extraordinarie Lieutenants of the Corporals Clarke of the Band Harbinger Drummes and Fifes and finally the dutie of euery particular and common Souldier that he may presently redresse any thing amisse and vpon any new accident to instruct them either in marching encamping or fighting so that he may be able to command them according as time place and reason doth require without contradiction or appointing that to be done of one Officer which ought to be done of an other or that he doth command them to doe things not conuenient and much lesse that which is not lawfull or not honourable Which order of proceeding doth very much displease and bring men of warre in mislike of such vndirect dealings Since the principall point and practise whereunto their exercise in armes doth tend is to attaine reputation honour and credite he must continually court his Collonell and Cheiftaine forcing himselfe to be one of the first that doth salute him in the morning and of the last to depart from him in the euening that thereby hee may be sufficiently instructed and informed in euery particular act and practise which is to be put in execution touching the performance of any enterprise or warlike act since that in those cases a wary man may best take hold of occasion whereof he ought to make triall in time of warre the which he is likewise to accomplish aswell for the seruice of his cheife and Prince as also for his owne satisfaction and the honour benefit and reputation of his Souldiers Let him in some sort prouide with as much aduantage and commodity as he can that his souldiers baggage be alwaies conducted from place to place alwaies prohibiting superfluitie and in long voiages their corslets and armes of heauie burthen prouided that he march not in suspected places and in the enemies countrie but not otherwise Let him take order that his Souldiers be light in apparell so that it be warme and haue as little baggage and otherwise loaden as may be to the intent they may vse all their diligence about their weapons and not to hale backe for feare of loosing the same but rather haue respect to the warie keeping of their armes and that they may rather be more bent and determined to fight in hope of gaine and honour then suspected thorough the doubt of loosing that which they already possesse He must not be couetous neither retaine one penie of pay from his Souldiers but rather distribute amongst them all the aduantages dead paies and capisoldi to the intent they may be well paied and rewarded which merite the same so shall he gaine honour and make them assured in perillous seruice Let him restraine souldiers from hauing horses thereby to auoide confusion for that commonly euery one must march about the Ensigne to the intent the rankes be not broken and disturbed by horses And that Souldiers be not occupied in going abroad for forrage for their horses as of necessitie they must which is proper to Horsemen and not to footmen but onely those which are to be permitted with the Lieutenant the Alfierus and some of the Caualliers of Saint Georges squadre that are Gentlemen of greatest experience for that they may serue in steed and place of light horsemen to view discouer conduct and carie a message or commandement with great speed when and where need doth require It is necessary for him to haue some knowledge and sight in making bulwarkes trenches platformes skonces fortresses and such like and to know the nature and qualitie of them aswell that with aduantage he may bee able to know how to assault as also to make them with facilitie in times and places most necessarie which vnderstanding and Art is particularly conuenient for him considering the defence of men of warre in the field for the most part consists aswell in trenches bulwarkes and perfect platformes as in good and well gouerned squadre and in maine battaile He must haue with him a paire of lanthornes for the campe some cressets linkes or torches that blow not out with the winde and such like to vse in the night and in stormes and tempests for seruice of the company as in roundes alarmes c. And for his proper commoditie and ornament a pauillion or tent of sufficient capacitie vessels to accommodate his victuals and furniment for the fire and kitchin of small weight and disturbance in cariage and certaine houshold stuffe necessarie for himselfe and his traine to the intent he may so neere as is possible commodiously make supplie to the continuation of things requisite for victuals He ought alwaies to lodge with his Band and remaine with the same both in good and euill and continually shew himselfe louing and courteous and take such part as the Souldiers doe for contrariwise taking his ease and suffering them to be lodged or fedde miserably breedeth him hatred or contempt Neither ought hee to shunne toile and trauaile but carefully take delight and liking to be alwaies the first that with prouident prudence doth lay his hand to any worke or performe any enterprise which is conuenient to be done for that for the most part the rude stubborne multitude of Souldiers is not constrained and forced so much to doe his dutie by compulsion as they be voluntarie moued thereunto through shame and a reuerent respect they haue to the example of their Superiour Neither let the practise of the same be painefull vnto him for that to liue at ease and to be curious of his owne commodious being and suffer his Souldiers tast the toiles of trauaile is rather the order of a delicate Prince then of a carefull and couragious Captaine Let him not faile euery night that he is of the watch to send his Sergeant to take the word secretly of the Sergeant maior wherewith the watch of that night ought to be gouerned or of some other that shall be appointed to giue it which hee must vse wisely and warily since that negligence in like cases may be the ruine of him and his company and consequently of a whole armie Hee must haue tried experience and full practise in all the points noted of me in my first booke and be perfit in the conduct of martiall affaires that with great facilitie hee may be able to know and with great aduise to deale in all the particulars belonging to all the degrees of souldiers vnder his estate and of lesse estimation then a Captaine It behoues him to carie a valiant and couragious heart that vpon all suddaines he may be able to execute all enterprises and that hauing ouer-viewed ordered and disposed those things that be necessary he may be able to execute the same with such prompt and ready dexteritie as appertaines to the terrible and bloudy accidents of armes And although there be very few who haue such happy successe as they may be accounted fortunate and politike both together Neuerthelesse it is requisite he be prudent and discipher and looke before hand into such things
