AFter that his Excellencie the Prince of Orange had assembled his Forces aboue Nymegen , and the generall day of Fasting & Prayers was past in the Vnited Provinces , for the good successe of his Excellencies enterprises : our Army marched incontinently towards Venlo , a place of strength and importance , and a Citi● of Gelderland From hence his Excellency sent one part of his Army towards Reremond , and another troope to Strallen , to attache those three places , being vnfurnished of men and necessaries ; at the same time by this meanes to distract the Forces of our enemies . It so fell out , that within few dayes those three places yeelded vpon faire Conditions , which caused his Excellency to leaue therein the publike exercise of their Religion in all their Churches ; one excepted in every Towne , where our Reformed haue their publike exercise : by this meanes to make the rest of the Cities of Brabant , to submit to his favourable victorious Armes . We haue not lost any man of note before those Cities , saue onely that renowned and most valiant Captaine , a true pillar of the Church in the Low Countryes , Count Ernest of Nassaw , whose losse in so dangerous times is aboue our expressions . But his Excellencie ascribing this vnmatcheable losse of so faithfull an Assistant to the fatall destiny of Heaven , and surmounting his naturall affections with Christian patience and resolution , was not discouraged by that vnhappie Reencounter so met withall in his first setting forth , but rather resolved to revenge that breach made in his owne bloud : and went speedily towards Mastricht , a neutrall Towne , from thence sending some Troopes to Syttart , a Towne in Gullickland , tooke it , and put a garrison into it .

In the meane time that we spent our time about Maseick two or three dayes , the Spanish Forces and reliefe came into Mastricht about two thousand men , pickt out and chosen out of all the old Companyes that were in the Kings service , vnder valiant and stout Commaunders : the most of them having beene in the Towne of Shertogenbosh when it was besieged : so that if we had come but three or foure dayes sooner before the Towne , we might haue made a better bargaine , and sooner gotten into that bloudy Citie . But the Lords Counsaile being aboue our conceptions , it was fatall to many noble spirits to haue Mastricht the Towne of their valiant actions : so that wee delaying our March till that time , came not before the Citie vntill the tenth of Iune towardes Lake , where his Excellency came very neare the Towne with horse and foote , within lesse then a Musket-shot from the walles , they within not sparing their Ordnance , but wellcomming vs with great and small shot without ceasing , not without great losse of ours . That night and day following , the Quarters were divided , the first bartery raysed , which gaue the Towne the Signall of a Sutor with three demy Canons , being answered with twelue of theirs .

Before I come to relate some particulars , giue me leaue to tell you in what condition the Towne and our Army was at the first , and how wee did lodge vs round about that vast Chaos of Mastricht , and Wyck . Mastricht , ( Trajectum ad Mosam ) is an old and famous Citie in Brabant , in the borders of it towards Luykeland , and the Dukedome Limborg in one side , and the Land of Gulick on the other , devided into two Cities by the River of Mase , that floweth through it : whereof the one is called Mastricht on Brabant side , belonging to the King of Spaine ; the other Wyck in Luykeland-side , heretofore a neutrall Towne , and belonging to the Citie of Luyke , but by reason of scituation and commodiousnesse , taken in and kept by the Kings Garrison . The Towne is governed by their Burgomaisters and Senate , and hath many priviledges aboue other Townes : as being the Magazin of all Brabant , full of Churches and Colledges of men and women . The Garrison was heretofore commanded by a Governour , one Monsieur de la Motterie , an old servant to the King : but being commaunded to goe vp with the Kings Forces into the Palatinate the last Winter , vnder the commaund of Don Cordova , he could not come backe againe into the Towne before the Siege , but was forced to looke vpon his Government with moystned eyes , in the Spanish Leaguer that came to releeue the Towne in vaine . In his absence commaunded Baron Delede , a braue Commaunder , who carried himselfe valiantly all the Siege , as the effect shall proue : He had about two thousand fiue hundred Souldiers in Garrison , and three thousand Burgers that were able to beare Armes , as they did ; he wanted neither victualles nor Munition at the beginning , as being in the Magazin of Brabant , and therefore spared not his shotte , but thundered most fearefully into our Quarters , to the losse of many . The Fortifications of the Towne are not very strong , having but a good Wall , with some Ravelins and Bulwarkes , and no Out-workes , but before the gates : till at the time of the Siege , that they made diverse Horne-workes and Traverses , which did traverse our Workes mightily . Thus much in view of the Towne .

