would I if I had conuenient numbers of horsemen of diuers armors and weapons arme the same squadron and sleeues wings of weapons of volee with horsemen in their due most conuenient places and formes But because I doo thinke that it shall be a farre greater instruction for such Gentlemen of our Nation as doo not know and yet are willing and desirous to learne how diuers squadrons or battles of footemen with their weapons of volee and field peeces ought to bee armed with many hearses squares and troupes of horsemen of diuers sorts of armors and weapons and those conueniently placed in the large and open fieldes to giue battle and fight with the Enemie with their moste aduauntage then to place onelye one squadron of footemen with their Weapons of volee and to arme the same with horsemen of diuers sortes I doo for example say that if there were in the enemies Countrey 28000. or 30000. horsmen footmen of our English Nation well sorted armed weaponed and exercised according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of weapon And that the same Armie of 28000. did consist of the different weapons and numbers vnder written that is of 4500 piquers 8500. battleaxes or halbardiers of 10000. weapons of volee of the which I would haue 7000. good archers 1500. mosquetiers and 1500. harquebuziers Of horsemen also I woulde haue 5000. of the which there should be 240. men at Armes 480. Dimilaunces 1680. Stradiots 1300. archers on horsebacke and 1300. crosbowers on horsebacke and all those aswell horsemen as footmen sorted and deuided into their different proportions and numbers vnder their standards Enâ—ignes pennons and Guydons as also vnder their Coronels Captaines Conductors and other higher and lower men of charge and officers and that I were by the commandement and appointment of the Lord Lieutenant Generall to giue order and reduce the said Armie into a forme of battle as if it were presentlie to fight with the enemie I would then take of those 8500. battleaxes or halbardiers 6000. and out of the 4500. piquers I would take 3600. and would deuide and reduce all those numbers of piquers and battleaxes into 3. battles that is into a vauntguard a battle a Reregard or rather into foure battles that is into a vauntgard a battle and a Reregard and into a fourth which I would tearme and call by the name of an a Rereregardrereward euery one of which foure battles should consist of 1500. armed halbardiers or battleaxes and of 900. armed piquers which are iust 2400. piquers and battleaxes in each battle And as for the ouerplus of the whole number of the halbardiers or battleaxes which in all doo amount to 2500. as also the ouerplus of the piquers which are 900. none of both which numbers are to enter into the squadrons afore mentioned I would reserue to be employed in such other seruices as heereafter shall be mentioned And I would that each one of the said 4. battles should conteine 60. souldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe and 40. rankes by flanks And that all the battleaxes should bee enuironed and empaled in frunt flankes and backe with 5. rankes of piquers euen in the very same forme and sort that I haue before particulerlie reduced and formed the laste squadron before described But because diuers squadrons being reduced into form in the open fields where battles most conueniently are to be fought are to be placed in diuers sorts as sometimes all in a manner of one equall frunt with their sleeues and winges and other formes of weapons of volee and sometimes also the vauntgard aduaunced a good distance before and nearer to the enemie then the battle and Reregard who are in winges more retired ready vppon all needfull occasions to succour and aide the foremost battle And at other times the vauntgard and Reregard aduaunced beyond and nearer to the enemie then the principall battle which remaineth either in wing retired or otherwise placed according to the nature of the ground and comming of the enemy or according to some other order and commandement of the Generall readie vpon all occasions to succour the other two battles that are ready to enter into fight So would I place those foresaid 4. battles in this sort following First I would place the vauntgard and Reregard both of one equall frunt but yet so farre distant the one from the other as that there might be ground place enough betwixt them to reduce so many troupes sleeues wings and other formes of all the different sorts of weapons of volee footmen belonging to those two battles as ought to bee according to the disposition of the ground and comming of the Enemie reduced and placed vppon the outer flanks and corners of those 2. battles And I would that of the 2500. halbardiers before reserued and not placed one thousand deuided into 2. partes of 500. halbardiers in each part should be placed in many little societies and troupes of ten halbardiers in euery societie some in guard of the field peeces belonging to those two battles and all the rest behind in Rereward at the backes of the troupes and winges of the weapons of volee ready vpon any occasion to succour them and to annoy the enemie I meane that the said 1000. halbarders deuided into 2. parts of 500. in each part that the one 500. deuided and placed in their little troupes as aforesaid should bee for the succour and guard of the weapons of volee of the vaungard and the other 500. should be for the succor guard of the weapons of volee of the Rereguard which performed then would I place the other two squadrons of battle and a Rereregardrereward in two wings but not so farre forward as the hindermost rankes of the two formost battles by 150. paces or more with all theyr different sortes of weapons of volee reduced into their most conuenient formes with one thousand Halbardiers also taken out of the 1500. yet remaining vnplaced equallie deuided 500. to each battle for the guard of the field peeces and succor of the weapons of volee as is before more at large set downe And those twoe hindermost battles I would also place of one equall frunt that is the one as farre forward as the other but so farre seperated and distant the one from the other and so farre without and in winge the one on the right hande and the other on the lefte hand of the two foremost battles as that all the different sortes of weapons of volee belonging to the two inner flankes of those two hindermost squadrons might not onelie haue roome inough to bee reduced into their most conuenient formes according to the nature different dispositions and effects of euery sort of them but also in such sort as that both those two hindermost battles with all their weapons of volee might without any impediment of the two formost battles and their wepons of volee or of any their hearses
the troupes of stradiots Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke should be placed and aduanced in winge more furder forward towards the Enemy then the hearse or winge of dimilaunces And I would also that all the societies of the weapons of volee I meane the archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be placed aduanced before and nearer to the Enemie by some 10. 15. or 20. paces then the troupes and societies of stradiots and that the troupes of archers should not march altogether by themselues without any troupes of Crosbowers amoÌ„gst or betwixt them in respect that they are different kindes of weapons but I would that the troupes of archers and Crosbowers should march in their troupes seperated but yet in their troupes intermingled about 15. or 20. paces distant one troupes from another which is to be vnderstood a troupe of archers and a troupe of Crosbowers and a troupe of archers a troupe of Crosbowers and so the rest some troupes fifteene some twentie paces one from another and those not all of one equal frunt but oblique the one to the other I meane some aduaunced furder forward towards the Enemie and others more backward in winge and Reregard Retired And that I would to the intent that when the formost societies and troupes of weapons of volee had giuen their volees of quarrels and arrowes either at horsemen or footmen their Enemies and that they were casting about againe and retiring to giue place to other troupes of weapons of volee to second and succeed them that then some other troupes of weapons of volee that are in winge Reregard of them should in their troupes put spurres to their horses and aduaunce themselues forward and seconde and supplie their fellowes places retired with new volees And I woulde also that euerie three societies of Crosbowers and Archers on horsebacke should haue one troupe of 10. of 15. of 20. or 25. stradiots with their double headed Launces continuallie vppon all charges and other seruices to attend vppon them in Reregard some 15. or 20. paces distaunt ready vpon any occasion to aduaunce themselues forwarde and succour them as also vpon the disordering or ouerthrowe of the Enemie to followe the Chace and doo execution vppon their Enemies disordered or broken bee they horsemen or footmen And I would that no societie nor troupe of Archers nor Crosbowers on horseback should be vnder the number of 10. nor aboue the number of 15. nor that any troupe of Stradiots shoulde exceed the number of 25. nor be vnder the number of 10. And to the intent that euerie troupe of Stradiots should knowe vppon which 3. troupes of Crosbowers and Archers they should attend as alâ—o that euery 3. troupes of Archers and Crosbowers should giue their charges and volees and make their Retraites and worke all other effectes in the fielde together it were conuenient that euery 4. troups of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback and their Conductors should alwaies lodge in their quarters in Campe together but I meane not that the soeieties of archers of Crosbowers and stradiots should lodge all in one hale or tent together but that the hales and tents of euerie different sort of weapon of euery such 4. troups should be placed one next vnto another and that al their Cariages vpon any remoue of campe should march together and that all the Conductors and the chiefs of the societies of tennes as also all their soldiors of euery different sort of weapon shuld know frequent keep company one with another in Campe should vow to liue and die together as if they were but one â—ind 〈…〉 societie and Camerada And as I haue placed this first 1300. light â—â—â—smen of different weapons in the order before described so would I in the very same sort and form reduce the second number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsbacke vppon the left side and flanke of the dimilaunces that are vpon the left flanke of the men at armes which are in wing of the left side of the Reregard which performed I would then giue order that the third diuision and number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be deuided into 2. diuisions or parts that is into 650. in each diuision and that the first 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should in the like order as abouesaid bee reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the right flanke of the dimilaunces that are reduced on the right flanke of the men at armes that are in wing on the right side of the principall battle And that the other diuision and number of 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should bee likewise reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the left flanke and side of the broad square of dimilaunces that are on the left flanke of the men at armes that doo arme the left side of the a Rereregardrereward And I would that all those 4. winges of light horsmen stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should vppon any occasion of battle great incountrie or skirmish behaue themselues in fight according to the instructions that are heereafter described and set downe where amongst other matters I make speciall mention of those 3. different sorts of light horsmen And now as I haue reduced and placed these 4. battles of footmen and armed them and their weapons of volee with many squares and troupes of horsmen of diuers different sorts of armors and weapons so would I in this sort following arme those 4. squadrons with certen field peeces according to the ordinarie vse of this time for the greater annoiance of the Enemie and for the more sure guard of the battles First incase there were any little hil or high ground of aduantage of any conuenient neerenesse vnto the two formost battles that might command the open fieldes and plaines where the Enemies battles should march and approch then I would there place so many field peeces as should bee requisite for that ground of aduauntage with some trench or trenches by good numbers of laborers and pioners vppon the sudden cast and those peeces well and stronglie guarded with conuenient numbers of piquers halbardiers and archers and would place the rest of the field peeces vpon the flanks of the battles in their most conuenient places with their powder bullets and all other thinges that do appertaine to the vse of them for the annoiance of the Enemie But incase there were no such grounds nor ground of aduantage as aforesaid where to plant such peeces of artillerie then would I place 3. fawcons ranforced of 6 poundes the bullet and one fawconet ranforced of 3. pounds the bullet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the right corner of the vaungard and aduaunced furder forward then y â— frunt and Corner of that battle by the like number of paces with their gunners and all their aides and thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And so likewise would
I would that the treasure should be caried either vpon mulets or horses or rather vpon close couered waggons after the manner of Germanie and those carriages placed towardes the midst of the square on the right hande and that the waggons or Carts that do carrie the cheife substance of the powder should be placed also towardes the midst of the square on the left hand and that both those sorts of carriages should bee very strongly guarded with good numbers of halbardiers and that all the great ordinance of batterie and artillery with powder and bullets and all other things belonging vnto them should be placed and drawen with their horses or oxen aswell vpon the frunt and backe as vpon the outer flankes and sides of the same square And I would that all the rest of the carriages should be reduced into 2. 3. or 4. ranks in the forme of a Rainebow a semicircle or halfe round at the back of the most important publique cariages which are beâ—ore reduced into square in such sort as that the midst of the halfe round should be directly behind and verie neere the foresaid square of Cariages and that both the endes of the semicircle should be so farre extended and drawn into a great Compasse circular that the right ende thereof should haue right ouer against the left flanke corner of the same but a good distance wide the hinder part of the right flanke of the principall battle and that the lefte end of the same halfe round should aâ—so haue right ouer against the right flanke and corner but a good distance wide the hinder part of the left flank of the a Rereregardrereward and that in such sort as that semicircle or halfe round of Cariages might seeme as it were to halfe compasse and embrace the backes and Rerewards of all the 4 battles and their weapons of volee which Reducement of Cariages being performed I would then take the 500. halbardiers and the 900. piquers which at the first forming of the 4. battles were reserued and not any where placed and would also either from the beginning reserue vnplaced or at least would drawe 400. archers 400. harquebuziers and. 400. mosquetiers out of the 7000. archers and the. 3000. harquebuziers and mosquetiers which are reduced and placed in many sleeues winges troupes and other formes vpon the flankes Corners and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles and would deuide all the aforesaid 900. piquers 500. halbadiers and 12000. wepons of volee of different sorts into 4. parts 3. parts of the which being reduced into diuers squares and troupes I would should be reduced vpon the backe and both the Corners of the semicircle with certen fawconetts and Robynets for the guard of the backe and ends of the semicircle of Cariages and therewithall would also place many of 〈◊〉 the harquebuziers and mosquetiers aforesaid vpon diuers of the Carriages themselues that from thence vpon any approach of the Enemie they might discharge their peeces at them to their terror and mischiefe Now as for the fourth part and diuision of the weapons aforesaid I would they should be placed in many hearses and troupes vpon the frunts and flankes of the aforesaid square of carriages as also vpon the ynner parts and corners of the halfe round And as for the 140. stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horsebacke I would that 100. of them should be placed vnder their Conductors in diuers little troupes societies vpon the backe and Rereward of the halfe round for the more sure guarde of the same and the rest which are 40. light hor-men I would that they being deuided in their litle troups and societies should be for the guarde of the inner parte of the semicircle or else that the Enemies Army being in frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles that 20. of those light horsmen vnder a sufficient Conductor should serue for discouerers on the right hand of the whole Armie and that the other 20. light horsmen vnder the like Conductor should discouer on the left hand whether there were any vnlooked for troupes of the enemie approching and thereof to giue aduertisement to the Generall of the Armie or to the Lord Marshall And now all these reducements before set downe being performed It is to be noted that for so puissant an Armie as this of 28000. horsemen and footmen of our English Nation is there cannot be fewer then 4000. pioners and labourers besides the waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe aswel for the leuelling plaining of groundes where the Armie and artillerie shal passe as also for the fortefying of Campes and approching of places fortefied with trenches Crosse trenches and gabions and for the making of mounts and working in mines and infinite other thinges appertaining to the Armie and Campe which 4000. labourers and pioners I would vpon the day of battle appoint and place in this sort following First I would that besides their spades shouelles and mattocks which they should haue alwaies by them readie to performe any labour or worke to them appointed by their Captaines and Conductors that euerie one of them should haue a good halbard or blacke bill with a good dagger either hanging before them or vppon their Girdles at their backes And so I would likewise that all the Waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe should bee appointed with the like weapons alwaies vppon their cariages readie vppon any occasion for them to take and vse or else that euery sort of them should haue such other weapons as they haue most skill to handle And of the pioners and labourers I would appoint some conuenient numbers to bee with the field peeces that were placed vppon the fruntes and corners of all the 4. battles to helpe to remoue turne and mannage them Also I would take 1600. more of those pioners and labourers and would deuide them into 4. diuisions or parts of 400. in euery diuision vnder their Captaines Leaders and would appoint euery one of those 4. partes deuided into their societies of tens to attend vpon the aforesaid 4. battles and that they should be placed at the backs and in Rereward of the societies of halbardiers that are in Rereward of the weapons of volee of the 4. battles readie to cut any trenches or to perform any other commandment vnto them giuen as also vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie with their blacke Bils or other weapons to follow the Chase and doo execution vpon the Enemie flying as the souldiors halbardiers placed at the backes of the weapons of volee ought to doo because that according to right discipline vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie it is not any waies lawfull for battles and squadrons of footmen to breake their rankes and orders to the intent to follow the Chase And as for all the rest of the 4000. labourers and pioners I would place them deuided vnder their Captaines and leaders aswel for the gard of the aforesaid square and
