Nieuwe Tijdinghen

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 90 (7 August) with news from Cologne and Vienna.

COLOGNE: Prince [Frederick] Henry of Nassau has marched for Emmerich and Rees with 166 infantry companies and 30 cavalry companies. He had sent away a lot of artillery and martial equipment beforehand. He showed himself with his troops around Wesel, and the muster or assembly place was set as Deventer. Count Ernest Casimier had marched before Oldenseel with 70 companies of foot and 18 companies of horse, but the town was garrisoned with 700 royal infantry and 170 cavalry, so that there was no need to rescue or surrender the town.
We understand that on 1 August his excellency Count Henry of Bergh was afoot, with many troops, marching as bravely with the artillery and passing through Maastricht. They are making their way to Gelderland. Many Italians were with them, fine folk, and Count Henry of Bergh was guessed to be 15,000 men strong, not counting those still to follow. He had about 50 cavalry companies with him, and another 20 companies of cuirassiers are expected. They say he will have been about Oldenseel by 6 or 7 August, so it is not doubted that the enemy will withdraw rather than dare await his coming, for he has fine, excellent troops with him.
Duke Christian’s troops are still in the ecclesiastical territory of Münster at Meppen, Haselunden, between the Embs. Cavalry captains Hase, Nelle, Calenberg, and Colonel Ebrod, are to reinforce this army.
His excellency the Lord General Tilly has sent Colonel Aschaffenbergh with his cavalry regiment to the County of Lippe, to reconnoitre what is passing there and whither the enemy would march. They are at Horn, Blomberg, Schmalenberg and Salzosten.
The king’s troops and the regiments of the Count of Isenburgh and Focker lie by Lippstadt, and the Count of Isenburg has his quarters at Lipperode.
Colonel Gendt is lodged at Soest with six infantry companies and a cavalry company. States troops are running and raiding around there a lot, as far as Corbach.
The town of Gottinghen is still besieged by imperial troops. Colonel Limbach is lodged there, and says he will resist to the last man, but it is thought he will change his mind in a few days, for it is so besieged that there is no escape.
News came that Oldenseel had been succoured and that the enemy was out. We will soon send particulars.

VIENNA: On 2 August the envoys of the town of Munden in Westphalia had audience with his imperial majesty. Good is hoped for.
One evening last week, Lord Fuchs, imperial court councillor, returned here from his mission to the peasants in Upper Austria. The lord college, with the Lord Prelate of Ligenfelt, and the Lord of Grienthal, have been released from their captivity with the peasants, and are expected here.
Similarly the two peasant envoys, who had previously been here, are here again, declaring that their commander Stephan Fedingher had died of a shot he received outside Linz, and that the desire of the peasants was to appoint in his place as field commander of the peasantry a smith by trade, whom they named, and which was done.
Now the peasants see that their attacks and sieges are not going well or succeeding by water, they are resolved to seek their advantage with raids and plundering.
The lord governor of Linz killed 300 peasants in a sortie, and took 30 prisoner, and captured two artillery pieces from the peasants.
Several ships with provisions and soldiers successfully came to Linz to succour the town, despite the peasants heavily firing at the ships at Aschaw, but the peasants were so greeted by the soldiers’ muskets that they could achieve little.
The peasants furthermore wished to cross the Danube with several ships and 600 men, but were observed by the imperial troops and so encircled that most were killed by the musket fire and the rest jumped into the water and drowned.
The two peasants who have returned to Vienna declare that the king of Denmark sent an envoy called Joannes Scultettis to the rebel peasants, with letters urging them to persist in their intention, and comforting them that they would not only have the backing of our dear Lord God, but that the lord king of Denmark would come to their aid with many thousands of men. The rebel peasants took this envoy prisoner and sent to his imperial majesty to know what they should do with this envoy, who had audience with the whole council. It is hoped the peasants will soon come to a settlement.
They write from Hungary that Bethlen Gabor is having many troops recruited at Casschauw and other places, on the pretext of arming against the Turk, and that Bethlen Gabor is doing so to prevent a Turkish invasion.
They write that the Pasha of Temeszwar and the Pasha of Boszna are arming several thousand men for the field. God grant that the Christian lands be preserved from the Turks.
They write from Poland, that his royal majesty has summoned all the nobility of the land to Warsaw for 15 August, and to provide themselves with weaponry, and to march against the Turk together with the king.
The eldest son of the king of Poland is already marching towards the Turkish frontiers. God grant the Christians success and victory. Amen.

Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)
Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080028

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 89 (7 August) with news from Italy, Gdansk and Hesse.

ITALY, 22 July: They write from Rome that the Cardinal [Legate] is still in Spain, and that the French ambassador was expected in Venice, to explain to the seigneury the peace between Spain and France and the Valtelline.
On Sunday a courier came from the imperial court to Prince Savelli, concerning the affairs of the Bishopric of Strasbourg.
A meeting is being held here of the ten cardinals Bandini, Pio, Gumasio, Millini, Ludovisio, Torreo, Barberino, Sansisto, S. Honofrio, and Magalotti, to consider whether Cardinal Clesel should be sent back to Vienna to be restored to possession and residence there. We will soon know what will be decided.
They write from Naples that the galleys are being made ready there to sail against the corsairs, and the Viceroy is having 3,000 men recruited, to be sent to Germany under the Duke of Bovino to assist the Emperor.

DANZIG, 22 July: Wondrous affairs are on hand here. What will come of them will soon be revealed, for the usurper of Sweden, who calls himself king of Sweden, lies ready to visit us with 100 ships. He has sailed with 100 ships or more to Pillouw [Baltiysk], which he has taken, as well as Balga, which causes great concern here that he will come to visit us, for yesterday and today at least 400 spiritual persons, and Jesuit Fathers, arrived here as refugees. The Swede has taken away four great ships that were anchored at Pillouw and served the Elector of Prussia. News came here that the Swede had laid siege to Coningxberghen, but there is as yet no certainty of it.
Today a letter arrived from the Swede to the honourable councillors here, about which the lords spent all day at the town hall with 100 men. What news it contained cannot yet be known.
It is said that the king of Sweden came to Pillow with at least eighty-eight ships of his armada, and they had raised a new sconce there for defence, which the Swede has taken and is reinforcing to his own desire. He has demanded free passage of Coninxberghen, and declared that if they do not hinder him in his design, he will not hinder them. He then at once marched to Braunsberg and Frawenberghe, and sent a trumpeter to demand that those places surrender at his mercy, at which those within replied the same day that all they had for him was powder and lead.
Today he sent four patents or letters under his seal into the city by a Dutch skipper.
The Swede claims that we have shown him all sorts of enmity, as he wrote to us three years or more ago that we should undertake not to allow any hostile attempt from our harbour, and that he had received no reply, and now he will come before our harbour and have toll of every ship that goes in or out, the same as they give to the city and to the king of Poland, prohibiting any merchant or mariner to pay toll to the king of Poland or the city, and that he will punish those who do not obey, each having to see for themselves.
The four patents or letters that he sent here are [addressed] firstly to the city council, secondly to the ordinance or 100 men, thirdly to the merchants of whatever nation they might be, and fourthly to all mariners or skippers, wherever they be from. We do not know what to expect, for if he is able to overpower the bishopric, he will threaten the River Weser and our navigation from three sides, so that we are inclined and resolved to resist the Swede. It is said he has 200 sail, and 6,000 men with him. We have 800 soldiers in the city, and the citizenry, who together will make fine troops.

HESSE, 17 July: Peace has been proclaimed in this territory or principality, with placcards affixed in the towns, forbidding and commanding on pain of corporal punishment that no harm be done to anyone on the Emperor’s behalf or to any soldiers, in any way, except insofar as any cavalrymen raiding and plundering might be resisted and defended against as best as can be, and if possible captured and taken and delivered to the general commander.
Further, all the troops that were lodged around Cassel and here in this territory have marched for Gottinghen. That town is still so strongly besieged that no succour can enter, and it will not be able to resist for long, but those within often make sorties and are still skirmishing daily.
It is said that the Prince of Luneburg’s regiment will be mustered in a few days, but whither is unknown.

Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)
Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080026

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 88 (5 August) with news from Bavaria (including news about France and England)

BAVARIA: Land-spoiler Mansfeld has got about 10,000 men together, and hopes to pe*****te Silesia with them to join with the peasants, but the Emperor and the Duke of Bavaria have many men afoot to oppose them, and the peasants.
The latest letters from Munich, the capital of Bavaria, say that the peasants have petitioned the Emperor for a ceasefire, which has been granted, in order to negotiate peace. Further details are to be expected in the next letters. It is also said that the king of Denmark and the Landgrave of Hesse are seeking agreement with the Emperor. We will soon hear greater certainty of this.
The king of Denmark has driven out the Bishop of Bremen (to wit he who bears the name of Bishop in order to enjoy the income of the bishopric) and has come to encamp on the River Weser.
The Hollanders are providing him with 50,000 guilders per month, obliging him to waste money for them without doing anything.
The usurper of the kingdom of Sweden has assembled a number of ships and sailed with them to not far from Danzig. It is thought he intends to attempt something in the country of Prussia, to prevent the king of Poland from providing assistance to the Emperor.
They write from France that the king intends to have his brother marry Madame de Montpensier. He is therefore keeping his brother with him under strong guard, so that he should not get away, for fear that if free of the king he would gain much support from most of the country’s greatest nobility.
They also write that Cardinal de Richelieu, the king’s greatest councillor, dare not travel anywhere without a party of his servants carrying loaded pistols.
It seems the resolution continues that a new sea town be built in Brittany.
They write from England that the king would gladly fit out thirty or forty ships to put to sea, if he had the money.
He has had a declaration put out in print, four pages large, in which he declares the great care and princely wisdom with which he summoned a parliament to provide him with means to protect his lands and subjects against the king of Spain, and that notwithstanding his great carefulness, those of the Parliament were more eager to persecute one of the country’s principal lords in a disorderly manner, than to provide him with means for defence, etc.
In conclusion, he says that he will, notwithstanding, take his sceptre and sword in hand to protect his beloved subjects against the insatiable desire of the king of Spain to attain a universal monarchy, and also to maintain the consciences of his subjects in the rightful religion that they have in England, and liberate them from the yoke of the Pope of Rome, etc.
This is the essence of his Declaration, four printed pages large, which is filled with new inkhorn terms to lead peasants and common folk (who do not understand it) to believe that it contains great princely wisdom.
The king of England has also sent out notices to seize the land and goods of 7,400 Catholics, on top of what he takes from them in fines because they will not come into the Calvinist churches for the sermon and supper, so that there is great fear that these Catholics who before were skimmed enough with fines will now be brought to ruin and beggary.
How the Gueux would scream and shout if they were treated according to the example of this Calvinist king, as is allowed by his rightful English Religion, although it is not yet part of the uprght reformed religion of the Hollanders, yet in time it might be, for the will is already there, just not the opportunity.
The Duke of Bavaria, having understood the great persecution of the Catholics in England, and that there is a college of English Jesuits in the city of Liège, which had fallen into necessity and debt, as they were unable to obtain any support from their friends in England, has not only paid off all their debts but also assigned them the sum of 14,000 guilders as annual maintenance. Almighty God will reward him for this, as the institution and intention of this college, like that of other suchlike as there are in Rome, and some in Spain and Flanders, is to train able and learned men who promise to work in England for the conversion of souls notwithstanding all danger and peril to their own lives. This is a wonderful Christian and charitable resolution, which has produced many martyrs, and always more ready to endure death and martyrdom.
They also write that the king of England has also sent out notices to various private persons to borrow money from them, but there is no appearance it will bring him in much money, partly because all such loans made to his father on such terms are still unpaid and partly because there is an alteration in the affection of the commonalty, and one counselling another not to lend him money.
They write from Calais that English goods are being arrested there and in other parts of France, because the English have arrested French goods in England.
Also that Dunkirkers had brought in two Baltic ships that were sailing to England with pitch and tar.

Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)
Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080024

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 87 (5 August) with news from Italy, Germany and Prague.

ITALY: Although it was thought the war in Italy was as much as over, nevertheless it seems not to be over, as the Venetians are still fortifying in the Valtelline, and the Pope’s troops are not being permitted to enter.
The Duke of Savoy also wants those of Genoa to return all the places they have taken, which they are very unwilling to do.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Guise, who is governor of Marseille, had gathered together a number of ships and galleys, thinking to take the island of Corsica, which belongs to Genoa. Those of Genoa, having had warning, armed against this at sea, but when the Duke of Guise’s ships and galleys, a great tempest arose, so they had to run to Livorno in the Duchy of Florence. Seeing this, the Genoese armada followed closely, and anchored at the mouth of the harbour, so closing it that they will not be able to leave without fighting their way out.