Our Liaguer on the Brabandish side of the Towne was devided into foure Quarters next the Mase Northwardes , where our Hollandish Shipping lay , was Baron Brederode quartered on a Hill , with some Dutch Regiments , for the Guard of our Bridge and Shippes . Within halfe a myle from him , on the South-west side of the Towne , was the Quarter of his Excellencie the Prince of Orange , who had the strength of his Armie with him . The English , Scottish , French , some High-Dutch Forces . At the beginning his Excellencies Tents were pitched betweene the English and Scottish Quarter , fast by the Regiment of the Guardes . But the Enemies Cannons poynting directly that way , and shooting diverse times through his Excellencies Pavilion ; they were remooved North-Westward from the Towne to an eminent hill , of a very fayre prospect ; from whence his Excellencie might see over all the Townes , and all his Quarters round about , sitting ( as it were ) in the midst of his Armie on a high Throne .

At his Excellencies right hand was the Count of Solmes , his brother in-Lawes Regiment , then in order Colonell Harwoods , Casterwards , Colonell Herberts , Colonell Packenhams , my Lord Veeres , and Generall Morgans Regiments , in a Halfe-Moone ( as it were ) envirouing the Towne . At his left hand was Chastillion , Haulterine , Maison , Neufue , and Duke de Candales Regiments ; and next to them towards the Towne , Graue Morris of Nassaw , and the Count of Hanaws Regiments .

Betweene the English and the Towne , lodged the Lords the States Generall , and because it was in a dangerous place , the Bullets flying round about them , they made a kinde of Traverse before their lodging , to keepe off the enemies shot . Before the States lay the Scottish Quarter , Collonell Brooke , Collonell Balfour , and the Earle of Buchbergh Regiments . At the right hand , a little behinde them the Princes Guardes . Those Regiments were in the Princes Quarter .

In the third Quarter , South South-West from the Towne , commaunded Count Henry , Grave Ernests eldest sonne , now Governour of Freesland in his Fathers steade , with some Dutch Regiments .

The fourth Quarter Southwardly from the Towne vpon a hill , was commaunded by Collonell Pinsen , vnder whose Quarter was the Mase , and a bridge over it , where all our provisions comming from Luyck , landed , and from thence was convayed into our Leaguer , on the other side of the Towne and Water . Before Wyke , was at the beginning but one Quarter , in forme of a Campe , commaunded by Count Morris van Nassaw ; before our enemies the Marques de Sancte Croce , and Pappenheym arrived : but afterwards when Count William came to vs from about Antwerpe , he lodged there likewise in a peculiar Campe , to hinder our enemies from attempting to relieue the Towne that way .

The whole Leaguer was formed of Hutts of Strawe and some Tents , so that I could not imagine how it was possible that so much Strawe should be found about one Towne , and gathered in so few dayes ; for wee came the tenth day of Iune before the Towne , and the Leaguer was formed and fitted at the fifteenth day of the same moneth , when wee beganne our approaches . After that the Hutts were set vp very conveniently and orderly , wee beganne to fortifie our Campe , and entrench vs round about with three severall entrenchments and walles , three ditches being here and there assured by Sconses , Redoubts , Halfe-Moones , Batteries , to be sure at our backes , in the meane while , wee had to deale with the Towne : as likewise every Quarter was enclosed by it selfe with a strong entrenchment , with severall meanes to goe in and out , guarded day and night for all occasions .

