A Brief Description of the Battles, Victories and Triumphs, achieved by the D. of Parma, and the Spanish Army.  
SENT BY THE KING of Spain, under his Conduct to the succour of the rebellious Leaguers of France.  
Faithfully Translated out of French by E. A. according to the French Copy, printed at Paris.   printer's device of Edward White 
AT LONDON Printed for Edward White, and are to be sold at the little North door of Saint Paul's Church, at the Sign of the Gun.   

A brief description of the Battles, Victories and Triumphs, achieved by the Duke of Parma and the Spanish army, sent by the King of Spain under his conduct, to the succour of the rebellious Leaguers of France.  
THe Duke of Parma by nation an Italian, and bound in affection to be a Frenchman: yet through fear & ambition grown a Spaniard by faction, as also through long practice by nature and complexion, that is to say: as being replenished with vanity and presumption, having received a commandment from his master the King of Spain, to pass in person with such forces as were in the Low countries, to the succours of the Leaguers the King's rebels, did consider that albeit his said master seemed to be provoked by the loss and reproach of those who coming in March before, never returned again, yet the drift was as much or rather more against himself, then against those that he was sent against: and that his masters purpose was grounded rather upon the remove of his footing out of the Low countries, then upon any opinion that he could achieve any thing in France, wherein he was the rather confirmed in respect of the express commandment that withal he received, to take with him all such regiments of Walloons and Italians as were known to be any thing trusty unto him, together with those Lords of the Country that he had any amity or credit withal, to the end that all of them being thus abroad, and himself entangled in some tediousness in France: it might be a fit occasion and honest pretence with ease to bring in an other to command in his stead, which is the matter whereat the King of Spain hath most shot for these five or six years, wherein he hath found that the said Duke's proceed in those countries showed plainly that under the title of Governor he laboured for himself, as also that his ambition tended to lay hold upon that branch, whensoever this withered tree should fall: as having thereupon fixed a revenge for the loss of his right in Portugal. Nevertheless having conceived all this, he yet deemed that if he should excuse himself of this voiadge he should have laid his merchandise too open, besides that peradventure it might have been a sufficient argument to the King his master, to declare himself openly against him, and by force to enterprise that which he sought to compass by policy. Presuming therefore that he might better escape the one way, than the other: and withal knowing it as yet no time by force to deal against his master, as not being sufficiently settled in the Country: beside that there remained in the said countries a number of Spaniards with whom he had no intelligence: he determined for this once to yield, and to accept of the commission to enter into France. Howbeit somewhat to frustrate his master's drifts, and to the end to leave behind him no man to shut him from his return: besides the aforesaid commission, he purposed to take with him also two regiments of Spaniards that were appointed to remain in the Country, taking his excuse upon the great practices, purposes and devices that he had in those parts, in respect whereof it was expedient at his first coming, to work some great effect, which without the said Spaniards he was not able to compass: hereupon before any countermand could be returned, he forced them to march, and according to the Spanish Proverb, consented to some loss, for fear of losing more: and so chose rather to leave the Country naked, and to give the State's opportunity to wrest from him some holds, then to remain in danger to find the gate shut at his own return.  
Having therefore resolved to come into France, he was not content in his own fantasy to brag that he was craftier than his master, but thought also particularly to reap some profit of his voyage, and imagining himself to be already Earl of Flaunders, he devised to renew the old pretences of the Duke of Burgundy unto such towns in Pickardy as stand upon the River of Some, and on that side framed his first practices, as presuming to bring them to his own devotion, yet imagining that if he could not so soon compass them, he would at the least lay earnest upon them against he were stronger: this fruit did he purpose to reap of his voyage. The King of Spain likewise had also an other purpose whereby to find means to be rid of the said Duke of Parma, which was once more to revive that languishing poison that hath lingered within him these two years, that it might take effect during his being in France, so to have some upon whom to lay the blame, that he knoweth hath long been laid upon himself: but as the Italians are their craft masters in matter of poison, so hath the D. found means so to prevent this drift by good counterpoisons, that it hath wrought no greater effect than the other.  
