A true Relation of all Such Battailes as haue been fought in the Palatinate, since the Kings arrival there, until this present the 24. of May. As also an Abstract of a Letter sent from the King of BOHEMIA to the Prince of ORANGE, concerning both the defeat of the younger Duke of WIRTENBOVRGHs Forces, by G●nzales, general of the Spaniards, with the recovery of the said Dukes forces by the marquis of Baden, who at the same time set vpon Gonzales forces, put them to flight; and made a great slaughter. Likewise the notable Victory won by CHRISTIAN Duke of brunswick against the bavarians, and some of grave Henrick Vanberghes forces, in his way going towards the Palatinate, and his burning of the great town of Giesken. With the famous victory obtained by the King of Bohemia against LEOPOLDVS, before Hagenaw, wherein he was besieged: how he raised the siege, and drove the bavarians out of the field. Lastly, the Victory of the grave Henrick Van Nassaw in Brabant, whence he brought great store of Treasure and many Prisoners.  
LONDON: Printed by E. A. for Nicholas Bourne and Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at their Shops at the Exchange, and in Popes-head palace. 1622.   

COunt Mansfield, general of the King of Bohemia's Army in the Field, having received intelligence, that the Baron de Tilly( general of the bavarian Army) sought all the means he could devise, to bring the remainder of the Lower Palatinate( which yet continueth in the Kings hand) under the bavarian subjection; intending, before all else, to take in Heydelburgh, the chiefest town thereof, and( for that end) surprised some other smaller towns, as Hilspach and Neckergemont, distant a little mile from Heydelburgh, and lying vpon the Necker: with more then Turkish or barbarian cruelty he did there put them all to the Sword, making no spare either of Man or Woman, old or young, performing this in such outrageous manner; that he and the Spaniards had set down their rest and full account, to haue the whole Lower Palatinate( in a very short space) subjected under their obedience.  
Hereupon Count Mansfield, acconpanied with Sir Horatio Vere, worthily determined, with all their powers to withstand their intrusion; and therefore made ordination of their Armies( being in readiness) to march near, and to resist the said De Tilly.  
But then considering, that Purlach, the marquis of Baden, being their neighbour, not having as yet shown himself, which side he favoured and inclined unto, they judged it very fit and convenient, before they presumed on the enterprise; to move the said marquis( as their friend and Neighbour) to lend his helping hand, so christian-like and necessary a business duly considered, against the precedent barbarian cruelty.  
When the noble marquis, with a valiant and heroyick spirit, shewed himself willing so to do: vpon a Military council first holden, it was concluded, that the said Marques should quarter himself on the frontiers of the Palatinate, along by the bailiwick of Bretten, and so far as to Winxcen, a small-Emperiall town vpon the Necker, to the intent, that if the Enemy came to make his retreat there: both his own country and that of Wertenbergh, might by him bee freeed and defended, against the foresaid bavarian Army, which mustered itself together from Kreyckaw, towards the aforesaid town of Wisloch, a place of good and great advantage, for him that could win first possession thereof, by reason of the narrow passages, and a small river running by it.  
While they were seriously employed about this business, Count Mansfield the general was prepared to march forward, intending to pass over the Rhine, and set vpon the said bavarians: On a sudden, the King of Bohemia himself in person( in very apt time, & before noon) came that day to Germersheim, having formerly past through France, lorraine, and the Garrisons of Leopoldus and the Spaniards, in unknown and disguised apparel. There he found an Ambassador, that had been sent from the Infanta, whose onely message was, to entreat and persuade the said Count Mansfield, to leave & forsake the King of Bohemia; whereto he returned a rough answer, and so sent him away, resolving to proceed on in the former intended enterprise.  
Count Mansfield having taken good order, for defence of the places belonging to the Palatinate, along by the river of Rhine: his forces & military preparations, which were on this side of the Rhine, he caused to March directly towards the Enemy, who lay encamped in the way to Kieyckaw, vpon a Mount, and in the Vineyards hard by the town of Wisloch, where he had planted six Pieces of Ordinance, and wherewith( at the first) he shot at the King of Bohemia's forces, which was on Thursday in the evening, but did them no hurt. In the mean while, the Kings Dragons skirmished with the Enemy, and took some of them Prisoners: but they could not get to the Enemies quarter, in regard of the narrow passages, wherefore because it was night; they were constrained to retire into Mengelsheim, a Village distant half a mile from thence, where now they lodge.  
The next day being the 17. day of april( the day of battle) the Army being ranged in good order for Fight, the Vanguard marched( lead by the Duke of Weymar, Limstar, Obeitrant, and the earl of Ortenberg,) before noon towards the Enemy, as hoping to set vpon him. But the Enemy having advantage of the countries situation( which was no mean help to him) set furiously on them with all his Regiments, and in such sort, as, although they carried themselves valiantly: yet after they had long withstood the Enemies great power, & done them much harm; they were forced to retire with loss of about 45 men. captain Berlenger being one among them. And because the way was so strait and narrow, and the Horse paced close together in the retreat, the swissers Regiment was somewhat hard prest on with loss of about 25 men These are all the men that were lost on the Kings side, in the first Fight and retreat.  
