appoint, to remain prisoners; and be put to their ransom.
The next morning [_7th of January_], the Frenchmen entered and
possessed the Town: and forthwith all the men, women, and children,
were commanded to leave their houses, and to go into the two churches,
of Our Lady, and Saint Nicholas; upon pain of death. Where they
remained a great part of that day, and one whole night, and until three
o'clock at afternoon the next day [_8th_]: without either meat or drink.
And while they were thus in the churches, the Duke of GUISE, in the
name of the French King, in their hearing, made a Proclamation straitly
charging and commanding all and every person that were inhabitants of
the Town of Calais, having about them any money, plate, or jewels to
the value of [_but_] one groat [4_d._] to bring the same forthwith,
and lay it down on the high altars of the said churches, upon pain of
death: bearing them in hand [_inducing them to think_] also that they
should be searched.
By reason of which Proclamation, there was made a great and sorrowful
Offertory. And while they were at this offering within the churches,
the Frenchmen entered into their houses, and rifled the same; where
was found inestimable riches and treasure, but specially of ordnance,
armour, and other munition.
About two o'clock, the next day at afternoon, being the 7th of January;
all the Englishmen, except the Lord Deputy and the others reserved
for prisoners, were suffered to pass out of the town in safety; being
guarded through the army by a number of Scottish Light Horsemen.
There were in this town of Calais, 500 English soldiers ordinarily,
and no more: and of the townsmen, not fully 200 fighting men: a small
garrison for the defence of such a town! And there were in the whole
number of men, women, and children, as they were counted when they went
out of the gate, 4,200 persons.
But the Lord WENTWORTH, Deputy of Calais; Sir RALPH CHAMBERLAIN,
Captain of the Castle; [JOHN] HARLESTONE, Captain of Risbank; NICHOLAS
ALEXANDER, Captain of Newn[h]ambridge; EDWARD GRIMSTONE, Controller;
with others of the chief of the town, to the number of fifty, as
aforesaid, such as it pleased the Duke of GUISE to appoint, were sent
prisoners into France.
* * * * *
Thus have ye heard the discourse of the Overthrow and Loss of the Town
of Calais; the which enterprise was begun and ended in less than eight
days, to the great marvel of the world, that a town of such strength,
and so well furnished of all things as that was, should so suddenly be
taken and conquered: but most specially, in the winter season; what
time all the country about, being marsh ground, is commonly overflown
with water.
The said town was won from the French by King EDWARD III. in the time
of PHILIP DE VALOIS, then French King: and, being in the possession of
the Kings of England, 211 years; was, in the time of PHILIP and MARY,
King and Queen of England, lost within less than eight days being the
most notable fort that England had.
For the winning whereof, King EDWARD aforesaid, in the 21st year of
his reign [1346], was fain to continue a siege one whole year or more:
wherefore it was judged of all men, that it could not have so come to
pass, without some secret treachery.
Here is also to be noted, that when Queen MARY and her Council heard,
credibly, of the Frenchmen's sudden approach to that town; she, with
all possible speed, but somewhat too late, raised a great power for the
rescue thereof: which, if wind and weather had served, might, haply,
have brought succour thither in time. But such terrible tempests then
arose, and continued the space of four or five days together, that the
like had not been seen before in the remembrance of man; wherefore
some said "That the same was done by necromancy, and that the Devil
was raised up, and become French:" the truth whereof is known to GOD.
But very true it is that no ship could brook the seas, by reason of
those extreme storms and tempests. And such of the Queen's ships as did
adventure the passage, were so shaken and torn, with the violence of
the weather; as they were forced to return with great danger, and the
loss of all their tackle and furniture.
Thus by the negligence of the Council at home, conspiracy of traitors
elsewhere, force and false practice of enemies, helped by the rage of
most terrible tempests of contrary winds and weather; this famous Fort
of Calais was brought again to the hands and possession of the French.
* * * * *
So soon as this Duke of GUISE, contrary to all expectation, had, in a
few days, gained this strong town of Calais, afore thought impregnable,
and had put the same in such order as best seemed for his advantage:
proud of the spoil, and pressing forward upon his sudden fortune,
without giving long time to the residue of the Captains of the forts
there to breathe on their business; the 13th of the same month, with
all provision requisite for a siege, he marched with his army from
Calais into the town and fort of Guisnes, five miles distant from
thence.
