which it was needfull to passe ouer the ferrie-boates full of prouision hauing therfore gayned the ebbing and flowing of the sea they againe prepare those thinges which ar needfull to furnish the ships Spinola pondered that worke with much care and therfore he studeed before all thinges that by the information of spies he might vnderstand in all times by day and night what soeuer was done in that place And as often as the Moone was ether new or at the full which dayes ar wont to cause the greatest raging of the seas he planted more forces nere to the campes of heyden and of hage on which side the irruption was most feared Next he caused the sluces of all the riuers by which the land-land-waters were brought about heydam into the riuer of Breda to be opened whilst the waues of the sea ouer-drowned all the fildes and being retyred commanded them to be shut and then when they came to worke about their pretended damme lower now by the waters departed he sodainly drawing vp the sluces by letting goe the rest of the force of the water which he retayned sent it vpon their worke and hindred all the administration of their endeuours Furthermore setting mariners by night cut asunder the bankes of the riuer of Merkain sundry places the length of fiue thousand foote for which there was a two-fould reason First that such waters as they retayned by the damme to make the channel of the riuerswell and let out towards heydam he cutting the bankes of the riuer might diuert into the bordering valleys of the fieldes Next that by how much the more water the surging of the sea should bring ouer the bankes into the large spaces of the meadowes it should be returned back with the greater violence by its departure vpon the damme which for certaine so fell out so that by how much the neerer both the sides of the damme approached together so much the higher the sand raised it selfe from the bottome finally asking the aduises of all carpenters and other Inginieres who denyed that so great a damme could be preserued from higher waters yet before all councelles Spinola iudged it expedient to prouide that no place should be left the enemie to pierce thorough Number X. Num 10 AGGER A SPINOLA IACTVS PALVSTRI LOCO Lorica vallis ligâ—eis munitionibus aggeribusque tormentarijs firmatus A. Agger tabulis constratus B. Pons Naualis inter Heydam et Hagam C. Brachia ponti praestructa D. Seps duplex palustri loco fixa E. Vallus quadruplex seu palisade in flumine Merka F. Munimenta idonea imponendis maioribus tormentis G. Loricula nostroruÌ„ trans Merkam These thinges accomplished the enemies not slowlie mended vp againe in the nerer places the detriment of the trenche cut by vs by a double fortification made on ther side at the mouth of the riuer lest we should hinder by our irruptions the disposition of the worke Also those of Breda ether that they might come into some part of the worke and hauing broken the force of their riuers the damme at Seuenbergue might be more easily perfited or that they might recompence the worke attempted in September all in vaine by destroying the trenches with which the riuers ar diuided to let forth water upon our campes they began to make those bulwarkes thicker and to raise them higher This being knowen Spinola seeing he could not diuert the riuer of Merka from his wonted current he maketh a ditch of two thousand two hundred feete longe before the walles of the cittie where a higher ground retayned the waters by which he turneth all standing water by a brooke brought about the side of the cittie into Merka lest the waters should be let up higher into his campes VVhich ditch before it was finished being augmented and strengthened in the riuer by those of Breda being cast downe by the diluge of those waters that were gathered together ouerth rew some of the sluces and fortifications of the walles to the great affrightmeÌ„t of the cittie Also nere vnto Seuenbergue the great force of the water returneing back drowned three ships in the botthome of the riuer which being loaden they had sunke into it and ouer-boare al the piles laid upon them Vnto which thinge that of the diuine protection did succeed because as longe as that ditche was wrought by so many handeslabouring together although they shot continually against our men forth of the cittie yet the shoulder of one only soldiar was shot with a litle bullet Those of Seuenbergue would not yet desist from their designe which they had in vaine attempted the third or fourth time although they vnderstood it was most hard to be effected They who saw the miserablenes of their estate iudged that they went about with a vaine dissimulation to relieue the hope of the besieged They notwithstaÌ„ding bargaine to repaire the vndertaken damme from both sides of the bankes of the riuer To strenghten it they fasteÌ„ straight trees by a line in the riuer filling it up with turffes giuen froÌ„ hand to hand They fil up the spaces betwixt the trees with great stones turffes and boughes of trees Least their labor should be intermitted the turffes digged out of lowe places whence the swelling of the sea drawe back the water they lay up in piles like to stacks that such as by the swelling of the waters appeared aboue they might bring to withe their cock boates Lastly so they striue against both sea and riuer as if they woulde ouercome euen nature it selfe Iustinus Nassau begaÌ„ againe to repaire the bulwarkes at Breda and gaue order to amend the floud-gates and fortresses that were fallen furthermore to raise up the trenches and the walles before our cannons lest the houses should by endomaged by our shooting Spinola although he beleeued now in some sort the affirmation of the Architects or engineres that his kaÌ„pes could not be remoued nether by the ouerflowinges of the chanielles by the waues of the sea nor by the refluxes of the ditches of the towne by which by the cuting of a new ditch he diuerted the water of the fenues into Merka froÌ„ the fieldes yet because he knew the Hollanders to be skilfull in sea matters both by speculatioÌ„ and by practise and saw theÌ„ not desist from their endeuours sent continually spies to Seuenbergue not conteÌ„t with the report of what they found vnless theÌ„ selues had also seene that to be true which they affirmed And when word was brought that the damme for the most part perfected did goe forward and many ships to lye at ancre prepared to carry victualls turned that way whether the win de of Breda carried them once againe by Gods prouideÌ„ce the winde which had blowen prosperously vntill that day turned contrary and so great a tempest arose on the sodaine that the posts driueÌ„ in to the riuer with sledges or raÌ„mers the turffes the fagots and the stones were ouer-borne by
