to faile there is no better remedie than to haue recourse to the Lord of hosts Therefore my Lords the States with their followers and many others there present together with the Minister prayed vnto God for preseruation of his Excellencies person and those of the other Lords and Captaines and the whole Armie recommending the rest to God hoping for fortunate successe The Archduke being puft vp with his good fortune went in all post hast to Niewport verily supposing that he should find his Excellencie and whole Armie daunted with this losse and so be able easily to disorder them But God would not haue it so but in his mercie prouided for the preseruation of the State of these Countries and by consqeuent for defence of his Church giuing his Excellencie such fore-sight as he had caused all the ships and boats to withdraw themselues from before Niewport to Ostend and had moreouer caused his troups which lay on the one side of the Hauen of Niewport to passe ouer at a low watel to the other shore intending with a couragious resolution to fight with the enemie whereupon his Excellencie rode thorow all the troupes animating and exhorting them That seeing they were on euerie side encompassed with the Sea and enemie there was no meanes in the world to escape but by giuing battaile And for that his Excellencies reputation and all their owne honors liues and wealth of the Countrie depended thereon he intreated them to fight valiantly assuring them that God wold giue them good and happie successe Count Henrie Frederick of Nassau did likewise encourage the Walons or new Gueux of his owne Regiment the like did other Captaines and Commanders His Excellencie caused his Armie before Niewport to crosse the hauen after this manner Cont Lodwick passed ouer first with fiue Cornets of horse two of which being Carabines passed on towards the enemie and about ten of the clock skirmished with two companies of the enemies horse and then the rest followed who were scarce come on shore when they perceiued the enemie comming on from Ostend ward who if he had then come forward might haue preuented his Excellencie ere his fanterie could haue past the Hauen but the enemie being ignorant how many passed it stayed a long time vpon the shore and gaue his Excellencie time to send ouer his English and Frison Regiments which were in the vantgard together with the gards of his Excellencie and Count Hohenlo commaunded by Sir Francis Vere and also the Regiments of French Walons and Suisses that made vp the bataile commanded by Count George Euerat of Solmes and in a manner all the rest of the Cauallerie the two Regiments of Count Ernest Gistels Huchtenbroeck were left to shut in the town of Niewport and commanded to stand still in good order and to passe a bridge vpon his Excellencies first command which was made on boats ouerthwart the hauen of Niewport For a more ample declaration of this fight we will hereunto adde his Excellencies order who aranged his battailes after this manner His Excellencies vantgard Count Lodwick of Nassau brother to Count Ernest had charge of the vantgard of horse as their Lieutenant generall and had with him his owne Companie of horse that of his Excellencies commanded by the Lord Walrauen of Gend that of Count Henry Frederick the Princes brother conducted by Captaine Bernard all in one troupe The second troupe was commanded by Marcelis Bacx with his owne Cornet that of Paule Bacx conducted by his Lieutenant Hans Sixen and that of Captaine La Salle behinde these were the Carabins of Couteler Peter Panny and Batenborch Neere to this vantgard were the foot Companies of his Excellencies gard commanded by Captaine Vander Aa and that of Count Hohenlo conducted by Lieutenant Stridthorst with the English Regiments consisting of thirteene Conpanies vnder the Generall Sir Francis Veer viz his owne Companie thaâ— of Captaine Iapley his Sergeant Major those of Denis Daniel Veer Hamond Ogley Tyrrill Farfax Sir Calistines Brook Foster Garnet and Holcroft Nere to these was Sir Horatio Veer his Regiment viz his owne Companie with those of Sutton Sir Thomas Knollis Cicil Morgan Meetkerck Scot Vauasour c. making vp together eleuen Ensignes Next them were the Frisons commanded by the Lieutenant Generall Taco Hottinga with his Companie that of the Baron of Sidenische conducted by his Lieutenant that of Gaspar Eussem by his Lieutenant and others amounting to seuenteene companies These one and fortie Ensignes made the foot vantgard ad were all commanded by the Generall Sir Francis Veer His Excellencies Battaile Count George Euerard of Solmes led the battaile with his horse Companie those of Count Frederick of Solmes Ioos Wierich Clout and Iean Bacx in an other troup was the Cornet of Godard de Balen that of Sir Francis Veere conducted by his Lieutenant that of Sir Edward Citill making vp together seuen Cornets The footmen in middest of the Cauallerie were the Regiment of Count Henerie Frederick of Nassau commanded by Daniell de Hertain Lord of Marquette his Lieutenant Colonell and in this Regiment was his owne companie those of Iean du Bont Antonie de Sauoy Francis Marli c. amounting in all to nine Ensignes vnto which was added the Regiment of Suisses wherein were foure Ensignes viz that of Hans Kriegh of Ballichom of Hans Sas of Vnderwald of Hans Meyer of Zurichland of Guillam de Puis Moreouer two French Battaillons commanded by the Lord of Dommeruill Lieutenant Colonell to the Lord la Noue his companie that of la Rocques by his Lieutenant that of du Sault commanding the second Battaillon that of la Simendri de Mareschot de Hamelet de Brusse de Corimeres conducted by his Lieutenant himselfe being shot before Albertus â—ort de Formentiere de Verneuill and du Pont Aubert to the number of twelue companies In middest of whom was his Excellencie to giue directions for all matters accompanied with his brother Count Henrie Frederick and other Lords as Iean Adolph Duke of Holsteyn Iean Ernest Prince of Anhalt three Earles of Solms the Earle of Coligni lord of Chastillon Nephew to that renowned Admerall of Fraunce and the lord Iustine of Nassau the lord Gray sir Robert Drewry and many other English Erench and Alman gentlemen who without any commaund accompanied his Excellencie the battaile consisted of fiue and twentie ensignes of foot and seuen cornets of horse His Excellencies Rereward THe rereward was conducted by Oliuer Vander Tempel lord of Corbecke wherein were three cornets of horse commaunded by Wernhard du Bois viz. his owne that of Hammelton and that of George Couteler which Couteler was set formost in the battaile There were likewise three battaillons of foot the regiment of Count Ernest of Nassau wherein was his owne companie conducted by his lieutenant the companie of Heusman lieutenant Colonell that of Massau Imbise de Corwis c. in all thirteene ensignes The regiment of the lord of Gystelles his owne companie that of George
was engaged by the enemie captaine Cloet knowing the Earle by his Orange coloured plume charged vpon a companie of Lanciers that were comming to charge the Earle who by this meanes escaped our cauallerie retired to his Excellencie who encouraged the souldiers re-enforcing them with two companies that were with him who constrained the enemie to giue backe His Excellencie sent two cornets of horse to the shore viz. his owne commaunded by Captaine Bael and Generall Veers companie commaunded by Captaine Pembrooke These two companies beeing come to the shoare stayed neere the batterie expecting the enemie Our ordnance charged with musket bullets played vpon the enemie who lost many men and horse and were enforced to quit the Downes and yet they returned againe to the shore and came before the batterie Then the companies of Baell and Generall Veer charged fiercely vpon the enemie who fled and then charged the fanterie likewise so as Baell tooke Sapena prisoner on the Downes and Generall Veers companie D. Lewis de Villar His Excellencies cauallerie on the plaine repulsed the enemie for he did continually put them in order and caused them to charge there where hee saw most need so as in the end our men perceiuing that the enemie began to flie both on the shore and Downes tooke courage and on euerie side charged him who at first began to giue backe and afterward betook himselfe to open flight and thereby our men woon the place of battaile and obtained the victorie diuers pursued the enemie into the Marshes and to the new Dam taking many of them prisoners this battaile was sharpe and bloudie on both sides The Archduke who hardly escaped did in this battaile both of such as were slayne and taken prisoners lose the greatest part of all his commaunders chiefe Lords Noblemen and household seruants together with most of the captaines and officers of his armie videlicet D. Francesco de Mendoza Admerall of Arragon Count Salines D. Lewis de Villar Campe-Master D. Lewis d'Avila D. Pedro de Mendoza Doctour Andrew N. one of his highnesse phisitians Count Charles Rezin one of his Pages D. Gaspar Moragon fiue and thirtie Captaines both of horse and foot two hundred and three Lieutenants ensignes Sergeants Dons Caualiers and others of name to the number of thirtie And beside these we got 8 pieces of ordnance all the munition much baggage and the verie furniture of the Archdukes own Chamber and Cabinet and among other things his Signet and aboue 100 ensignes with certaine cornets and Trumpets The number of the dead on the Archdukes side was 7000 beside those that were afterwards slaine and died of their hurts and his Excellencie lost betwixt two or three thousand accounting those which had beene defeated in the Morning Among other ensignes there was presented to my Lords the generall States a Standerd belonging to 1600 Spanish mutineers made of blew Damaske hauing on the one side in middest of a field the figure of our Ladie in a Sun before whom a Moncke kneeled ouer his head these words in golden letters Aue gratia plena ouer the virgins head was a great golden star and neere to it in golden letters Stella Maris in the middest on her right hand was the figure of a Sun and neere it these letters Electa vt Sol on the left hand the Moone with this inscription Pulchra vt Luna at her feet stood a Turret with these words Turris Dauidis and beneath vpon the hem of the Standard Benedicta tu in mulieribus On the other side was the represention of our Lord Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse ouer his head were these words in golden letters Adoramus te Christe benedicimus tibi in the middest Recordare nouissimatua in aeternum non peccabis and beneath Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum All these figures were cunningly wrought euen to the life In this battaile the greatest losse fell to the Spaniards and Italians who were the chiefe strength and glorie of the Spaniards armie who in the Morning did assure themselues of the victorie and that with such confidence as they made no doubt of it but marched on before hoping alone to gain the honour of the day It was a magnificent and gallant victorie for my Lords the generall States his Excellencie and for all the vnited Prouinces but obtayned with much labour and bloud for on his Excellencies side 1000 men were slaine among whom were three Captaines of horse thirteene of foot viz. six English Captaines two Frizons three French one Walon and one Alman with many Lieutenants ensignes and other officers beside some 700 hurt men among whom was the noble sir Frauncis Veer and many other Captaines and officers both of horse and foot As the enemie fleed the Cauallerie came forth of Ostend and slew many of them But his Excellencie who in the battaile had shewed himself valiant discreet for better encouragement to his souldiers had himselfe together with his brother and other Lords there present charged the enemie did in the end reassēble certaine cornets of horse and some foot regiments setting them in order in the place of battaile keeping them for reseruation and seconds if any disorder should arise The enemie being wholly put to rout and night drawing on his Ex. marched to the Church of Westend where with his whole armie he remained that night vpon the plain where the battail was fought and in his Tent supt with the Admerall of Arragon and others who were requested to deliuer their opinions what they thought of these exploits of these new vnexperienced soldiers whom they had so tearmed who could doe nothing but win townes and skonces not daring to shew themselues in open field and whether they thought that they would one day proue tal souldiers with such other like discourses But the Admerall grauely and discreetly knew verie well how to answer and among other discourses at Table concerning the battaile he complained of their owne cauallerie taxing them for not doing their duetie for had not they retreated there was some likelihood that their footmen would haue become Masters of the ordnance with which they might haue obtayned the victorie He complained likewise of their charging all at once and for that they had not reserued some to second the squadrons here and there who should haue put them in order againe when they retreated and with them haue giuen a fresh charge as Prince Maurice had done husbanding his horse and foot not hazarding all his forces at once He highly commended his Excellencie likewise for planting his ordnance but he chiefely praised him for that he had so brauely presented his forces to his enemie sending away all his boats and thereby enforced all his souldiers to fight if they meant to saue their liues and for that himselfe and other commaunders had no more aduauntage than the meanest souldier His Excellencie perceiuing the next day that his souldiers were much burthened with the enemies
Euerard Count of Solms by his lieutenant that of Aeneas de Treston de Trebourg de l'Amovillerie de Langevelt de Ruisse and de Floris de Wijngaerden In the third Battaillon was the regiment of Colonell Huchtenbroeke with his owne companie conducted by Marlin that of the lord of Tempell by Belin his lieutenant that of the sayd Marlin of Dierick de Ionghe de Ruyssenbourg of Iohn de Loon and de Caluart these 26 ensignes made vp the rereward together with 3 cornets of horse His Excellencie stood fast in Battaile vpon the shoare expecting the enemies comming he had sent the gards to the Downes and had drawne some fiftie musketiers forth of the battaile placing them on the shoare and foure troopes of Frizeland musketiers for second with these to flanke the enemies troupes if he had come along the shoare and the better to diuert their approach he had planted fixe demie canon there About eleuen of the clocke the enemies cauallerie approached who were saluted by our canon which made them retire to the Downes when they tarried for their owne ordnance and fanterie that came on verie slowly His Excellencie had enjoyned the lords of Warmont and Duyvenvoord to commaund the ships to shoot into the enemies battailes which was effected the Vice-Admerall of Zeland whose name was Ioostle Moore and Captaine Knoopes made some shot into the enemies battaile who on his part answered them with two demie canon His Excellencie in the meane time abandoned the towne of Newport and caused the bridge to be broken commaunding the rereward to follow him and to place themselues in order he caused two demie canon to be brought vpon the Downes and planted them vpon a little rising meaning with them to scoure the plaines His Excellencie still had the wind and Sun which is no small aduauntage especially on the Downes when the wind blowes somewhat hard as it did all the time of the battaile The enemie being come betwixt the parishes of Westeynde and Willekins Kerck within a small mile of Niewport and two miles from Ostend did likewise plant fiue demie canon and one field piece vpon the shoare then his Excellencie shot into the enemies battaile who answered him presently with the like but the enemie receiuing much hurt by our canon was enforced to retire farther vp into the Downes in regard the Tyde did rise by reason whereof the shoare was so narrow as few men could stand vpon it and then al the boats which lay drie before Niewport began to float and sayled towards Ostend fiue excepted together with the greatest number of those boats that made the bridge which could not be loossened those of Niewport tooke a Carvell and carried it into the towne To defend these boats from the sallies of those of Niewport his Excellencie left certaine troupes of souldiers to skirmish with the Townesmen Then the Archduke began to march athwart the Downes towards the plaine behind them the like did his Excellencie causing his troupes to march against the enemie sir Frauncis Veer led the English pikes and muskets as also the Gards and Frizons and himselfe marched in the formost ranke and was the first man that charged the musketiers of two Spanish regiments he was seconded by Count George Euerard of Solms who led the battaile the French musketiers being diuided into foure troupes he did with three of them charge the musketiers of two Spanish and Italian regiments the said French shot were led by Captaine du Puy Captaine Bruill lieutenant to the Lord la Noüe Captaine Pommared lieutenant to Dommerville and captain Vander-Burch lieutenant to Captaine du Fort. His Excellencie perceiuing that he must needs fight and that he could not auoyd it did valiantly resolue thereon trusting to the equitie of his cause and to God and thereupon commaunded Count Lodwick to charge the enemie with 6 cornets of horse viz. that of his Excellencie Count Henrie and his owne appointing Marcelis Bacx Paule Bacx and Captaine la Sale to second them who brake the enemies horse and put them to rout this done the battaile began on euerie side with a furious batterie which was terrible to behold on the Downes they fought continually from the beginning to the end but in the plaine beyond the Downes by sundrie charges his Excellencie hauing diuided his men into diuers troupes vnwilling to haue them fight all at once The General Veer fought with a battaillon of pikes of two Spanish regiments after that he had repulsed the enemies shot The sayd battaillon was conducted by D. Lewis de Villar and D. Hieronimo de Monroy on the right side the enemie had a wing of horse with which he did much anoy our Vantgard Generall Veer being sore wounded did notwithstanding fight along time leading the English and the 2 Gards but at last retired being seconded by his brother sir Horatio Veer and Captaine Quirin de Blau The enemie charging furiously vpon vs certaine of our souldiers began to flie but it was soone redrest Presently after the first charge these Captaines of horse viz. Coutelor Peter Panier and Batenburch charged the enemies fanterie they were seconded by count Lodwick with six companies of Cuirasses with whom Count Frederic of Solms serued Count George Euerart of Solms with the French did by his Excellencies command charge marching formost in the battaile and diuided into two troupes of which that on the right hand was conducted by Monsr Dommervile lieutenant Colonell of the French and the other on the left hand by Captaine du Sau. This was the second charge of the French fighting with a battaillon of pikes of two regiments the one Spaniards and the other Italians conducted by D. Alonzo d'Aualos and Sapena the Campe Master Count George Euerart retired with the French and brought vp Count Henrie of Nassaus regiment videlicet the Walons of whom Monsr Marquet was Lieutenant Colonell to charge the enemie againe and also the regiment of Suisse by Hans Krijc these two regiments fought with la Bourlotte and the Earle of Bucquoy who commaunded the enemies rereward consisting of three regiments of Walons and Irish. Then his Excellencie commaunded Monsr de Gystelles who conducted the rereward to charge with his owne regiment and that of Huchtenbroeke And the regiment of Count Ernest vnder the conduct of Heusman his Lieutenant Colonell did likewise charge The fight continued doubtfull for three houres space for now one side preuailed and anon another and yet his Excellencies Cauallerie had still the aduauntage of the enemies which gaue backe by little and little and some of them fled towards Niewport and were pursued by our men The enemies Fanterie fought with better vantage on the Downes where they tooke one hill after another from his Excellencies footmen and did mightily endaunger the ordnance Behind the Downes Sir Horatio Veer charged with sixe English ensignes with Captaine Henrie Sutton his Lieutenant Colonell Captaine Louell Captaine Ogle and Captaine Farfax Count Lodwick with tenne horse
