represented a ship fleeing and a ship sincking: on the other side foure men
making prayers and giuing thanks vnto God vpon their knees; with this
sentence: Man purposeth; God disposeth. 1588. Also, for the lasting memory
of the same matter, they haue stamped in Holland diuers such like coines,
according to the custome of the ancient Romans.
[Sidenote: The people of England and of the vnited prouinces, pray, fast,
and giue thanks vnto God.] While this woonderfull and puissant Nauie was
sayling along the English coastes, and all men did now plainely see and
heare that which before they would not be perswaded of, all people
thorowout England prostrated themselues with humble prayers and
supplications vnto God: but especially the outlandish Churches (who had
greatest cause to feare, and against whom by name, the Spaniards had
threatened most grievous torments) enioyned to their people continuall
fastings and supplications, that they might turne away Gods wrath and fury
now imminent vpon them for their sinnes: knowing right well, that prayer
was the onely refuge against all enemies, calamities, and necessities, and
that it was the onely solace and reliefe for mankinde, being visited with
affliction and misery. Likewise such solemne dayes of supplication were
obserued thorowout the vnited Prouinces.
Also a while after the Spanish Fleet was departed, there was in England, by
the commandement of her Maiestie, and in the vnited Prouinces, by the
direction of the States, a solemne festiuall day publikely appointed,
wherein all persons were enioyned to resort vnto the Church, and there to
render thanks and praises vnto God: and the Preachers were commanded to
exhort the people thereunto. The foresayd solemnity was obserued vpon the
29 of Nouember; which day was wholly spent in fasting, prayer, and giuing
of thanks.
Likewise, the Queenes Maiestie herselfe, imitating the ancient Romans, rode
into London in triumph, in regard of her owne and her subjects glorious
deliuerance. For being attended vpon very solemnely by all the principall
estates and officers of her Realme, she was carried thorow her sayd City of
London in a tryumphant chariot, and in robes of triumph, from her Palace
vnto the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul, out of the which the ensignes and
colours of the vanquished Spaniards hung displayed. And all the Citizens of
London in their Liueries stood on either side the street, by their seuerall
Companies, with their ensignes and banners: and the streets were hanged on
both sides with Blew cloth, which, together with the foresayd banners,
yeelded a very stately and gallant prospect. Her Maiestie being entered
into the Church, together with her Clergie and Nobles gaue thanks vnto God,
and caused a publike Sermon to be preached before her at Pauls crosse;
wherein none other argument was handled, but that praise, honour, and glory
might be rendered vnto God, and that Gods name might be extolled by
thanksgiuing. And with her owne princely voice she most Christianly
exhorted the people to doe the same: whereupon the people with a loud
acclamation wished her a most long and happy life, to the confusion of her
foes.
Thus the magnificent, huge, and mighty fleet of the Spaniards (which
themselues termed in all places inuincible) such as sayled not vpon the
Ocean see many hundreth yeeres before, in the yeere 1588 vanished into
smoake; to the great confusion and discouragement of the authors thereof.
In regard of which her Maiesties happy successe all her neighbours and
friends congratulated with her, and many verses were penned to the honour
of her Maiesty by learned men, whereof some which came to our hands we will
here annexe.
* * * * *
AD SERENISSIMAM ELIZABETHAM ANGLIÆ REGINAM.
THEODOR. BEZA.
Strauerat innumeris Hispanus nauibus æquor,
Regnis iuncturus sceptra Britanna suis.
Tanti huius, rogitas, quæ motus causa? superbos
Impulit Ambitio, vexit Auaritia.
Quàm bene te ambitio mersit vanissima ventus?
Et tumidos tumidæ vos superastis aquæ
Quàm bene totius raptores orbis auaros,
Hausit inexhausti iusta vorago maris!
At tu, cui venti, cui totum militat æquor,
Regina, ô mundi totius vna, decus,
Sic regnare Deo perge, ambitione remota,
Prodiga sic opibus perge iuuare pios,
Vt te Angli longum, longum Anglis ipsa fruaris,
Quàm dilecta bonis, tam metuenda malis.
The same in English.
The Spanish Fleet did flote in narrow Seas,
And bend her ships against the English shore,
With so great rage as nothing could appease,
And with such strength as neuer seene before:
And all to ioyne the kingdome of that land
Vnto the kingdomes that he had in hand.
