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IT is scarce credible without sight, what the strength is of those countries which the [ XI] Estats hold; for that, first of all, Zeland is enuironed by the sea, and besides, all appro∣ches are so well fortified, as it is impossible to find any easie landing to enter into the countrie, without the consent of the inhabitants. You haue the towne of Flessingue which the sea doth beat vpon on three parts, and is wel furnished with artillerie to frustrat the attempts of a great armie. This only towne was the cause that all the rest of the Low [ B] Countries (which be free) tooke armes, and freed themselues from the Spaniards yoke: so as their inhabitants which haue framed this common weale, haue treated with the king of Spaine and the Archduke as soueraignes, and haue beene so acknowledged in this last treatie. Middlebourg is also a place of good consideration: but the fort of Ramekens is of great importance, and it may be not inferiour to any. Comming afterwards into Hol∣land, you haue Dort or Dordrect, which is verie strong, and enuironed with water. Rot∣terdam is a towne of good defence, and so is Gorkom. As for Vtrecht, it is a faire town, fortified with ten good bulwarkes well flanked.
In Guelderland there is Nimeguen, a towne that is strong both by art and scituation. Arnham is one of their best places. Zurphen is of good importance, but not so desen∣sible [ C] as the other. As for the countrie of Oueryssel, you haue Deuenter, which is strong and well furnished with all things necessarie to make a long defence. And in Friseland Groningue is a place which will not be easily forced.
I should neuer make an end if I should set downe in particular all the strong places which are in this countrie, as the Tolus, or Skinks Sconce, which is almost impregnable, built betwixt the wall and the Yssel; and in like maner S. Andrews fort, Tiel, and Briele, which are able to withstand the greatest armies. It shall suffise to say, that this countrie is so well fortified on all sides, as an armie that would win it foot by foot, were it verie strong, and alwaies in field, should aduance verie little in a long time. We must also con∣sider, that the Estates haue meanes to drowne the whole countrie (if they see themselues [ D] brought vnto dispaire) by the breaking of their bankes, especially in Holland. Moreo∣uer, they doe alwaies entertaine many companies of souldiers, both vpon the frontier, and within the countrie. And as for the sea, I doe not thinke there is any nation in the world so strong, nor so able to make a great attempt. To conclude, all things fauour them in regard of force, as we haue plainely seene in the long warre which they haue maintained against the king of Spaine: who seeing that he could not preuaile, and that it was a continuall wasting of men and money, hath beene forced in the end to make a truce with them, and to graunt them most of their demaunds.