A TRUE DISCOURSE OF an overthrow given to the army of the Leaguers in Province: By Messieurs D' Esdiguieres and Lavallette. ¶ Translated verbatim out of the French Copy, Printed at Tours by jamet Mettayer.  
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Purfoot, dwelling in Saint Nicholas shambles within the New-rents.   

A true discourse of an overthrow given to the army of the Leaguers in Province, upon Monday in Easter week, being the 15 day of April last passed. 1591.  
Our gracious God seemeth to sleep for a season and to be careless of his chosen people, that he may be glorified in his wonderful works, by bringing them which trust to much in human strength into the consideration of his unspeakable power, who taketh pleasure in the strength of men, but scattereth the great hosts and squadrons of such as arm themselves contrary to his will, even as chaff before the wind, and in the twinkling of an eye (as it were) doth so abate their pride, that by the hand of a few of his people he bringeth them to nought, making them equal with the dust, and leaving them as a prey to be devoured of wolves, and such like ravenous beasts.  
The enemies had great confidence in the King of Spain (now called out of this world to render an account before the sovereign Monarch, of the manifold extortions and notorious cruelties committed by him) who assured themselves that he would send so many men of war into all parts of France (as he hath done, though in vain) that in short time he might vanquish and subdue the king and gain his Crown. For the same cause, upon the death of this Arch-tyrant king, the duke of Savoy is gone into Spain, and hath given over the enterprise he purposed against the town of Marseilles, which by sundry ways and means he had practised with divers of the inhabitants who received into their town some store of corn, causing such men as they suspected and would not be conformable to their wills, to forsake the town, which things they had done by so much the more willingly as they suffered than to slip easily into the nets of their rebellion, some of their own accord, some others by that help and assistance of a puissant army of the Spaniards, Savoiens, and Provincials which marched within the country under the conduct of the Count Martinenga, of Monsieur de Vitelli Colonel of the duke of Sauoies horsemen leaguers, and of Mons. S. Romani general of the footmen who knowing that Messieurs D'Esdiguieres and Lavallette, were joined on that side which Riez lieth on, and that Mons. Lavallette was departed for the same intent from Cisteron the 13 day of April, having caused certain pieces of ordinance to be brought with their troops, and seeing likewise that they might greatly hinder their enterprises, resolved to approach near unto them, not so much to provoke them to a battle, in that they were four to one, as thinking to keep them at a bay, and so cause them to retire. But they could not be ignorant having had so great proof of the wise conduct, singular watchfulness, and prosperous success of this valiant Captain Mons. D'Esdiguieres, who being aided by the venturous champion Seigneur Lavallette, and armed with a just cause in defence of their king and state, not fearing the great number of the enemies, whom with courage and resolution he valiantly charged so oft as there was occasion, as may more evidently appear by this discourse ensuing.  
Sparron is a village and a castle in Province, about five leagues from Aix, the Lord whereof in times past held himself neuter, taking neither party: nevertheless he entertained in his Castle the Lord governor of the party royal and his troop. A great number of the Savoien horsemen went to lodge in the same village of Sparron. Now Messieurs D'Esdiguieres and Lavallette receiving advertisement of the enemies being there, without delay they marched thither also with their forces, and on monday in Easter week being the 15 of the same month did assail them with such fury and resolution that in a short space recovering the best advantage, they gave them an utter overthrow: they took 15 Ensigns, four Cornets from the horsemen, 500 horses whose owners lay dead in the place, & above 250 gentlemen well mounted were carried away prisoners by a composition made at the same time in the village. The Seigneur of Vitelly, colonel of the duke of Sauoies horsemen leaguers, and Mons. S. Romani, general of the enemy's footmen did yield themselves prisoners also. The Frenchmen of Province were sent home to their houses by the said Lords D' Esdiguieres & Lavallette with each one a white stick in his hand. More than 500 Savoiens were sent to Tollon to Mons. Lavallette his galleys, therein requiting the duke of Savoy with such measure as he had meated unto some of the kings troops before. The most part of the forts & strong holds of Province, whereof the rebels had commandment, hearing of so great an overthrow to be given their side, are reduced & brought under the king's obedience excepting only the city of Aix which the said Lords have with all diligence environed & blocked in  
The Count Martinenga who had the leading of 800 Horsemen perceiving that there was nothing to be gained but blows, & that the said Lords & their troops spared not to lay on load, resolved therefore to trust to their legs and to save themselves by flight with 300 horse which were all that could escape from that encounter: the rest were all either slain or taken: & our soldiers & men of war, besides many rich prisoners, got in this conflict about 350. horses of service, there were also thirty Captains taken besides the two commanders. Mons. Lavallette hath armed two galleys at Tollon: & these two noble Lords prosecuting their notable victory have won the towns of dign and Lines, and it is said that Mouglon is now in parley to render unto the king and to shake off the rebellious yoke.  
Thus we see that humane forces withstanding the ordinances of God, are in a moment overwhelmed.  
The King of Spain is dead, who was the greatest supporter of the league, & the rebellion in France. The Leaguers have lost a puissant army of Spaniards, Savoiens, and other strangers in Province, which is now God be thanked almost all subdued. Italy is disburdened sundry ways, by the death of this tyrant. The King on the other side is provident in his affairs, which the Lord doth daily prosper with his heavenly blessing. Moreover there are two regiments of Wallons defeated in Picardy. God exerciseth his justice more and more upon his enemies, seeing that the clemency of the Prince whom he hath given unto us serveth to no purpose to bring them to reason, and that now at this instant they are so stubborn, that under the Duke of Manes authority, they will at a certain day of the month have a convention of all their partisans rebels in the town of Reins there to hold an assembly of estates to consult of the affairs of the league, which are in a pitiful taking upon the unexpected death of the king of Spain, which is so prejudicial to their rebellious faction.  
Mounsieur de Nemours to counterpoise a matter so worthy of regard by the rebels in Province, & thinking to mend up that which was so torn on their side, being at Lions a little after this overthrow given, sent into Dauphin three or four hundred horse, caring with them good store of ladders and Petarts, and having passed the Liser towards la Roche, and leaving their horses on this side, marched a league on foot being armed, and would have planted their ladders, and given a skalado to Valence, but they came not within musket shot thereof: for returning in haste being pursued, they left 37 ladders in a barn, within a quarter of a league of Valence. They had so ill surcease through their long retreat that they lost 80 or 100 of their horses, whereof some were worth 800 crowns, and yet were constrained to return again without doing any service.  
The Leaguers being but a few which could escape at the over throw of Sparron have sent to seek their master the duke of Savoy in Spain, and are in great perplexity because they hear no news of his Excellency. He hath lost more by his departure than he shall gain at his return.  
We are to give God thanks for so many blessings wherewith it pleaseth him to endue the King and his affairs to recomfort in the end his good subjects so much oppressed, and almost burnt as it were with the fire of civil wars, kindled by the rebels, who go about to continue it: howbeit the king of compassion upon the poor & miserable estate of his subjects, more than of desire to establish himself in that which appertaineth unto him, doth enforce himself by all means and chief by his mildness, mercifulness and clemency towards the vanquished rebels, to quench and put out wholly this fire which they sought to entertain, whereby his people and commonwealth might flourish in an universal peace.  
FINIS.