THE politic taking of Zutphen sconce, the winning of the town, and beleagering of deventer.  
With the honourable enterprise of Sir Roger Williams Knight, performed vpon a thousand and two hundred of the Enemies soldiers or Leagors, lying at Cinque Saunce, nine leagues from deep.  
Who were all put to the sword, vpon Thursday before whitsunday last, being the twenty day of May. 1591.  
seen and allowed.  
AT LONDON, Printed by John Charlwood, and are to be sold by William Wright.  
1591.   

¶ The politic taking of Zutphen sconce,& the beleagering of the town of deventer.  
THE honourable services that the right worshipful sir francis Vere hath performed since his being in the low Countries, hath been such as hath eternised his renown, and rung the famed of his name, not onely into the ears of his friends and favourers, but also into the hearts of his enemies, now remaining in those foreign parts where he is governor, to their great terror,& his unspeakable comfort. In remembrance of whose brave services performed, forasmuch as I haue now to deliver publicly the politic attempt of the said worthy Knight, lately achieved, so will I not also be unmindful, to record some of the rare services which he hath before to his great commendations effected. As first, his finishing of rays sconce left vnfinished by sir Martin skinck, next, his great and honourable exploit, which he undertook for the victualling of the town of bark, where in valiant manner he greatly impaired the strength and power of the Prince of Parma, and slew with the sword, drowned,& took innkeepers, to the number of six thousand persons: albeit he had but a small company in respect of that huge Army. But God was the worker of this great wonder, by causing the Spaniards to fall out with the Italians, and so of themselves going together by the ears, ran confusedly upon the rearward, where they thought to haue found a company of feeble Duchmen: but here( far contrary to their expectation,) they found planted this valiant Knight, with his troops of courageous Englishmen, who together with some aid, wrought the confusion of so many as is aforesaid.  
In which conflict there was slain at that time, one marquis, and sundry other Captaines of great valour& credite, which were on the enemies side.  
After this he took the town of Breda, by great policy, moneying the Gouernours thereof, and hath since subdued many other towns.  
I may not forget the town of Buricke, nor grave sconce, where he behaved himself, to the high commendation of all English soldiers. Hemarte and hail, Steenbargen, and many other towns: all these he hath Souldiour-like attempted to win with the sword, and gotten them since his going over: still joining his forces, power,& policies, with the powers of the grave van Mawrice, whose strength more and more doth daily increase, whose valiancy and forwardness is such and so great, as may be in any man at arms, that intendeth to be revenged vpon those traitorous people, for the innocent bloodshed and untimely death of his deceased Father.  
A notable exploit had been given by this valiant Knight,& by him a valiant piece of service had been performed upon the town of dunkirk, to the overthrow of the treacherous aduersaries therein, had not the same been prevented by some secret intelligence, which was given unto them concerning the same.  
now this valiant governor sir francis Vere, seeing the sconce of Zutphen held very strongly,& having by sundry means sought to win it, as well by force as policy,( wherein though he failed) yet purposed he to obtain it by one means or other: whereupon with an undaunted resolution, he determined to put this practise in proof, which in the end God be thanked, came to good success. He caused sundry of his soldiers, secretly to be appareled in the habit of poor Market folks, as well of men as women, some dryuing of Oxen, some of Kine, some of sheep, some of Hogs, and some driving of Goates.  
These people thus being driving of Cattle, were pursued& chased by some soldiers, as though they had been their enemies, by means whereof the Cattle and poor people were received by the enemy, intending to succour thē, while without any suspicion those poor people being courageous soldiers, having got the gates opened, seized upon the Keepers thereof, so that in the mean time the other issued, and immediately sir francis Vere followed with a sufficient troupe of horsemen, and foot. This was done vpon the 13. of May last past, at what time he took the sconce, and now enjoyeth the same peaceably without any loss of men.  
On the 15. day of May following, the county Maurice, son to the renowned for chivalry William of Nassaw Prince of Orange, being accompanied with sir francis Vere, besieged the town of Zutphen, with nine thousand footmen, and seventeen hundred horse-men.  
On the 18. day of May, there was planted thirty& six,( others say but twenty& six) pieces for battery against the walls of Zutphen, al which they did discharge some two or three times, whereupon the Townsmen fell to parley and composition, so that vpon the 19. day of May, the town was yielded up into the hands of the county Mawrice, vpon condition, that the soldiers in the town, being on the enemies side, might haue their lives preserved, that they might not go to deventer, but to depart with bag and baggage, some of them offering to serve the county Mawrice, which he graciously accepted, offering unto them all, that those who would serve him, should haue entertainment, whereupon one ensign of Wallouns tarried in his service, with some of the enemies chiefest Captaines.  
now when the county Mawrice had obtained the town of Zutphen, he fortified& replenished the same with soldiers, out of his own troops, and leaving it well& in good order, he departed the next day towards deventer, except some small number, who went to besiege a Castle, which they took, and then returned to the camp.  
