THE SIEGE OF BREDA WRITTEN IN LATIN BY THE R.F. HERMAN HUGO OF THE S. OF I. TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY C.H.G. Collon ll. Henry Gage  
PRINTED WITH LICENCE. M.DC.XXVII.   

TO THE SOLDIERS OF OUR NATION IN GENERAL  
GENTLEMEN  
THE general approbation of this matchless history, so much sought after by such as understand it, and not well understood by such as are best able to spend their judgement of it, soldiers, and professors of the Art military, who, for the most part, are unskilful in the latin tongue, the language in which first this history came to light; was a motive to me to present you with it in English, as a thing proper to you, in respect of the subject, and due to you, from me, in respect of my profession. And, houbeit I have been half persuaded by diverse of my friends, that it will be a present ill accepted, as well for the author's sake who first compiled it in latin, as for the subject of the history itself, which treateth of an action, to which most of you profess to be enemies in affection, and many of you did actually thew it in your persons; yet when I reflect that you are Gentlemen and soldiers, and consequently men as generous in your affections, as your actions, loving worth for worth's sake, wheresoever it appeareth, I resolved to stop my ears to the suggestions of my friends, and adventure to present you with this history in English, which in the Latin tongue hath gained so general an applause. I confess it is like to suffer, and lose of its first lustre, by putting on this unfashioned outlandish garment, the rather, because it is fallen into the hands of a Workman, whose profession is to manage the Pike, not the pen: but when, after two years, I perceived no better pen would undertake it, and that all presses were daily filled with unworthy pamphlets, whilst this excellent history, which (as I am told) hath traveled Italy, France and Spain, had not yet, nor was not like, to pass into our Hand, I thought it better to wrong the history, by clothing it out of fashion, than injury our whole nation, by keeping from them such a history: and of our nation I found none fit to patronise such a subject, nor so able to judge of the worth of it, as yourselves. To you therefore, Gentlemen, I wholly dedicated this translation, wishing no other Reader, than men of your profession, who are only capable of making profit of it. Other men may peradventure read it to pick a quarrel with the Author, whom, though they cannot convince of any falsehood in his history, yet because he is a stranger to their nation and Religion, his phrase and delivery of circumstances, will distaste their . Others may chance to stumble at the style of the translator, because it is rough, and not so polished as a penman might have made it, not reflecting that he is to tie himself to the conceit and phrase of the Author. Others again may blame the petty faults in printing, without consideration that it was printed by a stranger. But you, whose thoughts are fixed upon honourable objects, and profess to admire great actions, even in your greatest adversary's, soar higher than to meet with any of these obstacles, which take the eyes of shallow Readers, not the understandings of judicious. Take you then this admirable history to your protection, and give it that esteem your judgements found it worthy of, that it may be your Square to direct you, and incitement to you to draw you on, to the like, and greater atchivements of honour. From my lodging this 24. of july 1627.  
Yours most affectionately to serve you. H. G.   

SI quid mutatum, Lector, deprehenderis in versione hac Anglicana a scriptione mea Latina Obsidionis Bredanae, intelligas velim, quaedam rogatu meo adiecta, paucula etiam dempta: quod praestitum ab Illustri viro Dno. H. G. Praefecto Cohortis Anglicanae, qui Bredam ipse cum suo milite obsedit. Ita testor, Bruxellae 12. july, 1627.  
Hermannus Hugo.   

THE SIEGE OF BREDA.  
MANY things concur to the greatness of this Siege, 
What made this siege so famous.  making it more famous than other enterprises of our late wars. First, 
1. The succours and emulation of strangers.  the great supplies demanded from all parts by the enemy, as if the strife had not been for the safety of one Town, but for the entire preservation and holding up of their Empire; so much the endeavours of strangers added to the fame of it, and even out of emulation the glory of the victory increased. Next the strange and unaccustomed largeness of the Works drawn about it, with the circuit of a double Trench, against the inward and the outward enemy, the like of which scarce any History hath left a memory behind it. 
2 The strange. largeness of the double trench.  To this the incredible multitude of Redouts, Forts, Batteries, and other fortifications of that kind, raised in the hardest season of the year, and, for so large a circuit, in an exceeding short tyme. Besides, 
3. The multitude of works.  that main difficulty overcome of conveying the provision of victuals, a long and winter journey, by land, whilst by reason of the chargeable carriages of wagons, sent by command of the Country, and the spoiling of Towns and villages, 
4. The difficulty of bringnig our provion, with the dearth of corn.  the dear rates of all things grew to be unsufferable, and the soldier but seldom, and then but half his wages paid. Lastly a certain peculiar providence of Almighty God, 
5. The singular providence of Almighty God.  protecting our designs and crossing those of the enemy, as if he had particularly favoured us, and been offended with them. Of which hand of Heaven so many undoubted signs appeared during the whole siege, that though the labours of our Commanders were without intermission, yet all their endeavours out of doubt would have proved in vain, without the singular assistance of that sovereigning Commander, God. And these for the most part are the things, which have so spread the reputation of this siege.  
The Town of Breda, 
The circuit of the town walls.  of itself, is not great: The walls of it contain four miles in their circuit, so that in less than an hour a man may walk about them. The Barony and Town of Breda belonged in times passed to the Duke's of Brabant with eighteen willages of the jurisdiction of that Barony. john the third, 
How and when it fell to the family of Nassau.  Duke of Brabant alienated it from that Duchy in the year 1350. john Polane Lord of Leck purchased it of him for three and forty thousand Hallengers. It fell first to the family of Nassaw by the dowry of joane Polane, in the year 1404. who having the inheritance of Breda, was married to Count Ingelbert Nassaw. 
How often Breda hath been won and lost.  By right it aught to have returned to the Duke's of Brabant having been alienated from that Duchy for so unualuable a consideration. In the year 1567. (William of Nassau being fled for treason) the Duke of Alva possessed himself of Breda, for the King of Spain. Ten years after that, in the year 1577. Count Hollac took it by composition, and it returned again to the family of Nassaw. But it was surprised again by the Baron of Hautepen, partly by stratagem, and partly by assault in the year 1581. and remained under the King the space of nine year: till one Araugerius, in the year 1590. by the practice of a carriage boat (in which four and ten soldiers lay hid, like the Grecians heretofore in the Trojan horse) by the command of Maurice of Nassau, since Prince of Orange, wholly possessed hinself of the Town and Castle.  
The Town almost in the uttermost parts of Brabant, joineth upon Holland, 
The situation of Breda  by the River Merke. Not far from about it, it is compassed with the neighbourehood of many good Towns and Villages. It lies in a pleasant Country, such, 
The pleasantness of it.  as many of our Commaundres and soldiers professed not to have seen the like in Europe; so that Count Maurice, not without cause, was accustomed to call it his Tempe. A Territory rich of Corn and pasture. The Meadows, beset round with young sprouts of Trees, were separated with small brooks, as with their natural bound. Rows of Trees, set either in a right line, or ranged into an order of five, shaded all walks and houses about the Town. Not far from the Town four woods showed themselves; one of them of Pine, the other three of Oak.  
The Merke and the Aa, two Rivers, run into it, 
The two Rivers of Breda. The River Aa runs about the Town.  and one of the two runs about the walis. The River Aa, made larger by the running of some champion brooks into it, takes its course about the walls, kept in by a sluice, lest, by the ebbing of the River Merke (with which it joineth with in the Town) the Towne-ditch chance at any time to be left without water; 
From whence it is called Merkedael. The River Merk runs into the Town●.  it turns a Corne-mill in its passage, and with a gentle descent runs into the Town. The place where these streams join, retaineth still a corrupt name of both Rivers, called Merkendael, by the flowing of the Mark into the Aa. The Merke separated from the Aa by two brick-walls in the ditch, runs into the Town, divided of its own nature into many parts; and growing larger by little and little, not far from Dordrecht, poureth itself into the Holland Sea. It ebbeth and floweth twice every day, and overfloweth the grounds about the town by the opening of sluices as often as pleaseth the inhabitants of the Town.  
BREDA AS IT WAS FORTIFIED BY THE PRINCE OF ORANGGE BEFORE THE SIEGE LAID BEFORE IT. 

A. Bulwarks.  
B. Ravelins.  
C. Cats.  
D. Half Moons in the walls.  
E. The Counterscarpe.  
F. Horne-workes.  
G. Half Moons with their Parapet  
H. An Island on the other side of the ditch fortified with a parapet.  
I. The Ports of the Town and Castle.    
All these inward and outworks are so necessarily contrived and do so correspond to each other, that some of them, 
The excellet oder and disposition of all these works.  lying higher than others; and others again lying of equal height with one another, defend each other from the flanks and from above, so that from the outmost to the next to it, and from thence to the rest (when need requireth) is a safe retreat for the defendant. To conclude, 
The situation of the Country about Breda.  the Territory about the town is of that nature and situation, that, either by the ordinary sea-tydes, or by any extraordinary inundation of standing waters, it is far and near inaccessible. Besides, the Island belonging to the Town, cut, for the expedition of the course of shipping, on the other side of the Castle, is fortified round with an indifferent high wall. In this sort Count Maurice, about two years before, had commanded the walls to be raised, the Bulwarks, Ravelins, Pallisadoes, 
Breda a pattern of rare fortifications and a school of military discipline.  Counterscarpes and ditches to be made. And by cause the conveniency and situation of the Town seemed of its own nature to require the setting up of a certain Seminary, as it were, of military discipline in it, the states of the united Provinces desired that this Town, as the fittest place for military exercise, should stand for a pattern and example to all others, and it seemeth that strangers esteemed it to be so: for hither the prime youth of Germany, France and England flocked to better their knowledge in the Arts of war: hither, as to a pattern Count Maurice was accustomed to sand men skilful in that kind, whensoever any speech was of exquisite or serious works of fortification: hither, he had sent his nephew Don Emanuel of Portugals son Captain of a foot Company, with his Company: hither he had sent both his own base sons, the one of which was Captain of a Company.  
justin of Nassau, 
justin of Nassau Governor of Breda.  Count Maurice his base Brother, a man excellent for his long experience, who by his counsel might be able to maintain, and by his good husbandry and parsimony hold out aseige, 
john Aertsen the Drossard.  had the Government of the Town committed to his charge. john Aertsen Lord of Wermont a man of no less resolution then strong judgement, for moderating the distribution of Corn, restraining of Mutinies, and giving counsel in sudden and desperate affairs, 
What was wont to be the ordinary garrison of Breda: and what reinforcement was lately made.  bore the Office of Drossard. The ordinary garrison of the Town, were sixteen foot Companies; one Company for the Castle; and five Troops of horse: in all sixteen hundred men. But the noise of a siege being bruited abroad, 
The town's men able to bear Arms Aertsen the town Colonel.  eight foot Companies more were sent to reinforce the former. Eighteen hundred Townsmen were able to carry Arms, of whom Aertsen had the command with the title of Towne-Coronell. 
The provision of the town against winter.  The soldier's provision against winter was 8200. measures of wheat, of Oats 2800. 3600. weight of cheese, and as many of dried Gaberdine. And it was commanded strictly (before we came to beseige the Town) that every Townsman should furnish himself with Corn for a twelve month, that for them afterwards it might not be needful to diminish the soldier's victuals.  
Many things persuaded Spinola to attempt the siege of this town, and as many again dissuaded him from it. 
The reasonn which persuaded Spinola to think of beseiging Breda.  The conveniency of the place did principally invite him to it, as well for the restraint of the often incursion of the enemy's horse into Brabant, which from thence into any place they often made with great ease, as for the hindrance of all navigation betwixt the towns about Breda and other neighbouring towns of Holland and Zealand; a thing (by the surprising of some places thereabouts) conceived not to be difficult, to the in credible damage and disadvantage of the enemy. Many other commodities besides drew him rather to attempt this town them any other; as, the ground commodions for the drawnig of Trenches, raising of Banks and Batteries, or any other work either of encamping or assaulting; the River convenient for watering, easy to be shut up, by which the besieged might be utterly deprived of all succour; woods near for fuel; store of fruitful fields for forage: and lastly this concurred, that Breda being possessed, Berghen op Zome and other neighbouring Towns might with less difficulty be recovered.  
On the other side the strength of the Town fortified by art and nature discouraged him from it; 
The difficultyes which discouraged him.  but principally the difficulty of conveying provision a far of, whilst, either the enemy was to be avoided by fetching a great circuit, or all our Towns were long days journeys distant by land, or those Towns themselves stood in need of their own provision. Neither had we at our backs the conveniency of a Rivernavigable by Boats of any burden for the carriage of our victuals. And Breda was shut in, near at hand, with a theatre, as it were, of enemy-Townes about it. It remained that our Corn and other provision was to be transported by great numbers of wagons, and long journeys, hindered by the winter season, which questionless could not be performed either without imminent danger, or double the forces we had then in the field.  
The state of our affairs, and of the low Countries at that time stood thus: 
The State of the low Countries when Spinola thought first of this siege.  Philip the fourth King of Spain had forbidden truce to be longer held with the united Provinces, conceiving they to be far more prejudicial to him then war. The Archduchesse Isabel Clara Eugenia Infante of Spain, Dowagere of that excellent Prince Albert, thought it a thing unworthy that the flourishing Army the King had then in the low Countries, should lose itself, and decay with idleness and sloth. Our rising from Berghen op Zome, for which the enemy made such boasts, was scarce yet well digested. Germany, wearied out with wars, took breath again. The forces and reputation of the bastard Mansfeild were now almost extinct. The couenaunts of peace made with the Kings of England and France were inviolably kept. A just quarrel was only kept on foot with the Rebels of the united Provinces. Against them it was thought fit our forces should be bend, nor for affectation or desire of Sovereignty, but for the reestablishing of Religion, and regaining what they usurped.  
Spinola, keeping secret his designs to him , now that the season seemed to invite him to it, the corn being already ripe, upon the 21. of july 1624. departed from Brussels, and set forward with his Army But he had so provided with himself for all casualtyes of war, that though he resolved to make an attempt upon Breda, yet if he should perceive it a matter difficult to effect (by the enemy's reinforcing that garrison, 
with what intention Spinola marched into the field that year.  as afterwards it happened) he might from any place he should sit down, undertake any other expedition, according as he should see fittest, being there in person, turning his forces at his own liberty into what place he pleased.  
The Army, 
The Army divided into three parts  purposely to distracted the enemy, was divided into three parts, and journeys commanded to other places than was intended. The marquis Spinola took his iournoy by 
* The Pilgrimage called by English men Our B. Lay dyer of Sichem.  Montagu (that sacred Church of the Virgin Mother so famous for miracles over the whole world) where, after he had been present at the mysteries of Catholic Religion, and offered his prayers for the Army at the Altar of the Virgin Mary he led his foot forces one way, 
Spinolaes' devotion to the Virgin Mary.  whilst Don Lewis de Velasco Count of Salacar, General of the Horse, took a different journey with the horse of the Army. john Bravo Governor of Anwerp Castle, who was sent to lead that Army out of Merk-land, which Don Goncalo de Cordua had commanded, as Camp Master General, joined those forces with these greater not far from Turnhout, about the same time, 
The Army was found to be less than it was thought to be before.  (as he was commauded). Here by the way Spinola caused the Army to be mustered, and found it to be less than it was believed to be when marching at length it made show of a greater number than it contained. Otherwise, it was an Army of choice and select men, able to make good, with their valour, the default of their numbers. They were in all fifteen Regiments, consisting of 198. foot Companies. Nine and thirty truopes of horse. Scarce altogether eighteen thousand men.  
justin of Nassau Governor of Breda, ignorant of our designs, but wary; so soon as he understood Spinola to be arrived there, caused five foot Companies to march to him out of the adjoining Terntory of Swol; 
The Covernour reinforced the garrison with twety foot Companies  and after ward fifteen more newly arrived at Swol, out of Holland; emonest which was Count Maurice his own Company, with Prince Henry his Brothers, and diver men of quality, besides Hauterive the french Colonel, the English Colonel Morgan, and Loquerene the Hollander. And the next day, upon notice given him that Spinola drew nearer, he dismissed to Gertrudenberg the three trupes of horse of Count Culenberg, Count Styrum, 
He put out of the town three troops of Horse.  and the french Captain Villibon, that he might not have too many horses for the scarcity of his fortage, when two troops of horse with five and forty foot Companies, were more then enough for the guard of the Town. The Colonels last arrived had their Quarters allotted them in the Outworks and walls. Hauterive the french Colonel who commanded also the Walloons, had the guard of Gineken Port; the English Colonel Morgan the Port of Bolduc; and Loquerene with the Scottish and Dutch had Anwerp Port to defend. 
The new fortificationa without the Horneworks.  Which done with all speed they caused to be cast up before each point of these Outworks, an other Fortification proportionable to those points; and the like fortification before the front of the Outworks, bending forward cubit-wise with a middle point; these three new fortifications representing all together the form of a Trident. Without these new works again, they drew an other ditch, and about that a Counterscarp, with a thick palisado, fenced on the top (like a 
* An Engine so called being a great Mast or beam stuck through thick with heads of Pikes.  Porcupine) with two sharp nails, so to prevent any sudden irruption that way. The space from the outmost shore of the Horne-works to these three new fortifications opposite to their front and Corners, was a hundred and forty paces, into which from the out sides of the Horne-works, the soldier had a passage by a port under ground. These were the first works added to Count Maurice his fortifications from the time that they of Breda began to fear a Siege.  
THE HORNE-WORKES. 