halfe round of cariages as for the keeping of the Cariages in order and repairing and mending of the wheeles and other thinges of the Ordinance or of Carts and waggons broken And now hauing reduced and placed all the aforesaid 4. battles with their forlorn hopes sleeues wings troups and other formes of weapons of volee in their most conuenient places and therewithall armed them with conuenient numbers of field peeces and reduced and placed all the horsmen of diuers different sortes of armors and weapons in their most conuenient formes for the annoiance of the Enemie and for the aiding and succouring the one of the other vppon all needefull occasions and accidents and therewithall placed all the Cariages of the Armie and Campe in the forme of a halfe round and semicircle with a square of cariages in the midst or bosome thereof for the guard of the Rerewards and backs of all the 4. battles and all those cariages in their forms guarded with diuers different sorts of weapons both of horsemen and footmen accompanied with small field peeces to make head against and resist al attempts either of horsmen or footmen And all this to the intent presently vpon the approach of the Enemy that is now in sight to giue battle Then I would wish according to the auncient vse of many Warlike Nations to the intent that it might please Almightie God to prosper this Armie with victorie that vpon the sound of the Lord Lieutenants trompet for the displaieng of the standard Royall of the Army to the intent to giue battle the Enemie being in sight and approching all the souldiors should be instructed and taught long before to say this short praier following or some other to the like effect O Almightie Eternall and incomprehensible God we most humblie beseech thy diuine Maiestie to giue vnto vs all courage force and victorie to the glorie of thy holy Name And this said praier I would wish to be said vpon the sight of the Enemies battles by all the squadrons of armed footmen and by all the sleeues and winges of the souldiors of weapons of volee vpon their knees in their Rankes as they stand And that all the horsmen of euery sort of weapon should on horseback vse the same or the like short praier And therewithall I thought good furder to aduertise that those squadrons being so formed or in any other sort to the intent to giue battle to the Enemie all the soldiors piquers and halbardiers should be instructed and taught long before that it is not lawfull nor sufferable for any of the souldiors of any ranke reduced into forme of battle when vpon the very neere approch of the enemies squadron they haue vprighted their piques to the intent with the points of them to charge or receiue a charge of their Enemies be they either horsemen or footmen so much as once to turne their faces to looke behind them And to the intent that they may bee the more terrified from any waies turning their faces to look backe which doth argue feare they are to be instructed according to discipline that it shall bee lawfull for the souldiors of euerie Ranke to wound or kill any souldior or souldiors of the ranke before them vppon the turning of their faces and bodies to looke backe and the same is to bee performed euen from the verie first to the last rankes And this instruction is to be obserued to y e intent to make all the soldiors of a squadron formed to keepe their weapons faces eies and braue countinaunces towardes their Enemies without shewing any suspicion or so much as one tittle of feare But now after my describing verie particularlie and at large this said Armie reduced into the forme formes aforesaid to the intent that thereby all Gentlemen affected to matters of armes and souldiors may with great facilitie vnderstand mine intention and meaning it may bee that some gentlemen not experienced in matters of armes will in reading this my proiect imagine that the reducement and forming of an armie into diuers battles and other formes dooth appertaine onely to the Lorde Lieutenant Generall or to the Lord high Marshall of the armie and that the same should be performed onley by one of them one peece after another And that they peraduenture may imagine the rather because I in my foresaid reducing and forming of y e armie by way of discourse doe write and say that first I would reduce and place the vaungard then the Reregard and then the other two battles and the Weapons of volee and after the horsemen of diuers sorts of armors and Weapons in this sort and in that sort with many other particularities and circumstances Vnto which their misimaginations I say that it is not one mans worke although it were Iulius Caesar himselfe to reduce a whole armie into diuers forms of battle with celeritie when they are to march in the enimies Countrey or to fight with the Enemie but that the same must be of necessitie perfourmed by diuers Chiefetains and higher and lower officers of the armie And yet that notwithstanding it is not possible to perfourme the same with art celeritie and Discipline vnlesse the direction and order thereof doo proceede either from the onely mouth of the Chiefetaine of the armie or from the Lorde high Marshall or some other chiefe Officer by them appointed And therefore it dooth behooue which of them soeuer dooth giue the order to haue the forme and formes of all the battles squares and troupes as well of horsemen as of footemen with the scituation and nature of the ground and groundes and many other particularities in his memorie and head and that in so great perfection as if hee with his eies did at that instant behold and see the whole armie in the field reduced into all his intended formes And therefore to perfourme the same it is the ordinarie vse of all skilfull Chieftaines of armies and Lorde Marshals when they haue concluded and resolued with themselues by the aduise of their Councell into what forme and formes the whole armie shall bee reduced to march or to fight to call and assemble before them the Chiefetaines of all the horsemen and footmen the maister of the Ordinance the Sergeant Maior generall the maister of the Campe and such other men of office and charge as hee thinketh requisite and there giueth order vnto them from point to point concerning y â— dislodging and ordering of al those most important affaires which being by him performed they presently do resort euerie one to their owne charges and doo giue order to their Lieutenants to their Sergeant Maiors Captaines and all other officers vnto whom the execution of those affaires and actions doo appertain for the performance of al those reducements and orders that they haue receiued of the Chiefetaine of the armie or from the Lord Marshall which doone then all the Captaines both of horsmen and footmen and all their officers doo with
certen narrow stripes of serecloth or of maile to defend the Cutt of a sword and if that some of those extraordinarie battleaxes or halbarders were armed but only with burgonets and with short skirted Ierkins of buffe with a double buffe vpon their brests and the sleeues of their dou blets with stripes of maile or serecloth as aforesaid and their swordes and daggers worne after thâ—same sort as the piquers before mentioned I thinke it allowable But the staues of the halbards of such halbarders extraordinarie I would wish to be longer by a foote or a foote and a halfe or more then the armed and ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron that is of 7. foote and a halfe long or more because that they being to succor troupes and societies of loose shot or to do execution vppon diuers accidents as aforesaid and often times to fight with the enemy hand to hand and sometimes to encounter with two or three against one it is requisite that their halbards for their aduauntage in figâ—t should be longer then the ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron And incase that those halbards were lighter also theÌ„ the others that are for the squadron being of good strength it weare not amisse But whereas I haue before armed all the piquers and battleaxes ordinarie I meane that are to enter into squadron in Corslets complete and that contrariwise I do vnderstand that diuers of our Captaines of this time when they receaue any English bandes readie armed and furnished to serue withall either in Fraunce or the Lowe Countries and that the piquers of those bandes are deliuered vnto them armed in corslets complet all sauing gauntlets they presentlie giue or throw awaie all their pouldrons vambraces and tasses in such sorte as the soldiors doo remaine armed only with burgonets Collers Cuirasses and backes contrarie to all true discipline Certenly it seemeth vnto me verie strange that the lacke of Iudgement or rather the ignorance of this time in matters Militarie should be so great that they should contemne the arming of their shoulders armes handes and thighes and only seeke to guarde their brests bellies and backes in respect as I doo thinke that they would preserue only those their vital parts when it is verie well knowne by all experience Militarie that such as come to be wounded in their shoulders armes hands or thighes do oftentimes by such woundes come to be in their Enemies handes and mercie who many times vpon such aduauntages do put them to the sworde Besides that it is more then strange that such Captains do not censider that soldiors with their legges and thighes do march forward to incounter with their Enemies and with their shoulders armes and hands they do vse their weapons and fight with their Enemies whereas cotrariwise with their bellies and backs which they altogether seeke to guarde they do neither march forward against the enemies nor fight which is a great skorne and mockerie that some of the men of warre of this time should so imitate the French and Flemish fashions who of late yeares haue scarce remained one whole yeare in one order and manner of arming but haue still chaunged from fashion to fashion Howbeit such of our Captaines as do contemne the wearing of pouldrons vambraces gauntlets and tasses doo vainelie alledge for the reason and excuse of their so dooing that battles now a daies doo neuer come to ioine but that they doo onely fight in skirmish which is a verie vaine conceit and a friuolous excuse and contrarie to all reason and true experience of diuers battles that themselues may remember haue beene fought in France and in diuers other Countries within these few yeares considering that whensoeuer there are two Armies of Enemies in the field or two puissant powers of horsemen and footmen and that the one armie or power of them vpon any aduantage or conueniencie of ground espied shal resolue to giue battle or fight that the contrarie power or armie shall not be able to refuse the battle vnlesse they will turne their backs and betake themselues to their heeles and that by reason that armies when they are in march cannot assure themselues alwaies to find grounds of such aduantage and strength wherevpon the enemies resolution to fight they may suddenly intrench or incampe fortifie themselues Besides al which it is to be noted as Vigetius and diuers other ancient and more moderne notable historiographers do write that so long as the Romanes did obserue their ancient orders and discipline militarie they did preuaile against all other Nations but that assoone as they began through effeminacie to neglect the same and to leaue the couering and guarding of diuers partes of their bodies with armour in respect of the poise and heueth therof and other suâ—h important matters that presently their Empire began to decline in such sort as y e Gothes Vandals Hunnes other septrional Nations as also of later years the Arabians and the Sarasins did chieflie with weapons of volee ouerthrow them in many and manie battles wherof and of the contempt of their archery insued the losse of a great part of the Romain Empire and finallie vpon y e neglecting forgetting of the like discipline did likwise ensue y e vtter ruine of y e two notable christian Empires of Constantinople Trepisonda with diuers other christian Kingdoms And thus far concerning the apparelling arming weaponing of halbarders or battleaxes So as I haue now finished the apparelling arming and weaponing of all sortes of footemen by our Nation in these daies vsed and therfore I will God willing proceed to the apparelling arming weaponing and horsing of all such different sorts of horsmen as we now a daies doo vse with some other such sortes of horsemen also as I would wish should be in vse and exercise for the defence of the Crowne and Realme as also for any forren inuasion And therfore to begin with light horsmen such as in diuers shires of england we doo now vse armed with red or pied cappes and steele sculles within them and with Iackes and speares by some called Gads in stead of this rude kinde of arming as I account it ` I would wish that they should bee armed with burgonets or else with vpright morrions after the Spanish manner with collers cuirasses and backs and short tasses and with sleeues of maile and gauntlets or else gloues of maile in stead of gauntlets And to the intent they should bee the more easely fitly armed I would wish that they should be apparelled I mean in doublets Greigescoes in the very same sort as is before for armed men declared And as for their speares I would wish them to be of 18. foot long and those I would wish to bee so long because they might not only vse them to charge vpon their thighes but also that they might by taking and houlding them in the midst vse them in
odd numbers as also of like euen numbers How a SergeaÌ„t Maior hauing reduced his squadron into forme should vpon any occasion make it broder in frunt and shorter by flanke Diuers wayes and means for a Sergeant Maior to place anie ouerplus of broken rankes How a Loâ— Marshall or a Sergeant Maior their squadron being in fight should draw vp a sleeue of Piquers to assaile their enemies in flanke The squadron being formed how a Sergeant Maior should make of either of the flankes frunt obseruing the same proportion in frunt and nomber of ranks by flanks that they were before he made of flanke frunt It is not lawfull for any other officers of the fielde to passe on horsebacke athwart the ranks of a squadron reduced into any forme but onely the Lieutenant General the Lord Marshall or the sergeant Maior maior of an Armie but yet it is lawfull â—or a Corâ—nel or Sergeant Maior to passe on horsebacke a thwart y â— rankes of any band or squadrâ—n that is of their owne Regiment not any other Captain nor officer How the Ensigne bearers of the first part of the squadroÌ„ that made of flank frunt are to bring themselues againe into order The order that is to be taken by a Coronell if his squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of diuers sortes of weapons of volee should happen in their march to come to a straight how they should march and passe through the same Wher the compertiments of the weapons of weapons of volee of the forepart of the right and left flankes of the Squadron beeing marched through the straight should reduce themselues into forme Brief speaches to be vsed by the Sergeant Maior to the piquers before they enter into the passage How y e piquers being marched through the straight are to reduce themselues againe into their former squadron Where the drommers and phifers are to be placed the squadron marching forward in the Enimies Countrie the Enemie being not in sight as also vpoÌ„ doubt of battle The cause wherfore no Drummers should bee placed in the frunt of the squadroÌ„ vpon the occasion of a battle Not aboue one DroÌ„me and a Phifer are to march in the midst of a squadron with the rank of ensigne An obiection aunswered Bands and squadrons of horsemen are to be reduced into forme after the verie same order and sorte that footmen are Wherevpon y e squadron formed and marching forward y â— field peeces are to be placed drawen Officers and other necessarie prouision belonging to the field peeces Where the field peeces with their munitions and other things belonging vnto them are to be placed in marching through the straight How the Coronell is to place the field peeces incase he doubt to be assailed either in vaunt guard or Râ—â—eward Concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the carriages and baggages in passing through the straight Diuers things to be considered of for the sure placing of the cariages baggages Where the Coronell is to place the carriages and baggages incase he doubt to be assailed by the enemy in Rereward or in Vauntgard or in both Where the carriages of the chief substance of pouder are to marche Euerie waggon or Carre ought to be couered with Buff hides A peculiar propertie of the skins of Buffes Squadrons by more then a third part broader in frunt then longe by flankes are of a far greater aduauntage to fight then iust Squadrons Why squadroÌ„s that are iust square in number of men are thought to be out of proportion How to forme a squadron of piquers iust square in number of men both by frunt and flankes The reasons that diuers meÌ„ of warre do alleage to proue a iust squadron to be of greatest aduauntage to fight How a Sergeant Maior hauing formed a iust square may vpoÌ„ any occasion shorten the same by flankes and inlarge them in frunt The orders and waies of reducing of 3000. or 4000. or of 10000. or of any greater number of piquers into one bodie of squadron are all one sauing that the compertiments are to be made longer by flanks The chiefe causes why the Italians and Spaniards haue of late vsed squadrons altogither of piques How a squadroÌ„ of halbardiers enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into forme How to reduce an English Armie of 28000. or .3000 horsemen and footmen into form of batle readie in all points to fight with the Enemie Howe many battles y e whole Armie should be deuided and reduced into The placing of the seuerall battles of the Armie How where the men at Armes should be ordered and placed The ordering and placing of the Dimilaunces The ordering and placing of the Stradiots and Archers Crosbowers on horsebacke How wherâ— to arme the foresaid 4 squadrons with field peeces Of what height the field pieces ought to bee How the Cariâ—ages and baggages of the Armie should bee placed and guarded How to reduce appoint and place the Pioners of the whole Armie Squadrons and battles vpon y â— ouerthrow of the enemie are in no wise to breake their rankes and order to follow the chace and that in respect of the many great inconueniences that vpon diuers occasions and accidents doe often happen A short prayer to be saide by soldiors vpon the approaching and sight of the Enemies battle It is not lawful nor sufferable for any soldior vppon the near approach of the Enemie to turne his face The ordinarie proceedinge of al skilful Chieftainsof Armies in their reducements and forming of batles Certen reasons alleaged to proue that it is more conuenient and of greater force for the generall of a puissant Armie that doth consist of many thousands of armed footmen to reduce them into 5. 6. 7. or 8. batles than onely into 3. great battles of vaungard battle reregard according to the common vse It is here to be noted that the whole frunt of 15000. men reduced into 3. great battles of 5000. to each battle doth consist of 3. times 125. armed meÌ„ which being nombred as if they were all in one frunt doe make iust 375. piquers by flanke 40. ranks ourplus of broken ranks not any one soldior And so likewise the frunts of the 15000. men reduced into 6. smaller batâ—les 3. of the. which being of 3000. to each battle doe consist euery one of them of 75. piquers in frunt And the frunt also of eache one of the other 3. smallest squadrons of 2000. to euery batle consisting of 50. piquers in each frunt being all 6. frunts nombred togeather as if they were all 〈◊〉 one frunt doe likewise make the iust nomber of 375. piquers in frunt as the 3. great squadrons of â—000 to euery batle doe and by flanke 40. ranks ouerplus not any one sodior Reasons to prooue a Squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piques to be a far greater aduantage strength and effect against horsemeÌ„ 〈◊〉 footmen theÌ„ any squadron
