Europe in the Age of the Reformation

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The Fugger Newsletters

The Spanish Armada

The Fugger Newsletters contain numerous entries regarding the Spanish Armada. Because they were letters written in the thick of the events, they show clearly the sense of uncertainty and anxiety, borne along by conflicting reports.

Antwerp, 20 February 1580

It is stated here that His Majesty of Spain has embarked six thousand pikemen for Biscay and that the great fleet is almost ready to sail. But where it is to make for is still unknown. The Queen of England, who perhaps has some information, has commandeered all ships in the country small and large and is fitting out all her warships in the utmost haste. Likewise she is calling up the whole population, so that she is supposed alrady to have collected eighty thousand foot and four thousand horse. Of these she is to send a portion to Ireland and she will also garrison the ports. Our presumption is that all Spanish naval preparations are intended for the Netherlands.

A caravel from New Spain has reached Seville with six hundred arobas of cochineal on board. Another is to follow with a similar cargo. The Indian fleet is said to be bringing eight thousand arobas which will amount to a large sum of money.

Madrid, 30 May 1587

On the 24th inst. they wrote from Cadiz how Francis Drake, the English pirate, made a surprise landing there with forty-eight ships great and small, not all warships. He pillages and stripped about fourteen ships laden with all sorts of merchandise and lying in the roads, and stayed there for some days. Those ships which he could not take with him he afterwards burnt or sank. Thereupon the chief citizens with women and property fled to Seville and elsewhere, although the King at once sent five hundred men to the fort as garrison, together with some galleys. On the 25th inst. news again came from His Serene Highness the Cardinal Archduke Albert of Austria to the effect that this Drake, after sailing away from Cadiz, first proceeded to Cape St. Vincent and remained there ten days with his fleet, and after the 15th went to the province of Algarvia situated in Portugal, not far from the town of Lagos. There he landed some two thousand men and drew them up in order of battle, as though the enemy were in sight and forced to fight him. With his troops he advanced in battle order to within half a mile of the town of Lagos, whereupon the citizens in great haste ran up on the walls, and the Governor made a sally with three hundred horse. On this Drake slowly retired. Now, although the Governor pursued the marauders with his troopers, neither side attacked or harmed the other. On the following day, that is the 16th, Drake landed again with some troops and appeared before a fortress named Sagres, situated near the town of Lagos. He took it after two assaults, as he had brought with him scaling ladders and other apparatus for attack. Although one hundred and fifty Portuguese soldiers were in the fortress, they offered no resistance. Drake burnt the fortress with the monastery and the altars and pictures in the church. The monks fled to safety. Then he came to the two castles, from which the garrisons had likewise fled. These also he burnt down and razed. All the cannons, armor and weapons, as also all the wood which he found there, he carried off to his ships. On the 18th he arrived with his fleet off the port of Lisbon, and on the morning of the 19th he passed between the two harbor forts. And although Don Alonzo de Bazan, brother of the Marquis de Santa Cruz, sailed out with the seven galleasses which he commands at Lisbon, he began to skirmish with his cannon, and the firing and skirmishing lasted till six o'clock in the evening. But the firing of the big guns from the enemy's ships was so severe that the galleasses were ultimately forced to retire, without producing any effect on the English. When the English fleet had also withdrawn a little way in its turn, a few soldiers were sent out to prevent the English from landing. But early on the 20th inst. the English fleet left the river and went out to sea, in what direction is unknown. Thus far the Lisbon letters of May 25. His Sacred Majesty of Spain has slept long enough, and from pride, preoccupation or parsimony has paid no attention to such visitors. But now he has been roused afresh and must hurriedly protect himself with money and troops. The Marquis de Santa Cruz is already arming, and money and troops are being sent to him in great haste. He is to sail from Lisbon as soon as possible with thirty-two well-armed galleasses and pursue the enemy. As news has been received that Don Antonio of Portugal is to sail from England with another fleet, and it is likewise impossible to know whether he too will not come to Portugal and join Drake and whether one of the fleets or even both may not again make for India, His Sacred Majesty has ordered the Duke of Medina Sidonia to sail out as quickly as possible and pursue the enemy with 32 galleys which are already fitted, and 32 big warships also which are being prepared. With the utmost despatch His Majest is sending money to Seville in Andalusia and to Biscay, where some large ships are likewise being constructed for war, and to all places where it is required. Troops are being raised all over Spain. Recently also fifteen hundred so ldiers, all trusty Spaniards, arrived in Cartagena from Sicily. Another two thousand are expected from Italy. It is said too that men are to be transferred from Germany to Itally as garrisons in place of those who have been brought to Spain.

