he desisted what was his owne or knew he could make his owne he would keepe vntill the Palatinate were restored and the Bauarians and Spaniards departed he would either diuert the Warre to other places or enrich his Army out of other mens purses as for the name of peace it had an ill accent in these times confidering their owne examples For what did he any more then was taught him and could he doe lesse then set on foot some reuenge If the Spaniards and Bauarians vnder the colour of the Emperours seruice had set vpon the Palatinate and Protestants there the auncient inheritance of a religious Prince and Elector of the Empire why might not he for the seruice of the King of Bohemia iâ—seâ— other Countries who were irreligious Papists and held those Diabolicall positions of murthering and deposing of Princes This answer was much displeasing to Leopoldus but he saw no remedy For to adde vnto his discontentment the Switzers resolued not to admit of his gouernment and so sent word to the Duke of Millane of the same who could doe nothing without the King of Spaines resolutions but they would not tarry his answer but sought all the meanes they could to free themselues and assist the Grizons for the recouery of the Valtolina againe whereupon they certified Count Mansfield of all their affaires who resolued to follow Leopoldus whether soeuer he went and to presse him to make an end of the Warre and that intrusion In the meane while the Towne of Elsas is now befieged and the three dayes they demaunded expired so they reso lued to fight it out and sent word to the Castle of He genbart standing vpon a very high rock to annoy the Army as they could which they did night and day For the Mansfildians lay within shot and the Towne thought vpon nothing but rescue but neither did the Artillery doe any great harme to the Army nor could Leopoldus preuent the mischiefe which followed For about the 27. of Ianuary the Army gaue a braue affault vpon the Towne and with diuers batteries and the losse of 400. men with two principall Captaines they tooke the same as also Mours Menster where were slaine 300 but in both they found sufficient riches with 300. Tunne of Wine and many thousand measures of Corne but neither spoile not rapes were committed For vpon small payments their houses stood with their Houshold-stuffe and Vtensels vnstirred and none were ransommed but the honest Papists For the Abbot and diuers others were faine to flye and dispierce themselues into Lotteringhen and sundry places of security yet could not preuent great disbursements of mony nor in a manner ransomming themselues For the Markgraue of Tourlack tooke his Excellencies part and got many people and Souldiers to be retained in his Excellencies Army which was mustred anew and so he marched backe againe toward Loraine with all the Peeces which he had at Hagenaw who were faine to disburse 10000. ricks dollers to buy out their peace yea the Duke of Lottinghem himselfe came to a composition of 100000. ricks dollers that he would paffe quietly without forraging his dominions which order he obserueth with all the places that doe quietly surrender as for those that oppose against him either Village or Towne he leaueth to the spoile of the Souldier and when they haue no spoile he payeth them out of his treasury Now you must consider that how euer Elsas Saueren was taken yet there was a composition made and conditions of agreement ratified betweene them for the payment of 300000. Ricks dollers which were demanded the first of February and for want of disbursing much vnkindnesse and threatning followed yet had they fine dayes longer respite in which interim Count Mansfield retiring himselfe to Hagenaw gaue the Army leaue to visite the Countrey and such places where they might imagine any booty was to be gotten or Enemy to be met withall and so about the third of February 9. Cornets of Horfe passed Strasburag Bridge to intercept the Bauarians who were gone vpon some designe to Swatwood And vpon the fourth of-February many Companies went out another way and burned foure of the Bishops Villages watching the Markets and taking many Bauarians prisoners who lye vpon the Countrey as well as themselues and take one another at aduantage as opportunity feiues their turnes The fift of February the speech was that the whole Army would rise and march forward to Hemses Heim Brifac and Friburg but hearing that the Bauarians were going to new lodging they desisted for that time and did not meane to stirre till they were assured where the Enemy would dispose of himselfe While these things were showne on the Stage of Variety and all Christiandome stood looking on