Country of Flanders; but yet they suffer much
through sickness, insomuch that the King forbears
going among them. On the 20 instant, the
Marquisses of Castenlnau and of Roncherolles,
being gone to besiege la Capelle with a body of
1000 men, were contremanded by the King,
upon intelligence given that the Prince of Conde
had strengthened the place by sending three
Regiments into it, which made an addition of
3000 men.
Letters from la Fere, of the same date, say,
that Marshal Turein doth so persue that late success
by making inroads into Flanders, that the
whole Country is filled with consternation, and
the Town and Garrison of Cambray have been
in so great fear, that they have laid all the Country
waste round about their Town, to the end
there may be no subsistence for an Army, in case
it come that way to besiege them. Also, the
Prince of Conde, fearing lest an Attempt should
be made upon Rocroy, hath been there giving
orders for the strengthening and preservation of
that place, having fortified it in an extraordinary
manner with new works added to the old, and
left direction for the cutting down of the woods
and trees round the town, to block up the passages
at least 3 leagues about.
Here is a current report, that the towns of
Mont in Henault, Valenchienne, Doway, Tournay,
Lille, and other towns of Flanders, being in
the same affright, have resolved to stand neutral
(if they can obtain a neutrality) and procure of
both parties a freedom of trade.