The 26. of july. 1622.  
A TRUE, PLAIN, AND compendious DISCOURSE OF THE BESIEGING OF BERGEN UP ZOME, Sh●●●ng the late Actions of SPINOLAS Forces before the same.  
With the Proceedings of the Prince of Orange before Sattingambus.  
As also what hath happened of late to the rest of the Armies in the low Countries.  
LONDON: Printed by E. A. for Nicholas Bourne and Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at their Shops at the Exchange, and the Popes-head-Pallace. 1622.   

A true, plain, and Compendious Discourse of the Besieging of Bergen up Zome, showing the late Actions of Spinola's Forces before the same.  
With the proceedings of the Prince of Orange before Sattingambus.  
As also what hath happened of late to the rest of the Armies in the Low- Countries.  
THIS attempt of Spinola's upon Bergen, makes me remember that famous Siege in 1590. or thereabouts, when the Prince of Parma came before it with 30000. and continued the battery almost half a year.  
But because I would revive the memory of famous men to the good example of others, and relate some passages worthy the observation to the renown of virtuous and worthy exploits, give me leave by way of introduction to speak something of those times, and so by coherence of Story you shall see me fall into the matter now proposed.  
It pleased the Prince of Parma in the behalf of the King of Spain, being then his absolute Governor in the Low Countries, after that ever memorable Victory in 88 to lay siege unto Bergen with above 30000. men, as if he resolved to do some thing worthy of his Honour, and memorable to posterity, as it were in recovery of those losses and fortunes, which both happened to him and his Master at that time: but so many Skirmishes, Stratagems, and encounters were then put in practice, that he was compelled to rise and leave the Siege, till better opportunity and fairer days.  
I will not speak a word of neither Armies, nor their skirmishes, nor their Assaults, nor their Batteries, nor their Sallies, nor their stratagems, nor of Grimston and Redhead, by whose policy and service, 400. of Parma's best Gentlemen lost their lives: but of the bravery of the besieged and the glory of the English, whose fame flourished over the world.  
For in this siege, that Son of Mars the Lord Willoughby was General of the English, and such a General, that his authority extended in bestowing of honour upon well deservers, which appeared in Knighting those famous Dutchmen Sir Paul Buxe, and Sir Marcellus Buxe, who afterward proved Governor of Bergen, and so continued many years.  
But at this instant Sir Thomas Morgan a Colonel was Governor of the place, and had 6000. brave defendants in the Town: there were also famous Commanders all English, the Lord Borough Governor of Brill, a spirit of unmatchable Valour: Sir Nicholas Parker called Captain of the black Lances: Sir William Drury, Sir William Pellam, and so many other, all Commanders, that their well deserving commands me to silence, lest I should by this my slender discourse extenuate their Noble fame, and merit.  
There came likewise as Volunteers, and spectators of this Theatre of War, the Right Honourable Earl of Northumberland, Sir john Boroughs and diverse others: yea here were fair Ladies too, who were so far from artificial effeminateness, that they scorned the smoke of powder, and knew (besides the justification of their courages) that true beauty would not, nor could not be impaired with a little dust, and vapours of a thickened air.  
All these endured this Siege, and in steed of Courtly music had the roaring Cannon sounding in their ears: in steed of sumptuous imbrodering, and bespangled Cloaks with gold and Pearl, or other dainty fights, many times beheld bloody Cassocks, & wounded Soldiers: and all the senses both of men and women were here to suffer unsavoury objects, and subjects, and to make trial of their patience and constancy, which they did with perseverance to the end: yea this is most remarkable, that when the Prince of Parma made his approaches, as if he pretended a battery, and so a breach, the heroijck Lord Willoughby sent him word to spare that labour, if he pleased: For he should have a Port open, enter if he could: whereupon the Prince was much amazed, and so having a full half, year's trial of the business, and still encumbered with the daily sallies, and excursions of the Soldiers, he thought it far better to raise his siege with honour, and upon equal terms, than adventure so many lives, and yet (as he had been in some cases put to it) hazard his renown with fearful loss and detriment.  
Let us therefore overlook their actions to understand, which way this siege comes about, and how time hath brought them into this threatening and danger.  
