THE WOOING OF ANJOU

[William Camden]

William Camden, was a schoolmaster and antiquary, his Annals supply a Chronicle of the events of the reign of Queen Elizabeth .

Queen Elizabeth until she was fifty years perpetually played at projects of marriage with one foreign prince or another. The last was Francis, most commonly referred to as Alençon, but at this time more correctly entitled Duke of Anjou, the younger brother of the King of France. Simier was Anjou's confidant, who was sent to England to conduct the wooing.

In the meanwhile, Simier ceased not amorously to wooe Queene Elizabeth, and though she stifly refused the marriage a long time, yet he drew her to that passe, that Leicester (who from his heart opposed the marriage) and others, spred rumours abroad, that by amorous potions and unlawfull arts he had crept into the Queenes minde, awl inticed her to the love of Anjou. And Simier on the other side left no meanes unassayed to remove Leicester out of place and grace with the Queene, revealing unto her his marriage with Essex his widdow: whereat the Queen grew into such a chafe, that she commanded Leicester to keepe himselfe within the Tower of Greenwich, and thought to have committed him to the Tower of London, which his enemies much desired. But Sussex, though his greatest and heaviest adversary, who wholly bent himselfe to set forward the marriage with Anjou, disswaded her, whilest out of a sound judgement and the innated generousnesse of his noble minde, he held opinion that no man was to be molested for lawfull Marriage, which amongst all men hath ever beene honest and honoured. Yet glad he was that by this Marriage he was now out of all hope of marrying with the Queene. Nevertheless, Leicester was so incensed herewith, that he bent himselfe to revenge the wrong he had received. And there wanted not some, which accused him, as if he had suborned one Teuder of the Queenes guard, an hackster, to take away Simier's life. Certainly the Queene commanded by publique Proclamation, that no man should wrong Simier, his companions or servants, in word or deed. At which time it happened, that while the Queene for her pleasure was rowed in her barge upon the Thames neere Greenwich, with Simier, the Earle of Lincoln, and Hatton her Vice-chamberlaine, a young man discharged a Piece out of a Boat and shot one of the Bargemen in the Queene's Barge thorow both his armes who was soone apprehended and led to the Gallowes for a terrour to him ; but whereas he religiously affirmed that hee dlid it unwittingly, and thought no harme, he was discharged. Neither would the Queene beleeve that which some buzzed in her eares, that he was purposely suborned against her or Simier. So farre was she from giving way to suspition against her people, that she was many times wont to say; That she could beleeve nothing of her people, which Parents would not beleeve of their Children.

Some few days after, the Duke of Anjou himselfe came privily into England with one or two in his company, and came unto the Queene at unawares at her Court at Greenwich, where they had their close counsailes together, all standers by being removed, which I list not to search into, (for the secrets of Princes are an inextricable labyrinth) and so he returned, being seene of but a few. But after a month or two she commanded that Burghley, Lord Treasurer, Sussex, Leicester, Hatton, and Walsingham, after serious consideration of the danger and commodities which might arise from her Marriage with him, should consult with Simier about the writings of marriage. The dangers seemed to be, lest hee should attempt any thing against the received religion; lest hee should invade the possession of the Kingdome either for himselfe by the Popes donation, or betray it into the hands of the Queene of Scots, and marry her after the Queene were dead, or else after his brothers death returne into France, and impose a Viceroy upon England, which the English would by no means indure. Moreover, lest he should ingage the English in the forraigne warres ; lest the Scots presuming upon the ancient league with the French, should take greater courage against the English; lest the Spaniard should oppose himselfe against so great a power ; and lastly, lest the people being burdened with payments for maintenance of his greatnesse and state, should raise rebellions. The commodities seemed to be these, that a firme Confederacie would be established with the French; that the rebellions of the Papists (if any should be) would be the sooner suppressed; that all hope would bee cut off from the Queene of Scots, and from all those which sought to her for Marriage, and which favoured her; that the Spaniard would be brought to compound the matter of the Netherlands, and confirme the League of Burgundy ; and England might at length enjoy a sound and joyfull security by meanes of the Queenes Children so often wished for. But if this Marriage should be neglected, they feared lest the French would be incensed, time Scots alienated, Anjou would contract marriage with the Spaniards Daughter, with whom he might receive the Netherland Provinces in dowry, the French King and the Spaniard would ayd the Queene of Scots, draw the King of Scots to their partie, procure him a wife for their owne turne, and utterly abolish the Reformed Religion; and the English when they saw no hope of children by the Queene, would adore the Sunne-rising. Wherewith she could not but be tormented with anguish of minde, and languish even to death.

