holde military forme in generall or some garisons and ordinarie bandes of more power in cauallerie or fanterie or contrariwise Likewise whether they haue any quantitie of Shipps readie armed for defence thereof if it be an Yland or border much along the sea coste whether the gouernement therof be caried in forme of a Democracie which is Definicion of Democracie Aristocracie whē all the people in common or the maior part of them hold souueraingtie and commaund or Aristocracie when a lesser part of the people holde of one bodie within it selfe empire power giuing lawes to the more sorte of the rest in generall or particular or Monarchie which they tearme Royal Senorie the Prince hauing iustlie conquered it Monarchie becōming Lord of their persons and goods vnder which he may be able to gouerne them with equitie yeelding vnto them libertie with putting them in possession and proprietie of their goods from an absolute Lorde establisheth then to him selfe the gouuernement of a Royal Monarchie whether the Monarch or king be electiue and if his authoritie consiste more in the body and voice of his Prelates Nobles cities of the kingdome then of his royal person not being able to vse discipline enacte lawes or impose tributes or fynes without consent of the members of his kingdome remayning in the Court whether it come to him by succession or gayned by mariadge or right of inheritance what the age of the king is in possession what talent and partes God hath giuen vnto him howe he vseth them what heires he hath and whether he bring them vp alowing them a hande in gouernement or farre from him for suspition of what qualitie his officers be which he retayneth about his person to assist him in gouuernement and howe farre he yeeldeth vnto them whether he accounte of Souldiers and men of warre for affection hee beareth therevnto or onely for necessitie hauing among them any personages of experience and valour whether he be more beloued or feared of his vassalls in what sorte his rentes ariseth the summe and quantitie thereof whether hee bee able to augment them more if he holde them free or charged with such assignations as he shall haue giuen or solde vpon them if he be gouerned by any Tutor or protector through the minoritie of his age or want of vnderstāding whether there be any Gouernor either through the kings being taken prisoner or for distancie from the state where the Prince Gouernor or Captaine general resideth whether that Kingdome or Countrey be frō before time with other fallen vnto him or since the King or Prince enioyed it whether the leagues he holdeth be onely personall or successiue to his heires finally whether the disposition of that kingdome or state be of such a sorte as draweth the bordering Princes albeit they are not confederate with it not to suffer that any more powerfull shall enioy it for the difficultie and feare of greatnes looking the more narrowlie thereinto A naturall born Prince alwayes better beloued then a stranger for the conseruation of their owne estate Out of these considerations which I haue set downe Y. H. may be able to serue your turne in cōpassing such forces as your armie shall neede marking that alwayes a naturall Prince holdeth a greater pledge of beeing beloued then a straunger if his extremitie of vice doe not cause his vassalls to abhorre him Therefore in the continuance of a long gouuernement many occasions causes of noueltie are withdrawne and remoued which the chance of an Empire draweth with it the one opening the dore to the other as one building the frame and workemanship of an other for this cause a conquest is seldom times effected without hauing some intelligence with them of the kingdome or state being an enterprise of greatest daunger to enter warre within a countrie of which you shall hold no further knowledge then what you must be fayne to take by force and armes the which extreemely delayeth the proceeding thereof a matter which can not be auoyded vntill you finde your selfe so farre within the Countrey as the people for loue of their owne houses and impossibilitie which they see in maintayning of their wifes and children without them constrayne them selues to suffer the yoke in seeking to please those which impose it vpon thē And likewise the most ordinarie way is to entertayne speach before with some whō you may perceyue discontented with the Prince Causes breeding discōtēt towards Kinges and Princes through his want of vnderstanding vicious customes euill gouuernement naughtie administration of iustice and choise of ministers which engendereth partialities losse of wealth or couetousnesse in procuring of it oppressions and greeuances without reason which maketh honorable heartes to growe desperate resenting more an iniurie then death except the feare of God The loyalty of subiects admitteth of no conditions and obligation of a subiect which is not in any wise to admitt of any condition to make him faltar in the loyaltie which he oweth restrayne them or that Kinges refrayne their appetites and passions considering it is with their owne subiectes Besides this another cause manie times stirreth vp subiectes to intend nouelties * Yow put a good and a fit case for their owne home to be instance where to your vsurped estates a right heire can not be and to your hereditarie Su Alteza may not think to run so cleare away with that priests dispensations being but a mockery to contradict the direct ordinance of Iehoua according to your owne cēsure pag. your Princes like Conies still incestuously counterlyuinge with their nearest of tribe and consanguinitie and that is when their Prince hath no heire and there be diuers pretendours to the succession which some will aspire making great shewe of the sufficiencie of their partie to obteyne it and other more ambitious founding them selues vpon the authoritie and trayne they cary assay the ayde of neighbour Princes to be able to possesse