P.S.-"In this service we lost no man of reckoning, nor above 20 of all sorts, which being rare I would not keep from your Honour." Holograph, 4 pp. (37. 77.)

THE SAME to the SAME.

1596-7, Jan. 17.-To the same effect. Additional details given, such as that 1,600 English of the Queen's garrison and the writer's regiment were engaged, and that there arrived not 500 of the enemy at Herrentaulx towards which they were marching and from which they were not half a league distant when they broke. Returned to Tournowlt and summoned the castle the same night and were denied, but next morning, when his Excellency brought up the demi cannon and field pieces, they surrendered on composition.-Breda, 17 Jan. 1596.

Holograph. 4 pp. (37. 78.)

JOHN DANIEL to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 17.-Yesterday brought to Cecil's house Mr. Bridges and John Muchie the post, but he being busy in the forenoon and afternoon they could not come to him. They are to be there again this afternoon; and as Mr. Bridges is to impart to Cecil the present state of Calais and of a ship that is presently bound thence into Spain, and the post is to deliver a matter concerning her Majesty's service, prays they may see him.-27 January, 1597.

Holograph. p. (38. 4.)

GEORGE GILPIN to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 17.-Details of Count Maurice's victory on the 13th (see above).

God be praised for all (Whose mercies are infinite) and make us thankful! Count Hohenlo, who was on his way as far as Nimueghen, understanding of the horsemen's sending for so as he could not have them for his convoy to Wesel, changed former purpose, and coming with the troops of horse to Gertrudenbergh was at the service, and so used himself, as did all the other chiefs, that they have deserved honour and praise. This blow will touch the Cardinal shrewdly, five regiments being thus beaten and these men are the safer, though it should chance to freeze, he being disappointed of those forces he kept of purpose in Brabant to have made incursions, and now must make levies, for from the frontiers of France to defend Arthoys and Henewer there can be none spared: and, if the spring come in, there will no doubt be some other service against a chief town attempted like enough to speed if the King of France keep the Walloon quarters waking. To-morrow Count Maurice is looked for, when, if other matter fall out worth Essex's knowledge, it shall be advertised.-From the Haeghe, this 17th of January 1596, in haste.

P.S.-There was of late a ship of Rotterdam, called the Facon, whereof is master one William Williams, and come out of Spain with wines and fruits, taken near the Isle of Wight and brought to London. She was suffered by the States to go thither to discover the particulars and certainty of the King of Spain's army which is there preparing. The States now write in the man's favour, and Gilpin adding his letters hopes that the ship may be released without charge, knowing the merchant to be usually employed by them for all intelligencies, wherein he hath done good service.

Signed. Seal. 2 pp. (173. 15.)

WILLIAM DOWNHAL to EDWARD REYNOLDS.

[1596-7?] Jan. 18.-Describes a journey in the Eastern counties to buy horses for my lord (the Earl of Essex). At Norwich he was at the meeting of the justices but gained little from them. Sir Chr. Hedon was, however, very kind, and honest Wat Gibbone's father and his son showed him much kindness. Sir Edwin Richie, Mr. Pinchebacke and Mr. Kempt also were anxious to serve my Lord; but horses were too dear. Went thence to Berie on Monday last, to a meeting of all the justices; who merely asked him to dine with them and paid 8d. for his dinner. Sir Clement Higham showed him 5 or 6 geldings, but to buy them at the prices asked would have been the part of a fool or a knave. Was in despair till he came to Cambridge, where Dr. Tindale's brother took great trouble to seek horses for him, and also lent him 50l. Descauts upon his kindness and asks that he may be repaid his 50l. when he comes to London about Wednesday next. Commendations to Sir Gillie Mericke and all other friends.-Cambridge, 18 Jan. Addressed :-" Cousin."

Endorsed: "Downhall to Mr. Reynolds."
Holograph. 3 pp. (48. 9.)

SIR ROBERT SYDNEY to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 10*.-Mons. de Buzemnel is come to Midleborrow and will take the next passage into France. He says the King his master had written to the Queen to send Essex into France and that he would meet him at Dieppe to confer of the course of the war for next season. Also that the King had written to Count Morris to come too, who "had excused it, alledging that there was no man of commandment in the country, if any occasion should rise, the Count of Hollock and the Count William being both in Germany and the Count of Solms discharged, and that though the journey into France were perhaps easy, yet in respect of the wind, the coming back might be uncertain." With this excuse Buzemnel professes himself glad to go for private affairs and see the Court; but a good report from the Hague says the real reason of his going is "that the King had not ratified what had been concluded between the D. of Bouillon and the States, which did trouble the States and the French ministers very much at the Hague; and that the King was grown into jealousies with the D. of Bouillon of his too much credit in these countries, and therefore had desired the Count's coming into France, that in the ratifying of the league he might do somewhat himself, and not all seem to have been effected by the said Duke alone." Buzemnel said the Duke "was not well with the King", but gave no particulars. For news of Holland refers to Sir Fr. Vere and Mr. Gilpin. The enemy's troops at Turnhaut are there still. This day "I am to agree with a certain fellow who shall continually advertise me how things stand at Brussels. The man hath wit enough and means to come into good places; all is if he will be honest. If your L. will have him serve you he shall; otherwise I will entertain him till I see what milk he will give. For myself I am going to-morrow towards his Excellency. He hath sent for me very earnestly to come with 300 men to St. Gertrudenberg to him; but what his purpose is I cannot tell till I have been with him." His Excellency writes that the matter will not hold them above four days.-Flushing, 10 January 1596.