There is moreover some fear that the Portuguese might have an understanding with Drake or Don Antonio. Now what will happen over all this time will show. A large sum of money was recently sent for the King from here to Barcelona through some Genoese and Messrs. Fugger of this city. It should have gone to Italy and the Netherlands, but whether much of it will reach the Netherlands and the unhappy troops there we shall hear shortly.

P.S.--Just this moment His Majesty is sending a Knight of Malta, who is a famous Italian architect, with some workmen to Cadiz, to pull down the old fortress and build up a new one.

Cologne, 24 December 1587

The presumption in Brussels is that the vessels being pressed forward at Antwerp and other places are to sail next year against England. Four regiments of German mercenaries are to be put on board them. So next spring there will be strange doings enough, since the King of Scots has declared himself the enemy of the Queen of England and probably has an understanding with the King of Spain.

Madrid, 18 May 1588

The last courier from Lisbon brings news of there having arrived a letter from London. Therefrom one learns of the preparations which are being made here. The people are reported to be unwilling to embark, and it is presumed that the Catholics will join forces when the Armada arrives. It is also suspected that various lords will be their leaders.

There were many women on board the Armada. The Duke ordered the captains to make a list of how many of them each had in his ship, and he requested them to bring the list to him in three or four days. It was found that there were somewhat more than six hundred. They were then not only put ashore again, but also removed from Lisbon. This was done after the soldiery had already come on board the ships. They were far from pleased on this account, but were comforted with the report that there were comely wenches in England.

Hamburg, 23 June 1588 (O.S.)

I simply must tell you that the skipper, Hans Limburger, has arrived here with his vessel from Cadiz. He broke through the embargo, and has a cargo of salt, wine, raisins, cinnamon, and a little sugar. He put out from there on the 20th ult., O.S., and passed Lisbon on the 24th. In the distance he saw the Spanish Armada and sailed abreast of it all day. The next day it was blowing rather hard and he could not see it. He is of opinion that the Armada put ourt on the 23rd of May Old Style or the 2nd of June New Style and was shaping a course for the Channel. The skipper met an English warship on his way and this brought him into Plymouth, to Drake's Armada. He was entertained by Drake for three days and the English were rejoicing that the Spanish Armada was at sea. Afterwards Captain Drake gave the skipper a permit, so that he might be allowed to pass, and quickly formed in order and put to sea in spite of a contrary wind. If an action is fought, there will be terrible loss of life. On two consecutive days here the sun and moon have been quite bloody. What this signifies the merciful God alone knows. May he defend the Right!

Postscript. Letters have just come from Cologne reporting that the Prince of Parma has news that the Armada sailed from Lisbon on the 30th of May. God grant it all prosperity!

Antwerp, 2 July 1588

This afternoon news came from Bruges that His Highness the Prince of Parma has received information from Calais that the Spanish and English Armadas have met on the English coast and the Spanish Armada has been beaten. No details are reported.

Antwerp, 11 July 1588

Letters from England of the 28th ult. have announced that the Queen of England's fleet put out under Captain Drake one hundred and forty sail strong, as it had been learnt that the Spanish Armada had also sailed and had been seen at sea. But in London letters of the 4th inst. this does not appear. It is thought that the Spanish Armada is near Lisbon. Therefore the Queen has commanded the Admiral, who is in port at Boulogne, not to put out with the fleet but to await further orders. From this some conclude there will be peace in the Netherlands. From Morocco is it reported that the King there has a strong force in the field to help the Turks in their siege of the fortress of Oran. If this should be the case it would ill suit Spain and there would be grave doubts about the sailing of the Armada.

Salzburg, 14 July 1588

There is war against England in the air, and nothing will come of attempts for peace, for His Holiness the Pope has had a Bull read publicly in the Chapel of the Vatican in the presence of my most gracious Lord of Salzburg. Therein the Queen of England is declared to be dispossessed of her kingdom, her lands and her subjects, being long since a condemned heretic. Her subjects, of whatever rank they be, are released from the vow whereby heretofore they had sworn her allegiance.

