wherewith we recouered the Haigue Thursday about ten of the clocke at night we anchored before the Castle of Gernsey and my Lord Generall and some other Gentlemen with him lay at the Castle that night Friday morning we set saile from thence and about fiue of the clocke in the euening we put into the road of Iarsey Monday my Lord Generall expecting the Companies out of the Low Countries were this daye ariued with Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Sergeant Maior of the Campe his Lordship went abord and lay at anchor in the road all that night Tuesday in the morning we loosed from thence and hauing a fine winde at North and by West about eight at night we anchored in the road of Pimpowle ariuing in the road called Lemoys de Guelle neere Pimpoule Wednesday y e 5. of May we discouered diuers shippings and botes that came from Brehake and made towards S. Malowes whereof we tooke one laden with salt and fish It is to be remembred that those of Brehake and of the Castle taking knowledge of our approch abandoned the Castle and yeelded themselues to the kings authoritie Not long after the enimie fled from the Castle of Lantegard which was fortified for the king by the Prince Dumbeez now Duke Mountpenser at this day My Lord dispatched letters into England from the Abbey of Beauport Thursday the 6. of May was spent in vnshipping the horses munition and souldiers This day also the Prince Dombeez sent 20. Moyles laden with bread to the Abbey for prouision of the souldiers Wednesday the army marched towardes Guyngamp and lodged in a small village in the way neere the Abbey and this night the Guyngampiers hearing of our approches set fire on their suburbes which we might plainelie discerne This night likewise my Lord Generall rode before to the Towne to take view and to saue as much as might be of the suburbs for the lodging of the troupes Thursday our troupes being with the French accompanied were lodged in such houses and other places of the suburbs as were left vnburned the same day the enimie sallyed out of the towne in pursuyng vs Captaine Wolfe an Englishmans colours were taken which we recouered againe at the winning of the towne and deliuered to him Fridaie those within the towne not beleeuing that we had any Cannon with vs sent out diuers spies to discouer which we tooke This day our Artillerie being a Cannon and two Culuerings came to vs. Saturday it pleased my Lord Generall to put them within the Towne out of doubt for the Artillerie being planted our first shot was so exceeding well made as that it dismounted a peece which the enimie played withall from a steeple the Prince Dombeez beeing present Sonday Monday and Tuesday were spent in drawing plat-formes and in planting the Ordinances Wednesday the Canons were readie to play being plāted in a Cloyster in the French quarter on the north side of the towne Thursday morning we hauing expected certaine Artillerie of the Princes to haue come from Brest which came not to vs we began the batterie with our owne 4. peeces continuing the same all that day and the next vntill three of the clocke in the afternoone to the number of 400. shot at which time notwithstanding that the breach was verie vnassaultable and small the wall being passing strong yet the French humour vrged my Lord Generall verie hotlie to an assault Which vpon so small a possibilitie of doing anie good his Lordship was hardlie drawne vnto onelie in regard of the honour of our nation he made choise of certaine out of diuers companies wherof Captaine Iackson Captaine Heron and Captaine Hayes to haue the leading and afterwards the dice being cast the chaunce fell to Captaine Iackson and Captaine Heron to haue the point of the assault and to be seconded by Captaine Hayes as occasion should serue who being accompanied with Captaine Catesby and manie other English gentlemen although the breach was very vnassaultable as before and exceeding troublesome by reason of the height thereof and the light falling of the moulder of the wall and the great number of the fetherbeds and such like which the Cannon had beaten downe yet a great part of our men perforce obtained the verie top of the breach where they endured a hot and long assault Captaine Heron receiuing a push with a pike vnder his gorget was there slaine and about some tenne or twelue of the common souldiers and besides thirtie hurt with stones the residue not being able to maintaine the assault any longer for the causes before remembred were driuen to retire The Baron Monluc hauing in this seruice the conduct of certaine French shewed himselfe verie couragious and gayned at that time vnto himselfe great reputation but the residue for the most part came forwards verie coldlie It was thought good that Captaine Hayes and his companie should not at this time come forwards but be reserued vntill the next day at what time the finishing of a Myne then in hand was appointed during this assault Captaine Dennis an English man offering a Scalado on the other side of the towne was shot with a Musket in the bellie whereof he died shortlie after Sonday next following being Whitsonday beginning againe to play after a three or foure tyer the enimie summoned a Parley which in fine grew to a capitulation in this sort viz. That the next day the horsemen in the towne should depart with their horses and Harquebusses leauing the Cornet behinde the footemen with their swords and the Townesmen to Fine 40000. crownes to the Prince Monday they came forth accordinglie to