this short time of the winters departure had hapned in the former monthes as at other times it was wont to do out of dout we should haue bene forced to forsake the siege for no other cause then only for the sharpnes of the weather for in those few dayes wherein it freesed so seuerely the sinnewes of many were shrunke vp by the force of the cold and some amongst the watches were found dead Some had their handes and feete so stiff that they were faine to haue them sawed of Many carriars also and purweyors of corne who the crueltie of the wayes thorough rayne snow myre and windes had cast back in their voyages made by night were kild in the way by the frost The conuoyes also were so hindred that for the space of three weekes in which the snow and the frostes were dissolued with cōtinuall raynes scarce any victualls were brought besides that which the wiues of the German soldiars brought daylie almost setting their companies in array runing abroad into the incorporated townes brought into the campe vpon their shoulders Of which women who continually performed other duties towards their husbands by fetching wood a far off getting of forraige from all parts dressing their meate washing their linnen carrying their houshould-stuffe when the drummes were beaten such respect seemed to be had of them in the campes that they were not held for any hinderance but with honor were reputed to be mens mules The waters being diminished the enimies endeuours attempted againe with great solicitude of minde to finish the pretented damme Spinola caused the sluce of the riuer of Leure which reached vnto the riuer of Merka to be broken a sunder and commāded certaine riuers to be stopped and diuerted which poured them selues abroad into our campes He caused a trenche likewise which he had placed in the fennie groundes from Merka to hage to be raised higher by three foote lest the standing poole though ouer-flowing might be passed ouer with boates to the end they might breake back the force and swiftnes of the riuer returning from Breda by certaine letts set against it to receiue it from ether banke therof did make within here and there vpon the sides hilles lyingout like horned woorks next before that place where they intended to build that damme before Then they lay before that gaping or gulfe both which appeared in the medst betwixt the horned woorks of the riuer by which the force of the waters now more straitned were caried long beames after a triangle maner fastened in the riuer with a litle space betwixt which the riuer enclosed but a litle broaken Then they began behinde to make the damme secure as they supposed of the successe By their perpetuall labors both by day and night they had now brought the mater to that passe that hauing brought trenches along on both sides of the riuer besides the litle straites of the mouth it seemed almost nothing remayned to be stopped But so great was the force of the immense waters both augmented and inforced that now it disgorged like a most raging torrent which before alwayes passed thorough the loose riuer with such lenitie that scarcly could it be iudged by the eye on whether side it flowed Moreouer the bottom it selfe the sandes boyling vp of their owne accord thrust forth the beames rammed in so that the rāmed stoccadoes wholie slid away And so great a tempest fell at that time that whatsoeuer boates stones turffes fagots and trees were laied in the water to strengthen the damme was all ouerborne and the nauie in which the Duke of Brunswick carried the french horse was greuously torne in pieces euen in that passage not a few quite ouer whelmed many driuen hither and thither which hardely could hould their course So the enimie seeing his so manifould preparations to proue so ill at last iudged it best to giue quite ouer a thing attempted so oft in vaine In those daies with notable craft letters were sent from Iustinus to Maurice and likewise from Maurice and Mansfeld to Iustinus in which many thinges very necessarie to be knowen were discouered to Spinola A certaine person out of the care he had of the common good hauing gotten a countrie fellow skilfull of the places and of the passages and ready to vndertake any thinge agrees with him that loaden with Tobacco Butter and Cheese like to a runne away as though he had craftely cosoned our watch should get to the walles of Breda and should present his seruice to Iustinus to carry letters to Maurice if so he pleased The man being of a fickle minde and greedy of gayne posest at home of nothing but of pouertie sells his faith Being thus instructed as it was agreed got to the walles of the cittie the marchandise brought to those that were so hungrie made the stranger to be very welcome Iustinus greedy of newes enquires many thinges of the campe of the passage he had found out and of the common opinion He as one of a perfidious minde like to Sinonius and concealing his owne a cogger and dissembler of euery thinge telling somethinges truly and lying in others somwhat neere to truth gayned the opinion of an honestman for those thinges which like us we easilie beleeue Being asked whether he hoped by that way which he escaped to finde outsome passage to carry back letters answering at the first fearfully at last he set their affections on fire with faire wordes to vndertake the affaire which one thinge he most earnestly desired vnder the pretence of a refusall