Part 5
The _Spaniards_ now sent several Messengers, one after another, to the Duke of _Parma_, to press and importune him to send out forty Fly-Boats to their Assistance; without which, by reason of the Unwieldiness of their Ships, they could not, as they said, engage the light and active Vessels of the _English_; they entreated him likewise, with great Earnestness, to use all Speed in embarking his Army, and be ready to take the first Opportunity, under their Protection, of landing in _England_; but it seems he was not ready, and so could not answer their Summons; his flat-bottom’d Boats were all leaky, his Provisions not yet all brought in, and his Sailors, who had been hitherto kept together against their Wills, had deserted in great numbers; besides, thirty five Men of War belonging to _Holland_ and _Zealand_, commanded by Count _Justin de Nassau_, continued to block up the very Mouth of the Harbours of _Dunkirk_ and _Nieuport_, from whence alone he could put to Sea; and so well were they furnished with great Guns and small Arms, that he could not possibly put from Shore, without running a very great and manifest Danger; however, intending as soon as he conveniently could, to join the _Spanish_ Fleet, he sent a Pinnace to inform the Duke of _Medina_, “[84]That he could not be ready for them ’till the _Friday_ following, _September 4_;” but the _Spanish_ Fleet was forced to depart before that time, in the utmost Hurry and Confusion.
[85]For, on _July 28_, the next Day [Sidenote: PLATE 9.]after their coming to an Anchor, the Lord Admiral, by the Queen’s express Command and Direction, singled out eight of his worst Ships; bestowed upon them good Plenty of Pitch, Tar, Rosin, and Wildfire; lined them well with Brimstone and other combustible Matter; and loaded all their Cannon with Bullets, Chains, and the like destructive Instruments; thus equip’d, he sent them with the Wind and Tide, about two o’ Clock in the Morning, into the midst of the _Spanish_ Fleet, under the Conduct of —— _Young_ and —— _Prowse_; who when they were come within Cannon-Shot, set Fire to the Trains, and then retired. The Approach of these Fire-Ships, and the dreadful Blaze which the Fire made all the Sea over, was no sooner perceived by the _Spaniards_, but it put their whole Fleet into the utmost Consternation. Many of the Soldiers on board had been at the Siege of _Antwerp_[86], and seen the destructive Machines made use of there: Suspecting therefore that these were big with other Engines of Slaughter, besides the destructive Element that show’d itself without, they began to raise a most hideous Clamour of, _Cut your Cables, or get up your Anchors_; [87]and in a panic Fright put to Sea with all the Confusion and Precipitancy imaginable.
[88]The _Spaniards_ reported, however, That their Admiral, upon the Approach of the Fire-Ships, made the Signal for weighing Anchor, and standing out to Sea; and ordered that each Ship, after the Danger was over, should return to her Station; that he did return himself, and fired a Gun as a Signal for the rest to do the like; but the Report thereof was heard but by few; because their Fears had so dispersed them, that some were got a considerable way out to Sea, and others among the Shoals on the Coast of _Flanders_.
However it was, the _Spanish_ Fleet being by this successful Stratagem thus driven from their Station in _Calais-Road_[89], another very sharp Engagement began the next Morning about Eight o’ Clock, _July 29_, and continued eight Hours. The chief Galleass, commanded by _Hugo de Moncada_, having in the last Night’s Confusion lost her Rudder, by falling foul of another Ship’s Cable, and floated up and down for some time before the Wind, endeavoured to save herself by rowing into [Sidenote: PLATE 10.]_Calais_ Harbour; which the Lord Admiral perceiving, he dispatch’d Mr. _Amias Preston_, one of his Lieutenants, into his Long-Boat, with Mr. _Thomas Gerrard_, Mr. _William Hervey_, and others, to take her; she did not however surrender ’till after a sharp and doubtful Dispute, wherein _Hugo de Moncada_ was killed, by a Shot in the Head; and the Soldiers and Rowers to the number of four hundred, either drowned or put to the Sword: [90]The Ship and Guns, after the _English_ had freed three hundred Galley-Slaves which were on board, and taken out fifty thousand Ducats of Gold, of the King of _Spain_’s Money, fell, as a Wreck to Monsieur _Gourden_, Governor of _Calais_[91].
