A BRIEF REPORT OF THE MILITARY SERVIces done in the LOW COUNTRIES, by the Earl of LEICESTER: written by one that served in good place there in a letter to a friend of his.  
Imprinted at London, by Arnold Hatfield, for Gregory Seton.  
1587.   

Note that the account of the days, months, years, and miles, is to be made always in this letter after the style and measure of ENGLAND.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL MY ESPECIAL GOOD FRIEND SIR I. A. KNIGHT.  
SIR, to satisfy your often earnest requests, I have taken time these holidays to set you down a brief report of the military services done in the low Countries, by the Earl of LEICESTER, and his armies, during the time of his abode and government there: reckoning from the 22. day of january 1585. on which day he was received Governor of those Countries; till the 23. of November 1586. when he embarked at VLUSHING, in his return for ENGLAND. I intermeddle not with the estate of Religion, justice, or civil policy, because your letters demand it not, and I willingly deal not further in reports, then is by some kind of duty required of me. You expect not I hope but the substance of things done with brevity: the circumstances, I know, and particularities, will require a reasonable volume. Of one thing I must entreat you to be especially excused. I will not meddle with the particular services of private men: because if I should rehearse them all, and speak of them as indeed they have deserved, it were above my skill, and I should be longer than my leisure suffereth. And if I should touch some, and conceal others, the just offence would hardly be endured. For truth of the things I writ you of, this be assured: what I writ as done of our party, either I saw, and am witness of it myself, or I have it by the credible report of those that were the doers. What I set down of the enemies doings, I either take it from their own intercepted letters, or I do it upon the advertisements of our best intelligencers: who in circumstances may err, but serve not much from truth, I think, in any material point: howsoever it is, I trust you will be persuaded, that I willingly speak no untruth: And then as I conceive of these things, if so it please you to accept of them, they have been done, as I take them, in manner as followeth.  
After long and humble suit of the Estates general of the united Provinces of the low Countries, it pleased the queens Majesty our Sovereign to grant unto them a large and bountiful aid of men & money, in such sort, and upon such Articles and conditions, as in the treaty concluded between them, bearing date the fourth day of September, in the year 1585. it more at large appeareth. To speak of the magnanimity, wisdom, bounty, and singular goodness of her Majesty in yielding so great and chargeable a succour: with consideration against whom, upon how necessary and most urgent causes, and for how grievously oppressed a people and countries, it was intended, were a matter beside my purpose at this time, and above the reach of my pen and skill. The fact is, and will be approved, and renowned in the world, so long as the memory of wise and good Princes, and of true princely actions shall endure. But in the Treaty named, there is one Article amongst others, whereby it is especially required, That it might please her Majesty to send with her forces into those parts, a parsonage of nobility, valour and wisdom, of the English Nobility, as well to govern her people, as also to direct and to deal otherwise, and to use such further pre-eminence and authority, as is specified in the Treaty. The man for this purpose most desired of the Estates, and especially chosen by her Majesty, was the Earl of Leycester, who being accordingly appointed for this service, after his commission received, and view taken of such as were then to go with him, leaving whatsoever the singular blessings of God most happily many ways, and the especial favour of a mighty Prince had of long time yielded him in his own Country; took leave at the Court, and departed towards Harwich in Essex, there to embark in the beginning of December following. There accompanied him in this voyage, the Earl of Essex, the Lord Awdeley, the Lord North, with divers Knights, and many esquires and Gentlemen, to the number of six or seven hundred horse, bravely and soldier like appointed, all voluntaries and of his own friends, followers, & servants. He departed from Harwich with the most part of his train the ninth day of December, and on the tenth of the same arrived at Vlushing in Zealand, where, & at Middleborough he was received with great concourse and joy, and after two days stay there by sundry journeys came to the Hage in Holland. Here after many days treaty: upon the 22. day of january 1585. he received the government of those Countries, with title of Governor and Captain General of Holland, Zealand, and of the united Provinces, and of their associates. The united Provinces, and their associates were then accounted the Duchy of Gelder's, with the County of Zutphen, Holland, Zealand, Vtricht, and the countries adjoining of Frizeland, between the river of Emes and layers, Flaunders also and Brabant, for the towns of those countries, that then held with the other united Provinces. And the estate of them all was then this. In Holland, Zealand, and Vtricht the enemy had clearly nothing: in Frizeland also nothing, saving that the city of Gronningen and that part of the country called Omelandes were wholly his: in Gelderland and Zutphen he had a good part: in Brabant the Estates had but Bergen apzome, Saint Ghertrudenberg, Huesden, Grave, and Woo castle, with the Fort of Lillo: in Flaunders they had Sluice, and Oostend, and the forts of Terneuse, the Dole, Lyskenshooke, and Saint Antony's hook: all the rest were the enemies, together with all the other of the seventeen Provinces, except the whole almost of the country of ouerissel, which in a kind of newetralitie, seemed to favour the Estates party, and rather to incline to them: but indeed did greatly aid the enemy with victuales and provisions, and had many secret intelligences with him.  
These Provinces, their estate, and the people of them did the E. of Leicester at this his first arrival, and acceptance of the government find in great confusion: The common people without obedience, The soldier in misery and disorder for want of pay, The governors weary, & tired, for lack of good assistance, and due obedience, The Provinces themselves staggering in their union, & every Town next danger ready to seek new means for their safety: such was their fear of the enemy triumphant now with continual victories, and especially with the late recovery of Anwarpe: so little was their hope of their own ability to resist, and so many were the enemies deep and secret practices, even in the very bowels of them.  
The estate duly considered, and such remedies to every member aptly applied, as the present time would then permit: the civil government being first in some good sort well settled, the Earl applied himself forthwith to the military service, the first occasion being offered for the relief of Grave.  
