A true AND brief RELATION OF THE BLOODY battle OF Nieuport in FLANDERS, fought betwixt Prince maurice, of happy memory, and ALBERT Archduke of Austria, upon the second of July 1600 Stilo Novo.  
THe enemy's forces in the year of our Lord 1600 being weak, & in a mutiny, the States of the united Provinces seeing their affairs in disorder, took this advantage, & resolution to make an offensive war in Flanders, as the fittest place to annoy the Enemy most, & to secure their own state, if they could recover the wast towns, which was the scope of their design.  
To this end, their Army was embarked in 2080. smack ships, with purpose to have landed at Ostend, but coming into Zeeland, & finding the wind contrary, resolved to disimbarke their army upon the Coast of Flanders, by a Fort called Phillippine, lying upon the river of the Scheld, where we ran our Vessels at a high Water (which for the most part were flat bottomed) a ground, so that the ebb falling, we lay on dry land, & with much ease and readiness we landed both our Horse and foot.  
Our army then being landed, it consisted of some twelve thousand foot, and 3000. Horse, which were divided into three Tercias commanded by three several chiefs. The first by Count Ernest of Nassaw, The second by Count Solmes, And the third by Sir Francis Vere, every one interchangeably taking their turns every day: namely, the avant-garde the battle, and the rear.  


The avant-garde.  
The avant-garde was ordered thus, Count jews of Nassaw, brother unto Count Ernest, led the avant-garde of the Horse, as being Lieutenant general, consisting of ten Cornets of horse, namely, his own troop, the troop of Prince Maurice, which were Curassiers, commanded by Monsieur Walraven of Gent, Count Henry Frederick of Nassaw his Excies brother's troop, led by captain Bernard, all which made one division. The second division was commanded by Monsieur Marcelis Bacx with his own Cornet, & his Brother Paul Bacxes, and captain Sales brought up the rear, with these marched three troops of Carabines, namely Conteliers, Peter Pany, and battenburches.  
To the avant-garde of Horse were joined these foot Companies, to wit, Prince Maurice his guard, commanded then by captain Aa: Count Hohenloes guard led by his Lieutenant Strydhorst, & after these marched the Regiment of general Francis Vere, consisting of 13 English Companies, his own, captain Yaxleis' sergeant Major, Capt. Denisses: Capt. Daniel Vere's: Capt. Honniewoods: Capt. Hammonds: Capt. Ogles: Capt. Tyrrils: Capt. Fairefaxes. Sr Galistine Brockses: Capt. foster's: Capt. Garnets: and Capt. Holcroft's.  
After these marched the Regiment of Sir Horace Vere: first his own Company, than captain Sutton's. Sr Thomas Knolses. Capt. Purtons', Monsir Cicils. Monsir Morgan's, Mons. Metkercks'. Capt Scot's. Capt. Vavousours. Capt. de Caines Hartwirscons. and Capt. Denbies'. making of both these Regiments 24 Colours, in all accounted to be some 1600 English.  
Unto the avant-garde were likewise joined the Frizons commanded by their Lieutenant colonel Jaco Hottinga: as his own company, The Baron of Sideniscoes: The company of Jasper van Eussum: Capt. Michael Haghes: Capt. Grovestines: Capt. Oshermes: Capt. Hans de freeze: Capt. Zagemans: Capt. Qutrin de Blauws: Capt. Edzard Grovesteines: Capt. John Kiefs: Capt. Egbert Hovens: Capt. Holsteynes: Capt. Assuerus: Capt. garret Schages junior Capt. D. Arusmas: & Capt. Riperdaes: making in all 17 Companies, so that the avant-garde consisted of forty foot Companies, over which Sir Francis Vere commanded in chief.   

The battle.  
The Battaille was commanded by Count George Edward of Solmes: as first, his own troop of Horse, his brother's Count Frederick's of Solmes, the troop of Jostling Wierick Cloutes: and Capt. John Bacxes, which made the first division of Horse. In the second division were these troops following, as Godrad de Bales: Sir Francis Vere's: commanded then by Capt. Pembroke, and Sir Edward Cicils: making together seven Cornets.  
Unto these horse troops were joined these foot companies, the Wallon, or new Geux Regiment of Prince Frederick Henry de Nassaw; (now his highness) commanded by Sir Daniel Hertain Lord of Marquet his Lieutenant colonel, with which regiment Prince Henry's own company Marched. Capt. de Bouts: Capt. Anthony Saucies': Capt. Francis Marleis Capt. Francis Mareschals: Capt. Philip's de la Lous: Capt. Nimmeries: Capt. Jonas Durands: & Capt. Gabriel de Nouvelles: making together 9 companies, to these also were joined the four Swissers companies, to wit, Capt. Hans Kriecks de Ballichom: Capt. Hans Sas van Vnderwalt: Capt. Hans Meyer of Zurich: and Capt. William de Puits.  
The Battaille likewise consisted of two divisions of French: The first was commanded by Monsieur de Dommerville, Lieutenant colonel to Monsieur de la Nove, in which were his own company, Monsieur de Rogueses, and Capt. du Saltz.  
In the second division were the companies of Capt. Simendrie: Mareschats: Hamlets: Capt. Bruse de Corimers, led by his Lieutenant, who was shot before Albertus Fort The Companies of Monsieur du Fort, de Formenteirs, de Verneville: & Du Pont Auberts': making together twelve Companies: In the midst whereof Prince Maurice was himself to give order everywhere, accompanied with his brother Prince Frederick Henry de Nassaw: and divers other Lords: namely, John Adolph Duke of Holsteyn, John Ernests Prince of Anhalt, three Counts of Solmes, namely, Count Frederick, Count Albert Otho, and Count Henry William Solmes, Count de Colligny Lord of Chastillon, nephew to that famous admiral of France, the Lord Gray, Sir Robert Drury, the Lord Justinus de Nassaw, with many other brave Volunteirs & English gentlemen of quality, French, & Germans, who attended the Prince's person the whole Battaille than consisted of 7 troops of Horse, and 25 companies of foot.   

