and the said HALL and I were brought to Monsieur DE GUISE, who lay in
the sand hills by Rysbank, and there the said HALL delivered a bill:
and we were sent to Monsieur D'ESTREES' tent.
The Friday after [_7th January_], Monsieur D'ESTREES told me that my
Lord Deputy had agreed to render the town with loss of all the goods,
and fifty prisoners to remain.
On Saturday [_8th January_], he brought me into the town, willing me
to tell him what ordnance, powder, and other houses did belong unto my
office; because he would reserve the same from spoiling by the French
soldiers. And after he had knowledge that all my living was on that
side [_i.e., he had only his Mastership of the Ordnance at Calais_],
he was content that I should depart into Flanders.
Notwithstanding, I was driven off till Wednesday, [_12th January_].
Then he said, "He would send me away, if I would promise him to make
suit that his son might be returned in exchange for the Captain of the
Castle," who, being prisoner, desired me also to travail in it, for he
would rather give 3,000 crowns [_= £900 then = about £9,000 now_], than
remain a prisoner. Whereupon I promised to inquire and labour in the
same matter to the best of my power.
On my said return into the town, I found my wife, which showed me
that, in my absence, she had bestowed my money and plate to the value
of £600 [_= about £6,000 now_]; which was found before my coming,
saving one bag with 350 crowns [_= £105 = about £1,000 now_], which I
offered to give unto Monsieur D'ESTREES if he would promise me, on his
honour, to despatch me on horseback to Gravelines [_then held by the
Spaniards_]. Which he did.
* * * * *
And there I met with Monsieur DE VANDEVILLE, to whom I told, that "I
thought the enemy would visit him shortly"; and, among other things, I
inquire where Monsieur D'ESTREES' son did lay; who told me, "He was at
Bruges."
* * * * *
Then, at my coming to Dunkirk, there were divers Englishmen willing to
serve [_i.e., in PHILIP II.'s army_]: whereupon I spake to the Captain
of the town; who advised me to move it to the Duke of SAVOY.
Then I rode to Bruges, beseeching him to consider the poor men, and
how willing they were to serve the King's Majesty, if they might be
employed. Then he answered, that he "thought my Lord of PEMBROKE would
shortly arrive at Dunkirk and then he would take order."
Further, the said Duke asked me, "After what sort the town was lost?"
I answered that "The cause was not only by the weakness of the Castle,
and the lack of men; but also I thought there was some treason, for,
as I heard, there were some escaped out of the town: and the Frenchmen
told me, that they had intelligence of all our estate within the town."
Then I put the Duke in remembrance of Guisnes; who told me, that "he
would succour the Castle, if it were kept four or five days."
Then I took leave to depart from him, and when I was going out of the
house, he sent his Captain of his Guard to commit me to prison, where I
have remained nine weeks, [_January-March, 1558_], without any matter
laid to my charge; saving he sent to me, within fourteen days after, to
declare in writing, after what sort the town was lost, which I did as
nigh as I could remember.
And at the Duke's next return to Bruges, I sent him a supplication,
desiring that, if any information were made against me, I might answer
it in England, or otherwise at his pleasure.
[In the Public Record Office, _State Papers, Foreign, MARY_, is the
following letter in French.
[Sidenote: 1558 March 14.]
_EMANUEL PHILIBERT, Duke of SAVOY to Queen MARY._
[Sidenote: St. Omer.]
She will have been advertised that, soon after the French had
entered Calais, JOHN HIGHFIELD, late Master of the Artillery
there, came to Bruges. From strong suspicion that there had been
an understanding between him and the French, had caused him to be
arrested and detained at Bruges, where he has been until now.
Lately, while repassing through that town, was importuned by the
prisoner's wife to set him free. Sends her under the charge of a
French gentleman, FRANCIS DU BOURCH, the bearer.]
Whereupon he took order to send me hither [_i.e., to England_] without
paying any part of my charges, which I have promised to answer.
Most humbly praying your Highness to consider my poor estate, and
willing heart, which I bear, and am most bounden to your Grace's
service: beseeching God to conserve your Majesty in all felicity.
+JOHN FOX+, the Martyrologist.
_Mistress +THORPE's+ Escape at Calais._
[_Actes and Monumentes, p. 1702_, _Ed._ 1563.]
The worthy works of the LORD's mercy toward His people be manifold, and
cannot be comprehended: so that who is he living in the earth almost,
who hath not experienced the helping hand of the LORD, at some time or
other upon him?
