Parma conquista el fuerte de Sluis.

LORD WILLOUGHBY (Peregrine Bertie, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, commander of the English forces) to WALSINGHAM.

The enemy gained the fort before Sluse, yet it cost him dear, with very little loss on our side.

His Excellency came to Flushing on the 14th and next evening sent my lord Marshal and myself, with such forces as were ready towards Ostend, but wind and weather being contrary we were forced to return. "We purposed then to have attempted Issendonck fort, with the strangers' aid and help of some English, and to have landed the rest of our company at Ostend, but being not able anyways to get conveniently to shore, we returned, more willing than able to annoy the enemy." At Flushing we received news from Sluse of two breaches made and assailed, "but most valiantly defended, the one by Sir Roger Williams, Capt. Huntley and Capt. Baskerville, the other by my cousin Francis Vere, with those Dutch captains besides, of great valour.

Another place being undermined, was defended by Captain Uvedale and a lieutenant to a Dutch captain, Captain Mederek, who, as men nothing dismayed with so great and continual batteries and assaults, repelled the enemy's force with great commendation of courage and wisdom . . . They are day and night most forcibly expugned on all sides. Divers gentlemen without companies there have most valiantly defended themselves, as Capt. Skot, Lieut. Merick, Mr. Sellinger, Mr. George, and one Foulkes, a cousin to my Lord Zouch, all voluntary aiders of their friends and countrymen.

"His Excellency, understanding the imminent peril increasing through lack of men, munition and victuals, hastened us again to Ostend the 19 of this present month. Many difficulties were found, as well for all wants appertaining to an army, as bad and dangerous passages, letting our purpose to pass over land to Sluse, a thing determined by his Excellency in Council ; that we should march by Blankenburgh and a strong fort of the enemy's, and so going by St. Anne's land, should assault them on that side, whilst the Vice-Admiral and Col. Morgan, with some companies both Dutch and English, should on the other side attempt to enter the river.

"His Excellency's arrival here yesterday did much rejoice us, where he hath all this day used the best means ... to set us forward. . . . To-morrow, by God's grace, we march to join with the enemy."

Ostend, 23 July, 1587.

Postscript in his own hand. "Advertisement is come that Sluse hath given forth his last despairing signals, if it be not speedily succoured. Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland XVI. f. 144.]