◊〉 whole Nation Judgments were given by some choice 〈◊〉 as well in their greater as in their lesser Assemblies Among these all such as possessed Lands or Farms were â—â—â—ul and he who possessed most had most honour and for that was onely accounted noble But these when they had â—â—lded Castles and strong Holds became not onely to themselves but to others a Succour and Refuge both in Domestick and Foreign Wars yea and kept always in
for Humerius a great Souldier well experienced in the Art of War and beloved of the King was slain At last they hewed out their passage by fire and Sword and they who with Orvillier survived the Fight were delivered for Pledges according to Agreement to prevent the Spaniards threatnings But the Captives by the treachery of their Keepers breaking Prison brought the Castle into that danger that they were fain to be discharged by Articles Thus by Orvillier's want of Courage the French obtained the Castle which he had resolved before to keep for himself And Fontayne because the Town being taken he came too late changing his fame into fury brought the Governour before the Walls even ready to die under the hands of the Executioner There he in a weeping tone now beseeches his Mother then his friend if they had any mercy any consideration of his blood that they would not imagine while he stood under the stroke of death to raise to themselves Trophies of Honour and Dignity And when they answered that it was not in their power because the French possessed both the Town and Castle he was immediately strangled before their faces Let these mens unhappy examples be a warning to others and make them know that they who follow several sides by a wavering Judgment make themselves be esteemed Enemies by both From thence the Enemy proceeded to Dorlens that so Cambray might be compassed behind it having been in vain and without success attempted about that time by the treachery of some Priests and of the Townsmen Here while Valentine Pardieu Lamot was viewing the place and observing the Fortifications by Moon-light he was killed with a Bullet-shot from the Town This was the first of all the Commanders who had formerly foreseen the discord of the States in the greatest Affairs and the increase of the Spaniards Wealth He was eminent in vertue and more than ordinarily skilful in Military understanding and Policy manifesting what he ought to be that will as he did from a common Souldier come to be General of the Ordinance Governour of the Town of Graveling and attaining great Wealth had the name and Honour of an Earl The Count Bulloyne had sent into the City a Garrison and soon after he himself together with the Count St. Paul came thither to bring both Gunpowder and other Provision and Ammunition But Villars the Commander of the Van-Guard this Villars had by King Henries Command the charge of all that Coast by the Sea side while he greedily desirous to fight contemned the Command of his Superiours being circumvented and taken by Fontains Army was together with many other Noblemen thereabout slain because he had revolted from the Guisian League to King Henry this day was then by chance the Feast of Saint James the Apostle which the Spaniards look upon as a very lucky day to them and often by such belief make it so the rest got off Fortune giving a Pardon to the errour of both parties for if the French had joyned Battel with greater Forces which then the Count Nevers had raised both the way into the City and the place had layn open to them for Victory And the Spaniard if he had followed his Fortune had put the French to flight and there would have been little difference between this Battel and those of Paugo and St. Quintins the Conquerour assailed the Castle which was ill defended for the Governour of the place Gamache while according to the fashion of the time he consulted rather his own safety than the Kingdoms out of twelve hundred Frenchmen which he had with him he took onely a few of such as he could confide in into the Castle leaving the rest in the Town that they might be ready if any necessity did accrue which proved to be his ruine for some of the Spaniards being sent to review the breach made in the Castle by the Cannon when they perceived it deserted testifying their joy by a sudden shout they drew more of their Company to them who breaking into the Castle they pursued their opportunity so close as they likewise at the same time entred the Town when death and slaughter raged without controul for where Valour could not defend the Armed men mercy nothing prevailed for the safety of the unarmed Now while the Army wearied with these Affairs rested themselves in French Garrisons towards the latter end of Summer Prince Maurice drawing together the Souldiery that had remained with himself and those other Regiments returned with Philip of Nassau for Service and minding to gain those few places which the Enemy yet held about Frizeland sat down before Groll a Town in the Territory of Zutphen The Garrison consisted only of six hundred men there were but few great Guns in the Town and no store of Provision for a long Siege and besides the Well or Ditch that supplyed it with water was easily to be drained or dryed up And these things were the main causes of the Princes hopes This design being understood by Mondragonio who with a flying Brigade marching out of Antwerp infested all the Garrisons in his way beyond the Maes and the Rhine he had about five thousand Foot and about a thousand Horse but â—e much multiplying their number Prince Maurice though he had twice as many in his Army distrusting Provisionâ— leaving the Siege and burning what they could not carry away marched to the Issell intending to stay for the Enemy within Germany But Mondragonio not daring to adventure upon his Camp but content to have raised the Siege from Grolle and not to have broken the mutual quietness of the year retreated keeping the River Luppe for his safeguard against the Enemy For Prince Maurice followed him being now satisfied that he came not with so great an Army as had been reported He sent therefore beyond the River Philip of Nassau with five hundred Horse suddenly to fall upon the Enemies Cavallery as they lay dispersed and graâ—ing But Mondragonio receiving unquestionable Intelligence of these directions from some Renegadoes sent into the same place all his whole strength of Horse Philip as soon as ever he was come out of the narrow wayes into the open Champayne was presently inclosed and they in the Rear not able to give any help themselves also being intangled as in the confused violence of their flying Camerâ—des so also in the straightness and lubricity of the way but as the fortune of the fight between the Horse near at hand was ambiguous by the endeavours of some that violently broke in upon them the Enemy was at a non-plus But the Commanders being unserviceable by reason of their wounds quickly abated their Courage some remaining yet intire freshly set upon the troubled Enemy but the greater part fled even to the River Luppe upon whose Bank on the other side the Prince stood ready with his Army to receive them This slaughter was neither great nor memorable for any other thing than this That the men of greatest
Duty both of a good Captain and a good Souldier Nay she attempted the common people with a Largess which Things proving all in vain she acknowledged that it was her unlucky Fate yet would she not indure to leave her Dominion to the Enemy or own her Life as received from their Mercy for the same day wherein the Covenants for Surrender of the Castle were concluded she dyed of Grief or rather took something to hasten the same Now were the Images of Alencon and Balagny thrown down and forthwith an Oath exacted from the Townsmen Richardot being skilful in the Forms thereof contrived it as if the City had been to have continued for ever under the Spanish Obedience For at that time the Princes of Burgundy and Austria had under pretence of Guardianship usurped the antient Right of the Counts of Alost and by that Title the Emperour Charles Erected a Castle in the City that it might not again Revolt to the French But Fâ—â—tayn with his Armed Power soon decided the Controversie of Right and commanded to swear Obedience to Philip as their Prince saying before the Siege That it was convenient when Treating with Lewis Barlaymont Bishop of that City he urged him to rest contented with the Sacred Function and to assign to the Spaniard his Right of Dominion which had ever belonged to the Bishop under a Tye of Reverence to the Imperial Majesty of Germany Nor did Barlaymont notwithstanding the said Oath cease to demand his due and antient Right the Townsmen all endeavouring the same though to no purpose reaping no other Fruit of their vain Labour but Hatred for the Spanish keeping the Castle forbore no soâ— of Licentiousness whereby it came to pass that the Trade of Linnen Cloth the greatest gain and advantage the City enjoy'd was carryed thence into the Neighbouring Towns And the Italians being intreated by Fontayu to assist the Siege when the City being taken as they did return to possess Tilemont they valiantly set upon some Troops of Hollanders which they met and then first of all gave a proof both of their Fidelity and Courage in War But the Honour of the Mauritian Horse was quickly repair'd by an Irruption into Weert a Town in the County of Horn where they took Henry one of the Counts of Heremberg prisoner and afterward discomfited the Convoy that was guarding thither Provisions But Weert lying at too great a distance from their Confines was again presently deserted But Heraugier grown experienced by practice that in making many Attempts Fortune will sometimes favour one or other of them studied to repair the loss of Hoye with the taking of Liere It is a Town which the Spaniards formerly got by Treachery and a Victory cruel enough at the little River of Neths scituate in the middle between Antwerp and Mechlin and serves them both oftentimes to great advantage Hither were men invited on all hands by Heraugier with the hope of prey the Ensigns in the Twilight climbing up with Ladders over the Walls fall upon the ignorant and unprovided Watch killing them Then the Gates are opened the Foot enter and a few of the Horse in all about a Thousand culled men out of Breda and other Garrisons thereabouts and without all peradventure might have kept the place if there had been as much Valour and Obedience shew'd in defending it as there was Industry Policy in getting it Alphonsus Luna was the Governor who not being abashed or faltting in Courage at the first Shock in the Town placeth his Souldiers and as many of the People as on a suddain could be got together in the Market-place and before the Court Anon mistrusting those strengths he went to the Gate that was behind the Enemy in the way to Lonuayn But the Conquerours who were altogether secure dispersed themselves some into the Churches others into the Houses but all to Rapine Plunder and Licentiousness Thus they spent the greatest part of the day within the Walls nor could Heraugier either by Reverence to his Commands or by Intreaties or Threatnings prevail that so many of the Souldiers would come to their Colours as might drive away that small party from the Gate In the interim Soccours and Relief were sent to Luna out of the next Garrisons among whom a great Company of Citizens of Antwerp and some few Spaniards out of the Castle Heraugier seeing this caused the Gate whereat he and his men entred to be shut up that thereby he might necessitate them to fight But for all that these Straglers would neither mind their own nor their Enemies Forces onely so much was their fear now because they were in no fear before And for that there was no other way to go out and they that were first kill'd stopped up that against those that follow'd some of them leaped headlong from the Rampire into the Trench others were slain amongst the people and a great number both of Men and Horse taken The Captain and such as were skilful in swimming got safe away And herein the Deliverers of the Town shew a great Example of singular Continence for that whatever was found among the prey that belonged to the Townsmen was carefully restored to the Owners During all these Vicissitudes of Affairs both the Spanish and French Armies follow'd the War in Burgundy with greater preparation than event Of old the Aedui famous for their Alliance with the Romans and the Sequani both Nations of Gaul possessed that Territory into whose possession shortly after when the Romane Empire was torn in pieces the Burgundians succeeded a people coming out of the North but setled some time before in the nearer parts of Germany These extended their Dominion a large compass both on this side and beyond the River Saone even to the Name and Greatness of a Kingdom but was first diminished by the French Grandeur and afterwards in a manner quite obliterated From thence those parts were sometimes given to Friends but more often appointed to the French King's Sons while that Empire could be divided the Kingly Honour reserved After this all that Region almost which the Aedâ—â— possessed was Erected into a Dukedom and that of the Sequani into an County or Earldom After the death of Charles the Bold Lewis of Valois the 11th of that Name King of France took the Dukedom from Mary the Daughter of Duke Charles pretending the Succession of that Government could not devolve to the Female Line But the County or Earldom which began to be subject to Germany as soon as it was an Empire after the Marriage of Maximilian with Mary was claimed and held by the House of Austria At this time certain French Commanders advised King Henry That he should invade the Spaniard on that part where he lay most open to be 〈◊〉 and damnified and that by this means the Spaniard's passage out of Italy into France or the Low-Countries would be 〈◊〉 up and the right due to his Ancestors be regained The â—ter was at first begun by
in regard they could not carry them off they took the Masters of them as Pledges till the Money promised for their Redemption was paid And shortly after they took no less a prey from others going to France But one of the Pyrates Vessels being circumvented by the Hollanders the greatest part of their men being killed in fight with the execution of forty three that survived they alittle repressed that villinous and growing presumption and besides above twenty Ships more were freed which were taken and detained by that Ship every of which had promised for the preservation of their lives two thousand Florens and more The Fifth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Netherlanders under the Spanish Obedience began the year merrily from the unaccustom'd Joy of them which were come from the French Borders as well as from the new hope conceiv'd from Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria who was sent with great honour to be Successor to Ernestus He was the youngest of all his Brothers But which is a great advantage to Nobility and an implicite Agreement between the Pope and Kings he was graced with a Cardinals Hat Afterwards being approved by Philip for his Government of Portugal where he had gotten Repute by his careful Obedience and Affability towards the Subjects and therefore now was not thouâ—ht unworthy to be bound to the King in a nearer Tye according to the Custom of People agreeing in Affection To this purpose that he might with the greater Honour undeâ—take and enter upon this Government belonging to the House of Austria great store of Provisions were made both for Peace and War He had a safe Journey from Spain into Italy and thence through Savoy and Burgundy as far as Lutzenburg and the Borders of the Netherlands Souldiers both of Horse and Foot were on all hands drawn together not onely as a Defence for the whole but as a Supplement to the old exhausted Militia which he as soon as he came to the Army he reduced into a few Regiments or Brigades partly filld them with old Souldiers wisely desiring to find true Valour among them rather than great Name and an outward shew lest he should by an unnecessary multitude of Officers both trouble the Souldiers and burden the Treasury And therefore he removed from being Governours and Colonels all those Netherlandish Noblemen who seldom coming at their charges scarcely made use of any thing besides the name and profit arising therefrom putting others in their places who by long obedience had deserved to command He appointed also other things worthy of imitation as That none should carry an Ensign unless he had thrice received pay Moneys also were looked after because a new Sedition was feared and the old Sores began again to rankle for prevention whereof for the future the Spaniard promised every Moneth eleven hundred thousand Florens but the same should not proceed beyond the first Autumn The Archduke Albert brought along with him a great Mass of uncoyned Silver by which means the damage of money to be returned by Writings or Bill of Exchange would be much advanced and because being coyned in the Netherlands it would bear the greater price Besides otherwise the many hazards of long Journies were now prevented the same at present being defended with a strong Guard he brought with him also and boasted it as a gâ—eat Pledge of his clemency the Prince of Aurange whose name was Philip William who at the first beginning of the troubles in the Netherlands had been carryed thence where being honourably kept in the Spanish Court had now first received his Liberty for being firmly grounded in the Catholike Religion and obliged by that benefit if he should go to his younger Brother and the Provinces where his Fathers Memory was yet fâ—â—â— it was hoped he would either become a Moderator for Peace or be the cause of Discord among the Enemies Nor truly was Albertus himself look'd upon by the Hollanders with aâ— Evil Eye being known to most of the Sea-men for his libeâ—â— Clemency when being all seized in Portugal he dismissed them to this very end as was believed in hope that theâ— would spread abroad his Fame But above all he was most beloved before all others because by his coming Ibarra and Fontayne were removed from their maligned Greatness and sent into Spain But the absence of those was supplyed with many more as Francisco Mendoza Admiral of the Arragenian Sea a chief man both in Counsel and Actions of Warre Gonsalvo Carilia Girolam Zapata and Baptista Taxis persons with other Names but of the same Nature and Disposition with the former whereby dissembled Goodness was more feared than the remaining Evils The States of the United Provinces fearing lest the Vulgar should be chang'd by the speech and presence of the Prince of Aurange writ to him congratulating his Freedom from a Captivity of Twenty Eight years continuance But that it was not safe for him to come within their Jurisdiction being all in Arms unless he were publikely invited nor could they as present Affairs then stood come to him However they hoped that he who had so throughly tryed the Spanish Cruelty would not seek to subvert their Liberty founded by his Fathers Counsels and cemented with his Bloud Whereto he answer'd as concerning his Father dissemblingly but to the rest friendly to wit That he was come thither to be an Author of nothing but what might conduce to the benefit of both Parties whereupon he hoped he should meritedly expect their best Wishes Being then debarred thereof for the time to come he afâ—â—â—ed nothing complaining That the Hollanders suspected 〈◊〉 and the Spaniards hated him for his Alliance wherefore he 〈◊〉 not take up Arms chiefly as being desirous of a private life 〈◊〉 partly also out of respect to his Brothers Honour But Prince Maurice and his Sister who was marryed to Count Hohenlo before he came into the Dutchy of Cleves sent to him by particular Messengers both Gifts and Money each offering to clear themselves concerning the Domestick Administrations of those great Possessions in their Power But the States publickly desiring to avoid all imminent Snares laid to catch them give Order for strict Watches upon the Ways their chief Care was against the Jesuits lest any Seditious Doctrine should be blown among the people But Albertus not â—elying upon these Inventions although desirous of peace yet so he might be ready for War to which purpose he made ready an Army of 15 Thousand besides his Garriâ—on Fayer a Town in Vermandois surrounded both with War and Want there was no reason or possibility to maintain unless by continual Additions of little Forces which must be put in by stealth because all about it lay the Enemies Towns with a great Body of Horse beside the dampness of the fields By how much the Besiegers Fortifications were greater by so much more they terrified all that endeavour'd to approach it with the greater danger Wherfore to withdraw
by the Valour of the Zelanders thick showrs of Bullets and casting of Wild-fire they were totally put to flight They had joyn'd to them some other Aids of other Nations which stood every one separated by themselves that so their Valour might be the better discerned Nay and a proper Band of Voluntiers was commanded to go forward with not onely Military Ensigns display'd before them but such as were wont to be used at Processions and Solemn Times of Prayer appointed by the Church This was an ordinary thing with the Spaniards of old as often as they had War against any Profane or Barbarous Enemy and because it is a Nation much addicted to the Ceremonies of Religion there is no surer way can be devised to encourage them On the other side the several Regiments by turns took care of the Guards and the whole multitude of Towns-people became subservient to the War bringing Darts to the Souldiers and Faggots Fire-Brands and other Materials both for Offence and Defence Thus for three days one after another continued a sharp Fight but with the greatest slaughter of the Assailants for as the Souldiers of the first Rank by reason of their heavy Armour were like a Wall to the rest their Arms not being penetrable by Shot so if they were kept nigh at hand for the avoiding of stroke by their standing still they hindred both themselves and others At last they fell from Force to Stratagems the one beginning to undermine the other to countermine so as the Damage yet fell equally There were some for the Assailants who partly by the plainness of the overturned Ground in one part and partly by the rising thereof in another were helped by the Slaughters both of their Friends and Enemies But then did Death appear most terrible when the Ground made uneven by daily Graves and slippery with Bloud caused such as stagger'd thereon that they could neither avoid to tread upon the sprawling Limbs of their Fellow-Souldiers nor keep themselves from being annoy'd though in the heat of Fury by their dying spurns Notwithstanding all which the increasing Enemy drove the Defendants to Extremity and lest being the less follow'd they might at once break through the Bulwark which already began to lye open by Breaches made with continuall Battery there was raised more inwardly by the Providential Care of Count Solms a new Work in form of a Half-Moon and with a deep Trench whither was drawn together a great strength of Souldiers to make resistance Neither did the Spaniard keep long the use of that Fortification which they had obtain'd with so much Labour and Bloud For whatever remain'd thereof the Besieged threw down by the force of Gun-powder from a Mine and besides in the void place which lay between that and the Rampire they had made a little lurking Hole from whose obscure mouth they shot against the Enemy who hardly detecting the fraud yet at last when discovered they stopped it up from doing further mischief but when the Besiegers had stopped it up behind also first throwing fire therein the repressed force thereof at length burst out with â—â—â—th violence that it overwhelmed with Earth divers of the Enemies In the interim they ceased not to drain all the rest of the Water out of the Trench and to batter the Rampire with so much the more violence because the breaches of the Walls were sustained by Palizadoes decaying towards the bottom and whereever at any time the Works grew defective the Townsmen brought thither Faggots Wood and other heaps of things to amend of stop up the same Neither was the Assaylants labour small against the mayn Bullwark that reached to the ravelin at the Haven which they began to batter without success for the Gunpowder destined to that Work being by chance fired destroyed many of the by-standers with so much Thunder and terrour that it was heard beyond the Sea of Middleburg At which time either by reason of this chance or else being otherwise wearied the Besiegers fury beginning somewhat to abate a select party out of several Companies of Hollanders to the number of six hundred at open noon-day that being the time of the Waters great ebbe passed over the River partly with Boats and partly by the Fords and attained the parts beyond the River and then so suddenly slying into divers places that they slew the Spaniards even within the Trenches wherein they lay fortified The great Guns that were planted against them as they sailed over the River they clogged because they could not bring them away and presently after so beat down and worsted several Troops of Horse and eight hundred Foot that came to relieve their Fellows or revenge their deaths that they returned with very great Honour and little or no damage And after this they made from other parts of the Town many succesful Sallies yet for all there things the Spaniard continued to batter the Walls and in one place had made a breach in the Bulwark where there was not a more inward Work though Prince Maurice had commanded one to be made there the neglect whereof was excused by them that were guilty of it by the Townsmens poverty and Souldiers inability to undergo so many and great labours at once Albertus according to the Custom of War sent another Summons to the Town being in this Condition denouncing against them great threats unless they would surrender Whereto receiving a couragious Answer he yet durst not begin a new Assault because in the former Skirmishes he had lost above two thousand men among whom fell many Captains and other Commanders with the most vallant men while they drew the Souldiers to prolong the Fight by their Example striving to win to themselves favour and Reputation with the new Governour and also an incredible number of sick and wounded men were scattered in the Fields for the Neighbouring Cities would not entertain them the horribleness of which Spectacle made a mixture together of fear and pity Therefore he endeavours to undermine the Rampire and Bulwark but without any certain hope so long as they daily saw fresh men brought into the Town but Fortune soon after ridded them of this trouble for some did advise suspecting the lying still of so furious and active an Enemy that they should endeavour to get from the Besieged some Islands and Fords whereby they might command the River and Ships Others that Ambushes should be laid to break into the City from the Trenches whereby not onely the Front as heretofore but the backside also should be rendred unsafe or else to give sudden Assaults upon the breaches Thus fear inventing many things first conceived in the brest of one is afterwards made publick by voyce and consent of others whereupon some who were eloquent presently said that to begin to extoll the Enemies Forces and to undervalue their own which had before in those days slighted their greatest Valour was one of the greatest evills that could be Hereupon they go to
Count Solmes where at a frequent Consultation and there were some who blamed that very thing that he had not advised with them or some choyse men a Captain perswading a Surrender used these or the like words If the greatest documents of Vertue had not been published for this place I my self should yet doubt whether we could walk in is more ready way to Honour That fame is unjust which will not be satisfied How often have we sustained the shock of the Enemies fury powred out upon us how oft have we voluntarily fallen upon them But alas instead of being diminished he rather encreaseth by the slaughters we make of him We cannot receive so great Supplies as will answer the losses we suffer in being victorious What have we gotten by this whole Months fighting but the beating down of our Fortifications about the Town and to devide our voyd works with the Enemy and all our wast ground is taken up by making new defences within the former What do we stay for therefore Do you look for an Army to come to drive the Enemy out of their Trenches and Leaguer whom they could not keep off Far be from you such a vain expectation for France and the furthest parts of the World withhold our hopes We are here fifteen hundred who are daily called out to fight the rest being either dead or wounded We are besieged with twenty thousand with whose very Arms we may be over-whelmed What should I mention the Ambushes and Snares hidden under ground from which no Vertue nor Valour can be safe but we must perish without either defence or revenge Truly we have been instructed by our Ancestors that a valiant man will never slight apparent and visible dangers nor do rash persons merit to be praysed as wise while they seek a certain but not an honourable grave But now there is a far greater difference between us and our Enemies We furnished onely with a few Companies think by the chearfulness of our Obedience to supply the defects of our number They Powerful exceeding Wealthy prodigall of their Souldiers lives esteeming it costs but lietle that is bought onely with blood And who would desire to have him become an Enemy who so lavishly wasts his Friends But miserable is the poor Souldier who having so oft with contempt even looked death in the face if yet at last he should not deserve to live Rather let us take heed for the benefit of our Country least while we defend a small part so stifly the rest be left open to the same fury Let him then be Superiour whom we cannot but acknowledge more potent Let him have the ground so sated with the blood of his followers They will have no great cause to boast of this Victory which hath robbed us of so many famous Leaders and such a multitude of common Souldiers This accurate defence of fear did not work upon all one Matthias Helly being the chief of the resisters cryed out This is altogether anew mischief of War to desert the Works before they are assaulted and to intreat a safe passage from the Enemy out of that place from whence yet they were able to make good their defence rather let some time be taken for deliberation in which interim they might keep out the Enemy by repairing their Works or else by force and Sallies beat him off valiantly untill they could receive further advice and directions from Prince Maurice and the States the Prince lying but in the next Island full of care for the Town not expecting from thence any such newes For all this safety was preferred by all the valiant men and Count Solmes who a little before had promised the Prince to hold the Town to the utmost extremity and was encouraged by Letters and Promises from the States to the same purpose now fearing the Souldiers rashness or else as it is experimentally observed that generous Valour which in Field-Fights is undanted and not Conquerable is not able in a Siege to endure the toyls and miseries of War thought it fit to hasten the Surrender left the Condition and State of Affairs within the Town should be discovered by the Treachery of any Renegadoes They themselves in a manner prescribed their own terms of delivery which Albertus consented to with the greater joy by how much it came so unexpectedly and beyond his hopes About the end of August when the Siege had devoured no less than threescore Officers and near five thousand Souldiers Hulst was delivered to Albertus together with Nassau Fort not so much as defaced in the least manner during the whole Siege the rest of the Fortifications upon that Coast the Garrison Souldiers that were therein when they sled did overthrow and destroy The Hollanders took very heinously the loss of this Town by which they had compelled the Province of Flanders to bear a part of their burdens in paying them Tribute Besides they were possessed with great fear of the victorious Army for that the greatest part of the year yet remained fit for Service and what City would Hand out against them if the touching of their Works by the Enemy were enough to fright them into a Surrender and if three thousand men durst not put off and delay the Enemy by skirmishing and fighting The multitude hereupon murmured cruelly against Count Solmes as become effeminate with the carasses and amours of his Lady and as if they would be pleased to have one guilty person sacrificed to the publick Calamities Nor did the Zelanders defer to remove him from the Command of their Regiments being now â—â— pleased with him because he had of late behaved himself impetiously among them professing they wanted his help no further and dissembling the rest of their anger But he being conscious to himself answered the same both by word and writing as he heard thereof excusing his actions by necessity so that he obtained from the confederate States a new Regiment they of Zeland not opposing the same At which time he protested that having been in the War for the Hollanders during the space of thirteen years he had always resolved for the publick good to pardon all the injuries he could receive from any particular persons The Cardinall Albert was received with extraordinary applause of all his followers because the Austrian Family was not barren of Valour and Vertue and that he being the restorer of Flanders and the French limits after seven years had then perfected their returned felicity with a treble Victory and once more made their good Fortune permanent to them Thus at present they shewed nothing but content and joy but the future did not continue to them the same hopes The War thus speedily ended when the consumed Souldiery on both sides and the exhausted Treasury should have given rest to the remainder of the year he cast both his mind and eyes to the enlarging his bounds otherwise sending Francisco Mendoza to the Emperour his Brother to desire of him many things
of Mettal as the Spaniard did but only from the Love and Benignity of her Subjects And the Irish Rebellion as it inforced the new raising of Money at Home so likewise it necessitated her to call in what she had abroad On the other side the Dutch Embassadors first rendring many Thanks beseeched her to stand to the League complaining That they had had but a short Benefit of those Things which had bin agreed 12 Years before And that the Covenants did not set down any set number of Souldiers whereupon they who as they never had stagger'd in their Fidelity nor had inclined to the War with wavering Counsels yet had bin by the uncertainty of Forces oftentimes revolved unto vain Attempts and that this was very unseasonable in the heat of War to expect that which did not begin to be a debt until there were a Peace setled as by the Agreement will appear That their Condition was not so much alter'd but that they still deserv'd rather Pity than Envy For besides the rich Cities of Brabant they had lost certain Towns at the Maes and particularly those which were most convenient both by Sea and Land for raising and collecting the Flandrian Tributes Nor had they bin at a small charge after the driving away the Spanish Fleet from England in so many Naval Expeditions of the English and to what end had they assisted France but that the War might be repelled and the Seas be kept open while the Enemy was imploy'd at Land Hereto was added the Shipwracks they had suffer'd the restriction or taking of their Ships the breaches of their Banks by the Sea and other daily Evils they had undergone by Misfortunes and Casualties Concerning these Things there was a long Argument with Bodley who was Leiger for the Queen among the Hollanders concerning the Dutch Affairs Notwithstanding all which Queen Elizabeth grew every day more obdurate till at length she was mollified by procrastination but chiefly by the Supplies they sent to her for the Cadiz Voyage But no sooner was the benefit of that Kindness consum'd but presently the same Contest was again renew'd and Sebastian Lose James Valquy and Abel Franken being sent Embassadors into England the Queen gave them this short Answer That that was not the intent of the League that the Hollanders should prolong a War against themselves on purpose to delay without measure or end the payment of those Charges by others disbursed for them And as to the Peace they hoped if it proved disadvantageous to them neither had it been profitable to her those 12 years having both for that time and hitherto eâ—hausted both her self and her people in sending them perpetual Aids and keeping the Towns deliver'd to her for a Pledge And what kind of Alliance must that be whose very Branch must depend upon the pleasure of another But if they would look upon the Laws as the Queen was pleased to do she would urge nothing further than was in them That it was truly so conceived Words of Promise upon Honour were plighted The Lord Burghly added also the Irish Rebellion and the proper fears of England were Causes just enough why the Queen might fall off from those Agreements when even private Promises are wont to be absolved upon unexpected Events Therefore this Debate of Right being in vain and but for a shew made use of the Hollanders ran back to their old Guard shewing the danger they should incur from all their Neighbouring Dominions if the strength of their Cities already weakned should be utterly dejected by such Demands and so much both of Wealth and Power by Sea added to the Spaniards But above all when the dubious state of the matter and so discordant in the setling the Account of Receipts and Disbursements had almost brought them to a Non-plus The English urged the payment at least of some part of the Debt and for the future not to seek a Remedy against growing Danger from old Covenants as by Compulsion but rather to merit new Favours by their Gratitude and Thanks for the former The Embassadors with many humble Intreaties offer'd That there should be an Annual Portion paid notwithstanding all their present streights and the residue at the end of the War which the Queen slighted as inconsiderable while in the interim a great fearspread it self arising from a Rumor that there was Hostility intended against her in Spain and that the preparations there made to that purpose were greater than ever before Hereupon the Wise of those times began seriously to consider of both Affairs and judged that the Hollanders were not so much oppressed with Poverty but that it would oblige them to the Queen in a strict Alliance especially considering the danger of so great a Loss and that the Queen might at some time want Money they might well bear unless their Counsel could put the Hollanders now tyred with importunate Demands in mind of her Power it being not to be suffer'd that her Debtors should raise themselves to a more prosperous Fortune by Foreign Amities Now the Count of Bulloyne was sent into England to conclude the long Treaty of a League between the two Kingdoms which was at last agreed upon in manner following The League and Alliance concerning infâ—ring or resisting Wars between or upon the King of France and the People of England is concluded under these Articles and Conditions That all former Leagues and Covenants be confirmed That both shall endeavour to bring other Princes and Nations into the same League And when either shall be offended or invaded at Home that one common Army of the Allies shall transferre the War into the Enemies Country That it shall not be lawfull for either Kingdom without the other to make either Peace or a General Truce That either shall assist the other with Arms and other things necessary for War among themselves at a reasonable price and without fraud and aid the Souldiers with all Provisions without Treachery That all things relating to Religion and Travellers of either Country be used no otherwise than as naturall Subjects That the King of France use no violence to any English for difference in Religion and in regard he was at the present most subject to the Injuries of his Enemies the Queen promised him four thousand English Souldiers for the Defence of Normandy and Picardy which are the nearest parts of France to her Kingdom giving them half a years Pay and taking Pledges But if they were kept any longer there it should be at the King's Charge Who on the other side promised the like Aid to the Queen so as they should remain near the Shore or within fifty Leagues That it may be lawful to raise and take into Pay four thousand men and the Command of the Souldiers to be in that Prince within whose Borders the War is These were the Heads that were publickly known for by some private Agreements the number of Souldiers the Queen was to send this year was