the number of 200. horse and 260. foote and the towne possest Mounsier de Cargamart being appointed Gouernour of the same There was found in the towne being yéelded vp foure Ensignes one Cornet one Cannon perier one demy Culuering sixe Sacres and of Mynions 2000. weight The towne was found to be verie strong defensible and sufficient able to haue kept the same for a far longer time if they within had bin honest men my Lord General doubted not but to haue drawen them of the towne to far strickter conditions then is said had not the Prince Dombeez seemed to be verie glad of this and that his hap sorted to so good successe and therefore would not further stand vpon it Wednesday then next following my Lord Generall dispatched letters to certaine the Lords of her Maiesties most Honourable priuie Counsell to my Lord Norice his father and to my Ladie his mother and other his friends in England Thursday the 27. dicto a Muster was taken of the Armie Tuesday the first of Iune anno dicto vpon the taking of Guyngamp it was purposed that we should haue gone for Morlayx but by certaine after Counsels that intent was altered for that it was said that the Duke Mercoeur was remoued from Pontiny where he ioyned with 4000. Spaniards vnder the
would forsake his trecherous course and become a faithfull obedient subiect He answered with great protestations that he was sorie for his offence and that there was no Prince in the world whom he did or would more honour and reuerence then her Maiestie neuer naming her Highnes but with his hat off all which shewes of obedience in him made many beléeue that he meant to become otherwise then since he hath proued himselfe But those that haue liued long in that countrey amongst them know by experience that they are a people full of malecontentment inconstancie rebellion and treason desiring no other gouernment but their owne rude barbarous and disordered kinde of life and manners most horrible and odious to all that feare God obey their Prince and loue their Countrey It was euer doubted by Sir Iohn Norice and to be beleeued of euery one that know the Rebell Tyrone that he neuer meant to be faithfull in his word wherefore his trecherous delaies could not be imputed to any remisse course held by Sir Iohn Norice towards Tyrone But there is no question had Sir Iohn Norice liued he would haue made it appeared vnto the world as he hath done heretofore that the zeale he did beare to doe her Maiestie and his Countrey seruice was such as that priuate malice in crossing him shuld neuer haue had power either to make him faile in the least point of his alleageance or to burie any of his honourable intended enterprises I haue heard him say my self and so haue others which now liue in Ireland that if he could but hope that the Rebel Tyrone would vnfainedly accept of her Maiesties grace and mercie towards him and that he the said Sir Iohn Norice might haue béen the instrument to haue perswaded him to become a faithfull subiect he would not haue cared what labour or paines he endured to be assured thereof It was thought that the prosecuting of Feugh Mac Hugh was contrary to the Articles agreed vpon betweene the Commissioners and the Rebell Tyrone and it should appeare that he disliked thereof For after his pardon was sent him by Sir Edward Moore and he in all things to the shew of the world readie to haue accepted thereof on the sudden his pardon was brought backe and he returned excéedingly discontented After the time of this last treatie with Tyrone which was in the latter end of Ianuary aforesaid he remained vpon the borders of the North still expecting direction how to procéed in those Northerne affaires which continued from the moneth of Ianuary aforesaid 1596. vntill the moneth of May in the yéere 1597. following for the space of foure moneths At which time he the said Generall Norice receiued aduertisement out of England that the Lord Borowes should come ouer Deputie into Ireland So vntil his comming the Generall kept himselfe vpon the borders of the North. It was thought at the Lord Borowes comming ouer the old grudge would be renewed but I think that matter was carried into England before the Lord Borowes departed thence For that after their méeting contrarie to the expectation of many Sir Iohn Norice caried himselfe very discréetly and respectiuely towards him besides that he made knowne vnto him the state of the countrey at that present together with his best counsell and aduice for the reforming of the desperate estate that then the kingdome was left in In so much as it was thought before Sir Iohn Norice his going into his gouernment of Munster that they were both good friends But now vpon the Lord Borowes his receiuing of the Sword Sir Iohn Norice was absolutely sequestred from all commaund except that of the Prouince and so sent downe into Munster with an opinion to get leaue to passe into England But that fell out contrary to his expectation So he hast ouer three moneths with a shew of his health although inwardly he felt his owne griefe And thus the cause of his conceiued griefe was the hastening of his death and so iudged of by most men which knew the same The manner of his death was answerable to his honourable life and knowne to some of his seruants and followers who now with great griefe must rew it He died the third day of September 1597. at his Brother Sir Thomas Norices house in the towne of Mayallo in the Prouince of Munster within the kingdome of Ireland at the 50. yéere of his age hauing