them selues of the commaunde vnder such profites or Townes as they can offer vnto them diuers likewise are the readier finding them selues in necessitie hauing prodigallie wasted their substance imagining that through want therof they must needes decay in their credite and opinion and then necessitie so mouing them couer their ambition vnder the title of libertie vnder colour to remedy the publicke weale their owen particuler being their principall end to destroy the generall that with change they may bring their purpose about Sometimes in like maner it falleth out that there is either an estate or cities adioyning vnto the place attempted whiche albeit they depend not thereon the euill entreatie they haue receyued may make them wishe that other might occupie the roome offering thēselues to their ayde which is eftsoones also occasioned through feare and a forced good will for that they are not able to giue anie impediment therevnto Those persons which Y.H. is to vse in this negociation for the causes
Kings Princes and Gouernours A consideration for Kings often to laye before their eies which is that our Lord cannot bee better serued then in time of peace nor contrariwise more offended then in warre A matter which with my self oftentimes meditating hath made me to knowe howe artificially the deuill hath practised to make Kinges beleeue that it best beseemeth their greatnes and power to make warr vpon credit perswading them howe easily by that course they may vndertake many whereby increaseth sinnes and offences when the souldier is left vnpaide A pointe which spoyleth Generals and Heades of Armies causing them cleane to losen the raine of obedience good discipline in yeelding liberty to extortions robberies forces and mutines which is to multiplie sinnes besides those which a warre necessarily draweth with it through the freedome which they giue to such as follow them In case that such differences among Kings and catholike Potentates shal fall out betwene any Princes about whom Y.H. shall hold any resident Embassador A point to be obserued by Embassadours he is to obserue acquainting himself with the demaundes answeres the treaties if the Embassador runne not only a course for manage of his affaires but be besides a souldior of courage for that question beeing of matters out of which breach of armes is likely to arise it is very conuenient they should passe through the handes of such as will not bee moued with ambiguous speches which Princes their ministers vse in like occasions to aduantage their partie and negotiation nor yet with the demonstrations which they make of the leauies of men to countenance themselues with esteeming it the surest foundation they haue And likewise if he haue followed the warres that he be able to ballance matters in such a maner as he may aduise Y.H. at an inch of all such preuentions as are fit to bee vsed and not to abridge him in the end of his instructions without sending speedily vnto him which onlie serueth to leauie men to your expence and hinderance Neither must hee yeeld credit too much to the faire wordes giuen him when by workes they are not confirmed least Y.H. growe careles and at such time as necessitie shall require stand vnprouided In respect whereof Y.H. is to giue order your Embassador not being such a one as hath followed the warrs that some such as hath may be sent in his companie to assist him ioyntly in this his negotiation seeking if it shal-bee necessarie otherwise to color him wherof there will neuer bee cause wanting among Kings nor to withdrawe an Embassador when matters shall affoord to be handled but in the handes of one all such as by coniecture are to entreate of their affaires wel hauing to vnderstand that by no meanes they binde their Kinge or make shewe of his power force if it be not that occasion require it wherby they preserue reputation whose foundation is workes not wordes with which is very small maintenance Qualitie incident to kings And for that it is a qualitie incident to Kings that they cannot bee forced either to affect or dislike and so not to suffer themselues oftentimes to bee perswaded to that which is conuenient for them therby running headlong into all sortes of miseries which may be seene Y.H. must lende eares of obedience to the * Surely men of rare iudgment and profitable to the k. seruice if their manor and successe of councels be looked into Diuines who are to approue whether your cause bee iust or no so that they bee such personages for their much learning and example of life as Y.H. is to chuse for the resolution of a matter of so great moment it beeing one of the greatest pledges of a Kings wisdome to be able to knowe such among his vassalls and seruantes as may be fittest for him to harken to their iudgement and opinion according to such matters as they knowe and profession which they haue made therein Y.H. is in like sorte to giue hearing voide of passion to your Councellours of Cape and sworde when they shall represent vnto you that for the defence of your Kingdomes an estimation of greatnes and reputation it is requisite to take armes without leauing only to your owne opinion caried with the heate of age greatnes of minde which is to bee thought God gaue vnto Kinges the day when he sent them into the world with like vocation for that the only tearme of their bringing vp could not bee sufficient to inlarge them or to make them confidently imbrace some glorious enterprise or other notwitstāding that it carrie multitudes of difficulties therewith Y.H. standing fully assured by the Diuines that your demaunde is iust according to the lawe of God man and that it is wisedome to mainteyne it by armes and stronge hand may then vnder those two pointes hope for a good succor and victorie and euill in any other sort But say that God hath graunted victory to many which haue vniustly fought it hath bin through his secrete iudgments and as