¶ A PLAIN OR most true report of a dangerous service, stoutly attempted, and manfully brought to pass by English men, Scots men, Walloons & other worthy soldiers, for the taking of Macklin on the sudden, a strong city in Flaunders: set forth at large with special points to be noted: by Thomas Church-yard gentleman. 1580.  
¶ Imprinted at London by John Perin, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard, at the Sign of the Angel.   

¶ TO THE RIGHT honourable my singular good Lord, the Lord Norrice: Thomas Church-yard wisheth blessedness of life, much honour in the world and the best hap can be desired.  
MY good lord the favour and Noble dealings towards me in the days you were lord ambassador in France, when your aid and policy (by mean of a passport) conveyed me from danger to the Prince of Orrange, made me often remember that such courtesies with good will or service should be requieted. But having small power for the publishing of duty, and little ability to requite a good turn (watching occasion to be grateful) I take such matter as time doth minister for a furtherer of my expectation, and a mean to increase my credit with your lordship. And considering when doleful news was brought of one of your chiefest sons dead in Ireland, I wrote a heavy epitaph, I thought now hearing great and goodnewes of another (both in nature and valiancy brother to the eldest who GOD hath called) to make a piece of amends, for the salving of my first presumption, & the thoroughly expressing of my present desire of dutiful doing. So my good Lord leaving circumstance of words and filled phrases of flourishing ceremonies, I fall to my purposed matter. It hath been an old manner, and a new fineness in this cunning world, that such as could purchase praise or commendation by their own practices (either by pen or tongue) would reap the glory they could get to themselves, and leave out the fame of others, if troth by tract of time revealed not rightful causes, and gave each well doer the reward of their works, then if those manners of men, fineness of the world, & greediness of glory runs away with haste to their own commodity, and no benefit to others: Blame not any nation (properly given to their private praise) to tread down the laud and honour of any strange people, neither borne in their Country, nor coming to their soil, but to serve for money & such report of fame, as the Country may spare from themselves to the Soldiers, that serve for these two causes before rehearsed. Not withstanding because the eager minds of men (that bites at every blast of fame) shall not breed by their boldness, neither abuse nor ill custom, whereby the estimation of forwardmen should be hindered, nor the quick forwardness of vainglory should not find too much occasion to triumph on the advantage of time, I have now time as I think with troth and good laisure, written such intelligence to the world of the taking of Macklin, as I hope shall serve for a testimony that my pen is ever honestly occupied, and that no writer may willingly (if licence permit) suffer further report of news to be published, than the wise of the world alloweth, & the general opinions of men may embrace. Thus wishing truth always (as a torch to burn on the top of a hill) to be looked on, and affections of men to be tried and wrested to the best constructions of that which best becomes a good world to hear, I present to your Lordship the true reports I have heard for the winning of Macklin, and such things as there happened at Macklins' mischance: written not for that such matter (or a great deal greater) can be hid from a noble man of your calling. But presented to keep my acquaintance with my good friends, and cause the world to imagine I was borne under a Marcial planet and sign: and neither spareth pen, study, nor pains to prefer Martial people, and honour the worthiest sort of men. So hoping your Lordship looks on my willing mind to do well, and turns your face from the defects of my base phrase and writing: I wish your honour daily to increase, with the blessing of God upon your house and children. From Westminster the last of April: your Lordships at commandment.  
Thomas Churchyard.   

Macklins' mischance.  
AS each Country and Nations seeks their own credit and advancement, so hardly any foreign soldier rea p fame in a strange soul he serveth in: I mean an English man serving out of his own Country (joined with strangers in action) stands at reward of common report, or is subject to the affection of the people where he serveth, who regards more their own estimation, than the fame of a foreign Soldier, which soldier rather for fame then reward, goes from the native soil he was borne in, and serveth a strange people for a small piece of money, but yet a great portion of praise and good renown. This not spoken nor applied to the discredit, and hindrance of any strangers well doing, but in the defence and service of the English Nation, whose labour, charge, courage, readiness, and warlike minds, is not inferior to the greatest neighbours, (or furthest of you can name) near us, in any Martial order, manner, discipline of war, or hazard of life.  
