ABout August last past, 1590, that most fa­mous and venterous Gentleman, Edward Glemhall of Benhall in Suffolke, Es­quire, set saile from Tilberry-hope neere Grauesend, onely accompanyed with one good ship, viz. The Edward & Constance, of the burthen of 240. Tunnes or vpward, and one Pinnis called the Fawlcon, which Ship and Pinnis he alone equi­ped, furnished and victualed, in such sort and with such plen­tie, as sildome hath there beene so much prouision made for the like Voyage, all at his owne proper costs. This famous Gentleman, being owner and sole aduenturer: not onely has­sarded his goods to the fortune of the Seas, but scorning the Idle life which many desireth, aduentured also his bodye in this voyage, showing his worthie vndaunted minde, which holdeth honour in greater regarde, then ease at home, prefer­ring countreys benefit, and his reputation farre beyond life, (albeit) his worship in his Countrey, and liuings were such, as might haue drawne the coward mindes of many, to haue liued amongst their freends, free from those dangers immi­nent to trauailers, yea, such were the bountifull blessings of God, enduing him with those worldly fauoures, as might haue woone him to haue left his determined voyage, hauing so aboundantly the loue generally of his neighbours, Gen­tlemen, and commons, amongst whom he kept good hospita­lity, feasting his freends, and releeuing the poore plentifully, such was the good minde both of the gentleman and his ver­tuous [Page] wife, whose worshipfull auncestrie, hath beene, and is, most famous, both in Court and Countrie, being daughter and sole heyre of a right worshipfull Knight, famous in his life, and of great possessions. But neither the desire of liuing which he enioyed, the sorrow of his right worshipfull Wife, nor the pitteous mone of his sweet children, might remooue his setled determination from his intended voyage, which he vndertooke this last yeare, for the Ilands of the Suryes and Canaryes, whether at his departure hee framed his course, giuing the like directions to his Pinnis, who he was enforced to leaue behinde him at Douer, to repaire some wants, but he neuer sawe hir since, by the negligence of the Maister and Captaine which he left in her, to no little greefe of the Gentleman, & no small discomfort to all his company.

All things furnished for his voiage, the great commander of the heauens and seas, fauouring his enterprise, he set saile from Douer roade, hauing the winde large at North East, which continued so eight daies, so that it freed him from our coast. Thus happily he recouered the Cape, and from thence to the Ilands, there spending his time, dooing small good, vntill Nouember, abiding many sharpe stormes of winde and weather, which they continued, when many were enfor­sed to forsake the Ilandes, and returne home, keeping the Spanish coast, without dooing any thing answerable to his valiant minde, loathing to returne without dooing some ho­nourable exploite, aswell for honour of his Countrey, as his reputation, his men, healthfull and in good liking, for whom was his cheefest care, for that he would profit them, whose li­uing is thereby maintained, their wiues and families, extee­ming their good, more then his owne losse, which was likely to be of no small importe.

Houering betweene the Ilandes, commaunded by the harshnes of the windes, to seeke his best safetie, hauing little chase or none, and desirous to releeue his companies with such fresh vittels as the Ilandes affords, he most valiantlye accompted, to land on Saint Georges Iland. And hauing [Page] counselled with his company thereof, they were all willing, as men that loue him, both for his valoure and courtesie, to follow him, in what seruice so euer, all condiscending to hys will, he causeth speedy preparation to be made for the same. And hauing a small Caruill, which he had taken before at his starne, for that she drewe little water, was the fitter for the landing his companies: All things prouided, they attend but the tide for their best aduantage, and neere vpon a full sea, he halled vp his long Boate and the Caruell, into which ente­red foure score and sixe men, 60 Shot, the rest Pikes, blacke Billes, and other warlike abilliments, and in Gods name commit themselues to their good fortunes.

The watch of the Iland, perceiuing theyr comming neere the shore, with their Ship, more then commonly any stran­ger dooth, had before giuen warnings, that the most force of the Iland was there, ready to receaue them: which our men perceaued, yet could not be daunted with the sight of them, but valiantly put forwards, attempting to land where they were most sharpely encountered by the enemie. But the Gunner taking aduantage, with a Sacare from the Ship, charged with a Chaine, made so good a shoote, that hee flew and dismembred tenne or twelue, who seeing his suc­cesse aunswerable to his desire, hee playde still vpon them with his Ordnance from the Shippe, which made them the sooner to retire, so that the whole conflict at the first landing, continued not past two houres, when the Spa­niards heartes began to quaile, and his men to bee of more courage, which the Spaniards perceauing, sounded a re­treate, and with all speede, fled into the hie Countreyes, so thankes be to God, they ended onely with the losse of two men, besides some hurt, yet did they great spoile amongst the Spaniards.