hold their Pikes continually in marching in the right hand and vpon the right shoulder without euer changing it and so likewise being vpon the left side of the ranke to hold it alwaies vpon the left shoulder those that be in the midst of the rankes haue libertie to vse that side that is best for their commoditie either vpon the right or left hand and to moue their Pikes from shoulder to shoulder at their choise and pleasure It is true that the iust carying of the Pike of those that march in the midst of the rankes is to hold it vpon the left shoulder and to carie their right hand behind vpon their dagger or vpon their side and so generally all as well they that be in the midst as those that be in the head of the rankes are to obserue this order to carie that hand which is at libertie behinde them or vpon their sides Let him march then with a good grace holding vp his head gallantly his pace full of grauitie and state and such as is fit for his person and let his body bee straight and as much vpright as is possible and that which most imports is that they haue alwaies their eies vpon their companions which are in ranke with them and before them going iust one with the other and keeping perfit distance without committing error in the least pace or step and euery pace and motion with one accord and consent they ought to make at one instant time And in this sort all the rankes entirely are to go sometimes softly somtimes fast according to the stroke of the drumme The heele and tippe of their pikes would bee equally holden both of length and height as neere as is possible to auoide that they fall not out to be by bearing them otherwise like vnto organ-pipes some long some short The measure and proportion thereof to hold the heel of the Pike is this It is necessarie for him to haue an eye to the ranke that doth march before him and so carie the Butt-end or heele of his pike that it may bee iust ouer against the ioynt of the hamme of the souldier that in march shall be straight before him and so euery one from hand to hand must obserue the proportion of that height that is right behind vpon the ioynt of the knee for by doing so they cannot commit error carying in their march that legge that is vnder that arme that sustaines and caries the Pike of iust and euen proportion by mouing their pace right vnder the staffe of the Pike going in their march as I haue said before iust and euen with a gallant and stately and sumptuous pace for by doing so they shall be esteemed honoured and commended of the Lookers on who shall take wonderfull delight to behold them march in that order THE SECOND BOOKE OF MILITARY Directions Wherein is set downe the office of a Sergeant Ensigne-bearer Lieutenant the Gentlemen of a band and how to skirmish and discouer CHAP. I. And first the Office of the Sergeant of a Band. SInce euery Officer through his continuall exercise and daily diligence in executing his charge doth attaine vnto perfit experience by daily practise which is as it were conuerted into nature therefore hee which determines with himselfe to be accounted sufficient and of abilitie to discharge the place of a good Sergeant of a band with a forward intent to learne and be thorowly instructed ought first to be a Souldier that hath seene much and a Corporall of good experience according to the directions of my first booke In which two roomes it is very conuenient that he haue tasted and beene present at great diuersitie of seruice and warlike enterprises and to carie a resolute minde to delight in the exercise of this office to the end he be not found therein irresolute and ignorant and that likewise he faile not in the ready performing of any enterprise when Martiall affaires do call him forth to put the same in execution First of all it is very requisite that he haue most perfitly in memorie the number of all the souldiers of the band and distinctly with what weapons they are armed what quantity of Corslets and Pikes how many armed and disarmed carie short weapons what number of Hargabusiers with murrians and without how many musket-eares how many light armed pikes and targets of proofe that the better and more readily vpon a sodaine hee may put the company in order He must euer plant the best armed in places most necessarie as at the front and backe the right and left side of a square The first ranke in ordinarie long marching the targets of proofe must go in as a ready couer and bulwarke against the enemies shot next to them the musket-eares then the Hargabusiers and after them the armed and light pikes amidst whose rankes he must at all times place the Ensigne garded with Halberds or bils and then againe the light armed and armed pikes hargabuse and musket-eares and last of all targets of proofe by this equality of diuision the whole band at one instant shall be ready to receiue any suddaine surprise of the enemie The Sergeant carrying these things in his minde hauing laid a distinct plat he may very easily vary their forme and order as he shall be appointed and as the situation of the place doth require or the accidents of warre doe constraine He must neuer worke vnwarily or at all aduentures and tending to no determined purpose as those that doe not remember the perfit rules and reckonings of their office whereof there be now adaies ouer many for when it is necessary for them to alter their order and that perforce they must quite change the forme and fashion that then they obserue they know not which way to beginne Therefore to the end his order and rankes may be to the purpose duely and directly changed and with facilitie disposed let him euer disseuer and diuide one part of his weapons from an other causing euery one to turne and enter into their rankes and order by themselues so shall hee proceed in taking away setting forward and intermixing one sort of rankes within another very orderly And thereby the full proportion of his band shall be framed as he hath determined or as it is deuised by him that commands either in marching forward and backward or in turning without disorder by 3. 5. 7. or 9. in a ranke as the Lieutenant Captaine or Sergeant maior appoints He ought euer to beware that in ordering the rankes and appointing the soldiers their places that they begin not to make debate or stomacke one another for dignitie of place the which doth oftentimes fall out to their great annoy and damage and the Officers tedious toile For in enterprises of great importance euen in the presence of the invading enemy some vaine-glorious fellowes are accustomed to striue for the chiefest places the which roomes by all reason and of dutie appertaine to the best
dutie otherwise hee may lawfully depart and thereby shunne the shamefull name of a stubborne licentious and disobedient person He must learne to vnderstand the assured sound of the drumme thereby to know alwaies whereunto he is appointed and what thing is to be done and obeied which of duty is accustomed to be done since that with this instrument Souldiers are giuen to vnderstand during the warres what things be necessarie to be executed One thing besides is most necessarie for a Souldier which is that he learne perfitly to swimme both for that waters cannot alwaies be passed with wading neither at all times boates and bridges can be conueied with the campe by reason of naughtie passages as also in diuers enterprises a man is both more safe and more bold knowing what he can doe whereof young Shelley made a most famous proofe who at the victualing of Midleborow when their nauie was assaulted by the Flushingers hauing all his companie slaine swam a shore with his armes being the last man left aliue a shipbord and as the Spaniards at the passage of the arme of the sea when they went to besiege Siricke-sea Besides the notable attempt made at the great riuer of Alba in Saxonie the yeere 1547. where the Imperialists had so famous a victorie Now therefore let no man perswade himselfe that the seuerall and particular experience which belongs to a perfect good Souldier can be perfectly and duely obtained by any other way but by a continuall delight exercise and obseruation For no man doth bring any worke to perfection whereof he hath not the Art euery Art doth spring of experience and knowledge and knowledge doth arise by meanes of studie and continuall practise Military profession being then more perfect and aboue