A TRUE RELATION BROUGHT BY THE Lord of Buisson, and sent by the French King concerning the defeat of the Lord Soubizes army, his Majesty being there in person.  
With THE SURPRISING OF THE Castle of Chaume about the sands of Psonne the 18. of this present month of April. 1622.  
Printed at Paris, By Frederick Morel the King's ordinary Printer, by authority, and now orderly translated.   

THE SURPRISING OF MONSIEUR Soubizes army, and the taking of the castle of Chaume, the King being in the field in person.  
THE King being departed from Nantes the twelfth of April, determined to lodge the same night at a place called Vielle-Vigne, distant five leagues from the same town: the next day his Majesty removed three leagues nearer his enemies. The 14. day he appointed the general Rendezvous for his whole Army between Aspremont and Comminquiers, befitting places for such a purpose, sending to the Count de la Rochfoucalt to bring thither his forces also, and so unite them with his Majesties: but when his Majesty was advertised that the Lord de Soubize was retired with his troops or army toward the Rendezvous of Aspremont, consisting of five or six thousand foot, five hundred horse, three pieces of great Artillery, and four field pieces of iron, he advanced forward with a full resolution, and ardent desire to fight with him, and so came to a village called Chalans: here he was advised by my Lord the Prince of Conde, that seeing he had sent for the forces of the Count de la Rochfoucalt to join with his troops, it were not amiss to attend the good hour of their coming together. For the Lord Soubize and his army was lodged within an Island called Rye, very difficult for access, and very dangerous to surprise, as having only three or four straight passages for conduction, wherein two or three men could but march in front.  
The fifteenth day of the said month, the King was mounted by three of the clock in the morning, and with his whole troops, set forward to the place, where Count de la Rochfoucalt, and all his forces attended the King's appointment, with whose pioneers and soldiers, in his own presence, he raised three several forts or sconces near the said Island, and near the place where the enemy played most with the cannon and defended themselves.  
But his Majesty all on fire, and resolved to go forward in his enterprise, not regarding what the cannon could do, and less caring what the enemy durst attempt, sent my Lord the Prince of Conde, with all the remainder of the Infantry on foot, and some men of arms to enter upon the said Island: but you must consider, that his Majesty had first apppointed the Lord Martial de Vitry, with the Regiment of his guard to take possession of the place; with whom were accomdanyed the Lord's Z●met, and de Murillac Marshals of the Camp, who still kept near the said Martial de Vitry, until he had entered the Island, and taken up his lodging: then did they quarter themselves. Shortly after, as you have heard, came Monsieur Prince de Praslin, with Bassompierre the first Marshal of the field, whose authority and endeavours brought all the rest of the horse to join with the said Regiment of the guard, who only were first lodged within the Island: whereupon they prepared themselves readily and with all diligence, to obey their Commanders, but could not do it so soon, but they were discovered by the enemy, who sent out four hundred horse to set upon the Prince of Condes forces before the army of the King could approach, and unite themselves: which when the Prince of Conde perceived, and apprehended, that they were resolute to fight, he retired himself a little, and sent with all speed to advertise his Majesty what had chanced, and that, if it pleased him, he might now advance forward with the rest of his army into the Island; which the King presently and nobly accomplished, coming to the place where my Lord the Prince was, and so the rest in a manner as soon followed, where his Majesty was.  
This performed, he took present order for two special things: the one was to supply the wants of the soldiers with bread; for they had fasted long, and so all that were near his person had a Donative out of his own store, or if you will, his principal Baker, and the rest had a gratuity from other places: the other was to quarter the horse within the Town of S. john de Mons, some half a mile from thence, wherein he used such judgement and providence, that he prevented many mischiefs. For he presently sent to the Count de la Rochefoucalt, to abandon one part of his quarter, which the same day he had taken possession of in the presence of his Majesty, and retire to the Town of Saint Giles, making use of the same for the better refreshing of his wearied troops, letting the enemy alone until better opportunity. But as this was a doing, the scouts advertised his Majesty, that the enemy prepared themselves to retire to some better security by the Sea; which when the Tide went out, they might well do, through Fords and Washeses: But the King understanding hereof, sent five hundred of the Regiment de la Bergerie, under the command of Captain d'Escars, to guard the places and passages.  