Amongst many other, what a piece of GOD's tender providence was shewed,
of late, upon our English brethren and countrymen, what time Calais was
taken by the tyrant GUISE (a cruel enemy to GOD's truth, and to our
English nation); and yet by the gracious provision of the LORD, few, or
none at all, of so many that favoured CHRIST and His Gospel, miscarried
in that terrible Spoil.
In the number of whom, I know a godly couple, one JOHN THORPE and his
wife, which fear the LORD and loveth His truth; who being sick the
same time, were cast out into the wild fields, harbourless, desolate,
and despairing of all hope of life; having their young infant moreover
taken from them in the said fields, and carried away by the soldiers.
Yet the LORD so wrought, that the poor woman, being almost past
recovery of life, was fetched and carried, the space of well nigh a
mile, by aliens whom they never knew, into a village, where she was
recovered for that night.
Also the next day, coming towards England, she chanced into the same
inn at the next town, where she found her young child sitting by the
fireside.
[Illustration]
Lord +GREY+ of Wilton, Governor of
Guisnes.
_Letter to Queen MARY, 4th_
_January, 1558. 7 a.m._
[_State Papers. Foreign, MARY, Vol._ xii. _No. 711_.]
My most bounden duty humbly premised to your Majesty. Whereas I have
heretofore always in effect written nothing to your Highness but
good, touching the service and state of your places here; I am now
constrained, with woful heart, to signify unto your Majesty these
ensuing.
The French have won Newhaven Bridge, and thereby entered into all the
Low Country and the marshes between this [_Guisnes_] and Calais. They
have also won Rysbanke, whereby they be now master of that haven.
And this last night past, they have placed their ordnance of battery
against Calais, and are encamped at St. Peter's Heath before it: so
that I now am clean cut off from all relief and aid which I looked to
have (both out of England, and from Calais) and know not how to have
help by any means, either of men or victuals.
There resteth now none other way for the succour of Calais and the
rest of your Highness's pieces on this side, but a power of men out of
England, or from the King's Majesty [PHILIP II.]; or from both, without
delay, able to distress and keep them from victuals coming to them, as
well by sea as land; which shall force them to leave their siege to the
battle, or else drive them to a greater danger.
For lack of men out of England, I shall be forced to abandon the Town
[_of Guisnes_], and take in the soldiers thereof for the Castle. I have
made as good provision of victuals as I could, by any means, out of the
country; with which, GOD willing! I doubt not to defend and keep this
piece as long as any man, whosoever he be, having no better provision,
and furniture of men and victuals than I have: wherein your Grace
shall well perceive that I will not fail to do the duty of a faithful
subject and Captain, although the enemy attempt never so stoutly;
according to the trust reposed in me.
I addressed letters presently to the King's Majesty by this bearer,
most humbly desiring aid from him; according to the effect aforesaid.
I might now very evil[ly] have spared this bringer, my servant and
trusty Officer here, in this time of service. Howbeit considering the
great importance of his message, I thought him a meet man for the
purpose; desiring your Majesty to credit him fully, and to hear him at
large, even as directly as your Grace would hear me to open my mind in
this complaint of imminent danger.
Thus trusting for relief and comfort forthwith from your Majesty for
the safeguard of Calais, and your other pieces here; I take my leave
most humbly of your Grace.
At your Highness's Castle of Guisnes, most assured English even to the
death, the 4th January, 1557, at seven of the clock in the morning.
Your Majesty's most humble servant,
And obedient servant,
+WILLIAM GREY+.
[Illustration]
+THOMAS CHURCHYARD+, the Poet.
_Share in, and Eye Witness account of the Siege of Guisnes. 11th-22nd
January, 1558, A.D._
[Besides living to an extreme age, all through ELIZABETH's reign,
and writing very many poems and books: it is clear, from this
account, that CHURCHYARD was one of the heroes of the Mary
Bulwark at Guisnes.]
[_A General Rehearsal of Wars, &c. 1579_. The title in the headline is
_CHURCHYARD's Choice_.]
Sir William Drury, now [_in 1579_] Lord Justice of Ireland, was so
inclined to martial affairs, that, when foreign wars were ended, he
sought entertainment at Guisnes, and those parts; which had war with
the French, for King PHILLIP's Quarrel. And he, having charge, and a
lusty Band of Horsemen, did many things that merit good liking.