Being landed, and night at hande, they had no pollicie, to persue them, wherefore marching into the lande a Mile or something lesse, they encamped themselues, dispearsing sundrye Sentenels, for watche, farre from the Campe, [Page] diuers wayes, keeping a strong watch in campe. That if the enimie should haue come vpon them in the night, they might haue beene ready to receiue them.

But the Spaniards, hauing so bad a banquetiat their first meetings, had no hast to come againe. Day being come, Ge­nerall Glemham commaunded certaine espials to be sent out, to see if they could descrie the enemie, but they returned with little newes, sauing they saw many armed in no araye, and diuers women and children, carrying goods to hide.

Vpon this newes, that worthy Gentleman, and braue Captaine, Maister Edward Horecourt his associate in those his Voyages, willed the Generall to deuide the com­pany, and he would lead the one of them: and so with En­signes displayed, to march in warlike order farther vp, to see what they would do: which counsell the Generall accepted, and with easie paces marched on, largely distanted one from the other, to make them seeme farre more in number then they were, with Drums, Trumpets, and two Ensignes dis­plaid, yeeling such terrible cryes as they marched, as might terrifie a great company.

The Generall gouerned by Captaine Horecourt, whose experience in land seruice is much, hauing had charge of cre­dit in the Low-countreys, Ireland, and Portingall, and ther­fore wholy directed by him, the two Companies marched in sort like two wings, with intent and full resolution, if there came ten men for one, to encounter them, and valiantly to die together, or gaine honour for euer with the enemie.

They had not marched halfe a league, when making a stand for some parley, the espyals brought word they sawe one come, mounted as if he came to speake with them, wher­fore the Generall sent a Guarde of Musketeares to meete him, and to stay him, if he had any thing to saye, for that hee should not take view of their forces. When he came to this Courte of Guarde appointed to meete him: they demanded what he was? Who answered, he had to say to their Gene­rall and Captaines, and desired to be brought to their pre­sence, [Page] they staide him there, and sent worde to the Generall what hee was, who came accompanied with foure other Gentlemen, and his whole noise of Trumpets, most brauely to speake with him.

After entertainment giuen him in the best manner, for that he seemed some Cauelere, hee aduertised the Generall that he came from the Gouernour, to know what they were, and what they required.

The General vsing him kindely, gaue him milde speeches, but willed him to returne his aunswer thus. That he was a Gentleman of England, & what he pretended, he would not impart to any priuate man: but if the Gouernor would come himselfe, he promised on the honour of an English Gentle­man, he should passe and repasse in safetie: if hee gaue not credit to his worde, hostage of reputation, Gentlemen of his countrie, no whit inferiour to the best Spaniard in the Ile, should be deliuered for him.

With this answer, the Messenger hastneth to the Gouer­nour: Who calling his Counsell, required their opinions, whose aduises giuen, he came towards the Campe, accom­panied with twelue others, well mounted, about some halfe mile from the Court of Guarde, they made staye, and sent vnto the Generall for his hostages, who ss he promised, sent a Gentleman, that sometimes attended the Earle of War­wike, Maister Hammon, one Maister Gore, and Maister Hunnings, Guarded with twentie Musketeares, who deli­uered the Gentlemen, and receaued the Gouernour, conduc­ting him to a place where the Generall made his stay, distant from his Campe.

Being mette, and hauing a while conferred, the General demanded to haue the Iland deliuered him, vnto the Queen of Englands vse, which if they would, they should haue liber­tie to depart with what they had there in possession, if not, to commit it to the hassard of the sworde, for what aduantuge he had, he would keepe, or die for it: and what spoile he could make they should be assured of.

[Page]This demaund the Gouernour flatlye denyed, alledging he was a Gentleman, and sworne to the King his Maister, as the Generall for the Queene of England, and that before his allegiance therein should quaile, he would die with ho­nour like a Gentleman. Yet quoth he, as ye are a Gentle­man, and will fauour me heereafter, what there is in the Ile will do you pleasure, commaund it, condicionally that your companies spoyle not the Kings subiects, nor theyr goods, which rather then I may endure, I will hazzard all to my good Fortunes.