prisoners and wounded men that all the victuals were lost in the battaile and that they could get none by reason that the boats were gone marched with his whole armie towards Ostend to refresh it sending the wounded to places where they might be cured discharging his souldiers of the enemies prisoners He brought his armie to S. Maries Church neere to Alberts fort and himselfe went into Ostend where he presently caused publike thankes to be giuen to God for this notable victorie himselfe and whole Court being present at it He remayned certaine daies at Ostend to order matters and to prouide for the better execution of his enterprises He caused all the prisoners to be brought together viz. the Admerall of Arragon D. Lewis de Villars with many other Captaines and officers whom for the most part he shipt for Holland he kept some one hundred and fiftie prisoners still in Ostend and among them diuers hurt men to exchange them for his owne souldiers whom the enemie had taken The glorie of this victorie belongs to God alone who hath not onely beene pleased thereby to maintaine as he hath wonderfully hitherunto done the just and lawfull cause of the vnited Prouinces for the conseruation of his Church but hath likewise pleased to abase the hautie and insolent courage of the Spaniards learning them to feele his mightie arme and letting them know how daungerous it is to kicke against the pricke To this onely God the Lord of hosts who in the battaile hath taught his Excellencies hands to fight and so admirably exalted his countenance that day be honour praise and glorie for euer To conclude we must of necessitie hereunto add that which certaine Historians mention how that justly vpon the same day the second of Iulie 1600 some three hundred and two yeares before viz. in anno 1298 one of the Archduke Alberts predecessours called Albert of Austria like him had with his power defeated one of Prince Maurice of Nassaus predecessours called Adolfe of Nassau Emperour of the Romans whereby we may see how that by this meanes the house of Nassau hath reuenged the wrong done to it by that of Austria This is a matter worthie of note and we may be well assured that though God deferre for a time yet he can and will aid and assist those that put their trust in him ¶ The Lord Iohn of Duyuenvoord Admerall of Holland fighteth with the Gallies of Sluce and puts them to flight WHilest Prince Maurice his armie marched in Flaunders there were some fortie or fiftie flat bottomed boats and and other vessels loden with munition and victuals which on the fiue and twentieth of Iune did set saile from Zeland toward Ostend these had a man of warre for their conuoy whose Captaine was called Adrian Baucker he being come before Blauckenbourg was becalmed the gallies of Sluce perceiuing it foure of them came forth and assailed the fleet and tooke twentie of the boats but most of the men escaped some of these vessels they burnt and carried the rest away with them The man of warre made what resistance he could but the calme made him like an vnplumed bird The Gallies approached the ship but did not boord her thinking to sinke her with their shot or else enforce her to yeeld she was in sundrie places shot thorow and began to leake and without the helpe of men and women that came aboord her from other boats and with scuppets tubs and their verie hats emptied forth the water she would haue beene in danger of sinking by this meanes she was kept aboue water and when the gallies came neere her she plaied so terribly vpon them with her ordnance as they were enforced to giue backe The ship hauing at last lost three and twentie men among whom was Captaine Baucker and most of the rest wounded the men cried out desperatly saying That rather than they would yeeld to the enemie they would blow themselues vp and set the ship on fire Hereupon the gallies left her and with great harme and losse of men returned to Sluce with a good bootie and the ship went backe to Flushing The next day being the sixe and twentieth of Iune the Lord Iohn of Duyvenvoord Admerall of Holland with sixe ships of warre called Cromstevens or Smackseylen all well prouided sailed from Zeland towards Flaunders to conuoy one hundred and fiftie vessels laden with ordnance and warlike munition for the armie This fleet being come before Sluce and the wind verie calme foure gallies came forth and presently the wind rising the men of warre came so neere them as they did not onely anoy them with their ordnance but with their small shot whereupon they were constrayned by force of oares to returne backe againe against the wind one of the gallies was shot vnder water and did for a long time lye vpon one side till the leake was stopt A certaine Turke of Constantinople a verie valiant and skilfull man being a slaue in one of the gallies had his chaine wherewith he was fastened broken a sunder by a canon shot himselfe not hurt and perceiuing that he was loosse leapt into the Sea with a piece of his chaine and with great daunger of his life for they shot terribly at him swam to the Zelanders ships and in swimming shewed his chaine whereupon the ships tooke him in being aboord he acquainted them with the gallies intent and losse They afterwards clothed him and presented him to prince Maurice who askt him if he would serue but he hauing great meanes at Constantinople craued a passeport vnlesse they would make vse of him for a Patron of a gallie to command the Spanish slaues which charge he had in former time taken vpon him But the Netherlanders hauing neuer vsed to imploy any infidell would not then begin but gaue him a passeport for England whither he went and from thence to Barbarie and so by land to Constantinople where by the way he acquainted Princes and Kings and the great Turke his Lord with the wars of the Christians ¶ The Admeralls ship of Antuerpe and seuen other ships are taken by the Captaine of the Blacke Gallie on the 29 of Nouember 1â—00 MY Lords the States and his Excellencie perceiuing the great losse they sustained by the gallies of Frederick Spinola which lay at Sluce resolued likewise to build and set forth certain gallies and with them to anoy their enemies Whilest they were making readie the gallies of Sluce came not abroad wanting slaues to row for the Zeland ships had slaine most of them many of them likewise were dead in winter with extremitie of cold and those prisoners of the vnited prouinces whom they had taken and made slaues could not suddenly be brought to handle the oare They likewise sent into Hungarie to buy Turkish prisoners but they knew not by what meanes to transport them into the Low-Countries Whereupon the foure Estates of Flaunders were about to buy the sayd Gallies and slaues of Spinola and to build
magnanimitie and valor for that he had confounded their enemies in their own deuises and counsell The same day so many Spanish ships were shot through as that night and the next day three of them sanke Among others Captain Crosse fought with and sank a great Biscan ship forth of which some few escaped who reported that the chiefe in the ship flew one another because one among thē spake of yeelding who thereupon was slaine and his death presently reuenged by his brother and in the meane time the ship sunke vnder him Two Gallions of Portugal of seuen or eight hundred tun a piece were the same night forsaken by the fleet viz the S. Philip and S. Mathew which had verie great leakes in them In the S. Philip was D. Francisco de Toledo brother to the Earle of Orgas Campe master or Colonell of 32 ensignes with other Gentlemen who sought to run a ground on the coasts of Flaunders their masts being broken but being not able to doe it the chiefe of them escaped in a boat to Newport and the ship was taken by the Flushingers In the S. Mathew was the Campe-master D. Diego Colonell General likewise of 32 ensignes and brother to the Marquesse of Tannares with many other Gentlemen and Captaines This ship was none of the greatest but most strong for onely twentie shot of infinit numbers that plaid vpon her did pierce her In the sight before Graueling it was shot and receyued a leake whereupon the Captaine sent word thereof to the Duke of Medina who sent him a boat for himself some of the chief to escape which for his own honor he refused the same night she tooke in such abundance of water as fiftie men did continually plie the pompe to keepe her from sincking and finding her selfe forsaken of her Admirall the Captaine sought to runne her a ground vpon the coast of Flaunders and for sauing his owne life craued the helpe of poore Fishermen But being descried by foure or fiue men of warre that lay vpon the coast they made towards him haling him vp and willing him to yeeld which hee refusing they discharged all their ordnance vpon him and slew aboue forty men so as hee was enforced to yeeld himselfe prisoner to Peter Vander Does who carried the sayd vessell and the other likewise into Zeland which afterward through carelesnesse and negligence sanke The sayd Peter Vander Does a verie notable man did for a perpetuall memorie cause a banner of an exceeding length which he had taken forth of one of these ships to be hung vp in the great Church of Leyden where he was Scowt which teached from the verie roofe downe to the ground and yet the banner was halfe foulded vp An other lesser ship was likewise enforced to run a shore at the same time nere to Blanken burrow in Flaunders but Sir Iohn Conway gouernor of Ostend with those of his Garrison seeing this ship sent three fisher boats thither well manned who perceyuing that the Spaniards were gone forth of her that they had landed two pieces of ordnance enforced the Spaniards to quit them and pillaged the vessell and carried it to Ostend In this manner it pleased God not onely to shew vnto England but likewise to Zeland their enemies great vessels to haue them see and confesse how weake they were against so great a power had not he giuen them discretion and courage and in sundrie manner fought for them The same Munday the eight of August the Spanish fleet beeing thus assailed it resolued seeing they had sufficiently discharged their Commission to returne homewards to that end the whole fleet passed on vvith halfe saile before Dunkirke to whom the English with a South-West wind gaue chace And the morrow after beeing onward on their way they clapt on more sayles making no shew as if they were desirous to fight but onely of flight so as the Lord Henrie Seymer sent backe the lesser vessels to assist the Hollanders to keepe in the Prince of Parmas forces and himselfe with the greater ships gaue them chace till the eleuenth and twelfth of August not fighting with him because he wanted powder and shot fearing least they should goe into Scotland But the 12 of August the wind waxing high and the Spaniards making way with ful sailes taking their course Northward towards Norwey leauing Scotland on the left hand making shew onely of flight exposing themselues to so dangerous a nauigation being alreadie come to sixe and twentie degrees and seuenteene minutes the English would not share with them in their danger who wanting all maner of prouision especially powder and shot returned towards England leauing onely some smal vessels to follow them to giue notice what course they held so arriued at Harwich on the foureteenth of August with great daunger a mightie tempest arising which lasted two or three dayes which vndoubtedly did great harme to the Spaniards The English did presently make prouision of victuals powder shot and other necessaries to be in readinesse vpon any occasion But hauing intelligence of the Spaniards course they resolued not to goe seeke them out in Northerne Seas but to leaue them to the mercie of the winds In those Seas the Spaniards tooke a fisher boat of Zeland with twelue men in her belonging to Zirickzee who were brought a boord the Admirall the Duke of Medina to serue him and suffered the boat to goe at aduenture These fishermen went into Spaine and afterwards returned home reported that whilest the English fleet pursued the Spaniards they saw them readie to hang forth a white flag to craue a parley or else to yeeld fearing the passage of those Northerne Seas But certaine Clergie men nere the Duke who should haue beene most timerous crost it saying that it would dishonour them to yeeld so easily without one fight more but perceiuing themselues to bee no more pursued they gaue ouer that resolution The sayd Fishermen did likewise report that in the Dukes ship there was a place so wel fortified as it was canon proose wherin during the fight the Duke with tenne more retired themselues That there were 1200 men in her 300 of whom were dead and hurt and that they had seene 18 chests full of money to be vnshipt in Biscay which as they sayd were stuft with double pistolets In this manner the Spanish Nauie perceyuing that it had alreadie lost foure of fiue thousand men had many that were sicke and wounded that it likewise wanted tenne or twelue of their chiefe ships went to counsell after that the English had left them what was best to be done perceiuing that they wanted victuals water tackling cables masts sailes and such like things and despairing of the Prince of Parmas aide who firmely beleeuing that they would returne continued his preparations they resolued seeing the wind serued them to returne homeward by the North round about England Scotland and Ireland And vnderstanding that order was
of them fled away they were enforced to take the water where they were all drowned And as those which were in the water striued to passe ouer their fellowes who stood vpon the causey on Brabant side shot furiously vpon those of the Island yet they slew but one of our men which was a common soldier of Berchens companie but the enemie lost 200 men When the enemie first offered to passe ouer there were scarce fortie of our men to oppose them but within a while after Captaine Lagro of Tholen came thither with his companie And though those of the Island had fortunatly repelled the enemie yet they thought not themselues free from daunger knowing that he had not idlely made that attempt but that he intended to surprise the Isle of Tholen thereby to molest those of Berghen together with all Zeland assuring themselues that it would not bee long ere he returned againe and perhaps the next night following And because they wanted men to furnish all places they requested those of Berghen to send Adrian Guillaume and George Brissaulx with three hundred men vnder their commaund to them This Adrian Guillaume had in the first wars of Zeland beene Admirall of Ziericzee and was then Lieutenant General to Count Solms ouer al the forces of Zeland Brissaulx was son to Iames Brissaulx a verie good religious man who in former time had bin Burgomaster of Bruges These two were sent from the States of Zeland to Berghen so soone as they vnderstood that the enemie meant to march towards the Towne The nineteenth of September the Drossart returned from Amsterdam where he had bought great store of planks and other necessaries fit for fortification For besides his place of Drossart which next to the Marquis is the highest degree in Berghen the fortifying of the towne and sorts was committed to him His name was Elias Lion sonne to Doctor Albert Lion a verie learned man who for the space of foure and twentie yeares had beene chiefe professor of the ciuile law at Louayne and was at that time Chauncellor of Guelderland and chiefe Counsellor to my Lords the generall States of the vnited Prouinces The night following being the 20 of September the enemie came to Raberch and about noone returned to Wouwe Nothing at that time was done on either side for it rayned all that night and likewise at noone after the enemies departure The Magistrats sent certaine commissioners into Holland and Zeland to my Lords the States to acquaint them with the state of the Towne and to craue aid Cornelius Iohn the Townes sherife went to Zeland and Adrian Guillaume the Secretarie into Holland The two and twentieth of the said moneth by day break there was an alarme the trumpets sounded drums were beaten and the alarme bell was rung For the gouernour had assembled a troope of souldiers to reenforce the morning gard because the enemie was wont to make his attempts about that time when the gard is most drowsie wherewith hee had not acquainted the horsemen who had the gard vpon the market place Some of them going through the streets met with these souldiers and demanded who they were and whether they went but one among them giuing a discourteous aunswer they returned to their officers acquainting them therewith they not knowing the matter and thinking all was not well did presently giue the alarm The gouernor tooke this in bad part and complained to the Captaines of the wrong done vnto him therein seeing his soldiers were assembled by his commaundement The Captaines of the horse answered they were ignorant that it was done by his commaund and that they ought to haue beene made acquainted therewith in regard of the state of the Towne Thereupon proclamation was made that none should dare to ring the alarme bell without expresse charge from the gouernour The next day the souldiers spoiled Generall Fremins baggage He had beene gouernour of Wouwe Castle and about a certaine quarrell that arose betwixt him and a Merchant of the same Castle came into Holland to complaine to my Lords the States to haue him cassierd and likewise to make prouision of all necessaries for keeping of the sayd Fort. The States had giuen him great store of musket and faulconet bullets match and barrels of powder But before the said Fremins returne the Merchant had alreadie driuen all those sorth of the Castle which tooke Fremins part and had secretly made an accord with the enemie Within a while after about the seuenteenth of Ianuarie 1589 he sold the castle to the enemie for 20000 crownes and himselfe retired into Fraunce Vntill then Fremin had carefully kept all these things But as he was readie to depart and had shipt all the souldiers who had an inckling thereof thinking they had found a just cause of excuse because it was against the law of Armes to carrie away such things forth of townes besieged seised on all the munition together with his owne goods and made bootie of it beeing neuerthelesse enforced to restore backe the greatest and best part thereof The next day after the enemie was discouered vpon the highway from Wouwe marching directly towards the towne Our horse and foot made a sallie vpon him but as they approched the Downes of Berghen the enemie turned vpon the right hand and went along the sandie way towards Riselberg and Nortgeest where he incamped And because the water of the channell which some did improperly terme the riuer of Zoom was kept in by the sluces of the womens gate and that of Steenberghen all the fields betwixt Wouwes gate and that of the women were drowned so as none could goe from Wouwes gate to the North quarter Our men returned againe to the towne and fallied sorth at Steenberghen gate with displayed ensignes alluring the enemie to fight who had enclosed himselfe in his campe The morrow after he encamped towards the South extending his camp from S. Gertrudes hill as farre as the vale therein comprehending Burghvliet Zudgeest the Raberg and part of Berghens wood which lies Eastward from the towne The Raberg is so termed because that Rat in the Dutch tongue signifieth a wheele whereon malefactors are broken and executed and vpon that hill execution was commonly done The enemie within a day or two alter his arriuall burnt the gallowes vpon the hil Southward from the towne as yee goe towards Antuerpe S. Gertrude is worshipt by superstitious people because as they say she preserues them from rats and mice In former times she was patronesse of the town and it is said that she was Ladie of the whole countrie of Berghen Her chappell which in time past stood vpon the hill nere to the drowned countrie of Southland gaue it that name The vale is part of the arable grounds which lie betwixt the wood towne and champaine countrie extending it selfe partly towards the West and in part towards Wouwes gate The Southgeest is an high place and Burghvliet was a village where a castle
of the preseruation of so braue a souldier than of any gaine bootie or prisoners so that seuentie prisoners who had been taken at the beginning of the fight and were not yet carried into the towne were in all hast slayne yet some escaped The arriuall of our men opened Parker a large way to escape from the enemie whilest they were busied in fight the Lord Willoughby and the Generall Wilford came from Holland who without entring into any house sallied forth with great numbers of foot to reskew the horse who after they had brauely executed their enterprise returned towards the towne in good order being pursued by the enemies who were extreamely grieued that Parker escaped from them Parker had receiued certaine musket shot on his armour but was not hurt because it was of proofe Where the heat of the fight had been great heapes of dead men and horse lay Of our horsemen some foure or fiue were slaine but many were hurt and the losse of horse was great It is reported that two hundred of the enemie were slayne This was done on the fiue twentieth of September after dinner Whilest the horsemen fought with the enemie the masons broke downe a certaine wall of the remainder of the Abbie because the enemie should not make vse of it against the towne Presently after this fight the enemie shortned and tooke in his campe which he had at first much amplified and enlarged forsooke the high Northgeest strongly fortifying and entrenching himselfe both to the South and Northward of the towne to defend himselfe from our sallies for he expected no such dealing and neuer thought that there had bin so great courage and valor in those of the town Towards euening the Drossart Burgomasters sherifs assembled themselues with whom joyned the captaines Vere Scot Baskeruile Salisburie to consult together what was necessarie for the preseruation of the town And euer after they obserued this order that the gouernour and chiefe of the Councell of war did once a day meet at the state house to conferre of matters concerning the present estate of the town which was a matter verie commendable especially in a town besieged For by this means all difficulties were at first easily remoued that did arise at such a time betwixt the souldiers and Burghers when any thing is done by mischaunce on one part or other to the prejudice of either Euer since then the Magistrat to shew his diligence did daily meet twice namely at eight of the clocke in the morning and two of the clocke after noone The lord Willoughby requested the magistrat that the Burghers might arme keep Corps du gard in the streets and the matter was brought so far forward as captaines officers were chosen but by reason diuers excused thēselues through want of armor which the mutinous French had taken from them in former time nothing ensued thereof On the 28 of this moneth Sir Tho Morgan who had bin gouernor of the town returned from England The Queen and my lords the states had sent him to be gouernor in Sir William Druries place The states had a while before sent Lancelot Parisijs commistarie of the musters enjoining him to tel the Councel of war magistrats that it had pleased her Ma. to write vnto them of late as likewise to the lord Willoughby that it was her expresse wil pleasure that Morgan shold be gouernor and to this end they likewise sent her Ma. letters by the said Lancelot And in this respect they wold