[92]In the taking of this Galleass, Mr. _Gerard_ and Mr. _Harvey_ signalized themselves; for they entered it only with their Swords; a thing then commonly spoken of with Admiration, the like having never been hazarded before, considering the Height of this Galleass compar’d to a Ship’s Boat.
[93]The rest of the _Spaniards_ in the mean time, managed their Fleet as well as they could, and stood over against _Graveling_, where the _English_ once more getting the Weather-Gage of them, deprived them of the Conveniency of _Calais-Road_, and kept them from receiving any Supplies from _Dunkirk_.
[94]Whilst the Lord Admiral was employed in taking the forementioned Galleass, Sir _Francis Drake_ in the _Revenge_, with Mr. _Thomas Fennar_ in the _Nonpareil_, and the rest of his Squadron, warmly engaged the _Spanish_ Fleet; soon after Sir _John Hawkins_ in the _Victory_, accompanied with Mr. _Edward Fenton_ in the _Mary Rose_, Sir _George Beeston_ in the _Dreadnought_, Mr. _Richard Hawkins_ in the _Swallow_, and the rest of that Squadron; together with Sir _Robert Southwell_ in the _Elizabeth-Jonas_, and Mr. _Robert Cross_ in the _Hope_; bearing up with the Middle of the _Spanish_ Fleet, there continued all that Forenoon a furious Engagement, wherein Sir _George Beeston_ behaved himself very valiantly; they were in the mean time seconded by the Lord Admiral, the Lord _Thomas Howard_, and the Lord _Sheffield_, who also acquitted themselves very bravely: Astern of these a great Galleon was attack’d by the Earl of _Cumberland_ and Mr. _George Ryman_ in the _Bonaventure_, and was likewise battered by the Lord _Henry Seymour_ in the _Rainbow_, and Sir _William Winter_ in the _Vanguard_; and tho’ she then recovered the Fleet, yet she sunk the Night following.
[95]On the other hand, the Duke of _Medina_, with the rest of the _Spanish_ Captains, as _Leva_, _Oquendo_, _Recalde_, _&c._ having with much ado got clear of the Shallows, were forced to stand the Brunt of the _English_ Fire, ’till they were miserably torn, and in several Places shot through; [96]and a great Galleon of _Biscay_, of five hundred Tuns, with two Saicks, were sunk. The Galleon _St. Matthew_, of eight hundred Tuns, commanded by Don _Diego de Piementelli_, coming to the Assistance of Don _Francisco de Toledo_, in the _St. Philip_, another Galleon of seven hundred Tuns, they were both miserably shattered by the Lord _Henry Seymour_ and Sir _William Winter_; [97]and being driven on the Coast of _Ostend_, were likewise there roughly handled by the _Zealanders_; but _Piementelli_ refusing to leave his Ship, (though the Duke of _Medina_ sent him his own,) did all he could to disengage himself; and therefore making towards the Coast of _Flanders_, he was there again attacked by five _Dutch_ Men of War, and forc’d at last to strike to _Peter Dousa_[98], one of the _Dutch_ Captains, who carried him into _Zealand_ and, for a Trophy of his Victory, hung his Flag in the Church of _Leyden_, which reach’d from the top of it to the bottom; [99]during which, a _Castilian_ Ship of four hundred Tuns, was cast away on the _Flemish_ Coast. The _St. Philip_, after having been driven almost as far as _Ostend_, where her Commander left her because she proved extremely leaky, was seized by some Ships of _Flushing_.
