Henry Hexham facts for kids

Henry Hexham (born around 1585 – died around 1650) was an English writer who focused on military topics. He also helped create a famous map book called Mercator's Atlas and wrote a large English and Nether-duytch Dictionarie (a dictionary for English and Dutch).

Life of Henry Hexham

Hexham was born in Holland, Lincolnshire, England. When he was young, he became a page (a helper) for a famous soldier named Sir Francis Vere. He stayed with Sir Francis during the long battle known as the siege of Ostend in 1601. Hexham later wrote about his experiences in this battle.

After Sir Francis Vere returned to England in 1606, Hexham stayed in the Low Countries (which are now mainly the Netherlands and Belgium). He likely served in towns where English soldiers were stationed. He even met important leaders like Prince Maurice of Nassau and his brother, Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange.

In 1611, Hexham published a Dutch translation of a book called The Highway to Heaven. Later, in 1623, he wrote A Tongue Combat, which was about two English soldiers having an argument.

Hexham continued his military career. In 1625, he worked as a quartermaster (someone who organizes supplies and housing for soldiers) for Sir Horace Vere during the relief of Breda. He held similar roles during other important battles, including the siege of 's-Hertogenbosch in 1629, and the capture of Venlo, Roermond, Strale, and the siege of Maastricht in 1631–1632.

After Sir Horace Vere passed away, Hexham became quartermaster for George Goring, Lord Goring and served with him at the siege of Breda in 1637. By 1640, he was in England for a short time. He did not take part in the English Civil War. Instead, he returned to Holland before 1642 and continued his literary work while serving in the Dutch military. His English-Dutch Dictionary has a note saying it was finished in Rotterdam in 1647. Henry Hexham likely died around 1650.

Works by Henry Hexham

Henry Hexham's most important work was an edition of Mercator's Atlas. This book translated an earlier version into English, and Hexham added some of his own information. He worked with Henry Hondius, the son of the original editor. This atlas was published in two volumes in Amsterdam in 1636–1637 and included many maps and colored pictures. It became a very important version of Mercator's work.

Another significant book was his Copious English and Nether-duytch Dictionarie (a large English-Dutch dictionary). The English-Dutch part of the dictionary came out in Rotterdam in 1648. The Dutch-English part was published later, in 1658. Hexham said his dictionary was the first of its kind.

Hexham also wrote several books about military history, describing battles and events he had personally experienced. These include:

• A Historicall Relation of the Famous Siege of the Busse and the Surprising of Wesell... (1630, Delft). This book described a famous siege and a surprise attack.
• A Journall of the taking of Venlo, Roermont, Strale, the memorable Siege of Mastricht, the towne and castle of Limbruch... anno 1632 (1633, Delft). This was a journal about capturing several towns and a major siege.
• The Principles of the Art Militarie practised in the Warres of the United Netherlands (1637, London). This book explained military practices used in the wars of the Netherlands. A larger version was published later in three parts (1642–1643).
• A True and Briefe Relation of the famous Siege of Breda (1637, Delft). This book gave a true and short account of the famous siege of Breda.
• An Appendix of the Quarter for the ransoming of Officers... together with the Lawes and Articles of Marshall discipline enacted on the States side (1637, Delft). This book discussed rules for ransoming officers and military laws.
• The Art of Fortification... by Samvell Marolois... augmented by Albert Girard... and translated by Henry Hexham (1638, Amsterdam). This book, translated by Hexham, was about the art of building defenses for protection.
• A True Relation of the Battell of Nieupoort (1641, Delft). This book described the Battle of Nieupoort.
• An Appendix of Lawes, Articles, and Ordinances established for Marshall Discipline in the service of the... States Generall... translated out of Dutch into English (1643, The Hague). In this book, Hexham mentioned that he had served in wars for 42 years without ever being wounded. He hoped his book would help prevent looting during wars by showing how the Dutch managed to stop it.