ascend to the Glorie thereof then which there is not any flame of profession whatsoeuer that can aspire beyond it or of the goodnesse of his fires make a Starre more fixed and enduring for as all Arts are sooner attained then this by quiet studie warme ease and sound rest neither perplexing the mind nor putting the body in danger so the Souldier whose ends are euer high and great findes difficultie in all his designes dangers in his attempts and death both the Crown and Song of his Conquest and Triumph nor are they sutable to any particular proportion but euen married and allied to euery warlike action as whether with Alexander he seeke the conquest of the world or with Hanibal striue but to defend a particular citie for Souldiers cannot march farre sitting still nor compasse much with poore endeauors as their aymes are great so must be their actions and as their desires are infinite such must be their dangers which considered it must necessarily follow that their glory ought farre to exceed all others Souldiers are for the most part men of great and incomparable Spirits which is such a glorious Garment and so precious a Iewell wherewith to adorne Vertue that it sets her forth in the highest degree of all excellencie and perfection where on the contrary base low little and straight minds who haue nothing of price in them but life not any thing wise but their feares nor any Bountie more than a continuall affection to worldly riches These are in no sort fit for emploiments of this Martiall and high nature The true Souldier takes Scipio for his example and is like him spare of speech and euer musing lookes vpon Salust and with him is secret in his counsels but open in his actions and admires Furius Camillus with whom hee is neither puffed vp by any successe in Fortune nor yet abashed or deiected though his designes runne neuer so desperately to ruine and disorder Hence it comes that the greatest Princes stile all men of Warre their Fellow-Souldiers and the meanest amongst them in the way of Vassailage disdaine to serue the greatest persons well may they serue vnder them but cannot be truly said to serue them their hands they may commaund to vse the Sword not to carry a Trencher their minds they may inflame with courage not quench with flattery and their bodies they may sacrifice to Glory but not offer vp either to their Lusts Pride or Ambitions All Warres are either Offensiue or Defensiue to inuade others or preserue themselues either of which no man ought to vndertake but for a glorious purpose To God belongeth our actions to him therefore and his Glorie ought all Warre to bee dedicate For Warres offensiue or Inuading they must euer be either to plant Gods Name and Christian Religion amongst vs or else to regaine those Rights and Dominions which formerly being giuen from God haue been iniuriously taken and withheld from the true and lawfull owners and of this we haue plentifull examples in holy Writ both in the Stories of Moses Iosua Dauid and the Maccabees of which if wee should speake particularly some haue been commaunded by Gods owne mouth to make warres to destroy yea to take no Truce but to kill euery liuing Soule others haue themselues assumed Armes to these ends and by these examples and some haue regained their vniust losses by a lawfull Warre vnder a diuine authoritie As these so other great mindes though much lesse in true holy knowledge and with a much scanter Warrant furnished with great successe haue imbarked themselues into great actions and preposing humane ends as Scales to their high Thoughts haue become gloriously victorious in the world as Ninus in the first age Cyrus in the second Alexander in the third and Caesar in the fourth all these haue had glorious ends and famous Names and their memory will continue whilst Time hath continuance But when I fixe them against the Sun-shine of Christian and godly Captaines such as was our first Richard in the Holy land Burbon before Rome Great Henrie of Fraunce against the League or our renowned Henries of England pulling their Birth-rights from such as vsurped them then me thinks like new Starres they are either lost at their first finding or like eclipsed lights haue in themselues no beautie but such as is borrowed The Glory which appertaines to a perfit Souldier is of a two-fold Nature the one Terrestriall the other Celestiall of the first no doubt euery Heathen Conquerour will be a glorious partaker and memorie shall keepe their memories as long as Marble Brasse or the leaues of Bookes shall endure But the Champions of the Almightie shall be glorified for euer and euer both heere in the world and after beyond all worlds First therefore let Gods Battels be fought for that is the Tithe of our duties Next our Princes for that is the Rent of our Seruice and lastly our Countries for that is the Fee due from our Gratitude and in these two latter obligations there ought to be such a corespondence with Goodnesse that Princes ought not to ingage themselues in any action without God because God will not commaund vs any imployment but by the Prince whom hee hath assigned his Deputie forbidding vs Warre but for the King and not to dare in any semblance whatsoeuer to leuie or raise Armes but by and at the especiall commaundement of the King for so glorious is the profession of a Souldier that it is onely to bee raised for God by the King Subiects in other things haue great Priuiledges in this they are confined for Warre is Gods great businesse and whosoeuer leads he still should be Generall Now for warres Defensiue which questionlesse are more warranted they haue likewise most glorious ends For when God hath giuen to a people a Prince either by iust Conquest or lawfull Succession if then the violence of Tyrannie the falshood of Treason or the greedinesse of Ambition seeke to subuert and dispossesse what God hath planted O how iustly then are Armes assumed and how infinite is the Glory which depends on so noble a Reformation Slaughter a thing most odious to God and Nature in this case Heauen doth not onely permit it but commaund it and men-killers in this seruice shall bee crowned not alone with Oake but with Lawrell nay to such perfection they attaine that men dying with wounds of this vertuous nature like so many Martyrs with their last gaspe they are borne triumphantly into heauen I meane not those wicked Darers which make the Warres their whoore on whom they vent the pollutions of their swaggering Natures making Rapin Ryot and Disorder the three cornerd cap to couer the head of their purpose But such as vndergoe the cause of Conscience whose Warrant is from God and whose actions are mooued by a sollid and stedfast dutie fixt on their Prince and Countrey These doubtlesse how great soeuer the streame of Blood be which they spill shall shine with Martyrs at
Goodnesse to whose Noble Father I stand bound for almost all the strengths of my present fortunes I doubt not but my hopes will conuert to assurances in your fauour and howsoeuer this Epistle challenge your attention for at least a couple of minuts yet in as much as it shall bring you a plaine tale from an honest breast and a willing seruice from a faithfull heart I feare not but you will vouchsafe to accept it Beleeue it honord Sir there is no flattery in it for neither are you a subiect on whom I durst vent such follie nor haue I a soule I hope guilty of so base a condition A Captaine of Foote or of the Infantrie is the highest of all priuate Commanders and yet the lowest of all that command in cheife and howsoeuer there is abilitie in a Captaine to create Inferior Officers yet cannot a Captaine by any meanes make a Captaine but he is euermore deriued from the King himselfe or from his especiall authority granted to Generalls of Armies The Lords of his Priuie counsell the Gouernors of Garrisons Viceroyes or Presidents of Countryes or else to the Lords Liuetenants of perticular Shiers so that hence we may collect that none but men of true merit ought to aspire to these places of Renowne and Honor but there are three maine Torrents as namely Fraud Flatterie and Bribes which oftentimes blowes the Bias of this Bowle the contrary way To speake then briefely what a Captaine of Foote should be not what he is they ought first for their ellection to be Gentlemen both of Blood and Qualitie who hauing Haniball-like beene trained vp in the warres euen from their Infancie and passing through all the Inferior places of Command Anchor now with good opinion at that of the Liuetenant whence for his experience he is worthy to bee aduanc't to a Captaine for it is an heartbreake to an expert Souldier to bee commanded by an ignorant Cheiftaine let our Captaine then in briefe be a man that feares God skilfull in his profession as hauing past through all the Inferior Offices below him vertuous in his examples wise in his actions politique in his affaires valiant in troubles carefull in daungers and vigilant in all occasion For matter of his duty he shall bee wonderfull circumspect in the ellection of his Inferior Officers prouiding such as are fit to gouerne not such as he must be compelld to instruct and herein he shall giue the first taste or season of his perfection for in chusing those which are worthy he sheweth the worthines of his owne knowledge and in chusing those which are vnfit hee expresseth the weakenesse of an ill Iudging Nature The companie fit for a Captaine to command are full two hundred be besides the great Officers for a lesse number is Insufficient a greater full of trouble it would be deuided into two equall parts of which one would be all Pikes the other all Musquets ouer both his Liuetenant shall gouerne absolute in his absence and as the second in command whensoeuer the Captaine is present He shall haue an Ensigne who shall carry his Colours or Honor being of noble and no base mixture Hee shall haue a Surgeon to whom euery Souldier shall allow one weekes pay towards the leuying of his Chest of Salues and Instruments Hee shall haue two Drummes and two Phifes foure Serieants each commanding fifty Souldiers eight Corporalls each commanding foure and twenty and sixteene Lanspesados each commanding eleauen and out of all these he shall ellect one of the best vnderstanding whom he shall make the Furrier or Harbenger for the appointing out of the allodgments for the whole Company Touching the foure Squadrons into which the whole Body of the Companie is deuided the first which shall be compounded of the most expertest and principall men of the companie shall appertaine to the Captaine himselfe and bee called his Squadron for in it the greatest commander in the Army may traile a Pike and serue without disparagement the second shall belong to the Liuetenant the third to the Ensigne and the fourth to the eldest Serieant this done he shall first by examples and perswations incite all his Souldiers to the seruice of God which consisteth in Timor and Amor then to obedience towards their Commanders abiding in Reuerentia exhibenda In mandato suscipiendo and In Iudicio subeunda and lastly to a true performonce of their duties in all the actions of Military Discipline and may bee briefely drawne into these few heads sound of the Drumme Posture Distance and Motion It is the Captaines duty to looke to the appeasing of all debates and so to roote out the seeds of sedition that no Muteny may spring vp amongst his Souldiers He shall suppresse as much as in him lies all euill liuers where Instruction workes no cure there let sharpe examples make others fearefull He shall boldly and brauely lead them on to all encounters of the enemie charge before them and with them and bring them off with care and discretion He shall not at any time suffer them to breake their Array or March out of order for such disorder is the ouerthrow of an Armie and from the tolleration of one euill will in an Instant springe a thousand more Inconueniences and therefore it is the duty of a good Captaine not to giue way to any licentious attempt but rather by the constancy of his seuerity to take away all hope from Incorrigible and wilfull offendors The weapon with which the Captaine shall serue in his owne person is very much disputable in these daies amongst the best Souldiers some for brauery wil carry nothing but a rich Feather-staffe all wrought guilt and curiously tasselled but this eueryone knowes is not fit to fight withall for neither is it of abilitie to wound deepe nor of length or substance to encounter either with Pike Partizan Halbert nor with a good Sword and Target Others will serue with a Pike but that is found much too vnnimble and troublesome for his place for hauing once brought his men vp to the push he can haue no more vse of that weapon their pressing upon him taking from him all meanes aboue once to charge it And some will serue with a Sword and guilt Target but that is found as much too short and ere he can get within the enemies Pike his life will bee in great hazard so that in conclusson according to the oppinions of the best Souldiers the only weapons for a Captaine are a faire Feather-staffe in the time of Peace or for glory in a Garrison but in the time of seruice and in the face of the enemie then a faire guit Partizan richly trim'd being not aboue twelue inches of blade sharpe and well steeled for it is able to encounter against any manner of weapon as for the Spanish priuiledge to serue sometimes with the Harquebush and sometimes the Musquet neither are the weapons suiting for his place neither can a Captaine applie