The Generall for that he vnderstood not the Spanish, was compelled to vse an enterpretor, wherefore that hee might speake his owne minde, he demaunded of the Gouer­nour if he spake Lattin, which he did excellent well, so in lat­tin, which the Generall speakes as perfect as English, hee confermed what he had before spoken and no more.

The Generall craued some respect to answer him, lea­uing captaine Horecourt and the Maister which was new­ly come ashore, to accompany him, he called the cheefest of all his company, aduertising what offers were made, and wild them to looke into the matter with aduise, before they de­termined, for as he had brought them thether, he would in part be gouerned by thē, who aduentured as he did, though his charge was more, yet told them, that in his opinion, bet­ter some good end be made, then to aduenture farther, for that they were strangers, not knowing theyr forces, neither the vantage or disuantage of the place, and to what perrils they were subiect vnto, being of no more power, he referred to their directions to consider. I speake not this quoth the Generall of cowardis, for if I haue but twentie of you to stand by me, Saint George for all: I will end my life before I distaine the reputation of an English Gentleman.

The company hearing his resolute minde, which they euer found, such as he seemed, with a generall voice, put it to his discretion, vowing (what he did) to ratifie, either to peace, or fight it out, to take part with him so far as their liues would [Page] go. The Generall gaue them thankes for their loues, & pro­tested that he would want whatsoeuer he had or should haue in his possession, before they should lacke. Thus greeued, to deliuer that aduantage which he had in his enemies country, he wished but one hundred men more, to haue tryed h [...]s fortune with them, but he thought it small pollicie, to refuse those offers, to hassard their liues and all, considering his small power, the enemie being in his owne countrey, likely to be releeued euery day with more supply, and they to haue nothing, but what by force they obtained, waying all things with equalitie as well his owne dangers as his companies, he returned the Gouernour this answer.

That considering he was a Gentleman, which helde his reputation in some accompt with his Maister the King, and that it might greatly blemish his credit, if they should bid thē battell and ouerthrow them, of which by Gods helpe he was assured, he had with earnest request perswaded the company to giue ouer their aduantage, on those conditions presently to be performed, viz. That they should haue of victuals of al sorts the Iland affordeth, sufficient for the vitteling the ship, and 1000 Crownes amongst them, to be deuided in recom­pence of the losse of their men slaine at their landing.

To those conditions the Gouernour condiscended, and on his credit to deliuer it in one daies respect this matter ended. The Generall enuited the Gouernor to such viands as they had, and so spent the time a while with freendship, carrew­sing to the health of the English Queene, and making good cheere, when night approaching, the Gouernour tooke leaue to depart, earnestly entreating the Generall, and Captaine Horecourt, to accompanie him to his house, where to such entertainment as the Iland affordes, they should be wel­come, and so assured from any euill to be offered to him, or his company, as if he were in his best freends house in Eng­land. But the Generall knowing what it is to trust a recon­siled foe, gaue him as hartie thanks as his offers were kinde, yet would trust him but as a Spaniard, so he departed, and [Page] the Gentlemen returned which was deliuered for him, vnto whom the Spaniards had giuen many gifts.

The Gouernor being departed, order was taken for the watche, which was set in diuers places, for feare of treache­rie in the night. About two houres in the night, a Trumpet sounded a parley neere the Campe, which so amazed them, that they were greatly in doubt of the Spaniards tre­cherie, and betooke them all to armes presently. The Gene­rall, according to law of armes, summoned him againe with one other Trumpet, then after with his whole noise, and sent Captaine Horecourt with a guarde of Musketteares, to heare the cause of his comming, who found none but three men sent from the Gouernour, with such vyands dressed as was puruayed for his owne supper, and one But of Canary Wine, which the Generall thankefully accepted, and rewar­ding the trumpet largely with Crownes, sent him away.

