The taking of the Royal Galley of Aunts in Britain, from the Spaniards and Leaguers, with the releasement of 153. Galley slaves, that were in her: by john Bilbrough, Apprentice of London, in November last.  
Imprinted at London for Richard Olive, and are to be sold at his shop, in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Crane.  
1591.   

The taking of the Royal Galley of Aunts in Britain, from the Spaniards and Leaguers, with the releasement of 153.  
Galley slaves, that were in her: by john Bilbrough, Apprentice of London. 1590.  
ABout a seven years since, I john Bilbrough the son of Richard Bilbrough, Citizen and Merchant Taylor of London, took my adventure to the seas, where in short space afterwards I was betrayed into the enemy's hands by the treachery of a renegat English, not worthy the name of my Countryman; which villainy of his extended not to me alone, but to seven other of my companions; amongst whom, myself and a Skot, remaining alive, were carried captives to the town of New-haven in Normandy: where being condemned into the Galleys in the month of September, 1584. and there having remained the space of six years, enduring exceeding misery, as hunger, cold, stripes, with many violent torments; bereft of all hope for ever to behold my parents, friends, or native country again; by reason that having four times in my captivity attempted the breaking of my chains, I was four times crossed with contrary fortune, my purpose discovered, and being taken, my sorrowful wretchedness aggravated.  
Thus increasing cares with days, every day being sharper than the sharpest sting of death; it chanced that Duke Mercury the governor of Aunts in Britain caused the Galley Royal of that City to be rigged and victualled to the seas, with commission to take all those that held with the League, aswell English. Scots, Flemings as their own nation on the King's part. Thus floating on the seas, and rowing on the seas, now hither, now thither, expecting some prize worthy the attempting, it chanced that the first day of October 1590. being at anchor in the Isle of Use attending some ships passing either from Rochel, Burwage, or Bordeaux, we discovered early in the morning a great hulk of Flanders, which took her course for the Bay of Bornefe, on the coast of Poytours, not far from the river of Aunts, whereupon rowing to the windward of the said hulk, we did bear after her: against whom our Gunner made divers shoots, but could never hit her.  
Then I ashamed at the untowardness of the said Gunner, said openly, he was unworthy of his office, and that I durst lay my life to hit her the first shot, which the Captain hearing, demanded if I would undertake to shoot at her, I answered him, that albeit I was a stranger, and had long continued in miserable captivity, yet if he would accept of my service, I would perform the best that in me lay. The Captain upon my answer, commanded my chains to be taken off, promising if I did hit her, to give me my liberty.  
Being in hope of freedom from this wretched servitude, I took the Gonners charge in hand, and did my endeavour so well (through God's assistance) that of eleven shots, which I did make at her, I hit her with nine, but the hulk by the greatness of the wind, escaped from out our danger.  
The next day the Captain called me unto him, saying, if I would willingly serve as a Gunner, for the space of one whole year in the Galley, I should, upon his credit, have liberty: which (seeing no remedy) I condescended unto.  
Being thus at liberty, I was by the Captain urged often to go to Mass, of whom I requested pradon; protesting that if I might be persuaded by sufficient reason, and proof from the Word of GOD, that the Romish religion were the true doctrine of Christ, I would gladly embrace it: in the mean time (seeing I was yet utterly of another opinion) I besought him to have patience, for that a settled Religion, could not so slightly be removed; which he in hope of my conversion (as he termed it) in the end granted.  
Within three days after, we met three English ships to the sea-boord of Bel-yle, having in our company a Man of War, so we bore both of us after these three ships, where I was commanded to make a shot, but perceiving, that I went unwillingly to work, they came about me with their swords drawn, threatening if I would not shoot, they would kill me presently; so I shot at them, but never hit them, and the English ships discharged so courageously at us, that they compelled us to recoil.  
After that time, abhorring to be made the butcher of my native countrymen, I attempted all possible means of escape, either to the King's side, or into England, but fearing to be taken, I discovered my intent to a Captain, being before his thraldom a Captain, called Le pine, desiring him to lend me his boy for my conduct to the Castle of Blyn, seven leagues distant from Aunts: but Le pine answered, that his father would shortly bring his ransom, and then promised to convey me with him: otherwise (saith he) if you should escape by the conduction of my boy, my mizerie should be increased, and my ransom doubled; with whose persuasions, for that time satisfied, I waited fit opportunity.  