Souldiers Mistris and her commandements are so sacred that it were high Treason to God to nature and good manners to violate her least Statute Besides he is so curious of disgrace and so iealous of any imaginary imputation that whosoeuer will enioy her must bee as carefull and fearefull to perserue her vnspotted Oh Sacred Honor thy knot is inuiolable and betwixt thee and vertue is such a faithfull coniunction that no wisdome will no Charme can and no good Sword dare euer seeke to deuide you But pause a little for me thinkes I heare some obiections thundred against me what doe all Souldiers enioy Honor no nor doe all deserue her excellent were that Edict if all that deserue her might enioy her what is she then incertaine no neither only shee is coy in her wooing and comes to her louers after a sundry fashion yet let no Souldier be discouraged for whosoeuer truly doth deserue her shall be sure to enioy her either here or in a place of better residing for there is no maxime truer then this that men are full of blindnes and such as often haue the distribution of Honor doe sometimes mistake their marke and hit a contrary obiect yet notwithstanding whosoeuer truely deserueth let him thus farre assure himselfe he shall either finde honor in this world or in the present or in the future time or which is best of all in another world euen to the vttermost length of the longest eternity But doth the honor of a Souldier heere take vp its Inne and rest hath it no other harbor but his Actions Words and Thoughts yes the very gestures shewes and outward fashions of a Souldier must also be honorable no looke no behauiour no countenance whatsoeuer but like Achilles Speare must both wound and heale to his friends he must be amiable and chearefull and throwing his beames of loue into their bosomes like Romulus dart they must haue the vertue to take roote and by no other strength be able to be remooued thus shall his sweetenesse drawe and fixe Soules inseperably vnto him and thus shall a noble popularity arme him with a loue which no violence can conquer to this sweetnesse of countenance he must adde the cheerefulnes of his valour and by the examples of his person draw all hands to assist him hee must be the first in assaults and last in retraites in all keeping such a composed hermony of distinct and noble parts that from the characters of his well framed graces all his followers may draw Courage Care or Controulment On the contrary part his countenance to his Enemie must be terrible his blowes heauy and frequent his aduantages so soone gained and his disaduantages so soone perceiued that the world in the least of these perfit things may know how to shape or modell forth all the sundry parts of Honor in the most compleatest perfection To conclude this Epistle he that shall thus linke euery facultie in him to Honor shall be able in any assault of fortune whatsoeuer to expresse these three noble duties first that of a King shewing authority and good fortune then that of a Captaine ordering things speedily wisely without disorder without danger and lastly that of a Souldier making good euery place where hazards are most liberally bestowed this is a Souldiers Honor and this is most excellent TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND HOPEFVLL YOVNG GENtleman HENRIE VVEST Lord La-Ware THE ARGVMENT The Vertues of a Souldier SInce my good Lord the Profession of a Souldier is necessary his ends glorious and his qualitie honourable let vs now enter into consideration what kinde of person is fittest to vndergoe this excellent calling and in this might bee held an infinite disputation but the rules of Symetrie lose here their proportion I must therefore conclude that the fittest man to make a Souldier is a perfit Gentleman for generous Spirits are euer aptest for great designes yet in respect multitudes compound armies and that Gentlemen are not of that infinite increase in all parts to supply them I must this affirme in the right of all Souldiers that whose great minde soeuer willingly carrieth him to the imbracing of this noble Profession whatsoeuer his Birth be his minde is generous and although his imployment may rest at the lowest degree of Fortune yet vpon the first apprehension of Vertue equall Iustice should allowe him the Stile and Reward of a Gentleman of the Companie Next Birth his Education should be liberall and free neither in the seruitude of Apprentices nor basenesse of Slaues for both are badges of vnworthinesse The earliest age to passe Musters is at seuenteene for before the bodie is weake in performance and after it will daily grow more mature till it attaine to perfection Losse of time is offensiue and as Hypocrates saith of Physicke so shall a Souldier finde of the Warres that it is Ars longa Vita breuis For his Size or Proportion he would be wisht generally Strong Actiue Comely and Perfect and though of these all cannot bee found to fill vp all places yet the more the better and fitter for this purpose The Warres no doubt can produce men which haue weake Sences and worse Limbes yet commonly they are such on whom wounds in Seruice haue bestowed those fauours and so are accounted no Scarres but Glories for Honour euer sets her Seale deepe on her valiantest seruants and those which thus carry the stampe of great actions are for the most part men of experience and though fitter for direction then execution yet so behoouefull for both that without them sometimes the whole Bodie of Armes would reele and wauer But when I come to thinke of a minde befitting a Souldier I can onely say this That how curious costly plaine or deformed soeuer the Cabanet be yet must it necessarily be filled with all manner of Vertues Vice must bee as that deadly foe with whom he will neuer make Truce or euer capitulate and the Bulwarke to withstand her assaults must be his Pietie and Religion vnder the guard of these he must finde his securitie for hee who euery day comes to hazzard his life had need bee prepared for a good passage he must be valiant for that is a Souldiers proper vertue valiant to conquer his Countreyes foes and valiant to ouerthrowe his owne passions What great attempt is done but by daring Alexander that had swomme ouer the armes of the Sea Helisponte will not bee stayed at the passage of the Riuer Granicke Caesar will bee seene at Pharsalia Augustus at Philippi and Varro in Spaine To conclude all the perfection of Fortitude in one Christian Souldier Henrie the great of Fraunce will bee seene to take Eaux with but eight men in his company and when a slaue clapt his Harquebuze to his bosome saying Now I could the King strooke it away with his Pistoll and replied But doe what God will let thee At the taking of Cahors the next vnto him was slaine and when mens courages began to
yard and one inch the hilt of Basket fashion round and well compast the scaberd of strong leather chapt with Iron and to carry his Sword either Girdle Hangers of strong leather or broad Bautrickes of the same substance but Hangers are the best if they be side and large espetially when hee shall come to receiue the encounter or charge of Horse where couching his body downe low with the bending of his Pike the Bautrick girdle being loose is apt to fall by the poyze of the Sword in a troublesome manner before him so as he shall neither readily draw it out nor nimbly vse his Pike by reason that his Sword will hange dangling before him There be some that except against the perfixed and certaine length of the Sword alleadgeing that all weapons should be accommodated to the fitnesse of the person allowing the shorter arme the longer Sword and the longer arme the shorter weapon and not be bound to a generall disaduantage but howeuer there doth appeare some reason herein yet is the distinction somewhat too nice for if the short arme bee allowed the long sword will not the long arme who hath equall choyce bee owner of the like weapon where is then the short armes aduantage and so againe by arguing from the contrary you shall find that no difference in body ought to make a difference in weapons but there should euer remaine a constant president although now and then it may bee varyed at the Commanders discretion and suer then that size formerly expressed there cannot be a better limmit Lastly if to the Pikemans Morion be fastned a strong ring of yron and to the right side of his backepiece below his girdle an yron hooke to hange the Morion vpon it will be a great ease for the Souldier and a nimble Cariage in the time of long Marches for there is not any thinge more grieuous to a man then ouer heating of his head neither haue I at any time found a quicker cause for sicknes and distemper Thus I haue deliuered the most substantiall and perfectest way of armeing an ordinary Pikeman or common Souldier such as may passe borh ours or any other indifferent Muster And though busie Apprehensions might find out many other curiossities and niceties to adde to this relation yet in as much as I know they will but rather offend Patience then better Knowledge I am willing to let them remaine still in the bottome of their owne Ocean and if any man will find them let him sound for them for mine owne part I only serue Truth and to her I dare bringe no Sacrifice but a constant Experience The end of the first Decad. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HIS GOOD LORD EDWARD SVTTON LORD DVDLEY of Dudley-castle THE ARGVMENT Of the Souldiers Oath and Distribution I Haue my Lord in the former Decad intreated of the choice and election of the common Souldier belonging to the Infantrie or foot Companies and how to arme both the Musquet and Pike which are all the weapons generally vsed in our Moderne warres and of which indeed hee is onely capable for to other weapons doe belong other Ceremonies and they are either put into the hands of inferiour Officers or else vnto Gentlemen of Companies as the Partizan the Halbert the Target and the like It now resteth that I proceed to the other duties of a common Souldier of which none is more eminent and necessarie then his Oath for it not onely bindeth him to Obedience which is the principall linke in all martiall Discipline but is also such a pledge betwixt God and his Conscience that whensoeuer the deuill or malice assaults him it like a strong Bulwarke stands betweene and beats the battery backe euen to the seducers destruction When therefore an Armie is raised it then resteth that an Oath be administred to the common Souldier for his fidelitie which the Antients found exceeding necessarie in diuers respects for although the seueritie of the Lawes were a Bit sharp enough strong enough to curbe and restrain the furie of any wild or vntamed spirit either from Disloyalty Disobedience or any treacherous Practise whatsoeuer yet hath experience found out that the Soldier who by a continual familiaritie with affright and dangers is growne aduenturous hardie and valiant and by gazing death in the face at euery houre and season and almost in euery attempt which he either doth or suffers so that hee reputes him no more but a word a toy or an idle shadow and will many times with as great alacritie daunce and runne post to the gallowes as Vertue would flie to a glorious action that therefore another chaine must bee found out whose linkes being smoother smaller and more cunningly and closely compact together though they doe not bruise hurt or nip yet they should binde faster stronger and with greater assurance then any terror of death or bodily torment whatsoeuer and this was an Oath which calling God to be a witnesse of his Loyaltie and Faith doth so knit and make fast his Conscience to an honest meaning that hauing any true sparke of Christianitie within him no motion can arise to infringe or violate the same but presently his Conscience hath Arguments to suppresse it and his Resolution as a most valiant Chiefe tramples and treads it downe as a thing pestilent and noysome to his Fame and Honour for howsoeuer a Souldier feares not death yet hee expects Ioy after death and whatsoeuer thrustes betwixt him and that hope is his mortall enemie The words of this Oath are various and incertaine nor is there any constant President thereof but it hath its limitation according to the purposes of the Generall and the necessitie or occasions of the action being contained in a certaine Booke or Scedule of Articles which expresse all the Souldiers duties in the Warre both towards God his King the Generall and euery other Officer or Chiefe commaunding within the Armie all which when the Souldiers are mustered and gathered together shall in solemne wise bee openly read vnto them by the publique Notarie of the Armie which finished hee shall speake vnto them thus or to the like purpose BRethren and Companions in Armes you haue heard the Commaundements of our King containing the principall Lawes of the Field and the Oath which euery Souldier should take All you that intend faithfully to fulfill the same let him now either openly refuse to bee a Souldier or else hold vp his hand and say after mee All these Articles which haue beene read we hold sacred and good and will valiantly and truely fulfill the same So helpe vs God and his diuine Word Amen This is the effect and manner of the Souldiers oath and it ought to be performed with the greatest Solemnitie that may be and in the presence of the Generall the Lieutenant Generall or the Master de Campo at the least This oath hath sometimes been deliuered without any repetition of the latter words by the Souldiers but onely by
