True news, Concerning the winning of the town of Corbeyll by the French King from the Prince of Parma. Which was done on S. Martins even at night last past. 1590. Sent from deep to an English Gentleman.  
 Woodcut printer's device of Edward Allde showing a flower vase with the sun above, and below the arms of the City of London (McKerrow, 290).  
AT LONDON, Prinnted by E. A. and are to be sold at the little North door of Paules Church at the sign of the gun. 1590.   

¶ True news, concerning the winning of the town of Corbeyll.  
IT is not long since( my good friend) that I sent you word of the evil success which the French Kings forces had at the hot and several assaults made by the Prince of Parma against the town of Corbeyll, and the valiant resistance which the Subiects of the French King made against them. Where, after the said Prince of Parma had brought his power, and placed his Cannons to batter the town of Corbeyll: the towns men did generally consent to right it out, having before locked up their Gates, and in the resistance slay many of the Prince of Parmas power, in three hot and several skirmishes. nevertheless such was the weakness of the said townsmen of Corbeyll, that they were constrained to come to the walls of the said town, and to require parley with the Prince, and thereby seeing evidently that the Prince was strong and well furnished with men and munition, and brass pieces for battery: they offered to yield up the said town to the Prince, conditionally that he would grant them their lives, and that they might depart with bag and baggage: but the Prince of Parma contrary to his former misunderstandings in the low countries, not only denied them of this their request, but also vowed to put them every man, woman and child to the sword, his only reason was for that they had so long resisted him, and slain a great number of his best and most approved soldiers in those three several assaults: wher-upon the Citizens hearing the sentence of death pronounced against them, and perceiving nothing would persuade him to save their lives, nor to take pity of their wives and Children: they fell fiercely to the fourth and last skirmish, where they determined to slay or to be slain.  
Then drums and Trumpets sounded forth the deadly points of war, and there began a most fierce and sharp assault on both sides, which continued two hours together, where was great loss of blood on both sides, but in the end the Prince of Parma became victor, and winning the town by force, did put every living creature to the sword which was found there alive: this was a grievous slaughter, where people enhabiting and keeping the town to their Kings use, yet miserable put to the sword without any just cause. But herein no reason might serve, none might escape, nor none presently reuenge.  
Now when the said town of Corbeyll was won, and the Inhabitants woefully put to the sword, the Duke caused many to fall to labour, and to fortify again the great breach with ston, which by force of Cannon he had before made: and thereby went into the said town of Corbeyll: and ther-vpon he immediately placed a garrison of chosen soldiers in the said town, and so departed.  
The kings majesty of france hearing of the loss of this town, took the same very grievously, especially for the loss of so many of his good and faithful subiects slain in the same: whose lives he more esteemed( as he said) then of ten such towns, in respect whereof he vowed to reuenge the same so soon as time and occasion would serve.  
soon after the Kings majesty appointed monsieur de Cheuery being a brave man at arms, politic and hardy, to make choice of some sufficient number, of his best and approuedst soldiers, and to march forward towards the said town of Corbeyll, giuing him charge to reuenge the great wrong before offered vpon his good subiects, by those walloons and Spanish soldiers, planted like usurpers in garrison to defend and keep the said town to the use of the Prince of Parma: which to perform, the said monsieur de Cheuery let slip no good occasion that might be offered, for in the evening before S. Martins day last past, the said monsieur de Cheuery knowing it was a night of great quaffing observed among the walloons and those in garrison, stayed and would not go forward or come before the said town until it were more towards the dead of the night, whereby those in the town hab no cause of doubt, and therfore drunk freely: but about twelve of the Clock that night, the kings power came before the said town, which being secretly done like men unlooked for: suddenly made a fierce& strong assault vpon the same, and practised by force and policy the recovery therof again: now the walloons and Spanish garrison enclosed within the said town, having drunk hard most parte of the day, and then vpon a sudden to be wakened out of their dead sleep by the thundering shot that made great breaches and ways for the Kings soldiers to enter the said town, ran as half desperate to the walls and made a very forcible resistance which continued all that night, nevertheless by seven of the clock the next morning the town was won again unto the King by force, the Kings power entred in at the same breach which the Prince had before entred, so that whatsoever the pince of Parma might do, it could not prevail, though hearing thereof, he sent a power of Spaniards to succour them, which came too late, and were glad to get them gone for fear of their lives.  
Thus by valiant encounter the said monsieur de Cheuery with his Souldiers entred the town the next morning, where were found slain by that fight 2. hundreth Burgonians and 300. Spaniards, besides 400. which were taken Prisoners, and still remain in the said town, who must pay well for their ransom ere they depart.  
In this town the kings soldiers found 200 fat Oxen, four hundreth sheep, leaving some slain some dressed, and some alive.  
There was also taken 4. brazen pieces, and 2. Cannons ready charged, many Spanish ensigns, which but wholly had been displayed in and about the said town of Corbeyll in triumph of the said victory, and done in despite of the Kings majesty of france: were now taken, and those that did display and defend the same, were every man taken prisoner or slain, so that not one man escaped to tell the news to his favourers in other places.  
Thus was the town of Corbeyll won again and entred into by force of the Kings power, in despite of the prince of Parma, Duke de main, or any other their associates: And such is the daily labour of the soldiers in the same town to fortify and rampire it, that the enemy shall hardly get it in hast.  
GOd be thanked very few of the Kings soldiers were slain in this skirmish, nor no man of name or special account. On the enemies side besides the number aforesaid: there was slain Cheuallier de Aumall, who was one of the most chiefest warriors on the Leagers side: this Cheuallier de Aumall had provided great store of victuals intending therewith to haue victuailed the city of Paris, which yet stands distressed, but he was not onely intercepted of the said victuaile, but also of his life: monsieur de Cheuery seeing what good success it had pleased God to sand him, humbly gave thankes unto almighty God with all his soldiers. And forthwith sent news thereof unto the King, who reioyced for his good success, and humbly gave thankes unto God also for the same.  
FINIS.  
 Woodcut tail-piece featuring two putti.