The circuit of the whole Leaguer on both sides was about twelue or thirteene English myles , for I wentround about on Horsebacke an easie pace to view the Workes in foure houres . As for our provision , wee had never scarcitie of victualles , being relieved by those of Luyck , Tongeren , Sittert , and others , that came daily into our Quarters , with all manner of provision , Bread , Meate , Chickens , Fruits , Fowles , Butter Limborg-Cheeses , and especially , with roasting Pigges , that I could not sufficiently admire the quantitie of them . Beere and Wine wee had enough , although sometimes cheaper , sometimes dearer , according to severall occurrences . For the safetie of our Quarters , wee had but little , for there was no place in his Excellencies Quarter , at least which was not within a Cannon-shot from the Towne-wall : so that at the beginning , before our Traverses and Walles were made towards the Towne , many Souldiers , men and women , were killed in their Hutts and Tents , especially , in the Scottish and Pinsens Quarters ; the certaine number thereof , I dare not mention , because it may seeme incredible .

Thus haue I brought you to the finishing of our Quarters in grosse , for the perfect entrenchment of them was not finished till three weekes after .

The fifteenth day of Iune , beganne his Excellencie to approach towardes the Towne in his Quarter onely , by the English and Scottish on one side , and by the French and High-Dutch on the other side : none of the Low-Dutch out of no Quarter making any Approaches during this whole Siege . The Batteries that were raysed were three . 1. in our English Approaches with three ; 1. in the French Approaches with three ; 1. with Pinsens Quarter with three peices , although afterwards we in our English Approaches had but two Batteries . It was Colonell Harwoods turne to beginne the Approaches in our English Quarter , and was releeved by Collonell Packenham , my Lord Veere , Generall Morgan , and the Scottish Regiments , so that it came to every Collonells turne to commaund once in seaven dayes in the Approaches .

At the beginning they beganne to digge couragiously , and went well on , so that it was almost as safe to be in the Approaches as in the Quarters , they in the Towne sparing not their Ordnance to play continually , and seldome without some losse .

His Excellencie was very forward to further the worke , being more encouraged , when few dayes after the great Convoy came from Nymeghen , and the braue bringing in twentie Shippes with Munition and Meale for the Army , and withall a good number of Commaunders , and Gentlemen , that accompanied my Lord Veere , and the Earle of Oxford , arriving in safetie the two and twentie day of Iune .

Since the eighteenth till the twentie-two of Iune , there was nothing done or wrought in the approaches towardes their Halfemoone by the English , and towardes the rest of the Out-workes by the French . Those in the Towne making sometime shew to hinder vs with their Sallyes , but without great hurt .

The twentie-three of Iune , his Excellency sent a Trumpet into the Towne , with a Packet of Letters , wherein was the Declaration of Count Henry Vanden Bergh , signed vnder his owne hand : but the Governour would not receiue the Letters , and sent them backe againe , with protestation to receiue no Letters , but from his Generalissimo , the Marquesse de Sancte Croce ; yet the Trumpet acquainted some in the Towne with Vanden Bergs intention , and perceived so much by some Souldiers , that alreadie they beganne to be weary of their labours , being forced to be day and night at the Guard , and that in the Out-workes towardes night , being Saint Iohns eue , when the Guard was relieved , they in the Towne made a very curious Volley , of their great and small shot , in honour of Saint Iohn the Baptist , which gaue an Alarm in some Quarters that were not well skilled in the Almanacke .

The twenty-foure of Iune , after their Matins , they made a Sallie both vpon the French and English , entring into our Trenches , and killing some few men , but were expulsed with losse , and left one of their men prisoner behinde them . Wee had not aboue foure men killed , and Colonell Packenham , who commaunded in the Trenches , was shot in his face , whereon he did lye many weakes , but recovered by Gods mercy . That night wee wrought on in our workes ; and they in the Towne came often vpon vs with a Sa Sa Donques , but had no minde to fall on . That night was a fire in the Quarter of the Guardes , but did no great harme .

The twentie-fifth of Iune was a Salley made by them in the Towne vpon the French , and one Lieutenant and one Ensigne , and some French slaine , but they were beaten backe againe .

The twentie-sixe of Iune , was a Sergeant killed in my Lord Veeres Quarter ; they played very hard with their Canon out of the Towne : wee heard newes of our enemies comming to relieue the Towne .

