Further News of Ostend. Wherein is declared such accidents as have happened since the former Edition, diligently Collected out of sundry Letters and advertisements▪ as have been from Zealand, Calais, and other places, lately received. 1601.  
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.   

Further News of Ostend.  
Wherein is declared such accidents as have happened since the former Edition, diligently Collected out of sundry Letters and advertisements, as have been from Zealand, Calais, and other places, lately received.  
IT hath been declared in the former Book, Entitled, The Oppugnation of Ostend, that this Town hath heretofore divers times been attempted and besieged by the common enemy, but (Gods name be praised therefore) all was in vain, first it was besieged by the Prince of Parma, in the year of our Lord God 1583. then by Monsieur la Motte, Governor of graveling, in the year of our Lord God 1585., who were long before solicited and importunated thereunto by the continual suit and exclamations of the Flemings, who forgot not to labour and instigate the Duke of Burgundi also, ever since his coming into the low Countries to this piece of work, specially in the year 1596. after he had taken the strong Town of Calais, promising great sums of money towards the same charge, and paying some part thereof into the Duke's treasury before hand. But the duke knowing that others had attempted the same before him with ill success, doubted the like might happen to himself, whereby the glory of his former victories might be darkened: and therefore suffered the matter, at that time, to sleep. Wherefore they of Flaunders (to avoid the incursions of the soldiers of Ostend, and payment of contribution) took opportunity of the present time, whilst the State's forces were employed at Bommel▪ in the year of our Lord 1599, and made round about the Town sundry forts and trenches for the better assurance of the passages. Yet finding (since the making of them) that the charges of those garrisons, and spoil made in all places of Flaunders, by their own soldiers, did far exceed their former losses sustained by their enemies, have (with much more importunacy than at any time before) solicited their Duke to entertain this their honourable suit, promising (besides many other necessary services during the time of the siege) to pay him thirty thousand pounds starling monthly towards his charges, and afterwards (if he took the Town) nine thousand pounds starling every month for the space of two years next following. And while they made all these gay and liberal promises, they forgot not to allege unto the Duke also, that now, even at this present was the fittest time to take in hand this most glorious enterprise, that had been offered these many years, and might be accomplished by his Highness with much less difficulty, than by any other Governor before him, and that therefore he ought in no wise to let slip so fit opportunity, the like whereof, without all doubt, was not to be hoped for in many years to come, and perhaps, not so long as he lived: for they had certain intelligence, that the Town was slenderly furnished with soldiers, and much worse with powder, shot, and ordnance, and no victuals in the Town to serve those few soldiers eight days: and further (which was the chéesest matter, and of greatest consequence among all other) Grave Maurice with all the States forces was now before the Town of Bercke in Dutchland, which his Highness had, with great foresight sufficiently provided for, with more than a competent garrison, and all other necessaries fit for the defence thereof, from whence the States forces, nor any part thereof could be brought in so short a time, but that by a sudden attempt against Ostend, he might, not only break, and make frustrate, the designs of the enemy before Bercke, who (without all question) would, in all haste, raise his siege there, with imagination, to speed himself towards Flaunders) and yet lose Ostend, before he should be able to come so far with his forces, in any due time to secure the same.  
And further added here unto, that he was sure of one advantage in this siege, for that they of Ostend, neither had, nor could have any horse, to encounter with his forces, and therefore his horsemen would so bridle the town, that they should not once dare to issue out of the Gates, nor to offer skirmish, or if they did, his horsemen would easily overrun them, and cause them to retire.  
The Duke not ignorant how commodious and honourable the taking of this Town would be unto him, moved partly by these reasons, but especially by the want of money to pacify the mutined soldiers of divers places, and fearing the greater likelihood of greater discontentment to happen among his other soldiers and garrisons (with whom he was behind hand for above thirty months' pay) thought it sittest for the present time, and most acceptable to his subjects generally, to employ his soldiers in this half hopeless attempt, where he might (not with money) but with his enemies sword pay a great many of these mutinous companions their wages, and preserve the rest from the like danger.  