Hitherto had the D. of Parma been always an Italian, but afterward he played the Spaniard in earnest. And first to begin, when he was most resolved upon this journey, than seemed he coldest and most uncertain, to the end so to terrify the D. of Main, and to drive him into such necessity as to do him this homage: namely, to come even home to his gate to beg his help, whereto indeed was he forced, yea even to come to Brussels, where he was received with such gravity or disdain, besides that he came but badly furnished, that in this Court he seemed not of so much account, as even any his messenger coming from him aught to have done, as also at that instant all the Spaniards began to have him in such contempt, that from thenceforth so long as they stayed in those parts, they abated no whit thereof, yea it still rather increased then otherwise, so that they returned him home again without any resolution upon his propositions, and utterly ignorant in all matters except of spanish reverences and ceremonies which he was forced to learn while he stayed at the Court.  
Afterward the said D. of Parma suffered himself to be courted and solicited with sundry embassages, still waiting that the necessity of the Parizians increasing: the D. of Main with his partakers should call upon his presence with greater submissions, and receive him with more favour: upon these lamentable and pitiful supplications and protestations the D. of Main also for his part meant to add the same policy as he had before used, in hastening the first succours that he received by sending the Lord of Villeroy to the King, to show some desire to talk of peace, as also he counseled the Parizians to send forth the Cardinal of Gondy, and the Archbishop of Lions, as their deputies to his Majesty, with seeming to be desirous to yield, so to put hammers in the Spaniards brains, and hasten their coming: which in truth was the best means and greatest persuasion that he could have used. Thus when the D. of Parma was resolved upon his going, and had already set forward his forces, namely the Spaniards whom he would not leave behind: he began to send forth throughout the world a thundering of his journey into France, with the description of his army, wherein were named more Princes, Dukes, Marquises, and Earls than are in all the States of Spain, and that his power was some 18. or 20000. footmen, and 3000. horse, but such as he painted forth for so many Alexanders or Caesars, able to conquer a whole new world if any were discovered: he gave his troops also proud titles, yea even the Terses of his Spaniards, some he named Amutinadoes, others Mansferidos, and others such lofty names, as might suffice to make the Mares cast their fools: neither did he forget also to publish the state of his furniture, of his great stable, of his Pages, sumpters, and the covers of his fourscore Moils and Coffers, the noise of whose bells he thought sufficient to make all the towns that held for the King to yield: also his great quantity of great locked carriages full of unknown engines, which at one only discharging should carry away a whole army.  
Being entered into France, where he found no resistance (for the most of the nobility were gathered to the king) he never inquired but how many days march it was to Rochel, the taking whereof he purposed to assure himself off by the way, fearing nothing so much as least the Viceroy of Pampelune should come & meet the King in the plains of Bordeaux (whether he imagined he should flee at the only sound of his coming) and there overthrow him before his arrival, and so take from him the honour of this overthrow which he accounted most certain: Neither had his forerunners failed to instruct the Preachers of Paris, who already exalted him as the great Tamburlayn, yea the gravers were in hand with pictures of brass and marble for him as for the deliverer of France. Thus with all his Cocodrils tears and Spanish smokes, he marched on, leaving in all places where he went, the tokens of the most barbarous and notable cruelties that were ever practised against the Moors, giving out that if the king still remained before Paris, he would not lose one hour but strait go and give him battle.  
At his entry into the Realm, the said Lord of Maine sent to receive him the Lord of S. Paul, sometime a Page, and afterward one of the household servants of the Lord of Beaways Nangy, and now one of the most famous Lords of the leaguers army. But when he came within three days journey of Meaux, the said Lord of Main in person with the chiefest of his Captains was to see him, but did but smally recover the honour of his journey to Brussels, as being so meanly furnished, that the Spaniards who thought them all Angels (so greatly were they adorned with feathers) did so disdain them, that they never suffered any but only the said Lord of Main to enter into the Chamber, yea scarcely into the D. of Parma's lodging.  
