lucianus

Tuesday 14. December

This day betwixt two and three returned my Lord from Dieppe and no sooner was he come that he, in spite of any fatigue he might have had, do go straight to the trenches and greeted us all and discovered of us our arming due to the threatening of the enemy and seeing this he caused the enemy his sentinel to be brought to him and bade him tell his master M. Villiers that he had better attack this night or he would find us very much the stronger and around supper time there was a great alarum and many harkabush shots but they came not from the town but rather from some boats on the river that would seek to press a quarter where some French did lodge; finally late we did stand down and back to our quarters quite cold and hungry.

The Earl of Essex finally returned to Rouen after an absence of nearly a month and told the governor of the town to put up or shut up. All of today’s activities are attested to by Coningsby.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 61-62. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Monday 13. December

This day we rose and were armed betimes expecting at any time a sally from the enemy but none did come from the morning until past dark and so we spent another night awatching.

Coningsby has very little to say today, I expect because he was standing to his arms most of the time.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 60. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Sunday 12. December

Word has come that my Lord did arrive in Dieppe two days past and will come to Rouen in a day’s time; this day the sergeant of the pioneers who did plot to turn his men to the enemy was condemned and all of them, some 50 or 60 men, were assembled by a tree but only the sergeant was hanged as an example to them all; after supper came intelligence that the enemy did plan to press our quarter so the guards were doubled and the sentinels cautioned to watch their posts most carefully and thus we did sleep the night with open eyes.

Essex’s arrival in Dieppe is mentioned in a letter from him to Queen Elizabeth date Dec. 12 in which he states he arrived in Dieppe on the 10th. The execution of the sergeant and the report of the possible enemy push is attested to in Coningsby.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 60. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Bourchier Devereux, Walter, Lives and Letters of the Devereux, Earls of Essex, Vol. I, p. 265.

Saturday 11. December

This day Coningsby came to me and said he would be quit of this place its pestilential air and that he and I and several others and our men should ride out into the country and see if we might find some pleasant company and so we took horse and went from village to village roundabouts the area and asking the local folk what house is this and whose castle that might be until finally we did hear of a house of very fair ladies and so off rode we and came to their gate and the porter, seeing our martial aspect was at first loath to admit us but after persuasion from the King of France he unlocked the gate and let us in; when we were come in we were led to the ladies their parlor and the chiefest of them bid us welcome, she was somewhat older than the rest but quite a handsome woman and very richly dressed, and bade us come before the fire and warm ourselves and had the servant bring us hippocras to warm ourselves yet further, then chairs were brought for us and a very pretty young lady led me over to a settle and did begin to feed me sweetmeats from a little dish and so friendly was she that I could easily have forgotten myself right there but I did behave myself, then the lady who did greet us on our arrival bade us come and dine in their hall and so my young lady led me by the hand and sat me down and she beside me and we feasted upon goose and capons and many excellent dishes, the best I have had ere I have come to France (better than those dishes Mr. Ambassador served to the Prince) and much excellent wine and after dinner my fair young lady did lead me to her chamber and there we entertained ourselves the remainder of the afternoon until it was quite late and finally we all did part despite the entreaties of all the ladies who would have us stay the night but leave we must and rode we all the way back at the gallop with swords drawn owing to the danger of the countryside and so returned to camp and so to bed after a most delightful day.

The visit to the high class bordello actually occurs in Coningsby believe it or not! He is a bit more coy in his description but it obvious what went on that afternoon. The “persuasion from the King of France” was coin with the king’s picture on it.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 60. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Friday 10. December

The King left for Gisors yesterday to remind his governor there, one Flavencort, of his loyalty to the crown; little else happened this day perhaps owing to the fact that the rain poured down from before dawn to late into the night.

Coningsby has little to report today, perhaps because he was sleeping off his bender from yesterday. He reported yesterday on the King leaving for Gisors to remove the rebellious governor who had been conspiring with the Leaguers.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 60. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.

Thursday 9. December

This day I did attend upon Sir R. W. and all of us seeking to rid the enemy of his false pride in his burning of sundry houses on the large island in the river hard by the place where the King is building his new fortifications and so Captains Clifford and Baskerville and Sir R. W. and all our men in several little hollows did wait for the braggarts to appear but they did not, for I fear they did discover us our hiding places, so just before dinner we quitted the place and Sir R. W. and some others of us did dine with one of the French gentlemen and there had some pretty good food and even better drink and so did toast the health of our host and the King and many others until I saw Coningsby quite besotted with his drink and so when we were done I did help him back to his quarters and so he did fall fast asleep on his bed and I fancy he will feel the worse tomorrow for it.

