260 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 



trouble the council of England, and to make a 

 diversion of certain aids, that then were preparing 

 from hence for the Low Countries. They chose 

 a place where they erected a fort, which they called 

 the Fort del Or; and from thence they bolted 

 like beasts of the forest, sometimes into the woods 

 and fastresses, and sometimes back again to their 

 den. Soon after siege was laid to the fort by the 

 lord Gray, then deputy, with a smaller number 

 than those were within the fort ; venturously indeed ; 

 but haste was made to attack them before the 

 rebels came in to them. After the siege of four days 

 only, and two or three sallies, with loss on their 

 part, they that should have made good the fort 

 for some months, till new succours came from 

 Spain, or at least from the rebels of Ireland, yielded 

 up themselves without conditions at the end of those 

 four days. And for that they were not in the 

 English army enough to keep every man a prisoner, 

 and for that also the deputy expected instantly to be 

 assailed by the rebels ; and again, there were no 

 barks to throw them into, and send them away by 

 sea ; they were all put to the sword ; with which 

 queen Elizabeth was afterwards much displeased. 



In the year 1582, was that memorable retreat 

 of Gaunt ; than the which there hath not been 

 an exploit of war more celebrated. For in the true 

 judgment of men of war, honourable retreats are no 

 ways inferior to brave charges ; as having less of 

 fortune, more of discipline, and as much of valour. 

 There were to the number of three hundred horse, 



