THE Souldiers Companion, &c.
The Relation of the Great and Memorable Battel fought in Battel Field in Sussex, between Harrold King of England and William Duke of Normandy, on Octob. 14. 1066.

KING Harrold having no sooner de­feated the Army of Norvigians and Danes in the North with exceeding slaughter, (in which, of note fell Harfagar King of Denmark, Tosto his Bro­ther, and Olave his Son) but News was brought him that the Normans, under the leading of their Duke, were landed in the South; whereupon he made such speed with his Army, that before they could pass through the County of Sussex, he was draw­ing out of London, and so with the like ce­lerity marched to give them battel, after having sent back the Messenger who came from the Duke of Normandy to demand pos­session of the Kingdom, by vertue of a pro­mise he had made him, when being a pri­vate man, he was taken Prisoner upon his [Page 2]Coast; so that both Armies pitching their Tents upon a great Plain, now known by the name of Battel-field, the King sent di­vers Spies to view the Norman Camp, who being taken and presented to the Duke, he generously feasted them, causing them to be carried from Tent to Tent, and then they were dismissed without any damage or de­triment. And now Duke William a second time sending to demand the Kingdom, or a single Combat with King Harrold, and both of them being refus'd, as also another proffer, which was to hold the Kingdom as a Feudetary of Normandy; the Armies drew out on the 14th of October 1066 to try the Fortune of a King and Kingdom by more Swords than one, when being set in ar­ray of Battel, and incouraged on either side with moving Orations, the bloody Blast was sounded, and the Kentish Men, who claimed the Avaunt-guard or From of the Battel as their Right, moved and charged the Enemy in the Front with great fury, the Battalions and Wings of Horse on the other parts doing the like, yet keeping firm in their thick and closed Ranks, so that what with the shot of Ar­rows and those that came to the Sword and push of Pike, a bloody and doubtful Fight ensued; nor could the Normans with the [Page 3]continual wheeling of their Horse, and shot of Archers, of which they mostly consisted, dismay or disorder the English Battel, tho [...] in their motions they shot a slaunt in the Air, that the Arrows in their fall might disable the inmost Ranks and gaul the Horse; which the Duke perceiving, and finding that unless he could loosen the Bat­tel it was in vain for him to expect the Vi­ctory; (nor had he any hope of return, his Fleet being before fired at his command) he ordered the Retreat to be sounded, but [...]n such a manner, that the whole Army consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot might suddenly face about and charge at the Sig­nal appointed to be given; which Strata­gem answered his Expectation, for the English supposing the Normans fled, sudden­ [...]y disranked to pursue them, so that their Orders being open, and the Duke rallying [...] is Men, broke in with a furious Charge, [...]nd made such slaughter that the ground was covered with heaps of the slain, nor [...]ould the King though he laboured to cast [...]em into a thick Body restore the Battel; [...]ut as he was intent upon it, he received the [...]ot of an Arrow which entred his Brain, [...]nd of which Wound he fell down dead [...]ter which a miserable slaughter ensued, [...]ough a party of the English cast them­selves [Page 4]into a Ring and manfully resisted; however, being in the end routed on all parts, there fell 97974 by the Sword and shot of Arrows, amongst which were the King and his two Brothers Leosin and Grith, together with the flower of the English No­bility, and of the Normans not above 9000, and although their Duke escaped, he had three Horses slain under him, yet by this Battel so gained he won a Kingdom, for the Land being thus deprived of her King and Nobles, no farther resistance was made, but all things were left to the dispo­sal of the Conqueror, who soon after cau­sed himself to be Crowned King, and is known in our Cronologies by the style o [...] King William the First, or William the Con­queror.

The Battels of Jerusalem, or Jerusalem no [...] by the Armies of the Western Princes, De­cember 25. 1099.

JErusalem being in the hands of the Infi­dels, their unheard of Cruelties louden­ed the crys of the oppressed Christians, an [...] [Page 5]obliged them to importune their Patriarch to implore the Christian Princes to send their Armies by Battel to rescue them from their Oppressors, who accordingly send­ing his Letters full of lamentations, by one Peter a Hermit, with other proofs and at­testations of the miseries they suffered in the Holy Land, such credit was given to them, that in a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised, wearing on their Breasts red Crosses in token of their holy Warfare, and were chiefly under the lead­ing of Godfry of Bulloin, Duke of Lorrain, and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin, Hugh brother to the French King, Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders, Robert Duke of Normandy, Son to William the Conqueror, Stephen de Valois Earl of Chartires, Adimer Bishop of Podolia, &c. and with this Ar­my they passed the Hellespont, covering the shores of Asia, and brought a great Terror upon the Infidels, who gathered what For­ces they could to oppose the progress of such a War, and were not altogether unsuccess­ful, for Peter the Hermit advancing before the rest of the Army with 40000 men, rai­sed in the Territories of the Church, be­ing furiously charged by the Enemy, lost the greatest part of his Forces, and was ob­liged to retire with the rest to Civite, a [Page 6]Town a little before abandoned by the Turks, not daring to depart thence till the arrival of Duke Godfry, when with their united Forces the Christians marched to the City of Nicea, which they besieged, and made themselves Masters of it in fifty days, finding therein great Riches, and many Persons of note; amongst whom were the Turkish King Solyman's Wife and two Chil­dren: and the King who came to the Re­lief of it, with the whole power of the les­ser Asia, consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot, was overthrown, with such slaughter as covered the Fields with the dead Bodies, and filled the Ditches with blood, nothing being to be heard but crys and dying groans, for the Christians following the Execution, 40000 of the Infidels fell by the Sword, which brought such a Terror up­on those Parts, that Cities and Towns were abandoned without so much as being dis­puted; Antioch only of all in that large Tract held out, yet made but a weak resi­stance, for after a furious Assault it was ta­ken; which being known to the Garrisons of Iconium and Haraclea, they surrendred upon the first summons, still flying before the Victors, and daily sending to his Co­zen Axan, the Persian Sultan, for Aid; but he not being able to supply him against [Page 7]such powerful Opponents, the Christians recovered all that had by the Infidels been torn from the Greek Empire, and then in a full Council of the Princes, agreed that an Oath should be administred to each in­dividual Person, that none should return till Jerusalem was taken, which as well the Officers as Souldiers joyfully embraced, and so the Army passed over the River Orontes, forcing their way with shot of Ar­rows through the Turks that guarded the further banks, and took the other Antioch in Surrya on the third day of June, An­no 1098, and repulsed with great slaughter an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot that came to relieve it, killing 20000 of them upon the place, which made Corbanus the Persian Sultans Lieutenant raise his Siege from before Edassa, and haste to oppose the progress of their Arms; but joyning battel, after a furious and obstinate fight, he was overthrown with almost incredible slaugh­ter of his men; so that the Valleys were filled in a manner with Blood, and the Bodies of 100000 slain, the Christians not losing above 4000 in this Enterprise; and the next day took 5000 Camels richly laden; and thus conquering on, and taking all the Cities in their way, they came to Jerusalem, at the sight of which they raised [Page 8]such a shout as made the Country resound with joyful Acclamations, when with Hands and Eyes extended towards Hea­ven, they called upon the Name of Jesus, and many of them in respect to the place where our Blessed Saviour had preached his Gospel, fell on their Knees and kissed the Ground, making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had wrested it out of the hands of the Infidels; and thereupon, although their strength was much impair'd by sickness, as well as frequent fights and skirmishes, it was resolved in a Council of Princes, not to defer the siege, although they knew the Governour upon the ap­proach of the Christian Army had increa­sed his Garrison, and provided necessaries to enable him the better to defend the Ci­ty, and make a resolute resistance; so that on Christmas day they sat down before it on the North side; for towards the East and West the Quars, broken Rocks, and shat­ter'd Hills forbad them access, or at least, rendered any approach on those parts ve­ry difficult and incommodious, the order of the incampment being in this manner. viz.

Next to the Wall incamped Godfrey of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain, with his Lorrainers and Germans; next him on the right, Ro­bert [Page 9]Duke of Normandy, Son to the Conque­rour, and the Earl of Flanders pitch'd their Tents: and over against the West Gate were alotted the Stations of Tancred, and the Earl of Tholous, Bohemund and Baldwin being then absent, the one remaining King at Antioch, and the other Governour at Edassa; and so having refreshed themselves, it was concluded among the Princes, that on the fifth day of January the Assault should be given, which was accordingly performed with much bravery and reso­lution; nor were the Turks, Jews, and Sa­razens wanting to make an obstinate de­fence, though as they stood to it upon the Walls and Towers, they were miserably overwhelmed by showers of Arrows, so that some thousands were lost on either side, for the Christians wanting scaling Ladders to ascend, at what time the Ar­chers caused the besieged to give back, and the Weather being exceeding hot, the Ge­nerals thought fit at that time to sound the retreat, upon which the Souldiers, who at the utmost hazard were desirous of nothing more than winning the City, unwillingly retired; yet that the besieged might have littlerest, on the tenth day of January an­other fierce assault was given, which being managed with the Engines of War, made [Page 10]the Walls tremble, nothing therein be­ing omitted that Policy or true Valour could afford; yet this as the former, through the excessive heat of the Weather, and want of Water, took not its desired effect; for before the arrival of the Chri­stians, the Infidels having poisoned all the Wells about the City, or stopped them up, they could not be easily discovered; so that none but that of Siloe, which had worked out the Poison, and was become wholesom, yielded them any relief, and that yielded the Army not half enough, through the defeat of which they suffered great Extre­mity; yet armed with a Christian Cou­rage and Patience, they endured it without the least repining; and soon after were re­cruited by a Fleet of Genoess; who arriving at Joppa, sunk their Gallies for fear of be­ing taken, and marching over land, arri­ved safe at the Camp, where, as expert En­gineers, they became very serviceable, in making Engines for assault, and moving Towers, with flying Bridges covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired, for from these the Christians upon equal terms fought hand to hand with those that kept the Walls and Bulwarks, these Towers overlooking even their highest Battle­ments; so that now all things being in a [Page 11]readiness for a third general assault, whilst the besieged were preparing to fire the Towers, the Wind by a sudden Provi­dence drove back the Flames with such fury, that many of those that kept the Walls were stifled, and others forced to re­treat; of which, Godfrey duke of Lorrain taking the advantage, mounted the Engine, and being supported by others, leaped up­on the Wall, and there fixing his standards, defended it in spite of all the resistance that was made, continuing there fighting with his drawn Sword amongst a shower of Ar­rows, till such time as his venturous attempt incouraged the rest of the Princes to hasten to his Relief, who pressing on with great fury, a terrible slaughter ensued, the Soul­diers in their Rage not sparing Man, Wo­man, or Child, that they found in the first heat of their entrance, which made the most couragious of the Turks, Sarazens, and Jews, after an obstinate fight of two hours, to retire into Solomons Temple; in the en­trance of which they desperately disputed it till thousands of dead bodies covered the place, and all the Pavements were slipery and overflow'd with Blood: And in this fight were the Christians so eager in rush­ing on, that those who pressed to get for­ward, pushed many of their Fellows who [Page 12]were before them, upon the Enemies Wea­pons; yet the slaughter increasing, and the Infidels finding the City irreparably lost, gave back, and in an obstinate mood betook themselves to the vaulted Roofs of the Temple, where, with such Weapons as they had, they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over, and a Trumpet by the command of the Princes sounded as the signal of giving Quarter, at what time they yielded, and had their Lives spared.

Thus was the famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in thirty days, Anno 1099, after it had been in the hands of the Infidels for the space of 409 years, and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it, and had suf­fered so many Cruelties under the Turkish Governours, that with tears of Joy they embraced the Souldiers every where sing­ing Praises for their Deliverance. And now a King being wanting, that good Or­der might be maintained, the Princes in full Assembly proposed that Honour to Robert Duke of Normandy, but he having notice of his Brothers death declin'd it, as being desirous to return and take possession of his Kingdom of England, though he af­terward found it prepossessed by his youn­ger [Page 13]Brother Henry; nor long was it e're he deprived him of his Dutchy of Normandy, and finally of his life by putting out his Eyes, which many attributed as a Judge­ment for refusing the proffer [...]d Scepter of Jerusalem; but upon this refusal Godfry of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain was unanimously chosen King, yet refused to be crowned with a golden Crown where his Saviour for the Salvation of Mankind had sometimes worn a Crown of Thorns. And although an Army of an 100000 Turks and Sarazens advanced to recover the City, yet the Princes draw­ing out their strength, gave them Battel with so fearful an overthrow, that all the Hills and Plains for the space of nine miles were covered with the bodies of the slain: and so Jerusalem (with other exceeding large Territories) continued in the Possession of the European Christians, during the Reign of nine Kings, and for the space of an 100 Years, when through their own Dissenti­ons it was lost to Salladine the Sultan of Aegypt.

A Description of the Famous Battel fought near Cressy, between the English under the Lead­ing of Edward the Black Prince, and the French, under the Leading of Philip their King, &c.

KING Edward the third of England, ha­ving in the right of his Mother laid claim to the Crown of France, and the French opposing to it their Salique Law, by which the Heirs Female are disabled from gover­ning, he rais'd a powerful Army, to gain by the Sword that Right which was deny'd him by a pretended Law, made to exclude the Daughters of France, &c. taking upon him the Title of King of France, Quartering the Arms of that Kingdom with those of Eng­land, which have so continued from that day; and landing in the North parts, he wasted the Country with Fire and Sword as far as Turwin, defeating such Forces as came to oppose him, and reduced many Towns to his Obedience, soon after de­stroying their Fleet of 400 Sail of Ships, and in it 30000 men, (many of them of the prime Nobility;) but still being refused to be invested in the possession of the King­dom, having refreshed himself in Eng­land, and settled his Affairs, levied an Ar­my [Page 15]of 32500 Horse and Foot, with which he repassed the Seas, and brought such a terror upon the French, that many great Towns were abandoned without resistance, which obliged Philip the French King to raise the whole power of his Country, con­sisting of 100000 Horse and Foot, the Flower of France, &c. and with them ad­vanced by hasty marches to give the English battel, or to oblige them to retire; of which King Edward having notice by his Espials, caused his Horsemen to quit their Horses, and marshal'd his Army on foot in three Battalions, the chief of which himself re­tained as a reserve, mostly composed of men at Arms; and the other two under the leading of the Black Prince, his Son, and di­vers Nobles, he caused to advance into the Plain; where the French coming on with great Fury, as not expecting but to obtain the Victory, were received in the front by the Avaunt-guard of the Men at Arms, whilst the wings of Archers sent showers of Arrows amongst them, which gauling their squadrons of Horse in the flank, put them into great disorder; at which the French Commanders of the Horse growing impatient, broke through their own foot, and made a strong effort upon the Princes Battel, by continually pressing on with [Page 16]fresh men, which made the Lords who guarded the Prince, send to the King, en­treating him to advance with his battel to their Succour, To which he returned an­swer, That he designed the Glory of the day to his Son, and that whilst he was alive, they must not expect any Succour from him, but fight valiantly to win Honour and Renown; which Answer so animated the English, that they fought more desperate than ever, insomuch that the French Horse being in confusion by the goaring of Pikes, and the shot of Arrows, and the Foot not able to relieve them, the men at Arms brake in with such fury, and in a firm battel piercing their squadrons, that they could find no place of retreat or rally, so that the other Battalion charging in the flank, and the Archers still delivering their Arrows with great Celerity, Victory de­clared on the part of the English, whilst no­thing but flight and slaughter ensued on the part of the French, insomuch that in six hours space the field was heaped with the bodies of the slain, and nothing was heard so loud as the Crys of the dying men, whilst happy was he that could escape the Swords of his fierce Pursuers.

In this battel were slain the Kings of Na­var, and Bohemia, two Princes of the blood, seven Earls, and 15000 Barons, Knights, [Page 17]and men at Arms, with not less than 30000 of-lesser note, besides a great num­ber taken Prisoners, and many of those of the first rank, which were afterwards put to their ransoms. The battel being entire­ly won, the King and Prince marched to Calais, and besieged it, when as the Gover­nour having capitulated for some time, and the attempts to relieve it proving un­successful, he surrendred it to the King, who placed an English Colony therein; and whilst this War lasted, David King of Scot­land, taking part with the French, and inva­ding England in the absence of the King, was defeated near Durham, and himself ta­ken Prisoner by one Copland, most of his Army being slain, and was after eleven years imprisonment redeemed at 100000 Marks; nor was Prince Edward less victo­rious in a second battel fought between him and John the French King, Son to the fore­mention'd Philip, who came against him with 100000 Horse and Foot, or as some will have it 130000, in which battel fought near Po [...]tus, there were slain fifty two No­ble men, most of them Dukes and Earls, 1700 Knights and Esquires, and 16000 common Souldiers; the King himself, to­gether with Philip the Dauphin, one Arch-Bishop, ten Earls, and about 200 Knights [Page 18]and Esquires were taken Prisoners, besides a great number of lesser note, though here the French were three to one in the Field.

A Relation of the fatal Battel fought on the Plains of Cossovia, between Amurath the first, King of the Turks, and the Despot of Servia, in League with divers other Christian Princes, Anno 1390.

THE Turkish Kingdom, founded by Otho­man in Asia, having spread it self in a short time over the Hellespont into Europe, and their Arms brought a Terror upon the Greek Empire, now sick and languishing, by reason of intestine broils; to prevent the further incroachment of Amurath, the Des­pot, or Prince of Servia, made a private League with the King of Bosna, that with their united Powers they might defend their Territories; which was not yet so se­cretly done at an interview between them, but the Turk had notice of it; and ha­ving overthrown Aladin the Caramanian [Page 19]King in Asia, and stripped him out of his Countries, he drew all his Forces into Eu­rope, to oppose the Princes, who were raising what Power they could to march against him, and knowing they had to deal with one of a fierce and cruel nature, resolved to try what might be done by stratagem; in order to which, a Captain that kept a Castle on the Confines of Bosna, hasting to the Camp of Amurath, promised him for a large Reward no put the greater part of the strong holds into his hands, if he would follow his directions, confirming him in what he said by many specious Pretences and Protestations, insomuch that the co­vetous Turk credited him so far as to send 20000 men under the leading of his Tutor Lala-Schahin, which the Captain suffering for a while to plunder some inconsidera­ble Places, to give them thereby the grea­ter confidence of their security; in the end he trained them into an Ambush of 30000 Besniacks, who as they were stragling, fell upon them, and cut off 15000 of them, the other 5000 with Schahin hardly escaping to make a relation of their welcom.

Amurath being not a little grieved and vexed at the misfortune and disgrace put upon him by one in whom he thought he might have confided, considering the Re­wards [Page 20]he had bestowed to ingage him on his part, breathed nothing but Revenge against the Christians, and in the height of his fury commanded his Army to march into Servia, where, somewhat contrary to his Expectation, he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to bid him battel, when as some inconsiderable Towns being taken and possest on both parts, and the dreadful day of battel drawing nigh, the Armies, as if by consent, met upon the large Plains of Cossovia, where the Generals and Great Captains on either side having made many Speeches and moving Orati­ons to animate the Souldiers to try their utmost Power and Force, and set them in battel array, the charge was founded, and the battalions joyned with such fury, that the Earth trembled under their Feet, and such was the horrid clashing of Arms, the noise and shouts of the Conquerors, the Groans and Crys of the vanquished, and the neighing and trampling of Horses, that many report the wild Beasts in the Moun­tains stood trembling at what it might sig­nifie, or whence so great a Clamour pro­ceeded, and that such as beheld the fight at a distance, imagined the showers of Arrows that darkned the Plains, descended from the Clouds; and so furiously the Despot to [Page 21]revenge the mischiefs the Turks had done in his Country, charged upon the right wing, that he broke and disordered it, and pierced the main battel: But the Turks being double the number of the Christians, and Bajazet, Amurath s Son, coming in with twenty thousand Horse, restored the battel, so that the Christians being wearied with slaughtering their Enemies, and having done all that could be expected from true Valour for the space of eight hours, for so long the battel lasted, they were at length overset and put to the worse in all parts, and the Plains were made mountainous with the heaps of the slain, so that they in some measure hindred the pursuit, though the Christians, like men, desperately resolved to conquer or dye, fled not till Lazarus the Despot, and all the great Captains were killed, valiantly fighting, or whilst there was any hopes of Victory, or of an honour­able Retreat; Those that fell in this bat­tel on both sides not being accounted less than 50000. But of this Victory Amurath had but small joy, for whilst he was glut­ting his Eyes with the vast heaps of the slain, a Christian Souldier named Cobelites, half dead and faint with Wounds and loss of Blood, rising as it were from a Golgotha, or Grave, came staggering towards him, fall­ing [Page 22]two or three times in twenty paces, whilst those that were about him would have hindred his approach, but Amurath forbad them to hinder him, as supposing he came to petition for Life, when on the contrary, without a word speaking, sudden­ly drawing out a Dagger, he stabbed him into the Belly, for which he was hewen in pieces by those that attended their King, who likewise died of that wound soon af­ter; and for this Reason the Turks, when any one is admitted to his Audience of the Emperour, lead him by either Arm, &c.

A Description of the Memorable Battel fought on the Plains of Sennas in Asia, between Tamerlane the Great, Prince of the Tar­tars, and Bajazet, the First of that Name, King of the Turks, &c.

BAjazet succeeding Amurath, who was kill'd on the Plains of Cossovia, not on­ly prosecuting his Wars against the Chri­stians, but stripping the Mahometan Princes [Page 23]out of their Dominions in the lesser Asia, and they hearing of Tamerlane's Conquests in the great Kingdom of China, where he had wrought Wonders, and of his Power with the Tartarian Emperour, whose Daughter he had married, many of them fled to him for Refuge, imploring him by Arms to restore them to their just Rights that had been wrongfully taken from them; which so far prevailed with him, being at the same time sollicited by Emanuel the Greek Emperour, whom Bajazet had be­sieged in Constantinople, the chief City of his Empire, as to send Ambassadors to the Turk with Presents on their behalf, requi­ring him to cease from molesting his Allies, and more especially so worthy a Person as the Greek Emperour had been represented to him to be; but instead of answering his Expecta­tions, Bajazet in a proud manner not only rejected his Presents, but in opprobrious Terms made him many foul Reproaches, telling his Ambassadors, He desired nothing more than to meet him in the Field; and so dis­miss'd them with Threats and Scorn, which so enraged the Tartar, that being be­fore perswaded by Axalla his great Favorite, a Genoa by Birth, and by Profession a Chri­stian (and having an Inclination to assist the Christian Emperour, whose Opinion [Page 24]he favour'd) to raise an Army, he now re­solved to do it, and such an Army as should cover the Countries he passed through, which he soon did in those vast Domini­ons; and taking leave of his Father-in-Law and his Wife, passing the Mountains, marched through divers Countries, draw­ing a World of People after him, none daring oppose or attempt to hinder his Passage; when at Bachichich he mustered his Forces, and found them to consist of 800000 Horse and Foot of divers Nations, and there he gave them general Pay, not having suffered any of them to do the least Outrage or Injury to the People or their Goods through the Country they had pas­sed. The News of whose Approach com­ing to Bajazet as he lay at the Siege of Con­stantinople, he rise, and with his whole Power passed into Asia, happily as the Tar­ter wished, who would have been other­wise much put to it for Conveniency to transport so great an Army, nor had Ba­jazet failed with a small Fleet to have pre­vented it. However, whilst Tamerlane was passing the Euphrates, and taking the great City of Sabastia, Bajazet joyned his Lieute­nant in Asia; so that their united Forces made no less than 500000 effectual men, when meeting with the Governour o [...] [Page 25] Sabastia, whom Tamerlane had sent to ac­quaint him with the Subversion of that Ci­ty; he demanded which was the greater Ar­my, he having seen both, to which after craving pardon, if speaking according to his Judgment he should offend, That doubtless Tamerlane's must needs be the greatest, seeing he was Lord of far greater Countries; at which Bajazet laughing, said to those that stood by, Out of doubt the sight of the Tartars have made this Coward so afraid, that he believes every one to be two.