〈◊〉 â—nstrucâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 and orders Militarie requisit for all Chieftaines Captaines 〈◊〉 higher and lower men of charâ—◠〈…〉 to vnderstand 〈…〉 Composed by sir 〈◊〉 â—mythe knight 1591. And now first imprinted 1594. Imprinted at London by Richard Iohnes dwelling at the signe of 〈◊〉 and Crowne neer to Saiâ—â—â—â—drewes church in Holborne 1594. To the Knights Esquiers â—nd Gentlemen of the English Nation that are honourably delighted in the Art and Science Militarie THE chiefe cause and principall end of the first association of men dispersed from a solitary sauage life into Citties Common wealths or other ciuill societies was that by meanes thereof they might enioy a certain coÌ„mon good tranquility happines whervnto al humane kind how barbarous soeuer is naturallie inclined and the speciall waies or meanes to preserue and continue those ciuil societies thus assembled vnited in their desired quiet prosperous estate and to defend them from the vnnatural rapines violence and oppressions of their domesticall wicked neighbors and from the incursions and inuasions of forren Enemies is Religion pollicie and discipline militarie Religion saith Plato is the foundation of al CoÌ„mon wealths and of humane societie execution of good lawes and administration of Iustice which is rightly to be called pollicie is the fountaine of felicitie And the exercise of Armes and of the Art and discipline militarie is the maintainer of peace and ground of securitie without these and euery one of these no kingdome can continue and the Common wealth where they are with good order established doth prosper and flourish For ouerpassing the commoditie and necessitie of Religion and pollicie to be dilated of by Diuines and states-men as more agreeable to their profession and impertinent to my present purpose Concerning the Art and science Militarie this may I boldly trulie write and affirme that by the exercise therof all Empires kingdomes and Common wealthes haue come to their height and soueraintie and haue maintained their happy state and prosperitie And by neglecting the same they haue declined decaied and finally been made praies to their Enemies The Art Militarie it was that established the Empires of the Egyptians Assirians Medes Persians Grecians and that inlarged the dominions of the Romains to so wonderful greatnesse This Art it was by the which great Alexander with a handful of souldiors as they may be tearmed did vanquish infinit Armies and did conquer a great part of the world and beyond the hope expectation of almen did march vnto the vâ—most parts of the Earth then known And the neglecting thereof againe hath beene the decay and ruine both of those and many other most noble Empires and Kingdomes and hath caused the losse of all Greece and a great part of the Romaine Empire and without the great grace especiall goodnesse of Almighty God wil be the ruine of the rest By men of Warre saith Aristotle Common wealths are conserued and that the Art Militarie should be alwaies practised in any well ordered kingdome it is both profitable and necessarie which Gelon king of Scicilie wel knowing and considering that people vnpractised in Armes through idlenesse and want of experience incur danger to be subdued He caused often in his kingdome rumors of warres and inuasions of Enemies to bee raised and therevpon made present preparation of resistance leuied souldiors trained and exercised them in al points of militarie discipline and led them foorth in warlike order some certen daies march towards the sea coast as though hee intended presentlie to giue battle to his enemies inuauding but his souldiors expecting the enemies and when they should fight he emploied them in certaine labors and trauailes such as he thought conuenient saying that in performing the same they should both ouercome sloth and Idlenesse two mortal Enemies of the common wealth and that their enemies besides vnderstanding how they were void of Idlenesse and exercised in Armes would neuer haue the boldnesse to inuade them The like prouident care haue diuers other noble kings Emperors and gouernors of Common wealthes had for the continual exercise of their people in matters militarie both for the continuance of their owne estates and to the terror of their enemies vpon iust occasions of iniuries offred But seeing at this present day the contrarie and that the aâ—ncient and true knowledge of discipline militarie is in most parts of Christendome by ciuil Warres corrupted and greatly decaied I for the benefit of my Countrie and Nation wherevnto I wish aâ—prosperitie and happinesse and for the commoditie of you Gentlemen vnto whom matiers and affaires of Armes and also of Iustice do most properlie appertaine haue with some labour and pains collected and set downe in this treatise Certen orders instructions and obseruations Militarie the most of which in seruices of diuers warres vnder notable Captaines of diuers Nations I haue seen practised the rest by reading of diuers histories I haue other wise obserued giuing you therewithal to vnderstand that my intent purpose is not to treat in this booke generally of all matters militarie by lande which are inâ—inite for I handle not therein the approching and besieging of Citties and places forâ—ified nor the forming and fortifieng of Campes nor the lodging and dislâ—dging of armies nor the making of Bridges ouer riuers to passe ouer Armies nor inâ—inite other maâ—ters and stratagems militarie Al which some at one time and some at another haue beene very wel written off by many principall Captaines and gentlemen of diuers Nations and some of them also handled by me in some other Books of mine that I haue composed which I haue not as yet put in print But in this booke I haue begun and chieflie handled as the Reader may see the reducing of footmen and horsemen into their simple and single order of rankes from point to point and after how to reduce them into many forms of troups squadroÌ„s battles in the field that chieflie to the intent to enter into skirmish to giue battle with the most aduantage which of al other matters military are of greatest importance to work the highest effects in the field by reason that thereby great victories are atchieued and sometimes Empires Kingdomes and dominions conquered And for most of al those matters that I haue written of I haue alledgâ—d manie reasons to fortifie and prooue the same All which not withstanding I doubt not but that in reading aâ—d perusing of this my treatise in this malicious time there â—ill bee some found cast in the mould of that good fellow who going to another mans house vsed to carie both his eies in his head and returning home to his owne put them vp in his pocket Many I meane that will find fault for one that will commend and some as saint Ierome writeth vpon the like occasion that wil curiouslie search and sift euery sentence clause word and sillable yea and the very letters of my writing and then censure
both my worke and my selfe according to their Mydaslie iudgement But as Pindarus answered a king of Sparta it is one of the easiest things in the world to find fault Sed ecquid habent melius let them beware least in passing aboue the slipper and in correcting the shadowes of Apelles picture the boies that grinde collours laugh them not to scorne who so long as they hold their peace thinke them by their gaie and golden garmentes to be goodlie fellowes But leauing enuie to worke vpon hir owne intrailes setting light of the malice of detractors to you the honourable gentlemen of my Countrey for whose good I composed and imprinted these discourses and to whom with a sincere affection deuotion I coÌ„mend and present it I say and protest that if it may find at your handes that fauorable acceptance and friendlie allowance that I expect it shall and worke withal that desired effect that I hope it will I shal eesteeme my labours and trauels well imploied and my selfe for the same euerie waies abundantlie satisfied From my house at Badewe in Essex this first of May. 1594. Your louing friend Io. Smithe The Table of the chiefe matters that are conteined in this Booke HOw Captaines and their officers aswell of horsemen as of foâ—â—emeâ— should reduce their bands into their simple single order of ranks with diuers aduertisements concerning the same pag. 3. How the Captaines and officers are to teach their piquers to shoulder their piques pag. 5 How piquers should be taught by their captains and officers to aduaunce their piques and make a stand page 9 How all the piquers of a single band or squadron should carie all their piques vpon their right shoulder and not vpon their left page 10. How to forme a single band of 5. different sorts of weapons to march in the fieldes page 11 How Captains marching in their single order of rankes should double or triple all their rankes by right line or increase them by flaâ—kes with diuers other particularities pag 13. Where the ensignebearer droÌ„mers and phifers of a single band marching in their single order of rankes are to be placed pa. 18 How Ensignebearers ought to carrie their ensignes marching through a great Cittie or Towne pa. 19. How Ensignebearers should be armed pa. 19. Certaine particularities concerning a deputie Ensignebearer pa. 20 How Sergeants of bands should be armed and weaponed pa. 20 Vpon what licence a priuate band or squadron of horsmen and footmen being reduced into any forme are to disorder and breakâ— their rankes to go into their quarters to lodge pa. 22 How soldiors are to be taught by their Captains and officers to vpright their piques pa. 22 How piquers are to bee instructed by their Captains and officers to charge or receaue a charge of an other squadron of piquers pa. 23 How piquers should resist a charge of launces pa. 28 How piquers should receaue a charge of launces incase the Sergeant Maior or Captaines should thinke good to place any weapones of volâ—e before them pa. 29 In what sort harquebuziers or mosquâ—tiers are to discharge their peeces from vnder a squadron of piques pag. 29 A contrarie opinion to Mounseur de le Noüe pag. 32 How Captaines should cause their souldiors to make of flanke or of backe frunt pag. 35 The different waies and orders that are to bee vsed by Coronelâ— or Seargeant Maiors to forme squadrons al of piquers double as broad or a third part broder in frunt than by flankes pag 36 How a Sergeant Maior hauing reduced his squadron into forme should vppon any occasion make it broader in frunt and shorter by flanks pag. 42 Diuers waies and meanes for a Sergeant maior to place any ouerplus of broken rankes in pag. 42 How a Lord Marshal or Sergeant Maior their squadron beeing in fight should draw vp a sleeue of piquers to assaâ—le their enemies in flanke pag. 43 The squadron being formed how a Sergeant Maior shoulde make of either of the flankes frunt obseruing the same proportion in frunt number of ranks by flankes that they were before he made of flanke frunt pag. 44 The order that is to be taken by a Coronel if his squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of weapons of volee should happen in their march to come to a straight how they should march and passe through the same pag. 47 Where the Drommers and phifers are to bee placed the squadron marching forwards in the enemies Countrie the enemie beeing not in sight as also vpon the doubt of battle pag. 50 Wherevpon the squadron formed and marching forward the field peeces are to be placed and drawne pag. 54 Where the field peeces with their munitions are to be placed in marching thorough a straight pag. 55 Concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the caâ—iages and baggages in passing through a straight pag. 56 How to form a squadron of piquers iust square in number of men both by frunt and flankes with diuers particularities concerning the same pag. 57 How a sergeant maior hauing formed a iust square may vpon any occasion shorâ—en the same by flanke and inlarge them in frunt pag. 59 How a squadron of halbardes enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into foâ—me pag. 63 How to reduce an English armie of 28000. or 30000. horsmen and â—ootmen into forme of battle readie in all points to fight with the enemie pag. 65 The placing of the seuerall battles of the Arâ—ie pag. 67 Vpon what parts of the squadrons the men at Armes Dimilaunces Straâ—iots Archers and Crosbowers on horsbacke are to be placed pag. 71 How and where to arme the battels with field peeces pag. 74 How all the Cariages and baggages of the Armie should be placed in forme of a semicircle to guard the backe and Rereward of the whole Armie pa. 79 Where to reduce appoint and place the pioners of the whole Armâ—e pag. 81 Certen reasons alledged to prooue that a puâ—ssiant Armie that dooth consist of many thousands of armed footmen is of greater force being reduced into 5. 6. 7. or 8. battles then only into 3. great battles of vaunguard battle and Reregard according to the common vse pag. 86 The great aduauntages of a squadron of battleaxes enuironed about with 5. ranks of piquers against a squadron consisting altogither of piquers pa. 91 How to reduce and forme a battle of necessitie or extremitie betwixt 4. or 8 piques placed in square pag. 99 Diueâ—s causes and reasons to prooue that great bands of 500. vnder an ensigne are more conuenient for all seruices in the fielde then smal bandes of 150. pag. 100 An Example to prooue that great bandes of footmen are more requisite then small pag. 104 Concerning Ensignes and Ensignebearers of priuate bandes and squadrons of footmen as also concerning the Standard and Standardbearer of an Emperor or of a king pag. 128 Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be vsed vnto harquebuziers pâ—quers
again reduce themselues into the like formes of sleeues winges and troupes that they were vpon the forepart of the left flanke before they marched through the straight But it is to be noted that presently vpon the entring of the last compertiments of the forepart of the weapons of volee of the left flanke into the straight that the Sergeant Maior is to come to the frunt of the right flanke of the squadron if the same flanke be next vnto the passage and he is in briefe words to say Single 5. in a ranke throughout from frunt to backe and march after the last compertiment of shot through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine Auaunce your piques and make a pause Vppon which his direction the Captaine with his whole compertiment of 5. in a ranke from frunt to backe is to single the same from the rest of the squadron and to followe the shot and march into the straight vppon the separation and marching of which compertiment then the Sergeant Maior is to say to the Captain of the next compertiment Single your compertiments of 5. throughout and follow and march straight after the first compertiment through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine double your compertiment by the left flanke of the formost compertiment of piquers which compertiment being something separated and marching into the straight then vppon the same direction receaued by all the Captaines that are before the frunt of the rest of the compertiments as well by such briefe speaches as aforesaid as by the sound of the trompettor and drummes they are all subsequentlie and orderlie with their compertimentes to separate them and to followe one another by right line and as euerie one of those Captaines with their compertimentes haue marched one after another thorough the straight into the plaine so they are with all celeritie to reduce themselues by the left flanke the one of the other into the same form of squadron that they were before they entred into the straight and that is that the Captaine of the thirde compertiment of 5. in a ranke throughout as aforesaid seeing the seconde compertiment reduced and doubled by the lefte flanke of the firste Compertiment hee likewise is to reduce his compertiment by the lefte flanke of the seconde and so consequentlie the fourth fifth and all the reste of the compertiments are by their Captaines to bee lead and reduced by the left flanks the one of the other which being by them performed and the squadron reduced into the same forme of number of ranks of soldiors in euery ranke that it was before they entered into the straight then all the shot of the different weapons of volee that did march through the straight before the first compertiment of piquers I meane the one halfe of those that before they came to the straight did arme the forepartes of the right and left flankes of the squadron and now againe already before the squadron is altogether againe formed by their Captaines and officers reduced into the same formes vpon the foreparts of the right and left flankes of the squadron that they were before that they first separated themselues from the squadron and entred into the straight And euen as those different compertiments of shot did one after another orderly march through the straight and are now againe reduced and come into their first order as aforesaid So the different compertimentes of sleeues winges troups and other such like of different sorts of weapons of volee that did arme the right and left hinder flanks and corners of the squadron in the like order immediatly following the last compertiments of piquers through the straight are presentlie againe by their officers to be reduced into the like compertimentes and formes for the