And for a proof of these special points herein rehearsed, the most wars of christendom bears such testimonial and witness of their forwardness (though here at home God be praised is peace) that few or none hath been so forward in the field, nor more dangerously served. Then injury it were, and clean against good nature of men, and order of arms, that any nation for their own glory (vain as a shadow) should eclipse the deserts and valiancy, of the English now serving in Flanders, drawn thither for fame (and their own desires to do well) and live from debt of the world and danger of the Law. In whose commendation, and for the troth of matter now penned, under good will of the wise, and sound judgement of the world, I enter into a discourse and plain order of the taking of Macklin, dispraising no Nation at the service, nor leaving out no matter is true, because troth is to be embraced, and matter depending of flattery or affection, is utterly to be disallowed.  
It happened I being at the Court (where the troth of many things is most certain) I saw a letter written out of Flaunders, from the hands of a gentleman, whose eyes beheld the very service and enterprise, and the winning of the great town of Macklin, and the letter was so well penned, & went so directly to the matter (in every point and order) touching the particulars and general taking of the same city, that I was forced by the credit of the gentleman that wrote (and by probable confirmation of sundry other reports) to believe the letter to be most true, and worthy the rehearsal to the open world. But amazed at the strangeness of the hazard, and wondering not a little at the attempt (which was marvelous) I bethought me how the spaniards upon a resolution among themselves suddenly set upon Antwerp, and in a small season had the people at their mercy, and town at their pleasure: and yet me thought this enterprise for the winning of Macklin, surpassed all the exploits that ever before I heard of, or in deed thoroughly understood. Than weighing how slightly I had gone over the Services of Flaunders, in a book called my Choice knowing that I had forgotten both master Norris, master Candish, master work, and a number of others very valiant gentlemen, that merits more praise than my pen can give them. I thought to make amends with the next work I should set out, and so peising in the balance of an upright judgement, the weight and value of the valiancy of men, and the invincible courages that resolute soldiers doth show. I took an occasion to publish the letter I have spoken of, and to stretch out the fame and honour of my countrymen, that otherwise might be darkened by disdain, or drowned in forgetfulness, for want of true record that proceedeth from the pen of an honest writer, who justly may be bold without blushing, to report that he heareth, and may be proved to be true. In the wars between the Prince of Orrange and the mall contants, for causes I need not to touch Mounsire de Fammai, and Mounsire de Temple, being as some say, the drawers of a drift, & to be at some execution of the practice, as appeareth by many men's opinions, the ix. of April early at a determined hour, by the consents and devices of such as governed in Martial affairs. Master John Norrice with seven Enseantes, being but eight hundredth Englishmen (or somewhat more) he Colonel of those companies, with the aid of the Scots and Walloons four hundredth, approached in orderly march and manner (without sound of Drum) near the walls of Macklin, Monsire de Famai promising before that the Soldiers (on his honour) should have five months pay for their further encouragement to that and all other the like services.  
And these whole companies approached, and dividing themselves some for the skalle in one place, and some in an other, the one part with Boats well manned, and the other wading very deeply to enter upon the scaling Ladders, some negligence or haste by some not spoken of, had almost discouraged the whole attempt: And in the end failed their footing, and forced Master Norrice and the power with him, to advance themselves towards the enemy, and dwell upon their guard (with the loss of sometime) before the face of the Town, which by means of 'noys and Alarm the day being come, was in a readiness for defence, and shot of their pieces to their most advantage, and the assailants discourage, defending a Courtaine very stoutly, against the which Curtain maisier John Norrice was feign to draw five hundredth shot, not meaning thereby to enter. For the Boats by mischance of unlading of them were drowned, and the five hundred shot was drawn to this one place, to procure the people in the town to repair thither, whiles some appointed for purpose, at an other place should enter with more ease and less danger. But those that were put to the plunge for to wade, found the water so deep, that it came above their shoulders: a matter to be marveled at, a hard adventure, and a sore escape: But by that means they found away to enter by Ladder at a Gate, where they passed five several times with some small power, but could enter no more but one person at once. Yet hap served so well, no resistance in that corner was made, till three hundredth of the English soldiers had possessed a piece of the town: And then the Albanoys horse men, thinking to break through the force of footmen, charged them. So such as foolishly adventured to far of the footmen, fell into the danger of the Albanoys, whereon the horsemen gave an other charge, and tasting with their boldness the push of the Pike, and seeing the English stand stoutly at defence, the Albanoys wheeled about, and forsook that manner of fight, with the loss of divers of their horsemen.  
