News from Ostend, of, The Oppugnation, and fierce siege, made, by the archduke Albertus his Forces, commanded by the Duke of Ossuna who came before the said Town, the fift day of julie last passed (after their writing) 1601. showing what hath happened since the time of the said siege.  
Now newly imprinted; whereunto are added such other News and Accidents as have lately happened at Ostend, as we have been certainly informed.  
Diligently translated out of Dutch into English, according to the Dutch Copy, Printed at Amsterdam.  
LONDON Printed by V.S. for Thomas Pavier, and are to be sold at his shop in Cornhill, at the sign of the Cat and two Parrots. 1601.   

The Oppugnation and fierce siege of Ostend, by the Archduke Albertus his Forces, commanded by the Duke of Ossuna, who came before the said Town, the fift day of july last passed (after their writing) 1601. showing what hath happened since the time of the said siege.  
OStend is a town situated on the Flemish coast, lying on the arm of the river Ype●le, thorough which the west Sluice lately ran into the sea, and hath there made a sufficient tide haven, which (like as, for the most part, all the rest of the Flemish havens, do ebb and flow: and cannot be used but with an high water, or at the least wise, at half flood) doth notwithstanding continually hold, and contain the ditches of the Town full of water, by reason of Dams and Sluices made to that end and purpose, which (forasmuch as it might be in the same course continued, returned, or perhaps by the enemy diverted) they of the Town have, of themselves, stopped the course thereof, whereby they of the Country of Flaunders, have héene forced to carry and convey the same by the Fort of Albertus, and so by a new currant into the Sea.  
In times past, it was but an open village, yet reasonable great, and well peopled. First, after the coming of Don john d'Austria, in the beginning of the now wars, for the fit and commodious situation thereof, it was made a Town, and environed with strong walls: And afterwards, this Town only, and none others among all the rest of the sea towns of Flaunders remained, and at this present doth remain in the possession or amity of the united provinces of Holland and Zealand, howbeit, it lieth in the middle (as it were) of the enemies Country, and far from her friends. And yet maugre all the forces, and power of her enuiroving foes, hath many times been valiantly defended against sundry besiegings and attempts.  
For in the year 1583. although the duke of Parma, with his victorious host (after he had taken Dunkirk, and Newport, the next adjoining sea Towns westward) did in most furious manner besiege it, using all warlike means he could possible to conquer it, was forced to give place, and after that he had continued his siege five days, saw how bootless it was for him to spend any longer time about it, and therefore departed, not effecting any thing agreeable to his wished attempts.  
Afterwards, in the year 1585. although Monsieur la Motte Governor of graveling, did, with great force and difficulty win the old Town by the Strand or sea side, which at that time was only defended with a simple wall, or Ravelin and Pallisadoes, with purpose there presently to entrench and defend himself, was again with all his forces, like sheep driven out of the same, leaving behind him forty of his principallest Captains and Commanders with all their furniture and provision.  
This Town, without all question, is a place of great advantage, and importance, yea of such moment, that it serveth as a bulwark and strong defence, for the whole province of Zealand, and so contrariwise, if it should fall into the enomies hands (as God forbidden) he should thereby command a more fit and commodious haven for shipping, than any other sea Town now in his possession can yield him. Yea our intolerable losses, not to be recovered do teach us, and as it were, with a finger point unto us, what inestimable damage might redound unto the united Provinces, if the enemy should command in this Town.  
Further, it is to be noted, that the Country of Flaunders, being in peace, in all taxations of the seventeen Provinces did levy the third penny: whereunto they have been forced by this Town, not only during the time of these wars, but also, the greatest part of the main land hath been constrained many years, to pay toll and contribution, and to be under our devotion.  
For which causes, this Town hath with great care and mighty charges of the united Provinces been daily fortified, and continually strengthened, and especially in the year last past 1600. as also in the fore part of this present summer: many works, I say, have been devised to withstand, and prevent the cruel attempts of the bloody enemy, as bulwarks, counterpoynts, and Ravelings to the landward, neither hath that part lying to the Sea been forgotten, but hath been made also very defensible with heads, banks, and ditches, and especially on the east side of the Town where (by means of the weakness of the banks) the sea, with great force is mightily broken into the land, where it hath scoured, and pierced a great depth; so that the channel of the new haven (when the water is lowest) is near two, pikes deep: and doth daily wax deeper and deeper, without all doubt, the determinate work of God, for the great strengthening and plain defence of the Town.  