For at that time, [there] was much ado: a Band [_regiment_] of
horsemen, very well appointed and full of gentlemen, was sent from
[Sir THOMAS CHENEY, K.G.] the Lord Warden [of the Cinque Ports],
an honourable and a worthy gentleman, most full of nobleness; the
Lord CHENEY's father, now living. In this band, and belonging to
that charge, were sundry of the KEYES, gentlemen of good service:
Master CRIPPES having the leading of all that company. There were
sent, in like sort, from the Prince [_Sovereign, i.e., Queen MARY_]:
Master WILLIAM HERBERT's (of St. Gillian) brother, called Master
GEORGE HERBERT, with a Band of footmen; and one Captain BORNE, whose
Lieutenant I was, at the siege of Guisnes.
These bands, a good season before Calais and Guisnes were taken,
joining with other bands of Calais, did make divers journeys into
Bollinnoyes [_the Boullognois, or district round Boulogne_]; and sped
very well: Sir WILLIAM DRURY, at every service, deserved no little
praise; and one Captain WINNIBANK, an ancient soldier, was oftentimes
so forward, that he was once run through with a lance. Many Gentlemen
in those services did well and worthily: and sundry times the Lord
Warden's Band was to be praised.
And, at length, a voyage was made, by the consent and whole power of
Calais and Guisnes, to fetch a prey from Boulogne gates; Monsieur
SNARPOULE [_?SENARPONT_] then being Governor of Boulogne: but we could
not handle the matter so privily, but the French, by espial, had gotten
word thereof. Notwithstanding, as soldiers commonly go forward with
their device, so we marched secretly all the whole night to come to
our proposed enterprise: with our footmen, whereof Sir HARRY PALMER, a
man of great experience, had the leading. He remained, with the whole
power of [the] footmen, near the Black Neasts, as a stale [_decoy_] to
annoy the enemy, and succour for such as were driven in, if any such
occasion came. So the Horse Bands [_troops_] brake into the country,
and pressed near Boulogne; where there was a great number of gallant
soldiers to receive them: but our horsemen, making small account of
the matter, began to prey [upon] the country, and drive a booty from
the face of the enemy. The French horsemen, taking their advantage,
offered a skirmish, to detract time, till better opportunity served to
give a charge. This courageous bickering grew so hot, that the French
bands began to show; and our men must abide a shock, or retire hardily
with some foil: whereupon the chiefest of our horsemen charged those
of the French that were nearest danger; by which attempt, the French
stayed a while. But, upon small pause, they charged our men again, and
overthrew of the "Black Lances" a thirty: carrying away with them into
Boulogne, eighteen gentlemen, prisoners. This skirmish began at seven
o'clock in the morning; and lasted, in very great service, till a leven
[_eleven_]. From this overthrow, came divers soldiers, sore wounded,
to our Foot bands [_companies_]; whose heaviness made the valiant sort
pluck up their hearts, and seek a revenge.
Then, albeit, that Foot Captains and gentlemen seldom leave their
Bands, and venture beyond their charge (a rule to be much regarded!),
yet the stoutest Captains and gentlemen found means to horse themselves
on cart horses and victuallers' nags: and put certain scarfs, in manner
of guidons [_standards_] on staves' [_spears'_] ends; showing those
guidons under a hill in several sorts, sometimes appearing with twenty
men, sometimes with fifty. And, last of all, made show of all our
number, which was not fifty; and so, with a courageous cry, set upon
the enemy (leaving some of these devised guidons behind on the hill
top), and charged them with such a fury that they left their booty, and
stood to their defence: but, in fine, were forced to retire, for by the
little stay we held the enemy in, our footmen had leisure to march;
the sound of whose drums gave no great courage to the French. For they
thereon, gave back, and left some of their best soldiers behind them;
whom we brought to Guisnes: driving the prey before us, that was gotten
in the morning, lost in a skirmish, and recovered again at noon. At
this service, were Sir WILLIAM DRURY, Captain ALEXANDER of Newnham
Bridge, Captain CRIPPES, Captain KEYES, and three of his brethren,
Captain GEORGE HERBERT, and sundry others, in like manner, that merit
good respect.
Our power met many times together; and did much hurt in the
Boullognois. We besieged Fines Castle, and wan it: and Blossling
Church, and overthrew it; and killed all the men that we found therein,
because Sir HARRY PALMER was there hurt through the arm, with a shot.
[_A very sorry reason!_]
A long season, our fortune was good; till, at length, by some oversight
or mishap (Let the blame fall where it ought!) we lost Calais and
Guisnes.
* * * * *
But a little, I pray you! give me leave to touch truly the Siege of
Guisnes: not because I had some charge there; but because sundry
reports hath been raised thereof, by those that never thoroughly knew
or understood the matter.
