MAximilian the Emperoure, Ferdinande the Kyng of Spayne, the state of Venice, Levves Duke of Milan, and A­ [...]exander the Byshop of Rome, beyng stre­ken into feare with the rare felicitie of Charles the French King, who had with­out wound conquered the riche Realme of Naples: about the first of Aprill in An­no. 1495. made a solemne league be­tweene them, wyth these conditions, that with one consente, and common charge, they should set forthe so greatea power both by Sea and land, as should be thought sufficient to defend their com­mon safetie. And for the furnishing of this exploite, the Spanyard had sent a strong Fleete into Sicile with fiue thousand footemen, and sixe hundred Horsemen: the Venetians had rigged foorthe a Fleete of fortie Galleys, and also for a supplement of their power by lande, had hyred a great number of light Horsemen in Epyrus, Macedonia, and Peloponesus: the Milanese leuyed souldiours in Ger­manie, the Emperoure promised to descende hymselfe into Italy with an inuincible army of Almaynes. But the French K. being much moued with this vnloked for conspiracie of those Princes, y^e which although it was said to be cōcluded only to defēd thēselues, yet he knowing it was striken against him, thought it best beyng then in Naples, spéedely to returne vnto Rome, and from thence into Lombardie, meaning by his suddayne comming, to discourage the vnprouided Pope from his intended purpose: wherefore leauing [Page 2]the rest of hys power bestowed in garrisons in most opportune places of the Kyngdome of Naples, marched towardes Rome wyth foure thousande Horsemen, as well men of armes, as lyght Horse­men, besydes the ordinarie retinue that the men of armes doe ac­customably drawe with them, and about eyght thousand footemen of Switzers, Almaines, and Gascoignes, besides a sufficient furni­ture of great ordinance, and namely of field pieces. With this po­wer he entred Rome without resistance, (the Byshop and hys Car­dinals béeing fearefully fledde.) But when he was come vnto Pi­sa, he had intelligence that Lewes the Duke of Orleans (whome in hys expedition vnto Naples, he hadde willed to remayne at Asti, in the frontiers of Piemont, with a strong band of Horsemen, and also hauing heard of thys league of the Princes, hadde commaunded to leuie Souldyers in all places néere aboutes,) had taken Nouara, a Citie belonging vnto the Duchie of Milan. The taking whereof, made Lewes the Duke of Milan very earnestly to desire the Veneti­ans spéedely to sette foorthe a power, séeyng he coulde not in that iniquitie of tyme obteyne presente ayde of any other of the confe­derates to stay vppe hys staggering state. The whych the Veneti­ans dyd both gladly graunte, and spéedely accomplishe: theyr ar­my béeyng within fewe dayes in the fielde, at the banke of the Ri­uer of Oglio, the Generall whereof they created Frauncis Gonzaga, Marques of Mantoa, a lustie yong Gentleman, desirous to serue in the warres, and winne renowne: with whome they ioyned accor­dyng to theyr manner, two Venetians Lieutenantes, or Prouiditori, Mel [...]nor Creuisano, and Luke Pisano.

In the meane tyme the Kyng hasted wyth greate iourneys to passe the Appenine Mountaynes, and to ioyne wyth the Duke of Orleans before the power of hys enimies (whyche he hadde intel­ligence were leuyed in all quarters, and passed the Po) were come vnto the streightes of the Appenine. Troublesome and payne­full was the carriage of hys ordinaunce downe vnto Burgo from the stiepe Mountaynes, where the wonted Horses coulde not drawe them, for the sheluing and winding of the wayes, but the Souldyers were forced to transport them wyth theyr handes and shoulders, and euery Horseman to carrie a pellet of fiftie pounde [Page 3]weyght before hym on the pomell of his Saddle. From Burgo they beganne at the length to come downe into a broader way, whiche leadeth to Foronouo, and sente before the Marshall Gien leader of the vantgarde, wyth a strong bande of Horsemen and footemen, and wyth hym Antony Bassey, the Collonell of the Switzers, and Iames Trivulzi a Milanese, to take vp a place at Foronouo for the armye to encampe in.

The Kyng vsed Trivulzi as it were for hys guyde, and reposed greate trust in hys counsell, both for hys singular knowledge in martiall affayres, and in the Countrey, and also for the olde enimitie betwéene hym and the Duke of Milan, whome hée con­tinually soughte to annoy vnto hys vttermost, whereby hée grew afterwarde to wonderfull riches, and greate martiall glory, to the destruction of all Italy.

Nowe was the Marques of Mantoa (wyth whome had ioy­ned the Earle of Giazza wyth the power of Milan) at Glareola, a Village on the farther banke of the Riuer of Tarro, in a place verye commodious, not onely to bridle the Parmesanes, if they shoulde attempte to reuolte, but also to be a sure guarde to the for­tresses néere aboutes, and finally if the Kyng woulde marche on forwarde that way, to sette vppon wyth all the Venetian power in a place of greate aduauntage, hys vantgarde as it came downe the hyll.

In thys meane tyme whylest the Frenchmen approched vnto Foronouo, Gonzaga hauing intelligence by spyes of theyr comming, sente the lyghte Horsemenne before, the chiefest conduct of them béeyng assigned vnto Nicholas Annonio, a Sclauon, a verye vali­aunte manne, to stay the Frenchemenne by skirmishing wyth them, vntyll hée were come wyth the strength of the menne of armes, and the lyghte bandes of the footemen.

They valiauntly doe hys commaundemente, and suddayne­lye gyuyng a charge vppon theyr enimyes, disordred them on all sydes, and manye béeyng slayne and taken, and also one En­signe gotten, forced them verye fearefully to turne backe, be­fore that the menne of armes, and the ayde of the footemenne coulde come, whych foyle happened vnto the Frenchmen, bycause [Page 4]they were not acquaynted with their manner of fyghte: for when the Frenchmen with a certaine feruour of fyghte, did more egrely pursue the Gréekes, at once both couragiously charging, and also with great arte fléeing backe, and thereby did breake their array: the Gréekes did suddaynely againe returne into the fight, and then many of them and light, did set on the Frenchmen, being dispersed one from another, and laden with armour, and also vnwarelye floung forward, and so easely beate them down wyth their hooked and very heauie Turkish swords or mawles of yron. Gonzaga sée­ing the Horsemen wéeried with a long and paynefull iourney, re­uoked them from pursuing of the enimies vnto their Campe: and contented with this good successe, returned vnto the army, all his men being very ioyfull, and manye bearing the heads of the Frenchmen vpon their Launces.

Among the Prisoners was there taken one Ante, a Captayne of a band of Switzers, a man wel knowen before time to y^e Earle of Giazza. He politikely lying, did augment the nūber of the french Horsemen and footemen that were in the auantgarde, for to feare the Italians from oppressing them, who had ouerboldly marched before their felowes, and also falsely affirmed that the King wyth the middle battell, and Seigneur de Tremouille with the rerewarde, were not farre off, the which lye doubtlesse saued Marshall Gien, who distrusting the small number of his Souldiers, and they also disordred with the skirmishe, had got him into an high place, that there in his camp defensed by all meanes he coulde, he might stay for the King, yea though he followed after slowly. But when thys occasion of destroying the vaantgard did seeme vnto some to bée offered as a meane to obteyne afterwarde an absolute victorie of the King, the Marques of Mantoa was of the mind, that nothyng ought to bée then attempted, but in any case the rest of the Kings power was to be stayed for, that when the King their enimie were in sight, they mighte more safely and nobly fight with hys whole power in a pitched field: for the Italian army did excéede them in number, and it séemed that they woulde also haue ouermatched them in the battel, if that fortune had not fayled them, who shame­fully swarued from the discipline of their auncestours.

Thus the Kyng hauing gotten the space of the whole nexte daye, and tymely ouertaking the vauntgard, encamped at Forono­uo. Betwéene the two Campes ranne the riuer of Tarro, whyche falling down violently frō the stiepe Appenine Moūtaynes into y^e enclosed valleys beneath, with a rocky and vnequall Channell, at length hauing gotten the open fields, runneth into the Po. The Venetians encamped on the left side on the broader banke of the Riuer, not farre from the Village Appiano, in the lower grounde: but the Frenchmen on the right, hauing on their lefte hande the Towne Medesano, and being on the higher hylles, they myghte easely see the Camp of their enimies, which by reason of the great number of tentes pitched round about, gaue a shew vnto the eyes of the wondering Frenchmen of a very great army.

When the King saw himselfe and his army brought into suche a place, as out whereof there was no hope left to escape, vnlesse victorie▪ became his guide: to assay the intents and mindes of the Prouiditori, he sente an Herald to request of them truce for cer­taine dayes. For Hercules the Duke of Ferrara, fauoring the en­grafted lingering of the Prouiditori, had a little before written for a most certaynetie, (thereby to stay the stomackes of the King, and the French Captaynes all dismayde with that vnlooked for martiall prouision and furniture of their enimies) that neyther the Prouiditori, nor his sonne in lawe the Marques, had any autho­ritie or commission from the Senate to fyghte a generall battell. The Herald being brought vnto the Prouiditori and Captaines, saide, that his maister did greately wonder, that the Venetians, whome he had not prouoked by any iniurie, were come with suche a power of warlike menne to impeache his returne into France, that his Maiestie did request, according vnto the iust lawe of na­tions, that with truce they would help his army, as it trauayled, with victuals for money, and suffer them with quiet iourney to passe into France: if they would thus doe, then his maiestie was to giue greate thankes vnto the Seigniorie of Venice and their Cap­taynes, but if they would not, then the French Souldiours would not onely open a way for themselues by true prowesse, but also make a causey for theyr King wyth the slayne carcasses of the [Page 6]withstanders. To whome aunswere was made in fewe words, if that Kyng Charles woulde abandon hys counsels and purposes of conquering Italy, and withdrawe his garrisons out of Ostia (the Hauen of Rome) and Nouara, and marche without doyng of anye hurte, he should haue frée passage to goe his way, but if he neglec­ted so to do, then also the Venetians woulde not neglect the iniuries done vnto theyr alies, and as they were bounde by the league, pur­sue wyth sword the publike enimie of all Italy. The Heralde who had curiously viewed almost all things in the Italian Camp, be­ing returned vnto the King, tolde many thyngs wofully and feare­fully of the scituation and munition of their Camp, of the number, the furniture, and chéerefulnesse of the Italian Souldyers: in so­much that the Kyng hymselfe, and manye of the Captaynes, as men attached with a supreme care, séemed to doubt of the safetie of themselues, and of all the armie, for in discoursing and consul­ting, some were of the minde, that it were best to returne backe vnto Pisa, and being ioyned with the Florentines, chose the seate for the warres in Toscan: Other hauing no regard of dishonor, coun­selled spéedely to crosse the vales of the Appenine, and hast to Asti, leauing behinde them both cariages and ordinance: the rest willed no consideration to bée hadde of the Duke of Orleans, but the King to compounde with the enimie, who dyd ouermatche them in all thyngs, so that they myghte thereby assuredly prouide for the safe­tie of the Kyng and hys whole army. Finally there were fewe, who thought that the life and libertie of the King was rashly to be putte into the daunger of vnequall fyghte, when there was no man founde that béeyng more wofull for the Kings safetie, than for his owne, was not of the opinion, that the euent of the battell woulde bée farre worse than all other things: in somuch that they séemed vnable eyther to fynde ende to theyr aduices, or assu­red meane to saue the armye in that daunger. But then they re­porte that Trivulzi, on whome specially all mens eyes were cast, dyd wyth the great expectation of all menne speake in this man­ner. They that doe consulte of the doubtfull chaunces of war­fare at suche tyme as perill is present, ought to fetche that one way and meane, both of safetie and also of victorie, which is only [Page 7]lest from stoutenesse of courage, & fearelesse hearte, for when force doth most vrge in a matter, and there is most néede both of stoute aduice and couragious aduenture, there a man to abate his sto­macke, & dismisse his minde, and to be attainted wyth feare, is both shameful, and also most times pernicious: but yet the same séemeth to be muche more dishonorable & vntimely, when that by ouer wo­fully weighing and pondering the perils, we do make and imagine them to be greater & worse thā they are indéede. Diuers that haue spoken before me, graue men, and (whych byndeth greater credite vnto their words) very couragious and valiaunt warriours, haue doubted, and that too very vehemently, of the safetie of you, most in­uincible Soueraigne, and of your whole army: that is to witte, by rehearsing what penurie of thyngs and famine do hang ouer both men and Horses, what asperities of places, what streightes doe hinder our iourney, and pull from valiant mē the vse of prowesse: and finally what kinde, and how great an armye of oure enimies do foreshutte and stoppe the wayes agaynste vs, béeyng fewe in number, and wéeryed with the toyle of so great a iourney, that we may not by any meanes escape, so that it is better to trye all other wayes, than wyth despayred victorie by contending with force, to hazard the whole, as though (as it liketh some,) that to the ende we may escape vnto the safe Alpes, the most noble and alwayes victo­rious King should take a most dishonorable and lamentable iour­ney ouer the Mountaynes of Liguria, (all the baggage of the army, and the great ordinance being by secrete and shamefull flighte lest behinde for oure enimies:) or else that we turne oure backes to­wards thē, and returne againe vnto Pisa, that anone after our eni­mies enuironing vs both by sea & land, we being tamed by famine and yéelded, may be a laughing stocke vnto y^t whole world. Neither also do I like of the aduice y^t your Maiestie should by a shamefull cōpositiō obteine of your armed enimies a safe returne into France. For by what other faith shall we assure ourselues all things to be peaceable, thā by y^e selfesame whereby euen now they so impudētly brake y^e late leagues? But in this let vs credite the perfidious, for they also do somtime vse to kéepe their faith giuē, y^t they may after­ward deceiue more timely, & with greater gaine. By this vnhappie [Page 8]couenanting are not so many valiaunt men that do nobly defende the kingdome of Naples, beyng destitute of all hope of help, forsa­ken, and also betrayed vnto their most cruell enimies? and if the garrison be withdrawen out of Nouara, shal not the course that is begun to a more ample victorie be vtterly interrupted and cut off? Doubtlesse I see, that the same one only counsell is both safe and honorable, whiche dothe séeme vnto other most hard and daunge­rous, namely, that abandoning all thought of peace or flighte, wée make vs a way with our swords: Neither bycause that I do pro­mise that in the successe all things will be easie for you, nor do de­spaire of the victorie, would I séeme to foresée in mind more than the rest, and more arrogantly to forefeele the whole euent of thys instante matter, for this may be graunted not vnto my witte, but vnto my practise in warfare, and experience of Italian affayres, sith that for the space of these many yeares, I haue bin presente in all the warres of Italy, whereby it was not hard for me aboun­dantly to learne the counsels, mindes, artes, and the verye disci­pline, both of the Princes, and also the Captaines and souldyers thereof: all which things haue at the length with my often not ob­scure perils, so taught and instructed me, that they haue made mée neyther, foolishe-hardie, nor altogither fearefull. First of all wyll not I beléeue that whiche doth so vehemently feare their hartes, that are moued with the greatenesse of the daunger, that is, that the Venetians will of their owne accorde bidde vs battell, for be­sides that ye vnderstand by the letters of certaine, that the Lieu­tenantes and Captaynes haue no commission from the Senate to fight, who will beléeue that a people of nature giuen long to lin­ger and draw forth warres, will for an other mans cause; without any their necessitie, hazard all their power in a pitched fielde: for it is too too foolishe for a common wealth that doth flourish in euerla­sting wyse Counsellours, and ryches that cannot bee consumed, to couet gay triumphes by a doubtfull and bloudy battell, when they may, and not rashly looke for the mature and certayn victorie of the vniuersall warres, that are not feared with the great char­ges of them. Neyther indéede do I thinke that Lewes Sforza, a man of nature fearefull, suspitious, and very wary, dothe earnestly la­bour [Page 9]by his secret counsel, to haue the french power quite destroy­ed by the Venetians. For what other ende will there come of that victorie (which God forfende) than y^t the Duchie of Milan become a bootie vnto the Venetian victor, which they by inuading and tearing with impotent armes, haue alwayes with singular couetousnesse desired? But admitte that Lewes will do nothing to day as a wise and wary man, and that the Venetians by a new and suddayne coū ­sell wil committe the Empire of Italy to the arbitrement of doubt­full Mars: is there any doubt therefore (couragious Soueraigne Charles) to be made of the victorie? let vayne feares departe from valiant heartes, séeyng that all things that euery good Chiefetaine doth wish to haue when he shall fight, do promise vnto vs vndoub­ted hope of good successe. Firste of all, a cause passing good, faithfull and olde Souldyers, greate store of ordinance, a very indifferents place, and finally regarde of none other thing, but common safetie and glory. The prowesse of the Italian Souldyers héere to day neyther do I debase nor extoll, for I should do foudly or impudent­ly, if I should vtter my iudgement thereof, so that kéeping still my shamefastnesse vnuiolated, I doubt not to confesse and affirme this one thing, that we shal deale with an army of fresh water Souldi­ers, and of Omnigatherum: for the greatest part of those Horsemen whom we sée glistering in their crestes and armoure, haue neuer put on armour before, but at a pomp, when that armes were mu­stered, and in sporting fightes and shewes: nor euer heard sound of Trumpet: for indéede, there haue bin no warres in Italy these ma­ny yeares, nor no iust and bloudy battell foughten: but the foote­men will not only not susteyne the force of the Almayne Esqua­dron, but being inferiour both in armour, weapons, and courage, will not abide so much as the sight of them, comming vpon them with so great order and array. Then there remayneth that we do greately feare the artes and suttle policies of some olde beaten Chiefetaine. Alas what ambushe will he lay, or with what array will he bring forth his army through the incommondious fordes of the rough riuer, to inuade vs marching in array of battell? a sprin­gall Chiefetayne that neuer sawe Campe of Souldyers besydes this of hys owne, wherevnto he is preferred rather for the title of [Page 10]his name, than for merite of tryed prowesse? Therefore mine opi­nion is (inuincible Kyng) that we marche on still forwarde as we haue begun, and your maiestie shall doe well, if that you do adhort the Souldyers not to doubt of the euent of the battell, and to con­temne their enimies. The baggage of the army being sente away a little distance from the armed rankes on the left hande towards the hilles, woulde I purposely obiect to be ryfled by the enimie, who is more gréedy of pillage than of fight. On the ryghte hande towardes the ryuer, let the greate ordinance be placed agaynst the enimies. I with my college Gien will leade the fore warde; and the way, and béeyng néerest to daunger, wyll valiantly ende­uour, that it nothing repent youre hyghnesse to haue followed this counsell: the rest of the martiall charges lette the Captaynes (and specially the auntient) parte amongst them, and lette them marche forward vnto victorie with the armye prepared for both chaunces of battell and trauayle: for neyther their wonted vertue, nor youre fortune shall fayle them, who being made noble by perpetuall vic­tories, haue learned to fight valiantly, yea, and if it were but for only glory.

After that Trivulzi had pronounced this Oration, with a coun­tenance full of confidence, no man almost séemed (although in some of their heartes feare were fettled) which did not chéerefully assent to his sentence, and swore that they woulde not departe the fielde but victors. Then Charles disposing hys Horsemen, to represse from all partes the Greekes, who almost euery houre with great cryes, stirred vp sundry tumultes in his Camp, and watching almost the whole night, the next morrow as soone as it was fayre day, brake his fast, and commaunded the Souldyers to doe the same, and to prepare both their bodyes and hartes as well to fight, as to march forward: and not long after he béeing cladde rather in strong, than fayre armoure, mounted on Horsebacke, enuironed with seauen yong Gentlemen of approued fidelitie and prowes, armed, apoin­ted, and trimmed in all poyntes like vnto him selfe. As hée set for­ward, the Souldyers saluted him with so chéerefull voices and ge­sture, that they interrupted him when he began to encourage thē: besieching hym to haue no doubt of the victorie, whiche they had [Page 11]now in their hands. For when he was on Horsebacke, he séemed to be taller and more liuely thā he was indéede: for of nature he was a very little man, and by reason of his olde disease, weake, and not strong legged to goe on foote, but then he looked lyke vnto a valiant and fearelesse Souldioure, for his face, eyes, and specially hys hawkes beked nose. There guarded him on both sides two com­panies of noble Horsemenne, with whome were intermingled the guard of Scottes. Moreouer, Mathew y^e bastard of Burbon, in whom the Kyng reposed very greate trust, and Robinet Framesell, the va­liant conductor of the Duke of Orleans his men of armes, enuiro­ned him with theyr companyes of Horsemen, one on the right side, and the other on the left. There followed aboute a two furlongs behinde them, the thirde and the last battell, the conduct whereof had Foix, a noble man of Guien, and Seignieur de Trimouille, who afterward for his great actes, became a renowmed Chiefetayne. With them was a great power of excellent Horsemen. But in y^e vantgarde were séene the Esquadrons of the Switzers and Al­maynes, their chiefest hope and strength, and the great ordinance. The Marshall Gien and Trivulzi marched before with a companie of light Horsemen, to shew the way vnto them that followed. An arrow shot behinde them followed the Switzers and Almaynes, to whome their Colonels Gilbert of Cleue, and Antony Bassey, men skilfull of their tungs, had promised in the Kings name treble pay, if that they saued the King by their faithfull and valiant handes.

Wyth them on the left hand were ioyned the Gascoignes, Archi­balistes, and almost thrée hundred archers of the guarde, who tho­rough vnlucky counsell, had sent away theyr Horses, and marched on foote, that they might shoote the more strongly. But the greate ordinance béeyng drawen with equall pace close to the batallion of the footemen, were placed againste the riuer, and the battels of their enimies. The drudges of the army, and all the rascall rable marched with the [...]uggage towards the hylles on the left hande: but the Marques who hadde determined if the Frenchmen hadde bent [...] on the [...]este hande towardes Medesano, which was the way vnto Dertono, to pursue them on the backe wyth all hys po­wer: when he sawe them come downe from Foronouo in array of [Page 12]battell, thinking it not good any longer to stay, vsing the counsell of olde Souldyers, araunged his battels in this order.

All his whole host was deuided into nine battels, the number of his mē were aboue two thousand four hundred men of armes, a few lesse than two thousand lighte Horsemen, and about twelue thousand footemen.

In the first battell was Peter Dodo a Venetian with sixe hun­dred Gréeke Horsemen, and Alesso Beicacuto with almost so ma­ny Archers on Horsebacke, who did not vse howes of woode as did the Frenchmen, but crossebowes of yron. To them it was en­ioyned to compasse the hylles on the backe of their enimies, and to charge the left side of the vantgard, and by skirmishing, to stay the marching Frenchmen from their intended iourney.

In the seconde battell was the Earle of Giazza with the power of Milan for this consideration, that as soone as Trivulzi and Gien were encountring with the lighte Horsemen, he vppon the ryghte side should set vpon them, being then occupyed and troubled. That battell consisted of syxe hundred men of armes, and thrée thousand Almaine and Italian footemen. The Generall hymselfe callyng to him his Vncle Radulph, and Ranuccio Farnesi, with aboute fyue hundreth men of armes, & so many archers, & foure thousand foote­men, took vpon him y^e charge to encounter the midle battel, wherin was the Kyng. But the fourth battell to charge the rerewarde, was assigned vnto Fortebraccio de Montoni. Also thrée battels of succoure were appoynted with very good order indéede, but with a very shamefull euent, so that Antonie de Feltri the bastard of Vr­bine, should timely ayde the Generall, when the signall shoulde bée giuen: Aniball Bentiuogli, & Galeazzo Palla [...]icini when néede requi­red, should follow the Earle of Giazza, and finally Lewes Aduo­cato, and Fraunces Gambara, Bress [...]ns, and Soneino Beazono a Gre­menese, should attend vpon Montoni. The reason why these battels of succour were ordeined was this: that when euery battell of the Frenchmen béeing entangled with their owne peril, could not suc­cour the nexte being in distresse, they shoulde all of them be at one time beaten downe almost from all partes.

The eyght and ninth battell were placed a little father off, for [Page 13]as ayde against all vncertaine chances. But Taliano Pio, & Charles Meliteo were left with the rest of the armye to guard the Campe. Moreouer, the maisters of the great ordinance were commaunded to plant their ordinance in a long ranke on the banke of the Riuer of Tarro, in as commodious places as coulde be prouided by mar­tiall arte.

When the battels were thus sette in aray, the Marques retur­ned vnto the Prouiditori, who albeit they being suspended with ve­ry weightie care, iudged it contrarie vnto the reason and trade of their common wealth, to dareyne battell, yet suche was the chéere­fulnesse of the host, singularly well arraunged, and appoynted to fighte, that nowe it repented them of their ouerwary counsell, and were throughly filled both with ioy, and assured hope of victorie. Neither was ther any man honourable, either for his age, or mar­tiall dignitie, that then durst consult with cunctation and suspense, whether the battell were to be aduentured, or openly to make any doubt of obteyning the victorie: for most of the fresh water Soul­diers béeyng lifted vp by a certaine hote desire to fight, and a trust reposed in their strength, were so lustie, that if they hearde anye men speake somewhat warely, or considerately in that daunger of the whole state, they openly rayled vppon him with manye re­prochful wordes, and called them drawe backes, and feareful da­stardes. And it happened, that whē Radulph Gonzago sayd, that hée thought the place would be incommodious for them to fighte in, and therefore would haue had it first made euen and leuell, he was streight wayes malapertly scoffed at by Mario Caluisano a goodlye lustie youth, and one in greate fauoure with the Marques: for hée tolde him with vnreuerend spéeche, that they which were so great­ly afrayde of their skinne, might do well immediately to get them thence, and shrowde themselues warely within the walles of Par­ma. I pray God (quoth Radulph then) that these foolishe hardie kil­ [...]owe princoxes, do valiantly follow me, piercing into the middes of the enimies, for they shall receyue the strokes not of painted and trilling vain stanes, as they do at games, but féele of the strōg and sturdy stéele. God graunte we maye embrue these braue cas­ [...]kes and coates, rather with our enimies, than with oure owne [Page 14]bloud. Radulph indéede was the true and the best Iudge and va­lure of forraigne warfare: for from his childhoode he had bin one of the Henchmen of Charles the Duke of Burgoigne, and was pre­sent at those thrée last battels, in whiche he béeyng at length van­quished, lost hys martiall power, whyche before was feared of all men, and hys Duchie, togyther wyth hys life.

In the meane tyme, when the Frenchmen now drewe néere, and the Souldyers were excited vnto the battell by y^e often thunder of the great ordinance, the Marques turning hymselfe vnto the Lieu­tenantes, sayde: If you thynke it for the behoofe of the common weale, that we doe valiantly bridle the foolishe hardinesse of the Frenchmenne, whiche wyth barbarous vanitie doe promise them­selues the Empyre of all Italy: we must not long consulte, but nowe when the Fyffe and Trumpettes of oure enimies do call vs, we must out of hande bende oure heartes to fyghte: for if by lin­gering we shall lette oure enimies escape out of our handes, wée shall not fynde héereafter so good an occasion to oppresse him, and shall in vayne pursue hym béeyng lyght and vncumbred, and wyth wasting all the Countrey hasting through the paineful and blinde pathes to succoure his people at Nouara: I for my part if yée shall commaunde it, will lette the Seigniorie of Venice to vnderstande my seruice, and will stretche all my strength of body and minde, to shewe that the auntient honor is not takē from the Italian Soul­diour by forraigne nations, and that thorough oure valiaunce, a most renowmed victorie may be gotten of the prowde enimie for you Venetians, the true and assured setters at libertie of the dignitie of Italy. Therevnto, (hys college also assentyng) thus aunswe­red Triuisano: Go to (most valiant Generall) séeyng that you doe testifye wyth surpassing courage, so singular a good wyll towardes the Venetian name, and that the honor of sauing Italy doth instantie you to winne the fruite of euerlasting prayse, commaunde the bat­tell to be sounded (the whyche I pray God may bée good and fortu­nate vnto the Seigniorie of Venice, and their confederated felowes) turne the araunged battels against the enimies, and endeuour by vanquishing valiauntly, that youre house renowned for the perpe­tuall glistering of auntiente glorye, maye bée made to shyne [...] [Page 15]brighte through the honorable title of a newe victorie. And without anye more tarriance at one tyme, the Drummes, Trum­pettes and greate ordinance beganne to sounde, and the battels arraunged in suche order as we haue declared, made towarde the enimie thorough the Riuer in thrée places, but they ranne foorth so rashly and vnluckily, that they, who were carried wyth so greate couragiousnesse, were troubled and halfe ouercome by the greate iniquitie of the places, before they coulde come vnto theyr eni­mies: for the Chanell of Tarro was very yll to passe ouer, full of turnings and windings, and verye muche cumbered wyth Wil­lowes growyng therein, and also the brimmes of both the bankes were very hard both to goe vp and downe. And moreouer, manye quagge myres, and blinde gulfes were made by the greate rayne that fell the daye before. And finally, the Fordes of the Ryuer were euery where stony and vncertayne, through whyche diffi­cultyes (as it must néedes happen) the course and force of the pas­senge [...]s was greately hyndered. And albeit they were sore annoy­ed with, these incommodityes, and the greatest parte of them coulde hardly gette out themselues, nor ouertake them whyche marched before, yet they valiantly charged their enimyes, and ranne togyther with Speares and Swordes, and in thrée places attached a hote and variable fight, nowe fortunate to one, and now to the other:

The Frenchmenne hadde stoode still in a place very safe, the whyche on that syde whyche the Italians came, was very vn­euen, and cumbered wyth many trées, so that when the Italians clambered vppe the hyll, they foughte (dispersed with the thicke battels of theyr enimies) wyth greater force, than arte, and in the ende with aduerse fortune. On the contrary syde, the Frenche­menne makyng theyr battelles thicke and close togyther, and not vnaduisedly stirring out of theyr place, receyued them that char­ged them, and that done, enuironed them rounde aboute, and wyth theyr shorte Swordes assaying where the blade myghte best en­ter into the body, did thrust them in, and beate them downe. In the meane tyme, the Gréeke Horsemenne that had inuaded the fore ward, béeyng repelled on all partes by the menne of armes, [Page 16]and their hote spurre Captaynes Annonio and Busichio departed out of the battell wounded, suddainely turning theyr Horses, flewe togyther to rifle the baggage, whiche by the counsell of Trivulzi had bin obiected vnto the enimies, that they béeing occupyed about the spoyle, a more readie and easie passage might be made for the King. There the Lackeys, drudges, Women, straglers, and moy­letters were fowly tossed among the beastes, and falling packes, and when they repugned, or sought to saue the goodes, being slayne among them, almost all the baggage was taken and rifled. This tumult caused all the field to ring of y^e dissonant outcryes of so ma­ny nations, by reason whereof, thither ranne al the bandes of foote­men that were néere, who béeyng also gréedy of pillage, without shame brake their aray. But then arose there a very bloudy and miserable fight among the ri [...]ers themselues, euery man pulling one from another the Kyngs baggage, and the weaker still oppres­sed by the stronger, were slayne with the pillage in theyr a [...]mes.

This thing by the consent of all men, brought safetie vnto the frenchmen, for their fore ward when y^e Greekes once enclined vnto y^e spoyle, valiantly receyued the charge that the Earle of Gi [...]zza gaue ouerthwart them, and succoured the second battell that was in di­stresse, and also the seconde being augmented with strength and courage, repelled the Marques of Mantoa with great slaughter, and ayded the third, which Montoni had disordred. At the last, whē the two battels of the Marshall and the Kyng vehemently pressed the Italians on both sides at one time, Radulph and Ranuccio béeyng circumuented in the middes of their enimies were slayne, and al­so almost all the whole bande of the familiars of the Marques, a­mong whome were many noble menne. There fell also before the Generals eyes Caluisiano, & the band of an C. singular good Soul­dyers footemen, that had bin chosen to guard the Marques, were slayne, and troden downe. The Marques himselfe (who with won­derfull prowes had pierced through the middes of the Horsemen, euen vnto the ordinance, and the maisters of them, and the Horses by whome they were drawen, being slaine, had ouerwhelmed with a tempest of Horsemen a bande of Gascoignes appoynted to guarde the ordinance, and also the archers of the Kings guard) with much [Page 17]adoe got himselfe out of the middes of his enimies, his Horse bée­yng gréeuously wounded. For all men did auye, strike at, and pur­sue him fléeyng throughout the whole battell with a spire of silk in the crest of his helmet.

The same fortune also felte the Italian footemen that were in the Earle of Giazza his battell, for when the formost rankes of them did (as the manner was then) shake from the grounde theyr long forkes, stayed vp with their left arme, but the nexte rankes of Souldyers defensed with Targets, hurled Iauelins with broade heads, and the rest after them shotte quarrels out of crossebowes: they were receyued of the Switzers, not only without any feare, but also with slaughter: for they beyng verye skilfully cast into a close Esquadron, dyd lightly contemne that fonde kinde of wea­pons, and manner of fight, for as soone as euer they approched, al­most thrée hundred extraordinarie yong men, who for commenda­tion gotten by extreame perill, are called the Desperates, the For­lorne hopen, leaped for the from both sydes of the Esquadron, and with myghty two hande swordes, beganne to cut off those vnruly pykes, with whose hardinesse almost all the Italians beyng fea­red, before they expected the impression of the Esquadron, turned theyr backes. In that place one bande of Almaynes, whiche had with great hardinesse inuaded the French Ordinance, and hadde stoutely resisted, was slayne by the furious charge of the Swit­zers. And withall, a very suddayne showre of rayne, mixed wyth Hayle, thunder, and lightning, did in so apt a time afflicte them bée­ing foyled, and nowe readye to flée, that God hymselfe séemed to fyghte for the Frenchmen: for the Riuer of Tarro (whiche a little before ranne as though it had bin dryed vp) was nowe growen so greate through falles of waters from the Mountaynes and dyt­ches, that neyther they whiche reposed hope of safetie in flyghte, could safely escape, neyther durst the vntouched battels that lon­ged to goe succoure their discomfited fellowes, once passe the Ri­uer, whiche with swift and violent streame caryed away menne, Horses, armour, weapons and all. Neyther in the meane time did the ordinance ceasse on eyther side, although with doubtfull, but vayne perill, they were often shotte off euen amongst the blended [Page 18]battels. In all this so hard state of things, the Marques forsaketh not himselfe, although he were attached with incredible sorrowe, séeing so many valiant Gentlemen that had come thither onely for good will towardes him, yea and his vncle, enuironed by their eni­mies, and no succoure to be hoped for. There was on the left hād a déepe ditch of water that ranne downe to certayue corne Milles, into this ditch were both footemen and Horsemen carried by hed­long flight, fowly strugling and striuing togither. The which whē the Marques sawe, he changing his Horse, came thither, and rebu­king the flight, and staying the ensignes of diuers troupes, he ga­thered togither one strong band, who although they were sore wée­ryed by the sundry incommodities of fight, flight, & finally of raine, yet valiantly renewed the fight, & with slaughter repelled y^e Frēch­men that pursued them amaine. There Seigneur de Mioll, and the Bastard of Burbon, being wounded by Alesso Beicacuto in the neck, were takē not farre from the King, & diuers renowmed Horsemen of the frēch side slaine: But the comming of the Erle of Pen [...]a was a great stay, that they which had first attached the fight, were not quite destroyed, for he being brought prisoner out of Naples, nowe when his kéepers were busied in that daunger of the battell, hadde escaped in the middes of the tumulte vnto y^e Venetians, and what by telling that the Frenchmen were vanquished and put to flight, and also by cohorting them not to let goe assured victorie out of their handes, he restored vnto the fearefull and fléeyng suche cou­rage, that with the auctoritie of his name, he caused all that he met with, to returne into the battell. But the Frenchmen pursuing the Italians being discomfited and broken by the first and second bat­tels, were empeached by the swollen riuer from winning of an en­tier victorie, euen as a little before, the rising of the riuer had bin a lette vnto the rerewardes of the Venetiās, for following & succo­ring their disordred formost battels. But this is well knowen, that the Marshall Guien, although Trivulzi and Frances Sicco, the Cap­taine of the Florentines, vehemently obtesting hym not to suffer an occasion of destroying their enimie to be lost, would not pursue them whē they fledde, or goe one foote forth, for that he thought he ought not rashly to depart out of the sight of the Kings battell, the [Page 19]euent of the fight being as yet vncertaine, & the K. being circumuē ­ted from all partes by diuers, although vtterly scattered troupes of the enimies. Not long after, many of the Captaines gathering to­gither about the King, caused the retreate to be sounded, that with ioyned bandes and battels agayne araunged, they mighte expecte what their enimies would do: for they not only sawe fresh & whole battels of them on the farther banke of the riuer ready to receyue the encounter, but might perceiue both their owne Horses and mē wholly wéeried, and therefore thought it best rather to rest, than pursue their scattered enimies, as they which were contented with that victorie, the which considering the perill appeared greater thā it selfe, bycause they had by armes and prowesse made themselues a way, not only in spite of their enimies, but also with their foyle & discomfiture. The Marques also after he hadde in vaine loked for ayde (bycause the rest of the battels feared with the discomfiture of their fellowes, & the hardnesse of passing ouer y^e risen riuer, had de­tracted to fight) wound himselfe out from the hindermost tayle of the departing Frenchmē, & passing ouer the riuer in a better forde, returned into the Camp vnto y^e Prouiditori▪ There perished in that battel of y^e Venetiās & Milanese aboue foure M. amōg whom were besides Radalph and Ranuccio, Iohn Picinnino, nephew vnto the fa­mous Captain Nicholas, Galeazo Correggi, Robert Strozza, and A­lexander Beraldo, Captaines of Cornets of Horsemen, and Vincent Sorso, who ledde a regimēt of footemen, and Malfacto and Gabanel­lo, who being of the guard, had whereas at other times, thē special­ly in y^e battel, gottē the prayse of singular prowesse, whē with theyr weapōs they made a way through the mids of the enimies for the Marques to escape. But on y^e french part beside the multitude of y^e rask all rable, whiche made the slaughter greater and fouler, there were lost about a thousande Souldioures: and also Iulian and Da­son Lieutenauntes of companyes of Horsemenne, and Vardey the Captayne of the Archers on Horsebacke, and the Captayne of the troupe that guarded the Kyng, and also noble menne called by the names of theyr Townes Torsy, Semple, and Ambrun. But the Kyng selfe in déede a notable losse wyth greate griefe, when hée vnderstoode that almoste all the Archers of hys [Page 20]guard were slayne (who as is sayd before) sending away their Hor­ses, fought on foote. And the reporte is, that hymselfe was in no small daunger of life, when the Marques breaking thorough hys battell, and disordering the whole wardes, he being almost lefte a­lone, made hedde, and drew his Sword, and confessed that he was doubtlesse saued by the inuincible strength of his fierce fightyng Horse, which was a cleane cole blacke, with one eye. The French­men lodged that night vpon the next hyll beside Tarro, hauing lost all their baggage and tentes, and brought to extreame lacke of vi­ctuals, who although they had vndoubtedly gotten the victorie, and were very ioyfull, yet did they greately feare theyr small compa­nie, and had a speciall care for the sauing and carying away of the number of the wounded, whiche was thought woulde be a verye hard thing, by reason of the yll and troublesome iourney that they had to goe: for they sawe that their enimies had a greate number of light Horsemen, thorough whose vnwéeried diligence and swift­nesse, they myghte cut off victuals, stoppe the wayes, and by pursu­ing and hagling on the hindermost, much endamage them, and spe­cially the heauie armed Switzers. But the Captaynes being bu­sied with this feare and care, and very wéerie: the Almaynes and Switzers, when the King had with liberall hand deuided among them a thousand Crownes for a rewarde, tooke vppon them wyth great noyses of Drummes, the charge of kéeping the Camp that night. On the other side in the Venetian Camp were they diuersly affected, for almost in euery cabine were some attached with sor­rowe, and other with ioy, as euery mans happe had bin eyther to haue lost his fellow and friende, or to haue gotten rich pillage: for all the Kings furniture, plate of siluer and golde, riche apparell, hangings of all sortes, and sacred furniture sette with pretious stones. Finally the riches of the Kings of Naples, which were now in carrying into France to garnish the triumph, was taken by the basest of the Souldyers and the Gréekes. But when all the Cap­taynes with the Lieutenantes were assembled togyther, euerye man spake according to his humor: for some (and they farre the greatest number) who séemed to be oppressed with feare, thoughts it good to dislodge, and to saue their army, in whose safetie consisted [Page 21]the safetie of Jtaly. Other that hadde but in the battell; and hadde thereby taken to them greater courage thā they had before, would haue the enimie inuaded agayne, and béeyng weakened with woundes, and amazed with feare vtterly destroyed, saying, that they had not bin ouercome by the prowesse of the Frenchmen, but by the iniquitie of the place. But then the Marques of Manto [...] spake in this manner: If that with equall consente we had bin all to day eyther hardie or fearefull, we had not bin nowe to consulte whyther we shoulde forsake oure lodging, or inuade our enimies: for eyther we shoulde haue supped more mery with the epptyue King in our enimies Camp, or certes haue bin held in thi [...] moste safe trench, with strength and courage not lessened: but whereas extreame counsels in dissenting heads doe alwayes hurt, but the meane generally do good, neyther will I suffer the fearefull to flée backe, neither permitte that the valiant agayne hazard the fortune of fight: for as though our rashnesse were not yet sufficiently cha­stised, to set vpon oure enimies in an vnhappie place, and of greate disaduantage, what else is it, than to téese wilde beasts, and to pro­uoke them, being made madde with the extreame danger of death? for extreame necessitie turneth into rage, and most times maketh them that do vtterly despaire of life, of cowards most valiant men. But whereas some do counsell that we remoue our Camp farther from the enimie, God forbidde that men shoulde be of the mynde, that the shame whiche we haue receiued to day through the co­wardise and flight of a fewe, we should heape vp higher by fondly dislodging, as it were with vtter dishonoure. For what will thys suddayne dislodging signifie vnto our néere enimies, thā a grieuous wound gotten, extreame feare, and finally a most shamefull flight? therefore we must tarrie in this lodging, and valiantly endeuoure, that the incomm [...]ditie that hathe bin taken, may be repayred tho­rough my more wary counsell, and youre more happie prowesse. First of all we will commaund the hurt men to be carried to Par­ [...], and there cause them to be cured, and the bandes that haue not fought, shall haue the charge of the Camp, that the wéeried maye take some rest. I will go about the watch my selfe, and will strēg­then with sure garrisons all wayes and entrances, and this will I [Page 22]to the vttermost, endeuoure that we may lye in safetie from the violence of our enimies. Tomorrow will more manifestly shewe vs the motion and mindes of our enimies, and will open a safer way to our counsels. The Prouiditori lightly assented to this opini­on: for although the Marques séemed to haue performed rather the duetie of a valiant Horseman, than of a prudente Generall, yet they were so farre from reprehending him of rashnesse, for that vnluckie euent of the battell, that they had him in admiration, as made more renowmed through this newe glory of approued pro­wesse and inuincible courage: for although the aged menne were of themselues men of great honor, and such as had borne great di­gnities at home, yet did they reioyce for that augmentation of martiall prayse as most honorable, and dyd thinke that the most glorious triumph of almost taking so great a King prisoner, and of the victorie wel néere gotten, thorough the hardie attempte of the Marques, was taken from them thorough the vnskilfulnesse or cowardise of a fewe.

The next day the Kyng sent vnto the Venetian camp for truce for thrée dayes, the which was denyed, and only that day graunted for to burie the slayne men on both sides. The next night the Kyng about one of the clocke after midnighte, causing manye fires to bée neade in the Campe to deceyue his enimies, dislodged withoute Trumpet sounded, or Drumme stroken, in somuche, that he hadde 07 marched certaine myles before his departure was knowen to the Venetians. But as soone as it was light, and the Marques had in­telligence that the enimies were dislodged, he sente the Gréeke Horsemen, and also the Earle of Giazza, and his brother Fracassio with the lighte Horsemenne, to pursue them, who although they might muche haue e [...]amaged the Frenchmen mar [...]ing almost in [...]é [...]yng man [...], yet they did the [...] no ha [...]e, whyther for [...]ate good will, or by the commaundemente of the Duke of Milan, who feared as much the Venetians obteyning an entier victorie, as the Frenchmen with their vnappayred power, I leaue vnto other to iudge. But after this, the Duke of Milan for [...] the Duke of [...] ­ans to surrender Nouara.

ANone after the departure of Charles the french K. out of the kingdome of Naples. Ferdinande the king of Naples wafted out of Sicile with about seuen C. horssemen, and fiue M. Spaniardes and Sicilians, sent by the K. of Spaine, vnder y^e conduct of Gōsalues de Cordoua, vnto Rezo in Calabria. The whiche Towne and castel they tooke as also they did Saint Agatha, and then all the Townes there aboutes, partly for desire they had of their king, and partly for the wéerinesse of the Frenchmen, opened their gates vnto Ferdinande: so that nowe he was come so farre into the countrey, as SEMINARA. Whē the K. Obegny, gouornour of Calabria for the french king, had intelligence hereof, he sent for Seig­neur Persiue out of Basilicata, to bring with him all the garrysons that were in that countrey, with whome he with his power mée­ting at Terranoua, before that his enimies had knowledge of Persi­ues comming, marched to Seminara to fight with Ferdinande out of hande, or if he would holde himselfe within the walles of Seminara, nor durst not commit himself to the open fielde and fight, that then he woulde returne as victor, making manifest vnto the world the cowardise of y^e enimies. The which thing he thought would be of greate moment to kéepe the people in their duetie, specially séeyng he did thinke that within few dayes ayde would come vnto hym out of Campagna, Puglia, and Abruzzo. But Ferdinande who had not yet intelligence of the comming of Persiue, and had bin aduertised by espyes of the power of Obegny, which was very small, nothing doubted to issue out of the Towne, and encounter his enimies, thinking that al the estimation & fauoure that he had gotten a little before, by bold attempting and valiantly trying of Fortune, would now be lost by one, infamie of being shamefully enclosed by siege, and the dishonor of conceyued feare, if that he should hyde himselfe [Page 24]without the Towne, But Gonsalues in whose head was that po­wer of exacte prudence, whereby he afterwarde passed almost all the rest of the Captaynes of oure age, beganne to admonishe the yong Prince, gréedy both of recouering the Kingdome, and of win­ning glory, earnestly desiring him not to goe out of the Towne be­fore the purpose and power of their enimies were more certaynely knowen, that those counsels are honorable ynough, which promise [...]uritie to doubtfull matters, but those are most shamefull and miserable, whiche through rashnesse when that we vauntingly shewe a vayne vigour of hart, are wont to destroy all meanes to obteyne the absolute Conquest and conceyued victorie. And must we then (sayde Ferdinande) recouer the Kingdome with as grease cowardise, as we lost it, and not rather in these so prosperous be­ginnings proue that fortune by doing and attempting, whyche we foūd aduerse by setting stil and absteyning from sight inThat was, when Char­les wan the kingdome. Romagna & Campagna, as though the beginnings of warres haue not the gre­test momēt for the successes that folow, & those exployts y^t are cou­ragiously begun, vnlesse they be valiantly prosecuted, haue they not a soule and vnhappie ende? Fortune will be with vs Gonsal­ues, which hath hitherto stoode with the Frenchmen, séeing that shée now smileth on our first enterprises, neyther will she euer forsake them, whome of hir owne accord she calleth vnto victorie, vnlesse that we do shamefully forsake hir by our dishonorable lingering. Let vs once sée the faces of the Frenchmen, which only Fame (and that to very vayne) hath made terrible, and let vs couragiously, set­ting foote to foote, trye both oures and their strengthes. We are su­periour in footemen, Horsemen, the good will of men, and finally in the fauoure of Fortune, neyther must we doubt of the prowesse of you and your regument. For who is there of you, that if we should fighte man to man, would not gladly desire his Frenchman or Al­mayne to encounter withall, and also woulde valiantly slay him? I doubtlesse for my part will first before you all boldly charge the first braue Gentleman that I shall sée in their battell, and by hap­pie hardinesse giue you an example, that yée running vppon them with like heate, may through equall courage bring backe a spéedie victorie from this drunken enimie.

There were many noble men present at this Counsell, who af­terwarde came to the estimation of great Captaynes, Andrew de Altauilla of the noble house of Capua, Hugh of Cardonna, Theodore de Trivulzi, and of the Spanyardes Emanuell Benauides, Peter P [...] ­ces, Alberade, and Pennalosa, who being very desirous to fight, pray­ed Gonsalues that he woulde not distrust the prowesse of the Soul­dyers, and promising to behaue themselues valiauntly, adhorted Ferdinande to commaunde the armie to issue out of the Towne. Seminara standeth high, and from the Towne runne there hylles a­long vnto a little valley, the whiche sendeth forth a riuer out of a lowe botome: at this vale beginne the Champeine fieldes, whither the Frenchmen were now come from Terranoua. Ferdinande mar­ching thrée miles along the hilles, came to the riuer, and lodging his footemen on the hither banke vppon the lest hande, and all hys Horsemen béeyng stretched out along like vnto a wing on y^e right hand, looked when his enimies would passe the riuer.

Ouer right againste the footemen of their enimies, dyd Obegny and Persiue set their Switzers, being cast into one battaylion, they placed the foot men of the Calabrians behinde them, as it were to succoure them, and deuided betwéene them the Horsemen, who were little lacke of foure hundred men of armes, and after the or­der of the Frenchmen twice as many light Horsemen, and passing ouer the riuer in a square battell, made towardes their enimies. The Spanishe Horsemen séeing that, set spurres to their Horses, and chéerefully ranne foorth, and when they béeyng ouermatched both in armour, weapons, and strength, could not make the thicke battell of the men of armes to giue ground, giuing a shoute began to turne their Horses, and after a Spanishe kind of sight, to retire vnto their fellowes, with fetching a round compasse, that both dis­couraged the heartes of the Arragonian footemen, thinking theyr horsemen had bin discomfited by the enimie, and so fledde backe, and also encouraged the Frenchmenne couragiously to presse on them, so that Obegny on the right hande, and Persiue on the lefte, hotely charging the battell of the footemen with theyr Horsemen, disordred them before that the Switzars coulde bende their pykes towardes them, and many of them being ouerthrowen, quite cat-stered [Page 26]the whole [...]attell. Fer [...]sse [...] a [...]ting hys Soul­dyers to returne into the battell, like a valiant Horseman ranne vppon his enimies, accompanyed with certayne men of armes of his seruauntes, and brake hys Launce on the brest of a Frenche­man of Ma [...], and ano [...]e after béeing ouerwhelmed with the mul­titude of his enimies, was forced to [...]ée, béeing pursued of many, by reason of his crost and guilt annour, but ouertaken by none, when (sée the such) his Horse foundering, threw him downe headlong in­to a very narrowe place, in a hollow way, neither were the french­men farre off from hym, béeyng encombred with hys Horse lying vpright vppon hym, and hys foote [...]taug [...] in the stirrops: when Iohn; brother vnto [...]adr [...]w [...]tia [...] came to his helpe, and of en­tie [...]mis, worthy of eternall memorie, offered him his owne swifte Horse to saue his life, vpon whome Ferdinander (as he vau [...]ted ex­cellently well) spéedely leaped, although he were in heauie [...]f [...] ­plete armoure, and so escaped the enimie. But A [...]uilla being on foote, was an [...]ne after stayn [...] by the Frenchmen. [...]egry hauyng stayne a great part of the footemen, lodged not farre from the place of en [...]o [...]tes, so [...]at [...] was said, that he little knew how to vse the victorie, bycause he neyther pursued so manye noble men (among whome was the Cardinall of Arragon) nor incontinently brought his victorious armye before Semi [...], through the whiche leysure both the noble men and the King came by dyuers wayes in safetie vntoothe Shyppes and Go [...]salues also, who by valiauntly fightyng, and by repayring the array in many places, had doubtlesse saued many, entred the Towne, and carryed away the baggage, and all the better part of the furniture of the Camp, and then gote hym to Rezo, the Frenchmen afterward pursuing him in [...]yne.

KIng Ferdinande and the greate Gon­salues béeing escaped (as yée haue heard) out of the battell of Seminara: the king embarking his power that was lefte, sayled [...] the Citie of Naples, where he was receyued in by the well willing Townemen, and many noble men Arragonites repayring vnto hym, he straightely besieged Monipensier the Frenche Viceroy, and other in the Castel, the which he had entrenched round. And also the great Gonsalues hadde repayred hys power at Hezo out of Sicile, and warred on the Cala­brian [...]? Monpensier signifyed vnto Obegny and Persiue, that he was not able to hold out long, vnlesse that ayde were spéedyly sent vnto him, eyther by sea or land. Vpon this they sent for the noble menne that were of the Aniou or French faction▪ to repaire vnto thē with their hands, and also gathered togither their dispersed people, and then deuiding the army, Obegay went against Gonsalues and Persiue with Bernardiue Sanseuerino Prince of Besignino, who had brought a cornet of Horsemen, and four hands of footemen, hasted to Naples, & came to EBOLI, a towne not far frō the riuer of Cochile, standing vpon a very high hir, and enclosed round about with a déepe valley. Ferdinand hauing intelligence of the french mens comming, hadde sent his Captaines & power thither before, to let the passage of the, whose way lay by Salerne, himself remained at Naples, to the end he might be presente at the parle of y^e Frenchmē, who séemed willing to entreate of taking truce, and yéelding vp y^e Castel. The General of y^e kings, army was Thomas Carasa, Prince of Matalone, a man vt­terli ignorāt of forraigne warfare: but thers were with him many good warrioures & amōg thē Venazi D. of Camerino, & Lucas Sabello, [Page 28]who knowing whiche way the Frenchmen mynded to trauayle, and hauing diligently viewed their power, gaue aduice with small iourneys to followe at their enimies héeles, who marched directly to Salerno to cut off their victuals, and not to ioyne in battell wyth them, before that a place of disaduantage hadde taken and offered them to be oppressed, or else (which séemed to be best) incontinent­ly with all spéede to take the Towne, called the little Lake, and the inhabitants thereof, being commaunded to abandon the Towne, and to set it on fire, that the enimie might not vse the victuals and bouses thereof, and then to marche spéedely to Salerne before the Frenchmen. But the rest of the Captaynes and Souldyers con­temning the small number of their enimies, dyd burne with so great desire of fight, that béeing incited by a foolishe courage, they cryed out that it was not for the dignitie of the King, and of so great an army, that the victorie which they almost held assuredly, should be sought, not by the right way & opē prowesse, but by going about the bushe, and dastardly suttletyes. Moreouer, this rashnesse of many, dyd the gouernement of the hastie Chiefetayne augmēt, who had brought nothing into the field besides approued fidelitie, and the name of his renowmed house, for he reproouing those that were set to followe warie counsels, and not all vpon lustinesse and honor, sayde: What my maisters, neither are the Frenchmen now adayes those auntiente Heroes, whome Fraunce for their miracu­lous strength of body hathe celebrated in their sabulous Poemes, neyther are we altogither women armed and garnished after thys manlike guise, so that we must doubt to set vpon, and ouercome these Barbarians walking with drunken traine, as soone as euer we sée them. And immediately after he had thus said, he comman­ded Proclamation to be made, that euery man shoulde make hym­selfe readie, and bridle his Horse, and after the third watche, all the army issued out of Eboli. Persiue and the Prince of Besignano hadde passed ouer the riuer of Cochile by a bridge, anone after the breake of the day, and marched towards Salerno, but when they saw theyr enimies, they retired backe aboue thrée furlongs, that they myghte raunge their battels in a more indifferent place, and there layde their left side close vnto a mightie wo [...], that ad [...]yneth with the [Page 29]open fieldes, that their small army might not be enclosed round a­boute by the multitude of their enimies, for they were scarce one thousand Switzers, who being backed with eight hundred Cala­brian footemen, made a square batallion, and close to the side of the footemen stoode the Horsemen, being of Frenchmen and Italians of all sortes a thousand. But the Earle of Matalone following the olde order which hath oftentimes destroyed the Italians, deuided his army into fyue battels, the which were stretched forth in lēgth from the middle battell with equall front like vnto direct wings. In the middle battell was he himselfe, and Lucas Stabello flanked on the left hand with a thousand Spanyards, and on the ryght with thrée thousand Italian footemen. But in the vttermost wings were on the one side Venanzi the Duke of Camerino, and on the o­ther Hierome de Tutauilla the Earle of Sarno, with eyther of them their companyes of Horsemen for thys purpose, that as soone as euer the Earle of Matalone shoulde charge the Switzers on the front with his footemen, and the French Horsemen with his Horse­men, Venanzi shoulde euen then get betwéene the Frenchmen and the wodde with his Horsemen, and the Spanyardes, and on that side valiantly inuade them, and at the very same tyme the left wing should be ledde by Tutauilla, vpon the side and backe of the enimie: the reason of this deuise was not absurde, if that the heartes of the Souldiers, and the mouings and goings of the battels, whome for­tune maketh subiect vnto a thousand chaunces, did fully aunswere vnto the counsels and commaundementes of the Captaynes, as it then happened. For besides that the Arragoman battels were vn­wisely placed full against the beames of the Sunne rising, whyche did very much dazell their sight: yet they séemed also to be vnadui­sedly raunged, for that the raunges standing a small distance one from an other, had neyther strength ynough to abide the shocke, neyther yet had euery ranke space ynough lest to turne about their front, if néede should be, but that one should be encounbered and dis­ordred by an other: but that whiche was a greate detriment, and i [...] warfare vtterly to be detested, the S [...]l [...]yers being ouerlustie and cranke (as freshe water Souldio [...]s commonly are) and hauyng neyther learned to be obedyent, [...] to fighte well, discharged ney­ther [Page 30]duetie of discipline. For as soone as euer the great ordinance was shot off farre from them, certaine of the Horsemen, lustie and braue Gentlemen, that they mighte intercept from the rest of their fellowes the honor of approoued prowesse, without commandemēt, charging their staues, did out of aray one after another, runne their Horses vpon their enimies, whose charge when the Frenche Horsemen had receiued with the strong front of their vnshaken battell, & many of them being broched vpō their enimies launces, & cast off from their Horses, were slayne: all the rest incontinently ranne their Horses backe agayne amaine, & lighting vpō the Spa­nish footemen, disordred their battell, and draue them vpon Venanzi his wing of Horsemen, in suche sorte, that they not onely brake the rankes of the Horsmen, but also threw them downe to the groūd. Besides at that very instant, the Arragonian footemen running a­pace, gaue with like rashnesse the onset on the Switzers: for when some of them bearing Targets, hadde hurled their iauelins, they drewe their swordes, and other bare eyther boarespeares wyth eares or rhompheyes, with an hooked head of iron, that would cut on both sides, they coulde not come vnto the body of the Switzers squadron, for their long pykes, and therewithall followed suche a change of courage, that they whiche euen now ranne forthe wyth singular fiercenesse, and surpassing chéerefulnesse, incōtinently tur­ned fearefully backe, & namely, when that their Horsemen ranne in among them. Persiue being astonied at the miracle of so great a chaunce, that he mighte not fayle vnto Fortune, who vehemently fauored him contrarye to hope, did valiātly set forward, & couragi­ously running ouer the heapes of men and Horses falling downe, did within the space of halfe an houre (which is almost incredible) quite ouerthrowe the power of his enimies, and that almost, with­out anye wounde of hys owne Souldyers, welnéere all the Italian footemen were slayne by the Switzers, and with them also a band, whiche hadde bin leuied at Naples, of the Ruffians and cutters of passing hardinesse: there also perished valiauntly fyghtyng, whén the rest turned their backes, these stoute petito Capthynes, Henry a Gentleman of Consie [...], Lewes Sq [...]arcia, and Vincent Cape [...]. The thicke woddes through the whiche the armed could [...] easily go [...], [Page 31]defended the Spanyards, and light and nimble fellowes withoute armoure. But the Earle of Matalone, and the rest of the Captaines hauing lost many of the Horsemen, shamefully fledde vnto Eboli. But when they were hardly receiued in at the gate, and the french Horsemen pressed at their backes, Venanzi a man of a constant con­rage, stoutely susteyning the inuasions of the enimie in the hinder­most tayle, and fighting valiantly, was there slayne. Furthermore, the rest of the Horsemen, being in number almost thrée hundreth, fetching a compasse thorough very yll wayes, came flynging vnto the foregate of the towne, but the townesmē were so amazed with feare, that no mā would suffer y^e gate to be opened, nor was moued with the daunger of their friendes, holding vppe their suppliant hands vnto the walles to saue their liues. But as the Frenche had become victors through the vnskilfulnesse and cowardise of theyr enimies, so through their fatall slouth knewe they not how fully to vse the victory. For Persiue lost the occasion offered to destroy the Horsemen, perhappes bycause not surueyng round about the vt­ter [...]i [...]ch [...]s, the situation of the towne, he brought his power only [...]nto y^e broade gréene that lay before y^e towne, wondering & looking y^t they which had so shamefully fled, should open the gates vnto the victors. But not long after, when he lacked ordināce to winne the towne, and the Prince of Besignano had fallen downe ahnost dead, through the stroke of a pellet of a Serpentine, shot off frō the bul­warke of the towne, whiche pellet had strickē off the handle of hys sworde, and battered his brest plate, they retyred backe to spoyle them that were slaine: after whose departure the Horsemen were deliuered of extreame feare and danger, and retyred into y^e towne. And within few houres after came y^e Spanyards, stragling in dy­ [...]rs cōpanies, being saued through y^e benefit of y^e wood. But if [...]er­siue had encamped before Eboli, most men do hold, y^t the townesmen (bycause they were of y^e factiō of Aniou,) would haue opened y^e gate vnto thē y^e next day, & deliuered y^e Arragoniā army into their hāds. The hoped fruite of this battell was not receiued, for before y^t ha­sting Persiue could come vnto sight, Mōpensier had giuē hostages for y^e deliuering vp of y^e castel w^tin a certaine day, vnlesse ther came so great a power of frēchmē y^e Ferdināds army wold abādō y^e field, and [Page 32]hide themselues in Townes, and also that he might be vi [...]tualled, had couenanted, that he and his power would not stirre vntill that time. Now Persiue not daring to breake thorough y^e inexpugnable munitions which the K. had cast vp at Caia, a place not farre from the West gate of Naples (whiche way the Frenchmen must néedes go, to come vnto the Castell) retired backe agayne into Basili­cata, leauing the castell to be surrendred.

WHen that Lewes the Frenche King, and Ferdinande the King of Spayne, coulde not agrēe about the diuision of the Kingdome of Naples, whereof they had spoyled Kyng Fredenke, Dom Hugh de Cardonna hauing leuied in Sicile thrée thousand footemenne, & thrée hundred Horsemē, arriued at Rezo in Calabria, and in a great skirmish distres­sed Iames Sanseuerino Prince of Mileto, who stirred the Calabrians to reuolt, and succoured Didaco de Ra­mires, that was besieged in Terranoua, and burnte and sacked the Towne, and after this put to flight Martiano the Prince of Rossana. When the two Sanseuerini Princes of Salerne and Besignano had in­telligence of these exploites, they leuying vp power in all partes, and arming their tenauntes, ioyned with the Lorde Obegny, who hasted from Cossenza to represse Hugh. There were with Obegny Monsieur de Griguines, and Monsieur de Malherbe, the one Captayne of the Gascoigne Archers, and thrée thousande Switzers, the other (Griguines) of all the light Horsemen, but his chiefest strength was in his men of armes, among whome, an olde band of Scottes dyd excell, whiche consisted of the familiars and faithfull friendes of [Page 33] Obegny, Hugh lodged at that time in a playne, on the South syde of Terranoua, and béeyng broken with the comming of hys enimes, calleth the Captaynes into Counsell: and although he was en­creased with a new supplye, yet he thinketh it best to shunne the o­pen fieldes, and mindeth to retire backe vnto Saint Georges Ca­stell, whych standeth on the Appenine Mountaynes. But the new Captaines that had lately come out of [...]payne, impeached the per­formance of this determination. Among this newe supply, were Emanuell Benauides, and Antony de Leua, who became afterwarde a renowmed Captayne, and two Aluerades, the father and the sonne, they hadde broughte with them foure hundred men of armes, and lyghte Horsemen, and foure bandes of footemen. They sayde, it was dishonorable, yea and flatte shamefull to remoue their Camp backe, and to retyre before the enimie came into sighte, and before they certaynely knewe, what and how great their enimies power was: and this reasoned they the rather, bycause a Calabrian espie, a man of a doubtfull fidelitie, did affirme, that the Frenche coulde not be there within two dayes. But this opinion of the Frenche­men, dyd Obegny, an olde Captayne egregiously deceyue, for he v­sing french spéedinesse, and marching all nighte through an vnused way, taught him by the Calabrians, shewed vnto the Spanyardes his battels raunged, and commaunded the battell to be sounded. The right wing did the two Sanseuerine Princes stretche forthe in forme of a croysant. In the left wing was Griguines Captayn (as I haue sayd of all the light Horsemen) but in the middle battel stoode Obegny almost close vnto the Princes, with the men of armes, cast into a thicke troupe. Malherb set his Switzers, standing thicke to­gither, and his Gascoignes in looser rankes (that they might shoote the more commodiously) close to the syde of the lighte Horsemen.

On the other side the Spanyardes, although they were fewer in number, and deceyued of their purpose, yet without feare they arange theyr battels, and encourage one another to fighte, and withall constantly receyue the charge of the Frenchmen: there was to be séene a cruell fyght, neyther side hauing abilitie to shoote off their ordinance. But in the heate of the fight, whylest Cardonna [Page 34]dothe performe (and that with maruellous constancie) the office both of a Chiefetayne and a Souldyer. Griguines fetching a com­passe about with his extended wing, gaue a charge ouerthwart the footemen, and disordred and defeated them, and immediately the Switzers and Gascoignes were also vpon the iackes of them with suche violence, that the Spanish footemen béeyng broched with the pykes, and shot in with the arrowes of theyr enimies, fearefully fledde. But in another quarter, all Cardonna his Horsemen, béeyng by hys commaundemente cast togither into one round troupe, su­steyned the Calabrian Horsemen with euened slaughter. But whē. Obegny came forth with his battell, neyther the Spanish nor Sici­lian Souldyoures did abyde the violent charge of the Scottishe men of armes, but hastily turning their backes, ranne away a­mayne vnto the Mountaynes, Cardonna rating, and in vayne bid­ding them turne head, and retire faire and softly. The Horsemen béeyng thus put to flighte, the footemenne were slayne and troden downe from all partes, but the greatest parte of the Horsemen es­caped vnto the streightes of the Mountaynes. At this conflict Gri­guines pursuing his fléeing enimies, was slayne, béeing runne into the eye with a launce, when he had pulled vp his beuer. Neyther was Obegny in small perill of death, when the Spanish Horsemen, (as we afterward learned of Antonino de Leua) hauing enclosed and almost taken him prisoner, went about to pull off his helmet, and doubtlesse had slayne him, if he had not bin saued by the comming of the Prince of Salernes Horsemen, who casting themselues into a wedge, scattered those that were clustered round about him. Fur­thermore, when that the rest of the noble mon had escaped by the Mountaynes, Hugo last of all forsaking his Horse whome he had huckened, bycause the enimie shoulde not enioy him, créeped by the snowy Rockes vnto Bubalina Motta, and then gathering togy­ther, and a little refreshing hys Souldyers that hadde escaped out of the battell, he wente downe vnto the Citie of Hierazzi. The baggage and carriages of the Spanyardes, fell vnto the pillage of the Frenche Souldyers, and Pesauntes, the ensignes with ma­ny goodly Genets of Spayne, were brought vnto Obegny, and the nū ­ber of them that were taken prisoners, was greater than of them [Page 35]that were slayne. Neyther coulde that victorie séeme ioyfull vnto Obegny, séeing it cost hym the deathe of that most valiaunt Gentle­man his déere friend Griguines.

After thys battell, when Obegny hadde without wounde taken Bubalina Motta whyther hys enimies hadde fledde, there was no man almost in Calabria that dyd not incontinently turne his deuo­tion towards the Frenchmen victors, the Spanyardes fleing into the strong Castels, whiche they thought the Frenchmenne woulde hardly winne in the Winter season.

FERDINANDE Kyng of Spayne hearing of thys ouerthrow in Calabria, and how that his Lieutenāt General in the Kingdome of Naples Gonsalues, was besieged in Puglia, sente Portecareri with a strong fléete & army into Naples, vnder whōe serued Alfonse Caruaiall with. 600. Horsemen, & Ferdinande Andrada, who had brought out of Galicia & Biskay about. 5000. footemen, but Portecarery dyed as soone as he came vnto Rezo, and so the supreme gouernement fel vnto Andrada, who cōsulting with Hugo de Cardon­na, marched with his army into the territorie of Terranoua. And the verye same daye also came Obegny from Bubalina Motta, to take Terranoua, which when Alrerade a Spanyard had taken before hée came, he after a light skirmish, to trie the force of his enimies, tur­ned to Castel San Gi [...]n, not far frō Seminara, in the whiche place, sea­uen yeares before he hadde vanquished in battell Kyng Ferdinande and Gonsalues. Neyther were the fieldes famous for the late ouer­throwe of Hugo de Cardonna farre off, in somuche, that Obegny béeyng fierce through hys former victories, although he were infe­ri [...]ure in number, yet beholding with his eyes the fieldes fatall vnto hys foes, but fortunate vnto himselfe, was ledde with a ioyful [Page 36]abodement to aduenture the thirde battell: and for that intente, sente his Harraulde Ferracute vnto the Spanyardes, who wyth proude mouthe offered the fielde vnto them, as men of no val [...]o, and accustomed to be vanquished. Hugh being of hymselfe i [...]ren­sed, through the heate of his disceyuing [...]earte, was of the opinion, that the offer of battell shoulde bée accepted, and that for the brin­gyng of the message, Ferracute shoulde haue a basen and a cuppe of syluer, and presently sente for hys brother (who was not farre from thence) to come with his footemen: but hys Souldyers refused to goe forthe, excepte their wages behinde, that had bin so often pro­mised them, were nowe payde. But this contumacie of the Soul­dyers, he easily dissolued, by giuing vnto them all the golde and syl­uer he had, and gaging hys friendes credite for the rest, and so the footemen were brought into the Camp. But Obegny after certayne skirmishes marched to Gioia, whome the Spanyardes incontinent­ly followed, and the next day came Obegny downe from Gioia, in a­ray of battell, which as soone as the Spanyardes espyed, they also incontinently arra [...]nged their battels. In the wings were Emanu­ell de Benauides, and Caruaiall. But in the middle battell were Hugh Antonino de Leua, and Aluerade the father, with the olde footemen and Horsemenne. A little behynde this battell stoode Andrada with the Horsemenne that came lately out of Spayne, and the Galician and Biskay footemen, who after the auntient manner of the Romane warfare, vsed pauices somewhat long and inflected, and iauelins to be hurled. But Obegny himselfe was in the vann [...]gard. Alphonse Sā ­seuerino was in the seconde, and Honorato Sanseuerino in the thirde, and did leade the bandes of their friendes and tenauntes. But Malherbe was Captayne of the square batallion of the footemen, with whome was the greate ordinaunce, whyche béeyng shotte off on bothe sydes, the Horsemen came forthe. But when Obegny wente aboute to auoyde the Sunne that shyned in hys face, hée missed of hys purpose, for a troupe of Spanishe lyghte Horsemen tooke y^e place before him, so that he turned about, & gaue a vehemēt charge on Emanuels wing. But when the sighte was most hote, and Emanuels wing did verye hardlye susteyne the forte of the Scottes, Hugh, Antony, and Aluerade succoured them, and then they [Page 37]sought on both sydes so fiercely, that both Frenchemen and Spa­niards fighting with their swords, were intermedled togither, nei­ther did the one or the other doubte of the victorie, when loc with speedie counsell Caruaial brought about the left wing, and gyuing a charge vpon the backes of the fore ward of the enimies, brought such terror vnto them, being busied with the doubtfull fight, before that Obegny hauing his battaile distressed, fled. And the horsemen of Andrada defeated Alphōso Sanseuerino, that brought aide with the second battell: and with like lotte was Honoratus put to flight, and the thirde battaile ouerthrowne: and within halfe an houre (whiche is scarse credible) there was a notable victorie gotten, al­most all the French footmen being slayne: both y^e Sanseuerines, Hono­ratus, & Alfonse were takē prisoners. But a troupe of Scottes tooke away Obegny out of the handes of his enimies: and then Malberbe and he met, and fled on the spurre to Gioia. But there they stayed not long, bicause, newes was broughte, that the Spanish horsmen were at hand pursuing them: but Obegny in the darke night came to the castell of Angitula, often complayning of Fortune, that had nowe illuded and deceyued him, hauing bin inuincible vntill that daye, and victour in twelue Britayne and Frenche battayles. The Spaniards pursuyng hym, besieged the Castell, whiche Obegny yelded vp himselfe within fewe dayes after, when he vnderstood how the Duke of Nemours the Viceroye of Naples, was discomfyted and stayne in battayle.

THe same day that the Lord Obegny was ouerthro­wen at Gioia, the great Gonsalues de Cardonna Lieu­tenant Generall for the Spanyardes in Naples, ha­uing receyued a supplye of Alwaynes, issued out of the Towne of Barletia, wherein he had bin after a sort besieged seauen monethes, by the Duke of Ne­moures, Viceroy for the Frenche King, and marched to CERIG­NOLA, with intent to besiege the Towne, or to gyue battell vn­to the Frenchmen, if they woulde attempte to succoure it. The Duke of Nemours forsaking Canossa, was encamped not farre from Cerignola, where he called togither the Captaynes, consulting with them whether it were best to fight or no. But thorough vntimely alteration, the greatest parte of the day was spent in consultation, when he himselfe, Monsieur de Formantes, and Monsieur Darsey for waightie considerations, thoughte it best to deferre the fight vntill the next day, but Monsieur Cyandey the Captayne of the Switzers, and Signeur de Alegre, stoutely contended, that victorie whiche had alwayes luckely happened vnto the Frenchmen, when they were hardie, was not to be sought by flouthfull and dishonorable linge­ring, but by spéedy and manly encounter. By whiche sentence Ne­moures vnderstoode, that his honor and fame was greately touched: for hée had heard a little before, how Alegre had spread very euill words of him, as though he being no greate skilfull nor valiaunte Chiefetayne, was afraide to ioyne in battell with the enimie, and had suffered with the foule blot of the French honor, and the great empayring of their strength, his army to be fléesed, and pulled by the suttle enimie. Whervpon he not enduring this reproche, with­out stay said these wordes: Go to then, séeing it séemeth so to some, that we must this day by battell make one end or other of y^e wars, suche as Fortune will alotte, certesse I will satisfye by honorable [Page 39]death, if not the publike desire of the French King, yet at the least myne owne honor: and this sayd, he incontinently gaue the signall of battell, although the Sunne were scarce an houre and an halfe high, and made towardes the enimie with thrée araunged battels, not with equall front, but one a little behinde another, so that whē the righte wing wherein he and Arsye were, ranne forth, Ciandey should shoote off the great ordinance from the middle battell, wher­in stoode all the footemen, and shoulde followe a certaine space be­hinde the fore warde: and in like maner Alegre should admoue the thirde battell vnto the lefte syde of the Switzers when he shoulde thinke good, so that the Frenche battels by reason of their vnequall length, muche resembled in the setting forth the thrée hindermost fingers of a mans hand. But on the other side Gonsalues set against them sixe battels with direct front, two of Horsemen were in the wings, and one backed the Almaine footemē, so néere vnto whome stoode the Spanish footemen, that a farre off, they séemed to be both one battell, but yet so that there was space ynough lefte for the Horsemen that stoode in the middes, to issue out if it were néedefull. But all the light Horsemen he sent forth vnder the conduct of Fa­bricio de Colonna, and Didaco de Mendozza, to stay the enimie by skir­mishing, whereby such a thicke cloude of dust was raised, that the French vauntcurrers could not one whit sée before them, and this was augmented by the smoke of the great ordinance, whiche flée­ing ouer both armies, did hurt neyther of them. But when Gōsalues cōmanded the great ordinance to be shot off againe, Leonard Aleccio told him with great feare and sorrow, that all the barrels of Gun­powder were there by chance or falsehood, set on fire, with whyche newes, Gonsalues being nothing dismaide, sayd: I do gladly receiue this good abodemēt, for what greater ioy can happen vnto vs, than to haue séene the lightes of victorie comming forth? neyther was his prognostication false: for Nemours charging y^e Almaines, & the Horsemen of y^e left wing, vntimely sticked fast in the ditch, y^e Gon­salues had cast vp before his Camp, in somuch y^t when he being re­pulsed, turned his troupe to séeke some other way to come vnto the enimie, he was slayne with an Hargubusse shot, almost before Cy­andey hadde giuen the onset on the Almaines. And the like lucke [Page 40]receyued Cyandey of the same ditche: for the Almaynes wyth their Pykes, and the Spanyardes with their harquebuziers, disordered and slewe the Switzers beyng very yll troubled with the ditche, and also Cyandey hymselfe, who tourned the handes and eyes of all his enimies vppon him, bicause he fought on foote with a great plume of whyte feathers on his headpeece, and stoutly striued to get out of the troublesom place to come to the enimie. But when Nemours was slayne, Arsy and Alegre fledde, whome the Spa­nishe horssemen pursued, slaying and taking many: among whom was Formantes, and then retourned vnto the Campe, when the Sunne going downe had not giuen so muche as halfe an houre of perfect lyghte to ende the battayle, whyche doubtlesse saued Alegre and Arsye. There were slayne of Frenchemen foure thousand, and that with so greate celeritie and felicitie, that when the bat­tayle was begonne and ended within halfe an houre, there pery­shed not an hundred of the Spanyardes. I hearde Fabricio de Co­lonna saye, when he tolde the successe of this battayle, that the vi­ctorie was not gotten so muche eyther by valiauncie of the Soul­dyers, or prudence of the Generall, as by the small rampyre, and shallowe ditche cast vppe before the Campe, whyche caused the Captaynes that ranne after him, to reuine the auntiente marti­all discipline in fortifying their Campe. Gonsalues following the victorie, expelled the Frenchmenne quite out of the Kyngdome of Naples, the which he conquered for his Soueraigne the King of Spayne. Thys battell was foughte the nine and twen­tith of Aprill, seauen dayes after the bat­tell of Gioia.