Endorsed:-20 (sic) January.

Holograph. Seal. 3 pp. (37. 81.)

* Misplaced chronologically.

COUNT MAURICE of NASSAU to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 19.-Monsieur.-Hitherto there has little presented itself in these Provinces to advertise you of, except that some days since the enemy caused the regiment of Neapolitans and those of the Count de Sulz, Baron d'Assincourt and de la Berlotte to lodge at Turnhout, which is a town in the open country of Brabant, with intent, as they gave out, to invade these countries, either by the places which he expected to be master of this winter, or else to attack some town on our frontiers and carry it by assault. Whereupon, considering the prejudice and danger which might accrue therefrom, I determined as far as possible to prevent it. To this end I caused 5,000 infantry and 800 cavalry to assemble with all diligence, with which I departed for Gertrudenberg the 23 of this month, carrying with me 4 pieces of artillery (because I understood that the enemy were intrenched) and came to lodge a small league from the said town. The enemy, being advertised by their spies of my coming and that I had artillery with me, abandoned the place by night and entered a heath, taking their route towards Herenthals; when seeing them the next morning at such a distance that I could not overtake them with the infantry, I pursued them with the cavalry, with which I attacked and beat them in such a manner that more than 2,000 remained on the field,

and [we have] 500 prisoners. Those which were retired upon the tower which is adjoining to the said town of Turnhout, understanding this defeat, surrendered on a summons. Messrs. Sidney and Vere did the office of brave captains in the charge. I have gotten 38 colours and one standard. I return thanks to God for this good success and the rather as I think her Majesty will receive singular contentment from it, and that it will prove of service to her affairs. This, Monsieur, is what I have to present you with for the new year. From the Hague, 29 January 1597.

Signed. French. 3 pp. (38. 8.)

Annexed, Modern translation of the above. 14 pp. (38. 9.)

Another translation, with many alterations, and several words introduced in brackets to complete the sense; the place of writing being given as Sluys.

1 p. (49. 4.)

EDWARD STANHOPE to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Principal Secretary. 1596-7, Jan. 20.-Begs favour for the bearer, Mr. Levett, now mayor of Doncaster, who comes up to the term on behalf of the corporation, who are sued for lands by Mr. Worall, whose ancestors rose by means of trade in Doncaster and have been mayors of the town. "The soil of the waste and liberties in Wheatley now sued for by Mr. Worall at the common law have been parcel of the soke of Doncaster time out of mind of man; yet he, being matched in kindred and alliances with many of the best men in the shire, and somewhat given to contention, presumeth to challenge it to be his inheritance, which his ancestors never did before him." As the country are, in trials, greatly given to favour their landlords, the corporation desire that the lord Treasurer will enjoin Worrall not to prosecute the matter by the common law at the assizes until it be heard in the Exchequer Chamber, where, the Queen being interested in it as affecting the fee farm of the town, it ought to be heard. They are emboldened to ask this by the favour they found when Sir James Croftes' followers would have found most

of their lands (belonging to their fee farm) concealed." Writes this as he is Recorder of the town.-York, 20 Jan. 1596.

