A TRUE RELATION OF A BRAVE ENGLISH STRATAGEM, PRACTISED lately upon a Sea-Towne in Galizia, (one of the Kingdoms in Spain) and most valiantly and successfully performed by one English Ship alone of 30. Ton, with no more than 35. Men in her.  
AS ALSO, With two other remarkable Accidents between the English and Spaniards, to the glory of our Nation.  
Printed for Mercurius Britannicus. 1626.   

A true Relation of a brave English stratagem practised lately upon a Sea-towne in Galizia, (one of the Kingdoms in Spain) and most valiantly and successfully performed by one English Ship alone, of 30. Ton, with no more than 35. men in her.  
With two other Remarkable Accidents between English and Spaniards, to the glory of our Nation.  
YOu shall here (loving Countrymen) receive a plain, full, and perfect Relation, of a stratagem bravely attempted, resolutely seconded with bold English spirits, and by them as fortunately Executed upon our Enemies, the Spaniards: Who, albeit upon what Kingdom soever they once set but footing, they writ Plus ultra, devouring it up in conceit, and feeding their greedy ambition that it is All their own; yet this great golden Faggot of Dominion may have many sticks plucked out of it, if cunning fingers go about to undo the Band: as by this Galizian Enterprise may appear.  
A pregnant testimony hereby being given, that if the great Warriors of the Sea would join together, and Thunder all alongst the Spanish Coasts, the Cast●lian Kingdoms might easily be shaken, when so poor a handful of our English being spread before one of their Sea-townes, was the forerunner of so terrible a storm to all the Inhabitants.  
Such a brave mustering of all the Gods of the Ocean in one conjoined Army, would quickly make the great Donnes to alter their proud and insolent Poesy, of Non sufficit orbis (the world is too little to fill their belly, when the East-Indies lies upon one of their Trenchers, and the West upon another; yea, and compel them to dwell quietly at home, in their own hot barren Country of Spain, contented with a dinner of a few Olives, a handful of Reisins, and such poor trash; not intruding into other King's Territories, (especially these fruitful ones of ours,) to eat up our fat Beefs, Veals, Muttons, and Capons, (Victuals too good for such insatiable feeders,) when whole Countries (might they swallow down their fill) are nothing to be devoured at one meal.  
Come forth therefore you Renowned English, and by the example of a few Countrymen of yours, plough up the furrows of your Enemy's Seas, and come home laden (as they have done) with spoils, honours, victory, and rich purchased Prizes.  
Fear not to fight, albeit five Kings bring their men of War into the field, for you have a josua to stand up in your defence, and to bid them battle.  
And when you go to draw your Swords, or to discharge your Cannons against the Iron ribs of the Armadas of this Potent and bloody Enemy, Pray unto the Lord toward the way of the City which he hath chosen, and toward the house which in that place is built up for his Name, and He in heaven will hear your prayers and supplications, and judge your cause, and deliver these wild Boars, and Bulls of Tariffa into your Toils.  
To arm you for Action, for your Country, for your Fames, for Wealth, and the credit of your Nation, whensoever it pleaseth God, that you put to Sea, may you be prosperous, and speed no worse than these have done, whose story I am now going to set down.  
One Captain Quail borne in Portsmouth, desiring to attempt something for the honour of England, and benefit of himself and followers, by the Licence and authority of those in England who might give him leave, got a Bark of Plymouth, which by him and his friends was sufficiently furnished with Men, Victuals, and Munition: the Bark being but 30. ton, and the men in her, to the number of 34. or 35.  
This Captain and the resolute Ging with him went merrily to Sea, and sailed too and fro, without fastening upon any purchase, answerable to their expectation, or defraying such a Charge, as they and their Ship had been at. Their fortunes in England were not great, and if they should return home without some exploits, their estates would be less. Hereupon the Captain discovering his mind to his Lieutenant whose name was Frost, they two (after consultation between themselves) persuaded the rest of their company to try their uttermost adventures, rather than like Cowards to go back, who hearing the Captain's resolution, were on fire to follow him, through all dangers, happen whatsoever could. And so they clapped hands upon this desperate bargain, yet protesting, and seriously vowing not to turn Pirates, thereby to make booty either of their own Countrymen or friends to the State.  
Good hope thus, and a prosperous wind filling their Sails, they hovered along by the Coast of Galizia, which lies upon the head of Portugal, to the Northward. In passing by which, the Ship being clear, and the shores quiet, the Captain commanded them to cast Anchor before a certain Town called Cris, which had a Platform, or Fort with Ordnance to defend it; and this was done at Noonday.  
Then, he being perfect in the French tongue, wrote a Letter in that Language to the Governor or Captain of the Fort, importing thus much, That they were poor distressed Frenchmen, driven thither by some Turkish men of War, and flying to them (as to their friends) for secure: pretending their greatest want to be Wood for firing, and fresh Water, to relieve them, of both which necessaries, they knew that place abundantly stored, and for which they would give any reasonable content.  
