the thickest of those that fought his voice his hand and even his presence was very much conducing to the Victory though his wound festring upon the cold he tooke his recovery was despaired of and it had like to have cost his life Ienlis they say lost twelve hundred men the Spaniards no more but thirty Ienlis himselfe and six hundred of his Souldiers whereof about six score were Gentlemen coming into the Spaniards hands part were imprisoned in the Forts next adjoyning and the rest hanged up Such as fled out of that unfortunate battaile and hid themselves in the Woods were by the Countrey people whom they had cruelly used awhile before with like cruelty murdered But Federico whose name grew glorious from that Field returned with his Victorious Army to the next Village to give publique thankes to Saint Leocadia Patronesse of Toledo whose body at that time was there preserved spending the day in warlike pompe And to fill Spaine with the newes the Duke as haughty in Ostentation as in Action sent Captaine Bobadilla to the King to gratulate his Majesty for the victory won by his Majesties Armes and Influence In the meane time the Prince of Orange animated with fame and hope of the rebellious Provinces was the more confident to march the second time against the Duke of Alva and bringing into the Field 6000 Horse and 11000 Foote in the beginning of Iuly passed the Rhine and the Mose storming Ruremond in a cruell manner entred Brabant forcing a passage into Haynolt to relieve his Brother Lewis In the way he traversed his ground to Lovaine a City faithfull to the King but forbare to use violence against it upon the Receipt of 16000. Crownes Mechlin having a while before refused a Spanish Garison and therefore unable to make resistance yielded The same fate had Nivell Diest Sichem Thienen and other Townes that either out of Feare or Love submitted to the Rebells Bruxells constant to their Loyalty kept out the the Prince of Orange Dendermund and Oudenaerd were stormed and plundered Many Villages not strong enough to resist redeemed themselves with money And indeed the Lowcountreys if ever at this time were truly miserable being invaded by forren Armyes by Sea and land The Sea-coast was spoiled and harressed by Lumè The parts bordering upon France by Lewis of Nassau Those confining upon Germany by Count Bergen and the Inland-Countrey by the Prince of Orange Nor did they only take Townes kill such as made resistance and rob houses with the Licentiousnesse and Avarice of Souldiers but with barbarous Inhumanity spared no age nor modesty tyrannizing over the Rest and Monuments of the dead which they spleened as much as the Living especially holy things and Persons no money could buy the Lives of Priests but with exquisite and shamefull cruelty they were tortured to death Some Writers expressely describe this Priest-Shambles which the Gheuses and and Lumè of all the Gheuses the bloudyest Butcher set up in many Cityes with as much glory to the Sufferers as dishonour to the Iudges and Hangmen And though in some places the King's Army Sacrilege excepted used their Victory afterwards with greate Cruelty Yet because the Gheuses began to them at Brill and likewise contrary to their faith obliged by oath had plundred Amorsfort the severity of the Spaniard seemes to be somewhat more pardonable as done by Example I am sure for this very reason the Hereticks in their owne Annalls doe confesse the Prince of Orange's men were infamous in the Low-countreys and he himselfe that was thought at first to have taken armes for Protection of the Netherlands against the Tyranny of Alva now by making no distinction between Friend and Enemy grew to be generally hated the people complaining that they were fallen among a multitude of Tyrants But the Prince of Orange slighting the distaste of the Cities came into Haynolt within sight of the besieged in the month of August where he found the Towne straitned and as it was commonly thought not able to hold out long against the Spaniards He wondred much to see the fortification of the Leaguer no lesse strong for mastering and keeping in the Garison then inaccessible to the assaults of any that should come to their Reliefe Diverse pieces of Cannon played upon Bartimont-Port from a hill which with a worke running on the left hand and a line from thence almost inclosed the Towne many little Redoubts at convenient distance standing on the Bulwarks which flanked one another and secured the whole These Intrenchments whilst the Prince of Orange vainely endeavoured to passe being entertained with some pickeering for Alva was resolved not to venture a battaile he heard about evening in the Spanish Campe a great joy expressed by three Vollyes of Shot and the cheerfull sound of Drums and Trumpets the light of Bonefires shining through the Army whereat being very much troubled his Spyes brought intelligence that two dayes before by King Charles his Command the great Massacre of the Hugonots was executed at Paris which because it hapned at the Marriage of Henry King of Navarre afterwards King of France and Margaret Sister to King Charles upon Saint Bartholomew's-Eve the Massacre it selfe was called Bartholomews-Eve or the Parisian wedding A strange attempt it was indeed but a just punishment of Traitours conspiring against their King The Pope when he had the newes sent him from the Cardinall of Loraine set apart a day of publique Thanksgiving to God the just Revenger in the Church of Saint Lewis and published a Bull of extraordinary Indulgences to such as should pray for the heavenly assistance to the King and Kingdome of France The Prince of Orange amazed at the suddaine accident and doubting the Event of the Warre because the Admirall Coligny and the rest of the Hereticall Princes being murdered no Aydes from the King of France could now be hoped for by these of the adverse Faction held it his best course to try the fortune of a battaile with the Duke of Alva before the newes of the Massacre came to his Souldiers eares But Alva still cautelous kept himselfe within his Trenches and from thence safely battering the Towne the Prince of Orange when he saw he could neither make any impression into his Campe nor draw him out fearing lest the French Commanders the chiefe strength of his Army upon notice of the Massacre at Paris should change their mindes and leave him wrote to his Brother Lewis That hee should provide for himselfe and give way to his fate and so retired with his Army to Mechlin not without some losse received as it commonly happens in a Retreate For almost 200. commanded Spanish Foot and about 800. Horse all of them so habited as they might bee distinguished by one another in the darke broke into the enemies Campe in the night and killing their first Centrees fell
with any more skill handle his Armes then he used to do his Text. For at the very first Charge being frighted relinquishing his men this hare in a Helmet fled out of the Field Two hundred and thirty of his Disciples were slaine and presently stripped of their armes leaving Rassinghem Victorious without bloud Who with his Triumphant Souldiers laded with the Spoiles of the enemy entering into Lisle the newes of that sudden execution made the feare of the City greater then his honour by the Defeat of such an inconsiderable Enemy Their consistoriall Counsell was therefore now at their witts end and the Souldiers of Tournay hearing of the Armentarians Overthrow retreated from Lisle to Lanoy which shutting their Gates against them their Generall Sorean indeavouring to take the Towne gave Norcarmius time to overtake him But before Norcarmius came vp Rassinghem vnderstanding by the Armenterian Prisoners that the Gheuses of Tournay were marching towards him raising as many of the Country as he could upon the suddaine resolved instantly to fall upon them not imagining that Norcarmius besieging Valenciens had the same Designe And it fortuned that Rassinghem sending out some Scouts as the manner is to discover the strength and motion of the enemy they fell vpon the like number of Horse sent by Norcarmius to the same intent and as night and suspicion doses the mind either Partly mistaking their fellowes for the enemy fired upon one another and one or two being shot retired frighting and affrighted While this Accident held Rassinghem in suspense Norcarmius by other meanes understanding the Enemy to be neere Lanoy presently marched thither and going to order his men for a Bataille her perceiued the Gheuses too weake for the open Feild by little and little fell backe into the lanes trenched with Ditches and bulwarkt with Woods Wherefore he sent thither three Companyes of musketteers with some Pikes mixed among them which he him selfe followed with the Horse The Gheuses stood the first Charge indifferent stoutly and shot off some small Field-Pieces that guarded the mouth of the Lanes Nay thought many fel they filled vp their places with fresh men without much Difficulty taking the Advantage of those Straits beat back the Norcarmians But at last the Avenue being opened by the Pikes the Horse and Foote breaking in they gaue back were routed fled and in the Flight more Dangerous then in the Battaile were killed like sacrificed Beasts A few with their Generall Sorean but dividing themselues escaped through the woods Norcarmius with the Losse of only six men having taken nine of the Enemyes Colours twentie Field-Pieces and two Barrells of Powder though it best to follow the Opportunity and to march with his men now fleshed and desirous of Victory up to the Walls of Tournay and sending a Trumpet to the Towne commanded them in the name of the Governesse to receive a Garrison of his men if they denyed or paused he would use his Victorious Armes The Townsmen hearing by such as fled out of the Battaile that their Army was defeated being struck with the suddaine and armed Summons of Norcarmius the Conquerour at their Gates and Feare within their hearts depriving them both of time and reason for consulting they yielded to mercy He entered the Towne triumphantly and forthwith disarmed the people sending Souldiers from House to House which he did afterwards through all the Signiory of Tournay that tooke away their Armes and carryed them to the Magazine Then he imprisoned the Incendiaryes and restored the Bishop and Clergy to their Honour and Authority Lastly he put downe the Consistoryes and prohibited all such kind of Meetings the common Forges of Sedition thereby absolutely disinabling the Hereticall Faction in that City This done by Command from the Governesse he made Iohn Croy Count of Reuse Leiutenant-Governour of Tournay for Montiny who was yet in Spaine soe leaving eight Foot Companyes in the Towne besides 450 Garrison Souldiers in the Fort he returned to the Siege of Valenciens and was ready to storme it when the Governesse should command But she being to consult the King presently after the render of Tournay with the Newes of the Victory writt to his Maiesty her Resolution to take Valenciens by assault because the beseiged adding Obstinacy to Rebellion had made diverse Sallyes out of the Towne and beate vp the Quarters of his Maiestyes men as in Contempt of the King His Maiesty though he disliked not the Siege yet intimated that he should have better liked noe Siege now since it was gone soe farre it concerned his Honour to continue it but it likewise concerned his clemency and Affection to his Subjects to forbeare the Battery of the Towne aâ—d putting them to the Sword lest the fury of the Souldiers should destroy the Innocent together with the guilty The Governesse should therefore try all wayes to win the besieged to yield without fighting which was feizible witnesse the example of Tournay But if the Rebells stubbornesse could not be broken but only by Armes his Majesty would not have the Town stormed before his pleasure was known and two Regiments come out of Germany But these cautions were given to no purpose the besieged growing every day more obstinat Therfore the Governesse commanded Norcarmius to make his approches neerer to look more narrowly unto the cutting off all Victuaâ—l and commerce and to present his Cannon and Army as prepared for a generall Assault so by frighting and wearying the Enemy to spinne out time till the German Regiments should arrive commanded by Oberstein and Scouwenberg She likewise writ to the King that Mercy was fruitlesse that she and the Senate thought it necessary before they were better fortified or relieved to take the Towne which Norcarmius was of Opinion might be effected in eight dayes and that Delay would be dangerous lest the Gheuses being inraged all over the Low-Countryes and upon the Borders of France might have time to raise an Army But all this moved not the KING who dispatched back his Adviso with more then ordinary speed that they should hold off and rather take the Towne by Feare then by the Sword perhaps starved and wearyed they might yield yet if there was no remedy but to force them which he must leave to their Iudgement that were upon the Place then he would have these commands principally observed First that raising their Batteries and planting their Cannon they should prove them with theâ—â— Preparations and Fore-runners of a Storme leaving them in the meane time some space of Repentance Then if they yielded not they should storme the Towne and do the Duty of Souldiers but yet forbeare to do execution not only upon Children Old-men and Women but that no Citizen whatsoever should be killed in cold bloud The Governesse well weighing this letter though she knew it was more mercifull then
the Mose the Prince of Orange advanced to Tongeren thither presently marched the Duke of Alva to defend the Towne neither incountring nor declining him only having an eye upon his Motion and Designes It fortuned that Vitelli with two Troopes of Horse about Sun-set going to discover the Enemy fell upon an Ambuscado and with a rout and the losse of some men returned safe to the Army only the Mare he rode upon had a slight hurt and because he loved her above all the Horse in his Stables she being an excellent galloper that night when he was set at Supper with his old Friend and Companion Raphael Barberino telling him with much vexation how fearefull he was to lose her he threatned if he liued one day longer to make the Enemy repent that ever they hurt his Mare Nor was it a vaine bragge for next morning by breake of day drawing out some horse most of them Spaniards and Burgundians when he observed the Prince's Rere to March at a distance from the Army dividing his Forces and giving halfe to Camillo Gonzaga Count de Novellaria he fell upon the Enemy with such a suddaine violence that he killed about 400. of their men lost only fifteene of his and tooke besides diverse Waggons loaden with Armes and Ammuniton 150. of their Horse and bringing in triumph to to the Duke of Alva said Looke you Sir how many Horses my Mare hath foaled Notwithstanding the Prince of Orange the very next day offered battaile to the Duke but he assuring himselfe the enemy would sooner want meate mony then confidence held it his safest course to break them with delaies which inraging the Prince sometimes with Crosse-Marches he turned upon the Duke sometimes to draw him on sounded a Retreate as if he were affrayd his men had gone too farre and a while after fired the Townes and Villages in sight of the Enemy to bring the demurring Spaniard to a battaile But this Hannibal found a Fabius Cunctator one that could be moved neither by the desperate fury of the Enemie nor by his own men's impatience and almost downe right Railing for this Dictator had likewise his Master of the Horse that was eager to fight nor lastly by the invitation of any prosperous fortune But as a prudent man looking upon the Future he preferred not Rumour before safety and would rather have the victory which he promised himselfe slow and secure then dubious and bloudy Especially after he had intelligence that shrew'd signes of discord appeared in the Prince of Orang's Army Nor was the Duke of Alva deceived in his conjecture For the Prince of Orange having but to no purpose sounded the affections of many Cities from whence he hoped for Money and Ammunition had not been a full Moneth in Brabant before his Souldiers mutined Captaine Malburg being slaine in a heate by his own Company and the Prince himselfe had a Pistoll discharged upon him but the bullet lighting upon the Scabberd of his Sword escaped the Danger The rage increased in the Campe and would not easily have found a stop but that newes of Succour out of France gave hope to the Prince of Orange and struck feare into the Mutineers His Army therefore moved with all possible speed to receive the French Forces conducted by Francis Hangest Lord of Ienlis consisting of 500. Horse and 3000. Foot In his March the Prince of Orange tooke Centron in the Territory of Liege where he found plenty of victuall besides the great summes of money for Fine and Ransome paid him by the Abbot of that Monastery and diverse other persons of quality From thence he went directly to Tienen to joyne with Ieâ—lis that was come within three miles of the place But because the River Geta ran between them to secure the passe he placed some light horse upon the banke mixt with Musketteers The Duke of Alva that never left the Enemy was at his back with an Army of neare upon 16000. Vitelli led the Van and finding the Prince of Orange his Designe sent Barberino on the spur to the Duke who brought up the Rere to let him know in what condition the Enemy was and how easily he might be routed as he passed the River The Duke commanded him not to fight till he had more certaine intelligence But the Enemie wading over with part of his Army was now possessed of the farther banke and had left behind under the command of Colonell Philip Marbet Lord of Lovervall two thousand Fire-locks and 500. Horse most of them Gascoignes and Wallons men chosen out of his whole Army to keep the King's men in play with continuall skirmishes till their fellowes were got to the other side the River Vitelli angry to see the Victory slip out of his hands by the Generall 's Delay with a great part of his men fell upon the Regiment lest commanding Barberino to gallop to the Duke and acquaint him with his Resolution The Duke of Alva disliked it not rather because it was already then that he wished to have it done and turning to his Son Federick said thou seest that Hill made good by their Horse thither thou must fire upon them from this opposite Hill with six Field-Peices and with some commanded men chosen out of that Wing of Spanish-Horse and Foot beat them from their Post. Federico did more than his Father bad him for he drave them from their Vantage-ground and joyning with Vitelli turned his Cannon upon them which very much contributed to the Victory For now they fought with like but not with equall Forces because such of the Princes men as had not yet passed the water terrified with the charge and fearing Alva had come on with his whole Army sometimes resolved to take the River and fly sometimes incouraged by better men returned and fought that between the irresolution of fighting and flying so many were slaine as Vitelli doubted not but if all the Spanish Army might passe the River the Enemy that day would be totally destroyed and therefore tooke great care to let the Duke of Alva know so much who standing on a higher ground very sparingly sent downe his men Nor was Barberino that of himselfe as well as on Vitelli's Command desired to fight lesse carefull to deliver his Message and use his best perswasions to the Duke for the taking of that opportunity He told him the valiantest of the Enemy were slaine and the rest apparently conquered for their hearts were gone therefore if the whole body of the Army advanced before they were reincouraged by joyning with the French no doubt they would be clearly routed But Alva angry at the hast made by Vitelli as if he meant to force him to a battile like one that loved his owne wayes and therefore brooked not another man's Advise said to him you will not then let me dispose of the Warre