The Armies by this time being come within sight of each other upon the large Plains of Sennas, it was not thought by either General convenient to joyn Battel that Even­ing, by reason the Day was far spent, but to stand upon their Guard till the next Morn­ing, though several Skirmishes passed be­tween the Turkish Avaunt-guard and the Par­thean Horsemen, in which a Turkish Officer being taken and carried before Tamerlane, he caused him to be dismissed, with a Com­mand to tell his Master, That now he was come to meet him in the Field as he had desi­red, and that he might the better know him, he should find him fighting under the Green Standard. The Morning being come, and either Army standing in Battel-array, the charge was sounded, whereupon the Wings [Page 26]began to move with great speed, whilst the Prince of Ciracan, Tamerlain's Lieutenant and Kinsman, with 40000 Horse gathered in Parthia and Media, charging the Avaunt-guard with great fury, pierced the main battel, and put the Janizaries into disorder. But the Prince entering too far amongst their Ranks was slain, and his squadron in the end over-borne; whereupon Axalla with his squadron, composed of Sciths and Parthians, with such fury charged the Turks left Wing, that cutting down all that oppo­sed him, he stopped not till he faced the Bat­talion of the Janizaries, at what time the foot-men came to joyn him; yet so valiant­ly did the Janizaries stand to their Arms, in the middle of whom was the Person of their King, that the fight continued bloody and doubtful for the space of an hour or more, all the place being paved with dead Men and Horses; till the Tartars over­charged, gave ground, which Tamerlain per­ceiving, sent 10000 Horse to reinforce them and other 10000 to fight in the Rear ward whilst his foot-men fell on with the Turk main battel that was as yet unshaken; and forcing their way, opened a Passage to the Rear-ward of the Janizaries, who sustaine [...] their charge for a considerable time; bu [...] being in the end over-power'd by number [Page 27]they were obliged to give ground; when Tamerlain coming on with a Reserve of 50000 fresh Horse, and charging through the Horsemen that covered the main battel of the Turks, and the Foot-men already wearied and tired out, making but weak resistance, many of their prime Comman­ders being slain, they were on all sides mise­rably beaten down by the Horsemen; who with their Maces, Poll-axes and Scimiters, entering their Ranks, made great slaughter; so that losing Courage and Power to resist, they betook themselves to flight: and amongst them Bajazet wounded in his en­deavouring to restore the battel, who, to­gether with his Son Musa, fell into the hands of Axalla, as also did the Despot of Servia, who were presented to Tamerlain. Nor is it held by many, thar had not the Subjects of the Mahometan princes press'd to the War [...]n divers parts of Asia the less, perceived [...]heir natural Lords under the Tartars Ban­ [...]er, and in the heat of the fight gone over [...]o them, the Victory had gone with the Turks. However, in this fight, which lasted [...]om seven in the Morning till four in the Evening, 80000 Tartars, and 120000 Turks [...]re computed to be slain; and amongst the [...]ormer, of note only the Prince of Ciracan, who was slain at the beginning of the fight; [Page 28]and amongst the latter, Mustapha, Bajazets eldest Son, with divers Bassa's, and the Ag [...] of the Janizaries. And it is further con­firmed, that when Bajazet (being a Prisoner was brought before Tamerlane, that he aske [...] him the reason that moved him to War again [...] so noble a Prince as the Greek Emperour, with­out any cause given, to which he replyed Even the same Cause that moved you to inva [...] me, viz. The desire of Glory and Sovereigm [...] And why, said the Tartar Prince, do you [...] such Tyranny over those you Conquer, with [...] respect of Sex or Age: That did I, said h [...] to give the greater Terror to my Enemies. A [...] Ah, continued Tamerlane, What would y [...] have done with me if it had been your Fort [...] to have had me in your Power? I would sa [...] Bajazet, boldly replying, as not conque [...] though overcome, Have put you in an I [...] Cage, and as a Trophy of my victory, h [...] carried you throughout my Dominions. Th [...] said Tamerlane, It is but just that I serve [...] in the like kind; and thereupon comma [...] ­ing him out of his Presence, a cage by [...] Order was made for him, in which he con­tinued till in a desperate Mood he beat [...] Brains out against the Bars of it. And [...] though Tamerlain pursuing this Victor [...] won all that which the Turks held in [...] rope, and most of that in Asia; yet he dy [...] [Page 29] Mahomet, Bajazets Son, recovered it in few years by Policy and Force.

A Description of the Battel of Azin-Court, sought in France between Henry the Fifth, King of England, &c. and the Dolphin of France, &c. on the Plains near Azin-Court, &c.

KING Henry the Fifth coming to the Crown after the Death of Henry the Fourth, his Father, and being of a Martial Spirit, began to consider how by some great Exploit he might leave a Name; and there­upon considering that Normandy, Guien, Aqui­tain, and Anjou, were the rightful Inheri­tances of the Kings of England, and had without any just Cause been wrested from his Predecessors during the Intestine Troubles of this Kingdom, he sent Ambassadors to Charles the French King, to demand them, but not only being denied it, but some Affronts put upon him, he sent Antelop his Pursuvant at Arms, with Letters of defiance; [Page 30]and having discovered and escaped a Con­spiracy against his Life, laid by the Contri­vance of the French, who had promised se­veral of his Nobles a Million of Gold to ef­fect his Death, he embarked with his Army for France, and landed at Harflew in Nor­mandy, where he had Burdeaux, and many Towns of Note put into his Hands, in which he left Garrisons, and placed in them English Artizens with small Resistance, which made him resolve to pass through the Countries of Caux and Ewe, to his Town of Calais, though his Army consisted of no more than 13000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, and so set forward with easie Marches, the Country in his way being all destroyed be­fore him; for the French having notice of what he intended, had not only removed the Forrage and Provisions, but destroyed and brake down the Bridges, fell'd Trees, and plashed Woods in the way he was to take, raising in the mean time great Forces in all parts of the Country, as not doubting but they had him and his Army at their Pleasure; and indeed for want of Necessa­ries, and by reason of the Difficulties the Sol­diers were forced to struggle with, many o [...] them in a short time became sick and in­firm; so that the King finding himself in a strait, began to repent him that he had so [Page 31]far advanced into the Enemies Country, as knowing should he now retreat, he must fight his way; wherefore he made some Overtures to the French Generals, proposing to surrender several Towns he had taken in Normandy, but they rejected these Propositi­ons with Derision, as not doubting but him­self and them together, with his small Ar­my, wherein were many of the English No­bility, would be at their disposal; and so confident were they herein, that the three Generals, viz. The Dolphin, the Dukes of Burgundia and Orleans had conditioned and agreed amongst themselves for the Prisoners and Spoils, and with their huge Army, con­sisting of 150000. Horse, and 10000 Foot, (many of the former being the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom, who hoped to win Honour in such, as they thought it, an assured Enterprize;) they advanced apace; so that King Henry, a Man of an undaunted Courage, seeing no way but to fight, dispo­sed his Army to the best Advantage, placing in the front a competent number of Archers, who carried beside their Bows and Swords, long Stakes pointed with Iron, to fix in the Ground slauntwise, that when they retired, they might secure them against the Horse. And in a Meddow with a convenient Ditch to defend it, he placed as in an Amubush, [Page 32]five hundred Archers, who lay within half shot of the French Wing, whilst in the main Battel stood the men at Arms, and the Horse divided into two Squadrons, were to charge as advantage gave them Opportunity. And now whilst the French, who covered the Country, were advancing in three main Battels as to assured Victory, the King with a moving Oration exhorted his Captains and Souldiers, For the Honour of their Country, and their own safety, not to faint, but stand to it manfully; and confiding in the justness of their Cause, not to despair of Victory: nor should for his part, let France see him a Captive, or Eng­land be put to the Charge of his Ransom, as being resolved to dye with Honour, if things came to Extremity. And so the Charge being sounded, the thick squadrons of the French, who scarcely had room for an orderly march, came furiously on, and were when within shot met by a flight of English Ar­rows, which gauling their Horses, and dis­mounting divers of their Chiefs, command was given to press on, and come to a close fight, thereby to frustrate the Archers of the use of their Bows; at what time a furious charge being given, the Archers retreated a few Paces, and left bare a triple tire of pointed Stakes, which till that time they had covered; upon which the French Horse-men [Page 33]rushing, a great number of their Horses were gored, and sticking as it were, altoge­ther disabled, barrocaded the English Army from the approach of the rest; so that not only the Archers in the front continued to pour in their shot, but likewise those in the Meadow that flanked the squadron of the Right Wing, began incessantly to deliver their shafts, which in a short time wrought such Confusion, that the French finding no place to retire amongst the thick Ranks that still pressed on, and wedged as it were each other in, began to fall into disorder, many of them disranking, as not being able to manage their wounded Horses, nor could their Foot conveniently advance to their re­lief; so that the men of Arms breaking in with great fury, and the English Horse char­ging their Right Wing, a miserable slaughter ensued, nothing but death and flight being seen on their part throughout the field, whilst the King himself, distinguished by a Crown he wore on his Helmet, fought courageously, piercing their main Battel, forcing his Horse over heaps of the slain; which the Duke of Alanso, who commanded on that part, per­ceiving, broke through the formost rank in a desperate manner, and charged with his Sword so forcibly, that with the blow he bruised the Kings Crown, and made him a [Page 34]little recoil, but the King soon advancing, gave him such a stroke as beat him to the Ground, at which time he cryed out he was Alanso, and begged for quarter, notwith­standing which, and though the King la­boured to save him, he was there slain; and now the French began to retire in great dis­order, nor was it in the power of the Com­manders to restore the battel; which ad­vantage the English perceiving, had the Ex­ecution of them with such a fearful slaughter, that it is reported by divers Historians, and some of them their own, that no less that 4000 Noble-Men, Knights, and Esquire were slain, together with 100000 of the meaner sort, though all agree the French lost 60000 in that defeat, and so many Pri­soners, many of them of the first Rank, were taken; that the King fearing (upon fres [...] Troops showing themselves upon the Hills which were indeed come too late to the bat­tel, as not hearing of the overthrow) tha [...] being more in number than his own men if the French reinforced should rally an [...] come to another tryal, they might fall upon his Rear in the battel, caused them all ex­cept some of the Chief, to be slain [...]th [...] which, although it was a bloody Sentenc [...] yet Self-preservation at that time made it? State Policy. And soon after this Victory [Page 35]which he ascribed to God alone, the King had not only Paris put into his Hands, but Marrying Catharine, Daughter to Charles the French King, he was Crowned King of France in Reversion, and possessed himself of all the Cities and Towns of that King­dom, except a few the Dolphin held out against him in Berry. Nor did this Glorious Victory cost the English much Blood, there being not above 2500 slain; and of Note only Edward Duke of York, and the Earl of Worcester.

Englands Pharsalia, or the bloody Civil War between King Henry the Sixth, of the House of Lancaster, Richard Duke of York, and Edward the Fourth, of the House of York; describing the several Fights and pitch'd Battels wherein 100000 Men on both sides are ac­counted to be slain, &c.

RIchard Duke of York taking distaste at the Release of the Duke of Somerset by King Henry the Sixth, he with the Earl of Warwick, and divers others his Accompli­ces, fell to open Force, and levied an Army about the Marches of Wales, with which they marched towards London, under pre­tence of redressing Grievances, and removing evil Counsellors; to oppose whom King Hen­ry drew out, and both Armies meeting at St. Albans, in the County of Hertford, the Duke sent to the King to demand divers Lords that were about him, and such as he should name or prescribe; but being rejected with disdain, the charge was sounded, and [Page 42]both Armies joyned Battel furiously, and maintained a doubtful fight, till at length Victory began to declare for the King; but the Scale was soon turned, for Warwick breaking through the Gardens with about 2000 men, and his approach not being there suspected, the Kings Army, (many of the chief Nobility being slain) was broken, yet would he not fly, but stood the shot of the Archers till wounded in the Neck, he was taken Prisoner; and being carried to London, and a Reconciliation made on both parts, the Duke being shortly constituted Gover­nour of Ireland. In this fatal Batal of St. Al­bans between the Houses of York and Lanca­ster, fell forty eight Noble-men, Knights, and Esquires, and amongst them the Earls of Somerset, Northumberland, and Stafford, together with 5000 of the meaner sort, and many were wounded, amongst whom was the King.

Long did not the seeming Reconciliation last, but the Duke of York raising new Trou­bles, was, together with the Earls of March, Rutland, Warwick, and Salisbury, with others of less Note, attainted of High Treason in Parliament, but it so little discouraged them, that drawing out from the several places where they were retired with their Army, consisting of 25000 men, they took [Page 43]the Field, against whom the Kings Army advanced with great speed, so that meeting at Northampton, a cruel and bloody fight ensued, but in the end, the King being un­fortunate in War, his Army was worsted, and himself a second time made Prisoner, there being on both sides not less than ten thousand men slain, and of Note Humphry Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewsbu­ry, and the Lord Egremont; and a Parlia­ment being called, the Duke laid claim to the Crown, deriving his Pedigree from Leo­nel the Third Son of Edward the Third, elder Brother to John of Gaunt, the Father of Henry the Fourth, Grandfather to the King: so that after a great debate, at length it was concluded on all parts, that King Henry du­ring his natural Life should quietly possess and enjoy the Crowns and Kingdoms, and afterwards they to remain in general Tail to the Duke of York and his Heirs. But the Queen, a Woman of a Masculine Spirit, not approving that her Son Prince Edward, a Youth of great hope, should be so excluded, withdrew her self into the North, and there, without the consent of the King, raised For­ces to secure his Right, against whom the Duke advanced with an Army, but unad­visedly giving her Battel near Sands Castle before his whole Forces were come up, and [Page 44]falling into several Ambushes laid for the purpose, he himself after a bloody and doubtful fight being slain, together with the Earl of Rutland, his Son, and the Earl of Sa­lisbury, with three thousand more of lesser Note; and his Head being cut off was crowned with a Paper Crown, and in de­rision carried through the Queens Victorious Army.

The Duke slain, many hoped that this Calamitous War would have an end, but failed in their Expectations, for Edward Earl of March having raised an Army of 23000 men in the Marches of Wales, and hearing of his Fathers Death, advanced with great speed, overthrowing in a great Battel the Earls of Pembrook and Ormond, who endea­voured near Ludlow to oppose his passage, in which Battel were slain 3800 men, and several Prisoners of Note taken, and amongst them Owen Tuder, Father-in-Law to the King, whose Head by the Command of the Earl was cut off; and so he continued his March to fight the Army that yet remained with the Queen, who was advanced as far as St. Albans, and had overthrown the Lon­doners who came to oppose her, entering their City with the slaughter of 2000 of them, and took the King, whom they had brought along with them to countenance [Page 45]their undertaking. But Edward Earl of March approaching her with his Army, which was much increased by the way, she thought it not convenient to give battel, but suffering him to enter London, retired into Scotland. Whilst he taking upon him the Title of King, was Crowned at Westminster, but was not setled in his Throne, before News was brought that King Henry with divers Lords were in the North with a great Army; whereupon he drew out his Forces to give them battel, marching directly to Pomfract in York-shire, sending the Lord Fitz-Walter before to take the Charge of the Pas­sage of Ferry Bridge, where that Lord, with many others were slain, and King Henry's Forces gaining the Pass, the Armies came in sight of each other, and drew up in Bat­talia, being the greatest that had been seen in England since the Conquest, Edwards con­sisting of 48660, and Henry's of 60000 fighting Men, when after some pause the Trumpets sounded the Charge, and the Army moved furiously, when Warwick, who lead the Vaunt-guard, to incourage his men, put from his Horse, by whose Example ma­ny did the like, resolving to win the Field, or dye in the Battel; so that after It had continued with great slaughter for the space of ten hours, and most of theCommanders [Page 46]on King Henry's part slain, his Battel swer­ved, nor could the Courage and Skill of those that survived restore it, but a fearful flight ensued, while the Victors following the Execution, covered all the Field with dead Bodies, whilst the Blood streamed in Channels; for in this Battel fought between the Towns of Towton and Saxton on the twenty ninth of March, fell Persons of Qua­lity to the number of 375, amongst which were Henry Piercy, Earl of Northumberland, and John Lord Nevel, Brother to the Earl of Warwick, John Lord Clifford, and John Lord Wells, and of the meaner sort 35091, whereupon King Henry with his Son and Queen fled into Scotland, and Edward re­turned to London.

This fatal blow, though it put a damp to their Spirits, did not altogether discou­rage the Lancastrians, for Queen Margaret going into France, raised new Supplies in that Kingdom, but making towards England, her Fleet was scattered by a Tempest, and she driven upon the Coast of Scotland with the smaller part of it; yet finding her Hus­band in the Scotish Court highly entertained by James their King, she took heart, and soon after the Scots entered England as far as Durham, when King Edward preparing to meet them, marched to York, and there ma­king [Page 47]a halt, sent the Lord Montacute to op­pose and hinder their further Progress; but being encountered on Hedgly Moor by the Lords Hungerford and Ross, together with Sir Ralph Peircey, he after a sharp dispute took Sir Ralph Prisoner, which success in­couraged him to pass on and give battel to King Henry, who lay encamped at Hexam, where both Armies striving to do their ut­most devoir, a bloody conflict ensued, but many being slain, and much blood spilt, di­vers of the Commanders wounded and disabled, and taken Prisoners, Victory de­clared against King Henry, who finding himself unfortunate in War, fled into Scotland; in this battel 5600 were slain, and the Duke of Somerset with three other Lords, and one Knight taken Prisoners, who were all beheaded. And now King Henry return­ing privately into England in disguise, was taken Prisoner, and carried to the Tower, so that Edward seem'd established in his Throne: yet Fate not satisfied with English Blood, though the wounded Nation had bled such Streams as made her faint and languish, another cruel War arose, and the Factions began again to bandy as fierce as ever, for Warwick, who was called after­wards the make King of those Times, being sent to solicite a Marriage between King [Page 48] Edward and the Lady Bona, Daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy, and having finished his Negotiation to the liking of the Lady and her Father, found upon his return tha [...] the King was married to Elizabeth the Wid­dow of Sir John Gray, slain in upholding the Cause of King Henry, at which the Eat [...] (supposing his Honour that had been in­gaged in the Savoiards Court greatly to suf­fer) grew much inraged, and finding mean to withdraw himself, joyned with diver Nobles, raised a Power, and proclaime [...] King Henry, declaring for him, and e­pousing his Interest, growing on a sudde [...] so strong, that King Edward was forced t [...] draw out his Army and march against him pitching his Camp at Wolney, four Mil [...] from the Plain on which Warwick was en­camped; but his Guards being negligent and the Earl having notice thereof, entere [...] the Kings Camp and took him Prisoner, ye [...] used him very courteously, allowing him for his Keeper his Brother George Nevil [...] Arch-Bishop of York, who suffering him t [...] ride abroad a hunting, and to follow othe [...] Recreations, till one day being with a slen­der Guard far from the Castle, and meeting a great Troop of his own Men, those tha [...] were with him durst not speak to him [...] returning to his Confinement, but were gla [...] [Page 49]to leave him behind them, and escape for their Lives; so that being again at Liber­ty, he was received by his Army with great Joy, and passed to London to the great discontent and dislike of the Earl of Warwick.

Things being at this pass, Sir Robert Wells, Son to the Lord Wells, raised an Army of 30000, consisting mostly of the Commons of Lincolnshire, on the behalf of King Henry, in revenge of which, King Edward caused the Lord Wells, and Sir Thomas Dimmock his Kinsman, to be beheaded; and so marched to fight Sir Ro­bert, when charging furiously upon the un­experienced Plebeans, they scarcely sustain­ed the second shock, but throwing away their Coats and Weapons, fled for their Lives, from whence it was called the Bat­tel of Loose-Coat-Field; and the Execution [...]eing hotly pursued by the inraged Soul­ [...]iers, 10000 of them are accounted to be [...]ain. As for Sir Robert Wells and Sir Tho­mas Deland, who commanded under him, [...]hey were taken Prisoners. Upon the News of this Defeat the Earl of Warwick, and the Duke of Clarence, Brother to King Edward, [...]ed to Callais, but being denied entrance, [...]hey departed thence to the Court of France, where they found Queen Mar­garet; [Page 50]where gathering great Forces, they returned to England, every where pro­claiming King Henry; so that the People from all parts hasted to their Standart, as well the Nobles as the Commons, viz. the Earl of Pembrook, the Lord Faulconberg, and others; so that marching towards London, and King Edward finding his Mandates in many places disobey'd, thought it not con­venient in that juncture to attend the Sequel, but with divers of his trusty Friends le [...] England, and fled to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Burgundy, who had a little before married his Sister; so that King Henry wa [...] Re-in-throned, but continued not long i [...] that Estate before King Edward returned landing in the North with a small Army proclaiming King Henry as he passed, and pretending he came only as a private ma [...] to possess himself of his Inheritance, b [...] which means deceiving the People, h [...] surprized the City of York, and having garrisoned it, pulled off the Vizor, and marched towards London, reconciling him­self by the way thro' the means of a Mai [...] (who had been brought up by the old Dutch­es of York) to his Brother the Duke of Cl [...] ­rence; whereupon the Citizens opening their Gates, and every where proclaiming him King, Henry was again taken Prisoner an [...] [Page 51]send to the Tower; and now the whole weight of the War lying upon Warwicks shoulders, he desperately resolved to carry the day, or fighting courageously dye in the Bed of Honour; and thereupon di­rected his March towards London, out of which King Edward drew his Forces to meet him, and on Easter Day joyned Battel near Barnet, since known by the Battel of Barnet-field, where either of the Generals, impatient of so tedious a War, drew on their Forces with great force and fury, Warwick charging upon the Kings Squa­dron broke in with his Sword, and made such Distruction, that they fled on that part; and the Battel had gone on his side, had there not been a mistake in part of his Men, who by mistaking their Cogni­zances, charged upon their fellows, which making them suspect some Treason or sudden Revolt, they threw down their Weapons and fled; which Warwick per­ceiving, and not finding it in his power to retain them, or restore the Battel, (though he laboured by Example and Perswasion to do it, resolving not to out-live the day) [...]he rushed furiously amongst the Squadrons of the Enemy, and there fighting valiant­ly, fell upon the heaps of the slain; and with him died his Brother the Lord Mon­tacute, [Page 52]and three other Lords were slain on the part of King Edward, and of the mean­er sort on both sides 20000. The News of this defeat made known to Queen Marga­ret and Prince Edward her Son, (by such as fled the field) she took Sanctuary in the Abby of Ceerne, but the Lords that escaped the Battel of Barnet, rallying their scatter­ed Forces, gave King Edward another Bat­tel at Tewxbury, in which they were over­thrown with the loss of 3000 men, and of Note the Earl of Devonshire, and the Duke of Somerset's Brother: there likewise Prince Edward was taken, and soon after stabbed by Crook-back'd Richard, Duke of Glocester, in the Presence of King Edward, and soon after King Henry was murthered, and his Queen taken from Sanctuary, and put to a great Ransom.

A Description of the Battel of Bosworth-field, fought between Richard the Third King of England, and Henry Earl of Richmond, known afterward by the Title of King Henry the Seventh, &c.

AFter the Death of Edward the Fourth, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloce­ster having caused his two Nephews to be murthered, usurped the Throne, endea­vouring to establish himself therein, as he had first acquired it, viz. by blood; so that greatly oppressing his Subjects, and especi­ally the Nobility, as also causing Queen Ann his Wife secretly to be made away, that he might marry Elizabeth his Neece, Daughter to his Brother King Edward the Fourth; divers conspired against him, and amongst the rest the Duke of Buckingham, who had been the main Instrument in helping him into the Throne, but raising Forces, and being unsuccessful in his at­tempt, his men flying and leaving him to shift for himself, he resorted to the House of one Banister, who had been his Steward, and had got a good Estate under him, where for a time he secured himself in dis­guise to attend his better fortune, though it proved otherwise, for King Richard set­ing [Page 54]1000 l. upon his head, the same Bani­ster in whom he confided discovered him to the Sherif of the County, who seizing upon him in the Disguise or Habit of a Gardiner, carried him to Salisbury, where (by the Command of the King) without Arraignment or Tryal, he was beheaded. And now by a secret Contract the Earl of Richmond being betroth'd to the Lady Eli­zabeth, Eldest Daughter to Edward the Fourth, after having escaped many Dan­gers beyond the Scas, and his Faction being strong in England, prepares, with such an Army as he could well gather by the fa­vour of the Duke of Brittany, and increased by such English as fled to him for fear of the Usurper, for England, and landed at Mil­ford-Haven, his Retinue not exceeding 2000, but was soon increased to a far greater number by those that daily came to joyn him, which made King Richard ad­vance with his Army to oppose him, and pitched his Tents at Radmore near Bosworth in Leicestershire; and both Armies being drawn up in Battalia, the Lord Stanly with a great Detachment kept aloof on the Hills, and the King suspecting he intend­ed to revolt from him to his Enemy, sent to him to advance, but he refused, saying, he would do it when he saw his time, [Page 55]whereupon King Richard in a great Rage commanded his Son, whom he had in Ho­stage for the Fathers Fidelity, instantly to be beheaded, but was by some of his Favo­rites perswaded to defer it till the Battel was over, by which means the young man escaped, for both Armies joyning with great fury, a bloody and doubtful fight en­sued; so that for a long time the Scale of Victory hung in an equal poise, King Richard commanding and fighting coura­geously in all parts: but the Lord Stanly when both Armies had tried their Strengths, and were weary with fighting, coming in with his fresh men, bore down all before him; so that King Richard per­ceiving the Fortune of the War to go against him, like a man in despair, resol­ving not to survive it, charged with great fury amongst the thickest Squadrons, and having killed and beaten down many, was at length over-pow'red, and himself slain, falling upon heaps of his Enemies; his Crown was afterward found in a Hawthorn­bush, and himself stripped naked, was carried all bloody upon a Horse to Lei­cester, and there buried in the Grey-Friars with much Solemnity, after its being ex­posed two days to the People. In this Bat­tel, called the Battel of Bosworth-field, 6000 [Page 56]men on either side were slain, and amongst them divers of Note. And now the Earl of Richmond being Crowned in the Field, marched to London, and soon after solemn­ly married the Lady Elizabeth, joyning the Houses of Lancaster and York; he being the Heir of the one, and she the Heiress of the other.

A description of the Battel of Seminara, fought in the Kingdom of Naples, between King Ferdinand, then intituled to that Kingdom, and the Great Gonsalves Ca [...]tain of the Spa­niards on the one part, and the Lords Ob­ignny and Persive, for Charles the French King on the other part, Anno 1495.

CHarles the French King, victorious in Italy, having won many strong Places and Countries, and amongst the rest, the Rich and Fertile Kingdom of Naples; Ferdi­nand, [Page 57]in whose right it was, raising an Army of Spaniards, Sicilians, Italians, &c. and entred the Provinces the French had a little before brought to their Subjection, in order to re­cover them, advancing as far as the Coun­try of Seminara, to oppose whom the Lord Obignny Governour of Calabria for the French King, and the Lord Persive Gover­nour of Bosilicula, marched with their uni­ted Forces from their appointed Rendez­vous at Terranova to Seminara, to fight the King or besiege him in the Town, who knowing nothing of their Conjunction, and ignorant of their number, issued out of the Town upon news of their approach to give them Battel, not staying for the Troops he expected from Puglia Campagnia and Arbuzzo, though Gonsalves, counted the expertest Captain of his Age, laboured to disswade him from fight; for being in the flower of Youth, and height of his Spirit, he rather strove to expose his Valour than hearken to good Counsel; and so having made an excellent Speech or Oration to animate the Captains and Souldiers to do their utmost, he marched towards Terranova three miles along the Hills; and coming to the River, lodged his Foot on the left Bank, and his Horse-men he stretched on the right to serve for a [Page 58]Wing; and so continued to expect the Enemy.

