said sonne Philip married with Mary Quéene of England on the 19. of Iuly 1554. and in the next yéere following 1555. he gaue this his said sonne Philip full possession and principalitie ouer the said Countries of the Netherlands which hee had himselfe so gouerned not without some seueritie 38. yeeres Finally omitting larger discourses of this Charles the 5. Emperour of his so many notable and memorable expeditions in in his life time performed let these few words suffice that he made nine into Germanie seuen into Spaine seuen into Italy tenne into the Netherlands foure into France and two into England which in all were nine and thirtie After all this to make an end of his memorials he resigning vp the Empire and iurisdiction thereof vnto the Princes Electors of the same in the yeere of our Lord 1557. and so leauing Germanie departed into Spaine where he finished the race of his mortall life on the 20. day of September in the yeere of our Lord 1558. hauing been Emperour for the full space of nine and thirtie yeeres The third circumstance is this That his aforesaid younger brother Ferdinando succeeding him in the Empire on the 18. day of March 1558. did so godly and so religiously gouerne the same from his first inauguration thereunto that he had much adoe to be confirmed in this Imperiall dignitie by Pope Paul the 4. of that name Bishop of Rome because he this good Emperour granting peace vnto the Churches of Germanie preferring the Gospell the same Pope Paul withstood him in Italy and thwarted him with warlike forces out of France to come of purpose to Rome there to disgrace and disanull his gouernment euen in that same very yeere 1558. aforesaid This good Emperour notwithstanding perseuering an Imperiall sincere Patrone of the sacred religion to his great comfort saw his sonne Maximilian also chosen and crowned King of Romanes in the moneth of Nouember 1564. And so he himselfe hauing been Emperour sixe yeeres and vpwards was by the God of peace called out of this troublesome world on the 25. of Iuly Anno 1565. The fourth and last circumstance yet not the least which I gather out of my Authors first booke is this That as the said King Philip of Spaine had been from the yeere of our Lord 1555. aforesaid possessed in his soueraigntie ouer the Netherlands vntill this yeere 1565. aforesaid so his father Charles the 5. Emperour in his time was not so seuere an Eagle but this his sonne now becomes as sore a Lion ioyning hands as it were with the Pope of Rome And whereas they two made other Christian Princes beléeue they became right restorers of Christian policie in processe of time they prooued themselues to be destroyers of the peace and weale publike of a good gouernment in sending foorth the Spanish Inquisition as the ground of al the griefe in the Netherlands and the originall cause of the ciuill warres there now following The originall ciuill Warres in the Netherlands vnder the Duchesse of Parma FOr first by the said Inquisition sent from the Pope and the Spanish King into the Netherlands against the professors of the Gospell or of the reformed religion thus it fell out That the King hauing chosen new Bishops for the purpose sent them thither to execute the said Inquisition amongst them They of the reformed religion hereupon exhibit to the Lady Margaret Duchesse of Parma and Placencia sent by the King thither for their Regent and Gouernesse vnder him a little printed booke wherein they craue mitigation of the Kings Decrée hoping as they alleaged that he would not infringe and frustrate their ancient priuiledges and franchises in those points and for that cause they were reputed and called Geusij viz. poore men Which thing being interpreted to the worst in Spaine and sore stomacked by the King they of the reformed religion perceiuing the same fire euery day more and more to burst foorth to quench or at least as it were to auoide the same by publike assemblies at Sermons and conuenient places doe prouide for their profession and for protection of their particular estates Hereupon on the other side began Idolatrie to outface and disanull their doings by the Papists yet for all this the said Ladie Margaret Duchesse of Parma then Regent was commaunded by the King to graunt securitie vnto the Nobilitie of the professors who had béen before suiters vnto her for the same that they might fréely haue their assemblies and Sermons till further order were taken therein Then they of the reformed religion laid away their weapons and some Idolatrous personages were put to death Meane while the Regent hauing gathered vnder her some forces began to sow discord and debate amongst the reformed Nobilitie whereof the lesser part being stirred vp or rather enforced by her menacings and threatnings doe againe take them to their weapons whereupon at Antwerpe did sedition and tumult arise To auoide future daunger William Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw hereupon departeth out of the Netherlands in happie time Againe at Antwerpe was commandement giuen in certaine places that Sermons should be prohibited and so all things seeme to stand in vncertaintie though some hoped that the Kings displeasure would be pacified To conclude yet so many as were suspected of the reformed religion were taken and violently put to death many others taken endured long imprisonmēt many others fearing worse to come fled these Low Countries dispersing themselues into diuers parts of Europe And all this continued vnder the said Duchesse of Parma Regent for the space of twentie moneths In the time of these troubles and graunt of an Interim to haue frée libertie in preaching the Gospell there fell out a bloodie conflict neere Antwerpe at a place called Austeruile for one Monsieur de Toloze a Protestant suspecting bad practises of the Regent gathered and assembled two thousand souldiers in a fortification not fullie accomplished at the said Austeruile meaning with that force to aide them of Antwerpe if ill measure were offered them which the Regent went cunningly about for she in all secret manner raised a thousand horse and foure thousand footemen and gaue the charge of them to a gallant Captaine called Monsieur Beauvois albeit a cruell man who immediatly marched priuily towards this new fortification and before Monsieur Toloze could make himselfe strong to withstand his enemies the Regents power in the breake of day set vpon the vnreadie and féeble force of Toloze and charged them so furiously and hotly that they entred the weake fortifications ouerthrew the whole companie of Toloze sauing a few that escaped dangerously into Antwerpe among which souldiers Captaine Churchyard saued himselfe and entred Antwerpe Notwithstanding Toloze being slaine and almost all his men the enemie after the victorie gotten marched with all possible spéede towards Antwerpe where fortie Ensignes of the Regents power were in battell on the Market place readie to
other enemies should lay downe their weapons and passe quietly euery man to his lodging requiring that the Protestants would make no further stirre but as quietly as were possible to march by euery mans owne doore and there to leaue the townes men in their dwelling places as they marched which request of the Prince was to Gods glorie and his honour in perfit order performed alwaies the Protestants kept them strong till the enemie were all lodged and then each man went home in peace All these things being done and brought to a good end without shedding of blood or spoyle of any Christian creature yet the Prince was after forced to flée to Breda as the storie now shall shew you following The noble Prince of Orange in Breda his owne towne seeing his sonne and heire taken from Louaine at schoole by the crueltie of the Duke of Alua and throughly considering the calamitie of Flaunders by the dealing of a tyrannous gouernour this warlike wise Prince with a fatherly regard and true affection to Gods word and the Netherlands began to stomacke the wrongs receiued whē he gouerned Antwerpe and the imminent danger that Flanders stood in and calling to minde al promises were broken that were solemnly made by the late Regent he consulted and communed of this matter with the States of Germanie and his friends there who counselled him to take armes in hand and raise a power at his owne house in Dillenbrough a parcell of Germanie ten great leagues from Colen and these great Captaines and worthie Germanes promised not only in person but also in purse and munition to assist him which they performed with great expedition at the time when he ariued at Dillenbrough where Churchyard being sent from the Lord high Chamberlaine of England saw the méeting of all this mightie assemblie and serued vnder Monsieur de Lume Counte de la March as Cornet-bearer to two hundred and fittie light horsemen all that warres which was against the Duke of Alua in his first comming to Flanders The Prince passed his musters beyond the Rhine betweene an Abbey and Andernake a walled towne in Germanie and had in his Armie two and twentie thousand foote and thirtéene thousand horse all Swartrutters so paying his souldiers with Dollars two moneths pay afore hand he passed this great armie in boates very néere Andernake marching from thence towards Aken a strong towne but by the way was a great mutinie betweene the Almaines and Burgonians who said the Almaines had lost the battell of Groning where Counte Lodwick and all his power was ouerthrowne those words made many a man be slaine but the broyle was pacified by the Prince who marched straightwaies to Aix a great Citie and the Armie encountred anon after the Duke of Aluaes souldiers horsemen some valiant of minde and some by sorcerie with words and characters in their doublets more mad than manly yet hoping in sorcerie ventured too farre and could not be killed with shot a desperate royster beholding the boldnes of these enchaunted persons against shot drew his sword and stroke one of these men on the face who quickly yéelded himselfe as after his fellowes did to the mercie of the sword The matter marshally a long while pleaded and orderly by Marshall law disputed the enchaunted men were all condemned to be hanged because against the law of Armes they had vsed vnchristian and vnlawfull meanes to murther men and shed Christian blood These men executed the Princes armie after a good summe of money paied for the raunsome of Aix the great towne departed towards Senttro another walled towne which redéemed it selfe in like manner All this while the Duke of Alua with thirtie thousand shot and foure thousand horse waited on the Princes power still skirmishing with braue souldiers against the Princes forces But almost forgotten at the entring of the Princes armie he bruted that he would passe thorow Liege a marueilous mightie towne where the Duke aduertised by espiall attended the Prince his comming suddenly without sound of Drumme the Prince parted a contrarie way towards a foord on the Maze néere Mastricke marching all the whole darke night very fast which lost some men and at breake of day came to a bare Village where the foord was to enter into Flanders so in all haste possible the horsemen passed bearing a croope behinde them each one a souldier but the horses so many and their legges holding vp the water the riuer rose so hie that many footmen were drowned and much victuall wet and lost yet before night all the armie left aliue were landed in as great safetie as could be wished But resting thrée daies there the Duke was in Mastrick not very farre off to giue the Prince battell so God sent a most faire day for that cause in his gracious pleasure The Prince ranged and set in battell marched on a goodly plaine towards Mastrick and the order of the field by excellent souldiers set and ranged in the most princeliest manner that might be Churchyard at all this The vangard battell and reregard so shining in armour and other awfull troupes of horsemen which seemed a great wood and terror to behold that in very deede the show and fight thereof would haue delighted any man liuing to behold for the march and order of the field was miraculous to consider on and most fearfull to match withall and encounter Yet the Duke of Alua a great noble souldier determined as it was thought valiantly to fight with all this braue armie so in short time the very same day the Prince came within shot of Cannon and at the length of Musket so néere the Duke that he sent a number of horsemen to make a brauado and plied it so fast with small shot out of the trenches for he was intrenched that it was thought a great slaughter would ensue Thus continuing all the latter end of the day in skirmish and great seruice at night the Prince was faine to lodge his power néere the very face of the Dukes army farre from water or wood but in the night season the Duke remoued his Campe and a farre off waited on the Prince daily who neuer did march backward but came as afore is said to Aix Senttro Tongre and other townes of good moment making his profit as he might euery where because some had broken promise with him in a most odious manner For some had falsified their faith besides odde trumperies they deuised and othersome poysoned the standing waters and pooles yea and in some places milke and drinke was infected Milles were all broken downe and no corne to be grinded by which Heathenlike foule hellish practises the Princes armie was like to perish yet a shift was found to bring the armie by little little from these miseries but forced to skirmish with Alua oftē The Prince came cunningly to a towne called Tongre finding there much of the Dukes prouision and a number of waggons full of corne and other necessaries