The rear.  
The rear was commanded by Mons. Oliver Temple, Lord of Corbeke, sergeant major general, & consisted of three Cornets of Horse, namely, Capt. Wernard de Bois: Capt. Hameltons': and Monsieur Conteliers troop, over which Monsieur Bois commanded.  
There was in the rear also three battalions of foot, to wit, the Regiment of Count Ernest of Nassaw, (who commanded this Tercia) his own Company, Capt. husemans', Capt. Nassaws: Capt. Imbizes: Capt. Cotwitz: Capt. Balthasars': Capt. Essums, Capt. Pithans', The old company of Count Ernest: Capt. Crimwitz: Capt. Breeds: Lucas Neusars: and Capt. George Weckerlies: this made the first division, and consisted of 13 colours.  
In the second division were the Lord of Cistelles his company colonel, The company of George Edward Count Solmes, Capt. Irelons: Capt. Freboughs: Capt. Ammouvillers: Capt. Longfeild, Capt. Russies: and Capt. Flores de Winegarden.  
In the third division, there was the Regiment of colonel Huchtenbrooke his company colonel, Monsieur Temples company, Capt. Marlin: Capt Dederick de longs: Capt. Ruysenbourghs: capt. John loons: & capt. Calverts: making in all 3 troops of Horse, & 26 foot companies, & thus the army was ordered into the avant-garde, the Battaille, & the rear, the day wherein the battle was fought.    
The archduke's army consisted of 19 Cornets of Horse, with his own troop, Commanded by Don Roderigo de Lasso, & were all Lanciers, but only one troup of Harquebussiers, as namely, the Admirant of Arragon his troop, Don Juan de Braccamontos, Don Juan de Silvas: Don Phillepoos de Arrelanos: Don Ferdinando de Guavaras: Don Guillielmos de Verdugos, Il Conte Giacomo Belgiosos, il Cavelloro Vicontes: and Carolos de Sangroes, all Lanciers: Il Conte de Salines, Capitano Ryferhey●s: Capitano de Forests Curassiers, Michael de tells: Jan van Cepates: Nicolas de Blyer: and captain Franasco de Royes to which were joined 600 horse more, that had mutined at Diest, making in all some 25 hundred Horsemen.  
The Enemies Battaillons of Foote consisted of three Spanish Regiments, under the command of Don Jeronimo de Monroy: Don Jasper de Sapenas, and Don jews de Villars Regiments. There were also two Italian Regiments, under the Conduct of Don Alphonso de Avillos. The two regiments of the Count of Bucquoy, as that of Burlottes: and Bestocks the Count de Bucquoy commanding the rear, divers other companies drawn out of the regiments of Count Frederick vander Berke: The marquess of Varrabons', the Earl of Barlamonts The Lord of Archicourt, Balansons, and others.  
Their army consisted of some 15 thousand foot, and 25 hundred horse, besides their mutineers, all old and experienced soldiers, and were also divided into three Brigadoes, as the avant-garde, the battle, and the rear, as the two figures following here unto annexed shall Demonstrate.  
Now before the Armies met, it was consulted wherein the army should be first employed, either in taking the Forts, which the enemy held in the low, and broken grounds about Ostend, or in the siege of Nieuport: the latter being resolved upon the States (who had all this while marched, and abode with the army) departed to Ostend, to take the Fort Albertus, and to open the passage between that town and Nieuport: Prince Maurice with the rest of the army, leaving the Fort of Ouldenbourgh, & the others, which the enemy had forsaken well guarded, as behooveful (because without forcing them, the enemy could not come unto us, but with fetching a great compass) marched by Hemskerck, towards a Fort called the dam, lying upon the River that goeth to Nieuport, but finding the country weak, and Moorish, and not able to carry the weight of our Carriages, and artillery, returned by a small village not far from Hemskerck, and lodged there, thence crossed through the meadows towards the sea side, filling many ditches, & laying bridges to pass over the waters, whereof that country is full, and so with much ado we got to the downs by the sea side, and encamped about a Canon shot from the Fort Albertus, which was before rendered up to Count Solmes. early in the morning we marched along the sea side towards Nieuport. And at the ebb waded over the river on that side, which maketh the Haven of that town, and so encamped there, and spent two or three days in quartering, and entrenching ourselves in places of advantage, for our own safety, and the beseiging of the town, laying a stone-bridge over the narrowest of the Haven for our Carriages, and troops to pass too and fro at all times, & as occasion required. The Archduke having understood that his Excie was sat down before Nieuport gathered a head, and marched with all expedition with his army towards the downs, passing the very same way, which his Excie did, that he might the sooner relieve Nieuport. In the mean time his Excie was advertized from those of Ostend, and Ouldenhourg, that the enemy with good troops of horse and foot, were come and lodged near the Fort, whereupon consulting, the opinions were diverse, most of them agreeing, that it was only a Bravado made by Ribus, who as we heard before had got up in the land some 4000 men together near unto sluice, to divert us from our enterprise, and that then upon our Rmovall towards him, he would make his retreat to the sluice again. But Sir Francis Vere was of the opinion, that it was the gross of their army, and how it was very needful without any delay, to march thetherwards with our army also, lest the Fort, & the rest fell into the enemy's hands, who might then come and lodge at our backs, & cut of our passage to Ostend to the extreme annoyance of our army: That in using diligence to prevent the enemy from taking these Forts, we might at once block up, & beseige those which the enemy held in the low & drowned lands, being an enterprise equal with that of Nieuport. While these things were thus a disputing that night came Messenger vpon Messenger to the Prince to give him to understand, first that the enemy had Cannon & that those of the Fort were summoned in the archduke's name & afterward it was yielded to him vpon conditions. Thrice that night upon general & false alarms, Sir Francis Vere was called up from his rest, which