Three to One: Being, An English-Spanish Combat, Performed by a Western Gentleman, of Tavystoke in Devonshire with an English Quarterstaff, against Three Spanish Rapiers and Poniards, at Sherries in Spain, The fifteen day of November, 1625. In the Presence of Dukes, Condes, Marquesses, and other Great Dons of Spain, being the Counsel of War. The Author of this Book, and Actor in this Encounter, Richard Peeeke. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT Majesty. GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, IF I were again in Spain, I should think no happiness on Earth, so great, as to come into England, and at your Royal Feet, lay down the Story of my Dangers, and Peregrination; Which I tell, as a late Sea-wrecked Man, (tossed and beaten with many Misfortunes;) Yet, setting my weary Body at last on a Blessed Shore: My Hands now lay hold upon your Altar, which is to me a Sanctuary: Hear I am safe in Harbour. That Psalm of Kingly David, which I sung in my Spanish Captivity, Psal. 137. (When as we sat in Babylon, etc.) I now have changed to an other Tune; saying, (with the same Prophet, Great is thy Mercy towards me (O Lord,) for thou hast delivered my Soul from the lowest Grave. Psal. 86.13. And, as your Majesty hath been graciously pleased, both to let your poor Soldier and Subject, behold your Royal Person, and to hear him speak in his rude Language; So, if your Majesty, vouchsafe to cast a Princely Eye on these his unhandsome Papers; New Sunbeams shall spread over him, and put a Quickening Soul into that Bosom, which otherwise must want Life, for want of your Comfort. Those Graces, from your Excellent Clemency, (already received) being such, that I am ashamed, and sorry, not to have Endured, and to have done more in Foreign Countries, for the Honour of Yours; When from so High a Throne, my Sovereign Deigns to look Down, on a Creature so unworthy, whose Life, he prostrates before your Highness. Ever resting, Your Majesty's most Humble and Loyal Subject, RICHARD PEEKE. Three to One: Being, An English-Spanish Combat. Loving Countrymen; Not to weary you with long Praeambles, unnecessary for you to read, and troublesome for me to set down; I will come roundly to the matter; entreating you, not to cast a malicious eye upon my Actions, nor rashly to condemn them, or to stagger in your Opinions of my performance, sithence I am ready with my life to justify what I set down; the Truth of this Relation being Warrented by Noble Proofs, and Testimonies not to be questioned, I am a Western Man, Devonshire my Country, and Tavestoke my place of Habitation. I know not what the Court of a King means, nor what the fine Phrases of silken Courtiers are: A good Ship I know, and a poor , and the Language of a Cannon: And therefore, as my Breeding has been Rough, (scorning Delicacy:) And my Present Being consisteth altogether upon the Soldier, (blunt, plain, and unpollished;) so must my Writings be, proceeding from fingers fit for the Pike than the Pen: And so (kind Countrymen) I pray receive them. Neither ought you to expect better from me, because I am but the Chronicler of my own Story. After I had seen the Beginning and End of Argeires Voyage, Algiers. I came home, somewhat more acquainted with the World, but little amended in Estate; My Body more wasted and weatherbeaten, but my Purse never the fuller, nor my Pockets thicker lined. Then, the Drumbe beating up for a New Expedition, in which, many Noble Gentlemen, and Heroical Spirits, were to venture their Honours, Lives, and Fortunes: Cables could not hold me, for away I would, and along I vowed to go, and did so. The Design opening itself at Sea for Cales, Cales. proud I was to be employed There, where so many Gallants, and English Worthies, did by their Examples, encourage the Common Soldier to Honourable Dare. The Ship I went in, was called The Convertine, (one of the Navy Royal:) The Captain, Thomas Portar. On the two and twenty day of October, October 22. The Fleet came to Cales. being Saturday, 1625. our Fleet came into Cales, about three of the clock in the afternoon, we being in all, some hundred and ten Sail. The Saturday-night, some sixteen Sail of the Hollanders, and about ten White-Hall-Men (who in England are called Colliers) were commanded to fight against the Castle of Puntall, Fight at Puntall standing three miles from Cales, who did so accordingly, and discharged (in that Service) at the least one thousand six hundred Shott. On the Sunday morning following, the Earl of Essex going up very early, Earl of Essex and an hour at least before us to the Fight, commanded our Ship (the Convertine, being of his Squadron) to follow him: The Castle playing hard and hotly upon his Lordship. Captain Portar, and the Master of our Ship, Captain Portar. (whose name is M. Hill,) having upon sight of so fierce an Encounter, an equal desire