The history of this iron age vvherein is set dovvn the true state of Europe as it was in the year 1500 : also, the original and causes of all the vvarres, and commotions that have happened : together with a description of the most memorable battels, sieges, actions and transactions, both in court and camp from that time till this present year 1656 : illustrated vvith the lively effigies of the most renowned persons of this present time / written originally by J. Parival and now rendred into English by B. Harris, Gent.

CHAP. IV

The King declares war against the Cardinal Infanro, and why? The Spaniards are beaten. The taking of the Fort of Schenck.

THe King, being irritated by the losse of this most important Place, and for that his protection had not been sufficient to cover the Elector of Trevirs; sent to re-demand him from the Cardinal Infanto; who answered him, that he could hot dispose of such a businesse, without the knowledge, and consent, of the Emperour, and the King of Spana: which answer not pleasing him, and finding no hope of any orther; he resolved to declare war against the said Infanto, under this specions pretext.

Now, in regard that this War'v as derived, like a contagion, from that of Germany, by which, as by a great fire, all the circumjacent parts were so scotched, that they kindled with the first winde: we will returne again to the Source.

The Civil Wars (as we have already shewed) stopped the motion of those old quarrels, and Henry the fourth was diverted from them, by a vio∣lent death. But the Cardinal, having well weighed the strength of the House of Austria, and the furious shocks or foiles she had sustained, conceived that it was now time, to make her fall: for he was fully confirmed, that some Provinces (as that of Flanders, Artoise, and Luxemburgh) had formerly de∣pended upon France: howheit King Francis had renounced his propriety in them for all perpetuity, by way of Ransome from his captivity; which the French themselves do not deny; but they say, that the Kings cannot alienate the Rights of the Crown. If so, how can there be any firme, and sure Treaty made 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For, there may as much be said, of the Emperour, the King of Spain, and other Princes; and so it will be a businesse without end. But it might with more equity be alleadged, that in regard they lost those Rights by arms, a hundred years agoe, they may upon a faire occasion, endeavour to recover them by the same means.

Now in these so confused embarassments, there might some pretext be found, which might, perhaps, be rendred just by the lot of Arms: and that of the Elector made all the French murmure nor was there ever a fairer opportunity, to beat out the Spaniards; and therefore it was not fit to neglect it. However the Spaniards rejected it, and affirmed that they were punctu∣ally informed, that the King had signed the League for the Offensive war with the Hollanders, at the Loivire, upon the eighth of March, at seven of the clock in the Evening: Insuch fort, as though they had not taken the Elector, they were neverthelesse sure of a War fifteen dayes after, as by consequence they had.

They would not make mention, of many frontier Towns, which the French had attempted to surprize by treachery, as Cambray, and Graveling, to the Governour whereof they offered a hundred thousand Pistols. All which infractions they had prudently dissembled, to keep that part of the Country in quiet. Neither was it the vanity of the Spaniard, which sought that war, so to make themselves great by the losse, and at the charge of others: but their admirable prudence laboured to divert it, and their power preserved it self still hitherto, in the Low-Countreys. But let us leave dis∣puting, and make the Armyes march into the Field.

The French were to scuffle with a Nation, which is not startled at noise. The King contracted formidable forces, neer Sedan, under the conduct of the Marshals of Chastillon, and Brezè, and sent them to enter the King of Spaines territories, at the same time when the Herald arrrived at Brussels, to denounce the war; they having begun their march three dayes before with the bravest Army that could be seen; A trick which couzened the Spyes, and proved to be of much advantage. Their order was, to joyn with the Prince of Orange, and proceed under his experience, to the conquest of the whole Country, that so it might be shared between them. The Skinn was sold before the Bear was taken; and they who reckon before their Host, must reckon twice.