After which repulce the Albanoys had no mind any more to come so near danger, whereby the Burgoes of the town began to quail, and stood in a little maze and doubt of the matter. Then the whole towns men and soldiers forsook the rampires and manned both brigges and streets as well as they might: in this season and hard fight both doubtful and dangerous. The English, Scottish, and all the other Soldiers for that attempt present, having passed over the gates, walls, and places of readiest entry, marched forwards (crying a noble word) and found great resistance at the end of every street by which sharp encounter they were feign by little and little (as Fortune served their hopes) to win their ground with some loss of Soldiers who minded more victory, then cowardly to retire, and at the last with much a do and long bickering (the towns men for their liberty and lives, and the assailants for fame and conquest) they came in view of the Market place, where the towns men and their stoutest companies stood in order of battle, every way flanked with ordinance: But as the French man faith, Il falloit avaller cela, the soldiers meaning to try what Fortune durst do, gave a lusty charge, and by God's help, and the great courage of sundry stout gentlemen, and officers of credit and value, they had the upper hand of their enemies, with whom they made as short work as they might: But in deed before apparent victory could any way be known, great struggling and stout stir on both sides was seen▪ and master John Norrice was matched with a lusty Limlifter, a breachlesse Freer called Brother Peter, the only man that made and maintained all the broil and business, who had put on a resolute mind, either to kill Master Norrice, or else to be slain himself, and dealt blows so bravely in this his determination, that he hit master Norrice with a Halberd two full thwackes on the Curate, which blows were soon revenged by master Norrice, who dispatched the Freer, and gave him a dead pay in recompense of his pains. This galant Freer thus slain, ended all the strife and biodie brawl: for then every one cried Misericorde, and fell pitifully at the feet of the Soldiers, who finding victory used not much extremity. For the number of all those that were slain were not above two hundredth persons: one letter declareth that the governor with the Albanoizes, despairing a little before the overthrow fled (out at a back port or Postern) to Lovaiu and so saved their lives: another letter saith the governor was taken prisoner. Our English Nation lost in their company a fifteen Commoners, but as I believe they were all gentlemen Soldiers. For to the number of thirty English men were slain, and four score sore hurt: which argues of eight hundredth, one hundredth and more were likely to have paid their lives for their enterprise. And further the loss or hurting of so many our Nation, manifestly declares that they did most of the service, and deserves therefore the most honour: how so ever the printing of the first news be taken and understood, one Master Smithe, two valiant Lieutenants, Master Humphrey Turner an Enscante, Master jones a gallant young Soldier, were worthily seen serve, and slain in the action. By a misfortune after the fight Master whitchurch, and Master Heddleis' brother of the Guard was slain: and of all the other Nations that came with the English, as yet can be known was but two persons slain in the enterprise.  
Now yet I pray you, hear what an other man of good credit wrote of this matter, who stood and plainly beheld the service from the beginning to th'end. The power of twelve hundredth in all, whereof eight hundredth were Englishmen, set forward from Filforde and came to Macklin, as eager as Hawks that seeketh their pray, wading to the chin, and climbing over Iron gates, as men that cared not for life, so fame might be gotten. Yea surely saith he, the strength of the town considered, there was never under the cope of heaven, such an enterprise taken in hand, and brought to so glorious a victory. For saith he though very good captains might after long fight & hurts forsake the assault, these soldiers were so desirous of service, that they would not in any case at no time retire, and being entered the town but a very few, they fought it out so manfully, that master Roulande York s●ept into the water, wading after them to their succour: And at the present displaiing of his Enseant, he lost his Lieutenant, his Sergeant, and Master jones his Enseante bearer, and he himself shot through his Dublette, and Master Norrice not as a Colonel, but as a common Soldier, led his Soldiers the way through thick and thin, where most danger appeared. And encountered Friar Peter, who was chief leader of all the Priests in the town, he was in danger to be slain, for the Friar first shot of his piece, than he took him to his Pike or Halberte, and last fell to his sword, and so like a courageous Confessor variantly lost his life. And when all the broil was in a manner ended, he saith that looked upon all these doings, Mounsire de Temple, & Mounsire de Fammai came to the town, or were peradventure about the town near the service, for the answering their hope, and furthering of the matter expected. Yet have they no such cause to be written of, as those that were the only executioners of the service in deed: where fore the first printed book of this news must be weighed, according to the troth and umore of the matter.  