A. The front of the horne-worke.  
B. The ditch thirty foot brood.  
C. The half Moon.  
D. The Perapet.  
E. The ditch without the half Moon.  
F. The Conterscarpe.  
G. The Ton Walls.  
H. The ditch of the Ton Walls.  
I. The new fortification cast up, by them of Breda, before the Outworks, CXL paces chstant from them, whilst our Army lay at gilsen.  
K. Three forked fortifications. before the front and Corners of the Horne-workes.  
L. The Ditch.  
M. The palisade upon the Conterscarpe, about the Ditch.    
The Colonels having thus delivered their opinions, 
Spinola aequaintedthe Infanta with his Colonels opinions.  Spinola who knew well the office of a General to differ from that of his Lieutenant General; the General's being to determine peremptorily upon the conclusion of all businesses, the other, to be guided and do all things by direction, remained still with his Army at Gilsen, and acquainted the Archduchesse Isable with these opinions: 
The Infanta dissuadeth the enterprise of Breda.  But she having had notice before of those notable supplies added of late to the garrison of Breda, made answer, she would have nothing attemped with the imminet danger of so many brave men; that she might justly be condemned of injustice, if she should not value the lives of them at a dearer rate, whose hearts and affections she knew to be such, that they would refuse no danger whensoever they were commanded; that Spinola notwithstanding should take it to his care, that so select an Army should not return with loss of reputation and attempting of nothing.  
These affairs were consulted with Count Henry vanden Berghe, Governor of Gelderland, 
Thes businesses were consulted with Count Henry vanden Berghe.  who lodged with an other Army near about the Rhine, to whom Spinola dispatched the Sergeant Maior Losano with letters to know his advice. He sent from the Camp besides Charles of Burgundy Baron of Waken, Captain of a troop of horse, and great Baileife of the City of Gant, to Charles Bernard fountain Colonel of a Wallon Regiment, and Superintendent of the forces of Flanders, 
An attempt upon the Island of Casante resolved own but left of again.  to treat with him about the surprising of Casante (an Island near Sluice.) This matter was long debated betwixt them two, and in the end it came to be disputed before the Cardinal de la Cueva, his Ma.tie Ambassador in the low Countries; and as each man's fancy led him, so one of them pretended to make the matter difficult, the other endeavered to make it appear feasible. fountain dispaired of it: Wake warrented success. fountain notwithstanding offered himself to undertake it, provided, that (for his discharge) he might receive his commands in wirting; for which purpose he presently took his journey to Bruges. Wake within three days was dispatched thither after him. But all things being now in readiness, the Archduchesse mistrusting the success of the enterprise, commanded them to desist.  
The figures signify the distance of mises * The stars the enemy town's  
One Colonel there present was of an other opinion, 
Thereasone which one of our Colonels alleged for the siege of Breda.  who making no reckoning of the reasons alleged, affirmed, that for this only respect Breda aught to be attempted that no greater corrasive could come to Count Maurice, who made a singular value and estimation of that Town; with the loss of which he would lose much of his reputation with all men; that it was not to be believed that the besieged could be so absolutely furnished, that nothing should be wanting to such numbers of men for the failing of which they might not be forced in short time to surrender; that famine would press any Town destitute of supplies; that the cutting of of their provision would beget want, and wants would breed dissension amongst the Soldiers and Towns men.  
The Colonels Don Francisco Medina, 
They when were sent to discover wereagainst the Siege.  Matthew Ottannez and Don john Medecis had been sent before towards Breda to discover, who brought word that the ground about the Town was not amiss to raise works and draw Trenches, that there was a River convenient for watering, woods for all necessaries, store of fields and Barns for forage, but yet they all concluded that those things were infinitely to be suspected and feared which the Colonels had before alleged against the Siege. Mean while Losano returned from the Rhine with letters of Count Henry's who having heard the Colonels objections against the Siege of Breda, 
Count Henry vanden Berghe his counsel to beleige Em brick and Raes, or Grain with the Castles of Ravestyne and Gennep.  proposed to Spinola the attempt of Embrick and Raes: he put him in mind that he lay in person with is Army thereabouts; that his forces being somewhat reinforced, and a Bridge of Boats, with a great Fort, made over the Rhine, Embrick might be taken, which done, Raes of necessity must come under subjection; or if for the scarcity of boats he thought it not convenient to have a Bridge made, that Grave at lest with the Castles of Rausteyn and Gennep might be besieged all at once; that he would be pleased to determine what he would have done, consulting the affair with Antony Baron of Grobbendonck a man expert, and particularly acquainted with those places. Spinola sending back with Losano Don Franciseo de Medina Colonel of a Spanish Regiment, signified that as far as concerned Grave, Ravesteyn and Gennep, he allowed of Count Henry's opinion, and demanded what supplies he stood in need of for that enterprise. 
The forces which Cont Henry demanded to beseige Grain.  Count Henry desired 5000 foot and 1000 horse, which, with his other forces, would suffice for that service. He wished Spinola to lie still with his Army at Gilsen, so to keep the enemy in suspense that he should not dare to draw forth the garrison of Breda, or any other, to impeach our Siege intended before Grave. Spinola relishing well this enterprise, and relying upon the word of so great a Commander, 
Spinala ac quaintedthe Archdu enesse with Count Henives Counsel.  gave notice of what had passed to the Archduchesse Isabel, by the Colonel Medina; and commanding Antony Baron Grobbendonck to repair presently to him (as Count Henry desired) demanded his opinion about the Siege intended before Grave with the Castles of Ravesteyn and Gennep. 
Spinola asketh Grobbendoncks' opinion.  He answered freely that so many several expeditions at once would prove a thing more difficult than was conceived of it: Yet notwithstanding that credit was to be given in that particular to Count Henry, a man akilfull in his trade, and particularly acquainted with the nature of those places. 
The want of water in the Camp of Gilsen.   
Many days were spent in these doubts and uncertaynties whilst our Army at Gilsen in the mean time began to lose hart. The River was two 
* Six English miles.  leagues from us (and that the nearest water we had to our Camp) The Wells, which were but few, were either dried up by the heat of the year, or exhausted by too much drawing, or the water drawn out of them was so troubled and muddy, that it would not be settled or grow clear in a long tyme. The impatience of thirst, concurring with the extreme heats of the year, forced many to seek unwholesome water in ditches, or tracks of Cart-wheels, which was a cause of great infection amongst them. Spinola being told of this inconvenience, and being desirous to inform himself of the truth of the business, as one not easily giving credit to every idle report, called presently some of his Colonels unto him; demanding whether their soldiers suffered such want of water as he was made believe. But they, either fearful to discover the error of the place chosen for our Camp, or measuring other men's necessities by their own plenty, being desirous with all to please, made answer that their soldiers, wanted not water. Upon this the marquis in presence of the Colonels called for him who had complained of that want, who whilst he persisted in the justification of what he had said, Count john Nassau Colonel of two Regiments of Germans came in opportunely who making a relation of his soldier's necessities confirmed what the other had complained of before. 
The marquis finds out the truth.  Where upon one of the standers by who before had refused to acknowledge the truth, whispered him privily in the ear who had made the complaint, 
Spinola commanded weils to be made.  giving him thanks for making a discovery of that which he himself was afraid to complain of. Spinola having by this means discovered the truth commanded presently many wells to be sunk, 
New losses and incon veniences to our Campe.  a remedy which in part redressed the inconvenience. By the extreme heats of the year, forty thousand loaves of Bread were corrupted in Gilsen Campe. Almost about the same time the Cabins of two Italian Regiments, by an unlucky accident, were set on fire and brunt. To all which extremityes, whilst to that day no wages had been paid to the soldier, and the prices of all merchandise grew to be excessive, diverse of our men began to forsake their Colours; which Spinola mistrusting would prove an example to many more he sought to redress it by the rigour of justice. 
justice done upon soldiers which ran away from their Colours.  Four or five of these runaways were taken in their flight and brought back again, whose trial he caused to be put to fortune, and the dice condemned one of them to die. Mean while many liberal discourses were every where heard in the Camp: that the time of action was spent in consulting, and that our reputation and soldiers were lost with delays. 
The enemy's scoffs against the King, and Spinola.  By the enemy many reproachful things were done in scorn of the King, and Spinola. In Holland, Buffoons and lesters instituted Comical sports (not unlike to those of Atella) which they called the Spanish 
* Scarreerow.  Bombomach. Ridiculous pictures, of the King seeking Breda with a lantern, Spinola standing by him, scratching his head with both his hands, were every where to be bought: to which there were not wanting satirical ballads and Rhymes. Count Maurice in a kind of contempt of us taking his pleasure at the Hage, assured, as he thought, of all things, is reported merrily to have said: 
The Prince of Orange his bitter jest against Spinola.  that it had been better for Spinola toly idle at Gela (a place where mad men recover their senses again) then at Gilsen. But these fopperies, being contemned, vanished of themselves.  
The resolution of beseiging Grave was now approved by the Archduchesse, wherefore Spinola dispatched away Don john Medeces, a soldier of long experience, with Orders to Count Henry, commanding him to march towards Grave, with the Army he had about the Rhine, and promising, 
Count john Nassau sent with suercours to count Henry vanden Bergh.  at a day appointed, to sand him those other forces he desired. About the same time, he sent from the Camp Count john Nassau (who had newly refused the offer of being General of the Venetians Army) with a supply of 5000. foot, and four troops of Horse; three pieces of Canon, eighteen Boats and other carriages. 
Captain Conrade d' Aubermont sent along with Count john  He commanded john Conrade d' Aubermount Captain of a troop of horse, who lodged with his troop in the Town of Bolduc, one who might stand him much in steed for his knowledge and experience of the Country thereabouts, to march along with him. The next day he sent after him Don Hyacintho de Velasco marquis of Belueder, with ten troops more, to the number of a thousand horse, commanding him that he should chase all Cattles far and near from about the Territory of Grave, and make good those places which Count Henry should make choice of for the pitching of his Camp. 
Count Henry take Mondelbergh, Cleve and Gennep.  Count Henry vanden Bergh in his journey towards Grave, falling upon the Castle of Mondelbergh, the Town and Castle of Cleve, and the Town of Gennep, took them, and placed his own garrisons in them; his authority and command of his soldiers being such, forbidding them all pillage and spoil in the Town of Cleve, that though they were forced to enter into houses plentifully furnished with all kind of rich househould stuff, from the windows and roofs of which they might the more commodiously shoot into the Castle, which yet made resistance, 
The temper of Count Henlyes soldiers.  not the lest complaint was made of any soldier, nor any thing known to have been stolen by any of them. Of which afterwards when the Borrowmaster of Cleve made report to Count Maurice, he admired as well the harmlessness of the soldier, as the integrity of the General, comparing him in this particular to some Scaurus, in whose time even the fruits of the trees were protected from the licentiousness of the soldier. He fortified Mouke, 
Count Henry encampeth in the Village of Mouke. He goeth to discover Ravesteyn and Battenburg.  a willage upon the Mose, commodious for the transportation of victuals, on the other side of the River, where he lodged with his Army. From thence (to deceive the enemy) with fifteen troops of horse and, 300. Musqueters, he went to discover Batenburg and Ravesteyn.  
The marquis of Belueder, 
The marquis of Belueder sendeth great store of Cattles to Boldue.  well stored with Cattles, having droven before him, and sent to Boldue all the herds which he found betwixt Ravesteyn and Grave, left nothing behind him but confusion and fear. Count Henry after a view taken of Battenburg and Ravesteyn, called Count john Nassau and Conrade d' Abermont to him, 
Count Henry signisieth to Spinola that he dispaired of taking Ravesteyn.  the later of whom he dispatched to Spinola, to let him knowthat Ravesteyn was not so easy to be surprised as he had believed; but, letting Ravesteyn along for the present, if Spinola thought good, he would attempt Grave, which, with an addition of greater forces, he was not altoge ather out of hope to take in. He commauded Count john Nassau to encamp, near Grave, on the contrary side of the Mose, resolving to remain in person at Mouke, till Spinola had returned answer what he would have done. 
A bridge of Boats made over the Mose.  He signified besides that he would make a Bridge over the Mose to pass and join his forces if need should require.  
About this time arose so fearful a Tempest one night, of rain, 
A fearful rempest.  wind, thunder and lightning, that the elements, and he aven and earth seemed to come together. The thunder and lightning was with out intermission, the whirlwinds unresistable, the rain powered down by floods, not by drops, all things were in darkness, all things to the fearful expression of the later day. 
Prince Henry of Nassau his design crossed by she tempest.  That night Prince Henry Fredrick of Nassau, had prepared with his whole Army to fall upon our Camp, not yet fortified by Count Henry vanden Bergh, if this great tempest had not crossed his design. Three days after that, giving order to the garrison of Grave to make a sally at the same time, he came again with greater forces to taste Count Henry's Camp: but they of Grave not being ready in time, and Count Henry having not now left his Camp open and unfortified, the matter was decided by a slight skirmish. Count john of Nassau had chosen a place so commodious to encamp, near Grave, as he was commanded, that on his right hand he had the River, 
A fit place to encamp chosen by Count john of Naslau.  on his left hand and front, a little brook drawn out of the River. To this notwithstanding, in that space which remained betwixt the waters and his Camp, against the enemies passing over the River, he cast up a trench round about his Camp. Before him grew a wood fit to lay ambushes. Near the town, stood diverse little rising hills, which in the day time Count john of Nassau kept with his horse, in the night time, for fear of ambushes, he was contented to quit: Hence occasion was often given of some slight horse-skirmishes, when in the morning our men came to dispossess the enemy of those Hills, which in the night time they ever possessed.  
The Governor of Grave Stakenbrouck, 
The Covernour of Grave pretendeth in vain to searre us.  with a feigned confused noise of the Enemies whole Army marching towards our Camps, caused an alarm to be given us, as if he had been ready to fall on; who the next morning, desiring licence to speak with Count john of Nassau, and being demanded by him, to what purpose he had broken his, and his soldiers sleep with such a confused clattering of Arms in the night time? made answer, that it was rather to be admired that he, to whom in time the inheritance of those Town's might, peradventure, fall by right of succession would offer, in hostile manner, to come of surprise them: 
Count john Nassun his ansver to the Governor of Grave.  To which Count john replied, that that inheritance (as a thing fallen now to the Prince) was not to be thought of for the present, and that the thing he most aimed at now, was his Government of Grave. To this the Governor made answer, that it was necessary therefore for him to look well to the defence of it, for which purpose he would return home: and with that he departed, and commanded presently to let fly into Count john Nassaus' Camp, in punishment, as it were, of his ambition. 
It seemeth strange to Spinola that Count Henry vanden Bergh made difficulty of the beseiging of Ravesteyn.   
By this time d' Aubermont was returned to Gilsen, from Count Henry, whose answer when Spinola heard, he admired that Count Henry should object so many difficultyes against an enterprise which he had professed him self to be the author of. But because nevertheless he perceived Count Henry to draw back from what he had proposed at first about Ravesteyn, and this only upon his diffidence and doubt of the success of it, and that he was willing, if he were commanded, to take his journey to Grave, he gave him order to march thither with all the speed he could. 
Spinola caused five. Redouts to be made about his Camp at Gilsen.  With these commands he dispatched Don Francisco de Medina, sending d' Aubermont back with him again to Count Henry. And in the mean time he closed in Gilsen Camp with twelve Redouts, that the enemy might not break in upon us at unawares.  
They of Breda, 
They of bredacaused their householdstuff to be brought back again.  having notice of this, believing we had left of the thought of beseiging that town, gave order, like men out of danger of War, that their householdstuff, which, for fear of a Siege they had conveied to other neighbourering Towns, should now by boats be brought back again, thinking no more of making any farther provision of victuals, assuring themselves they had already enough of that provision they had made against winter: Wherefore they permitted a hundrens Oxen, and two ships laden with cheese, newly brought in, to be transported back out of the Town again, 
They of Bredibeing out of fear admit many vunecessary persons nito the town to the great wasting of their provision.  all men refusing to buy them. The Peasants with their wives and children, who at their first repairing to the Town, were put back and refused entrance, like so many Mice and devourers of Corn, for the better preserving of the Town provision, at such time as a Siege was suspected, flying now thither again out of the Country thereabouts, which lay exposed to the pillage and wasting of our soldier, were admitted, to the infinite prejudice of the Town provision, being men for the most part of more than ordinary appetites.  
This manner of Spinolaes' encamping, 
Spinolaes' manner of proceeding begets doubts in Count Maurice.  was 'cause that count Maurice could neither conceive what we seriously intended, or what we only gave out and made show of, or whether our purpose were to attempt Grave or Breda, or both of them together, or any other Town: which thing begat so many doubts in his mind, that, whilst he durst not draw part of his garrison out of one Town for the relief of the other, and had not forces sufficient to secure them both from danger, he could in the mean time provide well for neither. Yet at last departing from the Hage, his ordinary place of pleasure, 
Count Maurice comes to the Camp and puts provision into the Isle of Bommel.  he came to the Camp to his Brother Henry Fredrick Nassau, near Ninegen, where he gave order that great store of Artillery and other provision of war should be transported in to Bommel, and commanded all places near Bolduc to be strongly fortified. And howbeit our affairs seemed to many to be ill managed and unnecessarily delayed, 
what we gained by ourdelayes.  yet this advantage we got by our delays, that the harvest being now well spent, no time was left the enemy to make provision for any other service, we being already in readiness for any exploit.  
The noise of our preparation, 
The Duke of Boullion departed from breda with a desire to be present at the Siege of Grave  by which we made show of beseiging Grave, being bruited abroad, the Duke of Boutlion, a french man, perceauing that war translated to Grave, which he had expected would be at Breda, betook himself thither to make proof of some adventure, and thinking to return afterwards, when we besieged Breda, (as the report runs) found his passage stopped. Count Henry having discovered the nature and situation of Grave, 
Count Henry found all things other wise about Grave than he had been made believe by the discovery of Spies.  and heard the opinions of the Country people thereabouts, found all things to be otherwise then before (relying upon other lmens' discoveries) he had made Spinola believe. He foresawne at the Siege would scarce be ended in three months, and thess in the me one season by, reason of the great Bottoms and lor● places about the Town (in which our Camp of necessity must have been lodged) we should be forced to remove by the winter floods. The peasants and others acquainted with the situation of the place, affirmed that in the later end of Spring that enterprise aught to have been begun, and that by the end of summer there might have been some hope of taking the Town. That at the end of harvest all places thereabouts were overflowed and inaccessible. Don Francisco de Medina and d' Aubermont sent thither by Spinola, 
Spinolaes' commands brought to Conut Henry.  with orders to Count Henry to beseige Grave, as he had undertaken, arrived about the same tyme. They could him Spinola much marvelled at his despairing of the taking of Ravesteyn, of which he had given him so much assurance: That not withstanding (if he found that could not commodiously be done) his will was that withal speed he should attempt Grave. 
Count Henry answereth the that were sent to him from Spinola that for the present he dispaired of taking Grave.  But Count Henry fallen now in like manner from the hope of taking Grave, made them answer, that, for the present, he dispaired also of Grave; but, if Spinola thought it fit, he would in a short time take in Gennep Castle; which won, Grave at any other time might with less difficulty be taken.  
This answer seemed strange, and amazed them much, who demanded what he meant by that manner of proceeding? that they, 
The reply often hem that were sent.  for their parts, could not comprehend how Grave in so short a space, in which neither the reinforcement of that garrison, nor supplies of provision, nor any circumstance of time had happened preposterous, should upon the sudden become so much stronger them it was before, that, in his opinion, it was not, now to be taken: that they besought him, in Spinolaes' name, to take hart; and to be confident of the taking of one Town alone, who had proposed the taking of so many together. 
Count Henry's excuse.  To this Count Henry had much to reply: that well-near three weeks were let pas●● from the beginning of which he aught to have had all things 〈◊〉 readiness, that in the mean time the enemy, at Nimegen had reinforced his Army with English and french supplies, and lay not far of: that if Spinola himself would draw nearer, sending him some part of his forces, he would yet make proof what might be done.  
Of this, and much more of this kind, because Don Francisco Medina, and d' Aubermont, thought it best to carry back the relation in writing, they demanded Count Henry's letter to Spinola, the substance of which was this: 
Count Henry letter to Spinola by which he excuseth himself.  That it was evident with what zeal he undertook the things he had proposed, when, for no other end, he surprised the Castle of Mondelbergh, the Town and Castle of Cleve, and the Town of Gennep, with out which he could not have relieved his Army. That he confessed himself to have been the author of that enterprise, but with respect, and reference to Spinola, whom he had ever perceived to be of a contrary opinion, and to have his whole thoughts fixed upon Breda. That he did believe what he had proposed, to be feasible, but that he had been deceived by the discovery of two persons, to whom he gave too much credit, before he had made a discovery of it himself; That that counsel of his needed not an Apology; that it was no new thing for spies to deliver things heard of for things seen; that very great Commanders had been often so deceived. That he was of opinion still that that Siege aught not, at this time, to be begun; because he had now discovered many things likely to come cross which before he did not foresee. That he was ready notwithstanding to do what soever he should be commanded, shunning no danger provided that Spinola would give him his commands in writing; and, jointly, excuse him to the King, if (as already he presaged it would) the enterprise should have unfortunate success.  
Upon the receipt of these letters, Spinola, 
Spinola resolveth again upon the siege of Breda.  who had all his thoughts yet fixed upon the Siege of Breda, put of till now, being out of all hope of possessing of Grave, called back to his Camp Count john Nassau and the marquis of Belueder with the forces committed to their charge, and some other Companies of diverse Regiments which lay before Breda: he commanded Count Henry to desist from his attempt intended against Gennep Castle, 
Count Henry is commanded to have a care of our Towns in Gelderland.  and carefully to observe the enemy; to have a special care of our neighbouring Towns of Gelderland; not to remove with his Army, but when the enemy removed; he rising, to follow him close at the heels. From the Camp he sent Don Francisco de Medina to the Archduchesse Isabel to propose again to her the resolution lately left of, of beseiging Breda. The Archduchesse, mindful of the great difficultyes alleged before against that Siege, doubtful what to resolve, allowed at last of the enterprise, subject to infinite dangers, confiding in the valour and good fortune of Spinola.  
Count Henry vanden Bergh, obeying Spinolaes' commands, saved himself with such art from the enemy lying by him, that Count Maurice having an Army of twenty thousand men, durst not, 
Count john Nassaus' care to march out of danger of the enemy.  with all those forces adventure to charge him, he having but a weak Army of 4000 foot, and 1800. horse. Count john Nassau lest in his return, being to pass near the enemy, his men might chance to be charged and disordered, divided his Army into three squadrons, and marched, ready to receive any charge.  
A month and more was now spent in these doubts and demurs, and so many messengers sent up and down in vain. Many men detracted publicly from Spinolaes' deserts, saying the affairs of war were ill managed by him, and that the consults held in the field, aught to have been held at home. Others scoffed at him in their Cups seeming to presage that the like infamy to that of Berghen op Zome would light upon our Army; as if they, forsooth, in their drink, had had the caere of the overthrow Count Maurice. Some called in question Count Henry vanden Bergh his integrity. 
Many men laughed and scoffed at the marquis Spinola.  Others said it were good we returned into garrison, having let slip, by our delays, all oportunityes of doing any thing. Spinola who to this day had not broken ground, nor planted Artillery before any Town, or proclaimed by sound of drumne any laws or ordinances of a Camp beseiging a Town, some one of which by the discipline of war, is presumed should have preceded, before any Town could be said to be besieged, might hitherto say with Caesar, being to pass over Rubicon: Yet it is lawful without dishonour to go back. But he chose rather by some daring Enterprise to put all calumnies to a non plus. And that Count Henry might not suffer in his reputation and integrity, 
Spinola published Count Henry's letters to him, so to clear him of what some men Suspected of him.  he thought good to sand his own letters (written of the passages of those businesses, now public to all men, in the presence of two witnesses) to the Archduchesse Isabel: not knowing better how to clear Count Henry, then by the testimony of his own letters. 
A muster was taken of the Army   
A Muster there fore was taken before the soldier was paid (a thing ever almost observed during the time of the Siege) lest by the gain which others looked to make, Spinola might be deceived by a false relation of the numbers of his men: and Count Henyne Colonel of a Wallon Regiment was sent from the Camp to the Infanta, to raise new forces, 
Count Henyne sent to raise new troops.  to the number 6400. Walloons; order was given that Arms and other provision of war should be bought; that the old soldiers should be drawn out of garrison, and sent to the Camp, supplying those garrisons again with new raised forces. In fine all hope of looking home being utterly cut of, without farther calling of any new Counsel, Spinola concluded peremptorily to march to Breda.  
Upon the 26 of August about the entrance of night he sent Don Francisco Medina before with ten troops of horse and 4000 foot (the Spaniards having the vangarde) to take a new place for our Camp to lodge. He gave him order to take in Gineken the nearest village to Breda, directing what, 
Don Francisco de Medina took up the village of Gineke.  and how he would have things done. Paul Ballion Colonel of an Italian Regiment, had order at the same time to take the village of Terheyde (a place opposite to Gineken, 
Paul Ballio took Terheyde.  on the other side of the Town) accompanied with his own Regiment which had the vangarde, and the Scottish Regiment of the Earl of Argyl, with fourteen other Companies of several Regiments, a good command of horse, and some pieces of Canon.  
Thus in one night the two sides of the Town most convenient to give a beginning or entrance to our Siege, were taken up both at one time: our coming being sooner experienced by the inhabitants of Breda, and the Country people thereabouts, than they could have news of it: Which when they of Breda began to discover, towards break of day, our men by that time having taken up their Quarter, they played upon us the whole day after with seven pieces of Artillery they sent out soldiers to defend certain houses about the Town: the Peasants betook themselves to flight, the soldiers to slight skirmishes on all sides, 
Some slight skirmishes.  by which little hurt was done on either side, saving that the Canoners of Breda (a pleasant sight to our soldiers) bestowed their Balls with such aim, that they killed a Miller of their own, hard by the Town, and forced one of their troops of horse which had the guard not far of to quit their Quarter, and retire, for fear of their own shot.  
The next morning, 
Spinola arrived with the rest of the Anny.  by break of day, Spinola departed from Gilsen with the rest of his Army and about noon arrived at Gineken, where going presently to the top of the Church steeple, he pointed out places, from above, fit for our Camp to lodge. Don Francisco de Medina had taken up his Quarter near a small Brook, upon which a Bark mill stood. This place the marquis caused to be fortified, casting up at first a trench, and afterwards a greater work, with three little Redout, 
The first work begun at Gineken.  and a fort, upon the high way, placing Musqueters behind the hedges and young sprouts of trees to defend them: besides all which he put a Guard upon a Bridge over the Mark, not far from Gineken Church. He sent Don john Medecis to Terheyde, on the other side of the Town, to give order for the taking in of places convenient, who brought word that it was necessary to take possession of all Sluices, with which the champion waters are either kept in, or let out into the Mark, together with a great hill, called in the Country language CONEN-BERGH. 
Paul Baillio intercepted twelve carriage Boats of the enemies in their journey to Breda.  This first day of the Siege, Paul Ballion, with some light portable Boats, intercepted and took at unawares twelve carriage Boats, laden with store of provision and houshouldstuffe, in their journey towards Breda: an infallible presage of good fortune, when the surprising of so many Boats made way to the regaining of that Town, which by the practice of a Boat had before been treacherously taken from the King. The Martiners, landing themselves upon the contrary shore, fled faster than they could be recovered by our men. The prize remained to our Soldiers and watermen. 
They of Breda burn diverse houses about to Town.   
All that day they of Breda made good certain houses belonging to the village of Gineken, but at night they ransacked and quit them, setting fire, and burning to the number of thirty houses. The next day Aertsen the Towne-Coronell, 
A wood near the town is felled by the Townsmen.  with eight Companies of Townsmen, felled a wood of Count Maurices (called BELCKROMBOSCH) growing underthe Towne-walls, lest our men, hid in the shades of those groves, should at unawares make approaches to the works about the Castle. These woods were sold to such as would give most for them. 
Many Barns about the town burnt by the garrison soldiers.   
The days following were entertained with diverse slight skirmishes, they of Breda making sallies in several places out of the Town, burning many Barns and farmehowses round about them. In the Town by command of the Magistrate, a general search was made in all Burgher's houses, 
A search, and a relation sent of it to Conut Maurice, of what provision was found amongst the Towuesmen.  and an account taken of the quantity of all men's Corn, a relation of it being sent to Count Maurice, the better to inform him of the State of the Town. The mill called (Caesar's Mill) was broken in pieces, and carried into the Town, and the hill fortified, upon which the Mill stood. And four lesser Horne-works were new made, for the strength of the four Bulwarks which defend the Towne-walls. 
Four new Horneworks made.  Breda with all these new works and fortifications, is here represented in the Map following. 
Houses of Hage set on fire by them of Breda.   
BREDA FORTIFIED WITH NEW WORKS AFTER THE COMING OF SPINOLA 

A. The Church steeple 162. foot high.  
B. The Castle of the Nassames  
C. The Castle-garden.  
D. The River Merck.  
E. The River fla.  
F. Shices of the River Merck.  
G. The mouth of the River fla, and the water-mill.  
H. The three Ports of the Town, and one of the Castle.  
I. Two Cats upon the walls.  
K. Three half Moons in the Walls  
L. XV Bulwarks.  
M. Ahedg of quick-thorne at the foot of the wall.  
N. XIV. Raucline.  
O. The Counters carp about the ditch.  
P. The greater Horne-workes. V  
Q. Half Moons before the Home-workes.  
R. The Forked for tifications before the Corners of the Horn works  
S. Four lesser horne-workes  
T. Pallisades with sharp nails on the top of them  
V The Hand on the other side of the ditch.  
X. The hill upon which Caesar's mill stood.    
Spinolaes' first en camping before Breda begun shen in two places, afterwards in four. 

K. The village of Hage.  
L. The front of Coune Iseu burgs Quarter.  
M. The Villags of Titering.  
N. The front of the Baron of Ballancons' Quarter.  
O. The works be●●● be●●●e Quarter and 〈◊〉 Quarter  
A. The village of ginaler.  
B. A Band will where we made our first fortifications.  
C. Redeuts upon the highway.  
D. A Fort.  
E. The front of Spinclaes' Quarter.  
F. The village of Terheyde.  
G. Sluices.  
H. The front of Ballions Quarter.  
I. The Bridge of Boats.    
The first onfrenching of Breda with a double french of slight work.  