Grave is a Town in Brabant, belonging to Count Mourice of Nassau, second son to William Prince of Orange deceased. But it was then in the government of Count Philip of Hohenloe or Hollocke a German, who had long served the Estates, and had placed governor in this Town Mounsieur Hemart, a Baron of these low Countries with garrison of about eight hundred Dutch and Netherlande soldiers. The Town is not great, but fortified of late, and made very strong by the Prince of Orange, whose patrimony it was. It is of some importance, because standing upon the river of Mase, it hindereth the free passage of that part of the river near it. Otherwise for trade, territory, wealth, or any other commodity, it is not to be much accounted of. Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, governor then for the king of Spain in Brabant, Flaunders, and those parts of the low Countries that acknowledge the king of Spain, had sent the Count Charles Maunsfelt, to beleaguer this Town, and to besiege it somewhat a far off, which he accordingly did, by erecting round about it four forts, with fifteen hundred soldiers in them, and having near him within one english mile all the spanish Regiments, to the number of five thousand footmen. He had now lain there from December till about the beginning of March: at which time the E. of Leycester understanding the Town was brought into distress for lack of men, victuals, and other provisions, minding to relieve it, and for the ready answering of all incident occasions to be more near it, departed from the Hage by Harlem, and Amstelredam, to Vtricht. From thence he presently sent his horsemen being in number about thirteen or fourteen hundred, to encamp at Nyekircke in the province of Vellowe in Gelderland: aswell to unburden the Towns of them, as also by their lying there to detain the enemies forces of those parts from Grave. He appointed to Count Hollock, and S. john Norris Colonel general of the English infantry, about two thousand footmen, without horsemen, because the place was not for them, with direction to victual and to supply and furnish Grave, with all necessaries. These Gentlemen marching with their troops, took first by assault a little fort of the enemies about four miles from Grave, called the Mill forte, and then meaning to fortify themselves as near the Town as they might, and from their fortification to take such order as occasion should minister, for achieving their intent began to entrench upon the bank of the Maze on Gelderland side, about two english miles from Grave, between it and Battenbourge castle, and within half a mile or thereabouts of the enemies bridge, and forts on that side. They began their work with about three hundred soldiers, and some pioneers on Tuesday at night in Easter-wéeke the 5. of April, and in the morning had raised it a yard high, when the enemy having had intelligence of their meaning, sendeth to hinder the same three thousand Spaniards: who after two or three attempts put our men being but few from their work, and caused them to retire. But other of our troops to the number of eight or nine hundred, presently meeting them, our men made stand again, gave a fresh charge upon the Spaniards, drove them over the fortification, where they fought before, even to their own fort, slaying on the ground five hundred of them all Spaniards: amongst whom seven special captains, and two others of greater account, and wounded about two hundred which were carried to Bolduke, & other places. They took also one piece of the enemies ordinance, brought to beat our boats and fortification. Of our men six or seven score were slain, but not one man of name. Sir john Norris was hurt in the breast with a pike: sir john boroughs had a finger strooken off with a musket shot. After this fight, the Count Hollocke battered and took Battenbourge castle, and the fort de Guanden,, and the strong house of Empell, and then his victual being come he victualled Grave by water twice, went himself into it, supplied the garrison with new men, and left it furnished with all provisions sufficient by acknowledgement of Hemart the captain himself for nine months. And having done that he came for, in the very view and face of the enemy, he dissolved his camp, and came away with great honour.  
A liftle before this time fell out the surprise of Wearle a great Town in Westfalia by colonel Skenck, and afterwards a sharp fight by the same Skenck, with three or four thousand of that country, where he slew and overthrew above two thousand with great valour, and brought away rich spoils: but being in the diocese of cologne, and without the jurisdiction of the united Provinces, and not directly against their chief enemy. I will enlarge no further of these exploits.  
The prince of Parma (as it was reported to us) was much kindled with this overthrow at Grave, with the taking of the castles and victualling of the Town: and his former winter preparations being now in readiness, about the beginning of May he began to march towards Grave, but so, as that he was first assured by Count Maunsfelde (as by our intelligences & letters intercepted it appeared) that the match for the town was fully concluded before he would set out to it. Thither he came with his camp now of twelve thousand footmen, and about four thousand horse. He battered the Town for show, and upon battery, had it presently yielded without assault. The E. of Leycester hearing of the prince's preparations towards Grave, being as yet unready and destitute of all means to furnish a camp sufficient to meet with him on equal ground in field, yet to the intent to be near at hand with the forces he had, and to wait such advantages as occasion might offer, with a small camp of about three thousand foot, and one thousand horse, he passed in person the river of Rhyne at Arnham in Gelderland, into the province of Bettowe, with intent from thence to pass the river of Wale also, and so to approach to Grave itself.  
The Bettowe is a province in Gelderland, lying between the rivers of Rhyne and Wale, very fertile, and then wholly held by the enemy, or at least infested by him, with his forts of Luytesforte, and Berckshoofe and the two castles of Alon and Bemell. It was first thought expedient to win these forts and castles before further passage: but they were very strong, well manned, and sufficiently provided of all necessaries. The great city of Newmegen was but over the Wale on the other side very near them, and the enemy with his camp at Grave, not eight english miles from them. These good helps so near, encouraged greatly the soldiers within, who with all warlike skill omitted nothing that mought be required in soldiers for defence. But the resolution was to attempt them, which was done with such valour of our soldiers, his Excellency himself ordering the batteries at some of them, and without respect of travel or danger, putting his own hand to the trenches, and other works to be made for the approaches, as at length at several times they were all yielded.  
