[1] [2] [3] The assault giuen to Leith the seauenth of Maie.In the morning by two of the clocke the seuenth of Maie being tuesdaie, diuerse bands passed foorth towards the towne, and entring the ditches offered the scale: other capteins with their men approched the bulworks, and other there were appointed to en|ter beside the mils. Beside the English bands com|manded thus to giue the assault, there were a thou|sand Scots ioined with them, whereof fiue hundred with capteine Uaughan, and such other capteins as were commanded to attempt the bulworke next to Montpelham, and other fiue hundred went with such of the English capteins as were commanded to as|sault the breach beyond the water. Moreouer, as well the lances as light horssemen were assigned to gard the fields;The horsmen appointed to gard the field. sir George Howard with the lances kée|ping betwixt the fort of Montpelham and the sea westward, and sir Henrie Per [...]ie with the light horssemen betwixt the campe and the sea eastward. The rest of the footmen that went not to the assault, were also appointed to gard the trenches and field, in such wise as was thought expedient. So that perfect direction was giuen in euerie behalfe by the lord lieutenant, and other of the councell. And vpon war|ning giuen by capteine Randall sergeant maior, such as had béene commanded to giue the assault in their seuerall appointed places, preased forward with cou|rage inough, and boldlie aduentured to clime the wals, & enter at the breaches, but yet their attempt wanted the wished successe: for what through the Frenchmens policie in stopping the currant of the riuer that night,The English men repelled by the policies and deuises of the French. and other deuises for their owne safegard, and the annoiance of the assailants: and what by reason of the vnfitnesse of the ladders, being too short by two yards and more, the assailants were repelled. For during the whole time of the assault, which continued for the space of an houre and a halfe, the French shot off their flankers, and mainteined their shot from the wals so thicke, that it seemed a verie hell for the time.