not fâ— off and would be a place of safety for them for no mâ—n oughâ— to be prodigal either of his Valour or Fortunes Wherewith and with Fear Count Warras being amazed agreeing That same last Counsels though both more dishonourable and dangerous prevail'd But it was too late since the Enemy was so near and although all things that might be Impediments to them were sent away before at the latter end of the Night and as soon as it was day they had with a selected party made shew rather of a March than a Flight yet they could not avoid but they would appear most valiant who follow'd Now was Silence commanded and no Noise heard either of Drum or Trumpet things probably in themselves vain but in Military Minds they prevailed much either to incourage or dishearten Of which the Prince having Intelligence he then no longer consulted of the Event of the Battel but all his care was that the Enemy might not escape 〈◊〉 and this the rather because he fore-saw that the Mooâ—ishness of the Fields and he Interposition of the River would delay him in his March he hasted early in the Morning with some Troops and the most Nimble Men picked out of the Regiments to the Number of Two Hundred into the Field commanding the Foot to follow a far off at a distance with the Cannon There was reâ—enâ— the Count Hohenlo then prepared for a Journey into Germany and although the Prince hâ—d omitted to call him yet he conjecturing the Reasons of this Preparation prefer'd the occasion of the good Management of that Affair before his own private Business And Eberhard Count Solms minding to wipe away the stain of his last years Dispute by new Merit There were also of English Sir Francis Vere and Sir Robert Sydney Governour of Flushing And of Netherlanders Marcellus Baxius a Captain of a most valiant Troop of Horse and one of the chief Counsellors of this Expedition besides many others Sir Francis Vere was sent with some light Foot to scoure the Woods and Hedges that no Ambushes might surprize them and coming to the River running by the Fields whose long and narrow Streights Fords were very troublesome to passe and there was but one Woodden little Bridge which was onely broad enough for one at once to go over a brest he drove away the Enemy by the force of his Shot which had been left at that place on purpose to hinder the pursuit Thence having overtaken a good Body of the Enemies he fell upon their Rear they being not far from a narrow Lane which being wooddy on both sides led to Herentals which if the Enemy had reached and the Carriages were already entred there could have been no place to fight In the interim Count Hohenlo to whom the Prince had given four hundred Horse to assist the Foot fell in upon the Enemies Flank But they could not yet come to close fight by reason of a Moorish Valley that lay between which yet was not so plain or large that a moderate Army could be drawn up therein The Regiments under the Command of the Count de Warras marched at a just distance in their nine and eleven Foot order The first was a Regiment of Germanes Commanded by Count Sulâ—yo The second of Walloons being old Souldiers formerly of Lamâ—tâ— and Coquelle but now led by Aschicurtio Barlot had the charge of another Regiment of the same Nation and the Neapolitans brought up the Rear which belonged to the Marquess of Trevigiana then absent in Italy On the left hand they were secured by continual Woods and a River that runs down to Turnhoult The Horse in three Bodies sometimes defended the Front other times the Right Flank Commanded by Bâ—stu and under him Drake Grobendon Gusman and others The place and Word being given for the Onter Hohenlo charging through the rest of the Enemies Forces â—uâ—â—ell on upon them At which time the Horse appointed to defend the Flank returning disorderly put their Foot into confusion Thus the Germans were easily routed Nor were the Italians able to abide the shake of Sir Francis Vere who was sent to fall on their Rear with part of the Horse which till then had remained with the Prince These being thus put to flight the middle Regiments with rare celerity were soiled in so much that the Conquerours marvailed to see the old Souldiers so easily quit the place But besides this the flying Horse had caused a generall terrour and the Regiments themselves were not advantagiously ordered for the great Bodies of Pikes made up out of all the Bands did not defend the rest but stood here and there thin and dispersedly so that the Nassavians might with ease break in among them and that the more safely because the Musketiers had discharged their shot not by turns and one after another but in a manner all at once And Basta afterwards accused that he had not rather maintained the Rear of the Foot shewed Count Warras his Orders to him Of the Nassavian Assaylants four onely were killed and six hurt this day yielding a Noble document of new fighting For Prince Maurice had not armed his Horsemen with Lance according to general Customs but with Carabines for so is that sort of Gun called Therefore the Darts which were first thrown being avoided before the Spearmen could get time and place for use of their Spears they were so suddainly and furiously wounded that they were neither able to weild their Arms or keep themselves in any order And when they were thus routed and brought into confusion they had no room to fly away because the Woods and Waters which were a defence to them fighting were turned to their great hindrance and prejudice as they fled so that the Victors by their too much confidence were like to have fallen into danger for while some of them continued the slaughter and others were fallen upon their Prey Basta accompanied with a few of his men understanding that all the narrow Streights and Passages of the wayes were stopped he feigned boldness out of necessity he turns his Bridle and runs back upon the Enemy This unexpected and sudden chance made many of the Nassavians who were wholly minding the spoyl and searching the Waggons to turn their backs and fly for that kind of People are for the most part full of fear But the chief Commanders of the Horse part of which had followed behind in a great and slow moving Body by Fortune then came in to stop those that fled and encourage those that were afraid threatning withall that unless they turned head upon their Enemies themselves would become their Executioners And with this fear some Prisoners who stood about the Prince begging for their lives doubting a change of Fortune were run through with Swords and killed But the Prince careful to prevent the like for the future had newly appointed as a safeguard to themselves and the Victory four Troops then before exempted from danger yet the
Captain of one Troop being commanded to lead up his taking the Command in evill part had intermingled them all in the Fight being indeed of themselves more ready for pillage then obedience yet flocking at last to their Commander in Chief they especially who were moved either with the sense or reverence of Duty or Reputation they escaped the danger and the Enemies once more put to flight were equally afflicted with their own slaughters and the narrowness of the wayes having all this while scarce sullyed the Victory with the loss of ten of the Conquerours The Foot came in onely to part of the Soyl. After this Fight here were buried above two thousand of the Enemies there were five hundred taken Prisoners and a great number of Ensigns some dyed of their wounds Next day the Castle of Turnhoult well encompassed with Trenches was surrendred The Foot being returned into Garrisons and the Horse Commanded forthwith to depart least the Enemy should rally any of his Forces and in the night set upon them wearied with the pursuit Thence the Prince Maurice tryumphing among the joyful gratulations of the People he hanged up in the Counsel-House at the Hagne eight and thirty Foot-Colours taken from the Enemy and one Cornet of Horse which had been Drakes Nor was the Reputation of the Victory any thing lessened by this that Count Warras himself being at the very first struck down to the ground his breathless Corps was sent together with Letters to Albertus who returned great thanks for the same and when of late a Horseman or Trooper belonging to the Prince being hanged by the Enemy had been vindicated by the like punishment of a Spaniard the Arch-Duke for the future promised faithfully to observe the Laws of Arms himself being naturally a great stranger to all cruelty This was the first Experiment Prince Maurice who had now for ten years been General received of him by Letters Nor did there grow a Confidence in the Souldier onely against the Enemy from the Event but likewise it made him more cautious of what might happen in regard he had seen that the Discipline of the Army was not sufficiently supported against sudden accidents and the War proved dubious upon any slight turning of mens minds and that there was so much danger even in the obtaining of Victory But Albertus being at once oppressed with the want of Money and so great a slaughter of his men fell to Consultation night and day but yet was hardly able to procure a remedy to either of these mischiefs He was exhausted also before not by payment of debts but giving of Gratuities so that at the one Siege of Hulst he gave away more in Rewards then the Duke of Parma spent in three years by which means from that time there had been a failer of payment of the Souldiers Wages Thus he who before by extraordinary Gifts had allured many to come over from their own party to him was now very much weakened by the desertions of his own men The Germans being a People very greedy for money of whoâ— he had Commanded to be levyed both Horse and Foâ—â— either denyed him their help or else as soon as they 〈◊〉 away again Divers Cities and fiâ—st of â—ll Ipre for fear of Sedition refused Garrisons And hâ— as much â—s he coulâ— endeavouring to meet and stop ouâ— wâ—n had put to pâ—â—ge and pawned most of his own Houshold-stuff and desired the Cities that they would lend him some Montes which they of Bruxells took the boldness to deny And he would also have Covenanted with them of Fuckâ—e but the uncertainty of their credit and the example of the late Spanish Edict terrified them the remaining 〈◊〉 of Winter and the beginning of the Spring were passed over between Sâ—atagems and sudden actions while there was no Army abroad while small parties undertake great attempts Ferdinando Tellius Portocarrera Goveâ—ned Dorlens for the Spaniard from which Town Amiens was not far distanâ— the Metropolis of Picardy and reckoned among the greatest Cities of France very rich and well Scituate as well for War as Provisions and Trade and watered by the old River Samar This City was subject to Henry King of France but turning out their Garrison and committing the Custody of the City to the Magistrates under the pretence of Priviledges they usurped more carelâ—sly the righâ— of liberty haâ—eâ— by their Princes and dangerous as to the Enemy Whereof Ferdinando receiving Intelligence by the Advice of some Exiles but especially of a certain Monk after he had by Spyes and Scouts learned the Scituation of places received Souldiers from Albertus for perfecting the Design First of all eighteen nimble and ingenious men as soon as ever the entrance into the City was open were in the twiâ—light sent in and after them others in the habits of Boors carrying Apples and part of them drove a Cart loaden with Hay by which the Percullises the stayes that held them up being cut as is usual in time of danger might be supported against a fall The Keepers of the Passage were easily killed either with the Weapons that were hid before or those that were gotten by the first slaughter and by the speedy running in of those who lay hid in certain places near the City a way was made for the following Companies By chance in that very Punctillio of time for it was Lent a certain man in a Sermon to the People laying before them their sins and altogether ignorant of the design said they were worthy to fall into the power of the Spaniards and so they did For although the City was both strong and populous inhabited by no less then fourteen thousand men yet did it not long resist whether from the ambiguity of their Allegiance to the King or being grown voyd of Valour from their former security or wanting of Government is uncertain but this is sure that the Count St. Paul the Governour of the Place hearing the Tumult fled out of the Town another way Things thus secured the Garrison was augmented all things that adjoyned to the City burned the Citizens disarmed and spoiled yielded a great booty as well to the Souldiery as the Commanders especially the Arch-Duke because the King a little before had sent in thither a great number of Artillery and all other Furniture for War Albertus sent a Messenger to King Philip with the news of this good success affirming that it was one and that the chiefest of the Cities Scituate on the River Samar and formerly possessed by the Dukes of Burgundy untill the French extorted them from their Heyr a fatherless Virgin and therefore now what was gotten by War he should endeavour still to retain if at any time thereafter a Peace should happen to be concluded This produced a great damage to the French but not without some benefit For the Citizens of Amiens being used hardly by the Spaniard made even those in France that were of the Catholick Religion more obedient
most powerful of all the Azores and bringing with them infinite Wealth But the English by cross and contrary Winds and other imminent evills were so kept back that they could not come near them yet three Ships being seperated from their Company were either sunk or taken and made a prey Here began a mischievous contest the Hollanders accusing Rawleigh who had Command of a part of the English Fleet that he by force took away from them a Ship which they had taken while they were in pursuit of another In this Voyage some small and open Towns were burned by the English as also a Carack coming from the Indies was fired by her own men to prevent the falling thereof into the Enemies hands The Commanders thus frustrated of their hope and returning to winter in England were derided by their evill willers so that being before emulous among themselves and now become enemies yet they consented to aver sound advise and their own endeavours not wanting for prevention of their ill success Hereby appears that fortune is not to be commanded by wise men nor forced by just ones The case of Padilia was harder who was sent with like Commands as of late out of Spain to indammage Brittain with one hundred and eight Ships wherein were embarqued eight thousand men for having made a large progress by the boysterous North-winds three Galcoones six other Ships and a great quantity of men and money was drowned Padilia returning home whether guilty of imprudence or Infelicity in his unfortunate Attempts was removed from being Admiral of the Fleet to whom in the same place succeeded Didaco Brocurus This Summer four Holland Ships which had sailed out three years before were the first that returned from the Iodies Nor was the Citizens joy greater then their admiration when they heard tell of men circumcised whose genitals onely being covered the rest of their Bodies was quite naked living about those parts where you go out of Africa into the East and inhabiting the Island of Madagascar These neither well knew nor are totally ignorant of God Their miserable genius prompting them to all manner of licentiousness nor distinguishing themselves by names nor knowing any varieties of seasons and so ignorant of our manners and Customs that they would give in exchange for a small quantity of Tin a good Oxe They related also the dangerous sedition of the Marriners notwithstanding all these dangers together with the persidious natures of the Barbarians whom the Portugueses brought up every where but especially in Java that under the pretence of peace they might the better hide their murthers and depredations From hence proceeded as well fighting as delayes Not were the Hollanders free from fault for they that were sent thither by their Kinsfolks or Friends being such as were forced from their own Country either by debt or their own wickedness yielded to the Barbarians nothing but an evill pattern to follow Nay so great was the stupidity of some of them that among all the people at noon-day they sounded the depth of the Haven at Bantam Java is an Island almost as big as England and not as some believe a part of the South Continent as appeared by the Circuit It hath many Kings a part of them according to the Custom of their Fathers worship false Gods the other part not long since have received the Mahometan Doctrine They saw also Sumatra the greater Java and a little Island called Balis and in their return another which is called by the name of Helena fruitful in the product of many things but not inhabited by any men From hence the Hollanders then first began to fetch Pepper and other Fruits the usual growth of those warmer Clymates which kind of Trade had of old been very gainful to the Venetians by Egyptian Transportations but for the space of an hundred years solely usurped by the Portugueses who discovered that Ocean and claimed the same as their reward of their long Navigations and the gift of the Pope The first Voyage after many difficulties being free from damage yet for the future gave hope of better advantage and invited many others out of Holland Zeland and exiles of Brabant to attempt the same with a greater number of Ships From the beginning of the Spring for many moneths had the Siege of Amiens been delayed while the King though with a strong Army of fourteen thousand men yet sparing of his own Souldiers blood and not greedy of his Enemies onely fortified his Camp against all force as well inward as outward And first he endeavoured to raise a Confederacy among the Citizens and when that was discovered he attempted to fill up the Trenches undermine the Rampire and to do other things which though they cost little blood yet they took up great expence of time especially the Besiegers being unexperienced in such works and the Besieged wanting neither Valor or Policy to withstand the same and to protract the Siege in hope of getting Relief and having turned out of the Town above six thousand Citizens whom they suspected Besides while the Enemy was gathering together his force a Body of Horse entred the Town thereby both strengthning and augmenting the Garrison And although they were infested with the Plague yet they made frequent Sallies in defence of their Walls with various Fortune in several of which divers eminent men on both sides were slain among whom was Portocarrera the main Author of all their Stratagems Yet the Townsmen by cutting their Barkâ— turned the River upon the Enemy And after many Repulses caused by neglect of such as were sent to enter the City the Arch-Duke in Autumn with his new and old Forces and according to antient Custom having raised the Netherlandish Nobility which were modelled into Horse and Foot came thither with more Fame than Hope At the first sight he perceived that it was not possible either to force the King's Works nor to draw the coming Enemy though more than ordinarily cautious to the hazard of a Battel Onely some few loose Bands encountred But now Picardy being wasted by War was first afflicted with scarcity of Victuals and soon after with Sickness These Things forced the Arch-Duke to depart overcome almost with Sorrow for loss of the City which a Truce of eight days according to Agreement being elapsed which was that if in that they were not relieved with above a Thousand men was deliver'd up to King Henry Albertus that the King might the less persist in his Successes by scarcity of Victuals and fear of the Winter left the Siege of Dorlens Soon after that Albertus sent part of his Souldiers to block up all the Avenues of Ostend with Forts at the Request of the Flandrians for as yet having sent Spies to seated the strength of all Fortifications about the place as well to the Seaward as Land and conscious to himself of his own weakness he durst not attempt the Siege of it In the mean while Devastations being hindred
the whole Garrison marching forth with all that belonged to them All the publike Stores of the Enemy together with the Artillery and Ships were according to Custom deliver'd to the Conqueror Some there are who lay the fault of this Surrender upon a too suddain fear especially for that Herman Count Heremberg Governour of Gelderland came to the Garrison either because the Commander in Chief there was blame-worthy being an immoderate Boaster and before the appearance of danger beyond measure insolent or else that the Souldiers were equally criminal whom presently after their going out of Gelderland many reprehended as growing Seditious within the Town This thing done Legates were sent from the Arch-Bishop of Colen and the Colledge of Priests to the Prince with Command to go from him to the States to demand the re-delivery of that being a Free Town and not obnoxious to their War But the great conveniency of the place moved the States to return an Answer in these terms Although whatsoever was possessed by our Enemies and taken from them by War may seem ours by right of Victory yet the 〈◊〉 Confidence you have of the Batavian's Equity is not altogether vain since what hath been so long permitted to undergo the Yoke of Spanish Tyranny you are not ashamed to challenge out of our hands We would truly have given way of our own accord unless that former Action had taught us that you yourselves were unable to defend it And certainly he is deservedly wretched that will be deceived by another mans slothfulness Now if the Spaniard may reside still at Berck you ought also to take the same Care both for Bonne and Nuiss We are continually exhausted and damaged by Excursions Nay our own Land and the common River is taken from us so that we shall be said not to restore but to have given you the City Rather then so still believe it to be yours and that it is ours a Pledge onely against danger and a caution for our Expences which in all Reason and Justice you ought to pay if we have conquered the same for you notwithstanding which we promise that the Revenues which the Bishop usually received thence shall carefully be reserved to his use With these Words the Legates were dismissed nor did the States as yet fortifie this Town of Berck as their own for they onely repaired the Breaches made by the Batteries and Assaults and placed therein for Defence of the place a Regiment of Foot with a few Horse and that no part might lye open to the Enemy they levelled Mutelen to the ground because it seemed too far off to fortifie and defend the same sufficiently Camillus Sachino who was in Command under the Duke of Parma had raised that Castle upon the Bank of the Rhine in an excellent scituation and as was believed in the very place of old Duysburg the original of which Town the old Germans refer to the fabulous Wandrings of Ulysses And being the Duke of Parma's Countrey-man gave the Name to this place as promising to himself wiâ—â—â—s doubt by that Work the perpetuating of his Fame and â—ontinuation of his Memory to after-Ages But at that time the Count Hohenlo accidentally passing that way in his Journey with a small Reâ—inue towards Germany it was with great fear desetted and by the Prince's Command levelled with the ground the Italian's Arrogance being looked on with Contempt who to speak his own words affirmed it to be built in the height of his Courage to such advantage that it was inexpugnable At this time the United States writ to the Princes of Newenberg and Brandenburg wishing them rather to lay open to them a Passage into the Dukedom of Cleves in reality than to Tantalize them with empty Words and Promises and to leave it to them to lay hold on a fit time to vindicate Right In those parts of the Bishoprick of Colen yet under the Patronage of the Dutchy of Cleves is scituate Moers The Proprietors whereof were called Counts and the last Heir of which was Valburgis innobled of old by an intermarriage with the Count of Horn and through the Duke of Alva's Cruelty a Widow and now again intermarryed and the Widow of a related Family the Count Menar She living among the Hollanders the Spaniard had possessed both the Town and Castle being a considerable strength above eleven years with a strong Garrison whose number was increased to above eight hundred by the Count Herman of Heremberg upon the Report of the Siege of Berck being otherwise helpless and unable to have resisted Wherefore taking along with him the rest of the Forces that were left he retreated beyond the Maes From whose Bank the Town lyeth a little distant by which means an access thereto is more easie for the Enemy and greater damage accrewing to the Besiegers In this well-known Site the Prince in two several places setled his Force but without any defensive Trench and their nearer Approaches which they had begun were retarded by the Autumnal Showers yet the Day brought them to the Ditch which in three places was filled up Hitherto no great Guns had vomited Thunder to the Battery or Ruinâ— of the Works though the Prince had commanded many to be planted and a Bridge to be prepared as for an Assault when unexpectedly the Governour of the Town and Castle his name was Andrew Miranda by Nation a Spaniard came to a Treaty Pledges on both sides being given although a little before being summon'd by Letters from Prince Maurice That if he could defend the Castle yet he should take pity upon the Town and not leave the Citizens lying to the severity of War He returned a proud and uncivil Answer The Souldiers that marched out were permitted by Article to carry away their Colours Arms and one great Gun the Prince by the Concessions of these Honorary Vacuities redeeming the War from delay and the Enemy under the pretence of a Titulary Repute flattering himself in his own disgrace notwithstanding he pretended a want of Gunpowder beyond the Exemplar of Berck but certainly he might have furnished himself with those things neither indeed could he have wanted means to have moderately relieved the Town but that Fear wholly prevented their Care While the Frizon Forces attended Prince Maurice in the mean while Frederick Count Heremberg drawing the Garrison Souldiers out of Lingen and other Towns into that part of Frizeland which is called Septemsylue began to wast and burn the Villages thereof carrying away many prisoners and a great Booty Nevertheless private damages did no way put a stop to publike Endeavours wherefore the Hollanders Army passing the Rhine by a Bridge thereabouts where the Village called Rees And here also the same Fortune followed the Conquerours none daring to resist them for Albertus had resolved to lye on the French Borders which made the Garrisons in these parts the more afraid If I should commemorate like Wars among the Antients and the concurring strength of divers
â—ssant Kingdoms and People into one Body by a like Simâ—de and Alliance of Chance it would be no wonder though I should weary my self in the plentiful recital thereof and should undertake the Toil of deciphering all both persons and places where such Things have been seen But my Work is circumscribed and brought into a narrower Compass for here is not to be declared the Conjunctions of Allies fatal Battels eminent Slaughters and great Dangers but onely the Sieges and Assaults of some mean Towns and that too if I discern any thing more for advantage and gain than pleasure or ambition For in many other Parts there have been of old yea even among our own Ancestors more numerous Armies Fifty or Threescore Thousand have been oft muster'd in the Fields sufficient to have drawn after them in common Judgment the success of a War in which Tempestuous Meetings the whole Discipline depended in nothing more than to equalize Valour keep footing and drive away the Enemy But the following Age participated of less Cruelty by the use of more Policy nor as before were the hazards of War run upon at adventure to the decision of a Quarrel at a Fight but by fortifying against intervening Dangers and on the contrary when a visible strength is found either near or far off to lay open all fenced places dry up all Fenny and Moorish Parts to fill up Valleys and level Hills Which if any one would sift out and Value according to the Experience of the Times and the War no Land before our own could shew the like Patterns where a man might find Cities either more strong or more frequent Hither have been brought all the Politike Inventions both of Pristine and Modern Warfare the long continuance of the War having drawn from all Parts Foreign Spectators as to a publike School of War For at this very time the chief Dukes Counts and Great Commanders as well out of Germany France Britain as from other more remote Parts follow'd the Prince in the management of the War in Over-Issel Himself went beyond the River Lippe in Germany but the Ships were conveyed through the Rhine and so into the Issel till they arrived at Doesburg A little further inward lies Grolle within the Jurisdiction of Zutphen which having been besieged formerly about two years ago though in vain did seem to be a Reproach to the Prince unless it were taken The Fortifications of this Town were not ordinary boasting the Care of the Emperour Charles the Fifth for their strength and Limits There were five great Bulwarks standing out from the Rampire with such Flankers as commanded on every side any that should venter to assault it The compass of the City is but small and under the Government of John Count Strumbo with a Garison of eight hundred Foor and three Troops of Horse nor had he omitted when he heard of the Prince's Approach towards him to amend and make thicker his Works But the Prince nothing affrighted therewith but esteeming it very advantageous that the Enemies Horse should be shut up which otherwise might possess and infest the Ways straight with more than ordinary diligence to prevent any suddain Sallies by one continued Trench with interposed Forts in one Night he quite inclosed two parts of the City Eight hundred Souldiers were designed to the Work and were guarded by Two Thousand others in Arms. The next Night he encompassed with like Expedition the two remaining parts in the day time the Works were made more strong and compleat from thence towards the Towns the way was broken by many Turnings and Windings which while they were made and soon after the Water brought thither which before had been contained in the Town Trenches they were quickly fill'd up with Earth The Besieged were very obstinate in their denying to surrender by all means endeavouring to revenge themselves with their Guns and by their frequent Sallies until Prince Maurice his Gunners shot fire into the Town which taking and expatiating it self to the burning of above Threescore Houses made them turn all their Care from the hindring of the Prince's Works to the preservation of themselves and what belonged to them Nor yet did faint although they were afflicted with Fire and Wounds within and with the terrible Fear of unknown Miseries from abroad having in two places begun some inward or second Works for their better Defence in case the old Works before them should be beaten down and become useless But afterwards when the Prince had wrought seven Galleries unto the very Rampire of the Town which he commanded to be undermined and blown up and likewise that Four and Twenty Pieces of Canon should be drawn down for Battery that so the Town might on all sides be laid open by Breaches The Garison recanted their Obstinacy and craved Pardon which was granted to them This was the 17th Day of the Siege some were appointed to conduct the Enemy marching off with his Horses and Colours and Waggons and Ships to carry away such as were sick but upon all was laid this Restriction That within three Months they should not bear Arms about the River Maes About two hours Journey from Grolle is distant Breefoort a small Town of the same Jurisdiction but for the strength of the same reckoned among the chief for one continued Work runs round the Town noâ— is there any passing beyond it but by one narrow Path every place else all about being incompassed with unpassable Marishes and Moors which a man no sooner treads upon but he sticks in the Mud and Dirt so that there was no way to go on to an Assault not any place to pitch a Camp for continuing the Siege Nor were other Things provided with less Care The Wall being of very antient Work was surrounded with a very deep Trench which was the Work of Martino Rossem when he made Wars in those Parts Fourty Years before Three hundred Souldiers were sufficient to maintain the small Circumference of the Works about this small Town But it was reported that both these and the Townsmen were in Contest and had a difference with the Governour whose Name was Gardoto by which means greater strength was added to their fear of our extrinsick Terrour Nevertheless they were not hearkned to that urged a Surrender as repining at the Governours Authority in whom there was too much Courage for the present Condition of Affairs there or else for that their Confidence in the strength of the place with those helps before-mentioned had made them all agree in this But Prince Maurice persisting the Souldiers were much troubled with the appearance of so great Labour and the vastness of the Marishes more offended than their daily Conflicts with the Enemy especially because they were ignorant what Swâ—llows and Quagmires lay hid in the deceitful Nature of the Soil For the Ground which lately was firm and solid by the then wetness of the Season with continual Showers were overflow'd and cover'd with Water
deserted of it self and the Garrison of Euschede part of them were met and slain in the March and they that remained affrighted to see and hear so much removed away their Guns and that was enough for them From hence the Army was divided to go part of it to Otmarsen and part to Oldenzeel It is supposed that both these Towns drew their Original from the Marsi and the Salii sometimes noble Nations of Germany whereof yet appears some Glimmerings in their Names And now is Otmarsen which we related five years ago to be lost and taken from Us re-taken by Us in an instant For the Souldiers made no delay but demanded it of the Enemy battering the Walls with their great Guns to make them believe the necessity of their Surrender the greater Oldenzeele held out three days for there were three Rampires and Trenches round about the Town and six Companies fill'd up the Ditches and the rest of the Works though the number of the Town Souldiers did not answer the Report made of them yet were they such as having been old Souldiers might well supply the place of a greater number These to ingratiate themselves with the Townsmen urged a speedy Surrender of the Town least the houses by any pretence of delay should be batter'd down or spoil'd Thus did these two Town fall into the Prince's hand at once and by Decree of the Deputies of Over-Issel the Works were thrown down and dismantled because they did not think them worthy of Repair and were afraid lest if they should be left so as they then were they might invite the Enemy to a too suddain Return There remained yet one and that a very difficult piece of Work in regard the Winter approached which was to quiet all the right side of the Rhine For that part of Germany which hath grown into one Body with the Neâ—herlanders both in Name and Government contains towards the East the People of Westfalia and near the Sea-shore those of Emblen Upon these Confines Lingen is scituate beyond the River Eemes being the Hereditary Demesnes of the Family of Teâ—lâ—nborg But the Emperour Charles in that War when he made the League of Smalcalde drew to himself the Possession thereof though formerly given to Maximilian Count Buren as a Reward of his Service in the Wars for he was desirous to inlarge the old Bounds and that he might obtrude Garrisons more into that Country and in time come to command unto the further Bank where men pass to Hamburgh and Breme Sea-Coast Towns of Germany This City and Country adjoyning the Prince of Aurange had among other things accepted as a Gift at what time through Civil Discords he enjoyed the most happy Affections of the Netherlanders The strength of Lingen was not over-great although Frederick late Count Heremberg by the Advice of a Renegade had begun to fortifie the same anew but the Castle was of a competent strength being incompassed with a Winding Bulwork which contained four Half-Moons each at an equal distance At this time six hundred men lay there in Gariâ—on most of them Foot with a small party of Horse but without all doubt the choice of all the King's Cavalry That there were no more was occasion'd by an Oath whereby they that had gone out of the next Towns were â—o bidden to fight beyond the Rhine during the space of three Moneths It was observed by them who were wont to judge of Things after the Event that the Spaniards had done more politikely when they saw there was no hopes to break up the Siege if they had gather'd their Forces together though to the leaving open and hazard of other parts whereas now the rest being lost they had all reduced themselves hither as if they intended with all their Forces to contest there for the last Fort and strong Hold of their Government They had here also both Brass and Iron Guns and other Instruments both for Defence and Offence Against this Town Prince Maurice having sent before some to possess the Passage of the River Dincle and himself following the fourth day after pitched beyond the Eemes where he found the Enemy wasting the Villages and Houses with Fire by which means he was compelled to quarter the Souldiers in the Villages at a greater distance from the Town There then he pitched his Camp without any fear of an Enemy from abroad aking no care on their back-side and but meanly fortifying their Front Against the Town Batteries they raised Batteries in the Camp and drew a Line against any suddain Sallies that should be made by the Besieged At this time the Air was more mild than usually at that Season of the Year and the Ground easily swelling into little Hillocks much facilitated the privacy of working And now that which was wet with the Water being penetrated some being beaten back by the Townsmen discover'd to them the secret Way to the great destruction of such as came thither and not onely so but such of Prince Maurice's men as came for Supplies were shot at with so much vehemency that with the fire from the Guns the Castle seemed to be all in a flame And this was tâ—en done with the less hazard because the Prince in hastning his Expedition had onely brought with him a few light Field-pieces the greater being commanded to be brought through the Mouth of the Eemes by an easie Passage of the Ships until the Wind and the Tide should meet And as soon as they were arrived the whole heat of the Siege continued about the Castle for Count Heremberg had brought thither all the main of his strength and the Prince was sparing in the Assaults of the Town as hoping shortly it would be his own lest if he batter the Works of it and so take it first it should after he ruinated from the Castle And here they met with a hard piece of Work which was to draw away the Water in the Ditch before which lay a Bulwark strongly defended by the Besieged so that as iâ— was beaten down by any means they endeavour'd to raise it a new But when at length continual Batteries had laid it quite slat the Ditch being fill'd up and â—alleries made then was sent to them a Summons which had hitherto been delay'd by reason of the Scoffs which had bin put upon others in former Sieges adding withall That as this was the first so also should it be their last Summons Count Heremberg hearing that and having received Letters from Albertus whereby he was commanded to have both his own and his Souldiers Lives for better Services upon the 16th Day after the beginning of the Siege deliver'd up both the Town and Castle thus being by his Kinsmans Valour deprived and put out of the Command which he had hitherto obtainâ—d and kept This Action thus finished the Souldiers were drawn into Winter-Quarters And as the Fame of the Prince's Actions was glorious abroad so was his happy Return which in 3 Moneths time and
