THe place whereupon the Towne of S'hertogenboſh is built, hath heeretofore (according to the common preſumption) beene a Boſcage or Wood, kept for the Hunting of the Dukes of Brabant; of this Boſcage the Towne hath the name of S'hertogenboſh.

This Boſcage was an euen and recreatiue place, fruitfull of wild Deere, as of Harts, Hinds, Wilde Bores, Wolues, Hares, Rabbets, and ſuch like: wherein were many little water-brookes, Orchards, and Hearbes.

In this Boſcage the Duke had made a Cottage, as-well for his Dogges and Horſes, when he went a hunting, as alſo for men to be at ſhelter from the raine and great heate. This ſame Cottage was after this named the Hanſe-wint, or in Engliſh the Grayhound, and is yet vpon the Market-place.

The Hunters of the Duke had made a Ditch round about this Hutte, for to be aſſured againſt the forces of their Enemies; becauſe there was a great difference riſen betweene them and the Hunters of the Count of Meghen, for that they were come vnder the Iuriſdiction of the ſaid Count, following not onely their Dogges that were aſtray, but alſo by reaſon of the great heate, their Game. Wherefore they were very much beaten and hurt by the Counts Hunters, for daring to hunt in anothers Hunting place. The Duke tooke this very ill ſo that he forced thoſe of Meghen to hang thoſe dead Dogs by the hinder legs on high, and for reparation of their fault, to couer them with Corne.

The place of this Boſcage was fit for many vſes, hauing in the middeſt a common Riuer, where reſorted (as if it had been a common Hauen) many men, there to receiue their goods which they had bought.

The Kempenlanders, Peelanders, and their neighbours, were wont to bring their Bees towards the fartheſt dominions of Gelder, for that that Land hath a ſweet ayre, and was very fruitfull of Corne, Bloſſoms, Ypes, or Broomes bloſſomes, being very good foode for the Bees. This Nation bringing ouer their Bees in Hiues, and trading with the Gelders Nation for Corne. Beanes, Peaſe, Cheeſe, and ſuch like Wares, they haue choſen this place as the fitteſt, where they came in great number with their Boars, and Carres: for to receiue thoſe Wares they daily bought. And it hapned then that this place, by reaſon of the great trading more and more did encreaſe, wherefore many came thither.

There were then no publike Tauernes for to lodge the Iourneying Trauellor, ſo that they were forced to lye in the Field, vnleſſe they would goe to the next Villages and Houſes. A certaine Trauellour, being weary of this miſery, was minded there to build, and was the firſt that builded there a Publike Tauerne, neere the old Dieſe, about the Geertruyde-Bridge, who was, by reaſon of the many Gueſts, and good trading, in a ſhort time growne very rich: which was no wonder, becauſe it was then a peaceable time, and the people came there in great number, as well from the Gelder quarters, principally from Bonuneler, Tielerweert, Maes, and Wael, as alſo out of the quarters of Brabant, namely, from Bruſſels, Louen, Antwerpe, Kempenland, and out of all the Townes and places ſituated there round about, for to trade with their Merchandiſe in this place.

By reaſon of this good ſucceſſe and welfare of this Vintner, (like men being of nature artificers) there came more yet to build their dwelling-places there: ſo that there were built many Houſes. Theſe then were the firſt luckie beginners of the Towne to come.

Euen as thoſe that proſper are hated, miſery onely is freed, ſo the proſperity of this people hath beene hated by the Burgers of Heuſden, becauſe this Trading and Merchandiſe was wont to bee with them. Theſe Burgers then fearing that ſuch a luckie beginning, and great multiplication of theſe new builders ſhould doe them not ſmall, but very great hinderance, and that their Towne, for want of men and trading, would come to nothing: therefore they thought how to preuent it, and by what meanes they might beſt hinder it. After they had well meditated theſe buſineſſes, and iudging, that their longer ſtaying would bee but a hinderance vnto them, they concluded together to fall vpon theſe new Builders, and cauſed them to depart: who hauing gotten fit opportunity, they did fall very ſecretly vpon them, cauſed them to depart out of the place, and beate downe their new Buildings to the very ground, for to hinder theſe ſpeedy beginnings; which otherwiſe would haue put downe all the trading of their Towne.

This attempt was to no purpoſe againſt the Fortune: for that the people did not forſake this place by reaſon of the ſaid dammage and hinderance, but ſhortly after this returned thither againe, and did build againe new houſes in the old Field: for which the iealouſie of the Burgers of Heuſden did increaſe more and more, and would not leaue them at quiet, but fell for the ſecond time againe vpon them, deſtroying their houſes, and cauſed them to retire a great way off that place, to the end that their laſt intent ſhould not bee greater then the firſt.

Theſe people being twice deſtroyed and ruined by the Burgers of Heuſden, they were forced to be ſtragglers here and there, which did grieue them much, hauing no meanes to reſiſt them; yet notwithſtanding continued ſtill in their opinions, and did looke alwaies for a better occaſion, hauing in minde the ſaying of the Poet Virgil:

And expecting after darkneſſe the light, were minded to ſeeke other helpe and aſsiſtance: They made their complaints vnto the Duke of Brabant, who (they knew) would aſsiſt thoſe that were in miſery; and manifeſted alſo their cauſe vnto the Burgers of the Brabandiſh head Towns, and did together require helpe and aſsiſtance, that they might bee aſſured againſt the forces of thoſe of Heuſden, and to be reſtored in their former place, that they might build vp againe their pillaged and ruined Houſes.

In this they were not deceiued of their hope, becauſe theſe Brabandiſh Burgers, hauing regard vnto their requeſt, condiſcended vnto them, and promiſed truely to helpe and aſsiſt them, ſo that hereafter they ſhould not any more bee hindred of their good intent.

The Illuſtrious Prince alledged this reaſon in the common Aſſembly, That he was willing to prouide vnto the ſame for time to come, but that he was now much troubled himſelfe with Warres, and great affaires, and therefore did put the ſaid cauſe to the diſpoſition of the Brabandiſh Burgers.

The three chiefe Townes of Braband, namely, Louen, Bruſſels, and Antwerpe, tooke this Cauſe in good earneſt vpon them, and conſidering well of it, they found fit to build there the fourth chiefe Towne, to the end that the Brabanders forces might lye vpon 4. Pillers.