And because such manner of payment may be the better understood, it shall not be impertinent, to show briestly, the manner thereof used by the Priests, Friars, and race of the most cursed and diabolical order of jesuits, who for the maintenance of their Romish Church, persuade the common soldiers (as they do all others in their shriftes, and when they lie on their deathbeds) to give liberally to the Church, to the end, that Praters and Dirges may be made, and sung for their souls: such soldiers therefore as die, or are slain before they go to any service, bequeath their pay to one monastenrie, church, or other chapel, all which the Clergy giveth to the King, or to their Duke, for the maintenance of the wars: and if any soldiers bequeath their pay to their wives, and children or other friends, the same is never, or but very seldom paid.  
The Duke of Ossuna, being Gennerall of the Duke's army was presently sent towards Ostend, and coming before it the fift day of july stilo novo, or rather, the five and twenty day of june, as we writ here in England, planted his ordnance against the east end of the Town, and the next day began to shoot and batter down the houses: whereupon Monsieur Ʋander Noote, Governor of Ostend, gave present order, that many of the houses and buildings, should be taken down and defaced, and the streets unpaved, to the end that the enemy's shot might the less offend the people and soldiers within the walls: and commanded also, that all the women and children should be sent out of the town into Zealand.  
The nine and twenty day were 28. companies of soldiers sent into the town from Zealand, with great plenty of victuals, and all other munition, fit for the defence of the Town. And the next day following, sir Francis Vere came to Ostend with eight companies of English men, who presently entrenched himself without the Town on the south side under the walls, which was the only place and fittest piece of ground, from whence the enemy might, with his canon, batter the walls, and hath ever since kept the same in despite of all the enemies force, with eighteen or twenty companies, who daily have given, and do give the enemy sufficient work, to his great loss, and slaughter of his best and bravest soldiers, as hath partly been before declared in the former Edition, whereunto I refer the courteous Reader: yet thus much I thought good briefly to note by the way, for the better satisfaction of all such as have not read the same. Since which time hath been written sundry advertisements, as well from Antwerp, and Calais, as also from Zealand and other places, which I have collected in this present Pamphlet, for the further contentment of all such as are desirous to read and understand the same.  
THe enemy obstinately continuing his siege before Ostend, & they likewise of the Town with like resolution defending the same, all means possible, and warlike stratagems, to annoy, or defend, are daily put in practice: the enemy with his ordnance thinketh to weary them of the Town, killing sometimes 5.6.7. and 8. men in a day, for he seeth it a thing unpossible to bring his ordnance so near the walls as to make a breach: they of the Town forget not to repay him triple interest with their cannon, though not with so many shot, yet with the death of four and five of their enemies for one slain of theirs.  
The Duke of Ossuna vexed daily with the continual issue and skirmishings more than he desireth, and great slaughter of his people: and finding the great inconvenience of the ground, for the speedy bringing of his people from the East for't to the west for't to succour each other, as need requireth, hath with straw, faggots, haven, and earth, made a causey from Albertus' fort to the east for't, between the walls of the Town and his forts, yet far without danger of the shot from the Town, and hath also brought all his ordinance from the east side, and planted the same against the west side of the Town.  
The State's horsemen which came from the siege of Berk, understanding that 500 Spaniards were sent out of Diest, and were marching towards the Duke's camp, made such haste after them, that they over took them, & fiercely assailing them on all sides, put them all to the sword, except some few which escaped by flight to carry news of their ill hap.  
Sir Frances Vere was hurt in the neck, and bruised above his shoulder, so that his forehead was therewith swollen, which happened with the splinter of a carriage that was broken by a shot from the enemies: but the hurt (as God would) is not great, neither is his person in any danger thereby, although it was at the first somewhat troublesome unto him. But within few days after he departed from Ostend, to Middleborough, to confer with his Excellency, and the States, about these affairs, who are daily looked for to come thither, where they mean to make their abode, during the time of this siege, to the end they may with more expedition give order in these weighty affairs.  