herein doe nothing contrary to her Ma. command The contents of whose letters was that hauing intelligence how the Duke of Parma had attempted to besiege Berghen-op-Zoom in that regard she thought it fit to giue the gouernement of the town to Sir Thom. Morgan the better to assure it against the enemies power and that her pleasure was to haue him forthwith installed in Druries stead who had lately bin recōmended to her by the states not that she in any sfsort doubted of Druries loyaltie and valour but Morgans long experience in war together with the peoples loue towards him had caused that alteration The cause why the Queene spake thus of the peoples loue towards Morgan and the recommending of him to my lords the states was because my lord Willoughby did not greatly affect Morgan Sir Thom. perceiuing this that he could not build vpon Willoughbies fauor for the gouernement of Berghen that there were diuers that sued for it found means to get the fauor of the magistrats and Burghers by whose means he obtained letters of recommendation to her Ma. both from the states and comminalty of Berghen The Lord Willoughby in the meane time had by sundrie practises established Drurie in the gouernement but because it was done without the States consent they therefore wrote vnto the Queene that no opposition might be made against her highnesse commaund After Morgans arriuall sundrie quarrels arose not onely betwixt the two Gouernours but among the Captaines and souldiers The English held more with Drurie than Morgan the Low-countrie men and Scots tooke Morgans part Willoughby fauoured Drurie against Morgan and therefore he gaue the gouernement of the towne to Morgan but made Drurie captaine of the Forts saying he did so because her Majestie spake onely of the towne and not of the Forts Morgan on the contrarie maintained it to be a verie absurd matter because the towne and forts depended one vpon an other and neuer had different gouernours Count Solms and Generall Villers came opportunely from Zeland whilest the gouernors contested about the gouernement and exhorted them to peace and concord Yet for all that Drurie commaunded the Forts of the Hauen and Morgan the Towne Those of Druries faction were likewise placed in the Forts Drurie came not often into the towne and spake seldome to Morgan but there was still some quarrell or other he did also highly complaine of the Magistrats and my Lords the States who were much displeased with this discord especially because their authoritie and command was directly contemned euery man feared that some inconuenience would ensue The nine and twentieth of this moneth the imposition vpon wine beere was let to ferme which was payed during the siege as in time before The next day Willoughby made an other sallie vpon the North side of the Campe and though he vsed the same order and meanes as at the first sallie yet he did no great matter for the enemie behaued himselfe more wisely and would no more be surprised from behind the hill of Varibogart as at first the footmen kept within the trenches of their Campe or behind the bushes not farre off and did no more assaile our men as before Our footmen stood in battaile vvithin musquet shot of the Towne yet the Cauallery incountred one an other and the fight was sharp on both sides our men gaue a braue charge and the enemie made gallant resistance each did their best Poolies
he that carries it should aduaunce it as high as he could and although the enemie was not far from them vpon S. Gertrudes mount yet the lord Willoughbie wold not return ere he had from aboue wel viewed and considered the depth of that way where he found no markes or signes of any Mine The ninth of Nouember the Earle of Northumberland and generall Norris came from England with a gallant traine of gentlemen At their arriuall all the ordnance great and small was discharged and the great Bell was rung The Earle came to see the Low-countries and Berghen-op-Zoom Generall Norris was by her Majestie sent to my Lords the States to procure some aid for D. Antonio King of Portugal for the Queene prepared a mightie fleet to re-establish D. Antonio in his kingdome from whence he had beene expulsed by the Spaniards Vchtenbroeck with fiue or sixe horse galoped forth of the gates towards the Sautwech before the enemies campe and there tooke two horsemen prisoners and a victualler with a waggon laden with beere who in despite of the enemie and before his face they brought to the Towne And to giue some delight to the Earle the English did the next day determine to make a sallie the footmen sallied vpon the enemies campe by the Mine at the powder gate for in hast they had made a Bridge ouer the Dike These at Holweghen did skirmish with the Italians that lay vpon Saint Gertrudes mount the horse sallied at Wouwe gate Parker stayed vpon Wijngaert hill and Poolie in the plaine towards Bourghvliet The brethren Bacx were not there for they had no warning of the sallie The Almans which were encamped on the Rabergh came downe into the plaine at the foot of the hill and made a stand not farre from Wijngaerts hill many retired behind the hedges and bushes others allured our men to come forward Captaine Veer with some thirtie souldiers driues away the Almans from their place of aduauntage Parker assailes and pursues them as farre as the Rabergh and suffereth few of them to escape A young Gentleman Captaine of a foot companie beeing on horsebacke and charging together with Parker was taken prisoner being carried by the furie of his horse into the middest of the enemies campe and was afterwards exchanged for D. Iuan de Mendoza both of them being almost of one age All prisoners that were taken did constantly affirme that the Duke of Parma determined to raise the siege On the eleuenth of Nouember a generall sallie was made on Steenberghens side by all the horse and foot some few excepted who here and there garded the gates and the Rampiers Generall Balfort with sixe hundred choyce souldiers both Dutch Scotch came thither at the same time from Tholen Captain Veer conducted the free booters that were to begin the skirmish Captaine Marcelis Bacx with his harquebuziers marched directly towards the enemies camp Balfort embattailed his troops on the highway of Steenberghen Those of the towne stood in the plaine on the right hand of that highway towards the West The Lanciers went somewhat on the one side towards the Sand-Wegh The footmen which went before with captaine Veer shot furiously vpon the enemies who shewed himselfe open aboue from their fortifications Certaine of the enemies horse made a braue sallie and were as brauely saluted with small shot and forthwith enforced to returne to their campe with losse of some of their horse In this manner was the time spent the enemie still continuing himselfe in his trenches which were too strong for vs to breake into Our men returned into the Towne thinking they had woon honour enough in that for two houres space they had dared the enemie to fight and in a manner halfe assayled their Campe. Of Captaine Veers souldiers foure were slayne and 12 hurt with the enemies shot On the twelfth of Nouember the enemie did set fire on the North part of the campe he likewise burnt the castle of Halteren and the next day about tenne of the clocke before noone they depart from Riselberg and Northgeest where they stood a long time in battaile till their lodgings were burnt and their baggage carried away to the Southward In their march nothing was seen but their ensigns tops by reason of the said hils But comming nere the Ball on the high way called Habergue which leads into Berghen wood there they discouered themselues openly There were they grieuously tormented by the canon from the rampier of the woodden gate It was delightfull to behold how their battaile was broken at euerie shot our canon made so as at last they were enforced to breake their order and to diuide themselues All the night following nothing was heard but the noice of drummes and trumpets to fauour the retreat of the wagoners which brought away the baggage Before day breake the campe towards the South was likewise seene all on fire the enemie retired towards Calmthoudt placing sentinels on diuers hils to giue them intelligence if the townesmen sallied forth So soone as it was day the Lord Willoughbie went forth at Wouwe gate with one and twentie ensigne on foot and all the cauallerie taking two falconets along with him The enemies sentinels seeing this doe presently retire our men doe speedily seaze on the enemies trenches and campe the fanterie makes a stand on the Raberg the cauallerie galops after the enemie and fell in vpon the rereward mocking scoffing them to prouoke them to fight But al this being in vain they returned for it was enough for them to haue reproched the base retreat of so great a Kings campe which was no better than a manifest flight some straungers that were found in the campe were slain two or three women excepted whose liues were saued The Lord Willoughbie assembled all the horse and foot companies captaine Marcellis Bacx excepted who was absent pursuing the enemie with part of the cauallerie whom he sent to seeke intending to honour him among the rest for his valour But being not found and the intended ceremonie not to be delayed because he would performe it in the enemies view the Lord Generall turned towards Veer Knollis Parker and Poolie his countriemen and likewise towards captaine Paule Bacx a Dutchman speaking thus vnto them Seeing it is an auntient and laudable vse that those who haue behaued themselues valiantly in the warres should receiue some acknowledgement of their valour and for that mine owne eyes are witnesse of your prowesse whereof I take the enemie to witnesse who hath often to his great losse made triall what souldiers you are Our illustrious Ladie the Queenes Maiestie of England whose Lieutenant Generall I am and whose commaundement I will now performe doth honour each of you with the order of knighthood and touching all of them gently with his sword vpon their shoulders he sayd Receiue from her Maiestie this remembrance of her good will and affection which all of you by your valour haue deserued
horse baggage whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them the ammunition of war and victuals excepted whether they shall thinke good His Excellencie graunted the like to the Clergie Ladies women children and domestick seruants of those of Coevoerden aboue mentioned And for the better furthering of their departure wagons a necessarie conuoy for their safetie shal be granted them for which the sayd Count shall giue caution for their safe returne to the campe And his Excellencie promiseth in the word of a Prince that no harme either in bodie or goods shall be done to the said Earle or to any other that comes forth of the sayd towne Giuen before Coevoerden on the 12 of September 1592. Thereupon the Earle and his souldiers came forth himself was royally feasted by his Excellencie his kinsman and other Lords of the house of Nassau who discoursed with one another questioning how it came to passe that they being children of brothers and sisters should be so diuided in loue and affection and serue seuerall parties Fiue hundred souldiers that were in health and able to march came forth of the towne and many that were sicke of the bloudie flix It was a strong towne and 9 canon were found in it My Lords the States in perpetuall memorie of the taking of these 3 townes Steenwijck Oetmaersen and Coevoerden made seuerall coynes of siluer and brasse attributing the honour of these victories to God alone The young lord of Nieunoort was made gouernour of Coevoerden The campe remained there till all the fortifications were repayred and the towne prouided of all necessaries Verdugo lay at Velt-huyse and made shew as if he wold besiege Oetmaersen but it was presently fortified On the fifteenth of October his Excellencie with his armie went toward Zwoll and there resolued to march to Emmerijc to encamp nere the Rhyne to be better able to passe on from thence vpon any occasion shold be offered by Parmas forces vnder the commaund of Verdugo beeing readie to besiege â—eyther Groll or Goore or to stop the enemies passage ouer Rhyne but before they could come thither the wayes were all drowned and Verdugos troâ—pes were gone and the greatest part of them as the two regiments of Arenberg and Barlaymont had repassed the Rhyne with fiue or sixe Cornets of horse that were much discontented Verdugo with the residue of the horse Spaniards Italians and Liegeois continued nere to Oldenzeel and fortified the townes of Groll Goore Enschede and Lingen His Excellencie on the 8 of Nouember came to Arnham and quartered his camp in the towns nere adjoyning the ammunition ordnance bridges of boats were put in certain ships to be readie at an houres warning to make a running campe for it was thought that his Excellencie had an intent to crosse the Rhyne and to march into the countries of Valckenbourg and Luxembourg to find the duke of Parma at Spa but the said Prince his departure from thence to Bruxels brake off this enterprise Those of Groeninguen were not yet moued by these exploits nor by the losse of Steenwijck and Coevoerden to come to any agreement with their neighbours the Ommelands and the Nobilitie of Frize-Land notwithstanding that a thousand head of Cattaile had been taken from them in a road and had but one passage left open namely Bourtaign nere to Wedde but Count Frederick of Berguen went thither in winter with sixe ensignes of foot and certaine horse for the countries safetie ¶ A description of the braue and gallant siege of Geertrudenberg in anno 1593. AFter the Duke of Parmas death the king of Spaine bestowed the gouernement of the Low-countries on Count Peter Ernest of Mansfelt by prouiso as they terme it vntill the comming of Arch-Duke Ernestus in which meane time Count Fuentes and Stefano Diuarra both Spaniards were joyned with him as chiefe counsellors And the chiefe of the Nobilitie for more honour receiued great promotions and offices And the better to win the Countries loue the people were put in hope that at the Arch-Dukes arriuall all matters should be well ordered for all men supposed that in respect of his greatnesse hee would not come thither but with an intent ample authoritie commission and meanes to make pacification or to mannage warre in better maner for the countries defence in this hope the people did with more content vndergoe their miserie During this gouernement the Spanish Counsellours would presently haue set the late Spanish crueltie committed by the Duke d'Alua on foot and commaunded the souldiers to keepe no more Quarter as they call it videlicet not to release prisoners in exchange for others of the same qualitie or in paying a moneths entertainement for their ransome but would haue all prisoners to be rigorously chastised by the hand of the executioner This did they the better to moue their owne people for feare of the gallowes to fight to the last man and to be rather slayne fighing than yeeld themselues prisoners But common souldiers who followes the warres more for pay than for honor and makes an occupation of the art militarie wish for no such rigour especially seeing valour at this day is so slenderly rewarded honoured and esteemed Vnder this word Quarter they likewise comprehend not to pay any ransomes or contributions to the enemie This did much trouble the Clergie Gentlemen and Boores who haue the most part of their wealth lying abroad and not in townes beeing rather willing to pay small contribution for their safetie than to haue their goods burnt and spoyled Mansfelt then by the aduice of Fuentes published a declaration dated the 5 of Ianuarie 1593 That no man should after that pay any ransoms or contributions to the enemie nor procure any pasport from him on paine of death but that euerie man should prepare to hinder the enemies incursions to arme and fortifie against him and by the larme bell to assemble themselues to kill and take their enemies prisoners and to hang them vp whereupon diuers souldiers on either side were hanged The generall States of the vnited Prouinces did likewise against this publish a declaration dated on the seuen and twentieth of Februarie wherein they shewed how their enemies the Spaniards being straungers sought nothing but the ruine and destruction of the Countrie together with the peoples bloud and goods entreating and exhorting all men to looke well vnto themselues their Countrie wiues and children to resist such Spanish crueltie and to deliberat thereupon giuing them respit till Aprill following after which time they would keepe no more Quarter but account them al for mortal enemies intending to cause the Authors and counsellors of this rigorous Decree to repent their rashnesse and likewise all townes and villages which following the tenure of Mansfelts letters should arme fortifie and make defence against them together with all those which should refuse to pay such reasonable contribution as they were rated at By this meanes afterwards all these things were on either side permitted Count Mansfelt
Most of the baggage was pillaged and the dead bodies stript More than two thousand were slaine vpon the place for the countrie people reported that they buried aboue 2250. The Lieutenant general La Bourlotte with most of his captaines and officers were slaine there and not aboue eight of the victors among whom was captaine Donck who died of his hurt together with captaine Cabilleau of Flanders This gallant victorie was gotten by eight hundred horse but not without great daunger if the enemie had beene discreet and wel aduised There was one thing worthie of note A certaine Roman gentleman whose name was Septimius Fabius who deriued himselfe from the noble and auntient familie of the Fabij in Rome hauing some commaund among the Italians was deadly wounded and lay among the dead those that stript him perceiuing some life in him and that he seemed some man of note notwithstanding that he was much disfigured with his owne bloud and that of others did in compassion take him thence and halfe dead as he was laid him on a horse and carried him to Turnhout where visited by skilfull and carefull Chirurgians he recouered his health and was afterward for ransome set at libertie There were foure or fiue hundred prisoners taken among whom was a young Count Mansfelt Hieronimo Deutico one of Count Varacx his Councel the Marquesse of Treuico his Lieutenant colonel and Serjeant Major Aboue one hundred prisoners died of their wounds And thus his Excellencie returned towards Turnholt and the runnawayes held on their course toward Herentals where some three hundred of them arriued The Generals dead bodie was by his Excellencie giuen to his seruants who carried it to Malines where his wife and children remained and with them sent a letter to Cardinall Albertus where he offered to deliuer the prisoners if he would keepe good quarter But the Cardinall being too long in sending backe an aunswer Prince Maurice threatened to hang or drowne the prisoners if he did not ransome them within twentie daies whereupon he constrained the villages of Brabant to contribute towards it The boores of this countrie called Tielsche-Heyde did after the defeat gather vp all the armor and weapons which they found and laid them vp in a Church those of the towne of Diest commaunded them to bring them thither and as six carts were loden with them some of the garrison of Breda hauing notice thereof tooke them away by force and brought them into the towne on the three and twentieth of Februarie for a greater testimonie or trophee of their victorie The earles Hohenlo and Solms sir Robert Sidney and sir Frauncis Veer whose horse was slaine that day vnder him were highly honoured for their wisedome and valour as also other captaines and commaunders that had valiantly behaued themselues especially Bacx and Edmonds with all their officers and souldiers That night the campe rested at Turnholt where the canon was left the next day the castle was battered and after some eight or tenne shot those of the garrison commaunded by captaine Vander Delft yeelded it on condition to haue their liues and goods saued The castle being strongly manned euerie one returned to his garrison His Excellencie passed through Geertrudenberg and the 8 day after his departure from the Hague he returned thither againe whether he brought 38 of the enemies ensigns and one of their cornets which were hung vp in the great hall and in all places caused thankes to be giuen to God for this victorie ¶ The first siege and taking of the towne of Rhin-Berck in Anno 1597. MY Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces hauing made great preparation for warre did together with his Excellencie and Councell of State resolue and conclude though it was something late to send an armie that Summer into the field and to that end commaunded the horsemen to arme themselues after another manner without launces appointing the light horse or carabins to carrie a Petronel of three foot long others Pistols of two foot in length and to be beside armed downe to the knees inflicting penaltie vpon such as shold want any part of their armes their horse were to bee full fifteene handfull high and the men to weare cassaks The Councell of State allowed 300000 florins monethly for the armie There were two hundred foot companies and one and twentie cornets of horse in the States pay But the fanterie lying abroad in garrison his Excellencie sent but for sixtie and eight ensignes and the cauallerie commanding them to meet on the 5 of August vpon the Rhyne at a place called S Gravenweeert for the Councell of State had determined and concluded to besiege the towne of Berck to haue a more free passage vpon the Rhyne According to this Decree his Excellencie with his trayne and most of the nobilitie went from the Hague on the first of August towards Vtrecht there to prepare and assemble wagons for his journey and on the fourth of Augâ—st arriued at Arnham whether count William of Nassau and his troops came vnto him The counts Hohenlo and Solms came thither likewise with the earles Ernest and Lodwick of Nassau together with young Count Henrie Frederick brother to his Excellencie who was desirous then to trie his first fortune in the warres From Arnham they went to S. Grauenweert where they found thirteene ensignes of English footmen twelue of Scots fifteene of Frisons nine ensignes vnder the commaund of Count Solms eight vnder the Lord Floris of Brederode and 6 commaunded by the Lord of Duvenvoord with some twentie or one and twentie cornets brauely mounted Thither likewise came great numbers of boats loden with ordnance and other necessaries for a perfect campe His Excellencie on the 6 of August caused part of the foot and horse in boats to crosse the riuer of Rhyne and Wael commanded them to tarrie that night at Cleverham not farre from Carcar making a bridge of boats the next day ouer the Waell to passe ouer his wagons with the residue of the armie so as his Ex. arriued the same day at the Cloister of Marienbourg leauing three companies of the regiment of West-Frizeland commonly called the regiment of North-Holland with the boats which in great numbers did the same day set saile and went vp the riuer On the eigth of August Prince Maurice with his armie and certaine field pieces marched before the towne and castle of Alpen commaunded by captaine Bentinghs brother which he summoned This place seated vpon the way would haue stood the enemie in great stead and on the other side haue much annoyed his owne campe It forthwith yeelded Hee committed the keeping of the castle to captaine Schaef with fiftie souldiers and the sayd Bentingh with six and thirtie souldiers departed thence with their armes and baggage so as part of the armie arriued that Euening before Berck The towne of Rhynberck both by nature and art is exceeding strong and not easily to be taken and was at that time beside
