Henry the VI. of England After this Kings overthrow the Lords sent to King James to desire him to disband his Army and not to molest the English Borders threarning him that if he did otherwise they would meet him in the Field He answered the Messengers That he was resolved to take the Town and Castle of Roxburg which he had besieged and that he was not to be driven away from thence by Words As King James was storming the Castle of Roxburg he gave fire to one of the great Guns himself and was suddenly struck dead The Queen then in the Army desired the Lords not to be dejected by the Kings death nor to forsake the Siege and told them that she would provide another King for them her Son James then about nine years old who was brought into the Camp and saluted King by the Army who never left off till they had taken the Castle and demolished it Thus this Couragious Queen undaunted at the unexpected death of her Husband continued in the Field to hearten the Soldiers and force the Enemy to surrender this strong Castle to the Scots King James the III. succeeding to his Father wanted not his Courage though he suffered himself to be too much govern'd by his passions which brought him at last to an untimely end To him succeeded James the IV. who in the year 1500 proclaimed a War against England in favour of the French and sent a great Fleet to their Assistance He was so resolved that when he was disswaded from a Battel with the English because of his small and weak number he declared to the Earl of Angus he would fight them if they were one hundred thousand strong The Scots according to the example of their King fought stoutly and though there were 5000 of them killed they slew as many of the English But the King lost his life in this Battel of Fluddon Field He was so zealous for the Christian Religion that he obtained from the Pope the stile of Protector of the Faith James the V. a Child succeeds his Father under several Regents At last the distractions of the Kingdom forced the Nobility to invite over from France John Stuart Duke of Albany 1514. to take upon him the Government of the King and Kingdom He was a wise and moderate man but much addicted to the French faction and interest He was a Nephew of King James the III. by his Brother Alexander It was the unhappiness of this and several of the former Kings to come to their Crown before they had knowledge and ability to bear them therefore divisions and factions in the State between great and Ambitious Men did miserably tear that poor Kingdom of Scotland and caused many calamities to fall upon the innocent Inhabitants When King James the V. came to be of Age he visited with a fleet all the Islands and punished such disorderly Rebels as regarded not his Predecessors commands He went over into France and marryed first Magdalen the French Kings Daughter but she dyed suddenly He marryed next with Mary of the House of Guise of whom was born that excellent Queen Mary of Scotland whose Rebellious Subjects and over-jealous Kinswoman brought her after much affliction and a long imprisonment to an undeserved Death She was conveyed into France and marryed to the Dolphin and her mother declared Regent in Scotland About this time happened great troubles all over that Kingdom by the bringing in of the Protestant Reformation which was opposed by the Queen Regent and her French Faction with the Roman Clergy but much encouraged by the People the Gentry and Nobility and especially by James a Bastard Son of James the V. who leaving the command of his Cloyster was created by his Sister Queen Mary Earl of Murrey Queen Elizabeth of England was not wanting to the Protestant party in Scotland she sent them both Men and Money and by the assistance of the English the French were driven out of Scotland Queen Mary after the death of her Husband the French King returns by shipping to Scotland where she found the Religion of the Country changed by an Act of Parliament and the Roman Faith abolished Though the Queen had the liberty of the Mass in her own Chappel the furious Zeal of the reformed party was scandalous and unsufferable for they offered many affronts to the Queens Domesticks of the Roman persuasion Therefore to strengthen her self against a contrary faction she calls home Mathew Stuart Earl of Lenox out of England where he had lived in Exile This Noble Man brought with him a Son named Henry commonly called the Lord Darly to the Court of Scotland where as soon as the Queen fixed her Eyes upon him she chose him for her Husband and dignified him with the Dukedom of Rothesay and Earldom of Ross to make him a fitter match for a Queen He was a person of admirable and comely presence and a zealous Roman Catholick After he was marryed and proclaimed King many of the Nobility grew discontented and fell into several parties labouring to breed a difference between the King and Queen which they found means to effect after the King had caused David Riz her French Secretary to be violently carryed away from the Queens presence and murdered she being then big with Child Afterwards she was brought to bed in Edinburg Castle of a Son named James who after the decease of Queen Elizabeth united both Kingdoms and put an end to the quarrels of both Nations The Queens Husband was afterwards inhumanely murdered by Earl Bothwel and other Conspirators The distressed Queen after many hazards and troubles flies for shelter into England where instead of a Sanctuary she finds a Prison and Death King James though Crowned young and governed by his Unkle Murrey proved one of the most excellent Princes for Wisdom Learning and all other Princely Endowments that ever any Nation was blessed with He was first govern'd by his Unkle Murrey but he being shot by one Hamilton in the Streets of Lithgo and killed Mathew Lenox the young Kings Grandfather was made Regent of Scotland during his Minority but he being also killed at Sterlin the Earls Morton and Mar were appointed to succeed But when the King was twelve years of Age he took upon him the Government and was assisted by twelve Noble Men as Councellours Then his Kinsman Esmerus Stuart the Son of John the Brother of Mathew late Earl of Lenox came over from France to visit his Cousin King James and was by him highly advanced made Lord Chamberlain of Scotland Captain of Dunbritton and Duke of Lenox His Father for his extraordinary Valour at the Battel of Baugy against the English had the Noble seat of Aubigny bestowed upon him by the French King Charles the VII King James met with many difficulties and snares out of which Providence and his own discretion led him safe to the Crown of England to the great Joy and Happiness of both Kingdoms He marryed with Anne Daughter