succoured and made somewhat in strength and in hope of good fortune the armie meant to passe ouer a little riuer néere Tielmount but by the way were sharply encountred with the whole power of the Duke of Alua where in hazard the Count de Hostraet was shot in the legge of which wound he died andn after The Duke likewise a politike souldier and great gouernour bearded the Prince a while with hot and cruell countenance and so sent Iulian Romero to lie in ambush betwéene a bridge and passage full in the face of the Princes Campe marching to passe the water which Romero most like a rare great souldier in a fine warlike sort couched his force flat on the earth behinde the Forlorne hope sent from the Prince to view and make place for his armies passage Romero came before as one that knew the aduantage of time couching close as flat as they might and so the day consuming all was in rest and both parties in a great wood lay as close as they could The Duke maintaining skirmish followed still after the Réergard of the Prince Romero suffered both the Carriage Vaungard and Battell to passe the bridge and as the Reergard aduaunced themselues to march ouer the passage Romero descried his power of sixe thousand shot and so put al the Forlorne hope to flight or slew the most of them A noble Frenchman called Monsieur de Malberg and all his companie of foure thousand braue souldiers were there defeated with others to the number of eight thousand men which fight and slaughter endured in great and bloodie broyle till the very night approched and compelled both the Camps to lodge within Cannon shot one of another and in the night the Duke priuily stole away for some hidden cause and policie for the next morning Monsieur Ianlis and seuen thousand footemen with fiftéene hundred horse marched ful vpon the Dukes power in a faire plaine néere vnto Namur The Duke dreading Ianlis boldnes and the Princes Camp not farre off turned him backe another way and made his march very fast for feare of a blow then Ianlis and all his noble troupe ioyned with great ioy with the Princes power Immediatly the Prince prepared to besiege a towne called Chasteau Cambresi and marching thitherwards the Duke waited at hand but the towne was strongly besieged notwithstanding the Duke as the Prince had intelligence minded to disturbe him the espials of the Dukes Campe were by the Prince taken which declared in what disorder the Dukes Campe lay whereon without sound of Drumme most secretly the Prince marched to méete the Duke and the barking of dogs vnder the Ruitters waggons gaue warning how both the armies were almost mingled together the night being dark whereat a great alarme arose on both sides but the Dukes Campe within two houres was intrenched and so a great encounter of horsemen a long time passed out the morning in skirmishing with many slaine and hurt The Prince then departing from Flaunders came into France néere Guise and S. Quintins and marched after to disperse his armie towards Strasborogh in the which way Churchyard departing frō the Prince to England so leaues this true testimonie for a witnes that the author which wrote the other historie which Robinson translated left partially out of his booke whereas these matters at that season were worthie of memorie Written fom pag. 5. hitherto by Thomas Churchyard The ciuill Warres proceeding in the Netherlands vnder Don Ferdinando Aluares de Toledo Duke of Alua sent thither by the King of Spaine as Commander Generall AFter all this King Philip still prosecuting his former purpose with further extremities in the yeere of our Lorde 1567. sent thither Don Ferdinando Aluares Duke of Alua by the title of the Kings Commaunder Generall a noble personage no doubt but a notable cruell Tyrant tall of personage leane of bodie like vnto Brutus or Cassius whom Caesar censured to be feared strong of members vpright in stature long and leane faced hollow eyed of fierce and grim countenance with a long and gray beard haughtie of minde stoute of courage and as my Author saith Magnus Aulicus Insignis Dissimulator yet of surpassing skill and knowledge in feates and policies of warre excéeding therein all Spaniards of his time who as he exercised most seuere martiall discipline in his warres so vsed hee great iudgement in leading foorth his armies pitching his Tents and pointing out harbours for his souldiers because he was of long time a continuall practitioner in warres defensiue and offensiue and so bold he was and of such stout selfe-conceit as one fearing no daunger that he would take vpon him no charge of any armie except he might haue the chiefe place and prerogatiue of Commendator Generall as the Spaniards call it As certainly he serued both the father Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and Philip the sonne now mentioned in chiefest place or calling of Martiall affaires and that in most important and difficult enterprises managing their warres in Italy Spaine France Hungary Germany Africk and the Netherlands who now entring there in person all armed found all things in peaceable state But within a yéere after he began to be stirre him in the ininoyned Inquisition afresh euery where grieuously vexing and persecuting the inhabitants with new impositions mutinies confiscation of goods imprisonment ciuill warres and vnmercifull death daily inueighing against them that they had broken their alleageance to the King and his supreame authoritie and that they had lost all priuiledge of libertie life and possessions therefore he calleth a generall new Councell of the States abrogating old and establishing new lawes quite contrarie to the ancient former customes of those countries vrging daily the new Bishops to be diligent in executing the said Inquisition Summo iure or rather Summa iniuria according to that saying Sic volo sic iubeo stet pro ratione voluntas he himselfe setting all things in order for ciuill wars fortifieth old and erecteth new fortresses Castles and muniments making prouision for prisons and other such preparations This being in the yéere 1569. our English Merchants and Marriners amongst whom my selfe a poore Clerke trauailing towards Antwerpe for my preferment they some in one place some in another I at Flushing vpon Christmas éeue were taken out of our beds and our ships and goods by the Kings commaundement imbargued so carried to the Geuarghen huise as they called it The cause whereof was that certaine ships with the Kings treasure driuen néere the coast of England by tempest of weather were taken by the Quéenes Maiesties ships brought into the Themes by meanes whereof both English Merchants and Marriners were detained in prison and their ships and goods restrained as well in all the Spanish Kings dominions as also on the other partie the King of Spaines subiects and goods were arested in the Quéenes Maiesties kingdomes of England Wales and Ireland which continued for the space of two yéeres following
lyonlike force practised against the nobles and States of the Low Countries infringing their ancient priuiledges breaking fidelitie in contracts violating the bonds of amitie and violentlie oppressing al integritie of loyal subiects and faithfull seruants of God seeking to make hauocke of high and low rich and poore young and old with more then Turkish tyrrany in those dominions most vntollerable Neither rest these two there contented with the great effusion of innocent blood like conquerours preying on or spoyling euery sillie shéepe with their iawes imbrued waxing euer more hungrie neuer rest raging hither and thither casting down Bulles threatning silly lambs swift of foote and gréedie of tooth to teare in péeces the christian members and to quaffe vp their blood in their vnquenchable thirst in those Countries but this Anti-Christ and his adherent vniustlie without cause giuen them as the iust God iudge and reuenger of all wrongs knoweth doe now also bend all their forces euen in this yéere against the most lawfull naturall christian and religious Phenix of feminine sexe and the most peerelesse Paragon of true professing Princes Elizabeth Quéene of England her gratious Royall person her noble lawfull kingdomes naturall faithfull subiects and happie peaceable estate and gouernment This Antichrist I say this Romish seauen headed tenne horned and triple crowned Dragon whose taile draweth the third part of the starres from heauen and casteth them to the earth presumeth to approch néere the woman the Church of God the defender of the faith and watcheth wililie with inward and outward Serpentine malice to deuour the innocent harmelesse child whereupon although this Dragon send forth his angels to war with the woman though he send forth his Iesuits the English fugitiues whom he hath nuâ—led vp in Popish abhomination manie yéeres and though he againe likewise infect and enforce the Locusts and Scorpions of the bottomlesse pit with his infernall furie such as Francis Throgmorton and manie other vipers which would haue wrought intestine warres and ciuill bloodshed against their naturall most gracious Prince their countrie and friends by forraine confederacies of the Pope and Spanish King their abbetters subborners and supporters yet to the perpetuall glorie of God these wicked Angels Locusts and Scorpions hauing no power to hurt anie good or godlie member but such as themselues which haue not the seale of God in their forehead were ouertaken by Gods power and prouidence and cast out into the earth and so the Lord of hosts fought for our Quéene and vs in peace mercie to our comforts but in his iustice and iudgement against our inward and outward enimies for which God make vs thankefull to his glorie for euer After the death so sought for and procured of the aforesaid noble Prince of Orange by the said Pope and Spanish king as afore mentioned the ordering of the affaires both ciuill and politike rested in the wisedome of the Nobilitie and States of the Low Countries who seeing themselues like sheepe left without a Shepheard a nation without a Gouernour and a bodie without a head plucking vp their spirits vnto them taking heart and christian courage vnto them in their godlie iust and lawfull cause for defence of Gods true religion of their auncient priuiledges themselues their wiues children and countrie and for eschewing the horrible tyranny of the forraine vsurping Pope and Spaniard their Idolatrie vniust exactions oppressions vnmercifull vexations and horrible desolations doe with most carefull consideration take oportunitie of time and with mature deliberation to consult vpon some peculiar and speciall protection of themselues and their countries thus grieuouslie distressed Whereupon in the next yéere following 1585. after conference had amongst themselues in the month of May that yeere they dispacht into England an honourable Embassade which ariued at London on the 26. day of Iune being personages of great account in the Netherlands Namelie the Lord Iames Gryse the Lord Roger Harsellus in the behalfe of Gelderland Maister Noelus Caronus Lord of Schonwall who at this day is resiant in England Agent for the Estates and Iohn Dousta Lord of Nortwich for the south part of Holland with eight others men of great account which for breuitie I doe here omit whom they substitute as their deputies to sollicite their cause vnto the Queenes Maiestie of England these were lodged about the Tower street and had their diet in worshipfull manner appointed at Clothworkers hall in London vpon her Maiesties owne charges On the 29. of Iune they repaired to the Court at Greenewich where they presented vnto her Maiestie the Soueraignetie of those Countries which being ratified contained at large 31. seuerall Articles as to the Duch historie I referre the Reader With godlie and neighbourlie commiseration whereof her Maiestie being pittifullie moued to put forth her helping hand to saue that which was in extreme perill considering well by former accidents how sinister a minde the Spanish king by the Popes instigation