THE Deposition of Don Diego Piementellj, chief Master of one Regiment of the Camp of the King of Spain, as he deposed before, and in the presence of the chiefest Lords of the Counsel of the Hague in Holland.  
Translated out of Dutch into English, by F. M.  
❧ Printed first at Delfe, and now reprinted at London by john Wolf, Anno. Dom. 1588.   

¶ The examination and deposition of Don Diego Piementellj, chief master of the Regiment or Tertio of Sicily belonging unto the Spanish fleet.  
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DON Diego de Piementel, borne in Valle d'Oliua, saith: that he is the Marquis of Taneras' Brother: and Cousin unto the Earl of Benavents, of his Mother's side, and Nephew unto the Earl of Calna, which at this present is Vice Roy of Sicily. That his Brother the Marquis, is married with the Lady johanna of Toledo, Sister unto Don Pedro de Toledo, Marquis of Villafranca, and Duke of Ferdinandina. That his Father was of the Chamber of Don Charles, Prince of Spain.  
Saith that he is a Knight of the order of Saint james, and that it is about a year ago, that the King did give unto him the Crusado, whereby he hoped that the King should give him the benefit of a commandry of four thousand Ducats a year.  
Saith, that he hath been Commissioner general of the cavalry of Sicily, and Captain of threescore Lances, and that the benefits and profit which he reapeth thereof, amounteth unto two hundredth Ducats a month.  
Saith, that he was Governor of the said Regiment, about the time of two years, and that he hath had in this Fleet, fifteen companies of that Regiment, and seventeen of another. And that the said Regiment, was of three thousand and four hundred men. And that in his Ship there were three companies, to wit, his own, the company of the Captain Martin Davalos, and the company of the Captain Marques, amounting together unto two hundred and threescore men.  
Saith, that in his Ship were threescore Mariners, and fourteen Gunners.  
That the Pilot was a Portugal, and a man of no skill.  
That there were in his Ship three English Gentlemen, the one named William Browne, the other Nicholas raphael, but the name of the third he knoweth not.  
That the foresaid Browne was married in Spain.  
That there were in his Ship, yet two other Spanish Gentlemen, the one called Don jews Vanogas, the other Don Rodrigo Veniero, and both were of the order of Saint james, and that the one had five thousand, and the other one thousand and five hundred Ducats yearly incoming.  
Saith, he had sent them to the Duke of Medina Sidonia for help, but that they were not yet come again.  
That Don john de Velasco, Son to the Earl of Ciernella, was come with him for his own pleasure.  
That Don john, the bastard Son of the Admiral of Aragone, hath twenty crowns a month of the King.  
And that Don johan de Toledo, Alvaro Garcia, Governor of Toledoes son, had likewise so much.  
That the Captain Alonso de Vergas, is taken prisoner with him, and likewise Don Diego de Cordua, adventurer. And so much had likewise Don Lopes de Peres, and N. Cannirio.  
Saith, he had a hundred and thirty crowns a month, and that it was about fifteen months that he departed out of Sicily.  
That the Earl of Miranda his Nephew, is Vice Roy of Naples.  
That the Earl of Fuentes, Captain general of Portugal called Don Pedro Henriques, is his uncle.  
That Don Pedro de Toledo, Marquis of Villafranca, General of the Galleys of Naples, is his Nephew.  
That the Duke of Medina del rioseco, Admiral of Caillie, is his uncle. So he is kindred with the principal Lords of Spain.  
Saith, that it is about two years past, that this Fleet did begin, but that it never could be known whereupon they would go, but that it was thought that it might be for England.  
That they did lie the whole Month of May, in the River of Lisbon.  
That the Fleet was of the number of 145. ships, of the which 110. were very great and prepared for war, and that the other were somewhat lesser, serving for all kind of men, & provision, and that among the said Ships, there were 4. Galiasses, and that in each of them were 300. Soldiers, and upon the principal of them 400.  
That there were eleven Galleons of Portugal.  
That he himself came in one of these Galleons, the which was not the greatest but of the strongest.  
That there were 19 Galleons of Andalosie, of the which was Captain general Don Diego flores de Valdes, and that these Galleons were of the guard of the fleet of India.  
That there was yet a great Galion, belonging to the Duke of Florence, whereupon were 600. Portugal's.  
That there were 20. Ships of Levant, to wit, Venetians, Arragonians, & Catalonians, where over was General Don Pedro de Valdes, with one other, which he knoweth not.  