to behold what scenes these seruants of Bellona would act Letters both of gratification and direction came from the King of Denmark and all that fauoured the cause of the Palatinate wherein he had particular intelligence that the Protestant Princes were resolued vpoÌ„ an Army of their own that is to say to be paid at their owne charges vnder the commaund of the Earle of Tourlach and to that purpose Murterbergh taketh vp 3000. Foot and 500. Horse the Barrons Messairs de Bounoies and Frandecount two Regiments the Marcâ—graue of Baden and Duke Weymaren 3000. Foot and 500. Horse Duke Magnus 1000. foot and 400. horse Hemsteder 3000 foot the Rheien Graf Oue 500. horse Fleckensteine 600. horse and Golstein 3000. foot and 400. horse all which with diuers others shall march vnder the standard of the Princes of the Vnion For although they vnderstand of great preparations from Sauoy Naples Millaine Spaine Poland Austria and the Princes combined vnto the Emperour and his seruice yet they are assured that the Switzers haue leagued themselues both Protestants and Papists to cast off the yoke of the Spanish gouernment and to moue in their owne free Orbes as they did before yea Leopaldâ—â— himselfe doth much repine at the Spaniards intrusion into the Valtolina or any territories of the Grizons for the gouernment did euer belong vnto a younger house of Austria and one of the Archdukes in former times lost his life about the same and with much adoe it was obtained And thus much of Earle Mansfields proceedings to the 12. of February last whose comming downe into the Palatinate besides the running away so fortunately with his owne actions hath made the passage the casier for Generall Veres care and diligence to fortifie such principall places as lay open before to the daring approches of a strong Enemy and the fearefull batteries of a Cannon or other stratagems of Warre but now Heidelberg with many other Townes are well fortified the passages haue Sconses the confines are garrisond the riuers haue Bridges which they can take away at their pleasure and the very Boores though labouring like Pyoners returne to their Villages with the reputation of a Souldier so that in my conscience if Spinola himselfe were now to take possession into this Countrey he would finde it more difficult then he did and whosoeuer may conceit by the same argument that therefore the Bauarian and Spaniard being now fortified will hardly be compulsed out without rendition or composition I answer plainely I thinke so to For so I am assured the behalfe of the Bauarians that they will hardly get any further places of account then they haue but if the Warre be diuerted to other Countries as you saw how the Romanes dealt with Anniball to draw him to defend Carthage that had been 17. yeares in Italy and could not be startled from thence by force or pollicy then it may be these intruders will be glad to goe home againe to keepe their Countrey from the cruell Armes of deuastation or if some thundring troopes come vpon them with a well disciplined and gouerned Army then may the stronger arme put out the strong man As for their obiection that would commend the piety of the Enemy in not ouer-running the Countrey at his first entrance into it What hath hee done better then Count Mansfield hath done in many Countries but I will answer more particularly peraduenture he could not after the Noble Vere came to intercept his forwardnes peraduenture he was willing to taste of the Grapes and fruits many dayes and then it had beene folly to haue made an vntimely Vintage and deuoured all in one day Peraduenture he was loath to goe too farre for loosing himselfe in a Wood or hazard his returne when he would if such came behind him as would make him leape ouer their Pikes or peraduenture he had limitation least by prouing too cruell he might stop vp the gap of all piety and commiseration if euer the wheele of Fortune would turne about and leaue the triumpher himselfe in the hands of compassion as in all ages and chances of Warre hath happened where many a time the Sonne hath beene stabbed for his Fathers cruelty the Generall reconciled by finda noble aduersary But here me thinks I am answered with peremptorinesse that these Countries haue such mighty aduersaries that there is no possibility of extenuating their greatnesse much lesse of bringing them to the barre of a new examination Be not too presumptuous nor runne away so fast with ouer-confidence of any worldly stability remember rather what Mordecay said to Hester That if she did not goe in to the King for the preseruation of her people God would raise some help another way to bring his purposes to passe so say I of the Palatinate when we runne away with an opinion of inuincible Armados and for euitable Armies the windes and weather may discipate the one and very weake opposition ouerthrow the other For the God of windes and battailes hath a trick to humble vs with hard beginnings at the first that prosperity may be the better welcome when it is hammered out as it were on the Anuill of toile trauaile wants disgrace contempt and other fearefull endurances FINIS
