For at that time, [there] was much ado: a Band [regiment] of horsemen, very well appointed and full of gentlemen, was sent from [Sir Thomas Cheney, K.G.] the Lord Warden [of the Cinque Ports], an honourable and a worthy gentleman, most full of nobleness; the Lord Cheney's father, now living. In this band, and belonging to that charge, were sundry of the Keyes, gentlemen of good service: Master Crippes having the leading of all that company. There were sent, in like sort, from the Prince [Sovereign, i.e., Queen Mary]: Master William Herbert's (of St. Gillian) brother, called Master George Herbert, with a Band of footmen; and one Captain Borne, whose Lieutenant I was, at the siege of Guisnes.
These bands, a good season before Calais and Guisnes were taken, joining with other bands of Calais, did make divers journeys into Bollinnoyes [the Boullognois, or district round Boulogne]; and sped very well: Sir William Drury, at every service, deserved no little praise; and one Captain Winnibank, an ancient soldier, was oftentimes so forward, that he was once run through with a lance. Many Gentlemen in those services did well and worthily: and sundry times the Lord Warden's Band was to be praised.
And, at length, a voyage was made, by the consent and whole power of Calais and Guisnes, to fetch a prey from Boulogne gates; Monsieur Snarpoule [?Senarpont] then being Governor of Boulogne: but we could not handle the matter so privily, but the French, by espial, had gotten word thereof. Notwithstanding, as soldiers commonly go forward with their device, so we marched secretly all the whole night to come to our proposed enterprise: with our footmen, whereof Sir Harry Palmer, a man of great experience, had the leading. He remained, with the whole power of [the] footmen, near the Black Neasts, as a stale [decoy] to annoy the enemy, and succour for such as were driven in, if any such occasion came. So the Horse Bands [troops] brake into the country, and pressed near Boulogne; where there was a great number of gallant soldiers to receive them: but our horsemen, making small account of the matter, began to prey [upon] the country, and drive a booty from the face of the enemy. The French horsemen, taking their advantage, offered a skirmish, to detract time, till better opportunity served to give a charge. This courageous bickering grew so hot, that the French bands began to show; and our men must abide a shock, or retire hardily with some foil: whereupon the chiefest of our horsemen charged those of the French that were nearest danger; by which attempt, the French stayed a while. But, upon small pause, they charged our men again, and overthrew of the "Black Lances" a thirty: carrying away with them into Boulogne, eighteen gentlemen, prisoners. This skirmish began at seven o'clock in the morning; and lasted, in very great service, till a leven [eleven]. From this overthrow, came divers soldiers, sore wounded, to our Foot bands [companies]; whose heaviness made the valiant sort pluck up their hearts, and seek a revenge.
Then, albeit, that Foot Captains and gentlemen seldom leave their Bands, and venture beyond their charge (a rule to be much regarded!), yet the stoutest Captains and gentlemen found means to horse themselves on cart horses and victuallers' nags: and put certain scarfs, in manner of guidons [standards] on staves' [spears'] ends; showing those guidons under a hill in several sorts, sometimes appearing with twenty men, sometimes with fifty. And, last of all, made show of all our number, which was not fifty; and so, with a courageous cry, set upon the enemy (leaving some of these devised guidons behind on the hill top), and charged them with such a fury that they left their booty, and stood to their defence: but, in fine, were forced to retire, for by the little stay we held the enemy in, our footmen had leisure to march; the sound of whose drums gave no great courage to the French. For they thereon, gave back, and left some of their best soldiers behind them; whom we brought to Guisnes: driving the prey before us, that was gotten in the morning, lost in a skirmish, and recovered again at noon. At this service, were Sir William Drury, Captain Alexander of Newnham Bridge, Captain Crippes, Captain Keyes, and three of his brethren, Captain George Herbert, and sundry others, in like manner, that merit good respect.
Our power met many times together; and did much hurt in the Boullognois. We besieged Fines Castle, and wan it: and Blossling Church, and overthrew it; and killed all the men that we found therein, because Sir Harry Palmer was there hurt through the arm, with a shot. [A very sorry reason!]
A long season, our fortune was good; till, at length, by some oversight or mishap (Let the blame fall where it ought!) we lost Calais and Guisnes.
But a little, I pray you! give me leave to touch truly the Siege of Guisnes: not because I had some charge there; but because sundry reports hath been raised thereof, by those that never thoroughly knew or understood the matter.
The very truth is, after Calais was won, and that all hope was taken from us of any succour out of England, our General, the honourable Lord Grey [of Wilton], that is dead [he died in 1562], and Master Lewis Dive [p. [211]], his Lieutenant, Sir Harry Palmer, and all the Captains of Guisnes, determined to abide the worst that Fortune or the French could do.