They of Flaunders generally finding what annoyaunnes and great discommodity this Town threatened daily unto them, have solicited and by all means possible importuned their Governors, to besiege, and conquer this Town of Ostend, their daily eyesore: as of late years (yet fresh in memory) in the year 1596. after that the Archduke Albertus had taken the Town of Calais, in France, they required him then to take in hand this piece of work, promising to give him twelve hundred thousand gilderns within three months time (which in sterling money is one hundred and twenty thousand pounds) whereunto, after his Highness had made show to yield, and promised to fulfil their desire, he got some part of the sum aforesaid into his hands. But doubting the event of the attempt, or knowing how hard a matter it was, to take it by force of arms, or how difficult it would be to constrain the soldiers thereof by hunger, or otherwise, thought it sufficient to show himself before the Town with his forces, and so quietly to depart.  
They of Flaunders herewith nothing at all pleased, and grieved with the continual vexations and incursions of the ranging soldiers, and payment of contributions, to prevent the same, in the year of our Lord 1599 while our forces were employed in the defence of Bommel, had good leisure to make sundry forts and bulwarks, for the strengthening, & defence of the ways and passages about the town of Ostend, thereby (as it were with a small kind of siege) continually to trouble the Town, and to hinder the incursions of the garrison: which device was put into their heads, and the plot laid down by a certain Corporal of the Town called Noel, who having before long served in the town, and having good experience of the secrets thereof, upon some discontentment received, forsook the Town, and ran to the service of the enemy.  
But as the experience of the last year giveth sufficient proof, that all the strength of these Forts is not able to hinder, or defend the entrance of an Host, so also it is most manifest that by the continual charge of the Garrisons of these Forts, the Country hath received more damage and discommodity, then before it did by the contribution to their enemies, and Town of Ostend; wherefore they have been forced to renew their Importunate suit unto his Highness, and to solicit him again to the besieging of Ostend, and especially at this instant, knowing our forces to be removed far from them, and to be sent into Dutchland lying at the siege of Berck, where they should (as they imagined) have long work: And for the better persuading, and more easily drawing of the Archduke to hearken to this their suit, have promised to pay him extraordinarily, three hundredth thousand gilderns Monthly (which is 30 thousand pounds stanrling) during the time of the siege, and after the taking of the town to pay him farther (for the space of two years) ninety thousand gilderns every month (which is 9000. l starling.  
Hereupon thanrchduke gathered together all his soldiers: yea such as were about the river of Ryne & the Maze, for the succour of Berck were sent for, to make their repair into Flaunders and to serve under the command of the Duke of Osluna, who not long since was to that end sent for out of Spain, by reason that the Archdukes camp (thorough the long imprisonment of the Adinirant of Arragon, and the last overthrow in Flaunders) was wholly left destitute and unprovided of a sufficient Commander, and experient Leaders, and for that the natural Lords of the land, are in no wise respected nor trusted.  
Upon the sift day of june (after the new style) the enemy came before Ostend, about noon, with eight regiments of footmen, which were eight thousand men strong, desides the horsemen (notwithstanding the Spaniards generally disliked of this enterprise, and counseled the contrary, who (as is reported) do wholly dislike of this siege: and among the rest, two common soldiers that had been the last year prisoners in Ostend, obstinately maintaining the invincible strength of this Town, were presently taken and hanged: for the extreme want of the three hundred thousand gilderns, to be paid monthly, as before is said, coming very fitly for the payment of the mutined soldiers, and also the hope to draw our forces from the siege of Bercke, into Flanders, for the better furnishing of himself, & preventing of such wants as might happen to Ostend: and perhaps thinking suddenly, and with all his force to overcharge the town before it should be succoured, have been the reasons to bring th' Archdukes forces now before Ostend.  
The Duke of Ossuna presently sought to pacify the garrison of Issabella, which had before mutined for their pay: and the next day following, being the fixed day of july, mounted six pieces of ordnance against the east side of the town upon the Downs, and with the same began fiercely to play upon the Town.  
There were then in the town in garrison one and twenty Ancients of sundry Regiments, and one company of Burghers, or Townsmen, all under the direction and command of Captain Ʋander Noote. These presently prepared themselves to their defence, making harmless, and displacing some of the enemy's artillery: And labouring hard, to make a new way or haven, between the heads, to the end the passage of boats and shipping might be freed from the ordonance of the enemy.  
And the ninth day of july, after that they had sent away the most part of their wives and children, they received into the town (out of Zealand) 28. companies of soldiers, with great abundance of victuals, and all other provision of war.  