had of long time vniustlie borne of late put in practise and would now likelie proceed further if God and good regard in due time were not her best friends her excellent Highnes therefore to preuent the worst prouideth first for her own safetie and her subiects at home trayning and mustering of able men in all places of the realme for necessarie domesticall defence whatsoeuer might befall and afterwardes in the month of Iulie presseth out of the Citie of London certaine conuenient companies of Souldiers furnished for the warres at the charges of the Fraternities or Societies of the same Citie and on the 13. of August following with certaine special braue Knights approued Captains and worthie Seruitors ouer them transporteth all these into Holland Zeland Brabant c. as other the like Souldiers had beene before time sent out of other parts and places of the realme Of these seuerall Companies at this time was sent the before named valorous Generall Norice chiefe Commaunder who comming from thence for that purpose a little before taking his leaue of her Maiestie and her Nobilitie embarked himselfe and his retinue on the 24. of August this yeere 1585. and with a prosperous winde ariued in Holland about the 26. of the same where his forces being before ariued he disposed of them as was most conuenient till time and opportunitie serued for their purpose About this time the Right noble by birth and for vertue renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney sonne and heire of that most noble Sir Henry Sidney Knight sometime Lord Deputie of Ireland and then Lord President of Wales was by her Maiestie sent ouer after the said Generall Norice on the tenth day of October in the yéere aforesaid who ariuing in safetie at Flushing was on the ninetéenth of that moneth by the States established Lord Gouernour of Flushing in Zeland where by his valour wisedome and great diligence he surprised the towne of Axel in Flaunders and at Doesburgh in Gelderland made manifest proofe of
they met with their enemies in like manner almost euery houre fighting with them continually for nine daies space with Swords Targets and Harquebuziers so long vntill of the 1600. which were at the first there placed for garrison there were in fiue but seuen hundred left aliue in the garrison as hereafter more plainly shall appeare When the towne had thus béen besieged now full seuen weeks the Erle Generall hauing gathered his forces euery where by sea and by land he entreth into conference with the Estates taking counsell of his Leaders how to relieue Sluce with all possible speed A great Nauie was then prepared furnished with souldiers by the said Estates To him came Iustine or Nassaw Admirall of Zeland and other Netherlandish Gouernours by sea The Erle Generall with 31. companies of footmen and sixe troupes of horsemen passeth out of Zeland vnto Ostend where the Right Honourable Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England and the Right Honourable George Erle of Cumberland with certaine shippes wherein went a great part of the Nobilitie of England sailed into Zeland purposely as well to helpe his Excellencie as to see how he did His Excellencie had determined to inuade the Port or Hauen of Sluce in the very entrance thereof with certaine shippes well and strongly furnished at a certaine déepe place vnder the towne where the ships might ride safely But the Sea-gouernours Shipmasters and others experienced in marine affaires especially they of Zeland were of a contrarie opinion thinking it not so conuenient a thing to attempt that which they could not accomplish but in so doing should rather bring their ships into assured danger Touching this enterprise diuers were the opinions which with great dislike troubled their mindes Therefore the Erle Generall séeing he could not so do any good with his ships by sea séeketh now by what deuice he can to trie the enterprise by land Wherefore when he ariued at Ostend on the 30. day of Iuly 1587. and vnto him were come many English Nobles besides fiue thousand men which he brought ouer with him this later time though he had not so great a power with him as néedfull it was for him to haue yet with those which he had going out of Ostend he giues assault to the Fort of Blanckberg in Flanders and with determination to haue taken Blankenburgh he sent from Ostend some fiue thousand foote and certaine troupes of horse with two small field péeces vnder the commaund of the Lord Willoughby Colonell general and Sir William Pelham Lord Marshall his Excellencie went in a Pinnasse by sea where when they came they found the Sconce too well manned and prouided to be assailed but with great losse wherefore his Excellencie commaunded them to retire to Ostend where the next day they embarked and sailed to the entrance into Sluce where they lay seuen daies In the meane time the besieged towne of Sluce which had so valiantly endured with so little helpe such and so great stormes with the Enemie as before is said now also still for two moneths space fully continuing and saw not any man come to help them but two only Englishman named Captaine Allen and Captaine Hart which twice or thrice swam ouer from Sluce to make relation vnto the Erle Generall and the Estates of the present estate of the towne They I say now halfe despairing of any helpe by reason the Erle Generall was at some iarre with the Estates began to waxe faint and féeble both in courage and power For the enemie was now lodged in the Counterscarfe and had sapped into the Rampart daily vndermining further into the town so as there went a noise amongst them that he was alreadie come into the citie Besides these things of twentie péeces of Ordenance which they had at first in the towne they had now but foure only left which the Enemie with his vehement shot had not yet broken neither had they so much powder left them wherwith they were able to hold out fight euen for halfe a day Wherefore by all mens iudgements they were not able to endure the enemies assault twelue houres longer together no not by all meanes they could possibly deuise Therefore incontinently after hereupon they receiued compositions from Parma worthie of their valours vz. That with their bagge and baggage with their Ensignes flying the match in cocke and bullet in mouth they should also presently depart out of Sluce and march away downe to the ships in Zeland And all these were in number only but seuen hundred as I said before residue of that sixtéene hundred which so left the towne of Sluce yéelded vp vnto Parma and his forces on the 4. day of August Anno 1587. aforesaid So the Erle departing on the 17. of August 1587. out of Zeland by ship he came the next day vnto Bergen where foorth with he sent away all the forces which hée brought with him to take the Castle of Hochstrate in Brabant But that enterprise had no successe On the 24. of August he passeth from Bergen to Dordrecht in Holland where the Estates doe méete him and take their leaue of him The 14. of Nouember returning into Zeland to visit the Cities there and so at Vere in Zeland reconciling vnto him certaine Captaines of the Garrison in secret manner he departeth thence the 21. of Nouember and at length taking ship at Flushing the 17. of December Anno 1587. he returneth the second and last time into England The Erle of Leycester late Gouernour Generall as before remembred returning into England liued vntill September following 1588. in which time the Estates were about once more to entertaine him as Gouernour Generall againe amongst them But he dying on the 14. of that moneth Anno 1588. within a homely house in a certaine wood néere Langley in Oxfordshire at 63. yéeres of age was buried the 20. day of October Anno 1588. at Killingworth trying all fortunes In the meane time from the Erles said departure out of the Netherlands let vs leaue him so dead and buried and returne to the gouernment of those Prouinces againe by Countie Maurice against Alexander Prince of Parma And concerning the remedie of those euils in the Netherlands her Highnes sendeth her expresse Letters vnto the Lord Willoughby c. who had then béen in the Netherlands her Maiesties Lieutenant generall vnder Countie Maurice since the Erle of Leycesters first returne into England of whose seruice from time to time I haue here fit place occasion and time now offered me to set downe all occurrents as the order of the present historie requireth This noble Gentleman by birth and vertuous Lord by his life Lord Peregine Bartu by his title Lord of Willoughby Eresby and Beck the only sonne and heire apparant of the Right Worshipfull or rather Right Honourable for his birth vertue and learning Master Richard Bartu descended of the Noble house aforesaid who maried the Right noble and vertuous Ladie Katherin
their passage euery where againe planting his Ordenance and Munitions round about Heyl to besiege it so it happened that Parma was constrained winter comming on to dismisse his hoste and furnishing with conuenient forces of their Garrisons the Castles of Heymert and Heyl and other his defences he departed to the mouth of the Riuer Deynsa adioyning néere vnto the towne of Sherteghanbusch The Duke of Parma in this yéere 1589. was ouertaken by a grieuous disease or sicknes many were the causes supposed to be thereof namely and first that on the tenth day of Nouember 1588. as he was riding from Berghen to Machlin he fell off from a bridge into the water Vnto which chance happened many other euils such as were the sorrow which he conceiued by the euill successe of the Spanish Nauie in the inuasion of England a little before in that last yéere 1588. And the siege of Berghen from whence hee was enforced to depart without any thing done by him Also that by the Duke of Pastrana and the Prince of Ascoly many things were spoken and done to his reproch and disdaine And again because he vnderstood that certaine letters of Exchange as they call them sent by him into Spaine by the instigation of some euill willers which perchance he there had were neither receiued nor yet the money for them paid when those letters mentioned that the money amounted vnto 100000. Ducats wherefore he laboureth greatly by some meanes to satisfie the Italian Merchants and about the same time deceased his Vncle by his fathers side called the Great Cardinall Farnesius by whom he had great helpe and furtherance To be short therefore he falling sicke in the moneth of May 1589. all vnhealthie and heauie in plight then departed to Spada a Fountaine in the land of Luke there to vse the benefit of a Bath taking his lodging at Montfort or in the towne adioyning where he dranke the waters of Spada or Spau for his health sake and liued after that vntill the 12. day of Nouember 1592. and then died in the citie of Arras in Artoys one of the seuenteene Prouinces of the Netherlands Thus farre translated out of Emanuel Meteranus his Belgic Historie A BRIEF DISCOVRSE OF THE MEMORABLE VOYage to Portugall Anno 1589. by Sir Iohn Norice and Sir Francis Drake Knights with the English forces INprimis to the glory of God and honour of her Maiestie be it specially remembred that the two Generals aforesaid made certaine orders in number 14. for the Souldiers and Mariners going to sea and other 54. orders for the Captaines Souldiers and Sailers during the voyage to be by them and euery of them duly and dutifully obserued and performed Their Nauie consisting of Shippes great and small and of men set forward from Plimmouth the 17. of Aprill Anno 1589. to the sea The Admirall The Arke Sir Iohn Norice Sir Francis Drake two Generals The Vizadmirall The Golden Lyon Captaine Thomas Fenner The Rereadmirall The Dreadnot Captaine William Fenner The sixe principall Masters of the Quéenes Ships Thomas West Robert Wignald Iohn Bennet Robert Hart Roger Tallent Richard Burnet The fiue Colonels of the fiue Regiments in the Nauie and Armie Sir Iohn Norice Sir Francis Drake Sir Roger Williams Sir Edward Norice and Captaine George Fenner The fiue Lieutenants Colonels of the fiue Squadrons Captaine Thomas Drake Captaine Sachuile Captaine Garton Captaine Goring and Captaine Winter The fiue Captaines of the Watch of the fiue Squadrons and their Corporals Captaine Web of the Reuenge Captaine Champernoune of the Non per illa Captaine Gifford of the Dreadnought Captaine Norwood of the Foresight Captaine George Drake of the Swiftsure Corporals Captaine Young Captaine Seigar Captaine Thomas Baker Captaine Wilde Captaine Cripse The seuen Commissioners Iohn Sachuile William Winter Alexander Musgraue William Fenner Thomas Drake Iames Lancaster Iohn Goring The Secretary of the Nauie Master Anthony Ashly The Surueyor generall of the victuals Master Marmeduke Daryell The Treasurer of the Nauie The Viztreasurer Master Stalling The Surueyor of the Nauie Captaine Ro. Flicke The Lieutenant of the