all other Arts consequently it is necessarie wee vse in the same greater studie and more continuall exercise then is to be vsed in any other Art for so much as it is a most auncient and prudent sentence All arts doe consist in exercise and therefore continually at idle times it is very fit and necessarie for a souldier to practise and exercise himselfe amongst his Companions in the campe in running leaping throwing the barre or such like to make him actiue and to auoide such idle pastimes as Souldiers commonly now adaies vse contrarie to all good order Besides which as I haue partly touched before euery priuate Souldier ought not onely to be well able to vse the weapon hee serueth withall but also suddainely to vnderstand all commandements of his Gouernors whether it be by voice or sound of drumme or otherwise and to know how to maintaine himselfe in order without breaking aray not onely marching but also turning in a troupe or retiring For that Souldier which knoweth his dutie how to behaue himselfe in the campe in watch scout c. and likewise in marching turning retiring and fighting or skirmishing to obserue the order prescribed by his Captaiue may be called a trained and old Souldier Whereof if he be ignorant although he haue beene twentie yeares in the warres he is not to be esteemed a Souldier But in these exercises the Sergeants and Officers are daily and duely to instruct generally and priuately each souldier which Officers ought of necessity to haue knowledge in reading that both what is written before and shall be written after in this booke specially touching the Marshall lawes of the fielde they may euer read as a Lecture to their souldiers being in corps de gard or at other sit and conuenient times For these be things so necessarie to be knowne and obserued that it doth both import very much that each souldier should haue them by heart and if it were possible sowed vpon their garments to be a perpetuall glasse to looke into whereby they might guide all their actions that thereby they might see what they ought to shunne for feare of punishment and what to imbrace to increase credit To knit vp this our first discourse he that findes himselfe sufficient and well inclined to exercise this most excellent profession ought with all modest humilitie and good intention frame himselfe to a perfect obedience aswell to obserue order a thing so conuenient and necessarie in this exercise as also to execute that which shall be commanded him by his Captaine Before a Souldier binde himselfe to serue in a band he ought aduisedly to consider and expresly to perswade himselfe that vnder an expert valorous and worthy Captaine seldome or neuer our trauaile in well doing is forgotten or lost when as the contrarie doth chance vnder those that be vaine vicious and of small experience who through want of perfection and practise doe not know the merit of the valiant and valorous acts of a good Souldier so that consequently they neglect all toile and trauell done in any honourable enterprise Therefore it behoues a Souldier to make a good choise at the first for after whatsoeuer he be he must still obey him and likewise alwaies haue respect and carrie a reuerence to the iustice of Marshall law and the Ministers of the same though they be of base condition since both by the law of Nature and Nations they ought to be obeyed and obserued and particularly knowne and had in memory of euery priuate souldier for thereby both horsemen and footemen are kept in perfect order But aboue all things a souldier ought not to forget his dutie and deuotion towards the goodnesse of our Lord God and our sacred Christian religion by which the true gift of vertue valour and fortitude and all good things beside we most certainely receiue and are assured to attaine whilst our determinations be lawfull and honest And for that a souldier being subiect to a thousand daily dangers it behoues him continually to liue as he dare die and oftentimes to reconcile himselfe to God by confession of his sinnes and receiue the benefit of the most blessed Sacrament I haue beene somewhat more copious in this first discourse touching a souldier then perchance I meane to be in any of the rest by reason this is the first steppe and degree a man ought to set his feete vpon before he mount the throne of perfect gouernment in Marshall affaires for if a souldier can obtaine tried experience in this first point he may with more ease ascend the other since this is onely the ground worke of all the rest CHAP. II. The Office which appertaines to a Corporall Cape de Squadre Disnier or chiefe of Chamber IT is not to be doubted but that all notable errors depend onely of idlenesse and that all worthy and commendable acts spring of vigilant warinesse Therefore a Corporall Cape de Squadre Disnier or chiefe of Chamber or how you list to terme them ought to be no lesse prudent and carefull ouer the gouernment of his people then a father in ruling of his family and as euery parent doth passe in age his children euen so a Corporall should be such that he may exceede
custome notwithstanding by the order and appointment of those which haue authority to commaund them as their Captaine Sergeant maior c. but neuer otherwise He ought moreouer to be circumspect that in the body of the watch a solemne secret silence be kept without singing brawling or any rumour or noise and specially in the night both in respect of the enemie to heare when the alarme is giuen and to the intent that those which rest and sleepe and are not yet in Sentinell may be the more apt to resist and apply themselues to these actions and exercises which are required of them with vigilant watchfulnesse since a man cannot without great difficultie remaine without sleepe or rest any much longer time then our nature is accustomed by ordinarie course to beare and therefore at the entrance of the corps de gard he ought likewise to keepe a proper Sentinell appertaining to the gard that neither friend nor enemie comming out of the campe or elsewhere shall be able to enter without yeelding the watch-word and in this sort must the Corporall proceed euen vntill the diaua bee sounded through all the Campe. For other respects I finally referre him to my following discourse which together with that written before it is requisite he haue in perfit memorie as well as the priuate souldier CHAP. III. Six speciall Points appertaining to SOVLDIERS of all sorts IT is written in the history of Pietro Bizari touching the incredible and maruellous obedience of the Turkish souldiers that a certaine Gentleman at his returne from Constantinople did declare vnto the Earle of Salma that he had seene foure miracles in the Turkish dominions Which was first an infinite armie almost without number consisting of more then foure hundred thousand men Secondly that amongst so many men he saw not one woman Thirdly that there was no mention made of wine And last at night when they had cried with a hie-voice Alla which is God there continued so great a silence through the whole campe that euen in the pauilions they did not speake but with a low soft voice a thing worthy to be admired to the great shame of Christians therefore if the Infidels obserue such strict discipline why should not wee that be Christians indeauour our selues to surpasse them therein recommending our selues and affaires to God with reuerence and silence which I would wish to be continued vntill the diana when together with the sound of the drummes the same might be with a cheerefull crie renued But together with silence to set downe certaine other