✚ A true Declaration of the honourable victory obtained by the French King in winning of Noyan, and overthrow of the Duke de main his Forces.  
Performed this present month of August, 1591.  
Published according to the copy sent into England to the Lord ambassador for France.  
SIC creed  printer's device consisting of an eagle carrying one of its young in its talons, used by Thomas Scarlet (1590-6) (McKerrow 277)  
LONDON Imprinted by Thomas Scarlet, for Thomas Nelson, and are to be sold at his shop over against the South door of Paules.   

A discourse WRITTEN from the French Kings camp, lying before Noyan, the viii. day of August, Anno 1591.  

THE town of Noyan being belegur'd by the kings majesty, was constrained to great extremitye: for the relief where of, the L. viscount Tauanes set forwards towards the the said town, and came thither in the night season, accompanied with four hundred horse, and about five hundred footmen: Yet such was his bad success in his pretence for succouring the town of Noyan, that his whole power was broken, slain, discomfited, and taken prisoners: and more then that, to the great grief of the Leagers, himself was taken prisoner, and in the assault sore wounded.  
This news being brought to the forces of the Leaguers, caused the Duke D'Aumaule to resolve an attempt for his releasement: and thereupon having assembled about five hundred horse, came and made his general assembly in the town of hang, which is not above four leagues from the said Noyan. From whence, on the seventh of August, he sent three hundred of his best horse to the fight, together with a company of arquebusiers, who went before, and the said Horsemen lingered behind in a village, not far from the rearward, who soon after set forward, and gave a charge vpon the quarter of the Kings light horse, where they were well received. With him there came to the said alarm, the Lords of Largue, and of Lawney, his brother, with their companies, who are of some force. These jointly joined with the light horsemen, greatly strengthened the forces of the leaguers. nevertheless, after many charges, and sharp assaults given on either part( the Kings side always having the greatest likelihood of victory) both the companies began to retire.  
At which retire came in that valiant soldier and honourable man at arms, the Lord Baron of byron, who albeit that he was not accompanied with above twelve of his own men, yet the Kings forces supposing he had brought in some store of fresh soldiers, so soon as they once heard him name, took a wonderful and unspeakable courage, and seeing him in the midst of them, they gave a fresh charge vpon the enemy, in such sort, and with such force, that they did drive the enemy even into the gates of hang, from whence they had issued. To whom there was also coming a new succour, and fresh supply of men, who perceiving the evil success of the rest, returned in the forefrunt, so that some of the kings majesties forces followed them even into their barriours.  
This fight was great, for there were at the least twelve several charges and assaults given, in which there was some store of armed men slain on the enemies side, with diuers of their Captains. Among whom was slain Don Francisco of Gueuara, the best captain of light horsemen that the king of spain had in the low Countreys. The Lieutenant to the said Francisco de Gueuara, was also slain outright. It is supposed that the Lieutenant to the governor of hang was also taken and slain, with sundry other of great account.  
The Lord of Long-champ, one of the best and most adventurous Captaines, is also taken prisoner, with above fourscore men at aims of account, and diuers Leaders, and Lieutenants of the horsemen: who all confess, that they were hardly bestead, hotly encountered and assaulted by men of courage, and great valour. Yea this overthrow cost them dear: for there was taken and slain of the enemies above fifteen hundred horse, who were not of the worst, but of their chiefest horse and horsemen.  
On the Kings majesties side there was slain about a dozen horses, which were of his light horsemen. amongst whom the Marshall of the company was slain: his death is greatly bewailed, forasmuch as he was a man of great valor, and wonderful courage.  
The Duke de main arrived on the seventh day of August, at the town of hang, with all troops of horsemen which he could gather: Of whom it need not be doubted, but that he is of the opinion to recover this loss, and to speed better then the rest of his chief captains did before him. Wherein if it may please God he fail in his opinion, and obtain but the like success, his forces would shortly be weakened, and his faction for the most parte confounded.  
This one thing is worthy the noting, that all men are now more willing to go against him and his troops, then they were against those that came first. And it may very well be, that sith the Duke de Main is not content with the two first losses and conflicts which he received, that the next may work some greater effect: for it was likely( being then so near together as they were) that they should hardly part again without coming nearer in view and battle one of the other.  
In the mean space the Kings majesty lost no time about the siege of this town: For on this day, being the seventh day of August, the Canon began to play vpon a Church that standeth in the midst of the suburbs, which together with a great ditch, did strongly defend the same: whereby it is not found much weaker then the town: the taking whereof could not but minister great occasion of advantage, whereof the Kings majesty was in good hope. nevertheless, he was coustrayned to leave of and to restrain the foreign power which came unto him from germany and England, who in most honourable sort are entered the realm.  
The Church aforesaid having received the force of the Canon, which played vpon it from morning until three of the clock in the after noon, had by that time a great breach made into the same: By means whereof, the Church was soon taken by a fierce assault made by the French and English companies. In which breach there was slain about the number of thirty enemies, besides whom there was to the number of forty and five, that were retired into the vaults of the said Church, who yielded themselves unto the mercy of the kings majesty. And thereupon he immediately granted them their lives, and likewise liberty to depart with bag and baggage.  
The assaults of the town, and winning of this Church, was the means for taking the Suburbs, and therefore a thing prejudicial to the town, not only in respect of the annoyance which the Kings forces did offer the enemy: but also for the men of war that were there slain, of which the town was but meanly and slenderly furnished at the time of their yielding.  
His majesty is advertised that Rosue, who led the Duke de main his army towards Lorraine, is returned towards Laon, to which place the Duke is gone to join with him, to the end that they together might succour the said town. By means whereof, there is likelihood of a great battle and conflict very shortly to be given to the Duke de main, the rather, in respect that his majesty, and all the nobility about him, stand very resolutely in his defence.  