Captaines and other officers which lay in strong walled Townes and Castles So as in these exploits he did not onely win nine Townes and fiue castles manned with strong garrisons but three Counties and three Seignories crossing seuen riuers foure with bridges three without and thereby secured the passages on the Rhyne Countries of Zutphen Ouer-Yssel Twent Drent Frizeland and the Ommelands which is in a manner the fourth part of the seuenteen Prouinces of the Netherlands as they are reckoned at that time when Cardinall Albertus had threescore thousand men in pay and himselfe in person in the field comming from Amiens in Picardie in Nouember before Ostend with which he durst not then meddle ¶ A recitall and description of the siege of Bommell and how it was raised in Anno 1599. AFter the conquest of so many sundrie Townes we are next to speake of the siege of Bommell and of the enemies entrance into the Island called Bommels-weert vnder the conduct of the Admerall of Arragon and for better recitall thereof we will make some briefe description of the towne Bommell is a frontier Towne vpon the confines of Guelderland towards the South and stands vpon the riuer Waell on the North side of the Isle of Bommell it is of a reasonable bignesse and exceeding strong by nature it was first walled by Duke Otho vnder whose gouernement the Countrie of Guelderland and the number of townes in it were much augmented The riuer Waell doth not onely make Bommell commodious for traffike but impregnable on the North side and free from all inuasion The Countrie about it is verie low and not alone vnfit for Mynes but for continuance of any long siege for in winter by reason of great waters and ouerflowing of riuers it inforceth the enemie to leaue the field Beside her naturall strength it hath beene euer well fortified with bulwarkes and Towers and is enuironed with a double rampier and dike as the Reader may perceiue by the Map From the beginning of the Low-Countrie warres till this day each partie hath laboured to become Master of this towne in regard of her situation especially the vnited Prouinces because it serues as a rampier against the incursions and inuasion of their enemies and is a strong and sure key to their confines which they likewise fortunatly obtayned by meanes of those of Gorcum who tooke it in anno 1572 and haue kept it till this present notwithstanding the enemies many attempts and daily diligence of the Spanish commaunders who haue often gone about to become Masters thereof and to take it from them As in Anno 1599 when they brought their whole strength into the Isle of Bommell vnder the conduct of D. Francisco de Mendoza high Admeral of Arragon and besieged the towne with the bulwarks and forts round about it And because this siege of Bommell together with the raising thereof is one of the notablest exploits of warre done in the Low-countries we will briefely set downe the most remarkable matters which were there acted intreating the Reader to take it in good part The Admerall of Arragon hauing assembled all his forces lying on the Empires territories and neutrall countries did on the sixteenth of Aprill take a generall muster of them and on the sixe and twentieth of the said moneth brought them before the impregnable fort of the Island called S'Graven-weert whose garrison was so strong and well prouided of all necessaries as it was to be presumed that the Spaniards would not haue dared to hope for the winning of it especially in view of the States armie which hindered them from enclosing it Their weake attempts likewise and the euent thereof shewed that they aimed at some other place and that this was but a counterfeit siege onely to draw the States armie thither that they might be able on a sodaine to surprize the Towne of Bommell and forts adjacent My Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces hauing intelligence certaine moneths before that the enemie would inuade the Isle of Bommell to be able from thence to make his entrance into Holland had giuen order to fortifie and circle the said town with new bulwarkes and flankers and to inlarge the forts of Voorn and Creueccoeur which by reason of their smalnesse were not able to hold out long these workes were alreadie begun in the towne of Bommell and fort of Voorn but not ended by reason the ground was too soft and the waters too high so that the west-side of the towne lay all open the old wals being beaten downe and the new not yet erected as likewise in Voorn for t where the new worke was scarce defensible and would not haue beene able to withstand the enemies furie These things drew the Spaniards into the Isle of Bommell that they might become Masters thereof ere these places were fortified And to this end they came before the fort of S'Grauen-weert to draw as it fell out the States campe thither By which occasion the Towne of Bommel and forts neere adjoyning were not so well prouided of men as was requisit The Admerall of Arragon lying before S'Grauen-weert and amusing the States campe had sent certaine troopes vnder the conduct of Zapena towards Gennip vpon the Mase vnder colour of a conuoy vnto whom he sent a great part of his armie on May day conducted by La Bourlotte The enemie for execution of his enterprise had prouided certaine boats vpon the Mase in which they meant to fall downe towards the Isle of Voorn and on the 3 day of May in the Morning they all embarked themselues and came to the sayd Island But Prince Maurice according to his vsuall care and diligence had aduertised the Garrison of their intent commaunding them to arme and stand vpon their gard who by this meanes preuented the enemies purpose and kept him from making any attempt Whereupon hee was enforced to goe backe with his boats to a place called Litt where he remained that day and the next The fourth of may at night they did with canon shot inforce the man of warre which the States kept vpon the Mase to gard the riuer and to stop the enemies passage to retire thence and to fall downe the streame and caused certaine boats to be brought by land towards Keffell whether they sent their owne fanterie which was imbarked by night and passed on betwixt Rossen and Herwaerde And the fifth of May before day breake they entred the Isle of Bommell where they fortified themselues on both sides the water This sodaine arriuall of theirs did so affright those of Bommell as diuers Burghers fled confusedly forth of the Towne carrying away with them what they could conueniently And to speake truely had the enemie presently after his arriuall in the Island shewed himselfe before the Towne he would haue mightily endaungered it the walls lying open and the Burghers being terrified But by his negligence and staying for the Admerall who was hourely expected with his whole armie he lost
that gallant opportunitie His Excellencie in the meane time hauing intelligence of the enemies arriuall in the Isle of Bommell made hast thitherward with his Cauallerie and certaine foot companies where he arriued on the sixth of May and gaue order for all things necessarie in the towne commaunding the Burghers still to abide there who by his comming were so encouraged as they alone thought themselues strong enough to withstand the enemie The seuenth of May the Spaniards forsooke the town of Emmerick and joyned with the Admerall who was then marching towards the Isle of Bommell It was supposed that the Admerall had an intent to haue seazed on Heusden a verie strong Towne and seated within an houres journey of Bommell But his Excellencie like a prouident prince went thither on the 11 of May with tenne foot companies and caused the Isle of Hemert to be fortified and intrenched round about The Admerall perceiuing that Heusden was too well prouided did with all his force assault the Fort of Creuecoeur which by reason of the smalnesse was not able to hold out against him Whereupon the garrison yeelded it vp and departed thence with their ensignes and armes His Excellencie hauing intelligence thaâ— Creuecoeur was yeelded returned speedily to Bommell and caused it to be enuironed with many trenches halfe Moones and such like workes By these fortifications the Towne of Bommel in mans iudgement was made impregnable and as many as saw the height and bredth of those workes were amazed for it is almost incredible to see what they wrought in view of the king of Spaines mightie armie Beside these fortifications a farre off the bulwarkes of the Towne which had bin begun were finished and the walls closed vp the Towne being well furnished with ordnance and other prouision in places of most necessitie The Admeral in the meane time lay with his campe at Creuecoeur where he was busied in making a bridge ouer the Mase and a halfe Moone on Heels side thereby to secure the riuer The 13 of May the enemie made shew as if he would haue returned to Heusden whereupon his Excellencie sent 31 ensignes mo thither But he marched towards Rossem hoping to enter into the Isle of Tiell called Tielche-weert to enclose the Isle of Bommell on all sides but Prince Maurice sent ordnance thither and caused batteries to be made thereby hindering the enemies passage The 14 of May Count Frederick brought the most part of the armie before Bommell hauing first run vp and downe the Countrie and done nothing but warned those of Bommell and Voorn to fortifie themselues and giuen them time to doe it He came and sat downe on the West-side where the Towne had beene most open there beginning his skirmishes hoping to enter it but those within it did brauely repulse him During this skirmish the enemie thought to haue entred the Isle of Rossem but all things being there well ordered his attempt had no good successe Then he began to besiege the towne seating his campe at a place called Oensell aboue the Towne and made his trenches at the causey called Oensen-Dijke that he might lie safe from the Towne shot Prince Maurice perceiuing that the enemie meant to set vpon him with his whole power did likewise breake vp his campe which lay in the Betuwe and brought it to Bommell making all preparations for defence sending for all sorts of munition and making sundrie batteries His whole campe being assembled he diuided it verie skilfully and fortified all necessarie places He manned Bommel with eight ensignes belonging to the Lord Peter de Dorp eight ensignes of the Lord Vander-Noot foure ensignes of Suesse and the Lord de la Noiie with seuen French companies and himselfe with his youngest brother Count William and Count Lodwick retired thence He quartered the English at Haesten the Gards at Tuyll the residue of the French at Wardenbourg at Opinen the rest of the Frizons at Hessell Count Ernestus with the Almans the Scots with Edmonds regiment at Voorn and all the horse in the Isle of Tyell and so from thence as farre as Gorcum to keepe continuall watch along the Riuer The Admerall Duuenvoord likewise went vp the Riuer Waell with fifteene men of warre which lay from Opinen as farre as beneath Haeften On the sixteenth of May all things being thus ordered by the States armie the Admeral of Arragon came at last to his campe so as al the power on both sides was assembled nere to Bommel The Spaniards were in number 26000 foot and 4000 horse the States forces consisted of 16000 foot and three thousand horse most of them old souldiers and had a long time bin trayned vp in war and purchased great experience The same night that the Admeral came to his campe he made a furious assault vpon the townes furthest fortifications towards the gate called Oensche port which were scarce finished but he was brauely beaten backe with great losse of his men and among others La Motte was taken prisoner who died at Bommell of his hurt together with Alfonso D'Aualos who was grieuously wounded yet within a while after recouered his health Prince Maurice caused the causey called Oenschen-Dijke to be vndermined that he might blow vp the enemie if he returned to assaile the fortifications This was his last assault vpon Bommell for afterward he kept himselfe verie quiet standing rather on defence than offence His Excellencie on the contrarie was not satisfied in defending the towne of Bommell but did likewise with all his might assaile the enemie shooting on euerie side into his campe and visiting him often in his trenches The workes and fortifications did daily encrease round about Bommell and a bridge of boats was likewise made ouer the Waell before the Towne fiue pace in bredth and foure hundred and fiftie in length There were ten great boats and eight and twentie lesser ones a verie great Ferrie-boat seruing for an opening to the bridge when need was By his Excellencies commaund all mariners that were in the States fleet came into the towne of Bommell to ayd the souldiers to make a furious assault vpon the enemie who was aduertised thereof by two French-men that fled from our side whereupon the mariners were sent backe to their ships The 18 of May Count Lodwick with 8 cornets of horse was sent on Brabants side to surprise the enemies gards but returned without any effect On the one and twentieth at night our souldiers being for the most part English and French did fiercely assaile the enemie in his trenches and slew aboue six hundred men and would peraduenture haue troubled the whole armie had not a quarrell arose betwixt the two Nations whereupon they returned to the Towne bringing Captaine Aldeno prisoner with them with some other souldiers And on their side lost two Captaines and some others who for the most paâ—t were slayne by themselues The enemie at that time was verie busie in his fortifications making platformes and sundrie batteries from
dike to run into the Waell It is reported that fifteene thousand of the enemies diuided themselues into three troopes and cast lots which of the three should first crosse the water hauing many boats for that purpose so as their whole number might easily haue passed ouer at thrice this should haue beene put in practise vpon the foure and twentieth of Iune in the Morning before day breake being Mid-Summer day but it was not effected Those of Midel-weert Varick Heesselt and Opinen stood all night in good order expecting the enemie who stirred not His Excellencie did often send certain horse musketiers and armed pikes to prouoke him but he would not come forth of his hold The Admerall of Arragon sent D. Ambrosio Landriano with most of the horse and the regiment of D. Lewis de Villar to preuent the frequent incursions of those of Litsenhall The first of Iulie the enemie made aboue fiue hundred great shot but did not hurt a man of ours The second of Iulie the Englishmen that lay at Haeften the French that were at Weerdenbourg and Nerines and sixe ensignes of the garrison of the Isle of Hemert called Hemertschen-weert marched vp higher His Excellencie hauing in vayne long expected the enemies comming did on the fourth of Iulie by day breake send three thousand men towards Herwaerden there to make an half moon in the enemies view Herwaerden is seated on a plaine or leuel ground higher than all the trenches in the Isle of Voorn there did our men presently fortifie themselues making an halfe Moon which they fenced with pallizadoes This worke beeing in some sort defensible his Exc. sent more men before at last followed them himselfe Our men laboured verie hard from foure of the clock in the morning till six at night without any let of the enemy but when the halfe moone was almost finished he then shewed himselfe with certaine troups of horse and foot thinking thereby to draw our souldiers into an ambuscado who vpon intelligence that a great troupe of horse lay behind a banke would not go forth The enemy within a while after returned with 2500 Spanyards and Italians who vnder the conduct of Zapena gaue a furious assault to our halfe moone and with them a great number of monks and Clergie men who came with crosses and banners to encourage them but our men did valiantly defend the halfe moone and repulsed the enemie notwithstanding his fierce assault in which many of them had gotten ouer the palizadoes fighting hand to hand with our men and killing one another with push of pike Those of Voorn Varijck and Heesselschen-weert did continually with their canon and small shot play vpon the enemies so as in the end they were to their great disgrace enforced to retire leauing moe then 700 dead men behind them among whom were diuers Captaines and Commanders beside those that were hurt of whom 150 died in Sertoghenbusk This assault continued two houres long and yet there were but 8 of our men slaine and some 20 hurt The enemy had brought two field peeces to batter the halfe moone but did not hurt one man of ours and in his retreat lost 96 men among whom one of the aboue mentioned monks was found being armed with many holy reliques which did him no good he died with his armes full of palizadoes which he had valiantly pluckt vp The same day the enemies with 2 demy canon which were sent them sanke one of our boats neere to Herwaerden but the men were saued some six or seauen excepted that were slaine and hurt The 5 of Iuly la Bourlotte with a troupe of horse 400 musquetiers lay in ambush thinking to draw our Cauallery thither which were vpon the gard before the towne of Bommell But our men mistrusting the matter because the enemy came on with so few gaue back till they were safe from the ambuscado and then fell vpon them putting them to rout and tooke the Baron of Rosne prisoner and an Italian Captaine that presently died of his hurts whose bodie was afterwards redeemed His Excellencie likewise began to fortifie the Island or Widdel-weert called Nat-gat on Herwaerden side and all the Villages round about it with trenches The seuenth of Iulie a second halfe Moone was begun vpon the Litsenham and was conjoyned to the first by wings the better to secure the bridge which was afterward placed betwixt Voorn and Herwaerden They likewise made a new wing at Herwâ—erden towards the enemies bridge extending it abroad round about the village from whence we might easily discerne it so as our men did daily approach nearer it watching for a fit opportunitie to cut it off from him The 8 of Iulie his Excellencie and his whole Court remoued from Bommel and went to Voorn quartering himself at the head of the Island whither his owne gard and those of Count William and Count Hohenlo presently followed him The armie of the States were busied in making two sundrie bridges of boats The first on the third of Iulie vpon the Waell from the Isle of Tiell to the Isle of Voorn The second on the 8 of Iulie from Voorn to Herwaerden on which tenne ensignes of Scots and the Lord of Gistels with twelue other ensignes of his regiment passed ouer the same day towards Herwaerden The enemie being fearefull and jealous of his bridge transported it on the ninth of Iulie to the old place betwixt Heel and Creuecoeur His Excellencie on the 12 of Iulie sent three thousand fiue hundred foot and 1000 horse towards Litsenham to assaile the enemy who not appearing our men returned bringing hack with them 40 horse and foure prisoners The Spanish horsemen so soone as ours were gone from Litsenham shewed themselues on the bank but were soone beaten thence by our canon The same day a French lord sonne to a great man of France was shot into the head before Herwaerden and dyed of his hurt he was much lamented both of his Excellencie and his whole Court The fifâ—eenth day the Bridge was remoued from Herwaerden and placed higher betwixt the Isle of Voorn and Litsenham vpon the Mase ouer which 6000 foot and 1800 horse passed towards Litsenham to raise the enemie who lay dispersed vp and downe at Lit Kessell and Maren The enemie was in those Villages on Litsenham and Herwaerdens side strongly entrenched but on the other side verie slenderly so as our men were to fetch a compasse about to assaile the enemie behind But the French that were in the Vant-gard being impatient of delay and desiring a speedie victorie assailed the enemie in front where he was strongly fortified At the first arriuall of our men the enemie stood before his trenches offering skirmish but was soone beaten in againe and one of his captains taken prisoner and carried away into the Isle of Voorn These thus defeated our men did valiantly assaile the enemies trenches but by reason of the hight of their fortifications and great nuÌ„bers of their men we did