After the taking in of weasel and Gulick by Spinola, wherein the first they left Don Lewis de Valasco for Governor: and in the last Henry Vande Bergen, the Army retired to their several Garrisons, and surely meant to repose themselves in some rest and quietness, had not contrary to custom, and the time of the year to draw men into the fields. Don Ynigo, Governor of the Citadel of Antwerp, projected to do something worthy of his renown, and the service of his Mistress the Arch-Dutches, and this was the besieging of Sluice: whereupon he undertook the business in the beginning of April last, with seven or 8000. Walloons and Spaniards, dispiersing them some to Dysendike: some to St. Kathevine, a Fort builded and possessed by the States, and some to such places, where he thought it most convenient to bestow them, resolving to enter upon Cassant, and other passages, whereby he might with ease come upon the banks, and so bring his approaches nearer the Town, which to effect, he built a Fort, and put therein a Garrison to come nearer and nearer, to set his design on her best feet.  
This he first attempted, when Spinolas Army watched the Rhine, & the Prince of Orange overlooked his Army by weasel: and this he did of purpose, as I take it, to divert his Excellency from following him any further, supposing he would return to defend a Town of such importance, as Sluice was: but the States had leisure and means (without troubling the Prince of Orange at all) to supply their wants, & send more Companies into the Town: so that Spinola got nothing, but the loss of men, with cold, hunger, and sickness all the Winter, and so consumed his Army, that he tried many friends and Countries to fill up his troops and Companies. At last, the Winter falling out so strange, and Don Ynigo perceiving all accidents to countercheck his pretences; he took another course for the time, and returned to Antwerp, doing no great matter about Sluice, but raising a Fort a little nearer, which they say he could not effect without the loss of 800. men.  
When my Lords the States understood of this retreat, and that Cassant and other Polders of land round about, were free from this threatening peril and displeasure, they advised themselves for the best, and by a premeditated settled Council, resolved not to lose Sluice, nor have her hedges trodden down round about her, that is, her Bulwarks and Trenches demolished, or possessed by Strangers: whereupon they concluded to cut all the ditches, and let in the Sea, which they did in the end of February, and in which work the Contributory Boors were employed: and although it turned much to their prejudice, as losing both land, and dwelling by this course: yet when they saw, it was for the service of the States, and the preservation of the Town, they quickly accorded, and played the Pioneers in the business.  
They began behind the Fort of St. Catiline, and so dispersed themselves to Crines, Saint Margarite, Saint Hieronimo, Saint james, the Hermitage, and many Polaers of land, with the other Forts and Holds round about, but when the tide came in a pace: they made sure Rowfellares, Holland's dike, and many Fortifications on the other side, which might be prejudicial to the main business, so that at last the Sea swollen almost as far as Gaunt, and the Enemy was glad to secure themselves by returning, and so the coast was in a manner cleared at this time: For Monsieur de Hautin the Governor of Sluice, made a sally with fifteen hundred, amongst whom were sufficient Commanders, and well experienced Trenchers and Engineeres, who performed this work in such a manner, that the principal Fortresses, which served for the defence of Sluice, were all secured and kept upright; and although the Sea swollen as far as Vedo and Buscams Well, yet was the land not comparable to the lives of so many brave Soldiers, who must needs perish, if this had not been done, and the siege of Sluice once attempted throughly.  
When Spinola understood, what was done, he retired in his person to Brussels, from the clamours of the Army, who began to want their pay, and murmur for lack of employment, and satisfaction: whereupon he gave the Commanders leave to promise them fair, and threaten once again the surprising of Sluice, Breda, and Bergen, as though they would have three Armies on foot at once, and meant to make an end of the War in one Summer, to which they were the rather animated, because they heard of new supplies out of England, to fill up the Regiments of the Earls of Tyrone and Argile, who were both here entertained as Colonels under the Archdutches service.  
But when this threatening passed over without attempting any thing worthy of moment, the Prince of Oranges brother, Grave Henry, with five thousand foot, and six hundred horse, enters into Brabant, burning Villages, spoiling Towns, and foraging all the Country, in so much that the fires were seen at Brussels, and the Inhabitants ran into their walled Towns for their preservation: yea, when Spinola feasted the Ambassadors, and attended the determination of the truce, was this brave Soldier reading his Subjects a lesson of War and Slaughter, and tied them to harder conditions than ever they learned in their lives; by which occasion he mightily enriched himself, and returned to the Hage with great booty, spoil, treasure, and prisoners.  
Whereby the Enemy grew enraged, and thought upon nothing but revenge, which at last they effected upon the surprising of Bergen up Zome, wherein failing, they fell into the course of besieging it, whereat they remain at this hour; but because many remarkable things chanced in this preparation, I think it not amiss to order the Discourse in this manner.  