The next daye about two of the clocke after noone, the Gouernour came againe to the Generall, accompanied with a troope of Gentlemen, where they passed the time in ban­queting, attending the cōming of the cariages which brought the victuals, viz. Beefe, Kids, 30 Buts of Sack & Canary wines, Ruske, Meale, Flower, Salt, pumpions, & other pro­uision, sufficient for nine moneths victuals. The Spaniard hauing kept his word, the Generall was loath his curtesies should go altogether vnrequited, wherefore he enuited the Gouernour & his company to dinner aborde his ship the next day, which the rest were loth to cōsent vnto, which the gene­rall perceauing, told them flatly & halfe in choller, that they did distrust him, but (quoth he) you shal not need, for the worst Englishman doth hold his word of honor in as much regard as their king, & that if his boy for him had promised any thing he would maintaine it as his life. But Gentlemen (quoth he) seeing you suspect my word, & that ye may accept my offer without distrust, for that I would willingly haue your com­pany, my warrant shall be those pledges which I will not leaue for the kingdome of Spaine.

[Page]The gouernor being of milde nature, was sorry to see him so disquiet: wherefore with gentle words, he first pacified the Generall, then entreated his freends to accompany him, which they easily graunted, and accordingly came the next day, where the Generall feasted them in braue maner, to the honour of his countrey, & his owne worthy commendations.

The day folowing, he that ordained wind & tide to serue the purposes of men, sent thē a faire & pleasing gale, which cau­sed him the rather to set saile frō thence, & so ranged alongst the Ilands againe, seeking his good fortune. The 5 day after he put from S. Georges, he discried two tall ships, to whō he gaue chase, with a scant gale, all night, vntill the next day at noone, when bearing with thē, the generall hailed them, & cō ­manded thē to strike for the Queene of England. Those vil­lains in despite shewed the Leagers flags & refused to strike, whervpon the Gunner shot one of them being Admirall, tho­row, betweene wind & water, so that she was faine to lie by the Lee, to stop hir leake. Then bare the Vizeadmirall vp to rescue her consart, whō the Generall cōmanded to strike, but they answered dispitefully they would not, but ere they did yeeld, or strike, they would sinke in the seas: so y ^e company de­manded whence they were, they said of S. Mallowes, & their names the Dolphins, the one the great Dolphin, the other the little Dolphin, stout ships & well appointed, the least of thē hauing 22 cast peeces: wel quoth the General, strike your flag, for neuer shal so base vi [...]ains as you cary your flag, wher an English gentleman is: they said they would not, thē bare the General with them, & gaue thē their whole brode side, & shered close with thē, entending to haue borded thē, but by y ^e negligence of y ^e helms mā, they fel off, to the Generals great discontent. By this time the Admirall had reasonable well stopped hir leake, & seeing the General bare with him, made ready to fight, and first gaue them their whole side, but hit not the ship at all, so began a hot & mortall fight on their partes, for our men entering, the Admiral saw 7 or 8 men slaine, and hauled into their forecastell, yet by e [...]d h [...]p they were put off [Page] againe. But the Gunner whose name is Henrie Greene, a braue & valiant man, so behaued himselfe, that it was maruelous to report. And euery man in his place so bestirred them­selues, that they deserue commendations. The Maister, a man of no small courage, greeued at their putting off, cryed still, aborde, aborde: and at the third encounter the Generall himselfe with twentie others to rescue him, borded the Ad­mirall, who being grapled, could not fall off againe suddenly. The Vizeadmirall seeing her consort in danger, laide her a­borde also on the other side, entering her men, so that our company was enforsed to retyre, with little hurt, & great da­mage to the enemy. Fiue houres continued they this whot conflict; when parting by reason of the night comming on, they went away & were neuer seene after. This conflict en­ded, the Generall calling his company, first gaue God thanks for preseruing thē, then caroused he to them, binding them all by their faiths, to fight it out with them the next day, & either to take them, or die for it, to which they willingly consented.

Long seemed that night, to those which earnestly looked for better successe. The day no sooner gaue light, but happie was he might first looke out to descrie them, but in vaine, for their market was marde, and the Frenchmens entertane­ment so bad ouernight, they durst not stay to take a breake­fast the next morning. When the Generall and his company perceaued that they were quite gone, and no hope remained to meete them any more, the winde seruing them so well, to beare with their owne coast, it greeued them not a little, so hulling there some time, to splice such ropes as were perished with shot, and to amend such hurtes as were done with shot likewise, which finished, and all things in good sort ordered, they went for the Northern Cape, to see if any better fortune would be fall them: where lying sometime at Hull, somtime bearing small saile, houering too and againe, thereabouts, they were chased with sixe Galligoes of Spaine, who fearsly pursued them, but our Generall being becalmed, and seeing no hope to escape them, prouided to fight it out.

