De rebus belgicis, or, The annals and history of the Low-Countrey-warrs wherein is manifested, that the United Netherlands are indebted for the glory of their conquests, to the valour of the English, under whose protection the poor distressed states, have exalted themselves to the title of the high and mighty ...

The Second BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES.

THE whole burden of the War was ready to have been thrown upon Frizeland, if the ta∣king of Breda had not diverted the Army. •• is a Town of Brabant, and hath ever been so esteemed though scituate in a fertile Soyl, upon the Confines of Hol∣land, and commanding over seventeen Villages. The River Aa, now having changed his name into Merca, and being of a reasonable breadth, washeth the Walls thereof, and shortly after, passing by the Town of Sevenberg, falls into an Arm of the Sea; The Family of Pole, bought it with the Title of Baron thereof, from whom it descended to the House of Nassau, by the Marriage of Engelbert, whose Nephews Son, named Henry, added to it a strong rampire and ditches, to∣gether with a most noble Castle, serving as well for beauty as strength. And since that the continual practices of War in those latter times, hath not only annexed thereto strong Bulwarks, and other defences for keeping out, or repelling of an Enemy, but also the glory of resistance of a most vio∣lent storm given to it; A Marriner taught the way how to take it by Policy or Stratagem, in manner following.

By the Command of Philip of Nassau (he was the Son of John, who coming into this National War, had the Com∣mand of some Souldiers, and the government of a few Towns at the Maes) one Heraugier, a Captain of Cam∣bray, began first to consult of this Enterprise, adopting into Society, for performance of this Noble Exploit, one Lambert

Charly, a valiant and painful Souldier: The Vessell used for the Plot, was that which was wont, upon the Publique Ac∣count, to pass backward and forward between both Parties, to carry Fuel to Breda; which Fuel was no other, than the muddy Oze growing in the Marishes of Holland, hardned by the Sun, and cut out into Turf, and so served in stead of Wood; for the He••t being inclosed in the E••rth makes one like Nature and Disposition in Bitumen and Sulphur; which, as in other places, hath caused Mountains to burn and flame, so here sometimes they have made a very lightsome Fire, un∣less by chance some old Wood, beaten down with the force of the Sea and Tempests, and lying long cover'd with Earth, and grown rotten, onely changing his Form, yet retains its Nature: In this Boat, being of an indifferent length, were placed some young men, selected out of several Companies, and such as feared no danger whatsoever, to the number of Seventy, that were to be cover'd with a slight quantity of Tutfs, so as nothing else might be discerned: A long time it was, ere Fortune would favour this bold and dangerous At∣tempt, so that their Endeavours were contradicted and hin∣dred, even by such things as they had no doubt of: The cros∣ness of the Wind, and bitterness of the Cold, though at the very end of Winter; and, last of all, want of Victuals, which their stay had consumed, spoiled their first Assay: And certainly, among all these Delays, it was a very hard matter, to conceal such a Design as appear'd by certain Rumors writ∣ten out of England, that it was accomplish'd. However, at length, after they had refreshed themselves, and Herangier had comforted and encouraged them with good words, send∣ing a Messenger to Prince Maurice, to request him, to convey secretly some Souldiers into the next Island, not far from Breda, they once more set forward: Being brought within a Lock of the River or Scluse, near the Castle, from whence there was no possibility of going back, they were beset with a new Calamity; for either by the extraordinary Ebbe of the River,

or else by the grating force of the Ice, the bottom of the Boat was so cracked, that it began to take Water very fast: Th•••• did the hidden Souldiers tremble for fear, cursing the Bo•••• unfortunate Ribs, that could no better secure them, and all in Water up to the Knees; but at length, the Vessel eased by the Tides coming in, without any humane help, ceased to Leak. And now the Governours and Commanders of the Garrison, as it were out of an over-curious Care, more from the Use and Custom of Discipline, than any Necessity they thought of, had relieved the Guards, and appointed every inferiour Officer to his Post. Thus the Duty of searching the Boat, by the Negligence of many, was wholly thrown upon the Corporal, who likewise being careless, according to the Example of his Superiour Officers, viewing the same very slightly, made no more ado: And by good chance it for∣tuned, that the Cold had not forced any one to Cough, which at another time they could hardly have refrained. The Speech of one of the Souldiers, upon that occasion, deserves never to be forgotten; who fearing, least by his violent Noise in Coughing▪ (though he did repress it) he should, together with himself, betray his Companions: Kill me (saith be) Fellow-Souldiers, least we be all killed. But to proceed, after the search, the very Souldiers of the Garrison, drew the Boat into the Castle, that it might have Water, in regard the Ice was too thick abroad; by which means, they came into ano∣ther great Hazard, because the Danger so near and imminent, had put them all into a fear; so that they were ready to com∣plain of Herangier, as one who, desperate of his own Life, had brought them to the slaughter. Part of them being at the very Brink of Despair, would not stay for their hopes of safety, till the darkness of the Night, but since they must die, they would take the Day, that they might see the Enemy they were to encounter, least they should be found in that Prison, where they were penned up, and from thence be drag∣ged to punishment and Death. Others were utterly asto∣nished;

and certainly, it was rather Desperation made them accomplish their Undertaking, than any Exho••tations of their Captain to Valour and Glory: Part of the Turf being unloa∣ded, and to prevent any further lightning of the Boat, least he should discover the Design, by laying open the Souldiers within, the Boat-man cunningly dissembled himself weary; and to that purpose, he put on a Garb and Tone, both of Voice and Countenance, even to Admiration: And now it was near Midnight, but with some glimmering of the Moon, when the Captain thought fit to bring forth the Souldiers; first, admonishing them to behave themselves valiantly, which would not onely be for their everlasting Honour, but Enrichment: But if any of them should now leave him in his adventurous Attempt, he would be so far from enjoying an honourable Life, that he merited an ignominious Death. By the working of the Pump, the Enemies Ears were stopped, so that they all went out, and not one of them discerned by the Sentinels, which was almost miraculous. Part of these Soul∣diers passing by the Armory, first killed those of the Watch they met with, and afterwards slew in their very Guard, those that kept the Gate which led into the Town, onely an En∣sign endeavouring violently to break through, and aiming with his Sword dangerously to have wounded Herangier, fell down, and was killed valiantly fighting: But Charly, to whom was given the Command of the other part of the Souldiers, drove the Enemies Garrison into the innermost part of the Castle, which was incompassed round with Wa∣ter.

These were kept in hope, to the very utmost, by Paulo Antonio Lanzavecchia, who was Deputy-Governour of Breda, under his Father, a young Man, and utterly ignorant in Stra∣tagems of War. Odoardo Lanzavecchia the Father, Prince Maurice had caused to stay at Geertruydenburg, three miles di∣stant from Breda, seeming as if he would draw thither his Fortes, and Carriages; and, to that purpose, some were sent

under the notion of Spyes, who by spreading a false Rumour, should make them insensible of the Truth: And surely, the Duke of Parma was very much over-seen, who had commit∣ted two Towns to one Man's keeping, when one Man is hardly able to defend one Town, and let other Rewards, without Danger, be for such as deserve well therein.

But Paulo Lanzavecchia, to try if, by chance, he could force this small Company out by Battel, passing out over the Bridge, sallyes upon the Enemy, with a Company of Men crowded together, (they were about Thirty and Six). But they were soon vanquish'd by them, who could not at that time be overcome, and himself sorely wounded, most of his men being kill'd, he fled back the same way he came. By this time, they heard a Noise of People, fighting within the City, and the Townsmen came to break open the Castle Gates that Heraugier's Souldiers might not drive away with their Shot out of the Gallery above the People, and clear the ad∣joyning Parts. At last the sign being given, that the Design had taken, Count Hohenlo presently marched up with a part of Prince Maurice his Army, who were not far off upon the Espy••l; being come to the Gate, and perceiving the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made them lose time, they passed over the Lock or Damne, beyond the Palizadoes; nor did Paulo Lanzavecchia de••e•• to Covenant for his own Safety, by the Surrender of what he held in the Castle.

The Prince himself immediatly follow'd Hohenlo, with a∣nother greater part of the Army, consisting both of Horse and Foot, who, coming to the Gates, threatned to force them open: Then the City trembling, and deprived of the Gar∣rison that should have defended it, redeemed their Pillage with two Months Pay to the Souldiers; for the Italians, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom the Guard and Defence of the Town was committed (being six Companies of Foot, and one Troop of Hor••) whose Duty it had been to have broken the Bridge, be•• the Town and the Castle, or at least to have kept the Gate

from being seized by the Enemy, being struck into an amaze, at the noise and clattering of Arms in the Castle; and with∣all, not well agreeing among themselves, were easily wrought to fly, and leave all to the Enemy; and which, possibly, might be another Reason to the same purpose, being the more afraid of the Enemy, by how much they were generally ha∣ted by their Hosts who had quarter'd them; for that while they enjoyed the Town, they abstained from no sort of Vil∣lany, but raged in all kinds of Lusts.

Therefore, when the Duke of Parma set himself to Re∣venge this popular Errour and Crime of the Souldiers, to take the shame from himself, all that were designed for pu∣nishment, as Fugitives and Renegadoes, though late, suffered the punishment inflicted on them for thei•• Fault, excepting onely one Intemelio, for whom his Youth and Nobility obtain∣ed a Pardon; and Odardo Lanzavecchia, as it were in pu∣nishment of himself, left off, and surrendred the Governorship of Geriruydenburg.

Prince Maurice now entring the City, took into Com∣mand and Tuition, those his Antient, Paternal, and Heredi∣tary Possessions, and all the Citizens living therein; his Youth∣ful Modesty rather grieving at, than accusing the City, char∣ged with the Payment of the Souldiers Wages, (and many many more of them had their Names in the List, than were present in the Service) for the Prince would not seem to mind those private things, although the Sum amounted to a Hundred Thousand Florens, when Antwerp paid to the Duke of Parma but Four Hundred.

These things thus done, the Government of the Town was bestowed upon Heraugier, and the rest were all of them af∣terwards both rewarded, and preferred to Honourable Com∣mands. The States Decreed Publike Feasting, and other Testimonies of Rejoycing, and that there should be Prices of Money Coined, which should be as a General Record to Po∣sterity of this first Victory obtained by their Prince, with∣out

the effusion of his Souldiers Bloud; which afterwards was drawn into Example by Custom, as oft as any great and prosperous Success crown'd their Actions. And there were not wanting some Wits, who Celebrated the Prince's Au∣spitious Beginnings, and magnified the Gallantry of the Design; averring, That the entring of Troy by Graecian Lords, in a Wooden Horse, was a Stratagem very like this, or, it may be, was an Eminent Ship so called. They compared the For∣tune of the Place, which nine years before, by the Absence of the Garrison, the Treachery of the Watch, and Slaughter of the Citizens, Altapen (Count Berlaymont's Son) surprized and took: Thus every Man's Fancy was in Agitation, but we must not dwell here.

The Companies being left in the Town, which were to defend it, and some Troops of Horse, on purpose to make Incursions into the Villages of Brabant, the Army marched away: And the Provisions carryed in, by provident Care of those, whom the Prince knew had been privy to the De∣sign, served the place a long time: But as soon as a Messen∣ger brought News thereof into Germany, to the Prince of Parma; who, now weary of the Toil of War, it may be, by Advice, had desisted from Hostility, until he received Letters from Spain, least he should suffer, without taking Revenge, the Country to be spoiled, he commanded Charles Mansfeldt, who had Reduced Berck, to go thence with some part of his Forces, and to shut up all the Passages to Breda, in order to •• Siege; being moved thereto by a false hope, that there was onely a few Days Provision in the Town; and besides, ima∣gining that the Townsmen would not be yet contentedly set∣led under their New Lords. On the one side therefore, Gertruydenberg straitned it; the rest Mansfeldt surrounded with strong Guards, yet they feared Relief would be brought thither from behind; for the River Merck runneth into the Maes, and maketh hard by many little Islands, which Prince•• Maurice had fill'd with Souldiers: And the River it self

where it runs by Breda, he had inclosed with a Bridge, and a strong Castle, at a place called Terheiden. From hence the Souldiers, highly enraged, match out to Sevenberg, a Town scituate in the further part of that Continent, and force it, to∣gether with a weak Castle belonging to it; their greatest la∣bour was spent about Nordam, which is a Castle scituate in a very moyst ground, and in former times, hath been often girt about with ditches, whereinto the Sea floweth, especially on the North part, and there is also a Redout, and the whole, by cutting away a part of the Bank, is washed by the Estuary of the Maes, like an Island; It was at this time defended by Matthias Hellye, one of the famous Adventurers in the ta∣king of Breda, who had as many Souldiers as he thought fit, out of the next Islands: After the Parmensians had spent some dayes in battering the place to no purpose, they prepared Bridges, and other Engines, and materials, for an assault, and therewithall, a Ship was set into the water, and Armed men stood round about in the Station, at the top of the Mast, that were, by the continual casting of Darts, to drive away the De∣fendants; The besieged, as soon as they saw it approaching, sent out in opposition to it, Boats set on fire; but the Wind averted that danger, and drove it (the Enemies Ship) to the Banck: And as it drew near, the strong eddy or Whirle∣poole of the River, turning it round, brought it into the Trench; some set upon it, as it lay upon the Shallowes, o her•• cast flaming fire-brands into it, and the Souldiers from the top of the Mast, are thrown down, lying open to all wounds, being obvious to the Enemy, on the contrary side was in∣tended; and so this stratagem wrought not its effect.