By the command of the Prince, they began there to make there three Ports or Cates in a round, which were ended in a ſhort time: each chiefe Towne builded one Gate. Thoſe of Louen about the Market place, neere the great Hoſpitall, which is now the Priſongate. Thoſe of Bruſſels, the Croſſe-gate, which remaines ſtill in Orten-ſtreet. Thoſe of Antwerpe the Vrouwe-port, or Gate, about the Wilde Bore, which in the augmentation of the Towne, was taken away by the Burgers.

The Forces were made in fauour of theſe new Inhabitants, becauſe that their Enemies and haters ſhould no more in time come to ſpoile nor ruine their building, nor to make them retire any more.

Theſe chiefe Townes were ſpecially minded herevnto, to the end that the Gelders might be forced to ſtay in their Dominions▪ for that the Brabanders moſt times were forced to maintaine Wars againſt them, about whoſe frontiers, the Townes, Villages, Houſes, and goods of the Brabanders are ſituated, which were ſtill very much ſpoiled and ruined by this Gelder Nation.

Theſe then haue beene the beginnings of the new Towne, and the firſt foundations.

When theſe Gates, in manner aforeſaid, were built ſo freely, there came ſo great a quantity of people to build and dwell therein as if vnder the foundations there had beene Mines of Siluer.

Theſe new Inhabitants taking anew their courage, which they had loſt by reaſon of the pillaging and deſtroying of thoſe of Heuſden▪ they builded againe new buildings, ſetting the Houſes one cloſe to the other, and the number of the ſame encreaſed daily more and more, and ſo faſt, that they at laſt, with the aſsiſtance of the Prince, did make a Wall and Ditch round about the Towne, and ſtrengthned it with a ſtone wall, ſo that they were able to reſiſt their enemies.

As the number of the comming Strangers did very much increaſe, and the Towne proſpered, ſo they began to build other new buildings.

The Princes Court was the principall, and moſt coſtly builded, ſituated ouer againſt the Butchers Hall, where there is now the Tauerne called the Swanne.

The Houſe Rood enburgh is alſo built by the Common-wealth for the gracing of the new Towne, and it was a great while the Treaſure-houſe of the towne.

The Towne-houſe was built as well at the charges of the Prince, as alſo of the Burgers.

The Burgers of S'hertogenboſh being come in ſuch a wiſhed ſtate, began to ſtatute Lawes, and to make a Magiſtrate, to bring the Riuer through the Towne, to make new ſtreets and wayes, and to make much one of another, wherefore they haue gotten great Liberties of their Prince, as by the Letters thereof more at large may appeare.

All thoſe that come to dwell there, although they were broken and Bankrupts, they got liberty of the Prince, wherefore it did happen, that there came many out of the Land of Cleefe, Guilicker-land, Gelderland, and out of other neighbour places, to take their reſidence there.

This ſaid Prouince yeeldeth very ſtrong and bold Women, ſo that theſe Strangers brought with them very bold Women, which for the moſt part had command ouer their Husbands, and did make away the common goods in deſpight of their Husbands: Therfore the Prince gaue vnto this Towne this Law, That the Women without their Husbands may not diſpoſe of any of their goods: but that the Husband, without the knowledge of the Woman, hath full power to ſell and diſpoſe of their goods.

There were not as yet any Churches built in the new towne, but the Orten-Church, ſituated neere the Dieſe, hath beene a great while the Pariſh Church, which was long before built by a Gentleman, who being ſtrayed by the tempeſt of the Sea, landed there firſt of all; for that the Sea was wont to come in that place, as appeareth by the name of that place, called Ooort-Duyuen.

There were alſo no Cloifters in the towne, the Friers were the firſt that began to build there, and builded a ſmall dwelling houſe; after this they tooke a bigger place neere the Princes Court, and enlarged their place of reſidence, after the manner of Cellekins, and they haue alſo built a Church, which the Burgers haue vſed a great while for their Pariſh Church They were not yet tyed to any publike promiſes.

Shortly after this there came many men and women from ſeuerall Regions in the ſame towne, after beginning of this towne, (as hereafter more at large ſhall be declared) they haue built there their Houſes and Cloyſters.

The Towne was in a ſhort time ſo increaſed by reaſon of the louing and friendly Burgers, that euery one thought it ſhould haue been a ſecond Rome, and were forced becauſe of the multitude of men, to inlarge the Towne, and make it bigger, that the multitude of the Burgers might the better dwell therein.

In the yeere 1300, when the augmentation of the towne was intended to be inlarged, the ſaid towne was therein aſsiſted by the Prince, and by the Prouince of Brabant. The Burgers did make new Steeples in the precinct, with new Gates, they did alſo make new and wide ditches, and new Walles, and ordained new Streets to be made; they brought the Riuer the Dommel, and the Aa in ſeuerall places thorow the Towne, and prouided further all that which was needfull for the augmentation of the Towne.

This new towne was preſently multiplyed with new Burgers, which according to their ſtate, builded each for their commodity new houſes: and did ſo increaſe in riches, as if they had got to the riches of Creſus; by which meanes it happened, that there were built ſo many faire and coſtly Cloyſters, holy Houſes, and coſtly buildings, ſo that the moſt part of the new towne, is built with Cloyſters, Churches, Chappels, and ſuch like Houſes.

In the yeere 1380. there were laid the foundation of the great and renowned Church called St. Johns Church, the ground-place of which, together with the ſtreets ſituated there round about, from the priſoner-gate to the Hintemer-gate, is called the Hintemer ſant, becauſe the ſaid place heretofore hath appertained vnder the Vilage Hintem.

About that time there were built ſeuerall publike and priuate Houſes, as holy Churches, Hoſpitals, and diuers Houſes for the poore, which daily increaſed by reaſon of the riches of the Burgers, and their liberality. Which things ſeuerall to declare, ſhould bee too long, and needleſſe.

Theſe Burgers are, by reaſon of their ciuill carriage, wiſdome, and courteſie, come in great fauour vnto euery one, being faithfull to euery one and did deceiue no body, neither were chargeable vnto any: Their friends were welcome vnto them, but they did reſiſt their enemies: for as the vnquiet and vnpeaceable Gelder Nation, when they were about the building of S'hertogenboſh, did ſpoile the Brabandiſh Townes and Villages, ſetting on fire their Countrey-houſes, deſtroying their Lands, taking away their Horſes and Beaſts, and ruining all that whereby they could come; Likewiſe they (ſome while before the building of the Towne) did fall vpon the Village called Ooſterwicke, neere the Towne, and haue quite pillaged the ſame, and ſet on fire all the trees: Theſe Burgers of S'hertogenboſh haue after that, with their owne power, reſiſted the ſaid Gelders Nation, and haue not onely kept them from comming abroad, but alſo haue falne in their owne dominions, and haue forced them to lay downe their Armes.