courage and trust wrote to Don Iohn speedily to dispatch away relief for his men were grown so seditious he could hold â—ut no longer But the messenger either taken by Holach or else playing the knave was with his letters detained in the Leaguer till such time as they might think he had been with Don Iohn that a probable delay might give more credit to the jugling Then another in stead of the first was dispatched to the Town that excusing the stay of him they sent who he said was fallen sick brought a formall answer as from the hand of Don Iohn bidding them upon good conditions render the Town and that shortly when supplies came to him he would send but yet he could not forces to recover it The messenger and letter was believed and the Town yielded To the Colonell's errour was added the villany of his Souldiers which during the time of the Treaty either corrupted with money or discontent furiously laid hands upon him and perfidiously delivered him bound to Holach and Campin that made it one of their conditions In the interim whilst they march out finding themselves cheated by the enemy and seeing the supplies sent by Don Iohn at hand they repented both their haste and perjury The Diceran not so merrily on Holach's side at Ruremund which he with great forces going to assault found Garrison'd by Don Iohn with 4000 men commanded by Aegidius Barlamont Lord of Hierg and likewise by a Sally of Polvillerius Colonel of the Germans in the Town beaten from the Siege with the losse of his Carriages and many of his men he fled Yet the Treaty of Peace went on continual messengers posting from both sides as if it were out of hope and desire of successe and not rather to give words for words that one might seem to take up Arms justlier then the other Nothing else was intended by the Queen of England at that time moving Don Iohn for a Cessation of Arms save onely that upon the denyal of her request she would be thought in a manner necessitated to assist the Estates her Majesty threatning Don Iohn and the King to whom she sent an expresse Messenger that if they refused to do it she would never more pleasure them in any thing whatsover But her threats being understood she was desired by the King and Done Iohn to move the other side whom she might with a great deal more justice perswade to lay down Arms rendring obedience to their Prince Wherefore both parties with the conditions likewise rejecting the messengers that brought them all Treaties of Accomodation now cut off no hope was left of quieting the Low-countreys but by Arms. And about that time a blazing Star rose with such a fatall Aspect as Mathematicians laboured to demonstrate that a more horrid one never had appeared which mindes prone warr looked at as a Standard set up in heaven The first and memorable Battel was fought at Gemblac nine miles from Namure in the entry of Brabant both Armies being a whâ—le before mustered the Catholick at Marcha a Town in the Province of Luxemburg the enemy at Temple a Village not far from Namure and those were found less these more then was supposed For it was reported that Don Iohn had 22000 Foot whereas upon the Musters appeared not 18000 as Alexander Farneze that was present with Don Iohn set down in his account On the contrary the States Mustered about 20000 that were a while before not thought to be 17000. For the number of these was daily increased by Souldiers of Fortune that came in hope of Pillage which they could not have from Don Iohn that raised men onely with money And yet his Army though fewer weaker in Horse as not full two thousand because they had the advantage of being the older and the better Souldiers were a great deal more desirous of a Battel The Catholick Souldiers were likewise much encouraged by the Letters of Gregory the thirteenth wishing happinesse to them and by the Christian custome freely granting them a general pardon of their sins Which the Commanders making use of the Army when they were all absolved with much more cheerfulnesse marched against the enemy The Spyes likewise brought in news which made Don Iohn eâ—spect no longer that Philip Count Lalin and Robert Melodune Viscount Gant this commanding the Horse he the Foot and Valentine Pardieu Generall of the Artillery were absent from the enemies Campe pretending an invitation to a Marriage celebrated with great Pompe in Bruxels but indeed as it was reported out of distaste taken at the Prince of Orange besides many others that could not away with the sharpnesse of the Winter being Summer Captaines had left the field and withdrawn into the City He that now commanded in chief for the Confederates was Anthony Goigny Lord of Vendege in the Wood an old Souldier trained up in his youth under Charles the fifth then a Captain of Lanceirs at the Battel of Saint Quintin afterwards Leivtenant General of the Auxiliaries sent by King Philip to Charles the ninth of France under the command of Count Aremberg But two years before the differences between the Spaniards and Low-countreymen had alienated his endeavours rather then affections from the Kings Service The enemy intended to surprise Don Iohn in Namure and to this purpose were now upon their march but understanding that he had a far stronger Army then was imagined and meant to draw out of Namure and give them Battel altering their determination they were retiring to Gemblac there upon certain knowledg of the enemies strength maturely to order their affaires The States Army quartered that night in the Village of St. Martin almost five miles distant from the Forces of Don Iohn lying at Namure Thence before break of day firing their Huts they retreated towards Gemblac in this manner First marched Emmanuel Montin and William Hese with their Regiments flanked with Carabines of the Colonels Villers and Fresnoi The main Battel consisting of the German and Wallon Regiments three of French thirteen of Scots and English was led by Maximilian Heâ—â—n Count of Boluc a while since revolted from the King and by Federick Perenot Lord of Campin The Rere in which was their strength of Horse being commanded by the Counts Philip Egmont son to Lamoral and Lamè a Marcha Marquesse of Havre Duke Arescot's Brother and the Camp-master Goigny Lievtenant-General of the Army riding up and down with some select wings of Horse In the Forlorn they had placed the Pioners and Workmen intermixed with a Company of Foot The Battel was enclosed with their Baggage and flanked with some Feild-pieces They had likewise secured their backs fearing the enemy would follow with their best Musketteirs and stoutest Souldiers Nor was Don Iohn less active but a good while before day moved from Namure sending before
by the thunder of the Cannon then by this slow and silent weapon of the Pioner whence souldiers have a Proverb that 't is the spade and pickax which build and destroy Forts Therefore after he had drawn a line about the town and brought his trenches near the ditch Don Iohn commanded the Pioners working under long and thick boards in the form of a Tortois covered with raw hides to secure them from Granadoes anciently called Vineyards and Galleries to enter the ditch and with their Pickaxes and Spades to undermine the foundation of the wall Which whilst they guarded by the souldiers strongly endeavoured the defendants sallying out and at the same time others from the walls pouring down stones and wild-fire they had divers bloudy encounters with great losse on both sides Don Iohn in the mean time omitting no duty either of a Generall or Gentleman so as at the works he both called upon and contended with the common souldier At last the hearts of the besieged no lesse shaken then their walls partly being divided among themselves so that first they imprisoned Florineus Governour of the Town for favouring the Royalists and afterwards released him partly upon news of the defeat of those forces which to relieve the Town the Prince of Orange sent for out of France they began a Treatie demanding indemnitie for the Citie and that so many of their souldiers as would serve the King might have three moneths pay then due to them from the States the rest to be suffered to depart with drums beating Colours flying and the wonted pomp of souldiers that carry out the funerall of a citie Their demands being granted almost five hundred of the Garrison changed their service As many with one Troop of Horse departed the Town reduced to the Kings obedience was continued under the Command of their old Governour Florineus The End of the ninth Book The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The tenth Book IN the meane time Don Iohn of Austria having by his daily and nightly Labour contracted a weaknesse of Stomacke and a Languishing of his whole Body whilst he went to Namure for his health left the Army to Prince Alexander But first holding a Councell of Warre about the besieging of Limburg which it was feared would otherwise do much hurt to the Province of Luxemburg he commended that Service to the Prince of Parma He willingly undertooke it and the rather because he hoped to fight with Iohn Casimir Brother to the Prince Elector Palatine who it was said would bring his Army that way into the Low-countreys thereby to vindicate as he told the great Commanders the honour of the Royall Army which in some men's Letters was aspersed as if they shunned the Enemy and durst not come to a Battaile with the States but that declining the Encounter they carryed the Warre up and downe only to bug-beare Townes and Villages Therefore Prince Alexander sending before Gabriell Nignio a valiant Spanish Colonell with seven Colours of Musketters and commanding Camillo a Monte should follow with the Horse to second Nignio when he stormed the Suburbs of Limburg hee himselfe about Midnight moved with the Spanish and Wallon Foote leaving Fronsberg's Regiment to conduct ten peice of Cannon that came after And Nignio beating the first Companyes that opposed him afterwards with some losse taking the Suburbs got a huge booty of Cattell and Victuall But as it was a worke of too much time to besiege the Towne so it seemed of too much difficulty presently to storme it For Limburg stands upon a high Rock the Valley about it being all craggy and therefore saue only by the higher ground towards the South inaccessible Besides it might be relieved by the River Vuest running through the Towne All this troubled not Prince Alexander who Viewing the Place chose a Hill whereon to plant his Cannon betweene which and the Towne was the smoothest part of the Valley From the Hill he commanded the Pioners to run a Trench sloping downe into the Valley and from thence to carry it within sight of the Towne thence turning againe obliquely to bring it to the Sconce at the very City gate whilst the rest of his Workmen on the other side undermined a Tower at some distance from the Castle shooting out like a promontory In both Works was more of Terrour then Danger to the Towne For they had scarce broke the Earth two foote deepe when they were hindred by Rock Yet making blindes of Boughs they defended their Trenches against the Shot from the Walls Prince Alexander himselfe hastening the men at worke sometimes visiting the Diggers sometimes the Miners He likewise used gracious Invitations to the Limburgers sending them Letters by a Trumpetter Wherein he forbare to reprove but rather admonished them as assured of the Victory and only carefull not to destroy the King's City and Subjects by the Sword They receiving the Letter from the Trumpetter at the Gate and reading it in publique bade him returne at the same houre next day But when he came they told him no Resolution could be Pitcht upon by reason of the difference betwixt the Townsmen and the Souldiers but if he would come yet once againe he should the day following have an absolute Answer Prince Alexander knowing that the Besieged used such trifling Delayes only to gaine time forbade the Messengers to go any more conceiving it below the Dignity of the King's Army and that it would show like a Confession of some Weaknesse but was more industrious in advancing towards the Towne his Trenches on the one side and his Mines upon the other Comes Caesius overseeing the Workes a bold and active man He himselfe fortifying the Hill with Trenches and Pallisadoes setting up Gabions to be filled with Earth and turfe and drawing Cannon upon their Cariages in sight of the Enemy that shot continually watched two nights both hideous ones that with raine from Heaven this with Thunder from the Walls But the Battery beginning at the breake of day with nine great Cannon from the Hill when the Limburgers saw their Walls shaken and a great Part thereof no lesse then thirtie Cubits beaten downe in foure houres space and likewise a Trench brought downe the hill a thing they held impossible by which the Souldiers marched under covert and were ready to assault the Port Instantly sending to Prince Alexander the Towne earnestly beseeched him a little while to respite the Assault and grant a Cessation of Armes but for an houre for their last consultation The Prince of Parma though it was a welcome Message because he well knew unlesse they yielded of themselves it would be a long Worke to force them Yet lest his facility in condescending might argue some diffidence in his Strength putting on a face of Terrour he angerly told the man there had beene now going and coming