GERMANY: The rebel peasants in Upper Austria had stretched iron chains across the River Danube to prevent the city of Linz from receiving any succour of victuals by river, but by night five ships were laden with provisions and sent down the river, breaking the iron chains and so coming to the city, so that it has been succoured with many necessaries.
The general of the peasants, called Stephanus Fadinger, was shot before Linz, a cannon shooting his horse from under him, and he was injured in one of his shins, dying of the wound. This Stephan Fedinger, commander of the peasants, had resolved to attempt Linz by force with several thousand, strongly bombarding it with heavy guns at the Post Bulwark near the Landhaus, and intending to take it by storm, but was driven back with heavy losses, with over 200 peasants shot dead and many injured. They have taken Commander Fedinger’s pistols and riding sword, which have been delivered to his grace the Count of Herberstorff.
That afternoon, the peasants set fire to several houses in the suburb, and that evening set fire to another four, so that over seventy houses burned down. The peasants had thought the wind would carry the fire to the city, and so set fire to the city, but that did not happen. By this the peasants lost a great advantage, so that those of the city of Linz did nothing but shoot from the castle, so that the peasants had to remove from their quarter and leave their sconces, and withdraw with their artillery. Six or eight thousand peasants were beginning to talk of returning home, and had no desire for such war, seeing their companions so shot dead and wounded.
Now the peasants have a new general, who is a smith from Oettisheym. He has 8,000 armed men with him, and we will soon hear what victory he will gain with his hammer. It is hoped that the peasants’ war will soon be over.
They also write from Vienna on 15 July that water near Offen turned red as blood for three days long, and one of the gates in the city walls burst open of its own accord.
They also write that Bethlen Gabor again intended to achieve something, but it is thought that this is only given out by the rebel peasants and other adherents.
In recent days the citizenry has again been armed here in Vienna, having been disarmed a year ago, and the citizens mustered. They have again been charged with keeping watch.

PRAGUE, 18 July: Last week the Lord Colonel Premer departed hence, and his regiment travelled onwards, marching to Budweysz, where more troops are assembling, all to be transported to the rebel peasants in Upper Austria.
They write from the imperial army under the Lord of Friedlandt that by imperial order, 24 cavalry companies and two foot regiments are to march through Bohemia to the Land on the Enns to put down the peasants, and they have already marched from the army.
They write that the king of Sweden is to send an army of 15,000 men under the command of the young Count of Thurn to the king of Denmark. It is understood the intention is to control the River Oder, and join with Mansfeld to achieve something in Silesia.
Further, there is news here from the imperial army that since Mansfeld is marching to Silesia with his scraped together troops, the Duke of Friedlandt has assigned Colonel Pechman to command 3,500 cavalry, and another 500 horse called dragoons, who are already on the march. We will soon write with further particulars.
News has come that Lichtensteyn’s Regiment in the Land on the Enns have taken the town of Welsz, and killed about 8,000 peasants there.

Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)
Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080022

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 86 (1 August) with news from Rome, Venice, Brandenburg, Cologne and Amsterdam.

ROME, 11 July: A courier from Germany to Prince Savelli, the Emperor’s ambassador, has arrived here. It is said to be to request the Pope for aid against the rebels in Austria, and a dispensation for his majesty’s firstborn prince marry the sister of the Catholic king of Spain, as well as the dispatch of the bishopric of Strasbourg, which Archduke Leopold is resigning to his majesty’s other son.
They write from Naples that the Viceroy is again recruiting 3,000 men, to send them to Germany under the Duke of Povino to assist his imperial majesty.