But as euery thing in this world is not euerlaſting, ſo this Towne alſo hath ſuffered many ſeuerall dammages and alterations, and was twice almoſt burnt downe. The firſt and greateſt fire was in the yeere 1419, on the 28 of Iune: the ſecond fire in the yeere 1463 the 17 of Iune, at the Heuſdens Faire. The firſt fire began in the Verwer-ſtreet, neere the ſigne of the Braſſe▪ Kettle: by which fire, the Towne-houſe, and all the Papers and Writings, were altogether burnt. The ſecond fire began neere the ſigne of the Falcon in the Hintemer-ſtreet, where the top of S. Iohns Church and many Images were alſo burnt.

The name of the Duke of Braband, by whoſe command the towne of S'hertogenboſh was built, we haue forborne to ſet downe in this Hiſtory, becauſe of the diuerſity of the Hiſtorians, and haue kept this different till the laſt. The common preſumption is, that the Duke Godfrey in the Cradell, hath beene the Founder of S'hertogenboſh, which is confirmed by theſe words:

The Duke Godfrey hath of a Boſcage built a towne, in the yeere 1184.

Others preſume that Henry the firſt ſonne of Godfrey the third hath built this towne.

The Hiſtorie written before the Chronicle of Saint Truden, ſaith, In the County of Peeland is a Boſcage, which the Emperours haue giuen vnto the Church of Vtricht, whoſe right hath appertained a long time vnto the Counts of Gelderland, which ſaid Counts haue giuen the ſame Boſcage vnto their friends, and haue ſold the Village called Ʋucht vnto the Duke Henry van Looteringen, who hath built vpon Oortens-dyck, a towne which is now S'hertogenboſh.

Others ſay, that in the time of Iohn the ſecond, and Iohn the third Dukes of Braband, there were firſt made Walles about this place by one William de Boſco, Knight, ſonne of Gerlacus de Route, who did liue in the yeere 1313, when the Geerlinger Bridge in the Hintemer ſtreet was builded, and got the name of it. This Knight dying, gaue vnto the Lord of Erp, the Cloyſter called Clariſſen in the Hintemer ſtreet, and made his onely heyre the Lord Francis, in September, Anno 1335.

Some ſay alſo, that the place of this Towne heretofore hath beene a Boſcage or Wood, appertaining vnto the Duke of Gelderland, who hath giuen this place vnto John the ſecond ſonne of John the firſt Duke of Braband, for a Gift at his Chriſtening, and that the Towne of S'hertogenboſh is ſcituated and built on this place.

They ſay alſo, that the ſaid Duke Iohn hath fold and aſsigned the ſaid Boſcage vnto the ſaid William de Boſco, from whence he hath gotten his ſurname: And that this William de Boſco hath beene the firſt that hath made Walles about the Towne, and admitted euery one that would come and liue there.

Although it ſeemes that theſe three opinions are contrary one to another, notwithſtanding, they may very well agree together, yea concurre one with another,

As concerning the two firſt opinions, euery one can well iudge it: for that Henry the ſecond liued in the yeeee 1185, when his Father Godfrey did raigne. And it is the vſe of all Hiſtorians, that when Kings and Princes raigne during their ſonnes liues, that all that which happened in ſuch a time, is written both of the Fathers and children.

Concerning the third opinion there will not bee much difference, for that it is to bee vnderſtood of the principall part, namely, from the Priſonergate to the Pinappels and Saint Anthonies Gates, Againſt this doth not contradict, that it is not mentioned there of the beginning of S'hertogenboſh, for that it is the biggeſt and faireſt part, hauing in his ringle the great S. Iohns Church, the great Hoſpitall the Holy Ghoſt, or the Spint, the Gregorians Fraterhouſe▪ the Siſter of Ortens Cloyſter, the great Begging-Cloyſter, with many other Cloyſters three following the rule of Saint Auguſtine, and one of Saint Benedictus, one of Saint Clara, and many beautifull Chappels, as, Saint Iacobs Chappell, which is now a Pariſh Church, one of Saint Anthonies. The Synechdochies manner of ſpeaking is, where a part is taken for the whole, it is very common vnto the writers.

Laftly, it is knowne, that in the time of the ſaid Knight, William de Boſco, the Towne was augmented, as by the Letters of the Duke of Braband, and of the Magiſtrates of S'hertogenboſh, more at large may appeare.

Thus farre Simon Pelgrom of S'hertogenboſh, Prior and Prouinciall of the Order of Guilhelmines.

THis Towne of S'hertogenboſh did from time to time increaſe ſo much, that at the laſt it was growne to be the head or chiefe Towne in the fourth quarter of Braband, vnder whoſe obedience are theſe foure Counties, as Kempenland, Peeland, Maaeſland, and the Land of Ooſterwicke; in which Counties are ſituated the Townes of Helmont, Eyndſoue, Megen, and Graue, hauing beſides theſe vnder their command 72 Villages, in the which are one hundred and one Pariſh Churches.

S'hertogenboſh lyeth vpon the Riuer called the Dieſe, 6 Miles from the Maſe, 12 miles from Rauensteine, 9 miles from Heuſden, and 36 miles from Antwerpe. It is by nature a ſtrong place, becauſe of her ſituation, and low grounds round about, which lieth moſt times vnder water, ſpecially in the Winter, except on the Ʋuchter ſide, Southward of the Towne, where, for the highneſſe of the Land, the Towne is ſortified with 2. Royall Forts, the one lying neere the Towne, beeing the ſmalleſt is called St Anthony: The other lying on the Vuchters-heyde, hauing fiue Bulworkes, Francebray Counterſcarps, and a double Ditch, named the Fort Iſabella. Eaſtward of the Towne lyeth a Royall Fort called Pettler-Sconce, towards which they muſt come by water thorow the Hekell, becauſe it lyeth as it were in a Myre, hauing on the one ſide a ſmall moore or damp, then followeth high ground, but on the other ſide Iow fields, being ſtill vnder water.