men to defend our Remainder of the Low-countreys against the Conquerour But they will not be so much indangered by the losse of a Battaile For if that Army we march against be routed they can recruit assisted on the one part by Duke Alencon and his French-men on the other by Prince Casimir and the still increasing German Succours But in case which is to be hoped from God's goodnesse and our Souldiers Courage the Catholique Army shall with a better Cause likewise have the better Fortune with how much bloud with what exchange of Gold for Drosse must we buy the victory fighting before their Campe with their fresh and intire Forces But when we have thus weakned our selves by conquering if the French that watch all occasions fall upon us how I feare our Conquest will be followed with a farre greater misfortune we indeed shall have the Honour of the Day but others reape the profit In summe we may be victorious in the Battaile and vanquished in the Warre Wherefore since in this our voluntary expedition we may in reason feare almost the same Disaster whether conquered or conquering my opinion is that we should give off the attempt and at present check this Courage rather great then fruitfull Don Iohn thought this speech of the the Prince of Parma's more true then gallant and therefore besides Gabriel Serbellonio one that Don Iohn used to call Father and to preferre his judgement before the rest none of all the Councell of Warre was of Prince Alexander's mind And the Generall carried it for assaulting of the confederates Campe before they should be reinforced with new supplies Count Mansfeldt the Campe-master held it a point of Honour for the Royall Army to rouse the enemy within covert that trusted more to the place then either to their Armes or Valour The Generall of the Horse Octavio said the Souldiers Alacrity must be used before Delay had dulled it and that they were to follow the happy presage of victory expressed in their unanimous consent to fight and a successe was to be hoped especially at this time by reason of the enemi's Discord For Federick Perenot Lord of Campin by the Prince of Orange's Command was sent Prisoner to Gant and his House at Bruxells plundred because he was reported to be making his Peace with the King by meanes of his Brother Cardinall Granvell and indeed he was discontented that the Prince of Orange slighted him in Comparison of Aldegund The like was by the Prince of Orange attempted upon Hese and Glimè both which they say upon a rumour of the Prince of Oranges Murder Spread by his owne Ministers and Direction very ominously for himselfe only to try the faith of others expressed no dubious signes of Ioy. And therefore in imitation of the Battaile at Gemblac they having now intelligence of like divisions among the Confederates their Arm factious and destitute of these Commanders should be forthwith assaulted and no doubt but the like Successe would follow as Don Iohn concluded The Battaile therefore being now resolved on Mutio Pagano and Amator of Abadien Officers of Horse sent Spyes to discover the Enemyes Campe and to Chuse the ground where they should fight brought back word That the Confederates Army was intrenched not farre from Machlin the Rere guarded by the Village of Rimenant the Flanks with a Wood and a Fen their Front with a Trench and a Line drawne betweene both the Flanks Before that Trench was an open Plaine very commodious for drawing out the Enemy to Battaile but they found no Avenue to the Village but one neare the Wood on the left hand a way that would only hold six or seven men a breast Vpon this Discovery Don Iohn sending back some Companyes to garrison the Frontire-Townes for keeping out the French moved from Tienen and passing over his Army at Areschott-Bridge the second dayes March he came within sight of the Enemy and knowing the Plaine by the Description his Scouts had made he presently imbattailed his Army consisting of 12000 Foote and 5000 Horse Then the Prince of Parma whilst Don Iohn put his men into Battalia was a very earnest Suiter in case they fought that day that he might lead up the Spanish Infantry ordered to begin the Battaile to demonstrate as I conceive that his Courage to advance the Expedition was no lesse active then his Counsell formerly to retard it Don Iohn admiring the Greatnesse of his Spirit and Contempt of Danger at first put him off at length consented because he knew it would be of great Concernement under whose conduct that Battalion should march which must give the Omen to the Victory But till they joyned Battaile he would have Prince Alexander's Company to ride about the Field with him In the interim his Army was drawne out in the entrance of the Plaine and by the ordinary sound of Drums and Trumpets challenged the Enemy to fight Where expecting for three houres and the Enemy not moved with any kinde of Invitation to the Field still keeping within their Trenches Don Iohn called Alphonso Leva that commanded an extraordinary Regiment of Musketters said to him GoAlphonso put thy selfe and thy men into that narrow way betweene the Wood and Trench as if thou hadst a designe to enter the Village in despight of their Army no doubt but they will oppose thee when they come on do thou retire to draw them into the Field Withall he commands the Marquesse a Monte with three Troops of Curassiers and Lanciers to bend that way and be in the Rere of Leva's Foote The Enemyes whole Army under the Arch-duke and the States was commanded by Maximilian Hennin Count of Bolduc an experienced and wary Souldier He intending to frustrate Don Iohn's indeavours either by sitting still or acting with some Stratagem commanded Iohns Norreys an English Colonell who defended that Post to meete the Enemy but so as not to fight at too great a distance from the place The Battaile was therefore begun betwene the Spanish and English very gently at first for neither Leva nor Norreys meant to ingage very farre till to relieve the English because many of them were slaine Count Egmont coming in with his Reserve of Horse A Monte likewise immediately advanced with His. Against Robert Stuart also bringing up with him some Scotch Foote Don Iohn sent Ferdinando de Toledo with the rest of those active Foote under his Command and Camillo a Monte in the Rere of them with two Cornets of Horse he himselfe moving forward in Battalia with the whole Army in hope of a generall Battaile with the now irritated Enemy The Prince of Parma also leaping off his Horse tooke the place which he had so earnestly desired among the Spanish Infantry and appeared in in the head of them with his Pike in his hand And now the Forlornes of both Armyes fell on not like
Campe described by the Kings Scoutes Don Iohn moves towards them Marshalls his Army The number of his forces Alex. Farneze sues for the honour to command the Van. Don Iohn of Austria challenges the Enemy to a Battaile They answer him not He sends one to anger and rouse them The flying Squadron Giovanni Baptista a Monte. The Generall for the confederates Vses the same artifice to deceive the Royalists The fight At first little increaseth more and more Alexander Farneze in the Head of the Foote The Kings men beate the 〈◊〉 Enemy Take their trenches and the village They send to Don Iohn for more men to make good the Chase. Co. Nicol. Caesio Alex. Farneze doubts a stratagem And perswades Don Iohn to call backe his men But first they were come to the Enemies true Campe. The site of the Enemies Campe. Their number The fight renewed What forces fought on both sides The Consede rates The Royalists The Scots fight naked August 1. The Royalists in a sad condition lying open to the Enemies Cannon They send to Don Iohn for Fresh men Who in his Anger at first denies them Then adviseth And resolves to have the place considered Alex. Farneze goes to view it and contrives a way to fetch off the men Which he executes Don Iohn exhorts his men to keepe their ranks Alex. Farneze makes the Foote give ground upon Designe And the Horse to make it good Who were sore put to it The rare valour of the King's Horse in their Retreate I. Norreys who commanded the English Particularly of Camillo à Monte's Troope The Names of the principall Horse-men All of one Resolution And one courage What losse on both sides The Generalls censured The Royall Army highly praise Alex. Farneze Who conceives that he merits no lesse commendations as appearâ—s by his Lâ—tâ—er to his Mother August 7. Don Iohn very carefull in making his Retreate Newes of the death of Sebastian King of Portugal August 4. Whereupon Alex. Farneze sends a ceremonious Embassage into Portugal Septem 13. The Towne of Areschot lost by trechery Mutio Pagano slaine The Straites whereto Don Iohn was reduced A Treaty of Peace The conditions proposed by the States Farneze's opinion touching those Proposâ—ls Don Iohn makes some difficulty to approve of this Counsell but presently after followes it Writes to the King And fortifies his Campe August 19. The Emperour Charles the fifth 1554. With workes designed by Serbellonio And made by Campio Serbellonio falls sick Don Iohn brings his whole Army within the Workes and comes himselfe sick to them The Physitians opinions of Don Iohn and Serbellonio False in both Doctor Pennonio growes famous for his judgement Septem 21. Don Iohn declares Alexander Farneze Governour of the Lowcountreys Who cannot well resolve whether he should so burthen himselfe yet at length condescends And gives his Mother in Account of his resolution Octob. 6. And his Father disliking it satisfies him thus Octob. 6. Another reason that induced him And another Alexander Farneze's extraordinary care of Don Iohn Of ordering the Army And of certifying every particular accident of Don Iohn's sicknesse is the King By Doctor Ramir. Don Iohn past hope of life Septem 28. is prepared with the Sacraments Growes rageous Comes to himselfe at the names of Iesu Maria. And dyes religiously The summe of his life His Country St Matthew's day Feb. 24. 1545. His Mother He was conveyed into Spaine in his infancy by Aloysio Quisciada that only knew the secret of his birth Mag. Vlloa Quisciada's Wife Governesse to the child Nor knowes she who is Father to it The Infant in danger of fire Magdalen Vlloa her selfe made this relation Whereat Quisciada is much troubled The child was afterwards in like perill at Madrid His nature and garbe His manner of Play with the Boyes Herod l. 1. His love to Horseman-ship Wherein he was still victoous The Emperour designes him for a Priest But too late Charles the fifth on his death-bed reveals his Son John to King Philip. To whom he commends the Child The owning of Don John The King goes to bunt And bids Quisciada bring the Boy to him upon the field Quisciada shewes himself not to bee Father to Don Iohn by the new Title he gives him The Chills Astonishment The beholders Expectation The King questions the boy about his Father And imbraces him as his Brother Assigning him houshold-servants The hunters hallow out their joy The Kings expression Don Iohn brought to Court is bred up with Prince Charles and Alex. Farneze In the beginning of this yeare Prince Charles Don Iohn and Alex. Farneze compared His person His Manners The King offended with him for refusing to enter into holy Orders And for stealing away to go for Malta But he makes his peace with riding back post And with the discovery of Prince Charles his journey He commands in chiefe against the Moores Winnes the batâ—aile at Lepanto Stormes Tunis And Biserta Takes the King prisoner King Phillip againe displeased And jealous Placeth new servants about Don Iohn Who expects to take place at an Infanta The Kings goes out of towne purposely to decline the Grant And would have him governe the Lowcountries without an Army Not assured of his temper The Prince of Orangeâ—â—â—orts â—â—â—orts that Don Iohn is to marry Queene Elizabeth Al. Cabrera in Philip the 2d. l. 12. c. 3. Iuan Vargas Mexia The death of Escovedo Don Iohn tempted with an offer of all the 17. Provinces Ready to kill the adviser Tacius l. 1. Annals Al Cabera in Phil. 2. l. 11. c. 15. Sayes that Don Iohn did wound the man Why hee was thus courted His griefe upon the Kings displeasure And for Escovedo's death Breakes his heart If it were not broke by poysoâ— Mat. Delt l. 5. Turb Belg. August 20. Those that sought to murther hiâ— punished Decemb. The Armies Lamentation for his death Whom they parallel with Germanicus Caesar And with his Father Charles the Fifth In the day of their Nativities deaths la their Military expeditions In the intreating of their Souldiers Charles the 5. Don Iohn In wearing of their 〈◊〉 1529. In their desire to live a solitary life Don Iohns constant custome to cleare his Conscience Magâ—alen â—â—dy of Villa-Garcia Especially before a day of Battaile His Vertues as a Generall Not inferâ—our to any Severall Nations contend for precedency in carrying of his Corps Alex. Farneze contents them all The funerall Pompe Ex litteris Com. Masiâ— ad Picum from the Campe Octob. 6. Why a Crowne was set on his head Mar. Del. l. 5. Turb Belg. Colonels and Captaines are the Bearers Foure great commanders aâ— the foure corners of the Herse Souldiers march before Alex. Farneze followes A Sepuleher onely for the present His three last requests to the King Don Iohn Father of two daughters 1570. Anne Ioane Feb. 1630. Why he named them not upon his death bed Alex. Farneze to his Mother Marg. of Parma Octob. 6. Alex. Farneze writes to the King about Don Iohns Petitions Octob. 1. and somewhat concerning himselfe But very much touching the danger of the present State of Affaires He is not sure the King will confirme to him the Governement C. Masius ad Equ Blondum Octob. 6. Which some in Spaine disswade Novem. 5. Ranucio Yet the King sends him Commission Novem. 29. And answers to the particulars requested by Don Iohn For his Mother Who was indeed no more but his supposed Mother Card a Cueva Clara Eugenia Isabella In Mag. Vlloa and Blomberg For his brother Ia. 7. 1579. March 18. 1579. Don Iohn's body privately conveyed through France In. Vargas Mexia Being first taken to pieces Afterwards set together in Spaine and shewed to the King At last interred Alex. Farneze takes upon him the Government of the Lowcountries
opportune because about the same time a Company of sacrilegious Villaines sallying out of Valenciens had fired cerraine Monasteries that stood neere the Towne and brought the plunder of them into Valenciens yet mindfull both of his Majesties and her owne moderation she resolved to leave nothing unattempted It was told her the Valencenians bore an implacable hatred to Norcarmius she therefore sent to them two of the Lords Lamorall Count Egmont and Philip Croy Duke of Areschot to see if they by their Authority could bring the Towne to consider of their Safety These Lords sending for the Valencenian Commissioners gently admonished them to lay downe their Fury and Obstinacy that would not secure them when their Walls should be battered with the Cannon for to that day their City had stood not by their strength but by the King 's and Governesse's Mercy That they found by sufficient experience how vaine it was to expect forreine Ayde That the French stirred not in the Quarrell and if they should it would bee neither handsome nor advantageous for the Low-country-men to be assisted by their antient Enemies The Consistories of Antwerp being distracted into factions what had they yet done These of Tournay had taken Armes but were withall suppressed They of the Bus and others had enough to do to looke to themselves all the hope left them must be in Tholouse but he and his whole Army let them not deceive themselves were destroyed by Beavor in the sight of Antwerp Who couâ—d be now expected or from whence to come and raise the Siege They ought therefore to redeeme their pride by their Repentance and by their Duty and Obedience to prevent whilst yet they might their Princes Indignation and their Countryes Ruine Having premised this they read the conditions offered by the Governesse that the Valencenians should render their City and receive a Garrison That after their rendring the Towne and receiving a Garrison those that would obey the King should have Liberty to remaine in Valenciens the rest immediately after the Surrender were to depart the Towne carrying with them all their portable Goods The Commissioners reported this Offer to the Senate and the People which were prepossessed with wicked Counsels their hearts hardned especially with Grange's Sermons a man eloquent with a mischeife to the Publique They were confirmed in their Obstinacy by a Rumour that Tholouse had the Day and Beavor was fled cunningly given out by the Hereticks to amuse the Towne and hinder them from crediting Tholouse his overthrow at least to suspend their beliefe so long as the Commissioners treated Who returning to Areschot and Egmont they when they saw nothing was done by the Valencenians and themselves slighted in great fury threatning the Towne presently dismissed the Commissioners And Egmont whose military heart and therefore more sensible of a Provocation was grievously offended at the Obstinacy of the Besieged that very day and the night following with Cressonerius in his Company viewing the Walls and sounding of the Ditch assured the Governesse that Valenciens might be taken in a very little time But for as much as the Kingâ—s commands were obeyed in admonishing and terriying of the Towne and that her Excelâ—ence heard the German Forces were at hand specially being vexed with the Newes of a Sally made by the Valencenians in the night to beat up Quarters she commanded Norcarmius that making his Approaches still nearer without further Delay yet according to the King's Instructions he should storme the Towne Valenciens is no lesse strongly then pleasantly situated part thereof standing on a rising Ground and the rest lying on a Levell invironed with Walls Towers and Ditches the River Schelt running through the midst of it and falling into the River of Rouell they flow round about the Walls and make the Place almost inaccessible But Norcarmius knowing he had to do with an ignorant Enemy and that the Towne was like a strong Body governed by a weake Soule finding the Ditch to be narrow in some places and the Bankes by negligence fallen downe with a great and gallant Resolution began the Assault and calling in part of his Forces that were set to keep the Pasâ—es and to cut off Provisions under the Câ—mmand of Gâ—spar Lord of Bill he tooke Mâ—ns-gate a Port of the Suburbs in the â—ight From thence with some Companies of Haynolterâ— piying those that came upon the Walls with Musket-shot so as none duâ—st put out their Heads Cressonerius with wonderfull dexterity raised a Mâ—unt scaled the Walls and with the losse of very few of his men obâ—erving the discipline of Warre he faced and beat the Enemy fâ—om their Workes And so dividing his Forces under the Commands of Mâ—ximilian Count of Bolduc Charles Mansfâ—ldt Son to Count Ernest and Egidius Lord of Hierg he gave the generall Assault first making his Battery with 10 piâ—ces of great Cannon then with 20. besides other lesser Guns with so great an Impression that within lesse then foure houres space their prime Workes about the wall were beaten down The Citisens terrified with such a beginning sent two Trumpets to intreat â—hat Norcarmius would please to give safe Conduct unto their Commissioners to treat for the present Render of the Towne He gave them leave to come but neverthelesse the Cannon still played upon the Battery which hastened the Commissioners that were 20. who came about Sun-setting to the Generall promising to yield up the City upon the same Termes which three dayes before were offered by Areschott and Egmont But Norcarmius laughing at them said Belike you think your condition to be as good to day as it was three dayes since Valencenians you are wise too late I never use to article with a conquered Enemy All that night he continued the Battery giving them no time to repaire the Breaches made in so many placeâ— that now the Ditch being filled up with the ruines of the Wall the Souldiers might enter on even ground But about two a clock in the afternoone the Valencenian Commissioners returned and without any exception yielded the Towne and themselves to mercy Norcarmius sounding a Retreate just when his men were got up the Wall and in hope to sacke â—he Towne sent a Countermand enjoyning them to containe themselves within those Bounds of Modesty which by Order from the King the Governesse had set downe The Battery held 36. houres without any inâ—ermission It is reported that 3000. Cannon were shot into the Towne doing gâ—eâ—ter Execution upon Walls then Men. The same day being Palme Sunday and making good the Omen of that victorious name unto the Conquerour Norcarmius entred the Towne with 13. Companies of Foote and was met in the Streets with multitudes of women and Children with greene boughs in their hands lamentably crying to him to have Compassion upon the Towne He sent them away with gentle Language without the death of
