A true historie of the memorable siege of Ostend and what passed on either side, from the beginning of the siege, vnto the yeelding vp of the towne. Conteining the assaults, alarums, defences, inuentions of warre, mines, counter-mines and retrenchments, combats of galleys, and sea-fights, with the portrait of the towne: and also what passed in the Ile of Cadsant, and at the siege of Sluice, after the comming of Count Maurice. Translated out of French into English, by Edward Grimeston.

The Author to the Reader.

THis latter age hath brought forth memora∣ble exploits of war: & Flāders (without strai∣ing from our subiect) to her losse, hath not seene the least, being vexed with continuall troubles since the yeere 1566. The sieges of Harlem, Mastricke, Andwerp, and other townes, haue beene goodly, according vn∣to the Etimology which some giue vnto the word. Bellum, quod minime bellum, and it seemes that the industry of men instructed by the inuentions of former ages, and prickt forward by religi∣on, and other violent causes and coulours, hath added what she could, and as it were made the vttermost triall of her forces. I leaue it vnto the reader to make a comparison betwixt this siege of Ostend, and the rest, but without doubt it exceedes them all in length of time: the importance therof cannot be told, being the most memorable occurrant of our age. The opinion I haue that this small worke (recommended by truth it selfe, and as free from passion, as voide of affectation) should be pleasing vnto many, is the cause I haue set it forth, to represent (as in a table) the most re∣markeable things that haue happened on either side at this siege. Many being interessed in the cause (as they say) will desire to see it, and spirits prickt forward by curiosity would not loose their partes. In the yeere 1599. the Flemings being molested with the continuall courses of them of Ostend, caused certaine forts to be made about the towne, to bridle them. It is aboue three yeeres since this fiege begā, which was the fift of Iuly in the yeere 1601. we may thinke that the importance of the place, hath (during this time) furnished both the one & the other withal deuises possible, for the well assayling & defending of the Towne. The discourse which is briefe, frees me from giuing any censure: and the Law which I haue prescribed my selfe, opposeth: Some not vnpro∣perly, call Ostend an Academie and an excellent Schoole, for Gouernours, Captaines, Souldiers, Ingeneurs, Phisitions, Surgi∣ons, Pilots and Mariners: and they finde it by experience, that e∣uery one of these persons which hath continued but three mo∣neths

in Ostend, is become excellent in his art and vocation. A Souldier when he comes forth speakes like a Maister in fortifica∣tions, of Ramperes, Bulworkes, Spurres, Counterscarfes, Raue∣lins, Trauerses, Parapets, halfe Moones, Reduites or Blocke hou∣ses and such like, I will alledge one example among many, to shew the valour of the Souldiers of Ostend: In the yeere 1603. the Arch-dukes men hauing surprized the Castel of Wastendonck, the inhabitants resolued to retrench themselues against it, setting their Garison to worke, who were schollers newly from this A∣cademie, these good workmen made proofe in three houres what they could doe, to the great amazement of the Spaniardes, who said they could not be men, seeing the Canon did not force them to retire a foote, or els that euery one had a new life in his cofers. As for Phisitions and Surgians, Mounsieur Moerbeke of Haigh, is held for a Phoenix, Alexander Courtmans of Andwerp is very fa∣mous, & all such as haue practised in Ostend, haue purchased a pre∣rogatiue aboue the rest. The like is of all men that haue bin im∣ployed there, finally this little booke is good for Souldiers, who shall learne therein many excellent points of their profession, tri∣ed at the cost of other men, and ready to be put in practise: nei∣ther shall it be vnprofitable to any, seeing that we liue in this per∣uerse age towards the dissolution of the world threatned of all sides with wars, like vnto a poore traueller, which sees the Hea∣uen ouercast threatning a storme in the midst of a plaine Champi∣on. As for delight: If any one seeke to please his taste, the variety of the discourse will minister sufficient matter: My intention in writing these simple remembrances, free from all other affection, was onely to serue the publike: If my labour may be as friendly accepted, & be pleasing to all good men, & to those whose iudge∣ments are not obscured nor transported with passion, neither that haue coniured against the trueth: I haue attai∣ned to my desire, and thinke my paines well imployed. Farewell.

A. V.