Ordenance of the Nauie Captaine Iames Lancaster Captaine generall of the Watch Captaine Bowyer The Master of the Discoueries and Lieutenant Colonell of the Pinnasses Captaine Foxcroft The Transport Master Captaine Alexander Musgraue aforesaid The Clerke of the store Master Aldridge The fiue Corporals of the fiue Squadrons Captaine Young of the squadron of the Reuenge Captaine Seigar of the Non perilla Captain Thomas Baker of the Dreadnought Captaine Wilde of the Swiftsure Captaine Peter Cripse of the Foresight A Journall of the Portugall Voyage Anno 1589. WEdnesday the 17. of Aprill 1589. they embarked at Plimmouth Tuesday the 23. of Aprill they fell with the Coast of Galizia Wednesday the 24. of Aprill they landed at a little Hermitage East side of the Corunna or Groyne supposed 12000. strong From thence to Andyas where they had a small skirmish with no losse to the English The 25. of Aprill being Thursday our men wasted and burned in the countrey what they could with fire and sword Saturday the 27. of Aprill they assaulted the base Towne of the Corunna and wonne it with small losse to them and the Enemie retired into the high Towne not aboue seuen Ensignes strong as was thought Sunday the 28. of Aprill they so battered a great Galeaz wherein Ricaldo serued the last yéere 1588. as Viz-admirall of that Nauie sent into England that the Spaniards now not able to kéepe her discharged her Ordenance fired her and ranne her on ground with no hurt to vs at all The same day they went from Andyas to the base Towne of the Corunna where they found much Béefe Salt Meale Wheate Oyle Fish and Wines as was thought to victuall 40000. men a quarter of a yéere besides Gables Hempe Rosen Waxe Pitch Tallow and other things for shipping store which was leuied for a new force to haue come into England this Summer But in fourtéene daies there was hardly one bit of bread wine or other victuals to be had in any quarter of the Towne except by some priuate officer or Captaine The same day the Enemie lying not farre off thence presented a Brauado before the Towne gates against whom when our men sallied foorth without more adoe or any encounter they fled and twelue of them were slaine Monday the 29. of Aprill our men summoned the high Towne who refused all parley There all the Spaniards that our men could gather after they had taken them they slew to the great amazing of the Enemie beholding the same That night the Spaniards desired parley and not long after fired certaine houses néere their vpper towne walles Wednesday the first of May 1589. our English laid their battery vnto la Corunna the great where through the weakenes of the Rampier betwéene our great Ordenance and the Enemie which fell downe with oft shaking they were driuen from their péeces by the enemies Musquet shot from the towne
Generall sent letters into England by Captaine Maxie Tuesday we remoued to Feynes Thursday the seauenth of October anno dict we dislodged to Bauongie Simples Fridaie from thence to S. Ouen Sonday from S. Ouen to Ferie Monday we remoued to Bauongie Monday from Bauongie to S. Hillarie Monday the eight of Nouember dict we dislodged to Tilyel Thursday the eleuenth day we dislodged from Tilyel to Fugeralles Wednesday to the Castell of Dorec This fort seemed of such strength vnto the Prince Dombeez and some of his Counsell as Mounsier la Verdune that they thought it not meet to be vndertaken without speciall meanes such as we wanted hauing neyther munition nor any other thing fit for seruice sauing two or three smal iron peeces for batterie Our men such as were reserued from the extremitie of the then late sicknesse amongst vs being verie weake and feeble hauing wanted of long time before both clothes and money yet it pleased God that by the most politicke and circumspect direction of my Lord Generall the enimy was drawen to abandon the same this present night to the great freeing of those parts there abouts and Captaine Latham was put in as Gouernour of the same The same Sonday at night my Lord Generall sent Mounsier Carmarak with letters to the Lords of the Counsell Friday the Armie dislodged to Pyboray Monday from thence to Ernye Thursday the second of December anno dict the Armie dislodged from Erny to Gorrone From this place my Lord sent letters into England by Captaine Richard Wingfield Captaine Moreton and Captaine Dennis who had licence to repaire thither Sunday our Armie dislodged to Ambrizer where my Lord Generall kept his Christmas Tuesday we dislodged from thence to S. Georges Wednesday and so from S. Georges to S. Germyns Saturday the eight day of Ianuarie anno dicto the Armie remoued to S. Iohn sur le Meyne Sonday from thence to Baconiere Monday from Baconiere to Bourne en le Forest Thursday the Lord Generall road to Viâ—terie where the Princes of Condy and Dombeez by commandement from the king met together for the determining of some present seruice against the league which was concluded and in fine Sir Henry Norice at the request of the Prince Dombeez was sent ouer with letters to the Lords of the Councell to my Lord his father and my Ladie his mother and others his friends in England and withall to know her Maiesties resolution whether for the reenforcing of the troupes in Britanie or for the disposing of them elswhere Monday Sir Henrie Norice departed from Laual to imbarque himselfe at Cane Monday the first of Februarie anno dicto at night M. Carmerek returned with letters to my Lord Generall wherein his Lordship had licence to come ouer Thursday the Lord Generall departed from Goron where the Campe at that time lay for England leauing Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Sergeant Maior sufficientlie authorised till his returne Sunday the Lord Generall came to Cane where for want of sufficient tyde he was driuen to stay vntill the last of this moneth Monday the first day of March anno dict his Lordship finding a Barque of M. Champerneyes hee imbarqued himselfe in the same whom Colonell Sherly and Captaine Lo with others also accompanying they had a verie good gale blowing full Southwest which continued vntill three of the clocke the next morning after which time we were very much becalmed vntill ten of the clocke When hauing a reasonable faire winde at west southwest we recouered the Iles of Wight where wee had very much foule weather So y t his Lordships horses being in a smal Fleebote some doubt was here of the safetie of them which afterwards God be thanked obtained safelie the harbour we being within the point there anchored and the next morning his Lordship landed at Portes-mouth Here endeth the Iournall of the seruice in Fraunce against the Leaguers Anno. 1591. THE MEMORABLE SERVICE OF THE NOBLE Generall Sir Iohn Norice Knight performed Anno Dom. 1594. at Brest in Britaine THe first of September our worthie Generall Sir Iohn Norice landing with new forces out of England at Penpole receiued letters presently from Marshall D'Aumond and Sir Thomas Baskeruil who commanded in his absence the English troupes being then before the Castle of Morlayx in what termes they stood expecting euery day to be fought withall by the enemie Duke Mercoeur who was aduanced for the same purpose within thrée leagues of them and did but onely attend the comming of Monsieur Boisdolphin with some French horse to ioyne with them but this their temporizings in the end cost them the Castle for immediatly the very next day after the Generals landing with great expedition to wit the second of September he put himselfe vpon the way to Morlayx and vpon the fift of the same moneth ariued there being fourtéene leagues distant His comming was generally ioyed at by all the Britons but especially by the inhabitants of Morlayx whose good or ill estate depended on his comming for both the Castle a cruell neighbour held against them and the Duke Mercoeur was at hand to rescue the defendants who in assurance of reliefe from him acquitted themselues manfully namely the Gouernour himselfe Monsieur Rochempoul the Count Magnion and Monsieur Rostin with diuers other gallants But the Generall so amated the Enemie that the Duke Mercoeur not onely stayed from marching néerer vnto vs but the tenth of the same retired with all his forces both French Spanish assuring himselfe that he could expect of Sir Iohn Norice nothing but blowes They of the Castle acquainted therewith within two daies after the Dukes retreit yéelded vp the Castle So that only his presence without the hazard of any of her Maiesties subiects both enforced the Duke to retire and the Castle to yeeld This Castle thus rendred we staied there ten daies in respect that the Marshall wanted money for the satisfying of his people whereof at the last he was fournished by those of the towne of Morlayx Then Mounsieur de Lyscot a wonderfull braue man and the Baron of Molac were sent before with some Harquebuziers to the end they might blocke vp the Fort of Croyzon by Brest and preserue the quarters about who were further assisted with foure hundred men out of our ships by Sir Martin Fourbysher who commaunded the English shippings And presently the armie dislodged to a place called Iuez thence to a Village called La Fou next to Chastrau-lin the next day to Lacornan a village thrée leagues from Quinper-Corentin which was held hy the Enemie The same night the Marshall with foure hundred French and Sir Iohn Norice with as many English marched to Quinper-Corantin and on a sudden surprised the suburbs and possessed them with smal resistance The towne was willing to yéeld but that the Garrison would not suffer them But Sir Iohn Norice whose minde was still to doe some
same in time do not so spéedely prouide for the premisses and still he earnestly calleth vpon thē to looke well to the present necessitie in time so for their safetie and defense he doth the part of a good carefull Captaine that in the meane time they resisted and repelled the enemies forces for thrée moneths And he telleth them they should lack no helpe that he could performe or procure any way notwithstanding they of the citie being to too negligent and slow in following his aduice in time shortly after for want of better prouision in due time fiue Ensignes of those English souldiers were constrained to step aside to the enemie contrarie to their promise to the States This towne was rescued by cutting certaine bankes and letting in the sea which drowned many of the enemies troupes In the beginning of the next yéere 1575. the King of Spaine hauing victualles manned and rigged a Nauie of souldiers purposely sent to inuade the Netherlands a great part of the same Nauie ariued by contrary winde and weather vpon the coasts of England all for the most part of these ships were such as they call Assabres Pinasses so small as that they might passe thorow the narrow and deepe riuers of those countries who when they chanced vpon the coast of the I le of Wight in England such a friend was the Quéens Maiestie vnto them that by the helpe of certaine her Highnes and subiects ships they were wafted ouer to Dunkerke where after they had landed their souldiers and conueied their treasure which they brought to the Commaunder staying vpon those coasts the latter part of that winter these ships with those that were left in them by huge and terrible tempests there arising were one frushed with the other quite sunke and cast away a thing surely reputed for Gods wonderfull worke This yeere also the States of Holland and Zeland by the chiefe perswasion of the Prince of Orange after much and graue consultation with no lesse aduice and deliberation determined condescended and agreed to make suite vnto some forreine Prince to protect and defend them from the horrible furies and outragious tyrannies of the Spanish gouernment In that yeere 1575. was Ziricksea also besieged by the enemies forces which continued for nine moneths space where when the Prince of Orange had resisted the enemie what he could with men munition and money to his power it was afterwards sore against this good Princes will yeelded vp vnto the Spanish King and his forces in the next yeere following 1576. The same next yeere following 1576. what time the said Commaunder Generall with his Spaniards and others bent their forces to inuade Antwerpe there then the Marques of Hauery being General and Champigny another valiant Captaine for the States ioyned their forces to the full resisting of that inuasion and valiantly withstood the enemie But then the Earle Obersteyn making haste from the Offerlings house in Antwerpe being pursued by the Spaniards thinking by flight to escape that daunger rushed into a Flemmish ship in the riuer where by the way through the heauines of his armour borne downe he fell from that ships side and was drowned At that inuasion also were missing pursued by the Spaniards certaine others of the chiefest personages of