Now if you aske what set this king on fire,
To practise warre when he of peace did treat,
It was his Pride, and neuer quencht desire,
To spoile that Islands wealth, by peace made great:
His Pride which farre aboue the heauens did swell
And his desire as vnsuffic'd as hell.
But well haue windes his proud blasts ouerblowen,
And swelling waues alayd his swelling heart,
Well hath the Sea with greedie gulfs vnknowen,
Deuoured the deuourer to his smart:
And made his ships a pray vnto the sand,
That meant to pray vpon anothers land.
And now, O Queene, aboue all others blest,
For whom both windes and waues are prest to fight,
So rule your owne, so succour friends opprest,
(As farre from pride, so ready to do right)
That England you, you England long enioy,
No lesse your friends delight, then foes annoy.
* * * * *
A briefe and true report of the Honorable voyage vnto Cadiz, 1596. of the
ouerthrow of the kings Fleet, and of the winning, sacking, and burning of
the Citie, with all other accidents of moment, thereunto appertaining.
After that the two most Noble and Renowmed Lords Generals: The L. Robert
Earle of Essex, and the L. Charles Howard L. High Admirall of England, were
come vnto Plymmouth (which was about the beginning of May last, 1596.)
being there accompanied with diuers other Noble Peeres, as the Earle of
Sussex, the L. Thomas Howard, the L. Harbert, the L. Warden Sir Walter
Raleigh: the L. Marshall Sir Francis Vere: the L. Burk, Don Christopher
young Prince of Portingall, young Count Lodouick of Nassaw, and the
Admirall of the Hollanders, Sir Iohn Vanderfoord: besides many other most
worthy Knights and Gentlemen of great woorth attending vpon this most
honorable Action: It pleased them, there to make their abode for the time
of that moneth, aswell for the new furnishing and reuictualing of her
Maiesties Royall Nauie: as also for the expecting of some other ships,
which were to come from diuers places of the Realme, and were as yet
wanting: making that place as it should seeme the Rendezuous for all the
whole Fleete, there to complete the full number of al such companies both
for sea and land: as was in their noble and deepe wisedomes thought meete
and agreed vpon.
All the time of this their abode there, there was a most zealous and
diligent care had for the holy seruice of God dayly and reuerently to be
frequented: and also for other good and ciuill orders of militarie
discipline to be obserued, to the exceeding great comfort and reioycing of
all the hearts of the godly and well disposed.
And for that it might the better appeare, that there was small hope of
pardon to be expected of the offenders, if they did at any time neglect
their duties, about due obseruation of matters of importance: Their orders,
lawes, and decrees being once published: about the 8. or 9. of the same
moneth, there were two offenders executed a little without the towne, in a
very fayre pleasant greene, called the Ho: the one for beginning of a
muteny in his company, the other for running away from his Colours.
And about the same time in the Dutch Regiment, an other for murthering of
one of his companions, about a quarrell betweene themselues, rising as it
was supposed, vpon their drinke, was by order of Martiall law, presently
tyed to the partie so murthered, and foorthwith both of them so cast into
the sea.
Moreouer, about the 28. of the same moneth, a certaine Lieutenant (whose
name I will forbeare) was by sound of Drumme publikely in all the streetes
disgraced, or rather after a sort disgraded, and cashierd for bearing any
farther Office at that time, for the taking of money by way of corruption,
of certaine prest souldiers in the Countrey, and for placing of others in
their roomes, more vnfit for seruice, and of lesse sufficiency and
abilitie. This seuere executing of iustice at the very first did breed such
a deepe terror in the hearts of the whole armie, that it seemed to cut off
all occasion of the like disorder for euer afterwards to be attempted.
And here before their departure from Plymmouth, it pleased their Lordships
to publish in print, and make knowen to all the world, especially to such
as whom it concerned, and that both in the Latine, French, Dutch, English
and Spanish tongue, what were the true, iust and vrgent causes, that at
this time prouoked her Maiestie, to vndertake the preparing and setting
forth of this so great a Nauie, annexing thereunto a full declaration, what
was good will and pleasure should be done and performed of all them that
ment not to incurre their owne priuate present daungers, or else were
willing to auoyde her Maiesties future indignation and displeasure.