disheartned as resolued that Honour worketh vpon difficult attempts he obtained a halfe Moone from whence he was also fiered and repulsed with the like losse For when we perceiued that they were Masters of the same and in possession of the Trenches we presently made a Mine which prospered so well that we blew them into the ayre For the Towne hauing a passage at the back of the halfe Moon after the fashion of rauelings we did the better effect our purpose though the worke it selfe was quite defaced There was also another halfe Moone somewhat lesse made vpon the ditches which likewise the Enemy attempted but belike hearing of the failing of the former they desisted although they had made many brauadoes to assault euen the ditches themselues wherein they might haue endangered their whole Army For they were so well defended that 3000. men could not surprise them then had they the wall to come to which must haue endangered them a great deale more nay if they had obtained the wall which must be done with the like losse there were many Scafferies behind and a new wall begun to be made which also would haue much endamaged them so that by the iudgement of experienced Souldiers and the successe of that wherein they had beene engaged considering they could not bring the Cannon to batter for the out-workes this Army would questionlesse haue been consumed in obtaining this one place and yet they might haue failed to For in three weekes they lost 3000. men and diuers persons of account besides great Officers and Captaines whose bodies were embalmed and sent to Stein but God be thanked to preuent our further feare and vaine supposes of what might haue beene done on both sides the comming of Count Mansfield preuented all our accounts and the Enemy departed within foure dayes toward Wormes so that the Generall came not to Franckendale at all but presently followed the Enemy to Wormes and there encamped himselfe round about the 18. of October whether repaired Generall Vere some English Captaines hauing leasure to treat of their affaires send to Heidelberg and other places both to comfort supply them But the truth is we determined to set vpon the Enemy at his Bridge had we not found many inconueniences in the same For as he lay betweene the Rhein and a Marsh well intrenched and insconsed by Stein wee could not come at him or if you will durst not set vpon him because men were precious vnto vs and many wants came vpon vs besides the time of yeere which threatned vs with vnseasonable weather the Countrey was also forraged and the warres had looked vpon this flourishing Prouince with as angry a countenance as when she threatned to depopulate and destroy a Countrey indeed For both the Enemy and our selues must be here and now supplied Wherevpon his Excellency about the 22. of October resolued to retire and dispierce his Army and so some went to Franckendale some returned with Generall Vere to Mainhem both the Colonels Mersen Bandshâ—w went to Heidelberg and his Excellency himselfe departed to Mainhem but taried not long by reason of many inconueniences so hee obscured his time and passed ouer the Bridge into the Bishoprick of Spires taking all places he came at and ransacking euery Town wherein he determined not to recide except Vdenhem from thence vnderstanding of the slender guard of other places he deuided his Army sending some forces to Benshem some to Heppenhem and some to Weinhem all which he quickly surprised taking the spoile for his Souldiers as quickly forsooke when the Enemy approched who indeede watched him very narrowly Yet Colonell Tilley passed most industriously to Badenberg there made a Bridge ouer the Necker and raised a Sconse right against Neckerhausen where he quartred himselfe as his Excellency had done in other places to the refreshing of his Souldiers and enriching his Army Till this the Bauarians were at variance with the Spaniards and some vnkindnesse arose about Precedency of places For the Spanish Generall Don Cordona would not giue place to the Bauarians which Colonell Tilley challenged as lying neerest the Enemy and skirmishing often with his Excellency whereupon they fell to blowes and that at last deuided them