A Briefe discourse of the merueylous victorie gotten by the King of Nauarre, against those of the holy League, on the twentieth of October. 1587.
Both in English, and in French as it was printed in Fraunce.
Whereunto is added as soone as it came to my hand since the first Impression, The true copie of a Letter sent by the King of Nauarre to his Secretary at Rochil, aswel in confirmation of the victorie against the Duke Ioyeuse, as also the ouerthrow that the Switzers gaue to the Duke of Guise.
LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolfe dwelling in Distaffe Lane neare the signe of the Castle. 1587.
¶ A briefe discourse of the merueylous victorie gotten by the king of Nauarre against those of the holy league, on the twentieth of October. 1587.
THe King of Nauarre took his way toward his Armie, being straungers, by the borders of those prouinces which fauoured him most: and to this purpose, he was to passe the riuers of Drougne, and Lile.
The Duke of Ioyeuse had in charge to hinder the abouesaid passages, notwithstanding all daungers that might ensue, thinking, that hauing ouer throwne the king of Nauarre, by all likelyhoods of reason, the armie that was come out of Germanie, and from other places to his aide, should not be able to doo anie good.
The King of Nauarre, accompanied [Page 4] with the Prince of Conde, and the Earle of Soysson, determined resolutely to passe the said riuers. But the Duke of Ioyeuse opposed himselfe to hinder them, being strong, and hauing a great number of horse-men with him, which the King of Fraunce had sent him.
The Duke of Ioyeuse tooke vp his lodging at Barbezieux, and afterward at Chalais: The King of Nauarre tooke his vp at Archiac: and afterward at Monlieu, and the nearest places thereunto: both parties hauing fully determined to get the passage of the riuer of Drougne, and especially the lodging of Coutras, whereas most conueniently they might passe.
There passed manie occasions of fighting by the way, and the King of Nauarre, according to his wonted diligence got the lodging called Coutras vpon Drougne, an houre before the Duke Ioyeuse could come: Who had alreadie sent certaine light horse-men to take the place, who at the comming of the King left it. This was on Monday in the euening, being the nyntenth of October.
On Tuesday next following betimes in the morning the Duke of Ioyeuse marched forward and encamped himselfe betweene the Roch Chalais & Coutras, with all his armie: and pointed to fight his field halfe a league from Coutras, with the most vantage that might be.
The king of Nauar on the otherside of Coutras, goeth and setteth his men forward in battaile ray, causeth his ordinance to passe the riuer, the which the euening before he could not do, and caused them to be brought before him, and determined with all his men to bée readie to fight, whom hée found verie willing and forward. He caused euerie companie first to enter into prayer to almighty God.
He appointed his armie in such sort, that all his ordinance might do him seruice without hurting any of his owne men.
In so much that indéede his ordinance did that which was done to great good purpose, ye Harchebuses did ye like, so that there was not any one part of his armie, but that got great benefit of [Page 6] victorie. And yet the king (by the iudgement of men) had the chiefest victorie of all.
So that about eight of the clocke the ordinance beganne to play, and before nine of the clocke they came to handy strockes. The battaile was quickly ended (being a thing most straunge by meanes of the great difference that was in the multitudes of the Duke Ioyeuse his men) so that at ten of the clock there was not one man amongst the enimies that did fight. Although that in this most notable euerthrow as yet there appeareth not aboue twentie men lost on the King of Nauars side, nor anie man of calling, or that had any gouernment vnder him.
The King of Nauarre was so forward that grasping with the enemie endaungered himselfe greatly. The Prince of Conde had his horse staine vnder him. The Earle of Soysson tooke with his owne hand diuers prisoners. The Lord of Turenes horse was slaine vnder him.
God who had appointed the successe of the battaile, gaue the victorie to the [Page 7] King of Nauarre, in the which ye Duke Ioyeuse was slaine. All his chiefe men were either slaine or taken, except the Lord of Lauerdin, of whom as yet they know not what is become. Many auncients and standards were taken, and amongst them the chiefe standard of al. The footemen all slaine. The ordinance taken. The carriage lost. About thrée houres after the battaile was done, being returned to the place where the battaile was fought: they rendred great thankes vnto God. They buried the dead. They burned the lodgings of the enemy. And they did all other things that might beséeme such a notable victorie. God of his goodnes graunt that in like sort it may continue to the benefite of this Realme.
The King of Nauarre notwithstanding his good successe séeketh to win his aduersaries by his great curtefie, hauing entreated his prisoners and such as were wounded in such sort, as that they haue great cause to acknowledge and confesse that he loueth France and French men, and knoweth well how to discerne those that are of the League. [Page 8] being enemies of the countrey, as hée would doo if he could, euen in the midst of the greatest force of the battaile.
- Monsieur de Ioyeuse.
- Monsieur de Sainct Sauueur his brother.
- Monsieur de la Roche du Maine the yonger.
- Monsieur le Comte de la Suze.
- Monsieur de Fumel.
- Monsieur de Roussay the yongest de Piennes guidon de Monsieur de Ioyeuse.
