A DISCOVERSE OF THE GREAT overthrow given by the French King unto the Leaguers in Poitiers, in February last.  
With the names of all such men of account as were slain or taken Prisoners.  
Truly translated according to the French Copy, printed by the King's Printer at Tours.  
C. B.  SEMPER EADEM  printer's device consisting of a phoenix in flames with the motto Semper eadem and the initials C. B., belonging to Cuthbert Burby, 1592-1607 (McKerrow 297) 
LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burbie, and are to be sold at the middle shop under Saint Mildred's Church. 1592.   

A DISCOURSE OF all that which happened in Poitiers, of the overthrow of the Vicont de la Guierche, and all his Army, in February last.  
IT was well enough known unto the most part, that the town and Castle of Guyerche (being a passage over the river of Ceruse) did greatly hinder the kings friends, and favour his enemies, under the colour of the old Lord of the place, which had obtained of his Majesty in respect of his age, a certain assurance (having the like of the contrary part, by means of the Vicont his son, who was chief of Poitiers) to the end he might seem the king's friend, being indeed altogether a favourer and upholder of the Spaniards, as his son was.  
And since these troubles it is found that the old Lord would not suffer passage to be given to the King's troops, but when the Leaguers had passed by; he would not (although he did) see them: And so much yet did this contagion break forth to the harm of many Inhabitants of his Town, who affected the Vicont, that they which were encountered by the kings troops, (information being given of their demeanour) they were judged to be of good prize, and vountarily paid ransom.  
Besides this, the Vicont having intelligence of the sickness of his father, had seduced many persons to his parttaking, to the end to surprice the place as soon as occasion might be ministered unto him, but was prevented by the diligence of Monsieur de Sallerin, chief Governor for his Majesty of the Town and Castle of Loches. Who having had intelligence of these actions, and considering likewise the enormity and danger which this place might be unto all that Country, and chiefly unto the town of Loches, which was not above five or six miles distant from them, he judged that it was requisite to remedy it speedily.  
And meaning to overslip no time, he sent on the second sunday of this month of February, the young Prince of Campagnol to surprise the said Town of Guierche, being assisted with these Captains, Prat, Brunet, Gardellia, de l'Aage, Bewray, Orignac, Cormier, and others of the ordinary followers of the said Lord of Sallerin, who executed so happily the enterprise, that they took the said Town on Mondaye, being the third day of February, about seven of the clock in the morning, by the order & direction which the Lord of Sallerin had given. In the taking whereof, there was few slain of account, but the Lord de la Chastiere, who was slain in flight, being chief Commander of the said Town, and much affectioned unto the Vicont.  
This being done, presently the Lord of Campagnoll gave advertisement of this exploit to the Lord Sallerin Pou, that he might provide for that which might follow: for that the castle was not yet taken, neither had they wherewith to force them, and the old Lord of the place had advertised his son the Vicont, of his mishap, willing him to come to his succours. Which thing gave apparent testimony of intercourse between the father and the son, and that the show which the old Lord made, was but to keep his goods, being in his mind and action altogether enemy to the king.  
The Lord of Sallerin understanding of these accidents, and resolving to go thither in person, as well for that he would not leave his Soldiers and friends in danger, as also not to leave such a work unfinished, being a thing of great importance, to the service of the King, & benefit to all the Country: and having already prepared for that enterprise, there was presently sent him by Monsieur de Vaure, brother unto Monsieur de Montigici, thirty light horsemen, and fifty arquebusiers on horseback, being guided by the Lord of Boys la Vigne, he advertised also Captain Coveselles, Lieutenant to the Lord of Lessart a Chastillop, to come thither with his Garrison, and the Captain Houssaye, and Merey, with sixty harguebusies, on horseback.  
In the mean time the said Lord of Sallerin sent the Captains S. Anne, S. Michall, and Chizeaux, being of the regiment of the Lord de Vatau, to the said Town of Guierche, to serve and aid the said Lord of Campagnoll in these affairs, and himself used diligence in all other things which he thought convenient for his purpose.  