to do something worthy themselves, and their Country, came up so close to the Castle, as possibly Men in such a danger either could, or durst adventure, and there fought bravely: The Castle bestowing upon us a hot salutation (and well becoming our approach) with Bullets; whose first Shot killed three of our Men, passing through and through our Ship, the second killed four, and the third two more at least, with great spoil and battery to our Ship: The last Shot flying so close by Captain Portar, that with the wind of the Bullet, his very Hands had almost lost the Sense of feeling, being struck into a sudden numbness. Upon this, Captain Portar perceiving the danger we, and our Ship were in, commanded a number of us to get upon the upper Deck, and with our Small Shot to try if we could force the Cannoneers from their Ordnance. We presently advanced ourselves, fell close to our work, and plied them with Pellets; in which hot and dangerous Service, one Master William jewel, Mr. William jewel, his Service. behaved himself both Manly and like a Noble Soldier, expressing much Valour, ability of Body, and readiness; with whom, and some few more, I (amongst the rest) stood the brunt, which continued about three hours. Out Ship lay all this while with her Starboard side to the Fort, who beating us continually, with at least two hundred Muskets, whose Bullets flew so thick, that our Shrouds were torn in pieces, and our Tacklings rend to nothing; and when she came off, 500 Bullets in the Starboard side of our Ship. there were to be seen five hundred Bullets (at the least) sticking in her side: I, for my part (without vain glory be it spoken) discharging at this time, some threescore and ten Shot, as they recounted to me who charged my Pieces for me. In the heat of this Fight, Sir William Sentliger. Sir William Sentliger (whether called up by my Lord of Essex, or coming of himself, I know not) seeing us so hardly besett, and that we had but few Shot upon our Deck, in regard of the Enemy's number, which played upon us, came with a Valiant and Noble Resolution, out of another Ship into ours, bringing some forty Soldiers with him, who there with us, renewed a second Fight, as hot, or hotter than the former: Where in this Fight, one of our Bullets was shot into the mouth of a Spanish Cannon, where it sticketh fast, and putteth that Roarer to silence. Upon this Bravery, they of the Fort began to wax calmer, and cooler: And in the end, most part of their Gunners being slain, gave over shooting, but yielded not the Fort until night. Whilst this Skirmish continued, a company of Spaniards within the Castle, by the advantage of a Wall, whose end jetting out, they still as they discharged, retired behind it, saving themselves, and extremely annoying us; I removed into the Forecastle of our Ship, and so plied them with Hailshot, that they forsook their stand. What Men on our part were lost (by their Small Shot) I can not well remember, but sure I am, not very many: Yet the Spaniards afterwards, before the Governor of Cales, confessed they lost about fifty, 50 Spaniards slain. whose Muskets they cast into a Well, because our Men should not use them, throwing the dead Bodies in after. My Hurts and Bruises here received, albeit they were neither many, nor dangerous, yet were they such, that when the Fight was done, many Gentlemen in our Ship for my encouragement, gave me Money. During this Battle, the Hollanders and White-Hall-Men, you must think, were not idle, for their Great Pieces went off continually, from such of their Ships as could conveniently discharge, because our Ship lay between them and the Fort; and they so closely plied their work, that at this Battery were discharged from the Ordnance, 4000 Bullets at the Battery of the Fort. at least four thousand Bullets. The Castle being thus quieted, (though as yet not yielded) the Earl of Essex, about twelve at noon, Earl of Essex his Regiment Landed. landed his Regiment close by the Fort, the Spaniards looking over the Walls to behold them: Upon sight of which, many of those within the Castle (to the number of six score) ran away; Spaniards ran from the Castle, we pursuing them with shouts, hollawing, and loud noises, and now and then a Peice of Ordnance overtook some of the Spanish Hares, and stayed them from running farther. Part of our Men being thus landed, they marched up not above a flight shot off, and there rested themselves. Then about six at night the Castle yielded, upon composition, Castle of Puntall yielded, to departed with their Arms, and Colours flying, and no Man to offend them; which was performed accordingly. The Captain of the Fort, his name was Don Francisco Bustamante, Bustamante, and his Men put over to Port Real. who presently upon the delivery, was carried aboard the Lord General's Ship, where he had a Soldier Welcome; And the next