The Victory atchieved by the French in Languedock. CHAP. I.

A Private man is happy in a medio­crity of Fortune, if he can content himselfe with having what is ne­cessary and sufficient. A Prince by seeking to enlarge his Terri­tories, not seldome draineth his Exchequer, always increaseth his cares, often his owne, and his peoples sorrows. The Catholike King might seeme to [Page 2] thrive the yeer past by his invasion of Picardie, yet now should it come to an Audit, his losses in France would (it seems [...] surmount his gain.

August [...]/ [...], the Count Cerbellon encamped before Laucate, with an army (as the French affirme) of 16000 Cerbellon [...] en­campeth be­fore Laucate. foot, and 1800 horse, an artillery of 70 peeces of Ca­non, a great number of wagons loaden with amuniti­on, armes, and other necessary instruments, (all which had been in preparing the space of two years) with a purpose to surpriz [...] some places of strength in Langue­dock, the Spaniards themselves having seriously given it out, that the King in person was to command that ar­my.

The town is sited in the south of Languedock, called by Caesar Gallia Narbonensis, in a Peninsula, about 15 English miles in circumference of a triangular forme, bounded with rocks on the one side, a salt Lake called Salses by the French on the second, and the Mediterra­nean Sea on the third, where there is a good Road for Gallies, and Ships of a reasonable burden. The situation The situation of Laucate. of the place, they adjudging that it would much advan­tage their incursions into Languedock, caused Cerbel­lon to bring his Spanish troops before the Fort, who first sounded the Governour, the Lord de Ba [...]ry, offering him in hand (as is written by some) 50000 Crownes, and promising him a yeerly pension of 6000 to be­tray it, and in fine, finding his loyalty to the Christian King his Master, his constancy being revived by memo­ry of the glorious death of his father, formerly Gover­nour Cerbellon gro­peth the Go [...] of the same place, who being taken by the Spani­ard, preferred the conservation of the Fort for the King his Masters service, before his own life, proceeded from treaty to violence, to try if the walls could abide the thunder of his Ordnance, and remayne as firme as the Governours heart, which hee had found many a thou­sand [Page 3] double Pistolet proofe.

Like a wise Commander, the Spanish Generall pro­vided And failing of his end pre­pares to batter the Fort. first for his own security, before hee attempted any offensive way against his Enemy: ten days he spent in entrenching himself upon a lane of fifteene perches long, (the place being no way else accessible, by reason of the salt Lake on the one side, and a steep Rock-plum-down, on the other side) where because there was little store of earth, he covered his trenches with a wall of stone and clay, raised eight foot, where the ground was highest, and fourteen or fifteen, where it was lower, with a Ditch before it, and a Mount be­hind it, for the more convenient lodging of his Mus­quetiers. Within his trenches he raised two Forts, one called after his own name Cerbellon, of four bastions; another in a place called Franquie, to which the lesser shipping and Gallies might arrive; besides hee made many redoubts upon which he planted all his Canons, except 14 peeces, bearing bullets of 40 pounds weight, which he drew neerer the Fort, and divided into three batteries, the first at Gran of six peeces, the second of four Canons right against the only spring of sweet wa­ters in the Peninsula, many of his souldiers (being com­pelled thither to relieve their necessities) lost their lives in time of the siege, and a third of the same number of Guns, with the second, raised neere the Bridge, which is layed over the narrower chanell, by which the salt Lake emptieth it self into the Mediterranean.

His batteries began with his entrenching, but they were like the gentle distillations of some few drops of rain before a violent storm, or the noyse of the gliding, purling rivolets at the Spring-head, compared to the roaring falls of Nilus, in respect of what ensued after. The Castle of Roqueford, ta­ken by Cerbel­lon. His works being perfected, he first seised of the Castle of Roquefort, which hee garrisoned and fortified, to [Page 4] command that passage, and impeach the French forces, which might be brought by the way of Narbonne and Defferecavall, and next of the town of La Palme, and so blockt up the way from Bordeaux, and then played from all his batteries upon the besieged Citadell inces­santly (the besieged in the space of 30 days, which the Spanish forces lay before the place, having taken pre­cise notice (upon an exact account) of 17000 Canon shot) in the mean time, making the best use he could of his Morteren and Grenadoes, which did the defen­dants farre more harme then his Ordnance. The Go­vernour had set up his rest, resolved to die, before hee would surrender a piece of such importance to his Ma­sters, the Kings enemies, and with the assistance of 300 men, (the number of his souldiers being increased to The Garrison re-enforced. that height, by the accesse of two Companies, which were sent unto him by the Duke of Halewin, Lievte­nant Governour of that Province) maintained the place bravely, till the siege was raised, and then affirmed, that he should have been able to have holden out three weeks longer, if the succours had not come in, as they did, so maturely. Hee hid not, but secured himselfe, by the strength of the Fort, from the assailants vio­lence.

But there is no cause of confidence in bulwarks and walls of stone, Famine will scale them in the end, though the Enemies Ordnance cannot bore them; the Duke of Hale-win held this position for an Aphorisme, and em­ployed all care, summoned up his thoughts, used all art to relieve him opportunely, called a Councell of the The Duke of Halewin pre­pares to re­lieve it. Bishops and Nobility, and having advised with them, what was to be done, applyed the meanes which were most probable to cure that ulcer which began to gan­grenate and spread it selfe in that Province. Hee mu­stered up the Regiments of Vitry, S. Aunez S. Andrew, [Page 5] Castelan, and Murviel; and train bands of Montpellier, Narbonne, Beziers, Nismes, Ʋzez, Carcassone, Lodesve, Sevennes, Ganges, Mirepois, Ionquieres, Castre, Viellette and Valat, which served as his Infantry. The Cavallary was composed of the Gentry of Languedock, his own company of men at Armes, and his life guard, which divided by him into eleven Squadrons, under the com­mand of so many severall, valiant, and expert Leaders, at Narbonne, Sept 1 [...]/2 [...], the time and place of the Generall Randevouz, marched the day following to Sigean, where they lay enquartered that night, and the night following, attending till such store of amunition and victuals were brought in, as were thought necessary for that expedition.

It was then upon the nick when the French Duke came in with his Army to succour the besieged, the Spanish Gunners had made a sufficient breach in the wall, to try the courage and manhood of the defen­dants by assault. The Duke of Cardonne Viceroy of Ca­talognia's sonne was come to the Campe, and had re­enforced Brings up his Army oppor­tunely. the Spanish Army, with a new accrewt of 1000 men: the Count de Serbellon, began to be confi­dent of the prize, rode upon his Male about the Camp, to give directions, promised the young Don to shew him a fresh battery, the next day opposite to the place, upon which he had before played with his Canon, and both by gesture and posture, word, and work, expressed a certain assurance of a speedy and notable victory. But let not him, that is putting on his arms, brag as if he was putting them off. The chance of warre, is of all other most uncertain, and here if any where, we may averre:

Discretion looks about, before it undertakes an adven­ture. The Duke of Halwein for all this apparance of [Page 6] imminent perill to the besieged, went not on to succour Calleth a Counsell of Warre. them without forecasting what might be the conse­quents of his adventure. Hee would not involve his Friends in most certain difficulties of a greater impor­tance, to avoid a lesser danger of more uncertainty. The besieged brought to extremity, might capitulate, and come off with life and honour; the worst was, but the losse of the place, which being in the Kings Country, was in all likelihood to be regained, though not with­out expence, the losse of an Army, and such an Army as was drawn out of the most selected men of that Pro­vince, was of more importance, and though he resol­ved to try the utmost for his Friends relief, yet hee would not attempt it without good Advisoes. Two Councels of Warre, besides that at Narbonne, were cal­led, the one in the commencement, the other in the prose quution of his action. The one at Sigean, Sept. 14/24, where he lay encamped, the other in the plain of Law­cate foure dayes after.

The conclusion of the first consultation was that Ar­gencour, The resoluti­on of the Councell. the Field-mar shall with his Avant-guard of the Army, should go to take up his quartier, at the pas­sage of Deferrecavall, and surprize the Castle of Ro­quefort, whilest the rest of the Army might march up to him: The taske was an hard and difficult one, the passage was narrow, there could march no more then two abrest, yet his willing industry over­came that difficulty, and with a word, a bare summons took in the Fort, the Commander according, and con­descending to depart with no other Armes then his sword, and his souldiers with staves in their hands. The French Generall followed with the main body of his Army, giving a testimony of impatience, to see the Kings Enemies so farre advanced in his Majesties ter­ritories: and the same day about one in the afternoon, [Page 7] set his Army in battalia in the sight of his adversaries. This his apparition somewhat altered the course of the Is put in pra­ctise. Spanish Counts designes. He was not so absolutely con­fident of his power, as that hab-nab [...]he would deale with the French Duke in open field: the trenches in which he was hedged, were as strong as the Castle, and there he meant to keep, unlesse some advantage might invice him abroad. He took it in foule scorn to be out­braved, yet would not adventure forth of his fortisica­tions upon doubtfull, much lesse upon desperate condi­tions. The Spanish scowts repul­sed. A glimpse he had of the French forces, but nei­ther knew their number, nor their order perfectly. To be better informed of each particular circumstance, 400 horse were sent out to desery the French Army. Halewin soon perceived what was sntended, and to detain him in his ignorance of the particulars, sent out five selected companies, under the direction of a man experimentally proved both wise and valiant, the Lord de Boissat, to beat these discoverers back, which charge (fortune waiting upon his valour) he performed so happily, that he forced them to retreat, one part into their trenches, and another by the Lake de Salses, to­wards the way of Spaine.

All these actions were but the Proscoenia of the Spanish The French Generall seeks to be in­formed of the Spanish Forti­fications. Tragoedie: the French Generall having thus defeated the Spanish Count of his intelligence, endeavoured to informe himselfe of his adversaries fortifications. The day light might best instruct him, but would most in­danger him, the enemy stood all the next day in battalia behind his trenches, and waited for so advantagious an occasion. The night though it could afford him but a confused notice, would more secure him, and that he made choyce of being content to satisfie his understan­ding, which before knew the advantages of the ground, with such a generall discovery of his manner of encam­ping. [Page 8] He knew before, that the Spaniard lay intrenched The Fortifica­tions discove­red. amongst rocks, almost unpasseable, especially for his Cavallary, onely he desired to see if there was any way left, by which he might reach them in their fortificati­ons, although it must be done with much difficulty. The night presented him with a passage on the right hand of the new Fort called Serbellon, but so obscurely, that he durst not adventure, till the day discovering the Landskip of the place more plainly, confirmed him, that he might probably leade on his Army that way, not without any, but the least danger. Vpon this dis­covery, he caused the Commanders of the Army, a­gaine to meet in counsell, gave them a particular relati­on of what he had seene, wished them to prepare a­gainst 6 in the evening to execute, what he had design­ed for assaulting the enemy, and being seconded by Another Counsell of warre is called, Mayola, Lieutenant of the Guard, to the Cardinall Duke Richelieu, who was come that day to the Camp, with instructions from the Christian King, his speech was crowned with applause, by the generall votes of the officers, with an expression of as much forward­nesse to performe, as the Generall propounded the en­terprize.

The houre drew on, and then after instructions to Arme, the Duke made a short oration to his souldiers to encourage them to fight for the King, the Country, their wives, childrens, and their owne liberty, warned to be ready upon the sound of the trumpets, selected It being con­cluded to as­sault the ene­my in 5 places. five times 80 men out of five regiments, to goe on as the Perdues of the Army, which he had divided into so many severall parts, to assault the Spanish trenches, in so many severall places, ordered them to march with their swords by their sides, a Pike in one hand, and a Bavin in the other, for assistance of the labourers, whom he had appointed to open the trenches, and these being [Page 9] supported by Mayola and Herisson, a Captaine of the regiment of the Isles, (yet scarse recovered of the wounds which he received at Margarita and Honora­ta) which offered themselves to that service, follow­ing their directions, performed their work so well, Labourers are sent to open the way for the horse. that in the space of halfe an houre, the Perdues were earthed, and he Pioners had cut a way for the more easie bringing up of the French Cavallary.

Mayola, who by his presence had encouraged the workmen, would also be the first relator of this suc­cesse, posted backe to the Duke, told him what was done, and the Duke who longed after such tidings, Went on immediately in the head of his Army, not staying to give them a charge by word of mouth, with an Ite, goe you, like a faint-hearted Commander, but like a daring leader, declaring a Venite, come and fol­low me, by his exemplary action. The places appoin­ted for the sive severall assaults, and the Commanders which were to manage them were these. The first place, was at the Bridge upon the mouth of the Salt-Lake, the charge whereof was committed to S. Aunez, and his regiment who was seconded by the souldiers of Narbonne, Beziers, and the Diocesse of Castres, a com­pany of Volunteers commanded by the Lord de Lai­rone, a company of Muskettiers, horsemen of Tholouza [...] under the Lord de Calvet, Treasurer of France. The second place was upon the sea shore, at the Port Fran­qui, And the French Army is divided [...] sive bonds. and this was the charge of the regiment at Lan­guedocke, which was backed by three companies of foot, brought into the Army, by the Lords of Ionquie­res, Cauvisson, and the Baron of Mirepois, by a troope of 150 Gentlemen, friends and allies to the Marquesse d' Ambres, one of the Kings Lieutenants in Langue­dock, and by a company of men at Armes, consisting of 50 Masters. Betwixt these two places, on the right [Page 10] hand of the regiment of Languedock, a third place was committed to the trust and valour of the Lord S. An­drew, and the military bonds of Nismes and Castres, who was to be seconded by the Duke of Halewins com­pany of men at Armes, which were to be backed with 60 voluntiers, and a troope of horse under the com­mand of the Lord de Magalas. The fourth place depu­ted to the charge of Chastelan, who with his own re­giment, and the Commons of Montpellier lead the Vant-guard, being seconded by the Count d' Aubyoux, who commanded the white Cornet of 100 Gentle­men, the Marquesse of Mirepois, following him with 50 others of the same quality, and the Lord of Monso­leus, who marched after the Marquesse with 60 men at Armes of his owne name, and kindred, was upon S. Andrewes right hand, and the last upon Castelans right hand, committed to the regiment of Vitrye; in the head whereof marched Clermont Vertilliard, the Field-mar­shall, seconded by a body of Infantery, commanded by Murveill, and that by another, under the direction of the Lord de Vallat, all by the men of Armes belonging to the Duke d' Halewin, and two other companies, un­der two other Commanders.

All the Army was not to be engaged at once, a strong A reserve set apart. reserve was set apart, to relieve their friends, if they should hap to be necessitated, and that was ready to be supplyed by the Archbishop of Burdeaux, who by sea, about such time as both the hoasts began to slack their hands, as weary of fighting, came in happily, with 4000 foot, and two squadrons of horse, which he brought thither in such vessels, as the harbour was ca­pable of, to succour his confederates upon all occa­sions.

In this order, upon a signall given by the discharge of 4 Cannons, the French Army marched up to the Spanish [Page 11] trenches, and began a doubtfull battell, both parties fighting couragiously, and victory hovering over both the Armies, without any remonstrance, where she would pitch. The Spaniards in the beginning seemed her favourites, the French Commanders and souldi­ers, The battels joyne. appointed for the foure last places, were more disheartened by a false report (that S. Aunez, who had the charge of the first assault, was beaten backe with losse of many of his men, himselfe being desperately wounded in the head with one Musket bullet, and in his body with many others) then the offensive Armes of the enemy, though by them they received much dammage, being twice repulsed, not without some slaughter of men. But the Generall still like himselfe, by his word incouraged them not to faint, and leading on in person, charged upon the invadors so roundly, that he beat them backe againe to the squadrons, which were appointed to second them. The French Cavallary was not yet come up, the foot onely had maintained this ambiguous fight, by the space of two houres. In the end the prauncings of the horse were heard, the Cavallary of both sides met, and the violent shocks of their encounters gave the Infantry a time of breathing. The fight doubtfull, the French horse come up, and get the victo­ry. The Moone, whose light till then was shadowed by the interposition of a foggy-dark-thick-womb'd cloud, then began to peep out of her silver orbe, and stood as a spectatresse of the battell five houres together. So long she lent her borrowed light to the directors of the battell, who by her assistance, ordered their squa­drons so well, that though they were often broke on both sides, they were as often rallyed, no man being a­ble to judge which side would goe off with conquest.

Quis cladem illius noctis? the slaughter of men that night cannot be recorded without expression of some compassion. Cynthia stood looking on till the rocky [Page 12] mountainous field, rough by nature, appeared more uneven by heapes of slaine men, and horses which cove­red the earth, till those hils which had bin so often cour­ted of Neptune, who by her assistance, had oft rai­sed his curly head above the shore, appeared an Acelda­ma, a field of blood: the French not without some no­ted losse having got the victory, (some of their chiefe Commanders having purchased it with their lives, (all the rest with sore wounds) and slaine far more Spani­ards upon the place, and then she hid her head under the earth, as unwilling to see that horrid confusion, and so determined the battell.

The adaequate object of wisedome is, facienda, & vitan­da; things to be undertaken, and avoyded. Both the Ar­mies had encountred with hazards and difficulties to a­voyd The Spaniards flye. them. Now the darknesse of the night had con­cealed the conquest from the victor, but could not make the loser unsensible of his dammage. The Spaniard saw his men utterly discomsited, few repairing to their colours, and to save the remainder, made a volley of shot about 2 in the morning, from the Fort of Serbel­lon, as if it had bin a signall to his scattered troops, to repair thither that they might be ready the next mor­ning for a new fight, though it was (perhaps) but a trick to conceale his sight, himselfe and the remnant of his Army, presently making towards Spaine by the way of Perpignan: the French stood in full battali [...] till the morning, and at dawning of the day, marched to­wards the Spanish quarters, which they found abando­ned, and the sunne climing up the Easterne hill, by his splendor, discovered the way of Spaine, strewed with the Armes and baggage of the flying enemy, who had disburthened himselfe of those incumbrances to make his slight the speedier. There needed no advise of what was to be done, the one part of the French [Page 13] Army, was sent after the sugitives, which overtooke the reare, and put the slowest to the sword, besides great numbers which were slaine at the Well of fresh The French seyze of the spoyle. waters, during the time of the siege by the garrison, and the slaughter of some of the reare-guard upon their slight, and those as were slaine the same day upon the place of battell, 500 were taken prisoners, (as the French boast) for the most part Captaines, and refor­med officers, and above 500 drowned in the sea, and the Lake de Salses. The other part went to risle the Spanish Campe, where they found a booty beyond common beliefe, and their owne expectation. Serbel­lons, and all the officers tents stood whole, their Plate was unremoved, which with their beds and utensils remained to the victors, who also seysed of the Gene­rals Mule, Coat, and staffe of office, and sent them to the King as a trophee of the victory. But this was not all the prey, which befell to the Conquerors. The night The Spaniards losse. which crowned them with this happinesse, was the next which succeeded the Christian Kings Birth-day, and as emulous of the glory thereof, presented the French Army with further spoyles, (as the French write) all the Invadors Cannons, and Morterers, 500 Quintaux of powd r, 600 of Lead, (a quintane is 100 pound weight) 30 Wagons loaden with match, 7 or 8000 Bullets, 4000 Pikes, as many Axes, more Bom­bards, and fire-works, seven Wagons loaden with horse-shooes, as many with iron nayles, 26 Apotheca­ries chests, well stored with all manner of medicines, and victuals in abundance.

