news Sent out of Britayn, and other places on the third of june 1591. to a Gentleman of account. Concerning the several exploits of Sir John Norris, Lord governor of hir majesties forces in britain, since his departure from England.  
 printer's device of a fleur-de-lys (McKerrow, 251).  
LONDON Printed by John villeinage, and are to be sold at his shop right over against the great South-doore of Paules. 1591.   

news sent out of britain, and other places on the third of june, 1591. to a Gentleman of account.  
THE renowned Prince d'Ombes general of his majesties forces in britain, being accompanied with the honòurable Sir John Norris knight, Lord governor of Munster, and general of hir majesties forces in britain, having intelligence that within the city of Saint Guingan, the which both by nature and Arte, is very strong, there were retired about five hundred gentlemen of that province, together with their wives and children, and all their chiefest and most precious wealth, where Sir John Norris thinking to do great service to the King, much honour to his queen, and glory to hir country, to himself and his souldiers a perpetual praise, and no small profit if he could to take such a worthy city, he desired the Prince d'Ombes that he might give the first assault: which might not bee, for that a most valiant and forward french captain had desired it of the Prince before. The which when Sir John Norris understood, and being persuaded by the Prince was contented, so that if they did not perform what they took in hand, that then he with his Englishmen should proceed. This worthy French captain with all the best means possible encourageth his souldiers, who notwithstanding al that ever he could do, at the very first before they of the town had discharged any thing almost upon them, began to retire, the which retire grieved this worthy captain very sore, insomuch that when he saw he could not by entreaty not otherwise persuade his men to fight, he with own hands slew half a dozen of them, in this mean while general Norris set forward his men, and this French captain worthy all honour, said, let it never be said that I am a captain of sheep, and so dismounted from his horse, and with such weapons as he had, mingled himself with the English souldiers, and so worthily behaved himself that he slew of his enemies with his own hands about thirty.  
There were within the city besides the afore said Nobility, three hundred excellent and good french souldiers, who together with the Nobility& townsmen most valiantly defended themselves.  
The fight continued three large houres, and longer would haue continued if the darkness of the night had not overtook them.  
In the which fight Sir John Norris lost nine worthy Souldiers, and three valiant captains, namely captain Dennis, captain hernia, and captain wolf, and had about forty Souldiers hurt, 
Captain Wolf had six and twenty wounds and yet not dead.  but they within were in such sort hurt, that the next morning they could not defend themselves half an hour, with such great valour and courageous mind general Norris returned vpon them: hereupon presently they prayed a parley, as half determined to render themselves if they might find any reasonable composition.  
The general making sign unto his people, who willingly harkened unto him, and having heard them speak, promised to use them well, if they would freely yield themselves to him, the which seemed to them somewhat hard, but yet, fearing they should bee deprived of all they had, and of their lives also, said, that they would willingly do it, so that he would not sack the city, and that he would suffer the aforesaid Souldiers to depart with their weapons and other furniture, and that they would bee contented to pay them any reasonable sum of money.  
The which things were freely and faithfully promised unto them by Sir John Norris: upon the which promise the abovesaid nobility most willingly, and of their own accord did yield themselves, and swore obedience to the King, and promised to withdraw themselves presently every man to his own house, and to be ready to serve the king in any his business.  
The general was by the nobility so well appeased that he suffered the three hundred French soldiers freely to depart according to the agreement and did not require of the nobility but fifteen thousand Crownes, nor of the city more then five and twenty thousand Crowns, a matter of nothing, in respect of which that they themselves did think to haue paid. So that his demands were thought to be so reasonable of all partes, that they were presently agreed unto, and most joyfully the Gates were set open, and they were very lovingly received, and the general would not suffer that any the least injury should be offered to any of the town nor nobility, and presently commanded, that thanks should be yielded unto God, the author and foreleader of all his victories, as well as of this though daungerous, yet thanks be given to God, no such loss nor bloodshed as the aduersaries had, received at that present.  
The King having intelligence, that within the city of Louiers which is fourteen miles from rouen, there was a corporal that favoured his majesty, and was in great credite with the governor of the same town called Fontaines martel. Which corporal desirous to do the King some service of import, practised, that there should be at several times by six at once, a quantity of footmen and horsemen sent into he wood hard adjoining unto the same city, in the mean time having won unto himself four or five soldiers of his own company. And his time being come of his watch at noon day, at what time the governor with his brother being at dinner, according to his sign given, there came about four score horsemen of the Kings, the which he espying, went presently up to the governor, who had the keys lying on the table by him, and said he marveled they were so long at dinner, showing that there were of their friends come unto them, who stayed without the gates, and could not enter. Whereupon the governor bade him take the key and let them enter, the which he did: but there was a sergeant within the town, who began to suspect the matter, the which this Corporal perceiving, presently slay,& so let them in, which done he brought them up unto the governor, who took him and his brother prisoners, and so became Lords of the town: in the which town and meadows about it, there was found four thousand oxen, and very great store of corn, wine, wood and bacon.  
This is to be remembered, that the governor above mentioned, who was taken prisoner by this means, was one of the bravest soldiers that the Leaguers had in that partes.  
It is reported for credite, that the Kings majesty is gone to besiege rouen, whereof I hope you shall hear some good news shortly.  
Finis.