far as mans reason may cōceyue to serue himself of them as of a scourge chastning those which forget to serue him to glorifie him in paiement of benefites receyued such as to bestowe the light of faith knowledge of his inuincible veritie and promise of the greatnes of rewardes which may be expected of his bountifull and powerfull hand to all those which keepe his commaundements How much more are you which knowe this and do contrary to bee beaten c. which for no cause in the earth ought to be broke howe much more then to be obserued in warre being a flashe of lightning of our Lordes wrath and the charge not able to bee expressed which a King taketh vpon himself if he make it for any other motiue or end then the pure honor and glory of God What obligatiō Kings doe enter into defence of his Kingdomes and conseruation in them of our holy Catholicque faith fulfillinge in this the obligation which God hath laide vpon them that those soules should not be lost ouer whom he hath made them * Caudillo your self by this acknowledgeth the Supremacie which Kinges vnder God hold in the church Captaines on the earth and administrators of his Iustice which is not enough although they haue all they can desire in the world to make Kings know when a warre shall end though they stand sure of the beginning thereof I do not leaue to knowe that I haue bin tedious in the points which I haue touched but the greatnes of the profit which may be taken out thereof will make me blameles with Y. H. Christian pietie beeing as great a pledge and assurance of our actions in this life as is in buildinges the firmenes of a sure foundation Y.H. standing resolued to take armes making warres by lande or sea it must of force be offensiue or defensiue Two manors of war being the two blankes for all
retreat may be made or no in case the enimie charge with furie the corriers hauing on both sides descried one another at an instant and when the one hath any newes before hand or discouereth the other they are wont to make ambushes seruing their turne for this by villages woods and brakes or other conuenient places in which the curriers are to goe very circumspectlie to take great heed not passing by any place of which any suspitioÌ„ may be had without viewing it sending two or three souldiours to that purpose Aduise for canvisadoes When the Campes draw neare togither and that there is place to view the lodgings vigilant generals do seke to annoy the enimie by giuing him canvisadoes an action wherein Y.H. is to giue care to the old Capteynes enioying readilie the occasion if it offer it selfe that it may not be lost by the enimies preuenting of the mischiefe which he may do in like actions by renforcing the guardes fortifying the quarters or bettering the lodging matters which soldiors of experience will foresee and the danger which is in a canvisadoe which the yonger sorte thorough the greedie coyle they make to fight neuer dreame of recoÌ„mending the execution therof to some soldior of experieÌ„ce able to execute and of great carefulnes and of whom such as goe with him to execute may hold a good opinion for that the good report What partes are to be in the leader of a Canâ—isadoe and fortune of a Leader is that which most quickneth and animateth soldiers being fit to haue like partes in him for that being an action to be done by night it is seldome times precisely lighted on and they shall euer erre except the souldiours holde good satisfaction of him which guydeth them Iointlie it is to be considered that no canvisadoe be made on that parte where the enimie holdeth his markett place because vpon anie alarum giuen within his quarters all his men doe necessarilie repaire thither and thereby keepe all helpe from those which giue the canvisadoe vpon their retreat the enimies squadrons staÌ„ding in the place wher they entred and for to salie out by anie other parte the heades which lead theÌ„ had need be verie well acquainted with the scituation and to hold the quarters well viewed which can hardlie be done wher the men are to enter for that the harquebuserie and holbardes are to be diuided in troupes particular leaders guiding them that they may disperse themselues among the quarters keeping with them the head of the canvisadoe trumpet or drumme wherwith they are to giue signe of the retreat to the ende that all hearing it may repayre to the place appointed where they are to salie out in which they ought to finde supply and helpe to succour them repressing the enimie if he charge them in grosse hauing before shewed the scituatioÌ„ in what part those men are to stand which come for the relief of those of the caÌ„visadoe Armies were wont to neighbour togither in lodgings verie neare for the desire which both parties had to fight or by the ones procuring to cut of victuals from the other or hindering him by being so neare that he vndertake not to giue vpon any place which he might take in few dayes setting foot within the Prouince the countrie yeelding commoditie for him to doe it and to get newe supplies In lodging in this neighbourhood by that which I haue written or some other occasions it is to be noted that as ofteÌ„ as two armies stand very neare encamped togither Consideration in the near neighbourhood of armies that which dislodgeth first doth it with great disadvantage for the aduantage which he giueth to the enimie remouing with the trouble of his whole armie and the contrarie able to fight with him without any at all and for this cause diuers Capteins haue vsed seeing them selues so neare neighbours to the enimie that of force they must be fayne to dislodge great stratagemes and deuizes to doe it without their perceiuing therof the which sheweth the perill that is how much it is to be considered that they be not to neare neighbours to the enimie except they be sure of victualls and of the scituation vnderstande that the enimie holdeth it for better to leaue his