He therfore carieth letters from Iustinus to Maurice with a promised reward if he brought back answer from him into the cittie The dissembler promises all diligence but when he cāme into our campes he deliuers Iustinus letters vnto Spinola VVherof the contents were as follow That he reioyced much to haue receiued letters thrice from Maurice by which he vnderstood both that Mansfeld was safely arriued with German and English succours and so great warlike preparations to be made for the releeuing of Breda That he should be carefull as he had promised that there should be corne enough till the end of Aprill or begining of May vnles it should by chance be burnt by fire which the enimies often shot into the cittie That he would shortly finde out new inuentions for corne by searching the granaries of the cittisens That the workes of the enimies ar lately extended from the great trench which lay before the water mille to the campes of Balanconius and placed against the litle tree of Guittenbergue Those campes began to be fortified with workes by Spinola The garison of the ciitie was daylie very much diminished with the plague bloody-flux and with the scuruie That the sick could not be refreshed and cured For want of medicines and wholsome meates That the rest who were in health lost not their courage but looked earnestly for an occasion
were not so easie as it was supposed but yet that it both might and ought to be hoped for by the Count of Bergas relation a man most skilfull in warr and verie conuersant in those places Many dayes beinge spent in this doubt the army in the villadge of Gilse began to loose courage the riuer which is a water nere to the campe was two miles of the welles whiche were few did eyther wax dry with heat or were exhausted by ouer muche Vse or the water beinge drawen fourth was so foule that it woulde not but in alōge space of time be cleere and setled Hince the empapatiēce of thirst in the extreame heate of the yeare compelled many to drinck vnholsome water or to drawe it oute of ditches or oute of the traces in the ground cutt by the cart whiles which caused disseases Spinola informed of this discomoditie leaste he shoulde slighly giue credit to this reporte to the ende that al thinges might be the more certaine vnto him enquireth of some of the masters de campe that were called whether the soilders were in so great wante of water as he was informed They fearinge eyther to sheow the fault of the campe because they woulde please his eares or measuringe other mens pouertie by there plentie afirmed that ther soilders had water enoghe The enformer herof beinge sent for by Marques Spinola the Captaines being present whilst he proceedes to make goode whate he saied Iohn Cont of Nasaw Coronel of two german regimentes arriued in goode time whow hauinge heard of the miserie of his owne soilders uphelde the informer in whate he sayde Andone of those who had denyed it priuilie whispered in the informers eares sayinge that he was behouldinge to him for that relation which he him self was afrayed to make Spinola hauinge founde oute the trueth of the matter comanded VVells to be digged euery wheare and so aremedy was founde against this euell fortie thousand loaues of bread wer consumed by that bad ayer in the campe of Giles VVithal there were at that tyme the tentes of two Italian companies burnt with a sudin fire by meanes of al whiche discommodities no wages being payed before that day and the price of vituales beinge greate many by flight for sooke the campe VVhich example Spinola fearinge leaste it shoulde be imitated of more sought aremedy by seueritie and caused foure of the fugitiues that had fled to drawe lottes which of thos foure shoulde suffer death In the meane while the free voyces of manie men were heard in the army The time of action was spent in consultation the spreading and publication wherof lost bothe the soilder and his reputation Many thinges were don moste malepertlie by the enemy against the Kinge of Spaine and Marques Spinola with shame and ignominie amonghst the Holanders there were sportes sheowed by certaine Iesters in maner of merie enterludes which they called the spanish figth There was in like maner aridiculus picture of the Kinges spread abroad amonge the common people sekinge Breda with alitle lanterne Marques Spinola standing by with both his handes scratchinge his head hauing vnderwriten a verie spitefull and tantinge vearse Graue Maurish seeminge to be secure in all thinges and lyenge Idely at Hage as it were by comptempt is reported to haue said merilie that it had beene beter for Spinola to haue gon to Geel where mad men are deliuered from there madnes then to Gilsh But thies thinges beinge slighted ouer were forgotten nether did they moue them to any signe of anger Spinola aprouing the counsel of the Infanta touchinge the besechinge of Graue hauing sent Ion of Medices with comaunde willeth Hinri the count of Bergus to goe withe his army which he had at Rhene vnto Graue promishinge to send him the day apointed the troupes whiche he required where was sent presentlie Iohn Count of Nasaw who refused the gouernment of an army latelie offered vnto him by the comon wealth of Venishe with fiue thousand foote and foure companies of horse and three canons with eightine boates and other warlike engines He comandes Iohanes Conradus abermont Captaine of horse of Balduke to acompanie him by reason of his skilfulnes of the places The next day he sendes priuily hiacentus Velascus Marques of Belueder with other ten companies of horse to the number of athousand with chardge that he shoulde posess far and neere all the catel aboute graue and so defend the places at his pleasure wherin after wardes the tentes were to be placed by the Count of Bergues The Count of Bergues goinge to Graue hauinge soone asaulted the Castel of mondelberge the towne and castel of cleaues and the towne of Genep as he was in his Iorney tooke it by force and by there rinderinge placed garisones ouer itt But the auctoritie of Count Hindrik admonishinge the soilders did