Mary Rose, and the Golden Lion, were so far to the rereward, and so far severed from the rest of the fleet, that the galliasses undertook to give them an hard assault. But they were well entertained by the ships, for the space of an hour and an half, until at the length, some of the Queen's ships, coming to succour the Triumph and the Londoners, dealt so well in the matter, that the galliasses were driven to retire. The wind came about at this present, to the south-east, and afterwards, to the southwest and by south, at which time a certain number, or squadron of the Queen's, together with other merchants ships, gave assault unto the Spanish fleet, and that, so furiously to the westward of them, that the Spaniards were all inforced to give them way: For which cause, the Lord Admiral considering both the discommodity and danger, whereinto the Triumph, and the other five ships were come, he called other of the Queen's ships that were not far off, and gave them straight commandment to follow him, and to charge the enemies which were to the westward with all their force; giving further order to them all, not to discharge any one piece of ordnance, before they should come within a musketshot of the enemy, inasmuch, as that was the only way to succour the ships of their friends with the greater damage of the enemy. This was well performed by the Ark, the Elizabeth Jonas, the galleon Leicester, the Golden Lion, the Victory, the Mary Rose, the Dread-nought, and the Swallow. Which thing the Duke of Medina perceiving, he also came forth with sixteen of his best galleons, to hinder and impeach the Englishmen in the defence of the Triumph, seeming in this case to pretend, that the reason of the fight did so require; whereas the regard of his honour did no less inforce him unto it; because it seemed unconve nient that he should in every thing be inferior to the Englishmen; and, therefore, he made large promises unto those, by whose means the victory should be gotten. Howbeit that fell out in the end, that was prefixed by the stars, that is, that the success of the conflict falling out on his side, as hardly, as in such a case might be, the Spaniards, in the end, were inforced to give place, and to retire unto their aray of battle. In this conflict, one William Cocks, captain of a little pinnace, called the Violet, belonging unto Sir William Winter, behaved himself very valiantly against the enemy, in the greatest heat of this incounter; but, within a little while after, he lost his delight, wherewith he was not very well acquainted, and his life, by a great piece of ordnance, fortune not being correspondently favourable unto his courage, which, therefore, was no whit profitable to the perfection of his purpose.

Toward the evening, four or five Spanish ships came out from the rest of the fleet, from the south-eastward, against whom, certain of the English ships came, and namely, the May-flower of London, which discharged certain pieces upon the enemy, with a very honourable declaration of the marine discipline; and being accompanied by other ships, that were there found, they all behaved themselves no less diligently (which thing was not at the first hoped for) shewing their desire tempered with a wish of other company. The conflict continued from the morning unto the evening, the Lord Admiral being at all times ready and vigilant, in all adventures that might fall out: And, thereupon, he was sometimes more, and sometimes less eager in the conflict, as necessity

required, giving thereby evident example, how others should behave themselves. It might well be said, that, for the time, it was not possi ble to see, before this battle, in this sea, so hard a conflict, nor so terrible a spoil of ships, by reason of the pellets* that flew so thick every way: To conclude, there was never seen so vehement a fight, either side endeavouring through an headstrong and deadly hatred the other's spoil and destruction. For, albeit the musquetiers and harquebusiers were in either fleet many in number, yet could they not be discerned or heard, by reason of the more violent and roaring shot of the greater ordnance, that followed so thick one upon another, and played so well that day, on either side, that they were thought to be equal in number, to common harquebusiers in an hot skirmish. The battle was not only long, but also near at hand, within half a musket-shot, and that to the great advantage of the Englishmen, who with their ships, being (as was aforesaid) excellent of sail and stirrage, yet less a great deal, than the Spanish ships, and therefore, more light and nimble, sought not at all, according to their manner otherwise, to board them, but keeping themselves aloof at a reasonable distance, continually beat upon the hull and tacklings of their enemies ships, which being a great deal higher, could not so conveniently beat the English ships, with their ordnance. This long conflict being finished, and every one retiring unto his part, the next day following (which was Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of the month) was passed without any thing done, because, by reason of the fight that day before, there was spent a great quantity of powder and shot; whereupon, the Lord Admiral sent divers barks and pinnaces to the shore, for a new supply of such munition. For her Majesty, prudently foreseeing each thing necessary for her men, ordained that there should be sufficient provision made, according as should be needful; as well of victuals as of munition. It seemed moreover that day, that the Spanish fleet was nothing grieved with that day's respite, but were all of them indifferently glad of that breathing, inasmuch as, thereby, they had good opportunity to look to their leaks, whereof no doubt they had a great number; for they had carried away many shrewd stripes from their ene mies, their hurts being of great likelihood so much the more, in that the Spaniards were penned up in a narrow room. This day, the Lord Admiral, for certain convenient reasons, divided the whole body of the fleet into four squadrons, by means of which division the enemy might be greatly, and more continually troubled. The first squadron he kept for himself, the second he assigned unto Sir Francis Drake, his ViceAdmiral, the third to Mr. John Hawkins, the fourth to Mr. Martin Frobisher; and after noon he gave order, that in the night six of the merchants ships in each squadron (for that, as they were of sundry parts of the realm, so they were equally divided into each squadron) should charge the Spanish fleet in as many parts, at one and the same time, that at midnight the enemy might be kept occupied. This order taken (as it was very likely) might have had as good effect, as it was wisely given; but by reason of a great calm, which fell out, no part of this advisement could be accomplished, fortune interrupting good counsel.