By this time the French and Switzers came in sight, and Obignny cast the latter into a firm Battalion, placing the Foot, raised in Calabria, behind them as a Battel of Suc­cour, dividing the Squadron of Horse be­tween them, being Men at Arms, and in the same order the light Horse-men; and so in a square Battel they pass d the River, whereupon the Spanish Horse advanced to oppose them, but being hotly charged by the thick Battalion of the French in the Advaunt-guard, after many of them were beaten down and slain, the rest were ob­liged to retire, by fetching a compass in wheeling off to their main strength, which much discouraged the Arragonian Footmen, who at first supposed they were discomfi­ted fled the Field, leaving them to the fu­ry of the French, &c. The Horse-men thus forced to retreat, Obignny advanced with great speed, and charged the Foot-men on the right, whilst Persive did the like on the lest, disordering their Horse before the Switzers came to the fight, who no sooner came on but gave a furious Charge with their Pikes; so that the main Batte [...] of King Ferdinand being broken and disor­dered, [Page 59]his Men were slain on all parts, nor did the Spanish Horse come timely to their Succour; nor could the King (though he laboured all eh could) restore the battel, notwithstanding (with a Troop of select Horse being his Guard) he charged despe­rately amongst the thickest Ranks; and after having broken his Launce, drew his Sword and fought till he saw all manner of hopes to prevail were vain, and finding in his Army nothing but flight and fear­ful Confusion, he at the perswasion of his Favorites got clear of the Battel and fled upon a swift Horse, yet by the way fell into a deep Pit with his Horse upon him, but was soon relieved by John Attavillia, who mounting the King upon his own Horse, he thereupon escaped; and him­self on foot not capable of escaping, was slain by the Pursuers: so that he pay'd his Life to the safety of his Prince.

Obignny having thus with much slaugh­ter defeated the Kings Forces, and some being slain in the pursuit, called back his Souldiers, and encamped not far from [...] Place of Battel, upon which he was [...] by many as a Captain who [...] how to get a Victory, than to [...] obtained; for if the pursuit [...] few of the Kings Forces [...] [Page 60]had the Towns upon the Terror of this defeat failed to have surrendred upon sum­mons, but staying here, the King with many of his Nobles got safe to their Ships, and Gonsalves with his rallied Troops found means ot retreat to Rezo.

A Description of the Battel of Vaila or Giard­da, fought in Lumbardy, between Lewis the Eleventh of France, and the Seignory of Venice, Anno 1509.

UPon the Venetians making their In­croachments in Italy and other Pla­ces, to impower and enrich themselves up­on what appertained to others, Lewis the French King, aided by divers Princes, marched from Millan with an Army to hinder their Proceedings, and oblige them [...] Restitution, who likewise prepared to [...] him, with a great Army encamp­ [...] [...] the River Adda, under the [...] the Earl of Petillia their Gene­ [...] [...] D Alvina Master of the [...] were joyned George Cor­ [...] [...] Grittie Providitors, who [...] the French, kept in a [Page 61]strong Lodgment till they might find an advantageous Opportunity to draw out or decamp, which made the King seize upon Vaila and Pandino, that by the help of those Garrisons he might cut off their Provision, and by that means the sooner to oblige them to fight; nor did that Stratagem fail of its desired end, for the Venetian General knowing that by that means he must come to a Battel, drew out his Army on the right Bank of the River, consisting of 2000 men at Arms, and 20000 Foot-men, besides about 4000 Light-Horsemen, most­ly Italians and Greeks, whilst over-against them on the other Bank, marched the French Army, consisting of 2000 men at Arms, 6000 Switzers, 12000 Gascones and Italian Foot men, with a considerable num­ber of Pioneers, and many Field-pieces; and the Venetians being incumbred with the Bushes and Shrubs that grew on their side, were forced to march slowly, so that the French out-marched them, placing in their Avaunt-guard 500 men at Arms, and a Regiment of Switzers under the leading of Charles de' Ambroise, and John James de Trivulzi, which Vaunt-guard find­ing means to pass the River before the Venetians expected it, attack'd the Rear of the Venetian Army commanded by Alvia, [Page 62]consisting of 8000 men at Arms, and al­most all the best foot-men, which made him to send to the Earl of Petillia, who led the Vaunt-guard, to inform him of the Necessity there was to fight, but he return­ed answer, that he ought to march on and shun the Enemy as much as in him lay, for such was the order of the Senate; yet Alvian, carried away with the desire of Glo­ry, resolved with such Forces as he had to bear the brunt of the Battel rather than to be out-braved, or so meanly suffer his Ho­nour to be eclipsed; whereupon placing his Foot-men with six pieces of Cannon on a little Bay made by a certain wind­ing of a Brook which was then dry, he with his great shot having disordered the French Foot, furiously broke in upon them and put them into great Confusion, their Horse (by reason of the Vines that grew in that Place) not being well able to sup­port them; so that the King seeing his men put to the worst, and ready to fly, hasted to their Succour with fresh Troops, and by degrees drew Alvian into the Plain, so that the Avaunt-guard and middle Bat­tel had Opportunity to charge him, though he wanted not Courage to make great re­sistance, exciting them in all parts (with his Hands, Voice and Actions) to fight [Page 63]courageously; nor did the French (when they saw their King in the Battel) charge with less fury, so that a bloody and doubt­ful fight continued, though the Earl was not come up with the rest of the Forces, but the Venetians having fought with sin­gular Valour for the space of three hours, and not being succoured, were in the end over-powered by the number of the French Horse-men, who breaking in amongst the ranks of the Foot, wearied already by a stout resistance, having done all that could be expected from true Valour, and lost ra­ther Strength than Courage; they yet for the most part never turned their backs, but either died or were taken Prisoners fighting in the Place: so that had the other part of the Army succoured them, they had been victorious. In this Battel 8000 are reputed to be slain, and 2000 ta­ken Prisoners, amongst which was Alvian, and soon after most of the Places the Vene­tians had won surrendered; the Generals Excuse was that he had Command from the Senate not to fight.

A Description of the Battel of Ginghat, fought in Picardy between Henry the Eighth, King of England, and Monsieur de Pi­ennes General for Lewis the French King, Anno 1513.

KIng Henry the Eighth lying at the Siege of Turwin, which he beleagured with three Camps, the first commanded by himself, the second by the Earl of Shrews­bury, and the third by the Lord Herbert; upon notice that the French Army was coming to its relief, he passed over the River with a considerable part of his Ar­my detached for that purpose, whilst the remainder continued the siege, furnished with Ordinance and all other Necessaries to impeach or hinder their march, their Army consisting of 15000 effectual men, part of which were sent over the River [...]ar below the Town to relieve it, whilst the rest intended only to skirmish with the Kings Army, and so to make their retreat as well as they could when the Business was effected, for the besieged were indeed in a great Straight for want of Provision, when the King, to shew the little dread he had of the French, not so much as taking down his Tents, but leaving the Lord Darcy with [Page 65]a small Train to guard them, advanced his Standard, the Horse marching a mile before the Foot, which the Germans that were in the Kings Army perceiving, on a sudden imbattelled by themselves on the Right, which gave some suspition that they intended to revolt, though it proved otherwise; yet by this means they left the front of the Kings Battel unguarded; but that undaunted Monarch, not to be amu­zed, nor in the least doubting the Victory, which never yet had failed him, kept on his way, and before he came within sight of the French, was met by Maximilian, Em­perour of Germany, who had for his Guard 30 men at Arms well appointed, and wearing Red Crosses, when a Council be­ing called, it was agreed that divers pieces of Ordnance being commodiously planted to incommode the Enemy in their ap­proach; the Horse, in the head of which the King would have marched, but at the intreaty of his Nobles was perswaded to remain with the Foot as safest; with him stayed the Emperour, and amongst the Avaunt-guard were mounted divers Ar­chers; which Resolves of the Council were scarce put in Execution before the French Army appeared marching in three long or extended battels, whereupon the Earl of [Page 66] Essex, who commanded the greater part of the English Horse, and Sir John Pechey with another Squadron of English and Bur­gundian Horse, marched in the Valley with Banners display'd, whilst the Lords Wallon and Ligney with the Burgundian Horse made a squadron seperate, and the foot moved in a gross battel, and so ascending from the lower to the higher Ground, Sir Henry Guilford, under whose charge the Archers on Horse-back were to the number of an 100, drew out as the forlorn hope, and skirmished with the Avaunt-guard of the French till the rest of the Horse came up, at what time they alighted, and strong­ly intrenching, served as part of a Wing to flank the Foot, and the Battel joyning with great fury, so that the English Horse-men (crying St. George) charging in the Front, and the Archers continually pour­ing in their shot of Arrows, the French bat­tel was in a manner over-set at the first charge, for many of their Standards being overthrown, and some that commanded slain, they in great Confusion began to shrink together, and such as could conve­niently disrank at that time fled, throwing away their Weapons, and cuting off the Barbs of their Horses to fly the lighter, whilst the English (who were far inferior [Page 67]to them in number of Horse, viz. scarce one to ten) had little to do but follow the Execution and take prisoners; for though the Burgundian Horse came not in till the Battel was in a manner won, yet such was the fear of the French, that those who were in the Rear perceiving the Vaunt-guard in rout, fled without striking a stroke, as likewise did divers Troops who were not come to the Battel, for having notice of what had hapned by some that fled, they faced about and fled foremost; so that the chace being hotly made for the space of three miles, the Earl of Essex upon such an easie Victory fearing some Ambush, caus­ed the retreat to be sounded, and returned to the Kings Battel which had not fought, bringing many Prisoners of Note, and much Riches; for in this Battel, fought on the sixth of August, were taken the Duke of Longuvile, the Lord Cleremont, and other Noble-men and Gentle-men, to the num­ber of 242, besides what the Burgundians took and concealed in order to release them at lesser Ransomes than otherwise would have been taken. As for the slain they were not above 800, wherefore in consideration of the small resistance and cowardly flight, the French-men have nam'd it the Battel of Spurs. Nor did those that were appointed [Page 68]to attack the Earl of Shrewsbury's Camp succeed better; for being no sooner skir­mished with by Sir Rice ap Thomas, but they faced about and fled, and though the besieged sallied, yet were they valiantly repulsed by the Lord Herbert, who with considerable slaughter pursued them to the Gates of the Town, so that despairing of Relief they yielded up the Place to the King, as likewise did the famous City of Tournay.

A Description of the Great and Memorable Bat­tel fought on the Banks of the River Bori­sthenes, between Bassilius the Great Duke of Moscovy, and Constantine General of Sigismund, King of Poland, Anno 1514.

BAssilius the Great Duke of Muscovy ha­ving taken Smolensco from the Poles by surprize, not contented therewith, advan­ced with an Army of 40000 Horse to waste Lithuania; to oppose whose Pro­gress King Sigismund sent Constantine his [Page 69]General, a Man of great Experience in Martial Affairs, and under his Command 2000 men at Arms, 12000 Lithuanians, mostly Archers, and 3000 Foot-men, Pikes intermixed with Harquibusiers: nor did the Great Duke hinder their passing the River Boristhenes, supposing by that means to have them the surer in his Power, but making a moving Oration to incourage his Souldiers, he detached about 7000 Horse-men, whom he commanded by a great compass fetched about, to place themselves at the Rereward of the Poles, that when the Battel was joyned and hot on all parts, they might break in upon them, with strict order to cover them­selves till an Opportunity offered, in a Neighbouring Valley overshadowed with Woods, and the rest of his Army he di­vided into three squadrons, placing a Wing of 12000 Horse-men on the Right, com­manded by Michael Golujza, the second he placed as a left Wing, but somewhat at a distance under the Hills, that it might be as a reserve or Battel of Succour, and the middle Battel himself commanded, where was his Baggage, and therein he placed the Strength of his Army.

Whilst this was doing, Constantine was not Idle, but proposing to himself that [Page 70]the unarmed Moscovites would be much Inferior to him in Prowess, though Su­perior in number, if he could bring his Men into such Order that they might without any great damage sustain the first shock of the Archers, and suddenly bring the Battel to be tried by the Sword, where­fore he placed the men at Arms in the front, ranging them in wedged Battel, ma­king two Wings of the Lithuanian Horse, and placed the Foot behind the Men an Arms to support them; and so riding from Rank to Rank he admonished them to do their utmost for the Honour of their King and Country, and not by any Cow­ardize in them be a means to lose a Battel upon which depended their Lives and Liberties, &c. He would have proceeded, but whilst he was speaking the Moscovi [...] sounded the Charge, whereupon com­manding the Captains in the Vaunt-guard to break in upon the Enemy with their Spears, mauger their shot of Arrows, each battel moved furiously, and although the Arrows flew thick as Hail, yet the Poles passed on, though some, yet but a few o [...] them were slain; so that the Archers be­ing frustrated in a trice, they brought i [...] to the Sword, so that the Lithuanian stretching out their Wings, and the [...] [Page 71]straitning them, made good their Archers, who sorely gauled the Moscovites, who be­ing on all sides in a manner oppressed, could neither give back, nor brake through in the front, and those that were behind still thrusting them forward, break their Ar­ray, bearing out side-ways upon the Wings of the Lithuanians, so at one time they at­tacked two Incounters in divers places, so that the fight being hot on all parts, and the Duke finding himself over-charged, sent to Command the Horse-men in Am­bush to advance, who soon discovered themselves, and came on with horrid crys and sounds of Trumpets, to be thought more dreadful in their number, which the Polonian General perceiving, ordered his Battel to stand firm, yet Polosky, a Pala­tine of that Kingdom, turned on them a squadron of Foot-men which had not been much shaken, and sustaining the first shock of their Arrows, gave Command for all the Harquibusiers to fire at once, and so by a swift advance came to the push of Pike and Halbert, causing the Moscovite Horse-men to recoil, yet their Ranks be­ing close they could not expand them­selves, or travers their Ground, by reason of which they were obliged to sustain the fight in that narrow compass with great [Page 72]slaughter; so that it was a pitious sight to see Men and Horses dead, lying on heaps, weltering in Blood, and groaning out their last, whilst in that part where the General fought, the Ranks of Moscovites were bro­ken and disordered, and the Right Wing of Horse almost all cut in pieces; so that the middle Battel) wherein was yet the Person of the Great Duke) was attacked on all sides, and the foremost Ranks pier­ced through, so that he despairing to re­store the fight, gave back; and now the Foot that had routed his Ambushment of Horse having nothing to do, charged up­on his Battel of Succour, and entring their Ranks who had been shaken before by the Lithuanian Horse, they with their Pikes and Scimiters made a miserable slaughter, putting them in all parts to the rout; of which the Duke having notice, and how those Horse he had laid in Am­bush were likewise defeated, whom he scarce thought as yet to have made their attack; he with a Troop of his Nobles that were his Guard, retired out of the Battel, and left his Men to shift for them­selves, making all the speed he could to escape that Ruin and Desolation into which he had brought his Army, which once known, nothing but flight and con­fusion [Page 73]followed, whilst the Poles had the Execution of them for many Miles with great slaughter.

In this Battel, fought on the eighth of Sep­tember, 13000 men were slain, and many of them of Note; all the Baggage and rich Pavilions, with the Great Dukes Standard taken, as likewise was Michael Goliza, but Smolensco being strongly fortified could not be regained.

A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought in Persia near the City of Coy or Coios, between Hysmael the Persian Sophi, and Selymus, the First of that Name, Emperour of the Turks.

SElymus, to obtain the Diadem, having caused his Father Bajazet the Second to be poysoned, and to secure himself in the Throne, strangled his three Brethren, being grieved that his two Nephews Amurath and Aladine yet lived, the one by securing him­self in the Persian Court, and the other in that of the AEgyptian Sultan, upon the for­mer's making some Inrodes into Capadocia, [Page 74]he took an opportunity to quarrel with Hys­mael the Persian Sophy; and thereupon rai­sing an Army of 300000 Horse and Foot, and under pretence of his having aided his Rebels, he marched to invade his Country; and so drawing his People after him over the huge Mountains of Scodrasci, Moscii, and Ante-Taurus, he passed along the Banks of the River Euphrates holding his way East­ward till he came to the River Araxis, where he found all the Country wasted and de­stroyed by the Persians; upon which, the Ar­my began to fall into great want of many things, so that the Souldiers were forced to feed upon wild Fruits, when, in the mean time Ʋsta-Ogli the Persian General approach­ed him with an Army of 80000 Horse; and whilst either Army was at some distance one from the other, Hys [...]ael came in Person to his Camp, and from thence sent a Heraul [...] to Selymus to know why in a Hostile man­ner he had entred his Country, having no Title thereto; to which the Turk hautily re­ply'd, That his Grandfather, his Uncle, and himself, had greatly endamaged the Ot­toman Empire, by making several Incroach­ments, Inrodes, and Invasions; and aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet, Baja­zet, and his own, yet he esteemed them not a sufficient ground of War, but sought after [Page 75]his Enemy, young Amurath, his Brother's Son, who had lately wasted Cappadocia, whom if he would quietly and friendly de­liver into his Hands, he would withdraw his Forces, but if he refused to gratifie him therein, he would with Fire and Sword not only destroy the Confines of Armenia, but the very heart of Persia. Notwithstand­ing these promises and Threats, the Persian refused to comply with his demands in de­livering up the young Prince to certain Death; yet for that day both Armies lay in their Trenches, but the next day they drew out, and each being put in Battel-Ar­ray, and incouraged by moving Orations to do their utmost, the bloody blast was sound­ed, after which the Persian Horsemen came on with great Futy, over-setting the Vaunt-guard, and overthrowing the Asapi by heaps: these are a sort of ordinary Souldiers pla­ced by the Turks for the most part to dull the Swords of the Enemy with their Blood, and often set formost in Assaults to fill up the Trenches with their dead Bodies when they besieged a Town, that the Janizaries may pass the easier over them: nor was that all, for the Persians at the same time charged the Spahi or Turkish Horsemen in either Wing, causing them in some Confu­sion to give Ground, which Selymus percei­ving, [Page 76]and finding they would soon charge the Battel of the Janizaries, (in the middle of which himself remained) he caused the Orders to open to the right and the left, where a Train of 60 pieces of Artillery was placed, and caused them to be dischar­ged without Intermission upon the Horse-men, who likewise opened their Orders to avoid the murthering shot which over­threw them by whole Ranks; yet the thun­dring of the Cannon so amazed the Horse, not used to hear such Noises, nor see such deadly Engines vomit Flame, that they would not be ruled, but flouncing and floun­dring, many of them cast their Riders, yet Hysmael with his Squadron still charging the Right Wing, composed of Asian Horse-men, cut a great number of them in pieces, but whilst Ʋsta Ogli his General was endea­vouring to do the like in the other part, and entering too far amongst the Ranks, he was slain with a Harquibuss shot, which much abated the Courage of his Men; yet could they not be prevailed with to retire, till Se­lymus advanced with the Battalion of the Janizaries, yet he gained but small Ad­vantage, whereupon in a great Rage he commanded another Tire of Ordnance (which he had left as his last refuge) furi­ously to be discharged upon the fighting [Page 77]Squadrons, by which means such slaughter was made (as well of his own men as the Persians mingled together) in the attack, that what for the Dust, Smoke, and thun­dring of the Artillery (having on both sides lost in a manner their Sight and Hearing) the Persian Horse were now so terrified, that they were no longer to be ruled, but dis­ranking in divers parts, the battel became broken and disordered; at what time Hys­mael having received a slight Wound with a Harquibuss-shot, was retired (at the Intrea­ty of his Friends) to have it searched and dressed; and there having notice that his General was slain, as also what further had hapned, he caused the retreat to be sound­ed, which was done in such order that the Turks durst not pursue them, nor durst they seize upon their Camp till they knew they were out of sight, in which they found divers rich Pavilions wrought with Needle-work and Gold, as also many beauteous Ladies that had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars, all of which he caused to be set at Liberty, except one of Hysmaels Wives, whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassa's.

In this Battel fought in the Galderan fields near the City of Coy, Anno 1514, 30000 Turks were slain, and amongst them divers [Page 78]Bassa's and Men of Note, even all the flow­er of the Army, though of the Persians not above 8000, the chief of Note, being the General, and amongst the slain were found the bodies of divers Persian Women, who armed, had accompanied their Husbands to share in their good or evil Fortune, at which Selymus admiring, caused them to be ho­nourably buried; and soon after had Tauris, and many other Cities put into his hands; but in his return through hardships, and such as were cut off by the Persians and Mounta­neers, who still hover'd about his Camp to take all advantages, he lost near three parts of his Army.

A Discription of the great Battel fought between Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt, and Selymus, the first of that Name, Emperour of the Turks, near Aleppo in Syria, &c.

SElymus, the year after his Persian Expedi­tion, having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules the Mountain King, under pre­tence [Page 79]of Damage done him by the Mountai­neers in his return, and getting the King in­to his Hands by treachery, cut off his Head. Whilst he was taking some Towns belonging to the Persian Sophy, whom he heard was warring against the Indians and Bactrians, He had notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt was coming against him with a pow­erful Army, levied in Aegypt and Judea, in favour of his Allie the Persian, as hating Se­lymus for his Cruelty to his Father, Brethren and Nephews; whereupon fearing he should pass the River Euphrates, and spoil his Do­minions in Asia, he sent Ambassadors to him to treat about renewing the League that had been between him and his Father Baja­zet. But the young Princes, Aladine, Son to Mahomet, Selymus's elder Brother, and Ala­deules, Son to the murther'd King of that Name, pressing the Sultan to restore them by his Arms in so just a Cause, his Embassy was rejected, whereupon, thinking it no time to delay, he resolved to give the Persians rest, and turn his Arms against the Aegyptian Sul­tan, and thereupon passed the Mountains with an Army of 300000 Men at three Pla­ces, causing the rough Passages to be made smooth, and the Straights to be opened for the more commodious passage of his Ord­nance and Baggage, so that in five days, con­trary [Page 80]to the Expectation or Belief of the Sul­tan, he had passed the huge Mountain of Amanus with his whole Army and all his Baggage, and Encamped in the Plains of Com­megena, where, from Alis-Beg, Governour of the Mountain Kingdom, he had news of the Sultan's Army; so that he immediately marched towards him, when coming in sight of each other, and the Battel on both parts resolved upon; the Sultan divided his Army into four Battels, the first he commit­ted to Kerebeus, the second to Sybevius, the third to Gazzeles, and the fourth himself re­served as a Battel of Succour, as also to de­fend the Camp; whilst on the other hand Selymus plac'd the Asian Horse-men in the Right wing, and the European's in the Left, and in the middle the battel of the Janiza­ries, with the Artillery in the front of them, and between the two Wings his Pentioners, being Souldiers of great Experience; and in this Order the Turks always fight, if the Ground will permit it.

The Battels ranged and set in order, Kere­beius with his Squadron charged the Europe­an Horse-men with great fury, but resolved now to be revenged on the Sultan for the death of his Brother; he intended nothing more than to betray his Trust; and there­upon, after the first Charge, that he might [Page 81]seem yet to do something, wheeling off, he fell upon the Sculions, and such other slaves as kept the Baggage, making some small slaughter of them, that at the same time, like a cunning Traytor, he might satisfie the Expectations of his Valour, and yet pene­trate the Treason: But Sebeius the Gover­nour of Damasco, behav'd himself far other­wise, for entring overthwart the Ranks of the Right wing of the Turks Army, he with his Mamalukes charged with such fury, that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horse-men, he broke in like a Tempest, bearing down all before him till he charg'd upon the Ensigns in the midst of the wing, nor could Mustapha the Beglerbeg, nor Im­brahor Bassa, with all their Forces stand be­fore him or restrain the flight of their Souldi­ers; so that cutting in pieces the Right wing, he resolutely thrust in between the Battali­on of the Janizaries and Pentioners, there making so unexpected and lamentable a slaughter, that Selymus was in great danger of being taken; for by the breaking in of Sebeius, he was divided from his Foot-men, in whom he reposed his greatest Confidence; and now the Janizaries being hardly char­ged by Gazzeles, who following the Fortune of Sebeius, were brought to great distress, nor could the routed Wing find any place of Retreat.

In this Confusion and Disorder, Sinan Bassa, who had been but lightly skirmished with by Kayerbeius, came in with the Left wing of Horse, and staid the fury of the Ma­malukes, whereat the disperced Squadrons of the Turks rallying and taking fresh Cou­rage, wrung the Victory out of their hands; which they could not have done had Camp­son slighted the Baggage, and come in in time with his Squadron, or Kayerbeius been true to his Trust; but the other Comman­ders having performed all that could be ex­pected from men of Courage and Conduct; and now the thundering Ordnance playing upon the ingaged Squadron, as they had be­fore on the Persian Horse-men, they found the Place too hot, and thereupon seering toge­ther in a thick Troop, they broke through the midst of those that had enclosed them, making great slaughter of the European Horse-men and Pentioners, and so retir'd to­wards the Camp and City of Aleppo; and being pursued by Sinan Bassa, whist Camp­son Gaurus endeavoured to stay the flight and restore (if possible) the battel, he was borne from his Horse in the Crowd, and by reason of his Age, and the weight of his Armour, not being able to relieve himself, he was in that Hurry and Confusion troden to death; and being afterward found amongst [Page 83]the slain, was expos'd to the view of the Peo­ple, that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive.

In this great battel, fought on the 17th of August 1516, no less than thirty thousand Turks were slain, and about the like number of Egyptians and Mamalukes, so that after two other mortal battels with Tomombeus, whom the Mamalukes chose their Sultan, af­ter the death of Campson, one in the great City of Caire, which lasted three days with great Effusion of blood, and the other upon the banks of Nilus, no less dreadful, all the Rich Countries of Egypt and Palestine fell in­to the hands of the Turks, who possess it to this day; for Tomombeus, flying after the last Defeat, was taken in a Marish among the Flags up to the Neck in Water, and brought to Selymus, who would not admit him to his Presence; but after he had rid upon a rugged Camel with his Face to the Tail quite thro' the City of Caire in derision, he was hanged upon a Hook, under the Gate of that City, and all the Mamalukes that could be found put to the Sword.

A Description of the fatal Battel of Nugis, fought between Lewis King of Hungary, and Selymus, the First of that Name, Empe­rour of the Turks, at Nugis in the King­dom of Hungary, &c.

