Reference: TNA, SP 84/42/162 f.162r-163v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0315/008
Date: 28 June 1591
Note:
Copies: 1056
addressleaf
fol.163vEndorsed: The copie of my lettre written to your L. the 28 of June 1591 from Leewarden.
Later Addition: 28 June 91
lettertext
fol.162r
May it please your good L. to be advertised that two daies after the fort of Delfzile was yeelded up, which was don the 22th of this moneth, as then I writ unto your L. by 2 several letters, our armie marched towards Opslack, which is a sconce that the ennemy held upon a point of land by Groeninghen diepe, within 2 englishe miles from Northoorn, where Sir John Norreis receaved his great overthrow. It was three daies marche from Delfzile, and a place of good strength, having in it a garrison of 150 souldiers, and 5 great peeces of artillerie. First it was besieged with 2000 men, and for half a daie battered with 5 cannons, wheruppon being summoned, and not yeelding, the rest of the armie was caused to approache, which brought them presentlie to parle. But better conditions, then to depart with white rode in their hande would not bee graunted. There were found 3 english souldiers in the ennemies service, which Sir Francis Vere staied, and caused to bee hanged in the englishe quarter. After the taking of this fort, it was resolved that Emmentel should bee summoned, which is a place of like force as the former and, as wee are parswaded, will presentlie give over, for feare of enforcement to a hard composition. Moreover, for that all the fortes of the ennemy in the Province of Groningen, which were not so fewe as 20 in nomber, are either taken by us, or forsaken by them selves. wherby the towne of Groeninghen is greatlie distressed, and excluded from all traffique, and meanes to come by vittailes, unles it bee by land by the meanes of Coeveorden, which is a very strong fort of the Ennemy situate in that part of Overissel, which is called Drent, southwest from Groninghen, 7 dutch miles fol.162v
for the winning of that place it is thought expedient, that Steenwick a great garrison towne upon the northwest frontiers of Overissel should bee first taken in, as well for the easier expugnation of Coeveorden, as for sondry other opportunities, it being a place, that doth greatly dammefie all their countrey therabout. All this was thus concluded yesterdaie, and the campe as this daie removeth towardes Emmentel. But the Councel of State is going towards Steenwick, both to make provision for some wantes of the armie, and to accommodate them selves of some convenient place of residence neere unto the towne. For which purpose wee are alredy in our waie so farre as Leewarden , from whence I write your L. this lettre. The Duke of Parma, as wee are informed, wanting meanes of cariage, vittailes, and many other necessaries, and also of forces sufficient to encounter with ours, is gon towardes Ruremonde a strong towne upon the Mose in Guelderland, with what intention wee knowe not assuredlie, but as many men report to go for france. And if it bee trew, in my conceat of these actions, all the souldiers of this armie are so verie well disposed, and the countrey so willing to fournish what is needfull, as her Majesty shall finde, that the forces of these countreis did never hethertoo parfourme a better sommers service. From Leewarden. June 28 1591. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley
href="http://www.livesandletters.ac.uk/cell/Bodley/transcript.php?fname=xml//1591//DCB_0315.xml"