company to dispence with places and duties of this nature yet in true seuere discipline this place was first allotted for yong Gentlemen of good Blood and discent who desirous to aduance their fortunes in the warres haue for pay thrust themselues vnder the commands of sundry Captaines for whose encouragement and respect both this place and dutie and an aduancement of some greater pay then that to a common Souldier was instituted and ordeined and questionles there is great reason there should be some distinction betweene them and the vulgar And although for knowledge sake it is sometimes a glory vnto them to stand Sentinell yet it must bee out of their voluntary motion for no constraint ought to inforce them thereunto These Gentlemen as they are Rounders are trusted with the Word which no Sentinel may be they are the leaders or Captains of Files in the company wherin they serue and may challenge the most honorable places in all Marches such as are the most likely to come to the first encounter of the enemy they may challenge now and then entertainmēt at the Captains own table and being without disparagement of cleare blood and vertue euen the General himselfe should not contemne them and doubtles these extraordinary graces doe infinitely oblige thankfull minds and in cases of Mutiny or any other priuate disorder doe much strengthen the Commander for being right Gentlemen of sweet conuersation they will euer haue in the company some to depend vpon thē so that howsoeuer mischiefes runne they will commonly haue the greater assuredly the better part to adhere vnto them and indeed it ought to be their study that as they are respected aboue the vulgar so they should excell the vulgar in the vertues of Fidelity Valour Secrecy Patience Abstinence and Continence and as others serue for gaine so they must serue for Glorie and aduancement Now to descend to the particular duty of the Rounder he ought first to set the watch either in company or in squadron whether it be in Garison or in the field to march with his fellowes in Armes to the place where the Corps du guard is appointed and there to place himselfe in a comely and silent manner till the Corporall haue set out all his Sentinels and that the first round is gone about which ought to be performed by the Captaine of the Watch himselfe or some other supreme Officer then after some small pause the Captain Lieutenant Serieant or Corporall which hath the charge of the Corps du guard shall call foorth two Gentlemen Rounders for it is to be vnderstood that they ought euer for the most part to go double and not single and to these in very silent manner hee shall deliuer the Word giuing them great charge of care and secresie therein and so forthwith they shal passe away vpon the Round with such ordinary Armes as they vsually carry which for the most part is the Pike for that is accounted the Gentlemans weapon Now being on vpon the Round they must with a very curious eye and a quicke eare obserue any cause of danger bee it neuer so light they must take a suruey of all Rampiers bulwarks trenches mines whatsoeuer they encounter with and behold if they can perceiue any thing dangerous about thē according to the brightnes or obscurnes of the aire so must their vigilance be augmented for if it be clear light then must their eies be their best Intelligēcers if it be cloudy dark vnperceiuable then must their eares inform them and they must diuers times stand still and listen whether they can heare any speech or conference and obserue of what consequence value the words are also if they can heare any trampling of horses fect any clashing of armors or if they can discern any glimpse of fire or sparklings of Marches and the like any of which when they perceiue they shall either conceale themselues till it approch them that they may discouer it or else draw as neere vnto it as they can with conuenience and if they find eminent danger either retire and giue notice or els raise the alarme but if it be in case of equality then by calling receiuing the Word giue passage or otherwise for want therof take them prisoners bring them to the Guard but vpon any resistance then it is lawfull to kill as being an enemy but not otherwise Thus passing along vpon the Round when they come vnto the Sentinels they must make their approches with all the art and cunning that can be deuised and with all silence stealing neere vnto them watch whether they be asleep or whether they stand carelesly out of order not vpon their guard they shall by perswasion intisement or insinuation trie if they can come within them if they can take their weapons from them or if they will admit them to passe by without calling their Corporall as knowing that they are Gentlemen of their Company and of their familiar acquaintance or the like careles escapes which they shall put to the vttermost triall then they shal presently call the Corporal to whom declaring their negligence and offence another Sentinel shall be forthwith placed and the offending one caried to the Guard shall by his superior officer receiue seuere condigne punishment The reasons of euery which attempt I forbeare to set downe because they would but ouerburden so short an Epistle and no man I hope that shall happen vpon this discourse will haue so shallow an vnderstanding as not to conceiue how dangerous the least of these escapes may prooue to the body of an Army It hath bin a question whether the Gentlemen Rounders may wink at these offences and only by giuing sharp admonishment to the Sentinel or peraduenture a drie blow or two conceale it from his superior officer but it is most certaine that they may not but in dutie ought truely to reueale vnto him all materiall things whatsoeuer which hath hapned vnto them in going of the Round But if in the Round they find all things wel and to their contentment and that the Sentinels are vigilant and carefull so as nothing can escape or passe by them then when the Sentinel shal say Quiva la or Who goes there the Rounder shall reply A Friend when the Seutinell shall say Stand the Rounder shall answer Call your Corporall then when the Corporall approcheth the Rounder shall in his eare deliuer the word with all secrecy which being true the Corporall shall say Passe along and so the Rounder shall depart to the next Sentinell and in that maner from Sentinell to Sentinell till he haue gone round about and be come to his owne Corps du guard againe If the Rounders in passing the Round shall encounter with other Rounders then they which first discouer shall first call and first challenge the word but if both discouer at one instant as it were call in one moment then they shall enterchangeably both
giue and receiue the word that is to say that Rounder which receiueth the word his cōpanion to the contrary partie shal giue the word so that on both sides the word shal be both giuen and taken one of each party hauing the swords point at his bosome for whosoeuer receiueth the word must draw his sword and he that deliuereth it must tender against it his bosome for the maner of the encounter it is thus the first discouerer calleth Qui-va-la the other reply The Round the first answereth the Round also then they meet a little distance asunder and hee that first discouered receiues the word and his Companion giues it and so à conuerso Now if the Rounders be sent out so early in the night that they meet the Captaine of the watch who should go the first Round then of him they must take notice both one after another deliuer him the word and so doing reuerence passe along To conclude and finish vp this dutie of the Rounder if they shall in their round meet either with the Generall of the Army or the Gouernour of the garrison vndisguised and like himselfe in all parts both of person and attendants so that without excuse they must know him then to him they shal giue the word also but to no other whatsoeuer more then such as are before specified no not to his owne Captaine nor to the Captaine of the watch after the first Round is performed and of these Rounders there must bee at least two or more in euery Squadron who performing this dutie twice or thrice euery night or as necessity shall requier will no doubt both keepe the Watches in good order bring much safetie to the Armie In some places they haue Round houses where the Captaine of the watch and all the Rounders together remaine all night who setteth out his Rounders each halfe houre or houre according to the space of the Round TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE IOHN LORD DARCY OF the North his very good LORD THE ARGVMENT Of the Clerke and Harbenger THe great Respects which many Ties both of Blood and Fauour haue bound me daily to acknowledge to your Lordship are as so many alarumes to awaken me in the depth of my Meditation and to pronounce vnto me how vnworthy I were if in this Cattalogue of Martiall designes I should omit the memory of your name and Honor I doe know the Studie you affect and when it shall please either God or the Kingdome to call you to the practise I doubt not but there will be found in you such a Readinesse of Will and such an ability both of Person and Courage that all the lost or consumed Epitaphs of your noble Progenitors shall as new Texted Records be read a farre off in your Honorable disposition till when I beseech your Lordshipe Anchor one houre vpon this Epistle and howsoeuer the words be roughly and plainely thrust together yet shall the matter giue you content for it brings with it a witnesse of certaine knowledge and the mind of a writer which without flattery will euer honor and loue you The Clerke of a Band in a Company of well disciplin'd Souldiers being a man worthily worthy of the place and Office which hee holdeth I cannot fo fitly compare to any thing as to an honest Steward of a noble and well gouernd Family for their faithfull cares and seruices are knit and made vp almost of one and the same Members each being drawne by his Industrie fore-sight and prouidence to haue a care of his Commanders honor and profit and of the weale and good estate of all those which haue any dependance vpon them It is true that in the Clerke of a Band is not required much Souldiery or Martiall vnderstanding for he is rather to bee a pen-man then a Sword-man yet by all meanes no Coward for that slauish feare is a great weakener of honesty and a discouerer of deceitfull paths which he must by all meanes auoyd it teacheth him how to flatter the world to disesteeme all the lawes of true friendship to addulterate only with his owne pleasures and to make of himselfe to himselfe both a Mistris and a prodigall Seruant he that feares to die can neuer bee Master of a good Conscienee and when that is hackneyd vpon either by Couetousnes or Pride there is no respect of persons but all things are sweete which bring him gaine though in the vildest manner that may be Let the Clerke of the Band then by all meanes be chosen a man of great honestie and Integrety discreete and ciuill in his behauiour of temperate qualitie and modest countenance hauing in him a certaine Grauity or face of authority which may euen challenge and as it were command both loue and respect from the Souldier he must of necessity be a good pen-man writing a swift legible and readie hand he ought to haue good skill in Arithmaticke and the knowledge both of whole and broken Numbers at the worst he must be prefit in casting al manner of accounts and able in Merchantlike manner to keepe the account betweene debtor and creditor If he haue the Lattin tongue he is a Treasure but if to it also the vnderstanding of other Languages he is an inestimable Iuell for so he shall be able to trucke with strangers for the benefit of the Company and also to Interpret and take charge of Prisoners when any are taken It is the Office and duty of this Clarke to keepe the Rolls and muster Bookes conteining the names and surnames of the whole Company and these hee shall haue in sundry and diuers manners as in one Booke or Roll according to the Armes and weapons which they carry sorting euery seuerall Armes by themselues as first all the Officers in their true Rankes then all the Pikes and short weapons then the Musquets and Harquebusses or bastard Musquets if there be any In another Booke or Rolle all their names according to their Squadrons hauing the Officers of euery Squadron first then the Gentlemen and lastly the common Souldier and in the third Booke or Rolle all their names as they March in their owne perticular Battalia and according to the dignity of their places so that when the Muster-master or Captaine shall come to make a generall call of the Campany he may deliuer them the first Booke If it be to goe to the watch and to reckon any one Squadron he may deliuer the second Booke and if it be to question or find out any one perticular man as he stands in the Grosse whether he haue quit his place or remaine according to dutie that then hee may vse the third and last Booke and of these hee shall neuer be without sundry Coppies of which first Booke he may tender one to the Muster-master when he is commanded another to his Captaine a third to his Lieutenant and a fourth for himselfe which hee ought to keepe as a president for in it hee shall enrolle all Souldiers
of knowledge being discharged by any second person it is a great disparagement to the Drumme and his Ignorance makes him a seruant which otherwise might be a Master It is also the Office and dutie of the Drumme to carry Ransomes and pay the agreements betweene his side and the enemie It is hee that must trucke and compound for Prisoners hee must bring them home when they are redeemed and place them in safetie and it is he that must conduct Pledges carry them and recarry them and leade to the enemy and his owne Tents such Hostages and Prisoners as shall be exchanged he may vpon tolleration from the Generall carrie Challenges and Defiances from one enemie to another and either for Honour or Ladies loues make composition for single Encounters prouided it bee vpon foot as with the Push of the Pike the Locking of Halberds the Ioyning of Partizans the Crossing of Swords or else the Exchanging of Bullets but if it be vpon Horseback then it is the office of the Trumpet and the Drumme hath no interest in it To conclude therefore mine Epistle for I feare I haue beene tedious to your Lordshippe and like a weary Traueller am loath to goe out of the beaten path wherein I take delight it is most necessary that the Drumme and Phiph bee men of verie able and praise-worthie qualities and of comely and well shaped proportions and indued with all these especiall Vertues which should adorne a perfect Souldier as Obedience Silence Secrecie Sobrietie Valour and Loyaltie that so they may bee the great Examples of duetie to those which shall liue about them close in all Counsels Temperate in deliuering Messages Stout in performing the will of their Commaunders and faithfull in all their vndertakings all which will bee as so many Crownes and Garlands to adorne their good deeds and by that meanes Vertue will neuer forsake them nor will true Reward and Merit lose a Purchase it hath got with so much Honour TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE EDVVARD LORD VAVLX of HARODON THE ARGVMENT Of the Lanspesado BBeing curious my noble Lord not to let passe any thing that may challenge dependance vpon this discourse which I haue taken in hand though of neuer so small and vnrespected consequence I thought meete to rest in this Epistle vpon the Office of the Lanspesado which notwithstanding it bee the meanest and lowest of all Offices of commandment and indeed but the very shaddow or apparision of another Inferior place yet in respect it is the first and of equall antiquitie with many I will not sticke to bestow two houres Meditation vpon the same And therefore to begin first of all with the name of this Officer it is to be vnderstood that Lanspesado which