Another thing of good importance was then to be done also. A little above the Towlehuise in Cleveland is a small Island in the river of Rhyne, in place where the Rhyne dividing himself, taketh the right hand course down to Arnham, and retaineth still the name of Rhyne, and on the left hand passeth to Newmegen, and is in Latin called Vahalis, in vulgar Dutch the Wale. The Island is called Gravenswert, and being fortified might command both the rivers of Rhyne and Wale from that place downward, that nothing could pass to Arnham or Newmegen. It was thought very important to surprise this Island, and to build a fort in it: but the matter required celerity, secrecy, and good strength of men, because the enemy was near. It was committed to be done to sir Martin Skenck, (he was now knighted before at Vtricht, and had given him by his Excellency, at his receiving of knighthood a chain of gold of a thousand crowns) sir Martin whiles his Excellency was occupied in winning the forts and castles, took the Island, built the fort, and having left it defensible and well manned, returned again to his Excellency: who having now gotten the forts and castles, and so cleared the whole province of Bettowe, and left not one enemy in it, thought fit to proceed in his principal intent of drawing near the enemy at Grave. He had first to pass the river of Wale, & then to march eight english miles in the enemies countries, to the Maze & Grave, where the prince & his camp lay. As he began to provide his passage over the Wale the news were suddenly brought him that Grave was yielded. This seemed so strange that it was not at the first believed, aswell because it was known to be of great strength, and victualled, and thoroughly provided of all necessaries for nine Months, as also and more specially for that his Excellency had received two letters from Baron Hemart, captain of Grave, the one the day before, the other the same day: wherein Hemart wished his Excellency to do what else he thought convenient, and to have no care of Grave, for he was well able to defend it against all men, for one half year. These letters were sent to the Q. Majesty: but in the end the news were found true. The Town was yielded; and his Excellency bethinking him what was fit to be done, and seeing his army nothing equal to the enemies, the numbers being so far different, as is before rehearsed: understanding also that almost all the Towns near about, as bomel, Arnham, Amersfort, Deventer, and the rest of gelders and Ouerissell stood in tickle terms likely to yield if the enemy came near them: and finding indeed that the prince had already sent part of his army towards Bomelsverte: he sent forthwith strong garrisons into the next frontier towns, and bomel being thought to be then in some danger, himself went thither, with fifteen hundred footmen, and five hundred horse, where he assured that Town, and the Island being of great importance, and took such order for the rest as that time and the small means he then had would permit. Hemart for his sudden yielding of Grave without good cause, being sufficiently furnished of all necessaries for defence and contrary to assurance of it, given by his own letters but the same day, and the day before, coming to bomel was there apprehended and carried to Vtricht, his process drawn, and in solemn assembly by Co. Hollock himself and all the rest of the Colonels and Martial officers, of the Dutch, English, and divers other nations adjudged to die, and was publicly executed accordingly, with two others of his captains. I will not speak of what difficulty the matter was thought to do this execution: the party being a baron, of a Barons living, & great by birth and alliance in those parts: his Excellency, a stranger: the Estate in broken terms: and the example there scant seen before. But the fact fell out so plain, that his Excellency would not be entreated but that justice should proceed: the judges could not but condemn him, and the people though sorry for the man yet much rejoiced to see the justice done. Amongst divers others now sent to strengthen the garrions in sundry places, sir Martin Skenck, and sir Roger Williams were appointed with certain horse & footmen, to see if they might enter Venloe, whither it was thought the enemy would make his next journey. Venloe is a Town of the Duchy of Gelder's, situate upon the river of Mase, seven or eight english miles from Grave, & then in the government of sir Martin Skenck, who had garrison in it of seven hundred dutch soldiers: but himself was absent, and attempting to get into it went as I say with sir Roger Williams, and about a hundred horse, But they found themselves prevented, and all the passages taken by the enemy. But yet minding to assay if with their horsemen they might possibly break through the guards, they gave in the night a sudden most valiant attempt, upon the whole camp, and slew many even near to the princes own lodging. But directing themselves towards the Town, and finding the turnpikes shut, and guarded with strong watch of Muskeyteires, and the camp now all up in arms, and the day drawing on: they turned their course towards Wachtendoucke, a Town of the Estates, seven or eight miles of, where themselves and many of their company entered, and saved themselves from the whole cavalry of the enemy, now pursuing them, some thirty or forty of their company were slain, and taken. The prince then planted thoroughly his siege of Venloe, which the towns men in short space yielded to him, whiles the soldiers stood at defence of the walls. Whiles these things were thus in doing in those parts the L. Willoughby Governor of Berghes' apzome in Brabant, having intelligence of a great Convoy of victual, and other provisions to be brought out of the further parts of Brabant, next Cleveland, and Lukeland, into Antwerp: and having good advertisement of the time of their coming, upon the 23. of May, he met with them in their way about eight or ten english miles from Antwerp: himself had with him three cornets of horse, and three companies of foot: the convoy was four hundred wagons, and guarded with soldiers, and of the country people, to the number of a thousand. He set upon them, slew, and put to flight all the people, burnt and spoiled almost all the wagons, and provisions, and some mares, wagons, and such other things as he thought fit he brought away with him to Berghes.  
The E. of Leycester in the mean time having placed strong garrisons in all his frontiers, began to employ himself wholly to the gathering of a sufficient army to meet with the prince in field: footmen in good numbers were gotten out of England, with some from Scotland: two thousand German horses were appointed to be brought by Count Mewres, with a regiment of Almain footmen, and a thousand pioneers. But that the forces now ready mought be doing, whiles the others to make up the full army were in providing, his Excellency sent into Flaunders, under the conduction of Count Mourice of Nassau, and of his Nephew sir Philip Sidney, about two thousand footmen, which with great secrecy and valour surprised the Town of Axle, with four strong forts near about it, slew and put to flight four bands of footmen in the Town, had rich spoil, brought away five Ensigns of the enemies, left colonel Pyron, with eight or nine hundred soldiers in garrison, and came their way, to the intent to attempt graveling in Flaunders, which by a deceitful train laid for him by La Mote, was promised to sir Philip Sidney, who came thither, but finding the fraud, returned with the loss of about thirty common soldiers. Those of Axle had by this time cut the dikes, and by letting in the sea, drowned the country to the walls of Axle, and Hulst, and thereby added great strength to Axle.  