MAximilian the emperor, Lewis the Frēche King, Ferdinande king of Spaine, Iulius bi­shop of Rome, & Alfonse the Duke of Fer­rara, being entred in to league againste the Venetians, bicause they had eueroched vppon them all, Lewes, the French king marched from Milan with a great army agaynst the Venetians, who hadde also a great power in the fielde beyond the ri­uer of Adda, vnder the conducte of the earle of Petilia Generall, & Barthlomew de Aluian, the Campe maister, and George Cornarie, and Andrewe Grittie, Legates or Prouiditori. But when the Frenche king being desirous to fight, coulde get the Venetians by no prouo­cation out of their fortified campe, he dislodged, wyth entent the nexte night to lodge eyther at Vaila or Pandino, where by cutting off theyr victuals that were brought from Cremona and Crema; hée might force them to dislodge, as in very deede it didde. Now there were twoo wayes to come vnto those places, one the lower and nexte to the riuer of Adda, which was the longer, bicause it was [...]rooked: the other further from the riuer, which was the righter and the shorter. The lower way tooke the Frenche army, wherin were aboue two thousand men of armes, six thousande Switzers, and twelue thousand Gascoignes and Italians footmen, with great furniture of ordinaunce and Pioners. On the vpper way on the right hande marched the Venetian armye wherein were two thou­sand men of armes, aboue twenty thousād footemen, and a great number of light horsemen, part Italians, part Grecians. The Greeke horsemen were the auaūtcurrers, but by reason of the bushes and shrubbes, that occupied all the space betwéene the twoo armies, they straggled not so wide, as otherwise they commonly vsed to doe, and this also was a cause, that one army coulde not descrye another. And as they thus marched (but the Venetians with swif­ [...]er pace) it [...]ed, that the foreward of the Frenchmen, wherein [Page 42]were. v. C. men of armes, and the regiments of the Switzers vn­der the cōducte of Charles de Amboise and Iohn Iames de Triulzi, were vppon a sodaine gotten very neare vnto the rerewarde of the Ve­netians ledde by Barthlomew de Aluiā, wherein were eight hundred men of armes, and almost all the beste footemen of the whole ar­my, but in no very good array, bycause Aluiā did not thinke that day to fight. But when he sawe his ennimies so neare vnto him, whether incited by his wonted heate, or for that he was broughte into that state that he muste needes fight, incontinently signifyed vnto the Earle of Petilia, who marched before with the vaunt­garde, either his necessitie or purpose, requesting hym to come to his aide, to whome the earle answered, that he should marche on and shunne the conflicte, for so both the reason of the warre requi­red, and so the Senate of Venice also willed. But in the mean tyme Aluian placing his footemen with fixe great peeces on a little bay, made to let the course of a certaine brooke then dry, which ran be­twene the two armies, gaue a chardge at his enimies wyth suche violence and valor, that he disordered them, being holpen here­in, bicause the fight was begunne among certayne Vineyardes, where the Frenchmē could not for the vines redily vse their horse: but this perill caused the king to come forward with the strength of the army, and thervpon the auauntgarde, and the middle bat­tell charged on the souldiours, of Aluian, who hauyng conceyued greate hope of victory through the happy beginning, flewe about hether and thether, in kindling and inciting his souldiours wyth most vehemēt words, and very fiersly fought they on both sides, the Frenchmen taking againe heart of grasse through the succour of their fellows, and also the battell being broughte into an open place, where they might freely vse their horses, wherein they did farre ouermatche: besides they were not a little inflamed by the presence of the King, who taking no more care of himselfe, than if he had bin a priuate souldiour, lay open to the daunger of the or­dinaunce, and cessed not (where need was) to commaund, encou­rage, and threaten his souldiors. On the other side, the Italians be­ing made hardy by the first successe fought with incredible vali­ancie, neither failed Aluian in doing in any [...]nction of a very ex­cellent [Page 43]souldiour and chieftaine. At length when they had fought about. iij. hours with singular valiācy, the Venetian power hauing receiued in the plaine and champaine field a great flaughter and discomfiture by the horsemen, and also the ground being made so slippery by a great shoure of raine which fel whilest they fought, y^t the footmen coulde [...]et no fast footing, & especially being destitute of the succor of their felows, began to fight with great incōmodi­tie, & yet neuerthelesse whē they fought with passing prowes (al­though now hope of victory was lost, rather for glory, thā for safe­ty made the victory bloudy, & for a time doubtfull: but at the laste their strength being rather loste than their courage auailed, they neuer turning their backs, were slaine where they stoode, among whom Peter one of the house of the Marquesses of Monte Sanmaria in Tofcan, a captain of a regiment of footemen, was much cōmen­ded. This so stout valor of but one only part of the army, bred a constant opinion in many mens minds that if the whole army of the Venetians had entred the battell, they had horne away the victo­ry. But the erle, whether bicause as he stayed himself whē he tur­ned about to fight, he was impeched by the fleing battel of Aluian, or as the reporte went, for that he had no hope of victory, and was very angry that Aluian durst fight contrary to his cōmaundement, and had thought it better to haue that part of the army to be con­serued, than the whole loste through anothers rashnesse, he kepte the greatest parte of the army from fighting. In this battell were few horsemen loste, the greatest flaughter lighted on the footemen of the Venetians, wherof some say there were. viij. M. slaine, other but only. vj. M. on both sides. Bartholmewe Daluian was broughts prisoner vnto the kings Tente with one of his eyes, and his face sore brused and made blacke and blewe, twenty péeces of great or­dinaunce were taken, the rest of the army escaped, no man pursu­ing them. In the place where this battell was fought, the French king built a Chappell which he called Sancta Maria victoria. After this ouerthrowe the Venetians were easily spoyled of almost all the Cities that they possessed in the maine land of Italy.

GAscon of Foix, Generall of the armye in Italy, of Lewes the French King against the Pope, hauyng intelligence that the power of the Spaniardes, and the Pope were cōming accordyng vnto their pro­mise to succour Marke Anthony de Colon­ [...]a besieged by hym in Rauenna, fearyng the irruption of Marke Anthony, brake vp the siege, and withdrewe thrée miles frō the town towards y^e army of the league: and that night making a bridge ouer the riuer of Ronco, & digging downe leuell the bankes of the Riuer, that the souldiours might in all places passe ouer more easily, the eleuenth day of Aprill (be­ing Ester day) the Almaine footemen passed ouer the Riuer by the bridge, but all the souldiers of the forewarde, and middle battell thorough the Forde: the rerewarde ledde by the Lord Iuo de Ale­gres, in the whiche were foure hundreth men of armes, remay­ned on the banke of the Riuer towardes Rauenna: that if needs should be they might aide the army, or else bridle the garrison and townsmen of Rauenna, if they hapned to sally out: but to kepe the bridge, which had before ben built vpon Montone, he left Paris Scot wyth one thousand footemen, which being done, thus he aranged his battels: the vauntguarde, (before whome went the great or­dinaunce) consisting of seuen hundred men of armes, and Almaine footemen, vnder the leading of the Duke of Ferrara, and the Se­neschall of Normandie, was placed on the banke of the riuer, which was on their right hand: so that the footemen did flanke the lefts wing of the horsemen. Nere to the footemen of the auauntgard, were set the footmen of the mind [...]le [...]t [...]ll all being right thousand, parte Gascoignes, and parte of other Countreys of Fraunce: the captaine of this battel was Alegres. Then further from the banks [Page 45]of the riuer stoode the rerewarde, who were Italian footemen, in number v. thousand, conducted by Federicke de Bozzolo. This bat­tell was flanked by all the Archers on horsebacke, and the light horsemen beeing in number thrée thousande. Behynde all these battailes, which stoode not directly one before another, but em­bowed like vnto a Croisaunt or newe Moone) were sixe hundred men of armes placed, ledde by Seigneur de la Palice, and Cardinall Sanseuerino, Legate of the councell of Pisa, assembled againste the Pope, a man of a mighty body, huge hearte, cladde from toppe to [...]oe in very bright armour, accomplishyng rather the function of a Captaine, than a Cardinall or Legate. Foix lefte no peculiar place or charge for hymselfe, but picking out of all the whole ar­my thirty of the valiauntest Gentlemen, chose to bee free, to the ende hee might haue an eye to euery place, and to helpe all men.

And among all the rest was he most of marke, for the bright­nesse and beautie of his armour and cote of armes, with his coū ­tenaunce very mery, and his eyes full of fiercenesse, and almoste sprintkling out fire for ioye. When hee sawe all his host ranged to fighte, mounting the baye of the riuer, that he might inflame his souldiers hartes, he spake with eloquence (as the report went more than warriorlike, in this maner:

That whiche yee haue so muche wished (my felow Souldiors) namely that ye might once come to encounter youre ennimtes in the champaine fields, see now fortune which hath beene vnto vs in so many victories a benigne mother hath giuen vs this daye, offering vs an occasion of winning wyth immortall glorye suche a victorye, as neuer chaunced wythin the memorye of man anye more magnificent, for not only Rauenna and the cities of Romagna shal be wholly lefte vnto your power, but shal be the leaste part of the rewardes of your prowesse, for no man more being lefte in Italy, that can sette himselfe againste vs, we shall runne euen to Rome without any impediment: where the inuncasurable riches of that wicked Court, pulled so many ages out of the bowells of the Christians, shall bee youre bootie and pillage: and yee shall gaine so many most proude ornamentes, so muche siluer so much golde, so many pretious stones, so many most riche prisoners, that [Page 46]the whole orbe of the worlde shall enuy youre fortune, from Rome with the same facilitie shall ye run forwarde to Naples, and there reuenge so many receyued iniuries: When I doe way your pro­wesse, your fortune and your glorious victories, gotten wythin the space of a fewe dayes: when I doe beholde your countenaun­ces and deedes: when I doe call to memory, that there are verye fewe of you that haue not euen before mine eyes, giuen some no­table prouf of your prowesse, by doing of some egregions acte, no­thing doeth come into my minde that may intercept from vs the felicitie of this victory. Our enimies are the same Spaniardes that at our comming shame ully fled out of Bolongue by night, they are the same men, that but fewe dayes agoe, gotie themselues out of our handes, by no other meanes than running awaye, and ta­kyng the walles of Jmola and Fauentza, or the mountaynes. This nation neuer fought with our armies in the Kingdome of Naples in any open or indifferent place, but always with the aduantage and helpe either of munitions, riuers or ditches, not trustyng to their valor, but to deceit & ambushes. And yet these Spaniards are not those olde beaten fellowes in the Neapolitane warres, but fresh water souldiours, altogither vnskilful, who neuer fought against any other weapons, than the bowes, arrowes, and blunt launces of the Moores, yea and yet by them a people weake of hodye, fear­full of hearte, vnarmed and ignoraunte of all Martiall actes, were they ouerthrowen the laste yeare wyth greate shame in the Isle of Gerbe: Where thys same Peter of Nauarro a Captayne of so greate a name among them,Nau [...]rro was Gene­rall of the Spanish foot­men, a man of great skil in vnder­mining. gaue a notorious example by hys runnng awaye, what difference there is betweene sha­kyng of walles by the furye of gunnepowder, and fyghtyng wyth true hardynesse and fortitude. Nowe they beeing shutte wythin a ditche, whyche they made thys nighte for tremblyng feare, and the footemen couered wyth a Rampire, and tru­sting to their hooked Wagons, stande still, as thoughe they shoulde trye the battell wyth these childishe instrumentes, and not with valour of hearte, and strength of breaste and muscles: Beleeue mee, oure greate ordinaunce shall soone force them oute of their holes and boroughes, and driue them into the open [Page 47]and playne fieldes. Where it shall appeare howe farre the force of the Frenchemenne, the fiercenesse of the Almaines, the noble prowesse of the Jtalians, doeth excell the craftinesse, and deceites of the Spaniardes. Nothing can diminishe oure glorye, but that wee doe so muche ouermatche them in number, that is to witte, almost double: and yet to vse thys commoditye gy­uen vnto vs by fortune, shall not bee ascribed vnto oure da­stardye, but vnto their imprudence and rashenesse, whome not courage nor valiauntnesse, but the aucthoritie of Fabri­cio de Colonna, for hys promisses rashelye made vnto Marke Anthony, or rather the Iustice of God doeth drawe therevnto, that the pryde, and vnspeakeable heynous factes of Julius the false counterfaite Pope, and so manye deceytes and treache­ries of the Kyng of Arragon, againste the goodnesse of oure Kyng, maye bee moste iustlye punyshed. But whye doe I vse manye wordes? whye doe I so long deferre the vi­ctorye by adhortations, altogither vnneedefull vnto Souldiors of so greate valoure, as I doe fondlye spende tyme in speaking vnto you: Marche on (valiaunte heartes) in youre appoyn­ted arraye, wyth full assuraunce that I shall thys daye gyue the Empire of all Jtaly vnto my Prince, and the riches thereof vnto you. I your Chieftaine will be with you at all places, and as I vsually haue done, so nowe also will I laye open my life vnto all perilles: accompting my selfe the moste fortunate Captaine of all that euer haue bene, sithens that throughe this dayes victorye I shall make my Souldyours the moste glorious and the richest of all the souldiours and armies that haue beene these three hun­dreth yeares.

This Oration being ended, and the aire ringing with the noise of the trumpets, drums and the most ioyfull acclamations of the whole armye, they began to march towardes the Campe of their enimies, not two miles distant from the place where they hadde passed ouer the riuer: which campe of the cōfede rats was pitched along the banke of the riuer: on their lefte side was the riuer: and a [...]che (as deepe as the shortenesse of the tyme hadde permitted so bee m [...]de) defenced all the whole Campe on the right syde. [Page 48]In the fore front they had lefte open the space of twentye yardes, that they might make excursions wyth theyr horses: As soone as they perceyued that the Frenchemen were passed the riuer, they thus ranged theyr battells: The vaunt garde of eyghte bundreth men of armes, ledde by Fabricio de Colonua highe Constable of Na­ples, was placed along the banke of the Riuer, vnto whom were adioyned on the right hande sixe thousande footemen, also along the riuer stoode the middle battaile of sixe hundreth men of armes, flanked with foure thousande footemen, the leader whereof was the Viceroy himself, and with him were the Marquesse of Palude, and the Popes Legate John de Medici. Moreouer along the same banke of the riuer stoode the rerewarde conducted by Caruaiall a Spaniarde: in that battell were foure hundreth men of armes, and foure thousande footemen, all the light horsemen (whose Gene­rall was Daualos Marquesse of Pescara, a verye young Gentle­man, but of passyng greate hope) guarded the right syde of the footemen behinde, that they might succour that part that fainted: the great ordinance was placed in the front of the men of armes, and Peter de Nauarro, the Generall of the Spanishe footemen ac­companied with fiue hundreth horsemen, had tyed hymselfe tone certain place, but had sette at the ditche in the front of the foote­men, thirtye Wagons lyke vnto the hooked Chariotes, vsed in auntient time: Wherevpon he had placed fielde peeces, and very long boare spears to sustain the more easely the furious fease and chardge of the Frenchemen: in which order they expected the im­pression and chardge of their ennemies strong armye wythin the munition of the ditche, the which counsell, as in the ende it pro­fited nothing, so did it appeare at the beginning to be pernicious, for it was the minde of Fabricio de Coloma to inuade the enemies assoone as they beganne to passe ouer the riuer, thinking it more commodious to encounter with one only parte of the ennimies, than to abide in the camp defenced with a single ditch: but when Peter de Nauarro (whose counsell the Viceroy dyd folowe, as ora­cles) repugned, it was decreed (thoughe nothing prudently) that they should be suffered to passe ouer the riuer. Now the French­men beingcome within [...] hundreth pa [...]en of the ditche, stayed [Page 49]when they saw their enimies kept thēselues within their Campe, not stirring one foote, least that otherwise they should giue their e­nimie that aduantage whiche themselues desyred to haue: so both armies stoode stone still aboue two houres, but innumerable pel­lets were in the meane time shot out of the great ordinance on ey­ther syde, by whome, the Frenche footemen suffered not a little de­triment: for Nauarro had planted his ordinance in suche a place, as he might muche hurt them: but the Duke of Ferrara with great ce­leritie brought a part of the great ordinance behinde the army vn­to another wing of the Frenchmen, where the archers on Horse­backe stoode, which wing bycause the army was of the forme of a croysant, was almost on the backe of the enimies, from whence he began cruelly to flanke their sydes with very great detriment, and namely of the Horsemen, for the Spanish footemen being brought by Nauarro into a lowe place along the rampyre of the riuer, and by his commaundement layde flat on the ground, could not be hit. Fabricio called out with a loude voice, and vrged the Viceroy, with chicke sending of messengers, to begin the battell, before they were absumed by the fury of the great ordinance: but Nauarro being led by peruerse ambition, would not assent, for synce he had promised himselfe victorie, thorough the valor of the Spanish footemen, yea, though all the rest of the armye were slayne, he thought that hys glory would be the more augmented, the more the detrimentes of the rest of the army were heaped. But now the men of armes and light Horsemen, had susteyned so greate slaughter, that it coulde be no longer borne, and with a miserable spectacle mingled with hor­rible cryes, nowe Horsemen, now Horses, fell downe dead, nowe heads and armes torne off from the rest of the bodye, were séene fléeyng in the aire, whereat Fabricio exelayming, And must we all (quoth he) shamfully dye through the wilfulnesse and peruersenesse of one Maran, and must this armie be vtterly all loste, not one e­nimie slayne by vs? Where be our so many tropheys of the Frēch­men? must the honour of Spayne and Jtaly perish for the pleasure of only Nauarro? and when he had spoken these wordes, no longer staying eyther for the signall, or commaundement of the Viceroy, [Page 50]he draue his Horsemen ouer the ditche, whome when the rest of the Horsemen followed, Nauarro was forced presently to giue the signall vnto his Regiment, who rising vp with great ferocitie, en­countred the Almaines which had now approched them, so all the battels on both sydes being mixed, a maruellous mightie battell was begun, and the greatest without doubt, that Jtaly had séene in many yeares, for that at Tarro was scarce any thing else, but a strong encounter of Horsemen, and the battels in the Kingdome of Naples were rather disorderings of array, or rash attemptes thā battels, and at Giaradaedda, the smallest part of the Venetian po­wer had fought: but héere all of both sydes, béeyng mixed togy­ther in a playne, without impedimente of waters or munitions, two mightie armies fought with hartes firmely fastned, eyther to vanquish or dye, being inflamed not only by perill, glory, and hope, but also with the mutuall hatred that the nations bare euery one to other.

In the encounter of the Almayne footemenne with the Spany­ardes, two Colonels of greate fame, named Iacob Emser an Al­mayne, and Zamude a Spanyard, fought as it were by challenge before the frontes of the battels, in whiche fighte, the Spanyarde slaying his enimie, became victor. The Horsemen of the confede­rates were not comparable vnto the French Horsemen: besydes, they had bin that day so endamaged, and torne by the ordinaunce, that they were made farre inferioure, so that after they had a­whyle susteyned the force of their enimies, rather by stoutenesse of hart, than strength of body, and Alegies sending for Palice wyth the rereward, and also the thousande footemen, which had bin lefte at Montone, had charged them on the syde, and Fabricio de Colonnae fyghting very valiauntly, had bin taken by the Souldyers of the Duke of Ferrara, they séeyng themselues no longer able to beare the force of their enimies, and also taught by the exam­ples of theyr chiefetaynes, turned theyr backes. For the Viceroy and Caruaiall neuer tarrying the vttermost triall of the valour of the Souldyers, fledde, leading away with them the rerewarde al­most whole and vntouched, wyth whome also fledde Antony de Le­ [...]a, a man then of low state, but one that afterwarde being exerci­sed [Page 51]by the space of many yeares, in all degrées of martiall seruice, became a verye famou [...] [...]enerall.

Nowe all the lyghte Horsemenne were ouerthrowen, and Pes­cara theyr Captayne wette wyth bloud and woundes, was ta­ken with hym, and also the Marquesse of Palude, who hadde brou­ghte into the fyghte the seconde battell, through a fielde full of ditches, bushes, and bryers, whyche muche disordred the aray: and besydes that, the grounde was nowe couered ouer wyth the carkasses of Horses, and men slayne, whyche was no small hynderaunce vnto them. But yet the Spanishe footemen, béeyng forsaken of the Horsemenne, foughte with incredible fiercenesse, who although they hadde bin a little driuen backe at the fyrste encounter wyth the Almaynes, by reason of the strong rankes of theyr pykes, yet after they came within the length of theyr Swordes, and manye of the Spanyardes béeyng couered wyth Targettes, hadde gotte betwéene the legges of the Al­maynes, thrusting them in, in those vnarmed places wyth theyr daggers, and commyttyng a greate slaughter, they were nowe come almost vnto the middes of y^e battel, among whome, the Gas­coigne footemen hauyng gotten the way betwéene the Riuer, and the Rampyre, had charged the Italian footemenne, who although they hadde receyued greate losse by the greate ordinaunce, yet hadde repelled them to theyr singular commendation, if Alegres hadde not gyuen a violente charge on them wyth hys Horsemen, wyth greater force, than good fortune: for when hée sawe hys sonne Viuerroes slayne in his syght almost at the very fyrst encoun­ter, hée vnwillyng to lyue after so greate griefe, flang in wyth hys Horse into the thyckest of hys enimies, and fyghtyng as became a most valiaunte Captayne, after he had slayne ma­ny, was slayne hymselfe.

The Italian footemenne, when they coulde no longer su­steyne so greate a multitude, beganne to shrinke, but parte of the Spanyardes commyng to theyr succoure, they kepte styll in the battayle, and the Almayne footemenne béeyng oppressed by the other parte of the Spanyardes, coulde scarse stande vppe anye longer. But nowe all the Horsemenne [Page 52]being put to flight, Foix with a great multitude of Horsemen, sette on the Spanyards, who rather retiring, thā driuen out of the field, did with their aray in no parte broken, take the way that lyeth be­twéene the riuer and the high banke, marching with equall pace with their front very thicke of men, and so repelling the French­men with the strength thereof, began to retire and departe out of the field, whiche Nauarro beholding, was more desyrous of deathe than of life, and therefore not departing out of the battell, was ta­ken prisoner: but when Foix coulde not abyde to sée the Spanishe footemenne thus goe away safely, and victor-like, with their whole rankes vnbroken, and perceyued that the victorie was vnperfect, vnlesse they were broken as well as the rest, in great fury charged on the tayle of them with a troupe of Horsemen: but he inconti­nently being enclosed by them, and throwen off from his Horse, or as diuers say, oppressed with the foundering of his Horse, was slayne with a pyke thrust into his syde: and certesse, if they ought to wishe for deathe, as the common opinion is, that are come vnto the highest degrée of felicitie, then doubtlesse this noble Gentle­mans death was most fortunate, hauing gotten so glorious a vi­ctorie. He dyed a very yong man, hauing now wonne among all men immortall fame, for that within the space of thrée monethes, being a Generall almost before he was a Souldyer, he had with incredible celeritie and ferocitie gotten so many victories. The Lord Lautrech (his Cousin germaine) béeyng hurt wyth twentye woundes, lay besydes him almost dead, but béeyng carried to Ferra­ra, was saued by the diligent cure of the Chirurgians. Thorough the deathe of Foix, the Spanishe footemen were suffered to go theyr wayes without impeachment. The rest of the army was nowe scattered and put to flight, all the bagge and baggage taken, togy­ther with the ensignes and ordinance: and y^e Popes Legate, Iohn de Medici, Fabricio de Colonna, Nauarro, and y^e Marquesses of Palude, Bi­tonto, and Pescara, and many other Princes, the chiefe of the nobi­litie, and men of name of the Spanyards, and Neapolitanes. The number of them that were slayne in this battell, is altogyther vn­certaine, yet among the varietie of many reports, most do affirme, that on both sydes, there were at the least tenne thousand slayne, [Page 53]of whome the third part were Frenchmē, and the rest of theyr eni­mies: but without all doubt, according vnto the common mannet of Mars, the valiauntest and the stoutest men, among whome of the Papistes or the Popes bandes was Raphaell de Pazi, a Captayne of famous renowne, and innumerable were hurt. But without cō ­trouersie, the losse on the victors side was farre the greater, by rea­son of the death of Foix, Alegres, and many of the French nobilitie, and of Iacob, and other of the valiauntest Captaines of the Al­maine footemen, vnto whose prowesse this victorie bought with no little effusion of bloud, was chiefly attributed. Moreouer, many of the Captaynes of the Gascoignes and Picardes (the which na­tions that day lost al their glory among the Frenchmē) were slaine with Monsieur de Molard, but the death of Foix surpassed all other losses, with whome the courage, strēgth, life, and fiercenesse of that army was vtterly extinguished. The greatest part of the vanqui­shed that escaped out of the battell, fledde vnto Cesena, and from thence vnto farther places, neyther dyd the Viceroy stay anye where, before he came to Ancona, whither he brought but very few Souldyers, many béeing spoyled and slayne in their flight, for the Duke of Vrbine not only stirred vp the Countreymen against thē, but also sent Souldyers to doe the like in Pesaro, they only escaped safely that passed through the dominions of the Florentines. But although that after this battell the victor army tooke and sacked Rauenna, yet within very short time, when the couetous Treasou­cer of Normandy to saue charges, had dismissed the Italian Soul­dyers, and part of the men of armes had returned into France, and the Emperoure had reuoked the Almaynes, they were by a new army of Switzers, that came downe to the Popes aide, with whome also ioyned the Venetians, quite dispossessed of the whole Duchie of Milane, and all that euer the French King had in Jtaly besydes.

THe French King Lewes the twelfth, not brooking his losse of Milan, chose two Captaynes of greate authoritie and skill to passe the Alpes: they were Trivulzi and Tremouille: and also sent for Robert de la March out of the lande of Luke, with the blacke regiment of Almaynes, and Lewes Lorde Beamont out of the frontiers of Nauarre, with those bands of Gascoignes that serued Signeur de la Palice a little before at Pampelona againste the Spanyards.

Among them he also mingled certayne ensignes of footemen, consisting of very chosen men: for then euery Gentleman whyche was not appoynted vnto an Horse, dyd with singular chéereful­nesse thynke it for hys worshippe to serue on foote.

All thys power béeyng verye well appoynted, with a greate furniture of greate ordinaunce, hée commaunded to hasten into Jtaly. Maximilian Sforza the Duke of Milane, hauyng intelligence of this prouision in Fraunce agaynste hym, solliciteth the Swit­zers to come into Lumbardy in hys defence, the whyche hée easily obteyneth. And firste of all, the Hamans or Maiors of the Cantons of Vry, Switz, and Vnderwald, as nexte vnto Jtaly, passed the Alpes, whome the bandes of Glaron, Zuch, Lacerne, Sciphausen, Zuriche, and Berne followed in another companye. And in the thirde and last companye were fyue thousande footemen, vnder the conduct of Altosaxe an experte Captayne. But Sforza béeyng dismayde wyth the vnlooked for reuolting of Sacranoro Visconti, who kepte aboute him at Milane a great number of desperate vnthriftes, as well of the nobilitie, as other, ioyned with the first company of the Swit­zers, and wente to Nouara, there to exspect (farre from priuie a­waytes [Page 55]and Treason) the conunyng of the rest of the Swit­zers.

The Frenche power came before the Towne of Nouara, but when they had intelligence that the second companye of the Swit­zers were at hande, and also that Altosaxe was at Galarita, they withdrewe to a place called RIOTTA, twentye furlongs from Nouara, néere to the Riuer of Mora. But as soone as euer the se­conde companye of the Switzers hadde entred the Towne, and broken their fast, the Captaynes assembled togyther to consulte what was best to be done, where Craffe the Haman of Zurich ri­sing vppe, sayde, I besieche you inuincible bréethren, suffer not the exployte that ye haue wyth valiaunte heartes determined, to bée corrupted through the vntymely staying for Altosaxe and his com­panye, for the safest and happiest way to good successe will doubt­lesse fall out, to be only by celeritie. Neyther néede we (that are rightly and valiauntly resolued) ought else than spéedie execution, least we may nothing couragiously fayle vnto so great occasion whych is offered vnto vs, to put vs in hope of a fayre daye, whyche yet may be preuented by a light momente of tyme, for yee a fewe bandes of inuincible valor will be ynough to oppresse the enimies, whylest they thynke we wyll attempt nothing before Altosaxe bée ioyned wyth vs, let vs therefore vse their error, and by an vnlo­ked for onset, bring suddayne terror not without assured slaugh­ter and flight, into the heartes of the enimie, puft vp with vnadui­sed pride, and erronious opinion: doubtlesse we haue alredy vangui­shed, if the victorie conceyued and assured by this honorable deuise and counsell, be presently pursued by fearelesse heartes, and vali­aunt armes. Craffe had no sooner ended his spéeche, but all the Cap­taynes and ensigne bearers without stay, assented vnto him, and grauely consulted vppon the manner how to attache the battell, wherevpon the Souldyers were commaunded to refresh their bo­dyes with meate and rest, and to repaire vnto the ensignes after y^e secōd watch, & then y^e Captayns should tel thē before y^e dawning, what they would haue done. Now whilest all mens mindes were musing on y^e euent of the future fight, & the Sunne was now going downe, beholde, a wonderful chance hapened: al y^e frēchmēs dogges [Page 56]forsaking their Camp, entred Nouara in one great troupe, and be­gan to licke the handes and legges of the Switzers that warded, and wagging their tayles, and laying downe their eares, fawned now vpon one, and thē vpon another of them, as though they were now become their Maisters, or shortly after should. But the Swit­zers (to the end they might make a shew, that they meant some o­ther thing than that they intended indéed,) commaunded y^e Drum­mes to be sounded all the whole night, now in this part of the Ci­tie, and nowe in that, to make the espyes, if there were any in the Citie, to beléeue that they would issue out of the Towne, and there­by kéepe their enimies, who they knewe had bin in armour all the whole day on Horsebacke, armed also all the night long. But they commaunded all their owne men to strengthen their bodyes wyth fléepe, and to stay for day, that euery man might in the cléere lighte shewe his valor, with a noble contention for honor. For these are the most seuere lawes of the Switzers, that whosoeuer shall in the sight of the armie doe things for feare, whiche are shamefull and vnméete for valiaunt menne, shall be incontinently slayne by their nexte fellowes, so that the greater feare doth ouercome the lesse, and for doubt of a shamefull death, an honorable death is not feared. Now a little before it was light, the Captaynes chose out of all their armie (whiche was about nine thousand footemen) one thousande men of approued prowesse, who should haue the charge of eyghte falkons, and accompany Maximilian and his Horsemen, who were very fewe, but of the chiefe of the nobilitie. The rest dyd cast themselues into two battels, and marched all whyst without sounde of Drumme towardes their enimies two diuers wayes. But Triuulzi, who although he were accompted a Captayne of approued and beaten wisedome, yet thoughte nothing lesse than that a few, and those weary footemen, woulde before Altosaxe were come, issue out against a very strong power, or attempt any thing touching the fortune of the battell. When he vnderstoode that the enimies power was in syght, reyseth vp Tremouille, and the rest of the Captaynes, commaundeth the signals to be sounded, & the ordi­nance to be placed against the enimie, and all things that he hadde learned by experience and discipline, to be administred according [Page 57]to the necessity of the perill. The shortenesse of the tyme was suche, and the heartes or the enimies so ready to fighte, that the Frenche horsemen had scarse tyme to bridle their horses, and put on their heade peeces: as they which had stoode a greate parte of the day and night in armour, attending what shoulde bee com­maunded them: and at length thoughe very late, when newes was broughte that all was quiet at Nouara, had gotte them into their cabines to take their reste. But the light horsemen, as men sooner ready, in good time enoughe ranne forth with a very long wing stretched towards the lefte hande, and mette with the thou­sande Switzers as they were commyng, who, that they mighte auoide the greate ordinaunce, that nowe tempested vppon them, marched towardes the riuer of Mora, fetching a little compasse a­boute, and then minded to passe ouer the riuer by a bridge, and set vppon the backes and tentes of the enimies. Thus the Swit­zers marching on towardes the bridge in a broade waye, beganne to be torne in peeces with the ordinaunce whych flanked them on the side, and to be vehemently pressed by the horsemen. But then Mottine wyth vnappalled hearte altered hys counsell, and willed Maximilian (who was in great danger, the Epirotes insulting roūd about him) to depart out of the fight, and incontinently to returne vnto the Citie, that so he might keepe the heade of the warres, which then laye open vnto the acerbitie of fortune, for to enioye the noble hoped victory. But when hee nobly refused so to doe, and with constant hearte desired that he might be suffered to take the chaunce of common fortune, two pety Captaines, and so ma­nye ensigne bearers, tooke his horse by the bridle, and pulling off the crest from his helmet, and casting about hym an olde cloke to bide his coate armoure, ledde him out of the field, forcing him to returne vnto the citie with a troupe of horsemen, that hee beyng a daungerlesse beholder of their prowesse, myghte there exspecte the newes of speedy victory. Mottine being thus deliuered of that wofulnesse, relieth his swaying battell, which had nowe lest thrée of their Falkons, wythdraweth the wounded into the middes of the battell, and with greate force beates backe the insulting Epi­rotes, and slaying Alexio Bosigno a noble Geeke their captain [...]ite [Page 58]defeateth them. And with the same fease is also carryed into the ennimyes Campe, and there the drudges and stragglers beeing slayne, and the Souldiours of the station disordered, tooke the carriages and baggage: But a little before these thynges were doone by Mottine, an other company takyng a longer iourneye thoroughe the Corne fieldes then growen vppe, and thereby receyuing small hurte by the ordinaunce, had charged the syde of the enimye.

The Frenche power was deuided into three battailes: Tre­mouille and De la Marche hauyng the leadyng of the wyngs, and Trivulzi of the middle battayle: and the Batallion of the Lance­quenetz hadde gotten them within a ditche betweene the bat­tailes of the horsemenne, bycause theyr Trenche beeyng of a newe and wounderfull workemanshippe inuented by Roberte de la March, for to enclose them agaynste the chaunce of battayle, coulde not bee pitched and sette vp in that suddayne commyng of the ennimie.

Vppon this Esquadron of the Almaynes, the Switzers bryn­ging about their battell towardes the right hande, courageously tourned them selues, for that they vnderstoode the victorye woulde bee easely obtained, after they had once defeated the chie­fest force of their enimies armye.

The Frenche Captaynes seeyng this, incontinentely com­maunded the greate ordinaunce to bee shotte off vppon them: the rankes to bee broken thoroughe wyth greate slaughter, and anone after the menne of armes also vehemently charged them on the lefte syde. In this tumulte the Amans of Berne and Zuche were slaine: yet the Souldiours nothyng appalled wyth their Captaines deathes, neyther with their owne perill, nor the horrible slaughter of their fellowes, gathering their strength to­gither, do cast them selues into a ring, and wyth greate valoure doe propell the horsmen: and straightway, as they had before de­termined, passing ouer the ditche, set vppon the Almaines. Wher­vppon incontinently began a bloudye and cruell fight, yea and that without either wordes or noise on eyther side, sauyng onlye an horrible clashyng of armour and weapons, and the softe sighes [Page 59]of them that fell downe deade.

The Almaines that they mighte reuenge the slaughter of their countreymen the laste yeare at Pauia, and now by newe renowne redeme the glory of warfare, lost fourteene yeares before at Bru­derholtz in the confines of Basill, foughte very fiercely. But the Switzers, that they myght yet one daye quite destroye their olde and peculiar enimies, fellowes that had runne out of Germanie, and serued the Frenche Kyng in reproche of the Emperour, were no whitte behind either in strength or feruencie of courage.

But whilest the Switzers and Almaines thus fought at push of pike, newes was brought vnto Trivulzi and Tremouille, that the baggage was taken, those that were appoynted to kéepe the Campe slayne, and all places fylled full of tumulte and slaugh­ter. The fame whereof, so troubled the Frenchemens myndes, that a greate parte of the horsemen (euery man being carefull for his bagge and baggage,) ranne thither without commandement, to recouer the praye.

Also in another quarter almoste at the same instant, the third companye or battell of the Switzers, shewed themselues at the fronte of the Frenchemen, which battell (whilest the Frenchmen hadde in vayne shotte off their ordinance into the woodde that stoode béefore them, by reason the Switzers to deceiue the enni­mies had politikely lefte among the trees certayne vnprofitable drudges, to make a shewe of armed men) hadde crepte along by a syde way, by little and little stoupyng and traylyng theyr py­kes after them.

And nowe so greate was their contempt of the flying bullets and so terrible their chardge, that the Frenche and Nauarrine foot­men (their Captaine Beamont being slayne) and twoo bandes of Genouese and Salucians, were quickly defeated, and also their ordi­naunce taken and tourned on the backs of them that fled. When the reste of the horsemen sawe the greate ordinaunce gotten by the enimie, in whome the Frenchemen hadde in all warres repo­sed more truste, than in theyr armes and prowesse, that the Al­maines were nowe almoste quite destroyed, their tents taken, the enimie ouerthrowing all, & now large lords of the field, betwene [Page 60]shame and feare they tourned their backes. When all men were thus dismayed, the Captaines themselues were fearlesse enough (considering the fearefulnesse of the state) and went about to ral­lye the rankes that were disordered, and turned them selues to­wardes the dissonant cries of their own fellowes, made them to abide and fighte, encouraged the petye Capitaines and ensigne bearers to put away feare, and so long to susteine a fewe pesants of weary, vnarmed and nowe weakened wyth woundes, vntill the lighte armed had enclosed them. The Lansquenetz beare the brunt of the battell, and the fight is repaired in all places. But the horsemen being nothing moued wyth the wordes of the encoura­ging and commaunding captaines, shamefullye flye: For the Switzers althoughe their Captaine Mottine were slaine by a péece of ordinaunce, yet hauing gotten the Campe, did al bloudy fierce­ly inuade the lefte side of the horsemen, and on the righte syde, and on the back a greater power with terrible pikes, did very sharply vrge the affrighted and disordered horsemen. There perished in repairing the fielde, Monfalcon Captaine of the Duke of Albanies companye of horsmen, and Coriolano Trivulzi, a yong Gentleman of singular hope. But the Almaines, who leesing halfe their men and two ensignes and their Generall Floranges greeuously hurte, had foughte very constantly a long time: Nowe when they sawe themselues to bee forsaken by the horsemen, and the reste of the footemen in all quarters to be defeated, and the great ordinaunce taken: thinking that flight was shamefull, and yet nothing safe, did set the points of their weapons vpright accordyng vnto their manner and yeelded themselues, seeking mercye of the victor eni­mys. In this grieuous vproare Robert de la March Lorde of Ce­dan, attached with impotent sorow to see his two sonnes the lords Floranges and Gemese enclosed by the enimye, and almoste in de­sperate daunger of life, burst in euen into the midst of his enimies battell wyth a troupe of horsemen, and toke them vppe lying a­mong the dead bodyes miserably berayed and embrued wyth the bloude of their woundes, and being halfe dead, layde them ouer­thwarte the neekes of two horses, like vnto twoo cloke bagges: and thus wyth singular praise bothe of fatherly pitie and warlike [Page 61]prowesse, he caried them away, preseruing their liues to purchase renowne in future and more fortunate fieldes. Thus the Swit­zers fighting in thrée companyes or battells, within an houre and an halfe dyspatched and finished a famous battell, and a moste weyghtye warre. Neyther yet althoughe the Switzers sawe so many of their enimies lye slaine before their face canne they once to the spoyle, notwithstanding that precious furniture of house­hold, and al the baggage of the riche army did allure their minds: for they remembring their country discipline, which doth not per­mitte them to take anye armed man prisoner in the battell, nor to pursue any that flieth: stoode still a great part of the day, fearing lest the French horsmen incited either through the policie of their Captaines, or theyr owne shame, would come backe againe, and appresse them while they were busied in spoilyng the deade. But their enimies ranne awaye wyth suche feare and pertinacie: that Trivulzi galloping to & fro all dustie and hoarse with crying vn­to them, was not able eyther by faire or foule speache, or the au­cthoritie of Generall, to stay the ensignes or to retaine the horse­men that casting awaye their launces, gallopped awaye foremost. It is well knowen, that Grittie the Venetian Prouiditor, who be­ing a companion of this vnluckye iourney ran awaye with them, oftentimes sayde among this company of hasting horsmen: Yee olde horsemen that flyng awaye so faste vppon the spurre to day, bee not the men of armes of the Venetians, but those noble Gen­tlemen of France, that vsed to cal them women runaways. Certes it neuer happened before, that Captains, (at all other times in­uincible and fortunate,) being furnished wyth so great an army, were defeated by a fewe footemen, fortune nowe listing to sporte a little. It is reported that the French horsemen might haue bin all wholy destroyed in their flighte, if Maximilian Sforza had had but two hundreth men of armes, for not one of the French horse­men caried launce beyonde Sesithes: (so greate was their heate to escape) yet a while after Siluio Sabello, and Corradino Cribelly, with certaine light horsmen, pursued them euen to the towne of Treca­to. But the Contadmes or Pesantes running out of the fieldes and [...]ainlets vnto the spoile, cruelly slue where they sawe any bootie, [Page 62]the dispersed and fearefull Frenchemenne wearyed, and quite spente, at ditches, hedges and all other places that didde lette their course. The same daye the Switzers gathering togither the slaine bodies of their countrymen, caried them on their shoulders into the Citie, that the laste honoures myght iustly be done vn­to them that had singularly wel deserued of the common wealth.

There were slaine of them in this victory aboute a thousande three hundreth, of whome they broughte into the Towne aboue seuen hundreth torne into péeces with the great ordinaunce, and almoste as many were wounded. But on the Frenche part were slaine to the number of eight thousande of all sortes. Among the Captaines of the Switzers, the almoste monstrous valor of Jor­din of Vnderwalde was specially noted, who (by the credible report of many,) slewe twenty of his ennimies with his halberde, cary­ing away the iuste rewardes of assured praise. But Maximili­an being very ioyfull for so happy successe, called the Souldiours togither, and the teares trickling downe his chéeks, & scarfe able to speake for ioy, he gaue them all harty thankes, and that whych might be a gift of present pleasure, hée gaue them in rewarde of their prowesse all the victualles that was taken, to be deuided a­mong them, besides the ordinaunce and all the spoyle and praye that was gotten. But the trenche that was taken from the eni­mie, hee sette vppe in a publique place, as a monumente of the victorye: And forasmuche as wée haue seene the maner of the ma­king thereof, wee doe thinke it good to describe the same, that it may be both a paterne and also profitable vnto the posteritie.

A square plotte of fifty paces euerye waye, like vnto a small Campe being measured out, foure strong postes sharped at the ende, were driuen into the grounde at euery angle one, standyng aboue the grounde nauell highe: the sides were defenced with les­ser posts or stakes, a certaine space being lefte betweene post and post: betweene the postes went rayles, which they might take off and on, they being fastened togither with yron bookes or claspes. The Almaines stoode within this munition, which was defenced rounde about wyth almoste an hundreth Harquebuzers a crocke. Through the defence thereof, Sedan had thought verily that the [Page 63]force of his assayling enimies woulde not only haue bene sustei­ned, but cleane dashed broken and defeated, for he was of the belefe, that the Switzers before they could come to vse their pikes and to hande strokes, shoulde be paide for their inconsiderate in­uasion: It being likely that the esquadron terrible, for their pikes, and safe and inuincible for their strength, wold defend the trench, and at length opening the munition, breake out vpon the disorde­red enimies, and so obteyne an vndoubted victory.

But this engine inuented by a warlike witte, and brought o­uer the Alpes with so greate labour and charges, as it did great­ly delight the eyes of the beholders both for the noueltie of the fa­shion and the hope of victory: so Fortune after hir wonted guise scorning such subtill inuentions, tooke successe quite away from reason, and the woorke, when it shoulde haue taken moste ef­fecte. But thys deceyued the Almaines, that they thought it not nedefull that day to set vppe their trenche, which lay in the Wa­gons, seeing the camp did then go backe from the enimie. When wee conferred wyth Tremouille at Bolongne about these matters, he did not fondly laye the faulte in Trivulzi, as thoughe that hee woulde not encampe (as Tremouille hadde perswaded hym) on hys owne landes, for destroying of the grasse that then was ready to be mowen. But Trivulzi as he that had neuer bene vanquyshed before, when hee declared muche of the euente of this battell, did referre it wholly vnto the iniurie that was fatall vnto hys re­nowne: for hee sayde, that the skilfullest Captayne in the worlde coulde not by any me anes redresse rashe men and Souldiours, made starke staring madde by degenerate feare.

WHen that HENRY the eight king of Englande, besieged the Citie of Tyrwin with three camps, of whom himself cō ­ducted one, the Earle of Shrewsbury an other, and the Lord Herbert the third: he had intelligence y^t Lewes the Frenche king had leuied an armie vnder the con­duct of the Lord Piennes, for to victual the Citie, whiche was sore oppressed wyth penurie. Whervpon king HENRY passed ouer the riuer with all the retinue of his owne camp, & his ordinance, for to impeach the Frenche passage in that parte. In the meane season a French man beeing taken in skirmishe, in hope of pardon of his raun­some, declared that the Frenche armie with their full power and strength, were comming from Blangie, to the number of fifteene thousande horsemen to ayde Terwyn, on that side of the water. And to the intent that the armie of the Earle of Shrewsbury and she Lord Herbert should not ayde the King: there were appoin­ted fiue thousand of the fifteene thousand, on the other side of the water, to inuade them on the other side of the water.

The Kyng had no sooner pitched his field, and sette in order his ordinance, but that he was aduertised by the Northern prickers, that the Frenchemen to the number of twelue thousande were comming forwarde in arraye of battell. Whervpon some coun­selled the King to take downe his tentes, but the King said, I wil this day that my fielde be made and sette in as royall wise as may bee, and all my riche tentes sette vppe: whyche was done. Then the King called the Lorde Darcie, and commaunded him to keepe his fielde, treasure, ordinaunce, and other stuffe: who was loath to goe from his maister, but by straight commaundement. Then euery man prepared hymselfe to battell, resorting vnto the stan­dard, the horsemen marched before the footemen by the space of a [Page 65]mile: still came Curriours bearing tidings that the French armye approched. The King bad set forward in the name of God and S. George. The Almaines (that serued the King) séeyng this, to what purpose it was not knowen, suddaynely embattayled thēselues on the left hand of the King, and left the front or brest of the Kings battayle bare.

As the King was thus marching forward towards the battaile, to him came the Emperoure Maximilian with thirtie me of armes, he and all his company armed in one sute, with redde Crosses: then by the counsayle of the Emperoure, the King caused certaine fielde pieces to be layde on the toppe of a long hyll or banke, for the out-scourers. Thus the Kings Horsemen, and a few archers on Horse­backe marched forward. The Kyng woulde fayne haue bin afore with the Horsemen, but his Counsayle perswaded him the contra­rie, and so he tarried with the footemenne, accompanyed with the Emperoure.

The Frenchmen came on in thrée rankes, sixe and thirtie mens thicknesse, and well they perceyued the Kings battaile of footemen marching forward: the Earle of Essex, Captayne of the Horsemen, and Sir Iohn Peche with the Kings Horsemen, and the Burgonions to the number of eleuen hundreth, stoode with banners displayde in a valley. The Lorde Wallon, and the Lord Ligny with bastarde Emery (Burgonions) and their bands, to the number of foure hun­dred Horsemen, seuered themselues, and stoode asyde from the En­glishmen: so then the Englishmen were but seuen hundreth, yet they with banner displaied, remoued vp to the toppe of the hil, and there they mette with Sir Henrye Guilforde, with an hundreth tall Ar­chers on Horsebacke, whiche had askryed the Frenchmen. Nowe on the toppe of the hill was a faire playne of good grounde: on the left hand a lowe wodde, and on the right hand a fallow fielde. The Lord Wallon and the Burgonions kept them aloofe, then appeared in sighte, the Frenchmen with banners and standerdes displayed. Then came to the Captaines of the Englishmen of armes, an En­glish officer of armes, called Clarenseux, and sayd, in Gods name set forward, for the victorie is youres, for I sée by them that they wyll not abyde, and I will goe with you in my coate of armes. Then [Page 66]the Horsemen did set forward, and the archers alighted, and were et in order by an hedge all along a village called Bomy: the Frēch­men came on with thrée and thirtie standerdes displayed, and the Archers shotte apace, and galled their Horses, and the Englishe Speares set on freshly, crying Saint George, and fought valiant­ly with the Frenchmen, and threw downe their Standerdes, the dust was great, and the crie more, but suddaynely the Frenchmen shocked to their Standerdes, and fledde, and threwe away theyr Speares, Swords, and Maces, and cutte off the bardes of theyr Horses to runne the lighter. When the hinder part saw the former part flie, they fledde also, but the sooner for one cause, whiche was this. As the Englishmen mounted vp the hyll, the Horsemenne of Albany (commonly called Stradiotes) were commyng downe­wardes on the syde of the hill before the Frenche host, whych sud­daynely sawe the banners of the English Horsemen, and the kings battayle following vpwarde, thinking to them that all hadde bin Horsemen, then they cast themselues about and fledde: the French­men were so fast in aray, that the Stradiotes coulde haue no en­trie, and so they ranne still by the endes of the raunges of the frēch army: and when they behinde sawe the fall of the Standerdes and theyr Stradiotes in whome they had greate confidence, returne, they whiche were farthest off, fledde fyrste, then vppe praunced the Burgonions, and followeth the chase, whyche was pursued thrée myles. Thys battell was of Horsemen to Horsemen, but not in equall number, for the Frenchmen were tenne to one, whiche had not bin séene before t [...]me, that the Englishe Horsemen got the vic­torie of the men of armes of Fraunce. The Frenchmen call thys battell, The Battell of Spurres, bycause they ranne away so fast on Horsebacke.

This Battell was fought the sixtenth of August, in the whyche was taken the Duke of Longuile, the Lord Cleremonde, and manye other noble men, to the number of twelue score, and also all the standerdes and banners, which with the prisoners were broughte to the Kings presence. The Burgonions kepte their prisoners, and brought them not to sight. The same wente, that Monsieur de la Palice was by them taken, and let goe. But the other syue thousand [Page 67]Horsemen, that had bin appoynted to inuade the Earle of Sherews­bury, came not downe, but only skirmished with Sir Rice ap Tho­mas. But the Citizens sallied, and were valiauntly beaten backe by the Lorde Herbert. After this victorie the Citie yéelded, as also not long after dyd the famous Citie of Tournay.

WHilest Henrye the eyghte Kyng of En­gland thus molested the Frenche Kyng in Fraunce, Iames the Scottish King inci­ted by the Frenche King, and also egged on by hys owne naturall hate towarde England, which he well hoped now in the absence of the Kyng greately to annoy, proclaymed warres against the King of Englande, and withall entred hys lande with a great armye, besieged Norrham Castell, tooke it, and made it leuell with the grounde, and from thence marched (wasting wyth fire and sworde) to besiege the strong towne of Berwike. In the meane time the Earle of Surrey whome King Henry for his ap­proued fidelitie and prowesse had left behinde him in Englande hys Lieutenaunt, with a power to kéepe the borders towards Scotland, leuying an army, went against the Scotte, who miserably wasted all the Countrey. There were with him the Lord Dacres, warden of the West marches, a renowmed man for all martiall prayse, Edward Stanley, and Bastard Heron, which Heron brought with him a strong troupe of Horsemen, which he being of late banished both from England and Scotland, had cunningly trained in robberies, and other with aides, whiche were leuyed in all partes by the Quéene, for at y^e bruite of the newe warres, not only y^e countreys néere vnto the Scots, as lying opē to the daunger, but also the shires farre off [Page 68]of their owne frée willes, rather for hatred than feare, hasted to the Earle, all men taking very vnpatiently the iniurie of violating the league lately concluded betwéene the two Kyngs.

Iames had then lodged his armye on the toppe of an hill, whyche the inhabitants do call Floddon, in a place very strong both by arte and nature, for on the left hand a great marishe and slimie gulfes, ouergrowen with tuffes of Willowes, did possesse all the playne vnderneath the hill. On the right hande ranne the riuer of Tyl at the foote of the hill with déeper Chanell, and swifter streame, than coulde be passed ouer by foorde. Their backes were defensed wyth stiepe hylles and very thicke woddes. But at the front where na­ture had only left a gentle comming vp, and only way vnto it, king Iames had cast vp a ditche, and placed all his ordinance on the inner banke thereof, and so strongly defensed himselfe, that to be entren­ched round, or assaulted from the lower ground, he could not with­out pernicious encounter. When Surrey was come thither, he wō ­dering at the iniquitie of the place, thought it not good to assault the Kings Camp, but sent an Harauld vnto the Scottishe King with a message, the summe wherof was this, That king Iames in breaking the solemne oth of peace, and in polluting the rightes of most holy inuiolable kinred and affinitie, by inferring warres vnto Henry, when he was nowe absent, by burning his Townes, wasting hys Countreys, and murthering hys Subiectes, when they feared no such thing, had done most wickedly & cruelly, therfore he was come with an armye to reuenge the saide iniuries. King Iames himselfe should choose an indifferent place, and certaine day to darreine bat­tell, for he woulde without any staying or doubting, giue him bat­tell as soone as euer he would permitte any equalitie. Then Iames (as he was a Prince of a stately stomacke, and tryed hardinesse,) courteously speaking vnto the Harrolde, thanked Surrey, and open­ly commended hym, that of his owne accord he desired the fielde, whereas he had long feared with wofull and troubled minde, that he would by all sleightes rather haue auoided the same: and there­fore according vnto that courage, he should make readie his wea­pons, and the thirde daye after expect the araunged battels of the Scottes in the open fields, that there he woulde seuerely sette in [Page 69]iudgement vpon those iniuries whiche he hadde vntimely and re­prochfully mentioned, and at the daye prefixed, make an ende by annes both of all olde and new controuersies. Surrey was encam­ped in a playne, thrée miles from the enimie, and there raunged his army: but Iames although he were ready to fight, yet kept hymselfe within his campe and munitions, bycause all the most expect of his nobilitie, much misliked to ioyne in battell: but aboue all other, the Earle of Huntley (than whome there was none in that army ac­compted eyther more valiaunt or more politike) spake in the coun­sell Chamber so loude, that the guard also might heare him: that there was nothing more foolishe or vayne, than to fight at the ap­poyntmente of the enimie, and at his will and pleasure to aduen­ture the fortune of a pitched field, that the King should kéepe hym­selfe in that commodious place, and by lingering, [...]lude his fierce foes, considering there was in the eminies camp greate penurie of bread, neyther could victuals be easily brought out of the inwarde partes of Englande, the way béeyng very foule, by reason of conti­nuall raine that had fallen, that y^e King within short time by sitting still, and doing nothing rashly, should not misse to fight very fortu­nately, and giue the enimies (beyng tamed by the iniquitie of the place, and lacke of victuals) a safe slaughter vnto his Souldyers. Besides these words of Hūtley, many things accompted for foreto­kens, although they were thought to be vayne, and procéeding of chaunce, hadde stryken Religion and new terror into the Kyngs heart, for as he was sytting in counsell with the Captaynes, delibe­rating about the manner of the battayle, an Hare lept out of his tent, and being stryken at with a thousand weapons, escaped vn­touched through the middes of the station. Moreouer, the Myce had grawen asunder the string and buckle of his headpéece: and the report went, that the vayles of his inner tent were in the mor­ning besprinckled with a bloudy dewe. When the King for these causes came not forth into the field, Surrey who for sundry incōmo­dities could no longer stay in those morish foule & filthy places, nei­ther dyd think that the King would fighte vnlesse he were compel­led by extreame necessitie, dislodged, and leauing the enimie on the left hand, and passing ouer the riuer of Tyl, marched vnto a better [Page 70]place at the ende of Barme wodde, that he mighte there in a more fertile and safe place refreshe hys Souldyers, whome with greate iourneys and thinne dyet, all those thrée days he had sore wearyed, and in the meane time expect new power, and according to the mo­uings of the enimies, who had with their multitude filled the next hylles, he likewise should follow a new trade, in administring the warres. Nothing deuided the two Campes, but only the Riuer of Tyl, neyther dyd eyther partie absteyne frō tempesting with great ordinaunce, and other shot. But a hill at the hither side of the riuer, rising vp gently a mile high, serued Surrey to great vse, for it defen­ded the front of his Campe from all iniurie of the enimies ordi­naunce. From that hill Thomas Lord Howard Surreys son, a yong Gentleman of passing prowesse, surueying the hilles y^e lay about it, vpon whome the enimie was encamped, and the playne beneath, sheweth his father that the Scotte might easily be excluded from Scotlande, or else being gotten out of his strong lodging, be brought to fighte, if he woulde agayne transport hys army ouer Tyl, in that place where before he had come ouer, and fetching no greate com­passe aboute, woulde shewe hymselfe on the backe of the enimie, as farre within as the streightes of the hyll woulde suffer. Surrey who hadde whollye bente hys mynde to fyghte, sente certayne menne verye skilfull in the Countrey, and also in martiall disci­pline, to viewe the place, who vppon theyr returne, when they reported vnto hym the verye same, and hys sonnes counsell was confirmed by all mens opinions, hée incontinently commaunded the army to dislodge, and thrée miles from thence passed ouer the Riuer by two bridges in two companyes at one time. But Iames coniecturing Surreys intente, least by remayning still on those hylles, and beeyng intercluded from Scotlande muche agaynste hys dignitie, hée should léese frée libertie to forage, and therewithal too, (whyche hée thoughte muche apperteyned to reteyne his authori­tie) least by detracting the fyghte, and béeyng lyke vnto one be­sieged, he should séeme to repose more trust in the place, & the muni­tions, than in the prowesse & valor of hys Souldyers, straight way dislodged, and marched directly to take the nexte hyll, whereof hée greately feared hys enimie would haue preuented him, but it was [Page 71]broughte to passe thorough hys owne celeritie, and the industrie of the drudges of the armie, who had at the Kyngs departure (as was commaunded them) fylled all the Countrey with one smoke and blacke myste, by settyng on fyre the Souldyers Cabins, the strawe and al the rest of the forrage, that Kyng Iames was come to hys purposed place, before Surrey, who was but one myle from hym, eyther perceyued hys departure, or coulde sée the long traine of hys marchyng armye. Kyng Iames thus possessing the toppe of the hyll, Surrey came wyth all hys power vnto the foote there­of, and staying there a little whyle, determined wyth hymselfe, séeyng the hyll was neyther verye hygh nor harde to ascende to climbe it, and to fyght before the enimie hadde fortifyed hys camp, and then calling togyther the Souldyers, he declared vnto them into what place and case they were come, that on the one syde the hygh bankes of the ryuer, and on the other the stiepe hylles, that ranne along many myles, tooke quite away from them al wayes of flight, yea and all hope of lyfe, vnlesse they foughte lustyly, and vanquished valiauntly, and therefore they shoulde couragiouslye encounter their forsworne enimyes, who breaking the league, thoughte thorough the occasion of the Kyngs absence, to winne the Empyre of the whole Islande: neyther shoulde theyr heartes be troubled with their greate multitude, for it had but sufficiently tryed by the often victories of their auncestors, how small strength and constancie there is in Scottes, that God hymselfe woulde be with them in the fielde, as he hathe alwayes héeretofore bin iust­ly agaynste the breakers of their faythe, and the contemners of hys and mans lawes and Religion, onely the Souldyers shoulde rete [...]ne styll the memorie of theyr olde prowesse, for by the con­sente of all menne, the most iust cause of warres is to propell in­iuries, and defende by armes theyr Houses, Children Wyues, and that whyche séemeth to be much more renowmed, the dig­nitie of the Papall libertie, the whyche with noble hearte, and holye counsell, hadde taken vpon hym to defende, and so ac­cordinglye by Goddes assistaunce, hadde dryuen the vngodly oppugners of the inuiolable Maiestie, béeyng discomfyted in battayle, theyr Captaynes taken prisoners, and theyr strong [Page 72]Citie wonne into the inner partes of Fraunce, and therefore they should vnder the conduct of the same God, fight against men defy­ [...]ed with the same contagion of polluted Religion: and if they made accompt of the honor of their Countrey, the Kyngs estimation, and finally their owne glory and safetie, that they shoulde followe hym their Captayne, ready eyther to vanquish gloriously, or else to dye honorably. The Souldyers cryed out incontinently, that he should giue the signall of fight, and nothing doubt to darreyne battell, yea though in a place of great disaduantage: for they stoutely said, that they would with their wounding weapons climbe the toppe of the hill, and neuer returne into the Campe but victors. Then Surrey in this hope and couragiousnesse of the Souldyers, deuided all his po­wer into thrée battels. The fore warde he assigned vnto the Lorde Howarde, wherein he also placed Edmunde another of his sonnes to gouerne a parte thereof (Hall makes it a wing.) He himselfe ledde the middle battell, and ordeyned Sir Edward Stanley to bée Captaine of the rereward. He placed the Lorde Dacres with the Horsemen for a battell of succoure, and dysposed the great ordināce in certaine distaunces among the rankes, and in the front, and so with a round marche maketh towardes the enimie. In the meane time, when the King saw the glistering of the armoure, and the se­uerall battels of the enimie (as he might very well from the hyll) thinking that occasion of victorie was that day giuen him, if he be­ing then superioure both by the sighte, the ground, and also the nū ­ber of men, did out of hand fight with the enimie, he gaue the signal of battell, and turning vnto the nobilitie of his Realme, who stoode néere vnto him, vsed such a like spéeche: Séeyng most valiant com­péeres in armes, that we shall this day fight with better condition and more aduauntage, than euer any of our auncestoures hathe héeretofore done with this enimie, remember that now is the time of supreme occasion to reuenge youre iniuries, whiche ye feared woulde neuer haue come, and haue hitherto in vayne wished for, when ye suffered all villanies and reproches of these most proude enimies: but we that haue borne these things so long at home with sighing for vaine anger, often crying vnto God for reuenge, and at length in this most goodly occasion, haue taken so iust and so [Page 73]needefull armes, shoulde doubtlesse shew our selues very vile and abiecte persons, and of all men the vainest: if nowe when deedes and true prowesse are needefull, and that we muste sette foote ts foote, and by woundes and death seeke for glorious victory: we shoulde feare the face of our enimies, and wyth timorous hearte measure the perills of battells, I for my parte beyng contented with y^e old limits of my kingdom enioyed wyth good peace, could haue passed my time in reste and quietnesse, and haue bene wyth­out the perylles and laboures, that warres doe dayly bryng: If without care of dishonour I had preferred mine owne priuate fe­licitie before both the dignitie of my countrye, and your safetie. But by your generall consent in that passyng great opportunitie of reuenging of your wrongs, and of all other thinges, when you were al of one opinion, that warres were openly to be made, bycause that those things which wee and our Progenitours had suffered at the handes of oure moste bitter and spitefull enimies were shamefull, gréeuous, and intollerable: I forthwith proclay­med warres wyth greate courage, and that whyche dothe make me hope of victory, ye wyth greater endeuour and desire, singu­lar feruencie, and incredible alacritie, haue folowed the ensignes, that one daye by doing some notable acte, and as it were the vt­termoste worke of valiauncie, ye might shew the egregious for­titude of your heartes, and ende those immortall controuersies by a notable victory? For what may there anye doubt be had of the prosperous successe of the victory, seing the armye of the eni­mies is in nothing to bee compared wyth ours, theirs consisteth wholy of a kinde of freshe water Souldiers, that will quickely runne awaye amaine, beyng take vp in haste wythout regarde of prowesse, and [...]uenished with weapons and armour only for a shewe of Souldiours, for all the olde men of warre, or suche as are meet for the field indeed, either for strength of youth or good personage are ca [...]ed awaye by Kyng Henry into France. And will not you then from the higher ground wyth the multitude of your weapons [...] [...]he [...] a sort of wretches, [...] we in number, and spent with wea [...]nesse and fam [...]ie assoone [...]s they shall [...] da [...]e [...] approche you. They clamber vppe the hill, [...]o [...] bycause they [Page 74]be so hardy, but for that they are needy, and must needes doe it: that they maye at once more honestly and spéedely by death escape the pinching pains of vnwonted labour & hunger: after the man­ner of wild beasts, whō when fretting fury hath once vexed theyr heartes, and famine their bellies, extreame anger dryueth into raging madnesse. Drawe your swords therefore with me, and cutte the throats of these freshe water Souldiours: and be asha­med not to goe thither for feare of death, whither ye shall see mee your Captaine leade you the way for renowne and glory. The souldiours succlamed vnto the Oration of the king yet speaking, with the clashing of their weapons and dissonant cries, wythout any longer delay, the king first sending out of sight his own horse and then al other doing the like, to the end that all mens peril be­ing made equal, all hope of flight quitetaken away (as it is the manner of that nation) hee might shewe both his strength of bo­dye, and valiauncie of minde, diuided all his power into fiue bat­tels, for this reason: that the midle battell, wherin was his chiefe standerde, shoulde be guarded on both sides with two battels: as it were with wings. In the right were the Earles of Huntley, Craforde, and Montrosse, in the lefte the Lorde Hume, and the erle of Lennox, and Arguile, reported to bee experte menne of warre. He had ordeined a knight to be captaine of euery band, and with them certaine Frenche captaines, whome King Lewes had sente into Scotlande a little before, to teach them the discipline of war: and all the ordinaunce (which coulde serue to no greate vse down the hill) being bestowed in a fitte place, hee himselfe stoode in the middle battell, againste Surrey.

Nowe had Edmunde aduaunced the foremoste bandes vppe the hill, when the ordinaunce on both sides being shotte off, and the firste rankes, disordered, Hume brought downe hys speares on foote, who lay wyth so furious force vppon the Englishemenue commyng vppe the hill, that the valiauntest of the ring leaders being slaine and Edmunde stroken downe, they had turned almost all that battell into flight. And nowe was there [...] hope to abide, the handes being both affrighted, and also defeated, vnlesse that in so greate daunger, on one side Bastarde Heron a renowmed man [Page 75]for his wonderfull strength of body and noble courage, and em­brued with his own and hys enimies bloud had, lifted vp Edmund: and from another parte Dacres beeyng intentiue to all sodayne chaunces of the battell, had sente an hurlewinde of horsemen o­uerthwarte the side of the enimies. And therewithall the Lorde Howarde also comming after with the moste chosen men, the bat­tell was without doubt restored, and courage was rendered vn­to the vanquished. So the fortune of the battell béeyng made e­qual, and then mo Englishemen comming still vppe bande after bande, the afflicted beyng intermedled wyth the freshe, beganne wyth emulation of prowesse to aduaunce the front of the battell vp the hill.

Nowe when they were come vnto the strengthe of the Sedttes, and bothe sydes foughte almoste wyth greater hatred than strength, Montrosse and Craforde commyng into the foremost rankes to encourage the Souldiours, were there slaine valiant­ly fighting, and the esquadron of the speares on foote was broken through, scattred, slain, and vtterly defeated by the horsmen and footmen. But in the lef wyng almoste at the same tyme, Stanley being ioyned in battayle, hadde won the hill of the Scottes, and with the multitude of his arrowes, lighting thicke vppon them, had brought them into that case, that nowe they foughte not close togither, but their rankes beeyng loosed and thynne, and as menne that soughte to auoyde the shotte, their ensi­gnes beganne to sweye and shrinke hyther and thyther. Whi­che when Stanley perceyued, he fetching aboute thrée bandes of succour vppon the open side of the enimies, broughte so greate terrour, that they were not able to susteine their violent charge, and stande to it, but incontinentely fledde, and running head­long downe the hill, hidde them selues in the Woddes. There Arguile and Lennox reteyning wyth voyce and handes, the en­clined battell, were slaine.

In the meane tyme Kyng James, who hadde a little before ioyned in battell wyth Surrey, as soone as he sawe that the ar­raye of his menne was disordered in the wings, and his enimies were spreadde abroade rounde aboute hys skyrtes, adhortyng [Page 76]the bande that was appointed for his guarde, and the olde souldi­ours, and the noble men that were aboute him, that they would doe nothing vnworthye of themselues, nor their auncestours: broughte his battell into the middes of hys enimyes. So that a newe battell arose againe afreshe, and sharper than the firste: bycause all this Scottishe battell being well armed, had very wel susteined the arrowes of the Englishemen, and certain Captaine of the foremost rankes being slaine had perced almost to the En­glishe ensignes. There were on both partes very tall men, cho­sen by both Captaines for the supreame and laste chaunces of the battell: and the fight (as it must needes bee in such a case) was di­uers and doubtefull, one whyle to the one, and another whyle to the other prosperous and deadly. The King hymselfe fighting on foote before the ensignes, mayntayned the fight wyth greate pertinacie, inflaming some with praise, and other wyth shame, finally crying out to them all with diuers encouragements, that since now they had gotten their enimies, they should be reuenged on them with sworde and woundes, the which thing they had so greately desired, and so gréedely thyrsted after. On the other syde, Surrey when the best of hys Souldiours were eyther slayne or wounded, contended with greate valor, still wythdrawyng the wounded into the hindermoste rankes, very earnestly encoura­ged his men to bring the battell to the dint of sworde, and where the enimies moste vrged, there also fought he moste stoutly. But whilest this hotte conflicte lasted at the ensignes with vncertaine euent, the lorde Howard and Stanley, who hauing defeated theyr enimies at both wings, came victors vnto the middle battel, tur­ned their powers vppon the enimies, charging him in two quar­ters: and therwithall in very good tyme Dacres ranne vppon the backes of them, with a very thicke troupe of horsemen, so that when the Scottes were slaine on the from, the sides and the back, and being wearied with laboure and woundes, coulde not breake through for the heaps of slaine carkasses, weapons, and armours, they being on eche side enclosed, were forced to fight in a ring.

But when the Kyng saw his chiefe standerd throwen downe, and Adam Forman that bare it slayne before his face: then doub­ting [Page 77]nothing, but that he muste immediatly dye, that he might de­liuer his harte from imminent reproches, ranne foorth vnto the thickest of his enimies, and there was slaine fighting very vali­auntly. Nor farre from him certeyne greate men of the Church contending with equall pertinacie, and prowesse, were likewise slaine: One Archebishoppe, twoo Byshoppes, and foure Ab­bots: and of noble men, and men of marke for dignitie of knight­hoode, and honours of warfare, thirtie sixe. Hume and Huntley get­ting horses in this tumult through the benefit of the night appro­ching, escaped into Scotland wyth the hindermoste bandes and battells, whiche consisting of a very cowardly kynde of Souldi­ours, had not stroke one stroke: There were slaine that daye a­bout eight thousand Scottes, and almost so many taken: but all the ensignes were gotten, and two and twentye peeces, of ordi­nance, among whom were seuen culuerings of greate hugenesse, whom the king for their likenesse one vnto another, hadde named the seauen sisters. The Scottishe Campe was with the same fease wonne and spoyled: the kyngs body was founde the nexte daye by Dacres, and brought to Berwicke, and there a long time lay vnburyed for the Englishemen thought hym vnwor­thy of the holy honor of buriall and graue among Christians, after death for that he had in lyfe time fauoured and mayn­tained the Frenchmen and Schifmatickes.

ANno Domini. 1513. Raimond de Cardonna captaine of the army of the league againste the French King inuaded Venegia with fifteene bandes of Spanishe footemen, vnder the conducte of Ferdinande Mar­quesse of Pescara, euerye bande conteyning three hundreth Souldiors, and seuen bands of Lans­quenetz ledde by James Landawe, euerye bande consysting of fiue hundreth Souldiours: (both the Spaniardes, and the Almaines were olde Souldiours, and hadde foughte verye valiauntlye of late at Rauenna) wyth seauen hundreth men of armes of Kyng Ferdinandes olde companies, and also one hundreth and fiftie Al­maine men of armes vnder the conducte of Rician and Celemberg, the Emperours Captaines: and also a companye of light horse­men, whose Capitayne was Succaro Heduo: and besydes two companies of men of armes of the Popes power ledde by Troilo Sabelli, and Mutio Colonna, and a company of light horse vnder the gouernement of Vrsino Mognani: finallye wyth sixe hundreth Spa­nishe horsemen seruing vnder Peter de Castro, among whome many were archers.

With thys power and .xij. falcons he inuaded Venecia, bicause the Venetians hadde that same Sommer ioyned wyth the Frenche power in Milan againste the Duke, when that Trivulzi, was dis­comfited by the Switzers.

But when he sawe that he coulde not gette out the Venetian po­wer to fight with him, neither coulde he winne eyther Padoa, or Treuiso, where they kepte themselues: hee passed ouer the riuer of Brenta: where after they had wyth fyre and sword, wasted all that countrey beeyng of singular fertilitie, hee encamped at a [Page 79]village on the Sea coaste called Maestre: from whence as the nearest place of the mayne lande vnto Venice, hee holdyng the stately seate of the enimie, commaunded the ordinaunce to be layde vppon the nearest parte of the shoare, and to bee shotte off in reproche and spite of the proude Citie, as thoughe hee hadde layde hys batterie againste thē Citie, as in deede some pel­lettes lighted in it.

The whiche spitefull parte bredde suche indignation in the heartes of the angred Seignorye, who not wythout teares be­helde theyr princely Mannour houses burning in all partes of the Countrey, that they wrote vnto Liuiano their Generall who was at Padoa with a power to represse the insultyng insolencie of their enimyes wyth armes, and whensoeuer he shuld get op­portunity of tyme and place; to gyue them battell.

Liuiano gathered togither almost seuen hundreth men of arms, and few lesse than two thousand light horsemen, seuen thousande footemen, and greate store of fielde péeces, wyth hym also ioyned Sacramoro Visconti, being excluded out of Milan, wyth aboute sea­uen hundreth horsemen, very well appointed. Moreouer this bar­barous burning hadde excited a great number of Contadines or pe­sants, vnto whome Liuiano had before sent Paulo Manfrony an ex­perte Captaine, to rule and guide with reason and counsell the rude multitude, commaunding hym to permit no occasion of in­uading the enimies on the backe, whensoeuer hee shold see them either troubled with the woddes, or riuers, or busied with battell. The newes of the approch of Liuiano made the army of the league to cease their wasting, and to seeke to passe ouer the riuer of Bren­ta: the which they politikly did in the night time, deceiuing Liui­ano: who being driuen from his first councel, marched to a place called Vlmo thrée miles from Vicenza, to take the streightes of the next hilles, which way the Leagers muste needes passe to go vn­to Verona: which the Emperour then possessed.

But Liuiano stopped the passage of the streights, with castyng by of ditches, trenches and rampires, wherein he had placed hys great ordinance, so that it was not possible for the enimie to passe that waye wythout assured destruction, and agayne to take an [Page 80]other way aboute by the mightye Mountaynes, and the thicks Woods of Basiano seemed to be worse than an aduerse battell: the Pesantes cruelly pursuing them that had loste their baggage, as men vtterly vanquished and turned out of their auntient honour, Nowe was the armie of the League come wythin sight of the eni­mie, and were encamped so neare vnto the Venetians, that they hearde the neighing of their horses, and the noise of their camp, and were wonderfully annoyed by Liuiano from the higher ground with the greate ordinaunce, so that the horsemen were forced to seeke low places, and great trees to defend them selues, and the footemen to lye flatte vppon the grounde. But when night was come, proclamation was made, y^t al the fires throughout the camp shuld be put out, that the enimies might haue no marke to direct their shot more certainlye: and also thoroughe the persuasion of Prospero de Colonna (who ruled all the armye, although Raimonde was Generall) al the Wagons and bootie that they had gotten, was burnt, that they might more speedyly marche the nexte daye before it was light towardes Basiano: hoping assuredly of victory, if they coulde gette the enimie out of the strong place of aduaun­tage for to folow them. It was somewhat late ere Liuiano vnder­stoode of the departure of the enimies, by reason of a thicke miste that arose (as it commonly doeth in such moorish countreys) but assoone as hée perceyued that they were gone, he sent Bernardine Antiniola his sisters sonne, a valiaunt yong Gentleman, with the light horsmen, and three Falkons to endamage the taile of them, and to view whether they wente: for his minde was not to ioyne with them in battell wythout greate aduauntage, knowyng hys footemen not able to match the old Spaniardes & Lancequenetz: but determined only to vex, annoy, and stay them wyth often skirmi­shes, as they marched thorough troublesome and yll wayes: that he might deliuer them (being wearied with trauel, watching and famine) into the hands of the Pesantes swarming aboute them, so to be destroyed. But Antiniola very hotly vrging on the tayle of the ennimies, attached a very sharpe encounter wyth the Al­maine horsemen: in the whiche he beyng repulsed, had forsaken his ordinaunce: but after that other troupes of horsmen succou­red [Page 81]hym, the fight was againe so furiously renewed, that not only the three péeces of ordinance were recouered, but also the Almains put to flight, in such sort, that Prospero commaunded al the horse­men to open their troupes and to make way through the middes of them for the fleing Almaines: and least they should else haue dis­ordered the whole battell, hee also commaunded Pescara to turne heade wyth his Spanishe footemen towardes the Venetians. There was with Liuiano, Andrew Lauridame the Venetian Legate or Pro­uiditori, a vehement man, neyther lesse greedy of reuenge, than of glory, but one altogyther vnskilfull of the wars. He hearing good newes from all partes of the auaunt [...]urrer [...], hasted vnto the Generall (as he was vehemently stirred vp with the sharpe af­fectes of hope and griefe) and sayde vnto him: Why linger you Generall? the enimies escape: an assured and notable victorye will slippe out of our handes: it will rather be accompted false­hoode, than cowardise, if that you linger any longer: neyther can this opinion bee taken awaye, vnlesse you do incontinentlye commaunde the signall to be giuen, and pursue with all your po­wer the fleing and disordered ennimie. Then Liuiano turning to­wardes Hugo de Pepoli, and Guido de Rangoni, saide: let vs aduen­ture though rashly yet nobly the footemen of battell, seeing that ouer greate power of superioritie, doth ouercome reason: least if I be to daye wary and considerate, I shall anone after being ac­cused before the seignory of cowardise or treason, and oppressed with wrongfull hatred, be putte to death by the aduerse and ma­licious voices of the vnskilfull, as was vnlucky Carmagnola. That be vttered these speches, wee lerned of those that were present at thou. Then causing the signall to be sounded, he pursued the eni­mies with three battels: the leading of the right and lefte wings whiche were both of light horsemen, had Antonio Pio, and Bagleo­ne, but the middle battell, wherein were the men of armes, and Sacramoro Visconti, Guido de [...]goni, and Hermes Bentiuogli, he him­selfe conducted. The battels of the footemen marching also wyth equall p [...]e [...] the one and the other side of his battells, the hors­men on both sides encounter very fiercely: and nowe Liuiano fle­ing hether and thether, and trying out that this day would be the [Page 82]ende of theyr laboures, and the begynuyng of theyr dewardes, hadde enkindeled his Souldioures with so greate dessce to van­quishe, that many of them pierced thoroughe the thickest of their enimyes, euen vnto theyr Ensignes, and stryuyng to bryng them awaye, and bryng strongly resisted, tore thou into pée­tes, and slew Ebrardde Cornia the enfigne bearet of M [...]tiaks com­pany, a valyant olde Gentleman, and his couragious sontie.

But whylest the horssemen thus encounter togyther in the scoute wyth equall hope and feare on bothe sydes: Prospere rode vnto euery rancke, encouragyng them, and commaun­ded. Pescara to aduauntee forwarde on the one syde wyth hys Spaniardes, and Landaw on the other wyth his Launsqueneti, and to charge the footemenne of the ennimie, the whyche they did wyth suche furie, that the bandes of Babo Brescehelli, whome Liuiano had for the opinion of then notuble prowesse placed in the foremoste cankes, scarse once attemptyng the encounter, turned their backes almost before they had scene their en [...]; although their Captaines, men of singular dalor endeuoured by incoura­ging, threatning & beating to make them abide, & sought them­selues very valiantly in the forfront, where they were slayn also: among whom were John Bernardino, Alezzo Seraphino, Alfonso M [...] ­to, Phillippe Carsoleio, Aniball de Simoni, and Baptista Docto, who had placed aboute him a crewe of very valiaunt Souldiours, choser out of diuers hands, which were all staine by Pescara, who there valiauntly coughte on foote before hys Spaniardes with apike in his hande.

Then the middle battel of the Venelian horsmen being bared on one side of their footemen, began first to be driuen barke, and be­ing vrged more sharpely, anone after with slaughter to bee put to flight: neyther coulde the disordeted battell be repaired or made to staye, when the foremost rankes were slaine, although that all the valiauntest horsemen eudeuoured to their vttermoste to su­ [...]eine the impression of their [...]minses. So that when al suche as resisted were slaine the ensignes were throwen do [...], and name­ly the ensigne of [...], the which Authony Mon [...]o [...] had long time valiauntly kepte, but at the last lost it, togyther with hys life, and [Page 83]at the same brūe, Sacramoro and Hermes being vnhorse [...]were slain by the Launce quenetz. But Pescara Gentlmanlike saued Otho Visconis, brother vnto Sacramoro, althoughe there had bene before a priuate quarrell betweene them.

Nowe when the horsemen of the right wing sawe the middle battell, wherein they reposed all their hope of victorye, and that whyche they thought should beare the brunte of the battell, slaine and put to flight, they shamefullye burling awaye their armour and weapons, ranne awaye amaine, and Antonius their Capitayne appressed wyth the wayghte of hys armour was drowned in the Riuer of Becchilio. The right wyng also wyth like cowardise didde the like: for when Paule Baglione hadde not brought aboute speedily: enoughe the right wing by reason of the moorishe and slimy grounde where vppon he had lighted by going about to en­close the enimie: & Liniano also had more hastily attached the bat­tell than he had thought he would: it came to passe, that his soul­diours seeing the slaughter and flight of other of their fellowes, and also distrusting their owne strength, fledde away whole and vntouched. Yet in the front, although that feare and flight had taken the bartes of all the souldiours, many valiaunt Captains, whilest for the dignitie of their martiall scruice passed, they ende­uoured to reteine the souldiours, to keepe the array and grounde, were at length fighting couragiously slaine, beeyng for saken by their souldiors, and enclosed by the multitude of theyr enimies.