Of which town and castle, at the same time, there was as Captain, a
valiant Baron of England, called WILLIAM, Lord GREY of Wilton [_See
Vol. III. p. 76_]: who, not without cause suspecting a siege at hand;
and knowing the town of Guisnes to be of small force (as being without
walls or bulwarks, and only compassed with a trench), before the
Frenchmen's arrival, caused all the inhabitants of the town to advoid
[_depart_]; and so many of them as were apt to bear arms, he caused to
retire into the Castle. Which was a place well fortified, with strong
and massy Bulwarks [_redoubts or batteries_] of brick: having also a
high and mighty tower, of great force and strength, called the Keep.
The town being thus abandoned, the Frenchman had the more easy approach
to the Castle; who, thinking to find quiet lodging in those vacant
houses, entered the same without any fear: and being that night, at
their rest as they thought, a chosen band of soldiers, appointed by
Lord GREY, issued out by a postern of the said Castle, and slew no
small number of their sleepy guests. The rest, they put out of their
new lodgings; and (maugre the Duke and all the French power) consumed
all the houses of the town with fire. That notwithstanding, the said
Duke, with all diligence, began his trenches: and albeit the shot of
the great artillery from the Castle was terrible, and gave him great
impeachment; yet did he continue his work without intermission, and,
for example's sake, wrought in his own person as a common pioneer or
labourer. So that, within less than three days, he brought, to the
number of thirty-five battery pieces, hard to the brim [_edge_] of the
Castle ditch, to batter the same on all sides, as well right forth as
across. But his principal battery, he planted against the strongest
bulwark of all, called Mary Bulwark [_a detached fort_]; thinking by
gaining of the stronger, to come more easily by the weaker.
His battery being thus begun, he continued the same by the space of two
days, with such terrible thundering of great artillery, that, by the
report of [F. DE] RABUTIN a French writer, there were, in those few
days, discharged well near to the number of 8,000 or 9,000 cannon shot.
Through the violence whereof, by the 20th of the said month, the said
great Bulwark was laid wide open, and the breach made reasonable and
easy enough for the assault; nevertheless, the said Duke (being a man
of war, and nothing ignorant of what devices be commonly used in forts
and besieged towns to entrap and damage the assailants) afore he would
put the persons of his good soldiers to the hazard of the assault,
caused the breach to be viewed once or twice by certain forward and
skilful soldiers; who, mounting the top of the breach, brought report
that the place was saultable [_assaultable_]. Nevertheless, to make
the climb more easy; he caused certain harquebussiers to pass over the
ditch, and to keep the defendants occupied with shot, while certain
pioneers with mattocks and shovels, made the breach more plain and
easy. [_See CHURCHYARD's account of this assault at p. 209. He was
one of the defenders._]
Which thing done accordingly, he gave order to Monsieur D'ANDELOT,
Colonel of the French Footmen, that he, with his Bands, should be in
readiness to give the assault, when sign should be given.
In which meantime, the Duke withdrew himself to an higher ground; from
whence he might plainly discover the behaviour as well of his soldiers
in giving the assault, as also of the defendants in answering the
same. And not perceiving so many of the English part appearing for the
defence, as he looked for; he gave order forthwith, that a regiment of
his most forward Lance Knights [_the Reiters_] should mount the breach
to open the first passage, and that Monsieur D'ANDELOT with his Bands
of the French, should back them.
Which order was followed with such hot haste and desperate hardiness,
that, entering a deep ditch full of water, from the bottom whereof to
the top of the breach was well forty feet, without fear either of the
water beneath or the fire above, they mounted the breach: and whereas
the Duke had prepared divers bridges made of plank-boards, borne up
with caske and empty pipes [_i.e., barrels of the size of a Pipe_] tied
one to another, for his men to pass the said ditch; many of the said
assailants, without care of those bridges, plunged into the water, and
took the next way to come to the assault.