The enemy being puffed up with pride, vpon this small advantage and success, followed them, and changed the place of his camp, over taking( in the retreat) a waggon with two sick swissers in it, that could not soon enough shift for themselves. And to make appearance of his rage and cruelty, himself set fire to the waggon, that they might endure the more merciless death. Now he persuaded himself vpon this poor retreat, that he had already obtained the victory; which made him cry out in a bravery: Go on, go on, march on ward, for they are ours, they are all ours. And although the weather was exceeding foul, yet notwithstanding he used such diligence, that he got the means to place his ordinance on a hillock beyond Meugelsheim, and in such a convenient place, as he shot from thence into the Kings army, but yet did them no hurt, because( from thence) they could not well see it.  
After noon, Count Mansfield the general, appointed the army to march from Meugelsheim aforesaid, and to take a conueent place behind the said village, in order of battle, where likewise the ordinance was planted on a place of good advantage, to hurt the enemy. He perceiving that the Kings forces were gone from the said village, became verily persuaded that they were fled and gone, as possessed with no mean error and fear. And this persuasion was the more confidently embraced, because Count Mansfield had set the said village on fire; which was done by him to no other end, but, by means of the smoke, to muffle the enemies sight, for the better clouding of his army, that the form and condition thereof might not be discerned, until he had settled it in a convenient place for the battle.  
No sooner was the general gone from the village, but the enemy came & took it, although he was to make his way through a narrow passage, and likewise over a small bridge, vpon which, not above five or six horsemen could ride in rank; yet he made such hast, that he brought four pieces of ordinance beneath the said village, & planted them on a small hillocke. There also he caused his Regiments to pass over the said bridge, to pursue the King of Bohemiaes army; which he thought was partly put to flight, because from thence he could not discern it. So that all the chief Commanders placed themselves in the forefront of the battle, to express their forwardness and to win booty.  
When the King of Bohemiaes army was ordered in due form for battle, the King himself and the general Mansfield road round about it, exhorting them to valiant & manly behaviour, and to win again with a sprightful recovery, the honor lost at Wittenberg by Prague. Count Mansfield like a brave general, marching in the front of the army, once more moved his souldiers to carry themselves boldly and courageously, for now they had time best fitting for it, when in the Kings own sight and presence they might make rare expression of their valour as often before( in diuers good opportunities) they had worthily done. And now the King himself was royally resolved to fight in person with them; not doubting but( by Gods help) he should haue the victory. So he caused the Vanguard to march on, being lead directly vpon the enemy; & one of his ordinance having twice discharged conveniently on the enemy, the said Vanguard made a valiant assault; yet seeming as if they retired again, the enemy pursued; but were so suddenly and fiercely assailed by the rest of Count Mansfields forces, as they were enforced to a disordered retiring, hoping thereby to save themselves: but by reason of the little bridge, and so strict narrowness of the passage, within a quarter of an houres space, or thereabout, the enemy found himself so confounded and overthrown, that he lost above 2000 men in the field, as the prisoners( among which were diuers principal Officers, as the Sergeant Maior, the provost general, Harsels colonel of Wersbergh, Lieutenant of the troops of horse, and many other officers) themselves confess.  
The enemy lost eight Cornets, and among them two great Standards or Banners, one of white damask, wherein were these words: In Domino sperantes, in to non confundantur. The other Standard was of read damask, having on the one side a black Eagle, and on the other side the arms of Bauaria, with the Golden Fleece round about it, and under it was written, Adiutorium Domini sit inimîcis terror. In a third great Cornet, much spoyled, there stood Fortune; but it was so torn and totterd, that the Motto could not be red. There were also six ensigns of footmen found, but so much spoyled with rain and mire, that they could not be known. Besides, they found a great number of horses, good store of gold, silver, and other stuff. Afterwards, there arose up some few fouldiers from among the dead bodies, and one among the rest was De Tillies Chamberlain, sore wounded, who being demanded, where his master was, answered, If he be not among the dead bodies, he is sore wounded; for he had been by him in the Vanguard having there received some wounds. In the body of the battle, there were many Commanders slain, & 4 pieces of ordnance taken from them. It is written out of the army, that Henrick Maximilian, Baron of Papenheim, an apostate, was also slain.  
