The Lord Marquesse went out of the riuer of Lishborne , the tenth daye of Julie 1582 ▪ with 28. shippes , and with fiue small pinnesses , ( for that other three shippes which should haue gone with him , could not come foorth till the next day , ) bicause he had order from his Maiestie , to depart with the said Nauie , without tarying for the 19 shippes , 2. galians , 12 ▪ gallies , and 2. pinesses , which were prepared in And●l●zia . And following his voiage , had three dayes of ill weather , at the ende whereof he found him-selfe 55 ▪ leagues from Lishborne , about the height of the Cape of Saint Vincent , 50. leagues from him . And so the foule weather was the cause that he fell from the height of his pretended course . From whence returned one ship being an Aragoze , in the which were three companies of old souldiers of Flanders , and the Phisitians , Surgians , and other officers of the Hospitall , with their prouision of all things necessarie for that purpose : which ship returned without anie order , they alledging that she was in a leeke . In the 13. day it pleased God to send faire weather , by meanes whereof they got in one day & night that which they had before lost . And being in it , and the fayre weather continuing still , he did follow his voiage , till the 21. at which time they had the sight of the Ile of S. Michaeel . And the 22. day being Sunday , they approched neere vnto Villa Franca , which is a towne of the said Iland , containing about 500. housholds .

The day before they ariued at the Iland , the Marquis dispatched two Pinesses , vnder the charge of Capteine Aguirrei , who was capteine ouer the fiue aforesaid , and did send in euery one sixe souldiers with Caleuers , giuing them warning to go warilie , and if they should chance to meete with their enemies Nauie , that they should not come abord anie of their shippes ▪ neither suffer any of them to come aborde of their pinesses . And by the said Capteine the Marquis did write vnto Ambrose Aguier gouernour of the said Iland , certifying him how his Maiesties Nauie which he brought was verie strong , conteining 5500. souldiers , in which number was Don Lopus de Figueroa , with a 1800 of them of Flanders , ouer and aboue 200. Gentlemen and perticular persons entertained with their aduantages , who came to serue his Maiestie . And that the Nauie which was made readie in Calis , ( for the which they did looke euery houre ) was of the number and quantitie aforesaid , with other 5000. souldiers , wherof was fiue ensignes of old Tersua of Flaunders . And the Marquis did desire the said Ambrosio de Aguier to send him such newes as he had of the French Nauie , & whether they had passed by that waies or not , and the number of their ships : because he was determined to go seeke them , and fight with them . And that he should say vnto Peter Pishoto , if he shoulde chaunce to bee there , that he should make himselfe readie to follow him with the shippes of his charge .

Whiles the Marquis was at an anker in the road of Villa Franca , there did ariue vnto the Admirals ship , one Caruaile of the three which were left in Lishborne , for to bring the horses , who gaue them to vnderstand , that the day before were ariued to the saide Villa Franca , the three shippes which were left in Lishborne , who departed from thence the next day after the Marquis , in companie with the saide three Carnailes . They reported likewise , that the three ships , after they had fallen with Villa Franca , were forced backe againe to the sea , and that the two carueils were taken by the enemie , the other with the horses belonging to the generall of the field , and others , went to the sea , beeing chased by a French ship .