so profit thos of the towne and so terrifie the soilders from makinge piladge that neyther was any mans name brought in question who might be found to haue taken away anie thinge by theft oute of the houses though wel adorned oute of whose windowes and houses he comanded the castel to be beaten til they yealded VVhiche thinge when the Burgermaster of cleaues informed Graue Morish de Nasaw did admire boath at so great ciuilitie of the soilders and at so great vertue of the conductor no lesh then at the integritie of another scaurus as also the not touchinge the fruites of the trees whiche many was wondered at He fortified on the other side of the Mosa the dorpe cauled mouck fit for prouision of vituales and in the same place he pitched his tentes From thence he goes to discouer Batimburg and Rauestene and to deceiue the enemies he goes with fiftine troupes of horse and thre hondered shott The Marques of Beluedere hauinge goten agreate bootie of cattel driueng away all whatesoeuer he founde from Graue to Rauestene and sending them to Balduke caused muche terror aborad Hinrie of Bergues hauing diligently viewed Batenbergue and Rauestene sent for Iohn of Nasaw and Conradus Aubermont to come vnto him He sendes him Conradus with comaund to declare vnto the Marques Spinola that Rauesten coulde not be so Easilie won as it was suposed but if he woulde let Rauesten alone he woulde atempt to get graue if Spinola so comaunded him and was in goode hope to attaine if So he woulde sende vnto him some great forces He comaundes Iohn of Nasaw to pitche his tentes on the other side of the mase not far from Graue and that he him self woulde abide at mouck til Spinola had declared whate his pleasure was and singnified Vnto him that he woulde in the meane time make away ouer the mase with abridge for passinge the armie and ioyning it togither if need required At that time there fell so horible atempeste in one night with raine winde lightninge and thunder raging togither alonge time as if
one did That abridgment Māsfilds art inuented for he knew so well how to boyle with fire the melted mettall that hauing lesse thicknes of brasse yet was of like hardnes and was also bettet then the greater peeces and their lightnes so much the lesse The balles also although they were shot with lesse poudre yet for the same reasō flew the further for the fire being giuen in the center giues fire to all the pouder at once but otherwise beinge giuen in the furmust part of the bottō driue the ball with greater vehimencie of the peece An other inuention also of this Count was admired Iron balles made with salt peeter of aboue a hundred pound weight he made to carrie seuentie paces further then any other brasse murdering peece These he shot from a far off into the very hart or middest of the cittie wheras otherwise al the force of murdering peeces by reason of the long distance vtterlie died before they came there because our bulwarkes were at lest six hundred paces from the cittie we vnderstood by the run awayes do lesse damage then terror to haue surprised the besieged by the shooting of those balles we also saw hauing got the cittie the great ruines of houses that were ouerthrowen One of the ammunition houses wherin the poudre was keept hauing the top tumbled downe not taking fire fell without doing any hurt likely otherwise to haue brought great slaughter upon the cittie But other balles of the canons where with on a three fould side and on that especially which Count Isenbergue wonne we battered the cittie made such feare that both many houses were left emptie and the assemble was called weekly to church without the ringing of any belle and at an vnusuall houre and at last the soldiars were commanded to goe to their standing places without the ringing of the belles The wife of Captaine Aertsenius that shee might encourage the fearfull mindes of the cittisens when the bullets flew very thick being carried in her coache upon the walles shewing a manlike courage in a womans bodie taught that courage was to stand in steede of a wall The enimies affaires standing in these termes it was commonly saied amongst the people that the confederated States and Graue Maurice were one angrie with another for the ill managing of these matters The States al eaging that because he had left so much time to Spinola to fortifie his tents busying him selfe to beate downe the walles of cleaues that noting being done after two and twentie dayes spent to no purpose he departed from the campe at meade Contrarywise Graue Maurice blamed the States and here after spoke ill af their gouuernment among whom generally in the opinion of all men they altogether made their profit of him That he left it to themselues to iudge whether they had don him more honor then they had receiued benefit from him The states displeased with that speeche and fearing least he would reiect the gouerment cried out together that he was their soueraigne Captaine nor did at all dout of his wisdome and fidelitie but that they had only proposed those thinges which seemed to them to be expedient that he should goe forward to defend the common-welth with the sword to dispose of the war after his owne pleasure that they would make it appeare vnto him how deare Breda was vnto them that he should spare for no impositions were it for no other respect then that it was the patrimonie of the house of Nassau He appeased with this promise and excuse lest he should suffer his diligence to be craued of the common wealth caused a thousand horse to be enrolled and armed at his owne expences Mereouer the States them selues another thousand to encrease the companies which were expected from france further they consult about making a damme wherewith they might shut vp the passage of the riuer of Merka not far from Seuenberge This forsooth seeming to be the only meanes left vnto them to deliuer Breda if as often as the raging of the sea swelled highe accustomed to ouer-flow into the adioyning fieldes and the winter waters which flow into the riuer by the brookes being retayned they should