The very truth is, after Calais was won, and that all hope was taken
from us of any succour out of England, our General, the honourable Lord
GREY [of Wilton], that is dead [_he died in 1562_], and Master LEWIS
DIVE [_p. 211_], his Lieutenant, Sir HARRY PALMER, and all the Captains
of Guisnes, determined to abide the worst that Fortune or the French
could do.
And the day [_13th of January, 1558_] of the first approach the enemy
made, we offered a hot and stout skirmish; but being driven in by an
over great power, though our whole people were 1,300 men, and kept the
Town awhile. But considering the Castle to be strongest, and doubting
[_fearing_] that by a Cambozade or sudden assault, the town might be
won, for it was but weak; we retired our whole power into the Castle:
and so manned the base Court, the Braies, and Bulwarks, the Keep, the
Catte, the Heart of the Castle, and all that was necessary, with double
men.
At the present siege, there came out of Flanders, fifty valiant
Spaniards; and a band of Burgundians, Monsieur DIEFFKIE, being
their Captain. Monsieur MOUNT DRAGON was leader of the Spaniards:
who were placed in the Braies; where Captain LAMBERT had some shot
[_harquebussiers_] to succour them.
The Burgundians were placed in Mary Bulwark; with Captain BORNE's
Band, whose Lieutenant I was. Against this Bulwark, which was thought
impregnable, the [Frenchmen's] great battery was planted: albeit, three
or four days [_15th-18th January, see pp. 180-81_] were spent (we held
the enemy such play), before the battery was planted.
One day, we issued [forth], and set upon Monsieur [_i.e., the Duke_]
DE GUISE, as he was in a place called Mill Field, viewing the ground;
and had taken him, had he not left his cloak behind him: of the which
white cloak, one of our Gentlemen had hold of. And though he was
succoured, we brought away some of his company: and retired with little
loss or none at all. [Sir ARTHUR], the Lord GREY that now is [1579],
was at the hard escape of Monsieur DE GUISE.
We set upon a great troop of horsemen, not long before this, that came
from the spoil of Calais; and took numbers of them. I had, for my part,
a couple of fair horses and a prisoner. At both these services, were
old Captain ANDREA, Captain JOHN SAVAGE, and a sufficient number of
lusty soldiers.
We made divers sallies, but that prevailed not. For the battery went
off, and many other great cannons did beat at the high towers; the
stones whereof did marvellously annoy us: and the shot was so great;
and the enemy had gotten such great advantage of ground, that we could
not walk, nor go safely any way within the Castle. For our General and
Sir HARRY PALMER sitting on a form, devising for our commodity, were in
such danger, that a cannon shot took away the form, and brake Sir HARRY
PALMER's leg; of which hurt, he died in Paris after. And a great shot
took off Master WAKE's head, as he was sleeping under a great tree. So
sundry, that thought themselves safe, were so dribbed at with cannon
shot, that they never knew who did hurt them.
Well, the time drew on, after the breach was made, we must defend the
assault that was given to Mary Bulwark; which stood out[side] of the
Castle, and far from succour of any: because the gate was rammed up;
and we could not pass into the Castle but by the way, first, along the
Braies, and then, between two gates. Which way, the enemy had espied:
and placed many great shot, full upon that passage.
Now [_i.e., 18th January, 1558_] Monsieur DIFFKIE, Captain BORNE,
Captain OSWOLD LAMBERT [_with their companies_], and the fifty
Spaniards, [_to the number in all of about 450 men_] were forced to
abide the assault; which began at eleven o'clock, and lasted till
night. MOUNT DRAGON came into Mary Bulwark, and three gentlemen more;
and stood stoutly to our defence: two of whom were slain. My Captain's
head was smitten off with a cannon's shot: and unto our Band were left
no more but one Master HOLFORD and I, to guide the whole company. And
Captain DIFFKIE was wounded to the death, whose Band fought manfully in
the revenge of their Captain. The old Captain ANDREA, covetous of fame,
was desirous to have our fellowship: but he had no Band [_company_] nor
people to do us pleasure. Captain LAMBERT was crossed [_struck_] with
a great shot; and mine armour, with the breaking of a great piece, was
stricken flat upon my body; but [it] being unbraced, I might continue
the service. Which service, in mine opinion, was so terribly handled by
the French (Monsieur D'ANDELOT being the leader of the assault), that
both Englishman, Burgundian, and Spaniard, at that Bulwark, had enough
to do to keep the enemy out: and, as I believe, at this assault, we
lost 150 good soldiers.
