regard of the valor of their armies The fortification being explayned the Campemaister causeth the vangarde to stande from the trenches such a distance as he thinketh fit making way therby for the battaile reregarde to march and for to set in order the cariage of the artillerie munitions and bagage a companie or cōpanies of the vangarde salying before to whom they giue guides of the fielde dismissing the curriers which serue to discouer as a guarde vntill they marche In this time the Generall of the artillerie should goe to place it in order and the cariage of his traine In what place the artillerie is to marche according to the breadth of the way helping him selfe with the gastadors if it should be necessarie to make planesse and the grand Prouost is to order likewise the waggons of the victualls and baggage who is to carie a little banner for his better guiding and then the Captaines and * Barrachiles be Corporalls of the fielde Corporalls of the Regiments of the fielde Terces and cauallerie are to holde their baggage withdrawne by them selues to salie forth of the lodging All the waggons of the trayne or suite of the artillerie ought to bee the firste the vastadors marching with them without any other being mingled among those of the munition which ordinarilie goe in this forme that is to carrie the first carte laden with spades and mattockes the which * What with false printing vnusuall words som trauail is offered to the translat here he doth vse the word A fuste twise in two sundrie significations in whiche I must cōfesse myne owne ignorāce as also of as many as I could confer with among the Spaniards themselues but submitting my self I take the sence to bee truely obserued pyoners followe seruing to marke out the tracks of the way which they are to passe and next the light pieces and after them the greater in the blocke cariages being more easilie able to be carried so then in proper carriages in which they are enforced to marche withall when there is likelihoode of combatt time beeing gayned thereby which would be lost in the remouing of them from the blocke to their wheele cariages The pieces of artillerie are followed by the Carpenters and smithes cartes and then by those of the pouder and leade after with the match such cartes comming after these as carrie Pikes and Lances and after those which carrie shott at whose heeles marche the waggons of the Generall and officers of the artillerie and after them all the rest of the munitions appertayning to the trayne of the artillerie and last of all the waggons of victualls and hospitall and by by those of Y.H. with which beginneth the baguage carying before Y.H. waggons the bāners of the grand Prouost whom the rest are to followe And when it is necessarie to advance anie pieces for being in suspicion or doubting a fight they carrie with them such waggons of shot pouder as is necessarie to serue their turne with The artillerie and baggage being set in order and the vangarde battaile and reregarde pointed out which Y.H. is to giue warning for ouer night the Sergeant Maiors Commissaries generall of the Cauallerie hauing taken order for such place as the men are to holde which are vnder their charge diuiding therin such as are to goe in vangarde or rereguarde by their lists because none should be agreeued nor one trauaill more then another the Campe-maister generall must marche with the vangarde sending corriers before which are euer to keepe within sight of the vanguarde gayning the highest places to discouer such as are likelie for any ambushes aduertising continuallie what they viewe being likewise the custome to carie in the vangarde some pieces of artillerie which must goe renforced with more or lesse cauallerie or infanterie according to the qualitie of the Countrie narownes of the wayes largenes of the fielde or suspect which may be had of the enimie on the vanguarde rereguarde or vpon the flanke A consideration which causeth the orders to be so diuers which are giuen for marching and of those I will write to Y.H. in common what I vnderstand is to bee noted in generall for that it is not possible for a souldiour to be able to touche all particularities although he should write great volumes At this time Y.H. must be alreadie on horsebacke who are to marche with your guidon and * Besides the standart I take that he meaneth such a pensil as the Deputies of Yrland whē they are in the field vse to haue caried by a Page with their armes painted thereon pensill which is the standarde whether all the grandes Lordes Caualleries which serue Y.H. in the battaile are to repaire being their stande in the armies of Princes and generalls in that it is the place whether from all partes they are to resorte And albeit this be the fashion of the warre yet I haue bene my selfe in campe where the Generall hath bene resolued to change it and to marche in the vangarde with the vastadors which was a strange place to them which he did in being enforced to goe ioyned to the enimie to starue him vp and keepe him from possessing any place And in case the enimie would seeke him out for to fight thorough his so neare neighbourhood yet was it not possible for him although he defended him with an armie inferior in number besides sauing much paines and trauaile thereby The Generals place vpon a day◠of battaile an occasion that he would loose no time by remayning in the middest of the armie from whence he was to parte vpō any newes of the enimies seeking of him out to make choise of some conuenient place for to fight the which he remedied by being in the vangarde and helde by this and the first intelligēce of the enimies approch the fielde well vewed and scituation where to fight which he instantlie commaunded to be fortified so his armie had no more to doe then as they came to the stande to sett them selues in battaile being by this meanes superior in scituation alwayes to fight with aduantage Forme to march in an opē coūtrie If the fielde be large to be able to goe from one lodging to an other in battaile that the enimie be on such parte as you can not be able to present it vnto him for that day it shal be greater cōmoditie for euerie squadron to march by them selues being able to ioyne togither with ease and the artillerie and baggage vppon the flanke of the armie where least feare may be of the enimie the cariage couering the squadrons which are to goe in eight or ten rankes in fronte that they may be with the least and march with lesse trouble prouided that the artillerie goe on the side of the squadrons and some fielde pieces before for that in case it should be necessarie to better them it mought bee done without annoyance
entred within the towne you are to goe to the principall Church to giue thankes vnto our Lo for the victorie This done the Campe maister generall viewed the town to giue order for the lodging of the men which Y.H. is to command to enter in when the daies and howers of sacke are ended in which is to be considered that one nation enfect not them selues with an other coming to blowes in respect of pendences questions which may arise betweene one soldior and another about their booties And such as haue shewed them selues remarqueable in the assault as wel souldiours as Alferezes by putting first the coulers vppon the wall you are to giue thankes vnto advauncing them in the Acknowledgement of their valour that the rest may see them preferred for it then for such pieces of Artillerie sortes of engines fires and qualitie of armes as they which were besieged held they are to be bestowed vppon those which first lighteth vpon them The Towne such Artillerie as is mounted and the munitions is to appertayne only to Y.H. such as are vnmounted in some Prouinces to the generall of the Artillerie them that are broken by batterie to the gunners and the victualls which shal be found in store to such generall as Y.H. hath appointed for the enterprise Y.H. lodging of the armie within the town after it is gayned Considerations for the raysing of a siege ought to be according to the greatnes and commoditie thereof and such end as is helde in the warre being the best if the enimie be not so puissant as to be able to come to coÌ„bat the quarters to conserue them putting garrison within the towne In case any occasion should be to raise the siege thorough mutinie of the soldiors want of pay vnseasonable weather which vndoeth an armie or thorough suspicion of the enimies being renforced and their owne fortes diminished or other considerations which may induce it it is to be vnderstood that it be first done in retiring the artillerie and munitions marching with that the baggage according to such newes as may be learned from the enimie and this to bee done by leauing the rereguard renforced to stop anie salie that the besieged should make to charge them and in such maner as they dislodge not with confusion disorder making their retreat seeme a flight and in all other thinges which they are to doe it is to be noted that ther be alwayes left to the front of the enimie in the rereguard squadrons of cauallerie and fanterie giuing hande one to the other if the field permit it because it there should be only left either cauallerie or fanterie the enimie which coÌ„meth with both to fight against them hath greater advantage and more easilie breaketh them then when they find cauallerie to oppose against theirs and by consequence the infanterie marching in such sort as I haue rehearsed according to the qualitie of the countrey in one of those maners aboue written I haue not prescribed vnto Y.H. in case the enimie come with a powerfull armie to rayse the siege Considerations vpon the enimies comming for raysing of an armie in what maner Y. H. is to gouerne your self for that it is necessarie to doe it as the Captains councelors which Y.H. holdeth about you shall think most conuenient and according to the number of men in your armie state in which it standeth chusing vpon the consideration of these things whether it be better to attend him in the quarters or leauing theÌ„ the lodging to goe to coÌ„bat him with the whole armie or parte therof the rest tarying vpon the guard of the trenches artillerie quarters or to resolue to rayse the siege altogither VpoÌ„ this occasion it is to be considered if the enimie be able to take lodging wherby to hinder the victuals or be so well aduantaged neare his own as that he may batter the market place and squadrons for that vpon any such chaunce it is not fitt to mainteine the siege atteÌ„ding him in the quarters nor yet to diuide the armie to fight with him leauing part thereof for the guard for that it is much better to seek him out with the whole armie before he shal be able to worke any of both effects either to hinder the victuals or batter the squadrons Then gayning the battaile the town is gotten if it be lost that part of the armie which is left vpon the treÌ„ches quarters standing diuided runneth the same fortune and when the whole armie shal be founde readie to fight the victorie may very well be gayned thereby When Y.H. is resolued to go to encampe with the enimie seeking him out and to giue the battaile I wrote in coÌ„mon of such coÌ„siderations as are to be had in forming of the squadrons and putting them in battaile and seldome times men come to fight without hauing before made themselues lodgings and viewed the armies of which newes is gotten by spies other intelligences besides those which are sent to learne wherwith the Princes and generall Capteines advaÌ„tage themselues procuring to stand certified whether their campe be greater then the enimies standing superior in cauallerie or infanterie or both or contrariwise if there be an equalitie in both campes and in the trayning of the souldiors acquainting them selues precisely with this for that it is a verie harde matter to ouercome any Capteine who well knoweth both his own forces and his enimies particulars vpon which they are to found theÌ„ selues before they ioyne togither and giue battaile ruling them selues according as necessitie bindeth to salue a greater incoÌ„uenience considering when they stand vpon defence that a kingdome is not to be aduentured vpon one battaile except it be vpon great aduantage of place and in tarying vntil the enimie come to seek you out of which it is good to stand suspitious as a wise and watchfull soldior which way he may doe damage to preuent him looking circumspectly into all but not with so great an assurance as that though the coÌ„trarie Captain hold like partes he could not erre chuse the worse of the two partes esteming it for the best a thing which he would neuer doe if he were as certainlie acquainted with the state of the enimies armie as his owne Vpon this runneth the Castilian prouerb Si sispiesse la hueste que haze la hueste Hernan Nunaâ— en el lib. de los refr lâ—â— S. mal para la hueste When they encampe they sende ordinarilie and in particular when they stand somwhat far distant What order is held in encamping great troupes of cauallerie to view from one field to another recommeÌ„ding the seruice to men of courage valor and herevpon they come to make skirmishes which they terme Rencounters In which the leader is to carrie him selfe when he meeteth with the enimie according to the countrey and men which he discouereth and his own which he bringeth to marke whether a large
retreat may be made or no in case the enimie charge with furie the corriers hauing on both sides descried one another at an instant and when the one hath any newes before hand or discouereth the other they are wont to make ambushes seruing their turne for this by villages woods and brakes or other conuenient places in which the curriers are to goe very circumspectlie to take great heed not passing by any place of which any suspitioÌ„ may be had without viewing it sending two or three souldiours to that purpose Aduise for canvisadoes When the Campes draw neare togither and that there is place to view the lodgings vigilant generals do seke to annoy the enimie by giuing him canvisadoes an action wherein Y.H. is to giue care to the old Capteynes enioying readilie the occasion if it offer it selfe that it may not be lost by the enimies preuenting of the mischiefe which he may do in like actions by renforcing the guardes fortifying the quarters or bettering the lodging matters which soldiors of experience will foresee and the danger which is in a canvisadoe which the yonger sorte thorough the greedie coyle they make to fight neuer dreame of recoÌ„mending the execution therof to some soldior of experieÌ„ce able to execute and of great carefulnes and of whom such as goe with him to execute may hold a good opinion for that the good report What partes are to be in the leader of a Canâ—isadoe and fortune of a Leader is that which most quickneth and animateth soldiers being fit to haue like partes in him for that being an action to be done by night it is seldome times precisely lighted on and they shall euer erre except the souldiours holde good satisfaction of him which guydeth them Iointlie it is to be considered that no canvisadoe be made on that parte where the enimie holdeth his markett place because vpon anie alarum giuen within his quarters all his men doe necessarilie repaire thither and thereby keepe all helpe from those which giue the canvisadoe vpon their retreat the enimies squadrons staÌ„ding in the place wher they entred and for to salie out by anie other parte the heades which lead theÌ„ had need be verie well acquainted with the scituation and to hold the quarters well viewed which can hardlie be done wher the men are to enter for that the harquebuserie and holbardes are to be diuided in troupes particular leaders guiding them that they may disperse themselues among the quarters keeping with them the head of the canvisadoe trumpet or drumme wherwith they are to giue signe of the retreat to the ende that all hearing it may repayre to the place appointed where they are to salie out in which they ought to finde supply and helpe to succour them repressing the enimie if he charge them in grosse hauing before shewed the scituatioÌ„ in what part those men are to stand which come for the relief of those of the caÌ„visadoe Armies were wont to neighbour togither in lodgings verie neare for the desire which both parties had to fight or by the ones procuring to cut of victuals from the other or hindering him by being so neare that he vndertake not to giue vpon any place which he might take in few dayes setting foot within the Prouince the countrie yeelding commoditie for him to doe it and to get newe supplies In lodging in this neighbourhood by that which I haue written or some other occasions it is to be noted that as ofteÌ„ as two armies stand very neare encamped togither Consideration in the near neighbourhood of armies that which dislodgeth first doth it with great disadvantage for the aduantage which he giueth to the enimie remouing with the trouble of his whole armie and the contrarie able to fight with him without any at all and for this cause diuers Capteins haue vsed seeing them selues so neare neighbours to the enimie that of force they must be fayne to dislodge great stratagemes and deuizes to doe it without their perceiuing therof the which sheweth the perill that is how much it is to be considered that they be not to neare neighbours to the enimie except they be sure of victualls and of the scituation vnderstande that the enimie holdeth it for better to leaue his aduenturing the daunger of dislodging then to fight with the contrarie Considerations for a day of battayle The day of battaile presenting it selfe which must be as Y. H. perceiueth the stomack and gallantnes of your armie for to fight and when not to excuse it for that it is not to be giuen except necessitie presse it or good occasion call for it Y.H. is to note that many leaders of the armies seek by their good wills to fight only to aduantage them selues but Y.H. must procure the gayning thereof without leauing them to be caried with their owne imaginations when they holde no stronger a foundation of discretion and wisedome then onely a litle foolehardines It is likewise to be considered vpon like dayes whither the countrey be open where they are to fight field champion or full of valleys mountaines what men the enimie bringeth and number of squadrons which the curriers haue discouered composition of the battaile whether in one front or in forme of a halfe moone or with a vanguarde bataile or rereguarde or if the first of squadrons bee followed with another equall vnto it to succour it And when the campes are equall Y.H. must diuide your squadrons into iumpe as many as the enimies the old soldiors which haue ben most exercised in the warre fronting the enimies and strong men as well on horse as foote whereof aduyse is to be taken according to reason the number of the enimies squadrons by the spies such intelligences as may be gotten by roades skirmishes which are to be done with this intent onely and that the qualitie of those men which the enimie most accompteth of and relyeth vpon for supplye may be discouered and so the confidence of his armie entertainment of payes and victualls to be able to mainteyne it and the scituation which he occupieth whether he purposeth to fight in that or come out and seeke the other aduertisements which will giue great light if question bee of hauing a day of batayle to the differring or not of the iourney and to shewe in what time it wil be most conuenient to offer it At the day that battaile is presented the weather is to be considered and at what hower the fight beginneth whether it be helping them selues with their artillerie drawing it into a good place the number of troupes and squadrons which muster whether they be so many as may embrace the enimies battaile by girding it in whether the sunne and winde be in their faces matters which meÌ„ in old time highlie regarded vpon a day of battaile for that the sunne offended the sight and likewise the ayre if it came with whisking blusters or