The first trench of earth cast about the town.  
Redouts of Turf.  
Forts of Turf.  
The height and thickness alike of the first forts and Redouts.    
The Redouts of earth of the figure quadrant, 
The description of our Redouts.  no angle or corner appearing outward, on the in side, for the most part, were fifty foot wide, on the out side fourscore, fortified with a palisado of sharp sparres (placed in the Curtain at the outer edge of the parapet) a Countescarpe, 
The description of our Forts.  a ditch, and many of them, an other palisado without the ditch. The Forts were raised of green Turf with four irregular Bulwarks 35 foot thick, the Curtains of which were 100 foot long on the out side, fourscore on the inside. Aswell the Forts as Redouts were thirteen foot high from the ground on the outside, and equally one with an other fifteen foot thick, the diches of them both being equally twelve foot broad, and eight foot deep, with the sides of the ditch cut scarping, as the outward face or form of both works was made in like manner rising with a scarpe, fortified with sharp sparres, above the middle of the wall, to entertain and entangle such as should attempt an ascent. On the inside, these works were raised eight foot high perpendicularly, at which height a Walk was made five foot broad, fortified round with a Parapet as many foot high, to cover our Musqueters, and bear of the enemy's shot. The entrance to them was upon a plank or stock of a Tree thrown over the ditch, before which was a half moon, bending cubit-wise with one corner outward, and some of these half Moons had a palisado without them. This was the ordinary form of most of our Forts and Redouts raised at the beginning.  
But besides these many Fortifications already mentioned, 
The description of the Causey raised in the Meddow-ground.  a Causey, of the length of two thousand five hundred foot, was cast up six foot high from the village of Hage to the Bridge by which the village of Terheyde is joined to Hage, which causey was 25. broad at the bottom, on the top twenty. But the earth of this causey was at the first so soft and yielding, that it could not bear the weight of wagons and horses, till afterwards, that it was strewed with boards, and then it was able to bear great-peices of Artillery. This work, Ingeners and others acquainted with the places thereabouts, counselled, as a thing necessary, to be raised in that place, 
The reason why this Causey was raised in this place.  because the ground lay low, and the Meadows of their own nature were watery, to which the champion waters overflowing, and the River Merke swelling over its banks, did rise of that height in the winter season, that it was navigable in that place, so that provision might that way be conveyed, by boats, into the Town, and our Quarters lie separated one from the other.  
Whilst these things were doing, Spinola ceased not continually to ride about the Camp, encouraging the Colonels and Captains, 
The diligece used in raising out works.  and calling upon such as had care of the works: and as to a willing mind nothing seems over hastened, he gave order himself that fresh men should supply the places of such as were tired, in so much that the night itself was not exempted from working. By which industry it came to pass, that our two Trenches of so large an extent, together with so many Forts and Redouts, almost in seventeen days were finished, by a handful of men. But the infinite concourse of principal men of note, flocking thither from all parts to better their knowlegd in the arts of War, and the examples of many Princes, who drawn thither by the fame and name of this Siege, took pay amongst the ordinary and meaner sort of Soldiers, and with their own hands cut Turf, and carried Faggots, was a great furtherance to the dispatch of this work. Besides this there arose from these works a benefit of no small importance for the relief of the Soldiers wants by which thing alone our whole Army was preserved from disbanding: for being the soldier's wages were but seldom, and then but half paid, 
The soldiers wants relieved by working for money.  and the rates of all provision grew to he dear, ready money was paid to such as were willing to bestow their labours in working, and as new works were daily let to hire till the end of the Siege, so the soldier's pains ever brought them in ready money. But diverse of them chose rather to beg, 
The vanity of some soldiers,  then to relieve their wants by the gain of their labour, a thing which to most men appeared extreme vanity, to few or none, wisdom, that the needy man, for point of honour, should choose to beg and want victuals, rather than to live well by some honest employment of his pains. How beit two things did much ease the sufferings of our soldiers: first the situation of our Camp, 
The situation of our Camp before Breda, better there that of Gilsen.  far better than that of Gilsen (for here we had a River and many small brooks for watering; a rich soil, and Barnes (the Corn being already reaped) plentifully stored:) to which, secondly, this concurred, a continual good temper of the air almost all the time our soldiers were buisied in felling of woods, making faggots, carrying boughs, cutting Turf, or raising trenches or other works. By which it came to pass that our soldier's health was almost never touched with any disease, whilst the enemy was much molested with the pestilent fevers and infections of Autumn: 
Our Army healthy whilst the enemies was sorely infected.  for Spinolaes' Army consisted of old soldiers, accustomed to hardness, such as were not disheartened with cold, rain, or any hard weather, whereas the enemy for the most part had new raised men, all, or the most of them unaccustomed to hardness.  
Mean while the enemy left nothing vnthought of, 
Two excellent decrees of the enemy.  that forecast and counsel could add to his defence: And amongst other things he decreed two things, especially remarqueable. The first was that Aertsen the Towne-Coronell should have equal authority, 
Aertsen admitted to the Counsel of war.  with the rest of the Colonels, to deliver his opinion in a Counsel of war, that so the soldiers and Burghers forces might be more firmly united, 
The Townsmen are bound by oath to confess what money they have lying by them.  whose disagreement would drawon their ruin, whilst their concord and union would make them invincible. The Second was that every man, upon his oath, should deliver to the Magistrates what store of money he had lying by him, and consequently lend it to the Receivers deputed by the states, towards defraying the charges of their works, and payment of their soldiers, in regard that their Exchequer was but slenderly furnished. And lest any man should conceal, 
The Officers and men of quality take this oath first.  or refuse to do this, the Governor of the Town, the Colonels, the Drossard, the Eschevins, with the Captains of the soldiers and Burghers, took this oath first: by which examples the common people being moved, were the less backward to do the like. 
The summa which was gathered by this means  By this means there was brought into their Treasury a hundred and fifty thousand Crowns, out of which sum the soldier was weekly paid, and the expenses of the works were duly defrayed. Moreover a mark was put upon certain coin worn out of date and not currant, by which that coin was known and commanded to run at the old rate, and other coin was enhanced, and made run above the value, by which course the sum gathered increased and grew greater. Besides, 
Provision begun to be sold out of the public store house.  their Butter and flesh being already spent, licence was given to cell cheese and dried Gaberdine out of the public storehouse: but lest the soldier should chance to want, the Townsmen forbore to buy it.  
The marquis Spinola perceauing now his forces to be too weak to raise, and make good, in so great a circuit, so many several works, all at one time; and at the same time, on the one side to forage, on the other to guard our provision brought from a far; but principally because it was noised that the bastard Mansfeild would once again attempt to break into the Country, 
Spinola caused new forces to be raised.  and put in practise his wont freebutting, but lately left of, so to raise the Spanish King's Army from this Siege, he caused 35. free Companies of Germane to be raised, each of them consisting of 300. men, independent of any Regiment. He dispatched besides Godfrede de Bergh then Baron, 
Godfrede Baron of Grimbergh sent to the Duke of Bavere and Count john Tilly to demand supplies.  since Count of Grimbergh, from the Camp (where he commanded a Troop of horse) to the Archduchesse Isabel, from thence to take his journey to his Excellency Count john Tilly, and lastly to the Duke of Bavere, to demand one of their Regiments, freed from their oath, to enter, and be sworn to the King of Spain's service, who negotiated so that two Regiments were suddenly sent, and arrived in good tyme. Moreover the marquis advanced ten Captains of foot to be Captains of Horse; conditionally that, at their own charge, they should raise and arm so many Troops, for which purpose he dispatched them into the Country, with Comissaryes to receive into pay, and muster their troops. 
Count Maurice recovereth Gennep Mondel— bergh and Cleve.  Whilst these things were doing, Count Maurice recovered the Town of Gennep, left first by our garrison, and took by composition Mondelberghe and Cleve, with which, and with dismantling part of the walls of Cleve, his Army being buisied, he gave liberty to us, in the mean time, to fortify and finish our Campe. But the rumour being spread at last of his marching towards Breda, our men opening their Sluices, drowned all the fields far and near about the Village of Terheyde, on that side where it was conceived he might best break in. Spinola dispatched Losano to Count Henry vanden Bergh, 
Count Henry vanden Bergh followeth Count Maurice.  commanding him with his Army to follow Count Maurice, which Count Henry performed with the small forces he had, notwithstanding he was to pass over those dangerous passages of Campinia. By the report of these things Count Brion a french man being encouraged, 
Count Brion in hope of seeing a Bartaile resolveth to stay in Breda.  after he had obtained licence of Spinola to pass through our Camp from Breda, where at that time he trailed a pike, out of a new hope he conceived of seeing a Battle at Breda, he returned Spinola thanks for his licence, resolving not to make use of it at that tyme. 
Prey taken by the enemy, and recovered again from them.  About this time certain horse troops of Berghen op Zome, who had taken some prey, with horses and Carters from our Convoy, were put to flight by greater Troops of ours sent after them, and their booty was taken from them, and recovered again. 
Provision sent for to Sevenberg.  From our Camp diverse soldiers were sent with great store of wagons to Sevenbergh to take up provision, which Town because it was neuterall, that it might not suffer damage by the licentiousness of our soldier, and that no wrong might be done to the inhabitans of it, Spinola sent along with these soldiers Theodore Schott, 
The Auditor General of the Army sent a long with our soldiers to see good order kept.  one whose office was to decide all public and private differences of the Camp, and to determine, as supreme judge, of any offence committed, or of any other controversy that should chance to arise about the division of spoils, desiring the Magistrates of that Town to set a price upon their merchandise, and undertaking that he would be their paymaster for them: but because there was much more Corn than our wagons could carry away, and that therefore Spinola had requested the Townsmen to transport it for him to the Camp, 
The States forbidden the Magistrates of Sevenberg totransport Corn to Spinolaes' Camp, and Spinola refuteth the money they offer him in lieu of that transportation. A Minister with his wife and family saved from the fury of the soldiers by the intervention of two Priests of the Society of jesus.  which the Magistrates fearing to do, had demanded the consent of the States, who had forbidden them to do it, the Townsmen offered Spinola a sum of money to buy Corne. But Spinola would not accept it, returning word that he stood in need of Corn to be brought to his Camp, and not of their money or Corn bought in any other place. With these troops went a long two Priests of the Society of jesus, of them who had assisted in the Camp all the time of the Siege, for the Spiritual good and advancement of the soldiers, the intent of whose going was to restrain, as much as lay in them, the pilfering of soldier's boys, and to be a means that no wrong should be done to any man. These men served to good purpose for the Burghers of Sevenbergh, and amongst other charitable offices saved a Minister of the word, with his wife and family (whom they found beseeching in vain that no hurt might be done them) from the headlong fury of some of our soldiers. Which when they perceived, who had ever believed and reported hardly of those kind of Priests, they were strooken with admiration, and demanded: How it came to pass that that black Nation was now become so white.  
About that time Wladislaus Sigismond Prince of Poland and Swethland arrived at Bruxelles to visit the Archduchesse Isabel, 
The Prince of Poland and Swethland arrived at Bruxelles, and from thece came to sge our Camp before Breda.  by whom he was magnificently and Royally entertained This Prince was no less a wellwisher of military discipline, then expert in it himself, and in particular was famous for many victories won. He was desirous to see our Siege, and was conducted to the Camp, towards the end of September, by the Count of Salacar, General of the horse, who had been sent with many troops to Anwerp to meet him.  
Spinola, 
Spinola goeth to meet the Prince of Poland.  accompanied with all the Nobility, riding two hour's journey out of the Camp, having sent before him diverse sumpture horses, received this Prince with much joy, and expression of affection. 
He was magnificently entertained.  In the Camp a lodging was prepared for him, in which, though no curiosity was wanting befitting the State and Majesty of so great a Prince, yet there was a greater show of the furniture of a Camp, then of the delicacyes and politeness of a City. At night when the Prince was conducted to his lodging, our drums and Trumpets sounded, 
An Eclipse of the Moon.  and all our great Artillery gave him three volleys, and upon the sudden, the Moon, shining bright, suffered an eclipse; a kind presage (if it were lawful to guess at things to come) that that Prince, singularly expert in affairs of war, should one day come to eclipse those 
* The Turks Arms.  Moons of the Ottomans. Till that day Breda was never battered by our Artillery, 
Our first shooting into the Town.  neither then did it suffer much by our shot, an express command being given to our firemen, to bestow their shot only for the expression of joy, and not with intention to make any slaughter, so that most of our Balls, with out hurt, passed over the Town. 
The Prince of Poland rideth about our Campe.  And in deed that shooting of ours proved more beneficial than domageable to the besieged, because from that time (as the custom is) they were freed and exempted from all manner taxes. Next morning the Prince, attended with a strong guard, being conducted by Spinola round about our works, was welcomed by the Canon Balls of the besieged, who bestowed them thickest, in such places as they discovered most of his troops. The day following he road about with Spinola alone to take a view of the rest of the Camp, all men, to avoid mischief, being commanded to stay behind.  
About the same time eight young french men, 
Eight french Gentlemen taken by our men.  Noblemen in their Country, whilst they had a design to pass, by stealth, from Breda, through our Camp, to Count Maurices, were taken in the marashes, by some of our men: they were civilly treated, not like enemies, but guests. 
Spinola entertaineth them courteously.  Spinola entertained the better sort of them (amongst whom was the marquis of Griniol, Viscount Serre with his Brother, and the Baron of Blunuil, all hopeful young Gentlemen) at his own table. And when he had signified to them that it was not his custom to suffer any man to pass through his Camp to the enemies (the thing which they demanded) he put it to their choice either to take their journeys directly towards France, 
Spinola gave them their choice to go direct  towards France or to return again to the Town  or else to return to the Town, from whence they came. They made choice of the later lest they might appear more forward to shun, then to endure the hardness of the Siege, and accordingly were conveyed back in Spinolaes' own Coach, one of our Trumpeters conducting them to the Town.  
Wladislaus Prince of Poland having taken a full view of our works, 
The Prince of Poland departs from the Camp  not yet finished, is reported to have said, that the dice were cast betwixt the two great Generals, Spinola and Count Maurice, 
His opinion of the presentaffayera  and that both their reputations lay at the stake. Spinola, accompanying him out of the Camp, and having performed all compliments and ceremonies requisite, gave charge to the Count of Salacar to conduct him again to Anwerp.  


A. Breda.  
B. Count Mauricie his Camp in the Village of Mede.  
C. Spinolaes' new Campe.  
D. The Black Causey.  
E. The new Forts of Spinola.  
F. Artificial Standing-waters.  
G. Ballions and Carlo Romaes' Quarters.  
H. The Baron of Ballancons' Quarter.    
In this place was a large heath, where the Army might commodiously have been put in battle array, 
Spinola chose a place fit for a Bataille.  if occasion had been offered. This heath Spinola took possession of, distributing horse Sentinels upon diverse little hills, and lodging the rest of his horse, at a good distance, before his Campe. In the rear of these horse, arose a natural trench betwixt the Town and the heath, upon which he planted seven pieces of artillery, and lodged his foot behind it, felling the young sprouts about the little brooks, in the meadow grounds, and filling up all ditches, with all expedition. The guard of the great Fort, on the right hand, which the Baron of Beavoix had now almost finished, was committed to the Burgundians. The figure of this fort was quadrant, with four half Bulwarks, 
The description of the great fort raised by the Baron of Beavoix.  so solid that Artillery might be planted upon them. The fort was Canon proof. The Curtains were a hundred and twenty foot long, eight and twenty foot thick, fifteen foot high, which were stuck round with sharp long sparres, to make the abbord, to the fort, more difficult. On the inside was a walk upon the wall, with a Parapet five foot high, and ten foot thick, about which a foot step was raised. On the out side, a ditch was sunk ten foot deep, two and twenty foot broad upon the superficies of the water, and twelve foot at the bottom; so that from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the rampire, the fort was measured to be five and twenty foot high.  
Our Army being thus ordered, 
Spinola expeeted Count Maurice two days in bataille array.  Spinola expected the coming of Count Maurice, standing two days together in battaile-array, it being put to his choice whether he would fight or no. There wanted not a certain person, of more than ordinary quality, who hearing Spinola peradventure argue it, by way of discourse, whether it were better or no to draw the rest of his forces against Count Maurice, leaving his works about the Town destitute; delivered his opinion, before he was demanded, that Count Maurice was not in that manner to expected till he came, but that all our forces, being drawn from about the town, aught to go seek him, and force him to fight: for which opinion he cited the Duke of Parma to be his author, a Prince famous heretofore for so many great victories, whom, by like, this party had heard say, in the like occasion, when he, though without success, besieged Breda before, that if the enemy had come to raise him, he would have given him Battle. 
Spinolaes' discreet reply.  But Spinola speaking honourably, and with respect of the Prince of Parma, made answer, that he could no way approve this man's inconsiderate counsel. That to prefer the uncertain adventure of a Battle, before a certain Siege, were to imitate the dog in the fable of AEsop, who in pursuing the shadow, lost a real piece of flesh, and by that means was quit both of shadow and flesh. That he would not so slightly expose his and his soldier's fortunes to danger; and that it was the enemy's part, if he thought fit, to offer him battle, his part only to stand upon his guard.  
DIVERS FIGURES OF THE GREATER SORT OF FORTS.  
Count Maurice being encamped in the Village of Mede, 
Count Maurice desisted from attempting to pass having lost his place of advantage by the diligence of Spinola.  kept himself with in his trenches, giving us no advantage over him, nor suffering any of his men to go far from his Campe. Which Spinola perceauing gave order that four forts more, proportionable to that first of the Baron of Beaunoixes; should be raised anew, on the left hand, towards the Village of Terheyde, by the Baron of Beavoix, Count john Nassau, 
Spinola caused five other forts like the former to be made, to cut of all passage.  and Otto Henry Count Fugger, so to cut of all hope of passage from Count Maurice: which space, being large, was taken in with trenches betwixt fort and fort, and afterwards annexed to the first enclosure made in haste. The figure of these forts differed according to the different situation of the places they stood in, but the height and thickness of them all was alike.  
Count Maurice never offered to sally upon our men buisied with these works: 
Count Maurice suffereth v● to work with out any impeachment.  About that time diverse of his new English forces, which he had caused to come thither for a reinforcement, ran away from their Colours. Afrench Trumpet being sent to Count john Nassau from the enemy's Camp, 
Some french Gentlemen disired to make proof of their valour  upon pretence of demanding some loss, brought him a challendg, in the name of certain french Gentlemen there, daring him to draw somewhat near their Camp, to try the fortune of a Combat with some of them. 
Count john Nassau accepted their challendg.  The Count accepted the challendg, promising the next day to be there, at a certain hour, himself and three companions, with no other Arms than each of them their swords and their case of pistols. 
Count Iohn● three Companions.  The next day, at his hour, he road towards the enemy's Camp, with one Captain Steenhuys, and the two Lieutenants of the two Horse Captains, Grobbendonck the younger and Bothergh-Vppon the sight of whom, four horsemen of the enemies advanced themselves, fifteen others following them a loof of, and three hundred more looking on, from the outmost trench of their Camp, amongst whom it is reported, Prince Maurice himself was one, 
Young Briaute was the author of this duel.  Amongst these four combatants, young Briaute was one, the son of him whom Grobbendonck the elder had vanquished, and slain in the like combat before, though with the loss of his own Lieutenant, Lackerbet. This man, it seems, had been bred only to revenge the death of his Father, as if otherwise his own ruin would have fallen upon him too late: For he had, some days before, sent a Trumpet to Spinola, requesting he might be permitted to combat the son of his Father's Murderer (so he termed young Grobbendonck.) But Spinola had refused him (putting a guard upon young Grobbendonck, lest he should escape.) Briaute therefore cast about for this other occasion, being a young man of a fiery and daring Spirit. In the combat, Count john, having singled out one, for his adversary, of the four enemy combatants, made towards him and discharged his pistol, missing him so narrowly, that with the flame of his pistol he scorched his soldier, having before received his enemy's bullet, without hurt, in the forepart of his own saddle. Young Briaute with a daring bold courage and voice: Charge me, Charge me, quoth he, whosoever thou art that darest: behold, I am Briaute: this day, this day shall revenge the murder of my Father: 
Briaute slain.  with which words, setting Spurs to his horse, and in vain letting fly upon young Grobbendoncks' Lieutenant, was himself shot through with his adversary's bullet, and catching hold of his saddle-pummell, with a dying hand, he quickly fell down dead to the ground. Thus it was the fortune of the two Grobbendoncks', being provoked to it, to prove the ruin of the two Briautes, Father and son. Captain Steenhuys and one of the enemy being wounded, the sixteen which stood without the enemy's Camp, came in to part them. Wheruppon our men retiring themselves, whilst, as they road, they pressed near one an other, one of them, in the press, getting the start of Count john, with the hilt of his sword caught hold, and snatched the Count's bridle out of his hand, his sword being so fast entangled in the bridle, that it was drawn out of his scabbard: 
An un expected danger like to fall upon Count john Nassau prevented by a sudden stand which his horse made.  which strange accident exposed them both to a danger not expected. But Count john Nassaves horse, otherwise furious and unquiet, being astonished, upon the sudden made a little pause, giving time to his Master to recover his Bridle. The other, leaving his sword behind him, retired himself. A Trumpeter of ours, 
A Trumpet of ours wounded Briaute in the head yet breathing.  coming thither to look on, being hindered, by the enemies coming in, from stripping of Briaute, wounded him in the head, whilst yet he had life in him, and leaping upon his horse followed the rest of our men. Few days after this, 
A skirmish betwixt Bouteville and the Baron of Beavoix.  some horse of ours lying in view of the enemy's Camp, Boutteville a french man, with five other horsemen beside in his Company, made towards our men to chase them away. The Baron of Beavoix riding that way, by chance, with a good guard, came in, in the mean time, and relieved our men, forcing the enemy to retire to a grove near at hand: from whence Boutteville, advancing forward alone, boasted what he was, and challenged any one of them to a single combat, confiding in his near retreat, and a Corselet, he had on, under his riding-Coate. His challendg was accepted, and he requested, to that purpose, to ride farther from the grove: But because he would not remove farther than the place where he was, he was wounded under the reinss with a Musket ball of ours, with the pain of which blow he let fall his pistol, 
Bouteville wounded.  and retired himself.  
Mean while, 
Count Maurice, out of hope of relieving Breda resolved to attempt the Castleof Anwerp.  whilst all things seemed to sleep in the enemy's Camp, and that no shot, nor sallies were made, or any other thing attempted to hinder the progress of our works, Count Maurice, dissembling, by this means his, designs, knowing that stratagems require time, and that it is unsafe to attempt great enterprises with out deliberation, had contrived, in the night time, to fall upon Anwerp Castle at unawares: which he did in this sort. It is to be presumed he had notice, 
A small garrison of ours in the Castle of Antwerp.  that, excepting such, as, either for age or sickness were exempted from their duties, there was then but a small garrison left in that Castle. The enterprise appeared to him well worth his labour, and the gain greater than the loss of Breda. At Berghen op Zome, Rosendale, and his Camp, he kept all men within their quarters, with such care and vigilancy, placing guards for that purpose, that not the lest notice of so great an enterprise, was given to our Camp, or to the Town of Antwerp. 
The charge of this expedition given to Brouchem.  He commanded Brouchem, Drossard of Berghen op Zome, and Captain of a troop of horse, to repair to him, to Mede, committing the charge of the expedition to him: who (as the report runs) took with him 1000 foot and 200. horse out of the places mentioned, lading all his wagons with store of strange engines. The soldiers of Rosendale and the Camp were made believe they should march to Berghen op Zome; they of Berghen op Zome were told they should march towards the Campe. When they had marched thus not far from their Quarters, command was given that all their blue and Orange-tawney scarves (such as the State's soldiers are accustomed to wear) should be put of, and read scarves (such as the King's men wear) put on in their places, lest, giving out afterwards upon the way that they were the King's men, they might be known to be the enemy, by the colour of their scarves, and by that means come to be discovered by the Peasants. If by the way any man chanced to demand what they were, they were taught to say, they marched to Anwerp for provision of victuals, whether, it was reported, at the same time, our men were to go for provision. 
A Notable stratagem of the enemy.  The Canvas cover of their wagons (marked after our manner, with the Burgundian Cross) furthered much their deceit. And in this manner they arrived near the Castle, protected the better by the extreme darkness of that night, having before deluded, as appeareth, all the Peasants thereabouts. They had made themselves a passage, 
The attempt of the enemy and the success.  by pulling down three or four stakes of the palisado, and diverse of them were already got upon the bridge. 
The wound being against the enemy, favoured their exploit.  The wind being against the enemy, was cause that they of the Castle could not hear the noise, of the rolling of wagons, neyeing of horses, or the like: by which means they adventured so much the more boldly, to let down their Boats into the ditch, fasten their scaling ladders, make ready their pincers, hammers, levers, and other artificial engines, to break a sunder Barracadoes, 
One of the Sentinels of the Castle discovereth the enemy.  and heave Ports out of their hinges. Whilst these things were doing close under the walls, Andreas Cea, an old soldier, whose fortune it was to stand centinel at that time, began to listen attentively, suspecting some treachery by the noise he heard, and gave notice of it, by discharging his Piece. 
The Governor repaireth to the walls with his soldiers.  john Bravo Governor of the Castle, and they of the Guard, betook themselves to the walls, from their Courts of Garde, and made ready for their defence. The enemy was so encumbered with the rising of the wind and tempest (which at first was not so great, 
The wound and tempest growing greater hindereth the enemy.  so that they approached with more ease) that now they could neither settle their Boats, nor fasten their scaling ladders, nor in fine, exploit any thing. Wherefore leaving behind them many of their engines, Boats and Ladders, 
The enemy retireth with out doing any thing.  (when they found they were discovered) they retired with speed, put back, out of doubt, by the intervention of Heaven, so that by this means, this great exploit came to nothing, which other wise would have proved infinite cross to our affairs. 
Andrea's Cea rewarded for his good service.  Andrea's Cea for his care in preserving the Castle, was rewarded (more bountifully than heretofore the preservers of the Capitol) by the Archduchesse with a pension of fifteen Crowns monthly, by the Magistrates of Anwerp with a rich suit of , and scarf.  
Count Maurice, 
Count Maurice his grief for the ill success of that enterprise.  being deceived in his expectation of that, which he had framed to himself as a thing infallible, lay still, for a time, with his Camp, pensive and resolving nothing, being strooken with an extreme apprehension of sorrow. Many of his soldier's Cabins were destroyed with this tempest, 
The enemy's horse in danger of being lost.  and his horse of Friesland, which by his command was arrived at Gertrudenbergh, ran a great hazard of being utterly lost, for the Causeyes and bridge over which they were to pass, being broken by that tempest, they were so separated from the rest of their Army, that it was thought they might wholly have been broken, and cut in pieces. Spinola had notice of it, and whilst he was in doubt whether he should fall on with greater forces or not, 
The wisdom of Spinola.  he chose rather to forbear to do hurt at all times, to then do the enemy this affront with danger of his own loss. For (with Augustus') he compared them, who with imminent dangers look after small gain, to such as fish with a golden hook, the loss of which cannot be repaired by any thing they take. In conclusion Count Maurice having done nothing before Breda, 
Count Maurice sets fire on his Cabins and retireth from Mede.  two and twenty days after his encamping at Made, gave order for the fyring of his Cabins, and packing of bag and baggage, and retired from thence pensive, and never after to return back again. It is reported he was scarce ever after seen of his Army, so far he was from desiring any ease of his sorrow. Spinola discovering the continual smokes of those fires, with many troops of horse road towards the enemy's Camp, and found it without soldiers, the rear of the Army being then upon the retreat. 
The desire of some of our men to make show of their valour in sight of their General.  Here all men, in the eye of their General, were desirous to make some show of their valour, diverse of our soldiers attempting to chase such, of the enemy's men out of their Quarter, as remained for the safer retreat of their whole Army, but by the turning of greater forces upon them, they retired themselves fairly. Haberdashers of small ware, and victuallers of the Camp had left behind them great store of provision, 
Booty left behind in the enemy's Camp. Count Maurice his wary retreat.  all which became prey to our soldiers. Otherwise, this retreat of Count Maurices was performed with such order, that it begat him as much honour, as his enterprise unfortunately ended caused affliction in him. So that he might well say with Antigonus, making the like retreat, that he did not run away, but that he prosecuted his own advantage, presenting itself to him: In this retreat he had such a regard of his own, and his men's safety, that he was able to save himself from any sudden assault of Spinola, by the works he had raised, and cut of all possibility of pursuing him for the present. The causey of Swoll reached to the uttermost part of his Camp, in which place the way of Sevenberg gins: 
Works raised by Count Maurice for the retreat of his Army.  upon the entrance of which Causey he had cast up a fort, to retire his men into. On the side of the Causey he sunk a deep ditch, drawing a parapet at length upon the Causey itself to cover his men as they marched away. Hither they might safely repair; from hence they might defend the rest of their men marching, if any great troops of ours should, peradventure, charge them; and out of this place they might securely sally, having this trench at their backs to retire back again: for that work was so solid and high, that it could not be attempted but by scaling ladders on the side, and in the front, only by one passage, and that exceeding narrow: in the rear an other work shut in this parapet, in which place the Causey of Terheyde was cut asunder, lest our men might fall upon them, that way, in their retreat. Count Maurice marched away, in two divisions, with his Army. Himself with Count Ernest Nassau, 
Count Manrice mar ch to Rosendale with one haife of the Army.  marched to Rosendale and fortified that place. Prince Henry Frederick Nassau with the other half of the Army encamped at Sprang, where he raised many works and other fortifications. 
Prince Henry with the other part marchethto Sprang.  Spincla some few days after Count Maurice his departure thinking he had made a journey much to his praise and profit, returned again to his old Quarter, nearer Breda. Count Maurice made no long stay at Rosendale, 
Spinola returned to his old Quarter.  for his health beginning to fail him, he was fored to leave the Army. Wherefore he committed that charge to Count Ernest Casimire Nassau, and took his journey to the Hage, 
Count Maurice falleth sick at Rosendale. He returneth sick to the Hage.  wearied out with the yrksomenesse of so many cross accidents: where, calling all his enterprises, in vain attempted, to mind, and considering that nothing had prospered, or had good success, he pined away by little and little, his disease turning (as is reported) to the Consumption of the lungs. His only hopes now left, were in this one thing; that if the Siege could be maintained till the winter season (the harvest being then well-near at an end) we should either be forced, by the sharp weather, to forsake the Siege, or by the tediousness of our iournyes, and nearness of his Camp, be utterly cut of from all our provision. Notwithstanding, lest by our perseverance and good fortune, he might chance to be deceived, he called Count Mansfeild to him, 
Count Mansfeild called into Holland by Count Maurice to raise a new Army in England and France.  into Holland, to employ him in the levying of a new Army: who having conferred with Count Maurice at the Hage, and afterwards with Count Ernest Casimire Nassau, at Rosendale, when he had treated such things as made most to his purpose, he took his tourney towards France and England to raise new supplies. 
Mansfeild like to be cast away by rempest at Sea.  But being forced to go to sea in the dead of winter, though when he took ship the weather was fair, and seas calm, yet aftewards upon the sudden, the rain began to pour down out of heaps of dark clouds, and the raging waves to rise with the winds, all things being filled with horror and darkness. The Air and the seas were filled with tempestuous winds, which driven all his ships upon flats and Rocks. No Anchor could hold them, no pumps could void the water which rushed in by streams. All carriages and other necessaries were thrown over board, to disburden the ships which now by the raging of the waves sailed on one side. In fine, the tempest increasing more and more, most of his followers were cast way, and he himself suffered ship wrack, being saved with much ado by means of a little Cockboat, so that he was long after reported to be dead. 
The king of England promith 14000. foot  His Majesty of England promised Mansfeild fourteen thousand foot. Some Companies he raised himself in the land of Liege, and other places. Two thousand foot were levied in Germany. 
The States reinforce their old Army.  The states resolved to make a strong reinforcement of their old Army, raising new supplies in Germany, France, and England.  
Spinola perceauing now the intentions of the enemy, 
Spinola putreth the Infanra in mind to raise forces in tyine to make head against Man●feild.  gave notice of what passed to the Archduchesse Isabel that she, in time, might demand supplies of horse and foot of the Emperor to make head against Mansfeild; and of the Duke of Bavaria, the forces of the Princes of the league of Germany. He gave order to the Provinces, for their own defence, to raise fifteen thousand foot (which they termed KEURLINGS or choice men) and three thousand horse (called BANDS OF ORDONNANCE) which troops partly the Provinces themselves were to pay, partly the provincial Exchequer of the King, the foot during the time of this war only, the horse ever after; and these forces to be presently employed in all services, as often as any occasion of war should offer itself, so to be able to defend or offend. 
The Archduchess governeth and taketh care for all things.  The Archduchesse Isabel, with a kind of sacred forecast, beholding all things, as at the stern, sparing neither night nor day to writ and consult, governed all general businesses, and managed wholly this great affair, facilitating things the rather by the affections she had gained of her subjects at home, and the reputation of her name with strangers abroad, more than it had been possible for any other than herself. Wherefore by her letters to the Emperor she easily obtained the forces which Spinola demanded, and for the same purpose she sent Count Octavio Sforza to the Duke of Bavaria. 
Count Octau●o sforza sent to the Dake of Bavarta.  The Emperor promised 3000. foot, and 2500. Horse: the Duke of Bavaria 3000. foot and 1000 Horse. The Provinces had their forces ready in good time, 
The Emperor and Duke of Ba●aria promise supplies.  according to the proportion they undertook to sand. Only this remained now, in which Spin●la employed all his endeavours, and in which alone consisted the success of the whole business, 
Spinola provideth for two necessary things: wagons to transport his provision and an able man to command his convoys.  to be able, with out danger to furnish so great an Army plentifully with provision, for so long a time, as he foresaw this Siege would endure: and for this, because he found two things to be infinitely necessary; first, numbers of wagons to transport his provision, then, some one Commander, perpetually to be present, to commanded his convoys in times and places of most difficultyes and danger; he gave the absolute command of the Conuoyes to Count Henry vanden Bergh, keeping Ochoa Gomez, Commissary General, as they style him, in the Camp, whom hitherto he had employed in commanding the Conuoys, and of whose service and industry he had now more use than ever, for the making of excursious and discoveries, with his horse, about Breda, and the rest of our Quarters. 
Count Henyne sent to the States of Brabant to demand wagons.  He dispatched away Count Henyne, first to the States of Brabant to procure wagons, that other Provinces, by their example, might be won to do the like. Count Henyne applying himself particularly to each man apart whom he knew to have any voice or sway in the counsel, easily persuaded them so that afterwards, in Counsel, they altogether consented, as men that had a special care of the common good, and were particularly acquainted with the present necessities. 
The other Provinces follow the example of them of Brabant.  They of Brabant being first persuaded, Flanders, Henault, Artois and the rest, easily consented afterwards to the allowance of wagons.  
The public storehouse was appointed at Lyre, whether the provision was first to be brought, 
The public store house at Lyre.  and from thence afterwards to be transported to the Campe. The greater part of our Horse was with Count Henry vanden Berghe to guard the provision, for the Camp before Breda, 
Count Henry's care in conducting the provision.  with the fortifications about it, was now able, without horse, to defend itself. Though the only name of this Commander were fearful to the enemy, yet his deeds did more scar them, in these occasions, than his fame. His manner of proceeding was this. In the morning, before day, he gave command to put in order the disordered multituds of Carriages and wagons, then, sending first some troops of horse before to discover, he commanded them to march. He placed Artillery in the van and the Rear, to give warning of the enemies approaching, 
The order he observed  that by the report of that Artillery his men might gather together (as his order was) and repair to the place which should stand most in need. He guarded both sides of the ways, towards Rosendale and Langhestrat (where the enemy's Camps lay) with lose wings of horse. He intermingled with these Horse, guards of Musqueters, and with the rest of his horse brought up the Rear; so that he both marched forward with is men, and was ever prepared to receive any charge. He provided, with all diligence possible, that the ways least subject to ambushes should be made choice of, causing them to be repaired for the greater ease of his wagons. If word were brought him of any danger, he had a care not to come to blows in places of disadvantage, and therefore, he either made a stay in places fit for him, or else made haste out of those places of danger, making use of his wagons, in steed of a Trench, drawing his men within them, if there were danger of being charged. When his troops began to march, he was ever the first man cut of his Quarter, and then he made a stand to vieu and hasten the rest forward, till almost all his troops were well-near passed by. He ever marched in the rear of all, but now and then in his march advanced before them all, and then again after all men came last into his Quarter. He commanded his soldiers should be quartered before night, and whilst it was yet day he road about his Quarter. He called the Peasants to him, and informed himself of the ways, and of the enemy. He placed guards where need required, and either broke down or possessed himself of all bridges, so to cut of all passage from the enemy. He gave order that his soldiers should always have their horses ready bridled, upon the guard against any need or occasion should require: others he dispersed continually abroad, so to try if they could win or enueigle any man, by whom he might learn some thing of the intentions of the enemy. 
His spies.  He wanted not his other spies to give him notice of all plots and designs of the enemy, upon whom he spent great sums of money. In the night he gave command that Sentinels should be placed upon all ways and passages. And lest these diligences should chance to be neglected by custom (a thing that happeneth ordinarily in the like cases) he often road, unlooked for, about the Quarter himself, not that he disinherited the vigilancy of his Rounds, but that his soldiers, by the example of their Commander, might be the more willing to employ their own endeavours, he undergoing the same labour with them. His care of the Peasants was no less than of the Convoy: for he gave as strict a command to his soldiers, to quench carefully all fires they had made for their own use in the Peasants Barns, 
His punish meant of such as were found to be faulty.  as if he had been the particular Officer to have care of those fires. He forced such as were careless in observing this command, by whose negligence the fires, ill quenched, kindled afterwards again, and took hold of houses or did any other mischief, to lie in the open air, to have their wages detained from them, and in fine to make good all damages sustained by those fires. He exhorted them (in imitation of Aurelian the Emperor) to feed upon the spoils of the enemy, not he tears of their Countrymen. He took the Peasants witness against the soldier, heard their complaints, and punished such of his soldiers as he found guilty. By which discipline he brought to pass, 
The benefit he reaped by these diligences.  that he Country people (of whom there was great want and scarcity in all Villages) brought such things to cell as before they had concealed and hoarded up in Churches and strong Towers, whether most of them for fear were fled, with their wives, children, househould stuff and Corn, returning again to plough their fields without fear or danger: with so little hurt he led his Army through the Villages of Brabant, having a special regard of the Corn, fields, houses and inhabitants. The report of which exact discipline, so punctually observed, was cause that the enemy never durst attempt our Conuoyes: And the like honours done heretofore to Alexander Severus for his modesty and restraint in leading his Army against the Parthians, 
Count Hery called by the Croats, God of the Peasant.  were nowdone to Count Henry vanden Berghe by the Croats, who styled him the God of the Peasants for the care he ever had of the Country people.  
But, howbeit by this care and vigilancy of Count Henry, 
Spinola taketh care for forage, and the refreshing of his horse.  the provision of the Camp was safely brought in, yet because, by the great numbers of horses which by this means came in, the forage of the Camp began much to lessen, and the horses themselves, by their continual labour, became lean and out of hart, most of them, of necessity, feeding upon stubble, and chopped straw; Spinola thought upon a course for both these inconveniences. And, 
He forbiddeth the horsewhich guarded the proursion to enter into the Campe.  lest what remained of our forage should come short for the horse of the Camp, he commanded that the horse which guarded the provision should be lodged in the nearest Towns and Villages thereabouts, there to refresh themselves, whilst the wagons, and provision was making ready at Lyre: and, that those horses, when they had guarded the provision to the Camp, might not waste the Camp forage; he gave a strict command that none of them should enter with in the trench, and dismissed all Carts and carriage-horses so soon as they were unladen. By which means it came to pass, that our Horse coming to full feeding elsewhere, in a short time became fat, and in good case. And that these things might be done with more security, he caused a large fortification to be raised at Barle (a Village three hour's journey distant from Breda) lodging a good garrison in it, with one troop of horse. To his place afterwards Count Henry conveyed the provision with his horse. Here he made a stand till the horses and Carts returned unladen from the Campe. And hither fresh troops of horse and foot came from the Camp to guard it.  
But that the ways might be yet less subject to danger against all accidents that might peradventure happen, Count Isenburg raised a work in the Village of Leur, against R●sendale, near about that place, where either the river is fordable, o●els hath a passage over it by Bridg. 
Spinola for tifieth the way by which our provision was to pass.  Three other works besides were raised by Count Henry betwixt Lyre, Herentals and Turnhout, and four more at Outturhout, betwixt which the soldiers that guarded the provision took their rest in the night: Which way, though, by much, it were farther about then the direct way of Hooghstrat, yet because it lay farther from the enemy's Camps, 
The longer journey though the safer chosen for our provision to be transported to the Camp  it was held much safer, and less subject to danger; the rather because in the two Castles of Hooghstrat, and Turnehout, an indifferent good garrison of soldiers was left. By which wariness, the passages becance so secure, that the Peasants almost without any guard, from Turnehout especially, adventured in their Carts to bring provision to the Camp, 
Some Peasants who ventured to freely to bring un provinon were taken by the enemy.  of which freedom of theirs in victualling our Camp, the enemy having notice: once he set upon them and rob their Carts, carrying away their horses and Masters, not for from Barle.  
Count Maurice, in his sickness, aiming at some new exploit, not being yet quite out of hope of surprising Anwerp Castle resolved once again to attempt it in the night. 
An other attempt uppoir Antwerp Castle.  He committed the charge of the enterprise to Stakenbrouck Governor of Grave; but the success of this attempt was no better than that before. The rain poured down so thick, that their Muskets became unserviceable, through the moisture of their powder: and they in the night, discovering fires a far of, upon the walls, suspecting they were betrayed, retired suddenly with so great confusion, that leaving their carriages behind them in certain cumbersome passages, they made a retreat little better than a running away. It was thought to be a conspiracy of some treacherous Burghers in the town, 
A suspicion of treason in Anwerp and some men punished for it.  who led with the apprehension of novelty, had persuaded the enemy to come. Thirty of them, whose liberty of speech begat a iealiousy of them, were condemned to banishment, but having their pardons again, most of them remained in the Town.  
Count Maurice perceauing he could effect nothing upon our provision, though, purposely to entrap us, 
A new device of count Maurice to hinder out provision.  he had divided his Army: applied himself wholly to the molesting of such, as were any way suspected to further our provision. They were apprehended who were found guitly, and condemned in great fines: not so much as they who paid contribution to the united states, were spared; others were terrified with the greatness of the penaulty. Moreover all Corn mills were taken away, the irons of them being broken. 
Mills, Ovens brewing wessels broken by the command of Count Maurice.  Brew-houses and Bake-houses were destroyed, their Ovens and cauldrons being pierced: And the bruit is, it was consulted amongst them, whether it were fitting or no to sack and spoil all such places of the Campinia (defended with slender or no guards at all) as at that present gave relief to our convoys. 
A question moved by the States about the burning of all, villages of the Cam pinta.  Some were of opinion, that all such places were far and near to be set on fire, to which our men might any way have recourse for provision, lest they should stand us in steed for the plenty of our victuals. Others, mistrusting we would do the like to their open Towns and villages, allowed not of that opinion.  
They made trial of many things (as men are wont in desperate affairs. 
They were take by the enemy that brought provision to our Camp ) Out of Turnehout and Hooghstrat they took diverse men prisoners, who had furnished our Camp with victuals and forage. Spinola, taking the same course, commanded all men, in like manner, to be taken, whom he could learn had any way relieved the enemy with forage or victuals, 
Spinola vieth the enemy's Peasants in the like manner.  and condemned them, every where, in very great fines. divers of them, pleading their innoceny, sent their complaints to him by embassage: To whom he made answer, That the present state and condition of war now required, that since the enemy laboured, 
Spinolaes' arswer to them that complained  by all means, to hinder our provision, he, in like manner, should endeavour to restrain his: and if they desired to found favour in this, that the enemy should first cease to intercept our peasants. But if the enemy would not desist, he was then resolved to hold the same course.  