Being come to Meaux, which was about the end of August 1590. he showed himself astonished to hear that the King was still before Paris. There began he to take possession of absolute commandment over the army: And to show that he esteemed neither the D. of Main nor any of his leaders for Captains, without farther counsel or advice, he changed all their purpose, and where they were resolved to march toward the heart of France, and to draw toward Paris, he thought it better to take his way along by the River, and having viewed the Card, he appointed his lodging at the town of Chelles, yet was he much amazed when he knew that the King had prevented him in seizing upon the said lodging, but afterward coming forth with the Duke of Main to view the plain, and seeing the King coming with a good troop directly toward them, they were contented for that time to take no nearer sight, yea he was more amazed the next day, when he knew that the kings whole army was come within a small League of him, even into the sight of each other: but when from the top of a little hill he descried it in battle array, a chilling fear began also to seize upon him: for perceiving in two or three squadrons 4000 french horse, whereof there might be some 3000. gentlemen, and some 800. Reisters, also 10. or 12000 French footmen, and some 4000 Swissers, and withal among them such a countenance, that he might well think that they meant not to trouble him with following them into the plains of Bordeaux, there to abide the battle: this poor Prince was so daunted and in such a rage, that as it is said he swore & blasphemed God in three or four languages, lest he should not understand him: and complained unto the said L. of Main that he had brought him to the slaughter, neither do we read in the fables of any so sudden metamorphosis as was there presently made, for from furious Lions as at the first they were, they were presently transformed into Foxes: who thought no longer of assailing, but of defending themselves: and in lieu of appearing any further, each of them fell to making his den in the earth, which by great good hap was in a Marsh, well ditched of itself and of a strong seat.  
Then had they the pleasure to behold this Army in battle array three days on a row, which seemed as many cold weeks to temper their heat, that was all wasted upon the taking of the little Town of Laigny, that stood at their backs, wherein he that was the Governor, resolved a while to stay for them, in full intent to abandon it at their coming, for indeed it was no way to be holden, as appeareth by the sequel, but he see them come so disorderly, that at length himself took courage and held out longer than reason required: Never did mad dogs so tear in pieces any carrion, as did these Spaniards all that they found in the said town, without exception of age or sex, either of Churches, which they reserved for the scaffolds and theatres of their most horrible cruelties and infamous abominations: which notwithstanding, yet grew they no whit the more courageous or desirous of the battle that they had so often bruited, for their appetites and lusts thereto were glutted with seeing it so often offered.  
The King perceiving that there was no means to force them to the fight, much less to get them to it voluntarily or of their own accord, showed them an other point of bravery, and yet with a military discretion, which was soon confirmed by the effect thereof: namely, by separating his army six or seven Leagues from him, retaining about his own person skarde the third part, which notwithstanding they never drew toward him, neither durst they enterprise any thing until they perceived him to be further off: but his Majesty loath to lose time, went to besiege the Town of Clermount in Beavais, where he stayed above 10. days, during the which out of this great army they might have dismissed some troops through favour of the towns Pontoise & Beavais, which they held near unto Cleremount, either to have raised the siege, or at the least to have molested his said majesties army, which as then was weak in horse, yet suffered they the Town to be taken partly by assault, and partly by composition, without any their defence or alarm.  
Howbeit while they perceived his Majesty thus occupied, after many their secret & great deliberations, and sundry their preparatives, as if it had been to assault three or four towns at once, according as they gave out: they resolved to besieged the Town of Corbeil (the same is a small Town having a bridge over the river of Seyne, of no strong situation, neither easy to be fortified by man's industry, as by the sequel may be well proved) which they that were in it, with commission rather to linger the enemy, then obstinately to withstand him, took assurance to defend by reason of their manner of proceeding, so that at the fortnight's end having been beaten with a number of artillery, brought from Paris, also having holden out and repulsed one assault, they quailed the enemies for returning any more in fifteen days after. In the mean space the Duke of Parma erected an arsenoll, wherein he kept a number of woorekmen, that laboured night and day, not suffering any of them to come forth or to speak with any body, yea he kept so sure watch that none, no not the Duke of Maine might know what was in doing, insomuch that men thought it to be some device to transport Corbeile even whole, and to send it unto the coast of Spain, but in the end it was found to be certain boats covered with earth and turf, wherein to transport Soldiers to a breach made on the other side of the river. Finally after a months delay, the defendants having been too obstinate, and beaten with 22. pieces of Ordinance from break of day almost unto midnight: being in manner all maimed with the cannon, the town was taken by a general assault, whereof the French made the first point, yet when the Spaniards entered, they used them as enemies, and slew more of them that had opened them the gates, then of those that had kept them so long shut: there practised they whatsoever new inventions and most horrible cruelties that their industry was able to afford.  