Today Coningsby reports on the attempt at an ambush by the English troops and the drunken dinner with the French gentleman. In fact he admits that, “th'one syde of my head did ake 2 daies after.” Someone must have poured him into bed and in this case it was Luke.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 59-60. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Wednesday 8. December

This day I attended upon Sir R. W. who was up betimes and in our trenches with Sir T. B. and when the gates opened Hallot his men had some skirmishing with the enemy and we did second them with fire from our hagabushers but he seemeth to have not a stomach for overmuch of a fight as I think he licketh still his wounds of the other day; by and by comes the King to our quarter to view the grounds and spake with Sir R. W. and later quitting the trenches we did return to our camp and I with Sir R. W. to his quarters and there I and several other did sup with him and had much good cider and songs as well, into the evening and so I rather besotted with drink and tipsy home to my straw wishing that I did have another beside me this night.

Coningsby attests to Sir Roger being in the trenches early with Sir T. B. (Sir Thomas Baskerville) and to the visit of the King. Luke’s overindulgence is his own affair!

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 59. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden

Tuesday 7. December

This day, I fancy owing to their bloodying yesterday, the enemy sought no engagements and I lay somewhat long abed and then a while past dinner I and St. John rode out to a tavern not too far off to have some food and the merry company of they that served it and so rather later and much refreshed back came we to camp where we hear of the death of poor Acton who had been sick of the ague these past few days, after our fine day it doth make me right sad for he was a brave soldier and fine companion and ever unlucky at cards.

Coningsby has little to report today save for the death of Sir Richard Acton whom he calls his cousin.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 58. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Monday 6. December

This day we were up betimes expecting a sally from the garrison which did not come and Sir R. W. being vexed from the waiting did command us to ride with him to the works by the castle the which have been new dug by the pioneers, the King being so pleased with their labors did send them bread and wine for their merriment, and on our way passing through the French camp we did meet the King who was prepared to go a hunting and we did dismount and come into his presence and he did greet us most kindly then we did mount again and proceeded to the castle where we saw the trenches and getting down into them saw the bodies of several of the defenders slain with a cannon bullet; as we returned we did see the Marshall and his troops riding out to a great skirmish and as it did happen the enemy in his cunning kept the gate shut fast until about dinnertime when they issued forth in a great number, seeing this we spurred on our horses wanting not to miss some hot play and we fell upon a troop of them and laid to it hand to fist and seeing a rich prize ahead I spurred on my horse and cut at him several times but did not hurt him and he cutting and me as well but to no avail then we broke off and I was engaged by a pistoleer who shot at me but he hit me not and I rushing up to him ran my sword up his arm and into his armpit and I know I did slay him when I saw the blood issue forth from his mouth but then I was set upon by two of their horse and driven away from his body so that I could not bring it back for ransom and I saw others of his fellows gathering him up to take him back to their lines but about then all the horse did retreat the reason being, I was told later that the Marshall his troops did sweep in from their opposite and we weary from our efforts returned to the camp but Lord what slaughter this day with the dead numbering upwards to 100; this night Hallot his men seeking to revenge themselves on the enemy crept up to the port and making noise so as to arouse the town shot the sentinels but could not raise the town, their adventures and noise kept us from our sleep until past midnight.

The gallivanting about, meeting the King, the large skirmish and the noise until midnight are all in Coningsby but Luke’s fight was from the author’s imagination.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 56-58. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Sunday 5. December

This day, as has been their wont of a Sunday, the garrison opened not the gate; I am told that Captain Acton is sick of the disease of the camp; I attended upon Sir R. W. this day in his riding out with the King to circle the town and examine the works; our cannon kept up a good play this day; we were returned to our lodgings I sent my man with a message to Captain St. Dennis to see if he would come to supper and so came he and his lieutenant and they with St. John, Thoreaux and several other sat down with me to some good mutton and much good cider and merriment; it being late St. John lay with me this night.

Today is slower day at the siege. Coningsby hasn’t too much to report, the gates didn’t open and the all day cannon fire but not too much else. The riding out and the dinner are both made up but in the spirit of Coningsby.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 55-56. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Saturday 4. December

This day the enemy did come in great numbers when the gates did open to test our lines and discover of us our weaknesses; we quickly armed and I took my mount, and joined my fellows who were on a small rise above the skirmish, we waiting for their horse but none did come but by and by their artillery seeing us there shot some bullets at us but they fell short somewhat and none of us were hurt; our guns, to repay them their kindnesses to us, did shoot at least ten shots at them and so the cannons play continued much of the afternoon; the Frenchman St. Dennis hath fortified the region about the church and is our near neighbor, I did walk with him and see his works but Lord what poor shots be his hagabushers for they had many chances to hit Villiers as he rode about the ramparts but hit him not; this night more mutton and good cider but not as much as last night for it did make my head ache from the drinking of it.