no great matter but were faine to retire bringing away some 60 dead hurt men most of whom were French-men and to speake truely of them had with incredible valour marched euen into the enemies trenches The enemie planted a batterie at Kessell from whence he plaid vpon Herwaerde and Voorn but did no great harme The 26 of Iulie he tooke one of our men of warre that lay in gard on the higher side of Amelroye and slew most of the mariners These were the notablest exploits done in the Isle of Bommell and places neere adjoyning from May till the 26 of Iulie All August and September both Campes lay verie still being strongly entrenched keeping good gard euer seeking some aduauntage one of another There were continuall mutinies in the enemies campe in regard of bad pay other quarrels The regiments which lay at Driell and other villages did most of them retire to Rossem for feare of being beaten There were continuall skirmishes betwixt our caualerie and the enemies who went about to surprise one another and to driue away the sentinels Our men still made incursions vpon the enemie and on the 10 of August tooke more than 200 horse and much baggage from him who was busied in fortifying his new Fort of Rossem with high and broad rampiers thinking thereby to stop the passage of the riuer Waell to conquer the Isle of Bommel and to open himselfe a way into Holland Vtrecht and the heart of Guelderland Many wondred whie the enemie was so long idle in the Isle of Bommell some thought that he would not retire till the fort of Rossem was fully finished But because the Archduke Albert had promised the States of the subiected prouinces That hee would not burthen the townes and countrie with Garrisons it is likely that hee busied his Armie in the Isle of Bommell the better to keep his promise As also because it was necessarie to keepe the Army neere the enemy for his souldiers beeing seditious and wanting pay it was to bee feared if they departed forth of the Isle of Bommell and should bee farre from their enemies that the countrie of Brabant would be in daunger of spoile and ruine as it hath often happened during these Low-countrie warres These are the most likelie reasons that moued the enemie to keepe his armie so long a time in the Isle of Bommel without any other exploits to these an other may bee added which is that they thought good to tarrie there in regard of the fitnesse of the place from whence they might make attempts on the neighbour townes of the vnited Prouinces as they had alreadie done vpon Worcum Breda and Nimmeguen but by Gods assistance and the carefulnesse of our commaunders it tooke none effect My Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces shewed themselues verie carefull for the defence of this towne yea some of the Generall States and most of the Councell of State came in person to Bommell not without great daunger of their liues for Canon bullets did not onely flie ouer the late Martin de Rossem Lord of Pouderoys house where they were assembled but pierced through it The Prouinces did greatly further this businesse for they furnished the Campe with all necessaries and all that Summer kept two hundred and eightie boats in pay three hundred seuentie nine wagons three hundred fiftie sixe horse of draught there were two hundred and three Bridge-Masters and other officers fit for such seruice To conclude the extraordinarie expence in boats wagons drawing horse munition and prouision for the ordnance and officers thereof did stand the Prouinces that Summer beside the souldiers pay in twelue hundred thousand florins This is in briefe the true description of the occurrents which happened at this siege ¶ A true description and recitall of the enterprises and voyages of the mightie fleet of the vnited Netherland Prouinces against the realmes of Spaine and Islands of Canaries vnder conduct of the Admerall Peter Vander-Does set forth in anno 1599. THe States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces did in the beginning of the yeare 1599 lay a general imposition on their wealthiest subjects crauing the two hundreth penie of their goods which they voluntarily graunted Whereupon they concluded beside their other enterprises to set forth a mightie fleet to inuade the King of Spaines dominions as the Englishmen had often done with good successe And to this end diuers ships were rigd forth the same yeare in the hauens and Merchant Townes of Holland and Zeland and many mariners were taken into pay ouer all the vnited Prouinces Some of these ships were double mand and victualled for a long voyage the rest onely to continue in ordinarie places Those which were double mand were chiefely bound for the West-Indies others onely for the Canaries to conuoy them and to assist them by the way All these vessels were strong tall well built and swift of saile The greatest of them was a ship of Amsterdam strongly built and well furnished for warre The chiefe commaund of these ships was giuen to the Admerall Peter Vander Does a discreet and valiant gentleman well experienced in martiall matters both by sea and land as it appeared in anno 1588 in the defeat of the Spanish fleet and more especially in this present action All the Captaines officers souldiers and mariners were valiant and skilfull men Their ships being readie did set saile on the foure and twentieth and fiue twentieth of May forth of sundrie Hauens and on the fiue and twentieth at night came before Flushing which was the Rendezvous the whole Fleet consisting of 72 saile all of them wel prouided of ordnance munition and other necessaries The Admeral was called Orange the great ship of Amsterdam was Vize-Admerall but being as then scarce finished it remained for a time at Texell and the 30 of May it followed the fleet and ouertooke it on the coast of Spaine before the Sea Towne called Groine The 26 and 27 of May the fleet stayed before Flushing to receiue directions from the Admerall and on the 28 weighing ankor they set saile from Flushing with a Northerlie wind directing their course East-South-East The whole fleet was diuided into three squadrons the first vnder the Admerall Vander-Does who carryed an Orange colour flag the second vnder Iohn Gerbrantsen with a white flag and the third vnder Cornellis Geleyn of Flushing bearing a blew flag as rere-Admerall In this order the fleet departed and on the nine and twentieth came in view of Calice where the foremost ships stayed for those that were behind In this place the Admerall did twice send for all the Captaines to come aboord his ship first to hold a martiall Councell after which two Brigantines were sent from the fleet and the second time to acquaint them with his intent and other necessarie affaires giuing to each of them a sealed letter which was to direct them how to order themselues in any difficulties that should happen This sending for the
subdued and by what meanes they fell to the Crowne of Spaine is not certainly knowne this only cannot be denied that Forteuentura Fero Lancerotta and Gomera were the first that were taken and the Grand Canarie Palma Tenerifa were long after that Pagans The valour and crueltie of these Islanders their discommodious hauens and dangerous sea coasts caused them so long to hold out against the Christians whom they haue often repulsed with great losse The Fleet directed it course towards the Canaries forcibly to inuade the Grand Canarie and Gomera according to the appointment of my Lords the States The Admerall sent for al the Captains Commanders Pilots to consult with them about the commodities of the said Islands He likewise distributed the Marriners vnder new Captains 130 men vnder euery Ensigne gaue order for all things instructing the captains how to behaue themselues on shoare And because the fleet did daily approach the line comming to the hottest part of the world where too much eating and drinking is very dangerous causing sundry diseases and commonly death the Admerall did verie descreetly moderate his souldiers diet commanding euerie man strictly to obserue it He likewise sent for all the land and sea Captaines to aduise him in what manner to assaile the enemie and towne The 24 of Iune the wind was still North-North-West they went South-South-East so as toward euening they descried Lancerotta and bending their course thither-ward they went East to the South-ward The 25 of Iune in the morning they came neere to Lancerotta and Forteuentura which they might descrie and after noone they doubled it going towards the South-East along the Westerne coasts and about Euening descried the grand Canarie whereupon they struck saile and tarried till the second watch then did againe set forward directing their course Eastward toward the grand Canaries which stands in the height of 28 degrees on the hither side of the line and 155 German leagues to the South East towards the South of Saint Vincents Cape in Portugal being in compasse 260000 paces amounting in all to 26 German leagues On the East side of this Island stands a small town called Allagona wherein are aboue foure hundred houses It is the chiefe Towne of all the Canaries and there the Iudges Courts both Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill with the Inquisitor of Spaine and the gouernor of the Islands for the King doe reside Through the Town runnes a small shallow riuulet which descends from the neighbour mountaines and emptieth it selfe into the sea is in no sort capable of shipping The hauen of the grand Canarie lies foure hundred paces towards the North-North-East of Allagona and is of an indifferent breadth and depth For defence of this Hauen the King of Spaine had caused a strong Castle to be built called Gratiosa All the forts of the grand Canarie were prouided of strong Garrisons munition and other necessaries The 26 of Iune the fleet with a North-East wind entred the Hauen of the grand Canarie and all of them together came to an anker beneath the Castle Gratiosa Thereupon the Spanish Gouernor came with seuen Spanish Companies to the Sea side placing gards vpon the hauen planting three small peeces of ordnance behind certaine bankes to hinder his enemies landing vpon the fleets arriuall the Gastle Gratiosa playd furiously vpon it but the Admerall vice-Admerall and those ships which carried the biggest ordnance drew neere the Castle and requited it with the like Two Spanish ships rode neere the Castle one of which was sunke and the other together with a small barke was brought to the fleet By this meanes the Castle was much weakened and those within it began to be discouraged leauing off their furious shooting notwithstanding that they had alreadie torne some ships and slaine certaine mariners Thereupon the Admerall did presently man his boats and landed his men those ships that could not reach the Castle bent their ordnance vpon the shoar driuing the enemie thence These boats rowed altogether to land-ward where for a while they fought with the enemie The Admerall perceiuing that the enemies would not remoue and that the water was shallow leaped vp to the middle in the Sea and with his men marched brauely against them By this means the Spanish troupes after some slight fight were beaten from the shoar flying towards Allagona together with the Kings Gouernor who lost his leg many were hurt and some 36 of them slaine Of our men the Admerall at his first landing was hurt in the legge with a pike and was in great danger but he was rescued by one of his souldiers who brauely slew the Spaniard that had hurt him The Admeralls Lieutenant Generall was shot into the throat and another Captaine in the head and beside these some 20 souldiers were slaine and wounded The Admerall hauing woon the shoar sent all the boats back againe to the ships to fetch more men to the number of 24 Ensignes which were diuided into seuen troups and marched in order of battaile 21 in front Those in the Castle kept themselues quiet discharging no one shot after our men were landed making signes as if they intended to yeeld which the Admerall vnderstanding went thither with certain Captains and souldiers and at his arriuall without any capitulation at all they yeelded on discretion There were 138 men in the Castle many had bin slaine and some fled thence there were likewise 9 cast peeces in it and 6 of yron with all sorts of munition These 138 men were brought prisoners into the ship which was taken 3 captains except whom the admeral kept nere him to be by them instructed concerning the affairs of the Countrey In this manner Graciosa the strongest Castle not onely of Grand Canarie but of al the other Islands was easily taken which was presently manned with 80 souldiers who threw downe the King of Spaines ensignes and displaied that of Prince Maurice Two Moores were at the same time brought to the Admerall which were taken in the mountaines who because they were found sleeping could giue no certaine aduertisement In the night 24 ensignes went towards Allagona where they diuided themselues into foure troups the first placed themselues beneath the towne the second vnder the neighbour mountaines the third vpon the shoare and the fourth made the rereward These foure troupes stood all night imbattailed and the 27 of Iune by day breake they came all together before Allagona But the townesmen defended themselues and shot fiercely from the Castle which stands on the North side not without some losse on our part Thereupon our men retired behind the neighbour hills where they began to intrench themselues and by that means secured themselues from the Canon Those of Allagona perceiuing our men to be intrenched brought six small Falconets vpon the hills which they charged with woodden bullets and did vs much harme because they had so well planted their peeces Tenne or twelue of our men went vp the
19 the Admerall fired the townes cloisters and houses neere adioyning abandoned the Island and shipt his men whereupon the Spaniards presently came forth of their starting holes to the towne and quenched the fire as those of the Grand Canarie had done The 20 the fleet remayned in the Road of Gomera receiuing instructions from the Admerall what course they should hold he sent for all the Captaines highly thanked them for their good and faithfull seruice and earnestly intreated them to proceed from good to better The 21 of Iuly he sent againe for the Captaines and Commanders and courteously tooke leaue of those which were to returne home making Iean Gerbrantzon their Admerall cōmanding them to follow him and to obey his commandements Then the fleet was seperated and failed with a Northerlie wind The Admerall Vander-Does with 36 ships held on his course South-South-East towards the kingdoms of the Western Indies Iean Gerbrantzon with 35 ships and an Easterly wind sayled home-ward Iean Gerbrantzon till the 24 of Iuly kept his whole fleet together but they were afterward dispersed by continuall tempests and contrarie winds taking sundry courses vnder sundry Admerals euery man striuing who should first get home Sixteene of these ships vnder their Admerall Frederick Arentz did on the eight and twentieth of August in the height of thirtie six degrees and twelue minutes to the Northward of the line meet with two small Spanish ships going from Capo Blanco towards Wolvis In those ships were seuen and fortie men and among those a Spanish marchant fortie seuen Muskets foure peeces of ordnance and were loden with sundry commodities amounting to the value of 60000 ducats and had in them beside foure tun of trayne Oyle and Arabian Gums and two thousand one hundred and fortie Rialls of siluer plate These thirtie fiue ships came altogether about the eight ninth and tenth of September into sundery Hauens of the Low-Countries and were with great ioy welcomed home But Generall Vander-Does with his thirtie six ships went towards the Coasts of Affrick and Guiney along by the Islands of Cape Vert and so to S. Thomas which is an Island vnder the equinoctiall line where they forcibly landed but the inhabitants with their goods fled into the mountaines our men by entrenching and approaches which they had learned in the Low-Countries tooke the Castles The inhabitants did afterward come downe from the mountaines being seuen thousand in number and assailed our men but the Generall repulsed and slew many of them In the end the Island and Towne of Pauoasan with the Castles were sackt and the booty carried to the ships They found an hundred brazen peeces there nine thousand chests of browne Saint Thomas sugar one thousand foure hundred Elephants teeth much Cloth Cotton and other marchandize with a very great sum of money But hauing beene long at Sea and the ayre very vnwholsome and pestilentiall for our men who could not temper and moderat their dyet in that hot Countrey nor absteine from fruits a disease or burning feauer in those parts termed la Madorca which commonly fals on those that come from Europe seazed on them some of them had their grease melted in their bodies as if it had been molten butter as appeared by diuers that were opened many died boath on shoare and at Sea of this disease and among others the Generall Vander-Does which was a great losse to the fleet and vnited Prouinces for he was a valiant Gentleman and skilfull in the art militarie both by land and sea His men buried him in an house in the Island deepe in the ground and then burnt that house with others to the end his bodie might not be found There died likewise his Nephew George Vander-Does sonne to that learned Gentleman Iean Vander-Does Lord of Nortwijck with diuers other land and sea Captaines to the number of fifteen and some 1200 Souldiers and Mariners After their death Captaine Cornelius Leynsen tooke vpon him the Commaund of the fleet and hauing embarked all the goods together with the Gouernor D. Francisco de Meneces he failed homeward sending seuen of his best ships with one Brigantine vnder the conduct of the Captaines Hartman Broer and others to the coast of Bresill with instructions what to doe Himselfe being likwise sick did in Februarie 1600 bring home his ships with the bootie and many prisoners His men were so sick and weake as certaine of his ships through want of men stayed in France others in England and one in Ireland Among the rest one ship that was weakly manned wanted a Pilot the ayre being mistie came to Sluce where it was taken there was in it some money and some foure or fiue hundred chests of sugar The aboue mentioned seuen ships vnder the conduct of Captaine Hartman went to Bresiill where they likewise met with good booty doing great hurt to the enemie and returned home n anno 1601. There was hope that this fleet would haue done great mattsrs but they could not meet with the Spanish fleet which went from Cales to the West Indies and then things fell not out according to their expectation for they were ouertaken with sicknesse by being enforced by contrarie winds to stay long in those hot Countries Their owne profit was not so much to them as the losse was to their enemies They haue put the King of Spaine to great expence they haue purchased honour and made Spaine iealous of other such like inuasions and putting it in feare of losing his Indian fleet These are the principall matters done by this fleet wherein if we consider the experience of the pilots discreet conduct of the Captains and valour of the souldiers we cannot but admire especially if wee looke vpon the great victories obtained by them whose fame hath qualified the Spaniards crueltie against our sea-men and themselues braued the enemy in his owne land and before Groyne declared the admirable strength of the vnited Prouinces and haue sought out the King of Spains future fleet wherewith he thought not only to haue caused the Low-countries but all Europe to tremble hauing challenged and dared it to fight euen in so many townes and castles of Spaine and hath beside so easily woon the Grand Canarie the mightiest of al the Islands the taking whereof cost the last King of Spaine many tun of gold many braue experienced souldiers which Sir Francis Drake could not effect notwithstanding that he in a maner tooke all the sea townes and castles of the Westerne Indies and terrified the whole Spanish world Who would euer haue thought that Allagona the chiefest Citie of all the Canaries wold haue been so easily taken that Gomera would haue been woon without any resistance and his Garrison slaine Is it not a great matter that the whole Island of the Grand Canarie and Gomera haue been ruined the townes castles and houses burnt the ordnance an munition and other commodities brought thence that such great number of poore wretched