Precepts and Doctrines as are most pleasing to the Viciousness and Corruptions of Men particularly of the Inhabitants of those Eastern Countries To his Followers he allows all things grateful to their Appetites and gives large promises of future advantages but such as reject his Doctrines he threatned with Fire and Sword and order'd his Disciples to destroy and plunder them The Mahometans are commonly very modest in their behaviours and seemingly devout and abstain from the most scandalous Sins which disgrace too much the Christian Profession Mahomet had not long proclaimed himself to be a Prophet before he was chosen General of the Saracen Army that had assisted Heraelius the Emperor against the Persians Upon the denyal of their just Wages they fell upon the Roman Provinces to pay themselves with the Spoils of the Country Mahomet could not have a better opportunity to settle his Religion for by his Wit and Successes he wanted not those of his Country that sided with him for the present Gain and help'd him to propagate his Faith with the sharpness of their Swords He had great prosperity in all his Wars and when he was dead Abubecher his Kinsman succeeded him and within two Years took several Towns from the Roman Empire Next to him was Omer and after him Ottoman They all endeavour'd to secure their Interest amongst the ignorant People by the same divellish Arts Hypoerisie and Counterfeits For Mahomet had a Pidgeon that would come to his Ear which he declar'd to be a Divine Message sent to direct and advise him When he was troubled with the Falling Sickness he invented that then the Angel Gabriel did appear to him and cast him into a Divine Rapture whereby his Senses were stupified These three formal Successors of Mahomet reformed the Alcoron and blotted out a great many gross Absurdities which were there before and left all their Conquests and Honours to Mortis Aly who could not be contented with the Honour of succeeding Mahomet but resolved to set up for himself declaring that he was a greater Prophet than Mahomet had bin Their wonderful Success in War and the great progress that they made in a few years caused the ignorant World to believe that these wicked Impostors were more than ordinary Men. Homar took in Damascus and all Phaenicia with Aegypt Hally conquered Persia and spread his impious Superstition all over the Eastern Countries He was slain by Muavias who enlarged his Dominions as far as the Eastern Sea conquered Cyprus and Rhodes and in a notable Sea-Fight beat the Roman Emperors Navy and kill'd so many Christians that the Sea was dyed with the Roman Bloud Such terrible executions together with the vast numbers of the Saracen Armies and their subtile way of Fighting more by surprize and Ambush than by plain Valour struck such a terrour to all the Provinces of the Empire that as soon as they appeared the Inhabitants would compound with the Arabian Leaders to save their Lives and yield unto them what ever else they would require This wonderful success made them adventure into Italy Greece Spain and France and to run over all the Sea-Coast of Africa where their Posterity continues to this very day These Mahometans are bound to propagate their Religion and generally believe that if they kill or are killed by Christians in the quarrel of their false Prophet they are undoubtedly saved and their Souls admitted into Paradise This Error causeth them to be so Couragious in the greatest Dangers and the plunder of the Countries invited a great many Vagabonds to joyn themselves in hopes of Gain to that Damnable Superstition and to their numerous Armies They conquered Sicilia Sardinia and almost all the most considerable Islands of the Mediteranean Sea and besieged the Emperour Constantine the IV. in his Imperial City But their great Navy was set on Fire by an Invention of Callinicus a Learned Methematician of those days who with Fire-balls that would burn in the Water destroyed all their Ships with 30000 men in them By this means the Roman Provinces were quiet for a while and deliver'd from the fear of their Cruel Neighbours till they encreased again and under the leading of Abdimelech their King He recovered and conquer'd Persia Mesopotamia Armenia Hircania and several other large Provinces with the Destruction of Mustar and Said his two Potent Enemies Thus through the Ignorance and Cowardise of the Eastern People through the Divisions amongst Christians the Cruelty Diligence Policy and Power of Mahomet and his Successors prevailed in a wonderful manner CHAP. IX Of Carolus Martellus the French General and of his Son King Pipin of France THE Saracen Armies were in those days not only in Asia and Africa but in Europe also they conquered all the plain Countries of Spain and erected several Kingdoms there At the Invitation of Eudon Duke of Guien jealous of the Greatness of Charles Martel they entred France and passed over the Pyrenian Mountains under the command of Abdiran their General Bourdeaux they took with several other great Towns that were forced to submit to their vast numbers for they were above 