But the night coming on, the French surceased their fury, and yet
kept themselves closely, under the top of the breach, where our shot
nor flankers could do them no harm: for all our great ordnance was
dismounted, long before the enemy made any approach for the giving of
an assault.
The next day [_the 19th of January_], within three half hours, the
battery had beaten the breach so bare (it moulded away, like a hillock
of sand) that we [_reduced now to about 300 men_] were forced to fight
on our knees. Having been kept waking all the night before, with false
allarummes [_alarms_]; our men began to faint, and wax weary of working
at the breach: but we defended Mary Bulwark so well all that dangerous
day, that the French lost 1,000 soldiers, by their own confession, at
the same service; and yet the assault endured to the very dark night,
with as much cruelty as could be devised. And always when the enemy's
first men did wax feeble with labour; there was a second and new
relief of fresh bands to continue the assault: so that, as long as the
daylight served, it seemed by the fight, a bloody broil hath no end,
nor season to take breath in; which certainly would have daunted any
heart living.
The next night, was so plied with politic practices, that we had
scarcely leisure to take any rest or sustentation. And, indeed, with
overwatching, some of our men fell asleep "in the middle of the tale"
and time of greatest necessity to debate and argue of those things that
pertained to life and liberty, and to avoid utter servitude and shame
[_i.e., they slept in the course of the fight_].
And now we, that were without the Castle, might hear great business and
stir throughout the whole body and heart of the piece [_fortress_].
For, the next morning [_20th of January, 1558_], which was the third
day we were assaulted, our General looked for a general assault, and
to be roundly assailed: as, of troth, he was. In the meanwhile, we
might speak one to another afar off, and our friends answered us over
the wall; for nearer together, we might not come: and for succour or
aid to our soldiers in Mary Bulwark, we hoped not after. Every man was
occupied with his own business and charge; that no one person might be
spared from his place.
Well, as GOD would permit, the poor Spaniards [in the Braie] and
such Burgundians as were left alive in Mary Bulwark, fell to make a
counterscarf, to beat out the enemy from the Braie, when the Bulwark
should be won: as it was likely to be lost, the breach was so bare,
and the entry for the enemy was so large; for, in a manner, they might
assault our Bulwark round about, on all sides. And they did lodge at
the very edge of the breach, to the number of 2,000, of their bravest
Bands: minding to assail us, as soon as the day began to peep out of
the skies.
Which they performed, when the third day approached. For a general
assault was given to every place of the Castle: which assault endured
till the very night came on. The French, in this assault, wan the Base
Court; and were ready to set fire under the gate, and blow it up with
powder.
Monsieur D'ANDELOT, in his own person, with 2,000 soldiers, entered the
Mary Bulwark; who slew the Spaniards in the Braie: and forced, as many
Burgundians and English as were left alive, which were but 15 (Captain
ANDREA, Captain LAMBERT, and MYSELF; with twelve common soldiers) out
of 400, to leap down into the dykes, and so to scramble for their
lives; and creep into a hole of a brick wall that my Lord GREY had
broken out to receive such as escaped from the assault. But when we had
entered the hole in the wall, the French followed at our heels; and we,
to save our lives, turned again, bending pikes against the passage,
and so shot off one hargaboze [_harquibus_]: by which means, the enemy
followed no further.
And yet we were in as great distress as before. For we were between two
gates: and at the gate we should have entered, were two great cannon,
ready charged to be shot off, to drive them back that would have set
fire on the gate. And the cry and noise was so great and terrible, on
all sides, that we could not be heard to speak. But, as GOD would,
Master LEWIS DIVE [_p. 207_] (now, a man of worship in Bedfordshire)
heard my voice. Then I plied the matter so sore, for life: so that,
with much ado, Master DIVE received us into the heart of the Castle.
And yet, in the opening of the gate, the French were like to enter
pelley melley [_pell mell_] with us, if a cannon shot had not made
place, whiles the gate was a shutting.
But now, we were no sooner come before my Lord GREY: but all
the soldiers cried, "Yield up the Castle, upon some reasonable
composition!" And when the soldiers saw they could not have the Castle
yielded; they threatened "to fling my Lord GREY over the walls": and
that was determined; if my Lord had not prevented [_forestalled_] them
with a policy. Whereupon the Captains were called together; and there,
they agreed to send me to Monsieur DE GUISE, with an offer, that "If we
might all march, with bag and baggage, ensign displayed, and six pieces
of ordnance: we would yield the Castle into the hands of the French."