The 1200. men that were pressed out of Kent, Essex, and other places of England, and had lain at Vlushing, are sent to Ostend, with 3000. other old soldiers, all Walloons, and Scots, so that there lieth within the town, and in the trenches without, some 8000. men besides 3000. more, which lie in ships of war before the town, ready to be landed upon any occasion, who are daily supplied with all kind of Munition, and fresh victuals, in so much, that all victuals sit for soldiers, are there sold very abundantly, and at reasonable prizes, neither do the soldiers want money, but are very well paid, whereby they may provide themselves of all such necessaries as they want, and if any fall sick, or are hurt, they are presently sent out of the town, to Vlushing, Middleborough, and other places of Zealand, where they are placed in the Hospitals, and are so diligently attended, and carefully looked unto, as themselves can wish or desire, wanting neither meat, drink, wine, physic, nor surgery, nor whatsoever else is fit and requisite for their health and recovery, but are cherished as if they were in their father's houses: surely a most godly, and christian deed of the people of those countries, who (notwithstanding their continual taxations laid upon them for the maintenance of these long wars) do most liberally, and freely contribute every man according to his estate and ability in this most charitable action, which is a worthy mirror to us, and to all other christians, teaching us to esteem of the poor, and specially to have a fatherly care of the soldier, who (while we sleep quietly in our beds, and go without fear about our worldly affairs at home) must watch and ward day and night in all wethers, and as often as he shall be by his captain commanded, venture his life against the enemy, and as a bulwark, stand between the enemy and us for the defence of our lives, wives, children, goods, and country.  
Sir Horatio Vere having command in his brother's absence, upon Tuesday being the ninth day of August, offered skirmish to the enemy which was long & fiercely continued on both sides, and divers times supplied with fresh supplies, wherein the enemy lost 400 men, besides many that were hurt: and but ten soldiers of the Town slain, and such as have lately come from Calais, say, that the Flemings themselves reported there, that there were seen 84 wagons with sick and hurt men carried out of the camp. In this fight the ordnance of the Town slew many, both horsemen and footmen, and as it was reported by merchants of good credit, there were in this fight seen 4 and 5 horsemen killed with one shot from the Town, and sometimes, 10 and 12 footmen and more, were seen to be torn and carried away with one bullet.  
If the enemy find many such banquets before Ostend, I think he will quickly be weary of his fare, and seek a more friendly host elsewhere: and furthermore they report, that it is incredible, to see and hear what great numbers of dead men are daily brought from the camp, to all the Towns and Villages near adjoining to the Camp to be buried, most of them being Spaniards, and Italians, Captains, Alferoes, and other Commanders, whereof many are buried in friars weeds with great solemnity, saying and singing of Masses and Dirges for their souls, God grant we hear no worse news of their fellows.  
They of Flaunders (understanding that the horsemen of the States were come to Bargain up Zome, and some of the footmen into Zealand, where the count Maurice was daily expected, doubting that his Excellency was purposed to land his forces in the land of Waste, with intent to overrun the country thereabout with fire and sword) gathered together all the Boors and Peasants of the country in Arms, and have carried what they could into the towns and places of strength.  
The twelfth day of August was an other great fight with the enemy, the same continued an hour and more, and seconded with fresh supplies on both sides, sometimes the one part, sometimes the other giving ground, and the ordnance of the Town playing upon the enemies where they were seen to be thickest: in all men's judgement there were slain three hundred and more of the enemy, besides many that were hurt, and there were 32. of our men slain, and some few hurt.  
There was a Mariner of Zealand in Ostend, that had his leg stricken off with a great shot, who was taken up to be carried to the ship, but before he could be brought to the boat, he was with an other shot struck thorough the body, that he presently died, and so was rid of his pain. The like happened at an other time to a soldier that was likewise slain with the enemies great shot, and being carried on four men's shoulders to the grave, the coffin and corpse were shot thorough with an other bullet, the men presently set the coffin on the ground, and ran as fast as they could, striving who should first get the shot.  
Thursday the 13. day was a ship called the Globe of Amsterdam met before Ostend, laden very richly, and is reporported, to be worth 4. millions, which came from the river of Plate, and straits of Magellanes, the same ship had been out three years: and such as met this ship in their way from Vlushing, report that two M. men more shall be sent out of Zealand to Ostend, which will make up the number of 13. M. men, besides the voluntary, and others lately gone out of England, so that it seemeth some great and extraordinary piece of service is meant: God grant courage and good success to our people.  