day, He, and all his Company were put over to Port Real, upon the main Land because they should not go to Cales, which is an Island. Monday. October 24. On the Monday, On Monday all our Forces Landed. having begun early in the morning, all our Forces, about noon were landed, and presently marched up to a Bridge, between Puntall and Cales; In going up to which, some of our Men were unfortunately and unmanly surprised, and before they knew their own danger, had there their Throats cut; Some having their Brains beaten out with the stocks of Muskets; others, their Noses sl eed off; whilst some Heads were spurned up & down the Streets like Footeballs, and some Ears worn in scorn in Spanish Hats: For when I was in Prison in Cales, (whether some of these Spanish Picaroes' were brought in for flying from the Castle,) I was an eye witness, of English men's Ears worn in that despiteful manner. What the Forces being on Shore did, or how fare they went up, I can not tell, for I was no Land-Soldier, and therefore all that while kept aboard: Yet about twelve of the clock, when they were marched out of sight, I (knowing that other English Men had done the like the very same day,) ventured on Shore likewise, Richard Peeke on Shore. to refresh myself, with my Sword only by my side, because, I thought the late storms had beaten all the Spaniards in, and therefore feared no danger. On, therefore, I softly walked, viewing the desolation of such a Place, for I saw no body: Yet fare had I not gone from the Shore, but some English Men were come even almost to our Ships, and from certain Gardens had brought with them many Oranges and Lemons. The sight of these, sharpened my stomach the more to go on, because I had a desire to present some of those Fruits to my Captain. Hereupon, I demanded of them, what danger there was in going? They said, None, but that all was hushed, and not a Spaniard stirring. We parted, they to the Ships, I forward: And before I had reached a mile, I found (for all their talking, of no danger) Three English-Men stark dead, being slain, lying in the way, it being full of deep Sandy pits, so that I could hardly find the passage, and one, some small distance from them, not fully dead. The groans which he uttered, led me to him; and finding him lying on his belly, I called to him, and turning him on his back, saw his wounds, and said; Brother, what Villain has done this mischief to thee? He lamented in sighs and doleful looks, and casting up his eyes to Heaven, but could not speak. I then resolved (and was about it) for Christian Charities sake; and for Country's sake, to have carried him on my back to our Ships, fare off though they lay, and there (if by any possible means it could have been done,) to have recovered him. But my good intents were prevented; For on a sudden, came rushing in upon me, a Spanish-Horseman, whose Name, as afterward I was informed, was Don juan of Cales, a Knight; I seeing him make speedily and fiercely at me, with his drawn weapon, suddenly whipped out mine, wrapping my Cloak about mine Arm: Five or six Skirmishes we had, and for a pretty while, fought off and on. A Fight between a Spanish Horseman, and an English Footman. At last, I getting with much ado, to the top of a sandy Hillock, the Horseman nimbly followed up after; By good Fortune to me, (though bad to himself) he had no Petronel or Pistols about him; and therefore clapping Spurs to his Horse sides, his intent, as it seemed, was, with full career to ride over me, and trample me under his Horse's feet: But a Providence greater than his Fury, was my Guard. Time was it for me to look about warily, and to lay about lustily, to defend a poor Life so hardly distressed: As therefore his Horse was violently breaking in upon me, I struck him into the eyes, with a flap of my Cloak; upon which, turning sideward, I took my advantage, and as readily as I could, stepping in, it pleased God, that I should pluck my Enemy down, The Horseman dismounted. and have him at my Mercy, for Life, which notwithstanding, I gave him; He falling on his knees, and crying out in French to me: Pardone moy le vous pray, le suis un buon Chrestien. Pardon me Sir, I am a good Christian. I, seeing him brave, and having a Soldiers mind to Rifle him, I searched for jewels, but found, only five Pieces of Eight about him, in all amounting to twenty Shillings English: Yet he had Gold, but that I could not come by; For, I was in haste to have sent his Spanish Knighthood home on Foot, and to have taught his Horse an English Pace. Thus fare, my Voyage for Oranges sped well, but in the end, proved sour Sauce to me. And it is harder to keep a Victory, then to obtain; So, here it fell out with mine. For, fourteen Spanish Musketeers, spying me so busy about one of their Countrymen, bend all the Mouths of their Pieces to kill me, which they could not well