assunder so the Bauarians going ouer Odenwald tooke Mosbach and Ederback on the Necker and also Steinbach and Schonam which hee might doe with ease considering Count Mansfield returned once againe to Mainhem about the 13. of Nouember and so was this Bishoprick of Spieres tossed as it were betweene two Seas and ready to be swallowed of either For both the Armies were needy and the belly hauing no eares nor eyes to discerne parties called for meat and entertained all that came But what with the necessity of his affaires the stirringnes of his spirit his Excellency could not rest long in a place so the 15 of Nouem went ouer the Bridge againe taking in Dieteshen which after 8. Cannon shot yeelded without resistance wherein Duke Saxon Lowanbord stayed with his Regiment From thence the 16. of Nouember his Excellency took Keichweild Towne and a Castle standing in a marsh by composition for it should seeme both Captaine and Souldiers though for the most part Subiects of the Bishoprick of Spires were well addicted to his Excellency and so yeelded without battery making intercession to serue him and so they were entertained and remained amongst vs the rather because the Enemy was strong in these parts places as lodging the chiefe Lieutenant Colonell Lipp vnder Graue Rheinhart van Solmes with his Regiment and 2000. Horse vnder the Saxon Lowanbord who were all dispiersed for maintainance in the Countrey and lay thus vpon aduantage to set forward the seruice The 18. of Nouember we marched toward Lunterbord taking both the Castle and the Towne without resistance For the Inhabitants hearing of our approach abandoned their dwellings except 10. Burgers and the Secretary of the State who submitted themselues and admitted of our preuailing the rest of the people fled some houre before we came whereby we found much Houshold-stuffe apparell and linnen all which fell to the Souldiers by his Excellencies appointment who desiring rather money then to be encombred with such vnportable stuffe sold that for a Florine which was worth tenne for when peace and safe conduct was proclaimed to all that would returne and repossesse their houses many came backe againe and redeemed their furniture at easie rates so his Excellency made his chiefe quarter here and grew so strong that the Townes both of Wormes and Spiers desired his Protection and paid great summes of money the one was granted the other receiued by whose example other Townes condiscended likewise to contribution For Landaw and Weisenburg both rickes Townes disbursed great sums Haggenaw paid 5000. ricks dollers and hath yeelded her selfe with the tender of all seruice and the supply of his Excellencies wants especially to send him Prouant and Munition if he went to Lanterburg yea all
the places and people submitted themselues and applauded his fidelity and endurances Inso much that from the 18. of Nouember to the 25. there assembled so great a number of Earles Barons Colonels Captaines and Gentlemen besides the wonderfull concurse of people that as it is one way incredible so is it another way remarkable that either the person or the cause should thriue so suddainely and against all expectation euery man offering his seruice to his Excellency and euery thing giuing waie to his fortunes and the successe of his enterprises Don Court a Baron of Loraine hath mustred 600. Horse Graue Cassimire van Lowestein 1000. Colonell Carleston 600. Horse and to make the Companies compleat both with Foot and Horse Commissions were granted about the end of Nouember to raise 6000. Foot more whereof the most part are come already so that in my conscience if multitudes of men will performe any exploit here are men enough to ouer-runne a Kingdome or if those men they haue may be paid and kept together here are spirits that propose great matters to themselues and as great seruice to their Generall The Duke of Bulloigne proportioneth 4000. Foot and 1000. Horse The Prince of Wittenberg with diuers great States and other Ricks Townes promise faire and send his Excellency word they haue already 8000. in Armes and at the Spring will make them vp 15000. for the defence of the Palatinate and as it should seeme all the Princes of the Vnion somewhat ashamed of their former retraction will reassume new courages and make a triall of new fortunes so that by this computation if we may flatter our selues with the hopes of promises and coadiutements of men such as the Romanes were wont to Auxiliary forces and Presidiary Colonies the King of Bohemia reckoning his own helps may presume of 60000. men but yet farre be it from presumption because God worketh many times with lesser number greater workes