ouer-flow all the groundes and that that standing water was fit ether to send victualls by shipes into the cittie or for distroying of our armie they set therfore vpon this matter of so great importance and of so incredible expences they send to Seuenbergue in great number of boates barkes and cock boates wherof they haue great aboundance to that place wher there is a certaine mouth of the riuer which they call Lamsgate and the side-bankes to the clifts ar full of hollow places All thies boates were needfull to carry the piles Then many ditchers and wourkmen being set a worke they ordaine wood to be cut downe turffe to be cut round about stones trees plankes to be carried boates to be loaded and lastly the piles to be set opposite to ether side of the banke when behould at by an vnexpected frost of three dayes they ar compelled to desist In the very night of our Lords Natiuitie vpon which day they first did vndertake that worke Staken brouck with great troupes of his went to Rosendale and comes behinde the backes of Isenburges companies to see what he could espie he vnderstood by his spies that but a litle ditche being filled it was easie to passe which to fill there needed but some six or seauen spads Glad of this newes takes with him eighteene companies of horse with no more then seauen spades Being come to the place he perceiues that the thinge could not be done with the helpe of a hundred spades yet sending some before he commandes them to attempt the passage Our hors-man that had his appointed standing which watched not far off discharging his peece giues the signe and cryes out arme Stakenbrouck thinking to be bewrayed by the signe commanded to sound al the trumpetes contented only to haue disqueted oure campes ran away All passages being otherwise so stopped by Count Isenbergue with so many ditches with so many boughes of trees and piles fastned in the earth that they scarcly seemed passable to a single man The frost being past the workmen although great difficultie was proposed of dispatching the damme by reason of the swiftnis of the riuer returne to their ommitted worke they sinke three very longe boates of burthen to the bottom loaden with turffe and with stones and casting sagotts vpon the earthe together with the damme begume on both the brinkes of the riuer laying the turffes in order driuing great stakes betwixt to bind the ground they aduance halfe way into the riuer Moreouer in the towne it selfe of Seuēbergue by letting in and letting out the floodes they make sluces on the other side of the riuer that after the floodes had fild the fieldes they kept them vnder water by the height of that poole by
Antwerp together with her litle childe now lately of her owne heade departed out of the cittie commanding the rest that came with her to returne back but afterwards he dispenced more liberally with his owne law sending back none of the fugitiues in to the towne when but few and very seldome any of them issued out He hanged up two boores in the sight of the cittie which in the dead of the night endeuoured to carry thither victualls This fact proued prositable and better then mercie others afterwards being made afraide by this exemple Graue Maurice thinking with a greater number to send victualls to the besieged bringing great quantitie of corne and other prouision to the hauens of the cittie nere at hand he prepares eighteene great boates with flat bottomes which in a calme might goe vnto them which freed from the surging of the seas feared the sandes nothing at all and lye safely at ancre in shallow places To these he makes sides and fore-deckes raised up on ether side and high of thick oake to resist all kind of force and batterie Euery one made after this maner he armeth with four or six brasen and iron peeces furnisheth with many balles of wilde-fire afterwards he loades them with corne barreled vp with great quantitie of cheese bacon and porke All were set with most expert shooters He aduertiseth those of Breda at the same time that with some of their best soldiars they vpon the day appointed should breake out of the towne and should plant them vpon our bridge Those of Breda obeynig this commandment make ready fourteene ferrieboates six wherof they furnish with so many canons and withe balles of wilde fire and appoint three hundred soldiars to stand vpon the shipps they prouide six hundred which might sallie out from the lande neere the riuer VVhich thinge Spinola vnderstanding doth fortifie a bulwarke which he made in the village of heyden with greater garrison by which way the enimie was to passe planteing agreat hedge made of trees furthermore he determined to plant another roe or hedge with greater stakes bound together two thousand foure hondred paces longe betwixt was fair litle forts which he built ouer the blackdik as they call it lest by that water which during all the winter did flowe into the cittie the enemies might passe their prouision for such was the nature of those meadowes that as often as the swelling of thesea raged which alwayes happened euery twelue houres ouer flowing also with land waters they might easily enter into the cittie with flat bottome boates and also made a passage for footemen after the sea was gone out But behoulde the windes which at the first were very prosperous for Graue Maurice to our vnspeakable happines turned contrary the raging also of the sea contrary to its custome did scarce so much as moue the waters and so once againe the diuine power did ouerthrow the enimies designe In the meane while whilst the ships loaden with victuals and soldiars were stopt with the weather the number of cheese and bacon was so diminished by the pilfering of the soldiars that litle store of this his prouision could haue come vnto the besieged although it had hapened that the ships had passed by vs. But a few dayes after the corne which was barreld vp wet with the moysture of the rayne and of the ship began to growe thorough the chinkes of the barrells after it was taken out of the ships and thus the enimies alwayes endured one losse