That the Squadron of the General Michael de Oquendo a Biscaine, was of 12. Ships.  
That the Admiral john martin's de Ricaldo, a Biscaine likewise, had under him, ten or eleven Ships.  
That there were about twenty Hulks, whereupon Nicholas de Medina did command.  
Saith, that there were 4. Galleys, each of them having twenty four seats, the which were lost in a tempest before they came on the Coasts of England.  
That the Duke of Medina Sidonia, was Captain General of the whole Fleet, and johan Martin's de Recalde Admiral thereof.  
out the loss of any of their Ships, and that so they departed again, and did nothing else.  
Saith, that the English Army came the third day again, and shot upon theirs, & theirs upon the English, and that with a great fury, and that the two Armies were so near one another, that they thought there should have been a battle. That after they had shot a certain time very furiously the one against the other, that the two Admirals did join so near together, that they shot the one to the other. So that both the Armies drew near, every one to his Admiral to help them, and so joined together in such a sort, that it seemed to be a great scarmasing, continuing a large hour, and so departed the said admirals the one from the other, the Armies departed likewise, every one on the side of their Admiral.  
Saith, that that same day, notwithstanding that great fury, they lost none of their Ships, but that they did set on fire one of the English ships, but that it was by and by quenched. That the same night they cast their anchors before Calais, and that he knew not whether it was on a Tuesday or on a wednesday, and that that same night about two hours after they had cast their anchors, they did see eight English ships full of fire and burning, coming and driving towards their fleet, the which as it seemed were tied together with chains, for they did drive very close and equally together. whereupon their General & the whole fleet chopping & cutting of their Cables and anchors, drew towards the depth of the Sea.  
Saith, that they came the next morning again, and did anchor before Calais, and that they of Calais did come to visit their General the Duke of Medina, and brought to sell every thing for money, as bread, flesh, pasties, fruits, and other necessary things, every one for his money to be refreshed therewith.  
Saith, that the English Army, was that day somewhat more separated from them than she was wont to be, but yet she was always in their sight, & that there were more Ships in it then the ordinary, for they told at one time 23. ships more, of the which, there were three very great, and the other were but mean Ships, but he cannot tell whether they remained there that night or not.  
Saith, that the next day, the English fleet came again to meet with them, and that they begun very early to shoot one against another on every side, the which continued more than four or five hours, and that he himself with his ship, was always one of the next to the English Fleet, whereby the English were so charged, that they at last did send two of their Admirals, and two of their principal ships, so near unto him, that he might have reached with a Pick from his ship unto theirs, and that they shot very sore the one to the other (so with Muskets, as with small shots) the space of an hour & more, so that he being departed from them, descended down into his ship, to visit it, and to view the same if she was in any danger, whereupon, he found the danger so great, because there was come in so much water already, that the Ship begun to sink.  
Saith, that he then sent his Sergeant Mayor, towards the ship of the General, to advertise him, that his ship was in danger of sinking, desiring him to provide thereupon, and to send some speedy remedy. And that he incontinently after the said Sergeant was gone, (perceiving that the water increased very much in his ship) did send two Spanish Gentlemen again, to the said General, to let him understand yet more earnestly their great need and danger wherein they were of perishing, and to be drowned altogether, if remedy did not come.  
That the said Sergeant Mayor, did return again unto him, before the other two might be unto the generals Ship, and brought with him, a Boat, to save his own person there withal if he would.  
That besides that, the Duke, did send an other crevell or boat unto him, to know further his desire and need, Whereupon he answered, that he would save all his men, and that therefore his excellency should send and provide wherewithal, or else he would perish and be cast away with them all, saying it was his duty and right, that he should be the last that should go and departed out of his Ship.  
Saith moreover, that then the General did set out a sign or token, whereby he let them understand, that they should come so near on board as they could.  
That they came so near, that they could speak the one unto the other, but yet that they did remain that whole day in the self same state.  
That towards the evening, he seeing his ship did begin to sink, and to ware so heavy, that with her full satle she was not able to follow the General, he discharged two pieces, thereby to certify his great peril, but he had no answer thereupon, neither did his Sergeant Mayor, and the other two Gentlemen before named, return unto him again, whereby he was that whole night very desolate.  
Saith, that he thereupon took counsel with his men, to know what their best remedy should be for to save themselves. Whereupon they concluded altogether to go backward, and to try if they could get themselves into the Haven of ` Dunkirk, and so to be helped by the Duke of Parma, and to come by him.  