But Paule Baglione hauing loste his twoo base brothers, Troia­no and Hierome, and all his horsement seattered, in vtter dyspayre fledde awaye, and lightyng on a marrishe, was taken by the Spanishe horsemen.

In the meane tyme, Liuiano, althoughe hee were forsaken of Fortune, and lefte alone by his Souldioures, still ratyng them for fleeing, yet went busily about to renew the fyght: but at lengthe beyng broken in hearte, and spente in strengthe, hee fledde, and came to Padoa. The reste of the Capitaynes were almoste all taken in the chase, or slayne by the Almaines, who spared no man: and many also were drowned in the riuer of Bachillie, for when they came wearye vnto the Ryuer, eyther [Page 84]they were or owned in the streame, or wer ouertaken and oppres­sed by the enemy as they stoode deliberating whether it were best to passe it or no. And thus they perished by diuers chaunces. The Lansquenetz also, & the Spanishe footmen, breaking theyr arraye, pursued the flight, slaying those that the horsmen running before, had ouerthrowen, or whom the throng of them that fled, and the heapes of armours and weapons. Wyth whom they euery where met, had hindered or stopped. Andrewe Lauredame Prouidirou, a [...]ant vnworthy of that calamitie, (if he had not bene the vnlucky au­thour of that vnfortunate battel) was taken: and albeit after he was withdrawen, he promised a mighty masse of golde for hys raunsome: yet was hée moste cruelly stayne by a raskall droudge. But Andrewe Gritti gotte hym to Vicenza, and was there verye hardly saued, for assoone as the Venetians beganne to flye, the per­culleis of the gate was let down, which was the cause of many a mans death, for they missing their hope of entring Vicenza, in go­ing backe againe met with the ennimies, by whome were slayne Captaines of companies of horsemenne, Charles Monrons, [...] Saxatello; Constantius Pio sonne to Anthony, and Meleagri [...] of Fonli, but there were slaine of Captaines footemen, and pety captains, aboue sixe and twenty. Many were saued by the Italians and Sp [...] ­mardes, but those whome fortune caste on the Almaines (hauyng before sworne to spare no man) were al slaine There dyed of the Venetian army that day being the .vij. day of October, about vij. M. whereof .iiij. C. were men of armes: a thing that had neuer happened before in any battell. There were also taken .xxiij. pée­ces of ordinaunce wyth all the ensignes, yea and this almoste at­ [...]icued without wounde of theyr enimies, for there were lost but only two men of marke, & they were of Mittius de Colonnd is com­pany: Eberard de Cornia his ensigne bearor, and Camillo Maximo, & knight of Rome, a yong Gentleman of rare towardenesse. There was neuer armye in our age that had foughte eyther wyth more shamefull ende, or was vanquished with lesse damage of the eni­mie: in so much that the Marquesse of Pescara euen in the mids of his ioy for the victory, detesting the dast arolynesse of the Venetian Souldiors, openly protested, that he was very hartily sory, that it [Page 85]was his lucke to haue béen inserted by dys auncessours into the land of Italy, Pescara his auncestors came out of Spaine. that brought forth so feeble & faint harted souldiors. But after this greate ouerthrowe giuen, the army of the League, by reason of the approch of winter, wer forced to forsake the field, and to returne vnto their wintering places.

WHen Basill the g [...] are Duke of Mosconie had by treason taken the strong towne of Smoleincho, he sent thrée companies of horsmē to waste Littaw. Against whom Sigismunde King of Polon sent his appro­ued Captaine Constantine with an army of [...] thousād Foloman m [...] of auntes, twelue thousand Lithuam [...] [...] [...]b [...]o [...]e a [...] archers on horsebacke, and three thou­sande footemen, part harquebusierz and parte pikemen, in whose puissance if they once ioyned in battel the reposed assured hope of victorye. Basill, who had aboue fourtse thousand horsemen doub­ting nothing of the euent of the [...] battell, suffred the P [...] ­lonian power quietly to passe ouer the riuer of Boristhenes or Nept [...] that he might haue the more full and noble victorye: and when bee vnderstoode by his espites, that all the Polonians were passed o­uer, turning himself towardes his Captaine, her spake as follo­weth. Our eniu [...] [...]ane passe the Riuer, to late to retourne a­gaine, if ye [...] playe the men. Wherefore (moste valiaunt fel­lowe Souldiours) a [...]one as euer ye shall receyue the signall, breake forth as thicke togither as ye can clustes, and after ye haue once powred downe & shorte of shaftes vppon your enimies bat­tels, then euery two of you encountes one enimie: and persuade, your selues that by this dayes victory ye shall sacke the riche Ci­ties [Page 86]of vil [...] [...]nd [...] the Chief [...] Cities of Li [...] and Pol [...].

When hee had th [...] sayde, [...]eech [...]se out of all the whole hoste aboute seauen thousande horse [...], whome hee commaunded to enclose the enimye behinde at the backe: and when they percey­ued the battell waxed hotte at the front; then they shoulde wyth all their power sette vppon the ennimyes at the backe, fearing no suche think: for on the lefte hande was there a little valley, hed­ged in as it were with little hilles, running along, and couertly clothed with very thicke bu [...]yes and briers, fitly seruing to hyde such an ambushe. But of the reste of hys power hee made thrée battells.

The forewarde, wherein were twelue thousande horsemenne, hee placed an the right wing, and made Michaell Golijza a vali­aunt man. Capitaine thereof: the seconde hee appoynted for the lefte wing neare vnto the hilles, to the ende it shoulde bee as it were a battell of succour: but at the wagons, cariages and bag­g [...] of the armye▪ bee hymselfe st [...]de wyth the middle battell, wherein were placed the strength of the army.

On th [...] c [...]trary [...]e Constanti [...] not being ignorāt that the vn­ [...]aned enimie wold in no respect be equall vnto hym, if he could at the firste brunt susteine the multitude of their arrowes, and bring the matter to hande strokes, and that the battell might not altog [...]e be foughtes by thicke tro [...]es of horsemen, he placed, all the men of [...]mes in the [...]ro [...], to receyue the firste force of the [...]wes, but strengthned both wings, with Lithuanians, and their backes with the footemen.

And riding from ranke to ranke, he saide vnto them: we must this daye fight not for glory, nor by armes to recouer Smole [...]cho lately loste by [...]r [...]uds, but to impeache that the perfidious and moste shamefull Mosco [...]ites, maye not raigne ouer the Polonians, and Lithuanians. Neyther (fellowe Souldiours) will I enkindl [...] you vnto prowesse and vyctorie, more by any adhortation, than by putting you in m [...]nd that the riuer Boristhenes is at your backe, which if yee (beyng discomfited by the armed enimye,) cowardly thinke ye maye agayne passe ouer, by giuing place, or shameful­ye fleing, ye shall make it famous, for a perpetuall ignominy of [Page 87]your Country, and your notble discomfiture and [...]aughter. But that ye do not suffer so great dishono [...] and soule fact to be cōmit­ted vnder my conducte, I doe beseeche and obtest thée (O God moste bounteous, and almightie and yee holy Ladist and Caffi­mire, the defenders and pastrons of the Polontas Empire, and I do bowe an altare and Church vnto both of you if it maye stande wyth your pleasures, that the Poldnian vanquish and I discomfi­ring and putting to flight the annimye, may, bring home a speedy and entire victorye. While Consta [...]ine was yet speaking, the Mos­couils founded the battell, and the rewithall Michaell commaunded his horsemen to run forth f [...]ourth e [...]ng, and to shote theyr arrowes. Neyther did Constantine (as hed instructed the Captains when hee arranged the battels) keepe in the men of armes, but they were commaunded incontinently to charge their stames, but running vppon the en [...]ys, spee dyly to bring the rouflices vn­to the sworde. And suc [...]e in deebe was the [...] that being come beyond the fall of their eui [...] [...], they escaped the greatest part of that shoure, and a [...] represting in with the be easts of their horses and their weapons, tooke from the arhers on hor [...] backe the vse of their bowes, and their second arrowes, in whom they had reposed greate conside [...].

On the other shoe the Lu [...]nians stre [...]ving out their widge as long as they coulde possible, charge the sides all the iu [...] sh [...] ­ting innumerable arrowes vppon their thick battels: where with all the Moscouites being opprossed, when they could ueyther: beack through in the front, beeyng drged by the men of armes, nor not giue barke, their fellowed behinde thrusting them forwarde, the [...] brake their arraye and flew out side long vpon both the wings of the Lithuanians, and there as one tyme attached two encounters in dyuers places: yea and the same tyme also the horsemen, who as wee tolde you were se [...]e by Basill at the backe of the Polonians throughe the hidden valley, with [...]deous cry, and great sounde of trumpets, that they myght seeme the greater number, i [...]uaded the Polonians on y^e [...], which being once perceiued, tertaine cap­taines valiant men, amongst whom was the Palatine Polosky, not­withstanding Constantine had straightly commaunded them not to [Page 88]stirre out of their places, nor to sight without his cōmaundement: Yet thinking that in sodaine and daungerous chaunces of sight all things are not to be done according to streight prescript, but the present occasion of things muste bee encountered, since they coulde not then runne to aske the Generalls counsell, bycause hee fought busily a [...]me other quarter nor in any case in that shortnes of time, certifye hym thereof, turned the esquadron of the foote­men on the enimies. The esquadron beeyng by their array im­moueable and strong, although they hadde receyued some detri­ment by the arrowes, yet notwithstanding discharging all their harquebusters togither at once, by that tempest of pellets staying the for [...]ōbranks of the enimy, came to their pikes and halbards, and by their impulse and valo [...] repulsed the enimie. When the horsemen being empeached with their multitude, could not gette out to spreade abroade themselues, and trauerse their grounde: they [...]usteyned the sight in that streight and throng wyth greats slaughter. There when the sight wared h [...]t, y [...]e might haue séene man and horse th [...]u [...]t thorough with a stroke, other ouerthrowen, and great heapes of slaine men lying euery where, and all places silled with the bloud, and grouings of dying m [...]n. But in another quarter Constantine hauing disordered the ranks of the enimie, and almoste quite destroyed Michaels horsemen, was nowe come vnto the middle battel, and at [...]aching a sharpe encounter, had disorde­red the fo [...]ndste rankes with his violente charge and slaughter. When Basill distrusting of the midle battel, and his own strēgth, gaue backe, but yet turned not his face, as one that expected the supreame eu [...]nt, thinking verily that the horsemen which he had sent before to inu [...]de the Pul [...]uiam o [...]r the backe, woulde strike a soddaine and therefore the greater feare into the heartes of the Po­lonians, neyther foreseeing nor distrusting any suche vnlooked for inuasion. But the footemen that deseated them, tourning their rankes, and comming wyth speedy pace vppon the battell of suc­cour, brake all the reste of his hope and hearte, So that Basill de­parting out of the battell with a troupe of noble horsemen, fled a­maine vppon the spurre: whom that battell incontinently follo­wed, whiche (we shewed you) was placed at the hill for a succour, [Page 89]being not once able to abide, no not the looke of the bloudye and victorious footemen. Then folowed a foule flight all the field o­uer: but yet the middle battell with greate constancy receiued the enimie, that egrely vrged. For Basil had placed al the armed and valiantest Souldiors of the whole host about the ensignes, and in the front of that battell. So that they fought long with variable fortune, and moste egre and fierce contention on eyther side, and diuers Polonian horsmen of marke, and two yong noble men were there slaine, as they ouer hotly ranne their horses into the thicke battell of the enimye. At the length the Lithuanians and footemen, after they had defeated them with whome they had encountred, came also vppon them from diuers partes with furious force: the Moscouits before they should be constrained to sight also behinde: thought beste to prouide for themselues by speedy flight. The Po­lonians victors winning the enimies campe, got a greate and riche pray by the kings furniture, and fiue thousand horses. They slew aboue seuen thousand men. Michaell also and certayne other fa­mous captaines were taken, whome with the ensignes that were taken, King Sigismunde afterward in triumphant maner brought bounde into Vilne. After this fortunate sight Constantine besieged Smolencho, but not with the lyke fortune: for Basil had in his flight sent thether certayne companies of horsmen, and strengthned the Towne wyth a newe garrison: thinkyng that if they coulde su­staine the firste assauites of the enimy, that then the Polonians be­ing excluded by the time of the yeare, wold neuer once minde to besiege it: for thys battell was fought the eyght day of Septem­ber. When Constantine perceyued that the winnyng of it was harder than he had hoped, neither would the na­ture of the very cold countrey, suffer the Soul­diors to lye abroade in the field, he de­spayring to atchieue thys enter­prise, reduced his army home agayne ouer the riuer of Boristhenes.

WHen Selym the greate Turke in reuenge of the wrong done hym by Jsmaell the Sophy, in marying hys daughter vnto Amurathes his enimy, and the banished sonne of his brother Achomates, and also in aiding hym wyth a power to inuade Cappadocia, had entred Armenia, the So­phy, although hée nothyng at all suspe­cting any inuasiō of the Turke that yere, had sent the greatest parte of his power against the Coraxenes▪ yet to saue the beautifull and pleasaunt towne of Chois from sacking, encamped within sight of the Turke, and reposing great trust both in the hardynesse of his souldiors, and also in his owne good for­tune, thought it beste to the end he might strike the greater ter­ror into his enimies harts, not to defer the tyme, but roundly to ioyne in battell with them: and incontinently sente an Heralde vnto Selym, and with hym certaine men of warre, who should di­ligently viewe what kinde and howe greate the army of the eni­mies was, howe manye péeces of ordinance hée had, and what the forme of theyr Campe was. But they should do this message vn­to Selym: that Armenia was assuredly the Persians, neither had there euer béen any contention betwene the Turkes and them for it, and therfore he maruelled why he was come into y^t prouince with an enimious army. But if perhaps be emulating the antiēt prowesse of Alexander the Macedon, thought that so much land of right was hys, as victory and fortune by encroching armes should get him, that then he should make hymselfe ready, and euen the nexte daye trye what his owne and other mens power was able to do: Selym answered therevnto, that apparant iniuries were in freshe me­mory. Wherfore the Othomannes might iustly take armes against [Page 91]the Persians, both his grandfather Mahomet, and Cassen his vncle in tyme paste, and nowe of late his father Baiazet, and hym [...] al­so whilest he was oppugned with the armes of his brother Acho­mates, had receyued of the Persians both very greate detrimentes, and notable reproches. But although these were greate and ve­ry waighty matters, yet did he not thinke them to be causes wor­thy of warres: but his only request was, to haue Amurathes hys brothers sonne yet his enimy, and the waster of Cappadocia, deliue­red into his hands, whom if he would according to equity friend­ly yéelde vp vnto him, that then as the mutuall rightes betwéene Kings for the defending and strengthning of theyr Empires re­quired, he would withdraw his army and retourne into his own dominions: But if the Sophy neglected thus to doe, that then hée would wast Armenia and Persia with fire & sword. The Herald be­ing dismissed, both princes kept themselues within their camps. But the nexte day Selym by the encouragement of all his Souldi­ours, brought foorth his power into the open fielde, and marched in array of battell towards the enimy, who lodged two miles off, thinking that Jsmaell, a chieftaine of so great name, would make no stay, but according to hys worde incontinently ioyne in battell wyth hym.

But as for the number of Persians, what kinde of horsemen they were, what armour and weapons they bare, hee coulde not lightly learne: for besides the natures and wittes of that na­tion, fraught with subtile pollicies and wisedome, so greate was the loue of the souldiours, and so greate their reuerence towarde Jsmaell their king, that there was not one man found that fledde vnto the Turkishe Camp, wheras on the other side (as it was af­terwarde learned by the Persian prisoners diuers dayly fled from Selym vnto Jsmaell. Selym who is reported to haue had that day in the fielde foure score thousand horsmen, placed in the right wing Cassembassa the Capitaine of the Europian horsmen, and in the left Sinambassa an Eunuch, with the horsemen of Asia, the Acanzi going before or auauntcurryng: whiche Acanzi are horsmen of dyuers nations, that voluntarily folowe the warres, being thereto exci­ted in hope of bootie and spoile.

The middle battell was assigned vnto the Asappes, a multitude of r [...]l and half vnarmed footmen, who for that they are accom­pted no losse at all, are alwayes obiected vnto the firste encounter and brunt, thereby to blunt their enimies blades. Behinde the Asappes was the greate ordinaunce, disposed in directe fronte, guarded wyth foure thousand horsemen. Hee hymselfe wyth the chosen horsemen of the guarde, and all the Janizars stoode for an aide and succour in a place somwhat higher than the rest, and be­ing entrenched wyth a double circle or trench of ordinaunce and carriages rounde aboute hym, had placed the sumpter Camelles according to their custome, so linkyng them one to an other with long chaines going crosse their breasts, that they seemed to bee a strong munition: wherwith he being enclosed, might aide those that hee sawe in distresse, and (if any harder chaunce should hap­pen) from thence as from a Castle wyth the floure of the whole army susteine all the force of the enimy. Moreouer hee willed the Asappes, that assoone as the ennimies horsemen began to approch, that then they shoulde immediatlye seuer themselues a side into two partes, therby to leaue an open gappe to shoote off the great artillery full on the ennimye. On the other side Jsmaell, who had certainly learned by fugitiues all the counsels of the enimy, calling vnto him his Captaines, tolde them that it woulde bee nothing to winne the victory, if they could but escape the tempest of the ordinaunce: whiche thyng hee affyrmed myght easily bee broughte to passe, if the horsemen as soone as they once sawe the battel of the Asappes deuided, wold also be intentiue and redy in­continently to breake their array, and likewise to seuer thēselues into two wings. Wherefore hee caused two chiefe standardes to be borne, the one was the Emperiall standarde, the whiche he disposed in a certaine place where hée stoode hymselfe, wyth the force and floure of the horsemen: the other he assigned vnto hys approued Captain Vstaogle with the rest of the armie. Jsmaell had about hym thirty thousand horsemen without any aide of foote­men, and of them were there aboue ten thousand men of armes, very valiaunt Souldiours, well practised in the warres, and fa­mous for their nobilitie. They had very excellent horses barded [Page 93]with strong steele, and theyr helmets were all crested bothe for a brauerne and also to terrifie the ennimye: moreouer they bare Semiters, and after our maner, malles of yron, & also very strong Launces. The rest of the horsemen being armed with open and somwhat long head peeces and curasses, vsed either great bowes, or else launces of Ashe after the Sparishe manner: and as for guns they had none, in whiche one only thing they were ouermatched by the Turkes. But, so greate courage and valiauncye was in the heartes of the Persians, that they despysing the multitude of theyr enimies, and contemning the perill of the ordinance, doub­ted nothing to giue them battell. The signall being giuen, Jsmael sette forwarde with all his army, adhorting all his Souldiours, that they would reteine in memorie their olde martiall praise, and that they woulde folowe him their chieftaine, (whom they hadde thoroughe many moste prosperous battells, made the most migh­tye Kyng of all the Orient) nowe marching againste the enimie: that they were to encounter wyth a sorte of vnarmed Turkes, v­sing only a light staffe and a Target, whose horses are of stature lowe, weake, and carreine leane, and almoste starued wyth hun­ger, that they wold neuer abide, no not the first shock of the men of armes. On the other side Selym seing the duste of the enimies army comming, commaunded it to be proclaymed vnto all the ar­mye by the Colonelles and capitains, that the battel was at hand: wherein if they fought valiauntly, and vanquished the Persians the conquerours of nations, they shoulde enlarge the Othomani­call Empire from the Persian Ocean vnto the mount Caucasus. But if they remitted any thing of their wonted prowesse, that then being in that huge wildernesse of the straunge Countrey, and vnmmeasurable deserts, there were no hope of escape to be loo­ked for, for eyther they should shamefully dye, or else wyth euer­lasting reproche be slaues vnto the Persian women: since that be­hinde them so farre from their Country, both the mightye riuer Euphrates and the monstrous mountaines of Taurus, and also be­side that, the vnfaithfull Aladule possessing the streights, hadde taken away from the vanquished all hope of returne into Cappa­ [...]ocia. Nowe when Jsmaell approcked, and the Asappes at the [Page 94]signall giuen opened their rankes, and in the space betwéen them the Fashons were shorte off, hée incontinently deducting his hors­men gaue a charge vpon the right wing of the Turkes, with suche seruencye, that there was a very sharpe encounter betwéene the halfe armed Turks, and the complete armed Persians: so that Cas­sembassa and the formost rankes being slayne, and so shootly the o­ther one after another discomfited & defeated, they propelled all that wing euen vnto the aides and succours where Selym himselfe stoode. In another quarter Vstaogle receiuing no small detriment by the ordinance, bicause he had not so spéedily gotte himselfe and his company out from that daunger, charged the Asians, of whom hée slewe a greate number, but not wyth the same felicitie, that Jsmaell had, for whilest he sought very egerly among the formost, hée was slaine with an harquebusse shot, through which chaunce the Turkes recouered againe their daunted spirites: so that they, who euen nowe driuen from their grounde had loste aboue the thirde parte of their fellowes, nowe verye lustily renewing the fight, susteined the men of armes, and setting agaynste them the Harquebusierz, by whom the horses of the Persians were moste af­frighted, droue them hedlong in one troup vpon the Asappes. The Persians eyther compelled by necessitye, for that hauing receyued greate detriment, they had also loste their Capitayne, and coulde not rule their horses affrighted with the noise and thundering of the ordinaunce, or else séeing the side of the Asappes lie open, wher­by they thoughte a better hande myght there be had, with thicke troupes gaue a charge ouerthwarte the footemen, whom they o­uerthrowing with greate slaughter came vnto the ordinance: and there enclosing the maisters and gunners, slew them all, who vn­aduisedly shooting off their greate péeces in that greate hurle of things, had fouly slaine a greate number indifferently aswell of their owne fellowes, as of their ennimies, and wyth continued course came thorough, as it were victors vnto the ryghte wyng, where Jsmaell fought wyth the Europian horsemen: who hauyng lost their captain, and being repulsed and wearied with wounds, had before tyme withdrawen themselues vnto the aides and bat­telles of succour. But now when they were vrged on the side with [Page 95]another company of the enimies, féeling themselues vnable to sustain their impression: began to cry out (as in their extreme pe­rill) for succour vnto the battell of aide. In this hard state of the battel, Selym loosing the chaine of the wagons, opened the Trench in two places and incontinently sent foorth a part of the horsmen of his guarde.

And then tourning hymselfe towardes the Janizars, he sayde: The victory of this day is reserued for your valor & seruice: wher­fore plucke vp good hearts, lusty laddes, and behaue your selues valiauntly, breake foorth courageously, and being now fresh and lusty, set vpon your weary and wounded enimies. The bodyes of their horses euen melt with sweaie, and the horsemen themselues do now faint vnder so greate a waighte of armour. The Janizars (notwithstanding these speches) did neither spéedily nor readily o­bey Selym, but in so greate desperation of things, willingly kepte thēselues within the munitions. So that whilest they made cour­tesy to set forward, the Persians in this heate of the victory, being spred rounde aboute the Europians, slewe them all, Selym beholding it, and in vayne hastyng to succour them. Fabricio Carrecto the greate Mayster of the Rhodes, vnto whome all these matters were very diligently reported, wrote vnto Leo the Pope, that the Janizars were not obedient vnto Selym, neyther coulde they be adduced eyther by his adhortation or prayers to succour the di­stressed Europians, as they that (doubting the vtter losse of the bat­tayle,) lyked better to expecte the euent, than wyth apparaunte perill to obiecte them selues vnto the storme of the horsemen, who had destroyed the rest of the footemen.

Nowe hadde the Persians from all partes inuaded Selym, who made his abode in the battel of succoure: When Senambassa dra­wing after him his wyng al to torne & greatly diminished, came all in tyme, the enimye following through the mids of the hea­pes of the Asappes, and then sending for & bringing certayn freshe troups that had escaped whole from the violent charge of Vstao­gle, the fight is restored, & namely through the surpassing prowesse of the two brothers Turabey and Mahomet Malcocks, who being [Page 96]equall among the Turkes in noblenesse of stocke, vnto the house of the Othomans resembled and shewed the noble prowesse and courage of Malcocke their father, the renounted captain in that la­mentable roade made by the Turkes into Venetia, and Carnia. And also not despayring but erected into hope, and very cherefull, Selym cōmanded all his ordinance to be shot off vpon the enimy: which thing he had reserued for the supreame daunger: wherwith so many horses and men, both Turkes and Persians being blended togither, were slain, y^t when the men had lost the vse both of eyes and eares through the dust, the smoke and noise of the ordinaunce, and the horses also being affrighted wyth the vnwonted terrible roaryng, contemnyng the bridles, caryed their ryders an other waye, the battell was broken off, the victorye being as yet vn­certaine. Jsmaell being caried out of the daunger of this storme, perceyued him selfe wounded with a Harquebus shotte in the shoulder, when by the aduise of his friendes hee wente out of the battell▪ to looke vppon his wounde: whyche onely thyng didde doubtlesse bring safety vnto Selym and all his. For the Persians in­continently following Ismaell, and his standarde, loste and for­sooke the vndoubted victorye, (and by the opinion of all men,) for a greate parte already gotten. But when hee founde that hys wounde was but lighte, for that the pellet could not pierce deepe, by reason of the syngular temper of hys Armour, hee purposed to retourne agayne into the battayle. But bearyng that Vstaogle was slayne, in whome hee reposed greate truste, for his passing skill in martiall matters, and hys friendes also still counsellyng hym not to neglect hys wounde that was yet hotte, but to haue speciall regarde of his life, hee beganne to retire in a square troupe, wyth a slowe pace, that his departure might not séeme to haue any shew of flight: and going vnto Taruis the chiefe Citie of Armenia, yea and of the Persian Empire, after he had wil­led the chiefe of the citie, to open their gates vnto the Turke, and receyue his garrison, leaste throughe vaine constancy they might receiue some greate detesment, hee departed into Media.

But the Turkes being sore shaken with so many losses, hauyng neyther courage for feare, nor force through faintnesse, to pursue [Page 97]tooke without resistāce. There wer found, besides tents wrought with the néedle, and enterwouen with silke and golde, and other pretious furniture of houshold, many women of greate nobility, who had folowed their husbands, al of whom Selym released with­out any raunsome. They that were present at this battell had re­ported, that among the heapes of the men that were slaine, diuers women were also founde, who puttyng on helmet and harnesse, and following their husbandes, had died with them valiauntlye fighting. Selim loste in this battell aboue thirty thousande men, among whom besides Cassembassa the Belerbech of Greece, seuen San­zaces and the two Malcockes, who were slaine, as the one brother endeuored to succour the other, being enclosed, and besides the de­spised multitude of Asappes obiected to slaughter, the horsemen of Sclauony, Macedony, of the Tribals, Epyrus, Thessaly and Thracia, no doubt the floure and strength of his army, who were in the right wing, were for a great parte eyther slaine or sore wounded. Now vnto Selym being victor by the confessiō of the enimies, came there Ambassadors from Chois, and the Cities thereaboutes, and also from Taruis, yelding themselues vnto him, who marched to Tor­uis, mynding to winter there: but he hadde not made his aboade there aboue tenne dayes, but intelligence was giuen, that Jsma­ell, hauing sent for a strong power of Jberian and Albaniā horsmen, was comming towardes Taruis with the Parthian horsemen, and those that had béene at the battell of Chois.

Then Selym callyng to minde howe hardly in the flelde he had susteyned thirty thousande Persians, wyth an hundreth and fiftye thousande Turkes, and had vanquished them rather by chaunce, and his ordinance, than by true prowesse, and estimating with al the greate power of the Citizens of Taruis, whose fidelity and mul­titude hée suspected: departed thence and hasted to passe ouer Eu­phrates, marching a longer way about for feare leaste hée shoulde méete the approching Iberians, who although they passed withall possible spéede, assoone as they once vnderstoode of the Turkes de­parture, yet coulde they not ouertake them, beyng posted ouer Euphrates before the Iberians could come: yet when the auauntcur­rers of the Iberians had gotten the sight of them, they caused suche [Page 98]a tumult among the Turkes, before theyr hyndermoste tayle coulde passe the riuer, that about two thousande of them were drowned, and parte of the baggage and certaine falcons, were lefte in the Riuer sticking fast in the mudde, whome the Sophy afterwardes weighed vp, and caried away.

FRancis the French King at the beginning of his raigne, séeking to recouer the Duchye of Milan, leuyed a puissannte armye of foure thousande men of armes, euery one drawing wyth hym thrée or foure horses, & eight thousand light horsemen, the Capi­tayne Generall of all which horsemen was Charles Duke of Burbon, and highe Con­stable, of fortie bandes and mo of Lansquenetz, vnder the conduct of the Lorde Floranges, and Charles Duke of Ghelders (who among other brought an approued regiment of olde Souldiours, called of their blacke ensignes, the black regimēt) and of twenty bands of Gascoignes, Nauarrines, and other borderers on the mountaines Pyrences, vnder the conducte of Peter of Nauarre. They for the grea­test parte were Arcubalisters, and Archers, but a kinde of souldi­ours that would toile like horses, very venterous, light and nim­ble, excellent to kéepe or assault a towne, and also to skirmishe.

Then hadde he so greate store of greate and small artillerye, as would well suffise two greate armyes, and the wagons and carts that caried boullets, gunpowder, pikeaxes, crowes of yron, and [Page 99]all kinde of tooles, and other things to make easy the troublesome wayes thorouge the rocky Alpes, were almoste innumerable: All this prouision was drawen by the perpetuall labour of fiue thou­sande mighty strong horses.

There also followed for desire of pillage a strong regiment of voluntarie footemen, vnder certaine ensignes and Captaines, and with them thrée thousande Pioners. With this army, whych for number and furniture, passed all that anye man had séene in our dayes: Francis passed the Alpes, and encamped betwene the town of Marignano, and the citie of Milan, both aswell to interclude the armies of the Pope, and the king of Spaine from the Switzers, who were come to Milan to defende the Duke, and to make Liuiano the Generall of the Venetians his confederate, more strong by the pro­pinquitie and nearenesse of his Campe, as also to defende hym from the Spaniardes, that were very neare him.

But whilest the king was encamped at Marignano, Maximili­an the Duke of Milan, and Mathew the Cardinall of Sion (the brin­ger of the Switzers into Italy) called the Captaines and Liefte­nauntes into the Castell, to sitte in counsell howe these perillous warres should be administred.

There manye were of the opinion, that the waye to obtayne the victorye, was in no wise to ioyne in battell with the French­men before they hadde vnited theyr power wyth the Popes and Spanishe armyes, (the one whereof) consisted of fourtéene bandes of Italian footemen, and thrée thousande horsemen: the other of eight hundreth men of armes, and a thousande light horsemen, besides a regiment of olde Spanishe footemen: whereof euery soul­diour beyng as famous for hys valiaunt actes, as riche by reason of greate spoiles, didde matche bothe petye Capitaines, yea and Capitaines in chiefe, not onely in approued stoutenesse, but al­so in brauery of armoure: or at the leaste before they had brou­ght the Frenche Kyng, who trusted muche in hys munitions, thoroughe some necessitye into a more indifferent place. And it was apparant, that the Switzers shold easly obtaine either the one or the other, if they woulde marche vnto a place called Binasco, [Page 100]standing in the way vnto Pauia: for if the Frenche Kyng woulde for all this iourney of the Switzers, persiste still in hys sure de­fenced lodging, that then they might easely go from Binasco by the towne of Sanangelo, and through a country abounding in all kinde of victuals, vnto the riuer of Po, wherby the bridges which were ready built, the armies of the confederats might ioyne with them: but if the Frenche King fearing least he shoulde bée stopped both from the Citie of Paura, and also from the stone bridge ouer the riuer of Tesino, (where hée had lefte a small garrison) wold march vnto Pauia: that then eyther they myght fight wyth hym wyth more equall condition, or else incontinently tourne on the lefte hande vnto Lody: and there sending for, and receyuing into theyr Campe, the powers of the Spanishe King, and the Pope, they shold straight way tourne Liuiano from his purposed forney, and dashe the passyng greate hope of victory, that the Frenchemen had con­ceyued by their former fortunate successes. But whē these things were declared, and also plotfes and chartes were shewed, wherin were described the wayes and site of the regions, that the rude witted men might more certainly vnderstande and knowe those things which were counselled, then diuers Captaines (who indu­ced eyther by their olde iudgement, or else by French golde, lately giuen by Francis had accepted conditions of peace wyth hym, at a village called Galarato) by their dissentyng & enterlasing of vaine difficulties, and affyrming that those things were to be surueyed wyth great consideration and maturity, cleane ouerturned al this meane and way of wholsome and good counsell. Wherefore leaste the harts of those that were faithfull might languish by tariance, and the good willes of the vncertayne multitude be tourned into perfidiousnesse: the Cardinall thought it beste to bring them by all sleightes to fight with the Frenchmen out of hande, thinking thereby eyther to winne a notable victory, or if the Switzers re­ceyued the ouerthrowe by vnfortunate fight, to some vnappesible enimitie and immortall hatred betwéene the Frenche nation, and the Switzers. Hauing therefore communicated his counsell and purpose with the ensigne bearers, and the most faithful chief men of the Cantons: hée secretely admonished Mutio Colonna (a Capi­taine [Page 101]of the Popes horsemen) that of a sette matche, when he had receyued the signall, hée shoulde cause an alarme to be cried, and as thoughe the Frenchemen approched vnto the suburbs wyth a great power, should issue out with the horsemen, and with coun­terfaiting as greate fear & perill as he could possibly, shuld craue aide of the Switzers. He also cōmanded the formost bands of the Switzers to do the same: who being of great renoume of valor, and hatred towardes the Frenchemen, had still requested at the beginning of all wars, to haue the places next vnto the enimies. And so accordingly the Souldiours had no sooner dined, and were gone to take their noone nappe, but the trumpets and drummes sodainly sounded at the gates of Rome, and anone the rumour of the comming of the Frenchemen waxing hotte, all the bands one after another, when the foremoste tolde them, that followed, the cause of the alarme, made themselues ready, and with incredible feruency of fight, issued out at the gate: whome also the mistru­sted regiment folowing with aduanced ensignes, hasted on heaps vnto the gate, least they should séeme in that tumult, whiche ap­perteyned vnto the publike safety and estimation, eyther to haue forsaken those that were before, or to be of another opinion tou­ching the cause of the warres.

The Cardinall being notorious for his hatte and scarlet robe, roade vpon a greate horse before the marching rankes, wyth hys crosse borne before hym, and still as he came vnto the ensigne bea­rers, the pety Captaines or any Souldiours of marke, for nota­ble factes, he would encourage and inkindle them to make spéede, saying that God and the holy Saintes, did promise them the vi­ctory of that daye, in the which they shoulde not only by valiaunt fight destroye all the whole nobility of France, brought vnder the conducte of a Princoxe King betwene two armies of his enimies, but also breaking the power of the Venetians and Genouese by theyr fortitude and felicitie, giue lawes and conditions vnto all Italy: nor that the hyred Almaines, in whom consisted the Kings chiefe strength (whō yet they had often foyled in fight) were so estran­ged frō the Emperor or were of so prodigall prowes, that a man might thinke they would for the Frenchmens sakes, who indéede [Page 102]were their vtter enimies, fight against the honour of al Germany: neither yet they should thinke that the Gascoignes, very runaways, or those horsemen that braued it in their silkes and chaynes of golde, who had vsed to repose a little more safetie in their horses and spurres, than in their swordes, strengthe, and stomackes, would fight either more stoutly or constantly, than they had done before. But that labour and perill whiche was lefte, was to bee vndertaken with a noble hearte in winning the ordinance of the enimies. Where if any of them were slaine, they might most con­stantly beleue, that their soules being clensed from all spottes of sinne by hym, with the Popes authoritie, woulde forthwith flye into heauen, leauing behinde on the earthe a notable memorye of their singular valiancy. As the Cardinall ridde to the foremoste ranks, euery where stil pronouncing these speches: ther folowed hym Galeaze Visconti, Iohn Gonzaga, Cambero and Aquila the Popes Legates, and diuers horsemen of those families, that of auntient good will fauoured the name of Sforza, and had ioyned themselues with the Switzers, when they issued out. And also certayne ar­med bands of the commons, and cutters, intermedled themselues of theyr owne accorde with the company passyng by.

They had scarcely marched thrée miles from Milan, neyther was the French Campe aboue thirty furlongs from them, when they began to shoot off their great ordinance, which was ten fal­kons: whych thing brought great hofulnesse & admiration vnto the Italian horsemen: for Mutius riding with changed cheare vn­to the Capitaines of the first company, began to aske them what madnesse had moued men skilfull in martiall matters, and the maisters of that discipline, to striue with the vnseasonable thun­dering of theyr ordynaunce, to rouse the enimye whome they had thought best to inuade being vnprepared and looking for nothing lesse than battell. Vnto whom it was couragiously aunswered by the foremoste rankes, that they shoulde fight well enough accor­ding to the discipline of warre, euen with the armed and proui­ded enimy, if their mistrusted fellowes, and the ensignes of al the Cantons with one counsell and intent descended into the field with [Page 103]them: which thing they hoped might be brought to passe, if that through that faining of more certaine signes, that the battell was begun, had come vnto the eares of their folowing fellows, whose valor vanquished by infamous hire and mony, if that there were no shame at all in them of the publike dignitie, yet at the leaste the grones of their kinsfolke falling down dead before their eyes, the religion of a souldiors othe, and the fear of iudgement, which wold anone after be giuen at home against the forsakers of their fellowes, they thought woulde be able to stirre vp and inflame them: for so greate truste of valor was in their proude heartes, that they despised with very greate contempt the moste mightye and strong power of the enimies, neyther did they thinke that a­ny store and multitude of greate ordinance, or any munitions of place would stay their force from breaking into their Campe, by bearing them down and vanquishing. Aboue al other, there were thrée valiaunt fellowes, but men of barbarous prowesse, called Pelegrine Landaberg, Centy Amerer, and Rafe Long, that led the thrée voluntary bandes of moste valiaunt Souldiours that were pla­ced in the front.

As soone as euer these menne were come within the syghte of their ennimyes, they incontinentely burned oute wyth so greate heate of fight, that they coulde not be helde backe by the rest of the Captaines, who with better counsell had commaunded the ensignes to staye, and to take a place to lodge in, and to re­fresh the Souldiours, who were weary of their iourney, but that they woulde néedes haste towardes the ennimyes wyth spéedye pace.

Burben and Trivulzi were encamped at Sainte Iulians Chur­che in a small village, and wisely lodged at the lefte side of the high waye, whyche was defenced on all partes wyth stiepe and déepe ditches, and after the manner of the Countreys, wyth hyghe bankes, nexte vnto them the Kyng hym selfe, and behynde hym the Duke of Alaunson, (vnto whome by right of bloude the kyngdome of France dydde appertayne, if that Fran­cis dyed wythout heyre male,) hadde placed the middle battell [Page 104]and rerewarde, one being seuered from the other. by a small di­stance. They being thus lodged in thrée parts, that the thrée great armies, might the more commodiously and spéedily be an aide one vnto another, when chaunce did require, were enclosed with­in a large and very well defenced place: for rounde aboute were many ditches made by the husbandmen, to water their lands, and Nauarro had also added new munitions in commodious places, where it was thought good and néedefull, and also had set vppe a­gainst the enimy, mighty targets fastened in the grounde, and closed togyther with greate ropes, that the Gascoignes beyng de­fended and couered by them, might shoote at the enimy more safe­ly and ceratinly. This forme of the Campe, and the nature of the place had Mutius and certaine of the Capitaynes of the Switzers riding vnto the higher part of the banke, for to suruey the camp, incontinently marked, and then had also noted, that on the right hande there was a commodious place lefte for them to lodge in, where was a prety low plaine, enclosed almost on two sides with a small riuer that ranne downe vnto corne milles. They began to counsell the Switzers to encampe in that place, and their bodyes being refreshed wyth rest and meate, to thinke nothing rashly of fight: they also tolde them, that as victory procéedeth from coun­sell and good aduise, so vaine and sorowfull attemptes from vn­aduised hardinesse: and that those men do oftner féele the aduerse euentes of fight, that truste to ouercome their enimyes by despe­ratenesse and fease, than those that séek victory by profitable tari­ance and reason. Moreouer they sayde, that the enimy was pro­uoked againste all aboadement, bycause by an olde obseruation of that nation, that day of the wéeke was all the yeare after vn­fortunate, vpon the which Childermasse day had fallen.

This was the thirtéenth of September. But when that fury and fatall madnesse (the which had neuer hapned before vnto the Switzers in the warres) had takē away obediēce frō y^e souldiors, and authority from the captaines: the busier sort ranne foorth and attached a very cruell fight with the Gascoignes and Almaines.

Trivulzi and Burben, hauyng intelligence long beefore, of the comming of the enimies, had sette their men in array of battell, [Page 105]and placed their ordinance in a fitte place, but nowe being doubt­lesse pressed, did sette on fire all the houses of the village, both to staye the fease of the enimies by the fire, and also to bereaue them of the vse and munition of the houses, and then reduced their men into a larger place. Before the Frenche ordinaunce, was there a mighty ditche, which must be passed ouer with extreame peril of desperatenesse, the whiche ditche was kepte by Nauarro his bands, and the Launsquenetz men of passyng valour, wyth their thicke rankes. This ditche a bande or ring of very desperate yongmen, doubted not to passe with more assured death than victorye.

They were very chosen felows taken out of al the Cantons, men in the prime of youth, and of singular forwardenesse: who by a very auntient order of that Countrey, that by dooyng some déede of passyng prowesse, they may obtaine rare honour of warrefare before they be growen in yeares, doe of themselues requeste all perillous and harde péeces of seruice, and often vse wyth deadlye praise to runne vnto proposed death. These men do they call of their immoderate fortitude, and stoutnesse, the desperats, forlorne hopen, and the frenchmen Enfans perdus: and it is lawfull for them by the prerogatiue of their prowesse, to beare an ensigne, to haue conducte, and double wages all their life long. Neyther are the forlorne knowen from the rest by anye other marke and cogni­sance, than the plumes of white feathers, the which after the ma­ner of Captaines, they doe tourne behinde, waueryng ouer theyr shoulder with a braue kynde of riot. They wyth noble cou­rage ranne full vppon the ordinaunce, and after that they hadde valiauntly and long fought with greate losse in the place of great disaduauntage, at length, when that they woulde for no incom­moditie giue ouer, they driuing the Almaines out of the place, and beating backe Nauarro hys bandes, came ouer the heapes of the dying vnto their ordinance. The which (in number seuen péeces) being taken, they relying themselues agayne, vrged their shrin­king enimyes, and disordered all the whole foreward.

In this greate daunger Trivulzi and Burbon flue hither and thi­ther to repaire the distressed battell, to the vttermost that they could do by strength, or prouide by counsell, sending in the hors­men [Page 106]in diuers places.

Neyther fayled Nauarro vnto his Souldiours, by chydyng some, and asking other, whether that they hadde come from the farthest parte of the Ocean, and the Mountaines Pyrenees, onely for to turne their backes, and moste shamefully to flye out of the fielde almoste before they had séene their enimies, that they should plucke vp their heartes, and make ready their harquebusses, and bowes, and abide so long, vntil that their sides were garded with freshe succour of horsemen, and thinke that they ought to wipe out, by fighting that day valiantly, the note of cowardise, or of ill lucke, that they had gotten at Rauenna by fighting ill. So at one time, a mighty troupe of horsemen breaking vppon them, and the Gascoignes being stayed by adhortation and shamefastenesse, and the Lansquenetz kéeping their place for anger and shame, a cruel and variable fighte is renewed: bothe sydes are inuaded wyth the horrible noise of the ordinaunce and weapons, and the en­signes are torne into péeces: Anone Cenry and Pelegrine are slayne fighting couragiously, and Pure the Captaine of the Pretorian or guarde bande, and with him foure ensigne bearers are slaine by a greate culuering shotte from the side. Neither did the Switzers, (who fetching a longer compasse aboute had come vnto the eni­mies) faile vnto the their distressed fellowes, for they gathering thrée bandes togyther into one, came in twoo companyes wyth freshe strength and courage, and encountering wyth the footemen on the lefte hande, slue Sciatalarde, a Captaine of the Gascoignes of renou­med name: and Lewes and George Earles of Hellempurg, noble men of Germanye.

But in another parte, they loosing a little their ranckes, did receyue in among them the charging horsemenne, where they fought long with variable and doubtfull fortune: for althoughe the men of armes cruelly treading to death the dispersed and the ouerthrowen, did with the force and fease of their horses breake throughe with slaughter the flight and thinne small bandes, yet when they met with the thicke rankes, they were eyther broched with their long pikes, or else their horses being slain vnder them, perished thorough the waighte of their armour. There were [Page 107]slayne in that place very valiantly fighting these Capitaines of companies of horsmen, the Erle of Sancerre, the Lord Imbercourt, a renoumed man for his singular prowesse and long seruice in the warres, the Lorde Bussy de Ambois, and Francis brother to the Duke of Burbon: and Burbon himself was in the like danger of life, as he himselfe said, being among the thickest of that bloudye broyle. But afterward I heard the contrary of the kyng hymself, who affyrmed, naming witnesses, that Burbon durste not succour his enclosed brother, and retired vntouched out of the sight of the enimies vnto the middle battell. Also whilest that Trivulzi ende­uoured in vaine to succour his enclosed and dying ensignebearer he being tossed among the pikes and halberdes of hys enimies, and his horse wounded, and the creste stroken off from his helmet, gotte hymselfe out of thys daunger by the rescous of hys com­pany of horsemen.

And nowe was the battayle hardely susteyned in moste places, and the Switzers, for that they had passed ouer the very yll ditche, had with greate valor wonne the ordinance, and defea­ting the footemen, and disordering the horsemen, had wonne the place where their enimies had stoode, séemed to haue the bet­ter of the battell: when the King aduauncing forward wyth him the middle battell, and commaunding Alencon to folow him with the rereward with equall pace, and many péeces of ordinance be­ing bestowed by the Captaines in certaine places by whom the Esquadrons of the Switzers might bée annoyed on the sydes, came in very good time wyth the blacke regiment, and a mightye number of horsemen, hée couragiously professing bothe to hys owne Souldiours, and also vnto hys enimyes, by hys coate ar­mour of Skye colour, poudered wyth Lillies of golde, that hée was the King, was conuersaunt in the fore front, valiauntly laide on the enimye, and perillouslye galloppyng hys horse hyther and thither, encountred the hotest of the enimies, & finally infla­med his souldiors not only wyth words & adhortations, but also with singular example of true prowes: for the Switzers did presse on so feruently, and stoode to it so sternely and stoutly, yea and so great was the valor and courage, yea of them that were wounded [Page 108]and were dying, that the Kyng in that iniquitie of fight muste néedes forget his maiestye, contemne his life, and repaire his en­clined state rather by valiant hand and strength, than by sleight, counsell or aduice. The horsemen also who had by running away at Nouarra and Turwin, loste the olde opinion of their prowesse, did now least that if they should againe giue place, be marked for e­uer after with euerlasting ignomy: contend to satisfy the Kyng (who fought valiauntly in the sight of them all) eyther by hono­rable death, or else with noble victory. There were slaine in this encounter the Prince of Talemonde, sonne vnto Seigneur Tremouiile, and Seigneur de Roy, a man of greate nobilitie in Picardie, and Seig­neur Vantell, who bare the extraordinary standerde of the Kyngs troupe, and many moe of the valiantest horsemen, and Mounsieur de Moy that bare the ensigne of a very noble company of horsmen, bycause they beyng empeached and entangled wyth the ditches and vines, could not get out and orderly range their bands. But of the Switzers there was slaine Rafe Long, that greate stirrer vp of the multitude, and also Flech, a man more renoumed for his va­liauncye, than his stocke, and VVolter Offy, who for his singular prudence, & mighty strength (which are not lightly blended togi­ther in men of that nation) had gottē great opinion of prowesse in al warres, & especially at the battell of Nouara. They fought con­tinually seauen houres without ceassing▪ for when the sunne had failed them in the mids of the heate of the battell, the Moone that then shined bright, kepte both armies in armes. And the fighte was horrible and very bloudy, as long as there was any light at all. But anone when the Moone was hidden wyth the cloudes, althoughe they being wearied with toile and woundes, and their weapons blunted, sought place for reste, yet in the meane tyme through mutuall error both friends and foes were slaine by blind and frantike blowes. For when the Almaines not beyng muche vnlike vnto the Switzers, neyther in tongue nor habite, were blended togither with the Switzers in dyuers places, at length the watcheworde bewrayed them, and then foule slaughter was committed in the darke. Neyther ceassed the ordinance all night: but as they were shotte off without any certaine markes, so did [Page 109]they cause more terror than flaughter. The Cardinall, who had not this daye failed vnto his Countrymen in hope, care and toile, did by mistaking the place, lighte among the Almaines, but got himselfe out of the daunger by counterfaiting their tongue by a rougher voice, and passying the ditche returned vnto the burnyng houses of the village, whether Rosty and Anglarde, being inuited with the shining of the fire, and many other of the Captaines re­sorting, as it were vnto the Generalls tent, had caused the migh­ty horne of a wilde Vri, (the which being deliuered by hand from their ancesters, is kept with great care and religion at Vri, the au­thours of the libertye of the Switzers) to be sounded, that the di­spersed and wandering Souldiours might be called vnto the en­signes. This no doubte saued many, that were intermedled in diuers places among their enimies, bycause they coulde haue no certaine recourse vnto their fellowes, the likenesse of the sounds of the drummes confounding their eares. Both armies by reason of mutuall feare passed the whole night without sléepe, yet were more readye in hearte, than in strength for to fight againe: for al­though the valiant, & also the cowardes were both tyred with the long toile of fight, yet with dyuers habites of heart they were ex­cited eyther with desire of fight, victory, or feare of death. The Cardinall, and the rest of the Captaines, althoughe that the firste opinion séemed greately to haue deceyued them, for that they had not (as they hadde hoped) vanquished at the firste charge their e­nimies, yea being disordered with great slaughter, and lost wyth almostle vaine attempt the stoutest of their men: yet forsake not themselues and call many into counsell, and when that it pleaseth them all to expecte the light, and to fight againe, they doe decrée that certaine be sent to Milan, to requeste all kinde of helpe, for that they had come foorth vnprouided of all things. Iohn Gonzaga is sent to fill wyth newe hope Maximilian, and the Citizens of Mi­lan, who were hofull of the euent of the battell, and to sende from the Citie out of hand bread and meate ready dressed, and many vessels of wine for the souldiours that fainted for wearinesse and thirste, and to conuey vnto the Campe greate ordinance, shotte and pouder with all possible spéede. But when the Counsell was [Page 110]broken vppe, the Capitaines and ensigne bearers spake dyuersly among the Souldiours, according as euery man thought of the Cardinall and of the euent of the battell. Some beyng desirous of honour and victory, made light of the greate losse that they had in déede, and did extoll and augment with false tales, the valiant actes of their fellowes, and the slaughter of the Frenchmen.

Contrariwise, those of the aduerse faction, that they might spée­dilye prouide for their owne safety, and also augment the daun­ger of dignitie, and lyfe in the Cardinall, who was enuironed with extreame difficulties, disbended, and returned to Milan. Also the Popes horsemen, who for their small number had serued to no greate vse, did for a greate parte of them, either for feare or despaire forsake their captaines, and returne into the Citie. But although the king were deliuered and ridde of the greatest feare, and mightiest daunger, and séemed to haue nobly susteined men of so greate valor, yet being hofull for the feare that remayned, and as it were the laste care, exspected the ende of the trouble­some night, and vncertaine fortune. Neyther did he giue greater reste vnto his bodye, whiche was wearyed with the weight of his armour, and was scortched for thirste and continuall toile, than pulling vppe his beauer to take breath, leane a little while vppon a greate péece of ordinance, whilest that his horse was chaunged. And then incontinently tourning to the charges of a chieftaine, sent vnto Liuiano to come vnto hym wyth his armye, and anone drewe in and made his Campe lesse. After that the deuise hadde béene liked of the Captaynes, to whome he had imparted it, and bycause that the enimy professed the place where his fore warde had stoode, he placed within a better defenced plot aboue sixe thou­sande Almaines at the banke of the ditche, and commaunded them to guard the ordinance, which he had commodiously planted there in greate abundaunce. And in another quarter he ioyned a great number of horsemen with himselfe, and willed Burbon, and Alen­cen, to admoue the firste and thirde battells vnto his side wyth e­quall order and front: so that hée standing full butte against the enimy, did, as the place required, stand in stéede of the fore warde, and vsed the two other battells placed on his lefte and right sides as it were for wings. Neyther farre from that place had Nauarro, [Page 111]and a greate multitude of Almaines encamped, pitching downe their ensignes in the grounde, bycause when the battell was bro­ken off by the going downe of the Moone, they coulde learne nei­ther the forme of the Campe, nor the kings counsell and purpose.

The King, that hée might viewe with his owne eyes howe the ditches stoode, and how broade the fielde that laye betwéene them, and the highe waye was, roade foorth with a few horsemen with­in the sight of the enimy, and anone the darke vanishing by little and little into the dawning, the King went to encourage the Al­maines, whome being erected by greate promises, he adhorted to fi­nish the battell by fighting a little while, and to take the rewards of victory alredy gotten. He also full of assured hope, and coura­giousnesse, vehementely enkindeled them by rehearsing the in­iuries and discomfitures, that the Switzers had don and giuen the Almaines, rather through the benefit of fortune, and the greate aduantages of times and places, than by true prowesse. Where­fore they shoulde persuade themselues that this was the proper and ready occasion to reuenge the Massacre of their kinsfolks, and fellowe Souldiours, and also the meane for to shewe by valiaunt actes, that as the Almaines did excell them in nobilitie, and faith­fulnesse: so neyther woulde they graunt vnto these clownes the martiall glory for valor and skil in armes. And also vsing the like spéeche he adhorted the French horsemen, not to degenerate from their forefathers, who had in former ages excelled all nations for seruice on horsbacke. Neyther were the batells ranged among the Switzers with lesse hope & courage, although y^e greatest parte of y^e souldiors, as they had with diuers chaunces lodged in sundry pla­ces, ye & within the munitiōs of y^e enimy, being refreshed with no succour of meate did hardly with fierce hartes susteine their fain­ting limmes. For the victuals that by the procuremēt of Gonzaga shold be brought from Milan in so shorte time, & namely in y^e night seasō; which doth cōmonly hinder hast in all doings, could not bée brought vnto them timely enough, & made redy. And also most of them when their breakefaste was offered vnto them anone after the breake of the day, being called to the battell by the noise of the drummes, and the roaring of the ordinance, left their meate de­sired before, and also néedefull to repaire their strength.

At the beginning dyuers Capitaynes assembled togyther, a­mong whom was Haisler & Focte a famous mā, for the honor of his age, and the cognisaunces of his office, and Chezze Amman, who had serued in the fieldes aboue forty yeares pety. Captayne, en­signe bearer, & Captaine in chiefe, and had wonne singular praise in the forefront, at that famous battel at Nancey, in the which the Switzers slue and destroyed Charles the Duke of Burgongne, and al his power. These men whether adduced by consideration of the greate losse that they had receyued, or hauing intelligence of the departure of diuers of their fellows, and also now séeing through the benefit of the light, the greate disaduauntage of the places, iudged it to be beste to abstaine from battell, thinking that they had gotten estimation ynoughe by yesterdayes encounter for to breake the hauty heartes of the Frenchemen. But after they had gone aboute in vaine to stay, by dissuading praiers the ensignes, which were now aduanced foreward, and to retein them by stan­ding against them in the way they should goe: they also yéelded vnto the fate and wilfulnesse of the souldiours. So Rafe Segne, Vi­sembach of Vnderwalden, Vlderick Iock, & Zambron, desperate captains of singular valour, ordering among them selues how they would attache the battell, made towardes the enimy in two companies or battells. The formost and greatest battallion, wherein was placed the ensigne of the Canton of Zurich (the whyche is of highest dignitie among the Switzers) hasted directly agaynste the Kings battel, the which we told you stood in the mids. The other compa­ny which had stoode vpon the right hand a little beneath the hou­ses of the village that was burnt, fetching a greater circuit about, began to bende towardes Alencon the Captaine of the rereward, for this entent, that when the auaunt guarde had turned the king and the strength of the French army vpon them, they might with furious charge sette vpon the side of Alencon, who was entren­ched with weaker munitions, and defenced wyth lesse guard, and his battell being broken through, they myght perce into the syde of the lefte wing and the backe of the kings battell. But vnto an other multitude of their fellowes, who were encamped in a fielde on the lefte hande, on this side the high way, they appointed no [Page 113]certaine charge of attaching fighte, bycause they were thought to consist of Cantons being of small fidelitie, but did sette them thrée hundreth paces from the reste, ouer right against the right wing, wherein Trivulzi and Burbon gouerned. When the Switzers had gone forwarde an arrowes shoote, the Frenchemen in continent­ly at one instant time shooting off all the kings ordinaunce vpon them, slue so many of them with singular celeritie, that they whi­che hadde taken counsell of foolishe hardinesse, were punished for their rashenesse before that they coulde come to hande strokes, yea or approche vnto their enimies. Now since this chaunce had caused an horrible wastenesse and slaughter in the middes of the Switzers, so that there was no longer one body of their battalli­on, their rankes being torne: parte of them that feared the se­cond volée, began to turne their backes and to retire, but parte de­spising the ordinance, againe gaue a chardge vppon the enimies, and with more constant valor and desperatenesse, than euer they they had vsed before, giuing and takyng many woundes, passed the ditch, and encountering with the Lansquenetz and the kings horsemen, did many actes of sauadge prowesse: for when Trivulzi and Burbon stretching out in length their wing, and fetching a compasse about with their horsmen, had charged their lefte side, they were forced, to fight with double front. But the Launsque­netz, who had in this moste sharpe encounter loste their stoutest Capitaines, Iames Condey, Henry Ricurt, and Saxey, beying mad [...] for anger and griefe, did valiauntly sette forwarde, and repressed their violence, and with the shotte of their harquesses, tumbled from his horse Pontin [...]r (one of greate renowne among the Capi­taines of the Switzers, for the tallenesse of his stature, and the valiauntnesse of his harte) as he roade vnto the rankes, and en­couraged his souldiours with a loude voice, and vsed reprochfull wordes againste the Almaines: who in the fight of the Switzers annointed their bloudy pikes in the tallow & grease of his mighty and fatte body, that ranne out at his wide woundes, which thing is accompted among the Barbarians, in deadly hatreds for a verye graue ceremony of reuengefully acquited. There also Zambron, and Anty Eucher, menne of strong courage and terrible stature, [Page 114]while that they guided wyth singular skill mightye twoo hand-swordes, in the middes of the Almaine batallion, cutting off a greate number of these pikes, and slaying many of their enimies, were at the laste oppressed, when all the whole battell turned vp­pon them. Then also was Chezze Amman slaine, hys horse being firste killed, and h [...] himselfe also shotte in with thrée arrowes: a man who being of that yeares, had by encouraging and fighting many houres, cōmitted the duty neyther of a very good capitayn, nor a moste valiant souldiour, where as the rest of the Captaines (that I spake of) had died before that they came to fight with the enimy, being for he into péeces with the ordinaunce: And when Iohn Berre the ensigne bearer of the Ba [...]lians, being wearied wyth many woundes was not able any longer to kéepe the ensigne, hée pulled it off from the [...]a [...]e, and tore it into very smal péeces, that hys enimies might not gaine it, and then dyed: Moreouer in the meane [...]e, the seconde battell, whiche wée tolde you de [...]ected vnto Alencon, inferred so greate [...]rror vnto the rerewarde, that the horsemen for a greate parte (Monsieur Beaument their ensigne bearer being slaine) at the firste méeting to [...]rned their backes, and fledde a maine on the spurre towardes Ledy, which caused the Pesants and many espies that were in the fields, seing the French horsemen fleing among the cariages, to write vnto all partes of Italy, that the Frenche King was discomfited, and the Switzers had gotten the victory.

And doubtlesse the Frenchmē in y^e quarter had [...]en brought in­to very great danger, if that Emar Prieus, and the Lord Obegney ca­pitaines of singular experience, who were wyth Alencon raryng them that fledde, rolying the ensignes, and casting the Souldi­ours into a ring, had not borne the [...]runt of the fight with surpas­sing paine and toile. And also Liuiano was a greate succoure vnto the disordered: who with a company of noble men of armes came before the reste of his power whiche folowed after. And as hée was a man gready of fight, and to doe some feare, encoraging his horsemen to folow him without doubting or staying, so he gaue a charge ouerthwart the side of his enimyes: whom two bandes of Switzers (turning their ensignes) receyued very couragiously, [Page 115]and wounding many, and slaying Capino the sonne of the Earle of Petilia, a yong Gentleman of passyng towardlinesse, did repell farre from them the hotely vrging horsemen. Yet that company of Switzers bring more terrified by hys comming, than hys po­wer, for that they thought all the whole power of the Venetians, (who were indeede neare) were already come, beganne to prouide for their safety; for some of them being quite spēt with werinesse, woundes, thirste, and sweate, gotte them into the Gardens that neare adioyned: where a greate parte of them were slayne, when that the horsmen were sent ofter them, yea from the kings battell: other retiring into the nexte village, after they had long time de­fended themselues at the gate, & walls, vnder the conduct of Tuler Cefuse, a very valiant captain, at the last being won and vanqui­shed with the ordinance and fire, most cruelly perished: but other being despersed, and fleing backe vnto the greatest companye or battell of their fellows, the horsemen chasing them in those very large and open fieldes, had ben wholy destroyed, if that by the ad­uise and valor of certayne olde souldiors (who in that frowning of fortune being mindefull of discipline, neuer failed vnto them­selues and their fellowes) they had not retired vnto their fellows that were on this side the ditches and high way, in a thicke Es­quadron. Almoste at the very same time the thirde battell of the Switzers, the which we shewed you had stoode ouer right against Trivulzo and Burbon, eyther bycause they sawe the iniquitie and disaduauntage of the battell, or else were adduced by detestable counsell, for that they had rather satisfy their faction and hatred, than publike necessity in being beholders of the slaughter and prowesse of othermen, beganne to retire wyth their ensignes to­wardes Milan, neyther woulde they as men thoroughly attached with feare once come into the battell to fight, the whych yet they were almoste forced to do: seing that they had all the lyght hors­men in sight, & were often shot at with the great ordināce: which beyng politikely hidden behinde the horsemen, were at the laste when the troupes had opened at the sounde of the trumpet, often shotte off in the voide spaces. Therefore when the reste of the Switzers (whome wee lefte fyghtyng at the Kyngs battell) [Page 116]inflamed with fury and wrath, kepte their grounde rather by ob­stinacy of hearte, than strength, and sawe other freshe regimentes of Launsquenetz to whom the light hadde not yet come, ready to come vppon them: they despairing of the victory, soun̄ded the re­treite, for a little before they had receyued a greate detriment at the ditch: being maruellously endomaged from the higher ground by an innumerable multitude of arrowes, shotte by the Gascoignes Arcubalisters, who being placed harde by the harquebusters, that the one might haue time to chardge their harquebusses, and the o­ther to bende their crosse bowes, did so shoot off one after another by hundrethes, with mutuall running backe, that the battell of the Switzers being ouerwhelmed with the continuall haile of the shotte, were without reuenge beaten down, they in vaine séeking succour of prowesse and valor. The battell being thus broken off, when that Rosty, Ronne, Anglarde, and the other Capitaynes coulde not succour so greate and so drsordered a multitude, by ad­monishment, and commaunding them what they should doe, nor easily doe the dueties of captains, the souldiors themselues, yea although they were quite spoyled by so many incommodities, did in that iniquitie of things prescribe vnto themselues wyth mer­uelous constancie and singular skill, what was to bée done, that they might not séeme to flie. For hauing a care of the wounded, two souldiours did with singular pittie cary on their armes and shoulders one man weakened with woundes, and bringing backe euery one of the péeces of ordinance that they had brought from Milan, strengthned the hyndermost taile with a guarde of the fre­sher Souldiours. But they marched with so staied a part, that their departure séemed to haue no similitude of flight: neyther in­déede coulde they be easely inuaded, bicause they were defenced on both sides of the highe way wyth very déepe and continuall dit­ches. The Frenchmen, who had stoode armed in the battell twen­ty houres togither, and the moste part of the time with doubtfull victory, and their limmes nowe slowed with sweate, and theyr horses fainted for wearinesse, and had almoste loste the sense of their eyes and eares with the thicke miste of the raised duste, and the incessant and horrible thundering of the ordinance, made an [Page 117]end of pursuing: yet hauing so gotten the victory, that they rather vanquished them by fighting valiauntly than taught, that by all mens opinion it is impossible to ouercome them again by any po­wer. The Switzers being very courteously and liberally recey­ued and entertained in their olde lodgings at Milan, did put in the publicke hospitalles those that were greuously wounded, and then gaue the reste of the daye and the night folowing to recreate their bodies. The nexte daye they filled the broade streate that lyeth before the Castell, with so greate a number, that by the estimati­on of all men, they séemed to haue riceyued almoste no losse at all. There they holding a counsell, requested thrée moneths pay, and vnlesse that it were presently payed, they said they wold go home. But when Maximilian could not perfourme it, bycause he hadde not so muche ready money, they incontinently aduaunced theyr ensignes at the gate that leadeth to Como, and went home. When a viewe was taken of them that were slaine, the Frenchmen con­tended, that of the fiue and twenty thousande Switzers that had come foorth into the fielde, scarce the one halfe of them returned, and that of their men there were not aboue thrée thousand slaine. But the Switzers did verye muche augment the number of the Frenchmen that they slue, and holding a muster at home in theyr countrey, confessed that they had loste in that voiage, to the num­ber of fiue thousand very valiaunt men. Among the carkasses of the enimies, Claude Duke of Guise, brother vnto Antony Duke of Loraine was found drawing onwarde to death, but yet was saued. This yong Gentleman of singular towardlinesse, was Capitayn of the Lansquenetz, and had fought so valiantly in the fore ward, that béeyng sore wounded, and at lengthe the whole battallion of the Switzers lying vppon hym, hée was beaten downe among the deade of his owne men, and hys enimyes. After the departure of the Switzers, the Kyng had the whole Duchye of Milan yéelded vn­to hym wyth the Duke, and also Placontia and Parma by the Pope.

SElym the greate Turke intending a seconde voyage againste the Sophy, sente Legates vnto Campson the Sultan of Aegypt, whome dée vnderstoode had lately entred into lea­gue wyth the Sophy: that he might with­out any displeasure or impeachmēt of his, pursue the Sophy with warres, who hadde brought so many and so greace calamities into Asia, and by inducing of newe su­perstitions, vehemently laboured to depraue and defare the most certaine lawes of the Mahumetane religion. But when Campson had aunswered that he woulde haue no peace with him, vnlesse that he woulde abstaine from molesting the dominions of the So­phy, and also restore Aladine the expulsed sonne of the King of the Aladoles vnto hys fathers kingdome: Selym changed his purpose, and striking downe from the Mountayne Taurus into Comagene, came with aboue an hundreth thousande armed men, and a great number of fielde péeces within two days iourney of Alep [...] (where the Sultan was with a small power) before that proude Campson; who had thought to terrif [...]e Selym with his only auctoritie, and the greatenesse of his name, coulde be persuaded that hée, hadde pas­sed the mountaynes. But when hée was thus caught vnprouided, and was forced to consulte in the mid [...] of his daunger what was to he done: he began to wauer, and to be tossed to and fro, wyth feare and shame, not being able to be redily resolued, whether be should with stout stomack abide by it, and try the fortune of bat­tell with greate disaduauntage, or warily gius place vnto the im­minent deadly storme, and retire backe into more safer places vn­till that hée had leuied a greater power. There were some of the Captaines that preferred safe aduises before glorious, and aboue all other one Iamburd, surnamed Gazelles, a man brought vppe by the great Caitbey, and a valiaunt man, and famous for martiall [Page 117]prudence, and also Captaine of Amanus, and Apamia, who as hée thought it woulde bring greate calamity to encounter in battell the mighty and olde army of the enimies, with so small power: so he said that it was best to retire backe with spéedse marche, and to choose the seate for the warres at Damascus, the which might ve­ry safely and easily be done, bycause the Turkishe armye hauyng many footemen, and also being combred with wagons, was flowe to pursue them. In the meane time all the rest of the Mamaluches which were in garrison in Iudea, and Aegypt, being sent for, and also the Arabians their neighbors hyred to serue them, the warres might be prolonged vntill that the enimy might be easily ouer­come thorough lacke of victualles. Neyther woulde Alepo, if that it were strengthned but only with a small garrison, straight way yéelde vnto the Turkes, séeing they had no other ordinance wyth them, than fielde péeces, and by this tyme to, there woulde [...] aide of Persians out of Mesopotamia, and also the Sophy hymselfe vn­derst anding of the Turkes voiage, woulde breake foorth into Asia the lesser, neyther woulde the Christians, (if they were requested by legates) faile to supply greate ordinance against the common enimy, out of the Isles of Cyprus, and Rhodes. Which beyng got­ten, and their power made match vnto the Turkishe, then he might (if he thought it to be so glorious a thing to aduenture the battel) not rashely descende into the fielde. But verye grieuous, and waighty warres, whych haue at the fyrste vehement and sodaine violent braides and forces, doe commonly languishe in time tho­rough the prudent lingering of theyr aduersaries. Therefore hee shoulde not haste to make proofe of fortune, séeing that the errors and escapes of warres, which oftenest proceede from the vnskilfulnesse and rashnesse of the chieftayne, all good men may bewayle and hartily detest, but to restore and amend them, no not the immortall Gods themselues are able. Gazelles had moued ma­nye wyth bys opportune and graue sentence, but that the stoue­ring of the Souldiours, and the foolishe couragiousnesse of the Mamaluches (the guarde of the Sultan) were a greate empeachment vnto Campsons cares, for well hearing of the truth: for assoone as they hadde hearde more certayne newes of the commyng [Page 120]of the Turkes, they leaped and skipped ouer all the Campe, for in­credible ioy, laughed, smiled, and rubbed the elbow, and one gra­tulated another, that a time had come wherein they might shewe their valor and win glory: And that nowe they would holde faste this so long wished for occasion, thorough the which they discom­fiting, and slaying his enimies, wold extoll their Emperour Camp­son aboue the title and moste renouu [...]ed fame of Caitley the great. Neyther wanted there some of the chiefe, who by rehersing of flat­tery, and vaine boasting, with how greate glory they had discom­fited at Tarsus the mighty armye of the Turkes, almoste with no la­boure, boldely sayde, that the enimie would be easily and spéedily vanquished. But specially Cayerbey, the lieftenaunt of Alexo and the Prouince of Comagene, hasted by speaking many high wordes of the zelous endeuour, prowesse, and heate of the Mamaluches, to make light of those things which had héene reported of the pro­uision, furniture, and number of the enimyes, and to ouerthrow the reasons of most holsome counsell: The which hée did of per­nicious treason, as hée that had intelligence that the Sultan ment [...] to put him to death, as hée had also done his brother, but deferred the execution thereof, bycause that hée had in the Campe a verye strong power of friendes, and also was singularly wel beloued of the Citizens of that mightie Citie, wherein hée possessed a very [...] strong Castell. Moued with the which perill, hée had sent priuie messengers vnto Selym, who shoulde in hys name offer to pleasure him priuily, to the vttermost of his power, and to shew vnto him all the counsells of Campson, and what his power was, and to ad­uise him to hasten to fight with the Sultan. Thus Campson despising Gazelles counsell, the whiche was very faithfull and wholesome, and impelled by the adhortation of the traitour Cayerbey, and of al the Mamaluches incontinently at the first newes of Selyms approch determined to darreyne hattell wyth hym. The Sultan was en­camped in a commodious place at the riuer of SINGA, almost x. miles from the Citie, for this reason, that the souldiours might vse the nearenesse of the Riuer, and bée remoued oute from the houses and delightes of the Citie, and yet neuerthelesse might be easely holpen with the commodities, riches, and power therof. [Page 121]The Mamaluches (a kind of ordinary souldiours, out of whom the Sultan was alwayes chosen) were scarse twelue thousande: but e­uery one of them according vnto the greatnesse of his wages, and wealth, had many seruants attendant on hym, very well appoin­ted wyth armour and horses. The Mamaluches terrible men for theyr long heardes, and threatning eyes, mightily brawned in all partes of their bodies, and very nimble, do vse to fight wyth such arte, that after the firste shotte of theyr Launces, they with a cer­taine wonderfull agilitie and valor, do vse nowe their arrowes, casting their shielde behinde them, then their mace of yron, some­times a sworde crooked like vnto a sithe, as the place and encoun­ter doe require. Their horses are strong and hot, and for making and swistnesse like vnto the Genets of Spaine, and that which doth séeme to be beyonde the opinion of our men, they doe especially excell in so greate docilitie, that they haue learned by nature and vsage to reach vp vnto their riders a launce, or arrowe taken vp from the ground with their téeth, to knowe the ennimies, and to flye on them with their téeth, and beating downe all cound about them with their héeles: and all this do they by signes and certaine voices vttered by their maisters. Vppon these horses are séene saddles guilt, bittes of siluer, defences for their necks & breasts of pron plates. The horseman himselfe is contented wyth a shirt of maile, or a coate of plate. The horsmen of the fore rankes, and al that are ren [...]umed for riches, weare helmets, the reste doe thinke themselues sufficiently defenced against all blowes by the linnen couer of their hed, the which is finely wretahed with many rolls: but the basest forte vse red thrummed hattes that can not be cut thoroughe with the waighty stroke of asworde. Campson diuided his armye into fiue battells: the firste he committed to Cayerbey, bycause that the battell was fought in his prouince: the seconde to sibey, who was furnamed [...]lman [...], that is to say, the Tumbler, for his wouderfull nimblenesse of bodye: he was Prince of Da­ [...]iascus, a man of singular fidelitie, and prowesse. These two battels should at one time charge the right and lefte wings of the Turkes. Then did Gazelles [...]ol [...]we wyth the thirde battell for to, succoure the one o [...] the other, as the case shoulde require: The fourth gli­sering [Page 122]with guilt armour, Campson hymselfe ledde, twelue fur­longs distant from the reste, as it were for a battell of succour.

The fifte battell was lefte to guarde the Campe. But Selym had so aranged his army, that according vnto his accustomed ma­ner, he placed the horsemen of Asia in the right wing, and the horsemen of Europe in the lefte: but the Ianizars with the great or­dinaunce in the middle battel. And before the Ianizars in the front of the middle battell stoode the moste brauely appointed and vali­ant horsemen of the Guarde, among whome Selym woulde be that daye contrary to hys wonte. Is soone as the armies approched one vnto the other, Cayerbey for shewe of a noble courage gaue a sharpe onset on the Europian horsmen, and straight way as though he woulde haue enclosed their battell, he defeated with a long cir­cuite about on their backes, where hée dysordered wyth greater terror than staughter the hindermoste taile, where the drudges, the baggage, and innumerable Camells were: that being bothe valiaunt and also traiterous, he might séeme both to satisfie hys honour, and also hys falshoode.

But in another quarter the Prince of Damascus, that hée might inuade the ennimies on the open side, omitting the fronte, and bringing aboute hys troupes towardes the lefte hande, gaue a charge ouerthwarte the enimies: and the Mamaluches fought so feruently, that committing a greate slaughter of the Asians, they perced like vnto a moste violent streame euen vnto the ensignes, which had bene placed in the middes of the battell. Neyther after that the foremoste were ouerthrowen, coulde Mustaphas the Beller­bech (he was an Hungarian, sonne in lawe vnto Baiazet) and Imbra­corbassa the maister of the kings horse (who contended wyth great force vnto the contrarye) longer slaye the horsemenue, but that they fledde.

So the victorious Prince hauing cut into two parts the wing of the enimies, was come sidelong vnto the footemē, and the backs of the horsemen of the guarde, and filled almoste all the middle battayle wyth slaughter and tercou [...]. The Turkishe state stoode in greate daunger, for that Sely [...] was by the incursyon of the enimies almost cut off from his foot [...] (in whom he reposed [Page 123]his greatest hope) and also the horsemen of the guarde were very sharpely pressed by Gazelles: who followyng the fortune of the Prince of Damascus, had now charged the middle front, and final­ly the Asian horsemen being disordered and defeated, coulde finde no meane to repaire the fight, when Synambassa came to succoure them being in greate distresse. By his comming, who had béene vered by Cayerbey with none or small fight, and therby brought in a freshe multitude of horsemen, the audacitie of the Mamaluches was abated, and the courages of the Turkes encreased, and anone after the victory also was taken away from the enimy. When by Selyms commaundement the ordinance was shot off full vpon the enimies: whose vnaccustomed thundring did so affright the Ma­maluches their horses, that their riders coulde not rule them, ney­ther could they themselues do any good with al their singular and wonderfull valor, bycause they were enclosed in the mids by the infinite multitude of their enimies. Yet notwithstanding, in this asperitie of things, were not their harts brokē, neyther although they were forsakē by Cayerbey and fortune, failed they vnto them­selues, either in aduise or valor: for vniting themselues all togy­ther into one thicke troupe, they brake throughe the battell that stoode before them, with the slaughter of the Europeans, and the de­triment of the wing of the horsemen of the guarde, and beganne to make their continued course vnto the Campe and Citie. Anone all the reste also were made to flye, Sinambassa pursuyng them wyth the lightest and the freshest of the horsemen: for Selym, who hadde that daye wythout all doubt appeared greater than hym­selfe for the patience and sufferance of bodye that hée shewed in that extreame heate, the couragiousnesse of his hearte, and the felicitie of his counsell had (fleing hither and thether) adhorted his men to folow the victory, and pursue the affrighted. Now had Camps [...]n aduaunced forwarde hys battell, eyther that hée might succour his men, or be present at the victory, if the Turkes were vā ­quished: when hée vnderstoode, by the way of those that fled, that Cayerbey hadde reuolted his power was defeated, neyther coulde nowe the flyght of them hée stayed: finally so greate was the [Page 124]force of the ordinance, and so greate the multitude of the eniuries, that they were able no longer to sustaine them. With the which newes the haughty olde man of. lxxvij. yeres, who liuing in per­petuall trāquility of state had neuer before séene fortune frowne, conceyuing a supreame griefe, almoste wounded, nor long after a company of his owne fléeing men, and also of the pursuing eni­mies (who being caried wyth violent course vppon the spurre, threwe downe all that they met indifferently wythout regarde) comming vpon hym: Campson being loaded wyth yeares, and the waight of a mighty Hernia or rupture, and also fainting for ex­treame heate and sorowe, was smouldered in that duste. Moreo­uer as the Mamaluches sledde amaine vnto the Campe, and from thence vnto the Citie, the Princes of Damascus, and Tripoli ende­uouring to sustaine the force of their vrging enimies, in the hin­dermoste taile were slaine. But Selym causing a fewe tents to bée set vp in the same fielde where they had fought, and the greater parte of his army being placed in station, passed that night with­out sléepe, as he that beyng ignorant of his victory and fortune, did greately feare leaste that men of so greate valor would haue returned againe that night, and giuē a Camisado vnto his camp: Sithence he himselfe had séene, that they were defeated, and made to flye rather for feare of the ordinance, than by the true prowesse of his Souldiours. But afterward when Gazelles, and the rest of the Mamaluches had more certaine intelligence of Campsons death, they departed from Alepe with spedy pace, & hasted vnto Damascus at the fourth watch, their horses being scarse yet refreshed of their wearinesse The nexte day Selym marching forward, graunted vnto his souldiours the spoyle of his enimies Campe, the whiche was full of all royall riches: and from thence marching vnto the Citie, receyued the yéelding Alepans with their Captaine Cayer­bey, and graunted them to be frée from paying tribute. There di­ed in this battell not aboue one thousa [...] Mamaluches, but moe of their seruants: and greater slaughter was committed in the flight than in the fight. For when their horses fainting with sweat, and dying euery where for thirst, they were sette on foote, and were easyly oppressed by euery towardly souldiour, for a greate num­ber [Page 125]of noble horses died, bicause they beyng very fatte and kept o­uer delicately in the shadow: and stable, coulde not beare vehe­ment and vnwonted laboure, and namely that daye, when the Sun scortched all things with his immoderate blaze. This field was fought the fiue and twentyth of Iugust, vpon the very same day (which is wonderfull) that two yeares before he had vanqui­shed the Sophy in battell. But they report, that on Selims fide there were staine aboue thrée thousand horsemen: that hereby we may confecture how great a slaughter he had receyued if that the lefte wing, which had remayned vntouched the ough the benefit of the traitour Sinambassa, had also lighted on his Prince of Damascus: al­beit in very déede séeing that Selim was sully strengthned and esta­blished with the freshe and yet whole and vn touched guard of his footemen: it was thought that he coulde not come into any daun­ger of safety or ignomy. Two dayes after was the body of Camp­son found, without wound, by them that were appointed to search for hym, the which Selim commaunded to be openly shewed: that those natiōs which thought wish obstinase credulity, that Campson was yet liuing, and gone towardes Caire to repaire hys power, might be depriued of all the reste of their hope, and also they whi­che were faithful vnto the Turke, might he made euer after more firme, nowe that all suspition of that matter was quite taken a­way. Nor long after, when the body began to stinke, and the fame of the common people séemed to be sufficiently reproued by shew­ing of the body thrée dayes, it was buried with small funeralls at a very auntient Temple of the Citie. Alepo being yéelded, Selim marched vnto Damascus, a Citie of verye greate riches and power, whych also yéelded: whose example caused the Cities on the Sea coaste, and especially Tri­poli, Beritus, Sidon, and Acres, to sende Le­gates vnto Selim, wyth surrender of themselues vnto hys cle­mencye and fealtie.