aduenturing the daunger of dislodging then to fight with the contrarie Considerations for a day of battayle The day of battaile presenting it selfe which must be as Y. H. perceiueth the stomack and gallantnes of your armie for to fight and when not to excuse it for that it is not to be giuen except necessitie presse it or good occasion call for it Y.H. is to note that many leaders of the armies seek by their good wills to fight only to aduantage them selues but Y.H. must procure the gayning thereof without leauing them to be caried with their owne imaginations when they holde no stronger a foundation of discretion and wisedome then onely a litle foolehardines It is likewise to be considered vpon like dayes whither the countrey be open where they are to fight field champion or full of valleys mountaines what men the enimie bringeth and number of squadrons which the curriers haue discouered composition of the battaile whether in one front or in forme of a halfe moone or with a vanguarde bataile or rereguarde or if the first of squadrons bee followed with another equall vnto it to succour it And when the campes are equall Y.H. must diuide your squadrons into iumpe as many as the enimies the old soldiors which haue ben most exercised in the warre fronting the enimies and strong men as well on horse as foote whereof aduyse is to be taken according to reason the number of the enimies squadrons by the spies such intelligences as may be gotten by roades skirmishes which are to be done with this intent onely and that the qualitie of those men which the enimie most accompteth of and relyeth vpon for supplye may be discouered and so the confidence of his armie entertainment of payes and victualls to be able to mainteyne it and the scituation which he occupieth whether he purposeth to fight in that or come out and seeke the other aduertisements which will giue great light if question bee of hauing a day of batayle to the differring or not of the iourney and to shewe in what time it wil be most conuenient to offer it At the day that battaile is presented the weather is to be considered and at what hower the fight beginneth whether it be helping them selues with their artillerie drawing it into a good place the number of troupes and squadrons which muster whether they be so many as may embrace the enimies battaile by girding it in whether the sunne and winde be in their faces matters which meÌ„ in old time highlie regarded vpon a day of battaile for that the sunne offended the sight and likewise the ayre if it came with whisking blusters or
S. me incito estudiasse y pues a su Ruego la he aprendido me atreuo a dedicarle este mi trabajo poniendole en sus manos para que me ampare y defienda de las calumnias y desdeñes del comun De que no tengo duda considerando su gran valor y discrecion no solo por auer descendido de la Illustrissima y antiquissima casa del Marquese de Corcke Vicecondes Durseys y Varones de Odrone y de Carew pero por los señalados seruicios hechos a su SCCRM en Irlandia donde fue Consejero y General de la Artilleria tantos años y continuando el mismo officio en la vltima victoria de Cadiz Nuestro Señor guarde a V. S. Del Castillo Real de Queenborowe vltimo de Março y de mil y quinientos y nouenta y sieta años EDWARD HOBY ⧠The Autors epistle to Don Philip Prince of Castill My Lorde IF the olde Castilian proverbe doe affirme That by a nayle is lost a shooe and by a shooe a horse and by a horse a Cauallero and by a Cauallero a Cornet and by a Cornet an Hoste by an Hoste a Battaile and by the Battaile a Kingdome and not onely the succession of Kinges therein but many times religion a losse inestimable you may wel iudge howe much more speedlie manie other incōueniences may bring like losses which by carelesnesse and small heede taking may succeede in warre if that which to looke too is of so small moment may come to bee cause thereof The consideration of which hath moued me to write vnto Your Highnes a briefe Theorique and practise of Warre refreshing thereby the memorie with what I haue read and experimented in thirtie and so many yeares which I haue folowed seruing in that and Embassages the King our Soueraine father to Y.H. since that my ouertymelie blindnesse hath kept me from being able to occupie any roome fit to serue Y.H. in but only as a dumme Councellor the office of bookes and paper because they speake not but when they are sought nor replie vpon ought they haue reported which ought to binde Princes to spende some parte of their time in good letters since besides tillinge of their wittes with them and opening their eyes to order things present by example and warninge of the passed which maketh able to foresee thinges to come Bookes and writings deliuer vnto Princes many truthes which they that are liuing dare not presume to doe And although many will holde it for a harde matter to make a Theorique of knowledge which consisteth entierly in practise as the exercise of warre experience being the principall foundation therof Phisicke holdeth the same qualitie by seeing in mens bodies after the same manner as in warre so diuers and vnlooked for euentes A particular which causeth experimented Phisitians to bee of more estimation then those that are onely Theoricall This hath not bin any cause why the most learned in science should forget the Theorique which is in all applying practise with it Neither in the Mathematiques and Geometrie doth it leaue to bee of much profit since that except the reason and composition of lines and figures had bin first knowne Architectistes could hardlie haue traced out edifices for the building whereof this is not sufficient alone except the maister workemen knowe what the nature of the deapth of the soyle is by longe vse and experience the qualitie of the stuffe for the building what sorte of stones endure longest the iniurie of the weather and if it incorporate it selfe better with morter