Coronal Wingards Battery.  
The Baron of Ballancons' Battery.  
Count Isenburgs Battery.    
Mean while, 
Our four raging subject to danger.  whilst our soldiers foraged and sought wood somewhat farther from the Camp then ordinarily they were wont (all forage and wood near at hand being consumed) the enemy conceived that, seeing them so scattered and dispersed in their foraging, with their horse, they might easily cut them in pieces. Wherefore they had ever a watchful eye upon us, and took all courses possible to hinder us from wood and forage, which they imagined to be a thing less difficult because they over-matched us in horse, ours, for the most part, being all employed, either in guarding our Camp or conducting our provision. It was indifferent to them whether they cut our men in pieces, or took away their carriages, without which our Siege could not be maintained. Hence it came to pass (a thing not to be avoided) that whilst forage was to be sought in houses scattered and dispersed, 
The enemy began to intercept our foragers.  our foragers now and then were intercepted, in by ways, by some small troops of the enemy's horse, which though it did us not any great hurt, yet somewhat it endamaged our soldier's boys, Carters, and horses. Spinola, that the enemy might not long enjoy so much as this poor triumph, expected, 
We sustained some losses, though small.  from thence forward, the return of those forces, with which Count Henry guarded our provision, within three leagues of the Army, under the protection of which troops our men foraged ever after securely in all Country Villages round about our Campe. And for his provision he took such a course, 
Spinolaes' care to save our foragers from danger.  that at the same time the wagons were lading wheat at Lyre, Oats were transported to the Camp in other Carts, sending a competent number of horse and foot to guard them; which carts being first unladen in the Camp, the soldier might return to Lyre, in good time, to guard the rest of the prcuision to the Army. In the mean time such horse as by long labour and leanness were almost become unserviceable, were sent thither to garrison, where forage was more plenty, whilst other horses supplied their places, to whom afterwards, in like manner, their Quarters were asigned to refresh. Thus by the redoubling of tourneys, with horse fresh and in good case, he quickly transported his forage and Corne. The charge of which was committed to Alexander Heyse lieutenant of the Artillery, who employed his whole endeavours in the speedy lading, and ridding of wagons.  
But after that the Country (with whose approbation this transportation of our forage and Corn was exacted) perceived the Siege to continue, and new exactions, 
The Country finds the charge of wagons to be too great for them to continue.  every day follow, upon the neck of the former, being wearied out with the expenses of continual supplies of wagons, were no longer able to defray so great a charge; a new course was thought on for the transportation of provision. In all willages Carts with two wheels were taken up at hire, which by reason of the wide standing a sunder of the wheels, often times one horse, 
A neweourse taken for the transportation of our provision.  for the most part two horses were able to draw, with much more ease, than three horses drew those other wagons of four lesser wheels. A price was agreed on for these Carts, dear at the beginning, by reason of the ill ways but, afterwards, in better weather, 
The benefit we reaped by this new invention.  the price was lessened by half. And thus our provision, with less charge, by far, of horses and wagons, with less waist of forage, with the same expedition, and in the same quantity, was easily transported.  
This new invention deceived Count Maurice, who relying principally upon the season of the year, assured himself we should never be able to overcome the inconveniences of furnishing our Camp with provision; so far fetched, and so tedious to be brought; the rather, because winter was already at hand, and all Corn thereabouts was conveyed in to Towns, all Villages, far and near, being utterly diffurnished, and , for fear of war, being driven farther of. It is reported that Count Maurice amongst some of his people; should vaynegloriously utter those speeches which Pompey, heretofore, used of Caesar at Dyrrachium: 
Cout Mautice his saying of Spinola.  That he would acknowledge himself a General of no experience at all, if Spinolaes' Army were not forced shamefully to departed; and that he would unfeignedly attribute so much to his honour (if he were able to endure the Siege all that winter season) that he understood, and was able to manage more than he could, 
This victory must be acknowledged to come inmediately from Almighty God.  and more than the devils of hell were able to reach to. And indeed except the hand of God had more assisted us flill then the power of man, and the winter (at other times sharp) had not at this time been strangely temperate, it had been impossible to endure the difficultyes of this Siege. It cannot be denied but those floods which the townsmen, in November, turned upon our Camp, when, stopping the mouths of the Rivers, they began to cast up a bank to make the Merke and the Aa overflow far and near, did, beyond measure, molest and scare us. But Spinola at the beginning could never have believed, 
Spinola, as first, deceived in his opinion.  that it was possible the Siege could be prolonged so long, or that so great numbers, or such an expense of carriages would beneedfull. All which charge if the Country had well weighed at the beginning, peradventure they would never have undertaken it so willingly, as to the end of the Siege they afterwards continued it faithfully, disbursing the charges of four hundred wagons, and paying beside the foot forces raised by the Country. In which thing they shown themselves faithful subjects to their Prince, 
The faith fullness of the subjects to then Prince in this occasion.  and gained everlasting praise to themselves. Besides, who could have foreseen so so many leavyes in all Europe for Breda alone? It was commonly bruited that the provision of Corn and other necessaries against winter, 
This happened during this Siege that no man conld have fore seen.  was not sufficient for the besieged in the Town. That the Townsmen accustomed to plenty, unacquainted with war and famine, would never be able to endure great wants. That the French, Scottish, English and low-Countrimen (of all which there were diverse garrisoned in the Town) would not have patience so long till their Corn and other provision should begin to fail. That some of them by nature, others by custom did more affect delicacyes; and for these reasons we persuaded ourselves, they would not be able long to hold out: so easy a thing it is to take Arms when men please, but hard to disengage themselves till their enemy think good. 
The means by which the besieged held out the longer.  But, besides all that Corn with which every townsmen was commanded to furnish himself, and which was provided in the public storehouse for the soldier, the peasants (in that time our Army lay at Gilsen, and could not conveniently stop all their passages) for fear of a Siege, transported great store of provision to the Town. Moreover the Colonels and Captains for the notable gain they made, appropriating, to their own use, the wages of their dead soldiers, were the better contented to endure inconueniencyes, and this so much the rather, by how much the greater numbers of their soldiers came to die, by diseases, for by that loss, grew their gain, and their famine was plentifully supplied, by the increase of their dead pays: by their soldier's necessities, they gaped after their death; by their death, the benefit of their dead pays: so much more assurance is in money, then in the faith of men. 
the number of the dead in Breda  The numbers of the dead were so great during the time of this Siege, that more than five thousand were found registered in the survey of interrements which was the third part of the inhabitans of Breda, the computation, at the beginning, being but fifteen thousand persons: So that the decease of the dead, was the food of the living. And, 
A course the enemy took to keep from us and the townsmen themselves the number of them which died in the Town.  a thing which was neither observed by the town's men nor by us, was, from the beginning, enacted by the decree of the Senate, that no man's funerals, how rich or noble so ever he were, should be celebrated, by their parents, with the toll of Bells. These things deceived not us alone, but generally the opinions of the besieged themselves (besides that the commanders, men otherwise of greater credit and reputation, had in a manner engaged the trust reposed in them, to their own private gain) and diverse runaways out of the Town made report that except succours were suddenly sent them, they could not be able to hold out much longer: the same was written out of Holland to Count Henry vanden Bergh. A certain German soldier who had served the space of nine months under the Hollander, being taken by our men, 
A stratagem of Count Isenbrug  and known by Count Isenburgh, to be a subject of his, having his pardon granted, was sent upon those terms back into the Town, that when he perceived the Town brought to extremityes, he should return to our Camp, assuring him his life and a reward for his pains: after two months that this soldier had remained in Breda, conversant amongst the soldiers, without any suspicion, he returned again and brought word, that the want, in the Town was such, that they began now generally to feed upon horse flesh, and that they had not corn to hold out above two months longer at the most. That they desired that Spinola would oftener batter the Town, for a colour, at lest, that they might found some good pretence to tender themselves. To these reports some men giving an attentive ear, who willingly believe any thing they desire should come to pass, could neither persuade themselves Count Henry his intelligence to be false, nor that the Germane soldier would lie so grossly, in so notable a business, or that all the runaways were generally impostors; importuned Spinola to give way, that fire balls might be shot into the Town. He, albeit he knew well that those engines would little prevail with soldiers accustomed to war, and that custom would make even the towns▪ men forget the fear of it, yet he condescended to their importunities, that from three several places (where so many batteries were raised against the town) the walls and houses of the Town might be battered. About that time returned opportunely to the Camp Philip Count Mansfeild, late Colonel of the guard of Adolphus King of Swethland, famous for the taking in of Riga, where he had the supreme command of the Army. 
Philip Conns Mansfeld inventeth a new kind Artillery.  He adding Art to experience (as use is the master of all things) had found out a certain new invention of Artillery, easier to be drawn then the ordinary Artillery, which, with a less quantity of powder would carry their balls farther, and by that means be infinitely serviceable in these wars: for the direction of which business he had purposely taken a journey from the Camp to Brussels, and caused forty brass pieces and three and twenty Mortars for fire-balls, to be cast. Thirty of the lesser sort, of no more than 180. pound weight, carried each of them Balls of six pound a piece. Ten of the greater sort, each of then of seven hundred and fifty pound weight, carried Balls of five and twenty pound. These were more useful, and not half so chargeable as the ordinary Canon. For the lesser sort of them, was drawn at ease with two horses; the greater, with four: whearas each of our old pieces, asked six, ten, and eighteen horses to draw them. With the third part of powder they carried their balls farther than our ordinary old pieces. This advantage Count Mansfeild gained by his experience, having found out the art of tempering his metal in such sort, when it was dissolved, that he gave it the same hardness the greatest pieces had notwithstanding his mettle was more subtle, and thinner by far, by which means they came to be so much the lighter; And the Balls were, in that respect, carried farther, with a lessecharge of powder, because the touchhole of these pieces, took not fire upon a flat ground, but in the uttermost end of the piece (for there was the centre of the touchhole) upon a rising ground, made hollow to the shape of a spear head, contrary to the old pieces, to which fire was given on the top, betwixt the ball and the flatness of the ground. Hence proceeded the greater force of the new pieces, because the fire given in the uttermost part of the piece, is drawn with equal force into a circle, which being all gathered together with in that hollow place, 
An other invention of Count Mansfeilds'.  throws out their Balls with much more violence.  
An other admirable invention their was of this Counts. Out of a brass Mortar to shoot Bomboes' of more than a hundred pound weight, seven hundred paces farther than any other. These Bomboes' he shot, from a far, into the midst of the Town, whereas otherwise, by reason of the distance, the use of Mortars had come to naught, our Batteries standing at the lest six hundred paces from the Town. It was told us by run aways that this shooting did as much hurt, as terrify the besieged. We saw afterwards by experience when we entered the town, 
The misheife these pieces of Count Mansfeild wrought in the Town.  great ruyns of houses overthrown by these Bomboes'. One of them fell upon the roof of the Armoury (where their powder lay) which failing to take fire, did no hurt at all, otherwise it would have made great spoil in the Town. but the other Canon balls, with which in three several places we battered the town (and that part especially which Count Isenburg commanded) struck so much terror into them, that diverse of the inhabitants left their houses empty, and was cause that the church-service was done at an unwonted hour, and with out sound of bells, and that, in the end, the soldiers themselves were commanded to enter the guard without beating drums. Aertsen the Drossards' wife to encourage the disheartened townsmen; at what time our Canon-balls flew thickest about the Town, caused herself to be drawn in her Coach, about the walls, making show of a manly spirit in a woman's body, her resolution being, to her, in lieu of a rampire. Whilst the enemy's affairs stood thus, it was commonly bruited that Count Maurice and the states had conceived some cause of offence against one an other, for the ill direction and managing of businesses: The States, that he had given Spinola so much leisure, to fortify his Camp (spending his time in dismantling the walls of Cleve; 
The States and Count Maurice expostulate and blame one an other. ) that after two and twenty days unnecessarily spent, he retired his Camp from Mede without doing any thing. Count Maurice on the other side laid the fault upon the States, offering to quit the charge he had under them, amongst whom he must both serve their turns, and follow every man's humour. That he left it to them to consider, whether they had conferred more honour upon him, than he had brought in profit to them, With this answer the States being troubled, mistrusting that he intended indeed to quit his charge, they acknowledged him without control, to be their supreme commander, and that they neither mistrusted his trust, nor discretion, but that they had only made mention of such things, as seemed to them would have proved to their advantage: that he would be pleased to continue to protect their Common wealth with his valour, and manage the war wholly at his own command: that they would make it appear how much they took Breda to hart, sparing no charges to save it, for that only respect, that it was the patrimony of the Nassawes. Count Maurice being pacified with these promises and excuses, that he might not seem to neglect the care of the Commonwealth, gave order that a thousand horse should be levied and armed at his own charge. The States themselves raised a thousand more, to reinforce those troops which were expected out of France. Amongst other things, they consulted about the raising of a great dam to stop the course of the River Merke, not far from Sevenbergh: which only course they thought now left for the safety of Breda, if, as often as the spring tide came in, the sea overflowing all the low grounds, and the winter floods, (which run by little brooks into the River) being kept in, they could put under water all meadows far and near: 
A new attept of the states to sue cour Breda.  that those waters would either overflow our Camp, or else serve to put provision, by boats, into the town: Wherefore they undertook this work, a thing of infinite labour and expense. 
They inteded to turn the course of te River by raising a dam in it.  They sent to Sevenbergh Boats, Barks, and wherryes (of which they have great store) from thence to repair to a certain place called Lamsgat, where the mouth of the River is, and in which place, the Banks lying low, the River is fullest of fords and shallow places. So great a provision of Boats was necessary for the raising of this great work; 
Great store of Boats and work men for the raising of this dam  in which besides they employed diverse labouring men and transporters of earth, beginning to fell woods, cut faggots, carry stones, Trees, planks, load their boats, and in conclusion to raise this dam from both shores of the River opposite to each other. But within three days, by an unexpected frost, they were forced to desist.  
Upon Christmans' night (which day the Enemy gave the first beginning to this work) Stakenbrouck, 
Stakebrouke governor of Grave intended an attempt upon  marching out of Rosendale with diverse good troops of choice soldiers, purposed to have made an attempt upon the Rear of Isenburgs Quarter. He was made believe by his spies that by the filling up of a ditch not very large, 
Quarter but was deceived by the falls relation of his spies.  he might easily found a passage. For the filling of which, not above six of seven spades, at the most, would be needful. He relishing well this enterprise, made choice of eighteen horse troops, carrying along with him no more them seven spades. When he arrived at the place, he found that a hundred spades would not suffice for the filling of that ditch: notwithstanding, sending some of his men before, he made trial what might be done. Our horse Sentinel who watched not far from that place, gave notice of it by the discharging of his pistol, by which he warned our Camp to be ready in Arms. but Stakenbrouck, finding himself discovered, commanded all his Trumpets to sound an alarm, and retired, being satisfied only with disquieting our Camp. All other passages were stopped by Count Isenburg with so many overthwart ditches, 
The care of Count Isenburg in cutting of all passages about his Quarter.  and so many branches and stocks of trees fastened into the earth, that one single man could hardly have found passage. The frost breaking up, the workmen (though the swiftness of the River was a main difficulty proposed against the going forward of that dam) returned again to their work left of, sinking three long carriage Boats, laden with turf and stones, and casting in store of faggots and earth upon them: which done, they began to raise the dam from both sides of the River, throwing in rows of turf, with great stakes rammed betwixt them, the better to bind the earth, towards the midst of the channel. At Sevenberg they made sluices, on the other side of the River, to keep in, and let out the tide, that the fields being once overflowed, they might still be kept so deep under water, as should be needful to bear boats laden with provision. Having expected therefore the change of the tide, they put all things in readiness for the arming of their boats.  
THE CAUSEY WHICH NOT A CAUSED TO BE RAISED in the medow-gro●●s fortified with a parapet, pallisadoes, Ba●● and other Works. 