confirmed him in his former opinion, that the enemy was coming towards us, and that the Fort being yielded into the enemy's hands, it was needful, that the whole army with all speed should return over the water, to stop the enemy, from gaining the passage, ourselves had made through the drown land, and to possess the same, which was the shortest, and the readiest way the enemy had to the downs and sea side. These reasons (of Sir Francis Vere's) his Excie liked not, but resolving to foreslow the enemy, as much as possibly might be, that he might gain the more time: & therefore the second of July at the break of the day he sent from the army before Nieuport, his Nephew & x Count Ernest of Nassaw, with two Regiments of foot, the one Schots, the other Zealanders with four troops of horse, making some 2000 footmen, & 500 horse, with some Ordnance & materials, to entrench upon the passage, unto whom the States sent out also, according to his Excies order, some companies out of the garnison of Ostend, and those which came out of the Forts of Ouldenborg, Plassendale and Bredene, to hinder the enemy from passing the Bridges, which lay over certain waters upon the way, as you go toward the Fort Albertus, the Prince saying he would follow, & second them with the rest of the army in due times.  
But before they came thither, the enemy had seized upon those Bridges, and having passed over them with the choice of his army, it was impossible for so small a number to hold up & stop the enemy's passage towards the downs: the afore said Regiments being engaged in fight with the enemy, & finding themselves too weak, to resist any longer so puissant an army, after they had bravely defended themselves, and carried themselves like good soldiers, were at last put to flight, the most lost falling then upon the Scotch; as well upon their chiefs, & captains, as Gentlemen, and private soldiers, who fought it out stoutly: so that there were slain about 800. dead upon the place, amongst the which, there were eleven captains many Lieutenants and Officers. The archduke having got this victory, wrote to Brugges that he had over thrown the avant-garde of Prince Maurice, and that he was so far engaged with the rest of his army, that they could not escape out of his hands: in so much, that this day they began to triumph at Brugges, and the adjacent towns in ringing their bells, as though they had gained already the victory.  
Now the news of this defeat put the Lords the States into a great perplexity, considering what a danger the country was in, if any misfortune should happen to our army which lay before Nieuport, and encamped on both sides of the Haven, the soldiers being separated one from an other, which drove them into a great fear. And therefore being in such an extremity, when all human means failed them, they took their refuge to the Lord of Hosts by preys and assembled themselves, and all their train with diverse Officers and people of the town of Ostend into their chambers where their Minister Vtenbogaert made prayers unto God for the preservation of the person of his Extie, the Lords, chiefs and commanders, which were with him, yea the whole Army, that God would be pleased to give them a happy success.  
The Archduke being encouraged with this advantage, and defeat, which he got so quickly over our men, marched in all haste towards Nieuport, imagining to find his Extie and all his Army so amazed by this overthrow, that he might easily put our men to rout. But God had his eye of providence upon the State of these Countries, and the defence of his Church in them, giving his Excie such wisdom, that he commanded away all the shipping, & boats from Nieuport towards Oftend, & with all gave order that all his troops should be ready to pass the haven of Nieuport at a low water, to get on the other side, with a courageous resolution, to make head against the enemy, & to give him battle, according to which his Excie went from troop to troop to animate and encourage his soldiers. That seeing they had the sea on the on side, and the enemy's army on the other side betwixt them, and saw that there was now no means in the world to escape, but to fight it out and beat through their army: considering that his exties' reputation depended thereon, yea all their honours, their lives and the good of the country lay now all the stake, & that now they would carry themselues bravely & courageously, with assurance that God would give them a blessed issue. The like also did all the chiefs, Commanders & captains to there soldiers. Prince Henry (now his highness) did likewise encourage also his Walloons, or new Geux, being of his Regiment to do the like.  
The rest of the army was commanded to march to the water side by the break of day to pass over the Haven with the first ebb, being then Sir Francis Vere's his turn to have the avant-garde, which made him careful not to be wanting in his duty, so as in due time his troops were at the place appointed, and because the water was not yet passable, he went to his Excie to know his further pleasure, whom he found by the bridge with most of the chiefs & Officers of the army, where not long after, news was brought him, that the enemy's army was passing the downs, and marching towards us, whereupon Sir Francis Vere advised his Excie that all possible speed must be used to pass the furs before the enemy was possessed of the other side of the Haven. His Excie willed him in all things to do as he saw cause, and calling to him Count Lodewijck of Nassaw (who then commanded the Horse as general) bad him go along with Sir Francis Vere, and follow his directions, so Sr Francis Vere left the Prince, and went to his troops, and as soon as the tide served he passed his men, which stood there in three Battailions. The soldiers would have stripped themselves to have kept their clothes dry, as Sir Francis Vere willed them when he crossed the haven first, but afterward thought it not expedient, the enemy being so near at hand, and therefore he willed them to keep their clothes on, and not to care for wetting them: seeing they should need none that day or else have better and drier clothes to sleep in that night.  