Shortly after this, the Count Hollock, and sir William Pelham, L. Martial of the field, made a road into Brabant, where having wasted and spoiled Lange Strate, and a great part of the country, they returned without hearing of any enemy to resist them.  
The prince after the yielding of Venloe marched to Nuyse, a Town of the diocese of cologne, held for the elector Trucses, by a valiant young gentleman, called Clowte. After some skirmishes, and a little battery, and Clowte wounded, this Town was lost, by the cowardliness of clouts soldiers, and Clowte taken out of his chamber wounded, and hanged out at the window with some note of unsoldierlike usage.  
From thence came the prince to Bercke, wherein were sir Martin Skenck and colonel Morgan, with twelve hundred English, and seven or eight hundred other soldiers. This Town is also of the diocese of cologne, and held for the elector Trucses. And though being without the limits of his Excellency's jurisdiction, it may seem it appertained not to his charge, as in like sort Nuyse also: yet for the importance of the place to the united Provinces standing upon the river of the Rhyne, and for the community, and near conjunction and dependency of both causes one on the other, uz. of the elector Trucses, and of the Estates of the united Provinces, it was thought expedient that the Town should be defended with common aid, and therefore such garrison before rehearsed was put into it. The Town at the beginning when this garrison came in about the time of the loss of Venlo was very weak, and through a contention for it between the Prince elector Trucses and Adolphe Count of Meurs, unprovided almost of all necessaries. But his Excellency having a little before quieted the strife between those two, it was now somewhat supplied of provisions by the Estates, and repaired by the industry and travel of Sir Martin and his soldiers. The siege began in the end of july, and was continued on without great effect, partly through the valour of the captain and soldier within it, who made divers sallies, and often intercepted, and slew sundry of the enemies soldiers: but especially by reason of the many continual advertisements brought daily to the Prince's camp of a great army of his Excellencies now gathered and in readiness to march. And indeed about this time had the Earl of Leicester collected his forces, and prepared his provisions, and about the 14. of August, sent sir john Norris, & sir Thomas Cecil with the vanguard to pass the river yssel on his bridge of boats, at the foot of Yssellort a mile above Arnham, with direction to encamp 6. or 7. miles into Cleveland, at a place called S. Seventer upon the bank of the Rhine. On the 17. of August was sent thither to him sir William Pelham L. Martial of the army with another troop, and on the 19 his Excellency departed from Vtricht to Rhenen, and so to Arnham, where he stayed till the troops of Brabant and Zealand with Co. Hollock, and those of Frizeland with Count William of Nassau met him there. And when they were all come together, on saturday the xxvij. of August he departed from Arnham, accompanied with the Prince of Portugal Don Emanuel, the Prince elector of cologne Trucses, Co. Mourice of Nassau, Co. Hollock, Co. William of Nassau, earl of Essex general of the English horsemen, Count Philip of Nassau, Count Solmes, Count Ouersteyne, L. Willoughby, L. North, S. Philip Sidney, and divers others, noblemen, knights, and gentlemen, and with the rest of the army marched that night to Elten in Cleveland. At Elten his Excellency thought expedient himself to take view of his army, which he did on sunday the 28. of August, and finding the bands of English and Irish not to fill the number of five thousand footmen: the rest of all nations not to make 2000 the cavalry of all sorts not to exceed the number of 1400. knowing the enemy to be 12000. strong on foot, and 3500. horse, experienced soldiers, he fell into consultation what were fittest to be done. To relieve Berck was the principal intent, or at least to get the soldiers safe and honourably out of it. This was to be effected by one of two means. Either by assailing or diverting the enemy. The first was full of difficulties. The enemy was strong, he was in his place of strength, he had his retraits at hand. Our camp was fewer in number, we should come a long march into a strange place, we had no retreat within twenty miles. And which took away all deliberation: our victuals unsufficient, either for maintenance of the army, or for relief of the town, must needs have failed us. Diversion therefore was thought to be the way, and that to be done by the siege of some place that might force the enemy to arise to secure it. And that place was reckoned fittest, to be Duisbourge. Duisbourge is a town of the County of Zutphen, situate at the confluence of the river called old issel, with that piece of the Rhine, that separating himself from the body of the Rhine a little east of Arnham, was anciently called Fossa Drusiana, as a ditch cut and made by Drusius from the Rhine into issel. The Town was also called Drusii burgum. It was and is now the chamber of the County of Zutphen: well peopled and reasonably rich, walled round with a high and strong wall, and watered of good depth and breadth round, and in the greatest part double: so that in the opinion of soldiers it was thought of good strength.  
