An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
History
An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
English literature
I would also take in the salt water about the town [_of Calais_], but
I cannot do it, by reason I should infect our own water wherewith we
brew: and, notwithstanding all I can do, our brewers be so behindhand
in grinding and otherwise, as we shall find that one of our greatest
lacks. I therefore make all the haste and provision I can there, and
howsoever the matter go, must shortly be forced to let in the salt
water.
The three men taken to-day be very ragged, and ill-appointed. In
examining, they confess that "there is great misery in their camp,
and great want of money and victuals." They say (and I partly believe
it, because it almost appeareth to me), "their number to be 25,000
footmen, whereof 10,000 [are] Swiss; and 10,000 horsemen. The Duke of
GUISE is already among them, and the only deviser and leader of this
enterprise." They say also, "a shot from the Bridgeway to the Causeway
yesterday, struck off the Master of the Camp's leg, called Captain
GOURDAULT."
I am also perfectly advertised, both by these men and otherwise, that
they have no great ordnance yet come, but look for it daily by sea.
It is eighty pieces, whereof thirty be cannons: and are laden, with
munition and victuals, in 140 vessels which shall land at Sandgate;
or rather I think at Boulogne, it to be taken out of great ships
[there], and so again embarked at Sandgate in lesser vessels, as they
have done most part of their victuals and carriage that they have
hitherto occupied [_used_]. And, surely, if your Majesty's ships had
been on this shore, they might either have letted [_hindered_] their
voyage; or, at the least, very much hindered it: and not unlike[ly]
to have distressed them, being only small boats. Their ordnance that
comes, shall be conveyed in the same sort: it may therefore please your
Majesty to consider it.
I have also now fully discovered their enterprise; and am (as a man
may be) most sure they will first attempt upon Rysbanke; and that
way chiefly assail the town. Marry! I think they lie hovering in the
country, for the coming of their great artillery, and also to be
masters of the sea. And therefore I trust your Highness will haste over
all things necessary for us with expedition.
Under your Majesty's reformation [_correction_], I think, if you please
to set the passage at liberty for all men to come that would, bringing
sufficient victuals for themselves for a season; I am of opinion there
would be enow, and with more speed than can be made by order. Marry!
then must it well be foreseen to transport with expedition, victuals
hither.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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