REBELLION IN IRELAND

[William Camden]

A fierce insurrection broke out in Ireland known as the Desmond Rebellion.

The Lord Justice being now advertised, that Arthur Lord Grey, appointed to be Lord Deputie of Ireland, was arrived in Ireland, committed the Army of Munster to George Bourchier sonne to John the second Earle of Baath, and returned himselfe by easie journeys to Dublin, to deliver up his charge to his successor. No Sooner was the Lord Grey arrived, but before he had received the Sword and Ensigne of his command, hearing that certaine Rebels under the command of Fitz-Eaustace, and Pheog Mac-Hugh, the head of the powerful family of the O-Brines, did exercise thefts and robberies, and had their refuge in Glandilough, 25 miles from Dublin southward, that he might follow the report of his coping at the hard heeles, and by his sharpe beginnings strike a terrour into them, he commanded the Captaines of Companies, which came from all places to salute him, to gather their forces together, and so march with him against the Rebels, who presently retired into Glandilough. This Glandilough is a grasse valley, meet for grasing of Cattell, and a great part of it somewhat wet ; beset round about with craggy rockes, and a steepe downefall, and with trees and thickets of wood, the paths scarce known to the dwellers thereabouts. When they were come to the place, Cosbey Captaine of the Irish light footmen (whom they call Kernes), who knew the places perfectly well, warned the rest how dangerous it was to enter into the Valley, being most commodious for ambushes yet hee perswaded them to venture couragiously, and he himselfe being above threescore yeeres of age, led the way before them, and the rest followed after. As soone as they were descended into the valley, they were overlayed with small shot as it were with a showre of haile from the rebels, which were placed round about, whom they saw not. For the greatest part of them by farre were slaine ; the rest with so much adoe climbing up the Rockes through most cumbersome waies escaped to the Lord Deputie who upon an hill attended the event, with the Earl of Kildare, and Jaques Wingfield master of the munition, who, being not ignorant of the danger, stayed George Carew, one of his Nephews, with him against his will, being reserved for greater honour. There were slaine Peter Carew, the yonger, George Moore, Audley, and Cosbey himselfe, men flourishing in martiall glory.

Within short time after, arrived at Smerwick in Kerry, about seaven hundred Italians and Spaniards under the command of San-Josepho an Italian, sent from the Bishop of Rome and the Spaniard, under colour of restoring the Romish religion, but indeed to distract Queen Elizabeth's forces, and to draw her minde from the affaires of the Low Countries. They landed without reluctance, for Winter, which had stayed for them a good while upon that coast, was returned into England the Autumnall Equinoctiall being now past. The Enemies strengthen the place with fortifications, and named it the Fort Del Or. But as soone as newes was brought them, that Ormond President of Munster approached, they abandoned the Fort by perswasion of the Irish, and withdrew themselves into the valley of Glanningelli invironed with steepe Hills and Woods. Some of them the President tooke, who being asked of their number and intent, confessed that they came 700 strong, but brought armes sufficient for five thousand, and that more men were expected daily out of Spaine. That the Pope and the Spaniards had decreed to drive the English out of Ireland, and to that purpose had sent a great summe of money which they had delivered into the hands of Sanders the Popes Nuncio, the Earl of Desmond, and John his brother. The same night the Italians and Spaniards not knowing which waves to turn them, (for lurke in wilde holes they could not) returned by darke to the Fort, and hard by encamped the Earle of Ormond. But for that he was destitute of Ordnance and other necessaries for an assault, he stayed for the Lord Deputies comming. Who came shortly after accompanied with Zouch, Raughley, Deny, Macworth, Achin, and other Captaines. And at the same time was Winter returned out of England with the ships of warre not without a checke.