Notwithſtanding that theſe Lands round about S'hertohenboſh lye moſt times vnder water, they are good and firme Lands, ſandie and hard ground, which is for the moſt part of ſummer very dry▪ in ſome part of it is ſowne ſummer Corne, as Oates and Barley, which are ſometimes ouerflowed by the high waters of the Maes, and ſuffer ſometimes dammage, which is hardly recouered, except it be by an extraordinary dry Summer.

Thorow this Towne runne alſo ſeuerall waters, or ſmall riuers, hauing their beginnings out of two ſeuerall ſtreames, the one being called the Aa, the other the Dommell, or Domale: which two Riuers in this laſt Siege were ſtopped by the command of his Princely Excellency about the Trenches, who making the water to come round about his Workes, through a new made ditch, about 30 foot wide. The water in and about the Towne was ſtayed with two ſtone beeres on the Bulworkes, next to the boome, as alſo on the boome it ſelfe, with a Sluce doore, elſe it would haue runne in a great part, yea almoſt round about the Towne, if the ſaid Riuer had not beene ſtopped.

In the yeere 1577. on the 21 of September (in the time of the gouernment of Don Iohn) the ſaid Towne being by the command of the generall States, releaſed from the Dutch Souldiers, which lay in the Towne, remained on the States ſide till the yeere 1579. without any Garriſon, notwithſtanding, the States vſed great diligence to aſſure this Towne with Garriſon, according to the agreement made at Ʋtricht. Albeit that at laſt, by reaſon of the differences amongſt the Burgers, (for this cauſe) and of the departure of thoſe that were minded towards the States, is turned on the Spaniſh ſide▪ and ſo remained popiſh, wherein came a great number of Eccleſiaſticall perſons.

On the 19 of Ianuary, in the yeere 1585. there was made an enterprize vpon the ſaid Towne, by the Count of Hohenloo, they were already in the Towne, but were, by reaſon of the bad carriage of his Souldiers, and the good courage of the Burgers; beaten out of the Towne backe againe, with the loſſe of many men, ſlaine, hurt, and taken priſoners, and ſo remained vnmoleſted till the yeere 1601. the firſt of Nouember, vpon which day, the ſaid Towne, by the command of the high and mighty Lords the States, was beſieged, vnder the Conduct of the Illuſtrious Prince Mauritius of Naſsawe of famous Memory, and was with great diligence entrenched round about: but becauſe of the great extraordinary froſt, he was not onely hindered of the approaching, the getting of Victuals. Munitions, and other neceſſaries, but alſo thoſe that watcht in their Sentinels, were dead frozen: therefore the ſaid Prince broke vp his ſaid Leager, and departed from thence the 27 of the ſame moneth of Nouember.

In the yeere 1603 this ſaid Siege was againe vndertaken on the 19 of Auguſt: but becauſe the Arch-Duke Albertas did lye ready with a great Armie of Souldiers, for to ſeeke his fortune vpon theſe Lands, therefore he followed the ſaid Prince on the 21 of the ſame moneth, leaguering himſelfe on the Eaſt ſide of the Towne, in the which at that time there was but a ſmall Garriſon, and beſides they did refuſe to take in any Garriſon vpon the requeſt of the Arch-Duke ſaying that they themſelues were ſtrong enough to reſiſt their enemies: but there was, by the practice of the ſaid Duke, put into the Towne about 3000 men, againſt the Burgers will, who thereupon did mutiny: wherefore ſome of them were puniſhed. His ſaid Excellence ſeeing that the ſaid Towne was thus prouided, did with good order breake vp his Leager, and leſt the Towne on the 5 of Nouember, in the ſame yeere, as likewiſe the Arch-duke, departing euery one in their Garriſon. The Gouernour, the Lord Anthony Shets, Lord of Grobbendoncke, remained in the Towne.

The High and mighty Lords the States generall, with the Illuſtrious Prince of Orenge, hauing nothing ſo at heart as the welfare of theſe vnited Prouinces, and the good Inhabitants of the ſame, haue in the beginning of this yeere 1629, kept ſeuerall Aſſemblies with the Illuſtrious Prince of Orenge, for to haue ready all things neceſſary for a braue ſiege, hauing therefore to that end, ſent betimes in the beginning of the yeere, through the Riuer the Wael, vp towards Nimmegen, and to the Sconce S'Grauenweert, ſome Bridges, and ſlat bottom'd ſhips with Ordnance, Munition, and other warlike prouiſions. Whereupon, in the middeſt ef the moneth of Aprill, the Garriſon followed, who had their Rendezvous about the ſaid Sconce.

The Illuſtrious Prince, the 24 of Aprill, in the morning betimes, at ſix of the clocke, with a good reſolution, departed from the Hage, with valiant and braue Followers, taking his way towards Vtriclat, ſo towards Arnhem, and from thence to S'Grauenweert, where his Excellency finding his Troopes ready, departed with great diligence for Mockerheyde, putting there on the 28 of the ſame moneth his Army in Battell-aray, where they that night lay in the Field. The 29 of the ſaid moneth, early in the morning, marching further towards the Towne called Graus, ouer the Bridge, right to the Beſh, before which Towne that night the Prince ſent ſome number of Horſe, and the next day, being the 30, hee beſet the ſame Towne: then his Excellency came with his whole Army before the Towne, after Dinner, at 3 of the clocke in the afternoone, taking his quarter, with 134 Companies, at Ʋucht, lodging in the houſe called Heyms-houſe.

His Excellencie had further ſeparated the other chiefe Quarters as followeth:

His Highneſſe Count Ernſt at Hintem with 50 Companies.

Count William of Naſſaw, Gouernour of Heuſden, at Orten with 32 Companies.

The Lord of Bredrode about the Pettler Sconce with 26 Companies.

His Highneſſe of Solms at Engelen, neere Creueceur, where the Ships lay with Munition and Victuals.

The Lord Pincen comming in the Leager on the 11 of May, he is commanded to take his Quarter at Deuteren: Further, the Quarters were appointed and made vp in a very ſhort ſpace.

In the matching toward the Boſh, the ſaid Prince tooke the houſe called Heeſwicke, ſcituated 6 miles from the Boſh, in which were 60. men.