A. The Causey covered with boards.  
B. The Bridy of Boats betwixt Hage and Terheyde.  
C. Halfmoons before the Bridg.  
D. A double palisade in the medon-ground.  
E. A four-double pallisude in the River Merke.  
F. Batteryes.  
G. A Breast-worke. of oves on the other side of the Merke.    
They of Sevenberg notwithstanding were constant to what they had begun, 
The perseverance of the enemy.  how difficult soever they had experienced that work to be, which they had already attempted three or four several times in vain. Such as perceived the impossibility of it, would yet at lest encourage the enemy by a feigned confidence and assurance of the contrary. Wherefore they gave order the dam should be begun again from both sides of the River, for the better strengthening of which they rammed great trees, strait upward, into the bottom of the River, and from hand to hand threw turf into it. They filled up the spaces betwixt these trees with great stones, turf and faggots. And that the work might go on, without intermision, they raised heaps of turf, like rocks, in low places (at such times as the ebb had carried away the water) that at high water they might, by boats, be transporting such turf as appeared above the water. And in conclusion by opposing the ordinary course of the Rivers and Seas, they wrought in vain against nature itself. justin of Nassau, in like manner, began to make up his dams again at Breda, 
The Governor of the Town was not failing on his part.  and to repair his Sluices and works broken down; raising withal high Rampires against our Artillery, to defend the Town from the fury of the shot. Spinola, howbeit he now gave more credit to his engeners, believing it was not possible for his Camp to be removed either by the swelling of the tide, or overflowing of the towne-ditches, since by the cutting of his new ditch he had drawn the standing waters out of the meaddowes into the Mark, 
Spinola still suspecteth the worst.  yet because he knew the Hollanders to be expert in affairs belonging to the waters, and perceived that they desisted not yet from their work, 
He employed spies continually.  he omitted not to sand his spies continually to Sevenberg, not satisfied with any relation they brought him, by the report and hearsay of others, except they protested to have seen with their eyes what they related. But when word was brought that their dam (now near finished) went prosperously forward and that their boats with provision lay at anchor, turned that way which the wind blew towards Breda: behold again the hand of heaven, the wind which, till then, 
The enemies work over-trowne by tempost.  blew fair, turned now against them, and so horrid a tempest arose upon the sudden, that their trees, rammed with waterpile-sledges into the River, their stonce turf, their faggots were carried away with the tide, their boats which carried earth and other materials, blown against one an other, and all together confusedly thrown upon the shore, all hope of success being cut of for the present. 
They defer their work till a better season.  In conclusion the tempest, the inconstancy of the weather, and the violence of the winds were so great, that they saw it was necessary to defer their work till the month of March next ensuing.  
The senate of Breda had notice of what past, 
The providence of the Magistrates of Breda.  and lest their provision might chance to fail them, by the long continuance of the Siege, or their treasure growing low, they might want money to pay their soldiers, they resolved to provide for both inconveniences. And for their corn, by a more moderate distribution of it, they made it hold out the longer. For having once, in September, taken a particular of every man's corn, 
They examine all men's provision.  and after again, in October, cast up a general account of the corn of the whole Town, in the same month presently, within two days after, they caused all that Corn to be measured out, lodging the Captain's street by street, and distributing in every family a certain number of persons. And finding amongst the townsmen twelve thousand measures of wheat, and in the public store house five thousand; and five hundred head of all kind of cattles, they ordained that the soldiers, out of the store-house, should have five hundred measures weekly shared amongst them, and the townsmen a thousand, out of their own provision; eighteen oxen, every week, to be killed, and to be sold at two stivers and a half the pound.  
Mean while we received ill tidings of Goch, 
The enterprise of Goch by Lambert Charles.  a town in Cleve-land. Lambert Charles Governor of Nimegen for the States, having intelligence of the weak garrison, and a place which lay open in the Walls of Goch, 
A passage lay open in the Walls of Goch.  took men out of most of his neighbouring Towns, and marched towards that part of the wall which lay open, entering by force, and making himself Master of it. Of nine hundred of our men garrisoned in the town, not above five hundred were able to bear Arms; the rest either worn out with age, or diseases. The Rampires worn away with moisture, lay open, and became a common passage for Cattles, in such places especially where the ditch was fordable, and those places, without pallisadoes, carelessly left unfortified. james Tourland Governor of Goch had notice of the enemies stirring at Nimegen, 
The Governor of Goch reinforceth his guards.  and gave warning of it to all the neighbouring towns of the Kings, over confident, as it seems, of himself and his own town. He rounded the walls himself, and redoubled all his guards, the day before that attempt was made upon the town. He placed a guard of fourscore men in that place where the error appeared in the wall, and where by the decaying of the Rampart a passage seemed to lie open. This done, he gave an account to Spinola of all things, of the enemies being abroad, of what he had warned his neighbours about him; and what he had done himself. Spinola, at the same time he received these letters of Tourlands, 
Spinola giveth the Governor of Goch a check.  received others from john Gonzalez Governor of Wesel, of the doubtful state of their affairs thereabouts, who returned answer to Tourland, with a check for taking such care of the affairs of his neighbours, himself being over negligent, or over confident of his own, giving him this Caveat withal, that it was not possible for him to sand him forces from the Camp, which would arrive in time to secure him, if need should require. The forces of Nimegen, setting forth about midnight, arrived early in the morning under the ruinous part of the wall of Goch. 
The enemy's forces arrived at unawares.  They were 4000 foot and 400. horse. Who whilst they were labouring to force a passage in that ruinous part of the Rampire, 
The enemy's forces arrived at unawares  the 80. soldiers of ours, placed there to guard and make good the place, terrified with the sudden coming and numbers of the enemy, forsook the Sergeant that commanded them, and, for fear, betook themselves to a shameful flight, 
Our men shamefully put to flight.  giving way to the enemy to enter at that place, the defence of which was committed to them. The enemy having taken that part of the wall, possessed themselves, not long after, of the Market place, and two Ports. Tourland himself was forsaken by diverse of his men, and now that the enemy was entered the town, was able no longer to bear the fury of the brunt: wherefore, 
Tourland makes good the Castle and one ports of the Town.  gathering together his scattered soldiers out of flight, he betook himself to the defence of the Castle, and one Port of the Town which yet remained untaken. He dispatched a packet presently to john Gonzalez Governor of Wesell, demanding succours of him, assuring him, he and his would hold out, till they arrived. Gonzales returned him answer with speed, counselling him to maintain the good opinion conceived of his valour, and promising suddenly to sand him supplies. Our men made good their places with extreme difficulty that day. After the hot day's service, 
Our men beaten from that port of the Town which remained in their possession.  at night, they were beaten foom their Port. Only the Castle now remained to them. Next day arrived succours, of 1000 foot, who contrary to Tourlands direction, making account, at the postern Port, to enter the Castle; with over hastening themselves, broke down the bridge, three hundred of them being left on the other side of the River, who were all either slain, or remained alive to the mercy of the enemy. 
The succours which were sent our men, by disorder and over hasting in danger to be lost, great part of them being slaine Tourland is sorely wounded.  Tourland, making up again, with ladders and boards, the bridge from the Castle to the town, which himself before had caused to be broken; and being now in readiness to sally out upon the town, was shot through the belly, and dangerously wounded. Than at last the Captains thought it high time to think of surrendering upon honourable terms. And thus in three days the enemy possessed himself of the town and Castle. 
The unchristianlike proceeding of Lambert Charles.  The commander of this enterprise Lambert Charles had the victory, but reaped but small, and short contentment of it, for after the sacking of many houses, pillaging of Churches, overthrowing of Altres, burning of pictures, and promiscuouly confounding things sacred and profane, 
A just reward of his profane carriage.  having nothing in reverence, bearing respect to nothing, as if to become insolent and injurious to all men, had been only to enjoy a victory, struck dead with a palsy, he received a just reward of his profane comportmet. We sustained not any notable damage by the loss of that town, as appeared afterwards by the enemy themselves, nor they undertook not that enterprise with resolution to keep Goch, so much, 
The States propose that Goch may be neutral.  as by that means, to raise Spinola from Breda: for after the taking of Breda, they covenanted with us (without demanding enterchangibly any conditions for themselves) that Goch might, from thence forward, he held a neuter all town. 
They of Breda jeer our soldiers about the Town.  Howbeit they of Breda, as soldiers in that kind are ever accustomed, betook themselves, upon this news, to the walls of their town, and from thence cried out merrily to our Sentinels, that our best course were to rise, and retire to Goch. About this time news arrived, that the forces which Mansfeild had gathered together, 
A report of Count Man's fields arrival with his Army upon our frontiers.  lay hover about the confines of Henault and Artoys (Provinces of ours bordering upon France.) The Archduchesse ISABEL, albeit she could not believe that any Prince would embroile his flourishing fortunes, with those desperate and lost attempts of Count Mansfeild, 
The Archduchesse maketh preparation against him.  yet because she was not ignorant that the affections of Princes, are no less changeable, then violent, she made preparation of war, according to the greatness of the danger, with intention only to defend herself, where occasion should be offered. To which end she lodged forces upon the confines of Henault and Artoys, for the guard of those Provinces; giving Count Emden the command of them of Henault; and Count Hooghstrot (one who before was Governor of Artoys) the command, and leading of the forces of that Province. She dispatched away Count Sforza, to hasten the forces of the Emperor, and Duke of Bavere, against the coming of Mansfeild. She gave order that all Corn, and Cattles should be conveyed to the most inland, and remote towns. She prohibited the sending of horses out of Belgia into France, as the french before had done the like, about the transporting of Corn out of France, into Belgia. 
Spine maketh now leavyes for the Palatinate.  Mean while Spinola grew jealous, lest Mansfeild furnished with so many English, German, and french forces, might have some design upon the lower Palatinate: for the prevention of which, he have command to Don Guilielmo de Verdugo, Governor of the lower Palatinate, to raise, for a reinforcement, eight free foot Companies, and two new troops of horse; 
The forces of Germany and of of the low Countries in a readiness  and to receive presently into pay, the Regiment of Colonel Gratz, with five hundred horse more. Whilst these things were doing, the forces raised by the Provinces, to the number of 3000. horse, and well-near 15000. foot, were ready in Arms. The new Companies raised, in the later end of summer, were at hand. Count Anholts Regiment, consisting of 3000. foot, was already arrived, with 1000 horse. The Emperor's forces, 
The Imperial forces commanded by Carlo Spinelli.  which were 2200. horse and 3000. foot, commanuded by the marquis Carlo Spinelli, who had a vehement desire to encounter with Mansfeild, were now upon the frontiers (by the diligence and hastening of the Baron d' Ainsy.) The whole forces raised by the Country, were commanded by Don Carlos Coloma, 
Don Carlos Coloma the late Spanish Ambassador in England, General of the Army of the Country.  late Viceroy of Majorque. Albert Arenberg Prince of Barbancon, from a Colonel of a foot Regiment, was perferred to be General of the horse raised by the Country. This Army, in the beginning, 
The Prince of Barbancon General of the horse.  had order to remain about Namure, to encounter with Mansfeild, if (as once before he had done) he should attempt; again, an invasion upon our frontiers: but news being brought that Mansfeild was to join with Count Maurice; they both, with the Imperial forces, joined to those of the Country, encamped near Anwerp.  
Spinola being now furnished with such an Army as the like had seldom been seen in the low Countries (for it consisted of 30000. foot and 8000. horse, besides the ordinary garrisons of all frontiere towns) let slip no occasion, the remayndure of the Siege, by which he might intercept the letters of Count Maurice, and the besieged, so to come to know what their designs were. For which he caused diverse ambushes to be laid in several places, offering great rewards to such as could intercept any letters. Three several persons were cbserued to have passed into the town, either through the carelessness of our Sentinels, or through their own swiftness. In the place were these men passed, some few days after, a little purse was found, by some who were curious in seeking therebouts, 
Two letters of Count Maurices intercepted.  in which were two letters, besmeared over with wax, the better to be preserved against all waters they might fall into. 
The Secretary Michael Rontart decipreth them.  They were both from Count Maurice, the one to the Governor, the other to the Senate of Breda, written in such cyphers, as could hardly be deciphred. In which after many had laboured in vain, at last Michael Router, Secretary to the king, and the marquis after much study, overcame the difficulty, and found the sense of them. These were the contents of that to the Governor, that to the Senate being of the same tenure, 
Count Maurice his letter to the Governor of Breda.  but shorter:  
That he was much comforted to understand of the great store of corn found amongst the townsmen. That now their care aught to be, by a moderate distribution of it, to make it hold out, till he could be able to sand succours to them, for which, great preparation was making in England, France, and the united Provinces. That, for that purpose, Count Mansfeild was at hand, who by joining his forces to theirs, might raise Spinola from his Siege. That they were long since expected, and had been there already, if they had not been crossed by tempest, and foul weather. That 2000 french horse were already at Bologne and 14000. English foot ready to embark at Dover (besides other lose troops in the land of Liege and other places.) That the rest of the foot forces to the number of 2000 raised, by him, in Germany, and the united Provinces, lay ready embarked, waiting their opportunity, and fair weather. That they had once already put to Sea, but were put back by foul weather. That the States would neither spare labour nor charges, to further Mansfeilds' designs, and succour Breda, for which purpose they had taken order for the raising of 4000 new horse, besides the horse of the old Army, in England and France, where also they were now raising six or seven thousand foot more than ordinary: so that about the beginning of spring, they were in hope to have an Army of 40000. foot and 6000. horse, with which they would found some means to relieve Breda: which that it might be effected to the most advantage of their Army, and the Town, he desired that the corn (mentioned in the Governors' letter) might be made hold out till the first of May next ensuing: which, from the tenth of that present january, was a hundred and eight days. That, though he was confident their forces would be much sooner ready, yet he requested they would spare their Corn, as much as was possible, that his own Army, and the other, which yet lay-expecting upon the borders of France, might have so much the more liberty to come to him at their ease. That whereas the Governor had formerly written to him, to know his opinion about stinting the soldiers and townsmen, with their wives and children, to a set proportion of Corn; is was to be noted, that men, for the most part, eat most at such times, when they are proportioned to a set allowance; at other times, they buy not more then ordinarily is necessary for them, especially when corn is to be had for money. Besides, that it was a thing would give occasion of tumult, how impartially soever the distribution were made. That he therefore left it wholly to the discretion of the Senate, and Counsel of war there, to determine what they thought most convenient for the sparing of their Corne. That he had treated with the States, to know what their pleasure was should be done with the soldier's horses, when their forage was spent. That they had engaged themselves they would repay to the horsemen, what money soever they might have had more for their horses, being alive, then afterwards they should cell them for, being dead; provided, the horsemen valued them at a reasonable rate: wherefore they should not spare, for the public good, freely to kill their horses, to maintain their hunger the longer. That, as long as any forage remained, they should preserve their milk-cows to their outmost extremity (milk being a thing so necessary and vefull.) And, though it was not to be doubted at all, but he had lately, with the Senate, made a strait search, over all the Burghers Cellars and granaryes: that he besought him again, notwithstanding, ever to have a care, to maintain the public store as much as lay in him, if peradventure any man, by stealth, should chance to conceal his provision. That the Magistrates had informed him of the affections of the people, ready, with their purses and provisions to supply all, wants and necessities of the Siege, but with all, that complaints were brought to him of the insolencyes of some soldiers, who, though they had no reason to complain, either of their lodging, fire, wages, or dear rates of any provision; yet were not afraid, as well by day, as by night, to break open houses, spoil gardens, break down hedges, pillage stables, shops, and the very Cabins themselves; and these things, for want of a strict observation of discipline, and suffering some soldiers to scape unpunished, who had been taken in those offences. Which thing, out of doubt, would 'cause a remissness in the Burghers, who hitherto had been punctual in keeping their guards, and who already began to mutter that their own houses were more precious to them, than the town walls, and were the rather to be made good against their domestical enemy. That he desired therefore, if such insolences should happen hereafter, that severe justice might be done upon the first delinquent, so to terrify others from committing the like: that soldiers are placed in garrison, with intention to defend, not to offend the inhabitants of the towns where they live. That his desire was, these his letters should be showed to the Colonels, and all others of the Council of war, whom he besought to take some serious course that the townsmen, who otheruise had a sufficient share of suffering, might be freed, and secured from these insufferable abuses. That he had had intelligence, from other places, of the new Causey made by the enemy; of their Counterscarp cast up upon that causey which goes to Sevenberg; and of the strong palisado of tres made before it. That notwithstanding, the States desisted not from choking up the channel of the River, near Sevenberg, which work would be finished out of hand: though it remained a thing uncertain, in most men's opinions, what success this stopping of the channel was like to have: Some were of opinion it would drown all fields far and near about the Town; others believed otherwise. That, for his part, he would suspend his judgement, till he had seen the event. Yet, that he was not ignorant (whether it were possible or no to choke up that channel) that those fields were of such a vastness, as without a world of waters, they could not be drowned; and that those waters would not so easily make a passage for them through the enemy's causey which was so solidly made, and fortified so strong. Yet howsoever, that that work would much molest the enemy, when he on the other side, with his Army, should come to secure the town. Wherefore it would not be out of purpose, if against that time, he made ready some boats, to second him, out of the town. This was the substance of the letter. At the bottom of the letter this was added: that Mansfeilds' Army had once again put to Sea, but was put back by a contrary wind. That Lambert Charles Governor of Nimegen, had surprised the town of Goch.  
The form of the later trench drawn about the town, which took up in circuit LII. miles,  
Whilst these things were doing, 
Mansfeilds' deceit and his letter to the Archduchesse.  Mansfeild being furnished with diverse foreign forces, and believing his name wow to be grown fearful, making show of a desire to march towards the Palatinate, besought the Archduchesse earnestly, by letters, that she would be pleased to grant him safe passage through her Country, and withal to victual his Army, in his passage. That his purpose was, without any sinister intent, only to pass through the King's Country to such places, as, to comply with the king of England his Master's command, he must of necessity pass unto. That he would not without her prtuity make any offer to pass, because he was confident she would not refuse him passage; but if peradventure she should chance to refuse him, that then he was resolved to make his one passage by force, which, relying upon the justice and equity of his cause, he assured himself he should found easy.  
The Infanta, having often experienced the subtlety of the man, thought best to return no answer, that so it might appear how little credit she gave to his words, and how less she stood in fear of his rude and unskilful Army, fit for the plough then the wars, consisting only of pressed, and fresh water soldiers, herself having so great and choice an Army in the Country.  
Mean while, 
The wants of the besieged in Breda.  they of Breda perceauing themselves so straightly besieged, having long stood in expectation of Mansfeilds' supplies, who being tossed long at Sea, had been longer upon his way then could be imagined, began now to show some fear and felling of their burden. For the prices of their provision began to mount high, 
The dear rates of their provision.  and their Gaberdine and cheese was already at an end. Butter was now, amongst them at 25. stivers the pound, oil at a crown the Quart, an egg at 3. stivers, pease at ten crowns the measure, bacon at 15. stivers the pound. Which dearth of victuals was cause, that the English soldiers, a nation impatient of hunger, began now shamefully to feed upon carrion; and diverse others, by means of the ill food, to which they were not accustomed, fell in to the scurvy (a disease so termed by the Physicians:) for, after their long sufferance, and a plague which raged sorely amongst them, 
Their diseases by change of diet.  they were forced to feed upon old moldy corn, which had been long before stored up for such an extermity. The townsmen, to lessen some what the often watches, and other labours of the soldiers, took it to their charge to keep the guard of the town walls, leaving only the Outworks to the soldier to guard, from which labour no man, what privilege soever he might otherwise challendg, would exempt himself. The Governor, to prevent all Mutinies which peradventure might arise amongst the soldiers, through the want and impatience of victuals: and the more to oblige and endear them to him, caused the poorer sort of tradesmen to supply the places of the dead soldiers, performing their duties, and drawing their wages, since it was not possible to get their living by their labour; 
The Gover nours indul gency to the soldiers for fear of a Mutiny.  Besides which, he dispensed with the strict discipline ordinarily observed before, suffering the soldiers to watch but avery third night, whereas they were accustomed, every other night, to have the guard. To all which, 
The Colonels exhort their soldiers.  their Colonels were not wanting, on their parts to encourage them, and their preachers, in the pulpit, to persuade them to take hart, and not to soothe and flatter themselves so grossly, thinking to qualify that, by the plausible name of a surrender, 
The Mini sters in the pulpit persuade the.  which indeed was nothing else, but shamefully to stoop to the yoke? and servitude of the Spaniard; that they should be confident of Mansfeilds' coming; that they were mistaken in thinking him not to be arrived at his day appointed, and that he was nearer at hand then could be imagined, 
Vain hopes.  but that, by the stopping of all passages, the news was kept from them; that Spinola did not persist so constantly in raising daily new works for his any recreation or sport he took in it; that they might take their own eyes, and Spinola himself to witness if they would not credit them; that the forces of Germany, France, England, and the low Countries were at hand, for fear of which, Spinola wrought night and day; that it were too unworthy and shameful an effeminacy, not to endure their wants till their succours could arrive, which were now so near at hand; That their greatest sufferances were already past, and liberty aught now to be the only thing they were to look after; that they would not lose the reputation they had gained of their resolute enduring so great and long wants, for a few days longer endurance. 
They endeavoured to conceal their wants  This done, the Colonels, lest the soldiers should discover things to be other wise than they made them believe, or that the miserable condition of the town should be made known to us, by such as passed up and down betwixt us, gave order, that no drum, or Trumpet what soever, sent from us to them, should be permitted to enter the town, but should expect their answer at the Ports, 
The Magistrates take a course a 'gainst Muunyes.  and there be plentifully entertained, and make good cheer, (a policy heretofore practised by Manlius) to make show of their plenty. The Magistrates, or the other side, took all other things to their care, and, in imitation of Augustus, forbade all public meetings, or assembleys of the townsmen, lest that might be a colour for factious people to come together, and plot some sedition. A watchful eye was had over the soldiers, by their Captains, as often as they were observed to whisper together in any troops, and by the intervention of the Captains, their discourses were broken of. By these and the like preventions, the town was some what the longer preserved, and the disheartened townsmen and soldiers were encouraged, though from that time forewards, their wants, for the most part, were fed with bore hopes. Now at last Count Maurice was arrived at Gertrudenberg with his foot forces, and now again the power of heaven seemed to contest with him. 
Mansfeild lost many men by tepest in the very harbour of Gertrudenberg.  The winds and tempests driven his ships, with that violence, one against the other, in the harbour, that diverse of them were broken, and became utterly unserviceable: on the other side, as if the cold of the whole winter had benreserued to that time, an extreme sharp frost closed up all Rivers, that, in many days, provision could not be brought to them. It is a known custom of them of Gertrudenberg, that, out of the confidence they have in their perpetual navigation, and neighbouring towns, they never hoard up any store of corn, or other provision. Hence it came to pass, that, upon the sudden arrival of so many soldiers, a great want followed, and scarcity of all things; the rather, because by the unexpected great frost, all passages were so frozen, that nothing could be brought in. To this, 
The desases and miserable death of many of his soldiers.  many of them falling sick of fevers, plague, and other nasty diseases, out of the straightness of the place, loathsome stinks, and long enclosure at sea (being all new men and not accustomed to tempest, or such other loathsomeness as they met with there) some of them dead, others half alive were cast over board. It was reported that a 'bove four thousand of them perished in this sort. divers of them, being thrown over board for dead men, recovered the shore by swimming, and are yet living in the town. Dtuers dead bodies lay unburied, upon the lad; others cast ashore, by the waves, upon several coasts of Holland, caused a greivious plague in many neighbouring towns: 
A miserable sight to the English souldters to see their Cuutrimen, so hardly used.  A lamentable spectacle to rest of the English, to behold their fellow-soldiers so hardly entreated in a strange land, and in that Country especially which they came to relieve. And which was most of all to be lamented, whilst Mansfeild was afraid to put his men on shore, the most of which were pressed, and served against their will, they came to perish by that means, by which thought to preserve them; by being restrained from going a shore. divers of them, notwithstanding, escaping by flight, half starved, unarmed, and in pitiful plight, reported themselves to be in far better case, than the rest of the Army which remained behind, who were, for the most part, pressed men, ignorant of their trade, and such as were yet to learn the handling of their Arms, when now they should have been fit to bring into the field. It is reported of some of them, that they charged their pieces with all their powder, 
The ignorance and unskilfulness of some of Mansseilds' new soldiers.  at once which was distributed to them for several charges, filling the whole bore of the Musket so full, that scarce any place remained to receive their bullet: so raw and unskilful these men were at the beginning. It appeared by many letters that those troops were raised out of the scum of the people, and that in a short space, they were so lessened, what with diseases, and what with running away, that of fourteen thousand men, scarce four thousand remained. Whilst Mansfeilds' fleet lay thus fas frozen, the opportunity of the season put us in mind of sundry exploits. Nordam fort, near Sevenberg, inaccessible in the summer, by reason of the waters, might now, upon the Ice, 
divers onterpuses proposed to us to which the season of the year with other concurrences seemed to invite us to.  have been attemped, on foot: It was thought no hard matter, at that time, to take in Prinsland, Rosendale and Sevenberg. Wherefore spies were, every where, sent out to discover: fire-balls were made ready, to through into the enemies Boats. But in vain, for the Ice (which seemed to be solid and hard frozen) was so weakened with the continual snow falling upon it, that it would hardly bear the weight of three or four soldiers, at once; And the ways, lying deep with snow, uneven, blown up and down, here and there in heaps with the wind, were infinite dangerous for squadrons of men to march. The spies themselves fell, some breast high, some mouth high, and were often times quite overwhelmed with the snow, that they could not hear, or help one an other. Three of Colonel Fuggers soldiers, being resolute bold fellows, coming to the enemy's Camp at Rosendale, after they had made what discovery they could upon the boats which lay there, drinking and discoursing, without suspicion with all men, were betrayed in their return, and escaped but narrowly by flight, one of being taken, and greiviously wounded. At other times Fuggers men had better success in their exploits, and few of then often times, brought in many prisoners; But the success of stratagems is not ever alike. There wanted not some, who besought Spinola, that with the forces of Don Carlos Coloma, and some of his troops added to them, an attempt might be made upon Rosendale, which was but slightly fortified, assuring him, that, according to the report of Spies, the enemy, there, stood in fear of us, and would sooner pack up bag and baggage, and betake themselves to flight, then to fight: they were persuaded that this attempt might be made with out danger, if, our horse being divided, were sent, in the mean time, one half towards Berghen op Zome, and the other towards Prinsland. Spinola, who always gave ear rather to safe and wary enterprises, grounded upon reason, then to others which seemed plausible, and by accident only might chance to prove fortunate, weighing all things seriously wtth himself, and considering that that enterprise, would be little or nothing benefictall to his main design, resolved rather to reserve his forces entire, 
Spinolace wariness in his undertaking any enterprise.  for some necessary occasion, then to discourage his whole Army, with the opinion of the enemy's valour, or encourage the enemy, with their good success against us, if peradventure we should chance to receive a soil, and fail in our enterprise, though with the loss of never so few men; knowing that in matters of war, upon slight occasions, oftentimes, great alterations follow; and that it were not wisdom, in a General, with imminent danger to pursue a slight Vctory. The fourth of March was now at hand, which was the Aniversary day of the Surprising of Breda for the States, 
The aniversary day of the taking of Breda for the States.  by the deceit of a carriage-boate. This day, they of Breda were ever accustomed to keep holiday: but now, because it was like to be the last year they should keep this feast, they kept it so much the more solemnly, by how much the more seldom they were like to observe it hereafter: more like the funeral day of it, than the birth day: discharging their last duties of the honour they aught it, by three volleys of all their great and small shot.  
Now the time was come, 
The enemy took in hand again the Dam in the River which they had left of for a tyme.  till when they had deferred the raising of the dam, in the River: and in the mean season that they had ceased from, that work diverse men's inventions had laboured hard in it. One amongst others, for a great price, undertook the work, howbeit, for the most part, it was thought a thing impossible. This man, in the presence of them whom the States had appointed to be overseers of the work, 
A new coursetaken for the raising of the dam.  made choice of a place, not far from that, where they began the dam before, in which place the River is both narrow and shallow, where he threw in great quantity of stones, wrapped up in Nets, lest they might chance to be carried away with the tide, and upon them again, a certain kind of sand, fater than ordinary sand (brought for that purposed out of England and France) to stop up all creases, and strengthen the dam. 
The dam oyerthrowne when it was finisked.  The work seemed now to succeed better then at other times: but a sudden tempest arising, such floods of water beaten against the dam, (it being then March Moon, in which season the Sea swelleth more than at other times of the year) and such showers of rain fell at the same time, meeting with the swow now melted upon the ground, that that work at Sevenberg, and some others at Rosendale, and diverse works about the Town of Breda were utterly overthrown: Besides, the high ways of our Camp, and some of our fortifications, nearest the town, were so overflown, that in three days no man could come to them but in Boats: in which time, 
Our Camp in many places over flown by the floods, and our Quarter's seperutud one from the other.  our Quarters lying sperated by these slouds, we suffered much through the want of victuals: for no wagons could bring us any thing, and we had not such store of Boats, as, upon the sudden, could furnish all places sufficiently. The River could not now be distinguished from the shore, or green fields; all things had the same face, all places overflown. It never appeared more plainly, how much God favoured our Army, in preserving it all that winter: for, if the winter had been so hard, and such quantity of swow had fallen, in the beginning, as did now at the later end, or as ordinarily falleth every year in the winter season, out of doubt, for that only respect, we should have been forced to forsake the Siege. For, during that short time of the extremity of cold, diverse soldiers had their limbs frozen, others were found dead whilst they stood centinel: some of them had their hands and feet frozen, in such sort, that it was necessary afterwards to have them cut of. The Carters and Sutler's, who brought us in provision, being oftentimes benighted, and cost behind, 
Our Conuoyes hindered by the wet weather.  perished, by the extreme cold, in their journey to the Gampe, through the great rain, snowwinds and foul ways. And generally, the conveyance of our provision, was so hindered, that, for the space of three weeks (all which time this great thew, and rain endured in extremity) scanse any provision was brought to the Camp, saving what the German soldiers wives, running out every day in noups, as if they had marched in squadrons, to the neighbowring will ages, brought home upon their shoulders. Which women besides other offices of of duty they performed to their husbands, were continually buisied in fetching burdens of wood, seeking of forage, 
The love and respect of the German soul dyer's wives to their thus bands.  dressing their meat for them, washing their linen, and carrying their baggage upon their shoulders, whensover the Camp marched; so that they aught rather to be cherished, and esteemed, in this behalf, as necessary as Marius his Mules, then to be reckoned amongst the carriages, or impediments of a Campe.  
These waters being fallen, the enemy began again, with their former resolution, to raise their dam begun. Spinola caused the Sluices of a little brook, called Terleure, which runs into the River Merk, to be broken, and to stop up, and divert the course of other brooks, which ran into our Campe. 
The manner of raising their dam.  He raised, beside, the causey, which he had caused to be made, in the meddow-grounds, from the River Merk, towards Terhage three foot higher than it was before; that, how much soever those standing waters might chance to swell, no boats might be able to pass over that place. The enemy, to break the force of the current, which came from Breda, a pretty distance before that place, where they intended to raise their dam, raised two small promontoryes, upon each shore of the River: and in the midst of the River (in that space which remained open, betwixt the two hills, or promontoryes, where the water, finding the passage narrower, ran with the greatest force) they rammed in great stocks of trees, one by the other, in an order which represented the shape of a trident, leaving but little space betwixt them, that the force of the current, being first broken there, might afterwards run gently, and with less danger of the dam. Behind this, they began to raise their dam, assured, as they thought of good success. They wrought continually, upon this dam, many days and nights, and had brought it to such perfection, having raised it from each shore, that their remained now, in the middle, but a small gap to stop; but the force of the water, restrained, was such, 
The force of the water over throweth their damine.  that whereas before the stream ran so gently, that it was hard to discern whether it ran upward or downward, now, the waters missing their ordinary free passage, ran downward like an impetuous unresistable Torrent. The palisado before the dam, was loosened at the bottom and overthrown, by the removing, and washing away of the sand. To all which, there rose so fearful a tempest, about the same time, that the boats they had sunk, the stones, turf, faggots and trees which they had thrown into the River, to strengthen their dam, were violently borne away, with the force of the stream, and the fleet, in which Christian Duke of Brunswick had brought the french Cavallerie, sustained great damage, diverse of his ships being lost, others blown into other quarters, not able to keep their course. Than, at last, the enemy, finding the loss of their infinite charges, thought it high time to desist from thatworke, which they had so often before attempted in vain.  
About that time certain letters of the Governor of Breda to Count Maurice, and of Mansfeilds and Count Maurices again to the Governor, 
Letters of the Governor of Breda to Count Maurice, and of Count Maurices and Mansfeirdsto the Governor intercepted by a notable practice of a Peasant.  by which Spinola came to the knowledge of some secrets, which made much to his purpose, were intercepted, by the subtlety of a Peasant, worth recounting. A certain person in the Army, desirous to show himself industrious in the service, having found out a peasant, as expert of all places, and passages there abouts, as ready to accomplish any thing, he should undertake, persuaded him, by fair promises to carry Butter, Tobacco, and cheese to the Town, making show of having narrowly, and with great danger, escaped our sentinels, and guards; and there to offer his service to the Governor, to carry letters from him to Count Maurice. The fellow, in whom, otherwise, little trust was to be reposed, gaping after the reward, and having nothing but poverty, of his own, to trust to, was contented to put his honesty to sail: and being furnished with those necessaries, arrived under the town walls, according to his directions. He was welcome to hungry men, for the provision he brought: and the Governor, desirous to know particulars, examined him about our Camp, about the passage he found into the town, and what was the General opinion abroad of the state of their affairs: The fellow, being subtle, and dissembling as falsely as an other Sinon, related many true things, and feigned as many, of his own head, which begat a great belief, in them, of his honesty and trust: For men or ever apt to believe wath they desire should be. In conclusion, being asked whether he durst adventure to carry any letters, by that passage, by which he escaped into the town, showing himself, at first, fearful, and doubtful what to answer, suffered them by promises to work him to that, to which of all things, under pretence of backwardness, he desired to be persuaded. The Governor therefore trusted him with his letters to Count Maurice, promising him great rewards, if he brought him an answer. The counterfeit promised to do his best; but being returned back again into our Quarter, he brought the Governors' letter to Spinola, to peruse: The contents of it were these: That he was much comforted with the receipt of three of Count Maurice his letters, 
The Governor of Breda his letter to Count Maurice.  by which he understood of Mansfeilds' safe arrival with his English and German forces, and of other preparations for the relief of Breda. That, for his part, he would take care, as he had undertaken before, that the Corn they had in the town, should hold out till the end of April or beginning of May, unless haply it chanced to be fired, by the enemies often shooting of fire-balls into the Town. That he would shortly make an other search of the Townsmen corn. That Spinola had drawn away some pieces of Artillery, from his greatest Battery (opposite to their water-mill) to Ballancons' Quarter, and planted them upon the heath, towards Gertrudenberg, and that he began to fortify that Quarter anew. That the garrison of Breda was much lessened, by the plague, the flux and the scurvy, diseases which raged sorely amongst them. That sick persons suffered much, for want of Physic, and good food. That such as had their health were nothing disheartened, but waited some good occasion to make proof of their valour. That their rapeoile was almost all consumed in lamps, before they made any use of it in their meats, and that little or none of it, was now remaining.  
Spinola, having perused these letters, and sealed them up again, gave them back to the same messenger, 
Spinola perused the letters, sealed them again, and gave them back to the Peasant.  promising to reward him liberally, if he could bring him back the answer of Count Maurice and Mansfeild. Count Maurice, believing he might confidently repose his trust in one, who had been so careful in bringing him the Governors' letters, returned answer by this peasant, giving him a large reward, and sent him to Count Mansfeild, to take his letters along with him. The crafty messenger brought both these letters to Spinola, and was liberally rewarded, by him, for his pains.  
By these letters, 
Count Maurice his letter to the Governor  Count Maurice excused himself to the Governor for his delays, attributing the stay of his succours to the unseasonable time of the year, and desiring him, so to husband his provision, that the Town might hold out yet some weeks longer, and if it were possible, beyond the end April; that it would be so long before he could have his supplies in a readiness; that otherwise, all the endeavours and charges of the States would prove in vain; That he acknowledged this demand of his to be hard, and ungrateful to him, but that their fortune was, now, to be bettered by their industry; the rather, because all the the french horse, raised by Mansfeild, was already arrived at Bollogne, two only companies excepted, which they hourly expected. That the States ships, which went to fetch them, were already arrived there, with a prosperous wind. That one part of the french foot forces was already arrived, with the duke of Candale, the rest were upon the way; and so was the rest of the horse and foot raised in Germany for the States; That the other french, English and German supplies, would be ready against that time, till when he desired him to hold out the Town, that is, till end of April. Mansfeild wrote to Governor, 
Mansfeilds' Jetter.  that he hoped shortly to be his guest, that then they would be merry together, and drink his, and his resolute fellow-soldiers healths; That he was arrived with a hundred foot Companies, and forty troops of horse; that he should not doubt of being succoured.  
Spinola, being now again assured of the small provision of the town, and of the delays of their supplies, thought it high time, upon the 30. of March, than Easter day, to taste the Governor, about the surrendering of the town. He sent therefore secretly to him the Count Sallacars Trumpet, with letters of this tenure: That hitherto he had not treated, 
Spinoldes first leffer ●d the Governor of Breda abontthe surrender of the Town.  with him, about the rendering of the Town, by reason of the great store of provision he had there. But now, that he was assured of the day till when, precrsely, their corn would hold out, for which cause it were not wisdom, for him, to defer, any longer, the surrending of the town; he thought good, now, to offer him honourable conditions, if he would be contented to begin to treat with him. And if, upon the confidence he had of the succours he expected, he should desire, of him, any reasonable set time, to hold out Town, in expectation of those succours (which hopes yet he himself might easily guess to be vain, when he should consider the strength of our works, and greatness of our Army) that he was contented to condescend to his desire, and request, provided, that the treaty might begin, from that present; otherwise, he should not expect the like favour hereafter,  
The Governor, assembling presently the Counsel of war, read public to them these letters of Spinola, but, being-confident of succours, upon the large promises made him, and his provision being now increased, by the death of so many of the besieged, he returned this answer.  
That he had perused Spinolaes' letters, 
The Cover nours answer to Spinola.  and admired the strangeness of his demand; the rather, because he perceived, that Spinola believed him, and so many resolute men as he had with him in the Town, were to be disheartened and scared which words, who, he assured him, feared nothing, under heaven, but the loss of their reputation: That time would show him his error, how grossly he mistook the State of the town, out of a self-flattery and desire to have it: That he was confident he should be forced to deliver the town to no man, but to them, who first committed the defence of it to his charge.  
Spinola, discreetly dissembled the matter, 
Spinoladiscreetly concealed the business.  and kept this answer to himself, lest the tired soldier, hearing of it, might be put out of hart, with the vain brags of the besieged, so puffed up of late with hopes of relief. Houbeit it was commonly suspected, that Spinola had sent a Trumpet to the Governor to treat of a surrender, which only thing was enough to persuade them, that their sufferings drew now well-near towards the period: though some men feared the worst, by the discourses of others, and began to suspect that Spinola had been deceived in his hopes, and, that the business would ask a longer time than was believed. Howsoever, for the present, the treaty was left to time, and, with the raising of strong works, we expected the coming of so many foreign forces.  
Mean while the enemy drew all his forces to Gertrudenberg, and Spranghen, taking all his soldiers, 
The enemy began now to draw all their forces to Gertrudeberg and Spranghe.  out of garrison, and hiring Burghers in their places, expecting daily the rest of the Army, which wintered at Rosendale. But Spinola being jealous of those long delays of the enemy, and fearing, lest under colour of coming thither, they might chance to circumvent him, in some other place, reinforced the garrisons of Rhenebergh, 
Spinola reinforchet such gairisons as were most likery to be attempted by the enemy.  Bolduc and Wesel (places most likely to be attempted by the enemy, to divert Spinola from the Siege of Breda.) He put into Bolduc, besides the ordinary garrison, five hundred new men, raised by the Baron of Grobbendonck, Governor of that town, to strengthen the Regiment lately bestowed upon him. He caused seven foot-Companies to march out of the Palatinate to Wesel, with which Rhenbergh also, not far of, might be supplied: but he was afterwards assured, by the intercepting of some letters of Count Maurice to the Governor, that all those troops were intended for the relief of Breda, and that they were then lodged not far from our Campe.  
These garrisons being now reinforced, 
Count Mautice found means to set on fire Gineken Cirurch were we had great prounion of Corne.  as hath been said, Gount Maurice found means, by his spies, to set on fire Gineken Church (where we had a provision of six thousand sacks of meal) with a Granary of Oats adtoyning to the Church. The fire spread so suddenly with the wind, that it was not possible to quench it; yet notwithstanding, two thousand sacks were found entire, the next day, which lay within these that were consumed, and spoiled. Spinola, not being moved more than reason requireth, for such an accident (sending presently about, to all places, to buy more corn) in short time supplied, and made good that loss. Upon the sight of this misfortune, Vincent Lasannia Overseer general of the victuals, presented him with three thousand sacks of wheat, which he had secretly provided and concealed in the Camp, against any accident of fire, or other misfortune whatsoever. They of Holland did so much exaggerate this loss, in their letters, that six of the greatest Churches would not have been able to contain the provision, 
They reported and strange reporu of the Hollanders upon this loss of ours.  which they gave out we had lost, by this accident. They reported we had lost two and twenty thousand sacks of wheat, twenty thousand sacks of Rye, six thousand sacks of Barley, sixteen thousand sacks of Oats, four thousand sacks of pease and Beans, four hundred gammons of Bacon, two hundred ton of oil, two hundred barrels of Butter, three, hundred bundles of dried habberdin, two hundred Barrels of herrings, two hundred ton of powdered beife, two hundred sacks of salt, three and twenty thousand cheeses, great quantity of Meal, syrup and honey. And with these and like fables, invented and exaggerated by the Hollanders themselves, they published our wants, and fed their own hopes. And questionless, if we could have been scared with these, and the like, fopperyes, we had been long before raised from the Siege of Breda.  
Spinola, being warned by letters, of the like danger, like to happen to his munition house (which the enemy had a design to set on fire, 
Spinola preventeth the likemischeife like to happen to his munition house.  as they had lately done the Church) caused the guards of the munition house to be doubled, and drew an other ditch about it, with order that, from thence forward, it should be more carefully guarded: and lest, if such an accident should peradventure happen, his whole provision of powder should be blown up together, and his Army come to want, he transported well-near the half of his powder, into an other store house, which, for that end, he caused to be built.  
The States, having brought their affairs to these terms, and understanding now, 
The great imposts of the States.  that their chief care must be to provide money, to accomplish what they had begun, and bring their designs to some good issue: knowing that if they could but found out any plausible pretence to demand money, they might safely exact, and extort it from their subjects; besides an impost, not long before imposed upon them, they taxed all merchandise, through their whole dominions, to pay, to the States, fifty in the hundred Their confederates and allies sent them, besides this, 
Money sent the States by their confederates.  six hundred thousand crowns, in ready money, and as much more by bills of exchange, to be paid them by Merchants. With which sums the enemy found himself well furnished, 
The King of Spain his waut of money.  whilst we, on the other side, sustained some wants. For by reason of the french Army, 
The Merchant's correspondency began to fail.  marching victoriously, and without resistance over the mountains, with intention to fall upon Genua, whilst his Majesty's Army of Spain lay engaged before Breda, and could not well rise, with out some touch of dishonour, many men's credit began to fail them with strangers, 
divers ways proposed to raise money for the present.  who fearing the Siege of Genua, refused to lend money; a thing long before designed, and much laboured, by the enemy. divers ways therefore were thought of, to raise money for the present: some proposed the taking up, of the tenants, before hand, the rent due, the next year, to the King. Others, the borrowing money, of all towns, upon his imposts and tolls. Others, to agreed with the Colonels of the Army, to pay either their soldiers, or their Captains, or both, a month or two, for the King: or, if that seemed over burdensome, at lest, that the Colonels themselves and Captains, or such of them as had other wise commodity enough of their own, would be contented to serve two months without pay, suffering the money they should receive, to run to the use of the private souldters; the latter of which propositions, 
The forwardness of some of the Colonels to supply the King's wants.  diverse Colonels seemed to consent to; but it was thought more convenient to forbear that course, for the present, lest the novelty of the thing, might discover too palpably the wants we were in. In fine it was concluded that some lordships of the kings, 
Acourse resolved on, at last, to raise money, for the present.  should be engaged, and held in fee-sarme of the King, by which means the necessities of the Army were supplied, for the present. About that time his Majesty of Spain made choice of Don Goncalo de Cordua for Campe-Master General of his Army of Italy, as a man fittest to compose those new troubles begun. He was then, and had been present, from the beginning of the Siege of Breda. To him, and the Count of Salacar, Spinola imparted all his secrets, opening himself to these two, concealing all things, from all others. Don Goncalo, a man as well experienced in affairs of war, 
His modesty.  as any soldier, now alive, and famous, in particular, for his late chase, and defeating of Mansfeild, carried himself, with the like modesty, in all his actions, as Velleius describeth, and fashioneth the most modest, in their comportment. In his outward actions, he made no show of intermeddling in any thing; assuming nothing to himself, and being a chief actor in all businesses of most importance; yet valuing himself always below the estimations of others. His countenance and carriage ever composed and grave; his advice ever ready.  
About this time, 
News of the death of the king of England.  news was brought of the death of the King of England, a thing which caused a demur in the proceed of Mansfeild, and the States. divers English soldiers forsaking their colours, came daily running to our Camp: our soldiers taken prisoners by any of Mansfeilds' troops, were returned home without ransom, he making open profession not to be in enmity with the King of Spain. But Prince Henry of Nassau, 
The States join all their forces  commanding the troops of Rosendale to march towards him, and drawing out all his garrison soldiers (as if the business were speedily to come to a trial) caused his new men to be exercised daily, with intention to keep his soldier's minds buisied, that they might the less think of running from their colours. Spinola, that he might have all his forces and supplies in a readiness, placed Count Henry vanden Bergh at Hooghstrat with his horse, 
Spinola draweth his forces to gather.  a thousand horse of the Duke of Saxony, and 3000. foot of the Regiment of Count Collatine (supplies sent by the Emperor.) Spinola himself visited the town and Castle of Hooghstrat, and caused it to be fortified, and from thence to the Camp, at a certain distance, caused six forts to be raised upon that river which runneth from Hooghstrat. In the void spaces, betwixt these forts, he lodged diverse lose Companies of soldiers, so thick that they almost met one with the other: that the Army, at any time, upon the sudden, might make head against the enemy, either at Breda, or at Hoogstrate, as need should most require. He lodged Count Anholt, with his German forces, to the number of three thousand foot of his own, and five and twenty hundred horse, partly of his own, and partly of the Regiments of Count Giacomo Strozzi, and of the Colonels Auendano, Gratz and Neers: and Don Carlos Coloma, and the Prince of Barbancon, with the Army raised by the Country, in the Villages near Anwerp Mechline and Lyre. This Army was so great, 
Great want of forage amongst our horse.  and had such store of horse, and forage, was every where so utterly consumed, that our horses commonly fed upon the litter of each other, or upon dry leaves of trees, or else upon heath and briers. Oats were not to be had in such quantity, as would suffice all cart and carriage horses, 
Disordres and insolencyes of our foreign soldiers.  besides the horse of service. The foreign soldier, not a customed to our discipline, but used at liberty, to wander up and down, could not content himself with that ancient tolerable theft, winked at of old in soldiers, of the daily denier of silver, for their spear, their pike, their fuel, their bottle, their bellows, candle, and the like; began to ransack houses, 
Our old Army debauched by the examples of the strange souldters.  to spoil Villages, and, in hostile manner, make stay of our provision, and often times also to murmur for their wages, threating to quit the service if they were not punctually paid. Our old soldiers, trained up rather in waiting oportunityes to offend the enemy, then hurt our own men, who to that time had carried themselves with as much temper, and moderation, as could be expected, taught now by the example of others (as soldiers commonly have a natural propension to do ill) betook themselves to the like disorders, abusing the name of others, for a colour of their own insolences. Spinola, giving first their Commanders warning of it, and judging it mory necessary for him, at that time, to content, then to exasperated such kind of people, 
Spinola feareth to make use of the rigour of justice.  condemned some of them to die, for those enormities, giving, under hand, instructions to their Captains to beg their pardons, of him; which he easily granted, knowing the time unfit to use to rigour of justice.  
Whilst our forces were distributed up and down in these places, Maurice Prince of Orange, diseased at the Hage, 
Maurice Priné of Orangne deceased at the the Hage.  happy yet in this, t'had he lived not to lament his loss of Breda. The last words he uttered, are reported to be these: Whether Breda were succoured, or lost? so that it may be conjectured, he died with grief and apprehension of the loss of that Town, the gaining, of which, gained him his first reputation, in the world; and for the preserving of which, now, with the infinite expense of his own private estate, and the the exhausting of State's treasure, he had almost stirred all Europe beside.  
The States made choice presently of Prince Henry, Maurice his Brother, for their General, a Prince well experienced in the wars, affable, and a great Courtier. 
divers soldiers of the enemy's Army as well as of ours, run from their colours.  Whilst the States were buisied with the funerals of Count Maurice, and the election of their new General, diverse soldiers of our new Army, raised by the Country, weary already of the wars, returned home again; and others, of our old horsemen, tired out with the continual labour, and will payment of their wages, fled from the Campe. But Mansfeilds' french soldiers ran to us every day, in greater troops, complaining they had been deceived, and made believe they should be led into the Palatinate, and that, in the space of seven months, they had received no pay at all. divers of them were not a afraid, publicly, to profess, 
A beginning of a sedition in Mansseilds' Army.  that they would not go against Spinolaes' Army, though they were dragged thither, by force. A young french man, 
Severe justice done upon one of Mansfeilds' soldiers.  in Mansfeilds' Army, an Apothecary by his trade, was drawn in pieces with four horse (the punishment of Mutius Suffetius) for debauching some of his Cuntrymen to run from their Colours. 
Our soldiers, and they of the Town, discourse with one avother.  Our soldiers before Breda, discoursed often times with them of the Town, from their trenches, making an agreement betwixt themselves, to forbear shooting, on either side, whilst their parley lasted, and breaking familiar jests upon one an other, as if their Quarters had been one; our men throwing pieces of cheese and Tobacco to them, and they again crusts of such bread as they had, to us.  
The States new General Henry, 
Henry Prince of Orange returneth to the Campe.  now Prince of Orange, returned, within few days, again to their Camp, and they of Breda, glad of their succour, which they believed to be at hand, let fly their Artellery more freely into our Quarters. One Canon Ball, 
Spinola escapeth two imminent dangers.  lighting upon Spinolaes' own Cabin, at such time as, by good fortune, he was absent, carried away the Canopy of his bed, and broke in pieces two tables, in his Camber; an accident not unlike that which happened heretofore to the Emperor 
* Suetonius  Augustus, who being departed first out of his Tent, at the entreaty of some friends, had his Tent presently ransaked, by the rushing in of some enemies of his, and his Couch cut in pieces and pierced, in many places, his enemies believing the Emperor himself to have been there. Within four days, or thereabouts, after this accident, Spinola, riding up and down, upon a white horse, desirous to make some descovery, some what near the Town, an other Canon ball strooke the bit of his bridle, out of his horse's mouth, leaving the reinss of the bridle in his hand. So that it is probable, that, either Almighty God hath a peculiar care of great Generals, or that, by how much the more a man adventureth himself, so much the less danger, for the most part, he incurreth. Spinola, having now escaped these dangers, caused his supplies, which he had at hand, 
Spinela draweth his forces to a head.  to march nearer to him, and lodged them, in several places, behind the inner and outward trench. Count Anholt, in the rear of Balancons' Quarter, towards the heath of Oosterhout, in which place it was suspected Mansfeild would break in; The Baron of Beavoix, opposite to the Village of Mede (Count Maurice his old Quarter) with that Regiment of Count john Nassawes, which was paid by the Emperor; Count john Nassaw himself, with his other Regiment of the low Countries, towards the heath of Chaem; The Baron d'Ainsy, who commanded the free German Companies, out of Regiments, with the title of a Colonel, in the rear of Gineken Quarter, where also he was to defend the Quarter of the Horse; And diverse other troops in diverse places about the Campe. He caused the horse guards to be doubled, who marched, every day, from their own Quarter, to their several guards. He visited the Rounds, oftentimes, himself, especially in those places, where he suspected the enemy might break in, never omitting it, any night, till the enemy retired.  
The worth of this man never shown itself more than now. 
The proceeding of Spinola.  His continual watching, or broken sleep, never made him discourteous to any man. When he awaked, out of his sleep, he looked as lively, and was again as ready for any new business, as if he had not before fall'n a sleep at all; sleeping again with as great ease, as if he had not been waked, or broken out of his sleep: for, having first taken order for all businesses, he slept out of fear. He contemned bravery in his apparel, being careless of his outside, yet so, that he ever maintained the dignity of a great General. It was indifferent to him, whether the weather were fair or foul, never regarding either rain, snow, frost, or winds, or whether it were late in the evening, or dark night. He fasted diverse, times two days together. His bed, for the most part, was some Cart or soldier's Cabin. He was neither curious of his diet, rest, or any thing about himself. The managing of all weighty affairs lay wholly upon him, in which he laboured, and took pains beyond belief. His courage was invincible; his countenance ever the same, what accident soever happened, by which he preserved and fed his soldier's hopes. He guided not himself, according to his own opinion only, nor opened his business to any, but such as he had need of, doing nothing rashly, but digesting all businesses, with deliberation. His secrets were buried in silence. He did not easily credit any news, upon the sudden, but was as hard of belief, in such occasions, as he was apt to contemn any doubtful report, that might deject him, knowing the strength of wisdom to consist; in not being over credulous. To foresee, consult, writ, give audience, take order for businesses, often visit and ride about his Camp, were pastimes to him. He never retired himself for any weariness, nor denied any man access to him. He was courteous to his soldiers, to the Peasants, and to his spies, as far as stood with the honour of a great Commander, making use of spies only for necessity. He bore more outward respect to such as stood ill affected to him, whose power was able to change the face of businesses, then to his bosome-freinds; houbeit, in himself, he feared no man's hatred.  
In the Village of Hage, three spies were taken, going to the Town, 
Three spies apprehended.  with a great packet of letters, a good quantity of Tobacco, and some Bottles of oil, to cure the disease, called the Scurvy. At the instant they were apprehended, they found means, in the woods thereabouts, to hide the Prince of Orange his letter to the Governor. But one of them, who had often times before passed, through our Gampe, to the Town, by means of the carelessness of some of our Gentinels, being put to the torture, confessed the letters, and place where he had hidden them. The Prince of Orange his letter to the Governor, was this:  
That his Brother Maurice was deceased, 
The Prince of Orange his letter to the Governor.  and the States had made choice of him, for their General, in his place. That, that sad accident should be no hindrance to the succours they expected. That, within three days, he would be with his Army, in the Village of Dunghen, two leagues distant from Breda, where they of the Town might discover him, from the top of their highest steeple. That it was not possible the Army could have been sooner in a readiness, but that now he would leave no means unatempted to relieve them. That the Governor should have a care, by husbanding, or lesning the distribution of Corn, to make it hold out; and to encourage the soldiers, by representing to them the resolution of so select an Army of the States, with the incredible expenses, and desire they had to relieve them. That he should writ back to him, in what place, how, and by what means, he might best break into Spinolaes' Quarter; and, for the more facilitating of that enterprise, that he, in like manner, should concur, and fall on with his forces.  
They of Breda, who by some other conveyance, had received an other of these letters, were much comforted, and much afflicted, with the several tidings it brought them. They lamented the loss of so able a General as Count Maurice, and yet they were comforted again with the joyful news of their succours. From the top of their Church-steeple is a large prospect into the Country, from thence they discovered their Army, congratulating, and comforting one an other with that sight. They sounded a horn, from the top of the steeple, as if we were already running away. They called out to us, from their Walls, to pack up bag and baggage, 
vain comforts.  forgetful that they, and their Breda was the prey hunted after, and we, not they, the huntsmen of is Dear. The Prince of Orange, being now arrived with his Army at Dunghen, 
The Prince of Orange thought to surprise the Churchsteeple of Oosterhout.  to the end that he might yet lie nearer us with his forces, sent diverse troops of horse and foot, with many fire-balls, to take in the Church steeple of Oosterhout, kept by 21. Burgundian soldiers of ours, 
back, by 21 Burgundian soldiers. Who defended the steeple.  for a place of discovery. Spinola, having notice of it, sent out Captain Peter d'Aguirre with his horse troop, who put to flight the enemy's Scouts, making show of more troops of horse, at his back, to assist him. The Burgundians, in the mean time, stood upon their guard, resolved, rather to run any adventure, then shamefully to surrender, with out good conditions. The enemy, having now, with a petard, blown up the Church door, and put fire in the steeple, able to do no other hurt, retired themselves. Five of the Burgundian soldiers were slain, in the defence; seven of them were sorely scorched with the fire. Of the enemy, because their numbers were great, many more were slain and hurt, with stones which our men threw down thick upon them, for, being fearful of the fire, they wisely threw down, from the top of the steeple all the powder they had. So that, with a handful of men, resistance was made against many troops. 
The Burgundian soldiers rewarded.  The Burgundians, addressing themselves to Spinola, with their  faces, besmeared with salves and plasters (honourable wounds) were rewarded, with a months pay, in hand, and an advantage of some Crowns, added to their pay for ever. The Sergeant, their commander, was rewarded with a Colours.  