The Lord Deputy sent a Trumpet to the Fort, to demand who they were, what they had to doe in Ireland, who had sent them, and why they had built a Fort in Queen Elizabeth's Kingdome ; and withall, to command them with all speed to depart. They answered, they were sent, some from the most holy Father the Pope, and some from the Catholic King of Spaine, to whom the Pope had given Ireland, for the Queene Elizabeth had justly forfeited her title to Ireland for Heresie. They would therefore hold that they had gotten, and get more also if they could. When the Lord Deputy and Winter had consulted together about the manner of the siege, the Sailers in a still night drew certaine Culverins out of the ships, and having raised a Mount neere the shore, drew them up the next way and planted them. The Souldiers in like manner on the other side, levell their great Pieces for batterie and all at once thunder for foure dayes together against the Fort. The Spaniards made one or two sallyes, but to their owne losse. Of the English not one man was slaine, save onely John Cheeke, a goodly and couragious young Gentleman, Son to Sir John Cheeke, a most learned Knight.

San-Josepho, who had the Command of the Fort being a faint-hearted man, and terrified with the continuall playing of the Ordnance, began presently to thinke of yeelding the place and when Hercules Pisanus and other Captaines earnestly disswaded him from it, as dishonourable to martiall men, and pressed him that they might prepare themselves for the defence, lest they did by their cowardize discourage the Irish who were now ready to relieve them, he by his espyals, such was his faint heart, felt the minde of the Souldiers, and wrought them to assent to a surrender, seditiously offering violence to their Leaders. Whereupon when they saw no succour come, neither out of Spaine, mior from Desmond, they hung out a white flag the fift day and craved parley. Then they craved that they might depart with bag and baggages but neither was this granted. Afterwards it was demanded that this might be permitted to their Generall and to certaine principall men amongst them : neyther was this allowed them, though they sued for it very earnestly. And the Lord Deputy, (inveighing very bitterly against the Bishop of Rome) commanded them to yeeld without any condition. And when they could obtaine no other, they set up their white flag againe and cryed, Miserecordia, Miserecordia, and absolutely submitted themselves to the Lord Deputies mercy: who presently tooke councell with his what should be done with them. But forasmuch as those which yeelded, equalled the English in number, and some danger threatned from the Rebels, who were above fifteene hundred strong, and the English were so destitute of victuals and apparell, that they were ready to mutine, unlesse they were relieved out of the Fort by the spoyles of the enemy, and there lacked shipping to carry away the Enemies, it was concluded against the minde of the Lord Deputie, who shed tears, that the Captaines should be saved, and the rest promiscuously put to the sword for a terrour, and that the Irish should be hanged : which was presently performed: Yet the Queene wished rather it had been left undone, detesting from her heart the cruelty though necessary, against those that had yeelded themselves, and hardly did she allow of the reasons of the slaughter committed.

THE CARTAGENA EXPEDITION

[William Camden]

In 1585 Elizabeth allied herself with the Netherlanders who had long been in revolt against Spain. The peace between Spain and England was brought to an end, and Drake was despatched on the expedition described.

And withall, that she might not looke for warrc at home but give the Spaniard somewhat to doe abroad, she sent to the West Indies, Sir Francis Drake, Admirall of the Fleet, and Christopher Carlil, General of the land forces, with a fleet of 22 shippes, wherein were 2300 voluntary souldiers, and saylers, who iii the Isle of St Iago neere Cape de Verd, surprized at unawares, the town of St Iago, which gave name to the Island, being seated in a low valley; and with a peale of ordnance celebrated the day of the Queenes inauguration, to wit, the seventeenth of November. Having sacked the towne, they found not a whit of gold, but of meale, wine, and oyle great store. The 14 day after, they put from that Coast, and many which kept watch abroad in the open ayre, were taken with a sharpe disease called the Calenture, and dyed, which disease is familiar in that unwholesome Ayre, to strangers that come thither and lye abroad in the evening. The first of January they arrived at Hispaniola, and tenne miles from the City of St Domingo, the Souldiers were landed in a safe place discovered unto them by a Spaniard whom they had taken and there setting themselves in array, they marched towards the City, and having beaten backe 150 Spanish horse which made head against them, and put certaine musketteeres to flight, which lay in ambush, they entred pell-mell with them into the City, at the two gates which looke Westward, and withall, the townesmen in great feare ranne all out of the City at the North gate. The English trooped together to the Market place neere the greatest Church: and Whereas they were not enow to defend so large a city, they fortified it with rampiers, and afterwards seyzed upon other commodious places: and being now masters of time City, they stayed there a full month. And whereas the townesmen offered but a small summe of money to redeemne the towne, they began to fire first the suburbs, and then the fairest houses within the City, and to pull them downe, untill the Citizens redeemed their houses with 25000 duckets, which they could hardly make. The booty was not greate, save onely of ordnance, meale, and sugar. For, brasse money, glasses and purslan (porcelain) dishes out of East India, are only in use there. In the towne-hall were to bee seene amongst other things, the King of Spaine's Armes, and under them, a globe of this world, out of which, arose a horse with his fore feet cast forth, with this inscription, Non Sufficit Orbis, that is, The world sufficeth not. Which was laughed at, and taken as an argument of the infinite avarice and ambition of the Spaniards, as if nothing would suffice them.