They cutt of Prince Thomas's Troops, which presumed to oppose such an Army, as that; the Vant-guard whereof only, put them to flight; and which was a terrour both to Friends, and Foes: yea, the Prince of Orange himself, and the States when they beheld this so gallant an Army, and above seven thousand Horsemen with scarlet Cassocks were so amazed, that they would have made the signe of the crosse thereat, had they been accustomed to it. But afterwards, distrusts, and jealousies (the obstacles to all brave ex∣ploits) wriggled themselves in amongst them, and continued till the end of the Field.

The first prey was Tirlemount, famous for the ruine thereof; for all imagi∣nable cruelties, and unnaturall actions were perpetrated, and executed, in this unhappy Town. The Churches, and whatsoever the Catholicks held in greatest Veneration, was handled with lesse reverence, then if they had been meer Tartars. All was pillaged, all violated, and burnt, and almost all massacred. A fine beginning, cannot choose but haue a fine end.

The Cardinal Infanto, in the mean time, retyred, and incamped himself before Brussels, expecting succour from Germany, and gathering together the forces of the Provinces; all which were not sufficient to stop this impe∣tuous torrent, which carried all before it.

The Armies pitched their Camp before Lovaine, the seat of the Muses, which Mars ought to spare; and by consequence he did nothing; for Jupi∣ter saved it. Grotendonck, with six or seven Regiments, commanded in the Town; and the Enemy stayed in this Siege, about twelve dayes; but French at length, being better furnished with Pistolls then Bread, found themselves besieged by hunger, which caused fierce muttering, and then disbanding.

The Prince of Orange, seeing this disorder, and the relief came out of Ger∣many, under Piccolommi; concluded with the French Marshals, to make a re∣treat; and the Infanto, with his Supply, to pursue them.

They went and incamped neer Grave, and the Spaniards, neer to the Fort of St. Stephen, where they stayed not long; for the Prince, being advertised that the fort of Schenck was surprized, hastened thither speedily, with three thousand men; and the Armies followed him. This Fort stood upon a point, which divided the Rheyn into two Arms or Branches; and was so well strengthened, and furnished, that it was not besiegeable. But Captain Een∣holt, a native of those parts, desiring nothing more, then a favourable occa∣sion to revenge the death of his Father, who was beheaded at the Haghe; pryed so well into matters, and layd so fit hold of his time, that he got it with small trouble, and losse, to the great cost of the United Provinces; whose Army camped at Besaw, and the French, at Emmerick, and Rees.

The Spaniards, who vanted that they found the key of Holland, kept this Fort nine mouths, but the Lock was changed; insomuch, as that they were in deliberation of blowing it up. Thus Fortune played the wagge with them, by giving victory sometimes to the one, and sometimes to the other.

This French Army, which was the lustiest and gallantest that had been raised since the beginning of this Age; being reduced to five or six thousand men of forty thousand which it was, felt the whole winter, the crosses of ir∣reconcilable Fortune; or rather, the effects of that great God, who was so much irritated by them: for the souldiers were constrained to sell their Hor∣ses, and Cassacks, and go a begging. It was a pittifull thing, to see Gentle∣men of good birth, dye of sicknesse in Hospitals, and the souldiers miserable, by the expectation of the wind, which was almost four months quite con∣trary. Thus passed the first Field, which looked at first, as if it would swal∣low, and devoure all, and so both Parties were equall. But, if Fortune smiled upon the Assailants in the beginning; she did so yet more, upon the Defen∣dants, who prepared themselves, to attack the other the year following: and so the war grew hotter then ever, towards the Rheyn, in the Low-Countries, and in France.

Notes

• The King of France declares war upon the Spaniards
• A French wri∣ter accuses the Spaniards of vanity.
• A brave Army neer Sedan.
• The Spanish Spyes couzened.
• Prince Tho∣mas his Troops defeated.
• Tirlemount taken, and burnt. Gr••at cruel∣ties.
• Lovaine be∣sieged.
• Is succoured, and the Hel∣landers retyre.
• And besiege the Fort of Scheck, taken a little be fore.
• The French demy much diminished, and afflicted.