duste and whē not to giue them breath to fight Particulars which are not of so great moment at this day in land battailes but very much in getting the winde for those at sea and albeit that the sunne commeth sometime by shining on the harquebuse barrell to dazell the taking of leuel yet with a litle spitle powder rubbed ouer it it will keepe it from by reflexing to annoy the sight The reason why men of olde time made so great accompt of the winde and sunne Why men in olde tyme made so great accompt of the sunne vpon dayes of battaile was for that their battailes endured longe and stoode vpon the strenght of their armes but at this day of verie short durance thorough the violence and dexteritie of the cauallerie vivacitie of the harquebuserie and helped with the furie of the artillerie As well is it to be considered in what manner the enimie beginneth to fight whether it be by hastening to much his charges for to come to the chock or prolōging the skirmish for to seeke a good occasion according to the motiue hee hath if in seeing his men timerous he may renforce them engrossing the skirmish ouer much that he suffer not his mē to loose courage or after a charge retire backe through the confidence of the helpe of his squadrons in such sorte as he may execute if it be done with agilitie and good order his purpose and keepe those which he charged from turninge backe againe if being inferior in cauallerie he putt them in such place as they may flye rūning away vpon the enimies charge and aftewards to fight equallie infanterie with infanterie Generall notes for like dayes of battaile in which it is vnpossible for a soldior to describe vnto Y.H. all the circūstances as a player at chesse albeit the sortes of draughtes be verie many can not aunswere any that shall aske him for to learne which is the best further then to giue the mate and not being able to doe that to take the fierce or some other peace and finally to keepe the gaine with good aduantage but putting the boorde with the chesse-mē sett before him in disposing them he may play many good draughts when in the end with onlie putting forward of one pawne he shal marre all The like falleth out in warre the best is to win and when a squadron or parte of the armie can not be broken then to stande to be superior or with aduantage knowing the scituation and which way the rather to proffit himselfe according to the demonstration of the enimie to ordeine a squadron to advantage it selfe with cauallerie or infanterie or winges of harquebuserie to seeke out the flanke of another or to get some high banke or ditch or piece of a wood places by which the enimie may be made to loose what he holdeth giuing occasion to charge them or breake them a part which a generall cā hardlie play by imaginatiō except the presence of the occasion presente it selfe as in many other things neither am I able to signifie vnto Y.H. more then some in common and those of most moment Among other in my iudgment is the furie of the powder to be considered to be so great at this day Considerations of importance in fight helped with the instrumēts of artillerie muskets harquebuses as not only it cōmeth to breake as in times past did throwing weapons This is deriued frō Phalanae a Macedonian legiō or company of 8 co as Caterua is vsed for a legion amonge the old Gaules and legio is a company of chosen soldiours the nūber varied in times fallanges and legions before comming to handstrokes but disordereth and openeth squadrons battallons defeating them and so the greatest parte of victories which is gayned at this time is by hauing obteyned them with artillerie or readines of harquebuserie by their liuelie voleyes disorderinge the squadrons of the enimie in such manner as they put them in rowte and defeating them without euer seeing or afronting them except seldome-times the squadrons of pikes For this cause it is a matter much growne in disputation in what place the artillerie should be caryed vpon a day of iorney one being of opinion that it go before all the squadrons to offend the enimie farre of discharging stronger Opinions wher the artillerie is to be placed vpon a day of battayle by this meanes the squadrōs to be in no danger remayning behind which are still to open and shut as the artillerie passeth where cannot be any profit at all Some are of opinion that the best place to put the artillerie is in the voyde places of the squadrons without tying them to open at the chock a matter which is the beginning of disordering themselues although they knowe what they must doe Those that are of other opinion hold for the best place to carry it at the sides of the armie squadrons fortifying by this manner of defence the flankers or placing it on the right or lefte side as shall giue most aduantage being the most conuenient that may bee to choose a most aduantageous scituation for the artillerie and so eminent as it may be able to discharge as soone as they discouer the squadrons of the enimie disposing the harquebuserie and musketerie of the wings in places where they may play with most securitie by the qualitie of them or defence of the cauallerie and squadrons where by they come to obteyne a great effect which is to be able to iudge almost with a cōtinual motion if the harquebuserie be skilfull offending the enimie Smal wings of harquebusry more cōmodious in fight thē great These wings of harquebuserie or musketerie although it is the custome to compoūd them of three hundred soldiers I hold better to diuide into smaller bodies for that they may be able if occasiō require the vniting of thēselues in one to doe it alwayes with facilitie when they are small by standing diuided they be much better able to fight with them Captains of experience guyding them especially if the soldiers be exercised in such maner as if occasion require the first rankes may kneele vpon the ground to shoot off discouering thereby a blanke to those which stand behinde to make a good marke discharging their voley at one instant In making the wings litle another effect is gotten which is whē they entertayne a skirmish with them mainteyning it with the end to see the enimies disposition that then the harquebuses waxe whot many times the soldiors powder is done not being able to choose with their swords they are enforced to begge more with great gabling and not fit that the enimie should vnderstand it and by being few they retyre easilie to fetch it refreshing them with other without any confusion at all in diuiding it out of the barrells which many times through the haste which is made are set on fire and so the soldiors left cleane without
soldiers retiring from the last ranks the pykes to crosse one another and the colours to moue with disorder and that such a squadron of cauallerie or fanterie goe on such parte as it can not be able to yeeld any helpe to the reste or be relieued by them albeit that euerie one of these demonstrations shewe the small strength and courage they haue to keepe the place giuing occasion thereby to charge them yet must you doe it with the loose men that goe in the skirmishe assisted with some good squadrō of cauallerie the rest bettering thēselues at the same instant a motiue which will discouer the enimie and his weaknes with the demonstration before said which although it put him in route yet is it not to be followed by any way disordering the principall squadrons of the battayle for that were to venter it not hauing bodyes readie formed to followe the pursuite in such manner as the enimie might be kept from renewing him self therein For that an armie cannot be said to be vanquished and defeated vntil all the squadrons come to be disordered least forming them selues of newe they may come to holde their former vigour Which bindeth not to vndoe your own squadrons vpō any demōstration of good successe the heads which take charge thereof vsing great diligence and care therein and vpon any appearance of harme all the strēgth they can that they disorder not them selues opening the way to bee put in route a point in which the safetie of courage and soundnes of a Generall is of great importance considering thereby the proceding of the enimie without euer altering in charging of him or drawing togither to resiste him ordeyning that the squadrons of the fanterie bettering of them selues be done with a leaden foote and the cauallerie charge them with the raynes in hande for that in no one thing of this life is there seene a greater change of fortune then in matters of warre where a commandement ill vnderstood or ordinance ill executed a rashenes without order a light voyce or a false fancie may cause those to recouer the victorie which were before helde for loste Y.H. hauing gained the battaile What a Prince is to doe after a battaile gayned is instantlie to giue thanks to our Lord for such a benefit receyued and to honor such as liue who haue serued you therein with their strength and stoutnes and those that are dead with their boldnes valor whom you are to burie with all honor and solemnitie rewarding their sonnes heires according to the qualitie of their seruice done shewing a feeling that Y.H. hath had a losse by the miscarrying of any head of the armie when he was a person of valour and experience for that it is one of the greatest losses that can fall to a King or Prince to whom GOD hath giuen meanes to be able to make men ritche to be followed but not to be wise and experienced in warre except hee haue framed the course of his life to follow it had the fortune to see many fashions in it which is the thing of greatest aduantage for a man to better him selfe by in an armie Men in auncient time neuer esteemed battayles after they were summoned to be gayned except the conquerour held him selfe three dayes in the lodging giuing therby to vnderstande that the field remayned for them and that the enimie was ouercome a matter not greatlie regarded now holding it for a battaile when all the enimies squadrons are broken that no one remayneth entire gayning therein the artillerie and colours and when any squadron is left entyre although some artillerie ensignes be gottē it is called a route a name which is vsed this day as well when they kill and breake anie great number of men although they carie no artillerie nor many colours or ensignes The artillerie munitions which are gotten must be to Y.H. and the colours and ensignes the Generalls giuing tenne crownes to the souldiour that got it when he bringeth it According to mans iudgement it can not bee probablie thought that euer Y.H. will come to bee besieged being a Prince so powerfull for that it is a chastisement to those whiche are wherewith our Lord afflicteth Kinges when by his secrete iudgments he will wrap them in all sortes of miseries but it may so fall out as some generall of Y.H. may loose a batayle and by gathering togither the reliques thereof which is that which must be done as soone as they see the principal squadrons routed to saue one and when not to geather the more parte of the soldiours routed making one body wherwith to be able to defende the reste which come in from slying and to hinder the enimie by this meanes that he doe not followe the pursuite at his pleasure Causes whiche may enforce a man to defende a place Euen so may it fall out that he may receiue so great a route as that he be enforced through the losse thereof to quitt the fielde putting in one or two places such forces as are lefte him to keepe the enimie from being maister of the fielde or making a free progresse through the Kingdome or Prouince as he listeth bynding him not to leaue them behinde him in case he would haue them rendred to resolue to besiege them by this meanes when the mischief exceedeth the forces gayning of time the whilste that matters may chaunge therewith It may likewise bee that some Prince or Potentate may breake into a warre against Y.H. so sodenlie finding him self armed as that he will giue no time to compounde an armie or to warre with him seruing your turne vpon any such occasion best by well furnishing of places in such sorte as they may be able to endure a siege giuing them in this time matter enough to occupie them selues vntil you may be armed and make front against the enimie Vpon these considerations and such as the chang of humane things doth cōmonly carry with it it is verie probable that Y.H. Capteins are to defend many places and therfore I am in reason to write among other actions in the warrs after what manner a place is to be defended being that which refineth a soldier and serueth as a touchstone shewing the quintecence of his valor and industrie when he holdeth the parts of wisedome and sufferaunce in those trauailes which daylie passe in a siege or enclosed streight caryinge them with ioyfulnes and content which animateth the soldiers which are with him to make them seeme not to be great causeth the fearfuller sort to hold them for lesse then the chastisement of death if they should shewe their cowardise much soundnes and resolution being very necessarie for this purpose Besides the head considereth better then any other those inconueniences which are to bee preuented by feeling them and the weight which he carieth vpon his own shoulders Particulars which naturally would cause men to bee discouraged in defending by reason that