Thus riding at Anchor in sight of the Town, and their Cock boat being lost in a storm; they had no other device to convey the Letter to the Spanish Commander, than by sending a Sailor upon an empty Hogshead, with an Oar in his hand to guide him to Land, he being very skilful both in the French, and swimming.  
The Spaniards seeing a man making to them in that strange manner, thought verily they were men distressed indeed, and thereupon Manning out of a Skiffe to meet and receive him, they took him in.  
The Letter spoke his business to the Spanish Captain, who talking further in the French to the Mariner, and being thereupon certainly assured of their distress, determined to sell to them such commodities as they wanted, at as dear a rate as he could: and for that purpose commanded another Skiffe to be Manned out with certain Spaniards, who suspecting nothing; hastened to go aboard the Pinnace, with their Captain in company.  
In the mean time Captain Quail had shut his Portholes close, and hid his Ordnance: discovering not above five men upon the Hatches, who seemed to carry sickly faces, and weak bodies, and were all vnarmde. The Spaniards are joyfully embraced and welcomed: such poor victuals as they had aboard were with arguments of much love set before them: Holland Cheeses were cut in the middle, and such Wine and Beer offered them, as they were furnished with.  
This Entertainment carrying away all suspicion with it, Captain Quail invited the Spanish Captain and the rest of his company to his . In passing to which, the Spanish Commander espied a piece of Ordnance; at which starting back, and not half well pleased, demanding why it lay there, Quail excused it, and said, that was all the protection they carried about them, to defend them from dangers: and so with as much Cunning as he could, he drew by compliment, and disguised fair language, all the Spaniards into his : whither with good words he welcomed them, and saluted them with Cans of Wine, which whiles they were tossing (albeit the Spaniard is the most temperate drinker in the world) and Captain Quail with his foot giving a knock for more; That sign of the foot was a watchword to fetch up all his Mariners; who crying St. George, appeared in their full number, every man armed with a charged Pistol, and short Sword drawn in his hand.  
The Spaniards astonished at this unexpected surprisal, seeing no remedy, yielded themselves, and so were all taken prisoners: an assurance being given them by the English Captain upon the oath of a Soldier (his honour) and the faith of an Englishman, which to an Enemy he scorns to break, not a Spaniard there should be in any danger for his life, so they would be quiet and silent, otherwise Death.  
Certain Fishermen were all this while round about them at their labour, yet perceived nothing.  
With all speed therefore that possibly could be used, Captain Quail and his Lieutenant making their Prisoners sure, Manned out the two Spanish skiffs with his English Musketeers, every one of them lying down in the skiffs flat on his belly, none (that might be mistrusted, being seen) but such only as Rowed the two skiffs.  
Then, with great Circumspection (attended upon by a resolution to meet Death face to face) they landed themselves, and (active as fire) suddenly with little or no danger at all, surprised the Platform, and with the same dexterity were Masters of the Fort: for the act being quick as lightning, so amazed the Spaniards, that it took from them all apprehension not only of fear, but prevention, or acknowledgement of that danger which trod upon their heels. So that Captain Quail, what with his own success and the others astonishment, in a short time, and without resistance, seized upon the Ordnance of the Platform, which turning and discharging upon the Town, and his own Bark likewise giving fire to her Pieces on the other side, Away ran the people, to the number of Two hundred persons, besides Women and Children. At the noise of these sudden terrors, the Fishermen likewise, cutting their Nets, hastened as fast as they could to shore, having more care to save themselves than to catch any Fish; and so flying up into the Country, the Town was left naked, and let to new Landlords. Who meeting no Spaniards willing to be their Tenants, and the Englishmen themselves being loath to tarry amongst such bad neighbours, they rifled both the Fort and the Town, and had the Pillaging of both, for Eight hours together. In which time, they hurried to their Ship any thing that was of value, and besides the abundance of much riches, they brought away the Ordnance of the Fort, the Bell out of the Church, and the Chalice: and so (without wrong to their persons) putting their Spanish Prisoners into their own skiffs, to shore they sent them, with a warlike, triumphing Farwell from their own Pieces, and are now with much honour arrived in England.  
If this Example noble Countrymen cannot give you sufficient Encouragement, do but look back into the former Ages, and take a brief survey what Honourable attempts, exploits, undertake, and stratagems, have in foreign Countries been enterprised and achieved by the English, when brave john of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, etc. being but a Subject, without borrowing or charging of the King's treasures, out of his own Purse and Coffers, and assisted by his Friends and such voluntary Gentlemen, as craved dependence upon his Fortunes, without Press or compelling any man, beating up his Drums, levied so sufficient an Army, that with it he Conquered all Spain, removed the Usurper, and reinstated the expulsed Don Pedro, and after by Interchangeable Marriages, made himself and successive Issue, compettitors and allies to the Crown and Dignity Imperial.  