Now you must consider, that his Maieiste had endured a tedious travel, and a kind of a penance: For he was on horseback, from three of the clock in the morning, to six at night, and never dismounted, by reason he was to pass over a little Creek of the Sea, which he could not do, but at a low water, nor was then to be done, until head had his forces together, and thus he was enforced to watch for the Tide, which was not low enough till nine of the clock at night, at which time the foot had a Rendezvous apppointed, and a watchword to attend, and the horse might easily find a way through the Fords and known Washes of the place. But when it was considered, that the passage for the foot was a quarter of a league from the Fords of the horse, and that the King, even in the midst of his journey standing deep in the water, had notice, that the foot could not yet go over, as having the Sea up to their necks, he was advised by many not to make too much haste, nor pass with his horse alone, lest the enemy might take advantage of the same, and set upon him not fully provided.  
Nevertheless his undaunted Majesty, uniting together his resolution with the generosity of his spirit, & scorning to give way unto any difficulties in a business of such importance, wherein a Prince's word was engaged, commanded forward, and finding the night to be very dark and obscure, welcommend the opportunity, and all alone with his horse overcame the difficulty being five hundred with the Volunteers, and others, and no more. For you must know, he had left three hundred horse and fifty Carabines with Count de la Rochefoucalt, to guard the rear, and defend the carriages.  
By this time was the hour approached that the foot might pass, who when they had founded the channels, quickly adventured their persons, and made such diligence and speed that they passed over in good order. For the Lords de Bassompierre, and de Palsuna Frontenac Master of the Camp with the Regiment of Navarre had the Van in this business, and used the discipline of Silence, Patience, Travel and Obedience: then followed the Regiments of the Gurde, and Normandy, and when they found the water but up to the girdle-sted, it was a wonder to behold how soon they passed. For within one half hour they were quickly embattelled near unto his Majesty, and drawn up so formally, that the King commended both the Officers and the Soldiers, the one for their martial knowledge, the other for their submission and readiness.  
By that time all was done, the Sea returned, and the flood came in apace; so that his Majesty had the Sea on his right hand, and this passage behind him, whereby there was now no retiring, & the enemy must either fight, or yield; which when the King understood, it is rather to be admired, then commended with what courage and direction he proceeded: For when he saw the passages, over which his foot came, being five hundred paces broad, all covered with water, and apprehended the toil and labour they endured, being, as the Proverb is, dropping dry, and weary, and wet in their Stations, he road in amongst them to comfort them. When they again recollected themselves to cast up the King's accounts of his watchings all night, of his wearisornnesse, and travel, of the danger, in which he hazarded his person, and of the example, which so many Princes and Nobles gave them, they quickly recomforted themselves, and assured their Captains, they would live and die with their King.  
Whereupon his Majesty by break of the day marshaled his army in good order, and concluded to fight, keeping the fields directly, which led to the Cross of Vie, distant, or remote from Saint Giles by one arm of the sea, which was now unpassable. The enemy all this while was acquainted with what was done; and although they seemed much daunted and appalled at the King's approach in such a manner, and knew apparently, that his anger was so much exasperated against them, that he determined their destruction; yet did they make good semblance, and reasonable exposition. For Monsieur de Soubize, and his valiant Lieutenant omitted nothing, wherein the office of a Commander was to be shown, and the service of a soldier employed.  
But all was in vain: For when the time came of their joining and charging together, which was close to the passage directing to Saint Giles, the king approached with that fury, and the Princes followed with such willingness, that at the very first shock, and push of pike, they began to stagger, which was quickly entertained by his Majesty, and so both horse and foot poured many volleys of short among them amain, and never left, till their foot were in a manner defeated: for the most part of their horse perceiving the impossibility of recovering the day, left the foot, and thought to retire to Rochel; which when the other companies, not yet fought withal, perceived; they also made means to escape: but the sea prevented their hastiness, being yet too low, whereby his Majesty's forces followed them all over the strands, and had a fearful execution, when they were thus put to rout. For although many of them seeing this extremity threw down their arms, and submitted to mercy, & as many mingled themselves with the king's forces by way of acknowledging his sovereignty: yet were there slain outright 500 and diverse hundreds flying into the Marshes and villages were soon put to the sword by the soldiers and peasants.  