AFter the death of Campsō, Selym minding to pierce Aegipt, sente before from Da­mascus Sinambassa into Iudea with fiftéene thousand horsmen, and a strong power of Marquebusiers, which had béen cho­sen out of the Ianizars and Asappes, for to surney all that region; and to open the way vnto Gaza, the which was com­bersome and troublesome, by reason of the Arabians. That Citie standeth on the Sea coaste, and in the fines of Aegipt, neare vnto the sandy desertes, throughe whome they muste go with a harde and painfull iorney that will tranaile vnto the farther A [...]gipt, and vnto the Citie of Caire. The Citizens of Gaza, bycause they had no garrison of souldiors, at the very first receyued Synambassa, and subtilly thanked hym for that hée hadde vouchesafed to deliuer them out of the intollerable slauerye of the Mamaluches: for the memorie of the which benefit they promised to be, and remaine true and faithfull vnto Selym and his successors for euer. But whilest that Synambassa expected in Campe wythin an arrowe shoote of the Citie, the comming of Selym, learning out diligently in the meane time the region that they must passe tho­roughe to goe into Aegipt, and endeuouring to winne the friend­shippe of the Arabian Capitaines, and suborning espies to goe vnto Caire, to learne the counselles of the Mamaluches and Tomum­bey (whom they had chosen after the death of Campson to be Sultan) the Citizens of Gaza, who by nature were extreame enimies vnto the Turkes, and nowe began to féele dayly great dammage through the present Turkishe army, certified Tomumbey of the comming of Synambassa, and also gaue hym to vnderstand, that the same power of the Turkes might be easyly oppressed and destroyed before that [Page 127] Selym were come, if that a strong crue of Mamaluches with skilfull Capitaines were sent vnto them: for whilest the Mamal [...]ches did in the deade time of the nighte at a time agréed vppon betwéene the Citizens and them, inuade the fléeping Tu [...]kes, they would al­so at the selfe same momēt, sally out of the Citiz and disorder and deface the enimies campe with fire and swood. Temumbey and the Mamaluches doe incontinently like the deuise, and sende Gazelles with sire thousande horsemen or Mamaluches and a greate multi­tude of Arabians. But he was scarse departed from Caire, but Sy­nambassa had intelligence thereof by Syrian espies, and howe they hasting without any cariages, would be there within two daies.

The whiche newes, as it saued the Turkishe army, to also was it of greate moment to the obtayning of the entire victorye of the whole warres. But althoughe Synambassa had no intelligence at all of the falshoode of the Gazans, yet bycause he did suspecte (as he was a man of a prouident and wise head) that the like might hap­pen vnto hym, determined lefte that hée might haue to doe wyth twoo enimies at once, to méete the Mamaluches by the waye, and to trye the fortune of fight. Therefore dislodging after the se­conde watche, hée wyth greate silence departed out of the sight of the Citie, and marched fiftéene miles in the way towardes Caire.

Nowe hée was come neare vnto a small village, where all tr [...] ­uailers doe commonly vse to ledge, by reason of the commoditie of a plentifull Spring that riseth in that place.

It fortuned that Synambassa was minded to stay in that village, and also Gazelles had likewise thought to rest there certaine hours and refreshe his men and horses, that he might fiye to Gaza in the night time on hys refreshed and [...]ayted horses: when almoste at one time it was tolde the Chieftaines on both sides by the auant­currers, that there was a mighty duste raised, and that the eni­mies approched.

Gazelles being vehemently troubled in mind with this vnlooked for chaunce, for that he perceyued hée shoulde misse of hys pur­pose and entent, and be vnable to matche the enimye, if he wold encounter hym, speciall ye séeing hy [...] d [...]oses were weary: yet for all thys, h [...] hearts fayleth hym not, althought hée wors [Page 128]forced presently vppon a sodaine to deuise what was to bée done for the common safety of the whole armie: and adhorteth his soul­diours to make ready their weapons, and to thinke that the thing whiche they coulde not doe by ambushe and stealth, as they hadde ment they must now dispats he openly by true valor. On the o­ther side Synumbassa hauing his men farre sooner sette in array, than Gazelles coulde, bycause he had tolde them long before at leysure, what he woulde haue to be done, if they shoulde happen to sight: vsed [...]ng and chearefull spéeches vnto all the rankes of his souldi­ours but the ende of his oration was, that they should quite for­get all fleing away, séeing that all places round about them wold do shal and [...]urions to them vnlesse they were victors: and spe­riasly that they shoulde fully persuade themselues this one thing, that nouman shoulde perish that day, but he whom God almighty had prodestinated to death by the most certaine lawes of fate, and that with equall perill the valiant should finde safety in the minds of the [...]nses s [...]ordes, and also the fearefull death in their most safest [...]ight throught the power of [...]oau [...] [...]ble l [...]t. The harque­bus [...] were in the wings, the which were stretched foorth in lēgth, with a single array and one man not standing very nere vnto an­other, that they mighte be able to vse their harquebusses more fo [...]ly, and compasse he the [...]nimy: but the pike men were placed in the [...], for to susteine the impression of the Mamaluches. But Gazelles approching, sent the troupes of the Arabians before, for to disturbe the wings, and he himselfe with a square battell charged the middle battell of the Turks. The fight was very cruel, & a long time doubtful, for that the Turks yea though superior in number, wer not able is abide the fo [...]ce of the armed horsmen, & now being beaten [...] ground, and dispensed some one way, and some an other, by the Mamaluches, that brake in among them, looked rounde about for flight, both with eyes and hear [...]es: when by Sy­nambassas cōmandement the harquebusser [...], who had with the first storm of their sho [...] [...] a way y^e Arabians, reducing their wings enelosed all the who [...] battell of the enimies. Then both men and horsmen were a fair [...] [...] shenk ended [...] with mortall yellets, whi­che were shot by [...], and no place for prowesse [Page 129]was lefte vnto the enclosed, for when that any troupe of Mamalu­luches did run their horses violently vpon the Turkes, they by rea­son of their lightnesse and nimblenesse, being accustomed to giue grounde, did very swiftlye flye backe: and in all places this was their endeuour, not to encounter them wyth their horses, but to vse only their harquebusses. When Gazelles sawe that his horses were tyred with extreame wearinesse, and that nowe many of his stoutest men were eyther slaine or hurt, and he himselfe was grée­uously wounded in thenecke, hée wyth the reste makyng them­selues away wyth their weapons, fledde vnto Caire thoroughe those wildernesses that hée came, losing all hys Ensignes.

There perished in this battell the Captaine of Alexandria, and Orcomas the Gouernour of Caire, men of greate accompt, and be­sides them a greate number of Arabians, and almoste a thou­sande horsemen of marke. Neyther did Synambassa winne a ioy­full and vnbloudy victory, for hée loste aboue twoo thousand hors­menne, and among them some of the beste of his Capitaynes. But bycause the fight had continued from noone to Sunne sette, the Turkes were not able to pursue their enni­mies, their horses being almoste deade for thirst, and they themselues fainting thoroughe lacke of meate, and extreame laboure: but encam­ped in the place where the battell was fought neare vnto the Spring a­fore mentioned.

AFter that Selym had intelligence that Synambassa had taken Gaza, and discom­fited Gazelles, and also hée himselfe had receyued a freshe supplye of souldiours by sea from Constanethople: he marched with his whole armye vnto Gaza, and from thence within eighte dayes came neare vnto the chiefe seate of the Sul­tan, called Caier, Synambassa always go­ing a days iorney before hym. Six myles from the Citie, is there a Village called Rhodania, into the which place Temumbey the new Sultan, had brought al his olde and newe prouision and furniture of great ordinance, and had made ditches crosse ouer al the plain fielde, and the high waye, the which ditches he had couered ouer with small stickes and earth layd vpon them: and he himself had stoode in an oportune place with the Mamaluches, who were about xij. thousand, & a great number of Arabian horsmen, for this in­tent, that when the hoste of the Turkes did beginne to approche, they might be beaten downe by the vnthought of ordinance be­fore that they coulde come to reache the Egyptians with theyr Harquebusses, and then he hymselfe being spread rounde about them, woulde incontinently fyght with them being disordered and fallen into the ambushe.

These things were so cunningly and prudently deuised, & also perfected in so good time, that no man in the armie did thynk that the victorie of that day was any thing to be doubted of. Doubt­lesse a gret calamitie hanged ouer the Turkes, if that Fortune, who as she always fauored Selym, so she enimy like, and sharply perse­cuted Tomumbey, had not defeated the painefull endeuors of the Mamaluches, through the perfidiousnesse of a fewe persons.

There were in the Sultans armie foure Mamaluches, Albanoy­ses borne, who did greatly stomack it, that Tomumbey was ful sore against their will, aduaunced vnto the royall seate, by the voices [Page 131]of the aduerse faction. They, whether impelled by lewduesse of disposition, or adduced by hope of rewards and more liberall en­tertainment, bicause they thought that nowe séeyng their owne side went to wracke, it were wisedome for them to séeke new and more certaine friendes, fled vnto Synambassa, as vnto the chiefest Turkish captain, and their countreyman. By these horsemen Sy­nambassa, and incontinently after Selym, vnderstood all the counsels and intents of the enimies, and how great an ambushe Tomumbey had layde for them with singular suttietie and arte, into whiche they must néedes fall, vnlesse they did forsake the high and direct waye. Whervpon they being guided by the same fugitiues, dyd fetche a great compasse about on the left hand, and before it was day came again into their old way, and with aranged battels, and produced ordināce (that there might be no stay to attach the fight) shewed themselfs at the backs of their enimies, auoiding y^e front of their campe. When Tomumbey sawe this, he coniectured by the marche of his enimies, that his Ambushe had bene disclosed tho­rough the treason of his owne men. But although he were tor­mented with incomparable grief of minde, for that al those thin­ges which he had doone with the toyle of so many men, and wyth so great endeuor, was quite dashed, and caste awaye in one mo­ment of tyme by spitefull Fortune: yet neuerthelesse, as he was a very stout man, he incontinētly reuoked al his senses vnto coun­sel & wonted valor, & calling vnto him al the captains, spéedily told them what he wold haue to be done. Tomumbey being placed in so great straight of things, must doe all things at one time: he must giue the signall vnto the souldiours, wherby they were willed to mount on horseback, & to take their weapons, to turn the order of his cape, to arange his battels, to encorage his souldiors, & to tra­duce his ordināce into contrary quarters, as y^e case did require Al which things, as one chieftain could not do alone, but hardly and confusedly, so were they hastyly & to halfes and peruersly admini­stred at one pushe, by many. But the thing that did moste hin­der the spéedye dooying of all thynges, was the huddlyng togy­ther of all menne for to remoue the ordynaunce, the moste of whiche were yll fauoured and houge péeces made of yron, [Page 132]and sette in greate stockes of wodde, wyth rings of yron after the rude and nauall workemanshippe vsed in olde time: they by rea­son of their mighty waighte coulde not be moued out of their pla­ces, without the draught of many beastes, and greate thrusting and heauing with yron crows and leuers, and with the gréeuous laboure of men. But the greate péeces that were mounted on whéeles, being drawen by the witlesse & hasting multitude with the great clamor of those that pulld, haled and shoued throughout all partes of the Campe, did with their tumultuous passage dis­order those that were mounting on their horses, and the Souldi­ours that were repairing vnto the ensignes. But two things were a great help vnto those difficulties, that is to wit, the chere­fulnesse of the souldiours, and the singular constancie of them all farre greater than a man would beléeue: for that they had not by any conceyued feare, fallen from their hope and harts, as it com­monly hapneth in sodaine chaunces, in whome, yea the olde soul­diours, doe oftentymes forget their olde valor: but being twice vanquished in battayle, they had alwayes resumed greater confi­dence and courage than they had before, bycause they perswaded themselues, that not valour and saill in fighte, but only Fortune sayled them. Therfore when Tomumbey had set his men in array, and the souldiors with hote desire of fight, had requested the sig­nall, he commaunded all the multitude of the Arabians, to fetche aboute their wings on the backe of their enimies, and to attache the fight firste, so that the Turkishe horsemen might be troubled and disordred, with a doubtfull daunger of fight, before that hée himselfe had run foorth with his induced troupes. Streightwaye he cōmaunded the great ordinance which had bene now brought about, and directed against the enimies, to be shot off. And incon­tinently did the Turkes the same: who hadde once shot of theyr smaller & greater péeces, when they were a iuste distance of, and quickly charging them agayne, had now drawen them within an arrowes shoote of the Egyptian ordinaunce: they foughte a long tyme on eyther side with only often shooting off of their ordināce, whyle that the armies approched. In the which cōtention, almost all the Egyptian gunners were slayne, and most of their artille­rie [Page 133]his mounted from their whéeles, and broken into péeces by the violence of the pellets of their enimies. For the Turke had very skilfull Gunners in his campe, whom he had allured by his great rewards, and riche entertamment out of Italie and Germanie, and specially manie oute of that filthie rable of Iewes, who being ex­pelled by the pietie of king Ferdinand out of al the Spaynes, brou­ght afterward such rare vnvsed and deadly artes into all the Ori­ent, to spite our men withall. The captaine of all these Gunners was one Iames, borne at Reggio in Lumbardie, a man of passing skil in these artes: who being enticed by the Turkishe giftes, had a little before forsaken the seruice of Christ, and reuolted vnto Ma­homets superstition. But after the fight is on both sides brought vnto handestrokes, the Mamaluches raise a cruell and horrible cry, and in thrée quarters charge the Turkes with great valor: for Selym kéeping his olde order, so marched, that he approched in the forme of a croysant. The Captain of the Asians in the right wyng, was Mustaphas, and Innubassa of the Europeans in the left but he himself gouerned the middle battell, wherein was the Esquadron of the Ianizars, with a great multitude of ordinance. But Synambassa, be­ing made generall of the fielde, had chosen for himselfe a certayne battell or bande of the moste valiantest horsmen, taken and pic­ked out of all the companies, for to serue for al vncertain euents of the battell. Vnto whom he added out of Selyms esquadron fiue hundred footmen of passyng prowesse and swiftnesse, that he being re [...]e in all places of the battell for all chaunces (were they ne­uer so suddain,) might succour that parte of his fellowes, whiche was most pressed by his enimie. So that when almost at one time Tomumbey had stoode in the middle battell against Selym, and the wings of the Mamaluches had encountred the Turkishe with equall fronte, and the Arabians had fought valiantly at their backes, as they had bene commaunded foure fights were holty attached at one tyme in diuers places.

They that were present at this battell, do report, that through the cry of the Souldiors, the noise of the drummes and trumpets, the thundring of the artillerie, the cloude of the dust, and the cla­shing of the weapons, all mens mindes were so amazed and con­founded, [Page 134]that they beeing all on bothe sydes alyke, blynded with furye, they rushed foorthe wyth madde desperaetnesse, in suche sorte, that neyther coulde the voyces and watche woordes bée discerned and knowne one from an other, nor the ensignes séene, nor the commaundements of the captains heard: they by mutual error slew a great number both of their owne felowes, and also their enimies without all regard: for neuer before that daye had any armies encountred togyther inflamed with greater hatred, neuer had two most mightie Emperors more constantly and fer­uently shewed their valor of bodie and hart with lesse care of life and safetie: For when both of them manifestly perceiued & sawe, that with like daunger of themselues and their armies, they had set their liues and empires at sixe and seuen, they also vnderstode that there woulde be no other hope left vnto eyther of them, but that which the victorie it selfe would bring.

Now Gazelles enkindeled with desyre of honour and reuenge, that he myghte repaye vnto the Europeans a foyle equal vnto that whiche he had receyued at Gaza, charging Innubassa with greate violence, had ouerrunne the formost & the resisting troupes, had throwne downe the Guidons and the Arabians preassing on the victors at their backs, had made the vanquishing companies of al warres, where the strength of the Thracians, the Thessalians, and the Macedons were, to turne their backes, whiche neuer any enimye had séene before: Then Synambassa being redy and intentife both with mynde and strength for al occasion of victory, flew vpon the side of the enimies with a fresh and strong companie of his men, and repaired the battaile which was inclined and fouly scattered. But anone after, Synambassa who had discontinued the manyfest victorie of the enimies, by exercising a supreme déede of prowesse, was slayn verie valiantly, fighting before his men, after that th [...] Mamaluches vnder their fierce captain Bido, had turned themselues on their new enimie. And also his horsemen endeuoring to tak [...] vp from the ground their dead captain, and to saue him, were fo [...] a great part slain & put to flight by Gazelles, who did spread abrod [...] his troupes, that they hauing more roone, might more fréely vs [...] their swords, in which kind of fight, y^e Mamaluches do most excell: [Page 135]and also that noble hand of Ianizars being enclosed, were ouerrun and flain, after y^t they being forsakē of the horsmen, had long time very valiantly resisted. But in another quarter, Mustaphas giuing a vehement charge with all his horsemen vppon the left wing of the Egyptians, wherin cōmaunded the most renoumed captaines Neylius Diadarius, and Giapal Oreemas, very sharply vrged thē. They had a little before receyued a notable, detriment by the ordinance which was by chaunce shot from Selymb middle battell trauers the fielde. Mustaphas perceyuing it, and being very desirous to abolish olde ignominy, very sharply vrged thē being once disordered, and bringing in his troupes by wedges, brake thorough, ouer ranne and beate them downe, and being notorious all the battell ouer for his voice and armour adhorted the Asians to thinke that they must now recouer eyther by passing prowesse, or honorable death their auntient martiall honor, the whiche they had lately loste at the battell of Alepo. Also at the same time Tomumbey hauyng bro­ken through the middle battell of the horsmen, was come vnto the footmen, and as he was a mightie man both in body and strength, did many notable actes with his semitarre: and also the Arabians enclosed the outer wings of the Turkes, and forced them in many places to fight with double front: when Selym aduaunced forward his esquadron of footemen, the whych was hys onely and assured helpe in this extreamitie, whose charge neyther coulde the fierce and harded horses, nor the victors men abide: for part of his soul­diours being harquebusierz, did much muschiefe when they were impaled with pikes, whose immoueable force beyng closed togy­ther into the array of one body, bare downe all that they encoun­tred. Yet they fought with variable euent on both sides, from the fourth houre of the day, vntill Sunne sette, neyther was there a­ny part of the armies, which suffered not sundry alterations, for­tune being now prosperous, & then aduerse: for both the vanqui­shed, & the victors being made mad with mutuall and implacable rage; fought with obstinate harts: the Mamaluches disdaining that the victory shold be taken from them by those men of whome they had slaine so many, but the Turkes chafing that they whome they had before vanquished in two battells, did so lōg time resist them: [Page 136]in so much, that yet the languishing armes, and the bodies wea­ryed and tyred with woundes, which were held vp by only wrath and pertinacie of heart, might féeme would haue bin able to haue continued an other day in murdering, if that the very nighte had, not brought an ende vnto so great a slaughter.

Tomumbey, who no doubt was vanquished, distrusting the en­tier losse of the fielde, first commanded the retreate to be founded, that his men, who now could not matche the esquadron, myghte séeme not to haue bene beaten back, but ledde backe: The which thing he thought was of very great moment to establish the harts of his souldiors, and also to reteyn his owne authoritie: for that same dame Fortune, who had deceyued his first hope, did séeme to promise vnto him, (who hoped, as mē in miserie do) for better lot, prosperous euents of things, if that his heart quayled not, and he sauyng that power whiche was yet lefte, woulde repaire the warres. The battell being broken off, by the commyng of the night, the Turkes who were victors, and had gained the ordinance and tentes of the enimies, pursued vntill it was late nights, the Mamaluches that marched to Caire almost in fléeing manner.

In the flight were taken Biadarius, who could make no spéede, by reason of his gréeuous wounds, and with him Bidon, who had one of his knées broken with the shotte of a falcon, whiche dyd also kill his horse. The next day Selym commaunded both of them to be slayne, either bycause they coulde not be healed, or for that it was decent, that he myght with so worthie sacrifices appease the spirite of Synambassa, for whom he singularly lamented. Although the Turks had nobly vanquished, yet was their power vehemently decayed, yea through these fortunate battells. The fourth parts of them was quite spent with sicknesse and woundes: and also a great number of their horsses were brought weake, through the toyle of the long fourney, and specially by the wearinesse of this day. For the which causes, Selym was constrained to renut some­what of his olde manner in hasting: for he knewe not as yet the myndes and deuotion of the Aegiptians that inhabited Cair, ney­ther did he yet vnderstande by fame, in what place Tomumbey so­forned, and what he intended to d [...]. But before he had maturely [Page 137]and diligently learned out all these things, hée in no case minded to commit the safety of his owne person, and of his whole armye vnto the innumerable Citizens, & the greatest Citie of the whole worlde. Wherefore staying foure dayes in his olde Campe at Rhodania, he caused the wounded to be cured, and the bodies of hys slaine souldiors to be buryed in the ground, but lefte the carkasses of the enimies to be torne into péeces by byrdes and beastes. And then hée dislodged, and marching towarde Caire, enc [...]mped in a plaine betwéene olde Caire and Bulach (for the Citie of Caire is diul­ded into thrée townes: olde Caire, new Caire, and Bulach) that they might be the more commodiously serued of water.

IN the meane tyme Tomumbey beyng nothyng broken with so many and so lamentable vnfortunate succes­ses of things, but gathering togyther the Mamaluches from all partes, had pitched his campe in a commodi­ous place betwéene newe Caire, and the riuer of Nilus, had armed an eight thousande Aethiopian bondmen, the whyche kind of mē he had not vsed before by reason of the memorie of an olde rebellion. Morcouer, he opening the olde armoury, had deli­uered armour and weapons vnto the sonnes of the Mamaluches, and the Moores their reteyners, the Iewes, and the Arabians, & with all diligence had prepared greater and more cruell wars against the Turkes, than he had made before. But after warde when his de­uise to giue a camisado vnto the Turkishe campe, had béene disclo­sed vnto the Turkes, who beyng prepared therefore, had with losse repelled his foremoste rankes: hée by the adhortation of all hys captains entred the citie of Caire, for y^e Mamaluches being vanqui­shed in all battells, thought that they muste take another way in administring the warres, and therefore counselled him to streng­then the Citie, by placing his army in guarde in the most commo­dious places thereof, and to impeache the enimy from entring the towne: for in this lamentable state, seeing that they must néedes [Page 138]fight for their houses, wiues & children, they thought it honorable & correspōdent to the glory of their antient valor, to dye fighting in the sight of them, & before the dores of their houses. So euery horseman, or Mamaluch, going to his owne house, furnished all his houshould, and the toppe of his house with all kinde of wea­pons, and euerye one suppliauntlye desired the Aegyptians of hys streate and warde, that they woulde take armes against the com­mon and cruell enimies, nor suffer them selues to be slayne, and their wiues and children to bée carried away for slaues: for if the sauage and moste couetous enimy should win the victory, (which God forbidde) they woulde not spare, no not them, yea though they woulde beare them selues indifferent, and healye neyther the one parte nor the other, bycause that victory being fraught ful of licentiousnesse and insolencie, will knowe no man, but hym, that without staggering and doubting what to do, did helpe with goodes and hand the fortune of their parte, while that the warres were of vncertaine euent. Moste of the richer sorte of the Ae­giptians, as they did foresée that the alteration of the state and of the Empire, would be very hurteful, and bring greate losse and hinderaunce vnto their traffique and wealth: so in deuotion and healpe they failed not vnto the Mamaluchs. Contrariwise moste of the meane sorte of the Citizens, and a mightye multitude of the worser, who being voide of danger, do always gain by other mens losses, remembring all the villanies and extreame oppressions that they hadde suffered almoste thrée hundreth yeares vnder the Mamaluches in wailefull and wretched slauery, kept themselues within the dores, waiting for the euent of the supreame fight, and reioyced in their sléeues, that not without the care of almigh­ty God a time had come, when their wicked and outragious lords shold be punished for so many heynours facts, yea and the reuenge shold be sought by the bloud of strangers: whereby it wold come to passe, that they shold anone fully satisfy their eyes with a most desired and wished spectacle and sight. In the meane tyme Tomum­bey with most intentise labor and trauell, fortified the gates, and all the wayes into the Citie, appointed Capitaines ouer euerye streate, made adhortatorie orations in euery court, market place, and assemble of people: suffered not any light loytering to be v­sed [Page 139]in the works, and finally, (whiche is thought to be the moste hardest thing in calamitie, and danger) shewed a surpassing great hope, and a renued and singular valor in his vnappalled face and countenaunce. But the Mamaluches ouer and aboue necessitie, (the whiche doe vse in extremities to enkindle and to make mad and desperate, yea the very cowards) being stirred vp by emula­tion, did spéedily and couragiously execute the duties and offices of Captaines, for euery one of them, as his witte, inuention and industrie did bear, made ditches crosse the most notorious streats, and also laid mighty greate péeces of timber ouerthwart them: o­ther did set in priuie pits, holes, and ditches very sharpe stakes, vppon whom the enimies vnwarily falling might be gored: other furnished with gunnes according to their store, the windows and houses that stood in the turning of the stretes, y^t wer much frequē ­ted. Al which things were doon with so great celeritie, y^t no man no not y^e ioyliest felow of all the Mamaluchs, made curtesie to take the spade, or to do any seruile or foule work: so y^e all things séemed not to haue bin deuised before they were don & finished. Although the citie being very great & very old, was enclosed with no walls, yet there were gates, & but certain ways into it, of whom the one with direct and very broade way or strete did lead from the East gate vnto the Castell, and into the middes of the Citie. The rest of the ways into the Citie had very narrow pathes, and ill fauo­red streates, in whome the ordinaunce could not be well and apt­ly drawen, neyther coulde aranged battells safely ioyne togither. Into this place and way had Tomumbey chiefly brought a power, bycause he vnderstood that of necessitie the enimie must breake in at that place by reason of the wydenesse of the streats, but the o­ther quarters of the citie father off, he kept with small gards: but the inner and middle parts of the citie, where the castel stood: were guarded with a very strong part of his power, y^t they being very intentiue, might spéedily run with succor to al places of the citie, where y^t the cry of the enimies, & the perill of their fellows did call thē, bicause that the citie being of al other the gretest, could not be defended round about the outward cōpasse with so small power, namely wayes lying open into it in euery place. But when Selym certenly knew that Tomūbey was entred Caire, and al the Mamalu­ches [Page 140]gathering their strength into one, wold try the vttermost for­tune of the wars, he admoued his host more neare vnto the Citie, and adhorted his souldiours to thinke that they must that day en­tierly vanquish, and quite destroy their enimies, whom they had so often ouercome, and to take a little paine more, that they might receiue the rewardes of their former labours and victories: the which would be so many, and so greate, as they had before coueted with immoderate mindes: that there remained a few men wyth the forsaken and naked king, who bycause they beyng attached with woundes and feare, were not able to abide the fielde, had de­créed to expect at home in the sight and armes of their wiues, and children, the supreame and laste caste of wretched life. That the Aegiptians of their owne accorde had sent for him, for they deadly hating the name of the Mamaluches, did moste gréedily exspect their destruction, and did promise to fight from their houses for to de­stroye that progenie of moste wicked and sauage men. But yet notwithstanding, that the very absolute victory of the whole wars consisted in the vtterly vanquishing of the remnauntes of the de­feated and throughly affrighted army: bycause they could not be accompted ouercome, that yet hoped were yet in armes, and pos­sessed the siege of the Empire, and the greatest Citie thereof.

Therfore they should think, that whereas their safety and glory, then also their whole state and welfare did consiste in the euent of that day. But that it woulde be a thing almost of nought, and of no daunger, if that they woulde persuade themselues that they muste néedes vanquish in this newe kinde of fight, as they hadde valiauntly done before vnder his conducte in all other. The soul­diours heartes burned for desire of spoile, and being ready and de­ducted into rankes, exspected the signall of the irruption: When Selym entring the Citie at Bassuell gate, sent in his horsemen at ma­ny places at once, but the Ianizars at the broader way: horsemen met with horsmen, and attached a cruell fight in the turnings of streats, and narrow lanes, but the footemen drawing foorth their falcons and culuerings before them in their front, did flank with them all the streats, along as they wente, making them naked of defendants. But when they were come vnto the munitions and [Page 141]ditches, and went about to remoue the logs, and greate beames that lay in their waye, and to passe the ditches: and on the other side the Mamaluches valiauntly obsisted, they fought on both sides with so greate valor, and so great pertinacie of harts, that neuer none in our memory encoūtred either more fiercely or more blou­dily, for both the Mamaluchs & the Turkes shewed all their strength, and all their sleights of warre, in this one daungerous fight, not being ignorant that they fought in this last encounter for life and Empire: séeing that sporting fortune did set indifferently before them both supreame rewardes for the victors, and extreame pu­nishments for the vanquished. Very greate slaughter was com­mitted at the munitions, by reason that the Turks vnwarely run­ning into the blinde and priue ditches, pits and holes fell downe into them by heapes, one vpon another, the hindermost thrusting them forwarde that were before: and other were gored on the sharpe stakes. The Mamaluches their wiues and children did with manlike hardinesse hurle and tumble down tiles and great stones on them that were beneath. On the other side, the Turkes woulde wyth their harquebusses fetche suche off as they coulde sée in the windowes, and on the houses, and breake open the doores where they saw any hurtefull thing hurled downe, and fight wythin the houses wyth diuers euent. Also the Aegyptians beholding the for­tune now of the one side, and then of the other, did with diuers de­uotion take for enimies and assaile them both, that vnto whether of them lot would giue the victory, they might séeme also to haue greately aided that partie. Many encounters were attached in diuers quarters at once, as they ranne into diuers streates, yea and in sundry partes of one streate, now this company, now that lighted vpon new troups of the enimies, & they that vrged the vi­ctors in the front, were often intercluded by the enimies, & were beaten down behind. The ways, and the space that were left be­twéen house and house, were (an horrible thing to behold,) so wet of the gore bloude that ranne oute of the slaine men that laye on leapes euery foote, that the raised dust, whyche at the beginning was very thicke, was nowe quite layd. Yet neuerthelesse the aire was darkened wyth the smoke and miste of the gunnes, and the [Page 142]cloudes of arrowes, and so greate was the crie of the souldiours, the clashing of the weapons, the thundering of the ordinaunce, that the earth séemed to tremble and quake, and the houses to bée torne into péeces. They fought continually two days, and so ma­ny nights with doubtfull fortune: but yet so that the Mamaluches who being fewe in number, & were not able to sustain the labour and watching, had withdrawen themselues by giuing backe by little and little into the inner partes of the Citie, forsaking the formost munitions. The third day when the Mamaluches were in the very pitch of the perill of all their whole state, and all that euer they had (which thing is wont to augment the supreme enterpri­ses, endeuours and hartes of all men) they renued the fight wyth such surpassing valor, that they droue the Turks a great way backe and intercepted certaine of their falcons. Which chaunce, they saye, made Selym to dispaire of the victory, and then he commaun­ded the houses to be set on fire in all places, he being also impel­led vnto that heinous and cruell proclamation almoste by iuste wrath conceyued against the Aegiptians, bycause that a little be­fore Innusbassa had bin gréeuously wounded in the heade in Selyms sight with a stone throwen out at a windowe. Now were the hou­ses light on fire, now was heard the houling of the wéeping and suppliauntly entreating Aegiptians, and new the Turkes fightyng somewhat faintly, expected that the retraite shoulde bée sounded: when sée, newes was brought by many men at once, that in ano­ther quarter the Mamaluches being beaten from their ground, and defeated by vrging Mustaphas, had reposed their laste refuge in running away: for Mustaphas through the intimation of certaine Aegiptians, and fugitiue Mamaluches, had come vnto a very large streate, where the Mamaluches had sette their horses ready bridled and sadled: that if any ill chaunce happened, they might haue re­course thither, and taking their horses, flée vnto those nexte pla­ces whither they had determined to go. He got all those horses and ledde them awaye, hauing chased their guarde, the which, as in a parte of the Citie, that they did nothing suspect, was very weake, consisting wholy of boyes, and horse kéepers. This thing (as it commonly happeneth in waighty and vnlooked for chaunces) did [Page 143]maruellously wraken their valour and impression. Wherefore when hope of flight was taken awaye, and they perceyued them selues to be enclosed rounde aboute, and that the fight was su­steined by none other hope, and by none other helpe and aide, than prowesse, they being vanquished by their own confession, turned their backs. Many hasting vnto Nilus with Tomumbey, who had in vaine tried all artes of valiauncy, wisedome and deuise, that hée might not be vanquished in this battell, passing ouer the riuer by boate, wente into the region of Seiectica. Another multitude hidde themselues in the houses of the Aegiptians, and in moste shameful lurking dennes. But aboue a thousande and fiue hun­dreth of the valiauntest of the Mamaluches fledde vnto the grea­test Temple in all the Citie, where after that they hadde long time defended them selues, as oute of a Castell, bycause they woulde not yéelde but vppon honourable conditions: at the laste beyng vanquished by thirste, wearinesse, woundes, and ordinaunce, they yéelded themselues vnto the will and plea­sure of the victor. A part of them were slaine presentlye before the Churche by the angrye Souldiours: Selym winking there­at, and parte were certaine dayes after caried downe the Riuer to Alexandria. When the victory enclined, Selym sent two bands to put out the fires, and also sending aboute cryers throughout al the Citie, caused proclamation to be made, that all the Mama­luches that would come in, and yéelde them selues, within twelue houres should haue no hurt, but all found after that time, should die for it, and also that hée woulde giue rewardes vnto all those Aegiptians that woulde diselose the Mamaluches that lurked, and contrariwise incontinently sticke them that had hidden any: and selling their wiues and children, burne their houses. Vppon the brute of this proclamation, a great number of them came abroad, who were straightway put in yrons, and also afterward all moste cruelly slain in prison, for that they were said to haue practised an escape. But diuers that wold not violate the rights of friendship and faith by bewraying their frēds, being accused by their neigh­bors, suffred losse of life, dying very constantly for their friendes.

After this, the souldiors beyng made fierce through the victory, [Page 144]searched all places, drewe out all them that were hidden, and slew them, and also spoyled the Aegiptians their houses, and lefte no­thing shut and secreate. The very same day Gazelles happened to come vnto Caire, who had béen sent a litle before into Thebais to le­uy Arabians, and to hyre aides. Then hée séeing the state to bée quite euerted, and that hée was able to do no good, eyther by hand or counsell, came in with thrée Arabian Capitaynes, and many horsemen, and yéelded himselfe vnto Selym, who entertained hym with all his traine very honourably, euery man according to hys calling.

BUt Tomumbey being (as ye haue hearde) fledds ouer the riuer of Nilus, into that region that is called Seiectica, which lyeth towards Cyrenaica: although he had bene vanquished with so ma­ny mischiefes, yet be couragiously repaired the wars. There had come vnto him a strong crue of Mamaluches from Alexandria, who were sent for by letters out of the garrison of the Citie, and ma­ny also folowed hym in the flight. Moreouer the Arabians of A­frica repaired vnto hym: and also the Moores the inhabitaunts of that country, promised hym their good will and healpe: yea and sundry Aegiptians of Caire, whose houses and housholds had bene spoiled, and dishonested by the couetous and lecherous Turks, pro­mised that they would raise an insurrection and tumult, if that he would spéedily come thither one night: that it shold be brought to passe that all the Turkes which were lodged in the houses of the Citie, shoulde be sodainely destroyed by the crie, and inuasion of all the whole people: for the Citizens hauing suffered at their handes, all abhominable and enimy like partes, coulde not longer abide the iniuries of the most proude and malaperte oppressers. They also said, that the Turks were brought from a very mighty armye vnto a contemptible number, for a greate parte of them [Page 145]were slaine in the ba [...]el [...]s at Ihed [...]nia and C [...]r [...], and almoste all the rest were quite spent with wounds and sickenesse. But whi­lest that Tomumbey was busied about the preparation of these thing [...], Albuch [...]r the greatest man in of [...]ecti [...] for authority, landes and riche [...], came vnto Selym, eyther that he [...]g [...] auert fr [...] his countrey, and landes, the mischief of imminent v [...]r [...]es, or else to winne the victors fauor by treason, and certified hi [...] of the po [...]er, and new deuises of Tomumbey and the [...]tizens of C [...]re. The which when Selym vnderstood, he caused strong and straight; watche and warde to be kept in all partes of the Gitie, her c [...] manded the suspected Citizen [...]o be kept [...] the cas [...]l. the [...] he h [...]dde casely taken the garr [...] forsaking it) and plated indi­uers places all [...]lo [...]g the riuer of Nilu [...] greate number of vessels furnished wy [...] ordinance and souldiors for to watche and kéepe the farther [...]au [...]ke of the riuer. But yet he [...] i [...]hing [...]ith hym­s [...] wi [...] how greate peril [...] he ha [...] fought so often with his most v [...]li [...]u [...]verti [...]e [...]e, and how harde [...] thing it woulde be fore hiue to intercept Tomumbey, who by sleing into waste and vnknowen re­gions prolonged the warres, and s [...]ll got [...]e newe and new asdes, and also considering that his power being so small and so far from sue [...]r, might be easely oppressed in that most mighty Citie by the huge multit [...]de of men of vncertaine faith▪ was desit [...] ra­ther to ende the warres by [...]omposition, than by contending with force to entangle himselfe in new dangers: and especially séeing that he had intelligence by those of the prouince of Seiectica; that companies of horsemen of all sortes were leuied in all partes by the Mamaluches that had fledde into diuers regions and that the nauie which had bin sent i [...]to the sl [...]ghts of the redde se [...] in the Arabian g [...]ulf against y^e Po [...]ugals, was looked for at P [...]rs Svezzia. In that nauie were aboue thrée thousand Mamaluches, and Amy­rasses, an Ray Salomon very skilful Captains; and a great number of brasse yéeces: wherby it se [...]en y^e Tomumbey might be able to re­paire the receued incōmoditie [...], & come againe vnto the Citie, be [...] ­ing sent for by: hys friends to repaire thither▪ But the mighty [...] care of the Persian affaires did most moue him, least that if Hymbra­cossa, whom he had sent before vnto the mountain C [...]nrus, shuld [Page 146]not be able to matche the Persi [...] power, that then he shoulde be ex­cluded out of Asia the lesse, and Syria, before that the Constantino­politan fléete coulde come to Alexandria with supply of souldiours and victuall [...]. Wherefore he sent very honorable men of the cler­gie, and also among them, certain Argiptians of great estimation in ambassade vnto Tomi [...]ley: who should counsell hym to l [...]y [...] down armes, and at lēgth acknowledge the fort [...]e of the victor, and therewith should also giue the [...] saith, that if he woulde come in suppliaunt sorte vnto Sely [...], be shoulde by the humanitie and benefite of the victor and conquerour, obtaine the kingdome, the which he had not ben able to kepe by armes: but if he wold pro­ceade in renewing the war [...]es, and forget his owne weakenesse, that then after the fortune of the wars were throghly adiudged & determined, he shold according vnto his d [...]sert, fl [...] no condition of dignity & life at a [...]g [...]d Selyms hand. But [...]he [...] these ambassa­dors were come into Se [...]ction they were with [...]antil [...] and barb [...] ­rous cruelty, slain by certai [...] [...]al [...]cht [...], before they had any [...] ­dience.

The whiche proude and cruel fact, brake off al Selyms patience, who was a man by nature yea being not moued, very vedement & fierre: & streightway he proclaimed avoiage into Seiestita against Tomumbey, & cōmanded victual [...] to [...]e prou [...]ed therfore & gathe­ring togither boats frō al parts [...] a sure & very broad bridge to be built ouer the riuer of Nilu [...], thinking it neither for his dig­nitie, nor for the present occasion to passe ouer in boates.

But when Tomumbey vnderstoode by espies and the Citizens of Caire, that a voyage was prepared against him, and a bridge made ouer Nilus, hée fearyng the falshoode of the Prouincials, whose heartes, hée lightly suspected were alienated from hym, by the reuoltyng of Albuchomar, bycause of hys greate power and authoritie among them: determined to trye the selfe same Fortune of battell, whyche hadde so often tymes deceyued his hopes: for hée being inferiour in all thinges, coulde not drawe foorth the warres, nor expecte his enime: neyther did he thinke it good for him to flée agayne wyth losse of hys dignity, through farther wildernes [...].

Wherefore consulting wyth hys Captaines, (she which was the laste attempte that he and the Mamaluches made) hée depar­ting in the breake of the daye from Seiectica wyth foure thousand armed horsmen or Mamaluchs, and double the number of Moores, and Arabians, hasted to Nilus wyth iorney cōtinued day and night that by hardy attempt he might deceaue the Turkes, who he vnder­stood would suspect no such thing of the vanquished, & very weake enimy, and also that he might by celeritie preuent the fame of his approche: thinking that he shoulde by his soddaine vnlooked for commyng, destroy that part of the Turkish power that had first passed the riuer, before that they coulde be succoured by their fel­lowes. Neyther did the space of the tyme deceyue his opinion: for the houres beyng very truly reckened wyth the celeritie of his march did agree iumpe: and as he had coniectured it woulde hap­pen the forewarde of the Asians had passed ouer the bridge. The Mul [...]tters and boyes that were of Selyms chamber ranging some what farre to séeke a more pleasaunt place to pitche their tent in, were the firste that sawe the dusto of the approching enimy: and Must [...]pha was streightwaye certifyed therof, and a larum was [...]ryed.

The whiche rumour did caste greate feare into the heartes, both of them which had already passed ouer, and also of those that stoode on the hither banke ready for to passe, Tomumbey charging sodainly with greate valor the Asians, while they were making themselues ready and resorting vnto the ensignes, slew the fore­moste that durste sustaine the shocke of the assatlantes, [...]ispersed other, and forced them to flée. Neither after th [...]t almost all the whole foreward was ouerrunne and troden downe, and the rest disordered was Mustaphas, able (although he fought fearelesse in the fore front, and chéerefully encouraged his Souldiours) to re­paire the array, or to reteine the turned into flight: foo in this cruell and vnsuspected chaunce, euerye place was full of h [...]dling togyther of people, slaughter, slight, and feare, and all along on the banke of the riuer, both aboue and beneth the bridge, were cōpanyes of men séen looking behind them and criyng for [...]ccor.

And many being dryuen by the vrging trou [...]es of the enimies [Page 148]vnto the verse brinke of the b [...]nke, fel downe into the riuer and many also perished at the ende or head of the bridge, when they [...]oulde not runne ouer it for them that were continually sente ouer from the further side: and also many that wold haue climed the bridge, being impeached by feare, and thrust back by their fe­lows, were drowned in the riuer. The bridge was so broad, that foure horsses myght well goe ouer in a ranke, and a great num­ber of them be sente ouer in an houres space. But bicause the ordinance was to be drawen ouer, fewer horssemen were sente, than the greatnesse of the daunger, or the suddaine chaunce dyd vrgently requite: neither was there any helpe or ayde in the or­dinance whiche coulde not be spéedily drawne ouer, or shatte off from the hither banke vnto the other againste the enimie with­out g [...]ea [...] damage to themselues, by reason of their owne men that stoode in the waye. In the meane tyme Selym, who had run downe vnto the ryuer syde at the beginning of the hurly burlye, filled small boates with Ianizars harquebusiers, and sent them o­uer to succoure their distressed fellowes, and also commaunded the horsemen to haste ouer by the bridge. The spéedy Mariners vsing al celeritie, often returned, and tooke in mo, so that within a short space they had set ouer manie bandes of Ianizars. Whose comming, did confirm the Asians, who were disordered, and now hardly susteyned their enimies violence.

[...]ls [...] Ca [...]ogl [...] the sonne of a Tartare king, encouraging his trou­pes v [...] T [...]ra [...]es to take the ouer with their horsses, came to the farther banke of the [...]uer, to the ad [...]rasion of all men, léesyng but a fewe of his men [...] for the Tartares had [...]carned to swimme o­uer on their horses accustomed thervnto, the verie violente and mightie riuers of Tanall and Volga. Also at the same instant To­mumbey for séeing ha [...] spe [...] victorie consisted therin) endeuored to pierce with thicke troupes vnto the head of the bridge, and to [...]ntim [...]t [...] that then for to interclude his enimies, he might pull [...]ay the formost boate, and cut in sunder the cables, with which that rowe of boates were tied vnto the banke. Which being cut off the whole bridge being of necessitie resolued and vndon, wold through the violence of the nightie stream, be caried away with [Page 149]the Turkes that were vpon it. This caused a verie dangerous con­flict, for the chosen and best armed Mamaluches that vrged at the front, fought with singular valour: and on the other side Musta­phas perceyuing the daunger, brought the ensignes, and all the va­liauntest felowes vnto that place. So that they bothe contended with suche surpassyng prowesse, as the waightinesse of the case required: the Mamaluches manifestly seing that if they could win y^e place; that then they shuld with short work afterward ouerthrow the former victories of the enimies: & the Turkes vnderstanding y^e vnlesse they kept and saued the bridge, the safetie of themselues, and the rest of the armie, yen and of their Emperor was brought to vtter dispaire. But Mustaphas preuailed through the Harque­busters, and the troupes of Gréeke horsemen, of whome nowe many had passed ouer, and the enimies were repulsed and being fierc [...]ly vrged, forced to giue a great way back. Tomumbey that he might giue some space vnto the Mamaluches to breath them, who were not able to fight fiercely, bicause their horses were tyred, and that he might againe trie by them after they had repaired their strengthe, the extreme and last chaunes and fortune of the battell, adhorted the Arabians and Moores to susteine the fight vntil the Mamaluches had a little breathed themselues. The which when they had valiantly performed, and anone after the Mama­luches hauing somewhat recreated their horses and bodies, hadde come in their place: the battell was again renued with so grea [...]e valour, that Selym distrusting the victorie, doubted not to ascend the bridge, and runne to succour his men, although that his fren­des earnestly besoughte him in no wise so to doe. His commyng (which brought hope into the hearts of the souldiors, who desired to [...]inne rewardes and prayse by dooing some notable feate of prowesse in their Emperours sight repressed the endeuors of the enimies, who were straightway all forced to flye through the vali­ance of the Ianizars. They were pursued ouer all y^e fields by those horsmen that had not bene at the fight, and also by the Tartares, who galled them with their arrows. But afterwarde Mustaphas, Cayerbey, and Gazelles, were sente wyth a company of freshe and swift horses, to follow the foote of the fleing, and not to suffer To­mumbey [Page 150]to escape away, whome the thirde certaine [...]e­sauntes founde standing in a marish vppe to the waste in water among bulrushes and réeds, who for feare of death deliuered him to the Capitaynes, who brought them vnto Selym. But he would not vouchsafe to sée him. But after he had caused him to be along tyme tormented in vaine for to disclose the treasures of [...]pson, at laste hée commaunded hym to be caryed aboute all the famous streats of the Citie on a vile Carmell in an olde ragged garment, with his hands bounde behinde hym, and then [...] he hanged vppe wyth an halter, for the murtheryng, as be pretended, of his Am­bassadours, although the noble Prince were altogether guiltlesse therof. The like fate also befell vnto al the Mi [...] [...]hos and horse­men that were in prison, or coulde he taken. After the shamefull death of Tomumbey, who was executed the thirte [...]th day of Aprill, in Anno. 1517. all the whole Empire of the Sultan yéelded; as also did all the Princes that had béene Tribucartes vnto the Sultan euea vnto the domintons of Prestra Iohn.

ANno. 1521. Charles the fift Emperour of Rome, and Leo the tenth Bishop of that citie, cōspired togyther (for displeasure conceiued) to expell Francis the Frenche king out of the Duchy of Milan, and to place therin Francis Forza brother vnto Maximilian, late duke of Milan, but then prisoner in Fran [...]e. The which erploite Praspero de Colonna, and Ferdinande Mar­quesse of Pescara, the one being Generall of the horsmen, & the o­ther [Page 151]of the too te [...]en, did in [...]r [...]e per [...] that same yeare, ha­uing wonne Placontia, Paiula, N [...]ara, Alexandria, Como, Puni [...], the Citie of Milan, and dyuers other places of the dutchy, which cau­sed the French King to sende downe the nexte yeare, Renee the ba­starde of Sauoy, and greate maister of his horse, and Seignour de la Palice, and other wyth a newe supplye of souldiors, vnto the Lord [...] his lieste [...]āt general in Milan. With this power and the old that he had before, & also being aided with an army of the Ve­ [...]ans, he laid [...]ege vnto the citie of P [...]nia, the which yet he brake vp, when the Emperialls (who had lately receyued a new supply out of Germany of [...] thousande Lans [...]; vnder the conduct of George Tr [...]ndes [...]erg) were come from Milan is [...]etor Pania: and marched towardes Landr [...]o, that hée might come to the Citie of Milan as voide of garrison, before the Emperials coulde returne, or if he could not so doe: he hoped some good oportunitie of bat­tell in place of aduantage woulde be gotten by often dis [...]edgings and sundry iorueys. But Prospers and Pescara incontinently going bathe againe the same directe way that they came, [...] at Milan many hourex before that Lautrech, who marched somwhat about, coulde come thither, although he vsed passing celeritie. The Lau­trech hauing thus missed Milan, marched to Monze for many re­gardes, and namely counselled therevnto by Gutti the Legate or Prouiditors of the Vinetian armye, that he might he victualled with more e [...]ment of wayes from the Regions beyond the riuer of Adda: and also the Switzers requested it, beyng desirous to goe home, as they that beyng wearied wyth the vnlucky warres, in whom fortune would fauour none of their enterprises: had lan­guished both in body and hearte, and therefore wyth proud and leade tongues requested to be dismissed. But the Bastarde of Sa­uoy, Palice, and Galeazo, Sanseuerino Grande Esquier, or maister of the horse vnto the King, going vnto the Switzers earnestlye desired them that they woulde not haste to forsake them, and by their infamous departure quite ouerthrow the assured hope of ready victory: séeyng that Francis of all Kings the most liberall, would requite this their singular benefite, not only by frank dea­ling wyth them selues, but also with their wines and children.

Surely the Captal [...] and [...] well a [...] ­ [...]ec [...]ed, and very faithfull, but the common sorte of the souldiours, as they which were bou [...]e by no giftes, did very leudly wauer: but yet so that it séemes that all of them would fight valiantly, if they were spéedily brought to darraine battell. When Prasper [...] and Pescara vnderstoode the entent of their [...], they staying almost neuer a whit at Milan, eu [...] thei [...] wer wel furnished with all things, beyng fully ref [...]ed t [...] giuer the enimy battell, if that any indifferent occasion were offe [...]d. They eueauped them­selues at a village called Bicocna: in a place very fafe and common­dious: for on the right [...], it was enclosed with the ditche of the highway, but [...]the leasie, and on theh [...]ke with two small ri­uers secuing to water the corne fieldes, but in the front it hadde a crosse waye so broade, that two waiues méeting might passe one by another, the which was on bothe sides so lowe, that the edges of the corne fieldes were nauell high abo [...] it. This way for that it was very hollowe, did Pescara vse for a ditche, and in the front thereof pla [...] the ordmance and footemen: and behinde stoode the horsemen with Prospero. But Francis Forza the Duke of Milan, who had brought thither bandes of the Citieof Milan, and all the nobi­litle of the whole duchie, that he might be present at the battell, encamped in the high way. Now the Captaines of the Switzers being singularly addicted to the French welfare, and honour, and namely Albers Petra a captaine of sucpassing same in many wars who had then the chiefe authoritie among the Switzers, assoo [...]e as nows was brought by the horsmen that the Emperitialls were encamped middle way betwéeno Milan, and Mo [...]za, and were in a plaine and leuell péece of ground not aboue fiue miles from them; they canne vnto the French Captaines, and Alber [...] spake vnto them and tolde them, that the Souldioures coulde bée kepte by no meanes but that they woulde goe home vnlesse they were lidde into the fielde to fight: and that hée hym selfe might satis­fye the kings Maiestie (who had very well deserued of hym) and also the dignitie of the Switzers, was fully resolued to giue hat­ [...]ll: neither ought they to doubt of the victory, if that the french­men as they were by buc [...]y bound) wold wyth couragious harts [Page 153]folow the Switzers, who would pierce euen vnto the ordinance of the enimies: If that there were any that would rather linger shamefully, than fight valiauntly they ought not to bée thought faithfull to the king, or the commō wealth. Therfore he, to shewe his fidelitie and vnfained hart vnto the Kyng, would go against the enimies yea with onely the Switzers, if no man else woulde follow. This couragiousnesse of Albert was not displeasant vn­to Lautrech as y^t man that had rather fight yea with doubfull euēt, than to be forsaken by the Switzers: for this was his opinion, that their hote valor, séeing that they did request the battell wyth such flaming heartes, was to be vsed out of hande, namely séeyng that he séemed inferiour to the enimies, neyther in footemen, hors­men nor yet in number: for he priuily accompted it an ignomye, if that now, as it had happned the yeare before, he should againe be driuen out of Lumbardie, and neuer fight battell, and namely séeyng that wheras the Switzers, then specially the french hors­men had alwayes in vaine requested of hym with many prayers, that they might shewe their valor in a pitched fielde: which thing (as it often happeneth in aduerse fortune) had gotte him greate enuy among the Frenchmen. But Palice both gréenously offended wyth the rashenesse and arrogancie of Albert, and also moued with the nothing tymely inclination of Lautrech, praysed in déede at large the good will and deuotion of the Switzers, but could in no case abide to heare the counsell of assaulting the Campe, as a deuice full of extreame madnesse, and deadly desperatnesse: often saying that he, who had wared olde in the Italian warres, did very wel know the valor of young Pescara, who alwayes vseth to fight lustily and the artes of olde Prospero, who had learned to lodge his army skilfully to the discōmoditie of his enimy, & with his owne chiefest and highest praise. He did not thinke the french state was brought vnto that despaire, y^e as it were in extreme necessitie, they shoulde rather chose to fight and be vanquished, than by staying wyth very good and holesome reson moderate the violent fease of vnaduised corage. Wherfore what was more safe and better, thā to get them betwene Milan, & the enimies camp, and encamping themselues there, force the enimies (being intercluded from the [Page 154]citie, and victuals, either to fight with disaduantage, if that they woulde assaile their Camp, or certes if they would returne vnto Milan, to offer them the fielde in an indifferent place. In déede the Lorde Lautrech, who had the supreame gouernement, might fight with disaduantage both then, & also at al other tymes, when he wold: but it was the duty & part of a wise Generall, neuer to prouoke y^e enimy, vnlesse he hauing before surely shifted the euēt, might with firme reason assuredly promise himselfe vndoubted victorie. But then thus (answered the Lord Lautrech) we nede not slouthful lingring in sitting still, but lyuely valour in fight tore-couer the honor and Duchy lost: the which doubtlesse can not be done, if we do suffer the Switzers, who are now going away, to depart home and do no feate of prowesse. Wherefore make your selues ready to fight, that we may this day ende the warres one way or an other. Thervnto replied Palice: God assist the mad and desperate: I for my part, that I may not séem to haue shūned the perill, will certes fight on foote in the forewarde of the footemen: yée French horsmen, behaue your selues to day valiantly, that in a hard case, rather fortune than courage, may séeme to haue fay­led you. So before the Sun was vp (it was the .xxix. day of A­prill) Albert leadeth foorth his regiments of Switzers (they were about fiftene thousand) with the ordinance, being puffed vp with so foolish, or certes fatal pride, that he would not one whit be ru­led in any thing by either Lautrech, or Palice, Captaines of greate skill, but wyth barbarous statelinesse, promised that hée woulde chardge the Emperialls full in the face. And without stay, the fa­mous Petro de Nauarro, and the renowned Captaine Biciarde, be­ing sente before to surueye the situation of the enimyes Campe, Lautrech made two battells of all the french horsemen, the first he committed to his brother the Lorde Lescune, commaunding him to fetche a great compasse about, and to inuade the enimies on the backes, but he himself folowed the maine army. It was enioyned vnto the Venetians, who were on the left hand, to back the Swit­zers, beyng therby quite out of daunger, or certes very far from any. Moreouer Iohn de Medici was commaunded to goe before all the battelles wyth hys horsemen, who were verye passyng excel­lent, [Page 155]consisting both of light horsemen, and also men of armes) and with the light bands of Italian footemen, who also serued vn­der him, that he coursing this way and that way, might take all prospecte from the enimies, and not suffer their auaunt currers to take any viewe of the French power. So the footemen being hidden by Medices horsemen, approched wyth great pace, not be­ing séene of the enimies, yet the formost of Lescunes horsmen were (by reason of their glistering armour) séene of the Emperials be­twéene certaine trées vpon the lefte hand: but they did fetch suche a greate compasse about, that they séemed to be beyond the camp, and to march towardes Milan. In the meane time Pescara, (than whom, no man kept a more constant iudgemēt of mind in sodaine chaunce) commaunded Gastaldo to scout with a company of horse­men: he had not gone far, but that hée met with Medici, and then their horsemen skirmished togyther very brauely, now one side, and then the other was driuen backe, and the loose shotte came al­so in among them: finally they were so blended togither, that nei­ther the one was suffered to haue any certaine knowledge of the approche of the Switzers, nor the other of the situation and ar­ray of the enimies campe. The ordinaunce as I said, was oppor­tunely placed in the front of the ditche, and the footemen were cast into foure battallions, but yet so with equall front, that Al­maines and Spaniards wer mingled together by course. The captain of the Almaynes was George Frondesberg, a notoriou man for hys mightie body and strength: the harquebusters standyng before the pikes occupied all the whole length of the front: when Pescara commanded by as new and witty, as afterwarde happy deuise, that they should not sette fire to their péeces before that they had séene volagues dischardge at his commaundement. But he willed the foremoste rankes, that after they had dischardged, they shold immediatlye stoupe downe on their knées, and charge agayne that the seconde rankes might incontinently discharge without daunger of the foremoste, hée also commaunded the seconde, and then the third, and so the fourth to do the same: so that when the last had discharged, the firste and the s [...]ond rankes should quick­ly and readily shoote off agayne they [...] [...]charged péeces. [Page 156]So that this order being repeated incessantly, the footemen of the enimyes myght bée beaten down as it were wyth a continuall storme, before that they could come to hand strokes. Euent wan­ted not to Pescara his deuise. For when the Switzers approched, they first shooting off their great ordināce, as also the Emperials had done, ranne amaine vnto the ditche, suspecting nothing of the disaduantage of y^e place: Where all things were oportunely administred by Pescara, both wyth great quietnesse, and also cele­ritie, and he did sodainely let flye a storme of small shotte, which did so much mischiefe, that not onely the ensignes, but whole bandes fel downe at once: yet Albert himselfe lustily scaling the rampire flewe vnto Frondesberg; whom he knewe, and callyng him by an opprobrious name, did with a mightie arme thrust his pike into his side, gréeuously wounding him: but Albert himself was immediatly slaine, being stroken at from all partes round a­bout. And also that bande of desperate fellowes that succéeded hym wyth franticke fease, were easily slaine by the Almaines and Spaniardes from the vpper grounde.

In this encounter Alfonse the Marques of Guasto, cousin ger­mā to Pescara, was woūded in the arme. But the rest of the Swit­zers after they had béene a long time turmoiled and troubled a­mong the heapes of the slain, and the piles of their pikes, turned their backes. Also at the same time Lescune bringing aboute hys horsmen, both giue a charge vpon the backes of the enimies, and passyng ouer twoo ditches doth breake into the Campe. Ambrose Landriano the Captaine of the Dukes wing of horsmen, is defea­ted and taken prisoner, the tentes are caste downe, the hales of Antony de Lena, and the Earle of Termine, and their siluer plate fall to the share of the lackeys and drudges. There is a wounderfull great hurly burly raised throughout the whole Campe, feare at­tacheth not onely the Souldiours, but also the Captaines them­selues, yet Prosperi gets himself quickly out of the feare of this so­daine chaunce, and setteth his horsmen caste into troupes against the Frenchmen, A [...]ir [...]o, and the Earle of Collisa valiātly helping him, [...] Antonin de Lena r [...]ning th [...]her formost of al. Now Lescune fought vpon the bridge with singular prowesse: which if he could [Page 157]haue gotten, the French horsmē had doubtlesse broken into com­mit a great slaughter of the Emperials: when sée the dukes hors­men aduauncing forwarde their guidons from the high way, re­ceiued the encounser: also a bande of Italians Harquebusters spée­dily ranne vnto theyr succour, and also the Milanese, that lay be­yond the riuer in a verie safe place, dyd shoote their fielde péeces ouerthwart vpon the enimies: Fraunces Forza the Duke was in that quarter a continual encourager: the fyght was diuers, and cruell, as that which was fought in a place very combersome in all partes, not only for the ditches and déepe streames, and small riuers, but also for the ropes of the tents, and many long polles, that were set vp to tye the horsses vnto. But there was a verye sharpe encounter at the bridge: for there Lescune hymselfe being notorious for his Caparissons, and plume of fethers in his crest, contended with great valour to breake through: whose prowesse the Monsieurs Montmorency, Baiarde and Pontiremy, very forwarde Capitains, honorably emulated: and also Fredericke de Bozolo one of the house of Mantoa, had pierced into the highe waye, but the iniquitie of the place did withstande the prowesse of the Frenche horsemen. For neyther were they able to breake through wyth thycke troupes, nor yet to defende themselues, bicause they had brought no and of footmen. So the Frenchmē that fought on the bridge; after that many on both parties had ben cast down hed­long into the Ryuer, wyth fowle slaughter of men and horsses, were at length driuen from the bridge: Lescunes horse was slayne vnder hym, and anone after when he had taken an other, he was wounded in the mouth with a sworde, whiche was thruste tho­rough the bener of his helmet, and Mounsieur Baccalaure the En­signe bearer of Monsieur de Brion was slayne, and Hugh Earle of Pepoli, had his legge shot through with an harquebusse, the Fren­che guidons were rafte and torne: and the Harquebusters that were beyonde the ditche, tourning themselues on the side of the enimies, did with their often and thick shooting much endamage the men of armes, and specially their horses. In the meane space, the battel of the Switzers being defeated, the footmen freste cryed, Victorie, victorie: this most fayful crye brought from one to ano­ther [Page 158]euent vnto the hindermost rankes, the Frenchmens hartes incontinently quailed: but the courage of the Emperialls encrea­sed: Lescune windeth himselfe out of the fight, and wyth singular constancie (although he had loste many of his horsemen) recoue­reth his brother Lautrech, who when he sawe the slaughter & flight of the Switzers, constātly stoode still with his whole battell. But when Pescara saw the foremoste rankes disordered, and the footmē turned into flight, entreated and besought Frondesberg as earnest­ly, as he coulde for his life, and adhorted the Almaines, that they woulde pursue the fleing and beate the backes of the discomfited, take reuenge of the nation that was the moste deadly enimye of the Almaines, and finally without any danger, winne an entier victory. But when he coulde not obteine this of them, who of insolent contumacie woulde not obey, and with terrible mutte­ring requested to haue treble pay: he for to enkindle them by ex­ample, sent foorth thrée bandes of Spanishe footemen. But bycause they ran foorth scattered, neyther wolde the Almains folow them, they léesing Guinea, a valiant pety Captaine, were almoste enclo­sed, partly by the Switzers that drew backe the ordinaunce, and partly by Iohn de Medici, who running trauerse the field, guarded the backes of the departing Switzers wyth a strong troupe of footemen and horsemen: yet the Emperiall horsmen, when Prospero commaunded them, and Pescara requested them with angry coun­tenance to make hast, pursued them and then Medici boldly tur­ning his troupes vpon them the horsemen shirmished togyther aboue two houres, for both the French and Venetian light horsmē repaired from al parts vnto Medices standeres. But at the begin­ning of the battell when the Switzers were ouerthrown, almost all the Venetian power went away with Theodoro de Trivulzi their Captain, neuer once attempting to fight. There perished of the Switzers what in the fight, and afterwarde of their woundes, a­bout thrée thousande: among whom nexte to Albert Petra, Ar­nolde of Vnderwalden did moste excell for authoritie and valiaunt courage. But there were slaine of the Frenchmen Mounsieurs de Molans, and Ghisci, and two noble yong gentlemen Mounsieur de Montfort, and de Turnon. But of the Emperialls Peter Earle of Coli­sa, [Page 159]of the house of Cardona, Pescara his mothers brother, being shotte into the eye as he plucked vp hys beuer, with the quarel of a cros­bow, wherof there was but one in the whole field The nexte day after when the Emperials pursued the frenchmen, they dissolued al their army, y^e Switzers wēt home, the Venetians repaired vnto Bressa, Lescune & Medici to Cremona, Bozzolo with the rest of the hors­men to Lodi, and Lautrech the bastard and Palice into France. Then the Emperials folowing the victorye, wan Lodi, Cremona & finally all the dutchy, except the Castells of Milan, Cremona, and Nu [...]ara, and then also sacked the rich Citie of Genea.