The tenth day sir Frances Vere, with eight companies of Englishmen entered into the Town also, who presently issued out of the Town with his people, entrenching himself on the dry plots of ground next unto the walls, on the west side, from whence the enemy might have endamaged the town, and battered the walls.  
The thirteenth day of july, the said sir Frances Vere, with great force and resolution sallied upon the enemy with eight hundred men, on the west part of the town, and set upon the Camp, which lay far off divided from each other, with waters and marish grounds, and can not easily, or in short time come to aid each other. In which sally, the enemy lost (as was certified by Letters from Antwerp) above eight hundred men, and among the same, one cornet of horsemen: and, if the whole force of the enemies horsemen, had not the sóoner come to their aid, it was most apparent to all men's judgements, that sir Frances had droven the footmen to great confusion, and taken from them their Ordnance.  
The five and twentieth day sir Frances Vere did again issue out of the Town with fifteen hundred men, and began to entrench between Issabella and Grootendorst, on a high ground, which in times past was an old Churchyard, where they of Issabella and Grootendorst were accustomed to bury their dead, and is a very fit and apt place, to separate and cut off these two Forts from each others help, and to open a fair way to those of Ostend, to the flat and plain land. To which place of burial, the next day, being the five and twentieth day of july, the enemy came with three thousand men, and after he had been thrice repulsed, and put to the worst, took the place, but was presently with great force and dexterity driven from it again.  
The same day ten companies of soldiers arrived at Ostend, and were received into the Town, which were sent thither by her Majesty from London, so that now the Town was furnished (within the walls and without) with sixty and seven companies, which made up near the number of seven thousand men: these ten companies aforesaid, were presently employed against the enemy, who showed themselves very valorous, and did, both then, and since, passing good service, although many men were of opinion, that they would prove unsitte for any service by reason they were raw, and had not been trained.  
On the other side, the Arch duke daily strengtheneth and increaseth his Camp, as well with soldiers, as with ordnance, playing continually on the west side with 26. pieces, and on the east side with nine pieces of ordnance, but most of his shot liteth upon the houses, whereof many are defaced and beaten down: For, this six and twentieth day of july, and before, there had been discharged upon the Town sixteen thousand shot, and against the enemy from the Town had been counterchanged six thousand.  
Moreover, there were also received into the Camp some part of the new soldiers which came out of Italy, and had been appointed for the succour of Berke, for first there arrived eight hundred men of those companies, and afterwards five and twenty hundred more were sent for, part Italians, and part Spaniards: and besides these, xx. men more out of all the other Ancients under the government of the Erie of Barlamont and Bucquoy, who, for this cause, were forced to discharge their wagons, and other provisions, before by them taken up, and meant to be used in raising the siege before Bercke.  
There are eighteen companies appointed every night out of the Town, to guard sir Frances Vere's trenches on the south west part of the Town, who daily falleth out upon the enemy, with other soldiers of the Town, and have oftentimes slain many of the enemies, & wounded more, which have been sent to Bruges from the Camp, so that their Hospitals are full of wounded soldiers, and many Captains, and men of great account, aswell Spaniards, Italians, and others, have been slain in these conflicts, and amongst the rest, a Colonel of the Spaniards was brought to Dunkirk, and there first buried in his armour, and afterwards taken up again, and put into the earth in a Friar's weed, with great solemnity.  
On Sunday, being the six and twentieth day of july last passed, was a great skirmish with the enemy, which continued very long, and was with great fury, valour, and resolution maintained on both sides, the enemy supplying his soldiers with fresh companies, bringing three, four, and five companies at a time, and they of the Town seconding their part continually with new supplies, and with like numbers, so that in the end, it seemed rather a little battle, than a skirmish, sometime our people being overmatched with the fresh companies of their enemies, were forced to give ground: but presently again, with their new supplies from the Town, courageously pressed into the thickest of the enemies, making them likewise to retire into their trenches: and thus it continued long, sometimes the one part, and sometimes the other giving ground, until the enemies horsemen came in, to secure their footmen, whereupon our men returned into their trenches, and into the Town, after they had slain and spoiled many of their enemies both horse and foot. But if our men had been furnished with horsemen, the enemy had lost many more men than he did, both in this skirmish, and all others before: but herein, the enemy hath had the vantage of us during this siege, notwithstanding it hath been written from Calais, that after this fight, there were carried out of the Camp to Bruges three score and ten wagons laden with wounded men, and in every waggon was ten men at the least: but when they were brought to Bruges, they of the Town would not receive them, saying that they had their Hospitals already full, and could receive no more, and therefore required that they might be conveyed to some other towns. It was afterwards reported, that the enemy lost in this shirmish 450. men, besides those that were wounded: neither was this attempt accomplished, without loss on our side.  