300000 men with all their Families Charles Martel the Son of Pipin Chief Master of the Kings Palace taking upon him the Name of Prince of France encountred these Foreign Enemies with an Army of French Germans and Longobards and to oblige his men to stand to the Fight with more Courage he placed behind them certain Troops of Horse commanding them to kill all such as should offer to fly away This severe course obliged them to be so couragious and resolved that they cut in pieces as is recorded in History near 370000 Saracens with little loss on the Christians part This Famous Victory together with the wonderful deliverance of the French Countries from the danger of these Infidels made Martel to be both beloved and highly honoured by all that Nation so that he had no great difficult to set aside the Race of the former Kings and to make way for his Son Pipin to ascend upon the French Throne instead of Chiperick who was shut up in a Monastery This hath often bin the unhappy Fate of such Princes as have minded more their Pleasures than the Government of their Kingdoms and have left to others that charge which they are by God's appointment to take upon themselves Martel after the Slaughter of the Saracen Army in the Fields of Aquitania met with two Generals more of the same Nation upon the Borders of Navarre Athimus and Amortheus who brought with them a great Company of the same People He slew Eudon the wicked Duke of Aquitania and drove all the Saracens out of France and encouraged Pelagius an Earls Son to endeavour to free the Kingdom of Gallicia and Leon from those troublesome Guests With a very small Company this Pelagius destroyed vast numbers of the Saracens and was for his good Service and Valour saluted the first King of Gallicia Pipin the Son of Charles Martel succeeds
his Father in the Government of France and in his ambitious designs for he confined his Lord and King to to a Covent and took from him his Regalia with the Popes approbation when Pipin sent to him to know who was fittest to Reign a Stupid prince or an Active Subject the Pope understanding his meaning gave orders to the Archbishop of Mentz to set the Crown of France on Pipins Head Thus the Popes of Rome have secured their Interest and Authority by obliging Persons of the greatest Valour Activity and Authority that they might help to enlarge and defend their Dominions For Pipin having received so great a Courtesie from Pope Stephen he could do no less than assist him with an Army when he was overpowred by Aistulphus King of the Longobards from whom he took Ravenna Bononia Imola Faventia Ferrara c. and bestowed them as a Gift on the Church of Rome And when Aistulphus besieged Rome with an Army at Pipins return into France the Pope was forced to implore again his Aid which he easily granted and forced Aistulphus to purchase his Peace with the yielding of the third part of his Treasures and a yearly Tribute which he paid to the French Afterwards Pipin at his return out of Italy with his Army conquer'd Aquitania and Goscony Pipin was a Politick Prince and because the Pope and Clergy in those days were in high esteem he did them all the reverence shewed them all the favour that was in his Power and they to requite his kindness raised him from the condition of a Subject to that of a Monarch When Pope Stephen came to implore his Assistance against the Longobards he met him with his Wife Children and Nobles three Miles out of his City and received him with a knee upon the ground took the Reins of the Pope's Bridle and led him to his Pallace whilst multitudes of the People sung Songs to the Praise and in honour of the Pope and the new King For it concerned him and his Posterity to vindicate and extol that Authority by which he was established in the Throne and his lawful Prince thrust out Therefore both he and his Son Charles did always magnifie the Popes Power Credit and Dominion and would never suffer them to be questioned by any other earthly Judges Pipin sounded the Bishopwricks of Saltsburg Ratisbone Aihstrat and Frisinge in Germany and was very bountiful to other places He was the first who brought in the use of Organs into the Western Churches having received one as a present from the Emperour of Constantinople And 't is observed of him that he was sincerely Zealous and Religious in his perswasion He endeavour'd to propagate the Christian Faith and to employ that Power that God gave him to advance his Glory He suppress'd Heathenism Judaism and all manner of Heresies and established a civil Government for the execution of Justice The Parliament of Paris was first appointed by him not to give a check to the Royal Authority but that the Kings of France might advise with the most ingenious and excellent Men of his Kingdom who were well acquainted with the conditions and necessities of the People that all Resolutions and Royal Acts might be made for the common good and the preservation of the Grandure and Authority of the Monarchy This King highly promoted also all those who had bin active to establish him upon the Throne and was very careful not to suffer Virtue in the meanest person to go unrewarded CHAP. X. Of Carolus Magnus the first Northern Emperour CHarles the Son of such a wise successful and Religious Prince as Pipin was inherits his Fathers Estate and Zeal for Religion At his first coming to the Crown he was solicited by Pope Adrian to relieve the Roman Church then likely to be robbed of all St. Peters Patrimony by Desiderius King of the Lombards With a strong Army he marches into Italy and in a notable Fight overcame Desiderius and besieges him in Ticinum took him with the Town and sent him and his Wife into France All Italy submitted to the Victorious Banners of Charles who enlarged the Dominions of the Romish Church To the former gift of King Pipin he added several large and rich Towns At his return into France he undertook an