Newes of this victory was brought to the King at The K. gives thanks to God, and re­wards to his souldiers. Paris, who to expresse his thankfulnesse to the Author, by a solemne song of th [...]sgiving, Octob. 8. new stile, in the Church of Nostre- [...]ame at Paris, the Q: the Cardinall, the Counsellours o [...] state, and the officers of [Page 14] all the Courts of justice, with throngs of people atten­ding at that solemne Service; and in requitall of the Instruments, honoured the Duke of Halewein with the Office of a Marshall of France, and the inferiour Officers with rewards, tokens of his Royall love, the Canons of the Arsenall and Town-house, expressing the joy of his Majesty in the Liberties of the people, and the Bone-fires, and continuall Acclamations of the people crying out Vive le Roy, testifying their affections, and sincere love to his Ma­jestie.

The Actions and Occurrences in Lorrain, Burgundie, the French County, Perigort, and Turena.

AN aspiring flame is not easily supprest, it often diffuseth it self about the matter cast upon it, and recovereth the ayre, receiveth no hurt by the blow of a staffe, but giving way to the harder body, without any sensible separation of its parts, commeth together again. Such is the con­dition of a true souldier, an affront by his Friends, an open desertion of his Allies, cannot so much abate his spirit, as to make him lay down his armes, and give way to his adversary, the stage of warre is large, and if one part thereof bee so incumbred that hee cannot doe his part there, he will act it upon another. The Duke of Rohan by the practice of the Grisons, was hindred The Duke of Rohans march out of the Veltoline. from promoting the Christian Kings affaires in the Vel­toline, marched thence with 800 horse, and 4000 foot, men of braver insides then outsides, tryed Lads, their weather-beaten garments testifying, that they had in­dured some storms of warre and weather, intending to joyne his Forces with the Kings Armies, either in the French-County, or Piemont, a [...] hee should receive order [Page 16] from his Majesty, who was then prescribing severall Provinces to his severall Generals.

Duke Bernhard of Weymar was appointed for the Rhine principally, but not with so strict a Commission, as not to encounter with the Kings Enemies els-where; some rubs were expected in his way, and it was in his election, whether hee would make any stay to remove them, the Christian King thinking himselfe sufficiently honoured by the voluntary service of so noble a Prince, so absolute a Commander, not limiting him, which D. Bernhard goeth into the field. without chalking the way, knew both the manner, and time to further the Kings businesse. His Majestie graced him with his personall presence to Rhemes, the Metropolis of Campagnia, whence after a Dieu vous benie, God speed you, and farewell, ordinary com­plement, the Duke marched first to Langres, a towne in the midst of Caesars Lingones, now knowne by the name of the Province called Bessigni, thence to Vescay, and thence to Dampiere, the Generall Randevouz of his Army, where I finde him first preparing for action, Iune 3/1 [...]. The Almaine Forces which were to be condu­cted to his Army under the Generall Major Schavelitzky did not then come in, nor was their stay prejudiciall to his designes, but Hallier his Lievtenant Generall met him with 4000 able horse, and seven Regiments of foot, and attended with this retinue, he began to execute the Kings Commission. The Garrison of Gray, a town upon the Northwest of the River of Sacue, right over against Auxounne, had lately got from the French the Castle of Romagne, a place of such importance, that it being in the Takes in the Castle of Ro­magne. Spaniards hands, did not only hinder all correspon­dence, betwixt the two great townes of Sangres and Diion, but did much annusance to the whole adjoy­ning territory. It was well manned according to the [Page 17] proportion of its capacity, 120 souldiers, and thirty peasants being layd into it, and better victualled, and this was the first place where hee imployed his forces. Tupadell his Generall Major was sent before with the avantguard of his Army to surround it, the Duke imagi­ning that such an apparition would be so terrible to the defendants, as to make them prepare for a capitulation. The issue was otherwise, the besieged saw but a small number of Enemies, and by the benefit of the Fort, thought themselves strong enough to grapple with them, they imagined that the Duke was confined to a day and place elsewhere, and would not stay to bring the body of his Army thither, and in this confidence scoffed at the Generall Major, as if he had undertaken a businesse which he could not accomplish: But se M [...]c­que qui cloque, they had no cause to scorne him, the a­vantguard which presented it selfe before the Fort, was but as a flash of lightning before a thunder-clap, two days after, the Duke himselfe came downe in person Which yiel upon discreti­on. with the mayn body of his army, spent 100 great shot against the Castle, forced the Garrison to yield upon discretion, made all the souldiers prisoners of warre, with their Captain Tournon Major of Gray and an Alfi­eres, which commanded them. The peasants were dis­missed, and might have passed freely, had they not been discovered, to have concealed some Pistolets which Some peasants to secure their gold, los [...] both mony and lives. were given to the souldiers as lawful pillage. Like those Iews when Hierusalem was besieged by Titus Vespatian, they had shrined up some gold in their bowels, and that treasure which should have served for their livelihood, was the cause of death to some of them (the souldiers apprehending them, and ripping up their bellies to find that Mine) and had been to all, if the Duke had not in­terposed and restrained them, from proceeding so cru­elly.

Champlete another Fort which much endamaged the Kings Country, stood next in his way, and this hee first summoned by a trumpet, Iune 1 [...]/ [...]0, and the day follow­ing by six Canons, which forced the Garrison to sur­render and redeeme their baggage with a good and Champlite sur­rendred to D. Bernh. proportionable ransome, and then the way being clee­red, and these Castle committed to French presidia­ries, a part of our Army, marched directly towards the River of Soane [...], with order to encampe about the towne of Briot, till the day following, which time he himselfe came to them with the troops which atten­ded him.

It is the souldiers glory to encounter with difficulties, and the Duke of Weymar met with much opposition on his march, but never shunned it. The Colonel Mer­cy in behalfe of Charles Duke of Lorrain, with 13 Re­giments of horse, and four of foot, though not com­pleat Mercy with 17 Regiments op­poseth the D. passage over [...]an. ones had planted himselfe on the East side of the River, to hinder the Almain Duke and his French re­tinew, from passing it. Tydings of the Lorrainers de­signe, were brought him, by the Vantcurriers of his Army, and he immediatly put his men into battalia, and marched directly towards the River point blanke against the place, a Village where the Enemies Army lay on the other side of the water. The sight of the foe, standing to dispute his passage with arguments of steel, raysed his bloud (not to an unadvised anger, which should make him neglect counsell, and without respect of danger, cause him to go on desperatly) but to a well regulated emulation, and that expressed in action, his valiant heart being therby inflamed to make strong and speedy resistance, against such a daring Antagonist. At once, he both drew out a Squadron of horse, and orde­red them to assay the passage, and beat off the Lorrai­uers Dragoons, which lay intrenched beyond the flood: [Page 19] and planting eight Canons upon an hill neere the Vil­lage, levelled them against the Lorrainers Camp, which Duke Bernh. encounters him, making some slaughter of his men (the Cavallary sent to that purpose, having happily passed the stream, twice discharging upon the Dragoons, being seconded by some Musquetiers, which waded up to the arm-holes, to succour their friends, cleered the passage, D. Charles his Dragoons perceiving almost 100 of their compa­nions slain upon the place, amongst which was their prime Commander, the Generall Major of that Regi­ment, 100 wounded, and some taken prisoners, rety­ring to an hill for their better safety. But the change of ground could not secure them from the devouring sword which pursued them; the whole body of the French Cavallary, without delay made over to their Companions, and Colonell Rosa Lievtenant of the Al­man Dukes life-guard, having found a more fordeable cut, brought that off Regiment of 800 men through the stream, to those who had passed it before, which flankerd, or side-ways assaulted the Lorrainers forces, whilest the French Cavallary them in fron [...], neere the Village d' Arralogne. The battaile might have proved doubtfull if all Duke Charles his men had been sonnes of one mother, if all had but the like courage to three Almayn Regiments which stood to it stoutly, & main­tained the sight valiantly alone by the space of an hour, And gets the victory. after the rest were sled. But the tergiversation of those fugitives lost the day, the Germans in the end too were compelled to give ground, by an orderly retreat from one Hill to another keeping their ranks unbroken, and themselves from the Massacre, till being brought to a straight passage, and roughly assaulted they disbanded in great confusion, exposing themselves & their friends to the sword, or captivity, and their baggage for a prize [Page 14] [...] [Page 15] [...] [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18] [...] [Page 19] [...] [Page 20] to their Enemy. The summe of all was thus. The Lor­rainers, and Burgundians, the other part of D. Charles his Army, sled to the neighbour Towns and Castles to save themselves, but to the great damage of their enter­tainers; the town of Giz, whither the major part of Giz yielded upon discre­tion. them fled for shelter, was surrounded immediatly by the German Duke, who Iune 15/25, constrained both it and some other small Castles, where hee found good store of viands, to yield upon discretion; only the Fort of The Com­mander in St. Loup hanged up. Saint Loup held out two days longer to the paine of the Governour, who then yielding upon such conditions, as the victor should prescribe him after the surrendry, (justice over-ruling mercy) was hanged according to the Law of Armes, for his sawcinesse, in presuming to hold a place so weakly fortified against so puissant an army. All the three German Regiments, 50 persons on­ly The issue and effect of the battell. excepted were slain, or brought into captivity, 500 dead corpses of them being found upon the place, and 900 known to be taken prisoners, besides such as were kept secret by the souldiers for their ransoms, and 3000 horses gained by this victory. The prisoners of note were these. First, the Count of Reux a Colonel, 2. two Lievienant Colonels, by name Siurry and Ioseph Carr [...]. 3. ten Captains of horse. 4. Nine Lievtenants. 5. Fif­teen Cornets. 6, 13. Quarter-masters. 7. Thirty and seven Corporals. 8. Thirteene trumpeters, 9. Three Kettle-drums one Provost, 426 common souldiers, and 400 Dragoons; besides women amongst which was the wife to Baron de Langres, and a great number of Ser­vants; the greatest part of the souldiers freed themselves from thraldome, by a voluntary tender of their service to the Duke of Weymar, but 16 Ensignes gained by the victory, were sent to the King as Monumentall tro­phees of this atchievement, and are kept by his Ma­jesty.

This defeat was seconded by another, Mercye had rallyed up his broken Army & with 2000 horse applyed himselfe to trouble Schavelitskyes passage, who was comming from the Rhinoward, with 3000 men ap­pointed to attend the Alman Duke in this Expedition. Notice of the designe was brought to the General before Mercy againe defeated by the Rhinegrave it was put into execution, commanded the Rhinegrave against him, who so behaved himself in the enterprize, that he slue 400 of them upon the place, put the rest to slight, and pursued them two league to Vesou, one of the principall towns of the French-County.

Whilst these things were acting about the Saone, some Montbeliard blocked up by Butler, is freed by Schavelitzky other of the forces appertaining to Duke Charles the Generall Butler and the French County appeared about Monbeliard a City almost at the head of Mosella in Lorrain, in all 4000 strong, surprized, and ruinated the bridge & Fort of Voiaucourt, and began to block up Montbelyard; but retreated againe upon the report of Schavalit [...]k [...]s march, whose very name grew formidable Altkirk, taken, pillaged and burnt by Scha­velitzky. by the ruines hee had made in the Sundgow, where he had taken Altkircke and the Castle, pillaged them, and burnt them to the ground, and now re-enforced by the Count de Grandcey, Commander of Montbeliard, who came to him, with 200 horse, and 1000 foot, with their joynt Forces tooke in Porreutruy, in the Bishoprick of Basill, where they stayed some few days expecting dire­ctions from the Generall. Iune 25, July 5, they met his Highnesse at Viller-sexe, whither they brought up on­ly 2500 men, the roughnesse of the way, and tedious­nesse of the journey making the rest to lagge behinde upon the way. The Dukes forces, were now drawn all together, and though he hasted towards the Rhine, hee Montbeliard revictualled by D. Bernhard. would not leave the French County, without some am­pler testimony of his sincere resolution to propagate [Page 22] the cause, which he had undertaken. Divers petit Forts and Castles in that only Province had submitted to him, and out of their store, he had revictualled Mont­beliard, both with Corne and Cattell, and now for a farewell to the County, Iune 27, Iuly 6, he first visited Beaulme, which surrendred the same day, and furnished the Army with provision for the belly, and amunition for warre; and then himselfe and his Lievtenant Gene­rall Halliere, having drawne out 350 horse, and 1200 footmen out of the army went to seeke out the Enemy about Bezauzon. Iuly [...]/ [...], the Game sprung of it selfe. Six Compa­nies of Lorrain horsmen de­feated by D. Bernb. Six Companies of the Lorrainers light horse, and life­guard, appeared neer a Country Village therabouts, as­saulted them, & though for a time, they defended them­selves manfully, in the end vanquished them, slue, and took the most part of them prisoners, and got all their Cornets and baggage. The Sunne had not reached the Meridian, when this Enterprize was accomplished, nor had the Duke of Weymar, yet attained to the Zenith of that days happinesse, Ridet fatum quoi evexit subi [...]ò, & nisi misereatur, rapit. Fortune deals with her creatures, as the yong Lion with the Dog, plays with it a while, and then kils it. Boysey a man raised by Duke Charles to the dignity of a Colonell, as if Fate had sent him to fill up the Crescent of the German Dukes glory, with a Boyseys Regi­ment defeated and himself slain. full Regiment of 1200 men, came into the field, and was discovered not farre from Bezanzon, preparing to impeach the Duke in his way to the Rhine, and against him, some troops were sent out, who defeated him, and made him pay for his ambition of glory, with his own life, and of above 100 of his men, and with the capti­vity of his sonne, who had engaged himselfe with his Father in that Expedition, and many other ordinary Souldiers.

Mont-martin a Castle sited advantageously, and the town of Ʋesou stood still in his way, and he meaning to have his passage cleere, would not leave them unvisi­ted, Mont martin was summoned Iuly [...]/1 [...], and yielded Mommartin & Vesou taken in the Duke mar­cheth towards the Rhine. the next day upon discretion, Vesou was surrounded by the Dukes army the day after, and the inhabitants su­specting their disability to hold out a siege, surrendred upon composition. And here was the period of the Dukes staye in the French County, after these atchieve­ments hee marched towards the Rhine, desirous to pre­vent John de Werth, who was dispatched by the King of Hungary, and the Duke of Bavaria, to make head a­gainst him there. Duke Charles intending to joyne the remaynder of his army (abated already a third part and more) with the Bavarian followed him at a distance, and seeking to assist his Consederate, lost the love of his owne people, who seeing their late Prince more care­full of anothers, then his own territories, both the Gen­try and other inhabitants of the Dutchy at Nancy, and the Barrois came in by throngs, and voluntarily at Nan­cy Many of the Lorrainers sub­mit to the Fr. King volunta­rily. gave an oath of Allegeance to the Christian King, be­twixt the hands of Oq [...]incourt the Governour.

Le Pont de Horde a place upon the River of Doux, in the Frontiers of the French County, was knowne to be garrisoned with such men; as much troubled the Chri­stian Kings Allyes, and subject in the adjacent territo­ries, yet he would not stay to encampe before it, nor send a trumpet to summon it, that charge was left to the Le pont de Horde, Count de Medavy, Governour of Montheliard, from whence it was but three leagues distant: The Governor according to his order. Iuly 7/17, committed the care of the designe to the Captain la Capelle, Serjeant Major of the Regiment de Perche, whom with 200 Musquetiers, two Companies of light-horse, and one peece of Canon Besieged. [Page 24] he sent the same day, to take it in. The Captain according to the common course of warre, sent first to summon it, and receiving not only a flat deniall, but a volley of shot, which wounded some of his souldiers, attending the Commanders refusall, played upon it with his Ca­non, while Fresmey his Lievtenant had advanced up to them, and broke it down. A small disadvantage abates the edge of a Thrasonicall Braggart: He which before might have had any honourable conditions granted him, if hee would have desired them, now began to beg for his And taken by the Count of Medovy Go­vernour of Montbeliard. life, and baggage, and that being denied by the Leaguer, which would not then, being so farre advanced, be tied to Covenants, and thus distressed, fearing to be surpri­zed in the Fury, the issue wherof is fatall, hee submitted without articling to the assiegeants mercy. The wheele of fortune turns in a moment, the spoake that erst was highest, is presently lowest: The Sunne but two houres since, saw this Governour commanding like a petit Prince, out­braving his Enemy, and returning words of defiance to the others admonition; and now sees him a Captive, The Gover­nour hanged. a slave marked for death, manacled, and led to executi­on, the Count of Medovy so adjudging it, that because the Garrison expected the Canon, and had done many out-rages with execrable cruelty in the vicinage, the Governour should be hanged before the Castle gate, & the Souldiers be made prisoners of Warre, if they would not serve under his Colours, which they did to recover their libertie, were transmitted to Duke Beru­hards Army, and dispersed into severall Regiments; that being severed they might not consult to run away. The Castle was not great of building, but of some impor­tance, the prize therof secured the harvest of that territo­ry, as far as to Neufchastell, and opened the way for the French Garrisons to make an inroad into the Mountain of Burgundy.

It is but folly for man amongst the multitudes of so many vanities, as attend mortality, to expect perpetuall felicity. Some molestations, are still calling us to their em­braces, and sorrowes will intervene to season our merri­ments The German Duke was not so much joyed in his atchievements, as dejected by the death of his bosome friend Ponica, a man whom above all other he had The death of Ponica, D Bernhards bo­some friend. chosen out, to participate of his secrets, being both wise in counsell, and valiant in action. He was taken from him by a violent feaver in the midst of July, and his embalmed body was reserved in the Camp, till the Duke went to the Rhine, and then it was honourably interred at Basill.

Nor was the Christian King without his Crosse, though his forces abroad on the thriving hand, an insur­rection at home, by the Croquans in Pirigort, and the miserable devastation of Towres, the Metropolis of Turena upon the Loire, by a strange sudden tempest, much disturbed him.