vertues take them here as I finde them written SILENCE In all places of seruice such silence must be vsed that souldiers may heare friends and not be heard of enemies as well in watch ward ambush canuisado or any other exploit in which point consisteth oftentimes the safety or perdition of the whole campe OBEDIENCE Such obedience must be vsed that none regard the persons but the office to them appointed diligently obseruing the same any offending to the contrary running into the danger of the law for longer then obedience is vsed and maintained there is no hope of good successe SECRETNESSE Souldiers must be secret and haue regard that they disclose nothing though sometimes they vnderstand the pretence of the higher powers The Disclosers of such merite most cruell punishment SOBRIETY In Sobriety consisteth great praise to the souldiers who vsing the same are euer in state of preferment such regard their duties and reproue the rash Busi-bodies Drunkards c. are euer in danger of punishment HARDINESSE The Captaines and souldiers that be hardy of courage be much auaileable in seruice specially such as will ponder what may be the end of their enterprise Some in times past haue hardly giuen the onset and after repented the same but the praise of the aduised cannot bee expressed TRVTH and LOYALTY The vertue of Loyaltie and Truth is farre exceeding my capacitie to write the Practisers of the contrary are not worthy of life but to be soone adiudged Subtile enemies approue to corrupt souldiers with gifts and the Deuill to entrap them with the sweete intising baites of leud libertie But since the reward of truth is euerlasting life and the vntrue and dissembler looseth the same in continuall darknesse I trust none of our Countrey-men will learne the one for the other will be false to his Soueraigne or flee from the assured piller of the true faith from which God keepe all good souldiers CHAP. IV. How a Souldier may maintaine obedience and keepe himselfe in the fauour and good grace of his Captaine A Good Souldier ought to haue consideration that since due orders and lawes are the assured foundation and stay of euery state and contrariwise discord and disobedience the ruine of all Realmes so that aboue all things a well gouerned Generall and a carefull Captaine ought prudently to fore-see that their Campe and Souldiers be paid and punished with equall execution of iustice not respecting person yeelding to the Offenders punishment and reward to the vertuous depressing vice and exalting vertue vsing commendation to the good and correction to the euill ioyned with admonishments of magnanimitie the which if they preuaile not to chastise them and as the good husband doth plucke the weedes out of the good corne to the intent that they by their wicked and pernicious example do not infect the rest and consequently doth prouide that no fault passe vnpunished nor no valorous act vnrewarded by which meanes he becomes feared fauoured obeyed and beloued of all the armie euen so on the other side the good natured souldier must euer haue respect to keepe the bondes of modesty towards his Superiour and yeelde many thankes to God that he hath giuen him so iust and vertuous a Captaine and Generall towards whom hee must alwaies yeeld like obedience that the sonne doth to the father being bound so to doe by the diuine law without shewing himselfe opposite to the order of generall iustice nor vngratefull for his receiued benefits but continually by his good guiding in the one and the other giue his Captaine iust cause to loue and like well of him Souldiers be euer bound to obey the iustice and commandements of their Superiours and the Superiour likewise to embrace the obedience of his Souldiers whilst he doth see himselfe honoured and obeyed of them either in deedes or words in earnest or dissembling Although the Generall or Captaine were a right Sardanapalus so that his lawes be obeyed all things fall out well wherefore a Souldier ought with all his indeauour to be obedient to the law with his whole heart loue his Captaine and feare him with all his force Cyrus being cruell couetous miserable and an Exacter of taxes through iustice was beloued and obeyd Cambyses Marcus Cato and Marcus Antonius the two first being seuere and cruell yet amongst the Souldiers were maruellously fauoured and the third although hee was drowned in the deepe and gaping gulfe of
with the Superiours or being thy enemies for feare doe forsake his owne power and resort to thee let such secretly be conueied to the Lord chiefe Generall regarding that they view no secrets least they be double spies vpon paine of the losse of their liues 43 Item Captaines and Officers must oft frequent and resort vnto the Souldiers lodging to see in what state their armour and munitions be and to giue great charge that their furniture be alwaies in a readinesse the r corslets with all peices belonging to the same and their caliuers to be made cleane and oiled to haue match and pouder drie bullets fit for their peeces strings whipped for their bowes their billes and halberds to be kept sharpe And often to view euery particular vpon paine 44 Item he that shall depart out of the place where he shall be put by his Head or any Officer whatsoeuer for a lost Sentinell Spie Watchman Scout or Warder aswell by day as by night as it often happeneth to discouer some dealings of the enemie without attending and staying for him that placed him there to take him away except he should remoue in hast to aduertise his head of the successe of the enemies assaulting or doing any outrage shall be punished with death 45 Item whosoeuer should rashly offend or hurt either in word or deeds any man belonging to the Deputies or head Officers of iustice or Captaine there being in pay for Sergeants And they being appointed to carrie no other weapon with steles or staues but bills or halberds they may be knowne for men of iustice and not for Souldiers 46 Item whosoeuer standeth within or without the campe or barres to watch or scout and doth his dutie so euill that thorow his negligence the enemie setteth vpon the campe at vnawares he shall die 47 Item he that vnder colour of doing the dutie of a Scout or Spie perceiuing the enemies haue assaulted the campe and he with such faining lieth still shall die for it 48 Item he that shall forsake the defence in generall or particular of the batterie of the breach of the passage of a bridge or other like to him committed but lightly not forced goeth away shall be for so offending punished with death 49 Item whosoeuer entring into a Citie taken by force followeth not his Ensigne whither soeuer it shall go vntill the Generall make Proclamation that euery man shall take booties And if the Generall cause no such Proclamation to be made and that souldiers make spoile he shall incurre the paine of death and if proclamation be made that they shall cease from taking preies and booties and after licence giuen if they giue not ouer they shall fall into the same punishment 50 Item whosoeuer seeing the Ensigne vnder the which he warreth in fraies or fight by chance be falne in the handes of the enemies if he be there present and doe not his indeauour to recouer it and when it is cowardly lost to punish the Souldiers which haue suffered it to be cowardly lost with death 51 Item he that shall flee from the battaile being in the face and front of the enemies or shall go slowly and slackly to ioyne and afront with them in case it be to fight a field battaile or in any skirmish whatsoeuer shall be punished with death 52 Item he that shall faine himselfe