TRUE Intelligence sent from a Gentleman of account.  
CONCERNING, The estate of the English forces now in France, under the Conduct of the Right Honourable the Earl of Essex.  
Particularly expressing what hath been done since his departure from England, until the second of September last, 1591.  
Printed for Thomas Nelson, and are to be sold at his shop over against the great South door of Paul's, 1591.   

To the gentle Reader.  
THe unjust rumours secretly dispersed, concerning the distressed estate of the english forces now in France, under the conduct of the right honourable the Earl of Essex, hath caused me to publish this short discourse, wherein is set forth nothing but that which is to be justified for truth, by those that were eye witnesses of the contents thereof.  
And whatsoever is herein contained, be assured it is of truth, and published only to satisfy the honest minds of those that are desirous to know the truth and no more, of all such things, as hath hitherto passed since the departure of his honour forth of England.  
Accept the same, gentle Reader, from him, who wisheth the welfare of thee, and them all, and so in courtesy leaveth thee to the reading of that which ensueth.  
Fabian johnson.   

A Letter sent out of France, particularly expressing the true estate of the English forces under the conduct of the right Honourable the Earl of Essex.  
MY good cozen, I cannot but muse at the sundry untrue reports which (as I hear) is bruited in England concerning the English forces now remaining in France: For controlment whereof according to your request, I send you the truth of all that hath happened since our departure, to the end you may make other of your friends acquainted with the same.  
Know therefore that after the right Honourable the Earl of Essex, had taken his leave of her Majesty then lying at Greenwich, he went from thence by water to Gravesend, where being landed he took horse to Dover, mean while the ships passed the lands end, and so came to Dover, where his Honour soon after went aboard, who together with the whole fleet set sails for Deep, where we arrived on monday being the seventh day of August 1591.  
At his honours first landing, all the great ordinance on both sides the haven (at Deep) was discharged, and the towns men stood (ready soldier like) with drums, fifes and Ensigns, and in token of love and joy sounded their Trumpets, & in all courteous manner received him, who together with the Governor of the said Town, named monsieur de Chartres marched into the Town, where he was royally feasted and most honourably entertained.  
After the Earl our General had taken order for the landing and placing of his soldiers, he remained at Deep about four days space, and after went to Arques, which is about four miles from thence, where he encamped and mustered up his men, taking advice of the said Governor what was best to be done.  
Mean while that his Honour remained at Arques, he had certain intelligence brought him, that the King's Majesty was greatly busied about the taking of Noyan, and that by means thereof the King could not easily depart thence, before he had received full possession of the said Town, which was performed, on the nineteenth of August last passed.  
The Honourable Earl of Essex our general, understanding of the King's good success, and having received certain intelligence from his Majesty, that he would meet with him at guysor's, set forward thither on the one and twenty of August, taking with him all his horse men, leaving his footmen still at Arques,, where they continued until wednesday, being the second of September last passed, as hereafter is expressed.  
On the 27. of August, about the number of 400. English foot men went from Arques, with two hundred and fifty horse men of Deep, these marched forth at midnight towards the river of Some in Picardy, and went to a town walled with mud. near to Saint Valeri, holden by such as were neither in obedience to the King, nor in league with the Leaguers. Into this town they entered the next morning early, where they took the town & about three hundred horse and wagons, which they conducted to Arques.  
The Earl being come to guysor's, attended there for his Majesty, who came the next day, and received the Earl most lovingly, to whom he gave so great entertainment, as best beseemed so honourable a parsonage. And first greatly thanking the Queen's Majesty of England, for her highness most gracious and loving kindness towards him, and then gave thanks unto the Earl for his great courtesy, forwardness, and pains taking, in attempting to hazard his own person in so tedious a journey.  
After that the king had honourably entertained the Earl, according to the manner and custom of this country, he departed towards the German Army, consisting of eighteen thousand both of horse and foot, who then staid about champaign for the coming of his Majesty. But the Earl of Essex accompanied with the Lord Martial Byron, departed from thence to Pont-de-larche, where he yet remaineth.  
This Town of Pont-de-larche standeth about ten mile from Rouen, in like sort as Kingston standeth from London, which Town is holden for the King, and hath a bridge over it as Kingston hath, having a Castle on the other side thereof, standing as her majesties Manor of Hampton Court, which together doth now keep the river, and doth cut off all the provision that can go to Rouen by water, by reason that the vessels of provision sent by water, must first pass under that bridge, before it can come to Rouen.  
The aforesaid booty came in very good time, by reason they greatly wanted horses and wagons for the carriage of their provision, which soon after stood them in great stead, when the whole Army removed from Arx, which was on Wednesday being the first of September last, on which day the army arose, and laded their ordinance, and so departed, marching towards the place where the General staid, being accompanied with Sir Thomas Leighton knight, who is lately landed at Deep with great provision of ordinance. To which place also there came ordinance from Amsterdam, and sundry other places, so that shortly it is likely that there will be some notable service performed against Rouen, when the kings forces, consisting of French men, English men, and Germans, do meet and join altogether, which will be forthwith God willing.  
God be blessed for it, there is plenty of good victuals in the country, whereof we want not, and the same sold at a reasonable rate. A man may buy a good quarter of mutton for two shillings: a capon for eighteen pence, and twenty pence the best. Of bread, butter, cheese, and fish there is plenty: Salt fish is there very good cheap. A man may buy a good Salt fish for three half pence, which will serve four men to their dinners: and of this and such like provision, the country doth bring in great abundance.  
And whereas the report runneth, and hath been spread almost ever since my Lord's departure, that sundry Captains hath been lately drowned through their own wilful negligence, and that there hath also many English men died out of the English Army since their coming over, by reason of pestilent sickness which hath risen among them: all this God be thanked is mere false, for neither hath there any Captains at all been drowned, nor yet any such extreme sickness happened among our Army as is reported. For of certainty there hath not above ten or twelve persons died by sickness at the most of that great multitude, and the most part of those that have so died (or are now sick) is such as being riotously given, have spent and consumed their money at dice, or in drunkenness, and such like unmeet exercises, who, when they want money, run and feed on green fruit, whereof there is great store, by which means some do surfeit and fall sick, to the great endangering of their own lives.  
Thus my good kinsman, I have discovered unto you the true news of all that hath happened since our departure from England. Other news I have not as yet to send you, but so soon as any thing is performed, you shall receive certain intelligence.  
This one thing I thought good to acquaint you withal, whereof I know England will be right joyful to hear: namely, that the French king hath by Act of Parliament banished the Pope from having any rule, government, or authority within the dominion of France: and hath published Edicts in print concerning the same, throughout all his kingdom: yea he hath also caused his Bulls openly to be burned before the gates of all his greatest Towns and places, to the great amazement of those that are the chiefest pillars of the Romish Synagogue. And thus with my hearty commendations to all our friends & well willers in England, I commit you to the protection of the Almighty, who prosper you for ever more.  
From Arques this 2. of September. 1591. Your loving friend and nephew. Fabian johnson.