The Gouernour Grobbendoncke being aduertiſed that the Leaguer was comming for the Towne, ſeeing alſo ſome of our Horſemen, notwithſtanding, would not beleeue that it was intended vpon him, but thought that it was intended vpon Breda; yea durſt freely ſay, that the Prince would not beginne ſuch a vile deede: but ſhortly after this, ſeeing him make his Quarters, and that our Souldiers came neerer the Towne, and forced his Souldiers to retire in the ſame, began to thinke vpon his owne fault, that the ſaid towne was not ſufficiently prouided of men, Ordnance, and Gunpowder; he could a little while before haue gotten from Luike many thouſand pounds of Gunpowder, but he left it for want of money.

Theſe tydings being come at Bruſſels and in Braband, did make great alterations there: the Arch-Duches did preſently ſend Poſt by Poſt to Spaine, cauſed all the chiefe men of Warre to be aſſembled, and gaue order for payment: that with all ſpeed the ſouldiers ſhould be brought in the Field.

Grobbendoncke did preſently write for men and powder, and that there ſhould be haſte made for the releeuing of it.

Certaine renowned chiefe men of Warre of the Spaniſh ſide, ſaid, (as is told me) with laughing mouth, that Grobbendoncke was like the bold men, which ſay that they are not afraid for the Deuill, ieſting at all times with him, yea, would faine ſee him, but being in ſuch a caſe, they are as much afraide as others, wiſhing that they were releaſed from him: ſo it is with him, for that hee oftentimes did ſay, that hee would very faine haue vs to come and ſee him, wiſhing that the Prince Fredericke durſt doe ſo, he would ſhew him what a man hee was, thinking that other chiefe men of Warre were not ſo couragious: But now, ſeeing him before the Gates and Walles of the Towne, he is as all the reſt, wiſhing that he would goe away.

The firſt of May the Illuſtrious Prince did condiſcend, that many, women Beggins, and ſervant Maids, ſhould depart out of the Towne. The Horſemen which lay within, thought alſo, without permiſsion of the Prince, to depart out of the ſame, but were forced to retire backe againe.

Betweene the 4 and 5 of the ſame moneth, came into the Towne 800 men, ſecretly along Vlimen, neere Deuteren, by the Kee-Sconce, and ſo got in through S. Johns Gate, going in ſome places vp to the midſt of the body in water: for which his Excellence cauſed alſo there to be made a broad way of Bauens, with a Bulwarke from the Vuchter-heyde along thorow the Moores, neere the Vogel-key of Grobendoncke, vntill the Quarter of Pinſen being garniſhed with many Redouts made of Wood, and is called the Hollans Walls which way of Bauens is made out farther along the Riuer called the Boſh-ſloot, to the Village called Engelen. And ſo with this all the Leager round about is finiſhed within the ſpace of 8 or 10 dayes.

The 5, Captaine Drop was put as Admirall ouen the ſhallops.

The 8 of this ſaid Moneth there were fetcht ſome halfe Curtowes out of the ſhips at Crenecour, and were brought to the Leager, for to bee planted vpon the Batteries.

Thoſe of the Towne began alſo to labour very earneſtly on their Workes without the Vuchter-gate, making their Batteries higher, but ſhot very little. About this Towne the Lord of Bredrode began to make a Sconce ouer againſt the Pettler, and all the Workes were by the command of his Excellence, made higher, thicker, and the Ditches wider.

The 12 the Dommell was beſpoken to be ſtopt, or to make a Damme ouer it.

At night, thoſe of the Towne came out with two ſhallops vpon the Quarter of Count Ernſt, thinking there to take ſome Priſoners, but they hauing misfortune, did ſpeedily retire backe againe, whereupon they of the Towne did ſhoot with Ordnance and Muskets, but did ſmall hurt.

This Leager is preſumed to bee betweene 60 and 70 thouſand men ſtrong, whereof were 70 Cornets of Horſe.

The 14, about forty flat-bottome Turfe-ſhippes were fetcht from S'Grauenmoer, neere Breda, and were brought in the Leager, for to make of the ſame Ship-bridges. The 15, thoſe did ſalley vpon the quarter of the Lord of Brederode, but were cauſed with forces to retire backe againe. The 16 are thoſe within come out againe with ſome ſhallops, vpon the quarter of Count Eruſt, but were faine to retire without doing any thing.

The 20 we began to make a Trench betweene Engelen and Creueceur, for the ſecurity of the Horſes: and all other Trenches with double bankets or feet-benches: the foot of the Trench was about 16 foot thick, and the vpper part 6 foot. Neere the place called Vliemer brugge ouer againſt the high-way, is made a Fort which can hardly be taken, to reſiſt thoſe of Breda that would come out. On the 23 there came a Meſſenger with Letters, which was followed by ours, ſo that he was drowned; whoſe ſaid Letters were deliuered vnto the Prince. The 27, 28, 29, & 30 of the ſame moneth, we ſhot on both ſides very fiercely though there was but ſmall hurt done.

The firſt of June, thoſe of the great Fort Iſabella did make a ſalley vpon the French Battery, but were at laſt forced to retire.

The night following, thoſe of the Towne did make three ſeuerall fires vpon the ſteeple of the Church, weighing the fire three times vp and downe. The French did fall vpon the Enemies, and cauſed them to retire, and got many Shouels, Spades, Swords, and other things.

The 3 and 4 thoſe of the Towne made againe a fire vpon the ſteeple of St Johns Church: And the 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Moneth, there was little done on both ſides.

The 9, ours of the great Battery did ſhoote vpon the Towne and the little Sconce aboue 140 ſhot. The ſame day thoſe of the Towne came out with two ſhallops vpon the Quarter of Pinſen, thinking there to take ſome Horſes, and men which were at worke, but were hindred.

The 11 there arriued in the Quarter of Count Ernſt yet 18 or 19 Companies of new Scotchmen.

The 12 and 13 little hapned.

The 14 His Excellencie, with the Lords the States, went vpon the Battery, and cauſed a Morter to be ſet on fire, which ſtood vpon the ſame Battery, which the firſt time did not worke very well: but the ſecond time much more, ſo that for the duſt we could ſcarce ſee the ſaid Sconce: the little Sconce was likewiſe battered: and betweene the 13 and 14, there were againe made 3 fires vpon the ſteeple.

The 15 there were throwne into the Sconces ſixe Granads, whereof the ſecond did worke very well, ſo that the Hurts did fly in the ayre. The ſame day, the water of the Dommell was let go in the outmoſt ditch round about the Princes quarter.