of the enemie wanting all necessaries as money garments c. so that necessities had enforced them to reuolt besides they had done their dutie in holding out six weeks expecting aid and other necessaries and yeelded not so long as there was any hope of reliefe and in recompence of their good loyal seruice were to looke for nothing but losse of their pay and arrerages wanting money and meanes to cloth themselues and because the losse of the place should not be imputed to their mutinie nor themselues reproached for it they therefore resolued to serue the States of the vnited Prouinces Neither had they done as they said like to those of Geertrudenberg who sold the towne to their enemie for tenne moneths pretended arrerages and fiue moneths present pay being in no want of money nor apparell for they caused boats vpon the Riuer and the Champaine Country to pay contribution being neither besieged nor pressed by the enemie nay their Lords vnto whom they were sworne would haue maintained and defended their honour and loyaltie giuen them pardon and pasport yea whatsoeuer in equitie they would haue demanded yet all this was to no purpose with them but prouoked by their enemies they did in hatred enuy and couetousnes sell the towne to them whereupon they were in derision termed merchants and banished both by name and surname rewards being proposed to such as could take them and were euery where punished by the gallowes to serue for an example to others In this manner Saint Andrewes great fort which had cost so much money and before with so great an armie had layen a long time encamped fell into the hands of his Excellencie and vnder commaund of the States of the vnited Prouinces a fort which had put the enemie in great hope to haue bin able from thence in winter time vpon the yce to conquer Holland The cause why it was so easily taken proceeded from the Spaniards too much profuse large expence of money who vndertooke more than their treasure could performe and in making a bad account did in that Prouince build a mightie fort to command and bridle their own countrey so as the Archdukes reteined nothing of all their two yeares conquest but only Berck and the vnited Prouinces on the contrary had taken Emmerick which was more profitable to them than Berck to the Archduke yet these two townes belonged to neither of them his Excellencie and my Lords the States did within a while after restore Emmerick to the Duke of Cleues ¶ A Description of whatsoeuer was done from day to day in Flanders in the army of the most Illustriuos Prince Maurice of Nassau Accompanied by the noble high and mightie Lords my Lords the States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces in An. 1600. the 17 of Iuly THe enemie of the vnited Netherland Prouinces with sundry forts hauing blockt vp the Towne of Ostend being master of all the sea coasts of Flanders and thereby for the space of certaine yeares done incredible hurt to the loyall inhabitants of the said Prouinnes and other neighbor Realmes trading by sea my Lords the generall States after the yeelding vp of this great mightie fort of Saint Andrews neere to Rossem in the Isle of Bommell being desirous to pursue the victorie which God had so fauourably giuen them there and elsewhere in the beginning of this yere after mature consultation therupon with the Illustrious Lord Prince Maurice of Orange Count of Nassau Catzenelboge Marquis of Vere and Flushing c. thought it fit by common consent to transport their whole Armie and power into Flanders there to trie their good fortune vpon the enemeie and if it were possible to execute their determined proiects for freeing the sea Coasts with this resolution that the said Lords for the better aduancement of their affaires would in person assist his Eccellencie in this Armie and new expedition The 17 of Iune after that 2000 great and small vessells were rigd forth of diuers places and Hauens of Holland and Zeeland to transport the Armie with victualls warlike munition wagons Horse for draught and all other necessaries His Excellencie went from the Hague to Rotterdam so to Dort from whence he caused all the fleet to saile to Rammekins in Zeeland which was the Rendezvous The 18 of Iune my Lords the Generall States viz. The Lord Iames of Egmont Lord of Kennebourg Schipluy and Maeslant Iohn Oldenbarneuelt Lord of Tempel and Groynenelt Aduocate and keeper of the seale of Holland and West-Frizeland Iacob Huygens Vander Dussen Bourgomaster of the towne of Delft Master Nicasius Sille Doctor of the Lawes Councellor and Pentioner to the towne of Amsterdam M. Geraert Coren Bourgomaster of the Towne of Alkmaer M. Iacob Boellenssz Burgomaster of Amsterdam and Counsellor of State M. Iean de Santen Counsellor and Pentioner of the towne of Middelbourg M. Ferdinand Alleman Counsellor of State M. Nicolas Hubert Burgomaster of the towne of Ziriczee M. Gerart de Renesse Lord of Vander Aa M. Abell Franckena Doctor of the Lawes M. Egbert Alberda Burgomaster of the towne of Gronningue M. Cornellis Aerssen Register to my Lords the Generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces All these with their traine departed from the Hague about fiue of the clock in the morning and came to Rotterdam where they imbarked themselues and sailed the same day to Saint Annes-Lant where they came to an anchor tarrying for the tide The 19 day because the wind was contrarie they could that night but reach to Armuyde and because the tide was spent they were therefore enforced to cast anchor there likewise The twentieth about fiue of the clocke in the morning the said Lords landed at Armuyde and from thence went to Flissingue to visit his Excellencie who lay at anchor before Rammekins where so great an armie and such numbers of boats lay as no man liuing euer saw the like together at one time The same day a consultation was had before Rammekin how to transport the army safely into Flanders for execution of the determined proiect and all things being well maturely considered after that sundry matters were propounded in regard the wind was contrarie and for other difficulties which might arise at sea they at last resolued because they would not long bee idle nor put the countrie to vnnecessarie expence nor yet giue the enemie time to fortifie himselfe in those quarters to land the whole armie at Philippine and from thence to march thorough the Countrie betwixt Gaunt and Bruges towards Ostend According to which resolution his Excellencie on the 21 day departed with the armie towards Philippine a fort which the enemie yeelded vpon the first summons to Count Ernestus of Nassau who commanded the fleets vantgard The two and twentieth of Iune about noone his Excellencie ariued with his Armie at Philippine the vantgard hauing alreadie taken the fort from whence the garrison to the number of thirty or fortie were departed without
other armes than their swords The same day his Excellencie in fiue houres space landed all his forces which done he dismissed the boats willing them presently to be gon for feare least after the armies departure the enemie by fire or otherwise should endanger the vessells Then he mustered his Armie and found it to consist of twentie thousand strong and able men His Excellencie likewise rode throw the Armie and demaunded of the souldiers if any among them could complaine for waâ—â— of pay and if any one had not receiued money he willed him to speake because my Lords the States were there present to giue them all contentment They all answered that they were well satisfied saying that they would liue and dye for them and in their seruice The same day the States departed from Flushing towards Philippine and arriued there at the same time as the armie was landed Then they began to dispose the Regiments and to place them euerie one vnder his commaunder and the souldiers were furnished with six daies victualls which they were to carie along with them The three and twentieth day the Armie marched from Philippine towards Assenede a village not far from the t'Sasse of Gant where the vantgard before the arriuall of the whole Armie did by composition take a certaine Castle wherein were some fortie men Those of t'Sasse hauing laid an ambuscado tooke thirtie or fortie of our men prisoners our souldiers likewise towards the euening brought Priests Bailies and other prisoners to the army most of whom they had taken from before Gant The foure and twentieth in the morning the armie departed from Assenede towards Eeckeloo scituate on the passage betwixt Gant and Bruges where seuen hundred souldiers had gone ouer the same morning that we arriued there at night those souldiers were drawne forth of the forts before Ostend to man the t'Sasse because the enemie feared wee would haue besieged the same place The 25 we went from Eeckeloo to Male neere Bruges where our men brought away much cattel and many prisoners from before the towne The 26 we came within Canon shot of the Citie of Bruges and marched towards Iabbeke Those of Bruges with their ordnance plaied vpon our Armie all that day yet did no great harme but onely slew one of his Excellencies Muleters They shewed themselues likewise with certaine troups of horse but durst not come forward so as if our men had bin willing to haue fought with them they could not haue done it with any aduantage On the way betwixt Bruges and Iabbeke his Excellencie had intelligence that the Garrison was fled from Oudenbourg so as on the 27 day the armie marched from Iabbeke thither whither he sent two Companies of souldiers because the fort stood vpon the passage towards Ostend Those which liue in the forts of Plassendale Bredene were likewise fled those of Bredene left 4 peece of ordnance behind them burnt the houses cabbins munition and other necessaries hauing not once seene the enemie My Lords the Generall States with their traine accompanied by Count Solmes with 8 Cornets of horse and the Regiments of French Walons and Swisses together with the Colonells Gistels and Huchtenbroeck who that day marched in the vantgard went on and arriued the same afternoone at Ostend and his Excellencie in the meane time remayned with his armie at Oudenbourg In all our march we found the villages naked and forsaken diuers goodly houses ruyned not one boore to be seene but only the Sexten of Eeckeloo and his wife with two aged and sick persons vnapt for flight The Boores that were hidden in the woods shewed themselues very cruell to some of our souldiers that were scattered here and there vpon the wayes and were fallen into their hands so as our men displayed the bloudie Ensigne which did in no fort hinder their crueltie to vs ward Our souldiers tooke great store of cattell so as flesh was better cheap and more plentiful in the armie than either wine or beere The first night we lay at Assenede a pot of beere was worth six pence the second night at Eeckeloo twelue pence and the next night at Male and Iabbeke eighteene twentie and twentie six In this iourney three Cowes were offered for one pot of beere and yet it could not be gotten At Male a Cowe was sold for three groats and after she was milked he that sold it would haue giuen seuen pence for the milke Whilest we made this iourney by land it hapened on the 24 of Iune that some fortie boats laden with victualls and other prouision conuoyed onely by Captaine Adrian Banckerts man of war sayling from Flushing towards Ostend were set vpon by the Gallies of Sluce who on the fiue and twentieth day tooke aboue twentie of the said boats which being vnladed they burnt The said Captaine did what he could to free them from the enemie but himselfe and one and twentie of his men were slaine in the fight and his ship though much brused arriued at Ostend with some of the hurt men The six and twentieth day the Admeral the Lord of Warmont ariued safely in the Hauen of Ostend with the cheefe fleet wherein were victualls ordnance munition and other necessaries yet by taking of the aboue mentioned boats the Country receiued a great losse which fell for the most part vpon some particular persons who procured it to themselues by being so hastie and not tarrying for the cheefe fleet the which consisted of many braue ships of war To returne to that which was done on land Count Solmes on the eight and twentieth of Iune with eight Cornets of horse and fiue foot Regiments with which troups the day before he had led the vantgard went to beseege the fort called Albertus which stands vpon the Downes some houres iourney from Ostend on the passage towards Niewport it was not very great but well built and strong The nine and twentieth day hauing battered it with foure demy Canon and made a passable breach Captaine Neron that lay there in Garrison did beat his Drum and craued parley in which it was granted that the Garrison should depart thence with their armes and as much baggage as they could carrie away with them but on condition to leaue their Ensigne behind them promising not to serue in Flanders for six moneths The last of Iune the said Earle with the vantgard according to his Excellencies direction went to beseege the Hauen of Niewport and tooke the forts there his Excellencie earely in the morning the same day marched with his Campe from Oudenbourg towards Nieuwen-dam a fort not far from Niewport to take it But his iourney being stopt by reason of water he returned by an other way ouer the Downes towards Albertus fort and the next night tarried there with his Armie The first of Iuly early in the morning his Excellencie marched thence with his Camp towards Niewport and presently gaue directions as well as the situation of the place would
giue him leaue for inclosing and beseeging the towne After dinner my Lords the Generall states receiued news how that Archduke Albert had leuied tenne thousand foot and one thousand fiue hundred horse was come to Oudenbourg Hereupon foure of our Companies that lay in the forts of Bredene and Plessendale withdrew themselues not tarying his comming and the Garrison that was in Oudenbourg which consisted of six foot Companies and two Cornets of horse left there by his Excellencie were enforced to yeeld it vp on composition The like did two Companies that lay in a fort at Snaeskerck vnto which Garrison though the enemie had promised good quarter and that they should depart with their armes and baggage onely leauing their Ensignes behind and the capitulation signed by the Archdukes selfe yet they brake their promise for first diuers horse and foot of the Garrison of Oudenbourg breaking their rancks slew many of them hurt others and disarmed the rest and for a testimonie of their treacherous and bloudie nature did most villanously murder the two Companies that lay in Snaeskercke contrarie to their word and promise Some few souldiers that escaped hauing brought these newes to Ostend my Lords the States did in post aduertise his Excellencie thereof that he might be in readinesse and presently sent more men to Albertus fort which they furnished with victualls munition and other necessaries The second of Iuly the bloudie battaile neere to Niewport was fought whereof we will speake in the next description The third of Iuly about nine of the clock in the morning his Excellencie came in person to Ostend bringing Don Francisco de Mendoza Admeral of Arragon with him as his prisoner And after that my Lords the states had congratulated his Excellencies victorie he requested that generall thankes might be giuen to God which done himselfe with the Admerall dined with the states the armie remayning on the Downes beyond Albertus fort The same day and the day before diuers prisoners men of note brought from the Armie to Ostend were slaine both within and without the Towne by the remainder of the Scots and other souldiers in reuenge of the wrong and crueltie committed by the Enemie vpon our men contrarie to their promise and Law of armes The fourth and fift day whilest the armie refresht it selfe his Excellencie remained in Ostend in consultation with my Lords the states The same day we were busied in burying our dead looking to the hurt and sick souldiers sending them to places where they might be healed in deliuering prisoners Many horse armes and much bootie taken in the battaile were sold many Spanish cloakes cassocks with store of apparell were likewise taken which were not vnwelcome to our men The sixt day in the morning his Excellencie returned with his armie to Nâ—ewport and lay before the towne in the same quarter where he had formerly rested not being able that day nor the night following to doe any notable exploit by reason of the continuall rayne and foule weather After dinner order was taken for sending the prisoners into Holland and likewise the Admerall who by some of the States was conducted aboord the man of wâ—rs Brigantine His Excellencie on the seuenth day receiued letters from Count Frederick of Berguen wherein he craued libertie to send some to search among the dead bodies for some Captaines and chiefe Commanders and for buriall of the dead in the place of buriall Towards Euening the Admerall Iustine of Nassau came to the States with letters of credence from his Excellencie contayning certaine propositions wherein he craued their resolution but the said Lords thinking it necessarie to confer with his Excellencie sent for a conuoy About the seuenth day we tooke from the enemie a certaine halfe moone standing before the towne on the North side of the hauen which was taken with losse of six or eight men on either side The eight day in the morning a Conuoy of foure Cornets of horse ariued and the said Lords departed from Ostend to the Campe before Niewport where they consulted with his Excellencie concerning those propositions which the Admerall of Nassau had made vnto them the day before In the euening 25 souldiers with Lopestaues and halfe pikes were sent to leape the dikes carrying with them two Wagons each of them loden with one boat and other prouision to set on fire on some bridgâ—s on the Southeast side of the towne which in part was effected but not wholly The enemie the same day made great fires vpon the townes steeple and discharged many shot froâ— a Rauelin on the North-side of the towne to hinder the approach of our men wee afterwards vnderstood by prisoners and others that supplies were the same night brought into the towne and in that regard those fires were made The ninth day after that the States had dined with his Excellency they returned againe to Ostâ—nd crossing the hauen on foote ouer a bridge leauing their wagons and conuoy behind to follow them the enemie made many shot at them but did no harme to any man Whilest the wagons passed ouer the said Lords walked on foot for a while vpon the Downes where they saw such numbers of dead bodies as was lâ—mentable to behold His Excellencie hauing intelligence the same Euening that Colonell La Bourlotte was onward on his way with two thousand souldiers to trie if he could enter into Niewport did presently double all the gards and gaâ—e directions to hinder the enemies attempt if it were possible The 10 and 11 dayes no notable matter was done but onely our approaches were set forward as well as the bad and raynie weather would permit The 11 day at night the foot Regiment of the Marquis Varrabon entred the town and the next day they made three fires vpon the tower The twelueth the enemie made a salley vpon our trenches and with such fury as our souldiers were enforced to retire to the principall gards and then the alarme being giuen our men began to skirmish and did in such sort assarle the enemie as they draâ—e him in disorder to the towne gates and slew the Lieâ—tenant Colonell two Captaines and certaine souldiers of the same Regiment The Marquis his Regiment hauing entred the Towne and others likelie euerie day to enter in regard we could not inclose the towne on one side by reason of the broken lands and other inconueniences his Excellencie found many difficulties in continuing the seege and therefore on the 13 of the said moneth he went earlie in the morning to Ostend to propound these difficulties to the States and to craue their aduise After some conference it was thought fit seeing that Generall Wijngaerdens Regiment was newly arriued with fiue new Cornets of horse wherewith our Campe was strengthned to continue the siege and thereupon after that his Excellencie and my Lord his brother had dined they returned to the Campe. During his Excellencie abode in Ostend the enemie had made another sallie on Count Ernestus