guard of both the hinder flanks and backe of the squadron that they were before the squadron did enter into the passage All which being performed and al the harquebuziers mosquetiers and halbarders that were sent to possesse the tops of both the sides of the passage being come downe into the plaine and reduced into such formes or otherwise employed as the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke most meet they may then begin againe to march forward Howbeit in this place it is further to be noted that the squadron marching forwarde in the enemies countrie the one halfe of the drummers are to bee placed vpon the frunt and the other halfe vpon the backe of the squadron and that during the time they march the enemie being not in sight but vpon the sight and approch of the enemy and doubt of battle then vpon that occasion all the drummers phifers y ◠did march in the frunt back of the squadrō must presently reduce themselues the one halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of the right flank of y ◠squadron the other halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of y ◠left flank of the squadron I meane more towards al the 4. corners of the squadrō vpon both flanks then towards the midst of those flankes because that all their different strokes of direction may bee the better heard and vnderstood aswell in frunt and backe as flanks And the cause wherefore I woulde haue no drummers placed in the frunt of a squadron vppon the occasion of battle is that they should bee no impediment to the piquers through the greatnesse of those instruments to vse their piques nor vnto mosquetiers nor harguebuziers in case that any vpon any occasion should be reduced vnder the guard of the frunt of the piques to vse their mosquets or harquebuzes Besides that I would neuer permit vpon any occasion that any drummes or at the most aboue one drummer and a phifer should march in the midst of the squadron with the rank of Ensignes because that the greatnesse of them would be an impediment to the ranks to close themselues by frunt and flankes as vppon some occasions they ought to doo But heere it is furder to be noted that the squadron being againe reduced into forme and marching forward in the enemies Countrie and finding the ground in diuers partes as they march of that nature y t they cannot march in squadron formed and hauing great intelligence by discouerers and espialles that the enemie is not so neere hand as that by reason and discipline military they ought to keepe themselues in squadron then they ought according to the bredth or frunt of their squadron to deuide the whole squadron into as few and as great compertiments of number of soldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe as the grounds or passages will giue them leaue that by the greatnesse of their compertiments they may a great deale the sooner reduce and forme their squadron againe vpon any sudden or great Alarum As for example If the squadron were double as broad in frunt as by flankes as of 60. in frunt and 30. by flankes then the Coronell
by flanks performe the same with as great facilitie as hee did in the reducing of the other squadrons of smaller numbers with the compertiments of single bands into forme And therfore if a Sergeant Maior Maior would forme one battle of aboue 10000. piquers and that hee would make them double as broad or more in frunt then long by flankes As for example of 143. in frunt and of 71. rankes by flankes he is first to consider how many compertiments of euen and od numbers wil make that frunt and he shall find that 17. compertiments of 8. souldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe and of 71. rankes by flankes in euery compertiment reduced into squadron by flanke or flankes as I haue verie particularlie in my first forming of squadrons before declared doo make y ◠squadron in frunt 136. souldiors and then drawing vppe another compertiment of odde number as of 7. souldiors in euerie ranke throughout the whole compertimente from frunt to back in all are 17. compertiments of euen numbers of 8. and one of 7. which are odde which in all are 18. compertiments All which diuisions reduced into squadron by flankes as aforesaid the whole squadron so formed dooth come to be of 143. souldiors in frunt and 71. rankes by flankes which in all doo make 10153. souldiors But now whereas all these squadrons before reduced and described do consist only of piquers with a few halbardiers for the guard of the Ensignes which hath bene altogeather vsed of late yeares by the Italians Spanyards in respect as I haue heard them say that such squadrons all of one weapon are mor readilie reduced into squadron then of two different weapons and therewithall more beawtifull and terrible in the sight of the Enemie in shewe through the equalitie of the length of the piques then if there were many rankes of short weapons within the piques which through the shortnes of the weapons would make the squadron to shewe vnto the Enemie as though there were a voide place without any soldiors in the midst of the piques Yet because many yeares past I haue in Fraunce seene the Sergeants Maiors of the Suissers reduce certen rankes of halbardiers within their piques thereby according to discipline to strengthen their battles aswell against the charges of horsmen as against squadrons of footmen piquers I will here with the helpe of Almightie God sett downe and shew how a squadron of halbardiers or battleaxes inuironed or impaled about with 5. rankes of piquiers in frunt flanks and backe should be reduced into a squadron broader by a third parte in frunt and backe then long by flankes which is to be performed in this sort following that is Incase that I haue .1500 armed battleaxes or halbardiers and that I were disposed to reduce them into .50 in frunt and .30 by flankes and that I would deuide that whole number into .10 compertiments of .5 battleaxes in euery ranke throughout euery compertiment so as euery compertiment from frunt to backe should containe 150. battleaxes Or that I were disposed to commaund the .1500 battleaxes to be reduced into .5 compertiments of 10. souldiors in euery ranke throughout euerie compertiment from frunt to backe that is of 300. souldiors in euery compertiment the same being by the captaines and officers performed I then appointing the ground where I would make the frunt of the squadron would command the Captaines or leaders of euery compertiment either of .5 if the compertiments be all of .5 or of .10 if they be of .10 soldiors throughout euerie compertiment to march vp the one by the flanke of the other vntill they come all to make one equall frunt in their iust proportionate distances from frunt to backe which being performed then I would commaund two compertiments all of piquers each one of them of .150 marching .5 in a ranke to be drawne vp the one compertiment of .150 close by the right flanke of the battleaxes and the other compertiment of the like number in like sort close by the left flanke of the battleaxes vntill the formost rankes of both those compertiments of piquers vpō both flanks be of equal frunt with the frunt of the battleaxes and their last ranke equall with the last ranke of the battleaxes which being performed then of 50. battleaxes that they were in frunt before now by the conioining and reducing of those 2. compertiments of piquers vpon the two flankes as aforesaid the squadron is come to be of 60. soldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe which performed then would I commaund 300. piquers reduced into 60. rankes of 5. in euery ranke to be drawne close by the frunt of the squadron of battleaxes piquers before reduced euen from the one flanke and corner to the other And at the very same instant I would command 60 ranks of piquers more of 5. in euery ranke to be drawne close by the backe and Rereward of the same squadron which being performed then aswell the 60. ranks of piquers 5. in a ranke in frunt as the 60. ranks of piquers 5. in a ranke in backe are either vpon the sound of the trumpet or the stroake of drummes to tourne their faces and weapons and to make of flanke frunt I meane that waies that the squadron of battleaxes and the piquers on the flankes do make frunt and therewithall presently to reforme themselues in their distances so as of 60. rankes of 5. in euerie ranke that the same compertiment of piquers that was reduced in frunt was before it is now by making of flanke frunt as aforsaid become to be of 5. rankes of 60. soldiors in euery ranke And so likewise the aforesaid compertiments of the like number of 300. piquers of 5. in euery ranke reduced vpon the backe of the squadron by making of flanke frunt towards the squadron of battleaxes and piquers are now likewise become to be 5. rankes by flanke and 60. in euerie ranke All which being performed the squadron of battleaxes dooth come to be enuironed or empaled with 5. rankes of piquers in frunt flankes and back the whole squadron conteining in frunt 60. soldiors by flanks 40. rankes And now this squadron being thus formed then would I reduce all the different sortes of weapons of volee into their most conuenient forms of forlorn hopes of sleeues of winges of hearses of troupes and other formes according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of weapon and as the comming of the enemie should require or as the ground or groundes woulde permit hauing therewithall regard as wel to arme the backe or rereward of the squadron with weapons of volee as to arme the frunt and flanks And as I haue very particularly shewed how a squadron of Halbardiers or battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into the forme aboue described and therewithall said that the same should be armed in frunt flankes and back with weapons of volee of diuers sorts so
troupes or squares of horsmen haue the comming of the enemies battles and squares and troupes of horsmen so apparant and cleare in their sightes as that they might succour and aide the said two formost battles vpon all needfull and requisit occasions and causes All which reducements of those foresaid 4. battles being by the Coronels Sergeant Maiors Captaines and other officers with great order and celeritie perfourmed then I hauing such conuenient numbers of men at arms of dimilaunces of Stradiots of Archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke as are before particularlie set downe to arme the flankes of the aforesaid foure battles I would first giue order that the 240. men at Armes shoulde bee deuided into 4. winges that is into 60. men at Armes in each wing euery which number of 60. men at Armes I would reduce either into 3. rankes of 20. in euery ranke or else into 4. rankes of 15. in euerie ranke and woulde place two of those hearses or broade squares of men at Armes the one euen by flanke and right ouer againste the middest of the right flanke of the vauntguarde and the other broad square or hearse of men at Armes in like sort euen by flanke and right ouer against the middest of the lefte flanke of the Reregard And so likewise in the very same order I would place the other two broad squares of men at Armes the one by flanke right ouer against the midst of the right flanke of the principall battle and the other broad square by flanke right ouer against the middest of the left flanke of the a Rereregardrereward But yet it is to be vnderstood by this before written that I would place all those 4. hearses or broad squares of men at Armes so farre distaunt in winge from all the flankes of those foresaid 4. Battles and so farre wide and cleare from all the Sleeues Winges and Troupes of the Weapons of Volee footemen as that those hearses of men at Armes might vppon all good occasions offered giue a charge vppon the Enemie bee they horsemen or footmen without any waies troubling the Weapons of volee or receiuing any trouble or let by the Weapons of Volee to giue their charges with great order And therewithal that vpon their charges giuen they may retire to giue new charges without disordering their owne weapons of volee or any waies troubling the rankes of their owne squadrons of armed footmen The dimilaunces also belonging to those men at Arms which according to discipline ought to bee in number double as manie as the men at Armes which is that the men at Armes being 240. the dimilaunces ought to bee 480. which number 480. Launces I would deuide into 4. broad squares or hearses of 120. in euerie hearse euerie which number of 120. dimilaunces I woulde reduce either â—nto 4. rankes of 30. in euery ranke or else into 5. rankes of 24. Launces in euery ranke and woulde place two of those winges the one by flanke in a manner euen with the right flank of the hearse or wing of the men at Armes reduced vpon the right flank of the vauntgard and the other wing of dimilaunces in a manner euen by flanke with the left flanke of the wing of the men at armes that are reduced vpon the left flanke of the reregard But yet both those two winges of dimilaunces I would place a little aduaunced more forward then the winges of the men at Armes and so farre distant by flanke from both the foresaide winges of the men at Armes as that there might be ground and roome enough betwixt them for sixe little troupes or societies I meane two troupes or societies of archers on horsebacke and 4. troupes of Crosbowers on horsebacke of 10. in euerie societie to place themselues in their troups in conuenient distances separated and oblique each one troupe from the other readie vpon any charge by the Launces or men at Armes giuen or vnto them by the Enemie offered to galloppe by the flankes of the Launces or of the men at Armes but somthing more backe and in Rereward of them and to giue their volees of quarrels and arrowes at the enemie before the Launces or men at Armes should come to ioine and shocke with the enemies horsmen or charge their footmen or otherwise to giue their volees at any squadrons or troupes of horsmen or footmen according to any other order and commandement vnto them by their superiors giuen And in like sort as I haue placed those 2. winges of dimilaunces with their troupes of Crosbowers and archers on horsbacke betwixt them and the flankes of the 2. formoste winges of men at Armes as aforesaid Euen so would I in the verie same sort place the other two winges of dimilaunces of 120. in each winge reduced either into 4 rankes of 30. in euerie ranke or else into 5. rankes of 24 in euery ranke almost euen and right ouer against sauing a little more aduanced forward then the flankes of the two hindermost winges of the men at Armes that are reduced the one vpon the right flanke of the principall battle and the other vpon the left flanke of the a Rereregard-Rereward with the like numbers of troupes or societies of Crosbowers archers on horsbacke betwixt them euerie little troupe of those weapons of volee seperated and oblique in distances the one from the other as are reduced and placed betwixt the flankes of the. 4. â—ormost winges of men at armes and dimilaunces All which with great order being performed then of al y â— rest of the numbers of Stradiots of archers on horsbake and Crosbowers on horsbacke which in all do amount to 4040. I would take out 60. stradiots 40. Crosbowers 40. archers on horsebacke which are in all 140. horsemen which numbers I would reserue for such other employments as hereafter shalbe mentioned and would deuide the rest which in all are 3900. stradiots Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke into 3. diuisions or parts that is into 1300. in each diuision in euerie which 1300. I would there should be like numbers of euery one of those 3. foresaid different sorts of weapons or as neare thereabouts as they could be deuided which done then would I appoint one of those 3. partes of different sorts of light horsemen which are in number 1300. to arme the right flanke of the winge of dimilaunces that are vpoÌ„ the right flanke of the men at Armes which do arme the righte flanke of the vauntgard And I would giue order to all the Captaines Conductors of al the aforesaid light horsemen men of the first 1300. that they should deuide and reduce all the numbers of their stradiots of Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke into little troupes and societies of tennes fifteens in euerie troupe and that euerie societie and troupe should be of distincte and like weapons by themselues and that euerie one of those societies should be lead by the heads and chiefe of their societies that all