Saturday, being the first day of this present month of August, they of the Town issued again upon the enemy, and with great fury (after they had continued skirmish some half hour) forced them to retire to their trenches, slaying some 80. of their enemies, as near as could be judged: but the horsemen of the enemy coming in upon our soldiers, they returned into the Town, with small loss on our part.  
It is reported by some that came very lately from Calais, that on wednesday last, being the fift day of this present month of August, there was a great Skirmish begun by those of the Town, to hinder the enemies approach unto the walls, which was with fierce resolution long continued on both sides, and that they of the town (with great slaughter of their enemies) had taken three or five pieces of ordnance, and brought the same into the Town, but how certain this is (being but a report) I cannot write, the truth thereof will he hereafter better known.  
Sir Frances Vere without the Town doth daily fortify his trenches: and the Governor within the Town, with earth raiseth the walls, thereby to avoid the danger of the enemies shot, which his Highness spareth not, but bestoweth so liberally upon the Town, as if he found shot and powder abundantly in the Downs, or sand-hilles: and withal, laboureth to raise a new Cavallirie, with baven and earth, thereon so plant more ordonance, and to shoot into the Town, on the south south-west side. Thus they are earnestly busied on all sides, the one, nor the other sparing any cost or labour to annoy their enemy, and to defend themselves, and that thing which to day is not thought upon, is the next day put in practice, with new devices and warlike stratagems, the one raising up, the other with his ordnance beating down his enemies works, that the same may not be finished, or brought to perfection.  
It is also written from Antwerp, that the Infanta is in person come into the Camp, and that the Archduke is in Ondenburgh, to the end he may himself in person give order in these affairs: time will teach us to know what profit he shall reap by these his travels & inestimable charges.  
But at her return from the Camp to Bruges, she brought with her sundry Companies of Soldiers, but they of the Town denied to receive them, saying they had no need of any new Garrison, but if it pleased her highness to come into the Town with her accustomed train, she should be welcome: but as for her Soldiers, they were not minded to take them into the City.  
Such as have come out of Ostend very lately, and likewise from Vlushing, report for certain, that within the Town of Ostend, there wanteth not any thing, fit for the defence thereof, and that all victuals are very plentiful, English beer is sold for two stivars the kanne, great measure, for which there is no excise paid. Sir Frances Vere giveth the enemy daily so much to do, and keepeth him so well occupied, that he knoweth not well which way to turn him, or what he may well begin to annoy the Town: and it is thought by many men of good judgement, that he wisheth he had not come to besiege Ostend, seeing he findeth so small hope to carry it, but would rather be with his camp from thence, if he knew how with credit to depart.  
Lately the enemy removed nine pieces of his ordnance, from the east to the west side: his ordnance made it very dangerous to enter by the accustomed haven, except it were in the night time, but since the making of the last, or middle haven, all things are carried in and out without any danger of the enemy's shot. And on the south-west side the enemy bringeth great store of brush and baven faggots towards the trenches of sir Frances Vere, thinking by that means so to mount some ordonance, that he may beat sir Frances from his trenches, and so bring his battering pieces nearer unto the walls, or else, to beat the Town on the south south-west side.  
On the south side, the enemy hath raised a mount, from whence he beateth the houses, but specially the Church and Steeple, which is wholly defaced, otherwise, he doth small annoyance to the Town, sometimes with his shot killing a man: but such as come out of the Town affirm, that for every one the Town looseth, the enemy looseth five or six. They of the Town, have themselves, untiled and taken down many houses, and also unpaved the streets, to shend the same might with the enemies shot, the less annoy them.  
The Governor and sir Frances are not idle, but employ all their labour and industry, both within the Town and without, to raise mounts, and to finish such other works, as are most behoveful for the strengthening of the Town against the enemy's forces, and to that end, such soldiers as will work, and employ their time that way, either by day or night, have xii. d. the day, and xii. d. the night.  
And because the enemy shall the better be kept from approaching the walls, they of the Town have cut the Sea banks, so that the Sea water environeth the Town on the south side, from the east to the west part, in so much that the town seemeth to stand in an Island, which threateneth great hurt to the land and country thereabouts, and may (in time) grow very dangerous.  