is the first and meanest Officer in an Armie that hath any Commandment is the same whom the Romans cal'd Decario others Cabo-de-Camarado Cabo-de-Camara or Lanse-spezzate any or all which signifie a Deputie Corporall and was indeed in the auncient discipline a Commander of ten persons for when companies were first compounded they were then deuided into Squadrons and the Squadrons into Files and the Files into fellowships or Camarados ouer these fellowships were made Leaders or Chiefes which they called Lanspesados being as it were the principall man of eleauen but in our moderne warrs it a little varieth for now when companies are deuided into Squadrons ouer ths Squadron is appointed a Corporall and vnder the Corporall a Lanspesado who as his Deputie and in his absence whether it be vpon a Guard Watch or otherwise is to performe all his duties and Office but in the presence of the Corporall hee is only the leader of a File and hath the charge or ouerlooking of halfe a Squadron otherwise of this officer is little more required then of euery other ordinary and common Souldier These ought to be elected out of the most sufficientest of all the meaner Ranke of persons and to be of a carefull obedient and actiue spirit of a subtill wise disposition they ought to be the best experimented of that Ranke and to be voyd of turbulent qualities louers of concord and enemies of muteny and sedition if they be old experienc'd Soudiers euerry man almost is able with sufficiencie to discharge this place but if they bee sluggish Base and debosht fellowes there is no Practise Experience nor Instruction whatsoeuer which can make them capable of ruling of other Againe if they bee new leuyed Souldiers and haue neuer seene the warrs then there will be some difficultie in the election and a man can hardly discharge what he doth not know But questionles it is hard if in the number of fiue and twenty men two may not be found which haue either seene or had some small tast of the warres yet suppose they haue not it then behoueth the Captaine to looke into their naturall Inclinations and their aptnes willingnes loue vnto martiall exercise and from thence to chuse out such as hee findes quickest of apprehētion fullest of care vigilance valor and obseruation who by the helpe and assistance of his other Officers whose aduice in this election he ought to require may be made worthy and fit to take vpon them this commandment But beware by all meanes of making choice of a Drunkard Ruffian or Prophane person for they are most pernicious in these places yet if any small falt happen seeke by admonition to reclaime it or else by threatning to displace him for in the warres there is not any thing more disgracefull or grieuous to a Souldier then to be pulld backe or cast from authority since all men stand at the ladder foote and only indeauor to arise and get vp vpon the Scale of aduancement So that I conclude if any of these Inferior Officers bee subiect to some crimes yet the very shame of dishonor and falling will so afflict torment him that it will inforce him to endeauor amendment but if the wound be desperate it is no matter though hee perish and the chang is wholesome for we must suppose that at the first leuying or raising of men their humors cannot bee knowne neither is it fit to giue Rule though neuer so meane to an vnruly person Thus much I thought to write touching his election haue the longer Insisted thereon because being elected there is some difficultie trouble in the remoue It now remaineth that I proceed to his aptnes or fitnes for the same for which there are many strong reasons as first that there is no encrease of pay or peculier charge to the State neither is there any thing in it to wooe his continuance thereunto more then a little hope of glory for his reward is only Superiority of place and hope of aduancement which is from that place to a Corporall thence to a Serieant and thence successiuely according to his merit fortune which hope makes him strong in his diligence and carefull in all his duties striuing in all things to out-shine
that all such mischeiues by probabilitie may be preuented and euery Canoniere so ready in his duty that through his good examples and necessary prouisions nothing may happen to breede an after repentance and wheresouer these prouisions shall either march or abide he shall be sure to haue a guard of expert Souldiers euer about them both to repulse the enemie and keepe others off from offering any anoyance vnto them It is his Office to looke to the goodnes and soundnes of euery Peece and that they be free from cracks galls or flawes whereby the Peece may be in danger to breake since no such accident can happen without the eminent perill and distruction of many men which are about it and questionlesse in mine owne experience I haue knowne many lamentable and Tragicke disasters which haue chanced through such escapes as once I knew a drunken Canoniere who vpon the discharge of a Peece throwing his Linstocke into a barrell of powder which stood behind him blew vp both himselfe the whole poope of the Shippe and diuers others which were about him Also I knew a another Shippe not far from Ramekins in Zeland which by the breaking of a Peece was sunke in the Sea and lost both men and goods to a wonderfull great valew the like hapned at the beseidging of the Forte at Brest in Brittany and diuers braue Gentlemen were burnt and spoyled so that I conclude these accidents being so ordinary and incident to happen it is very behouefull for the Master Gunner so far foorth as lies in his power to haue a watchfull and carefull eie to the preuention of the same In some armies and some disciplines the Fire-master and the Master-Gunner are all one without any difference or alteration either in authority or duty but generally through all armies it is not so but they are deuided and made two seuerall and distinct places the Fier-Master being he that hath the art how to make and compound all manner of Fier-workes and hath the charge for the vse and imployment of the same and the Master-Gunner only medleth with the Ordnance and the other Engines which I haue already rehersed but these latter times in which men haue more greedy and free spirits then in the former times producing men which had a sufficient vnderstanding in both the misteries or arts they haue for the sauing of double fees and double wages brought these two Officers into one and comprehended them vnder the greater Title which is the Master-Gunner The Fire-master then as I said is an Officer which hath Intermedling and to doe only with the making mixing and compounding of all manner of fire-workes or wild-fiers which both in Land-fights but especially in Sea fights are of wonderfull great importance as in all assaults and ioyning of Battels in Mines in Trenches and in the fiering of Townes and Pauillions in the grapling of Ships Boordings or seting fier on the Sailes Tackles or any part which it toucheth so that as the Fier-Master maketh and compoundeth these wild-fiers so also he hath the ordring and disposing of them giuing commandment when where and in what manner to vse them for then wild-fier there is nothing in the warrs of more especiall vse neither is there any thinge found of greater violence either to destroy or breed affright and amazement in the enemie for it is a fier not to be quenched and burneth with that most Implacable fury that being once fixed it neuer leaueth till all be consumed that is round about it it is fometimes fixed vnto Arrowes so shot into townes amongst Tents or where any occasions are offerd It is sometimes made vp in balls and cast amongst the assaults either at a breatch the entrance of a gate or where any presse or throng are gathered together and sometimes it is cast abroad and at large in a confused manner when men will scower a Trench or Ditch or driue men out of a strength which is open and weakely guarded and for this purpose the Fier-master must not be without very great store of Arrowes Balls and Boxes of Iron which being-full of sharpe bearded Pikes may catch hold and sticke in whatsoeuer it toucheth whereby the fier once catching hold will not after be put out or extinct till all things neare it be consumed Now that there may be no spare or want of this matter but that al things may be plentifull and in great perfection It is the Fier-masters charge to prouid that he haue alwaies in his Office great store of Pitch Tarre Aquanitae Arsnicke Mercurie Brimstone Cole of younge Hassell Salt-peter Salt-niter Rossin Waxe Camphire Tutia Calc viua Sal-gemma Terpentine Vinegar Alexandrina non preparata Rasapina beaten Glasse Bay-Salt vnslact Lime Bole Armonicke the fyllings of Iron Sarcacolla Aspaltum Iudaicum the powder of Pygions dunge the powder of Bay-tree stalkes and diuers Oyles as Hogs grease Linsed Oyle common Lampe Oyle Oyle of Iuniper Oyle of Eegges and the Oyle of Salt peter and these shall bee accomodated in seuerall bagges Bottles and Glasses according to their seuerall natures also hee shall haue vnder his charge barrels of peeble-stones morter-peeces and other Engines of like nature and with these ingrediens he shall make his fire-workes according to art casting some in one forme and some in another of which there are a world of presidents and Time euery day according to the wit of man bringeth forth new and nottable Inuentions for indeede it is a subiect of that bewitching nature that the more a man looketh and laboreth into it the more and more greater mischeiues he shall still finde to flow and arise from it To conclude these Officers whether they be ioynt or seperate whether they be two or but one yet they ought to be exceeding Ingenious very carefull daring and faithfull for they haue much to doe with Inuention more with mischances and most of all with perills and dangers As for their Trust it is so great that the very health and safety of Armies lye continually in their fingers Both these Officers haue their dependance vpon the Master of the Ordnance and are to attend his directions in all occurrents and occasions whatsoeuer therefore it is fit they be still neere vnto his person and that whatsoeuer proceedeth from him they see presently performed with faithfulnes and diligence Here I might amplifie my discourse and enter into the discouerie of other arts belonging to this Office as the mounting of Artillerie the taking of a true leuell the weights and proportions both of the powder and Bullet with many other secrets which relie vpon that knowledge but I reserue that for a more fit and conuenient place knowing it will suite much better and more propperly agree with another Epistle TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE FRANCIS LORD WILLOVGHBYE OF PARHAM THE ARGVMENT Of the Trench-Master THough sweet Lord the tendernesse of your yeares might challenge a more milde and softer Subiect then this harsh and rough clangor of affrightfull
much I dare not presume from you only that honest purpose which dare guide mee will I hope seconded by your vertue informe you that nothing either in this Epistle I offer or in the end that I assume will or deserue your contempt or amazement Caesar though in a goodlier Table was content to expresse himselfe by the like figure and if I labouring to be his Scholler repeat what lessons I haue learned in our latter contentions be it your goodnes to vouchsafe me hearing and though the Map be much too scant to expresse the great world I would decipher yet may your noble acceptation make vnto it so perfect a Scale that without any intricacie or hardnesse you may take the vttermost measure of all my purpose I am conducted in this Epistle to the Office and dutie of the Forrage-master or Prouidador de la Cauallo being another great officer depending vpon the Lieutenant-Generall of the Horse and from him is to receiue a competent Guard of Light-horsmen or Dragoones mixt with some certaine Foot-Pike and Shot which may protect and defend his Forragers when they goe foorth to seeke and prouide all things necessary for the reliefe and accommodation of the Horse-quarter The especiall dutie of this Forrage-master is after he hath his Guard in readinesse by the sound of a Trumpet to call together all his Forragers or seruants which are to be imployed in this labour being a compound Rabble of all manner of meane inferior seruants as Horsemens Boyes Footmens Boyes Boores common Lackeys and the like and for such Horsmen as haue no boies they must Alternis vicibus being of one Camerade serue themselues some at one time some at another till euery man haue done his perfect dutie When these are thus gathered together they shall be armed both for defence seruice with Sythes Sickles Hooks Axes Browne bils if the Army haue any such weapon or else with old Halberts or the like necessary tooles as also good Swords and other engins some to mow and cut downe Hay Straw young Corne Pulse Grasse or the like some to hew downe boughes and young watlings to make Cabins and some to force dores and windowes or to teare and pull down whatsoeuer withstands them Being thus accoutred the Forrage-master shall mixe with them a conuenient number of Cariages Sleads Tumbrels and horses of burthen to bring home such prouisions as he shall get and then putting them into the heart or center of his Guard hee as their chiefe leader shall conduct them forth to such conuenient places as he knoweth will affoord him those necessary commodities which hee seeketh and herein he shall haue a great respect to the time and season of the yeare as if it bee in the Spring then he shall seeke for the earliest grasse the tender yong blades of Wheat Rye or any thing that hath bin preserued greene all the Winter as the leaues of Coleworts or Cabbages the rootes and branches of Carats or any other sweet root that is pleasant and not sharpe or biting for of these horses will feed grow fat and the more they labour the more wholesome it is for their bodies If it bee in the Summer he shall seek out for young Hay or Grasse ready to be mowne for Corne of all kinds which is halfe ripe for any Pulse that is sprung vp although it be not codded If it be in the Haruest then he shall seeke forth all kind of ripe corne or pulse especially Oats Wheat and Barley for the eares will feed the horse and the straw will serue for litter for ripe