spent 26. of them being the most flourishing time of his life in her Maiesties seruice against her enemies in the Netherlands Spayne Portugall France Britaine and Ireland as particularly before and here finally is mentioned The Honourable Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot father of the said Lord Generall had fiue sons moe all Martiall men vz. Master William his eldest sonne seruing in Ireland and there deceased Sir Edward his third sonne seruing lastly at Ostend now liuing Sir Henry Norice his fourth sonne and Sir Thomas his fift sonne both seruing lastly in Ireland hurt and died there but buried in England and Master Maximilian his sixt and youngest sonne died in France The honorable Ladie Margerie Mother to all these died at London 1599. The said honourable Lord Henry their father died at Rycot Anno 1601. Thus being intreated to set downe what I knew that passed vpon Sir Iohn Norices side at his latter daies in Ireland I haue although not iournally yet of my certaine knowledge truly and duly described all the notable occurrents that passed from his last comming out of Britaine to the time of his death in Ireland as before is said All this seruice in Ireland was set down by Daniel Gyles sometime Page and after lately seruant to the said Generall Norice at his death as aforesaid FINIS 1547. 1. Edw. 6. Exordium de quatuor circumstantijs The first circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The second circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The third circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The fourth circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. Historia Belgica lib. 2. Anno 1566. The States finding thēselues greatly iniuried and grieued by y e Spanish Inquisitiō do exhibit vnto the Regent a iust protestation of their cause The keyes and custodie of Antwerpe in Churchyards hands at this vprore witnes Master Ioseph and his brother Master Richard Candeler Churchyard Captaine of 30. thousand in this time at Antwerpe The Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw departeth out of the troubled Low Countries in happie time Churchyard then fled to England in a Priests apparell and came to y e Queene The Protestants chuse Churchyard their Captaine The Duke of Alua sent as Gouernour ouer the Low Countries vnder King Philip Lib. 3. He made a general restraint of Englishmēs ships goods Historia Belgica lib. 4. Anno 1569. Certain Christian Princes assist y e Prince of Orange to fortifie the Low Countries Historia Belgica lib. 3. King Philip imprisoneth his owne son The Duchesse of Parma departeth into Italy
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
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
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
and their countrie fortified themselues and the same euery where Notwithstanding on the 7. Ides of Aprill Anno Dom. 1577. King Philip confirmeth this as a perpetuall decree Hereupon the Prince and the States doe call vpon the new Gouernour Don Iohn the Bastard of Austrich for money and hauing receiued some certaine pay doe satisfie in part the souldiers there so long soiourning So the Spanish Italians and Burgundian souldiers as well footmen as horsemen on the 11. of May doe forsake and depart from Vtrich and from all the Castles and Fortresses thereabouts About the same time the before named Countie Egmont captiue with the other two Noblemen taken by the Spaniards the last yéere and besides these Valdesius with fiue or sixe others taken by the States were all dismissed and sent home and at length all other strangers also vnto whom their promised pay being now made Countie Maunsfeld Gouernour of Luxenberg performeth safe-conduct departing out of Luxenberg into Italy very rich and passing ioyfull To conclude Don Iohn who before the departure of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands could not be made gouernour of the same now in the meane time prepareth himselfe to take vpon him that gouernmēt at Louaine where when very many Noblemen came to congratulate his thither comming on the Calends of May this said yéere 1577 he with a great number of Noblemen of his traine in great solemnitie honour and triumph went to Bruxels where on the 4. of May he was enstalled Gouernour General for the Spanish King ouer all those Netherlands The people verely perswading themselues that henceforth now perfect stabilitie of peace would possesse their expectations But within a while after he seeing the gouernment of the Countrie in his absolute power and possession began forthwith to execute that authoritie which in secret manner he had from the King enioyned him And hereupon priuily conferreth out of hand with the Germane souldiers as yet staying in the Netherlands to this end especially that he may haue certaine chiefe Cities there by some suttle sleight or cunning deuice rendred into his hands But his Letters mentioning those secret deuices were intercepted as God would haue them in France and so his fraude or guile being now discouered he aforehand taketh the citie of Namur But when he attempted the like thing against Antwerpe his enterprise had no successe for the Castle being fortified and defended by Boursius in the behalfe of the States this meanes policie and power sufficiently preuailed against the enemies enterprise Againe also Bergen opt Zome Breda and Shertogenbusch this Don Iohns forces were discomfited by Champigny in the States behalfe valiantly encountring and