- Monsieur de Nensuy de perigort the elder.
- Monsieur le Comte de Gouallo.
- Monsieur le Comte Daubijou.
- Le Sieur de Coullons brother to the Comte de la Suze.
- Le Sieur de Brize the bearer of the Cornette blanche.
- Le fils du Sient de Rochefort Croyzette.
- Le Sieur de Guzacq. Cornette de Maumont.
- Le Sieur du Bourdet de Xaintonge standard bearer of Sainct Luc.
- Le Sieur de Vaux Lieutenant de la compagnie de Monsieur de Belle-garde.
- Lenseigne du Sieur de Montigni.
- Tarcelin Maistre de Camp.
- Le Chesnel his cheefe Capitaine.
- La Vallade one of his Captaines.
- Le Capitaine Boculaud.
- Le Ieune Campelz qui portoit vn drapeau.
- Le Sieur de Pleuiault.
- [Page 9]Le Sieur de Sainct Fort guidon de Sainct Luc.
- Le Baron de Theunes.
- La Brangere.
All these were men that had charge vnder them.
- Monsieur de Belle-garde taken and hurt.
- Monsieur de-Sainct Luc.
- Monsieur de Sansac.
- Monsieur de Cypierre.
- Monsieur le Marquis de Piennes.
- Monsieur de Gautrel,
- Monsieur de Montigny Capitainé de la Porte.
- Monsieur de Ville-comblin Lieutenant de Monsieur de Souuray.
- Monsieur de Chasteaurenard guidon du Sieur de Sansae.
- Monsieur de Mouuent Captaine of the light horsemen.
- Monsieur le Comte de Monsoréau taken and hurt.
- Monsieur de la Patriere guidon de Monsieur Lauerdin.
- Monsieur de Chasteau-meux.
- Monsieur de Chastelu.
- Monsieur de Lauuerdiere guidon de Monsieur de la Suze. All these had charge vnder them.
- Le Sieur de Broeil-baudet.
And there are a great many Gentlemen wanting, and as yet not knowne.
Discours, sommaire de la Miraculeuse victoire, obtenue par le Roy de Nauarre, contre ceux de la Ligue, le vingtiesme d' Octobre. 1587.
LE Roy de Nauarre prenoit son chemin vers son armée estrangere par l'abord des Prouinces qui luy sont fauorables, & pour cest effect auoit à passer les riuieres de Drougne, & de l'Isle.
Monsier de Ioyeuse auoit charge de luy empescher ce passage á quelque peril que ce feust, pensant que luy des-faict par vne raisonnable consequence, l'armée estrangere ne pourroit subsister.
Le dict Sieur Roy, assisté de Messeigneurs le Prince de Conde, Comte de Soysson, se resoult de passer. Ledit Sieur de Ioyeuse de l'empescher, renforsé de plusieurs compagnies de gens-darmes, que le Roy luy auoit enuoyées.
Le dict Sieur de Ioyeuse prend son logis à Barbezieux de puis à Chalays. Le Roy de Nauarre à Archiac. Et puis à Monlieu, & lieux prochains, resoluz tous deux de gaigner le passage de la Drougne, & sur tout le logis de [Page 11] Coutras ou elle se pouuoit plus commodement passer.
Il se passa des occasions de combat sur le chemin. Aussi le Roy par sa diligence accoustumee gaigna le logis de Coutras sur Drougne, vne heure premier que ledit Seigneur de Ioyense y peust arriuer. Qui auoit des ja enuoye quelque cheuaux legers pour le prendre, qui le quitterent à larriuee dudict Sieur Roy. Cestoit le Lundy au soir dix-nieufiesme Octobre.
Le Mardy ensuiuant de grand matin Monsieur de Ioyeuses se rend entre la Roche Chalays & Coutras, auec son armée. Et prend sa place de Battaile à demyelieue de Coutras, au lieu le plus aduantageux qu'il peust.
Le Roy de Nauarre de son costé part de Coutras, & luy va au deuant, met son armée en bataille. Faict passer la riuiere son canon, qui le soir pardeuant ne lauoit peu passer. Et le faict mener à sa teste. Resoult tous les siens à ce combat, qu'il trouua pleins dardeur & deuotion. Faict faire la priere à Dieu de troupe en troupe.
Dispose au reste son armée en telle sorte, que toutes les pieces seruirent, & pouuoyent faire leur effort, sans incommoder ni les vns, ni les autres des siens.
Comme de faict son artillerie joua fort à propos, l'arquebouserie de mesme, & ny heut partie de son armée qui n'eust notable part de la victoire. Bien que certes sa Majesté (au jugement de tous) heust la principalle.
Tanty a que sur les huict heures l'artillerie commença a iouer, & auant neuf heures on vint aux mains. Fut la bataille si tost decidée, (Chose estrange en legalite de toutes forces,) qu'a dix heures il ny auoit homme de l'enne mi qui rendist combat, mesme qui feust en veue, Sans toutes-fois qu'il se soyt perdu en vne si notable des-faicte (qui paroisse encore) vingt hommes soyt de pied, soyt de Cheual du coste dudict Sieur Roy de Nauarre, ny mesme pas vn de marque, ou homme de commandement.