Rye it will make a horse scoure and shoot and the lesse he eateth the better it will bee both for his body and seruice Lastly if it bee in the Winter then shall the Forrage-master seeke into Barnes and houses and no graine come hay or straw commeth amisse whatsoeuer so that as soone as he hath gotten a proportion sutable to his desire hee shall then cause it to bee trust vp and laid into the Cariages and so being brought home to the Campe it is the Forrage-masters office to see it equally deuided into euery seuerall Horse-quarter But if this cessement or taxation of horse-forrage be drawne from the friend then it is the office of the Forrage-master to Rate the Boores and both to set prises of their graine and all other horse-prouisions and also appoint in what manner it shall be brought to the Campe and then how to be distributed to euery quarter without partialitie or extortion The Forragers are to attend vpon the Forrage-master in all these marches after a decent and comely sort that is to say they shall all goe out together and not stragling or disperst one from another for if the enemy doe lie any thing neere at hand it is the principall aduantage hee looketh for to cut off such loose desperates and therfore at the sound of the Trumpet they shall all march together guarded as aforesaid and so continue till their labour and seruice be finished without any separation for feare of sudden slaughter or surprise then which there is not an action of greater danger for if any of these loose fellowes should happen to be taken prisoners and so the enemy wrest from them some secret matter depending on the Army it might be a mischief to which a thousand of their liues were not able to make a conuenient recompense the aduauntage which the foe might gaine thereby doth so farre outweigh all the benefits of their future seruice that they haue nothing but curses and disdaine to liue with them euer after As thus the Forrage-master is to see them march foorth together and likewise keepe together without disordering the body by any quitting or stealing out of their Ranks so is he likewise to haue care that they all come home together for these Forragers haue many times that wickednes of disposition within them that if the eye of the chiefe Officer once neglect them so as they can make escape from the Company presently they hide themselues in passages and obscure waies disguising their faces with Scarfes or close Caskes and so lie in wait to rob and spoile their owne fellowes who being newly arriued at their quarter and intic't by the pleasantnes of the ayre to walke abroad and view the bounds or borders of the Countrey adiacent are presently by an aduantagious blow or an vndreampt of bullet on the sudden knockt downe to the earth and so by our owne straglers dispoyled robbed and sometimes murdered which to preuent there is nothing so auaileable as the diligent care and vigilance of the Forrage-master whose eye is the onely salue which can cure these mischiefes for by looking to their escapes and most seuerely punishing all those which shall first attempt to offend in this nature they will quickly bee reduced to order and feare which is the terror of euery base and vnder-valued courage will like a sharp Bit raine them in keep mischiefe in
and aduauncer of all those which haue any semblance or likenesse with an honest sober and ciuill inclination whence it behooueth him to haue a ready and quick iudging eye between the good and bad so that he may in an early houre restraine all immoderat and vnlawfull Gaine and rather compell the Cut-throat to kill himselfe with enuy then to consume others with the rust and canker of his vnsatisfied Couetousnesse It is also a maine point in this Officers dutie to discouer the lurking subtilties of treacherous Spies and by learning the true interpretation of mens Words lookes manners formes and habits of apparell to bee able to turne the inside of their hearts outward and to pull out that little deuill of malicious deceit though he lye hid in neuer so darke a corner and truly a better seruice cannot be done nor is there any Art sooner learned if a man will apply his knowledge but seriously thereunto To conclude the last dutie of the Prouost-Mashall is after the Watch is set at night to suruey the Army and see if it remaine calme and still and that no disorderly noyses or tumults keepe any part of it awake and not silent and in this suruey if he encounter with any immoderat fires or superfluous candle-lights he shall cause them to be put out and extinguished or if he heare in Sutlers cabins or other harbors any Drunkards Tobacco takers or other vnruly persons whose noise is both offensiue to the Campe and giueth to others an euill example he shall presently suppresse them and make them depart or else vpon grosser disorder commit them for besides the vndecency and vnfitnesse of the action such clamors and noises are more then hurtfull in a Campe epecially being any thing neere where the Sentinell standeth for it is an interruption and hindrance through which he cannot possibly discharge his dutie Thus I haue briefly runne ouer all the maine points in which the duty of this Officer doth consist and though not with those amplifications and inlargements which might be required in a greater and more spacious Volume to which no law in this Art of writing will allow me yet I know like a reasonable handsome picture your Lordship may if you please iudge by it of euery feature in the liuing proportion which if nobly you vouchsafe to doe you pay mee the greatest Interest my loue can wish and I will studie more and more to bee your seruant TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE GEORGE BRIDGES LORD CHANDOIS THE ARGVMENT Of the Judge-Marshall You are my noble and worthy Lord happie in your owne growing fruitfulnesse to all goodnesse happy in your descent from your Parents noble vertues and happy in the hopes of all that doe or shall depend vpon you whence I make bold to send you this poore Epistle as an acknowledgment of my seruice not to plead merit but to signifie my wishes to the prosperitie of your Spring and flourishing beginning If you please to reade it you shall finde nothing in it that is vncomely if you neglect it yet is it the figure of such an affection as wisht it for your seruice how euer I know your goodnes and dare boldly knocke thereat for I know it is a Gate that must not be shut against any honest or worthy endeauour The Subiect whereof I intend to intreate in this Epistle is of the Iudge-Marshall or as some call him by the old Roman name the Praetor or Iudge in all Martiall causes This is a renowned and reuerend Officer as some suppose attendant but as I confidently imagine rather an assistant to the Lord Marshall for he is not alwaies designed nominated and appointed by the Generall or Lord Marshall but oftner by the King himselfe and his Regall authoritie which greatnesse in election proues the dignitie and worthines of his place for it is a rule in all the Titles of Honor whatsoeuer that as that is the greatest which riseth immediatly from God and not from the King so those are the next best which rise immediately from the King and not by a second from the Kings Commission but letting passe the curiossity in his appointment let it suffice vs that his place is of great Reuerence and respect and the man which ought to be elected thereunto should be a person of sincere and holy life Learned Religious and of a sound and approued knowledge in matters of Iustice and Equitie he should haue a conscience like an Innocent and spotlesse Virgin delicate quicke and tender yet fit to receiue no impression or stampe but that of goodnes for he hath to doe with the bloods and liues of men and no addulterate censure committed against them but pulles with incessant cries vengeance from heauen to consume the Author I haue knowne in mine owne experience called to to this place both reuerend and famous Diuines and sometimes learned and worthy Ciuilians either of which haue discharged the place withall contentment and admiration mannaging all their actions both with a Religious feare of Gods Indgements and a carefull duty to the preseruation of Iustice but yet if a man had libertie to wish in this place the fulnesse of perfection me thinkes a man that had the mixture of both these excellent qualities were sure of the best composition and would farre exceede the single Ingredian that is to say either Diuine Ciuilian or a Ciuill-Diuine would farre surpasse a smple Diuine or simple Ciuilian It cannot be denied but in as much as the Ciuill Law hath the greatest sway in all marshall crimes controuersies therefore it is necessary the Iudge of these errors should be learned in that profession so on the other side since there is no constant path but it may walke whither soeuer the Conscience please to giude it there is a strong necessity that Religion and Diuine knowledge come in for an assistance least by a small mistake the flatterd Conscience may goe awry and then there is no fall but into a Precipice Diuers I confesse haue written Military and Marshall lawes and of all those not any with a more worthy or memorable approbation then our Reuerend and learned Doctor Sutolife whom I long knew in the wars and much reuerenced for his infinite vertues being a man so able and vncontrolable through the merit of his owne rare experience that few comes neare none equals him yet he I know will modestly confesse that those lawes cannot alwaies be certaine in all places for Generalls themselues continually taking vpon them to make new lawes aptest and fittest for the present Times find sometimes those things which were imagined most fit at other times to bee held the most inconuenient and what was at one time most dangerous at another time is most sufferable and wholesome so that still there must be a Quere left as our Common Lawyers tearme it and there is no constant Law but the Iudges Conscience for all manner of occasions maine Trespasses only excepted as Treasons Conspiracies Contempt of Officers
said if hee discharge with an vpright and vnpartiall conscience I dare be bold to affirme before your Lordship that a better member of his ranke and place is hardly to be found in the Armie TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE EDWARD LORD WOTTON of BRAKING MALHIEARD THE ARGVMENT The Office of the Quarter-Master Generall WHen my good Lord I call to mind the Nobilitie and Antiquitie of your honord Name which I euer loued and the excellency of your disposition which I cannot chuse but admire preâ—ently mee thinks all my hast is but slow which drawes me to this duty But when I bring into my consideration your learning wisedome and experience then me thinkes mistrust in mine owne strength makes euery thing too nimble and I feare I flie vnto you with those errors vpon my wings which reason tells me I might better haue concealed But you are good you are noble and they haue long since told me the vanitie of my feares since what I write being cloathed in a knowne Truth and publique Benefit to which you haue euer beene a support euer a maintenance nothing can come to your hands which shall not returne crowned with your fauours In this hope armed I send forth my weake Epistle and howseouer strictnes of opinion may search out how to finde some naked places by which to assault it yet great Lord let it but finde the shaddow of your fauour and beleeue it then I will not feare the greatest enuy which can rise against it The Office my Lord of a Quarter-Master-Generall in an Armie is of no small Importance but ought to carry Greatnes in himselfe greatnesse in his place and greatnesse in the least shadow of his smalest duty and howsoeuer he hath much correspondence and as it were adhering to a kind of dependance vpon the Lord Marshall and the Serieant Maior-Generall of the Field yet is he of an absolute and powerfull authority and howsoeuer he receiue from them matter whereupon to worke yet are the duties of his place absosute in himselfe and rather subiect to aduice and assistance then to any controlement He ought in his ellection to be a man of great respect and reuerence in the Armie full of sound knowledge in Marshall Discipline and excellently well read in diuers of the liberall Sciences especially Arithmeticke Geometrie and Astronomie besides a pregnant vnderstanding in the Art of Suruey or the measuring of Grounds and drawing them into sundry partitions being able vpon view to take the best aduantage thereof for any singuler purpose especially for the allodgement or accomodation of men in the easiest and safest manner that may be The first maine part of his duty is when the Lord-Marshall goeth forth to make ellection of the ground whereon to encampe the Armie to summon together all the Inferior Quarter-Masters belonging to euerie seuerall Regiment and those Quarter-Masters to call together euery Furrier or Harbenger belonging to each seuerall Band or Company and being attended on by these in as comely an equipage as may bee to attend vpon the Lord-Marshall to the place where he intendeth to place the Campe and after the ground is a littell superficially suruaid and as it were pointed out by the Marshalls eie the Quarter-Master-generall then with the assistance of the Scout-Master shall ride about that peece of ground which the Marshall had first appointed out and suruaying euery aduantage and situation of the same finding out where the approches are fittest to be made and where the fortyfications are most necessarie to be raised He is first to deliuer his opinion thereof to the Lord-Marshall together with all the commodities and discommodities which he shall perceiue to depend vpon the place so that after due consultation had thereof by the Lord Marshall and his assistants presently the forme of the entrenchment shall be staked out the limits of the Market-place appointed and the Site of the Generalls Tent measured forth and laid according to the best comoditie of the place which performed the Quarter-master-generall shall deuide the whole ground into as many large bodies and great maine streets as there are seuerall Regiments conteined in the Armie and according to the dignitie of their places allot out quarters for euery Regiment whither they be Horse or Foote and in such places as are most conuenient