do, without endangering this Don john's life; so that I was enforced (and glad I scaped so too) to yield myself their Prisoner. True Valour (I see) goes not always in good ; For, He whom before I had surprised, seeing me fast in the snare, and (as the event proved) disdaining that his Country men should report him so dishonoured, most basely, (when my hands were in a manner bound behind me) drew out his Weapon, (which the rest had taken from me, to give him) and wounded me through the Face, An ungentle unworthy base Spaniard. from Ear to Ear, and had there killed me, had not the fourteen Musketeers rescued me from his Rage. Upon this, I was led in Triumph, into the Town of Cales: An Owl not more wondered and hooted at, a Dog not more cursed. In my being led thus along the Streets, A Fleming spying me, Wounded basely by a Fleming. cried out aloud; Whither do you lead this English Dog? Kill him, kill him, he's no Christian. And with that, breaking through the Crowd, in upon those who held me, ran me into the Body with a Halbeit, at the Reynes of my Back, at the least four inches. A Noble Spaniard. One Don Fernando, an ancient Gentleman, was sent down this Summer, from the King at Madrill, with Soldiers; But before our Fleet came, the Soldiers were discharged; They of Cales, never suspecting that we meant to put in there. Before him, was I brought to be examined, yet few, or no questions at all, were demanded of me because, he saw I was all bloody in my , and so wounded in my Face and jaws, that I could hardly speak: I was therefore committed presently to Prison, where I lay eighteen days: The Noble Gentleman, giving express charge, that the best Surgeons should be sent for, lest, being so basely hurt and handled by Cowards, I should be demanded at his hands. I being thus taken on the Monday, when I went on Shore, The Fleets departure. the Hear departed the Friday following, from Cales, at the same time when I was there a Prisoner. Yet, thus honestly was I used by my worthy Friend Captain Portar; He above my deserving, complaining, that he feared he had lost such a Man: The Lord General's love. My Lord General (by the solicitation of Master john Glanuile, Secretary to the Fleet) sent three Men on Shore, to inquire in Cales for me, and to offer (if I were taken) any reasonable Ransom: But the Town, thinking me a better Prize then (indeed) I was, denied me, and would not part from me. Then came a Command to the Teniente, or Governor of Cales, to have me sent to Sherrys, (otherwise called Xerez,) lying three Leagues from Cales. Wondrous unwilling (could I otherwise have chosen) was I to go to Sherry, because, I feared I should then be put to Tortures. Having therefore a Young man, (an English Man, and a Merchant, Goodrow a Merchant, Pikes Fellow Prisoner in Cales. whose Name was Goodrow,) my fellow Prisoner, who lay there for Debt: and so I thinking there was no way with me but one; (That I must be sent packing to my long home,) Thus I spoke unto him. Countryman, what my Name is, our Partnership in Misery hath made you know; And with it, know that I am a Devonshire-man borne, and Tavestock the place of my once-abiding. I beseech you, if God ever send you Liberty, and that you sail into England, take that Country in your way; Commend me to my Wife and Children, made wretched by me, an infortunate Father, and Husband: Tell them, and my Friends, (I entreat you, for God's cause) that if I be (as I suspect I shall be) put to Death in Sherris, I will dye a Christian Soldier, no way, I hope, dishonouring my King, Country, or the justice of my Cause, or my Religion. Anon after, away was I conveyed with a strong Guard, Pike Prisoner in Sherrys. by the Governor of Cales, and brought into Sherrys on a Thursday, about twelve at night. On the Sunday following, two Friars were sent to me, (both of them being Irish Men, and speaking very good English; Two Friars sent to Confess him. ) One of them was called Padre juan, (Father john.) After a sad and grave Salutation; Brother (quoth he) I come in Love to you, and Charity to your Soul, to Confess you: And if to us, (as your Spiritual Ghostly Fathers) you will lay open your Sins, we will forgive them, and make your way to Heaven, for to morrow you must dye. I desired them, that they would give me a little respite, that I might retire into a private Chamber, and instantly I would repair to them, and give them satisfaction: Leave I had; Away I went, and immediately returned: They asked me, if I had yet resolved, and whether I would come to Confession: I told them, I had been at Confession already: One of them demanded, with whom? I answered, with God the Father: And with nobody else (said the other?) Yes, (quoth I, Pike at Confession, but with no Friars ) and with jesus Christ, my Redeemer, who hath both power and will, to forgive all Men their Sins, that truly