expedition against the Saxons who were Heathens and with them he overcame the Westphalians the Huns the Angarians the Hestians but the Saxons kept him in play 33 years before they could be totally subdued The Christians of Spain desired his Assistance against the Moors to relieve them he marched with his Army into Spain where he had wonderful Success but at his return over the Pyrenian Mountains the passages were so beset by the Country People that he lost his Army and was forced to fly for his Life leaving Eginbardus Roland Anshelmus and many of his best Officers dead behind him Adalgisus and Thastilo the Son and Nephew of Desiderius raised some stirs in Italy to recover Lombardy but them he overcame by his Lieftenants the first he put to Death and confin'd the second to a Monastery After all these Victories and Successes Charles deserved well the name of Great and to requite his kindness to the Roman See Pope Leo the 3d. put upon him the Imperial Crown and made him the first Emperour of the West in St. Peters Church at Rome upon Christmas day in the year 800. From hence the Roman Bishops claim the priviledge of naming and Crowning the Western Emperors who have often desired to receive the Imperial Diadem from the hands of the Popes in former ages This Charles was a very Wise Learned Couragious and Fortunate Prince for he subdued the greatest part of France Spain Italy Saxony Pannonia Histria Ducia Liburnia and Dalmatia He was very liberal to the Churches and Clergy of his days 23 Metropolitan Churches inherited his Treasures besides he built many Religious Houses and Colledges and appointed the 12 Peers of France Six of the Clergy and Six of the Laity And it is reported of him that at Supper time he would have some Godly and Religious Book to be read to him So careful he was for the preservation of the right Faith in his Kingdoms that when Nestorianism was received by the Corruption and Wickedness of two Bishops he called together at Franckford a Synod of 300 Bishops to judge and determine that Controversie Therefore for his care of Religion and the regard he had in all his Actions to God's Glory he was blessed with wonderful Success in all his wars so that his Fame was spread all about the known World and he was courted by the remotest Princes by the Greeks Saracens Swedes and Danes c. CHAP. XI How Telerichus King of the Bulgarians found out those that discovered his Secrets to Constantine Copronymus WHen Telerichus succeeded in the Government of the Bulgarians to Sabinus he was resolved to make War against the Roman Emperour and endeavour'd to assault him suddenly before he could be well
to the King of Denmark and by her had two Sons Prince Henry who was the great expectation of the Enlish Nation but suddenly snatcht away by death Prince Charles and the Lady Elizabeth marryed to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Prince Charles Successour to his Father and Heir of three flourishing Kingdoms after many Battels where he shewed his undaunted Courage as well as Piety in his Afflictions was by a most unnatural most devillish and unparalell'd Rebellion murdered by his Subjects Never any Prince was better qualified for a Crown never any more patient in distress Instead of the Imperial Crown of these Realms Providence bestowed upon him the Crown of Martyrdom and his memory will ever continue precious in the remembrance of all his Loyal Subjects He was too much a Christian to continue long in Peace Governour over such a tumultuous People This Nation hath been happy many years in excellent wise and valiant Princes who have protected us and our Estates from forrein and intestine Enemies Our late King Charles the II. of ever blessed Memory was drawn into the Field betimes to contend with Cruelty Rebellion and Tyranny when to the loss of his Patrimony was added the loss of so good a Father and the Banishment of his Friends his excellent Courage was not dejected but under so many aggravations of Sorrow under so many pressing and grievous Afflictions as were sent to welcom him into the World he endeavour'd to recover by his Valour and Conduct his Kingdoms and Crowns In Scotland when he was to struggle with a seditious and troublesome Generation and was to encounter with a Victorious Army of Enemies his Wisdom preserved his divided party from that ruine into which they were falling by their needless Factions and at the unhappy Battel of Worcester King Charles shewed himself to be a wise and diligent Commander and an undaunted Soldier by the confession of his greatest Enemies But that which this brave Prince attempted to obtain by his just Arms Providence procured to him by a Miracle I mean the Restauration of the Royal Family to their Dignities and Estates without any effusion of Bloud when there were so many Enemies both at home and abroad to oppose them In this short summary of the Heroes of the Royal Family I cannot but mention our present King James the II. whose great Courage undaunted Spirit and Noble Mind hath been sufficiently tryed both at at home and abroad both by Sea and Land against Foreign Enemies in the Field and furious and unreasonable Combitations of sactious Spirits within the Kingdom Victory and success hath always attended upon him and may this most Excellent Prince long continue over us in all prosperity and happiness and may his Enemies lick the dust CHAP. XLIV Of the Conquest of France by King Henry the V. and several other Remarkable Passages in that famous War KIng Henry the V. for the recovering of his Right to the Crown of France which was denyed to him upon the pretence of the Salick Law sent over the Duke of Exeter his Unkle with several Noble Men and 500 Horse to Charles the VI. of France to demand the Crown and with it the Princess Catherine the French Kings Daughter The Dolphin in contempt of King Henry's youthful days sent him in scorn a Tunn of Tennis Balls to