Which hot haste notwithstanding, the said assailants were, in this
first assault, so stoutly repulsed and put back by the defendants,
being furnished with great store of wild fire and fricassees for the
purpose, that they were turned down headlong, one upon another, much
faster than they came up: not without great waste and slaughter of
their best and most brave soldiers; to the small comfort of the stout
Duke, who, as is said before, stood, all this while, upon a little hill
to behold this business. Wherefore, not enduring this sight any longer,
as a man arraged [_enraged_], he ran among his men; so reproving some
and encouraging others, that the assault was foot hot renewed with
much more vehemence and fury than before: and with no less obstinacy
and desperation received by the defendants; whereby all the breach
underneath was filled with French carcases.
This notwithstanding, the Duke still redoubled his forces with fresh
companies; and continued so many assaults, one upon another, that at
the last charge, being most vehement of all others, our men being
tired, and greatly minished in the number by slaughter and bloody
wounds, were, of fine [_sheer_] force, driven to avoid, and give place
of entry to the enemy.
Which was not done without a marvellous expense of blood, on both
sides. For, of the French part, there were slain and perished in these
assaults, above the number of 800 or 900 [_CHURCHYARD says, at p. 214,
4,000_]: and of the English, but little fewer [_800, p. 214_]; amongst
whom the greatest loss lighted on the Spaniards, who took upon them
the defence of the said Mary Bulwark: insomuch, as the report went,
that of the 500 [_or rather 450; whereof but 50 were Spaniards, the
rest English and Burgundians, see p. 209_] brave soldiers which King
PHILIP sent thither for succour, under the conduct of a valiant Spanish
Captain, called MOUNT DRAGON, there were not known to have come away
any number worth the reckoning, but all were either slain, maimed or
taken.
These outrageous assaults were given to the Castle of Guisnes, on St.
Sebastian's day, the 20th of January aforesaid.
At the end of which day, there were also gained from the English, two
other principal Bulwarks of the said Castle; which, being likewise made
assaultable by battery, were taken by the Almains [_? Swiss_], who
entered in by the breaches.
The Lord GREY, with his eldest son, and the chief Captains and soldiers
of the said garrison, who kept the Inner Ward of the Castle, where
the most high and principal Tower, called the Keep, stood; thinking
themselves in small surety there (being a place of the old sort of
fortification) after they saw the Utter Ward possessed by the enemy,
and such a number of the most forward soldiers consumed and spent; and
no likelihood of any more aid to come in time: by the advice of the
most expert soldiers there, concluded for the best, to treat with the
Duke for composition: according to the which advice, he sent forth two
gentlemen, with this message in effect. That
the Duke (being a man of war, and serving under a King) should
not think it strange if the Lord GREY likewise (being a man of
war, and serving his Prince, in manner) did his like deavour
[_endeavour_] in well defending the place committed to his charge,
so far forth, as to answer and bide the assault; considering that
otherwise, he could never save his own honour, neither his truth
and loyalty to his Prince. In respect whereof, according to the law
of arms, he required honourable composition.
Which message, though it was well accepted of the Duke; yet he deferred
his answer until the morrow. What [_At which_] time, the messengers
repairing to him again, composition was granted in this sort.
First. That the Castle with all the furniture thereof, as well
victuals as great artillery, powder, and other munitions of war,
should be wholly rendered; without wasting, hiding, or minishment
thereof.
Secondarily. That the Lord GREY, with all the Captains, Officers,
and others having charge there, should remain prisoners, at the
Duke's pleasure; to be ransomed after the manner of war.
Thirdly. That all the rest, as well soldiers as others, should
safely depart, with their armour and baggage to what parts, it
seemed them best: nevertheless, to pass, without sound of drum or
trumpet, or displaying of an ensigns [_flags_]; but to leave them
behind.
These conditions being received and approved on either party, the day
following, that is to wit, the 22nd day of the said month of January,
all the soldiers of the said fortress, as well English as strangers,
with all the rest of the inhabitants and others (except the Lord GREY,
Sir ARTHUR his son, Sir HENRY PALMER Knight, MOUNT DRAGON the above
named Captain of the Spaniards, and other men of charge reserved
by the Composition) departed, with their bag and baggages, from
thence, towards Flanders. At whose issuing forth, there was esteemed
[_estimated_] to the number of 800 or 900 able men for the war: part
English, part Burgundians, with a small remnant of Spaniards.
