News out of France.  
ON THE FIRST OF this month of March.  
Wherein is set down, the retiring of the Prince of Parma, and the great loss that he hath received in the same.  
Also a true report of a great Galley that was brought to Rochel on the sixth of February last.   French royal fleur-de-lis 
LONDON Printed by john Wolf, and are to be sold by William Wright. 1592.   

News out of France, on the first of March. 1592.  
THe Troubles of France growing from a popular discontent of sundry ill affected persons towards their natural Liege king, in that he seeks to withdraw them from man's traditions to the purity of the gospel, shows not only the long sufferance of God towards the wicked, but his just punishment upon stubborn and headstrong Nations, that hearken not unto the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. Yet the sundry victories the French King hath had against his enemies, discovers not only the equity of his cause, but assured testimony that God will pull down the plumes of such rebellious subjects as resist the Lords anointed.  
A manifest instance of the which fell out of late, by a great victory the French Kings forces hath had against the Duke of Parma which was in this manner. The Duke of Parma entrenched himself strongly by Nove Chastell not far from Deep, whereof Mounsieur de Vitrey was Governor, and there in warlike manner fortified himself with Baricadoes and other muniments to withstand the sudden invasion of his enemies: yet neither so warily, nor so strongly, but the king's forces played upon him so hard, that what enforced by the King's power, whose valour was more than his multitudes, and drawn on by a mutiny of the french companies that were with him, who could not brook the imperious government of the proud Spaniard, he was constrained to break up his trench and retire homeward as well as he might for his own safety. For though he had sundry Squadrons of the French that were both the King's professed enemies, and of the Leagar: yet the French Gentlemen being somewhat haughty of themselves, did with the more impatience suffer the insolence of the commanding and overwéening Spaniards. Where upon the Duke of Parma grew offended, and for that special reason retired, as he did manifest in a letter sent to Mounsieur de Villiers governor of Rouen for the Leaguer, the contents whereof are these.  
I came to aid you, but I could not perform what I intended, for that I cannot assure myself of the French, who (as I am not their master, so they will not obey me, which occasion moves me thus suddenly to departed: but I mean to return again shortly, with greater forces and more strength, and such as shall obey me. Wherefore, I pray you continue steadfast, and be of good comfort. Yet had there not been a more special reason, happily he would have taken order both to have quieted the French gentlemen, and have gotten more supplies to have countervailed the kings power: but God who is called therefore, the Lord of hosts, because he hath victory in his hand to suppress and conquer at his pleasure, stretched out a mighty arm against the Duke, and as he punished Pharaoh with plagues for his disobedience, so he sent a gréeuou● scarcity, dearth, and famine amongst the duke's forces, not only for victuals, which though they were extremely scant, and that the soldiers were so pined and almost weakened even to the death, that the gnawing of their bowels began to breed the bloudieflixe amongst them: but their greatest plague was, that there was no provision for his horse, neither provand, hay, stubble, nor straw: in so much that as much hay as is sold in England for 4. pence, was worth there even at the Dukes own hands 40. shillings, which famine lighting amongst the horses, bred such mortal contagion amongst them, that such as died not (as there perished daily multitudes of them) had strange and sundry diseases, especially there grew out of their sides great swellings like wens, which going in again, strait killed them, and being dead, their flesh so stunk, that it bred a mortality amongst the soldiers. Whereby we may see the just judgement of God, that kick against the prick, and resist a manifest truth, unto the maintenance of their papistical and ceremonious religion.  
The Duke of Parma driven thus to retire, sent before him to take up a convenient place to lodge his men in: some 400. horsemen, and 800. footmen, but Mouns. de Longueville hearing how they marched, although his power was but small, yet upon a zeal to God, his Liege and Country, with a determined resolution set upon them, and in short time, discomfited them, & put all of them to the sword. Which news being brought to the Duke of Parma's ears, he began strait to doubt of himself, and after consultation had for his better safety, he retreated in one night seven leagues, and so he concluded to pass over the river of Soan at Amiens, and his company to get over the river at Abeville, making such great haste, that in the way he left behind many Charets and Waggens: in some place four, in other six, and other whiles ten: to the number of 200. and more: rather yielding such luggage a pray to the enemies than any more of his forces should be impaired. The King hearing of the Duke of Parma's retire, or rather sudden escape (to shadow his flight with more honourable names) leaving Rouen sufficiently blocked up with troops and men of resolution to leaguer it in his absence: amongst whom Mounsieur de Giury was one. Then in his own person marched forward after the Duke of Parma, accompanied with a brave troop of horse, with intent to fight with the Duke if by any means he might chance to meet him in his journey.  