authoritie and valour in Antwerpe There then also the young Count Egmont was taken prisoner in the Abbey of S. Michael and with him Capreyse and Gogneyse two Noble men and so caried captiues away Then the Spaniards thus inuading the noble citie of Antwerpe entring it with fire and sword most furiously sacked ransacked and spoyled the same citie in horrible manner so that they were Lords and conquerours of the same by the fourth day of Nouember in the yeere aforesaid 1576. where I note by the way that on the selfe same day when the noble citie of Antwerpe most tyrannously and most lamentably was thus taken burnt and spoyled by the Spaniards euen then the same day Don Iohn de Austria the bastard sonne of Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and new sent Commander Generall for the King of Spaine came into the Netherlands to gouerne the same As for the late Commander Don Lewis Requisensius when he had so serued his Prince King Philip as Generall of the Netherlands foure yéeres he deceased at Bruxels vpon whose death by the author were written these verses following IN MORTEM LVDOVICI REquisens Regis Hispan Commendatoris magni praedicti in Belgia 1576. Carmen I Lle Requisensus Regi percharus ipsi Vrbis Quirini flaminis Nunc chlamydem quandoque togam quandoque cucullum Triplex Chymera gestitans Belgarum genti Rector datus ante faeraci Praefectus Insubriae Mitis Horrenaus turgens abdomine Praedo Prouinciarum subdolus Emunctor populi Procerum Calcator Asylum Rasis Piorum Carnifex Numen Iberorum Batauorum terror Iniquus Belli atque Pacis Arbiter Ad generum Caereris subito se contulit illuc Citatus à Vitellio O stupidos Belgas passi qui talia Monstra Adhuc supini stertitis FINIS The ciuill Warres there vnder Don Iohn de Austria IN Ianuary following the next yeere 1577. after he was there setled a certaine space the Prince of Orange and diuers of the chiefest of the States by a certaine humble endeuour to doe all things for the best doe offer him in friendly manner for his present intertainment vse and benefit the possession of Louaine and Machlin to the intent to haue some treatie of pacification confirmed by him The said Prince and States at his request first demaunding the same on their parts giuing for hostages the before named Marques of Haury the Burgraue of Gaunt and the Abbot of S. Gertrude He accepteth their proffer made receiueth the hostages and bearing them in hand if he might be beleeued he would remaine either at Machlin or at Louaine where he would further procéede in treatie according to their former request to him so made In so much as the same being on the 5. of Ianuary 1577. condescended confirmed published by the aforesaid Prince of Orange and the States at Bruxels Don Iohn then as it seemed being moued by many reasons to make vnitie with the States promised them first to send away and quite dismisse the Spanish Kings forces out of those Countries and after that maketh them many faire promises on his part to be performed to the number of 19. Articles which were on the other partie likewise by and for himselfe and his Councell on the 17. of February 1577. condescended confirmed exhibited and published But howsoeuer this appeared in outward shew as the Poet saith it fell out Exitus acta probat caret successibus opto For the Prince of Orange and the States looking into his water more iudicially and prudently preuenting the worst sought by al meanes to prouide in time for their owne securitie and safetie and like prospecting Patriotae for the protection of themselues
forgiue all that was past to remedie all euils present and prouide for the best to come These friendly motions made by her Maiestie for both the King and his subiects written in Latin and in English seuerall copies were sent from her Maiestie to the King of Spaine by a wise and learned Gentleman named Master Thomas Wilks on the 20. day of December Anno 1577. In the beginning of the yéere following 1578. the said Don Iohn brought in a new Alexander Farnesius the sonne of Lady Margaret before named Duchesse of Parma and Regent of the Low Countries now by the name and title of Prince of Parma as another enioyned Generall for the Spanish King with his Spanish and Italish souldiers come into those countries In whom Don Iohn hauing great confidence proclaimeth open warres against the Prince the States and those Countries The Pope Gregorie alias ante Hugo the 13. of that name on the other side sendeth his Crosse and denounceth his curse against the Prince of Orange all the States and their partakers in those warres Hereupon Don Iohn taking great encouragement vnto himselfe and those whom he had in charge vnder him set vpon the armie of the States at the towne of Gembleu in the County Namure and there discomfited them with great spoyle and ouerthrow of them on the 30. day of Ianuary 1578. And so still prosecuting his purpose in hope of further victorie he subdueth afterwards Louaine Phillipville Limburge and certaine other townes which he together with the Duke of Parma his forces had accomplished before Iuly following In that Ianuary vz. on the 22. day about 7. of the clocke at night Duke Iohn Casimire Countie Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bauaria landing at the Tower-wharfe in London was there by diuers Noblemen and others of England honourably receiued and conueied to Sir Thomas Greshams house the Queenes Agent in Bishops gate streete in London where he was feasted and lodged till Sunday next that hee was honourablie brought to her Maiesties Court royall at Whitehall and after lodged at Sommerset-house on the 8. of February following he was made Knight of the Garter and on the 14. of February hee departed homewards with great rewards giuen by the Quéenes Maiestie the Nobilitie and men of honour This noble Duke being a valiant Martiallist became afterwards a stipendarie warriour of great valour and accompt and did much good seruice against the Spaniards for the Prince of Orange and the States of the Low Countries The Warres in the Netherlands vnder the Prince of Parma for the King and the Archduke Matthias for the States VPon the first day of August amongst vs English commonly called Lammas day in the yéere of Christ our Sauiour 1578. which day the Spaniards doe highly honour especially Don Iohn who as this day ouercame the Turks in a battell by sea they endeuoured by all meanes to enterprise some great exploite so as they sent out of Louaine two scoutes or espials in very base apparell to prie about and descrie the Prince of Orange his Tents at that time remaining in the Leger which two souldiers should indéed vse al their endeuour to burne vp the houses neere vnto those Tents and whilest they should so set the inhabitants on worke to quench the fire al the whole Spanish host which consisted of foure thousand horsemen and seuen thousand footemen vnder conduct of Mondragon a Spanish Captaine although Don Iohn the Bastard of Austrich and Alexander Fernesius Duke of Parma were both in person there also should suddenly and at vnwares surprise and suppresse the Prince of Orange his armie But as it was Gods good pleasure and fauour to the contrarie those same two Spies were taken and the enemies were disappointed of their purpose being valiantly encountred by the English Scottish Frenchmen from nine of the clocke in the morning vntill foure of the clocke in the afternoone of the same day and that with a hot and fierce fight fortune so fauouring the States and their forces that they put their enemies to flight and pursued them to the vtmost the space of thrée miles and more The first of the English Captaines which set vpon the enemies was that valiant Lieutenant William Marckham a Nottinghamshire man sterne of countenance strong of hands and couragious of heart like a Lion casting downe ouerthrowing and ouermatching whomsoeuer he met with In whose commendations the States themselues sent diuers Letters into England But in truth the greatest glorie of this fight fell to the then couragious Colonel Norice who comming that Lammas day from Brokam aforesaid very early in the morning to Remingham Leger where the States armie were in fight with Don Iohn of Austrich the Graue van Busshy being Generall of the States armie he the said Colonell Norice ioyning with eleuen companies of Englishmen more vz. of Colonel Candish Colonel Morgan and Colonel Cotton who spent fifteene seuerall barrels of powder vpon the enemies at that time before they entred the Campe of the States euen there the said Colonell Norice hauing three seuerall horses one after another slaine vnder him with greatest valour pursued and subdued his enemies being only weaponed with single sword and his pistols which he vsed euen so surely as who had seene how couragiously he laid about him on euery side might well haue said he had seene a new Hector another Alexander or rather a second Caesar foyling his enemies euery where There were also present at this conflict three English valiant Gentlemen by name Bingams all brethren valiantly behauing themselues vntill two of them vz. Roger and Thomas were pursued by the enemie vnto the very death but the third which was Richard Bingham as it pleased God so to fauour him safely then escaping the enemies danger suruiued a man of good valour for his seruice afterwards in Ireland was knighted and there preferred to the gouernment of Connaugh of whose prowesse and fame they that wil may reade more amply both in Iohn Stowes Chronicle and in the Historie of the warres in Ireland In this fight for seuen houres space were slaine of the enemies fiue hundred besides a number drowned and of our Englishmen and of the Scots were slaine to the number of one hundred at the most yet it was thought the Camp of the States would haue been vtterly ouerthrowne that day if the English forces had not come in as they did Towards the latter end of the yeere 1578. after all these troubles and broyles Don Iohn de Austria hauing thus made his last mounting vpon the stage summoned by Death to sound a Catastrophen sickened in his Tent at Namours about the Calends of October and died as some thinke of the plague others rather beleeuing haue giuen it out that hée being sore grieued with a certaine odious disease what for sorow in minde conceiued at y e hatred of the countrie vpō bruiting of his
Sidney Master George Cary and Master Iohn and Master Robert Cary his brethren with many other Gentlemen who ariued at Flushing in Zeland where he withall these Nobles of England and his owne and their traine in princely and friendly manner was receiued by the aforesaid noble Prince William Countie of Nassaw and the other Nobles of the Low Countries conducting them from thence to Midleborow and so to Antwerpe in Brabant where on the 19. of February Anno 1581. the said Duke of Aniow was created Duke of Lothier and Brabant with great solemnitie which being ended the Nobilitie of England returned home againe and left him there Gouernour of those Countries he repaired with his traine of French Noblemen and Gentlemen into France where the King his brother Henry the 3. of that name furnished him with men money and munition for the better supportation and countenancing of his princely port and new attained authoritie in the Low Countries aforesaid And so on the 27. day of August in the yéere following 1583. for greater securitie of himselfe and his charge now taken vpon him he returned into Brabant with those forces containing in all companies foure thousand fighting men These being placed in a certaine Village neere vnto the citie of Gaunt straightway the Duke of Parma hereof vnderstanding and hauing in a readines a great number of his most valiant souldiers with their cariages and furniture maketh all haste possible to encounter him Again his cōming being no sooner perceiued by the Duke of Brabants espials but aduertised vnto him the Lord Pierri a noble Frenchman Campe-master of the Duke of Brabant commandeth his companies quickly to arme and encounter and with all carefull diligence and skilfull experience he aduiseth them of due obseruations in their warlike order of fight and how to march softly and fight slowly with the enemie Martialling his men on this manner first in the front of his battell next vnto the enemies were the band of English souldiers and to them were ioyned the troupes of Germanes next these were the bands led by Bouquoy and after these marcheth the worthie Generall Norice in the Rereward with thrée troupes of English horse foure troupes of French horsemen after these followed thrée troupes of French horsemen with certaine footebands of Flemmings and of Scots and last of all in the Rereward marched a band of English footemen and a great companie of pikemen Contrariwise againe the Duke of Parma had in his Vaward or front all Spaniards a great multitude whereof were very many footmen