Thus did the Fight continue for the best part of this whole Day; during which the _Spanish_ Fleet was closely pursued, extremely battered, and reduced to the utmost Distress[100]. The _English_ Commanders in general, shewed on all Occasions great Resolution and Bravery; and in this last Action, the Earl of _Cumberland_, the Lords _Henry Seymour_, _Thomas Howard_, and _Edmund Sheffield_; Sir _William Winter_, Sir _Robert Southwell_, Sir _George Beeston_, Sir _John Hawkins_; and the Captains _Edward Fenton_, _Richard Hawkins_, _George Ryman_, and [101]_Robert Cross_ signalized themselves in a remarkable manner; the latter, in particular, sunk the great Galleon of _Biscay_ above mentioned, and two other Vessels. As for the _Spaniards_, though some of them performed their Duty, and fought with great Bravery, yet, in general, they acted but faintly, and stood for the most part only upon the defensive, especially after they saw themselves disappointed of the Duke of _Parma_’s Assistance. “The Duke of _Medina_, we are told[102], to his Dishonour, was lodged in the Bottom of his Ship for his Safety, and the rest of the Commanders would never turn their Ships, nor stop them, to defend any of their own Friends that were forced to tarry behind, but suffered divers to perish; and so fearful was the Admiral, that if the _English_ had offered to board the _Spanish_ Ships, it was thought they would have yielded without making any Resistance.” [103]In this last Engagement the _Spaniards_ lost five thousand Men, a thousand whereof were drowned[104]; and the next Day two _Venetian_ Ships sunk, having eight hundred and forty three Men on board, which all perished.
[105]After this Fight there remained of the whole _Spanish_; Fleet but one hundred and ten, or one hundred and twelve Ships, and those extremely battered and shot through, and having their Rigging much damaged with the Shot.
[106]The next Day, _July 30_, the Lord Admiral ordered the Lord _Henry Seymour_, and Sir _William Winter_ to return back with their Squadron into the narrow Seas, to guard the Coasts; as for himself, he resolved to follow the _Spanish_ Fleet, ’till they came as far Northward as the _Forth_ in _Scotland_, if they bent their Course that way; and, in the mean time, he thought it best not to attack them any more, ’till he saw what they proposed to do: However, being persuaded that they intended to put into the Firth of _Forth_, his Lordship had devised Stratagems, and taken Measures to make an utter End of them there.
[107]_July 31._ This Day the _Spaniards_ would fain have retreated, early in the Morning, thro’ the Streights of _Dover_; but the Wind coming up with hard Gales at North West, forced them towards the Coast of _Zealand_; the _English_ then gave over the Chace, because they perceived them hastening fast enough to their own Destruction; for with the Wind at West North-West, they could not fail of being driven among the Shallows and Sands of that Coast: But the Wind soon happening to come about to the South-West and by West, the _Spaniards_ tacked, and sailing before the Wind, got out of Danger. In the Evening, they held a Council of War, wherein it was unanimously resolved[108], That seeing they were in want of many Necessaries, especially of Cannon-Ball, that the Ships were very much shattered, their Anchors left in _Calais-Road_, their Provisions short, their Water spent, a great number of their Soldiers slain, many of their Men sick and wounded, and that there was no hopes of the Duke of _Parma_’s coming out to join them, they should return to _Spain_, by the North of _Scotland_. Pursuant to this Resolution, being now out of Danger, and in the main Ocean, and having thrown all their Horses and Mules over board [Sidenote: GENERAL CHART.]to save Water, they steer’d Northward, and the _English_ renew’d the Chace after them; now and then the _Spanish_ Ships slacken’d their Sails, and seem’d to stay for the coming up of the _English_, so that it was generally thought their Fleet would tack about, but they thought best, after all, to keep on their Course Northward.
* * * * *
Here it will not be improper to leave them for a while, and see what was doing in the mean time in _England_[109].
The 9th of _August_ Queen _Elizabeth_ was pleased, in order both to comfort her People, and to shew her own Magnanimity, to come and view her Army and Camp at _Tilbury_; the next Morning after her Arrival, she rode with a General’s Truncheon in her Hand, thro’ all the Ranks of the Army, like armed _Pallas_, attended by the Earls of _Leicester_ and _Essex_, _Henry Norris_, Lord Marshall, and others; having the Sword carried before her by the Earl of _Ormond_; and among other kind and obliging Discourses, made the following most excellent Speech to her Army[110]:
MY LOVING PEOPLE,
_WE have been persuaded by some that are careful of our Safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed Multitudes; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving People. Let Tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself, that under_ GOD _I have placed my chiefest Strength and Safeguard in the loyal Hearts and Good-Will of my Subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see at this time, not for my Recreation and Disport, but being resolved, in the Midst and Heat of the Battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my_ GOD, _and for my Kingdom, and for my People, my Honour and my Blood, even in the Dust. I know I have the Body but of a weak and feeble Woman, but I have the Heart and Stomach of a King, and of a King of_ England _too; and think foul Scorn that_ Parma _or_ Spain, _or any Prince of_ Europe, _should dare to invade the Borders of my Realm; to which, rather than any Dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up Arms, I myself will be your General, Judge, and Rewarder of every one of your Virtues in the Field. I know already for your Forwardness, you have deserved Rewards and Crowns; and we do assure you, in the Word of a Prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my Lieutenant-General shall be in my stead, than whom never Prince commanded a more noble or worthy Subject; not doubting but by your Obedience to my General, by your Concord in the Camp, and your Valour in the Field, we shall shortly have a famous Victory over those Enemies of my_ GOD, _of my Kingdoms, and of my People_.