Count Lodwijck passed first with his five Cornets of Horse, whereof two of them were Harquebussiers, and advanced towards the enemy, and entertained shirmish with two of the enemy's troops, and then followed all the rest, which were scare got over on the other side of the shore, but they saw the enemy stand in full Battaille, between them and Ostend: insomuch that if the enemy had but advanced, he might have prevented his Excie from passing his foot over the haven. Now the enemy not knowing how many of our men were passed over the haven, because of the great dust, which arose and blinded their sight, made a halt a long time by the sea shore, which gave his Excie time & leisure to pass over the English & freeze Regiments, with his Excie guard, & Count Hohenloes, all commanded by Sir Francis Vere. Then followed the French Regiments, the walloves, & Swissers, which made the battle (as is said) commanded by Count George Everard of Solmes, and after them almost all the rest of the horse. The Regiment of Count Ernest, Gistelles & Huchtenbrookes' made the rear. The Regiments of Gistelles, and Vtenbrooke, which were under the Conduct of Count George Everard of Solmes, were left before the town of Nieuport, to block it up, with charge to stand upon their guards, and upon his Excies first order, to beready to pass over the bridge, which was made with boats, and planks over the haven of Nieuport: how the army was disposed into the vanguard, battle & rear, as you have heard already. When the troops of the vanguard were passed Sir Francis Vere left the footmen standing ranged in their order, betwixt the downs, or Sandhills and the sea, and with the horse he advanced towards the enemy, whom we discovered a far of coming towards us along the sea side, not to engage a skirmish, or fight, but to choose a fit place to attend them in, which was now the only advantage we could by industry get of the enemy: for by situation of the country, that skill and dexterity we presumed to exceed our enemies in (which was the apt agile more- of our battalions) was utterly taken from us: for the space betwixt the sea, and the Sandhills, or downs, was commanded by the Sandhills, which consisted of many heads, reared and commanding one an other, containing so much breadth in most places, that our troops could not occupy the whole, and everywhere so confusedly packed together, so broken, & steep, that our troops could neither discover what was done a stones cast before them, nor advance forward in any order to second one another if need required. And on the other side of the downs towards the firm land, if the whole breadth were not possessed, the enemy might pass to the Haven of Nieuport, where our bridge, and most of our shipping yet lay on the dry ground, and so to spoil and burn them in our View. To prevent then all these inconvementes, Sir Francis Vere went to find out a place, where the hills, and Downes stood in a manner divided, with a hollow bottom narrow and the hills higher to the sea side, & North, then towards the island, & South part, which ran clean thwart from the sea sands to the island, the downs being there also of no great breadth: so that we might conveniently occupy them with out front, & command the sea shore, and the way that lay betwixt the low island, & the foot of the downs on that place which was on the higher side of the bottom, Sir Francis Vere resolved to attend the enemy there, and therefore causing his troops to advance, drew from the whole avant-garde about a 1000 men, to wit 300 English, the Prince's guard; & such other companies as usuaily march with it 250 and of the Frizons 500, which were musketeers, two troops consisting of shot; and pikes, the English and 50 of his Excies guard they laced on the top of the hill that lay more advanced than the rest, which being steepy, and sandy was not easily to be encountered, & in the top so hollow, that the men lay covered from the hills on the other side, & might shoot from it, as from a bulwark.  
Just behind this hill some 100 paces from it, was another far more higher, on the top, whereof Sir Francis Vere placed 200 men of the troop of the guard, in which also (with a little labour of the soldiers,) they lay in a good covert, these two hills joined together with a ridge somewhat lower than the foremost hill, which endwaies lay East, and West, and broadwaies looked towards the South, and Inlands, and commanded all the ground passable, on the outside, steep, loose, & sandy & ill to be encountered, within the hollow he placed 500 musketeers, giving charge to the Officers to bestow their shot only to the Southwards, when time should serve, which was directly on the right side, and flank as we then stood turned towards the enemy. Betwixt these two hills on the left hand or flank, which looked towards the sea, Sir Francis Vere placed 700 men in covert places for that purpose to be near the sea sand, that with ease, and good order in an instant, they might break out into two or four troops all which were English.  