The Pope also deprives her of all the titles she had held up to now, divests her of all honors and transfers them all to the King of Spain. On this account the latter is now to declare himself the rightfully chosen and appointed King of England and Ireland, and Protector of the Catholic Faith in that country. He is to wage war upon the Queen and to endeavor to bring her lands and her people under his sway. His Holiness has publicly proclaimed His Majesty King of Spain, England and Ireland, and will bestow this title upon him for all time, on condition, however, that His Majesty when he obtain possession of these provinces pay tribute to the Holy Roman See with a certain yearly pension as is done on behalf of the Kingdom of Naples.

In order that His Majesty should be able to do this with the greater ease, His Holiness is granting him a million crowns for his assistance: half of it for the present putting to sea of the Armada, and the other half whenever His Majesty's forces have set foot in England and captured an important harbor.

Middelburg, 22 July 1588

Five ships from Lisbon have reached Calais bringing salt and spices. I got this news after closing my last letter, and the rumor was then circulating that these ships had brought tidings that the Armada of the King of Spain had been utterly destroyed and annihilated. These ships would seem to have met a portion of the Armada which had got back to Lisbon. But, as the news reached here so quickly and unexpectedly, little credence was placed in it and I did not care to write anything to you about it. Since then, however, the English mail has come in bringing many letters, and in them it is stated that a vessel has arrived from Lisbon announcing that it twice met ships of the King's Armada. The first time twelve, the second time seventeen very badly mauled. And when this vessel asked the Spaniards what had become of the rest of the Armada, it received the answer that they did not know, as they had parted company in a storm. The storm had come on so quickly and so unexpectedly that they had had no time to anchor. But what really happened is unknown. The storm seems not to have lasted more than an hour.

Drake and the Admiral of England are still at sea; how they have fared we know not, but we hope to hear from them soon, as the wind from England is favorable now. This news only reached here yesterday and more is eagerly awaited. Some suppose that Drake too was in this storm.

Prague, 26 July 1588

It is rumored here that the Spanish Armada has sailed back to Lisbon because plague has broken out on board. The English are said to have sailed after them. But where this news comes from I cannot find out.

Hamburg, 3-4 August 1588

Hans Buttber has arrived off the town in a big ship. He comes through the Channel from San Lucar. He was with Captain Drake for four or five days and joined the Englishman on the 21st O.S., of last month, just after the latter had had an engagement with the Spanish Armada. From the 21st to the 26th they had skirmished and fired heavily at each other, but they could not board, and the English with their little ships sailed so well and manoeuvered so skilfully, firing meanwhile, that the galleasses could not get at them. Drake captured Don Pedro de Valdez, Admiral of fourteen vessels, and had him and ten other nobles brought on to his own ship. He gave them a banquet and treated them very handsomely and entertained them besides with trumpets and music. On this ship he took sixty guns and made four hundred and fifty men prisoners. Moreover, he got yet another ship which caught fire of itself. All this happened in presence of the skipper. On the 26th he received a pass, but only on condition of carrying a letter to another English port. There 28 Queen's ships were lying. As soon as their Admiral read the document he got ready for sea to join Drake, but sent two yachts to Holland and Zeeland to tell them to keep a sharp look-out there and prevent the Dunkirk people from coming out.

This noon there comes from Holland a vessel which was at Enkhuizen actually on the last day of July. It brings news that eighteen ships of the Spanish Armada were sunk by gunfire, and eight taken and brought to England. The rest of the Spanish Armada has fled to the French coast. If this is true it will somewhat abate Spanish insolence and give the English fresh courage, though they have no lack of insolence either.

Hamburg, 5 August 1588

It is reported that the English Armada has beaten the Spanish and taken twenty-two shpis and sunk eighteen by gunfire. Many vessels have been burnt. Some two hundred Counts, or Dons as they call them, together with the young Santa Cruz, have been taken prisoners to England. Moreover, the Admiral and Vice-Admiral with two other large ships, each of almost six hundred tons, have been brought in to Zeeland. Two galleasses seem to have been destroyed, the remainder are still at sea.