CAPTAIN JOHN CHAMBERLAIN to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 20.-On Wednesday, according to our English account. the 12th of January, we found our army at Gyttryngberg which was appointed our rendezvous. We esteemed it to consist of 5,000 foot and 800 horse. On Thursday we marched onwards towards Turneholt, every soldier carrying 3 days' victual with him. We had with us 2 culverins and 2 demi-culverins. That night we marched 20 English miles, which was very much, the way being extreme wet and foul, and our men laden with their arms and victuals. We lodged in the field within 3 English miles of Turneholt where the enemy lay. That night the Count of Warras, Colonel-General of those troops and master of the ordnance of the King's army here, was informed of our approach, and, until he heard by his espions that we brought artillery, he intended to have made good the place, as we have since understood by some prisoners. He made countenance to his troops not to remove but secretly commanded all the wagons [that] might be got to be provided. At 12 o'clock that night he commanded all the baggage to be laden. At 2 the baggage went away. Between 6 and 7 the next morning he dislodged with his whole troops, his infantry consisting of four Regiments; the Marquis of Frenye, then at Brussels, Colonel of the Italians; Mons. Labberlott, Colonel of one regiment of Walloons; Pedro de Askott [Aeschott], Colonel of the Almains; Mons. le Cokill, of another regiment of Walloons; Nicholas de Bastion, commander of the Cavalry. We finding them gone at Turneholt and understanding by the inhabitants the time they rose, our horse advanced forwards. Our English, having that day the vanguard, was commanded to make a halt by Synisco Serjaint, Major of our army, which was the cause we came not so timely up to have made an end of their whole troops. The horse found the enemy within half an English mile, busy in breaking a bridge to hinder our following them, but, some of our musketeers coming up, they were beaten thence, having before, much to their advantage, broken the bridge in such sort that our foot men could pass but 2 and 2. Their army retired in very good order in maintaining continual 66 eskarmouches with ours, until they attained to a large heath, where Sir Francis Vere, our colonel, with Sir Robert Sydney and some other on horseback, together with Captain Edmonds, a Scottish man, commander of a troop of horse, much against the allowance of his Excellency and the Count Hollock, charged one of their wings of musketeers in flank, with that resolution that they scattered. His Excellency, sceing them engaged, appointed Count Hollock to second them, which he did in charging the other wing of the battle. By this the enemy's horse made shew to charge the Dutch troops of horse, which made them, not without some fear, retire. When even then our English troops had attained the heath in two battalions, the one consisting of the companies from Flushing, Ostend and the Brill, the other of eight of our regiment, which view so amazed the enemy, thinking all the army had been at hand that even then they lost their spirit, when, being hotly charged again by Sir Robert Sydney and my Colonel, even upon the colours of the "battaile" of pikes, they disordered presently, and every man sought his own safety except the Count of Warras or Laverall, who died resolutely in

the head of the pikes; the whole regiment of the Italians was overthrown and upon them the greatest fury was spent, for most of them perished having that day the rear-guard. Their whole loss consists of these particulars as I can understand: 2,000 slain, prisoners 450, whereof 10 captains and 20 lieutenants and ancients, and the young Count Mansfield who carried the colours of Pedro de Askott. The sergeant-major of the Italians was taken, but hath made an escape, 300 hurt that fled, as the Prince of Orange's trumpet reported; 38 ancients and one cornet taken. Of ours 20 men slain and not so many hurt; and undoubtedly, but that night grew on, we had taken all their baggage, which was much, and put to the sword the greatest part of all those troops. At our return to Turneholt the next morning we took in the castle, after the cannon had played it shot, upon condition the governor should depart with bag and baggage. We left for the guard thereof one company of Walloons.-From Delphe, after our English account, the 20th of January '96.

Signed. Seal. 21 pp. (59. 7.)

CAPTAIN EDWARD WYLTON to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 20.-Not long since, the King sent order to our Colonel to remove from Aumall to St. Valeries and Cratoy. Monsieur Civill is appointed our commissary and mustereth us according to the instructions. Sir Thomas lieth in St. Valeries, my Colonel in Cratoy. Cratoy is a little fisher town over the Somme, right against St. Valerics, walled with a little bad wall easy to be blown down with every petart, and I think had been ere now surprised but that the enemy's garrison is so far off. Hedom is the next town the enemy holdeth it lieth six leagues from Cratoy. They are not very strong within the town and yet they have braved them of Cratoy very often before our coming, and have once or twice driven away the most part of their cows. I think they mean not to trouble us much by reason of our strength and their long retreat. But yet are not we free from enemies. We fight daily against cold, hunger and the infections of the country; everything is exceeding dear with us; we have no wood but that we fetch three leagues off. The plague is grown so familiar to us that to get 6d. the soldier feareth not to ransack both the house and the party infected, and we have not yet to my knowledge passed any town or village uninfected. But that which is most strange of all, I have not heard of any soldier amongst us that hath died of the plague, although very few can say that they have not been in the places of contagion.

The King hath lately been jealous of Monsieur de Villars but concealed it until a means was found to fit both their humours: for Monsieur de Villars the better to give colour to his designs contrived a marriage with Madam Elizabeth, a sister of the King's mistress, and the King, under colour of going to solemnise the marriage at Hance, hath both assured that town and the rest of his governments and removed from him the tutors of his evil counsels. What hath been the conclusion in this last assembly at Roan, I doubt you understand from others that are able more fully to declare it than myself; only it is publicly known that this great bruit of the peace with Spain is consumed into fume, and that the King himself and next him the Marshall de Biron and Buillon were the only causes thereof; and that there are great sums of money granted to the King for the maintenance of his wars, wherein he now means to proceed with some more royalty than heretofore he hath been able to do.