Mansfeldt observing the great slaughter of his men, and the resolute fidelity of the Garrison, as also that he was no lesse worsted in the adjacent little Islands, began to doubt and de∣spair as well of the Siege of Breda, as of its being betrayed: And in the mean time, while he lingers in vain about the Town, the Horse that were therein, wearied him out with

daily Sallies and Skirmishes. But Prince Maurice, recollect∣ing his Souldiers, and though he had but a small Army (a∣bout four thousand Foot, and very few Horse) marched into Gelderland, as if he had had a design upon Nimmeghen.

But the Engine prepared to the sudden assault, by the use whereof against the walls they would have fallen down, mis∣sed of its hoped success; this Engine was found among some French materials, it was in the form of a Hat, wherein were included Gunpowder, Bullets, and square pieces of Iron; thenceforth knowing the weakness of his Forces, and finding himself not fit for a Siege, because from the adja∣cent places, both Arms and Provision were daily brought into the City, he resolved to draw off, yet for a time he con∣tinued there, and wearied them at a distance, to try, if by that meanes he could possibly withdraw the Enemy fro•• Breda? which happened according to his expectation; for after both of them had thus vainly spent their time in Sieges, Mansfeldt, with his encreased forces, striving to help the neighbouring parts, because the City, in regard of the Soul∣diers known effeminacy, scorned his most able defences, pitched between the Maes and the Wael. But Prince Mau∣rice kept his Army within the Isle of Helland, and to prevent the Enemies passing over the River, he sent Ships into the Wael, and fortified the whole Bank of the River with Forts and Guards, from the division of the Rh••ne, unto the place where the Maes falls into it, in which place Count Sob•• (who commanded some Select Companies given to him by Prince Maurice) was ordered to intrench himself in the Isle of Voorne, as if he had been about to incamp. And a large cut was made from the Wa••l into the Rhine, whereby, without danger from Nimmeghen, any Forces or Provisions might be brought from, or carryed into Germany, and several great Banks erected to restrain the overflowings of the Rivers chiefly at the charge, and by the pains of the Hollanders, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were greatly benefitted thereby, as well in point of Security

as Trade; and Prince Maurice, at the same time, getting this safe defence, over against Nimmeghen, built a continuing Station for his Camp. The Souldiers gave it the name of Kn••dsenburg; from thence into the City, which pleasantly ariseth as it were out of the Bank, and from the City against the Workmen, there was a vast, nay almost an infinite ex∣change of Bullets. But they that wrought in the building of the Castle, did either work in the night, or were fain to set up blindes to preserve them from the Shot: But the greatest mischief afflicting the Townsmen, was the falling down of Towers, Steeples, and other eminent Structures, upon their heads, and ready with their falls to destroy them: So that now there was no safe Habitation in all the Town, and the River was quite taken from them; by which inconveniencies, being a People not used to War, and desirous of Commerce and Trade, by little and little, they were drawn to change their Masters.

Thus was the Summer spent at Nimmeghen, when the Duke of Parma, having been again to drink the Spaw wa∣ters, and the success of his Affairs more luckily suiting his desires, began a little to recover his health; For Ricardot, a constant participater with the Duke, of all his Counsels, had brought back out of Spain to him very gracious and well-pleasing Letters, wherein, after his confirmation in his old Government, he received Orders concerning the French War; for the King was of opinion, that that being near, he would not refuse it, and that the difficulty of the underta∣king would make him forget his present cares; But the Duke of Parma was of another mind, which was, to leave the French to the division of their own quarrel, untill the Netherlands were wholly reduced or quieted. But well know∣ing, that Princes humours must be born by one that is enga∣ged, he made a vertue of necessity, imagining Honour offered him, which by himself must be made glorious by dangerous enterprises. Wherefore going into Henalt, that by his vici∣nity,

he might take care the more easily, Messengers follow∣ed him thither, with the news of Egmonds overthrowes, w•• the slaughter of his Auxiliaries at Eureux, and that the Con∣querours Army pressed hard upon the Parisians. And not l•• after, the Duke of Guise's Brother and Successor coming on him, to associate Counsels, he did publickly testifie that ill fortune of their parties: At last, after several debates, and private Consultations with the chief Commanders, concern∣ing the managery of the War, the Duke of Parma, towards the end of Summer, lead all the choyce and picked Souldi∣ers of the Kings Army into France. And new Levies fol∣lowed out of Germany, and those other Spanish Mutinee••s from Courtray and Menin, but before their departure, they compelled the Townsmen to give them part of their pay, and the rest they had from the King, and then was that presi∣dent instituted for perpetuity, that a Scu••e in payment to the Souldier, should be currant for ten Royals. The whole num∣ber of Foot was twelve thousand, and of Cavalry there were three thousand.

The chief care of all Affairs in the Netherlands, was left to Peter Ernest, Count Mansfeldt, as Deputy Regent, the rest of the Souldiers left behind were committed to his S•• Charles, with order to put them into Garrisons, left any of them, by the want of their appointed strength, should inc••r any danger: As soon as Prince Maurice throughly under∣stood these things, he sent some, even as far as Germany, to take possession of the places they had left. All those Fornifi∣cations were taken, wherewith the Spaniard had beset the Banks, and passages of Journies, and the Works they had erected in that peaceable Country, by the Rhine and the Maes, were all defaced and overthrown: Another part of the Army made inrodes into Brabant and Flanders, being near to them, and brought thence booty, even out of the middle of the Country, and not only the Dorps and Villages, but the weaker Towns were assaulted, wo••, and wasted▪

Thus in Autumn, he easily recovered what ever had been conquered by, or yielded to, Mansfoldt, the former year, by the side of the Maes, or about Breda, and utterly subverted all that was unnecessary: Besides these, he annexed his pa∣ternal Town of Steeneberg, famous of old for a Harbour; for it lies just upon a turning of the Merowe.

Now the French War raged destructively, both at Sea and Land; the Governours of the Norman Coasts, having fought luckily against the King of France's Enemies in a Sea-fight; nor was any Policy omitted to facilitate the Victory. The Prince of Orange his men assaulted Dunkirk, both with Ships from Sea, and scaling Ladders at Land, and the Spani∣ards invaded Lochem by treachery, but both, by fore-know∣ledge, prevented their fate.

There was a great rumour this year, of the Germans pre∣paring for a War, to vindicate and revenge their Borders, vi∣olated by the incroaching of their Neighbours; Now they, who began to meet in parties to take to either side, interpre∣ted all things to applause or contempt, every one as his Con∣science, or hatred to the Enemy, led him: For the Spaniards having gotten the furthest part of Frizeland, wasted both Vil∣lages, and the whole Country beyond the Rhine; Nor were the Garrison Souldiers of Gelderland, which lay about the Dukedoms of Cleues and Juilliers, any moderater, but rob∣bing that Country lying beyond them, they brought all the prey they got, into the Castles & Cities, where they were not questionable for the same. Then the Hollanders Horsemen, imit••ted the same licentiousness, when ever, having worsted the Enemy, they followed the pursuit: Thus being circum∣vented, now with hope of Peace, anon with the cruelty of War, they summoned a Dyet; where, after tedious delays, (as it is indeed the custom of that Nation) by protracting Counsels, sometimes even with threats, they rather delayed the remedies, than removed the evills.

At last, an Embassie was agreed upon, and Decreed; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to expostulate the Wrongs, and then to command them •• desist from War, and all Acts of Hostility, unless within the Borders of the particular Adversaries. And, to this purpose they very carefully and judiciously debated the Point with the Duke of Parma, at the time he was going upon the French Expedition. Whereto he answer'd very sharply, being ac∣customed otherwise to shift off all Complaints of that na•• to wit, either by rejecting them absolutely, or answering them ambiguously: But this was the effect of his present Reply,

That there had been many antient Differences continued among the Provinces, by reason of former Losses upon their Borders, and that now it was not in the General's power to set a form of War; but as they endured casuall Fires, Innundations of Waters, and other Evils either of Nature, or Fate; so they had better •• bear with the present necessities of the Times, than to begin a Qua∣rell with the impatient undergoing thereof: But if former Enemies would depart thence, with all Strangers, then he also would re∣store what property belonged to the Germans; always provided, that the Money which was expended in the War of Colen, a secured to the King: In the interim, they should consider, that there were a necessity that they must suffer, certainly the old Reli∣gion best merited their Patience, for whose onely sake he was s•• for into Germany. What, is the Example grown dubious, by increased Liberty, whom to regard best? Of old, these Warlike People have been wont to observe all the Motions of their Neigh∣bours, and to have a care of their own strength, that they might cast down any Neighbour Paince that were weaker, much more now when they dare so much against a Powerfull King. You ought rather to pray to God, that whoever is in the fault of the War may being either overcome in Battel, or conquered with Repentance, be forced to return to their first Obedience and Duty; and that th•• would not be long a doing, if by the deniall, and cutting off all Tra∣ding

and Provision, they were couped up within their own narrow Limits.

With this Answer being dispatched, they go to the Con∣federate Provinces with greater Confidence, and more mala∣pert Demands: For first, they required the delivery of the Island of Gravewaerdt, together with all other things which they possessed on their Borders: And after, that the Passa∣ges of the Rhine be free, and without Guards and Forts; and neither the Rhine, nor the Ems, being both German Ri∣vers, to be thereafter encombred with the Terrour of Fleets, nor the Payment of Tributes.