Likewise now, at the same instant, their owne most prouident and godly
decrees, which they had deuised for the honest cariage of euery particular
person in their degrees and vocation, were made knowen to all men, and
published in sundry writings, with diuers great punishments, set downe and
appointed for the wilfull offenders and brekers of the same.
Thus then, all things being in very good order and well appointed, the most
holy name of our Omnipotent God being most religiously and deuoutly called
vpon, and his blessed and sacred Communion being diuers times most
reuerently and publikely celebrated: These two most noble personages, with
all their honorable Associats, and most famous worthy Knights, Gentlemen,
Captaines, Leaders, and very willing and expert Souldiers, and Mariners,
being furnished with 150. good sayle of shippe or thereabout: In the name
of the most High and euerliuing God, and with all true and faithful
obedience, to her sacred Maiesty, to the infinite good and tranquillitie of
our Countrey, and to the perpetuall glory, and triumphant renowne of the
eternall memory of their honorable names to all posterity, the first day of
Iune embarked themselues, weighed Ancre, and hoysed vp sayle, and put to
sea onward their iourney from the Sownds of Plymmouth.
The winde, at the first setting foorth, seemed very fauourable: but yet in
the euening growing very scant, and all that night falling more and more
against vs, and we hailing sayled no further then to a certaine place
called Dodman Head: we were constrained the next day, to make our returne
to the road of Plymmonth againe, and there in the Sownds to lie at ancre
for that night.
About this time, and in this very place, by good fortune there came to my
handes a prayer in English, touching this present Action, and made by her
Maiestie, as it was voyced: The prayer seemed to me to be most excellent,
aswell for the matter as also for the manner, and therefore for certaine
diuers good motiues which then presently came to my minde, and whereof
hereafter in his more conuenient time and place, I will make farther
mention, I presumed at that very instant to translate it into Latine.
The Prayer is thus.
Most Omnipotent maker and guide of all our worlds masse, that onely
searchest and fadomest the bottome of all our hearts conceits, and in them
seest the true originals of all our actions intended: thou that by thy
foresight doest truely discerne how no malice of Reuenge, nor quittance of
iniury, nor desire of bloodshed, nor greedinesse of lucre hath bred the
resolution of our now set out Army, but a heedfull care, and wary watch,
that no neglect of foes, nor ouer-suretie of harme might breed either
daunger to vs, or glory to them: these being the grounds wherewith thou
doest enspire the mind, we humbly beseech thee with bended knees, prosper
the worke, and with best forewindes guide the iourney, speed the victory,
and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory, the tryumph of their
fame, and surety to the Realme, with the least losse of the English blood.
To these deuout petitions Lord giue thou thy blessed grant.
My homely translation, is thus.
Svmmè præpotens Deus, immensæ huius totius nostri mundi molis fabricator et
Rector, qui solus perscrutaris intimos cordis nostri sensus, et ad fundum
vsque nostrarum cogitationem explorando penetras, ac in eis, quid verè, et
ex ammo cogitemus, et quæ sint actionum nostrarum rationes, ac fundamenta,
cognoscis: Tu, qui ea, quæ in te est, ab omni æternitate præscientia,
vides, quòd nec aliqua viciscendi malitiosa cupiditas, nec iniuriarum
referendarum desiderium, nec sanguinis effundendi sitis, nec alicuius
lucri, quæstusue auiditas ad istam classem præparandam, et emittendam nos
commouerit: sed potiùs, quòd prouida quædam cura, solérsque vigilantia huc
nos impulerit: ne vel inimicorum nostrorum neglectus, vel status nostri
firmitaris nimium secura cogitatio, aut illis gloriam et honorem, aut nobis
damnum et periculum pariat: Cum, inquam, hæc sint nostri, quicquid
attentatur, negotii fundamenta: cumque tu hunc nobis animum, mentémque
inieceris, vt istud aggrederemur: curuatis genibus a te humillimè petimus,
vt velis hoc nostrum incoeptum secundissimè fortunare, totum iter
prosperrimis flatibus dirigere, celerem et expeditiam victoriam nobis
concedere, reditúmque talem nostris militibus elargiri, qualis et nomini
tuo incrementum gloriæ, et illis famæ, laudisque triumphum, et Regno nostro
firmam tranquillitatem possit apportare: idque cum minimo Anglorum
sanguinis dispendio. His nostris religiosis petitionibus concede, Domine,
sacrosanctum et annuentem voluntatem tuam.