[111]It is scarce to be conceived what a Spirit of Bravery this great Queen’s Presence and noble Behaviour infus’d into the Officers and Soldiers: [112]They saluted her with Cries, with Shouts, with all Tokens of Love, of Obedience, and of Readiness to fight for her; they praised her stately Person and princely Behaviour, prayed for her Life and Happiness, and cursed all her Enemies, both Traitors and Papists, with earnest Desire to venture their Lives for her Safety: [113]One who was an Eye Witness relates moreover, that “the whole Armie in every Quarter, did devoutely, at certaine Times, sing in her hearing, in a very tunable manner, divers Psalmes put into Forme of Prayers in Praise of Almighty GOD, which she greatly commended, and with very earnest Speech thanked GOD with them[114].”
Next, if we look into _Flanders_, we shall find, [115]that on the 29th of _July_, the Duke of _Parma_ having paid his Addresses to our Lady of _Halle_, came to _Dunkirk_, tho’ something of the latest; for which Reason the _Spaniards_ received him in a very reproachful manner; as if, out of some By-Regards to Queen _Elizabeth_, he had designedly slipt so fair an Opportunity of doing Wonders for the Service of his Country. The Duke, to appease this Storm, punish’d those who had the Charge of Victualling his Fleet; but, however, he did not attempt to put to Sea, being still block’d up by the Lord _Henry Seymour_’s and Sir _William Winter_’s Squadron, which were returned from the Chace. In the mean time, he could not but secretly laugh at the saucy and insolent Brags of the _Spaniards_, whom he had heard talking at this vain rate, “That where ever they turn’d their Sails, a most certain Victory waited upon their Course, and that the _English_ would not have Courage enough to look them in the Face.”
* * * * *
To return now to the two Fleets. We left the _Spaniards_ sailing Northward, and the _English_ in Pursuit of them: [116]When the latter were come to fifty five Degrees thirteen Minutes North Latitude, and thirty Leagues East of _Newcastle_, the Lord High Admiral determined to attack the _Spanish_ Fleet again on the _Friday_ following, _August 2_, but he thought fit to alter his Resolution, chiefly upon these two Accounts: Because he plainly perceived by the Enemies Course, that they had no other Intention but to save themselves, by sailing North, round the _British_ Islands; and, because several of his Ships wanted Victuals and other Necessaries; which was not so much owing to any Neglect, as to the Victuallers not knowing where to send to the Fleet; for the Queen had most amply and carefully provided whatever was convenient and necessary.
It was therefore concluded, to leave the _Spanish_ Fleet to pursue their Course, and to sail for the Firth of _Forth_; both to get Refreshment, and to perform some other Business which the Lord Admiral thought necessary to be done; but the Wind coming contrary, that is Westerly, the next Day his Lordship altered his Course, and sending only some Advice-Boats to observe the Enemies farther Motion, he returned with the whole Fleet back to _England_, where they arrived, some at _Yarmouth_, some at _Harwich_, and others at the _Downs_, about the 7th of _August_.