then either the recouery of the Palatinate or Kingdome of Bohemia To this we may adde that Army which is already vnder the commands of Iohn George Marquesse of Iaggendorpe and the Earle of Thorn being at the least 16000. strong in Bohemia and the Prouinces of Silesia and Morauia for all the threatnings of the Duke of Saxony and inconstancy of the Citizens of Prague and why may I not name the Hungarians and Transiluanians vnder Bethelem Gabor who questionlesse will not deale ingenerously with the King of Bohemia but step in as a sharer in this recouery and keepe all the contracts in despight of rumour that will haue him at peace with the Emperour or at least at truce in this time of his absence from Vienna as is reported that he is gone toward Italy about a marriage But whether it be so or no such be the Letters such is the report and euery man stands gazing on these preparations as if they were to behold some prodigious comet falling onely into the scruple of coniecture what should be the issue of both For my part I leaue all to the vnsearchable prouidence of God and returne to the businesse in hand which turneth me ouer to a new worke By the occasion of these warres and dilacerating the peace and plenty of Countries this goodly Prouince of the Palatinate had come into the hands of cruell vsurpers and vnnaturall strangers who haue respected nothing but the present time and supplying of wants not caring what became of her hereafter nor how deformed they made her for to welcome her owne parents For they cut downe her Woods euen before Franckendale and other places to preuent annoyance from the Enemy who kept in the same as vnder shelter and from thence made many sallyes vpon the people and lay as it were in Ambuscado to surprise the Souldiers they ouer-trampled her Vines and made the hoofes of their Horses speake cruelly to the rootes they digged vp her fields for Trenches and Bulwarks they pulled downe their houses round about their Townes to raise rauelings and counterscarps they oppressed the people suffering no man to enioy his owne nor to giue it away to whom they pleased so that they which before in a manner liued securely without walls and fortifications are not now safe within walls trenches and the mounting of Cannons and this is the misery of discention and the rage of Princes who will not be pacified without mischiefe and reuenge as is apparant all ouer Bohemia and those Countries where the Enemies haue come in with the sound of hostility so that if any demand why Count Mansfield being so strong so well prouided and befriended doth not returne into the Palatinate and either contriue the rendition or prosecute the Enemies expulsion I answer plainly 1. The Souldiers loue the spoile better then pay and so are kept together with the hopes of reward and enriching themselues 2. Secondly the Palatinate being thus forraged will not supply the wants of so great an Army 3. Thirdly they must be consumed against fortified trenches and Sconses For they will not come to a maine battell except they list 4. Fourthly treasure being wasted he is not sure alwaies to pay them and it is a rule in Martiall discipline not to let the Souldier want while he lieth in the field 5. For all his Excellency be thus forward yet is he subiect to direction and expecteth more friends 6. Last of all to expulse the Spaniard Bauarian by force out of the Palatinate must cost a great effusion of blood and Princes that are good would spare the liues of their Subiects yea of Christian Enemies as much as may be But to returne where we left About the 21. of Nouember the Enemy approched Dieteshen with 8000. horse and foot and foure Peeces of Ordnance notwithstanding Captaine Banbierg desisted from opposing or fighting with him as pretending he had no such Commission but only to stay for his Excellencies comming who was resolued to encounter with him indeed but the Enemy taried in no place but rather retired backe and so there was no hunting him in a depopulated Countrey The 25. of Nouemb his Excellency left Landerberg leauing but one Company as a Garison therein and marched with all his forces toward Gernsham and the next day toward Dieteshen with foure Peeces of Ordnance of 15. pound bullet where the Enemy and he skirmished for though they retired about the 22. of Nouemb. yet they still houered here about and resolued vpon any aduantage or opportunity to besiege the Towne by which occasion when we found them here we came to blowes but their maine forces lay entrenched by a Marsh and kept the fastnesse so that we could neither enforce them nor fight any set battaile wherefore his Excellency loath to loose time in the euening retired to Bernshem againe whereby the Enemy had leasure to besiege Dieteshen and so with nine dayes battery and the losse of 200. men he tooke it by composition after we as I said had skirmished with them the 26. and 27.