The Town of Bergen is of as great importance to the States in Brabant, as Sluice in Flaunders: For as this watcheth Ostend, Newport, Dumkirke, and other maritine Towns, yea openeth a door to Ipers, Gaunt and all the land Country, that keepeth the Rivers, and is the Key of the continent letting you in to the fields of Antwerp, Thurmount, Auschiroten, and all the great Towns of Brabant: It standeth on the East side of the River of Some, coming from Antwerp, & Antwerp is situated within 15. English mile, and was one of the famous Mart Towns of the world: and as this Bergen is the very Gate or entrance into the Country, so is it in a manner the bar and hindrance of the Enemy into Zealand and Holland: The States have likewise diverse Sconces in the Island of Tole or Tertoll of great respect and necessity, and within Five mile of Bergen, they possess a Town called Steen Bergen, on the West bank of another River coming out of the Country, at the mouth whereof, they have another Sconce and other Forts.  
I will not speak of Breda, and some places in the State's jurisdiction, nor how the Towns are divided, though the whole Country in a manner is in the Arch-Dutchesse possession: but the truth is, that the Governor of Antwerp taking advantage of certain Companies, which marched out of Bergen toward Breda, and understanding that the Governor of Bergen was also absent, sent Spinola word of the same, who presently projected to make use thereof, and take advantage of their absence: and the truth is, that the Governor being called as they say Rehonen, perceiving his Commission growing to an end, and understanding that the Prince of Orange was coming with his Army toward Breda, took a Convoy of 2000 and went thither with intent and purpose to renew his Patents, but ere he came there, a Messenger was sent unto him to return in all haste to his Government, for the Enemy was on foot and had some project in hand, which somewhat amazed him, considering as he thought he had not full Authority to command the Garrisons: notwithstanding this meditation, the necessity of the time overswayed all nicety and exceptions, and he returns very opportunely with all his Company to the Town.  
Spinola follows his first purpose, and appoints 3000. from Antwerp to give the attempt: among whom they will have the Earl of Argiles Regiment to be thrust: the charge and rule of this Company is committed into the hands of two Spaniards, the one called Borgia, the other Velasco, some say Lewis de Velasco Governor of weasel, who understanding the resolution of the Armies to quarter about Brabant, found occasion to be dispensed withal, and attend the service nearer home.  
Well, let the Names pass, the Company march down apace, and with all expedition take the same side of the River where Bergen stands, but it should seem they came short half a day at least: For before they had marched 7. English mile, they understand how Bergen was supplied (as you have heard) yet they go forward, and come at last to their Rendeyvous, where they grew so angry and exasperated, that they would needs give an attempt in a rage both on the Wall, and at the Ports, where the Cannon from the Town played so violently, and the Musket at rest shot so effectually, that they lost 600. men at the first assault, the most of them Irish and English newly come out of their Countries.  
This began on Wednesday as I take it the Tenth of july: the next day they attempted again, and proffered another Assault, but here they were repulsed with a Salley, in which a valiant Colonel Scotchman lost his life in the behalf of the Town, but it was a dear loss to the Enemy: For before the skirmish ended, there lay 200. on the ground, and they were enforced to retire, some will have them fight the third day likewise, but I think that was employed in another business, for the Enemy finding the resistance of this strong Town, took another course and marched to a weaker, I mean Steen-Bergen, which not able to endure either battery or assault, they easily took by composition, as also a Sconce by it, which they obtained with final repulse.  
I have yet said little of the Prince of Orange, who thought as little of this attempt or enterprise, but only supposed that Breda or Sluice might be the object of his Summer's employment, and so the War to continue either in Brabant or Flaunders, whereupon he brought down most of his Forces, and settled himself a while about Schetogen Bosch, and was (as they said) himself gone toward Rees, where he surveyed the Towns in the State's possession, and took order, that all the Garrisons should be ready to come into the Field at his appointment, for which purpose he also sent to the Commanders and Captains that were in England, to come over with expedition.  
In the mean while this was done, as you have heard, the Governor Reehoven returned to his charge, and ordered Bergen against the Obsession and expugnation, if Spinola so determined the matter.  
Now they will have 2000 foot, and 300. horse all ready in the town, amongst whom they have named the companies of Sir Th. Winn, Sir Michael Eueret, Captain Appleton, who had married a Dutch woman and dwelled in the same place, with diverse others attending the service, and the issue of these troubles: the greatest part of the army lying, as I said, about Breda, a town of their own, and Schetogen Bosch belonging to the Archduke's, which peradventure they determined to besiege, however they may now be disappointed, either in raising the enemy from Bergen, or employing themselves to overlook their actions, if they continue there this Summer.  
