I Maye not seeme so vngratefull vnto you my louinge freinde , in recompence of your gret benefites which I haue sundry waies receiued from you , as not to certifie you of all such occurantes as here are reddy past . But from time to time , God lending me life , I minde still as iust occasion shall serue to signifye vnto you how things here shall passe . You vnderstand that on the syxt day of this moneth of August , howe that the Vicount of Gaunt ( vnderstanding that Don Iohn his forces were retired towardes Louin ) beseeged Askot with three thousande Souldiers and 2. great peeces of Ordinance , and put to the Sworde 200. Alboneys , and 500. Almaynes and Wallons , Souldiours , who were there in garison , which when the Vicunt of Gaunt ( had by the valiancye of English men and the Sckots slayne so many before specifyed ) gaue commaundement that neither Burger nor Inhabitant should be hurt , onlye their goodes and munition for warre , whose commaundemente was accomplished , and as it is surely notifyed that the spoyle of that Towne is valued too bee better worth to the Souldyers then fyue thowsande pownde , although the same Towne was but of very smal countenaunce . When this exployte by our Countrymen was fynished they returned too their Campe agayne : Whiche when Don Ihoan had intelligence heereof , hee went in parson to view the same , and found as before is mencioned , being all bent with furye for that whiche had happened , gaue commaundement to kyll men , women , and Children , which was a great number , and a sorrowful sight . Yet notwithstanding he was not so pacifyed , but also caused the Towne to be burnt & vtterly defaced to the ground . Thus my beloued I haue certifyed you of the vtter ruine of this little Towne .

And furthermore , to let you vnderstande , that on wednesday last , our Ambassadors departed from Machelen towardes Don Iohn , accompanied with certayne Lordes of the Countrey , for the conclusion of a Peace ( if it maye be ) according to certayne Articles which I sende you herewith .

We heare not yet what is effected , a murmor of Peace here runneth . But yet greatly doubted : and that all is but practizes , and the French thought to be all one with Don Iohn .

The French Ambassador is returned , but not hearde what hee hath brought with him for newes , being thought his comming to bee rather to get some conclusion of his message , for the which he came fyrst for his maister , to the ende he might be dispatched , then otherwyse to venter him selfe longer here , fearing the smoother and smooke is so sore seene and smelte , as the flame must needes ere long , burst out .

The Duke Allonson florysheth at Mons , where he hath feasted all the Nobles and Gentlemen . That place is sure inough for him : other Townes in Henego , wyll not yet accept of him .

In Valencine ( as men report ) they haue bene in Armes , and fought together , but wherefore , or who haue gotten the better , is not yet here certainly knowen .

Cassimerus is now in the Campe with his Forces , where the Archduke Mathias hath bene : And hee met Cassimerus before Leyre , and so returned to the Towne , and dyned together .

Nowe it is thought , that the Campe shall presentlie marche , eyther to the syege of some Towne , that Don Iohn holdeth , or else to follow his sorces , vntyll they meete with him .

There is money , Municion , and all other kinde of Furniture , sent to the Campe of the States to maintaine the Souldiors the better .

Don Iohn for certayne , hath a great number of Spaniardes , and Italians , comming vnto him , which by reporte hath bene seene Marching in Piemont , and are about ryght , or ten thousande .