many times The 29. of Nouemb the Burgomaster Nonnelts of Spiers was sent vnto his Excellency with gratification and assurance that they would take vp 1000. men and giue them three moneths pay and so send them well furnished to his Excellency by which example the Townes of Landaw Weisenburch and Hagenaw haue done the like according to proportion of Inhabitants but Strasbourg hath beat vp the Drums for 4000. with her Villages who are ready to come vnto vs so that we encrease daily and finde the Protestants to their power willing to supply vs with men money and munition whereupon we returned to Dieteshen againe and repossessed the place putting the Enemy out and so left 300. men as a Garison in the same which was done the 12. of Decemb. we did the like to Fridelshem but that fell into the Enemies hand as soone as we departed For you must know that these places are neither fortified nor walled but as the stronger forces possesse them and make them seruiceable to their vses The 16. of December wee marched from Bernshen to Hagenaw and so to Wantzenaw by Strasburch and at last tooke Elsaz-sauoren without any great hurt but most chiefly we forraged the whole Bishoprick to the supplying our wants and enriching the Souldiers For when Strasburg vnderstood what was done and that we were going away with the spoiles they sent vnto vs and redeemed the same with the disbursing of 200000. Ricks dollers whereby our Souldiers full of money and courage cryed out for the Rhine and the riuer of Maine For we now mustered 16000. foot and 6000. Horse hauing honest and probable certificate that the Bauarians and Spaniards were not 14000. and so stood in feare of his Excellencies comming vpon them which no question he would haue done like thunder if they would any manner of way had endured the triall but they had learnt the tricke of entrenching and so expected the good houre of supplying their Armies both from Sauoy and Italy The 6. of Ianuary Monsieur Bonni Court a Baron of Loraine came to Hagenaw to his Excellency with 600. horse and the Baron Bouo with 4000. foote so that it should seeme his Excellency is much feared in Loraine For many of his Companies haue already tasted the fruits of the Countrey and with reciprocall gentlenesse been welcommed amongst them yea it is certaine that France her selfe suspects his approch and the Protestants euery where pray for his successe and comming amongst them because it is rumoured that the King of France hath taken the Sacrament to ouer-runne them all Thus is the mustring of Souldiers and taking vp of men on all sides for as his Excellency encreaseth his Company with the inhabitants of Loraine who willingly suffer his Muster-masters among them and hath at least 1000. subiects of Spiers likewise to attend his seruice so doe the Bauarians Spaniards seeke daily to augment their troopes and besides great hopes out of Italy and Sauoy haue the helpe and assistants of the Catholike Bishops Princes Gentlemen and Townes so that the Earle George van Lowesten hath taken vp a Regiment of foote and 600. horse who all lye in and about Landaw Colonell Tilley quartereth with 500. men by and in Landeburg hath his other troopes dispiersed in seuerall places For some 14. dayes since he tooke Wimphen and as we heard many of Heidelberg retired themselues to Mainhem being full of feare that in the absence of Count Mansfield the Bauarians would come backe againe to Heidelberg it selfe but wee hope it is too strong and well peopled for them and they dare not as yet leaue the other places wherein they abide naked and abandoned besides Count Mansfield is not retired so farre but he can come againe vpon them to preuent further mischiefe for Captaine Cheuit lying in Dielsberg about the end of December tooke in a little Towne by the meanes of a playing Petard and slew many of the Bauarians spoiling and burning the place yet did yet belong to our Colonell Landshat who is a natiue of that Countrey In this manner are all these Countries turmoyled and the people in Armes so that his excellency groweth stronger and stronger and the Palatinate is much comforted and expecteth a faire recouery For in Heidelberg lyeth Colonell Mersen as Gouernour and hath foure Companies in his Regiment with him is ioyned Colonell Landshat with foure Companies and two English Companies who are well appointed and the Generall Vere is very carefull and industrious that the Bauarians take him