and more then a thousand horsemen for whom euery where by the way the Duke of Aniowes espials lay in ambush so as not a few enemies were slaine with the shot of the Ambush only of the Duke of Aniowes companie amongst others were wanting thrée or foure Captaines of hundreds After this welcōming made by the Duke of Aniowes souldiers vnto the Prince of Parmaes and his forces thus approching towards him which was short of Gaunt two Dutch miles being sixe of our English miles the Duke of Aniow and the Prince of Orange thought good to send Sir Iohn Norice to the Campe where the forces lay and thither he came with the thrée troupes of English horsemen and foure troupes of French horsemen as aforesaid for his conuoy into the Campe about twelue of the clock at night aforesaid where there were of all nations English French Dutch and Scottish some sixe thousand men And comming into the English quarter he enquired where his quarter was and where Capaine Edward Strange lay who had the commaund of all his house and his horses where finding him lying in a little cabbin hard by his Tent he asked him how he had bestowed all things for the enemie was hard at hand To whom Captaine Strange answered he had deliuered all vnto Captaine Peter Cripse to send it away to Gaunt Then said the General We haue the Vauntgard to day but I thinke the French are fled from vs and wee must then haue the Rereward in spight of our hearts So he hauing a squadron of horse lay from the Camp a quarter of an English mile where one William Winter a tall souldier being one of the Corporals and commanding the squadron sent out a very good watch so as the enemie must of force come by them and by no other way Two houres before day there came from the Prince of Parma certaine troupes of horse Albanoyses and Italians talking together and being within hearing of y e watch those which stood Sentinell discouered them and presently sent word to their guard lying in a house hard by to certifie the Generall that the enemies forces were at hand The word comming to the Generall he presently commaunded that euery companie should be ready to answere the alarme but it was found that as well others as the French were marched and retired towards Gaunt There the Generall stood fast vntill his owne companie came vnto him and presently thrée companies of Albanoyses came thither and offered to charge him he being accompanied with Master Henry Knowles a most worthie and gallant Gentleman all that day So the Generall marched from the quarter downe the hill and at the foote of the hill by the counsell of the said Master Knowles he armed himselfe asking Captaine Strange where the Turney horse was for he would ride vpon him that day hauing thrée other horses led euery one by two groomes a péece to serue for that day and being first mounted vpon the Turney horse the said Albanoyses durst not come downe themselues but sent against him those English Rebels which a little before ranne away from before Bridges They being both Targatiers and Musquetiers came downe the hill as the Generall made his retreit towards his owne battell of Pikes the English Rebels very hardly assaulted him amongst whom one of them calling to the Generall as he was in retreit which he could not long endure but turning vpon that Rebell with his Rapier he strooke the Rebell on the head with such a force that his Rapier bowed to his very hand vpon this came downe the troupes of the enemies horse and charged the Generall thrée waies vz. vpon the Rereward so that he and Master William Knowles were both faine to put their horses among their pikes for their safegard and so marching at the push of the pikes foure English mile they continued the fight still and none but this Generals Regiment consisting of seuen Ensignes which might be in number some one thousand strong vntill they came to the very walles of Gaunt The enemie forcing them so néere that they came and attempted to pill the waggons putting the whole force of the Campe so néere as the very towne ditch vntill such time as the Ordenance plaied so fast out of Gaunt that thereby the enemies were enforced to retire from those places Where the English forces vz. Colonell Thomas Morgan Colonell Cotton and Colonell North
his valour and magnanimitie But as he had liued alwaies in honour excelling by the Lawrell and the Launce I am but Paruus Laodocus in re tam magna to describe his demerits of fame condignely so yet amongst others féeling in his life time his honourable fauour and finding after his death the want of his furtherance vnto my poore distressed Muse I cannot but in dutie honour his vertuous godly and learned life and with dolour deplore his vntimely death with his honorable actions then lastly performed as in the next yéere following hereafter shall appeare But to returne to the order and procéeding of the historie for this yéere 1585. aforesaid after that the said Generall Norice had disposed those seuerall companies vnder their seueral Colonels and Captaines and placed conuenient Garrisons in the frontier Townes before resigned to her Maiestie namely Briel Flushing Oftend and Berghenoptzome the very entries into Holland Zeland Flanders and Brabant the said Generall departed with his forces into Gelderland where by the speciall helpe of God his owne great valour and diligence of his souldiers he tooke the Sconce by Arnhem called Iselwerdt erected where the Isel falleth out of the Rhine wherein for better successe in the enterprise he placed fiue Ships and two Hoyes which sped very ill for that they were on ground and in the enemies reach knowing no way to escape the imminent daunger Which Captaine Hunnings on the said fifteene of Nouember that yéere 1585. perceiuing and seeking to escape the enemies hands being alreadie hurt very sore thinking to leape out of a ship into a boate but by reason of his armour somewhat heauie and lighting short hée was vnfortunately drowned Notwithstanding the said Generall Norice still continued his skirmish on land in a Sconce which he had butted against them so manfully that hauing sore discomfited them by meanes of his Fort and that hot assault the day drawing néere to an end they rested without any more adoe On the next day the Generall both in respect of his owne valour and his countries credit continued in his determination and purpose to giue a new assault But the enemies knowing the want of abilitie to withstand his force and being without hope of helpe voluntarily appealed to the law of Armes that they might depart with bagge and baggage and so they surrendring the Sconce into his hands the said Generall with no small credit to his countrie and honour to his name yéelding humble and heartie thankes vnto God for his clemencie entred the said Sconce of Arnhem in the which hée placed such a Garrison as was fit and conuenient for the kéeping thereof Moreouer the said Generall Norice determining to leaue no thing vnattempted that might any way annoy the enemie and profit his Prince and Countrie with a minde vnconquerable marched with his forces towards the citie of Nimeghem where by honourable force and Knightly chiualrie subduing another of the Enemies Sconces he partly cléered the Riuer Rhine by which déede he opened the passage from Colen and all the high Countries which was a very profitable and readie helpe to all the English Campe. This done by serious paines and industrie as a wise and politike Generall letting slip no occasion that might profit his purpose he raised a mount before the citie and that of such a height and strength that thereon he planted his Ordenance for that the situation of the towne was such that otherwise he could haue done it small hurt but by meanes of this new raised mount On the morrow he shot furiously into the Market place greatly terrifying the enemies and all the inhabitants of the citie The Prince of Parma hearing what had happened presently marched toward the succour of the citie purposing fully to haue giuen the said English Generall the repulse who for the better and more easie accomplishment thereof intēded to trauell secretly in the night thinking thereby to take the Englishmen vnprouided for their comming As indéede so they had done if the commendable and diligent care of our Espials had not preuented that inconuenience by fore warning the Campe of their comming who at that instant were not farre off At length the enemies approching hauing for their guide and gouernour the said Prince of Parma a man of great force and dexteritie in feates of warres and the English hauing for their Gouernour the said noble Generall Norice a man of no lesse courage then actiuitie he with a most valiant heart and cheerefull voyce encouraged his souldiers to the encounter wherein he himselfe for better emboldening of all vnder his charge and for their only euident example of valour and courage gaue the first charge and that so terrible to the enemies that turning their backs they fled away as mē amazed not being able to sustaine the force of his hands which the Englishmen well perceiuing most venturously followed their fleeing fainting foes with such furie that the Spaniards were by heapes laid leuell with the ground In which conflict were slaine of the enemies to the number of thrée thousand at what time also there was taken from them in the field nine Ensignes which losse was no small griefe to the enemies greatly bewayling their vnfortunate successe which was done with very small losse of the English as it was found by the due suruey and view made of such as were then missing This skirmish was sought on Monday the 15 day of Nouember in the said yéere 1585. after our English Generall with those worthie Knights Colonels and Captaines were employed in the said Low Countries as aforesaid For which gracious victorie by God giuen vnto them at this present great and memorable thankes and praise with singular ioy and comfort as well by the actors as by the inhabitants of those Countries were rendred vnto Almightie God and made manifest amongst them with mutuall consolation inspeakable And not thereabouts only where this honourable exploit was performed but also where and when the said Generall and the Campe returned thence to Briel being made Gouernour thereof vnder and for her royall Maiestie he was in most honourable manner receiued by all the States and Burghers with great triumph and ioy who in euery corner of the Citie made great bonfires in euery Church rung their bels and many a great volley of shot for to welcome him into the Citie where all the people with lowd voyces euery where said God saue good Queene Elizabeth God saue the good Queen of England The names of such Captaines as were hurt before this conflict at Arnhem Sconce were these Captaine Thomas Louell Sergeant Maior Captaine Borowes Captaine Thomas Knowles now Sir Thomas Knowles Captaine Charles Blunt now Lord Mountioy Captain Vauisor brother to the now Sir Thomas Vauisor and Captaine Thomas Wilson In all sixe Captaines hurt at that time The number of the English slaine at this conflict at Nemeghem as Captaine Thomas Louell told me was some 60. persons and not aboue The
