A true and perfect Discourse of the overthrow of certain companies of Burgonions both horse & foot men at Villefranche, a town situate on the borders of champaign, upon the river of Meuze, between Sunday at night & Monday morning being the 4. day of August 1597. together with the certain number of how many are slain and taken prisoners.  
Translated out of French into English, By W.P.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by E. Allde for Cuthbert Burbie, and are to be sold at his shop under the Royal Exchange.   

A true and perfect discourse of the overthrow of certain companies of Burgoinions both horse and foot men, at Villefranche, a town situated on the borders of champaign, upon the river of Meuze, between Sunday at night & Monday morning being the 4. day of August, 1597. together with the certain number of how many are slain and taken prisoners.  
IT is not in few but in many places that the hatred and secret envy of the King of Spain doth daily and hourly show itself against the country of France, or rather the great desire he hath to possess the Crown and Diadem thereof, as being the fairest piece of ground in all Europe: But God, that until this time, hath kept and preserved the same, will still defend & maintain it: yea, & restore it, unto the pristinate glory and splendour thereof: whereof he faileth not to put us still in comfort, by divers and sundry effects, and those in many places, as now lately at Villefranche a small town situate upon the river of Meuze, between Astehay and Dun, towns belonging to Monsieur de Corraine, and about seven small miles distant from the Town of Sedan. This town is very little, and was in time passed built by King Francis the first, in form four square like a sconce, seeming rather a small Fort to hold a court of Guard then a town, which he caused to be made only to hinder the incursions of the Burgonions into the Country of champaign. In the last Civiil wars, it was taken by the Duke of Lorraine, & since that time by certain composition & agreement made, delivered up again unto the King of France, the governor thereof at this present is one Monsieur de Tremelet a Gentleman of that Country, whose valour and fidelity is much renowned, through the services by him done & accomplished for his Majesty, during his wars: namely under the Regiment of Monsi●ur the Duc de Nevers. The Garrison he hath under him within the town, is three companies of foot & one of horsemen. The Burgonians (for so all that serve the king of Spain in those parts are called, namely those of the Duchy of Luxemburg,) which of long time have desired to set foot in the country of champaign, wherein they make daily incursions, addressing all their intents & Forts against the towns situate on the river of Meuze, as Meziers, Seda, Mouzon, Villefranche, or rather Rocroy & Maubert fountain, which are not far from them, as yet could never attain unto their purpose, through the diligent watch and provident care, by the governors thereof daily had & maintained. And perceiving that by policy and arms they could not prevail, they thought to prove if treason would work any better effect: which likewise in the end returned upon themselves. Of late they have still aimed at Villefranche, as a most fit place for their entrance into champaign: & for the same cause addressed themselves to certain soldiers of the garrison, with many Spanish promises to make them rich for ever, if they would deliver the town into their hands. Those soldiers seemed to yield to their request, but imparted it to Monsieur de Tremelet their Governor: who considering what good might follow for the King's service, together with the counsel of other Governors near him, commanded those soldiers that had moved it unto him, to go forward with Captain Gauchet, (being the man on the Burgonians behalf that laid the plot). This Gauchet is an adventurous soldier, yet within these ten years that he hath used wars, it hath been his fortune to attain to the reputation of a Captain, & at this time serveth under the K. of spain, although by birth either a Frenchman or a Lorraine. On this commandment of Tremelets the soldiers agreed with Gauchet both of the time, hour & means, when and how they would deliver the town, receiving of him some ready money, with promise of more upon the obtaining the same. The time appointed was upon Sunday night being the 3. of August, and Monday morning following. In the mean time Monsieur de Tremelet slept not, but sent unto the Governors of the towns about him for some of their soldiers to help in a case so needful. Which Monsieur le Conte de grandpre, Monsieur de Rumesnil, and Monsieur De Estingue Governors of the towns of Mouzon, Maubert & sedan willingly agreed unto, some lending him their own persons, and some their soldiers. For Monsieur de Rumesnil an old yet valiant Gentleman, took the charge to lead the troops of the neighbouring garrisons, and coming to sedan the 3. of August, departed in the Evening from thence towards Villefranche, sending certain footmen into the town, and ambushed with the rest of his foot and horse about half a mile off, on the same side where Gauchet and his troops must pass. The sign given by the soldiers of Villefranche unto Gauchet, whereby he should know when to enter the town, was a cannon shot: & the like to Monsieur de Rumesnil to issue out of his Ambuscado. Now when the time drew on that the thing must be effected, every man prepared himself. Gauchet caused all his horsemen to a light a quarter of a mile from Villefranche, to conduct them unto the Ditches, and from thence by the soldiers means into the town. And Monsieur de Rumesnil prepared to charge them behind. To conclude, the signs were given, and all Gauchets men that entered the town or the ditches, were slain or sent flying into the air by certain Instruments of wild fire made for the same purpose, or drowned in the ditches. Mean while Gauchet that made haste to follow those that had entered the town, was much amazed that he and his troops were charged behind: and had it not been that one led his horse after him (whether it were done by policy or good fortune it is not known) he had likewise stayed behind: but he got on horseback, and saved himself by flying. At this overthrow there was slain to the number of 300 and 120. taken prisoners. All the Leaders and Captains except Gauchet were slain, and all their horses taken: so that of between five or six hundred men that the said Gauchet brought thither, there escaped not above fifty, which saved themselves by the favour of the night. A most happy overthrow for his majesties service, being done without the loss of any man: which will procure great peace, quietness and means unto the Country to gather in their harvest with more security about the Frontiers of champaign. In this sort do all the enemies both of God and the Country of France perish and decay: but such as love God and public peace, are like the Sun when it is in greatest force.  
FINIS.