VENICE, 17 July: We are informed from Milan that none of the Pope’s soldiers have yet marched to Riva, and the Genoese are still keeping their troops together, while the peace is not yet entirely finished.
It is said that the king of France has promised to provide the Duke of Savoy with 8,000 men for as long as the war with the Genoese lasts.
They write from Genoa that the 3,000 Neapolitan soldiers lodged by the Riviera de Levante, Oneglia, and Thal, and the seigneury of Genoa was busy reforming and dismissing some soldiers.
They write from Turin in Savoy that Monsieur de Buglion is expected there, to communicate the peace to the duke on behalf of the king of France. Nevertheless, there were some French regiments sent to the Marquisate Ceva, on the Genoese frontiers, and 5,000 sent to Asteggiano against Alessandria.
They write from Constantinople that the Grand Turk had gone to Scutari, by his face and presence to send the soldiers on their way to Babylon. The commanders were in great fear, and were already surrounded by the Persians, who are to be sent 600 sone of money.
The general at sea of the Turkish fleet has been ordered to sea with a great force, to sail to the Black Sea against the Cossacks, who are doing the Turks great harm there.

NEWS OF MANSFELD, 13 July: Mansfeld has marched to the Duke of Weymar with 5,000 men. Each captain had to provide himself with provisions for 14 days. Mansfeld marched his men fifteen miles in two days, with 25 artillery pieces. His troops are everywhere doing great harm. In the territory of Berlin, the peasants are everywhere taking flight. The Duke of Walsteyn is closely pursuing the Mansfelders. General Fuchs is also on the march with several thousand men to succour Mansfeld. The Dane is facing his excellency Tilly, but the Dane is doing nothing, remaining quiet. The Bishop of Halle has marched 2,000 musketeers and 200 horse around Hamburg, into the territory of Sachsen Lauwenborg, to reinforce it with 2,000 men.
We understand that Bethlen Gabor has made a secret alliance with Mansfeld.
On 12 July the imperial ambassador, the Lord of Donauw, arrived in Berlin. He was escorted to the castle by the Elector’s lifeguard, and lodged there. He has dispatched an express [courier] to Silesia, to advise of Mansfeld’s coming.
Today a royal courier arrived in Berlin, and three hours later one from Bethlen. Their requests are still unknown.
The Duke of Pomerania is holding a diet at Wolgast with the estates of the land and they are busy deliberating and taking counsel how to secure and preserve the territory against any invasion, and also to find means to raise and maintain an army, so that they have already recruited 4,000 foot soldiers and raised 2,000 horse from the feudal lords, who are being mustered and drilled daily. The nobility of the land have offered his electoral grace, should the need arise, each to serve with two horses at their own expense, some indeed to come with four or five horses, for which his princely grace has thanked them. As it is a matter of great importance, he has everywhere had passages and places well garrisoned, determined to let neither Mansfeld nor anyone else pass through.

NEWS OF THE HAGUE FROM COLOGNE: In The Hague, the States General, in the presence of his excellency of Nassau, have decided to take the field, and divide their army into two. All the officers have been ordered to stand ready, each in his quarter, and fifteen companies are to be sent to Casandt in Flanders.
Further, various proclamations have been published against the Arminian preachers and their adherents, who have nevertheless dared to present a request to the Lord States, in which the Arminians ask for freedom of religion, and to be allowed to preach, and retain their places, at which the States at once ordered that those who presented the request should be seized by the head, which was at once done, and they want to know who wrote or moved that request.

AMSTERDAM, 14 July: The soldiers of the United Provinces are all up, and the Prince of Nassau is soon to follow. The rendezvous is said to be Deventer. The young princess of Trimouille has arrived here with her entourage, and magnificently welcomed outside the city. The Palatine can only stand and watch what is happening here in Holland, not much now being made of his majesty of Bohemia. His people are very finely dressed with few sheets, perhaps because the weather is so hot that they would scarcely support the weight of a sheet.

Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)
Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080020

Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 85 (1 August) with news from Vienna, Rome, Gdansk, Turňa, and Venice.

VIENNA, 8 July: We have no news here other than what was written a week ago. The city of Linz is still holding out and the governor has taken all the victuals into the castle with him and had the suburbs razed so that the peasants should not lodge themselves there. He has written to the Emperor that he has provisions for six more weeks, and has had four of the foremost of the city council beheaded because they sought to persuade him and the citizenry to surrender the city to the peasants.
It is said here that many troops are heading thither from Bavaria, Bohemia and Germany, and that with God’s help they will send them home or give them their just desserts.