ouermatching the enemie at all assates Hereupon the Prince of Orange and the States doe write vnto the Spanish King accusing the said Don Iohn of his indirect dealing contrarie to the confidence they reposed in him They also certified his Maiestie that this Don Iohn faining peace and the procuring thereof amongst them would not sticke to depart the countrie if he were sure to bring it to passe thereby that the Catholike Religion as he termeth it and the kings authoritie might so rest in safetie And yet in the meane time after all this protestation this Don Iohn sendeth for the Spanish and other dismissed souldiers to come backe againe To crosse him therefore another way preuenting his purpose the States doe cast downe the Castle of Antwerpe mistrusting he would forth with be their euill neighbour there first of all and incontinently they prepare them to warre against Don Iohn Therefore they send speedely for the Prince of Orange not farre off as then whom they condiscend to make the chiefe Gouernour of Antwerpe Hereupon groweth a ielousie whereby many of the Noblemen being mooued in some manner contrarily doe send for the Archduke Matthias brother to the then now still Emperour Rodolphus 2. and sonne of Maximilian before Emperour hoping vnder his authoritie to haue particular iurisdiction in the seuerall Prouinces there which thing when they of Gaunt did heare of they take the Duke of Ascot with others of that faction and commit them to safe kéeping Here it is especially to be remembred that on the 17. day of Iuly that yéere 1577. came first to the Prince of Orange a worthie and forward souldier Master Iohn Norice second sonne to the Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot in Oxfordshire a Gentleman of great courage and dexteritie who as Captaine Peter Cripse a follower of him in this his first seruice and in all others afterwards for a long time saith landed first at Dunkirke with thrée hundred Englishmen where he arming thē marched toward Antwerpe with them where the said Prince of Orange remained and so from thence to Brokam where he made pay to all his souldiers the last day of that moneth of Iuly 1577. aforesaid Duke Matthias being come into those countries and at the first thus forsaken of them whom he should haue had his assistance by the perswasion yet of the Prince of Orange is by the States chosen and ordained their chiefe Gouernour for the King and Don Iohn is publikely proclaimed an enemie to all the Low Countries Datum Bruxellae 7. Decemb. 1577. The States in this yéere send their Ambassadours vnto diuers Monarchs and Princes of diuers kingdoms and countries to excuse themselues and accuse Don Iohn of the misgouernment of the Netherlands In France they were offered by the King his brother and Quéene Mother both fauour and furtherance for their defence And here it is to be remembred that whereas by reason of the same request of the States made vnto the Quéenes Maiestie of England certaine euill disposed persons flattering the King of Spaine bore him in hand that the Quéenes Maiestie did ambitiously seeke to vsurpe the gouernment of those Low Countries contrarie to his good pleasure Her Maiestie therefore being giuen to vnderstand of those slanderous and false bruites giuen out against her to purge her selfe of such sinister dealing and of that false and vndeserued surmise suggested to the said King and dispersed abroad to blemish her Highnes credit and estimation with other Christian Princes to the intent she would rather be knowne to God and the whole world To eschue euill and doe good to seeke peace and insue it Psal 34.13 and not to be an intruder into those troubles as it was falsely surmised to nourish the ciuill warres in those Countries laboureth by princely and friendly meanes of perswasion to the Spanish King for carefull conseruation and preseruation of the same and likewise in Christian and friendly manner exhorteth the Prince of Orange and States of those Countries to submit themselues to their soueraigne Lord and King in all humilitie and obedience and so ceasing from ciuill discord if that they would reiect their weapons and practise to appease those troubles with patience no doubt of it God would worke in the Kings heart to forget and
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
wall There was slaine Captaine Spencer and some few others and Captaine Goodwin shot through the face The same day in parley time a Spaniard shot at an Englishman and was hanged therefore by the Enemie In this parley the Enemie desired to haue faire warres with vs. Saturday the fourth of May they made a breach in the West side of the Corunna foure of our men making an assault retired againe without hurt The same day Captaine Young being dangerously shot died soone after Sunday the fift of May they assaulted the breach filled vp by the Enemie to the hurt of some of our armed men Two Captaines shot thorow and Captaine Breyton hurt Captaine Sydenham slaine and one Cuckfoot an Ensigne to Sir Francis Drake Monday the sixt of May Iohn Kempston Marshall of the Ordenance was slaine with a shot from the high Tower Tuesday the 7. of May we marched foorth nine Regiments vpon the Enemie which had encamped themselues at a towne called Faro foure English miles from the Corunna our men charged on them being eight thousand and tooke their bridge there On either side the bridge our men entred the water draue them away killed some Colonels wanne their Towne victuals and prouisions fired the rest of their