i. e. Bullets.

The next day, being the twenty-fifth of the month, and St. James's day, there was a great Spanish galleon left behind her company to the southward, near to the squadron of Master John Hawkins; so that the barks, belonging unto the greater ships, were within musket-shot of her. By reason hereof, three of the galliasses, and another ship, that was in manner of a galleon, and well appointed, came from the Spanish fleet to succour this galleon. Against whom went out the Lord Admiral in the Ark, and the Lord Thomas Howard in the Golden Lion, and drew so near, being towed by their boats, that they did them much harm, whereby one of them, requiring the help of the rest, being succoured by them, returned unto the fleet: And from another, by means of a shot coming from the Ark, there was taken away her light, and thrown into the sca; the third lost her beck. Whereby these two ships, the Ark and the Golden Lion, declared this day to each fleet, that they had most diligent and faithful gunners, desirous as well of the common good, as of the private honour of their leaders, the Lord Admiral and the Lord Thomas Howard, which went in them; which commendation might rightly be imparted with them, concerning this happy event, because the calm was so great, that, albeit the two fleets were well able to behold the fortune of each of their friends, yet, notwithstanding, they could not help them at all; at the length, the wind beginning somewhat to arise, the Spaniards took the opportunity thereof, and put themselves forward to help those of their side, and succoured them honourably. After this time, the galliasses, in whose puissance the greatest hope of the Spanish fleet was founded, were never seen to fight any more, such was their entertainment that day.

The two fleets, notwithstanding, approaching nigh one unto another, began a conflict, but they continued it but a while, except one ship, called the Non Pariglia, and another, called the Mary Rose, which, having taken in their top-sails, staid themselves there, to make as it were a certain experience of their manhood, upon the Spanish fleet, behaving themselves honourably for a season. In which time, the Triumph, being to the northward of the Spanish fleet, was so far off, that doubting, that certain of the Spanish ships would assault her to the windward, they succoured her with divers boats, that got the wind easily; for the Bear and the Elizabeth Jonas, even at one instant, having knowledge of the danger, wherein the other were, drew near unto them, desiring both in regard of the honour of their commonwealth, and also for the preservation of their friends and countrymen, to be partakers of the like danger and difficulty.

Whereupon each ship doing her duty, they jointly saved the Triumph from all harm, and recovered the wind. And thus this day's work ended; whereof I may say, that the conflict was no whit shorter than the day itself.

At this present, the Englishmen considering the great waste of powder and shot, that had heretofore been made, the Lord Admiral determined not to assault the enemy any more, until he were come nigh unto Dover, in which place, he knew, he should find the fleet under the charge of the Lord Seymer and Sir William Winter, who were ready to join with him, that thereby he might both fortify himself with a great

number of ships, and in this manner provide themselves of munition, from that part of the realm. Upon Friday, therefore, being the twentysixth of the month, ceasing from fighting, the Lord Admiral (as well for their good deserts and honourable service, as also to encourage others to like valour) was desirous to advance certain personages to the degree of knighthood, for that, behaving themselves manfully as well with their ships as their good advice, they were worthy that degree of honour; and so much the more worthy, in that, being far separated from all courtly favour, which many times imparteth the chiefest honours unto the least deserving men, they declared their valour in the eyes of either fleet.

Therefore the two Lords, viz. the Lord Howard, and the Lord Sheffield: Roger Townsend, John Hawkins, and Martin Frobisher were called forth, and the order of knighthood given them, by the Lord Admiral, as their general.

This day there came to the service of her Majesty, in her fleet, divers gentlemen, honourable both by blood and place, but much more in respect of their courage and virtue, for that, in these publick affairs and so necessary service of the wars, they willingly offered their service in the defence of their country and honour of her Majesty.