After the Duke thus had made his retire from Nove Chastell, Mounsieur de Vitrey the governor thereof yielded both it and himself and all his soldiers, to the number of a hundredth to the mercy and favour of the King, who received him with all accustomed clemency. Beside that, most part of the French Gentlemen that were of the Leaguer, whether touched in conscience that they strive against their lawful Sovereign, or doubting that God will so favour the king's forces that his enemies shall go by the worst, as daily they do. Well howsoever moved I know not, but they make continual suit to the king to have a passport to withdraw themselves to their houses, promising never to bear arms any more, except it be in his majesties service, and always and in all places to be ready to execute any thing his Highness shall command them: but how the king accepts of their suit, we have not as yet any certain intelligence: where we may note that although they have continued long mutinous against his Majesty, yet at last, the touch of their own guilty minds makes them in a trembling form of obedienc● sue for favour at his hands, whom so contemptuously, they have hitherto rebelled against.  
Of these French gentlemen that had been with the Duke of Parma, three hundred very well horsed, drew themselves toward Rouen, and by the way were all overthrown and slain.  
Further when the king was removed with some of his forces to follow the Duke of Parma, they of the Falcon which is a Castle situate near unto Rouen, did come forth with two hundredth horse, to give an attempt upon the kings power that was left behind, every man promising to himself, large spoils out of the kings tents, but it fell out contrary to their expectation, for Monsieur de Giury, being by some secret espials, forewarned of this, was not only in a readiness to receive them, but laid divers ambushes to cirumvent them, placing some shot so cunningly and closely, that they found as sharp entertainment as might be, for the kings power broke out upon them before, and the shot so galled the horse on the other side, that of two hundred, there escaped away alive, but seventeen persons, to the great encouragement of the kings part, and the dismay of them in Rouen. Thus doth the Lord help the cause of the righteous, and breaks the jaw-bones of his enemies, and brings his foes to confusion, Farewell.  
FINIS.   

THE TRUE REPORT OF a great Galley that was brought unto Rochel, upon the sixth of February last. 1592.   depiction of a ship in full sail 
LONDON Printed by john Wolf. 1592.   

The true report of a great Galley, that was brought to Rochel, on the 6. of February last.  
IF we enter with deep consideration, to censure of the late prosperity of the Spaniards, or rather hard fortune inflicted upon them by God for their manifest opposing themselves against the truth and his Gospel: we shall find that their sundry mishaps presageth their fall to be near, and that their sins being ripe, wrath cannot long be deferred. But as Silo, so their pride shall vanish like a smoke, and their ruin shall be like the destruction of those five Cities, wherein five righteous persons could not be found out. The wealth of tire, the glory of Sidon, the pomp of Sodom could not save them from incurring the fatal judgement of God's wrath, because they had eaten sour grapes, and their children's teeth were set on edge: so that they delivered sins to their posterity, and displeased the almighty from generation to generation. even so, the Spaniards gilded mines, their haughty stomachs, their honours, their worldly glories, no not the prayers of their Cardinals, Abbots, Monks, and Friars, their Agnus dei, their holy water, and such trash, cannot withhold the wrath of God from them, while any said, they kick against the prick, and are manifest persecutors of his truth and religion, but he drives them on by degrees, to feel the danger of their forewarned destruction: and to show you an instance what happened to them of late, it fell out thus.  
In Brittany the King of Spain had two great Galleasses and four Galleys, the which he appointed to keep the seas upon the coast of Brittany, and so along from S. Malo to Rochel. Of these in November last returned into Portugal the two Galleasses and one Galley. Of the three Galleys that remained, this that was brought into Rochel was the Admiral, this galley had five and twenty oars of a side, and to every oar was chained five slaves to row them, and was left Admiral for those which remained behind. She being very well provided, both of victuals, ordinance, and other furniture of war, having within her both mariners & soldiers about 500 men, some Spaniards, others Portugeses, but the greatest number were of Spain. But their imperious commandings (as the Spaniard is most insolent) drew these two nations to a secret tumult and private mutiny, especially seeing rancour yet remained in the hearts of the Portugeses, for their late abuse offered to their king Don Anthony, and a mortal hatred fretted the mind of the Spaniard, lest the Portugal might in time make recovery of their losses. Envy thus burning in both parts, it grew unto such a controversy, that the matter was feign to be taken up by the chief Captain and other principal Gentlemen and officers in the said Galley.  