and plaster In the game of Chesse the liuelie paterne of warre which consisteth really in vse those bookes leaue not to bee verie fruitefull which are written of the Theorique thereof aduantaging such as reade them greatly in their playe Likewise it may seeme to some that I haue writtē many things which such as are soldiors alreadie knowe and some which are to bee founde in sundrie bookes To satisfie the first if reason of offending and defending had not been from the first creation of the worlde vntill nowe the verie same the disposition of the people onely varying in the difference of weapons engins and instrumentes which haue bin inuented for to obteyne which soeuer of the two effectes I mought be able to tell nouelties the matter it self ministring me occasion and God giuing to all men the powers of vnderstanding memorie and will wherewith to dispose the discourse reasoning no wonder is it if for all this sundrie wittes doe meete in one thought when to doe it is grounding them selues on one selfe same cause The which doth not hinder that some vnderstandinges may not surpasse more then others in finding the reasons and effectes of it nor breede in mee any discontent when myne shall goe after others who haue passed before better then my selfe To the second although Bees doe not frame or make the flowers yet the liquor that they drawe from them doth not leaue to be profitable the coppwebbes abhorred notwithstanding they are wouen of their proper substance Nowe if Y.H. vouchsafe to looke vpō these my papers rather like a bee then a spider I shall thinke the labor I haue spent in them well bestowed for the desire I haue to accomplish that duetie wherein God hath placed me making me your subiect to offer in reknowledging of this the litle might that is left me In which Y.H. is more to respect the carrectes of the affection in presentinge it then of the talent Our Lorde preserue your Highnes From Madrid the last of August 1594. Don BERNARDINO de Mendoza ⧠THE ORICQVE AND PRACTISE OF WARRE GOD hauing made your Highnes heire apparant to the multitude of Crownes Estates and Countries which the K. our soueraigne Lord Y.H. father possesseth so diuersly occupying a good parte in Europe and so mighty in America East Indies the new world it is very likely and forceable in mans reason that Y.H. shall enter into many Warrs by sea and land either in conquering * Guiltilio foreseene most being in deed vniustlie vsurped and all tyrannicallie ouerruled or defending Togeather with which the successes and chaunces of the world breeding differences which ordinarily falleth out beetwene Kings Cōmon wealths and Catholike Potentates muste needes lye awakened And albeit your qualitie may require to appease them with armes yet is Y.H. carefully to looke that you make no vse of them before you stand desperate of anie other meanes of negotiation or agreement in respect of the great damage which in imbrewing your sword in blood among Christian Kings may redound to the * A Christiā consideration if you meane it as the Apostle doth Rom. 1. ver 8. Romane Apostolike Church hindring thereby the increase of our Catholicque faith besides giuing occasion to infidells and hereticques by not seeing the Catholicque forces vnited to inuade their kingdomes and territories This consideration is accompanied with another fit for
rehearsed or any other that may occurre ought to be men of vnderstanding and souldiours albeit they cary no such shewe Of What quality persōs ought to bee that are imployed in conquestes to be able to viewe in the entries and salies of the kingdome the qualitie and commoditie of the countrey and what for the better assurance of foraine forces may be found therein and that they be not to light in beleeuing their offers with whom they practize which commonly bragge more then is cause of their power kindred account they holde in the kingdome despising and setting their owne princes at nought with which they make them beleeue to the end the Prince by whom they seeke to be releeued should more feruentlie imbrace the matter that his desseine may be easilie compassed through the ill satisfaction of the subiectes in generall wherein great difference is to be made betweene men desperate and male content The firste whotly pursue the ruine of the Prince endangering to bring it to passe Difference betwene desperate and malcontent both substance and life the other wishe innovations but without hazarding their owne more satisfying thēselues with the present mischiefe knowen then the future good that is doubtfull In such sorte as both the one and the other serue as tynder for the fire of a ciuill warr which to the desperate bringeth reuenge and encrease and to the male-contents comoditie ease which quickly maketh them to agree with the Prince when soeuer he will but vouchsafe and yeeld anie authoritie vnto them Notwithstanding that they haue before taken armes which hardly can be nourished in a kingdome or a ciuill warre mainteyned without great succours of money and forraine ayde by reason that you may by negotiation corrupt a kingdome but not maintayne a warre within it without force of armes and much celeritie for that the naturall Prince will with time euer gaine to be better followed strengthning him selfe by his owne authoritie and partie It is likewise to be noted in this matter of malcontents that they are to bee founde in all Kingdomes Prouinces and Courtes of Princes it being annexed to humane nature that men are neuer satisfied with those things which our Lord ordayneth and with the gouuernement wherewith he guideth And also it is not to be marueyled at that they be ordinarilie discontented with what contentement Kinges and Princes cary being men albeit in some actions wise and confident which is occasioned by the conceite that euery one hath of him selfe bringing him to imagine that hee could gouuerne better then he that is in place and vnder