on to discover the Enemy that lay three miles from the Towne At his returne leaving the Duke of Brunswick to keep the City by day-breake for it was time to be quick he marched against the Enemy His Foot were almost 12000 his Horse 3000 most of his Captaines and Officers old Souldiers and Commanders Nassau had as many Foot but was weaker in Horse and hearing of the Duke's Approach had retreated six miles and intrenched himselfe with suddaine workes cast up in a watrish Ground The Duke followed him and commanded Gaspar Robbley Lord of Bill to take 1200 Spanish and Wallon Musketteers and Dragoones and fall upon the Campe at two severall Quarters not so much in hope to beate them out of their Trenches as to try their Strength and hold them play till Cressonerius brought up the Cannon But such was the Fury of the Musketteers or rather such was the Cowardice of the Enemy especially being puzzled with a Mutiny of the Germans that running away on both sides from their Cannon they stroue who should fly fastest The rest firing their Carriages retired and many while they retreated observing no Order nor Command either sunke with their Horses in the Bogges and ditches or basely casting away their Armes were trampled upon by such as followed the Chase. Above 300 of them were slaine of the King's men but nine and doubtlesse the Execution had been greater if the Duke had not sounded a Retreat fearing lest in that darke weather his Souldiers by an errour not to be repaired might be ingaged in blind cosening holes and pits which the Countrey was every where full of But five dayes after his Excellence compleated his Victory For commanding Caesar Davalo Brother to the Marquesse of Piscario and Curtius Comes Martinengo with some Horse to chase the Fugitives he himselfe with his Army returned to the Groine about one a clock at night and before it was day the Duke that could not sleepe out an opportunity marched againe into the Field and on the 21. of Iuly pursued the Enemy Nassau made a halt in the entrance of West Friezland at the Village of Geming between the Bay of Dullart and the River Ems at his back he had Embden a City that tooke part with him from whence by the River Ems he might expect provisions and his Brother the Prince of Orange coming out of Germany About him were many Marshes and the way so confused by reason of the water that it frighted the pursuers Only on his Front amidst the low and sinking mudd there was one passage upon the top of a strong Banke that over looked the swelling Billowes and ran directly into the Campe and Village which a venue was made inaccessible by ten pieces of Cannon planted in the mouth of it Thus had he chosen and guarded the place where he incamped But feare can never be sufficiently intrenched Their feare was increased by a second Mutiny of the Germans that began to be seditious before their former losse For when divers Companies of theirs because they were not payed came about Nassau's Tent railing and crying that some of their Countrey-men were ready to die for hunger having in two dayes space not eaten a bit of bread and therefore threatned to go over to the enemy Iustus Schouwenberg promising that next day they should have foure French-crownes a man the mutiny was quieted but this money the Duke as I said falling so suddainly upon them could not be paied the Souldiers therefore in their stand at Geming after their flight claimed promise and mutined more fiercely which the Duke understanding from the Prisoners taken and the newes being purposely divulged through the Army so inflamed the Souldiers courages that almost all the Captaines with great contest which Nation should be honoured with the Service begged leave to fall upon their Cannon the greatest danger of the Warre The Company of Lopez Figueroa that Marched on the Duke 's left hand when he led the Army along the River Banke was commanded to try their Fortune the most whereof were armed with those huge Muskets that hardly could be managed upon Rests which as we said formerly were first brought in use for Field-Service by the Duke of Alva And whilst the Duke made shew as if he would charge the Enemy in the Front covering his men from their Cannon with Gabions or baskets filled with earth in the meane time keeping them in play with some light Assaults they that were to attempt the Cannon falling upon their knees and powring out their prayers to God which they repeated after Figueroa remarkeable for his devotion to the Mother of God waded through the Mud and Water and came upon the Flane of the sleep hill where the Cannon was planted Few at first guarded the place as that which secured it selfe presently fresh men coming in to help their Fellowes after a sharpe conflict they tooke the Cannon and opened the only Avenue by which the Spanish Army could march up to Nassau This advantage being close followed by the Duke he sent men that not only tooke their Campe and beat them out of their Workes and Trenches but that in their Flight along the higher and lower grounds as farre as the River Ems for six houres together did execution upon them for as Hubert a Valle that was present at the Battaile wrote to Margaret of Austria never men fought either with greater Cowardice or stubbornesse if it were a Fight and not rather a meere Slaughter Many of the Germans throwing their Armes to the Ground as if they meant to strike were killed so much the sooner Many were swallowed in the Bogges and Fennes into which they crowded and thrust one another as they ran Many were cut to pieces offering their backs to the Sword as guilty slaves doe to the Whippe But the greatest part were drowned in the River Ems whereinto they leaped though they could not swim and were loaded with their Armes which immediately sunke them Onely a few good Swimmers made sport to the Spanish Army that from the banke-side shot them with their Muskets like so many Ducks They say those that accidentally sailed in the Bay of Dullart seeing such abundance of Montero's swimming downe the water for the Sea that ebbes and flowes at certaine houres when it was low water drew away from the River the Spoiles of the dead bodies knew that a Battaile had been fought and great execution done in the adjoyning Fields and by the fashion of the Montero's much differing from other mens hatts and worne by the German Souldiers instead of Helmets they supposed the Spaniard to be Master of the Field By which meanes when the messenger presently dispatched from the Duke of Alva came to the Groine beyond all expectation and Faith he found the Towne already acquainted with the newes the Merchants and Mariners having told them of the victory
in his returne to Bruxells by his eldest Son Federico Duke of Oscha great Commander of the Order of Calatrava who brought him from the King 2500 Foote and a good summe of money a necessary Supply against the Preparations of the prince of Orange For now the Prince of Orange was upon his March with a vast Army raised in Germany diverse of the hereticall Princes willingly associating in hatred to the Spanish House of Austria This League was advanced by by a generall indignation upon the newes of Count Egmont's and Count Horne's death the Envy to Alva thereupon increasing and much aggravated by a Booke against His Tyranny written and published by the Prince of Orange There was in his Army when he mustered it at Aquis-Grane 28000 men that is 16000 German Foot and 8000 Horse French and Low Dutch 2000 Horse and very neare as many Foot To the Germans the Prince Elector Count Palatine the Duke of Wirtemberg and the City of Strasburg had promised foure Months Pay to the French and the Low-countreymen a Spanish Merchant at Antwerp had ingaged for 1800 French Crownes a month during the said terme To maintaine the Horse was undertaken partly by the Prince of Orange and his Brother partly by the very Commanders of Horse Casimire Son to the Palsgraue Count Suarzemburg two of the Dukes of Saxony Count Hocâ—strat and William Lumè one of the Counts de Marca the last of these a deadly Enemy to the Catholiques is said to have made such a barbarous Vow as once Cl. Civilis who likewise commanded the Hollanders that he would never cut his haire till he had revenged the Deaths of Egmont and Horne With these Forces the Prince of Orange sooner then could be imagined passed the Rhyne and incamping along the banke of the Mose not farre from Maestricht filled the Low Countries with strange Reports and Terrour Indeed the Duke of Alva in appearance extreamely slighted such Rumours being a notable Dissembler of military Dangers and one that feared nothing more then to be thought to feare So that when a Captaine with very much Trouble in his Face amplifyed the Newes and told him how many Princes and Kings had entred into League against Spaine among whom he numbered Denmarke and England the Duke answered merrily he knew what accompt to make of that League nor was such a conspiracy of Rebells any way formidable the King having more Princes that tooke part with him For with the King of Spaine was confederated the Kings of Naples Sicily and Sardinia the Duke of Millaine Prince of Burgundy and the Low-countreys besides the King 's of Peru Mexico and New Spaine but herein the Confederations differed that in theirs the dissimilitude of Nations and dispositions and if no other obstacle their severall Intersts must needs cause disagreement and in a little time dissolve the union Whereas in this what pleased one pleased all and consequently it would be eternall And truly Alva was not so jealous of a forreigne Enemy as of the Natives knowing himselfe hated by a great sort of them nor could he thinke the Prince of Orange durst ever have attempted to bring a Warre into the Lowcountreys if he had not beene invited and assisted by the Low-countreymen Especially when so many Robberies and Murthers had been done upon the high way by the banished Gheuses Which because they sheltred in the Forests were called Wood-Gheuses The common Terrour was increased by a fearfull apparition in the Aire of two Armyes in Battalia seen on a cleare night to brandish their glittering Pikes as if they were ready for a charge The Prodigy because seen in diverse places was beleived and therefore more such stories were dayly told which made Alva looke to himselfe So that fortifying the Froatier Townes and those he most doubted he hastened with his Army to Maestricht that from thence he might incounter the Prince of Orange's Designes and by keeping the banke of Mose hinder him from passing the River But the Prince's subtilty and boldnesse carryed it And this was his first Stratagem in the Low-countrey-Warre wherein he plainly shewed how great an Enemy declared himselfe against the King For his Horse finding the River foardable between Rurimond and Maestricht the Mose being then accidentally at a low Ebbe the Prince helped his Fortune with Art in this manner He tied his Horse together and made them stand crosse the River to breake the Streame as Iulius Caesar did when he passed Ligeris and Cicoris and some others of late time have done by this meanes the force of the Current being abated and repelled he commanded his Foote to wade over silently in the Evening and that night with inobserveable speed or rather by an incredible Attempt he deceived the Kings Guards and safely arrived on the father Shore with his Army which was so suddaine and unexpected newes to Alva that when Barlamont told him the Enemy was come over the Duke asked him if he thought them to be an Army of Birds that had flowne over the Mose But the Prince of Orange entring Brabant and confidently incamping within six Miles of the Spanish Army the next day drew out his men and with Drummes beating and Trumpets sounding faced and offered Battaile to the Duke of Alva whose Campe-Master Chiapino Vitelli was of opinion that the Enemy wet with the River and weary with their March should have beene fought before they had incamped nor did he as yet thinke the fight was wholly to be declined but that it concerned the Spaniards in point of honour to make some Attempt upon the now insâ—lting Germans and let them know the Valour of the Royall Army But the Duke foreseeing that money could not long hold out to pay so great an Army which would therefore moulder away especially upon the approach of winter resolved with the least hazard to himselfe to elude the enemy His principall designe was to keep them from getting into any strong Towne lest they should make their Pay out of the Plunder of the Countrey yet scarce any day passed but as the Armies lay close tother they had some Skirmishes and Fights commonly about victuall the Prince of Orange's men being still the Challengers Which Fights how they were managed and with what daily successe I could particularize For Raphael Barberino Knight of Saint Steven an eminent Commander a very great Mathematician sent to Rome Diaries of all Actions in the Campe directed to his Brothers Francesco Barberino Proto-Notary Aposticall and Anthonio Barberino Father to Pope Vrban the Eight under which Prince no lesse supreame in Learning then Religion it is my happinesse to write this History But out of those Letters whereof I have Copies I hold it best to give you only some choice Passages omitting the rest that were either of the same kind or not so remarkable The third day after he had passed
thither in hope of plunder that within lesse then 4. Months in the Port of Vlushing lay a Fleete ready rigged and manned of a 100. 50. sayle which made diverse bold Attempts upon Townes and Shippes of the Spanish party wherewith in ten yeares space during which time they had many Sea-sights the Hollanders were but once overcome to be for ever after Conquerours as the Spanish Historians themselves affirme So that it seemes these were but prelusory Victoryes by which at this time the Hollanders Strength by Sea exceedingly increased Thus at last the water brought forth this new Common-wealth Ambition being the Mother Heresy the Midwife and Terrour like Thunder making her fall in Labour before her time Truly when this last Occasion of Rebellion was controverted the Bishop of Namure writing to Margaret Dutchesse of Parma concludes that the tenth and twentieth part was the price wherewith the Prince of Orange purchased the Maritime Provinces and his new Principality But in this so thick and suddaine a Defection of Cityes though the newes of losse upon losse extreamely vext the Duke of Alva for in Zupthen Overysell Gelderland and Friezland the Successe of the Prince of Oranges Kinsman William Count Bergen was no lesse fortunate the Cityes and Townes there being partly taken by storme partly submitting out of Affection or Feare Yet whilst the Duke of Alva only thought of keeping out the French and prepared against a Land-Winde not against a storm from Sea nothing more amazed him then to heart that Lewis of Nassau had taken Mons the chiefe City of Haynolt by the assistance of the French because he doubted this was the beginning of a war which it was cōmonly reported Charles K. of France perswaded by Lewis of Nassau and Gaspar Colligny had designed against the Low-countreys For King Charles having concluded a Peace with the Hugonots and received the greatest of their Faction into his Favour and Grace at Court suffered himselfe as it was said to be overruled by the Admirall Gaspar Coligny so farr as to send forces into the Low-countreys to assist the Nassaus And now the Drum was beat for them in France and because Colligny was to be Generall by the Kings appointment he invited to Paris the Flower of the Hereticall Nobility under pretence of doing honour to the King of Nauarre at his marriage with the King of France his Sister but indeed hoping to strengthen himselfe by the accesse of those Lords diverse of which and those the subtillest of the Faction were loth to trust themselves in the Kings power and wondered that Coligny who a few yeares before when the King sent for him to Court returned answer that in France there was no Count Egmonts should now with so much confidence come in person and be the Decoy to bring his fellowes to the Royall City and into the King's hands Notwithstanding the Admirall because he saw Mons taken by the French the Peace with Spaine broken and a Peace for that end concluded with the Queene of England not doubting but the designed warre would follow raised as many forces as he could possibly get among the German P. laboured to undermine the faith of the Low-countrey L. by a certaine Instrument of his tryed to corrupt Alva's Campe-Master Vitelli promising him the place of greatest