Their audacity, promptness, and ferocity made them almost invincible.

In this particular action, at least half the army of Don John was composed of Spanish or Spanish-Italian veterans.

Moreover, they were commanded by the most renowned captains of the age--by Don John himself, and Alexander of Parma, sustained by such veterans as Mondragon, the hero of the memorable submarine expeditions; Mendoza, the accomplished cavalry officer, diplomatist, and historian; and Mansfeld, of whom Don John had himself written to the King that his Majesty had not another officer of such account in all the Netherlands.

Such officers as these, besides Gonzaga, Camillo Monte, Mucio Pagano, at the head of such troops as fought that day under the banner of the Cross, might go far in accounting for this last and most tremendous victory of the Inquisition.

On the other hand, although Bossu and Champagny were with the states' army, yet their hearts were hardly with the cause.