ciuill Warres there vnder the Prince of Parma and the Erle of Leicester AFter the said Ambassade sent by the Estates of the Netherlands vnto the Quéenes Maiestie of England Anno 1585. as before by composition in 31. seuerall Articles contained which for breuitie I omit And also after the memorable enterprise by the noble Generall Norice and the English forces happily atchieued against the Enemie at Arnhem and Nemeghem last before recited in the same yéere it pleased her gracious Highnes to send now ouer into the Netherlands the most nobly renowmed Lord Robert Dudley Erle of Leicester Baron of Denbigh and one of her Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell c. with a magnificen◠and worthie traine of Noblemen and Gentlemen attending vpō 〈◊〉 into those Netherlands where he ariuing at Flushing in Zeland the 19. of December Anno 1585. was of the Magistrates and Townesmen most honourably entertained and also with him the Lord Robert Deuoreux Erle of Essex and other English Nobles and Gentlemen to the number of seuen hundred horse From thence out of Zeland they sailed into Holland where in all Cities and places as they passed they were ioyfully receiued vntill they came vnto the Haghe in Holland in the moneth of Ianuary 1585 and there the Estates generall and Prouinciall came vnto his Excellencie friendly embraced him and honourably intertained him and all his traine with surpassing ioy and welcome and on the Calends of February following surrendred vnto him as to her Highnes Lieutenant Generall of all her forces there the gouernment of those vnited Prouinces vz. of the Duthcie of Gelders Counties of Zutphen Holland and Zeland the Seigniouries of Vtrecht Frizland and Ouerissel and of other Townes and places which as yet they possessed in Flanders and Brabant Promising and binding themselues by vertue of their oth in all and euery degrée from the highest to the lowest by land and by sea to yéeld and performe al diligence obedience and fidelitie for their and our generall good of peace and warres from time to time during his gouernment His Excellencie making like promise of his part for the defence of the said Estates people and Prouinces accordingly Actum Hagae in Hollandia Cal. Februarij 1585. Subscripsit Aersius According to the rule and forme of these ordenances the said Erle Generall taketh vpon him the said gouernment confirmed in full and absolute authoritie thereunto by common consent of the said Estates in generall there bearing publike offices with the seuerall Gouernours of those Prouinces Colonels Captaines souldiers vnder their charge for whom and in whose name especially Countie Maurice of Nassaw and Countie Hoghenloe with other Martiall Gouernours doe promise to performe all possible endeuours assistance defence and supportation in all points The Quéenes Maiestie of England receiuing newes hereof was moued in minde and thinking these things chiefly done to the end she should be more bounden or tyed to inconuenience then she determined sendeth foorthwith thither Sir Thomas Hennage Knight her Vizechamberlaine with letters the 13. of February Anno 1585. aforesaid wherein she signified her selfe hardly to allow the absolute gouernment of those Countries so surrendred vnto the Erle of Leicester and that it seemed very absurb vnto her for as much as her Highnes had refused such proffer to be made vnto her and to lay the burthen of that gouernment vpon her Minister or Officer before refused of her Maiestie without her Counsell seemed indéede to be a great signe of manifest ignominie or iniurie done vnto her Highnes as though her Maiesties wisedome and iudgement were wanting and could not discerne what were to be receiued nor what to be refused So as that thing was quite contrarie and repugnant especially to the Declaration published in print as touching these affaires wherein was openly testified that her Highnes gaue only succour vnto the Netherlands and vnto her Neighbours and not indéede to intrude or thrust her selfe into absolute protection or supreme gouernment of those people and Prouinces For these things being so done now would euery man take occasion to thinke and iudge otherwise then her Highnes meant herein especially such persons would doe that who thinke they may lawfully censure and iudge vpon Princes doings as they list and after their sensualitie so as thereby her Maiesties fame and honour might chiefly be detracted And therefore that all the world might know how iustly and vprightly in this behalfe she determined to procoode her Highnes pleasure is and she commaundeth the said authoritie to be reuoked and forbiddeth that the Erle shall not vse any other authoritie then is contained in the mutuall Contract made and published And that thing being so obserued no doubt it would be profitable to the Common-wealth in time to come And her Maiestie further addeth she made not refusall for that cause that she had not any care of the welfare of those Prouinces but for that she had prouident care of her owne Honour and how to stop the mouthes of the malignant and such as were her enemies The residue which were to be spoken herein were expressed in her Highnes letters so written The Estates seeing these letters were in much doubt and doe send answere vnto her Maiestie touching the same on the 25. of March 1586. out of the Citie of Amsterdam and excuse the same authoritie so giuen to be with all humilitie and commoditie for both parts and affirme that these things were not done to burthen or binde her Maiestie more then the Contract contained but as cause of necessitie so required they were thus done and passed They alleage how that authoritie must especially be necessarie and better it was the Prouinces to haue but one then two Gouernours and it seemed farre safer for them to entertaine her Maiesties subiect and Deputie then to chuse and authorize another and such a one as they had before and such authoritie to giue him as the same might be reuoked at any time But for the word Absolute they alleage that was only added to distinguish the gouernment that the same might be discerned from others that they by a Prouiso might be ordered and by commaundements and instructions might be bounden and tyed the better to performe their duties and for better execution of Martiall discipline and not that sole and soueraigne rule might be giuen him That it was by example of the Romanes and other people Salua dignitate Principatus Dominij quae remansit penes populū sauing the dignitie of the Principalitie and soueraigntie which remained in the power of the people and moreouer to the end they might more easily withstand and resist the enemies practises and enterprises and that the peoples hearts troubled and altogether brokē with feare and furious outrage might be the better succoured and comforted And so they beseech her Maiestie not to forsake them now in their distresse and promising all dutie answerable to her Maiesties most royall expectation
with a strong power furnisht with great store of all manner of prouision and the next day after returneth backe two miles from Zutphen vnto Barcklo from thence to Wesel and so to Burck then making a bridge ouer the Rhene he falleth sick in his way comming to Bruxels there being enféebled by sicknes be ordaineth the Marquesse of Renty Lord of Montigni discended of the house of Lalaigne chiefe Gouernour of the Armie in his steed The Erle Generall battereth with his Ordinance on the 16. of October anno dicto the lesser Fort towards the North and commaundeth it after dinner to be razed to the ground and in this place there were 300. in garrison but in the greater Fort were 800. and in the Citie 2000. when the Prince of Parma himselfe was absent from thence scarce two miles So as what time neither out of the Citie it selfe nor out of the Fort anie man came to resist or withstand the Erles forces this was by them sharplie assailed in the assailing thereof Edward Standley an English Gentleman together with Sir William Standley being a Colonell behaued themselues verie couragiouslie For maister Edward Standley climed vp the rampere of the Fort out of which one supposing to strike him through with a pike the said Edward tooke it perforce out of his hands and held it stoutlie and the more the enimie stroue to wrest it from him againe the higher hee raised the said Edward Standley so much more out of his reach whereby he escaped the enimies daunger which deed was the chiefe cause of the victorie For which enterprise the Erle Generall dubbed him Knight as by desert and gaue him a yeerely pension of 600. Florens in this assault there were no moe but eight of the Generals men slaine and there the Counte Hoghenlo was wounded in the face His Excellencie on the next day after this battereth and so taketh the said greater Fort by commoditie of the lesser Fort and the I le on the north part aforesaid so as thereby he might vtterlie stoppe the passage betwéene the great Fort and the Citie and while the garrison were in feare thereof leauing their Ordinance there at randome before the Englishmen had placed their Ordinace they fled into the Citie and so these Forts together with the Castels of Newbeken Boxburgh and other places néere adioyning were taken whereby all the Countrie of the Velawe was deliuered from the violent extortions and burning spoilers there before raging His excellencie thought not good to assaile the City of Zutphen because it was stronglie fenced encompassed with waters enuironed with walles and situate betwéene Deuenter Doesburgh Lokam Doeterum and the saide Fort for he hoped they would then especiallie yeeld vnto him if penurie so constrained them by a little and a little Therefore almost in the midst of winter he remoueth his Campe which thing also Parma doing the Erle Generall disposeth his garisons in good order euerie where aduaunceth certaine Leaders and English Nobles for their approued valours with great honour and made some others of them Knights And so the Erle Generall hauing performed all these seruices in the Netherlands was worthilie well honourablie highly reputed of them hitherto but after this he is said by my Authour lib. 13. fol. 391. pag. 2. whether and how he deserued it I know not to incur the disliking of the Estates in some points as also in that he placed Rowland Yorke aforesaid Gouernour of the Fort at Zutphen for although they had vsed him in diuers seruices for his benefit before time yet he was not found so faithfull to them in those causes as he ought to haue bin and as was expected Also for that the said Erle Generall made Sir William Srandley knight giuing him charge ouer 1200. English and Irish footmen and ouer 200. horsemen into whose doings the Estates Generall aduisedlie looking found him also farre more vnfaithfull then eyther he should haue bin or they worthilie deserued at his hands The Erle Generall when in the deepe of winter he vnderstood that Parma was departed out of Gelderland and knowing for certaine that the souldiers appointed in the Osteland by the confederacie and secret conspiracie of certaine false forsworne souldiers which he had in his gouernment had reuolted from him yea and to their great shame no necessitie vrging them to runne away from him and when hee now also saw that neither time nor place was giuen him for performance of anie further seruice and the Towne Berck was deliuered latelie from the siege from whence Colonell Thomas Morgan was now returned the Erle General I say now departeth towards Haghe in Holland But whē his souldiers leauing at randome the I le before Zutphen remoued their Tents they were sodainelie fiercelie charged by Iohn Baptista Taxus the Spanish Colonell but they escaped away from the enimie with the losse of some sixe or seauen of the Englishmen and no moe At that time the Estates finding themselues agreeued at the Erles indirect doings as my Author saith in those countries doe make and exhibite vnto him certaine requests for diuers respects whereof the whole reformation was reserued vntill his returne againe out of England when God and her Maiestie should so permit And so his Excellencie taking his leaue of the Estates Generall not sufficientlie contented with his doings he taketh shipping at Flushing passeth into England and ariueth at London on the fourth of December Anno 1586. About this time for as much as Sir Philip Sidney late Gouernour of Flushing was slaine at the siege of Zutphen as before is said the Queenes Maiestie of England in his place gaue the gouernment thereof to Sir William Russell Knight sonne to the Erle of Bedford a man of great accompt and worthines He ariued there at Flushing and with him Monsieur Tyrlone sometime Admirall of Zeland who for suspitions in some points was a long time kept in prison but being afterwards set at libertie and discharged of all matters went into England to render his due and condigne thankes vnto the Quéenes most excellent Maiestie Before that the Prince of Parma purposed to besiege Sluce in Flaunders he leuied an armie throughout all the Prouinces of his iurisdiction making as though he would take his iournie through that part of Flaunders which we call the land of Waste These forces about the beginning of the month of May next following which was in Anno 1587. were dispersed into sundrie parts about Bridges by little and little encreasing And to the end they should the lesse suspect them they giue out speeches that they were sent with Mounsier de Lamot to the Towne of Oudenburgk in Flaunders to the end they should represse the outragious spoyles of the Souldiers at Ostend and of Sluce when now all his hoast was in a readines and as well the Bands come out of Germanie as out of the Netherlands and other Nations were gathered they passed