honour and benefit in the French Army if he would in time come over and serve the King of France ready now to possesse himselfe of the Lowcountreys And And after his first Repulse when Coligny sent againe and shewed himselfe as impudent a Buyer of anothers faith as he was a Seller of his owne Vitelli inraged at the receipt of more Letters by the fame Messenger in his presence sealed as they were threw them into the fire and bad him get out of his sight and carry back that Action for an Answer to the Admirall his Master The Duke of Alva informed by Vitelli and advertised from the Spanish Embassadour in France of the Designes and hourely proceedings of the Hereticks at Paris though he could not at first believe the King of France to be an enemy being privy as some write to the King's Plot against the Hereticks yet hearing of the losse of Mons he thought it best to confide in the King no longer therefore neglecting the Warre from Sea he sent his Son Federico and Chiapino Vitelli with part of his forces before to besiege Mons he himselfe with the rest of his Army resolving immediately to follow When Federico came neare the Towne some commanded French Horse sallyed out lest the Spaniard should sit downe without resistance Indeed they conceived it a punctillo of honour to give the Enemy proofe of their valour before they be coopt up within Walles works Though in that skirmish Vitelli was shot in the left Thigh which was no little grief to the King's men yet they lodged the Army in the place he had appointed The next day after they had intrenched themselves they found in their quarters certaine Women of Mons that came under colour of selling herbes to discover the strength and resolutions of the Spaniards All which by Federico's Order had their petticoates cut off above the knee a military punishment wherewith the Spanish use to shame that Sex not unlike the old custome of the Ammonites and being first carried through the Campe and laught at they were with this Disgrace sent back to Mons. A while after the Monastery D'espine which was fortified by the Towne in regard of the neare distance was twice assaulted by the Spaniards who at last after hot dispute beate out the Garison and tooke it The Admirall this while omitted no endeavours to relieve the besieged listing Horse and Foot upon the Borders and appointing for their Commander in chiefe as he said by order from the King Iohn Hangest Lord of Ienlis Brother to Francis de Ienlis lately slaine Who though advised by a letter sent post from Lewis of Nassau not to fight till the Prince of Orange was joyned with him impatient of Delay and of a partner that must share the honour of delivering the Besieged and being incouraged by the cheerefulnesse of his Army consisting of six or seven thousand at St. Gislen not farre from the Towne besieged with more Valour then Discretion he gave Battaile to Duke Federico who omitting no duty of an Active Generall defated him with the losse of almost all his men That day the boldnesse of Vitelli was admired who not being as yet cured of his wound and neither able to go nor stand neverthelesse could not be perswaded to keep his Tent but made himselfe be carried upon a hand-barrow which he saw by chance and so sitting ordered the battaile with the Generall Federico planted the Ambuscadoes and did all that belonged to the Campe-Master's place Then appearing in the head of the Army among
into the Tents that were next at hand with great Terrour and Slaughter and before the Enemy could bring their men together no lesse then foure hundred of them were slaine or burnt for they fired their huts that were thatched and with this victory retired Doubtlesse the Execution had been greater but that the fire which at first affrighted them presently after discovered the Stratagem whereupon many Spaniards as they were easie to be known being all in white were cut off some of which running before their Companions got as farre as the Prince of Orange's Tent who had a Dogge lying by him on the bed that never left barking and scratching him by the face till he awaked and rose in the meane time his men came in The rest of the night was spent in feare and care by breake of Day his Army moved and he by long Marches passing the Rhine came to Delph in Holland Not long after Lewis of Nassau who was the most astonished and stricken at the Admiralls Death because he had perswaded him to trust himselfe to the King upon his Royall word yielded up the Towne to Alva upon no contemptible Conditions and went to Dilemburg the chiefe Seate of the Counts of Nassau Alva having taken the Towne ere he had lyen three Months before it though at the same time whilst he besieged it he himselfe was besieged by the Prince of Orange it so much advanced his fame by conquering Enemyes on both sides him that he recovered all the Prince of Orange had gott in Flanders Brabant with more speed then Clemency fining some Townes sacking others Particularly Mechlin a very faire and rich City awhile before yielded to the Prince of Orange was exposed to the fury of the King's men that pillaged it for three dayes together But even that Calamity wanted no good Presidents The Souldiers carryed most of their Plunder to Antwerp and sold it according to their ordinary course dogg-cheape Whereupon a priest of the Society of Iesus exceedingly beloved by the Townsmen of Antwerp meeting some Factours his Friends told them of a greate bargaine to be had and fit for Christian Merchants if with their money they would redeeme the Plunder of Mechlin which the Souldiers had sold for little or nothing and returne it to the Owners at the Price they themselves paid for it for so the men in misery would be lesse sensible of their losse which if it came into the Brokers hands would cost dearer And in the meane time the Merchants should be no loosers in their money but great gainers in their fame even among men but with God no doubt this kind of Traffick was most advantageous These religious Merchants liked the Motion The greater part of the plundered Goods were bought for a small Summe not standing them in above 20000 Florens wheras they were prized at 100000. At the Rates which the Merchants paied the Owners had them againe only some few Parcells their Proprietaries not appearing were distributed among the poore Nay as there is a certaine pleasure in relieving the necessitous the same Merchants making a Purse upon the same Priest's Exhortation bought great store of Victuall and therewith lading a â—hip sent it to the Poore at Mechlin In that Ship which is more to be admired I finde the Souldiers perswaded by the same man besides other household stuffe laid aboard above a hundred rich Vestments which they freely presented to the religious men and Women But notwithstanding the Duke of Alva scaped not the Peoples Curse's for that Plunder Though by his Letters soone after published he laid the fault upon the perfidiousnesse of the Mechliners who to frame a pretence for yielding to the Prince of Orange had a while before refused a Garison from the King But in Gelderland Federick acted with no lesse Valour then Dispatch though with more Cruelty then his Father His storming and plundering of Zupthen brought such a Terrour upon the rest of those Provinces that Count Bergen before victorious within a month after flying all the Rebells Garrisons being mouldred away left him the whole Countrey This while in Zeland Colonell Mondragonio with 2000 commanded men chosen out of the whole Army passed his Foote over the Sea that was about fiue Miles broad and with admirable Courage raised the Siege before Tergoes at the Mouth of the Schelt and partly killing partly routing the Enemies Forces tooke the whole Island of Zuid-Beverland Which exploit is rendred much more gallant because Mondragonio doubled it with another of the same nature but of more danger passing his men to Schelt an Isle of Zeland the naming whereof shall serve instead of a further Relation of this great Attempt But the destruction of Nardem upon the Borders of Holland brought a farre contrary Successe to the victorious Federico For howsoever that Towne by reason of their foule Rebellion and â—iding with the Hereticks deserved to be made a singular example yet the Revenge exceeded their demerits for being all put to the Sword even the weake and innocent their houses fired and their Walles levelled with the ground it was not a Punishment but a Crime The newes of that Ruine augmented by the cunning of the Gheuses was told with so much not terrour but hatred of all the Hollanders never to be forgotten towards the Spaniard as their mindes being hardned with despaire they were resolved to suffer any thing rather then do what Alva would command them Particularly Harlem a noble City of Holland which Federico had attaqued invited by the convenience of the faithfull Towne of Amsterdam not onely with scorne rejected the pardon he offered them but receiving a new Garrison from the Enemy to cut off all hope of Reconciliation publiquely renouncing the old Religion breaking the holy Images violating and robbing the Churches they held out eight months Siege with equall contempt both of the enemie and their Lives In so much as Federick despairing of successe would have returned into Brabant but that Alva grievously offended at his Son's Irresolution wrote to him that if he thought of going he himselfe though he were carried in his bed would come or in case his Sicknesse so increased that he were not able to remove he would send for his Wife out of Spaine and give Her a Commission to be Generall instead of her Son But though the young Duke out of countenance with this Reproofe used all kindes of Stratagems to take the Towne yet they every day more bold and stubborne omitted nothing defensive or offensive dayly shewing their contempt by new reproachfull and insolent expressions Many times they hanged their Spanish Prisoners over the Walls in sight of the besiegers And when the Leaguer shot into the Towne a maâ—'s head with this writ upon it the head of Philip Conin that came with 2000. men to relieve Harlem and afterwards another
discharge of forreiners for the Obedience which they formerly shewed to the Dutchesse of Parma questionlesse they will not now deny to you and to the King himself But when the Spaniards shall be dismissed if there be danger the Low-countreymen solicited by the Prince of Orange may soon forget this Act of Grace shall we therefore conclude that we must necessarily be circumvented by their fraud and oppressed by their arms Are not the Loyall Provinces able to sustain the first charge of an insurrection till Forces can be sent for out of Burgundy had at hand and out of Germany not farre off And then we have so much more reason to look for good successe by how much we shall be assisted with a more powerfull armie sent from the King in defence of his own commands and we may with more justice punish the perfidious Rebels Wherefore in a word I deny not but the forrein souldiers whether retained or dismissed may somewhat indanger us but when I see on the one side a certain warre and the Kings certain displeasure no help and on the other that you are offered the possession of the Government hope of quieting the Low-countreys the Kings favour and assistance and consequently if a warre should break forth that which would much conduce to victorie I think in point of discretion this ought to be preferred before the contrarie Don Iohn though he was very unwilling to forgo his Spanish forces a greater secret then I have yet discovered won him to consent For if he by keeping them should have interrupted the peace of the Low-countreys which his Majestie had particularly recommended to him he might well suspect it would be whispered in the Kings ear open to such kind of jealousies that by laying the plot for a warre he was ambitious of new power and greater fortunes Besides he longed exceedingly for the voyage into England which if he were ingaged in the Low-countrey war he knew would slip out of his hands Withall he took it for granted that the Low-countreymens hearts alienated by the Warres and Taxes of former Governours might by contrary arts be reconciled Therefore according to mans nature thinking himself and his winning carriage would be more prevalent then any stratagem of the Enemie and coveting what others could not get in the Low-countreys the title of Peace-maker he resolved to allow the assembly at Gant and to sign their conditions Especially because he conceived that he should sufficiently provide for Religion and the Crown forasmuch as the league concluded in these words We the Delegates of the Estates whose names are under-written and by whose authority the Estates are now assembled have do promise for ever to maintain the League for the conservation of our most sacred faith and the Romane Catholick Religion for the perfecting of the pacification of Gant For the expulsion of the Spaniards and their Adherents due Obedience to the Kings Majestie being still and for ever rendered Notwithstanding he asked the opinions of the profoundest schollars whether by those heads which he gave them accurately to examine the orthodox faith or the Kings honour might receive any prejudice And when they resolved him no danger could accrue to either in case this clause were added That nothing in those Articles or any part thereof was established or decreed contrary to the Catholick Religion and the Kings Authority Don Iohn confirmed by their judgements sent their advice and the Bishops letters to the same effect unto his Majestie Who consenting and likewise the Emperour Rodolph Bishop of Liege and Duke of Cleveland by their Embassadours swearing to it a new Pacification called the perpetuall league was made at Marcha a Citie in the Province of Luxemburg Wherein by Don Iohns Agents the dismission of the Spaniards and the whole pacification of Gant was confirmed and by the Deputies of the Estates a caution for constancie to Religion and the Kings obedience which they had formerly sworn for ever to continue was again expressely inserted And now Don Iohn after he had caused the pacification to be proclaimed first at Bruxels then at Antwerp and in other Cities set forth from Luxemburg being met upon the way by the Low-countrey Lords with an infinite number of the Gentrie and at Lovain in the beginning of March he was saluted with a generall joy Governour of the Low-countreys There he thought fit to make some stay that he might from thence quicken the dull motion of the Spaniards departure For they held it a grievous injury to be upon a sudden at the pleasure of the Low-countreymen dispossessed of so many Forts and Garrison towns as they had in so long a time purchased with their bloud Moreover many of them having lived divers years in the Low-countreys being possessed of land and having married wives of that Nation by whom they had children were brought then by degrees to love the place like Natives Nor waâ— ted they some Mutineirs that cryed out Was that cashiering a just reward for their labours and so much bloud as they had spent in Service must their gaping Soars their losse of Limbs and their crackt Sinews in stead of Rest and Accommodation be recompensed with their Countreymens ingratefull oblivion or neglect however with the publick hate and execration of the Dutch what would the French the Italians and other Nations say but that the Spanish Souldiers could be suffered to live no where Sixteen years ago the Governesse Margaret of Austria had turned them out of the Low-countreys and now this Governour Don John of Austria had again expelled them with so much the greater dishonour by how much there was then a fairer pretence for the Kings sending them into Africa to recrueit his Armie But now plainly by publick Edict they who alone in the Low-countreys had maintained the Kings Right were now forsooth declared Enemies to the King and the Low-countreys and by a common confederation of the Provinces expelled as if Peace and a Spaniard could not inhabite there together Thus they discoursed though discontentedly not threatningly yet furie as the custome is by meeting others and communicating their Grievances increased the nearer the day of their departure came grief making them still more sensible of their condition the more obstinate they shewed themselves especially at Antwerp where their number and late victory had so elevated them as there was little hope they would easily deliver up the Fort. But the care of the vigilant Commanders and Reverence to the Royall bloud among the loyall Regiments trained in the old Discipline prevailed so much that by degrees the love of Obedience returned and Iuan Escovedo a very prudent man sent post to Antwerp by Don Iohn appeased the Mutiniers with an apposite Oration For after he had read the Kings letters wherein the Spaniards were commanded to depart the Low-countreys beginning with