Conigsby attests to the skirmish, Captain Dennis and much cannon fire that day, I have directed some of it in Luke’s direction.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 54-55. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Friday 3. December

Rose early and broke our fast while our men made ready for our leaving; there is talk about the town that the Prince of Parma has entered France to raise a siege against Dieppe; this day being clear and better weather than we have seen for some days did make easier passage back to Rouen and as we came to that place we could hear the cannons play and spurred our mounts on lest we miss some good sport, but our haste was ill rewarded and when we came to the camp the shots the which had come from the King his new placed pieces did stop; this night very merry with a good dish of mutton, the fruits of Ireland Powre his labors, and much good cider, so much in fact that I am much besotted this night.

Mission accomplished, Luke has his tobacco and a bit of R&R to boot. “Ireland” Captain Powre, I think to differentiate him from another Captain Powre mentioned earlier, returned from a foraging expedition on the 30th with 60 kine and 30 muttons but lost several men in the process.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 53-55. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Thursday 2. December

This day continued dark, misty and raw; I being vexed and in a peevish humor from a lack of tobacco did think to take horse and find some, so I and du Lac and St. John and Thoreaux, some others and our men, did think to ride to Dieppe it being the only place roundabouts where it might be found and since it being a long ride we did think to stay the night there so off went we at dawn and made the town in time for dinner the which we had and a good one too; then when we were done and had gotten our rooms (du Lac and I to lodge together) out went I to buy some tobacco and having bought plenty to last me a good while; that done off went we to a tavern to find ourselves some pleasant companionship then finally back to our room to lie in a clean bed in a chamber with a fire.

Luke’s habit has finally gotten the better of him! He’s been without tobacco for some days now and had come to the breaking point so he convinces his old friend M. du Lac and some others to come with him on a jaunt to Dieppe for a little R&R. Coningsby has nothing much to report today.

Wednesday 1. December

I stirred not from here all this day; on account of the great mist, the enemy did try to draw us out but none of ours would budge; M. du Lac came at about 2 hours after dinner and we played at cards the rest of the day until night and I did sing some songs but having not my lute here could not play for our amusement, he did sup here and did lay here as well it being very late.

This was a slow day for both Luke and Coningsby. Along with the mist across the area, Coningsby speaks of a little field trip he and some other gentlemen take to visit a nunnery. There they are fed dishes of sweetmeats and are treated to good classy conversation. The abbess and the nuns there are all gentlewomen and he and his “so behaved ourselves that we receyved very kynd welcomes.” From his description it would seem that this is really a visit to real nuns and not that they had gotten themselves to a nunnery, to paraphrase Shakespeare, for a very different set of activities!

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 53-54. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Tuesday 30. November

This day before dawn did a large force of ours with great stealth and cunning, and to pay back the actions of several days past, steal into place about the port to lay an ambuscado; and about an hour past dawn marched out the corps du guard and took they their positions on watch the which were somewhat out from the port and I with Sir R. W. in the trenches hard by and he caused our hagabushers and muskets to fire upon them, and by and by to trick them into advancing we did retreat so that we might draw them further out but when it came time for the sign to be given to attack, the which was to be Sir T. B. throwing up his hat, Captain Barton and his company saw not the sign and with our men calling out to them, the enemy took alarm and ran back to the port as fast as they might and we were not able to entrap them; in our retreat the enemy his artillery shot at us and one bullet did kill d’Hallot his horse and broke his leg the which they say is not a bad wound but we shall see if it be so; this night we supped on capons and drank much good wine and had a good fire as well.

The account of this fight is recounted in Coningsby as is the supper of capons.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 52-53. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Monday 29. November

This day I kept to my quarters it being quite cold and raw and my face being bandaged from my wound yesterday, likewise I have sent my man to take my burgonet to the armorer for some repair the cheek piece being broken along its edge from the bullet; after supper came M. du Lac to call upon me and brought gossip about the King and how he would have gone to Dieppe to make his devotions to some saint there and lay his sword upon her altar but that the Marshall saith that he would take his Gascons all off to home if he did so thus staying his hand for now; du Lac brought some wine the which is rather dear in the French camp just now and some tobacco as well the which has done well to relieve the pain from my wound.