That thereupon they went to work, but that his Mariners and Pilot, could not tell where to direct themselves, because they had never been in those quarters.  
Saith, that the next day they saw land, & they thought it was Flushing, because there came many Fisher boats out on every side, that they called unto them, and desired them to come on board, but that they would not, but fled away from them, whereby he perceived that the same land and Sea, was under the enemy. That he than was but at five fadames water, and that his ship went four fadames and a half deep.  
Saith, that after this, they met with another boat, the which did come somewhat nearer, of the which he required to be brought into any Haven appertaining unto the King, and that thereupon he departed from him, saying, that the Haven of Dunkirk was right over against Flushing.  
That thereupon, they went once again from land into the Sea, and that they knew not where they were.  
Saith, that the same day towards the evening, they found another boat, the which did aboard, and promised them, that if they would reward him, he would bring them into Nieuport, the which was not far from thence, and did appertain unto the King, and that they should get therein a great deal better than into Dunkirk.  
That the said Fisher went with his boat before their ship, conducting the same, making a fair demonstration, as though he would have brought them in a good Haven.  
That he spoke many times with him, showing him a chain of two hundred Ducats, promising unto him that same, and any thing else what he should desire.  
That the Fisher said unto him, that he would deliver him into the Haven, or else he would lose his head.  
That he required the Fisherman to come into his ship, but that he refused it, that he thereupon did fall in suspicion of him, and took him to be an enemy, although he did conduct him well.  
Saith, that towards the evening, his ship remained still, and could go no further, and that he was upon seven fadames, and did cast his Anchor, and that the Fisher came to speak with him, saying that he would come the next morning again to help them, but that he would fish that whole night. That he did anchor within their sight, and remained there about three hours, and afterwards he went his ways.  
That they did look for him the next morning, but that he did not come.  
Saith, that they pulled up their Anchor and hoist up their sails for to go their ways, and that a little after they saw three ships, and by and by two more, sailing towards them straightly, and that the one did set up a white flag, whereupon he caused another to be set out of his ship, thinking they were friends, & that they came unto him in a Boat, willing him to give himself over unto them.  
Saith, that he answered thereupon, that they should departed, or else that his Musketters would shoot at them, but that he would not suffer it, because they were come under his flag.  
That thereupon the five ships did come near, and shot all upon him, whereby they did greatly hurt his ship, and his men, and killed above forty of them.  
That he had lost but fifteen men, for all the shots of the English Fleet.  
Saith, that he gave himself over for prisoner, unto the Admiral Ionker Peter vander does, upon his word, & that thereupon he went into his ship, with all his men without Arms, and that so they were brought where they be now.  
That during all that time, there had been 50. of his men continually at the pomp, drawing out the water day and night. Saith, that at his departing from the Groin, he had thirty & eight great brass pieces in his ship, of the which he hath cast seven or eight into the Sea.  
That he had yet a great deal of Gunpowder, but that it was spoiled with the water, a great deal of Rice, Pease, salted Pork, Wine, Vinegar, Oil, and fresh water, whereof the master Steward, and the Captain of his ship, could better tell the quantity than he himself.  
Saith, that he had no money belonging to the King, but that he had six great chests full of apparel, & linen cloth, serving for his person, & for a Table of eight persons, that he knew not in which ships the King's money might be.  
Saith, that the King did daily pay for every portion, or each man, two Reales, and that they had paid the Soldiers with less than half a Real, so that the King loses by every man, a Real and more every day.  
That before he was separated from the fleet, they he lost no ships yet, but only the ship of Don Pedro de Valde the which was lost because it could not follow the others.  
That the Admiral of Oquendo, was set on fire, and that they did pierce him through, for to sink him, at the entering of the Channel of England.  
Saith, that the principal of the Galiasses, where over Don Pedro de Moncada was Governor, did remain before Calais, upon the sand. That he doth not know whether the Dukes of Parma and of Medina, have had any advertisement, the one from the other or not.  
That the deliberation of their Army was, to join with the Duke of Parma, and then to resolve and conclude with him, on what side they might best aboard, and set their men on land in England.  
That they knew very well, that there were some ships of war before Dunkirk, for to hinder and to stop the Duke of Parma from coming forth,  
That their meaning was, to sail no further than Calais, because they knew very well, that they could not into Dunkirk, for to help the Duke of Parma forth, for otherwise they should not have departed thence as they did.  