The dammage at Tours was unevitable, it procee­ded A strange tempest at Tours. not from the hostile Armes of an open enemy, nor the mutinies of rebels, but permission of the divine po­wer, against which, there is not a thought of contesta­tion to be entertained. The thing was full of admirati­on, progresse and period. It was a great calme, with a little raine, when sodainly, two dark clowds met to­gether, which belched out a winde intermingled with fire, and raised such a tempest, as hath not been known in the memory of man. It was first perceived neere the wood S. Cosme, where it tore up the trees by the roots, and as in a moment, drive them to divers places, and thence extending it selfe to the City, overturned the most part of the houses in the towne and suburbs, par­ticularly that of La Rich, which had not a chimney left standing, nor a piece of the roofe to couer it, not spa­ring [Page 26] the Churches; S. Julians besides the shattered windowes, having one of the steeples laid flat to the earth, and the other broke off in the middle: two of Saint Gratians Pyramids being blowne downe, with the windowes of S. Peter du Boyle, the Dormitory and chimneys of Marmonsti [...]r, a pannell of the wall in the Carmelites cloyster, with so much more losse, as cannot well be repaired with one hundred thousand French crownes. This was the progresse, yet the end was more wonderfull both in its time of duration, and the bounds of the tempest. It was supposed to be raised by some damned Sorcerer, who by the assistance of the Prince of the ayre had caused this outrage. The instru­ment of this desolation was limited both to time, place, and persons; the time lasted not above halfe a quarter of an houre: the Hericano, (so we may call it, though the true one was never seene in Europe) did not dilate it selfe beyond the City, and the Southerne banks of the Loyre, where it rent up some few trees, nor killed any, save only two men, which in a kinde of diffidence in the divine providence, were going to shelter them­selves in the Tower S. Hugon, their eyes having be­held that strong place cast down by the violence of the storme before their deaths, the supreame Majesty reading a lecture to us all by their destruction, when they sought for preservation, that the assured meanes of temporall safety are not in our election; and that it is meere vanity to oppose his omnipotency.

His Majesties troubles by the mutinous rebels, were Buffara a Wea­ver raiseth a commotion in Perigot within his power to remedy. The heads of such inte­stine commotions, are commonly base fellowes, neither fit for counsell in peace, nor command in warre; Jack Straw, Cade, and Wat Tyl [...]r in England, were former­ly knowne the ringleaders in such insurrections, and now Buffara, a Weaver in Perigot, overshooting his [Page 27] shuttle, would be a stickler in state businesse, and con­voking some peasants, men of desperate fortunes, and more desperate mindes, by an heape of words, ill cou­ched, but plausibly uttered, spake thus unto them.

Is there any difference betwixt the King and us? we By an ill wo­ven speech to the Peasants▪ have the shape of men as well as he. His greatnesse is sup­ported by us, whose shoulders must beare the heavy weight of all his impositions, if we will continue in subje­ction to that too grievous a burden. There is scarse one of us, but may know the sweetnesse of liberty; wee have bin apprentices, or hired servants, and then feeling the scourge of our masters over us, we desired to be our owne men, the expiration of some few yeares, delivered us from that servitude, and we rejoyced in that liberty: But what got we thereby? A slavery far above the former: while we lived with our Masters, their purses bore our char­ges, we neither cared for house-rent, nor parish duties, we did our worke, tooke our ordinary repasts and rest, not caring for the morrow. Now we are Masters, but worse slaues then formerly; we carke and labour, sit up late, and rise early, and hardly can maintaine our fami­lies, yet must be taxed with such burthens, as we cannot support to maintaine a warre, undertaken for pleasure, not profit to the Kingdome. The King hath provoked an enemy, with whom hee might have had peace, and Wee must suffer for it. We see the Frontiers of this Kingdome invaded, the Spaniard hath got some footing in Guyenne, Languedock, Province, and Picardie, it is to be thought he will goe on, and if we meane to save our selves, wee must not appeare in the Kings behalfe, and if wee meane to enjoy our states, wee must take up Armes, and oppose the Kings officers, that pursue us with their exactions. I crave your resolutions, and as many as will assent unto me, let them fling up their caps, and cry liberty.

Each offence (like Horace his Crow in the Iayes fea­thers) The people assenting, take up Armes. struts in the colours of vertue) The rebell, which preferring his private interest before the common good, would alter the course of state, in an Aristocratie ushering in an Ataxie, in a Monarchie introducing an Anarchie, will have a plea of politie to varnish his rebellion, and if he can but deliver it to the ignorant people in a fustian language, that many-headed beast doth oft receive it as Authenticall. The seduced people applauded his speech, and as if P [...]itho had sate upon his seditious tongue, assevered, that he spoke truth in all, tooke up Armes, chose him for their chiefetaine, and in a desperate madnesse, following their more desperate leader, searched the Merchants ware-houses of that Province, slaughtered the Kings officers, proclaimed a day of Iubilie to as many as would take part with them, and by their progresse in the beginning, finding no re­sistance, increased their first number to 7000 men. Mischiefe, though not well supported at the first; growes higher, like the luxuriant branches of a fruit-bearing tree: if a good Patriot, like a Gardner, put in his pruning hooke, the suckers are soone cut off, and the stocke re­maines entire. The Duke de Valette, sonne of the a­ged Are beaten in the field by the Duke a [...] Valette. d' Espernon, Lievtenant Generall of that Province, his old Sires yeers disabling him from performing his office, supplyed his Fathers duty, summoned the traine bands of the Country, called together many volunteers, met them in open field, when they were in the height of glory, gave them battell, slew 1200 of them upon the place, and chased them to Bergery, a a City upon the Dordonne, a River which disembo­geth it selfe into the Garonne, below Bordeaux, where they fortified themselves, and stood in defiance of his Forces. The Duke omitted no meanes to reclaime or [Page 29] subdue them: brought his Cannon into the field against them, but that did not so much as affright them, pro­mised them fairely, that their taxes should be alleviated, if not totally taken off, but his oratory could not pro­vaile, yet at last with the old state tricke of a pardon, Their Cap­tain broke up­on the wheele. made them submit, and deliver up their Captain into his hands, whom he commanded to be broke alive up­on the wheele, in the high way, as an exemplary pat­terne of justice, and dismissed the others in peace to their own habitations.

A black Smith, a Farrier, born at Lavergne in Quir­cy, A blacke Smith raiseth a new com­motion in Quercy. at the same time made another insurrection in that Province, and upon the like pretext, had drawn toge­ther 3000 men from Tegrac, Lavergne, Padicar, and other places of that territory, who gracing himselfe by the name and title of Captaine Basque, and attended with this goodly retinue, went first to Gramat, a wal­led towne, within one league of Lavergne, and thence enforced the proprietor, the Count of Cabeces to flye, having slain five or sixe of his domesticke servants, whom he had sent to restraine his insolent disorder. Proud of his successe, he proceeded further, went to Fons, neere Figear, a small walled towne, but not gar­risoned, Taketh Fons. commanded the inhabitants to open their gates and receive such conditions as he would pre­scribe them, which they durst not refuse, there being no Army in that peaceable, and by peace over secure Country to resist him. His successe in the first attempt, made him entertaine a conceit, that he was a good Commander, but the fortune of the last, raised him from an opinion of his owne worth, to a sure confi­dence of ability, the bladder of his timpanons ambiti­on Is re-enforced by 3000 fresh men. being blown up, by the breath of 3000 other vaine fellowes, which came in to his assistance. Buffara, in the adjoyning territory, had given him a president of vaine [Page 30] arrogancy, and he intended to out-doe him in his folly. His attendants took upon them the name of Croquans, as well as those under Buffara, and to make them re­semble military men, that they might goe into the field with colours, he robbed the Churches of their Pennons, and Banners, imployed and used them as Ensignes: and that he might appeare another Salmoneus, armed with false thunder, he took a tree of proportionable bignesse, boared and shaped it like a piece of great Ord­nance, thinking thereby to be more formidable. Waspes make combes, and Apes imitate men: and Smug would resemble S. George on horse back.

In this equipage he presented himselfe, [...]0/ [...]. before the City Figear: first, seysing of the suburbs, which the in­habitants had abandoned upon the report of his march Summons Pigear. thitherwards, and then summoning the town to open the gates, and to admit him in, with the black guard which followed, his ragged regiment. The inhabitants ironically humbly petitioned him, to stay till morning, acknowledged his victorious Armes, but that they might not be proclaimed traitors to the Crowne, and forfeit their charter, they onely requested a short time of deliberation. The Farrier yeelds, plants himself that Is deluded by the Citizens. night in the suburbs, expects the signall of his intramis­sion the next morning, when sodainly he was saluted with haile-shot from the walles, order being taken that the Lord Camboulye then residing in the City, should place himselfe there, with the old men, and such as could doe no other service, to discharge the small Guns against him, whilest the Lord of Roquefort with such a Cavallary as could be suddenly raised in the Ci­ty, and the Baron of Marinall, with 500 armed Citi­zens, should sally out against him. The shot startled him, and made the Peasants give ground; but Roque­fort, and the Baron soon after falling upon the Rebels [Page 31] with all their might, beat them out of the first Barrica­do [...], drove them to the end of the suburbs, where while their leader was rally ing his disordered band, inten­ding to renew the combat, the souldiers of the City gaue them such arough charge, that the most of them being slaine, the rest were compelled to flye for their lives to Fons, which they had surprized the day fore­going, Taken and de­livered to the hands of ju­stice. whither the Baron of Marinal pursued them, do­ing execution upon the Reare, and besieging the rest in the towne, which they had taken for their security. The rabble of Rebels no sooner perceived themselves thus straitned, but they humbly begged licence to re­turn in peace to their own homes. They were natural­ly the Kings subjects, born in his dominions, and had sworne to persist in a faithfull obedience to his Maje­sty, and the Baron therefore was unwilling to proceed in extremity against them, though they had given such an euidence of disloyalty, it was reputed misprison, not malice which caused the common men to offend, and though it was in his power to punish them exemplari­ly, he concluded it to be farre better to win their affe­ctions by an act of mercy, then to eloigne the hearts of their fellowes from him, by proceeding against them legally. Yet still he kept at a politike distance from them, painted out the hainousnesse of the trespasse in glaring, oylie colours, told them he could not answer it before his Majesty, if he should suffer them to escape unpunished, and all to make them sensible of their er­rour, which he did so effectually, that the poore soules perceiving what they had done, humbly begged par­don, which he granted conditionally. First, that they should deliver into his hands, their Captain, Lieute­nant, and the Ensignes with the colours. Secondly, that each man should return to his own dwelling, and sweere never more to meet with any intention to op­pose [Page 32] the Kings service: both which conditions were performed the same day, and the Captain, Lieutanant, and Ensignes, were delivered to the officers of civill justice, to be proceeded against as criminall melefa­ctors, guilty of high treason: the Baron of Marivall preparing for his journey to Paris, to informe his Ma­jesty of the particulars which had bin done.

Thus the Kings forces were happily victorious over the Rebels, which had raised these intestine commoti­ons within his own dominions; nor were his Armies which were sent against the frontier Prouinces under the Spaniards command unfortunate, either when they undertooke the recovery of what the King had lost, the yeare passed, or made an invasion into the Spanish ter­ritories. The Comtois were freed of D. Bernhard, but not of all the Kings souldiers. The D. of Longueville, Lieutenant Generall to the Prince of Conde, had drawn together all the Frenches which had wintred in Cham­pagne, Lorraigne, and Burgundy, and expecting to be re-enforced by the old souldiers, which came out of Switzerland, under the Duke of Rohan, who by reason of the indisposition of body, being forced to stay at Ge­neva, was transmitting his 500 horse, and 4000 foot to Longneville, though yet attended onely with his owne men, marched directly against the French Coun­ty, and began his work where Duke Bernhard left, fur­ther advancing the Kings businesse, and more perplex­ing his enemies. His first quarter was at Branges, whence I finde him marching, Iune 11/ [...]. and encamping the same night neer Faix with his Army. Till then he found occasion to make experiment of his mens cou­rage, or his own forrunes. Here he found a small ad­venture The Mar­quesse nf Con­flans raised by the Duke of Langueville▪ to try his prowesse. An expert Spanish Com­mander, the Marquesse of Conflans, was encamped neer him with three regiments, against him he dispatched [Page 33] Guitry the Field-marshall, with one part of his Army, who, undiscovered till hee had reached his Enemy, charged him so suddenly and furiously that had not the Spanish Commander bin very carefull to hold his forces in their military order, his Regiments had bin rowted, and yet his care could not enable him to maintain his trenches, raysed he was, but not discomfited, receding in a well ordered retreat, some of his Cavallary being slain, he saved the remayn of his men two leagues, lea­ving one Cornetto, one Guidon, his plate, and all his bag­gage, as a booty to Guitry, whose souldiers more gree­dy of that prize, then a glorious victory stayed to pil­lage his Campe, not pursuing him.

June 12/ [...]1, the Duke incamped neer the Castle of Cour­laon, The Castle of Courlaon▪ besie­ged by the D. which he rounded with his army the same day, but not without opposition of the Garrison, which played upon him from the Castle, and wounded Gondreville, his Armour-bearer close by him, and not far from him, Fevillan and Rembe two Captains of the Regiment d' Anguyen. The Vicount Arpajoux Field-marshall, was imployed all night to plant a battery against the Cita­dell, whiles the labourers, and some ordinary souldiers were sent to get bavins to fill up the two ditches about the Fort, both which did their parts so carefully, that by break of day, the great Ordnance began to thunder, the pioners had filled up the outward ditch with fag­gots, Surrendred vpon composi­tion. and plained the way for their easier accesse to the other; the great Guns had made a reasonable breach in the wall, and the souldiers, each man with a faggot in one hand, & military instruments in the other, were hasting to fill up the inward ditch, and prepare for as­sault, by eight the same morning, when suddenly a white flagge appearing upon the wall, a retreat was sounded, the French Assailants made a stop, and the Garrison condescended upon condition of life saved to [Page 34] surrender the Citadell. Lesse could not have bin desi­red, more perhaps might have bin granted, if it had bin requested: to this petition the Duke subscribed willing­ly, & so without effusion of bloud, got tile Fort, where he spent the next day to refresh his Army, repaire the breaches, renew the Fortifications, accommodate the place with a Garrison, and to dispose of the amunition, and other commodities found there, for his best bene­fit, and subsistence of his Forces.

A worse Fate attended a neighbouring City Lion de Saulnier, then befell the Castle, it was a place late of e­minēce The town of Lyon de Saul­nier surprized by the French. in the County, the salt pans adjoyning yielding a good annuall revenew to the inhabitants, and they again adorning the place with goodly edifices, testimo­nies of their wealthinesse. Now it must both change its Lord, and lose its splendor. Iune 14/24, the Duke went in person to survey it, and the same day begirt it with all his power. The Garrison defended it well, whiles it was theirs, and when they could not hold it, ruined it. The French got it by piecemeal, first, the cloyster of the Capuchins, then the Suburbs of Saint Desire, and the town afterwards; yet we cannot properly say they got it, though the Spaniard lost it, unlesse the Spaniards losse may be called their gain; the Garrison as it gave ground, The Castle holds out. so the Assailants gave fire to the Cloyster, Suburbs, and City, which put the besiegers to a new trouble, labou­ring to save what they could from the devouring Vul­can, while Rimcourt the Spanish Commander inclosed himself in the Castle, the strength of the City wel moa­ted, well walled, and then of the more difficult accesse, because the Dike was brim full of water; and hee had broken down the bridge, which led into the Castle, leaving the rubbish of the towne a prize to the assay­lants.

Yet though the Duke could not then take that Ca­stle, [Page 35] two others the same day became subject to the Two other Castles taken by the Duke Longueville. King by his and his Confederates meanes. Sancourt a Captain of one of his troops of horse, took in the Fort of Chilly, and the Count de Guebriant, Lievtenant Gene­rall to the Duke of Rohan, who that very day came up with his Forces to the Army, by the way took in ano­ther in the same vicinage.

Mutuall salutations were scarce passed, betwixt the Duke the Generall, and Guebriant the Field-marshall, when the Towne and Castle of Montaigne sited on an hill, in the view of Lion de Saulnier, presented it selfe to the Counts eye. An active spirit apprehends each occa­sion to be doing: The Count though he could not but be weary of his late march, expressed a kind of impatience Montaigne ta­ken by the Count de Gue­briant. in his looks, till he might come to action; acquainted the Duke with his purpose against Montagne, and the Duke as forward to give way to the designe, as the Field-marshall was to undertake it, gave him licence to use his forcé there without tying him to conditions. The Count marched against it, and carryed the towne, though the Commander tracing the steps of Rimcourt, intended to fire it, and in the end the Castle upon Co­venants, that the Peasants which surmounted above the number of 100, who were in the Fort, should yield upon discretion: and the souldiers with their armes, without baggage, should have convoy to some place of the Catholike King, which being not specified, were sent to Perpignan.

Matters of danger, not despair, are the true objects of valour: Every vertue is tied to Rules; and bounded with limits not to be transgressed, the extremes alter all good­nesse, if they be pitched upon: courage loseth its merited honour, if wilfulnesse and unguided petulancy over­bear it: a well grounded reason, without prejudice to a [Page 36] mans honour, may justly countermand a rash and incon­siderate resolution. It had bin dishonourable for Rime­court to yield upon the first summons, and to hold out, it was almost impossible. Nor could the assaylant en­force him, but by famine, nor his friends relieve him if it should have come to that exigent. The place was pent up with numbers of souls within it, the strait con­fines of a Castle scarce could containe his souldiers a­mounting The Castle of Lyon de Saul­mere surren­dred upon composition. to 600 in number, and the inhabitants which surmounted that account, the Pest was hot amongst them, and payed a greater tribute to the grave, then the Enemies sword. Pharaohs leane Kine presented them­selves daily before him, the people began to cry out for bread, a morsell would have contented them, which before fared delicately every day, and were not pleased without variety of dainty dishes: Relieve them hee could not but by an hard purchase of their liberty, nor be eased of their clamours, but by absenting himselfe from them, and that could not be archieved without the assent of his Enemy, and therfore he rather resolved to buy his quiet upon hard covenants, then endure that vexation, which otherwise must necessarily pursue him. Capitalate he would, and upon any termes surrender, and capitulate hee did, and surrendred upon a strange Article, which though in the Generals it savoured of providence, was a plain evidence, that harder termes would have bin accepted, if they had bin required, viz. a convoy for the Garrison to any of his Catholike Ma­jesties townes, which the Duke accepted, imbarqued them in so many Bottoms, as were required for their transportation, and carried them down the Saone into the County of Rousillon.