To this, the States answer'd, That they hoped they should make their Endeavours appear more just, and should truly lay the blame of disturbing the Peace upon the Enemy, which they, without Reason, aspersed them withall: And so beginning with the Causes arising from the Inquisition, and the grievous punish∣ment inflicted by it, they proceeded with their throwing off Bishops, and at large demonstrated the Murther of the Nobles, the Oppressions of the Commons, and the other Miseries of Slavery. By these Injuries (say they) being neces∣sitated to take Arms, we seek no other thing, by this so tedious and dangerous War, but to free our Bloud and Relations, o•• Wives and Daughters Bodies, from Barbarous Cruelty, and Be∣stiall Abuse and Muckery. This onely is the hope, this the end, of all our Fighting; and we hope our Poverty will be no more spigh∣ted or envyed, than the strong Commonwealth of Switzerland, which is terrible to its Neighbours. It is more reason to fear, and more just to resist, those great Robbers of the whole World, whom neither the vast Solitudes of America, the Slaughters of People, both in Granata, and the Netherlands, nor the Servitude of Portugal, and a great part of Italy, is able to satisfie: And as both among Beasts and Fishes, the greater and more ravenous sort live upon Prey, so inferiour States are always obnoxious to the Hatred and Fury of greater Empires. Is it a thing unknown, by whose Design chiefly the English were sollicited to Sedition? Who

made Ireland Rebell, and caused the French oppose their law∣full King? It behaves you therefore to be wary; for even among you the Spaniard hath such, as, hired by him, are ready 〈◊〉〈◊〉 advise or act what suits best to his Advantage: Nay, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath their sight, are yet, out of fear, compelled to obey them, •• may be observed among the Indians, who reverence them as they do Evil Spirits, that they may not hurt them. He, (to wit, Pa∣••a) without blame undermines by Treachery the Cities of Cle•••• Others are voluntarily delivered as a Pledge of Friendship, by him whose due they were, as the Revenue of his Ecclesiastical Pro••∣tions, as is said, which now are really become trusty Recep••∣cles of Villany, and so many Dens for Robbery. Nay, the most opulent and wealthy Prince, when his Souldiers want Money p••••ts out you for their Pay Masters, and whole Regiments of Souldiers, as well as others, are made fat with German Tri∣butes. We, at this time, onely strive for this that we may not suf∣fer an unlike Fortune, in a like Cause: We, certainly, if ever •• People, labour to keep our Souldiery unblameable, and peaceable to∣wards all our Neighbours, by our constant Pay to them: Our Sub∣jects bear us Witness, and the Legal Punishments inflicted on •• that are guilty, that as far as War is to be Governed, we strive•• preserve the Peace of all that do not disturb us: Onely herein, •• hope, you will pardon us, if sometimes the Souldier takes may upon him, than the Officers or Magistrates. We have hitherto maintained the antient Estimation of Holland, even in the Mis∣chiefs of War, among the most remote Nations; much less shal we, the antient Companions and Followers of the Romane Pro∣wess, and so near allied in Bloud to the Germans, by any Perfidy violate that Great Parent, which always furnished us with Cap∣tains, instructed us in Vertue, and shewed us the Example of Li∣berty. As for Gravewaerdt, the chief Government of it long before the War, and Charges of a Disputed Right, belonged to Gelderland, as standing in that Jurisdiction; We hold it not to injure others, but to defend our Selvss, and our Borders; And for the rest of the Towns and Castles, although being taken from

the Enemy, they lost their Priviledge of Peace, yet we shall wil∣lingly yield them; that as Force first began from the Spaniard, so with us Right shall be both a beginning and Example. The Bur∣den laid upon Trade, that passeth our Borders, is nothing so heavy to our Neighbouring Nations, as to our own People; they have necessitated by War, though they be no other than such as are fre∣quently demanded and taken by most Potent Princes; And to re∣move our Guards of Shipping, when the Enemy lies all about the Rivers, is not consistent in Policy with Safety; but they are rather Safeguards to all such as pass that way, and likewise defend you, as well as our Selves.

About this time, there came also an Embassie both from Colen and Leige, Bojoarus was Bishop of both places: Where∣fore the States, not medling with the cause of Truxius his Quarrel, they complained of many things against the Bi∣shop, whose unasatiable Avarice took Confidence onely from the Spanish Greatness assisting him: However, they as∣sured to Colonian's Safety and Peace, if (as standing in the middle) they would onely converse with Parties, as Neu∣ters: But the Condition of them of Leige was far different, having both done and suffer'd, by connivence, many Acts of Hostility: Against them also was objected, the punishment of such as were innocent, under colour of vindicating Reli∣gion; and afterwards, when the rest of the Netherlands were possessed by the Spaniards intermixedly, they so openly set out for them Winter-quarters, and raised Summer Provisions, that, if we may not plainly say, it was a Voluntary Act; yet we may well say, it was not Compulsory: And therefore, to hope for Peace, where they had so deserved; and in the interim, upon Order, to send away their Prisoners, there was little Reason.

It would not be amiss, or any ways absurd, to dive further into these Matters; that both the Reason of War, against the adjoyning Cities, and what Peace they may expect, may be understood: And indeed, after this, there was Freedom ta∣ken

both for Rapine and Injuries, as every Province inclined hither or thither, out of fear of Danger, or sometimes out of Design. They hardly ever took a Voyage free from Arms and Force, while both endeavouring to get away, by that very means drew on the Enemy. Thus, in several renewed Em∣bassies, there was nothing but the same over again heard at spoken: But the Hollander yielded up several strong Holds, as desired; but, in truth, because they were so far distant, that they could not easily be maintained, or defended; and that they might thereby heap upon the Spaniard Envy, if not bring upon him a War, because he would perform none of those things, which before he had agreed to: And there were some in the German Dyet, who would have nothing but Force and Arms used against them, for neglect of performing their Promise.

But the other Princes and Bishops, who continued all in one Society of the Catholike Religion, or were otherwise ob∣liged to one another, broke the strength of that Design to use Force, by procrastinating Consultations, and the hope of a Pacification with the Netherlands. And now some were sent from the Confederate States to complain, that they were be∣trayed by the Treachery of their Enemies, and the careless Sloth and Neglect of their Friends; They having given a∣way from themselves the Rewards of their Pains and Charge in the War, (for as yet Truxius did not appear) while Phi∣lip, yet unquestion'd, kept possession of all the Cities near the Rhine: Nor could they obtain of the Emperour any whit the less every year, to forbear to assist the Spaniard with Arms, though he saw them averse to the desired Peace. At the end of the year, the Duke of Parma returning from France, was afflicted and vexed with many things, though he brought with him the Honour of having freed Paris from a cruel Siege, and bringing his Army Home safe, from among so many dangerous and mortal Enemies: For both himself, and his Army were hated by the French Commons, and the

Cities would not receive Garrisons of his Men, for fear of Forreign Servitude; so that here all Philip's hopes were bla∣sted, and he found there was no relying on such uncertain Friendship.

Another of his Vexations, was, That by the Enemies Ex∣cursions, most of the Fortifications, through the whole Ne∣therlands, had been Reduced; That Verdugo in Frizeland▪ onely taking the small Castle of Ementell, had in all other Ma••ters of War been unfortunate, and the Souldiers at that present were ready to Mutiny: And the Townsmen of Ven••e (a place in Gelderland, near the Maes) startled him; for they being perplexed with the tedious Evils of a double Garrison; first, by the help of the German Souldiers, drove out the Italians, and afterwards taking more courage, be∣came too strong for them, and turned them out. Besides an∣other Sedition grew more violent among the selected men, hastned through Germany by Mansfeldt, to hinder Prince Maurice his Progress, because he had provided for the new raised men, part of their wages, and debarred the rest from any: This Mansfeldt was an old Commander in the War, & that made them rage against him more furiously. Thus being about Herentals, and other adjacent Towns of Brabant, as if they had been Enemies, they spoiled all that part of the Coun∣try, which is called Kempenlandt, yet pretended themselves the Kings Souldiers; and if any resistance was made against them, neither Rapes, Murthers, or any other villany, was by them accounted unlawfull.

Thus while they harassed the Fields, though the pay de∣creased, yet their number that demanded it, was increased. But the Duke of Parma said, that he suspected, the Souldiery ought to have been dispersed into severall fortifyed Cities, and there mixed with the new raised men; Indeed, it was time to shut the Stable-door; when the Horse was stollen; And this Counsel coming too late, served to little purpose otherwise, for surely, the onely removing of the mischief to

another place, was but miserable comfort to a publick ••∣lamity. But this Advise brought not to them so much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but instead thereof, more seditious Souldiers daily came to∣gether, who being wearied with a hard and pinching J•• quickly laid hold of that opportunity, to ease themselves and forcibly to seize those rewards which their Command•• had formerly denyed them; But the Duke of Parma had •• some Companies in France, with the chief Commander of the Guisian Faction, to whom the Prince of Ascoli was com∣manded to conduct some more, according to their desire.

1591. The Enemies Forces being in this manner divided and the Souldiery remaining at home, disobedient and ••∣fractory, or else but lately raised: the confederate Pro••∣ces, fleshed with the last years success, now took heart, and they who before could scarce defend their own bounds with∣out great fear and hazard, now resolve to invade others.

Some perswaded them to forbear, till the Duke of Par•• was gone into France; but others thought it best to lay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of all opportunities; and if they did nothing else, yet it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well worth their time and labour, to hinder the Duke of Par∣ma's Journy into France. Neither did they continue long •• suspence, from what part to begin their business; for although the Frizo••s desired their ayd, yet it was of great concern∣ment to them, to free Issell from Garrisons of Spaniards, to whom all Gelderland, as well the Betuwe, as the Velume, and the others that were near, for fear of the Hollanders incu••••∣ons were tributary, the which, grievously enslaved, ever since the Prince of Aurange his time, they had omitted, hindered either by their own weakness, or the Enemies power. As soon therefore as the time of going abroad to forage was come, and the Souldiers numbers compleated, and their pay ordered among them, Sir Francis Vere, (whom the Queen had made her General of the English) first went toward De••∣burg. Some few of his men in the habit of Country-women with Baskets, running as if they fled from a following Ene∣my,

got into the Fort that lies over against Zutphen, onely se∣parated by the River, whereinto they were no sooner entred, but quickly laying hands on their Weapons, which were hid under their Cloaths, partly with the••, and partly with Wea∣pons taken there, they killed the first Sentinels, ere they were aware, and afterwards, the rest surprized with amaze and fear, were easily either killed or taken.

Vere, had not held the Fort above one day, when Prince Maurice came thither with all his Army of eight thousand Foot, and two Wings of Horse, making two thousand; they brought with them, all things necessary for the assault of a Town: And for the more ease of the P••ince, there attended a Selected Counsel of the Senate, to the Companions of his Cares.

But fame hereof coming to the Enemy, it was believed, the Army was bent against the Cities of Brabant▪ or el••e to take Gertruydenberg, because a few dayes before, the S••u••••i∣ers had in those parts taken Forts and Castles: And ••he Prince forwarded in them this error, at first, by a doub••full march; as if he intended to go to the Maes; but on a sudden, at the winding of the Rhine, turning into Issell, there met him Count William, and two thousand Frizons, drawn out of the Garrisons. Here Intelligence was received, both from Sir Francis Vere, and some Prisoners, that the Banck was to be possessed. Here the Enemy was secure, in other places he was afraid; and therefore, that the City was neither well fortifyed, nor victualled but for a few dayes; That the be∣sieged, before any Relief or Provisions could be brought to them, might be taken by fo••ce, there no being in the Town above six hundred Armed men, and nothing considerable of force, could be raised by the Citizens, most of them having formerly left the place, to avoid the Souldiers insultations. At the very first Skirmish, Count Falcosteyne, the chiefest of all Truxius his Commanders was slain, while he too furiously pursued the beaten Enemy flying into the Town, but his body

was fetched off, and rescued from villanous usage. Upon the River were placed Ships, fixed with Anchors, in form of •• Bridge, which reaching orderly from Banck to Banck, joyn•• the Souldiers Quarters together with a safe passage; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from thence, others were commanded to dismantle all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Guards upon the wayes; and another part were ordered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 draw oblike and crooked Trenches up to the Castle, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the casting up of the Earth, they might come, safe from the Enemies Darts or Shot, up to undermine the very Walls and to this work, the night was designed.

The Seamen and Marriners, whose readiness and co•• in Maritime Affairs, was here of very great use, for th•• brought thirty great Guns, with more celerity, than Horse part into a little Island in the River, and part against the main Buildings of the City, that they might with the conti∣nuall Thunder thereof, shake and, overthrow that part of the Works which was weakest, in regard the River was of it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a strong defence. But in the City, though struck with a s••∣den fear, yet they ran up and down every where, to prev•••• the Enemies endeavours, they increased the Rampi••es at the Gate, shut up by the foe, and within began new Works, by which time, a certain number of Cannon being shot off, ac∣cording to Military Custom, Messengers were sent by the Prince, with threats of the greatest extremity, unless they would submit and render the Town: They pray a time to consult, but that would not be granted; whereupon, consci∣ous to themselves, of the want of many things, and how f•• they were to defend the large circuit of the Walls, they •• rendered upon Articles, that the Souldiers should march a∣way safe and undisturbed, and the Townsmen, if they ple••∣ed, might stay, being ordered and governed according to the Laws and Customs of the confederate Cities. According to which conclusion, many Sieges afterwards being ended we shall not so often repeat the same.

