Reference: TNA, SP 84/45/274 f.271r-273v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0421/008
Date: 29 September 1592
Note:
Copies: 1190
addressleaf
fol.273vAddressed: To the right honorable my very singular good Lord the Lord Burghley Lord highe Treasurer of England.
Endorsed: 29 September 1592. Master Bodeleie to my L./
Later Addition: 29 September 92
lettertext
fol.271r
May it please your good L. Sir Francis Vere having bin in Zeland, a good while sins, to see the companies embarked, I doe not doubt but your L. is advertised from him of all at hath bin requisit. There can be no stay, at I can imagine, but onely in the winde, which hath bin of late very variable heere, that I can not well conjecture, howe it hath bin in Zeland.
It is signified unto me, that the states of that Province have stormed exceedingly, that I should write to make a stay of the paiment of Berghen, till they had sent some other companies in lieu of the Englishe, which her Majestie required. But notwithstanding their offense, that effect hath ensued, which I did expect, whereby her Majestie hath bin served. For they orde- ned out of hand, to send a supplie of their owne re- partition: for which I am persuaded, that unles I had proceeded in suche peremptorie sort, they would ether have taken no order at all, or trained me too long with some frivolous delay: upon supposal perhaps, that rather then the gouvernor would leave the towne open to the Enemies invasion, as he must of necessitie, if he left the garrison unfournished, he would not be per- suaded to part with the companies. And yet if he should, thei knewe they had the meanes, to succor it on the soddaine. I have very muche a doe in every meeting in this place, to answear their com- plaintes, for this drawing from hens of her Majesties aide. But as I signifie unto them, so I knowe it is certaine, and fewe of them doe muche denie it, The state of these Provinces, through her Majesties assistance is brought to great securitie, suche as no man could fol.271v
expect to be effected so soone, nor, the power of the Ene- mie being thoroughly considered, they themselves can not wishe to stand in better termes. And in that respect, if they would waigh, as they ought, howe muche it did concerne aswell themselves as her Majestie to chase the Enemie out of Britaine, thei would be more forward in dimissing the companies.
In their late consultation, about the further imploiment of their forces abroade, wherof I made mention in my last to your L. they have fully re- solved to passe the Rhine: which is intended about Em- brick a towne upon the Rhine, and in the contrey of Cleve, very neere unto Sgravenwert or the Tolhuis, which is the place where the Rhine doth devide it self in two. They doe account by that meanes to stoppe the Enemie of his passage, or to force him to disperse the greatest part of his troupes. Howbeit there is a bruite at this present, that for the assurance of his pas- age, he hath taken Duisberch, which is situat on the Rhine and is upward from Wesel about 4 dutche miles. It is also half concluded, that if the D. of Parma continue at the Spa, or in the quarters therabout, all the horsemen of the army shall make a soddaine cavalcado, to assault him in his lod- ging. By ether of these attemptes, if the issue be as happy, as the Project is cast, it is thought the French King may be greatly relieved. Monsieur Buzenval hath solicited very hard, to obtene a good answear to the suite of the King, for the loane of cer- taine mony, as I writte unto your L. the 19 of August. But there is nothing yet done, nor they doe not fol. 272r
deale about it: whereby his hope, as it seemeth, is very slender. I am certified at this instant, by a letter brought unto me, from the gouvernor of Berghen, that the states of Zeland have sent him but fower dutche companies, to supplie the rowmes of sixe Englishe, that are required by her Highnes. Whether they doe it, to force him by that meanes, to send but fower in all, reserving two of the six, or for that they thinke it sufficient, to keepe the towne from the Enemie, though there should be but fower in place of the six, I can not yet under- stand. But the gouvernor deteneth two Englishe com- panies, of the nomber of those, that should be sent. And withall, because they send him no supplie of Canoniers, he will permitte but half of 18 which are demaunded by her Majestie to depart with the companies: pretending that the towne can not otherwise be defended. That I will write directly to him, to send out of hand both all the six companies, and all the Canoniers. But otherwise the officer of the Treasurer shall be willed to withhold their weekely intertenment, un- till it be perfourmed. For as I will signifie, if it be so, that the towne may be held, while the Enemie at this present is buisied abroad, with the helpe of those fower (which martial men must judge) bothe her Majestie and the contrey will cast the blame upon him, for being over precise: which he hath to con- sider in what maner he will answear. But if it falle out in discourse, that this supplie of the states is too weake in very deede for defense of the place, there is no doubt but by refraining from paing of the souldiers detened, he shall have presently sent unto him some further renforcement fol.272v
Wherupon I have written to the officer of the Trea- surer, to persist continually in withholding the im- prest of the companies behind, but with the advise and good liking of Sir Francis Vere, who being made acquainted with all my proceeding, and present there in place, will accomplishe, I am certaine, whatsoever shall be needefull, if he may be obeied, And thus I take my humble leave. At the Hage September 29 1592. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley.
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