After the winning of this town and Castle, the Duke, advising well upon
the place, and considering that if it should happen to be regained by
Englishmen, what a noisome neighbour the same might be to Calais, now
being French; and specially what impeachment should come thereby for
the passage thither from France; considering also the near standing
thereof to the French King's fortress of Ardes, so that to keep two
garrisons so nigh together should be but a double charge, and not only
needless, but also dangerous, for the cause afore rehearsed: upon these
considerations, as the Frenchmen write, he took order for all the
great artillery, victuals, and other munition to be taken forth; and
the Castle, with all the Bulwarks and other fortifications there, to
be razed and thrown down, with all speed, and the stuff to be carried
away, and employed in other more necessary places.
Then there rested nothing, within all the English Pale on that side,
unconquered, but the little Castle or Pile called Hammes: which, though
it were but of small force, made by art and industry of man's hand,
and altogether of old workmanship, without rampiers [_ramparts_] or
Bulwarks [_redoubts_]; yet, nevertheless, by the natural situation
thereof, being environed on all sides, with fens and marsh grounds, it
could not easily be approached unto: either with great ordnance for the
battery, or else with an army to encamp there, for a siege; having but
one straight passage thereto by a narrow causey [_causeway_], traversed
and cut through, in divers places, with deep ditches always full of
water. Which thing, being well foreseen by EDWARD Lord DUDLEY, then
Captain there, having as good cause to suspect a siege there as his
neighbours, had, afore the Frenchmen's coming to Guisnes, caused all
the bridges of the said causey, which were of wood, to be broken; to
give thereby the more impeachment [_obstacles_] to the French, if they
should attempt to approach the same; as, shortly after, they did, and
kept divers of the passages.
But to deliver the Duke and his soldiers from that care, there came
to him glad news from those that had charge to watch the same causey;
how the Captain, having intelligence of the rendering of Guisnes, had
conveyed himself with his small garrison, secretly, the same night
[_of the 22nd of January_] by a secret passage over the marshes into
Flanders. Whereby, the Duke, being now past care of any further siege
to be laid in all that frontier, took order forthwith to seize the said
little fort into his hands; as it was easy to do, when there was no
resistance.
When this place was once seized by the French, then remained there
none other place or strength of the English on all that side the sea,
for the safeguard of the rest of the country: whereby the French King
became wholly and thoroughly Lord and Master of all the English Pale:
for now, as ye have heard, there was neither town, castle, or fortress,
more or less, on that side (saving Bootes Bulwark, near to Gravelines;
which now, [_in 1568_] King PHILIP keepeth as his); but it was either
taken away by force, or else abandoned and left open to the enemy. And,
as the Frenchmen write, besides the great riches of gold and silver
coin, jewels, plate, wool, and other merchandise (which was inestimable
[_i.e., beyond reckoning_]) there were found 300 pieces of brass,
mounted on wheels, and as many pieces of iron: with such furniture of
powder, pellets [_bullets_], armour, victuals, and other munitions of
war, scarcely credible [_see p. 250_].
Thus have heard the whole discourse of the Conquest of the noble town
of Calais with all the English fortresses and country adjoining, made
by the Duke of GUISE. The news whereof, when it came to the French
King: [_there is_] no need to ask how joyfully it was received! not
only by him and all his Court, but also universally through the whole
realm of France. For the which victory, there was, as the manner is,
_Te DEUM_ sung, and bonfires made everywhere, as it is wont to be in
cases of common joy and gladness for some rare benefit of GOD. Shortly,
upon this conquest, there was a public Assembly at Paris of all the
Estates of France: who frankly (in recompense of the King's charges in
winning Calais and the places aforesaid, and for maintenance of his
wars to be continued afterwards) granted unto him 3,000,000 of French
Crowns [_= about £900,000 then = about £9,000,000 now_]; whereof the
clergy of France contributed 1,000,000 crowns besides their _dîmes_.
And no marvel though the French did highly rejoice at the recovery of
Calais out of the Englishmen's hands! For it is constantly affirmed by
many that be acquainted with the affairs of France, that ever since the
town was first won by the Englishmen, in all solemn Councils appointed
to treat upon the state of France, there was a special person appointed
to put them in remembrance, from time to time, of Calais: as it were
to be wished that the like were used in England until it were regained
from the French.