At Dunkirk a great dispute over the Armada has arisen between the Marquis de Renti, Governor of Hainault and Admiral-at-sea, and an Italian Marquis. They quarrelled so furiously that the Italian called Renti a traitor. So they had recourse to their weapons, and the Marquis received four bad wounds and the Italian is gravely injured and will hardly escape with his life. Captain Drake seems also to have been shot and badly injured. The English are pursuing the remains of the Spanish Armada. The Duke of Parma was unable to get out of Dunkirk with his fleet, and cut down four or five Captains with his own hand because they would not support him at the right moment. The upshot is that the activities of the Holy League are greatly limited and the English will do great damage at sea by rapine and theft. God dispose all for the best!

Vienna, 12 August 1588

Letters from Spain and Madrid of the 20th ult. report that all the ships of the Spanish Armada which had been dispersed by gales at sea are returned to Corunna on the 13th ult. without having suffered any particular damage, but some vessels which, owing to the storms, had to go as far as England were pillaged by fisher-boats. A very malignent sickness prevails on the Armada. So the General, Duke Medina Sidonia, is disembarking the sick and replacing them with healthy men. Consequently there has been a great concourse of people from all directions, as the intention is to renew the expedition against England as soon as possible.

Middelburg, August 12 1588

The Spanish Armada so long talked about has now at last appeared, but seemingly to its undoing. Firstly, on the 5th inst. a despatch pinnace arrived from England with orders that the Zeelanders and Hollanders should keep themselves in readiness on all coasts and particularly not let the Duke of Parma and his Armada get out of Dunkirk. The English meant to do their best against the Spanish Armada. This pinnace also brought the report that the Armada had been seen off the English coast and that it intended to invade England in force. At that time the English Armada was assembled in one place, and the Spaniards could not sail in because the English always had the wind in their favor, and the Spaniards perpetually got the powder smoke from the English ships in their eyes. On the 6th inst. came two more pinnaces from England with orders to keep firm hold of the Prince of Parma and his fleet. They also brought news that twenty-two Spanish ships had been sunk, and the Vice-Admiral, together with all the distinguished nobles who had taken refuge from other ships, had been brought to England. So they have driven the Spanish Armada between Dover and Calais and in the meanwhile examined the Vice-Admiral. He is said to have admitted that the object was England. The intention was to get as far as Dover and Calais and occupy the English there, while the Prince of Parma was to have invaded England at some other point. He was supposed to be supporting the Spaniards with his force of 70,000 men. On the 11th inst. another pinnace came from England with orders that the Prince of Parma was on no account to be let out and all ships ready for sea were to be sent to England. The pinnace also reported that both fleets had fought bravely for eight hours between Dover and Calais and that at the end the English had given chase to ten Spanish ships. Of these some were driven ashore and promptly wrecked, but most of them were brought to England. So, having fared thus badly, the majority of the Spanish Armada assembled in the Straits of Dover and hoped for aid from the Prince of Parma. On the 10th inst. the English again attacked the Spaniards afresh with all their forces and damaged them severely. The Spaniards were obliged to flee into the North Sea, but the English continued their pursuit. This night the Prince of Parma tried to put out from Dunkirk, as the Spanish Armada had been seen to flee from there. Four large well-found ships came out first, but, bless your heart, our ships played with them as a cat with a mouse, caught them at once and sank all four. The Spanish ships are lying up and down the coast like birds without wings. The English fire without intermission and shoot away sails, masts, stays and all rigging off the ships, so that they are unmanageable. Whenever they drive the Spanish ships ashore they are lost. On the 11th inst. our boats' crews got two big ships, one called the San Philippo of more than 1200 tons, the other the San Matheo of the same size, both galliots. The one they got off Blankenbergh, the other near Dunkirk. Off one ship most of the nobles seem to have escaped to Nieuport, not far from Dunkirk. Our men hope to get hold of more of these ships. The sea is driving ashore near Flushing much artillery and wreckage from the burnt ships as well as burnt corpses, so that it is a horrible sight. In Flishing there are heaps of captured Spaniards. They say the Prince of Parma has betrayed them, for the Spanish Armada went thus far up the country relying on his promises, and hoping to receive great assistance from him. Indeed they were of opinion that he would accomplish more than the Armada, for he had always promised them to come out with 500 sail and be a match for the English alone. He was going to make the invasion with 70,000 men, but now he is bringing woe and misery on all the splendid Spanish ships. They curse him horribly, and it is to be feared he will fall into complete disfavor with the King and be recalled from the Netherlands. Altogether the wretched devils here do nothing but complain. Our s ailors wanted to kill all the Spaniards because they would not surrender. Their ships are built as high as churches. But we took pity upon them. The seamen who brought in the ships above mentioned numbered 150 in all. They marched through the town at noon in procession two abreast with all the Spaniards' best clothes on. In costume one looked like a Portuguese, another like a Spaniard, a third like a Biscayan, a fourth like an Italian. People here thought they were prisoners from the Armada, because of the many expensive costumes. In the two ships there was plenty of booty, about 120 brass guns, many of iron, and a quantity of provisions.