It is written from Antwerp, that the Duke doth wonders against the Town, and hath so besieged it both by sea and land, that there is no way left to secure the same, and that their Galleys lying before the haven, have droven all the ships of war from thence, and sunk many: and yet (God knows) the Galleys dare not once peep out, or show themselves, for the last time they were at sea, they found (in their return from Sluice) their way so dangerous to escape their enemy's hands, that they have since, had small desire to hazard themselves abroad.  
There hath been some speeches, that the enemy made a rolling trench, to fill up the ditches of the Town, and so meant to enter the Town over the walls, after he had made the same of equal height with the walls of the town, but in truth that supposed work, was partly, for the repairing of his mount, and making passage to free his souloiers from the waters, which mount was so continually beaten with the ordnance from the town, & the workmen so troubled with the issue and skirmishings from sir Francis Vere's trenches, and the town, that the same could never be finished: but specially to defend his trenches on the north west side of the town from the fireworks, which they of Ostend did continually cast into those trenches, to the great annoyance of the enemy and destruction of the soldiers therein, which trenches lie within four or five pikes lengths of the counterscarps of the town: but if it were so, that the enemy could bring such a supposed trench, without let of waters and lay the same level with the wall (which great pains the Duke need not to put his people unto, for that the Governor hath offered to set open the Gates, and to let his people enter if they durst) the Town being furnished with such a number of men, and many of them old soldiers, the enemy would quickly be weary of that enterprise: for without all question, they are so strong of men within the town, that if they had but one M. horse, and fit ground without the town, they would not fear, but (with God's help) to hazard a battle, and peradventure give the Duke as hard entertainment as they did the last year before Newport.  
There passeth few days, but there are some sallies and enterprises made upon the enemy, and many men slain on both sides, but all men that come from thence, Calais, and other places, agree in this, that thee enemy looseth 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. for one lost on our side: notwithstanding it is (by good account kept) written from Vlushing, that there hath been above forty M. great shot discharged against the sown since the first beginning of this siege, so that the west side of the wall of the town slicketh so full, and so thick of great shot, as the like hath not at any time before been known in any siege, and yet the Duke is no more likely to obtain his purpose, than he was at his first coming before the town.  
The 21. day there came to London a French man from Calais, who reported for certain, that the King of France was, in post, come to Boulogne the Wednesday before, and had appointed to be at Calais the next day following, being the twentieth day of this month of August, which report hath since been by divers confirmed, and that it was the 22 day in the evening before he came into Calais, and also, that charge was given by the King, that every townsman of the sea towns should have, and furnish himself with ten pound of powder, and ten pound of lead or shot. The Frenchman abovesaid being demanded concerning Ostend, answered, that (thanked be God) all was well, that there was no fear or doubt to be made of the town, for they wanted nothing, but had all things plentifully fit for their defence and sustenance, and at very reasonable prices: adding further, that (if any man would accept his offer) he would wager a hundred crowns against three hundred, that the Duke should not get Ostend, and be master thereof these four months.  
It is also written from Calais, and confirmed by sundry which come later from Vlushing, that upon saturday being the fifteenth of August, the enemy attempting some works nearer to the town than heretofore, had many pioneers and soldiers, to the number of about a thousand, or more to guard them, whereupon they sallied out of sir Francis Vere's trenches, and began a very hot fight, and were seconded presently with a thousand footmen out of the Town, the fight was very hot, and with great fury maintained on both sides, neither side sparing the other, but every one doing his best to kill his next enemy: but in the end, the enemies were forced, by the means of the artillery of the town, to give back, whereupon our men followed with such fury, that they forced the enemy, even to his trenches, with slaughter of many of them, and followed so hard upon them, that they seized seven pieces of ordnance, which though the enemy a good while defended, yet in the end, he was compelled to abandon the place. But while our soldiers were earnestly busied to nail and choke the pieces, a barrel of gunpowder standing near the ordnance, took suddenly fire by reason of a match which the enemies had secretly laid of purpose to mischief our people, whereby some 150 of our soldiers were blown up, and scorched, yet not so sore hurt thereby, but that, with God's help, many of them will again recover, and be able to do good service. Some report that this mischance happened by one of the pressed soldiers, coming too near the powder with his match, but howsoever it happened, the enemy presently hereupon came afresh upon our soldiers, who being amazed with this sudden mishap, and many not knowing what it meant, were forced to retire, but there were slain of the enemies in the fight 2000 men whereof three. C. and more were horsemen, besides three C. pioneers, neither was this victory gotten without loss on our side, for there were slain of our men about 4. hundred, and near three hundred hurt and scorched.  