The _Spaniards_ being now got clear of their troublesome Pursuers, resolv’d to make the best of their way for _Spain_. [117]Some Suspicions there were, that they design’d to betake themselves to the King of _Scots_, who was provok’d to an high degree for his Mother’s Death; and therefore, the better to keep him in Temper, _Ashby_, the Queen of _England_’s Ambassador in _Scotland_, made him very considerable Offers, which, however, were not performed: But the _Spaniards_ having now laid aside all Thoughts and Hopes of returning to attack the _English_; and perceiving their main Safety lay in their Flight, they made no Stop at any Port whatever. [118]About twenty five Ships now remain’d with the Duke of _Medina_, and forty with _Recalde_; [119]these, with the rest of the Fleet, sail’d about _Cathness_ for the Coast of _Ireland_, and pass’d between the _Orcades_ and _Fair-Isle_, to the sixty first Degree of North Latitude; [120]an unaccustom’d Place for the young Gallants of _Spain_, that had never felt Storms on the Sea, or cold Weather in _August_.
[121]When the _English_ left off pursuing the _Spaniards_, the latter wanted of their whole Fleet fifteen or sixteen Ships; and had lost, in the several Engagements, and by Sickness, eight thousand Men at least.
And here their ill Fortune did not stop, but continued to persecute them all the rest of their Voyage; [122]for on the Coast of _Scotland_ they lost the two following Ships, which had been so extremely battered by the _English_ Shot, that they founder’d at Sea; namely, the _St. Matthew_, a Ship of five hundred Tuns, in which four hundred and fifty Men were drowned; and a Biscainer of _St. Sebastian’s_, of four hundred Tuns, in which three hundred and fifty Men perished: [123]Moreover, in these or other Ships, above seven hundred Soldiers were cast on Shore in _Scotland_, who, by the Duke of _Parma_’s Mediation with the King of _Scots_, and with Queen _Elizabeth_’s Permission, were sent over, a Year after, into the _Low-Countries_.
[124]About four Days after the _English_ Fleet left the _Spaniards_, they came to an Island in the North Part of _Scotland_, where they staid not, nor had any Relief: And at this Place the Duke of _Medina_ calling all the Ships together, charged them to make the best of their way for the Coasts of _Spain_ or _Portugal_, because they were in the utmost Distress for want of Victuals and other Provisions.
[125]For an Addition to their Misfortunes, about the 23d of _August_, when there were seventy eight Ships of them together sailing in the Ocean, a violent Storm arose at South-South-West, which continued from Four o’ Clock in the Afternoon ’till Ten the next Morning, and separated them so, that not above twenty seven of them were to be seen together: And again, on the 2d of _September_, they had another violent Storm, with a Mist, which so dispersed them, that of the foresaid twenty seven, only three came together into _Dingle-Bay_; [126]and during their Passage round the North of _Scotland_, they had so terrible a Sickness, that their Mariners and Soldiers died daily in great Multitudes.
As for the Particulars of the Ships sunk, and Men drowned, killed, and taken upon the Coast of _Ireland_, during the Month of _September_, they were as follows[127]:
Men.
In _Tirconnel_, in _Loughfoyle_ 1 Ship 1100 and others that escaped.
{in 3 great Ships 1500 _Slego-Haven_
{in _Tirawley_ 1 Ship 400
{in 1 300 _Clare-Island_
In _Connaught_, {in _Finglasse_ 1 400
{in 1 200 _O’sla’rtie_
{in _Irrise_ 2 Ships, the Men escaped into other Vessels.
{in 1 Ship 70 _Gallway-Bay_
{in the 2 Ships 600 _Shannon_
{in the same 1 Ship burnt, the Men embarked in another Ship.
In _Munster_, {in _Traylie, 1 Ship 24 Sept. 7._
{in _Dingle_ 1 500
{in _Desmond, 1 300 Sept. 10._
────────────────────────────────────────────────────── In all 17 Men Ships. 5394 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[128]Besides which, _Our Lady of the Rosary_, the Admiral Ship of the _Guypuscoan_ Squadron, of near a thousand Tuns, and thirty Guns, that had fifty Brass Field-Pieces on board, was lost upon the Rocks in _Bleskey-Sound_; so that of five hundred Men, only one escap’d; and in this perished the Prince of _Ascula_, a natural Son of King _Philip_, _Mighel de Oquendo_ the Captain, and several other considerable and eminent Persons.
According to other Accounts[129], nine _Spanish_ Ships were driven ashore between the Rivers of _Lough-Foile_ and _Lough-Swilley_, many whereof were broken to Pieces, and the _Spaniards_ forced to shelter among the wild _Irish_.