Within four days after, there arrived at the River of Aunts two & thirty ships, and four Gallyasses, which brought three thousand and five hundred Spaniards unto the Duke of Mercury; amongst whom many (being sick) were sent up to Aunts to be relieved, we also thinking to have wintered there with the Galley: but there came presently commandment she should be rigged, to carry munition and money to the army. So departing from Aunts, we came to the harbour of Morbien, thinking to have found the army, but we understood the whole fleet were returned to Spain, four Fly-boates, and two Gallyasses only excepted, which were gone to Blewet, to take the town of Hensbon.  
Our Captain hearing these news, went ashore the next morning, taking all the munition, and two hundred Spanish soldiers with him, whom he conducted to the town of Vannes. When they were departed, the Lieutenant being left to keep the Galley, with no more than seven and twenty, or thirty soldiers, I came unto the captived Captain Le pine, and assured him, if he could find means to break or widen his manacles, there was now great likelihood of his escape, with the rest of the slaves. Le pine hearing my words, asked counsel of a soldier in the Galley, who affected him dearly, and for his sake willingly consented to our enterprise, appointing in his watch to put tallow into the touch-holes of all the calivers, and after prime them; and I in my watch should widen Le Pines manacles, which accordingly I did, purposing that wednesday morning, being the seventh of November last, to put our pretence in execution; but the wind being contrary, we referred it, till the next night: which sorted (through God's sufferauce) to an happy end.  
Upon thursday morning, at three of the clock, I arose and called my other companion; being the Provansal, with whom having counseled of the matter, I came to a Mariner, which was in the watch, saying, I could not sleep, being shaken with an ague, therefore, if he pleased, I would watch for him till day; to which he gladly consented, the Provansall did the like by the soldier which watched in the poop, so staying till we thought every man was a sleep, I came unto Le pine bidding him dispatch, and perceiving there was but one rapier for us, I feigned myself to be very sick, and came to a chamber in the midst of the Galley, and demanded a little Aqua Vitae; from whence I secretly conveyed the Carpenter's axe, and hide it in the poop, and coming to Le pine said, now dispatch come away or never, he followed presently, and I going before, blew out all the Lamps in the Galley, that none might perceive him pace: so coming to a Scotshman, who was appointed to advertise the other slaves his companions, they should suffer no soldiers that were in the prow to pass into the poop. But as we passed into the poop, Le pine not being perfect in the way, stumbled at an Italian called Nicolau, who suddenly waking, demanded who was there? It is your friend said I. And being further questioned, whether I did watch, I answered yea, and that I came to see, if it were fair weather. So coming into the poop, Le pine took the rapier, and I the axe, the Provansall having nothing, and so I stepped unto the Lieutenant and killed him: Nicolau the Italian awaking, and seeing how I struck at his fellows, caught me in his arms; saying, English traitor yield, or thou shalt die, I called Le pine to help; who thrust at him: which he seeing, left me, thinking to have caught Le pine, but I followed him so hard, that at two blows we field him over board. Then we set upon the rest, and slew thirteen of them; some leapt into the water, and four or five getting into a boat, called aboard a ship which was at an anchor before us, saying, shoot, shoot, the slaves rebel against us.  
But I perceiving their purpose, and fearing that the ship would have shot at us, I got the irons wherewith they bind and unbind the poor slaves, and gave them to the Skot, saying, unloose thyself, and light me two Lynt-stocks and bring them forward; so making the slaves hail forward the great cannon, and priming the rest of the pieces, I hallid to the ship, and swore, if they in any wise attempted to hinder our liberty, I would presently sink her, and with that showed them my lynt-stockes light.  
They of the ship hearing this, and the terrible noise that the slaves made in breaking off their chains, answered they would not hinder us: so I cutting one of our cables, and weighing another ancher, made the slaves row out of the haven, and being at sea unloosed them all: and that night by the help of God came to Bel-Ile, where having but 24. loaves of bread, and small store of other victuals, being 153. slaves besides the Provansall, Le pine, and myself, we passed the time as well as we could. The next morning we set sail, and on Sunday the xi. of November brought her into the town of Rochel: where she doth remain for the King's use.  
Captain Le pine, being at Rochel, was persuaded to go to the King for a recompense, and in going was taken by the Leaguers of poitiers, and myself being sore hurt returned to Rochel, and afterwards came into England, having the Mayor and governors hands to their great Seal.  
Thus did I, by the help of God, escape the Spanish slavery, the very Frenchmen themselves bearing no rule where the Spaniard is in presence: they use them as Dogs, the Captains of the galley have been Italians, and other officers Spaniards, the most of their galleyslaves have been Frenchmen, Flemings, Scots, and English. Thus wishing unto my countrymen, to be warned by other men's harms, I end.  
FINIS.   

Witnesses of the truth of this matter.  

John Wilkes of London.  
John Harley.  
William Ward.  
Richard Bavance.  
Richard Taylor.  
Laurence adam's.  
George Oliver.   
And under the great seal of Rochel.