There is great likeli-hood that deventer is by this time yielded: for such is the valiant courage of the county Mawrice,& sir Francis Vere, that doubtless by Gods assistance, they do not pretend to raise their siege, until they haue obtained it, and constrained them to yield it up, with speed.  
At the planting of the Ordinance, there was a great mishap befell upon the county Mawrice side, for the valiant County of Obersteyn was slain.  
Thus haue you heard particularly discoursed, the true news of the taking of Zutphen sconce, and of the yielding of the town, with the besieging of deventer, where the Captaines and Gouernours now in siege against it, are not onely courageous, but also such as do put their whole ttust in the living God, and therfore are resolved that he will preserve them, that he will strengthen& defend them against the strength of the enemy, who though he be never so strong, yet God is always stronger then he, as appeareth by this ensuing discourse of sir Roger Williams, whose valour hath been oft-times tried in the face of the enemy: in which history appeareth, that if strength of men might haue prevailed, it had been unpossible for him to haue escaped with life. The God of heaven prosper them all, grant them to over come their aduersaries, and sand thē to England with trymphant victory.  
Amen.   

THE honourable Enterprise of Sir Roger Williams knight.  
Performed vpon a thousand and two hundred of the Enemies soldiers, or Leagors, lying at Cinque Saunce, nine leagues from deep.  
Who were all put to the sword, vpon Thursday before Whitsunday last, being the xx. day of May. Anno. 1591.  
THE honourable attempts which that renowned Knight Sir Roger Williams, hath sundry times made vpon the enemy, not onely by entering by force of arms into his strongest holds, but also in withstanding and resisting his mighty and huge multitude of Armed men, that haue sundry times to their great loss, assaulted,& made offers for entrance into such towns and holds whereof he hath had charge: hath given me just cause to publish this his most laudable enterprise, which was lately performed against two Regiments of soldiers, both hardy and skilful,( although on the enemies side,) who having a wrong cause in hand, are overthrown by the outstretched arm of the Almighty, the one Regiment appertaining to lorraine, the other to monsieur de la Lownde.  
These two Regiments came from rouen, and planted themselves at Cinque Saunce, supposing there to inhabit, and to surprise and get victuals for their maintenance. To this end they fortified themselves round about with Barricadoes, which kind of fortification is very strong: yet for that it may the more easily be understood of the simplo sort of people, I haue thought good to describe it here in more plain manner, that they may as well know and understand it, as those that haue been continually trained up in Martiall exercises.  
this kind of fortification called the Barricadoes, is Pipes, Hogs-heads, Wine vessels, and such like, which being filled and hard rammed with earth, are set close one by one, each by other, and one upon another, which is of such force and weight, that they can not be easily removed or entred into, but standeth as strong as any Mudde-wall, whereinto shot of very great force cannot enter but recoil: thus were they enclosed, as is aforesaid, within this Barricadoes, and none durst pass by them for fear of their lives.  
But these two Regiments, for their better safety, omitted not the hammering in their heads, howe they might find means for the same: and so consented, that for their more assurance, they placed a troupe of horsemen in a Wood, distant two leagues off from the place where they had fortified themselves, the same Wood being full in the passage or high-way from deep, supposing thereby, that if any resistance should come from deep,( which they greatly doubted) that some of those horse-men might retire back, only to give intelligence unto the two Regiments, whereby they might not onely come themselves, for the surprysing of the power, but thereby also procure a fresh supply from rouen, to back them if occasion should serve.  
The governor of deep, name monsieur de charters, with Sir Roger Williams, who lately came thether, and being there at that present, having received intelligence of the fortification, and intent of the enemy, together with the great strength of the Barricadoes, resolved speedily to depart from deep, which they did the same evening, taking their journey towards Cinque Saunce, which is nine Leagues from thence. this was on Wednesday in the evening, before whitsunday last, and travailing all the night, came to the Wood no the next morning being Thursday, having with them four hundred French-men,& three hundred Englishmen, where they found a troupe of horsemen to resist their passage, vpon whom they made a very fierce assault: but the Englishmen gave such a hote charge vpon them, that all those horse-men were soon surprised& slain, so that none of thē escaped any way, to discover any thing hereof unto those that lay fortified in the Barricadoes. Thus leaving the dead bodies of the hors-men in the wood,& taking some of their horses, the governor& sir Roger Williams passed along to Cinque Saunce,& being come thether before noon, they descried the enemy with their ensigns displayed within their fortification. But the governor of deep, perceiving their fortification to be wonderful strong, alleged that it was unpossible to enter it,& therefore persuaded sir Roger to go back again, and the rather considering that the enemy was two to their one.  
But sir Roger who hath always born an undaunted mind, and known to be a man greatly approved in such Martiall attempts, replied, saying, that it were a great dishonour for him so to do, wherefore he choose to haue set vpon them with his own three hundred men, though it should cost both him& them their lives, rather then to shrink from them, or to be daunted by their great countenance of strength, without attempting to enter thē, considering they were near in sight one of another, and with this resolution advanced his colours, marched towards them, meaning himself with his small company, by the assistance of God, vpon whom he onely trusted, either to enter and surprise them, or else to lose his life in that place.  