The Composition ensuing was concluded on the seventeenth day of August, 1591.  
VPon the seventeenth day of August, 1591. the Lord of Ville, commander in Noyan, as well for himself, as for all the Gentlemen, Soldiers, and other inhabitants of the said Town, hath promised to yield the said town of Noyā into the king his hands, vpon monday next following by noon, together with all the artillery, the Munition for war, and victuals, which at that present time was therein: unless that on the morrow( being Sunday) sometime of the day, the Duke de main do give his majesty battle, and so raise his siege: or at least, that the Duke de main do put in a thousand men by force, to succour the said town of Noyan, that then the said Lord of Ville, the Gentlemen and Captaines, with their armor, horses and baggage, and the Souldiers with their weapons and horse, shall depart, and the Inhabitants( doing their dueties,) shalbe received into the Kings favour, and entreated as his other good Subiects, that dwell and remain in his other towns.  
That the said Lord of Villes mother, may freely remain in the said Town, and enjoy her goods, vpon performing the submission of loyal fidelity as is accustomend of all his loyal Subiects.  
Item, that if any of the Inhabitants of the said town be desirous to depart, that they shall lawfully depart among the men of war.  
That the said Lord of Ville shalbe permitted to send the Lord of Broully to the said Duke of main, to advertise him of the premises, and that the King shall safe conduct him to that effect.  
To the accomplishment of the premises, the said L. of Ville hath also promised to deliver for Hostages, to his majesty, the lord of Rieulx, the Abbot of Genlis, with four of the chief of the town, such as his majesty shall choose. All which persons his majesty doth promise vpon performance of the former conditions, to deliver.  
His majesty also granteth to send two Captens into the town, to see and keep them during the said time, from labouring to the contrary.  
given the xvij. of August. 1591. Signed henry. And underneath. 

RVZE.  
Ville de Rieulx.  
La Chautrie.  
Browly.     
VPon the xix. day following, the said composition was put in effect as is aforesaid, and his majesty having aduise that the enemy retired vpon la fear, presently resolved to depart after midnight with xij. hundred horse and four hundred harguebuziers on horseback, the Lord Marshall of byron being of the troupe, to the end to cross and meet with the enemy by the way between la fear and Loan, and to charge him in the march: there was great apparance, had the advice been true. hereupon his majesty returned the said Lord Marshall, and retained with himself only six hundred horse and the said harguebuziers, and so marched toward hang, where the Duke of main remained yet with his said army, where his said majesty stayed almost two houres in battle in his sight within canon shot, whereof there weresome shot discharged with out any loss, neither would there issue any person, except one cornet of horsemen, which had the river of Some before them. Thus the Duke choose rather to abide this shane, than to seek to reuenge the first. even against the town there was also a Corps de gard of Spaniards, who were displaced by eight Gentlemen that alighted. On another side there were some twelve that adventured too far, whom four Gentlemen( of whom Sir R. Williams was one) pursued, and made them turn their faces, except one of the chiefest, that belonged to the duke d'Aumal, who remaineth prisoner.  
His majesty on the twentieth of August marched toward Gisors, there to receive the right honourable earl of Essex, and so immediately to join with the great power of germans, who are already entred into france, by Gods grace to work some great effect, with the aid of the honourable, warlike, and forward Leaders, and Gentlemen of England.   

THE EPILOGVE.  
THis former discourse( gentle reader) is not forged or feigned, as some perhaps for malice will pecuisly report: neither is it fetched from flying and fabulous letters, ordinary reports on the Exchange, or published upon rash warrant, as some, I know, will not stick to utter: but the same is set forth for such credit as cannot be disproved, being agreeable to the intelligence sent from his majesty into England, to the Lord Ambassador for france. And although the same bee not published with such eloquent phrases as some news which hath lately been published, yet will I assure you( if both were examined by the wisest) that this is of more truth, and without error, notwithstanding that much truth was promised, and little found but untruth. For reformation whereof, be assured there is sufficient order taken, that no news whatsoever, shall hereafter pass in print, but that which is certain, and known to be true.  
Besides this, you shall very shortly haue published the good success which the Lord Prince of county hath had in another part of france, in the behalf of the French king: where he hath put a great number of the Leaguers to the foil. The maner of which battle shalbe particularly published, being translated out of the French printed copy, with his majesties own letter sent unto the said Prince of county, together with the honourable letter of Sir Roger Willyams, in the behalf of his country, sent unto the colonels and Captaines of Paris, challenging them to the combat, in respect of some false rumors given forth by them against English companies, which therein is plainly laid open.