The Duke of Parma could not meet with ingeniours or architects enough to describe the plant of this siege & Town of Corbeile, not in such state as it then was, but in such sort as he devised, as also he purposed to make & build a fortress in it, whereby to make it impregnable, to which end he sent into all parts of Europe, having so far forth bound this poor small Town, (which among us was of no fame, but only in respect of the number of Peach trees that grow among the wines thereabout) that now it shall be accounted one of the strongest holds of all France, howbeit only with such as shall never hear what hath since ensued.  
After this siege, Parts which by this small beginning gathered assurance of much better, for the full furnishing of their bonfires, did almost make an end of burning that small store of wood that yet remained, whereof now they have greater want than ever. The Duke of Parma was invited thither to sport him, the banquets were provided, his lodging was furnished with the best of the King's movables, the Princesses and Ladies had decked and made themselves ready, yea there were that even purposed to snare him in their loves, whereby afterward to marry with him: But his loves & affections resting in a fatter and more fruitful soil, he was no whit moved with all these baits. And contrariwise being jealous of his prize, he stayed there yet three weeks to provide for the preservation thereof, keeping his counsels secret, whereto even the Duke of Maine had but seldom access, only giving out that he purposed at one instant to set upon Melune, Province Montereau, and three or four other Towns standing upon the River of Seyne, so to set free the upper side of the River, as meaning also to do the like with Poissy. Meulan, Mante, Vernon, and Pont del' Arch that stand beneath the said river, but all this grew to nothing: for contrariwise finding no great safety for himself so near to Melune, whose garrison did daily molest him, he determined to retire from Corbeile: which he had no sooner done, but he heard that the said garrison of Melune had recovered it again, and cut in pieces 7. or 800. men that he had left there in garrison, which news was also seconded with the reprise of Lagny: hereupon the L. of Main with the Parizians came and conjured him to return to the recovery of Corbeile, from whence he was not passed six or seven Leagues off: but his first price forced him to resolve not to undertake it again the second time, as being well advertised, that he that was now in it was thoroughly resolved to his defence: albeit he then protested to return. Nevertheless seeing that the L. of Maine had again sent the Lord of Villeroy to the King to seek to renew some treaty of peace (yet was not his embassage without his knowledge & consent) he meant to turn the same to his own use, and thereupon made no haste to return as he might have done, but lingered them, in hope that at his return he would yet enterprise somewhat, sometime propounding unto them Chasteau Therry, sometime Compiegne, which was only to colour his abode in those parts, that tended but to wait whether the most mutinous and zealous Leaguers would not find themselves grieved at this parley of peace, & so have recourse to him to make him their General, & to abandon the D. of Main, as also for his part he failed not to procure them to be under hand thereto solicited, as giving them to understand that he misliked of this treaty of peace, and denying the grant of his consent thereto, in hope thereby to trip the D. of Main, for he had by experience found that the conduct of an army or any great enterprise could not bear two equal powers, because that growing upon diversity of accidents, they would also breed diversity of opinions, whereby each part being of force sufficient to maintain his opinion, it was necessary for either of them to stand in fear of his companion, and so consequently he sought to assure himself, which could not be without the overthrow of the one or the other. Hereto he imagined that he might attain by the overthrow of the Duke of Maine: but the Spaniards had in France borne themselves so insolently and that indifferently, against aswell those that called them as those whom they pretended to subdue: that the people abhorred them more than death itself.  