Luke is rather a bit too bandaged up to do much today and that combined with the weather and the cold day kept him home. King Henri apparently was see some woman in Dieppe at this time who was not his “official” mistress Gabrielle d’Estree. During the siege of Paris he was carrying on with an abbess!

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 52. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Sunday 28. November

This day around noon came a great sally of the garrison with some 1000 horse and 1000 foot, the horse with the mind to spike our pieces but were prevented by a Switzer who cut off his hand who would have done so and our horse was called up and we sweepeth down on their right and had some very good play and laid to it hand to fist with our swords and I wearing my new harness and glad of it too when one of their horse turneth about and shot at me with his pistol not 2 foot away but the breast being proof the bullet entered not and did glance across my arm, I spurred on my horse and grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him off his mount but then was set upon by M. de Volpellyaire and again I dealt him a great blow this time on his arm cutting him well and he drew off but I did not follow being engaged with two more of his fellows who cut at me but could not gain an advantage until one of them pistoled me in the face cutting my cheek deeply, I then spurred my horse away back towards our lines with them in pursuit until I was seconded by some of my fellows the which did allow me to retreat to our camp; the surgeon doth say that my cheek bone is not broke and that all should heal well God willing; this night I did so long for my pipe and would have despaired of it when St. John did come with a small pouch the which we did enjoy greatly, it being late he did lay with me this night.

Coningsby attests to the large sally today and the attempted spiking of the guns. Spiking a cannon renders it temporarily useless by driving a nail into the touchhole. The specifics of the cavalry engagement are made up but are based on typical engagements of the time. Luke is extremely lucky he only was cut by the bullet, he could have had his brains blown out.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 51-52. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Saturday 27. November

This day word was come of the death of Sir C. H. of whom I had always thought of as a lively vigorous man but they say has been failing this year, on the 20th; the pestilent ague which has been present in the camp these several weeks has now carried off two or three hagabushers of Captain Acton his company; St. John and I supped and then very merry with much wine and we did drink the last of my tobacco and I am vexed that there be not a place within 30 miles where some might be had.

Sir C. H. is Sir Christopher Hatton who died on November 20 in England. There was a “pestilent ague,” probably typhus, going around the camp at that time according to Coningsby, stay tuned for more on that in coming days. Cornet St. John came to supper again and the boys got crocked and probably rather stoned as well. Tobacco of the period was more potent than modern varieties and the effect when it was smoked was probably rather like smoking pot.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 51. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Friday 26. November

This day at dawn did come again the drum and a time was appointed an hour hence to exchange M. de Volpellyaire; I did let him keep the clothes in which he stood (including his boots) and sold him back his sword, it being inferior to mine methinks; he was actually fine fellow, and rather skilled at music and a fine merry companion for the time he dwelt here; I have now 500 écu and that along with the 5/ paid me by Mr. S. earlier this month and various amounts won at games and received for other reasons doth mean I am ahead by about 67/ for the month; two regiments of the King his lances did come to camp this day and oh how sorry they look, all bedraggled and in such poor spirits for want of pay that our men seemeth so much more the gallants in comparison; the Allmayne Prince was shot in the foot this day as he stood in the trench with the King.

Luke has made a pot of money this month, not certainly a common occurrence, but something that could happen occasionally if he was lucky. The entry of the lances and Prince Christian being shot in the foot is attested to in Coningsby.

Coningsby, Thomas, Jornall of Cheife Thinges Happened in Our Jorney from Deape the 13. of Auguste, Untyll, MS.- Harl. 288. f. 253279, p. 50-51. Camden Miscellany by Camden Society (Great Britain), Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), published by Camden Society, 1847 Item notes: v.1 (1847)

Thursday 25. November

This day I did speak at length with my prisoner now that he is somewhat recovered and find that he is the M. de Vopellyaire; he doth have a very fine horse worth I should say above 2/ and saddle and accoutrements the which I will keep, likewise his harness seemeth to would fit me and I would keep that as well but the remainder I will sell him back and told him thus so that he would know my intentions; about an hour before midday came a drum to treat for my prisoner and carry my demands back to garrison and by and by he comes again and tells me they would not meet my terms and so I send him back again and so it continued ‘til near supper and I and M. de Vopellyaire did eat and later came the drum again with an acceptable answer and would pay me 500 écu and so tomorrow was set to exchange; the cornet I won of him, I will present to my Lord upon his return.

So Luke has a prisoner and has to deal with ransoming him.

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