The 16 at night, thoſe within did make a ſalley, (comming through the Hintemer Gate, vpon the Workes of Count Ernst, cauſing the Watch to retire to the Battery: notwithſtanding, they were forced to retyre. The 18 there were throwne into the little Sconce two or three Granads.

The ſame day at night, the Engliſh were buſie to fill the ditch of the little Sconce. The French were at that time alſo very buſie, making that night three bints of their Gallery neere the great Sconce. The next night thoſe of the Towne did very fiercely throw with hand-Granads and firing with pitch hoopes.

The 20, ours did labour in open day vpon the Galleries, and did throw 8 Granats into the little Sconce, which cauſed all that they came neere to flye in the Ayre, the men did withdrawe themſelues into the Counterſcarps, to ſaue their liues. Thoſe of the towne did make three ſeuerall fires vpon the ſteeple.

The 21 there were Granads throwne againe into the little Sconce which was thereupon very much beaten with Ordnance.

The 22 at night, the Engliſh were very buſie vpon their Gallery, which was for the third time ſet on fire by thoſe of the Sconce: notwithſtanding the ſaid Engliſh were very couragious, beating their enemies out of their Counterſcarpes in the ditch, where many of them were drowned.

The 23 the Engliſh were againe very forward with their Gallery: likewiſe the French, who did ſet on fire a Mine neere the great Sconce.

At which time Count Henry van den Bergh did muſter his men, and was found to bee about 25000 men ſtrong, aſwell of foot as Horſe.

The 24 and 25 hapned very little.

The 26. there was vpon three ſeuerall places in the Leaguer a fire, namely in the Horſemens Quarter, in the Quarter of Brederode, and in the Quarter of His princely Excellency, amongſt the Engliſh, where there was done the moſt dammage.

Count Henry van den Bergh being a marching vp, did lodge himſelfe in Langheſtraet, at Sprang, Waelwicke, Druynen, and Loon-opt-land. His Maieſty of Bohemia came this night in the Leager, and went with His Excellency to ſee all his Workes. The 27 came the Horſemen of Count Henry van den bergh at Ʋlymen, ſhewing himſelfe on ſeuerall parts of the Leager, from Ʋlymen to Cromvoort. At night there was an Allarum in the Towne.

The 28 there was in the Quarter of Count Ernſt againe a fire in two ſeuerall places. At night, Count henry van den bergh ſhewed himſelfe neere the Three Siſters, neere the Hollands Wall: amongſt which ours ſhot 10 or 12 Cannon ſhot, whereupon they did preſently retire. Our Souldiers were in battell-array all this night. The 29 there came ſome Souldiers in the Leager, which were runne away from the Enemies, complaining of hunger and great dearth. The 30 the Spaniſh did hide themſelues in the Wood behinde the Ynffer-Sconce, who got ſome Waggons with Bauens of our Leaguer, and about 40 priſoners: They tooke alſo the Houſes Burtell and Heſop, the Souldiers which were in the ſame, came with their full Armes & baggage into the Leager: beſides, they came betimes in the morning with 2 ſhallops from Vlymen, to the three Siſters and Hollands Wall, to ſound the depth of the water; whereupon the whole Leager came in battell aray. Some that were run away from the Enemies, declared, that in the Spaniſh Army, a pound of Cheeſe was worth 12 Stiuers, and a Kan of Beere 6 Stiuers, and all other things accordingly.

The 2 of Iuly, Monſieur Fama was hurt with a ſhot thorow the body, and dyed immediately. The 4 at night, the Spaniſh came againe vpon the Leaguer, amongſt which we played very fiercely with our Ordnance from the outermoſt Batteries: wherupon they were forced to retire, leauing behind them ſome dead men and hurt. At that ſame time they thought alſo to breake thorow along the Wall of the Dommell, but were alſo hindred of it. Thoſe that wee tooke priſoners, complained of great hunger, miſery, and bad payment. This was the tenth time that they tryed their fortune againſt the Leager, which made vs to ſtand euery night in Battell-ray. This night thoſe within the Towne did make againe three ſeuerall fires vpon the ſteeple. Alſo wee tooke priſoners ſome of the Boores which did meaſure the depth of the water, and thought to bring them through it, of which two were hanged in the Quarter of his Excellencie: The one was a Borrow-maſter of Beckhonen, and the other a Boore of Vucht: they confeſſed to haue receiued each 20 Gilders, and that they ſhould haue had with them 600 men, which ſhould haue brought into the towne each of them 10 pounds of Gunpowder. The 6 the Engliſh and French haue brought ouer their Galleries before both the Sconces. Betweene the 7 and eighth thoſe of the Great Sconce made a ſalley, but were beaten backe againe, leauing behind them about 40 men aſwell dead as hurt. The Spaniſh marched from Cranvoort, and the places there-about, towards Boxell.

The 9 the French haue taken the Hornenworke of the great Sconce: there was begun an inner Trench from the Quarter of Pinſen to the Three Siſters: likewiſe from the Quarter of His Excellencie to the Sconce of Brederode: and from thence neere the Cloiſter at Eyken-donck vnto the Quarter of his Highneſſe Count Ernſt, and are well prouided with Redouts againſt thoſe within. The 12 the Coronelſhip of Monſ. Fama late, is giuen vnto Count Maurits of Naſſawe. The 14 the 2 water-mils neere the Dieſe, together with 21 other water-mils to bee vſed with Horſes, were to be mended, therewith to make dry the lowland. The 16 Count Henry vanden bergh marched vp with his whole Army from Boxtel, making a Bridge neere Moock ouer the Maes, hee himſelfe remaining neere Moocke. The 17 there was a Boore taken priſoner, who thought to bring a Letter into the towne, by which Count Henry van den bergh commended vnto the Gouernour Grobbendoncke to keepe good Watch, ſaying that hee would take no aduantage vpon the Leager for to relieue the towne. Of this tenor:

But this Letter being come into the hands of His Excellency, he did ſend it vnto the Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces, with his aduice what order and what meanes there ſhould be imployed to hinder the deſigne of the Enemies, and he himſelfe gaue order to follow the Enemy with as many men as hee could ſpare out of his Leager, to continue and aduance this Siege.