The enemies perceiving them of the town to be very still, and those likewise of sir Frances Vere's trenches to hold themselves more quiet than they had been accustomed, sent out a soldier to espy their doings: one of the soldiers that came from London spying this straggler, demanded of such as were next him in the trenches, what he meant thus to approach their trenches: it was answered, they knew not, except he came as a spy: then quoth the English soldier, I will go out and talk with him: presently he made toward this straggler, and making but few words, they sell to blows, and so continued a good space, the camp on th'one side, and the town on tother, beholding them, & noting which did best: In the end they were both wounded, and so departed: the Englishman brought with him his enemy's hat, and a staff or half pike, which he valiantly won, and brought into the trenches.  
Since the besieging of this Town, the five Galleys of Sluice were at sea, and (meeting with two ships laden with merchandise, which came from Doit in Holland, having a ship of war for their convoy and defence) there began a hot fight on both sides, and it continued long: the ship of war bestowed his shot so well, that he did great spoil to the Galleys, and slew many of their men, but in th'end, the Galleys boarded the ship, (and firing her) did, without mercy, put seventy six men to the sword, and saved only ten persons, which, for the most part, are shorn, and made slaves. It was reported, that this ship of war was, by oversight, set on fire with their own powder: but by Letters out of Holland, it seemeth to be otherwise, for it is writcen from thence, that it pleased God to save one man very miraculously, who (committing himself to the mercy of God, and of the merciless Seas, upon a piece of a Mast) rather than he would fall into the hands of his bloody enemies: after he had so floated upon the waves of the Sea an hour or two, he was taken up by an other ship, which (by God's providence) had spied the man thus driving on the water. This man (after his coming into Holland) made true report hereof, as is above declared.  
Within the Town, near unto the west end, they have raised a mount, whereon is planted twelve cannons, and six demi cannons, wherewith they beat down, and deface the enemies works without.  
Lastly, such as came on wednesday last out of Ostend, being the fift day of this present month of August, (notwithstanding the former report from Calais) affirm that th'enemy hath these viii. days lain still, and done nothing, and affirm, the soldiers of Ostend to be of an invincible courage, not esteeming any force of the enemy, and that there is no cause of fear, nor want, for all things are daily in most plentiful sort brought unto them, assuring themselves, that the enemy shall (in the end) be forced to departed with shame and dishonour, and perhaps with greater loss than he now thinks upon, which God for his mercy's sake grant, Amen.  
SInce the former Impression of this Pamphlet, we have not heard of any to be come from Ostend, neither have any Letters been received from Zealand. But from Calais it is written, by the Post, which came thence with the Antwerp Letters, three days passed (namely the thirteenth day of this month of August) that it is generally reported by those that come out of Flaunders to Calais, that the enemy beginneth to wax cold, hopeless in his attempts before Ostend: and all men which are not partial, judge all his labour lost, and his excessive charges to be spent in vain. And further, it is said for certain, that upon friday being the seventh day of this month of August, the wind blowing a great gale from the northwest, brought such plenty of water upon the Flemish coast, that the enemy stood above their knees in water, in some of their trenches, and that the Sea washing and undermining the foundation of the last mount, made by the enemy on the south west side of the Town, the same sunk, and is wholly defaced: at what time they of Ostend issued out, and making great slaughter of their enemies, brought one piece of ordnance into the town. But some do report that the enemy lost then five pieces, and that the rest which lay upon the said Mount (being four pieces more) were, by our soldiers, so choked and nailed, that in long time the same cannot be made again serviceable.  
Furthermore, on friday last being the fouretéenth day of this present month of August, there arrived here in the Thames, two small Pinks which came with fish from Terueare in Walkerland, who report that the twelve hundred men (of the number of the last two thousand which were pressed, and sent by her Majesty) are in safety arrived at Vlushing, where they as yet remain, for that in the town of Ostend they have sufficient forces, as well to defend the Town, as to guard their trenches without. And also, that the County Maurice was come into the Haege in Holland, most of his footmen being in Zealand, and his horsemen at Bergen ap Zome, expecting his coming thither: but, where he meant to use his forces (as good reason is) was unknown. At their coming from Terueare, it was generally imagined, that they should be employed in the land of Waste, which is the most fruitful and fertilest part of all the Province of Flaunders, and where his Excellency may most endamage the enemy. Time will manifest the truth, God grant him good success in all his attempts, and to those of Ostend, courage and magnanimity, valiantly to resist the forces of their bloodthirsty enemies, Amen.  
FINIS.