From hence they sayled to the Continent of America, and landed five miles from Cartagena: and while Drake with his pinnaces and boats well manned, in vaine assailed the haven of the City, which was fortified with a Castle, and chained up, Carlil, having put his men in battell array, led them in the dead of the night along the shoure. A troope of horse presented themselves to Carlil, and presently retyred ; He pursued them, and came to a narrow necke of land betweene the inner-more rode of the haven, and the ocean, fortified with a stone wall, which had but one entrance, scarce broad enough for a cart to passe, and that was fortified with barricadoes and five great peeces, which were many times discharged in vaine, against the very front of the Army, while Carlil knowing well how to avoid the danger, by the helpe of the darkenesse, and taking the advantage of the ebbing water, led his men somewhat lower over the sand to the very entrance ; which the Englishmen manfully brake thorow, notwithstanding that from the said innermore rode of the haven two galleys playd upon the flanke of them with eleven great pieces, and three hundred musketteeres. Then they soone overcame the Pahizadoes, which were providently set up at the entrance of every streete, driving away the Spaniards and the Indians, which shot abroad their envenomed arrowes, and so became masters of the towne where they stayed sixe weekes compounding the redeeming of the towne for 110,000 duckets, which were paid in hand, and shared man by man amongst the saylers and souldiers which had most need. Yet there fell to them but a small booty: for the citizens hauing warning aforehand from Hispaniola, had conueyed away all their richest things to places most remote. The Calenture still raging amongst them, and lessening their numbers, their designe for winning of Nombre de Dios was layd aside, and they set sayle homewards by the point of the Isle of Cuba which is dedicate to Saint Antonio, where they set in fresh raine water out of ponds.

Then coasting along the shore of Florida, they seyzed upon two towns, S. Antonies and S. Hellens, both of them abandoned by the Spanish garrisons, and burnt them. Lastly, sayling along by a wasted coast, they found certaine Englishmen, which had seated themselves in Virginia, so named in honour of Queene Elizabeth a Virgin, whom Sir Walter Raghley, a man in great favour with Queene Elizabeth, had sent thither of late for a Colony, in a most commendable desire to discouer farre countries and to advance the glory of England for nauigation. To Ralph Lane their Captaine Drake offered all offices of kindnesse, and a ship or two with victuals and some men, if he thought good to stay there and prosecute his enterprize; if not, to bring him backe to England. But whilest they were lading of victuals into those ships, an extraordinary storme carried them away, and dispersed the fleet in such sort, that they met not again till they came into England. Hereupon Lane, and those which were carried thither, being in great penury, and out of all hope of victuals out of England, and greatly weakened in their number, with one voyce besought Drake that he would carry them backe againe into their own country, which hee willingly did.

And these men which were brought backe, were the first that I know of, which brought into England that Indian plant, which they call Tobacco and Nicotia, and use it against crudities, being taught it by the Indians. Certainely from that time, it began to be in great request, and to be sold at an high rate, whilst (e)very many every where, some for wantonnesse, some for health, sucke in with insatiable greedinesse the stinking smoke therof, thorow an earthen pipe, and presently snuffe it out of their nostrils insomuch as tobacco shops are kept in townes every where, no lesse than tap-houses and tavernes. So as the Enghishmens bodies, (as one said wittily) which are so delighted with this plant, may seeme to be degenerate into the nature of barbarians, seeing that they are delighted, and thinke they may bee cured with the same things which barbarians use. In this voyage were lost 700 men, and all of them almost of the Calenture. The booty was valued at 60,000 pounds of English money. Two hundred and forty great pieces of brasse and iron were brought from the enemy.

THE RUN IN WITH THE ARMADA
[William Camden's Elizabeth]

In1588 Philip of Spain despatched the Great Armada for England. The English seamen were confident that the Spanish fleet was no match for them. The Great Armada was sailing up the Channel for a week, during which time it was severely harried by the English ships, but no really decisive battle took place.