The first wheele of an Autocineton, a self-moving En­gine being set a going the others must follow: It is so in [Page 37] warre, one prime place yielding, the appendants must come in too. The Castles of Crevecaur, Chilly, and Estoille in the French County, as if there had bin a contignation of their severall buildings, sunke with the mayne piece of that Fabrick, the Castle of Lyon de Saulnier and with­out Divers Forts and Castles taken by the D. de Longue­ville. enforcement rendred themselves to the Duke of Longueville his Majesties Lievtenant Generall, who possessed himself of them to the use of the Christian King his Master. The Fort of Savigny in the Province of Bresse, made some resistance, and detained him some few days: The Spaniard had got it by his puissance the yeer before, and would not let it go without knocks; A private man is more tenacious of what he hath got by his own industry, then what descends unto him by inheritance: The Souldier, like the Merchant, will sell dear when he pays dear. The others places descended to the Crown of Spain, by marriage, this was purchased with bloud, and nought but bloud could redeem it, 14 dayes the Garrison held out, from the 2/ [...] of Iuly new stile, to the 16, and then af­ter blows both given and taken, was constrained to yield, upon condition that the Garrison consisting of 200 men should be convayed to such one of the Catho­like Kings townes, as it should please the French Ge­nerall.

It is no happinesse to be possessed of much, if there be no use to be made thereof. The Castle of Savigne opened her gates to let the French in, but as yet they durst not trust themselves within the walls therof, the Spandards were gone, but left a more dangerous foe behinde them: the ayre was infected with pestilent exhalations threatning an unavoidable destruction, to as many as should dare to draw breath there: To make it securely habitable, the Dukes first care was to have it well ayred, and having purged it of the stench, silth and putrifaction, which [Page 38] caused the contagion, about three weeks after, put in a The Castle of Sovigny ayred before the French enter. French Garrison. The time which was spent thereabout was not consumed vainly, order was taken by a poli­tick Ordinance for the sustentation of his Army, which though it was imployed to the proper use of bearing armes against the Kings Enemies, was by that meanes provided for plentifully, by the peasants of the French County, not of love, but fear, while the souldiers follow­ing their own profession, handled not the Sicle to cut down the ripe Corne, but the sword to cut off their ad­versaries: The French County was full of grain, the Har­vest answered the seed-time, and the plowmans hopes▪ but they which sowed it, durst not mow it, lest they should both lose their labours, and lifes in that adven­ture. To secure the labouring Husbandman, and to pro­vide for his Campe at once, by a Proclamation hee au­thorised the Comtois to gather in the fruits of the earth of what sort soever, with a condition, to bring in the The Duke of Long, by suffe­ring the Comp­tois to take their crop, re­lieves his army third sheafe, shock, or rispell unto his Magazine. The covenant was received joyfully, and the peasants with shew of alacrity, brought in the thirds of their Country commodities glad to have an assurance of two parts, which feared they should lose the totall.

And yet the effects of this Decree, were not the mayn summe of the account, which the Duke could make of his time there. His forces came to action, and whilst the Country people by supplying their wants, strengthened their hands and hearts, they advanced the Kings designes. The Duke was informed by some pri­soners, that the Spaniards had made a little head, had as­sembled together betwixt Poligny, and the Castle of Ruffe, and himselfe in person attended with 1200 horse, and 5800 Musquetiers went from the Camp at Savigni three days before it was surrendred to give them battell. [Page 39] His intent was to have crusht the Cockatrice in the shell, to have abated that little body, which was in growing, before it came to perfection, but that project prevented by the providence of the Spanish Colonell Maillart, who commanded those forces, and hearing of the Dukes march, retreated to a place of more securitie, betwixt Salines and Bezanzon, he took occasion by his own eye to informe himself of the States, and strength of Bleterans, Poligni, and Arbois, the taking in of which places would prevent the Enemy of all meanes to at­tempt any thing against the Kings towns in Bresse, and Bagez, while the French armies were busied elsewhere, and then returned.

Iuly, 5/15, he went again from his Quarter in the Camp, Orgelet yielde to the French with other Forts. towards Cowleige, and thence again the next day to Or­gelet, to besiege the Towne and Castle which defended it, where the Suburbs being mastered by the Vicount d'Arpajoux his Lievtenant Generall, the besieged fired the towne, and betook themselves to the Castle, which they thought was strong enough to secure them, and they able to hold, but were forced to yield the same day upon discretion. Many hands make light work, Savigni by this was reduced to extremities, and stood upon ac­cord, only a part of the hoast was left before it, the rest were commanded upon severall adventures. The Baron of Cowpet, with the Regiment of Anguien, was sent a­gainst the Castles of Montonne, Pymorain, and latour-du-May, which he took successively upon accord, and last against the Castle of Clervall, which he took by assault, put the presidiaries to the sword, and tooke three En­signes and two Cornets, which he sent to the King by Ramboy Aide of the Campe to the Dukes army, as mo­numentall tokens of his atchievement.

His Majesty received some content in the happy pro­ceedings [Page 40] of his Forces against the professed Enemies of that Crown, but more in the successefull negotiation of Bautru a Counsellor of State, whom he had employed to feele the pulse of his late discontented Cousin, who as a subject ought him all dutifull obedience, and by the obligation of Consanguinitie, being his neerest Kinsman of bloud, was tied unto him by nature, but upon a causelesse distaste, in a Male-content was retired to Sedan, where Bautru being admitted to conference with him, discharged his office so effectually, that o­pening the Kings good affection towards him, hee di­spersed The Count of Soyssons gives evidence of his loyalty to the King. those clouds of doubts, which had hovered o­ver his understanding, and made him entertain some jealous thoughts against his Majesty, and after hee had got some evidence of his loyall heart, returned again to his Majesty, August 3 new stile, with the welcome ty­dings of his sincere and unfained obedience.

July 6/16, was a day to be recorded in the French Ka­lendars, and set downe in golden letters. Guebriant the Field-marshall, being sent out that day by the Duke of Longuevill, against the Castle of Bournay, which was kept by a Spanish Captaine, ten souldiers and 200 pea­sants, after 58 vollies of Cannon-shot, forced it to yield upon discretion, and trussed up three of the Souldiers, causing them so to suffer exemplarily, marched himselfe against the Castles of Pibly, Ruargues, & Presilly, which he surprized, and sent the life-guard of the Duke of Ro­han with 400 Musquetiers, to Beauregard and Binan, which they seized of, doing such service thereby to the King, that besides the ground which they had gotten in the French County, which gave them good footing there, there being no place of strength in their Ene­mies Sundry Castles taken by Gue­briant in the Brench County. hand, from Saint Claude to Bleterans, save only S. Lawrance de la Roche, nor no place in the Frontier which [Page 41] might serve as a convenient Randevouz for the Spanish Armies, which were then on forming, but Salines in the two only Castles of Elymorain, and Beauregard, a booty was found worth in estimation above 50000 Franks, which the Duke de Longueville, distributed amongst the souldiers; who thus encouraged with a generall vote testified their forwardnesse to attend him in his future designes.

The gaining of all these Forts brought not the French Generall to the period and end of his pains, but renova­tion of his labour, and prosecution of his Conquests. Towards Bleterans he tended, and to leave nothing be­hinde him, which might be an Harbour to the Spanish, he first [...]o [...]k in three small Castles, that of Chasteau-chalon, which submitted Iuly 15/2 [...], and the other at Har­lay, and Pica which came in Iuly 17/27, and then made to­wards Saint Lawrence la Roche, one of the strongest picces, and of most importance in that territory.

An adviso which hapned into his hands whilest hee was at Chasteau-chalon, made him leave the two last Forts, to the care of Montausier the Camp-master, and march away with all speed to besiege that City. Iuly 1 [...]/ [...], A Letter was intercepted, which was to be carried by a S. Lawrence la Roche, the town surprized by the French. peasant from the Garrison of the towne and Castle of Saint Lawrence to the Governour of Bleteran, the pur­port whereof was, that they desired him to remit them their own Governour, because the French Army drew towards them, and they were threatned with a speedle siege. The Duke from hence collected, that if he could surround them before the return of their Commander, he might easily carry the place, the strength of a Garri­son, not consisting so much upon the numbers of ordi­nary men and common Fortifications, as the sage dire­ction of an expert Leader, who armed with authority, [Page 42] can both awe the men, and manage the action, To lose no time, the same day he sent away a party of 400 cho­sen men, drawn out of al the Regiments, under the com­mand of Verstot the Camp-master, who reaching thi­ther the same Evening, sent away two of the Serjeants belonging to the Regiment of Normandy, and twentie Burned by the Spaniards which flie into the Castle. Souldiers to view it. The Officers did their parts care­fully, found it assaultable, and so reported it; the Camp­master applyes himself to their relation, plants his sca­ling ladders, and at point of day, Iuly 14/24, tooke it by scalado, yet the Serjeants bought it with the losse of their own lives, and one of the souldiers. The town was ta­ken, and exposed to pillage, but the inhabitants and Garrison retyring into the Castle, by casting fire-balls upon their houses, milked the assaylants hopes in their expected pillage, but doing them withall one pleasure in their preservation from the pestilence, which then raged so furiously in the City, that there was scarce one house free. The Camp-master sent with speed to the Generall to informe him, of what had been done, who the same day hee received his intelligence July 15/25, mar­ched thither with the Vicount d' Arpajoux, viewed the place, notwithstanding three Faulcons shot discharged against him, planted the Regiment of Normandie un­der Where they are besieged & forced to yield. the town wall, from whence they made their daily approches to the Castle being supported, and relieved by the other Regiments of the army successively. Sixteen days siege the Castle held out, and then wanting water, and afflicted with postilence, yielded upon this conditi­on, that the souldiers 48 in number, the remaynder which had escaped the Sword and Pestilence, should depart with one Captain, and one Serjeant, and their wives, the Drum beating, and without baggage, and so be convayed to Bleterans. It was granted them, they [Page 43] were dismissed with a Convoy of 100 Musquetiers, and 50 horse to Bleterant, the inhabitants being made pri­soners of warre.

An unexperienced Navigator to avoid Scylla falls into Charybdis, one extremity drives unadvised soules into a worse, like the fish, which to avoid the frying pan, leaps into the fire: the true Hierogly phicke of these poore soules, which by leaving Saint Lawrence de la Roche, thought themselves secured in the choice of Bleterans, whither they had a safe convoy, safe as for the way, not as for a sure shelter, that being the next place of note, and strength which the Duke meant to engirt with his Forces.

Criticall prognosticks of the issue preceded the Fate of that City, the French omitted to do nothing, which might be for their advantage, and the inhabitants admit­ted all things which conduced to their own prejudice, Bleteran in danger of a siege. the hearts of the inhabitants fayled them, the best and wealthiest Citizens tooke up a resolution to save their persons, and best goods in Dole, and yet changed their counsell presently, fearing what they had just cause to suspect, to be surprized by the way, though they were to be conducted by a Convoy. The Count of Guebriant Field-marshall to the Duke of Rohan, had notice of their first intention, by Letters intercepted from a peasant, who was intrusted with that portage to Dole, & leaving the Campeat Chilly, August 1/11, went to way-lay them. An ambuscado hee prepared upon the way, expecting The Burges­ses prepare to slie. each minute the waggons which were to carry their wealth, listned after the Bels, and the Carters whistles, sent out his Scouts to descry them, yet neither could the eyes of his Spies, nor his own diligent harkening bring him any assurance of his hope: They neither did, nor intended to stirre at that time; perplexed, knotty doubts [Page 44] had staggered their resolve, something they meant to do, to that purpose, but neither knew, nor could con­clude Guebriant way lays them, and they not com­ming abroad, of the How or the When to do it securely. Gue­briant would no longer attend the Citizens, but by a devise thought to inveagle the Garrison, and draw the military men into the trap which hee had laid for the Burgesses; his party consisted of 200 light horse, and 100 Dragoons, ten of his Cavaliers hee sent abroad to surprize the Peasants, which by night were imployed Addresseth a stratagem to surprize the Garrison. That failing he takes in Iosseau a Ca­stle, to bring home the crop of the Earth: thinking by this means to make the souldiers issue out for their succour, and so to entangle them: the French horsmen did their part, surprized thirty peasants when they had loaden their horses with corn, and by bright day light, deeming that the presidiaries would come abroad to relieve and release the Captives, marched with these prisoners hard by the Counter-scarpe. All this would not do, the Gar­rison sent some Cannon-shot after them, but would not pursue them. The Count thus frustrated of his expe­ctation, rose from his ambush, and marched directly to the Castle of Iousseau, which he reached by noon, being but three leagues from Bleteran, and though it was a place of good strength, rounded with a Moate foure perches broad, eight foot deep of water, flanked with four good towres, and fortified by a countermure, had it surrendred unto him at his first appearing, upon dis­cretion. Where Valour and Counsell leads, Fortune attends, and crownes the designe with a prosperous issue.

Jousseau, by the change of the Lord, had some altera­tion of its Lawes, a French Garrison was presently put into it, which must stand in opposition, to the townes with which the Castle lately had commerce and correspondence, and that done, the Field-marshall [Page 45] went to Loges another Fort within half a league of the And the Fort de Loges, former, which he summoned, took in, and then prepared for his speedy returne to the Army. But one raw mor­sell, the fayling of his first project at Bleterans, was not yet digested, hee still concluded that hee had done no­thing worthy himselfe in that expedition, if he did no Addresseth a new stratagem for the Garri­son of Blete­rans, more; & to allure the presidiaries in Bleterans out of the town, hee marched in their open sight with his army towards the Camp, leaving five or six Dragoons behind him, with instructions that when it might be imagined that the mayn body of his Forces were marched a two houres journey, they should arise from the place where they lay hid, drive away all the cattle which were grasing neer the City, and if the Garrison did pursue them, they should with a secure, but not over-hasty pace, go on to such a place, where hee would lay some Carabins to save them, and surprize the pursuing Ene­my. The actions of his men, and the Event answered his directions. The Dragoons turned Drovers, and the Garrison seeing the cattle which were their mainte­nance driven away, by that maniple of men, sent out 40 horse and 50 Musquetiers to recover them▪ the Dragoons at the first drave on faire and gently, till they saw the bait had taken, and then mending their pace, And surprised a part of the presidiaries. but observing such a distance as might keep them out of the reach of the Enemies Musquets, and give the purfuers hope to over-take them▪ led them on to their Fate, the wood where Vilette lurked with his Carabins, which sodainly and roundly fell upon them, and at the first charge, cut them all in pieces (but 15 who begged quarter, and obtained it, and five Cavallieres, whose Steeds stood them in more stead then their swords, and by their speed saved their Riders, and themselves in Bleterans.

This atchievement, satisfied him for the present, he was well provided to give an account to the Generall of his doings, and now returned to the Campe then at Ruffey, where, before his comming in, the Duke of Bleterans be­sieged, Longueville being re-enforced with 12 fresh Compa­nies of the Regiment de Castel-moron, had concluded to besiege Bleterans, and had sent Vandy the Camp­master, and Marsin a new Colonell, raised to that ho­nour by the death of the Liegois Bl [...]queroy, which died of the plague at Chalon, with 60 Musquetiers, and 200 men at armes, to burn down the Mil [...] upon the River, and described. which they did accordingly.

The town is situated in the County of Burgundie, in figure square, consisting of 600 Families, with one fair street, which extends it selfe from the East end to the West, and many lesser streets, and lanes abutting upon it. A four-square Castle, guarded with a double ditch, four great towres at the foure corners, and foure others upon the firme land betwixt the two Moats, stands like a Bulwarke at one Angle of the City, which being strong by nature, built in the middle of a Moorasse, whither the Cannon could not have been drawn, had not the drought paved the ground, must now entertain these new guests which came to visit it; it stood alone for the Spaniard, the neighbouring Forts and places of The Castle of Fontenay sur­rendred. strength, had submitted to the Christian King, Fontenay honoured still by the birth of S. Bernhard, which held out last, being taken in by Guebriant, after three Can­nons shot against it.

Some days were spent in intrenching the Army, rai­sing of batteries, making of Gabeonnadoes and appro­ches, Aug. 16/26, was the first day when the platforme of the siege was drawn, and Aug. 21/ [...]1, the Duke having spent 600 Cannon-shot in the foure preceding days a­gainst [Page 47] the walls, and made a breach of 25 paces in length first summoned the City, and the Garrison at first demanding three dayes respite to acquaint the Lievtenant Generall of Burgundy, with the particu­lars of their estate, and upon the Generals deniall of The town of Bleterans ta­ken. their request, telling him plainly that they were able to guard the breach, and would not yield, he concluded to assault it, and did so the same day, and carried it by force, maugre the resistance of 300 Alman Souldiers, which lay therin, in whom the inhabitants put a strange consi­dence, for their valour shewed at Saverne, and in the fury put 200 men of the inhabitants, whom he found in armes to the sword, but preserved the lives and honours of 300 women which implored his grace, inclosing them in a Sanctuary, till the violence of the raging tem­pest was over.

The Castle served as a place of retreat to the Garri­son, and held out till Sept. 2. new stile, when the De­fendants The besieged slie to the Ca­stle, where they capitulate and surrender. desired to capitulate, sent out an hostage to that effect, the Master of their Ordnance, received an­other from the Campe, Mico Lievtenant of the Regi­ment of Anguien, and after much scruple, and many difficulties obtained these conditions.

• I. THat the Souldiers should have liberty to depart with their armes, baggage, one Dum beating, bul­let in mouth, and lighted matches.
• II. That they might carry with them two field-peeces, [Page 48] such as should be assigned them by the Duke of Lon­gueville.
• III. That they should be furnished with waggons to transport their baggage, sicke, and wounded men.
• IV. That they should have a Convoy, with security to Dole.

Lastly, that the inhabitants, which had retired into the Castle, should freely go whither they pleased, and as many as would stay in the town, should take an oath of allegeance to the Christian King. All which were ac­cepted, and the Garrison having stayed two dayes to pack up their trinkets, marched out Sept. 5, new stile, 300 in all the most Almans, which took service under the French, and the other Comtois, who according to the treaty, were conducted to Dole, by 150 French Cavalliers.

The Actions and Occurrences in Piemont, Montferrat, Millanois, and generally throughout Italy.

