THE < CENTURION'S ' VALIANT FIGHT 



The valiant fight performed in the Straight of 

 Gibraltar, by the Centurion of London, against 

 five Spanish Gallies, in the moneth of April 

 1591. 



N the moneth of November 1590, there 

 were sundry shippes appertaining to 

 severall Marchants of London, which 

 were rigged and fraught foorth with 

 marchandize, for sundry places within 

 the Straight of Gibraltar : who, together 

 having winde and weather, which oft- 

 time fell out very uncertaine, arrived safely in short 

 space, at such places as they desired. Among whom was 

 the Centurion of London, a very tall shippe of burden, 

 yet but weakely manned, as appeareth by this discourse 

 following. 



This aforesaid shippe called The Centurion safely 

 arrived at Marseils, where after they had delivered their 

 goods, they stayed about the space of five weekes, and 

 better, and then tooke in lading, intending to returne to 

 England. 



Now when the Centurion was ready to come away 

 from Marseils, there were sundry other shippes of smaller 

 burden which entreated the Master thereof, (whose name 

 is Robert Bradshaw, dwelling at Lime-house) to stay a 

 day or two for them, untill they were in a readinesse to 

 depart with them, thereby perswading them, that it would 

 be farre better for them to stay and goe together in 

 respect of their assistance, then to depart of themselves 

 without company, and so happily for want of aide fall 

 into the hands of their enemies in the Spanish Gallies. 

 Upon which reasonable perswasion, notwithstanding that 

 this shippe was of such sufficiencie as they might hazard 

 her in the danger of the Sea, yet they stayed for those 

 litle shippes, according to their request, who together did 

 put to Sea from Marseils, and vowed in generall not to 



35 



A.D. 

 1591 