to obtain Peace Others because a safe Peace could never be obtained And as the Nature of Fire and Water are directly contrary and endless so is the Contention of them that on the one hand sâ—ek to domineer over all and of those on the other side that will serve none wherein to seek Revenge or Defence too late is folly but to anticipate 〈◊〉 very beginnings is a glorious act befitting wise men For it is not so much for the punishing of Injuries as for preventing Princes of that sort of Dominion which is nicknamed to be Power given them by Heaven He cannot be said to preserve himself that lies upon the Defensive Posture 'T is Impunity makes wicked Minds worse Let Philip 's Pretences be what they will 't is sure he will always keep Armies a foot both by Sea and Land What to do To fight with the Turk or keep other Forein Enemies in awe No no but to bring Us under his Yoke or otherwise to â—â—o with Us what Providence will suffer him Nor can England be free either from Charge or Fear while his Armiâ—s are raging every where Let but this Question be answer'd Whether is an Act of greater Valour to be afraid of or fight with an Enemy and whether is it more just and honourable to take Tributes from our Subjects or Booties from our Foes We do not boast Great Queen our Alliance with you We acknowledge our selves obliged to you for infinite Benefits which that they may not be forgotten or lâ—st a little concerns you but us highly who both would be and be accounted grateful And if We on our part have done ought in requital which might be acceptable for the readiness of our Intents in regard the multiplicity of our pressing Necessities could not grant more We doubt not but You will be ready to remember it with more Equity than behoves us to speak of it This is without all Dispute that your Ancestors have had such an Esteem of the Belgick Provinces in regard of their Site and Customs that they always thought it a matter of great moment in all their great Affairs to have their Friendship and of Prejudice to have them Enemies But herein yon have excelled the Glory of your Ancestors that by how much you exceed others in Power by so much you excel them in Acts of Mercy and Piety by whose Means and Aid the French have gain'd many Victories and We more which will redound to the Honour not onely of your Self but those that shall come after you The future Events of Wars are in the Hands of Almighty God whom we 〈…〉 found propitious to us beyond all Humane Expectation And as far as it is lawful for a Wise-man to judge of Futurities we have all those things that put Life and add Sinews and Strength to War for we have Men Mâ—neyes Towns Cities and Forts nay more we have a General so famously exemplary for Valour and Vertue that it is hardly to be imagined how any of these things should decrease and not rather be augmented Whereas the Enemy unless by our giving way hath not where to settle And as his Dominion it wider so is ours more convenient for in a great and over-spatious Empire it is usual for some People to Rebel Upon which occasion if at any time he be employ'd it will be easie for other Princes to appoint what Method they will use for the future for their own Security That which is usually said or thought to the contrary That a man ought not to thrust himself into another Man's Affairs or Business I will not say it is a hard Speech against Humanity against the Honour and Glory of Princes with whom nothing that is good or great is less unquestion'd nor any suffer'd to do good that would And where any puts that upon another that he is not willing to undergo himself may it be his Fortune to obtain no other Doom In this case whatever we speak of our selves the same may be said of England for they that without themselves would indanger the Hollanders with an intent onely to save themselves do little consider that it is alike easie to Fortune to make an end of them as for any one to set Bounds to his desires Will therefore our Ruine add any thing to you or to your strength Or will it any whit diminish your Enemies Ambition Or rather will not any man think it more truly probable that if we are devoured the Danger will not go over to the English who as they were not behind us in Wealth so they are like to be second to us in Misery Wherefore what advantage is it to consider whether you fight in Holland or your Country for your own Lands and Territories You may have us for your Associates in Defence of the Common Weal and is not that safer than to have us unwilling Servants to advance the Spaniards Tyranny For if three Nations which are at this day powerful at Sea if the Hollanders be joyned to the Spaniards it is much to be feared that England afterward will have a hard Task to cope with them especially since the Sea and their Navies are the main if not sole Defences of the Kingdom Besides none will be then equal to match Philip in Wealth if his Revenues out of the new World and the Indies since the Conquest of Portugal till this time infested with War be once brought to a certain and safe Return Thus in fine his own Forces will be able to accomplish his Desires upon those whom he hath hitherto treated as his Inferiours and then shall it no longer be lawful for the English to be any where than now it is lawful for them to be in Germany from whence he hath driven you by bought Decrees as profane and guilty persons and as much as in him lies would banish them from all Humane Society and Commerce But this thing troubleth us for we hear there are some who by Clandestine Speeches object against us the Envy of an ill Example at if we were guilty of a new Defection This hath been spoken before Philip but to gratifie whom we shall not say but chose rather not to know them What hath been done in France and Ireland merely out of a desire of Innovation the Hollanders were compelled thereto by a most excusable Necessity otherwise with what Confidence durst they have call'd it a Fault that Kings had approved and assisted them by Leagues Writing and Arms We seek the good our Grand Fathers enjoyed which is Liberty Let no man start at that Word for we believe Liberty to be in a most flourishing condition under a lawful Principality We do not yet fear Forreign Powers and now if any one will look upon Oppression and not Names we shall quickly agree There is no other or better Tye to keep Subjects in their Obedience to be used either by you O Queen Us or all Governments than to teach them this one Rule That they would
should be raised onely in their Name and should fight under their sole Command and at their Charge And from thenceforth the so much envyed Authority of the English Embassadour was absolutely taken away Yet still the Queens Priviledge of nominating an Assistant to sit with the Senate was reserved If the Queens Enemies should invade her either by Land or Sea or the Queen should think sit to make War upon her Enemies the Dutch upon notice should add to her Fleet 30 or 40 lusty and stout Ships together with an Army of Five Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse Upon these Articles and Covenants a firm Agreement was made but reserving to the Queen her Right that she might vindicate her cause against the Netherlander under the King of Spain's Jurisdiction There was excepted out of this League Palavine's Debt of Fourscore Thousand Florens which was afterwards privately compounded It was not that England chose Peace rather than War by this League but that as it was eased of a Burthen so it had gained thereby a Fortification Not long after this some were taken who went about to poyson Queen Elizabeth and in Ireland by one happy Fight and the taking of a Castle was the cruel Tyrone made Prisoner while he was drawing the Province of Munster to partake in his Rebellion No more did the Hollanders repent them of their Old Resolution although there was a new Face of Affairs with the Enemy and many ways were sought to invite them Aod now the Report of the New Marriage grew every day more frequent these being Letters brought to the Netherlanders by Friasio whereby the whole Government of them was turned over to the Princess Isabella The Causes and Articles of which King Philip published to be these When by the Pope's Licence he had destined and by the Consent of all his Relations Resolved to bestow his best Beloved Daughter in Marriage upon his Kinsman he conceiv'd it would be of great Advantage to the Netherlanders to the advancement of Peace and settlement of the present Government that they might always have their Prince present among them which their Ancestors could not be in regard of their many and great Cares and therefore he did give and grant unto his said Daughter all the whole Country of the Netherlands and every part thereof together with Charlois and the County of Burgundy together with the Name of Duke of Burgundy for the French had long since got the possession thereof yet so that himself and his Successours Kings of Spain should enjoy the Honour of the same Title with the chief place among the Knights or Companions of the Golden Fleece being an Order instituted by his Fore-Fathers Adding moreover all other Things that were thought fit by Men learned in the Law for Confirmation of the Premisses by which the Rights of Principality and the Revenues and all other Incidents pertaining thereto might the more rightly descend and pass unto the said Isabella and her Posterity These Things were the more remarkable because Philip using the word Clientole did declare That he gave all those Dominions to his Daughter in Fee And this seems to be added because the greatest part of the Lands were held of the Empire and other part of the Crown of France and then because by his Command the Oath which the Nobles had formerly taken was to be alter'd now from the Obligation to himself in a New Obedience to his Daughter And if any thing contained in these Instruments seemed to contradict the Law in my point that he did confirm by his Supream and Royal Authority And if it should happen that no Children should proceed of this Marriage or that Issue Male or Female did ever fail all the aforesaid Premisses and the Right thereof to revert to the Kings of Spain And this was given as a Reward to the Merits of Albertus that he might have the Government of the Netherlands as a Comfort to his Wiâ—owship And if there were any Issue then the use and profits thereof but nothing to descend to the Heir besides the Revenue of the Dutchy of Lutzenburg and the County of Chiny There was also prescribed an Order of Succession First to the Male then to the Female and so to the Younger and the Elder Daughters Nephew should procede the Younger Son That it should not be lawful to divide or alien the Lands unless by the King's Licence And it was provided also that this Gift should return to the Donor many ways As if any Woman should for the future attain the Netherlands that it should presently return to the Hands of the King of Spain or his Heirs neither might it be lawful for a Son or Daughter being Princes of the Country to marry or otherwise alter their condition unless by the Consent of the same King Moreover They are forbidden by themselves or their Ministers to intermeddle in the Trade of America or the Indies and that every one coming to that Government is to swear to these Articles and also to maintain the Romane Catholike Religion And if any thing be done to the contrary the Right of the Netherlands to come to the Spaniards These Instruments were signed by the Father and attested by Witnesses the Sixth of May. The same day the King's Son and Heir Philip also by Name gave his Consent to the same by Writing carefully taking Cautions according to the Laws There were divers Speeches concerning this matter and they disagreeing among themselves as is usual in such Cases Some accused this as an Evil Custom that the Heads of Free-men or any private Service should be rated and valued That it was onely used by Barbarians to give and bestow Dominions For of what value was a Prince among them who never knew what belonged to Lordship But to them that make a distinction between Right and Wrong it is nothing ambiguous because the matter belonging to the People makes the Government from thence be called a Commonwealth The ordering whereof as it is in some places committed to the Nobles or Senate so with most it is setled under the Tuition of a Prince Nor was there ever any just Empire but what begun by the Consent of the People who have trusted the Defence thereof either to one Single Person or else by reason of Faction in Suffrages to more who have this onely Reward of their Honour that next to their own Welfare they take Care of the benefit of their Subjects Which as it is true every where so is it more manifest among the Netherlanders who being neither Conquer'd by Arms nor yet willing of their own accord to serve will not suffer their Princes to do many Things but with a Limited Power and Revenues it being chiefly forbidden left at any time they should break any part of the Trust commiâ—ted to them And therefore in former Time the Daughters were put off with a small Portion in Money To the rest of the Children were given Governments and other small Offices the
that for want of Remedy this Mutinous Licentiousness continued until the Year following the Souldiers in the Castle of Gaunt were a little more modest for being content with their own Number they would not receive any that came from other places which in this time of common Disturbance seem'd a great part of Honesty But in the City of Grave there was not a Mutiny but a Fight of the Souldiers among Themselves but when the Germans ran to Arms in Assistance of the Towns-men against the Spaniards that Commotion quickly was appeased beyond hope After all which Disturbances Albertus being thereby spurred up to Arms and the rather because he received no Answer to his Letters either from Prince Maurice or the United States he took away from the Souldiers their hope of continuing in their Garrisons What Money could be scraped together either out of Spain or upon Credit He distributed among such as were going to the Camp as well old as new raised Souldiers which made a great Supply and consisted chiefly of French-men who fled from the late made Peace at Home Now upon Debate of the Matter in the Senate and with the most skilful and understanding Collonels it was though fit that the Army should march beyond the Rhine either for the invading of the Hollanders or else that they might undo what Prince Maurice had done who in the former years in the setling of Frizeland had finish'd one part of the War for the United States where the Country being large and open on the backside towards Germany and but meanly it engthned with Towns he shew'd-many notable Examples of good Conduct and Industry in laying hold upon all convenient Opportunities Now as this was in it self very prudent Counsel to surround the Hollanders on all sides with their Armies to diminish and abate their Tributes and to disturb their Garrisons so at that time there was nothing more fit than having retrenched the Treasury as much as they could if yes with all their Forces they could spend the Winter in the Enemies Country they should destroy the Hollanders by their own President About the middle of Autumn Army was commanded to meet at the Maes over which Francisco Menusa was made General who was returned out of France after the Confirmation of the Peace there Whereof as soon as the Hollanders heard Count Hohenlo being Commanded to look to the Isle of Bommelerweart the greatest part of their Forces under the Prince's Conduct met at Arnheyme In this interim Albertus being about to go to perform his Mirriage and receive his Principality yet first by the Pope's Licence laying down his Honours of Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo he shew'd himself publikely in his Archiducal Habit He Dedicated his Cap and Sacred Robe at the Altar of the Blessed Virgin which is honour'd at Hall a Free Town in Hâ—valt This was an antient Temple famous for many Pilgrimages thither made and Miracles there wrought where by the Inhabitants were perswaded that the Deity testified himself there present For there might be seen many rich Gifts of Princes and great Multitudes of the Common People who having been deliver'd from Dangers or Diseases incurable by Physick have here performed their Vows Nay some Reports do not stick to tell that at this place dead Bodies have been restor'd to Life Many Relations of this place concerning Things some few Years before done are set forth by Justus Lipsius in the Latine Tongue by which he denoted to the World the Truth of the Romane Catholike Religion and the Reverence due to Images Although on the other side some Dispute in their Writings alledging the known Fraud of Priests and many other Stories feighed for Gain most of which being called Miracles have either hapned naturally or by accident And yet those old Magitians of Egypt and Tyaneus and other Masters of Condemnable Worship because they confirm'd their Opinions and Tenets by stupendious Works seeming preternatural it must be brought at last as an Argument to work upon our Faith to believe the like who assign all our Devotions onely to God not requiring the Patronage of others not corrupting our Piety with the forbidden Superstition of Images After the Cardinal Audren being sent for by hasty Letters was come out of Alsatia whereof he then had the Government by Caesar's Authority Albertus giving him onely some few Embraces and leaving with him his Commands immediately went into Germany To his Train were added some of the most Noble Counts of the Netherlands who were in the Name of the Publike to give Thanks to the King and there certain select Matrones and young Ladies who went also to attend the new Princess Among the Noblemen that were selected was the Prince of Aurange whom many ignorant of the Power of Custom admired to see returning into Spain He when he had receiv'd of his own in the Netherlands what the King's Exchequer had drain'd and could procure his Fathers Goods among the Hollanders means of his Brother and his Mothers by the help of Coure Hohenlo he was wholly bent to look after his Principality of Aurange which although it had been always free and ought no Obedience to any yet by occasion of the Civill Wars some of the French Governours having entred therein did yet though the War were ended retain or rather usuâ—p the same and now of late Prince Maurice had sent thither Allegond in vain affecting by Treaties and other arcs to have gotten the possession thereof But he now hoping that the Spaniards might to him some kindness to the French King by their Recommendations of him was the main Motive that induced him to the taking of this Journey into Spain which having begun and when now he was gone higher towards the Bank of the Rhine he turned towards the Palatinate to see the Elector's Sister then first and but newly marryed But as the Arch-Duke was proceeding in his Journey to Prague that he might communicate some of his secret Counsels with his Brother the Emperour and as it was believed upon the hopes of attaining the Name and Honour of King of the Romans which is next of all to the Emperour he was overtaken by Messengers who brought him the News of King Philip's death The Relation whereof as it hapned was thus His weak and crazy Body was broken with old Age but chiefly from the last fore-going Spring with sharp pains of the Joynts but in the Summer his sickness began to incease To whom that he might have some ease by the Relaxation of his Mind he commanded his Servant to tarry him in his Horse-Litter to the Eseurial a Palace which he had sumpruously builded with extraordinary Cost while in the imeirm the Netherlandish Affairs languish'd and lay gasping for want of Money This Palace is reckon'd among the most famous Instruments of this Age. Then being unable to endure the tossing of the Litter and the thickness of the Air as soon as he was reposed he fell into a Feaver his Sinews being
now Count Bucquoy having transported his Regiment over the Rhine as also two other Spanish Regiments and afterwards almost half the Horse at one and the same time Orseo and Malsem a Village lying over against it were both by Mendosa's Command begun to be fortified though he had promised within five dayes to depart from thence sending forth into the by-wayes Souldiers to fetch Wood wholopping and topping Trees though never so far distant would hardly abstain from taking Wood from the Houses At first it was thought safeguard enough for the Garison to make a firm passage over the River but afterwards they receded from that Counsel While these things were a doing and Frederick viewed all the Skirts of Germany whereever he came whether among Subjects or Enemies the violence and cruelty of the Spanish Army did not onely cast a great terrour among the naked and unarmed People but by various Reports of the vulgar as is usual in War but much perplexed also the Vnited States so that they mistrusted their Borders and were unsatisfied of their more inward Garrisons The Prince who was preparing as well to meet as prevent this terrour at the first news of their motion calling together his Souldiers that were quartered in the inner parts of the Country especially the English and Scotch to whom likewise came part of the Garrison-Souldiers from the Brill and Flushing he marched to Aynheym whither also hastned those Regiments of Foot and the Horse under the Conduct of Count William of Frizeland But the Ships of War that were to come thither being hindred by cross Winds were somewhat late ere they arrived Soon after going to take a view of Gravewaert from thence passed to the Territory of Zutphen and the Towns of Over-Issell and to all of them being either afraid of the Enemy or hoping and desirous to defend themselves against him he imparted an addition of strength out of his own Souldiers But the rest of the places were taken care of by their particular Governours But Doesburg and Doetichem from whence was the next passage out of Germany to the Issell on the right side of the Isle of Holland the Prince himself especially minded going thither with some Horse There was he met by his Aunt the Mother of the Counts Heremberge who with a great and Noble Train of her Daughters after Salutes past and Complements ended intreated him by all the tyes of blood and allyance and by his own fortune by which alone he had seen his nearest Relations divided in the War his Brother being on one part and her Husband on another that he would as much at he could by the Laws and Rule of War spare their Possessions To which purpose the works about Herenberg should be thrown down and the Garison withdrawn This Herenberg is a Town of Zutphen from whence the Family of the Counts Herenberg take their Title and by the same example other Towns and Castles that were likely to fall into the Enemies hands were likewise dismantled and so as was hoped redeemed from the miseries and mischiefs of War They fell to Consultation where they should pitch their Camp for in regard it appeared unsafe to incamp about Bercks least the Enemy interposing himself between them and the adjacent Towns to binder them from Provision should cut off their Army which indeed was much inferiour to the Enemy Wherefore the Prince thought fit to possess himself of a little Island that lay on the right hand of the Hollanders not far distant from the division of the River and the further Bank of the Rhine where the Dutchy of Cleves winding about the Town of Sevenaer sets bounds to the Jurisdiction of Zutphen On both sides they had Bridges made of Boats for the more commodious passage over the River as well of their great Guns as their Horse And as soon as the danger was gathered all together into one part the rest of their fears vanished so that now the Souldiers were called from Ostend Nimmeghen and the furthest parts of Holland and Zeland to supply the want of those Forces whereof the Army had been drained by the Garrisons These were brought to the Prince by Count Hohenlo whose diligence and labour was very remarkable in furnishing all the Cities of Over-Issell while the Enemy lay every where scattered among them with great Guns Engines of War and all other necessary things for the defensive part and beating off an Assaylant near at hand or at a distance Then the Prince supposing it necessary to be provided against all imminent Occurrences by knowing what number of men he had with him upon muster of his Army he found that he had fifteen hundred Horse and scarce six thousand Foot too small a number publikely to meet the Enemy in the Field with yet sufficient to repel them yea and fight with them upon occasion where they might be helped by the Policy of the General and advantage of time and place And therefore understanding by some Prisoners that Mendosa's Provisions were coming to the Town of Geldres he made hast back with some Troops and the chief Officers of the Army to the Maes in hope of intercepting the Enemies Relief and Convey between Venloo and Moers But the River being passed the Spanyards first suspecting afterward learned the design and so escaped the danger Thus being disappointed they every one went to follow their Commands at their own Regiments Now there began some Skirmishes upon the Rivers by the more then ordinary confidence of some few runawayes who being brought in a Carriage-Boat should as if it were by chance strike against a long Boat of the Hollanders lying upon the watch at Rees and so overwhelm it with Darts In this Interim the Spanish Army every day increased more and more by the new coming of fresh forces insomuch that now their multitude became burdensom to themselves while they devoured all the Provision that could be brought to them far and wide besides what came from Colen and the Neighbouring Towns by which means Provision grew very dear which happened not through any want that there was thereof but from the Souldiers want of pay and as evils seldom go alone this dearness of Provision in the Spanish Army was waited on by a plundering of the Fields and Villages about Ments and other parts of Germany that border upon the Rhine but their malice was chiefly vented upon those who were averse or seemed Enemies to the Roman Catholick Religion This was the beginning of Rapine and plundering and if either the Souldiers of the place or the youth of the Country offered to resist their injurious extortions there was no more then a word and a blow which was the cause of many promiscuous slaughters yet could not the Souldiery be kept within their obedience for all this liberty they took to themselves but sometimes falling into extravagant demands of money as if they had been weary of idleness or timorous blood would turn their madness either against
things were transacting in these places another part of the Spanish Army passing over the Rhine sate down against Urseo and with an unprofitable pride scorning the Redemption the Country offered for their Lands made clandestine incursions more like Thieves than Souldiers into the furthest part of Zutphen and some part of Over-Issel wasting those places where although they committed no great spoyl but among the Germans who lay mingled thereabouts though they got not much plunder yet they lost good store of blood which made them rage without measure or mercy shewing many examples of their blood-thirstiness against the Towns lying up the Luppe and Roer But all these promiscuous slaughters of the vulgar and the infinite number of their horrid villanies were all darkened obscured and seemed as nothing to that one barbarous Murther committed upon a Person of Honour It was Viricus Falcâ—steyne Count of Brucke the name seems to hint to us the name of the Bruckeri who agreed with the Hollanders in point of Religion and in the Counsel of their Nation constantly opposed all such as spoke any thing in the behalf of the Spanish faction He had with him a hundred Souldiers and as many Boors or rather more with whom he undertook the defence of a weak Castle and many times drove away the Spaniards from their spoyling of the Country by the fear of him and sometimes with slaughter Therefore being commanded to yield up his Guard when relying upon the validity of the German Laws be refused and one Lopez being sent to the Siege his Souldiers were so wearied with the length of their march that they were unfit to fight Which he noting prevented Extremity by Articling for the preservation and safety of the Lives and Fortunes of himself and all his who had been Reported to have bin many more in number which it was thought was one Motive causing his death for contrary to the Covenants agreed the Castle was demolish'd his Wife taken from him his Souldiers all kill'd and himself kept prisoner where having bin detain'd some days he was invited to go abroad and take the fresh Air One Peter Agayo had received the Command to kill him but to do it in such manner as his Death might be imputed to accident In his Walk he passed by the Ground yet wet with the Bloud of his Souldiers when they that guarded him following behind as Waiters the Executioners of Death first striking him with a Javelin afterwards kill'd outright with their Swords and they of his Familiars that were with him underwent the same Fate The Order of this Murther being publish'd abroad the Friends and Kindred of the Count were all moved to Revenge nay and so bitter was the Peoples Indignation against it that the Council of Juliers could not or would not pass it by in Silence Whereto Mendosa gave very careless Answers as believing it enough to deny his Knowledge or Command of the Fact though he suffer'd it to go unpunish'd Adding moreover That it had not hapned but by the Divine Providence that he fell by War who ought long before to have suffer'd for his publike Crimes of Sedition and Impiety and much upbraiding his Obstinacy accounting this also among his Faults That he had as it were in Contempt answer'd his Latine Letters in the German Tongue of which he knew his viz. Mendosa 's Ignorance And then if any more grievous Accident had hapned he commended to them Patience without which he averred himself uncapable of Ruling a Multitude inraged with Poverty and Injury But these Flouts in Words were attended with seriousness of Action One of the Noblest Towns in those parts beyond the Rhine is Wesel famous among the Dutch both for Merchandise and Arts which were brought thither by the frequent Resort of Foreiners from other Countries flying for their difference in Religion That City supposing her self more oppressed than the rest by having a Spanish Judge had determin'd by an Honourable Legation and some Gifts to win upon the General 's Mind which he understanding answer'd He was not such a one as could be induced or perswaded to let alone that which was necessary to be done or that knew not to do kindnesses to good People unless moved thereto by the Allurements of Gifts but indeed there was no other way to merit his Favour than by restoring the Publike Worship of God to its true and pristine condition which would in truth be an act so lovely and pleasing to him that he would esteem it beyond many Gifts Which Things were so spoken by him because they of Wesel having been often commanded by the General 's Council to receive the Romane Rites within their Walls had obstinately refused it And therefore the Spaniard soon after passing the Rhine with his whole Army commanded them to receive a great Garrison both of Horse and Foot as their Neighbour Town of Burick had done and withall to beware That nothing were innovated in those Parts by the Enemy But the Difference was easily understood for their Obedience drew along with it an alteration in the State and if they denyed the Licentious Souldier greedy of Prey would scarcely be contained from the Assault and Spoil of the City Wherefore seeking some means to appease the General and avoid the Fury of his Anger they sent him a great quantity of Corn and in Money a Hundred Thousand Dollers which Sum was not raised out of the Tributes but paid out of the Publike Treasury Concerning the value of which there grew a great Contention between the Souldiers and Citizens which had almost renewed their Danger unless the Governours on both sides had moderated their inraged Minds With this Money and what was gather'd otherwise in the Neighbouring Towns and came from Bruxels Mendosa perswaded the Army That though they had refused it hitherto that leaving some Garrisons on the hither Bank of the Rhine they would suffer themselves to be led beyond the Rhine From thence they passed the River Luppe by a firm and strong Bridge which they commanded them of Wesel to make for that which was formerly made the Materials whereof being Bundles of Hay bound up with Clay and by the Artificers bestirring themselves placed upon New Boats as many such seem'd to do well yet would serve for no use so though singly they were passable enough yet by reason of their inequality of Burden many of them together were troublesome and dangerous There it was thought fit by the Opinion of Velasco rather to pass the Issel than to go so far from the Borders now at the beginning of Winter where they were not certain of Provision and to lye about the wet and marshy Soil of Frizeland In this March they exacted from the People of Munster both Money and Instruments of War though the United States admonish'd them otherwise assuring Them That they should not expect any help or Peace from them if the Enemy were augmented either by their Assistance or Sluggishness From thence Rees
nor erected according to the modern way of Fortification which for hastning the Work was to be a Second to the adjoyning Bulwark While this was doing Mendosa batter'd Doetechem a Town also in Zutphen Jurisdiction which is an hours Journey from Doesburgh and the 3d day he came to the Trench without sending any Summons according to the Custom of War choosing rather to terrifie the Besieged with Danger than Threats as confident by that Example after the first bloud drawn it would not be refused Yet it is believed that the Interest of Frederick Count Hiremberg procur'd the Surrender of it the Souldiers upon delivery being disarm'd and commanded not to bear Arms during the space of 6 Moneths out of Holland or Zeland and the Townsmen having free Pardon and Impunity after 20 years continuing faithful to the States were now first compell'd to change their Masters with this one small Victory After Bergh the course of the King 's Army was stopped acknowledging their Errour That they had not at first without Delay fallen upon Doesburg which they thought would have yielded presently if Prince Maurice taking time by the Fore-lock had not come thither himself and by his Policy prevented them And this was all worthy of Note done by these great Forces being hindred to proceed further either by the Season of the Year or shortness of Time and Provisions their Want being so great that many Runaways from them affirmeâ— They had not tasted a bit of Bread in five days by which Extremity of Hunger and feeding on unwholesom Victuals Diseases did so increase that in a short time above 7000 Men were lost and dead The News whereof coming to the Deputy Regent Cardinal Andrew of Austria and Commands from him received They consult to go and Winter in Germany with he whole Army The Spaniards had oftentimes done many things impiously and without shame or modesty but they never before so highly contemned the Censures and Judgments of Men as that they would not endeavour to palliate their Wickedness with some pretence But this one Thing will excuse the Injury so openly done by publike Council viz. They supposed no man so innocent but that ought rather to perish than suffer his Affairs to be brought into hazard For this is evident If so many Regiments of Foot and Troops of Horse or indeed more truly so great a Company of Seditious Persons pinched with Poverty should remain in the Netherlands it were much to be fear'd that together with this New Empire they would introduce Old Examples of Defection and Rebellion Wherefore Mendosa leading back his Army took the Castle of Sculenberg which done he took leave of the States Borders The Prince follow'd his departure upon the Track not so much glorying before in his Works as he did then that he had defended his Country which Honour great Captains used to seek before they looked for Triumphs and Mural Crowns It pleased him to view the Situation of their empty Camp and the unperfect Works of the starved Enemy But it was a sad Spectacle to behold in what Numbers the Sick and Wounded lay scatter'd every where who being deserted by the Army were left to the pityless Injuries of the Air and Weather besides the want of all Things else These Enemies of whom their own Friends took no pity he caused to be refreshed with Victuals for Octayola that was by Mendosa left at Doetichem being summon'd by a Herald from the Prince That he would assist those miserable Wretches and take them into Coverture returned an Answer more like a Souldier than a Man That within those Walls there was room onely for sound and healthful Bodies Then after some small Horse Fights and the taking of Count Bucquoy in which Affairs Lewis of Nassaw principally had the Conduct Prince Maurice came to Arnheym laying up there all the Provisions of War for the Year following which shew'd him very judicious in his foresight because from thence he could easily supply all the Towns round about in time of Danger both with Victuals and Arms. But before he dismissed his Forces understanding that the City of Emmeric did very impatiently bear the Yoke of Spanish Slavery sent Count Hohenlo to regain the same by Force of Arms and Battery from Mendosa who then Winter'd hard by in Rees taking no Care to send any Relief to his men in distress because the Bank of the Rhine being digg'd through had so overflow'd the Ways that he believ'd they could not have passed Emmeric retaken the Prince thought not sit to put a Garrison into it but by the Advice of his Council it was left that by the Example thereof he might cause the Enemy to be more envyed With the same hope Sevenaer in the Dutchy of Cleves was quitted by the Prince From thence going to the Hague together with the Senate according to Custom he advised the States of each Province that there was need of a greater Army wherefore he hoped they would provide in greater measure Money for the Souldiers Pay and other extraordinary Charges for that the Enemy lay now more heavy upon one part and that they should rescind all prejudicial Procrastinations Accounting all other Necessities as nothing in regard of that one for their Defence At this time there were many famous Funerals celebrated in those Provinces Florence Palante Count of Culenburg formerly accounted among the chief Commanders of the Nobility that conspired against the Inquisition but afterwards being found unfit for that Charge and of himself desirous to take his ease grew old and almost unknown to those Factions which he himself had been the first Author of But Philip Aldegunde led a more notable private Life whom whoever had seen inseparable from the Prince of Aurange and governing Cities and People would have admired to find him afterwards retired to a studious Repose even to his death But certainly Elberte Leoninus at first brought under the shadow of Learning and before the Peace made at Gaunt a publike Minister of the King's Party then Chief Justice and of the Publike Council of Gelders in which Employment he dyed A Man that attained by Nature what the Precepts of the Old Philosophers dictated and was so free from all passionate Fancy that he follow'd Parties not out of Affection because they were so but because he found them so 'T is a strange Thing to relate with what Flagitious Acts Mendosa's Army filled Germany the Towns being assaulted and forced without any difference their readiness to resist being so gotten in the Confidence they had of their long-continued Peace At the same time the Country People in hope of getting to a place of Refuge fled but their collected Wealth made them become both a more rich and easie Prey to those Russianly Plunderers The Fields were wasted enough in their very Passage so that in some places they proved barren the Year following because they were worn out at that time when they ought to have been sowed No less uncivil