ROME, 4 July: Although there was not yet any certainty about the cardinal legate’s return from Spain, this morning several carriages were sent to the seaports to receive the said cardinal and immediately bring him here. It is expected that the publication of the peace from Spain would be brought immediately, which gives no pleasure to the seigneury of Venice, although another ambassador from France has been sent to that seigneury, to make a full declaration, so that it is thought they will be satisfied.
On St Peter’s Day [29 June], the Cardinal of Santa Susanna [Scipione Cobelluzzi] died here at the age of 63, making the Jesuit Fathers of Viterbo his heirs, so that a college might be built there.
On Sunday the Count of Ogniate made his entrance here, and according to ancient custom delivered to his holiness a tribute of 7,000 crowns on behalf of the kingdom of Naples.
They write from Spain that his royal majesty is to travel to Lisbon, to see the armada being fitted out there set sail, and to see the soldiers in his presence, to give them greater courage.

DANZIG, 6 July: The king of Sweden, on the basis of some claim that he pretends to, has sent a tremendous great ship, well equipped, to anchor at sea outside the harbour of Danzig, which set alight many ships coming from Puseke [Puck] laden with wood, sinking some, so that the king of Poland’s captain, who commands the 500 men of the garrison at Puzeck, on 13 June had ten ships laden with wood, and also with soldiers, so that early in the morning the captain came sailing with his 500 men in ten ships to the great ship, at which the sentry on the Swedish ship called upon them to lay by, which they did, and meantime by carelessness a soldier’s musket went off, so that the Swedes on the great ship were alerted, and they fired 18 guns at the wood ships, and had that soldier’s musket not gone off, they would have taken the ship and brought it into Danzig. What will follow, time will tell.
A week ago a pincke from Eldena set out to sail to Sweden, and in the sea met with another ship, on which it was said the king of Sweden in person was on board, making great preparations of war and shipping much material, to sail to Riga. All ships capable of carrying eight or ten lasts were obliged to transport war materials, and no ship was allowed to sail away before the king himself had set sail with his armada. The goal is thought to be Danzig or Germany. Many gabions were being made ready, which was strange to see.

TURNAUW IN HUNGARY [TURŇA], 6, 10 and 12 July: It is true that Bethlen Gabor had distributed 30 banners to raise troops, according to his old custom, without giving any money, while the Tatars are still holding Moldauw [Moldavia] by force, although the Poles are in the field against the Tatars. So he must occupy his frontiers. Further news comes from Sevenberghen [Transylvania] that these territories have nothing to fear from Bethlen Gabor, and likewise that the Turks are quiet on all frontiers, and desire firmly to maintain peace with the Christians. But there is certain news that the Turks have again been beaten by the Persian, and have lost a great battle.
Further letters from Turnauw of 10 and 12 July say that the commanders of the Upper Enns peasantry, or rebels, had sent an envoy to Bethlen Gabor asking for his assistance and permission to recruit troops, and several thousand Turks were willing to volunteer to come to their assistance.
We hear that his imperial majesty’s journey to Prague and Nuremberg will be postponed until the peasant rebellion is ended by friendship or by force, and there will be sufficient security against Bethlen or the Turks invading these territories, for which several regiments, foot and horse, are ready to be sent in haste from the Empire to Austria. These rebellious peasants have begun a game they will eternally lament. They thought to have great succour from Mansfeld, from the king of Denmark, the king of Sweden, and the Dutch, but their succour has not come.

VENICE: They write from Milan that in all quarters more preparation is being made for war than for peace, and the infantry are being mustered, and all put in readiness should it be necessary. His holiness’s soldiery are still in their old quarters. Many troops have deserted, and many died.

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Nieuwe Tijdinghen 1626 issue 84 (29 July) with news from Vienna (x2), Brandenburg, Wallenstein's headquarters, Prague, Hesse and Cologne.