Now seemed every day a year, to the French King, until he personally
had visited Calais and his new conquered country. Wherefore, about the
end of January, aforesaid, he took his voyage thither, accompanied
with no small number of his nobility. And immediately upon his arrival
there, he perused the whole town and every part thereof, from place to
place: and devising with the Duke of GUISE for the better fortification
thereof; what should be added to the old, what should be made new, and
what should be taken away. And after order taken for that business; he
placed there a noble and no less valiant Knight, called Monsieur DE
THERMES, to be Captain of the town: and so departed again to France.
After the French King's departure from Calais, he made great haste for
the accomplishment of the marriage moved between FRANCIS, his eldest
son, called the Dauphin, and MARY STUART, daughter and sole heir of
JAMES V., late King of Scotland: which Princess (if the Scots had been
faithful of promise, as they seldom be) should have married with King
EDWARD VI. For the breach of which promise, began all the war between
England and Scotland, in the latter end of King HENRY VIII. and in the
beginning of EDWARD VI. [_See PATTEN's account of the Wooing, Vol. III.
p. 51._]
This marriage (though it be not my matter) I thought not to omit; for
many things were meant thereby, which, thanks be to GOD! never came to
pass. But one special point was not hidden to the world, that, by the
means of the same, the Realm of Scotland should, for evermore, have
remained as united and incorporated to the Crown of France; that as
the Son and Heir of every French King doth succeed to the inheritance
and possession of a country, called the Doulphyn [_Dauphiné_], and is
therefore called Doulphyn [_Dauphin_]; and as the Principality of Wales
appertaineth to the Eldest Son of England, who is therefore called
the Prince of WALES: even so, that the Dauphin and Heir of France
should thereby have been King of Scotland, for evermore. Which name
and title, upon this marriage, was accordingly given to FRANCIS the
Dauphin and heir apparent of France, to be called "King Dauphin": the
meaning whereof was, utterly to exclude for evermore any to be King of
Scotland, but only the Eldest Son of France.
This memorable marriage was solemnized in the city of Paris, the 24th
day of April, 1558, with most magnificent pomp and triumph.
Lord +WENTWORTH+, the Lord Deputy
of Calais, and the Council there.
_Letter to Queen MARY, 23rd May, 1557._
[_State Papers. Foreign, MARY, Vol. X. No. 615._ In Public Record
Office.]
It may please your Highness to understand that, where upon circumspect
consideration and view of your Majesty's store here of munition and
other habiliments of war, there is presently [_at this moment_]
found not only a great want of many kinds thereof, but also such a
decay in divers other things as the same are not serviceable, and will
be utterly lost if they be not with speed repaired and put in better
estate; as this bearer, Master HIGHFIELD, Master of your Ordnance here
[_p. 196_], can declare more amply the particularities thereof, either
unto your Majesty, or unto such of your Council as shall please your
Highness to direct him: we have thought it our bounden duties to be
most humble suitors to your Majesty, that it would please the same to
give immediate order, as well for the supplement of the said lacks, as
also for your warrant to be addressed hither, for the repairing of all
other things requisite to be done within his office.
And thus we continually pray Almighty GOD for the long preservation of
your Highness in most prosperous estate.
From your town of Calais, the 23rd of May, 1557.
Your Majesty's
Most humble bounden and obedient subjects and servants,
WENTWORTH,
WILLIAM GREY,
RALPH CHAMBERLAIN,
A. CORNWALLIS,
EDWARD GRYMSTONE,
EUSTACE HOBYNTON.
Lords +WENTWORTH+ and +GREY+, and the
Council at Calais.
_Report to Queen MARY,_
_27th December, 1557._
[_State Papers. Foreign, MARY, Vol. XI. No. 698._
Our bounden duties most humbly remembered unto your Highness. Upon the
receipt of the intelligences sent unto your Majesty this other day,
from me your Grace's Deputy; I forthwith dispatched to my Lord GREY
[_at Guisnes_], requiring his Lordship to repair to this town, that we
might consult of the state of your Highness's places and country on
this side.