play with The King was so sensible of this scornful present that he swore That he would toss so many Iron Balls in France that the strongest Rackets in that Kingdom should not be able to return them back It is no Wisdom to provoke the weakest Enemy nor safe to contemn the meanest Power for that which is wanting in Ability may be made good by diligence and policy King Henry for the obtaining of his purpose transported over an Army into France Harflew was besieged and within six Weeks taken The Soldiers had liberty to plunder it A sudden distemper happened in the English Army which destroyed many of the stoutest Soldiers who are as much subject to death in their Tents as in the midst of the Enemies Swords and the showres of shot The King left a Garrison in Harflew and resolved by land to march to Chalice with Two Thousand Horse and Thirteen Thousand Archers The Dolphin with above Thirty Thousand at Rohan resolved in Council to sight the English At Agencourt the Constable of France came to the Dolphin with Ten Thousand Horse and some Foot The French as their manner is boasted of the Victory before they had got it but they presumed so much upon their numbers that they thought to swallow up the English King Henry had wisely provided all things for a Fight He had got a number of Stakes strengthned with sharp Irons at each end with them he fences in his Foot that they might find in case of necessity some defence against the multitudes of the Enemies Horse The French Army was divided into three Battalions the first consisting of 16000. was lead by the Constable the second by the Dukes of Alanson and Barr the third was commanded by the Earls of Mark and Damp. The English Vanguard was brought up by the Duke of York the main Battel in which were the strongest Bill-men by the King assisted by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk The Rear was marshalled by the Duke of Exeter the Kings Unkle An Ambush of English Archers was placed within a new hedge to receive and surprize the French at their first approach They did such good service with their showres of Arrows which fell upon the Van of the French Army consisting for the most part of Horse that they were overthrown and helped to trample upon and disorder their Foot In that hurly burly the English Bill-men fell upon them with such fury that they were forced to fly but at the coming in of the French main Battel the English retreated in order within their Stakes and where then followed by the French Horse with more hast than discretion for they found themselves so entangled that many of the most furious lost their Lives Here the King fought hand to hand with the Duke of Alanson and beat him down and would have spared his Life had not his Guard killed him before he was aware When the two first Battalions were overthrown the third had no stomack to go on to the charge and though they were the greater number they fled and craved quarter which was granted but when a dreadful noise was heard from the English Camp occasioned by 600 Horse that fell in to plunder the English behind their Backs the King imagining that another Army was coming on to assault him and that so many thousand Prisoners might rise up and endanger his Army in the Rear commanded them all to be flain for which he ever after was heartily sorry In this Battel sell the Constable and Admiral of France the Dukes of Alanson Brabant and Barre many Earls 25 Barons 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and many
as his Servant only to conceal from them his Condition 4. Tarquinius Superbus the Father resolving to have the chief of the Gabians destroyed would not intrust this Secret with any Person and answered nothing to his Son's Messenger that was sent to him but with his Rod struck off before him the heads of the highest Poppies as he was then by chance walking in his Garden The Messenger at his return without a verbal Answer told the young Tarquinius what he observ'd that his Father did He understood that he was to deal in the same manner with the most noted Persons of his Government 5. C. Caesar being in Egypt suspected the Egyptians Faith but to make them believe that he trusted them he visited their chief City and Works frequented their merry Feasts seem'd to be much delighted with the conveniency of the Places and to imitate the Customs and manner of living of the Citizens of Alexandria but during all this Dissimulation he was providing his Succours and Troops to take possession of the Kingdom of Egypt 6. When Ventidius in the Parthian War marched against King Pacorus and understood that a certain Pharneus of Cyrrhestre in Syria who was amongst his Auxiliaries did give Intelligence to the Parthian Army whatsoever was acted and resolved in the Roman Camp he took occasion to make an advantage of the Traitor's Perfidiousness for that which he most desired to be done he pretended that he was afraid that it should happen and that which he feared would come to pass he seem'd to wish for Therefore fearing that the Parthians would pass over the River Euphrates to fight him before his Legions could come up to him out of Cappadocia from the other side of Mount Taurus he sollicited the Traytor to a double Treachery to perswade the Parthians to carry their Army over that part of Euphrates that bears the Name of Zeugma where the River leaving its strait Channel turns aside for if they came the nearer way he assured them that Ventidius would make use of the Hills to defend himself and Army from the Parthian Arrows but that he was very much afraid if they took the plain and open Fields This Information oblig'd them to march the under way and to bring their Army round about They spent above forty days in siding along the larger Banks in building of laborious Bridges and in the carriage of their warlike Instruments In the mean space Ventidius had time to call together his Troops and before