The victory being thus won, the Kings army stood in order of battle till nine of the clock at night, in which time the King himself visited the Regiments with a cheerful countenance, thanking them for their valiant carriage in that notable accident. After that, he retired and marched with the Vanguard to Langebrucken, a burnt village, from whence( after he had refreshed himself about two houres, and written certain letters, which he sent by Post to his friends, to let them understand his victory) he went to Brussell. And general Mansfield with the Rereguard, two houres and an half after, followed him, and arrived there about break of day.  
The prisoners freely aclowledge, that according to mans iudgement, and the situation of their camp, it was reputed impossible for them to lose the battle: but they ascribe it to the permission of God, that would haue it to be so.  
During this battle, there were many notable things considered, First, that although Count Mansfield thought it convenient that the King should retire himself into a place of safety; yet that he would needs be there personally, and marched at the head of the Rereguard, to lead the same, and to supply their places that had entred into the battle.  
Besides, that the Princes, earls & other Lords of quality( which after shall be name) did so valiantly behave themselves in that battle, that they returned from it with their swords all besmeared with their enemies blood, and were sorry for nothing more, but that the battle lasted no longer.  
Two brothers chanced to know each other in the fight; namely, Lieutenant Berhen, that took his brother prisoner, who served the Duke of Bauaria: and another soldier of Count Mansfields army also took his brother prisoner, who served the Bishop of Wirtsburgh.  
Bauariaes ordinance, though they were often discharged, did no hurt with any shot they made.  
In this battle there were no more then fifteen souldiers on the Kings side slain.  
Lastly, during this fight, it rained extremely, and the ground thereby with the horses trampling was so deep and slippery, that the horses could hardly recover themselves out of it: and a great rainbow was seen over the body of the army.  
The news of this overthrow being brought to the garrisons left in Wisloch, Sintzen, Hilspach, Steynach, and others which the bavarians held, in all hast made them to leave them, and to run away. But part of them fell into the hands of the Marquis of Badens souldiers, and were so closely followed, that 150 of them were slain, and 300. taken prisoners. The rest of the bavarian army is yet by Count Mansfield speedily pursued; so that it is certain that the town of Heydelberg is not wholly relieved from being enclosed.  
The God of battles to whom the honor hereof onely belongeth, continue his favour to them that are his, & poure out his vengeance on them that be his enemies, Amen.  
After that Count Mansfield had given this overthrow to the army of de Tilley, under command of the Duke of Bauaria, the younger Duke of Wirtenbergh came down, as hoping that he might now pass freely, and without any danger to Count Mansfield with his souldiers being 1000. horse, and 2000. foot. But Don Cordua with his Spanish Army met him, and put him to flight. In which conflict, 1500. men were slain, and taken prisoners the Duke of Witenberghs Brother, dangerously wounded, and taken prisoner, and the marquis of Badens son slain, beside the loss of two pieces of artillery.  
But Turlach the marquis of Baden coming likewise down, attended with 15000. men, for the assistance of the king of Bohemia, collected together the scattered troops of the Duke of Witenberghs, with whom, and his own souldiers he encountered Don Cordua, slue more then 3000. of his men, and not onely recovered the Artillery lost before; but likewise all the Spanish Artillery to it, making himself( by this good means) master of the Borgstrart, which causeth no mean ioy and comfort here among vs. Of this gracious success, the King of Bohemia himself hath written to his excellency, the Prince of orange.  
Christian Duke of brunswick vpon the eightteenth day of may with above eight thousand well appoynted horse, and well near ten thousand foot, being on the way for marching into the Palatinate coming about Huckelster, to pass over the Neser, there the bavarians, under the baron Van Anhalts command, and some of grave henrick van den Berghs Souldiers came thither to prevent this passage.  
But the Duke of brunswick perceiving his purpose, withdrew his forces to a place of good conveniency, and getting behind them, placed his horse in a wood with eight pieces of Ordnance, hereupon the Spaniards began to charge the footmen Souldiers very hotly, which they pollitickely perceiving drew themselves still backward, till at the last they came to their own ordinance, but when they had the enemy within reach of their shot, they then bravely gave fire, and the Dukes horse being divided into two wingges, they entred side-wayes among them, and breaking their Battle, forced them to flight: which flight, the bavarian horse, consisting of about fifty Cornets of horse: and sixteen of them were slain in the fierce pursuit: then ten of their Cornets were taken, and the foot men being six thousand strong the greater part of them were slain, with six of their ensigns taken, which in victorious manner were brought into Lipstadt.  
The Duke of brunswick pursuing his victory, marched the next day to Guesken, which he ingirt about, and shot balls of wild-fire into into it; at which time all they which fled out of it were slain, and the rest burnt. But the souldiers which escaped out before, choose rather to bee slain, then there to be burnt.  