Repent; Before these Two, have I fall'n on my knees, and Confessed my grievous offences, and trust, they will give me a free Absolution, and Pardon. What think you of the Pope? said Father john: I answered, I knew him not: They, hereupon, shaking their heads, told me, they were sorry for me, and so departed. Whilst thus I lay in Sherrys, The Captain of the Fort a Prisoner. the Captain of the Fort (Don Francisco Bustament) was brought in, Prisoner for his Life, because he delivered up the Castle; but whether he died for it, or no, I cannot tell. My day of Trial being come, I was brought from Prison, Duke of Medina, D. of Macada, D. Ferdinando, Giron, Marquesse De Alquenezes, etc. into the Town of Sherrys, by two Drumbes, and a hundred Shot, before three Dukes, four Condes, or Earls, four Marquesses, besides other great Persons; the town having in it, at least, five thousand Soldiers. At my first appearing before the Lords, my Sword lying before them on a Table, the Duke of Medina asked me if I knew that Weapon; It was reached to me; I took it, and embraced it in mine arms, and with tears in mine eyes, kissed the pommel of it. He then demanded, how many Men I had killed with that Weapon? I told him, if I had killed One, I had not been there now, before that Princely Assembly, for when I had him at my foot, begging for Mercy, I gave him life, yet he, than very poorly, did me a mischief: Then they asked Don john (my Prisoner) what Wounds I gave him; He said, none: Upon this he was rebuked, and told; That if upon our first Encounter, he had run me through, it had been a fair and Noble Triumph; but so to wound me, being in the hands of others, they held it Base. Questions by the Spaniards. Then said the Duke of Medina to me; Come on English-Man, What Ship came you in? I told him, The Convertine: Who was your Captain? Captain Portar: What Ordnance carried your Ship? I said, forty Pieces. But the Lords looking all this while on a Paper, which they held in their hands: Duke Medina said, In their Note, there was but thirty eight. In that Paper (as after I was informed, by my two Irish Interpreters) there was set down, the Number of our Ships, their Burden, Men, Munition, Victual, Captains, etc. as perfect, as we ourselves had them in England. Of what Strength (quoth an other Duke) is the Fort at Plymouth? I answered, very Strong: What Ordnance in it? Fifty said I: That is not so, said he, there is but seventeen: How many Soldiers are in the Fort? I answered, two hundred: That is not so, (quoth a Conde) there is but twenty. marquis Alquenezes asked me, Of what strength the little Island was before Plymouth? I told him, I knew not: Then (quoth he) we do. Is Plymouth a Walled Town? Yes my Lords: And a good Wall? Yes said I, a very good Wall: True, said a Duke, to leap over with a Staff. And hath the Town, said the Duke of Medina, strong Gates? Yes: But, quoth he, there was neither Wood nor Iron to those Gates, but two days before your Fleet came away. Now, before I go any farther, let me not forget to tell you, that my two Irish Confessors, had been here in England the last Summer, & when our Fleet came from England, they came for Spain; Having seen our King at Plymouth, when the Soldiers there shown their Arms, and did then diligently observe what the King did, and how he carried himself. How chance (said Duke Giron) did you not in all this Bravery of the Fleet take Cales, as you took Puntall? I replied, that the Lord General might easily have taken Cales, for he had near a thousand Scaling Ladders to set up, and a thousand Men to lose; but he was loath to rob an Almeshouse, having a better Market to go to: Cales, I told them, was held Poor, Unmanned, and Vnmunitioned: What better Market, said Medina? I told him, Genoa, or Lisbon, and as I heard, there was instantly, upon this, an Army of six thousand Soldiers sent to Lisbon. Then, quoth one of the Earls, when thou meetest me in Plymouth, wilt thou bid me welcome? I modestly told him, I could wish, they would not too hastily come to Plymouth, for they should find it another manner of place, then as now they slight it. Many other Questions were put to me by these great Dons, which so well as God did enable me, I answered, they speaking in Spanish, and their words interpreted to me, by those two Irish Men before spoken of, who also relate my several answers to the Lords. And by the common People, who encompassed me round, many ieering, mockeries, scorns, and bitter jests, were to my face thrown upon our Nation, which I durst not so much as bite my lip against, but with an enforced patiented ear stood still, and let them run on in their Revile. At the length, amongst many other reproaches, and spiteful Names, one of the Spaniards called English Men Gallinas, (Hens;) At which, the great Lords fell a laughing: Hereupon, one of the Dukes (pointing to the