The Spaniards found fault with the too hasty rendition of the Town, and therefore the Governour of it, as long as the Duke of Parma lived, was never suffered to come to Court. The fifth day, after the beginning of the Siege, was Zutphen delivered: it stands in an excellent Scituation, the River Bark•• runs through it, Issell passeth by it, as it comes from ••phalia, and not far off falling into the Rhine, by the la∣bour of Drasus, as it is believed. This with her neighbour-Towns and Country was of old subject to the Princes there∣of, who were called Earls; and there remains a distinct 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Jurisdiction, though it be now united to the body of G••lderland, not so much, by reason of its scituation be∣yond the Rhine, as by the intermarriages of Princes: Upon the same Banck stands Deventer, formerly a free City of the Aus••ike League, and the Metropolis of Over-Issell, under the Bishops power: Hither when the Army came with a swift march, at the very sight thereof, they were at a non-plus, not knowing what to do. But the strong Fortifications of the City, and the greatness of the Garrison, whereof the Army had Intelligence, being one hundred Horse, and fourteen Ensigns of Foot, made the Prince at a stand. Herman, Count Her••nberg, was Governour thereof, both an instructer, and an example of vertue and fidelity, he was neerly allyed by blo••d to Prince Maurice himself, as being born of his Aunt, and therefore so much the more envying the glory and splen∣dor of his Kinsman: Above all, the Duke of Parma was feared, least he should draw together Forces, and come and disturb them in their Siege, which if it should happen, there would be a necessity for them, either shamefully to fly, or doubtfully run the hazard of a battel.

And the taking of Zutphen, as it was a great incourage∣ment to all that hoped well, so was it a warning to others, that they should not endanger their gotten Honour, but ra∣ther preserve it for more certain advantages: On the other side, some that fled out of the City, brought Intelligence, that

the Souldiers were ready to mutinie, that there was not Vi∣ctuals to serve against a long Siege; nay, that they had not Gunpowder enough in any proportion for their Guns: which being understood, the middle course was resolved on, to wit, that they should with all speed, fortisie their Camp, stop •• all passages both by Land and Water, that no Messenge•• might be able to get to them with newes of Relief: But if the Enemy should hold out, it would be sufficient, that all the Bancks being guarded, they might for the future; easily passe to the other side, and force them, and this was the sum of the Counsel, before the expedition was undertaken.

Prince Maurice making a continual battery against the Town, upon the ninth day, to try the mindes of the besieged, drew up his Army before the Walls; then commands some Ships to be forthwith carried into the Channel, where the River passing by the City, is somewhat stopped, and to place them near the shore: These, in regard they could not be rowed, because of the narrowness of the River, some Seam•• drew under the very Walls with their hands, in spight of al the Enemies Shot; an undertaking certainly of such a na∣ture, as many couragious men, would have shrunk at: The Boats being placed in the very trench, and a Bridge made over them, every one was ready to take upon him the sho•• and assault, to merit the Princes prayse, who called it an ho∣nourable piece of Service, though it was not a work for or∣dinary Valour; Thus while they made so much hast, they hindred the Engineers, and the Bridge it self being a little too short, did not reach over to the other Bancks; The Wall is this place, together with an adjoyning Tower, was partly beaten down by the force of the battery, part of it yet being supported by Arches (for it was an antient Structure) and heaps of Earth thrown into the hollow places thereof; The choyce men that were to give the onset, and if they entred, to make good the place, were many of them drowned, some few onely attaining the shore by leaping.

I cannot in this place, passe by the glorious emulation of two Ensigns, the one of whom being killed upon the top of the Walls the other brought off both his own Colours, and those of his slaughtered Companion; But all this time, the Cannon did the greatest harm to the Enemy, yet could not force them from the Walls; for being full of Wine, they made rather a desperate than a valiant defence; Here in the first place, Count Herman fought with more than necessary Valour (in regard he was the Governour of the Town) but he did it to make good his Honour and fidelity. (For some Spaniards had not stuck to report, that it was an agreed de∣sign between the two Kinsmen.) Nor did he go away before the showres of Bullets yet continuing thick, he was in the darkness wounded. All night, the Princes men were fain to defend the Bridge from being burned, for the Enemy conti∣nually cast fire at it.

As soon as the Day again appear'd, and the Enemy now grown sober, saw plainly the Prince's Army before them in Battel Array, and the Bridge whole, the sight being also rea∣dy to begin again; then they considered their danger, espe∣cially upon the Return of some that had been sent as Spies; who reporting the Prince's strength, with the greatest Ad∣vantage, made their disgrace (in case they surrendred) to seem the less: Count Herman alone would not consent to surrender, but he being very ill with his Wounds (though he might suffer the Rendition, yet) could not hinder it: For the Townsmen now called to the Souldiers that guarded the Bridge, that they might have liberty to Treat; whereof the Prince being informed, and receiving from him safe Con∣duct, they went out: The Townsmen were left to the Con∣querours Mercy, and that thereafter they should have Magi∣strates appointed, not according to their own Laws and Cu∣stoms, but as should be thought convenient by the Ʋnited States of the Reformed Religion: And it appeared, that as Zutphen, so also Deventer, did not reckon the Spaniards

should dwell amongst them for ever; for that before the Siege they burnt their Huts, although they had not long be∣fore Wood enough: Before their departure, all the Captains and Officers were deliver'd bound, in vain lamenting the own Necessities, and the Civil Discords: But Count H•• would not believe, that the States were able to raise such numerous Forces; yet he, having been Governour, durst not go into the Spanish Quarters, fearing bitter and invete•• Accusers, and prepossessed Judges. Fit Garrisons being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 placed in the Cities lately taken, the Frizons beseeched 〈◊〉〈◊〉 That now at last he would think of them, whose Peace was di•••• bed by the pertinacious Obstinacy of one single City; and that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remained now but a few Towns and Castles, which if they were ta∣ken, the whole Country, between the Rivers Issel and Ems, would be free from the Enemies Incumbrances, and be intirely in the States Power: So much was their hope advanced, by these first Successes, that they, who till this time hardly durst un∣dertake any thing, now on a suddain, did not boggle at the most adventurous Enterprizes. With great speed therefore, an Expedition into Frizeland was begun; and least, in the absence of the Army, the Enemy should make any Im••∣ons, the Regiments lately raised in Holland, were ordered to keep good and strong Guards upon the Wael. The Prouisions of War, and all other Things that might impede their Jour∣ney, being put aboard some Ships, were carryed out of the Is∣sel into the Zuyderzee, and so through the Ocean to the River Ems.

The Souldiery, by this means, free from Porsage, onely in passing over the Marshes, they carryed, besides their Daily Provision, Faggots, were led into that part of Over-Issels which is called Drent, where the People had inclosed their Marshy Grounds, with a great many young Shoots of Places growing together; for the Enemy stopped the better way, being possessed of Coevorden, which some did advise the Ar∣my to take as they went, least from thence the Enemy should

p••e them in the Rear; averring, that Verdugo, who kept that Castle, might easily be beaten thence, either by some Stratagems, publike Force, or want of Victuals: But this C••••el was not approved, by reason of the difficult bring∣ing either of great Carriages for Battery in a Land-March; and also, because there was less necessity of fighting at Groe∣••••g.

Among many other inconveniencies, the Army met with, in their March thither, one was a Meor, containing in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Three Thousand five hundred Paces: And though the upper Crustiness of the Turf was so hardned, notwith∣standing Natural Moisture underneath, that it would endure a few to go over it; yet such as follow'd in the Third or Fourth Rank, sunk so deep into the yielding Mud, that they could hardly be drawn out, though sometimes their Captains came, and gave their helping hand to them, that so the Toil might not seem so grievous to the Souldier; and in a few hours the whole Army had passed it, which all the Inhabitants thereabouts had thought impossible to be done: But the Soul∣diers could not be restrained, by any Authority, to forbear Injuring to the Country as they marched, according to the Evil Custom of Armies, their pilfering, stealing, and wasting of what would have served for many days, had almost cau∣sed want of Provision; and that would have bred a Sedition, but that the Ships came in season, loaded with Provision, to prevent the same. Now were all the Tents pitched about Groening, where the Prince conceived a good hope of Suc∣cess, from the variable and unconstant behaviour of the Vul∣gar, against those in Authority, as also from the Discords within the City: But indeed, too confident in their words, by Relations above Truth, had for their own advantage drawn the Army thither: 'Tis true, there were some with∣in, who remembred the League of Union, but they were over-powred by the adverse Faction. Moreover, Verdugo, upon the Report of the Armies coming into those Parts, had

strengthned both Steo••wic, and Coevorden, with Garrisons; and with the Remainder of his Forces was come to Groening before Prince Maurice; yet was not for all that admitt•• within the Gates, (for the City when it first submitted, ex∣cepted that one particular) but kept his proper Guards in the Suburbs, as well to the Terrour, as the Aid of the City. The Prince not staying above six days there; for fear the City should, as out of Necessity, admit that Garrison within their Walls, and so, for the future, all their hopes be utterly lost; an likewise because he heard the Duke of Parma was pre∣paring an Army to raise the Siege, on a suddain falls upon all the circumjacent Forts, whereby all the Ways and Passages of Rivers were stopped: And which had in the Series of this long War, been often subverted by the Frizons, and as often re-built.

Great was the Fear and Dread of the Souldiers, as having been more accustomed to Theft and Depopulations, than Fighting; few of them en••uring more than the very sight of the Ca••on and the weake places they left without any Siege at all: The greatest Castle of all named Delfeziel, and famous for a H••ven, where Fivel falls into the Ems, was held by Souldiers of Groening; the conveniency of the place, had, of old, w••ough upon all, that desired the Dominion of the City, to get or keep i••; which the Duke of Alva attempted, but was hindred by the Times. The States now having got∣ten this place, inlarged the Old, and strengthned it with new Works making the Tributes of the places near thereto, bear the Charge; dividing the Sea-Bank from the Rampire, and building Houses therein, threa••ning Groening; That unless they repented, they would not leave it any Inhabitants. And at the same time, a great w•• of all Things shrewdly tempted the inclosed to alter their Faith, and consequently their Lords: But after the Prince had drawn away his Army, Ver∣dugo making his way by force, through the weakest Fort, opened a Passage to the City, out of Westfalia, by Bourtange:

But the Duke of Parma coming too late, to help either Zut∣••••, or Deventer and imagining the Enemy durst not have ••••••uted so far, for that many of the Spaniards, by reason of their ill pay, would not be commanded, doubtful whither he should lead his Forces, being now met together about the Maes and the Rhine, either to distract the Enemy in his De∣sign or to match after him voluntarily, which would be the more noble, and so to help Groening, as he was desired: he was deterred from the latter, by the excessive greatness of the Iourney; and besides, all the Country lying between, was wasted and spoiled, either by the Frizon Souldiers, or his own. Wherefore, at last, he resolved to answer the desire of Nimmeghen; whither being come, he commanded the River to be passed over, and the Fort, which Prince Maurice had the former year begun, to be besieged; himself would do all that was necessary in the City: Count Barlaymont lay up∣on that side of Knodsenburg, which looks Eastward: Another was Beleague••'d by Octavius, Count Mansfeldt, who was shortly after shot by the Besieged, and dyed of the Wound: He was a Noble Person, and although but young, yet ambi∣tious of Honour, and for the winning thereof, would shun no danger. The back-side of the Fort was inclosed by the Horse, and some other Regiments. Lamotte brought thither the Artillery with ease, by the help of the Rising Bank; He af∣terwards finding the Bulwark too strong for the Cannon, though a great part of the Ravelin was beaten down, and see∣ing the Enemy were not terrified, at the sight of the Army drawn up in Battel Array against them, filled the Trench with Oziers, and other Boughs, and after that sends some privately to undermine the Bulwark; they, in the mean time, who were to fill the Ditch, helping the Work forward, with many of their dead Bodies. But the Defendants, that were Six Hundred, under the Command of Gerard Junius, a Man of great Courage, were ready in all places, to answer the Force or Policy of the Enemy with Shot, and otherwise;

many times, by successful Sarlies, disturbing their enterp••∣sed beginnings.