place the like numbers of 3. fawcons and one fawconet in the like distances wide and aduanced furder forwarde then the left corner of the same battle by thâ— like number of paces with their gonners and all their aides and other thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded also with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And as I haue now armed the frunt of the said vaungard with the number of field peeces before planted so would I arme the fruntes of the other 3. battles of Reregard of maine battle and of a Rereregardrereward before placed and described each battle with the like numbers of field peeces planted in like distaunces from the frunt and corners of them well guarded also with Halbardiers as aforesaid And although the backs and Reregards of all those 4 battles should not need to bee armed with any fielde peeces as it shall bee within fewe lines heereafter apparant by the rest which I will set downe concerning those matters yet to arme those 4. battles in the greatest perfection that I can I would place vpon euery corner of the backs and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles two fawcons and one fawconet in like distaunces of paces that I haue before placed the field peeces from the corners of the frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles But heere it is to bee noted that although diuers great Captaines that haue bin commanders and leaders of armies haue alwaies accouÌ„ted Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds their bullets and other peeces from 10. poundes downewards to Robinets of one pound to bee in the number of fielde peeces yet I to arme any battle with field peeces in the open fieldes would vse no peeces aboue the heigth of fawcons of 6. pounds the bullets and no smaller peeces then fawconets of 3. pounds the bullets vnlesse it were some Robinets of one pound the bullet and those mounted vpon carriages after the manner of Germanie light and easie to be drawne and readie vpon the suddaine by the Gonners to bee turned euery waies And the causes wherefore I would vse no peeces of any greater heigth for the field are that to vse Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds the bullets in the fielde such peeces I say doo require more Horses or Oxen to drawe them and men to manage them then Fawconets of 3. poundes or Fawcons of 6. poundes doo which ouerplus and greater numbers of Horses or Oxen of draught doo vpon the remoouing of those horses or oxen and drawing them backe when the peeces are planted giue a great deale more impediment and trouble not onely to the Gonners and their aydes but also to â—he sleeues winges and troupes of the weapons of Volee that are reduced on the flankes and Corners of squadrons then the small number of horses belonging to fawconets of three pounds or Fawcons of 6. pounds doo Also Armies sometimes in marching in the open and plaine fieldes doo light vpon sandie and such other softish and yeelding groundes where either vppon the drawing or discharging of Sakers of 10. or 12. poundes the bullets their Wheeles doo sinke so deepe into the ground that oftentimes they giue great impediment and let to the Gonners and their aides to manage and vse them vpon diuers needefull occasions besides that vppon their discharginges theâ— worke no greater effect against the Enemie then such Fawcons and fawconets as aforesaid doo Also it is further to be noted that I would neuer place aboue the number of 8. field peeces by the flanks or corners of any battle nor vnder the number of 4. I meane that I woulde neuer place aboue 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet and those in conuenient distances wide from the right Corner of the Battle and 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide and in like distaunces from the left frunt and corner of the same Battle or at the fewest 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the one Corner and 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide in the like distaunce from the other Corner of the fame Battle and that in respect that too manie fielde peeces beeing drawen and marching vppon the flankes of squadrons to the intent to bee planted as abouesaid vppon the day of battle are for diuers causes and vppon diuers accidentes of farre greater impedimentes and trouble then any waies profitable to their owne Squadrons Also it is further to bee noted that I woulde neuer place any Fielde peeces directlie before the frunt of anie Squadrons or Battailes vnlesse I thought our forces in the field to bee much inferiour in strength to the Enemy because that peeces so planted would be a great impediment vnto the battles marching forwarde to incounter with the enemie by reason that such squadrons should be compelled by such peeces so planted to open break their rankes and to disorder themselues which is a matter of great danger the Enemie being in sight or neere at hand And now hauing armed all the aforesaid 4. battles with field peeces in their most fitte and conuenient places there resteth to shew what should become of the Cariages and baggages of the Campe as also where the ouerplus of the horsemen and footmen that are not yet placed ought to be emploied The Carriages of all Armies and Camps do consist of two sorts the one sorte that are publique as of treasure and pay for the Armie of great quantitie of powder both for great and small shot of armor and weapon of Artillerie as of Cannons Culuerings demy Cannons demy Culuerings Sakers and other smaller pieces with all things belonging vnto them of diuers sorts of victuall of prouision of pieces maniable also as of Curriers of warre of mosquets harquebuzes and other such pieces with all things belonging vnto them of bowes sheafes of arrowes and Crosbowes gaffles and quarrells with piques halbardes targets Launces Launcezagaies and all other sorts of armors and weapons both offensiue and defensiue with boates also to make bridges ouer riuers all thinges appertaining vnto them And to be briefe of many other munitions prouisions al which being publique for the vse of the whole Armie or Campe are vnder the charge of the Maister of the Ordinaunce And as for the other Carriages and baggages that are priuate they are such as do belong vnto Cheistaines Coronells Captaines and other higher and lower men of charge and officers and to be short to all the soldiors of the Army that haue any thing to be caried All which priuate Cariages also are vnder the Maister of the Ordinance his commaundement and Order Now all the aforesaid most important publique Carriages that do belong to the Army and Campe I would that the Maister of the Ordinaunce and his officers and substitutes should reduce as neare as he can possiblie into a square with such coÌ„uenient distances betwixt euerie rowe of carriages carriages as they might not be any impedimeÌ„t nor let the one to the other neither in marching nor in staing and pawsing And
all celeritie reduce their bandes into order and march into the field where the Lord Lieutenant Generall with the Lord Marshall and Sergeant Maior generall do ouersee and direct the Coronels Sergeant Maiors and Captains in the ordering and forming of their battles troupes and other formes And thus by this ordinarie proceeding of all skilfull Chieftaines of Armies in their reducementes and formings of battles and Campes those and all other matters militarie of any great importance are with great facility and in very short time performed And now hauing shewed all the most coâ—uenient waies of reducing and forming of all sortes of squadrons aswell great as small and where in the field to their most aduantage they may be placed and therewithal how and where horsemen of diuers different sortes of armors and weapons ought to bee placed in their most conuenient places with many other particularities I think good before I goe any further to giue an aduertisement that although it hath beene the vse of all antiquitie amongest many Nations according to good discipline to reduce the chiefe force of their armed footmen into three squadrons or battles terming the first vaunguard the second battle and the third Reregard and that oftentimes they haue vsed to forme very great battles of 8000. or 10000. or more into one body of squadron yet I for diuers causes and reasons would wish a Lieutenant generall or lord Marshall of a puissant Armie rather to forme 6. 7. or 8. smaller battles incase the number of the Armie bee so great that the same by reason militarie may bee perfourmed then onely into three great battles as aforesaid As for example if there were an Army of 30000. horsmen and footmen and that there were of those 15000. armed men piquers and short weapons to be reduced into diuers battles that I would not only of those 15000. according to the ordinary vse forme a vauntgard battle and Rereward but also 3. other smaller battles vnto the which I would giue 3. different names would call the first by the name of a vauntregard Rereward the second the batle of succor and the third by the name of a Rereregard Reregard and the firste 3. battles of vaungard battle and Reregard I would should consist of 3000. piquers and short weapons to euery battle and that each one of those battles being reduced into squadron should consist of 75. piquers in frunt and. 40. by flankes ouerplus of broken rankes not so much as one soldior and the last 3. mentioned battles I would should consist of 2000. to euery battle and that euery one of them being reduced in to squadrons should consist in frunt that is in euery ranke from frunt to backe of 50. piquers and by flankes of 40. rankes ouerplus of broken rankes not any one soldior And these 6. foresaid battles reduced into the formes aforesaid and flankt and wing'd with weapons of volee of diuers sorts according to discipline and the comming of the enemy in mine opinion should be of great aduantage to encounter with 15000. armed men their enemies reduced but only into 3. batles of 5000. to euery battle by reason that whilest the 3. formost battles each of them consisting of 3000. as aforesaid do confrunt with the. 3. great batles of 5000. in each battle the other 3. battles of a vauntregard Rereward and of the battle of succor and of a Rereregard Rereward that doo march in winges in Rereward retired as aforesaid may with great celeritie and dexteritie by marching and auauncing themselues forward charge the flankes of their enemies 3. battles and put them in great hazard of disordering breaking Howbeit here it may be obiected against mine opinion that in case the 3. great battles of the enemy of 5000. to euery battle were each one of them reduced into 125. armed men in frunt of 40. rankes by flankes that their 〈◊〉 encountting ioining with the formost 3. small batles of vaungard battle and Reregard they might euerie one of them in ioyning frunt to frunt with them in respect that euery one of the great battles of 5000. to euery batle doth beare a greater bredth by the nuÌ„ber of 28. soldiors in frunt then any of the formost 3. squadroÌ„s of 3000 in euery squadron do with great aduantage draw vp a sleeue of 28. in euery ranke and of 40. rankes by flankes and finding themselues full against the flanke of their Enemies squadron they may suddenly make of flanke frunt by tourning their faces and weapons towards the flanke of the foresaid littlesquadrons and then reforming themselues in their distances and closing themselues in frunt and flanks may bend their piques and charge the flankes of the little squadrons to their most assured ruine Or otherwise vpon the inconsiderate ioining of any one of the small squadrons of 3000. being in frunt but. 75. with the verie midst of the frunt of the great battles of 5000. that do consist of 125. piquers in frunt the foresaid great squadrons vpon such an aduantage offered may drawe vp each of them two sleeues from each side or flanke of their squadron one of 14. piquers in euery ranke and finding themselues euen vpon both the flankes of the little squadron they may of their flankes make frunt and so of 14. that they were before in euery ranke they are now by making of flanke frunt become to be 40. in euerie ranke and in length by flankes 14. soldiors and so by reforming their distances and straightning and closing themselues in frunt and by flanks as aforesaid may with their piques charge both the flankes of the little squadron to their vtter disorder and ouerthrow To which obiection I say that those foresaid aduauntages and others might be very well taken against the 3. little squadrons of vaungard battle and Reregard if it were not that the other 3. little battles of succor of 2000. to euery squadron euery of them of 50. piquers in frunt marching in Rereward in distincte battles by them selues were not alwaies ready vpon the drawing vp of all such sleeues or winges from the bodies of the great squadrons suddenly with great dexteritie to charge them either in frunt flanks or backe to their most assured ruine and ouerthrow But againe it may be further alledged in fauor of the great battles that al squadrons of armed men piquers doo alwaies march wing'd flankt with conuenient numbers of weapons of volee in such sort as those weapons of volee should be a great impediment to the forsaid little squadrons to charge the sleeues and wings as aforesaid Vnto the which I say that true it is that all well ordered battles are wing'd and flankt with shot of diuers sorts and that it hath beene and is a maxime amongest al men of warre of great experience and Iudgement that hearses sleeues winges and troupes of shot beeing deuided into many small diuisions are a great deale more apt and ready to bee emploied at one time into more
them and their Enemies to their trouble or mischiefe in their heads necks or backs And for aunswer to the other obiection that the ynner rankes of piquers letting fall and couching their piques may pul and retire them so farre backe as that they may againe recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies entered I say that if the enemies be they either horsemen or footmen be entered but only .7 6. 5. 4. or 3. feete within and vnder the length of any of the piques of the inner ranks that it is not possible for such piquers in respect of the ranke and rankes that are so neare and close behind them to pull their piques with their armes so farre backe as any waies to recouer y ◠vse of the pyonts of them against such Enemies as are comne within and vnder their piques as aforsaid whereof insueth that those inner rankes haue vtterly lost the vse of their piques and therefore must let them fall to the great trouble of the leggs and feete of the rankes of their fellowes aduauncing forward and betake themselues to their swords and daggars which are not weapons any waies able to repulse or resist armed men with battleaxes or halbards By all which before alleaged I thinke it is most apparant that the 5. rankes of piquers that do empale enuiron my squadron of battleaxes by frunt flanks and backe are ranks enough to restist any Charge or Charges of Launces aswell and a great deale better then if the same squadron were all of piques because that the 4. or 5. first rankes only are those that do worke al the effects to the resisting repulsing of Launces charging or that are with their thrush to resist and repulse any charge of a squadron of footmen piquers their Enemies and if any Launces by chaunce should breake through those 5. rankes then the battleaxes and short staued and long edged and short and strong pointed halbards in the handes of well armed men are readie at the heeles of the 5. rankes of their piquers and do wonderfully both with blow and thrust at the heads and faces of horses or men kill wound ouerthrow or repulse either horsemen Launces or footmen piquers whose first charges and furies haue bene before greatly staied and weakened by y ◠resistance of the first 5. ranks of piquers as aforsaid For it is to all men of vnderstanding in matters Militarie most euident that short staued battleaxes or halbards of not aboue 6. foot long in their whole length do no waies in their blowes nor thrusts either against horsmen or footmen trouble entermingle nor intricate one with another by reason of their shortnesse as the rankes of piques do through their great lengthes which piques doo no waies kill nor hurt but only with their pointes as is before at large declared By all which I come to conclude that 4. or 5. of the first rankes be it in frunt flanks or backe I meane which of them soeuer vpon the comming of the enemie be made frunt doo worke far greater effectes then all the rest of the inner rankes of piquers can possibly do for in troth all y ◠inner ranks of piquers besides the 5. first ranks doo neither against horsemen and chieflie against footemen halbarders or battleaxes well armed no nor yet against armed men with swordes and targets vsing their targets only to defend their faces from the points of the piques worke any important effect as it is most manifest by the reasons causes and accidents by me before alledged And thus hauing at large shewed by diuers reasons the imperfections of squadrons that doo consist onelie of piques with the great perfections and effects of squadrons of battleaxes enuironed onely with 5. rankes of piquers as also howe all sortes of squadrons that are commonlie in vse in the open fieldes in these daies and also in al former ages ought to be reduced into form with many other different particularities I will omit diuers other sorts forms of little battles that are conteined in som printed books of diuers languages as of Crossebattles of battles in triangle battles in form of stars with many other such battles of diuers shapes fashiōs extraordinary y ◠are rather set forth to fill vp books to please y ◠curious then for any great vse of them by reason y ◠such phantastical battles are no waies able in the open fields to march encoūter with such squadrons as I haue before described and set down And yet somtimes armies may march vpon such strange extraordinary grounds as in marching ouer mountains or high hils y ◠haue varietie of forms of rising descending grounds y ◠it is not possible to form such great squadrons in such forms as I haue before declared and described but that vpon the comming of the enemie they must bee forced to deuide their three battles of vauntguard battle and Rereward that they marched withall in the plaine and open fieldes into as many varieties of little battles and formes as the aduantages and formes of the varietie of groundes where they presently find themselues doo present vnto them and therewithall to flank their armed men on euery side with weapons of volee All which a Lord Marshall or sergeant Maior may with a great deale more facilitie perform then to forme such great squadrons as I haue before described reduced and formed But heere I thinke it good to aduertise the Reader that I haue heard verie crediblie reported that there is another kind of forming of a battle amongst some of the Sergeants Maiors of our Nation in these daies greatly in vse and that is That they place foure piquers with their piques aduaunced in square according to the greatnesse of the squadron that they meane by guesse to form with the number of piquers that they haue for that purpose And somtimes they place in the middest of the frunt betwixt the two formost piquers a third piquer and so likewise they place two other piquers vpon the midst of ech flanke one betwixt the said piquers that are in flanke with a fourth piquer also in the midst betwixt the two hindermost piquers which 8. piquers when they haue placed in as iust square in their distaunces as they can then they command al the piquers that they meane by guesse to reduce into squadron beeing all behind and in Rereward of the 8. piquers in square presentlie to run into the void place within the square of the 8. piquers and there to fall into their rankes with hubbledeshuf as well as they can vntill they haue filled vp all the distances and empty place within y ◠square of the said 8 piquers which being performed they hold this way not only for a verie ready forming of a squadron but also for a most excellent waie of reducement because that there is not any Sergeant Maior so vnskilfull although hee be vtterly ignorant in Arithmetique nor that he