The Marquis did send some perticular men to vnderstand somewhat of them of the Iland , who would not suffer them to come aland , but discharged their peeces at them . And there was a Preist that tolde them that the Iland was for his Maiestie , and that he knewe nothing of the french Armie , others willed them to goe to the Citie . The Marquesse vnderstanding what had passed , and perceiuing by one of the two Pinesses which hee had sent with Captain Aguirre , that the other Pinasse with Captain Aguirre was taken prisoner by a French Shippe and other Barks that came from the land , hee did then suspect that the Iland had rebelled , and hauing sent for Don Lopo de Figueroa Generall of the Feeld , to conferre with him about the landing of some quantitie of men to haue spech with them of Villa Franca , and likewise to take freshe water , and hauing sent to the Captains Michel de Oquendo and Rodrigo de Vargas , to take notice in what place they were best to anker : in the meane time they that were in the top of the Admirall Gallion espied certain ships neere vnto Ponta Delgaaa , about which place is the principall place of the Iland and the Castle : and seeming to the Marques that those shippes should be of the enemies , he altered his determination and went straightway neere vnto Ponta Delgada , and by & by they discouered ●o ships , & then they perceiued that it was the armie of Don Anthonio . So our armie approching vnto the enimie , and hauing now certaine knowledge of them , for that they prepared them selues towards the sea , and perceiuing them to be aboue 60. ships of smal and great , the Marquis called a councell , and with the aduice of Don Pedro de Tolledo , the Master generall of the Campe , the Marquis de la Fauora , Don Pedro de Tassis generall Comptroler , Don Francisco de Bouadilla master of the Campe , and other Capteins & Knights beeing called therevnto , they determined to present the battell , and to fight with the enimie : who did the like , and put themselues in order , and so they discharged a peece of ordinance towards vs in token of battaile . With that the Marquis commanded to put foorth a baner of defiance , and shot off one peece of ordinance , and sent Capteine Maroline , and capteine Rodrigo de Vergas , to aduertise the whole armie to set them selues in order of battaile , which was done in this maner : In the forefront was a rowe of ships and galions , and of the right hand of the Admirall was placed the galion Saint Mattheo , wherein was the master Generall of the field , and the generall Comptroller : and of the left hand was the ship , wherein went Don Francisco de Bouadilla great master of the field , and foure ships more to be assistants : the ten Biscains , with the other ships , wherein was the capteines Michel de Ouando , and Vilia Visiosa , were placed in the rereward . And by reason the ship wherin Don Christopher de Erasso went , had strained the head of hir maine mast , by meanes whereof she could not beare hir top saile , she was forced to staie behind , and could not therefore take hir place accordinglie . Which was a great greefe to the Marquis , to want the companie of Don Christopher in such a time of occasion . The Marquis him selfe went in the galian Saint Marten , whiche was Admerall of the same Nauie . He gaue this order for the battell , that in the uppermost sight vpon the poope should be 20. gentlemen and pistolets , & 20. caleuers : and belowe the Portiugal gentlemen ( except Syr Iames de Castro , which was vpon the poope ) and 20. pistolets , and 6. caliuers : and lowest of all should be for helpe and succour Syr Anthonie Pessoua , Syr Lewes Osorio , Syr Goston Ronkelio , the coronell Mondonario , captaine Quessatha , and other foure pistolets : and vpon the hatches of the galion 40. pistolets vpon either side , vnder the charge of captaine Gamboa : neere to the chamber of the poope , was the body of the gard , with 40. souldiers , most of them particuler men , which had bene in office before , vnder the charge of capteine Augustin Deherrara , for to helpe and succor where should be most need . In the starne of the ship was Iohn Baptist Sauffone gentleman of Milan , with the serieants of the capteines Augustine Deherrera , and Gamboa , with 15. pistolets , and 10. caliuers : in the great top was the serieant Syr Frances Galeio with 8. caliuers , and in the top of the Trinket sixe , besides those that were in the small tops . Vnder the hatches where the great ordinance dooth lie , were the capteins Syr Christopher Deaccouia , and Scouetho , and Iohn Alter , and the serieant Tauste , and Esquiuel , and with euerie peece of ordinance one gunner , and six men to helpe him . And euerie one had an instrument called hanspiks . With the munition which was vpon the hatches , was Marcelus Carraceolus : and like seruice was vnderneath . And in keeping of the gunne powder was capteine Grimaldo , with foure mariners . He commanded also , that there should stand hard by the sterne of the galion , the great bote called the Salua , and foure small ones , for to carrie directions , and fill tubbes of water and hogsheads in diuers places of the said galion , and deuide in their places diuers pikes , and that the Mariners should be in the ships apparell , and the capteines Marolin and Roger Deuargas ( as sea-men and of great experience ) should attend vnto the ordinance and other necessaries . All this was executed verie shortlie , and with a great good will . For all this was prouided before they approched vnto the Iland .

This beeing doone , with great noise of wifflers and drums , and their baners open , went our nauie for to inuade the enimies : the which made the like in good order . But bicause the wind was calme , they could not fight that day , but went seaward . And yet the Marquis could not vnderstand of the state of the Iland . Afterward foure owers within night ariued vnto the admirall Galion , in a Pinesse , wherin was Domingo de Adurriaga , master of a ship called the Cateline , with other fiue mariners Biscaines , and brought a letter from Don Iohn de Castilio , conteining as followeth .