LEwis King of Hungary, upon notice that Solyman was advancing to Invade his Kingdom with a powerful Army, and not being able to obtain Assistance of the neigh­bouring Princes, raised the whole Power of his own Country, not amounting to above 30000 Men, and those but slenderly skill'd in the Trains of War, yet at the Perswasi­ons of one Tomoreus, who promised him as­sured Victory, telling him he had it by Re­velation, the King young and unexperienc'd, rejected the Counsel of some grave Captains who foresaw the Danger of fighting eight to one, with an approved Warrior (for Soly­man approached with no less than 300000 Men) and resolved to give the Turks bat­tel; so that it was not long e'r both Armys confronted each other, near to a small Town called Nugis, between Belgrade and Buda, whenas the Turkish Commanders seeing the weakness of the King, besieged his Camp for many days, yet the said Tomoreus desist­ed not to promise him Victory, and under­took [Page 85]to set the Army in Battel-array, and indeed it was now too late to think of Re­treating without fighting their way through; so that the Foot being stretch'd in a long Line as commodiously as the Place would allow, they were supported by the Horse al­most in the like manner, that they might not be absolutely inclosed, or if they were, by doubling their Lines they might cast them­selves into a Ring, or Oval battel; whilst the Camp intrenched or barrocado'd with chain'd Wagons was left on the right hand to secure the approach on that part, though but slenderly guarded, and near thereunto was placed a Regiment of the most experi­enc'd Horse-men for the security of the King's Person, who would not be perswaded to reserve himself for a better Day, by with­drawing from the Camp e're the battel was joyned; so that now the great Guns on ei­ther part begun to play furiously, though doing little damage, yet the Turkish Squa­drons advancing upon the first Charge, the Hungarian Horse gave ground, and soon af­ter broke their Array, which so discouraged the Foot-men, that they scarcely made any Resistance; but throwing away their Wea­pons, were miserably slain; and in less than two hours space the whole Army was in Rout, upon which the Turks following the [Page 86]Execution, not above 5000 escaped, all the flower of the Nobility of that Kingdom be­ing slain, and the King attempting to escape, plunged with his Horse into a miry Place, where none coming to his Assistance, he was stifled; nor did Tomoreus escape, but fell to augment the number of the slain. After this fatal Blow was given to Hungary, which was follow'd by innumerable Calamities, occasi­oned by Civil Dissentions. Solyman entred Buda, and taking out of the Castle divers Brazen Statues, placed there by Matthias Cor­vinus, he departed to Constantinople, leaving the Kingdom in a manner desolate, especi­ally of its Nobility.

A Description of the Battel of Pavye, fought between Francis the French King, and Charles Duke of Burbon, Charles de Le­noy, and the Marquess of Picara, Generals for Charles the Fifth, Emperour of Ger­many.

THE French and Imperialists contending for the Sovereignty of Italy with vari­ous Fortunes, and Francis the French King [Page 87]endeavouring to recover the Dutchy of Mil­lain, the Duke of Burbon, Charles Lanoy Vice Roy of Naples, and the Marquess of Piscara drew out an Army to oppose his proceedings, so that after some time spent in training their Souldiers, and putting them in order, it came to a pitched Field, and the Generals exhort­ing their Souldiers to do their utmost Endea­vours to gain Honour and Fame; the great Ordnance began to thunder on either part, but that of the French being on the lower Ground, had much the Advantage, the shot whereof passing through the Ranks of the German Horsemen greatly incommoded them, which the Commanders perceiving, drew their battels closer, and after some doubt­ful fight (whilst the Battel had wandered over the Field) came to a bloody Encoun­ter on all hands, so that the slaughter grew hot, and the Wings still charging each other, each Nation strove by all possible means to express its Valour; for in this battel fought not only French and Germans, but Spaniards, Italians, and Switzers, indifferently on ei­ther side, being Mercenary Souldiers, and hired for pay, and especially the French, for the Honour of their King, who spared not at once to give command and charge the Enemy, ranging through the fiercest attack, as knowing that if he lost that Battel, it [Page 88]would be hard for him to escape; nor were the black Battalion of Almayns (fighting on the Part of the King) less diligent in char­ging the Switzer; so that one party ingaging after another, they fought in the end in all parts; so that the field was in a trice cover­ed with the bodies of the slain, and so eager were they to shed blood, that they minded not as yet the taking of Prisoners on either side, by reason of which many men of Note were slain that might have been made Pri­soners; and amongst others Solice, whose Horse being slain under him, and he op­pressed with Armour, would have yielded to the Captain of the Squadron of Horse that fought on that part, but a certain Spani­ard, envying the Horse should have the Ransom of so Noble a Prisoner, bent his Harquibuss against his Brest and killed him on the Place; also Tremoville, an other great Captain that had in his time won many great Victories, was shot upon the like ac­count; and Galeazo Sansenerino was slain in the Kings sight: so that the Imperialists pres­sing on, (as having brought their whole strength into the Field) many Gallant men were slain, and especially of the Horse, who were for the most part in the heart of the bat­tel, sustaining not only the Charge of Horse against Horse, but frequently of the Foot-men [Page 89]who flanked them, so that the shot fly­ing like hail, a great number were over­whelm'd, Men and Horses strugling together for Life, and many being dismounted were trampled to death; so that it frequently hap­ned, that the Front of the Battel was so bar­rocaded with the slain, that neither Party could well advance to break into the Squa­drons, especially those on Horse-back; and now the Switzers over-charged, began to give ground, in striving to restrain which, the Lord Bonevet was slain, and the King's Guard being miserably cut off with the shot of the Foot-men, he was left almost void of Succour, to the fury of the Enemy, and ma­ny who loved their Lives dearer than their Honour left him, and scatter'd in all parts, which the King perceiving, and that it was now but too apparent that the battel went against him, having fought courageously, and done all that could be expected from a great a Cptain; he laboured to get from amongst his Enemies; but being surround­ed by the Horsemen of divers Nations, tho' they knew not directly who he was, yet supposing him a Person of Note, they pres­sed hard upon him, nor did he forget him­self, though he was forsaken by his Guard, but continually wheeling his Horse to avoid the thickest of his Pursuers, defended him­self [Page 90]with his Sword, both giving and taking divers Wounds; but whilst he attempted a Bridg that passed over a Water-course or small Rivolet, his Horse was thrust in with a Pike, falling immediately down, in which fall he was much bruised; so that he bled in abundance, lying at the same time with his Leg under the Horse, and not able to relieve himself, when one Didaco de Aebil­la, and John Orbieta a Biscaian, coming in, and not well knowing him in that Conditi­on, shook their Swords over him, and willed him to yield, or he was a dead man; but whilst he disdained to reply, or at least to discover himself, Monsieur de La Motte came up, who knowing the King, kept off the Crowd, and relieving him from the misery he lay in, required him to yield himself to the Duke of Burbon, whom he said was at hand, but that duke, having revolted from the King, whose Feudetary he was he grew angry, and in a chafe at his very Name, fiercely replying, No, but call me hither Lenoy, who in the end being sought for in all parts came of himself, and removed the great Crowd from about the King, who pressed on all sides to see him.

It being known throughout the field that the King was made a Prisoner, the Courage of those French that yet stood to it, altoge­ther [Page 91]failed them, so that the Imperialists cry­ing every where Victory, they fled in all parts, as likewise did the Switzers that sought on the Kings side, fearfully running into the River Teniso, where being unskilful in swimming, they were drowned in whole Troops; and those that remained on shore, although they threw down their Arms, and begged for Life, were mostly slain, and all the Spoil of the Camp, besides much rich Furniture of Horse and Armour taken, as likewise was Henry King of Navar, and a great number of the French Nobility: and the Count of St. Paul lying on the Ground wounded, a Spaniard cut off his Finger to take his Ring, which he could not other­wise get off. As for the Duke of Alanson, who with a Regiment of Horse he brought during the Battel, having stood a while a looker on, he turned Tail and fled with those under his Command into France, to tell the doleful News.

In this Battel, fought Anno 1523, upwards of 10000 men were slain, and as many wounded and taken Prisoners, not reckon­ing those that were drowned in the River Ten. so. As for the King, he soon after obtain­ed his Liberty, in consideration of his quit­ting claim to Millain, Naples, and Asti, as al­so his Superiority over Artois and Flanders, [Page 92]paying moreover to the Emperour 120000 Crowns.

A description of the Battel of Gabiniano, fought between Philbert Prince of Orange, General for the Emperour Charles the Fifth, and Franaio a Captain of the Florentines, Anno 1530.

THE Florentines having banished the Family of the Medic [...]'s, the Emperour Charles the Fifth was so far offended thereat, that he caused his Forces under the Com­mand of Philbert Prince of Orange, straitly to besiege the City of Florence in Italy, which being accordingly done, the Citizens resolved to send for Farnaio, a Captain of theirs, who was abroad with some Troops on the Frontiers, who by his falling into the Imperial Quarters whilst they sallied out of the City, might be a means to raise the Siege, and so without further delay they sent Han, a chosen Messenger, promising him great Rewards if he prospered therein, which made him incontinently gather what [Page 93]Forces he could, and advance with all ima­ginable Diligence and Secrecy, yet his Ap­proach was made known by the Imperial Espials. The Prince of Orange sent to Fabri­co Marmaldo, and Alexander Vitteli, who lay with their Regiments in the Territories of Pisa, to haste to the Camp, yet take such a way that they might follow in the Ear of Franaio's Troops, and fall upon him as they found their Advantage, whilst himself with a detached Power would oppose him in the Front, which accordingly hapned after some skirmishing by the way in the Town of Gabiniano; so that there the fury of the bat­tel increasing, they fought on all parts with great Fury, especially in the Market-place, where Franaio leaping from his Horse, and taking a Pike in his Hand, greatly incoura­ged his Souldiers, nor failed Marmaldo to do the like, who casting his men in a thick wedge, sustained the charge valiantly, whilst a part of Franaio's Foot sheltring amongst the Chesnut Trees that grow thick towards the Wall of the Town, poured in their shot like Hail, and as they saw it convenient, ad­vanced in parties, and having camisado'd the Enemy, as soon retired; which the Prince of Orange (who fought on Horse­back) perceiving, pressed on to dislodge them, to whose Relief with a Troop of [Page 94]Horse, came Nicholas Mussio, a Greek of great strength, with whom the Prince fought hand to hand, and although Mussu with his Battel-Ax had bruised his Helmet, the Prince still pursued him with his Sword, but entering too far amongst the Trees, he received two mortal Wounds by Harqui­buss shot, and fell from his Horse, and in­stantly died; (being stripped by the Souldi­ers of his Cloth of Siver-Coat, and guilt Armour; whereupon his Men were so dis­couraged that many of them fled away fear­fully and unpursued; of which Advantage Franaio laying hold, cried Victory, the better to hearten his own Souldiers, and drawing his Troops close together, made a desperate charge on those that yet stood firm, so that the Streets were covered with dead Bodies, and the Channels murmur'd with Streams of Blood, nor had Victory failed to have de­clared on his part, had not the Lansquenets of German Foot (who were placed without the Town as a Battel of Succour) advanced and restored the fight; for upon the flying of Rusales, a Collonel of Horse, with those under his Command, the News was carried to the Camp before Florence, that the Prince was slain, and his Army routed, but these fresh Forces coming on and renewing the fight with great fury, the Florentines, after [Page 95]they had disputed Street by Street, and House by House with the Imperials, found themselves too weak to make any further resistance; so that Franaio, and Paul his Lieutenant, after they had for many hours defended a strong House, and from thence with their shot and Wild-fire overthrown many of their Enemies, finding the battel inevitably lost, yielded themselves to Mar­maldo, when being brought into his Presence armed as they were taken, he said to Fra­naio in a great Rage, And did you think when you hanged up my Drummer against the Law of Arms, it would have been my Fortune to have had you in my Power? To which Franaio without the least shew of fear or dejection replyed, This is the chance of War, and the like may also befall you, serving in the War; but if you take my Life, you shall gain by my Death neither Profit, Honour, or Praise: yet Marmaldo having caused him to be disarmed, wounded him with his Sword in the Throat, and left him to the Souldiers to be dispatched, who in­continently slew him. Nor fell there in this Encounter less than 2000 men, being the more memorable for that the two Generals were slain, with many more of Note; upon News of which defeat of their Forces, the Florentines yielded up the City, having de­fended [Page 96]it to the last Extremity, leaving no unclean thing un-eaten; whereupon the Emperour deprived them of their Franci­ses, and made Alexander d' Medicis (base Son of Lawrence d' Medicis) Duke of Flo­rence, and of all the Countries depending thereon.

A Description of the Memorable Battel of Cheresoles, fought in Peimont between Alphons, Marquess of Guisto, General for Charles the Fifth, Emperour, and France Duke of Anghien, General for Francis the French King, Anno 1544.

FRancis Duke of Anghien; with a grea [...] Power laving Siege to Carignano, [...] strong Town in Peimont, Alphons, Marque [...] of Guisto, Governour of that Province fo [...] Charles the fifth, Emperour of Germany [...] thought it highly concerned him to hinde [...] so important a Place from falling into th [...] Hands of the French, and thereupon draw­ing his Forces into a Body, he resolved to raise the Siege at the hazard of a battel; no [...] [Page 97]was not many days before the Armies con­fronted each other, and began the fight (after they were arranged in battel array) with their Cannon, and thereupōn the Squardrons of Horse moved with great Courage; the first that charged being the Horsemen of Thermes and Balleone, which charge they maintained with so much Va­lour, that many were slain on either part, and a great many borne to the Ground with their Lances, who for the most part were troden to death by the Horses, so that they soon came to use their Swords and Battel-Axes; but Thermes at length bending his Forces upon the Italian Foot-men, was beaten from his Horse, and taken Prisoner by a common Souldier, nor could Baleone's Wing (by reason of its being much in­ferior in number) long resist the French men at Arms; so that many in that sharp conflict were slain, and amongst them Ju­lio Azzo, Son to the Prince of Tuderto and Baleone, having his Horse slain under him, himself at the same time wounded, hardly escaped being taken Prisoner; but the bat­tel under the Command of Raimond de Cor­dona and Seisneich had better fortune, for charging upon the Grevers, a sort of Soul­diers brought up in the Territories of Ge­neva, they so plied them with Harquibuss-shot, [Page 98]that they put their Battel into much disorder, and won from them the Ground they had a long time maintained; as like­wise a Cottage that sheltered them from the shot of the other Wing, with some pieces of Ordnance; nor was it effected without great slaughter on either side, so that a Troop of Horsemen were immedi­ately sent to succour them, lest they should be all cut off. In this Encounter Monsiew Destro and Charles Drosse, Collonels of Horse, were slain, as also Monsieur de Assier, a young Gentleman of great hope; for the Spaniard, desirous to revenge old Wrongs, pressed furiously upon the French-men in this part of the battel, insomuch that they obliged them to retire with great slaugh­ter, even to the Gates of Carmagnola, and at the same time the German Foot, who had lain upon the Ground to avoid the shot o [...] the great Ordnance, rose up and set for­ward to the battel, and Aliprando their Commander going some paces before them, challenged out Monsieur de Mole, a Captain of the French, to fight him i [...] single Combat, which after being accept­ed, both Captains mounted, and running furiously together, fell both of them grie­vously wounded, one in the Eye, and the other in the Cheek, and thereupon the [Page 99]Souldiers rushing together to their rescue, great slaughter ensued; for Aliprandoe's Re­giment, that joyned as the Advance-guard, was not so suddenly re-inforced as intend­ed, which in the end being over-matched by the men at Arms, made them wheel off, which did not a little discourage their Fellows, who suddenly coming on, had their flank left open to the shot of the main battel, and those Horse that wheeled off, (being charged upon as flyers, altho the Marquess laboured to make them face about, finding no place amongst the Squa­drons to make their retreat good) entered amongst the Ranks of the German foot, which put them into great Confusion, for finding their battel was behind the Ensigns, they brake quite through, and the French likewise pressing on, got in at the breach, making great slaughter, especially of the hindermost of those that fled, and when the Switzers who stood over-against the Italians, perceived this wavering, as like­wise the slaughter of the Germans, they likewise fell upon them with great fury, neglecting the Italians, with whom it was expected they would have ingaged; so that they who before were hard enough put to it by the Gascoins and old Switzers, who fought in their front, and weakned [Page 100]by the breaking in of their own Horse, (the French Horse likewise charging them in the Rear) were not able to withstand the fresh charge, but their Captains being most slain, and their Ensigns thrown down, turned their backs and fled; yet being hot­ly pursued, they were most or them slain, and amongst them divers men of great Note, viz. Vulcain, Son to the Earl of Fur­stemberg, Michael Preusinger, Lieutenant to Brannor, Scaliger, Antonya Ʋrste a Captain of Great Fame, Hildebrand Tunnie, Balthasar Chaldese, James Figero, Matrice Bursea, Adam Brall, and the Baron of Grimstein: and Aliprando near dead of his Wound, was found amongst the dead bodies and taken Prisoner; and when the Italian foot per­ceived the Germans broken and dispersed, and that the Horsemen had left the Field, they made good their retreat, and with little loss got about Midnight to Asti, whi­ther the Horsemen were gotten before them, and soon after came the Marquess with his Helmet much bruised and batter­ed, and shot with a Harquibus-shot into the Knee, so that the Victory was intirely left to the French. And of the 40000 that were in the Field on both sides, 12000 are acounted to be slain, whereupon Carignan [...] surrendred to the Duke of Haghein.

A Description of the Battel of Lochen, fought in Saxony, between Charles the Fifth, Em­perour of Germany, and John Fredrick, Dake of Saxony, on the twenty fourth of April, Anno Dom. 1547.

THE Emperour Charles the Fifth be­ing displeased with divers Princes of the Empire, and the mis-understanding growing daily greater, they thought it the surest way to arm on all parts, and stand upon their Guard, which making the Em­perour suppose it the best way to fight them separate, he pursued John Fredrick Duke of Saxony upon his return into his own Country, by such speedy marches that the Advaunt-guard of his Army attacked the Saxons before they expected they were ar­rived in those parts, which created much Fear and Consternation; yet maintaining only a kind of a flying fight till the gross battalions came up, the Duke had leisure to put his Troops in Order, and formed his Battel in this wise. viz. He [Page 102]commanded the Foot-men of the Earl of Bichenlinghen, in whom he reposed the greatest trust, and the Horse-men of John Ponecan and Gaugulph of Eslenhen, to take their Stations in the front, ordering them that if they charged they should retire, and avoid, as much as in them lay, entering in­to a hot dispute, till the signal was given to assure them the other Battels were in a readiness; then he cast 6000 foot-men in­to two Squadrons, and supported them with 500 Horse-men, riding himself from Rank to Rank, to give necessary Orders and Directions for what was wanting, pla­cing another 2000 Horse as a Wing to cover the Foot on the Right side, and so closing his Battel to prevent the Enemies breaking in, he stood in array to expect the Event, whilst the Emperour, with whom was the King of Romans, and the Great duke of Alva, placed in the Vaunt-guard of his Ar­my 600 Launces, with 600 Hungarian Horse-men, 700 Italian Horse-men, and 100 Har­quibusiers on Horse-back, then he divided them into three Troops, the Hungarians he placed on the Right wing, the Germans on the left, and the Italians in the middle, and of the rest of the Forces he made his battel, dividing it into three Squadrons, of whom he committed one to the charge of the [Page 103]King of Romans, but the others he led himself, the one consisting of 700 Horse-men, and the other of 1000, part Lances, and part Harquibuses, commanding the whole Army to advance in such order that the front might be broad and extended, that so they might prevent being inclosed; and thus-both Armies being in array, and the Duke not perceiving it commodious to retire, proceeded with a moving Ora­tion to incourage his Men by putting them in mind of the Prowess and Valour of their Ancestors, and exhorting them to fight like men for their Liberties, Lives, Wives, Children, and Country, and that for his part he would not be wanting to fight or succour as occasion should require it. Nor was the Emperour wanting to in­courage his Souldiers to the like effect, so that now there being nothing wanting but the Signal to joyn battel, that was not long delayed, for the Trumpets suddenly sounding, the Imperial Battel moved with great swiftness, but the Horse coming into dirty and slippery Ground, were so mired, that the Ear-guard was forced to give back till the Advaunt guard had passed it, lest by pressing on they should have broken the Array, and caused Confusion and Dis­order to have ensued, which gave the [Page 104] Saxons Opportunity to charge the Front before the Rear could come up, insomuch that a hot and desperate fight ensued, for the battel being begun in the Right-wing, the Saxons poured in their shot like Hail, and had made great slaughter, had not the Italian and Hungarian Light-Horse-men come in, and charged them in another part; which for a time allay'd their fury: whilst in another part the men at Arms of Naples, and the German Harquibusiers sore­ly pressed their main battel, so that the Advaunt-guard became open, and began to scatter, although the Duke laboured all that in him lay to keep his men in their Ranks, and to admonish them with Words and Actions to do their utmost to support his Honour; yet fear had so pos­sessed them, that they could not be kept in their Battels, but began incontinently to disrank; so that the Imperialists thrusting into their Array, brought them in a short time into great Distress and Confusion; whereupon the Duke finding the Day lost, used what Industry he could to make an orderly retreat into the Neighbouring Wood, but by reason his Array was bro­ken, the Imperialists entered with him, ma­king great slaughter of his men, and pres­sed so furiously upon him, that although he [Page 105]stoutly defended himself, yet at length he was taken Prisoner by Hippalito a Venetian, and disarmed, as likewise were a great number of his men, and some prime Commanders.

In this Battel 2000 foot were slain, as likewise 800 Horsemen, and 700 wound­ed on the part of the Saxons, but of the Germans the slain exceeded not 500; there were likewise taken 42 Ensigns, with all the Plate, Jewels, Baggage, and Furniture of the Camp, though the Saxons made a kind of a marching or running fight for the space of fifteen miles, in all continuing about eight hours; and after this Victory all the Country of Saxony submitted to the Emperours Pleasure, as soon after did most of the other Estates and Principalities that combined to withstand and oppose him.

A Description of the Memorable battel of Muscle-borough-field, fought in Scotland between Edward Seimour Duke of Somerset, and James Hamilton Earl of Arran, Regents of England and Scotland, Anno 1547.

A Great difference arising between the two Nations, upon the Scots refusing [Page 106](as it had been agreed upon in the days of Henry the Eighth,) to give their young Queen Mary (sole Heiress to the Crown of Scotland) to Edward the Sixth, King of England, &c. The English under the lead­ing of the Duke of Somerset, and other Nobles entered that Kingdom, resolving by War to prosecute them for their Ob­stinacy, and oblige them if possible, to the performance of what they (without any Colour or Reason) had refused; whereup­on on the third of September, Anno 1547, the Lord Regent passed the Tweed with an Army consisting of 10000 foot, of which 600 were Harquibuses, 4000 men at Arms and Demilances, with 2000 light Horse-men, of whom 200 were Harquibusiers mounted, and 1300 Pioneers, the Train of Artillery consisting of fifteen great pieces, besides a Fleet of sixty five Vessels, where­of a great Gally, and thirty four Ships were well appointed for War, the rest be­ing Victuallers and Tenders, and on the ninth of September incamped within two Miles of the Scotish Army, under the com­mand of the Earl of Arran, who the next Morning dislodged, as likewise did the English, and advanced towards each other, though the former had but a bad welcome, for some of the English Ships riding at An­chor [Page 107]in the River, let flye so soon as they came within reach of their shot, and killed a Captain, together with twenty five Soul­diers, which made the Battalion of Ar­chers commanded by the Earl of Argyle retreat, nor could they be perswaded to advance, which made the whole Army change the intended course by marching more Southwardly, nor stayed they till they had possessed themselves of the Hill called Fauxside-Bray, which made the duke of Somerset, the English General, send some Troops thither to secure the Hill, it being of great advantage to those that possessed it, and so successful was he therein, that he procured in a short time several pieces of Cannon to be mounted thereon, which af­terward proved very serviceable in batter­ing the Enemies Ranks, and in the Emer­gency the Council debated on Horse-back what was to be done, as not having liesure otherways to do it, and came to result this, viz. that the Lord Grey of Wilton, Marshal of the Army, and Captain General of all the Horse-men should with his band of Bulloi­ners and other Troops, to the number of 1800 Horse-men advance to charge the Enemy in the Front, whilst Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Darcy, Captains of the Pen­tioners and Men at Arms, together with [Page 108]the Lord Fitz-Walter and his band of De­milances to the number of 1600 should be ready to support him, that so by a furious charge they might break or disorder the thick front of the Enemies Pikes; and al­though this was a hazardous undertaking, yet the Captains disputed not the Order; [only the Lord Grey desired the General (that if he should miscarry in the Enter­prize) he would be good to his Wife and Children] and so taking leave, he ad­vanced to meet the Scots, who with no less speed came on in so thick a Wedge, that it appeared very difficult, if not impossible to pierce their Array, for the Earl of An­gues, who commanded the Vaunt-guard, had in his Battel 8000 Men, and four or five pieces of Cannon, which served as a flank on his Right, and on his Left he had 400 Horse men, and was supported with 10000 Highlanders, and in the Rear-ward was the Earl of Huntly with 8000 Scots, and 4000 Irish Archers, who served as a Wing unto them both, being furnished likewise with Ordnance, as in the other battel; nor was this all, for the English had the difficul­ty of a great Slough or miry Ditch to struggle with in their Passage, which not only obliged them to break their Ranks, but mited divers of them that were not [Page 109]skilled in leaping, yet surmounting these they came to a furious charge, insomuch that although at the first onset the battel was not broken, yet it swaied and gave back to Admiration, so that the English gained Ground apace, but the Lord Marshal find­ing he was not at that time capable of forcing their Ranks, he made a softly retreat towards the Hill, that they might disrank to follow him, and he thereby have an op­portunity to give a second charge before they could fall into order, in which re­treat he lost twenty five of his men, and had divers wounded, many of them Per­sons of Quality, as the Lord Generals Son, and Sir Thomas Darcy, &c. Nor did they fail to lay hold on the Kings Standard, borne by Sir Andrew Flammock, but it was so well defended, that they only broke the Staff, and carried away the nether end; but the English Commanders having ral­lied their Troops, and by moving Orati­ons dissipated the fear the late slaughter occasioned, and being re-inforced, Peter Meucasa, Captain of a Company of Harqui­busiers on foot, drew up in the front of the Enemies battel, and was seconded by Peter Gamboa a Spanish Captain, who command­ed 200 Harquibusiers on Horseback, who with their shot made such slaughter, that [Page 110]the Scots durst not advance, and by that means the English Archers had time to march on the Right-hand of our foot-men, and feather them with their flights of Ar­rows, and the great Ordnance playing transverse within Musquet-shot, and the foot-men who had been obscured by the Horse, advancing in good array, the Scots began to shrink together, though they were far superior to the English in number, and quickly losing all Courage, betook them­selves to open flight, their General the Earl of Arran flying foremost, nor did An­gues stand to it, but followed with great Celerity; so that the rout was by this time in all parts, when as the English crying, they fly, they fly, followed the chace with great slaughter, the miserable Scots casting away their Weapons, and crying out for Mercy, which in the first fury or the pursuit the Souldiers being hot upon Execution, few of them obtained, so that our men using their own broad Swords, (which they had scattered) against them, 13003 of them are reputed to be slain, and of Note the Lord of Loghemworth, the Lord Fleming, the Master of Greym, the Master of Arskin, and of the better fort about 1600, and 1500 were taken Prisoners, the chief of which were the Lord Huntly, Lord [Page 111]Chancellor of the Kingdom, the Lords of Yester, Hobby, and Hamilton, the Captain of Dun-Bar, the Laird Wimms, and a Brother to the Earl of Casselles. It is further reported, that many perceiving the pursuit grew hot, and that they could not escape it, fell down amongst the slain, and counterfeit­ing themselves dead, found means when the Pursuers were past, by the shelter of the Night to get into the Woods and adjacent Towns, and so secured themselves from the destroying Swords. As for their Camp, Baggage, Ammunition, and all of that kind, they fell into the Hands of the Eng­lish, as likewise did many considerable Towns and strong holds, but as for the young Queen, she was before hand con­veyed secretly into France.