how great mutations have happened in later times by frequent inundations when as yet there had not been suâ—h care taken for banks as at present and when the Maes run formerly another way as is set â—â—th in the antiquities of our fathers the name of the old châ—â—nel beyond Hesdin sufficiently testifies but now it runs thus That part of Gelderland which runs forth by Cleves between both the Rivers is by the Inhabitants properly called Maesland and by little and little growing narrower ends at the conflux of the Rivers which by their doubly mixed waters in a short space make the Island of Voorn from whence again dividing and growing distinct Rivers each follows his own course keeping their names till they meet again making a fair Island belonging to the Jurisdiction of Gildres whose chief place is the Village Harwarden and its utmost bounds the Castle of Lovesteine which is the name of a Town hard by the Isle of Bommel encompassed almost round about with the Waell This City in the Duke of Alva's time was one of the first that threw off serviâ—ude and from that instant hath held a firm Alliance with the Hollanders each to be a mutual defence to the other Not far from Harwarden are the bendings of the River and then the Isle is discovered a-again at the Village of Rossem famous for the birth of Martin of Rossem who at the command of the Emperor Charles first came into the Netherlands with a band of spoylers and afterwards changing his quarters entred France from hence these Rivers run separate and divided a great space but the Maes took a greater circuit more largely spotting it self in the fields of Brabant tending Southerly where in a strait course it looks upon Boisledac and so passeth in the middle between the fort of Creveceur and the Castle Hely within the Island afterwards falls into Holland and in a small division of it self surrounding the Isle Hemert and washing the walls of Hoesden finisheth his course in an entire body The Spaniards hopes and resolutions concerning the inâ—sion of these places was heightned by several guids sent to the tops of the Alps who upon their return with one consent did declare That the snows there being less than usual did promise small increase of the waters and Rivers And it was thought fit not to go in a great body but in several parties that by the shew of keeping their Camp at Gravewaert they might as long as possible make the Enemy linger and delay to give timely assistance Therefore they that had hitherto staid at Gennep now removed to Sapen as if they intended it only for securing their provisions soon after were added Barlot and Stanley with their Regiments of Spaniards Walloons and Irish four hundred horse under the conduct of Henry Count Heremberg first descending suddenly to assault Voorne Island if it were slackly guarded But perceiving it to be in vain they stayed hard by untill the boats that were to be brought in Carts from Boisleduc arrived to their help yet with their great Guns for they had brought some thither they shot at a Ship of the Hollanders which lay there to guard the River and passing the Maes not far from Rossem drove the Enemyes horse from off the banks while the Foot durst nor venture to resist and so entred the Isle of Bommel wandring sometimes here sometimes there waiting either for orders or more additional forces and the commanders themselves being equal in power fall at variance among themselves loosing thereby that fair opportunity the Cardinal Andrew fearing reproof and expostulatious more then was requisite in Martial Discipline And as at other times so here the goodness of God was manifest towards the Hollanders when for the most part all humane counsells were deficient for the managing of these great and apparent hopes against them For the City of Bommel a place of great esteem in the war lay almost open to any assailant the old Fortifications thereof being narrow and weak and the new begun three years before not perfect while the State being drawn to mind other affairs spared to lay out any moneyes about this place and the rather because the water on the one side and the â—arshy wetness of the earth on the other seemed to be a defence to it against the Enemy The Prince hearing of these things hasted speedily to march thither yet did not arrive till the second day after the Enemies passage yet before they had attained the bank of the Waell he came into the City and restored courage to the Citizens that were surprised with fear of the danger and preparing to fly For although he confirmed as well the Isle of Hemart as any other places he doubted both by his care and Souldiers yet he was most intent for Bommell where he himself was for the most part present to increase their garrison and to help forward their works And at this time there was manifested excellent wayes of dâ—fending Towns made use of frequently by the Prince afterwards and no less used by the Spaniards and the use thereof is likely to continue to perpetuity as oft as any are in feâ—r to be besieged by meeting the Enemy with far extended fortifications which yield a great space to the Defendants and keep off danger a longer time from the inner parts of a place for to the Forts which were joyned to the Breast-work more and more great Rampires were added which being themselves invironed with water did contain whatever was necessary for defence in their outermost line having many strong defences While these things were speeding forward the Spanish forces and they who marched away from Emmeric with other their associates who then by chance had begun to besiege Creveceur Fort met all together to whom the Fort was easily rendred as also what was opposite to the Fort in Hely Castle There Mendosa made a bridg of boats over the Maes for the transporting of his Souldiers and provisions wherewith he was abundantly supplyed from Boisleduc That City rejoycing that the Enemy was driven from being their neighbours and being very diligent and careful in the rest that they might with the less offence refuse a garrison they would admit Cardinal Andrew but with a certain number of men to come within their walls These strong attempts of the Enemy did not terrify the Hollanders but made them rather be more intent then before with courage to employ both their Wealth and Forces for they were about for the increasing their treasury to set a tax or impost upon all sales contentions and Inheritances which was taken very hardly but the two hundredth penny was more burthensome and therefore continued but a short while although the custome thereof was of old much commended among free people for the equality thereof But the Riches of many were unknown or else by reason of traffiquing uncertain and the suspected Faith of Professors hindred the same And this highly offended the common people
overjoyed refused to redeem themselves or their goods but making an excuse of poverty whereupon the Hollanders setting fire both upon the Town and Castles departed their revenge being to them instead of prey The success at Gomera was not much unlike for there an empty Town lay open to them the Guns and other things which the People could not carry away with them in their flight being buried under ground and some who for hope of prey went up into the Mountains were slain to the number of fourscore which was a great Victory to the weak multitude and according to the Custom of Barbarians they shewed great cruelty upon the dead and conquered Bodies which when they had regained they set all the Buildings they came to on fire Douse seeing these his first hopes fait and knowing there would be no need of so great an Army to wast the Coasts he sent one part of the Fleet home with what prey was gotten who happily escaping the Enemies Fleet for at the same time that had set Sail from Corunna and by and by separated by the boysterousness of the Weather yet at last in the middle of Autumn they attained the Harbour Himself with the rest of the Forces appointed to go to Brazil a noble part of America in possession of the Portugueses and abounâ—ing with a rich sort of Wood and Sugar But chusing the Hesperides and all Africa joyning upon the Ocean as a safer Voyage when he saw there many Novelties particularly money made of Shells he wandred from thence increasing his number with some Merchants Ships which he had taken coming from Spain by some fatall Counsel he chooses the Island of St. Thomas a Colony of the Portugalls for the refreshing his Men. They were invited to that place by the fresh waters and Shell-fish called a Tortoise which is no unsavory meat and besides many times full of Eggs which have so hard a Shell as is not easily broken There is also an infinite store of Fish which either for fear of other devourers or through ignorance of humane covetousness because no Fishermen come thither stick to the sides of the Ships There were moreover some fowl which being weary of flying sit down of their own accords This Island of Ethropia which is called Guine lyes in such a Climate that the nights and dayes are equal and tempers the heat of the Sun that is alwayes perpendicular to them and never so declining as to make any Winter which part of this wide World Antiquity asserted neither to bear Corn Fruits or Men because those ages were ignorant of the Art of Navigation But as experience teacheth there is no part of Nature but is usefull some way or other nor is the modesty of men such as that they will leave the most barren and unhealthful soil unsearched for gain The Circuit of the Island is almost round where it is broadest they reckon it but twelve leagues the middle part is mountainous over which clouds continually hanging with their dew make abundance of Reeds or Canes to grow out of which Sugar is taken the profit arising whereof is so great as maintains the Portugueses and imployes for each of them a hundred or more servants Here likewise groweth Ginger and Trees whose juice exceeds the use of Wine both for pleasantness of taste and quenching the thirst Here no man resisted them at their landing the Town of Pavousa after a light â—ickering was taken Douse then gave notice to Francisco Menez that kept the Castle That he was not come to Sea like a Pirate but that he was sent with a well furnished Fleet by the most noble Captain Prince Maurice and the States to punish both old and new injuries with a publick War That he would do well therefore not to make him who had greater matters to look after to stay there for one Garrison assuring mercy and clemency to such as yielded but punishment or death to them that continued stubborn and so bringing thither some Artillery the surrender of the place quickly followed But the Islanders who were fled making a great eruption set fire on the Town whose flames were suffred to expatiate to the great ruine of others for the Hollanders moved at the damage as if it had been their own scattered the fire up and down the fields and Villages But Heaven it self fought most sharply for the Inhabitants for an incurable and violent disease seized the Hollanders in their Tents and pursued them with that malevolence and destruction as is hardly imaginable Nor indeed shall I excuse them as being so ignorant in things of nature that they did not shun places lying directly under the stroke of the Suns heat and pestilenti 〈…〉 Ayres which though if find fit bodies naturalized therâ—to from their very parents there yet is not to be born by a people not used thereto and comming from parts much more North for the Ayre there is neither cleansed cooled not refreshed with any Winds and so by means of the untemperateness grows foul and corrupted with a dusky vapour endammages the earth and this makes the countenances of the Portugueses that dwell there to be of a pale wan colour and the continual recourse of Fevers doth sufficiently argue That even they that were born in a warmer Climate do draw in a more dangerous Ayre At first the Judges sent to inhabite this Island only such as were condemned persons in Portugall but now covetousness doth bring others thither voluntarily Although it hath seldome been found that any European born ever attained there to his middle age But the Seamen besides the heat of the Ayre being wearied with labour were driven to remedies equal to the evills they suffred for a deadly sleepiness very noxious to such as went to take the cool Ayre at the rising of the Moon and Sugar and Indian Nuts and other things causing a flux they eat unmeasurably And now the drinking of water too greedily brought the disease full out among them but whether it were corrupted by the fraud of men I may worthily doubt since it agrees with the malice of that Nation and that not differing from reason Another cause of their ruine was their use of Venereal sports with some of the Women Nâ—tives the most of which are so libidinous that they will endeavour to allure men into their embraces in such diversity that Nature was not able to bear such a traffique of bodies thus they brought upon themselves several causes of death on every hand This Pestilential mortality was made more noted by the death of Dâ—use the Admiral who being of a very gross corpulent body was not capable of much motion in his natural climate being for two dayes rather languishing than sick he dyed not by any disease but only by the melting of his fat as was supposed By whose death all the common rabble were so troubled that their hopes began utterly to droop and soon after the cry of all was to leave that infectious place
while the War was in its heat and his Affairs in no thriving condition in the beginning of Autumn he came and found Cardinal Andrew and Mendosa at variance and attributing each of the prosperous successes of that year to himself and the failings therein to the other of whom the Cardinal was dismissed to his Ecclesiastical business but Mendosa still retained in favour and continued in his command besides he saw Germany offended and the Souldiers ready to mutiny for want of their pay which there was no visible means at present to raise for them for the Netherlanders were poor and a great Army together with a prepared Fleet against the Hollanders and Germans out of a dubious fear of them as Enemies had pressed upon Philip and drained all his garrisons both in Spain and the Islands At Antwerp the Souldiers in the Castle required money At Hamond a free Town in the Bishoprick of Leige and the places about some Troops of Horse and Regiments of Foot gathered Tribute both out of the Towns and Countrey which was exacted from them with the threats and terror of Fire and Sword The Garrison of Fort Andrew having privately obtained a truce with Count Ernest of Nassaw who kept the opposite bank sent great threats to Boisledue and the adjacent places unless they would pay them the Arrears of what was due to them for many years service All these mischiefs the Princes found a foot when they came into the Countrey and by their presence were so far from setling them that new evils rather sprung up The Nobility being inraged that both in countenance and habit the Princes were so Hispaniolized and would be saluted by the Netherlanders with bending of the knee And now as the Court grew burthensome even in time of Peace by Princely Revellings and imperious Luxury so it s great expences added much to the increase of their penury for remedy whereof the Deputies required great Tributes of every Province which was alwayes very displeasing but now first of all grew odious adding That it was unjust that they should bear greater burdens for their fidelity and reverence to their Princes then the Rebels did for maintenance of their injury Nor would any thing else be hearkned to untill the Solemnities of installing the Princes were over though the Brabanters urged Albertus his promise That the Castles should be demolished and the Forreign Souldiers sent away But Isabella affirming That she was wholly ignorant of any such Agreement was besides very angry as if in those Demands Liberty were sought against her Self Moreover the Walloons pray'd That the Edicts might be taken away whereby the Hollanders Merchandizes so necessary for them were forbidden But these Things were onely spoken of and so forgotten with the Sense of their imposed Servitude and the Rites of State being performed the marryed Princes were received as Dukes and Counts and by chance while according to antient Custom the Oath for the Government of Brabant was administred without the Walls of Louvayn two Villages in sight of them were set on fire by some Horsemen of Holland which was look'd upon as an Evil Omen as beginning their Rule among Slaughters and Blood And the United States were no less rejoyced at the Evil Fortune of their Enemies than they were troubled at their own and being debarred of Trade with Spain and also the Hostile part of the Netherlands by the Edicts and the French Peace thereupon the flight of the Artificers diminish'd the Revenues growing both by Sea and Land Nor did the Tributes of that Year suffice for the Expence although they were very high and hereupon Moneys were forced to be taken up at Usury sometimes equalling the Principal nor were the growing Burdens less so that the whole Chaâ—ge of the War was turned against them England also that had been wont to help them recalling their Souldiers had summon'd their Ships also but by and by the Fear vanishing Thanks were returned and nothing else At this time a potent Army commanded by the Earl of Essex harassed the Marishes and Boggs of Ireland that were the last Subterfuges of their Liberty with a Success in all his Publike Atchievments fortunate enough but in his private Undertakings not so happy For being rather a fierce than prudent Young-man and politikely sent into a Rugged Country among Enemies having through ignorance of the places received many losses at last making a Truce with Tyrone and returning Home without leave found the Queen from whom before his departure in a Contest he had receiv'd a Blow wiâ—h her Hand which he took with that Impatience as if she had not sate in a Throne during his Absence by the Insinuations of his Emulous Adversaries and the unwary Praises of his Friends hardned against him with Suspitions and Fear so that he was immediatly taken as a guilty person and committed to Custody Thus the pretended Fautors of Peace prevail'd against the afflicted young Nobleman who had gotten Honour by War That which shew'd the Queen's Inclination thereto was That the Spaniard was unmoved at Sea and that the Trade of other Nations coming thither were hindred But the Queen pressed on that Counsel as long as she had any fear of the Enemies Fleet although an Embassador sent to her from Bruxels assur'd her of safety though all was in vain with a suspitious and incredulous Woman Nor did in a secret manner give Notice of this to the States That both her Self and the English her Subjects had need of Peace to advance their Trading and that she might establish her Kingdom against the impious hopes of such as laid Snares for her Old Age yet that they should not fail in their Courage but as they equally shunned the Dominion of the Austrian and French if they desired to keep her Friendship they should retain their Liberty or else give the Government of the Commonwealth to a Prince of their own and that if she enjoyed Peace she could easily supply them with many things which now she was compelled to require of them It is not hard to conjecture how much many Mens Minds were moved at this decaying Alliance and there were some Temptations used by the Emperour who once again intended to send some to them to perswade to Peace But They by Resolute Advice before the Embassadors were come to the Borders wrote Letters wherein They admonish'd Them to spare their unprofitable Labour Why They could not hope for a safe or durable Peace They had often declared and they had at the present no Reason to recede from their former Counsels or Resolutions unless perhaps the wickedness committed in Germany and the Right of Trading broken off by Treachery and the Spaniards holding the Netherlands under the pretended Names of the Arch-Dukes should be taken as Incentives to Peace Thus wisely were all vain Discourses avoided by the principal Authors of such daring Attempts to the Hollanders who the Year following in the doubling of their Pole-money out of their own Wealth
under the false Title of Honour affects those kind of Conflicts from whence can arise neither a profitable Victory to the Publique and among Wise-men Death in such a Quarrel doth hardly deserve a Pardon The Winter yet continuing lest any occasion given by the Enemies Troubles among Themselves might slip Prince Maurice suddainly providing a Fleet and dispersing otherwise several Rumours of War within â— days forced the Castle or Fort of Crevecour adjoyning to the Maes and Dies to surrender The Enemies Horse that came thither too late to strengthen the Garrison and were denyed Entrance at Shertogenbosh that City always fearing Souldiers were slain almost to the Number of 5â—0 The Work about the Fort augmented by Mendosa were now finish'd by Prince Maurice From thence he went to the Fort Andrew where the Germane and Walloon Souldiers thrusting out their Captains openly acknowledged a Sedition and sending Balotte who under pretence of an Expedition should allure them out they escaped the Fraud yet they held that strong Fort not without hope of pardon as a Pledge for the Arrears of Three Years Pay due to them and for this they were more obstinate against the Enemy because a less price was offer'd them for their coming over than they hoped to get and yet saved both their Oath and Honour There were some great Guns left there for resistance the Rampire it self was like a Castle wherein were two Fortresses or Batteries upon the Maes and two upon the Wael the fifth looking towards Harwarden About the Trench and beyond it were continual Galleries and then again a Trench within which the Rivers were contained In the strength of these Works the Spaniards had so great Confidence that Albertus in his Letters and Discourse boasted That he possessed the Mouth of the Rivers and that he had put a Yoke upon the Necks of the Hollanders As long as the Sâ—yl overflowed by the Rivers this Winter would not bear digging being sollicited to come to Articles they resolutely denâ—ed and a Captive Souldier being dismissed by Prince Maurice to perswade them to a Surrender was kill'd in detestation of the Treachery nor would seem to send the Body into the Camp Whereupon turning Counsel and Advice into Force Prince Maurice thought nothing so fit as to begirt the Besieged with a Camp and to fortifie himself against Enemies from abroad Whereof dismissing the Horse whereof there was no use in those moyst and wet Grounds he placeth part of his Forces in Ships and upon Bridges in the Fields of Tiel and Bomâ—â—â— and other small Islands in the Waell The main of his strength he setled on the Edge of Brabant and breaking the Bank le ts in thither the Maes that he might have the more free space for Erecting his Works and also stop the Enemies passage that Way Besides in six places he built Forts with other lesser Bulwarks intermixt whereby all passage to him was utterly cut off and for increasing their Terrour the Castle of Batenborg situate at the Maes and yet carrying some glimmering of the Old Name of the Hollanders in its own formerly as far as the French Borders was brought into subjection by the Battery of great Guns whose Noise and Thunder the Besieged heard And they were grievously wounded with Darts yet unevenly thrown and at uncertainty which the others returned to them again and many of them being consumed they were forced to seek lurking places under the Rampire But the want of Wood and Medicines most afflicted them the moysture of the overflowed Ground being very prejudicial to the Health of their Bodies The Souldiers in the Town of Shertogenbosch kept up their hopes by giving frequent Signs by Fire and endeavouring to carry in ships but in vain The Army also came under the Command of Velasco threatning great Things but they could find no way to their Companions the Fields being cover'd with Water and the Forts opposing them And now much of the Mountain Snow being melted by the approach of the Spring and after their Rivers returned to their bounds the Pioneers began to fall to work especially in the night and when the Moon grew old At length they came to the Gallery which we mentioned to be encompassed with a Rampire When the Souldiers though they had not suffered the utmost extremity yet being out of all hope of Relief and Prince Maurice hastning to redeem the time they came to Conditions and one hundred twenty five thousand Florens were payd part of their pay due from the Enemy which they divided man by man For this price was that famous and well-builded Fort bought standing most conveniently for the defence of Holland then the Cannon and whatever else was therein and one thousand two hundred Souldiers coming over to the Hollanders who performing according to Custom all the Sign of joy even They Themselves tryumphed over Themselves These men afterwards did very good service when giving over their licentiousness they returned to the Discipline of War yet they were for this thing proscribed as Traytors by the Enemy which together with hatred and fear of punishment put them in an excessive rage If these things were not to be approved before rigid Judges certainly these are more excusable then the Gertruydenburgers for they though defrauded of all their pay for a long season yet had stood out against a Camp and a two moneths Siege they do not complain upon just Causes since they alter their obedience to good advantage About this time the States set out an Edict that no one should reproach these new Souldiers for their transition or coming over as well understanding that even for smaller causes an Army hath sometimes fallen to intestine discords as of late during this Siege two Souldiers the one a German the other a Frenchman quartelling at Dice sell to fight when of a sudden each of their Country-men coming in to take parts had like to have been the cause of great slaughter and blood-shed for scarcely could the contest be ended even by the interposition of the States About this time the long pertinacy of the City of Groningen having justly enraged those that emulated it made the rest of the States fall upon sharp resolves such as is scarcely usual among free people the common people being in their own nature fierce and having gotten Governours that were exiles during the rule of the Spaniards and therefore be having themselves with the greater confidence towards the people disdained to live under severer Laws now then those that oppressed them under the King by whose connivence they had obtained to have their Houses Tax-free and some other things beneficial indeed to themselves but prejudicial to the Inhabitants who remembring these things by the Decree of the United States to whom they had subjected themselves they would not agree that many of the Priviledges they had nominally used should be taken away from them Besides they had neglected for three years together to bring their Tributes into the Treasury
Nephew to that famous Captain Coligny from whose Vertue and Valour be no whit degenerated General Vere himself was wounded for the Care whereof he was forced to go out of the Town into Zeland from whence not long after he returned safe and in health Nor were the Besiegers free from like hazards for within a few days Catrick and Bracamont both Collonels were kill'd In the Town that the Bullets and Granadoes might be the less feared the Ground was every where thrown up into thick Heaps like to Walls and to hinder the Enemies assaulting the Rampire towards the Sea was their chief Care because by their Approaches they give cause to fear the same therefore the Bank that was builded for keeping out the Sea was with some hesitation and danger thrown down and the Event proved successful against the Spaniards whose Trenches Huts and Batteries made of Osyers were drown'd at a great distance when the Winds made the Waters grow boysterous and Raging so that the Guards were forced to fly to the high Banks which they had raised thereabouts for the bringing their Carriages The Sea being thus let in incompassed Ostend like an Island which sometimes was a little offensive to the Town but with Palizado's Stones and other Ingenuity of that Maritime People the greatest force of the Waves was turned upon the Enemy Four Moneths were spent wherein the Besieged made successful Sallies and the Besiegers many fruitless Attempts against the Walls Some Souldiers also frequently running from one side to the other and some prisoners taken fill'd both Parties full of vain Rumours And within that time a Traytor was discover'd who had promised the Enemy to blow up the Town Magazine of Gunpowder The Arch-Duke Albertus himself and Isabella were many times Spectators of the slow progress of their Siege both Officers and Souldiers in the presence of their Princes shewing great Alacrity some binding together more of those long Faggots and Planks which they wrought into the Fashion of Globes and rolling these whither they listed consolidated Moory places and added new Works to those before raised others endeavour'd to connex and joyn together Works and Ways far distant each from other and some began to dig a great Ditch that all things might with the more ease be brought to them from Bruges But the United States having lost their Design of invading Flanders after the taking of Berck weary of such vast Disbursements and chiefly minding Ostend passed over the Summer and much of Autumn doing nothing at all But when they saw the Siege was like to be protracted and that they did not so much fear the Danger of Ostend as the vast Charges they must needs be at in Defence of the same they proposed either to make the Enemy draw off thence or if he would stay there to fall upon those parts of the Country that were unguarded A long time it was disputed in what place they might probably get the easiest Victory and with the most Advantage to them At length Shertogenbosh was Resolved on which since its Defection from the League had never been attempted by open War Neither was there at this time any greater Garrison than two Companies of Foot and as many Troops of Horse which were all Commanded by Anthony Grobbendone the City being always very sollicitous that they might not be oveâ— powred by the Souldiery 'T is true the City were of a generous Resolution so were the Magistrates and Clergy of whom there was no small Number very zealously affected These That their accustomed Religion Altars Images and beloved Saints might not be forsaken or contemtuously violated Those Repeating the Heroicall Actions of their Ancestors whose Valour had so often driven the Geldâ—ians from the Limits of Brabant Adding thereto their own present Example For every Night they set out Lights and took Order by Edict that the Prices of Victuals should in no manner be inhanced and that all kind of Deaths should be taken notice of by proper Marks set forth at the door of the deceased They Erected likewise a strong Redoubt for the safeguard of the Fuchten Gate On this side Prince Maurice pitched his Tents on the other over against him the Counts William and Ernest of Nassaw On both sides the Way lying through low Fields made the Passage very easie for Pioneers to come to the Town This Conveniency and the Cities being no otherwise Fortifyed or re-inforced than ordinarily it was gave hope of short Work about it when otherwise the Moneth of November and approach of Winter would have been enough to deter them from beginning such an Enterprise besides the number of the Besiegers were not sufficient to environ the vast Content of that City being onely 73 Companies of Foot and about 30 Troops of Horse Ostend requiring the best part of the Army But they feared not any Sallies from the Enemy who had enough to do to defend their own being not used to such business and all the Plain round about being Marshy was shut up with Forts They found also a Way to make the next Rivers and Brooks overflow their Banks by making Damms therein the more fully to drown the adjacent Parts But this was not so well done but that the Souldiers for all that twice broke into the Town And at the Request of the Brabanders Frederick Count Heremberg with some Foot and a strong party of Horse was sent thither by Albertus a Rumor being first spread over all the parts near and all things prepar'd as if he intended to fortifie the Village of Hellmont by which means he sent into the Town at first almost Three Hundred and soon after a Thousand Men the Besiegers knowing nothing of it and when they came to the knowledge thereof too late they onely kill'd a few straglers in the Rear Great was the Care and Diligence of the Magistrates and People in the Town to prevent fire which they greatly fear'd from the Red hot Bullets shot into it for they strowed the Floors with Sand took away all Weapons from strangers and kept in readiness all things that were fit to quench fire And the more to encourage them the Arch-Duke sent and promised That what Damage soever they susteined in their private Estates should be made good upon the Publike Account In the interim Prince Maurice hastned his Approaches which being brought to the Trench under the Walls there wanted onely Galleries and the last Extremities used towards Cities But the Frost cut off his hopes in the bud being more early and sharp then was expected for it had turned the Water in the Fields to Ice the Rivers were frozen so that Provision could not so easily be brought to them although the Besiegers way to the Town proved more facile but so violent was the cold that the Centinels were not able to endure it Whereupon the seven and twentieth day the Siege was raised Prince Maurice grieving and often wishing that the Weather would grow more mild But Count Herembergs approach
with his Forces caused him to make the more hast for the Count had taken to him the Souldiers which after their departure from Diest we mentioned before to be translated to the Town of Waâ—rt as also those that then were at Diest Nor did the Prince so much fear them in his Camp which was very strongly fortified as that they should make an incursion over the frozen Rivers into Holland which was then left unguarded the Carriages because they had no use of their Ships as many as could be were sent away before to Hesden and the residue were set on fire The Fortifications were all left standing yielding an ample Testimony of an Expert General and an Industrious Souldier The rest of Autumn and Winter was spent in light excursions The Hollanders forraging that part beyond the Rhine which is opposite to Colen under pretence of what was due to the late deceased Count Moers and on the other sides some parts of Brabant under their obedience being wasted by the Arch-Dukes Command because they refused to pay Tribute The War yet continued about Ostend with equall labour and toyl both to the Besiegers and Besieged for the Winterly Sea now shattered the Works of the Town anon those of the Camp besides the great moysture both of the Ayr and the Ground bred infinite Diseases whereof the English grew weary as finding their daily decay desiring leave of General Vere to return into their Country by these means ' the number of Defendants in the Town was so lessened that of seven thousand there scarce remained three which was not unknown to the Arch-Duke who when he saw the Gollet could not be choked up either by sinking Ships therein nor any other great heaps of Wood or Stones and that his Work could not be forwarded that way the Sea and policies of the Enemy pressing much upon him he resolved to bring the matter to the decision of true Valour hand to hand And first of all for a tryal of his Forces he commanded eight hundred chosen men by night to assayl the Walls of the Town that lye towards the Sea-shore which they valiantly put in execution burning up the Palizadoes and consuming all things of defence towards the Sea for a great space But the Tyde of Flood in a short time beginning caused them to depart leaving behind them not a few of their own number which had been either killed or wounded before by the shot yet they resolved having received new Supplies into the Camp at once with all their force to storm the Town on both sides as well that part which looks backward into the Fields as that which abuts upon the Sea as also the Porcupine and Sandhill the Principal Forts in that part Of which General Vere having Intelligence by a Prisoner and fearing the small number of his men without any advise of his Officers but led by his own single Judgement very few knowing thereof made a short Truce with the Enemy and seeming as if he intended a Surrender both received and gave Pledges But the Souldiers especially they of Rossem mutinying thereat as fearing they should be betrayed to an implacable Enemy Vere was forced to send back the Arch-Dukes Pledges and to declare the Reasons of his actions to his Officers which was this That under pretence of a Treaty he might spin out that time of danger untill his expected Relief came which being understood it seemed good to all That for the safety of those Gentlemen which were then Hostages with the Enemy they should draw some eminent Persons among the Enemy into the Town with whom they would Treat very slowly upon some unusuall and unlikely Termes among which this was one That the Arch-Duke should pay a great sum of Money to the Souldiers upon their marching out of the Town In this interim a prosperous Gale brought out of Zeland five Companies of Men into the Town when immediately General Vere declared both to the Arch-Duke and his Commissioners that he had been driven by necessity to desire a Treaty but now in regard Supplies and Relief were come to him he could proceed no further without breach of his Oath yet that he hoped if he should in the future be reduced to extremity by the Arch-Dukes Forces the Clemency of so great a Prince would vouchsafe to hear him This Affront for so was it looked upon highly enraged the Arch-Duke because all Flanders were in a manner come together to see the delivery of the Town yea and the same of this Treaty was flown into Foreign Kingdoms Neither was this deceitful kind of Policy altogether excused by the States themselves who looked upon it as dishonourable in it self and carrying with it more of danger than necessary convenience This year some Foreign Affairs brought no small disadvantage to the Dutch Affairs for in England the Earl of Essex the great Adversary to the Peace of Spain though he was not at first committed to Custody yet was banished the Court and He that of late was so great in the Princes favour supported with many followers and defended with Armies now could not bear his life without Honour without Command pondering in his Breast variety of Counsels whether he should assault the Court by water or threaten it with War at a distance his Enemy prying into all his actions by the Queens directions whose mind was now much incensed against him for former faults without any regard to his Splendor of Body or Condition was called to answer for his offences He understanding his danger followed onely that Counsel which at the present was worst of all being neither modest enough or bold enough for detaining at his House the Lords that the Queen had sent to him Himself with a small Party hastning to London and there endeavouring to pervert the minds of the common people he was prevented by a publick Herald that by the Queens Command proclaimed him guilty of High Treason unless he presently submitted with which the People being striken into an amaze fearing themselves easily put off the care of another Hereupon the Gates are shut his House Besieged and himself now devoyd of Counsel surrendred himself and was carryed to prison by the Earl of Southhampton Judges according to the Custom of England being Assigned for his Tryal he was heard publickly where he spoke much against his Enemies especially against the Lord Cecill whom among the rest he branded with this Crime That he promoted peace with the Spaniard against whom he had revenged them but never altered his Faith and Allegiance to the Queen A great while the expectation of all people was held in suspence whether the Queens Clemency and old affections would forgive him or the greatness of his Crimes his suspected popularity and powerful Enemies would deprive him of all hopes of Pardon at last he was condemned and privately beheaded giving great Testimonies both of Piety and penitence at the eâ—it of his greatness his Death being attended with many of
his friends and followers The Report of a Fleet built in Spain spread a great terrour abroad part whereof was directed into the Hostile Coast of Africa and beaten back with Tempests the other part carryed a great Relief of six thousand men to the Irish Rebels under the Command of Don John de Aquila who setting forth a proud Edict boasted therein that he came to deliver Ireland out of the Jaws of the Devil he Landed in the Southern part of that Kingdom near the Town of Kingsale and vainly expecting great Forces of the Irish was Besieged there by the Lord Mountjoy who Governed that Province for the English Tyrone the Head of the Rebels attempted to break through leading a great Company of men after him over the frozen Moors but being beaten back with a great slaughter he retired into his fastnesses and lurking places Then Aquila upon Articles surrendering the Town and whatever else the Spaniards held in Ireland was in English Ships transported into Spain with the Remains of his Souldiers Not long after followed an unfortunate Expedition of the Spaniards against Caesaria a City of Barbary now vulgarly but corruptly called by an Arabian Name Algiere wherein they reaped no other fruit than the vast expence of a great sum of money Now also the Hollanders began boldly to undertake long Navigations for they passed the Streights of Magellan so called from the first finder Ferdinand Magellan afterwards sailed through by Drake and Cavendish Englishmen and now by a fourth upon their fame to wit Oliver Vander Nâ—ort of Roterdam this Streight being made narrow with long turnings and windings between the bounds of America and the yet unknown World he with much difficulty went through inâ—o the South Sea and over against it the Coast of Chili of an unknown Magnitude where also he found some enerayes to the Spaniards and thence by a reflex course came to the Isle of Borneo And so coming to the Cape of Good Hope having sailed round about the Earth he brought back no Wealth but onely great Honour to his Country and the names of places not heard of before at home But other Ships endeavouring the same Voyage having neither Men nor Victuals enough part of them being cast upon those strange Coasts were taken by the Spaniards others by the Barbarians And after they were taken were ignominously tormented and murthered which in the Salvages was but ignorance but in the Spaniards perfect Barbarisme At this time while the Hollanders strove to make advantage of all Reports against King Philip they were puffed up with great hope by a rumour that Don Sebastian late King of Portugall was alive there being a man found who had marks upon his Body such as the same King had and being taught many private particulars by some crafty Portugueses deluded the credulity of the rest of that Nation untill being delivered to the Spaniard by the Duke of Etruria he was condemned to the Galleys having first been shewed to the People there to expiate his impudence and subtlety of the worst sort where he continued in slavery until at last he was thence redeemed by the Kingly hand of a more gentle Death The Eleventh BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT Ostend the Besiegers hope was yet a great way off but the Arch Duke being inraged at the late action of General Vere he resolved to try if the valour of his men could perform any thing against hope and thereupon shooting with great impetuosity from a battery to that purpose raised against the Town-works upon that part where the old Town and the old Haven stood and understanding that there was a great breach made in the Works the ninth of January in the Evening at the ebbe of the Sea he commanded the Town to be stormed on all parts but especially on that part Two hundred Souldiers under two Captains were ordered point blank to fall upon Sand-Hill as many more upon the left side of the Bulwark and the like number upon the Curtain running before it These were seconded by Durange a Spanish Colonel with four hundred men more whose directions were to put Garrisons of Men into all places as soon as they were taken and to that purpose they were furnished with Victuals and Gunpowder and what other things are necessary either for the new erecting or repairing of Fortifications Against the Porcupine two hundred were appointed to the Storm and near three hundred more to defend and reinforce what was taken under Gambalotti an Italian Commander and under Don Augustino de Mexia four hundred men with a strong Guard for such as should work in the defences when taken Afterwards the whole Army being divided into several Battalia's that they might be ready to give assistance when ever occasion should require And Count Bucqury was sent to the East part of the Town At Sandhill there was a cruel and bloody Fight because General Vere having received Intelligence from a Fugitive of the Enemies intent had brought thither chiefly as well great Guns as all other things fit to do damage to the Enemy and every where kindled fires that all the Assaylants actions might the more clearly be discerned And now the Palisado's being cut down the Scaling-Ladders were brought to the Works where between the prevalency of the Spanish Pikes and the English Swords was a very hot Dispuâ—e during which Gen Vere opening two Sluces and the old Haven over whose shallows the Enemy was to pass he drowned all thereabouts for a great compass by which means not onely the Gun-powder was spoiled which every Souldier carryed for his own use but many by force of the waters were carryed away into the Sea and there drowned besides the Seconds not coming on according to order they who were in the first Assault were compelled to retreat wherein they met with a twofold Death the one from their Enemies Weapons the other from the force of the Waters And Bucquoy putting what he was commanded to do in execution too late performed less for while he delayed the Tyde of Flood increased whereby his way was precluded The defences on the backside of the Town and other slight Works General Vere took no great thought for while the Enemy made this Assault knowing that some threatning offers might be made on purpose onely to divide the Defendants for it would be of small benefit to the Enemy if he had them in regard they could with case be retaken which the event proved true There lay scattered every where about the Rampires Curtens and Trenches the dead Bodies of Officers and Souldiers some nearer some at more distance as every mans Valour or care had put him forward or kept him behind and many were carryed into the Sea as is before related Upon account the Arch-Duke wanted near eight hundred men for the taking up and burial of whose Bodies a Truce was desired for four hours and granted In the Town were near forty killed but more wounded among whom was