At this time Prince Maurice had left Groening, and was going against Steenewie, when heating of the Siege of K••∣senburg, he left Count William to defend the Frizons, and himself, with a flying Army, coming to Arnheynie, an I••e of Holland, by Signs, encouraged the Besieged; and likewise from thence sent Messengers, that got through the adverse Army, unespy'd by Night in a Boat: But the Nassania•• Commanders differ'd in Opinion, whether they should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Enemy in the Field, and fight him; or, passing the Ri∣ver Wael, should fortifie themselves, and hinder their Adver∣saries of Provision, and make them leave the Works and Guns, they had setled upon the side of the Hill by Ni••••∣ghen: There was difficulty and danger in both these At∣tempts; for, without all doubt, the Enemy was stronger in Horse, whose Force and Valour they had often tryed, both in Fight and Forraging. At length Fortune determin'd their Doubt, which many times is as profitable as Prudence; for the Prince, with Count Solms, and Sir Francis Vere, being brought near the Enemies Camp, hid part of the forwardest Regiments, with some Troops, among the Thickets adjoyn∣ing to the way: Other part of the Horse were commanded to march a good way forward, to draw on the Enemy, upon whose approach, they were to seem to fly, as if they were overpower'd, (for most of the Italians in Ten Troops, among whom was the Duke of Parma's own Lifeguard were come out to pursue them) and they were not to face about, till they had drawn the Pursuers beyond the River, and a narrow Bridge that went over it; which being brought to pass, according to expectation, suddainly they that fled, tur∣ned again; and the others that lay in Ambush coming in, they were inclosed, and every valiant man among them dyed in the place he stood; the rest were scatteringly slain, as they

were met with, onely some few, while the Conquerours took the Ensigns, and some prisoners alive, and the Horses, escaped and fled to the Camp: With the grief whereof, and the loss of so many noble and valiant men, not thinking it safe any longer to stay in the Enemies quarters, he gave over his vain Siege; but pretending, that he was commanded to march once more into France, and that the great Affairs of the•• Kingdom were not to be neglected, in striving to win a few Forts or Castles in Holland: Wherefore, sending the Car∣riages before, he Transported his Army, having onely built some slight Works upon the River, to keep the Nassauians in play, least they should fall upon his Rear; and as soon as his Army was all over the Water, he commanded them to make a stand, that they might secure the ships coming after them: But the City was highly displeased at his departure; some few spoke of him favourably; most smother'd their Anger in a threatning silence; but the baser sort of people cover'd nothing of their Madness, but shew'd their Fury in their Speeches; as if they could by them draw back an Old General, that fled at the sight of a stripling Enemy.

Undoubtedly, Parma's Mind, having always been accu∣stomed to win Honour, was grievously afflicted with this Disgrace; so that his former Disease, now again increasing, be, together with his Son Ranutio (who lately came out of Italy, augmented his Fathers Vexation, that he should be a Witness of his Misfortune) went to the Spaw; there, among the variety of his present Discontent, and former Fortune, to drink of the Waters. From thence he sent to the Mutinous Spaniards at Diest; for pacifying whom, he gave a very pre∣judicial Example, to wit, That Emanuel Vega a Captain, who was more severe, than the Villany of the Souldiers would bear, should be displaced, and another put into his room.

The Citizens of Nimmeghen did many of them begin to look after Liberty, especially after Desperation had multiplied those Evils, which before they had scarcely undergone, with

the Promises and Expectation of better Things: For six years before, following the Duke of Parma's good Fortune; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by a general Consent, but the Faction of a small Party, when the Government of the United States, after a long time, and by much care, came to be setled, (without whose Consent, what∣ever Duty or Obedience they shewed, was without any Af∣fection) yet they chose Safety and Profit: And from that time, there began a mutual Commerce between them and the Hollanders, who suffer'd the Ships of Nimmeghen to go through the Wael; because then the Channel of the R•• wanted Depth of Water to bear them. But in the Garrison were Three Companies, one of Forreigners, two of men ••i∣sed within the Town, (for they positively refused to admit of more) and as any one offended more heinously the parties of the great Ones, they would, by vertue of their received Power, threatningly restrain or punish the Offenders. There wanted now onely a close Siege, least the Enemies Forces should lye at lurch about the Maes; and that was onely de∣layed by the excessive increase of Water in the Wael, so that there could not be had any use of a Bridge: However, the Souldier rested not long quiet in his Winter-quarters, though they were purposely at a great distance, the more to increase the Conquering Enemies Security: For Prince Maurice, prosecuting his good Fortune, draws out of his Garrisons part of the Regiments, and with them marches over the Scheldt into the Land of Wase; and at the same time, the Horse made an Intoad into Brabant: And the fifth day after, ha∣ving taken all the Forts thereabouts, Hulst, a Town in that Province, was deliver'd to him: The suddainness of the Action amazed the Garrison Souldiers, (for the Governor, by chance, was gone out of Town before the Siege, upon private occasions of his own) and also, because the Prince had digged through the Bank, to make the River overflow all the adjacent places, and by that means stopped the Enemy from assisting them.

The whole Land of Wase was given to the Souldiers, to spoil and pillage, until they promised Tribute, and sent Ho∣stages to the States, for payment of the same: But the Neigh∣bours of the Hollanders, seeing all the best of their Fruits, and other Provisions, possessed by the Enemy, Prince Maurice's Army being gone, as fearing to have bin met with unawares in the Enemies Country by the Duke of Parma, cause Mon∣drag••io, the Governour of the Castle at Antwerp, to take Arms; who, accordingly, with the next Souldiers he could get, and such as lived about the Maes, goes over the Scheldt, but not daring to look upon any Town, (for Count Solms defended them, and Repaired the Works) he reco∣vered the Forts and Sconces in the Country, and Erected some n••w ones, for the straitning or cutting off Excursi∣ons.

Hereupon, the Inhabitants of the Country denyed their promised Tribute, supposing, and not without Reason, that the Clemency of the Enemy would not break its wonted bounds, and revenge the injury upon the innocent pledges. All things succeeding thus, even beyond his wishes, the Prince once again drawing his Souldiers out of their winter-quarters, goes into Gelderland, which the Enemy had quitted; In this hasty Progress, some of his Ships, falling upon the shelves, he was constrained to burn; shortly after, recruited with the Forces of Count William (being twelve Ensigns) he entred the Wael, and united the Island, and the main Land, together with a Bridge. The Camp on both sides, was sorti∣fied against any Enemy that should come on their backs: The upper part of the Town, where the Walls were not lined with banks, he thought fit to batter, and because it seemed a great way to draw the Artillery, and incommodious withall, they were carried before the Town in the night, and by that meanes, the Defendants in Nimmeghen, for that in the dark they could not discern the quick motion of the Ships, spent all their Shot and Darts in vain.

At the same time, beyond the River, on the other Bank, there were other Military Engines to shoot into the Town At first, they resolved couragiously to defend the Town, and being not yet quite enclosed round, they sent to Verdugo, de∣siring him not to forsake them in that their extreme danger; for at this time, he was commanded to defend Gelderland, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had no forces, so that he might not immeritedly complain•• have onely forsaken places under his charge. After this, be∣cause they feared their Fortifications might be defective, al hand, of all Sexes and Ages, were imployed to make a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Work more inwards. There is a Castle in this place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not so much because it is impregnable by the Military ••is∣cipline of this Age, as for its being a Monument of ant•• greatness and prowess: The Townsmen attribute the glory of the Work to Julius Caesar, warring in these parts against Gaul. They tell us also, that the Catti built the City, who when of old they left their own Country, possessed this Island of the Rhine, and all the Neighbouring parts of Belgia. But it is evident to me in my search of old Authours, that here up∣peared no kind of City, either in the dayes of Caesar, or of Trajan, in whose Reign, Tacitus wrote in the Roman I••∣rary, written by Antoninus; this Nimmeghen began first to peep up her Head at the Wael, and that Charlemayne built a Palace therein, the French Chronicles declare, assuring us with∣all, that by the Normans, it was utterly consumed with fire; but the Germans not long after growing prevalent, it became a free City, and was a great while the Selected Seat of those Emperours. Untill by the Articles of the Pope, it was torn from the German Empire, in the divisions thereof, when William Earl of Holland got his share, and want of money still produced new occasions, it was pawned to Oth••, ••h••n Earl of Gelderland, from which time, being by reason of its so near vicinity to the Province of Geldres annexed thereto, it hath increased in power, growing rich by the long enjoy∣ment of peace, and having brought forth many ingenious

man; But to return to the Siege. As soon as the Cannon and Gra••••e••, and other private Stratagems, by Mines and the like, had now made the danger alike in every place, being once more summoned, they were divided into factions. The G•• ••n••s, and men in Power, boasted of the Kings Power, and that an Army was coming to their relief, both out of Frizeland and Flanders, there being no Reason, why Rene∣gadoes should have their revenge; But the common People gathering together with a sudden fury, broke into the Court, where after a long murmur, and humming noyse, at length, •• burst forth into words to this effect, first setting forth their misery in the stopping up of the River, their wasted lands, their ruined Houses, and the approach of Famine. [Neither, saith he, is this the first time, that we have by a Siege been forced to yield to our fortune; It is now a Year and upwards, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we have here lived in a wretched condition among these dan∣gers, glad to sock any corner to hide our selves in for safety; and the continued Series of our miseries is thus much more increased, for that we have unworthily and treacherously violated all Cove∣nant: But we unworthy of any help, and neglected by our Lords, of whom we have merited better things have received a very Sig∣nall favour from the Enemy unless perhaps now, us if bound to suffer the extremity, we still wait for relief from them, who refu∣sed to help us while they might; or which is as vain, that we should think with our own strength, and three little Bands of Souldiers, to overthrow those mountainous Fortifications, and raise a Siege which is so strongly setled and maintained. We shall be left as Zu••∣phen and Deventer; We have against all Reason, protracted the time beyond Hulste, and what hope have we? what Reward shall we receive of our obstinacy? Alas, wretches! nothing but to be conquered: Let us now at length shake off the Chains of a based and ingratefull Kingdom, while we receive him who now is reputed our Adversary, not as a powerfull foe, but a mercifull Conquerour. There is a sort of People, who alwayes wage War, that they may not be enslaved by others, yet never have any hope of

setling a Government among themselves; To these all Rivers •• Seas are open, they sail to all places for Commerce; their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flourish as in the undisturbed enjoyment of a continuall Peace; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are not impoverished either by their Governours and Magist•••• avarice or the rude licentiousness of Souldiers: while we pay •• less Tributes for the upholding our slavery, than for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our Laws and Customs: Let us become free among Fr•• and in enjoying that happy Name of a Common-wealth, instead of being conquered we shall be equall Conquerours, and have ••∣qual share both in Command and Government.]

This Speech being ended, many of the People did threa∣ningly murmur the same things, so that they who at the be∣ginning were averse, now went away, as consenting either out of fear, or for that they believed what was spoken was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 truth; And the Souldiery durst not resist, being well con∣tented, in regard of their inability, to have their lives saved; The City desired they might be permitted the use of the Ro∣man Catholick Religion, but it would not be granted: As so••n as it was delivered, Prince Maurice sent in a Garrison, and appointed a new Magistrate, and this privilege he took •• himself, during the War, abrogating the power of incor∣rupted Fraternities, as the onely nurse of Sedition, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Neighbouring Towns were ruled by a Senate, unless th•• for the dispatch of more weighty Affaires, some were by chance elected from among the People: Thus enjoying the greatest part of Gelderland, he restored the antient splendor of his Family, for that formerly, the Princes of the Name and Blood of Nassau had governed that Province.

The Siege of Steenwic was thought fit to be deferred, be∣cause the Winter was now come, very hurtfull, by the Frost and Ice, to marches and obnoxious to carriages, nor would it have been any thing better, if it should either rain or snow, because the natural moysture and marishness of the ground would be exceedingly increased; wherefore the Prince re∣turning Victor into Holland, loaden with honourable fame,

even among forraign Nations, he was received by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, even with an excess of joy.

The people of old were wont to rejoyce at their Princes good fortune, as from Command, not obliged by duty. They had known the former Prince of Aurang onely in disguise, under the Cloud of adverse fortune. And in the Earl of Lei∣cester's time, they were perplexed between private discords, and publick murthers: Now only they saw their bounds en∣larged by Arms, and their Government setled by Rivers, and strengthned with fortifyed Towns, and yet their Leader re∣quiring no other satisfaction for all his pains and labour, than the glory thereof, the benefit of the success being wholly left to the Country; which looked not only with hope. ••ut ad∣••••tion at his youth, as if it had been on purpose, set apart by the divine Providence, for such weighty undertakings.

And then again, casting their unsatisfied eyes upon his countenance, they gratefully reverenced that tender Age, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Blood, which had so often thrown it self upon dangers for their defence. And without all doubt, the Princes good fortune was much forwarded by celerity; besides, he had learned the exquisite Arts of Fortification, both as to the of sensive and defensive part, the besieging or defending Towns, and as far as the present Age was able to instruct him, was well practised in the encamping of an Army.