are incident and doo ordinarilie ensue in reducing of little compertiments of small bandes into diuers formes of squadrons with sleeues winges forlorne hopes c with the great perfections and easinesse of reducing the great compertimentes of great bandes into all sortes of formes with great facilitie as is before declared considered I come to conclude that the aforesaid Lieutenant Generall or any other Chiefetaine of right vnderstanding obseruation and iudgement would forme the footmen of his Armie into great bandes and not into such small bandes as are before mentioned And thus farre concerning the proouing that great bandes of 500. are more conuenient for all purposes and emploiments then small bands of 150. or 200. are Concerning Ensignes and Ensignebearers of priuate bandes of footmen as also concerning the Standard and Standard bearer of an Emperour or of a King HEere it is to be noted because Ensignebearers of footmen are to march in the midst of the armed men aswell in squadrons as in priuate bands and therewithall to be euer ready to take their places vppon the assembling reducing or marching of such bandes that they with their Ensignes ought to be lodged in their Captaines tents or lodginges or verie neere vnto their Captains alwaies accompanied with one of the drummers and the phiâ—er of the band the other to accompanie the Captaine And incase there be but onely one drummer and a phiser then they are alwaies to accompanie and lodge where the Lieutenant and ensignebearer with his Ensigne in their soldiors quarter doo lodge and that in respect that they may with al celeritie by the stroke and sound of the drum assemble their band vppon al sudden Alarmes or mutinies or other accidents Also it is to bee noted that an Ensignebearer in the field carrieng his Ensigne displayed ought 〈◊〉 carrie the same vpright and neuer neither in towne nor field nor in sport nor earnest to fetche florishes about his head with his Ensign staffe taffata of his Enâ—igne as the Enâ—ignebearers of London do vpon midsommer night because that such florishes in all true discipline are houlden for mockeries Howbeit sometimes to aduaunce lift vp and raise his Ensigne higher vpon certen occasions it it verie allowable Also an Ensignebearer carying his Ensigne woond vp about the Ensigne staffe or else he carrying the same open leaning it to his shoulder ought marching doune a hill to gather together the lower parte of the taffata of his Ensigne in such sort as it may not touch the ground And therfore Ensignes of a conuenient size and not too large and great are far better and more conuenient then Ensignes that are very large Also the halbarders that do march in the ranke of the Ensignes and are for the gard of them ought to carrie their halbards with such respect as they ought not to teare nor touch any part of the Ensignes as neare as they can possible Also all Ensignebearers marching in the field either amongst their single companies or being reduced into squadron vpon the discouerie of the Enemy are presently to vnwind open display their Ensigns but yet if the wind be great they may gather together the lower parte or taffata of their Ensignes and leane the Ensignestaffe and Ensigne to their shoulders vntill they approch neerer to the enemie at which time all Ensignebearers ought to display and aduance their ensignes carrying them in their left hands to the intent that they may bee the more ready vpon the neer approch and encountring with the enemie with their right handes to drawe their swordes and defend their Ensignes by reason that they ought not to fight nor thrust with the points of their ensigne staues but only in assaults of Towns or vpon some other great extremitie but to carry them vpright and sometimes aduanced to the intent that they may be still in the sight of their souldiors Also if any Ensignebearer or ensignebearers in their band or bandes happen to march by an Emperour or King or by the Lieutenant Generall they ought to carrie them displaied and aduaunced and when they come almost ouer against such a Prince or his Lieutenant Generall they ought to pull downe their ensignes lower bow downe forward the point and taffeta of their ensign or ensignes not directlie towards the prince or Lieutenant Generall but directly towardes the waie that they are marching and at the same instant they ought also to bow something forward their heads and bodies in token of respect and reuerence without any waies moouing or touching their burgonets which ought to be alwaies fast tied with a taffeta vnder their chinnes Also when a single band or companie of soldiors or a squadron of diuers bandes marching in the fieldes shall come to aduaunce their piques and make a stay or pause then the Ensignebearer of that single band if it be alone or all the Ensignebearers of a whole squadroÌ„ must display and aduance their Ensignes Also a squadron of diuers bands marching in the fields it is lawfull for all the Ensignebearers in their ranke or rankes of Ensignes to carrie their Ensignes woond vp about their Ensignestaues rested or leaned to their shoulders so as in the ranke of Ensignes or in each ranke of Ensignes if the squadron be so great that there be more then one ranke of Ensignes that one Ensignebearer in eache ranke must carrie his Ensigne open and displayed and he during the time that he so carrieth his Ensigne ought to be in the midst of the ranke of the Ensignes vntill such time as he to ease himselfe doth wind vp his Ensigne and retire againe to his owne place be it on the right or left hand leauing the middle place to the Ensignebearer that doth succeede and supplie his place with his banner or Ensigne displayed But it is to be noted that in a squadron whereas there be diuers Ensignes for some of them to carrie their ensignes woonde vp and leaned against their shoulders others displaied vprighted and aduaunced and other ensignebearers also their ensignes opened and leaned to their shoulders it is verie vnsoldiorlike and vncomely to see such varietie of carrying of ensignes in one squadron therefore either they ought all to carry their ensignes woond vp and leaned against their shoulders sauing only one ensignebearer with his ensigne displayed vprighted or aduaunced as aforesaid or incase in calme weather or vpon any other occasion the ensignebearers like not so to do then they may carrie them al opened displaied but in any wise all after one sort sauing only he that is the chiefe ensignebearer for the time who ought to cary his ensigne vpright opened displaied although all â—y other ensignebearers do carry their ensignes woond vp as aforesaid But all this before notwithstanding here it is to be noted that in case an Emperor or a Kinges Standard be in any battle or squadron of footmen in the field that then
al the ensignebearers of priuate bandes are to receiue their orders directions from the Standerbearer of the same Emperor or King whether they shall carrie their ensignes woonde vp or any waies open with all other directions And also it is to be noted that the said standardbearer with his standard or his deputy standardbearer when the standardbearer is disposed to ease himselfe is alwaies to hold the middle and chiefe place of the ranke of ensigns and therewithall that hee should neuer display his Standard as other ensignebearers of priuate bandes doo but onely vpon the assured doubt and expectation of battle the enemies Armie being in sight in the field or else vpon some other great and principall occasion and yet not then neither without the speciall commandment of the prince or his Lieutenant Generall which said displaying of the Princes standard ought to be performed with certen notable respects praiers and ceremonies which because I do not certenlie know them all I omitte And therwithal it is to be furder noted that the standardbearer of an Emperour or King being alwaies either a Nobleman or a Knight doth seldome himselfe carrie the standard but vpon certen great occasions and therefore he hath alwaies 2. or 3. esquiers of great reputation and valot to supplie his place in carring the standard the enemie being not in sight in the field but the enemie being in sight he is presentlie to leaue his horse and to retire himselfe into the squadron and ranke of ensignes readie to take his standard into his owne handes vpon any important occasion And besides when he commeth neare to the place where he shall lodge be it in Campe or Towne which ough to be in the Lieutennante generalls lodging or at leaâ—t very neare vnto the same he then being on foot must himselfe with great respect reuerence take and carrie the standard be it imperiall or roiall and place it in his lodging vnder a strong and verie conuenient guarde of soldiors and so likewise in the morning vpon the occasion of dislodging he himselfe being stronglie accompanied ought to take the standard into his own hands and to march and take his place according to the directioÌ„ of the Prince or his Lieutennant general which being by him performed he may then deliuer the standard vnto one of his deputies giuing vnto him a great charge therewith and so march out of the battle then take his horse and ride a little either before the squadron to ease himselfe or else to accompanie the Prince or the Lieutenant Generall if any of them both bee neare vnto the same battle or else not And these particularities concerning these matters aforesaid are such as I doo at this present remember although there be others that I haue in times past obserued which with length of time I haue forgotten Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be vsed vnto Harquebâ—ziers Piquers and battleaxes when they are in skirmish with their enemies in the field SKirmishes both on horsebacke and on foot doo begin vpon such and so many diuers and infinite occasions when two puissant Armies that are enemies one to y e other are in the field as no man is able to particular the number of them And therfore I will as not requisite ouerpasse them But because hithervnto I haue handled the ordering reducing and forming more particularlie of footmen then of horsmen I will by the help of Almighty God in this place proceed to certen orders directions and briefe speeches that are to be vsed vnto bands of harquebuziers entring into skirmish or being in sâ—irmish as also how they should bee reduced into diuers orders and formes for diuers effectes and purposes which when I haue performed I wil then proceed to the reducing and ordering of other weapons of volee as of mosquetiers and archers into their conuenient formes And therefore it is first to be noted y t there be 4. different and principal waies for bandes of harquebuziers to enter into skirmish and to maintaine themselues being in skirmish which although they seeme not much to differ yet their differences are so great as they are to be obserued by al skilfull leaders and conductors of harquebuziers and by the soldiors themselues Of the which 4. the first is vpon some occasions to skirmish only with loose shot backt some good conuenient distance behind them with light armed halbardiers yea and of piquers also incase they doubte y e charge of horsmen but then those loose shot must deuide them selues into small societies either of 3. or else of 4. harquebuziers to second and supplie one anothers place and that is to be vnderstood in this sort Incase that they doo deuide themselues into societies of threes then haue they but onely three dischargings and that is when the formost soldior hath in trauessing his grouÌ„d with good aduisement discharged at the enemy and trauessing his grouÌ„d doth retire behind his fellowes to charge again y â— then y e second harquebuzier should aduance forward to espie som aduantage to discharge his harquebuze not in hast at the aire but with leisure at his enemie that hee espieth standing still or in slow motion which when hee hath performed and trauessing his ground he dooth retire then the third harquebuzier aduauncing forward and trauessing his ground should with good aduisement discharge his peece at the enemie that he espieth standing still or in slow motion whilest the other two harquebuziers his companions before retired doo charge againe which by him performed then he is to trauesse his ground and to begin againe to charge retiring beehind and somthing wide of the hindermost of the three And by this kind of loose skirmishing of many societies of threes dispersed in the field the formost of euery three next vnto the enemie with his peece charged trauessing his ground and espying when to discharge his peece effectuallie as aforesaid dooth giue time and leisure to the other two of his societie retired behind to charge their peeces againe But because that the chiefe effect of harquebuziers in skirmish dooth consist principallie in three thinges that is in the well charging of their peeces which cannot be well performed without conuenient time and leisure the second in leisurely discharging although not from steady and firm point at blank which can be seldome performed at men or by men in motion and therefore they are to take their sights at the endes of their peeces at such their enemies as are in slowest motion and so make the best point and blanke that they may by guesse from the endes of their peeces And the third which is of no lesse importance then the former two is that harquebuziers doo not discharge their peeces at the enemy out of conuenient distances for if they doo then how well soeuer they haue charged their peeces and with what leisure and aduisement soeuer they doo discharge the same at
men in motion they doo worke verie little or no effect as well in respect that no harquebuziers howe good soeuer they bee can take their sightes so certenlie from point at blanke in a great distance as they may in a much nearer distance as also that they can a great deale lesse take their sights from the ends of their peeces at their enemies in motion a great distance off although it be within the points and blankes of their peeces besides many other causes and particularities concerning the same in my booke of discourses by me set forth 1590. conteined All which well considered it dooth behoue all good and skilfull harquebuziers not to discharge their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40. paces at the vttermost although their peeces will carrie point and blanke a much greater distance But here it is to be noted that this kind of skirmishing of lose shot of societies of threes is not so good by a great deale as to skirmish in societies of 4. in euery societie and that by reason that euery formost harquebuzier of 4. next to the enimie discharging his peece as effectually as he may and retiring behind the hindermost of his societie to charge againe whilest the second aduauncing forward and trauersing his ground doth supplie the place of the first harquebuzier that did first discharge and is now retired as aforsaid and so consequently the third harquebuzier vpon the discharging of his fellowe before him that at the first was the second to aduance and supply his place and then againe the fourth that did first of all discharge and hath now againe very well charged hiâ— peece doth vpon the dischargeing and retiring of his fellowe before him aduaunce forward and trauessing his ground supplie his place which orderly discharging recharging againe and discharging recharging againe and againe with good aduisement doth by the societies of 4. giue more time and leisure to euerie harquebuzier that hath discharged his peece to retire and charge verie well againe without heating of his peece then societies of threes aforesaid can doo considering that in those skirmishes of loose shot it is conuenient that onelie one of euerie societie of 4. should bee formost and should discharge alone to the intent aswel to giue leisure to their fellowes one after another to recharge againe as also to haue 2. or 3. harquebuziers continuallie ready with their peeces charged one after another stil to aduance forward and supply the others place ready to discharge at the enemy For if they should discharge 2. or 3. or al at one time then vpon their error espied by the enemies and taking the aduantage thereof by a sudden approch they should find themselues vnsupplied and vnsuccoured the one of the other to their great danger and mischiefe But here it may be demanded what I doo call the well charging of peeces of weapons of fire Whervnto I answer That I doo allow neither harquebuze nor mosquet for well charged in seruices of the fielde vnlesse they bee charged with conuenient charges of powder and with softe browne paper or the refuge endes of matches or something else with their skowring stickes thrust close to the powder to restraine the same and likewise vppon the bullet the like or a more quanâ—â—â—â—â— to keepe close and restraine the bullet or when at the least I would that some such thing should be thrust vpon the bullet with the skowring stick to keep the same close to the powder therewithall to the intent that euerie souldior vppon his lacke of bullets might vse his fellowes bullets I woulde that all the harquebuzes throughout the field should be of one Caliuer and heigth and that all the ordinarie bullettes for the field I meane not the full bullets that first with great leisure they charge their peeces withall before they march out of the Campe which are or ought to be of the iust Caliuer and heigth of their harquebuzes but the ordinarie bullets for skirmish that those bullets I say should not be aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces whereas farre otherwise the most bullettes for the field heere in England as well of Mosquets as of harquebuzes are 4. 5. and many 6. bores lower then the height of the peeces which with the souldiors not restraining the powder nor bullettes as aforesaid is the cause that the powder how good soeuer dooth neither carrie the bullets so farre point and blanke nor yet doo giue so violent blowes as beeing otherwise well charged with more full bullets they would doo nor yet can possiblie shoot with any certentie although it were from a steadie rest either at horses or men standing still within point and blanke by reason that such bullets doo naturallie mount and flie wide howe true soeuer the peeces are besides that the powder for lacke of restraining as aforesaid dooth lie in the Cannon of the peece loose and the bullet through the too much smalnesse thereof in comparison of the peece doth vpon euerie little accident fall out and droppe to the ground where as ordinarie bullets for the field that are not aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces doo carry the bullets the peeces being otherwise true and well charged as aforesaide further point and blanke and with a great deale more certentie and besides doo giue a more forcible blow as aforesaid then such ouer small bullets can doo But now the second way of skirmishing is that such little societies of threes and of fowers may skirmish by discharging their peeces almost or neere about one time but that must be performed by the discharging and retiring to charge again of such little troupes other such little societies of like numbers that are a conuenient waie distant vpon both their flankes but something retired and therefore haue kept their shot aduancing forward as well to espy some aduantage to giue their volees at their enemies effectuallie as to giue time and leisure to other little troupes that haue discharged and therfore retired to recharge and aduance forward againe The third waie of skirmishing is of greater troupes as of 6. of 9. of 12. of 15. of 18. or of 21. And this kind of skirmishing in so great troupes doth resemble the first mentioned skirmishing of loose shot of 3. souldiors in euerie societie and that in this sort that euen as the societies of 3. did deuide themselues into 3. single discharginges as aforesaid so must these greater troupes deuide their dischargings into 3. volees as for example if the troupe be of 6. then the 2. foremost may discharge at or neere about one time and then trauessing their grounds retire behind the hindermost two to charge againe whilest the two second being now formost doo aduance forward to espie their aduantage to discharge effectuallie which when they haue perfourmed then they likewise are to retire againe recharging vntil they be hindermost giuing place vnto their next two