the Generals Brother Sir Horace Vere while he excellently performed the duty both of a good Leader and Souldier Among the Bodies of the Spaniards was found a Woman who had dissembled her Sex both in courage and a military Habit as if he should have accused Nature for not making Her a Man The unhappy success of this Storm together with the impossibility of starving Ostend and the terror of lying all Winter in a wet Camp moved many of the Commanders to perswade Albertus That he would leave off this unfortunate design in time before he suffred greater damage But he was so sollicitous of his own and the Kings honour that he had rather obstinately persist in a tedious and difficult labour then let the World know he was unable to Master one Town Therefore raising a great Mount for battery in the Camp on the left hand on the right by little and little he made a bank to prevent the influx of the Sea and this was done by fixing in the ground pieces of Timber with other pieces overthwart whereupon great Faggots bound together were placed like Stacks of Wood the planks lying sometimes divided or open another time made close like floors great heaps of Sands were thrown thereon that so the greatness of the bulk being more compact and fiâ—m might with the greater force stand against the Waters Which Work proved of such strength that iâ— not only served as a Rampire for the Souldiers but was a Mount from whence Cannon being planted thereon they daily shot against the besieged Nevertheless Ships daily came into the Town with relief without suffring any great damage or hurt By this time there were come to Albertus the most ingenious Engineers from all parts of the World who all aimed even with emulation to choke up the Gollet and when in the night some fixed a Cable with great Vessels and Anchors under Water from one Bank to the other the Besieged likewise another night would with little difficulty cut away all that fixed the same About this time one Pompey Targon invented a frame of Wood like a Castle which being placed in Ships would carry Great Guns but upon tryal it quickly appeared too weak to bear the concussion of the Waves and that the sands would yield to the weight that was underneath in the belly of the Foundation by the same also were made a kind of Boats by the joyning together of boards and bundles of smaller Wood which should altogether be carryed by the Tyde but by the shot of the Hollanders Artillery these were more then once overthrown and destroyed The besieged likewise made provision That if the Enemy should hinder them of that entrance into the Town which at present they enjoyed to have a New Haven between the Gollet and the old Haven by the old Town for the United States were mightily inflamed with a desire of Glory in defending that part of the Sea making a Decree as if they foresaw the Siege would continue a long time that every six moneths the Garrison should be relieved and changed and accordingly General Vere was sent for out and one Frederick Dorp made to succeed him by whom the ruines of the Town were repaired the Fortifications augmented and money continually provided to pay for the pains and labour therein taken When Albertus his Souldiers could not get their pay which bred the seeds of mutinies and sedition which is for the most part the Mother of disobedience the very Government it self was full of fear and hatred the Horse being appointed to drive on the Foot upon dangerous enterprises or force them back when they took themselves to flight as if they had been bruits without the light of reason to direct them Moreover their promised largess of the Flandrians fell infinitely short of the charge and the Walloons that they might do the less help pretended a Peace treacherously with the French The Brabanters had a just excuse from the sedition of the Souldiers that lay in Waert who by the conspiracy of others wanted not much of surprising the Castle of Antwerp and the Town of Hulst yet among these various crosses of Fortune some hopes was given to the Archduke that Bredah might be surprised But Frederick Count Heremberg that was sent thither mistaking the way came not thither till the day-light discovered him And not long after some of Prince Maurice's Horse took Prisoner his Brother Adolphus Till this time Don Francisco Mendosa who had been taken Prisoner at Newport had been kept in Holland sometimes in a more strict otherwhile in a more unrestrained custody and although Count Brukells Widow and the Deputies of Cleves required That he might be punished for his grievous Offences the acting whereof he defended partly as done by necessity partly by command And the States did not think it fit to proceed judicially against a Prisoner guarded by the Laws of War But because there was a difference made between the Ransome of Commanders and Private Souldiers after long debate it was agreed That whosoever of the People belonging to the Vnited States were Prisoners either in the Netherlands Spain the Indies America or elswhere under King Philips obedience should all be set at liberty for Mendosa and either the Kings respect to Mendosa or future Generals so prevailed with him that he agreed to the said Articles And accordingly it was performed for there returned from all parts of the World both Merchants and Marriners whom the Enemies rage for hope of gain or the Priests hatred for difference of Religion had carryed and kept there part of whom had their very joints eaten off with their Chains and now with joy remembred the darkness and filth they were wont to endure others gratefully acknowledging their deliverance from the bitter slavery of the Galleyes under most cruel Tyrants And this was a matter of great moment to incite the common people against the Spaniards by a fresh memory of their old injuries and for winning their love to the Lords whose clement and popular action was applauded with many exultations because they esteemed the liberty of their Subjects before great sums of Money which they might have had Thus the Agreements being in part performed and Pledges being given for the rest Mendosa was set free ever after giving a very good Character of the Commonwealth of the Hollanders which he now came to know by a near converse and from thence forward became a perswader of Peace rather then War to both parties And from these more certain Rules for the ransoming of Prisoners were set down on both sides All this Spring the United States did spend in raising a greater Army then ever they had before their Minds and Resolutions being augmented with the memory of Newport Battel and the new seditions of the Enemy from whence they hoped before the Souldiers expected out of Italy arrived in the Netherlands either to renew their Glory by the slaughter of the Enemies or by a Land March through
the besiegers In the interim Mendosa although the most active of his Colonels persuaded him to pursue forthwith the Enemy marching away and to intercept him in his designes fearing not onely his fortune but the blame of any miscarriage that should happen and besides being needy as well of mony as of all things else almost he had rather advise with the Arch-duke in this notable juncture of time But the Arch-duke returned no certain answer onely admonishing him to be carefull left going too far with the army the Hollanders should suddenly with their Fleet invade Flanders From which direction Mendosa fearing to recede in all his motions depended upon the Enemies counsells yet however preparing in readiness at Roermund what he thought necessary at length he also pitched his Camp near the Maes below Grave and Prince Maurice Many thought that he erred therein for that he ought rather to have chosen the superior part of the country which is called Ravesteyn by which means he might have forced all his provisions from the Hollanders and likewise have kept the like from coming thence to the Prince because he had lain in the Enemies country But now his Camp being fixed it was very dangerous to pass by the Hollanders leaguer and too late to goe round about because Prince Maurice being diligent about his work had in many places made approches and galleries even to the Town-ditch by the commoditie of the banks which were placed on both sides the river to guard the same and yielded a secure and easy way to the Pioneers Neither had the Spaniards any hope now but to break through the open places which were very large between the Prince's and Count William's Camps and so to get into the Town To this end ladders were prepared together with shovells and mattocks either for the more easy climbing up of works or demolishing them as occasion should present these were conducted by Colonel Thomas Spine being a thousand choice foot which were followed by many others But the Guards and Sentinells being very diligent and watchfull although they set forward in the night together with the breaking of the day among the tedious passages of the marishes made their attempt how daring soever vain Whereupon Mendosa being ashamed that he was thus beaten off from his hopes of relieving the Town withdrew both himself and his army that they might not helplessely look on and see the City taken privately departing to Venlo At this time the States taking care for Berck sent Count Ernest thither with supplies But Antonio Gonzales Governor of Grave with whom were in garrison fifteen hundred men of several nations having in the sight of their companions wearied the besiegers with frequent fallies would not yet desist by many valorous experiments to protract the time to his advantage although all hope of relief was utterly taken away After a two months siege when the English drew near to the sluces which kept the water in the town-ditches the Frisons also on another part bringing a gallery even into the trench and some of the Princes Pioneers being ready to undermine the walls after the losse almost of seven hundred men the garrison was surrendred upon honourable conditions the souldiers marching thence with their armes and baggage This town of Grave at first belonged to the Province of Geldre but was afterwards annexed to Brabant and taken as a pledge by Maximilian Count Buren whose son-in-law William Prince of Aurange bought it and though lost in war by the peace made at Gaunt the Garrison of Germans being removed had the same delivered to him But about eighteen years before the Duke of Parma having gotten it by the carelesness or cowardice of the Governor Prince Maurice now regained and took possession of this his Patrimonial inheritance as he had done before of Breda Lingen and Moers which he made subject not for his own advantage onely but the good of the Commonwealth by which means he obtained a great dominion about the Maes with very great advantages While these things were doing some souldiers enraged because they had but very little or no pay leaving Mendosa's army betake themselves to Hamont He to prevent the increasing of their number by impunity hastens thither a convenient strength where having taken some great guns he forced a few foot-souldiers to surrender themselves but the horse got away not to be moved with prayers or threats and having in vain attempted other places at last they seize the Castle of Hochstraten by the consent of the Garrison this place is not far from Breda wherein a short time being much augmented by a continual resort of old souldiers who required their arrears and new souldiers that expected no other thing then a licentious freedome in villany chusing themselves a Head they elect a Senate and settle a Councel-house with divers laws expressing therein more care and diligence then is usually found in the meetings and assemblies of setled Cities They would not suffer any rapines or plunders to be committed unless by publick order and for the common cause and if any upon their own account durst doe otherwise they were punished like thieves according to the laws and customes of other places Wherewith the Arch-duke being highly displeased and fearing the example because of his want gathering together what mony he could possibly get together by any means he persuaded those who yet remained in their obedience to punish the others rebellious persidy and to that end prepared to besiege them They perceiving themselves not to be looked upon as mutineers which in those parts is no new thing but as absolute enemies begin to tread unusual paths desiring and obtaining from the Hollanders Victualls Armes and Artillery And this they did the more willingly because these troubles of the Enemy were very advantagious and to make these differ among themselves to a great expense of their treasure would secure them against the like evils But this resolution of Albertus was soon altered upon the arrival of the news that Grave was taken for that he began to be afraid of Prince Maurice's army yet for all this he would not hearken to the Netherlandish States who about that time being called together concerning the raising of tributes persuaded him to appease and win the offended Souldiery with money But the Spanish Noblemen and Commanders disliked thereof averring it was more fit to take some new forces into pay but to punish those Rebells with all severity And so at last threatnings of actions being turned into words an Edict was set forth wherein all that were in Hochstraten unless they came in and desired pardon by a certain day were proscribed and rewards promised to any that should kill them their goods confiscated all that furnished them with provision should be punished and their wives and children banished adding above all the rest of their crimes that their Sedition had been the cause that Grave had not been relieved But all this threatning served to little
purpose for so much were they contemned that they published an answer filled with many souldierly taunts objecting to Albertus his fear of a battel and that Grave had been in vain looked after long before their recess and finding fault that while the Army was ready to starve he feasted and revelled at Court without any moderation of charge and repeating on the other hand the praises of such Commanders as were courteous and affable to their souldiers But what wonder could it be if after so many others they required what was due to them for their service or fled to such assistences for recovery thereof which though unseemly in themselves yet were made just by the laws of a fatal necessity Subjoyning at last that they were and would be safe against the punishments of that cruel Edict partly by their arms and partly by their poverty Octavio Frangipane the Pope's Legate endeavored to appease this Sedition but they would hearken to no condition untill that ignominious Edict was revoked and made null And now the greatest part of Autumn being past and Winter approching Prince Maurice having dismissed his German horse disposed the rest of his forces into Garrisons the like did Albertus whose Army was grown thin by frequent runnings away to the other party and the Italian souldiers decay being but fresh-men through the extremity of labour Yet part of the Army was sent into the Camp before Ostend so were Spinola's ships in part sent to those parts where either the Enemies forces or the mutineers designs were feared and the citizens of Venlo who had hitherto with pertinacy refused a garrison now were persuaded to admit souldiers because of the near-adjoyning danger of Grave About this time Mendosa departed into Spain where he was somewhat strangely received King Philip the father being dead and the son prepossessed by others who accused him for his unfortunate managery of the war and that he had neither sufficiently taken care for Peace nor undertaken or avoided battells as the necessity or contingency of affairs required Upon the forces departing into winter-quarters it fortuned that fourteen troups of the Hollanders fell upon eight of Albertus his troups that were without their officers lying somewhat carelessely not far from Mâ—estricht where they surprised and took most of the Horse in their beds together with five Corners or Horse-colours which were hanged up in the Palace at the Hague and a great number of horses At winter when the seditious began to incroach upon other parts Count Lewis of Nassau was sent with three and thirty troups of horse and twelve hundred foot to wast all the farther parts of the enemies country that denied to pay contribution where he took the town of S. Vâ—t and for a whole moneth together ranging all about burning the Villages and spoiling the Country he did no small damage to the Province of Lutzenburg At this time also the Hollanders had very good success at Sea Fredericks Spinola was coming out of Spain with eight new galleys and Martin Padilia being made Admiral of the Sea was said to be preparing a great Fleet which was suspected to threaten England or Ireland whereupon the Queen sent forth some ships to watch their actions and wait upon their motions and as occasion should offer it self either sink or take them and accordingly they burned two of Spinola's galleys and utterly made them useless at Sesymbra a town of Portugal giving to the slaves therein their liberty and to the rest their lives But for the future to prevent the like damage a great ship of Portugal of the same sort with those they call Carracks was opposed against them laden with precious Merchandises which while the English assaulted and soon after took the rest escaped by flight And Frederick Spinola being long detained in Spain untill he could have his covenants with the King confirmed with his six remaining galleys wherein were nine hundred souldiers and fifteen hundred slaves that rowed in the moneth of October set forth towards Flanders upon news whereof the Queen ordered three Ships to wait upon the English coasts and in the narrow Seas to which the Hollanders joyned four of theirs besides those which guarded the coast of Flanders The English first getting sight of these Galleys gave notice to their Companions but the Galleys making use of the cloudiness and calmness of the weather went so near the English shore that some of the Slaves throwing off their chains leaped into the shallow waters but the Hollanders pursuing the vessels sometimes by the shore other times in the narrow Sea not farre from Graveling with their great Guns sorely bruised two of them and twice or thrice being pressed with the vast bulk of their own Ships they were broken to pieces the Masts Oars and residue of the Ships being torn in pieces floated upon the Sea but their main bulks were swallowed up in the waves Almost two hundred of the men were saved and more of them might have been but that mercy was banished by fear lest the conquered should become more in number then the Conquerors Besides one other of them suffered Ship-wreck at Calais by the unskilfulness of the Pilots two others of them were much shattered with bullets and falling upon the shelves in that coast of Flanders got into Newport the sixth wherein Spinola himself was sailing up and down in the Sea of Zeland at last not without great hazard and throwing over-board much of their lading the slaves being incouraged with hope of liberty arrived at Dunkerk When then Frederick Spinola had joyned these three with the rest which he had before at Scluys aiming to repair both his credit and fortunes from the spoils of Walcheren he was with-held by winterly and contrary blasts of wind and because the Arch-duke being vexed both with forein and intestine Warre refused to denude his Garrisons for the refurnishing those Vessels At this time the Fame and Trade of the Hollanders increased in the Indies to the great detriment of the Portugueses who of old having been the first Finders had now for one hundred years quietly enjoyed those Navigations and out of reverence of the Pope's Donation made to them had extorted and kept the same from the beginning against both the Castilians and other Christian Nations defending themselves therein by force of Arms. These therefore make address to King Philip as the onely column and support of that flourishing Kingdome that he would with an extraordinary Fleet defend those revenues which belonged as well to himself as to the People From hence it came to pass that the Warre which had hitherto been contained within the Netherlands was now passing into another World for the managing and conduct whereof Don Andrew Hurtado Mendosa was chosen who then by chance had beaten Cunala an Indian Pirat about Malabar having used those parts above fifty years and was now with great applause ennobled with a Royal Commission This man being furnished with divers great Galeons and lesser
Ships to the number of twenty and upwards wherein were eight hundred Portugal Souldiers besides a great number ot above fifteen hundred Indians he resolved to make exemplary according to his Commission all such whether Kings or Subjects that had admitted the Hollanders to trade freely and Bantam a City of Java was the first destin'd to this destruction It fortuned by chance that at the same time being the beginning of the year five Holland Ships under the command of Wolfard Herman were in those parts trading they carried about three hundred men and were upon that account far unable to meet with the Portugal Fleet whose Admiral alone exceeded the whole Dutch Fleet both in largeness of bulk and number of men yet the fear of losing the Trade for the future and the hopes of getting honour and favour among those Eastern people drew them not onely to fight like men hand to hand but to undertake the Combat with their great Guns wherewith the Hollanders being very well accommodated did their Enemies very great mischief because being onely driven by the winde and able to retreat draw off as they listed by their quickness of motion they frustrated all the intended violence of the Portugueses Thus they fought for some daies even without intermission until some of the Enemies Ships being sunk and two of them taken the Spaniard daunted with the novelty of such an unexpected mischief departed steering towards Amboyna where without danger there being none to resist they wasted the Town Iton and whatever place else adhered to the Hollanders with fire and sword and the cutting down of several odoriferous plants But the Conquerors in the City of Bantam which they had rescued from so imminent a danger after a festivous reception there soon after went to Banda whence come the best Nutmegs and undertaking the defence of that Island made a league with the People for they have no setled Government That they should not sell their spices to any other people That they should not be injurious one to another concerning Religion but should leave the judgement thereof wholly to God That every one of them should use their own Laws but neither of them should receive any fugitives from the other According to this form in progress of time they contracted friendship and society with other Kings and People that stood in fear of the Spanish tyranny The chief of all the Cities of Sumatra is Achem the King of which place the Portugueses four years before that were most potent in the Court by bribes gifts and false accusations of the Hollanders had drawn partly that he would kill all such of them in their Ships as under the shew of friendship admitted them into them and partly that he would dispatch all such as should come into the City and according to this design a great many were slaughtered the Ships that lay in the harbour knowing nothing thereof moreover the drink of that Country so consternated their minds that they seemed mad nay so farre did the treachery proceed that the Ships were hardly preserved But the King shortly after repenting the cruelty of the fact the Hollanders which afterwards came thither making certain covenants concerning the sale of spices discovercd again that the Portugueses had been buying the King's faith from them whereupon when they found the Agreements they had made would not be observed the Arabian Ships being gone out of the Harbour in revenge of the injuries received from the Indians they sent ashore some Forces which thing being dissonant to the Laws of those Nations afterwards gave the Enemies matter wherewith to recriminate the Hollanders But the Zelanders afterward returning when the King was somewhat estranged from the Portugueses they cleared themselves from that objected crime and beseeched the King that he would send some of his people with them that they might see they were not a company of Pirats as they were aspersed among such as knew them not but that they were a people famous for wealth and fidelity having no enmity or warre with any besides the Spaniards This advice pleased the King that for the future he might be more certain whether he might with more safety incline to the Spaniard or Hollander In this voyage near the Isle of S. Helena these Zelanders espying a great Portugal Carrack loaded with Pearl and other precious commodities and putting themselves between it and the shore after a hot conflict they forced it to surrender itself being first much battered with the great Guns The men that were in it they set ashore upon the coast of Brasile The chief of the Embassadours from Sumatra whose name was Abdutzamar died in Zeland and was buried with a very decent funeral having a Monument exquisitely raised to his memory The rest that survived went to salute Prince Maurice then encamped at the siege of Grave giving him Presents from their King When they saw the great number of the Horse and Foot and the Works of that bulk as was not onely unknown to the Barbarians but such as exceeded those generally in use among us they were even amazed with admiration The Treaty held with them was by the name of Arabians And the report of these things coming as it were into another World made them not onely shake off all vain suspicions but was prevalent with many rather to entertain the Hollanders friendship then to be kept in subjection to the Spanish tyranny The King of Ternate which is one of the Molucca's publickly owned the Hollanders for at his request Necken invaded the Portugueses in the next Island named Tidoris But when he was about to assault those in the Castle being ready to make defence some darts and shot being spent on both sides being lamed by the loss of his hand and having lost some few of his men he put off the fight In Patau also and the coasts of Cauchin-China and elsewhere their coming was very acceptable but in Ceilon one of the bigger Islands where grows the best Cinnamon they found the King who is called Fimala a great enemy to the Portugueses by whom he had formerly been taken and carried away and Spilberg informing them of the Dutch affairs perceived them very desirous both of friendship and society The King of Jora also this is a Kingdome in the region of Malacca daring to rip up old injuries against the Portugueses incited Jacob Hemskerk then having with him two Holland Ships to set upon a Carrack of an immense magnitude that lay in the Streights between Malacca a Portugal colony and Sumatra which he accordingly did the said King being both the author and witness of the Victory The Hollanders contented with the booty which was very great spared the lives of all the persons in it being near seven hundred of all sexes and ages although there yet appeared many fresh examples of the Portugal cruelty That Ship came from Macao a Town in the Empire of China which the Portugals possess by the courtesie of
Ambrose Spinola besides he raised in Germany foot-souldiers and in Lorrain horse-men and after they arrived Spinola being left at Ostend seven thousand foot and three thousand horse were delivered to Frederick Count Heremberg and his first orders were to drive out those who had violently seated themselves in Hochstraten This Philip had commanded as well for security sake at present as for example sake in the future and lest while he turned his Armes to other parts they should invade the places left destitute of defence for of late they had spoiled the Province of Namur taken the Town of Jedin and the Governor of Carpen Castle and yet returned safe and full of booty At this time they in Hochstraten held a most severe discipline and worthy of imitation by the best souldiers their guards and watches were very diligently looked after neither was any permitted to goe into a bed or put off his clothes while he took his rest no women were suffered to come within the Castle to fight among themselves and to have any secret conferences or letters was a capital offence These laws were established and confirmed by punishments of offenders without pardon These understanding that they were like to be besieged sent to the States and Prince Maurice and beseech and beg their aide promising upon their faith that they would jointly and unanimously fight against the Enemy but protesting that they would have all prisoners they should take at their own dispose because the laws of War were usually denied among Enemies to such as were renegadoes Eight hundred of them were shut up in the Castle the rest being fifteen hundred foot and above a thousand horse expect Prince Maurice who hearing that Count Heremberg was now come and began to doe all acts of hostility against the Castle draws together little less then ten thousand foot and three thousand horse out of their Winter-quarters and speeds with them to Geertruydenberg In which City happened a sad spectacle the French and English by mutual quarrells among themselves falling together by the ears being Nations always emulous of one another insomuch that now there began a perfect battel between the whole Regiments some being killed more wounded and the Colonel of the French Monsieur Bethune himself running in between them to prohibit their fighting was killed which much incensed the minds of his men Scarcely could the sight or speech of the Nassavian Commanders or of the Prince himself prevail to deterre the further increase of this impious and increasing slaughter Here Prince Maurice's forces joyning with those of the seditious they marched together though souldiers of different obligations and principles by a new and strange kind of example Between the fields and the Enemies Camp was a little rivulet the ground all about which is very moory this Count Heremberg either by error or tot suspecting the coming of Prince Maurice had neglected to possess The Prince having by prepared bridges brought over his souldiers and artillery on a sudden faces the Enemy with his Army But Count Heremberg kept himself within the safeguard of the place and the defence of his carriages which he had placed in form of a rampier onely the horse were commanded to advance which produced some light skirmishes Nor did Prince Maurice think meet to set upon the Enemies entire untill he had tried all places that might be advantageous to himself or the Enemy Count Heremberg fearing as other things so to be debarred of provisions through the help of the night withdrew first his Cannon and afterwards his souldiers towards Herentalls in the mean while keeping watches against the Enemy that he might be the better able to deceive them But when the appearance of day-light had discovered their design they which were in the Castle first fell in their rear where among others was slain Rosney the son of a famous Commander both in France and the Low-Countries who at that time commanded the Lorraign souldiers But another small river hindred Prince Maurice from his intended pursuit of the Enemy for that it was fordable onely with great difficulty besides the way was narrow and full of water yet moving on forward with the horse he found the Enemy newly passed the streights and his Army drawn into battalia in the open fields and although the Hochstrateners were very earnest to fight as well in their own revenge as in giving a proof of their affection and valour to their new friends yet it was not thought fit to fight this Army thus drawn up and ordered without the foot and Artillery which followed but slowly after over the difficulties of an uliginous way besides the toilsome grievousness of the weather which was disturbed with continual rain and tempests Thus the siege being raised Prince Maurice boldly threw himself into the midst of the seditious souldiers that by this great confidence of them he might oblige them to him the more strictly And now he again resolved while part of the Enemies forces were with him to besiege 's Hertogenbosch which by the cruelty of the Winter the last year he was forced to break off his confidence resting onely in celerity if the City could be surrounded void of a garrison as it then was But the matter being related to the Councel of the States the Zelanders pressing to make war in Flanders yet at last the Prince was permitted to doe what should seem most convenient to the Commonwealth but in the mean while eight days were spent And although Count Heremberg's forces were prepared and increased purposely to disturb all designs of the Prince yet he continued in his resolution not so much out of any hopes of attaining the City as because he would keep the Enemy busied in trifling and himself not be compelled to the defence of his own elsewhere and to depend wholly upon uncertain events Some were of opinion that the Townsmen wearied with the miseries of war would either alter their fidelity or at leastwise doe that as should make them seem so moderate to both parties that they should neither fear nor be feared Therefore the Summer being now well entred the Prince sate down at the Village named Vuchten and the Huhstrateners at Vlimen in the way to Hoesden there being a great distance of ground between the two Camps The third day after Count Heremberg drew nigh and in the woody places towards that part where the City lay open in the Village of Dalem fortified himself casting up defences against Prince Maurice He on the other side erected some Sconces and Batteries with great Guns where the ground ceasing to be plain swells up into little hills and much time was carelesly spent in light skirmishes and wasting of shot At last Heremberg was advised to erect a Fort without the City near the way that leads from Vuchten to Vlimen to this intent that the passage being stopped from Prince Maurice's Camp to that of the Hochstrateners a more hopefull opportunity might be expected against them being
transactions in those parts while in the interim about Ostend the Warre greatly increased and therewith not the charge onely but the political inventions and stratagems also And now the Winter being past that had sometimes been offensive to these other-while to those as the force of the wind drove the waters and made them more turbulent in the middle of the Spring a fierce assault was made from the Camp upon all the quarters of the Town and when the Defendants were not able to sustain so violent and spreading a force three Forts were taken by the Enemy which lying on the backside of the Town at the conflux of the waters we mentioned before to be slightly guarded and some few daies after the besieged making a sally upon the same places which wanted success made the Enemy not onely encrease the number of his Guards but to put therein of his choicest men But other small Forts beyond the Gollet assaulted by Bucquoy were successfully maintained Colonel Dorpen was then Governour of the Town whose time being spent he was succeeded by Colonel Notte Towards the middle of Summer Ambrose Count Spinola came to Ostend promising an end to this hard and by some esteemed desperate work if he might have the chief command in the Camp Nor did he undertake this out of any vain temerity but by the sound informations of those by whom both the place and method of the Warre were well understood especially after the way was found through the water over great piles of wood a work onely of time and diligence whereby the Works of the Town might be taken from them as it were by piece-meal And this desire of Spinola was the more easily consented to by King Philip because besides many eminent vertues of a noble minde whereof he had given certain testimonies he offered also out of his private wealth to prescribe a remedy to the affairs of the Treasury at that time very much out of order He was at first very greatly envied because being an Italian and but newly come into the Warre among so many Netherlanders and Spaniards he commanded at once both the Souldiers and Treasury but he diligently minding all things and following the most prudent by little and little overcame it And presently removed such as had made a gain of the Treasury having prepared his own provisions because there was need of money to prevent mutinies and running away Besides the hope of rewards had brought thither the most famous Wits of Christendome among whom there was great emulation in finding out new waies of approching battering and assaulting Towns and as any ones inventions came to most perfection in the executive part so was the care of the General more ready to gratifie him with a certain reward No less valour or industry was shewn by the besieged for they took care lest their provisions should be streightned that all commanded allowances should be publickly delivered and for their defence were unwearied in their Watches yea and sometimes were confident enough to make Sallies besides what either the violence of the Enemy or the Sea had thrown down they employed skilful workmen to repair To believe so great a number of men shut up in so narrow a compass and obnoxious to so many dangers wounds and labours and yet to finde no contagion bred among them next to the providence of God must needs be attributed partly to the extraordinary care of the Chirurgeons and Physicians and partly to the care of the States which alwaies caused the sick or wounded with all diligence to be carried thence Moreover besides the harm they did by burning bullets and hand-granadoes and the like new inventions they did other great damage to the Enemies materials being now through dry by the heat of the weather The chief labour of the Assailants was concerning some Boats that were built for the carriage of great Guns by the same Engineer which we mentioned before Targon a Romane a man of a very subtle wit but altogether unexperienced in Martial affairs Part of these were sent to the left hand of the Town where the Sea was not so boisterous to the Forts that lay nearest to the Enmy but on the right hand where the Gollet is the shot being unequally levelled they did little or no harm most of them being spoiled by the impetuousness of the waters because stones being bound up in great bundles of wood the bands thereof quickly breaking the rest floated having lost the weight that kept it down Yet was not Spinola dismayed thereat but still added more Boats to the former learning new waies of Fortification from the very experience they gained from their losses And the battery of Count Bucquoy being by little and little advanced nearer the Town it came to pass that Ships came in and out with more difficulty to bring in Souldiers Victuals Guns or Gunpowder some after that falling upon the Shallows or being swallowed up in the Sea when they had in striving to enter endured the fury of the Enemies Artillery Against the shot from the Town the Besiegers partly chose the night partly used Works made of earth to keep out the water wherein were transfixed several rows of Piles and Faggots where they had setled in places of more safety otherwise they sunk great Vessels filled with stuff underneath the water But in Spain with the King who in the practice of his Affairs did most things by the counsel ot Strangers not his own judgement sometimes new counsels were preferred before old other times the old regained their former repute as the authority of persuading or hope of the event led every one Some averred that it was a great error of State to forbid the Hollanders traffick with Spain they being a People potent at Sea and seeking Merchandise from the farthest parts of the earth either by Arms or otherwise and going to the Indies to the no small though new and hitherto unheard of damage of the Spaniards With how much more wisedome did his Father attain a hope of Peace from that custome of the Provinces among themselves having alwaies a convenient number of Ships as often as occasion required made ready for him by his very Enemies If a remedy should be sought for present and future mischiefs it must be by taking away necessity from the Hollanders for that very thing first shewed them their own strength This counsel in it self not absurd was yet found fault with and disallowed by covetousness for though Trade was publickly confirmed by Edict yet there was so great a Tribute and Custome besides what was formerly laid upon all Merchandise that it amounted to little less then the third part of the price of the commodity to wit thirty in the hundred was to be paid to the King's Exchequer And this was not laid upon the Hollanders onely but all other Nations lest otherwise the Hollanders should shelter themselves under the names of others and for some private causes of hatred against those