of Nassau his Quarter but not so fierce an one as that of the day before and was presently repulsed with losse of Commanders and souldiers The 14 and 15 wee were busied in making three small forts there where our batterie was to be made thereby to assure the Canon and in the meane time the ordnance that was landed was againe sent to the ships My Lords the States perceiuing their presence at Ostend and in those parts to be to no great purpose made all things readie for their departure the next day and to this end the Aduocate Barnenelt went to his Excellencies Campe after dinner to confer with him once more returning the same night to Ostend The sixteenth of Iuly in the morning the Admerall of Nassau came to Ostend from his Excellencie propounding new difficulties to the States for continuance of the seege whereon hauing consulted they wrot back to his Excellencie that they wholy referd it to his owne discretion to proceed therein as he should find it most profitable for the Countries seruice and if he did breake vp his Campe to giue carefull directions for the timelie imbarking of the munition ordnance and other necessaries for preuenting of greater mischiefe with this answere they dismissed the Admerall About fiue of the clock in the Euening my Lords the States being embarked in the hauen of Ostend and word brought them that his Excellencie was come thither in person accompanied by my Lord his brother Barneuelt the Lord of Santen and others were set on shore and had some conference with his Excellencie which done they tooke their leaues and returned to the ships His Excellencie had shewed them sundry reasons why he thought it not fit to continue the Armie any longer before Niewport and therefore resolued to depart thence and to lead it before the forts about Ostend and first to assault Isabelles for t and then the rest The States hauing taken their leaue set faile about six or seuen of the clocke the same euening and arriued on the 17 day in the Morning at Middelbourg where they resolued to goe to Berghen-op-Zoom and there gaue audience to the commissioners of the generall States of the Prouinces on the other side assembled at Bruxels viz. the lord Gerart of Horne Earle of Bassingeri Philip of Pentinck lord of Vicht the Drossart or Magistrat of the land of Montfort and Master Henrie de Coâ—t pentioner of the citie of Ypre and to this end sent them passeport writing vnto them to meet at Berghen-op-Zoom on Thursday the 20 of Iulie these letters were sent in post to gouernour Bacx that he might send them away by a Trumpet with commaundement to make readie the Court against their comming and to prepare lodging for both parties The eighteenth and nineteenth of Iulie the States tarried at Middelbourg taking order for whatsoeuer was necessarie for the Common-wealths seruice Letters likewise were brought from Ostend certifying them that his Excellencie had on the 17 of the same moneth begun to breake vp his campe had brought his armie neere to Ostend to besiege the fort of Isabella The 20 of Iulie early in the Morning the generall States departed from Middelbourg to Berghen-op-Zoom where they arriued the same Euening whither the commissioners of the other side likewise came the same night within an houre after their arriuall being in number 23 who supped that night in the companie of the said Lords at the gouernours house The 21 day they deliuered their letters of credence and commission and after dinner an answer was prepared for them At night the commissioners supt with the said Lords whither the gouernour and some of the Magistrats were inuited and hauing receiued their answer in an enclosed letter whereof a coppie was giuen to each of them they departed thence on the 22 day verie early in the Morning The Magistrats of Berghen did that day at dinner feast my Lords the States who in the afternoone embarked themselues and sayled till they came before Saint Annes-land where they came to an ankor tarrying for the Aduocat Barnevelt and the Burgomaster Vander Dussen who were goneto a place called Saint Martins Dike to visit Count Hohenlo who was sicke meaning to returne the next day to the States The three and twentieth day the said lord Barnevelt being returned they weighed ankor and set saile but hauing a contrarie wind the said lords landed in the countrie of Putte and by crossing certaine passages arriued the same night about tenne or eleuen of the clocke at the Hague leauing their baggage with the ensignes and cornets woon at the battaile of Niewport to follow after which were brought the next day in the afternoone to the Hague The said ensignes cornets and some Trumpets were on the eight and twentieth of Iulie hung vp in the great hall of the court for a perpetuall remembrance of so famous and notable a victorie graunted by God to these countries ¶ A true description of the bloudie battaile betwixt Prince Maurice of Nassau and the Archduke Albert of Austria woon neere Niewport in Flanders the 2 of Iulie Anno 1600. THe Archduke vpon intelligence that his Excellencie lay before Niewport did speedily march with his armie towards the Downes the verie same way that his Excellencie had gone intending to passe on directly to Niewport His Excellencie vsing all meanes possible to hinder his comming and to win time did on the 2 of Iulie by day break send his cousen count Ernest of Nassau forth of the armie with 2 foot regiments Scots Zelanders 4 cornets of horse vnto whom the States according to his Excellencies direction added certaine companies of the garrison of Ostend to stop the enemies passage ouer the bridges lying vpon a water on the high way towards the Downes neere to Alberts fort But the enemie before their arriuall had alreadie taken the bridge passed ouer his chief force our men being too few to hinder his passage to the Downes and our regiments being engaged by the enemie too weake to make resistance against their whole armie yet after a braue fight like valiant souldiers they were at last put to rout the whole losse falling on the Scots who lost all their Captaines and commaunders and 800 of themselues were slaine vpon the place among whom were eleuen Captaines many Lieutenants and other officers vpon this victorie the Archduke wrot to Bruges that he had defeated Prince Maurice his vantgard and so engaged the rest of his Armie as he could not escape whereupon Bells were the same day rung at Bruges and afterwards in other townes as though they had already wonne all but to their great losse they soone perceiued the contrarie This ouerthrow did greatly perplex the States and others that were in Ostend considering the great danger the Common-wealth might haue sustained if any mishap had befallen our Campe which lay on both sides the Hauen diuided one from an other And because in such extremities when human helpe seemeth
thence to the Bulwarke on the East-side which he began to vndermine in three seuerall places The dayes following he likewise woon with the time the rest of the intrenchments which were without the towne partly by force and Mynes and partly because the enemie quitted them And on the two and twentieth of Iulie his Excellencie came altogether before the Towne hauing beene kept from it by his workes without The next day he sent his Trumpet to Rhynberk who receiued this aunswer That they thanked his Excellencie for his offers but that they could not as then intend to yeeld seeing the Towne had beene besieged but one day whereupon his Excellencie the day following summoned the Towne the second time because all his Mynes were readie to play There the Townesman began to hearken vnto it crauing that they might first send some speedie messengers to Guelders to request ayd which was denyed them Whereupon at last after some treatie with the Trumpet on the one and thirtieth of Iulie they sent Captaine Botberg and Francisco Nello the Italian to the Campe about sixe of the clocke in the Euening who graunted to yeeld vp the Towne to his Excellencie on these conditions following FIrst his Excellencie is well pleased that the Gouernor of Rhynberck all the souldiers both horse and foot and all those which haue serued in the ships of warre with their Captaines and officers without exception shall freely depart with displayed ensignes armes kindled match bullets in their mouthes and drumme beating their wiues familie stuffe wagons horse and other things thereunto belonging without examining any one for matters done and namely the person of Iohn Peters-Thas Captaine of a Ship who certaine yeares before yeelded both himselfe and ship to the enemie 2 The gouernour shall carrie away with him two field-pieces such as his Excellencie shall thinke fit with two barrels of powder and fiftie bullets 3 His Excellencie shall lend them two hundred horse to carie the sicke wounded men and baggage to Guelders and shall giue a safe-conduct for the souldiers and their baggage to Maestricht and if any of those that be hurt are vnwilling as yet to depart they may remaine in the towne till they be healed and may afterwards goe their way with the gouernours Passeport 4 That the Lord Evert de Ens his wife and children with their writings stuffe and goods may freely depart as also the Councellor Westendorp Nicholas de Houe the receiuers of the reuenew and contributions with their writings and stuffe as hath beene said and namely Goswijn de Manen the customer his officers who may depart either by land or water vnto whom his Excellencie will giue a passeport as likewise to all Commissaries and officers belonging to the king of Spaine or the Archduke without any refusall who are not to be detained for any cause or pretence whatsoeuer 5 That the Gouernour shall satisfie the Magistrate and Burghers for all such debts that he oweth since the siege with the goods belonging to his Highnesse arising of booties taken and Merchandise confiscat and found vpon the riuer Rhyne contrarie to the Placard 6 That the Gouernour shall send for all those whose cattaile haue been taken from them during the siege and giue them letters of assignation to procure satisfaction from their Highnesses because it was done in their seruice 7 That the prisoners expences by reason of contributions shall be presently payed according to the treatie made with the Admerall of Arragon and confirmed by his highnesse 8 That the receiuer Iohn le Bruni may freely depart with his writings and stuffe in giuing a coppie of the moneyes remayning behind hand of the reuenewes of the Countie of Zutphen and Countrie of Ouer-Yssel 9 That all horse taken on both sides during the siege shal be redeemed euerie one at the rate of twentie liures 10 That all victuallers and Merchants following the Campe belonging to the king together with his Highnesse souldiers may remaine in the towne till such time as they haue sold their wares and afterwards depart with the gouernours passeport 11 That all Burghers who are willing to leaue the Towne and dwell elsewhere may sell their goods and horses within the space of â—ixe moneths 12 That all religious persons men and women may freely and safely depart 13 That prisoners on both sides shall be released According to this treatie the gouernour D. Hieronimo went his way on the first of August in the Morning with sixteene ensignes amongst whom were sixe companies of Almans thirtie horse eightie sailers accompanied with two hundred and nine wagons full of stuffe and hurt men leauing the towne verie ruinous and more than one thousand two hundred of his souldiers deâ—d there fiftie barrels of powder and victuals for two moneths The States of the vnited Prouinces and Prince Maurice did after this manner win the towne resoluing to keepe it both for the serâ—â—ce of the Countrie and for their neighbours and allies of â—â—e sacred Empire vnto whom it importeth much to haue the Riuer free that no foreine armies may crosse it a towne deseruing to be kept at the Empires common cost so as they determined to fortifie it caused a great fort to be made in the Island standing in the riuer before the towne for finishing whereof a bargaine was made with certaine men for a round summe of money the gouernement of the towne was giuen to Colonell Gystâ—lls The Nobilitie the States of the Countrie of Ouer-Yssel perceiuing that their Countrie and the riuer Rhyne was free causâ—d a placard to be published on the eight and twentieth of Iulie forbidding to pay any contribution to the enemie appointing good gard to be kept in euerie village and parish on great penalties as to the officers on forfeiture of 25 crowns and the Boore one crown as often as they should be found faultie therein They were likewise commanded to be readie with their armies so soon as the alarme bell should ring prohibiting on paine of life that no man should harbour any of the enemies souldiers and he that could take any of the enemies souldiers dead or aliue in the Countrie should receiue fiue and twentie florins of the Countries money If any Merchant trauailing by the way should happen to be taken or hurt by the enemie those of the Countrie or place where it was done shall be bound to pay his ransome and satisfie his losses and it shall not be lawfull for any man to hold any correspondence with the enemie with many other points necessarie for the countries preseruation ¶ His Excellencie takes the towne of Meurs on the 16 of August Anno 1601. BEcause the towne of Meurs was garded but by certaine souldiers called Hanevederen which lay there in garrison seruing the Duke of Cleues for whom they kept it Prince Maurice pretending claime to that Earledome as giuen vnto him by the Countesse of Walbourg did on the sixt of August send Captaine Cloet and Colonel Edmonds thither
were by Marquis Spinola inuited to a banquet whilest the troops were putting themselues in order to march They went along the Sea side after this manner the French led the Vauntgard the Dutch the battaile and the English and Scots the rereward they were in number three thousand all lustie able men they caried foure peece of ordnance with them towards Blanckenberg and the next morning arriued at the camp where Prince Maurice and all the Lords did courteously welcome them taking them by the hand saluting them all as they rode through the troops thanking them for their faithfull seruice done to the commonwealth Then their Quarter was appointed where they should rest the captaines officers and braue souldiers being preferred to good places and largely recompenced Most of the Burghers likewise went their way to Sluce The Baylie of Ostend was made Baylie of Sluce and none taried in Ostend but a few old people Diuers notes were found of the number of those that died at this siege one of Spinolas souldiers that was slaine before Sluce had a note about him of all the colonels captaines officers and souldiers which died before Ostend An Alman gentleman that was at Ostend saith that during the siege there died 15 Colonels seuen Marshals of the camp 19 Sergeant Majors 560 Captaines 322 Enseignes 4911 Sergeants 1166 Lieutenants 9166 Corporals 56366 souldiers six thousand and eleuen Mariners one thousand one hundred nintie sixe women and children amounting in all to 76961. All these died from the beginning of the siege to the last of Iuly 1604 not accounting those that died since This number is great and incredible vnto which the sick and wounded which were sent abroad to the Hospitals may be added Some haue likewise set downe the number of the besieged which was verie great but I think it impossible truely to number them for those that were sicke or hurt were presently sent away but the number of the enemies was far greater yet the besieged had more plentie of all things endured lesse miserie than the Archdukes souldiers who lay 3 whole winters in so cold and moist a place and therefore it is likely that very many of all nations died there Ostend was afterwards visited by diuers men of all sorts who found it an heap of stonss sand there were few houses but many cabins much munition and some 11 peece of ordnance which were vnseruiceable with certain morters and other engins and an infinite number of bullets The Archdukes went thither to see the town which they wonderfully admired perceiued that they had spent consumed huge sums of money time and men onely to wyn an heape of sand and finding it ruinous and inhabitable they gaue order to haue it repayred From thence their Highnesses went in pilgrimage to our Ladies neere Dunkerke to whom many attributed the victorie they gaue order that the houses and Church should bee reedified and the towne fenced against the waues of the Sea and the better to drawe people to dwell there they gaue great priuiledges and immunities to it but the first yeare fewe came thither and at this day they haue neither fishing nor nauigation ¶ A description of the Generall States armie marching through the Dutchie of Brabant vnder conduct of Prince Maurice of Nassau in Anno 1602. THe Estates generall of the vnited Prouinces together with his Excellencie Prince Maurice of Nassau considering that the Archduke of Austria went about by all meanes to reenforce his troopes which hee alreadie had in the low Countries with a new and mightie armie from Italy and with it not only to continue the siege of Ostend but to inuade the said vnited Prouinces were likewise desirous for their parts to shew their fatherly care aswell for defence of their owne subiects as for abating the pride of the haughtie Spaniards and preuenting all his determinations did in the beginning of Iune 1602 with great expence set forth a gallant armie of horse and foot which on the 17 of the said moneth passed master at Elten in the Isle of S Gravenweert at Pauderen and places neere adioining it consisted of more then 5000 horse and 18000 foot with 1930 wagons not accompting those of victuallers 6047 horse of draught General fasts praiers being made ouer the whole countrie the army crossed the Rhyn Waell vpon two bridges made ouer those riuers and marched towards Nimmeguen and from thence to Moocke where his Excellencie as Generall of the army caused some of his troops to passe the Mase and the same night reposed his armie at Moock from whence without any stop hee passed his forces ouer the Mase and lodged at little Linden brauely determining to go and seeke the enemy and to offer him battaile who had alreadie receiued his Italian forces and if God should grant him the victorie hee then hoped to bee able to relieue Ostend which had beene besieged eleuen moneths or at least if hee could not sitly meet with him yet to dare him who seemed to desire nothing more than to meet with his Excellencie vpon his owne territories to reuenge his losse at the battaile of Niewport in Flaunders The whole armie beeing in Brabant the Generall States of the vnited Prouinces made a declaration and caused it to be printed wherein they shewed the causes why they had prepared this army the effect whereof was thus For as much as the Generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces haue by Gods grace and assistance of Princes and and Potentates their friends done their vtmost for the serious aduancement and profit of the Netherlands this present yere to free them wholy from the tyrannie of the Spainards and their adherents And because it is iust and reasonable that all prouinces townes villages parishes and inhabitants of the low Countries that groane vnder the Spanish yoak should presently aide and assist them In that regard the administrators of N. N. are intreated and warned for the first and last time to deliuer within three daies after sight hereof into the hands of the deputie of the receiuer Generall of the vnited Prouinces resident in our armie the summe of N. N. in abatement of the contributions wherewith they haue been and still are charged for the freedome of the low Countries vpon sight hereof the said administrators shall send two hostages into our camp for the said paiement with commission to treat with our commissioners as wel in regard of reasonable contributions as for their owne defence that they be not molested by our souldiers wherein these presents shall serue for their safegard and passeport otherwise for default of accomplishing the tenor of these presents we will therin proceed which we shall be verie sorie to doe by way of armes Giuen in the assemblie of the said Lords generall States at the Hague the 7 of Iuly 1602. Here de Hotting a vidit and subsigned C. Aerssens The said Lords did likewise cause this ensuing placard or inscription to bee
were not readie for such an attempt In the end they resolued to turne backe and besiege the towne of Graue and there to attend the Admeralls armie Thereupon his Excellencie departed the next day beeing the tenth of the said moneth in the selfe same order as before towards Aix and places neere adioining The heate of that day was so intollerable as many souldiers though the iournies were not long died of faintnesse by the way and others were so weake as they were enforced to tarrie behind yet in the coole of the euening they came to the camp the enemie in all the march giuing no alarmes to our men either by day or night The 11 day the heate continued so as his Excellencie stirred not that day but refreshed his armie The 12 the armie lodged vpon the heath before the towne of Hasselt The thirteenth at Helchteren the fourteenth at Lille the fifteenth at Hees where his Excellencie sent a trumpet to the enemies souldiers at Eyndhouen commaunding them to depart thence which was done The 16 the armie lodged before Helmont Stiphent and vpon refusall to depart which the enemies garrison in Helmont Castle made his Excellencie commaunded a volley of six canon to play vpon it whereupon they presently capitulated and went thence The 17 the armie rested at Vden the 18 at Cassell Esteren Reken and Welp and at last before the towne of Graue which his Excellencie besieged and tooke as shall appeare in the following description ¶ The siege and taking of the towne of Graue in the land of Cuyck in anno 1602. HIs Excellencie according to the resolution of the Generall States brought his armie before the towne of Graue the chiefe Citie of the land of Cuyck seated in Brabant vpon the Mase in former time it belonged to Guelderland but was afterward reduced vnder the gouernment of Brabant beeing ingaged to Maximilian of Egmont Count of Buren The Prince of Orange of happie memorie mariying his daughter bought it together with all that depended thereon and enioyed it a long time but after the pacification of Gand certain Almain troopes lying in garrison there for the Spaniards were driuen thence by the Princes forces together with the helpe of the Burgers The Prince of Parma did afterwards besiege it in anno 1586 vnto whom the Lord of Hemert deliuered it vp Since then the towne beeing strong by nature was better fortified with Bulwarks Rauelins and Counterscarps and is now one of the strongest places of the Netherlands Antonio Gozales the Spaniard was Gouernour there who fearing and expecting a siege D. Inigo d'Otaiola a verie skilfull Captain brought forces thither most of them beeing Italians and Spaniards with some German Companies vnder commaund of Pangus Gallais of Tiroll Lieutenant to Colonell Tyssing amounting to the number of one thousand and fiue hundred men beside the Burghers the towne was well stored with ordnance munition and victuals His Excellencie beeing come before the towne disposed his quarters after this maner himselfe encamped on the West side of the towne on the banks of the Mase on which a bridge was made of two hundred and thirtie paces in lenght Count William lay on the South side of the towne and the English vnder Generall Vere on the West side where another bridge was likewise made ouer the riuer whither diuers boats came presently forth of Holland loden with victualls and all other necessaries for a siege In the meane time newes was brought that the Admerall of Arragon had broken vp his campe at Thynen and was comming with 20000 horse and foot into the Countrie of Liege and from thence to Ruremond and Venlo with an intent by one means or other to releeue the Graue Whereupon his Excellencie spent some time in fortifying his campe abroad especially on that side where it was most likely the enemie would come And the whole circuit of the campe round about the Towne on both sides the Mase partly by reason of the Marshes and partly to enclose certaine high and eminent places which were not fit to be left abroad least the enemie should seaze on them and thereby giue some aduantage was wholly intrenched and fortified with Skonces and Pallisadoes Batteries were likewise made vpon the principall wayes where ordnance was planted Certaine engins were likewise directed to giue signals by fire that the quarters might in the night aduertise one another if any alarme should be giuen All the time from the sixe and twentieth of Iulie till the 3 of August was spent in these fortifications and works which were verie great and many But then in the Euening the musters being taken and certaine wagons and horse for draught sent away they began to make their approches The Admerall in the meane time tarried neere Venlo making shew as if he meant to crosse the Mase to goe to besiege Rhynberck thereby to draw his Excellencie from the Graue who in time preuented him sending his cousen Count Ernest of Nassau with sixteene foot companies thither The Admerall hauing notice hereof departed from Venlo and by easie journeys came on slowly putting men into the towne of Gennep which belonged to the Duke of Cleues The tenth of Iulie he lodged at great Lynden within halfe an houres journey of his Excellencies quarter and there encamped drawing his Campe forth in length as farre as the Mase where he made a bridge and Heumen Castle which he tooke and fortified intrenching his campe before and planting diuers canons The Garrison of Graue had at times made sallies vpon the approches but verie slowly at first yet after they perceiued succours they came forth with greater furie as on the thirteenth day in the morning by day breake hauing first made some signall by fire so as it was thought that the enemie would haue assailed the campe but nothing was done whereupon the enemie was beaten back into the towne with great losâ—e and with little or none at all on our side The fifteenth day the enemie did againe make shew to assaile our campe whereupon the towne garrison made a furious sallie vpon the English Quarter and was againe beaten back in this skirmish wee lost an English Captain In the meane time the enemies souldiers namely the Italians did in great troopes come and yeeld themselues to his Excellencie in regard of the great want and misery they endured and told him that the Admerall approched with his ordnance neere to his Excellencies Quarter on which he meant continually to shoot and thereby enforce him to dislodge vpon this aduertisement diuers fortifications were made whereby this mischiefe was preuented The twentieth day at night the enemie made some shot from a far off both vpon the bridge ouer the Mase and into his Excellencies Quarter hurting two or three men and within a while after he began to dislodge his troopes who caried ladders spades mattocks and other preparations with them comming downe to our trenches betwixt two skonces which stood in the middest betwixt his