fellows to giue their volâ—e as aforesaid which being by the second two performed then are the laste two who did first discharge and haue now recharged againe to aduance forward againe towards the enemie to giue time to their fellowes retired to recharge againe but if the troups be of greater numbers as of 9. then their diuisions of volee are of 3. harquebuziers at a time as those of 6. were but of two and so likewise their troupes being of 12. then their diuisions of discharging are likewise of 3. volees y t is 4. to discharge at or neere about one time And incase that the troupes be of 15. then they are to deuide their discharginges into 3. volees of 5. at a time that is of 3. times 5. And incase that the troupes be so great as of 18. then they are likewise to deuide their volees into 3. times 6. harquebuziers And if of 21. then of 3. times 7. harquebuziers euery 7. to giue their volees one after another in the order and sort before declared greater then the which for diuers causes I would haue no troupes of harquebuziers in the field for to giue their volees in three diuisions as aforesaid But now the fourth sort of giuing of volees in troupe is of 4. diuisions which resembleth the second discharging of loose shot of societies of 4. harquebuziers for as those societies of 4. soldiors did deuide themselues into 4. single discharginges for the causes aforesaid so these greater troupes are to deuide themselues into 4. dischargings or volees and that in this sort the smallest troup that are to performe the same are 8. which nomber is to be deuided into 4. volees of two of the formost harquebuziers to discharge or giue their volee at or neare about one time and to retire to charg againe giue place to their fellowes as aforesaid and so subsequently all the rest by two harquebuziers continually aduaunced to discharge and other 2. continually retiring to recharge to performe the like and incase that their troupes be of 12. then they may deuide their volees into 4. as of 3. harquebuziers to giue their volee at one time and if they be of 16. then their diuisions of volee may be of 4. harquebuziers all at one time and incase that their troupes be of 20. then their 4. diuisions of volee may be of 5. harquebuziers at a time greater then the which nuÌ„ber of 20. or 21. as aforesaid I would not in mine opinon for diuers causes haue any troupes of shott in skirmish to giue their volees which 4. diuisions of volee by discharging retiring aduauncing and discharging retiring and aduancing again and againe with continuall volees doth giue more time and leisure to euerie formost diuision of harquebuziers with good aduisement to discharge their peeces and to retire rechgarge their peeces orderlie and verie well againe then the diuisions of three dischargings or volees aforesaid for lacke of conuenient time can do as all men of any consideration may euidently see by the particularities by me before sett downe But here it is to be noted that the 2. first little societies of 3. of 4. soldiors deuided into three single discharginges and the other of 4. harquebuziers into 4. single discharginges are to be accounted skirmishing and discharging of loose shott whereas al the rest are to be accounted skirmishing in troupes And furder that all the aforesaid little societies and greater and smaller troupes of shot are in their foresaid skirmishes to be ordered ouerseene and conducted by their Corporalles and all the Corporalls by their higher officers and all these different sorts oâ— skirmishing in societies of loose shot as also in troupes I haue particulerly set down because I haue known some Conductors of harquebuze shot Italians Spaniards of other Nations that haue vsed to skirmish by their soldiors giuing of their volees in three diuisions and some other conductors of the same Nations that haue caused their harquebuziers to giue their volees in 4. diuisions in such sort as is before declared But now besides all this there is another kinde of skirmishing of loose shot and that is when vnskilfull harquebuziers Nouices are lead out to skirmishe by as vnskilfull conductors that those harquebuziers do neuer deuide themselues into chosen societies of threes of foures or any sâ—ch numbers nor into little troupes as aforesaid the one to take care of the other and to giue time and leisure to discharge and recharge with order as aforesaid but that they are lead in skirmishe by their officers in great troupes of 25. or 30. harquebuziers together or more wheeling about following one another so thick and so nâ—re as they resemble a sport that I haue seene little boies play hanging one vpon anothers long coate when there haue bene many of them together called Why Puttocke away or else that euerie one of his owne head do go thick threefold or dispersed to discharge at the enemie with all furie by which disorderlie and furious skirmishing it commeth to passe that the harquebuziers doo discharge in hast without aduisement to small or no hurt to the enemy and therwithall by their discharging charging and recharging as fast as they can they suddenlie heat their peeces and make theÌ„ vnprofitable oftentimes do by such disorderlie skirmishing kil or mischiefe one another And besides if any of them happen to be wounded or hurt because they haue not deuided themselues into chosen societies as aforsaid none doo take care to succour and relieue such hurt woâ—nded souldiors nor to draw away and saue their dead karkases according to the vse of all warlike Nations with diuers other Inconueniences that I omit which doo ensue vpon such disorderly skirmishing And this kind of skirmishing may be very well tearmed to skirmish in hubbledeshuffe But yet it is furder to be noted that in most skirmishes that are well performed in the open fieldes although they do skirmish in such troupes of 3. or 4. diuisions of volees as aforsaid yet such skirmishes are first begun by small societies of threes and of fowers besides that it is alwaies conuenient that such troupes of shot should be backt with some numbers of light armed halbarders and piquers for such causes as heereafter shall be mentioned But because that in all matters militarie how well ordered at the first soeuer there happeneth vppon diuers accidents disorder either through the fault or lacke of skill of the conductors or else through y â— negligence or lack of skil of the soldiors conducted I wil now proceed to shew how the chiefe coÌ„manders directers of such skirmishes should by briefe speeches redresse reform al such disorders hapned as for example If the chiefe leaders directers of the skirmish shal see the loose shot in their societies as aforsaid or any of the troupes of shot before mentioned to skirmish too thick and neere togither wherby they may indaunger one another
the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one and the third the fourth likewise by the number of one and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal number to the first Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique all the harquebuziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them that is they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide must be of equall number to the first ranke to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and proportioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distances may through those distances oblique giue gallant volees to the great mischiefe of their enimies without hurting or endamaging the one the other And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Turks the harquebuziers Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes yet their distances were most commonlie oblique which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks Tartars and other such orientall Nations because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses barbed as also light horsemen And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares as the Hongarians doo in sockets made fast to their Saddles or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores vse double headed Launces or zagayas by some called punching staues for diuers causes and reasons that I am able by the helpe of Almightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field vnto diuers Captaines and Gentlemen of the shire of Essex Speaches to be vsed to a broad square or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduantage where horsmen cannot charge them WHen a good number of harquebuziers are reduced into a square or troupe formed not in rankes oblique but by right line to flanke a breach or to make head against the enemie in some straight or passage or that the place is such and of that strength for the guard of the harquebuziers that it is more requisit that they should make resistance against the enemie in some square or troupe formed then any waies disseuered or in troupes confused then the leaders vppon the approch of the enemie are to say vnto them Discharge soldiors to your knees and charge againe volee after volee which beeing by them heard the first and second ranke being in rankes of conuenient distances are at one instant to giue a volee as neere as they can taking their sightes at point and blank which being doone they ought in an instant to fall vppon one of their knees and to charge againe while the third and fourth rankes doo likewise giue their volees which being by them performed they ought in like manner to kneele downe and charge their peeces giuing place to the fist and sixt ranks to discharge their peeces ouer all their heads which being performed throughout the whole hearse or troupe sauing that the two hinder rankes shall not need to kneele bicause there are none behind them to shoot ouer their heads then all the first rankes that haue charged their peeces againe are to stand vp to giue volee after volee and so to their knees againe and to giue place to the hindermost rankes to discharge their peeces ouer their heads according to the former prescribed order But to the intent that two ranks may the better giue a volee both at one instant without daungering the one the other as aforesaid it were requisit that euery second ranke should be reduced oblique as aforesaid to the ranke preceeding for otherwise there can but only one ranke discharge at a time vnlesse their rankes be very thin Briefe speaches to be vsed to Mosquetiers beeing in a broad square WHen a conuenient company of mosquetiers well guarded with armed men are reduced into a broad square of 15. or 20. in frunt and 6. by flankes more or fewer and that all their restes be fixed in the ground in conuenient distances and that their conductors vpon the approach of the enemie would haue them to giue volee after volee from their rests taking their certen sights from pointe at blanke and that euerie ranke should orderlie succeede the one the other in discharging their peeces then they are to say vnto them Discharge retire and aduance which being by the mosquetiers heard then the first whole ranke taking their sights at pointe and blanke are all at one time to discharge their peeces at the squadron or troupe of horsemen or footmen approching which being by them performed they are presently to retire to the last ranke of rests there to charge againe leauing their owne ranke of rests still fixed in the ground Then the second ranke are to aduaunce themselues and to clappe their peeces vpon the first ranke of rests as they do stand directly before them and the third ranke are to aduaunce themselues to the second ranke of rests the fourth ranke to the third ranke of rests and the fifth ranke to the fourth ranke of rests and the sixte ranke to the fifth ranke of rests whilest the first that hath discharged and is now retired to the sixte or last ranke of rests do charge their peeces againe so geuing continual volees of bullets by discharging retiring and aduauncing as aforesaid they may annoie the enemy be they horsemen or footmen in terrible sorte without falling into any disorder or cōfusion And the verie like speaches may be vsed to little squares or troupes of harquebuziers in the field when they are to retire hauing discharged and other troupes to aduaunce and supply their places geuing them time to charge again and so by retiring aduauncing and succeeding euery one the other they may giue continuall volees of shot at the enemies Aduertising
large from the corner of the squadron as they shal think requisite and finding the hindermost ranke of 7. soldiors or of 8. if they be disposed to make their flanke of 8. archers to be of such cōuenient distance from the corner of the squadron as they shal think meet then the chiefe Commander of those Archers is presentlie to goe to the midst of that flanke where they are to make of flanke frunt and then being a conuenient distance from them he ought to say vnto them Frunt to mee Archers and let this worde passe throughout from flanke to flanke Vppon which his wordes pronounced all the souldiors in flanke throughout next vnto him are presentlie to turne their faces and weapons towardes him and make of flanke frunt and so subsequentlie all the rest of the archers throughout al the rankes must performe the like And this making of flank frunt may be performed aswel by the stroke of the drumme as by the briefe speeches of the commander which being by them performed then they must presently reforme themselues into their conuenient distances both by frunt and flanks that thereby they may without any impediment giue their volees as aforsaid And thus of a great number of ranks that they were before when they marched in their simple or single order of rankes as of 7. or else of 8. in a ranke from frunt to backe they are now become a great number of Archers in frunt that is in euerie ranke and but onelie of 7. or else 8 rankes by flankes which order and forme is to be vnderstood and tearmed a hearse of Archers and as this hearse is now reduced into a wing either from the right or left corners of the squadron so may the like winges be drawen from all 4. corners as also vpon the frunt or flankes of the squadron or any other place or places where it shal please the General of the field or the Lord Marshall to direct or command But heere it is to be furder noted that such hearses are not to giue any volees of arrowes at their Enemies but onlie vppon a token or signe giuen vnto them by some chiefe Commaunder of the hearse who by his officers is to make all the souldiors of the hearse priuie to the same signe and token And therefore the same Commaunder and signe giuer is to be of good vnderstanding in archerie as also of the distances of groundes that thereby he may not faile to giue his signe when the hindermost archers are within the reach of the former rankes of the enemies bee they horsemen or footmen for if hee should faile in the same whereby the Archers through the too great distance of ground shoulde shoot short hee should then commit a very grose error Also it is to bee noted that if the commander of the archers doo thinke it requisite he may deuide the deliuerie of his archers arrowes into two volees that is that hee may if the hearse doo consist of 8. rankes by flankes take order that fower of the formost rankes shal giue their first volees and as the enemies doo approch neerer to giue order that the other 4. hindermost rankes shall likewise giue their volees altogither with the rankes before them And as the reducing of Archers into these aforesaide formes of hearses are verie conuenient and of great effect for battles euen so they may bee brought into diuers other formes according to the scituation of the ground or grounds and diuers other occasions and likewise worke verie great effectes But now whereas there be diuers in this time professing Armes that doo greatly disesteeme archers thinking that a farre greater number of Archers were not able to encounter with a smaller number of mosquetiers Thereunto I say that that their opinion doth proceede of nothing else but of their lacke of vnderstanding and knowing the wonderfull imperfections and failinges that do belong to musquets and mosquetiers in the field as also of the strange and incredible effects of archers arrowes and therewithall that they did neuer enter into the consideration that mosquetiers are not to worke any effect in the open fieldes but from their restes fixed in the ground or some other accidentall or naturall rests and themselues standing still to take some sight from point at blanke at their enemies when they discharge which at men in motion with any certentie it is not possible for them to performe and if they faile in taking their sightes at point and blanke then their bullets do flie straight at the Cloudes without doing any other hurt besides that when they haue once discharged their first charges of full bullets or haileshot of warre from their rests incase they be forced vpon the vncerten comming of the Enemie to remoue and new place their rests and charge againe their peeces are so exceeding heauie and they therewithall so troubled with their rests hanging vpon their fingers that they are driuen to a verie long recharging of their mosquets againe which recharging if it be not in such particuler sort and perfection as I haue before set downe the bullets of their second volee will scarce go within the compasse of the height of piques vprighted or rather of younge trees as all skilfull soldiors that do know their wonderfull vncerten effects in seruices of the field will confesse so as I com to conclude if the trial were to be made in the open plaine fields betwixt 1500. archers and 3000. mosquetiers without any other weapon of succor either for the one side or for y e other y e mosquetiers being reduced into anyformes of greatest aduauntage and conueniencie for mosquetiers y t can be deuised those 1500. archers being reduced into many many troupes of fifteenes of twenties of fiue twenties of thirties more or fewer and they approching assailing the mosquetiers both in frunt and by flanks giuing their volees of arrowes in continuall motions at the mosquetiers who if they meane to worke any effect of necessitie must stand still to discharge their peeces as aforesaid during which time of their standing still they shall to their great error and mischiefe receaue the continuall volees of the archers arrowes vpon all parts of their bodies in such sort as the archers there is no doubt being well instructed and led in their troupes by their Captaines and other officers would with great facilitie with a verie few volees of arrowes breake all the mosquetiers although they were of a farre greater number For although mosquets will carrie their bullets point and blanke a great deale furder distance then archers are able to work any effect with their arrowes yet their wonderfull vncertenties many of the particularities whereof I haue in other my bookes very particulerlie set downe are such and so manie as against archers reduced into great numbers of troups as aforesaid and assailing them in motion with infinite volees of arrowes they would be found to be of a wonderful