blowe is of great force at full a matter which the verie reason of shooting proueth through the motion whiche the violence of powder giueth to the bullet a manner in which the artillerie is mounted in the gallies And if in assaultes by lande they staie shooting anie piece out of the trauesses vntill the men be clambered vnto the toppe of the breach that they may do the more hurte by the certeintie of the shott two gallies being borded which is to come to assalte one another without all doubt shee shall haue most aduātage which in that season and instance is able to helpe her selfe with her full Artillerie a particular of which great consideration is to be had and to be esteemed of great moment at that instant to vse artillerie then before with shooting off great shott which come all to be lost and none of that force they are when they come to borde If the Armie be compounded of galliasses Aduertisement for to fight the armie beeing cōpounded both of round ships and shippes of ores high round shippes you must frame the battayle according to the disposition which the enimie carieth Prouided that the galiasses and rounde shippes in case the weather serue them shoote first off their Artillerie because necessarilie it must doe much hurte and when they shall come to borde such shippes with their gallies it shall tende much to their aduantage by the nature of the boording and likewise the same occasion is to giue lawe in what maner the battayle shall be disposed and without doubt the shippes of high building will put the enimies to flight if some gallies or rowing vessells goe in the vanguarde and when not it prouoketh the enimie to borde them The Armie being arriued in harbour Forme of landinge men or place where you would lande your men the Capitana is to giue order to all the shippes that as soone as they see a flagge put forth of such a colour they lanche their squiffes and long boates embarque such men in them as the Generall shall appointe in which consideration is to be had of the qualitie of the countrye whether it aske a great quantitie of harquebuserie and fewer pikes or more of them a squadron being presentlie to be made for feare of the enimies cauallerie or a golpe of men ioyned togither the number being cast which euery skiffe can carrie a shoare then is it to bee ordered that in euerie squiffe or long boat a thirde parte of pykes and two of harquebusiers in such sorte as being tenne pikes there may bee twentie harquebusiers The Capitana lanching her owne squiffe or longe boate and therein such soldiours putt as are to goe an ensigne is to be caried in the prowe of that squiffe onely which all the rest are to followe and comming neare vnto the shoare they holde water turning their poopes vnto it to vse such little pieces as goe in them shooting them off if neede be giuing a tire vpon the enimie to make him stande further from the sea side and when he will not then to thrust them a shoare where a squadron is instantlie to be made the harquebuserie gayning the most conuenient stand and with this order the squiffes returne againe to sea to fetche the rest which are to desembarke an effect which he that is on lande cannot withstand the inuador being the more powerfull when he holdeth no place fortified or furnished with artillerie nor that it bee inaccessible for that he which commeth to land carieth litle pieces and they on lande being to remoue theirs from one place to another cannot weilde them with that readines that they are caryed vpon the water and when their is a place fortified where the men must needs land then doe they arme their boats with blinders which couereth the fore parte and serued for a defence and then letting it to fall when they come to land it serueth for a bridge helping them selues with this and such other maner of barkes which they defend with sundrie sortes of instruments Epiloge referring him selfe to better iudgements Albeit that I haue made no profession of a Mariner the hauing bene a soldiour in some voyages by sea and present where I haue seene armies inough ioyne sundry sortes of shippes hauing bene prepared for them shall excuse mee for entreating of the gouerment thereof and maner of fight without writing more at large of marinershippe for that it is not my profession referring my selfe as well in this as in that of the lande seruice to those whose iudgement is better and knowe more thorough their great experience of which I for those yeres I followed the warre in haue signified vnto Y.H. in seruice of lande and sea my iudgement to be most conuenient for a Prince like Y.H. to haue the Theorique and practise thereof and to aduantage more by this the experience which occasions may bring the which hath bene my ende in scribling of these papers ledde with the desire I holde that not onelie your souldiors should admire in Y.H. your wisedome and consideration in vndertaking enterprises liuelines and diligence in executing of them dexteritie in camping and forme of gouerning your Armies and forces but that it may be an example to the rest of the Princes and Kings for to come to be called renowmed Captaines of warre which Y.H. will attaine vnto and manie other things worthie of so great a Prince if you will fixe the ende of your Actions in the seruice of our Lord God What ought to bee the last end of our actions offering vnto him the greatnes of forces who hath put them into your handes for the augmētation of his glorie and honor and maintenance of peace and Iustice within your Kingdomes with which he will be least offended and most praysed A blanke on which all men are to looke euerie one following the vocation of his estate Laus Deo Vni soli semper Censure BY order from the Lordes of the Royall Councell I haue seene this booke intituled Theorique and practise of warre directed to the Prince our Lorde composed by Don Bernardino de Mendoza And by the experience which I haue of two and thirtie yeares which I haue serued the K. our Soueraigne in the warres Captaine of light horsse and Infanterie and Campemaister and Campemaister generall and hauing read all whatsoeuer with the best diligence I could gather written thereof antique or moderne in that profession and such histories as sett downe the reasons of their losse or victorie which haue had the commaunde or rule ouer armies which is the height of the arte militar holding experience to vnderstand them I say that this worke is verie worthie of His Highnes because firste hee proposeth such principall aduertisements as are to bee considered and vnderstood in the managing of a warre preuenting in the beginning excuses for taking armes as one that hath had experience howe vncerten the euentes are and laying down the matter of state with much christian zeale in which hee sheweth well the much Theorique and practise which he hath and after hauing done great and worthie seruices to the K. our Soueraigne it is not the least to haue made such a booke for the profitt which as wel the Prince our Lo. may drawe out thereof as the generals of his armie and leaders and soldiors which are to folowe them Therefore is it fit that it bee printed so great profit redounding thereby At Madrid the 12. of May 1595. Don Francisco Arias de Bobadilla
with them treatises of newe friendships and good correspondencie according to the humour and disposition in which they shall finde them lulling them a sleepe with such offers as may holde in suspence and at the gaze the more part of the potentates I haue thought good to signifie the premisses vnto Y. H. for that the desire of sparing is naturall not onely to all sorte of people but to very Princes and Kinges hauinge most times reasons to leade them therevnto but Y.H. can not haue a greater vigor surer foundation then to stand cōtinually prepared since that in not being so many greater mischiefes and inconueniences may ensewe then by the expence you should be at that with discretion you may suspecte double dealings though Y.H. for nothing in the earth would your selfe mynde the same holding it for a most sure maxime that who hath weapons souldiers preserueth friends and despiseth him he seeth vnarmed by consequent who standeth with his sworde in his hand will take no great liking to content him whom he seeth without remayning thereby with great suspecte and very small securitie Pointe of gouuernement When Y.H. shall haue entertayned the Princes made your prouisions and leauies of men in readines and in so good estate as no time may be giuē to the enimie to arme him selfe further it shal be fitt that speedily among Y.H. vassalls in as short time as may be you resolue of the enterprise you meane to execute especially if it be against the infidells barbarians people or natiō of the qualitie as they are at enimitie withall because that being of them selues enclyned there vnto they growe enflamed in that sorte as they embrace the very day it is published with great content and reioysing whereby two things are gayned first that they stand encouraged thereby to performe some extraordinarie seruice to Y.H. in hope of the profit and succes shall ensewe thereof secondly most Princes and Potentates shall perceyue the affection which Y.H. vassals carie towardes you with what applause they performe the seruice Notwithstanding that it be done with excessiue expence of Y.H. rentes and they willing to supply parte thereof by diminution of their owne When any Prince shall attempt the kingdomes or estates of Y.H. the warre is defensiue Defensiue warre and then the motiue is to be respected for which cause it is mooued if it be to recouer any right iniurie or agreuance which they thinke they haue receyued or for a common enmities sake which the infidells and barbarians holde against all christian Princes causes which they call extrinsecall or outward for the destruction of a kingdome intrinsecall or inward be such as I haue described wherof there is no maruell though some shall happen in any of Y.H. estates through fault of your gouuernours being men as Princes are and holdinge comoditie to condescend to their appetites and lustes thorough the power of the place which they occupie and sometimes when to giue contentment to their Prince requiring of them some summe of money or assistance of other prouisions they ouer excessiuely charge the people bringing them thorough this oppression to mutinie without aduertising the Prince what inconuenience may fall vnto him moued therevnto by the pleasure whiche they thinke they doe him therein and imagining more aduauncement and greatnes to growe vnto their owne persons thereby Three maner of ways to defend To defend may be done three maner of wayes in salying to receyue the enimie without the kingdome or to attende him vpon the confines thereof manuing the frontiers as the roughnes or straightnes of the wayes and difficultie of passing the Riuers will yeelde commoditie The thirde may be likewise in two fashions Diuision of the thirde manor of defence furnishinge with good store of souldiours and munition one or two frontieres or more when they may be places well fortified hauing within their view all the rest of the armie lodged to be readie vpon any good occasion and the other if the frontiers be weake villages round about and the fielde open is to chuse such a sciete to lodge your army in as may cherish the frontires and renforce with people where you shall feare the enimie will seeke to inuest him selfe by the demonstration alreadie declared Considerations vpon the first maner of defence In going forth to seeke the enimie may well be noted a greater courage and gallantnes in him which attempteth then which attendeth and that ordinarilie the successes of warre fauor more the inuador then the defendor beeing to be considered in this that to assaile requireth more forces then to be assailed or at least in reason they ought to be equall hauing like consideration betweene the qualing of a conqueror seeing him selfe come to be sought out the one of force constrayned to come to handes if he will seeke to enter an others house and the other to arme in his owne defence as the seruice shall require and in this manie are of opinion that the souldior fighteth with greater courage out of his owne Countrie then at home loosing the confidence of any other meanes to escape by then the valor of his owne handes Iointly they saye that as the good housholder doeth not take so much care in ridding them that are vitiouslie giuen from his house as in preuenting that they come not at all nor him to be a wise politician which only chasteneth theeues in the cōmon wealth except he gouerne in such maner as they come not in so neuer did wise Prince giue place to the enimie to set foote vpon his lande If he had any meanes to hinder it or conuenient forces to breake him before his entrie in On the contrary part it is helde a daungerous resolution to goe to seeke out the enimie Reasons for not fighting out of their own countrey except it be holding a sure place of retreate or an other armie vpon the Confines or Frontiers with which you may be ready to fight the seconde time for that in doing otherwise it were to endaūger a whole estate in one battayle especially when they goe not with superior forces or at the least equall Hauing to consider vpon any such occasiō whether the Captaine be of valor and experience to whom the armie for the first iorney is commended and that the Soldiours and men of warre be well trayned such as loue the Captaine which guideth thē for that this fayling they will neuer performe any matter of worth nor the Captaine what fashion so euer he carie except he holde a confidence and assurance in his Souldiors for their much obedience promising to him selfe that they will be as readie to obey what he shall commaund as they likewise stande perswaded of his sufficiencie to be able to gouuerne Likewise if the person of the Prince remayne with a second armie vppon the Frontiers with a body of people readie to relieue it if it should retire or to gather vp the
reliques thereof if there haue bin any losse turning face to the enimie which seldome times although he gayne a victorie or route leaueth to be brokeÌ„ in his owne force strength if the fight haue bin against olde souldiors In the seconde maner you are to consider ConsideratioÌ„s for the second maner of defence whether to keepe the passages and entries may be done with few people through the strength of the scituatioÌ„ or with so many as it must aske a principal parte of the armie for then commeth it to be diuided and consequentlie the first forces by the inferioritie hereof remayning broken and the passage being lost it is impossible to fight with the seconde or to be able in a long time to succour the Frontiers or Cities when the enimie shall giue vpoÌ„ them maistering the field and if he chaunce to seeke out that parte of the rest of the armie which hath remayned entiere there is no other helpe lefte then to sticke close to some Towne or stronge place to defende it selfe attending succour if there be any hope thereof so as the roome and place which they occupie be able to receyue it and to holde victualls for otherwise they shall finde them selues but in harde estate Considerations for the third manor of defence The third manner is of a greater securitie by giuing time to time with it which is the foundation to preserue enioyinge the benefit thereof and may alwayes bee helde for such when they suffer not much causing then no lesse damage Besides that seldome times is any kingdome or estate attempted which holdeth all the entries thereof in such wise as the very scituatioÌ„ by nature maketh theÌ„ harde but that when they are such always some intelligence is had in them or hope to gayne them by some cunning stratageme and if it be to inuade by Sea euer to seeke out a porte or landinge place where the artillery of Castells and plotformes may not reach the shipping at the landing of the men on shoare ConsideratioÌ„s for the first forme of the third manner of defence It shal be verie conuenient in the first forme of the third manner of defence to consider whether the fortification of the places or any of theÌ„ be so well vnderstoode as that probablie they may hope to defend it some monethes what number of people such frontire is capable of holding munitions and victualls for it for that the muchnes of soldiors is that which mainteyneth places for many dayes albeit they be weake of them selues and by consequent will prolonge the defence of a fourth monethes if there be a head of valor and courage to mainteyne it and Soldiours that conceyue the same opinion of him with which vndoubtedlie the enimie must needes spende and weaken his forces albeit the besieged consume them not either in salies trenches or bateries the time being the greatest enimie that may be to those which besiege to whom in his degree it offreth no lesse difficulties prolonging theÌ„ from fight then to be besieged besides thorough pestilence want of victual munition paye fowle weather and other successes he which besiegeth coÌ„meth very often to diminish his forces the contrarie parte resting with equalitie to succor the place albeit they before held them selues inferior in number not hazarding in consideration hereof the whole for a parte which ordinarilie falleth out when they will succour a place within their owne estate with the body of an armie a reason which bindeth to prouide in this sorte of defence for the frontires and townes of soldiors as if they should not need any after succours yet still to prouide a new as if they were not already prouided for at the instant that any occasion shoulde be offred In the second forme of the third manner of defence Consideratâ—ons for the 2. forme of the thirde manor of defence it is to be considered wether the scituation where the armie lieth for the defence of the places and frontires be in such a disposition as that one towne may be at hand to releaue an other and that garrison be put with coÌ„modite of well knowing the countrie and euerie sorte of wayes and passages with which the enimie may not be so well acquainted whereby he shall no sooner giue vpon the place then finde it furnished with souldiors and an armie at hande which may be able to put him to his trompes and cut off victualls causing for the preuention thereof euerie one to retire into the mayne to breake downe mills and bridges ouer riuers and to cut downe quantities of trees acrosse the wayes of the woods to stop them preuentions which cause much toyle to an armie for that there is fewe or none as it is vsed nowe a dayes which can cary all necessarie coÌ„modities with it self not presupposing to finde some within the Countrie when they shall preuent them but for a fewe dayes by reason of the barrenes or depopulation of the place many must finde them selues much annoyed By this forme of defence and dispersing of the armie alongest the townes and frontires which is almost all one whilest that the enimy consumeth himselfe thorough want of victualls and other discoÌ„modities although he be Maister of the fielde which causeth great trauaile to his armie not holding inhabitation wherewith to refreshe it you are to consider that if the Prince which defendeth himselfe holde not on his parte the affection of his vassalls this kinde of defence will neuer come to any good for that he shall not bee able to place within the townes so many soldiors as may commaund the neighbours who wil be readie to giue passage to the enimie to free them of their oppression yeelding theÌ„ selues as soone as they shall see him neare their Townes which is to confirme footing to the Conqueror an incoÌ„uenience which can not be remedied without shewing a boldnes with it to resolue to fight and to lodge so neare the enimie as that the very thought thereof may make him not to let goe much of his people froÌ„ their lodging looking to fight the countries to stand in suspence without daring to declare theÌ„ selues vntill they see the end of the iorney In lodging so neare you must alwayes choose out a strong scituation when you can not you must by arte cause such a one especially if you be fewer in cauallerie or fanterie theÌ„ the enimie to be able to equall the inferioritie thereof with the aduantage which a good lodging and scituation may yeeld to fight for which there needeth no lesse trauayle then the busines requireth which is so hard a matter to emcampe nor lesse experience in the generall being one of the greatest actes that are in warre and which seldome hath bene seene Y.H. may in like sorte prepare your men in readines to defend your selfe by preuenting such King or common wealth as you may haue warr with or any suspition of his breaking with you on that parte where Y.H.