This Town besides that being of importance, it was like to draw the enemy from Bercke to secure it, it was perilous also for our army to be left ungotten behind us, for that lying almost in the way of our passage between Arnham and the camp, we must have been constrained, if we had proceeded to Bercke to have left good forces for the assurance of that passage. There was in it captain Samson, a valiant old soldier, a Wallon, with 300, soldiers, and about 500 Burghers that bore arms. The resolution being taken for the siege of this Town, the army not knowing but they should pass on to Bercke: upon the sudden his Excellency appointed Count Hollocke with the Earl of Essex, sir Philip Sidney and others, with seven or 800. foot, and 500 horse to march by night, and taking the passages of the town to begin the siege by the break of the day on twesday the 30. of August. His Excellency with the whole army that day followed marching back thither from Elten in an order worth the noting, for that the bands extended to the uttermost made show of fourtéen or fifteen thousand, whereas indeed horse and foot both were not complete eight thousand. He came early that afternoon to Duisbourge: and himself in person within arcabuze shot took view of the walls, on all the east side, and that night set pioneers and soldiers to entrenching within half arcabuze shot. Our ordinance was not yet come. The next night his Excellency understanding that our pioneers had left their work at the trenches: himself between eleven and twelve of the clock at night, went with sir William Pelham and some few of his guard to see what was doing, and being within threescore yards of the Town ditch, both going together, a musket shot from the wall stroke sir William Pelham most dangerously in the belly, but pierced not his entrails, so that he escaped death, and was abroad again within two days. The next day came our ordinance, and the morning after it was planted. Then had we also news that the prince of Parma, being certified of our sitting down here, would be with us within four days. Wherewith the former opinion of his Excellency for the levy of the prince's camp by this diversion was fully confirmed. The ordinance being ten pieces played on Friday the second of September, from the break of day till two in the afternoon, his Excellency being continually hard by them in the trenches, and had made two breaches reasonably assaultable, but yet so filled up again by those within, with logs, earth, bedding, and such other trash, that the assault was difficult, especially a water of a yard and more deep and threescore foot broad being between the assailors and the wall. But such was the courage of our men of all nations, that without further battery they extorted with great importunity from his Excellency being in the trenches, a resolution for a present assault. And the contention being great between the leaders to whom the honour of the assault should be given, it was ordered by his Excellency that Count Hollocke with the Dutch and Scots: sir john Norris with the English and Irish, should each attempt one breach. They forthwith ordered their squadrons accordingly, with so general courage and joy, as was marvelous to behold, and did indeed daunt the enemy more (as themselves afterwards confessed) than any thing else that was done. Great also and many and most earnest were the particular suits of private noble men, and gentlemen, for leave to go to the assault: which his Excellency would grant to very few of them. The squadrons standing at the water side ready to pass to the assault, the enemies within having hitherto valiantly and soldierlike carried themselves, and now labouring to repair the breaches, and standing in arms to receive us, yet seeing presently before their eyes their own imminent danger, & especially moved with the resolution of our people, they offered first an accord upon conditions, which his Excellency refused, and thereupon they yielded simply, with grant of life to the common soldier only. Which being accepted the town was rendered, and sir john boroughs and sir William Stanley appointed to the guard of it, till further order. This Exploit being happily achieved without loss, upon advise it was resolved to stay there a while, aswell to take order for the safe keeping of the town, as also to abide there the princes coming with his camp, if he had meaning to seek us: and especially for that neither victuals nor furniture for our ordinance were then come sufficient for any further present attempt. There were two or three english miles from Duisborough somewhat towards Zutphen, a castle called Voerdon, & a strong place called Hackfourd house, held by the enemy, which greatly annoyed those parts. It was thought expedient in the mean time to take in these castle & house, for which cause certain companies were sent thither. They answered at the first stoutly. But afterwards being made believe the cannon was at hand they yielded. Our news came often to Duisboroughe, that the prince with his camp was risen from Berck: That he had laid his bridge over the Rhyne with intent to pass towards us: and indeed he was whiles we lay there, passed with his army, and, as we learned, minded to have assayed the succouring of Duisbourge, if it had not been taken sooner than he expected. But hearing it was gone, and understanding that our camp lay (as indeed it did) very strongly, he stayed on this side the Rhyne near Weasel, about thirty english miles from us, with intent to return, and to proceed in the siege of Berck as we were very credibly informed. The E. of Leycester having now set full order in the town, his provisions being come, and finding that the prince made no haste towards him in that place, though he might have seemed to have attained his principal intent, in raising the siege of Berck, with some overplus of advantage in getting Duisbourge, yet to draw the prince further away from Berck that it might be wholly relieved, as also for divers other good reasons, he resolved to departed thence towards Zutphen, and accordingly on the thirteen of September, marched thither with his whole camp, and there sat down, about an english mile from the town, on the river side next Zutphen, and the prince's camp.  
Zutphen is the chief town of the County of Zutphen, situate on the east bank of the river yssel, about equal distance of six or seven english miles from Duisbourge on the south, and from Deventer on the North-east quarter. It is of itself strong: but important in this only, that it hindereth the free passage of the yssel in the places near about it. But on the north west side of the river right over against Zutphen, and within musket shot of the Town in the province of the Vellowe, in the Duchy of Gelder's, were two forts, called the forts of Zutphen, such of importance, as they spoilt the whole province of the Vellowe, and made the country yield them large contributions even from the ports of Vtricht, Amsterdam, and Leiden in Holland, being 50. miles from them. For strength they were accounted impregnable, and might be supplied from the Town by great passagde boats with all necessaries. The Estates camp two years before had am at them ten months, with eleven thousand footmen, and 3000. horse, and departed with loss without them. Taxis a soldier of account with the enemy, lieutenant to Colonel Verdugo governor of Frizeland for the king of Spain, commanded in the town and forts. After advise taken, upon good view of the place, it was resolved, that the forts as of more importance for us, and not the town, should be besieged. Our bridge of boats was appointed to be laid over the river about an English mile from the Town, and the camp to be placed on both sides the water: that the prince if he came and thought fit, mought see that we would give him the opportunity to attempt us. Order being taken for these things, whiles they were in doing: his Excellency understanding the tickle estate of Deventer, thought fit himself in person to go thither, leaving strait charge to be speedily advertised, if at the camp they should understand any thing of the Princes moving.  