The enemy ranged their forces to the Northwards, directly on our left flank, & so they adventured to pass by us to the other troops, with intent to leave them in his eye more Easterly vpon the sands, then on the Inermost of the two hills, which Sir Francis Vere perceiving, ranged in a Front (with a space betwixt them) the other two troops of the English. And a pretty distance behind them, more to the sea-wards ordered the Frizons in four battalions, two in front with a space to receive betwixt them one of the other battalions, that stood behind them. And the files & intervals behind the troops, as close one to another as conveniently might be, to leave the more space for the ranging of the other battalions with a compitent distance between each division: so that one troop might not shadow an other, but that all of them might be in the enemy's eye in an instant: insomuch that the avant-garde took up about one third part of the downs, leaving the rest to be manned by the other troops, as occasion should require, & on the left hand & the outtermost towards the sea more advanced, were the horsemen placed. This work was scare done, when as his Excie Prince Maurice with the rest of the chiefs, & commanders of the army came to the head of Sir Francis Vere's troops, where his Excie in the hearing of many put it in deliberation, whether he should advance towards the enemy with his army, or attend their coming. Those that spoke (as most men in those cases will not seem fearful) counselled him to march forwards: for they thought it would daunt the enemy much, & make the victory more easy, whereas in attending him, he would gather courage out of an opinion of our fear by taking the opportunity of our stay, to fortify upon our passage to Ostend, & so cut of our victuals & retreat. Hereupon, Sir Francis Vere alleged, that their army having been gathered up in haste, & brought into a country, where they intended no such war, could neither have provisions of victuals with it, nor any Magazines in those parts to furnish them therewith, nor any store in that naked country in the latter end of a year could be expected: so that there was no fear, that they should settle themselves there, to starve us, who had store of victuals in our shipping, & the sea open to supply us with all sailing winds, with the vain courage they should get by our supposed fear, after a long march, & coming upon us down those sandy steepe-hils in the extremity of heat would be wearied, & spent before they could come unto us, & then finding us fresh & lusty, ready to receive them in the strength of our advantage, in all reason it would turn to their greater confusion & terror. They persisted (in their opinion) & as it were with one voice oppossed it: so as in the end (Sir Francis Vere) was moved to say, that all the world could not make him to change his opinion: His Excie was pleased to like of it, resolving not to pass any further towards the enemy, & for the ordering of things reposed so much trust in Sir Francis Vere, that he believed they should be well done, without viewing the places, or examining the reason of his doings. But his Excie returned to give order, & dispose of the rest of the army, which as the water ebbed, his Excie enlarged to the Seawards, next the which the horsemen were placed, & six pieces of Ordinance advanced, planted in the head of the avant-garde, having the advantage both of the wind, & the sun on our side, & gave order to Mons Warmont, & Mons. Duvenvord, that they from our men of war, should give fire with their Ordnance upon the enemy's battalions, that stood upon the strand. In this order we stayed, & the enemy (though still in our sight) moved not forwards for the space of two hours, & then (rather turning from us them advancing) they crossed the downs, & rested there two hours at the foot of the island, which confirmed their opinions, that he would lodge there. But we found reasons to the contrary out of their proceedings to keep us from wavering: for it was probable, that the enemy was harried out, & tired with that night's march & day's travel. And seeing we were passed the Haven of Nieuport (to have hindered, or prevented us, was the greatest cause of his haste) whilst also he saw us stirring, & ordering our troops he might hope, that we that were fresh, now passed & engaged in fight, would advance the rather, to have the help of our troops which were with cowt Ernest, if perchance he were retired to Ostend, towards which the nearer we were to fight to that place, it might be of more advantage unto us, or else if we had heard of their defeat, than we might be drawn on to revenge. But when he saw that we stood & held our place, not moving out of the hope, that they were not provided to make any long stay, for the reasons before mentioned, & might resolve to refresh themselves a little & then to advance towards us: seeing that side was for that purpose more advantageous, than the bare sea sands & withal we considered, that they made a halt to rest their footmen (which were all old exercised soldiers, & to that day unfoiled in the field) they would attend rather the growing of the tide, which was then at the lowest ebb, that the scopes of the sand might be less spaciouss & serviceable for Horsemen. Now about half flood, they crossed the downs again to the seasands, & marched forwards, sending some light horsemen far before the troops to discover, one of which (as we supposed) suffered himself to be taken, who brought news to his Excie, & told him alone that Count Ernest was defeated, and that he would presently give him battle, augmenting the number, bravery, & resolutions of their men. The loss of our men being understood before, we were careful to have few present at the hearing of this prisoners report, whose mouth being stopped by the Prince's order, not with standing they hearing it bewrayed it, both in word & countenance to the soldiers  
The enemy advancing nearer, & nearer their Horsemen came in the head of their trouppes in a compitent distance, to have been drawn to a fight, Sir Francis Vere would willingly have advanced the Horsemen of our vanguard near unto them, & with some choice & well mounted men, have beaten in their Carabines & shit mishers to their gross, with purpose if they had been over charged again to have retired in haste, with a sett avant-garde of Horse, betwixt the sea & the vanguard of foot, & having drawn them from their foot under the mercy of our Ordinance would have engaged the rest of our horse, to have charged, & followed them resolutely. This advice liked not to the young noblemen who was not well pleased with the power, which his Excie had given to Sir Francis Vere over this charge, & therefore was not by him put in execution, who choose rather as the enemy advanced leisurely: to retreat likewise towards our foot. This council of his taking no better effect, & the Horsemen now coming within the reach of our Cannon, Sir Francis Vere made the motion to have them discharged, which was liked, & so well spent, that we made them scatter their troops, in somedisorder, & fly for safety, which had doubtless given us the victory, without any more ado, if our horsemen had been ready & willing to have taken the advantage of this occasion: Their footmen out of our reach kept on their way alongst the sands, & the sooner to requite us, advanced their Ordinance a good distance before them, and shot roundly at us, and did some hurt. The water now growing very high, we & they were both forced to strengthen our Front, & the enemy of purpose, as aforesaid was driven to fight upon Sir Francis Vere's advantage, which he took with his foot, in drawing them into the downs, where all our Horse stood with our rear, hereupon our Avauntgard altering order, our battle, and rear passed into the downs, & in the same distance backwards, as they had before ranged themselves upon the sand on the left hand, so as the front of our three bodies of foot, filled the breadth of the downs, not in any large front, but in the rear one of another, as the narrowness of the passage enforced then where Sir Francis Vere found a fit place, on the top of a hill, from whence the green way which lay on the green side of the downs might be commanded by our Ordnance, upon the which hill (by his Excies order) two demi-canons were presently mounted.  