not at any aduantage whereupon Franckendale was also newly relieued so that there are now in it 12. Companies besides the Burgers and many hundreds of Pesants who serue for Pyoners and to set forward the workes nay they are so strong and cheerefull that they sent a conuoy with diuers Gentlemen and well appointed Companies of foot to conduct the Palsgraue Corne Wine out of Attenbergs Schonauer and Niewhausen hoof with other places which belonged to his Royalties to bring all safe to Franckendale but they of Wormes denied vs passage and shut their gates keeping their Sconses against vs because they pretended a treaty and capitulation with the Bauarians and either durst not yeeld to our requests or were indeed disaffected to vs in their hearts whereupon Generall Vere not thinking it meete to endure such neutrality or giue way to affronts which might disparage his Honour sent vs Commission to maleprise all the commodities and Marchandize that came from Wormes and intercept the Wagons of all sorts that passed and repassed too and from them whereby we quickly tooke 100. Fat 's of Wine much Corne Horses and many other commodities teaching them a better lesson of friendlinesse and constancie so that euer since they haue agreed and bound themselues to be more seruiceable and at that time bought out their Corne and Wine againe at reasonable rates though with great losse to the Marchant who in the bargain disbursed 1000. Dollers extraordinary which were deuided amongst the Souldiers who brought themselues and that they went for quietly to Franckendale After this we grew bolder and bolder and made diuers out-roades and in-roades into the Bishoprick of Spiers where we obtained good booty and faw the misery of these places which were preyed vpon on all sides and made subiect to the vsurpation of strangers who were not dainty to disrobe her of her best ornaments For as I said before euen at Franckendale it selfe we were enforced to cut downe the goodly Woods round about it and many thousand trees in other places because they serued only as a shelter for the Spaniards to lye in Ambuscado and so breake vpon vs vnawares or if you will lye continually shooting at vs to our great losse and hinderance without any endemnity to themselues but now God be thanked it is otherwise though to the Countries damage and defacing and we are preparing for to raise out-works and cast rafts and trenches which will questionlesse put the Enemy to
great losse and trouble to winne and demolish before he can come neere our Townes and in this estate standeth the Palatinate it selfe at this houre both our selues and the Enemy well fortified in euery place and resolued that if they come not to an orderly rendition it will be now a matter of great difficulty to put the possessors out of their holds and fortifications especially if the Souldiers be well paid and take notice of the Officers care to supply their wants For although the Countrey be much forraged yet for money prouision will come on all sides and the riuers can send downe their Boats and Punts from remoter places with corne cattell wine and other necessaries as occasion shall serue While we thus busied our selues in the Palatinate and lay watching one another to preuent the mischiefes which might be taken vpon aduantages his Excellency grew stronger and stronger and had planted himselfe as it were in a new Countrey whereupon the spirituality of Mentz and the confines of Loraine yea some say of Metts likewise desired with one consent a truce for two moneths either expecting reliefe which I know not from whence it should come or resoluing to buy out their peace which is that Count Mansfield desired as knowing money to be the very sinewes of his strength and binding cords to keepe all strongly together or fearing his forces and protestations For concerning the one they saw apparantly that as the Scriptures said of Iehu he came or marched furiously so did this Champion of Honor whirle vp and downe their Countries with violence and added forces to forces to firme himselfe the stronger Concerning the other seeing the Spaniards and Bauarians had led him the way and taught him a lesson of intrusion and vsurping another mans right why should not he doe the like paying them with their owne money and prizing the ballances with their owne weights nay if they were so ready to rob and spoile the Protestants in the Palatinate why should not hee be as willing and propence to forrage the Papists wheresoeuer they recided or he could finde them These considerations made the Bishops and other Clergy men suspect their estates and resolue to compound for their quietnesse For as I said they