IN the yeare of oure Lorde .1524. the Emperiall power hauing vtterly expel­led the Frenchmen out of all the duchy of Milan, inuaded France, & besieged the strong Citie of Marsiles in Prouente: but when they heard of the approch of Fran­ces the frēch king with a puissaunt po­wer, they spéedilye brake vp the siege, and hasted into Italy: whome the king pursued so fast, that the Emperials were no sooner entred the Ci­tie of Milan, but that he was also at the gate, and tooke the citie, the Emperialls for saking it, and fleing with al their army vnto the Citie of Lody: but that they had before placed Antony de Leua in the citie of Pauia, with all their Lansquenetz (being fiue thou­sand) and fiue hundreth Spaniardes footmen, & two cornets of horse­men The king not staying at al at Milan (but only leauing the L. Tremouille with a power to besiege y^e castel) marched incōtinētly to Pauia, & came thither y^e 28. of Octob.) which he besieged so lōg, that [Page 160] Charles the duke of Burbon (who had reuolted lately vnto the Em­peror, and had then the gouernment of the Emperial armie in the duchie of Milan) went into Germanie, & brought from thence George Frondesberg, with twentie bands of Lansquenetz, and Nicholas the erle of Salme with two thousand horsmen, and Ferdinande the Arch­duke of Austrich, sent v. C. horsemen, and sixe thousand Lansque­netz. As soone as all these Almayus were arriued at Lodi, the Em­periall power did set foorth agaynst the French king at the earnest persuasion of the Marques of Pescara, who wan both Lanoy the vice­roy of Naples (who being fearefull of léesyng his proper prouince, would haue gone vnto Naples with the horsemen, and namely the Neapolioans, and all the light armed footemen of the Almayns and Spaniardes, to defende the kingdome of Naples, against the Duke of Albanie, whome the French king had sent with ten thousand men to inuade Naples, in the whiche enterprise he also shoulde be ayded by the Pope) to turne and to bend al their force against the French king: & also had gottē the Spanyards to go foorth to fight, which they at the first refused for long lacke of pay. So theyr armie being mu­stered (wherin were founde (sayth Francis Guicciardine seuen hun­dred men of armes, and so many light horsemen, and one thousand Italian horsemen, and aboue sixtene thousande footemen, parte Spa­niardes, and part Almayns: (but Iouius séemeth to insinuate a grea­ter number:) they departed from Lodi the fiue and twentith day of Ianuary, and marched towards the French king, taking the town of saint. Angelo by the way, that they might forrage and be victu­alled fréely without interception. The King vnderstanding of the winning of saint Angelo, remoued from the west part of the town into the camp of Seigneur de la Palice, who lay on the east side close vnto the wal of Pauy park. He also made strong munitiōs from the wal of the Parke euen vnto the riuer of Tesino: and beating down a part of the Park wall in thrée places, he made thrée wayes, as it were thrée mightie gates, y^t his horsmen, who did almost al of them lodge in the parke on the left hande close vnto the wood side, might spéedily at all times helpe the footmen, and also the station, that the King had lefte on the west side of the Towne. But after that the Emperiall power was encamped neare vnto the Frenche, there [Page 161]was many a sharpe, shirmishe attached; and also Le [...] incessantly sallyed out of the citie: in one of these skirmishes, or more truely after one of them, (when that he shewed vnto the lord Bon [...]uer the Admiral of France, the place and maner of his fortunate skirmish) Iohn de Medici was shotte into the leg out of a lowe cottage, and to gréeuously hurt, that as despai [...]ing of life, he obtained of the king to be caried down the riuer vnto Placenza with the incomparable incommoditie no doubt of the Frenchmen: for he was so couragi­ous, vigilant, and expert a Capitaine, that there was no sou [...]ior so verye a cowarde and faint harted, that woulde not chéerefully folowe his ensignes, and would not desire to be séene in the [...]elde with hym. Also about the same time (as though that fortune be­ing sore displeased wyth the Frenchmen would bring all incom­modities vppon them in one daye, the handes of the Grisons, (who were sixe thousand) being reuoked by domesticall warres began sodainely to aduance their, ensignes & to departe home: for Iames de Medici a Mil [...]esse: afterwarde created Marques of [...]drinian had at the comm [...]indement of Francis F [...]rza, and the earnest requeste of Pescara inuaded the Grisons vpon a sodaine, and wonne the town and castell of Clauenna, and thereby brought greate terror vnto all the whole nation. The which daunger being certified by the ma­gistrats vnto the Grisons that were in the french campe, they could not be caused to tary by any entreatie, although they were offered double wages: & which did augment the incōmoditie also, diuers ensignes also of those Switzers that were their confederates fo­lowed them, although that Marshall Lescune openly reuiled with reproches of auarice & perfidiousnes their Colonell. Then when that be obstinately persisted in his purpose to be gone, chalenged him vnto the combat. Nowe had the armies lyen many days al­most close one vnto an other with so nere front, (a thing that had neuer happened in our age) that it was wonder that the souldiors would so long abide the incommodities either of perpetuall labor or most harde winter, and woulde [...]ert [...]se their bodies with con­tinuall watchings and shirmishes: neither a thing seldome séene, although all things in all partes were beaten with the great ordi­nance, yet would they not ioyne in battel, fortune inclining▪ ney­ther [Page 162]to the one side nor the other. But hope of guerdon and praise, the noble stirrers vp of mēs harts and feare of dishonor, which is a very sharpe pricke, yea vnto dastards, did wonderfully susteine and holde them vp, who contended with equall power, as though they must vanquish not by force, but by sufferance: for the french king being of an high minde, thought it for his dignitie rather to suffer all hardnesse, than not to maintaine the fame of egregious constancie, the which vertue séemed to be straunge to the French mens nature: for as they hadde gotten all the victories of former times, rather by hot courage, and swift fease, than long perseue­raunce: so in déede they being tired by the long lingering of the Emperiall Captaines, and broken by tediousnes of long warres, had lost the name of their auntient glory. He also knewe that the besieged were distressed wyth incredible penurie almoste of all things, and namely of wine, the which by long custome and vsage is the thing that holds vp y^e bodies of the Almains, & makes the [...] chearefull and couragious to sight, he also vnderstoods that those mē which had arriued lately out of Germany, & also the spaniardes, & Italians, could not be lōg kept togither without wages, séeing that the moneth was now almost out, the which they had promised at Pescara his [...]ntecaty to serue without money: finally seing that his campe was fortified in all places with so greate rampires & mu­nitions, he did not thinke that the enimies were so [...]nuche to bée feared, that he ought to leaue his enterprise with ignominie: sée­ing that they which had proudly come with so greate fease & vio­lence, & boasting, to assault his campe, séemed by dishonorable ly­ing before it xx. days with frustrate attēpt, to haue spent not only their victuals, prouision, and mony, but also that terrible fame of fiersnesse. Yet neuerthelesse not being ignorant how much his po­wer was diminished, he very earnestlye endeuoured to augment his army with newe supplies: yet doeth Guicciardin write, that hée had in his campe. 1300. men of armes, 10000. Switzers, & so many Lansquenetz. 50000. french footmen, &. 7000 Italians, although that through the s [...]aud of the captains & the negligence of his officers, the nūber of the footmē was far lesse thā be payd wages for. But first of al other things, y^e king made truce with the Genouese, y^e 4000 Italians might be incōttuētly brought into his camp frō Sau [...]na by [Page 163]y^e Marques of [...]alures, but Gaspar Mayno a Milanese sodainly setting vpō this power with certaine bands of Sforzans, as they passed [...] ­uer the riuer of Burnta, did so defeate thē y^t he brought the captains prisoners, & almost all the ensigns vnto Alessandtia. Thus the K. hauing lost the hope of aid frō Sauana, sent for Tremouille frō Milan, with a company of horsmē, & for the greatest part of the footmen; y^e besieged the castel of Milan. Now there were at Milan, by Guice [...]ar­dins report. 300. men of armes, 6000. footemen of Grisons, & VValisse land men, & .iij. thousand French footmen. Tremouille carried with him to the kyng all the footmen, except .ij. M. The K. also com­maunded Momorentey, who was captain of the third frēch campe, which lay in the small Island, y^t the riuer of Tesino maketh before y^e citie of Pauia, to bring all the most chosen horsmen & footmē into y^e greater campe, & leaue the erle of Claramont with a certayn to kepe y^e Isle. The sum of all y^e kings entent & purpose was this: to sende foorth a part of his horsmen vnto S. Columbano, y^t they fleing about and remaining at the backs of the [...]nimies, might take away frō thē al abilitie to be victualed, & to forage fréely at their pleasure: & in the meane time he wold kepe himselfe within the munitions & cōtinue stil the siege, & expect, intentiue, and ready, with what e­uēt Albany did enter the kingdome of Naples, and what the Pope & the Venetians his confederates would attempt: yet there wanted not men of great qualitie for their long seruice in the war [...], who with frée speach did discōmend these counsels which were fraughtful of supreme peril, & endeuoured to pluck out of y^e kings minde that determinatiō of fatall sētēce: & specially aboue other Tremo­uille, Galeazo Sanseuerino, Palisse, & Theodoro Trivulzi: for they saide y^e both the honors and dishonours of warrefare are defined by none other estimation, than the supreame victory, whervnto a prudent and graue Chieftaine would reuoke al his cogitations? for what maye séeme vnto men skilfull in martiall matters to be more foo­lishe and shameful than being not forced by necessitye, to bring the kings person into that perill: whereby the whole Realme of Fraunce shoulde endaunger both their diguitie and safetye [...] final­ly, what could be moro estraunged frō reason, thā with lesse nūber of Souldtors and wyth lesse reward of victorye, to fight a doubt­full battell wyth theyr moste valiaunt and desperate ennimyes, [Page 164]For a [...] their aduersaries their hope was reposed in hasting [...] t [...] le [...]itie, that before they were vahquished by difficulties of all things, they might fight with more indifferent conditions while that they are yet strong by great and freshe power. What saide Palice, do not our sharp [...] witted [...]nimies most manifestly sée, that by stay and tariance our power groweth stronger and strong [...]t, and contrariwise that theirs is greatly lessened, and also their de­uises and endeuours do waxe weake and will be turned into an vncertainty, séeing that within these fewe dayes, their mony and victuals, prouision, and the good willes and aides of all men will quite and vtterly faile them? Al things surely, if we play the wise men, wil spéedily fall out fortunate for vs, and aduerse for them: so that we get vs out of this pound [...], and encampe our selues at large at Binasco, that the battell being auoided, we may by conti­nuall lingering frustrate the rage and violent fease of these wilde beastes, thereby to obtaine assured victory: for the Almaines (vn­lesse I be deceyued) will assoone as euer they come out of Pauia, demaunde their due wages of the [...]e [...]y Captaines, as poore men that are almost starued vp for lacke of meate, and also wanting all other necessary things neyther will gay glosing and large pro­mises nowe any longer serue their tourne to appease and please their souldiors, but present and greate store of gold, for ouer and aboue their ferocitie naturally ingrafted, their valiaunt seruice wyll not without iuste cause make them insolent: and thus they being defrauded and deluded, wil either raise vp some sedition, or else being contented with the glory of constancie will incontinēt­ly returne home: in so much that I do not despaire, but that the reste of them, as then which haue nowe deliuered their kinsemen from siege▪ wil returne into Germany, when that no present mony shal be paid them. In the meanetime, both y^t priuers that are our friendes wil with more open end euour helpe vs, and also Fraunce at hand wil commodiously and abundantly supply al things that the warres shal require. Surely your Maiestie hath vanquished, if that you will vāquish by newe and holsome reason your mind which is induced with the vaine praise of perseuerance. For it sée­meth not to be the part of a wise and good chieftain, to séeke glory [Page 165]by [...], that may bring dishonor, [...] assured destru­ction vnder a certaine false, or shadowed name of constancie. These things were true, and so much the greater aucthoritie was in Palice his wordes, as he was accompted to by more forward to fighte, and more feruent than the rest of the Captains. For it did appeare that he had bin adduced, not by some doubtful, but a most certayne reason, for to forsake hys olde wonte, and hys naturall iudgement: sith that he had before time deserued the name rather of an effectuall and valiant, than a lingering doubtful, and wary Captaine. And also vnto this effect (which séemed to be sente out of Clemente the Popes mouth) did Albert Pio Erle of Carpi the kings Ambassadour, write vnto him from Rome, and very diligently and earnestly admonished and counselled him to shun the hazard of v­niuersall sight by remouing his campe backe vnto Binasco: by­cause it séemed that the fease and violence of the freshe and fierce Almain enimie was not to be broken by force, but by timely and commodious staying and lingering. This also very wel liked Re­nee of Sauey the kings vncle, who, as one hofull for the kings safe­tie, had condemned al hazarde of battell. But one aboue al other Bio [...]niuet the Admirall, who had through his sine wit, great arte, vigilancie, and seruisablenesse, gotten hym a most sure and firme place of fauour with the king, spake against them that counselled the breaking vp of the siege, in company modestly, but in priuate and withdrawen talke, when hée was alone with the king, very vehemently. What (saith he) shall a King of so passing courage, and instructed with the surpassing precepts and experimentes of martiall discipline, as your Maiestie is, be with this roote of dis­honor and infamy ruled by Tremouille a man very extreame olde, or Galeaze? al the sense of bothe whiche mens liuely and spedy vi­gour, and lusty courage, thrée score and ten years haue dulled and blunted? What and hath not that noble order of fight, wherein of late Palice most surmounted, now waxed through colde in him by encroching age? It is so in very déede: in so much that me thought he plaieth to daye the very fond man in counselling that thyng olde man like, wherein he himselfe was neuer good, nor doth not nowe lende vs the helpe of valiaunt hand, the which we do to day [Page 166]néede and he hath bin always [...]t to [...] also [...] ­sely therein excell among the stoutests. But as for Theodoer, it is méete that he folow the inclination of his age, nature and disposi­tion: seyng that he had rather by suspectyng, doubtyng and prouy­dyng that euery thyng, whych is far off, fall not, warely to saue himselfe and your royall army, than by fightyng valyauntly, and byentryng into the chaunces of wars with not most certaine and infallible euent, séeke for and get, yea almost an assured victorye. What then doth empeach, but that I may set against these worne olde men fire hundreth others, that haue for valor of courage and their noble actes deserued the name of captains Generall: whose noble harts fear neuer entred, for it is y^e vsage & maner of French men to vanquish famously, when their king is present, doth giue them the signall of battell, doth encourage them, and fight hym­self, as we haue learned to [...]ght valiantly & fortunately at Tarro, vnder the conduct of king Charles, at Adda vnder king Lewes, and vnder your Maiestie, with so great commēdation at Milan? Sure­ly we are not the same men that we haue alwayes béene, that is, valiant & desirous of honour, if we do once thinke that we ought to feare least these mighty high rampires, & these strongly entren­ched campes, may be expugned and scaled one night as it wer by théeues and cut throate robbers. But for Gods sake lette not this dismaiall of a fewe bloudlesse men, redounde vnto the ignominie of the Switzers and Almaines that serue your highnesse, and the old horsemen, who whereas they do vtterly despise and contemne yea in an indifferent field, this armie of the enimies leuied vp by sodeyne and hasty musters, and choyse, and hyred for smal wages, do also repose in the fortune & name of your roial person, who lay­ing apart Maiestie, will fight most valiantly of all other, the mo­ment of most assured victorie. But although the king being sus­pended with a very sharpe care, did very diligently weigh in e­quall ballance the wordes of his Captaynes, yet fortune incli­ning, he followed those counsels which séemed most honourable, and most méete for his hie heart. But this habite of heartes was among Themperials, that not only euery Captaine, but also eue­rye common souldiour did thinke that the victorie was certainely [Page 167]theirs, if that they coul [...]e ioyne in battell with the king, by anye indifferent means, before that he got him thence. On the which only occasion of fight, among other, Pescara was so vehemently bent, that whilest he with incredible patience and desire, did both daye and night viewe and suruey all thinges: it is reported that he withdrewe from nature the desires and necessaries of [...]ats, and fléepe, to the gréeuous hurt of his health. But sithence it was apparant that the Kings Munitions coulde not be wonne, but with doubtfull euent, and assured losse of souldiours: he de­termined to enter into the Parke by breaking open the wall, that fetching a little compasse about, he might come to Mirabelle, the which is a lodge of singular pleasure, very commodions for Han­king and hunting, standing almost in the midst of the Parke, the which is sixtene myles about. In that place the King remouing from his elde lodging▪ had placed his horsemen, and had left there a great company of marchants, and straglers, and men of peace. Nowe was Pescara desirous to take this place speciallye, for two causes? for if he coulde without empechement of the enimie get Mirabella; (the whiche thing was first purposed in this iourney) then he manifestly sawe that with his surpassing prayse, and the infamie of the French men, Leua were deliuered from [...]ege, and also the enimies were vtterly excluded from the Citie of Milane: But if the King to impeache that iourney, would nothing doubt to issue out of the munition of his campe for to fight, then ability woulde be gyuen commodiously to ioyne in battayle wyth him: the which thing the Emperials did so greatly desire wyth ardent heartes: and in very dede were forced by necessitie to wyshe and seke it, bycause they wanted money to paye the souldiours, and also nowe the hearts of their olde allies were not doubtfully tur­ned vnto the French kyng. All these things as they were inuen­ted and deuised by a saylfull and sharpe percing wyt, in lyke ma­ner did Pescara declare vnto the captaynes, descrybing euery thing wyth so great efficacie and couragiousnesst, that he seemed to re­ioyce not in the victorye surely surueyed, and founde out, but got­ten and obteyned. And also Lanoy and Burbon conceyuing greater confidence, did nowe beleeue that they hadde vanquished. [Page 168]For when that hée proued all things by most weightie arguments and graue speaches, his credit and authority encreased so almoste immesurably, that it was vtterly voide of obtrectation and enuie: (the which vice doth alwaies hurte flourishing, vertue) and in so much that the chiefe captains did of their owne accordes commit vnto him the supreme authoritie in wholy ordering this matter, the which thing was almost more glorious vnto him, than after­warde to haue vanquished, as he that hauing often at other times tamed his enimies, yet had this one worke only left him to ouer­come enuy by vnwonted glory: and certes it séemed a wonder, that Lanoy who was yea ambitiously desirous of honor and the highest authoritie, and Burbon, who had the chiefe charge of martiall af­faires, preferred him before themselues, as the better warrior not only by secret, but also by frée and open iudgemēt, for Piscara was at that time voide of all authoritie and honor, because he had be­fore in the iorney to Marsilas giuen vp the office of gouerning the footemen, vnto the Marquesse of Guasto his vncles sonne and hys owne heire apparaunt. But he was so loosed of peculiar charge, that he aloue almost administred all things, and taking incredible toile bothe in bodye and minde, was still among the footemen, the horsemen▪ the victuallers, the purueyors, and ordinaunce, & con­tinually viewing and séeing that nothing were done ouer hastily, negligently or vnskilfully. So then the resolution being allowed of all the inferiour Captaines, and the exploite taken vpon hym, Pescara sent Arrio, one that had charge of horsemen (promising him greate rewardes) vnto Antony Leua, to tell him that he shold incontinently sally out of the Citie, when he should haue intima­tion thereof at the tyme appoynted by the shooting off of twoo mightie greate péeces of ordinaunce. Neyther didde fortune faile vnto Arrio: for he setting foorth in the deade time of the nyghte, came in safely with his troupe (fetching a greate compasse about) vnto the backe gate of the town, hauing deceyued the Frenchmen that watched, by an happy lye: for when they asked hym for hys watch word, he faining himselfe to be one of Medice [...] companies, (as hée had also counterfeited their habite wyth a while crosse) made his excuse, that he could not tell the watch word because he [Page 169]had bene two dayes out of the Kings campe in a woode. After y^e Pescara had intelligence by a fire made out of the top of the toure, that Arrio was fortunately entred the towne: he commaunded Salsede to breake open the wall of the Parke, deliuering vnto him to doe it withall, Rammes made after the auncient forme: and also yron. Crowes and Pickares. But he commaunded Lewes Viacampe, and also Hercera, and Gaioses, to stande with their bands in seueral places ouer right, against the munitions of the enimy, and make a noyse all the night long with their weapons and Drummes, and by putting them in feare, and prouoking them, kéepe them still occupied. But when they had receyued word that he was entred the Parke, they shoulde incontinentlye followe with their bandes. He also willed Honofito Montano to stande not farre from the Parke wall vpon an high banke ouer right a­gainst the blacke regiment of the Lansquenets, and so to bestirre himselfe and his men, that it might séeme that the bandes were in armes throughout all the campe, as they had vsed to be ma­ny nightes before. He also commaunded that all the cariages of the armie shoulde go forth into the high way towardes Lodi, with a garde of a troupe of light horsemen, and also commaunded an other companie of horsemen to take waye that laye vpon the left hande, that if there were espies in the Campe, they being distra­cted and deceyued by so many and diuers goings forth, and so sū ­drie preparation of all things, might not be able to tell the Frēch men any thing for certaintie. But Salsede who had come in the deade time of the night vnto the place before prescribed, spente the night in long beating and bouncing in vaine, so that the daw­ning was broken before that he had opened the wall in thrée pla­ces, somwhat later than Pescara woulde haue had it. For the wall being made of Bricke after the olde buylding, was verye strong, and resisted the Rammes with singular contumacie, al­though they were driuen against it with the armes and strength of whole bandes. The first man of all that was sent into the Parke by Pescara, was Alphons Marques of Guasto, with the va­liantest of the Spanishe and Almaine footemen, and thrée compa­nies of horsemen. Incontinently Greco Iustiniano, a Genouese, who [Page 170]watched in the station nexte vnto the place, where the enimies brake in, was chased awaye. There were with Guasto about fiue thousande men, vnto whome it was enioyned to marche directlye to Mirabello, and to take that place without any returne. When that Guasto entred the Parke, Pescara sayde vnto him with seuere, but yet with chearefull countenance. Plucke vp a good heart vn­to thée (valiant brother) for this day thou must endeuour to win the place: but if that your handes (whiche God defende) shall not suffice against your so often vanquished enimies, then sée that your bodyes by dying honorably, do nobly pay (your enimies not vnreuenged) that which they doe owe vnto vnto their vali­ant heartes. To whome Guasto aunswered with a ioyfull coun­tenaunce: I will this day manfully doe my deuoyre, that I be­ing eyther aliue, or deade, the honors of our house maye be aug­mented by heape throughe some newe and famous déede of prowes: and then breaking into the Parke with square bat­tell, marched to a streame called Vernacula, méeting with none of his enimies, and then passing ouer the small riuer, went to Mi­rabello, where, bicause of the largenesse of the house, a myghtie multitude of Merchauntes, straglers, sicke souldiours, and men of peace had settled themselues, and great store of victu­alles, and much of the Kings furniture of housholde was also layde there. And there was among all other (that he might lodge the more quietly and wholsomely) the Popes Ambassadour Hie­rome Aleander, a man verye excellentlye learned, and of greate fame, n [...]mely for his wonderfull memorie. So when the enni­mies had flowen thither vnlooked for, all that whole companye was streightwaye oppressed, and all thynges were in a trice spoyled, and then Guasto gathering his bandes togither into one, as Pescara had commaunded him, he did set vppe the Emperiall Ensignes within the diche of the house. In the meane time, Pescara immediatly bringeth in the rest of the footemen: Lancy and Burbon doe sende in the horsemen: the artillerie is drawen into the Parke by Oxen and horses, although hardlye yet at one tyme. The fieldes are filled with whyte linnen battayles: for all the Emperialles had by Pescara his Edicte put their waste-coates [Page 171]vppermost, and they which lacked waste coates, and speciallye the Almaines, had so couered their breastes with whyte paper, that by the vnwonted whyte, the weapons glistering be­twéene, a shewe of a greater and more terrible hoste might hée presented vnto the eyes of the amazed Frenche men. For nowe the dawning hadde brought in fayre broade daye light, and the somewhat thicke cloude which had bene spreade ouer the fields, began to vanishe awaye by little and little. But the Frenche King, who perpetually watched intentiue for all chaunces, is no­thing appalled with that noueltie, and therewithall, as it be­came eyther a King of high heart, or a skilfull and stoute Chief­taine, giueth signe by the Trumpetie, that euery man taking his armour and weapons, shoulde stande by the Ensignes, hee commaundeth the great ordinance to be drawen forth by the harnessed horses, and by the Captaines (as néede was) admini­streth all things spéedily, but yet not without all tumult and vp­rore, for he had learned long before by the report of Greco Iustini­ano, what the enimies went about by thicke thumping against the wall of the Parke, and when he hearde the thundering of the enimies ordinance, whō Leua by appointmēt had answered with the like nūber, he had iudged by coniecture, that it was doubtlesse a signe eyther of attaching battayle, or of attempting some great exployte. It is also reported, that he sharply reproued certayne, that of vaine flatterie tolde him, that the Emperialles being op­pressed with penurie, and lacke of all thinges, were fleeing backe againe vnto Lodi. Thus when he plainely séeth that the battayles of the ennimies marche with full pace not vnto him, but to Mirabello, he thinking it not good to linger, leadeth the Switzers and Lansquenettes out of the munitions: he commaun­deth the Frenche footemen to staye in the Campe with Bussie de Ambois, he leaueth the Italian footemen in commodious places vnder the Castell agaynst the sallyes of Leua, and marcheth himselfe vnto the ennimye in araye of battayle, with thys or­der, that on the one side, the great ordinaunce, and on the other, wings of horsemen shoulde flanke the Switzers, and march with them with equall fronte, one as farre forth as another: and [Page 172]not farre off the Lansquenets were flanked in like sort with o­ther horsemen and ordinance. They report that when the King ledde the footemen out of the campe, he being very ioyfull in coū ­tenance, nor any thing fearing the malignitie of fortune, sayde vnto the Captaines that stoode rounde about him: that he went not rashlye forth to fight the battell, neuer calling reason into counsell, but with a right and noble iudgement, séeing that he coulde with most equall lot wish nothing more commodious for the winning of the victorie, than to get his enimies not within diches and munitions, (as it had often happened at other tymes) but in the open and wyde fieldes, and in their marche and iour­ney: where it might be séene, what the standing Esquadrons of Switzers & Almaines were worth, what force y^e most strong horse­men had, what good the great ordinance flying our swift whéeles coulde doe. For against the Lansquenets, who onely of all other séemed most to be feared, he did rightly set the Switzers, as their matches indiscipline, furniture, strength, and courage, so also al­wais their most bitter enimies by naturall hatred. But he thought that the Spaniardes woulde not be able to abide, no not the first impression of the blacke regiment of Lansquenets, if that they woulde kéepe their rankes in thicke araye: neyther if that they woulde fight scattered, and running hither and thither, that they coulde escape from being ouerrunne by the horsemen. Doubt­lesse these things were foreséene, and prouided with very good ad­uise and reason, if that (as it most times happeneth) insolent for­tune being foe vnto noble deuises, had not preuerted all thinges by confuse order. For they ranne togither in sundrie places with so great confusion of horsemen and footemen blended togither, that neuer any armies fought more confusely and scatteringly. For happe came streight wayes into the place of Martiall pru­dence, and valor was oftentimes vanquished by an vnthought of chaunce, when rashnesse séemed by happye euent to vsurye the name of mature counsell and reason. In the hindermost taile of the Emperialles were seuen bandes of Italian footemen, and thrée of Spaniardes, appointed t [...] garde fiue battering péeces of or­dinance. When they hardlye followed the rest of their fellowes [Page 173]that went before, bicause that almost as soone as they had entred the Parke, the whéeles sinking in, the ordinance sta [...]ke fast in a watrie plot: it came to passe, that they which were last in order, were contrarie to hope, the first of all that met the Frenchmen their enimies. For the King séeing them separated farre from the rest of the armie, did out of hande sende thither Philip Lord Brion, & Fredericke Earle of Bozzolo, with a strong companie of men of armes, & with certain speedy péeces of ordinance, and also certain small loose companeis of footemen were ioyned with them. They doe spéedily his commaundement, and doe set vpon the enimies being busied in weyghing vp the ordinance. There is a cruell fight: but although the Emperials fought with singular valor, yet they susteyning neyther the storme of the ordinance, nor the force of the horsemen, tooke the woode adioyning to saue them­selues by the garde of the trées, from the violence of the insulting horsemen. So the Frenchmen quickly cutting off the legs of the drawing beastes, doe get the ordinance, and with the same vio­lent pursuite doe enter the woode, where being oppressed with the disaduauntage of vnaccustomed encounter, Sebastian Squaccia, a man of passing prowes was slayne, and with him certaine stout petie Captaynes and Ensigne bearers, yea, and foure whole bandes. This exployt being prosperously done in the sight of both armies, as it did greatlye augment the courage of the King and the French men, so did it strike Pescara with incredible sorowe, bi­cause he coulde not succour them. But on the other side, he being gréedie of fight, as soone as he sawe the Kings armie (the which he did not thinke woulde haue come forth into the fielde out of their campe) wonderfully reioyced, as though he had conceyued the victorie. Neyther stayed he, but immediatlye sent Falzi, an horseman of his acquaintance, vnto Lanoy to admonishe him to stay his marche, and all things set apart, and turning the Gui­dons towardes the enimies, incontinently to encounter them: he also signifieth the same vnto Burbon, and Nicolas Earle of Salern, and gallopeth himselfe to call Guasto, but Guasto as soone as he had séene his enimies, leauing Mirabello marched backe to Verna­cula, and setting his men in aray of battel, had turned the ensignes [Page 174]towardes the enimies: for he did not thinke that in this mo­ment of time, he ought to obey that which had bene at the firste commaunded him, but spéedily to vse the newe counsell whiche chaunce did present. Then Pescara sayde: this is well brother, you haue done that which I woulde you should: wherefore haste you on the lefte hande vnto the ennimie with spéedie pace, and valiauntlye endeuour that the victorie maye moste specially [...] aryse at your wing. When he had thus sayde, he flewe vnto the Lansquenets, in whose valor and strength he did foresée that the weyght of the battayle, and the whole victorie did consiste. In the meane time, a troupe of the Emperiall light horsemen, boldly charging the blacke Esquadron of Almaines, were easilye repelled, and thrust backe with foule disorder, into the valley of Vernacula that laye vnderneath, and also the Frenche ordi­naunce being commodiously drawen with swift horses into all quarters with marueylous skill and celeritie, did so annoye the enimies, that the Spaniardes, yea laying their brestes flatte vpon the grounde, coulde scarse escape the fléeing pellets through the benefite of the lower greunde, and Lanoy and Alarco were forced to bring their fearefull troupes of horsemen behinde a countrie Cottage, which happily defended them. But then the king being vohemently incited by these, as it were beginnings of not doubt­full victorie, and moued both by the disposition of his owne na­ture, and also through the adhortation of his Captaines, doub­ted nothing to giue the signall, & to dismarche to giue the charge. The rest do the same: and before all other Palice the leader of the auantgarde, did in the right wing charge the Emperiall horse­men, who were now lustily turned. This fease and charge of the Frenchmen, as it was gréeuous and terrible to Lanoy, so by the opinion of many men it séemed to haue afterward not doubtfully caried away the victorie from the Frenchmen: for by that head­long and spéedie departure, not onely the Switzers and Almaines, who coulde not followe after with equall pace, were bared of the guarde of the horsemen, but also the vse of the ordinaunce was for a great part taken awaye, for that the Gunners were forced to cease shooting, least that they shoulde strike both the sides and [Page 175]backes of the kings troupes, who were runne forth farre before them. But neuer in our age did horsemen encounter togither more couragiouslye and strongly: for on both sides olde beaten Captaines and horsemen, fought with burning heartes, not for only glorie (a thing yet that doth most sharpen the edge of true prowesse) but also for the Empire of Italie. The Frenchmen be­ing gréedie of reuenge, sought in all places of the encounter most narrowly for Burbon, as a forsaker of the King and his countrie, with the ignominie of treason and perfidiousnesse: but all in vaine, for Burbon that he might more safely shewe his valor, had giuen his Cognizaunces vnto his familiar freude the Lord Pom­perant, and fought himselfe in his coate, and apparailed like vnto a priuate souldiour. But the King himselfe being notorious for his coate of cloth of siluer, and specially for his tall stature, fullye perfourmed the dutie of an encouraging Captaine, and a valiant warrier, he setting spurres to his horse, brake throughe the eni­mies battayles, he encountred those that he mette, and namelye those that were moste of marke for veluet and golde. In thys vprore, Ferdinand Castri [...]ta, who broughte his pedigrue from the Kings of Macedon, and was also a noble Captaine, was slayne by the Kynges owne hande: and Hugh of Cardona, the Lieutenaunt of Pescara his companye of Horsemen, was also beaten downe, twoo Guidons were torne into péeces, and the horsemen of Ba­ [...]ier, whome Ferdinande the Emperours brother had sent, lustilye attaching the encounter, and most constantlye fighting, were de­feated: so that nowe the Guidons and troupes of Lanoy and Barbon did almoste swaye and shrinke backe. For the Frenche men were superiour in horsemen, both for number and strength, bicause the Emperiall men of armes did lacke the ayde of light horsemen, for of the thrée troupes, the firste had gone to Mirabello with Guasto: the seconde, as wée haue toldo you, béeing shame­fullye repulsed by the blacke Almaynes, had fledde backe: But the thirde beyng lefte wythoute the Parke, vnder the conducte and guyding of Guy Gaino, did garde the cariages, and baggage of the whole armye. Also that surpassyng companye of horsemen, whyche consisted wholye of Italian [Page 176]and Spanishe Gentlemen, and was the peculiar companie of the Viceroy, ayded them not at all, as they which were not at the battell. For Lanoy had cōmaunded Monsieur Verereis a Fleming, his cosin, and Lieutenant ouer that hande, to staye without the wall of the Parke, nor by any meanes to stirre from thence, vntil that he had receyued from him by assured messenger, the token of departure, and of entring the fight. But when the battaile was incontinently attached, and very hote, and Lanoy had all his senses and memorie so vehemently occupied about the present and terri­ble matter, that he sent no man to call his cosin: the yong Gen­tleman thinking that he must in any case obey his vncles com­maundementes, and the preceptes of Martiall discipline, stoode still, and moued not vntill the ende of the battaile: neyther could he be adduced to go forth into the field by any intreatie or chasing of the horsemen, vnto Lanoy, being for these causes in great di­stresse, and hardlye susteyning the force of the Kings battayle. Pescara (who viewing all things and places with wonderfull and present prudence, and specially with intentiue eye, did méete with and redresse euery difficultie in this place and in that, finallye in all partes, sent about viij. C. Spaniards harquebusiers to succour him, who being sodenly spred rounde about at the backe & sides of the Frenche horsemen, beate downe a mightie number of them with their terrible storme of pellets. And also he set streight after them a band of armed Pikes: & then the harquebusiers being safe through their garde, did more boldlye and incessantlye vse their harquebusses. When the Kinges horsemen had receyued this great incommoditie, they not being able to abide thicke togither in troupe, and thinking that if they did spreade abroade their wings, they should be able to repugn with lesse peril: brake their aray, scattered themselues abrode. But when by this deuise they met with more infestuous fortune, they being relyed againe into a thicke troupe, for shame and anger runne vpon the Harquebu­siers. But the Spaniardes being nimble by nature, and light ar­med, did swiftly flée backe, loosing their aray, and by turning and winding this way and that way, eluded the violence of the horses, and being augmented in number, they did as they had ben taught [Page 178]both by long experience, & also by the new preceptes of Pescara, scattered themselues all the field ouer without order, twentie & thirtie, & ten or sixtene (as it hapned) in a companie. This was a new kinde of fight and not vsuall, but very cruell and misera­ble, bicause that the vse of noble prowes in the horsemen was vtterly lost, the Harquebussers with great aduauntage dispat­ching all before they coulde reache them with their Launces: neyther could, yea the most strōgest armes do any good long, but that they which were thicke and many togither, were slayne by the thinne and fewe, and often the most famous Captaines and horsemen were euerywhere stricken downe with vnreuenged death, by the base and common footemen. Also in another quar­ter, Guasto hauing from the right wing aduanced his footemen, & bringing in his wing of horsmen, had now prosperously encoū ­tred with Annas Montmorencie and his horsemen, being defeated by the Harquebusiers, he himselfe before other, had gotten the enimies ordinance, hauing slayne the Gunners. But it happe­ned in this encounter (which I thinke is not to be passed ouer vnspoken of) that Guasto and Montmorencie (who afterwarde be­came most famous Chiefetaines) did a good while (as we haue learned of them both) very sharply fight one with thother, man to man, with this euent, that not long after Montmorencie hys horse being slayne by Gastald [...], he was at length taken by Errera a Petie captaine of the Spanishe footemen. Guasto being made more couragious by this successe of things, did set vpon the les­ser battalliō of the Switzers, who were appalled with the losse of the ordinance, and the flight of the horsemen, and therefore did attache the fight with doubtfull and lingring actes. But then might you see (an incredible thing to be spoken) that nation which a little before were feared of all men for their excellent & approued valor in the fielde, and specially in a battayle, quite forgetting both honor & discipline, and also their ingrafted fero­citie, to refuse to fight welny before they had once charged their Pykes, and for feare of honorable death, sought an infamous and most shamefull destruction in the very déepe riuer. Floran­ges in vayne going about to kéepe them still in the battell, and [Page 178]and to confirme them with great obtestations, & he who was of very familiar acquaintāce with that nation, & indignitie one of the Marshals of France offered & professed y^t himself wold fight on foote in the forefront with his peculiar company of horsmen, al of thē sending away their horses, insomuch that either angry God, or certes that fatall daye vnto the King did séeme to take awaye the wonted vigour of their huge and mightie bodyes and heartes. Neyther with lesse deformitie didde also another battallion of Switzers flée, which, as it was fuller for number of bandes, so it stoode a whyle vnmoued, but when they were a farre ouerwhelmed by the Harquebussies, spreading them selues rounde about them, with certayne perpetuall shoure of pellettes, and the valyauntest of the petie Captaynes (as it doth moste commonlye happen) were slayne in the foremost rankes, and when they had séene the discomfiture of the Kings horsemen, they hurling away their Pykes, turned their backs. They report that when Iohn Diespach (who had the highest au­thoritie among the captains of y^e Switzers) saw the bands shame­fully to flée, no not once attempting to fight, & slanding in their way all to chased; was not able to stay the Ensigne bearers, by reuiling and beating them backe, he being compelled by moste gréeuous dolour, woulde not lyue after so greate a foyle and shame receyued, but in that decrée of hardye hearte ranne into the thickest of the enimies, and died verye honourablye: yet the Switzers that suruiued, dyd laye the faulte of this ouer­throwe and slaughter in Alanson, who had marryed the Kings sister, bicause that he as a man nothing valiaunt, and a long tyme a beholder of the inclining battayle, at the length flée­ing awaye (whilest that the fight was yet hote) with the vn­touched and whole horsemen of the rerewarde, had by ouer­thwarte hasting crosse them, and violent impulsion, broken the battallion of the Switzers, that fought noblye in good araye. But in the right wing of the Frenche men, the blacke Al­maynes only of all their footemen sought sharply and valiantly with the Emperiall Almaynes, as it were, in the very dispayre of their lyues, and of victorie, yea they encountred togi­ther [Page 179]almoste with greater hatred than strength (the whyche yet did surmount) for that their heartes being enraged one a­gaynst the other through long dissention: they did thinke that vnto neyther of them that shoulde be beaten from his grounde or gyue backe and retire, there woulde be left anye hope at all, eyther of pardon or Martiall mercie. The Emperialles were woode angrye that the blacke Almaynes, contemning and scorning the Emperours Maiestie, and despising the au­thoritie of the Almayne name, had come with Mercenarye armes, for to besiege and assaulte their brethren and cousins, in the behalfe of the Frenche men their auncient ennimies. On the other side, the blacke Almaynes thought it most honou­rable to doe moste valiant seruice for that King who had main­tained them so many yeares by his liberall wages, to kéepe the sayth of their othe, and in no case to admitte ought that should be vnfitting for olde souldiours. Neyther in déede was there a­nye man among them, that was not fullye persuaded, that he ought in this doubtlesse last acte of lyfe, and endeuour of war­lyke worke, reuenge the iniurie of insulting fortune with vnwonted valor and honourable death. When the Esqua­drons drewe neare one vnto the other, Longamentes, a verye noble Captayne of Auspurg, came forth alone before the battal­lion of the blacke Almaynes, chalenging vnto the combat George Frondesberg and Mark Sitsch, by lyfting vp his hande, and with a loude voyce. But hée béeing refused with a gastlye hem­myng, and withall stricken at by manye menne at once, was soone slayne, and a common souldiour, as it were, for a tri­umphe▪ helde vppe alofte his cut off hande with his bracelette and ryngs, and then the Emperialles giuing a great shoute ranne forth couragiouslye. But whylest that the two battal­lions made one towardes the other. Pescara was betwéene them on horsebacke, but in a footemans armour, often desiring Fron­desberg to amend his pace, and rehersing the battels before time, in whome his prowes had bene séene, inkindled him to wynne a victorie of all other most noble and most worthie of memorie. [Page 180]So when both battalions ranne togyther, and Pescara galloped his horse on the enimies, he was wounded in the face (which was bare) and afterwarde his horse being slayne vnder him, he was also thrust through the left legge with a Pyke. In this ter­rible clashing togither of weapons, he had doutblesse bene op­pressed by the Pykes both of his enimies and his friendes, vn­lesse that nowe at this pynche▪ when he coulde hardly wrastle out himselfe, first an horseman of his owne housholde, and af­terwarde the petie Captaynes and Ensigne bearers that were neare at hande, had not with much adoe got him out and saued him. In the meane tyme, Frondesberg and Sitch stretching out in length their battalions on both sides with wonderfull skill, for to enclose their enimies, receiued them as it were into their bo­some, and then streyghtway clasped togither their wings, com­passing them in rounde, and fiue them all, who resisted verye manfully and constantlye, so that one regiment fighting with thrée, and therefore repugning with vnhappy valor, almost no man of the blacke regiment escaped. There perished besides Lon­gomantes, Richarde de la Pole, surnamed y^e white Rose, sonne vnto the Duke of Suffolke, who for his honorable birth being des­cended of the bloude royall of Englande, and his great skill in Martiall affayres, had bene made Captayne of the blacke regi­ment. Also Francis brother vnto Anthonie Duke of Loraine, a yong Gentleman of passing prowes, who being notorious for his armor and crest, had requested a place in the foremost rank before all other men, and also two Almaines, Earles of Hor­tumberg and Closfen, famous men of warre, and Theodoricke Scon­berg knight brother vnto Nicolas the Bishop of Compagna, and one also of great fame for his honor of Ambassades, in whiche he had bene often sent, for the industrie of his excellent witte. Thus whilest the Switzers are put to flight in one quarter, and the Almaines slayne in another: almost at the verye same time, the Kings battell is broken by the Harquebusiers and the hors­men, to whome also came the Pykemen. But then euery nota­ble Captayne, and notorious horseman runnes to defende and [Page 181]saue the King. Manye for desire to doe their last serui [...]e in the sight of the King, do forsake their appoynted places and wards. Nowe whiles that Salice his horse being slayne vnder him, doth hardly retire vnto the Switzers, he being laden with yeares and armour is intercepted by the horsemen. But being yéelded vn­to Gastaldo, Vsurtes a Spaniard, enuying that the horsemen should haue the raunsome and pryse of so great a prisoner, did set his Harquebusse to his brest, and flue him. And also Tremouille an olde Captayne that had wonne manye noble victories, is also shot through in two places, and slayne. Moreouer Galeazo San­seuerino galloping his horse this way and that way, with singu­lar cunning, repelleth the enimies, and fighteth valiantly: but at length being slayne in the Kings sight, payde that by honou­rable ende of lyfe which he owed vnto the Kings great fauour towards him, and the fame of his noble name▪ When his horse fell downe vnder him, he calling vnto VVillyam Lorde Langey, a noble Gentleman, who endeuoured to helpe him in his fatall fall, sayde: Sonne, let me take my fortune, and runne backe as fast as you can to defende the King: and if you doe escape, frendly reuerence the memory of my name, and honorable end. It was a battell of all other most deadlye and aduerse for the horsemen, for the deadly bullets were shotte from all partes by the nymble Spaniardes, who were spred rounde about them: and nowe they vsed not such small péeces as they had done a little before, but greater, whome they called Arcubusses, with whō they woulde stryke through, not onely a man of armes, but of­tentimes two men and two horses at a shot, so that the field be­ing strewed ouer with the miserable lying along of the noble horsemen, and the heapes of the dying horses, did both hinder the valor of the horsemen, if that they would endeuour to break in with thicke troupe: and also if that anye man accounted his lyfe dearer than his honor, he coulde not cedily and spéedily flée, for the heapes of the stayne that lay euery foote in his way lyke vnto great rampires. In this cursed state VVilliam Lord Boniuat the Admirall, after he had long galloped to and fro, endeuou­ring by adhortation to staye the Switzers, and also the horsemen [Page 182]that were readie to flée, séeing at length that the battayle was doubtlesse lost, neyther woulde he eyther to be punished, or to liue in ignomie, suruiue so great an ouerthrowe, wherof he him selfe was reported to be chiefest author, with graue and obsti­nate shame ranne into the middes of the enimies, and offering his throate vnto their weapons poyntes, was slayne there, as he [...]ade with open face after the maner of the Captaines that gallop to and fro, and commaunde the souldiours what is to be done. But when the king was bared almost of all the compa­nies that were appoynted to garde his bodie, and so many had bene slayne rounde about him, and the rest had scattered them­selues abroade into all partes, he laboured to get himselfe out from his enimies: but certaine horsemen of sundrie companies being mingled togither, followed him, as one that was richlye appointed and apparailed. Neyther doth the king forsake him selfe, although he were forsaken by his horse and fortune, but turning his horse this waye and that, defendeth himselfe with his sworde against the infulting Emperialles, and both giuing and taking woundes, doth valiantly repugne. But while hée stryueth to go vnto the next bridge which went ouer a small water course, his horse was thrust in▪ and fell downe. The first men that came vnto him lying vnder his horse, were Didaco de Abila, and Iohn Orbieta, a Biscaian, they not well knowing him, did shake their swordes ouer him, and willed him to yéelde vn­lesse that he had rather be slayne. In the meane time came Mon­sieur de la Motte a Frenchman, Lieutenaunte vnto Burbon, who knewe him by the face, although it were fowly embrued all o­uer with the gore bloude of his wounde. But when Motte adhorted him to yéelde vnto Burbon, who was not farre off: the king chafing at the name of the traitor, and speaking as though he commaunded, sayde: Call me hither Lanoy. Who in the meane time that Motte galloped vnto Burbon, being sought for in euery place by the calling and running of the souldiours, came timelye, and remouing from the King the great companie of them which stoode houering ouer him, & causing him to be pul­led from vnder his horse, did reach forth his hande, and helped [Page 183]him vp. Abila pulled o [...] his ga [...]let, and they that were next, his coate armour▪ the which they tore into péeces, other got his gyrdle, and other his spurces, euery man hasting to catch some thing of the Kings, the which he might be able to shewe wyth not obscure credit, either for his honor, or for to win reward [...]. After the King is taken, the Emperials in all places crie, victo­rie, victorie. The French mens heartes quayle, they fouly flée in all parts of the field. The Switzers being fearefull like shepe, runne into the riuer of Tesino, and being vtterlye vnskilfull of swimming, are drowned by whole troupes at once, but other of them casting downe their weapons, suppliantly desire lyfe. But rare prayse of humanitie and mercie appeared that daye, but in those that were tyred with much slaughter: for that migh­tie victorie made the souldiours proude and mercilesse. And Leua his souldiours, who had sallied out late at the castel & new gate, of all other raged most gréedily and cruelly: for as they had not [...]ene present at the battayle, so they opportunely issuing forth after the victorie, met with the afrighted and wounded, inter­cepting from them all hope of flight. Also the Italian and French footemen, who we told you were left about the castel & the camp, the king when he doubted of the victorie, had sent for to come to his aide, and Bussie de Ambon hasting into the battell, brought them with him, but they lighted vpō the Lansquenets, that had defeated the blacke Alma [...]nes, & by them were defeated & put to flight, Ambou being slayne. But the nearenesse of the campe gaue many space to escape: for the Lansquenets woulde not breake their aray, to folow any man, but they stoode in aray of battel, euen vntil y^e very last of y^e fight, redy against al'chātes, bicause they are forbiddē by a [...]uere & very noble lawe of ma [...] ­tial disciplins to go out of their aray & wards, i [...] take any enimy prisoner, or to gather vp y^e spoiles, the which other men greedily catched. By reason where of it is well knowen, that almost ne­uer a noble prisoner, & a very litle of the spoyle and pillage came vnto the hands of the Alma [...]nes, but as y^e Spaniards by valiantly discoms [...]ting the horsemen, & the Switzers, doubtlesse won the vi­ctorie: so as it were by verye good right, they got and obteyned [Page 185]the most precious pillage, and the noblest prisoners. There were taken prisoners He [...]e king of Nauarre, and Renee the va­stard of Sauoy, the kings vncle, & great master of his house: who dyed not long after among his enimies by an ague that grewe vpon him by reason of his wounde, and also Montmorencie, Bri­on, Bozzole, Obegn [...], Floranges, who was Captaine of the Switzers. Fortune saued Francis of Burbon, Counte of Saints Poule, lying grieuously wounded among them that were slayne, when that a Spaniards did cut off his finger as though he had bene deade, that he might haue his ring. With contrarye fortune Lescu [...]e whom none of the French nobilitie did excell in strength of bo­die. and valor of heart, being shot into the hyppe with a great pellet, dyed of his hurt at Pauia, within [...]yne dayes after. They report that when as he lay sore gréeued with his deadly wound, and the Emperiall Captaines, and namely Guasto often visited him, he bitterly cursed Boniuet, and his pestilent nature, and sayd moreduer, that he sought for him in that infortunate field▪ that he myght reuenge the publike mischiefe with his infestu­ous sword, for that he had through his peruerse coūsels brought so great a foyle and dishonor vnto the French name, and name­ly vnto the king, who had nothing deserued it. There also pe­rished the Counts de Tour [...]er, a noble gentleman: and seigneur de Turnon, who had bene Generall with Lesparre, [...]tu [...] bro­ther, in the warres in Nauarre, at the which time they aduance [...] the French ensignes euen vnto the riuer of Ebr [...], the Spaniardes being then busied with eiuill warres and tumultes. Turnons bo­die coulde not be founde. Onely the Duke of Alanson escaped away vntouched▪ with a mightie troupe of men of arnies, that he might bring into Fraunce the [...] of [...]o great an ouer­throwe, who p [...]rhaps would haue [...]ne worthy of the singular prayse of prudence▪ if that it might haue bene thought that he had fled rather to saue a companie of valiant men, for to succor Fraunce which was brought into greate lacke of good men of warre, than for to kéepe himselfe harmelesse, and get him out of daunger, the horsemen following him bicause he was their Captayne. But Alanson dying within fewe dayes after of [Page 185]great grief of mind, Roch de Main his Lieutenāt defended y^e fame of that returne by an honorable testimonie, which was: that he himselfe (who was a lustie couragious Gentleman, & an appro­ued man in martiall skill) did reduce the horsemen home full sore against the will of Alanson, thinking, that séeing the victo­rie was past all hope, that necessitie was to be obeyed Moreo­uer, when Claramont that laye in the Isle, perceyued that he coulde bring no succour vnto the lost battell, encouraging hys souldiours not to be dismayde with this cruell mishappe, but with confirmed and manly heartes, to followe the Ensignes, to winne safetie, and not doubtfull prayse by constant returne, educed his souldiours in warrelike order, and passing ouer the riuer, and cutting off the bridges after him, first came vnto the towne of Mortaria, & afterwarde into Fraunce without any in­commoditie. And the like did they that besieged the Castell of Milan, for they suppressing the fame of the receiued ouerthrow, and in the meane time spreading a false bruite of victorie, esca­ped away safe with all their bagge and baggage vnder the con­duct of Theodor [...] de Triuulzi. But it is reported, that there were slayne in the battell to the number of ten thousande. And after­warde the King to obtaine libertie, renounced for euer all hys titles vnto Naples, Milan, and Asti, and the superioritie ouer Artois, and Flaunders, and payde vnto the Emperour twelue hundreth thousand crounes. But thrée things I do thinke wor­thée to be added out of Iouius. The first, that the king tolde the Marques of Guasto, that he had thought assuredlye to haue died in the battayle, but that angrie fortune enuied him an honou­rable death, and reserued him lyfe against his will, for to be a gasing stocke vnto that scorning dame: the seconde, that the King being entred into talke with the Emperiall Captaines about the euent of this battell, affirmed, that if the battell had bene to fight againe, he woulde not doubt to vse the same order that he had done before, as the very best, but that he was decei­ued by the Switzers, who had shamefully deceyued, not only his, but also all mens opinion, and that he was couetously defrau­ded by the Italian Captaines, who did take wages for a great [Page 186]number m [...] than they had in their bandes. Finally that he was to hastily forsaken by the thirde battayle of the horsemen. And the thirde thing that I note is, that all which he had written, and namely of this battell, he had learned it by the report of the greatest Princes and Captaines themselues, whose great frend­ship and familiaritie he had deserued and gotten, that he mighte be able to write the truth in his hystories. But in that long and harde studie of honest labour, no man did more fréely [...] and clo­quently fauour him, than Francis the French king, who told him all things with maruellous order and vpright truth of the suc­cesse of the warres, and namely of this battell, first at Marsiles, and afterwarde at Nizza, with his so greate admiration, that those things which were vncertaine and obscure, he conferring them with the testimonies of his enimies, founde them to be most true and playne.

ANno domini. 1526. Lewes the King of Hungarie hauing intelligence that So­lyman the Turke was sette forwarde from Constantinople with a myghtie power, to inuade Hungarie, sent Le­gates in vaine, vnto all the Princes of Christendome for aide, and summoned an armed parliament after their order, where the Bishops brought the bands that they were bounde by the tenure of their lands to finde scarce halfe full, and also lesse money than they ought. But the nobles of the Temporaltie, as they that had forgotten the olde disci­pline of warre, and had neuer séene the Campe of the Turkishe kings, but vsed to fight by incursions inskirmishes, did of a cer­taine arrogancie naturally ingrafted in their proude heartes, so [Page 187]contemne the Turkes, that they boasted that they woulde with a small power ouerthrowe and destroye in a pitched fielde, yea, a mightie armie of Turkes. And among all other, Paule Tomorrey, a Frier, Archbishop of Tolosse, who in roades had vsed often to skir­mish, was caried with so great fiercenesse of minde, and so great desire of hoped victorie, that he made many sacred sermons vnto the souldiours to encourage them to fight, and promised that he himselfe inflamed with religion, woulde breake his in [...]estuous staffe first before all the Nobilitie, on the front of the Turkish bat­tels. A little before they had leuied with the Popes money cer­taine bandes of Almaines and Bohemians, with whose garde they thought that the battell of their horsemen might be established, and the force of the Barbarians susteyned. For neyther, yea by a very diligent muster could they finde that there in their were ar­my both of horsemen and footmen fiue and twentie thousand soul­diours: so that the desperatenesse of Tomorrey, and the ras [...]esse of the rest of the Captaines that requested the battell, was greatly condemned by the olde souldiours, who sayde, that it was moste miserable to encounter with that enimie, who woulde bring into the battell a power eyght times greater than theirs. Wherefore some thought it good, that the yong King shoulde be remoued out of the imminent daunger. Stephan Verbet councelling in vain [...], that for the publike safetie, the person of the yong king should be kept in the castell of Ofen, without the hasarde of fight, for both the euentes of the battell. But the enraged souldiours cried oute against it, and sayde, they woulde not fight vnlesse the King led them. Then Tomorrey speaking his opinion, obte [...]ned that they shoulde fight out of hande, and the [...]ble King vnder the defence of the great God, shoulde go [...]th against the enimie to giue the signall of the battell. So with frantike fease and vnluckye aduise Lewes marched euen vnto Nugass, which is a small towne almoste middle waye betwéene Ofen and Belgrade. Nowe the Turkishe a­uantgarde approched very neare, when that the Christians con­sulted whither it were best to keepe them selues in their campe, enuironed round with wagons on the banke of Tho [...]aw vntill that the power of Iohn the Veruode or Leiutenant of zipserland were [Page 188]come, who was reported to haste thither with great iourneyes. But Tomorrey, who should obey the Veiwoode if he were come. by reason of the dignitie of his office, blaming all cause of stay that he might still retayne the gouernement of the armie for hope of victorie and hasting headlong to his fall, so withstoode this wholsome counsell, that he drought the vnwarie king into a verye vnequall hazard of battill. For the Turke had sent foure battels of horsmen before, who by course di [...]iding betwéene thē the houres of the day and night, should continually molest the Kinges Campe on all sides. And they besieged it so streightlye, that no man durste to go forth eyther for fewell or forage, no nor vnto the neare banke of the riuer of Tho [...]aw to water hys horse, but that he fought with great daunger, and disaduaun­tage, by reason of the multitude of the Turkes. Throughe the which necessitie Tomorey was forced to arrange his battayles, and to fighte a pitched fielde for the auncient honour of that Nation, before tyme inuincible, and the dignitye of the Kings name. The forme of the battaile, or the araye, was al­moste single, that is to witte, the bandes of the footemenne were stretched forth in a long ranke, and in commodious pla­ces, the horsemen were interlaced, that the Barbarians ouer­matching in number, shoulde not inclose the whole battayle, and the Hungarians be forced to fighte almoste in a ring. The Campe and tentes being entrenched with chayned wagons, were lefte on the ryghte hande with a small bande to guarde them, and neare vnto the trenche had Tomorey placed not with absurde counsayle, a bande of chosen horsemen, that the King might be defenced by the [...] strong and readye guarde agaynste all vncertayne chaunces. But that daye, vnluckye vnto the Hungarian name, and [...]ste vnfortunate vnto the King, ouerthrewe this laste wholsome deuyce, for at the verye firste encounter, althoughe the greate ordinaunce of the Turkes being lenesled to highe, did no hurte, yet were our bat­tayles withoute anye labour quite ouerthrowne, namelye Ta­morey, and almost all the nobles of the Hungarians being slaine, and the Vsarones (whiche are the light horsemen of the Hunga­rians, [Page 189]being scattered and put to flighte, and with them all the rest of the horsemen being fouly discomfited and slayne. In this so greate asperitie of fortune, when that a troupe of Turkishe horsemen hadde galloped to rifle the tentes, and they were hardlye defended by the garde that was placed in them, that bande of chosen horsemenne, the whiche (as I sayde before) shoulde haue bene a garde vnto the King, coulde not conteyne themselues, but brake oute vpon the assaulting Turkes, that they myght saue the Campe. In the same moment of halfe an houre, King Lewes séeing all his power in all places beaten downe, and also being bared of them, whome he had hoped and prepared for his garde, did begynne to flée, but his head­strong horse turning on one side, did cast him into a Marishe, where he was drowned. Then the Turke prosecuting the victo­rie, tooke Ofen, the chiefe Citie of Hungarie, where he didde no more harme, but only tooke out of the castell thrée goodlye sta­tues of brasse, set vp by the samous King Marthie, and then re­turned to Constantinople, leauing Hungarie to be almost quite de­stroyed by ciuill dissention.

THen the Lorde Lautrech Generall for the French King had driuen the ac­mie of the Emperials out of the citie of Rome whiche they had sacked into the Citie of Naples, he sent for Philip­pine Doria Viceadmiral vnto Andrew Doria, the French Kings high Admi­ral in Italie, to besiege the citie by sea. By whose cōming with viij. galle is, he thought al hope of victuals by water would be cut away: & so [Page 190]much the rather, bicause the newes was, that the Venetian fléete (their confederates) of twentie galleys woulde shortly passe the Faro of Messina, to annoy and kéepe the sea coast of the kingdome of Naples. The Emperiall Captaines being moued with the re­port of these newes, thought it for their safetie to fight with the Genowayes, before that the Venetians were passed the Faro. The Emperials had onely sixe galeyes, and two foystes, but trusting to the valoor of their souldiours, and to foure long boates of great shippes, whome they had fraught with Harquehusiers, and other small vessels, whome they call Fragates, they nothing doubted to fight with the Genouese, for the floure of al the Spanish souldiors was embarked with the marques of Guasto, the generall of all the Italian & Spanish footemē, who had gone aborde the Admiral galley with Vgode Moncada the viceroy of Naples. For Dorbine y^e master of the campe had diligently chosen man by man the most valiant souldiours, and those that had bene accustomed vnto the Spanishe seas, and among them the most forwarde petie Captaines and Ensigne bearers, whome he knewe coulde brooke the lothsom­nesse and tossing of the sea. There also went aboorde Ascanirde Colonna, the Lorde high Constable of the kingdome of Naples, and many other noblemen of their owne frée will, as doubting no­thing of the victorie. And least that the Almaynes shoulde giue place in prowes vnto the Spaniardes, about two hundreth of them vnder the conduct of Conradine Glorne, had filled two galleys, and with great cherefulnes rowed vnto the Isle of Crapy, and there at a pleasant spring, long and sumptuously banketted, yea and heard Barecta a Portugall, (who had built him a Cottage or Cell in those solitarie rocks) preach vnto thē, he vehemētly adhorted thē to vse their ancient valor, & being mindeful of the pietie that they ought to beare towards their countrie, to reuenge those cruel Geneuoyes, and by valiant victorie to deliuer out of miserable and infamous bondage so many valiant Spaniardes whome the mercilesse Geno­ueyes kept tied with chaines for galley slaues, afflicting them with continuall stripes and reproches. While that Barecta preached in this maner both long and hotely, Biardo Agnesi, a Neapolitan, not so much addicted vnto the French faction, as offended with the ar­rogancie [Page 191]of the Spaniardes, tooke a small swifte Boate, and flewe vnto Doria, giuing him intelligence of the number, furniture, and Captaynes of the Emperiall fléete. Nor long after the Emperial nauie departing from the Isle, with manye flagges hanged cut, came into sight of Doria, who was then about a small furlong called by the Mariners the Cape of the Beare, or Orso, not farre from the famous promontorie nowe called Campanella, and in an­cient time Atheneus. This braue shew of the enimies their fléete séemed not a little to haue moued the Geneuoyes at the first sight, but anon after the skilfull sea men did centemne them, and not fondly, bicause they had not according to the discipline of the sea, places on the tops of their Mastes for men to stande in and fight. But then Philippino assembling togither all the Captaines and Maisters in the Admirall galley, spake almost these words vnto them, shewing with his finger the fléete of his enimies comming towards them: Valiant fellowes (sayd he) and good countrymen of inuincible prowes, a great honor is set before vs (as I sée) by almost a certaine victorie, sithe that we doe surpasse in number of galleyes, and all Martiall furniture, yea and courage of hearte and skill in sea fight. Let our enimies in Gods name be, as they doe boaste of themselues, noble warriours by lande, doubtlesse they will not be able in conflicte by sea, eyther readily to trauerse their grounde, or yet to caste themselues into rings, séeing that they shall fight among the benches of the rowe slaues, and on the streight hatches, and must receyue the pellets of the Gunnes, as chaunce shall bring them, no place being left eyther to retire, or to leape aside, namely the great number of the rowers empea­ching them: So that they lying open vnto strokes, and being ter­rified with their daunger, will not be in any wise able eyther to stande stoutly, or to chaunge their place politikely. Therefore séeing that we must not once thinke of retiring backe, and least we doe incurre dishonor, must néedes fight with our offered eni­mies: persuade your selues that the glorie of our auncestors got­ten by so many prosperous conflictes by sea, is reposed in your valiant handes and skill. This glorie (as I thinke) ought euerye good Citizen, not only to conserue, but also to augment, least that [Page 192]otherwise we may be thought both of our fellowes, and also of our enimies to be degenerates, and men forgetfull of our dis­cipline. But thinke that Andrew Doria our Admirall is present, & will be a witnesse of prowes & cowardise, for to giue rewards vnto the valiant, or by equal right, ignomie vnto the cowardes. The Captaynes and Maisters gaue such a shoute as the chere­full and gréedy of fight doe vse, and in fewe wordes setting or­der howe to receyue and inuade the enimie, returned vnto their galleyes, that they might aptly make readye all things whiche shoulde be néedefull for the instant fight. The summe of their spéedie decrée was this: that Philippino should directly go against the enimie with his fiue galleyes, but Nicolas Lomellino rowing into the mayne sea with his thrée galleys, shoulde fetch a com­passe about, and after the conflicte was begon, in commodious time, couragiously runne vpon the deckes and sides of the eni­mies their gallyes, and chiefly of the Admirall, Philippino laun­ching forth from the forelande into the open sea, offered him­self vnto the conflict, neyther did Vgo refuse it, and the rather for that he beléeued, that these thrée galleys of Lomellino, whom we spake of, had fled away for feare, and did thinke that the fiue of Philippino should fight with him much ouermatched. When they drewe neare, and bothe the Admirall galleyes directed their stemmes for mutuall encounter, Guasto with wholsome counsell adhorted Vgo to hasten first to shoote off his great gunne called a Basilisco, that the thicke smoke thereof might take away from the enimie all certaine stroke. But Vgo (who woulde be accounted very skilfull in sea affaires, and a little before had gainesayd at the Isle of Crapi all the olde maisters of the galleys, who dissua­ded the fight, vpbrayding them with cowardise) deferred so lōg to shoote, that Philippino being very diligentlye intentiue there­fore, and aptly leuelling the first shotte of his Basilisco with pier­cing the Emperiall Admirall, passed from the stemme to the decke, slaying thirtie men, and among them Peter of Cardonna, a kinseman of Guasto, and Leo Tassino, one borne in Forrara, who had slayne vpon a quarrell betwéene Guasto and the Duke of Poten­za, the Duke his sonne, a gentleman of great hope, and Gus­man [Page 193]a spaniarde, a gentleman that played very excellently on the Cithron. But the Basilisco of the Emperiall Admirall did no great harme vnto the Genoueys, bicause that the Gunner coulde not sée howe to shoote right for the smoke of the Genoway péece, and also the Geneuoys laye not so open as did the Spaniardes, vpon the open hatches, but being defended with a sure netting made of strong boordes, shot with Harquebusses a crooke out of loope holes, they themselues being safely couered. But in the meane time three of the Emperiall galleyes, of whome one was called the Gibba, the maister whereof was Iustinian a Genoway, but the Captaine of the souldiours, was Cesar Faramusca, the other two, the Secamia, and the Villamarina, so called of their valiant mai­sters Secamo and Villamarino, runne vpon two of Doria his gal­leys, named the Pilgrime and the Handmaide, and fight very ve­hemently, and the hardie Spanishe souldiours leape into them, when Lomellino sawe this, he timelye turned his course, and at one time his thrée galleys, discharged their thrée Basiliscoes vpon the Emperiall Admirall. The Moore hitting the decke, strake off the rudder. The Neptune slaying certaine of the galley flaues, did so shake the Maste, that the sayles yards fell downe, and op­pressed manye with the fall, and among them Hierome of Trani, who had succéeded his father Antonello in the office of Maister of the ordinance vnto the Emperour. Finallye the Mistres brake of the Emperiall beake, and sore annoyed the stemme. Neyther stayed they, but spéedily rowed for to ayde the Pilgrime, and the Handmaide, that were nowe bourded. Then the Moore turning about hir selfe verye artificially, discharged such a tempest of small and meane shot, which fell as thicke as hayle vppon the Gibba, that she was brought into great daunger. For besides the slaues and the Mariners, and souldiours fouly slayne, Cesar Feramusca was also borne ouer the boorde deade with a shot of a small Falcon, and Iustinian the Master was shot into the thigh, and Baredo a Captaine of an hundreth Harquebusiers, was hurte with thrée deadly woundes. In another quarter two Emperiall galleys called the Perpenniana and the Oriana encountred with the Mermayde and the Fortune, whom when they had much endam­maged [Page 194]and almost bourded, they séeing the discomsiture of their fellowes, left and fled awaye in safetie: for they despayring of the victorie, bicause they saw the baner of the Admirall thrown down, and the Secamia and the Villamarina circumuented, and the Pilgrime and the Handmayde whom they had bourded, recouered, and the small fléete of long Boates and Foystes scattered, had chosen rather to saue themselues for the Emperour, than with the rest to fall into the same mischaunce of aduerse fortune: al­though that this counsell, as to soone put into practise was bla­med of many. Incontinently after the flight of these two gal­leyes, the victorie was graunted vnto Philippino: for Vgo being slayne with a small Falcon, Guasto being gréeuously burnt with wilde fire in the necke neare vnto the care, and also his helmet sore battered to his heade by stones, and other things throwne downe from the toppes, and Ascanio de Colonna being wounded in the right hande, and in one of his féete, yéelded themselues vnto Lomellino. In the winning of this victorie the galley slaues of the Moares and Turkes stoode Philippino in great steade. For when Philippino had promised them libertie, and had taken off their chaynes, and weaponed them, and adhorted them as the fierce enimies of the Spaniardes, and namely of Hugo to fight lu­stily: they couragiously leaped vnarmed into the enimies gal­leys, armed only with sworde and target, fighting very fieree­ly. On the Empertall side were lost about seauen hundreth old souldiours Spaniardes, besides so many Mariners and slaues, but Philippino the victor lost of all sortes fiue hundreth, and among them diuers skilfull Mariners, but no master of any galley, but only one Of the Emperials, two galleyes, one Foyst, one Bri­gantine, and certaine long Boates were drowned, two fled a­waye, and the two other were taken, and one of them was the Admirall. Of the Emperials were slayne besides Vgo, and Fera­musca, the stoutest Captaines of bandes, Macinio, Daia, Iohn Bis­caine, Zambron, and Bar [...]d: But there was taken aliue besides Guasto, and Ascanio de Colonna, Francis Hirarde the master of a galley, the brother of the Captaine of the Castell of Naples, who, had the brawne of his fatte buttocks stroke off with a péece of [Page 195]ordinance, Philip Cerbellion, Iohn de Gaietta, Monsieur de Verreis a Flemming, Monsieur de Acogne a Frenchman, who had fled cut of Fraunce with the Duke of Burbon, and Sereny a Spaniarde, Scribe vnto the Senate of Naples, and worthie knightes Camillo de Colonna, and Aniball de Geuari. The rest of the petie captaines, Ensigne bearers, and souldiours, that were not maymed wyth woundes, were incontinently put in chaines, and turned to the Oare, in the place of the rowing slaues that had bene slayne in the fight, and the Turkes and Moores that for their vali­ant seruice were made frée. Not only no profite, but great incō ­moditie fell vnto the Frenchmen by this victorie. For when Fran­cis the French K. requested of Andrew doria to haue y^t noble men taken in this battayle, to be deliuered vnto him, Andrewe reuol­ted vnto the Emperour, and caried all Genoa with him, the which hath continued euer since faithfull vnto the Emperour and his house. And also a great mortalitie rysing in the French Campe, the power was vtterly defeated by the Emperials.

THe Conte S. Poule, and the Duke of Vrbine Generals for the French king, and the Seignorie of Venice, after that they had wonne Pauia, for the behoofe of Francis Forza, nowe oppressed by the Emperour, vnderstanding that Anto­nie de Leua the Emperiall Captaine had a great power of souldiours in the citie of Milan, the which they had meante to haue besieged, thought it best to besiege it farre off after this maner: That Vrbine shoulde go backe vnto Cassiano, vpon Adda, [Page 196]and suffer nothing to be brought into the Citie out of the moste fertile Countrie of Martia, but in another quarter S. Poule should lie at Abiato, and cut off all victuals that might be brought vnto Milan by an arme of the riuer of Tesino. For they did hope, y^t their enimies which coulde not be subdued by force, woulde not be a­ble to abide the incommodities of a long siege. This being de­termined at a village called Landriano, ten myles from Milan, Vr­bine dislodging, marched vnto Cassiano, admonishing S. Poule with equall digresse to bende his iourney to Abbiato. But the day be­ing well spent, S. Poule sayde, that he woulde not remooue that daye, but woulde go the next morowe vnto Pauia, and leaue there certaine great ordinance, and other weightie cariages. But Le­ua who most diligently watched for all occasion to hurt his eni­mies, vnderstanding that Vrbine was departed from S. Poule, and coniecturing that the French men would not spéedily set forward, called togither all the Captaines, and commaunded them to be in a readinesse with all their souldiours, to go forth with him a­bout one of the clocke in the morning, cohorting them to go this iourney chearefully, and promised to giue them for a bootie the vanquished French men before the sunne arose. But if (sayd he) they do more hastily flée (as surely I do not thinke but they will) yet the tayle of them will fall vnto vs for an assured bootie. The souldiours crying out, answered, that he shoulde procéede to con­ceiue in his mightie minde, valiant actes, correspondent to his former victories: for they woulde with chearefull and fearelesse heartes take vpon them this daungerous iourney, and doubtfull hasarde that he had commaunded them. And without stay he put­ting on his glittering armour, (althoughe he were tormented with the payne of the goute almost in euery ioynt) sent the horse­men before, and he himselfe with two battels on ech side, the Al­maines on the one side, and on the other the Spaniardes flanking the Italians that were appointel to the garde of the great ordinance, hasted to the enimies, whome he founde not yet remoued, and busied about dispatching away of their baggage. S. Poule who had thought nothing lesse than that Leua woulde come vpon him, with all his power aranged in battell when he was preparing to [Page 197]dislodge: séeing (the sunne was nowe risen) the battels of his eni­mies with shirtes ouer their armour, after the manner of them that giue a Camisado in the night, was astomed, and as it doth commonly happen vnto those that are so caught vnwares, was attached with great feare, and not without cause: namely, for that he had commaunded the Conte Guido de Rangoni to go before with the auantgarde vnto Pauia, and there to prouide lodging for him and the rest of the armie. Thus he being vnprepared, and vnreadie, and also disioyned farre from the forewarde, was circumuented with so greate perturbation of the middle battell and rerewarde, that he was forced with wonderfull vprore, and tumultuously to set his men in araye, and in vayne to repugne, being quite put out of heart by the violence and celeritie of hys vrging enimie. Fortune also gaue Leua space to winne the victo­rie by an vnlooked for chaunce. For when one of the great péeces had broken his whéele, and fallen in the middes of a dirtie waye, it was a great discommoditie vnto them, for the French horse­men, yea, and the best of them were lighted on foote to lifte vp and amende it. For by an olde vsage of theirs, they doe accounte it a great dishonor to leaue any of their ordinaunce behinde them as they march, to be gotten by the enimie. Through this staying both Rangoni was gotten so farre before, that he coulde neyther be called backe, nor in time tolde of the sodaine comming of the enimie: and also Leua had time to bring forwarde his footemen, who being aduaunced forth, and the horsemen fighting very cou­ragiously, the middle battell of the Conte S. Poule with whom the rerewarde had also ioyned, began in a moment of time both to turne their backes. When that Antonie de Leua cladde in glyste­ting armour, and adorned with a braue crest, commaundeth him self to be brought into the forefront borne [...]y force of me no [...] with terrible voice adhorteth his souldiors, and terrifieth the Frenche men with his fierce looke and fierie eyes. In the meane time the Almaines that serued the French king (a thing which had almost neuer happened at other times, shamefully turned their backes, as they that were of the omnigatherum, that had in former time serued the French King, or else had bene taken vp in the region [Page 198]which is on this side the Rhein, and doth abutte vpon L [...]r [...]i [...], who haue no greate estination for Almaine valor and discipline. The Almeynes and the French footemen, and after them also the Italian bandes followed without any care had of dishonor, and small was the slaughter, bicause that neyther the harquebusiers coulde shoote among the confounded and blended rankes, nor the great ordinance be discharged without equall perill. The Conte S. Poule assaying daungerously to take a dich with his horse, was taken by the horsemen, nor far frō him the valiant Claude de Ran­goni, the Captaine of the rerewarde had the like lucke, but S [...] ­phan de Colonna escaped, although he had bene cast by his horse headlong into a diche. Leua hauing gotten all the Ensignes and ordinance, and taken the Generall prisoner, wanne great esti­mation in the worlde. But the French men openly complayned of Guido de Rangoni, whome they sayde had left them to the spoyle through his ouer hastie pasting: but Guido defended his honor by alledging the commaundement of his Generall: chalenging all his obtrectors to the combat, But afterwarde in familiar talk [...], the Duke of Vrbine decided this controuersie (both Leua and the Marques of Guasto assenting vnto him) who gaue iudgement, that they had both with almost equall error swarued from the discipline of warre, the which doth will that in marching, the Captaines that leade distict and seuerall bandes, doe with mu­tuall diligence, by horsemen ryding to & fro, measure the march, nor suffer the Ensignes to go any thing out of sight: y^e auantgard to obserue with what pace the middle battell marcheth, and so likewise the middle battayle the rerewarde, that euerye battayle may [...] be readis at hande for al sodeyne incursions of the enimie, and to succour that battayle which is circumuented: and finally to sight with all their power vuited into one. This victorie vtter­ly destroyed the French power in Milan, and made Francis Sfuza whome the French King maintayned, to come in, and suppliantly yéelde him­selfe vnto the Em­perour.

AFter that Rhedoricke Portundo had brought Charles the Emperour out of Spayne into Italie to be crowned. He in his returne, hearing that fiftéene ves­sels of the Turkes and Moores Corsale [...] were before the Isle of Erumentara, came into greate hope to oppresse them. Wherefore of his fiftéene gal­leyes, he chose out eyght of the stron­gest, and furnished them with the rowers and souldiers of the rest of his galloys, and obteyned of the Captaine of the Isle of Ibiza about a hundred and fiftie valiant souldiours, whom he be­stowed in his galleys. Portundo being thus angmented & streng­thened, was fully resolued to sight with the Barbarians, and set­ting all things in a readinesse, departed about the thirde watche from Ibiza, and made towards Frumentara, which was ten miles off. The Barbarians séeing galleys comming, spéedily got them a­boorde, and prepared to sight. But when it waxed light, Iohn, Por­tundo his sonne numbred the nauie of his enimies, and therefore admonished his father not hastily to sight being ouermatched i [...] number. Portundo vehemently and bitterlye reuiled him as a co­warde, and that so insolently, that he swore he was not his son, who feared his enimies, who were furnished only with Foystes & Brigantines, so that, yea he himselfe alone would with his only Admirall galley drowne all those small vessels of the Barbarians. Portundo was in déede a man of a noble and stoute courage, but very lostie and proude: and so through vaine boasting being made obstinate, wilfull, and vntameable, no consideration either of assured or very harde dannger, nor any horrible shewe of pre­sent [Page 200]perill presented coulde feare him. Then his sonne (who was both of surpassing prowes, and also prudence) replied: God graunt (father) y^e we may rather be ashamed of our concei­ued feare, than sorowfull for our foyle. But Portundo made such baste towardes the enimie, that he was farre before the rest of the galleys who were not able to rowe so fast, and looking back, commaunded the slaues in his Admirall to cease rowing, that the rest might ouertake him, and they were called vnto both by voyce & whistle, to make hast, that they might make front with the Admirall. Aidin of Smirna the Archpyrate, who was sur­named Cocciadiab [...]l [...], séeing the vnequall course of his enimies, and that one comming behinde another, they coulde not make front with the Admirall, calling togither the souldiours and maisters, with spéedie deliberation resolued vpon this counsell, that the stronger Foystes shoulde runne directlye vpon their e­nimies with their stemmes, but the smaller shoulde euery two on both sides lay aboorde one of their enimies galleys. Frendly fortune fauoured the Pirates, but was a cruell foe to the chri­stians. For Assanes, Celebine, and Solyman, the moste desperate and fiercest fighters of the Pyrates, at one time ranne vpon the Admirall, one on the side, and the other on the stemme, and before that succor coulde come, siue Portundo with all the souldi­ours, and tooke the Idmirall galley, so that sodenly the banner was throwne downe, the which did muche diminishe the cou­rage of the rest, and with the like spéede did Aidin himselfe lay aboorde the Cocke, the Captaine whereof was Iohn Canticler, who was slayne, with all his men. In the same moment of time, an other Pirate called Salec, valiantly setting vpon the galley of Derthosa, the Captaine whereof was Iohn de Ciueres, and also the next therevnto, wherein was Iohn, Portundo his sonne, toke them both, Ciueres being slayne, and Iohn taken, and all the souldiours slayne. In the same moment of halfe an houre, Mathewe Sances was slaine by Saba a Pyrate, and his galley taken. But Nagga­li. did so hotely pursue the hindermoste of the Spanishe galleyes that fledde, that one, wherein was Martine Oriego, he loste, but the other wherein was Iohn de Cordoua, he forced to runne hir­selfe [Page 201]vpon the rocken: the galley was taken, with the captaine, who woulde not flée away after so foute an ouerthrowe, but all the rest fledde out of hir, but were so fiercelye followed by the Pyrates (who also went a short) that manye mot were taken than escayed.

AVno domini. 1530. the Florentines being streightlye besieged by the power of Charles the Emperour whose general was Philiber [...] Prince of Orange, for ba­nishing the familie of the Medres, sent for a Captain of theirs called Fernaio, who had gotten great glory of late for the valiant recouery of the city of Vo­ [...]e [...]ra from the Emperials▪ and also for no lesse famous defending thereof agaynst them, that he with his power assaulling the Emper [...]alles without on one for and the garrison of the Citie sallying out on the other, some fortunate sight might be committed, to deliuer their countrie from the imminent perill of sacke and seruitude. Fernaio accor­dingly gathered his power togither, which was thrée thousand footemen, and of armed horsemen and Epyrotes, or Albanoises vnarmed, fine hundreth the Captaine of the Epyrotes was Ni­c [...]tas Masio, surnamed Pulled [...]. But of the other horsemen Charles earle of Ciuitella, and Amico Arsula. Besides this power, he had also sollicited the Mountaine men about P [...]st [...]ia, of the Cancel­lariel action, who as they had promised, were looked for to bée press to ioyne with their countriemen, [...] they matched that waye. He had also layde on Sumpter horses aboue an hundreth stunkes of wylde fire, and also ten péeces called. Moschattes, the [Page 202]which being layde vpon re [...]es of [...]oods, are commonly vsed to be a garde in sai [...] she for the footem [...]n against the violence of the horsemen. Wich this power and furniture, and a [...]er [...]tue prouisson of victuals, and specially of Bishes, as much as might suffice the souldiours, hasting through the woodes and moun­taynes (if that they coulde finde none other victualles among those poore mountayne men) he did set forth from Pista, and fu [...] ­uing towardes certaine of the Captaines, spake these wordes: (My valiant heartes) we are commaunded to go, neyther must any in [...]nant violence of daunger he seared, séeing that we muste in any case obey the Senate, who doe maintayne and finde vs, and doth repose the hope of their supreme safetie in our noble valiance▪ He séemed vnto some not to haue spoken with his wonted chearefulnesss, as though he did abode howe vnluckilye he shoulde fight in a voyage that he made at other mens appointment and pleasure. In the meane time the prince of Orange hauing intelligence by spyes, of the intent and iour­ney of his enimies, wrote vnto Fabric [...]o Maramaldo, and Alex­ander Vitelli, (who laye with their regiments in the territorie of Pis [...]) that with all possible spéede they shoulde haste to cutte off Fernaio his iourney, and followe him at the harde héeles. There also followed Vitelli, a hande of Spaniardes, who being put out of wages by the Emperours commaundement liued by robberie, them did Vitelli abhort to doe some good seruice in this voyage, whereby they might deserue pardon of their mutinie, and be in­terteyned agayne into wages. The Prince also sent before out of the Campe, R [...]scio the Earle of S [...]n second [...], Marito de Colomia, and Sculengo with their regiment [...], and also adioyned Theodore Bischeimi [...], the Captayne of the Epyrote horsemen, vnto Rasci [...] his wing of horsemen. After them sold wed a regiment of olde Lans­quenets, and also he himselfe with all the light horsemen, and also the men of armes marching towardes Pistoia He traualling all night [...]a [...]ue vnto a place called Lagoni, almost and waye be­twéene Pist [...]ia, and a towne named Gabiniano, where he stayed to refreshe the horsen with a little rest, and the souldiours with a light breakefast. Whyle that he thus rested, there came a priest [Page 203]vnto him running, who tolde that Ferna [...] was at hande, and had entred, sacked, & burnt the towne of S. Marcelles, out of she which he had bardly escaped: and moreouer, that the Em­perials were at the héeles of them, the which was knowen by the often crackes of the harquebusses. Then the Prince com­maunded Francis de Pratey, and Rossales Spaniardes, and zucers an Epirote, to go before with all the light horsemen, to whome he added for a garde Pompeio Farino, with thrée hundred harquebusi­ers, and admonished them that still as they went, where­soeuer they founde the way narrowe, so that the horses coulde not well passe, that they shoulde place vpon commedious hilles certaine bandes of Harquebusters, for this purpose, that if the horsemen after they were come into the sight of their enimies, chaunced to be pressed, then they might retire fayze and foftlye vnto those sure gardes: but if that they mette with anye leuell grounde, the which they sawe was commodious for horsemen, they shoulde stay the enimie so long by flowe skirmishing, vn­till that he were come with the men of armes. When the horse­men were come vnto Gabiniano, and coulde not be suffered to enter the towne, they turning about, rode vnder the wall of the towne towardes S. Marcelles, and began to skirmish with the auātecurrers of the enimie. For Fernaio was minded to come vnto Gabiniano, thinking that his enimies woulde not haue mette him with so greate spéede. Yet there had bene some, who being skillfull of the countrie, and hauing receyued more certain intelligence of the comming of their enimies, had coun­sayled him to climbe the high mountaynes besides Saint Mar­celles, and so safely come downe agayne at Scarparia, the enimies not being able to pursue him in that very strayte and trouble­some way. To the which aduise inclined the valiant. Captayne Pa [...]lo de Cere, who accounted the losse of the baggage but small, so that escaping their enimies, they might come in safetie to Florence. But Farnai [...] with a loftie minde detesting that aduise whith might giue some signe of feare and flight, marched still forwarde, the horsemen going before with their Captaines, Charles the Earle of Ciuirilla, and Arsiolas. And whereas Gabin [...] ­ano [Page 204]is two myles from S. M [...]railler▪ the auant [...]arde which [...]ar­narde Strozzi, surn [...]d Cap [...]unzo, ledde, was come vnto the gate of Gabini [...]no, when the & Ensignes of the re [...]einarde were yet at Saint M'arcelles gate. The waye is not very yll, but that they must go a little downe the hill, for Saint Marcellea, which stan­deth in a low bottome enclosed counde about with mountains. Nowe the Emperials, who as we haue elphe you, were sents before, molested the hindermost of the enimies. For Refe [...] had brought a bande of Harquebusiers with him, euerys horseman taking an harquebuster behinde him, who with their shot much vexed the enimies. But when Maramaldo sawe that the enimies bended towardes Gabiniano from Camalenbo, where they lodged the might before, be crossing ouer the mountaines and woodes, was come to Gabiniano. And also Vitelli by another shorter waye, but verye yll, was encamped not farre from the towne. In the meane tyme Fernaio tyding on a whyte horse wyth his sworde drawen, adhorted his men kéeping their araye, to haste to take the towne first, the whiche was then in sight, and to propell the vrging borsemen of their enimies, for the Earle of Ciuitella and Atsula fighting with singular vallor, did not only susteyne their enimies, but also the charge, being on both sides often renued along the sheluing bankes, forced their enimies to retyre with turned backes. Whyle, that they thus soughte with great tumult and noyse, for that certayne bandes of Har­quebusiers had bene sent forth out of Fernaio his battell, and also the shotte of, Pompey: (who as we haue shewed you) had bene sent to be a garde vnto the horsemen, had intermedled them­selues in the conflicte of the horsemen, and nowe manye men had bene slain on hoth sides, when Maramaldo got into the town at the farther gate, and at a part of the wall which was easilye throwne downe at the verye same time that Fernaio entred in at the foregate. Ind thus a cruell and bloudie fight was commit­ted along the towne, so that they fought with great contention in the middes of the Market place: for Fernaio leaping off from his horse, and taking a footemans Pyke, layde about him lusti­lye. Neyther fayled Maramaldo vnto his men, but casting them [Page 205]into the forme of a wedge, fought fiercely to wynne the whole stréete. In the meane tune, part of Fernaio his battell following their Captaine, fought valiantly in the towne, but part deflee­ting along the towne wall, and hauing gotten a commodious place among the Chestnut trées to defende themselues against the insulting horsemen, ouerwhelmed their enimies with a great tempest of small shatte. By them (as it was afterwarde knowne) who were in number almost fiue hundreth, was the Prince of Orange slayne, when he hastred with the men of armes to be present at the fight. Neyther was he streyght way known being spéedily spoyled of his coate of cloth of siluer, and his guilte armour. They saye that before he was wounded, he foughte or horsebacke, hande to bande with Nicolas Masio the Gréeke, who battered his heade péece with a Mall of pron, and Orange often assayed to thruste him through with his sworde. But Masio fearing the shocke of the men of armes, fledde backe vnto the Chestnut trées, but the Prince, pressing forth ouer hardily, receyued two deadlye woundes by barquebusse. Almoste at the verye same time Vitelli charging ouerthwarte the rerewarde, which Paolo de Cere ledde, did so breake their a­raye, and scatter them almoste at the first encounter, that hée gotte all their ensignes: although that Paule himselfe valiantly resisted; and lighting on foote, repayred the araye of his men, and also renuing the fight, brake throughe vnto the towne to ayde Fernaio. But when it was bruted abroade that the Prince was stayne, and the troupe of the men of armes (a thinge shamefull to sée, and incredible to hée reported) was fledde backe headlong: Fernaio crying victorie, victorie, gathe­red the Florentines close togither, and beganne to presse on the appalled Emperialles. And if that the Lansquenettes (who had not yet stirred, but kept in araye not farre from the towne their Esquadron, as it were a Castell to receyue their fellowes) marching forwarde, had not repressed the tumultuous procur­sions of their enimies: doubtlesse not one of the horsemen had made curtesie to flée, séeing that many of them, & before all other [Page 206] Rossales following the example of Chiscera the captaine of the men of armes, fledde with continued course euen vnto the gates of Pistoia, with so great perturbation, that the same that the Prince was flayne, and his armie discomfited, was brought vnto Gonza­ga, who laye in siege before Florence, and also vnto the Consalio­ner within the Citie. At the verye same moment of time, Vitelli pursuing a while, and vrging and slaying the regiment of Bail [...] de Cere, as he entred the towne, did tymely hit vpon the gate where Maramaldo had entred, and then such a cruell fight was remed, that one coulde scarce passe along the stréete for the heapes of slayne men. But Fernaio and Paule being tired with long fight, and the scorching heate of the mids of the day, tooke a high h [...]se, and from thence pelied the Emperials with harque [...]usses, vntill that all their horsemen were ouerthrowen, and destroyed by the light horsemen of their enimies, who for shame woulde not fol­lowe Rossales when he fledde, but did cast themselues into thicke troupes, and a little before the bandes which eyther coulde not enter the towne, or which had remayned without by Fernaio his commaundement, and had slaine Orange, vsing such Malles of y­ron, as the helmets coulde scarce resist, had bene ouerthrowne: neyther did the prepared trunkes of wylde fire do any great good that daye. For the Florentines coulde cast but fewe of them vp­pon the Almaines and horsemen, neyther bicause their baggage was spoyled, and their Sumpter horses put quite our of order, coulde, the Moschats be made readie, and layde on their restes, as they had trusted and hoped to haue done. Then Fernaio and Paule acknowledging the euent of aduerse fight, and fortune inse­stuous vnto the Florentine name, all their souldiours being either slayne or taken, and all the houses of the towne wonne and sar­ked, and Maramaldo hauing nowe gotten assured victorie, yéelded themselues, and incontinently Fernaio was brought armed as he was, vnto Maramaldo, who sayd vnto him: when that thou didst Iewdlye hang vppe my Drummre with an halter, against the lawe of armes, hadst thou thought euer to haue come into my handes? Then answered Fernaio: this is the chaunce of Mar [...], who is not alwayes wrongfull, and the like may also befall vn­to [Page 207]to you, strung in the fielde. But if th [...] you murther me, you shal winde by my death, myther profitable, nor honourable praise. But Maramaldo reuiling and calling him a Captaine made of a Mer [...]a [...]t, com [...]aunded his helmet and his armour to be pulled of, and thrusting his s [...]oorde into his throate, left him vnto the souldiours to be staine. But afterwarde Maramaldo vsed to saye, that he slue him not for anye priuate quarrell, but to please the souldiours, and namely the Almaines, who woulde haue chafed that the Captaine of their enimies shoulde haue bens saued, after that their so great a Generall was slaine. There were slayne in this conflict on both sides, little lack of [...] M. For many died after­warde of their woundes. And of the Florentines, Captaine de Bor­go, and Francis, and Paule Corsi, Charles Carle of Ciuicell [...], and Al­ph [...]ns Stipician [...], And of prisoners taken Paule de Core, Amico Ar­sula, Masi [...], and Captiuanz [...] Strozzi. But there were stayne of Ma­ramaldo his regiment, Iohn Mai [...] his valiamitest Captaine, and thrée Enfigne bearers. Anont after this victorie, the despayring Fl [...]e [...]nes yeelded their almost starued Citie, and whole oppressed state vnto the mercie of the Emperour, who depriued them of their libertie, and created Alexander de Medies, base sonne of yong Laur [...]nco do Medici, Duke of El [...]rnce, and of all the domini­ [...]us theceof

ANn [...]. 1537. Ferdinande the Emperour sent Caz­zianer the Captaine of Vienna into Hungarie, with a power of ten thousande horsemen of Al­maines, Hungarians, Bohemians, and Carinthians, and sirtene thousande footemen Almaines and I [...]a­lians, to winne the towne of Exech vpon the riuer of Draw, which Mabomet lahia [...]gles the Turkishe Captaine of B [...]l­grade, [Page 208]and Lieutenam generall of all [...]se patten, has fortifies in a parte of Hungaris called Prossega, and made it to be the feate of his warres, to vexe the kingdome of Hungarie. But before that this arinie coulde come vnto Exech, the sixtene thousande footemenne were brought throught sickei [...]sse vnto eyght thousande, and the rest were also much weakened with disea­ses, the which inconunoditie was also smut [...]asucably augmen­ted through lacke of victualles: so that they were not so senne come before the towne (wherein was Mahomet with fixtens thousande men) but that they were forced to breake vppe their siege, and to retyre harke vnto a cowne called Car [...], the Tickes pursuing, and continuallye skiclasshing with them, in which skirmishes they slewe Peter Raschinius the Marshall of the [...]he­mians, and Baule B [...]chitius the Captaine of the Hungarians, one accounted the valiantest and most expect Captaine of that na­tion. And the Christians hearing by certaine r [...]ors that Ma­homet looked for [...]ewe and strong supplies of s [...]uldiours: the Christians tarefully deeréed, that all the whole armie shoulde haste vnto a towne called Walpons ten myles of, where was stor [...] of victoals, leaning behinde them their great ordinance whiche coulde not be easily, caried, and setting on fire all their gunpou­der, and destroying all the rest of the Martiall furniture of the armie, and all such baggage as coulde not be caried on horse­backe and that Cazzianer shoulde giue the signall when they shoulde dislodge, with a kinde of Pype that the Almaynes vse, and is called by them Schalmeyen. Nowe was the time of the se­conde watche almost spent, and all men watching, did so expect with hofull heartes the signall of dislodging, that they thought euery little moment of tariance to be a yeare, and very incom­dious: and diuers Captaynes of great marke by franticke in­stinct, brake off all stay▪ and hasted to depart without comman­dement, and to go before their fellowes. They saye that this heinous & shamefull departure was begun by the light horsemē or Vsar [...]nes of the Hungarians, who trusting to their knowledge in the blinde wayes and woodes, [...]ent their course towardes Valponi, whome Ladislaw More, a noble man of Hungarie follo­wing [Page 209]with dishonorable example, fled vnto his owne castell of Zeuthuerzebeth, and also all the horsemen of Staermarke forget­ting shame, with great tumult hasted after with their Captaine Iohn Hunganolt, who had bene appoynted to leade and defend the rerewarde. In the meane time it was fearefullye reported vnto Cazzianer, that the Vsarones were fledde, and that Ladislawe, and Hunganolt had done the same with the horsemen of Staermark, and that the rest of the armie neuer a whit expecting the sounding of the Schalmeyn (as it had bene decréed) made themselues readie for the same flight. Then the astonned and afrighted Generall, got him to horse, and forgetting to giue the signall (for he had surely thought (as he sayde afterwarde) that all the armie had bene already gone before) fledde away vnarmed, leauing behind his tent rich of filuer, plate, and other ornaments. In this hur­ly hurly the Carle of Lodron Colonell of the Lansquenets, is wa­ked out of his sléepe, and being tolde by his seruants that the Ge­nerall was runne awaye, he fearelesse aunswered, that it coulde not be that he woulde so shamefully and falsely forsake them, and so as one gréeuously tired with watching many nights, and great toyle taken in the dayes, he returning into his tent, and laid him downe againe to sléepe. Nor long after the noyse and vprore in the Christians their campe, is brought vnto the eares of Maho­met, who lodged within the shot of a small péece of ordinance, all the Barbarians rise vp, and prepare themselues to inuade their e­nimies. But Mahomet thinking it good to knowe more certainly what the enimies intended, and for that consideration the daye light was to be stayed for, commaunded his men to stande still in a readinesse, and with silence to expecte the signall which the vse was to be giuen throughout all the rankes, by the soft soun­ding of a drumme on horsebacke. For the olde Captaine, yea, and an olde man in déede, who had hene practised in manye conflictes against our men, somewhat doubting it to be a feygned flighte, woulde not be drawne into fight, but in a place of greate aduan­tage for his men, as he that had bene fully resolued before, to ob­taine the victorie not by sighting any vniuersall battell, but after his maner by fléecing the Christians by partes and péeces. At [Page 210]the breake of the daye Lodron is called vp againe, he heareth the noyse of the imminent Barbarians, and séeth that he was forsa­ken of farre the greatest part of the horsemen: he in vaine com­playneth that he was betrayed, yet his courage nothing quay­leth, he speaketh vnto the footemen, and adhorteth them to be myndefull of their wonted prewes, and to thinke that the daunger which frowarde fortune then broughte, was to be o­uercome by only fortitude of heart, that valiant men ought to mynde honest death, and not most shamefull flight, the which woulde also be vncertaine: that he himselfe who had often for­tunately ledde them in many warres, was fully resolued by re­pulsing the enimies, to reduce them into safetie, or else honou­rably to ende his lyfe with them in valiant fight. The horse­men of Carinthia, Saxon, Austrich and Beheme, who like vnto obe­vient souldiers in vayne expected the signall of dislodging, ap­poynted by the Generall, neyther woulde be companions of that shamefull flight, came vnto Lodron thus confirming hys souldiours, as vnto the valiantest man, beséeching him that he woulde take vpon him the charge of Generall in the place of the traytour. For they woulde be obedient vnto all things that he woulde commaunde them, and as long as strength and wea­pons woulde endure and holde, woulde most constantly fights with the barbarous enimie for Christes religion and their very good King. Lodron woulde not take vppon him the offered of­fice, professing of a certayne noble shame fastnesse, that he was vnworthie thereof, yet he of his pitie, and magnitude of minde pitying the vnworthie lot & case of so great an armie, exercised the charge, y^e which he toke vpon him with protestation, so long as fortune woulde licence. They report that when he made an oration vnto the souldiours, and detested and vehementlye dis­commended all hope of flight, there was an olde Alwaine soul­diour founde, who durst to saye vnto him courteoustye, but not vnwittilye: Flight, good Captaine my Lorde of Lodron, can séeme to be fo [...]sha [...]efull a thing in you: when that you ryding on a goodly horse may be thought to ride about to [...]e we who do [...] flée, Lodron vnderstoode the wittie meaning of the olde souldi­our, [Page 211]and lighting downe on foote, huckened his horse with hys dr [...]en sworde, nobly crying out: This day (felow souldiers) shall ye haue me both captayne, and souldiour to fight with you on foote with equall condicion. Therefore that ye may not séeme to haue deceyued my opinion, valiantly endeuour to winne the vi [...]o [...]ie, or else to ende your warfare with me by an honorable death▪ and not vnreuēged. Moreouer, with like curtefie he gaue the rest of his horses vnto the souldiours of his acquaintance, that were weake eyther by woundes or sickenesse. The sore­most troupes of the horsemen, and the foremost bandes of the footemen: were searce out of the munitions of the Campe, when that the Barbarians with cruell howling spred themselues round about out men, and their horsemen attached many skirmishes at once in diuers places as our men marched, and with this e­uent, that our men sometimes egregiouflye sustayned their charge, and at other valiantlye renning their onset, propelled far from them the vrging Barbarians. In these sundrie conflictes Aney Macer Fuchstat, a Saxon, Captayne of the Carinchians, was sayne, fighting very feruently, being taken by the Turkes to be the Generall, by reason of the ornaments of his cognizances, & with like lot were slaine aboue xxiiij. horsemen of noble mark, & their ensignebearer. Among whō were iij. noble men. Andrewe Refcht, Christofer Hernaw, & George Hemelberg. But in another place a very bloudy skirmish was attached with the Saxons, the men of Misne, Thuring, and Frankland, who followed the guidons of the Sixon horsemen, for of them (who fought with singular prowes) aboue xxxvj of the galantest, eyther Captains, ensigne bearers, or Lieutenants of companies were slaine, & Chwenrick the chiefe captaine of the Saxons was taken prisoner, and died afterward in prison among the Barbarians. The men of greatest nobility of thē which were there slaine, were Sebastian Methesce, & Iames Scullem­berg. And also with the same lot of frustrated valor, the Austrian horsemen when they had resisted a good while, were at the last slayne, after that. N [...]l [...]s Turrian their Captaine escaping, many men of great marke for valiance [...]bir [...]h had ben slain: as Fettay, & Holchirch, noble men, & next to them Ho [...]enfelder, & Aanspurger, [Page 212]and also two very hemons noble m [...] of the house of Maideg, an [...] with them Limberg & Velezer, men of great worship. And also men borne in the vpper Austrich, VVilliam Folgehemstorph, Leonarde Lamberg, Gaspar Bargheim, and Schellemberg, men famous for their dignitie at home, and also in the fielde. But farre the greatest slaughter was committed on the Bohemians, whome being disor­dered by the Ianizars through continuall tempest of small shotte, sent ouerthwart them the olde troupes of Turkishe horsemen, hot­ly charged and beate downe euery where with their heauy semi­tarres, & yron malles, no mā succouring them when they were en­closed, and their Captaine Albert Slith had sooner g [...]t him out of the middes of the slaughter than he ought to haue done. But the battallon of footemen being afflicted with great detrimente, and brought euen vpon the verye point to breake araye by the Iani­zars and Asappes, who wonderfully annoyed them from a certain high banke of a wooddie Marishe, with their harquebusses and arrowes, but woulde not come to hand strokes with them. A­murathes inuaded on the side with the horsemen of Bostie, and quite disordered, and defeated, beating them downe fiercelye with swordes and battell axes. Lodron himselfe was driuen by the vio­lence of the horsemen into a Moorish and foule dirtie hole, where, when he being grieuously wounded, and also muche encumbred with the slipperie dirt, endeuoured to shewe his supreme valor, he was willed by the Barbarians rather to yéelde, than to be slaine, the which he did, with thrée bandes of footemen, who were all that were left him: whom the Barbarians promised to saue, as men of singular valor. For nowe the vnmercifull Barbarians embrued with the abundant bloude of our men, were glutted with slaugh­ter, in so much that many of their armes fainted, and they tur­ned themselues very gréedily vnto the pillage, following those that being dispersed some here some there, thoght to haue escaped the enimies hands by faint and fearefull pace: with this successe, that many were taken prisoners to be made gaues, few footemen escaped, and almost all the rest of the horsemen that had not, [...] we haue tolde you, fled before the battell, were lying slayne once all the whole fielde. For this shamefull dis [...]x [...]s [...]ture at Exech. is [Page 213]sayd [...] to passe all the lamentable ouerthro we [...] that euer were gi­uen to the Christians in former yeares: for the floure of the horsemen and footemen, were slayne and unite destroyed rather through the rashnesse and fault of the Generall, than the prowes of the enimies, so that it caused great lamentation almost in e­uery countrie of Christendome. For it had neuer happened be­fore, as one might sée by the aduerse battels of Sigismunde the Emperour, and king Lewes, that the Barbarians were both victor, and also vnbloudie: so that our men which dyed at Exech vnre­uēged, may séeme to haue much augmented the detrimēt receyued with great ignomie. But afterwarde when it was thought that [...]dran coulde not be caried aliue vnto Constantinople, by reason of his grieuoi [...]s wounds, he was sayne by his kéepers, & his heade sent thither. But Cazzian [...]r being cried out at by all men, as a man vnworthie of light and life, requested of the King, that he might safelye come vnto Vienna to cleare and acquite himselfe & but when that the King gaue him but yll countenance, and com­niaun [...]ing c [...]rtaine to attende vpon him for fleeing awaye, defer­red him triall, he being doubtfull of his safetie, priuilye escaped, and fled vnto Mahomet, by whome he was put in hope to haue good intertainment of the grande Seigneuer, and the whole coun­trie of Croatia to holde it of him by homage, so that he would pro­mise to his vttermost to annoy the Austrians. But when he went about to sollicit [...] & familiar fre [...]e of his called Skrin, a noble man of that Prouince, to reuolte also with him vnto the Turke, he was slayne by him one night in bedde, and his heade sent vnto King Ferdinande.