The governor of deep, seeing the brave and most honourable resolution of Sir Roger, was wonderfully encouraged to the enterprise, and thereupon protested to take part also in the said attempt with his 4. hundred soldiers, whatsoever should chance or betid unto him, and thereupon displayed his ensign, and together with Sir Roger, vowed by Gods assistance to enter the Barricadoes, and to charge vpon the enemy. Whereupon the governor cheered up his soldiers,& willed thē to fight in the behalf of their lawful King, whose right they were bound to defend,& whose right doubtless Almighty God will prosper to the confusion of his enemies.  
Sir Roger Williams also in very loving and familiar sort, as his usual custom is, cheered up his soldiers, and uttered unto them this effectual speech following.  

The speech which Sir Roger Williams delivered unto his soldiers, before he entred or begun the assault on the enemies and Leagors at Cinque Saunce.  
MY well-beloved soldiers, friends, and countrymen, know that those on whom we presently purpose to charge, are people of great skill, sufficiently trained up in Martiall Discipline, stout, hardy, and approved in wars: and that it is our greater honour to deal with thē, the one Regiment of these soldiers are of lorraine, which is the principalest strength& faction appertaining to the house of Guise, or Legors,& the other regiment are governed by a captain of great valour, who will hazard his life in the defence of his cause: yet forasmuch as their cause is bad, no doubt their success in the end cannot be good, howsoever it fall out with us at this present, they being two to one of vs.  
nevertheless consider, that in troth they are but Traytors to their King, they are also disturbers of the state, and upholders of such as are like themselves, even Arch-traytors: who to deprive the King of life and dignity, enscence and persuade these to take parts in their behalf, thereby to usurp the crown and estate, contrary to right, law& duty: for which, they not onely deserve sharp death in this world, but also in the world to come, utter destruction. And although they be far stronger in power then we, yet let us put our trust in the Lord, and he no doubt will fight for us, yea it is that God that doubtless fighteth still for the faithful,& strengtheneth the weaker sort if they trust vpon him: God hath from time to time daunted the harts of traytors, he striketh terror and fear into their harts,& that with such sudden amazement, that commonly they are constrained to fly, and run straggling as sheep without a shepherd: what know we if it be the pleasure of God to deal so favourably with us, as to deliver our enemies this day into our hands? no doubt if we do put our trust in him, he will not suffer one hair of our head to perish: yea, he hath promised to the faithful believers in him, that he will tread their enemies in the dust.  
Let us therefore pray unto him, and put our trust in him,& then we need not doubt of the victory, notwithstanding their skill, strength& courage, for God fighteth for us, and therefore doubtless we shall prevail against them.   
Thus done, they prayed together heartily( to God) vpon their knees, to give them the vpper hand over their enemies.  
After they had prayed unto Almighty God, and promised each to other, either to vanquish the enemy, or to die every man at the others feet, rather then they would fly one foot: they immediately refreshed themselves with such victual as they had, and then marched forward with great courage, displayed their ensigns, strooke up their Drums,& with their Trumpets sounded defiance to the enemies face. Thus with an undaunted resolution, the valiant English soldiers gave a fierce charge vpon the enemy,& did assault them in such sort, as if they had not travailed al night, or skirmished with any other before their coming thither. This fight continued two houres space, in which time, much powder& shot was spent against the Barricadoes, into which the soldiers by strong hand valiantly entred, Sir Roger being one of the foremost, who buckled and fought hand to hand with the principal Gouernours of the enemies soldiers: against whom also the governor of deep issuing, did valiantly behave himself. In the end, such was the good success of the English soldiers by stil hartening on the French-men, that the enemies were constrained to turn their backs, being not able to fight any longer, or to fly from them, by reason they were all enclosed within the compass of the Barricadoes, as if it had been in a ston wall. Thus did the English and French soldiers put those two Regiments of soldiers to the sword, suffering none to escape alive.  
After it had pleased God to give them this happy victory, they humbly vpon their knees gave thanks unto him for the same, singing psalms of praise to the Highest, for prospering them in their enterprise, acknowledging that it was the outstretched arm of GOD which had brought this miraculous thing to pass.  
In this battle sir Roger and the governor of deep lost very few men, for in al, there was not slain of their side above eleven men, besides a few that were hurt, and in such sort, as that they are like soon to be cured.  
The Generals hereupon took order, not to stay at any hand, but speedily to return again to deep, suspecting, least some fresh supply should come from rouen upon them, or by casting about, meet them in the midway homeward: and therefore gave order immediately that the soldiers should leave their spoil behind them, to the end they might not ouer-charge themselves with carriage: to which they were obedient, taking nothing with them, but those things which were light& easy of carriage. Thus they returned safely to deep, without carrying, showing therein a notable fore-sight that Sir Roger had to prevent the coming of the enemy: who as it is credibly reported, came with a great power to meet thē in the midst of the high way, but Sir Roger& his troops, were gone past four houres before; by means whereof, the enemy( God be thanked) was prevented of his purpose, and lost his labour.   
FINIS.