Antonio Olivera and Ferdinando Acosta with some Horse and Foot to discover the Wood-land Countrey and possesse himself of advantageous places Part of his Army he left behind at the bank of Mose under Charles Mansfeldt the greater and stronger part followed him in this order In the Van where he had put the strength of his Cavalry first marched the Light-horse with Pistols then the Lanciers at a distance for defence to both came on the whole body of the Curaciers with their Officers in the head of every Troop some Vantcurrers advancing a little before the Army with small bodies of the fleetest Horse The main Battel was a Square consisting of two Regiments Musketteirs and Pikemen most them Spaniards and Germans their Colonels likewise leading up their men The Rere contained a Square Battalion of Wallons safely flanked with their Carriages and Baggage the Burgundian Carabines riding mingled with them The Van-guard was commanded by Octavio Gonzaga the Rere-guard by Ernest Count Mansfeldt this Camp-master he General of the Horse In the midst was the Generall himself Don Iohn of Austria with the Prince of Parma attended by the Life-guard whence appeared the Royall Standard in which Don Iohn as he had conceived an extraordinary confidence in the Divine Assistance under the triumphall Crosse of Christ had caused these words to be written In this signe I did vanquish the Turks and shall the Hereticks He had not marched farre but he came within sight of the enemy and learning the Confederates designe from a couple of Prisoners taken in some light skirmishes by Olivera presently drew out near six hundred horse Lanceirs and Carabines and intermixing with them one thousand foot Pikemen and Musketteers gave them in two divisions to Octavio Gonzaga and Christophero Mondragonio ordering Gonzaga to charge the enemy in the Rere but so as not to engage their whole Forces till he with the Prince of Parma and the rest of the Army were come up At first he obeyed and skirmishing onely galled their last Troops till Gonzaga saw Perotto of Sassofferrata who that day commanded the Troop of Camillo Montio so farre advanced that he feared the enemies whole Army would be rashly drawn upon him before Don Iohn could advance He therefore presently sent one upon the spur with command that Perotto should immediately retire without ingaging himself and his horse But he for the command was proudly delivered resenting it with indignation as if he were held a coward bad the man with his imperious importunity be gon and tell Gonzaga that Perotto never yet turned his back in a battell nor could now if he would There was upon the flank of the Forces wherewith they skirmished a high way deep in mine and water more like a Bog then a Road which the enemy declining march'd in a way that would receive fewer a breast Thither Prince Alexander had galloped up to see how things went for Don Iohn kept the Prince from fighting as if he had use of him to order the battell and to send in supplies and observing that the enemies horse either by reason of the ill way or out of their hast to reach Gemblac marched in no little disorder which he conjectured by the waving of their pikes tangling and crossing one another he resolved to exspect no longer but catching a Lance from the Gentleman of his horse and getting upon one of Camillo a Monte's charging-horses better managed then his own his eyes and face speaking the language of a Battel and looking upon the Gentlemen Go said he to the Generall and tell him that Alexander Farneze remembring the old Romane will cast himself into the gulph and hopes by Gods grace and the fortune of the House of Austria to bring out of it this day a certain and a glorious victorie Then shewing those about him how advantageous it would be if advancing a little they would plunge through and charge the enemie in the flank his fervour and example with the same violence drew along the valiantest Hors-commanders Bernardino Mendoza Giovanni Baptista Camillo a Monte Ferdinando Toledo Martinengo Viennius Mondragonio and many more And he himself riding among the Horse of Mutio Pagano Captain-Lieutenant to Mondragonio entred the bog followed by all those gallant Cavaleers and when a few of them yet tugging the rest had fortunately passed over and got field room to ease their horses encouraging one another they made a little stand till they ranked themselves in one equall front Then riding full speed Alexander Farneze in the head of them they charged the enemie so home with their Lances Gonzaga seconding with the rest of the Cavalry and Don Iohn still sending in fresh men that the Confederates Horse this division being amazed had presently wheeled off if their Commanders perswasions and threats and the example of their betters had not stopâ— them for a while But having once taken a thorow-fright their minds being conquered at last they turned their backs and flying precipitately fell foul upon their Foot that stood behind breaking their Ranks riding over some and leaving the rest to the furie of the sword So as their Foot forsaken by their Cavalry especially those in the middle that were first broke by the flight of their own men and the impression of the enemy charged in the Rere and Flanks by the Kings horse that fiercely now pursued their Victorie Goigny labouring but in vain to rally them were all miserably cut to pieces Seldome was known more bloud spilt and a battel sooner won by fewer men and with so little losse Seldome was better experience made how much the strength of either side consists in hoâ—se For by six hundred Horse they were no more that began and but twelve hundred when they won the battel full ten thousand Foot were part slain part taken prisoners and the rest of the Armie no lesse then eight thousand Horse in the space of an hour and an half with the losse of onely nine of the Kings men were routed thirty four Colours taken with their field-pieces and almost all their Carriages and Baggage Their Generall himself and some persons of qualitie came into the enemies power the rest with the greatest part of their Horse that ran at first got basely off flying so me to Gemblac most to Bruxels Nor secure at Gemblac though it was fortified upon the approach of the victorious Army diverse before the assault fled further into Brabant the rest promised to render upon certain conditions But Don Iohn refusing to give any they yielded themselves and the Town to mercy Nor was this a contemptible addition to the Victorie For the enemie determining to make Gemblac the seat of the Warre had victâ—alled it for many moneths and laid in Arms and store of Ammunition which came all into the Conquerours hands The Town destined for a prey to the souldiers by a
Genius considered most unhappy Indeed I that find the Impulse of Nature inclines me to seeke by the Glory of Armes the Immortality of my name cannot but hope the Divine Assistance will enable me in that profession above the Common sort of men And I stand upon it the more as conceiving how much it behoves the King to suite all his Ministers with fit Imployments Nor was Don Iohn otherwise opinioned of a Truce Which in behalfe of the States being afterwards earnestly pressed by Embassadours from the Emperour Don Iohn the more earnestly denyed conjecturing by the Requesters unusuall Endeavours their Necessity And his hope was advanced by the opportune Arrivall of many in the Campe. For at the same time beyond Expectation were come from Spaine Pedro de Toledo Son to Garcia Viceroy of Sicily Lopez Figueroa that commanded a Spanish Regiment which he brought with him out of the old Garrisons of Italy and Alphonso Leva Son to Sancho Viceroy of Navarre with a hundred selected Spanish Gentlemen to whom the Brother of Alphonso Sancho Leva was Lieutenant Diego Hurtado Mendoza Alphonso's Vncle Ensigne Not long before this Gabriell Serbellonio was released from Tunis by Gregory the thirteenth in Exchange for Prisoners kept in Hardrians Tower ever since the Battaile of Lepanto an eminent Commander that both in regard of his perfect yeares and judgment in military affaires was by Don Iohn and all the Royall Party highly esteemed especially having levyed by Don Iohn's Command 2000 Italians in the Province of Millaine and brought them along with him But nothing more incouraged the Army then the returne of the Lord Bill out of Spaine sent thither by Don Iohn after the battaile of Gemblac to move his Majesty for new Supplies which he obtained For the King made Don Iohn an Exhibition of 300000. Ducats a moneth to pay 30000. Foote and 6000. Horse letting him know this was the summe he could and would spare for the Low-countrey-Warre and cutting off all hope of an enlargment To the Prince of Parma his Majesty once more offered which he commanded him to accept a yearly pension of 10000. Crownes and 2000. for his Friends and servants sending him the Arreares thereof since the day of his coming into the Low-countreys He likewise confirmed Octavio Gonzaga Generall of the Horse with a stipend of 500. Crownes per Month. Christopher Mondragonio and Francesco Verdugo Spanish Colonells had an Assignation that of 800. Crownes this of 500. and Anthonio Olivera chiefe Commissary of the Horse was to have 300. yearely Besides he gave Charles Count Mansfeldt 16000. Crownes and distributed many Donatives to others But at the same time Don Iohn understood that by orders from the King new Forces were raised in Italy for the Low-countrey-service The Governour of Millane nominating for their Commanders Alphonso Count de Somai a Millanese Vincentio Carafa Prior of Hungary a Neapolitan Pyrrho Malvezzi a Bononian and Stephano Mutino all men of quality and able Souldiers Yet it stung Don Iohn to the quick that Officers of his Army should be chosen at the pleasure of the King's Ministers Therefore dispatching away Letters to the King after his humble thanks for the Money and Men sent into the Low-countreys by his Majesty he shewed him There would be no use of more Souldiers out of Italy because he had already ordered the Counts Altempse and Polvillerio old and faithfull Commanders to bring men from the nearest parts of Germany some of which were arrived his allowance being limited could hardly maintaine the Army now raised much less that to be raised So he stopt the Levies of Italy yet in the low-countrey-Low-countrey-Army still kept afoote the once believed Report of new Italian Recruits to discourage the enemy and to animate his own forces Indeed the King's men needed no lesse Incouragement considering what preparations were made against them For an Army raised in Germany for the States had passed the Mose and was now before Nimmenghen and Duke Alencon Brother to the King of France of whom we shall speake much hereafter was with a French Army come to Mons the chiefe City of Haynolt and Iohn Casimir with a very great strength marched towards Nimmenghen through Gelderland certaine intelligence whereof was brought from all parts to Don Iohn who calling a Councell of Warre resolved to fall upon some Quarter of the Enemy and immediatly inforce them to fight But either by his delay or the Enemies expedition it hapned that the German Auxiliaries joyned with the States Army neare Lyre and Mechlin before Don Iohn could bring his men to their Colours and muster them Yet hee had lost the opportunity not the Desire of fighting especially when at another Councell of Warre he saw all the rest of the Commanders desirous of a battaile onely the Prince of Parma dissented to the generall Admiration which he himselfe observing gave his reasons in this manner and almost in these very words which he wrote into Spaine to Samaniego I see Grandees of the Warre you wonder I should not concurre as one that many have taxed of Confidence none yet of Feare you may therefore imagine I am induced by some great considerations that contrary to my custome I thus decline a Battaile Which considerations though I am better at Action then Discourse I shall in short explaine We invade an Enemy strong in number safe in their ground and conveniences for reliefe intrenched and pallisadoed by the adjoyning woods If they when we come to face them knowing themselves secure and therefore slighting us shall keepe within their Trenches by what Force by what Art can we draw them out into the Field But if we only shew our Army and having given them a sight of us retire what shall we gaine by our troublesome March hither and the leaving our Garrisons naked and consequently exposed to the danger of the French Yet their backwardnesse to fight will make them appear the weaker why rather should not our frustrated indeavours and our Retreate shew them to be invincible Besides never without losse diâ—â—aany Army fall off and give the Word for a Retreate though never so skilfully and Souldierly But suppose the Enemy as we wish draw out and give us Battaile of their owne accord Or say our valour force their Trenches shall we presently promise our selves the Victory Truly a wise Generall is concerned not only to consider his owne but likewise the Enemies strength and Inclination and industriously in his heart to cast up a just account of what benefit will result to himselfe what to the enemy by the fortunate or improsperous chance of Warre Indeed my opinion is that our condition and theirs at the present differs very much In the Royall Army here in the Field with us all our strength consists that being defeated which Omen God turne upon the Enemy where shall we raise
Skirmishers but as if the Summe of Affaires were in dispute When Leva having happily lined the thickets with his Musketiers possessed himselfe of the Wood on the left hand and Toledo entring the Passe which had few left to defend it both with great Violence backed by the Horse assailed the Trenches at last beat the Enemy sometimes retiring somtimes facing about fighting even into the Village Nor did their Flight seeme to be ended there but forasmuch as they fired the Hutts they left behinde them it was undoubtedly believed they meant not only to leave their Campe but the Village too But then Toledo and A Monte sending Comes Caesio to Don Iohn beseeched him presently to dispatch away fresh men for the Victory was his own But Prince Alexander because he had observed that the Enemyes without much Dispute quitted their Campe fled orderly as if it were upon Designe began to suspect it was not done by Necessity but on Purpose He therefore instantly mett Don Iohn and finding him unresolved about sending in Supplies increased the Generalls Doubts professing his owne Opinion was that the Campe which the Enemy had so easily parted with and not formerly secured as the custome is with Field-Pieces was only chosen by way of Stratagem to deceive the Royall Army with vaine hopes of Victory and under colour of Flight to bring them into the danger of an Ambuscado Wherefore it would be good till the Place were discovered to call off his men that pursued the Enemy And Caesio went from Don Iohn with whom the Iealously wrought very much to command them to make a Stand. But they had already past the Towne chasing the Enemy that fled scatteringly were entred the Plaine towards Machlin hemmed in with the River Demera on the one side and on the other with a thick Wood and such a military heat transported them that being blinded with a Cloud of dust before they understood the Mysâ—ery they saw themselves come to the Enemye's true Campe lying between the River and the wood intrenched round and strongly guarded on the Front with Cannon There the Enemy had pitched being no fewer then 12000 Foote and 7000 Horse distributed into severall Divisions so as they reached as farr as Machlin All this daunted not the Royalists but making a Halt for Norreys now supplyed from the Neighbouring Campe had rallyed his flying men they put themselves as well they could in order suddainly imbattailed and with new Ardour began the fight These were 5000 Foote all Muskettiers and most of them Spaniards the Horse were Italians Spaniards and Low-countreymen about 600 armed with Lances and Pistols The Enemy was equall in Foote superiour in Cavalry Yet both Armyes fought with strength above their numbers and with Courage aboue their Strength those the Successe of their plott and nearenesse to their Campe these the shame of being cozned and a kind of Desperation precipitated to a Battaile and made them joyne with farre more animosity Some Companyes of Scots made themselves remarkable who either in bravery or not able to indure the heate of their Running and the Day the Sun putting the whole Sky into a Flame stript themselves contented only with their Shirts some casting off those too and tying them about their middles came on naked among the armed men Yet many of them were no lesse safe then others that wore Armes which made them unweldier not so nimble to avoid a hurt slower to rise when they were down last in a Retreate and often either slaine by the Enemy trod under their horses feete or taken Prisoners But the Enemy's Cannon often and safely thundering from their Trenches cruelly shattered the Kings men from which destruction not able to defend themselves because no part of the Plaine was free from the Shott they found but one Remedy which was with their last indeavours to assault their Trenches But those were likewise fortified and they themselves hardly could stand a Charge much lesse assaile others So that Caesio returning to Don Iohn with a true account of their Condition beseeched him since they could not retire without being pursued and ruined nor yet much longer sustaine the fury of the Cannon that he would send Ayde which might incourage them with assurance of Successe to invade the Postes of the Enemy Don Iohn transported with Griefe and Anger though he denyed to send so much as one man to those that ingaging beyond the limits of his expresse Command had brought themselves into those Straites and Intricacyes yet he was pleased briefely to heare the Iudgment of Alexander Farneze Octavio Gonzaga and Count Mansfeldt All which concurred in opinion that it was not safe to send others who rather would partake their danger then come to their reliefe yet that such men ought not to be deserted with so great a losse both of Souldiers and Reputation but that the place at a nearer distance should be viewed and a Resolution taken according to the present Exigence and Expedient This Charge was committed to Prince Alexanders Care who galloping thither and taking a strickt Survey both of the Danger of the party that fought and of all the Advantages of the Field for their Retreate observed that in the hollow of the Plaine betweene certaine hedges and well-planted Orchards lay a Passe by which he despaired not to bring off the Foote He advised about it with Don Iohn and Gonzaga not denying but it was a dubious and almost a rash Attempt yet he said that in acute Diseases somtimes desperate Remedyes are not unskilfully applyed by the Phisicians His designe being approved he himselfe undertooke it the rest easily giving way that he should fetch them off which he did in this manner At the Avenues of the hedges planting Muskettiers he ordered them with a suddaine haile of Shott to stop the Advance of the Enemy and commanded Gonzaga that rallying and animating the Horse he should bring them to guard the Rere whilst they retreated and when the Foote were safe among the hedges give the Enemy a hot Charge and by the way they first entred betwene the Village and the Wood narrow indeed but faire and commodious for horse retire to his Poste Nor with lesse care the Austrian Generall in the meane time riding about the Army exhorted the Colonells and Captaines that keeping their men firme in ranke and file they should receive their fellowes returning from the fight without Disorder which was destructive to the enemy at the battaile of Gemblac where their Horse fled scatteringly and routed their owne Foote which very misfortune might befall the Royall Army if upon the Approach of their fellowes amazed and distracted the Enemy animated by others Feare should then invade them Things thus disposed Prince Alexander before he called off those that fought commaned the foote partly as if they gave ground partly as if they meant to wheele
