Exceeding joyfull Newes from Southampton, Being a true Relation of the taking of two Dunkirk Shippes, which were laden with Powder and Bullets, and bound for the reliefe of the Rebels in Ireland.
ABout the fifteenth of this present Month of May, it happened that some Ships of Southampton, who had beene long at sea, were making homeward and by the casualty of the weather and wind, were forced upon the Irish Coast, where they lay untill a better opportunity was given unto them to make homeward, which according to their long expectation was at length offered unto them No sooner almost had they loosed Anchor and hoysed sayle, not having sayled three leagues, but presently they espied two strange Barkes, making with all possible speed they could towards Ireland, those of Southampton perceiving what they were, [Page] were very desirous to know whether they were bound, whereupon they halled them but received but rugged and small satisfaction, upon this stubborne answer they let flye at them, striving to force from them what they could not obtaine by a faire demand: The Dunkirks answered them againe, but were not able to abide long in opposition, but fearing their own power, endeavoured to secure their present hopes by flight, which they were in good hope to obtaine by the nimblenesse of their Pinnaces; their flight they did endeavour, and the pursuit of their Adversary was as violently prosecuted, they were so hard chased that the happinesse of the wind forced them to take that way whither thtse Southampton men were bound and at the length they were driven by the wind and the enemie into the Harbour of Southampton, where they now stay, and searched, and found to bee laden with great store of Powder, for of that kind of provision consisted all their lading, and being examined whether they were to transport [Page] that commodity, they boldly answered, That they were sent to supply the Lord Mountgarret and his Forces in Ireland, who they understood had very much neede of that kinde of provision; upon this coufession the shipping were stayed, and the Coods seized upon, and the men themselves stayed in Southampton, untill it shall be further determined of them. Thus it pleased God to defeate the intentions of his enemies and to frustrate their designes against his Children.
The Description of two Battailes fought at Abavelly in France betweene the Duke of Guise and Don Lomboyle.
SPaine and France hath alwayes beene forward and pregnant in their plots and designes against the peace and prosperity of this Kingdome, and hath oftentimes by many strange and mischievous stratagems, endeavoured the utter subversion of this Kingdome, witnesse [Page] the manifold supplies, by which Spaine hath endeavoured to vex the peace of this Kingdome, sent over to the Rebels in Jreland, but God hath frustrated their Designes, and by some meanes or other hath defeated their purposes against this Nation, for much about the time when the fore-mentioned provision was sent into Jreland, (but did most happily and beyond expectation miscarry,) the old grudge which was between those mighty Princes of France and Spain brake out into action, and forced them to retire their thoughts and cares homewards to defend their owne Dominions.
Upon the second of this present Month of May, the Duke of Guise being chosen chiefe Generall and Commander of all the French Forces, marched to a Towne called Abavelly, and their pitched every day expecting the approach of the Spanish Army which then was in the Field, and was in strengeh and number about 44000 the French consisting of 32000. and 900. Horse. The French Forces had continued [Page] in the Field above the space of thresdaiee, but they removed to march toward Abavelly, in which march Don Lomboyle the Spanish Generall met them with his Forces, and sent word unto him, that within two dayes hee would give him battaile, which Message was welcome, and heartily entertained bv the Duke of Guise, the French Generall: Upon the appointed time the Armies met, which were both of that strength and multitude, that the Spectator might very well, without almost a prejudice to his sence or Faith have beleeved them to be the two great and mighty Cities of those 2. Kingdomes now walking from their fixed and setled station. At their first encounter the Battaile was very fierce and hot, and confidering the continuance, the losse could not well bee expected to be lesse then it was on either side, which hath much hindered their expected reliefe for Jreland, by reason that they will need daily and continuall supplies at home. The Battell did continue two dayes and a halfe, where [Page] in the second day toward the evening, the Duke of Guise himselfe was wounded and at the length by Don Lomboyle the Spanish Generall, was taken prisoner. [...]hey lost beside the 1200. Foot 5000. Horse, and the whole Army forced to retire home for new supplyes, which were not long providing, for before the Spanish Armie could fully enjoy their new got Conquest they were encountred by a new French Army, under the Command of Monsieur Salieur, which did vindicate both their Host of men and credit sustained in the first Battaile, and also redeemed the Duke of Guise, by taking of the Spanish Generall prisoner, whose Liberty was obtained by the Liberty of the Duke of Guise.