town. The
possession of the Rysbank was the possession of Calais.

The approaches to the sandhills were commanded by a bulwark towards
the south-west called the Sandgate, and further inland by a large work
called Newnham Bridge. At this last place were sluices, through which,
at high water, the sea could be let in over the marshes. If done
effectually, the town could by this means be effectually protected;
but unfortunately, owing to the bad condition of the banks, the sea
water leaked in from the high levels to the wells and reservoirs in
Calais.

The night of the 1st of January the French remained quiet; with the
morning they advanced in force upon Newnham Bridge. An advanced party
of English archers and musketeers who were outside the gate were
driven in, and the enemy pushed in pursuit so close under the walls
that the heavy guns could not be depressed to touch them. The English,
however, bored holes through the gates with augers, fired their
muskets through them, and so forced their assailants back. Towards
Hammes and Guisnes the sea was let in, and the French, finding
themselves up to their waists in water, and the tide still rising,
retreated on that side also. Wentworth wrote in the afternoon in high
spirits at the result of the first attack. The brewers were set to
work to fill their vats with fresh water, that full advantage might be
taken of the next tide. Working parties were sent to cut the sluices,
and the English commander felt confident that if help was on the way,
or could now be looked for, he could keep his charge secure. But the
enemy, he said, were now thirty thousand strong; Guise had taken the
Sandgate, and upwards of a hundred boats were passing backwards and
forwards to Boulogne and Hambletue, bringing stores and
ammunition.[625] {p.300} If the queen had a body of men in
readiness, they would come without delay. If she was unprepared, "the
passages should be thrown open," and "liberty be proclaimed for all
men to come that would bring sufficient victuals for themselves;"
thus, he "was of opinion that there would be enough with more speed
than would be made by order."

[Footnote 625: "Surely," Wentworth wrote to the
queen, "if your majesty's ships had been on the
shore, they might either have letted this voyage,
or, at the least, very much hindered it, and not
unlike to have distressed them, being o