After that we had anchored at Plymmouth that night, as I haue said, the
third of Iune very early in the morning, hauing a reasonable fresh gale of
winde, we set sayle, and kept our course againe, and the ninth of the same
moneth comming something neere to the North cape, in a maner in the same
altitude, or not much differing, which was about xliii. degrees, and
something more, yet bearing so, as it was impossible to bee descried from
the land: There it pleased the Lords to call a select Councell, which was
alwayes done by hanging out of a flagge of the armes of England, and
shooting off of a great warning peece. On this select or priuie Councell
were no moe than these: The two Lords Generall, the Lord Thomas Howard, the
Lorde Warden Sir Walter Raleigh, the Lord Martiall Sir Francis Vere, Sir
George Cary master of the Ordinance, Sir Coniers Clifford, and Sir Anthony
Ashley, Clarke of the sayde Councell. And when it pleased the Lords
Generall to call a common Counsell (as often times they did vpon weightie
matters best knowen to their honours) then they would cause an other kinde
of flagge to be hanged put, which was the Redcrosse of S. George, and was
verie easie to be discerned from the other that appertained onely to the
select Counsell, and so often as this flagge of Saint George was hanged
out, then came all the Masters and Captaines of all the ships, whose
opinions were to be demaunded, in such matters as appertayned vnto this
sayd select Counsell: It was presently concluded, that our course in
sayling should foorthwith be altered, and that we should beare more into
the West, for some purposes to them best knowen.
At that very instant many letters of instructions were addressed and sent
to euery particular Master and Captaine of the Ships: What the contentes of
those letters of instructions were it was not as yet knowne vnto any,
neither was it held meet to be enquired or knowen of any of vs. But vnder
the titles and superscriptions of euery mans particuler letter these wordes
were endorsed. Open not these letters on pain of your liues, vnles we
chance to be scattered by tempest, and in that case open them, and execute
the contents thereof: but if by mishap you fall into your enemies hand,
then in any case cast them into the sea, sealed as they are. It should
seeme that these letters did conteine in them the principall place and
meaning of this entended action, which was hitherto by their deepe
foresights kept so secret, as no man to my knowledge either did, or coulde
so much as suspect it, more then themselues, who had the onely managing
thereof. A conceite in my iudgement of greatest moment in the world, to
effect any matter of importance. I meane, to entertaine those two vertues,
Fidem, et Taciturnitatem: so much commended by the old writers. And if
there was euer any great designement, in this our age, and memorie,
discreetly, faithfully, and closely caried, I assure my selfe it was this,
and though it were but in respect to that poynt onely: yet for such
faithfull secrecie, it deserueth immortall praise.
All this while, our ships, God be thanked, kept in a most excellent good
order, being diuided into fiue squadrons: that is to say, The Earle of
Essex, the Lord Admirall, the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord Warden Sir
Walter Raleigh, and the Admirall of the Hollanders. All which squadrons,
albeit they did euery day separate themselues of purpose, by the distance
of certaine leagues, as well to looke out for such shippes as were happily
vnder sayle, as also for the better procuring of sea-roome: yet alwayes
commonly eyther that day, or the next day, towarde euening, they came all
together, with friendly salutations and gratulations one to an other: which
they terme by the name of Hayling: a ceremonie done solemnly, and in very
good order, with sound of Trumpets and noyse of cheerefull voyces: and in
such sort performed as was no small encouragement one to the other, beside
a true report of all such accidents, as had happened in their squadrons.
Hitherto, as I sayde, our iourney was most prosperous, and all our shippes
in very good plight, more then that the Mary Rose, by some mischance,
either sprang or spent her fore-yarde, and two dayes after Sir Robert
Crosse had in a maner the like mischance.
Nowe being thus betweene the North cape, and cape S. Vincent, and yet
keeping, such a course a loofe, that by no meanes, those from the shoare
might be able to descrie vs: The tenth of Iune, a French Barke, and a
Fleming comming from the coast of Barbarie were brought in by some of our
companie: but they were both of them very honourably and well vsed by the
Lords Generall: and so after a fewe dayes tarrying, were peaceably sent
away, after that they had conferred with them about such matters, as was
thought good in their honorable wisedomes.