Thus seeing himself then frustrate of the drift whereby he pretended to recover the reputation that he had lost in this voyage, he judged that hereafter every thing would grow worse for him, and therefore in earnest resolved to depart: but therein also he found one let that hindered his imagined diligence. For the King seeing that come to pass, which at the beginning (yet with discretion and judgement) he had foretold of the D. of Parma's coming: namely, that he should be driven to retire before the year were at an end, thought it also necessary not only for his own reputation, but also for the restraining of him from all surprises in his return, to hold him as short as he might: and therefore determined even in discretion to be present himself: and as he is always resolute in his opinions, so hath he two incomparable qualities, namely speed and courage in his executions, which commonly are most favoured by fortune, and do always bring forth the greatest and most wonderful effects.  
Upon this resolution, without any noise he departed the fourth day of November from Escovis in Normandy, with one troop of horse and an other of arquebusiers on horseback without any carriages, leaving his main battle with the Lord Martial Byron, to employ according as they had concluded, and so came with all speed to Compiegne, where immediately upon his arrival he invited all the nobility of Picardy which is great, to come to assist him to the honour of his house, to reconduct the Duke of Parma out of France, who had deserved that favour at his hands, if not for any service done, yet for the small hurt that he had sustained by him, whereupon within a few days he had nigh a thousand good horse, with whom he began to seek after the Duke of Parma, who craved none of these courtesies, but could have been content to have stopped the bells of his Moils so to pass with less noise, for being loath to adventure to pass the Country of Picardy with his own troops alone in the King's face, who had no footmen, neither half so many horsemen as he, he urged the Duke of Main to assemble all his horse to accompany him, as not caring greatly what might become of Main, so himself were in safety, and so stayed for his succour.  
His majesty also for his part sent for the Duke of Nevers to bring him as many horse as he might, to the end to furnish himself the more honourably: but before they could join, knowing that the Duke of Parma marched, he was strait at his heels, and at his first coming sending his men to the war, the 22. of the said month, he defeated a whole company of Spaniards without the loss of any of his, or saving any of the others. The five and twentieth, himself purposed to view them, and having sent before the Lord Baron of Byron, Martial of the Camp of his army, with some troop of horse, himself followed at hand with an other: raising such an alarm in the enemies Camp, that he drew them all against himself, and in their faces charging them a dozen times, he retired with less than two hundredth horse without any loss, having so amazed them, that they encamped all night at their first lodging: At his departure thence, his Majesty found himself within one league of the Duke of Mains lodging, whereupon suddenly without drawing bit, he purposed to find him at his bed, but that good Prince being thereof advertised, presently getteth on his boots again, taketh horse and at random casteth himself into the Duke of Parma's arms, leaving that quarter full of carriages and sick persons.  
Within few days after the said D. of Nevers joined with the king with a good troup, as did also the L. of Gyury master of the Camp of his light horsemen, and the Lord of Parabelle, who returned from Melune, where because he could not see his highness, he would not let him depart without kissing his hands. This renforte being come to his majesty, all his men became better courtiers than before, for daily they were with the Duke's highness at his uprising and downelying, and still with new booties, albeit he marched so close, that he took not the twentieth part of his ordinary lodging, leaving without pity or mercy, a tail of his people that could not make so good speed, of whom the peasants also had as little. Thus in this fear, with this shame, a bitter repentance for his entry into France, and good protestations never to return again, the D. of Parma with as much of his army as could save itself, was driven away, leaving the good D. of Main to attend in his return, whatsoever it may please God.  
In the mean time the King went to S. Quintin's to refresh himself, where he was magnifically received: and soon after the Town of Corbie was restored into his majesties obedience, through the good conduct of the Lord of Humiers, and other noble men that framed that enterprise: a town of very great importance, in respect of the situation, as standing in the midst between Amiens, Perone and Dourlens, to whom together with other the towns of Pickardy, this will be a scourge, as in short time will appear.  