for the ease strength sweetnesse and safeguard of the Armie and knowing by the number of men conteined in euery Regiment how much ground will serue to receiue them without pestring or annoying one another and so as their lodgings may receiue them and their Armes with all conueniencie each man shall haue sufficiencie and no man too much and in this manner of quartering he shall first assigne the place for the Generalls pauilion and place of assembly then the market place and place for munition then all the horse and foote in their seuerall Regiments then the victulers the waggons and all manner of Baggage giuing to each their distinct places and deuiding one quarter from another by conuenient and large streetes which assoone as he hath done then the inferior Quarter-masters of the perticuler Regiments shall deuide those large quarters which were allotted them by the Quarter-master-generall into lesser streets and in them shall lodge euery company by it selfe giuing to the Colonell of the Regiment the first and especiall place to the Liuetenant Colonell the second the Serieant Maior of the Regiment the third and so to euery Captaine afterward according to his antiquitie so that when euery man is acomodated and hath his Tent or Cabine pitcht vp the whole Campe may be like an vniforme and handsome built Cittie without any confusion or disorder and the Streets passing in such wise one into another that one company may come vnto another and one Regiment passe by another and all approach into the Market-place or place of generall assemblie either vpon an Allarme or other commandment without disturbance trouble or amazement one to another and againe in quartering thus of the Armie the Quarter-master-Generall shall seriously obserue to quarter the Munition euer in the strongest and securest place of the whole Armie as also the place of assembly which is to aunswer all allarmes and is the Rendeuous vpon euery amazement of the entire Armie it shall both haue as much strength as the nature of the place can affoard it and also some other arteficiall guard whereby to rebate and driue backe the fury of the enemie Againe if the Armie be compounded of many seuerall Nations it is the care and duty of the Quarter master Generall to quarter euery Nation by it selfe and to deale so equally and indifferently betweene one nation and another suiting their accommodations with such an euen and well proportioned hand that no exception or dislike may be taken of any part but all men receiuing their Indifferent content there may arise no cause of Muteny or Emulation which euer is most aptest to spring from these or the like grounds as I could recite
faining some at last it grew to a custome and what at first with some difficultie they entreated now they began boldly to commaund so that collecting the infinite charge which was saued and the great expedition and also exactnes with which their workes are performed they began to make it penall in any man which should refuse this late but despised vndertakings To which some of our English Commanders more willing for their owne ends to gratifie the Dutch then to prouide for their owne Countrey-mens ease and safety gaue so farre way that now it is a thing vtterly vnrecouerable amongst them for mine owne part I doe know and must euer acknowledge that it is the dutie of euery braue and generous Spirit in cases of great necessitie to imagine that no danger toyle or basenes can be too much where either the glory of God the seruice of his Prince or the safetie of his Countrie is ingaged but in all occasions and at all times to make the well-deseruing Souldier an ordinary packe-horse I cannot but thinke the discipline too strickt and that it doth as it were giue a wound of discouragement to euery generous breast making the sweet delight of the wars turne irkesome and vnpleasing Besides it was neuer yet disputable in any discipline of warre but that Pioners were euer necessary both for the making of Mines Trenches Passages for the carying and recarying of all maner of Engines for placing bridges loading and vnloading of all kind of munition and many other works of importance for which ends they are euer armed with Spades Crowes of yron Leuers Pickaxes Baskets and wheele-barrowes to which whosoeuer shall imploy the necessary Souldier shall be sure euer to want his hand in a more needfull labour Now for the especiall dutie of the Captaine Generall of this Regiment he is first to looke to the keeping of them in good order concord and obedience to see that they haue their pay and intertainment according to their rates in as due and fit manner as any other common Souldiers that they keepe safely and make not away any of the tooles or instruments wherewith they are armed and that they be continually in readinesse vpon euery call for any imployment If the Lord-Marshall the Serieant-Maior or the Trench-Master shall draw the platforme of any Trench whether it be for the fortification of the Campe or for the assailing of any besieged Towne whether it be to bring men to the assault or else to throw vp and countermine any worke of the enemies presently vpon the first summons giuen to the Captaine of the Pioners he shal raise so many of his men as shall be commanded by the Lord Marshall or other superiour Officer and with them armed with all tooles conuenient for the seruice shall march to the head or beginning of the Trench and hauing receiued directions together with the forme and figure of the worke which is to be made hee shall foorthwith take a spade and himselfe dig vp the first turfe and then all the Pioners by that example shall instantly fall to their labor and dig the Trench according to directions during which time he shall be euer with them giuing them all maner of incouragement and prouiding that euery man do his dutie without slacknes neglect or any slouthfull action If he find that the labor be sore and difficult he shall then at his discretion relieue them by bringing new supplies and sending away those that are ouerwearied that they may be againe refreshed and thus he shal without ceasing cause the worke to be continued till euery thing be finished according to the will of the superiour Commander And in this worke is to be obserued that if it be to be done in the face of the enemy and where their shot may freely play vpon them that then ere the Pioners begin to dig they shall plant barrels and great vessels fil'd with earth and plac't in double rowes before them vnder whose guard or the guard of some other wall hill mount or gabion they shal begin to dig til they haue couered themselues in the earth then they are past perill and may proceed to work at their pleasures and whensoeuer they either come from their work or go vnto their worke still their Colours must flie before them for the Captaine of Pioners is as capable of Colours as any other Captaine whatsoeuer and may beare them mixt with the Ensigne of the kingdome in what maner himselfe pleaseth As thus he bringeth them to the digging of Trenches Mines so also it is his dutie to bring them to the making of Bulwarks or Mounts placed vpon Angles some lading carying the earth in barrels baskets and wheele-barrows by which are framed the Trauesses or flankers of the Bulwarke the Orechion which is the guard or shoulder of the Bulwark the Curtaine which is the Front the Counterfront which are the Spurrs the Pestils or Parapets the entrance in out and the place for the Artillery some ramming some knocking in piles to fasten the earth and some cutting vp turfe sods with which to assure the groundwork and as in these so in all other matters of Fortifications these Pioners are of very necessary vse and the Captain shal be sure to haue them euer ready vpon any moment of warning as either when any new workes are to be framed or any old repaired for albe these Fortifications of earth are better resisters of the Cannon then those of stone worke and both make lesse ruines and also are lesse assailable yet they are but of short continuance and will quickly decay by reason of the loosenesse of the mould if they be not continually visited with carefull eyes and presently mended by artificiall good workmen To conclude it is the office of the Captaine of the Pioners to see his Regiment euer quartered as neere vnto the munition as is possible both because they are properly appertaining thereunto being the men to carry and recarry to load and vnload the same as also because all the necessary tooles and Engines wherwith they worke and which they must daily alter according to the alteration of their labors are stored and preserued in the same This is the substance and effect of this office the which howsoeuer a greater knowledge may cloath in a great number of more wordes yet I dare assure your Lordship they will still but arriue at the same end and though the Garment may bee somewhat better to looke on yet it will be little more easie more in fashion or longer lasting TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HIS SINGVLAR GOOD LORD HENRY LORD GRAY of GROOBY THE ARGVMENT Of the Captaine of Foot EVery one my Lord is so great a louer of his owne designes that he is easie to be flatterd with any hope that can lend beauty to the same yet I hope it shall not so fare with me in this Epistle for since you haue with all felicitie linckt in Marriage with that sweetest
a pen doe in the hand of Experience if Nigard like he will not vouchsafe to spare vs any of his Beneficiall obseruations for mine owne part if either of these would haue risen vp in our Theater I would haue thought my selfe happy to haue sitten a dumbe but admiring Auditor yet to the first which is Learning whom I euer courted but could neuer attaine since I am a Stranger with the other which is Experience I will make bould for she hath beene my Guide in Trauell by Land my Pilot vpon the Seas and my Schoole-master in the warres Sir I know to whom I write to a Noble man that is Learned to a Noble man that is an Experienc't and an approued Souldier beleeue me I am not so ambitious to imagine I can send you any thing new any thing worthy your Studie no mine imperfect Offers come to serue you not to Instruct you and therefore I beseech you accept them as coole water which may refresh a Thirstie Weary and Ignorant Knowledge not milke to delight and nourish a Knowing Vnderstanding so shall you giue strength to my hopes and adde to the check-role of your seruants another faithfull Obseruer The Office vpon which I pitch in this Epistle is that of the Colonell of Horse which is a Noble and Honorable place and so much the more Noble as it excelleth in the dignitie and worthines of the weapon which he commandeth The name hath no larger extent or signification then the Colonell of the Infantrie only the dignitie of the person thus far excelleth that of what sort of weapon soeuer his Colony be compounded yet in himselfe he is euer a man at Armes and though his Regiment bee but of Dragoones yet loseth he no Honor either in his place or person but sitteth amongst the greatest Colonels according to his degree an equall Brother and Companion only contenting himselfe to be an elder or younger according to his antiquitie in command and the honor of the weapon by him commanded I need not insist much vpon his election since I haue already named the place Noble which inferreth as great and as singuler vertues as can by any tongue be named by any pen described by any heart conceiued neither need I make my way long and tedious in coming vnto the generall parts of his duty especially so much as concerneth the ordinary common-wealth and wholesome gouernment of his Regiment in Health in Concord in Plenty and in the performance of true Marshall Discipline since indeed he is so neare a Kinsman nay rather Brother or Fellow Companion with the Colonell of the Infantrie that in obseruing the first this latter doth as it were dilate and lay it selfe open to the intelligence and apprehension of euery indifferent Iudgement yet for as much as the alteration of weapon and addition of the Horse breedeth a diuersitie in some particuler duties therefore to those I will returne and shew how they are to bee mannaged in the designes of warre-like preparations It is a very materiall thing and an especiall duty in euery Colonell of Horse to looke that all his Regiment be well mounted and armed according to that proportion of Armes ouer which he is to Gouerne as if his Regiment consist of Gentlemen at Armes that then they be compleate armed in good Armor of high proofe from the close Caske downe to the Greaue and at all peeces a large straight Launce well headed with steele an arming Sword and a Mace or Battle Axe at his Saddle pomell a couragious strong and tall stooned Horse a steele Saddle and the Horses head necke brest and buttocke barbed with Pectron Trappings Crinier and Chieffront his Bridle double rained and well lined with a strong wyre chaine and the head-stall sutable with the like wyre lining also To euery Gentleman at Armes should belong three foure or more attendants mounted on Horse-backe though in a lower Ranke who are to waite vpon their necessaries and to take charge of their spare Horses for these men at Armes are all intended to bee men of great Blood and Qualitie to be the owners of Rich Estates and such as follow the wars only for Honor and the loue of vertue and put themselues vnder command not so much for Instrution as for orders sake and to leaue behind them the benefit of a good example If his Regiment consist of Pistoleers he shall see them armed compleat to the Cush strong Horses or Guelding of the largest size deep Saddles broad Trappings a faire Sword and a long Pistoll If his Regiment consist of Carbines then to haue as hath beene said in a former Epistle light Curats a Spanish Morrian a left Gauntlet and no more a faire Sword or Curtleaxe a strong nimble Guelding a Morocco Saddle and furniture sutable but if the Regiment be but Dragoones then a Spanish Morian and no other Armor a light Guelding a good Sword and a faire Dragoone When he hath his Regiment thus orderly armed it is then the duty of the Colonell to looke vnto their March their place of attendance and maner of Seruice as if they be men at Armes who are heauily armed then their Marches must be slow and seldome as namely when the Army doth dislodge and not vpon euery sleight occasion Their place is vpon each side of the maine Battell yet in a somewhat remoued and farre distance for in marching too nere the foote bands they may giue offence as being sodainely enforced to charge then wanting sufficient ground for retraite they often fall in amongst their owne bands and so compell them to Rout and disorder their seruice is two fould for they must ether encounter with the enemies Men at armes or else breake in amongst the Pikes and disranke or ouerthrow them they are also sometimes to relieue the Carbines or Dragoons when they are ingaged and in retraits to make stands vpon the enemies and so keepe them from the execution If they be Pistoliers then their March is more swift and more generall yet not so great as to be worthy the name of Trauell their place is a good pretty distance before the men at Armes and they troope together in large Squadrons the Cornet being lodged within three of the first Rankes and their Seruice is to breake vpon the Battell of Pikes after they haue beene a little shaken and disrankt by the men at Armes by volleys of Short or any other amazement also they doe sometimes encounter the enemies horse doe follow the chase to finish vp the execution If they bee Carbines their March is sodaine and vpon most occasions their place is before the Pistoleirs and the troupe in wings or sleeues with their Guydon placed in the middest of the Rankes as for their Seruice it is principally against the Foote-shott especially in Champaines where they are vnguarded either with Hedge Ditch Wall or other place of aduantage Lastly if they be Dragoones their march is for the most part vpon the swiftest gallop their