Deventer is the chief city of the province of ouerissel. One of the Haunse towns, large, strong, rich, and directing indeed Swowle and Campen, and the rest of the cities and towns of that country, which in a manner depend wholly upon it. It is seated upon the North-east bank of the river yssel. It than stood in a kind of neutral terms inclining more in show to the Estates party, but yielding no contributions to the war, and indeed aiding the enemy with victuals and provisions, and some of the town having secret and strict intelligences with him. That was the cause of his Excellencies so speedy repair thither: the case being taken to be such, as that who had come first of the prince or him with forces, should have been received. And indeed the prince as we after understood, hastened all he could thither. But his Excellency was first entered, and with him about four hundred footmen, and two or three cornets of horse, and no more at this time. He dealt in courteous and gentle sort with the townsmen, and they likewise used him and his well: but yet so, as they would not lodge as in garrison any of those he brought with him. He had not been there full two days when certain advertisement came to him from the camp, that the prince with his whole army was risen from about Weasel, and come to Burckloe, a town of the territory of Munster, about eight english miles from our camp. Whereupon his Excellency departed presently with his own train to the camp, leaving the four hundred footmen, and two cornets of horse in Deventer, and finding in the camp the trenches upon Zutphen side not fully finished, he commanded all diligence to be used therein, so as in one day they were sufficiently made up, & well furnished with soldiers, and all necessaries ready for defence. The next night the prince came to Zutphen, with 1500. horse, and the morning after departed, leaving part of his horse men there, and returned to his camp at Burckloe, where whiles he stayed providing victuals as we understood for Zutphen, and the forts, our men spent the time in entrenching and fortifying about the two forts, where, as also upon the town side happened divers light skirmishes almost every day, till upon the 21. of September in the evening his Excellency having intelligence that the Prince would the next morning send a convoy of victuals into Zutphen, sent out good scout that night, and gave order to sir john Norris to draw out sir William Stanleies, and some other bands of footmen, and appointed some horsemen withal to encounter the convoy in the way between the enemies camp, and Zutphen. In the morning the 22. of September fell a great and thick mist, that you might hardly discern a man ten paces of, at the breaking up whereof the enemies appeared so near our companies, having planted all their muskets and arcabuzes being 2000 and their pikes being a thousand, very strongly on the high way, as our men, specially the noblemen and gentlemen, as the Earl of Essex, the Lord Willoughby, sir Philip Sidney, sir William russel, sir john Norris, and the rest, in number seven or eight score, who were in troop together in the face of the enemy before our footmen, received the whole volley of the enemies shot, and passing the very fury of it, gave charge upon the two foremost troops of the enemies horsemen, and drove them back over their own trenches, and within their pikes at two several times, in such sort, as Count Hannibal Gonzaga a man for nobility and service of special account amongst them, was there slain, and many others with him. Captain George Cresier an Albanese of singular valour and skill, was taken prisoner, and two of their cornets brought away. We lost about thirty, one and other, slain, and dying after of hurts, but not any of name, save only sir Philip Sidney, who first having one horse shot under him, and mounted upon a second was shot with a musket in the left thigh, but came home on his horse, and died the 25. day after. His Excellency having been in the field giving order from the beginning, and now receiving the news of this good success, was somewhat of opinion to have brought down the whole camp, and to have set upon the enemy with all our forces. But upon better consideration by advise of all the chief officers of the field, we being not past 300. horse, & 16. or 17. hundred footmen, that might presently come to fight, the rest being employed at the forts, and in other necessary services at that time: the enemy being three thousand footmen strong in place, and 12. or 14. hundred horse, and we doubting lest his whole army had been there, which it might well have been, being the night before but five miles of, it was resolved that our troops should stay, and not to commit the whole to the fortune of that day. So this hot skirmish ended, our men content with their victory returning, and the enemy marching quietly away.  
After this fight we heard no more of the Prince in 10. or 12. days. But our certain intelligences gave us, that he was gone to meet with our Reyters and Almains, (now thought to be ready to march,) with intent to stay them either by stopping their passage, or by fight, or otherwise, as also to provide more victuals, powder, and shot for Zutphen. His Excellency still applied his principal purpose in besieging the forts. There is a piece of ground on the side of the river that Zutphen is, and within sixty yards of the town, called the Island, but it is dry toward the town. The taking of it was accounted of great importance for the winning of the forts, but full of danger, lying so near the town, and the enemy having a sconce in it fortified and manned with thirty men. His Excellency was sundry times promised the surprising of this Island by some, but performance not following, one night himself imparting his purpose to two captains only, went out at ten of clock in the night, (the prince elector Trucses, the Earl of Essex, and the L. North being with him) and gave order for a present surprise of it, which so happily succeeded, that the place and sconce were suddenly taken, the men within, two or three taken prisoners, some slain, the rest fled, or were drowned in the water, and not a man of ours lost or hurt. Now to keep this place was great danger, and some would needs persuade to have it left. His Excellency would not so, but fell forthwith in hand to entrenching, and having made it defensible, he then abandoned the former seat of camp, and brought the bridge down to this Island, and the whole camp nearer the forts, now indeed seriously attending by all military arts and devices to win them. The hope of all our leaders both English and others, was small for the obtaining of these forts: They were so strong and well provided every way, and our means scant sufficient for so great an exploit. But his Excellencies own self contrary to all and every their advises persisted in his intent most constantly, and would not hear any thing that might tend to dissuade him from this purpose: and as indeed about a work of his own, and of the commendation whereof very little can be derived to any others, he most diligently and dangerously attended always in person both early and late, and put his own hand almost to every particular service of it, sconces were built, trenches were drawn, skirmishes made on both sides, and nothing for offence, or defence omitted on either side, that military skill in like case could execute or invent, till on the fourth of October, the prince having been advertised by Taxis that the Island was taken, and that our works