After the town was won, Master Norrice did what he might too keep his people from pillage, but in the mean while Temples men joining with the Scots got the best booties: whereupon the Englishmen fell to take that easily might be had, either of Churchmen or Cloister houses, but especially they searched the Cloisters and Religious places, saying they were Inquisitors for to seek out Copes, Surpleses and Uestinentes, and to take so good an order by their Commission, that no Mass should be song nor said in Macklin many a long year after, for want of gilted Chalices, and golden Copes.  
And the Shrine of Saint Tomball was so terribly handled, that it was both removed out of his place, and left not worth a penny. And the Soldiers were so wealthy, that the old custom of the Spaniards was taken up again, for Dice play began so merrily on the top of drums heads, that money could not tarry in the bothome of men's purses. Men that have by their forwardness found such good Fortune, are to be excused though they merrily pass a little money a way at Dice: Declaring by that pastime which standeth on good hap to win, or evil luck to lose. The whole 〈◊〉 of man standeth but on hazard and chance: a matter that soldiers do much mark, and the world can not deny. But for all their playing at Dice (which Soldiers will not be varred from) their Captains and Leaders, as it is reported, had more regard to that which was so hardly gotten, and yet to redeem a captain out of prison, master Norrice hath paid a great sum of money, which money was most nobly employed: my friend good captain Morgane that now is in Macklin, will I warrant you confess the same when he is asked. another point of honour is to be spoken of. For when a Nonrie in the town was ready to be spoiled, Master Norrice hearing that some English women were among the Noonnes, defended them from harm, and set them free, and used other courtesies more, that is worthy the noting. When I heard of this noble part of a Soldier, I remembered how a great conqueror, in a manner of the most part of the world, having Darius' wife and a number of galant Ladies under his mercy: used himself so honourably towards his captives, that for fear to be tempted with their beauties, he would not scarce come where they were, and yet were the prisoners so reverently and honestly used (being women of great calling and birth) that Darius thought himself happy (though unfortunate Prince he was) to be conquered of such a noble king as Alexander, who could not only conquer his own affections, but win his enemy's hearts by his favourable and Princely dealings: And surely greater honour is gotten by using victory wisely, then by overthrowing a multitude with manhood, without showing mercy and gentleness. A conqueror by repressing cruelty by courtesy, is had in admiration of his very enemies, and a victor without virtue and pitiful consideration, is hated among his friends, and despised generally among all kind of people. Now you must note that the Englishmen, and such as entered the town by hazard, fury of shot, danger of sword, and push of the Pike, are not a little to be honoured and praised, and more to be commended then thousands of those that stood a far of, and gave but the looking on. And you may see by the same some men are happy, not only to pass through many perils, but likewise to live long, and make themselves and their soldiers rich: and cause the fame of their Country to be spread as far as the wind can blow, or the Sun may shine. And the more happy be our Englishmen and Scots men, with all the rest of this attempt, that they dwell as yet in the place they have taken, and mind not to part there fro, till the poor Soldiers be pleased. And the keeping the said Town in their hands all this while, argues they have deserved too have the charge thereof, though Mounsire Fammai bear the name to be the Governor of Macklin.  
Thus have you heard the effect & rehearsal of two letters, sent into England from those in Flaunders, that saw Macklin both won and lost, which coming to light and to the open eye of the world, shows that all towns, fortresses, and holds (be they never so strong) are subject to sudden overthrows, and in the divine disposition of the Almighty, who visiteth a number of our neighbours, with many kinds of calamities, to make us bear in mind his Omnipotent power, and our own duties to GOD and our Prince. This piece of service I have touched, because every Nation prefarres their own Countrymen, and the English do they never so well, and be the first at a breach (or at the sault of a Town) they are the last shallbe spoken of, and the worst rewarded) especially where best they deserve, and most should be made of. I fear it is some men's Deastenie, neither at home nor abroad to reap no benefit of their labours. So for this season I bid you farewell, minding hereafter to show other services that are forgotten in my book of Choice, that was over hastily Printed, and must be run over again, both for the fame of some therein left out, and the troth of some matters I was wrong instructed of. And to keep the people in some good liking of me and my works. I am presently setting out a discourse of the late yeartquake, not touched of any writer in English here tofore: Though some have touched many good points to be noted, both learnedly and lovynglie with dutiful order, declared to God and the world. Thus once again craving your patience and judgement. to read before you condemn, I bid you adieu, and go about the Printing of my book presently promised.  
Finis.