[Page]The Admirall of this Fleete, seeming a braue man, was the first that came vp, neuer offering to shoote, vntil he laid them aborde, but by the good industrie of the Generall, and care­full working of the Maister, M. Iames Beares of Graues­end, a man no lesse pollitike then valiant, they were put off againe, and their foremast with a demie Couluering shotte, borne by the borde. Then the Vizeadmirall and Reare admi­rall, vpon whome their Gunner had plaide and doone much harme vnto, laide them also aborde, one of the one side, and the other on the other, where they were so sharpely assailed, that they lost many of their men. The Captaine of the Vize­admirall was slaine by Captaine Horecourt in his owne Galligo, in fight most brauelie. The other Galigoes would come vp, and shoote often, and away againe, but did little harme, thankes be to God. Three houres and more by este­mation endured this fight, when a strong gale at Northeast began to blowe, and the seas to growe, so that perforced to put from them, our Generall caused his Gunner to bestowe diuers Arrowes and pickes of fireworkes among them, so that he left them burning, and knoweth not how they did a­uoide it. But diuers Englishmen being in sight of this fight, that durst not come neere them for feare, to rescue them, hath reported at their home comming, that Generall Glem­ham his Ship and man were all burnt, whose reportes are not of trueth thankes be to God.

The Generall freed from those bad companions, sustai­ned great harmes, and hauing doone small good for himselfe and his companyes, was loath to go for England, but deter­mined to go for the straightes, whether they framed theyr course, hauing the winde faire to serue their turne, yet with very foule and blustering weather, in which storme he spent his Maine Mast, which had beene before fysht: but by rea­son of two shotte therein receaued, which weakened it the more, he could not saue it: and hauing few Harboures with­in the straights to freend, went for Argere, where he was most roially entertained, in such sorte, that no Gentleman [Page] of any nation hath receaued the like at any time. There he set a Maine Mast, and puruayed himselfe of all other neces­saries he wanted, trimming his Ship at pleasure, wanting no­thing that he could or would desire. Two moneths verye neere, he remained at Arger, or thereabouts, for that hee would haue had the company of the English Fleete, which could not be ready so suddenly, wherefore loth to staye any longer, he gaue the attempt to go alone, onely accompaned with a Ship of Deepe in France, called The Flower de Luce, whose ayde he promised to be. Cōming neere vnto the mouth of the straightes, without offer to be disturbed of any. There were foure of the king of Spaines gallies bound for Marceelles, who espying those two Ships, bare with them, as much as might be: and comming within shot, dis­charged foure Cannons against the Generall, which hit him not. The Generals company being now fresh & lusty, like mē of singular good courage, cheered one the other, affying one God which had bin still their comforts, in whose name they gaue a most braue and sharpe onset vpon them: the Gunner playing so well his part, that within lesse then two houres, he had almost sunke two of them, which compeld them to lie vp­on the carine, to stop their leakes, yet all they could do, could not helpe one of them: but they were faine to saue their men and slaues, and let hir sinke. All this dismaide them not, but the other three continued the fight whotly, vntill they sawe the French ship come vp, who seeing the Gallies, was loth to put hir selfe in daunger, nor neuer offered Shotte, yet prouoked by the earnest means of certaine English Sailars they had a borde, they bare with them, which the Galies per­ceuing, doubting how to withstand both, that had so bad suc­cesse with one alone, made to the shore with all the hast they could, which they recouered, & so escaped. But our generall hauing endured many shot, was so spoiled of his rigings, and other [...], as he was enforced to put lack again to Ar­gere, but the Flower de Luce, the French ship of Deepe came [...] way, thankes be to God [...] by his meanes.

[Page]Other news there is of his good succes, which I may God prooue true, for the Gentlemens [...], & his company, as there is no doubt made the [...] & his home comming dayly expected, which God grant may be sh [...]rt [...]y and in safetie.

Thus freendly Reader haue I breefely tourned the fortu­nate successe of this worthy minded Gentleman, in this his first voyage to the seas, whose troubles haue beene such, by Fortunes crosses, as might cause many a man to cease his trauailes, & to liue at home in content, yet this I assure you cannot dismay him at all, so braue and resolute is his vncon­quered minde, rather desiring honor and his countries good, then life with great possessions, whose worthye minde God encrease in all Gentlemen of his calling, so shall our Prince be most honorably serued, and hir subiects gaine fame, thorow the whole world by their prowis, to Englands eternall honor.