he might have taken the Town by force having then a very little or no Garrison and had also come upon them at Ostend while they were full of fear and before they were aware and dispersed farre distant one from another or else he might if he pleased have fought them or at least have stopped all provision from the Enemy In the mean while Souldiers sent from the Camp at Ostend and elsewhere had filled the farther bank of the Haven at Sclays Spinola taking care for it who before had sent forth several Spies and Scouts that were to bring word of the coming of the Fleet. And although the Holland Ships of Warre had compelled the Enemies Gallies to retreat to the Town for fear the mouth of the Haven should be stopped they battered with their Cannon a small â—ort situate on the opposite bank for he could not put over thither any Souldiers having twice In vain attempted it Pompey Justinâ—no making resistence with two thousand men This Gentleman was the chief of all the Colonels in Spinola's counsels and besides the honour of his knowledge in Martial affairs he moâ—ed very well in his accurate writing thereof And how Prince Maurice inquiring what way he might best take to goe into the inner part of Flanders by chance a Countryman flying from thence to escape a small party of the Enemy that was come thither and pursued also shewed him a Ford in that channel which compasseth Cazant behinde where a bank being raised and the adjoyning Fort taken called Coxen a Bridge and Garrison was placed they having time enough free from the Enemy while Trioâ—lci and Justiniano differed in counsel among themselves There were two other Fortresses hard by called by the names of Katharine and Pâ—â— which yielded sooner then could be hoped or imagined for Katharine Sconce being sorely bruised with bullets was deserted by Trivulci even when Prince Maurice despairing of the work had commanded his Artillery to he drawn off nor did Trivulci onely goe oâ— with his Souldiers but the tumultuary band of Country-men that were mixed with them for they hearing a noise which was of the Enemie's marching away which they interpreted to be an increase of their Forces and that they were coming to shut up all the Avenues fled to Fort Philip nor staid they there but pâ—sted to Ysendike leaving in Philips Fort threescore in number who upon sight of the Enemy with all speed delivered the place Thence for the winning of Ysenâ—ke which is a Fort in the utmost coast of Flanders 〈◊〉 the Hont a siege was thought necessary for all the Enemy that were driven from other places had here â—ed themselves to the number of six hundred and the seventh day after the place was surrendred Prince Maurice being busied there the Enemy approched in hope to recover Cazant and in the night endevoured to have passed in Boats to that purpose provided And 〈◊〉 six hundred were come thither unobserved others following them but at last being spied by the Scots who had the charge of the place these Enemies by their â—â—lotons force were quickly put to flight and killed Behinde Scluys lies Ardenburg now shewing onely the remains of a sometimes farre more noble Town this the Prince finding the Souldiers that were left for the defence thereof fled entred and commanded the same to be fortified and passing from Middleburg which is a free City not farre off and in the Castle which is the onely place of defence placing Souldiers he now began to revolve in his minde the siege of Scluys Because the Enemy had preoccupied all the places lying between Ostend he spread himself to the two Rivers which from Damme and Bruges pass to Scluys being divided by a small limit yet so different in tast that from thence they have attained the names of salt and fresh water but where the Lake named Merkerk streightens the way leading thither as indeed almost all that Country is full of water Lewis Velasco by the Arch-duke's command had fortified himself and going out with a strong Party Fortune smiling upon the Enemies in the attempt they made upon those they first met before the Horse that were added to him could come in to his help he with his whole number was overthrown five hundred almost were drowned and three hundred taken and thus they came to the Rivers and although the Enemy had planted himself between on one part dissembling on the other side finding a passage first went over at a Ford and afterwards over Bridges to that purpose builded Hence grew so great a terror that the Forts were deserted which lie to the Eastward from the Haven of Scluys excepting onely one called S. George which yet was quickly delivered more out of fear then necessity upon sight of the Cannon drawn before it The Garrison going abroad they found the deceit of an evil custome a lighted match being placed by the Barrels of Gunpowder to have blown up the same and ruined all near thereabouts Then the Prince pitched three Camps between the Town and the Sea-shore over which himself Count William and Count Ernest had the Command That which was beyond the Rivers lying every where under water he commanded Colonel Notte to keep to that purpose giving him some Boats and from thence a Breast-work to be drawn as farre as Ardenburg whereon frequent Guards to be kept But before they were able perfectly to surround the Town with their Works the Souldiers twice broke into Scluys through the Marishes and in so great number through the Governour 's neglect that it was believed they were sufficient to have defended the Town against him for there was within but little Victuals and the number of those that eat it was increased and that made Justiniano with a strong Guard bring provisions into the parts near the Town which they were to meet him and receive but the design being discovered Prince Maurice hastning with some Horse and Artillery drove away the Enemy and took some Carts loaden with Meal and a few men Fifty of the Slaves belonging to Spinola that with some others had come forth of the City fled over to the Prince by whose intelligence he was more certainly informed that there was Victuals in the Town onely for a short season that they made a great shew of many things the better to deceive and delude their Enemies Hereupon a Fast was proclaimed in the Camp which is customary with them going to attempt any difficult and dangerous matter after which they planted their great Guns and made a Bridge of a wonderful bigness as if therewith they would goe beyond the broad and deep gulf of the Haven even unto the Rampier but indeed some despairing they stayed onely to pinch the Enemy with Famine and to that end they were more diligent in shutting up all the Avenues not would receive any more fugitives in the interim the Horse plundering Flanders Now was the Arch-duke pressed with many great discommodities at once and the
fear of the seditious hindred him so that he durst not leave one Army at Ostend and with another goe towards the Enemy for the seditions having at this time covenanted with the Hollanders for one half of the prey they should take made incursions into Brubant and were going into Henanâ— therefore supposing it necessary to gain these to himself though with the loss of honour and money and the rather because others by their example beginning to threaten the like their number was like to be increased he offered them terms of reconciliation And although they did not presently agree because they would not endure to hear that the prey which they had got should be owned as part of their pay yet their minds being molified by treaty and discourse and for purging their former crimes they turned all their strength against the Country of Liege or where they had remained in the Arch-duke's lands they exacted their tributes and in other things being indempnified they were reconciled the Mauricians in vain urging their promises whom they despised as being inferiour to them in number Besides the States were possessed with no small fear lest that unfaithful company should seek to regain the favour of their old acquaintance by the delivery of Grave to the high mockery of their easie credullty But either shame or the fear of revenge from the Arch-duke if they should be destitute of a place of refuge in case of necessity made them restore the Town receiving the Castles of Hochstratâ—n and Carpâ—n which they let the Arch-duke enjoy and while their pay was provided for them Roerâ—nd was delivered to them as a pledge and several other noble Hostages Yet notwithstanding all this some of them absolutely came over to the Prince Two thousand of them by Albertus order came into Flanders which being a good recruit to his Forces and the Garrisons of other Regions by that means with the more safety being drained he urged Spinola that he would think of the relief of Scluys which was no longer able to endure the Famine And he although against as will and with good reason judging that Ostend was now at the last point of defence obeyed his command The first offer he made was with Cannon planted not 〈◊〉 from the Lake Merkerk by the shot thereof to â—â—ve away the Guards But a greater force of Artillery â—â—ing brought by the Souldiers of the Leaguer drove 〈◊〉 away and made that design of no effect Afterwards â—e set upon Count William's Camp with some choice Reâ—ents of Foot and Troups of Horse and all other warlike preparation fit to destroy Bulwarks but he was beaten back also thence with great loss of bloud Coming back thence and forcing the two Forts called Katherine and Philip wherein were but few Souldiers â—e strove by night to enter that way into Cazant over the Fords while the water was low that also was discovered and fresh Souldiers continually sent to defend the banks That day gave an evident example of the Spanish Souldiers constancy who keeping their ranks undoutedly laboured both against a strong Bulwark and a thick cloud of bullets No less was the valour of the Defendents especially of many of the French Nobility And the Prince himself was present still adding supplies of fresh men to such as were tired Thus as the day increased and the water grew higher by the â—loud the Enemy was beaten off not without the death of many and those of the nobler sort among whom the Marquess of Renty son to the Lord Montigny formerly a famous Commander of the King's Party among the Netherlanders They that came forth of the Town then first began to know what was violent hostility being owned among the dead by the fresh memory of their fellowship in Warre The besieged when they saw no hope of relief and that their hunger had consumed not onely the most vile and loathsome creatures but also whatever they could finde of skins or tallow at the end of the third month delivered the Town There marched out of it three thousand Souldiers who had scarce left within them any remains of life part of whom died as they went away Seventy great Guns were taken ten Galleys and about fourteen hundred slaves to whom their liberty was given Most of the Turks and Moors were sent home with Letters thereby to purchase favour and free trade among those Barbarians Aurelius Spinola the cousin of Ambrose was dismissed upon this condition that the Holland Seamen which the Archduke kept Prisoners should be released Cazant Yseâ—dike and Scluys with the Haven were all new strengthened and their Works repaired The Forts named Philip and Katharine the Enemy had levelled With the ground and the Government of Flanders was committed by the States to Count Henry of Nassau under whom Colonel Charles Notte was Deputy Governour Ostend yet held out among all the labours and distresses suffered from the Enemy the Sea and Diseases having at this time a small breathing space while the Enemie's care was divided for securing the Towns of Flanders In the Government of Ostend Colonel Notte was succeeded by Gistell upon whose death Lone came in place whose successor was Daniel Marquette Many of the Colonels and Captains on both sides were dead Many new inventions were at this Siege found out by the besiegers of which one was a Bridge a structure of Targon's with brazen wheels and was drawn by horses one part of it was bound together with Cables that it might not be easily penetrated with shot this by the ejection of a beam was lifted up on high so that it might fall down by loosing the ropes that held it up This they placed upon a platform which as we related before was in the form of a half-moon beyond the Gollet But this vast and sumptuous work soon became ridiculous one of the wheels being strucken off with the bullets afterwards some Poles as high as a Ship-mast being fixed in the trench of the Bulwark by them that massy Engine was broken and spoiled Therefore they turned all their force against the West part and drew some lines beyond the old Haven and on the backside of the Town And now the outermost Work that joyned to the Town was taken for part of it being blown up with gun-powder it was in vain to defend the rest Then the Porcupine and Helmont by little and little decayed and were lost And now was the whole face of affairs full of horror for the Enemy to get into the Town and they on the other side to keep him out were unawares and in the dark intangled one among another in caves and passages under ground and by the uncertain signs of fire oftentimes those devices turning to the damages of their authors The Spaniards and Italians being worn out by long dangers for every one had his proper station and business that it might the more clearly be looked after and kindle emulation in each other the Germans were inticed with rewards to
assault Sand-hill and though the first of them were scattered by the force of gun-powder out of a Mine yet Barlaymont drove on the rest until they attained the top of the place From hence they went by secret waies under ground into the old Town sometimes the besieged sallied and in stead of the Works which they had lost they raised new ones more inwardly which out of a vain humour and conceit of the long continuing of the siege they named Troy For the fresh ground being in it self loose and not sufficient to resist the shot though it was in the midst of Summer as often as the wind blew off from the Sea all things were laid open to ruine Insomuch that now the States themselves began to consider the infinite charge and the losses of the Souldiers not much inferiour to the greatest Battels and that Ostend it self being so inclosed with Forts could be of no use Besides whether they looked at honour or profit they had gotten more of either in three months in the winning of Scluys besides Berck and Grave then Albertus would get by Ostend which he had contested for so many years And now the greatest part of Autumn being spent time was past for the Enemy to undertake any thing else and Winter was coming which was both dangerous and dreadful to the besieged And if they should goe thither with an Army first the way was full of water and in the middle was Damâ— and Blankenbâ—rg Garrisons of the Enemy besides by length of time the Camps were well setled the Forces united and both Commanders and Souldiers were used to fight all which threatned great hazards to such an attempt Therefore command was given to Colonel Marquette that he should set an end to that tedious conflict upon as honourable terms as he could which was accordingly done And first of all the Ships and other Vessels were sent away with part of the Artillery Then Commissioners were sent who desired that all in the Town might freely march out with their Arms and four Cannon and that all Prisoners should be exchanged which Spinola easily granted either out of an high esteeâ— of their approved valour or to prevent other uncertain events which time might produce Three thousand marching through the midst of the Enemie's Camp came to Scluys to the Prince who received them not as overcome but gave them praises and thanks as Conquerors The Arch-duke with his Princely Spouse came to see the place for which they had offered up so many vows and been at so infinite an expence of money time and bloud themselves protesting the loss of fifty thousand men and that a greater number of the besieged was killed They found nothing but an empty and confused plat of ground here full of rude and mis-shapen heaps there falling into great and uneven holes with such confused remains of Fortifications that by looking thereon one could scarce imagine which were made for the defence or which for the assailing the Town The Townsmen that lived there before went thence to Scluys and although the Arch-duke granted many Privileges to the place yet of a long time none would inhabit it looking upon it as a place of horrour and defiled with the bloud and bones of dead men which is generally repugnant to the nature of most men Besides those Embassadors which I mentioned before King Philip and the Arch-duke sent into England more to wit this sent Don John Richardot and Don Lewis Verrcikem but he Don Ferdinando Velasco Constable of Castile and Don Alexandro Roverti a Senator of Millaâ—n both of them very desirous of Peace not so much out of fear of the English as that they might draw the Hollanders to reason by taking away their props and supporters Nor wanted there some in that warlike Nation that persuaded to Warre repeating in the English Parliament which was then met the ancient alliances with the Hollanders the many leagues and marriages long before Philip Duke of Burgundy unjustly drove Jacoba married to a Britan out of her Principality And the reason given for this amity was that without it the Sea could be safe to neither and it would grow from thence that Trading would be full and free On the contrary the Spaniards had no need of Peace for Warre was more beneficial to them And it was chiefly to be provided that the Hollanders should not by extremity be compelled to joyn either with the French the ancient Enemies of Great Britain or the Spaniards Enemies for Religion sake and the thirst of Dominion It hath been evident by too many examples that who had the dominion of the Sea would easily be Master of Britain But the King not at all moved herewith and supposing there was strength enough both in Britain and Holland for that to maintain Peace and this Warre thereupon refusing the society of Arms offered against the Spaniard he agreed to a Peace Besides the Articles usual in Leagues there were added certain concerning free Navigation such as was before the Warre and upon paiment of the same Customes Nothing was spoken of America or the Indies because the English would not endure to be excluded and the Spaniard was obstinate to admit none so that matter was left to the decision of him that was most potent Concerning Religion it was agreed That the English should not be compelled in Spain to goe to their Churches That when they met the consecrated Host they should doe reverence thereto unless they chose rather to goe out of the way These that follow pertained to the Hollanders viz. That neither of them should help the others Enemies or Rebels nor should suffer them to be helped by any of their Subjects That the facts of private persons should be answered for by themselves but the publick Peace not be hazarded thereby But the Britans denied to deliver the Briel or Flushing to the Spaniard affirming it was contrary to the faith contained in their Articles in the interim the Souldiers that kept those Towns should be unconcerned in the Warre but should doe their endeavours for pacifying the Hollanders and if that were delaied yet that at least there should be an open and free passage for the Netherlanders and English in point of trade That there should not reside at one time in the Ports of either above six or eight of the others Ships of Warre That the English should be forbidden to carry the Hollanders Commodities into Spain or the Spanish Merchandises into Holland Thus that Warre being ended King James that he might take away the cause of all intestine discords by obliterating the names of Scots and English would have both to be united and grow up into one Kingdome by communicative Laws and to be called Britain undertaking herein a difficult matter and which was agitated with great contentions while the yet fresh differences and emulations would hardly allow thereof as the foundation of a solid good to posterity Soon after according to these agreements with Albertus
Prince Maurice's Camp lying in a wet and unwholesome soil what with diseases and what with runnings away was almost emptied But Fortune recompenced at Sea this slow and protracted Warre at Land from whence since the first Commotions of the Hollanders until these very times that which was reckoned among the great burthens of the Spaniard to wit that his best and choicest Souldiers must of necessity be brought afarre off out of Italy by long Marches into the Netherlands being in the interim of no use though they were an extraordinary charge and burthen was now eased by Spinola for he brought by Sea out of Spain it self into the Ports of Flanders what Forces he had occasion for Twelve hundred Souldiers trained up in the Irish Warres by Colonel Pedro Sarmienti were at Lisbone put aboard eight Ships and some little Barks the charge of all which was given to Pedro Cumiara whose particular instruction among others was this That if he could not get in at Flanders avoiding the coast of France he should goe to the British shore where by the help of the Spanish Embassadour they might have safe harbour and that he should there receive such of the Britans as he had hired and purchased by gifts But the United States that they might for the future restrain the like bold attempts by terrour did command William Hauteene Admiral of Zeland to meet the Spaniards in the narrow Sea towards Bulloyn and without any pity to drown all the Prisoners they took in the Sea Now it is to be observed that the Spaniards were not brought in Ships of Warre but of burthen such as could with most ease lurk upon either the British or German coasts But Hauteene with part of his Fleet coasting about Flanders and with the residue going along the shores of Britain by this means met with whatever passed in the middle of the Chanel Thus passing along at last he met his Enemies about Dover who when they would not strike sail but voluntarily stood in their own defence by shooting part of them were slain the rest escaped either by swimming or the help of English Boats which came in to their succour and took them up Another Ship coming even into the harbor was so beset with two Ships of Zeland that at last they all struck upon the Flats and Quicksands but the Zelanders as they were less in bulk so more light to avoid and escape a danger not onely assaulted but took and brought off the Enemie's Vessel The Mariners according to command were thrown into the Sea the Souldiers and such as had long been in service much complaining of Fortune not that she deprived them of their lives which they knew was but short at the best and whereof they could not in regard of their age hope the long continuance but that they being a people sworn to fight should not die valiantly as Souldiers with their swords in their hands but should be helplessly swallowed up in the all-devouring waves of the Sea The next day some more Ships were taken and one burned all the Souldiers suffering the like severe fate being tied two together which upon a sign given were all at once thrown over-board One saying he had no need of the Enemie's hands to hasten on his death voluntarily leaped into the Sea who though he was unknown among all that obscure company yet was covetous of honor even to his last This slaughter consumed almost the one half of the men and Ships for four of them by the help of the wind got into the Haven yet were many of the men there wounded and slain even by the Enemie's shot But the Souldiers in Dover while these Enemies fought at Sea a great while looking on at last grew angry to have the War brought into their Jurisdiction and shot from the Castle in aid of their late Enemies against their old Friends The Britans recriminating the Hollanders for these attempts were afterwards answered that they did not seek for any Ships in the Rivers of England which yet the Dunkerkers without any notice taken thereof had done but they looked rather at their Enemy growing hot by the force of Victory then either the confines or boundaries of Sea and Land But they could not so easily purge themselves because under pretence of searching the English who contrary to the King's Proclamation made War at Sea they had not long since drawn to their shore the Spanish Ships which were take as a prey by the Hollanders and vindicating King Philip's Embassadour had under pretence of right eluded the force of War But the Spaniards that lately were driven thither by the desperate storms of the Sea before Winter remained there at great charge which was very grievous to their Masters and in the interim while in a miserable condition they continued on the bare shore in poor little cottages by them erected either lived in great poverty or died languishing for not a few of them died of sickness and wounds among whom was Cumiara himself Now arrived out of Italy six strong Regiments by their usual way of marching by Land besides new levies made by the Archduke in the neighbour Kingdomes nor otherwise came the parties to so great strength for Spinola when he was in Spain with the King replete with the honor and authority of taking Ostend had easily persuaded him that this lingring War advantageous to the Enemy might easily have an end set thereto if the King would contract his long-continued gifts and to this purpose he gave for his word and inscribed on all his Ensigns this Motto Jam aut nunquam Now or never Wherefore calling to mind the frequent mischiefs that had arisen by Sedition he required money and two Armies with the one of which he would defend his own limits and with the other would invade Frieseland and to that purpose provided all things necessary in plenty for the Tributes beyond the Rhine being gotten by them would be a great damage to the Enemy besides many Cities now possessed by the Enemy which at present the Rivers defended would become a new bound and there would be need of a strong Army to scatter the Garrisons And this with the greater hope was to be undertaken in regard from thence the very entrails of the Hollanders would lie open to them both by Sea and Land This was wise counsel as the first successes made it seem but the rest being not followed according to hope I will proceed to remember The Generals yet remaining in Flanders while the Prince at Scluys took care to fortify Ysendike and Spinola attempted him with false alarms Count Bucquoy having with a strong party not far from Colen driven the Hollanders Ships out of the Rhine for he had carried with him great Guns passed the River to the great terror of the German Cities round about from whose remembrance the Villanies of Mendosa's time and the many indignities they had suffered were not yet banished At the mustring of the forces the
a free passage through the Country Nor did their actions in ought differ from their words so that all kinds of provisions were plentifully brought to them and they gained from their neighbors not onely praise but thanks comparing their old injuries with the present security they enjoied Beyond the Rivers Roer and Luppe although some Holland horsemen were sent to cut the Bridge over Luppe but they came too late the fourth day they came to Oldenzul a Town in Over-Yssel boasting the Fortification of former times and not at all changed from what it was seven years before when Prince Maurice took it The Enemy thought he might have taken it in his passage yet although they made very great hast the Garrison being timely increased frequent sallies were made thence so that they put the Enemy in fear not onely of his passage but of the want of provisions Within the Town were almost four hundred men part horse the rest foot The horse issued out first and afterward the foot doing good exercution upon all they met with at first but the approaching Army was too strong for their small number and notwithstanding all their shot in one night in three places came up to the very Town-ditch but yet Spinola not surrounding the Town with the death and wounding of a few men he redeemed the time which is a chief point of War contrary to which rule Prince Maurice acts whose custome is to follow on safely though with less speed In the Morning upon a small Battery made by those Guns he brought with him the Town was delivered When understanding by some prisoners the state of Lingen and that more Souldiers were daily expected thither commanding the horse to goe before himself the next day pitched his Tents before the Town This Lingen being fit for a frontier Town Prince Maurice out of affection thereto because it was given to him had begun to fortifie at his own charge and with his best skill surrounding both the Town and Castle with a very deep and broad Ditch and six strong Bulwarks and Mounts But the work being new and in part unperfect and the Rampier not well setled was the more easy for the assailants to win There was in the Town an indifferent number of Souldiers about six hundred but such as neither durst make a sally nor fight at the line besides their Commanders were altogether unskilfull and infinitely timorous nor had any one knowledge how to plant or level a Cannon Therefore while the great guns were preparing and the place viewed the Enemy without any hindrance or loss helped by the Meanders of the Gardens sooner then was credible almost came to the brink of the Trench And now four several nations from so many distinct places hastned to pass over each of them in emulation and forwardness striving to outvie the other Part of them by drawing the small Brooks in the old chanel of the little River strove to deprive them of water others brought the Bridge and placed it upon Vessells or else bound together Faggots and Osiers according to the invention first found out at Ostend which made them so secure that some of them went unarmed even into the Trench and there promoted the work It was now the ninth day of the siege and the Walloons had taken the Bulwark opposite to them the Italians Spaniards and Germans were partly imploied about the middle Trench and part of them nearer The Governour of the Town Colonel Martin Cobbe being broken with old age and feeble in going calls all his Captains to counsel and shewing to them besides other inconveniences the great want of Ball asked them what was fit to be done They had no mind to raise new works or repair those that were battered to oppose their bodies to the Enemies shot or so much as defend the Castle but they rather admire that in all that time the Enemy had not summoned the Town but others said that custome was grown out of date being used neither at Ostend nor Scluys The Governor as if this had been valiant advice admonished them to defer articling till the Evening but if that were too much at least not to move it till noon The rest were troubled hereat averring nothing of moment could be done within those few hours and what they demanded in â—ime would be easily granted This their resolution they put in execution with as much speed as they had agreed upon it whereat Spinola rejoyced whose desires though he were in great hast yet were prevented with fear of the Enemy In the mean while Prince Maurice hastning as much as he could upon the report of this Expedition beyond the Rhine gives the custody of the Ports in Flanders and the Government of Scluys to Colonel Notte and taking from thence five and twenty Companies went to Deventer besides he drew out from about the Rhine ten others and as many more out of the Garrisons as also eight that were newly raised in England but the great Guns were kept back by the cross winds Two or three days after the surrender of Lingen the Prince was ready to have raised the Siege to that purpose having drained the Cities of their Souldiers when a sorrowfull messenger arrives with the news that the Town was lost for which not onely the Governor Colonel Cobbe was ere he was aware committed to prison and there long kept but also several of the Captains where they underwent as well the harsh censure of the people as the judgement of their very relations protesting them unworthy of favor The heads of their defence which they sent in Letters to the Captains and the neighbouring Towns were that there were not Souldiers enough sent to them or other things either for the defence or freeing of the Town and that the Townsmen though exceeding them in number yet denying to watch and ward or doe any duty had compelled them by threats and prayers to prevent imminent ruine by a timely agreement and composition At length when time had mitigated the envy of the fact they were degraded without any farther punishment During this Siege Thomas Filler one of them who from the Hochstraten Sedition remained with the Hollanders being a couragious person and one that would dare any thing to get booty fell upon the Count Solre's quarters and of a hundred horsemen given him for a guard took thirty and slew among the rest the Baron Ciacci Don Richardot's son-in-law the Count himself was wounded and with much a doe got away But the United States if perchance Spinola's Camp had been afflicted with want of Provisions by publick Edict commanded that none should carry any Victualls into his Army and whosoever should be found so doing should be reputed as Enemies Yet for all this there wanted no provision now out of hope of gain anon by the terror of victory insomuch that some carried home from the Camp what they brought thither to sell it being so much more then could be spent Spinola staied
them Of the Enemy was slain Colonel Trivulci an excellent Souldier and a good Captain The slaughter wounds prisoners and Ensigns taken on both sides were equal onely with this equality the assailants reaped the most dishonor Spinela having escaped this danger for the future went more prudently to work contracting his forces into a narrower compass Then going to see how affairs were managed by Bucquoy and finding all things to his satisfaction he returned to Roeroort Bucquoy had the advantage of a dry Autumn otherwise the soil would have been very wet But the besieged though they were twelve hundred commanded by Richoven the Governor and trusting in their multitude and the strength of their Works promised mighty matters yet never came out of their works or endeavoured to delay the Enemy by any sallies so that making a Bridge over the River Niers and the eighth day getting to the Town-ditch they drew away the water by beating down the Sluce that kept it in Being come to the great Bulwarks first terrifying the besieged with Mines and after that by an assault the twentieth day Wachtendonck was delivered During this time Geldre was attempted by the Prince but with as little success as the rest which Town was distant from the Camp four leagues whither going in the night he drew his horse and part of his foot some going before that should make way for them by forcing the Gates with Gunpowder but when they came to the Draw-bridge the force of their instrument was too weak and another being set to fell into the trench which gave the Townsmen time to draw together who soon dispersed those that were near at hand with their shot among whom was Philip the son of Philip Morney Lord du Plessis being fearless of danger out of the earnestness of his desire to learn he was the worthy offspring of so worthy a Father whom he followed in the very track who in his time was famous in a high measure as well for his noble and heroick actions as Learning Nor did Spinola omit farther to prosecute the good fortune of this year for sending Bucquoy he easily took the Castle of Cracow in the jurisdiction of Moers for the truth is it wanted the main part of its strength the marshy soil being by the extraordinary drought of the weather void of water But in Flanders Frederick Count Heremberg erected a great Fort hard by Scluys where the two Rivers known by the diversities of their salt and fresh waters fall into the Haven This he did assisted by fraud and a small party of the Enemies in those parts because they of Bruges pretending to make a Bank as it were for the recovering of the ground which by an Inundation was torn from humane use had desired leave to doe the same from those of Scluys At the end of Autumn which was very showry Spinola seeing the Fortifications about Roeroort were perfected first dismissed his Army The same did Prince Maurice soon after and the horse returning to their winter-quarters meeting in the way Grobbendouck's Troups routed the same carrying the greatest part of them away prisoners being now resolute to lay hold on all occasions whereby they might abolish the memory not of their fight but of their flight at Mullem Nor was there any thing more done at Land but at Sea the reliques of Sarmienti's men by stealth getting through the boisterous Sea while the wind had driven the Hollanders otherwhere arrived in Flanders Soon after this one Lambert of Roterdam a Sea-Captain setting upon one of the greatest of the Dunkerkers Ships that carried one hundred and twenty men fought with all sorts of shot and though fewer in number yet equal in courage he would not give place to his Enemies fighting for their lives he himself onely fighting for honor But when John Gerbrand Governor of Euchuisen brought also his Ship against the Enemies the Dunkerkers having lost among the rest their Captain who was named Adrian Theodore and famous for Piracies and being tempted with the hope of pardon yield themselves The Ship that was taken afterwards served for War about threescore of the men were hanged some few got pardon in pity of their youth some as they were led to punishment escaped and fled no one offering to stop them for the long continuance of the◠miseries in prison had mollified the peoples minds towards them Among those that returned this year from the Indies were some that were left by Hemskerk beyond the Cape of Good hope by reason of a Leak sprung in their Ship This Ship being driven by the wind to the coast of Madagascar staid there eight moneths in great want of all things and the Sea-men some by diseases others by War among the Barbarians and the rest by grief of mind were almost all of them consumed there onely remaining alive eighteen of a great number A like fate drove some other Holland Ships to the same Coasts which were bound for the Island of Swans but at their meeting those first poor men they were even confounded between joy and tears and to hear the narration of the dangers they had passed would make any one acknowledge the infinite loving-kindness of God towards them Presently they began to repair the breaches of other Ships with the fragments of their torn Vessel and to transpose their Merchandises by which means at last they returned to their Country of which they had so long despaired and the Factors received an unexpected gain Besides two Ships came from Ceilon bringing sad news of the death of the Governor Sebalde Waert who was killed by the treachery of the Fimala whom we mentioned elsewhere to be the King of Candy and seemingly affectionate to the Hollanders but his suspicious nature incited him as is usual with Barbarians because Sebalde gave liberty to the Portugueses whom he had taken prisoners in War which he being a stranger to the customes of the Barbarians doing it was by them interpreted to be an argument of collusion between themselves and he was the rather incensed to believe this because among the treaties between him and 〈◊〉 Barbarian about making War upon the Portugueses he advised him that he might diligently consider his Ships and from thence set an estimate upon his strength urging this with more earnestness then suited with the honor of a Prince He under pretence of officiousness pretending his ruine to be sought to prevent the imagined wickedness took off Sebalde and his Associates for fear of losing their Trade omitted to revenge the death of their Captain But the King of Spain fearing lest those far-distant and weak parts of his Empire should become known to all by a severe Edict forbad any foreiner to sail to the Indies or any other place under the jurisdiction of Portugal and they who then were in that other World should by a certain day return thence which for all that did not so hinder the Hollanders endeavors but that they sent to the Indies twelve