The 16 day there was a great calme, and a thick fogge till noone then the north-east winde blew very strongly, and soone after, the west wind till midnight, and then the east-southeast winde, insomuch as the Spanish fleet being dispersed was hardly gathered together againe, till it came within keening of England the 19. day. Vpon which day the Lord Admirall of England being certainly advertised by Flemming a captaine of a pinnace, that the Spanish fleet was entred into the Brittish Sea (which the common sort of sailers called the Channell) and was scene neare the point called the Lizard, towed the English fleet forth into the deepe sea, not without great difficultie, certainly with singular diligence, and admirable alacritie of the saylers, chearing them with his own presence amongst them at their halser worke, the winde blowing sore into the Haven.

The next day the English descryed the Spanish fleet with lofty towers castle like, in front like a half moone, the hornes stretching forth about the breadth of seven miles, sayling as it were with labour of the windes, and groning of the ocean, slowly though with full sayles and willingly they suffer it to passe by, that they might chace them in the reere with a fore-right winde.

The 21. of July the Lord Admirall of England, sending a Pinnace before, called the Defiance, denounced warre by discharging her ordnance and presently with much thundring out of his owne ship called the Arkroyall, he first set upon the Admirall (as he thought) of the Spaniards (but it was Alphonso de Leva's ship). Soone after, Drake, Hawkins, and Forbisher, played with their ordnance upon the hyndmost squadron, which was commanded by Recalde, who ]abouured all he could to stay his men that fled to the fleet, till his owne ship being much battered with shot, and now growne unserviceable, hardly withdrew it selfe to the maine fleet. At which time the Duke of Medina gathered together his fleet scattered here and there, and hoysing more sayle, held on his intended course. Neither could he do any other, seeing both the winde favoured the English, and their ships would turne about with incredible celerity which way soever they would to charge, winde, and tacke about againe. And now had they maintained an hot fight the space of two houres, when the Lord Admirall thought not good to continue the fight any longer, for that 40 of his ships were not yet come in, being scarce yet gotten out of the Haven.

The next night following, the Saint Katherine a Spanish ship, having beene much torne and battered in this fight, was taken into the midst of the fleet to be repaired. And an huge ship of Biscay, of Oquenda's in which was the King's Trcasurer, - began to flame of a light fire, by force of gun-powder, which was fired of purpose by a Netherland gunner which was misused. Yet was the fire soone quenched by ships sent in to helpe her amongst which the Callioun of Don Pedro de Valdez filling foule of another ship, brake her foremast or foresprit, and being left behinde, for that no man (the sea being troublous and the night darke) could come to rescue her, fell into Drake's hands as good prize, who sent Valdez to Dertmouth, and left the money to be rifeled by his men. He being commanded to carry a lanterne that night, neglected it, having five great hulks in chase belonging to merchants of Germany, supposing them to be enemies whereby he caused almost the whole English Fleet to lye still, for that the night-light was no where to be seene. Neither did he and the rest of the Fleet till toward night the next day, recover fight of the Lord Admirall, who all the night before, with two ships the Beare and the Maryrose followed the Spanish lanterne. All this day the Duke laboured securely by setting the fleet in order. To Alphonso de Leva he gave in charge to joyne the first and the last squadron together to every ship he assigned his quarter to ride in according to the forme prescribed in Spaine, upon paine of death to those that should abandon their quarter Glich an Ensigne-bearer he sent to the Prince of Parma, to shew him in what state he was and the aforesaid Biscaine ship of Oquendas he committed to the waves, having shipped the Kings money and the men into other ships. Which ship fell the same day into the Englishmen's hands, with about 50 Sailers and Souldiers,most pittifully maymed and halfe burnt, and was brought into the Haven of Weymouth. The 23. day of the moneth, betimes in the morning, the Spaniards taking the benefit of a Northerly winde, turned about against the English who for their advantage soone turned aside towards the West: And after they had strived to get the winde one of another, they prepared themselves on both sides to fight ; and fight they did confusedly and with variable fortune, whilest on the one side the English manfully rescued the ships of London, that were hemmed in by the Spaniards, and on the other side the Spaniards as stoutly delivered Recalde being in danger. Never was heard greater thundring of ordnance on both sides, which notwithstanding from the Spaniards flew for the most part over the English without harme: Onely Cock an Englishman died with honour in the midst of the enemies in a small ship of his. For the English ships being farre the better, charged the enemy with marvellous agility, and having discharged their broadsides, flew forth presently into the deepe, and levelled their shot directly without missing, against those great ships of the Spaniards which were heavy and altogether unwieldly. And the Lord Admirall thought not good to hazard fight by grappling with them as some unadvised people perswaded him. For the enemy had a strong Army in the fleet, he had none. Their ships were farre more in number, of bigger burthen, stronger and higher built so as from those which defended aloft from the hatches, nothing but certaine death would hang over the heads of those which should charge from beneath. And he foresaw that the overthrow would endamage him much more than the victory would availe him. For being vanquished he should have brought England into extreme hazard and being conqueror he should onely have gained a little glory, for overthrowing the fleet and beating the enemie.