Spanish Soldiers,) bid me note how their King kept them; And indeed, they were all wondrous brave in Apparel, Hats, Bands, Cuffs, Garters, &c, and some of them in Chains of Gold: And asked farther, If I thought these would prove such Hens as our English, when next year they should come into England? I said no: But being somewhat emboldened by his merry Countenance, I told him as merrily, I thought they would be within one degree of Hens: What meanest thou by that, said a Conde? I replied, they would prove Pullet's, or Chickens. Dar'st thou then (quoth Duke Medina, with a brow half angry) fight with one of these Spanish Pullet's. O my Lord, said I, I am a Prisoner, and my Life at Stake, and therefore dare not be so bold to adventure upon any such Action: There were here of us English, some fourteen Thousand, in which Number, there were above twelve Thousand, better, & stouter Men than ever I shall be; Yet, with the licence of this Princely Assembly, I dare hazard the breaking of a Rapier; And withal, told him, He was unworthy the Name of an English Man, that should refuse to Fight with one Man of any Nation whatsoever. Hereupon, my Shackells were knocked off, and my Iron Ring and Chain taken from my Neck. Room was made for the Combatants, Rapier and Dagger the Weapons: A Fight between Peeke, & a Spaniard. A Spanish Champion presents himself, Named Signior Tiago; When after we had played some reasonable good time, I disarmed, him as thus. I caught his Rapier betwixt the Bars of my Poniard, and there held it, till I closed in with him, and tripping up his Heels, I took his Weapons out of his hands, and delivered them to the Dukes. I could wish, that all you, my dear Countrymen, who read this Relation, had either been there, without danger, to have beheld us; Or, that He with whom I fought, were here in Person, to justify the issue of that Combat. I was then demanded, If I durst Fight against an other? I told them, my heart was good to adventure; but humbly requested them, to give me pardon, if I refused. For, to myself I too well knew, that the Spaniard is Haughty, Impatient of the least affront; And when he receives but a Touch of any Dishonour, Disgrace, or Blemish, (especially in his own Country, and from an English Man,) his Revenge is implacable, mortal, and bloody. Yet being by the Noblemen, pressed again, and again, to try my Fortune with an other, I (seeing my Life in the Lion's paw, to struggle with whom for safety, there was no way but one, and being afraid to displease them,) said, That if their Graces, and Greatnesses, would give me leave to play at mine Own Country Weapon, called the Quarterstaff, I was then ready there, an Opposite, against any Comer, whom they would call forth; and would willingly lay down my Life before those Princes, to do them Service; provided, my Life might by no foul means be taken from me. Hereupon, the head of a Halberd, which went with a Screw, was taken off, and the Steal delivered to me; the other Butt-end of the Staff having a short Iron Pike in it: This was my Armour, and in my place I stood, expecting an Opponent. At the last, The Quarterstaff against three Rapiers. a handsome and well Spirited Spaniard steps forth, with his Rapier and Poniard: They asked me, what I said to Him? I told them, I had a sure Friend in my hand, that never failed me, and therefore made little account of that One to play with, and should show them no Sport. Then, a Second (Armed as before) presents himself: I demanded, if there would come no more? The Dukes asked, how many I desired? I told them, any number under Six: Which resolution of mine, they smiling at, in a kind of scorn, held it not Manly, (it seemed,) nor fit for their own Honours, and Glory of their Nation, to worry one Man with a Multitude; and therefore appointed Three only, (so Weaponed) to enter into the Lists. Now Gentlemen, if here you condemn me, for plucking (with mine own hands) such an assured danger, upon mine own head; Accept of these Reasons for excuse. To dye, I thought it most certain, but to dye basely, I would not: For Three to kill One, had been to Me no Dishonour; To Them (Weapons considered,) no Glory; An Honourable Subjection, I esteemed better, than an Ignoble Conquest. Upon these Thoughts, I fell to it. The Rapier Men traversed their ground, I, mine; Dangerous Thrusts were put in, and with dangerous hazard avoided: Shout echoed to Heaven, to encourage the Spaniards; Not a shout, nor Hand, to hearten the poor English Man; Only, Heaven I had in mine Eye, the Honour of my Country in my Heart, my Fame at the Stake, my Life on a narrow Bridge, and Death both before me and behind me. It was not now a time to dally, they still made full at me; And I had been a Coward to myself, and a Villain to my Nation, if I had not called up all that weak Manhood which was mine, to guard my own Life, and