sight certified the Mariners who counterfeiting that they were carried away by force of the River that they might not attain the designed place soon after returned back But Justiniano prepared once more to set his Souldiers over the Wael but the Hollanders overpowring them by multitude of Forces prevented it Then Prince Maurice careful lest the Enemy lying upon him in so many places and with so great Forces he might receive some unexpected damage fortified all from the first division of the Rhine unto the meeting of the same with the Waell hard by Bommell then Raising new Works on â—e other side from Arnheym to Hattem within the Rhine and Issell therewith he enclosed all that great space leaving no greater distance between Work and Work than might be convenient for the giving of Signs to each other either by the eyes or ears He commanded also some Boats continually 〈◊〉 passe to and fro in the Rivers to observe the motions and endeavours of the Enemy and to give intelligence Below Hattem about four hours Journey the River Issell falls into the Zuyderzee And the River Vecht coming by the Borders of Westfalia and mingling with the Waters which passing the bituminous soyl of Trent take the name of the River Aâ—er or Black making his bendings become Neighbour to Issell untill it imbosomes it self into the same The Country that lyes between those Rivers and the Sea is called Masterbruick not vainly conjectured from antiquity that the name thereof was extracted from the Mattiaci which are now Zelanders It was a Peninsula but now a Ditch and other Works between the Rivers had reduced it into the form of an Island in which part is scituate Swoll a Town of Over-Issell After the taking other places Spinola conceived a hope to shut up Swoll And that he might delude their thoughts choosing to go through the parts adjoyning to Zutphen from whence sending some small shot he sent Count Solre to assay and found the Issell But the wetness of the weather hindred the sudden executing of that Design until the report of their arrivall was brought to Swoll and Warmelo being at that time Governour there assisted by two Ships of Warr resisted the Enemy preparing to pass the River Vecht Solre had brought with him two great Guns but by reason the Bullets were too big and the Timber wherewith they should be sustained not fitted by the error of those that were to make them ready they were of no use When this did not succeed and all that hope of passing the River coming to nothing they turned thenceforward all their intentions to the besieging of Towns Spinola himself sitting down before Groll a Town in the Province of Zutphen Bucquoy was commanded to attaque Nimmeghen that they might divert the Enemy from the defence of Issell if they could do nothing else Wherefore Bucquoy first sending to know the Arch-Duke's Pleasure and being resolved thereof he agreed in the same Judgment and pretended to spend the time in finding out other wayes to get over the Waell and in studying other Policies fearing lest he should prejudice his honour by labouring in vain Groll is compassed with a double Rampire on all sides but where it is washed with the River Slingen the Garrison which consisted of Thirteen hundred Souldiers was governed by Colonel Dorte a young man sprung from Noble Ancestors but otherwise unknown At first they made a Sally but afterwards did nothing but shoot from their Works which were not valued by the Enemy to whom the losse of time was more considerable than that of men The outer-parts of the Works were neglected as not expecting a storm whereat the Italians and Spaniards the seventh day after entred being helped by Bridges which they had purposely made but the Germans to whom the third Quarter was designed came on more slowly After this first the Italians filling up the Trench took the Bullwark but the rest were either repulsed or further distant Then the Towns-men fearing undermining and more near fights go to the Governour and beseech him That he would prevent extremity and not provoke the Generall that was as well prodigall of his own mens Lives as his Enemies With which desires he was overcome though he had received Letters that assur'd him of Relief within two dayes for Prince Maurice had drawn the Garrisons out of all the Cities of Over-Issell and near the Wael with an intent to raise the Siege This being told to Spinola he offered honourable conditions to such as would march away but added great Threats to such as should continue obstinate And here give me leave to say that there was not a greater Care taken for any parts than for Groll and the other Towns before taken when they Articled for Surâ—er almost all the Townsmen remain'd there content with any kind of Religion and any Form of Government Thus Groll being taken the Marquess although the scarcity of Victuals together with abundance of Rain had fill'd all the Country with Water Resolved to besiege Berck situate in a more elevated Soil and Provisions near to be brought in the Camp For after the Designs of higher Concernment proved all Abortive he supposed no place more worthy to â—rive for with all his Forces whether he minded the Honour of the Attempt or Commodity of the place For Berck according to the manner of building in former Ages had Stone-Walls roughly laid together and a Trench adjoyning to them In this War the possession of that place had bin often alter'd In which variety of Fortune a slight Bulwark and another Trench had bin made about it partly by the Spaniards and partly by the Hollanders But the Year last past Count Ernest sent thither to that purpose had made a New Line about it with Sconces and Half-Moons and in some places with Forts land hereto was added a Trench a small Redoubt being made before it And then that the Garrison might have the moâ—e Room Lodgings were made for the Souldiers under Ground in the Form of Trenches and every where about the Fields where it was thought fit were little Works made foursquare for the Souldiers to keep Guard in And the Island that lyes before the Town was fortified in like manner From thence a Bridge was made over the Rhine to the Bank on the German side and on the Bank it self was a handsom Fort pretty large and another less and then again Breast works Bucquoy leaving Gelderland came first to the Town through the Bishoprick of Colen taking in his March a Holland Ship that lay in the Rhine and burning others that were deserted by the Sea-men But before the Passages were all shut up Prince Maurice's Brother Henry came from his Camp which had continued at Dorsburg till that time and brought into the Town a great Baâ—d of Horse and 14 Companies of Foot Wherewith the Garrison being great before was so increased that they were near 200 Horse and above 3000 Foot The rest of the Horse Prince
Henry brought back to the Camp neither provoking the Enemy to fight nor being provoked by them At this time several young Noble-men and Gentlemen of France among whom was the Duke of Roan's Brother of their own free-will entred into the Town and were there besieged minding to make known their Valour and to learn the Arts Military Whether relating to the Assaults of Towns or the Defence thereof After a few days Autumn now approaching Spinola made Inroads into the Dutchy of Cleves and undertook in person to break into some Forts beyond the Rhine and by that means Prince Maurice to follow if he duist The Besieged at first made a Sally that way and had well-nigh taken the General himself who was abroad onely with a few Attendants The next Attempt they made was upon Bucquoy's Camp where the Baron of Flessie a French Noble-man more valiantly than waâ—ly assaulting the Enemy was taken Prisoner And while Spinola having now joyned the Leaguers with a Bridge wearies out the Fort beyond the River and other Works with Shot Edmund Collonel of the Scots Regiment dyed of a Wound and so much prevail'd the death of this Valiant Man and Expert Leader that they in the Garrison having lost the Bank Retreated into the Island the Rhine defending those places of Safety against the Enemy But on that side the Town towards Colen the Works were assaulted by Cannon by Mines and last of all by Storm But the Prince sending to the States desiring by Letters To know what they thought fit to be done and they returning Answer That they left all to his Discretion So that he might if he pleased fight the Enemy making many publike Offers as â— be intended to raise the Siege whereby he might put Courage into his own men and give the longer delay to the Enemy he privately Resolved in his Mind to spin out the rest of the Year with the loss of Berck And as he was not to be moved by Reports so was he wary of Accidents being â— without fear lest if by bringing away his Army he should leave those middle parts naked Spinola leaving the siege should again attempt to pass the Wael and the Issel and then the Enemy being gotten into the Bowels of the Country all would condemn that vain-glorious Rashness that preferred specious shews before reall safety Therefore Resolving to go no further and intending to attempt no other Towns he concluded to lye upon the Watch near the Wesel now pretending that the Bridges came too late anon that the Enemy was drawn nearer but still keeping the Souldiers in the Camp who burned with a desire of fighting yet to keep the Souldiers in Action he brought them to a Fort begun by the Enemy where the River Lâ—ppe mingles with the Rhine which he compell'd to surrender and afterwards perfected it and that nothing might hinder them he steer'd his course whither soever occaâ—ion requir'd by many Noble Attempts making Spinola fortifie his Camp which before lay open seizing all the little adjoyning Hills In this time the Besiegedâ—â—â—lyed â—â—â—lyed forth very often and every time with a greater number nor was their Fortune or Success unlucky the French-mens Gallantry appearing in all places But as the Enemies Force drew nearer they did them no small damage by Mines But their Courages began to fail when they saw no hope of Relief and the Enemy secured from the danger of their shot daily advanced their Works sparing neither Powder nor other kinds of fighting The Besieged had Gunpowder enough to have served them a long time but they were so prodigal thereof at first that the want thereof was one of the main causes that hastned the Surrender Collonel Utenboven the Governour of Berck seemed more willing to yield it in favour to the French lest be should desperately cast away so much gallant Youth which were the Hopes and Pledges of so many great Families into utter Ruine without doing any good to their Country At last many of their Bulwarks being taken and the inner Works but very weak the Town Island and such Ships as were there were deliver'd up About 500 were slain in the Camp but not so many in the Town among whom was Saintangeâ— a French-man of great Parentage The loss of this famous Town much troubled the Hollanders who hereupon consider'd what was the Fortune of War if no Army went against it yet the Fortifications would subsist but for a short time This place was gotten with the immense Labour of Fortifying that it might be lost by a Siege that held but a Moneth and a few days over while Berck six Years before being out of Repair and void of Works contemned and held out their Arms a far longer time The day before Berck was surrendred Prince Henry of Nassaw taking part of the Forces by Night attempted to break into Vensoo having forced the Gate with a Retard and some of the Souldiers with great earneâ—ness going by the Bulwark that lyes close by the Maes But another Gate hindred them and before it could be broken the Townsmen together with the Horse and Foot of the Garrison repell'd the Assailants In another part Designs were laid by some Swimmers and Ships out of Zeland upon some Maritime Towns of Flanders but the Success was not answerable to Hopes At this time some unfortunate News out of America grievously weakned Spinola's Credit already wavering with the Greatness of the Usury he paid some Merchants whose Accounts with him were unsetled being compell'd to break promise with him Whereupon he wanted Money and being wonted to give the Souldier part of his Pay out of his own Revenue now he was not able to do that And lately the Governour of Wachtendenck punish'd some Seditious Threats by the death of one Souldier and the punishment of two more After this continual marching and labouring in the Camp renewed Discipline But after Berck was lost and that the Hollanders had nothing in those parts besides Moers which it was fear'd Spinola would attaque notwithstanding the Autumn was so far spent and it had a considerable Garrison Nor did Poverty onely and the want of Fodder pinch the Horsemen chiefly but the Infirmities of Diseases afflicted all the rest so that many â—led to Prince Maurice and part went to other places They that had more Courage shâ—nning Sloth began to mutiny and employ'd themselves in making Bullets and wandring about the Fields till at last they fell to choosing themselves a Head and ordaining all other Things that use to set forth Seditions to belong and durable While their Paucity was contemptible Spinola first proscribed them of their Commands and proceeded against them as Offenders against the Law But when they began to grow more powerful he was glad to flatter them by Messengers But as his Threats were without Authority so his Promises with reall Performances were little esteemed Almost 600 of them went to Hochstraten the noted Receptacle for such Beginnings but that place was not at
People Sighs and Tears together with want and the often renewed Seditions of the Souldiers prevailed that now they chose rather a obtain and peaceable Government than the hope of an inlarged Dominion attended with continual Fear But Spinola was the chief Author of that Counsel who a few years having archiev'd great Honour fear'd lest Fortune should turn Retrograde both his own and the King's Credit being at once shipwrack'd if these vast Charges should continue or any Chance should intercept the Ameriâ—â— Revenues without any hope of recovering what he had â—â—bursed so that being overwhelm'd in Debt in stead of a â—ear and honourable Fortune he could see nothing but â—ame and Poverty But in the Vnited Provinces few durst hope for Peace but rather most fear'd it being so instructed from their Parents that all Treaties with a deceitful Enemy were to be shunâ—ed and that War was most safe under whatsoever Qualification and that the great Number of Men subject to them 〈◊〉 well Souldiers as the rest of the Common People were advantaged by Arms Engines Armies and Fleets Nor was it fear'd by a few least as formerly at the beginning of the War so now at the restoring of Peace Antwerp should be chosen as the most commodious Seat for Merchandise and Traffick And when all fear of the Enemy should be taken away the Dissentions of Cities and other Disturbances of the Common-wealth were dreaded Nor were there some wanting especially among those that were more subject to Danger as lying nearer the Enemy who long since while they saw Cities taken by force and none to contradict it and that under a shew of Prudence their Limits were lessned fearing the like might happen to them when it would be too late to seek a Remedy altogether bent their whole studies for Peace But the more Moderate as they thought fit to avoid Treacheries so they likewise agreed to try Whether Arms might be laid aside upon Honourable Terms with the safety of the Commonwealth and preservation of Religion Nor was this time to be omitted when the Enemies Affairs were decaying the Authority of the States was grown more firm by long Obedience and there were two potent Princes as it were at their sides the one offended at the Spaniard the other for many just Reasons displeased with the Pope and therefore would consequently be more cordial to the Hollanders The state of Affairs both at Home and abroad being in this condition Herman Wittenhorsten by the Arch-Duke's Command came to the Hagne about the end of the year The same also before the Armies should march out in the Spring had passed through Gelderland and Holland but with Command onely to commune in private whereof there would be occasion enough given him in regard he was allyed to several of the Holland Nobility either by the Consanguinity of his Ancestors or other Collateral Affinity of Marriages But now John Genard the Secretary coming to accompany him from Turnholt where both of them lived and that place paying Tribute to both Parties caused them to have the more free admittance He deliver'd to the chief of the States what he had in Command from Albertus and Isabella which was to this effect That nothing was more desired by them than the Peoples Peace and that an end might be put to their long and bloody Troubles That the Rights belonging to the Arch-Dukes were not unknown to the States as also that they sought not anything that belonged to others They on the other side should consider what they conceived fit for confirming their Security whether a Peace or a Truce onely and that it was left to them whether they would chuse a publike or a private Treaty from which all unjust and treacherous Dealings should be banish'd But the matter was deferred because they brought no Letters from the Arch-Dukes to the States We shall hereafter relate with care what gradations and progress it had and with what inclination it was managed because this will 〈◊〉 far more expedient for the knowledg of Citizens than the Arts of Fortifications or Excursions of Horse and Foreign Nations at no time before had spoken of the Hollanders with more Honour and Renown The Sixteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Winter growing more warm yet very turbulent with high Winds as it made the Hollanders secure from their Enemies Incursions yet hindred not the flowing of the Rivers as if the Heavens had been pleased with the overtures of Peace nevertheless it did same harm in another part by spoyling some Ships near the Texell because the Island was unsafe for Winter stations which Ships were thereby forced to delay the time of their going out into several parts of the World But the Vnited States that they might with the more certainty settle domestick Peace and vindicate their fame after Time had cared their late grown Troubles of Groeninge taken off the necessity of imperious Command and reduced their minds 〈◊〉 a conformity of obedience commanded the Castle which they had built to keep the City in awe to be demolished and pulled down which though formerly it was necessary yet now if it should be continued would not at all suit with the Liberty which they pretended towards all The chief cause of this their so great security was That the Magistrates of the City were such whose fidelity both to them and the publike Religion was well known and a great Garrison was kept therein without charge and without regret Yet for all this had the Souldiers no time of leisure for the Spaniard broke into and burned a small Fort in the Isle of Bommell the Sentinell being hired by them to hold his peace The Captain that Commanded the place was slain who was blamed for this because in not changing his Watches he had given hopes to that Treacherous Design Also the Count Bruyke a younger Brother but in pay under the Hollanders as he rid to his Father's house with a small retinue fell into an ambush of the Enemies his Secretary by chance going before was shot which was a sign of what was following to his Master yet he did not offer to fly but valiantly coped with the Enemy not out of hope to escape but because he was ashamed to be taken After he was slain his body was barbarously wounded the fortune and hatred which they bore towards his Father being executed upon the Son for with the like barbarism was his Father killed by Mendosa's Souldiers But Henry of Nassau going out with a strong Party of Horse to the spoyl of Spinola's men that carelessly Wintered in the Country of Limburg when they hearing of the danger retired into the Cities He took by force Erkelen a Town lying in his way after he had beaten down the Gate with a Petard This is a small Town in Gelderland which out of a sense of its own weakness had of old paid Tribute to both parties But then by chance was become an Enemy to the Hollanders by
receiving Count Henry of Heremberg who had chosen that place as a fit Seat to go a foraging Fifty Horse were slain within the rest of the Garrison was absent Count Heremberge himself was taken what they could they carried away the rest they burned The sury of the Souldiers was more fierce than could be restrained by the authority of their Captain for that they remembred the â—â—d usage of some of their Companions in that place But Frederick Count Heremberg to make amends for his Brother 's more hard fortune resolved to invade Ardenburg in Flanders a Town fortified by the Hollanders to which design of his some of the Souldiers within were conscious But part of them being for some Crimes called in question and imprisoned confessed the unknown Plot which was then ready to be put in execution for Count Frederick waited in a place hard by with a strong party expecting a sign from the Traytors Some long Voyages were joyntly by the Hollanders and the English hastned forward for this Spring the Hollanders for Two Ships and the English Three towards the Indies At the present the English made the greater gain but their Honour was drawn in question for of late Edward Michelâ—â—â— returning out of that World was reported to have indamaged Commerce by Slaughters and Rapines committed upon the Barbarians but he threw the fault upon the Indians to man gainsaying the Reasons he gave for the same Nor did there want some who encouraged to the like audacious attempts averring it was so directed by the Customs and Laws of their Ancestors because whatever was committed against Foreiners with whom no publike League was made was justified so far in Britain as there could be no compensation got for any injury done At this time It was in agitation that the Spaniard alone might not wholly possess America for the English a good while since claimed to themselves a part thereof in the Thirty fourth degree from the Equinoctial which they named Virginia in honour of Queen Elizabeth which name it still retains This they claimed because they were the first that had searched into the inner part of the Country Wherefore such assembling whose Money being not employed at home yet hoped good advantage from abroad erected Two Companies to each of which particular Colonies were designed in those parts And King James settled Laws and Rewards among them for the augmentation of the Brittish glory And it was confidently affirmed That there were Mines of Gold and Silver which was credulously believed as mens covetousness wished the same This great business received its beginning from one Ship whose Passengers having built a sleight Fort on the Bank of a River which they found by whose Fish and the Fruits of the adjoyning Country they could well maintain themselves They that were lost there in Garrison the Natives gathering against them retreated more towards the side of the Country But another Spanish Ship falling into their hands they would not spare the Seamen because leaving at home Peace and Justice they kept the vast possession of the New World only by terrour Moreover some Britains lately went to Guyana but a Sedition arising in the Voyage and the Ship being lost part of the Company remained in the Island where continually vexing the Barbarians with injutious usage they at last were set upon by War as Enemies by force of which and the want of Victualls they committed themselves to the Sea in a Boat made onely of an Hollowed Tree there for the space of ten dayes together being tossed with continual Tempests and thrown upon the rocks they very hardly got to the Land where their danger was no whit lessened for they were taken by the Spaniard who for all that pardoned them in regard they came not to those Parts of their own accord but by the stress of weather But the Hollanders Designs ran at a higher pitch yet went but slowly on according to the custome of great Undertakings Heretofore there was a great number of Merchants a vast multitude of Sea-men and besides then was there so much money as is scarcely to be believed in private mens hands unimployed by the Loss of the Spanish Trade the East-Indies not being sufficient Only America seemed to be able to give this satisfaction which every where abounds with Mines besides Salt and Sugar pretious Wood and Physical Drugs But the Spaniards prepossessing all the Principal Coasts cut off all hope of Commerce by Traffick wherefore by the Publike strength and authority being added to the Private wealth And now the wealthiest as well Merchants as others who out of a zeal to benefit their Country had inquired into all things in that New World both from Books and also the relations of Sea-men published a form of Government and Laws for a new Society that should continue for the space of Six and Thirty Years And it should not be lawful for any of their Citizens unless he became a Member of that Company to go into those Parts which extend from Terra-Nova well known to the French Fisher-men by a vast Tract of Land all along the streights of Magellan unto the Ocean on both sides and whatever lyes opposite to the Coasts of Africa between the Equinoctial and the Cape of Good Hope Five Moneths were limited for the bringing in of Money And for the first Six years the Vnited States would add Two hundred thousand Florens yearly and afterwards as much more as the Affairs of the Commonwealth would permit That the Accounts of Warr and Traffick should be reckoned separately That for the carrying on of Warr there should be Sixteen stout Ships and four Barks set out by Private Men and the like number by the Commonwealth But how many soever were furnished with Souldiers by the Company they together with all the rest should be under one Command That the Stock should be managed in this manner by the Governours Thirty of Amsterdam should have the disposal of the one half thereof Eighteen in Zeland of a Fourth part In West-Friezeland and at the Mouth of the Maes Fifteen should manage the rest Nor was their Power perpetual but every Sixth year the Third part of these Governors were to give way to Successors That none should be chosen to that Office but such as had been most liberal in bringing Money into the Stock In the judgment of these men lay the ordering of all Affairs both as to Merchandise and War The hundreth part was designed as the reward of the labour of all that either Exported or Imported and the gain arising from the Improvement of the Stock should be divided when it was equal to the tenth part of the Stock Whatever should be taken as Prize was to be disposed according to the determination of the Judges of the Admiralty but for the first six years the same should remain undivided that the Charges of the War might be sustained by the Profits gotten by it And afterwards the tenth part should be brought to
but if they liked not such a Peace they would if they thought good make a Truce for twelve fifteen or twenty years or else would make a Cessation of Arms upon equall tearms whereby as well a confident security as Commerce should be confirmed with this among the rest that what they now possessed they should for the future retain unless common utility induced them at any time to exchange some Towns or Regions That the Legates they would send to this Treaty should be Netherlanders by Nation to meet whom the States should send the like number 〈◊〉 whose appointment they left the nomination both of time and place for their meeting And that these things might the more fairly proceed They were pleased if they would consent thereto that there should be a Cessation of Arms both by Sea and Land as well among the Netherlanders as the Spaniards during eight months desiring the States to declare their Resolution concerning â—e said Treaty before the first of September The bringing of these Letters which they themselves a little before had drawn those things therein being changed which in a former Copy brought by the same Naya had been disliked could not but please the Hollanders the altered â—oints were these That by the Truce each should enjoy what they now had but if a peace were made then each should retain what should be agreed Also that the Hollander should wholly abstain from going to or Trading in the Indies but in regard they judged themselves wholly Masters at Sea and at land more powerful in their Cavallery they thought not fit any further to forbid Hostility for eight Moneths then that during that time no Cities should be besieged or taken no Countries invaded nor any new Fortifications built And it was added that the King of Spain within three months should ratifie the Covenants agreed to by the Arch Dukes with the repeated recognition of the Hollanders liberty Nay he Promised before the four and twentieth of April that he would bring it to pass that those Covenants should be signed by the Arch Dukes Albertus and Isabella so as the States would do the same Concerning this sudden business the Assembly of the States thought fit to write to the several Provinces that so the Commons might receive the same with more acceptation which they did to this effect That they advise well of the Judgment of the Prince and Senate in that they had accepted the Condition which Albertus and Isabella had offered for a Cessation of Arms that they might have leisure to transact with the Kings of France and Brittain and other Princes and afterwards to consider among themselves what was fit to be done as to the rest What then remained but that they should all give thanks to God that he had hitherto so prospered their War and now had inclined their Enemies minds to the confession of the truth But upon the appointed day of Humiliation when now the rumour growing common made mens affections increase the Ministers that preached as every ones fancy sed him turned the whole Series of their Sermons either to the applause of peace or despiteful rayling against the adverse parties However the States about the four and twenty of April sent Instruments of those things lately agreed upon to Antwerp by Didâ—â— Verdusio And Naya produced the Writing as it had been â—â—ised at the Hague onely with the addition of the Arch Dukes hands commanding the same to be firm and authentick But Verdusio requiring a more solemn Instrument that â—hould be equal to that he brought Naya presently obeyed and brought such a one from Bruxells together with a gold Chain to Verdusio intreating him at the same time that because some things contained in that Agreement seemed to be of a dubious interpretation that he would suffer him a return with himself to the States to advise upon the â—â—e The Arch Duke Albertus was really so inclinable to peace that he would not suffer any Hostility to be begun on 〈◊〉 part insomuch that He commanded all his Governours which was clearly beyond the Agreements that the Souldiers sould be kept within their Garrisons and that all â—â—â—men and Fishermen that were prisoners at Dunkirk should â—e set at liberty And Verdusio having written to the States concerning Raya's Request and receiving no positive answer taking for granted what was not forbidden returned to the Hague with him in his company And now they that 〈◊〉 not withstood the first motions of peace begun to repent themselves of their silence fearing that would really become 〈◊〉 which they had hitherto supposed to be but fained Therefore some of them question by whose order the Monke 〈◊〉 his foot on their ground being enemies to him and his 〈◊〉 Others accused Verdusio that he had undertaken an â—hit of so high concernment by private advice whereby 〈◊〉 plainly appeared that Naya was not likely to obtain so â—â—ily what in his own daring Imaginations he had already â—â—â—ceived granted While these things were doing in these parts in the 〈◊〉 while the Hollanders obtained a famous Victory at 〈◊〉 which made the Enemies more desirous of peace and 〈◊〉 more fervent to War When the last year the War of Spain went more slowly on not without some blemish of their antient Navall Honour it was thought fit another Fleet should be sent thither as well for recovering their fame as at the earnest Request of the Indian Company who were afraid lest the whole Strength of Spain should at once fall upon their Ships Jacob Hemskerke a man well skilled in Sea Affairs was chosen Admirall who had formerly accompanied William Barent in the like Voyage when most froward Fortune hindered them from making a more narrow Inquisition into the Secrets of the North besides he had been twice at the Indies from whence of late he brought a most rich Ship which he had taken in War At this time six and twenty Ships were committed to his charge fitted for War and four others for carrying Provisions with Command to do what should seem most beneficial Nor did he scruple to promise that he would so behave himself as to merit the thanks of his Country either by death or life and how full fraught he went out with confidence may from hence easily be understood that he would have no other pay than the eighth part of that booty which should exceed the sum of five hundred thousand florens He was not so covetous of money of which he had enough as of glory but not discovering that his inclination by any ostentation because composing both his habit and countenance into a reserved civility he did under that mask the greatness of a Military mind At the beginning of the Spring a little before the first Covenants were made between the Arch Dukes and the States going to Sea when he came to the Coasts of Spain he resolved to invade the mouth of the River Tagus that the most Noble City of Lisbone might be a witness of
other denying Obedience Yet there were some Princes who affecting the Favour of Germany named themselves Vassals of the Empire yet with such Liberty as that they were obliged to no other Duty than that of Reverence among whom William became Emperour Nor did the Bavarians being born under Emperours think of any Change But the Burgundians and after them the Austrians refused to make any Oath of Allegiance deriving their Liberty from great Antiquity as if the Emperor Frederick had released to Philip Duke of Burgundy all Right of Empire Maximilian of Austria the Son of Frederick being rather the Father and Tutor of a Prince than a Prince and making opposition against the Cities by Forein Force reckon'd Holland and other people of the Burgundian Jurisdiction within the Body of the Empire but the States very eagerly opposed the same and this among all the rest of the Causes of the begun Commotions was look'd upon as one But Charles the Fifth affecting the Empire endeavouring to expel the French as Foreiners it was objected by the very Germans themselves that the Netherlanders belonged no more to the Almain Empire than the French did being obliged neither to pay Tributes to it be subject to its Laws not oâ—n its Decrees and Constitutions But He the more effectually to attain the Honour he so earnestly thirsted after promised that he would bring it to passe that by a firm League the Netherlanders should unite and grow together with the Germans and soon after brought it to such perfection that what could be offered either for the priviledge of Germany or the liberty of the Netherlands being heard and understood he confessed at length that only Gelderland and Utrecht were Feodaries to the Empire yet nevertheless for the future he required that the rest of the Hollanders and Netherlanders should joyntly make one part of the German Empire not that they should receive Laws and Constitutions from thence but that he might confer unto the publick necessities as much as the two Princes Electors and also that they should be under the Protection of Germany and should have right of suffrage in their Dyets and Assemblies in all things else they should keep their liberty intire Upon the account of this League it was that the Hollanders at what time they were subject to the Spaniard implored the help of Germany against the Spanish injuries And in the Treaty of Breda the Prince of Aurange saying that Holland and Zeland belonged to the German Empire which he spoke meerly to win the favour of that Nation King Philips Embassadors with much earnestness denyed the same But being compelled to defend themselves and obtaining no help from thence from that time they withdrew themselves from bearing any share in those foreign burdens Nor was it a new thing that Leagues were in this manner dissolved since almost all Europe withdrew it self from the Constantinopolitan Emperours being by them left undefended against the Barbarians and the Cities of Italy by the same Right obtained their liberty against the Emperours But it is not convenient for us any longer to prosecute these things for the order of our intended History now recalls us to proceed in the same without further digression Therefore after the violence of Arms was somewhat moderated by Covenants yet the Souldiers did not omit for the whole Year to make Invasions where it was lawful laying hold on that last opportunity of making War For Albertus had commanded a few Horsemen to go to Lingen laden with Money for Pay These being by chance met by a stronger party of Hollanders in the Country of Bentheym were surprized and taken For when they had betaken themselves to the Town of Steenfort some of the Pursuers entred pell-mel with them wile the Townsmen shutting up the Ports kept others out Both Parties fought valiantly within the Gates Those to keep their Money These on the other side greedy to win it They that were without threatned to force the Gates unless they were set open as well for them as the Enemies Then each of them send to their Neighbour Friends in Garrisons desiring them to send Assistance Thus from the small beginning of a Skirmish was likely to ensue a sharp and great Battel But the Citizens of the Town fearing lest they should become a Prey to the Victâ—â— perswaded both That rather than for the onely hope of Gold thâ—y should run the hazard of an uncertain Event by Fight the Hollanders should take three thousand Archidutal Angels and have the Booty The Governour of Grave was taken by the Spaniard while he was passing the Maes with too much security and Warner Dubois was kill'd being Judge Advoâ—â—te of the Army in the Country of Tiel as he was taking the Air in his Coach and with obstinacy refused to surrender himself to the increasing Enemy At this time both Parties relying upon the Covenants dismissed part of their Forein Souldiers the States doing it 〈◊〉 of Prudence the Arch-Dukes out of Necessity For Seditioâ—s were ready to break forth on every side if they had not redeemed themselves from new Charges by that Temporary Peace Nor had they so eschewed the Evil many of the Souldiers scattering up and down the Country to the grievous prejudice of the Husband-men and they that were planted at Dâ—est threatned by entertaining others among them to increase their number if their Pay were any longer delayed Anon after some Money came from Spain and some was raised by the Netherlanders whereupon Pay was sent to them at Diest and at the same time Pardon and Indempnity was proclaimed to them Thus the strength of the Confederates being broken the Arch-Dukes spent that time of Rest which they had from the Enemy for the encouraging and fortifying Discipline by Examples of Severity the Author thereof being Didaco Ibarra one sent from Spain to overlook the Treasury and Militia Therefore they declare by an Edict the flagitious wickedness of that Sedition at Diest and their offences against the Publike who although they were pardoned their Crimes yet therefore they were not to be retained in Service as Souldiers without further Licence And therefore all that were Associates in that Sedition they command within one Night and Day to depart and never to return into or set foot upon any the Lands belonging to the Arch-Dukes and Spaniards threatning present justice to all that should remain in or return to the Country and proposing great Rewards to all that apprehended any of them The wiser and more moderate sort of Men esteem'd it not fit for that time to publish their Belief and Opinion to the suspitious Hollander and by so subtle an Interpretation to elude though never so deservedly their Promises to the Souldiers In this place it is not fit to defraud Posterity of that rare Example of the Hollanders Wealth and Ingepuity which effected Operations against Nature for some private Persons undertook and fortunately brought to pass the draining of the Lake Bamestren adjoyning to Parmeren