The 24. day of the moneth they ceased on both sides from fighting. The Lord Admirall sent some of the smaller ships to the next coasts of England, to fetch powder and other provision for fight: and divided the whole fleet into foure squadrons whereof the first he commanded himself, the second he committed to Drake, the third to Hawkins, and the fourth to Forbisher and appointed out of every Squadron certaine small vessels to give the charge from divers parts in the dead of the night but being becalmed, his designe failed of the effect.

The 25. day which was S. .James his day, the Saint Anne a galleoun of Portugall, which could not course with the rest, was set -upon by certaine small English ships: to whose rescue came Leva, and Don Diego Telles Enriques, with three Galleasses : which the Lord Admirall him selfe, and the Lord Thomas Howard in the golden Lyon, towing their ships with their boats, (so great was the calme) charged in such sort with force of their ordnance, that much ado they had, and not without losse, to free the Galleoun ; and from that time no Galleasses would undertake to fight. The Spaniards report, that the English the same day beat the Spanish Admirall in the utter squadron with their great ordnance neere than before, and having slain many men, shot downe her maine maste, but Mexia and Recalde in good time repulsed the English : That then the Spanish Admirall assisted by Recalde and others, set upon the English admirall, and that the English admirall escaped by meanes of the winde turning : That the Spaniards from that time gave over the pursuite, and holding on their course, dispatched again a messenger to Parma, to joyne his fleet with all speed with the King's Armado, and withall to send great shot. These things were unknowne to the English, who write that from one of the Spanish ships they rent the lanterne, and from another the beake head, and did much hurt to the third: That the Non-Pariglia and the Maryrose fought a while with the Spaniards : and that other ships rescued the Triumph which was in danger. Thus in the manner of the fights they which were present thereat, do not report the same things of the same, whilest every one on both sides mentioned what he himselfe observed.

The next day the Lord Admirall knighted the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord Sheffield, Roger Townsend, John Hawkins, and Martin Forbisher, for their valour. And it was resolved from thenceforth to assaile the enemy no more, till they came to the British fryth or Straits of Calys, where the Lord Henry Seimore, and Sir William Winter awaited their comming. So with a faire Etesian gale (which in our skie bloweth for the most part from the South-west and by South cleare and faire) the Spanish fleet sailed forward, the English fleet following it close at the heeles. But so farre was it from terrifying the sea coast with the name of Invincible or with the terrible spectacle, that the youth of England, with a certaine incredible alacrity (leaving their parents, wives, and children, cousins and friends, out of their entire love to their country) hired ships from all parts at their owne private charges, and joyned with the fleet in great number: and amongst others the Earles of Oxford, Northumberland, Cumberland, Thomas and Robert Cecyl, Henry Brooke, Charles Blunt, Walter Raleigh, William Hatton, Robert Cary, Ambrose Willoughby, Thomas Gerard, Arthur Gorges, and others of great note.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ARMADA
[William Camsden's Elizabeth]

The final defeat of the Spanish fleet.