After he had ordered these things before spoken and rehearsed, he caused two Culverins to be prepared in readiness, for to march, as he thought, very requisite, and sent to Monsieur the Mayor of Tours, praying him to send him the Captain la Vallade, with threescore harguebusies, for to safeconduct the two pieces.  
And meaning himself to go before, he gave order to receive the said Captain, Lord Vallade, into Loches, and there to stay until he sent him word to the contrary, and also to keep the company which he brought, and expect other forces from him to accompany the said pieces if he had time.  
Also, the said Lord sent the same day certain Carts laden with powder, pikes, shot, and other instruments of war, which might serve for such occasions.  
On the next morrow which was Tuesdaye, the said Lord of Sallerin departed from Loches, with the Lord Bois la Vigne, the Lords; governors of Pretay de Marernes, Castram la Bigeay, les Moulins, and le Puy Becheron, being all of them Gentlemen bordering near Loches, and which had the day before vowed to aid and assist him: and making in all fifty horse, they came about five of the clock that evening unto Guierche. Where presently he was certified, that the Vicont of Guierche was coming thither with two hundred Horsemen, and two hundred Harguebusiers on horssback, two hundred Spanish Footmen, and two hundred Frenchmen, bringing with them one piece of campane ordinance.  
Upon which news, the Lord of Sallerin sent to Monsieur d'Abain, Governor of the high and low Marches, (who was then not far off upon other occasions) desiring to aid him with his forces, which he presently granted to, and having the Lord Baron d'Abain his son with him, he went to join in company with the said Lord Sallerin, in Guierche, with thirty good horse, and an hundred harguebusiers on horseback, who resolved first to go and see the three troops of the Regiment of Vatan, which were lodged in the Suburbs, near the Bridge of Guierche, and to know particularly what want of munition for war they were in, for their defence, giving them to understand of the resolute attempt which the night following he meant to make to them of the Castle, by assaulting of them: Foreseeing that if the Vicont came before he did assault, it might make the thing more hard unto him.  
He also willed the Gentlemen which were within, to deliver up the place, otherwise he would burn their houses which were near unto Given, and punish them rigorously when he had taken the place, whereof he hoped very shortly to be possessor. To which commandment they in the end consented, for the causes abovesaid, and yielded the Castle the fift day of February, three hours within the evening, which was contrary to the old man's will.  
Which Castle the Lord Campagnoll did take possession of with twenty Soldiers only, which thing fell out happily, for that the Vicont arrived that day following about three of the clock, with all his troops, meaning indeed to besiege the Town and Castle, with those which were before besieged.  
The Vicont with his forces made an assault unto the Suburbs near adjoining to the bridge, which was the quarter defended by the three Companies before named, and forced them to retire, but they recovering the forces, drove him back again, and forced him to depart, having first had intelligence of the yielding of the Castle, and resolved to pass the river of the isle, where he had a house at commandment, very near the passage.  
The day being come, the Lord de Sallerin, with the Lord d'Abain, resolving to provide for the guard of that place, went with fourscore good horsemen, and two hundred Harguebusies on horseback, to the intent to do all the honour to the Vicont, in conducting him to the gates of Poitiers, and to recompense him (if it might be) by the way, for the great pains he had taken.  
Also he followed them even to the Suburbs of the castle of Vieux, being distant from Guierche three leagues, he encountered one of their companies of Harguebusies, which went to refresh themselves, the which he quickly put to flight without any great resistance.  
And the said Lords, to follow their first resolution, having first discovered those which did retire. At the last than they pursued them with their light horsemen, being led by the Lord Baron de Abain, and Bors la Vigne, which sought all means to know their enemy's forces, to take their advantage in the battle, to which they were so lately bend. But being hindered by the often skirmishes they had with them, as they followed, and the place where the Viscount was, unknown unto them, the Lords de Sallerin, and d'Abain, resolved to march to the right side of the Tower de Oyzay, being a very high place, where they might best descry their enemy's forces, whereof as yet they were uncertain.  