Castles belonging to the Marquis of Berghen but at that time a nest of theeues for the garrison did continually molest boats that went from Holland and Zeland being alwaies vpon the water to espie if any vessell were wind-bound or be-calmed They had their shallops hidden in diuers places on the waters side with which they assailed such vessels taking the merchants and mariners prisoners enforcing them to ransome themselues and boats thereby doing great damage to the Countrie His Excellencie on the eighteenth of May did with wonderful celeritie plant his canon and battered the Castle those within it slew certaine of our gunners but fearing to be surprised and doubting that the Archduke would not send forth an armie to releeue them they yeelded the Castle vp to his Excellencie on the three and twentieth of May wherein were eightie fiue men among whom were certaine raskals of the number of those that sold the towne of Gertrudenberg to the enemie who according to the proscription were all condemned to be hanged but the Marquis of Brudenbourg interceded for them Spinola likewise did execute some of those that had deliuered vp the Castle and by this meanes those of Holland Zeland were freed from this mischiefe Marquis Spinola in the mean time had assembled all his forces neere Antuerpe and was quartered at Mercxen and Dam his horsemen lay at Berchen and Wilrijcke by which meanes Antuerpe was well garded Hee likewise made a bridge ouer the Scheld euen from the Key of Antuerpe into Flanders on which he might passe ouer his forces from Brabant and Flanders at one time if need were Prince Maurice hauing woon Woud Castle did on the second of Iulie imbarke his armie and crossed the Scheld to goe to Isendike in Flanders leauing the forts vpon the riuer well prouided especially Lillo it seemed that he meant to besiege the s'Tas or else the towne of Bruges and maintaine war in the enemie countrie but his Excellencie could not attempt any siege being stil followed by Generall Spinola by meanes of his bridge before Antuerpe This did the Prince before then foresee would come to passe being of a contrarie opinion to the generall States for it was thought more profitable for them to haue gone towards Rhyne whereupon his Excellencie the better to secure the Towne of Sluce Isendike Ardenbourg and other forts encamped at Watervliet because it was reported that the Archduke together with Spinola would besiege Sluce and with a second armie which they expected the towne of Bercke and would haue besides a running campe to bring victuals from all parts yet all this was but words His Excellencie strongly fortified himselfe at Watervliet Spinola with his forces encamped in a wooddie place so that the two armies could not well come at one another by reason of bankes but fortified against each other still seeking some aduantage and yet did no great matter ¶ A true rehearsall of a fight at Sea in the road before Gibraltar betwixt the king of Spaynes mightie Armada on the one side and the States men of war of the vnited Netherland Prouinces on the other done on the 25 of Aprill 1607. THe king of Spaine hauing set forth a mightie fleet of sundry great gallions and other warlike ships wel manned and prouided thereby as much as in them lay to annoy the inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces my Lords the generall States the better to daunt the Spannish pride and especially to free their subjects from their cruell tyrannie did likewise set forth a fleet of 31 ships viz. seuen and twentie men of war and foure victualers Then they entreated Master Iacob Heemskerck of Amsterdam a man whose experience wisdome courage loue and loyaltie to his Countrie was well knowne to the world to be Admerall of the said fleet In anno 1604 hee had been the second time Admerall of the East Indie fleet where hee had made proofe what he was able to do for meeting with a great Portugall Carack which came from China neere to the streit of Syncapura richly laden and well prouided hauing eight hundred men in her though in comparison of her hee was but weake hauing in all but two small ships and in them no more but two hundred men Yet by his wise conduct and inuincible courage hee did in a short time take her and brought her home to Amsterdam with all her treasure Moreouer that voiage is worthie of perpetuall remembrance which was made in anno 1596 and 97. when the ships of Amsterdam went so far to the Northward and Noua Semla as neuer any till then had done seeking a passage through the ice to the rich kingdomes of Cathay and China where he likewise was as Committee generall and shewed no smal desire to do good seruice to his countrie The Lords States hauing motioned this matter vnto him his answere was That if hee might doe any profitable seruice to his countrie he was verie readie and willing to doe it and so accepted the charge not for any hire but for loue and affection to his countrie The fifteenth of March in anno 1607 he departed from Tassell with sixteene men of war verie well prouided and rigd of which ten were of Amsterdam videlicet the Admerall called Eolus with her captaine William Verhoof of Amsterdam the second the black Beare and her captaine Adrian Roest of Amsterdam the third the white Beare whose captaine was Cornellis Peter Madder otherwise called Den Noyen Boore or the faire contriman the next the golden Lyon with her captain Pan of Amsterdam the Griffon and her captaine Cleynsorgh of Tergou the golden Star commaunded by captaine Iacob Iansz of Edam Henry Iansz otherwise called long Henry was captaine of the seuenth of the eight Simon Iansz of Edam the ninth by captaine Copdrayer the tenth by captaine Herman Beside these there were foure others which carried victuals for the fleet together with some souldiers From Euchuysen there were three from Hoorn as many and from Harling came the Pinnace of Frizland commanded by captaine Theunes Wouters making vp in all three and twentie ships The seuen and twentieth day they came to Wight an Island on the coasts of England where they found three ships more of Zeland and 5 of Rotterdam with captaine Cleuter on an other Brigantine of Amsterdam From Zeland came captaine Lawrence Iacobs Alteras the vice-Admerall in a ship called the red Lion of Zeland captaine Marinus Hellart of Flushing in a ship called the Sea Dog and captaine Cornellis Faes in an other In the fourth ship of Zeland captaine Peter Calis commaunded who as he entred ran on ground so as his men victuals and munition were bestowed on the other ships From Rotterdam came captain Lambert Henry the rere Admerall or night Scowte in a ship called the Tigre Harpart Matsy was captaine of the Leopard and in the other two captaine Sieuert and captaine Schreuell commaunded so as in the whole fleet were twentie and seuen men of warre and foure
victualers After that Admeral Heemskerck had taken order for all things necessarie for the fleet on the nine twentieth day they departed all together from Wight but the Admeral with fiue ships at his going forth beeing carried away with the Tyde ranne on ground so as they were enforced to tarrie there one Tyde the weather beeing faire and Sea calme the Vice-Admerall passed onward with the rest of the fleet and told the Admerall that hee would tarrie for him at Plimmouth At floud the Admerall began to float and come off being followed by the other ships and two dayes after arriued in the Hauen of Plimmouth where he would not stay but shot off a warning piece to cause the rest to follow him which was done The whole fleet being together they went with a Westerlie wind towards the coasts of Portugal and Spaine so as on the tenth of Aprill they came to the height of nine and thirtie degrees neere to the riuer of Lisbone The Admerall assembled his Councell of warre nad concluded to carrie the whole fleet into the Riuer to take and destroy all the Caracks and gallions that lay there But the Admerall hauing true intelligence by certaine spies whom he had sent before with a small English ship towards Lisbone that most of the Caracks were alreadie gone from thence and those that were there to the number of eight or nine not readie and all their ordnance on shore vnderstanding likewise by certaine French and English which came from S. Lucars Cales that 16 gallions were alreadie gone thence for the West-Indies and that ten of them were yet in the streit of Gybraltar with certaine other men of war waiting for the low-countrieships which were to comeforth of the streit for they knew that many of them were readie to come therupon the Admerall changed his former determination meaning to seeke out the said fleet in the streit and to that end bent his course to Seaward to get the height of Cape S. Vincent whither beeing come hee met with a ship of Flushing which on the 22 day came forth of the streit the master told the Admeral that in the night he had bin among the Spanish fleet but was cleared from it in the Morning which as he thought directed it course towards Cales for by a Westerly wind they were constrained to come forth of the streit The Admerall receiuing this intelligence held on his course and on the 24 of Aprill sayled neere the riuer of S. Lucars and bay of Cales but they could haere no newes of any ships for the Admerall was resolued to fight with them though they had beene in the riuer of S. Lucars or bay of Cales The euening of the same day he receiued certaine newes of the Spanish fleet by a French man who the same day came from the roade of Gibraltar who certified the Admerall of the fleets being there and of their number and order The same Euening because the wind was Easterly hee bent his course to the the Southward towards the coasts of Barbarie and from thence hee turned towards the coasts of Spaine Comming into the Streit the Admerall called his Captains aboord and acquainted the Councel of war with that which the Frenchman had told him giuing order for all things necessarie and at last couragiously resolued to assaile and destroy the Spanish fleet and thereupon gaue this direction that himselfe with Captaine Moye Lambert would boord the Spanish Admerall the vice-Admerall Alteras and Captaine Bras were appointed to boord the vice-Admerall and so the other ships two together should set vpon the other gallions The two Brigantines with the Barke were commaunded to passe vp and downe thorow the fleet that if any gallions or ships would attempt to escape they should stop their passage and fight with them but the victuallers were to keepe a loofe off and not to come neere the fight This done hee exhorted all the Captaines to beare themselues valiantly to purchase honor telling them that himselfe would be the first should lead them the way whereupon they all promised and swore to follow him though it should cost them their liues and then euery man returned to his ship About noone they descried the enemie in the bay before the towne of Gibraltar lying in the roade vnder couert of the Castle and townes ordnance to the number of two and twentie vessels videlicet nine great and mightie gallions and foure men of warre beside a great ship of Lubeck of foure hundred tunne called the spotted Cow that lay in the roade tarrying for a wind to go to Cales there were moreouer 4 French ships and three which they had taken viz. 2 of Enchuysen and one of Rotterdam whose Mr. called Gouert English was prisoner aboord the Spanish Admeral They had manned all these ships with souldiers against the comming of our fleet For the Duke of Lucars hauing intelligence of our arriuall and passage before S. Lucars and Cales did presently dispatch a post to Gibraltar to warne the Spaniards of our approach the like he did to those of Calsi whereupon they had strengthened their fleet with three hundred souldiers among whom were one hundred Cauallieros that came voluntarily to doe seruice to the Admerall who had seuen hundred men in his ship and the Vice-Admerall foure hundred and fiftie The other gallions were well stored with ordnance and in each of them two hundred and fiftie men at least beside the mariners the first great gallion was called S. Augustin and in her was the Admerall of the whole fleet called D. Iuan Alvares d'Avilas borne at Estâ—rgas an old and experienced Captaine who had a long time serued the King of Spaine at Sea in the time of D. Iohn of Austria The Admerals sonne was Captaine of that gallion The second gallion wherein the Vice-Admerall commaunded was called our Ladie de la vega The third being the Rere-Admerall was termed The mother of God The fourth S. Anne The fifth oâ—r Ladie of the rule The sixth our Ladie of the conception The seuenth Saint Christopher The eighth our Ladie of sorrow The ninth Saint Nicholas The tenth our Ladie of Rosaries The eleuenth our Ladie of O. The twelfth S. Peter In a word they were well prouided of Saints but they did them smal good Our Admerall hauing descried the Spanish fleet giuen order for all matters and prayed vnto God for his ayd and assistance made directly towards them He displayed and made fast his ensigne with nailes because no man should take it downe and promised an hundred Reals to him that would bring him the ensigne of the Spanish Admerall exhorting his souldiers to doe their best protesting that whatsoeuer they could take from the enemie should bee their owne this did greatly animate them but especially the couragious valour of their Admerall so as they desired nothing more than to fight The Spanish Admerall descrying our fleet called for the Master of Rotterdam whom hee kept prisoner shewing him
North land causie and prepares to be gone A skirmish with the enemie The Duke of Parma raiseth his siege from before Berghen Willoughbie pursues the enemie The Lord Willoughbie honoureth the Captaines with the order of knighthood The townesmen giue thankes to God for their deliuerance The situation of the towne of Tilemont By whom how and after what manner Tilemont was surprised The garrisons of Heâ—sden and Geertrudenberg beat â—â— enemie were to Tilbourg Certain souldiers of Zeland defeat a country in Flaunders The Lord Gerard of Rassingem â—old the Lordship of Breda to the Duke of Brabant in anno 1326. The Lord of Polanen buyes Breda in anno 13â—1 on the first of Aprill A piece of coine so called The Priuiledges of the â—ountrie of Breda Engelbrecht Count of Nassau marrie◠〈◊〉 heirâ— bâ—â—anâ—n 〈…〉 Breda 〈◊〉 141◠〈◊〉 of the lands of 〈◊〉 house of Nassau An attempt propounded vpon Breda The enterprise is resolued A generous act of Math Helt The souldiers imitating the Troyans drew in their owne ruine After what maner they assailed the Castle The Castle is taken His Excellencie entreth the Castle The town yeelds to his Excellencie The Duke of Parma sends Count Mansfelt against Breda Count Mansfelt makes a Fort at Terheyden Count Mansfelt doth in vavâ—â— bâ—â—â—â— and assault the Fort of Nordam Why the Foâ— termed Knoâ—senbourg The Castle of Turnholt taken on the second of Aprill Westerloo taken in May. The Fort of Zutphen taken on the 24. of May by counterfeit Boores. Count Philip of Ouersteyn slaine before Zutphen A variant act of Captaine Metkerks ensigne A single combat betwixt the Lord of Ryhoue and an Albanese before Deuenter Those of Deuenter craue parley The bodie of Rowland Yorke is hung upon the gallowes His Excellencie departs from Deuenter He takes Delfzyll Skonse the 12. of Julie The Fort of Opslach woon The Fort of Imitill woon Parma makes preparations to encounter Prince Maurice Parma besiegeth Knodsenbourg on the 13 of Julie The sort of Auwarder â—â—jâ—l taken the last of May. Contentâ—â— beâ—â—â—t tâ—ose of Groeniâ—gâ—â—n The great 〈…〉 Those of Graninguen capitulate The strait of Nassau found out to the North-Eastward in anno 1595. People of the Eastern Indies throwne in former time by tempest vpon the coast of Germanie Perpetual night in Noua Zemla all winter till the 27 of Ianuarie The Hollanders trade to the Indies and to Iana in anno 1â—96 The Hollanders returne home the 11 of August 1597. The Rhyne and other riuers ouerflow the bankes in Februarie and March The Queene of England sets forth a fleet vnder the conduct of the Lord Admirall and Earle of Essex The vnited prouinces send 24. ships of warre to serue the Queen of England vnder the conduct of the Lord of Warmont The English fleet comes before Caâ—es on 30 of Iune The English fleet letteth slip of faire occasion to haue taken the ships loden for the Indies The Spanish fleet runneth on ground The earle of Essex landeth his men and the Hollanders take the castle of Puntall The Earle of Essex winneth Cales on the second of Iulie Two millions of Gold offered for the ransome of the fleet but too late The Spaniards burne their rich fleet The Citizens of Cales ranjome themselues for one hundred twentie thousand ducats The towne of Cales is sackt The Admeral of Holland offereth the English at Cales victuals for a month and with his fleet to stay with them Cales is abandoned and burnt on the 15 of Iulie The English doe againe loose the oportunitie of meeting with the IndiaÌ„ fleet notwithstandding that the Hollanders offered their seruice The Queene of Englands letter to the Lord of Duvenuord than king him for his good seruice The manner of the enemies march Count Varax slaine A Roman called Septimius Fabius was found wounded and halfe dead among the dead bodies and yet by carefull looking to recouered his life The States resolue to set forth an armie His Excellencie takes Alpen on the 8 of August The towne of Berck is battered with 35. pieces of ordnance on the 19 of August Berck yeeldeth vpon the 21 of August A mutinie in the towne of Gâ—lder on the 22 of August Tâ—â—se of Coloign demaund the towne of Rhynberck Camillos Fort is abandoned 〈…〉 Groll is yeelded upon the 2â— of September The great and famous grandson of Groll de paris theaâ—e on the 28. of September Brevoort seated in a moorish place is assaulted on the 8. of October Those of Brevoort are put to ransome Enschede yeeldeth on the 18. of October Oldenzeel besieged Oâ—denzeel is battered and yeeldeth on the 21 of October A description of the towne of Lingen Count Frederick of Berguen yeeldeth vp Lingen on the 12 of Nomember * A piece of ordnance so called I hardly in this beeleue my Authour The expence of his Excellencies campe at Bommell A description of the Groyne Description of the Canaries Those of Allagona forsake the town which is taken by the Admerall Vander Does Generall Vander-Does dyeth in the fleet Supplies sent to Creuecoeur are defeated Those of Sertoghenbusk seeke to releeue Saint Andrewes fort Saint Andrews fort capitulateth and agrees with Prince Maurice on the sixt of May. The greatest part of the garrison of saint Andrewes fort serue Prince Maurice The excuse of the Garrison of Saint Andrews fort An vnfit comparrison betwixt those of S. Andrewes fort the garrison of Gertrudenberg The cause why the armie went into Flanders Count Solmes is before Niewport They fight for three houres space vncertain of victorie The enemie is put to rout Articles in regard whereof those of Rhynberck yeelded on the 30. of Iulie His Excellâ—ncie takes the towne of Meurs and fortifies it Venice in time past the staple for merchandâ—se broâ—ght from the Eastern Iudies From thence the trade is remoued to Lisbone The Portugals by force seeke to keepe the Hollanders from comming to the East Indies Fâ—r what cause the Portugals rieged forth a fleet in the Indies Captaine Sylua slaâ—ne The pirâ—te Cunall and his Castle are taken The Hollanders resolue to assaile the fleet and to relieue Bantam A particular rehersall of the strength of the Portugal fleet Sir Frauncis Vere entreth Ostend on the 15. of Iuly Thâ—se of â—â—ten◠〈…〉 by 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 dâ—â— Nâ—â—t Description of â—â—â—waâ—ke called Sâ—andâ—â—ll Many men and much prouision are sent to Ostend The Lord Chastillon Colonell Huchtâ—nbroâ—ck and others slain in Ostend The Garrison of Ostend changed The States letters for contributions