THe departure of the Duke de Rohan, from the Valtoliue, not only promoted the Spanish designes among the Gri­sons, and Valteliuers, the Grisons chal­lenging Troubles a­mongst the Grisons after Rohans depar­ture. a jurisdiction over the Valteli­ners, which they deny, and the Mar­quesse of Leganez, Governour of Millain, fishing in those troubled waters, interposing as a stickler in that controversie, which is not yet agreed of, but strengthe­ned the Marquesses hands against the Duke of Savoy, in the Principality of Piemont and Montferrat, his united forces of 20000 foot, and 5000 horse (because there was no Enemy to flank him) being brought down a­gainst the Duke, before the French succours under the command of Crequy, could be brought in to his assi­stance. The Dukes Army which should make head a­gainst the Spanish hoast, was but a small one, 5000 foot and 1500 horse, yet so well disposed and ordered, that [Page 50] with this small number hee guarded his Dominions, from that universall devastation which threatned them Leganez Go­vernour of Millain goeth into the field. though with losse of some places, till the French came in to relieve him. Leganez appearing in field at No­varra, Iune 6 new stile, Grequy not reaching the Duke till Iune 14/ [...]4, eighteen days after, when hee arrived op­portunely at Cassall, the Spanish Marquesse, before the French came in, having threatned to besiege it.

At Novarra the Marquesse divided his Army into three parts, one was to stay with him here, the second was sent into the Lomeline; and the third under Gildas towards Nisse de la Paille, which was the first place The Spanish Army is divided into three parts. he aimed at; the victory there being prepared for him before his comming, by the trechery of the inhabitants, who by private intelligences, had invited him to come before it, and promised to surrender it, in despight of the Governour and the Garrison. A traitor in a State is like a Serpent in the bosome, fatall if fostered, and unremoved. The Duke of Savoy knew not the secret practice betwixt those Rebels and his Enemies, but re­garded them as subjects, and was carefull for their pre­servation. Vpon the first bruit of Gildas his comming downe, he dispatcht thither wards, two companies of light horse, one consisting of 80, and the other of 40 Cavalliers, who came into the town, May 31, June 10 before day, and receiving intelligence, that the Spani­ards were then at Ancisa a place fast by, sent out some Vant-curriers to discover their number and posture, who returning with an answer, that the Army consi­sted of 4000 foot, 1200 horse, and some Dragoons, these Cavallieres resolved to visit them, and skirmished Gildas sent to­wards Nisse le p [...]gl [...]. with them all that day, being secured from much da­mage by the Canons of the towne, which played ad­vantageously upon the Campe, and at night were re­ceived [Page 51] into the City by the Governour, who disposed them into their severall places to defend the City. The night nursing mother of those deeds of darknesse, first caused the evill affection of the Citizens towards the Duke their lawfull Prince to be suspected, when Gildas assaulting an half-moon neer the Cloyster of the Capu­chins, carried it by the slacknesse of the defendants, who inclining to his party, did as good as surrender it, with­out opposing him, and suffered his Cavallary and Dra­goons to passe the River of Borbo, and range themselves in Battalia upon Saint Francis his Hill, and the day en­suing plainly discovered it. The presidiaries did their best, both for their owne defence and offence of the as­saylants: They skirmished all day, neere the Piemont Port, with the Spanish Campe, to give the inhabitants opportunity to go abroad to get forage for the horses, of which they were almost destitute. Out they went, but did little to help their friends at home, and much for the advantage of those new ones abroad, Gildas were certified by some of them, of the estate of the towne more particularly, and sent a Scout of summons to yield before that Leganez came downe directed to the Governour, and the Lord Saint Paul then residing Summoneth the City. there by a trumpet, accompanied with two Capuchins, and the Curate of Saint John de Nisse, (who fained himselfe to have been a prisoner to the Spaniard) to which the Governour returned no other answer, but that hee thanked Gildas, and would prepare to enter­tain Leganez in a military bravery, with this answere the Drum, and the two Capuchins returned, but the Curat stayed behind, to adde more suell to that fire of mutiny, which was kindled in the City, and to passe in­telligence of each circumstance to the Spanish▪ Army. The basest of creatures are most prolisicous, and the un­perfect [Page 52] animals produce more yong ones in number, and in a farre shorter time, then the perfect; the sedi­tious Which by the treachery and seditious pra­ctice of the in­habitants, Curate had prepared aspeech, a short one scarce of three lines, to divide the hearts of people from their Prince, and it wrought so effectually, that the Drum had scarce delivered his answer to Gildas, and he pre­pared to assault the Curtain of Saint Francis, when the rebellion of the people (which like fire, if it fall upon flaxe, or such combustible matter, doth soone rayse it self to a flame) at first ashamed to shew its head, fed with the oily words of a traiterous Priest, began to be both insolent and impudent, they abandoned the stati­ons, to which they were designed, threatned the Sa­voyards Officers to deliver them into the hands of the Spaniard, unlesse they would presently capitulate, 40 of them marching up to the Governour, with menaces to murder him, unlesse he did treat instantly. The Com­mander seeing how hee was prest betwixt two ex­tremes, apparant danger of life, if he should refuse, ig­nominie if he should assent, though to spin out the time Was surren­dred, a little, till he could pacifie this commotion, sent out a Drum, as if he meant to Article, and in lieu of him re­ceived a Serjeant from the Campe, so obtaining a cessa­tion of armes, which he spent with all remonstrances he could think of, to pacifie the people, and divert them In despight of the Governour and garrison. from that shamefull revolt, when not prevailing with the inraged multitude, he was forced to come to cove­nants, and Iune 4/ [...]4, the Garrison of 300 men (able to have maintained the place against the enemie with­out, if there had not been a worse within) departed from the City, and left it to the command of the Catho­lick King.

Breme was the next place, designed by the Spanish Marquesse to be conquered by his forces, and a designe [Page 53] only it was, which never came to execution, it being a place of strength well garrisoned, and provided for by the Duke of Savoy, Emery the French Embassador, and Prastin who laid in an experienced, couragious souldier Mont-gaillard to defend it, and that being known to the Spanish Generall, he loth to spend his time and for­ces there, which might be imployed elswhere more ex­peditiously left it, and with his Army first besieged Aglian or Aillan, a Castle neere Asti, situate upon an Hill, where Renato Roero, which commanded there, received him couragiously, hanging up a black flag, in testimony that he meant to hold it, as long as hee was Agliano besie­ged by the Spaniard. able, his deeds answering the outward signe wherby he exprest his resolution.

Severall times he assaulted it, and was as oft repelled, with more losse in conclusion, then glory by the prose­quution: the way he went, proclaimed the Spaniard to be a man of undaunted courage, fit for the managing of such an enterprize, three vollies of the shafts of fate, winged with rage, and pointed with death, could not divert him from following his enterprize, nor the fourth The Com­mander endu­reth divers as­saults, more dreadfull then any of the former appale him; twenty wagons were laden with men, wounded in this last attempt; the Hospitals of Alexandria and Misse were filled with Creples, dismembred, impotent men: some Commanders of note were slaine out-right, the Colonell Lion a German, the Serjeant Major Crevelli, three Captains, 15 Lievtenants, and Alfieres, besides a man of more speciall rank, known to be such by his ha­bit, not his name, and yet all this misfortune could not shake, much lesse shatter his grounded resolution: The Slaughters upon the assai­lants. Marquesse was not in the siege personally, and yet was present there powerfully, his quarter was then at Ca­stighliote, betwixt Nave and Castignone, places late ap­pertaining [Page 54] to the Savoyard, but now si [...]sed by the Spa­nish Army, being but open Dorps, Towres unfortified, and there informed of the former ill successe, concluded of another way to compasse his designe. The Castle was by his direction undermined in two several places, and that neer the Astisan Port was sprung, June [...]/ [...], more fortunately for the besieged, then the aslaylants, these being covered and smothered with the earth, which fell upon them, those having an halfmoon which defended the Castle neer it, better fortified by a new mount of earth, raised by the playing of that mine, then it had bin formerly.

Yet all this only deferred, prevented not the fate of the Citadell. A new assault was concluded, and under­taken the next day, which though for that time was Agliano taken by the Spani­ards. beaten off, with a notable losse to the assailants, so abated both the spirits, and number of the defendants, that within two dayes having then endured a siege of thir­teen days, (begun with resolution to master the Fort, and continued without cessation of hostile opposition) were compelled to condition for their lives, and the Commander and Officers being dimitted with their swords by their sides, and the souldiers with white staves, the Spanish Marquesse intending to demolish the Castle which he had purchased with the losse of 3000 of his men, slain and disbanded, that it might no more steed the Savoyard his adversary.

Gold may be bought too deare: so was Agliamo, the Marquesse after this prize, aymed at an higher pitch of Glory, but could not reach it, the wings of his Army by which he was to mount being clipped by the vali­ancy of the Savoyards, & the Duke hanging like a plum­met at his heels, to pull him downwards when he was rising. Albe was menaced with a siege, but that was [Page 55] strongly garrisoned with 3000 souldiers, and the Duke incamped himself with his small Army, neer the bridge The Duke of Savoy, and the Marquesse of Legauez en­camp neere each other. upon the Taner, to hinder the Spanish Generall from raysing a banke against it: which caused the Marquesse about the end of Iune to retreat towards his own Pro­vince, the Millanez, passing the River under the shel­ter of his Fort de Nom, and to incampe in a small field betwixt Ancona and Asti, neere the Taner, labouring uncessantly about his Trenches, to earth himself within so small a distance of his Highnesse, whose little Army lay fortified in the wombe of its common mother, the Ground, that the Sentinels could parlee together, as they did frequently.

Strength is not the only thing that makes a souldier vi­ctorious: He that carried a speare like a Weavers beam, was vanquished by a stripling: presumption of the power of his brawny arms, was the bane of that superlatively strong Crotoniate, and the Marquesse his considence in the number, and force of his Cavallary, exposed his horsmen both to danger and damage. The Spanish horse it first were enquartered without his Trenches, the Duke perceived how open they lay assaulted them, and forced them to seek a more secure station. But what as­surance The Marques his horses quartered without his trenches are exposed to da­mage. of safety is there amongst the many turns, and doubtfull changes of warre? The ditches and mud­walled stables whither they retreated, might shelter them from the Savoyards sword, but not from famine. Grasse did not grow in the new opened bowels of the earth, but upon the surface, the beasts must abroad to fetch in their forrage, or perish, and their Riders to pro­vide for them, made many incursions into Montferrat, whence they still came short home, the Dukes Carabins which hee had planted there to guard that Province, cutting off the men, which adventured to get food for the Cattell.

Hitherto the balls were but tossed, which afterwards came to be banded. The vigilant Spaniard lay close at his defensive ward, & would not offer to make a blow til he thought he might do it certainly, and strike home: His Highnesse (as it behoved him) was no lesse caute­lous then his Enemy: Both lay upon their advantages, though with some difference of their ends, the Spa­niard ayming to winne ground from his Highnesse, the Duke who all this while laboured only to secure his Do­minion from that forrain invasion.

The Marquesse perceived that the Duke grew daily more and more strong, and therupon imagined, th [...] all his Forces were generally drawne into the Astesan, that the other part of the Country was unfurnished of men, and therfore selecting 4000 Foot, and 500 Horse, out of the mayn body of his army, sent them with three The Prince of Modena sent into Langues, peeces of Cannon, under the command of the Prince Borsio of Modena to Langues, who razed Montbaldo [...], and Reccaveran whence the inhabitants were fled, and burnt all the Villages as farre as Courtenville, which was designed for the fire too, but bought its safety with a summe of money. The Prince finding such a naked Country so farre, thought to finde all the rest unprovl­ded both of men and munition, sent back his Cannon, which he would not stay to lugge after him, to make Plundereth the territory. the more speed, and in haste came before Salietto, which the inhabitants had forsaken, but was then (the day before the Princes comming) garrisoned with 150 Dragoons, by the provident care of his Highnesse, who also commanded the whole Regiment of Senantes, which till then was laid in Albe, to march thither also, and to be assistant to that small Garrison against the E­nemy. The processe of all this was made known to the Prince Bórsio, who now missing the Canon, of which [Page 57] he had disburdened his Army, and being once repulsed, when he intended to have surprized the place by scala­do, marched thence immediately against the Castle Santa Iulia, which being defended but by 50 men, and Taketh in the Fort Santa Iulia. undermined in two severall places by the Prince his pioners, in the night was surrendred the next day, be­fore that Senantes, who was ordered by the Duke to keep an eye upon the Prince his designes, could ap­peare to his Friends with his auxiliary Forces. The Commission given to the Savoyard Colonell was to attend upon the Spaniard, and to impeach him, as much as might be, with the security of his Regiment, which was then only of 500 men, but not to adventure the hazard of a battaile, in regard of the disparity betwixt his, and the Spanish forces. The Colonel observed the di­rections to which he was limited, and concealing him­self from the Spanish Campe, which lay about Santa Iulia, lodged himselfe upon the top of a Mountain till Where he en­campeth and is raised by Se­nantes, a Colo­nell to the D. of Savoy. midnight, when rising suddenly, he fell upon one of the Spanish quarters unexpectedly, slue above 200 men up­pon the place, took one Captain and some Officers, and souldiers, prisoners of warre, and brought such a con­fused amazement upon the whole Spanish Campe, that the Prince Borsio discamped presently, and retired in some disorder, by the way of Cairo, being pursued three English miles by Senantes, who then returning met with another Savoyard Colonell Cerruto, who by or­der from his Highnesse, joyned his troops to those un­der Senantes, to stop the progresse of the Spaniard, if hee should hap to appeare againe in the parts there­about.

Leganez in the interim, mployed himselfe to build a Fort Royal at Rocca, point-blank against that at Anone, A Fort Royall built by Lega­nez at Rocca. wherin he used such diligence, that besides the great [Page 58] number of Pioners and Masons, which he had muste­red out of the State of Millan, to that purpose, he or­dered two Companies of each Regiment to helpe the ordinary labourers in the speedy raising of that fortified building. He performed it happily, and was therby se­cured against both the French and Savoyards forces, thē ready to joyn if he had not bin necessitated through want of forrage and victuals. The penury of his men, pinched them more, then the hostile actions of his ad­versary. Many would faine have run away from their colours, if the wayes had been open for their slight, the Leganez dis­campeth. Duke of Savoy perceived it, and observing the old rule, that it is wisdome to lay a bridge of gold for a flying Enemy, opened the passages to Montferrat, which be­fore were blocked up, relieved the Fugitives which fled from the Spanish Campe, both with meat and money, and by this means did more scath to Leganez, then hee could have done by all mights the Marquesse seeing his Army abated every day, and himselfe vexed in his tren­ches, by the frequent assaults made by his Highnesse dis­camping and retiring under the safegard of his Forts towards the territory of Alexandria, relinquishing Piemont and Montferrat, when he had fortified Agli­ano, and Nisse de la Paille, lately gotten from the Sa­voyard.

By this the French succours were come in, and one part of them under the Count de Verrue, was imployed to assist Cerruto & Senantes, against the Prince of Mo­dena, The French Army joynes with the D. of Savoy, who sends a part therof against the Prince of Modena. who with fire & sword made havock in Langues and the other part under the French Generall, the Duke de Crequy, was transmitted to his Highnesse, to attend upon the designes of the Spanish Marquesse. Verrue per­formed his charge so well, that he chased Borsio out of Langues, became master of the Towne and Castle of [Page 59] Carchere, (a place of much importance, being the pas­sage from Piemout to Genoa, and Rome, by which the French Curriers could not formerly passe without much perill) having first surprized the greatest part of that Garrison in the open field, put the one half to the sword, the remaynder flying to the Mountains for their preser­vation, and afterwards besieged Cairo, a place of strength in Langues.

The service done by the Count and his assistants, Ca­stelan, Cairo besieged by Verrue. Cerruto and Seuantes, was no lesse offensive to the Spaniard, then gratefull to the Christian King, and the Duke his Consederate, Leganez to divert Verrue from prosequuting the siege of Cayre, brought his forces out of the territory of Alexandria, over the Po [...] into the Legenez to di­vert him, in­vades Vercel­lois. Vercellois, and burned certain Villages there, thinking to compell the Duke of Savoy to recall Verrue to assist him with the French troops, and so make him leave off the siege which he had happily begun, and was like to finish fortunately.

But the project took not, Verrue took in the place & stirred not till he had done it. His Highnesse was ma­turely advised of the Marquesses march and purpose, and would not revoke the order he had given the Count de But his project takes not. Verrue, thinking himself strong enough (being now re­enforced with the rest of the French troops) to meet the enemie in Campania, but presently sent the Marquesse of Pianessa, to muster up all the Cavallary neere Vercelle, and to enquarter them in such a place, where hee might most conveniently intangle the Spanish forces, and stay them in their full careere: himselfe in the mean time vi­siting the territories of Verrue, Cressentin, and Trin, and lodging that night neere the bridge at Sture; His stay there ministred an occasion of a combat betwixt his and the French united forces▪ and the Spanish army, under [Page 60] Don Martino de Arragon, Tiberio of Naples, Lucio Boc­capiana, Don Giovanni Cavalla the Spanish Camp-master, the Count Bolognino Lievtenant Generall of the Infan­tery, Don Fedro Commissary Generall of the Cavallary, Spaden and other Officers. It was thus! At Sture his Highnes was informed, that these Spanish Cavalliers with one part of the Army, had order to ravage the Lands of the Prince of Masseran, upon whom they meant to a­venge themselves, because that he the yeere last past had driven them out of Crev [...]oeur which they had unjustly detained from him, and afterwards to make an invasi­on into the Ri [...]lois; where they meant to plunder the Country, as they had done the Astesan, and the D [...]rsel­lois, and to prevent them; he dispatched the Marquesse Ʋilla, Generall of his Horse and Field-marshall of the Christian Kings Army to go and joyn some companies of Horse with those under the Marquesse of Pianessa about Verselle, and take an opportunity to fight with the A battaile be­twixt the Mar­quesse Ʋille, & the Spanish forces neer Cesia. Enemy. The Marquesse followed his direction, and par [...]ing from the Campe then at Morani, Iuly 21, Au­gust 1, with his troops making about 1300 Horse, at­tained to Verselli about 11 of the clock, where he under­stood, that one part of the Enemy was already passed over the River of Cesia, having carried away out of the Versellois a booty of cattell, and taken prisoner the Cap­tain Esprit, Lievtenant of the Carabins, of Don Carlo, as he was scouring that Country with 20 of his men, five wherof they flue, and caused the rest to flie. The report startled the Marquesse, who seeing some other Spanish troops upon the further banke of the River, made over the stream toward them with his Cavallary, and so af­frighted them, that they presently fled, & sheltred them­selves behind the Fort of Doval, whither the Marquesse would not follow them, the Cannons being planted a­gainst [Page 61] his Army, and the Musquetiers being ready to discharge upon him from the Fort, but returned toward the River, where hee was scarce arrived, but he perceived (within an houre) some troops of Spa­nish Horse, making in all about 1500, marching toward Begun by a light skirmish. him with a prety hand-gallop, as prepared to fight with him who stood ready to entertain them. The com­bat began in a light skirmish betwixt the conjoyned French and Piemontain Dragoons and Carrabins, and those of the Enemy, but lasted not long, being broken off, by the comming in of a new Squadron of French Horse, which charged this Avantguard of the Spanish Army so furiously, that they were presently routed, and put to flight. The Spanish Battalia stood whole still, whither the Avantguard sled, and were rallied to renew Comes to a pitcht battail, which a while continued doubtfull, [...] fresh combat, which lasted doubtfull on both sides, till the Squadron of Souvray breaking in amongst the middest of the Spaniards broke their ranks, and defeated them intirely, having slain betwixt three and four hun­dred upon the place, and taken as many prisoners, the most of them Officers, and men of quality. Amongst the dead were found Lucio Boccapiana, Camp-master, one Marquesse of Davie, the Lievtenant of the Colonell Sehic; the Provost Marshall of the German Forces; two Lievtenants, three Cornets, and many other Officers which are unknown. Don Martino of Arragon esca­ped hardly, his horse being slaine under him, and hee beaten to the ground: Don Antonio Nephew to the Count of Montery Viceroy of Naples, Spadin and many other Yet in the end the French get the victory. Officers and men of quality being taken prisoners.