This day also, and the next, being the twenty-seventh, the Spaniards followed their course quietly, before the English fleet. In which time the Earl of Sussex, the Lord Buckhurst, Sir George Cary, Knight, and the captains of the forts and castles thereabout, sent their men with powder, shot, and victuals, to the Lord Admiral, to assist and help the army. The same Saturday towards the evening, the Spaniards drew nigh to Calais under the coast of Picardy, and there suddenly cast anchor, almost right against the left hand of the haven, to the westward, a little less then five miles from Calais cliffs. The English fleet also cast anchor, within a culverin-shot of the enemy to the westward.

In the mean season, the Lord Seymer and Sir William Winter joined with the Lord Admiral, whereby the English fleet increased to the number of one hundred and forty ships, of all sorts. But the Spaniards, with all speed, sent tidings unto the Duke of Parma of their arrival, who at this present was at Bruges; who, having retained with him all his seafaring men, many days before to this purpose, yet proceeded no farther, in the matter, for that time, although, for such time, as the King had limited him, he for his part took as much care as might be looked for at his hands. For, having already embarked a certain number of his soldiers, he was careful in like manner to dispatch the rest, as soon as they should be ready, that they might take opportunity to come forth, furnishing them abundantly with victuals and munition. But, in the mean time, such a chance fell out, as made frustrate, not only his, but the conceit also of the Duke of Medina, and wholly overthrew their enterprise, in that her Majesty was not a little careful and troubled in mind, concerning the success of these affairs, albeit she herself had committed her whole fortune into the hands of Almighty God."

Moreover, also the Lord Admiral, having, by certain notice, understood, that the Duke of Parma had prepared a great number of tuns of water, and ten thousand chosen footmen, to be embarked for the joining

with the fleet, which could not be avoided, if the Duke of Medina were not compelled to avoid that place; knowing also the evident peril, that was to be feared, if the Spanish fleet should be suffered to refresh itself, and to be furnished with so many soldiers, he applied his wits so, in the deliberation of these matters of weight and importance, having the consent of others more practised, that no time might be lost, for the furtherance of this service; and, for so much as the forces of the enemy were not yet united and joined together, therefore the twenty-eighth of this month, at midnight, he provided eight small ships, dressed with artificial fire, to the intent to drive the same upon the Spanish fleet. This thing was diligently and effectually brought to pass, under the charge of Captain Young and Captain Prewse, two valiant and courageous men. By reason hereof, the enemy was not only inforced to break his sleep, but, the fire coming so suddenly upon him (not remembering himself, at the very instant time, of any other remedy, either more safe for himself, or more excusable) to cut his cables, to let slip his anchors, and to hoist up sails, as the only way to save his flect from so imminent and unexpected a mischief. Furthermore, by means of this tumult and confusion (which, in truth, was very great) the chief galliass fell foul with another ship, upon the cable of whose anchor, her stern was set so fast, that they could not loose her all the night long, so that the next day following she was inforced with her oars to make toward the land, and to draw nigh to the haven's mouth of Calais, to save herself in that place; but, not knowing that water, and having no profitable and convenient counsel for the time, she fell upon a shelf. This thing being, in good time, espied by the Lord Admiral, he sent thither his greatest boat, under the charge of Amicus Preston, his lieutenant, and together with him, Thomas Gerrard and Mr. Harvie, two of her Majesty's gentlemen and servants, and others of the court, and of his own servants, who fought with her, but unequally, for that the ship, being gravelled, could, with her force, prevail but little. In this conflict it chanced that a musketshot struck Hugo de Moncada, chief captain of the galliass, a noble and valiant man, in the head. The which mishap, joined with the difficulty of stirring themselves in their defence, bred such a despair in every man, that the greater sort leaped into the water, to save themselves by swimming into the haven, although many of them perished in the water. By this disorder of the enemy, the Englishmen being more secure, took her, and sacked her to their great commodity, above an hundred men being entered into her, and their company increasing more and more.

Whereupon Monsieur Gordon, Governor of Calais, a man of good estimation in respect of his prerogative in that place, sent his nephew, to give the Englishmen to understand, that they should content themselves with the ordinary spoil, and that they should leave behind them the great ordnance, as a thing belonging unto him by virtue of his office. The which embassage, sent the second time unto men more intentive unto their prey than other men's reason, made the gentleman to be evilly entertained by our men, in such sort, that they would have force ably taken from him some trifling things about him, thinking him to ba

This is the first occasion on which we read that fire-ships were used in a sea-fight.