overthrew my Enemies. Plucking up therefore a good heart, seeing myself faint and wearied, I vowed to my Soul, to do something, ere she departed from me: And so setting All upon One Cast, It was my Good Fortune (it was my God did it for Me) with the Butt-end where the Iron Pike was, to Kill one of the Three; and within a few Boots after, to Disarm the other two, causing the One of them to fly into the Army of Soldiers then present, and the Other for refuge fled behind the Bench. I hope, if the braving Spaniards set upon England (as they threaten,) we shall every One of us, give the repulse to more than Three; Of which good Issue for the Public, I take this my Private success to be a Pledge. Now was I in greater Danger, being (as I thought) in Peace, than before, when I was in Battle: For, a general Murmur filled the Air, with Threaten at me; the Soldiers especially bitten their thumbs, and how was it possible for me to scape? Which, the Noble Duke of Medina Sidenia seeing, called me to him, and instantly caused Proclamation to be made, The brave mind of Medina. that none, on pain of death, should meddle with me; And by his Honourable Protection, I got off; And not off, only with Safety, but with Money. For by the Dukes and Condes, were given me in Gold, to the value of four Pounds ten Shillings sterling; and by the marquis Alquenezes himself, as much; He embracing me in his Arms, and bestowing upon me, that long Spanish Russet Cloak I now wear, which he took from one of his men's backs; And withal, furnished me with a clean Band and Cuffs; It being one of the greatest Favours, a Spanish Lord can do to a mean Man, to reward him with some Garment, as recompense of Merrit. After our Fight in Sherris, I was kept in the marquis Alquenezes House, who one day (out of his Noble affability) was pleasant in speech with me; And by my Interpreter, desired I would Sing: I willing to obey him (whose goodness I had tasted,) did so, and sung this Psalm: When as we sat in Babylon, etc. The meaning of which being told, he said to me, English Man, comfort thyself, for thou art in no Captivity. After this, I was sent to the King of Spain, lying at Madrill; Peeke sent to the King at Madrill. My Conduct being four Gentlemen of the marquis Alquenezes; He allowing unto me, in the journey, twenty Shillings a day when we Traveled, and ten Shillings a day when we lay still. At my being in Madrill, before I saw the King; My Entertainment (by the marquis Alquenezes appointment,) was at his own House, where I was lodged in the most sumptuous Bed that ever I beheld; and had from his Noble Lady, a Welcome fare above my poor deserving but worthy the Greatness of so excellent a Woman; She bestowing upon me, whilst I lay in her House a very fair Spanish Shirt, richly Laced, and at my parting from Madrill, a Chain of Gold, and two jewels for my Wife, and other pretty Things for my Children. And now that her Noble Courtesies together, with my own thankfulness, A Noble Spanish Lady. lead me to speak of this Honourable Spanish Lady; I might very justly be condemned of Ingratitude, if I should not remember, with like acknowledgement, another rare Pattern of Feminine goodness, to me, a distressed, miserable Stranger: And that was, the Lady of Don john of Cales; She, Another. out of a Respect she bore me, for saving her Husband's Life, came along with him to Sherrys, He being there to give in Evidence against me; And as before, when I lay Prisoner in Cales, so in Sherrys, she often relieved me with Money, and other Means; My Duty and Thanks ever wait upon them Both. Upon Christmas-day, I was Presented to the King, the Queen, and Don Carolo the Infante. Being brought before him, I fell (as it was fit) on my Knees: Many Questions were demanded of me, which so well as my plain wit directed me, I resolved. In the end, his Majesty offered me a Yearly Pension, (to a good Value) if I would Serve him, either at Land or at Sea; For which his Royal Favours, I confessing myself infinitely Bound, and my Life indebted to his Mercy, most humbly entreated, that with his Princely Leave, I might be suffered to return into mine own Country, being a Subject only to the King of England, my Sovereign. And besides that Bond of Allegiance, there was another Obligation, due from me, to a Wife and Children; And therefore, most submissively begged, that his Majesty would be so Princely minded, as to pity my Estate, and to let me go: To which he at last granted; Bestowing upon me, one hundred Pistoletts, to bear my Charges. Having thus left Spain, I took my way through some part of France; Where, by occasion, happening into Company of seven Spaniards, their Tongues were too lavish in Speeches against our Nation; Upon which, some high words flying up and down the Room, I leapt from the Table, and drew. One of the Spaniards did the like (none of the rest