The governor of the Town seeing the enemy to use all means possible to approach nearer to the walls, hath caused the haven ditch or bank on the south-west side of the Town to be cut, thorough which floweth such abundance of water at full sea, that the same runneth a league into the land, even to the fort of Isabella, which doth so amaze and terrify the enemy, and all the country thereabouts, that it is conjectured the enemy will not lie long before Ostend, for the first northwest wind that bloweth with any great gale, will cause the water to spread and overflow the country much farther, and the cutting of the bank, causeth such a separation between the trenches of both sides, at high water, that they can not come one to the other by eight or nine score, for six hours space, neither with horse nor footmen.  
It is reported by a soldier which came the fouretéenth day of this month out of Ostend, that they fight and issue out of the town upon the enemy daily, and that there is no want of any thing in the town: that the new way made for small shipping to come to the town cut out of the head, was again stopped and made▪ up, for fear of such inconvenience as might thereby happen to the town thorough tempestuous weather. And that for the better assurance of shipping coming in by the old Haven, sir Francis Vere had caused a mount to be raised joining unto the Haven, whereupon the enemy's ordnance playeth continually: but they of the town do likewise continually repair & make up the same again. And also he reported that some part of the enemy's trenches towards the northwest, lay within four or five pikes lengths of the towns counterscarps, as is before declared, & some other part of the trenches within eight or ten score of ours, the greatest part lay much farther off. That the water ran every tide a great breadth between the town, and the enemies, so that in many of their trenches the enemy stood above the knees continually in water, and at a spring tied the waters reached above their navilles, even to their breasts, which waters, they of the town with a sluice had devised to keep in, that with the ebb the same could not return: at the first the trenches of the town were annoyed with the same waters, aswell as the enemies: but since, they have found remedy to keep the waters out of their own trenches. But the enemies are so greatly vexed with these waters, that they are oftentimes forced to go out of their trenches, and to sit or lie upon the banks and perapets: and then the ordonance of the Town playeth so vehemently upon them, that many of their carcases are carried into the air: and further, the said soldier affirmed, that it was a thing unpossible for the enemy to get the town, as long as men, victuals, and munition might be brought in, which the enemy should never be able to let, though his shot might cause some small danger in the day time, saying, that if once rain and fowl weather came, it was not possible that the enemy could keep his trenches, but must be forced to abnandon the same.  
The five and twentieth day of August were two sallies made upon the enemy, with great slaughter, for after the enemies were droven out of their trenches, and with great fury followed, the horsemen came in so great troops upon our people, that they were forced to retire: but within two hours after, they issued the second time (after they had caused the ordnance of the town to be laden with musket shot, and dice or square shot, imagining that the horsemen (as they did before, would with great troops secure their footmen) and with great resolution charged the enemy, and as they had done before, caused them to forsake their trenches: and following hard upon them, the horsemen (as was imagined) came upon our people, who with their pikes and muskets galled them shrewdly: but retiring in order, to bring them within the danger of the towns ordonance, which were so well bestowed upon them, that lanes were made amongst the thickest, and at last four hundred horsemen slain.  
The count Maurice came to Middleborough the one and twentieth day of this month, the rest of his forces came from Dort in Holland with eight hundred sail great and small, but where he mindeth to employ the same, is unknown: God for his mercy sake (who is the giver of all good things) grant him victory and good success wheresoever he goeth, and to all his enterprises: and contrariwise, confound the tyrannical attempts of the bloody Papists, and of all their diabolical and most wicked proceedings. Amen.  
FINIS,