place in Scouts Forragings and vpon all needfull discoueries and the effect of their principall Seruice is to defend and make good all passages ouer Riuers as Foards Bridges Mill-dames and the like all Strait wayes Hills Valleyes and other places of Retraite they may vpon occasion alight from their horses and serue on foot spoyling all Forragers and Pillagers assayling Troupes in their lodgings and when they finde themselues drawing into any inconuenience they may presently mount againe and retyre into their safety But if they be so farre engaged that they cannot well come off then must the armed Pistoleirs come in and assist them and therefore in this case the Colonell is to foresee that in the composion of his Regiment the Dragoones be chosen from the ablest nimblest and most actiue men that can be got being of that dexteritie and quicknes of spirit that they may be able to vault to and from their Horses at pleasure and to carry their Pieces so close guarded in their left hands that in performing of any of these suddaine actions there may bee found neither trouble nor hinderance lasty when they haue performed their duties they shall then retyre behind the Pistoliers and there prepare themselues againe for a new onset It is also a speciall care belonging to this Colonel to giue directions for the daily trayning and teaching of his Regiment especially if they serue with fire on Horsebacke for if a man be neuer so good a Horseman and yet but an ill Shot or if he be neuer so good a Shot and yet but an ill Horseman there will be such disparity and vntowardnesse in his actions that all his labour will be to little and no purpose let therefore diligence and practise good opportunity and good instructions make the Souldier exquisite in what he vndertaketh and it will bring honor to the Colonell and benefit to the generall Seruice And that the Seruice may be the more effectually performed it is requisite that the Colonell haue euer attending vpon his person as his dayly and houshold seruants an excellent Smith or Farryer who shall euer be furnished with Horse-shooes nayles and drugges both for inward and outward applycations a very good Sadler and all things belonging to his occupation and a skilfull rough Rider that may tame and reclayme stubborne Iades and instruct the Souldier how and in what manner to become a resonable Horseman Last of all it is the Colonels duty to haue a perfect Rolle of all the Bands within his Regiment as well Officers as others seeing them mounted and armed and then giuing allowance to their sufficiency hee shall giue directions for the disposing of the Troopes From him or his Substitute the Trumpets shall take all commandements and whensoeuer the Regiment riseth the Colonels Cornet shall first flie abrord to which all the rest shall repaire and from him shall receiue order for their imployment whether it be to Watch to Scour to discouer or else to relieue others He shall appoint such as shall guard the Lord Marshall the Forrage-Master and the Victuallers He shall dispose the manner of all Skirmishes and so place his Troupes that one may second the other in such wise that if any be repulst yet being relieued they may haue time to regather themselues into order and either mainetaine a second onset or retire backe againe into their owne strength This is the full effect of the Colonels Office that commandeth Horse and these things with the rest which belong to the Colonell of Foote being seriously obserued his place shall be fulfilled with much renowne and his person adorned with vndying Honor. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD ARVNDEL of WARDER THE ARGVMENT Of the Serieant-Maior Generall THe affaires my Lord of my poore Fortunes haue euer been hindrances to my Studie so that howsoeuer I might in my nature affect it yet still by Fortune I haue been debarred that happie felicitie so that your Lordship can expect from me but rude and vnpolisht Gatherings yet such as they are I tender them freely boldly All men speake you Noble that perswades mee and you are an owner of Willoughbies Blood of which my poore selfe am also a sharer and that almost seales vnto mee a deed of assurance and you are the much honoured kinsman of my dearest respected kinsman worthy Sir Perciual Willoughbie to whose loue I am so much bound that I cannot study a better Rent then to doe you seruice all these together bring this Epistle vnto you which great Sir I beseech you be pleased to reade the little I can get I am no niggard of nor was I euer more desirous to gather then willing to distribute to the good of my Countrey Many I know this way might Alexander-like giue talents but they thinke the World not worthy so much and if the World would imbrace their Mites it is an almes too poore for rich Reputations so that hence they are silent yet still I keepe on my Pilgrimage you are one of the Saints to whose Altar I am vowed and though I haue but a poore Root to offer thereon yet I will lay it downe with as great confidence as if it were a Snow-white Bull crown'd with Garlands knowing that nothing makes Giftes great but good mens Acceptations This great and renowned Office of the Serieant-maior Generall is so large spacious that to lend but one word to euery great article which necessarily depends vpon his knowledge would aske more paper then I haue bestowed on all which haue gone before him and therfore as Geographers doe I must intreat your Lordship in a little pricke to suruey a great kingdome To speake then first of his election the power thereof commonly remaineth in the Generall and the care therof ought to be more then of any of the former for being the generall Minister of an entire Armie and hauing his authoritie and vse extending it selfe into all manner of Marchings Imbattellings and Encampings we need say no more of his person but this he should bee a man both inward and outward of a most absolute perfection His place is before all Captaines and Colonels except the Colonell Generall for they receiue their directions from him he from the other his Actions and Imployments are euer for the most part in the face of the enemy and the greatest vse or necessitie of his person is euer in the places of most certaine danger It behoueth him to be exceeding Skilfull in the framing of Battalions which some define to be a congregation or multitude of men placed in such an orderly forme that they may come to fight without hindring one another whereby euery hand being necessarily imployed they may attaine to the end of their purpose which is glory and conquest so that to his charge is left the framing of the proportion the gouerment in marching and the order in fighting In his Brayne there ought to be at least in his bosome or some other conuenient place must be a
fortie at the least ouer which charge vnder the Master of the Ordnance should be a Captain of the Boats two Ship-wrights a Master-Carpenter to planke them twentie Saylers and Calkers a Guard of Horsemen to conduct them two Smiths and their men to haue charge of the Iron-works a Master of the Cables Anchors and Graplings a Wheel-wright and certaine Carters to driue the Carriage The Master of the Ordnance appointeth vnder his hand-writing the numbers and proportions of all maner of prouisions of Munition which shall attend the Armie and deliuereth it to the Lieutenant the Lieutenant seeth them prouided and distributed to the inferiour Officers and the inferiour Officers keepe them in charge and dispose or deliuer them out as they shall receiue warrant either from the Master of the Ordnance or his Lieutenant Vnder the command of the Master of the Ordnance is the Cariage-master the Clerke of the Cariages the Harbenger the Steward the Gil-master a Prouost two Carpenters two Farriers and all the Carters Horse Oxen and all that draw any kind of Munition and he or his inferiour Officers doe not onely proportion out what weight euery Cariage shall draw but also what number of cattell shall bee in euery draught according to the weight with which they are laden as to draw a Cannon thirtie beasts a Demy-cannon twenty beasts a Culuerin foure and twentie beastes a Saker twelue beasts and so of the rest answerable to their bignesse eight beasts in Cart with two wheeles will draw twentie hundred weight in a Waggon with foure wheeles thirtie or fortie hundred weight and so likewise answerable to the same proportions and to the Carriages the Master of the Ordnance shall allow a competent number of attendants to lade and vnlade the Carriages and last of all shall see that a reuerend and good order be kept both in the prouision keeping and disposing of all things whatsoeuer hath beene already rehearsed so shall he crowne himselfe with all the glories which are due to his place and make the truth of his renowne a large and easie Staire by which to climbe to the highest aduancement TO THE MOST HONORABLE AND NOBLE LORD IOHN DIGBY Lord of SHERBORNE Vice-chamberlaine to his Maiestie and one of his most Honourable Priuy-Councell THE ARGVMENT Of the Lord Marshall THere be two things most noble Lord which aboue all others doe most weaken and distracte the Sense of the painefulest writer that is a Serious and deepe Subiect and a learned and well Iudging Eare at both which I am arriued in this Epistle for the matter being Warre howeuer neglected by Ignorance yet amongst the best knowledges hath beene of sacred estimation and your noble Eare to whom I consecrate these much vnpolisht and Rude gatherings hath so longe beene fed with all the excellencies which Art is able in his best Trimme either to inuent or adorne that there is nothing can possibly proceed from me if it haue any good Season which hath not long before beene more gloriously lodged in your owne most Noble Experience Blame me not then honord Sir if I a little shake in this Dedication hauing mine owne wants to leade me and your vertues to amaze me the action may very well become my feare yet if out of your greater goodnesse you shall be pleased to giue strength to mine attempt I doubt not but that courage shall awaken in me some new industesie which may proue worthy both of your view and Studie The Lord Marshall of an Armie aboue all other Officers ought to be a most approued Souldier for howsoeuer in the greatnesse of other great places in the warres there may be a dispensation of skill Countenance and Vertue being as requisite as Knowledge Iudgement yet in this Office it may not be so for this man aboue all others hath the greatest place of action and direction in all the Armie and howsoeuer he hath more to command then any yet all they haue no power to dispence or lessen the least dutie belonging to his person for howsoeuer the Generall or Liuetenant-Generall may precede him in place yet they ought not in knowledge since both themselues and the whole Armie both Horse and Foote are bound to moue only by his direction and though to the Generall who is his Commander hee may not say this or that you must doe yet he may say here and in this place your Honor ought to stand and therefore what manner of man this great person ought to be for Wisdome Temperance Valour and Vertue euery one is better able to discribe and Iudge then to finde out a person sutable to the imployment Next the Generall the Lord Marshall hath the supreame command of the whole Field and therefore his Trumpet is first in the morning to discharge the Watch and his Troope ought first of all to bee mounted for it is an honor which the Armie alloweth him by reason of the infinit paines which he taketh in his owne perticuler person neither shall his Troope Watch or Ward but are discharged of that duty by reason of their other more serious occasions After He and his Troope are mounted he marcheth to the outmost borders of the Campe and there makes a stanst till the whole Armie be Ranged neither quits his place till the last man be on foote He is himselfe in all things both assistant and directiue to the Generall of the Horse and the Serieant-Maior All the day longe he is tied to no Battalion but at his owne pleasure may bestow his owne person sometimes accompaning the Generall sometimes leading his owne Troope and indeed alwayes where the greatest occasion of necessity is and where the enemie is most likely to assaile and aduenture for his place is most honorable and where honor is there should be his residence As his person so his Troope also is not tied to any especiall or certaine place but may varie and alter as danger and honor shall giue occasion still supplying whatsoeuer is weakest and as a prepared Champion must continually bee ready to entertaine the enemie vpon all his approaches at night vpon retraits the Reare is his place and he bringeth it vp with courage and safetie then being come to the Campe he stayeth till euery man be dismounted and the whole Armie lodged and then he with his Troope dismounteth he taketh oder for the Scouts aduiseth with the Serieant Maior for the Guards vieweth the strengths of the Campe and seeth there be no decay in the ditches or entrenchments The Lord Marshall is the supreame and only powerfull Iudge in all causes of Life and Death in criminall offences and controuersies of all manner of natures and prouideth for the due execution of all the Lawes Bandos Articles and Institutions which shall be appointed by the Generall to be obserued and to see due punishment executed for any breach of the same whence it proceeds that he ought to be exceeding well read and learned in all Marshall Lawes the customes