sicke to auoid the fighting of the enemie or because he would not go to any other enterprise to vse his hands but I meane there for to rob for to such affaires they will bee ready enough shall be cruelly punished 53 Item whosoeuer seeing his Generall or his Captaine or other Coronell and Officer of the campe in the hand of the enemies and succoureth him not with all his power and may doe it not respecting any danger shall suffer death 54 Item he that shall rob or spoile the people of the Countrie or Subiects or Vassels of the Prince he serueth shal die 55 Item he that by theft should steale or rob the armour weapons or horses or other thing from any other seruing against the enemies shall die 56 Item he that should ransome or taxe or otherwise mis-vse the people of the Countrie except they should be enemies or rebels to the Prince shall bee greatly punished 57 Item he that shall play at any game for his armor weapons or horses which are written vpon the roll or through his negligence shall lose them or lend giue away or lay them to pawne let him die 58 Item he that goeth further then two hundred steppes or paces from his quarter without licence of his Captaine specially when the campe looketh or staieth to be assaulted by the enemies except he should be sent for by his Heads shall be punished with death 59 Item he that shall go longer then the houre appointed in the night abroad in the campe wandring except he should be sent by his Superiours for a matter of weight from head Captaine to head Captaine by a counter-token shall be cruelly punished 60 Item he that shall lodge strangers whether he be of the campe or not without licence of the Generall or of his Captaine either in his lodging or vnder a tent except he be of his chamber or squadron or by the Captaine appointed for seruice forth of the campe shall bee punished But euery one ought to be in the night with their Camerads and chamber-fellowes and not to be diuided from their lodgings that occasion seruing they may be ready with their weapons in their hands neither ought they to lodge watch or scoutes or of the search for that the Spies hauing no lodging any excuse being found out may the better be apprehended Also if the Scout-watch be taken from their quarter faining to be a souldier of the campe when they are to spie in the night they for so offending shal be cruelly punished with death 61 Item whosoeuer shall make any words deedes or questions in the ward or in an ambush or in other place where respect and silence is needfull shall be punished 62 Item he that should be reuenged of any iniurie receiued either newly or before time done by any indirect way that is traiterously and not by way of reason or by way of combate body to body by the licence of his Generall shall suffer death 63 Item he that should dare be so bold as to play with false cardes and dice or should vse in play any priuie falshood theft or deceit in any wise shall be punished 64 Item he that of presumption should passe out of his place into another either before the bartell or in marching should out of order make hast to go before to be the first that should come to the lodging of the campe or in marching should go out of his ranke from one battaile to another or hee that doth not obserue the order of marching shall die 65 Item he that shall taske or ransome vpon his Host or Lodger or vpon any other that is
but we shall be cited and called without appeale CHAP. VI. Briefe Notes of other meane offices as Drummes Fifes Surgeons and the Clarke of the Band. DRummes and Fifes must be chosen of able qualities and personage secret and ingenious skilfull in the sound and vsing of their instruments which must warne as the mouth of a man to all intents of seruice diligent in times conuenient to instruct Souldiers in the same that none by ignorance neglect their duties These be oftentimes sent on messages importing charge which of necessitie require languages somtimes to summon or command the enemies to render sometimes carie ransomes or redeeme or conduct Prisoners Many other things to them doe appertaine as before is rehearsed c. A Chyrurgion is necessarie to be had in euery band who ought to be an honest man sober and of good counsell skill in his science able to heale and cure all kind of sores wounds and griefes to take a bullet out of the flesh and bone and to slake the fire of the same and that he haue all his tooles and instruments with other necessary stuffe as oyles balmes salues stepres roulers bolsters splenters and all other things to the science belonging which also ought to haue courage for his patient and allowed stuffe he shall readily imploy his industrie vpon the sore and wounded and not intermedling with others to his owne charge noisome Such be placed with the Ensigne and lodged neere to the Captaine and neere their baldrickes in time of fight which by law of the field is their charter The Clarke of a band would be a man chosen of a discreete behauiour such a one as hath the vse of his penne and skilfull in Arithmetike who must haue a booke in the which he must write all the names of the Souldiers appertaining to the band diuiding euery weapon by themselues that they may be the readier to be mustred and otherwise to be placed in order of march at watch and ward the clarke must be attentiue with his booke to call uery mans name to see who is absent and that certificate thereof be made vnto the Captaine who must as before is rehearsed without sicknesse or some licence of the head Officers see him or them punished to the example of all others He must sometimes in the watch and ward read vnto the souldiers the Military lawes and directions causing first a solemne silence to be made and then proceed in reading examining and conferring with euery particular and common souldier touching his memorie of these things for his full instruction Also the Clarke is to take charge of the Captaines munition who seeing it deliuered vnto the souldiers must take note how much is deliuered vnto whom and what day of the moneth it is deliuered with the prise Likewise he must repaire to the Clarke of the victuals and by the Captaines warrant receiue such bread beere and other victuals as is to be had and to deliuer it to those that shall be thought by the Captaine to be of credit to victuall the band by the Princes price and to take tickets of them as well for that it is deliuered vnto them as what they doe deliuer vnto souldiers Also he must in the Captaines name and by his warrant repaire vnto the Merchants and other Artificers and take such wares as the Officers and souldiers haue need of who must at the pay day by the Captaine be answered Also prouided that the Victualler alloweth but the Souldier six-pence a day the ouerplus goeth to their paiment of furniture and apparell The Clarke must oft peruse the tickets to see that no more be deliuered then their wages come to that the Captaines thereby receiue no losse The Clarke ought to inquire when any be departed this world also when any be slaine and discharged the band and to make a iust note thereof whereby certificate may be made to the Muster-master that the Prince in no waies may be hindered neither the Captaines by the Victuallers receiue any detriment or losse Finally he must vpon the report of the Corporals or other Officers finde and procure of the Captaines reliefe for the sicke and wounded Souldiers and Prisoners which ought to be redeemed out of the enemies hand CHAP. VII The Prelates charge that takes care of SOVLDIERS of the BAND TO knit vp this first discourse of Militarie Directions