A Description of the Battel of Dreux, fought in Normandy, between Lewis of Burbon, Prince of Conde, and Aeneas Montmoren­cy, Constable of France, Anno 1562.

GReat Troubles arising in France about Religion, soon after the Reformation spread wide in Christendom, amongst o­thers, [Page 112]who took up Arms to assert and main­tain it, was Lewis of Burbon, Prince of Conde, to oppose whom, Aeneas Montmorency drew out the French King's Forces, and hasted into Normandy with all speed; yet not so secretly but that the Prince with whom was Chastillion the Admiral, had notice of his approach, and thereupon consulted with his Associates what was best to be done, who together, all things being weighted, resolved to give the Constable Battel, though the Catholick Army much over­match'd the Hugonots in number of Foot, consisting of 26000, whereas that of his own was scarce 11000; yet he had the ad­vantage in Horse by almost a 1000; so that both Armies by this time being en­camped within sight of each other; the Morning following the Prince drew into the Field and ranged his Battel, pla­cing his Horse-men, to the number of 4000 in the Vaunt-guard, and himself led the Battel with Rechfocault, taking to him a Squadron of light Horse-men, led by Cou­rays; and posting on the other side, the Cornets commanded by Monoy and Aveller, with certain Reysters or German Horse, com­mitting the care of the Vaunt-guard to the Admiral, with whom he joyned the Prince of Porcien, supported by other Troops of [Page 113]Horse; then followed a battalion of Ger­man Foot consisting of 4000, supported by 500 loose shot called Enfans Perdus, who, as the occasion requires, are to march before the Battalion as the forlorn hope; then an­other strong Battalion of 23 Ensigns, con­sisting of French Foot-men, whose charge it was to manage and guard the Ordnance, being secured in the Flank by a Wing or Party of German Horse; and in this Array he marched with a square Battel.

The Constable perceiving the Hugonot Army by the posture it was drawn into, resolved to give Battel, drew out like­wise, comitting to the Duke of Guise the Right Wing of the Advant-guard, and next in order he placed the Battalion of the Spanish Foot, and the old French Soul­diers, with four pieces of Canon; of the Left Wing the Marshal of St. Andrews had the Charge, and was guarded on the one side with a Battalion of Foot, and on the other with a Squadron of Horse; and the main Battel principally was composed of 17 Ensigns of French Foot, and 22 Ensigns of Switzers the Constable himself commanded, enclosing 18 pieces of great Ordnance; and thus stood the Battels of the Catholicks in a great length or depth, and the Battels of the Hugonots confronted them, when Con­de [Page 114]giving the Signal, and Curay going be­fore with his light Horse-men, charged upon the Switzers, where he found them left naked of Horse-men, and with great fury broke in amongst them, making a considerable slaughter of them, though they at first, by the help of their Ordnance, made a stout resistance, and the strength of their own Weapons, but the shot fly­ing thick as hail in their faces, they were soon obliged to give ground, and soon af­ter not being able to sustain the charge of the Horsemens Launces, they broke their ar­ray, and scattered, leaving their Ordnance behind them unguarded, whilst those that had routed them ranged with great slaughter through the bloody Attacks; not did the Admiral delay to charge the Con­stables battel, whilst the Reysters did the like upon Avelle's Horse, who were to sup­port it, but this beginning of good Suc­cess and Promise of Victory lasted not long, for though the Constable was wounded and taken in the Charge, his Battel being near over-set, yet Avelle perceiving the Princes foot lest naked, broke in amongst them, and put them far and near to the rout; so that not longer being able to make resistance in the disorder they were in, they fled towards the Village of Blinvil, at [Page 115]what time the Duke of Guise coming in with a strong reserve, disordered the rest of the foot that yet stood firm, as not ha­ving been charged, though in entering amongst their Ranks, many of his Horse­men, together with their Horses, were slain, so that Avelle who kept his Troops firm, being returned from the rout of the foot, and perceiving the Prince's Horse dis­ordered in pursuit of the Switzers, he broke in, so that the Prince himself was wounded, over-born and taken Prisoner by him, and his Troops put to the flight, which was the only thing that put a stop to Victory's declaring on the part of the Hu­gonots, and gave the Duke of Guise an Op­portunity to further his Advantage, yet the Admiral made great resistance, labour­ing all that in him lay to restore the bat­tel, in disputing for which the Marshal of St. Andrews was slain, with divers others of Note, and many were wounded; yet the Admiral for want of Horse to second his Foot, was in the end obliged to give ground, yet the fight continued bloody and doubtful, and greater had been the slaughter, had not Night come and parted the Armies, who otherwise, as men reso­lute, were resolved to have fought it out to the last Extremity.

In the last Encounter (besides the Mar­shal of St. Andrews) were slain Monbrun, Son to the Constable, the Lord Phinnes, the Grand Prior, and a Brother to the Guise, Guire and Aenabault de' Brosses, with divers others of Noble descent; and amongst the wounded were the Dukes de Ama [...] and Nevers, who soon after died of their Wounds, and many noble Prisoners were taken on either side, neither having cause to boast of any advantage, for the slain computed to ten thousand, were in a man­ner equally divided; and the battel parted by the Night as aforesaid, the Admiral repaired with his Forces to Orleance, and the Duke of Guise with those that were now under his command, to Paris.

A Description of the Battel of Bassiack, fought in France between Henry Duke of Anjou, Brother to, and Lieutenant-General for Charls the Ninth, King of France, and Lewis Prince of Conde, General of the Hugonot Army, Anno 1569.

ALthough the strengths of either party had been sufficiently tryed, and France [Page 117]yet reeked with Blood, yet it sufficed not the hot Spirits of the Leaders, but they again drew out their Forces. The Catho­licks under the leading of the Duke of An­ [...]ou, and the Hugonots under the leading of the Prince of Conde, and the Admiral of Castillion, and after divers Skirmishes the Forces on either part increasing, though not half the Prince's Army were come up, Necessity obliging him to ingage, the fight began with great fury, but lasted not long before Fortune declared against the Hugo­nots, for the Prince perceiving a great Troop approaching to fight him at disad­vantage with 4 or 500 Horse, he turned head to charge them, till more of his For­ [...]es might come up, and gave a very hot charge; upon the foremost pressing on with such fury, that he bore down and obliged to retreat all that stood before him; but not being seconded as he ex­pected, and in hight of his Valour advan­cing too far, he found himself inclosed by the Ranks of his Enemies, who layed up­on him so forcibly, that having done all that could be expected from true Valour, he was in the end beaten from his Horse, sore bruised and wounded, where no time­ly succour coming in, he was constrained to give place unto force; so that being [Page 118]bidden to yield by de Argence and Monsieur Jean, upon their Promise to spare his Life, he surrendred himself, but soon after being known, Montesquoin, a desperate fellow, contrary to Justice or the Law of Arms, shot him dead with a Pistol: and thus end­ed the Great and Warlike Conde, who with a handful of men for many years had resisted the power of a potent King­dom; but here ended not the misery, for his men understanding he was dead, no longer kept the field, but were a great number of them slaughter'd in the pursuit.

During the battel, Dacier, the Prince's Lieutenant, and drawn his men, to the number of 6000, out of Cognac, and, adver­tised that his General was ingaged, hasted by a great march towards Bassiack, but com­ing within a league of it, he understood by those that fled, that the battel was lost, which caused him to march towards Jar­nac, but scarcely arrived there before the Catholick Troops appeared, against whom he made head with much bravery, obli­ging them to recoil in such a manner as gave him Opportunity to make his retreat good with small loss, by passing Rivers, and cutting off Bridges, &c. to hinder the Horse that hung upon his Rear.

The Admiral, and Dandelot his Lieute­nant, perceiving the fight irreparably lost, and the confusion in all places was great, re­tired with a small number of the Nobili­ty, shunning the greater number, the better to hinder the pursuit, and so came to St Jean de Ae'ngly, where being advertised that the young Princes of Navar and Conde were at Zaincles, they marched thither, and made that the place of their Randez­vouze, whither a great number of such as escaped out of the battel resorted, and soon became a formidable Army, being joyned by those Troops that were not in the battel.

In this disaster were slain on the Hugo­not Party, many of great Note, besides the Prince As de la Tour, Chustebers, Portant, Chandenire, Mesauchere, Brandanire, Besolones, Taberiere, Barette, Lay Mesleray, and about fifty Gentlemen of lesser Note, for the heat of the battel fell upon the Horse, the Foot scarcely coming to ingage, though it went not unbloody on the other part, for a great number of prime Men lost their Lives, especially in the quarter where the Prince charged, yet the Prisoners (Pro­testants) were many, and amongst them divers of the Scotish Nation, who had en­gaged themselves as Voluntiers on the [Page 120]part of the Prince, the chief was Corbeson, Brother to the Earl of Montgomery. As for the whole number of the slain it exceeded not 2000, yet the winning the battel proved of great Importance to the Catholicks, for soon after they over-run Zantougevis, Angue­mois, Limousin, and other Places of Note, though thereby they gave way to the in­crease of the Hugonot Power, which ga­thered to the Standard of Henry, the young Prince of Navar, whom they chose their General, constituting at the same time the Admiral the Protector of his Person; whereupon the War continued as hot as ever, and many great Battels were fought with various success, nor ended it till after the death of Henry the Third. Henry Prince, and afterward King of Navar, was Crowned King of France, as being the next of the blood Royal.

A Description of the famous battel or Sea-fight, commonly called the battel of Lepanto, fought near the Gulph of that Name, be­tween the Navy of the Christian League, under the Conduct of Don John of Austrian, half Brother to Philip the First, King of Spain, and Haly Bassa Commander in chief for Selimus the Second, Emperour of the Turks, Anno 1572.

THE Turks under the Reign of Selimus, the Second of that Name, greatly in­festing the Seas, and riding triumphant as it were with a powerful Navy on the Ocian; the Christian Princes, especially the King of Spain, the Pope, and the Venetians, began to consider the great damage they had done, and what more they were like to do them, if not curbed in time, which made them con­ [...]derate and hasten out their Ships of War, that they might in Conjunction oppose the growing Mischief, which meeting in the Fair or Bay of Messina on the Coast of Sicily, the Admirals and the other prime Com­manders [Page 122]called a Council to consider what course was best to be observed, or what measure to be taken in the management of the War against so powerful an Enemy, en­eouraging each other with an assured hope of Victory, if they could come to a fair and equal fight: For the Venetians had sent thi­ther 108 Gallies, six Galliasses, two great Ships of extraordinary force, with divers Galliots and Tenders, to which were joyn­ed twelve of the Popes Gallies command­ed by Collumnius, and with Don John of Au­stria, General for Philip King of Spain, and Auria his Admiral, came 81 Gallies and other Vessels of Force, three of which ap­pertained to the Knights of Malta, nor were other Princes and States wanting to contri­bute to this Expedition, viz. The Dukes of Florence, Savoy, and the Estate of Genoa, &c. and in the Fleet, beside Mariners, were 20000 Persons, most of known and appro­ved Valour, a fifth part being of the No­bility and Gentry of Spain, Venice, and Rome, &c. all gallantly accoutred and at­tended, the principal of which were Fran­ciscus Maria Prince of Ʋrbin, Alexande [...] Farnesius Prince of Parma, and Paulus Jor­danus Ʋrsianus of the Honourable Family o [...] the Roman Ʋrsini; so that nothing being wanting but an Enemy to contend witha [...] [Page 123] Venerius the Venetian Admiral in Council pressed the General, that for as much as they were assured that the Turkish Fleet was in the Gulph of Lepanto, speedy Orders might be taken to sail thither, and give them battel with the first advantage, which being agreed upon by all the Commanders, the Fleet was martialed in the following order, viz. In the Right-wing consisting of 53 Gallies, Auria the Spanish Admiral was placed, in the Left wing, with a like number of Gallies. Barbadicus an experienced Commander of the Venetians took his place, and in the mid­dle the General placed himself with a Squa­dron of 70 Gallies, Collumnius and Venerius commanding the rest of the Fleet on his Right and Left, and in this Order they set forward with a prosperous Gale.

Whilst these Preparations of the Christi­ans were in hand, the Turks had notice of [...]ll that had passed, and calling a Council [...]n the Bay or Gulph of Lepanto, where they [...]ay, they held a long debate whether they [...]ould give the Christians battel, or decline [...]t, but at length those that were against it [...]eing over powered by the number of Voi­ [...]es of the contrary Opinion, they came to a [...]esult that the Fleet should be put in order [...]o receive them, which at the Command [...]f Haly Bassa, General of the Land Forces, [Page 124]and great Admiral, was done in this man­ner so soon as they came out of the Gulf, viz. The middle battel consisting of about 60 Gallies, was to be conducted by Haly Bassa, assisted by Partau Bassa, attended by Agan, Master of the Turks Arsenal; and the rest, in all, to the number of 350 Gallies and Ships of War, were disposed much in the same posture as the Christian Fleet, viz. The Right wing commanded by Ma­homet Bey, consisting of 50 Gallies, to whom many experienced Sea Captains were joyn­ed. The Left wing was committed to the charge of Ʋluzales, Vice-Roy of Argiers, an old experienced Pirate, consisting of [...] Gallies, attended on by Cariolo and Arab [...] his two Sons, and strongly manned with Pirates and Sea Rovers. In the Rearward was placed Amurath Dragut with 30 Gallies attended on by divers small Vessels. And in these Orders both Fleets being arrainged, (though indeed the Turks were deceived in the number of the Christians, by reason the Left wing of their Fleet lay under the Island, and could not be well discerned) the day being fair and calm, about noon they fierce­ly engaged with such Shouts as made the Ocian Ring, which notwithstanding wa [...] soon exceeded by the thunder of the Can­nons, nor was God wanting to favour th [...] [Page 125] Christians by the suddain vering of the Wind, which drove the Smoak of the Ordnance and Vollies of small shot in the faces of the Turks, so that after a long, bloo­dy and obstinate fight of four hours, the Turkish Admiral being slain, his Gally ta­ken, and upward of 40 others taken, burnt, and sunk, Victory began to declare on the part of the Christians, but the Turkish Com­manders fearing the Anger of Selimus if they should return vanquished, fought like men in despair, yet true Valour prevailing, after an obstinate fight of six hours, all the prime Commanders, except Ʋluzales Carragosa be­ing either slain, wounded, or taken Priso­ners; and he perceiving the battel irrepara­bly lost, shifted with his Squadron, and get­ting clear with about thirty or forty Gallies, fl [...]d into the Bay of Lepanto, leaving the rest in fl [...]mes, or miserably torn and disabled, to fall into the hands of the Christians, who pursued him as far as with safety they thought convenient, and then return'd to take the Spoil; where it was a dreadful Spe­ctacle to behold the Sea coloured with Blood, and thousands of dead and dying Bodies floating upon the Waves, together with Masts, Tackle, pieces of Ships, Gallies, and such Weapons as were subject to float; as also the Cries of the wounded, and the [Page 126]flaming Vessels, which made the Sea seem on a blaze.

As for the exact number of the Infidels that perished in this fight, it is not known; but modest Writers, and amongst others, Antenius Gnanaerius in his History of this War, makes mention of no less than 32000, and amongst them these of Note, viz. Haly Bassa General, Mahomet Bey Governour of Alexandria, Cassanes Son to Barbarossa, the Piratical King of Argires, together with his Son Mulaune Governour of Mytilene, Giador Governour of Chi [...]s, Cassambeus Governour of Rhodes, Provi Agga, Captain of Naupp [...] ­um, Mustapha Zelibi great Treasurer to the Grand Seignior, Caracoza and others of Note; and amongst those that were taken Priso­ners, the chiefest of Note were Achmet and Mahomet, Sons to Haly the General, and Nephews to Selymus, and Mechmet Bey Go­vernour of Eubaea. with 3500 of lesser Note; of the Turkish Gallies 161, as also sixty Gal­liots and other small Vessels were taken, and upward of forty burnt or sunk during the Fight.

This Important Victory to Christendom, which put a stop to the Turkish Incroach­ment, being intirely gained; Don John, Ve­nerius and Collumnius, coming on board, the Admiral kindly embrac'd with all the En­dearments [Page 127]of Reciprocal Love, and after­wards in a most Christian Manner, falling on their Knees, ascribed not the Victory to the arm of Flesh, out to him who is the God of Battels, returning hearty Thanks to the great and wise Creator and Disposer of all things, for giving them so signal and important a Victory over the Enemies of his Name, in Imitation of whose pious Example the whole Fleet, as well Souldiers and Mariners, as Of­ficers and Commanders, did the like.

In this bloody and dismal Fight were slain no less than 7566 Christians of all Nations the Principal Persons were John and Barn dinus of the honourable Family of Cordona in Spain, Horatio Caraffa, Ferentes Bisballus, Horatius and Virginius Orsini, Noble Ro­mans; and of the Venetian Nobility, Agusti­nus Barbadicus, Benedictus Superantius, Vin­centius Quirinus, Johanes Lauretanus, Mari­nus Contarenus, Catharinus Maleperta, Georgi­us Andreas Barbadious, Marcus Antonius Lan­dus, Francisous Bonus, Hieronemas Contarenus, Antonius Poscaligus, and Hierom Venerius, all of the Order of the Senators; with many of the Spanish Nobility not mentioned by Name. The wounded of Note, were Venerius the Venetian Admiral, John de Austrae, Paulus Forano the Count de San Fiora Marcus Moli­ni, Thomasius de Medici, Martello Reverio, Bif­foli [Page 128]Marteuno, Guicardini Spina, Mazingi Juli [...], Maldini Guianovo Magnali, Johanes Marea Pucci, Toraboni Figliazi, Fredricus E [...]ecello, and Gerardo; but not many of them dyed of their Wounds, they being mostly given with Arrows

After this Renowned Victory was obtai­ned, and the account thereof taken, the Ge­nerals and great Commanders assembled in Council, to consider what was further to be done, and ended in this Determination, viz. That Don John of Austria, with the Spanish Fleet, and Collumnius, (or as some call him) Gollonia, with the Popes Gallies should return to Mesina in Sicily, by reason Winter ap­proaching, it was no fit Season to besiege any Place of Importance. But Venerius the Venetian Admiral, repairing his Navy, kept the Mediteranean, and won many strong Holds from the Turks, both on the European and Asian shores: and so vexed was Selymus, upon the news of this Defeat, that in a sul­len Humor he shut himself up for three days, not admitting any to speak with him but those that brought him Necessaries; and then in a Rage, passed a bloody Decree, to Massacre all the Christians in his Dominions, which had been wickedly put in Execution, had not the Grand Visier laid many Rea­sons before him to divert him from it; nor [Page 129]have the Turks to this Day repaired the Loss, but remain inconsiderable to what they for­merly were at Sea, saying, That God has di­vided the World by giving to the Christians the Sea. and to the Turks the Land. Turkish Hist. in the Life of Selymus the Second.

A Relation of the Battel of St. Quintines, fought in France, between Aeneas Montmo­rency, High Constable of France, and Gene­ral for Henry the Second French King, and Philbert Duke of Savoy, Lieutenant-Gene­ral for Philip King of Spain, Anno 1577.

THE War being proclaimed between France and Spain, Philbert Duke of Savoy, with an Army of 13000 Horse, an 40000 Foot, and 8000 Pioneers, laid Siege to the Important Town of St. Quintines in Vermandois, to the Relief of which, the French King sent Montmorency High Constable of France, with an Army consisting of 4000 Horse, and 20000 Foot, with all the flower [Page 130]of the French Nobility, who served as Vo­lunteers in this Enterprize, and with him he drew a Train of twenty pieces of Ordnance; when being come within fifteen Miles of the Place, he detached 2000 Horse, causing them to advance and find out the Foard o [...] the River, which they must pass about three Miles on this side the Town, which they accordingly did, but found it so narrow, that only six Horse a Breast could pass it; not was it abandoned bnt defended on the other Bank by a Regiment of Spanish Harquibusi­ers, who upon the approach of the gross of the French Army were reinforced with some Troops of Horse, who kept their station notwithstanding the Canon plaid against them with great Fury; but it was not long e'r the Duke of Savoy understanding the French Army was much Inferior to his in number; calling a Council, it was after some Debate resolved therein, that the French should not give themselves the trouble o [...] passing the River as they intended, and for that purpose were laving over Bridges: But that leaving a sufficient number to block up the Town, the rest of the Army should im­mediately pass over and give them Battel, whereupon Count Egmont was commanded to lead the way with a 1000 Horse, Burgun­dians and Spaniards, seconded by Ernes [...] [Page 131]and Ericus Dukes of Brunswick with 2500 Horse, after whom followed Count Mans­field with 800 Dragoons, and Count Horne with a 1000 Men at Arms, seconded by a 1000 Horse, detach'd from divers Troops; and in this manner they forced the Passage without much Resistance, and ranged them­selves in Battel array, for Montmorency rather desiring to put a Supply into the Town, than come to a Battel, only kept them busie with light Skirmishes, whilst the Parties he had appointed for that purpose passed the River at greater Distances; nor did he alto­gether fail herein, for 300 resolute French­men did enter: but finding the gross of the Spanish Army press upon him, he by little and little began to retire towards the Hills, Skirmishing in the mean time to retard their March, especially with the Light house, who sought to delay him till the gross of the Ar­my came up: But finding in the end that his Retreat might prove disadvantageous to him, as not having any means of escaping a Battel, if the Spanish General would oblige him to it, he put his Army in Array, resol­ving to try the Fortune of War; which he had scarce done before the Count of Egmont gave a furious Charge upon the advanced Parties of French Horse, and being second­ed by the Dukes of Brunswick, Count Home, [Page 132]Count Mansfield, and Collonel Horckstrate, after a sharp dispute, wherein the French be­hav'd themselves with much Resolution and Bravery; fresh Troops of Spanish Horse still coming in, and much slaughter made, Mont­morency was obliged to suffer his Horse men to Retreat to the Body of Foot, who casting themselves close together in a thick Squa­dron, stood firm, and strongly sustained the Charge, making it a bloody and doubtful Fight, which the Duke of Savoy perceiving, poured in fresh Troops to prevent the retreat of those that were almost wearied out, com­manding Count Egmont to renue the Charge upon the Foot men with greater fury, send­ing other Troops at the same time to charge the Horse, that they might not have leisure to put themselves into Array; so that the French-men continually having fresh Forces to contend withall, overpowred with num­ber, and wearied, especially the Horsemen, betook themselves to flight, abandoning the Foot to the mercy of the Enemy, so that a great slaughter ensued, the Fight being main­tained in a flying manner over the Plains, so that on the part of the French there were slain to the number of 6000, and of note John Duke of Anguen, Brother to the King of Navar, Vicecount Touraine Nephew to the Constable, the Lords Campodenary, Eyrrie, [Page 133]Galan, Plenot and Gelot, with many others, the Horse consisting mostly of Nobility, the wounded were about 2000, and of note Montmorency Constable of France, the Dukes of Longeville and Montpensire, the Marshal of St. Andrews, Lewis Brother to the Duke of Mantua, Vasey, Courtain, and Roche du Maine, the Rhinegrave, the Count Rochfocault, the Lords Obigney, the two Birons, Montbrun and Merne, and about 4000 taken Prisoners, with all the Bagage and Ammunition, whilst on the part of the Spaniards not above 1000 were slain, the chief being the Sieur Binecourt, Master de Camp, and two Noblemen of Germany, Count Mansfield was wounded in the thigh, and Count Monbrey in the knee.

After this Battel the strong Town of St. Quintines fell into the hands of the Spaniard, as likewise did Haron and Chastellet, they ranging freely in those parts for that Sum­mer without any interruption.

Out of Notalis Comes, &c.

A Relation of the great Sea-fight, fought off the Coast of England, between the English and Spaniards in the year 1588. vulgarly called the fight of the Spanish Invasion.