During the time of this combat, the Count Ʋerrue took in the City of Cairo, and went from thence to be­slege Larocca neer Asti: lately fortified by Leganez, in the time of his abode there. The Marquesse had then a [Page 62] time of sorrows which thronged together upon him. A Currier came from Spain with unwelcome news of his wives death, sister to the Marquesse Spinola, and another with a report of a new Successor into his Government, yet neither of these did so much trouble him as the suc­cesse and hopefull progresse of the united French and Piemontain Armies; the first hee knew to be a debt to Nature, and it did not trouble him, the other he thought might be false and raised by the malice of some of his enemies in Court, or, if true, yet he would take care to discharge his Office conscionably, and comfort him­selfe in the true account, he should make to the Catho­like King. La Rocca was besieged, and he encouraged La Rocca be­sieged by the French and Piemontains. the defendants to hold out manfully, promising to re­lieve them as soon as he might conveniently. The de­fendants behaved themselves manfully, being animated by the daily intelligence they received from their associ­ates, by the favour of a Hill upon the bank of Taner, and the French Generall to debarre them of that conference, commanded the Colonell Dallot to possesse himselfe of that place: it was a worke of difficultie and danger, the Musquetadoes played upon him from within, and the appointed succours withstood his way without, yet he performed it with as much happinesse as valour.

It was a work full of hazard, yet his industry joyned with Fortune overcame it, with much difficulty he en­trenched himselfe neere the pallisadoes of the besieged, foure days together endured the sallies of the Garrison, and the assaults of the Spanish Campe, both which ha­ving A notable ex­ploit done by Dallot a French Colonell. the benefit of a Mill, where the Enemy had flan­cout'd himselfe, and a woodden bridge laid over the River for their mutuall correspondence. Dallot resolved to burn them both, & to that end putting off his clothes himselfe, his brother, and two other souldiers good [Page 63] swimmers cast themselves into the River in the view of the Enemy, who played upon them with their Mus­quets, but hit them not, Fortune so favouring them, that they broke downe the doores of the Mill with the pickaxes which they carried in their belts, and burnt both that and the bridge with the balls of fire which they had in their hands, and left not the water until they saw them both consumed into ashes. The Marquesse of Leganez (conjecturing at the issue of this adven­ture) Leganiz send­eth Don Marti­no to relieve la Rocca. began to feare that la Rocca could not hold out, and therupon discamping, returned into the State of Millan, where he drew out seven Regiments of foot, and 2000 Horse from his Army, and sent them under the conduct of the Marquesse Don Martin, d' Arragon to relieve it. His Highnesse had notice of his march, and followed him. His speedy pursuit after him brought him upon the Vantguard of Don Martin, consisting of 200 Dragoons and Carrabines, whom hee assaulted so roughly, that he slue and wounded most part of them, and put the rest to flight. The issue made the Spanish Don to give over his designe, till Leganez with the main body of his Army might come in to his succour. The Marquesse had speedy intelligence of what had passed, and as speedily came up to him, encamped upon the banke of Taner, with four peeces of Canon to impeach the French and Piemountain Armies, who had pitched their Campe upon the declining of the Hill neer the ri­ver. The Spanish Vantguard surprized. Legonez bring­eth his whole Army against the French and Piemontains. In fine, the Canons began to play on both sides, & thence (the Battalia's drawing neerer each other) the small shot began to flie, and was spent so effectually, that for a time both sides appeared losers, and neither could promise it selfe a victory. Both Commanders and ordinary men fell down dead in both the Armies, till the Spanish a little declining the battaile, if either party [Page 64] was the gainer, it is thought to be the Savoyards Army. Many of the Spanish Chieftains fell that day, among A battel with­out vi ctory. which was a yonger brother of the Prince Borsio de Modenn, the certain number of the common men is not known, only 600 dead corpses were reported by the prisoners to be tumbled into the River, and thirty waggons loaden with the carcasses of the principall men which were slaine, and some wounded souldiers were knowne to be sent to Alexandria. Nor could the French and Piemontain army glory of this conquest, it cost them deare, the lives of many of their Officers and Souldiers, nor did the losse of the Spaniard do him so much prejudice, but that by the helpe of his Canon at Annona, and some companies of Musquetiers (whom he afterwards sent to guard the River) hee laid in 600 The siege of la Rocca raised. fresh men into la Rocca, who defended themselves so bravely, that at last the siege was raised, and the Duke of Savoy was forced to depart without a Conquest.

A victory soon after attended him, the French Fleet somewhat affrighted all the Sea-townes of Italy, and the Governour of Millam to secure the Catholique Kings townes upon the Sea-coast of Montferrat, Sep­tember the second new stile, drew out of his army 7000 footmen, Almayus, Spaniards, and Italians, six Squa­drons of horse, and some companies of Harquebuzen horsmen, who under the command of the Prince of Modena, Don Martin d' Arragon, and Gildas with Can­non, The victory gotten by the D. of Savoy at Monbaldon. Petards, Bombards, and Morterers had order to passe through Languez towards the Sea-coast, and, by the way to selze upon the Castle of Cengio, a place which his Highnesse of Savoy had lately fortified. The Duke was informed of the Enemy his designe, and to overtake him September the fourth new stile, advanced as farre as Salycotte, within a league and halfe of Cengio, [Page 65] where understanding, that the Spaniards (upon the re­port of his arrival, and because they found Cengio newly reen forced with a garrison of 200 men) were returning the way they came, he made after them, overtook them neere Mombaldon and the Valley of Espin upon the banke of Bor [...]io gave them battail, September the eighth new stile, and obtained such a victory, that of those 7000 Foot, and 1200 Horse, not above 2000 escaped, the rest being slain, or dispersed upon the Mountains, where the Peasants of the Country pursued them with all hostil [...]y, and slue as many as they found. Besides the losse of men 40 waggons loadeh with baggage, and 30 with amunition became a prey to the united Armies of France and Savoy, to the great weakning of Leganez his Army, who to re-enforce it returned into the Mil­lanez, and commanded each Family to supply him with a man.

The news of this victory ecchoed through Savoy and France, the Marquesse of Saint German, Master of the Wardrobe to his Highnesse, was sent to the Christian King with tydings of that successe, and was there en­tertained with such state as became his person & office, Thur in re-ecchoed with the praises of the Duke, to whose vigisancy they ascribed this Fortune, and the in­habitants had made bon-fires of joy, had not this For­reigne happinesse been over-clouded with some sorrow at home. The Duchesse and her second sonne the Prince Emanuel were both sick; and their maladies made the Citizens to sympathize of their griefe. The Duke was informed of the state of his Duchesse, and posted from the Campe to visit her, where after two days stay finding her recovered, hee returned into the Astesan to the Duke of Crequy, the Lord of Emry Embassadour to his Majestie of France, and the other Commanders, to [Page 66] advise about the further proceedings of his Army. A Councell was called, neer the River Cesia, and the Duke (though known to be sage in Counsell, both for warre and peace) then seemed to out-strip himself, when sud­denly a Collick passion tooke him, which first chang­ing The death of the Duke of Savoy. into a single Tertian, and afterwards into a double, accompanied with some malignity, held him 11 days, till nature being overcome by the disease, there follow­ed a separation of soule and body in the one and fiftieth yeer of his age: A Prince hee was doubtlesse of a great spirit, wise in policy, valiant and painfull in warre, and in demonstrance of his affection to the Crowne of France, and his Duchesse a sister thereof, made her protectresse of his Children, and Regent of the State.

The Christian King (as ill news hath swift wings) had speedier notice of the death of his brother in Law, than he had of the late victory, and to shew that his love was permanent after his death (according to the custome of The King of France causeth the Master of the Ceremo­nies the Roman Church) gave order for a solemne Requiem, and a Dirge to be held in the Cathedrall at Paris with all solemnity. To this purpose, Le Sieur de Sainct tot, Master of the Ceremonies had order to command the Parliament and other Soveraigne Courts, the Provost of the Merchants and Sheriffs, the Rector and Scholars of the Vniversity of Paris to suffragate at the Prayers and Service which his Majesty had appointed in the Cathedrall of that City, giving him a Commission to that purpose, dated at Saint Germans, October 14/24. The Master of the Ceremonies, according to his warrant the 16/ [...]6, of the same moneth, in the Robes of his Office, To proclaime an Office for his soule. with a square Cap upon his head clothed in a mourning Gown, with a train of four ells long, carried by foure Gentlemen, accompanied with three Heralds of Arms, [Page 67] bearing in their hands their staves of Office, which were garnished with slowre de Luces, then covered with Cypresle, invested also in long black Robes, upon which they had their ordinary Coats of Velvet em­broydered with slowre de Luces, and attended with 23 ordinary Cryers of Paris, in mourning Gownes, each carrying before and behind him an Escutchion of the Dukes Armes, they made this Proclamation.

All Nobles and devout persons pray for the soul of the most excellent and most puissant Prince, Victor Amady by the grace of God Duke of Savoy, Chablais, Augu­sta, and Geneva, Prince and perpetuall Vicar of the sa­cred Roman Empire, Marquesse of Saleucesse, Nizze, The Procla­mation con­taining the Dukes titles, &c. Romaut and Asti, Banes, and Favoigni, Lord of Ver­sellei, of the Marquesate of Seva, and Doviola late de­ceased, for whose soul the King hath appointed Prayers and Service in the great Church of Paris, at which place, on Wednesday next in the afternoon, shall be said the Vespers and Vigils for the dead, to continue untill ten of the clock upon Thursday morning.

Wednesday the [...]/ [...]8, the Courts and incorporated bo­dies assembled in the said Church, the train band of the City having worke enough to make way for them through the presse of people, which was so great that the Church doores were forced to be kept shut for the space of an houre, that time being spent to setch in the Kings order for those Vespers and Vigils, which were said by the Deane, Chanter, and Canons in a dolefull tune agreeable to that mournfull action without sound of Musique in the Quire of the said Cathedrall. The Quire was hung round with five severall rowes of The manner of the service with all Ce­remonies. black cloth, and two of Velvet, besides the benches, seats, chairs, and pews, which were covered as the high Altar, and the ground spread with black cloth. The bo­dy [Page 68] of the Church was so great, that thousands of men there would have seemed but a small number, yet that The first days service. was hung round with two rowes of black cloth, and one of Velvet to the great doore of the Church which was hanged double, as was that also which led to the Archbishops Palace by a pair of winding staires which were covered with blacke, as were the two Halls of the Palace both prepared for the receit of that com­pany.

This was the first days work, the next morning be­tween eight and nine, the same assembly met to attend the three yong Princes of Nemours, the chief Mourners, who expected them in the Palace Hall, robed in black The office for the second day Gowns with long trains each of six els apiece born up by the Gentlemen. The Master of the Ceremonies thence conducted them into the Quire, having three Heralds going before him attended with their King at Armes, before whom marched the 23 Cryers in the same habit as they had done the day before, and among them 100 poore men in mourning Gowns and Hoods, each carrying a lighted torch garnished with his de­ceased Highnesse his Armes, and before all these the train band of the City, having work enough to keepe off the multitude, whose curiosity had drawne them thither in such troups, that they pestered the way, and hindred the Mourners, who were to attend the Ser­vice and the Quire whither they came at last, and there abode four houres together. In a Gallery above them, were placed the Officers of the Chamber of Accompts, the Court of Aids, and the Corporation of the City. Opposite to them on the other side, stood the prime President the Duke of Montbason, the Counsellours of the Court, and the Rector of the Vniversity attended with eight Beadles with their silver Maces covered [Page 69] with Cypresse, which filled the lower end of the Quire. The Queen was seated where she might see all and not be seen. Madamosella and the princesse of Condy for their better conveniency were placed in the Archbi­shop's seat, he being then absent. The Popes Ordinary Nuncio was seated on a bench at the side of the Altar, and the Venetian Embassadour by him, the Embassador of Savoy being not able to attend by reason of the in­disposition of his body, many Bishops in their ordinary habits being seated on a bench at the great doore of the Quire, and the rest of the space filled with people of all conditions and sexes.

The Office was performed by Routhiller, coadjutor to the Archbishop of Tours, who with de la Barde a With all the particular Ce­remonies. Canon of the Cathedrall, which assisted him in black Velvet Copes, garnished with the Armes of the decea­sed Duke, celebrated Masse before the great Altar of the Quire, which was adorned with many white wax tapers burning and garnished with double Escutchions of Or and Argent. At the side of the said Altar, a Cup­board was erected in forme of another Altar, garnished with foure great Candlesticks, one Crosse, and the sa­cred Vessels required for that service, all of silver en­graven. The Archbishop officiating. Le Sieur des Ro­ches, Secretary to the Cardinall Duke, Chanter and Canon of the said Church, and his Sub-chanter held a Quire by the side of the burning Chappell, which was of 1 a foot long and 10 wide, composed of nine pillars charged with double crosse-bars, upon which were set 800 great Lights of yellow wax.

Vnder the middle of the roofe was an Herse repre­senting the body of the Duke, covered with cloth of gold, quartered by a Crosse of white Sattin, adorned with foure great Scutcheons bearing the Armes of the [Page 70] deceased Duke, in a broydery of Or and Argent, and about it stood six great Candlesticks of silver gilt, gar­nished with great white waxe lights, and double Scut­chions of the same bearing. The foure Heralds of Arms were seated upon four low-stools, at the foure corners of the Capella Ardente, towards the head of the repre­sentative Herse, betwixt the two chiefe Heralds stood an holy-water-pot of silver covered with blacke, and neer that were laid two cushions of black Velvet. At the feet of the Herse towards the Altar betwixt the two last Heralds, there was an other lesser Altar, and upon that foure Candlesticks, and a Crosse of carved silver. Vpon the head of the Herse, there stood a pillow of black Velvet, upon which was placed a Dukes Crown, covered with black Cypresse. The foure Sesses, which made the towre of the Capella Ardente, were covered with cloth, and black Velvet, garnished with four great Scutcheons of the same bearing, woven with Or and Argent, the rest being powdered with many other les­ser Armes. Besides the other lights, the place designed for the Choristers was hanged, with three rowes of cloth, and two of black Velvet; all which were gar­nished with great lights, and double Scutcheons. About the Arches and Galleries of the body of the Church and Quire, 1200 great lights were blazing: So that in all, during the Service, which was performed with an ex­cellent harmony of Musique, by the Chaunters, Chap­lains, and Choristers, no lesse then 3000 wax Tapers were seen burning. In the time of the Liturgy, the three yong Princes of Nemours, made their offering, and presented each one, a white waxe Candle: the first offered one garnished with foure Scutcheons of Or, the second of three, and the third of two, which were gi­ven them by the Master of the Ceremonies, for the same [Page 71] purpose. Then the Sieur of Liugendres, placed in the Chanters seat, made an Oration sit for the time, in ho­nour of the Princes honour, contayning a relation of his acts in his life and pious death.

The Funerall Oration done, the service was conti­nued: after the elevation of the holy Sacrament, foure torches of white wax, were carried by four Mourners clothed in black without Hoods, & in the end the three yong Lords, thanking the company, with an accusto­med reverence, their devotions being done upon their knees, when they had cast some holy-water upon the Herse, as did all the rest of quality, depart each man to his own place.

The Duke is dead,

he neither fell immaturely by the hand of the Titans, the men of warre his Enemies, nor by clandestine trea­sons of a Iaques Clement, or Ravilliack, the bloudy practices of murdrous Assassinates, but submitted to Fate, sicknesse the Harbinger of death, prepared his way, and he traced it: two of his subjects Capuchins, of that order which in his life, he most respected, attended upon him in his death, the thred of their lives being cut off by the violence, and malice of some impious Jews, for professing the Name of Christ, the Divine Power having so ordered it, that he would not want a cleer witnesse against that obstinate people, in the duskinesse of the Romish Christian Religion. The story is thus delivered from Lions, Chambery, and Roven.

There was dwelling at Carrieu in Piemont a Iew named Macohabe, aged above 60 yeers, and so weal­thy, [Page 72] that he maintained a Family of 12 Males, and nine Females, and in these late warres betwixt the Duke of of Savoy and the State of Millain, had furnished his Highnesse with above 12000 Duckets. Hee had a Nephew called Iacob Rabby, who had some com­mence with the Christians, which desiring his conver­sion, Two Copuchins murdered by a Iew at Car­riew. with much entreaty perswaded him to hear a Ser­mon made by a Capuchin in Lent last at Carriew. The Argument of the Sermon was that Iesus the Saviour of the world was already come into the world in humane flesh, born of an immaculate Virgin by the operation of the Holy Ghost, and that there was no other Prophet to be longer expected in Israel; which being proved and explained by the Propheticall Scriptures, caused the young Jew to search more narrowly into that my­stery, which had so long bin concealed from him, and (being aftewards confirmed in the truth by private conference) to renounce his Iudaisme, and to desire Baptisme for his initiation into Christianity. Maccabe his Vncle hearing of his conversion, swelled with de­spight and rage against the Capuchins, vowing to be a­venged of that order, and as many Christian soules, as he could meet withall conveniently. The forenamed Friars fell into his hands, and were made the Anvils of his malicious mischief. By command from their supe­riour, they were sent upon a journey, and belated upon the way, met casually with the old Wolvish Iew, who forecasting how to glut himself with their bloud, cun­ningly invites them to take a lodging at his house, pro­miseth a faire and kinde welcome, which they being wearied, and benighted did not refuse, but they were no sooner entred into the house of the persidious Jew, but straight the doores were made fast, and they were environed with the whole Family, which entertained [Page 73] them with words of despight, calling them Apostataes, saying, that the Messias of the Iewes would come, and put the Christians to confusion, and adding horrid blasphemies against our Saviour, bound the poor souls, hands, and feet, beat them with cudgels, threatning torment upon torment, unlesse they would confesse the blessed Virgin to have bin a common prostitute. It could not but grate the eares of any Christian, to heare those execrable words, the Capuchins would not have heard them spoken, much lesse utter them, but comfor­ting each other by mutuall encouragements, they pre­pared to receive their Martyrdome still mayntaining the fundamentall point, and hing of salvation, till the Iews grown mad with rage at their constant resolution first cut out their tongues, and then stabd them to death with knives in many parts of the body successive­ly (Michaey first, and Seraphino afterwards, and then carried them in their habits into a dark Vault, thinking to conceal this horrid murder.