greater testimonie of his Wisedome and Experience then of any other practise whatsoeuer for to what purpose were experience if the fruit thereof doe not appeare and shine in his actions wherefore it is the strength of this mans dutie to put all things in execution with great care diligence and vigilance and by a naturall and secret instinct to find out and re-acknowledge the natures dispositions and inclinations of all the enemies Commaunders and to finde which are Bold which Rash which Fearefull which Wise and which Inconsiderat that by making his applications sutable to their imperfections hee may attaine to the ends of his purposes with much greater ease many times with much lesse losse or bloody effusion A world of other obseruations are required in this great mans Office but in as much as they are in as neere a linke of alliance to the absolute Generall himselfe I will heere knit vp this Epistle and referre the rest as a binding Fillet with which to circle and gird together the next following and last concluding Epistle TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE EDVVARD LORD MONTAGVE OF BOVGHTON THE ARGVMENT Of the Generall IT falls out many times my Lord that the minde like a couragious Hauke which plies her wings labours to get vp high into the Aire if still it be ouerlaid with its owne toile must of necessitie in the end either flag her wings or stoope to a faulse prey not being able to doe any thinge because it hath done too much For too prodigall an expence of Spirits makes the minde heartlesse Nay some I haue knowne of that weakenesse of temper that but to thinke of that which they must doe hath taken away all abilitie to doe what they should But of these infirmities I hope your Lordship shall acquit me for as a chearefull hope was the first Author of mine vndertakings so heare an assured comfort in your noble acceptance to whose Blood and House I must euer acknowledge a particuler debt of seruice I doubt not but will fixe a worthy Seale to the end of my labors I know many might haue done this worke sooner better but since they are pleased to sit with foulded vp aimes and only studdie how to be rid of Time let it not be imputed to me error or arrogance that I haue writ my knowledge for though it adde nothing to a full growne strength yet I doubt not but it may giue nourishment to the young and sickly Being come to the last Confines of this Militarie discourse I am in this place to handle the particuler duties and vertues of an absolute Generall or the only one great and entier Commander ouer an Armie Royall wherein is to be vnderstood that the name or title of Generall as it is respectiuely in it selfe is to be taken diuers and sundry waies for some are absolute and without seconds as were the foure principall monarches of the world to wit the Assirrian the Persian the Gretian and the Roman some not altogether so absolute yet depending vpon one and the same authoritie as for example Iulius Caesar who notwithstanding he was but at first a seruant to the Seuant yet aspiring to the height of his ambition the greatest stile that hee affected was but to be Imperater which signifieth a Generall and the most glorious Title at this day which any Prince can attaine is but Generall yet this great Diamond is still more Glorious and Sparkling according to the Wealth and Arte in the setting for an absolute Soueraigne being made Generall ouer many Princes and many Nations and going to a holy Warre against the enemies of God and sinceare Religion he is esteemed the best and most renowned Generall of all others Next him is the absolute King which holdeth dependance on none but leadeth forth his owne Battels and people to defend his Rights against Rebels Intruding Iniurers or vnlawfull Vsurpers then the Heires apparent vnto absolute Kings as our Blacke Prince Philip Dolphin of France and Philip sonne to Charles the fift of Spaine or the like and lastly lawfull Generals made by absolute Princes as the Duke of Austria in Spaine the Dukes of Burgundy and Guyse in France Pembroke Sussex Leicester and Essex in England and of these Generals there are also a diuers kinde grounding the greatnes of their places from the greatnesse of their Commissions being Stiled some by the name of Generals as our Leicester was in the Low-Countries some Liuetenants without the addition of Generall as the Earle of Essex was in Ireland and some Liuetenant-Generals as the Earle of Ormund was in the same Kingdome the Lord Grey and diuers others for it is a Rule amongst Princes to qualifie these Titles according as either Factions or Iealousies shal guid them nay sometimes to Ioyne two Generals in one Commision as Norris Drake into Portingall and the Earle of Essex and the Earle of Nottingham into Spaine For the vertues which are to be acquired in the brest of this vnlimited Commander howeuer some would seeke to bring them into a proportionable number yet I affirme that questionlesse he ought to haue All without limitation no vertue excepted and the vices which hee must shunne should likewise be All and no vice accepted this is hee which ought to be loued and obeyed at home and redoubted and admired abroad He ought to gouerne the courages of the greatest and the wills of the meanest In matters that are declyning and desperat his constancy ought to be Inuincible and his valour so firme that with amazement hee might stricke dead the hearts of his enemies and make the very weapons drop out of the hand of the most resolued opposers it is he that ought to be darling of Fortune and to whom Chance should offer as a Sacrifice both Townes Castles and Prouinces as if they had beene taken in Nettes and throwne at his feete as lawfull Tributs and yet not to imagine that this Body yeelded a greater shaddow after then before his Victories he must not robbe the Gods of their heads to fixe them on his owne Statues but like the Sunne shine indifferently to all men only appeare terrible and scortch the proud rash and ouer curious Gazers his Inclination as it must only bend to Armes yet it must not looke awry from learning he must inure his body to trauell and feede his mind with paine pleasure at one instant howsoeuer Fortune at any time shall dart aduerse accidents against him yet must his resolution maintaine so strong a Guard about him that she may confesse his spirit greater then her violence and his Wisdome beyond the Stratagems of her seuearest designes he must haue Wisdome to maintaine the Flowre of his vertue that it wither not before it haue brought forth the expected fruits and Care to keepe that Oliue branch euer greene which he shall purchase with the price of Blood hazard of his life and the losse of the goodliest and most flourishing yeares of his age he ought to bee
the last day yea though accompanied with weaknesses of more then a tollerable proportion yet is the cause so good that their hope cannot chuse but ascend to an infinite measure To conclude then mine Epistle if both in warres Offensiue and Defensiue the cause bee so good and the action so full of Splendor how much Glory ought to be ascribed vnto them as the glory of apparell and ornaments of person Crownes and Plumes Scarfes and Garlands Glory of the liuing as great mens praises and meane mens admirations and Glory of the dead as Tombes and Collosses Achiuements Hearses Temples Trophies and eternall Epitaphs this they purchase with Blood this they deserue by Vertue this makes them beloued at home and redoubted abroad this makes good Princes seeke them and bad Princes feare them and this who not affords them must to himselfe affoard He is not vertuous TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND MARTIALL ROBERT BARTVE Lord Willoughbie of Eresbie THE ARGVMENT Of the true Honor of a Souldier HOwsoeuer your Lordships owne experience being apparelled in all the richest garments belonging to the noble art of Warre as Obseruation in executions Consideration in Counsailes and wisdome in the election of the one or the others aduantage may make mine Epistle apeare naked or at least but thinnly clad in respect of your greater knowledg yet when I see how the greatest Captaines haue beene inflamed with their Souldiers actions and that Alexander from a silent muse would runne into a martiall distraction at the warlike sound of the Ionian musique how euer strooke by the hand of a meane musitian I could not but add courage to my labour and rather enlarge my desires then abate them knowing that who sings to the skilfull shall euer reape praise or instruction but to play to the rude and not knowing Scorne is his portion for betwixt ignorance and art no vertue yet could make a perfit reconcilement To you then my Lord that are a Souldier to you that know a Souldier and to you that loue a Souldier I send this Souldierly salutation which howsoeuer the weakenesse of words may deface yet your Lordshippe shall fiind it hath an honest ayme and though it hit not the Bird in the eye yet I doubt not but it will be so direct it will shed some of her feathers If any Raunge of persons in the world deserue true honour it must needs be the Souldier for as his disposition holdeth the neerest alliance to it so doth his merrits by an infallible Interest iustly and truely claime it for the very Basse or Ground whereon all his actions are built must be nothing else but goodly peeces of honourable and noble perfection The protection of Ladyes the defence of Orphans the reliefe of Widdowes to helpe the good to ease the grieued and to make strong the weake all these are noble designements and to these all souldiers are tyed by a thousand chaines of vertues making Nay if the weake contend with him he is bound as the seruant of Honor either to yeeld or at least though with losse to come to a faire composition Flint striketh not fire out of woole but out of Steele nor must the Souldier dart his flames downe on the Riuers but send them vp to reflect on the mountaines his heart must be vndaunted when hee meetes with power but soft and vulnerable when it grapples with disabilitie this made Numa apease Iupiter with heads of garlicke not heads of men and this made Alexander execute the rigor of his vowe rather on the Asse then on his keeper and hence came that heroicke and memorable saying that Mercy pardoneth those who haue not deserued it and the Iuster that wrath is the more commendable is Mercy all the quarells of Souldiers must be Iust for no ocasion must enforce him to vndertake an vnworthy thing he must warre for God his Prince and Country oppressed not for enuy displeasure or to make his bounds without limit hee must be mooued for goodnesse selfe not gaine which mooues euery marchant or peasant and when all the vertues of a souldier haue brought him to the toppe of felicitie yet must not the prosperitie of his affaires any thing withdrawe his minde from the loue of peace and a laudable friendshipp and to this the very heathens may giue rules to our christian Nations for thus war'd Scipeo in Affirica Scilla in Spaine and Caesar amongst the Gaulls by this Augustus closed vp the Temple of Ianus and for this Tiberius sent Drasus to see the warrs in Illyricum and to conclude these noble entendments made Henry the great of France to saue Paris when he might haue spoyled it at Longeuall when the desolation of all the strangers army was in his power and that with one breath hee might haue hewed them in pieces euen then he puts downe his Pystoll and saued them saying Hee would not let them suffer harme which were not in case to doe any As thus there Actions ought to bee honorable so likewise must bee their words and speaches maintaining that Truth and Iustice in their language as once being engaged vnder the faith of a Souldier no danger or extreamity whatsoeuer may haue the least shew or suspition either to change or abate it this made Fabritius say that he which tooke away his enemie otherwise then by Iustice or the euent of warre was a coward and seemed to feare that which he should contemne and this made Tiberius tell a Prince of the Celies that Rome had a sword to kill with not an Appothecaries shoppe this was it which euer made Marcellus inuoke the Sunne to gaze on his actions and the contrary to this made the King of Bithinia a by word to all Nations and an example of falshood and the breach of hospitality As the Actions and words of Souldiers must thus bee compannion'd with honor so must also their thoughts and inward intentions making their mindes nothing else but neate and curious vessels wherin to carry the sacred liquor of care and pretious Honor nay their very affections and passions must bee gouernd and swaid by honorable motions they must loue for honor hate for honor desire nothing but honor and dare any thing for the defence of honor If honor suffer or hang in the ballance ready to be ouerswaid with the poyze of iniurie then must the souldier march through thicke and thinne through fire frost floods and Seas through shot wounds blood nay euen into the very iawes and deuouring teeth of eminent and certaine hazard all for the repriue of so deare a thing as innocent honor And on the contrary part if honor forbid any attempt how glorious and gratious soeuer in humaine apprehension yet must not then the noble Souldier dare to touch it no not so much as bend a thought against it were all the crownes and garlands in the world stackt downe for his recompence no luker must intice him no pleasure seduce him nor any glory inchaunt him Honor is the