saw no forces ready either to oppose or expell the Mansfildians as I may call them nor could indeed coniecture what would be the successe of these affaires or whether this glorious Army would march much lesse in what attempts it might be prosperous For they saw plainely the Bishoprick of Spiers was spoiled and that the Towne it selfe had agreed with him and in a manner promised not to entertaine any Spanish Catisons though Don Cordona and Monsieur Tilley importuned the same yet for all this did the Bishop retire with certaine Cornets of Horse to Idenheim where Monsieur Tilley was resident and his Excellency perceiuing the Papists onely to temporise was the vnwillinger to come to any composition with them but would rather aduenture on the spoile but at last his resolution was to be contented with so much money ready paid You haue heard before that there was some controuersie betweene the Spaniards and Bauarians about points of honour or if you will tumors of vaine-glory and ambition which now burst out againe For about the 7. of Ianuary while the Bauarians were resolued to attempt some places Don Cordoua against all expectation would endure the field no longer nor hazard his Souldiers in the extremity of Winter which now came vpon them and so retired himselfe to Winter his troopes in better lodging whereby wee had the more leasure to surprise such Marchandize as passed to and fro the Countrey yea his Excellency commanded the Rhine at Germshem and had diuers Ships and Boats ready either to make a Bridge ouer the same or to transport his Army and Prouision to such places as he determined to lodge in but he went presently as you heard into the Bishoprick of Mentz and they of Strasburg gaue liberty to his Captaines to muster men and take vp SOuldiers in his name though the Archduke Leopoldus had sent an Ambassadour to diuers Townes by way of countermaund and prohibition But alas Ambassies will doe no good where men are Masters of the field and Armies lye ready to prosecute any tyranny contradicted or in the heat of fury and reuenge For such was the successe of Earle Mansfields affaires that he tooke vp men in all places and so went directly to Elsas a Towne of great expectation for although some two moneths before he had possession of the same as he thought hauing receiued some Souldiers into the Towne whereby it was confidently giuen out that Elsas or Elsas Saueren was his owne being a fortified place subiect to the Archduke Leopaldus who is Lord of that Countrey they call Alsatia lying betweene Switzerland and Mentz arriuing by the Bishoprick of Spiers and the Palatinate full of Riuers and extraordinary commodities and euery way conuenient for his Excellencies affaires yet they reuolted againe and put out all his garisons standing firme for their owne Lord the Archduke Leopoldus so that much exasperated against them about the 17. of Ianuary he sent most part of his Army either to besiege or surprise it who in the march tooke all the Bishops Booers with their Horses and Waggons and made good booty But before I proceed any further you must consider that in all your Dutch Currantoes this word Elsas is taken for the whole Countrey of Leopoldus as much as for the Towne it selfe and therefore may bring confusion to the Reader that he supposeth sometimes the Country is taken when it is but the Towne and the Towne is taken when he is onely marching in the Countrey Another error ariseth from these Currantoes in confusion of time by stilo nouo yea by many antidates and postdates so that they place that first which should be last and that last which had a passage of former time Thirdly that they build too much vpon heare-sayes and reports and so trusting vnto various opinions huddle all newes together because they would be thought to know something Last of all your Dutch Letters haue a strange custome of partiality to set out the glory and renowne of their owne Countrey-men and scarce to mention either the English or any other Nation who are indeed the best Actors in such seruices As for example in the discription of the fiege of Franâ—kendale not an English-man in any Curranto or Dutch Letter is named but onely Captaine Ouertrant and such like when yet the English deserued better then any Nation Againe in the gouernment of Heidelberg onely the Dutch Gouernour is commended but the English are sparingly past ouer with naming of two English Companies in the Towne Nay in the description of Mainhem it selfe the Generall Vere is slightly charactered when yet by commission from the King of Bohemia he is the great Commaunder of the whole Countrey and Count Mansfield himselfe while he is resident there