the Parthians were in sight they had been with him three days By this means he overcame the Parthians in Battel and kill'd their King Pacorus 7. When Pompey had begun to draw a Trench to compass in Mithridates with his Army he prepared himself to fly the next day but better to conceal this Design from the Romans he caused his men to forage far and near and to the places adjoyning to the Enemies Camp and appointed a Conference the next day with several of Pompey's men and commanded more fires to be made every where in his Trenches but in the second Watch of the Night he led out his whole Army along by the Enemies Camp and escaped 8. The Emperour Caesar Domitianus Augustus sirnamed Germanicus having an intent to surprise the Germans that had took up Arms and knowing that they would make a greater Preparation if they knew of the coming of so great a Captain he pretended the Taxation or the mustering of the Gauls to be the cause of his Departure In this manner he overcame them by an unexpected War tamed the fierceness of barbarous Nations and provided for the preservation and safety of the Roman Provinces 9. When Claudius Nero desired to cut in pieces the Army of Asdrubal before he could joyn with his Brother Hannibal he endeavour'd by hasty Marches to unite with the other Consul Livius Salinator who was appointed to oppose Asdrubal because he mistrusted the Forces that were under his Command yet would not he suffer Hannibal whom he was to oppose to have any Intelligence of his Departure For that purpose he chose ten thousand of the stoutest Souldiers of his Army and commanded his Lieutenants whom he left behind that they should place the same Sentinels and Watches every where keep the same Fires burning and observe the same order in the Camp as when he was present that Hannibal might not suspect any thing nor attempt upon the small number that was left behind for his part he went by secret ways into Vmbria now called Spoletto and joyn'd himself to his Partner but gave Order that the Camp might not be enlarged that Asdrubal might not know of his coming nor refuse to fight the Forces of both Consuls By this means he overcame him and his Army and with his increased Troops having over-powered him unawares returned back to wait upon the motions of Hannibal before he could have any knowledge of the Victory Thus he dealt with two of the most subtle Generals of the Carthaginians the one he overcame by concealing his purpose the other by his Valour he destroyed 10. Themistocles the Athenian Captain advised his Citizens to build up with all speed the Walls which the Spartans had commanded to be pull'd down and to the Lacedaemonian Ambassadours which were sent to interrupt the Work he answered That he would go himself to Sparta to give an account of this proceeding and satisfie the Citizens At his Arrival he pretended himself sick and by that means spun out some time at last when he perceived that they suspected and understood his delays he affirmed to them that they had heard false Reports and desired them to send some of their chief men who might give them a true Account of the Fortifications of Athens And at the same time he writ to his Citizens privately to detain such as should come untill their Works were finished that he might then declare to the Lacedaemonians that Athens was fortified and that their Citizens should not be returned back unless they gave him liberty to be gone which the Lacedaemonians easily granted for fear that one mans Death should be punished with the loss of many 11. L. Furius having brought his Army into a very inconvenient place he resolved to conceal the trouble of his Mind for fear of giving an Apprehension to others and at the same time gave Orders to his Army to march aside a little as if he had intended only to take a compass about and fall upon the Enemy In this manner he brought out his Army ignorant both of the Danger and of the Intent of his Orders into a safer Post 12. When Metellus Pius was asked in Spain what he would do the next day he answered That if his Wastcoat could tell it he would immediately cast it into the fire 13. M. Licinius Crassus gave this Answer to one that asked him at what time he would remove his Camp Art thou afraid that thou shalt not hear the Sound of the Trumpet or the Signal
Turves and Hurdles This Policy was very useful to them for the English Horse ignorant of this Stratagem sell into these Pits where the Scots encountred them in a great disorder The English were forced to retreat though the Scots pursued the Victory furiously the English had rallyed and were again going to try their fortune but the sight of the Scotch Carriages left upon the Hills with their Cattle and Servants making a great noise and shewing the appearance of another Army coming down to the assistance of their Fellows discouraged and put them to flight 10000 were here killed 700 Knights and Gentlemen and many Prisoners taken but King Edward escaped to York After this the Scots subdued and plundred all the Northern Countries as far as York and routed 10000 English in another Battel with the loss of 3000. there slain The King returned toward Scotland with another Army but King Bruce forced him to retreat with the loss of all his Treasure Edward Bruce the Kings Brother was likewise sent over into Ireland and subdued almost all that Kingdom to the Crown of Scotland This Robert Bruce enjoyed Scotland many years and then bequeathed it to his Son David and if he dyed without Issue to Robert Stuart his Sisters Son who was Granchild to Alexander Stuart who about the year 1255. defeared Atho King of Norway who had invaded the West part of Scotland with 20000 Danes and 120 Ships He killed 16000 in the Field and freed his Country from the cruelty and oppression of these Northern People and forced them to sue to the Scots for peace CHAP. XLI Of some of the most remarkable Persons for their