KIng Philip of Spain fretting in his mind at the prosperous success of Elizabeth Queen of England, both abroad and at home, and more especially resenting her assisting the Flemings, in their Wars held against him in the Low-Countries, as also the depredations made by Sir Francis Drake, and others in the West-Indias, he at the Instigation of Pope Sixtus V. and some English Fugitives pre­pared a great Navy to Invade England, for whose vastness and seeming strength, it was named by the Spaniards the Invincible Ar­mado, though in the sequel it proved other­wise. This great Fleet at its setting out con­sisted of 130 Galleoons, Gallies-men of War and Tenders containing 57808 Tuns, where in were 8405 Marriners, 19295 Souldiers, or Landmen, and 2088 Gally-slaves furnished with 220000 great shot, 4200 Kinta [...]s of Powder, 1000 Kintals of Lead for small bullets, 1200 Kintals of Match, 7000 Mus­quets, and 10000 Halberts with Partisam, Field-Pieces, and other Provisions requisite for such an undertaking, of which the Duke [Page 135]of Medina Sidona was Admiral, and was to be joyned by the Prince of Parma, Gover­nour of Flanders, and to be supplied with further necessaries, which accordingly he provided and prepared in all parts of those Provinces, upon notice of which and the other preparations, the Queen whom they thought by reason of the close carrying on of their design to surprize, unprovided for so important a defence, caused her Navy Royal immediately to be fitted out, under the command of Charles Lord Howard of Effingham, whom she constituted Lord Ad­miral, and Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admiral, with a Squadron was dispatched to the West of England, there to cruze and ob­serve the motion of the Enemies Fleet, whilst Henry Lord Seymour second Son to the Duke of Somerset stood with Forty Sail to the Coast of Flanders, to prevent Parma's joyning with Medina, and there­upon mustered an Army of Land-Forces, consisting of 10000 Horse and 32000 Foot, with part of which she not only Encamped at Tilbury in Essex, but with the rest secured the Places that seemed to Render the Ene­my the easiest Access of Landing, though through many distresses and disappoint­ments the Spaniards had met withall, it was confidently reported and believed by [Page 136]some that they could not in any convenient time make their intended attempt or enter­prize, yet contrary to the expectation of the English, they on the 11. of July cast Anchor in the Chanel, and from thence sent a Dis­patch to Parma in the King's name, to joyn his Forces with them, and send such neces­saries as were convenient to further the Ex­pedition, but on the 20th. following about noon, being discried by the English, they hasted out of the Harbours, and on the 21. of the same instant, viz. the Lord Ad­miral Howard, Drake, Hawkins and Forbi­sher, the most expert in Maritime Affairs, that Europe then afforded, played furiously in the Rear of the Enemy, who were drawn up in the form of a half Moon, and so bat­tered Rechalde who commanded a Gally of great force, that he (his Squadron being put to the worst) was so disabled, that he had fell into their hands had he not been Re­ceived shatter'd as he was into the middle of the Armado, as likewise was the Ca­tharine of Spain, a Ship of great burthen, although the Spanish Admiral declined fight­ing as much as was possible, bulwarking the smaller Vessels with those of greater force, bearing from the Coast of England towards Calais, so that a great Ship of Bis­cay, commanded by Don Oquendo, being [Page 137]fired on the 22. of June, a great Gally com­manded by Pedro Valdez fell into the hands of Sir Francis Drake, in which beside the Commander Don Pedro de Valdez, were Vas­ques de Sylvas and Alanzo de Saijs, and other Noblemen, the whole number of Men on Board, according to their own computation being 430, which were made Prisoners and disposed of in divers places, till they were afterward Ransomed, nor fared the Vice Admiral De Oquendo better, for his Ship having received great damage by fire, she was taken with much treasure and carried into Plymouth, and although hitherto it had been a kind of a moving Fight, the Spani­ards shewing an unwillingness to Ingage before they Received their Succours and supply from the Prince of Parma, who was indeed blocked up at the same time by the Hollanders, who stood upon their guard on the Coast, yet now the English Admiral pressed their towring Castles with his shot so furiously, that many of them were mise­rably rent and torn, with small damage to the English, for that the Spaniards being high built could not well bear their Ca­non upon the English Ships, whose hulls were much lower, and when at any time they did, the Commanders with their nimble Ships shifted and tacked to a better [Page 138]and more commodious station of anoying the Enemy, and so incessantly the Batteries were made, that nothing was heard but the thundring of the Canons, and the cries of Men, whilst ascending smoke made dark the Skies. But the Lord Admiral not think­ing it convenient to graple with such strength, who had a strong Army on board. After he had taken and sunk Twelve of their Ships and Gallies, and killed them above 5000 men whilst they lay at Anchor before Calais, in vain expecting the Prince of Parma: A stratagem was found out to break and disperse them, which took more effectually than what had before been put in practice, viz. into Eight of the oldest and least serviceable English Vessels were put Pitch, Tarr, Rosin, Hemp, Flax, and other combustible matter, their Guns charged and rammed higher than usual with stones, crossbar-shot, pieces of Iron, and the like, when in the Night time the wind standing fair, they were sent amongst the thick Squa­drons of the Spaniards under the Conduct of two expert Sea-Captains, viz. Mr. Young, and Mr. Prowess, with a command to fire them so soon as they were within Musquet-shot of the Enemy, and let them drive, which by Trains lay'd for that purpose, they accordingly did with such an unex­pected [Page 139]thunder-crack, as made the Ocean tremble, and so amazed the Spaniards with the unexpected approach of these flaming messengers, which bore directly upon them, that seting up a dismal cry from all parts, they cut their Halsers and Cables, as not having time to weigh Anchor, and scatter­ed in great confusion to avoid being fired, and such was the consternation, that run­ing fowl upon each other, great damage ensued, and yet greater, for by reason of the nearness of the shore, divers run upon the shallows and Sands, where some of them were taken by the French as wrecks, others by the Hollanders and Flushingers, and some fell into the hands of the English, who still pursued them with the perpetual thundring of their Canon, and from that time de­prived them of Calais Road, so that find­ing themselves in a bad case, and no hopes of Relief from Parma, who being blocked up, could not possibly come forth, a Coun­cil was called to determine what was fur­ther to be done, to prevent the danger that threatned them, and after many debates, it was Resolved, that seeing the Prince of Parma had failed them, and they not in a condition to continue long in these Seas, without a supply of Provision, and other necessaries, they should immediately return [Page 140]to Spain by the Northern Passage, as not imagining the English would follow them that way, yet were they not a little deceived, for the Admiral doubting they might land in Scotland, chased them to the Coast of Norway, and there left them to more serious Councils, not without much indamaging them with his shot, as he hung on their Rear by the way.

The Spaniards being now freed from pur­suit, had time to consider their loss, which they found to be very great, and not to be Repaired in those Parts, and especially wanting water, they were obliged to throw most of their Mules and Horses over Board to save that little they had, and steering towards Spain, sail'd about the Cathanes, and the Coast of Ireland even to 61 degrees North Latitude, which extraordinary change of Air disagreeing with the constitution of the Spanish bodies, many of them died by the way, and so passing between the Orca­des and the Islands of Fare, the Duke of Medina with the best Gallies and Ships stood away to the Westward for Spain, leaving the rest to follow as they were able, where at his arrival he was deposed from all his Places of Authority and trust, forbid the Court, and commanded to Retire and live private; as for the Ships he left to [Page 141]follow him, they many of them fell in with the Coast of Ireland, and being unskilful in those Seas, were cast away upon Rocks, and shallows, and some were by the force of the Current driven into the Channel, and taken by the English, but miserable was their condition, who fell into the hands of the Irish, who for the most part put them to the Sword, for the Plunder they found about them, others were taken by the Ro­chelers, and some driven into New-Haven in Normandy, so that of 134 Sail that set out of the Bay or Port of Lisbon, only 53 returned into Spain; of the four Galleasses of Naples but one, of the four Gallioons of Portugal but one, of the 91 Gallioons from divers Provinces but 33, so that in this Expedition 81 of their Vessels, together with 13500 Souldiers and Seamen perished, many of the slain being Persons of the first Rank and of great Quality, the Prisoners of note were Don Pedro de Valdez, Don Vasques de Sylva, Don Alanzo de Saijs, Don Alanzo de Luzon, Roderigo de Lesse, and Don Diego Piementelli, nor was there a Noble Family in Spain in this Expedition, the charge of which is almost incredible, but lost a Son, a Brother, or Kinsman. Speed in Reg. E. R.

A Relation of the Battel of Nimbre de Dios, fought between Captain Drake and the Spa­niards in America, on the 28 of July, 1572.

SIR Francis Drake being upon the disco­very in the West Indias, and understand­ing from the Natives by what cruelty and oppression the Spaniards had gathered great Treasure in those Parts, he resolved to put in with them for a share, and thereupon sailed to Nimbre de Dios, a Sea-coast Town, where a great part of the Spanish Treasure lay, and in the Night time came on shore, seising upon six Pieces of Ordnance, those that guarded them being fled to Alarum the Town, when leaving a sufficient num­ber of men to make a safe Retreat, if occa­sion required it, he with great Resolution and bravery stormed the Town on the East-side behind the Treasure-house, not­withstanding the opposition the Spaniards [Page 143]made, and with Bea [...] of Drum and Sound of Trumpet forced his way to the Market place, whilst the Souldiers that were there in guard, as likewise the Inhabitants put themselves in Arms, making shew (to ter­rifie the English) of a greater force, by hang­ing lighted Matches on Lines athwart the Streets between the Churches and the Cros­ses, but that stratagem being discovered, they fled upon the first Charge, yet the Souldiers rallying came to push of Pike, and the But-ends of their Musquets, so that a sharp Fight on all hands ensued; but Drake encouraging his Men, and fu­riously pressing on, the Spaniards at last throwing away their Weapons, betook themselves to flight, whose scattered Wea­pons in the chace woundéd many of the English, which obliged them to Return to the Market-place with the Prisoners they had taken, and being shewed by them the King's Treasure-house, they perceived in it through the Grates or Iron-wickets, by the help of a Torch, a Pile of Silver-bars about seventeen foot in length, ten in breadth, and twelve in height, and were given further to understand, that in an other Treasury near the Water-side, there was much Gold, and very many Jewels, but Drake doubt­ing that whilst they were busie in lading [Page 144]them away, a greater number of Spaniards might set upon his Men, resolved to keep guard till the Morning, but some of the Souldiers, by reason of the excessive storm that then happened, murmuring at the de­lay, he to satisfie them, said, though to the loss of any thing that might happen, see­ing he had brought them to the mouth of the Treasury of the World, he would be no hindrance of their making themselves Master of it, and so when the storm was over, unwilling to give them any longer leisure to demur, he immediately advan­ced, commanding part of his men under the leading of his Brother John Drake and John Oxnam, to break the King's Treasury, whilst the Rest with himself in Arms sup­ported them; and certainly they had pos­sessed themselves of a vast booty, had not an unhappy Accident fallen out, viz. All things being now in a readiness for the Attack: as Renowned Drake advanced to this great Enterprize, his Men perceived him to faint, and to their unspeakable sorrow found the cause to proceed from the great effusion of bloud that had issued from his Leg, woun­ded with an Arrow, and filled the prints of his foot-steps, the which though it much pained him he concealed, till his Men dis­covered it, as loath to dismay them, well [Page 145]knowing they would not suffer him to pe­rish, and if they forsook their station to carry him on board, they could not at that time regain it, and so it happened, for although they would have hazarded much for such a booty, yet they thought their Captain's life of greater moment that both the Indias, so that having refre­shed him a little with some Cordials, and bound up his Leg as well as the Juncture would permit, they intreated him to go on board, but finding him unwilling to remove, rather choosing to hazard his life than retire from so great an advantage, they, partly by intreaties and partly by force, constrained him to Embarque, and so for the safety of their Captain were content to forgoe a treasure of inestimable value, yet in the Harbour they took a Ship richly laden with Wines and other Commodities; in this undertaking of the English few were lost, but of the Spaniards near 100 killed and wounded; and though he sped not in this place, yet sailing in those new discovered Parts of the World, he took may. Towns and sundry Rich Prizes, returning victorious with much Treasure and Applause.

A Description of the Memorable Battel fough [...] between Hasan Bassa General for Amurath the Third of that Name, Emperour of the Turks, and the Confederate Princes of the Empire.

A Murath, the Third of that Name Emperour of the Turks, having ob­tained a small Victory over the Persian Sul­tan, and growing proud of his acquirement restless and impatient of Peace, called hi [...] Bassas to consult what War was most con­venient to be undertaken the succeeding Spring, amongst whom were eight dif­ferent Opinions, whereof the first was to re [...] new the War against the Persians, the se­cond to Invade the Kingdom of Fess an [...] Morocco, the third to War upon Spain, th [...] fourth to besiege Malta, the fifth to Wa [...] upon the Venetians, the sixth against Sigi [...] ­mund King of Poland, the seventh to In­vade [Page 147]the Territories of Rodolphus the Ger­man Emperour, all which, together with the several Reasons moving thereto, be­ing patiently heard by Amurath, the last was approved, so that resolving to turn his Arms on Hungary, &c. he raised huge Forces in all his Dominions, as longing for the remaining part of that Kingdom, and the Principality of Austria, wherefore, the better to be at leisure, he concluded a Peace with the Persian Sophy, ordering his Garrisons on the Frontiers to prosecute thoir Advantages with Fire and Sword, which they improving, seized upon Willitz the Metropolis of Croatia, and committed therein many outrages, and still increasing in power, they suddenly and unexpectedly inclosed 6000 Foot and 500 Horse of the Christian Forces that had taken the Woods Mountains and straight Passages, and cu [...] them almost all in pieces, loading with their heads six Waggons, which sudden Eruption so Alarmed the Christian Prin­tes, that they incontinently raised a great Power to put a stop to the progress of the infidels, who had by that time taken ma­ny Towns, Castles and strong Holds; and [...]est Amurath should alledge that these un­expected Hostilities were committed with­out his knowledge, the Emperour Rodol­phus [Page 148]sent an Ambassadour to Constantinople to understand the reason why without any cause he had broken the League, but not being able that way to get any satisfactory answer, he prepared more vigorously for War, causing his Forces to joyn with those already raised by the Electoral Prin­ces, &c. under the command of Rupertus Eggenbert his General, who upon the ap­proach of the Enemy consulted with his Chief Commanders what was best to be done, and they being all of opinion that it was best speedily to give Battel, thereby to prevent their joyning such other Forces as were advancing to their Aid, it was Re­solved that the Army, consisting of 40000 horse & root, should immediately advance, which they did with much celerity in good Array, yet not so secretly but the Turkish Commanders had notice of it, and put themselves in order to receive them and so confident were they of obtaining the Victory, that they dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians, whom they already concluded overthrown, by reason of the disproportion of number, they be­ing indeed much inferiour in number [...] the Infidels, yet had the Imperial General so ordered his Battel, that placing th [...] Hussars and Croats in the Van-guard [Page 149]those of Carolslad and the Harquibusiers of Serina in the left Wing, in the right the Borderers of Carrania, all Horsemen, and in the main Battel the rest of the Soldiers with the Horse-men of Silesia, under the command of Sigismund Paradiser, the Reer­ward was incompassed or guarded with three Companies of Switzers; nor were the Turks less diligent in Marshalling their battel, placing their best Footmen in the front, and extending their Wing of horse to great advantage.

Thus things being in a readiness on ei­ther part, the Charge was sounded, where­upon the Croats and Hussars in the Vaunt-Guard gave the first onset with such fury, that being seconded by the Lord Aremsberg, they after a cruel fight broke through the Squadrons of the Turks main battel, with their huge Swords making fearful slaugh­ [...]er and wide desolation, insomuch that the stoutest gave way, nor could Hassan Bassa their General, with threats and pro­mises, Restrain it, but still shrinking toge­ther in fearful manner, and both the Wings broken by the Imperial horse, who fell upon them with a tempest of shot, by which a great number of them were over­whelmed: this great Army consisting of 80000 horse and foot, fell into rout and [Page 150]confusion in less than three hours space, and although Hasan Bassa indeavoured to make an orderly retreat, yet he could no [...] do it, for the Christians following furi­ously, and charging upon those that fled raised in them such a fear to prevent the Sword that urged them behind, that in ha­stily passing the River Odder, a great number of them were strangled in the Waters, and those that stay'd in a fearful manne [...] on the banks to search for the foards, were most of them miserably slain, so that those who remained disranked and sough [...] every where to save themselves, by which means the slaughter was scattered over a [...] the field, and had been very great ha [...] not the approach of Night put an end to it yet there perished by the Sword, &c. 18000 besides a great number that perished in the River, and amongst the slain Hasan Bass [...] the General, Mahomet Beg, Achmet Beg, Suf­fer Beg, Meni Beg, Framulan Beg, Curlii Beg [...] Operd Beg and Goschus Bassa, together with Sinan Beg, Amurath's Nephew, the only So [...] of his Sister: As for the Prisoners taken they were many, yet few of note, though the spoil of the Camp was very great. The Battel thus happily obtained, the Christi­ans, as well the Commanders as the Soldi­ers, fell on their knees and gave immortal [Page 151]thanks to the God of Battels, to whom alone they ascribed their success.

The News of this overthrow coming to the Knowledge of Amurath, he highly ra­ged, and at the Instigation of his Sister, who refused to be comforted for the loss of her Son, sent a blasphemous denuntiation of War, stiling himself there in Monarch of the World, and a Mighty God on Earth, &c.

A Description of the famous Battel of Lutzen, fought on the sixth day of November, An­no 1632. between Gustavus Adolphus, the Warlike King of Sweden, and Duke Walenstine, Generalissimo of the Imperi­al Army.

THE King of Sweden having entered the Empire with an Army, and over­thrown Count Tilly, the Imperial General with incredible slaughter, the Terror of his Name spread wide, which caused ma­ny Towns and strong holds to be at his Devotion, nor was it expected but that every where being victorious, he would in a short time make himself Master of the [Page 152]Empire, though to oppose him Walenstine Duke of Frizland was made Generalissimo, and another huge Army raised, which the King, upon notice of their being at Lutzen, resolved to attack, and therefore in the most secret manner marching all Night, he came within sight of them in the Morning, and drew up into battel in this manner, viz.

He divided this Army into two fronts, and each of these into the Wings and bat­tel, with their Reserves, each of the Wings composed of six Regiments of Horse, lined with five bodies of command­ed Musquiteers, every one of them ad­vancing with two Field-pieces in their front, which plaied continually on the Imperialists. The battel in each front con­sisting of four Brigades of foot, a reserve of foot being placed between the two middle Brigades of the first front, and a reserve of Horse hindermost of all between the two middle Brigades of the rear or second front, and before each Brigade marched six pieces of great Ordnance, which the King himself (who would ever be in pla­ces of greatest danger) led, committing the lest to Duke Bernard of Saxon Weymar, and the main body to Dodo Kniphausen, Ser­jeant-Major, and General of the whole [Page 153]Army, under whom commanded many experienced Collonels and Captains, &c. of sundry Nations.

The order of the Imperial Army was in this manner, viz. It being drawn into one large front, was divided into three bodies, the Right Wing of Horse which tended to the town of Lutzen, was com­mitted to the Count Rodolpho Coloredo, ap­pointed for that day Serjeant-Major-Ge­neral of the Army, and was lined with commanded Musquiteers, besides support­ed by others that were lodged in the Gar­dens, and had likewise the advantage of certain Windmils standing upon small Hills, whereon they planted nine pieces of Ordnance, the Mills and Millers Houses serving them for a good shelter, the main battel or middleward was commanded by the Generalissimo's station, being in the head of the Regiment of Piccollommine's, consisting of Horse, which was placed in the middle of the foot Regiments, the left wing pla­ced opposite to the right, was commanded by Collonel Henderick Holek, lately made Lieutenant velt Marshal under velt Mar­shal Lupenheirne, yet no longer than till the other who was absent should take the field.

Both Armies being ordered in battel array, and the advantages of the Ground [Page 154]which was in a manner a plain Campain, unless some few ditches that proved trou­blesome, being taken by either General as well as the time and opportunity would permit, as likewise those of the Wind and Sun, which in this case is ever observed by great Captains to be no small advantage to those whom they favour. The fight began with the thundering of the great Ordnance, by which many were over­thrown on either side, but the eager Soul­diers desired to come to a close fight, so that advancing hastily towards each other, after the small pieces that were in the head of the Musquiteers on the Kings part were fired, they gave their Salvos, upon which the Horse that supported them charged furiously upon the German Horse, so that many were slain, and a great number beaten down, who were most of them troden under foot, and the King having commanded Collonel Stolhaunsh a Fleming, to charge the Cuirassiers, who were all in black Armour, himself advanced at the head of the right Wing, with his Pistol in one hand, and his Sword in the other; and when he had fired his Pistols, regard­ed not to recharge them, but charged up­on the Enemy with his Sword so furiously, that although they fired thick upon him, [Page 155]and flashes were even in his Face, he de­sisted not till he had broke their Array; yet a Regiment of Croats taking the Ad­vantage of the Kings being hotly ingaged, thrust between the Right Wing and the main battel, in order to seize upon the Baggage, and blow up the Powder, but Collonel Bulach making head against them, they were obliged to retire; yet upon his wheeling about to recover his station, they fell on his Rear, and much disordered that squadron of Swedish Horse, but a sudden Mist falling, it was not perceived by the rest of the Imperialists. And now the fight being hot on all parts, and the King out of the greatness of his heat and C [...]th [...]ge still pressing on, and entering amongst the Ranks of those Iron-men (as he called the Cuirassiers) being himself only clad in a buss Coat, and not being well supported, he was overlayed with numbers, for his men being in danger to be hemmed in by the Cuirassiers and the Regiment of Picolmaini, which came fresh to charge them, were obliged to give ground and retire towards their own bodies to prevent the danger they foresaw; so that the King being left open to the shot of the Enemy, received a shot in his left Arm by a Musquet-bullet, which in the heat of his Courage he at first sli [...]oveed, [Page 156]but perceiving the blood gush out a­bundantly, and that the bone was splin­tered, he thought fit to give way to ne­cessity, and thereupon calling to the Duke of Saxen Luenberg who charged with a par­ty on his right; Couzen, says he, I am surely wounded, help me to make my retreat, the which whilst the Duke la­boured to do, the Squadron at the head of which the King charged being put to the retreat, an Officer of the Cuirasiers knowing the King broke desperately thro' the Ranks that sheltered him, and com­ing behind him as he was Retreating, sh [...] [...] through the Body with his Pistol, [...] at the same time, this is the right bird, yet enjoyed it not, for scarce had he done it before himself was shot dead on the place, by Luchan the Master of the Dukes horse, and so lost his expected Re­ward, yet so hotly the Cuirasiers charged, that the Swedes were not capable of bring­ing off the dying King, but were obliged to let him fall, where he was barbarously mangled by the Enemy, who stripped him, every one getting something that could conveniently come at him, as a Trophy of honour, all that he was heard to say, as those report who were about him, when th [...]as demanded who he was, for at first [Page 157]those that stripped him did not certainly know him, was, viz. I am the King of Sweden, who do Seal the Religion and Li­berty of the German Nation with my bloud, and then after some hesitation sub­joyning, Alas, my poor Queen, and so re­commending his Soul to God, gave up the Ghost, yet was his Body after ward Rescu­ed and honourably buried, his death be­ing lamented even by his Enemies: and although the King was thus slain, yet he was a Conquerour even in death, for the Swedes, instead of being discouraged, grew more inraged, and breathing nothing but revenge for the death of their King, char­ged so furiously on all parts, that although [...]resh Supplies came hourly to the assistance of the Imperialists, yet after nine hours ob­stinate fight, not only their right Wing but their main battel was broken and dis­ordered, which obliged the Generalissimo, under the favour of the Night to draw off, yet in such confusion, that most part of his Souldiers, fearing the pursuit of the Swedish horse, disranked and fled, leaving their Cannon, and a great part of their Baggage behind them, together with their wounded men, and 6000 dead upon the place, many of them of great Note, when on the Swedes part there died not above [Page 158]2000. the chief of Note on the part of the Imperialists were the Abot of Fulden, by his place a Prince of the Empire, the Counts Puppenheim and Bartholdus, Walen­stine's Serjeant, Major General Bruner, Lodo­vicus Westrum, Lancius Comargo, Witzeb and Fines, all Collonels of the respective Regi­ments, together with Borda Taxheim, Lam­part and Cammarhoff, Lieutenant Collonels, besides divers Serjeant Majors, Captains and Lieutenants; and on the Kings side, of Note was himself, Nicholas Count of Wesenburg, Grave Nelees, Serjeant General Isler, and Collonel Gersdorf, with some Lieutenant Collonels, and divers Cap­tains.

A Brief Description of the memorable Battels and Skirmishes, &c. that happened during the un­happy civil Wars in England, &c. in the Reign of King Charles the First, as they are taken and drawn from warrantable history, &c.

AFter many Indignities had been put upon King Charles the First, of blessed Memory, by an inexorable Parliament, [Page 159]whom no favours nor concessions could oblige, he thought it highly convenient to oppose their force with force, and there­upon in August 1642. he set up his Stan­dard at Nottingham, so that the Hostilities being begun, after the loss of about twenty men by a Sally out of Hull, and the rout­ing of Collonel Fines and Sands, by Prince Rupert at Worcester, with cōnsiderable slaughter of their men, &c. The King resolved to march towards London, but finding the Earl of Essex, who by this time was made General for the Parliament mar­ched after him, and hung in a manner upon his Rear, he faced about to give him battel, or oblige him to retire, so that the Armies facing each other, and the King having discovered the number of the Re­bels from a convenient stand with a Pro­spective, and desiring God and all good men to assist his cause, on the 13 of October 1642. he drew into a large Field or Plain, between Edghill and Keinton, in the County of Warwick, where Essex was putting his Army in order, so that both Armies being drawn up in battel array, the Charge was sounded, and thereupon a dreadful fight began, continuing bloudy and doubtful, Prince Rupert, who there commanded the King's horse, making a great slaughter, [Page 160]and pursuing the Enemies horse even be­yond their Baggage, so that they forsook the field, but fresh Troops coming in, the fight-was maintained with doubtful success till Night put an end to the fury, yet the King soon after had many Places surren­dred to him, and marched triumphantly into Oxford with 150 Colours there taken, and in this battel are computed to be slain between 5 and 6000 men on both sides.