Le Roy de Nauarre est venu aux main [...] jusques à Colleter. Monsieur le Prince, son Cheual tué. Monsieur le Prince de Soyssons y à faict des prisonniers de sa main, Monsieur d [...] Turene son cheual tué.
Dieu qui à ordonné l'issue des Batailles, a donné la victoire au prince, en laquelle Monsieur de Ioyeuse à esté tué. Tous les chefz ou mortz ou prins, reserué le Sieur de Lauer [...] din, qu'on ne sçait encores qu'il est deuenu▪ Les inseignes & cornettes prises, mesmes la generalle. L'infanterie toute des-faicte, L [...] canon prins, Le Bagage perdu. La victoir [...] suyuie trois heures ou plus. Laction de grace faicte à Dieu au retour au champ de la Bataille. Les mortz enterrez. Les logis de l'ennemi bruslez. Et tout ce en somme qui peu [...] appartenir aux circonstances d'vne signale [...] victoire, Que Dieu luy doint poursuyure au bien & estat de ce Royaume.
Le Roy de Nauarre les à voulu vaincr [...] [Page 13] encores en courtoysie, ayant tellement tracté les prinsonniers, & les blessez qu'ils ont tous dequoy cognoistre, q'uil ayme la France & les Françoys, & les sçayt bien discerner dauec ceulx de la Ligue ennemis de l'estat, comme [...] feroit s'il pouuoit dans le sort des armes.
- Monsieur de Ioyeuse.
- Monsieur de Sainct Sauueur son frere.
- Monsieur de la Roche du Maine le Ieune.
- Monsieur le Comte de la Suze.
- Monsieur de Fumel.
- Monsieur de Roussay puisné de Piennes guidon de Monsieur de Ioyeuse.
- Monsieur de Nenfuy de perigort laisné.
- Monsieur le Comte de Gouallo.
- Monsieur le Comte Daubijou.
- Le Sieur de Coullons frere du Comte de la Suze.
- Le Sieur de Brize qui portoit la Cornette blanche.
- Le fils du Sieur de Rochefort Croyzette.
- Le Sieur de Guzacq. Cornette de Maumont.
- Le Sieur du Bourdet de zaintonge enseigne de Sainct Luc.
- Le Sieur de Vaux Lieutenant de la compagnie de Monsleur de Belle-garde.
- Len seigne du Sieur de Montigni.
- Tarcelin Maistre de Camp.
- Le Chesnel son premier Capitaine.
- La Vallade l'vn de ses Capitaines.
- [Page 14]Le Cappitaine Boculaud.
- Le Ieune Campelz qui portoit vn drapeau.
- Le Sieur de Pleuiault.
- Le Sieur de Sainct Fort guidon de Sainct Luc.
- Le Baron de Theunes.
- La Brangere.
Tous ayans charge en l'armée.
- Monsieur de Belle-garde pris & blessé.
- Monsieur de Sainct Luc.
- Monsieur de Sansac.
- Monsieur de Cypierre.
- Monsieur le Marquis de Piennes.
- Monsieur de Gautrel.
- Monsieur de Montigny Capitainé de la Porte
- Monsieur de Ville-comblin Lieutenant de Monsieur de Souuray.
- Monsieur de Chasteaurenard guidon du Sieu de Sansac.
- Monsieur de Mouuent Capitaine de cheuau legers.
- Monsieur le Comte de Monsoréau pris & blesse.
- Monsieur de la Patriere guidon de Monsieur Lauerdin.
- Monsieur de Chasteau-meux.
- Monsieur de Chastelu.
- Monsieur de Lauuerdiere guidon de Mōsieu [...] de la Suze, tous ayans charge.
- Le Sieur de Broeil-baudet.
Et plusieurs autre gentils-hommes non encore recognus.
The true copie of a Letter written and sent by the most excellent King of Nauarre, to his Secretarie of estate, Monsieur de la Marcilliare after the battel lately had at Cowtrace.
I dispatch Pomenia vnto you, to let the maisters of Rochel to vnderstand of the happie & absolute victorie which God hath giuen me, in the which battell the generall of the enimies armie is slaine, and with him almost all the Cheestains and Capteins are likewise either slaine or taken. The great Ordinance, Artillerie, Cornets and Ensignes, both of horsemen and footemen are taken, with a generall dissipation of the whole Armie, for the which it is duetifull that in publike and priuate sorte, wee render thankes to almightie [Page 16] God. I pray you further the present supply: for we must goe to mete our Roytors, who for their part haue giuen an ouerthrow to some part of the Duke of Gwyse his armie, which now dareth not scarsely to shew himselfe any more before them, but keepeth him selfe aloofe in the backe of the forces, to giue the looking on. You shall also haue an eye to the performance of my orders and commandements, and to that which may concerne my affaires. And so I pray God to keepe you in his safegarde.