But the bloud of the Friers cried to Heaven, and that justice, which will not permit such haynous sins to go The murder discovered. unpunished, made it known by the tongue of a Iewish childe, of eight or nine years of age, which playing with the Christian children in the street the next morning, told how Macabe had assassinated two Franciscans, & hid their carcasses. The words of the child, caused this truth to be suspected amongst the inhabitants, who see­ing the Friers go into the Iews house, and not hearing of their return, came together, forced open his gates, searched for their bodies, and found them as the child had told, and therupon apprehended the whole Fami­ly, the child only excepted, and the Actors by sentence The Iews con­demned and executed. of the Senate at Turin were all burned alive, Octob. 2. 12, their goods consiscate, the one part to the use of [Page 74] the Duchesse Regent, and the other to the child which revealed the murder, and turned Christian, and recei­ved Baptisme.

The Fabrick of the State of Italy did seeme to totter this last Summer, the great Bishop was twice struck The Popes sicknesse and recovery. with a palsie, and the Cardinall Barberino his Nephew, by his appointment governed as a Vice-pope during his weaknesse, to the grievance of the whole Conclave, The Cardinall of Savoy Comprotector of Spain, and de Medicis, supposing his sicknesse mortall, laboured to promote the Cardinall Sansisto to the Papacy, but Ʋr­ban recovered, was informed of each particular, which had hapned, assembled the Conclave created eleven new Cardinals, and yet liveth, Sansisto which was de­signed for his successor being dead before him. The Fa­mily of the Dukes de Mirandola, is quite extinguished, their was but one lest of that name, and he an illegiti­mate, who having obtained by the intercession of his The death of the Dukes of Mirandula and Mantua. Friends, the investiture of that Duchy, is dead since without issue. The Duke of Mantua hath yielded to Fate.

CHAP. IV. The Actions and Occurrences in the Netherlands.

WArre, if once begun, spreadeth like a Canker. A Prince, engaged in armes, hath commonly a troubled State, and restlesse head, his Enemy waits all op­portunities, and unlesse providence guide him, hee can finde security no where. The Cardinall Infant stood like a common bounder between two Enemies: the French upon the South and East of the Provinces under his care, made an invasion upon him: the Vnited States upon the North did the like, and now to fortisie himself, first, he caused the City of Hulst to double their Palisadoes, and renew their Fortifications, and then the Garrisons of Mech­len, Lyre, Breda, and the other places in Flanders, and Brabant, where his old souldiers were wintered, he drew out such Forces and Amunition, as was thought [Page 74] [...] [Page 75] [...] [Page 76] fit to withstand them. The beginning of Iune, the Princes Rendevouz was appointed, 80 Boates were The States proparation for warre. sent from Bergenapzohm to Ramekens, the Enginers were sent to Nimminghem, the Frizelanders met at Emerick, the Cardinall Infant fortifying in the interim Stivensworth, Gennep, and other places, and sending the Avantguard of his Horse from Antwerp towards Flan­ders.

His Highnesse the Prince of Orange kept his designe secret, some thought it had bin for Brugez, others for Hulst, but none imagined, nor could tell certainly whi­ther they tended. About the end of Iune, his Forces met together, were shipped at Gorcum, and though the winde blew hard, and caused some tempest, arrived Iuly the seventh new stile at the Keel. Free Camp was then published about the Rhine, all Excizes taken off, the Army then assembling together to attend his Highnes Breda besieged pleasure. Some time he staid upon the Ʋlack before Ramekens, and till the 19 of Iuly, no man had any par­ticular knowledge of his meaning: then it was first discovered to Prince Henry Cassimere of Nassaw, who with the Vantguard of his Army, led on towards Breda.

The name of the Town is dignified with the ho­nour of a Baronry, is situate in the Country of Kempen, which is on part of the Province of Brabant, between The descripti­on of the Towne. Lyre, Antwerp, Bergenapzohm, Tourn-hoult, Hogstraten, Stievenbergen, and Gertrudenberg: seven leagues from each of the two first places, five from the third, foure from the fourth, three from the fifth, and two from the last, and hath under it seventeene Villages, besides the Towns of Stiven-berg, Rosendendall, and Osterhoult. It was the ordinary residence of the Prin­ces of the house of Nassaw, to whom it fell in the yeer [Page 77] 1404, by the inter-marriage of Englebert, a Prince of that Family, with Iane the Inheritrix of that Territory. Its condition under severall Princes. The Princes of that Race held it peaceably, till the yeer 1567, at which time William of Nassaw was constrai­ned by the Duke of Alva to leave it, till the yeer 1577; at which time he was newly possessed of it, and kept it four yeers, till that Iune 15/25, 1585, when driven out by violence, he again left it to the Spaniards, who kept it till the fourth of March 1590, at which time Captain Heranger surprized it by a Turf-boat which covered some force of men underneath: Grobendonk in the yeer 1599, laboured to surprize it, but failed, yet the Marquesse Spinola took it by Famine in the yeer 1625, Iuly the fifth new stile, after a siege of ten moneths & 22 days, since which time the Spaniards have kept it with a strong Garrison, which troubling the whole ad­joyning Territory, and hindring all trade by the neigh­bouring Rivers, the Prince of Orange now resolved to besiege it. This was the motive which impelled him to this Enterprize, for prosequution wherof, he used this method.

The Prince Henry Cassimere of Nassaw was sent be­fore with the Vantguard of his Army, consisting of 44 Cornets of horse, and 80 Companies of Foot to begirt it round, which hee did Iuly 13/ [...], driving away all the cattell that fed in the medows neer it, his Highnesse in person the next day, comming before the Towne with The Avant­guard under Prince Henry Cassimire blocks it up. the body of his Army consisting of 40 Cornets of horse more, and 230 Companies of Foot, and above 100 pie­ces of canon, having before given order for 8 ships men of warre to guard the Chanell from Gertrudenberg to Stieven-bergen, that he might have a sure passage to vi­ctuall his Army by that River, he began with prayers, and caused supplication to be made through all the Pro­vinces [Page 78] of the Vnited States for an happy happy issue of that designe. Their devotions once over, he fell to work, drew out the lines of his trenches, following the Mar­quesse Spinola his plot-forme, imployed 8000 Boores in the work, and appointed their quarters to the Colo­nels, The works begun. taking his own at Ginniken, assigning the Count William of Nassaw to the Village of the Hague, Colo­nell Morgan to lie upon the way towards Autwerpe, betwixt his owne quarter and the Count Williams, Count Henry Cassimere Governour of Ʋriesland, being enquartered at the Heyde, and the Duke of Bovillon at Tetringen and Heusenheut.

The Spanish Cardinall by this had notice of what the Prince intended, and loth to lose so fair a Gem as Bre­da, with an Army of 14000 Foot, and 6000 Horse, many peeces of Ordnance, and good store of Amuniti­on, marched from Antwerpe, and came to Hogstraten, The Cardinal Infant seeks to relieve it. thinking to impeach the Prince, and raise his siege be­fore he was well set down: but to adventure to a bat­tail, had bin to have put all to the Fortune of one day, he would not do it desperatly, though hee had conclu­ded to assault him couragiously, therfore he sent before him a Vant Currier Iohn de Nassaw an experienced souldier with ninety Companies of Horse to view the posture of the Princes Army, and to acquaint him with the particulars. Hee found the Prince neither supinely sleeping, nor in a loose positure, as if there had bin no cause of feare expecting him: He knew the Cardinall to Iohn de Nassaw sent to descry, the Princes posture. he a man trained up from his youth in military Feats, & stood in a firme Battalia to attend him. The Cardinall would not hazard all at once, but upon a good ground and informed of the Princes strength and vigilancy, made no attempt upon the Campe, but retired toward the Hemerish-werth, and the Prince-land, leaving the [Page 79] issue of the siege to the care of the presidiary souldiers. The garrison inclosed within their walles, and the And finding the P. upon his guard, the C. departeth. Princes Army, shewed their courage by many sallyes, to get their liberty: but his Highnesse his power orde­red by his care, so farre availed him, that still he repel­led them with losse, and in the end, entrenched him­selfe so strongly, cutting the Merk-dike to environ his trenches, that he neither feared the invasion of the Spanish campe without, nor the fallies of the garrison from within.

Count Henry, Governour of Vries-land, by too much confidence was endangered, while the Pioners Henry Cassimire neer to be sur­prised. were labouring in the works. He went abroad to view the fortifications of the City, and at an old ruined house, where he feared no perill, was in hazard of his life or liberty: some of the garrison were lurking in the Cellar, and leaping out suddenly, took hold of his bri­dle, and had surprised him suddenly, had not his horse trained up to bounds and curvets) regained his liberty by strength.

It would be long to proceed to each particular. Iuly 23. old stile, the garrison made another sally, and for a time became masters of an halfe Moone, but were bea­ten out immediately, and on Thursday following, a­bout 3. of the clock in the morning, 1400 men of them The garrison s [...]lly out upon the Campe. assaulted againe the same halfe Moone, seized on it, and held it for an houre, at which time they were re­pulsed, with the losse of sive Captains, and many o­ther officers and souldiers: the assiegeants themselves not repossessing the place, without the death of many men in Bredrods quarter, with one Lieutenant, and 5 or 6 souldiers of Mauritius his company.

The Camp made its excursions abroad, as well as the garrison made its sallies upon the Army. The Prince by his labour and providence, had taken such order, [Page 80] that they could not breake forth so frequently out of their enclosure. He having already raised two batte­ries, The Princes order to keepe the Garrison in. one neare the Ginniken Water-mill, about 600 pa­ces from the City, and the other in Count Williams Quarter, kept by two corps de guard, and secured by two Redouts to prevent their eruption. The way into the field was open for the garrison, and August the 6. new stile, young Monsieur de Mee, went abroad upon the Heath with 70 Cavaliers, and there encountred with 80 wagons loaden with Wine, Aqua vita, and Beere, designed for the Infanta's campe, surprized the Convoy, broke the vessels in pieces, and brought to the camp 70 justy horses, which were sould by sound of the drum the day following.

The hearts of the Spanish souldiers in the Cardinals Army by this, began to faile them. A whole troope of Burgundians ran away together, and among them one English man, who joyntly affirmed, that if they were not kept in by the Spanish horse, more would follow them. Yet though his men began to decline him, the Cardinall Infant would not forsake himselfe; but see­ing the improbability he had to relieve the City, pro­jected how to advance the affaires of the Catholike Ʋenloo taken by the Cardi­nall Infanta. A Bastard. King elsewhere, and marched towards Venloo and Ruremond, end took in Venloo in the space of 5 dayes, (though it was garrison'd with 1100 able men) by the cowardise, trechery, and wantonnesse of the Gover­nour. One of the family of Bredrode, who enticed (as is reported) by the seducing face of a false Nun, with whom it was thought he had too familiar an acquain­tance, delivered up the keyes to the Infanta, who re­warded him with the wages of his perfidiousnesse, a small summe of money, with the which he went to Collen, to be secured from a just vengeance of the States, which though they could not apprehend his [Page 81] person, and put him to an actuall torture, executed him in essigie. Thence he advanced to Ruremond, which he Ruremond sur­rendred upon composition. thought to have surprised as speedily, but the Gover­nour there, in his loyalty to the State, maintained it as long as he was able, though in the end he was forced to yeeld upon composition.

It had been vain to have staied in that quarter longer, little hope was there to advance his conquest further, the States, warned by the losse of these two last places, had double garrison'd all the townes, and it was more probability, that by his stay, he might there consume himselfe and his Army, than enlarge his victories. Be­sides, he had other irons in the sire elsewhere. The French began to domineere in Henault and Artois, and had they found no opposition, they had invaded Flan­ders, the glory of those Provinces under the Spaniard; and to make head against them. He was forced to leave the Maze, and march to the frontiers of Picardy.

The hope of the garrison in Breda, depended upon his succours, and though they could not be ignorant that he was gone, and had left them, they were not de­jected, but used all their policy and might to weary out the Prince of Orange, and force him to rise, seeing they could not vanquish him. August 1 [...]/2 [...]. the besieged sallied out againe, and fought so earnestly, that as if their liberty were above their lives; they gave not o­ver combat till the horrid face of death appeared in the mangled bodies of some of their copartners, and of the assailants; then they retired, begd cessation of Armes for two houres, and obtained it for the buriall of their dead; and that work of piety being done, the remain­der of the few minutes was spent in friendly drinkings betwixt the garrison and the camp; the presidiaries ca­rousing to them in their owne liquor, and the camp an­swering them in the Beere of Dort and Rotterdam, [Page 82] with which it was furnished. The sands that measured out the time, were no sooner runne, but both sides fell againe to their acts of hostility, the Prince still procee­ding to make his approches neerer, although they were already brought within a stones cast of the walles. In time he perfected what he had in his minde forecast, though not without cost and expence both of bloud and money. August 23. old stile, he began to under­mine the enemies Horn-work, and that day our Noble Countryman, (whose valour not appearing in blos­somes, but in fruits in his youth) the yong Colonell Goring, who commanded in the approches, and had ad­ventured too far into the then not fully fortified Shrub­gallery, received a faulcon-shot in his ancle, which to the eye of the Chirurgeons, appeared so dangerous, that they concluded, he could not escape unlesse his legge were cut off: the Noble Gentleman bore the hurt pa­tiently, but not the conclusion of his Chyrurgeous, he resolved rather to lose his life, then his limb, till per­swaded by the divine advise of his Chaplaine, Doctor Calfe, he began to assent to the course prescribed him. It was not without an argument of the divine provi­dence, that he should thus demurre upon the manner of his cure; while they were thus perswading him, and the Chyrurgeons preparing to dismember him, an old ex­pert Chyrurgeon commeth in, undertaketh the cure, and performed it happily, it being now scarce a blemish to the eye, and discernable onely by a little halting.

Monsieur Charnasse, Embassadour for the Christian King to the States, and Generall of the French forces in that service, sped not that day so happily: He not a­bove two dayes before, had received a shot upon his hat-band, which slipt away and did him no harme, but this day was strucke more unfortunately upon the forehead, so losing his life, to the great griefe of the [Page 83] Prince of Orange, who had often used his counsell both in his publique and private affaires.

But the fate of the City now drew on, the Mines were ready, the galleries prepared, and the City brought to extremity, the Governour and garrison ca­pitulated upon these conditions.

• FIrst, the Governour of Breda, with all the officers of warre, of what condition or quality soever with­out exception, even those also who have formerly left the service of the States, and now taken pay under the King of Spaine, shall have liberty to depart from the towne without any stoppe or impeachment, with Armes and baggage, the Drum beating, Ensignes dis­plaied, bullet in mouth, and match in cocke, in the rank and forme they used to observe when they marched in battalia, with a safe conduct for their lives and goods to Malines.
• 2. They shall have license to carry with them foure Pieces of Ordnance, & two Morterers, such as the Go­vernour shall choose, with all their attirall, equipage, and shot and powder sufficient for three discharges of each of them.
• 3. They shall be furnished with horse, waggons, and drivers, to carry that Artillery, those Morterers, the at­tirall, and ammunition to Malines.
• 4. All the other ammunition of warre, and provisi­ons of victuals appertaining to the King of Spaine, shall without stand be delivered to him whom his Highnesse the Prince of Orange shall appoint to receive it, except [Page 84] such victuals which shal be found sould bonafide, before the 6 of this moneth new stile, when this treaty began, the sale whereof shall stand good, and no man shall be searched, nor enquired after for buying it.
• 5 All the Officers and Souldiers, sicke and wounded, lying at the Hospitall, or elsewhere, shall be permitted to abide there, till they have recovered strength to de­part, at which time there shall be given them a safe conduct, and accommodation to transport their Armes and baggage to the fore-named place Malines.
• 6 The said Governour shall be furnished with such number of waggons and horse as shall be requisite, as well for the transportation of his own luggage and baggage, as of all the Officers and souldiers to Malines: under which names of luggage and baggage, are com­prised all the Armes of the souldiers of the said towne of Breda, even those that be absent, dead, sick, wounded or sled, nor shall those waggons be searched by any man upon any pretence.
• 7 Such as will have their luggage and baggage carried to Malines by water, shall be freely provided of boats to conduct them through Holland, which shall be ex­empted and discharged of all imposts, taxes, and pay­ments whatsoever, and for the safeguard of that lug­gage and baggage, there shall be a competent number of men to conduct them, and those boats shall not be searched nor arrested by the way upon any pretext whatsoever, nor shall they unload any parcell untill they arive at Malines.
• 8 The Governour, Captains, Officers, military Iudges, and others, receiving pay of the King of Spain, both Ecclesiasticks and Lay-men, as also the widowes and children, which have in the said towne of Breda, any houses or inheritances, whether they be upon the States of Brabant in that jurisdiction, or in the town, [Page 85] whether land or moveable goods, shall have the space and terme of two yeeres of this treaty, to transport, sell, engage, or otherwise dispose of the said goods, and du­ring the said terme, shall enjoy the said Rents, Farmes with the Houses, Fruits, and goods already gotten, or to be gotten in that space, be they of what nature or con­dition soever they may be.
• 9. The Officers and souldiers of all conditions, may leave their wives and children in the towne during the said terme of two yeers, to dispose of their goods move­able and immoveable, whether they be in the said town or elsewhere, without danger of seisure or confisca­tion.
• 10. No Officer or other souldier, neither now, nor hereafter shall be arrested for the rents of the houses they have possest, nor have their baggage searched to make payment of any debt, be they either such as shall depart presently with the Garrison, or such as being sick or wounded, cannot depart till they be recovered.
• 11. All the souldiers, prisoners on both sides, of what rank soever shall be set at liberty without ransome, pay­ing only for their victuals, according to the taxe of the Quarter. The servants and other prisoners shall depart also paying the charges of their expenses.
• 12 The booty that hath been gotten by those of the town, both before and during the siege, shall not be re­quired of them back again.
• 13 After the Articles of this composition are sealed, the Governour of Breda shall have time given him to send an expresse to the Cardinall Infant with a safe con­voy to acquaint him with what hath passed, all which the Governour may doe the same day this Treaty shall be signed.
• 14. The conditions forenamed being confirmed, [Page 86] two dayes shall bee granted to the Governour and his Souldiers to prepare for their departure, which time be­ing expired, the said Governour, and the said Officers of the Garrison shall promise to depart (to wit) upon Sa­turday next being the tenth of October, new stile, be­times in the morning.
• 15. It is intended that till the two days be past, that no person of the town shall come into the Campe, nor any of the army shall enter into the town, but that eve­ry one shall contain himself, during this time, in their trenches and fortifications, without doing any act or hostilitie, for assurance wherof, there shall be hostages interchangeably given on both sides, this article being resolved of, to avoid all disorder which might happen other wayes.
• 16. Before that the Garrison departeth, there shall be given two sufficient hostages by the Prince of Orange, which shall march with the said Garrison, their armes and baggage to Malines, and in exchange of them two other hostages shall be given by the Governour, which shall abide with his Excellencie, till the said hostages and waggons be returned, at which time his Excellency shall send the Spanish hostages with a safe conduct to Malines.
• 17 The Officers, Captains, and others comprized in the first Article of this present treaty, having any armes, Barks, or Shallops, or other utensils of warre, may either sell them or transport them, neither shall such as are transported, bought or sold be searched upon that oc­casion.
• 18 There shall no restitution be made of Horses, armes, Merchants ware, or other baggage held for law­full booty, and sold, nor shall any particular man be searched.