And now the King's Army being Re­cruited, and increased by the coming in of many Troops, and the Revolt of two Re­giments, and a Troop of Horse from the Parliament, upon his taking of Banbury, he marched towards London, whither Essex was retired, upon which Essex with an Army composed mostly of Prentices, and the City Trained Bands, drew out to oppose his passage, which made the King advance to gain the Bridge, to prevent his being hemm'd in, by reason the Parliaments for­ces possessed most of the Towns in those parts, but part of Hollis's Regiment made head against him, & being seconded by two other Regiments, the Passage was hotly disputed, which lasted till Night, at what time the Parlimentarians retreated, and left the Town to the Ksng, together with 200 of their men dead upon the place, eleven [Page 161]Colours and fifteen Pieces of Ordnance, but he slighting that place, returned to Oxford with his Army: nor was the King's success in other Parts less, for in February following, Prince Rupert with a select Par­ty of 4000 horse and foot, making shew to Regain Hadly Castle, a little before ta­ken by Collonel Massey, marched imme­diately to Cirencester, and charging the Guard, forced his way into the Town, with considerable slaughter, possessing it in two hours dispute, with all the Maga­zine of the County, and 2000 Arms, ma­king at the same time 1100 persons Pri­soners, yet this Joy was somewhat lessen­ed, by the Defeat of 1500 Welch-men, raised by the Earl of Worcester and his Son, for the service of the King at Hingham house, by the Forces under the command of Collonel Massey and Sir William Waller; as for the rest of the Year 1642. it was passed over in sundry light Skirmishes, sometimes successful to one Party, and sometimes to the other, the most material of which was, that in Hoptón-Field near Hautly in Staffordshire, where the Earl of Northampton was slain, and that of Bram­ham Moor, wherein Sir Thomas Fairfax was routed.

In April 1643, young Hautham the Son [Page 162]of Sir John Hautham, whose Father had de­nied the King entrance into Hull, was rout­ed by Collonel Cavendish near Ancas [...]er in Lincolnshire, and most of his party slain or taken Prisoners, and a hot skirmish hap­ned between the Kings party and Essex's men near Causum Bridge, wherein the for­mer was worsted and obliged to ret [...]t with some loss; and in May divers s [...] ­mishes with various success hapned in the West between Sir Ralph Hopton, who com­manded there for the King, and Sir Geo. Chudleige for the Parliament, though the former for the most part had the advan­tage; nor did Hostilities cease in other parts, for in June divers skirmishes hapned between Prince Rupert and Essex, the most material of which was in Chalgrave-field in Oxford-shire, where the Prince furiously charging a body of the Parliament Horse, routed it, killing and wounding a great part of the Enemy, and amongst the latter John Hambden, who soon after dyed of his Wound, as did some others; and on the fifth of July Sir Ralph Hopton with a few Forces of the Kings under his Command, engaged Sir William Waller, who had double his number, maintaining the fight from two in the Afternoon, till about one the next Morning, whereupon Waller percei­ving [Page 163]him resolved to obtain the Victory or dye in the place, left the field, yet soon after, being ashamed of the retreat. he fol­lowed Sir Ralph to the Devises in Wilt-shire, whither he was marched with a Resoluti­on to set upon him, of which the King having notice, sent 1500 Horse from Ox­ford, (where he lay encamped) to his as­sistance; but upon the Comjunction, Waller not thinking it convenient to try the event in that place, drew off to Roundway-down, but being hotly charged he was in a short time broken and disordered, whereupon with his Horse he fled in great Confusion, leaving his foot to the mercy of the Royallists, who were most of them slain in the fight, or taken Prisoners, together with four pieces of Cannon, all the Amunition and Bag­gage, nine Cornets, and 28 foot Colours, so that by this fatal blow given on the 13th of July, Waller having lost his Army, most of the Horse deserting him in his flight, he hasted to London with the lamentable story of his defeat.

Essex by this time with a powerful Ar­my having relieved Glocester, and surpri­zed a Convoy of the Kings, which fell in­to his hands through mistake, marched to Newberry, where the King remained as yet with his Army, and had prepared to re­ceive [Page 164]him in the best order the short time of notice would give leave or opportunity; so that on the 20th of September 1643, both Armies confronting each other the charge was immediately sounded, and seconded by the thundring of the Cannon, and Vol­lies of small shot on either side, whilst Prince Rupert with his Squadron forced the main battel, and put it into great dis­order, but whilst he pursued his good for­tune, he found himself charged by two squadrons of Horse that descended from the Hill, where till now they had been posted, so that the fight was doubtful and bloody on all parts, it being in many places brought to the Sword; so that the Lord Jermin, who commanded there a Regiment of horse for the King, being over charged by number, was obliged to force his way (not without great hazard) through the Batta­lions of foot, yet was the fight maintained with considerable slaughter on either part, till Night put an end to the fury, both Armies keeping the field till the next day, and then retired from each other as by con­sent. The Persons of Note slain were the Earls of Carnarvan and Sunderland, the Lord Viscount Faulkland, and in all on both sides, near six thousand.

In March, Sir Thomas Fairfax and Mitton were set upon by Prince Rupert at Drayton in Shropshire, and routed; as likewise was Sir John Meldrum, who had entred England with his Scotch Forces, in favour of the Par­liament, forced to leave Newark which they had besieged, with the loss of their Canon, Ammunition, and all their Baggage, which was Relieved by Prince Rupert, and only permitted to depart with their Lives: But now Sir William Waller having gotten an­other Army, Anno 1644, fell upon the Lord Hopton's Forces near Winchester at un­awares, and over-pow'ring him in num­ber, cut off divers of his men, and obliged him to leave the field, whereupon Win­chester surrendred, but Waller was soon after overthrown by the King's forces at Crop-ready Bridg, and Essex with the gross of the Parliament Army blocked up in Cornwall; and now the Earl of Newcastle being besieged in York, Prince Rupert ad­vanced with an Army of Horse and Foot to Relieve the City, upon whose approach the Besiegers drew off, and were upon their retreat hotly pressed and charged by a Sally from the Town, when the Garrison, under the command of the Earl, joyning with the Prince, they with conjunct Forces followed the Parliament forces to a place [Page 166]called Marston-Moor, where both Armies drew up, and with great sury joyned bat­tel, which continuing with much effusion of bloud for the space of four hours, vi­ctory in the end declared against the Roy­alists, and in this fight, called by many the bloudy fight of Marston-Moor, 9000 men on both sides are computed to be slain, af­ter which battel York surrendred, and al­most all the Towns in the North, so that for a while, nothing but Skirmishes hap­pened: But on the 27 of October both Ar­mies meeting a second time near Newbury, an obstinate fight ensued, but the Roya­lists having done all that could be expect­ed from true valour, and still oppressed with fresh numbers of the Enemy, were forced in the end to give way to necessity, and leave the field in some disorder; nor is it guessed that on both sides less than 4500 were slain, after which nothing more happened in England this year, but the skir­mishing of Parties, and taking of Towns and Castles; but in Scotland the Marquess of Montross with inconsiderable forces, rai­sed by virtue of a Commission from the King, routed divers Armies of the Cove­nanters, putting all Scotland in fear of being Reduced to its obedience by his Prowess.

Anno 1645, Essex having laid down his Commission, it was taken up by Sir Tho­mas Fairfax, and Cromwel was made Lieu­tenant General, most of the prime Offi­cers of the Army being changed, yet the King's party strugled strongly for the Royal cause, though many finding things in a manner desperate, had retired from the Army, and passed the Seas, for be­sides divers skirmishes, Collonel Massey in April, was routed by Prince Rupert at Lidbury with considerable loss: But in June following, the King's forces were defeated at Langport, where about 200 were slain, and 1400 taken Prisoners, which occasi­oned soon after the surrender of Pomfret, Scarborough, Bath and Bridgwater; yet in August the Parliaments Quarters, with some slaughter on both parts, were beaten up about Tame, and the Scots defeated at Kiel­sieth in Scotland by Montross; and in Sep­tember, Montross was defeated at Phillipphaugh in the said Kingdom, and the King's for­ces in England were Routed on Routon heath near Chester: and in October the Lord Digby was likewise defeated at Sherborn in the County of York; and in March follow­ing, the Lord Ashley was defeated near Stow, and Dening surrendred to the Par­liament; yet the great blow that caused the [Page 168]Royal Cause so much to decline, was the unfortunate battel of Naseby, fought near the Town of that name, and so, as it was the saddest, I shall conclude, with the de­scription of it, this unfortunate War.

The Armies meeting near Naseby, and the King in a Council of War resolving to give battel to Fairfax, who had for some time followed him in the Rear, he so or­dered it, that himself commanded the main Body, and Prince Rupert, assisted by his brother Prince Maurice, the right Wing, and the Lest was committed to Sir Mar­maduke Langdale, there were likewise two Reserves, the one commanded by the Earl of Lindsey and the Lord Ashley, and the other by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle; of the Rebels Army Fairfax and Skippon commanded the main Body, the Right Wing was committed to Cromwell and Collonel Rossiter, and the left to Ire­ton, there were in the Army likewise two Reserves, under the charge of Collonel Pride, Rainsborrough and Hammond.

The Armies being in array, the Charge was sounded, whereupon Prince Rupert ad­vanced with great Resolution, charging the Left Wing commanded by Ireton, which after some Resistance was forced to give ground, in this conflict Ireton was wounded [Page 169]in the face and thigh, and had his Horse shot under him, and was taken Prisoner, so that the Prince pursuing this advantage, fol­lowed the chace even to the Town of Nase­by, and upon his return summoned the Bag­gage and Artillery to surrender, but with­out success in the main, for by reason of the Prince his not timely returning to the battel, Cromwel had the best opportunity to charge the King's Left Wing, which he did with such fury, that he soon broke and disorder­ed it, whereupon that Wing fled, leaving the main battel (wherein was the Person of the King) open and unguarded in either flank, so-that the Reserves not being able to make it good, and Cromwel returning with his victorious party before the Prince, charging in the flank, whilst the battel of the Enemy did the like in the Front, not­withstanding the great Resistance that was made, the King's battel of Footmen became broken and disordered; so that although it came to handy-strokes, with much Resolu­tion and obstinacy on either part, yet fresh Supplies of the Parliament foot coming in, and the Royal-Army, considering the safety of the King, who was pressed on all parts, finding it self unable to make longer resist­ance, retreated out of the Field, as the Prince was advancing, who perceiving the bad for­tune [Page 170]of the King's Army since his absence, and despairing to restore the battel, retired likewise; Fairfax pursuing the King till within two miles of Leicester, though in the way a Retreating-fight was maintained on the part of the Royalists, so that the King not thinking himself safe in Leicester, mar­ched without staying directly to Litch­field.

In this Fight about twenty Collonels and Officers of lesser note, together with 600 common Souldiers were slain of the King's Party, and many wounded, amongst whom of note, the Earl of Lindsey, Lord Ashby, Col­lonel Rastol, &c. but almost all the Foot, to­gether with their Officers, were taken Pri­soners, and in all six Collonels, eight Lieu­tenant Collonels, eighteen Majors, seventy Captains, 4500 private Soldiers, 200 Ensigns, one of the King's Coaches, with part of his Treasure, and almost all the Waggons, Am­munition and Baggage, together with his Letters and Furniture, with twelve Pieces of Ordnance, 8000 Arms, and the KING's Standard, which quite broke the strength o [...] the Royalists, insomuch that they could no [...] bring any formidable Army into the field afterward: nor was it long before the King [...] being besieged in Oxford, made His escap [...] thence, and cast himself upon the Scotch [Page 171]Army, who for a Summ of Money deliver­ed Him up to the Parliament, whose usage towards Him was so Inhumane, that it can­not be mentioned without a deep sence of sorrow by any good Christian.

A Brief Description of the second Battel of Worcester, fought on the Fatal Third of September, Anno 1651.

KIng Charles the Second, of blessed me­mory, being crowned at Scone in Scot­land, entred England with an Army, for the Recovery of his Right, in August 1651 and by easy Marches, with little difficulty, en­tered Worcester on the 22 of August, being Joyfully received by the Town's men, who were glad of that opportunity to Return to their Allegiance, and there it was solemnly debated, whether he should stay there, and expect the event, or immediately march to London, but in the end the former was con­cluded, at least so long till the Soldiers had well Refreshed themselves, which gave the Enemy advantage to gather about that City from all parts, yet care was taken for fortify­ing the place, and securing the advantageous [Page 172]Passages, to which purpose a Line, and se­veral Mounts were raised, yet Major-Gene­ral Lambert, who commanded for the Par­liament, sending suddenly a Party of Horse to discover the difficulty of the passage at Ʋpton, where Major General Massey com­manded 300 Horse and Dragoons for the King, about fifty of them venturéd over on a piece of Timber, accidentally left cross that part of the Bridge that was broken down, and although the Royal party im­mediately took the alarum, and beat them into a Church, where they defended them­selves, yet so speedy was Lambert in sending over a greater number of men, that after a hot dispute, Massey having his Horse killed under him, and himself shot through the Arm, was obliged to Retreat; and now Cromwell's Army that had followed the King in the Rear out of Scotland, began to joyn with those Parties that were already gather­ed out of divers Counties, making in all between, 50 and 60000 Men, when as the King's whole Power exceeded not above 10000, so that with these numerous Forces, he was in a manner encompassed, and there being no hopes left of marching away with­out coming to a battel, after divers Sallies with various success, the fatal day drew nigh, for Cromwell, Fleetwood, and others, after [Page 173]the gaining the pass at Ʋpton, endeavoured to make themselves a clear passage to the City, that their Army might joyn in the Leaguer, to which end two Bridges were ordered to be made, the one over the Se­vern, and the other over Thame, over the last of which Fleetwood advanced, to attaque the City on the West part, which so Ala­rum'd the Royal Army that then lay within their Leaguer at St. Jones, that to hinder the approach, they sallied out with the greatest part of the Horse and Foot, so that a hot dis­pute ensued, till overpowred by number, more than by true valour, they were obliged to Retire again into their Lea­guer; But whilst this encounter was on the West side, Cromwell passed his Army over Severn, and marched directly towards the Wall, which the King perceiving, sallied at the head of the Horse, and charged with so much courage and bravery, that Cromwell's own Guard, and the best of his old Soldiers were forced to Retire, whilst seconded by those numerous Supplies of fresh Soldiers, who served like the Turkish Asapi, to blunt the Royal Swords, so that their wearied Arms, no longer able to hold out, they were forced to Retreat, notwithstanding the Ge­nerous Example of the King, who perfor­med things worthy of wonder, executing [Page 174]at once the part of a brave Commander, and a valiant Captain, in which he had his Horse twice shot under him, yet could he not bring them to rally, for being pres­sed and overpowred by numbers, they had not time or space to do it in; so that in the end the retreat turned into a disorderly flight, whilst the Enemy following close at their heels, entred Pell mel with them into the City.

And now notwithstanding the flight and confusion, the cry went through the field to save the King, who although he was pres­sed by Duke Hamilton and others, to reserve his fortune to a better day, yet scarcely could he be induced to quit the field, nor would he till he perceived it impossible to rally his men, and too plainly found the battel was irreparably lost, and that Cromwel had en­tred and possessed himself of a part of the City, and soon after took the Fort Royal by assault, putting all he found therein to the Sword, but not without considerable loss, especially of the Cheshire men, 1600 of which fell in the attempt; and now when it was almost too late, the King left the field, and by the Aid of divers Loyal Souls, after a con­siderable while concealing himself, found means to escape beyond the Seas.

In this fatal battel, fought on the third of September, most of the Kings foot were ei­ther killed or taken Prisoners, but of the Horse about three thousand escaped out of the Field; those that account the least, recon 3000 that were slain, though none of note amongst them, and the chief of the Priso­ners were the Earls of Derby, Lauderdale, Cleveland, Shrewsbury, and the Lord Went­worth; and of the Scots the Earls of Cran­worth and Kelly, and the Lord Sincler, with divers Knights and Gentlemen, and soon after Duke Hamilton and Major General Massey and others were taken.

This strange and wonderful Victory, as the Juncto then sitting at Westminster, gave it out, though they had ten to one in the field, made the Sectarian party greatly re­joyce, and to appoint publick days of Thanksgiving, as if God were the Patroni­zer of Villanies.

A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel, fought before the City of Vienna in Austria, on the 11. of September, Anno 1683. between the King of Poland, the Ele­ctor of Bavaria, the Duke of Lorain, &c. and the Grand Visier Cara Mustapha, &c.

VIENNA, being pressed by the Turkish Power, and the Garrison therein un­der Ernestus Count of Staremberg, greatly weakned by sickness, and the loss sustained in divers Sallies; the Duke of Lorain having joyned the King of Poland, they thought not convenient any longer to hazard a place of such Importance, but to attempt the Re­lieving of it, at the Price of a Battel, and so on the 10 of September, 1683. about eight in the Evening the Armies marched, in or­der to it, making together between 70 and 80000 fighting men, the King of Poland commanding the Right Wing, the Dukes of Lorain and Bavaria the Left, and the Elector of Saxony and Prince Waldeck the main Body; and in this order, with what speed and silence they could, they marched through a great Forrest, the which had the Enemy taken care to have fortified, would have proved a work of much difficulty; Cara Mustapha, the Grand Visier, trusting [Page 177]to his number of men, expected not to be attaqued in his Camp, he being at his sit­ting down before the place 120000 strong, but finding himself mistaken, he thought it best to Rouse out of that Security, and upon the Approach of the Christian Army detached 10000 Horse, with an express com­mand to possess themselves of the Passes, &c. but the Christians before that had passed them, yet they advanced to Charge the Front of the Army, but being gauled by a Regiment of Foot lodged in a Vineyard for that purpose, which was supported by three other Battalions, they only fired and wheeled off with great Cries, whereupon the King of Poland, and the other Comman­ders drew the Army up in three Lines, all closed without any Interval, and in that firmness they encroached upon the Enemy, at what time the Turkish Horse advanced with great shouts, hoping to break the Ar­ray of the Battel, but perceiving the Chri­stians stood firm to expect them, they made a halt, and discharging their Harquibusses at a distance wheeled off, whereupon the first Line fired upon them, and the whole Army advanced by a slow March, still gaining upon the Infidels, and making of them a considerable slaughter, who Re­turning charged as before at a convenient [Page 178]distance, and so wheeled off, continuing often to do the like, and as often the Chri­stians fired upon them, and so proceeded till within two Furlongs of their Camp, at what time a Body of Foot and Dragoons were detached to Attaque their Canon, of which they soon became Masters, without any considerable loss, the Enemy wanting Foot in a readiness to defend them; nor did their Horse make any great resistance, yet they made a shew to charge the Right wing in the Flank, to prevent which, the King of Poland commanded the second Line, to advance and make a Front on that side, whilst in Person he charged their Front with the first Line, making them continu­ally to give ground, and whilst the Fight was hot on both sides, the Turks in the Trenches made a furious Assault upon the City, strugling even at the utmost hazard to carry it; and so resolute they were in throwing themselves into the Ditches and Breach, that great slaughter ensued, which obliged Count Steremberg, the Governour, to send with all speed to the Duke of Lorain for assistance, least the Turks at that juncture should enter, and mix the ruine of the Ci­tizens and Garrison-Soldiers with their own, when immediately the Margrave of Baden was detached with 5000 Horse and 3000 [Page 179]Dragoons, who entering the Trenches at the time the Garrison sally'd, the Turks that were in them were cut in pieces, and trod­den down on all hands to the number of 6000, which unexpected bad success made known to the Visier, and finding that now his hopes were altogether frustrated of en­tering the City; in the time of the confu­sion, he gave ground towards the Even­ing with the Gross of his Army, in hopes to make an orderly retreat to the Camp, but being furiously charged by the Christians, he fled beyond it, yet the Generals suspecting they might Rally and fall upon them un­der the favour of the Night, would not en­ter the Camp by reason it might be a means to separate and scatter the Army, but stood in Battalia till the next Morning, at what time they perceived the Visier was retired in great confusion with all the Horse, lea­ving the Foot behind him, to the number of 25000, who defended themselves in the Camp for a time, but the King of Poland entering furiously on the one side, and the Duke of Lorain and Elector of Bavaria breaking in on the other, for want of their Horse they could make but small Resi­stance, for their Array being soon broken by the violent Charge of the Polish Horse, and overwhelmed with a Tempest of shot; [Page 180]they were almost all of them killed or ta­ken Prisoners, which gave the Polish Horse an unexpected opportunity to pursue the Visier, which they did with such success, that they cut off a great part of his Rear, and took very much of his Baggage, but fearing to separate themselves far from the Gross of the Army, least falling into an Ambush, the Turks might Rally and charge them, they were content to Return with what Booty they had gotten.

In the Camp were found fifty Pieces of Canon, two Horses Tailes, the Grand Vi­sier's Standard, a great Summ of Money, a little before sent thither to pay the Army, [...]ogether with many Rich Jewels, and the Letters of divers of the discontented Hunga­rian Nobility, wherein they pressed the Vi­sier to besiege the City, promising him all the Assistance they were capable of contri­buting towards his taking of it by storm or capitulation: The Visier's Horse was like­wise taken, with his Pavilion, and all the Tents, Baggage, and most of the Provision and Forrage.

In this battel, fought on the 11. of Sep­tember, the Turks lost between 20 and [...]0000 men, and their loss in the Siege be­fore this time, not being computed less than 20000, besides such as dyed of the bloody [Page 181]Flux, and other diseases, and amongst the slain were divers Bassa's and Zanzacks of Provinces, and some of note taken Prison­ers, though the loss of the Christians, in con­sideration of so signal a Victory obtained over the Infidels was but little, viz. about 1000 slain, and as many wounded in the Action, the Chief of the former being the Count Trotmandorfe, and a Brother of the Duke of Croy, who advancing too far upon the Quarters of the Janizaries, were killed with Harquibus shot, but the loss of the Besieged was very considerable, for of 15000 fighting men which were in the City at the beginning, not above 5000 Remained, and those so weak by sickness and wounds, that they began to despair of holding out a­gainst another vigorous Attaque. And thus was this great City Relieved and Rescued (in a manner) out of the hands of the Infi­dels, who received such a blow in this De feat, as has ever since curbed their Towring Ambition, and for which miscarriage, as it was imputed to the Grand Visier, he lost his Head, being first strangled with a Bow­string, by the Order of the Grand Seignior, and soon after followed another overthrow, which was given the Turks near Barkan, viz. on the ninth of October, wherein 9000 were computed to be slain and taken Priso­ners; [Page 182]and of the Poles and Germans not above 600, whereupon the Fortress of Bar­kan capitulated, and was put into the hands of the Duke of Lorrain for the use of the Emperour Leopold the First, &c. And soon after that, upon the retreat of the Visier to Belgrade, sitting down with a part of the Army before Gran, antiently called Strigo­nium, and having beaten the Turks from an Eminence upon the River where they had fortified themselves, he had the place sur­rendred after a furious Battery and many Assaults, the Garrison capitulating to march out with as much baggage as they could carry to Buda or Newheusel, and since that both Newheusel and Buda are reduced to their Obedience, &c. both taken by storm, the former on the nineteenth of August, An­no 1685, and the latter on the second of September, Anno 1686.

The Great and Memorable Battel of Alcazar, fought in Africa on the Plains of Temista, between Don Sebastian, King of Portugal, and Mulei Moluc King of Morocco; in which perished three Kings, with all the Flower of Portugal.

DON Sabastian King of Portugal, being young, and of an Heroick Spirit, de­sirous to win Fame, cast in his Mind many things how and by what means he might accomplish some enterprize that might eclips the Glory of his Ancestors; and first he proposed to widen by a new Conquest his Territories in the East-Indias, where the Por­tugals had many strong holds, but considering the way too long for the subsistance of so great a Fleet as he must carry with him, he in the end concluded to invade Africa, where he held several Frontire Towns, under pre­text of re-establishing Mulei Mahomet, who had fled to him for succour, as having been a little before expulsed his Kingdom by Mulei Moluc, his Kinsman, and so with a gallant Fleet, and an Army of between 18 and 20000 men, Portugals and Strangers, he set out of the Bay of Lisbone on the 25th of June, 1578, and coasting along the shore, [Page 184]obtained a fair Wind, by the favour of which in a few days he arrived at Almadra­ves, a Town between Tangier and Arzil, and having visited his Garrison, and furnished it with all things necessary, he landed his Forces somewhat nearer to Alarach, to fur­nish them with Water, of which they were in great distress; and after divers Councils resolved to march into the firm Land of Africa, whilst Mulei Moluc was making great Preparations to oppose him, and withal sent to offer the King of Portugal ten Miles of Country lying round his Fortress of Tangier, if he would withdraw his Army; but the King returned answer that he would not quit the Enterprize, unless he would put Tituan Alarache and Cape D' Aghero into his Possession; but this seeming to the Moor too excessive a demand, he sent back word that he must consider of it although the siege was before Morocco, and so drawing forth his Ar­my, consisting of about 60000 men, most Horse, he advanced towards the Portugals, who had entred by easie Marches the main Land as far as the River Mucazan without any other Interruption than a light skirmish, and were by this time increased by some Troops of Moors that came and submitted to Mulei Mahomet, besides a small number of Andeluzians that guard the frontiers, so that [Page 185]the Army consisted (beside those that were left to guard the Fleet) of 13000 foot, and 1600 Horse, not reckoning the Moors, who made not above six or seven hundred, viz. Ten thousand Portugals, three thousand Germans, a thousand Spaniards, and six hundred Italians.

The Army of Moluc consisted of 3000 Moors of Andalouzia, as well Horse as Foot, under the conduct of Doali Algori and Osain, who had passed into Africa from the Wars of Alpussares, he had also 3000 foot, and 25000 Horse, with 1000 Harquibusiers on Horseback, the most part of them Rhenega­dos and Turks; and although these were the chief strength on which he rely'd, yet over and above he had about 10000 Horse, and 5000 foot raised in haste, besides a great number of Arabians. And in this case Mo­luc kept to himself the Title of Generalissimo, and gave the Title of General of the Horse to his Brother Hamet, protesting to strangle him with his own hands if he was found guilty of Cowardise, he made likewise Osa­in Collonel of the Harquibusiers on Horse­back, Mahomet Faba of the Rhenegados, and Musa Captain of his Guard.