Of what Honours our Nation have purchased from the French, even their own Chronicles, without the flattery of ours, give ample and sufficient testimony: Witness the Battles of Poytiers and Cressie, fought by the Invincible Soldier (for the great terror which he brought into France) called the Black Prince, who with Inimitable valour, Courage undaunted, and expedition almost beyond humane apprehension against infinite odds, and nothing on his own party to encourage him, save want of number and disadvantage of place, yet notwithstanding, not only desrouted their mighty Armies, killing many and defeating all. But brought the King Dolphin, and all the Prince peers of the land Prisoners, and presented them at the feet of his Father.  
The Scotch King, taking the advantage of the King of England's then being in France, who lay at Calais, made Inroads and Incursions into this Land, whom the Queen Philip then destitute of all her Nobility and Gentry, as being then with the King her Husband in France) met with an Army of Priests, Husbandmen, Artificers, and some few Gentlemen, gave him Battle, vanquished his Army, took him Prisoner, and added one thing more to the eternising of her Husbands and Sons famous and renowned valours.  
I omit the great Battle fought by Henry the Fift at Agincourt, with many others, and lest I be taxed of too great a digression return to the former discourse by me promised, and I make no question by you expected.  
In Lisbon not long since, 
The 2. Honour of our Nation.  a young Merchant (who for diverse respects desires to have his name concealed, being in the company of certain Donnes, and falling in discourse about the valour of several Nations, they so fare exceeded in the hyperboles of their own praise, that they blushed not to affirm, that one Spaniard was able to beat two Englishmen out of the Field, which they in their braggadesme enforced so fare, that though the rest were silent, this young Gentleman not able to conceal a true English spirit, after some retort of language, there made a protestation, That if it pleased the Governor to give him leave, he himself would undertake, (making choice of his Weapon) to fight singly against three of the proudest Champions they would produce against him; to cut off Circumstance, the Challenge was accepted, the Governor prepared the combatants, with the time and place appointed: a great confluence of people assembled: where one young Merchant, armed only with his Sword and a Spanish Pike in the lists appeared, who by the three adversaries was boldly and resolutely charged: but God and his good Cause defended him so well, that the Combat continued not long, till one of them he had laid dead at his foot, and having received from them some few scratches, with the loss of a small quantity of blood, but without danger, he so actively and resolutely behaved himself against the survivors, that they after diverse wounds from him received begin to quail in their former courage, and fight more faintly and further off, which the Governor perceiving, commanded the Combat to cease, and withal to guard him the Englishman from the fury of the displeased multitude, who could have found in their hearts to have plucked him in pieces, where calling him up to him conveyed him safe to his house, and after much commendation of his valour, very nobly secured him to his Ship, wishing him for his own safety to be seen no more ashore, whose counsel he followed; and since with much Envy from them, and great Honour to us, he is arrived in his own Country.  
I desire to be tedious in nothing, but will acquaint you with another Exploit, no less remarkable than the former, performed in the beginning of this last Month April, and thus it was:  
A worthy Gentleman one Captain Warner, 
The 3. Honour.  with two small Pinnaces was bound towards some part of the West Indies, neither of them being of above 30. Ton burden: He being thus at Sea, was chased by a tall man of War a Dunkirker, who came towards them as if she meant to overrun them at once and bury their ruins in the bottom of the Ocean, which Warner perceiving, pretended to make away with one of his Pinnaces, as if he purposed to save a stake and leave the other to the enemy's fury and spoils. The Dunkirker not able to fasten on both at once, took the advantage of the first, intending when he had seized her to make like prize of the other, hales her, board's her: his Sailors and Soldiers being all greedy of booty neglect their own Ship, only busying themselves in the rifling of the other, where I leave them all busy at work; which Warner perceiving, and not willing to slack so good an opportunity, takes the advantage of the wind, suddenly casteth about and seizeth upon the Dunkirks Ship, whose men were most of them aboard his other Pinnace; boards her, taketh her, man's her, and now being armed with her strength Commands both his other Pinnace, and all the Enemies aboard her, by which Stratagem, he not only ransomed his own, but subdued his Enemies, made prize both of Ship and goods, and took all the men Prisoners. A noble encouragement to all the brave Captains and Commanders of our Nation, to strive to Imitate him in his resolution and valour.  
And thus worthy Countrymen you see that notwithstanding the proud braves of the public Enemy their scandals and calumnies, with all the aspersions of disgrace that their malice can device, to cast upon our Kingdom and Country, maugre their Invasions threatened on Land, or their naval triumphs boasted at Sea; how the great Creator of all things, in whose sight pride, vainglory, and ambition are abominable, can when he please by the hand of the youngman David, stoop the stiffe-neck of the strongest Goliath. And noble Countrymen may these few Encouragements put into you the ancient Courage of your ancestors, whose memories through all Seas, Nations, and Languages, have been and ever shall be Sacred to all posterities. Now is the time of acting, and to show yourselves as you have been ever, Held and esteemed brave in attempting, and bold in performing, and so without question your expeditions shall be successful, as the fame of your virtues Immortal.  
FINIS.