WHen that in Anno 1541 a great power of King Ferdinandes vnder the conduct of the Earle of Rocandulph, besieged the [...]is of Bu [...]s or offen, kept by the fauourers of Steuen the [...]ong sonne of Iohn the V [...]de, who had long contended with Ferdinande for the kingdome of Hungarie, Soliman the Turke sent a great a [...]mie ledde by Mahome [...] Iassa to succour his vassall Stephen. This Turkysbe power with whome also ioyned certayne Hungarians▪ fauourers of the pupil, encamped neare vnto R [...]candulph, and verye much ve [...]d h [...] with often skirmishes, in whome the Turkes had most common­ly the better. The Turkes and their confederate Hungarians had also brought thither a fléete by the riuer of Thonaw, the which na­uie lay at a finall Islande called Gapella, ouer right against their armie by lande. But Rocandulph had a nauie twye [...] as great: for he had xxiiij. Fragates of great and small Nafades (a hynde of shippes of warre vsed by the Hungarians in the riues of Thonaw) about foure score, and little fewes than an hundreth Hulkes & Hoyes. But after that many bloudy skirmishes had ben fought betwene the two armies, that lodged very nere one vnto the o­ther. At last Peren y^e captain general of y^e Hungarians in Ferdinands campe, was frendly aduertised by George Valentine the Generall of the Hungarians with the Turkes, that Solyman himselfe appro­ched: wherefore he should prouide spéedily for the safetie of him selfe and his countriemen: Wherevpon Peren resorted vnto Ro­candulph, and the Captaynes, declared vnto them what newes he had receyued, willed them spéedilye to depart thence, or else [Page 215]he would not other wayes neglect the safetie of his countr [...]men. Although that the opinions of the Captained did varie, yet all were of this mynde, to remoue vnto Pest by night, only Rocan­dulph dissented; and flatly affirmed, that he woulde not departe from Offen withoute the commaundement of King Ferdinande. Wherevpon the Earle of Sabine was sent in a swift Fragate to Vienna, to bring from thence the Kinges resolution. In the meant time, feare urging, and Peren chasing, they determined to waft ouer to Pest in the right season, when the Moone shined not, by foure passages: in the firste they embarked all their great ordinance, and the Hungarians: in the seconde, the Al­maine and Bohemian horsemen: in the other two, all the footemen, and the bagge and baggage of the armie. Batocke an Hun­garian, and Balthasar Pocan an Almaine had the charge committed vnto them, to transporte the armie without tumulte. Fortune fayled not vnto the first and seconde passage. For althoughe that when the Citizens of Offen and the Turkes sawe from the high places all their enimies vesselles to be gathered togither, did lightly suspect that, which was in verye déede, and euerye man according to his heade, did adduce sundrie causes of thys newe vprore, yet they had no foresighte of the sodeyne flights of their enimies, but it was not long vnknowen vnto them, who didde intentiuelye and diligentlye scoute and prie: for two Vsarones fléeing from Peren vnto Valentine, gaue him intel­ligence of the intent of their enimies, and Mahomet being in­continently aduertised thereof by Valentine, hasted wyth almost all his power to assaulte the enimies Campe. He broughte forth the fielde péeces, the Fan [...]zars going foremoste, and the rest of the footemen, whome the yonger horsemen dismissing their horses, followed on foote, and with terrible howling as­saulted the Campe. Then the Austrians perceyuing that their flyghte was descryed, were putte oute of hearte: yet the Bohemians, and also those Genmaynes that warded at the Brydge of the Islande, did valiauntlye and manfullye resiste. There was a greate vproare and tumulte throughoute all [Page 216]the whole campe, and namely at the banke of the riuer, when e­uery man conceyuing feare, hasted without order, and without shame, yea and by wounding one another to get a shippe bourde. For the deade time of the night, and then verye darke by cloudie weather, made all things to séeme more terrible, yea vnto the va­liant. But Rocandulph coulde beare no rule in the darke, and in so great a noyse and vprore of his owne men, and crying of his eni­mies, and the mightie thunder of the artillerie tempesting from all partes. He, besides his griefe of minde, lay then on his bedde, being wounded by a marueylous chaunce. For as he was wry­ting of letters vnto the King, alpellet of a Falcon lighted in hys tente, and brake in sunder a chest, a péece of a boorde whereof wounded the Earle in the shoulder very grieously. Moreouer, the rest of the Captaines of the footemen, vehementlye enuying at the already transported horsemen for their fortunate flight, the which was nowe taken from them, did as men busied with their owne feare, nor preferring the publicke perill before priuate safetie, rather abide still, than repugne their assayling enimies. So then first the vpper campe, where Peren had lodged, was ta­ken by the bandes of the Captaine of Belgrade, and Valentine, and the Almaines were driuen downe with headlong flighte from all the hill of Saint Gerarde. Neyther doe they in Ofen let slippe this good occasion offered to interclude their enimies, but incontinent­lye sallyed out at the gate of the water toure, and at that gate of the Campe that was ouer right against them, assayled the sta­tions which was nowe forsaken, and casting vpon the ennimies balles of wylde fire, endeuoured to burne the tentes. But George the Regent of y^e yong King, with as sodaine as happie deuise, did set on fire at the Kings stables mightie heapes of straw and hey, whereby there sodenly appeared such a great shining flame, that when the Thonawe receyued on his brighte water the shyning of the light of the fire, and it being spred abroade by reuerberation, was cast forth very like vnto daye light, came vnto the backe of Pest [...], all that soule fight bath of the tumult [...]n the l [...]de, and also of the flight of the water was apparantlye bebelde. But then was the ordinaunce directed, and shotte from all partes at the [Page 217]fléeing fléete, so that the vessels which had bene disordered, yea, with the vncertaine shootes, were nowe shot at not only from the water toure, and the castell of Ofen, but also from the Turkishe campe, and from Cepellia: and nowe that so greate lighte was brought into all places, Casson also the Admirall of the Turkishe fléete rowing the lighter vessels vp the streame, gaue a charge on the side of the enimies nauie. So a conflicte by water being also attached, our men fought vnfortunately in all places: certayne Hoyes laden with souldiours were taken, and manye drowned, and sunke with the ordiance, all the riuer was filled full of slain men, and the wretched companie of Mariners and souldiours that laboured to swimme to the shore. For when the Ianizars ouer­throwing the foremost bands, had broken into the lower campe, and the rest of the Almaines fleeing into the Island by the bridge, were wounded in the backes with Semitarres: they for feare of honest death sought shamefull destruction in the gulfe of the water. Many were drowned in the déepe chanell, or else were re­pulsed and thrust from the shipes by the weapons of their eni­mies. Thrée hundreth vesselles being that night with incredible conturbation intermedled togither, & for a good while remayning togither, one woulde haue thought there had bene a bridge made ouer the riuer: but Ferdinandes Fragates, and the greater Na­sades dispairing, got themselues spéedily out of the handes of the Turkes, and kéeping the enimies from them with their ordinance, shotte out at their stemmes, went vp the riuer vnto the Isle of Comora. Also the armie by lande had the lyke lucke in the campe: but the Bohemians manfullye repugning, ended their liues verye honourably, as also the bandes of Otho and Hech, the chiefe Colo­nell of the footemen, died of wounds receiued in their fore parts: but diuers escaping by the top of Saint Gerardes hill, when they were come vnto the edge of the cliffe that hanged ouer the camp, darkenesse, and feare of their instant enimies, confounded their heartes and senses, and so they fell downe hedlong from the cliffe, and brake their neckes. But many running out at the principall gate of the campe, met with them of Ofen, and exercising the cle­mencie or crueltie of their enimies, as they were of diuers dispo­sitions, [Page 218]sitions, were eyther slayne or saued. But when the sunne ry­sing did discouer the slaughter of our men, and the victorie of the Barbarians: about thrée thousande men of all sortes, who e­recting their ensignes at the Churche of Saint Gerarde, on the hanger of the hill had souldiourlike cast themselues into a ring, were slain by the enutroning multitude of their enimies: yet al­most the thirde part of them, casting downe their weapons, de­stred to haue their lyues saued, and yéelded to be kept for a shew more shamefull and worse than death it selfe. At the same time also Casson bringing his victorious nauie vnto the banke of Pest, strake such terror into their heartes that had escaped (and might easily haue defended the walles) only with their Turkishe clamors & the thundering of the artillerie, that the horsmen ran so fast out at the gates with fearefull flight, that one of them did hurt another in the througing forth. For the Almaines for­getting their wonted prowes, did so tremble at the name of the Turkes, that when they sawe in the Boates the beades wrapped about with lynnen, they ranne a way afrighted and vnarmed, leauing behinde them their plate, and all their dearest and best baggage, with their wagons: yet the Vsarones stayed a whyle, with whom gréedinesse of pillage preuayled more than all feare of death, they being busied in ryfling & spoyling of the merchāts shops: for a noble and rich Mart of al wares was set vp at Pest, Marchantes resorting out of all partes vnto the safe seate of the strong and very commodious town for that it was without daunger of the warres, and the tumultes of souldiours, and yet neare vnto the campe, there being but a short cut ouer the ri­uer betwéene the towne and the campe. But when no man de­sended▪ the walles nor gates, Casson incontinently brake into the towne, and slue certain of the spoyling Vsarones, but he tooke such delight in christian bloude; that he spared no man in the towne, no not the sicke, of whome there was a great number, nor the women that followed the Almaines, for they killed all sorts and sexes indifferently, vnlesse it were those whom goodly personage and strength had reserued to be slaues, or the floure of tender yeares had purchased pardon, for hope of lecherie. So that it is [Page 219]reported, that there were staine in these warres by sundry chan­ces aboue xx. thousande Christians. But there were taken in Pest, in the Campe, in the Islande, and in the ships, that had not yet ben discharged, sixe and thirtie very goodly battering péeces, but of smaller mounted on whéeles an hundreth & fiftie. Moreo­uer, the enimie got such wonderfull store of gunpowder, & yron shot, armour, weapons, and victuals prouided for all the win­ter, that by estimation of the Barbarians that bootie was accoun­ted farre the greatest part of the victorie. But when the Turkes hauing wonne the munition, sought in the middes of the camp, Rocandulph lying in his bed, desired rather to be slaine in his tent than to suruiue so great an ouerthrow, but he was against his will and chafing thereat, caryed aboorde a boate by his phisition and chamberlaine, and so transported into the Isle of Comora, where a little while after he dyed of the griefe of his wounde & hurt. But all the prisaners, who were in number about eyght hundreth, being presented vnto Soliman at his arriuall vnto the campe, were by his commandement all slayne; except certaine knowen captaines and noble men, among whom were Baltha­sar Pocan, and Taske an olde captaine, maister of the watch.

WHen that Francis Duke of Aughieu, Lieutenaunt Generall in Piemont for Francis the Frenche king, befieged with a great power Carignano, a strong town, and of great importance in Piemont, Al­phons Marques, of Cuasto, Gouernour of Milan and Piemont, for Charles the Emperoure, being moued wyth the [Page 220]perill of the towne, and the Captaine whome he had before faith­fully promised to succour, as soone as he had receyued out of Ger­manie two regimēts of Lansquenets vnder the conduct of the two Scaligers, and sixe thousande Italians (for the most part shot) ledde by Robert Prince of Salerne, with whome an olde Captaine Cesar Massio was ioyned for a Counsaylour, and seauen hundreth men of armes (but yet in comparison of the Frenchmen, but light horsemen) and a singular cornet of olde men of armes from the Duke of Florence vnder Radulpho Baleone, and to these were adioy­ned his olde store a fewe Spaniardes, and the regiment of Lans­quenets of Baron Seisnech, whose bandes were not full: he mar­ched towardes Carignano. But before he came there, he was met with in a plaine betwéene Ceresoles, and Carmagnola, by the French power, the which was thus ranged. In the middle battell stoode the Gascoignes, and the rest of the olde French footemen singularly well appoynted, and very brauely, close vnto whome stoode the strong regiment of Switzers that had serued long in those warres in Piemont, and stronglye backed all the front of the Gasc [...]ignes, which stoode very broade. The right wing was appointed vnto the Switzers that came lately out of their countrie, who with sin­gular heate of heartes had desired to fight. But the Gruieres a kinde of halfe clownishe souldiers, and of no great vse, were pla­ced in the left wing. These Grueres doe dwell about Geneua, and Losanne, and border on Berne and Sitten. Among these Gruiers were certaine Italian bandes, namely of banished men of Milan, Sauoy, and Piemont, were admixed. This was a great battell, and had many ensignes. But bicause it consisted for a great part of freshe water souldiours, and men of diuers languages, and had also bene taken vp without great choyce, they gaue almost no opinion of assured valor, or firme consent. Moreouer, betwéene these thrée battels of footmen, there stoode also thrée of horsmen. Betwene the middle battell, and the esquadrons of the Switzers stoode Monsteur de Thermes, with whome were all the light horsemen, and one troupe of men of armes to strengthen them. And the Lorde Bou­tiers garded the open side of the Gruiers with an other power of horsemen. Then the Marques séeing this araye of the enimies, [Page 221]dso set right ouer against the middle battell and the Gascoignes, a whole battallion of Almaine footemen (whome he did take to be of inuincible strength) with this order, that in the forefront he placed Aliprand Madruches brother vnto the Cardinal of Trent, who had desired to haue that honor. For the lustie and valiant yong Gentleman had in time before couragiouslye professed, that he woulde with his onely regiment (wherein were not full thrée thousande) encounter, and valiantly ouerthrowe the Swit­zers, whose force the Marques séemed not vnskilfullye to feare. Behinde him, the two Scaligers ledde their regimentes, their en­signes being placed in the middes of the hattell. The right wing against the Gruers was appointed vnto the Spaniardes, but so that he adioyned vnto them fiue bandes of Lansquenets vnder the charge of Seisnech, men méete for a standing fight. He placed all the Italians in the left wing, and willed them by little and little to clyme the hill, which rose vp gently from the small valley, as the better place, and willed them not to stirre from thence, least that they shoulde be disordered and defeated by the Switzers that stoode against them, to whome they were inferiour in discipline: but to stande still in aray and be obedient vnto the commaunde­ments of the Prince of Salerne and Massio, and vse their harque­busses as the chaunce of the battell shoulde require. Philip Lanoy a Flemming, Prince of Salmona, who was Generall of the horse­men) was commaunded to stande in the voyde roume betwéene the Lansquenets and the Spaniardes, and Baleone did the like, stan­ding directly against Thermes. But Charles Conzaga had a speciall charge to obserue and inuade Boutiers, who stoode right ouer a­gainst him. The battels on both sides being thus aranged, and the great ordinance on both parts shot off, the signals were soun­ded, and the battels began to approch, betwéene whom the Mar­ques ryding to and fro with great daunger of the pellets whiche slue from the great ordinance and harquebusses rounde about his cares, and vewing all things with his eyes, perceyued that the Almaines came forwarde more slowly than he would haue them, insomuch that he came neare vnto them, and courteouslye encou­raged the Captaines to amende their pace: when sée, he behelde [Page 222]vndoubted signes of deadlye feare in the faces of the Scaligers, they looking more sadde and pale than they were wont. Wher­fore turning towardes his familiars, Scalengo, Landriano, and Saiaureda, who continuallye followed him to receyue messages from him, and to carie them vnto the battels and rankes, sayd: Almightie God auerte this yll abodement, and be with vs to daye with his omnipotent power, as we haue great néede ther­of, séeing that I doe sée in these Almaines, in whome is reposed all our trust, & the meane to obteyne the victorie, no chearfulnes to fight, now the enimie is present & prouoketh them, the which thing hath neuer happened before this time. The first that ran togither, after that the Marques had giuen the signall through the encouragement of his souldiours, were the horsemen of Thermes and Baleone, the which they did with so greate valor, that on both sides many were borne to the grounde, and after their staues were broken, they couragiously vsed their battell axes and swordes. There Thermes charging on the Italian footemen, was repulsed, and his horse being hurte, and falling to the grounde, he was taken by a freshe water souldiour. But although Baleons wing of horsemen excelled in prowes, yet they being inferiour in number, coulde not susteyne the force of the French men of armes. So that many of them were slayne in that sharpe conflicte, and among them Iulie Azzo, sonne to the Prince of Tuder [...], and Baleone hauing his horse slaine vnder him, hardly escaped wounded vnto the Italian foote­men. But in another wing Fortune (who vseth as it were with a kinde of playe, eftsoones to exchaunge the euentes of battelles) séemed to smyle vppon the Spaniardes and olde Lans­quenettes. For they vnder the conducte of Raimonde de Cardon­na, and Seisnech, charged the Gruers so couragiouslye with a Manique of harquebusiers, that they disordered all their bat­tell, and made them to flée, and gotte the Cottage that they had stoode by, and certayne péeces of ordinaunce, and also with great slaughter brake through a troupe of horsemen that was sente to succour them. In this encounter, the Monsieurs Destro, and Charles Drosse, who were the chiefe conductors of [Page 223]that [...]ing, were slayne, and also Monsieur de Assier, a yong Gen [...]man of singular hope, ouer hotelye breaking in, was cast out of his Saddle by the Almaine Pykes, and dyed within three dayes after of his two woundes. In this spéedie, but vncertaine féese of victorie, the Spaniardes being inflamed, so fiercely followed the fléeing Frenchmen, that with continued course they did flea and take euen vnto Carmagnola. At the ve­rye same time the Lansquenettes who had lyen flatte on the ground that they might auoyde the great ordinance, being com­manded by the Marques, arose vp, & taking vp dust, threw it o­uer their shoulders, the which is an olde & religions custome of that nation, thinking by that ceremonie to wynne the fauour of bloudie Mars, and then they made towardes the enimie. Aliprande, who was in the forefronte of the battallion, goyng certayne paces before the Esquadron, chalenged to the com­batte Monsieur de Molle, a notorious Captayne on the Frenche side. But when the Frenchman refused it not, they ranne to­gither so furiouslye, that one wounding the other in the face, they bothe fell downe to the grounde, Molle being thruste in with deadly Pyke a little aboue the eye, and Aliprande into the ball of the chéeke vp to the eare. Thus both the Captaynes falling downe, a verye sharpe and a bloudie fighte was be­gunne by the foremoste rankes, where the strengthe of the moste chosen souldiours and petie Captaynes of both armies fought for the dignitie of their name, and for glorious victorie. Aliprandes regiment that went forwarde verye hotelye, was more slowlye followed by the Scaligers than they shoulde haue bene, by reason of the empeachmente of the lowe and vneuen grounde, whereby neyther coulde their Pykes be borne wyth equall order, nor their rankes be aptlye set close togither. But in the hotest of the fight, the Emperiall horsemen made into the left wing of the Frenchmen where Boutiers stoode with his troup readie to fight, and ran forth very couragiously, but vainly, & as it appeared anon after, very incommodiously and shamefullye. For when they were come vnto y^e Frenchmen, they neuer once giuing anye charge, no nor so much as charging their stanes, [Page 224]whirled themselues rounde aboute lyke vnto the forme of the Moone, eyther to trayne out the light horsemen from the guarde of the men of armes, or bicause they being lighte armed, durste not aduenture vppon their ennimies, who were all in com­plete armour, or else were adduced so to doe by an vncer­taine speach vttered (as they saide) by Goit their Captaine, who commaunded them to turne about their horses, that they being ouermatched, might not fight with the men of armes by encoun­tring them with their horses brest to brest, and with thick troupe, but with often running vpon them, and incontinentlye reculing backe againe, after the manner of the Moores. This vnlooked for turning away of the Emperialles caused first the Frenchmen to maruayle, and anon after also their fellowes assuredly to suspecte that they did flée: so that Boutiers sodenly with great valor char­ged on the backes of them that turned: who, although that the Marques cried out, and rated them, coulde not be stayed, but with headlong course ranne vpon the Esquadron of the Almains, and finding it loose behind the ensignes, opened and brake through all the whole battallion: and also the French men following thē, got in too at that breache, and with small adoe slue all the foulye disordered hindermost rankes, bicause that they were not armed with heade péeces and Costelets, as were the fore rankes: the Frenchmen caruing off whole limmes from the vnarmed, with their broade and heauie swordes, not vnlike vnto woode kniues that hanged at their saddle bowes. But when the Switzers who stoode ouer right againste the Italians, sawe this wauering and slaughter of the Almaines, they neglecting and omitting the Ita­lians, turned their infestuous ensignes on the Almaines, as on them, whom for naturall hatred they bare them, they accounted for their very and peculiar enimies: neyther in déede coulde they commodiously charge the Italians for the holownesse and inequa­litie of the place: and also they thought that if the Almaines were timely destroyed, then the victorie were surelye gotten. This chaunce of counsell sodenly taken, brought not doubtfull safetie vnto the Italians, but most assured destruction vnto the Almains: for as the Italians being inferiour both in furniture and number, [Page 225]men thought woulde not haue susteyned the force of the impres­sion of the Switzers, namely séeing that they had before séene the flight of their horsemen, so the Almaines that did very constantly propell the Gascoignes and olde Switzers that fought in their front with singular valor, were not able to beare the freshe force of these Switzers that charged them on the side, so that being disorde­red by the madde miserable irruption of their owne horsemen, and succoured by no man, but slayne behinde by the Frenche horsemen, and in the front by the vrging enimies their footemen: after that their captaines were slaine, and their ensignes thrown downe, they turned their backes, and were almoste eucrye man slayne. There died with the Scaligers diuers noble men of greate renounce for sundrie honors borne in the fielde, and Captaynes of bandes, and most honourable of all, Vulcane sonne to the Earle of Furstemberg, Michaell Prensinger, Lieutenant to Brannor Scaliger, & Anty Vrse, a man of great fame for his many martial voyages, and Hildebrande Tunney, Balthasar Chaldese, Iames Figer, Matrice Burse, Adam Brall, and the Baron of Grinisten. But Aliprande Madruckes being sore wounded in many places, was found halfe deade among the slaine carcasses, and taken prisoner. But when the Italian footemen sawe the Almaines defeated, and the horse­men fledde, they vsing a deuyse rather néedefull and profitable (as it afterwarde appeared) than honourable, fearing the victors, be­gan to get themselues out of daunger, and to retire through that lowe place that I spake of, but yet still kéeping araye, and so no strong bande of their enimies molesting or pursuing them, they came before midnight vnto Asti, whither long before had Lanoy come whole & vntouched with his horsemen: but anon after the sunne was set, the Marques came thither wounded a little aboue the knée with an harquebusse shotte that went through his stéele saddle, as also his helmet was battered with the many blowes of horsemens Malles: but bicause he wore not at that time the Ensignes of a Generall, as he was wont to doe, but onelye a blacke and meane cassocke, he was not knowne of his enimies, and so defending himselfe with his sworde, got out of this bloudy broyle. But the cause why y^t the French horsmen did not set vpon [Page 226]nor pursue the Italians, we learned, was this: They hauing lost Termes their Captaine, and also being dispersed, had tur­ned themselues to oppresse the right wing of their ennimies. For when the Spaniardes, Seisneches, and Lansquenettes that had defeated the Gruers, and hadde pursued them farre, returned ioyfull of their valiaunt seruice, and were ignoraunt of the discomfiture of their fellowes, they being sodenly amased with the sight of that slaughter, and also being in suspence what to doe, lighted on the victor Frenchmen, by whom being enclosed as in a pownde (the horsemen enuironing them rounde, were taken prisoners almost without wounde, bicause the valiaunt nien thoughte it better in this desperate state to yéelde to for­tune, than to repugne with foolishe & deadly pertinacie. There yéelded Raimonde of Cardonna, the Campe maister, sonne vnto that Raimonde, whiche was Generall at the battell of Rauenna, and with him Captaines of greate marke, Iohn Beamont, Lewes Ch [...]xada, Consalres Hernandes, and Cheuedes. But the Baron Seisnech getting on horse, escaped the daunger, and Charles Gon­zaga when he sawe the horsemen shamefully flée, that he might not be attainted with the like dishonour, brake in among the French men, and being hurled off from his horse, was taken prisoner. And also Hercules Martinenge, borne of a noble house at Bressa, being incensed with the selfe same shame, but wyth harder lot of honorable attempt, lustilye thrust into the thicke battell of his enimies, with his cornet, as it became one brought vp by Guasto, where he was slaine, with his brother Attilio. They report that there was stayne xij.M. of whom farre y^e most were Almaines. And whereas there was in the fielde almost with e­quall number on both sides aboue xl.M. footemen, the victorie happened not vnto the Frenchmen altogither without bloude, namely séeing that their left wing was defeated & put to flight, and diuers of the French nobilitie slayne. I hearde afterwarde the Marques himselfe saye, that he had neuer thought but that he should haue susteyned and defeated the force of the Frenche horsemen (which was otherwise to be feared) by his bacquebu­siers, as it had happened at the battell of Pauie, and also he did [Page 227]ouermatch the enimies their footemen in strength of thicke Es­quadron. The fruite of this victorie was nothing else but the winning of Carignano.

WHen that the Duke of Anghieu had gi­uen the Marques of Guasto that famons ouerthrowe at Ceresoles, the French king deuouring in hope the Duchie of Milan, began to reenforce Anghiers power, and for that intent sent Peter Strozzi, a bani­shed man of Florence, into Italie, for to take oppe souldiours, the which he did with great spéede, hyring about Mirandula seauen thousande Italians with his owne money, with whom also ioyned Martinengo a no­ble man of Bressa, with his company of horsemen, and also Francis Orsins the earle of Petilia, & is. banished men of Naples, the duke of Somma, & the prince of Capazzi, who had leuied power in the Ro­mane territorie. But when that Strozzi woulde haue passed the Po, the Marques of Guasto who had gathered togither a power, shewed himselfe on the other side of the riuer readie to impeache his passage, & also sent the prince of Salerne with the greater part of his power to take the straites of the mountaine Apenine, that he might not passe that way neyther. Whereby he was forced to séeke safetie by retiring back ouer y^e painful moūtains. But with in iij. days, y^e Prince & Strozzi were in sight one of thother at the riuer of Scriuia, & begā streightway to skirmish. But whē Strozzi for feare, of y^e princes horsmen, passed ouer the riuer, & withdrew himself to the vineyards that stood on y^e hanger of an hil, certain of the Princes bands of footemen tooke a hill nere vnto thē. The which the Strozzians coulde not abide, but did set vpon them so [Page 228]fiercely, that they put them to flighte, and forced them to léese their enfignes, and also to forsake their two péeces of ordinance. Then Strozzi being very ioyfull of this good successe, as though he had séene victorie nowe comming towardes him, by the adhor­tation of Mathewe, a Captaine more aduenturous than skilfull, could not kéepe in himselfe, but brake forth out of the vineyards, and cried victorie, victorie, and sent vnto the Captaines of Peti­lians regiment (for he himselfe being grieuouslye hurt by chaunce in the legge, stayed at Placentia) for to followe with spéedie pace with the rerewarde, and to be present at the victorie begun. Peti­lians bandes who were not ruled by one man, but many, and were obedient not vnto the skilfullest Captaines: but the noble men of greatest honor, as soone as they hearde the crie of victorie, coulde not be kept in, although that Somma and Capezza commaunded them to marche vnto the vineyardes in a thicke Esquadron, but that they ranne forth with loosed rankes, and by their thin araye gaue occasion vnto the horsmen of the ennimies to breake forth, to the which occasion Salerne fayled not rating the horsemen, who a whyle lingering with infamous slouth, woulde neyther runne their horses lustily, as though they were wearie, nor couragiously charge the Esquadron. When (sayde he) will ye thinke that the ignomie lately taken at Ceresolos must be wyped awaye by some valiant facte, if that ye doe not nowe charge ouerthwharte the side of this thinne Esquadron of the wearye ennimie marching with loosed rankes? The horsemen blushed, and immediatly gaue a couragious charge on the enimie, Bartholomewe Grece the Lieu­temant of Beleons companie being the first that brake forth: the yll closed battallion of the enimies was broken through, and at length the horsemen charging on all parts, and the footemen fol­lowing, all the Switzers were fouly defeated and scattered, wyth this euent, that few being slain, all were almost taken vnhurt, the memorie of y^e vnbloudy warres of our fathers being renued. For the Italians did curteously spare them that yeelded, being cōtented with the spoyle. Neyther were the Almaines and Spaniardes pre­sent, whose cruell handes reioyeing in slaughter, fewe had esca­ped. And also with good lot the two Neapolitane banished Princes, [Page 229] Somma and Capezza, who were in assured daunger of death, were let go, when that euery souldiour thought that the noble men al­lyed by bloude vnto Guasto and Salerne, were rather gently to be let go, than to be seuerely deliuered vnto detestable death by the iudgement of Straungers. One onely noble man, and he also a yong Gentleman of surpassing towardlynesse, Vlisses Orsino, was stayne in the fight with a harquebusse shot. Strozzi himselfe esca­ped into the neare dominions of the frendes and confederates of the Frenchmen, with Nicolas the sorme of the Earle of Perilia, and Flaminio the Earle of Anguillara. This ouerthrowe dashed all the intended attemptes of Anghien. This battell was fought in Iune, and that at Ceresoles in Aprist before.

WHen that the armie of the confederale states of the Empise assembled against the force of Charles the fifte, their Emperour, who was fore displeased with their streight alliance, was dissolued, and the chief conductors therof Iohn Fredericke Duke and Prince Elector of Saxon, and Philip the Lantgraue of Hessen were returned home to defende their owne countries: the Emperour passing ouer the riuer of Elb, entred Saxonie, hasting with his ou­ly horsemen to fight with the Duke before he had dispersed hys power into his impregnable holdes. And in déede the Emperials vsed such celeritie, that they were vpon the Saxons before that they were ware of them, in so much that when the Emperiall anant­currers were sodenly come so neare vnto them, that they coulde not well be set in araye, all the Saxon armie was fraught full of trembling and feare, and were euen vpon the pricke to flée all a­way: of so great moment in warres is celeritie alone. But [Page 230]whylest that the auantcurrers Emperiall being verye fewe in number, stayed for more power, whiche continually came vn­to them: the Duke had leysure to set his men in aray, but yet not as he was wonte, and as the discipline of warres woulde haue it, but as the present necessitie requested and permitted. He deuided his footemen into two Esquadrons, whome he gar­ded on both sides with his horsemen, and placed his greate or­dinaunce, and his baggage, and cariages in the myddes. In the meane tyme the Emperialles were so increased, that they doubted not to encounter their enimies, who nowe marched towardes VVittemberg. And firste there passed betwéene them lyght skirmishes, whome the Saxons still marching on their waye forced not off: séeing that they did not onely stoutly re­sist them, but also repelled with slaughter such as ouer hardily pressed vppon them. Afterwarde when that the Duke of Alua, the Emperiall Generall was come into sight wyth a great troupe of horsemen, the Saxons fearing by the great cloude of duste that was raysed vppe, that the Emperours whole power was come, beganne to marche on a rounde pace: the whiche certayne of the Emperiall lighte horsemenne taking for a kinde of flyghte, gaue a great shoute, and lustilye char­ged the Saxons: and certayne men of armes wente aboute to enclose them on the other side. But a great troupe of Saxons harquebusiers on horsebacke, charged the Emperiall horse­men, with so greate violence, and so myghtie and horrible a storme, that not one of them durste abyde, but incontinent­lye turned their backes, and were forced to flée backe a­mong the men of armes. These horsemen were taken vppe in the confines of Hungarie, Poloue, and Croatia, and had to their Captaine Bartholomewe, a Croatian, an olde and experte souldi­our. When that the Saxon vnderstoode that hys foote­mens▪ heartes were a little confirmed throughe the valor of these horsemenne, he commaunded that the footemenne of the Earle of Bichlinghen, in whome he reposed greatest truste, and the horsemen of Iohn Ponicawe, and Gangulph of Eislinghen should be placed agaynste the fronte of the ennimies, wyllyng [Page 231]them that if they were inuaded and charged for to feygne that they gaue place vntill that at commodious tyme the sig­nall of fighte shoulde bée giuen. Whyle that the Saxon is doyng of this, the Emperour with the King of the Romaines had ouertaken Alua his horsemen: Wherefore his Maiestie thynking that oportunitie of fighte was offered him, where­of he was verye desirous, and bicause that the daye was nowe well spente, he incontinentlye aranged his power into a vantgarde, and a battayle. In the auantgarde he placed sixe hundreth Launces to the charge of Maurice Duke of Saxon, sixe hundreth Hungarian horsemen, and sea­uen hundreth Italian horsemenne, and one hundreth harque­busiers on horsebacke, they being all in number two thou­sande. He deuided them into thrée troupes, the Hungarians stoode on the right wyng, the Almaines on the left, and the Ita­lians in the middes: of the reste of his power he made the battell, the whiche he deuided into two Esquadrons, of whome hée committed the one vnto the King of the Romaynes, but the other he ledde hymselfe: the one consisting of seauen hundreth horsemen, and the other of one thousand, part Laun­ces, and parte Harbuebusiers on horsebacke, and wylled hys souldiours to auaunce in suche order, that the fronte shoulde be broadest, contrarie to the vsage of the Almaines, who doe make their fronte narrowe, and their sides broade. The rea­son hereof was, bicause it is not onelye goodlye vnto the eye, but also verye sure. For in this araye a battell cannot so eastlye bée enclosed, by reason of the breadthe thereof, the whiche maye happen with no greate difficultie, if that the Esquadron bée narrowe. The Saxon had sixe thousande footemenne caste into two Esquadrons, and nyne Cornettes of horsemenne, whiche was two thousande, sixe hundreth, and foure score horsemen: but be himselfe ryding from ranke to ranke, prouided for all necessaries in all places. And when he sawe but onelye the forewarde of the Emperialles, bi­cause that the duste didde hyde the battayle, hée was in good [Page 232]hope that he shoulde be able verye easilye for to susteyne the force of so fewe horsemen. But when he was admonished by his Marshall, to go a little on one side, that he might more dili­gently vewe them with whome he shoulde fight, he sawe also the battell aranged, wherefore vnderstanding that all the Emperial horsemen were come, and also perceyuing their araye and pur­pose, he returned vnto his hoste, and determined to take a woode full of Marishes, and very blinde narowe pathes, thinking that through the benefite thereof, he shoulde be able to prolong the fight vntill it were night, and then he should be safely shrowded therewith, and commodiously recouer VVittemberg. But there was betwéene both the armies so large an open playne, as wold suffice for them to fight in, for it was aboue thrée hundreth paces long: the which playne, the Emperials thought if that they could get, then they shoulde defeate their enimies. Wherefore Alua sent the light horsemen before for to impeach the ennimie from taking thereof. But bicause that the Saxon footemenne and twoo troupes of horsemen stoode therevpon, the Emperialles were for­ced to retire vnto their fellowes, the exployte vnatchieued. But Alua with a stronger troupe of Almaine horsemen, strengthe­ned the light horsemen, who contrarie to his expectation had bene repelled, and adhorted the rest to glorie and valiance, and great­ly were his commaundementes aduaunced through the skilful­nesse of the souldiours, who did execute Martiall preceptes spée­dily an exactly. Wherefore they renuing the fight, did so vali­antly giue the charge on their ennimies, that they had almoste made them to turne their backs. The Saxon perceyuing the faint courage of his menne, that he mighte not be enuironed on all partes, and the way of his safetie taken from him, called a troup of horsemen from the left wing, and commaunded them to succor their distressed fellowes, and as the shortnesse of the time would suffer, adhorted them in this maner to reteyne the stoutnesse and glorie of their auncestors: Vnlesse that ye your selues (fellowe souldiours) did verye well knowe that almost all mans nobilitie and glorie doth consist in Martiall matters, it woulde haue bene néedefull for me to declare with many words, that our ancestors [Page 233]got estimation, glorie, and empire by none other thing, and I woulde haue reuoked into your memorie their diume and won­derfull actes. But séeing that the straytnesse of the time doth not beare it, the which doth require fortitude of hart and strength of bodie, than any eloquent speach: This onely thing do I say, that at this time we must fight for all that we haue: the conseruation whereof, is reposed in onely fortitude, and valor of armes. For if we shall playe the valiant and stoute fellowes, as in déede we ought to doe, this daye will be vnto vs the happiest day that euer shined, and of greatest memorie among all our posteritie. For we maye (I doe not saye) defende our goodes, countrie, libertie, religion, wiues, children (although that these things are of them selues most deare, and of such price, that for them all perils are to be cōtemned) neither conserue y^e recouered principality of Saxonie, but with surpassing prayse and admiration of all forein nations, augment the glorie of the Germane name, deliuer from thraldom, and make frée the Almaine Empire, and feare the rest of the eni­mies of the Germaines from euer againe vexing of Germanie, and finally obteyne a glorious and quiet peace for euer. But contra­riwise, if we giue place to fortune, who is mostlye frende vnto the hardie, but seldome vnto the fearefull, we must néedes come into the hands of our enimies with extreame shame, and at one time léese all that we haue, & possesse. By these reasons were the Saxons a litle cōfirmed, who being set in such aray as was thought best for that present, the Duke himselfe stoode with his horsemen before his footmen, that they might be confirmed. For he did not a litle distrust their prowes. In y^e right wing against y^e Emperials he placed Ernest the Duke of Brunswicke with the horsmen of Nico­las Bernarde, and Iohn Segherne, whome he did take to be his best. He gaue order, that if the Emperials did giue any charge in their battels, they shoulde shoote off all their Pistolets and harquebus­ses at once, and alwayes kéeping their aray, suffer the inuasions of their enimies, and also commaunded that no man on payne of death shoulde go out of his place, for he himselfe woulde be carefull to bring them succour: and thus they faire and softlye expected the onset of the Emperialles. The Saxon himselfe roade [Page 234]hither and thither, opportunelye prouiding and séeing to all things: then he commaūded the horsemen and certaine harque­busiers to giue a charge vpon the Emperiall light horsemen, that the rest of his footemen might the more commodiouslye get into the woode, through whose garde they thought they shoulde be safe. But by this time had the Emperour ioyned with the a­uantgarde of his men, and with fewe words adhorted his soul­diours to attache the battell, crying Saint George, Hispaine, and the Empyre. But when all the Emperiall troupes ran forth to­gither equally frōted, they came vnto a dirtie plot, where many of y^e horses did slyde, as in a slipperie place: wherfore the battell was forced to staye vntill that the fore warde were passed the slough least that else both battels should be disordered, and one intermired with another, whereby it came to passe, that they going aside, the auantgard was passed by at that same time that the Saxons gaue the charge that I spake of with very good order, on the lyghte horsemen of the Emperialles. When that the Emperour sawe this oportunitie to haue a sayre daye, he sente from the one side men of armes, and from the other the harque­busiers on horsebacke, and Duke Morrice to charge that parte of the Saxons that had before séemed to be the more fearfull. The battell was begunne in the right wing, where the Saxons discharging their shotte altogither, as they had bene com­maunded, the fight séemed at the firste to be very cruell. But when that the light horsemen of the Italians and the Hungari­ans charged them in another parte on the side, and woulde graunte the shotte no leysure to recharge their péeces agayne, and in another quarter, the men of armes of Naples, Duke Mor­rices, and the Harquebusiers fiercely vrged: they so feruentlye charged the Saxons on all sides, that the auantgarde whiche had not entred the woode, was opened and scattered. It was marueylous to sée wythin howe small a space of time, and as it were in a momente all the armie of the Saxons was ouer­throwne & defeated, the light horsemen and the Hungarians pur­suing the victory with wonderful celeritie. The Saxon although hée endeuoured opportunelye to succour his menne, and [Page 235]timely to prouide all things: yet when he fawe that so greate a number of his men were layde on the grounde, and ouer­thrown, he determined to saue himselfe by taking the wood, after that he certainly perceiued that he was in no wyse able to resist with the reste that were lefte him. But when he was dis­closed vnto his ennimies by one that was taken prisoner, and his Princelye porte, and almoste Kinglye maiestie did persuade them to beléeue that it was he in deede: firste twoo Italians pursued him, and althoughe he were valiantly defended by his men, yet at the last, when that moe of the Emperialles came, he was taken prisoner after no small fighte by Hippolito a Vientine, who pulled off his heade péece, and did put hym on an hatte, in signe of a prisoner. But when that the Empe­rialles came afterwarde into the woode, they founde so manye armours and weapons throwne awaye, and lying on the grounde, and so manye slayne bodyes heaped in the wayes, that it was a lamentable sight vnto their countrimen, some sée­ing their berthren, other their cousins and frendes slaine by them, and also it was no small impediment vnto the rest to pur­sue the chace. Moreouer, there were such a number of prisoners taken, that many of the Emperialles led fiftie or xx. prisoners a péece with their haudes bounde behinde them. But bicause that the Emperials séemed to be greatly dispersed for desire of spoile, the which is no smal daūger in victorie, for that vnknown aide [...] may come to the vanquished, and with small labour defeate the scattered victors (a thing which hath often happened) the Em­perour commaunded the men of armes to be called backe, & the retire to be sounded. But incōtinētly after newes was brought vnto his maiestie that the Saxon was taken. There were stain of the Saxons about ij. M. footemen, & aboue vij. C. wounded, & moe than vto. C. taken, & of horsmen v. C. slaine, & farre moe taken, & yet many Germanes were let go by the Germanes: of all the armye not aboue iiij. C. horsmen, & so many footmen escaped to VVitē ­berg. Few of mark were slaine there were takē beside the Saxon, Ernest the Duke of Brunfwicke, and Charles of Thuring, and two of the Saxon his secretaries: There were also taken xvij. ensignes of [Page 236]footemen, & ix. of horsemen: great store of houshold stuffe, money, and martiall furniture, two Culnerings, iiij. Demiculuerings, foure Demicanons, and fiue Falconets. His eldest sonne Iohn being wounded in two places, was throwne off his horse, but being succoured by his frends, & he that had wounded him being slayne, he escaped to VVittemberg. There were slaine of the Em­perials vnto the number of fiue hundreth, bicause that the fight being begunne at eleuen of the clocke, continued vntill seauen: for the Saxons marched fighting fiftene myles from the riuer of Elbe. After this victorie, all Saxonie yéelded, and also the Lant­graue came in, and other Almaine states submitted themselues vnto the Emperour, who was nowe absolute victor.

WHen that Marie the yong Quéene of Scottes was not deliuered vnto the Englishe nobili­tie to be ioyned in happie mariage wyth Ed­warde the sixt, the yong King of Englande, according vnto faithfull promise made: Ed­warde Seimar Duke of Somerset, and Protector of his Maiesties person and dominions, inua­ded Scotlande the thirde of September, with an armie by lande of ten thousande footemen, of whome sixe hundreth were harque­busiers, s [...]ure thousande men of armes and Demilaunces, and two thousande light horsemen, and of them two hundreth were hakbutters on horsebacke, thirtene hundreth Pioners, and fiftene péeces of great ordinance, and a fléete of Lxv. vessels, whereof the Galley, and xxxiiii more were perfectly appointed for the wars, [Page 237]and the resid ue for munition and vittayle. The Admirall of this fléete was the Lorde Clinton. The ninth of September the Eng­lishmen were encamped within two myles of the Scottish pow­er, leuied and ledde by lames Earle of Arrane, Gouernour of Scotlande. The next morning the Scottes leauing their lodging which was very strong, and of great aduauntage, and to the in­tent that aswell none of their souldiours shoulde lurke behinde them in their campes, as also that none of their Captaines shoulde be able to flée from their enterprice, hauing caused all their tentes to be let flatte downe to the grounde ere they came out, and then all aswell nobles as others (fewe except) that were not horsemen, appointed to leaue their horses behinde them, and to march on with their souldiours on foote) hasted towardes the Englishmen, who were also marching against them, but neither side any whit ware of the others intent. But the Scottes staying a while vpon the waye, our Galley shot of, and slue the maister of Greyme with xxv. neare him, and therewith so scarred the foure thousande Archers brought by the Earle of Arguill, that where (as it was sayde) they shoulde haue bene a wing to the foreward, they coulde neuer after be made to come for warde. Herevpon did their armie hastily remoue, and from thence declyning South­warde, tooke their direct waye towarde an hill called Fauxside Braye. Of this, Sir R [...]fe Vane Lieutenant of all our horsemen, quickly aduertised my Lorde Protector: who thereby did readily conceyue much of their meaning, which was to winne of vs the hill, and thereby the winde and the Sunne of it had shyned, as it did not, for the weather was cloudie and louring. The gaine of which thrée things whether partie in fight of battell can happe to obteyne, hath his force doubled against his enimie. In all this enterprise they vsed for haste so little the helpe of horses, that they pluckt forth their ordinance by draught of men, whiche at thys time began fréely to shoote of towardes vs, whereby we were further warned, that they ment more than a fl [...]rmish. Herewith­all began euery man to be smitten with the care of his office and charge, and therevpon accordingly to apply himselfe aboute it: and also my Lordes grace, and the Councell on horsebacke as [Page 238]they were, fell streyghte in consultation. The sharpenesse of whose circumspect wisedomes, as it quickly espyed out the eni­mies intents: so did it among other things, promptly prouyde therein to preuent them (as needefull it was) for the time as [...]ed no leysure. Their deuise was this: that my Lord Gray of VVil­ton Marshall of the armie, and Captaine Generall of all the horsemen, shoulde with his bande of Bulloners, and with my Lorde Protectors bande, and the Earle of VVarwickes (Lorde Lieutenant of the armie) bande, all to the number of xviij. C. horsmen on the one halfe: & Sir Rafe Vane, with Sir Thomas Dar­cie Captaine of the Pencioners, and men of armes, and my Lorde Fitzwaters, with his band of Demilances, all to the num­ber also of xvj. C. to be readie and euen with my Lorde Mar­shall on the west halfe, and thus all these togither afore, to en­counter the enimies a front, whereby eyther to breake their a­raye, and that waye weaken their power by disorder, or at the least to stop them of their gate, and force them to stay while our fore warde might wholy haue the hilles side, and our battel and rerewarde be placed in groundes next that in order, and best for aduantage. And after this then, that the same our horsemenne shoulde retire vp the hilles sides to come downe in order afresh, and infest them on both their sides, whiles our battels shoulde occupy thē in fight a front. The policy of this deuise for the state of the case, as it was to all that knew of it, generally allowed to be the best that coulde be, euen so also taken to be of no small daunger for my Lorde Marshall, Sir Rafe Vane, and other the assaylers, the which neuerthelesse, I knowe not whether it were more nobly or wisely deuised of the Councell, or more va­liantly and willinglye executed of them. For euen there wyth good courage taking their leaues of the Counsell, my Lorde Marshall requiring only that if it went not well with him, my Lordes grace woulde be good to his wife and children, he sayde he woulde méete the Scottes, and so with their bandes these Captaynes tooke their way towardes the enimie. By this were our fore warde and theirs within two flyght shottes a sunder. The Scottes basted with so fast a pace, that it was thought of [Page 239]the most part of vs they were rather horsemen than footemen: Our men againe were ledde the more with spéede. The maister of the ordinance Sir Francis Flemming, to our great aduauntage, pluckt vp the hill then certaine péeces, and soone after planted two or thrée Canons of them well nie vpon the top there, wher­by hauing so much the helpe of the hill, he myght ouer our mens heades shoote nyest at the enimie. My Lorde Protector (whose peculiar charge of al this voyage, was the conduct of the middle battell) being cladde in fayre armour, tooke his waye towardes the heigth of the hill, accompanyed with no mo than Sir Tho­mas Challoner▪ to tarie by the ordinaunce, whereas he moughte both best suruey vs all, and succour with ayde where moste hée sawe néede, and also by his presence be a defence vnto the thing that stoode weakest in place, and moste in daunger, the which therby howmuch it stood in stead, anon shall I shew. But the Scottes in the middes of their swifte marche, were all at a sodaine staye, and stoode still a good while (the cause whereof is vncertaine) and then made hastily towardes vs againe. I know not (to saye the truth) whether more stoutlye of courage, or more strongly of order, me thought then I might note both in their march. But what after I learned specially touching their order, their armour, and their maner of fight, as well in going to offende, as in standing to defende, I haue thought necessa­rie here to vtter. Hackbutters had they fewe or none, and ap­poynt their fighte moste commonlye alwayes on foote. They come to the fielde well furnished with Iacke, Scull, Dagger, Buckler, and Swordes, all notably broade and thinne, and of excéeding good temper, and vniuersally so made to slice, that as I neuer saw none so good, so thinke I it harde to deuise the better, hereto euery man his pike, & a great kerchiefe wrapped twise or thrice about his neck, not for cold, but for entting. In their aray toward the ioyning with the enimie, they cling & thrust so neare in the [...]ore ranke shoulder to shoulder togither, with their pikes in both handes streight afore them, and their followers in that order so harde at their backes laying their Pykes ouer their foreg [...]ers shoulders, that if they doe assayle vndisseuered, [Page 240]no force can well withstande them. Standing at defence, they thrust shoulders likewise so nie togither, the forerankes well nie to knéeling, stoupe lowe before for their fellowes behinde, hol­ding their Pykes in both handes, and therewith in their lefte their Bucklers, the ende of the Pyke against their righte foote, the other against the enimie, brest high, their followers crossing their Pyke pointes with them forwarde, and thus eche with o­ther so nie, as place & space will suffer, through the whole warde, so thicke, that as easily shall a bare finger péerce through the skin of an angrie Hedgehogge, as anye encounter the front of their Pykes. My Lorde Marshall notwithstanding, whom no daun­ger detracted from doing of his enterprise, with the company and order afore appointed, came full in their faces from the hylles side, with present mynde and courage continuing their course towarde the enimie. And my Lordes grace also at his place fu­riously tempested aloft with the ordinance. The enimies were in a fallowe fielde, whereof the furrowes laye sideling towarde our men: By the side of the same furrowes next vs, and a stones cast from them, was there a crossedich, or slough, which our men must néedes passe to come to them, wherein many that could not leape ouer, stacke fast, to no small daunger of themselues, and some disorder of their fellowes. The ennimies perceyuing our men fast approch, disposed themselues to abide the brunt, and in this order stoode still to receyue them. The Earle of Anguish next vs in the forewarde, as Captaine of the same with an eight thousande, and foure or fiue péeces of ordinance on his right side, and foure hundreth horsemen on his left: behinde him somewhat westward, the Gouernour, with x. M. inlande men (as they call them) the choysest men counted of their countrie. And the Earle Huntley in the rerewarde, welnie euen with the battayle on the left hande, with eyght thousande also. The foure thousand Irish archers as a wing vnto them both, last in déede in order, and first (as they sayde) that ranne away. These battelles and rarewarde were warded also with ordināce according. Edwarde Shelley Lieu­tenant vnder my Lorde Grey, of his bande of Bulleners, was the first on our side that was ouer this slough, my Lorde Grey nexte, [Page 241]and so then after two or thrée rankes of the former bandes. But badly yet coulde they make their race, by reason the furrowes laye trauerse to their course. That notwithstanding, and though also they were nothing likely wel to be able thus a front to come within them to hurt them, as well bicause the Scottishe mens pykes were as long, or longer than their staues, as also for that their horses were all naked without bardes, whereof thoughe there were right many among vs, yet not one put on, forasmuch as at our comming forth in the morning, we looked for nothing lesse than for battell that daye, yet did my Lorde and Shelley with the residue, so valiantly and strongly giue the charge vpon them, that whether it were by their prowes, or power, the lefte side of the enimies that his Lordshippe did set vpon (though their order remained vnbroken) yet was compelled to swaye a good waye backe, and gyue grounde largely, and all the residue of them be­side, to stande much amased. Before this, as our men were wel­nie at them, they stoode very braue and bragging, shaking their Pyke poyntes, crying, come here Loundes, come here Tykes, come here Heretikes, and such like opprobrious wordes: Our Captaines that were behinde, perceyuing at eye, that both by the vneuennesse of the grounde, by the sturdie order of the eni­mie, and for that their fellowes were so nie, and streight before them, they were not able to any aduauntage to maintaine this onset: did therefore according to the deuise in that poynt appoin­ted, turne themselues, and made a soft retire vp towarde the hill againe. Howbeit, to confesse the truth, some of the number that knewe not the prepensed policie of the coūsayle in this case, made of a sober abuised retire, an hastie temerarious flight. My Lord Marshall, Edwarde Shelley, little Preston, Brampton, and Gerningham, Bulleners, Ratcliffe, the Lorde Fitzwaters brother, Sir Iohn Cleres sonne and heire, Digges of Kent, Ellerker a Pencioner, Segraue. Of my Lorde Protectors bande, my Lorde Edwarde his Graces son, Captaine of the same bande, Stanley, VVodhouse, Conisbie, Hergill, Morris, Dennis, Arthur, and Atkinson, with the other in the fore ranke, were not able in this earnest assault both to tende to their fight afore, and to the retire behinde: the Scottes agayne well [Page 242]considering hereby how weake they remayned▪ ranne sharplye forwarde vpon them, and without any mercie slue euery man of our men that abode furthest in prease, and a sixe me (of Bullo­ners and other) than I haue here named, in all to the number of xxvj. and most part gentlemen. My Lord Grey yet, and my Lord Edwarde (as some grace was) returned. againe, but neyther all in safetie, nor without euident markes they had bene there: for the one with a Pyke through the mouth was raced a long from the tip of the tongue, & thrust that way very daunger ously more than two inches within the necke, & my L. Edward had his horse vnder him with swords wounded sore, & I think to death. Like as also a litle before this onset sir Thomas Darcie vpō his approch to the enimies, was stricken glauncing wise on the righte side, with a bullet of one of the field péeces, & thereby his bodie brused with the bowing in of his harnesse, his sword hilts broken, and the forefinger of his right hand beaten flat: euen so vpon y^e par­ting of this fray, was sir Arthur slash at with swords, & so hurt vpon the wedding finger of his right hand also, as it was coun­ted for the first part of curing to haue it quite cut away. About the same time certaine of the Scots ran out hastily to the kings Maiesties standard of the horsmen (the which sir Andrew Flam­make bare) & laying fast hold vpon the staffe therof, cried a king, a king, that if both his strength, his hart, & his horse had not ben good, & hereto somewhat aided at this pinch by sir Rafe Coppinger a Pencioner, both he had bene slaine, & the standard lost, which the Scots neuerthelesse helde so fast, that they brake and bare away the nether ende of the staffe to the burrell, and intended so much to the gayne of the standard, that sir Andrew (as happe was scaped home all safe, and else without hurt. At this busines also was my Lord Fitzwaters captaine of a number of demilan­ces vnhorst, but soone mounted againe, scaped, yet in great dan­ger, and his horse all hewen. Hereat further were Cauerley the standard bearer of the men of armes, and Clement Paston a penci­oner, thrust ech of them into the leg with pikes, and Don Philip a Spaniard in the knée. Diuers other mained and hurt, and many horses wounded beside. By this time had our fore ward accor­dingly [Page 243]gotten the full aduantage of the hils side, and in respect of their march, stood sidelong toward the enimie, who neuerthe­lesse were not able in all parts to stande full square in aray, by reason that at the west ende of them vpon their right hand, and toward the enimie, there was a square plot enclosed with turfe (as their maner of fencing in those partes is) one corner wherof did let the square of the same aray. Our battel in good order next them, but so as in continuance of aray, the former part thereof stoode vpon the hilles side, the tayle vpon the plaine, and the rerewarde led by the Lord Dakers of the north wholy vpon the hill: so that by the placing and countenāce of our armie in this wyse, we shewed our selues in a manner to compasse them in, that they should no way scape vs, the which by our power and number we were as well able to do, as a Spiders web to catch a swarme of Bées. These vndiscrete gadlings that so fondlye brake aray from the horsemen in the retire (as I sayd) ran so ha­stily through the orders and rankes of our fore ward, as it stood, that it both there disordred many, feared manye, & was a great encouraging of the enimie. The earle of VVarwicke who had the guyding of our fore ward, right valiantly had conducted y^e same to their standing, & there did very nobly encourage and comfort them, bidding them pluck vp their hearts, and shew themselues mē, for there was no cause of feare. But to return vnto y^e Scots, they were somwhat disordred with their cōming out about the slaughter of our mē, the which they did so earnestly then entend, that they tooke not one to mercy: but more they were amased at this aduenturous & hardy onset. My Lords grace hauing before this for y^e causes aforesaid, placed himselfe on this Fau [...]siae Bray, & thereby quickly perceiuing the great disorder of these strag [...]ng horsmen, hemd the in frō further straying, who sir [...]se Va [...]e sone after with great dexteritie brought in good order again, & there­with y^e rest of our strengths by the policie of my Lords grace, & diligence of euery captain & officer beside, were so aptly applied in their feate, that where this repulse of y^e enimie & retire of vs, was doubted of many to turn to the danger of our lesse, y^e same was wroughte (according as it was deuised) to our gayne and [Page 244]victorie. For first at this slough where most of our horsemen had stood, sir Peter Meutas captaine of all the hackbutters afoote, did ve­ry valiantly conduct & place a good number of his men in a maner at the faces of the enimies. Wherevnto sir Peter Gamboa a Spani­arde, Captaine of two C. hackbutters on horsebacke, did readi­ly bring his men also, who with the hot continuance of their shot on both partes, did so stoutly staye the enimies, that they coulde not come further forwarde: then our archers that marched in aray on the right hande of our footemen, and next to the enimie, prickt them sharply with arrowes as they stoode. Therewith the maister of the ordinance to their great annoyance, did gall them with hayleshot, and other out of the great ordinaunce directlye from the hill toppe; and certaine other gunners with their péeces a flanke from our rerewarde: most of our artillerie and missiue engines then wholy thus at once with great puissance and vehe­mencie occupied about them, here with the full sight of our foote­men, all shadowed from them before by our horsemen, and duste raised, whome then they were ware in such order to be so neare vpon them: and to this, the perfect aray of our horsemen againe comming couragiouslye to set on them a freshe. The miserable men perceyuing themselues, then all to late, howe much too much they were misenformed, began sodenly to shrinke. Their gouer­nour that brought them firste to the bargaine, like a doughtie Captaine, tooke hastily his horse, that he might runne foremoste away. The Earle of Anguishe and other chiefe Captaines did quickly followe as their Gouernour ledde, and with the foremost their Irishmen. Therewith then turned all the whole route, cast downe their weapons, ranne out of their wardes, off with their Iackes, and with all that euer they might, betooke them to the race that their gouernour began. Our men had founde them at the first, and sharply and quickly with an vniuersall outerie, they flée, they flée, pursued after in chase amaine, and thereto so eger­ly, and with such fiercenesse, that they ouertooke many, and spa­red in déede fewe. Before this, at the time of our onsette came there Eastwarde fiue hundreth of their horsemen vp along thys Fauxside [...]raye, streight vpon our ordinaunce and cariage. My [Page 245]Lordes grace (as I sayde) most speciallye for the doubt of the same, placing himselfe thereby, caused a péece or two to be tur­ned towarde them: with a fewe shottes whereof they were soone turned also, and fledde to Dakith. But to returne vnto the Scot­tishe chase, it was continued with bloud and slaughter fiue miles in length, westwarde from the place of their standing, whiche was in the fallowe fieldes of Vndreske vntill Edenborough Parke, and welny to the gates of the towne it selfe, and vnto Lyth, and in breadth nye foure myles from the Frith sandes vp toward Da­kith southwarde. In all which space, the deade bodies laye as thicke as a man maye note cattell grasing in a full replenished pasture. And for the smalnesse of our number, and shortnesse of the time (which was scante fiue houres (from one welnie vnto sixe) the mortalitie was so great, as it was thought the like afore time not to haue bene séene. In déede it was the better maintai­ned with their owne swordes that laye eche where scattered by the way, whereof our men as they had broken one, still tooke vp another, there was store inough, and they layde it on fréely, that right manye among them at this businesse brake thrée or foure ere they returned homewarde to the armie. There were thus slaine in fielde, of Scottes xiij. thousande of the which number (as we were certainlye enformed by sundrie and the best of the prisoners then taken) beside the Earle of Loghemwor, the Lorde Fleming, the Maister of Greym, the maister of Arskin, the maister of Ogleby, the maister of Auendale, the maister of Rouen, and ma­ny other of noble birth among them: there were of Lardes and Lardes sonnes, and other Gentlemen slayne, aboue xxvj. C. and xv. C. were taken prisoners, among whome were there of name, the Earle Huntley Lorde Chauncelour of the Realme there, the Lord of Yester, Hobbie, Hambleton Captaine of Dun­barre, the maister of Sampoole, the Lard of VVimmes, and a brother of the Earle of Casselles. Two M. by lurking and lying as though they were deade, scaped away in the night all maimed and hurt. Herewith wan we of their weapons and armour more than wée woulde vouchsafe to giue cariage for, and yet were they con­neyed thence by shippe into these partes, of Iackes specially, and [Page 246]swords aboue xxx. M. The camp also was taken wel replenished with their simple victualles, and also some péeces of plate and chalices were founde. After this my Lordes grace tooke the towne of Lyth, with thirtene vessels in the hauen, the which he burnt with the towne, brought vnder the Englishe obedience all Tiuidale, and their marches, all the Lardes and Gentlemen thereof comming in, and swearing fealtie, and within the mids of the lande did wynne (and placed there garrisons) S. Colmes Ince, and Broughtie crag, a place of greate importance standing at the mouth of the riuer of Tey, whereby all the vse of the ry­uer might be cut from Saint Iohns towne, Dundee, and many o­ther townes in those partes. And vpon Michaelmas day returned ouer the Twede, with losse not of aboue lx. men.

WHen that Albert one of the collaterall line of the house of Brandenburg, raged with a great power through Franklande, and Saxonie, sparing neyther frende nor foe, he brought his faithfull frende Mor­rice Duke of Saxon in his top, who being ayded by the power of Ferdinande king of the Romanes, Henrie the Duke of Bruns­wicke, Philip the Lantgrane of Hessen, the Bishoppes of VVirtz­purg, and Bamberg, the citie of Nuremberg, and other, did by ta­king of a streite, force Albert to fight. The wynde blewe with Albert, which doth somewhat helpe in fight, and also he had taken a little hill that stoode in the playne, and fiest the great or­dinance was shot off on both sides, but with small detriman [...] of eyther armie. But although that Albert was inferiour vnto his ennimies in horsemen, yet he was verye well furnished [Page 247]with eyghtene goodly Cornets of horsemen, and in footemenne did muche ouermatche them. The hostes beganne to drawe neare one vnto the other by little and little, and sodenlye a most cruell battell was begunne, they fighting on bothe sides with greate valor and courage. In the middes of the fighte, Albert commaunded the beste of his horsemenne to charge foure Cornettes of Morrice his men of armes, the whiche was done, both parties approching one so neare vnto the other, that for lacke of roume they coulde not breake their Launces. The shotte encountered togither with noble courage, singular prowes, and incredible alacritie and charefulnesse. But at the last, Albert being inuaded on all parts, and weakened through the great slaughter and discomfiture of his men, was forced to séeke safetie by flight, and fléeing with onely eyght horsemen, left his defeated people, his ordinaunce, furniture, and bag­gage vnto the mercilesse vsage of his enimies. This battell which was begun in the morning early, continued almost vn­till night, and was fought in a playne that lyeth betwéene the Duchies of Brunswicke and Lunenburg: in the which battell were taken liiij. ensignes of footemen, and fiftene of horsemen, & there were slaine iiij. M. horsemen, and many footemen. There were taken on Albert his side, of noble men, the Earle of VVarenberg, and Nicolas Berney, and many other slaine. On Morrice his parte were slayne, Charles Victor, and Philip Magnus, sonnes of Henrie Duke of Brunswicke, and many other noble men. Many ensignes of Albertes power were saued, by reason of the greate woodes that were neare at hande, and also of the spéedie approche of the night. But Morrice himselfe being shotte into the bodie at the battell with a Pistolet, dyed the next daye. There were some that thought he was not wounded by his enimies, but by one of his owne familiars, to whome he had done reproche in former time, the reuenge whereof hée deferred vntyll thys commodious tyme. This one aduerse battell didde so breake the power of Albert, that whereas before he was in­uincible, a terrour vnto all Germanye, and spoyled all states at hys pleasure, hée was neuer afterwarde able to doe anye [Page 248]thing, but being anon after againe ouerthrowne in fighte with his small power, by Henrie the Duke of Brunswicke, was turned out of all his dominions, and forced to die in banishment.

