Preparativos de los ingleses en Flandes ante los movimientos de Parma.

LORD BUCKHURST to WALSINGHAM.

We hear from Capt. Grunevelt, governor of Sluis that the Duke of Parma in person is come to Bruges having gathered an army of 16,000 men and 40 cannons, and that in two days they are to be brought to Ostend or Sluis.

That the most part have already environed Sluis, where Capt. Grunevelt has already skirmished with them and taken seven prisoners, by whom this much is discovered. He [Grunevelt] has already put forth the superfluous women and children, as he has not above eleven days victual. The States here have taken order to supply what is necessary and "do send a discreet captain called Monsieur Famois [Famars] master of the artillery, to lie at Middleborow or Flushing and see from thence to supply both men and munition and victual as shall be needful."

Heretofore, they have only supplied those places with fair promises . . . now I hope they will perform it in deed. I pray God it be not too late. It is said that both towns will be besieged at once, and at Ostend also the superfluous women and children are put out. By my earnest dealing, (and staying of the money for Brill) it is well furnished with victual, but Sir John Conway desires more men, though he cannot have less than 1200, as besides his own companies, a hundred and twenty are gone to him from Bergen, under Captain Veare, and a hundred from Flushing by Sir W. Russell.

As we have order from you to furnish Ostend with victual in case the States should be negligent, so if the like care is to be taken for Berges and Sluis you must give us warrant for it ; for the order sent from my lords is so uncertain that Mr. Treasurer is doubtful how to issue the money, whether upon the warrant of those to whom my lord of Leicester hath formerly deputed the same, namely Mr. Wilkes, Mr. Digges, and Mr. Hunt, or that of Sir John Norris, Mr. Dr. Clerk, Mr. Wilkes, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Digges, Mr. Hunt and myself all jointly, for so the words seem to inforce.

If my lord wishes me to be a joint commissioner, I must obey . . . but I beseech their lordships to spare me from this intolerable access of trouble. If they would commit the direction to some two of those that are here, it will bring great ease to the service, for to depute it to so many brings great trouble, and herein Mr. Treasurer is, not without cause, scrupulous, considering that without sufficient warrant, he dare not issue the treasure.

We hear that the enemy has violently seized part of the provisions of sundry towns for his men of war, and is greatly helped by ships of victuals lately arrived at Calais and Dunkirk. Count Hollock is said to have slain 600 boors near 'Baldock' [Bois-le-Duc], part being of the land of Luke [? Lige] and part of Brabant.

"The States are now presently addressing forth of a petty army of some 8000 foot and 1200 horse, whereby either to impeach the enemy, or, if it may be, to divert him. And they are now also in talk of conclusion with Count 'Mures' for the delivering of money unto him for the conduction of the 'rutters and launsknights.' But those things come never to effect till it be too late. If they had raised an army but one month ago into the field, they might have impeached and endommaged the enemy so much by this time as he should have little hurt them this year; for they might have gone where they would and done what they had would; yea the dearth and necessity of Zutfen, Nimegen and Deventer was then so great as the only fame of an army would have made them yield. But now I would our army, when we have him, could but defend us from hurt, so as we forbear to harm the enemy.

"There is no manner of present preparation ready to resist the enemy; for I doubt our petty army will not be ready this month and our rutters about three months hence. Our hope now must be si deus nobiscum quis contra nos.

The Hague, 2 June, 1587. 

Postscript. "Utrecht was of late in tumult by the practice of Count Mures to have kept out our English garrisons upon colour of a private quarrel he hath against Herman Modet, a minister there, and yet with all humble words of duty to her Majesty." We believe it was a practice of those of Holland and Zeeland to surprize the town and keep out all further English garrison, "but by the great dexterity and wise handling of Sir John Noris, our party in the town prevailed and so our bands were re-accepted; whereby now we are full masters and commanders there again."

 Holograph. Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holland XV. f. 9.]