The Captain being a Spaniard, and his Ancient being Portugal, upon this special mutiny that grew through unknown grudges, dealt so with persuading reasons and fair speeches, that between them two, they appeased the brawl, and set down a present order for punishing of the chief offenders: so that presently there were hanged three Portugeses, to the great terror and affrighting of the rest. They in the Galley, looking when any of the Spaniards should be hanged for the same offence: but seeing no intent meant by the Captain, to the punishment of the Spaniard, the Ancient-bearer took it in very ill part, and the more, that the Captain uttered some words of disgrace against the Portugeses and their king. The want of execution, and the opprobrious speeches used to himself and the state of Portugal, made the Ancient to murmur, which the Captain perceiving, drew to Bell Isle, there to provide better for his safety: but the Ancient being as politic as he was, providently proved to take occasion as fitted his turn, first to deal with the Mariners, who were the rather pliant to his motion, in that they were Portugeses: so that he won them easily to the resolute execution of his purpose, which was to be revenged fatally upon the spaniards: having thus brought the Mariners to his contented determination, he then broke with the Turks, & the other slaves that were in the Galley, promising them their liberty if they would stick to him, and follow his advice: the poor, whom servile bondage had deeply tormented, being in a second hell upon earth, and glad to be delivered from his thraldom, agreed all in one sympathy of mind, and joyfully prayed and wished for fit and convenient opportunity. In this hope it so fell out, that they came to Bell Isle, according unto the chief captains determination, where he with divers other Spaniards of most account, went on land thinking themselves to be safe when they were there arrived, going merrily to their friends to be frolic. The Ancient careful, taking time by the forehead, seeing the most of the Spaniards to be a sleep by weariness of some service: they had before delivered ears unto the slaves which were Turks, Portugeses, & french men, therewith to unloose and break their chains when some of the Spaniards perceived that weapons were delivered unto the slaves, they began to be fearful and suspicious of some present mutiny. But while they were in this dump, they were presently set upon by the Ancient-bearer, Portugeses, Turks, and Frenchmen his confederates. The Spaniards desperate, seeing flight could not help them, stuck to their tackling, and fought lustily: but the Ancient-bearer armed with revenge, buckled himself to the skirmish and though he were sore wounded, yet he slew threescore persons, and with the help of the slaves, put all the Spaniards to the sword, and so hoisting sails, bend their course towards Don Anthony their King in England. But as they were in this hope, the wind came about and blew contrary, so that they were fain to put into the hay of Rochel. On the sixth day of February, where after discourse made of their present fortunes, they were well entertained of the French. The Ancient-bearer offering in his name, and the rest their service to the King in these his wars against the Leagars', granting in form of a free gift their Galley, ordinance, and all other provision. The bark had store of ordinance of great value, in so much that divers which were aboard on her, said: that she had store of field pieces, all cast in brass, which were carried into Rochel to the King's use. Above the rest, there was one thing wondrous and worth the noting, that the Lantern that gave her light, was valued worth 500 pound and few or none such being ever seen in Christendom before, it was given to the French king for a jewel. Then if the Lantern were of such cost, the wealth of the ship is more easily to be conjectured. Beside she had great store of wine and other victuals, so that it was imagined, that this spring she should have made for newhaven in the river of Rouen. But now she lieth tied within the chains of Rochel, There came out of her great store of people, among the which were many spanish women or gross widows. Besides it is reported, that in great bravery the Portugal is gone to the French King, and all the Turks and other slaves uncommitted and set at liberty, to the great joy of all good christian hearts, that joy to hear, either the controversy or confusion of the Spaniards. Thus you hear how God delivered the Portugeses and poor slaves from thraldom by a private mutiny, as he overthrew the pride of Babel, whereby we receive this comfort, that as GOD cherisheth his chosen people, so he will confound the devices of such as are opposed enemies to his truth and glory.   mythological beast's head