The 18 the Lord Dieden, Gouernour of Emmericke, hath taken in the morning at three of the clocke, the great Sconce, finding in the ſame 10 Hogsheads of Wine, 24 Tunnes of Beere, and ſome bread and Porke. The next following, the Colonell Harwits got alſo the little Sconce, finding in the ſame much Armour and Houſhold-ſtuffe.

The 24 the Prince heard that Count Henry van den bergh was fallen into the Ʋelewe, whereupon there were ſent thither ſome of the chiefe men of War, with a great number of Souldiers of Foot and Horſe, for to ſecure the Betuwe and other places from his Deſigne. the 25 and 28 thoſe within haue with two ſhallops brought into the Towne ſome priſoners. The 28 arriued in the Leager the yong Prince of Denmarke, who will ſtay there a while.

The 3 of Auguſt the Ruſh bridge was brought ouer. The 4 we tooke in the Tanaille before the Vuchter gate, notwithſtanding thoſe within did beate vs out againe. The 7 at night the ſaid Tanaille was taken, and preſently there was made a Battery of the ſame.

The 10 at night there came two Boores out of the towne, each with a couple of Pigeons, and 3 Letters, which Letters were brought to the Prince: the tenor of them was, that they were to be relieued within 3. weekes: the 13, 14, & 15 was on both ſides very fiercely plaid with Ordnance, and ſome Granads were throwne into the Towne, which cauſed great outcries in the ſame. Thoſe within came out vpon the Trench northward of Brederodens Quarter, neere the watermilles, thinking to cut thorow the ſame, which being almoſt done, they were beaten backe againe Between the 17 and 18, thoſe which came out with ſome ſhallops, vpon the Battery betweene Pinſens Quarter and the great Sconce, ſpoiled the victualers; but found no Ordnance, becauſe it is euery night brought vnder the great Sconce, and ſo returned backe into the Towne. The 19 there was a Mine ſprung in the Hornenworke neere the Hintemer end, which killed many men; notwithſtanding thoſe within defended themſelues three ſeuerall times, and kept the Victorie.

After that his Highneſſe Count Ernſt had well beſet the Betuwe, and other places neere the Iſſel ſtreame, for to hinder the comming of the Enemies, (which were already falne in the Ʋelewe) with braue and chiefe men, well conſidering of all things: thereupon the Prince alſo did ſend thither men of Horſe and foot as many as his Excellency could well ſpare, ſhewing himſelfe day and night (fearing not any danger) euery where in the vttermoſt of the Workes and batteries; then there came on the 20 this joyfull Letter, from the Worthy, Worſhipfull man of Warre, Otto van Gent and Oyen, Lord of Dieden, &c. vnto the Illuſtrious Prince of Orenge.

Whereupon there was a generall Thankeſgiuing through all the Leager for this Victory; and we haue made Bonfires after the Leager manner, as followeth,

His Excellency commanded that none ſhould begin before the Signall of the Jacht before Creueceur was done. The Princeſſe was her ſelfe vpon the Walles of Creueceur, and the Yacht play'd his Canon; then thoſe of the Fort Creueceur did play with 18 Peeces, and played thoſe of the Redouts along the Boſh-ſloot, then the Lord Pinſen, then the great and little Sconces, and then the Ordnance about the Quarter of the Prince of Orenge; then after thoſe the Quarter of Brederode from his Fort againſt the Pettler, then his highneſſe Count Ernſt with his whole and halfe Curtows, as alſo at Orten.

When the Ordnance had thus played at all places, then beganne likewiſe all the Muskettiers of the whole Leaguer. Thoſe of the Quarter of his Princely Excellency beganne firſt, and then they followed Eaſtward the one after the other, round about the Leager, as a running Fire. The Pike-men, and ſeruants of the Horſemen did carry burthens of Straw vpon their Pikes and ſtaues going ſo through all parts of the Leager, that it made a great light. When the ſecond charge of the Canon began, was caſt into the Towne a Morter: the ſhips (lying by hundreds together along the Dieſe) did make Bonefires with pitch-Barrels and did hang out Lanthorns vpon their Maſts. In ſumme, it was like as if the whole Leager had bin on fire. The 26 at night went forth 2 companies of Horſemen, and 200 Fire. lockes, which met by the way a Conuoy that went for Breda, of which ours killed ſome and brought priſoners with them 40 men and about 80 Horſes well furniſhed: Alſo a Ritmaſter and a Lieutenant, with a Cornet: for the Waggons was giuen ſecurity. The 30 a Boere or a carrier of letters was hanged here in the Leager, after he had beene impriſoned about 10 weekes. Betweene the 30 and 31, the Gallery on the Weſt ſide of the Ʋuchter-gate was brought ouer; and the ninth binte of the other Gallery on the South ſide of the ſaid Bulwarke (which the • 4 was appointed to be made) was brought ouer.

The firſt of September, ours that were in the Bulwarke, began to breake from the ſaid Bulwarke in the Walles of the Town, which was about 12 foot thicke, and there to make a Mine. On this day Monſieur Stakenbroeck and the Duke of Bouillon, with ten Cornets of Horſe, three Peeces of Ordnance, and ſome hundred Fire-lockes, are marched toward the little towne called Endhouen, and got the ſame, with the Caſtle, which lyes there, on the ſecond of the ſame moneth, with agreement, or compoſition. About 200 men, which did withdrawe themſelues from thence in a Moore neere that place, part of them were defeated by the Duke de Bouillon, and about 160 were brought priſoners into the Leager. Betweene the 9 and 10 in the morning, the Illuſtrious Prince did ride towards the Mine which he did cauſe to ſpring, and it did work well, ſpringing to the Vuchter-gaete. The Engliſh had the Watch there, who fell vpon the Enemy with a great courage, and did ſo beate them out of the ſame, that thee were forced to retire and leaue the Halfe-Moone; they defended themſelues at the firſt well, but ours fell on with a falſe Alarme, likewiſe fell the Enemies with all their forces vpon vs, ours did retire ſomewhat backe, ſo that the Enemies were deceiued, thinking that they had the Victory; whereupon our ſecond Mine ſprung, ſo that armes and leggs flew in the Ayre, whereupon ours fell on againe, and did beat them by force out of the halfe-moone, (as aforeſaid) ſo that we tooke in all their workes on the Ʋuchter-gate: in which halfemoone we began to worke at 3 of the Clocke, becauſe thoſe of the Towne ſhould not ſhoot in it, we beganne alſo preſently to mine in the ſtone Bulwarke, where on the 11 our Mine ſprung, wherevpon, by the command of his Excellency, ſome of ours did fall, onely to ſee what countenance the Enemies held, which came preſently backe againe, and our Souldiers preſently lodged in the breach of the Mine. Thereupon came a Drummer from the Enemies, hee pretended to aske leaue to dig out two Captaines, which they ſaid were on led in our Mine: the Prince (who was preſent in the Workes) commanded to be looked for them, which was alſo performed: vnto thoſe that looked for them, was giuen a Couinex-daller by the Spaniſh; but it was not therefore that they did it, becauſe the Drummer came preſently againe, requiring to ſpeake with ſome of our Officers, to report vnto the Prince to treat of a Compoſition; whereupon there came preſently 4 perſons of quality out of the Town, to the Illuſtrious Prince, (who ſate in the Gallery vpon a little bench, being accompanied with ſome chiefe men, though few in number) ſpeaking there with the ſaid prince, requiring foure dayes, meane while they would ſend vnto the Infanta, and in caſe of default of releeuing in that time, would treat of the rendition of the town which was denyed vnto them; notwithſtanding, they fell to a treaty of a parly, and they haue on both ſides ſent Hoſtages: meane time many Burgers and Eccleſiaſticall perſons ſhewed themſelues vpon the Walles.