Duchesse of Suffolke widow of that nobly renowmed Souldier Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke being borne at Wesell in Duchland in Quéene Maries time his parents making their iourney out of England for the profession of the Gospell by the tender care and good education of his parents being named Peregrine as borne in a strange countrie in processe of time from his youth forwards to his manhood proued pregnant in wit prompt in knowledge and practised especially in Martiall or Militarie actions whereby he became the most rare and surpassing ornament of his noble progenie and a most honourable and worthie Instrument for the seruice of his Prince and Countrie In somuch as his first seruice wherein the Queenes Maiestie employed him was when in his Adolescencie he was sent her Ambassadour vnto Fridericke the second of that name king of Denmark towards whom he so wisely behaued himselfe from whom he so discreetly demeaned himselfe towards her Highnes in his returne and answer that seldome a better or the like Ambassade hath beene in the like case found in one of so young yeeres for her Royall Maiestie vnto any forraine parts either before or since his time Next after that his Heroicall spirit yet further affecting Militarie affaires as one more desirous to serue his Prince and Countrie it pleased her Highnes with the aduise of her most Honourable priuie Counsell vpon the great good opinion and liking they had conceiued of his dexteritie when the Erle of Leycester was the first time returned into England to send him ouer to the Netherlands as Lieutenant Generall of the English forces there Anno 1586. where his noble courage so conioyned with dexteritie and his forwardnes with such fortune that he himselfe was formost in all attempts and enterprises of his forces fiercelie like a Lyon he assayled the enimies fought with them spoyled them and foyled them wheresoeuer he came So verilie and in such sort as the Duke of Parma then himselfe confessed of this worthie Lord Willoughbie and his seruice for foure yeers space in those Countries neuer anie English man enterprised more boldlie to meete his enimies in the face more brauelie encountered them nor more painefullie pursued and sought them out neere and farre off to their disgrace spoile and foyle wheresoeuer he found them At Sutphen as before is mentioned when the Prince of Parma came thither to releeue that Town this worthy Lord Lieuetenant Willoughbie vnder the Erle of Leycester who came not into the fight being in place more forward then the rest marched well mounted met the enimies couragiouslie brake his Launce in the middest of them made way with his sword euerie where and so forciblie aduentured his noble person through the thickest of them that all his men nearest him much feared when his bases were bereued from his bodie his plumes pluckt awaie from his head his Armes be battered with blowes except God would then mightilie preserue and protect him aboue all expectation he should vtterlie haue beene foyled in the fight and spoyled both of life and all things els about him he was so desperately endaungered euery way Yet so mightilie God himselfe doubtles preuailed with him and for him in the instant hazard of his life that hee pressed through the thickest of them without any bodilie harme and in this hot broile with his owne hands caught hold of Seignior George Cresâ—yonyer Albanoys before mentioned page 88. one of Parmaes châ—efâ— Commaunders of his horse carried him away prisoner perforce and maugre all resisting force of the enimies sent him to the Estates to be kept their Captiue No Conuoy could at anie time escape his victorious hands neyther durst anie enimie approch the Towne of Berghen where and while he was then Gouernour Such by the fauour of God was his vertue ioyned with his fortune in his said gouernment that he was highlie honoured of his owne garrison and also greatlie feared of his enimies when he often times made chalenge of the brauest of them as namelie the Marquesse of Guasto a Nobleman of chiefest account with the Duke of Parma who yet for all that refused to encounter with him hand to hand After the returne of the Erle of Leycester Generall of her Maiesties forces in the Netherlands this worthie Lord Willoughbie as Leiutenant with great wisedome circumspection diligence fidelitie discharged his dutie so honourablie and vprightly in all points and at al times that he withstood the enimies attempt gained the good will of the people of those Prouinces appeased their troubles and ended all controuersies in the Townes of Medenblick and Narden in Holland and also of Camphere and Armude in Zeland to the great peace and common quiet of the same Townes and Countries For when Counte Maurice and the Estates had with their forces ensconced the Towne of Medenblick aforesaid and had opposed their forces against the souldiers in that Towne they did what they could to surprise and take the spoile of the Towne from Mounsier Snoy Gouernour thereof but little therein did they and their forces preuaile vntill by her Maiesties most Princelie care and chargeable expences this worthie Lord Willoughbie treated a reconciliation betweene the States and those townes so as those townes were rendred into the States hands againe without bloodshed After all this the Enemies hauing vainly inuaded the Isle of Thole lost foure hundred of their men They then marched with their forces towards Berghen opt Zome néere the Riuer of Schalde which citie they prepared to besiege seeing they could not obtaine the Isle of Thole being therein hindred by the watchfulnes vertue and valour of the Count Solme who in his owne person watched night and day in the Fortresse all the time that the Duke of Parmaes souldiers besieged Berghen This citie or Marquisate of Berghen opt Zome hath a dignitie which after the death of the last Marques of that house named Iohn being poysoned in Spaine Anno 1567. descendeth vnto his Sisters daughter begotten by the Lord of Merode and Peterson who is maried to the Lord of Bersole Baron of Brabant a follower of the Spanish Kings warres and his adherents yea though he dwelt at Leyden This citie is situate in Brabant by the Riuer of Schalde and is very large and commodious builded at the flood Zoma now by ouerflowings somewhat distant from Schalde but with a fit Hauen stretching toward Schalde where it hath a certaine head or foreland which being inuironed with strong Ramparts and munitions a Garrison did vse to kéepe the same sometime There was the same time Gouernour of that Citie a certaine Colonell named Sir Thomas Morgan since for his valour knighted a Welshman borne he succéeded that worthie Knight Sir William Drury in that gouernment The Garrison in that Citie were Englishmen vnto whom were adioyned some few Netherlandish horsemen amongst all these certaine aduenturers which made great spoyle and tooke many booties from the enemie and
of vs and therefore aduised our General to dislodge to Croyzon thinking it not fit to hazard any men hauing so strong an enimie at hand ready to ioyne battell with them But Sir Iohn Norice hauing his courage nothing daunted with the approch of the enemies his heart seruing him both to win the fort by assault and to encounter his enemie in the field shewing what a dishonour and disreputation it were to abandon the siege and also what little cause the enemie should haue to aduance himselfe farther if the fort were gotten his comming being onelie to resue it He so much importuned the Marshall that he gaue him wholie the ordering of that dayes seruice Immediatlie our Generall gaue order to the Cannoniers for the batterie and caused the Artillerie to play Euerie man was assigned his charge some to the assault other with scalados to attempt to enter and by 12. of the clocke he caused fire to be set to the mine which albeit did not so much as was looked for yet it made the accesse so easie vnto the French as that a man might haue ridden vpon horse backe and our men namely Captaine Latham Captaine Smith and Captaine Iohn Norice with diuers other gallant gentlemen gaue vp on the other bulwarke and continued the assault without losing one pace of the height vntill halfe an houre past foure and in the end first entered the same and seased vp on three Ensignes that were there and put euerie man they found in the fort sauing one alferez to the sword some of the Spaniards leapt from the rocke to the water but our Marriners with their smal boats met with them and slew them some three or foure others being taken escaped with their liues no man was found Au sang Froyd Sir Thomas Baskeruil serued this day with great valour and industrie to the admiration of all men Our sea-men and Marriners this day acquited themselues wonderfull brauelie and were exceeding forward in all attempts as may well appeare by that valiant Knight Sir Martin Fourbisher who in the assault receiuing a hurt is thereof now dead The chiefest of the French men namelie such gentlemen as seruing on horseback putting themselues that day on foote did exceeding gâ—llantlie namelie Mounsier Roumege Vn Maistre du Camp a man of great courage and who most intirelie loued our Generall was slaine vpon the rampart and his Ensigne by him who if they had bin well seconded vndoubtedly they had caried it first and had got the reputation of the first entrie As for the rest I hold them nothing worthie of commendations in this action Slaine in the assault Captaine Edge once Captaine of our Generals Gaurd Lieutenant Flud Captaine Smiths Lieutenant Ensigne to Captaine Brett Eight Gentlemen of our Generals own company Manie other Gentlemen and betweene twenty or thirty priuate men Hurt in the assault Sir Thomas Baskeruil Sir Martin Fourbisher who is now dead Captaine Iohn Norice Captaine Brett Captaine Smith The victorie being thus gotten by the great vertue and admirable industrie of our Generall the fort being appointed to be raised we dislodged the next day to Croyzon to ioyne with the rest of our troupes to attend there what the enimie durst doe who within two dayes after found reason to retire themselues fiue leagues further from vs. Thus haue I finished I assure you truelie although not largelie all that was most remarcable in this dayes seruice It may be I giue not namelie to euerie man the honour he deserued but therein I excuse my selfe with my shortnes in writing also my selfe being herein an Actor my eye was not at leasure to note euerie mans desert There was found in the fort 29. barrels of powder some match and verie few small shot and of meate bisket wine and beefe reasonable good store I must a little commend the defendants for an enimie deserueth his iust praise especiallie the chiefe Commaunder He neuer in all these attempts shewed himselfe daunted he made sundrie sallies but most vpon the French to his great aduantage and reputation He lost before this last dayes seruice 60. men some at his sallies some with our Cannon and some at our first attempt vpon the breach also this very last day our Cannon playing incessantlie vpon the maine courtaine betweene the two bastions slew fiftie of his men This last assault continued almost fiue houres without intermission they neuer quailed vntill he was slaine which was a small time before the entrie and then the greater part being slaine the rest ouer tired and hurt were forced by our Gallants to retire and so there were slaine of Spaniards in this fort almost 400. I note another signe of his great resolution for if he found anie willing onely to speake of yeelding he would cause him to be bound to a stake or post and exposed him to the breach leauing his armes at libertie to fight for his defence I hope no man will dislike if I commend the valour of the enimie which was conquered for the greater is the honour of them that were the Conquerours This their vaine resolution might well haue serued their turnes if they had not dealt with our Generall who was as resolute as they and therein ouermacht them For the next day Don Ioan de l'Aquilar sending a trumpet for the redeeming of prisoners our Generall sent him answere that their ransomes were payed and that hee was now as readie and at leasure to fight with him This victory achiued he sent the three Spanish Ensignes into England and presented them to her Maiestie who as a most sacred and gratious Prince most highlie esteemed and louinglie accepted them God of his infinite mercy send her daylie so to triumph ouer her enimies and that it will please him to protect our Generall for her greater seruices FINIS Here endeth the memorable seruice of S. Iohn Norice knight at Brest in Britaine 1594. THE MEMORABLE SERVICE OF THE NOBLE Generall Sir Iohn Norice Knight in Ireland after his returne from Brest 1595. with his death there and buriall here in England 1597. THis noble Knight and renowmed Generall of her Maiesties forces in Britaine immediatly after the said seruice done by him at the Fort of Brest in that Prouince ariuing in England in the moneth of March Anno 1595. after he had stayed at London a moneth or thereabouts was thence by her Maiestie commaunded ouer into Ireland and with him to embarke his forces appointed directly ouer thither vnder the conduct of his brother Sir Henrie Norice Knight there to haue his Commission drawne as Generall of her Maiesties forces in that kingdome After his landing at Waterford which was about the fift or sixt of May Anno dict he dispatched letters to Sir William Russel Knight Lord Deputie of Ireland signifying his landing at Waterford aforesaid and withall crauing leaue for the ease of his bodie that he might stay in his gouernment of Munster for some short time which as it