A decorative horizontal woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical floral scrolls, leaves, and central circular motifs.

TO HIS HIGHNESS.

THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND LORD,

MY LORD

FREDERICK HENRY,

BY THE GRACE OF GOD PRINCE OF ORANGE, COUNT

OF NASSAU, KATZENELNBOGEN, VIANDEN, DIETZ,

LINGEN, MOERS, TONNERRE, PENTHIÈVRE, CHARNY,

BUREN, LEERDAM, &c. MARQUIS OF VEERE AND OF

VLISSINGEN: LORD AND BARON OF BREDA, OF THE

CITY OF GRAVE, AND THE LAND OF CUIJK, DIEST, GRIM-

BERGEN, HERSTAL, CRANENDONCK, WARNETON,

ARLAY, NOZEROY, ARGUEIL, CHÂTEAU-BELIN, CHÂ-

TEAU-GUYON, ORBE, GRIGNON, MONTFAUCON, ROU-

GEMONT, ROLLENCOURT, LES BAUX, SAINT VITH, DOES-

BURG, POLANEN, WILLEMSTAD, NIERVAART, IJSSEL-

STEIN, SAINT MAARTENSDIJK, GEERTRUIDENBERG, CHÂ-

TEAU-RENARD, OF UPPER AND LOWER ZWALUWE,

NAALDWIJK, 'S-GRAVENZANDE, &c. HEREDITARY VISCOUNT

OF ANTWERP AND BESANÇON. HEREDITARY MARSHAL

OF HOLLAND: GOVERNOR, CAPTAIN-

GENERAL, AND ADMIRAL OF THE UNITED PROVINCES OF THE

NETHERLANDS, KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF THE GARTER, &c.

MY LORD,

It would seem a thing deserving of everyone’s blame to dare present to Your Highness a book on Fortification, Frederick Henry was nicknamed the "Stedendwinger" (Taker of Cities) because of his legendary success in siege warfare. seeing that the most excellent fortresses in the world have been so little esteemed In this context, "esteemed" means they were not considered strong enough to hold out against the Prince's skill. that they have been seen to surrender before the news of their siege could even reach foreign Provinces. Even those places which held the reputation—by the enemy’s own confession—of being impregnable, have surrendered in a few weeks to increase the number of your triumphs, and to show to