By this time Spinola understands what is done on both sides, and how his forces have been disappointed, which made him alter his purpose for a Rendez-vous at Maestrich, and draw all his Garrisons toward Antwerp out of Mechlin, Arschot, Husset, Bissell, and other towns and villages, where they had wintered: so that though he lay himself still in person at Brussels upon greater matters of importance: yet he disposed of his business, that the country was resolved, he determined an absolute siege: for 15. pieces of Ordnance were sent out of Antwerp down the River, and 10000 more men marched by land to the new begun Campe. He also sent supplies to the Governor of Gaunt, with a special command to have an eye upon Sluice, and make some attempt that way, as occasion shall serve. It is also said that the Governors of Iprens and Lisse in Flanders, who had lost a son in a skirmish in the Palatinate, desired to be at this service.  
All this while the siege is but preparing, for the army was not quite come down, nor the provision for the expugnation brought together, as Hurdles, Gabions, Carriages, Munition, Traces for horses, Carts, Wagons, and such like: yet was some extraordinary matter accomplished: for the Post of Antwerp reports, and the letters certify as much that they heard the Cannon play thither: so that by all likelihood it is fully resolved, and the Spaniards settle themselves to the enterprise, although they want men to fill up their companies, as having lost this winter by casualty at least 6000.  
They say, that in the first attempt there were so many dead bodies, that thirty Wagons at once have come with them into Antwerp, and in the latter enterprises the town was so strong and well provided, that they made diverse sallies ere their enemies could be settled to their much prejudice, and retired themselves to their fastness at pleasure  
Other letters assure us, that the country sending in three hundred Wagons with provision to supply the wants of the army, which began already to feel some inconveniences: they were set upon by some of his Excellency's troops and companies lying about Breda, as they were going over the Heathes, wide of Antwerp, and so after a skirmish surprised: for the Convoy lagging behind, and not keeping together with the rest, smarted for the disorder, and were compelled to shift for themselves.  
When the States of Holland understood of all these proceedings, they bestirred themselves and sent diverse men of war to attend about Zealand, of which some of them stepped into the river, to intercept such boats, as should come from Antwerp to the army: the rest that kept the Sea behaved themselves so well, that the Letters say, they took a ship full of Soldiers going to Dunckirke, whom they examined and finding that the Soldiers knew no other, but that they went into the Low Countries, they hanged up the Lieutenant and carried all the rest prisoners to Middleburgh, resolving to watch for those companies which are coming out of England to serve the Archduches. For rumour cannot be so sparing but that they know by name the Captains of every Country and the manner of raising their men.  
Amongst other things the Merchants assure us, that at this instant there lie fifty or sixty sail of Hollanders and Pirates of Argier before Lisbon, who not only watch the harbours and towns but the Sea itself, as having made a contract with them of Tunis also to associate and defend one another's, both against Spaniards and Portugals, whom they resolve to impoverish and damnify all they can, as men resolved to have neither peace nor truce any longer with them.  
But to return to the siege at Bergen, for all these attempts it is supposed that the siege will not lie long before it, nor the enemy continue with such resolution, as to make it a work of such consequence, but even do as the Duke of Parma did in the beginning of this relation leave it, and take some other enterprise in hand, and that for diverse reasons at this instant.  
First, because they cannot command the River, but the town will be relieved at all times by Sea, which they cannot avoid.  
Secondly, because the seat of the war is now as it were in their own country, and the Prince of Oranges army must both be relieved and set on work in Brabant, even to the terrifying of the inhabitants.  
Thirdly, because rumour hath played a woman's part, and told them that some of Count mansfield's forces are come out of Alsatia, as far as Lorraine and Luizenberg: and either mean to be their own carvers of the blessings of these Provinces, or unite themselves to the Prince of Orange, if occasion serve to increase his army, and remove the siege.  
Fourthly, because they are afraid to want momoney, considering their treasure is so many ways exhausted, and the Emperor must not be neglected in his designs.  
And last of all, because there are many hollow hearts in Antwerp, and what know they whether (besides the treason that may be wrought) the Prince of Orange if the peace of the Palatinate thrive, will send for the Duke of Brunswick, and set him on work on these good towns: so that whether Tilley follow or no, or that Gonzales come to Spinola again, yet must a bloody war ensue, and the 17. Provinces in the end smart for all.  
FINIS.