squadrons or the high places being a hillie countrie And for that commonlie in camping you may be enforced to passe riuers by ford or bridge Passing of Riuers in which there is for the most parte much daunger by the aduantage which is giueÌ„ to the enimie by the ablenesse of assayling a passage or defending it it is fitt that Y. H. haue good consideration thereof firste vnderstanding whether the enimie holde it fortified or no and in what maner seruing him selfe with Artillerie for defence thereof because then I would not councell Y.H. to attempt it since necessarilie the Armie is to be diuided in the passage and coÌ„sequentlie the forces which is to make the enimies greater when as the coÌ„seruation of the whole armie standeth not vppon it being otherwise a most daungerous course and albeit that some haue putt it in execution it hath bene more thorough the cowardise of such as kept like passages then for anie reason which could bee alleadged for the gayning of them which must be attempted with so great daunger inequalitie as falleth in that manner of fight and so it shal be fitt for the auoyding of this inconuenience that Y.H. vse great diligence and secrecie in passing of the riuers seruing your turne with all sortes of stratagemes and deuises to the end the enimie may not preuent you by before occupying the passage In all actions of warre that is helde for best and most secure which the enimie least suspecteth and in passing of riuers it is of greater importaÌ„ce then in any other for the danger wherwith it is performed When there is found in the riuer anie forde with much water or his current carying great violence you are to bee enformed by the naturall countrie men in what parte the fordes lye howe deepe they are and in what season of the yere it may be past with lesse or more facilitie giuing light therevnto if the Riuer beareth ordinarilie much water or holdeth great quantitie of land-waters swellinge with raines and melting of snowes from of the mountaines which causeth much furie to the riuers whether the landing places at the forde be a plane with trees or rough vneasie vpon these qualities Y.H. may take resolutioÌ„ with your Councell touching the forde by which you determine to passe whether your cauallerie is to come before it grow morning and with them a golpe of muskettiers and harquebusiers which the infanterie is to followe carying in vanguard fower or sixe demye Canons whereby they may possesse the brinckes of the riuer so as the vanguarde may begin to passe the harquebusiers on horsse folowing such guydes and persons as haue alreadie sounded the forde and straight the light horse and men at armes euery soldior carrying on the buttock of his horse a harquebusier or musketier which may alight assoone as they are passed ouer occupying the most conuenient standes and the Cauallerie theirs if the fielde permitt it when they are not to returne leauing the harquebuserie assured and the infanterie to passe on the horse buttockes renforcing the first if the enimie be discouered which shal be hardlie able alreadie to hinder the passage If the depth of the Riuer and water be in that maner A newe inuention to passe artillery ouer Riuers as cartes may passe they vse to frame of them a kinde of bridges vpon which the rest of the infanterie may passe wetting them selues verie litle which is a great commoditie to the armie Vpon like occasions the carriadge is wont to passe the forde and the artillerie when it is not much I haue seene passed ouer dismounting them with raftes martinets and other instruments which they carrie to that ende to the other side of the water where a great gable is fastened which crosseth the Riuer stiffe drawne and vpon that they hange strong cordes which they fasten to the eares of the piece the which going betweene two waters is easilie moued the great corde running alongest the cable vpon which the piece is hanged and hereby the cable is able to beare it when the corde is made in forme of a slyding knot that it may be wyde inough to slippe and one other great corde which is tied to the slyding knot another to the haÌ„dles of the piece the which pull it to the other side of the Riuer by giuing it motioÌ„ which is easely done by reason in this manner for that the verie water by naturall reason lightneth the waight of the Artillerie a â—â—ng which is palpable by experience In this maner they vse to lande in little riuers the artillerie on the other side when the forde for the owse doth not serue to passe it in carts nor the Bridge stronge inough to beare the waight thereof I haue signified this particularitie to Y.H. for that it is an invention of my time and verie profitable vpon some occasions When they encampe within Prouinces where great deepe Riuers are the Armies ordinarilie carrie bridges of Barkes with them that the whole armie may the more securelie passe being verie easie to be framed vpp and albeit that at other times they make them vpon barrills cables and plankes of timber it is but to supplie necessitie when they can not carrie boates whereby the Canon may securelie passe In case it be necessarie that Y.H. make a bridge of boates or of anie other forme Maner how to cast a Bridge of boates ouer a Riuer you must commaunde that the whole Artillerie may be placed which you would haue passed vpon the brincke or shoare of the Riuer marking it out for such places as you would vse it in The which being done they must put the boates a crosse the water forming a Bridge vpoÌ„ the plankes wherof they shall place some harquebusiers musquetiers the better to assure the other side of the riuer if the enimie chauÌ„ce to discouer that you minde to passe it And assoone as euer the bridge is made Y.H. shall commande that some harquebusiers on horse passe ouer with a golpe of harquebuserie and some lances if the field yeeld coÌ„moditie thervnto foure or sixe field pieces some cartes vastadors immediatlie following wherwith the soldiers may fottifie the guard of the bridge which verie well may keepe fiue hundreth men fortified without indangering any greater number at the beginning being sufficient for that effect especiallie the rest of the Armie and bagage being to followe Prouided that if Y.H. haue any suspition that the enimie may come to giue vpon the rereguarde that the entrie of the bridge on the other side be well fortified in such sorte as the verie last of the soldiors which are to retire may doe it with securitie the Pikes which are among them are wont to carrie them in their retraite trayling the heades along the bridge to the enimie wardes to haue them the readier in hande if it bee needfull to serue with them with but turning their faces leauing the bridge afterwards if it shal be
necessarie In case that Y.H. perceiue that the enimie renforceth him selfe for to charge them you must commaunde that some pieces of artillerie be planted assoone as they haue passed ouer the riuer to play vpon the enimie The whole Armie being passed Y.H. may march with it according to the qualitie of the coūtry in one of the formes which I haue set downe and according to the shewe which the enimie shall make and before you come to the place where Y.H. purposeth to lodge you must sende the Campe maister generall before for to view it and to make out the lodging in which is to bee considerd Qualitie of lodgings besides those partes which I noted of water wood soyle and wholesome ayre whether it be fitt to haue it on a hill for that ordinarilie in such scituations there is want of water and pastures comming to seeke for it below the hill besides the discōmoditie and toyle in clamering vp with the victualls the enimie may easily hinder both besiege the mē if the moūtain be high where likewise the artillerie cāserue to no great purpose except it hold a proportion to shoot frō an high downwards In lodging vpon the side of an hill they commonlie point out the market place in the highest part thereof prouided that the distance from the quarters thervnto be not so great as that the soldiours must bee faine to bring their Armes breathles with clambring for to fight which is a great incōuenience and no small one to be faine to holde the Corps de guard wel renforced to entertaine play with the enimie while the men come togither to sett them selues in battaile if you descend from the side of the hill and quarters downe to the markett place in a plane it is done likewise with great disadvantage for that the whole power commeth to be discouered which the enimie lying close may with great certaintie playe vpon These be the inconueniences which souldiors put in like lodgings and so are they esteemed for best in a plain when they are not neare any mountaine or hill from whence the enimie by occupying it may offend with his Artillerie the market place or quarters for these causes are lodginges best on the plane not holding anie enimie neare especiallie if there be any wood behinde their shoulders or flankes or that there be any lakes breaches or riuer whereby to guard the flanckes or sholders prouided that the quarters be not so placed as that if the riuer swell it may be able to doe any hurt with cōming in nor the enimie by getting any Arme thereof to drowne them nor yet to furnish the lodging by putting them selues in front at the entrie thereof whē there is no other way for them which occupie it to get forth Iointlie when there is anie eminencie of scituation and that you must be enforced to lodge neare vnto it let it bee kept by placing men on the toppe least the enimie possesse him selfe thereof so as it be no further distant thē you may be well able to succour it for that otherwise it would bee a greater mischiefe by loosing your people And I doe not councell as some are of opiniō that it is fitt to turne backe to gaine againe the moūtaine since that in matter of standes and lodgings nothing is to be helde for good which may be bettered neither is it fitt to occupie it to any other ende thē still to mainteine it without thinking to recouer it again These aduertisements which I haue signified vnto Y.H. hold in generall as concerning the election of lodginges which are to be proportioned with the circumstāces of the case motiue of warre forces of the enimie place in which they stande holding alwayes a consideration before their eyes which is of greater importance then all the rest for lodgings and that is to chuse them in such sorte as may hold a verie euill acces for the enimie vnto them Qualitie of greatest importance in lodgings and a good salie for them which occupie them A qualitie which is not possible to be particularised vnto Y.H. except it bee with the present occasion and much experience which teacheth of what moment an ill approch is for him which is to fight a good salie for those which would doe it or dislodge This may be said to be it which men in ancient time denied whē they desired that the frontieres of their common wealthes which they builded in rough and raggie places might hold a good assent on their parte and an vneasie on the enimies which sometimes commeth to giue impediment to him to lodge and then the election of the scituation being made he placeth all his Cauallerie in fronte stāding in squadrons to couer the fortifying so as it can not be discouered before it be fullie finished In countries which are much peopled they vse to disperse the cauallerie from the infanterie to giue commoditie of houses and forrage which is done in such maner as the Cauallerie couereth the infanterie whē they are not sent out and the infanterie seuered to keepe watche a nightes the Campe maister generall ordayning it and that victualls bee brought if it be necessarie When as the lodgings be fortified that there be houses round about Y.H. may not permit your mē to goe lodge in them for that they serue to no other end then to giue occasion to the enimie to cutt their throates in the night by standing without guarde The Campe-maister generall hauing deuided the quarters and market place in such maner as I signified to Y.H. in the first lodging the Quarter maister is in particular to tickett them out to the harbengers furriers which done he may goe to rest and the Captaines of the skoutes and Centinels Who are first to be lodged which are those that are to be first lodged by reason of being wearie a nightes and the companie of the Campemaister generalls horse if he haue anie and this to be done while the vangarde standeth in squadron and the battaile be come which is then to goe to lodge the battayle remayning in squadrō vntill the artillerie munition bagage and rereguard haue entred into the lodging In this time the Campe maister generall shall viewe the most conuenient scituation where to place the day guarde on what parte the enimie is likelie to come and the Captain which shall haue charge thereof shall drawe out the Centinells to their standes without dispersinge them so as they should loose the sight of the Corps de garde prouided that if there be any vallies or woods by which the enimie should be able to cutt them off more centinells be placed to discouer in such sorte as the corps de guarde may see them who are ordinarilie to aduertise Y.H. of such men as the centinels discouer be they more or lesse which must by no meanes departe from their standes without order nor the corps de guarde to charge the enimie although he be
Batterie allowed for good in case they be not able to assayle in front Iointlie it is to be considered whether the wall yeeld cōmoditie by anie angle or corner to be able to crosse the batterie for that then they within can hardlie defend it and to make two batteries when it may be by assalting the towne in two places at once is much better then a single those which stande at one batterie still fearing least they enter by the other and hereby stande vpon their defence verie ielous of their own destruction and there is no noyse of woomen or children heard how small soeuer it be which giueth them not some care looking back what it meaneth a particular which sundrie times causeth places to bee the sooner gayned and in this respect they attempt other by assalting in sūdrie partes making shew of carying ladders other prouisions where they neuer purpose to enter onely with intent to diuert the enimie puttinge him with the suspition thereof in great feare seeing him selfe readie to be assalted which euery thing increaseth augmenting a distrust vnles the resolution of honorable Breastes despise it matters which must be resolued on without loosing time and in some place they plante pieces on the plaine groūd without gabions or trenches when as the town which they would take holdeth no defence nor that it is necessarie to vse anie greater diligēce then to batter a gate or open a Portal In this you must proceed according to the men which are within and qualitie of the walles and ditches if there be anie because whē they within may be able to holde time without yeeldinge it is not good to goe about to batter without couering of the artillerie making of trenches for that without these two things is but to venter and put in hazard manie men and giue greater courage to those within when they shal see the losse which is without In making the approche as they terme it as much to say as to come neare to the walles and ditches the Artillerie munitions being readie they vse the enimie being retired within the walles and the place where they are to batter well viewed by the general of the artillerie and other heads of the Armie to marche with great Culuerings and pointing them to such parapetts platformes and Caualiers as they may best serue in to begin to quitte some defenses drawing while the Coluerins play the Cannon as neare as they can to quitte the loopeholes defences in such sorte as they may not discouer the Coluerines or descrie them neare hande being places where the ehimie may doe mischiefe the demie Cannons Coluerines and quarter Cannons folowing the Cannon as neare as can be and shoting where the Coluerines and Cannons haue battered throwing downe the defenses the best that they can that with speed and diligence causing the enimie in one two dayes or more to quitte the Canonries and trauesses which being done or continuing to procure it it giueth a beginning that no losse of time be to worke more easilie in the night and with greater securitie vpon the trenches the enimie hauing no secure place whence to discharge a piece for his own defence the great cannons being then able to better their place where the batterie is to be made and to begin or continew the trenches if they be in hande alredie which in such place as much sande is they rayse with stones Manner of trenches which are verie daungerons trenches for hurting much people with their own stones as often as a bullett lighteth when the soyle is waterie some helpe it with chestes of wood filling it with earth other with gabions with which cōmonlie they couer the artillerie allowing them eight foote of diameter which is large inough for a defence and in Barbarie where there is so great aboundance of sande little earth and want of trees they haue bene wont to make their gabions by putting stakes into the ground fastening thē with ropes of bentes in steed of boughes weauing them so close togither as that they may fill them with sande It is a matter vnpossible to deliuer to Y.H. at what place the trenches are to begin nor whether they should be long or shorte nor whether for the better couering of the artillerie with which they batter they must bring it as farre as the brincke of the diche or come to disemboke within it nor to goe with trauesses through the same ditch forwards if the qualitie therof permitt it nor if it stand brim full of water with the more ease to be able to make bridges within it vpon which after the batterie made the assalt may be giuen or to bee able to come in barkes or boates to the verie batterie and walles particulars which I can not resolue except I were present vpon the verie ground as occasion presenteth gouerning ones selfe in this and in the guardes of the trenches other thinges according to the resistance which the enimie maketh and progresse in prolonging or shortning the siege The chiefest point to be considered is that the trenches be wrought with much heed and consideration What is to be cōsidered in working of trenches taking care to guyde them with the bulwarkes towers and flanckes of the walles making the windings in such sorte as no piece of the enimie may be able to emboke them nor to batter by direct line anie bowe or windings of them being so much the better by how much they are deeper broader and higher and approche nearest vnto the quarters and in case that the principall heades of the Armie be enforced ordinarilie to goe vnto them it is verie fitt when there is a quantitie of vastadors to assure the entrie Y.H. not hazarding those personages which are about you by reason that the want of anie leader may proue verie preiudiciall Albeit that trenches are commonlie made after the maner which I haue sett downe vnto Y.H. yet I haue my selfe bene in place where they wrought them straight with flankers on high which seemed verie strange to those souldiors which sawe it to very good purpose by gayning of time in not making windings wherein is to be considered the disposition of the grounde seruing to bee able to worke a streigth trenche that bowes be made out from one parte to another to renforce them with men for that a streight one is not able to receiue manie and it is verie necessarie to hold them well renforced with soldiors and prouided of budge-barills that the harquebuserie may shoote with more securitie to whom order is to be giuen that by no meanes they talke to them within auoyding thereby any aduertisement which might vnder hande be giuen as sometimes it hath fallen out of what hath not benefitt to be discouered Concerning the trenches the place ought to bee before hande well viewed and assured whence they are to batter What it required in places whēs to make batterie In which