The enemy drawing very near, than Sir Francis Vere told the Prince it was now time for him to go to his charge, and asked his Excie, if he would command him any further service, he said no, but to do as he saw cause, willing us the chiefs that stood about him, to advise him in what part of the army he should be personnally, whereunto we all answered, that for many reasons, he was to keep in the rear, all which his Excie yielded to. And so Sir Francis Vere taking his leave of the Prince, he went into the head of the avant-garde, and after he had viewed the readiness, and order of the several troops, the enemy now appearing at hand, that he might the better discower their proceedings, and for the readiest execution of his commands upon all occasions Sr Francis Vere after he had encouraged his men in abiding the first brunt, took his place in the top of the foremost hill before mentioned, where he resolved to attend the issue of that day's service, as well for the advantage of the ground he had chosen there to stand upon his defence, as alsoo because it was an even ground, where he might stir from place to place (as is usually and necessarily) for the executing, and performing the duty of a captain, where the country lying open and plain, he should not only have the sight of the enemy (Upon whose motions in such cases the council of execution depend) but also the view of his troops, and they of him, which might have caused many unreasonable, and confused commands, if it had been otherwise.  
The enemies forlorn hope of Harquebusiers, having gotten up, to the top of the hills, and places of most advantage on the other side of the bottom before mentioned, began to shoot from thence at us, whilst our avant-garde approached, who now growing near at hand, five hundred Spaniards' Pikes, and short mingled without ensigns, or precise order gave on upon the place where Sir Francis Vere stood and very stoutly for the space of a great half hour, labouring to enter, and force it, but he succoured it with more store of shot from the tops of the hills. The gross of their avant-garde standing in some covert from the shot, which flew from Sir Francis Vere's troops on the other side of the bottom. In the mean time, the vanguard of the enemy's horse advanced along the greeneway so often mentioned, betwixt the hills & the downs towards our horse, that stood more backwards vpon the flanks of our battle, whereupon our two pieces of Ordinance were discharged from the top of the hill to good effect, and well spent, and when they came near and thwart our right flank, the 500 Frizons musketeers, who (as is said) before were only desired to bestow their shot that way, did their parts, and so gauled the enemy upon the first proffer of a charge.  
For the Prince seeing the enemy's horse advance, commanded presently Count Lodowick to charge them, namely, with his Excies own troop, Prince Henry's and Count Lodwijcks, who being seconded by these Horse captains Marcelis Bacx, Paul Bacx, and Monsieur La Sael their troops, (as you May see in the figure) broke the enemy's horse, and put them to a disorderly retreat. After this the battle began on all sides, and the Ordnance from both sides played furiously one upon an other. The fight from the first beginning to the end of the Battaille continue, not only in the downs, but also upon the shirt of the downs, and in the bottom on the other side of them with diverse charges. And therefore his Excie divided his men into small troops and divisions, that he might bring the more men to fight at a time, and to charge the enemy when occasion offered itself.  
The fight growing hotter & hotter Sir Francis Vere giving two Regiments of Spaniards their belly fulls, namely Don jews de Villars, and Don Jeronimos de Monroy, beating their musketeers to a retreat. The enemy seeing that advanced both his battle and his rear, to bring them likewise to fight. His Excie perceiving our men thus engaged in the fight, caused also our battle to advance, & gave order to Count George Everard of Solmes, to lead it on, who with three French divisions of musketeers charged two Regiments of Spaniards and Italians. The French Officers that led them on were these captain Du Puy, captain Du Br●il, Monsieur La Nove his Lieutenant, captain Pommaride, Monsieur Dommerville his Lieutenant, Capt. Vander Burch, Monsieur Du Forts Lieutenant. The most of these came to handy blows in the downs, being the first charge which the French made.  
After this first charge of the battle, these Horse captains, also namely Contelier, Peter Panny, and Battenburch charged the enemy's foot, the Prince sending Count Lodwijck with six troops of Curassiers to second them, being accompanied with Count Frederijck of Solmes. His Excie gave order again that Count George Edward of Solmes should give a second charge with the French, who had the avant-garde of our battle, who were divided into two troops, that on the right hand, was led on by Monsieur Dommerville Lieutenant colonel, and that on the left hand by captain Sau. This was the second charge the French made, who fought with a battalion of the enemy's Pikes, consisting of two Regiments, the one was a Spanish Regiment commanded by Don Alphonzo d' Avalos, the other an Italian couducted by Jasper Sapena Maestro del Campo.  
Count George Everard of Solmes retiring with these French, was once more commanded by the Prince to lead on Prince Henry of Nassaw his brothers the Walloons Regiment, called the new Geux, commanded then by his Lieutenant colonel Monsieur Markett, the Swisser Regiment also commanded by Hans Krick went on with them, and fought stoutly doing good service. These two Regiments encountered, and fought against Barlotte, & the Count de Bucquoy, who commanded the enemy's rear guard, which consisted of three Walloon Regiments, and some Irish Companies. His Excie likewise commanded Monsieur de Gistelles, being of our Arreregard to go on with his Regiment, as also the Regiments of colonel Huchtenbrooke & that of Count Ernest, commanded by Monsieur Haysman his Lieutenant colonel with these five Regiments, Count George Everard Solmes charged the enemy as above said. This fight lasted about three hours long, the victory being doubtful on both sides, sometimes the on side winning, and otherwhiles the other side losing ground. The Prince's Horse in charging the enemy put them often to the worst of it, & our horse had continual the advantage upon them, driving some of them to a retreat as far as Nieuport: The enemy's foot fought with more advantage upon the downs than ours, & made the Prince's men to quit on down after an other: so that our Ordinance was in hazard of losing.  