Villages néere draue them to retreite pursued them in chase thrée miles or more and slew of them in all thrée hundred at least of vs Captaine Cooper was slaine and not aboue thrée moe There were only hurt of our chiefe Commanders Sir Edward Norice and Captaine Hender who recouered both thereof and Captaine Fulford who died thereof Of those Spaniards at Faro was chiefe Don Iuan Pacheco Marques de Guasto and Gouernour of all Galizia who fled on horsebacke with the formost Wednesday the 8. of May our Sailers went on shore ranged the countrie burned and spoiled aboue fiue miles returning with some victuall and pillage without any resistance The same night the Non per illa was fired about fiue of the clocke by negligence in the harbour of Corunna and about twelue of the clocke that night the Merchant Royall was fired sixe men blowne vp with powder and some few hurt besides without more harme praised be God Thursday the 9. of May we raised our siege from the Corunna fired some of their ships in the harbour burnt and rased the base towne and Mils vp to the high towne and so embarked away thence that night Friday the 10. of May we set saile from the Corunna and that day about noone met with vs againe sixe saile of our Fléete which at our setting foorth parted from vs about the Coast of France Tuesday the 14. of May we doubled Cape finister the winde then at the East Saturday the 22. of Iune we departed from Vigo in Galizia to goe towards Peniche From Peniche the Armie came to Lisbon where they staied some two or thrée daies expecting the comming of the Fleete to Lisbon of which preparation and stay there Sir Anthony Wingfield writeth thus It may be demaunded saith Sir Anthony Wingfield writing vpon this voyage why a matter of so great moment should be so slenderly regarded as that the Generall should march with such an Armie against such an Enemie before he knew either the fulnes of his owne strength or certaine meanes how he should abide the place when he should come to it Wherein saith he I pray you remember the decrées made in the Councell at Peniche and confirmed by publike protestation the first day of our March That our Nauie should méete vs in the Riuer of Lisbon in the which was the store of all our prouision so the meane of our tariance in that place which came not though we continued till we had no munition left to entertaine a very small fight We are also to consider that the King of Portugall whether caried away with imagination by the aduertisements he receiued from the Portugals or willing by any promise to bring such an Armie into his countrey thereby to put his fortune once more in triall assured the Generall that vpon his first landing there would be a reuolt of his subiects whereof there was some hope giuen at our first entrie to Peniche by the manner of the yéelding of the Towne and Fort which made the Generall thinke it most conuenient speedely to march to the principall place thereby to giue courage to the rest of the Countrey The Friers also and the poore people that came vnto him promised that within two daies the Gentlemen and others of the countrey would come plentifully in within which two daies came many moe Priests some very few Gentlemen on horsebacke but not till we came to Torres Vedras where they that noted the course of things passed might somewhat discouer the weakenes of that people There they tooke two daies more and at the end thereof referred him till our comming to Lisbon with assurance that so soone as our Armie should be seene there all the inhabitants would be for the King and fall vpon the Spaniards After two nights tariance at Lisbon the King promised a supplie of thrée thousand foote and some horse but all his appointments being expired euen to the last of a night all his horse could not make a Cornet of 40. nor his foote furnish two Ensignes fully although they caried three or foure Colours and these were altogether such as thought to enrich themselues by the ruine of their neighbours for they committed more disorders in euery place where we came by spoyle then any of our owne So while wée staied at Lisbon wée both failed of the aide which the King Don Anthony promised vs and wée expected and also because our English Fléete came not vnto vs thither to Lisbon wée rose vp thence and went for Cascayes where méeting with our Fléete wée returned altogether into England where some of vs ariued at Plimmouth others at Portsmouth and others at London in the beginning of the moneth of Iuly Anno 1589. aforesaid Here endeth the Iournall of the Portugall Voyage A Iournall of the Honourable seruice by the renowmed Knight S. Iohn Norie Generall of the English and French forces performed against the French and Spanish Leaguers in Fraunce 1591. THis morning being Sonday my Lord Generall with Sir Henry Norice Captaine Anthonie Shirley Maister William Deuoreux c. tooke Post-horses at London to ride to South-hampton where in taking order for shipping for diuers considerations his Lordship staid vntill Sonday the 25. day Monday the 26. dict we embarked and fell downe with the shipping to Portesmouth where his Lordship staid that night at Captaine Richard Wingfields house Tuesday morning the 27. dict we set sayle being of vs in all 23. ships and other small vessels and hauing a scant shifting winde at north and north east we cast an anchor before Saint Helenes poynt in the Wight Wednesday morning about ten of the clocke being vntill then becalmed wee hapned of a small gale of wind blowing N. N. west