ANno domini. 1553. Henrie the Frenche king to molest the Emperour Charles in Italie, sent Peter Strozzi a banished Florentine, and one of the Marshals of France, to take into his protection the noble citie of Sene, and to his vttermost to endammage Cosmo the Duke of Flo­rence, a faithfull fauourer of the Em­perour. Which caused Charles to sende the Marques of Marinian his Lieutenant in Milan, with a power to besiege Sene, the whiche he was forced to discontinue, when Strozzi inuaded the dominions of the Florentine, whome the Mar­ques sought by all meanes to defend: and made Strozzi to retire againe into Sene, out of the which he came againe, after that his power was so augmented, that he had two thousande Gascognes, and so many Switzers, two thousand fiue hundreth Lansquenets, sixe thousande Italians, and about one thousande horsemen, with intent not to refuse to ioyne in battell with the Emperials, if that anye good occasion shoulde be offered, althoughe that they were xiiij. thousand footmen of Italians, Spaniards, and Almaines, and one thousande fiue hundreth horsemenne, partlye men of armes, and partly light horsemen. Betwéene these two hostes passed manye bloudie skirmishes, and namely one vpon the xxviii. of Iulye, in the whiche continuing ten houres, were one thousande and two [Page 249]hundreth slaine on the French side: and of the Emperials aboue foure hundreth. But when both armies had long lodged verye neare one vnto another, they were in great distresse for water, for the which they must continuallye fight when eyther men or horses néeded it. Moreouer, the souldiours being pinched with pe­nurie of victuals, & tyred with the continuall toyle of skirmishing (y^e armies lodging so neare togither) many weried with this war­fare, dropped away out of the campes by little & little, so that both armies began therby to be much weakned. Thē the Marques of Marinian made proclamation that al men that would depart from the Frenche campe, shoulde haue safe passage through the Du­chie of Florence, and if they woulde serue the Emperour, they shoulde haue better intertainment than the French king gaue them. And like kind of liberall promises did Strozzi also cause to be published. On the first of August they skirmished againe, in the which conflict both the horsemen and the footemen of the Empe­rials hauing the better, strake no small terror into the heartes of the Frenchmen. But when Strozzi sawe that by the Italians their slyding away from him, he was brought to weake for his enimie, he went about by little and little to withdrawe his hoste out of daunger, sending his cariages and ordinance before: but yet so, that he woulde not only not séeme to fléee, but also of his owne accorde to offer the battell vnto his enimies, the whiche yet he thought he shoulde auoyde, bicause it was so neare night. But his counsels being knowne of the Emperials, were infrin­ged by them, for they incontinently followed him in aray of bat­tell, and light harquebusiers were sent before to haggle on the backes and tayle of the Frenchmen, and to hinder their marche vntill that the Emperiall horsemen coulde ouertake them, who were gone forth vnto the riuer of Thiane for water. The Marques egerly pursuing and following Strozzi, thus ordered his armie: He did cast the Almaines into a square battell, placing the Spani­ardes vnder the conducte of Iohn de Luna in the left wing, and the Italians in the right. But the Earle of San Fioria stoode with all the Horsmen on the left side at the foote of the hill called Womens hill, ouer right against the French horsemen. But thus were [Page 250]the French battels aranged: A thick battallion of Italian foote­men stoode vpon the Womens hil directly against the Spaniards, an other of Gascognes and Frenchmen, and a thirde of Switzers, the horsemen were sette opposite to the Emperiall horsemen, and were guarded with seauen hundreth harquebusiers. Strozzi had before him Martiano, behinde him Luciano, on his lefte hande Fogliano, and on his right diuers other townes. When both the armies stoode thus aranged in order of battell, and the Marques was doubtfull whether he shoulde trye the fortune of the battell that daye or no, he was impelled through many reasons, and specially by the Spaniardes, to deter­mine to fighte: wherefore after he had giuen the signall, he gotte him vnto the rerewarde. For séeing hée foughte al­moste agaynste his will, hée thought if that anye yll lucke happened, hée woulde prouyde for hys owne safetye: but if that all thinges succéeded well, then he woulde encou­rage his souldiours to folowe the victorie. As soone as the sig­nall of the battell was giuen, the Conte of San Fiora passing ouer a ditche that ranne along the playne, gaue the charge on the Frenche horsemen, who were all ledde by the Earle of Mirandula. They fighte fiercelye on both sides, but the French men being inferiour in number, and also ouermatched by reason of the strength of the menne of armes, althoughe they were garded with harquebusiers, were put to slighte and defeated, the which happened, bicause that Bighet fledde with the chiefe guydon as soone as euer the enimie gaue the onsette. When thys had happened sooner than coulde be credited, San Fiora fearing that there was some ambushe layde, woulde not at the firste suffer his horsemenne to pursue his fléeing enimies, as the reason of the victorie required. But after­warde when he certainelye vnderstoode that it was a true slyght and not a feygned, he graunted his horsemenne leaue to followe the enimie in chase, whiche when Strozzi sawe, he vtterly casting awaye all hope of the horsemenne, and their repayring of the fight, séeing that the pursuing of the Empe­rialles woulde graunte them no place to strengthen their [Page 251]course, and to staye and stande, and vnderstanding that hée shoulde be enuironed rounde aboute on all partes, if he dyd come downe into the playne, but on the other side, if that hée stoode still on the hill, he shoulde be verye greatly annoyed by the ordinaunce of the enimies, and besieged, he of necessitie determined to aduenture a pitched fielde. And bicause the streightnesse of the place did so require, he reduced his thrée battels into one battell, for that at neyther side there was a­nye vse of harquebusiers, who had in their often skirmishes spent all their pouder, and emptied their flaskes. The Empe­rials standing still, expected the cōming & charge of the French men, and namelye séeing the Frenche footemen and Switzers came forwarde verye lustilye and couragiouslye, the Empe­rialles vsed the benefit of a good déepe ditche that ranne crosse the playne, neare vnto the banke whereof, they placed their foremoste rankes: for it was iudged that they which shoulde firste passe ouer the ditche, woulde come into great difficul­ties, and giue an easie victorie vnto their enimie, by reason of the going downe and climbing vp againe of the ditch. Now séeing that matters of verye great importance are sette before wyse Chiefetaynes, as the glorie of their armies, Em­pyre, the safetie of their subiectes, and all humane felicitie, they oughte to be moste circumspecte in all things that doe appertayne vnto their honour, and the safetie of their peo­ple, and to prouyde and foresée that those things whiche are profitable and good for them, if that they cannot gette them­selues, yet then at the least to be sure that they suffer not their ennimie to haue them, bicause that the commodities of the ennimie, doe redounde vnto their calamities. For the whiche effecte, the natures and dispositions bothe of hys owne souldiours, and of the ennimies are to be knowen, their counsayles and deuyses to be learned oute, their wea­pons and martiall furniture to be vnderstoode, and their arte in setting their men in araye, and the nature of the place muste be viewed: of the whiche things if that anye one be not well knowen, or neglected, oftentimes it bryngeth all the [Page 252]whole state into verye great daunger. For there is nothing so perillous as an hoste aranged in battel against the nimie, for a ve­ry light matter, yea and a very small and vaine false rumour may make them to turne their backes, and flée. But to returne vnto the battell, the Frenchmen as they are of nature prone to fighte, and readie to aduenture all warrelike daungers to winne glorie: being nothing at all stayed with the difficultie of the ditche, goe downe into it for to giue the onset on the Emperials. The auant­garde, and specially the foremost rankes which consisted of the most chosen bandes of the whole armie, was put to flight. The difficultie of this ditch tooke the victorie almost out of the handes of the Frenchmen, and gaue it without bloude vnto the Emperi­als: although that the Frenchmen charging the Emperiall Ita­lians, had defeated the left wing. Then the Marques fearing least that all his battels would haue the like yll hap, mounting on his horse, got him vnto an hill on the backe of all the hoste, where he might sée in what state his armie stoode. But anon after when he sawe the French battell that had discomfited his left wing, be­ing enclosed rounde by the Spaniardes, the Almaines, and the Flo­rentines to be defeated, and chiefly through the valor of the Spani­ardes, who fought worthily that daye, he returned againe vnto his men, to incite them to fight. Thus the most flourishing armie of Strozzi, y^e which a litle before was a terror vnto all Tuscan, the which houered ouer the walles of the citie of Florence, the which threatened slaughter, captiuitie and fire vnto all the townes of the Florentine Duchie, was in shorte time ouerthrowen and de­stroyed, the Italians fléeing, and the horsemen being discomfited, afflicted, and put to flight through that ditche, whereby it maye plainly appeare in howe slipper a place mannes state standeth, which is subiect vnto frayle and fickle Fortunes pleasure. But whereas in all matters it is conuenient, that men placed in chief charge auoyde errors and dotings, then most specially in marti­all affaires, in whome, yea a small error of the Chiefetaine doth drawe with it the ruines of Cities and Countries. There were slaine in this battell about foure thousande men, and manye also were killed with intollerable heate, and manye stifled for thirst, [Page 253]and they for the greatest part were Frenchmen and Switzers. For the fielde was foughten the seconds of August. There were taken about an hundreth ensignes of footemen and horsemen, and diuers field péeces. There were also taken prisoners by the Em­perials two thousande of the enimies. There were slaine of men of the greatest marke, the Lorde VVale [...]o [...], the Colonell of the Switzers, with all his petie captains & ensignebearers, Reuer [...]ce y^e colonell of the Almaines that were with the Switzers, & Iohn Benti­nogli. Of French captaines, Cablas, Conbasse, & Iohn de Ville. Many of the Italians Captaines & all the Captaines and Ensignbearers of the Almaines There were also taken Seignour Forques Galeazzo Bentiuogli, Earle of Gaiazzo, Paule Orsini, Turchett [...] Agabito, and Bartholomewe Murena, and many Captaines and Ensignebearers. But Strozzi himselfe, and Aur [...]li [...] Fregoso, a man of great autho­ritie and nobilitie, escaped to Monte Aleino, but yet wounded with shot. After this ouerthrowe, the greatest part of the townes of the Senese territorie yéelded, and anon after, the citie of Sene it selfe, when the Citizens coulde holde out no longer for famine.

WHen Emanuell Philibert Duke of Sau [...]y, Lieu­tenant Generall for Philip the king of Spaine, bes [...]eged the towne of Saint Quintines in Ver­mandois, with thirtene thousande horsemen, fortie thousande footemen, and eyght thou­sande Pioners. Henrie the second, the French king, being moued with the daunger of the towne which was vnprouided of men, munition, and victuals, to withstande so great a power, sent Montmorencie the Constable [Page 254]with an armie wherein was almost all the nobilitie of France, and twentie thousande footemen, and foure thousande horse­men, and twentie péeces of ordinance, to reléeue the towne with men, munition, & all other things néedefull. The Constable be­ing come within xv. miles of the towne, sent before ij. M. horse­men, who after they had vaunted themselues about noone vnto the enimy on a smal hill, they cōmanded certaine to trie the foord of y^e riuer which they must passe, y^e which was so narrow, y^e not aboue vj. horsmen could passe ouer at once: but in other places they could not passe the riuer for y^e gards of the Spaniards. Whē the Duke of Sauoy vnderstoode that the Frenchmen had founde the foorde, he sent a great number of harquebusiers to kéepe it. But the thirde day after, which was the feast of S. Laurence, the same horsemen but many mo in number, with many footemen, shewed themselues againe vnto the Spaniardes, who coulde not by reason of the iniquitie of the place, perceyue what number they were: but the Frenchmen determined to passe ouer y^e riuer, hauing brought with them for that purpose small boates & brid­ges. The French ordinance began to shoote off vpon the Spani­ardes, & not without their great dammage, and the boates began to take the water, to transport the French souldiours, whome the Spanishe harquebusiers, vnto whome was sent a freshe sup­plie of foure hundreth, did much annoye. Then the Duke also determined to passe ouer the riuer, (the which was thrée miles from the towne) and to fight with the enimie, after that he had by very faithfull espyes learned the number of the Frenchmen. Wherefore the matter being communicated with the Conte Egmont, who was one of the chiefe of the nobilitie of the lowe Countrie for landes, birth, and authoritie, and also not vn­skilfull in Martiall affayres, and with other of the nobilitie, it was resolued that this present occasion should not be let slip, sée­ing that their enimie was inferiour vnto them both in number and strength, Egmont was commaunded to passe ouer the riuer with one thousande horsemen of Burgonions and Spaniardes, and Ernest and Ericke Dukes of Brunswicke shoulde backe him with their two thousande and v. hundreth horsemen: after whom the [Page 255]Conte Mansfeld followed with eyght hundreth Pistolets, and then the Conte Horne with one thousande men men of armes of Gel­ders, and with him about a thousande of other men of armes of diuers bandes, passed ouer the riuer, and also some light horse­men, so that they were in all about seauen thousand horsemen. They were not so soone ouer the water, but Egmont ranged hys souldiours against the Constable, who was come thither to di­uert the Spaniardes, and to molest them with skirmishes, vntill that in another quarter reliefe might be sent into the towne, for that was the Constables intent, the which when he had done, he determined to retire backe in araye of battell, and to saue himselfe through the benefite of the hilles. And in déede by this skirmishing with the Spaniardes, he opened oportunitie vnto thrée hundreth footemenne to enter the towne: but when he sawe that Egmontes horsemen, and afterwarde the whole armye were passed the riuer, he beganne to drawe backe by little and little towardes the hilles, skirmishing with the Spanishe lyghte horsemenne, who indeuoured to hinder their flight, vntill that all the Spanishe horsemenne were come, and all the footemen had passed ouer the riuer. When the French men had giuen backe a little waye, they were forced by the imminent daunger to staye, and to set their men in aray of bat­tell: But Egmont who saw that assured victorie was offered him, after that he had stayed a little while, not thinking it good to o­mit the present occasion, gaue a charge vpon the greater troupe of the French horsemen with incredible valor, being backed by the Dukes of Brunswicke with one thousande pistolets, he admo­nisheth Ernest Duke of Brunswicke, whom the Earley of Horne, Mau [...]felt, and Hochstrat shoulde followe, to giue the charge on an other troupe of two thousande Frenche men of armes. Ernest with surpassing courage ranne vpon the French troupe, who mette him with lyke fortitude and constancie of heart, and at the firste susteyned the Spanishe force with so greate prowes, that they had almost put them to flight. Thus they fought very fiercely on both sides, and manye were slaine, but at length the Frenchmen being ouercome by the number of panish horsemen [Page 256]that still encreased, were forced to retire vnto their footemenne by little and little, but when Egmont and the rest of the nobi­litie followed them fiercely, they came vnto the footemen, who standing close togither in thicke Esquadron, strongly susteyned the shocke of the Spaniardes. When that the fight had bene long time doubtfull, the Duke of Sauoy, sent a freshe troupe of horse­men, and willed Egmont: to giue a charge vpon the footemen, and not to abuse the benefite of fortune, who had offered so easie and assured victorie: for if he shoulde make any stay, he thought that thereby the victorie woulde slide awaye, and be wrested out of their hande, bicause that the enimie having by theis meanes lei­sure graunted them, might gather togither, and relye their strength, and c [...]nstr [...] their horsemen, who were almost defea­ted. When they had thus fought long, and on the one side Egmont inuaded valiantlye; and on the other, the Frenchmen resiste stoutly: at the last, the Frenchmen fledde, and reposed all hope of safetie in the switnesse of their féete, whom Egmont and the rest spéedily pursued and quite defeated all the French power. There were taken of the Frenchmen, the Constable, hurt in the thigh with a Pistolet, the Dukes of Longuile and Montpensier hurte in the heade, the Marshall of Saint Andrewe, Lewes, borther to the Duke of Mantua, Vassy, Gurton, Roth du Maine, the Ringraffe. Colo­nell of the French Lansquenets, & all these were of the order: the Conte Rochfocaul [...], the Lordes O [...]eg [...]y, two Birons, Monbrun, and Merne, (being two sonnes of the Constable) and a great number mo. Finally, about two thousand of Noblemen and Gentlemen, and of all sortes of souldiours, to a foure thousande, fiftie two en­signes of footemen, eyghtene guidons of men of armes, and xx. of light horsemen, xx. péeces of ordinance, of whom ten were batte­ring péeces, the rest field péeces, iij. C. wagons ladē with martiall furniture and prouision, with a great number of horses. There were slayne of Frenchmen, to the number of sixe thousande: a­mong whom men of great marke were Iohn Duke of Anghieu, brother vnto the king of [...]au [...]rre, the Vicont Touraine, nephewe vnto the Constable, and the Lordes Campoden [...]ie, Ey [...]ie, Galan, Plenot, Gelot, and manye other noble men. There escaped the [Page 257]Dukes of Neuers and Montmor [...]ncie, the Prince of Condie, the earle of Sanxerre, the Lorde Burdelion, and great number of other noble men. But on the Spanishe part were slayne somewhat aboue one thousande, among whom were of name Binicourt the maister of the Campe, two noble men of Germaine, and diuers other, and the Conte Mansfels was hurt in the thigh, and Monbrey in the knée. After this victorie, the Spaniardes wanne Saint Quintines, Haron, and Chastellet, and fréelye ranged about in those partes all that Sommer without any impeachment.

HOte warres continuing still betwéene France and Flanders, Henrie the French K. in Iune in Anno. 1558. sent from Calice Monsieur de Termes, a valiant and experte Captaine, one of the order, and captaine of Calice, with an armie of almost nyne thousande footemen, and a thousande and fiue hundreth horsmen to roade and wast the confines of Flanders. With this ar­mie he passing ouer the riuer of Ha, defeated a multitude of pey­sants, and certaine handes of sduldiours that went about to em­peach his passage, and then leauing Graueling and Burburg on his backe, he s [...]denly by assault tooke Lunkirke, a towne on the sea coast sixe leagues from Calice, and after he had sacked it, and left a garrison therein, he went further into the countrie, wretched­ly wasting with fire and sworde, euen vnto Newpo [...]t. To represse this [...]a [...]ing of [...]e [...], Philip. the King of Spaine, and Duke of Bur­gen▪ [...] the [...]a [...] of Eg [...]i [...] ▪ unto Flaunders, who ioyning at [Page 258] Graueling with Monsieur Binic [...]urt the Campe maister, and sen­ding for the souldiours that laye in garrison at Be [...]une, Saint O­mers, Are, Burburg, and other townes adioyning, and also re­ceyuing a supplie of souldiours from the Duke of Sauoy, Lieu­tenant generall for the King of all his lowe countries, and ar­mies therein, within fewe dayes gathered togither an armie of twelue thousande footemen, and thrée thousande horsemen, be­sides almost an infinite number of pcysants, who being enra­ged for the losse of their goodes, and wasting of their lands, floc­ked thicke and thrée folde from all partes vnto the campe, part armed, and part vnarmed. In the meane time Termes hauing drawne backe his power vnto Dunkirke, bicause he was cruelly molested with the goute, and smelling out that a shrewd turne was ment him, commaunded the armie to depart from Dunkirk, and to encampe within a leage of Graueling, that he might be the nearer vnto Calice. But as soone as he had intelligence that a great power of the enimies were sodenly gathered togither, & that Egmont was their general, he neglecting his torment of the goute, called for his horse, & rode incontinently vnto the campe, the which was pitched in a cōmodions and well defenced place. Nor long after, Egmont and Binicourt came in sight with their armie aranged in order of battell, & with haughtie harts lodged within an harquebusse shot of the Frenchmen, and with incre­dible ferocitie skirmished with thē in all quarters. Then Termes calling the Captaines togither that same night, bicause he sawe that he was farre ouermatched in number of souldiours, and he was enuironed in his enimies lande, as it were with an euclo­sure of infestuous townes, & that the power of the Burgonions did daily encrease, he concludeth to flée back vnto Calice the next day along the sea sandes when it was low water, & so to escape by the benefite of nature. At the which oportunitie, the Frenchmē, as they had before determined, came hofully vnto the mouth of the riuer of Ha, where it runneth into the sea aboue Graueling, & nowe it being low water, easily passed ouer the riuer. On the other side as soone as Egmont vnderstoode of this flight of the Frenchmen, h [...]spéedily passed ouer the riuer beneth the towne, [Page 259]that he might stoppe the passage of the fléeing enimie. This was done the xiij. of Iuly. Then he mette with the enimie on the front about Calice since, and in the sight of Graueling: Here when Termes sawe that he was intercluded from his intended iourney, he seruing the time, wholye prepared to fighte, and when the broade sealaye on the one side of him, but on the o­ther a playne without any trée, bushe, hill, or any other impedi­ment, and he coueted to haue the place of most aduantage, as much as might be, he aranged his hoste in this order: he de­flected all his armie on the right hande northward, on the which quarter the sea flowed, and therefore did well defence the one side, but on the left hande Southwarde, he did set the wagons for a trenche, and his backe was garded with the riuer of Ha. So that the Frechmen being safe on all other sides, laye o­pen vnto the Burgonions onely at the fronte, where before their rankes they placed all their ordinaunce, which were sixe Cul­nerings, and thrée Falcons, yet so, that large spaces were left betwéene for the horsemen: that by this meanes, both the or­dinance, and also the incursions of the horsemen might at once infest the enimies, both sides of which horsemen were flanked with Gascons harquebusiers. The rere warde and thirde battell consisted of Frenchmen and Lansquenettes, who stoode at the backes of the horsemen with blended rankes, Lansquenets and Frenchmen togither, that they might succour their fellowes, if that néede shoulde be. But although that Egmont had no ordi­nance (which had bene left behinde, that they might march the more spéedily) yet he not gretly forced that his enimies did ther­in ouermatch him, for he trusted chieflye in prowes and valor. He then knowing that the enimies had bewraied their feare by their premeditated flight, & that they ment to driue away with them a mightie bootie, cōmunicating his deuise with y^e captains, determineth incoutinētly to fight, least y^e Termes might else scape out of his hand by the cōming of freshe ayde, nothing regarding the cōmon Proue the: that we must not only giue way vnto our sheing enimie, but also make a want for him. Egmont encoura­ging his souldiors to fight, doth thus arange thē. He deuideth al [Page 260]the horsemen into fiue troupes, commaunding the light horse­men to ryde before in thrée troupes, of whome the Earle of Pon­teuaules a Flemming, gouerned the right wing, and Eriques a Bis­caian the left: but the middle battell Egmont reserued for him­selfe. Behinde the light horsemen followed & troupe of Reysters with Pistolets, and then a troupe of men of armes of the lowe Countrimen, a certaine space being left betwéene eyther of the battels. Then were all the footemen deuided into thrée hattels: the footemen were high Almaines, Nederlanders, whose regiment was greatest, and certaine bandes of old Spanishe footemen: they were led by their Colonels, Hilmaner of Mumchausen, Binicourt, and Caruatal The armie being thus aranged, Egmont cried out with a loude voyce, we haue vanquished: All that haue regarde of their owne prayse, or the glorie of their countrie, let him fol­lowe me, and setting their spurres vnto their horses, runne in with me among the thickest of our enimies. And sodenly as soone as he had spoken the worde, be giuing the signall, ran forth. The prepared Frenchmen doe manfullye susteyne the charge of the Burgonions, and with their ordinance commit great: slaughter in the foremost rankes, so that Egmonts borse fell downe vnder him. But the Burgonions being nothing appalled with this chaunce, va­liantly insist in their enterprise, & are caried with all their whole strength vpon the c [...]imie, by the admonishment and impulsion of Egment. Incontinently all y^e hattels on both sides joyne togither, they fight with swordes, launces, pykes, harquebusses, pystolets, halbards, & al other weapons. The troupes of horsmen encoūter one the other, & so likewise the footemen: finally they fight with handstrokes, setting foote to foote: whether this hapned by chaūce, or whether it was prouided by the industrie of the captains, cer­tes it séemed a straunge and also a marueylous thing, yea vnto those that were skilfull in martiall affaires, who did plainly say, that it had not happened in our age, that any battell was fought with such equalitie of all rankes, and orders, and weapons, and ioyned togither in such indifferent sort. Thus they fought verye sharply a long and doubtfull battell. For although the Lansque­nets stoode still, and fought not, yet the valor of the Gascons foote­men [Page 261]was so great, that they supplied the others dastardie, & with their strength susteyned almost all the brunt and force of the bat­tell: for the Lansquenets standing still, as it were men separa­ted from them, and left a certaine space of, the Gascons flewe vp­pon the vrging Burgonions, they resisted them, and with haughtie heartes receyued their anpression. The French horsemen also en­countred, but more slowly and dissolutely than their wont is, nei­ther as it became Gentlemen of their qualitie, although that ac­cording vnto the maner of that nation they were chosen men, and very well and brauely appointed with all furniturie and horses. Moreouer, whyle that they fought so valiantly, and with so great contention of heartes, that neyther partie woulde turne their fa­res, a straunge & marueylous chaunce happened: for at the same time ten Englishe shippes chaunced to sayle by, who descrying the encounter when they were in the maine sea, made towarde them, and it being full sea, came neare vnto the shore, and with their ordinance did beate the side of the French armie, the which we solde you before, lay full vpon the sea. The French men be­ing dismayed with this sodeyne chaunce, began to be in greate feare, distrusting that mo shippes woulde come vnto them. But on the other side, the Burgonions pressed the more instantly, & when they had defeated the horsemen, anon after they also disordered the footmen, and so at the last quite ouerthrew and defeated all the whole French power, not without great honour generally of all orders, but chiefly of the light horsemen, and particularly of Eg­mont, who deserued the high commendation both of a wyse chief­taine, and also a valiant souldiour, through whose approued no­ble courage, and valiant heart that notable victorie was chiefly gotten, but yet so that the rest of the Captaines deserued singu­larprayse, as Monsieurs Binicourt, Renty, Rues, Enriques, Ponte­uauls, Font [...]ynes, Hilmaner of Munichausen, and Caruaial. On the other side Thermes who had the ouerthrowe, is reproued of many for carelesnesse & also slouth, for that he had ouerlong deferred his returne, and had not at the least remoued his campe the night be­fore the fatall fielde: for the report was, that he of couetousnes [...]eking to get a very rich bootie of the spoyle of Flaunders, did [Page 262]pretermit a fit oportunitie of frée regresse: But some doe af­firme that he stayed in Flaunders by the Kings commaunde­ment, to whome, the rumor was, that the King had appoynted to sende aydes. But howsoeuer the matter was, doubtlesse Termes erred in this, that he suffered himselfe to be intercluded by that meanes, and after a sort to be oppressed. But of the number of the slayne, there were diuers reportes, as it al­wayes happeneth in the bruites of the people: but we dili­gently enquiring the truth, haue hearde of men most worthye of credite, and of those souldiours that were present at the bat­tell, that there was a publike note taken of about one thou­sande fiue hundreth slayne in the battell. But of them that fledde, farre the moste were slayne by the peysantes, who had gotten them into the streyghtes, through which the discomfi­ted Frenchmen did séeke to escape. Besides the greate slaugh­ter, foule ignomie also happened vnto the Frenche men: for the Flemmishe women as well of the townes as countrie, lyke Lacedemonian viragoes, assembled togither in great troupes, and when they metts with a French man, they woulde rayle vpon him for that he had wasted Flaunders, spoyled their townes, and burnt their houses, and when one of them coulde not kill him, manye of them woulde flée vpon him, and piti­fully teare him with their nayles, or beate him well and thrifti­ly with their Distaues. That in the meane time they maye be wrapped in déepe silence, whome eyther the riuer swallowed vppe, or the sea and tyde ouerwhelmed. But the English men leauing their shippes at anker, rowed in the long Boates vnto the shore, and tooke alyue about two hundreth of those Frenchmen that swimmed in the sea, whō although they might haue drowned, yet moued with swéetenesse of glorie, they did take vp into their Boates, that thereby they might as it were partakers and helpers of that hattell, be able to shewe at home in Englande sure witnesses of so famous a victorie: the whiche few they hauing gotten of many, did vnto their ignomie trans­port into their coutrie, as it were for a triumph. Moreouer, of those that being intercluded from flight, were taken prisoners, [Page 263](of wh [...]e there were a great number) these are numbred for the chiefe: first of all, the Lorde Termes the Generall of the ar­mie and Captaine of Calice, who had receyued a grieuous wounde, not onely in his fortune, but also in his bodie, and with him the Lordes Danebault Villebon, and Simarpont, and ma­nye other menne of verye good qualitie, whome for breuities sake we doe passe ouer in silence. Moreuer, they lost all their ensignes, ordinance, munition, bagge, and baggage, and all the furniture of the campe, and also all the bootie that they had gotten in Flaunders fell vnto Egmont and the Burgonions. There [...] slaygie on Egmont his part fine hundreth and not aboue. But among them was Monsieur de Pelew a noble manne of the lawe countrie, with some number of horsemen and footemen that were of great marke, and accounted among the chiefe. Those thrée handes whome we tolde you Termes had placed in Lunkinke, when that he departed vnto the campe, he commaun­ded to sacke and sire the towne, and streyghtwaye to followe him, the which they did, but being intercluded by the victors Burgonions, they were slayne euery man. This noble victorie no doubte did muche represse the insolencie and ferocitie of the Frenchmen, that then had a great power in the Duchie of Luxenburg, and made the French king verye glad to incline vnto peace, the whiche did take effecte within fewe moneths after.

WHen that the furious ciuil warres in France for religion, brake out in Anno domini. 1562. the Prince of Conde Generall for the resor­med religion, marched into Normandie to ioyne with the English arme that their was landed at Newe hauen, to empeach the whiche purpose, the power of the contrarie faction vnder the conducte of Anna Montmorencre the Constable, hasted from Paris, and came with greate armies into the [...]erriforie of Dreux, where Conde also had stayed: and the two armies lodged within two leagues one of the other. The Catholickes had cho­sen a commodious place to lodge in, being neare vnto the towne of Dreux, wherein they had a garrison, and vnto diuers villages, and also vnto a woode, which was good for all sodeine defences of vncertaine euent. There lay betweene both their campes, a long and euen playne, onely in one part there was a little valley be­twéene them. When Conde sawe that his ennimies were come so neare vnto him, he consutting with his associates what was to be done, determined to giue them battell, that the ende of the whole matter being committed vnto the prouidence of God, the long lingering calamities of the warres might be more spée­dily ended. And yet his enimies did farre ouermatche him in foote­men, for they had sixe and twentie thousande, whereas the Conde had scarce eleuen thousande, but it was partlye recompenced in his horsemen, he hauing almost foure thousande, where his eni­mies had but thrée thousande. The next morning a little afore eyght of the clocke, the Prince brought forth all his armie, the [Page 265]which he had so aranged, that the horsemen wherein he was the stronger, should be in the foremost rankes: he himselfe ledde the battell with Rochfocault, taking to him certaine light horsemen of Cureys his companie, and placing on the one side of him the cor­nets of horsemen ledde by Mony and Auarell, and on the other side certayne cornets of Reysters. But the auntgarde was garded by Chastillion the Admirall, with the Prince of Porcien, setting close vnto them two troupes of horsemen consisting of certaine cornets. Then followed a strong battallion of Lansquenets, and fiue hundreth loose shot, whome they doe call Enfans perdus, who marched a little before the battallion. Then was there placed a strong Esquadron of xxiij. ensignes of French footemen to garde the great ordinance, and this Esquadron was guarded with a wing of Reystres. Thus Conde went towardes the enimie in aray somewhat broade & déepe. But his enimies were redy aranged in this order: the Duke of Guise led the one wing of the auantgarde with a strong troupe of horsemen, nere vnto whō stoode two Es­quadrons of Spaniardes footemen, and of Frenche footemen, olde souldiours with fouretene péeces of ordinance, and the Marshall of Saint Andrewes guided the other wing with a strong troupe of horsemen, and was garded on the one side with a battallion of Lansquenets, and on the other with a battallion of horsemen. Of the maine battell the Constable led one wing with a strong troupe of horsemen, neare to whome were placed a battallion of seuentene ensignes of French footemen, whome there followed xxij. ensignes of Switzers, with eyghtene péeces of greate ordi­nance, the other wing his soune Danuille ledde, with a strong troupe of horsemen. Thus stoode the battels of the Catholikes in grat length, on a row, here footemen and there horsemen being still interserted. The Admirall stoode ouer right against the Con­stable, and Conde against Danuille and the Switzers, but no bodie a­gainste Guise and the Marshall of Saint Andrewes, who were in the auantgarde. Conde first gaue commaundement that the souldiours shoulde be present at diuine seruice, and that being ended, he ryding about vnto the rankes, abhorted them to con­stancie and confidence: and hauing thus prepared their heartes, [Page 266]he gaue the signall, and he himselfe, Curey going before with the light horsmen) charged vpon the Switzers in that part where he sawe they were bared of horsemen, and strongly brake tho­rowe them, Rochfocault in the meane time standing still. The Switzers at the first stoutly susteyned the charge, partly through the power of their ordinaunce, and also the strengthe of their owne weapons, but yet through the thicke hayle of the shotte; they began to giue grounde, and anon after not being able to beare the force of the horsemen their Launces brake their aray, and forsooke the great ordinance, and were scattered, the Conde­ans raging with great slaughter. And almost at the same momēt the Admirall charged the Constable, and in the meane time the vpper troupes of the Reysters ryding vnto Danuils troupes, skir­mished with their pistolets. Whē Conde had with great slaugh­ter defeated and put to flight the Switzers, he gaue a charge on the next battallion of French footemen, and breaking throughe their rankes, discomfited and put them to flighte. But there was a furious fighte betwéene the Admirall and the Consta­ble: but at length the Constable his men begaune to shrinke backe, and after that the Constable being wounded in the face with a Curtelace, and sore bruised with small shot of pistolets, was taken, they fledde, the Admirall and Conde pursuing them. But whyle that Conde his horsemen, were busied in pursuing of the enimie, the French and Almaine footemen were left na­ked, which Danuill espying, charged vpon the Almaine footmen, who fledde at the first sight of the enimye, towardes a village called Blinuill. Then a strong troupe of Guises horsemen gaue a charge on the French footemen, and brake their araye, and quyte defeated them at the first shocke, taking the ordinaunce, and committing great slaughter, yet when that diuers of the Frenche footemen fought couragiouslye, manye of the Guisian horsemen were slayne. Moreouer Danuill séeing Conde his horse­men to be disordered and dispersed by pursuing the Switzers, and the Constables troupes, charged vpon them, & wounding the Conde with a Pistolet, and vnhorsing him, did take him pri­soner. When the Admirall sawe his fellowes fléeing in all pla­ces, [Page 267]and also the Reysters giuing backe vnto a woode in a thicke troupe after their guyse, that when they had recharged their Pistolets, they might lustily altogither recharge the ennimie, (the which vsage of theirs being vnknowen vnto manye, did put them in greate feare, they suspecting them to flée) and finally when he perceyued that all the Condeans were nowe in dispayre bicause that Conde was taken prisoner, he was verye pensife, namely when he saw thrée mightie troupes of horsmen of the auantgard of the enimie (wysely reserued by Guise for the last brunt) to make towardes him. In these troupes were the Marshall of Saint Andrewe, the Dukes Daumall and of Neuers, and other noble men: but they saye that the Duke of Guise stoode still with other bandes that had not yet foughte, for to beholde the ende of the battell: then the Idmirall spéedilye relying all the Frenche and Almaine horsemen that he was able to make, and also by the returne of those Reisters that I sayde went aside vnto the woode, their heartes being confirmed, stoutlye susteyned the charge of their enimies. Then there beganne a sharpe encounter, bothe sides figh­ting full suriouslye (their heartes being constantlye sette to murther one another) with almoste equall fortune: yet the Guisians gaue grounde, and by little and little drewe backe, and more grieuous had bene the fighte, namelye the souldiours of Conde being chased, if that the nighte had not parted them, who were wearied with long labour of fighte. Both partes caused the retire to be sounded, and returned vnto their Campes. The Admirall for lacke of horses lefte foure fielde péeces behinde him. In this laste encounter were slayne the Marshall of Saint Andrewes with a Pistolet after he was taken, Monbrun the Constables sonne, the Lorde Piennes, the grand Prior, one of the Guises, two Brosseys, Giures, Anneboult, and a greate number of other of the Nobilitie, Daum [...]ll was grieuouslye hurte, and also Neuers who died there­of, and manye other, and an hundreth of the nobler sorte were taken prisoners, and also certaine of the order, as Beau­ [...]ay [...], Ro [...]fort, [...]t. Of the faithfull or Protestantes Mouy and [Page 268]diuers other noble men and Captaynes were eyther taken or slayne. God so mode rated the euent of so great a battell, that nei­ther part coulde be sayde eyther to haue wonne, or to haue lost the fielde: for on the part of the faithfull, was Conde the patron of the cause taken, and on the Catholikes their side, the Constable was taken, and the Marshall of Sains Andrewes slayne. And as the faythfull flewe a greate number of the Catholikes their foote­men, so did the Catholikes of the faithfull their footemen: but mo horsemen were slayne on the Catholikes part, and also foote­men, for of the xxij. ensignes of the Switzers few were saued. but Conde his losse was more difficill to be borne and repaired: but Guise being better furnished for the warres, had great incommo­ditie by the losse of so many great Captaines and noblemen, as were there slayne & taken. This battel was fought the xix. of De­cember. The Admirall gathering togither his power, returned vnto Orleans, and the Guise vnto Paris, eyther of them to repayre their sore weakened armies.

ANno 1576. Lewes of Burbon Prince of Conde, the Admirall, Iaspar Lorde Chastilion, and other their confederates doubting their safetie, and sodenly leuying a power, sought to famishe Paris, whi­ther the King was fled from Meaulx: but Mont­morencie the Constable as soone as he had recey­ued power from all partes, issued out of the Citie of Paris, to fight with the Confederates or Protestants, who were encam­ped [Page 269]at the towne of S. Denys, the which is a place renoumed for the Coronation of the French Kings, and the rich and excellent tombes of many Kings that doe lie buried in the Abbey of that towne. A little from it on the right side is Saint Ouin, as on the left the village of Auberuilliers. The Prince lodged at S. Denys, making the forme of a battell, the Admirall at S. Ouin, and Ienlis at Auberuilliers with their retinues, to be vnto the Prince as it were two auantgardes. More vpon the right hande towardes Paris standeth a house of religion called Montmortre on an hill. Betwéene Paris and Saint Denis (which are two small leages one from the other) there lyeth a great and large playne, so euen and vncumbred, that one may sée from the one ende of it vnto the o­ther. This playne is as it were deuided into two parts by a long and large causey which leadeth streyght from Paris to S. Denys. Close vnto Saint Denys on the side of the Causey as one goeth to­wardes Saint Ouin, there is a great quarter assigned for to kéepe a great fayre in, it is called Landit, where there standeth a Chap­pell which serued the Protestantes to place the Corps du garde of Saint Denys, as the Catholikes had theirs at a place called la Chappelle, as one goeth out of Paris. The Catholikes had in their armie of horses of fight (I doe not account them that serued but only for a number and shewe) thrée thousand, and foure score en­signes of footemen, which might amount vnto eyghtene thousand men. Two thirdes of the Catholike horsemen were companies of men of armes and the ordinances of his maiestie. Fewe light horses, and no harquebusiers on horsebacke at all. The men of armes (which were the two thirdes of all the horsemen) were mounted and armed to the aduantage, the men in complete har­nesse, and their horses all barded, and caparaconned with chan­sraines, and the horsemen in steade of little Pistolets many bare with their Launce a Pistole, and some a masse of armes, but most were onely Launces. The light horsemen were well horsed, and wore on their heade a Sallet, Bourguignomie, or other suche habilliment, with a Cairasse hause, colbracates, long tassettes, Gantlets, and a case of Pistolets at the Pummell of his Saddle, with a tocke or Coutelas hanging at his side. The enfignes and [Page 270]guidons of the men of armes were charged with crosses, as al­so were the ensignes of the footemen, to make a diuersitie be­twéene them and those of the Protestants. The footemen were deuided into thrée grosse battallions (except those harquebusiers which rested at the Chappell, and those that flanked certayne companies, which made the left of the Constable) who mighte amount vnto fiftene or sixtene thousande men. One battallion was of sixe thousande Switzers, Pykemen, whose thicke and close hedge doth well dare to abyde the shocke of the strongest horsemen of the worlde, except the furie of the men of armes of Fraunce, armed and barded as aforesayde, who haue often ti­mes broken and defeated them. They were armed with a bour­guignoune, a Cuirass [...], furnished with a gorget, tassets, long bracats, and gantlets, and manye had sléeues of mayle, also the thrée regiments of French footemen were no otherwise armed, vnlesse it were the harquebusiers, who had nothing but a Mori­on, for the most part of them (but the chiefest had Cuirasses on their backs) for to be the more nimble & light for to skirmishe. Their white crosse distinguished them from the Protestants, and they namely those that were light armed as harquebusiers, wore a mandile, or such another habite marked with a number of white crosses, that they might not be taken for the Confede­rates. But the Protestants had not aboue halfe their armie at Saint Denys, for Dandelot and Montgommerie were sent to take Poissy and Ponthoise, la Nouè to take Orleans, and the Conte de la Rochfoucault and Mouye were gone againste the troupes that were leuied for them in Guien and Poitou, to safe conducte them to the Campe: all which things being knowne vnto the Con­stable, made him to haste that he myghte take the profite of this aduauntage. But of the fouretene or sixtene hundreth horsemen of the Protestantes, not one was armed with all péeces, both bicause they dislodged hastilye at the commaunde­ment of the Prince, as also for the weakenesse of their horses, who were almost all Curtalles, and suche like base horses, so that there was not one harded or caparaconned, but they were armed like light horsemen, the two thirdes of them hauing on­ly [Page 271]a helmet, or bourguignonne, a gorget, a euirasse, bracats, tas­sets, gantlets, & a couple of Pistolets, and after they had shot off them, they woulde set their hande vnto their tocke and Coute­las. The Cassockes of the Protestantes were white, begarded with such colours, as the deuise of the Captaine did demaund. All their footemen were harquebusiers well inough furnished, the third part of whom had a Morion for all their defence, with a white scarfe for to discerne them from the Catholikes: they also had their Ensignes of diuers colours beguarded with the deuise of the Captaine, in lieu of a crosse which the Catholikes bore. Now I come to declare the intents and purposes of y^e two Chieftaines of the armies. The Constable seeing the small nū ­ber, and the yll assured lodging of the Protestantes, resolued to fight with them. And bicause he sawe that Saint Ouin and Au­beruilliers were the defences of Saint Denys, not once thinking that the confederates woulde be so bolde as to come into the fielde, considering their small number, and to make heade vnto so great an army as followed him, and specially séeing that they had not one Canon (bicause that since they tooke the fielde, they had not anye towne that coulde furnishe them) determined to driue the Protestantes out of those two villages into Saint De­nys, and there to besiege them, and make them yéelde at hys pleasure. In verye déede the Protestantes woulde rather haue refused (if they had bene assured of their comming) than haue accepted the battell: but bicause they had intelligence but in the morning, that the footemenne were issued out of Pa­ris, and that the Constable was resolued to dislodge, necessitie to saye the truth more than good will, broughte them to the fighte, the which they woulde haue presented, if that Dandelot and Montgommerie had bene there with their bandes, who then laye before Poissy, yet neuerthelesse they were resolued in no case to gyue the charge before it were towardes the Eue­ning, if it coulde be possible, both as well for to couer and the better to fauour their retraite, if they shoulde be pursued, as also by so doing, to take awaye from the Catholykes the felicitie of an entier victory and iourney: and finally that in [Page 272]the meane time Dandelot who had bene sent for, might haste with all diligence to be there in time. Vpon this generall resolution the Constable issued out of Paris, and leauing the Chappell, whi­ther he sent a good number of harquebusiers, marched with his armie streyght vnto the villette, for to stretche out his armie in length for to take the commoditie of the field, and to stande more like vnto an hedge, than any thing else. On the left side where­of he did set the battallion of the Switzers, flanked with a good number of Frenche harquebusiers, and all these stoode for to as­sure fouretene péeces of artillerie which he had placed in y^e mouth of Auberuilliers, towarde the which he made the most part of his armie to turne heade: he encamped a regiment of horsemen on the left side of the Switzers, and did set before them one greate troupe of horsemen, as it were to couer them, the Captaine of the which troupe was Mareschall Montmorencie his eldest sonne. He had on his lefte side the regimentes and companies of the Dukes of Nemours, Longueuille, y^e Conte de Rez, Chauignie, de Tho­ree, Lansac, and many other: close to the whiche companies stoode one good troupe of harquebusiers on foote. Behinde those horse­men, and towardes the Chappell was the regiment of footemen of the Parisians, who did all glister almost with armour, Pykes, and Halbardes, and did hide the left side of the armie Catholike, the middle and the principall force whereof did the Switzers and the Constable make. On the right side of the Switzers were the regiments of the Conte Brissac, and Strozzi On the right side more higher, did the companies of the Mareschall Cossé, Biron, y^e Vicont de Auchy, la Riuiere, and diuers other which stoode more neare to Auberuilliers, shewed themselues: behinde whome more lowe than the villet or small towne, stoode the Duke de Aumaule, and Mareschall de Anuille, assisted on both sides with two troupes of horsmen, as it were for the assurance of the Switzers, & the French footmen. But now we will shew the disposition of the armie Pro­testant. When that the Prince had intelligence vpon a sodayne, that the Catholikes were issued out of Paris, drawing with them the artillerie, he well knewe that the daye woulde not passe with­out fight. And therefore all the companies being aduertised, came [Page 273]into the fielde, being fully resolued for to accept the fight if they were forced, although that their fellowes were not come, and stretched out themselues (which thing only rested for them to do) in this forme. As their armie had bene deuided before that time into thrée partes, so they nowe also made thrée troupes. The Admiral being assisted with Clermont of Ambois, his two sonnes, Renty, and six cornets of horsemen, and with foure hundreth har­quebusiers on foote, who followed the horsemen, and were led by Valefeniere, placed himselfe aboue Saint Ouin, as it were for to co­uer and defende his lodging right in the face of those that garded the side of the Constable. To the same ende Ienlis being accom­panied with Lauardin, Vardes, Bressant, Besancourt, & v. or vj. cornets whom thrée hundreth footmen harquebusiers folowed for to helpe them at the pricke of the charge, made the other horne, and the forme of a left auantgarde, before his lodging at Auberuilliers, (against the whiche they sawe that the Catholikes had made heade, and bent the greatest force of their armie) directly against Biron and the rest before mentioned. To preuayle the better a­gainst whome, they had made a ditche from Auberuilliers, euen vnto a Windmill, which is betwéene the village, and the villet, the which ditch, and the Windmill it selfe, they had filled with manye of the beste harquebusiers that they had, for to salute them that woulde come to séeke them. The Prince of Conde, the Cardinall of Chastillon, Sechelles, (who vnder title of Lieutenant conducted the companie of the Duke of Angieu) with the two Vidames of Chartres and of Amiens, the Contes of Saux, and of la Suze, of Esternay, Brouchauanes, and Stuart accompanied with certaine Scots, with foure hundreth harquebusiers, stoode lower informe of the battayle couering Saint Denys, and all that runne behinde the crosse which is vpon the causey, and the Chappell of Landet, right in the face of the Constable, and of them that were before him: All the Cornettes stoode along in a rowe lyke vnto an hedge, and their horses were ranged front to front, in such forme as they ment to fight. The cause of this aray (it may be so) was lacke of men to make an entier battallion, or bicause it is most ordinarie among the Frenchmen, who vse the Launce: [Page 274]or to thende they might charge altogither, and not one tarye behinde an other as most doe in battallions. The footemen were deuided into thrée troupes, as they were before, and they cari­ed no ensignes, but being all harquebusiers, they serued for Enfans perdus, who as the most assured and resolute to fighte, doe beare death engrauen vpon their foreheades, as well for themselues, as for those that they first attach. These harquebu­siers followed good and neare vnto the horsemen, but when it came vnto the poynt that they shoulde go vnto the charge, they shoulde aduaunce themselues forth before vpon the sides for to shoote right and with assurance vpon the first of the Catholikes, that would ioyne with the Protestants, as you shall heare. So that the disposition of their armie was in the forme of a Moone, more than of any thing else, if that their companies had bene ioyned togither, & had stoode nearer and closer one vnto another. But as I told you before, they were deuided into thrée parts, of whom the troupes of the Admiral and Ienlis made as it were the two hornes of the Croisant, whereof the battell of the Prince made the but or bottome, and the middes was stronger than the endes, who not hauing so many Launces & horsmen were more cleare, thin, and lesse furnished of men. They had all their forces in the fielde, for thinking that none coulde come vnto S. Denys, but that they muste firste defeate them who couered their lod­gings, they left none there, but their Pikemen and Holbarders, who not being inowe in number, and sufficient for to make a battallion of Pykes in that playne, they would haue to remaine in the towne for to garde the baggage, and the Ensignes of the harquebusiers. Neyther was it long before that a skirmish was attached on the side of Auberuilliers. The artillerie beganne to thunder, and was shot off foure V [...]lees, but did little harme: yet some died thereof dismembred, and other were so hurt that they cursed them all their life after: the skirmishe is reenforced, the space betwéene the troupes is now couered with the horsemen that flée about to the taking, y^e ruine, & the death one of another: his is it that causeth some to turne the noses of their péeces for [...]o shoote right on the battel, this is it that makes Ienlis (when he [Page 275]saw that the light attaches waxed still hoter and hoter, and en­creased euery moment, fearing that the Catholikes would not charge his troups in grosse (to go vnto the Prince to demaūd of him if he were not of y^e aduise that he might charge according to the occasion & estate of the skirmishe. But as he returned with permission to do it, he sawe that Vardes was in fight. For the chiefe Captaine séeing that the Catholikes augmented their number vpon the skirmishers, had no sooner made them to re­tire, but that two companies marched for to ouerrunne them. Then was he constrayned to take part, to range and close togi­ther his men as well as he coulde, and hauing desired them not to breake their araye, and to charge with might and mayne, and to entersuccour one another, he auaunced apace for to receyue the Catholikes, who chaunging their pace into a trot, reen­countred them with such furie, that the most assured made their Launces to flée into shiuers, the other that coulde not assigne so right, péerced the bodies of the horses: all in generall came vnto the Pistoles and Coutelas, which hasted death to aboue fiftie in that first charge, and there were a good many moe hurt that fought not after, namely by reason of the pellets which the harquebusiers that were in the trench made to rayne vpon them that first came to attach Vardes, who perceyuing that he shoulde not be long able by reason of his small number to stande vp a­gaynst the Catholikes that came to renforce their first men, re­tired by little and little for to rallye his men with the helpe of the ditche, out of the which came such a strong salué of harque­busses, that many made conscience for to approche neare vnto it. At the same [...]yme Ienlis (who had assured the rest of his fel­lowes, that he had lefte the Prince and the Admirall (who were readye vpon the poynte to go vnto the charge) fullye re­solued to die all of them before that the Catholikes should gaine vpon them one foote of grounde, and lesse of honour) encoura­ged them so much, that without making any oration (but only going before his troupes as guide [...]he was folowed of them all: after that he had made the harquebusiers to come forwarde, who being assured by the countenaunce of their horsemenne, [Page 276]woulde méete in the face the foremoste of the Catholikes that woulde present themselues, who (no otherwise than the noble Greyhounde doth growe in courage for the first pinche that he hath giuen vnto the chafed beast, and as you sée the gentle Fau­con to founder and to encourage hir selfe the more vpon a bird of praye, bicause that she hath once giuen hir a grype with hir tal­lons:) so in like maner they were allured out to the entier hazard of a iourney by the encounter of Vardes. They being all rallyed and incorporated vnder their Ensignes, had (it might be) layde on the grounde all the Cornets Protestants, if that their harque­busiers, who had nowe cleared and made thinne the formost and most strongest rankes, had not caused the courage of manye to quayle, so that they charged no more so couragiously, and there­withall to they were receyued with a resolution so harde, and reencountred with suche pertinacie, that the greatest euill fell vpon themselues. The first charge of Ienlis was more cruell than the seconde, although that the least of the thrée was verye bloudie for the death of many braue gentlemen that neuer after strake blowe with the sworde. But this is true, that neyther ob­stinate desperatenesse, nor the helpe of the harquebusiers coulde haue sure warranted them to stande vp long, séeing that the most of the forces Catholike turned into that quarter, if that the mor­tall charges of the Prince and the Admirall had not made manye to turne tayle, whilest that Ienlis and manye of his companions entertayned the fight against the hotest of the Catholikes, giuing leysure vnto them that were most wearied with so long and furi­ous a fight, to remayne quiet, and aranged in battell, and to pre­pace themselues for the first occasion that shoulde present it selfe vnto them. Nowe cast your eyes towarde Saint Ouin, and you shall sée the Admirall well forwarde, and also immediatly follo­wed by the Prince and all the rest of the armie, who would giue and receiue their part of blowes. You haue séene the good meane that the Catholikes had to preuayle with their artillerie, and howe it serued them. During the time of this great thunder, the Captaines of both armies waited for y^e time of their charge, & the cōmaundements of the Generals, namely the confederates, who [Page 277]founde the tunes of that Musicke more than verye violent, and all according with their intention, bicause they had not one Ca­non for to aunswere to that s [...]ching diuelrie, which vomited so many curses vpon them, sometime to high, and oftentimes more lowe than the gunners thought, but alwayes doing lesse hurte than the Generall Catholike desired. Herevpon the Admirall had no sooner founde his aduauntage, but that he sent to aduer­tise the Prince of all that he had marked concerning the state of the Catholikes, who stayed not long after to followe him. The Conte of Colignie made his harquebusiers to hasten their pace, and hauing made them to aduaunce themselues on his side, they serued him to so great purpose, that the reencoūter was through them much the more fortunate vnto him. At the same instant he so lustily charged the red Coates, and those troupes that were neare vnto them on the left side (who had come to séeke him) that they were not able long time to susteyne the furious pursuite, and were in the ende chaced euen vnto the Chappell. Those men that haue flight more naturall and ordinarie than resolution in such affaires, canassure you, that troupes broken and hotly pur­sued, haue no discretion and consideration of the places through which they passe for to saue the prison of the soule. This caused the greatest part of them to make waye with the force of their horses (who had their sides scorched) through the Parisian bandes, whome they very much brake, and also much more affrighted, so that they were not able long time after to reassure them oute of the trembling & feare of Saint Denys. And not onelye the footemen were discouraged, but also many of the braue horsmen had aug­mented the number of the other companies. Vpon this the Ma­reschall Cossé séeing those of Ienlis his regiment to retire by little and little (after that he had appoynted certaine companies for to make heade if they woulde begin agayne) made all the rest of his troupes to turne directlye towardes the encounter, whereof we nowe come to speake, sending one to desire the Mareschall Dan­uill and the Duke of Aumalle, to follow him to the charge which he went to giue (the which they promised him to doe) and somuch the more, for that he saw many catholikes so afrighted, that they [Page 278]disbanded themselues, and also the Protestaintes cried in that quarter, victorie, victorie, as though they had bene assured of the gaine of the fielde. In another place, and for the same oc­casion, Chauignie aduaunced himselfe, and wythoute cheape­ning, gaue into the troupe of Cleremont, who bicause he had bene sore hurt at the firste charge, woulde not susteyne the shocke, but retired with a great pace from that charge, whiche was mortall to many of the Consederates. Although that I can not expresse vnto you but one feate of armes at once, yet imagine you that all the troupes, or at the least two thirdes of them were at one tyme encountering togither to the ruine of the weaker, and the lesse happye: thinke you that the char­ges were diuers, and that in diuers places manye troupes did charge one another at once. The Prince was that same tyme in the myddes of the Catholikes: for as soone as he sawe the Admirall charge, he made his menne to departe with such di­ligence, that the harquebusiers that shoulde haue assisted him, coulde not followe, nor doe any seruice that was of aduantage vnto him. He dismarching, went directly as it were, for to ioine with the Admirall, that they might both togither charge the Constable, and those that made his left side, doubting that the Admirall alone was not able to work the effect: but he had not gone farre, but that the Mareschall de Montmorencie (who coue­red his father) made all his power to dismarche to giue him on the side, and to put his power to flight, the whiche he had without doubt done, if that certayne which had caste their eye into that quarter, had not aduertised the Prince thereof, who at the same instant, turned heade vnto all his troupes, and en­couraged them according as the tyme, and the neare being of the Catholikes woulde permit: He the Vidame of Chartres, the Cardinall of Chastillion, and many other ranne amayne vpon the Constable, while that the rest of his troupes employed them­selues to make head to y^e Mareschal de Montmorencie. Now, whi­ther bicause all the troupes of the Prince did not afronte their enimie with equall furie and pertinacie, or (the which I do ra­ther beléeue) for that the one were better susteyned than the o­ther, [Page 279]without doubt, the two charges had farre diuers euents, for the Prince marched against his part with such violence, that be euerthrowe them, being appalled with the long and feare­full flight of their companions, whome the Admirall had also before chased, and made such a hole or breach in the great bat­tallion, that the Constable being abandoned by aboue a thou­sande runne awayes, and finding himselfe hurt in the face, and enclosed and pressed to yéelde by Stuart a Scot, could not for cho­ler to sée things frame so yll, aunswere otherwise, than with blowes of his sworde, with the pummell wherof he gaue Stuart so harde vpon the Iawbones, that he coulde not a long tyme after vse them with ease when hunger pressed him to moue his téeth (two or thrée of whome leaped out of his mouth, and the rest were sore shaken and loosed:) then another Scot shot his Pistolet into the Constables reynes, bicause for féeblenesse of aboue fourescore yeares, he had put vpon his backe but only a single & light harnesse. This would haue afrighted the Switzers; thinking that they had bene abandoned by the rest of all the horsemen, of whome they sawe a great part already dismayed, and manye to retire with a great gallop, thinking that all was loste (to the foremoste and moste hardie of whome, the gates of Paris séemed not neare ynoughe,) if that the Duke of Aumalle, Mareschall de Anuille, and certayne other had not reassured them, protesting that they woulde dye be­fore that anye other euill shoulde happen vnto them, than the feare that they had alreadye conceyued. Wherewyth they were no lesse contented, than ioyfull for the well do­ing of the Mareschall de Montmorencie, who hauing a lit­tle whyle encountred with equall and incertayne shocke, cer­tayne of the Princes troupes, in the ende layde the moste as­sured and best of them on the grounde, making the reste to flée, who broughte a greate feare vnto all their footemenne; namelye, to those of the Admirall, and the Prince, who bicause they had followed them but a little waye, marched for to intertayne shirmishe with the footemenne Catholikes: but they, who otherwyse woulde not haue bene made to feare, [Page 280]being reencountred by their fléeing friendes, were entierlye and wholy broken, the horses ranne ouer manye of their bellies, who founde themselues verye much offended and gréeued with thys iourney. After this was done, euery troupe drewe into that quar­ter, where he hearde the plaintes of his Generall: for in a verye little moment euery one leauing the aduantage that he thought he had, turned face: the Catholikes to the cries of the Consta­ble, the Protestantes to the Prince of Conde, who playned of his horse, who hauing his sides trauersed with a Launce, and being hurt with diuers pellets, began to founder vnder him.

By these meanes the place of conflict was by little and little, and within short moment quite abandoned by the fighters, aswel for the hurt happened vnto both the two Generalles, as also bi­cause they all sawe that the daye declined, and was come vnto his ende, so that the browne of the night did greatly inuite them to retire. The Prince was no sooner lighted off from his horse, but that he fell downe at his féete starke deade. The Admirall re­tired from the charge, and séeing the Catholikes to runne from all partes to succour their Generall, turned towardes the troupe of the Prince, for to rallye and to deliberate vpon the rest of the iourney. But the night comming while that these things were in doing, brought an ende both to the day and the battell, which had endured little lacke of two houres. For the obscure vale of the darke, and the trauayle of so long and hote attaches, did by little and little abate the heate of the moste couragious, who all in the ende rallyed themselues vnder their ensignes. These things with the rest that are many times founde in such encoun­ters, do authorise me in that which I shal say (too to satisfie them with one word, that being maistred by I cannot tell what blinde passion, may thinke that such an ende of the fight betwéene such and so vnequall armies, is very straunge) that men resolute, and despairing of retraite, and of all other meanes than the force of their armes, and in summe, they that will make a vertue of ne­cessitie, may doe oftentimes farre more than this was.

When the Protestants sawe that they were not pursued, they conducted the Prince vnto Saint Denys, where the counsell assem­bled, [Page 281]was of aduise, that euery one of them attending the com­ming of Dandel [...] and Montgomme [...]ie shoulde retire vnto his quar­ter for to garde his lodging, and not to shewe signe nor giue oc­casion vnto the Catholikes to thinke that they were afrayde, or that they woulde refuse an other rencounter. The whiche the captaines did: vpon whom the Catholikes enterprised nothing, séeming to content themselues with the remayning maisters of the fielde, and the disposing at pleasure of all the fielde for to bu­rie their deade, and to leaue the despoyled Protestantes, and to sende the wounded to Paris. Those that were appointed to doe it, taried there vntill midnight. The Constable was borne backe wounded to death. The Conte de Chaune, Hierome de Turin, and mo than fortie other as well Captaines and chiefe, as members of companies left their liues there, whome aboue thrée hundreth other did accompanie, as wel then as afterward, leauing behind them a great multitude of hurt men. Of the Protestants, Vidame of Amiens, de Piquigny, de Saux, la Suse, Saint Andre, de Garenes, and aboue fiftie gentlemen of marke were lost, and mo than thrée hundreth other horsmē. The flight of the footmen was more nota­ble than the slaughter, although that a good many died there, but few of the Catholikes footmen. This battell was fought the x. of Nouember. The next day the Protestantes after that Dandelot & Montgomery were returned with their forces, came in aray of bat­tel, euen vnto y^e suburbes of Paris, presenting battel vnto the catho­like armie which was retired into the citie. But they accepted it not, being dismayed with the death of the Constable. But when that the Catholike power hourely encreased, and victuals fayled at S. Denys, and also they had intelligence of the comming of Cas­symire the Pfaliz graues sonne with a power of Almaines for their ayde: the Protestants dislodged from Saint Denys, the xv. of Nouember, and marched to the confines of Loreyne, to receyue the Almaines.

CIuill troubles, as it were a crée­ping contagion, attaching also the dominions of the lowe countries or base Germanie, Lewes the Earle of Nassau, brother vnto VVilliam Prince of Oranges, entred Freseland, with a power of Almaines, vnto whome within short time resorted a greate number of the inhabi­tants of the Prouince, and he tooke diuers townes thereof, among whom were Vedem, standing in the marishes, and Danuille nere vnto it, and also lying on the sea coast, whereof when that Fer­dinand Duke of Alua Lieutenant generall of all the low coun­tries had intelligence, he sent into Freseland for to stay the course of Lewes his victory, the regiment of Sardaigne, and his master of the Campe, thrée companies of the regiment of Lumbardy, thrée hundreth horsmen, Spaniards and Italians, the Conte Melga Lieu­tenant of Ghelders, with part of his owne troupes, and fiue cō ­panies of the regiment of the Conte of Aremberge, besides a M. souldiours that the Lieutenant of the Conte had assembled at the comming of the Protestantes. But this was not sufficient for to rembarre the Conte of Nassau, who daily grewe in forces for any enterprise that coulde be done agaynst him. Then the Duke sent Iohn de Lignes, Conte of Arembergue, Gouernour of Friseland and Ouerissell, and Knight of the Golden fléece, to whom he gaue one regiment of Spantards, and one of Lansquenettes, with a good number of horsemen for to chase Lodowick, betwéene [Page 283]whom was a hote skirmishe, and well interteyned.

Lodowick for to gayne the aduantage, retired to Damme. The youthes of Spayne boyling in courage, tooke it for a flight, and also pursued more couragiously: but they perceiued not the am­bush that he had prepared for them of fiftene or sixtene hundred horsemen behinde a woode, at the wings whereof he did set thrée hundreth horsemen for to trayne the Spaniards, who made a sem­blance as though they had a mynde to knowe what they were. Arembergue séeing them, hasted to gayne the bridges of the ri­uer whiche were betwéene them, with all his forces: at what time he discouered also thrée thousand footmen standing in ftrōg aray, & making shewe but of two bandes, which had deceyued him. Yet neuerthelesse, the Spaniards hauing incorporated thrée ensignes into one, & distributed the whole armie into the shewe of fiue ensignes, were so importunate on their Chiefe (and also for that time their Generall) (who bicause the thrée hundreth horsemen woulde sometimes come for warde, and prouoke thē, and at other retire againe, presumed some such thing as was in dede) and therefore was loth to fight, that they mutining, cal­led him traytor to the King, and without staying for the Conte de Megue, who was hard by them, constrained him (as our desire alwayes groweth greater in things denied) for to leade them streyght vnto the iu. C horsemen, who feygning that they reti­red for weakenesse of defence, dre we the Spaniards beyonde the Bridges: the whiche also still gaue more coulor vnto these in­considerate footmen, and made them still to aduaunce themselues further and further. But the Conte of Nassau hauing gotten the Bridges, enclosed them so straite both behinde and on the sides, that he easily fiue them welneare all.

The Conte de Arembergue, (bicause he woulde not léese anye one poynte of his reputation, defended himselfe valiant­lye, but when his horse was slayne, and he himselfe throwne downe to the grounde deade with the blowe of a Pistolet, he ended his dayes, after that he had slayne the Conte Adolph of Nassau brother to Lewes, who entred into suche furye, that hée of choler caused thrée hundreth of the [Page 284] Spaniardes to be hanged vp, although there had died twelue hun­dreth of them in fight, and so many of other. Sixe péeces of ar­tillerie, all the munitions, parte of the souldiours wages, the casket and plate of the Coute Arembergue, and all the baggage of the Campe was lost.

The Conte de Megue, and the Conte Curtie de Martinenguo, drewe neare with one troupe of horsemen, of whom Arembergue had lacke, and the bandes of the Colonels Sambergo, but being pursued by the armie victorious, they were constrayned to retire into the Groningen, the which the Protestantes sodenly besieged, battred, and enclosed in two quarters. Moreouer, they being maisters of the fielde, roded all the countrie, bicause the Spanishe forces were not vnited, but scattered through this discomfiture. But anon after Chiapino Vitelli, master of the Campe generall, assembled as manye men togither as he coulde, and encamped before Groningen, for to remoue the siege of the Protestants, the which he coulde not doe. Manye skirmishes were attached and fought. The Conte Lodowicke sent twice to Vitelli to demaunde a iourney for to ende the warres by one generall battell, the which he woulde not accorde vnto, saying that it was not yet time to fight. Also he expected the Duke of Alua, and the rest of his for­ces, of whome yet he was not well assured, séeing those of the Protestants, although that the Emperour being requested ther­vnto, commaunded Conte Lewes as he tendered his obedience and dutie, to retire, and to withdrawe his armie out of the countrie, with all possible spéede. Where vnto the Conte aunswered, that he coulde not doe it before that his brother, and the other Prin­ces and Lordes his confederates were aduertised, the which he promised to doe very shortly: yet neuerthelesse manye began to ware colde, and namely when that the goodes of certaine of the Colonels were seised and arrested by the Emperour. Yet the siege continued vntill the approch of the Duke Martiall, at what time the Conte Lodowicke brake vp the siege, hauing before sent the baggage towards Embden, breaking downe and cutting off all the bridges and passages for to hinder and stay the enimie, yet not without continuall skirmishes. The Duke hauing sent the [Page 285]horsemen of the Duke of Brunswicke into Groningen, bicause the Countrie being full of softe dirtie plashes and great vitches, is very ill for horsemen, followed the Protestants euen vnto Seclo­ten, where they made their stay. In the me [...]e tune he sent some to beate the wayes on all stoes, and for to learne out the mientes of the Conte: in the ende he vnderstoode that the Rende-von [...] was at Hieini [...]guen, whither certaine horsemen and footemen were come vnto him, there minding to staye for the Duke and his fu­rie. For the which purpose he tooke the déepe riuer of Hems for to backe him, lodging his campe in a place very strong also on o­ther partes, for he was flanked wit [...] great ditches, chanels, and riuers, and he coulde let out the water vpon the Duke and his men at ease, and had on the other side the rich towne of Embden at his backe, all the which séemed to be for his aduantage.

The Duke approched within two leages of Lodowickes ar­mie, and being resolued vpon his aduertisements, sent the Cap­taines Sanchio d' Auila, and Montero, with an hundreth Argolets or harquebusiers on horsebacke, for to attache the skirmish, and to traine him out of his fort. Besides this, he charged Iulian Ro­mero maister of the Campe to followe them with fiue hundreth harquebusiers, and thrée hundreth Muschats, who were followed by the Campe maister Sanchio de Londaiguo, with one thousande harquebusiers, appointing Cesar Gonzaga, and Martinerguo with two companies of men of armes to be on the wings of the foote­men. Alphonse de Vllua, and Dom Gonsaiuez de Bracamont conducted the rest, with charge not to depart out of their place without his expresse commaundement. In the tayle of these Spaniardes foote­men, he set sixe ensignes of Almaines, followed by fiftene compa­nies of VVallons, and after, the light horsemen three hundreth Launces, and the Cornette of Hans Vernan, all along one at the tayle of another, by reason of the nature of the countrie, for they must néedes passe in those very straite places one after ano­ther, not being able to go eyther on the one side or the other, for the ditches, chanels, and marishes, that make the countrie very troublesome, and yll to traunile.

The Conte who knewe the deliberation of the Duke, that [Page 286]he might hurt & anoy him before that they were come to gripes, sent a number of footemen and Pioners for to cut vppe and marre the passages and wayes, to the ende that the water which was pent vppe, might ouerflowe all the fielde, and ouer­whelme the Dukes armie, so that the auantcurrers had not rode long, but that they perceyued the footemen and their gard, who laboured to make a waye for the water. This caused the first skirmishe, and the begynning of the iourney. In the ende although the Pioners were forced to retire, yet beyng susteyned sodainelye by other footemen that were sent vnto them, they droue the Spaniards out of the place, who sent vnto their Generall for to demaunde certayne Pykemen and har­quebusiers, the whiche yet he refused to doe, and not with­out good considerations) he sawe that according vnto the dis­position that he had sette in his armye, euerye troupe shoulde susteyne and helpe themselues to their vttermost, and as long as they coulde for their liues, so that when the foremost were pressed, necessitie woulde sooner stirre vp their spirites for to inuent some good meane, and would sooner redouble their cou­rage for to susteyne the impressions and attempts of their eni­mies, than if they reposed themselues vpon other.) He had also fantasied the lyke at another time and place, when he thought it not good to fight in grosse with the desperate, nor to put in the hazarde of one only iourney the entier estate of his Prince, sée­ing the small assurance that he had in fortune, who doth make hir inconstancie to be séene more in déedes of armes, than anye other thing of the worlde. Wherefore a Generall ought not to fight with his whole power, vnlesse he be constreyned. Moreo­uer, he had his men in so carefull regarde, namelye after the blowe receyued at the defeate of Aremberge, that he estemed more the lyfe of one of them, than the death often enimies. And as one resolued for all euents, in case that he shoulde be forced to come to fight, his mynde was through the losse of some, not only to saue the liues of the rest, but wholy to breake the eni­mie, assuring himselfe that if the foremost would be sufficient for to ouerthrowe the enimie, that then their felowes that fol­lowed, [Page 287]would make the breach farre greater, but if they being to weake, were broken, then he persuaded himselfe that the eni­mie woulde come forth in so yll order, and out of aray for to fol­lowe the victorie, that the rest of his power would easily defeate them. On the other side, the Conte Lodowick renforced his fore­most, and commaunded them to giue in farther, assuring them that he woulde alwayes be at their héeles, and not suffer them to lacke succours, and in déede they so lustily tasted two or thrée of the foremost Spanish bandes, that the Maisters of the Campe aduertised the Duke that they were lost, vnlesse they were spee­dily succoured. Then he made the horsemen of Caesar Gonzaga Martinenguo, and certaine other troupes, to set forwarde with thrée hundreth harquebusiers, which Dom Felis de Gusman condu­cted, who came to the village where the fort of y^e recoūter was.

But as the time passed, the water ranne in, and in short time couered all the field, to the great disaduantage of the catholikes, namely of the Duke, who was thereby brought into the state to [...]oandon the grosse and greatest part of his armie to the plea­sure of fortune, specially when that he sawe himselfe sodainlye recharged with another yll hap: which was, that the ayre began to be dark, and troubled with great cloudy raines, which thret­ned the souldiours a thousand incommodities. The Duke was as much offended and chased as the souldiours, for that they must stay to fight there in the water vp to the waste, and there­withal if that it should raine, the shot (the principall force of the Spaniards) would be to no purpose, & moreouer, he had no place to retire, but for halfe a leage nor other remedie for to couer & defende himselfe, than to chase the enimie out of their forte. Whervpon he commaunded the Prior Dom Ferdinand his sonne to make all the Esquadrons to march forwarde, and he himself retired whither he thought good.

The skirmish had begū at x. a clock, & the Prior arriued there about two in the afternone, whose succours did so set on fire the courage of y^e other, that they giuing vpon all the rest of y^e Flem­mings, forced them to abandon the fort, with so great mortality, that this victorie may well he accounted equall vnto the other [Page 288]that Lewes gaue vnto Aremberge. For they gayned all the artil­lerie, and a good number of the Ensignes. The Conte Lodowicke, and Antonie de Lalain Conte de Hochstrate, who had giuen place to the Catholikes two dayes before, retired into Embden a Ci­tie subiect vnto the Earle of Aldenburg. After this, the Duke of Alua recouered all Freselande, & marched euen vnto Amsterdam in Hollande, where he caused the heades of the Captaynes of Sar­d [...]gones regiment, to be cut off, for that they had bene the cause of the defaite of Arembergu [...].

But bicause that Popelleniere séemeth ouer briefe in the enar­ration of them that were slayne, I doe thinke it good to set downe the wordes of Schard one of the Iudges of the Emperiall cham­ber, in his Chronicle, inserted in Corpus hystoricum Germaniae. The Spaniardes (sayth he) followed the chase foure myles, and tooke prisoner Henrie van Sygen, Lodowickes Lieutenant, with twentye ensignes, sixtene péeces of ordinance, and slewe (some saye) sea­uen thousande, but the number must néedes be lesse, séeing that the whole armie was scarce so many, of whome yet it is mani­fest that many escaped. There were slaine many of the banished Nobilitie, whose plate and monye fell vnto Alua his share. The Earle of Schwartzburg fledde away at the beginning of the fight.

AFter the battell fought at Saint Denys, the ar­mie of the French Protestantes (as I tolde you before) marched into the confines of Loreyne, to méete with Casimire sonne vnto the Pfaliz graue, with whome they returned backe againe, and besieged the Citie of Chartres, when a peace was concluded in March 1568. but it helde but a little whyle: for in [Page 289]August following, the Protestants were againe in the field, with an arme of fourescore and fouretene cornets of horsemen, and two hundreth and fortie ensignes of footmen, of whome d Acer brought twentie thousande out of Prouence and Daul [...]hinte, and eyght hundred horsmen. Against this power being in Xaintoigne, a power of Catholikes came, vnder the conduct of Henrie Duke of Anieu the kings brother, betwene whome were diuers skir­mishes, vntill that the colde of the winter forced them both to a­bandon the field, y^e which they did take agayn as soon as euer the time of the yeare and state of the ayre woulde permitte. But in March 1569. Monsieur de Anioi [...] hauing a little before doubled his forces, had intelligence that the Lorde Piles was comming oute of Gascogne with a newe supplye of Souldiours for the Conde, who hadde loste by sicknesse foure or fiue thousand of his footemen. Wherefore his Excellence aduauncing his armie tho­rowe Poitois, Limosin, and the countrie of Augomois, descended a­long the riuer of Charente, as though he woulde take Chasteau-neuf, there for to passe the riuer, and that done, barre Piles from ioyning with the Prince, and be at choyce to fighte with eyther of them. The which the Prince doubting, passed the Charente at Cognac. But Monsieur hauing taken Chastean-neus standing vpon the riuer of Charente, betwéene Cognac and Angoulesme, comman­ded the bridge to be repayred that the Protestantes had broken downe. And the next morning being the xj. of March, his Excel­lence marched towardes Cognac, as well to doe some enterprice vpon the Protestants, and to put them in doubte what he ment to doe, as also for to cause them to thinke that he woulde not re­turne againe to Chasteau-neuf, to passe the water. The Princes who were at Cognac only with their ordinarie traynes (the men of warre being in their quarter) sent one sodenlye to demaunde ayde of the Admirall, who was at Iarnac with the auantgarde. Dandelor hasting thitherwarde, vnderstoode that Monsieur was turned towards Chasteau-neuf and therefore the Prince being as­sured, returned to Iarnac the twelfth of March. And in the meane time to impeach the reparation of the Bridges of Chasteau-neuf, he caused the Admirall and the auantgarde to aduaunce them­selues [Page 290]selues vnto the encounter, whilest that he went to Iarnac. But the Admirall séeing the diligence that was vsed in making of the passage, retired himselfe vnto Bassac, and for the retrayte or­deyned Soubize, Puviant, and other companies of Poitou, who shoulde remayne there in battell vntill midnight. As the dili­gence of Monsieur was greate in making of the Bridges, so was it extreme in passing ouer them all the night: on the o­ther side, the Prince (all things being well weyghed) was not willing to resolue vpon the battell, but commaunded the Ad­mirall that he shoulde cause the auantgarde to dislodge, and he with him at larnac vppon the breake of the daye. The whiche was done, but not by all: For the companyes that Puviant ledde, coulde not marche so spéedilye, the whiche was the occasion that they sawe the companies of the Catho­likes at their tayle, and were so strongly pressed by them, that they muste néedes disgage and succour them to the perill and discomfiture of all the Protestantes: for the Chiefe was char­ged by so many Catholikes, that be being in the heade of the armie, was in great perill, if that the discouerie of the troupes which the Admirall ledde, had not made them that were ad­uaunced nearest, to staye a little. Then the footemen of the Ca­tholikes were no sooner passed the Bridges, but that without resting they doubled their pace, for to gayne a little hill that was directly ouer agaynst the Bridge. The Protestantes also made for warde verye fast for to sease it, but sodenly when they perceyued the crossed men, whome they there discouered verye easilye, they retired a two or thrée harquebusse shottes from thence, for to take a place for the battell, the which they found in a place of indifferent good aduantage, the whiche was a playne couered in one quarter with a great village, whiche did afforde manye commodities vnto their footemen. Neare vnto the sayde village there was a little hill, and more lower the [...]e ranne along before them a riuer that did deuyde the playne. There they rested them, and all being set in aray of bat­tell, stayed there a good while, whilest that the Captaines Ca­tholikes did take a place, for their armie vpon the playne neare [Page 291]vnto the hill.

Then they that were lesse lasie remayned not long withoute shirmish, namely those that had the hill in their power: for they hauing discouered howe small a power the Admirall had, who was nowe retired, came downe and aduaunced themselues so nere, that the Protestants could not retire without fight, vnlesse they would be intierly defeated. So that when some and then o­ther Catholikes came forward, Puviant saw that he and his re­giments & Cornet was so gaged, that if the Lorde Noré, and the Lorde Loué (to whom the retrait of the auantgarde had bene cō ­maunded) had not with fortie harquebusiers of the garde of de Acier, deliuered and disgaged them, the greatest part had remai­ned there for a marke and signe of the victorie.

But when they had with al their deuoyre succoured them to their great paine, they were forced to defende themselues with all their power vpō the bay of a pond, where they were all char­ged with such force by Martigues, Malicorne, and other, to the nū ­ber of v. or vj. C. horse, that Noué & Louée were taken in the field, and their companies put to slight. Loué had this good hap, that by saying he was la Briche ensignebearer to Martigues, he escaped death, the which he had bene sure of, if he had bene known. Vp­pon this, Puviant after he had bene charged, & saw that his com­pany was to small, retired with the rest of the footmen. Whyle that these charges were giuen on Noué, other Catholikes passed farther, & gaue in euen to the village, & ii. C. of them aduaunced yet more lustily, whom the I diniral and Dandelor (after they had discouered them, and were ignorant of the defeate aforesaid, bi­cause that the village was betwéene them) charged Dandelot be­ing foremost with his Cornet, gaue in so furiously, that he did put them to slight, and hauing pursued them euen into the vil­lage: In his returne be found one of their ensignes, but he was no sooner out of the village, but that the Catholikes reentred it more strongly than before: for they were followed but a good way off by twelue hundreth harquebusters, who came to seaze on the village. Then he turned vpon them, and made them to retire into the village, where they renforced themselues with [Page 292]the footemen, who in their fauour did so barre and fortifie them­selues in that place vnto the purpose, that it was made impos­sible afterwarde to chase them thence. In the meane tyme all the troupes Catholikes began to shewe themselues, and eue­ry regiment did take his place for the battell.

This was done when that the Prince of Conde being aduerti­sed by the Admirall (who had sent vnto him the Baron of Mon­tagus) of the daunger that the auantgarde was in, vnlesse he suc­coured it, aduaunced himselfe with those fewe horsemen of hys battell, that he had assembled tumultuouslye in that vprore, bi­cause that his armie was distributed by quarters, dispersed here and there, by reason they were not then encamped. Then euery man on both sides came to séeke the aduantages of place & fight, and many good blowes were giuen, and many valiant déedes pas­sed, the which I will not set downe particularly. While that these things were doue, the Admirall perceyued that the armye of Monsieur was all passed, and came forwarde on the lest hande as fast as they coulde, the which was the verye meane for to en­close the Protestantes betwéene the riuer and the armie of the Catholikes. Then he séeing no meane left for to retire without fight, commaunded la Tour to make the companies of the auant­garde to aduaunce forwarde, the which he did, and bare himselfe so, that his horse being borne vnto the grounde, he was taken, and being knowne for him that had slayne Captaine Charry at Paris, was slayne in the fielde, with many other that had no bet­ter market.

Nowe the armie of the Catholikes ranne ouer a great part of the fielde vpon the left hande, where stoode the troupes of Soubize, Lāg villier, Puivant, Cressonierre, and many other Captains in chiefe of Poitou, who thinking that they ought not any longer to expect any occasion for a better charge, séeing that the Catholikes ren­forced themselues euery moment, with the aduise of the Gene­rall, charged vpon the foremost with such furie, that they made them to recule: but being broken by the succours that came vn­to them without cease, Soubize and Long villien were taken, Me­sanchere and Brandaniere, and many other were slaine in the fielde.

In the meane time his Excellence woulde come another way, for being desirous to break them in many places at once, he cau­sed an other waye on the righte hande to be learned out, whiche although it were harde ynough for the nature of the place, yet neuerthelesse he founde it more easie on that side, where he made the most part of his armie to marche, by reason that the Prote­stantes who hitherto maintayned the acuantage of the Baye of the Poude, after that they knewe his enterprice, did abandon it, that they themselues might retire safely. Moreouer, at the same instant one regiment of Reysters was commaunded to passe ouer the Bay, for to strayne them on the side, the which they did very lustily. When all these troupes were passed for to aduance them selues, the Prince of Conde with thrée or foure hundreth horse­men, turned heade against them, and gaue a verye hote charge, being followed by the most parte of his men. So that he being chased for despite to sée almost all his men fledde, and that the whole armie bare it selfe no better, did thrust in with such furie, that he bare to the grounde, and made to recule all those that durst to tarie him, vntill such time as his horse being wounded, he was throwne to the grounde, not being able to do the deuoire that he had well desired and wished. For the hindermost troupes of the Catholikes aduauncing themselues for to holde vppe the forenesse (who gaue backe) and being ayded by the Almaine horsemen, did thruste in so furiously through the Protestantes, that two thirdes of them rested vpon the place, eyther deade or fore hurt. Namelye the Prince of Conde, was hym selfe thro­wen vnder his horse, that hée coulde doe nothyng anye longer for the blowes that he hadde receyued, so that bicause hée was not followed by his menne, who shoulde haue refreshed hym with a seconde horse, all succour to helpe hym to aryse, sawled him, béeing constrayned to giue place vnto the force and the great number of the Catholikes, who came vppon him thicke and thréefolde. So that hearing himselfe named and spoken vnto by de Augence, and Saint lean, who going to the chase of those that fled, by fortune passed by before him and they hauing promi­sed him at his request to saue his life, he yeelded. But yll fortune [Page 294]streightway followed: for being knowne, he was at the same instant slayne by Montesquiois (as some saye) who shot him into the heade with a deadly Pistolet. Certaine had counselled him before the fight for to retire, séeing his armie not being ioyned togither, he coulde not resist the power of his Excellence. But he woulde giue no more eare therevnto, than would Curi [...], and the Conte Lodron in the like cases.