To return again to our avant-garde, Sir Francis Vere gave order that a hundred men should be sent from the foremost troops, which he had laid (as is aforesaid) in the downs, to have given on upon the least flank of the enemy, if they had attempted to pass by us on the Sand, and as covertly as they could to approach and fall on, upon the right flank of those that were in fight with him, when they were come up, and at hand near the enemy, he sent secretly by the hills (where there was a hollow descent) some sixty men more to charge them in their front, which amazed the enemy much, and made them run away, our men following them charged and killed them, till they had passed the bottom, and came to their gross, from which they disbandied 500 Spaniards more (the like number as before) who followed our men, and seized upon some heights that were in the bottom some what near unto us. Their Pikes standing under the shadow of the hills, they played with their shot from the top of them upon our disbanded and skirmishing men. Sr Francis Vere to drive them from thence, being loath they should gain ground upon him, sent more men out of the same byways, from whence he had drawn the first before mentioned, giving then only this order, to make good that place. This was a bloody morsel, which we strove for: For whilst our men, and theirs were not covered with the hanging of the hills, as they advanced, or we chased, so they lay open to the shot, not only of those that were possessed of those little Hills, but of the higher also who poured in a great tempest of short amongst them: so as these soldiers which Sir Francis Vere had sent, hasted for their safety to get the heath side of the hills. The enemy also for the like reason abode their coming with the like resolution, and so in a moment as the hills were round and mountable, our men can to handy blows upon the whole demi Circle of them, with much slaughter on both sides: but in the end the enemy was forced to retire. In the mean while, the enemy's battle of foot were come up to the gross of their avant-garde, which as it had taken the right hand of the downs, so the battle with some distances betwixt them (though in an even front) having been well galled and beaten with our shot, from the top of the hills, stood all in good covert as the place would afford, from whom they sent fresh men to beat ours from those grounds of advantage in the become. As our men began to give back Sir Francis Vere sent new supplies to make good that place in the bottom: sometimes getting otherwiles losing of ground. The fight was still maintained with fresh supplies on both sides, so that Sir Francis Vere perceived (though with the loss of men) yet with this advantage of ground he did not only beat upon the gross of the enemy, but also gave fire upon their loose fighting men, which made the loss far greater on the enemy's side, his main design being so, as to engage their whole force upon his handful of men, made him employ his men sparingly, and by piece meal of purpose, to spend and wast the enemy (that they should not be able to abide the sight of our other troops) when they advanced (as is said) the Horsemen of the enemy's battle, and ours encountered together, but somewhat more advanced towards the enemy. Our men having comfort with the first success our Frizon musketeers before mentioned, could not so well favour our men, but our horsemen being put to a retreat, the enemy pursuing them, yet were so saluted by our men that they were driven back. The enemies Reerward now coming up, with the two other bodies (for so Sir Francis Vere termed them, because their colours remained together) most of their men being drawn from them and engaged in fight, they attending their ensigns, advanced boldly on the left hand of their battle, and spreading the breadth of the downs, they stood as it were to Sir Francis Vere his troops, rather on the corner of his right flank, than a Front, and so fronted directly upon his Excies battle & Arreregard, some Muskett shot behind Sir Francis Vere's troops, towards which it seemed they intended to advance first, we gave fire to them, as much as we could from the hills: but when they began to open upon the Frizon musketeers, who (as is said before) were only to bestow their shot on our right side, & till that time had done no service, but against their horse, the Frizons gauled the enemy exceedingly, which made them stop suddenly as amazed or a shamed to give back, seeing none to chaze them in a bottom of so small a covert. hereupon they sent out some shirmushers alongst the Southermost parts of the downs: Against which also some loose men were sent from our other bodies: but our musketeers, which gave fire upon them standing, & shot without fear from their rests gauled them most of all. The Horsemen of the Reeregards on both sides showed themselves, and some bickering was betwixt them, but the enemy's Horse retired out of the footmen's reach. This was a strange, and an unusual fight: For whereas commonly in a battle the success of the foot depended most on that of the Horse: Here it was clean contrary, for so long as the foot held the place good, the Horse could not be beaten out of the field (though as it fell out) they might be chazed to them.  
All this while the fight without intermission continued hotter and hotter, betwixt the other two troops of the enemy, and Sir Francis Vere his men, each sending fresh supplies, as occasion required to maintain the fight, so that now the whole troops of the English came to handy blows in the aforesaid bottom, saving some few that were placed on the hills, & on the enemy's side few were idle. Now was the time which Sir Francis Vere saw, to give the enemy a deadly blow his gross being disbandied, as well in occupying places of the heath, as taking advantages to annoy us, by those that were sent to dispute the places in question, for their only strength consisted in their loose men, which a few Horse charging on a sudden in the bottom, would then have put them to flight, and being followed pellmell with our foot, they could never have been relieved, nor gathered themselves together again. On the other side, Sir Francis Vere knew well (without further succour) their numbers would weary, and eat out his men in the end. And therefore at once he sent to the Frizon footmen, that were of the avant-garde to advance, and withal to his Excie to give him to understand how things stood, desiring to send him part of the Horse of the battle to second him. And seeing the enemy pressed & gained ground upon his men, he sent again messenger vpon messenger (for men & none coming he imputeth it to the slackness & neglect of the messengers.) In the Interim to give his men the more encouragement, he went himself into the bottom amongst them, where riding up & down, he did in their eyes, and with much ado entertained fight with them though the enemy encroached and got ground upon him. At his first coming into the bottom he was shot through his leg, and a quarter of an hour after, he got an other shot through the thigh of the same leg, which he never complained of, nor so much as thought upon a chirurgeon, for he knew if he left that place his men would instantly quail, he therefore choose rather (not being used to have his troops foiled) to try the uttermost cast, and not to show them the way to fly, hoping still for the coming of the Frizons, and the Horse which he had sent for, but hast was so small, that his men being overlaid with numbers they forsook the place, not withstanding he did his best endeavour to have stayed them, hasting along the Sands to our Cannon, & the enemy following them hard, he was forced seeing them all go to retreat he with the last came of easily and unwillingly (God knoweth) & as he went his Horse fell dead under & upon him, having neither Officers, Gentlemen, or servants about him to give him any help, Sir Robert Drury by chance came, and a Gentleman a servant of his called Higham (and Sir John Ogle) drew him from under his Horse, & set him up behind his Master, which help came very seasonable for him, the enemy being so near at hand, when he fell, and so by this means he was saved out of their clutches, from thence he rode to our Ordnance, where finding his brother Sir Horace Vere, & most of the Officers that came thither with some 300 foot, he made them stand from before the mouth of the Ordnance, (which were laden with Musket Bullets) and willed the cannoneers to discharge upon the enemy, which swarmed now vpon the Sand, the Canon being discharged made a great slaughter and lane among the enemy's Horse and foot.  