The Enemies were nothing so industrious, their confi∣dence (as it is generally observed) breeding carelesness and slouth, and sometimes overweening Temeri••y. They who are weakest in power, are for the most part strongest in Coun∣sel, as ayming to supply by prudent Resolutions and Indu∣stry, what is deficient in strength. Fame also is a great assi∣stant, where the first happy events are multiplyed to the great supportation of liberty. But the mayn of all, was the strength of Shipping among so many Rivers, without which the rest would have profited but little.

According to Custom, the Souldiers wintered in Garri∣sons, from whence many times, small parties going out wi••h various success, brought in booty, or were circumvented by the Enemy. During which times also, stratagems were fre∣quently used for getting of Towns; such were they, where∣by here Gertruydenburg, Maestrict, and Scluys, were offered at; and in another part, Breda was endeavoured to be taken but the Ambushy being discovered, the Armies marched back, frustrate of their designs. Now was the Sea scowned from Pyrates, and the Duke of Parma being for France, re∣ceived joyfully an Embassie sent from the Emperour, to m•• and mediate a Peace: But the United Provinces, suspected it, as they had reason; but chiefly, be∣cause they had intercepted Letters from the King of Spain, written concerning it: wherefore they shut their e•• against those old deceits, warned by the fresh example of the Arragonians, who, while they unwarily discoursed of li∣berty, were surprised by craft, and drawn into slavery and ruine.

These People of Spain, of old called Tarraconia, now ••••∣garly Arragon, first getting possession of that part of the Country by Arms, which barbarous Nations, from the other side of the Sea, had invaded, by the Counsel of such as we•• esteemed wise among them, erected a Commonwealth; At the beginning, Kings (that name and honour being given to a li∣mited power) were chosen here by the suffrages of the people, afterwards by the Custom of several Nations, their Heirs were admitted by Succession to the Government, yet obliging them to the observance of the Law, whereby they who were then eminent, as foreseeing the inconveniencies of a Kingdom, conveyed some power to the people whose Au∣thority was to be used in publick Counsels, and gave a privi∣ledge of Supreme Magistracy, even over the Kings them∣selves, and these boundaries were well observed, as long as the Princes were careful to do Right and Justice, and made

use of no Forces to defend Crimes. But afterwards there hap∣pening a Conjunction of Kingdoms, and all Spain, by that means, becoming subject to King Philip, all mens patience was tryed by the severity of the Inquisition, and every thing by new forms of Judgment was disposed, and they rather fit∣ted to the pleasure of the Court and Courtiers, then squared by the Rule of the antient Law, or Prescript order of Justice. The Case of Anthony Perez was greatly commiserated by the People, who having been employed by King Philip, about E••o••vedo's death, was yet by him falsly accused of but an ordinary fault, for which deprived of all Authority, and fly∣ing from Castile, he was yet prosecuted by the Kings rage, in∣to this Region, for the King hated him, because he had been active as a procurer in matters of Love. And when he In∣struments of wrath, impudently opposed the Laws, and would by no means suffer Justice, they were resisted by force, and the first commotions being provoked by force, were after∣wards nourished by gentle endeavours and dissimulation; And as the Tumults begun under a malevolent constellation, so the City was perswaded under pretence of the French War, to suffer the Kings Army to come through its Borders, and to march through Sarragosa, the Metropolis of that Region, and so to go over the Pyrenean Mountains: But instead thereof, the Nobles were murthered, and every one, that ei∣ther with Tongue or hand, had been forward to advance li∣berty was by revenge marked and for the future, nothing re∣mained, but a prospect of Tyranny and slavery.

Although these things are not suitable to my purpose, yet I have not neglected to insert them here, at such times as they happened, that Posterity may compare their fortune, and the Netherlanders together, that as well the faults of Princes may be known, as the People may be instructed, that many times the cause is no less to be minded, than the Forces of a King.

While these Transactions were a foot otherwhere, the

King of France being recruited with German Souldiers, and English Auxiliaries, besieged Roan, Queen Elizabeth desi∣ring that he would inclose the Enemy between the River Seine, and the British Ocean: this made the French Confe∣derates with Parma, take his long stay the worse, who being slow in making ready his Warlike preparations, or else con∣sulting of some higher design, how to augment the dangers, at last, though late in the year, having first received the Town of Fer in pledge, he drew near to the Borders of Nor∣mandy; There were in his Army several new raised men, and those Regiments which had lately fallen into a mutiny, but now were restored to their Colours, being full of booty, and having also received their pay, which the Duke of Parma very hardly extorted by the encrease of Tributes, and selling the right of Commerce to the Enemies, the Netherlanders not without cause complaining, that their Borders were left na∣ked, and their mony and strongest men carryed away to help strangers.

Pope Gregory sent also Assistance to the French Rebels, •• thing not used by his Predecessors, terrifying also their foes with cursings and threats, such as might have frighted a for∣mer Age; but such as either feared damage, or loved profit, forbore to meddle; and such as really intended help, were soon taken off by old age. It is manifest, that Sixtus, with∣holden by envy to the Spaniard, and rather than he would augment his Wealth, inclined to the French King, and this many suspected to be a cause of hastning his death.

Against the plague of this concuring War, the United States rigged a Fleet, and sent to the King for a Guard, of the very ••lower of all their Regiments, ten Ensigns of Scott, and the like number of Netherlanders, under the Command of Philip Nassau: But when the Duke of Parma (for now he mustered his Army) long delayed his March. King Henry dismissed for the Winter, most of the Nobility that were faithful to him, and the only support of his necessitated War,

that he might have them the more ready another time; They were scarce departed, when the King hearing of the Ene∣mies approach to assault him, was compelled to draw his Forces together, and by that means, the Siege was raised. But when the entrance of the Spring had brought him a Recruit of Horse he pressed upon the Enemy, and forcing him beyond the River, pinched him with Famine, for he was impatient of any longer delay, and ready to decide the cause by Bat∣tel, if the Duke of Parma silently repassing the River, had not marched towards Paris. Wherefore the King leaving Ro••n, and taking some other Ports on that Coast into his power, and fortifying them where they wanted, he brought to passe, that thereafter he could not be hindred of any assistance coming to him by Sea. In this Interim, there were some light skir∣mishes, famous only in this, that in one the King was woun∣ded, and in another, the Duke of Parma, which wound trou∣bled him mo••e than his old Disease, for cure whereof, he had gone to the Spaw: And now wearied with France, about the latter end of Summer, he brings his ragged Regiments through Vermandois, the nearest way to the Netherlands.

At this time, the English, while the Spaniards passed back∣wards and forwards in America and other places, very much annoyed them, both the Wind and the Sea conspiring against them, to deliver them up as a publick Enemy. And whils they have spoiled one another, the tempestuous Sea spared neither.

And now also, that anniversary plague of mutinous parties returned into the Netherlands, and that with the more vio∣lence, because the Mutineers not only wanted their pay, but were pinched with the miseries of Winter. Some that were quartered about the Cities of Colen grew very outragious, as looking upon Germany, as able to yield them booty enough; But such as remained about Leige, and the Country near thereto, after they had by a long stay wasted all the Country about, part ran away to other parts, but most of them perish∣ed

either by poverty or Diseases; and if any yet continued healthy, they were so accustomed to discord, that they would range far and wide to wast and destroy; and by this meanes, more was to be maintained, yet there were fewer to defend it. But the Land, under the United States, was more restrain∣ed, having for defence in most places, Rivers running round about it, and the Sea securing another part. Besides the va∣lour and vertue of the Citizens was well known, that they who were raised in the inner part of the Country, would help to defend the furthest parts thereof, and be faithful Sup∣plies to the Regiments abroad. Hence it was, that there was a desire to go out with some part of the present Forces, while the Duke of Parma was not yet returned; and if they had made hast, without doubt, many of his men wearied with Travel, and worn out with Battels, and then also coming from a strange Country in the Winter, would not have been able to have encountred half the number of their Enemies. But laying aside talk, they began to think of action. Holland in∣sisted upon the Siege of Gertruydenburg. But the Frizons were preferred before all, that the prosperous beginnings of the last year might be perfected in this, themselves also offering their own Souldiers, of whom they never need to fear a scar∣city, if there be a War continued for any time: And indeed, these were the main strength of the Union, as long as the other Regiments attended the War in France.

About this time, some Letters written by the Groningers, to Count Mansfeldt, were intercepted, which declared the necessity of their condition, and how want of all things grew upon them: Moreover, they sent some selected Deputies to the Emperour, to tell him, they had not fled to the greatness of the House of Austria, when they were free, that now they should be left undefended to the Government of Deputies, and laid open to the injuries of their Enemies: should they never be so happy, as to see their General and his Army, at least for example sake, that no people might seem to have fol∣lowed

the fortune of that great House, without Reason, or unadvisedly? Which complaints being sent into Spain, pro∣duced yet no other effect, than Exhortations to fidelity, and great promises, that an Army should come, and cut open their passages with the Sword. One Regiment was added for defence of those places held beyond the Rhine. And while Verdugo endeavours by all means to encrease his Forces, Her∣man Count Heremberg, daring nothing further, infested only the lesser Fortifications about Issell, from whence the Inha∣bitants took an occasion to contract, that they would under∣go the sudden brunt of both sides, and that they should enjoy by the levelling of the Castles, a common possession of their Lands, untill both Armies had decided their quarrel by a pitched Battel in the Field. At this time, as it were on pur∣pose to hinder Prince Maurice his March, the newes of the Ʋtrecht Factions came to his Ears, for that unquiet City had not yet forgotten those differences in Religion, which were begun in the Earl of Leicesters time: And Zeland lying far from the reach or defence of his Sword, began to deny the payment of their Taxes and Assesments; but these being all by him easily and with speed composed, in that same Spring he marched out, not with any new raised Bands, but for his supply and recruit, he had sent Orders to several Captains: And thus he did muster of Hollanders and Frizons, eight thou∣sand Foot very near, and five hundred Horse, and of Artil∣lery, greater and less, fifty.

As soon as they were come to the utmost Border of Over-Issell, which looks towards Frizeland, the Walls of Steenwic were in sight, the greatness of whose strength & Fortification, as well as the fame of the Town, took up all their thoughts: And some of the States being of late terrified therewith, as also divers forreign Princes, judged it a very rash undertaking; for they remembred, that this was the place from whence they had driven Renneberg, after a Siege of three months, nor had he then a less Army, nor wanted any defences, that were

found necessary, either by custom or fear; for the Spaniard after he had taken it by stratagem, supposing that Frizeland would thereby be as it were shut up, and that the Zuydare might be sufficiently molested with Ships, added to the mo∣dern fortification, what ever might be advantagious against all those violences, whereof the Wars of former Ages w•• ignorant. On that side which looks towards the Sea, was only a low marshy ground, scarcely bearing any to wa•• thereon, much less fit for the drawing of Carriages with great Guns, or serviceable to raise Batteries: wherefore this ground being lightly thrown up, did rather inclose, this strengthen the Town on that side.

Another part was encompassed with a Rampire made of a stiff Clay, intermingled and made strong with Timber-logs, piled one upon another, so that it was consolidated without any possibility, almost of divulsion. There were two great Forts, and between these two little ones, excellently raised by Art, so that on every part they flanked the Assaylants; and besides the••e there was a Gallery for the Defendants, and at the bottom of the Fortifications, to stop all that should come to scale, there was a continued rank of Palisadoes: from hence the Trench began, a hundred foot in bredth, whereinto wa∣ter was drawn to fill it with a Mill, from a small River, which cometh out of Drente, and being a little shallower than the Trench, passes thence to the Blocksile Port, it falls into the Zuyderzee.

Beyond the Trench, there is another Work, or Counter∣mure, kept by continual Guards day and night, and is fit to make Sallies, being moderately hollow and bending; for the other Bulwarks that lay further off, and divided from the Town, they were taken without any difficuly. The Besieged were sufficiently supplyed with two things, to wit, number of men, and obstinacy, for the Town (which is not very large) had in it, a thousand well Armed Foot, and six hun∣dred Horse, who all resolved to suffer the greatest extremi∣ties

imaginable, rather than render the Garrison: He who was Governour, named Anthonio C••quelle, had bound them all by Oath, that they should thereafter, never fear for any necessity that should follow: Neither were they more con∣firmed by their own strength, and the hope of timely Relief, tha•• by their Enemies small number; And some of them, out of their own proper sence of their crimes, committed at Gertruydenberg, by the desperation of life, contemned death.