The twentie-seaventh of Iune , towards evening we heard three or foure Cannon-shots given by the Marquesse Sancte Croce , for a signall of his comming to the Towne , being three houres going from vs.

The twentie-eighth of Iune , came a Bullet from the Towne in my Lord Morgans Tent , and brake two of his Coffers , without other harme ; that after-noone wee had a false Alarum by occasion of a Drumme that was to enter into the Towne , but soone discovered : the Marquesse beganne to shoot that Evening about twentie-three Cannon-shot for a signall , and came nearer to vs , thinking to affright our Army with his great Cannons .

The twentie-ninth of Iune , the Marquesse marched fast by our Leaguer , in the sight of our Army , where our horse did skirmish with his men . That night began our Grandround , which lasted a great while : the next day the Marquesse went vp and downe about our Campe , being doubtfull which way to march ; till at last , the first of Iuly , he turred towardes Barbie Brederods Quarter , and formed his Leaguer close on the Rivers side by a Cloyster , where he remained vntill the day of the taking of the Towne , attempting nothing against our Campe all that while , although he had many fayre opportunities , but the prisoners and runnawayes told vs , that he could not finde leasure to thinke on vs , being so much imployed in dicing : that night my Lord of Oxford fell vpon the Enemies Traverse with great courage and resolution , and tooke it by maine force , but for want of succours was constrained to retyre ; yet our men falling on the second day , beate the Enemie out againe , and had maintained their possession , if our workemen that should haue turned the worke vpon the Enemies , had not trecherously neglected their workes , and fallen vpon the dead bodies to strippe them ; for in deferring the worke , the Enemie came out of the Towne , and made our men retire : where wee lost Captaine Haughton , Master Knowles , Master Enwein , Voluntiers vnder my Lord Veeres Companie , Lieutenant Gardly , and some common Souldiers , and Sir Simon Harencouste , with Captaine Rookwood were hurt , but escaped by the Lords mercy .

The next morning , the second of Iuly , wee had our revenge on the Enemie , for the Marquesse intending to make a bridge over the Mase , sent some three or foure hundred men in boates over the River , to gette ground and make a little Countrescarfe about the Water , to assure his workes , but our French troopes that had the Guard , seeing them landed , charged them vnder the commaund of that braue Marquesse Des Tiax , Lieutenant Colonell to the Duke of Candaile , and gaue them the overthrow , killing aboue a hundred , and taking the rest prisoners . Notwithstanding , the Cariols Cannons , about tenne or twelue peices , which favoured their descent , and played continually vpon our men sore . Wee lost the said Marquesse in returning victoriously from the Water by a Canon-shot , as likewise Captaine Fouillem , and Dufresne , who was hurt and dyed afterwards : the Enemies much commended the valour of our men , as wee perceived out of Letters that were surprised .

After dinner , the enemies Trumpet came to demaund his prisoners , and his Excellencie had a Gascoigne French with him , representing to him his kindnesse and mercy , that he had not put to the sword all the prisoners , which the enemies certainely had done , if they had had such an advantage over vs , but the Trumpet answered , that his Excellencies curtesie and mercifulnesse was knowne by experience of the former yeare , when the Shallopes were taken at Bergen , and therefore they hoped for the same in time to come , with promise to shew the like favour to our men , in the like case of extremitie ; whereupon his Excellencie answered , that he hoped , he should not haue neede of their curtesie .

And the third of Iuly , beganne our worke-men to Sappe into the enemies Traverses , and cut them in peices , and so to make them vnserviceable to them . The Marquesse marched that day with some of his Forces towards Mastricht , to see whether he could get over the River that way , but our troopes marching on the other side of the Water , tooke care of all occurrences , especially when having joyned the Lord Diden with fortie or fiftie Companies , they disposed the barge betweene Roremond and in our Leaguer , in such a manner , that it was impossible for the Marquesse to vndertake the passage any more .

The fourth of Iuly , was Sir Iames Leveston , Lieutenant Colonell to Sir David Balfores Regiment , hurt in the head , but recovered by the Lords mercy . The same day were some eighteene Charrets with provision , intending to goe to the Enemies Leaguer , brought in by our Horsemen .