And the day [13th of January, 1558] of the first approach the enemy made, we offered a hot and stout skirmish; but being driven in by an over great power, though our whole people were 1,300 men, and kept the Town awhile. But considering the Castle to be strongest, and doubting [fearing] that by a Cambozade or sudden assault, the town might be won, for it was but weak; we retired our whole power into the Castle: and so manned the base Court, the Braies, and Bulwarks, the Keep, the Catte, the Heart of the Castle, and all that was necessary, with double men.
At the present siege, there came out of Flanders, fifty valiant Spaniards; and a band of Burgundians, Monsieur Dieffkie, being their Captain. Monsieur Mount Dragon was leader of the Spaniards: who were placed in the Braies; where Captain Lambert had some shot [harquebussiers] to succour them.
The Burgundians were placed in Mary Bulwark; with Captain Borne's Band, whose Lieutenant I was. Against this Bulwark, which was thought impregnable, the [Frenchmen's] great battery was planted: albeit, three or four days [15th-18th January, see pp. [180]-[81]] were spent (we held the enemy such play), before the battery was planted.
One day, we issued [forth], and set upon Monsieur [i.e., the Duke] De Guise, as he was in a place called Mill Field, viewing the ground; and had taken him, had he not left his cloak behind him: of the which white cloak, one of our Gentlemen had hold of. And though he was succoured, we brought away some of his company: and retired with little loss or none at all. [Sir Arthur], the Lord Grey that now is [1579], was at the hard escape of Monsieur De Guise.
We set upon a great troop of horsemen, not long before this, that came from the spoil of Calais; and took numbers of them. I had, for my part, a couple of fair horses and a prisoner. At both these services, were old Captain Andrea, Captain John Savage, and a sufficient number of lusty soldiers.
We made divers sallies, but that prevailed not. For the battery went off, and many other great cannons did beat at the high towers; the stones whereof did marvellously annoy us: and the shot was so great; and the enemy had gotten such great advantage of ground, that we could not walk, nor go safely any way within the Castle. For our General and Sir Harry Palmer sitting on a form, devising for our commodity, were in such danger, that a cannon shot took away the form, and brake Sir Harry Palmer's leg; of which hurt, he died in Paris after. And a great shot took off Master Wake's head, as he was sleeping under a great tree. So sundry, that thought themselves safe, were so dribbed at with cannon shot, that they never knew who did hurt them.
Well, the time drew on, after the breach was made, we must defend the assault that was given to Mary Bulwark; which stood out[side] of the Castle, and far from succour of any: because the gate was rammed up; and we could not pass into the Castle but by the way, first, along the Braies, and then, between two gates. Which way, the enemy had espied: and placed many great shot, full upon that passage.
Now [i.e., 18th January, 1558] Monsieur Diffkie, Captain Borne, Captain Oswold Lambert [with their companies], and the fifty Spaniards, [to the number in all of about 450 men] were forced to abide the assault; which began at eleven o'clock, and lasted till night. Mount Dragon came into Mary Bulwark, and three gentlemen more; and stood stoutly to our defence: two of whom were slain. My Captain's head was smitten off with a cannon's shot: and unto our Band were left no more but one Master Holford and I, to guide the whole company. And Captain Diffkie was wounded to the death, whose Band fought manfully in the revenge of their Captain. The old Captain Andrea, covetous of fame, was desirous to have our fellowship: but he had no Band [company] nor people to do us pleasure. Captain Lambert was crossed [struck] with a great shot; and mine armour, with the breaking of a great piece, was stricken flat upon my body; but [it] being unbraced, I might continue the service. Which service, in mine opinion, was so terribly handled by the French (Monsieur D'Andelot being the leader of the assault), that both Englishman, Burgundian, and Spaniard, at that Bulwark, had enough to do to keep the enemy out: and, as I believe, at this assault, we lost 150 good soldiers.
But the night coming on, the French surceased their fury, and yet kept themselves closely, under the top of the breach, where our shot nor flankers could do them no harm: for all our great ordnance was dismounted, long before the enemy made any approach for the giving of an assault.