Saith, that he knew not, if the King had commanded, to land any men in England, before they should have communicated, and concluded with the said Duke of Parma. But that he well thought that the kings pleasure was not, that they should land but ten thousand spaniards, without any Artillery and great pieces, whereby their throats might be cut incontinent.  
Saith, that on land, no man else should have commanded as General, besides the Duke of Parma.  
Saith, that they had understanding, that the Duke of Parma had about 38000. men together, among the which there were 4000 Spaniards, and 2000 horsemen, so that if these two Armies might have joined together, that it should have been the greatest number of natural Spaniards that ever came out of Spain with any King, or without: and where more men of great quality were.  
Saith, that they could not come to fight with the English fleet, because their ships were light & easy to turn, and could turn about four or five times, before theirs once, but if that they might have come together, that they were sure of the victory, because their ships are very high, and the English very low, and that one Spanish ship, was able to spoil four or five English ships, and that their ships are one English Elle thick of Timber, so that no great bollet could go through, except it had been shot off very near.  
That of all the iron bollets that were shot upon his ship▪ there were not twenty, that were gone through.  
That the upper part of his ship, was strong enough against a Musket's shot.  
Saith that they were determined to iwade the whole Kingdom of England, to keep the Queen's grace in. prison, and to serve her, as a Queen ought to be served, until their King should have appointed any other way with her, and that this was but as he did think.  
Saith, that they were assured (having 50000. men on land) to bring that Kingdom very easily under their subjection, because that the English nation is used to live very delicately, having likewise no experience of war, & that therefore they should easily have brought them under their feet, with their continual travels & troubles, the which they had not been able to endure, as their Spanish nation would have done, the which is used to suffer hunger, thirst, hardly to lie, not to sleep, and yet nevertheless, always ready to their work. That they had understanding, that there were many Catholics in England, but that they made no account of them, because they knew very well, that the Queen had so provided therein, that they were not able to stir, neither to come to their help, and that likewise the most part of them would have fought for their native Country.  
Being asked, what they had determined to do, if so be that the Duke of Parma could not come to their help, saith: that they never thought, (that the said Duke, having a hundred ships, so great a number of boats and Lighters, and an Army of about forty thousand men) should not always have come out at his own pleasure, and that he thought it very strange. that the said Duke having such a power, was not come forth. Or at least, to have set forth so many of his boats and Musketters, that they might have kept his enemies so busy, that in the mean time his ships of war might have come forth.  
Being asked, if they had no intelligence in any other place or Haven of the Low Countries, or of their neighbour Towns. Saith, that thereof was not once spoken among them and that their intention & deliberation, was never otherwise then to land in England.  
Saith▪ that these two Armies, so to water as to land, did stand the King every day in thirty thousand ducats.  
Being asked, if there might not be made a good peace between Spain and England, he saith no, or very hardly: except it were upon such condition, that the King might so bridle the Queen of England, that she should stir no more thereafter, and that so it were better (as he thought) to have a sure peace, then that the King should continually keep such an Army for to keep free the passage of the Indies, as he hath prepared now, for to subdue and to overcome the whole Kingdom of England.  
Ask him, if their deliberation was not, that after that they had been the Masters of England, that then they would have come to subdue these Countries by force of Arms.  
Saith, that thereof was not any remembering or speaking.  
Saith, that the occasions which made the King to undertake these wars, were, that it was not convenient unto unto the King to suffer and forbear, that one Drake, with two or three rotten Ships, should come always, and at his pleasure, to spoil the Havens of Spain, and to rob the best Towns thereof, and so to hinder the negotiation of the Indies. And that he did think with lesser charge to subdue and to invade England, then yearly to entertain such an Army as this to defend himself of such invasions, and that if so be that this Fleet doth not speed at this time upon England, that the King doth intend to send the same there again against next Lent.  
Being asked if he knew not what the Duke of Parma would do, now when he did see, that this Army and his could not join together. Saith, that he will keep his men close together in good Garrisons, and that he will not be so bold to separate them in any wise, neither to undertake with them any other enterprise: saying he knoweth, that the King is resolved, to continue and to pursue this war upon England.  
FINIS.   

Examined in the presence of my Lords.  


The Precedent Ʋander Mylen, Precedent of the Provincial Counsel of Holland.  
D. Barneuelt, Advocate of holland.  
The Lord of Villiers.  
And of my Lord of Famaes, General of the Artillery of the united Provinces.