by like defects marred themselues and fallen in fewe monethes And let not Y.H. suffer your self to bee perswaded that you shal be able to make warre although you haue no experimented Captains in respect that you are a most ritch Prince and Lord of so great Kingdomes in which all sorte of armes and instruments of warre can be forged without help from ells where two things being most certain as the Castillian prouerbe goeth El comendado H 〈…〉 nan Nunes en el lib. de lo◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a A Armas y dineros buenas manos quieren both which require to be put into their hands which know how to mannage them and hold experience how to exercise them both to good purpose Y.H. hauing named the generall and heads of the armie is to aduise with him and the rest in what manner you are to make your warre in which you are to harken to and folow their opinion which offer to execute the councells more then theirs which giue them not being themselues to put any hande thereto in case the resolution bee not ouerrash nor any euident perill therein since that both honor and life in their owne opinion lying on it they will looke into it with more open eyes thē others with greater affection and will putting that in execution which themselues first counceled Likewise Y.H. hauing your leuies and prouisions in a readines and your armie compounded is to consider Whē instructions ar to be giuen calling in like manner vnto you the heads thereof and the other of your Councell what proclamations instructions are fittest to bee published as well to hold the people in good discipline as in respect of the publicque good when as the heads of the nations which are in the armie haue not bene at such your councells being better that they were present you are to cōmunicate them vnto thē wherby they approuing them may with greater care procure the accomplishing thereof This being done and resolution taken vpon them Y.H. shall commaunde them to be ordayned and that they be giuen to the Prouoste generall that he may cause them to be published in their tyme and that to be done in so many languages as there are nations in the armie to the end none may plead ignorance imposing conuenient punishments for those which break them commaunding them to bee executed with all precisenes without the request or intercession of any hindering it since that otherwise you shal neuer haue obedience in warre because that in the heads of armies softnesse and mildnesse without consideration is more hurtfull then sharpnesse and rigor in punishing and therefore a forbidding or prohibition in matter of lawes and statutes is altogeather vnprofitable except a penaltie bee annexed and a penaltie but a scarcrow except it be put in execution and albeit that the discipline of warre ought to be more seuere then the ciuill or politicque for that ordinarily the penalties are losse of hand or life yet are they not to be imposed to so manie things as that the rigor of them should come to a bloodie crueltie but a meanes whereby the soldiors may stand in awe of the seueritie of their Captaine without abhorring him for his crueltie When Y.H. shall haue in readines your cauallerie and infantery munitions artillery and necessaries fit for them and that you haue caused them to be raysed for the enterprise preciselie knowne the whole number of the men by the musters which haue been taken in diuers places not ouercharging one countrie with the whole Y.H. may in the same respect order their march causing it to be done by sundrie wayes alongest the frontires and confines of the Kingdome to the place where Y.H. shall hold it most conuenient to ioyne your campe togither prouided that you choose the scituation thereof in good grounde Qualities of the first lodging with commoditie of wood water and forage to lodge the armie not being a matter necessarie as then to looke into such other particularities as I will hereafter handle which are to be required in their lodgings and that this be done onely with an ende to ioyne the armie in one bodie so as the disposing of the market place quarters and fortification of the whole armie may be able to serue for viewe and paterne in these generall matters of the rest of the lodgings which must be accommodated accordinge to the qualitie of the scituation demonstration of the enimie maner which you holde in warr the circular forme in lodging not being of any importance nor the quadrangle triangle or in length which is most ordinarilie vsed And here you must chuse such a * Plaza de armas market place as may be large enough to cōteyne all your men in battaile vpon any alarom by day or night in such sorte as a distance be lefte betweene one squadron and an other as well of fanterie as cauallerie that men may passe commodiouslie if occasion require being able with facilitie to close one within another as shal be necessarie neare vnto the market place the quarters are to be appointed euery one setting out their colors in fronte whereby the mē may with more readines gathering them selues togither come out vpon the alarom to forme the esquadrons Some alowe to euery colors tenn pace to lodge in frunt and in depth thirtie or more according as the companies are of greatnes of distance from the front of the colors to the place where they are to stande in squadrō the space of thirtie or fourtie paces and from the front of the squadrons to the fortificatiō of the trenches betweene fifteene and twentie considering that when men come to fight and close they occupie farre lesse space place of groūd then when the esquadron standeth stretched forth measures which serue in maner of compasse that the market-place be not disproportioned wherein there is to be considered that when the men shall stand in battaile a conuenient place be lefte If necessitie require for any squadron what soeuer of Cauallerie or infanterie to passe betweene the backe of the squadrons and the fronte of the quarters without disordering them selues entring by the quarters nor to cause shunning this inconuenience the rest of the squadrons to breake their owne and likewise that at the fronte of the squadrons there be a space left for a squadrō of cauallerie or fanterie to passe without altering the order of the reste or salying forth of the trenches and that it bee not so great as to haue thereby the harquebusrie pieces of the fielde to remaine vnfurnished or other which are placed in the trenches or their trauesses Place for the cordegarde In this market place where none ought to come to trouble it the guarde is to be placed with an ordinarie fire some foure score paces more or lesse from the colors and in some places I haue my selfe serued where they were fayne to pitche tentes to defend the soldiors from terrible coldes
Y.H. may take resolution in marching and lodging as may fall out notice must generallie be had from the information of the naturall men of the Countrie or those which haue liued in it or by descriptions of Cardes and Mappes which is fitt Kinges should haue although it cost them much money and albeit vpon entring into the coūtrie some defectes may be found in them yet are they profitable for manie considerations The light which is to be taken out of these things is not of that sorte as that Y.H. should put so great confidence in them as not to sende before men practised to view the lodging wayes and qualitie of the Countrie Aduise for those which goe to discouer the lodging And in case that for want of carying sufficient number with them the enimie should charge them without giuing them respit to discouer or view farre within the Coūtrie yet they are to goe with carying such an eye as to consider in the little or nothinge which they passe whether there be anie place fit for to lodge in or no. In conquestes you must alwayes haue a care to get some towne assuring therby your setting foote within the Prouince and to be able to haue a secure place to draw togeather the sicke and hurt men and others cumbers of munition which can hardly bee done in the spaciousnes of a field which consumeth multitudes of horse and disturbe any succors which come to reenforce the armie To these considerations may be added the reputation which is gayned by taking of a towne weakening thereby the enimie and his trayne who standeth as much endamaged as the contrarie parte profited all which requireth that in endeuoring a cōquest you first seeke out be able to seate your selfe in some place which may bee of profit whē there is no capitall towne within the Prouince vpon the giuing vp of which you may with reason promise the rendring of the rest or ells to combat with the enimies armie particularities which ought to be looked into with the first leauing the rest to be regarded after when there are few mē Forme of diuiding an armie for their march the armie is in their march to be deuided into two parts to wit the vantguarde and rereguard and ordinarilie if there bee a number of squadrons into three forming a battayle with parte which may hold equall proportion with the vantguarde and rereguarde whereby it cōmeth to bee a meane without participating of the two extreames and a proportioned bodie thorough the equalitie which euery one caryeth by himself to be ioyned togeather In which Y.H. is to marke that to deuide an armie into these partes ought to be ment only of the infanterie which in deed is the verie strength of the fielde The infanterie the strength of an armie in respect that the force standeth more vnited in the footemen then in the horse because that they moue by reason and horses by the spurrs and helde backe by the bridle and both the one and the other can not bee alike in all as in men which haue discretion The pike in the infanterie laūce in the cauallerie of greatest estimation And albeit that in olde time the cauallerie was of more estimation for their furie and redines then the infanterie experience cōmeth to discouer the contrarie to put the ground of a warr in the squadrons of fanterie which serue with pykes to which the first place is to be yeelded in armes as to the launce in horsemen albeit some soldiors of late yeares would preferr pistoliers which grew thorough the impossibilitie of carying launces which they sawe in those against whom they were enforced to mainteyne warre To couer this relying vpon the sharpenes of their witts they perswaded with apparant reasons that pistolls were of most aduantage for the souldiors who were easilie caried away with the beleefe therof in that they found the launce a weapon of much trouble and charge and the pistoll not so much Among other their reasons that of greatest force is that pistolls may doe greater hurte and further of then launces vpon a first charge carying one in the right hande and a sword drawne with the hilte fastened to the thumbe in the lefte which holdeth the rayne readie to vse vpon the discharge of the pistoll being put in the case except it be fit to pull out the other whiche is in that forme which those of this opiniō would haue the cauallerie to fight in and to be armed at the proofe wherby they doe affirme that they come more securelie to mingle with the enimie to annoye him more carying swordes in their handes for these reasons they may be satisfied that in the first charge lances are mingled with harquebusiers on horsse which annoyeth further off then the pistoll and in comming to the shocke the launce hurteth with a more certeintie then it folowing after wardes the furie of the horse which runneth thē ouer and ouer seldome times doe they fayle two encounters with the launce although it be brooke in the first and many times thrise not beeing the worst that which is left of the great ende of the staffe or truncheon since with an encounter therewith a man may be vnhorste and throwen downe in such sorte as it may well abyde two encounters if not three These encounters being made the pistoll still remayneth with the light horse which most carrie at the saddle pummell in steede of a mace or fawchion which they were wonte to hange thereat and the tucke or sworde at the girdle which is no lesse readie then if it were in the rayne hande where it must needes be a trouble for him which gouuerneth the horsse Besides a pistoll can not be shott off face to face without hurting a mans owne horse to discharge it behinde is to hit by chaunce which if you will be sure to do you must leuel on your right side or lefte whereby vndoubtedly you giue vpon the flanke of the enimie which is no small aduantage I signifie this opinion vnto Y.H. for that by no maner of meanes you must permitt your horse to leaue lances since if no other reason were to perswade it the verie custome whiche all nations haue vsed manie ages to make their horsemen cary them and continued it euer since the invētion of powder hath bin found and made good proofe of their violence is a sufficient demonstration that it is the best armes of horsemen for this cause the squadrons of Cauallerie are diuided in such maner as a proportion be kept therein the men at armes being the strength and the squadrons in such sorte as they may be able to renforce with them the vantgarde or anie other parte of the armie and to diuide them likewise into three partes to renforce euery part by it selfe with the cauallerie and infanterie The handling of conquestes leadeth me to signifie vnto Y.H. before I proceed to the marching with the armie howe
superior vnto him with whom he may skirmishe to entertaine time still aduertising Y.H. who are to giue order for what shal be most conuenient in case the enimie renforce them selues and that no succour come then are they to retire in good order so as still they intertaine them giuing time aduise to Y.H. In some lodgings it is not inough for discouerie to place one Cordeguarde a matter which the Campe maister generall is to foresee be they two or more according to the qualitie of the scituation and that the guardes of horse the daies being long whot may be changed at noone wherby they may not ouer trauell The scituation for one cordeguard or more being choosen out the Campe maister general with the generall of the Artillerie and other heads of the armie must viewe the lodging round about appointing the standes which the Cordeguardes are to be placed in by night and such fortificatiō as he ordaineth the rereguarde being alwayes in squadron if there be anie suspect helde of the enimie vntill the lodging be fortified A matter which is done more or lesse according as the time serueth and as they thinke to occupie the scituation This being done that the day-guard which is to make it stande in their places the squadrons of the rereguard and corryers which come behinde goe to be lodged the guard of the field remayning entierlie where they are sett It is fitt that Y.H. come to lodge in a good hower as well for the greater ease of your men as that you may haue time to fortifie your self if it be necessarie thorough the enimies being at hande things which are verie ill performed in the night and the better to assure the forragers you are to cōsider the enimie being able to doe hurte that horse bee sent to discouer and make skoute if occasion require it preuenting that the Armie miscarrie not and your men bee lost who albeit they be not armed yet is it a reputation to preserue them and a benefitt of the fielde Guardes to be renforced whē you are near the enimie When the enimie draweth neare to the scituation which is alreadie possessed they vse to renforce the guarde more then in other standes and this by diuiding the Armie into three partes that one may keepe guarde a nightes while the other two reast and in case the suspicion increase that then they put halfe of the armie to guarde considering that it is a lesse incōuenience to stande readie prepared although they toyle for it thē to be careles this maketh officers to answere soldiors if they complaine of their euer oftē guarding that the K. payeth for the guardes not for the fight The particular of ones selfe depending on the one and the common securitie of the Armie on the other They vse aswell to putt betweene the principall corps de guarde and the double Centinells other small cordegardes of such number of soldiors as may serue to change the centinels the which carefull Seriants Maiors will of thē selues looke vnto as well for that it may be done with greater facilitie as also for that one single centinell giuing warning to the double and by that which they see they are more assured whether it be certain or no then by report of others if it be necessarie for him to retire he doeth it to the double Centinells which are three souldiors and they to the lesser Cordeguarde The same order may be helde among the guardes of cauallerie which they sett without the fortification if much suspicion be had and the Captaines and Lieuetenants of horsse in reason as men experienced shal place men in such partes wayes as the enimie is to passe the guardes of horse being that which assureth the campe most and likewise the garrisons which must of force be scattered from it hereby time is gained with discouering the enimie to preuent him standing readie prepared for him the better to be able to prouide for anie hurt before it falleth out Iointlie there is another way of preuention in time of suspect the enimy being near or if you be desirous to know whether he send anie men forth of his Campe by night or dislodge which is to place centinells a foote and on horsse so neare his Campe as that for daunger therof they may not haue the worde giuen them and are named forlorne Forlorne centinels carying other markes whereby they may be knowne of the centinells in case they returne to bring any newes Besides the care which must be had to seeke out good spyes a matter of so great importance in the warre it is a verie good meanes to hold day and night vpon the enimie one two or more troupes of horsse which may goe by diuers wayes with good guydes fifteene or twentie in a number with euerie one an officer which may be experienced and carrie a soundnes of iudgement to viewe without making any hurlie burlie These troupes salying out of the Campe by night carrie not the worde but their leader giueth one among them selues when they are abroad by which they may knowe one another being that if anie of them should be lost the enimie should not come by it and being to returne with anie intelligence by night the officer which goeth with them hath order to sende before a souldiour who is to giue warning to the Centinell that they take not the alarom vppon seeing of the troupe and that he declare to his Captaine howe such an officer of the Corriors is come and then the Centinell shall aduertise him thereof willing the souldiour to retire who shall make the same knowen to Y.H. or the Campe maister generall who must giue order for what shal be most conuenient in case that he come into the campe that then an officer of the Cordeguarde goe forth whiche knoweth the word to giue order that the Centinells suffer him to passe after hauing well taken knowledge of him The same course is held when anie troupes of infanterie or cauallerie haue gone to keepe skoute or vpon any other seruice to sende if it be at the howres that Centinels are set to giue warning by some soldior which shall goe before that they make no sturre or raise any alarum vpon the sight of them The which must be preuented and Y.H. or the Campe maister generall must haue warning before they discouer them who are to march slowlie and in case that any come to enter within the Campe and carie the worde for that the generall gaue it vnto him and would speak with him at any hower without loosing time the single Centinell on foote or horse is to bring him as farre as the double and one of them to carrie him to his Captaine at the Cordegarde who is to deliuer him to the principall officer that he may aduertise the Campe maister generall thereof if the newes be not of so great moment as to deserue to bee presentlie caried to Y.H.