At the verye same instant of the Princes death, the disorder among the Protestantes, marueylouslye encreased, whose spurres were not so sharpe as to make their horses poste fast inough. D'acier being aduertised by the Admirall of this rent counter, made sixe thousande harquebusiers to marche with a [...] great diligence and spéede as be could possible: but when he was yet one leage from Bassac, (for he came from Cognac which is v. great leagues from Bassac) he vnderstoode of the losse of the bat­tell by those that fledde, which made him to leade his footemen towards Iarnac, where yet he could be no sooner arriued, but that he sawe the Catholikes at his héeles, yet he made heade vn­to them, in suche sorte, that he had afterwarde leysure to re­tire. Then hauing intelligence that the greatest troupe was in Cognac, he passed ouer the water with his footemen for to flée that waye, and for to assure himselfe agaynst the pursuit [...] that might be made at his tayle, be caused the bridges to be bro­ken downe, the which did impeache the passage of the pursu­ing Catholykes. And also hereby the artillerie whiche some had caused to be brought oute of Cognac, was also soone as­sured.

Then Iornac being abandoned, was taken by those that pur­sued their victorie vpon the footemen. Of so many Protestant [...] manye woulde haue rallyed themselues, but they were chased so neare, that they had no leysure. Moreouer, to the pur­suite arriued a regiment of Reysters, who with the rest of the Catholikes, did verye hotelye pursue the fléeing soules one leage from the place of the battell: but they continued their slight euen vnto fiue of the clocke in the afternoone.

The Admirall and Dandelot séeing the flight irreparable, [Page 295]and the affraye so marueylous, retired with a fewe of the No­bilitie: but when they woulde not followe the waye that the greatest part of the afrighted tooke, for feare of being pursued with the other, they deflected into the way on the right hande, and the tract that was least beaten, & retired vnto S Iean de An­gely, where they being aduertised that the yong Princes (of Na­uarre and Conde) were at Xainctes, whither they retired (hauing giuen comandement to the rest of the footmen to tarie at Cognac) they sought them there, and made that the place for the Reinde­vous, or abode for them that escaped out of the battell: whither many (who had taken the way to Cognac, thinking to finde the Princes there) came vnto them.

Many Protestants of marke (besides the Prince of Conde) saw the ende of their dayes in this iourney of Bassac. Among other of the Poiteuins, these were of greatest name, Tour, yong Chasteliers, Portant, Chandenier, Mesanchere, Brandaniere, y^e eldest of the Bessons, yong Tabariere, Barette, la Mesleray, and aboue fiftie other gentle­men lamented in that countrie. Few of the footemen, and of the Captaines in chiefe none, but Ogier called la Moriniere, and cer­taine other of the regiment of Puivant, Soubize, Langvillier, and ten or twelue other Poiteuins were taken, of whom a little while after Soubize deceyuing his kéepers, escaped. As touching o­ther Montigeau, Breton, Stuard a Scotte (who was slayne with a dagge) and certaine other, died there. Camtel of the race of Glas, was slaine. Captaine Corneile a Scotte, and diuers other of the same nation coulde not suruiue the fiftenth daye, by reason of their woundes. Corbeson brother to Montgommerie, and Lieute­nant to the Prince, was taken prisoner, and after estarged on his fayth, and being offended for that they woulde not chaunge Sessac for him, he returned vnto his house. Guerchye Ensigne bearer of the Admirall, being hurt in diuers places, was taken, and being giuen by Monsieur vnto one of his kinsemen, had li­bertie to returne vnto his house vppon hys fayth. La Noue was chaunged for Sessac Lieutenaunt to the Duke of G [...]yse. The summe that this iourney did importe, were neare foure hundreth of the Confederates, and two hundreth Catholikes, [Page 296]of whome there died Monsalez the Barons of Ingrande, and of Prunay, both of the house of Billy. The Conte de la Mirande, de Morete, Moncanure, Linieres, and certaine other of marke: but fewe or none in comparison of the Protestantes, whiche made the Catholikes as well Frenchmen as Spaniards, to compare this discomfiture vnto that which Charles the fifte, Emperour, gaue vnto the Almaines, and doe account it for one nothing lesse and inferiour. But certes the fruite was farre lesse: for none other ensued therof, but a frée running ouer all the Xantongeois, Angu­mois, and Limousin. But while that Monsieur attempted in vayne Cognac and Angoulesme, the Protestants gathered togither, and vnited their dispersed power, and creating Henrie the yong prince of Nauarre or Bearn to be their Generall, in Iulye following ioy­ned with the power of the Duke of Deux pontz (who died by the way) which consisted of 7500. Reysters, and 6000. Lansquenettes very well armed and appointed.

THe Protestants hauing (as I sayd) re­ceyued the aides of Deux Pontz, became verye strong, and did manye greate ex­ploytes, and at the last the x. of Octo­ber ioined in battell with Monsieur, who had eyght or nine thousand horsemen, sixtéene or eyghtéene thousande foote­men, and fiftene or sixtene péeces of ar­tillerie. But the Confederates had sixe thousande horsemen aswell Frenchmen as Reysters, eyght thou­sande harquebusiers, and foure thousande Lansquenets, of whō some did vnhandsomelye helpe them selues with harquebusses, sixe Canons, two Culuerings, and thrée Muschattes. But the [Page 297]cause why that the Admirall (who in déede ruled and gouerned the armie, the Prince being scarce a man in yeares) being ouer­matched in number, ioyned in battell, was first necessitie (bicause he coulde not commodiously neither go backe nor forward, Mon­sieur was so neare vnto him) and secondly, desire of reteyning the auncient honour and reputation of the Protestantes, who were alwayes accounted verye hardie and valiant: but if that they shoulde nowe haue fled, they might perhaps haue alienated from them the heartes of manye of their fauourers, both in forreine countries, and also at home. The place where this battell was darreyned, was a playne called Cron, halfe a French leage from Moncountour, and two from Eruaux. This playne in some parts is charged with little hilles, whom the Captaines might orawe to great aduantages for the future battell, as the Admirall did: who hauing marked that towardes the place where his Excel­lence woulde come, the playne ended in certayne little hilles with small and swéete discents, he purposed to place there the greatest part of his footemen, and certaine Reysters, bicause that they (by reason they doe march in the forme of a battallion) are more subiect vnto the mercye of the Canon, than the Frenche horsemen (of whome, bicause they march and fight in length in the forme of wings, one péece of ordinance can hit but one, and him to very seldome:) and also for to lodge his ordinance on the small hilles that were at the ende of the plaine, he made the bat­tell too aduaunce more on the right hand, as if he woulde take to­wardes Eruaux, whereof he gaue the charge vnto Lodowick Con­te de Nassau, to whome he deliuered thrée Canons and one Cul­uerine.

The auauntgarde was on the left hande drawing towardes the riuer a little lesse forwarde than the battell, whereof he him­selfe did take the charge and conduct, hauing with him Puygres­sier, la Noué, Telignie, and certaine other, who had the charge of two Canons, two Longues, two Muschats: And the Conte de Mansfelde (the Chiefe of the Reysters) of whome he had distribu­ted almost the one halfe into the battell, as also of Lansquenets, whom Granuillrers conducted. All of whome hauing kissed the [Page 298]grounde, made protestations one vnto another, for to enter-succour eche one the other, and to dye in the place rather than to recule and giue backe.

The Admirall hath had one fashion very familiar (if it be not to be called a strategemme of warre) which is in generall fight and battell aranged, for to enlace the footemen with the horse­men, in this sort. After he had chosen the best footemen for En­fans perdus, he woulde set them in the heade of euerye ranke of horsemen, for to shoote and that too with assurance at the horse­men that woulde come to encounter his horsemen: seeing that euerye harquebusier might alwayes according vnto the place, the time, and the persons, recharge thrée or foure tunes. As also it is not possible but that the rankes of the horsemen on the other side must be well lessened, and made thynner, and al­so that their partie comming vppon the enimie to recharge them, shall (if they be good men) haue such an hande of them as they will themselues. Neyther are the footemen that begun the attache, thereby in any distresse or daunger, for their hors­men will defende them if anye will recharge them: and in the meane time they will finde meane to saue themselues if they be alone on a plaine, or else couer themselues with some baskets or trenches if the places be proper therefore. Here he practised againe this forme of fight, but a little altered from the former, as we shall declare vnto you.

In disposing of his horsement, he separated the Cornettes as well French as Almaines, intermedling two of Reisters, wyth two of French, as the hindermoste rankes of the auantgarde were. Those companies of his owne men of armes, and of de A [...]ier (who conducted his owne in person) were flanked on the right side with two Cornets of Reysters, whiche were a little more aduaunced, and kept still their forme of batallion. On the left side of those French Cornettes, was Captayne Ramiers with his company of harquebusiers, for to serue for Enfans per­dus, and on their side fiue and twentie or thirtie harquebusiers on horsebacke of the garde of D'acier: all these harquebusiers stoode a little more forwarde than the Cornettes. More higher, [Page 299]drawing alwayes towards the right hand was the domesticall Cornet of the Admirall, and two or thrée other, that he himselfe woulde conduct, flanked on the one side with foure or fiue Cor­nets Almaines, ouer whom Mansfelde commaunded, and on the other, with two companies of harquebusiers of Doge, and an other captaine. But foure or fiue companies shoulde fight be­fore the Admirall, who were therefore a little farther aduaun­ced. The rest of the auantgarde still aduauncing themselues, a little more forwarde in forme of batallions, euen vnto Mony and la Noué, who were in the heade or fronte with their regi­mentes, were followed by the lyke number of Reysters. And so likewyse was the battell aranged, the which was in aray stan­ding higher on the right hande, drawing towarde Eruaux. Al­though that all these troupes did one stande more forward than another, yet this was not in right lyne and in heade, but brawing towarde a directe line, to the ende that the Admirall who stoode at the bottome and ende of all his troupes, might sée a farre, the disposition, countenaunce, and dismarche of the Catholikes, and vppon a sodeyne puruey according to the oc­currence.

But although that all these troupes were so varied and in­terlaced, yet neuerthelesse they might go to the charge all to­gither, or a part, as they woulde themselues, without one im­peaching of the other, namely séeing the Reisters, had requested, that they might not be any whit hindred at their first dismarch. For the Reister vsing another and diuers waye and maner of fight from the Frenchman, in incountring his enimie, can not endure any troupe to be neare him: bicause they will breake his course: for the Reister fighteth in this sorte. When he doth sée himselfe neare ynough vnto his enimies, the firste ranke doth aduaunce vpon them, and when he hath shot off his Pisto­let, he doth not runne still in forwarde (as doth the Frenche man, who doth still pursue his point) but more shorte on the right hande, or on the lefte, according vnto the place where he is, and so is also spéedilye followed by the seconde ranke, that doth the verye same. Then the thirde followeth the se­conde, [Page 300]to giue the charge, as soone as euer he séeth him departed that stoode before him. All the rankes following one another, in such maner, euen vnto the last, the hindermoste runneth (they fighting with Pistolets onely) for to come vnto their fore ryders, they standing all along one at anothers tayle. And for as much as it is impossible, but that when they doe present themselues, some of them, or else their horses be slaine: therefore as soone as euer one of the foremost ranke is séene to fall downe, he that is in the seconde ranke, directlye behinde him that is departed, or else disabled, must take his place, and he of the thirde ranke must furnishe the voyde place of the seconde, and so the rest in lyke or­der, so that they alwayes make their foremoste rankes, of the most assured: for in all things (namely in feates of armes) the beginning is of greatest moment.

You see the reason why the Admirall had thus disposed hys men: neyther was this forme and disposition profitable, onelye for this regarde, but also was very auantagious for the Reisters. For the French horsemen woulde impeache them that woulde come against their Reisters, from ouerrunning or breaking them, and also woulde giue them large libertie to recharge, and re­turne vnto the encounter. And on the other side, when the French men shoulde sée that the Reisters Catholikes charged their Rey­sters, and namely when they should turne (as also the Reisters Pro­testants woulde doe) to recharge their Pistolettes, then woulde they run vpon them lustilye, and breake them at their ease, I say, that all of them shoulde not haue leysure to recharge. For séeing they haue nothing to fight with but their Pistolets, when they haue discharged, they are halfe deade, and namely when they sée their rankes broken. In this battayle, the Reysters. Ca­tholikes and Protestants entercharged one the other: but if that lot had giuen, that the Reisters Catholikes had charged the French men, they might easily haue bene broken. For the Frenchman that still followeth his point, doth easily breake that ranke of the Reisters, which he findeth going about to rally and recharge. And through this forme of fight many Reisters Catholikes ended their dayes in this iourney, and not onely by this meane, but also by [Page 301]that which I haue before declared: that is to wit, the shotte of the harquebusiers on foote, that were intermedled with the horse­men. Such was the disposition and ordinance of the horsemen of the Protestants.

As for the footemen, those that were in the auantgarde, were inmasse or plumpe, hauing the forme of one grosse battallion, which the Lansquenets made vnder the charge of the Baron of Grenelesee, and of Granuilliers, flanked on two sides with the re­giments of harquebusiers Frenchmen, ledde by Piles, Rouiuray, Briquemaut the younger, de Ambres, and du Chellar. Moreouer, this battell was susteyned by foure troupes of horsemen, as well Frenchmen as Reisters, ordered as I haue shewed before. The footemen of the battayle made another battallion, composed of the harquebusiers of the regiments of Beaudine, Mombrun, Blacons, Mirabel, and Virieu, susteyned as before. And also these two bo­dies of footemen had their harquebusiers in their front, who (as Enfans perdus) shoulde giue and receyue the first blowes, as they were conducted by their Captaines who wente before them. They had not one Pyke among them, a weapon the best and most necessarie that a footeman can deuise to beare, and such an one for a footman, as the Launce is for an horseman, as we will shewe at another time, by Gods helpe.

The Colonels and Captaines of euery bande were a little a­uanced for to encourage their men: all the armie was clothed in white. The Protestants stoode still, not mouing out of their pla­ces, and it séemed that they woulde haue bene well contented to haue bene dispenced with for fighting that day, the which thing some men aduised. Yet many presuming that which afterward hapned vnto them, sayde: that a Generall which hath his troupe readie for the shocke, ought not to stay for the charge, and that this had alwayes bene holde for an assured Maxime among the old Fores of times past. And for proofe more certaine, the Confe­derates themselues had marked, that in all fightes past, they had done better when they charged first, than when they expected the dismarch of the Catholikes.

Nowe you haue séene the estate and disposition wherein the [Page 302]armie of the Protestants, expected that of his Excellence, who by the aduise of the most olde practised warriours of his troup, disposed his armie after the manner that I shall tell you. He being a little aduaunced in the playne, and hauing caused cer­tayne of the principall Captaynes to come vnto him, disposed his troupes after the Frenche fashion, whiche is to deuide the masse of an armie into two parts, which they doe call an auant­garde, and a battell. Diuers times if that the armie be verye great, they make thrée, and to these two adioyne a rerewarde, for to susteyne those two foremoste troupes, if they shoulde chaunce to be ouerthrowne, and to succour the bands that shall haue néede: and also for to reallye, as well those that for long fight haue lost or stragled from their Engsines, or for to staye them that flée, and to constrayne them to make heade. The a­uantgarde was composed of horsemen, as well Frenchmen as Almaines and Italians. Of Frenchmen were the Prince Dauphin, the Duke of Guise, Martigues, Chauigny, la Valette, and many o­ther Captaines: the troupe of whome was no lesse than two or thrée thousande horsemen. Of the Almaines, the regimentes of the auantgarde of the Conte of VVestambourg, the two other regimentes of the Reingraffe, & Bassompierre, their troupes, moun­ting neare to two thousande horse. Of the Italians, the Conte of Saint Fiora, the Conte Paule Sforza, the Contes Disci, Santelle, and many other with their troupes, who amounted to few lesse th [...] ̄ thousande horsemen, almost all very good and well appointed.

The footemen stoode in the forme of one grosse batallion, which was made by the regiment of the Switzers, ledde by the Colonell Clery, which should haue bene of eyght thousande, but it was brought to foure, through the long trauayle and weary­nesse of the warres. Fiue regiments of harquebusiers French men, and Italians, for to flanke them on two sides, conducted by the Captaines la Barthè, Sarlabou [...], les deux Isles, and he of Onoux And bicause that the playne was faire and large, the artilleri [...] was departed into two, eyght péeces for the auantgarde, and seauen for the battell, and layde at the heade of the battallions. Before these troupes of horsemen, and the footemen, there was [Page 303]aduaunced (after the Frenche fashion) a good number of yong men as well horsemen as footmen, for to scrue for Enfans perdus, and attach the fight first. Ouer all these commaunded the Duke of Montpensier, who made his auantgarde to kéepe this order. The Switzes and their flankes of harquebusiers, as men readye to come to the charge, were set vpon the right hand, and before them aduaunced Martigues, who shoulde charge first, after that the Enfans perdus of the horsemen, whom he had before him, had giuen their first charge. Martigues was followed by the Prince Dauphin, who being accompanied with Chauigny, hadde on his righte hande the Conte de San Fiora, Marie and Paule Sforza, brothers, with Charles de Birague followed by their re­giments, for the most part Italians. Behinde the Prince for to susteyne all that were before, marched the Duke of Montpensier, hauing on his side two thousande Reisters, conducted by the Lantgraue of Hessen, the two Contes Reingraffe, brothers, the Conte de VVestambourg, de Bassompierre, and Scomberg, who ledde eyghtene Cornets. And bicause that the Duke of Montpensier did doubte that the Switzers who were on his right hande, woulde not charge at all, if that they were not flanked and su­steyned by French horsemen, appointed for their left side the Duke of Guise, la Valette, and manye other Captaynes, wyth their companies, who shoulde assure them against all hazarde. All this masse went furiously to the charge togither, as I will shewe you, after that I haue represented vnto you the battell. The which was composed of the Dukes de Aumalle, de Long­ville, Mareschall de Cossé, Tauennes, the Marques of Villars, (who had before receyued in gyfte of the King, the state of the Ad­mirall of Fraunce) la Fayette, Mern Colonell generall of the Switzers, de Toré his brother (sonnes of the late Constable) Carpauallet, la Vaugui [...]n, and Villequier, Vatan, Vesigny, de Mai­ly Gouernour of Moutreul, Greau, and manye other Cap­taynes, the companies of whome coulde amounte to no fewer than thrée thousande horse of fight. Of the Almaynes were the Conte Mansfelde cousin to the Protestante, who conducted and ledde fiue Cornettes of a thousande, or [Page 304]twelue hundreth horse, whome the King of Spaine had sent, the Marques of Baden, who had about one thousande, and certayne other particulars. Likewise the battell had well neare foure thousande Reisters. The footemen were in the like maner distri­buted, as they were in the auantgarde, in one battallion of Swit­zers, whome Colonell Phiffer ledde, and before him Mern, Colo­nell generall of all the Switzers, hauing on their wings the Bur­gonions and the Spaniardes which the Catholike king had sent vnto his Maiestie, and foure regiments of Frenchmen, conducted by Cossins, yong Monluc, Gohas, and Rance, who had seauen great pée­ces before them. Ouer all these commaunded his Excellence, who had a little behinde him on the right side the troupes of the Marshals of the fielde for to rally, and moreouer to doe their de­uoyre in that whiche shoulde be likewise thought néedefull. All these battallions had their Enfans perdus in their front, as I haue sayde of the auantgarde.

Nowe ye shall sée the order that euerye companie hath in the battell for to dismarch, when that the signall of fight shall be gi­uen. I will take my beginning at the person of his Excellence, for the good lucke that he brought vnto the whole armie. Monsieur woulde be betwéene the Marques of Baden, and the Regiment of the Switzers. And therefore when it was vppon the point of the charge, he commaunded Duke du Aumalle to leade the Reisters of the Marques, who were on the right hande. Mareschall de Cosse with his companies, and the Conte de Mansfelde with his Cor­nettes garded the Switzers on the left side. Before his Excellence Carnauallet had fiftie Gentlemen for to charge first. Behinde on the right side of his Excellence was Biron with his fellowes Ma­reschaux of the fielde and their troupes.

Such was the disposition of one and the other armie, such was the araye and order which euerye companie had for to go to the charge. Nowe it remaines for to declare howe the two armies began to dismarch, to charge, and to encounter one the other, as furiously as any man hath séene who [...]gan [...]t, and howe. For it is to be noted, that although the bodies of the two a [...]n [...] were diuided into two partes, that is to wit, into an aua [...]garde and a [Page 395]battell, according to the French fashion, yet neuerthelesse they had incamped themselues in such a place, and so disposed the com­panies of euery Captaine, that they might fight all togi [...]her, & at one time (as it also now happened:) for the auantgarde of his Excellence had no sooner marched, but that the battell whiche Monsieur himselfe conducted, began to buskle theselues to go vnto the charge, as I shall tell you hereafter, otherwise than the most part of the auncients haue vsed to doe, whose battels did moste commonly attende the happy or vnhappye successe of the auant­garde. Wherein a man may note the promptitude of the spirites and courages of this time, in respect of the simplenesse and slow­nesse of the auncient ages.

It is to be noted, that his Excellence had encharged Biron to make readie the battels, whilest that he being accompanied with the Dukes de Aumalle, Longville, Cosse, Tauennes, Villars, Faye [...]te, Carnaullet, and many other, mounted on an hill, for to be some­what neare, to iudge of the countenance and deliberation of the Protestants. But bicause he was counsayled not to go any fur­ther, he retired. Then Tauannes (on whose iudgement he reposed himselfe for the conduct of his armie) suppliantly desired him to let him alone in going further, that he might be able to giue vnto him more certaine aduise. He hauing ouerrun with his diligent eye the principall of the armie Protestant, came to finde Monsieur and assured him of the good fortune that he shoulde haue, if it woulde please him to giue battell. But if (sayde he) we shall neglect it now, another time the like will not be offred vs, nor an occasion of so great aduantage. Let them marche in the name of God with all diligence, without breaking the order of the bat­tels. The which aduise was receyued of his Excellence, giuing God prayse, and with very great chearefulnesse (as his face see­med to testifie) and the enterprises that he tooke in hand did wit­nesse afterwarde vnto all those that did followe him.

The two armies were not so soone in a readinesse, but that they discouered one the other all in grosse anon after eyght of the clock on Monday morning. Then the Canon of the battell Protestant began to play, shooting so right, that it lost not one shoote. Those [Page 306]of the Catholikes answered them soone inough with a far grea­ter noyse, but with lesse dommage: for mostlye they shotte too lowe, or too high, and also the footemen, and the moste part of the horsemen of the Protestantes, laye so vnder the defence of the playne in the little valleys that were in that quarter, that of thrée shottes, the Catholikes lost one or two although they alwayes shot thrice against once of the Protestants. The artil­lerie of the auantgarde came also at the same time to salute one another, and interaunswere and debate who shoulde vomite most bloude, most slaughters, and most mischiefes, doing equal deuoyre vnto the ordinance of the battels.

Whilest that the great thunder made it selfe to be hearde in all quarters, many horsemen disbanded themselues out of their rankes as well of the one partie as the other, some for to skir­mishe, other for to sée the effect of the Canon, and some for to vewe more better and nearely the scite, and the forme of the Campe of their aduersaries: yea, and there were also some that sought out their kinsefolkes and frendes, and talked to­gither as well of the euent of this iourney, as of the occasions that had moued them to followe that part which they maintai­ned: but the best aduised woulde not departe from their en­signes, both bicause they woulde not put themselues in the mercie of the Canon, who taking from him the féete and heade of his horse, woulde make him loose the good happe to assiste so notable a battell, as also for that they considered, that they had alredy inough to doe for their parts, and that one ought not to wearie himselfe before the time of fight, and to tire his horse, as Vegece mocketh pleasantly some Romaynes of his, who wold come vnto the fight quite out of breath. Tauannes who had lear­ned the commoditie of all places of the fielde, and the wayes of all the quarters, tolde Monsieur that it was néedefull to make the battels to retire a little on the lefte hande, as well to take the large and aduantagious fielde, to the ende to haue greater ease and libertie to fight, and to cut off the way frō the Protestants, if they would retire towards their conquests, as also for to saue the troupes from the furie of the artillerie, the which did mar­ueylously [Page 307]endammage them.

The which gaue occasion vnto the Admirall to chaunge the encamping of al his troupes, and to stand more on y^e right hand vpon the waye to Moncontour, and Eruaux, as it were to make a barre for the Catholikes, if that they would thrust in to passe further that waye. Therevpon his Excellence commaunded Duke de Montpensier who ledde the auantgarde for to marche, & the Mareschal de Cossé, who stoode on the left side of the battalion of the Switzers, to make the battell drawe a little more on the left hande than it was. The which they executed very readilye, and knewe very well to choose a place for to aduauntage their armie. Yet though this commaundement were receyued, they marched not immediatly: for it is to be presumed, that euerye Captaine would then recognise & encourage his men, and open vnto them the occasions and meanes to fight fortunatly. More­ouer, euery companye was preached vnto by their Preachers, namely for the regarde of the Protestants, after that the Prin­ces of Nauarre and Condé, had adhorted them to do their deuoire, to consider the consequence of such a iourney, the foule ignomy or most renoumed reputation that they should get by the euent of such a battell, wherin lay those things that euery man of thē did séeke, that is to wit, their goodes, their honour, their whole state, their liues, & their consciences, which is of farre greater price, & therfore sith by the wel or ill doing in this iourney, their life or death was assured, they in summe prayed them to follow their captains, who would not fayle to lead thē a very good way.

Then after that Tauennes (whome his Excellence had before sent for, to learne when it was time for to go vnto the charge) had reported vnto him, that it was very good time, and that he must presently giue in, bicause the artillerie of the Protestants maruallously endāmaged the Catholikes, & namely that of the battel, which lay within an hundreth paces of the battallion of Monsieur, & gaue it a very shrewd check: & again, the artillerie of the Catholikes, by reason of the place (as I haue said) did but a litle harme vnto the Protestants, for the causes before discoue­red. Moreouer he told him how y^e day passed away, which might [Page 308]empeache the obteyning of an entiere victorie: and in déede the armies [...]ad stoode at a stay from seuen of the clock in the mor­ning vntill thrée in the afternoone, attending whiche woulde dif­march first. Whilest that the Canon thus played still as well on the one part as the other, his Excellence commaunded the Duke of Montpensier to go resolutely to the charge, & he himselfe would also doe the same in his quarter. The which was done as soone as the artillerie of the one and the other side was sodenly retired by the sides, and euery companie (according to the order afore­sayde) did put themselues in pace, and at the same instant the Trumpets of the Protestants hauing sounded Dedans, dedans, tis, tis, the armie began to march, séeing the Catholikes now setting forwarde, for to go on to the encounter.

Vpon this, the Duke of Montpensier commaunded Martigues for to charge the runners or Enfans perdus, and so to beginne the game, & staying them at the first. The which they did: for being ioyned with the Italians & certain French troupes, they marched as though they woulde haue giuen vpon the Enfans perdus of the footomen of the Protestantes, but they no sooner saw themselues saluted by two or thrée hundreth harquebusiers, but that they turned very short on the left hande, and chaunging their trot in­to a gallop, gaue so feruently vpon Mouy and his regiment, that he being abandoned and forsaken by the two Cornets of Reisters, that had bene appoynted to followe them, and his regiment be­ing broken, was forced to get him away, and to saue the grea­test part of his men among the footemen, who being made mad with so piteous an accident, and foreiudging a miserable ende of so vnhappy a beginning, lost their harts, & disbending themselues by little & litle, in the ende ranne all away for the best game. The Enfans perdus were the first, who by so doing helped much to dis­courage the other, so that they almoste altogither forsooke the Lansquenets. At the same time, the Duke of Guise, and la Valerie being followed by many other companies, aduaunced themsel­ues lustilye, and came a great trotte to charge their parrie, who with the same pace hasted to attache them. At the meeting, many Launces flewe into shiuers, many horses to the hu [...]sing one of [Page 309]the other, ranne togither, iufinite Pistolets made manye to fall backwarde, with their héeles higher than their heades, manye horsemen were borne to the grounde that neuer spake worde after.

While that these troupes fought with so great pertinacie, the Conte of Saint F [...]ra, Paule Sforza, and certayne other Italians, en­countred Dautricourt, the Marques of Renay, and their compa­nies, who after they had set a broche the Italian troupes, shoulde haue followed Dautricourt. For this Gentleman thinking that he had the victorie in his hande, aduaunced forwarde so lustily, that casting himselfe into the middes of the auantgarde, he sawe him­selfe enclosed and assayled by a great number of horsemen, who after they had pressed him to yéelde, and sawe his pertinacie in fight, slue him in the fielde, & all that had followed him. And pas­sing further, gaue vpon the rest, who being dispersed here and there without Captaine, were not able to abide the impression of the French men of armes, who bowing themselues vppon the incitation of their Launce, and being borne by strong horses, buried many vnder their bellies: yet these encounters were not done without sending of many of the one part and the other, for to take the measure of their tombe vpon the duste of that fielde, and namely of the Catholikes, whome the harquebusiers that were on the side of the Protestants, set off at all libertie, assuring themselues, that after they had discharged, the horsemen woulde giue the charge vpon their partes, and in the meane time they shoulde haue leysure inough to prouide for their affaires.

Yet neuerthelesse for all this, the Admirall, who by reason of his great practise in armes, the which the long course of his olde yeares, and (which is more) the diligent marking of so great and so diuers euents as had runne before his eyes, as he followed the warres as well abroade as at home, coulde welneare certainely iudge what would be the euent of the battell, counselled the Prin­ces to retire as couertly, and with as smal a trayne as they could: but as in aduersitie men haue their eyes more stirring, and their spirites more liuely to espie, and prie on all sides, the meanes and wayes howe to enfranchise themselues from an yll chaunce [Page 310]that approcheth them neare, many horsemen followed them, so that they sawe more seruitors at their tayles by one halfe, than the ordinarie trayne of their houses woulde beare, the whiche helped nothing to encourage them that sawe, or hearde after­warde of that retraite: the which made them so much the more to suspect that some yll happe was neare, as the thing had bene secret vnto them. I leaue to rake after these Villiaques, who did abandon their ensignes, for to followe them that commaunded them not, and I will speake only of those that were most chafed for to fight. All these fellowes being empeached by rickling one another so neare, coulde not sée at all the dismarches, and the cruell affronts of two thousand Reisters Catholikes, and of the companies that assisted the Admirall, as well Frenchmen as Almaines.

When these battallions sawe that they were nere to the en­counters, the Protestats caused their harquebusiers to auance, crying vnto them that they should not shoote but at the horses, but with all assurance. The whiche although they did, & shot off at fiftie pace, the foremost giuing place vnto those that folowed, yet they coulde not shoote off so soone, but that the Reisters were already come to the charge. The foremost of whome directing their ranges to run vpon the French Protestants, who were on the side of their Reisters, were couragiously receiued and ouerrun at the first blowe, as well bicause the nature of the Frenchman is such, that if he once ioyne, he will still go farther, as also for that the harquebusiers had already well clered and thinned the rankes of the Reisters, by slaying and hurting many before hand, who were able to giue no farther forward, than the place where they had bene so nearely touched. The Reisters Catholykes not marching togither, nor charging with one and the same trot, but being distributed by regiments, and susteyned by French horsemen, the one companie of them attached the Admirall, who was assisted by the Conte of Mansfelde, and the other char­ged the two companies of men of armes of the Admirall, and de Acier, who were followed by two or thrée Cornets of Reisters. These charges were hote and very furious for all men an both [Page 311]sides, and much more cruell on the side of the Catholikes, than on the other, by meanes of the harquebusiers Protestants, who liuely tasted the Catholikes. Some died in the field, other felte themselues so hurt, that they were not able to go any further, neyther had any strength to fight. And bicause of the crie, At the horses fellowes, at the horses: Many of the beastes were so pricked to the quicke, that they coulde neuer serue afterwarde.

When that these footmen had giuen euery man his blow they founde the horses of the artillerie who were retired into that quarter neare vnto them, I doe beléeue they were not slouthfull to vse them, presaging (it may be) the fearefull and long flight which they were neare vnto. The rest prouided, and made the best shifte for themselues that they coulde. At that charge the Admiral was hurt betwéene the nose and the ball of the chéeke, through the fault of those companies that had bene ordeyned for to couer him, and fight before him, who bicause they had ta­ken the charge sooner than they ought, he founde himselfe so in­termedled among the Catholikes, that if the Conte de Mansfeld (retaking the charge, and with him foure or fiue Cornettes of Reisters) had not repulsed them, the Admirall had neuer got out, but had come vnto the curtesie of them that loued him little. This being done, the one and the other retired a little for to ral­lye themselues vnder their ensignes, and afterwarde to returne to the encounter.

This first rencounter was mortall vnto manye Catholikes, through the meanes and occasions aforesayde, so that they sée­med to leaue the Confederates almost in the possession of good fortune. For in doede some of them then aduancing themselues vpon the Catholikes, cried out, victorie, victorie as though she had slipped out of the handes of his Excellence. But this crye profited the Protestants nothing: for it séemed that the Catho­likes had no lesse assuced themselues of their forces, than of the good houre that assisted them, as you shall heare. Yet bicause they were seene to be put to flight, it made manye ensignes ac­companied with a great number of Catholikes to retire, whom the Protestantes rallying themselues vnder their Ensignes, [Page 312]thought to haue charged, if that a freshe r [...]ment that made as though they woulde charge the Protestantes their Reisters, (who had now rallyed themselues) had not caused them to stay.

But bicause ye haue your eyes so fast fixed on the slaughters of the auantgardes, ye cannot sée howe the battell dismarcheth by the commaundement of his Excellence. Whose great felici­tie coulde not suffer so long rest, & although he were vncertaine of the successe of his auantgarde which was nowe come to hande strokes, yet he durst to leaue his tranquilitie, and abandon all his whole state vnto the greatnesse of his fortune, which had al­wayes vntill that day, smyled full merily vpon him. Séeing then that he coulde not abide to expecte vntill the footemen had begun the game, he made a sodaine departure from the right side vnder the conduct of the Duke de Aumalle, the Marques of Baden, and with all his Reisters, the which Marques ranne in so farre before the rest, that he was there slayne, and many other, for compani­ons of his mortall charge. Yet this was a small matter: but Monsieur himselfe, whether his nature hote and boyling in mar­tiall prowes, did sollicite him to enter the battell, or whether be­sire to laye the armie of the Protestantes on the grounde, pricked him therevnto: did no sooner sée the Confederates buskle them­selues to fight, but that he marched full vpon the discouert of the artillerie, the which had not ceased, neither did then cease to play, as well in the Esquadron of Monsieur, as of other, and namely in that of the footemen, and his Excellence aduaunced himselfe so lustilye vpon the Protestantes, that the Switzers vnder Colonell Phiffer, and their Generall Mern, with the other battallions, re­mayned a great way behinde him. Nowe séeing that such a Seig­neur went so feruently to the charge, the encounter maye not bée thought to be other than furious. But (as I haue shewed before) he founde an other order and medley of men of warre than he had thought. First and foremost his Excellence was saluted by foure score or an hundreth harquebusiers on horsebacke, that there dis­couered themselues. Furthermore, when that the horsemen had assured themselues that the harquebusiers had giuen a greate check to his troupe, and that the Reisters had also done much more [Page 313]mischiefe, the Frenchmen did cast themselues heade, féete, and handes, as it were desperately into his Esquadron, and brea­king in euen to the Cornet, made all them that had followed his Excellence to forsake the place, for all the deuoyre, and all the force that the Duke of Long ville, Tauannes, Carnauallet, Villars, and all those that had followed and accompanied him coulde make, and all that euer they coulde doe: in summe, this charge was so terrible, that the most assured ensignes beganne nowe to turne backe againe, as if they woulde demaund succour of Mareschall de Cossé, who had not yet departed one foote from the left side of the Switzers, and had auaunced them forwarde apace, for to be in time as he himselfe was, for to succour their fellowes. And to say the truth, if he had not bene, the battell had bene then ended. And one may truly note in him, that all his enterprises, bicause they neuer were none of those hastie and lightly aduaunced, were alwayes valiantly and fortunately executed, as things mature­ly deliberated, are alwayes most sure in execution.

All in time Tauannes ranne to the Switzers, and made them to come a trot to giue the charge, their Colonell Mern marching before them. The Mareschall de Cossé, the yong Brisac aduauncing forwarde, made the Protestants to staye somewhat, who mode­rated their pace a little, that they might rallye themselues, and charge those that came fresh. In fine the Conte Lodowick with his troupes as well French as Almaines, gaue lustily vpon the Ma­reschall de Cossè, Conte de Mansfelde, Tauannes, and other, that flanked the left side of the Switzers: it was very valiantly fought on the one side and the other, as well with blowes of Launces and Coutelas, as of Pistolettes. The impetuositie and furie of the which Pistolets, doth not permit our slaughter in fight to endure so long as it did in auncient time. For then euerye man affronting his aduersarie, woulde not depart out of the place, before that the happier man had slaine his enimie, or made him obedient to his will. But bicause we doe assure our selues more in the diuelrie of our Pistolets, than in valiant armes, after we haue discharged our Pistolet vpon our enimie, as we runne we doe passe further, as the horse will, eyther for to recharge, or to [Page 314]take the tucke. And it doth most often happen that the cōpanies doe find thēselues so dispersed of y^e enimies after the first charge, they must tarie a long time to rallye themselues, expecting the seconde encounter, as it here happened: for after they hadde bene well martyred with the first impression, they perceyued that they were so put out of aray, that they must néedes retire for to revnite themselues. But the Protestantes séeing themselues to be so small a number, and the Catholikes to be refreshed and strengthened to the purpose, as well by the com­panies of the Mareschaur of the Campe, as by the Switzers, who were ready to giue the charge, lost their anger and hatred to recharge.

In the meane time, his Excellence had the leysure to be re­freshed with an horse, through the ayde and meane of the Mar­ques of Villars and Biron, with the troupes of the Mareschalles (ordeyned for to rallye the dispersed) wente all againste the Switzers, for to encourage them, and to make them marche a­gainst the Lansquenettes. Neyther was it long, but that the Mareschall, the Conte de Mansfelde, and his companie be­ing rallyed on the other side of the Switzers, returned altogither to the charge. Then Biron with his companies (with whome all that had fledde, and other that had wandered from their Cornettes, had ioyned and rallyed) encouraged the Switzers, and tolde them, that if they woulde but followe him, he would ouerthrowe the rest of the Protestantes, the greatest parte of whome in déede retired as fast as they coulde. The rest be­ing ioyned with them of the auantgarde (who for the same oc­casion (not being able to abyde the shocke of the Duke de Mont­pensier) had gone vnto them of the battell for to rencounter, that they might retire in masse or plumpe, with as little dammage as coulde be) left vnto his Excellence with the fielde of the bat­tell, the felicitie and glorie of this entire iourney, being con­strayned miserablye to abandon the Lansquenettes to the cru­eltie of the Switzers their auncient enimies, who entering in, as it were at the breache, whiche the Frenche harquebusiers had made in their battallion, slue them all for the moste parte, [Page 315]although that manye of them with ioyned handes, and knées on the grounde, cried out, Bon papist, bon papist moy, I am a good Papist, I am a good Papist. As in déede, no fewe of them were Catholikes, by reason of the little acception that such sorte of people haue, who will first giue them intertainement: yet at the length they being wearye rather of stryking, than of kil­ling, were in the ende constrayned to leaue those occasions of sighing and wéeping vnto other, who tooke them as it were in­to their seruice, for to serue them afterwarde as it were their Custerels. Of foure thousande, two hundreth or thereaboutes escaped their bloudye handes, and almost seauen hundreth o­ther, who being lesse armed, and better legged than the fore­moste, and hauing the knowledge to presage by the beginning of a sléete, the comming of so piteous a storme, had fledde oute of the fielde, with the greatest part of the French footmen, who (as I haue sayde) had done the same long time before. Neare thrée thousande harquebusiers were aranged with these Lans­quenets, who had all felt the same furie of the victorious, if it had not bene for certaine French Captaines in chiefe, and Mon­sieur himselfe, who being a right Gentleman in déede, contented himselfe with the honor and the happy end of the notablest vic­torie that euer was giuen vnto him in Fraunce, and it maye also happen, that euer shall be afoorded him in any other coun­trie, commaunding them to pardon the Frenchmen. Yet ne­uerthelesse one thousande or twelue hundreth dyed there for to enrich the playne of Cron, and to serue for an eternall marke of the iourney of Moncontour, the which the Protestants lost, aswel through the fault of the hearts of those that fledde, as for the yll disposition and aray of their horsemen.

For the Generall being curiouslye carefull to hide the small number of his men, would stretch thē forth in length like vnto an hedge, for to giue apparence vnto the Catholikes that they were farre mo than they were in in déede, and by this meanes to haue made thē cold to encounter them, that the iourney nere at hande, might be passed ouer in peace, bicause he doubted that he shuld not therin beare himselfe well with aduantage, the which [Page 316]the Catholikes gained, being assured of his state there, bicause they had better disposed their horses in grosse battallions, who giuing as it were desperately through these hedges of the whyte Cassockes, ouerranne them, and put out of the araye the greatest part of them, notwithstanding all the hayle of the harquebusse shot which they made to rayne thicke and thréefolde vpon them. And otherwise the Reislers were not able to abide the impres­sion of the French horsemen, bicause they fought seperated, con­trarie vnto their natural and ordinarie fashion, so that they were in the ende broken by the Catholikes. The forme of fight in the maner of an hedge, is good for Frenchman against Frenchman, but more proper to one that beareth Launce, than vnto a Pisto­letter, who we sée doe all charge togither, and the hindermost do not couer nor hinder the foremoste: and as this disposition was of no force that daye, so let him not vse it any more hereafter. In summe, they lost very fewe of the horsemen, both for the grace and fauour that their spurres gayned those that fledde at the ve­ry first (for to marke I beléeue their lodgings at Partenaye, and then at Rochel, and Angoulesme, and farther too, if they had durst to haue gone) and also for the fewe charges that they made that remayned and stoode to it. Who being vnited quicklye after the first and seconde charges, retired, the which of truth was more honourable than the fight passed, as I shall shewe you in another place. True it is, that the Catholikes reallying themselues, made them to remember the iourney or battell of Spurres. But when one hath done his deuoire, the retraite in cases desperate, doth carie no dishonour.

Such was the ende of the battell, wherein Frenchmen, Al­maines, Burgonions, Italians, Switzers, Flemmings, and Lansquenets tried sufficiently the prowesse and dexteritie of themselues and other, with leysure inough. Henrie Champer now with his Cornet of Englishmen was comming thitherwarde, but being arriued at Niort, when the battell was fought, and hauing séene theyll happe of this iourney by she long trayne of the fléers, incorpora­ted himselfe with the masse of the escaped. The fight endured not aboue two houres.

Duke de Aumalle, and Biron, with the Mareschalles of the Campe, Torré, and manye other, pursued the chase, and Monsieur followed after them with the rest of the armie, being herin wise­ly and well counselled. For the Generall neuer ought to trouble his person (in whome the good or yll happe of the whole armie doth séeme to be reposed) with the pursuite of them that flee: for as muche as the perill that maye happen, is common vnto him with the meanest souldiour of his troupes. The pursuit was not long, bicause that the Protestants being all ioyned togither (as I haue tolde you, and notably susteined by eight or nine Cornets of Almaines, with the Conte Lodowicke and Mansfelde (to whome it is naturall to kéepe better order, whether it be in marche, or in fight, than any other nation that is) durst staye for the hotest of the pursuers: so that afterward they went but a marching pace, for when the Catholikes thought to annoy them, sodenlye this masse woulde turne heade, and then they durst not to runne vp­pon them. In this sort they marched euen to Eruaux, (the Catho­likes beginning to retire) and from thence to Partenay, where they arriued about ten of the clocke in the night, fiue houres af­ter the discomfiture, and sodenly helde counsell with the Princes. About thrée or foure hundreth horsemen of the auantgard (with­out accounting their seruants) passing forthright more neare to Moncontour, had also taken the way to Partenay, where at one time they rencountred one another. The taking of this village serued them to great purpose. Captaine Allarde had receyued charge from Monsieur, to go with as much spéede as he could possible the Monday after he had dined, for to take Partenay, and to put two or thrée ensignes in it, as he that had alwayes bene Captaine thereof before: but the Admirall had at the same time dispatched thitherwarde Aubouiniere, of Chaile in Poitou, for to take it: the which he did with such diligence, that he arriued a little before Allarde.

The Princes and Protestantes lost in this battell thrée thou­sande Lansquenets, and fiftene hundreth Frenchmen, the num­ber of the deade that were founde, séemed farre greater: but the greatest part were Custerelles or seruantes: all were buried by [Page 318]the commaundement of his Excellence, and also all the villages, farmes, and hamlets thereabouts, were inioyned to burie those that were neare vnto them. Of the horsemen neare thrée hun­dreth were slaine, and no fewer horses were deade or hurt: for the Reisters for the most part did chiefly shoote at the horses, kno­wing that if the horse laye on the ground, or otherwise were not able to doe his deuoyre, the horseman wold come to reason. Of men of name there was not any slaine, but Tauegy de Bouchet, Es­cayer de Puygreffier, which some do call Saint Eire in Poitou, one of the most auncient and resolute men of warre in Fraunce, who in fighting valiantly, was borne to the grounde, and slayne in the fielde, as were Dautricourt, Biron, the brother of the Catho­like, and Saint Bonet, Ensigne bearer of the Admirals company. La Noué was taken prisoner, as also was de Acier, after that he had lustily ouerthrowne the Reisters that charged him. The Admirall was hurt with a Pistolet betwéene the nose and the left ball of his chéeke, and his horse hurt. Many other, namelye Reisters were wounded, who were afterwarde almost all saued at Rochell. All the artile [...]rie was gotten, and their furniture. All the baggage of the Reisters was spoyled, except their hor­ses, whome their seruants saued. The baggage of the French men was saued, bicause it had bene aduaunced vpon the way to Partenay and Niort.

Of the Catholikes, fewe of the footemen were slayne, and a­bout fiue or sixe hundreth horsemen, namely Reisters, and twise as many hurt: the most part of whom died afterwarde of their woundes. The Conte Reingraffe the elder, the Marques of Baden, Cleremont of Dauphine, the olde Reingraffe slayne. The yong Reingraffe, the Earles of Issie and Santelle, Italians, the Duke of Guise, Schomberg, Bassompierre, de Mailly, hurt and saued.

Thucidides who is reputed to be the truest wryter of the an­cientes, speaking of the discomfiture of the Ambracians and their allyes by the Athenians, doth not tell the number of the deade, bicause it séemed excessiue vnto all other, but himselfe, who did not thinke that they excéeded a thousande men, searing that he shoulde be named a lyer. In the lyke cause am I, who [Page 319]will not tell howe many Protestantes were slayne, for feare of bring controlled. Alwayes when I doe take my penne in hande, I blushe to sée howe that some Catholikes, who doe say that they were at the battell, and greatlye busied in kylling, will finde it straunge: considering (will other saye) the re­porte that was made vnto the King, to all the Potentates of Christendome, and to his Excellence himselfe. Lette them weygh that there came but sixe thousande Lansquenettes to the Protestantes. They will graunt me this, that the long and paynefull voyage whiche they made, the troublesome ex­cursions, the importunate charges, and other annoyances that the Duke de Aumalle brought vnto them, did take a moi­tie of a thirde of them oute of the worlde, adde there vnto, that the rolles of Straungers are neuer full. Will they deuye me, that after they were ioyned with the Princes, dyed as manye moe at Saint Yrier, and afterwarde at Lusignen, and the long siege of Poitiers, where all the Frenchmenne endured so manye cala­mities? And what of the rencounter of Saint Cler, where the Canon playde at pleasure throughe those poore bodies that laye groueling byting the dust? Moreouer, this is verye certayne, that almost thrée hundreth were caried backe by the Catholikes to Moncontour, and it is moste true, that thrée hun­dreth were afterwarde slayne in Bruage and the Isles of San­tongne (as I shall tell you) besides them that wandered from the Ensignes, and serued after the battel, or were slaine by the pai­santes. The rest of the whole number will scarce amount to the thrée hundreth of paye, who vnder the charge of Hector Reilen were conducted home into their countrie by the Catholykes at the Kings commaundement [...], after that peace was made and published. Recken these numbers, and (it maye be) you shall finde that there were not so manye slayne as I doe saye. Of the Frenchmenne, that two partes were saued by so shamefull a flight, you ought not to doubte: ioyne therevnto the curtefie that Monsieur commanded to be vsed vnto the rest of the French men. To haue fledde, and to be slaine in fight, be two incompa­tible thinges, and then consider the retrayte of the Reisters [Page 320]Protestants, of whome there died about an hundreth and fiftie: If you doe not nowe beléeue me, I will say, that in your speache you deuise as Clerkes of armes, or else doe it of passion. Nor I will say farther (the which will more disease you to digest) that the Catholikes had at Moncontour, a losse of more importance than the Protestantes, who lost none but their footemen.

Monsieur pursuing the Protestantes with spéedie pace, rested not before that the night tooke him, which was at Saint Generou vpon la Toné, and after he was lighted off from his horse, he gaue thanks to God, for that he had vouchsafed to bestowe vpon him so goodly, happy, and notable victorie, to the profite and content­ment of the king his brother. After this victorie, Monsieur reco­uered all Poitou, when that the Protestantes had dispersed their armie to be refreshed in Xantogne, Quercye, and Gascogne. But the next Summer they were in the fielde againe, and forced the king to make peace with them in August following, being in the yere 1570. graunting them pardon, and also libertie of their con­sciences.

WHen that Selym the seconde, the Turke, grieuouslye molested the Islandes of Cy­prus and Candie, Philip the king of Spaine, the seignorie of Venice, and Pius the fifte Bishoppe of Rome, entred into a strong league against him, and in the yeare 1 [...]72. did set forth a mightie fléete in that quar­rell, ayded herein by the Dukes of Fl [...] ­rence; Sauoy, and other Princes, and the knightes of Malta, and the Citie Genoa▪ This fléete consisted of two hundreth and eyght [Page 321]galleyes, sixe galeazes, siue and twentie shippes, fortie Bri­gantines and Fragates, and fiue and twentie thousande souldi­ers, Italians, Spaniardes, and Almaines, besides two thousand gen­tlemen that serued for pietie and honor, without wages. Thys mightie nauie (the high Admirall wherof was Don Iohn de Au­stria, base sonne of the Emperour Charles the fift, yet so that Mark Antonie de Colonna, and Sebastian Venerio, the Admiralles of the Papes and Venetian nauies, shoulde be alwayes called into coū ­sell, and that done which shoulde séeme good vnto the greater part of them) launched out of the hauen of Messina in Scicile in August, to the vttermost of their power to endommage the Turke. The seuenth of October, they being before the Isles Cuzolari, in the Archipelago, had intelligence that the Turkishe nanie of 333. gal­leyes, and such like vessels, was in the gulfe of Lepanto, and ha­sted directly vnto our nauie, and were not farre off. When that this was hearde and knowne to be true, Don Iohn impelled tho­rowe the surpassing valiance both of his owne heart, and also of his fellowes and allies, and specially through the intreatie and persuasion of Augustine Barbadico, the Viceadmirall or Prouidi­tor of the Venetian fléete, incontinently commaunded that flagge to be hanged forth which was the signal of battel, & that the fléete might come togither, he cōmanded one of the greatest gunnes to be shot off. Then he went aboorde a long boate, taking with him Lewes of Cardona, and Soto his secretarie, and glistering all in bright armour, went about all the whole fleete with most ioyful countenance, and passing stoutnesse of courage, and gaue charge that euery man shoulde followe their ensignes, and kéepe their araye, and then adhorted and desired the Captaines and souldi­ours, that they woulde fight valiantly and stoutlye, and thinke that they caried that daye the riches, honor, glorie, libertie, faith, and religion of their countries in their valiant handes. Where­fore they shoulde be ready, and fully bent to inuade the Turkes, as soone as the signall shoulde be giuen, and that if they vanqui­shed, this daye woulde bring perpetuall felicitie vnto them and theirs: but contrarywise if they shoulde behaue them dishonou­rably and shamefully, and be vanquished, that then it would be a [Page 322]beginning of euerlasting shame, and of all calamities. Wyth these and such like wordes, the heartes of all men (althoughe they were before of themselues fiercelye inough incited) were more and more inflamed, and nowe euerye man burnt in im­mesurable desire of fight. It can scarce be tolde for howe for­tunate and happye an abodement it was taken, that euerye man as soone as they sawe him, beganne to applaude, and also to crie out victorie, victorie, and these wordes did they of­tentimes euer and anon repeate. Those things being spéedi­lye done, he returned againe into the Idmirall galley almoste at suche time as the two fléetes were within an arrowes shot one of another. But bicause that diuerse of the galleyes sée­med to be somewhat slacke to take their place, Lewes Rechezenes streight waye went out of the Admirall, and being rowed in a boate, gaue it in charge vnto euery galley, & then returned a­gayne vnto the Prince. The middle battell wherein were thréescore and three galleys, did the thrée high Admiralles guide, and Dom Iohn kept in the middes: on whose right side went the Popes Admirall galley, in whome was Marke Antonie de Co­lonna, the high Admirall, and Pompey de Colonna, Romagasso, and Michael the Popes Nephewe, with manye other noblemen. But on his lefte was Venerio the Venetian Admirall, whome manye valiant and noble men accompanied, and a small di­staunce from hir followed the Admiralles of Charino Maripe­tri, and Ioh [...] L [...]ureta [...]o, behynde them the Admirall of the Geno­uese, in the which the Prince of Parma was, and the Admirall of the Duke of Sau [...]y, the Captayne whereof was Ligny, a manne renoumed both for birth and martiall knowledge, and in hir was also the Prince of Vrbine, and the wings of the myddle battell were backed on one side with the Admirall of the Knightes of Malta, whose Captayne was Peter Iustiniano, a forwarde and valiant man, and on the other wyth Lumolines Admirall, in whome was Paule Iordane, a Gentleman of ap­proued prowes. Whylest that Dom Iohn doth chearefullye and diligentlye execute all things which doe appertayne vnto his charge, and doth omit nothing that doth belong vnto a vali­ant [Page 323]and noble Prince: the rest of his fellowes, and the Cap­taynes of the galleyes did also by their owne authoritie com­maunde their souldiours to repayre vnto the ensignes, and that no man should depart out of his place, & that euery man should put himselfe in a readinesse for to fight. Moreouer, euery one of them adhorted their souldiours, and did to their vttermoste de­clare vnto them all things that might inflame their heartes, and nothing was pretermitted by them, which did appertayne vnto the dueties of good Captaines. In the meane time, euerye man made his most heartie and suppliant prayers vnto God for the good successe of the fight, and then tooke a shorte breakefast, and also the Mariners and rowers being refreshed with meate and drinke, and anon all of them, & euery one of them with prompt and valiant hearts made ready themselues for to fight. Two of the galeazes went before the middle battell. Iohn Andrew Doria Admiral of the Genouese fléete had the leading of the right wing, wherein were thréescore and foure galleyes, and also two of the galeazes went before him. Augustine Barbadico was Captayne of the left wing, with fiftie thrée galleyes, and likewise two of the Galeazes went before him. But Andrew Baciano Marques of Sancrace, and Admirall of the Neapolitan fléete, who had the leading of the rerewarde, or the battell of succour, stoode with his galleyes, who were in number thirtie eyght, halfe a myle from the battelles. But that our men might fight with happy euent, it was wrought through the helpe and singular prouidence of God, who made the winde which at the begyn­ning did greatlye fauour the enimies their nauie, by little and little to fall, and anon there followed suche a calms, that the Turkishe vessels coulde scarce be stirred out of their place, in so much that their shippes were rowed forth, and in the meane time more leysure and aduauntage was giuen vnto our men to sette their araye. The Admirall of the Turkishe fléete (Haly Bassa) had before this tyme sente one Caracosse with a Brigan­tine to take a vewe of our nauie, the whiche he reported vn­to the Admirall to be farre lesse than it was in déede, ey­ther bicause he coulde not well sée the galleyes of the lefte [Page 324]wing, by reason of his spéedy posting, or else, which is more like­ly, for the Islande that was behinde them. But two other that were sent after Caracosse, hauing vewed our fléete more diligent­ly, and curiously marked the kings flagges, returned spéedilye, and tolde that our nauie was very strong, and very excellentlye well appointed and prepared to fight, with their ensignes ad­uaunced. But as soone as he hearde this, he greatlye maruelled, as he that had before fully persuaded himselfe, and also the same had bene tolde him by Caracosse, that our nauie was farre lesse thā it was in déede, and therefore woulde our men go backe againe as soone as euer they sawe them comming, and seeke their safetie by shamefull flight, or else if that they were so foolishe hardye as to fight, they woulde receyue a notable ouerthrow. He is also re­ported to haue enquired whether that those vessels which were placed in the front, were Venetian or Spanishe, and when he was aunswered, that the one was intermired with the other, he was very pensiue, and had thought at the first that it scarce could haue bene by any meanes possible. At the first he had thought to haue wintered eyther in the gulfes of Cataro, Corfu, or Cephalenia, but after that he had lerned for a certaintie that our men had rigged forth a mightie nauie, he returned incōtinently into Greece, where he commaunded newe bandes of souldiours to be pressed forth, and they being spéedily embarked in his nauie, the whiche was also againe newe furnished with victualles and other necessary things, he directed his course with the rest of the Lanizars and o­ther ordinarie souldiers that he had before leuied, towards Cuz­zologri, which was almost midde waye betwéene Lepanto and Pa­tras, with intent to fight with our fléete, and in that minde was he the more confirmed, for that he had vnderstoode by Caracosses wordes, that his nauie was farre the greater. Wherefore at the first the Turkes began to reioyce, and promised themselues assu­red victorie, and so great a desire to fight had inflamed all of thē, that euerye man coueted to go before his fellowes, although it were commaunded vnder payne of death that no man should go before the Admirall galley. They were like vnto a mightie thick woode, and coulde scarce be restrayned from fight, and when [Page 325]they sawe our men come forwarde to fight verye valiantly and couragiously, and euery galley to followe the ensignes according to the discipline of warre, and in a very goodly order, with the no­ses of their galleys directed against the enimies, they also incon­tinently began to set their nauie with greate arte and celeritie, and they had so much the more conceyued the victorie in hope, bi­cause the winde did at the beginning blowe very commodiouslye for them, as we haue sayde before. But for that the beames of the sunne which shined that day very bright, were full in their eyes, they coulde not so aptly and commodiously order and sette their vessels in aray. Partaw the Generall of the souldiours, and Haly the Admirall of the fléete, whiche two did leade the middle battell, had appointed Mahomet Bey to be Captaine of the righte wing, with fifty galleys, and with him were Sirocke the President of Alexandria, Caurlaw, Asiscau, Dragan, Agadel, Bassa, Vstregasa, and many other men of great marke. But Occhialy had charge of the left wing, with almost fourescore and ten vesselles, and there accompanied him Caraiolo, and Arabey his sonnes, and many ex­pert souldiours, and also many of the Pirates: and they went di­rectly against Doria: their wing séemed to be much stronger than his, and also the galleys to be farre mo in number, bicause that Doria his galleys that were on the lefte hande not farre from the mayne lande, coulde not at the first be séene. But the principall Chiefetaines themselues (who were as ye haue hearde, Haly and Partaw) were garded on both sides with almost as many galleys. And of those noble menne that accompanied them, these were part, Agan the maister of the Arsenall, Mustapha Celibi the Trea­surer, Treymontana, Amath Bey, with his brother, and Haly his sonne, Amath Aga, the Captaine of Teuthrama, Assis Caiga, the gouernour of Gallipoli, Caracosse, Cambey the sonne of Barbarossa, Malamur, the Captaine of Mitilene, Deli Solyman, Gider the Cap­taine of Scio, Cassembey the Lieutenaunt of the Rhodes, Prouy Aga the Captaine of Napoli, Giapar Cilibi President of Calaba, Dordag­nan, Dondomeney, Beribeuole, Osman, Reul, Agada, Ciasafer, Dram Rais, and many other of marke, both for their riches and authoritie, and also for their prowes in warrefare. Thus when they sawe [Page 326]our men (the which in déede happen vnto them otherwise than they had expected) readye and couragious to fight, they incon­tinentlye aranged their galleyes for the battell, being cast into the forme of a Croisant or halfe Moone, as they haue of long time accustomed. The Admirall of the Turkes verye seuerelye commaunded all men, and euery man in the name of Selim for to fight without feare, and valiantly against their enimies their nauie. If that anye man did forsake the battell, eyther for slouth, feare, or anye other cause, he and his vessell, and all that were with him should be incontinently consumed with fire. In the meane time he commaunded (as our men did) that euerye man shoulde repayre incontinently vnto his ranke and order, and kéepe it, ordeining a grieuous payne for all them that shuld doe otherwise. Moreouer, he assembling his men togither, ad­horted them to be myndefull of their wonted prowes, through the which they had so often hitherto put to flight this same eni­mie, and reduced into their memorie all the noble actes that they had done in former yeares agaynst Charles the fift, and his sonne Philip during the reygne of Solyman. Moreouer, he briefe­lye repeated all that they had at sundrye times done agaynste the Venetians, and what they had of late gotten by warres and armes, that is to wit: howe they had augmented the Turkishe dominions with the kingdome of Cyprus. Wherefore they ought to remember, that they were also nowe to fight wyth those men whome they had so often discomfited, and that they shoulde make a waye and entrie, not onely into Italie, but al­so shortlye vnto the possession of all Europe, and therefore they shoulde fight valiantly, & assuredly trust that God and Ma­homet, through whose helpe their auncestours had subdued so manye kingdomes and Prouinces, and had broughte backe from the vanquished enimye, so manye renowmed victories, woulde also be with, and assiste them in this battell. These things and manye suche lyke did he set before his souldiours, with an oration no lesse graue than eloquent, that thereby his souldiours (although he sawe them of their owne accorde to be sharply inkindled to fight) might yet be through these adhorta­tions [Page 327]the more and more accensed. Nowe was all the daye al­moste spente, when that the nauies on both sides were made readie to fight. The ennimies fléete was sette in almoste the same araye that oures was. For the middle battell came a­gainst our middle battell, and their wings against ours. Our sixe greate galleyes or Galeazes (as I haue tolde you) wente before, of whome two stoode before eyther wyng, as a moste sure Bulwarke, and the rest wente before the myddle bat­tell. These greate Galleyes charging the leaders of the Turkishe battelles against them, did beate the ennemie on all sides with their ordinaunce, and committed horrible slaugh­ter. But althoughe the Turkes had receyued manye greate losses by them, and sawe that their orders and rankes were scattered, yet they being passed by them, did wyth a certayne marueylous pertinacie and stoutenesse of heart, gette them incontinentlye vnto the Ensignes. So anon the two fléetes ioyned togither in battell, and the highe Admirall gal­leyes of bothe fléetes vsing the surpassing chearefulnesse of the Mariners and Rowers, ranne togither with so greate force and violence, that their beakes on bothe sides were strycken off. They foughte valiantlye and variablye for the space of an whole houre, the victorie enclyning vnto nei­ther parte, fortune giuing ioyfull hope of prosperous euente, nowe vnto oure men, and then vnto the aduersaries. And nowe they began to fighte no longer with Arrowes. Dartes, and Gunnes, but encountered close togither with their Swordes. But when our menne had twyce boorded the Tur­kishe Admirall, and had gotten vnto the Maste, and séemed to be maisters of hir, they were twyce repulsed thence (and not withoute a notable losse) by newe succoure that ranne thither. Whyle that these thynges are in doing, Bernar­dine de Cardona, séeing that Lewes de Figaroa the Captayne of the stemme of the highe Admirall, had manye of his menne wounded and slayne, came spéedilye to relieue and succoure him, wyth Michael de Moncada, to whome also that charge had bene enioyned. But whylest that Bernardine foughte [Page 328]valiantlye at the stemme with his sworde and target, he being shot in with thrée pellets, fell downe and dyed the next morning. And in that place were also Peter Zaputha, Lewes de Ferez, Pliege the father, Federick de Benauides, Gusman, Philip de Rhodes, Ruide de Mendozza, Iohn de S [...]to, and Lewes de Rochenes, who was some­time at the standard, and sometimes with Dom Iohn, and all these noble gentlemen fought against the enimie with great and incre­dible valor. At length our men still vrging with sharpe sight, and hauing gotten a fauourable aspect of victorie, did after an houre and an halfes fight discomfite the middle battell, and boorded and tooke the Admirall galley, in whome were about fiue hundreth of the noblemen slayne, and mo taken and wounded: the Admirall himselfe while that he encourageth his men, he erecteth those that doe faynt and be fearefull, he confirmeth the couragious, he extolleth to the heauens those that fight valiantly, and promiseth them great rewardes: finally (whilest that he executeth no lesse the charge of an excellent Chiefetaine, than of a stout souldiour, is slayne with a small shot that hit him in the heade, the whiche being streightway cut off from his necke, was brought by a Spa­niard vnto Dom Iohn, who as soone as he saw it, cōmanded it to be set on y^e poynt of a speare for a space, & held it aloft with his own hande as it were a trophey, and to strike terror into the heartes of the rest of his enimies, who fought yet very valiantly, & anon were all the Turkish flagges pulled downe, and one of the crosse hanged out in their place. But although that a principall galley of the enimies sodenly inuaded the Admirall, when that she had almost vanquished hir enimies, yet she had the same euent that the rest had. While that the high Admirals doe most fiercely en­counter eche other, Partaw and Colonna encountred togither, and euery one of Colonna his galleys with the Turkishe, some with two, and some with thrée, as Colonna himselfe, and the Admirall of the Venetians had done; & equall almost was the prowes of the souldiours on both sides. At the beginning of the encoūter, many were slayne, but most on the enimies part, by reason that our men had in euery galley thrée hundreth skilfull & verye well practised harquebusiers, and on the other side the enimye had verye fewe, [Page 329]although in steade of them there were innumerable archers, and among them some on horsebacke, who deadly wounded manye of our menne. But in the meane time the Galleye slaues also brought no small helpe to the obteyning of the victorie, by hur­ling of Dartes and stones vpon the enimie. While that the chief Captaynes of the fléetes encounter one the other with so bloudy and cruell fight, all vessels of both nauies doe also in all partes furiously fight one against the other, and Doria, and Occhiali runne togither. But here was the fight most troublesome and hardest, bicause that Doria had ioined with so suttle an enimie, and an old beaten Captaine, and one whome he sawe did recule backe, that he might choose that which he iudged woulde be most for his ad­uauntage. This was a great impediment, that his counsels and intents coulde not be knowne, nor all the galleyes brought forth at the first. But when they at length, though late, came vnto fight: Doria fought valiantly, and had with him Octauian Ganza­ga, Vincent Vitelli, and certaine noble men of Spaine, who wyth the rest bestirred themselues not lasily. Whilest that this furious fight continueth, Lewes de Rechezenes dealt with Don Iohn, to goe out of hande for to succour the right wing, bicause he had séene and marked that manye of the enimies galleyes that hadde not yet begun to fight, made thither, and also that sundrie of Do­ria his galleyes were somewhat farre off. When the Admirall was come, there was a fierce and bloudy fight committed. There were with Don Iohn, Iohn Vasques, Coranade, Andrada, and Francis Doria, who fought all verye valiantly, and although that at the beginning fewe of the galleyes followed the Admirall, yet they which had bene appointed to garde hir sides, did neuer forsake hir. But the Admirall of the Spanishe fléete chauncing to sée a galley, wherein were the sonnes of the Turkishe Admirall (whome they thinking to be aliue and well, diligently and care­fully fought for here and there) made in vnto hir, and they fought togither with passing prowes, for in the Turkishe galley were a great number of valiant men: and in the Spanishe were, the son of the Constable of Castile, Iohn Velasco, Alexander de Torelles, and many other knights of Arragon. At that time also Peter Iustinian [Page 330]the Admirall of the fléete of the Knightes of Malta, a man of verye stoute courage and greate valor. being assayled by three galleyes, fought so valiantlye, that he boorded two of them, and hadde also almoste boorded the thirde, when that other thrée Turkishe galleys seeing the flagge of Saint Iohn, did spéedi­lye inuade him on all sides, and they being ioyned with the other thrée, slue almost all his men, among whome were fifite Knightes of the religion, who had with maruellous prowes long time susteyned the violent assault of their enimies. Inso­much that all men thought she had bene quite loste: when be­holde vpon a sodeyne and not without the instinct of God) twoo galleyes of his fellowes (that had fought so valiantly with o­ther thrée of the ennimies, that they had taken almoste all of them) séeing Iustinian his galley in greate distresse and daun­ger, spéedilye hasted to helpe hir, whome they deliuered out of all daunger, and founde the Adinirall yet aliue (although he were shotte in with thrée arrowes) and still fighting with vn­appalled heart, at the decke, with those fewe souldrours that were left aliue, being cast into a ring. In the meane time Occhiah very hardlye pressed Doria his side on all partes with his galleyes, and had nowe taken ten of our galleyes. Whyle that they thus encounter with doubtfull victorie, the araye was broken in the aduerse parte, and certayne small vessels fledde out of the battell, whome yet our men did not chase, for that it séemed to be no matter of anye greate importaunce, but bent their strength directlye towardes that parte which was moste oppressed by the enimie. When Occhiali percepued this, he leauing the galleyes whiche be had a little before taken, incontinentlye made towardes the middle battell: but when he sawe that the middle battell was discomfited, and that Don Iohn was come thither with his galley to helpe Doria, he in­continentlye beganne to thinke of flight. But our menne to interelude him, didde take before hande a certayne place throughe the whiche they had thought be must néedes haue passed: but he to escape the daunger, directed his course close vnto the shore, and there landed all the menne that were in [Page 331]his galleyes, and thus the greatest parte of them were saued by swimming. But if it hadde not chaunced that the grea­ter parte of oure Galley slaues (from whome their fetters were that daye taken, and libertie promised them, if that they did their ducties lustilye and faithfullye) hadde not ta­ried in those galleyes of the enimie, whiche had bene taken in the battell, not one Turke hadde escaped. But nowe manye of them were saued by flighte. Don Iohn, Baciano, and Doria spéedilye pursued Occhial: vntill that it was al­moste night. But he fléeing awaye in the night time wyth Sayles and Oares, accompanyed with sundrye Galleyes, (for the number was then vncertayne, some reporting moe and some fewer, but yet the common fame was thir­tye) escaped in safetie: neyther coulde it be then certainelye knowne what waye he had taken. But in the meane whyle in another quarter, Barbadico and Mahomet Bey foughte to­gither with greate ferocitie. And albeit that euerye one of our menne didde his duetie, and foughte verye valiantlye and couragiouslye, and speciallye the leader of the bat­tell, and also Antonye Canali, and Marke Quirini, the Lieu­tenauntes, yet they had receyued greate incommoditie, and doubtlesse had bene in no small daunger, if Aluaro Bacia­no, that ledde the rerewarde, hadde not spéedilye come wyth succour. By hys comming, the fighte was farre more sharp­lye renued, and they did charge the aduerse parte with suche force and violence, that they discomfited them: wherein they were also holpen by a fortunate wynde whiche blewe with vs, and caried the smoke of our ordinaunce vppon the ennimye, and didde beate backe theirs vppon themselues, whereby their sighte was muche dymmed and obscured, whereas oure menne sawe them verye playnelye and per­fectlye. In thys conflicte and fighte were manye slayne on bothe sides. But the manne of moste renoumed fame and courage, was Barbadico, who was shotte into the eye with an arrowe, as hée foughte verye valiauntlye and lusti­lye, at what tyme the prowes and manne hoode of the [Page 332] Venetian Lieutenants, although it were often also séene at other times, yet then certes did most specially appeare. For when they sawe that Barbadico was stricken in the eye with a very grieuous wounde, and that he was so impeached by the immeasurable griefe thereof (although that he suppressed it with surpassing stoutenesse of heart) that he coulde not anye longer execute that which he had a little before done, so stoutlye and excellently: they did so performe the dueties of stoute Captaines and souldiours, that nothing was wanting in them. But Barbadico died that eue­ning, and not without the sighing and sorowe of all good men. It is sayde that before he died, he asked which part had the victorie, and being tolde that our men had gotten it, and that Selyms nauie was part taken, and part sunken, and burnt, he gaue immortall thankes vnto God therefore, and immediately after departed most ioyfull out of this life vnto the heauenly. I cannot omit one notable acte of Aluaro Baciano, that happened in this battell. He séeing a mightie Admirall galley of the Turkes to make in lustilye towardes our Admirall, layde hir aboorde himselfe, and tooke hir, but not without some losse of his men, and his owne target was shot in with thrée small pellets, and as he fought va­liantly with hir, there came another ship fraught ful of noblemen of Naples for to helpe him. Furthermore, it chaunced, that Iohn de Cardona the Admirall of the Sicilian fléete, and to whome this of­fice was enioyned in all this voyage to go before the fléete with eyght galleys to scout and learne the counsels and intents of the enimie, was entred a roade with foure galleyes to execute his office a little before the time of the consticte: but he returned in good time, euen then when the two fléetes began to ioyne in bat­tell, and comming vnto his place which had bene before assigned, he founde it verye open, insomuch that he was forced to take it before fiftene of the enimies galleys that approched. For when he noted howe great detriment it woulde bring, if that the eni­mie got in at that gappe, he by fighting with great policie and celeritie, did foreshutte them from that entrie, neyther did anye one of them enter before that the Admirall came to succour Do­ria, through whose and also other mens helpe, those galleys were [Page 333]taken with small labour. There were in these fou [...] galleyes of Cardona about fiue hundreth Spaniardes, of whome scarce fiftie es­caped vnhurt, no nor any man that bare office. There were slaine in this battell on our side of all fortes, aboute eyght thousande, and almost so many hurt. Men of marke slaine were these, Iohn, & Bernardine of the noble house of Cardona in Spai [...]e, Ke [...]gi [...] and Ho­ratis Orsini, noble Romanes. Of the Venerian nobilitie, Banedict [...] S [...] ­peranzi, Catarino Malipetri, Vincent Eu [...]riai, H [...]er [...]mi and Marino Contarini, Iohn Lauredano, Andrew Barbaedrica, Fra [...]ncis B [...]o, Marke Antonie Lando, Antony Pasqualigi, and manye other of noble bloude. Moreouer, Iohn Baptista, Benedi [...]t Cip [...] [...] Cotonie Cudem [...] ­nico, Cydon, Iames Trissini of Vicenza, Hier [...] [...] [...]zi, Andrewe Calergi, and Malatesta of Rimini, who was wi [...] Bar [...]i [...]. Of them that were wounded, were Iohn de Austri [...] with [...] arrowe, but with a light wounde: Paule Forano with another arrowe, the Conte de San Fiora, with a pellet of a g [...]nne, and Tro [...]l [...] Sauello with the same, and Marke Molini, a Captaine of the souldiours of Malta. And also Thomas de M [...]dica, Martello Re [...]eri [...], Biffoli, Marteli­no Guicciardini, Spina, Mazzing [...], Iuli [...] Nal [...], Guia [...]uo; Magna­li, Iohn Maria Pucoi, Tornaboni, Figliazi, Federick Marcello, and Berar­d [...], all Gentlemen and Knights of Florence. But a certayne num­ber of the enimies that were slayne, coulde scarce be knowne, bicause that very many of thē were drouned, yet the same is, that fistene thousande were slaine, fiue thousande taken, and innume­rable hurt. Of them that were slayn, these were the men of grea­test name. Haly Bassa the high Admirall of the fléete, Amath Bey the Captaine of the Ianizars, Assam Bey the sonne of Barbarossa, with his sonne Mehemet Bey the Captaine of Metileno, Gider F [...]y the Captainte of Scio, Capstan Bey the Captaine of the Rhodes, Prouis Aga the Captaine of Mahemeda or Africa, Mustapha Scelubi the high Treasurer, A stu Caiga, the Captaine of Gallipoli, Tramonta­na the Maister of the Turkes Admirall, Caracosse, and manye o­ther, to set downe whose names in this place it were too long a péece of worke. Of prisoners, among other were Malemet Bey, and Seyn Bey the Admirals sonnes, Malemet Bey the Captayne of Nigrepont, and Syroch Bey whose wife was also taken, a woman, [Page 334](they saye) of passing beautie. The chiefe of them that escaped, were Parlaw, Occl [...]al [...], Murate, Rays with his sonne, and Genouese Aly. But Caraperis a famous Pirate was gone before vnto Cyprus with twentie galleyes and Brigantines, parte of those 333. that came from Constantinaple, and therefore be coulde not be at this bloudie battell. The vesseles of the Turkes that es­caped with Part [...] and Oce [...]ial [...], were afterward certainly known to be xxv. galleyes, and ten Brigantines. Of our enimies their nauie, Cirj galleys came into our mens power, but fortie were drowned, and of Brigantines and other sortes of vesselles, lx. were taken. But the Admirall galley which was taken among the rest, it is reported, was a wonderfull goodly and beautifull vessell, insomuch [...] there is scarce anye vessell in the whole Ocean, that [...]ye iustily be compared vnto hir for beautie and riches. The decke of this galley (as they haue talde we that sawe hir) is on both sides greater by thrée partes than o­thers be, and is made all of blacke Walnut trée, like vnto He­bene woode, checkered, and wroughte maruellous sayre wyth diuers colours, and hystories of all kindes. There be also in hir many counterfeytes ingraued and wrought in golde, with so cunning a hande, that it can scarce be thought that anye house in the worlde is more magnificent and stately. The inner part and the chamber or cabban glistered in euery place with ryche hangings wrought with golde twist, and diners sortes of pre­cious stones, and among them certayne small counterfeytes wrought with wonderfull cunning. Moreouer, there were al­so founde great store of clothes and apparell whiche were the Admirals, wrought with the néedle, and adorned with siluer, and with so beautifull and riche workemanshippe, that hye great Lorde Selim himselfe coulde not put on more royall and riche roabes. But his rich casket with the fire thousand péeces of golde in it, with a yearely reuenue of thrée hundreth Ducats was giuen vnto a Greke, born in Macedonie, who slue the Admi­rall, and he was also created knight by Don Iohn: he had also gi­uen vnto him the burrell of the Turkishe standarde, the which after he was returned to Venice (where he had long time before [Page 335]dwelt with his wyfe, and serued the common wealth about the Arsenall) he solde vnto a goldsmith. Whereof when the Senate had intelligence, they redéemed it of the Goldsmith, paying a Ducate for euery ounce, that it might be layde vp among the rest of the tropheys and spoyles. It was all of siluer and guilt, and that wonderfull thicke, and ingraued rounde aboute with Turkishe letters. On the one side was engrauen: God doth con­duct and adorne the faythfull. In worthie enterprises God doth fauour Mahomet. On the other side: God hath no other God, and Mahomet is his Prophet. But to returne vnto the Christian nauie: After that this renounted victorie was gotten, the Princes sate in counsell what was to be done, and at length after nature con­sultation, Do [...] Iohn and Colonna determined to returne vnto Mes­sina, bicause they were not able to besiege any towne (they being all well knowne to be strongly appointed) before that their na­uie were newly furnished with a freshe supplye of souldiours, and that coulde not be now done, for that the winter was come vpon them. But the V [...]netians repayring their nauie, wanne a Castell in Epyrus called Margarita, and also recovered the towne of Soppoto, the which the Turkes had wonne this sommer, and nowe they hearing of this great ouerthrowe, did fearefully for­sake it at the approch of the Venetian fléete.