Dated at the Camp before Breda, the seventh of Octo­ber, new stile, 1637.

These Articles concerned the Garrison in particular, which came not to treat till our English Souldiers had taken by assault a Ravelin in the Mote, and the French an halfe Moon before the Gininkens Port: at which time, the mine being ready to play, and 5000 Souldiers of divers Nations, but of one heart, in armour of proofe, provided with Instruments for such an occasion expe­cting the issue prepared for the assault: at which time they first hung out a white flag upon their walls, as a token that they desired to capitulate, and afterwards send out two Captaines to conferre with the Prince of Orange about the heads of the treaty, he sending two o­thers of the army into the City. The Spanish Captaines, one by Nation a Burgundian, the other a Freeslander, di­ned with the Prince Octob. the sixth new stile, and upon the overture of their conference, returned into the City, from whence about five in the Evening, eight men of note and authority among the people came to his Excel­lencie's Gampe, to conclude the forenamed Articles, (viz.) two men of authority among the Clergy; the chief judge, and the President of the town, two Burgo­masters, and the two Sheriffs. These personages of quali­ty thus contracted for Gomar Fourdin the Spanish Gover­nour, and the Garrison, which accepted the conclusion, and Oct. 10 new stile, marched thence about 11 a clock, being in all about 1585 men Musquetiers, and Costlets, Almans, Burgundians, Spaniards, Walloons, and other Na­tions, armed with 48 Ensigues, and four or 500 servants imployed about the baggage, having in the middle of their troops about 7 or 800 waggons, six pieces of Ca­non (the courtesie of the Prince of Orange, giving them [Page 88] two more than what they covenanted for, two Morte­rers, 12 tuns of powder with other amunition, the Go­vernour followed in his Caroach by reason of the indis­position of his body, with two Officers and some Ca­vallary, being come out of the town, mounted an horse, and went to salute the Prince of Orange, who expected him in a place where foure wayes met, accompanied with Charles Lodovick, the Prince Elector Palatine, Duke Robert the Elector's brother, the yong Prince his own sonne, the Counts William and Henry Cassimere, and other Lords, and the Complement ended, went on toward Malines, where this story must leave him.

CHAP. V. The Marine Occurrences.

THe dry Land was not the only stage of action,

The Military Fleets of divers Kingdoms, some imploy­ed onely to secure the coasts, others for transportation of Souldiers, others for invasion, and the shipping for trade, plowing the face of the Mayn, made the O­cean seeme to carry so many moving Islands, that part appearing like a woodland where the Navies lay wind-bound, or rode at anchor, yet discovering it selfe again to be Sea, when the sails were hoysed, and the vessels left that station.

The Archipelago was furrowed by the Pirats of Bi­zerte, Algier, and Tunis (Sally being then blocked up, by our worthy and vallant Countriman, Captaine Rauis­borow) which sought for pillage upon the Christians ei­ther [Page 89] by Sea, or upon the European shoare: by the Gal­lies of Malta, which endevoured to make prize of those Renegadoes, and the Navies of the Christian and Ca­tholick Kings, each of them intending to preserve his own, and endamage the others territories.

The Navy of Spaine had changed its Generall (Don Melchior Borgia, being assigned in the roome of the Duke of Ferrandina) but not the former designe. The Dominions of the Christian King were the maine scope of its hostility, and thitherwards 21 Gallies well armed and mann'd with above 3000 souldiers, rowed by the The Spanish designe upon the Rode of St Tropez and Ra­pheau failing. way of Sardinia, and were discovered by the French in the Gulph of Saint Tropez upon the Coast of Provence, June, [...]/1 [...]. The project must needs have took had it not bin prevented by much circumspection, Mont Guion, who commanded the French Garrison in the town and Cit­tadell, under the Marshall de Vitry, at their first approch­ing prepared to hinder their landing, but their hast pre­venting his, and some of the Spanish Souldiers landed at B [...]rtr [...]t with a purpose to surround the Cittadell, hee sallied forthwith 120 Souldiers of the Garrison, and charged the Spanish Vantguard so couragiously, that hee beat them back to their Boats, and enforced them to seek for the safeguard of their lives in the Sea, whither their precipitious confused hast carried them. It was fortune that crowned his action. His small Forces consisting of Landmen, could not have maintained that Port-towne against such an Armado: By good hap there was in the Harbour at the same time four vessels of the French Fleet, (viz) two Pinnaces named the Royall, and the Cardinall and two Frigots, which kept the mouth of the Harbour, and by their frequent Cannonadoes assi­sted by the Cittadell, played upon the Spanish Fleet so successefully with 300 vollies of shot, that they forced the Enemy to retire out of the Gulfe, and defeated him of his project.

Yet the Seene only was altered, and not the Spaniards purpose, The Port of St. Rapheau did present It selfe to the fancy of the invaders, who failing of their end at St. Tropez tugged thither intending to surprize it, before it could be well provided for defence. The Marshall de Vitry was the first, but not the only Discoverer of that enterprize, conceal it he could not, it being apparantly known to all the inhabitants about Fr [...]iu [...], (where hee then resided) the Spanish Gallies rowing before the eyes of the people. The Count of Harcourt, Generall of the French Fleet, the same day that the Spanish Navy went from St. Tropez, departed from Treius, where hee had been entertained at Supper, by the Marshall de Vitry the night before, and had not failed above one hour and an half, but that he kenn'd the Spanish Gallies, and observed with what eagernesse the slaves imployed their sinews, to bring them up to some of the Sea-townes, and pre­sently made to land, mustered up the Forces of the Country, which comming in continually, beat off the Spanish Armado from the Port of S. Rapheau; when they had burnt one French Bark only, their intention being to have done the like to all the ships which lay at anchor in that rode.

From St. Rapheau, the Spanish Navy retired into the Bay, where being informed that ten ships of Holland Sp. Fleet sur­priseth ten Holland ships bound for Genoa. were bound for Genoa, with Corn and Spicery, & other Merchandize amounting to the value of three Millions of Crowns, the Flees way layed them, and in a calme after two days fight, having sunke the Dutch Admirall, took the other nine, two wherof they conducted to Fi­nall, and the other seven to Morguez, where they sold the goods as a vile and unproportionable value. The state of Genoa, to which these goods were consigned, la­boured much for their restitution, and sent one Agent to the Spanish Admirall, and another to the Governour of Millain to require it, and that being denied, it caused [Page 91] some heart-burning betwixt the Genoveses and the Spa­niards in Italy, Den Melchior Borgia desiring liberty that his Fleet might come and refresh it selfe in some of the Harbours of that State, and the Magistrate absolutely refusing to grant it, upon pretence that they were in­fected by the Merchants lately taken from the Hollan­ders, and not only so by his owne word protesting the resentment of that seeming injustice, but by the deeds of the peasants about Arasse, breaking out with violence upon the Spanish Mariners, when they came to water upon their Coast, slaying some, chasing the rest, and ta­king from them 170 barrels of fresh water, of which the Navy stood in need, pretending that they found them robbing of their Olive-yards. It is no point of provi­dence The Genoeses seek to have them restored, but prevail not. to provoke a potent enemy. That politike State of Genoa, however displeased with the Spanish procee­dings, did not desist from promotion of their cause for one deniall, nor yet breake out into open enmity. Again they dispatched Signior Luca Spinola to the Spanish Gene­rall, and the Signiors Chiavari and Someliui to the Em­bassador of Spaine resident in that City, about the same negotiation, who again denying to make any restituti­on, and justifying their detention of the goods, because they were taken out of Holland Bottomes, and upon the French S [...], both those States being enemies to the Ca­tholike King, they dispatched another Advocate to the Viceroy of Naples to intermediate betwixt the State & the Spanish Generall, and he refusing to meddle out of his own Sphere, as last they sent an Embassador to the Catholike King, whose answer is yet expected.

Here was the period of the actions of the Spanish Na­vy in the Archipelago. A storm was risen in the new We­stern world, and had so shattered the frame of the Spanish The arrivall of Count Mau­rice at Pharnam­buck. State there, that is required both men & mony to repair it. To this purpose, Don Antonio de Ocquendo, was sent from Major [...]a, with one Gally to make choice of the [Page 92] best ships in the Neapolitan Fleet, and to transport them to Brasil against the Forces of the Vnited Netherlander States there, whose fortunate progresse had dilated and inlarged the States Dominions there. His Excellency the Prince Maurice of Nassaw, to whom the States had given a pleny-potentiary Commission for the ordering of their affairs there, arrived at Pharnamboucg, Ianuary 1 [...]/2 [...], where being entertained with the joyfull acclamations of the Dutch plantations, after some dayes spent in gi­ving & receiving of entertainment, the end of his voy­age And his victo­ry at Porto Calvo. not being complement but action, Ian. 26. Febr 5. hee sent before him the Admirall Lichthart to Serenhim, where his army lay on shipboard, himselfe following by land with one company of horse and certaine fire­locks. His designe was against the Fort of Provocation, & Porto Calvo, where the Spanish Generall the Count de Ba­niola lay with an army of 4000 mē his name was grown terrible to the Spanish army: the Gount would not abide his comming, but though fortified with four Redouts, having garrisoned the Fort with 600 men, fled by the way of Alegoa. News of his flight was brought to the Count of Nassaw, who instantly begirting the Fort with one part of his Forces, dispatched the Colonell Manifield to pursue the Spanish Count, who overtook his Rereward, and slue about 200 of his men, and then returned to the Campe. Count Maurice all this while was busied in making his approches, raising of foure batteries, and ordering of things required for the siege, which he followed so earnestly, that by the end of Fe­bruary new stile, hee forced the Garrison to capitulate for want of fresh water, their conditions being, that they should march away the third of March new stile, with high and low weapons, one peece of Ord­nance, and be transported to Hispaniola or Saint Do­minga.

The victory was of consequence, both in regard of the strength of the place, and the wealth therein contai­ned; it was the strongest Fort the enemy had in that territory, ordained for their Magazine, yeelded the Conqueror 22 Pieces of brasse Ordnance, 5 iron Pieces, 4 Copper Morterers, 800 great Granadoes, 2000 hand-granadoes, 46395 pounds of powder, 6034 pounds of match, 9750 pounds of lead, opened the way to Todos los Santos, whither the Dutch Generall presently sent his Army, was taken with the losse of sixe common men, and two prime Officers, the Lord Carlo, base sonne to the late Prince Maurice of Orange, and Cap­taine Dunkarcke a valiant souldier, who was slaine with a great shot from the Fort in time of the siege: and this rich atchievement, purchased so easily, could not but cause a generall thanksgiving, and triumphs of joy among the Dutch plantations, which being cele­brated upon March the 8 new stile at Pharnam, boucg, where after Sermon, 4 Companies of Citizens, and one of Souldiers presenting themselves in their ar­mours, victory was proclaimed by the roaring throats of althe Canons about the town; first of those in the Re­dout of Bruin, the next, of those in the Sconce of Bru­in, the Land-Castle, and the Water-Castle, and the ships then in harbour, and lastly by those of the Stone-Redout, the Fort five-hook and the sconce Emilia, the Citizens and Souldiers concluding the triumph with their Musquetadoes, joying that by this meanes they enjoyed the 4 North Provinces of Brasil in peace, and had extended their dominions to the length of 400 English miles, the Portugals comming in voluntarily, and offering their fealty to the States of the united Provinces.

The Gallyes of Byserte made an invasion upon the Kingdome of Naples, and surprised there 4 great Fri­gots armed and loaden with corne, and other merchan­dizes appertaining to the Prince of Cariati, and en­heartned with this spoyle, pursued the Signior Giovan­ni [Page 94] Baptista Lasagna a Genuesse appointed Governour of Corsica, by the State of Genoa, as he was going to re­ceive The Gallies of Byserte pil­lage the Sea towns in the Kingdome of Naples. his dignity. Yet him they mist; he was neer up­on L [...]gorne when they first discovered him, and he per­ceiving againe what they aymed at, made haste thither, and saved both his ship and person: the Gallies of Tus­cany putting to sea presently, to surprise the bold Bar­barians, whose number and strength exceeding the Florentines, the Pyrats having a fleet of 16 Gallies, and the great Dukes subjects but of 6. the Tuscanes were faine to retreat to the Port of Calvi for their owne security.

It was then a time of terrour to all the townes of the Sea coast in the Kingdome of Naples and Calabria. The The Viceroy of Naples pro­vides to secure them. Viceroy was enforced to exact strange contributions for the maintenance of those places. The Nobility di­stasted his course, and would have sent to the King of Spaine to have acquainted him with their oppressions; the Commons complained of the heavy burthen▪ pre­tended their disability to beare it, their states being al­ready much impoverished by the late warres, yet the wise Viceroy so behaved himselfe, that by his owne private negotiations with the Nobility, and the publiks exhortations of the Fryars whom he sent abroad a­mong the Commons to perswade them of the necessi­ty of the act in regard of it selfe, the omission thereof exposing them to unavoydable miseries by forraigne enemies, and the acceptable service which thereby they might doe the Catholike King, and the glorious office they might doe their Countrey, prevailed so far, that they willingly seemed to bring in what he had de­manded rationally.

The Gallies of Algier and Tunis were abroad at the Ceriale pilla­ged by the Pyrates of Algier. same time, had burnt and pillaged in the State of Ge­noa the towne of Ceriale, neare to Final; thence carri­ed away 400 prisoners, and proceeding further, had sacked the Sea-coast of Sardinia, plundred the Chur­ches, taken away the vessels of Plate and Ornaments, [Page 95] and returning home, were met withall by the Arch­bishop of Berdeaux, who knowing that these Barba­rian Pyrats had not taken those spoiles out of the lands of the Christian, but his enemies dominions would not fight against them, but, inquiring of the prizes, and finding the Church utensils in their hands, (religion and this pious observation of those consecrated vessels, overcomming his hostile disposition to the Catholike King) he redeemed those Ecclesiasticall goods with his money, and sent them backe to Sardinia, to be imploy­ed to their proper ends.

Sicily was the next place which those Pyrats threat­ned, and Melchior Borgia the Spanish Generall, to re­lieve it, ordered 15 Neupoliian Gallies, (which then lay at Legorne) to make to Sea presently after them, but they returned without doing any thing, the Pyrats out-sayling them. Sixe Gallies of Malta being about the beginning of August, arrived at home from Trapa­ni were counter manded by the great Master for Na­ples, to joyne there with their Spanish squadrons, a­gainst the Bysertains, and the other Pyrats which be­gan to dispeople and ruinate the Sea-coasts of that part of Christendome. Nari the Prior was appointed for their General, who landing upō a Turkish shore, to take in fresh water, was endangered by an Ambuscado of Turkes, which lay there, and slew some of his men, and wounded him with a Musquetado in the arme, yet he fortunately arrived at Naples, August the 6. new stile, and went to visit the Viceroy then residing at Pa [...]sill­p [...], but the fleet was imployed other wayes; the Spanish Gallies shaken with stormes, and the tempests which they had endured in the gulph de la Speti [...]. were ap­pointed to transport Don Melchior Borgia into Spaine, and the Maltisan Gallies were to convey the Regent of the Vicaria of Naples to Florence, whither he went in the quality of the extraordinary Embassadour to the Catholike King, to congratulate the great Duke for his late marriage with the Princesse of Rovera, of the [Page 96] house of Vrbin, which was solemnized at Florence, Ju­ly the 5. new stile, in the presence of Cardinall Cappo­ni and the Dukes of Parma and Modena.

The Kingdome of Naples in the interim, suffered The Bandetti in the King­dome of Na­ples executed. much by the intestine commotions of its owne sub­jects, Bandittes and other male-contents. Francisco Caraffa, Prince of Lupino, the Duke of Salzi of the house of Straboni, the Signiors Cesari and Ascanio of Bolognia, and some other Neapolitan Lords, heads of the commonalty of Nid [...] and Capna, had challenged the Cavilliers of other commonalties to single duels, and for this fact were condemned by the Collaterall to have their heads strucke off, yet because they consented willingly to the contributions which the Vice-Roy re­quired, upon the intercession of the Regent Brancia, Duke of Belvidier, and the Noblesse of the Kingdome to the Vice-Roy, the sentence was not abrogated, but altered, they were onely banished to severall places. But the sentence and execution of the Banditti Luigi Taglialatela was exemplary and unchangeable: He was apprehended in his Fort with some of his companions, beheaded, and his scull was carried to Giuliano, the place where he was born, and there set upon an iron barre, in the place where his house once stood, that be­ing rased to the ground, and sown with salt. Piety commands justice against such malefactors, and policy will have it exemplary. The ambitious heads of such stinking Poppies must be cut off, to pardon such De­linquents lifes, is to give life to their insolencies.

Here we are becalmed, & though we see the sheare of Bar­bary somwhat more glorious, by the happy successe of our little English Fleet which lay before Sally, cānot yet reach it. S. Hilary shall perfect that story, which crowneth our Nation, and makes it deservedly called Gentem Libera­tricem. Dum sua restituit spoliato jura patrono,

With a perfect narration of other Occurrences both by Sea and Land, wherof we have already obtained some bre­viates, & do daily expect more, which we purpose to con­tinue & publish by the time promised, if God permit.