and Martiall lawes speciall care must be had to prouide one man amongst the many scores of Souldiers that may gouerne and direct in spirituall causes who ought to be wise learned honest sober patient and of exemplar life who must offer vp daily praiers for his whole companie must instruct them to be penitent and to restore to euery man his right to communicate in Catholike and Christian manner so often as they can chiefly at speciall times appointed by the Church and before any dangerous attempt to feede them with holesome foode of learned instructions wherein they may learne how to liue and so consequently to teach their companies their duties towards God and their Prince and to giue ghostly counsell and spirituall reliefe vnto the sicke wounded weake in body or in conscience and that such be well armed with spirituall armour that is with good knowledge and good liuing ready to perswade them manfully to withstand their enemies the flesh the deuill the world and desperation putting them in sure hope through the equitie of their cause their conformitie to the Church and their firme faith in our Sauiour Iesus Christ to enter into the campe of euerlasting life where they shall ride amongst the Souldiers on white Horses clothed in white and pure silke crowned with bright triumphant garlands as the Scriptures doe witnes This and such like belongs vnto such personages as take care of the souldiers in a warlike band Now then to conclude and to make an end of my first discourse I would wish all valiant minded souldiers carefully to carrie in minde those precepts which are proper and due vnto a priuate Souldier which I partly haue collected and set downe in this short pamphlet that when he shall be called vnto an hier office he may deseruedly ascend the third step of Martiall office and so by degrees rise to the height of supreame gouernment CHAP. VIII How Pikes are to be carried in aray march or battaile THose that are appointed to carie Pikes in aray of rankes or battell must know that Pikes amongst all other weapons that belongs to Souldiers is of greatest honour and credite and truely whosoeuer doth carie and manage the same weapon well and with good grace doth make a very beautifull and pleasant shew to the Beholders and chiefly when it is caried vpon the shoulder sustained and supported with a good grace and the hand that doth sustaine it be on that side the shoulder where it is placed and with il Gombedo alto They must likewise be aduertised which march in the formost rankes if they be vpon the right side to
according to the Prouerb a man can hardly at any time serue two masters and therefore hee must stand vpon this speciall point to be more carefull not to doe any thing preiudiciall to the honourable exercise of armes then to please the couetous and insatiable humour of some Captaines whom in effect it pleasures but little in respect their greedy desire is neuer satisfied Neuerthelesse it falls out to bee a maruellous losse and hinderance to the enterprise specially to men of valour and souldiers without whose aide a Collonell is but of small force and value And to conclude money must alwaies be procured dispersed and spent with great discretion order and consideration since the same is so necessarie to man as it is called the sinewes of warres It is a thing most requisite that he carrie with him at the least one Minister a man of good life who may exemplarly attend about the care of Ecclesiasticall matters wherein aboue all other things we ought thorowly to be staid and instructed He must likewise haue in his regiment besides the ordinary Surgeons an excellent and tried Phisition well prouided of all drugs and spiceries and of other things necessarie to be ministred to those that be sicke His Lieutenant for his regiment must be of a singular qualitie and excellent experience who not onely must particularly gouerne his owne band and company but also with great prudence and policie take care and charge ouer all the people which are in the bands vnder his Colonell wherein the Lieutenant must proceed according to my rules for the Lieutenant of a priuate band and the notes in my second and third booke His owne Alfierus as Generall and Superiour to the rest of the Ensigne-bearers vnder his Collonnelship must bee guided and gouerned by a singular and substantiall souldier a Gentleman of an auncient house courteous wise and endowed with good conditions The same order he ought likewise to obserue in the election of his Caualliers of the squadre of his Sergeants of his Corporalls of his Drummers and euery other Officer It is a thing most necessary and conuenient as in my second booke and the office of a Captaine I haue touched that a Collonell should retaine in his regiment and specially in his owne band about him a number of wise and worthy souldiers to be the Gentlemen of his company Lance Spezzate or serue for extraordinarie Lieutenants whom the Collonell must not onely vse and entreat well with an aduantage in their pay but also feast them cherish them and set them oftentimes by course at his owne table and alwaies shew them a courteous countenance with which shew of friendly courtesie souldiers be incredibly fedde and contrariwise maruellously displeased with the hautie lookes of proud disdaine For all those that make profession of this worthy Art are of great curiositie and courage and therefore men of warre ought neuer against right be villanously handled either in word deed or countenance He must create a Sergeant Maior that is a souldier of great experience and that particularly is a professour of that office to the end he know precisely what is to bee preferred in euery practise such a one as can yeeld thereof a perfect account and discourse and that consequently can much better by deed then by word execute any enterprise And for that in his office it is necessarie for him to vary and change purpose with infinite aduertisements and considerations as the shortnesse of time now and then requires the discommoditie of the place and seat thereof doth inforce the order of the enemies doth constraine or according to his owne proper pollicie or the prouident prudence of his Collonell but for that this place doth not permit to speake particularly of euery point I will passe ouer the same and onely referre all to the prouidence of his long and approued experience which of necessitie is required vnto him which I further referre to my following discourse of the Sergeant Maior generall He ought to make a Marshall of his lodgings who must be his principall Furrier and Harbinger that must attend with great diligence to procure lodging for all without pleasing any one particular person for any priuate commoditie whatsoeuer but must equally distribute and depart the quarters and lodgings according as neede requires neither is it to be borne withall that hee doe make free any houses or lodgings neither go about any such like gaine a most dishonest and vnlawfull robberie which oftentimes doth cause great losse discommoditie to men of warre small reputation to their Conductour and great vexation and disturbance to the poore people who for the most part are innocent The Collonels Harbinger hauing allotted out lodgings to euery band he must prefer the particular distribution to the vnder Harbingers A generall Drummer ought likewise to be created and appointed who may take charge and care ouer all the rest of the Drummers whose office and custome amongst them is to conserue and keepe orders to the intent they may be obeyed and that euery one performe his dutie appertaining to his office