In the army of Don Anthonio there is 58. ships , wherof 28. be great ships , and the rest small , and in them is 6000. Frenchmen . If our armie be not strong enough to fight with them , then it may drawe nigh the Castle , which is for the king . And I would wish you to haue a great regarde to it , for if you should loose the victory , great inconuenience would ensue . Furthermore the Maister and his company declared , that Don Anthonio with his armie came to the Iland of S. Michael the 15. day of Julie , and the 16. he set 3000. men a land , with whome Don Lorenco Noguera with iiii . ensigens of footmen did meete , being in number about 500. men , and with 150. Harquebushiers taken out of the Byskaine shippes , who a litle from the citie did skirmish with the french armie , but being ouerpressed with nomber , were forced to retire to the Castle to Peter Pisoto , with the losse of 10. Castellions , and 12. Byscaynes , Don Lorenco being hurt , wherof after he dyed : and in the Castle with Peter Pisoto is the sonne of the gouernour Ambrosio de Aguiar , and the Bishop , the Corigedor , and other two or three Gentlemen , and all the rest went out of the citie , calling some of Don Anthonio , and the souldiours of the Frenche armie sacked the Citie : and that Don Anthonio sent to the Captaine Don Iohn de Castillio , willing him to yeeld vnto him the castle , knowing it to be his , and that he would giue him free passage for him and his company : the which thing if he refused , that then he would bring aland 7. peeces of Ordinance from the ships , and would batter the Castle : & moreouer he gaue him to vnderstand that the armie of Spaine woulde not come this yeere . To whom Don Iohn , the gouernours sonne , the Bishop , and the Corigedor made answere , that the Castle was the king of Spaines , and that they woulde not yeeld it to him . The Marquis did likewise vnderstande by the saide Maister , that the Frenche men the next daye ( hauing knowledge of the approching of our armie ) did imbarke themselues in all hast , and that the 2. Gallions and 3. great Caruelles of Peter Pisoto , were ouerthrowne neere vnto the Castle , and the 4. Byskaine ships the French men tooke , after that the men were gone aland and withdrawen themselues into the Castle . The Marquis being informed of all things , wrote vnto the Captaine and Gouernour , & others in the Castle , by the said Maister , incouraging them , and certifying them of the force of the kings army , not doubting but the next day to giue battell , and to haue the victorye , and that therewith they should holde them selues contented , as he him selfe was much ioyful of the seruice which they had alredy done to the king , which he knew should not remain vnrecompensed . And with this answere they returned with the Pinasse to the Iland .

The next day being Munday , & the 23. of Julie , the two Armies came to present battel : the french Armie hauing both the vantage of the wind and also of the Sun , came to assalt our Armie being deuided in three quadrons , and made three seuerall attempts , and yet could put nothing in execution . And toward night the Spanish Army making towardes the sea , the french Armie placed ten shippes alongst the Iland , thinking that night to haue got the winde of vs : but by reason it was calme , they could not preuaile .

The 24. day of July the Marquis returned , approching nerer the French army , who hauing the vantage of the winde , gaue two seuerall attempts , and yet put neither in execution . Then the Marquis perceiuing that the course towardes the land was not conuenient for him , he caused the armie to take the course towardes the Sea , thinking with himselfe that whiles his shippes were trimming of their sayles , that the enemie woulde assault him hauing the winde for their purpose : which fell out accordingly . For one of the Frenche Captaines with 7. Galleons came to assault the Captaine of the Spaniardes , and the Galleon Saint Matteo , but approching neere vnto them , did not board them , but discharged great quantitiae of Ordinance against them , and likewise did the rest of the ships against ours : of whom they were receiued accordingly , in so much that our Captaine did shoote of at them aboue 40. peeces , and also the Galleon Saint Matteo shotte of many peeces , also the shippe of Don Christopher de Erasso ( who was now ioyned with the armie ) and also the shippe of Don Francisco de Bouadilla , and Myguell de Oquendo , and others , which was a pleasaunt sight to beholde what Ordenance was shotte off , they did hit our Captaine with 4. shotte , one in the foresaile , another in the shrouds , another vpon an Anker , and the fourth in the shippes side , without doing any harme : they hit the Galleon Saint Matteo with 3 shotte , without doing any harme , no more did many their peeces which did hit many of our ships . And in the Galleons of the Frenchmen wee might perceiue many shot to light , but specially 4. out of our Captaine , which made them to retire , whereby it appeared they receiued some harme .

There came in the Frenche armie two Captaines & two Admirals , and there was a small Galleon like a Patacha , being excellent good of sayle , wherein it shoulde seeme Don Anthonio was , carying a standarde in the Poope , which did not approch the fight , but kept a farre off to beholde what passed . There came to the number of 40 , gret ships , and amongst them some very fine Galleons , the rest were small shippes , but fit for the armie in respect of the lightnes , and there came diuers other small Pinesses all about the armie about 2. or 3. leagues of to discouer and vnderstand of all things , and also 2. Saities of Mercelles , very good shippes of sayle , and many other light Boates with owres , wherwith they did put in order the battaile , and direct things as time serued . The same day at night the two armies did separate themselues . The Marquis determined that at the going downe of the Moone to procure to get the wind of the French armie , and in the morning to assault them againe , which hee did , so that the 25. day of July he found him selfe to windward of the enemy , & so sought to board them , but bicause his shippes were great and heauie of saile , he could not put in effect that which he purposed , but was forced to returne to the rescue of Don Christopher de Erasso , who was in some distresse in following the enemie , and by defaulte of his maine mast , gaue him a toe with his Captaine . This day there was discried a great shippe of the enemies which wanted her fore-mast , and other 2. ships which did helpe her , and they being not able to helpe her , she was forced to sinke : it is iudged shee had some harme with some shot the day before .

