THE Great Victory which God hath given unto eight Holland ships, in their passage toward the East Indies:  
Against 17. great Spanish ships on the first of APRIL, 1613.  
Translated out of the dutch Copy, printed at Middleborough, by Simon Mollenaer, 1613.  
LONDON, Printed by George Eld, for Thomas Bushel. 1613.   

The great Victory which God hath given unto 8. Holland ships, in their passage towards the East Indies, against 17. great Spanish ships, on the first of April 1613.  
WHereas of late there hath been a commotion in the united Provinces of the netherlands, under the command of his Princely excellence, Count Maurice of Nassaw, and the Lords general states thereof, by men of all qualities and conditions using the art of navigation into diverse and sundry other maritime parts; It is thought fit and convenient, by the said most Princely Excellency, and Lords states, for the general good of their said governments, and reformation of abuses concerning the said Seafaring men, to enact and decree by these their Edicts or Proclamations as followeth.  
That the said most Princely Excellency Count Maurice, and the said general Estates do by these their Edicts or proclamations ordain and command that in all the provinces, cities, towns, governments or places of their dominions, that no man, whatsoover, using the Art of navigation, presume to employ himself in any ship or shipping appertaining or any way belonging to any foreign prince or potentate whatsoever, and more over that all those that have heretofore, before these our Edicts or proclamations employed themselves in any foreign service at Sea, forth of our united governments, do with all speed and diligence, upon the notice of these our Edicts or proclamations, repair to or tovards our said united provinces, cities, Towns or dominions within the space of three months, next ensuing these our Edicts, upon pain of confiscation of life, lands & goods: and moreover we do, by these our Edicts, strictly charge the parents, kinsfolks or friends of the said Navigators; employed in the service of any Prince, state, or potentate, forth of our dominions, to give (with all possible speed) notice to their said parents, kinsfolks or friends employed in any foreign service at sea to make their speedy repair forth of the said foreign employments into the dominions, territories, cities, or towns of our said united provinces within the term of three months above said, as they will be hereafter answerable thereunto. And that the world may take notice of the necessity of our just proceeding herein, these are to give them to understand that it is to prevent, as near as in us lieth, the employment of our most expert Pilots and Mariners in other dominions, which could not in time to come but prove very prejudicial to our said united provinces.  
Moreover hereby we give notice that his Majesty the King of great Britain having given leave to his subjects to send a fleet for the discovery of certain islands depending upon the Indies, where Christians never before inhabited, and that they his said subjects at their great cost and charges by the prudence, valour, and Magnanimity of divers valiant and difcreet commanders have attained the possession of certain of the said islands, forcing the Savage people (by their valour and courage) to retire far up into the Country, and withal building fortresses and towns, inhabiting them with men, women and children of all professions, providing for them all necessary provisions for the use of Man, as houses to dwell in, oxen, kine, horses, sheep, goats, and all other sorts of living things convenient▪ with all necessary supplies thereunto belonging; which his Majesty of Spain perceiving (being informed that the Countries and islands which his majesties subjects of great Britain sought after, were like to prove rich, fruitful, and flourishing, and withal that they were a dependency of the Continent of America, commonly called the Indies) sought by all means possible to prevent and hinder the plantation of the English in the said countries and islands, and therefore he caused a great fleet to be prepared; consisting of Caracks, Gallyons, Hulks, Pynaces and other sorts of shipping, to the number of seventeen sail, well provided with all store of Munition for war, as ordnance, shot and powder, full stuffed with mariners and soldiers, all which fleet (by the command of his said Majesty of Spain) set sail (at their appointed time) out of Spain for their intended voyage of the Indies, hoping to prevent the designs of their enemies, but as the sequel showeth it proved far otherwise with them.  
IN the year 1612. last passed there went out of Holland and Zealand for the East Indies eight very fair, great, and strong ships, which meeting together at England's end, took their course to further their voyage withal speed possible.  
And in short time they came under the Salt Islands where they spied many Sails showing to be of great burdens, which was the afore said Spanish fleet. The Hollanders, having descried them, held on still their right course which the Spaniards seeing came with full sails upon the Hollanders, for they had the wind with them: The Hollanders, not thinking, or having any purpose to fight, yet seeing they could not beeryd of the Spanish fleet, prepared themselves for the fight. At the first approach the Spanish Admiral came so fiercely upon them, shooting with all the terrible fury that could be imagined: which the Holland Admiral perceiving turned his ship and got above the wind, the Spaniards still mocking and scoffing at him, but the Hollands. Admiral with his fore-peeces of great ordinance shot him quite through from the hinder-part of the Admiral ship through the forepart and presently discharged all the ordnances of his own ship up-the said Spanish Admiral, and turning his ship discharged likewise the other whole side upon him and shot so terribly that the blood in the Spanish Admiral ran out of the scupper holes. At which time another Gallion coming to assist the said Spanish Admrall entangled herself in the great tackle of the Admiral so that he being all on fire, did sink and the Gallion also with him.  
Then the Hollanders Admiral went to assist his vice-admiral, which most valiantly was fight with two Spanish ships, where after many thundering peals of Ordnance, on both sides interchanged, the Spaniards having many slain outright, and many sore wounded, began to faint, and yield; which the Hollanders perceiving, entered into these two ships and cast them all over board, possessing themselves of all that was contained in them, which amounted to a very great sum, they being very richly laden.  
In the mean time, the other six Holland ships were fight, likewise, with the other Spanish ships, and most valiantly defended themselves with vehement shooting, so as the very Sea seemed to have been on fire; Many of the Spanish ships were fired and sunk: but not one of the Hollanders, only some few men slain and some wounded: One of the Holland ships had boarded the Spanish vice-admiral and cast all over board, where they likewise got great store of treasure and riches.  
This terrible fight begun at nine of the clock in the morning, during all that day and the next day until evening, the Holland ships got for prize and booty above 3. tons of gold, besides all other costly wares: but the honour and praise of this Roman deed is greater, in that 8. Holland ships, have overcome 17. well manned Galleons of the mighty King of Spain, that did so little esteem and regard the Holland ships and men.  
After this furious and dreadful fight, the Hollanders Admiral (with advise and counsel of all the officers and ship-companie) caused the prize, booty and pilledge to be divided and distributed to every man according to his rank and place, or merit and desert: The pillage was so great, that every ordinary man had to his share whole armfuls of silks, velvets, clothes ready made, with diverse other rich commodities.  
Thus having given thanks to God, who is the giver of victories, relieved their hurt and mained men, and repaired what was most needful in their shipping, with merry hearts for the achievement of so great a victory, they continued on their former course for the performance of their intended voyage to the East Indies.  
By this you may perceive that victory consists not in multitudes, and therefore with this admonition to all men in general, but more particularly to all those that use the sea, I will conclude this relation: that they neither glory or presume upon their numbers, or strength, but have recourse to him who doth and ever will spare the humble and beat down the proud.  
God of his infinite goodness and mercy who is the governor of land and sea, so steer there course, and direct their purposes, that, to his glory, the honour and profit of their country, the joy and comfort of their wives, children, and friends, they may return to their desired home with prosperous and speedy success  
Amen.  
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