The 27. day of this moneth toward night, the Spaniards came to an anchor before Calys, being warned by the Pilots, that if they proceeded any farther, it was to be feared lest they should be driven by force of the tyde into the North Ocean. And neere unto them also rode at anchor the Lord Admirall with his ships within Canon shot of them with whom Seimore and Winter joyned their ships. And now were there in the English fleet 140. saile, all able ships to fight, sayle, and winde about which way they would: yet were there not above fifteene, which in a manner sustained and repulsed the whole weight of the fight. The Spaniards forthwith, as they had done many times before, urged time Duke of Parma by messengers dispatched one after another, to send 40 fleyboats, that is, light vessels, without which he could not well fight with the English by reason of the over-greatnesse and slownesse of the Spanish ships, and time singular agility of the English and they most earnestly prayed him to put to sea with his Army, which the Spanish fleet would protect as it were under her wings (for so it was resolved) till it were landed in England. But he being unready could not be present at their call, his flat-bottomed boats for the shallow channels leaked, his provision of victuals was not ready, and his Sailers having beene stayed hitherto against their wills, had withdrawne themselves. There lay watching also at the entrance of the Havens of Dunkirke and Nieuport whence he was to put forth to Sea, the ships of warre of the Hollanders and Zelanders, so strongly provided of great ordnance and musketiers, that he could not put from shore, unlesse he would wilfully thrust himselfe and his upon present death. And yet he, a skilfull and industrious warriour, seemed to omit nothing, being inflamed with desire of the conquest of England. But Queene Elizabeth's foresight prevented both his diligence and the credulous hope of the Spaniards: for by her commandment, the next day after the Spaniards had cast anchor, the Lord Admirall made ready eight of his worst ships, besmeared with wild fire, pitch and rosin, and filled with brimstone and other combustible matter, and sent them downe the wind in the dead of night, under the guiding of Young and Prowse, into the Spanish fleet. Which when the Spaniards espied approaching towards them, the whole sea being light with the flame thereof, supposing that those incendiary ships, besides the danger of the fire, were also provided of deadly engines and murdering inventions, they raised a pitifull cry, weighed anchor, cut their cables, and in a terrible Pannic feare, with great haste and confusion, put to Sea. Amongst which the great Galleasse having broke her rudder: floated up and downe, and the next day, fearfully making towards Calys, runne aground upon the sands, and was fought withall with variable fortune by Amias Preston, Thomas Gerrard, and Harvey, Don Hugo de Moncada the Captaine being slaine, and the souldiers and owers either drowned, or put to the sword, and a great quantity of gold being pillaged. The ship and ordnance fell to the Governor of Calys.

The Spaniards report, that the Duke, when those incendiary ships approached, commanded the whole Fleet to weigh anchor, yet so as having avoided the danger, every ship should returne to his quarter. And certainly he returned himselfe, giving a signe to the rest to do the like, by discharging a great peece, which notwithstanding was heard but of a few, for that they being scattered all about, were driven for feare, some of them into the wide Ocean, and some upon the shallows of Flanders.
In the meantime Drake and Fenner played hotly with their ordnance upon the Spanish fleet that was gathering together againe over against Graveling; with whom presently after joyned Fenton, Southwell, Beeston, Crosse, Riman, and soone after, the Lord Admirall himselfe, the Lord Thomas Howard, and the Lord Sheffield. The Duke, Leva, Oquenda, Recalde, and the rest, with much ado got cleare of the shallows, and sustained the charge all they could, insomuch as most of their ships were very much torne and shot thorow. The galleoun S. Matthew, under the command of Don Diego Pimentelli, comming to rescue Don Francisco de Toledo in the S. Philip (which was sore battered with many great shot by Seimore and Winter, driven neere Ostend, and againe shot thorow and thorow by the Zelanders and taken by the Flushingers) was likewise taken, and the whole Spanish Fleet most grievously distressed all the day long.

The last day of the moneth betimes in the morning the West-north-west winde blew harde, and the Spanish Fleet labouring to returue to the narrow Straite, was driven toward Zeland. The English gave over the chase, because (as the Spaniards thinke) they saw them almost carried to their ruine for, the West-north-west winde blowing, they could not but runne aground upon the sands and shallows neere Zeland. But the winde turning presently into the South-west and by West, they sayled before the winde, and being cleare of the shallows, in the evening they consulted what to do: and by common consent it was resolved to returne to Spaine by the North Ocean, for that they wanted many necessaries, especially great shot, their ships were torne, and no hope there was that the Prince of Parma could bring forth his Fleet.

Wherefore being now carried forth into the deepe they directed their course North-ward, the English Fleet having them in chace against which now and then they turned head. And whereas most men thought they would returne, the Queene with a manly courage tooke view of her Army and Campe at Tilbury, and walking through the ranks of armed men placed on both sides, with a Leaders truncheon in her hand sometimes with a martiall pace, and sometimes like a woman, incredible it is how much she strengthened the hearts of her Captaines and Souldiers by her presence and speech.