Of the 10. Hulkes of the Spanish armie there did want two which caryed Almaines , and there wanted likewise the three shippes that departed from Lishborne after the army departed , so that the Marques had in his Nauie no more but 25. shippes with the two gallions .

The 26 of Julie the Frenche armie came againe to assault the Spanish armie , in very good order and with a fauourable wind . The Marques did cause his ships to be placed in order , although the galleon Saint Matteo was somewhat asterne , which was some greefe to the Marquis , doubting that the enimy might board hir , before she could conueniently be rescued : and so it fell out , for she was borded by two galleons , a captaine and an admirall , against whom she did defend her self very valiantly , being likewise assalted by other two shippes , who after they had discharged certaine ordinance at her , passed forwards . At the same time came other two French ships vppon the Captaine , who beginning to fight with her , she gaue them two such welcomes with her ordinance and arquebushe shotte , that the one of them was euill to passe and almost sonke : and so they retyred , hauing shot many peeces at the Captaine , and the Captaine at them . At which time came the ship of Don Francisco de Bouadilla , who was nere the Capteine , who did likewise annoie the Frenchmen greatlie with hir shot .

All this while did the Admirall , and the Viceadmirall of the French army fight with the galion Saint Mattheo , who did defend hir selfe , and offend the others valiantlie : the generall master of the Campe , Don Lopo de Figueroa , Don Pedro de Tassis ouerseer generall , with the rest of the gentlemen and souldiers that were in hir , valiantlie shooting at the enimies bath with great shot , arquebushot , and musket shot . The Marquis perceiuing that the Spanish nauie was to the windward of the French nauie , & seeing the distresse that the galleon S. Mattheo was in by reason of the two French men , he commaunded the Captaine to turne towards the enemie , & so did Don Christopher de Erasso , and the rest of the shippes of the Spanish armie : and the shippes of Michael de Oquendo , Vilia Viciosa , and another Biskain , which were before the sternemost , by changing the wind were then the foremost , who came and borded the Admirall of the French nauie , who fought with the galeon Saint Mattheo , and afterward came the ship , wherein went Michael de Venesa , who fought with the capteine of France like a good Capteine , and so in like sort did the souldiers that were with him , and bicause his ship was betwene , the Marquis could not at that time board the Capteine of France , but passed forward . In this meane time the Admirall of France was in sight with the galeon Saint Mattheo , and three ships more , who borded hir , Villia Viciosa being one of the three , and hauing borded the French Admirall at the prowe , was slaine , with manie of his companie , as shall be declared . The ship of Oquendo did board hir asterne , and did enter his men into hir , and began to sacke , and tooke foure prisoners and the ensignes . The battell began now to encrease : with that came two other French ships to reskew their Capitaine , and putting aboard hir aboue 300. fresh men , she got from them .

In this meane while the Marquis gaue an other assault vpon the enimie with much shot , and at the last borded with the French Capteine prowe to prowe , and so grapened togither , where was a cruell fight of both sides , shooting the one at the other both with great shot and smal , for the space of an houre , till she yeelded , where was beheaded aboue 300. Frenchmen , and the Gentlemen and souldiers that were in the two fights , did defend them selues valiantlie : so likewise did the two capteins Augustine Deherrara , and Gamboa , and their Lieuetenants . The Marquis like a generall went through the fights , encouraging the people to the assaulting of the enimie , foreseeing and ordering all things needfull to be doone . The artilterie both belowe and aloft did great good , through the great diligence of those capteins that had charge thereof . The battell betweene the other ships did proceede , giuing and receiuing great chargings one vpon an other . The battell continued fiue houres , and at the last the enimie fled .

Don Anthonio was departed in a small Pinesse , with another ship the night before the battell . Some ships were sonke , & some spoiled , hauing beheaded the men that were found in them , and some fled to other ships . And for that we could not toe their ships , the Marquis commanded that we should burne them , and sinke such as we could , as we had begun to doo . The Caruaile with the horses which they had taken , was recouered .

It is thought that there is of the enimies aboue 1200. slaine , drowned , and beheaded , besides manie that be hurt , of them that escaped in the ships which fled . There might haue bene taken manie of their ships more , if we had had time and mariners sufficient for to haue towed them , but they were suffered to depart without men and spoiled : and it is certaine , that the Admirall which was left for halfe drowned , and other foure or siue ships more , were ouerthrowne in the Ile of Saint Michael , and it it thought others haue done the like in other places .

The number of those that were slaine in the Nauie of the Spaniards , was 224 men : and of those that were hurt 553. which is in all 777. Besides some that were scalded with artificiall fire , amongst whom was the generall Comptroller Syr Peter de Tassis in the face .