about and fight againe by degrees to fall back till they came to that part of the plaine which he had shewed to Alphonso Leva then hee gave a private Signe for the Retreate and Gonzaga with his Horse stopped the enemy by renewing of the Fight Don Iohn still sending in fresh supplies Toledo lining the hedges with his Musketeers in the meane time Leva's men gave back so happily that at first they were too quick for the eye of the confederates But when they found the Spanish Foote to be upon their Retreate then the Battaile if ever any was a fierce one and it appeared both what courage and what necessity could do The Royaalists and they were but a very few most of them Foote being now without the danger of pursuite had the Cannon turn'd upon them from the Campe and were shot at both afarre off and neare at hand Yet their valour more then the place befriending them 700. Horse alone commanded by Giovanni Baptista à Monte and his brother Camillo not only stood against many thousands that charged them but sometimes beate them back and fought in their Rankes so firmly as they forced Colonell Norreys the stoutest enemy they had that day after three horses had been killed under him to fight afoote the rest of the confederate Cavalry not too much presuming upon themselves and tired with a Fight so long doubtfull at first all the Spanish Infantry and at last the Horse in face of the Enemi's Cannon were brought safely off Among which Horse no doubt but that Troope of Camillo's merited most Commendations that was last in the field commanded by Captaine Perott being a Troope of Reformados namely Hanniball Gonzaga Flamino Delphino Giovanni Mauriquio Lepido de Romanis Laurentio Tuccio Nicolao Caesio and others only Souldiers here else where Commanders The memory of all which men for example sake should be with their names extended to posterity if I could as readily know their persons as I doe admire their valours These lest the enemy should breake in opposing themselves and crowding together like a bulwarke covered the rest of the Cavalry with such constancy and contempt of Death that when any of them fell as if a piece of a worke were beaten downe the place was presently made good by a fresh man that stood behind That which befell Lepido killed with a shot and Dolphino who going to assist him was taken prisoner could not yet deterre Caesio from taking Delphino's place either by feare of Death or of captivity till at length they themselves when all the Horse were safe left the Field last and like excellent Actors in the Tragedy of Mars came off with infinite Applause So Generall Bolduc sounding a Retreate for feare his men might fall into a Counter-Ambuscado the Battaile ended begun with farre greater preparation then it was followed by either side with Execution For in all not above 400. men miscarried the losse of both parts being in a manner equall only more of the King's Army were hurt and taken more of their's slaine And the Generalls that day merited a quite contrary censure For Don Iohn redeemed the rashnesse of fighting with his judgement in ordering the Battaile Bolduc was cautious in the beginning but losing the opportunity of pursuing with all his Forces spoyled the conclusion of his Victory Wherefore in regard of his greater prudence and valour the Prince of Parma was famed through all the Royall Army who by a miraculous foreknowledge of Events premonished them of all that concerned the expedition and when the Army was so dangerously ingaged and the rest easie to be involved in the same Ruine with like Judgement and courage fetcht them off Insomuch that truely Alexander Farneze who ever till then wrote very sparingly in his own Commendations could no longer containe himselfe but in his Letters to his Mother Margaret of Austria inserted How he could not but thinke he had that day deserved more then ordinarily of the King whose Army the nearer it was to destruction the more be merited that saved it Indeed the oldest Commanders seeing their danger that were catched in a Trappe by the Enemy openly gave them for lost so as not one would undertake to make good their Retreat whose condition they accounted desperate Therefore he held it a greater Honour to himselfe by whom it was so willingly and fortunately attempted But this only her excellence might please to looke upon as the glorying of a Souldier to his Mother and he could not but thinke it fit to give her an account of those generous Spirits she had infused into him This while Don Iohn marched with his recovered Forces towards Areschott prepared if the enemy should follow him in the Rere to fight But when the confederaces either astonished at the extraordinary confidence of the Royalists or fearing to be answered with a stratagem appeared not Don Iohn free from further care returned to Thienen having won more glory among others with taking their Townes and Campe then among his owne that had run a hazzard and well knew their danger While these things were acted in the Low-countreys at the same time the Portugâ—ses fought unfortunately upon the Coast of Africa The newes of which overthrow Prince Alexander first received from Spaine accompanied with a Relation of what exceeded the Losse of that whole Army the King of Portugal's death and therefore sending Fabio Farneze to Henry Cardinall of Briganze Uncle to King Sebastian he condoled with him out of the private interest of Affinity the publique Misfortune and withall congratulated his Succession to the Crowne presenting him a change of Affections as suddaine as that of Cloathes in a Play But now the States having recruited their Army out of Germany and France Don Iohn alter'd his opinion and hearing that Areschot was betraied the Governour whereof Mutio Pagano a valiant and faithfull man sick a-bed rose notwithstanding to quiet the Tumult and was slaine upon the place Camillo Schiaffinate a Lieutenant of an undaunted Spirit in vaine resisting He began to feare that many other Townes would be guilty of like Treason which he could not yet relieve without weakning himselfe by dividing of his Army He therefore thought it his best to dismantle some Castles slight some Garrisons and calling away the Souldiers to bring into one place all his Forces till such time as money came from the King and Recruits from Italy and Germany But instead of men and money Don Iohn receiving Letters from Spaine that commanded him to try all wayes and meanes for an Accommodation Commissioners on both sides being chosen the businesse of Peace was set a foot againe But when they had delivered to Don Iohn three Heads which the States insisted on That he should surrender the Government of the Low countreys to the Arch-duke Matthias upon the same conditions which they had formerly sworne That Duke
Duke of Alva desirous to attend her Highnesse into Spaine and to leave his Governement of the Low-countryes 51 Septem The King assents And nominates his successour Who was long a comming In the interim Alva returnes to his Demands of the 10 and 20. parts An Inundation in the Low-Countries November 1 Greater then any in mans memory What a destruction is made See Pier. Winsen l. 2. Hist. A rare Accident This calamity drawes off the Duke from inâ—isting upon the Taxes Some perswade him to desist altogether Arhâ—n l. 3. Dipnos Others argue that it was just and Necessary And diverse meerely put a trick upon the Duke of Alva At length He qualifies the Edict and proposeth it the third time April The City of Bruxells refuse it with notorious contumacy Alva provides against them Forces and Halters See further in the Prince of Orange's Apology 1581. But suddaine Newes diverts him So that he is forced to leave the designe of Taxes Which had infinitely prejudiced the Duke and occasioned the Revâ—ls of the Low-countreys farre more then all his cruelty The Hollanders anciently free from Tribute Taciâ—us de Moribus Germanorum Idem l. 4. Annal. The exaction whereof caused their Rebellion against the Romanes 1570. And now for the same reasons the P. of Orange sollicits their Defection Having often tryed other waies to bring them 〈◊〉 As last he compasses his desire The People being imboldned upon the newes of the Duke 's present departure The Duke of Alva's Losse at Sea The Water Gheuses Their Generall His Principall Officers They turne Pirates Are prohibited the Ports of England Vorna They take the Towne of Brill April 1. Destroy all things Sacred Beate the Spanish forces Gulielmus Blosius Treslong A wonderfull change followes Durdrecht or Dort revolts from the Spaniard And Vlushing John Treslong And Enchuysen And almost all Holland And a great part Zeland being now out of feare of the Duke of Alva and jeering him for the losse of Brill The revolted Townes put themselves into the Prince of Orange's power Their new Commonwealth The predatory Fleet very much increased and constantly victorious Bernard Mend. l. 16. Making the Taxes their Pretence Iuly 24. Anno 74. Many other Townes revolt Doesburg Zutphan Harderwick Oldden sal c. Lewis of Nassau takes the City of Mons assisted by the French May 25. With their Kings leave procured by Gaspar Coligny Who with too much confidence trusts himselfe to the King Endeavours to win the Low-Country Lords And makes high offers to Vitelli. The Marquesse Vitelli's noble carriage Of Mons recovered by the Duke of Alva J. B. Adrian l. 18. Thuan. l. 36. Duke Federico attacques the Towne The French bravery The Spaniards pitch their Tents Women-spies Punished Bern. Mend. l. 6. 2. Reg. c. 10. The Abbey D'espine taken by the Besiegers The Armyes sent by Coligny to relieve the Towne Gives battaile to Federico Is defeated Vitelli's bold venture Thuan. l. 54. Iohn Meu l. 7. Ber. Mend. reckons but twenty Prisoners put to death Those that escaped the â—ight knockt in the head by the Boores. The victorious Army full of â—olliâ—y The second expedition of the Prince of Orange from Germany into the Low-countreys to relieve his brother Lewis He takes Ruremond by storme Passeth by Lovaine for a summe of money Mechlin yields He takes other Townes in his March Bruxells holds out Guelm a Mar. Lud. Gulielm Foure Armies of the Enemy at one time harressing the Low countreys Pouring their fury upon things sacred and the Priests Guâ—ieâ—m 〈◊〉 de crudeliâ—â—â—â— In 21. Mart. Gorcom Sur. in com Arnold Havr l. 15. de erect Episc. Johann Meurs in Orang l. 7. and others This makes the Prince of Orange's Army illspoken of He hastens to Mons Admires at Alva's Trenches Tryes to breake through in vaine The Ioy in the Duk 's Campe For the Massacre at Paris Henry IV. Gregory XIII A Thanksgiving day upon the same occasion at Rome Which causeth the Prince of Orange his Despaire And retreate from Mons His Campe assaulted in the night by Spaniards in their 〈◊〉 Their confidence The Prince of Orange's danger Septem 19. Mons yielded to Alva His just commendations for that victory He recovers all the Prince of Orange had taken The sack of Mechlin Peter Trigose The charity of the Antwerp Merchants towards the Plundered Iohn Boter in vita Albani ex Hist. Societ Iesu Ann. 1572. The Souldiers piety Alva strives to cleare himselfe from the Infamy of Sacking Mechlin The Victory won by Duke Federico And Mondragonio Goes Octob. 20. Ann. 72. The destruction of Nardem Which make the Spaniard odious Mich. Isselt in Hist. sui temp Fran. Har. in Annal. Belg. aâ—â— fere omnes Of the Siege of Harlem Federico despaires of taking it His Father chides him The Harlemers provoke the Spaniards with new Scorne The Spaniards jeere to the Towne Their Answer Their mocquery of holy things Not unpunished August 1. They yield to mercy Very many put to death Alva's Son The remarkeable Accidents hapning at this Siege Carrier-Pidgeons A Regiment of Women The wilfulnesse and cruelty of the Harlemers The Siege of Harlem and Sancerre 1573. Compared Thuan Hist. l. 55. How many Royalists were slaine and hurt at the siege of Harlem Roan 1562. How many Covenanters were killed Bern. Mend. Lumè discontented His Commission taken from him by the Prince of Orange He is imprisoned Banished the Low-countries Arnold Havensius l. 1. de nov Episcop An. Carner in Hist. Belg. l. 5 Fran-Harzus in Annal. He dyes D. Federico forced to raise his seige of Alcmar Count Bolduc Admirall of the Spanish Fleete beaten at Sea â—euteâ— apud Haraeum in Anâ—l Gallantly fighting Aldegund the Prince of Orange's intimate friend taken prisoner Novemb. 17 The Duke of Alva resignes the Lowcountries to his successour Requesenes And goes aboard for Spaine The diverse senses touching his departures of the Hereticks The Prince of Orange And of the Catholickes Sextus Aurel. in his â—ife He is gratiously received in Spaine by the King But the Courâ—iers thinke the King dissembles Wherein they were deceived The true cause of Alva's confinement His excellent temper of mind in that calamity How great an honour it was to him in the end He is called from banishment to be Generall against Portugall His words to the Messengers He conquers And dyes The King's expression Didaco Prince of Spaine Anne the Emp. Maximilian's Daughter Alva's Elogy His Father 1510. His Grandfather He himselfe greater then his Progenitors Alva and Annas Momorancy parallel'd The Duke of Alva a good Courtier Much affected by the King But rather inwardly then in shew How much the King relied upon his Faith What soyled his Fame 1574. Requesenes begins his Government of the Low-countreys The hopes conceived of him Mart. Delr l. 1. Belg. Turb He takes away the Duke of Alva's Statue To the great joy of the Low-countreymen The Zelanders besiege Middelburg Requesenes sends a Fleet to relieve