On the 13 of the ſame moneth, thoſe of the Boſh did dine with the Illuſtrious Prince, and after dinner did returne with the Princes Coaches backe againe into the Towne, and ours came againe out of the ſame towne; thoſe of the Towne did leaue their Commiſſion with vs, the which, together with the reſolution of the Prince, the high and mighty Lords the States did carry with them into the Towne.

On Friday the 14, after dinner, about 4 of the clocke, the Compoſition of the rendition of the mighty and renowned Towne of S'hertogenboſh, is abſolutely concluded in the Leager, in the Houſe where the Illuſtrious Prince was lodged, and was by both parties ſubſcribed, to the great ioy of ours, aſwell among the chiefe, as common Inhabitants. The Committies are ioyfully departed one from another; and thoſe of the Towne (after they had ſubſcribed the Compoſition) departed with the Princes Coach to the Towne; which were theſe, to wit, Fr. Michael Epiſcopus Buſcobus: Fr. Johannes Moores, Abbas Bernenſus: Johannes Hermans, Deccanus Buſcobus: R. van Voorn: T. vanden Velde: R. van Ireneuen: B. Loef vanden Sloot: Henrick Somerts: Peter Huberts, Hercalt Heuel.

Meane while there came in the Leager many thouſand of Burgers from ſeuerall Townes and places, to ſee the braue Siege, the Illuſtrious and Couragious Prince of Orenge, and the departure of the Enemies out of S'hertogenboſh; of which many were forced to lye all night in the Field.

The 17 the Prince cauſed the men of Warre to bee armed, and there were made 2 Tents neere the towne, wherein were the Illuſtrious Prince of Orenge, being accompanied with his Princeſſe, his Maieſty of Bohemia, and his Queene, the Prince of Denmarke, beſides 40, aſwell Dukes, Counts, as Barons, where thoſe of the Towne did march by them: Firſt there came a Company of Horſe of ours, where thoſe of the towne did paſſe neere: then followed the Waggons and Carres, with ſicke perſons, baggage, Ieſuites, Nunnes, and Friers of all ſorts: betwixt theſe was Grobbendoncks wife in a Coach (who was but three weeks out of Childbed) with whom the Prince had a long Diſcourſe. At laſt at night followed the Gouernour ſitting vpon a Horſe, betweene 2 Coronels of ths States: the Footmen were 22 Companies, being about 2000 men ſtrong, together with the ſicke and hurt perſons, whereof there were not aboue 1200 in health: there followed alſo three Companies of Horſe, braue and well armed.

Of our ſide marched againe into the Towne the Guard of the Illuſtrious Prince, the Company of my Lord Beuerweert, and alſo the Company of my Lord Wits, beſides ſome other Companies. Alſo in the Petler Sonce many Souldiers. On the 18 there was put an Orenge Ancient on the ſteeple of S. Iohns Church: there came many thouſand Burgers from without into the Towne: the Burgers within were reaſonably well contented, ſaying that they had not had want of victuals during this Siege, but onely of Butter and Cheeſe, which was very deare.

On the ſame day came his Princely Excellencie himſelfe into the Towne, but returned preſently againe to the Leager: Many of the high and mighty Lords the States generall, and Deputies of the ſame, are come into the Towne with Coaches, and were welcommed of the Magiſtrates, and are lodged at the ſigne of the Sunne.

On Wedneſday the 19 of this moneth, the Goſpell of God was preached in 3 Churches, and his Princely Excellency, his Maieſty of Bohemia, together with the Prince of Denmarke being preſent in Saint Iohns Church, where were baptized three children, to which the ſaid Potentates were Godfathers: namely his Maieſtie of Bohemia of the firſt child, called Amelia; his Princely Excellency of the ſecond child, named Iohannes; and the Prince of Denmark of the third child called Mauritius.

The Lord God ſaue and bleſſe from henceforth his Princely Excellency, who hath carried himſelfe in this ſiege as a valiant and braue Souldier, fearing no danger, but preſenting himſelfe alwaies perſonally, to the encouragement of his Souldiers, and terrour of his Enemies. There was neuer ſeene in any ſiege in this Countrey, ſo many Dukes, Barons, Gentiles, and Voluntiers, which did come out of ſeuerall Kingdomes and places, but onely before this Towne of which no body can ſpeake enough, being all done in a ſhort time. And that the Enemies muſt giue him the honour, that when he came there with his great and ſtrong Armie, he could attempt nothing vpon him, but ſent a Letter into the Towne, and ſo went away.

For this great Victorie, which the Lord God hath (this yeere) giuen vnto theſe Lands, there is by the high and mighty Lords the States generall ordained and commanded to keepe a Faſt, and day of Prayer, whereupon they gaue out this Letter.

In the Towne are choſen new Magiſtrates, and the old are releaſed from their Oathes done to the King of Spaine. And Sir Philips de Thienen, Coronell ouer the Regiment of his Highneſſe van Brederode, is put as Commander ouer the Garriſon. The Burgers are alſo releafed from their Oath vnto the King of Spaint, and tooke their Oathes vnto theſe Lands.