as to strike the batterie in marching in battaile or disseuered to make generall bands and cries in the morning in the euening at the closing of the night and in sounding the march the call the charge the battell the retrait with such other like obseruations and necessarie things to be done He must procure to haue part of euery munition for his regiment out of the principall and generall munition as corslets pikes halberds hargabuses with their furniture match lead pouder of all sort of victuall and each thing else as occasion and necessitie requires which hee must cause his Sergeant maior to distribute amongst his bands that his souldiers be not exacted on the prise The like diuision he must cause him to make by money it selfe but neuer more then that which rests as due to them as many very maliciously haue accustomed to doe making merchandise thereof to the losse and ruine of their souldiers towards whom they are bound continually to procure manifest commoditie and profit The like is to be obserued in all other things necessarie and comformable to this before said without selling of furniture to them of excessiue prise for nothing is more dishonourable or more miserable then to extort vpon souldiers It is very requisite that hee examine the election and choise that euery Captaine hath made of his Officers in euery band and whether they doe thorowly possesse or approach very neere to the perfit experience they ought to doe of whom and not otherwise he shall like and allow Note that these aduertisements make manifest apparence and sets forth to the view of the world the inward valour of the Conductour and Collonell for if he neglect these obseruations the contrarie doth easily ensue I iudge it a thing not out of square but rather most expedient that the one halfe of the Caualliers of the choise squadre should be Hargabusiers on horse-backe
that all Pikes of the same company ought to be of one length otherwise if they disagree they will be vncomely and seeme to the beholders like vnto Organ-pipes which be of different lengths Moreouer they are very vnprofitable for seruice for they will greatly trouble each other and especially the huge and long pikes and therefore are to be refused Likewise a short pike is not good in a maine square neither in campe or battell except it be in strait and narrow places Secondly for the ordering and arming of a Musketeere IT is conuenient that the barrell or canon of his peece be in length foure foote at the least cleane and sound with a straight and right bore hauing a close stocke and well ioyned thereunto of a right Spanish making Then that the cocke of his peece be swift and well oyled bearing a true deliuerance to the middest of the pan the touch-hole neither too great or too narrow the pan close the eye-sight true and then hauing a strong breech-peece looke that all these instruments be well scrued and especially the breech-peece A charging rod or sticke of a meete length to the barrell of the peece the same to haue a worme or a scowrer at the one end the other end thereof tipped with a horne Then fore-see that he haue a Bandeleere with 16 or 18 chargers or mates at the least hanged thereunto with strong laces with a priming charger or mate and also a bullet bag and priming wyre then a Rest of a fit size and length breast or chin high with a trayle lace fastned thereat togither with a head-peece or murren and sword in all points prouided as is aforesaid CHAP. II. The Office of the Muster-Master both necessarie and profitable when a Prince or his Generall haue diuers Regiments of seuerall Nations vnder pay THe Muster-Master also may be accounted an Officer as it were dependant on the Treasurer for that his dutie is nothing else but by often reviewing of the bands to see how euery Captaines band is furnished according to my former directions for the arming both pike and musket noting the defaults from time to time and the supplies and thereof to make a perfect booke exhibiting the same at the pay day to the Treasurer that allowance may be made to the Colonels and Captaines accordingly When he first takes the view and muster of any band he must not onely write downe the name of the soldier and his weapon but also of what Country he is the townes name where he was borne and his fathers name and what yeeres he is of and finally shall take speciall care to set downe some speciall marke or cicatrice vpon his face togither with the colour of his haire and beard to the intent his Prince be not charged with paying of dead payes to such as be hyred but for that day as many Captaines vse to fill their purses with vnlawfull gaines CHAP. III. A Rule to set Souldiers in aray THe Footmen being assembled at the place where they are to be set in aray First you must foresee that the ground be fit and capable for the purpose that the aray may commodiously turne to the right or left hand as much as may be neuerthelesse according to the number of soldiers you haue you are to proceed in this sort as followeth First to wit that all the soldiers of a band of footmen are bound by the law of Armes forthwith and as soone as they shall heare the Drum beat a Call to repaire to the Colours vnder paine c. except that sicknes be the cause thereof or that hauing a licence or forelofe they may thereby excuse themselues But to returne you are to begin in this order following First you are to draw the pikes by themselues on the one side togither with the Ensigne and vpon the other side all the musketiers somewhat aloofe distant from the pikes beginning to make the musketiers march so many in a ranke as you list parting them neuerthelesse according to their number you may put them from 3 to 12 in a ranke for it is not often seene that more than 11 is put in a ranke how great soeuer the number of the footmen be neither in troth ought they to be any more than 11 in a ranke for when they passe 11 or 12 they are not to be accounted an array but rather a battaile I haue omitted to write herein of the placing of my officers belonging to a company of footmen you shall finde it plainely set downe in the march and at the beginning of the exercise of training so to returne hauing then placed the number of musketiers you shall thinke good of to be in a ranke you shall cause them to march in good proportion sending forth one ranke after an other the Sargeant standing still on the one side causing them to passe before him iudging by the eye-sight from Ranke to Ranke of all the soldiers one by one whether they be right in line obseruing true distance and also that they carry their Armes in warlike order for this is the beauty of an aray Moreouer the Sargeant hauing speciall respect to accommodate and place at the head of the array the Gentlemen of the company and also the Corporals which carry muskets placing next vnto them the best men and the best furnished soldiers and placing also at the Reare of the battell your best men and the rest of your best armed to the intent the aray may shew the better forasmuch as when they are diuided into aray the musketiers from the pikemen and that they turne their faces then the backe part or Reare is made the front therefore the Reare ought to be as well furnished as the front as I haue said before in the dutie of a Sargeant the which if you desire to doe it is necessarie you put in the midst of the Rankes the weakest and worst furnished aduertising the Sargeant that the soldiers are best furnished when they haue all sorts of Armes and furniture that be necessarie for them and there appertaines to a musketier good match fire-cole powder and bullet and moreouer l'assine And this is to be obserued with all speed and diligence that the time or occasion doth carry and the suspition of the enemy doth import Here next is demonstrated the distance obserued betwixt Ranke and Ranke man and man both in marching and also in maine battaile FIrst both pikes and muskets are to be ordered into files of 10 deepe the musketiers in marching are sometimes placed in the front sometimes in the front and sometimes in the Reare of the pikes but most commonly being in single aray they are to march both in the Front and Reare In maine battell the soldiers are placed sometimes in the right flanke sometimes in both the flankes and sometimes it will be commanded that they be brought in the Front of the battaile and also in the Reare In exercising the motions there are two distances to be kept