After this vpon the 15. of may, the king of Bohemia with his army in order of battle marched from Gemershcime to Hagenaw to raise the siege before it, which the Arch Duke Lepoldus understanding presently sent 1000 horse men, & some footmen to Wiisenbergh a rich town lying in the way between Hagenaw & Germersheime to take the same, and thereby to give the king somewhat to do, & to stay him, but those horsemen vpon the 17. of may were suddenly surprised by the earl of Mansfield, and so dealt withall, that very few of them escaped away to carry news thereof to the Arch Duke, who at that time did the best he could before Hagenaw to take it, whereof he doubted not, the day before having taken in some of their trenches, and determined the next day to assault the town, but he was in such a fear at the hearing of that vnexspected news, that without further delay he presently raised up his siege before Hagenaw, in manner of flying away, thinking to carry his Artillery to Boschwiler over the Rhine, and so to save it; but the earl of Mansfield following him at the heels, he was forced to leave the Cannon shot behind him with his ammunition and carriage, but the king got not above two or three of his pieces, the rest were sunk in the river Rhine and in the Marshes, with much labour thought to get out again, but most of the ammunition being a great quantity was taken, and Leopoldus who is brother to the Emperour himself hardly escaped from the earl of Mansfield, being pursued by him until Leopoldus was constrained with all speed to fly to the river of Rhine, and so by great fortune saved himself by reason a small boat lying by the river side, wherein he was transported over, but if this good fortune had not happened unto him he had without doubt been taken prisoner. Now about Dieshashem many of the Leopoldian souldiers retired into their skonces thinking thereby to save themselves, but the kings forces so speedily enclosed them round about, and taking the boats wherein they thought to haue escaped away, set so fiercely vpon them, that the most part of them were slain in the place, the rest of the Leopoldians most part of them fled to Elsas, Saberen, Multsheim and Datchsline. The 22. of may six Coronets of horsemen of Leopoldus that had saved themselves in a wood, and in three dayes had eaten no bread came to the city Stratsburg and their offered their service to the Magistrate of the town, but they thanked them and  told them they had no need of any horsemen. At which time colonel Ouertrout with some other Gentlemen being there in the town, and hearing thereof, he went to them and speaking with them, they willingly yielded unto the king, some of them haue not received any pay in 18 moneths, and some in 12. moneths the magistrates gave them Wine, Hay and Bread, in regard they had offered them service, & while they had refreshed themselves, the Duke of Saxon that served under the Emperor went out of the town unto them, hoping to win them still to serve the Emperour, and to take them; which Ouertreut understanding, sent his cousen with other horsemen out unto him, and taking their advantage, set vpon the Duke of Saxon, took his pistol and Rapier from him, and took him and two other Gentlemen prisoners, and sent them to Hagenaw: the said horsemen said that there are five Coronets of horsemen, and a Regiment of footmen more that stand vpon the same terms. What the King will farther do time will declare. Some think he will go on with his victory towards Eisas, Saberen where the Arch Duke keeps his Court: others that he will come back again towards Germersheim, where also there is a Bridge made over the Rhine, the Spaniards inskonce themselves at Openheime, the bavarians at Hirshoorme vpon the Necker two miles from Hidelburgh, and the marquis of Baden is again in the field as strong as he was before.  
grave henrick is gone to assist the Duke of brunswick with two thousand of horse, and three thousand Musketeers, the grave Van den Bergh being gone thither likewise with all the enemies horse. In the mean time our souldiers are marched forward, under the colonel Ryhauen being in strength three thousand horse, and five thousand foot, and are fallen into Brabant, where about Machlen, Brussels and Leeuen, they haue burnt no less then 30. villages, monasteries, having agreed with some that gave them contribution, and promised to continue in paying it still. The enemy taketh up many men out of the Legar before Sluice and other Garrison places, so that he bringeth together 8000. foot, and three companies of horse to resist us, what can be effected with so few horse, time will discover.  
The 23. of may grave henrick van Nassaw entred victoriously into the Hague, after he had in Brabant( with horse and foot) overcome those that refused to pay contribution: bringing with him great store of Riches, as money, prisoners, wagons, Carts, and all kind of provision, appointing the prisoners to pay great ransoms. And if the Lady of Scher Monheauell were not too young, she should be married to Sir Rombout at Mechlen.  
The 20. of may grave henrick van den bergh with all his power both horse and foot( wherewith he had lain before Ham, and was forced to leave it) being certified, that grave henrick van Nassar was entred into Brabant, and there made great spoil, meeting with no resistance, for which cause marching thither, to fight with the States forces, he heard that they were gone from thence again, and had carried much wealthy Treasure with them. Whereupon he concluded to go towards Rinbarke over the Bridge, and at returning back again, to set vpon Ham: but before he got over the bridge, his whole troupe following him, and marching in the evening, a Cart laden with money, which was conveyed by four horse men, staying somewhat behind, not doubting but that it was out of all danger, among other, was pursued by 15. of the States horsemen, that bearing away the money with them, took the four horse men prisoners, and left the empty Cart standing there still.  
FINIS.