Preuētions for fighting by night Some vse in like sorte when the enimie is much superior in Cauallerie that they feare he will assayle the lodgings in the night to make great fieres before the markett place which discouereth whosoeuer cometh and dazeleth them not to be able to see againe who there attendeth other prepare themselues by making diches before the market place in maner of pitfalls for to annoye the horse skatter some prickes of yron and in this conformitie euery one applieth what he thinketh most to purpose for his owne defence according to the occasion which is offered and suspition had I haue signified to Y.H. all these formes of warres for that it was neuer hurtfull to anie man though he were farr from the enimie much lesse neare to stande vpon his guarde and that with great warienesse though some say that Y.H. in so doeing doeth but giue reputation to the enimie and shewe a feare of him for that in warre such as are reachles are euerie moment payd home and neuer did a circumspect souldior receiue hurte nor an obstinate good an enimie being to be cōtemned at the time of fight but alwayes to be esteemed for pointe of warre for this cause the errors of a Superior in matters of gouernement and pollicie may bee compared to lingring infirmities which giue leasure to thinke in matters of remedie but those of warr to sharpe ones whose beginning is the ende of the patient The alarum being taken by night Order vpō alarum which ought to be vpō good ground those officers being to looke vnto it that take charge of visiting the Centinells at diuers houres that they may stande in readines the single Centinels are to retire to the double vpon the enimies charge and the double to the small corps de garde which ioine them selues with the principall wherwith they make a squadron and whether all the armes banners and standarts are to repaire Such companies as serue for guard vnto Y.H. are placed in squadron without mouing from their standes and so are those which guarde the Artillerie sometimes in the lodgings some other colours stand for guarde in such partes as they are appointed to make a squadron in the same place for the inconuenience which might follow in case it should be abandoned being lost time in going to the generall markett place as they must doe by day for that then being able to knowe which way the enimie directes the Commander hath time to sende men to withstande him being readie in the market place whether all make their appearance a matter which vpon alarum by night can not be done Those officers whose Centinells firste began are to enforme Y.H. from what parte they come and vpon what occasion giuing warning to the cordeguarde next hande that they retire their Centinells the furie of the alorum continuing and that no trumpet sounde vpon paine of loosing a hande vntill Y.H. owne haue done which ought to be the best and most skilfulliest in that arte The like order is to be kept by the dromes when they do sounde alarum those which stande on Y.H. guarde beginning when they may be heard being in reason that they are better able to knowe vppon what ground the Alarom riseth where Y.H. person resteth before anie other parte and manie times the voyce of Arme happeneth to come within the verie campe before anie centinells haue cried it who are not to retire from their standes without the enimie force them or that their officer come to him vppon the alarom and then Y.H. must giue a newe worde in returning to place againe and the men goe to lodge for feare least the enimie should get the word by hauing taken any centinell nor that anie spye if he haue entred that night vpon the rumor of Alarom should escape forth vntil it were day when the Sergiants Maiors being of experience other officers come to aske the word of Y.H. after hauing put the men in squadron and ordred them to lodge you must know whether the Centinells be retired or no. Y.H. encamping with intent to invade any lande the motiue which is helde in warre so requiring it Consideration in plantinge of a sieg against a place to cause the enimie to leaue anie strong holde or to come to fight for the succour thereof to gett victualls or sett foote within the Prouince must in reason before hande haue relation and knowledge of the scite and fortification which it holdeth the number of men which are to defend it whether they be soldiors or no and with what head and not to learne this onely from the naturall persons of the countrey but from spyes or such other as vnder colour of negotiations treaties or prisoners haue bene sent to view any such place and the wayes thereof Y.H. must signifie vnto your Councellors the relation of any such information as persons of experience or the naturall men of that countrey shall deliuer for to take the last resolution in what maner the siege must be layed folowing with much precisenes their liking and opinion for that to besiege a place is one of the matters in warre which asketh much consideration weighing the enterprise for that hastines is an enimie of good councell delaie neuer good but to represse anger and displeasure for which cause resolutions are to be taken with valor of the minde for that they otherwise be ambiguous which neither come to helpe those which take them nor endemnifie the enimie frō whence great mischiefs haue redounded to Princes as often as they haue entended stages without it and in particular if they haue not helde quantitie of artillerie with boundance of munitions wherwith to oppen a sufficient Batterie making the soldiers and Corporalls which followe them the more easilie to shewe thereby their courage when they come to hand-strokes with the enimie which is that which in the ende gayneth the places the honor thereof being dewe to them and to the generall the blocking vp of the passages whereby to hinder succours placing the batterie in the best parte thereof The first matter which Y.H. is to debate of is whether they must make one or two lodginges or more before that you come to laie siege discouertlie enquiring whether ther be no townes rounde about making shewe as though you meant to besiege one of them and not that which you pretend in deede to finde it thereby the lesse prouided for this cause the Armie must bee diuided and marche on diuers partes and in the night with great diligence troupes of soldiours must be sent to take the passages and places whereby men may come to enter within the countrie Being able to besiege with making one lodging onelie is the better because of putting the greater feare in those whiche are within seeing them selues suddenlie enclosed preuēting with speedines that they do not hinder the taking of the lodging and burne the suburbes houses about which is of
great moment nor to haue readie their Artillerie and other things which in this conformitie may be had by dallying the time of the siege if those which stande vpon their defence come to suspect it for this they vse when the Coūtrie holdeth three or foure passages or sayles to send by day or night men if the scituation permitt that at one instante they may occupie the passagages thereof making great diligence in fortifying them with trenches ditches and trauesses whereby they stopp anie succour from them let them within frō saling forth being so near hauing many meanes to be able to offende them if they entende anie salie with greater securitie To execute this enterprise the Armie is to march according as the countrie serueth in one of the manners which I haue set downe and in the vandguarde the Campe maister generall to be so well renforced with Cauallerie and infanterie as that he may be superior to those within being able thereby if they make anie salie to charge them with determination readines so as he make them turne tayle without loosing any time vpon the occasion which may be offered according to the disposition of the place and borders about happening some times vpon the like charges to slaye or take some of the leaders which salie out to guyde the besieged of whom intelligence may be taken a matter which greatlie quayleth them and in particular if they receyue much hurte vpon the first brunt which bringeth them to bethinke them selues of yeelding It hath likewise fallen out that they haue so mingled thēselues with the enimie as that they haue gayned the place entring pele mele one with another into it by reason of disordring them selues vpon the retreat and not holdinge the guard of the gates fortified with Baricados other things which they vse in like places where they liue circumspectly and with good guarde And albeit these effectes sometimes happē to charge the enime with determination is to gett to approch the walles assalting the enimie and to viewe the manner of them the diches loopeholes trauesses marking with the eye whether the fortification be chaunged or no from the relation which before you had and newe defences made by this meanes gaine time to straighten them which is the ende which the besieger is to worke for as to enlarge him selfe is his which defendeth the most which may bee possible for him from his neighbourhood In this charge the Cāpe maister generall is to marke that the squadrons of the Cauallerie be not placed in such sorte as that the artillerie from the plattformes and caualiers of earth may much annoy them Aduise how to present men at a siege viewing if he be a soldior the places as well in the wayes as other standes where the enimie may in reason ayme with his pieces a particular which may be knowen with the eye and experience of a souldior assoone as he seeth the field and discouereth the countrie The enimie being dulled within the place the Campe-maister generall is to marke out the lodging assigninge the quarters as neare as may be vnto it and that without being subiect to the Canon and albeit that the bullettes light frō the place besieged vpon some of the quarters giuing to the pieces as much charge as they can hold it is no great inconuenience The quarters ought to be disposed in such sorte as that the Towne be enclosed round about that none may escape out nor bee able to relieue those whiche are besieged with either men or victualls being to no purpose to vndertake anie such enterprise without a most strong lodging neither can a Town in deed be said to be besieged Consideration in disposing of quarters except it be enuironed on all partes and whē any suspitiō ariseth that the enimie is like to come with a maine Armie to succour it thē doe they fortifie the lodging aswell towards the walles as the fieldes which they must haue a great care ouer preuēting the approches which the enimie may make for to put in succor or giue vpon the lodging which is to be fortified as shall be thought fittest making trauesses Baricados or trenches if occasion require and by Y.H. stāding readie prepared after such maner as you are to dispose your Armie in battaile to attende him according to the scituatiō and that after such a fashion as may defend the whole body of the lodging being assayled on diuerse parts or one alone one quarter giuing hande to another in the case the enimie attempt anie one with greater furie then the rest orders which are better executed by being before hande fore-thought of prepared then iust vpō the enimies discouerie If any riuer runne by the Town the Campe must needes be diuided into two or three partes for to besiege it which asketh that they be well fortified so as euerie one may of it selfe defend it selfe with such leader as Y.H. shall place in euerie stand and to succour from one quarter to another I doe not lay downe to Y.H. such maner of bridges and engines as I haue seene made for to worke all these effectes for that I would not be to tedious and that it is necessarie a man gouerne him selfe in these enterprises according to the preparations which are to be made for such a siege as the qualitie of such a riuer is and furie of the current which it holdeth which is to giue law whether it be better to frame the bridge making it aboue the towne or belowe or both so as those within may not be able to serue their turne with the current for to vndoe it by putting down of barkes vpō the ebbe with men and artificial fiers for to breake burne it if the current serue for it and consequentlie if the bridge stande below the Towne that the enimie come not vp assisted with winde and tide to spoyle it and succour the besieged and so whether it shal be conuenient or no to fortifie the entries of the bridges with anie rauelin or defence keeping a renforced guarde for that it standeth ioyned to the quarters The Armie being lodged and the towne viewed as well by the generall of the artillerie as other leaders and souldiours of experience Y.H. must take resolution on what parte you will plant your batterie or batteries Consideration in plāting of batterie considering that ordinarilie in cold countries the walles which stande to the North and which lye subiect to the Septentrionall windes are weaker then the other and in warme those which stand on the South A qualitie which is to be marked and what rampier they holde and the thicknes thereof and whether the wall be builded of newe in being more easie to batter it whether there be space where you batter betweene one tower or bulwarke and another so as you may make your batterie for eight or nine souldiours to be able to enter in front which distance is helde for a great
sixe pointes are to be considered Firste that it be strong by nature or capable to be made so by arte Secondlie that the souldiors may be able to furnishe and combate within it with commoditie defence Thirdlie to be able to retire the artillerie easilie frō the place if necessitie should so require Fourthlie that the scituation be capable to plant pieces within it in such sorte as they may bee able to hitt point blancke vppon such parte or partes as they minde to batter Fiftlie that there be a place prepared readie for the souldiours to giue the assalt after the batterie made which will be to small purpose if the approch vnto it be vnaccessible Sixtlie that the batterie stande not to neare the walles least the enimie chaunce to annoy manie men with his harquebusiers nor consequentlie that to avoyd this inconuenience it be too farre of where the furie thereof shal be able to worke but small effect Some holde that Batterie for the best when the pieces may be foure score or one hundreth paces from the wall What distāce is best in planting of a batterie their furie being nothing so great whē they stande one hūdreth and fiftie or two hūdreth of vpon which is inferred that at three hūdred or how much soeuer more the pieces be planted they batter with lesse force For which cause other are of opinion that the pieces were best to be placed if it were possible vpon the verie brym of the diche whereby they signifie that according to their opinion they should be drawen to batter as neare as might be to the walles vppon this when the place which is besieged holdeth a number of men within it falleth out a great inconuenience if they bee soldiors besides being able to hurt many in being so neare which is to giue occasion to those within to make braue salies vnder hope to clow some piece by lying so neare and to be able to be defended by their harquebuserie and musketrie from of the walles a particular much to be regarded considering the commoditie of doores or close casaments which the besieged may holde to salie out vpon the artillerie or trenches and whether before they come neare vnto them they must of force be descried a farre of or no to the end that if they be discouered before they enter skirmishe there may be space to renforce the guard of the Artillerie with soldiors and armes for which time serueth not if sodenlie they be able to giue vpon them and the trenches It was held in old time a compleat Batterie to batter with sixe Cannons two Coluerines and fower demie Coluerines and twelue Sakers or Falconets a thing which hardly can be deliuered to Y.H. by anie certaine rule for that the number of the pieces and batterie is to be cōsidered according to the qualitie of the place or fortresse whiche you would batter with them Those pieces which carrie bullett betweene fortie and three score pound they now commōlie call Cannōs of batterie those which passe three score Basiliscoes notwithstanding this such Cannons as commonlie are founded for batterie be of eight and thirtie fortie and fower and fortie pounde of * Calibre frō the word we tooke firste the name of caliuer whiche is of a higher bore then the harquebuse there is an instrument like to a pair of cōpasses with the whiche the weight height of bulletts are measured we call that in English a Calaber weight the demie Cannons of fower and twentie being found by experience not to be pieces of much wast doeing sufficient effecte for batterie and with greater facilitie to be maneaged then any other sorte of pieces as well to encampe with all as for a siege and when a warre is broken out betweene two Princes one attempting vpon another they vse to giue more or lesse weight to the bulletts of their Cānon of batterie then the contrarie part vseth whereby ones bullet may not serue another in sorte as if the bullet on one side weighe two and fortie pound the other shall be of eight and thirtie or six fortie somewhat more or lesse iointlie they accompanie these pieces in the batteries as I haue sett downe with demie Coluerines quarter Cannons demie sacres and fielde pieces which commonlie they carrie when cōmoditie serueth for it great Armies bringing with them of all sortes of Artillerie to euery purpose placing the smal pieces on such partes and ground as may best conuenientlie stoppe the salies of the besieged and other passages by which the enimie might come to succour These pieces being planted with their beddes which are made of tymber planckes or hurdles they couer them with gabions and diches as well for the securitie of the Pyoners which assiste to retire them with the gunners doe other necessaries as the guard of the artillerie fortifying the scituation thereof in such sorte as whē the enimie driueth the men from their trenches which they haue to couer them passe forward either to gaine or clowe the Artillerie the soldiors which stand at the guard may hold sufficient strength to defende it To batter the walles when they are onelie a casamure without rampire of earth you must plant your pieces in such sorte as they may batter the walles a slante for that then they breake them worse then shooting by direct line by which they onely pearce thorough the wall with much furie without shaking it The approch being made driuing the trenches as neare the towne as may be the batterie is to be planted which is to begin in this order that is to shoote of those pieces with which you batter determinablie by voleyes one after another being of greater effect so Maner how to batter then if they should be discharged euery one by it selfe and then after a voley passed shooting off those pieces which stand at the defences to the ende the enimie may not discouer while they be charged a new and put in ther place and the like is to be done by the harquebuserie musketrie frō the trenches keeping the enimie from shewing him self vntill they returne to giue another voley which is the manner whereby a batterie is continued seruing them selues with the greater pieces to shake the wall breaking it a pieces and with the lesser to cutt it after and to make the greater ruine by the falling of that which was shaken in anie wise hastening the batterie with all the diligence that may be and to plie it so if it be possible as so manie voleys as should serue turne might be shott in one day rather then two diligence in batteries being of great moment and for manie respectes to be vsed a busines which wil giue them that are besieged to thinke on when they see them selues furiouslie battered For this purpose besides the diligence which the generall of the artillerie his Lieuetenants and officers are to vse the gunners finding that they gaine particularlie by euerie
voley which they discharge are to giue cartages budgebarrels to charge more easilie speedilie and by this meanes I haue bene present at a siege where there hath ben discharged in the end of August when the dayes are not very long fouer score and on tyre in one day the batterie being of sixe and thirtie pieces It is true that in respect it was in a colde countrey they cooled not their Cannons as they must bee forced to doe in whot and thereby loose much time At night when the last tyre is shot of and the pieces charged they place them as if presentlie they were to be discharged to hinder them which are besieged from repayring any breach which is done by shooting of euerie piece by it selfe in the night at such hower as is convenient In this time if the diche be drye may be viewed the Canoniries and casamates which are within it and the dammage which the ruine of the batterie hath wrought and if it holde water they to deuise to let it out if the grounde will serue for it or to drain it with engins for the purpose or to stopp it vp with Fagotts or fill it with earth as I haue seene it in a siege Forme of bridges to make readie if it hold any depthe bridges which are to be thrown in for the assalte made of Barrelles Barkes and ship-mastes the throwing of them in being a matter of sufficient peril and great danger for a generall to commaunde an assalt to be giuen before he haue well viewed the batterie and the trauesses quited vsing all diligence in this albeit it is true that the trauesses where the harquebuserie and musketerie may be sett in such places as are fortified can hardlie be quitted by the enimie and in case the disposition of the place be of such sorte as he must be faine to loose them at the instant he will treat of the deliuerie of them vp knowing if he be a souldior that without them he can not be able to defend the entrie It is likewise to be considered that whē the diches where the batterie is made holde much water it is not onely verie perillous to throwe in the bridges but most daungerous to giue the assalte on that parte because that the depth of the diche swalloweth vp the ruine of the batterie in such sorte as the head of the bridge can haue no fastening or giue anie commoditie at all by this for the soldiors at the assalte to be able to finde anie place in the breach where they may ioine togither to fight against thē within wherby it is a very hard matter to be able to runne vp skattered or to enter first in if they within haue any courage at all to defende them selues because that the bredth of the bridges which are cast in are not capable aboue fiue souldiors to marche in front and so fewe of the first come to fight except they holde a place in the breach for those which followe them to doe as much so those which stand vpon their defence within become more superior and holde greater aduantage by the place which they occupie and the soldiors which are to giue the assalte goe close togither on the bridge being thicke vppon the bancke of the diche seruing onely as a marke for those vpon the walles to shoote at without being able to giue thē anie annoyance by fighting Inconueniences which were verie fitt to be looked into before the putting in of the bridges for the assalte or planting the batterie on that parte Y.H. entring into consideration thereof according to the intelligence and information which shal be giuen vnto you of the depth of the diche The batterie being well viewed Order for to giue an assalte and Y.H. resolued to haue the assalte giuen you are to giue order to such nation Captaines and Campe maister as must be of the vanguarde In which is to be considered that it be recommended to such leaders and souldiors as haue a desire to fight shewing their determination and courage willing to enter into any daunger to whō particular order must be giuen that in clyming vp to the highe of the breach they runne vp the wall if the disposition of the place will permitt it which is that that most assureth the entrie and so likewise the rest which are to followe the vanguard all standing armed in readines within the trenches In some assaltes the souldiors haue ben necessarilie faine to vse ladders which is a signe that the batterie is not good and the generall enforced cost what cost mought to take the town or retire him selfe from it the which he must bee constrained to doe attempting it with so great daunger for to auoyde a greater inconuenience a matter which Y.H. must by all meanes seeke to shunne To withdrawe the men into the trenches Y.H. is to commaund that the rest of the Armie as well cauallerie as fanterie put them selues into battell and squadrons within the markett place with whom the Campe maister general is to be readie prepared if the enimie should come to combatt the quarters which ought to stande well fortified to stoppe him and giue impediment to his attempt and likewise to renforce the men that by one or two wayes they may giue vpon him and to refresh them if it be necessarie with some tierce regiment or collours giuing them charge to attempt a freshe and in case that the besieged putt backe the men from the assault if they retire it is easilie to be beleeued that it will be done with disorder and scattering for that it is not possible they should doe it otherwise and if they within the towne with a new harte of grace should make anie salie out of the same breach as hath bene sometimes seene you may not thinke to gather those again togither which are retired to turne back to charge them but to doe it with those squadrons and men that remaine in the markett place thinges which are preuented by keeping the rest of the Armie in battaile Besides it is to be considered that when the souldiours come to stande pike to pike and at hande stroakes with the enimie it may fall out that they can not enter and so it is meete to holde the harquebuserie and musketerie in readines wherwith to furnishe a newe the trenches to the ende that they may shoote liuelelie from thence in case the men be commaunded to retire from the assalte and in such manor as the enimie doe not only not take vpon him to charge them but that he be not so hardie as to discouer him self Y.H. hauing these things in readines and your men withdrawen in such sorte home to their trenches the rest sett in battaile the generall officers of the artillerie are to aduertise Y.H. euery moment of the estate of the breach and which shal be their last tyre which the gunners terme cleaning and sweeping of the breach what defenses the
enimie may haue made to the end that Y.H. who are to be on horse backe and in such a place if it be possible as you may discouer both batteries should make a signe at the instant when the last Cannon should be shott of as Y.H. to hold vp the same handquerchef at your armes ende and when that can not be then some trōpet to sound which is wel known For to assalt the men goe in troupes euerie one vsing diligence according to such valor boldnes and experience of assaltes as he hath and while they be cōming to clyme the breach the small pieces are to playe if there be anie and the harquebuserie hastelie from the trenches occupying the enimie so as he discouer them not vntill they come pyke to pyke with him and the soldiours to hande strokes and then to cease shooting and the generall of the Artillerie to keepe his pieces still charged and appointed for what soeuer may fal out shooting off if it be necessarie some times a thwarte in case the enimie in time of the assalte chaunce to discouer him selfe which sometimes falleth out hauing kept him self close before being verie requisite to shoote at the breach whereby the enimie vpon the souldiours retreat not being able to enter may not discouer it selfe It falleth out while an assalte is in giuing that not onely trauesses be therein discouered but fire giuen to some myne or mynes wherby the entrie is made difficult the breach repayred in such wise as though it appeared good yet it is not By this occasion the soldiours are wonte sometime to finde what hath endemnified them and battering anew to giue the second and third assalt at other times they gett place in the breach walles or towres where to defend them selues couertlie going before with In al mines at the end of that there must bee a place made ether round or square wher the barels of powder must be laid In English wee haue no other name for them then ouens Hornilloes and mynes if the ground by not holding water yeeld commoditie for it a matter which is to be wrought with great industrie taking first preciselie the distance from whence they beginne the myne to the place where they would come out guyding by a compasse which point they are to followe and to haue great quantitie of postes to propp them vp doeing it with great securitie that the enimies may not perceyue them nor finde whether they come to rest Because otherwise they will remedie it by coūtermines being verie necessarie whē the myne goeth farre forward to hold so much better guard within it that the enimies may not come to encounter thē and if they finde a small guarde or resistance within it they will easilie gaine it and then will it bee a matter almost impossible for them without to recouer it loosing all the time that they were a myning And for that I will not be tedious I touche no further particularities in the maner of working them be it vp hill or downe hill or in a plane nor in what sorte they are to take measures and myne a Wall or Tower which standeth on a rocke If with the mynes they runne so farre as to come to fight in them it shal be fitt that Y.H. recommend the doeing and guard thereof to soldiors of courage for that it is one of the most daungerous fights which can be in a siege Manner how to sap walls In like sorte they sapp the walles when they haue come with trēches or trauesses within the diche or by some other meanes to the foote of them the souldiors couering themselues with blinders when they worke which they couer with leather on the out side thereby keeping them frō burning being made of wood if the besieged chaunce to cast anie fier vpon them Some other times they put postes digging vnder the foundations and when they see that they onelie supporte the wall they anoint them with tallow and piche that they may burn the better putting pouder about them and a quantitie of strawe wood to which they putt fier when the men are readie to assalt vpon the falling of the wall and so doe they giue order for putting fire to some myne or hornilloe not to loose occasion So doe they vse when as the rampires of the Bulwarkes Caualiers and Platformes for the small firmenes of earth within them are made with timber to pull out such timbers which they draw from a farre off with capstones tying gables vnto them or other instruments which they call perpetuall windels which wil hale vp anie neuer so great weight with which the earth will moulder away when the proppe is gone and after this maner there are manie engines too tedious for me to recite to Y.H. which they vse in sieges applying the vse of them according as the state of matters and qualitie of the work shall require sometimes it hath ben that they haue raysed platformes and caualiers without wherby to domnere ouer the walles and them within getting by this meanes the places to be yeelded vp and at other times they haue battered with balles of artificiall fieres that entring within the fortification they mought sett all on fire being builded of timber and fagotts While the assalte or assaltes is in giuing Y.H. is alwayes to be on horsbacke looking vpon all that is done to giue order for what shall be necessarie for those which assalte according as occasion is offred and if the towne be entred by force then to giue the sacke thereof to all the infanterie reseruing if they be christians the Churches Monasteries and things hallowed and in some wartes the men are helde for the best bootie and in other their goods and not their persons which must be put in execution according as Y.H. shal ordaine whom it concerneth to giue lawe in this whiche they tearme Castrense and so to the generall when Y.H. is not in place by representing your person the like authoritie is giuen of lawgiuer The Caualerie not hauing had anie order to light for to assalt is to haue no parte in the sacke and so no bootie at all to fall to a horse mans share although he doe assalte a foot except he doe it with leaue which sometimes is granted to those which want horses hauing had their horse slaine vnder them in the siege which is so ordayned because they should not leaue their standarts in the market place moued therevnto thorough the couetousnes of the sacke As soone as the towne standeth assured Y.H. is to enter within it accompanied with your guarde and corte or to sende some heads of your Armie to keepe them from robbing of Churches Monasteries nor thinges hallowed and from offring anie force to those which are within them for that the house of God is alwayes to be franke and free executing with all precisenes and exemplarie punishmēt such ordonnances as shal be made vpon it and assoone as Y.H. shal be
powder which the enimie perceyuing is the more animated to the cloze and I haue bene my self in a skirmish vpō a day of battayle when it hath bene verie avaylable to knowe this by the fire and crake which the barrel gaue Aduise of impottance Iointlie there must be a speciall care taken in viewing by experience the eye of a soldior the scituation which the enimie occupyeth and on what part by reason he is likeliest to plant his artillerie for that it is not fit to set the squadrons of cauallerie vpon any ground subiect to be battered nor to be hurt with the furie of the enimies harquebuserie or musketerie because albeit in warre artillerie slayeth fewest yet the furie therof frighteth most and seldomtimes can a squadron of cauallerie keepe his scituation if golpes of artillerie light thicke within it or that the enimies harquebuserie assalt it causing it this mischief to be faine to take one of the two parties which is to retire themselues a demonstration which vpon like dayes putteth great courage into the enimie causing great cōfusion among their owne and though such a squadron doth not charge without time nor order moued therevnto by being ill able to resiste their blowes esteeming it for lesse inconuenience to mingle themselues amongst those which giue them yet commeth it ordinarily to be done with great disaduantage and notwithstanding that it hath sometimes fallen out to be no impediment at all to the gayning of the victorie yet grew it more by chaunce then reason through the rashnes of the soldiors not wisedome of the general who is to seeke to forbeare it and likewise not to fight with men tyred vnable to carrie them with speede vnto it which waxe breathles the pikes not being able then to be held with strength nor the harquebuserie to shoote with assurance nor the cauallery to moue with force and dexteritie and all for want of breath It is likewise to be considered that if necessitie doe not force vnto it the fight bee not begonne by engaging all the squadrons in such manner as when the victorie is gotten they cānot enioy the fruit therof for the great losse of many men which bindeth a man to seeke to giue battaile with a foote of led discouering the intente of his enimie and demonstration which he maketh to followe one motiue from another opening the dore for a new and different successe and in any matter els what soeuer Y.H. he which gouerneth is to shewe a soundnes which the phisitians say that good complectioned bodies holde no whit altering themselues for ouermuch cold or heate the very same being fitt to be in the minde of a soldior not to disorder himself vpon any good successe nor yet to grow coward vpon any euill but that his courage appeare in the verie middest of his aduersitie I haue set no place downe for Y.H. guydon squadron of your corte to stand in vpon a day of bataile because that must fall out as the reason of warr causeth Y.H. to fight not being possible to appoint it without knowing the scituatiō where the fight is made and forme of battaile in which the armie is to be put wherin you must resolue to appoint such place as may be most conuenient for such a squadron prouided that in the chose therof it bee done in such parte as Y.H. may commaūd and gouerne with most ease the whole bodie of the armie and partes thereof without engaging to fight with your owne standart except it bee vpon the last brunt because if you should otherwise doe it were impossible for you to gouerne which is that which toucheth a Prince And albeit this which I wright is the manner of warre many Princes and generalls after hauing appointed out a place for the squadrō of their courte setting their standart therein haue notwithstanding left it going to view the rest of the squadrons to see if they kept well the orders sett downe and determination which the soldiours and heades of squadrons helde speaking vnto them prouiding likewise other new if necessitie should so require which is that which giueth law not onely in matters of warre but in all the reste of this life and hath made Princes and Generalls to fight in their own person vpon such ground as they least thought of not to loose opportunitie and according to other considerations which are wont to occurre as the motiue which the enimie and your own armie maketh which is vnpossible to put in writinge except a man were present to see the occasion If the enimie haue such store or men as that he thinketh with them to be able to guirde in the battaile of his cōtrarie Forme of fight when there is feare that the enimie may girde in the battaile and that the scituation be vpon a plane where nature doeth not fortifie it without some flanke of the armie or squadrons it is to be looked into whether the enimies infanterie be so many in number as to be able to do it or only the multitude of horse brasing in of the armie In respect of these two things it is verie good aduise to garnish the flanks of the campe with the cartes of bagage if there be anie which may serue for trēches when there is none nor place of aduantage that may be picked out the artillerie must be putt alongest the flankes of the squadrons to the end they may play a slante vpon the enimie with more hurt making a greater front to be able to better themselues with their owne squadrons binding the enimie by this meanes whē he carrieth an intent to compasse in the battaile of the contrarie parte to spredd him selfe verie much to effect it and to come neare to the close he must be fayne to goe streightning in by little and litle the squadrons and drawing the front close togither Whereby time may be taken to giue more voleys of artillerie musketrie vpon the enimie before clozing and cōming to hand strokes which is that only which an armie that stādeth in a troublesome state is able to helpe himself with to advantage his owne strength being otherwise with so great an vnequalitie lesse in nūber Vpon dayes of battaile when there be men of diuers nations in the armie and not of the same fashion of garments by being free and seruing sundrie Princes besides a commandement of carying skarfes of diuers colours to be knowne by a matter which is not done with precisenes to preuent that friends offend not one another at the time of the skirmish a word is to be giuen in publike to all the squadrons by which they may be able to distinguish themselues from the enimie and knowe one another If the enimie waxing weake in the skirmishe ye perceyue that in anie of his squadrons they departe from the harquebuserie with which they were fortified Demonstrations which squadrons are wont to make vpon a day of battaile or emptie the depth by the