This is the true descriptions of the battles, victories and triumphs of the D. of Parma throughout his whole voyage, these be the crowns and pillars whose inscriptions were ready provided: he came to plant a Colony of Spaniards in France, but he did but sow it abroad in the fields, which have line covered with their dead, out of whose ashes they shall not spring again as doth the Phoenix, for out of such carrions can proceed nothing but serpents and other such venomous beasts: and the battle which this poor Prince thorough a principal point of industry imagined to have escaped in great, he lost by retail: for it is most certain, that of all the great numbers of horsemen and footmen that he brought in, he carried away not past 7. or eight thousand, and those in such state, as if they had come forth of some spittle house: he came to restore Paris into liberty, to take again all the Towns that hold for the King in the Provinces thereabout, and to send him beyond the River of Loire: but he hath left Paris in greater want than before, as having all the rivers straighter closed up both above and beneath them ever they were: so far also hath he been from recovering any one town, that the King hath won one even before his face: besides that after the King had him in chase, the L. marshal Byron hath recovered what by force and what by composition, four Towns, and above twenty fortresses and castles wherein the enemy kept garrison: having as his majesties cause is most just, prosecuted the war against them, especially by the executioners of high justice: he came also to purchase authority in France, and to strengthen himself with practices and friendship, but hath lost all his credit in this part: for they have accused him to have betrayed his master, and the Spanish name is grown so odious among them, that they are ready to enter league to go and levy war in Spain, in revenge of the outrages and insolencies that they have received. This poor Prince who findeth himself sickly and of no long life, came with intent here to shut up the step of all his labours, by some notable act which might have made his memory famous, and upheld that vain reputation which with small labour and less merit he had already purchased: but contrariwise he hath here encurred a reproach and shame which will give such a blemish to his reputation as will never be wiped out again. But if in this voyage he hath done his masters business but badly, as having spent him a million of gold, and lost him a great number of his best men, and returning loaden with nothing but grief and shame, even at their hands in whose help he came: he hath yet made a worse market in the Low countries that are under his charge, where the Earl of Nassawe and the States during his being in France, have taken the towns of Steenbergue in Brabant, and Oudemborg in Flaunders, with twenty other holds, and 30. or 40. pieces of Ordinance in the same.  
Moreover besides all these mischiefs already come to pass, there is yet one more of far greater consequence ready to happen, yea even inevitable: for the said D. of Parma hath through the said journey overslipped the occasion either to satisfy the Princes of the Empire in their suit to the King of Spain for the restitution of those places that he holdeth and usurpeth in the Duchess of Cleve & julick, and other the members of the Empire: either else, if he mean not to do it, which is very likely, to provide himself to defend & keep them perforce, which now he can hardly do in time convenient, in that the said Princes of the Empire standing discontent for that they were not satisfied in their said demands, are fully resolved without further treaty or parley to bring down the mightiest and strongest army that hath been levied in Germany in a long time, against the which neither the D. nor his master have any thing to oppose, so that of necessity they will recover those places, which hitherto have been the Mother nurses of Flaunders: besides that this journey being enterprised upon choler and disdain, it is to be presumed that such an army being once in the field, will not so cease, neither shall want any pretences to proceed further. These be the fruits of this his voyage, or rather we may say, the effects of God's justice, who knoweth how to revenge such extreme presumption and ambition, when men do least look for it.  
This could not the king of Spain well comprehend in the overthrow of his great army which he had provided for the wrongful invasion of England but must needs heap on this new testimony, which besides the losses above mentioned do also draw on the overthrow of the reputation of his only man, that was able to bear the name of a Captain, which hereafter he shall find to be of as great importance unto him, as any thing that ever he did. These be evident tokens that Gods divine goodness is purposed to fulfil his prophecies against this usurper and wrongful enterpriser as he did against Herod and Pharo, also that upon his fall and overthrow he will build up the glory of those whom this man purposed to destroy. This therefore is all that can be gathered out of the truth of the Duke of Parma's whole journey after his entry into France, until the last day of the month of November, wherein he departed with shame which is not here set down to any other end, but to serve as a remembrance to any such his favourers as list to undertake the writing of this History.  
FINIS.