being Weaponed, which was more than I knew.) Upon the noise of this Bustling, two English Men more came in, Who understanding the Abuses offered to our Country, the (Spaniards in a short time, Recanted on their Knees) their Rashness. And so hoisting Sail for England; I Landed on the three and twenty day of April, 1626. at Foy in Cornwall. And thus endeth my Spanish Pilgrimage: With thankes to my good God, that in this extraordinany Manner preserved me, amidst these desperate Dangers. Therefore most gracious God, (Defender of Men abroad, and Protector of them at home,) How am I bounden to thy Divine Majesty, for thy manifold Mercies? On my Knees I thank thee, with my Tongue I will praise thee, with my Hands Fight in thy Quarrel, and all the days of my Life serve thee. Out of the Red-Sea, I have escaped; From the Lion's Den, been delivered; I rescued from Death, and snatched out of the jaws of Destruction, only by Thee, O my God; Glory be to thy Name, for ever, and ever. Amen. Certain Verses, Written by a Friend, in Commendations of the Author Richard Peeke. Seldom do Clouds so dim the day, But Sol will once his Beams display: Though Neptune drives the surging Seas, Sometimes he gives them quiet ease; And so few Projects speed so ill, But somewhat chanceth at our will. I will not instance in the Great, Placed in Honours higher Seat; Though Virtue in a Noble Line Comm●nds i●, and the more doth shine: Yet this is procued by Sword and Pen, Desert oft dwells in private Men. My proof is not fare hence to seek, There is at hand brave Richard Peeke, Whose worth his Foes cannot revoke, Borne in the Town of Tavystoke In Devon, where Minerva sits Shaping stout Hearts, and pregnant Wits. This well resolved and hardy Spark, Aiming at Fame, as at a Mark, Was not compelled against his will, In Mars his field to try his skill: As Voluntary he did go, To serve his King against his Foe. If he had pleased, he might have spent His days at home, in safe content: But nurcing Valour in his breast, He would adventure with the Best, Willing to shed his dearest blood, To do his Prince, and Country good. Thus bend, he adding Wings to Feet, Departed with the English Fleet: There was no rub, nor stay at all, The Ships sailed with a pleasant Gale: In setting forth they by their hap, Seemed lulled in Amphitrites lap. At length they did arrive at Cales, Where restless Peeke against the Walls Made fouresccore Shot towards the Shore, Making the Welkyn wide to roar: He kept his standing in this strife, Setting a straw by loss of life. Into a Vineyard afterward He marched, and stood upon his guard; There he an Horseman did dismount, By outward port of good account: But did on him compassion take, And spared his life for pities sake. The next assault, uneven he felt, For with twelve Spaniards he dealt At once, and held them lusty play, Until through odds, theirs was the day: From ear to ear they pierced his head, And to the Town him Captive led. In Prison they him shut by night, Loaden with Chains of grievous weight, All comfortless in Dungeon deep, Where Stench annoys, and Vermins creep: He groueled in this loathsome Cell, Where ghastly frights and horrors dwell. Yet nothing could his courage quail, Hunger, nor thirst, nor wound, nor jail: For being brought before a Don, And asked, Why England did set on A scraping, not a pecking Hen? He answered, stain not Englishmen. That England is a Nation stout, And till the last will fight it out: Myself could prove by Chivalry, If for a Captive this were free: Why, (quoth the Duke) dar'st thou to fight With any of my Men in fight? Of thousands whom in War you use, Not one (quoth Peeke) do I refuse: A chosen Champion then there came, Whose heels he tripped, as at a game, And from his Hand his Rapier took, Presenting it unto the Duke. Then three at once did him oppose, They Rapiers, he a long Staff chose, The use whereof so well he knows, He conquered them with nimble blows: One that beside him played his round, He threw as dead unto the ground. The Noble Duke who this did see, Commended Peeke, and set him free; He gave him Gifts, and did command That none should wrong him in their Land; So well he did him entertain, And sent him to the Court of Spain. There he was fed with no worse meat, Than which the King himself did eat; His Lodging rich, for he did lie In furniture of Tapestry: The King what of him he had heard, Did with his Treasure well reward. Our then Ambassador was there, Peekes Pike and praise he doth declare: At Spanish Court whiles he attends, He thrives for Virtue's sake: as Friends Foes sent him in triumphant sort Home from a Foe and Foreign Port. If thus his very Foes him loved, And Deeds against themselves approved; How should his Friends his love embrace, And yield him countenance and grace? The praise and worth how can we cloak Of manly Peeke of Tavystoke? FINIS. J. D.