vpon another Afterwards when our men were sent out of the campe to fetch wood and forraige that nere at hand being spent the enimies supposed that our soldiars being dispersed to gather forraige and wood might easily be distroyed by their horsemen and for this cause noted the more dilligently our gathering of wood and forraige They laboured by all meanes possibile about this matter that our men might be depriued of both this seemed easie vnto them because their strenght of horse was greater when as our horse were almost all employed partly in defending the campe partly in bringing prouision and that it was all one ether to put them to the sword or hinder them of their cariage which being lost the siege could not be mayantained hence it hapned by oure daylie foraginges which was needfull when foraige was fetcht from vnuseall and dispersed houses that few forraigers could goe about in to those dispersed and dangerous places which though it did not doe great hurt vnto vs yet it did great hurt to the soldiars to the beastes and to the carriars Spinola least he should leaue any long time so litle a spirt of ioye to the enimie afterwards as often as he was to fetche forraige he expected the returne of the companies whom for Sauegard sake the Count of Bergues brought back within three leages of the campe by whose Saueguard he sent the forraigers from the campe on euery side vnto the fildes neere adioyning Furthermore he so disposed of his conuoyes that when the wagons at Lyre were loaded with corne diuiding the number of horse and foote the wagons being loaden with oates they should speedely transport forriage into the campe which being afterwards vnloaden the soldiars as soone as might be returned back to Lyre to gard the other conuoyes In the meane while the other horses which were in a maner become vn profitable to doe any worke by reason of their labor and leannes were sent into more fertile places in winter to fetch forrage whilst others returned to whom their owne quarters were assigned for their repose So the iorneys being dubled with freshe horses and well fed he prouided forraige and prouision in a short time ouer which officie Alexander Hesius leftenamt of the Artillerie was appointed who vsed continuall diligence and expedition in loading and transporting therof But after the prouinces on whom of their owne willes the cariage of corne and forraige was imposed perceiued the siege shoulde longe indure and alwayes new requestes to be added to the former being wearied with the charge of so many wagons continually sent and seemed after to refuse a new meanes of getting prouision was inuented Ther were hired in all those villages wagons with two wheeles which for their greater compasse one horse commonly but two at the most do draw with greater speede then three do draw those which goe vpon four wheeles although they be lesser The price agreed vpon for euery one which at the first was much greater by reason of the difficultie of the wayes afterwards in better times was halfe diminished So corne was prouided with far lesse charges of horse and wagons with lesse forraige with like expedition equall number and easier price This new industrie conseued Graue Maurice who trusting to the season of the time beleeued that by reason of so deare and so long cariages we should neuer ouercome so great difficulties of corne
especially because winter now was so nere at hande and all the villages being emptied the corne was carried in to the citties and the cattell by reason of the war to be driuen away far off He is reported braging to haue said to his frendes that which once Pompeo said to Dirachius of Cesar That he vvould not refuse but to be esteemed an Emperor vvorthe nothinge if Spinolaes armie departed vvithout shame and therfore he would willingly grante that glorie to him after Spinola had held out the siege the whole winter that he might know more then him selfe and also more then the diuells them selues And indeed vnles diuine succour had continually more asisted our affaires then humaine did and the winter season which vsually was sharp had beene most milde we could neuer haue ouercome so great difficulties with such constancie verelie the aboundance of waters which the townes-men sent vpon our campes during Nouēbre when they shut the flood-gates or sluces of the riuers to poure abroad Aa and Merkam began to cast downe our dikes put vs enough both vnto feare and care Nether did Spinola thinke ether that that war could haue lasted so long or that there should neede so great a number of wagons or that the expences of cariage would proue so great which burthen if the prouinces from the first beginning had seene the whole together before their eies per haps they would neuer haue inbraced that with so good a will and consent as they faithfully sustayned euen to the end of the siege defreying the charges of four hondred wagons as also paynig the wages of the prouinces footemen by which fact they shewed themselues most faith full to their Kinge and haue acquired euerlasting praise Moreouer who could fore-see so many troubles thorough all Europe should be stirred vp only for Bredaes sake It was commonly beleeued that there was not sufficient prouision of corne and victuals for so many thousand heades as were kept in siege before the cittie The cittisens accustomed to plentie and vnaccustomed to war and hungar would not endure or suffer penurie The French Scotch English VVallons Dutch of whome many were placed in garison would neuer expect till corne began to faile some by nature others by custome being greedie of their owne pleasures made us liue in hope of a speedy rendring so easie a thing it is to begin war at ones pleasure but to end it at an others But besides the corne which the cittisens had were man by man commanded to prouide and which were laid up for the soldiars in the common store-house the contry people all the time that we lay at Gilse it not being as then resolued to shut up all the passages at once carried a great quantitie into the cittie for feare of war Furthermore