And in the mean time the Lord Preaux, (who as he had heard was his great friend, and was coming along the River of Vienna, with one hundred and fifty, or two hundred footmen, and forty horsemen, being as well of the high tower, as of the garrison) might join with him in the plain near the river by them. The Lord de Sallerin leaving his company, went to find the L. d'Abain, & Bois la Vigne, who were gone with 12. or 15. horse, to descry the order and force of the enemies, which they did so effectually, as it came to such event as they looked for, and therefore with all their force marched forth to find out the L. de Abain, & Preaux; who abode about 100 paces from them, expecting the battle, which to begin, they sent 20. horsemen, & 50. hargueb. guided by L. Sallerin. The L. des Preux advanced forth his footmen, backed with his cavalleri, who went valiantly to assail the infantry of the enemy, lodged by the enemy for most advantage.  
This troop received many canon shot from the castle of the isle, and the harguebusiers of the shot of the enemies, and of those which lay in covert, did execute very brave exploits of arms, the French & Spaniards fight valiantly hand to hand: but at last, by the brave resolution of M. de Preux, the Lords d'Gardeuil, Mesignac, Barredon, de Vaure, la Bruere, and de Cruere, who with their troops behaved them so valyantlie, that they took the ditches, gained the mountain and the meadow, and the spaniards half overcome, retired to their main battle, being pursued very closely. L. Baron d'Abain, and de la Vigne, having ulerque lafoy Cavallerie, the whole company were put to flight, and vanquished more by sight of our courage, then by our force, where in the flight was made a great slaughter of the enemies, who were so lively followed, and hardly pursued, and seeing the passage on that side of Chawigni, in the height of the river, to be kept with the troops of the Lord Abain, and Sallerin, and that they could not escape the edge of the sword, they cast themselves into the River, where all that did so, were immediately drowned.  
The Vicont himself, hoping of better fortune than the others, had (with many of the principal Leaguers) put themselves into a great Boat, and assayed to pass, but the Harguebushers with their shot, made such a bramblement within their boat, as also, that many of those which were in the water did catch hold of the boat, thereby to save themselves, so that the strength and weight of them did ove-turne the boat the upside down.  
A wonderful thing than was it to behold this spectacle, which resembled a pattern of the deluge, and to hear the horrible cries of men, and horses. The river being covered with hats, and cloaks, and men, and horses, drowned, and half drowned, which had sunk, and dived up again. Of some their heads appeared, of others their legs and arms, the most of them armed and booted.  
Which dreadful thing doth show the just judgement of God upon these miserable Leaguers, who having made such ruin of good men, received from God the guerdon of their perjury, and the chastisement which they had merited, and justly deserved.  
The Vicont himself being known, of one of his own friends was taken prisoner, who took him out of the water, and carried him on a mare unto the foresaid Chastelleraut.  
In this overthrow the sixth of February there were slain and drowned more than five hundred men. Amongst the which, at the least were fourscore Gentlemen and Captnes, and by report of the Trumpeter, the pesaunts and women which came from Poitiers to search the dead, did find, that of eight hundred men which went from thence, there returned but fifty, the rest being dead, or taken.  
This work of God is admirable, and not to be praised sufficiently, that the enemies had three for one, and yet we had not one man either slain, or wounded unto the death: only four or five Soldiers are lightly hurt, and those that are most dangerously wounded, may be healed in twelve days, and of ours were three horse slain.  
The night drawing on, and waxing exceeding dark, and the want of Boats was the cause that they were forced to give over, and could not follow the victory: on that side the river which we passed before the conflict, so that the said Lord de Abain and de Sallerin, lodged in the Villages that were near at hand, and bordering upon Guierche, and the said Lord des Preux returned to Chattelleraut.  
Upon the Friday next following, the said Lord de Preux sent to summon the castle of the isle, to which place the Viscount had withdrawn his Cannon, and the best part of his carriage. Which Castle did immediately yield at the first summon to captain l'Espinette, and the spoil was sent to Chattelleraut.  