this to condemne the proceeding of any other And there is another sort of male contents in not seeing thēselues aduanced and promoted to rule which though they bee many in a kingdome and of the principall sorte yet verie seldome can they alone be able to make a sufficient partie for to stirre vp a ciuill warre therein with a foundation in maner that it may endure notwithstandinge that another Prince yeeld them assistance therein except the commons and people as well estraunge their affection from the Prince for some cause which may mooue all to a generall distaste which is the surest foundation to frame a ciuill warre vpon and then not onely the principall men and great personages but anie one whosoeuer that hath valor or hardines may be fitt to serue as Aulaquida sulfer for the nourishing of a fier of warr with facilitie through the disposition of the matter and detestations whiche the commons and people conceyue desirous of Nouelties wherby to better their owne estate with which it commeth to be mainteyned to take roote in like maner as stormes doe in gulfes euery winde altering them for beeing so prone to mooue them selues whiche is not seene on the lande though they be very boysterous furious for the hardnes thereof and on the sea in that it is a licquide bodie a small blast swelleth and puffeth it vp taking a motion in it selfe thorough the qualitie of the disposition thereof which being once conceyued the furie lasteth for a long time albeit the first moouer cease and the rebellions of kingdomes in like maner when they shal be nourished by commons and the people will last many yeares though the heads which began them may happen to fall fayle A reason which byndeth very diligently to consider of what qualitie the discontentment of a Kingdome or Prouince may be whereby a ciuill warre may the better bee mainteyned therin whether it be occasioned by any matter which breedeth a generall offence or no. In all the prouisions or levies of men Preparations of warr are to bee colored alwayes with some contrary end to the true meaning which are made for any maner of warre by sea or lande it is ordinarilie to be vnderstood that they be coloured with some different motiue from what is meant whereby no time may be giuen to the enimie to perceyue it by preuenting disseins with the contrarie An aduise verie necessarie especiallie in conquestes for many respectes not being the least that albeit that kings loue not to be vnsauorie to their subiects thinking that they holde all sortes of money to content them with when they please yet at the verie houre that they discouer their disposition to take armes there is no meanes nor negotiatiō which they will leaue vnpractized to reduce them to their trayne and affection the thought hereof being able to bynde them to be more liberall then gratefull for their victories and seruices done A meanes which bringeth them to be reconciled with those whom before they feared and to make the other leaue off their treaties with forraine Princes which before they had declaring them selues enimies to them and assured to their owne A matter which is fitt to be auoyded by concealing the causes of suspition What humor ordinarily raigneth in the blood royall of Princes and that other Kings and Potentates may not linke themselues to assist him which assayleth caried with an humor which naturally a Royall blood is cōpounded of in waxing fierce against any other King whō they see growe in power and force imagining that that his greatnes will ouerwaye the ballance for that the one came not vp without the going downe of the other And by reason that it is as easie a matter to Princes to deceyue men by their deuises and negotiations which passe by paper as it is harde in matters of publike actions It is fitt to couer their disseins and preparations by seeking out of some notable apparant reasons and as much as may lye in them to remoue such shadowes as are setled in their iudgment which thinke them selues of greatest reach most pearcing vnderstanding Meanes for Princes to disguise their intended conquestes By no better meanes may this be effected then in sending vpon such occasions Embassadours to those Kinges who are most suspected would oppose thēselues to your disseins plotting
headdes without any Iackes of mayle or corselettes and some carying light horse staues leading staues and Targuettes other with Pistolls or long Petrionells which difference of armes is as well required to be considered as the horsses may be able to beare out therewith in combat best The verie reason which at the first moued men to inuent them proportioning them according to the fitnesse of such horse as the Prouince or Climate did breede affirming iointlie that it is a very hard matter at this time to be able to frame an armie of one entiere nation when it is not for the defence of the same kingdome vpon the invasion of any stranger for the diuersitie of considerations which may therein be offred And in particular whether the Prouince be so well peopled as that it may yeelde so great a nūber of men as is necessarie for the maintenance of a warre abroad the which euery day consumeth men and to breede souldiers it is necessarie to employ youthes which haue passed sixteene yeares at the least and in case so much people may be drawne out of the Countrie The best cōposition of one entire nation if it may be and so many men trayned among them as is fit for the diuersitie of armes vndoubtedly an armie of one entiere nation is much more to be esteemed which cōforme them selues in customes and language then of diuers which ought to beare parte and all to depend of one selfe same cause thereby to be the more vnited in their conseruation and by consequent their force of greater vigour Of this there are not onely probable reasons but effectes consideringe that the greatest Empires which haue bene haue augmented and preserued them selues by warring