The twelfth of the same moneth, Sir Richard Leuison Knight, assisted with
Sir Christopher Blunt, fought with three Hamburgers, and in that fight
slewe two of them, and hurt eleuen, and in the end brought them all three
in: and this was the very first hansell and maydenhead (as it were) of any
matter of importance, or exployt worthy obseruation that was done in the
way outward of this honorable voyage, and was so well perfourmed of those
most worthy Gentlemen, as euery man highly commended them for their great
valure, and discretion, and no lesse reioyced at this their fortunate
succcsse.
The next day after, Sir Richard Weston meeting with a Flemming, who refused
to vale his foretoppe, with the like good courage and resolution, attempted
to bring him in. The fight continued very hot betweene them, for a good
space: in the end the Swan, wherein the sayd Sir Richard was, had her
forebeake strooken off: and having spent before in fight the one side of
her tire of Ordinance, while she prepared to cast about, and to bestow on
him the other side, in the meane time the Fleming taking this opportunity,
did get almost halfe a league from him: and so for that time made his
escape. And yet the next day after, the sayd Flemming being in a maner got
to the very mouth of the Riuer vp to Lisbone, was taken, and brought in by
M. Dorrell, being Captaine of the Iohn and Francis of London. Thus by
diuiding their squadrons, and spreading the whole sea ouer a mighty way,
there could not so much as the least pinke passe but she was espied and
brought in.
The 13. 14. and 15. dayes, certaine littte stragling Carauels were taken by
certaine of the Fleete, and in one of them a young beggarly Fryer vtterly
vnlearned, with a great packet of letters for Lisbon: the poore wretches
were maruellously well vsed by the Lords Generall, and that Carauel, and
the like still as they were taken were commaunded to giue their attendance,
and their Honours did vnderstand what they might of these poore men, of the
estate of Spaine for that present.
About this time and in this place it was, that first in all my life time I
did see the flying fishes, who when they are hardly pinched and chased by
the Bonitoes and other great fishes, then to auoyde the daunger, they
presently mount vp, and forsake the water, and betake themselues to the
benefite of their winges and make their flight, which commonly is not aboue
fiue or sixe score, or there about, and then they are constrayned to fall
downe into the water againe, and it is the Mariners opinion that they can
fly no longer then their wings be wet. The fish it selfe is about the
bignesse of a Mackrell or a great white Hearing, and much of that colour
and making, with two large wings shaped of nature very cunningly, and with
great delight to behold, in all the world much like to our Gentlewomens
dutch Fans, that, are made either of paper, parchment, or silke, or other
stuffe, which will with certaine pleights easily runne and fold themselues
together. One of these flying fishes was presented to my L. Admirall by a
fisher man, and newly taken in his L. returne from Cadiz, and then I [had]
good leisure and opportunitie to view it. ['had' missing in source
text--KTH]
The 18. day early in the morning wee tooke an Irish man, and he came
directly from Cadiz, hauing beene there but the day before at twelue of the
clocke at high noone. This man being examined, told truely that there was
now great store of shipping at Cadiz, and with them xviii. or xix. gallies
in a readinesse, and that among those ships there were diuers of the kings
best: and namely, that the Philip of Spaine was amongst them, but what
their intent was, hee could not tell. This man was commanded also to giue
his attendance.
The 20. of Iune being Sunday, we came before Cadiz very early in the
morning, and in all this time as yet, the whole Nauy had not lost either by
sicknesse or by any other maner of wayes sixe men to my knowledge: as for
the Dutch company, I am not able precisely to say what happened there, for
that they were no part of our charge to be looked vnto, but were a regiment
entire of themselues, and by themselues to be prouided for, either for
their diet, or for the preservation of their healths by phisicke.
Thus then I say, being all in good plight and strong, the 20. of Iune wee
came to Cadiz, and there very earely in the morning presented our selues
before the Towne, ryding about a league or something lesse, from it. The
sea at that instant went maruelous high, and the winde was exceeding large.
Notwithstanding, a Councell being called, our Lords Generall foorthwith
attempted with all expedition to land some certaine companies of their men
at the West side of the Towne, by certaine long boats, light horsemen,
pynnesses, and barges made for the purpose, but could not compasse it, and
in the attempting thereof; they chanced to sinke one of their Barges, with
some foure score good souldiers well appointed in her, and yet by good hap
and great care the men were all saued excepting viii. And therefore they
were constrayned to put off their landing till an other more convenient
time.