On Saturday the eight day of February, in the evening, and on Sundaye morning, they drew out of the water more than two hundred and fifty drowned carcases, and amongst others was the Lord de Bonnes, de Perigueux, Liutenant to the Vicont, and the Lord de Grandmont his nephew, de Palustre, Chanboneau, and divers others which were not known. And divers others very sumptuously appareled, and richly armed, which they could not know. Besides, daily there are found more dead carcases in the said river, as if the spring thereof should seem unable to be drawn dry, but still to increase.  
This overthrow which happened on Thursday, being the sixth day of February, at four of the clock in the afternoon, or thereabouts, is one of the most notablest things that ever happened in those Countries, since these last cruel wars, which manifesteth the great mercy of almighty God, in blessing and preserving the affairs of the most Christian King in these parts: for that therein was slain, and taken prisoners, the most part of the chief Leaguers of Poictou, Lymasin, and Perigot.  
Whose names, for the better satisfying of all such as are desirous to be acquainted with this overthrow, are here set down, as well those which were slain, as those which were taken prisoners, to the great encouragement of all the true subjects of that valiant French king: and the dismaying of the sworn servants of that wicked monster of Rome, and his adherents, whom God at his good pleasure will overthrow and confound for ever.   

THE NAMES OF ALL such as were slain or taken Prisoners. in this Battle.  


Slain.  
The Vicont of Guyerche.  
The Lord of Bonne, who was his Lieutenant in the government.  
The Lord of Montaumart, Ensign of the same Company.  
The Lord of Bar Sawagere.  
The Lord of Ferrandiere of Bournais.  
The L. Palustre lieutenant of the men of Arms of the town.  
The Lords of Anbus, Brethren.  
The Lords of Lwy upon Creusa.  
The Lord of Bardiere.  
The Lord Narchais.  
The L. Puy de la Bard.  
The Lord of Mothe Bureau.  
The Lord of Bouneliere, Lieutenant to the Lord of Montagne.  
The Lord Esplaudian Captain of a Company of harguebusiers on horseback.  
Captain Charreu, leader of a Company of fifty harguebusiers on horseback.  
Beawais Captain of one Company of harguebusiers.  
Captain Cursay, Captain of the said viscounts guard.  
The Lord Feret, Captain of two hundred Spaniards.  
The Lord Grandmond, Nephew to Bonnes.  
The Lord of Ville Cheze.  
The Lord of Grand-Meyne, of Angonmois.  
The Lord of Estang, brother to Bois Cilles.  
The Lord Chastillon Sowy.  
The Lord of Saint Pardoux.  
The Lord of Largot.  
The Lord of Perusse.  
The Lord of Mougyn.  
The Lord of Ardiller.  
The Lord of Beguaye.  
Conterie, Master of the vanguard to the Duchess of Montpensier.  
The Lord de Seryer, son to Montinac.  
The Lord of Fons Sarmois.  
The Lord of Michenier.  
The two Grues of Nyort.   
And about one hundred and fifty others Gentlemen and Captains.   

THE NAMES OF THOSE that were taken prisoners.  

The Lord of Villechize, Lieutenant of the company of the men of Arms of the said County.  
The Lord of Moule, Esquire to the said Vicont.  
The Lord of Mere of Angulmois, who had charge of a Regiment, and had the conduct of the enterprise of Angoulesme against the D of Efrernon.  
The Lord of Conterie.  
The Lord of Fougere.  
The Lord of Brueil of Ansignie, and the Captain Brueil his brother, with the said Aungny his son.  
The Lord of Contour.   
Besides, there be many other special men of name, that is not as yet known where they are become, so as they be surely thought to be drowned.  

The Lord of Albiou, Commander of one company of Gentlemen at Arms.  
The Lord of Briaudiere.  
The Lord of Gravouliou.  
The Lord of Mortaigne son to the Lord of Ounac.  
The Lord of Ardiliere.  
Bonneliere, Lieutenant to the Lord of Mortaigne.  
Captain Chaucarre.  
Chautagny lieutenant.   
The foresaid viscounts Father as yet remaineth in the castle of Guyerche, until the king's pleasure herein be farther known.    
FINIS.