A. The Causey which goeth to Gertrudenberg.  
B. The Causey which goeth to Sevenberg.  
C. Carlo Romaes' Quarter.  
D. Paul Ballions Quarter.  
E. The place where Maurices' Camp lay first at Mede.  
F. The enemy's troops.  
G. Standing-waters.  
H. The River Merke.  
I. A four-double palisado in the River.    
A Battery upon the Heath, near Oosterhout.  
A Battery joining to the Baron of Beawoixes' fort upon the heath towards Oosterhout.  
The Prince of Orange, 
The Prince of Orange doubtfulle what course to take.  having beheld the slaughter of his English, being troubled, and in doubt what course to take, and finding, that by lying idle in the Camp, his men ran away in troops, consulted whether it were best to fall upon our Camp, in the same place, or any other, 
The vigilancy of Spinola.  or to leave of the thought of attempting us any more. Spinola, on the other side, expecting him day and night, with all his forces, endeavoured principally to discover, what his next design would be. Our nimble-witted messenger seemed the fittest man for that purpose, saving that he was not so well known to Prince Henry, as he had been before to his Brother, Prince Maurice. 
An other notable deceit of a peasants wife.  But he made his acquaintance by this device. He had laid secretly in our Camp, for many days together. His wife, in the mean time, took a tourney to the enemy's Camp, complaining to the Prince of Orange, of a sickness her husband had caught, in carrying his Brother's letters to Breda, through the waters, in the winter season, and beseeching him earnestly, he would be pleased, to pay the remayndure of the reward promised her husband for that service, which remained yet unpaid. The Prince, taking hold of this occasion, being ouerioyed with the hope of finding yet a trusty messenger, undertook to pay him what was owing him, with much more, if he would now adventure to carry one of his letters to the Town, as he had carried many of his Brothers heretofore. The woman objected, at first, the danger of the passage, and disease of her husband: but in conclusion, she suffered herself, by degrees, to be won to it, and, with a feigned, unwillingness, undertook to persuade her husband. She departed, out of hand, to bring her husband to the Prince, who returned with her, counterfeiting a lameness, as if his feet had been frozen by the cold of winter. The Prince made an agreement with this trusty fellow (as he thought) and gave him his letter to the Governor of Breda. The fellow undertook the business of infinite difficulty, 
The Prince of Orange deceived.  as he pretended, and with his letter, and reward, came directly to our Camp, where he delivered his letter to Spinola, who bestowed upon him, for his pains, a yearly pension, for ever.  
In this letter the Prince of Orange gave notice to the Governor of the blow he had lately received, 
The Prince's letter to the Governor.  in his attempt made upon the Quarter of Terheyde; since which time, he perceived us to be so fortified, with a stronger trench, that it was not possible for him, to force his passage; That withal he remembered, for how short a time their Town was provided; and that therefore, lest in the end, he and his soldiers, might be forced to suffer some foul affront, by delaying time too long, he counselled him now to prevent it in time, and not to hazard all their fortunes, by his too much obstinacy. That he should give notice of the receipt of these letters, by shooting of three pieces of Artillery about midnight, and, about an hour after, showing as many lights, in their Church steeple, as he had yet days to feed upon his provision; assuring him, in the mean time, that if any occasion happened, by which he might relieve them, he would be most ready to engage himself, and his Army for them.  
An other of these letters was conveyed into the Town, before Spinola had received, and deciphered his. 
A soldier of Count Styrums had carried an other of these letters to the town.  A horse man of Count Styrums troop, expert in all ways, and passages thereabouts, passed, through our Camp, to the Town, at midday, and was welcomed, by the discharging of nine pieces of Artillery. About midnight they gave notice of his arrival, by the discharging of three pieces of Canon; 
The enemy gave notice by lights out of the steeple, how many days the town was able to hold out  a thing done before we certainly knew the intent of it; houbeit many men gave a guess at it. They shown eleven lights in the Church steeple, signifying how many days they were able to hold out.  
About this time, Wolfgang William, Duke of Bavere, 
The Duke of Neuborg arrived at our Campe.  Gulick, Cleve, and Bergh, arrived out of Spain, being infinitely desirous to see our Campe. Spinola went to meet him, a good distance from the Camp, and lodged him in his own Cabin, with great expression of. joy, for the arrival of so great a Prince. A volley of all our shot was given to entertain him, and many other military expressions of a welcome. The days following he spent in riding about our Camp, 
The opinion of the King of France of the siege of Breda.  admiring the sollidnesse and largeness of our works. He reported that the King of France had told him (passing that way in his return from Spain) that he did not believe Spinola would take Breda by this Siege. But many things at that time put us in great hopes: Mansfeilds' french forces ran away apace; the enemy was slow in bringing his supplies; the provision of the Town began much to fail; the besieged were sorely afflicted with sickness; all Physic was so dear, that, as much Tobacco, as in other places might have been had for four 
* Twenty shillings  Crowns, was sold in Breda for 
* a hundred and twenty pound sterling.  twelve hundred florins, Tobacco being the only remedy they had against the scurvy. And, in the space of eight days, our men had taken above six hundred of the enemy's horse, being carelessly put to grass near about their Campe. Monsieur de Marquette Lieutenant General of the enemy's horse, sought to repair this loss, by giving us the like, 
The enemy falleth upon our Convoy.  and prepared to set upon our convoy at unawares, with threescore and eight troops of his horse. He sent before him Captain Randwick with six troops of horse, laying the rest in ambush; these troops (lighting by chance upon part of our provision which was transported, without a guard, an other way then Count Henry vanden Bergh had appointed) fell upon our Carters, dr●ue away their horses, with their Carts, and carriages, and spilt and wasted their Corn, and other provision. Count Henry vanden Bergh, careful to prevent all danger, howbeit he had not notice of this icurney of the enemy, had, many days before, placed diverse guards of horse in all passages, that the enemy might not, at unawares break in upon any place: 
The course which Count Henry vanden Bergh had taken to prevent the enemies falling on upon our Convoy.  for the better observing of which, he had given a strict command, that no Captain should be absent when his troop had the guard; that one troop should make a Corut of guard, as far from our Camp as was safe; that Sentinels should be placed, a good distance, from that court of guard; that, beyond those Sentinels again, one light horseman should continual be riding about, to give notice of the enemies coming; that if he chanced to discover the enemy, he should give an alarm, and retire himself to the Sentinels; that the Sentinels, if the numbers of the enemy were great, should retire back to their Court of guard; that they of the court of guard should fight with the enemy, if they were not overmatched, otherwise that they, in like manner should retire to the Camp: so that by this course, the sudden breaking in of the enemy might be avoided, and the guards, with out danger, might retire themselves; and the whole Camp might, in good time, be ready in Arms. It chanced that day, that Count Herman vanden Bergh, Son of Count Henry, 
The valour of Count Herman vanden Bergh Son of Count Henry.  had the guard, a yoing Gentleman of a great spirit, and a diligent obsetuer of his Father's virtues. He (being not far of with his troop) and hearing the noise of the enemy, gathered some, though not many of his troop together, and fell in pel mel upon the enemy's troops, whilst they were at pillage, and passing once or twice through the midst of them, slew diverse, 
the flight of the enemy.  and scared and amazed the rest, putting them to flight, who carried news to their other troops, that the whole body of our horse was fallen upon them: they being now in a confusion, with the fear and flight of their fellows, never so much as thought of making any resistance. They let lose our horses they had taken, left behind them our baggage, and forsook their whole prey, betaking themselves to flight. So that the enemy, 
Not so much as one of our Conuoyes broken by the enemy.  with so great an Army as he had then in the field, in so long a time as this siege endured, and in so long, and ill journeys as our provision was to pass, had never the fortune to break one of our Conuoys. The Prince of Orange, 
The Prince of Orange cor●upeth some to see our Campe● or Munition bouse on fire.  ready to lay hold of any occasion that (according to his promise) he might leave nothing unattempted, by which he might raise our Siege; corrupted with money, and fair promises certain roguish boys of the base sort of peasants, to fire our Quarter, and munition-house, if it were possible. But Spinola apprehended some of them, and took a course afterwards to prevent the like mischief.  
And thus the Prince of Orange, 
The Prince of Orange retireth from Dunghen with his Army, benig out of hope of relei●●nig Breda.  having in vain made trial of many things, upon the 27. of May, setting fire on his Quarters, in the Village of Dunghen, retired himself, in the night time, from thence to Langestrat. Which retreat of his, though it were a sad one to him, for many other respects, yet the tempestuous night added much to the dolefulness of it; for the winds blew so strong, and rain poured down so thick, that the soldiers were no able to march, the Artillery stuck fast in the dirt, and no man was able to keep any order.  
Spinola, so soon as he had notice of this retreat, 
Count Henry vanden Beigh in Spinolaes' name beginneth to ● treat ●●thoy the enemy.  thought good to warn the Governor of it, by Count Henry vanden Bergh his letters (for he was allied to the family of Nassau, and understood best their language, and was acquainted with their and customs) who should lay before him the small hopes he had left him of any supplies, the enemy's Camp, which should have succoured him, being now retired. Count Henry wrote to the Governor, and undertook, in Spinolaes' name, that he should have honourable conditions, if yet he would begin to treat of a surrender, which if he were contented to do, he should, at his best conveniency, come forth of the Town, to treat, and discourse with him, about that business.  
The Governor (lest he might lose the opinion conceived of him, 
The Governorus answer to Count Henry vanden Bergh.  by precipitating, or over hastening a business of this nature) returned our Trumpet with this answer: That but three days before he had had letters from the Prince of Orange, concerning his relief. That if Count Henry knew any other particularityes of it, he would be pleased to impart it to him, by letter, in regard that he could not come to speak with him, by reason of an ague which had lately surprised him. 
Spinola delivereth the iginall letters of the Prince of Orange to the Governor to Count Henry vanden Bergh, to be sent to the Governor.  Spinola therefore the next day, delivered unto Count Henry vanden Bergh the original letters of the Prince of Orange, written in cyphers, with the copy of them deciphered, to sand to the Governor, that he might see it was to no purpose to hold out any longer. The Governor perceaving by this, that the saint eaten of their businesses was well known to us, returned thanks to Count Henry vanden Bergh for his good will, and promised he would treat of a composition with Spinola, 
The Gowernous answer.  if (as he had undertaken in Spinolaes' name) he might have such conditions, as questionless, he and so many resolute soldiers, and Citizens deserved. Count Henry vanden Bergh, having Spinolaes' own letters in keeping, 
Count Henry his reply.  by which he promised honourable conditions to the Governor, soldiers, and Townsmen, if without farther delay, they would presently begin to treat with him, sent them to the Governor, adding (that which was expressly in Spinolaes' letters to him) that he himself had commission to treat with him about all things: Wherefore he requested him, that, the next day, he would by pleased to sand some man out of the Town (in the midway betwixt their works and ours) to demand those conditions, he desired, in writing; because he himself would be present, in the same place, to expect him.  
Till that day our soldiers and Marrines, 
Our soldiers first commanded to cease their raising of the inner trench.  were continually buisied in raising the inner trench (of which there remained now but little to do) who having espied, by chance, Count Henry vanden Bergh, demanded of him in jest, with a kind of soldierlike freedom, to what purpose they should trouble themselves to make an end of that trench, since there was a treaty on foot about the surrender of the town. Count Henry had scarce pronounced that they might cease their labour, but all men, leaping for joy, threw away their spades, readier to cease their labours, 
Upon the sight of Spinolaes' letters, and Count Henry vanden Berghs, the counfell of war concludeth to treat of a compositien.  than they were to undertake them. The Governor upon the receipt of the two letters of Spinola, and Count Henry vanden Bergh, called his Colonels to Counsel, showing them these letters. They all concluded, answer should be made that they accepted the offer of Spinola, and Count Henry. Where uppon-they desired Count Henry, by letter, that he would be pleased, the next morning, by seven of the clock, to come out of the Camp, and advertise them, by a Trumpet, where he would be, that they would sand some one, in all their names, to demand conditions for them.  
The next day, being the last of May, Count Henry vanden Bergh, with diverse of the Nobility in his Company, 
Count Henry vanden Bergh goeth out of our quarter to treat with the enemy by word of mouth.  road out of the Quarter, at the hour appointed, and advertised the Governor of his coming, by a Trumpet. They who we to treat with him, came out of Town on the other side, whom when Count Henry perceived, he commanded the rest of the Nobility to make a stand, and he alone with Routart, 
The deputyes of Breda meet Count Henry vanden Bergh.  Secretary of the King and marquis, advanced forward to meet them. In the midway he made a stand, expecting the Deputyes of Breda: they were the Sergeant Maior de la Caze, Dyden Captain of the guard to the Prince of Orange, Captain Zouche, Aertsen the Drossard, the Borrow-master and some of the Eshevines. A little after them, 
They present their conditions to Count Henry vanden Bergh.  came Colonel Hauterive. They, showing first their litters of credit, delivered up the Articles they demanded, in writing. The business was long debated betwixt us and them, and we refused them absolutely only two Articles; of a third there was yet some doubt. Whereupon the meeting was dissolved, till three of the clock, in the after noon. 
The meeting dissolved till the afternoon.  And in, the mean time, a Tent was pitched, near our utmost trench, where our men dined, in sight of the Town. In the afternoon again the treaty began, in that place, and the articles, excepted against in the morning, were now again absolutely denied them, 
Only two of their conditions excepted against.  in the afternoon: those articles were about liberty of conscience for the Protestant Burghers, and giving their body's buiriall in the Church yard. Difficulty was made beside about that other, of having liberty to carry out four piece of Canon, and two brass Mortars with the garrison; which to the besieged seemed a small matter, to Count Henry vanden Bergh it seemed much.  
Wherefore, Secretary Routart was dispatched to Spinola, to know his pleasure in that business; who returned answer that he would not refuse them so small a matter as that. The besieged, glad of this answer, returned him many thanks. The affair being brought to these terms, a banquet was prepared, and presently justin of Nassau, Governor of the Town, and the rest of the Colonels, with such of the Nobility as were in the Town, came forth. divers of our Nobility, in like manner, who were not far of, advanced forward to meet them, and many congratulationss, and other ceremonies were performed on both parts,  
Upon the first of june, Dyden Captain of the guard to the Prince, brought to Spinola two copies of the Covenants made betwixt us, that Spinola might first sign them both; 
The conditions brought to Spinola to be signed  which done, he was to carry them to the Governor to be signed, and bring one of them back again to Spincla, the Governor keeping the other. Upon the signing of these covenantes, 
Wagons and Boats granted to the garrison of Breda to carry away their bagand baggage, with their sick persons and oh●e●s.  they demanded twelve hundred wagons, and four Boats, to carry away sick persons and others, with their carriages, and all their householdstuff. They had more wagons granted them then they demanded, and all the Boats in the River of Breda. And Hostages were given on both sides. By them of Breda the Sergeant Maior de la Caze, And Ogle, 
Hostages given on both sides.  Captain of an English Company of foot. By Spinola were sent for hostages, the Sergeant Mayor Francisco Losano, and Charles Philip le Count Captain of a foot Company of Germains. And these were the Articles, upon which the Town of Breda was surrendered to the King.  