Valour of that most Honourable and most Noble Family of the Stuarts THis Family for Antiquity may contend with any in Europe being derived from some of the most Antient British Kings of this Island And I am certain that in all Ages since it hath been taken notice of in History none hath been more fruitful of excellent Men for their Wisdom Valoua and other Abilities of Body and Mind Besides the fore-named Alexander Stuart who by his wise Conduct and Courage deliver'd his Native Country from a dangerous Invasion his Granchild Robert Suart who succeeded to the Crown of Scotland after David Bruce his Unkle and was the first of his name King of that Warlike People became one of the most famous Princes of his time for his Victories over his English Enemies He was no sooner promoted but a War broke out between England and Scotland for the killing of a Friend of George Dunbar by the English at a Fair. Dunbar to be revenged plundred the Fair and burnt the Town with the slaughter of all Opposers The Gentlemen Borderers on both sides invaded the Lands of one another At last Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland gathers together 7000 Soldiers with whom he marched into Scotland as far as Dunce The Scots in the night instead of their Swords made use of their Rattles with which they commonly drive away the Deer from their Corn to encounter with their English Enemies and having the advantage of the Hills and Vallies to receive and increase the sound The noise was so great that the Eearls Horse turned back and fled and the rest of the Army fearing more danger than there was followed after leaving their Baggage to the Scots who got an easie Victory without drawing a Sword At the same time one Gordon lay in Ambush and defeated Thomas Musgrave Governour of Berwick and his Troops and took him Prisoner The English entred Scotland again under the Lord Talbot with fifteen thousand but in their return only 500 Horse in the Night assaulted and overthrew them because they imagined them to be a greater number King Richard of England invaded Scotland with 60000 men and a great Fleet but King Robert by entring and spoiling England dispersed this great Tempest without much loss to his own Kingdom In this Kings time the Scots took part of Ireland and the Isle of Man and had many notable Victories over the English so that after he had governed his Kingdom and defended it against all Invasions he left it to his eldest Son John who was perswaded by his Parliament to change his name into the fortunate name of Robert he had two Sons David and Robert the first was created Duke of Rothsay the second Duke of Albany David incurr'd his Fathers displeasure by his youthful pranks and was confin'd to the keeping and inspection of his younger Brother Robert who made him a close Prisoner and resolved to starve him to death but a Country Maid found means to preserve his Life for a while with thin Oat Cakes which she gave him through a Window and a certain Nurse caused him to suck her Breasts at a distance by a long Cane To King Robert succeeded his youngest Son James after a long Captivivity in England He deliver'd his Kingdom from many intestine Enemies Alexander Lord of the Isles was by him subdued and all the little Tyrants that plundred and robbed his People He commissioned several Judges to make a Circuit about his Kingdom and to hear the Complaints of his Subjects He was as great a Lover of Learning as of Justice and as careful to promote the publick good by inviting many skilful Persons in Manufactures His reputation was so great that he was earnestly courted by the Embassadours of the Kings of England and France to joyn with them in League and Affinity but at last he was so unhappy that a Conspiracy being made against him he was basely murthered at Perth by the Earl of Athol and his wicked Associates who within forty days after were deservedly tortured to death The Earl was Crowned with a burning Crown of Iron his Joynts dislocated by the Strapado the next day he was drawn through the streets of Edinburg upon a hurdle and executed for High Treason To King James the I. succeeded his Son James the II. yet a Minor Anno 1537 The Regency of the King and Kingdom was committed to Alexander Leviston The Queen a subtile Woman seeing distempers of the Kingdom encrease through the imperiousness and ill government of the Chancellour Chrichton resolved to get the King out of his Custody by this Invention She obtained leave to lodge with her Son in Edinburg Castle at last she found a means to convey him out of the Castle to Leith in her Trunk where her Linen was used to be kept This King when he came to be of Age obtained a notable Victory over the English at a place called Sarc and killed 3000 of his Enemies with the loss of 600 Scots The Earl Douglass was then too Potent for the King and Kingdom and too haughty for a Subject The King therefore weakens that powerful Family brought them upon their knees after many sierce Skirmishes and Battels and such as continued in their Rebellion he banished out of the Kingdom At last he raised an Army to assist the Duke of York against King