There were also taken prisoners a thousand, withal the Masters of the camp, Captains and Officers, many Colours or Ensigns surprised, their Canon was violently seized on, three pieces of brass, and four of iron, their baggage and carriages were intercepted; and in a word all that they had was spoilt, disordered, and overthrown: yea Monsieur Soubize himself came into the hands of the Count de la Rochfoucalt, but escaped upon a little nag with much ado with a 120. horse only, who came to Rochel, as sorrowful messengers of this lamentable defeat, but they acquainted with the miseries, and accidents of Fortune, and prepared to endure the stripes of affliction, wrapped up all together in the bosom of sorrow, and put into the Catalogue of former losses, and God's indignation, who in his due time would make an end of their griefs, and send them no doubt the comfort of reconciliation with their Prince and Governor.  
When the King had thus prevailed the same day or if you will the same night he logded at Aspremont, whither one repaired to advertise him, that upon the discovery of the enemy's horses about the Ford of the Marshes; he had sent fifty horse or Carbines to keep them play, amongst whom twelve advanced so forward, being attended with the light-horse, and followed with other men of arms, and all upon the Bridle, that coming to an encounter, ten of their enemies were taken, and the rest attempting to save themselves by flight, were overtaken by the Peasants, and slain. This news brought with it a kind of security, so that his Majesty might now take his rest with a little more quietness, and the soldiers have the better refreshing, considering there remained no apparent enemy to annoy them; and if any Alarms chanced, they might quickly be accommodated, and fresh scouts, and per dues set abroad, the overwearied might the better take their repose.  
While the King refreshed his Army and himself at Aspremont, he called a Council of war to determine his proceed; and because he perceived the business of Rochel to be dangerous and difficult, he now desisted from so much as a conference concerning it, and only went about the reducing of this Island of Rye to his obedience: whereupon he sent the Count de la Rochefoucalt, to besiege the Castle of Chaume, or at least to surprise it by Battery or otherwise: he took with him three thousand soldiers, and made his other provision suitable to such a business: the Castle itself was strong, well furnished with soldiers, and now the better prepared, because of them which escaped in the last defeat, & quartered themselves here round about: yet nothing at this time prevailed against the King's forces. For they gave so hot an assault, and seconded one another in such a manner, that they not only seemed more than they were, but encouraged one another to the prevailing: so that though the enemy made for the time equal opposition, and might have defended themselves, if they had not been thus terrified, and examinated: yet at last in the midst of the fight it was taken about the eighteenth of April, a hundred and fifty men slain, and four hundred surprised as prisoners, of those which called themselves, and made, as it were, a new head to intercept the battery, and prevent, as fare as they could, the expugnation.  
While this was doing against Chalme, the Lord de Buyers Lieutenant of the foresaid Count understanding that Monsieur de Soubize was returned toward the Island with the troops, that had escaped with him, made up against him, and charged him only with thirty of the chiefest Gentlemen, who upon their shrinking back, as mistrusting the king's forces to be nearer than they were, took thirty of Soubizes' company prisoners, and rerurned to the king with the relation of the matter, who next day being the nineteenth of April drew out all his army most Princely equipped and furnished, gloriously to behold, and well marshaled for any enterprise, and this he did in the sight of Soubize, who had retired himself to a place of security, by reason of the seas coming in, so that for the time it was unaccessable: and for the time the king meant only to show his greatness, and strike as it were a terror upon them, that they might remember themselves, and return to his obedience.  
This done, his Majesty resolved to march to Royan and withal expedition to besiege it: for seeing he was abroad, he would now do some thing worthy of his labour, pains, presence, travail, and the endurances of his army which by this time increased, and was great and well appointed: for there accompanied him many Princes and noble Lords: by name the Prince of Conde, the Count Soisons: my Lord of Vendosme: the grand Prior, Duke de Fronfac, Duke de Retz, my Lords the Marshals of Vitry, and of Prasluin, Monsieur de Scomberg, the marquis of Courtenan, the marquis of Nesse, with many other Lords, and Gentlemen of quality, who had not only done their devoir in this journey, but were ready to spend their lives for his Majesty upon any occasion.   

FRedericke Morel, the King's ordinary Printer hath authority from his Majesty to print this true Relation, which was sent from the King himself: with a prohibition to all other Printers, neither to print this, nor things of the like nature, without licence, upon pain of forfeiting a hundred pound Paris, and corporal punishment if it be proved, and he convicted.  
Published and done this 21. of April 1622. Stylo novo. Signed Dr. Bailleul.