The difficulty of the Enterprize, very much incited Prince William, as well with the hope of Honour and prayse, at the present, as of terrour and dread for the future: The Leaguer was well fortified, wherein there was not only an abundance of Victuals, but the same was very cheap: Then the passage was cut off by many turnings, by which means, the Souldier went as it were, under coverture, and defended against the Shot of the Town; Sometimes the Besieged made Sallies, and not altogether without success, while for the most part, they found the Besiegers either drunk, unarmed, or half asleep; but this did not happen very often, because the infinite da∣mage of the besieged Souldiers, and the State of Affairs in the Town, could not be learned by any fear or threats, no not from such as were taken Captive. Daily did the Besieged calumniate and rail against both the Prince and his Army, al∣though on both sides the Cannon, with perpetual Thunder, spoke even sufficient hatred, and a new Bulwark, whose hilly rising twenty foot high, and more, threatned some great dan∣ger to the Town, this new Work, at the very top of it, con∣tained in length, threescore foot, and in bredth, fifty foot, from whence they could shoot into the very innermost parts of the Town: yet for all this, and the loss of so many of their men, they were nothing moved, among whom was slain Lewis, Brother to Count Herembergh. At this time, the Be∣siegers erected a great Tower of Wood, after the manner of Antiquity, to drive away the Defendants from their Stations,

and to overlook their Works, this the Besieged, finding ••he could not reach the heighth thereof with their other Engines, endeavoured to break it with their great Bullets: The Prince, when he perceived the terrible noyse of his Shot to be a vain, though with great cost and labour, and that the Besieges were rather encouraged to see their Town thus vainly at∣tempted, least the intervenient places should be possessed, he falls to other devises, as where the Land was more solid, and would endure Mining, he commands thither Pioneers, with Matrocks and other Instruments for digging, and orders them to undermine the place. And so the outward Work be∣ing pierced (though the Cannon could not hurt it) they were now come to the Trench, which they filled up with Faggots and Bavins: the Besieged all this while, mocking at the Princes Souldiers that would submit to such terrible labours.

Then what could not privily be wrought further, the great Guns, brought through the Mines and Galleries, easily laid flat. And now the very Rampires that encompassed the Town came to be Mined, when a suddain Infection dissolved all the Defendants Courages, and involved them in such a Pannick Terrour, that they knew not what to shun, nor what to defend. They were chiefly disanimated by the want of Gunpowder, of which having by Letters before complained to Count Mansfeldt, they had not received any Answer, for that he himself daily expected Forces, and they looked for Money, and that was not to be had till the Duke of Parma's Return: Hereupon a Treaty is desired, and accordingly Commissioners admitted and heard. The Prince required all Renegado's to be deliver'd to him, that they might be punish'd according to their deserts, and that the rest should take an Oath, that for six Moneths they would not take up Arms be∣yond the Rhine. And this was to them an Example o•• Testi∣mony of his power. But the Commissioners, looking upon themselves as yet in a Conquerour's power, whereby they should be forced to submit to such hard Laws, go away full

of Contumacy and Malice; as if they had resolved, since they could not freely live, that they would fairly die: But some believed, that this Treaty was set a foot without any ne∣cessity, that the Besieged might not be aware of the ap∣proaching Relief, which Verdugo the next Night following sent to them, to the number of Three Hundred Men, two hundred having a little before gotten to them over the Mar∣shes: But Prince Maurice, having pre-instructed his Men in what he designed to do privately, shews his Army in Bat∣tel-Array, as if about to storm, they had been brought to the place; appointed for them; and that he might draw the Be∣sieged into an ambiguous fear to their Ruine, he had hidden in two places the famousest Engine of War now used, of whose use, the Antients were utterly ignorant; but our Age, abounding more with Malice and Cunning, have found it out. It is thus made: Coals mixed with Sulphur and Salt-Peter, very much dryed, if you put fire thereto, will swell exceedingly, and cannot be inclosed, but will force its way through all Obstacles, Guns, and other Military Instru∣ments filled herewith, by the force thereof throw Gads and pieces of Iron and Bullets to a very great distance; and if it be laid into the Ground, and cover'd with Earth, it will throw far and wide abroad all that lyes upon or near it. We call it commonly Gun-powder: Several great Vessels fill'd herewith were placed in the Mines; which Vessels being bound about with Match of a great length, upon the Enemies approach to the Mine, being lighted with like powder, car∣ryes the fire to all the rest, which in the bursting, maketh a dreadful Noise, carrying up into the Air, in a thick Cloud of Smoke, intermingled with Fire, all about it, and upon a sud∣dain, overthrowing all the Works, with the certain Ruine of all persons st••nding in defence of the same: But many of the Enemy, fearing such a danger, in time stood off; yet at the springing of that Mine, Bodies of Men might have been seen hovering piece-meal in the Air, the torn and divided

Members, yet retaining their decaying vigour and mode••, and, instead of Darts, proved Instruments of Death to other.

But the other Mine, having cast down a part of the R••∣pire, and the Mouth not being well closed, or else for that the old Foundation of the Work reverberated the Force, the main operative strength of the Powder flew backward, where∣by divers of them that went before the Banners, were either by the fall, or flying of the Earth, thrown up into the Air, or buried in an untimely Grave; Some also not escaping the very fire: And now the Army began to prepare to scale the Walls; and another Company thereof endeavour'd to break the Bars and Fastnings of the Gates, when Prince Maurice coming a little too near to take a view, was wounded by; Bullet shot from the Town, which News presently ran from hand to hand, yet he nothing changed therewith, staid and maintained his Commands, and gave Orders to his Captains as he was wont at other times: But in the hinder part of the Army, the Report thereof was made much worse, insomuch that the Army began to be amazed at it, every one feigning to himself as present, the Evil which he most feared: Where∣fore the Assault being for a while forbidden, least the danger falsly believed, might open an occasion to further damage re∣ally; and because also, many of the Souldiers were wounded, and the inner parts of the Town were not sufficiently disco∣vered, though the Wooden Tower before-mention'd, were gotten very near: But the Rage of the Souldiery scarcely began to be appeased, when upon another view of the Town the difficulty of the Assault appeared: However, the Be∣siegers possessed all the ruinous places, which the Mines had made, and turned into heaps, placing thereon their Ensigns; but the Remainders of the Bulwarks were yet defended, which Prince Maurice labour'd also to undermine, and there∣upon to give an Assault: In this interim, the Besieged had drawn a Trench about the Market-place, not that they hoped thereby to save the place, but onely by such delays to work

for themselves an opportunity to obtain Articles. They saw Artillery brought thither, and knew there was little help or safety in that Entrenchment, but that the same would rather be a Defence to their Enemies, and that if they should joyn in Fight, they being the fewer in number, must needs perish. Thus being subdued in all ways, before their Resolutions stooped, they obtained Articles that were neither hard nor dishonourable: Particular care being taken for one Samarin•• his safety, who was a Noble Person among the Jesuits; and for the granting of these Articles, the Authors thereof were they of the Senate, that were present with Prince Maurice, and of his Council; who considering the necessity of the time, for they understood that Mondragonio was mustering the Spanish Army, rather chose, that the Souldiers Minds should be in∣flamed with a gotten Victory, then held any longer in su∣spence; and whoever offer'd injury to the Souldiers, as they marched out, was severely punish'd. There went six hun∣dred intire, beside two hundred sick and wounded; so that by various kinds of death, near five hundred perish'd. Above twenty days were spent in repairing the Works about Steene∣wi••, and various Debates in Council, while the Hollanders, and such as lived at distance from the War, adjudged they had won honour enough, and would not have the now wearied Army go to stir up, or meet any fresh Dangers: But indeed, being privately afraid, least the Frizons, together with their Fear, should also cast off their Obligations, and refuse to bear a share in the Burthen of the War.

At this time, there fell out another Impediment unexpe∣cted; for Queen Elizabeth recall'd all her Souldiers, to drive the Spaniards from the Coasts of Bretaign in France, not without upbraiding the States, concerning those Auxi∣liaries they sent the French King, without her Knowledge or Counsel. Notwithstanding all which hindrances, yet all they that lived beyond the Rhine, as also the desire of continuing their Honour, moved them to attaque Coevorden, a Town and

Castle seated so, as not easily to be approached, and for that famous for many Ages. In the Wars of our Ancestors, and even in this among our selves, every one as he possessed the Country, beyond or more inward, either lessned or increased the Works: At last, the Spaniards fortified throughly; to be as a Defensive Bulwark, both to Drente and Groe••ngen, and likewise to secure a Passage into Germany; Five great For•• stood out beyond the Rampires, and there were little Mo••••es raised for advancing the Cannon; the Trench was an hun∣dred Foot wide, and fenced before with Pallisado's; and that which added strength to all these was, the nature of the place it self; for upon the two sides thereof, to wit, between the Zuyderzee, and the Bay of Dullart, in which space is comprehended Frizeland, Drente, the Territory of Gro••∣gen, and part of Over-Issel; the one among the Marishes, and lyes between that and a little Bay, whereby the Country people used to send over their Oxen and Cows into B••∣theime, a little County in Germany; and from thence, at first, was the Original of Coevorden. This therefore being taken, both Groening might be quite closed up, there being no other coming thither, than what was Artificial, and also the whole County of Frizeland might be freed from the Incursions of the Enemy.

The whole Face of the Country is very plain and exceed∣ing Moory, and full of Mud, which is never hard or dry e∣nough to bear any Weight by the greatest heat of Summer, or violentest burning of the Dog-Star: For the securing of Provisions, because the Bounds of the United Provinces were as yet far distant, and there was no River, but onely a little Ri∣vulet which runs by Coevorden like a Trench, it pleased the Prince to Garrison Otmarsen. This Town lyes in the ex∣treamest part of the Country of the Tubantes; whither the Prince being come with part of his Army, while the Camp and Leaguer were Fortifying, he drove away the Spaniards with his Guns, whose Horse, rather than they would be Be∣sieged

there, broke through the middle of the Enemies. Here was kill'd by the Enemies shot Charles Levinus Famarsh, who having, for a long time, taken the part of the Confederate Nobility, at this time was General of the Ordnance, a Man excellently skill'd, as well in the understanding and manage∣ment of doubtful and difficult Affairs, as the most pro∣sperous.

Now was a very handsom Sally made out of Coevorden, wherein many were slain, whose Bodies the Besieged desi∣ring, that they might have Christian Burial, they were deli∣ver'd to them: Frederick Count Heremberg, with six hun∣dred Souldiers, part of whom were sent to him through the Marshes, defended the Castle, but he burned the Town, least it should defend the Enemy, in their Battery and breaking down of the Walls, or else should be burdensom to him to keep: yet he seemed to maintain the Ground-plat thereof, though onely out of design to protract time; untill the Prince by digging entred it, and beat out those who stayed to fight in defence thereof, and then raising a Mount, he plant∣ed his Cannon for battery.

The Works which were without the Trench round about the Castle, being over-hasty deserted, the Besieged them∣selves, voluntarily set on fire the Bridge: And now as soon as they were gotten to the Trench, the Prince received In∣telligence, what plenty of all things the Besieged had, onely they had but one Well of water to drink off, so that in the night, they were forced to come to the Trench for water, the same environing the Castle with a very great deepness: This he found might be dryed up with Engines, and likewise the Springs of the Well be stopped, or at least intercepted. But at the beginning of the work, it appeared, that there was an encrease of Water under the ground, through continual bub∣ling Springs, which according to the nature of that Element, will follow, whithersoever the Workman can design to draw it; Not was it long, before divers falling shoures yielded

comfort to the Thirsty Besieged, and put a stop to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 But the French, which was fed by certain little C•• brought from the Marishes, was drawn dry and fill'd; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more safe passage, had placed thereon Devices, made of ••∣ber and Hurdles, so that the Souldiers might come safely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the very Walls; the Flanks and Fronts of the Builders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 secured, either by the darkness of the Night, or a Line 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beyond them: Between which Coverts, great Posts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 indifferent distance being fixed, were cover'd with Pl•• and Earth cast thereupon, to prevent the Enemies shot, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preserve them against fire: Being thus conveyed, they ••∣dermined the Rampire at the very Bottom; but the Can∣non, from more convenient places, had beaten down all the Curtain, and driven away the Defendants.