At the same instant his Excie sent two Cornets of Horse to him, namely, his own commanded by captain Ball, and general Vere his own troop commanded by his captain Pembroke, who coming thither, he willed them to give them a charge, and withal gave order to his brother Sir Horace Vere to advance with his foot, and send the enemy packing. This small number of Horse and foot gathered together on a sudden, gave a great charge: for the enemy in hope of victory followed us close, and being upon the Sands, where horse might come to serve, they were soon routed, & cut in pieces, the rest saved themselves by flight, as they could in the downs. Our men both Horse and foot followed them close at the heels. Their battles where their ensigns remained, began then to stir, & rouse up themselves, rather for their defence, then to revenge their fellows for they advanced not a whit. Our men from the top of the hills (who had kept their places from the beginning) had by this means a fair mark to shoot at poured whole volleys of shot upon them. Our English Officers and soldiers on all hands, took new courage & came up to fight, and their battailions being very small, & thin, by reason of the men that had been sent from them to maintain the fight, especially their shot (which in these uneven places were of most service) were well pelted with our shot. Our men then pressing hard vpon them made them give back: His Excie then (Seeing the victory inclining on our side) caused the battle to advance, and his Horsemen to make a charge upon the enemies. Upon which sight the enemy (without attending any more blows was routed, and chased out of the field. In the last charge Sr Francis Vere followed not: for seeing the success upon the Sands, & knowing that his directions in the prosecution of the victory would be executed, he easily guessed that the works of that day were at an end, & therefore began to take care, and provide for himself, who all this while having been undressed, the blood leaking from him at four holes, together with a dangerous disease that had held him long made him extreme weak and faint.  
Our men followed the execution hard, even into the Moorish grounds, as far as the dam, slew many of the enemy, and took a great many prisoners, among the rest in the first charge captain Ball, took Jasper Sapena before mentioned prisoner, and one of general Vere's company took Don jews de Villari Maestro del Campo prisoner. The battle lasted above three hours in suspense, with the effusion of much blood on both sides, sometimes the one side, otherwhiles on the other gaining, or losing of ground. The Archduke himself escaped very narrowly, losing in this battle as well slain, as prisoners the most part of the chiefs, and captains of his army, and the principal, Lords, Nobles, and servants of his Court, as these prisoners. Don Francisco de Mendoza, Admirant of Arragon, Count Sol●●●, Don jews de Villars colonel. Don jews d'Avilla. Don Petro De Mendoza. Count Charles Rezin his highness' page, Doctor Andrew his highness Ph●an. Don Jasper Maragon. 35. Horse and foot Companies, LieuteLieutenants, sergeants, Dons, & Willeroes, and others of note, to the number of 309. likewise his Excie got eight pieces of Ordinance & the two we had lost in the morning, most of their ammunition, and Baggage, the furniture belonging to his highness' Chamber, and cabinet, his seal of arms, a hundred and six colours besides some Cornets. There were slain of the archduke's side dead upon the place where the Battle was fought some five thousand, besides those that were slain upon the execution & died afterward upon their hurts, the greatest blow falling upon the Spaniards, and Italians, who ventured most, & were fleshed with the morning victory. His Excie with those that were lost in the morning had slain between two and three thousand, whereof the greatest loss fell upon the English, having some 800 of them slain & hurt. Seven English captains were slain in the field, captain Yaxely, Hunniewood, tyrril, Duxborrow, Pirton, & Woodward, Sir Francis Vere himself & all the rest of the captains (but two) hurt, and the most part of the inferior Officers either slain or hurt. There were also three of our horse captains slain, three French captains a Walloon captain, & a Dutch captain, besides divers Lieutenants, ensigns, & sergeants.  
Night coming on, his Excie marched with his Victorious army to the Church of Westend, where he quartered that night, the Admirant of Arragon, and some others of their Commanders being at supper with the Prince (because the enemy had bragged heretofore) that our men were good Spade-men, but durst not fight a set battle in the field, asked the Admirant, and some of the Spanish Dons, & Commandadours, what they thought now of our freshwater soldiers & whether they had not proved themselves in this day's action as good swordmen, as spade-men, whereat the Admirant & the Dons smiled, but the Admirant among other Grave & wise speeches which came from him, complained much that their own Horse had played the jades, and had not done their best endeavour, which if they had done, their foot which charged bravely, might have become master of our Ordnance, Commending Prince Maurice much (of blessed memory) that he had managed and husbanded the lives of his men so sparingly, against so great an army of old beaten soldiers, wheaeas they brought their men to fight by Phalenges & gross bodies, which was the cause that our men brook and routing them it breed such a confusion which caused their overthrow, and thus much briefly of the battle of Nieuport, fought Anno 1600