I.  
IT shall be lawful for the Gonernour of the town, 
Articles demanu deed by the Governor, and Garrison of Breda.  the Colonels, Captains, Magistrates, Officers and soldiers, either of horse or foot, to march out of the town armed, in such sort os soldiers are ordinarily accustomed to march: the foot with their Colours flying, drums beating, completely armed, bullet in mouth, match lighted at both ends, their chargers full of powder, and shot: the horse, with their trumpets sounding, standards displayed, armed in such sort, as when they march towards the enemy: and that none of the said soldiers, of what nation soever he be, shallbe questioned or detained for any cause or pretext whatsoever, not though he have formerly been in service of his Majesty of Spain, the Archduke, or the Infante, all without exeption, having free liberty to march the best and most commodious way to the town of Gertrudenbergh in Holland, without any injury, hindrance or wrong done to their own persons, their Arms, horses or baggage, and this with all safety and assurance possible. And it shallbe lawful for them beside to take with them, their wives, children, household, householdstuff, horses and Carts, with the Arms, of all soldiers dead or hurt, sick or run away, without any search or inquiery made after them.   

II.  
All Ministers, or preachers of the word Comissaryes of Musters, Officers of contribution, with their Clarks, Ingeners, gentlemen of the Artillery, the Auditor of the soldiers, Masters of fireworks, Captains of pioneers, Canoners, Surgeous of Regiments and private Companies, with all such as belong to the train of the Artillery, Mariners, notaries, overseers of works, Provosts, pioneers Carpenters, Smiths, Comissaryes of the victuals, and all persons whatsoever, any way belonging to the Artillery, or engines, with their wives, children, servants, horses, and Arms, shall be comprehended in the former article, and enjoy the same privileges.   

III.  
All Boats found in Breda at this present, as well those which arrived last with the Colonels, as with any others, shall be permitted, with all their necessaries and tackling, to return into Holland, guided by their own Pilots and Mariners, in which it shall be lawful for them to embark their families and householdstuff, with the Arms and baggage of the Colonels, Captains and other officers of the Army; sick persons, with such as attend them, and all others who soever desire to pass, by water, into Holland: and to this purpose the River shall be open for them, during the term of twelve days, and then they may safely repair to Blaec, and join themselves there, with their other men of war, and from thence take their journey to what place they please, the Boats remaining still to their own Masters, and owners. And during the said term of twelve days, no man shall dare to molest or hinder those boats, but shall permit them to pass freely, with their passengers, without searching them, for any cause or pretext whatsoever. And if it chance that the passage of the River be not yet freed, and made navigable again (by which their journey may be any way hindered) the time in which, by that means, their journey hath been stayed, shall not be reckoned amongst those twelve days, which term they shall enjoy freely, and with all assurance, as well in the River itself, as upon either shore of it, where Mariners, or any other passenger shall have occasion to land, for their commodity or affairs. And if any of those Boats belong to any man, who shall desire to reside still in Breda, they shall be tied not withstanding to help to transport passengers, and baggage out of Breda, and afterwards return home again to their Masters.   

FOUR  
The marquis Spinola shall allow the Governor any reasonable, and sufficient number of wagons he shall demand, to transport his own, the Colonels, Captains, Officers, and other men's baggage of the garrison, to Gertrudenbergh, from whence they shall return them again faithfully, and see them safely delivered in Gineken Quarter.   

V  
It shallbe lawful for the Governor to carry out with his garrison, any four pieces of Artillery, and two Mortars, he shall make choice of, with all their appurtenances, and as much powder and ball as they will bear at six charges: and it shall be at his choice to transport them, with their carriages, either by water, or by land. And for this purpose, the marquis Spinola shall allow the Governor, if he shall demand it, all Canon-horses and others, with their wagons and wagon-men, as shall be requisite for the transportation of these pieces of Artillery and Mortars, with all their appurtenances.   

VI  
It shall be lawful for the Prince of Orange, or any man who shall take care of his businesses, in his name, to transport, to what place he pleaseth, all householdstuff belonging to him, either in the town or Castle of Breda, or else the said householdstuff shallbe safely kept for him in the Castle of Breda, till the Prince of Orange shall sand word, how he pleaseth to have it disposed of: which he must do with in the term of six months at the lest; and at any time, within that term, afree passage shallbe given, without any molestation or hindrance, either of the Boats or the Mariners, who shall come out of Holland to transport it.   

VII.  
If it chance that any man, comprehended in the two first articles, shall be unable, for his sickness to go out of the town with the garrison, it shallbe lawful for such to remain in the town, with their wives, families and Servants, without any wrong offered them, till they have recovered their health and strength again: and then a free pass shallbe given them to departed, to what place they please.   

VIII.  
Not Officier of the Army, soldier or Captain, or any other whatsoever comprehended in the foresaid articles, who shall now go out with the garrison, or shall remain in the Town, till he have recovered his health, shall afterwards be troubled, as not being conprehended in the said articles; for by virtue of these articles, it shallbe lawful for him to go freely, at any time: and he shall have credit for money upon his bond, or any other assurance he shallbe able to give.   

IX.  
The Governor, Captains, Officers and soldiers comprehended in these articles, or any other whosoever benig in pay, and subjection of the united States, shall have in Breda any houses or possessions, movables or immoveabls (comprehending as well the Captains, Officers and soldiers of the Companies of Count Culenburg, Count Styrum and the Lord of St. Martin, as the widows and children of these troops, or any other Companies, which for two years before have been in garrison in Breda) shall have a year and a half (beginning within a month, after the signing of these Covenants) to transport their goods to what place they please, or to cell, mortgage, alienate, or exchange them, according to the laws and customs in that particular: and in the mean season they shall enjoy all rents, profits and commodities of their inheritances, accrueing to them for the present, or to accrue; and in conclusion they shall enjoy any thing belonging to them in the Town.   

X.  
The soldiers, either of the garrison, or our Camp, being now prisoners, either in the town, or in the Camp, at the signing of these couenaunts, shall be set at liberty without ransom, paying only their charges, according to the taxation of the place.   

XI.  
No man shall take any thing from any of the garrison, of any prize he hath made, all such things being to pass under the title of the soldiers own goods.   

XII.  
After the signing of these articles, it shallbe lawful for the Governor of Breda, to sand any Officer, or whomsoever else, to the Prince of Orange, who shallbe permitted safely to go and come.   

XIII.  
After the signing of there covenants, there shallbe a suspension of Arms on both sides: howbeit, on each side, the soldiers shall maintain their works, permitting no man to come near them, either by day or night.   

XIV.  
Before the garrison march out of town, two sufficient hostages shable given, who shall accompany the garrison to Gertrudenbergh, and shall remain there the twelve days, in which the River is to remain open, and the couenaunts to be fulfilled, and this term being expired, if the covenantes in any point have not been broken, they shall return back again.   

XV.  
These covenants being signed, hostages on both sides, shallbe given of equal number and quality, and ours shall return home upon the delivery of the town.   

XVI.  
It shallbe lawful for the hostages of the garrison of Breda to return as soon as the said garrison hath quit the town, that they may departed away with the garrison.   

XVII.  
The Governor, and garrison of Breda, promise' to march away upon Thursday next ensuing, early in the morning, being the fift day of june,  
Under the place of the seal was written.  
We justine of Nassau promise to see the contents of the former Articles fulfilled, as much as lieth in us. In witness of which, with the consent of the Colonels, and Counsel of war here, we have signed these; This 2. day of june, 1625.  
justine of Nassau.   

I.  
PArdon is granted to all Burghers and towne-dwellers of Breda, 
Articles demanded by the Magistrates and Burghers of Breda.  of what quality or condition soever, for any offence committed before, or since the surprising of the Town, in the year 1590. No inquiry, or information shll be taken against any man, not so much as under the pretext of treason, or of other offence whatsoever.   

II.  
All the said Burghers, or towne-dwellers, either absent or present, of what condition soever, whether they be actually in service of the States, or the Prince of Orange, or the Town, or whether they be not in service, may safely remain in Breda the two first years: no enquiry being made after them for matters of Religion, nor having no obligation to change their Religion, (provided they carry themselves modestly, and without scandal) that in the space of these two years, they may resolve either to continue their residence here, or to go to any other place: and whensoever they shall desire to departed, they shall be permitted to go freely; and in like manner they shallbe permitted to enjoy their goods, carrying them with them, selling, mortgaging, or alienating them, at their own liberty, or at the liberty of such as shall have the administration of them. The goods of such as dye within or without the town, shall accrue to them, to whom they shall leave them, by their last wills; or if they die intestate, to the next heirs.   

III.  
It shallbe lawful for any of the said Burghers or town dwellers, whether he be now in service or not, if after these couenaunts he have a desire to departed out of town (either to change his habitation, or for any other respect) to departed at any time, either by water or by land, with his wife, children, family, householdstuff, merchandise or any movables whatsoever, without any impeachment, for any respect what soever, only by virtue of this covenant, without any other passport. And such as desire to make choice of their residence, in the Kingdoms, Estates or Provinces, either Neuterall, or such as pay contribution, may at any time pass and repass into the towns and Countries subject to the King of Spain, and traffic, or dispose of their goods movables, or others, whensoever they think good. And the Catholics shall not stand in need of any other deed, more than these couenaunts, by virtue of which to return and make their residence here, and possess such houses as they have in Breda.   

iv  
It shallbe lawful for all such as desire to go about their occasions, into any of the united Provinces, to take their journey thither four times in the year, giving first the Governor notice of it, of whom they must of necessity demand licence, who shall not refuse them with out just cause. And they shall return within the two years agreed upon in these Couenaunts, to continue their residence in the town, or make choice of any other place, under contribution, in all which places they shall enjoy the foresaid liberty of passing freely to any place, about their businesses, and make use of any other benefit of these Couenaunts.   

V  
All Ministers may freely departed with their wives, children, families, goods and movables, without any wrong or offence offered them: for which purpose they shall have boats or wagons allowed them, and the fore said term to dispose of all their goods.   

