THE renowmed Prince d'Ombes Generall of his Maiesties forces in Brittain , being accompanied with the honòurable Sir Iohn Norris knight , Lord gouernour of Munster , and generall of hir Maiesties forces in Brittaine , hauing intelligence that within the Citty of Saint Guingan , the which both by nature and Arte , is very strong , there were retired about fiue hundred gentlemen of that Prouince , together with their wiues and children , and all their chiefest and most precious wealth , where Sir Iohn Norris thinking to doe great seruice to the King , much honour to his Queene , and glory to hir countrey , to himselfe and his souldiers a perpetuall praise , and no small profite if hee could to take such a worthy Citty , hee desired the Prince d'Ombes that hee might giue the first assault : which might not bee , for that a most valiant and forward Frenche Captayne had desired it of the Prince before . The which when Sir Iohn Norris vnderstood , and being perswaded by the Prince was contented , so that if they did not performe what they tooke in hand , that then hee with his Englishmen should proceede . This worthy French Captaine with all the best meanes possible encourageth his souldiers , who notwithstanding al that euer hee could doe , at the very first before they of the Towne had discharged any thing almost vppon them , began to retire , the which retire grieued this worthy Captayn very sore , insomuch that when hee saw he could not by entreaty not otherwise perswade his men to fight , hee with owne hands slewe halfe a dosen of them , in this meane while Generall Norris set forward his men , and this French Captayn worthy all honour , said , let it neuer be saide that I am a Captaine of sheepe , and so dismounted from his horse , and with such weapons as hee had , mingled himselfe with the English souldiers , and so worthely behaued himselfe that he slewe of his enemies with his owne hands about thirty .

There were within the Citty besides the afore sayd Nobility , three hundred excellent and good french souldiers , who together with the Nobility & Townes-men most valiantly defended themselues .

The fight continued three large houres , and longer would haue continued if the darkenesse of the night had not ouertooke them .

In the which fight Sir Iohn Norris lost nine worthy Souldiers , and three valiaunt Captaynes , namely Captaine Dennis , Captayne Herne , and Captayn Wolfe , and had about fortie Souldiers hurt , Captain Wolf had sixe and twenty wounds and yet not dead . but they within were in such sort hurt , that the next morning they could not defend themselues halfe an howre , with such great valure and couragious minde Generall Norris returned vpon them : wheruppon presently they prayed a parley , as halfe determined to render themselues if they might finde any reasonable composition .

The Generall making signe vnto his people , who willingly hearkened vnto him , and hauing heard them speake , promised to vse them well , if they would freely yeeld themselues to him , the which seemed to them somwhat hard , but yet , fearing they should bee depriued of all they had , and of theyr liues also , saide , that they woulde willingly doe it , so that hee would not sacke the Cittie , and that hee would suffer the aforesaid Souldiers to depart with their weapons and other furniture , and that they would bee contented to pay them any reasonable summe of money .

The which things were freely and faithfully promised vnto them by Sir Iohn Norris : vppon the which promise the abouesaide Nobilitie most willingly , and of their owne accorde did yeelde themselues , and swore obedience to the King , and promised to withdraw themselues presently euery man to his owne house , and to be ready to serue the king in any his businesse .

The Generall was by the Nobilitie so wel appeased that he suffered the three hundred French Souldiours freely to departe according to the agreement and did not require of the Nobilitie but fifteene thousand Crownes , nor of the Citie more then fiue and twentie thousand Crowns , a matter of nothing , in respect of which that they themselues did thinke to haue paid . So that his demands were thought to be so reasonable of all partes , that they were presently agreede vnto , and most ioyfully the Gates were set open , and they were verie louingly receiued , and the Generall would not suffer that any the least iniurie should be offered to any of the towne nor Nobilitie , and presently commaunded , that thanks should be yeelded vnto God , the Authour and foreleader of all his victories , as wel as of this though daungerous , yet thanks be giuen to God , no such losse nor bloodshed as the aduersaries had , receaued at that present .

The King hauing intelligence , that within the Cittie of Louiers which is foureteene miles from Roan , there was a Corporall that fauoured his Maiestie , and was in great credite with the Gouernour of the same towne called Fontaines Martell . Which Corporall desirous to doe the King some seruice of importe , practised , that there shoulde be at seuerall times by sixe at once , a quantitie of footemen and horsemen sent into he wood harde adioyning vnto the same Cittie , in the meane time hauing wonne vnto himselfe foure or fiue Souldiours of his owne company . And his time being come of his watch at noone day , at what time the Gouernour with his brother being at dinner , according to his signe giuen , there came about foure score horsemen of the Kings , the which hee espying , went presently vp to the Gouernour , who had the keyes lying on the table by him , and said he maruelled they were so long at dinner , shewing that there were of their friendes come vnto them , who stayed without the gates , and could not enter . Whereupon the Gouernour bade him take the key and let them enter , the which hee did : but there was a sergeant within the towne , who began to suspect the matter , the which this Corporal perceiuing , presently slew , & so let them in , which done he brought them vppe vnto the Gouernour , who tooke him and his brother prisoners , and so became Lords of the towne : in the which towne and meadows about it , there was found foure thousand oxen , and very great store of corne , wine , wood and bacon .

This is to be remembred , that the Gouernour aboue mentioned , who was taken prisoner by this meanes , was one of the brauest Souldiours that the Leaguers had in that partes .

It is reported for credite , that the Kings Maiestie is gone to besiege Roan , whereof I hope you shall heare some good newes shortly .