unknown by whom Murthers were commended and with whom the greatest Thief is most honourable And how horrid is it in these who obtained their Honour not by the Nobility of their Bloud or Merits but by his or Queen Elizabeth's Favour to shew such an Ingratitude of Mind such a Conscientiousness of their Treachery that they would again attempt what they had bin once pardon'd solliciting a whole Province to Defection and Rebellion and contrive a Conspiracy to the slaughter of all the English Nor were there wanting Priests and Jesuits the usual Authors and Promoters of such wickedness to foment their Designs But the Assistance of Forein Power being in vain implored by them their impious Attempts left no safe Refuge but in flight The Seventeenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THat the Enemies Embassadors delay'd their coming this Years most sharp Frost and worthy to be remembred among the Rarities of the Time was a main cause or else it was a part of the Spanish Pride to be long expected In the interim the States transacted with their Friends That they might try what might be hoped from them in Peace or War Then did the Affection of the French clearly appear eminent towards this Commonwealth there being hardly any found that would imitate their Pattern For they made a League wherein it was agreed That the King should give Assistance against the Violaters thereof that either offer'd publike Injuries to the Hollanders or being warned had by dissimulation done any private Offences and to that end should send to their Aid Ten Thousand Foot If the King a Kingdom of France suffer'd any Hostility from an Enemy The States were to help him either with 500 Foot or so many Ships as should equiballance that Number If either â—d any thing beyond this for the other it should be owed 〈◊〉 till the end of the War and then to be re-paid That either should make any Agreement with the Enemy without as Allies Consent And in point of Commerce the Hollanders should be free among the French as Citizens and the French equal to the Citizens of Holland But the Brittains that they might not make the like League first of all renewed the old Controversie concerning the Trade of Clothing which only one Society among the English would â—ave and afterwards they demanded That before all other things the old Debt of the States should be more narrowly treated 〈◊〉 The Germans a Nation full of delay from whom as also from the Landgrave of Hessen Embassadors came pretended That their Princes desired nothing more than to confirm the League upon mutual Assistance each of other yet that they had received no certain Power and Authority to settle that Affair In 〈◊〉 interim these in effect were the Things which they â—ommended to the States if Peace were concluded to wit that Care might be taken for the Indempnity of the House of Nassau That the Spaniard should make satisfaction for the Daniaâ—â— Mendosa had done in Germany That no Liberty should be parted to any within the States Jurisdiction to use the Romane rites in matter of Religion That in the disbanding of Souldiers â—â—tion should be used that no damage should accrue thereby to the Neighbours And that all Taxes upon Provision should for the future utterly cease At length in the beginning of the Month of February arrived the Embassadors from the Enemy which were Spiâ—â—la and Mancicido a Spaniard the King's Secretary for Military Business Afterwards Richardot Verreik and Naya being drawn in Sleds over the Frozen Waters enter Holland then indeed open and not shewing any of the natural strength and beauty of its Rivers Where ever they passed they were courteously Treated by the Governours of Cities and were not far from the Hague when Prince Maurice went out to meet them On every side was an infinite company of men whom the greatness of that unusual Sight had drawn together and to behold a Thing the Year before believed by no man that the two chief Commanders of that great War who lately had led such Armies mortally hating one another now unarm'd mutually embracing each other and instead of the Violence of Arms and Stratagems of War contesting onely who should most exceed in Humanity Spinola passing in Prince Maurice's Coach and some Discourse begun each of them received great Advantage from the others Vertue one expert Enemy giving a true Judgment of his Opposite But after the Italian General provided of Lodgings according to his Dignity began to set forth his pretious Houshold-stuff and all other Things prepar'd for Ostentation It is wonderful to tell what vast concourse of men daily flocked thither from the utmost parts of Holland meerly to see the order of his Service the furnishing of his Table and chiefly his Person Indeed many were drawn thither with the desire onely to satisfie and feed their Eye but others came thither who not onely owned but boasted their Affection to the Romane Religion Nor was He nice in shewing himself to all Comers nay more then that he supposed it a becoming thing sometimes to speak first to many by an Interpreter or else thereby he fancied to himself a hope of gaining the affection of the Commons against the Nobles At the Request of the Enemies Embassadors a more solemn meeting than ordinary was granted where before the Prince and the Senate after Salute and Complements passed they declare to what purpose they were sent And now some were chosen that should treat apart with them first in the Name of the whole Council of the United States were appointed William of Nassau and Walrave Brederode then â—ery single Province added one as Gelderland Cornelius 〈◊〉 Holland John Olden Barneveldt Zeland Jacob Maleree Vtrecht Nicholas Bercke Friezeland Gelly Hellaman Over-â—ssell John Sleethen and Groening Abâ—l Cunderten The first dayes were spent while each inspected and argued the others Commands and Instructions King Philip in his Letters styled the Arch Dukes the chief Princes of the Netherlands and speaking of the liberty of the United Provinces he recited that clause which formerly he had mentioned that it should be then of full force when the Peace was concluded wherein also there were Instructions concerning Religion and other matters in controversie The Arch Dukes in their Epistles set forth the words whereby Philip of late had ratified whatever Agreements they should make upon any the States Demands the States nevertheless often averting and complaining of the contrary Besides when Philip gave power to the Arch Dukes of making Peace either by themselves or those whom he had delegated to that business The Arch Dukes Instructions did not plainly enough speak and declare the right which they had received from King Philip to be transferred by them to their Embassadors To all which Objections the Spaniards plâ—usibly excusing the rest promised that they would take care that nothing should be wanting in the making perfect their Commission yet on the other side they argued that the States
durst attempt no further And now the Seige of Malacca coming to their knowledg they hasten thither that they might if possible surprise the empty Ships and take the Enemy as he lay scattered on the shore but Matelisen being forewarned thereof by his Scouts and Spyes prevented them and although he were but a raw Souldier yet he performed the duty of an excellent Captain for first he shipped all his Carriages and Guns then the Jorensian Souldiers and last of all as any Hollander was more distant so he was commanded before the others that lay nearer to enter the Fort that was erected on the shore Now had part of them gotten into the ships and other part was yet on land when the Enemy made a strong Sally out of Malacca but they were soon beaten back and so afterwards the rest with more care got on board As soon as ever the ships saw each other they began a Fight with their Great Guns at a distance the Portugueses avoiding the Fight because the Wind carryed them towards Sumatra which was from the Enemy As soon as day light appeared the next morning and the Wind began to blow from Sumatra Matelisen foreseeing the Enemy would press upon him commanded to weigh Anchor but one of the ships which was named Nassaw when it could not stir the Anchor and delayed to cut their Cables was set upon by two Spanish Vessels and burned but the danger was like to have reached the Authors thereof if the Galleys had not come in and assisted them which kind of help the Hollanders wanted therefore being drawn with ropes fastned to the Galleyes that were rowed they escaped the fire that was now ready to seize them The Holland ships also attempted to succour their fired Vessels which were called the Middleburg and the Orange but the wind presently slacking hindred their course and forthwith Alvares Carvale Henry Norone and Duertes Guerra Portugal Captains with three ships set upon them into which being intangled one among another the Maurice another Holland ship cast fire which utterly consumed Duertes and Carvale with their ships and together with them perished the Middleburg But Matelisen himself with the Admiral assailed Norom fighting with the Orange and so terrified it with shot that at length the torn Vessel in sign of yielding took down the Banner yet for all this he durst not go among the Portugueses preparing to receive him fearing lest any Seaman the Fight being not yet over should turn both their hands and minds to Booty and neglect the Battel Therefore supposing the ship his own and commanding the shot to cease he drew it after him with a rope but Norone the Cable breaking of it self escaping to his companions deceived his too careful and unhappy Prudence But here the Spaniard being weary the Fight began to cease and the Hollanders took great care that they might not by the swiftness of the Tyde be separated and driven below the Enemy The Victory was equal each side having lost two ships whereof the Portugueses indeed were the bigger but the Hollanders loss was the greater their Fleet being the least But the loss of men was not equal for the Hollanders wanted only might whereas many of the Portugueses perished both by fire shot and in the Sea besides a great many that were slain by the furious Seamen contrary to their Captains command as they endeavoured to escape from the fire in a small Boat The next dayes passed in quiet or at least in the exchange of some few bullets when the Hollanders began to want Gunpowder and which was a greater mischief than that the obstinacy of the Seamen had well nigh burst put into a sedition for because by the Law of the society the whole Fleet was not intrusted to all but every one had his own ship delivered to his Trust they whose ships were burned as if they therewith had lost their wages sad and enraged incited others to refuse fighting with fear of the like loss therefore for appeasing their minds as well that their sick men might be refreshed as their torn ships repaired Matelisen withdraws with his Fleet to Jora and there enters into Council with the Kings for strengthening of the Town against any Assaults of the Portugueses Here while he stayed a Moneth a joyful Messenger came to him with news That the Enemy had divided his â—eet part of them being gone as a Convoy to the weaker ships and that there remained at Malacca no more then seven Galleons and three Galleyes Wherefore trying the Marriners sometimes by Threats sometimes by Promises he scarsly prevailed with them Not to let slip out of their hands an occasion so advantagious for the good of their Countrey When they came to Malacca and saw the Bâ—â—â—ies Fleet lye at Anchor under the Protection of the Castle Matelisen that he might draw them out into the open Sea made use of this Policy The outermost of the Enemies ships being called the Nicholas Himself in the Admiral and with two other ships enclosed and cutting its Anchor Cable with a Rope drew it along with them into the Main Sea and because Gunpowder was short with him he appointed they should not make many shots but what they did make to make surely not aiming at the bottom because in that calm Sea he could not well drown a ship but at the hatches and decks and where-evr they saw the men stand thickest Then he commands the ship to be immediately entred and that all they met with should be put to the sword Nor were the Seamen backward in performing the command forgetting his Domestick quarrel as he grew hot with fighting insomuch that they made a greâ—â— slaughter And when Matelisen would have set it on fire being now empty unless by chance some had hidden themselves therein a certain Captain desired the custody thereof but he would not grant it remembring Nâ—rones late escape nor indeed could he for the rope breaking with which it was held the ship returned to its companions In the interim the whole Portugal Fleet that they might save the Nicholas in so great danger weighing their Anchors came out to Sea The Hollanders sometimes waited for them one to one otherwhiles two to one however at last one of the Spanish Vessels was burned another carrying Sebastianâ— Snares yielded it self the rest all torn and bloudy hovered up and down when night intercepted the Victory Famous and full of Honour was the Hollanders Valour and Fortune that day many of the Enemies being slain and of themselves scarce any except such as through greediness of booty drew upon them ruine by commixing with the burning Ship The next morning one ship which was very much shattered appeared having only left a few 〈◊〉 Slaves that towed it which also was delivered the rest returned to the Harbour Matâ—lisen desiring to spoil those likewise that he might perfect so famous a Work was retarded by fear lest being so near the shore he might run a ground and
of Jora being admonished by Letters of his fault that he had not followed the Fortifying of the Town although often called upon to that purpose at last this comfort was added that they were coming that would revenge his injuries At Java Paul Cardenus met him with seven Ships for he had lost one that struck upon a shelf at the Siege of Mosambike from which he was forced to depart by the sickness of his men yet he took one of the Enemies Carracks and spoiled two there and others upon the Coast of Bengala With Matelison there came Embassadors from the King of Siam who brought Gifts to the Prince other Letters also were at the same time brought from divers Kings He brought back with him two Ships and three others followed all loaden with Spices At this same time when the Indian Company was assisted not only with mony as home but with forreign Treasure even from the Enemy himself a Noble Merchant being accused for the same and thrown into Prison whereupon many others were necessitated to flight As of old France greatly flourished under a Potent King so now it did the like under a Prince that was the Umpire of Peace in the World whose Queen at this time brought him a third Son from this Kingdom one Mounsieur de Mounte as is elsewhere mentioned had planted a Colony in the North part of America near the River Canada but without any benefit from thence besides Bever Skins and the Hollanders also had a share therein but the Company being weary of the charge it quickly fell to nothing nevertheless collecting others Ships were again sent to repossess those deserted places who planted at Port-Royall and Quebeco knowing â—e Ayr in the Island of Santa Cruce was unwholsome Into England news was brought from Virginia that nothing hindered their Landing or planting and that there was sufficient of all things for humane sustenance but the nine which they had searched were of no value The faction of Tyrone troubled Ireland making irruptions upon some strong Holds near the Sea while Tyrone himself lived at Rome with the Pope but no Supplies coming to them the same Rebels were easily Conquered and driven into the fastnesses of the Woods and Mountains Spain after the Sea was opened to it and beginning to perceive the Commodities of Peace yet sending of thirteen to the Indies did not omit besides Merchandise to put Souldiers therein as knowing that if a League were made yet whatever was taken before would be esteemed lawful prize and the King himself sweetning the hardships he had put upon his Creditors renewed his Repute Besides by a rare Example he caused his Subject to swear Allegiance to his Son being yet an Infant of three years old as Heir of his Kingdoms Barbary being always unquiet while their Sooth-sayers at pleasure draw the Peoples minds changable by Superstition now this way now that way and then disturbed by Abdala and his Uncle Zidan the youngest Son of their sometime King Hamet by his lawful Wife as he reported of whom He possessing Fez in his Fathers name yet soon lost Morocco a most Noble City Mahomet the Nephew of Hamet being by the Citizens called to the Kingdom who received the same Here by the uncertain Law of Africa and for the more easie Retreat of Warriers a formidable strength of Pirates planted themselves disturbing the Sea near the Streights The Rumour whereof came to the Hollanders at what time Spinola was at the Hague Therefore the States hearing the said Pirates had taken one Holland Ship lest they should seem by dissimulation to incourage a publick evill shewed themselves ready with an Armed Fleet severely to revenge themselves if Spinola would promise they should not be molested by the Spaniards but he protested he had no power to do any such thing Among these Pirates were many English to whom happened an accident worthy of memory which was That some English under the shew of Merchants entring a Ship of Zeland on a sudden got the Marriners all under Decks by chance one Turk was therein which was of the number of Prisoners who being taken at Scluys and having his liberty given him notwithstanding ever after lived in Zeland He daring to attempt any thing being not of a servile nature killed two Englishmen as they were upon the Watch in the night and overcharged with drink then loosing the Mariners hoysting their Sails they returned into their Country and delivered up the surviving Thieves to a just punishment In Germany a Dyet was called at Ratisbom where nothing was done though much deliberated upon But the Emperour who of late had begun to shew his care for the Affairs of Holland was now himself deprived of his Dominions for Matthias choosing rather to have then to expect Authority and despising Rodolfus his sloth found not a few in Hungary and Austria who were troubled at the present state of Affairs and having procured the Agreement of both those Nations and causing the Germans to be hated who under the pretence of Caesars Person ruled all Collecting an Army he leads it to Prague where was his Brothers Palace and Court But the Bohemians standing up for Rodolfus first a Treaty and soon after a Peace was made so as Matthias should for the present enjoy all the Christian part of Hungary together with the Principalities of Austria and Moravia and Bohemia for the future if Rodolfus dyed without any Issue male But Matthias had scarce gotten the possession of his desires but his Conditions were changed Of affable becoming severe and denying to the Austrian Protestants the use of their Religion whereupon their minds were turned from him and their Arms against him Nor did the Bohemians for the like causes less disturb the Emperour The Eighteenth and last Book of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT the beginning of the new year the Zelanders being hardly brought by threats to give their consents that their minds incensed with wrangling might again grow into one and all fear of protracting business be taken away the Provinces promise among themselves that they would make no agreement with the Enemy unless the Liberty granted to them in those words that the Deputies approved were in deed and reality confirmed and nothing contrary thereto should be admitted whether sacred or profane And if the Enemy should endeavour to do otherwise they would wait eight dayes and then absolutely break off the Treaty and return to Arms with all the strength they could possible make And now on the one hand the Embassadors of the Kings and on the other they that were sent from the King of Spain and Albertus and were lately returned home laboured to lessen the controverted points but when that way seemed too slow and it was found difficult to explicate business between absent people it was concluded there was a necessity of a further Treaty and to that purpose Antwerp was appointed as the fittest place because many of the Hollanders were displeased
Advice to King Philip and how resented by him 43 Margaret Lady Regent leaves the Netherlands and her Government 46 Moderation No moderation to be hoped from Spain 49 50 Montiny executed in Spain 49 Maximilian Emperour sends into Spain his Brother Charles and to what purpose 52 Medina coeli The Duke thereof sent to succeed Alva in the Government of the Netherlands but he refused the same 63 Montz in Henalt besieged by Alva Relief sent thither by the French Prince of Aurange and others 64 Montz surrendred 65 Middleburg in Zeland sticks to the Spaniards 68 Marquius called to account and accused by the Prince of Aurange 69 Middleburg won by the Zelanders after a long Siege 74 75 Mutiny The Spaniards frequently mutiny and why 76 77 Maestrickt sacked by the Spanish Souldiery 83 Mechlin submits to Parma 111 Mochlin taken by storm from the Spaniards 116 〈◊〉 Arch-Duke of Austria honourably sent away from his Government of the Netherlands 112 Maurice Prinâ—â—on of William Prince of Aurange succeeds his Father in the Publike Care of Holland 145 His Inheritance ibid. 〈◊〉 Governour of Holland and Zeland 146 〈◊〉 delivered to Parma 162 Maurice Prince wins Axel and how 171 He takes the chief Command of War at the States Desires 179 His Merits and Praises 198 Medina Sidonia Duke Admiral of the Spanish Armado 208 Moncada Hugh with a great Ship driven aground in France but at last taken and pillaged by the English 213 Mansfieldt Charles attaquing Voorn Island departs thence for fear of Hohenlo 231 Mansfeldt Count Peter made Deputy-Regent of the Netherlands 254 Mansfeldt Octavio killed 271 Maurice Prince returns victorious into Holland 278 279 He is wounded 290 Mansfeldt Count Peter Governour of the Netherlands He comes with an Army to relieve Gertruydenburg but in vain 312 Maurice Prince marcheth against Groeningen 328 Murtherers hired by the Spaniards to kill him 340 341 Mansfeldt Charles departs the Netherlands and dies 367 Mondrugonio infests the Hollanders Country 391 Overthrows some Holland Troops 391 392 Withdraws to Winter-Quarters and dies his Character 392 393 Moers a Town in Cleves besieged by Prince Maurice and taken 510 511 Maurice Prince highly applauded and for what 522 〈◊〉 dices Alexander the Pope's Legate Mediator of Peace between France and Spain 526 Mucerâ— Balthazar his bold Attempt and the success thereof 539 540 Mendosa Francisco General of the Spanish Army 573 Margaret King Philip's Consort who she was and how allied 579 Mendosa raiseth a great Army in Germany and for what 585.586 Maurice Prince marcheth to Arnheym and why 593 594 Pitcheth his Camp by Mendosa 595 Moers a Town complains of the Spaniard and the reason thereof 597 598 Maurice Prince endeavours to overflow the Country but is hindred by Mendosa and how 611 612 He pitcheth his Camp at Doesberg and why with a Description of the same 613 614 Brings his Army and Provision to Arnheym and so returns to the Hague 610 Mendosa his Insolence toward the Germans 614 615 Maurice Prince in great perplexity and why 624 He pitcheth his Camp in the Isle of Geldre 625 Mendosa cometh to the Isle of Bommel where he loseth many men by Skirmishes and otherwise he retires to Kâ—ssem 631 Maurice Prince quartereth his men in Vorn Island 634 Raiseth a Fort in Bommel Island which is assaulted by Mendosa but to no purpose 631 632 Mendosa put his Army into Winter-quarters and so doth Prince Maurice 637 Maurice Prince with a great Army goes into Flanders which filled the Country with fear 666 667 The Prince and his Army terrified at the suddain approach of the Enemy 669 670 He draws up his Army into Battalia and the manner thereof 671 672 Mauritian Commanders Speech to the Souldiers and the Prince's in particular 675 676 677 Moers won by Prince Maurice 699 Montiregio a Colonel of the Spaniards slain 702 Mendosa set at liberty and upon what Terms having been taken prisoner at Newport Fight 717 718 Maurice Prince with a great Army sits down at Centron a Village in Leige 718 719 Mendosa goes into Spain his entertainment there 725 Mendosa Andrew Hurtadâ— imployed to beat the Hollanders out of the Indies 728 Mansfeldt Count Peter his Death and Character 782 Maurice Prince comes to relieve Lingen but in vain 803 He pitcheth his Camp 〈◊〉 Wosel and falls upon Spinola's Army but without success 809 810 811 812 Sends his Army into Winter-quarters 814 Marscilles a French City almost betrayed to the Spaniard and how and by whom 817 818 Maurice Prince recollects his Army and re-inforceth Diventer Zutphen and Doesburge 835 He fortifies all the Country between the Rhine and Wael and Issel 836 Muscovy Troubles there whence arising how and by what means composed 860 Maurice Prince perswaded to hearken to Peace and by whom â—77 〈◊〉 perswades against Peace so do several others and who and why 899 935 936 937 Melancton Philip his Opinion 951 Ministers of Holland meet in an Assembly to examine the Books of Armitius and Gomanes 953 â—lison a Captain of Holland returns from the East-Indies with Honour and Wealth 954 95â— A Description of several places there and of the Hollanders Transactions therein 954 955 956 â— 961 Molucca's Islands The Hollanders worsted there and how 961 961 Several Leagues made by the Hollanders in those Parts 962 963 964 N. NEtherlanders They fear the Change of their Government and why 6 7 Netherlands Margaret made Regent of them and why 22 The Government thereof nominally in Margaret but really in Granvel 23 Exempt from Forein Bishops and when 25 The Lords thereof after Granvel's Banishment take notice of all things and take all into their own power 28 Nassau Lewis of Nassau a prime Leader of Faction 33 Netherlands never subject to Germany 3â— Nassau Lewis of Nassau breaks into Frizeland 50 Nâ—olph of Nassau slain there 51 Netherlanders in Bruxels shut up their Shops and stand on their Guard 58 Narda A Town in Holland taken and the Walis pulled down 65 Nassau Lewis of Nassau killed with some others 75 Netherlanders receive Aid from divers Princes 91 Nassau Jobs of Nassau governs Gueldros 94 Netherlands Many Seditions happen there 〈◊〉 both Sides 110 Nienout won by Laâ—ove for the Hollanders and other places in Flanders 116 Netherlanders troubled at Francis de Valeis and why 126 131 132 133 Treat with him for the Town in him power 133 Newport gained by Parma and several other Towns in Flanders 136 Nassau William Governour of Frizeland composes the Differences there 14â— Nimineghen won by the Spaniards 163 Nuâ—sie surprized by Niâ—narius but presently re-taken by Parma 171 172 Netherlands Their Borders and Neighbours 189 Nâ—rius killed and how his Character 235 Nimineghen besieged by Prince Maurice but left on a suddain 252 253 Besieged a new by Prince Maurice 275 277 The Original and Description of the City 276 It is delivered to the Prince 278 Nayon a Town in France taken by the Spaniards 30â— Nuâ—sie revolts from the Spaniards
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
Proceedings but in deeds they practised all kinds of Hostility But both the Earls Sons went to the King of Poland from whose Aunt they were descended though to small purpose and there they put the Embden Exiles into a few ships giving Command That they should vindicate their own Right against the Authors of that injurious Oppression And the Polander in honour of his Kinsmen went â—o far as to threaten the City with an Interdiction of Traffike if it continued obstinate to the same purpose writing Letters to the United States stuffed with many proud Words even to admiration That although he were deprived of his antient Kingdom of Sweden yet he could come with hazard and prescribe Laws to them though so far distant The Duke of Holsatia also whose Daughter was marryed to Enno the Son of Edsard commanded a Restraint of Trade with Embden seizing all their Ships that were in his Coasts The like also was endeavour'd with the Dane and Spaniard The Dissentions of Aquisgrave continued longer between the Old Magistrates whom the Duke of Juliers helped as being Patron of the City by Hereditary Right and Them who had obtained the Administration of the Common-Wealth by the Expulsion of others under pretence of giving Judgment against Them Anon after at the publike instance of the Spaniard by Mendosa and Clement Determinations onely wont to be made in great Assemblies were privately hastned and by the Judgment of Spire the Occupiers were condemned And because they would not perform the Judgment within the time limited they were proclaimed Enemies to the Empire Concerning whom it was thus Decreed viz. That it should not be lawful or safe for any to help them That to offend hurt or kill them shall be imputed to none for a fault and that all their Goods may be taken from them as lawful Booty The Custom is within the Year to promulgate anew the same Proscription in harsher Terms The Herald after he had proclaim'd all Things in a solemn manner commanded their next Neighbors of Germany the Duke of Juâ—ers the Arch-Bishop of Colen and Triers with all their Powers to defend the Authority of this Law It seem'd good to these to take Albertus his Forces that were as then ready to assist Them And now Garrisons were put into all the Towns within the Territory of Aquisgrave and their Cattel and whatever else was in the Fields was taken away by the Souldiers of Juliers and Limburg But this did not agree with Them whose City had been the Royal Court of Charlâ—main and long continued the Metropolis of all the Regions within the Alps and to this day in all the Counsels of the Empire a Seat equal to Rome and Millain that They should utterly be excluded from all the Affairs of Germany Thus the Governours being amazed whom the Favour and Promises of the Augustane Profession had made unaware of such a suddain Mischief when on the one side they saw an Army coming under Mendosa and on the other side the choice Souldiers of the Hungarian War and that they could make no Defence for the avoiding of Envy they suffer'd the People to have the Government of the City And hereupon the Arch-Bishop of Colen being chosen Arbitrator and Intercessor for the Restoration of Peace by good just Laws They avoided the Ruine that was coming upon Them but the Customs which had prevail'd among Them for the space of 40 years were alter'd For a Garrison entring the City all Offices both high and low were bestow'd upon Romane Catholikes all such being remov'd as the Lutherant and Calvinists differing among Themselves named as faulty They who had born Offices first were committed into private Custody Afterwards parâ— of Them accompanied with many Netherlanders who being formerly Fugitives thither because of their Evil Discords were even pursued at the heels with these Evils that for fear of more grievous punishments their Adversaries conniving thereat to the Hollanders and other part of them to other places Among these Exiles that now returned was Engelbert who had formerly been a Captain of a Troop on the part of the United States known more by his Military Vices than any Vertue and having at the Council of Spire obtain'd Licence to seize what he could because he said his Wages were unpaid him he fell upon the Netherlandish Merchants going to their Houses with a Portsale Spear and carrying with him persons to buy their Goods Afterwards he was chosen into the City Tribunal and this made him so much the more cruel untill by several Letters from the States written against him he was moderated and kept under For they took it ill averring it a Thing intollerable that publike Causes should be handled by private Persons who were not able to distinguish among the Judges between a true and false Name adding Threats in case they were not obtained And forthwith it was so order'd whereas before the Netherlanders could hardly be secure from such Injuries in any Kingdoms But it is in old and well-known Rule That at the Power and Strength of a Party is so are the Rules they give out obeyed In the Dutchy of Cleves the Councellors of the Duke as yet kept all the Authority they were of the Austrian Faction Nor did the Princes who were concerned in the Inheritance trouble themselves that Berck was taken by the Hollanders The Nobles indeed of Cleves and Juliers pretending the Guarding and Safety of their Diseased Prince consulted as it were with the States of the Provinces for the raising of Forces to the number of 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot which should lye upon their Borders for Defence of the Country whereas it was in truth to secure the Government of the Common-Wealth to Themselves But when they began to think of a General some praising John of Nassau Others the Count Hohenlo But not finding a ready means to raise Pay for them their long deliberation gave their Adversaries Opportunity of increasing their Power These and many other Things were nothing so much fear'd by the Hollanders as were those suspected Preparations made in Germany by Mendosa for he had drawn together 62 Companies of Spaniards 19 of Italians and two of Irish Besides he had of Germans 4 Regiments consisting of 10 Companies as many of Walloons and one of Burgundians So that the whole number of the Infantry was esteemed 20000. Of Horse he had 6 Troops of Epirot Laucters two of Spaniards and two of Netherlanders besides 5 smaller Troops most of them Netherlandish Harquebusiers and eight greater of Spaniards and Italians yet all not much exceeding 2000 For the rest to the number of 12 a Troops were left about Brabant to be a Guard against suddain Incursions of the Enemy Of a long time the King had not greater Forces whose Number and Fame was almost doubled by the vast Company of Slaves and Servants attending and 1700 Carriages following the Army Without doubt the Face of the Netherlands under the Spanish Obedience was never more pleasant for
their Towns and Fields being eased of so great a Burden of Souldiers especially upon the French Borders they had now a small breathing space from their long-continued Miseries The Enemy also being gone far from thence another Way added Confidence to their Security Count Frederick Heremberg by reason of Count Mansfeldts great Age and Weakness was Lieutenant-General of the whole Army under Mendosa but was by Them intitled Camp-Master-General The Horse passing the River by Maestricht some of them went to Venloo others to Ruermunde Thence spreading themselves through Juliers by the Territories of Colen and other parts of Germany they lay among those naked People without fear and so came to the Bank of Rhene Barlotte was sent before who was a Captain frequently made use of in Business requiring either speed or audacity for he drawing together what Boats and Wherries he could possibly meet within the River into one place between Boâ—e and Colen and having with him 800 of his Men and a small Guns call'd Drakes he drove away the Ships of Holland which had been left to keep Guard at Berck Thus many Souldierâ— being taken he enjoy'd the River free from Trouble and all the further Bank of it All this while Mendosa lay heavy upon a quiet People with an oppressive and licentious Army and because he could not remedy the Peoples Complaints he abhorr'd to intermeddle in the moderation of their Oppressions whereof many every where were conscious that knew the Discords and Divulsions of Germany and how much it had lost of its ancient Renown gain'd by Arms But to his Prince he was of a Couragious Spirit and bore great Faith while performing his Commands he was a Contemner of Forein Fame and valued not Hatred that was not attended with Power It will not be out of the way since the matter it self hath led us thither to describe those several Nations which lye about the Rhine next to the Hollanders and the Sites and Extents of the Countries of the Princes and Bishops formerly under the Obedience of the Almain Empire I can with more shew of Learning than Truth compare the Names of Antiquity with those now in use For old Authors noâ— looking much into Germany have hardly mention'd them But when the whole World was disturb'd by the frequent Transmigrations of one Nation to another then Writers following them increased the obscurity every one drawing the Antiquity of Fame to the Honour of his own People This I can almost assert that beyond the Hollanders who possessed the Country next to the French Coast without the Island which part opens between the Rhine and the Maes and a few other places beyond both those Rivers of Old a Soyl full of Woods and Marishes was the Antient Seat of the Menapii from whom came the Eburones and other Allied Nations and this at first made the Germans to be called Tungri which People afterwards attained the well-known River Moselle or the Maes and the Country of Triers The Neruii with their Partakers lay at the back of these by the River Scheld beyond whom the Morini lay hedged in by the Forest of Ardenne which is now the Bounds of the Netherlands but was formerly under the Dukes of Burgundy and divided them from the Kingdom of the Franks or French But after Agrippa Translated the Ubii out of the Region which is against Triers to another part or had taken into his Protection such as had voluntarily transmiâ—rated escially a Colony of the Romans being given him by his Neece and the Gugerni setled next to them the Name of Menapii grew obsolete but that some of the Inhabitants being driven into the inner part of the Country first seem'd to seat Themselves on this side the Maes and Wael afterwards between the Scheld and the Morini Hereupon all this Tract from the Hollanders beyond Triers even as far as Mentz was possessed and planted by Romane Garrisons and took the Name partly of inferiour partly of Higher Germany because the Original of the Inhabitants came from beyond the Rhine as may easily be discerned by the Tone of their Speech to this day On this side upon the Border of the River stands Wagening Grinnes Duren and Arnheym all which were upon the French Bank though formerly many were otherwise erroneously perswaded From thence one might have been seeen Burtuatium Drechshausen and Acken famous sometimes in the Dutch Wars Emmerich also and Culo but now so lost in their own Ruines that the most Learned can but conjecture where they were scituate But Nâ—ys Colen Bonne Andernach and Coblentz keep both their Names and Stations unalter'd to this day In after-times all this Region and the Country that lyes above it was call'd Austrasia because that part bordering on the East-side of France was held by the Franks or French who in most parts where they setled gave new Names to the places But they at length being weakned by their own Discords the Almays Emperours by bestowing larger Power and Liberties on the Prince's and People than they had before drew to Themselves the Superiority of Government and therefore they of Cleves inhabiting on this side the Rhine took that part of Gelderland which is now call'd Low-Holland and contains in it the City of Nimmeghen With these is intermingled the Arch-Bishop of Colen's Territories which extend a great way upon that Bank Another part of Gelderland incompasses the Dutchy of Cleves the Governours whereof were formerly call'd Guardians and herein is the Town of Gilders from whom the People of that whole Province take their Name Behind these the Old Maps and Descriptions would perswade us that the Gugerni inhabited and there is yet a Village in those Parts that seems to speak something of their Name in its own which is Gogen At the backside of Colen is Gulick an antient City they have now the same Governours with Cleves but formerly their Government was the same with Gelderland yet more up into the Country are sited the Liegeoâ—s by the Maes the Lutzenburgers by the Mâ—selle and the People of Triers which two Cities of Liege and Triers are governed by Bishops the rest are accounted among the Netherlands But on the further Bank of the Rhine which was the Antient Seat of the Almains and Great Germany Of Old the Frizons were the first that met us who by reason they possessed the lesser part of the Region were call'd the Lesser Frizons from whence the Caninefates now People of Gorichom coming into the Isle of Holland were on another side compassed with great Lakes and the Estuary of the â—llye and from thence by the Eemes unâ—il you come to the Ocean To these are joyning the Greater Bructeri hard by the same River and now opposite to the Menapii are the Remainders of the Sicambrians after that People either of their own Accord or by the Compulsion of Augustus his Arms had setled Themselves about the Wael At Luppen we have the Lesser Bructeri again which River some of the