VI  
All such, as since the taking of the town have executed the office of Elders, Deacons, or any other Ecclesiastical chrage shallbe comprehended in these couenaunts.   

VII.  
All Officers, Comissaryes, Receivers, and other Burghers or towne-dwellers, who have had any office about the money, rents, or pays of the soldiers, or any other office whatsoever, shall enjoy the same conditions and privilege, to departed with their papers, and other movables, and all other benefits, jointly with other townsmen, of this agreement.   

VIII.  
The same is understood of all Mariners, and others, who have Boats here, with which in like manner, they may lawfully departed.   

IX.  
If it chance that, in the town, there be not wagons or Boats sufficient to accommodate the Burghers, or towne-dwellers, who shall desire to departed, with their moveables, and other goods; it shallbe lawful for them, within the foresaid term of two years, to 'cause wagons or Boats to come out of Holland, or any other place for this purpose; which may return freely by virtue of these couenaunts, without any other passport.   

X.  
No other impost or taxes shall be imposed upon the Burghers, or towne-dwellers of this town, than such as generally all other towns of Brabant, great and small, pay.   

XI.  
The garrison of the Town, horse and foot, shallbe orderly lodged with the lest hurt or damage that may be, of the townsmen.   

XII.  
All such as are now absent about the Town business, or their own, shall participate of these Covenants, and may freely return to the Town: and the Peasants who had retired themselves to Breda, may as freely return again to their own Villages.   

XII.  
All such of the other Religion as shall chance to dye in Breda, within the foresaid term of two years, may be honourably buried in any garden, or their bodies, if please their friends, carried out of town.   

XIV.  
All sentences pronounced by the Magistrates, or other criminal judges, called the Hooft-banck, shall hold and he in force, if no appeal have been made from them in tyme.   

XV.  
It shallbe be lawful for all such as have lent any money to the town, to demand their Principal and their interest: and all rights and rents which fall, shall in like manner, he yearly paid.  
All these Covenants, Points, and Articles, have been concluded, agreed on and granted by the marquis Spinola, and the commissioners of the town, who have signed them severally; the marquis undertaking oh procure to have them ratified, and approved by the Infanta, within fifteen days, with her letters patents and broad-seale. Dated the 2. of june, 1625.   
There wanted not some, of the severer sort of people, who understanding of the favourable conditions which Spinola had granted the besieged, thought it strange that he would use the enemy with that courtesy: others, blamed him for not being zealous in the cause, saying he aught to have used them with more rigour, and to have forced them to pass under the pikes, accepting of no surrender, except they had jointly surrendered up their Arms, who had brought themselves to those extremityes, by their own extreme obstinacy, that they had been famished, if we had kept them besieged but two days longer: That there was no reason their conditions should be left to their own choice, to whom it had been a courtesy sufficient to have granted their lives: That, at lest wise, Spinola should have expected, till that had happened to them, which ordinarily happeneth to all wilful persons, that they had been forced to beg that, which before they had contemned: That they aught first to have besought us to accept of their surrender, before we had sought to them to choose their conditions: 
The complaints of the Burghers who resolved to reside in Breda.  That it was intolerable to permit the lewder sort of Burghers, to departed with bag and baggage, before the Magistrates had repaied to the Catholic Burghers, who remained in the Town, all such sums, as by public authority had been exacted of them, towards the payment of the soldiers, and reparations of the works; so just a cause of complaint these men seemed to have, who measuring the affairs of Kingdoms by the level of their own affairs, 
The affairs of Princes, and private men differ.  were ignorant that the condition of Princes differeth from others in this, that they, in all their actions, have a main care of their honours. But Spinola, holding it a point of wisdom to be merciful, rather than severe, 
An unseasonable time to use rigour.  at that time especially, and knowing how much it imported the whole cause (for the stopping of the troubles begun in Italy, France, Germany and Denmark) to have the King's Army at liberty, which had been so long engaged before Breda, made a greater value of the lest time he could gain, then of all the spoils of the Town (which could not be great) or of any small affront he might do the enemy, who had behaved themselves so bravely in the defence of the Town; mindful of the saying: That there are occasions in which it is more expedient to sustain loss, then seek gain. And questionless, in this occasion, he had a greater regard of greatness and clemency of his King (whose person, in this action, he did represent) then of his own honour, or the sweetness of a revenge; judging it a thing unworthy, in such a plenty of warlike provision as the enemy left behind them, not to allow them some thing at their departure, in testimony of their valour, and reward of their long sufferance. For they left in the Town 43 pieces of Artillery, and 450. Muskets (of which they were permitted to take 150. with them, in lieu of their Arms broken and spoiled in that Siege.) 300. Hargubuses. 135000. pound of powder. 34000. pound of Match. 2000 of the greater sort of Canon Balls. Of the lesser sort, without number. 40000. pound of Musket Balls, with fifteen moulds to cast them. 2100. Granades. 344. Bomboes'. 150. circles for artificial fire works. 40. fire-balls. 100 Barrels of salt. 30. Barrels of Pitch, Nitre, Brimstone and saltpetre. Six Barrels of great nails. 11000. longer nails to knock cross-ways through pallisadoes. An infinite quantity of stakes, ready pierced with these great nails. 4000 spades. 1600. Mattocks 1000 wheele-barrells. Five Boats. Six great Cables. 40. grappling hooks. 130. horse-collars. 90. pair of Cart-horse-harnesses. Fir boards without number. One canvas bridge. divers gabions, or hurdles filled with earth for the defence of Artillery, or speedy making of a bridge. A register of all which was given up to Thomas Vingard, Lieutenant of our Artillery.  
Concerning the disbursements made by the Burghers, 
The wisdom and discretion of Spinola.  Spinola thought it needless to treat of that point, believing that the States would be as punctual in their payments of such sums, as they would be in supporting their credit and authority, which would utterly fail them hereafter, if they made difficulty in repaying monies disbursed for them, in case of need, by people besieged.  
The garrison was to march away upon the fift of june: 
Spinola. commandeth that no than shall dare to jest or scoff at the enemy as they march away.  and Spinola had given a strict command; that no man should dare to jest or scoff at them, as they marched, a thing ordinary amongst soldiers, in the like cases; with so little show of ostentation he carried this victory. Our boats and wagons were in readiness for them, against that day, and our soldiers took the guard of the three Ports of the Town, and Castle. Count Herman vanden Bergh, with five troops of Horse, marched before, convoying them to Gertrudenbergh, and betwixt every tenth waggon, some horse men of ours were placed, to guard their baggage. Captain Bergagnes horse-troupe marched in the van of them, and an other troop of their horse brought up the Rear, in both which troops there were but few horses, so much they were both impaired by this Siege. Betwixt these troops, marched their foot, and amongst the foot, justin of Nassau the Governor, on horse back, accompanied with Captain Charles Philipe le Count, one of our hostages. Each Colonel marched in the van of their own Regiments, and the Captains, at the head of their Companies. They marched with Colours flying, and drums beating. They were not altogether three thousand men, for their sick men were conveyed away by water. It cannot be denied but they were select troops, as well in regard of the soldiers, as of their Arms, and they made a far better exterior show then our men, for they had been better lodged, having had the benefit of good fires; and their bread never failed them, till the day they marched away.  
Spinola, being accompanied with many of the Nobility, 
Spinolaes' courtesy to the enemy.  stood to behold this great solemnity of his Victory, in the space betwixt the Town, and our inner Trench, saluting courteously the Captains as they passed, and in particular, the Governor, a venerable old Gentlemen, with his wife and children, and Don Emanuel de Portugal, with Count Maurice his two base sons, who all returned the like curtesey, with modest composed countenances, and words making show of their resolution and constancy, bowing their colours with respect to Spinola, as they passed. No word of reproach was let fall on either side, but every one put on a cheerful countenance. The troops being passed beyond Spinola, all men ran towards them, to give them much joy, they returning the like to our men, attributing to one an other, with modesty, 
Messengers dispatched to the Infanta, the King Spain and the Emperor of the rendering of the Towns.  those praises, which each party deserved for they long sufferings.  
The Colonel Don john de Medici's was dispatched to the Arch-duchesse, with the joyful tidings of the garrisons departure, whom the rewarded royally with a rich jewel for his news. Don Ferdinando de Guzman, Colonel of a Spanish Regiment, was sent into Spain, with the same news, to the King. And to Ferdinand the Emperor, the Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Camargo.  
Count Anholt, 
Count Anholt marched after Mansfeild.  having notice of Mansfeilds' departure, from the enemy's Camp, departed presently from our Camp, and marched after him with his troops. The report of this Victory was hardly credited in France, 
Few men gave credit at first to this victory.  England, Italy and Germany, not so much as amongst our friends, and such as stood best affected to our cause. There was a Town, in which a false rumour was proclaimed, and publicly printed of the enemies breaking of one of our Conuoyes, the same day that the news of the loss of Breda arrived there. 
The King of Spain himself dispaired of this victory.  His Ma.tie of Spain himself had written into the low-Cuntryes, to the Infanta, wishing her to take it to her consideration, whether it were not best to call Spinola from so long and doubtful a Siege; So discomfortably diverse had written to some friends of theirs, of authority in Spain, of the utter despair, and danger of this enterprise.  
The Infanta resolved, 
The Infanta came to Breda.  in person, to visit her new Town, and her victorious Army. Wherefore Spinola, leaving his ordinary guards at the Ports of the town, having first taken order for the cleansing, and sweeping of of the streets, houses, Castle and Church, went to receive the Infanta three leagues from the Town. The greatest part of our horse, was either sent before to Anwerp to convoy her, 
The majesty with which she was received.  or made a stand in the midway to receive her, who as she approached gave three volleys of their shot, in token of their joy. The foot, divided into many squadrons, were no whit less loud in expression of their joy. Upon Hage-Port, where the Infanta made her entry into the Town, this Programma was nailed, which I thought good to set down, moderating and leaving out, a word or two of offence:  
PHILIPPUS HISPANIAE REX EUBERNATE ISABEL CLARA EUGENIA OBSIDENTE SPINOLA HOSTIBUS FRUSTRA IN SUPPETIAS CONIURANTIBUS BREDA VICTOR POTITUR.  
Three volleys were given, in like manner, 
The Infanta commanded that no fires of joy should be made, till thanks had been first given to Almighty God  of all the Artillery about the walls, But the Infanta commanded no, bonfires, nor other expressions of joy should be made, till the next day, that thanks had been given to Almighty God, the author of this victory, in the high Church. The Cardinal Don Alonso de la Cueva, Ambassador for the King, said the first Mass, the Infanta, with her Court, being present, and the whole Town. After Mass the Arch duchess, 
The Cardinal de la Cuena said the first Mass.  walked about the Church, to see if any Monument remained of the old Religion. There were yet to be seen, in diverse places, the empty rooms, where statues had stood, a token of the Hugonots impiety to their predecessors deceased. Inglebert the second Count of Nassau his tomb, of white and black Marble, remained yet entire, built by his nephew Henry of Nassau. An other Tomb of an other Count Ingelbert, and Count john of Nassau, was defaced, by the taking away a statue of the Virgin Mary. A thing done by the instinct of one Sibyl, a prophetess, forsooth, particularly inspired, wife of Henry Buxhorne, Minister and chief Preacher of Breda, sometimes, amongst us, a Catholic Priest. 
The imprety of Sibyl, wife of Henry Buxhorne Minister of Breda.  This Oracle soretould (inspired out of doubt with the Spirit of some prophetical Sibyl) that within six months after the Siege laid before the Town, it should be taken by the enemy, except the statue of the Virgin Mary, preserved, till then, entire in that place, and had in veneration, many years before, by the zeal and devotion of our Religious forefathers, were broken down from thence, and utterly the faced, never any before that time, howsoever aversed in other points of faith, daring, to attempt a thing so profane. Which foul act I know to what best to impute, whether to the backwardness and toleration of the Magistrates and people of Breda, winking at a thing so gross and so in contempt of all antiquity, or to their sottishness in giving credit to such an imposture, or to the strange impudence of that foolish woman against a picture consecrated to the Virgin Mary, by the Ancestors of that most Noble Family of the Nassaves, and set up upon their Tombs for a monument to posterity. From the Church walls were taken down certain profane Epigraphes (in contempt of the King) of the enemies surprising the Town heretofore, and in their place this was set up, alluding to the year in which it was recovered.  
AMBROSI SPINOLAE VIGILANTIA BREDA EXPUGNATA.  
The ceremonies of the Mass being thus first performed, 
Fires of joy made in the Town, and in our Campe.  at night fires of joy were set up in the Church steeple, of such brightness, and in such number, as they were easily discovered in diverse places of Holland. The Town was full of bonfires, and the Artillery played again round about the Walls. But, that which was a sight most worth admiration, was a circle of continual lights round about the inner Trench, for the space of sixteen miles, a thing commanded by Spinola, and performed, by tying bundles of straw on the top of soldier's Pikes, and so setting them on fire, with which the shining of the continual shot being intermingled, it was a sight as pleasant to behold, as the sudden appearing, and vanishing of so many stars.  
But the liberality of this admirable Princess, to the Church of Breda, and the two Religious Orders, the Capucins, and Priests of the Society of JESUS, appeared no less than her singular devotion towards God, of whom she ceased not continually to beg the surrender of that Town. It was the voice of all men, that the continual prayers of the Infanta, and her Court, with other devotions and supplications she commanded to be offered in all Churches, and her almsdeeds, and great liberality to the poor, were a more efficatious means to take in Breda, 
This Victory principally to be attributed to God.  than the powerful Army which lay before the Town. And out of doubt, the hand of heaven stood us more in steed then any stratagem of man, which cannot be more justly attributed to any thing, then to the known devotions of her, of whom we may well say: One woman put confusion in the house of King Nabuchodonosor.  
She was welcome therefore to the Town, as a restorer of the ancient Religion decayed, to the Camp as their supreme General. She took order that a Mass should be yearly said, in honour of the B. Sacrament, upon the Eve of which feast, the enemy first began to treat of a surrender, and upon the Octave of the same feast, marched out of the Town. She bestowed 
* Four hundred pound  four thousand florins upon the Capucins, towards the building of a Covent, and 
* Five hundred pound  five thousand, upon the Fathers of the Society of JESUS (who had laboured in the four Quarters about the Town, 
The Infantaes gifts to pious uses.  all the time of the Siege, in the gaining of souls) towards the erecting of a College. She gave great Alms to the old Monastery of Nuns, and towards the reparation of Gineken Church (which Count Maurice had caused to be set on fire.) Of which testimonies of a Religious Princess, the Cardinal Don Alonso de la Cueva, Ambassador here for his Catholic Ma.tie having made mention in his letters to his Holiness, Pope Vrbane the eight, supreme head of the Catholic Church, the Pope returned this answer to the Cardinal: Beloved Son, Health and Apostolical Benediction. Your last letters were, 
The letter of Pope Vrban the eight to the Cardinal de la Cueva  to us, those golden phialls full of perfumes, which recreate the Saints, in their glory, and comfort mortal men, in their afflictions. We have taken some breath in the midst of the tempestions Sea, when we beheld Religion to flourish again in the Town of Breda. Almighty God is not forgetful of his mercies, for the Princes who fight for his cause, have legions of Angels to assist them. This Victory, out of doubt, was won, against the opposition of nature, and the wicked conspiracies of many: and, houbeit it may remain to after ages as a Masterpiece of military discipline, yet it aught to be acknowledged a stratagem of that eternal warrior, who assuaged the raging of the waters, as well as the fury of the enemy. And that Austrian Princess truly reaps the fruit of so admirable a victory, when, with such a resolution, she reestablisheth Religion: for the furtherance of which no means can be more beneficial, than the functions of Priests, and industries of those Religious Orders, placed, by her, in the Town, since the taking of it. To you, who first had the honour, (to the comfort of the Church) to offer up that dreadful sacrifice of the Mass, at those Altars which heresy had so long profaned, we most affectionately impart our Apostolical benediction. And we commend your Zeal, who being honoured with the Roman purple, show yourself worthy, in this occasion, of so great a Preisthood. Your advice, and good counsel may make you a sharer in this glorious triumph, for as the resolution of soldiers chaseth impiety from the Rampires of a Town, so the examples and good deeds of Priests, are able to displant it out of the hearts of the inhabitants; which honour we truly wish you, heartily promising you our help and assistance. Dated at Rome at St. Mary Mayor, under the fishers Seal this 9.th August, 1615. the second year of our Papacy.  
The Arch-duchesse, having given order for what was necessary in matters of Religion, caused a months pay extraordinary, to be distributed to the soldiers, 
The Infanta visiteth the works of our Camp.  and ten thousand suits of  to be bestowed amongst them, as her gift. The days following she spent in viewing the inner and outward trenches, showing herself a lover of war, as she had done before of Religion. Mean while Spinola furnished the Town, utterly exhausted by the tedious Siege, with store of new provision, and appointed houses for the garrison soldier. 
The Baron of Balancon made Governor of the Town  The Infanta bestowed the Government of the Town upon the Baron of Balançon, Colonel of a Burgundian Regiment. The modesty, vigilancy and valour of this man was so generally known to all men, and so far beyond envy, that all nations in the Camp, held him the fittest man, and worthiest of that place. The Townsmen, who had but heard the report of his worth, wished him the government, and were petitioners for him; so bright virtue shineth, and enamoureth wheresoever it appeareth. Next this man, the Magistrates of the Town were chosen. Henry Montens a grave old man, and learned in the law, one who was Bourrowmaster of the Town, for the King, 
The Magistrates chosen.  at such time as the enemy surprised it, by the practice of the Boat, was now again restored to be Borrowmaster of the Town, having been ever constant to his faith and Religion. Dingeman vander Locht, a quiet spirited man, and good Catholic, was chosen his assistant. The rest of the Magistrates were such, whose worth only, and Religion preferred to the care of the Commonwealth. The Laws and customs prescribed to the Town, were such as the Town of Bolduc observed: howbeit, in the beginning, for many respects, they could not be punctually observed. The Magistrates being settled, they set up public schools for the Fathers of the Society, which Religious Order Philip Duke of Arshot commended to them, by command of the Princess, whose letters, to that effect, he brought to the Magistrates.  
The affairs of the Town being thus ordered, 
The garrison of the Town appointed.  provision being made, and a garrison of 3000. foot, and seven Troops of horse appointed, 
The works of our Camp slighted.  Spinola commanded that the trenches, and other works of our Camp should be slighted, worthy to have been preserved, and remain a monument to posterity, but that for the service they had done, so important for the gaining of this admirable victory, the remembrance of them was never like to die. The foot, divided into many squadrons, 
The Infanta departeth front Breda with the Army.  betwixt Hooghstrat and Breda, saluted the Princess, as she passed, with their military triumphs. The horse, put in order by Count Henry vanden Bergh upon a large plain, not far from Hooghstrat, represented, in jest, the manner of a serious horse fight. Fifteen troops, divided equally into as many several wings, 
Count Henyr vanden Bergh representeth in jest, a serious horse fight.  encountered one an other, and with a counterfeit skirmish expressed that sweet war, which unexperienced people frame in their imaginations. There was the charge, and retreat of horse, sound of Trumpets, raising of dust, glittering of Arms and naked weapons, the shouts of soldiers in their encounters, fire, smoke, report of pistols, with Artillery playing from a far, and all other expressions of a serious fight, but slaughter and blood, 
— metuenda voluptas  
Spectanti, pulcherque timor.  But, the sight most worth beholding was Count Henry vanden Bergh himself, completely armed, betwixt two other Princes his confederates, coming in, as it were, to his succour: these Princes were Wolfgang William Duke of Bavere Gulick, Cleves and Bergh, and Rodulph Maximilian Duke of Saxe, who when the skirmish was ended came all three, upon their career, towards the Coach of of the victorious Princess Isabel, bowing, with reverence, the points of their swords to her.  
Spinola, lodging the Army within three leagues of Anwerp, 
Spinola waitheth upon the Infanta to Anwerp.  himself waited upon the Arch-duchesse to that City, where they were welcomed with the general applause, 
Count Henry vanden Bergh, remaineth with his troops at Hooghstrat to put provision into Breda.  all men casting their eyes and acclamations upon Spinola. Count Henry vanden Bergh, remained, with his troops, at Hooghstrat, to convey the rest of the provision into Breda, who in the last Convoy, before the enemy retired out of the field, being desirous to add this label to Spinolaes' victorious laurel, laid a plot to entrap the enemy with an ambush, 
He had a the sign to entrap the enemy, but it took not.  into which he thought to entice them, by sending out diverse of his troops near their Camp to discover. But the enemy, whether out of forecast, or iealiousy, stirred not out of his Camp, which caused Count Henry to retire, without doing any thing.  
Whilst the Arch-duchesse Isabel remained in Anwerp, 
The Infantaes picture curiously drawn by the famons Painter, Rubens.  famous Rubens that matchless Painter drew her picture, crowned, in a most Majestical fashion, with a laurel of victory, which was afterwards as curiously engraved in brass, worthy, after such a triumph, to be so expressed to life, and by no other, then by the hand of that famous Apelles. By the scholars of the Society of JESUS, the Tragedy of King David was represented, after a new manner, to welcome this victorious Princess, the whole history past being showed again, to the life, in a dumb show, at the end of each Act. All the Courtiers and great ones went, in the Infantaes name to see it. Within few days after, 
The enemy retiring into garrison, our Army was commanded to reure.  the enemy retiring his Army into garrison, our troops were in like manner, commanded to retire. Spinola in the mean time went privately to Brussels, and though he concealed his coming, purposely to avoid the noise of salutations, yet against his will, he was forced to accept of them. By this time the news was arrived in Spain, his Ma.tie receiving the glad tidings of two great victories together, the recovery of the Bay of Brasill, and the taking of Breda. He bestowed upon the marquis Spinola, for the subduing of so many enemies, without loss of blood, 
Spinola rewarded by the King of Spain.  and taking in a Town and fortress so impregnable, the Encomienda Mayor de S. jago, a principal dignity in the Kingdom of Castille, either because this reward was due to such a Victory, or because it stood with the liberality of so great a Monarch, to bestow rewards of a higher nature, them any desert could reach to. Pope Vrban, stirred up with the greatness of so many remarqueable things, wrote letters of congratulation, first to the Arch-duchesse, then to the marquis Spinola for his fortunate success and valour, in this occasion. Both which letters I thought good to set down, as well for the singular eloquence with which they were written, as for the wisdom and authority of so grave a Prelate. His letter to the Arch-duchesse was this:  
Almighty God, 
Pope Vrban the eight his letter to the Archduchesse Isabel.  unresistable in his power, hath laid his hand upon such as wished ill to his Servants, and the right hand of the Omnipotent is glorified in you. We were over-ioyed for the glorious Victory of the taking of Breda, and out of the abundance of the same joy, we writ these unto you, who surpassing, in an eminent degree, the virtue of your sex, have successfully employed the power of the dreadful Arms of Austria, for the raising, and defence of the Catholic faith. In your Camp, the troops of the celestial Army fought, and your perseverance in warlike prowess made it appear to all nations (who flocked thither to be eye-witnesses of that glorious siege) that no fortress, under heaven, can be so defended, but that the resolution of an Army, backed by the help of Heaven, may easily overcome it. You have met with enemies, contemners of dangers, and cunning contrives of mischiefs unheard of, who seemed to be able to turn the sea out of his bounds, upon your Austrian troops, and stop the mouths of Rivers, ready to discharge themselves into the Ocean, so to overwhelm your Army, with a kind of new Sea. But the wicked fell themselves into the trap they had designed for others, and our Lord reigneth for ever. For the Sea remained with in his bounds, and Rivers became dry. We congratulate with you for that victory, so much desired by the prayers of the Church, for which Rome the Mother of nations, rejoiceth, and which histories will make famous to after ages. We have understood by the report of fame and letters of our Agents, what excellent use you have already made of this victory. Except our Lord preserve a City, garde● are placed in vain upon the walls; and he supplieth those Towns with legions of Angels, in which the Catholic faith, preserver of public peace, is established. We have heard how religiously solicitous and careful you are, that heresy, mother of falsehood, and foster of sedition, should be rooted out of the breasts of the inhabitants of Breda. Wherefore since you stand not in need of our Pontifical exhortations, to persuade you in that particular, with good cause we raise and praise the glory of your name, commending you to Almighty God, in our best devotions, that you may reap those fruits of so glorious a triumph, which the Church desireth, and impiety trembleth at, most affectionately sending you our Pontifical Benediction. Dated at Rome, at St. Mary Mayor under the fishers Seal The 9.th of August, 1625. The 2. year of our Papacy.  
His letter to Spinola was this: Heaven rejoiceth in your victories, whose hands are washed in the blood of heretics, and support the foundation of Catholic Religion. The taking of Breda shall remain a monument of your valour to after ages; and the world shall know, that in our times, Italy brings forth Commanders, in whom the glory of C●sars and Scipios is revived again. You have subdued enemies insolent with riches, raging with fury, and contemners of death, who stopping the mouths of Rivers, forced them to ●●ange their course, and turn upon your Campe. But the h●●d of heaven, and your perseverance over came all. And your worth and industry hath recovered that Town, of which hereto●fre Treason, a lover of darkness, luecking in  deceits, beguiled the invincible greatness of ●ustria. The memory of the Siege of Breda shall remain ●o posterity, and Commanders, in times to come, may be furnished, by this Siege, with examples of fortitude, and documents of the Art of war. The savour of Almighty God showed in the taking of Breda was so eminent, and appeared so clear to us, in the midst of our other cares taken for the late troubles and dissension of the Italian Princes, that we resolved to honour you, the author of so great a good, with the testimony of our Apostolical letters, wishing you long life and health, with the offer of our assistance, and bestowing upon you heartily our Apostolical Benediction. Dated at Rome, at S. Marry Mayor under the fisher's Seal, the 9.th of August. 1625. The second year of our Papacy.  
Great, but deserved praises, and confirmed now by the mouth of his Holiness. And questionless neither the enemy can well feel the greatness of this wound, it being yet green, nor we in this novelty of joy, gi●e it the due estimation it deserveth. But, that which is as much or more to be esteemed then any victory whatsoever, is, that since this strife was more for point of honour, than the gain of Breda, the loss of that Town, which the States, with so many supplies from all parts, with the stirring of all Europe, and so great exhausting of their own private treasure, undertook in ●ayne to defend, hath gained immortal fame to his Ma.tie of Spain, the Archduchesse Isabel, and the marquis Spinola.  
Conographicum REX BREDAM CEPIT QVINTA JUNII.  
Typis judoci Dooms.  
THE SIEGE OF BREDA ENDED 

A. The Marquess spinolnaes Quarter.  
B. The general of the horse his Quarter.  
C. The Baron of Ballanscons Quarter.  
D. Count Isenburgs Quarter.  
E. Paul Ballions Quarter.  
F. The Baron of 〈◊〉 Quarter.  
G. Carlo 〈◊〉 Quarter.  
H. Count 〈◊〉 Quarter.  
I. The Batteries towards the Town.  
K. The inner trench about the Town.  
L. The Black Causey  
M. The new County in the Meadow grounds with a double pallisailo.  
N. Artificial Standing-waters.  
O. The ditch which Spinola caused to be made 2200 foot long to couney the waters into the River.