VIENNA, 4 July: It is known that the peasants are very strongly besieging the city of Linz, and have sent to those within that those who do not wish to be in peril will depart the city, for they intend to seize it be force and bombardment. The lord governor at once had the gates bulwarked, so none can go in or out, and a week ago last Saturday had the bridges over the Danube broken and burned. The peasants placed eighteen big guns on the height by the Capuchin convent, opposite the castle, and have begun to shoot, as have those within. In this shooting, the leader of the peasants, Stephanus Foedinger, was injured in the leg, and his horse was shot from under him.
Many troops are already marching from various quarters against the rebel peasants, and it is said an army of 20,000 men will be formed, so that it will not be much longer (unless they lay down their weapons and obey their superiors) before they are tackled in earnest, as the rebels will doubtless be aware, as they are boldly making preparation against it.
Outside the city here, there are 400 or more ruffians giving themselves out as gypsies. They recently took captive a priest near Entzerdorff, and took everything he had on him. It is suspected that some are rebellious peasants, who swarm hereabouts, to touch something in this territory too and instigate disturbances. Yesterday morning the foremost cavalry commander here rode out with a hundred and some cavalrymen to fall upon them. What he will achieve, and where these folks are nestled, we will soon know.
Couriers have been sent hence in haste to the Bavarian ruler, Archduke Leopold, and the Bishop of Salzburg, and orders to keep good watch on all ways and passages, having become aware that several Dutch commanders and soldiers are coming secretly in unknown clothes and joining with the peasants.

THE MARGRAVIATE [OF BRANDENBURG]: Mansfeld has made apologies for the plundering, robbing and burning of his troops in Brandenburg, saying that all such was done without his consent or knowledge.
It had been thought that the Elector of Brandenburg would meet with the imperial envoy Lord Carel Hanibal, Lord of Donau, at Peszkan, which did not happen, but the meeting is to take place this coming Wednesday in Berlin.

VIENNA: On 25 June the peasantry of Over the Enns had a requisition and protestation written to the Estates of the imperial chief city of Linz, that they would allow all the Christians in the city to leave, but they want the Lord Count of Herberstorff delivered, and that they would allow the soldiers lodged there to march out with sack and pack and weaponry, and have the city delivered to their keeping, but if the Lord Count and his soldiers did not surrender, they would have them transported to Eberberch Castle or the town of Welsz, where they would be kept safely enough. Otherwise the peasants claim to be innocent of the ruination.
The Lord Governor the Count of Herberstorf has had all provisions and munitions transported from the city into the castle, and a few days ago had the Althaner, Schreckinger and Miterhoffer beheaded for correspondence with the peasants and offering them assistance in their famine.
The last English [letters] confirm that the Count of Digby lies in shackles in the Tower of London, and the Parliament is amazed.

WALLENSTEIN’S HEADQUARTERS, 11 July: In a few days we will break camp here and march, whither will soon be communicated. We also understand that Mansfeld is marching for Silesia.

PRAGUE: Lord Colonel Preuner is still here, awaiting money to pay his men, after which he will march his regiment against the Enser peasants.
In recent days the peasants of Lord Michna beyond Conincksal [Zbraslav?] banded together, around 600 strong, and provided themselves with all sorts of weaponry, thinking to get great support from their fellow peasants, against which several soldiers, foot and horse, were sent out four days ago. They overcame the peasants by night, killing some and putting the rest to flight, who ran into a forest, where they are in hiding and cannot be come at. They are again 500 strong, and think to avenge their lost comrades. The soldiers returned two days ago, bringing good b***y.

HESSE: There is no clear account of what was done at Gutenberch, except that it amounts to Landgrave Maritz being asked for the reversion, for his imperial majesty’s greater security, which the landgrave somewhat corrected and presented for dispatch.
Gottinghen is still besieged but strongly garrisoned with Danish troops, eleven companies of foot and two companies of horse. There is very brave skirmishing daily.
Outside Sangerhausen, in the fields around Cassel, there are 1,000 horse and 1,500 foot of the imperial army. It is not going well with the subjects.
A few days ago, twenty cavalrymen on the prowl attacked Hierschfelt’s villages. The peasants put up resistance, with eight left dead and many wounded.
Lord General Tilly is still at Munden on the Werra [Hannoversch Münden], with no appearance of breaking camp.

COLOGNE: [A letter] from Amsterdam of 11 July informs us that there is every appearance that the States are taking the field and intend some offensive attempt, for all readiness is being made in haste, and orders were issued that the soldiers should be ready.
Letters from Hamburg bring news that a large royal ship from England had arrived on the Elbe and forced three Hamburg ships that intended to sail for Calais in France to turn back, while the Spaniards had agreed with the French that the Hamburgers might trade there.

Scans of original: https://uurl.kbr.be/2080016
Royal Library of Belgium (KBR)