were fled and had left behind them their Ordinance Bag and Baggage they took the plunder of the Field This great Victory obtained at Podelvitza near Lipsick caused many Towns of Franconia to yield to the Conqueror Another Battel was sought at Rottenburg but the Imperialists were worsted Then did the King take all the Towns between the Baltick Sea and Mentz in one year The distressed Prince Palatine of the Rhine embraceth this favourable opportunity to recover his forfeited Estate and begs the Assistance of Gustavus who employs all his Forces to relieve him and by this means he got possession again of his Countries which could never be obtained by all the Treaties Leagues and Correspondencies of his Friends in Europe Francfort Ausburg Monachium and many of the chief Cities of Germany were surrendred to the King who met with no resistance till Wallenstein Duke of Fridland and the Duke of Bavaria with a great Army encamped near the Swedes about Noremburg The Kings Army was 50000 strong the Imperialists more but the Swedes wanted Provisions which they took by intercepting such Convoys as were going to the Emperours Army and by surprizing Friestad a Magazine The King sends Tupatelius a Swedish Collonel with a party of Dragoons in the Night They clapt a Petard to the Gates and entred the Town took the Corn and the Cattle that were there and because the Enemies Army lay not far off the King sent a strong party to relieve his Men placing an Ambush for the Imperialists who failed not to fall into it to their great loss Both Armies thundred one against another many days with frequent Skirmishes but the want of Provisions forced them to part after a hot Encounter The Imperialists marched towards Saxony to be revenged on that Duke With the Dread and Terror of Fire and Sword they opened the Gates of many strong Towns till the King hasting to the Assistance of that miserable Country at the fatal Town of Lutzen the 6th of November 1632. he meets with the Imperial Army and resolves to fight them As soon as the Sun was up he implored the Assistance of the Almighty and set his Army in order he himself led the Right Wing the Duke Bernard of Saxon Weymar had the Left The King was desired to put on his Armour but he refused to incumber himself with so great a Weight In the heat of the Battel a certain person belonging to the Regiment of Piccollomini sees him at a distance he rid furiously up to him and as he was turning about his Horse he shot him with a Brace of Bullets in the Back to the great grief of all his Army but not to their Discouragement for when they heard of his Death they fell so resolutely on that they beat off the Imperialists and recovered the Royal Body In the Left Wing Duke Bernard had put the Enemy to a Retreat but at that Instant Papenheim an Imperial General came into the Field rallyed the disordered Troops and with his own Forces endeavoured to snatch the Victory from the Swedes but he sound them ready to receive him The day was too short for that Fight it continued some part of the night but Papenheim ended there his days in the Bed of Honour leaving the Swedes to rejoice for a dear bought Victory with the loss of an excellent King who dyed in the 38th year of his Age. When he saw how fond and confident his People were in him he desired them not to trust in him whose Breath was in his Nostrils but in the Lord Jesus who had promised to be with his Church till the end of the World Though the Swedes here lost their King they prosecuted the War under the command of Duke Bernard Kniphus and Horn being assisted by the Dukes of Saxony Brandenburg the Lantgrave of Hesse the Duke of Lunenburg CHAP. XLVI How Prince Maurice got into his Power the Town of Grolle in Gelderland GRolle was a well fortified Town possessed by the Spaniard Prince Maurice had laid Siege to it but was forced to depart without his purpose He studied therefore how to obtain by subtilty what he could not get by force Sometime after he calls together his Troops and declares that his design was to sit before Guelders a Town not far distant from Grolle As soon as the Spaniards understood it they furnished Guelders with all manner of provisions and Ammunition for its defence and took out of other Towns Soldiers and all necessaries to supply that but chiefly out of the Town of Grolle The Prince having notice how naked they had left it suddenly surrounded it the second time and by reason of its want of the Ammunitions and Provisions sent to furnish Guelders he quickly became Master of it Such pretences are very useful to deceive an Enemy and to surprize him unawares and unfurnished for a defence This policy was often practised by the Renowned Duke of Parma in the taking of several Towns in the Netherlands If therefore a Commander be free to discover his design upon any place the Enemy may understand thereby that this is only to deceive him and that the real intent is kept secret for Wise Generals will not suffer their inferiour Soldiers and sometimes their greatest Officers to know their purposes CHAP. XLVII How Scanderbeg with a Handful of Horse and Foot overcame the Turks numerous Forces of Cavalry and Infantry SCanderbeg that Renowned General and Champion of the Christian Faith in a certain Battel in which he was forced to engage and fight with the Turkish Army which exceeded him much in number of men made use of this policy He drew up his Army in such Streights and places as that he could not easily be surrounded And to strengthen his Horse against the fury of the Turkish he lined them with some of his best Foor commanding them at the first onset to charge in the distances between the Horse which was performed with that Gallantry and Courage that the Turkish Horse having both Foot and Horse to encounter with at once gave back and were forced to retire in disorder upon their Foot so that without any great Loss he routed and defeared that vast Army with a small number of Men. CHAP. XLVIII How the Duke d'Alve was wont to strengthen his Army in a Camp against the sudden Attempts of the Prince of Oranges Horse THe Duke d'Alve was a subtile Commander of his days and so renowned a General that his Prince Philip the 2d pitcht upon him to lead his Army to conquer the Kingdom of Portugal though he was then in disgrace and bannished the Spanish Court. When the Prince of Orange entred Brabant with a brave Army well provided with German Horse this Duke d'Alve had in his Army almost all Foot therefore to prevent any surprize d'Alve used to fortifie himself round with Waggons and Carts chained together and beyond them to cast up a Trench round his Army He caused also his Carts to be lined with Musketeers