with the Souldiors of their owne nation onely with whom they made an entier body of their armie lodging such of other nations as came to their ayde a parte thereby giuing to vnderstande that they depended not of them In this case hath our Lorde made Y.H. so powerfull a Prince as that you possesse kingdomes and many Prouinces out of which you may forme great armies of one entiere nation or diuers being all your vassalls or such countries assisting you where you haue Coronells in paye for the same effecte and so may Y.H. chuse the partie most conuenient according as your generall Captaines shall be of opinion the forme of warre may require which you vndertake and in what Prouince or state particularities which will giue light to the resolution of your leauies and places of musters which are to be assigned accordinge to their order and securitie Some are of opinion that in those Councells which Princes holde for giuing of order to leauie men Consideration for the not naming of a general it should be verie cōuenient the Princes person not being in place present not to name any general at all vntill all prouisions were at an end presupposing that there would be foūd so many persons fitt for the same charge as that the findinge of anie one to be named would bee an occasion for the more parte to backward the seruice encreasing the other inconueniences which mought be founde therein mooued by the competitorshipp which is naturallie founde among men of one profession I will assure Y.H. that this is a consideration of much moment not able to be kept with puntilio for many occasions which offer thē selues wherein necessarilie a Captaine must be declared before the leuies being the best meanes for the easie dispatche of them and the enterprise and that which is most troublesome to a souldior is that the circumstance of euery particular case is of that importance that he is bound to hold such rules as in generall he may finde to guyde him by worthying him selfe herein by his owne estimation as the principall parte which a souldior is to obserue Qualitie of a Generall All your leuies and preparations being once in a readines Y.H. may if it be not already done nominate the generall of the enterprise and the most headdes of the armie which ought to be soldiors considering that manie haue courage enough to fight which wante wisedome to be able to commaunde and combat in the fielde it being the greatest matter of importance to be required at a gouuernours handes and in particular the Campe maister generall ought to haue good skill in soulderie Qualitie of Campe-maister generall for that the executiō of his office is no wayes permissiue to any other person then a soldior of many yeares and experience being the liuely voice and spirit of the generall which hee participateth to the armie if he be a souldior and in case he be not one the actions of the Campe maister generall in respect he is so necessarie giueth spirit life to the Generalls in such sorte as he commeth to be helde a souldior though in deed he be none The which hath made mee discoursing vpon this matter to affirme sundrie times that men may be borne generalls but not Campe maisters generalls which is the second person of the armie since that the Generall thereof fayling howe great personages so euer carie any other charge it apperteyneth to the Campe-maister generall to giue the worde and likewise to administer ciuill and criminall iustice throughout the armie in the name of the Prince or his Lieuetenant generall and to this effecte he holdeth about him men of learning and the great Prouost I speake not of a Campe maister generall where there is a Conestable in an armie that being no office nowe in vse with like preheminences as they were wont to haue in former times being more or lesse in one Prouince thē in an other Office of Constable but in deed the charge of a Constable is a Lieutenant of the Kings person in peace or war in all matters depending theron within the kingdome Men in olde time esteemed it sufficient for the warre to haue some good partes in those which commanded as to guyde order armies to vanquishe the enimie which they perferred before most morall vertues which ought to be wished in a Captaine to be able with his wisedome and sharpnes of witte to compasse such matters by the helpe of some naturall giftes as courage quicknes affabilitie endurance of travailles and like qualities which hold affinitie with moral vertues though they be none and verie necessarie in the exercise of warre I haue handled with like precisenes of what condicion the person of the Campe maister generall ought to be by hauing sundrie times considered that there seldome happeneth a generall which is a souldior of experience albeit that wisedome and excellent partes are in no charge more to be desired then in persons which are to gouuerne armies for that the matters are innumerable which they are to prouide for and to commaunde carying withall a wauering common wealth of men vpon their shoulders besides a multitude of accidentes presenting them selues euerie moment and varietie of cases vpon which