armed and not to any others whose vnruly rashnes may be the ruine of the whole band Therefore fit and conuenient places are to be obserued with humilitie the naked in their places and the armed in theirs But to touch one point which we haue already spoken of I iudge it most conuenient that the armed those for skirmish excepted must remaine in maine stands and battailes as some say to abide by the stake who ought to be so well armed as they may beare and support the blowes of their enemies and resist any furious charge either of horsemen or footmen whereas beside their well ordered ranks by reason they be armed they make a more gallant show giuing courage to thy owne people and discourage to the enemie and in proofe are more profitable than the disarmed who remaining in their roomes the contrary succeeds The Sargeant of the Company must haue speciall regard when victuals cannot be had for money by forrage or otherwise to make repaire togither with the Clarke of the Band to the principall munitions that his company taste not of famine and from thence procure to haue so much as he well can or as is conuenient and according to his receiued order so must he depart and distribute all manner of munitions amongst the Corporals that euery one of them may giue to their soldiers their portions The like ought he to vse touching powder for the Harquebusiers and musketiers lead for bullets match for them to burne and ech thing else whereof they haue neede to the end they may alwaies remaine in order and be very well prouided and stored as neere as is possible and as is most conuenient and to perswade the soldier that to gaine a place of more account he will spare his pay to arme himselfe the more brauely He must likewise haue diligent eye that the said munition of match and powder be conserued warily from wetting and kept with a speciall spare from vntimely spending for this prouident precept doth import very much in all enterprises by reason that the negligence of the Sargeant touching this necessarie fore-sight and care hath bin the cause that the shot haue not bin able readily to performe their duties according to the appointed determinations or as necessitie did require by reason of their vnwary keeping their munition in wet weather or their generall want through vaine mispence by which meanes many and most notable errors haue succeeded of great losse moment and to the hinderance shame and totall ruine of a whole company or campe Therefore it is most expedient that the Sargeant togither with the seuerall Corporals do diligently and narrowly examine visit search and view the proper flaskes tuch-boxes pockets and other places where the soldiers are accustomed to carry and keepe their powder and match and peruse diligently all those things without negligence fayning or fauouring diuers haue receiued great ignominie and shame in their office for want of the performance thereof whereas by carrying a contrary care they haue bin vniuersally well thought of and commended of all good soldiers and valiant Captaines Therefore as occasion doth serue and offer he may admonish put in minde and reprehend with dexteritie the soldiers vnder his charge and guiding To him it appertaines to lay his helping hands about all things necessarie for his company as well in prouiding for them as dispencing or deferring necessary charges except for the prouision and diuiding of lodgings which is the office of the Furrier or Harbinger who ought to be very tractable diligent and altogether officious not being partiall to any one for peculiar profit or pleasure and therefore it is necessary a Sargeant should know how to write for it is hard by memory to discharge his charge The Sargeant must be carefull to accompanie at the houre appointed the guard to the place of the watch in going vp and downe alongst their flanks when he hath placed them in order to see them keepe due distance make the Laumband march in straight line with their ranks carry their armes in conformable proportion and if vpon pleasure they giue a volee of shot in passing to aduertise them to doe it orderly with due forme one ranke after another as they passe ouer against the Generall or other great officer or personage and not in a confused sort altogither or by peeces When he is arriued at the Corps of guard and hath placed euery one in order and prouided for all things necessarie for the watch of that night he must then giue his aduise and counsell to the Corporalls that they keepe good order in their Sentinels yea sometimes and very often it is good that he himselfe aide them to chose out the most fit places for them to stand in to the end that the circuit of ground which for all their safeties is to be kept may be conueniently guarded At the ioyning of the day and the night or somwhat later he shall secretly giue the Corporalls the watch-word with the which they are to gouerne the guard as well by night as day the which word by the commandment of his Captaine hee must procure the Sargeant maior to giue him or of some other that shall haue the charge to giue the same for want of his presence or in place of this great officer He must arme himselfe in such sort that he be no lesse apt than any other soldier to be able at time of neede both to defend himselfe and offend the enemie touching which effect Duke Octauio Farnese in the expedition of 12000 footmen and 600 horsemen which Paul the third Pope of Rome sent into Germanie against the Religion did dispose that all the Sargeants of his bands should arme themselues with Harquebuses and murrians saying that so great a number of valiant men being Sargeants as was in so great an assembly and expedition of such importance it was neither good nor commendable that they should onely be armed with their Halberds and therefore he ought to haue his page or Muchacho second him with those furnitures neither seems it inconuenient but hauing placed in order all things pertaining to his office that he place himselfe in ranke with the rest of the soldiers yet in such a place as he may easily depart from thence when necessitie cals him away to reforme or vse remedie to any disorder he vnderstands of He must with dexteritie proceed in reprehending and exhorting the soldiers to keep their due order and not to disband and stray abroad but vpon needfull and lawfull occasions and to take order in all other particular points which are requisite to be obserued for the honor and profit of the Company which things are chiefly to be procured and obserued by other officers Let him beware and abstaine from beating of soldiers at any time that thereby he grow not odious for it is not conuenient nor comely for an officer to strike a soldier for thereby he so offends that he doth incurre the paine to