began to grow perilous to the forts, came in person to Zutphen with his whole camp, with intent as we could gather, to attempt our trenches in the Island on the town side. He came the fourth of October at night, and on the morrow after, we certainly expected he should have assailed the Island, for the which he had great opportunities: himself with his camp being to come in the face on the east and south side, in a fair plain capable of his army under the town wall: the town on the North-east beating on it with their great and small shot, & having a gate for sally within arcabuze shot: the Mill forte between the town and the water, having his artillery bend on it: the great fort with his ordinance ready to play on the north side, and the little fort somewhat nearer with musket and arcabuze North-east, so that saving on the west and south side they had compassed it round. But his Excellency on the Tuesday at night, all night long had planted his ordinance to beat upon the prince's camp if it came: and having replenished the trenches with store of men, was sufficiently provided for him. On the Wednesday morning the fift of October, we saw of the prince's troops of horse and foot range up & down, a mile of and more. But having left some victuals and store of men in the town, and doubting nothing of the loss of the sconces, he departed that night two english miles back, which assoon as his Excellency understood, the same Wednesday at night he planted his ordinance both in the Island, & on the other side the water against the little fort. On the Thursday morning he battered the little but strongest fort on both sides, till two of the clock in the afternoon, & then took it by assault having in it 300. soldiers in the face of the great fort with eight hundred soldiers, and of the town where Taxis then was with above 2000 and in hearing at least of the prince, and his whole camp, having been at Zutphen the day before, and now not three english miles of it. His Excellency was all the time of this battery and assault in the trenches in the Island on the town side, and at the assault time with his pike in hand, verily expecting a sally from the town in that part, but none came. In this assault did M. Edward Stanley lieutenant to colonel sir W. Stanley, & captain of one of his bands, being appointed the first for the assault, behave himself most valiantly, & was with his valour the principal cause of this days happy success, whom his Excellency beholding made him therefore presently knight in the trenches, gave him forty pounds sterling in gold, and sent him the next day a patent of one hundred marks sterling by year, during the life of the said sir Edward, binding his Excellencies own lands in England for the due payment thereof, with a most honourable report of this his fact contained in the patent. We lost about eight men in this assault and not above. His Excellency appointed the next day for the approaching the great fort. But that night did all the captains and soldiers within abandon it, leaving behind them their ordinance, and escaped over the water to the town where Taxis was feign to receive them. There were taken from the enemy by our men during this siege two forts more, which the enemy had lately erected about those others, and a castle called Niembeck castle his Excellency himself in person took in, four english miles in the Vellow from this place: besides the castle of Boxbergen near Deventer, which we took also a little before this time. Great joys were made in all the united Provinces for the recovery of these forts. The whole country of the Vellow about forty english miles in breadth, and as much in length, being thereby fully cleared: and no less was the enemy daunted, having now lost his whole footing in that country: and Taxis the governor having taken from him a goodly revenue, which the contributions of that king euchite up to Amstredam and Loyden did yield him. Upon the departure of the prince from Zutphen, his Excellency dispatched secretly sir William russel and sir Roger Williams, with five hundred horse to attend upon him, and to observe his march, who found him on the Friday at night the next day after the assault was given, about Burckloe, eight or ten english miles from our camp, where they gave alarm to his whole camp, beat in his scouts and corpse de guards, but not a man came forth to them. The next day the prince marched up towards Ringlebert, a house of the duke of Cleves, about three or four english miles from Weasel, where he lay crazed as we hard of an ague, and dispersed his camp about in the villages adjoining, since which time till his return to Brussels, we hard nothing of him. His Excellency after he had so honourably, and with so small loss in so short time, taken these forts, thought before very hard to be won: having delivered Berck also, which was the principal intent of his first marching, and sir Martin Skenck with divers of our english, being come from thence to his camp at Zutphen to him: seeing his Almains and Reyters came not: and finding the enemy quietly gone, having nothing else to do in field, and the time of year far spent, being about the midst of October, determined by advise of his counsel, to give order for guard and defence of the forts, and to withdraw his soldiers from the Island, and other places, and so to dismiss his army. Which things the better to effect, himself with the chief of his counsel went to Deventer: minding withal to assay the garrisoning of that place, being a matter of great importance. But being called away from thence to Arnham, where sir Philip Sidney then lay in great danger: & by the death of sir Philip retiring himself with extreme grief and sorrow to Vtricht: he gave order before his departure for the garrisoning of Deventer, and changing of the magistrate there to the prince elector of cologne Trucses, sir William Pelham, and sir john Norris, who with some little stur and danger, effected both accordingly, and left governor of the garrison there sir William Stanley, with 1200 footmen English and Irish, and two hundred horse.  
Whiles this was in doing at Deventer, there fell out a great and gallant skirmish at the camp in this sort. Orders being given for dismissing the troops into garrison, first some companies, than others were sent away, and now it was thought expedient to abandon the trenches on the other side of the water next Zutphen: and so to take up the bridge and come away. First the larger trenches were left, and the men drawn into a small fortification at the bridge end, with intent the next night to take up our bridge also. Which Taxis perceiving from the town, and seeing the small companies remaining on that side, he sallied with about two thousand footmen, passed the first trenches forsaken, and assaulted the small fortification remaining with great valour, himself being of the first in person. Our men being taken on the sudden were at the first five or six of them slain: but the rest stood manfully to it, at the pikes end, until sir William Stanley coming over the bridge from the Vellowe side with supply of five or six hundred footmen, and lieutenant Nicholas Parker with only five horsemen, drove them away even into the town gate, and slew many of them, and were likely to have entered the town pell mel with them, if the soldiers had not been stayed by their leaders. The next night we left this little fortification also, and took up our bridge, and day by day, as it might conveniently be done, dismissed the whole forces into garrisons.  