neither in frunt nor by flankes whereas otherwise by entring and doubling their rankes one into another by right line they come to disorder their proportionate distaunces which they must again with all speed reforme Aduertising furder that as this squadron hath beene formed by the aforesaid two waies so may the same or any other euen at the first be as well reduced by any of those 2. waies into form in vaungard and frunt without making of flank frunt so as the Coronell Sergeant Maior or Captain that hath the forming of the said squadron haue good regard aswel to the ground and number that he wil make his frunt of as to the number of y e ranks by flanks and therwithal to place and accomodat the broken rank or ranks if there be any with the standard ensigne or Guidon Now because in these daies new opinions and fancies in matters of armes grounded vpon very weake or rather no reasons at all do beare a very great swaie and that amongst other errors militarie there be some that doo hold allow that launces should be rather reduced into troup to charge or receiue a charge then into squadron formed I for diuers reasons of the which some I will after alledge would that when any Coronell or Captaines of men at armes or dimilaunces shal haue occasion to reduce their bands into form either to march or fight that then they doo in any wise reduce them into forme of squadron according to the ancient-vse and not into troupe according to the newe fancies incase that time and leisure wil serue And therwithall that they do form them with a triple frunt that is three times as many in frunt as by flanks and somtimes more As for example if the frunt be of 24. or 25. Launces then the flanke should be of 8. launces And somtimes also with a quatriple frunt that is 4. times more in frunt then by flankes as also at other times and vpon other occasions into farre broader frunts then quadruple although by flankes not aboue 10. or 12. rankes at the most as aforesaide and that the Standardes or Ensignes if they bee men at Armes or the Guidons if they bee dimilaunces bee placed in the midst of the squadron And y e those horsmen be instructed how to inlarge themselues in their rankes when they march in squadron and how presentlie vpon the sight of the enemie approching to straighten themselues by frunt and flankes with their iust proportionate distances in such sort as they may charge or receiue a charge of the enemie without disordering their horses or Launces or confounding their ranks But incase that vpon a sudden Alarm giuen vppon the approch of the Enemie the Launces being in Campe Towne or Village be not reduced into their single order vnder their Ensignes or Guidons but that they are then assembling themselues and the enemie neere at hand then they must make of necessitie vertue that is to reduce themselues into troupe making as neere as they can a triple or quatriple frunt or more that they may somewhat resemble a squadron hauing regard to their distances that they may vse their Launces without disordering the one the other as neere as they may And whereas there be some professing armes in this time that doo holde an opinion that Launces haue a greater aduantage to charge or receiue a charge in troupe then in squadron as aforesaid they therein doo shew that for lacke of vnderstanding and consideration they doo greatlie erre in the ordering of horsemen Launces For the Almaines Italians English and diuers other Nations haue of great antiquitie vsed both squadron of men at Armes and dimilaunces and also troupes But it was neuer heard of before these disordered ciuill wars of France and the Lowcountries that Launces in troupes confused should be preferred and iudged to be of greater aduantage then launces in squadron formed considering that the reducing of Launces into troupe dooth amongest men of war proceed of nothing else but of lacke of time to reduce them into squadron vpon some sudden Alarme and approch of the Enemie So as such as doo hold that opinion might aswell say that two or three thousand piquers and short weapons haue more aduantage to fight in a battle of necessitie then in a Squadron formed which battle of necessitie or extreamitie terme it as you list is neuer vsed but vpon some great and sudden accident as when a puissant enemie dooth make a sudden approch vpon your Campe most commonlie by night or at the breake of day with a Canuesada killing both scoutes Centinels and watches through their negligent watching or discouering and therevpon an alarme giuen for lacke of time to reduce your piquers into squadron formed you are faine in the place of assemblie to make them to runne togither into rankes confused closing themselues as close as they can to defende the Ring or entrie of the Campe. By the which comparisons reasons and examples of footmen piquers before alledged such new fancies and lacke of vnderstanding in the ordering or rather disordering of launces may be easilie discerned by men of reason and iudgement And now to the intent that your men at Armes or dimilances may be the better able to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies it is verie meete and conuenient that their Captaines and officers should reduce them some time into squadron with a triple or quatriple frunt And being so reduced that they should be taught how to straighten and close themselues in frunt and flankes and how presently vpon the sound of a charge they should almost all at one instant put spurres to their horses galloping vpon the hand about 8. or 10. paces and then charge their Launces from their tasses or long Cuisses and thighes presentlie into their restes and not to carrie their Launces at the Armes ende as they do commonlie vse at Tilt to make the fairer shew and then imagining the squadron of the enemies Launces to be within 15. or 20 paces directly before them they should altogither put their horses into their Carrires to the intent to giue the greater blowe and shocke to the ouerthrowing or breaking of their enemies Then I would wish them to be taught how they should receiue a charge if another squadron of launces should charge them and that they should doo in this sort First when they shall see the squadron of their enemies comming to charge them either galloping vpon the hand or in their full Carrire then they being straightned closed in their rankes by frunt and flankes should stand firme all the Launces of the three formost rankes ready charged in their restes but yet the pointes of their launces something high vntil they do see the enemies squadron within 15. or 20. paces of them at which time they should with a terrible shout altogither in an instant as if they were one entire bodie put spurres to their horses and fall into their
Crosbowers and al those with their Cemeteries and straight or crooked daggers and other weapons in vse with them Now these light horsemen stradiots that haue been vsed by so many Nations are of great execution and seruice in the fielde both against horsemen and footmen disordered and very excellent to enter into and maintaine skirmishe chieflie if they be incorporated with Archers on horsback and Crosbowers on horsebacke The difference of which armors weapons horses and other furniture belonging to those three sorts of weapons I omit because I haue verie particularlie set down mine opinion of those matters in my forementioned book entituled Certen Military discourses Arithmeticall Tables formes and demonstrations c. by me Composed 1585. not yet printed Now therefore I will make mention of nothing else but how they shoulde behaue themselues in the field against their enemies and that I would haue them to performe in this sort Stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horseback being incorporated into bandes euery band of 100. of the which I would haue 40. stradiots 30. archers and 30. Crosbowers all on horseback and all those reduced into Cameradas or societies of tennes or fifteenes I would wish that they should not fight in squadrons nor in great troupes as men at armes and dimilaunces should do but that they should fight in many little troupes of tennes or fifteens or twenties and not aboue and that they should charge a squadron or troupe or diuers squadrons or troups of Launces in frunt flanks and backe in many little troups some aduanced and some retired in such sort as all the troupes next vnto the squadron of their enemies horse might haue other troupes in wing more retired to second and succour them and that the troupes of archers Crosbowers should giue their volees of arrowes and quarrels at the squadrons or troupes of their Enemies both in frunt flankes and backe all at one time and that the little troups of Stradiots should remaine in winges somewhat retired readie vppon all occasions of any disorder of their enemies to giue in by flankes and backe and to kill or wound the horses of their enemies and that incase the Launces being in great squadrons or troupes should charge them that then they should presentlie cast about and flie in their little troupes and that they should disperse their troupes all ouer the large fieldes in such sort that the squadrons of launces should not well know which troupes to followe and that vpon the Launces pursuing of those troupes that other little troupes and societies should charge them againe both in backe and flankes and that with terrible shoutes and volees of quarrels and arrowes the Stradiots at the same time galloping in their troups by the hinder corners of the squadron should wound their horses with their Launcezagayas and giue them occasion to stay their pursuit to make head against them which if the Launces doo without disordering themselues then I would wish those troupes that charged the backe and flankes presently likewise to disperse and flie and that the other little troupes that they had followed before should vppon some extraordinarie shoute or hubabub whereto they should bee inured returne againe vppon them with new charges and volees both in backe and flankes with terrible shoutes and cries as aforesaid In such sort that although all the little troupes of Stradiots and shot doo not exceed the number of the launces in their great squadrons yet that their false charges should be such so many and so continuall in giuing their volees in frunt flankes and backe as that by continuall molesting of them they should put them in hazard to disorder themselues and disperse which if it shoulde happen then that the Stradiots should enter pelle melle amongest the Launces and striking both forwarde and backwarde with their Launces that haue double heades should kill or wounde their horses and so by the aduauntage of their weapons should doo execution vppon their Enemies to their vtter ouerthrow Now peraduenture some wil saie that there are no squadrons of Launces that wilbee without some companies of Carabins and Argolettiers or else of Reistres to succour them which should greatlie trouble the archers and Crosbowers to worke the effect before declared To the which I answer that I am perswaded that if the Stradiots archers and Crosbowers bee as many in number as the Launces and Argolettiers or Reistres that the Argolettiers or Reistres will bee of small succour to the Launces against those kindes of weapons but that they would vpon three or fower volees of quarrels and arrowes turne their backes and leaue the launces to defend themselues For Argolettiers or Reistres in true experience are not to discharge their peeces and work any effect aboue 6. 8. or 10. paces distant and yet that too farre considering the vncertentie of those weapons caused through the motion of their horses wheras Crosbowers and chiefelie archers may worke very certen and great effect to the mischiefe both of men and horses a great deale greater distance off which with diuers other reasons that for breuities sake I omit do perswade me to thinke that 2000. Carabins or Reistres are not able in the fielde to abide the charge and volee of 1000. stradiots Archers and Crosbowers Now the effectes that bandes of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke may worke against footmen vpon diuers opportunities are that they may giue their volees of quarrels and arrowes at randon into the squadron of piquers or into the winges or sleeues of shot to the disturbing and molesting of their orders and vpon the ouerthrow of horsmen or footmen be they armed men or shot the stradiots in following the chase may doo great execution and slaughter by striking both forward and backewarde with their double headed launces And these actions before declared are in mine opinion the chiefe effectes of those three sortes of weapons in corporated in bandes as aforesaid And thus hauing now finished all such instructions and aduertisements militarie as haue at this time fallen into my remembrance that doo concern the ordering forming and exercising of single bandes and companies aswell of horsemen as of footmen as also of reducing and sorming of squadrons into al the chiefe formes of battles â—y are requisit for armies to march or fight withal in the open fields with manie other important particularities I wil now with the helpe of Almightie God proceed to the setting downe of mine opinion how new bands and companies that should be elected and enrolled for defence of the Realme or for forren inuasion are to be elected inrolled armed and weaponed with diuers other particularities For as for the mustering of olde bandes that haue either serued long in Armies or in Garrisons they are matters so coÌ„mon in vse as it might be holden but for superfluous to set downe the orders and proceedings concerning the same considering that the most of all Warrelike Nations doo obserue
of the like nomber all of Piques Not aboue 5. ranks of Piquers closed in frunt flanke backe are able to make heade with their Piques to reache or hitt the first ranke of Launces charginge for diuers reasons An Obiection answered Why the sixth seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes can not as orderly let fall couch their Piques to the mis chiefe of the Enemies as the 5 formost rankes An obiection aunswered The great effects that a squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piquers do work Some Sergeants Maâ—ors of this time doe through lacke of vnderstanding and skill thinke a battell of extremitie and necessitiâ— to be better then a battell according to art and discipline formed Great bandes of footmen of 500 to euerie Ensigne are a great deale better then bands of 150. or 200. for diuers causes and reasons The causes and reasons wherefore y â— Princes of Germanie doe vse great bandes of 500 in their seruice of the Empire An example to proue that great bands of Souldiers are more requisite then small bands Soldiors are to be ruduced into their simple and single order of ranks be fore they are to be broug to any forme of squadron The great readinesse and dexteritie in forming of squadâ—ons with great compertiments out of bands of 500. Diuers disorders and confusions that doe ensue in forming of squadrons with litle compertiments out of bands of 150. Diuers confusions that doe ensue of many little compertiments of piquers Hâ—ere it is to be noted thaâ— although the Author doth praise allowe great bands of 500 in the which diuers different sorts of weapons are incorporated to be more conuenient for the forming of squadrons then small bands of 150. or 200. of the like different â—orâ—es of weapons yet he doth not disallow that in a puisant army there shuld be some small bands of 1â—0 or 150. amoÌ„gst the great but those onely of weapons of volee as of Archers or harquebuziers incorporated with some conuenient nombers of halberdiers or battle axes for diuers purposes Where Ensigâ—bearers footmâ— are â—o be loâ—ged How an Ensignebâ—arer in seruice in the fielde ought to carrie his Ensigne Ensignes of â— conuenient bredthe and lengthe more better then Ensignes that are verie large With what respecte the halâ—ards that are for the guard of the Ensignes are to march How Ensigne-bearers vpon the sight and nere approach of the enemie are to mannage their â—â—signes How an Ensignebearer marching by an Emperor or king or their Lieutenant generall is to behaue himselfe How Ensigne-bearers are to vse their ensignes when the squadron maketh a pausâ— How all the ensignebearers of a squadron marching in the field are 〈◊〉 carrie their Ensignes All Ensigne-bearers are to receaue their directions from the Standard bearer of the Emporor or king 〈◊〉 he be in the field Where the Standeardbearer of an Empep or king should be plaâ—eâ— When the Standardbeaerr of an Emperor or of a king is to display his standdard Cerren other parâ—icularities concerning the Standard and Standdardbearer of an Emperor or of a Kinge 4 different â—nd principall wâ—iâ—s for harquebuziers to enter into skirmisâ—e The first way for harquebuzers to enter into skirmish The commodities that ensue to harquebuziers by this first way of skirmishing Three principall waies wherein the chiefe effects of harquebuziers in skirmish do consist Harquebuzieâ—â— in skimish are not to discharg their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40 paces in distance Societies of threes not so good by a great deale for harquebuziers to skirâ—ish in as societies of foures Now harquebuzes and mosquets ought to bee charged All the harqâ—â— buzes through out the field ought to be of one Caliuer â— height All the ordinarie bullets for the field ought not to bee aboue 2. bores lower then the heigth of their pecees The discommodities of bullets that are 4. 5. or 6. bores lower then the heigth of their peeces The second way for harquâ—buziers to skirmish in The third way of skirmish No trâ—â—ps of shott are to giue their volees in diuisions aboue the numberof â—1 The fourth way of skirmishing The skirmishing of loose shot in hubbledeshuâ—â—e Discommoâ—â—â—ies ensuing by this manner of skirmishing â—riefe speaâ—es to be vsed â—hot when â—â—y are too â—â—cke in skirâ—ish by their â—aders â—riefe speaches 〈◊〉 be vsed to â—ot vpon any rounde or rounds of adauntage eâ—â—ied â—erten other â—lefe speaches â— be vsed vnto ot for diuers â—rposes The harquebuzes of a yard long the Cannon and â—anfor ced backward of as great and greater effectâ— then the heauy Caliuers that are nowadaies in vse But small effect â—rought by harquebuzes in skirmishe aboue 50. paces off A very skorne â—o giue volees of harquebuze shot at the enemy 10. 12. or 14 â—kores of What distanâ—â— oblique doâ— means 〈…〉 lique altogither vsed by the harquebuzes and light horsemen Hongarians and other oriâ—ntall nations The Persians only of all the orientall nations doe vse men at Armes Distances oblique in the field of great aduauntage for all light horsemen How harquebuziers are to giue their volees being reduced into a square in some ground of aduauntage How mosquetiers are to discharge their peeces being reduced into a â—â—oade square Mosquetiers are not to discharge their peeces at the enemie aboue 10. or 12. skores 〈◊〉 the furthest Mosquets charged with haile-shot of warre within 10. 15. or 20. paces doe worke great effecte It argueth but small experience in those that would haue mosquetiers in the field to giue their volees of shot 30 24. or 20. scores off Why mosquetiers are not in the field to giue their volees of shotte 20 24. or 30. scores off The account made of archers in times past The auncient â—orme of reduâ—ing of archers â—ere into hearâ—es How to reduce archers into Hearses Archers reduced into hearses are neuer â—o giue their volees but vpon a signe giuen An aunswer to such as doe thinke archers inferior to mosquetiers in the plaine field 1500. archers able to breake 3000 mosqueters The aduauntage that archers haue of mosquetiers Their oppinion that thinke harquebuziers of greater aduauntage to encounter with archers then mosquetiers refuted The aduauntages y â— archers haue of harque buziers Reasons to proue that 500. harquebuziers are in skirmish able to ouerthrow as many mosquetiers Mosquetiers are not able in skirmish to vse their peeces without rests to any effect with restes they cannot skirmishe For any man to discharge his peece effectual ly it behoueth him to be maister of his peece and not his peece maister of him Instructions to be giuen by Captains and officers to their bands for the passing of any briefe speâ— ches or word To whome the commaundement of passing of briefe spea ches doth appertaine The duetie of trompettors drummers The care that all Captains officers of â—andes are to â—aue to instruct â—heir bandes To reduce men at aâ—mes or dimilaunces into their simple or single order of