A vessel has also arrived at Flushing from Calais with the report that Duke Medina Sidonia and de San Lucar, in command of the Spanish Armada, has been brought in there. Half his head seems to have been shot off. They say he was the most powerful man in all Spain. The Spanish Armada has had a terrible time of it. A Scotchman has come in here also. He saw the Spanish Armada in the distance on the North Sea and says it is barely over 80 vessels strong and the English are after it with 250 and firing heavily with a favorable wind. The Spaniards have had no rest day or night for sixteen to eighteen days.

We shall hear more yet. So much has happened in the last four weeks that very little has been said about trade. At every place in the country men have been standing to arms in case they should be wanted. It is hoped the Prince of Parma will at length be wearied out, although the commissioners are still sitting so that one might expect some very wonderful result. I leave it at that. Time will perhaps bring more strange events, and the war may move to yet other places. The English will not quiet down all at once, for they now have 500 to 600 well-found ships at disposal and might do wonders with them. Perhaps they will pay a visit to Spain and Portugal, as these two countries are very bare of ships and guns. The Spanish Armada brought with it many galleys too, among them two quite big ones from Italy. They had hoped to get them over here, but they hung in the sea and were swamped. So with them also the Spaniards had no luck. Many things have occurred also that I do not know about. The English actually lost three or four large ships. The biggest, the Elizabeth, was burnt in the fight, and it is said that with all these fires the sea was as bright and clear by night as by day. The glare could be plainly seen from the land here, along the coast where the wrecked ships and dead men lie driven hither by the wind. It would be well were God's will done and an end made, but I fear that the war will go on still longer.

Venice, 23 August, 1588

The Spaniards have received letters from Madrid of the 28th ult. and announce that His Majesty of Spain is at the Escorial, and is giving no audiences, as is His Majesty's custom when he has important matters to consider.

Rome, 27 August 1588

Last Monday a printed sheet was published here, describing how the English fleet was beaten by the Spaniards. This is confirmed by a messenger from the Duke of Savoy also, and Cardinal Morosini writes to the same effect. But the Pope and some Cardinals are still doubtful, and the Pope has said that he will not hand over the promised million to the King of Spain and make Eduard Farnese a Cardinal until the Spanish Armada has disembarked troops in England.

Prague, 30 August 1588

Yesterday evening a messenger came here from Milan with the announcement that the Spanish Armada has fought the English and the English have succumbed. At this the rejoicing here is universal. But whether it is correct we shall not know for certain till the regular mail comes.

Staden, 22 September 1588

We recently informed you that the Spanish Armada had invaded Scotland. This was incorrect. They did indeed land in order to procure fresh water and then sailed back to Lisbon. From lack of powder and munitions the English were unable to pursue the Spaniards further, but sailed back to England. Else they would have been able to do the Spanish Armada much harm, because the wind was foul for it. About the losses of the two fleets nothing is yet known. It is thought that the Admiral with Drake as Vice-Admiral and 80 of the largest and best ships will sail to Lisbon and Spain in order to intercept the remainder of the Armada before it gets home. But they might have their trip for nothing. Some Jesuits and women found among the Armada prisoners have been hanged in London. In addition they have hanged an Englishman sent as a spy by the Prince of Parma. We are also told that there is an old gentleman of 84 among the prisoners. He was apparently among those sent by the Prince of Parma to negotiate peace, and is said to have written to the Queen not to fit out a navy for fear of endangering the peace. He is imprisoned as a traitor, but what will be done with him is unknown. Several more such people may be found yet.

Hamburg, 19 November 1588

The Armada of the King of Spain set sail from Portugal with one hundred and thirty-five ships, to wit: four galleasses from Naples, four galleons from Portugal, ten vessels with victuals, fourteen Venetian ships, among them several galleons. The remainder was made up of other large and small craft. The Armada arrived in Corunna on the 5th day of July, from whence it intended to sail for Flanders, there to join forces with the Duke of Parma and invade England. At that time the English Armada was in Plymouth Port.