It may be demanded his Excellency being now in a good course of prosperous proceeding: the Prince with his camp being gone, the forts taken, and nothing remaining in those quarters but the bare town of Zutphen: why the winning of that was not attempted also? To which this may be answered: The town is of itself of small importance without the forts, only prohibiting the free passage of the river by it: Then is it very strong, well provided of all necessaries, and at that time manned with two or three thousand bearing arms: and the Prince though departed further of, yet hovering with his army not above twenty English miles of it, so that the attempt of it could not be but dangerous, the commodity small. But beside, it remaineth so environed with our garrisons round about it, as it may be well said to be now besieged. In Deventer six English miles at north-east upon the river side is sir William Stanley with twelve hundred footmen, and two hundred horse. In the forts of Zutphen on the Vellowe side within musket shot of the town at west, is master Rowland York with eight hundred footmen, and one hundred horse. At Duisbourge southward six miles, (and at Brunkhurst castle somewhat nearer) upon the bank of issel also is sir john boroughs with eight hundred footmen, and two hundred horse. The east and southeast quarters are shut up with our garrisons of Lockham, Sherenberg, Doetecom: So that they of the garrison of Zutphen can not stir out, neither can so much as victuals be brought to them, but by land: and that from twenty or thirty miles of at least: and through the midst of our garrisons, which will require more forces than the Prince can often spare them, and more charges than the value of the town will countervail. But before our coming away, as soon as our camp was broken up, we hear that Taxis hath lessened his garrison to the number of two hundred, and put the Burghers out of the town, meaning to spare victuals, which he hath in small store. For neither did the Prince bring him in much at the times he came thither, neither could or can he supply him at one time with any plenty for want of carriages. Besides these, other causes also letted this attempt against Zutphen. The time of year was spent, the wants in our army were very great, and our Reiters came not, who if they had not disappointed us, all impediments notwithstanding his Excellency had proceeded further. And last of all it was thought we had done well for this year: more being indeed most happily achieved, than was hoped for or purposed at our coming forth. For the only intent at the first setting out of this last camp was to raise the siege of Berke: yea, or if we could have honourably delivered our men that were in it, though the town were lost, it was thought a sufficient piece of service, with so small means against an enemy so puissant, & with continual late victories so greatly esteemed and feared. But God be thanked, who is the giver of victories, and whose power for his poor afflicted appeared not obscurely in these actions: Berke is clearly delivered, the English are all come from it: it is left well manned and otherwise provided. And if we will summarily note all God's blessings in these military services only showed by the ministery of his Excellency during the time of his government and abode there, it will appear that in those few months there have been taken by our men from the enemy above twenty towns, castles, forts, and sconces: that his footmen and his best footmen the Spaniards have been met withal at Grave, that his horsemen and his best horsemen the Albaneses, and Italians, have been well encountered in the skirmish besides Zutphen: that his strong Zutphen forts were taken by assault, even in the sight almost of himself, and of his whole camp: that his army so much redoubted and feared, was drawn from Berck to Zutphen: there abidden, there encountered sundry times, and at length returned back again & dismissed without saving his forts, or doing us any damage, saving the loss of sir Philip Sidney, True it is, he hath gotten in this time Grave, Venloe, & Nuyse: But Grave by such means, as baron Hemart the governor by public judgement of his own best friend and commander the Count Hollock, and of all other military officers of all nations, lost his head for it. Venloe was yielded by the townsmen whiles the soldiers defended the walls. Nuyse was not of the jurisdiction, or territory of the united Provinces, & therefore his Excellency had not to do with it. But this is true also, that in all these wars and sundry diversities of accidents and attempts in divers places, the enemy never got one town, castle, fort, or sconce, wherein any one english soldier was, nor did any one piece of service worth the noting since his Excellency came into the field with this last army. And let the Estates especially, and the people of the united Provinces acknowledge the goodness of God in these his works, and the great grace and favour of her Majesty, in spending and sending to and for them, her money, forces, and most valiant, noble, loving and beloved subjects, by whose service it is now done for them, that whereas their estate was at his Excellencies first arrival, so utterly without hope of standing as is showed at the beginning of my letter: Now they are left in good assurance of safety, religion by a synod being fully established: the civil government orderly settled: the military discipline well restored: their people in good obedience: their frontiers in great hope of maintenance to be continued: their territory in Gelder's, Zutphen, ouerissel, and Flaunders enlarged: their revenue by a great accession of contribution in Gelder's and Ouerissell increased: their doubtful friends of ouerissel assured, and their enemy put to that plunge, as he yet hath not been since his being in those countries. God make them as thankful to God and her Majesty for it as they have good cause: and to acknowledge it to his Excellency as his frank and most behoveful great service for them hath deserved: whom if extremities of sundry kind of great crosses: plain destitution and want almost of all fit means: private care of his own most large expenses for the public: or often dangerous hazard of his person could have withdrawn from this proceeding, nothing had been done at this time. But God whom he serveth hath wrought this great work out of all those difficulties by him, to him be the praise and glory for it. His Excellency after his camp thus dismissed, and a little time spent at Vtricht in the public affairs, departed thence to the Hage in holland: where having established perfect order in the civil and military governments during his absence, being upon important causes to return into England, from Hage he passed by Delft, Rotterdam, Dort, briel, and Vlushing, where he embarked for England on the 23. of November at night, and on the next night was with her Majesty at Richmonde, of whom he was most graciously received.  
Thus have I been bold to trouble you with this brief discourse, wherein if any thing set down or omitted be not to your contentation, I hope you will consider it hath proceeded by your own earnest urging from him, who desireth nothing more than to content you, and who but to please you had rather have showed his dutiful affection in some other matter. But thus much if it like you so well to interpret of it, may be as it were to give you a taste in these matters, till some of better skill and more leisure may fully satisfy it with a just volume, which I wish indeed to be done, the argument will well bear it. And so remaining to do you what further service my slender ability may afford I end.  
At London the 8. of januarie 1586. Your worship's humble in all service, T. D.