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Addressed: To the right honorable my very singular good Lord, the L. Burghley Lord highe Treasurer of England.

Endorsed: 21 May 1591. Master Bodeleie to my L. Zutphen./

Later Addition: 21 May 91

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fol.64r
May it please your good L. I declared in my last the 17 of this moneth, what practise was used by Sir Francis Vere, whereby he surprised the sconce before Zutphen. Certaine of his souldiers were disguised like boores and barins, who being assisted with the company of contrey boores, and fai- ning to runne for succor to the sconce, bringing with them corne and other victualles, as they had often done before, were receaved by the Garrison, and folowed with suche dili- gence by Sir Francis Vere, as all within the fort, which were not passing 30 persons, were put to the sworde, and the fort taken. This was done the 14 day of this present, in the morning. The night folowing he dispo- sed his troupes, to inclose the towne of Zutphen, and sent withall to Count Maurice, being then at Utrecht, to seconde him presently with further forces: who caused 3 Cornets of horse, and 11 Enseignes of foote to marche withall diligence towardes Zutphen: and he himself folowed the next day after, with the rest of his troupes, and provision of shippes, bridges, and roweboates. The same day the Enemie in a furie attempted the recoverie of the fort, but failed of his purpose. Also those of Deventer ende- vouring to relieve the towne of Zutphen fol.64v
with a 100 horse laden with corne, were over- throwen by our souldiers, who had also the spoile of their corne and horse. Howbeit, the Count of Overstein in going to make a bravado before the towne, was overtaken by an ambushe of the Enemie, and shotte the head, wherof he died presently. Sir Francis Vere being with him escaped very happely: but his horse was stricken. By this time it is thought, that the Count hath planted his articl- lerie, to batter the towne: which is all the oc- currence, that is yet at the Hage. And so I take my humble leave. At the Hage May 21 1591. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley