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
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
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
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
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
in their rankes both in frunt and by flankes as close as they can possiblie march pace with pace and step with step as if they were one entire body carrying their piques with both their hands breasthigh all the points of the piques of the first rank of one euennesse equality not any one preceeding the other And so likewise the points of al the piques of the second third and fourth ranks carrying the like equalitie and euennesse but yet the points of euerie ranke of piques shorter and further distant almost by a yard from their enemies faces then the pointes of the ranke that doo preceed them And all those fower ranks marching or moouing forward together pace with pace and step with step carrying their piques firmly with both their hands brest high as aforsaid their points full in their enemies faces they doe altogether giue a puissant thrush the points of the first ranke of piques first lighting vpon the faces of the first ranke or rankes of their enemies and the points of the second third and fourth rankes subsequently in a manner all in an instant doe all one after another in such terrible sort light vpon the faces breasts and bodies of the formost rankes of the enimies that do stand still pushing and foining with their piques in their rankes opened and inlarged that they neuer giue them any leysure any waies to pull backe and recouer the vse of their piques to giue any new thrustes nor yet to close their ranks inlarged but doo ouerthrow disorder and breake them with as great facilitie as if they were but a flocke of geese as all men of right consideration and iudgement may easilie consider and see But after all this it may be that some very curious and not skilfull in actions of Armes may demand what the formost rankes of this well ordered and practised squadron before mentioned shall doo after they haue giuen their aforesaid puissant blows thrusts with their piques incase that they doo not at the first incountry ouerthrow and breake the contrary squadron of their enemies thervnto I say that the foremost rankes of the squadron hauing with the points of their piques lighted vppon the bare faces of the formost ranks of their enemies or vpon their Collers pouldrons quirasses tasses or disarmed parts of their thighes by which blowes giuen they haue either slaine ouerthrown or wounded those that they haue lighted vpon or that the points of their piques lighting vppon their armours haue glanced off and beyond them in such sort as by the nearnes of the formost ranks of their enemies before them they haue not spaceenough againe to thrust nor that by the nearnes of their fellowes ranks next behind them they haue any conuenient elbowe roome to pull backe their piques to giue a new thrust by meanes whereof they haue vtterly loste the vse of their piques they therfore must either presentlie let them fall to the ground as vnprofitable or else may with both their hands dart and throw them as farre forward into amongst the ranks of their enemies as they can to the intent by the length of them to trouble their ranks and presently in the twinkling of an eie or instant must draw their short arming swordes and daggers and giue a blow and thrust tearmed a halfe reuerse thrust all at and in one time at their faces And therewithall must presentlie in an instant with their daggers in their left hands thrust at the bottome of their enemies bellies vnder the lammes of their Cuyrasses or at any other disarmed parts In such sort as then al the ranks of the whol squadron one at the heeles of the other pressing in order forward doo with short weapons and with the force of their ranks closed seeke to wound open or beare ouer the rankes of their enemies to their vtter ruine At which time and action all the inner rankes of piques sauing the first 4. or 5. ranks can with their piques worke no effect by reason that the said 4. or 5. rankes before them being next to their enemies are so neare and close together that they cannot with any thrust vse the pointes of their piques against their said enemies without endangering or disordering their fellowes before them For which causes by al reason and experience militarie short staued long edged and short and strong pointed battleaxes or halbards of the length of 5. foot or 5. foot and a halfe in all their lengths at the vttermost in the hands of lustie and well armed soldiors that doo follow the first 5. rankes of piquers at the heeles doo both with blow at the head and thrust at the face worke wonderfull effects and doo carrie all to the ground By all which particularities before alleaged and declared I thinke it may be apparant to all such as are not obstinatelie ignorant that Battles and squadrons of piquers in the field when they doo incounter and charge one another are not by any reason or experience mylitarie to stand al day thrusting pushing and foining one at another as some doo most vainelie imagine but ought according to all experience with one puissant charge and thrush to enter and disorder wound open and break the one the other as is before at large declared And if all the piquers of a band or of diuers bands beeing reduced into any forme of squadron should be charged with a square or troupe of horsemen hauing their piques vprighted in the palâ—â—s of their hands and boults of their arms as abouesaid and the sergeant Maiors and Captains seeing the Launces ready to charge them they shuld then say vnto their piquers Straighten and close your ranks close couch your piques and make head which beeing by them pronounced al the soldiors in the first rank shuld close themselues in an instant in frunt and setting the but-ends of their piques vnder their right feet firmely to stay the endes of them from sliding they should hold their piques with their left hands about a yard and a quarter from the butends leaning their right knees strongly vpon their piques to keepe them the more firme should direct the points verie lowe towards the breasts of their enemies horses hauing all their short arming swords redie drawne in their right hands the points forward readie to kill or hogh any barbed horse or horses that by chance may breake the piques and enter And then the second ranke of piquers straightning and closing themselues in frunt should let fall the pointes of their piques towards their enemies and should ioine themselues close to the backe of the first ranke bearing their piques firmely with both their hands almost close to the vpper part of their breasts ouer the shoulders of the first ranke at all the conuenient length they may with the pointes towardes the faces of the enemies horses And the thirde fourth and fift rankes of piquers in the same sort should close and ioyne themselues close each one to the
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
more at the least of the length of their piques which with the thicknesse of all the 4. ranks before them doo come to make them to leese 15. foot or more of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 3. foot of y â— length of their piques beyond y â— formost and first ranke the which 3. foot of their piques towards the Enemie reaching too short to annoy either horses or men doo rather through the shortnesse of the same reaching so little a waie beyond the first ranke trouble the foremost rankes of their fellowes then worke any other good effect and therefore those piques of the fifth ranke are rather to be kept still vprighted with the points some thing bent towardes the Enemie then any waies to bee couched as the piques of the 4. foremost rankes are and so likewise the piquers of the sixth seuenth and eighth rankes and subsequently of all the rest hauing no possibilitie at the first charge either of horsemen or footmen to annoy them they are to keepe their piques still vprighted the pointes something bent forward towardes the enemie to shew themselues in the sight of the enemy ready to succour the formost rankes rather then any waies to beare the pointes of their piques any lower But if any man will say that all the backer rankes of piquers may orderlie and easilie succour and supplie the places of such piquers of the fore rankes as come to be slaine wounded or ouerthrowne and so resist or repulse either horsemen or footmen entring as I my selfe in the beginning of this booke haue particularly set downe Therevnto I answere that the piques that are in the backer rankes vppon the accidentall breaking in of any men at Armes into the foremost ranks of piquers or vpon the entring of any of the formost ranks of the contrarie squadron of footmen are through the hauing of so many other ranks of piquers before them with the great length of those weapons in a presse so vnmaniable and therefore of so little effect when battles come to ioine that most of the piques of the inner rankes I meane of the sixt seuenth and eighth and so consequentlie of the rest of the middle rankes through the letting fall of the pointes of their piques forward how leisurely soeuer to couch and bend the points of them to the annoiance of the enemies do through their great length so intermingle and intricate with the piqueâ—â— of the former rankes that euery sudden touch of the piques that are in the ranks before one another do so disorder beat and turne aside the points of the piques from their intended thrusts at their enemies as that they rather turne them through their great length to the trouble of the ranks before them then any waies to resist repulse or annoie the Enemie But now it may be demanded of me wherfore the sixt seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes should not as orderlie one after another let fal and couch their piques to the resistance and mischiefe of their enemies as the 5. formost and first rankâ— of piquers may Wherevnto I answer that the 4. or 5. first rankes hauing apparant and cleare in their eies and sights the comming of their Enemies in squadron be they horsemen or footmen may with greater order and leisure all one after another couch their piques and charge a contrary squadron of footmen or receiue a charge of horsemen then the other inner rankes of piquers can who vpon the breaking in and entring of some of the men at armes in one place or other or y â— entring of some part of the squadron of their enemies footmen more in one place then in another as sometimes it happeneth cannot so well and clearely see the comming and entring of their Enemies by reason of so many ranks of their fellowes before them as that they may so wel in iust and conuenient times moments and distances orderlie and effectually let fall and couch their piques as the 4. or 5. foremost rankes haue doone Vpon which accidentes it dooth ordinarilie happen that such inner ranks are driuen to let fall and couch their piques vpon suddens least y â— by their not couching them they should by their enemies approching them too neer leese the vse of the points of their piques Which sudden letting fall and couching of their piques dooth cause the aforesaid intermingling and intricating and confused ouerthwarting of piques with piques a great deale more in the inner rankes then any waies in the formost 4. or 5. rankes as aforesaid By all which it is to bee considered and noted that neither horsmen Launces nor footmen piquers can enter vnder the points of my squadron of battleaxes empaled and inuironed in frunt flanks and back with 5. ranks of piques as aforesaid but that they must of necessitie abide the first violence of the pointes of them 〈◊〉 they find them already in great order and leisure couched to resist and repulse them Whereas farre otherwise it doth behooue the inner ranks of a squadron consisting all of piquers to obserue the entring of their Enemies be they horsemen or footmen in such moments iust distances as that they may be sure to let fall and couch their piques when their Enemies are entred and do come within 4. or 5. ranks of them which if they should faile to performe then it were too late for such inner rankes to couch their piques either againste horsemen or footmen now entred and comne within and vnder the length of their piques But vnto this some vnskilfull soldior may obiect and say that the inner rankes may still carrie their piques couched readie to resist or repulse their Enemies entering Or otherwise that they letting fal and couching their piques after that their Enemies be entered within lesse then 5. or 4. rankes of them may so farre retire and pull them backe as that they may recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies to their great annoiance Vnto which obiections I say that it is not in the force and strength of the most puissant soldiors of any Nation that liue still to carrie their piques couched no nor yet to beare them abouehand ouer their fellowes heades but a verie little while considering the great length and heaueth of them And therefore they must neuer let fall and couch them vntill such instant needfull times as their Enemies do approach them in so neare distances as they must presently either with one entire thrush if they bee the formost 4 or 5. rankes or with diuers thrusts in iust instantes and times if they be the inner rankes vpon the entering of the Enemie be driuen to make head and succor the rankes before them for if the inner rankes should through lacke of skill thrust at their Euemies before they come within the reach of their piques then they should worke no other effect but thrust their owne fellowes that are betwixt
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
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
Carrire and so charge and shock with their enemies to the disordering or breaking of them All which being by them performed they should then stop their horses and discharge their launces setting them againe vppon their thighes And then they should be instructed how with al celeritie to make of flank frunt by turning al their horses faces that waie and by inlarging themselues and doubling and redoubling their rankes to reduce their squadron againe into a triple or quatriple frunt Then I would wish that all the squadron of Launces should disorder themselues pelle melle out of their rankes and that they should be instructed either vppon the sound of the Trompet or vpon the pronouncing of these wordes Troup troup Launces presentlie to fall into troupe making their frunt triple or quatriple or more in respect of the flankes as neere as their Captaines or officers can guesse And being thus fallen into troup they should be taught how to charge or receiue a charge of their Enemies without disordering themselues or their launces Then I would haue them againe reduced out of troupe into squadron and taught how they should charge y e flank or corner of a squadron of piques and how incase they doe not disorder nor breake the piquers that they should retire againe and then falling into troupe they should with a terrible shout offer a false charge by making a point casting about when they come within 10. or 15. paces of the squadron of piques incase that the piquers making head with their piques doo not disorder themselues But if they should perceiue the squadron of piquers to waâ—er or swaie as commonly they do a little before they break that then they should giue in vpon the piquers with a full charge to the vtter ouerthrowing of them And thus with these and such like exercises they should be made skilfull able with all aduantages to charge any squadron of horsmen or footmen with great art and deâ—teritie Now peraduenture some not skilful in matters of armes may say that I haue made in a maner no difference betwixt the charging of a fquadron of men at Armes or Dimilaunces and the receiuing of a charge of another squadron of the like Weapons because I doo allow to the squadron that should charge but 30. paces that is 20. galloping vpon the hand and 10. for their full Carrire to giue the greater blow and shocke Wherevnto I answer that such as are leaders of any squadron of Launces that will fall into their gallop 12. skores or 15. skores distant or more to the intent to charge another squadron of Launces shall finde themselues in so great a distance greatly disordered confounded in their rankes and their horses out of breath and thereby the force of their blow and shocke greatlie weakened when they shall come to encounter with the squadron of their enemies freshe and not disordered â—ho haue put forward their Horses into their Carrire not aboue 10. paces Now if it should bee said vnto me that it were more meet that a squadron of launces that is disposed to receaue a charge should keepe their ground and stand firme with their launces in their rests rather then to fall into their carrire of 10. paces as aforesaid I say that their receauing of a charge in standing still should be greatly to their disaduauntage because that force and violence in this action must be repulsed with the like or greater force violence For any man of iudgement by reason may consider that a squadron of launces straightned and closed in frunt and flanks with their iust and proportionate distances coÌ„ming to charge their enemies squadron but 30. paces that is 20. galloping vpon the hand and. 10. with a terrible shoute in their full carrire will worke a wonderfull effect to the breaking of the squadron of launces standing still without mouing forward with any force Besides that the disaduauntage of such a squadron as receaueth a charge standing still without mouing forward with force is greatly augmented by the terror and thundering of their enemies horses feete vpon the ground comming in their full cartire as also by the noise of the armors of the horsemen and with the furious comming of the horses in squadron with the pointes of so many launces in the eyes and sights of both horses men standing still in colde blood whereas contrariwise the squadron comming but. 30. or 40. paces in hoat blood to charge them first galloping vpon the hand after in their full carrire as is aforesaid doe gather heate furie and force in such sorte as their blowe and shocke becommeth so violent that it doth amaze disorder and breake the contrary squadron with great facilitie But a squadron of Launces standing firme vpon their ground vntill they see their enemies within 20. paces of them then putting themselues into their full carrire and meeting with their Enemies 10. paces of it is distance enough to receaue and encounter them with as great force as if they had begun their carrire when the squadron of their Enemies was a greater distance of But now in this place it is to be noted and obserued that the Ensignebearer if he be of men at Armes or the Guidon bearer if he be of light horsemen be euer lodged both in Campe and Towne in the Captaines Tent or lodging or very neer vnto the same euer accompanied with the trumpetor of the same band to the intent that they may receaue all orders and sudden directions and hauing receaued the same may signifie them by the soundes of the trumpet Light horsemen borderers I will not take vpon me to set downe any thing for their instructions how they should vse their speares in the field because that they themselues by their continuall exercise are so skilful with al such weapons as they do vse in the seruice of the borders But yet I would wish them to learne to reduce themselues into semicircles or halfe moones into two rankes either by right line or else oblique after the manner of the Turkes and Hongarians Because I thinke that the same would be of great aduauntage for them for diuerse purposes as I haue shewed by diuers demonstrations and formes in a Booke by me Composed 1585. and not yet printed entituled Certen Military discourses Arithmeticall Tables formes and demonstrations to reduce both horsemen and footmen into many formes of squadrons c. But because that in my forementioned Booke I haue but only sett downe the formes and demonstrations of those semicircles by figures of little horsemen and not how nor in what sort they should be reduced into those formes I will here briefely set downe concerning those reducements as also of the aduauntages that such light horsemen haue in such semicircles against a squadron of Launces And therefore to reduce them into the aforesaid formes I say that if therebe for examples sake 200. light horsemen they are to march 2. in a
stead of punching staues And as for their geldings I would haue them to be of good life and size and swift of caâ—rire and that they should ride them with light short cheeked bittes according to their horses mouthes that their sadles should not bee so little and ill fashioned as those which we commonly call scottish sadles but rather that they should bee of that fashion which wee call nowe a daies Morocco sadles with pommells of suche conuenient heigth as one single pistoll in a case might bee buckled and set fast to the same as also that the same should be made fast and buckled athwarte the lower end vpon a little boulster to make it to sit the more firme and fitly vpon all occasions to be vsed according to the manner of the Reistres Also I would that no saddle should be without 3. girthes and ther withal should haue Patrells and croupers with the raines and headstalles light and of very good fashion Besides al this I would haue those kind of light horsmen to bee verie wel practised in the wel riding and vsing of their horses and handling of their weapons in euery kind and sort And thus far concerning that kind of light horsmen And now to the apparelling arming weaponing of stradiots by me mencioned in my former instructions and discourses Stradiots are a kind of light horsmen that haue been vsed by manie Nations aswell Pagans as Christians and haue beene armed and weaponed in diuers different sorts according to the liking of such different Nations Howbe it according to my opinion and best liking I would wish those kind of souldiors to be verie well elected and chosen of such men as haue dispositions of bodies and mindes to learne very well to ride as also to diet vse and keepe their horses therwithall to learne to handle al their weapons with great dexteritie And as for their apparel I meane their arming doublets hosen I would haue them to be after the verie same sort as I haue appointed vnto other armed men And I would wish them all to bee armed with good burgonets and buffes with Collers with Cuirasses with backs and with long Cuisses from vnder the lowest lam or skirt of their Cuirasâ—es to vnder the knee and in stead of pouldrons and vambrases â—leeues of maile compleat with gloues of maile also or gauntlets with all the vpper parts of their thums and forefingers of their right handed gauntâ—ets couered with maile thereby the better to vse their pistols and other weapons with such good swordes daggers and girdles as I haue before appointed to other armed men and in stead of Launces or speares I woulde wish them to haue Launces commonlie called Launâ—ezagayas of good tite and stiffe ash coloured black with double heads of good and hard temper according to the vse of the Moores of 18. or 20. footlong to the intent that taking them in the midst they may strike both forward and backewarde I meane aswell their enemies that they haue in frunt or in flanks as also their enimies their horses that may vppon any retrait pursue them I woulde wish them also to haue horses or geldings strong of good size and Carrire with saddles of the fashion of the Reistres of Saxony with Croupers patâ—els good headstalles and raines with small chaines to the intent that if their raines should happen to be cut they should not be straight at the mercie of their horses or of their enemies And I would wish them to haue at their saddle poâ—mels very good single pistolles in good cases well and firmelie sette at their saddles as I haue before mentioned with touch boxes full of fine powder in some conuenient places about them caried and with a Cartage boxe of Iron of 7. or 8. cartages fast set vpon euerie pistoll case and the Cannons of the pistolles ranforced backeward and of small bullet and of the length of 12. inches with good firelocks and no snap-haunces because in true vnderstanding for diuers causes that I could alledge firelocks are a great deale more certen and of lesse failing then snaphaunces are Also I woulde that they should haue at their saddle pommels of the contrarie side to the pistolles men at armes axes which besides that they are good to fight withall are verie commodious for horsemen to vse for manie requisit purposes and vses which because they are thinges so well knowne to all men of Warre of experience I omit And these kind of light horsemen Stradiots thus horsed armed and weaponed are meet for all sorts of skirmishes and incountries and also are of great execution against harquebuziers and mosquetiers and to bee briefe against al sortes of horsemen and footmen But because their so many weapons as are before mentioned for one horseman to vse may seeme strange to such of this time as do not loue to trouble themselues but with very few weapons I say it is no strange matter considering that such as doo meane to fight wel do like to haue store of weapons that incase one or two should faile they may presentlie betake themselues to the choise and vse of others according to the time and occasion But such as would thinke those weapons by me before mentioned to be too many for one man to vse woulde thinke it a great deale more strange to see a Turky horsman that trauelling by the way doth besides his Cemeterie and his crooked dagger voluntarily carrie his Launce his harquebuze and his Turkie bowe with his sheafe of arrowes with another weapon which now I haue forgot and all those weapons they doo weare and carie so conuenientlie and aptlie as they may vse euery one of them in his most conuenient time and place And thus far concerning Stradiots And now concerning dimilaunces Dimilaunces are horsemen next in degree and account vnto men at armes as well in greatnesse and puissance of horses as in strong and sure arming and they ought to be apparelled as I haue in diuers partes before mentioned They ought to be armed also with their helmettes with their beauers with their sights not too high nor too lowe with collers cuirasses with rests verie conueniently set not too high nor too low backs tasses short cuisses too vnder the knee or else with long Cuisses from vnder the lowest lam of their Cuyrasses to vnder the knee without tasses Also they ought to haue good and well compassed pouldrons vambrases and gauntlets and gussets of maile well set for the defence of their armeholes and their weapons ought to be arming swords and daggers worne in good and strong girdles long and strong launces with a curtilace of the one side of the saddle pommell or a steele mace or a man at armes axe on the other side as aforsaid Howbeit I haue seene some both men at armes and dimilaunces vse tocks very conueniently worne after the Hongarian Turkie manner vnder their thighs which Tocks are long narrow stiffe swords onlie for
the thrust And others I haue seene that in stead of Curtilaces tocks haue worn single pistols which pistols bicause men at armes or dimilances are to giue their charge in squadron with the pointes of their Launces and shocke of their horses they cannot haue so much leisure to pull out and to pul downâ— their cocks as stradiots and other light horsemen that do fight loose in skirmish or in other little troupes may Besides that the gauntlets of men at Armes and dimilaunces are not fitlie made to handle pistols in as all men may see that list to prooue them and those dimilaunces ought to be all horsed vppon puissant horses for the shocke and not vpon geldings vnlesse they be very puissant And their furniture for their horses ought to bee steele saddles of good forme and of a conuenient bignesse and as light as they conuenientlie may bee made with good headstalles and raines with chaines as aforesaid with good patrells and croupers Also if there were any gentlemen in those bands of dimilaunces I would wish them not to bee without the forepart of steele barbes to the intent that vppon any day that were likelie to be of great seruice against the enemie they should arme and barbe the forepart of their horses because that they being placed in the first rank or two rankes should bee the better able to giue and receiue the charge and shocke with the lesse daunger to their horses And thus far for dimilaunces Now as for men at Armes because all men that are of any experience and vnderstanding in matters militarie doo well know that they must bee all armed cap a pie and their horses verie puissant and all barbed aswell behind as before with the number of weapons that they ought of ordinary to weare and vse And because that in these daies partlie in respect of their great pay but chiefly because the art and science militarie hath beene of late years and presentlâ—e is in great declination and decaie they are not in vse in England nor in any part of Christendome as they haue beene I ouerpasse them But now it is likely enough that some Gentlemen that haue beene trained vp in these late Ciuill wars of the Low Countries or France may thinke that I haue forgotten my selfe in not making mention in these aforesaid musters of Carabins or Argolettiers vnto which kinde of horsemen they are greatly affected Whereunto I say that for the smalle effect that by experience I haue seene those Carabins in seruices worke through their great and manie failings which I haue sufficientlie proued in the latter end of my booke of discourses that I did set forth and cause to be printed the yeare 1590. as also in the former discourses of this booke where I haue written of them I doo not any waies hold them worthie to be compared in their effects neither to archers on horsebacke nor Crosbowers on horsebacke and therefore will in this place make but very small mention of them but do in stead of them wish that there should be an election and inrollement made of certen archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke in euery shire who should be armed weaponed and horsed and reduced into 〈◊〉 bands vnder their Captains and leaders as here in this place I will out of my former booke sette downe againe and that is in this sorte following All the Crosbowers on horsbacke vnder sufficient Conductors well skilled in the weapon I would they should haue Crosbowes of two pound and a halfe of the best sort with crooked gaffles hanging at their strong girdles after the manner of Germanie that they might on horsebacke bend their Crosbowes the more easelie and readilie with 24. quarrels in a case well fitlie and firmelie sette at their saddle pommels and mounted vpon good colde geldings of meane size theâ—selues armed with good morrions of the spanish fashion vpon their heads Collers light and short wasted Cuirasses and backes with sleeues of maile or their doublet sleeues chained with maâ—le betwixt the lining and outside of their said sleeues or with certen narrow stripes of serecloth within their sleeues as aforesaid or else chat they should be armed with morrions light and easie brigandines and sleeues chained with maile with broade short swordes by their sides of not aboue a yard in length and short daggers The archers on hâ—rsebacke vnder their Captaines or conductors skilfull in archerie I would likewise haue mounted vpon good quiet geldings of mean size with deepe steele sculles in very narrow brimd hattes well stuffed for the easines of their heades or rather with certen light morrions of some gallant fashion inuented and deuised for them and either Iacks of maile according to the auncient manner when they were called Loricati Sagittarâ— or else light and easie brigandines or at least Ilet holed doublets verie easie and well fitted to their bodies their sleeues chained within with maile or else with certen narrow stripes of serecloth betwixt the lining and outside of their sleeues for the easines of their armes with broade short swordes and short daggers their bowes of good yewgh long and well nocked and backed and all their stringes well whipt with sheafes of .24 arrowes â— peece in cases with shooting gloues and bracers after the manner of our archers in times past And all these both archers crosbowers I would haue them to be well practised that they might know how to discharge their arrowes and quarrells galloping vpon the hand and in al other motions of their horses and the Crosbowers to bend againe with great readines and diuers bands being thus horsed armed weaponed and exercised as also reduced into bands of fifties vnder sufficient conductors and other officers skilfull in those weapons should in mine opinioÌ„ be able to performe far greater seruice in y e field either against horsemen or footmen then any of the forenamed weapons offire on horsebacke Considering that both archers and Crosbowers may with their arrowes and quarrels verie certenlie wound or kill in their points and blanks either horsemen or footmen that are in squadron or troupe 2. or 3. skores of and rouing 6. 7. or 8. skores or a great deale furder may greatlie mischiefe and annoie any squadron either of horsemen or footmen where as the Argolettiers or Pistolettiers are not to worke any effect against squadrons or troupes of horsmen or footmen aboue 10 or 15. yardes off at the furdest and if it be enemie to enemie single then they are not to discharge their peeces aboue 4. or 5. yardes off vnles they wil faile 5. times before they hit once so vncertaine are those weapons of fire The iudgement wherof because this mine opinion may seeme strange to such as doo not know the imperfections of those weapons of fire on horsebacke I refer vnto any Captaines or conductors of those weapons either Italians Spaniards Wallouns or French that are souldiors of experience and iudgement But now because I