all the Captaines and commanders for the excessiue gaine which they made by asking and receiuing the payes of those that died resolued constantlie in them selues to vndergoe all asperities and so much the longer by how much more soldiars dyed by sicknes and other miseries because by that losse their gaine daylie encreased and not vnwillingly sustained their owne hungar by the wages of the dead getting death by pouertie and gayne by death so much more is gold preferred before fidelitie The number of those that died during the siege was so great that aboue fiue thousand dead bodies were brought in account to Libitine which was the third part of all the heades which were in Breda being numbered at the first to fifteene thousand and so the sparingnes of the dead serued for victuals to the liuing which thing lest we nor the cittisens them selues should perceiue it was prouided from the begining by the Magistrats of the towne that none afterwards thohugh rich or noble should haue the bells runge at there buriall These thinges did not only deceiue ours but for the most part also euē the opiniō of the besieged them selues the Captaines otherwise who were mightie in factiō had after a maner set their faith to sale and many of those that fled from the cittie affirmed that vnlesse the sige were the sooner raised that they could hould out no longer which selfe same thinge was written out of Holland to the Count of Bergues Also a German soldiar who had serued the Hollanders nine monthes being taken by ours and knowen by the Count of Isenburge to be one of his cittie his life being pardoned upon this condition was sent back to Breda that when as thinges were in the greatest extremitie he should returne vnto our armie assured both of his life and of reward after he had bene two monthes at Breda conuersant amongst the soldiars without suspicion being returned he related that the soldiars compelled by necessitie now began to sustaine their liues with horse flesh nor had not corne for two monthes He councelled them that Spinola should more often batter the cittie with his canons at least in shew that they might with the more apparent pretext rendre them selues They ioyfull and encouraged with the relation of these thinges know for certaine what they will and what they wishe esteening the Count of Bergues nether to be deceiued nor the German soldiar to haue lyed in so great a matter nor al the fugitiues to haue bene false they request Spinola to let them batter the cittie with their artillerie He although he knew well enough scarcely any thing was to be got with those engines amongst soldiars inurded to warr the cittisens also euen with custome to cast away feare yet condiscended to their request that on three sides on which so many bulwarkes were close to the cittie the walles of the cittie and the houses should be battered Fhillip Count of Mansfeld oportunely returned at that time in to our armie lately Captaine of a companie to Gustam Adolphus Kinge of Suede renowmed for his famous facts who had led his troupes with great authoritie He hauing added industrie vnto art as vse is the master of al thinges found out that it might serue for great good purpose vnto warr a new kinde of engine which might be fitter for to transport and carrie the balles farther and that with lesse quantitie of poudre To giue order to this busines departing from the campe to Bruxells he caused fortie brasse peeces to be cast also twentie thre murdederinge peeces to send forth balles of wild-fire Thirtie of those lesser peeces of no more weight then a hundred and fourscore pound did euery one carry balles of six pound weight the then greater each one of seauen hundred fiftie pound carried balles of fiue and twentie pound The vse of these although they cost but halfe so much was yet greater and more frequent for the litle ones were easilie drowen with two horse and the greater with no more then four wherasalthe old ones must haue seauen ten or eighteene They carried iron balles only with the third part of poudre further then the ould
afire ball far longer then an Yrâ—n lact The besieged put to great terror And in particular be the artillerte of coâ—nt Isenburque The states complaining of Grane Maurich His ansvver to thâ—r complainth Neovve leuâ—es of horse A costly Dammad be the in my to eyther â—ocer Breda or drovvne oure campes They Ioyned aninumerable quantitie of barkes and other materiales The vigilance of the count dâ—â—sinburque preuented the presumtion of Stakenburke The Marques continually carefull in preuenting 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 Oure slouses hinderâ—d much the dam. Rare preuensiones and prudent care of the Marques The Marques preuented remedi to hinder the executions of their sluces and vvaters The Marques preuented the plâ—â—ts of the enemy The enuentions of the enimie preuailed nothing against the tempest The preuidence of the senat of Breda They visited the houses and barnes They haue coyned nevv money Lambertut Charles beseeged Gogh vvhose vvolles vveare broken The vvatch vvas dâ—ubled The enemie 〈◊〉 vnâ—vvares Turland defended the castle and one gate of that place Tourland vvas sore hurt Gogh vvas lest The imputie of Lambâ—rt Charlis And his reserued paine That the tovvne should be reputâ—d for neutrall Those of Bredaflouteth at oures The rumor and fame that paseth of Mansfelt The prudent preuentions of the Infanta 〈◊〉 Marques commanded the lovver 〈◊〉 to by reforced Sâ—cceris of the emperor and of the prouinces Don Carles clooma comanded this of the contrie The number of the vvhole army Letters of graue Maurish vvere found Michel rotard explicated â—her meaning Another trince vvas comaunded to be made Other fortificasiones of the quarteres Incredibile greatnes of the fortificationes Presumtion of Mansfeld The letter he vvrote to his aluza Extreame necessititie and victualls vvounder full deere Greate diseases Asistance of the cittisens The gouernor disembled vvith his souldiars The Captaines procured to animate the soldiars Their hops vveare in vayne The mischance of