After they had been under sail from Corunna eight days they arrive in Ostend and thereupon lay south of the shores of England, where for four or five days they had various skirmishes with the English Armada. On that occasion the English took two ships. On one of these there was Don Pedro di Mendoza, whom they took prisoner and so to England. Storms south of England caused them the loss of four Portuguese galleons which remained stranded on the French coast. They they proceeded and cast anchor off Calais, since they could no longer get as far as Dunkirk. They wished to wait for the Duke of Parma in Calais, but he sent word that he could not be ready under eight days. Thereupon the admiral sent reply that he would again set sail for Spain. Meanwhile the English sent forth against the Spanish Armada several burning ships, so that they were forced to cut their moorings and to retire hastily. Each ship left two anchors behind and four of the largest galleasses were stranded and wrecked off Calais. The following day at eight o'clock, the two Armadas had a further encounter, heavily bombarding each other for eight hours. In this battle the Spanish lost four ships, namely two Portuguese galleasses, a vessel from Biscay and one other. All four went to the bottom of th esea. Three large Venetian craft remained behind off the coast of Flanders and were in great peril of going under. The inhabitants of Flushing took two of these ships, and the third was shipwrecked. One of them had on board the Colonel commanding the garrison of Seville. According to the prisoners' report the Spaniards lost four thousand men in the battle off Calais, amonst them the Commander-in-Chief of the cavalry at Naples and Seville. The Spaniards are said to have left one hundred and twenty ships, although others could count only one hundred and ten. The big galleon, which the Duke of Florence had sent, was not to been anywhere after the battle.

Hereafter the Armada made off and was pursued by the English for five days as far as Scotland. When they counted their men there they found that they had already lost eight thousand, most of whom had been killed or died of disease. From thence they set sail for Ireland without taking provisions on board. Off Ireland they lost two ships, the San Sebastian and the San Mathias, which had four hundred and fifty-six men on board. Lacking fresh water, the fleet threw many horses and mules overboard off Ireland. When they sailed away from Ireland, the Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, ordered each one of his captains to set his course for Corunna or the first Spanish prot. They thus sailed together throughout ten days. Then the storm separated the Duke of Medina Sidonia with twenty-seven of his ships from them and no one knew where they had gone. The last time the Armada was assembled it counted no more than seventy-eight ships. Of the big galleasses not one was left. Two of the Duke of Medina Sidonia's ships ran ashore. Only two or three of the men were saved. They say that the Chief Admiral had left on board only five-and-twenty more barrels of wine, but litle bread and no water. His masts had been so weakened by firing that he could not carry full canvas. The Duke had three English pilots on board ship. On the 10th day of September a further large ship of five hundred tons, Maria della Rosa, ran ashore off Ireland. On it were the Colonel Michael Oquendo, commander of part of this fleet, and also the Prince of Ascoli, the bastard son of the King of Spain, twenty-eight years of age. There were besides these ten noblemen, seven captains and five hundred soldiers. They all perished except one pilot who saved himself on a plank. He says that the King's bastard son came on board this ship off Calais. The vessel carried fifty cannons and twenty-five other metal pieces, as well as 15,000 ducats and silver reals and much gold. The same day two big vessels put eight hundred and fifty men ashore in Ireland, seven hundred of whom died, and the remainder were taken prisoner. The vessels were cast ashore. On the 12th day of September another big ship was wrecked. Thirteen noblemen were taken prisoner and four hundred men reached land. From yet another ship seventy-eight bodies were washed ashore. From a further wrecked vessel three noblemen, a bishop and seventy-nine mercenaries were taken prisoner. The others perished. On the 17th day of September two large vessels, the St. Joaquim and the St. Martin, sank. The admiral was de Ricaldo, and his ship was almost the largest in the whole fleet. There were on it eight hundred soldiers, sixty Portuguese and forty Biscay fishermen. They had starved for almost four days.

Finally another galleon of four hundred and fifty tons was wrecked with an Italian margrave and the old Naples and Seville garrison. On it were also Don Alonzo de Layba, Mestre de Campo of the Cavalry in Milan. On the 18th day of September there arrived news from Ireland that very many bodies had been washed ashore.