finding not they shall set vp the ladders in the securest place against the wall clyminge vp by them so as it may bee done with greatest diligence and facilitie and least noyse The walls being gayned they shall goe to the next gate to the place where they first gaue the scaladoe carrying with them pincers files hammers crowes of yron and other instruments to open the gates with a busines which is to bee done with diligence that the cauallerie or fanterie may enter into the town which for this purpose taryed in the rereguard of all and stoode in squadron in the field that vpon any ill successe they might be able to helpe the soldiers running backe who continually must followe on without loosing ranke to get vp by the ladders and in case there bee any Citadell or Castell within the town they must repaire to that place stopping that none of their men retyre themselues in and when there is no Castle in the towne or place appointed to ioyne themselues together in cordeguards becomming entirely Lords of the town then are they to giue it to sacke to fortifie it placing a good garrison and when the Castle or Catadell if there bee any hath not yeelded then to preuente that no succour enter in at those gates vnto them which Castles commonly haue towards the countrey for that purpose placing good watch at the entrance of the streets which lead thither fortifying them with trauesses and other things conuenient as to make loop-holes out of houses rampyring if it necessare to defende the shot of the artillerie whereby they of the Castle will growe cleane out of the harte from thinking to bee able to recouer the towne againe and by that distrust will hold it a farre better course to yeeld themselues Those cōquests which Kings Princes attempt by sea happen at such time as they haue shippes Consideration touching sea seruice mariners and other necessarie thinges for it much more easie then by land for the commoditie which they haue in carying in a small time great number of soldiers munitions and artillerie from sundrie countries farr distant By this meanes our Lord God doth open the way to such Kingdomes states as possesseth anie sea coastes to expect their greatnes and encrease which in our times hath bene sufficiently proued by that the Crownes of Castile and Portingall hath done which the K. our Soueraigne Lorde father vnto Y.H. possesseth spredding out his empire rule through the East and West Indies with such a multitude of conquests though ther were no more examples of the time past a matter which the Castilian prouerbe amed at saing Reyno sin puerto chimenea sin fuego A consideration which bindeth Y.H. to fauor and honor the sea soldiers Hernan Nunez lib. de refr L. C rewarding them and the Pilotts and mariners and to entertaine great Armies in ordinarie proportioning the forces of them with those of the lande How much it importeth to maintain armies by sea which is that by which conseruation of Empires standeth assured being Lordes of the sea and the foundatiō according to mans reason of their greatnes enduring thorough the necessitie which most Prouinces holde to respect them for maintenance of their trades and traficques facilitie with which he that is powerfull on the sea may offende in sundrie partes at one instant And albeit this in generall will not binde Y.H. yet the monarchie which you are to possesse and qualitie of your Crownes and estates requireth for their scituatiō sake to hold Armes by sea wherby to succour them vpon anie distres and offend the enimie since of their verie selues euery one holdeth by him selfe forces sufficient to holde out attending succor which is one of the reasons that causeth many to iudge Empires deuided into sundry Prouinces to be more firme then in one bodie where corruption once entring causeth a farr greater ruyne then in the deuided and distant being seldome times all infected at once with one morion as it may fall out where they stande vnited The preparation of your Y.H. fleete in the number of shippes soldiors and artillery is to be according to the enterprise you purpose to vndertake to consider therin the season the power of the enimie what cōfederates he may haue and the rest of the considerations which I haue set downe in common to bee obserued in forming of armes by lande the which will tell you of what burthen shippes wil be most conuenient for nauigation whether they are to vse Gallyes or Boates of ores only or carying likewise of higher caruing if they bee to carrie cauallerie which will require conuenient shipps for this purpose by consequence for the carriadg of munitiōs victuals the rest of the prouisions Prouided that when it is an armie of round ships and that the winde which serueth you to sayle will bringe with it as mariners terme it growne seas the nauigation when the armie is great must needes be much longer then with an other wind which maketh faire weather or that there were but a few shipps which bindeth you to cōsider that albeit light Pinishes may in so many days performe the voyage a great armie must be fain with the very same wind to spend many more therin in which care must be giuē to mariners which are of experience practise in the same trade folowing their opinion for the time which shal be best to sayle and in particuler the * Office of Admiral it is aswel taken for a chiefe cōmaunder vpon the land therfore from auncient time there hath bene an Admiral in Castilla though the Kingedome bee without any port far distant frō the sea Admiralls who is Y.H. Lieuetenant at the sea An office which holdeth more or lesse preheminence in some prouinces then in an other according vnto the authoritie which it hath pleaced Princes to giue vnto them And whē he doth not exercise his office Y.H. is to name a generall at the sea and sometimes he is the same which is on land and at other times no whose office is to ioyne together and compound the armie and to fit the shippes with artillerie arming them with * Raretas which they vse in steade of our cariges with trucks their wheles like fielde cariages carriges and other preparations according to the burthen and men which are to fight in them and forme which euery nation caryeth accōmodating things more carefully in that then in an other Furnishing likewise with victualls placing in the office of a generall victuler a person of trust much diligence litle couetousnesse considering that by stincking victuals fleets armies haue many times receyued more losse thē they needed to haue feared by tempests or enimies the couetousnes of officers haue bin the only cause who looking only into their own profit haue procured vnto their Princes the destruction of their armies and men of warre Your shippes and men standing readie for the