During the approach of the Moors, in this manner the King of Portugal divided his Ar­my in three squadrons, almost united toge­ther, [Page 186]that the one might the better succour the other; that in the front being divided in a manner into three divisions, for in the midst the Adventurers were commanded by Alvaro Pirez, Brother and Lieutenant to Christopher D' Tavora; on the left hand were the Castilians led by Alphonso D' Agui­lar, lined with Harquibusiers of the same Nation, commanded by Lewis d' Godoji, and the Germans on the left hand under the command of the Lord Tamberg, mingled with Italian Harquibusiers, and the Portugals of Tangier under the command of Captain Hercules Pisa, every Nation being put in ranks with their Commanders in the front. In the squadron that seconded this were the Portugals, under the command of Michael d' Norogna and Vasco d' Sylveria flanked with Harquibusiers, and in the other which ser­ved for the Rearward, were the Portugals under the command of Diego Lopez de Sequei­ra, and Francis de Tavora. For the Guard, of whom two wings of shot were formed, in the Rearward were likewise 300 Harqui­busiers, and on both sides of the Army the Horse was placed in the form of Triangles. The Right Wing commanded by George d' Alancastro Duke of Avero; on the left was the Standard Royal Jean de Sylva the Spanish Kings Ambassador, and Theodose Duke of [Page 187] Barcaellos, eldest Son to the Duke of Bragance, on the Right hand, a little separated from these were about 200 called Africans, which live on the Frontiers, and near them the Moors of Mahomet, and in this order they marched with their Baggage in the midst between their Horse and Foot on the Right Wing, on both sides leaving a space be­tween their Squadrons, to Retire, if need required it.

The Disposition of the Moorish Army fur­ther than what has been mentioned, was as followeth, viz. The Footmen who were all Harquibusiers, were placed in the form of a Crescent or half Moon, the first Rank being Andalusians, the second Rhenegadoes, and the third Africans, so distinguished from others, for their living on the Borders upon the two Horns of the Crescent, he placed two Squadrons, in each 10000 horse, and behind towards the Rearward, at equal distance, followed the rest of the horse, in small Troops, with a design to extend and encompass the Portugal Army; but whilst this was doing, Moluc the Moorish King fell exceeding sick of a disease that had long af­fl [...]cted him, yet put forth his strength to the utmost, to give necessary orders in all places, and having encouraged his Souldiers with a moving Oration to do their utmost [Page 188]for the preservation of themselves, and the safety of their Country, he retired into the main Body where his Litter stood, as like­wise his Guard and his Standard.

Whilst these things passed, the Christians approached, and in the Plains of Tamista both Armies confronted each other, when by the command of Moluc, whose sickness extreamly increased, the Moorish Horsemen extending the horns of their Crescent, joyned them at the back of the Christian Army invironing the whole Camp in the form of an Oval circle, and then began to straiten it, by drawing in their Ranks closer and firmer, whilst their Footmen stood in the Front to oppose any further passage that way, when as the Canon from the Moorish Army began to play, but without any great Damage; nor had the Christians upon the discharge of their Canon much better success, but the Portugals being somewhat dismayed upon the second fire, the King to prevent their further consternation of that kind, gave the signal of Battel, where­at the Squadrons of the Advantguard, and of the Horse moved with wonderful force and valour, the Footmen encountering the Moors with great fury, so that a bloody and doubtful Fight began, yet coming to hand [...] strokes, the Moors were thrice broken and [Page 189]put to flight with the loss of their Colours, but fresh Troops being frequently sent to fill up the Gaps their Sword had made, they wearied the Christians with slaughter. In the Rearward Francis de Tavora with the Regiment of Sequiera was hotly charged, where he made a stout Resistance, killing many with his own hand, those in the middle were the last that engaged, but Mo­luc gave them no long time to consider e're he sent a Squadron of Horse to ingage Vasco de Sylveire and Michale de Norogna on either side, so that now the Fight grew hot on all parts, but these latter made weaker resistance than the rest, many of them throwing away their Arms, and falling on their knees yiel­ded at discretion, most of whose Heads the Moors cleft in sunder with their Scymiters, they not being as yet at leisure to take Pri­soners: And now the Circles of the Moorish Horse and the Squadrons that were behind move furiously, and charged the Avant­guard, where the Italians and Castilians had cut in pieces a great number of their best men, so that the Christian Army being close­ly begirt and presled on all sides, the Soldi­ers grew fearful, especially the Portugals, who began to loose their order, by shrink­ing together, whilst on the other hand the Enemies orders were open, insomuch that [Page 190]they could approach without any disorder of their own, nor could the King with all his Labour and Diligence prevent it, though no Expression nor Action of Bravery was wanting in him to set them an Example of true Valour; and much worse had been their Estate, had not the Portugal Horse (accustomed to live on the Frontiers with the Moors) of King Mahomet, and the Duke of Avero with his Triangle timely charged those Troops that were hasting to break in upon, and disorder the foot, and put them to the rout; but this happy success lasted not long, for whilst the Duke, who commanded the greatest number, fought hand to hand, he discovered a squadron of Horse approaching to charge him, who being far superior to him in number, he durst not abide it, but fol­lowed the chace of those that fled, designing to return to the fight with greater advan­tage, as indeed he did, for turning his Horse he charged those that came to incoun­ter him, but being overpowred by ods of number, and pressing violently by the Ene­my, he could find no place of retreat amongst the squadrons, but rushing through the Ranks of the Germans, some part of the Horse entring amongst the foot, created no small confusion on the other side of the Ar­my, where yet the Standard Royal remain­ed; [Page 191]the Troops of Horse there placed made great slaughter of the Moors, pursuing them even to their Artillery; but being succoured by the squadrons that were sent to support them, they returned afresh to the fight, so that in a short time it fell out worse with these Horse than those commanded by the Duke, the King not being there, but gone to the Vaunt-guard, for being home charged by the Moors, they sell in amongst and greatly disordered their own foot, so that both Horse and Foot being in disorder, and no place of retreat left, flight and Confusi­on ensued, for although this part of the Horse consisted most of Nobility and Gen­try, yet many of them being young men sent by their Friends to wait upon the King, and little expecting to come to so sharp a Conflict, were raw and unexperienced in the Trains of War, so that whilst some were fighting valiantly, others even in the same Troop were flying, unpursued of the Enemy; yet where the Italians and Spaniards fought, the King being then in the Vaunt-guard a looker on, great resi­stance was made, insomuch that above 2000 Moors were killed in the place; but not being succoured, they were in the end overcome, rather weary with killing hand to hand, than by the force or Valour of [Page 192]the Enemy who pressed them with their Multitude; yet the first charge of the Afri­can Horse of the Portugal Army, command­ed by Edward de Menesses, struck no small terror to Moluc, for seeing his men fly, (sick as he was) he left his Litter, and mounting on Hors [...]back (notwithstanding the Chri­stians shot approached) he in a great Chol­ler advanced to restrain their flight or dye in the place; but being seized with a fit of his Disease, in the midst of his fury he sunk from his Horse into the Arms of his Favo­rites, who came about him to perswade him to return; and being carried to his Litter, he there instantly dyed; yet was his Death kept secret by the Rhenegados that attended him, lest upon the bruit thereof the Moors should leave the Field, and consequently the Victory to the Portugals, which no doubt they would have done, had they at that time known it; and although the Por­tugals had notice of it some hours afterwards by several Rhenegados that deserted the Moo­rish Camp, and it was published to incou­rage them to maintain the fight; yet it pro­ved too late. for by this time the greatest part of the Army was in Confusion, losing continually ground, and shrinking toge­ther, notwithstanding the squadrons of the main battel did not move, but unfurnished [Page 193]of shot, stood lookers on, urging it was the Kings command, till charged by the Moors on Horseback, they most of them miserably perished, their Commanders in that Consternation not being able to draw th [...]m into any proper Posture of resi­stance or defence: and now Francis de Ta­vora having long by his Valour withstood the Moorish charge of Horse and Foot, was slain by a Harquibus shot, whereupon his men were so discouraged, that many of them threw down their Arms and fled; and soon after the Duke D' Avero having rallyed some Troops of Horse, and char­ged desperately upon the Moorish squadron that attempted to force the Ranks of the Germans, had his battel overborn, and was himself unhorsed and slain; and on the other side were Christopher de Tavora and Alphonso de Norogna, with divers others of account slain. And the Arabian Adventurers (who came rather to spoil the conquered than to fight, having a little before fallen upon the Moors Baggage when they sup­posed they were in the rout) with a full carreer charging the foot that stood firm brake their Ranks, and put them into great Confusion, so that Victory now de­claring against the Christians in favour of the Moors, and the chief Commanders being [Page 194]unhorsed, and their Magazin blown up by an accidental fire, nothing but flight and slaughter ensued, though the King, with some of his trusty Friends about him, endeavoured by Words and Example of true Valour to restrain them, and restore the Battel, though in vain; for after he had acted the part of a valiant Souldier, killing many of the Enemies with his own hand, and having three Horses slain un­der him, in vain being required to yield, he expired, fighting couragiously on the heaps of the slain, after which every one shifted for himself. King Mulei Mahomet escaped out of the battel, but hastily at­tempting to pass the River Mucazan, now swelled by the Moons increase, he was there drowned, as were many hundreds who were deceived in the Foards, the Ri­ver being swelled to a greater height than when they passed it; so that as the Plain [...] were covered with the slain, the River was no less pregnant with the floting Car­casses of those that were drowned therein.

The battel thus intirely won by the Moors, Hamet hasted to his Brother Moluc [...] Tent to rejoyce with him for the succes [...] of his Arms, but finding him dead, and it being further made known, himself by the general consent of the Captains and [Page 195]Souldery, was in the Field saluted King, and many Presents made him of the rich Plunder found in the Christian Camp, as also of sundry noble Prisoners, amongst whom of chiefest Note were, Anthony Prior of Crato, and the young Duke of Barsellos: nor was the day less famous for the Death of three Kings, viz. Don Sebastian King of Portugal, Mulei Moluc King of Morocco, and Mulei Mahomet the cherif or expulsed King, and by the imprisonment of the greatest part of the vanquished Nobility of a Realm, and so many Souldiers, the Pri­soners being more than the slain; for of all that landed, not above one hundred returned to the Fleet to tell the News; and though the number of the slain on either side is uncertain, yet next to the Kings mentioned, there fell of the Chri­stian Nobility, the Duke of Avero, Alphons Earl of Vimiosa, Lewis Contingo Earl of Rodondo, Vasco d' Gama Earl of Vidignera, Alphons de Norogna Earl of Mira, John Lobo Barron of Alvito, Alvara de Mello Son to the Marquess of Ferrara, Rhocterick de Me­llo Son to the Earl Tentugvel, Jamie Bro­ther to the Duke of Bragance, John de Syl­veria Son to the Earl of Sorteglia, Christopher de Tavora, the Lord Tomberg, Arias de Syl­va Bishop of Conionbra, with many others [Page 196]of account; so that some Noble Families by this means were quite extinct, and sew in the Kingdom of Portugal but had a Son, Brother, Nephew, or some other Relation that fell in this unfortunate battel, sought the fourth of August, Anno 1578.

A Relation of the last glorious Victory of the Christians over the Turks, near the River Drave.

THE Hardships suffered by the Imperi­alists, as well in going to the Enemies, when they were encamped under Esseck, as in returning thence, having as it were spent all their Forces, the Duke of Lorrain had no sooner pass'd the Drave again, but that he prevail'd with the Duke of Bavaria to draw near the Danube, where Provisions could not be so scarce as in the Parts whence they came. This was a Course so necessa­ry for the Army, that there was no other way to rescue it from absolute Ruine; the Cavalry, more especially, had been in want of Forrage for above a Month, for having been almost continually in the Mo­rasses, it had had no other subsistence than what they afforded.

The Turks knowing its distress, and be­ing also encourag'd by what had befallen them near Esseck, they marched after it. In the mean while the Imperialists got to Mo­hatz', where they stay'd eight whole days to recover themselves of their. Fatigues. There the Danube furnish'd them with abun­dance of Provisions, and their Army being in some wise recover [...]d, a Council of War was held to consult on what undertaking it should be employed. Herein it was re­solv'd that Alba-Regalis should be besieged, and that they should immediately begin their march to execute this design. During these Transactions, some Parties of Tartars advanced under favour of the Woods, and snapt up our Forragers. The next day they did the same again, and our Spies brought back word that the whole Turkish Army was at hand, and was moving onward with Intention of beleaguering Ziolos. A deser­ter and a Prisoner, taken by a Party, con­firm'd this Report; whereupon a new Council of War was held, the Result of which was to demolish Ziolos and Five-Churches, take the Garrisons thence, and all that was within them, and then to march on to Alba-Regalis, where we were in hopes of making good Lines before the Turks could come up to us. On the 8th of August [Page 198]we left Mohatz to put this design in Execu­tion, but we had no sooner begun our march, but that there appeared a body of 3000 horse, that advanced very near us, which compell [...]d us to halt. It skirmish'd in good order, insomuch as to hinder the Army from getting that day to the place where the Duke of Lorrain had design'd to encamp. Thus it stop'd within half a league above Mohatz, where the Spies not only confirm [...]d the News they had brought the day before, but further, that the Grand Visier had so efficaciously represented to the Grand Seignior, that he was in a Condition to fight the Christians, that he had received Orders to give battel. The Duke of Lorrain im­parted these News to the Elector of Bavaria and the General Officers, who did not que­stion the Truth of the Information, seeing with what boldness the 3000 Horse had stopp [...]d them the day before. Nevertheless they persisted in the design they had pro­jected, and orders were given for the con­tinuing the march on the morrow. In the mean while, part of the Night was spent in sending out parties, and in clearing our Arms. The Parties gave not any Account on which any Reliance could be had, but a Spy that had been in the Turks Camp brought back word, that the Grand Visier had [Page 199]caus'd the Orders he had received from Constantinople to be proclaimed throughout the Camp, with a promise of reward­ing all those that should behave them­selves as became them in the battel. The Imperial Army having renew'd its march at break of day, it was again disturb'd by a body of Horse, that did not discontinue skirting it, and ever and anon coming up to try its temper; the Duke of Lorrain drew up Forces to receive it, but they made such an orderly retreat, that there was no way to get them to an Engagement. This pass [...]d on the 9th of the Month, and the Enemies Conduct was still the same on the 10th and 11th still following the Army that was marching towards Ziolos; at last the Imperialists being come that day near the Hill of Hersan, at the foot of which was formerly a fine Village bearing the same Name, but which War has totally ruined, the Duke of Lorrain had notice that the Grand Visier, after having march'd day and night, had made such expedition that he was but a league distant from him, nay that he had possess'd himself of a Wood that was on his way, and wherein he had put some Troops, hoping to fall upon his in the flank; as nothing was to be neglect­ed with such an Enemy, that since the be­ginning [Page 200]of the Campaign had exerted such great skill and experience as was not to have been expected in the Turks, it was thought expedient to call a Council of War anew; it was the Elector of Bavaria [...]s turn to command the Van-guard the next day; but as it was dangerous to make such a movement, it was resolved, contrary to what is commonly practised in a march, that every one should remain at the Post where he was the day before. We again sent out several Parties, but of few men on­ly, to know exactly whether what was said of the Enemy was true; but the Ene­my on his side being not willing to lye still, sent 2 or 3000 Horse that very Evening, which gave an Allarum to the Camp. As the whole Army stood at their Arms, it was impossible for them to do any thing, on the contrary they were driven back to the very thickets, and we durst not push them further, as fearing there might be some considerable Succours behind the Bushes. The Duke of Lorrain, to be ascer­tain'd of this, caus'd men to climb up to the Hill of Hersan, and they bringing him word that there appeared a great body beyond the thickets, some Voluntiers advanc'd to fire their Pistols at them; but not being so advantageously mounted as many of the [Page 201] Turks they went to attack, they were im­mediately surrounded, and their Heads hewn off in the Presence of the whole Ar­my. This was done with such fearful how­lings, that it daunted all those that had not yet been engag'd with those Barbarians. In the mean while, each man withdrow into the Camp, and as it was not question [...]d but that there would be a considerable brush the next day, the greater part of the Gene­rals spent the Night on Horseback, and towards break of day the Enemies came to surprize and take away the main Guard. Some blows were given in this occasion, but the Imperialists being in a due Posture, they killed five or six Turks for as many of theirs which fell upon the Place. One of those Barbarians who was not yet dead, ha­ving been question [...]d, said that the Grand Visier was hard by with his Army, consisting of 70000 men, that he had been retrenching himself all the Night, that he had also lin'd the Wood above mention'd with more men, that he pretended he was so advantageously encamp [...]d, that he bragg [...]d he should defeat the Christian Army, with­out being compell'd to give Battel. Here­upon a Council of War was held a-new, and as the falling back would have been the abandoning of Zyclos, and the other [Page 202]Places on the Drave, they agreed to pursue their march towards the former of those Places. The Orders having accordingly been given, the Duke of Lorrain put himself at the head of the Vanguard, which was composed of the right Wing, and that he might be under Covert from the Enemies that were in the Wood, he left some Dra­goons and Battalions to cover the flank of the Horse. The Enemies lying at watch to take their Advantages, made then a Move­ment which perplex'd the Duke of Lorrain; He perceiv'd that they were going to fall upon the Duke of Bavaria; wherefore he De­tach'd Picolomìni with his Brigade to go and give him Succours. And indeed they began to Skirmish with that Duke, who advan­cing to encourage his Men by his presence, a Turk slipt along under favour of the Bush­es, and seeing the Elector have a Red-Em­broidered Coat on, with a white feather in his Hat, and thence presuming him to be a Person of Quality, he fancy'd it would be a brave Exploit in him to kill him. Where­upon he fired his Fusil at him, but instead of hitting him in the Body, he hit him in the left hand, and this made so much noise that all those that were not far from his Person believed him to be dangerously wounded. Without farther Enquiry this [Page 203]same rumour was immediately spread a­bout his Troops, and this might have been of ill Consequence, had he not shewn him­self immediately to them all.

In the mean while, the Army being on its march, and the Vanguard having pass'd a Bottom, it mov'd up along a furrow, at the upper End of which there was a Hedg that covered a Plain; beyond this Hedge were some Turkish Horse, which were to a­muse the Duke of Lorrain, while the main Body fell upon the Duke of Bavaria, making a shew as if they meant to come to Blows with him; but having avoided the Battel at the same time they seem'd to offer it, the whole stress fell upon the Duke of Ba­varia, who having orders not to Engage, contented himself with standing upon the Defensive part. This did still the more Em­bolden the Infidels, & coming up very close, and every other moment to try his Tem­per, he sent to acquaint the Duke of Lorrain with the posture of his Affairs, and to ask his leave to fight. The Duke of Lorrdin sent him back word to follow the Orders they had agreed on in the Morning, but his Elec­toral Highness seeing himself still more and more press [...]d, sent back to tell the Duke of Lorrain, that when they were in a Coun­cil of War, they might argue as they pleas'd, [Page 204]but that when the Enemies were pouring upon them the case was very Different; that every other minute there fell upon him new Batallions and new Squadrons, which it was impossible for him to stand the Brunt of, by meerly keeping upon the De­fensive part, that his Men being thereby Ex­posed, began to murmur at so much pru­dence; that it was to be feared that after their having suffer'd much, they might take the Course of avoiding the Danger by flight, since possibly they would imagine they might honourably do so, since we led 'em not to fight.

During these Occurrences the Number of the Infidels did visibly multiply, and ha­ving flipt along a Wood, they wholly fac'd it, insomuch that when the Imperialists came to pass, they made a Discharge upon them, which laid some of them upon the spot, and compell'd the Rest to halt. To per­plex them the more, they appeared at the same time at the Vauntguard, but then De­sign being to make their utmost Onsets on the side of the Elector of Bavaria; they pro­ceeded no further than to Skirmish which hindred the Duke of Lorain from being able to send other Succours than that before-mentioned to the Reer. In the mean while, as every thing till then had promis'd them [Page 205]the Victory, a Body that had not as yet fall'n on, advanc'd upon the Duke of Ba­varia, with dismal screams and howlings, insomuch that he saw himself thereby forc [...]d, without staying for permission to fight, to use his utmost Endeavours to free himself from so great a danger. He made head against them with such Troops in whom he most Confided, and having caus'd small Field-Pieces to be plac'd at the head of the Batallions, they were put to so good a use that they kept the Enemies in great Respect. In the mean while, Picolomini; who, as has been said, was sent to the Duke of Bavaria's Succours, thinking him in great Danger, ran to him with his Men, and the Duke seeing him come, Commanded him to drive the Turks from a Bottom, which he had newly passed himself. Picolomini ex­ecuted this Order with great Courage, and being seconded by good fortune, he not only remained Master of the Bottom, but also pursued the Enemies to the very Wood, which they still possess'd, and which was the place of their Retreat. There they per­ceived that they had unaccountably given way, since he had none to back him; Inso­much that being ashamed of what they had done, they returned to the Charge, and made such havock of the Regiment of Com­merci, [Page 206]which was of that Brigade, that in a trice they killed 200 of its men. The rest seeing this, betook themselves to flight, and the sooner, for that they were all terrified to see these Barbarians, who had cut off the heads of the greater part, which they car­ried before them, howling at such a rate, as was capable of daunting the most Reso­lute. In this Occasion was it that the Prince of Commerci was wounded with a Launce, and that the Count de Ligneville, the Major of his Regiment was killed, whose Head they cut off as well as the rest. The rest of the Turkish Cavalry, having this advantage on its side, fell anew with extraordina­ry fury upon the Duke of Bavaria, who was not a little put to it to stand the first Onset; Nevertheless having with his own Person performed Wonders, and thereby given an Example to others, they all stood firm; Insomuch that after a long and obstinate fight the Turks begat to Buckle; but in such good order, that in turning their backs they seem'd less to Fly then make a Retreat. This induced the Elector to consider whether he ought to pursue them or not; but that held him not long in suspence, they of themselves return'd to the Charge, and that with so much Re­solution and Fury, that had not the Elector [Page 207]commanded Cannon to be brought, they had been Capable of routing him. but ha­ving caus [...]d it to be charg'd with Cartridg­es, he dispersed the most daring. An infi­nite number of Volleys were fired in a trice, and this with so much success, that we heard the Cries of those that were wounded by them, which did so very much intimidate the rest, that they betook themselves to flight. They retired aside the Wood, which made us halt for some time, apprehending it might be lin'd, and that inste [...] of pro­secuting a Victory, we might [...]zard the receiving an Affront. In the mean while, the Duke of Bavaria having caus'd it to be view'd, and none of them being there found, we pursued them, but the Pursuit was not long. After we had march'd a ve­ry little time we perceived they had entred into Retrenchments, which we could scarce believe tho' we saw it with our Eyes. These Retrenchments had indeed been made in haste, and we saw they had not had time to compleat them; but as their scituation was advantageous (for they were between a Morass and a Wood) it was not judg'd convenient to advance further without first using mature consideration. We perceived it to be the Grand Visiers Camp, which was confirmed to us by some [Page 208]Prisoners, who inform'd us that there were still several fresh forces that had not as yet stirred out of it. This occasion'd new thoughts, as also for that the head of this Camp was defended by a battery of twelve Pieces [...]f Ordnance, which began to speak to us in Thunder. It was still further aug­mented in a moment, and the Turks fearing that the Imperialists would undertake to force them, notwithstanding so many dif­ficulties fell to work in our very fight to stop up [...]me Passages that were as yet quite open. [...]y, and we perceived a Man with a Turba [...]t all beset with Jewels, and a stately Vestment give his Orders without seeming to be under the least Concern. We judg'd as well by his Character as from the richness of the things mentioned, that if it was not the Grand Visier, it was at least a Person of very great Eminency among them. This whetted the Greedi­ness of the Soldiery, who being vex'd that they had fought so long without having got any thing, ask'd why they stopp'd at such small Impediments. The Elector was altogether of the same Opinion, but the General Officers about him having given him to understand that the undertaking to force those R [...]orenchments without Can­non, would be too great a venture, several [Page 209]Pieces were brought up, which were plac'd battery-wise with wonderful Expedition. The greater part of the Retrenchment be­ing only of Dirt and Mud, having been hereby levell'd in a trice, all of a sudden we saw the Cavalry march, without stay­ing for Orders, telling each other that if they could but pass, they were enriched for ever. That of the Turks seeing it coming with so much resolution grew daunted, and without staying for its coming up, fled cowardly away, abandoning the In­fantry to the Discretion of the Conquerors. The Janizaries were startled at the Deser­tion of their Horse, nevertheless they marched up to the breach, which they de­fended with such Courage as was near a-kin to despair. But the Cavalry having open'd it self a passage thro' other Places, they were quickly surrounded and put to the Sword. The rest of the Infantry suffered very much, and none escaped but the most ready at their heels. All the Tents were found in the Camp, which the Elector ha­ving entred made directly up to that of the Grand Visier, which was observable for its extraordinary Wealth, and for several marks which are peculiar to the Generals of those Barbarians. He found no body in it, nor about it, tho' it was well worth the [Page 210]pains of looking to, as well in regard of its self, as of what it contain'd.

In the mean while the Duke of Lorrain advanced, and complemented his Electoral Highness upon the happy success of that day, but having not leisure to enlarge much upon that, he gave Dunewaldt orders to pursue the Runaways, and detach'd ten thousand Horse for that Expedition. This General found some of the Fugitives on the way, but making directly to the Bridge which the Turks had o're the Drave, he found the main body had pass'd it, and had broke the Bridg after them. But the shore was all strew'd with Cloaths, and Bodies lay floating o're the River. Two Bassas, and several of the Principal Officers were taken Prisoners, with about 800 common Souldiers, and the dead ten times as many. The Conquerors got all the Canon, con­sisting in 90 Pieces of Ordnance, and twelve Mortar-pieces, with Tents, Camels, Wag­gons, and Elephants in abundance, with all other sorts of booty almost beyond Imagi­nation. This Victory cost the Imperialists not above 600 men, as they themselves say, and as others eighteen hundred.