Manifeld in his nauigation Their nevv and ravv souldiars endured gteate miseries Seueral interprises vvere propounded Thre reso'ut soilderes of fugeresri gimâ—â—t The Marques is vvont to giue credit to nothing vvithout good fundament Solemnitie in Breda in memorie of the daie it vvas taken by the hollandes by fraude The vvaters did ouerflovv the camps No smale dammage don vnto our quarters Greate fauour of god Delaying of the prouisions The almayne vvomen vveare of greate seruice The sraise they deserued The enimie begon nevv muented vvoorkes All vvhich vvas broken by the vvatâ—rs And the tâ—mpâ—st aftâ—rvvards Their ships vveare torne in pâ—eces Theyvvere novv out of â—â—p in going forvvâ—â—d vvith the dam. Letteres of Mauriâ—h and Iustinâ— â— cogging â—oore Faithfull to the Marques The garisen of Breda begon to deminishe The Marques came be the enimie is letters The Marques vvas informed of the necessitie of Ansvver of the gouernor of Breda Reforce the tovvne of Balaukt Graue Mauric caused to fire our munition house The constance of the Marques The care and asistance of the prouidor Lasanius The Marques gaue straight order to looke vvel to the ponder Tributs imposed by the Hollanders Asistance of he confederats Inuentions to collect money Den Gonzalo de Corduâ— vvas sent for Master de campe generall of Itallie The death of the King of England Henry of Nassavv ioyned all his forces And the Marques commanded his force to approach neerer to the occasion Disorder of strangers Graue morich ended his daies Hinrie Federtque of Nasavv his brooter vvas elected in his place Sedicion in the quarters of Mansfelt The centryes of Breda spoke vvith oures The besieged tooke a greate comfort at the election of their nevv generall The Marques escaped tvvo dangers The Marques fortified vvith the next adioyning troupe The valour vvhere vvith he proceded 〈◊〉 spiâ—s vvere taken The letter of Hinry de Nasâ—vv to â—ustino In vaine they reioysed Hinrie of Nasavve in vaine tentâ—d the to vvre of â—stâ—rhaut Not vvith standing the burgondianes being fâ—ovv in number they had the viciorte of the enemy They receiued apremiâ— for ther valor and vertue Hinry of Nassavve attempted oure quarteres The assaulting of the Inglesh The order vvher vvith they marched Of vvhich the Marques vvas aduertised Ariued to the forte The Inglish sought moste Valiâ—â—ly Valor of carlos Roma The enemy vver defeated There great destruction The retiringe of the enemy The constance and valour of Coronâ—l Very More fortifications vvere made The besieged did indure great hunger and miserie They begon aâ—alteration and great rumor 〈…〉 but very litle store of bread The Prince of orange vvas much troubled But the Mar quese vvas very vigilâ—nt Another fraud of aclvvne is vvife He also decey ued hinry of Nasavve A copie of the contentes of the letter to Iustino Iohn hanin a silder of stirub by day came to oure campe vvith letters From the to vvre by signes of fire they signified for vvho many daye they had victualls VVelfango Guillielmo Duke of bautar 〈…〉 and bergas came to our camp The Kinge of France is opinion touchinge this siedge Tobaco vvas vvounderfull dere The enemy set vppon oure conuoy Valor of count Herman son to count Hindrick The enemy put to flâ—ght The enemy all the time of the sage coul de not optaine victorie in breaking of any of our conuoyâ—s The Prince of Orange oute of hope Count Henry in the Marques name lought that they shoulde yeald â—rcome to composition Iustinus de Nassau is 〈…〉 The letters of Nassau bâ—ing prudenâ—y found out by the Marques vvere sent by Count Hendrick to lustino By vvhich he promised to render And the Marques the honorable conditions presented by Count Henrick to vvhome he gaue full auctoritis The vvorkes ceased And haueing read the letters of the Marques and of count Hendrick Tyme and place vvas ordayned for to treate of this matter Those of the tovvne presented certaine articles The Marquis and Count Hendrick agreed uppon the articles excepting tvvo The liberalitie of the Marques vvith the besieged Complements The agreement vvas brought to be singned The vvagones and ship pes demaunded vvere granted The condiciones the Gouernor and officeres of Breda demaunded Many acused the beaâ—n gnitie of the Marques And the complaintes they made The condition of preâ—ces and particular personos are diferent The 〈…〉 vvas vvel related The generall is bounde to take 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of his Kinge more then of any particular glorie of his ovvne person The munitio nes vvhich vvere in Breda The Marques commanded that none of the souldiars should â— be the besieged The glorious triumphe of his victorie He vvas no less courtens in giuinge thankes Headuertised of the victory the Infanta and the Kinge of Spaine The success byinge so great many vvoulde hardly beliue â—â—t The Infanta came to visite the cittie This inscripcion vvas put vpt on the gates Hir alteza did forbid that thâ—ovve of mirth should be made til first sacrifice shoulde be made vnto god as the châ—se autor of the victorie The first 〈◊〉 vvas celebrated by the Cardenal de la Cuâ—ba ambasador of Spaine Bouldnes and impietie of sibilla vvife of Boxâ—orinck Thiâ—s vvritinges vver blottâ—d And otheres put in ther place Admirable fires of ioy Liberalitie of her alteza And her pietie and good life Liberalitie of hir alteza to the religâ—ouse A letter of the pope Vâ—bano to the Cardenall de la Cueua The particular care of the Infanta of the army The giftes and liberalitie of hir besovved Balancon trough his aproued vertues vvas 〈…〉 Gouernor of Brede by the Infanta The garison that vvas apointed for Breda All â—ertes of fortificasiones of the campe vvere comaunded to be broken dovvne Militarie sporte â— The ariâ—mg of hir alteza and of the Marques to an vâ—ourp Conde Hindrick remained inhooghstroâ—t to conduct the prouisiones to Breda The tragedie of Dauid vvas represented by the fatheres of the Societie of Iesus Amoste royal gift giuen be his maiestie to the Marques Letters of the Pope Vrbano And to Marques Spinola