him refused The state of the Provinces Breda besieged by the Genera's of the Confederates Cardinal Granvels Brother A Messenger with a Letter to Don John Discovered Another counterfeit Letter was sent The Town rendred The Perfidiousness of the Garrison Ruremond holds out against the Confâ—iderates Still the Treaty of Peace continues The Queen of England moves for a Cessation of Arms in a threatning way She is not listned to The hope of Peace vanisheth Aprodigious Comet In Novemb. Decemb. 1577. January 1578. Of the Battel of Gemblac Both Armies mustered January 20. Don John's is lesse The enemie's greater But his are better men And more confident for this respect 6. January Pardieu Lord de la Mot. Goigny Commander in chief for the Confederates from 18. 1567. 1576. The Order of his Army Goigny Lievtenant-General to the Arch-duke Matthias for this Expedition Scoutes sent out and an ambush laid by Don Iohn The Catholick Army thus marshalled The Standard Don Johns orders Parties of both sides first skirmish Perotto of Sassoferrata The place of battell Alex. Farneze's conjecture of the enemy His words to the Gentleman of his Horse Curtius He communicates his designe to the Officers about him Henr. Viennius Lord of Ceuravium And they following he first passeth over the Gulph They all together charge the enemies horse And rout them Execution done upon the Confederates army Ianuar. 31. The day won by the horse Christ. Assonv in Relatione sayes One Spaniard was too hard for ten Confederates How great the Victorie Mar. Delr sayes but two were slain Mich. ab Isselt Leo. Belg. Febr. 2. Gemblac besieged by the Conquerours Yielded Mercy shewed to the town And to the prisoners Don Iohn's words to General Goignie The Conquerours commended by Don Iohn Prince Alexander especially With some adâ—â—â—ition Alex. Farneze's Answer His letter to the King in praise of Don Iohn Fâ—br 5. The like Commâ—ndations inserted in many other letters from Prince Alexander to Anton. Perez Marc. Almazar and Marc. Ayemont Feb. 15. Feb. 13. wherein he writes nothing of himself The Deputies of the Estates ignorant of the Victory sit in Councell Their trepidation when they heard the news The Arch-duke and the Prince of Orange flie Lord of Hierg Lovain yields to Don Iohn Feb. 5. And Iudoigne And Tienen Feb. 7. And Areschot Feb. 17. And Bovines Sichem summoned Refuseth to treat Alex. Farneze makes ready for an assault Febr. 21. Ordering his Forces In this manner The fight The Royalists The Sichemers Peter Henriquez and Baraiaz The Town is taken They that flie are cut to pieces The Town plundered The Castle holds out But Alex. Farneze batters down their works And raises new of his own The Castle rendred The Prisoners executed Diestem terrified Feb. 24. Submits And are gratiouâ—â—y used The Garrison-souldiers take Pay of the King Levia reduced Febr. 27. C. Mansfeld attemps Nivel Is repulsed The Town treats with Don Iohn A mutinie in the Catholick Army Don Iohn severs the Mutineers Demands the Principall of them Makes them cast lots for their lives At last one is hanged March 11. The Nivellers render themselves The Garrison suffered to depart without their Arms which are bestowed upon the French A gift that ruins them Mar. Delr l. 5. Turb Belg. saith 200 were lost The like misfortune formerly happened to their Nation Anno 1552. Pont. Heuter l. 3. Thuan. lib. 10. The Frenchmen move for a discharge from the service Duke of Alen-Son Don Iohn easily grants their suit They return in arms against him Part of them slain by surprise Part retire to a Fort. And will take no conditions Towns surrendred to Don Iohn Binch 1554. Malbuge Reux Beanmont Soigniac Barlamont Cimace taken by Assault April 15. The Castle yields Philipvil besieged It 's site 'T is invaded As we read in Cesar Livie and others Don John performing the parts of a Generall and a common souldier It is rendred Upon these terms May 19. 1578. The expedition of Limburg by Don John in his sicknesse committed to Alexander Farneze Why he undertakes it Part of his Forces sent before Iune 7. The Suburbs taken The site of Limburg Vvest Woâ—kes in order to an Assault Prince Alexanders Letter to the Limburgers They defer the sending of their Answer Whereat enraged He hastens the finishing his workes Comes Nicolaus Caesius And begins to batter from the hill A large Breach made The besiegers come up to the City gates A Messenger from the Towne to Prince Alexander His Answer He grants them an houres time to consider The women Supplicate from the walles Iune 16. The Towne is rendred Thought fortified And in a condition to hold out The Conquerours give God thanks P. Alexander summons Dalhem His Trumpet not admitted The Castle batterred To no purpose The Burgundians scale it And take both Castle and Towne by storme Iune 10. With a great Slaughter of the Citizens The sad fortune of a Maid Two Souldiers strive for her and in their struggle use their prisoner most inhumanely Who wounded and halfe dead Is taken from them But immediatly dies The benefit that followed the taking of Limburg Thanks sent to Alex. Farneze by the Princes whose Estates lay neare the Towne To the confederates great griefe at first afterwards to their great joy Vpon a Report that Prince Alexander with diverse more was slaine Coyned by the Prince of Orange Why such kind of newes is often forged What truth was in this Rumour A Miraculous Accident Iune 30. The Deaths of Count Barlamont Count Megen C. Barlamont's Encomion Aegidius Lancelloâ— Charles Don John's prosperous fortune troubles the Enemy Amsterdam attempted by the P. of Orange 1577. November Beates out his men Mar. Del. l. 4. Turb Belg. For which the Women are to be commended February At last the Towne is rendered and deceived The Prince of Orange votes for a Truce March 10. Sellio in the Kings name Treates with the Deputies of the Estates But to no end The Prince of Orange will onely give eare to a Truce Which Prince Alexander likes not March 25. His Letter to his Father Octavio Duke of Parma Neither is it approved of by Don Iohn New Officers from Spaine Pedr. de To. ledo Lopez Figueroa Alphons-Leva Gabr. Serbellonio Iune 22. New supplies of money from the King to Don Iohn To Alexander Farneze To Octavio Gonzaga To Mondragonio To Verdugo To Ant. olivera To Count Mansfeldt New levies in Italy Vnder these Commanders Don Iohn troubled at it Stops their proceedings Three Armies of the Enemy The States Forces The Duke of Alencon's Iuly 19. â—ohn Casimir's Iuly 17. Don Iohn's Councell of Warre Alex. Farneze votes against fighting them August 18. Only Serbellonio concurres with Prince Alexander The rest viz. Gonzaga Mansfeldt Olivera Montin and Mondragonio were of Don John's opinion Especially hearing the Prince of Orange was falne out with Campin And with Hese and Glimè Mart. Delr l. 4 Turb Belg. Don Iohn resolve to fight The site of the Enemy's
description of other Generals by how much he will be oftner in the Readers eye filling up a great part of our future Annals Nor will it be unpleasing to know Alexander Farneze before his Low-countrey expedition and to compare him in his former life to Himself in the Government of the Low-countreys like Members of a great Bodie every where great Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma Piacenza Governour of the Low countreys But in the interim a nobler cause of war was offered him a generall peace being concluded among Christian Princes against the common enemie Divers considerations incited him to that voyage the ground of the Warre the confluence of noble persons that ingaged and above all the Generall Don Iohn of Austria equally near to him in love and bloud Nor was his Father unwilling to let him go in hope that his sons military inclination would produce great effects howsoever that his fiercenesse would be tamed But his Mother that was powerfull with her husband being against it the Duke said nothing could be done till they knew the pleasure of the King his Uncle In the mean time Margaret of Austria received Letters as she had ordered it from the King wherein he wished Prince Alexander should not go as yet But he beyond measure inflamed with Don Iohns invitation at last prevailing with his Mother and the King furnished himself for the Warrs as young souldiers ever do magnificently Fourty two Gentlemen of Parma and Piacenza followed him and he had three hundred that were a king of Pretorians for his Life-guard men chosen with more then ordinary care by Paulo Vitelli a great Commander most of them having been Captains Lieutenants or Ensignes or at least above the rank of common souldiers With this train Prince Alexander offered himself as a Volunteer to his Uncle the Generall Who then by chance being at the Musters of his Army affectionately embraced him and when he had with the Generalls leave selected four hundred sea-men of the Kings he put them in two Gallyes sent from the Common-wealth of Genoa to be commanded by Comes Carolo Scotto and Pedro Francisco Nicello he himself with his Lieutenant Vitelli and part of his Gentlemen and Souldiers going aboard the Admirall of Genoa Though in the voyage especially before the battel Don Iohn would never let him be out of the Imperiall Galley where he was himself which turned to the benefit of the whole Navie For a verie bitter difference ensuing between Don Iohn and Venerio the Admirall of Venice likely to embroyl the forces of Christendome in a Civil Warre when Don Iohn in his first heat was about to revenge the wrong offered to the Majestie of the Supream Admirall onely Prince Alexander though some failed not to bring fuell to the fire that burned sufficiently in the young Generalls nature had so much power with his Uncle that he kept him from striking the first stroke Till Mark Antonio Columna the Pope's Admiral and the Venetian Embassadour Augustino Barbaricâ— by their wisdom joyned to Prince Alexander's endeavours swifter then imagination dispersed this Tempest threatning destruction to the Fleet. For which service when Prince Alexander came next to Rome Pope Pius commended him before some of the Cardinalls acknowledging both himself and Christendom much obliged to him But when they were upon the place of Battel formerly famed for the victory of Actium won by Octavius Cesar and the ships on both sides put in Battalia Prince Alexander being aboard Columna's Gally in the midst of the Fleet passed into his own the two other Genoa-Gallyes lying to the wind-ward and after aâ—showr of Arrows and Bullets from afarr the ships encounting Alexander Farneze having an eye upon Mustapha Treasurer of the Turkish Fleet with all his force stem'd his Gally and grappling found her a great deal stronger then he imagined She carryed the money and therefore was manned with above three hundred Ianizaries all old and valient Souldiers When they had fought long upon equall termes sometimes one of them setting up their Colours sometimes another Prince Alexander at once inflamed with shame and anger flourishing as he used to do a huge great sword leaped into the Bashaw's Gally and laying about him on both sides like a mad-man by the flaughter of the enemy opened a way to his Souldiers that were so nettled with the example and danger of their General as now all the boldest Turkes being slain the rest would presently have yeiled if the Bashaw of Alexandria had not come in with a strong Gally whereby the Turks both strengthened and encouraged for a while renewed the fight But one of Alexander's Farneze's Gallyes sending in fresh supplies when the Turks could no longer stand the fury of the conquerours Mustapha being in many places run through the body the Bashaw of Alexandria hurt and soon after taken Prince Alexander made himselfe master not only of the Treasurer's Gally but likewise of the Auxiliary ship with so great pillage for his men that some of them got 2000 Sultanies it is a Coin of little lesse value then the Venetian Chechine of gold others 3000 onely out of this Gally of the Treasurers besides what his two other Gallies found in three of the enemies Galliouns and as many of their Galliasses They say that Don Iohn of Austria after the Battel when he heard his Nephew Alexander highly extolled received him with great expressions of joy and love yet praised him with this exception that he boarded the enemy with better successe then judgment they being yet in their full strength and able to have hindred his retreat Which fault he took for an honour and said the reason of his confidence was built upon the sanctitie of his wife by whose prayers to God for him he conceived himself protected and secured so merrily passing over his uncles reprehension Nor was the gallantry of Prince Alexander's minde lesse manifested the year following though with lesse fortune or rather lesse concord of the Christian Nations For the league being renewed and the Christian Fleet somewhat too late after the Battel of Lepanto returned to prosecute their victory in Peâ—oponnesus the new Turkish Admiral Uluciall had now repaired his ships and to avoide the encounter of the League having many times changed his Road now lay at Anchor near the strong Port of Methone And whilst Don Iohn with many offers to fight endeavoured to draw the Turks into the Main he resolved to send Alexander Farneze to besiege Navarinum not far off by land Who with 6000 in two divisions began to batter the Fort with more industrie then successe For the place being all rock or craggy his men could hardly get earth to raise their batteries nor could their tubbs and Gabions filled with earth and stone opposed in stead of a curtain be defence sufficient against the enemies Cannon The Seige was neverthelesse continued
and the Navarines sallying out but with losse beat back were thought to be upon the point of yielding When the Turks either by the connivence or ignorance of Prince Alexander's Souldiers put in men by night and relieved the Garrison Besides the Turkish horse and foot coming from al quarters Prince Alexander fearing they would block up his retreat and not hoping to take the Castle thought it enough in his enemies sight to retire with his Cannon to the Fleet. And Don Iohn since the Turkish Navy shunning a general Battell could by no affront be provoked to sea contented to have struct a terrour into the enemy and forced them to confesse themselves not able to appear upon the Main the mindes as well as the Fleet of the Christians being divided he went to Sicily the rest to other places Thus was Alexander Farneze initiated in war which as it begat an opinion both among those great Souldiers and Princes absent specially the successour to Pope Pius Gregory and King Philip of Spain that he would prove a gallant General so afterward it moved the King of his own accord to call him where the war was most dangerous into the Low-countreys For his Majesty pressed with the Low-countrey-mens daily complaints against Don Iohn of Austria and very desirous to quiet the Netherlands without Arms that weaken even the Conquerour himself he resolved to satisfie the desires of the Provinces and in his Brothers place to substitute his Sister Margaret of Austria with her Son Alexander Farneze Hoping either by her prudence and power with the Low-countrey-men to find out some expedient towards the concluding of a Peace or by his valour if there was use of Arms strongly to pursue the war Therefore he ordered it that Cardinall Granvell then at Rome should perswade his sister of Parma to return into the Low-countreys The Cardinall taking a journey to Aquila found there very opportunely the Dutchesse and Prince Alexander and read his letters containing the Kings desires to both together Though his Majesty had likewise commanded the Marquesse of Ayamont Governour of Millaine to treat with Prince Alexander apart The Dutchesse answered doubtfully she would advise upon it either fearing as she pretended to displease Don Iohn or by that delay and seeming refusal aym to put a higher value upon her journey But Alexander Farneze without the least demurring said he would obey the King with all his heart if it so pleased his mother He made yet a plainer answer to two letters delivered him by Raphael Manrique from Ayamont that was sick and kept his bed together with his Majesties letter wherein after expression of his grief for the death of Princesse Mary wife to Prince Alexander he signifies his resolution to imploy him in the Low-countreyes I am certain they are the Kings words now you know it with a ready and undaunted mind you will satisfie my exspectation of you and my love which highly esteems you and your virtue most illustrious Prince But when the King altered his determination of substituting the Dutchesse in his Brothers place by reason of Matthias the Arch-dukes coming into the Low-countreyes it was doubted at Parma whether it would be handsome for Prince Alexander to go and fight in the Low-countreyes commanded by another which consideration he out of duty to the King and desire of glory in the wars easily contemned especially incouraged by some dark words of Granvell promising great matters Besides Gregory the thirteenth interposed his Authority and exhortation who informed of the design by Cardinal Farneze highly praised it and bad the Cardinal write to the Prince of Parma in his name that the expedition would be pleasing to God and therefore under so mighty protection and upon encouragement from his Holiness he should willingly and speedily undertake it The Pope I suppose did not thus commend the warre onely for the King of Spain's sake and the common cause of Religion but for some peculiar benefit that might result to the Pontifician Empire For the Prince of Parma being a Feudatary and Homager to the See Apostolick his Holinesse thought himself concerned in sending the Prince to a Forein warre whence he might return an able General to defend the Church of Rome Wherefore Alexander Farneze having within a few dayes received three letters from Don Iohn of Austria which invited him with great entreaties and no lesse promises to the society of warre and glory making ready with all possible speed the twelvth day after he left Parma arrived at Luxemburg and there met Don Iohn who with expressions of incredible contentment received Prince Alexander that stood amazed to see his uncle no lesse impaired in his health then in the presence and Majestie of the most fortunate Generall So true it is that they are most sensible of adverse fortune which have been in most felicity It is therefore probable that Don Iohn not against his will or onely by the Kings command sent for the Prince of Parma nor did with dissembled joy welcome him from whose long approved fidelitie and valour he might promise safety to the publick and a particular preservation to himself whose life was sought by so many plots At their first meeting Don Iohn imparted the Kings commands that he should acquaint Prince Alexander with all businesse of Warre and Peace and reserve for his use 1000 Crownes a moneth Both which conditions pleased him very much especially the later usually given by the King to none but Viceroyes Governours of Provinces or Generalls of Armies For some dayes the Prince of Parma took the money till the Kings high estimation of his merit was thereby divulged among the people afterwards writing his humble thanks to his Majesty he as one more ambitious of honour then profit refused the pay adding that it was not fit he should be so remunerated who had yet done no service and he needed no encouragement But Alexander Farneze acting nothing without order from Don Iohn wholly applyed his minde and endeavours to inform himself of affaires at home and abroad which he found to be in a very bad condition For the King had but two Provinces that continued loyall in the rest the few Forts that held for his Majestie daily revolted to the States Nay even in Holland Amsterdam it self began to waver And in Brabant Bergen op Zoom where the Souldiers basely betraying their Colonell Charles Fugger yeilded to the States But the Garrison of Breda a while before deceived by a stratagem of the enemy carryed themselves yet more basely towards their Colonell For the Generalls of the Sates Arrmy Philip Count Holach and Frederick Perenot Lord of Campin that besieged Breda they were gallantly opposed by George Fronsberg Colonel of the Germans that served Don Iohn but the Garrison because they were some payes behind daily growing to mutiny Fronsberg by a man of know