While these things were doing here, Mondragonia, in the mean while, furnish'd divers little Castles and Forts in the Country of Brabant; by the taking and forcing of which, the Hollanders, for some years past, had fetched thence, a•• well great Booty, as exacted Tributes: This was his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Care, while the main strength of the Government beyond th•• Rhine, was by the hands of Assailants and Defendants eve•• almost destroyed. But as soon as the Duke of Parma re∣turned from France, Verdugo was very earnest with him, to carry his Army that way: But the Souldier was over-••∣ryed with Travail, and besides required, before he would stir any more, the Pay that was due and in Arrear: Yet neverthe∣less he obtained, that Ten Thousand Foot, should be drawn together from sundry parts, and 7 Cornets of Horse should be deliver'd to him, to undertake that Journey, and if he saw convenient to fight the Enemy; besides, he was to be Re∣cruited with Three Thousand more out of the Garrisons be∣yond the Rhine.

Prince Maurice receiving Intelligence of these preparati∣ons, in regard the compass of the Leaguer was greater than he could safely make good against the Besieged, and withall

defend himself from an External Force that might come at his ••ack; he therefore began new Works more inward, lea∣ving and dismantling the former: There came also to him out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Regiment of Collonel Stolberg, as a Supply for these Souldiers, which the prosperous, though not unbloudy S•• of S••nic, had consumed and wearied: The English Regiments also returned, and the Hollander's Auxiliaries which had been in the French Service; Count Philip of Nas∣sau being order'd to bestow the wearied men into Garrisons, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to draw out in their stead such as were fresh, with which he should defend Gravewaert, the Watch Tower for the V••r, and turn towards the Enemy, if by chance he should ch••fe the Isle of Holland, or either of the Coasts adjoyning, or near thereto, for the Seat of the War, and to follow him whi∣thersoever he went: Also, Frederick Count Heremberg, either from Intelligence, or Conjecture, had conceived to him aforehand, the hope of Relief that would suddainly come to him; and therefore being required to deliver up the Castle, he answer'd, That they must stay yet some Moneths first. A few ••ts before, the English Regiments, and the other Forces un∣der Count Philip of Nassau, did arrive at the Camp or Lea∣gue••; Verdugo having got past the Rhine, by taking a long Circuit as far as Berck, had pitched not far from Prince Maurice, at a place called Emlichem, prying with all dili∣gence into the scite and manner of the Prince's Camp; and not onely with his Eyes, but by the Treachery of a Noble Person, with whom the Prince, at that time, was very fami∣liar; whose fault also the Prince afterwards pardon'd, though it were manifestly proved: The Enemy had conceiv'd a hope of straitning the Prince's Army of Victuals, but when they knew there were two ways to supply him, and that the Marishes lay between them; and because his Forces were not enough numerous to be divided, he resolved to try the strength of his Weapons and Men in an intire Body.

Now were Fires seen frequently, whereby he admonish'd, the Besieged, that they should not be wanting to his Design, being altogether ignorant, that they could not sally, because their Bridge was broken down: But Night drawing on a∣pace, the Spaniards, notwithstanding the delay in their pas∣sage from the Bridge, over the River Vecht, assault the ou••e•• Camp, where the Prince had placed Stolberg with his Regi∣ment, and a strong party of Horse, in a place very convenient, for as well in regard of the Trees as the Waters. The Ene∣my had chosen to assault this place, because they guessed the Horse-Guards would not be over-diligent in their Watch▪ and the new Regiment was hoped to be unskill'd in all things belonging to War; and thereupon they began to creep o•• the Trenches in every part, to attempt to scale the Rampire, and successively climbed up one in the Foot-steps of ano∣ther.

But the Nassauians, although they suspected that Night, as if with the light security returned to them went to sleep, till they were suddainly awaked with the noise of their Enemies Voices, at a distance, threatning ••errour, and crying out, that the Camp was taken: Nor could the Battel be discover'd, either by hastning thither, or the place: They who were unready, or half asleep, catching up presently such Weapons as came next to hand, by chance made a stand at the doors of their little Huts, while the Horse fought with the Enemies Foot: Certainly, this danger was averted, chiefly by the Valour of the Commanders, who gather'd together from the innermost Tents, the most couragious Souldiers, to make strong Defence; Above the rest, Coun. William of Nassau▪ who was the more careful in this regard, for that he contrary to the Opinions of many, had perswaded the beginning of this Siege, bringing out beyond the Camp, as many Horse as he could get together, fell in upon the Enemies Flank: Al•• they that entred the Camp were slain; and they that follow▪ them were stopped and driven back; and by this time, the

clear Day light appearing, turned the Invention of their di∣stinguishable Mark against themselves; for being thereby certainly known, they were as certainly slain: But they who were without, stood round about the Camp in a Ring, as if they were yet ready, or resolved to take the same, puft up indeed with a vain Confidence, because they had been used to Conquer, and for fifteen years together had onely seen the Backs of their Adversaries, or their places of abode. But now the whole Army of the United States being together in Arms, easily beat off the rash Assailants, sometimes in one place, sometimes in another; yet for all their Repulse, they retreated in good order, not betaking themselves to flight, though they were most cruelly gall'd by the Cannon, which was a great means of their future safety, after such a bloudy B••cketing: And Prince Maurice, contenting himself pru∣dently to have won the Victory, commanded his men not to pursue the Spaniards in their Retreat. In the Camp, (a strange and incredible thing to be fore-told) onely two or three were kill'd, but many were wounded, among whom was Count William the Governour of Frizeland; Many days afterwards, the Spaniard vauntingly drawing his men into Battalia, challeng•• as it were into the field, the other Army, who were not over-hasty to run into danger, as being ruled by more sound Advice. And now was the hope of the Be∣sieged turned into fear, when they saw their Companions beaten off from those Works, where they had at first gained; and the rather too, because the Top of the Fortress, that was to be seen above the Rampire, was overthrown, and another which the Besiegers had substituted, was endanger'd by the Pioneers. Hereupon, the other Officers and Souldiers also earnestly perswaded Frederick to surrender, who was very unwilling thereto, blaming him further, as not understanding the danger they were in: They desired, that they might have leave to consult with Verdugo, but that would not be grant∣ed.

But the Princes granted the rest of their Desires the more readily, because the moist Temperature of the Heaven, and inclination of the Air to Rain, would cause a difficulty, in bringing Provisions to himself, and his own Army. Thus was Coevorden surrendred, and committed by the Prince to the keeping of the Prizons, though they of Over-Issel denied their consent to the same; maintaining, that as well the Castle, as the whole Region belonged to them, and they of Dre••te af∣firming to be part of their Jurisdiction, and never to have belonged by any Antiquity to them of Over-Issel, unless that they might not transmit their Enemy through their Bor∣ders.

The Armies were not yet departed from one another, but lay idle, out of a mutual fear; the States gave theirs to the King of France, for that the Burden of the War lay more hea∣vy upon him: Shortly after, when Autumn had made an end of all those that were ill before, by choaking them up with Rheums and Catarrhs, the Duke of Parma, though much in∣disposed as to bodily health, yet undertakes a new Journey into France, that he being present with an Army, might mo∣derate and sway the Parliaments of that Kingdom, which the Companions and Allies of the Spaniards had summon'd to meet the next Year: But his strength failed him, not being able to undergo so great Toil, in the Borders of Artois; where, either by the increasing of his Disease, or (as some suppo∣sed) by poyson, he ended his Life: For some who pleas'd themselves with the worst of Rumour, stuck not to believe so.

This time of his death, agreed with the coming of Fu∣••ain to King Philip; who, hearing by accident of the Duke of Parma's Infirmity, had commanded him, that is, Fontayn, to oversee the Netherlandish Affairs, that he might settle any neglect, caused by the Duke's sickness, and compose any Troubles arising by his Death. This Person was a man of a very harsh Nature, and privately hated by the Duke of Par∣ma;

And there were some, who, not long before, did fore-tell either the Duke's Death, or Restraint. The truth is, many Things began to be discover'd, that manifested the King to be suspitious of, if not highly displeased with him: For he alone was looked upon, to have hindred his Kinsman Far∣neze, from being Elected Pope; And of late had commanded, That the Duke should not take up any Money at Interest, unless by the Counsel and Consent of those, who were set up rather as Spies or Guardians, than Counsellors. His Physitians said his Disease proceeded from the hard swelling of the Spleen, and Hydropical Humour, between the Skin and the Flesh; of the growing of which Disease, it appears he was sensible, for that be abstain'd from Wine, and accustom'd himself to drink Water: and for avoiding the Gout, and other pains of the Joynts, he drank little of that too, or else it may be he was suspitious of Poyson: Most believe, that he had Poyson gi∣ven him more than once: But herein Authors very much differ.

Thus dyed Alexander Farneze, even in the most flourish∣ing time of his Age, being but seven and forty years old, of which he had spent fourteen in the managery of this War: his last five years had much decayed his Reputation, nor in∣deed did he use the like diligence then as formerly▪ whether that after the business of Antwerp, as being glutted with Ho∣nour, he gave himself over to pleasures, or that being advi∣sed of Philips jealousie, he sought by sloath and stupidness, to procure a Remedy to allay the greatness of his fame; He was descended from a Family, as potent as antient, drawing his Originall and greatness from Pope Paul the third; At first, being a young man, under his Mothers tuition, he spent his time in the Low-Countries, without any honourable Em∣ployment, and was so contemned, that he was said to be of a heavy Spirit. There is scarce any man that can say, his pub∣like and open Judgments were ever dissembled; The first Warlike Honour he atchieved, was at the winning Navarre,

when he fought for the Spaniard, under the Binner of his Uncle Don John of Austria, against the Turk; Being made Commander in the Belgike War, he shewed how great he could be; In the quest of Honour, he was indefatigible, ease and courteous in his access, mercifull towards his Enemies and for as much as could ever be discerned by his outward appearance, faithfull to the King, and not to be corrupted against his own Honour, and the Peoples affection. He was very conformable to Counsel, but was tyed up more strictly than ordinary, to an Opinion once affirmed, and would not endure such as dissented. And then from the success of Af∣fairs, he took too much to himself; and that very thing rais∣ed him many Enemies, and caused much of His contrary for∣tune, which indeed he took gently, though, which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more difficult, he bore his good fortune with a great Spirit. Some do observe, that for a long time he followed the advise and Instructions of Caspar Robless, a most ingenious and wise man. And that after his death, no one being prev••k•• with him, among variety of Counsellors, differing in opinion he became unconstant, and wavering in his Resolutions, a•• that from thence his Fortune reculed from him. His ma••er of speech was Majestick, but withall, amiably pleasant. H•• Stature and other parts of his Body, but of a middle size, his Eye sharp and penetrating, the true Emblem of a watch•• disposition. The rest of his, was not his own naturally, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be rather called the faults of the Court and the Age. The detractors of his fame, among whom Campigny was one, com∣manded lately by him to a recess in Burgundy, attributed i•• to the power of the Kings Forces, or the wants and disco•• of the Enemy: Both whose Conditions being changed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also was the fortune of the War: On the other side; so•• wisely considering both, affirmed that there was no small dif∣ficulty, to govern with an equall hand, and keep in order•• many several Nations in one Army, some whereof, were a•• most insociable, repressing therein all Animosities, which ne∣vertheless,

broke out soon after his death, and so from time to time more bitterly. Even in the greatest extremities, he car∣ryed security in his presence, so that most of the Seditions of his time were begun in his absence. 'Tis true, many Towns were lost, but it was, when he was employed other-where, and as Fortune was pleased to wait on the Armies: But how great a part of them did he conquer? and certainly he could not resist the same Enemy afterwards, with any o∣ther Design, nor with naked Forces. Without doubt, all Dis∣cipline perish'd with him. His Funerals were celebrated even with the Tears of the Netherlanders, who wished such as would not grieve for him, the Reward of the Severity of for∣mer Governours.

Notes

• 1590.
• 1592.