First edition of an eye-witness account of the beginning of the Eighty Year's War in the Low Countries. The author, Sir Roger Williams (ca. 1539-1595) fought under Prince William of Orange, from whom he claims to have received much information. The present work is considered a valuable and objective account. "As a Tudor historian, Sir Roger is virtually unique. Few of his contemporaries could claim Sir Roger's extensive knowledge of military science, his intimacy with the leading political and military figures of the age, and his personal experience as a soldier..." (Evans). The present copy was bound by Robert Riviere after 1880.
"The actions includes the most important events that occurred during the early years of the Dutch war of independence: the political and religious controversies ..., Louis van Nassau's stirring but unsuccessful campaign in Friesland; William the Silent's march to Brabant; Louis' surprise attack on Mons; the revolt of Flushing; the arrival of foreign volunteers; the follies of the English soldiers in the weeks that followed; the siege of Haarlem; the mutiny of the Spanish soldiers before Alkmaar; the disgrace and withdrawal of the duke of Alva; and the sea-battles around Middleburgh in 1573-1574" (Evans).
Williams was born in Wales and served as a volunteer in the Dutch army. He fought in the battles of Goes and Middelburgh, was present when William of Orange was assassinated helped capture the assassin, and apparently almost killed the Duke of Parma during the Siege of Venlo. In 1590, he wrote A brief discourse of war, with his opinions concerning some part of martial discipline, which is considered one of the best English military works from its time. The present work was published posthumously and is an incomplete reconstruction from a manuscript that Williams wrote, but is still very insightful. It is here present in first edition. The second appeared in 1809, when Sir Walter Scott rediscovered it and included it in the first volume of A collection of scarce and valuable tracts. The text has also been republished a few times in the 20th century.
With the text "Bound by Riviere & Son" giltstamped at the lower front turn-in, and a 19th-century annotation on the first free flyleaf about the author's family. The binding is somewhat soiled, with a crescent moon shaped stain on the front board. The work is somewhat browned throughout, especially around the edges of the leaves, it has been cut somewhat short, affecting some of the printed marginal notes. Otherwise in good condition. Cockle, Military books, 93; ESTC S120160; Pollard & Redgrave 25731; USTC 3008223 (37 copies); cf. Evans, J., The works of Sir Roger Williams.