they finde ordinarilie many necessarie things to want in sieges enclosed places which should mainteine them if the honour of their owne person loyaltie sworne to the seruice or their Prince and to God did not cause them to esteeme little their owne life rather then their honour should be spotted in sauing thereof By this which I haue set downe Y.H. may iudge what persons you are to choose to recommend the keeping of such places vnto What is to bee required in him which is to take charge of a place besieged as are to endure a siege not apperteyning to Y.H. nor to a Prince to mainteyne any and very seldom to a Capteine generall but only to furnish them with heades that are soldiers and other necessaries to defend themselues withall being free to be able to be still succoured and to oppose the enimie according to such state as they shall finde him in The Capteine or head to whose hands Y.H. shall commit the keeping or defence of any place ought to be couragious Consideration for the furnishing of a place with soldiors expectinge a siege wise and a soldier of experience and hauing neuer before bene in a place besieged it is meete that hee haue with him some leaders or particular soldiors which haue bene Iointlie it is to be cōsidered of what qualitie the soldiers be which are in the place and with whom it is fit to furnish it in case it be necessarie to haue it renforced and that they may not bee bysognes and easie to mutinie In this respect those nations which serue Y.H. are to be thought vpon what profe any hath made in cōseruing of places whether they be your own vassalls or no and whether there be within the place any ordinarie soldiers of the same Prouince strangers or other beinge all vassalls what King he is Prince or Potentate or enimie whom suspition is had of will besiege the place particulars which being nicelie digested will quicklie cause Y.H. to resolue whether the soldiors of the same Prouince ought to be all of one nation or different following the opinion and iudgment of such Capteins coūsellours as Y.H. shall hold about you whose experience ought to know what head or soldiors vpō the present occasion shold be most auailable for the defence of the place imagining that they may come to be besieged if the enimie fight with gallantnes Consideration for the fortifying of places It is likewise to bee marked whether the place be fortified alreadie being a frontire or had neede to be fortified anewe after what maner that must be carying themselues in this according as the enimie giueth time for it with ingenors and persons which knowe what fortification meaneth for that it falleth out many times when one would fortifie a place strengthning it by rauelin cauallere and pincer or spurr they make it weaker because they vnderstand not their busines so commeth it to serue for no defence but rather to help the enimie to offend more In this it must alwayes bee prouided to haue a place kept where you may fight in squadron and trauesses which is that by which batteries are best defended for which cause in olde time they inuented round towers for it and in these dayes to shun the inconuenience of a circular forme being notwithstanding a meanes to keepe them from being offended by direct line from the flancks and trauesses wher the artillerie playeth they haue formed great bulwarks to couer them in angular forme giuing proportion from one bulwarke to an other that the trauesse may come to fasten as the ingenors terme it which is to haue the bullets light vpon the front of the bulwark or part most conuenient while the enimie doth batter for that at this day they vse not to batter the cortine betwene the two travesses but only the frōt of the bulwarke holding it for a more easie batterie to quite one traues or casamate then both especiallie if there be any place or rome in them for a piece to batter against which doe trauesses hardlie resist although they goe by the diche and for to preserue these pieces which while they are in being and the trauesses in life maketh a good defence they vse to make the corners of their bulwarks so thick Iointlie it is to bee considered that it is a most sure rule in matter of fortificatiō that whatsoeuer is seene the defendant looseth by shooting of the artillerie in direct line as the sight goeth and if there must be fower men required to carrie one dead man out of his house howe much more reason is it that there be as great a number or more to driue him being aliue from thence Whereby it cannot bee imagined that any will laye a siege without being sure to haue equall forces to them within and likewise artillerie and when the place serueth for it and carieth meanes thorough many bulwarkes caualiers and platformes to put two or three counterbatteries to that which is planted it may not be presupposed that they can be able to kepe thē since that he which besiegeth wil not in reason attēpt the enterprise except he hold forces proportionable to finish it for that otherwise he should enter into an assured mischief without hope of any profit It is likewise to bee looked vnto that the fronts of the bulwarks may not lye subiect to be battered by the corteyne of any mountaine or eminēt place of scituatiō wher the enimie may plant his artillerie the men not being able then to stand vpō any defence that the parapets may in no wise be broader thē a pike can couer These which I haue touched vnto Y.H. are the foundations principall points to fortifie by being no parte of my meaning to handle herewith the fashion of the workes or maner of the rampires which be the better nor other particularities for that I should run out too farre and it were fit to shew the maner of fortification euer with a compasse in the hand and composition of lines which is no worke for a blinde man albeit for the time which I haue liued I haue spent enough in learning the Theorique of fortification by the Mathematicques to ascerteine thereby and with other grounds what the experience in warre and manage of the artillerie brought me to learne knowing the reason for founding it and fitnes of fashion for the stockes and carriges the better to assure the hitting of the marke It is likewise to be considered whether the place bee little or great or haue manie neighbours neare it accustoming to carie armes or to make guardes or no and what confidence you may haue of them to leaue it vnto them Beinge a frontire towne or fortified it ought in reason to haue soldiors to keepe it to haue out of those offices of the artillerie which Y.H. shall hould in that Province or Kingedome a liste made of the armes that are in it quality of pieces and
stocks carriges for them bullets powder mache lead hanspikes timbers mattocks spades other munitions and furniture apperteyning to the officers of the state of the artillerie to haue a liste alwayes of them whereby may bee seene what is wanting and necessarie to bee prouided and with what diligence Diuersitie of victualls In such like cases of frontire and castells where garrisons and ordinarie bandes reside there are to be houses of munitions victualls as powdred flesh fishe meale salt grane as pease lentils wine vineger oyle and other prouisions which are alwayes to be kept in store for manie respects and at their times to bee sold and renewed that they may not be marred without proffit And with like consideration must salpeter be kept brimstone and cole to make powder and refine it as also artificiall fieres and wood which in Castells and little places when they are besieged there is great want of not being so soone felt in great townes for that vpon necessitie they pull downe houses for to burne their timber Being a place What a head is to doe at his first entrance into a place of defence where no ordinarie garrison hath bene vsuallie kept it is meete that the head at his entraunce in together with the men that are to guard goe view the whole circuite therof both within and without whether the diche be drye or hold water in some parte or all what fashion the walles be of for appointing of the standes where the cordeguardes be to be sett and centinels by day and night placing a cordegarde two or the most principall in the middest of the town or market place to succour the rest to appoint his rounds overrounds and conterrounds increasing diminishing theÌ„ as ieolousie and suspition shall growe of the enimie without pointinge out to any nation or colours if it be possible to refraine it especially at the walls gates wher no soldior is to know on what place he shal become ceÌ„tinel vntill his officer place him in his stande And to this purpose the colours wheÌ„ the watch is ready to be set vse to cast lotts euery night when anie feare is for such place as they must stand in without being assured of anie one giuing order that the cordeguardes through which the colours must passe hold a good place litle watc'houses casamates and salies alongst the dich being drie or with water wher boates stand readie for theÌ„ thereby preserue * We haue no other word in Englishe but as wee borowe of the Italianâ— strada coperta which is a close or couert walk to defende men with a parapet when they saâ—e out of a towne to fight with the enimie it is made vpoÌ„ the top of the couÌ„terscaâ—pe is in good fortificatioÌ„ 20. foote broad at the leaste the like counter scarpe haue I seene in the citadel of Anwarpe the estrada cubierta on the brim of the diche and where dubble centinels are to be placed and where single whether in making the rounds it bee necessarie to carrie lanternes or no. The cordegards being appointed and standes for the centinells in places most conuenient you must with great consideration proportion out those men that are to doe it by day and night helping your selues with assistaunce of the neighbours if you may repose any truste in them And for this purpose must a liste be alwayes had in readines of the number of the men and persons able to beare armes Likewise they doe shut some gates walling them vp for the better assuraunce of the place pulling downe such towers walls and other buildings as cannot be defended preuenting that the enimie occupie them not with the siege for the same respect wheÌ„ they feare that the batterie of any buyldinge or tower will make any great ruine vpon the diche by giuing any commoditie to the enimies purpose therby they blow it vp with powder or put proppes digging vnder the foundations where they would haue it to fal a matter effected with great facilitie putting fire to the timbers and in these fortifications as also in raysing of caualiers and rampires the Gouernor of the place ought to be the first that taketh a basket in his hande that by the ensample which he giueth in seeing himselfe labour the reste of the soldiers and neighbours of the place may doe it with a better will Besides they must pull downe the suburbs and spoile the gardens round about least the enimy reape any commoditie therby in finding them yet sometimes those of the countrey haue bene founde so affectionate to the seruice of their Prince as it hath bene a meanes to keepe theÌ„ from receyuing this mischief leauing vnto them their houses entire And in case they stand about the diche if the enimie chaunce to sease of them by making loopholes in them he wil be able to kepe his ground almost as well as they shall doe vpon the walles without euer spending time in working of trenches the houses by boring through the wals seruing him to passe from one to another which is done with great readines and with the same they hang blinders of canuas alongest the endes of the streetes that the besieged may not discerne any marke to shoot at while they fortifie theÌ„selues with diches trauesses to hinder the salies out of the gates vpon the quarters which they within are to aduenture to stop if there be men ynough for it burning the blinders by putting after the harquebuses are charged scowring stickes within the barrel and vpon the ramer toe pyche to which fire is to be giuen discharging the harquebuse streight vpon the blinders which the stick so that it bee no great distaunce will set on fire and burne it an effect which hath ben wrought with crosbowes and which I haue seene tryed being present at a time when such a remedie serued to very necessarie purpose In case that any suspition grow of the naturall borne of the countrey fearing their small fidelitie Forme of fortifâ—ing gates it is a good meanes to haue the men of warre with ordinarie soldiors to sease vppon the towres of the gates which serue most coÌ„modious for it and to fortifie them the best they can aginst those of the couÌ„trey putting some victuals and some munitions in them and in this you must proceede with more or lesse circumspectioÌ„ according as the soldiors are that keepe it and qualitie of meÌ„ of the countrey and disposition of the gate Likewise wheÌ„ you see smal store of victuals to be in a place and that you are enforced to mainteine it you must preuent it in time by putting out all such as are vnprofitable people in a siege as impotent men that are not able to beare armes weomen and children Vpon like occasions fearing a siege so many people may come to begge leaue to departe and go away with their goods as it is meete to be coÌ„sidered of whether it be to be graunted or
reparations and when it is clammie and not drye the strawe and haye is wrethed like halters more then two handfulls broad they fasten them into the earth with yrons as a man plāteth trees one neare vnto another Wherewith they greatlie fortifie rampires so that it be wrought sometime before the batterie These things be the cōmon defences vsed but when there is no matter to make them of then must they be fayne to doe as necessitie requireth inventeth taking such to serue their turne as they can finde Likewise they doe laye tables thicke wrought with pikes of yron like harrowes in the breache against the assault and they lett them downe for that purpose with engines made with wheeles at such time as the enimie assaulteth hauing cheynes made of woode which are fastened at the same instant at ease may be put to takē away Some vse them of yron alone on the topp of the breach and at the time of their assalte rayse them vp with pulleys and other engines helping them selues with garlands and balles of wildefire molten leade scaulding oyle and such like and in the ende they must be fayne to defend them selues notwithstanding that these and many other engins annoy the enimy much with the trauesses and strength of the pikes on whom the foundation is to be builded and to procure that the wall be alwayes mainteyned without giuing place to feare who is a powerfull Lorde as often as he findeth way giuen vnto him for to forme behind that new ditches defences or halfe moones which seldome times wil be able to defend a town if the wall thereof be loste Aduertisements for to preuent throwinge of brigges into the diche The state of the batterie being viewed and demōstrations which the centinells discouer them without to make for to giue the assault by drawing togither more colours thē they were wonte to the trenches being no hower of watche nor out of order as they were wont to doe whē they would renforce thē to enioy th'occasiō of some myne or tower which they are desirous to holde the chief of the siege standing in the ditch or some other place is to marke whither the enimie not being able to come to the breach without a bridge haue the night before throwne it in or that it be to doe Because that if it be made of barkes and that it betokeneth good store of water in the ditch he must procure sending some soldiors along the casamates salies that they swimming may sinke them making tronell holes in them and being to bee throwne in before the assault made of barrells boates or any other light stuffe and with invention that the bridge holde a dore drawne vp to serue for a defence to those which throw it in letting it afterwards fall downe to make it the larger thē must he haue in readines good store of fireworkes whiche may flame in the verie water and burn it and in case that the bridge be couered with hides therein they must helpe them selues with pieces from the trauesses if they haue bene able to preserue them for to break the bridge withall And if they haue lost them then to put one if it be possible in the fronte wherewith to doe the deed and the bridge comming to the verie breache to see if by casting of great stones or pipes of them lightning round about it they may be able to split and breake the bridge Iointlie they are to furnishe the breach beside the ordinarie guarde with a number of soldiors and ensignes which are to be picked out for the same purpose renforcing the weakest part thereof with soldiors of whose courage and resolution good proofe hath bene made the whole putting them selues with such weapons as they are to fight withall into a squadron and vppon some occasion they laye pikes alongest the groūd for such as brought none to be able to serue with them necessitie binding them therevnto as a weapon which is to be vsed euen to the verie last against thē which assault This done he must furnish the rest of the cordeguardes in such maner as he held them before ordered according to the qualitie of the towne appointing a particular leader to euery one in such sorte as they may be at hande to helpe one another and succour thē selues going if it be possible with their men in good order and in the principall cordegarde of the market place the men must be put into a squadrō as in all the rest where the head is to stand to prouide for what should be most conuenient and if the Towne be great to be on horsebacke visiting the batterie walls and cordeguard to animate them more to doe their busines with greater readines executing in his owne person what is conuenient and in case that the defence of the place binde him to doe it he shall doe well to take a pyke him selfe and stande in the breache Likewise he is to dispose of the weomen and men of the town which doe not beare armes aswel near vnto the cordeguardes as the breach that they may cast with ladles and other instrumēts scalding water oyle moltē lead wildfires such like when their be anie to doe it and when not then to giue them to the soldiours casting downe great quantitie of stones which if there be many in the town and doe it with dexteritie is not the worst defence in this that the troupes of men and weomen may haue particular leaders to gouerne thē so as no cōfusion be made in their seruice nor disorder Iointly the town being litle and in danger of fire for that the houses are all builded of timber they are to haue caudrōs in readines at the gates and pipes full of water and men appointed of purpose for to quench it foreseing that the enimie by intelligence had nor any cowarde set them on fire at the time of the assaulte Whē they that are besieged come to be narrowlie streightned it is a very hard case for thē which are within to giue any intelligence of their estate or of the qualitie of succours which is to be required For this cause they preuent it in the beginning thereof by agreeing vpon signes with fires in the night smoake in the day or ensignes of sundrie colours fashions to shew what they stand most in want of or succour they desire they get from out of the countrey swallowes doues and dogges which naturallie returne to the place where they first bred putting vnder the wings of the birdes or tying to their feete aduises and in the collers of doggs put vp in a pellet of waxe and in like sorte they haue aduertised againe by these meanes preuentions those within at what time they should bee succoured encouraging them to abide it out vsing like meanes and industries For the most part townes come to be lost thorough want of men powder artillerie munition and victuals and if they which are besieged
ease execute what he list him selfe in the same place by reason of the intelligence he hath had or in any other whiche hee would neuer haue durst to haue conceyued otherwise for the many guardes souldiours a matter easilie brought about by such a stratageme or deuise They surprise townes in like sorte by scale Consideration for surprises And to that end they must send soldiors of experience and trust to viewe the wayes vnto them the bredth and depth of the diches how farre it is to the water the height of the walles qualitie of the warde which the enimie keepeth disposition of the Centinells with what circumspection they stande in the places what distance is betweene one another whether one may be able to discouer the whole wall ouer or no at what hower the roundes vse to passe and whether they tarrie long before they meete one with the other in such sorte as one may bee able by gayning or killing of the Centinell to stande assured of the wall or tower before the rounde come to it As well doe men endeuour to gayne townes by channels of water which run thorough them What hurt patardes do to gates low casamates in the ditches or secret gates vsinge patardes to breake and blowe them open which is a kind of artillery which hath bin inuēted fewe yeres since in these partes which in a moment worketh great effect in throwing down of gates if a man may come to fasten the patarde in it and the strōger they be with the more violence doth the patarde worke ouerthrowinge one or two gates at once albeit there be a distance betweene one and other and a valte in the middst except they be builded in such maner as the patarde shall loose his force hauing a vente by which the violēce of the powder doth euaporate The particularities set downe being knowne which are to be looked into comparing one with the other with great cōsideration and the number of men thought vpon wherwith the scaladoe is to be giuen they are to assemble togither after the gates bee shutt if they goe all forth of one towne if not to appoint a place and hower where to meete and this according to that in which you are to effect it whether it must be at the hower of cētinell which they terme Modorra or before Midnight or at the Diana being verie fit that the day peepe by that time you come within the place putting the troupes or companies of men in order which are to bee diuided into vanguarde batayle and rereguarde with a particular leader to each one that may be a soldiour of resolution for that this is an action which requireth no lesse courage and valour then the canvisadoes not only in the heads thereof but in the soldiers which are to execute who of force howe valiant soeuer they bee can not but bethinke within themselues whether they goe sold or not or there be any treacherie or the entrie haue bene well viewed or the going vp good or fortified since stumbling blocks which the obedience of commandment and resolution of their owne courage must be faine to make plaine and euen And for that in many places it is not onely necessarie to carie scaling ladders for such enterprises but bridges of pieces of tymber to frame them of and boates for any arme of the water or ditch I wil write in what maner it is good to proceed being forced to carry all three alongest with them The ladders for such a purpose are to be only of the height of the walls because that if they be longer Measure of scaling ladders it is an easie matter for them aboue catching at the vpper stepps to turne them ouer with as many as are vpon them and if they bee shorter then can they not clime vp to the top by them To remedie this there must be great care taken many townes hauing missed being wonne by reason their ladders were to short hauing taken measure to the iust height of the wal but not from that parte of the ground where the ladders were faine to stande The vanguarde of your men must bee deuided into fower parts the first rancks are to be laden with the scaling ladders deuiding them according to their bignes and number in the second parte of the same vanguarde must the timbers of the bridge be carried and in the thirde the boates the fowerth parte consisting of those which are to clime vp first as the least wearie among them and by the reason of warre so required which notwithstanding there is no soldior of puntilloe who if hee come to set vp the ladder will suffer any other to clime vp before him except it be such as haue helped to carry it or his Capteine or Officer the boates are made sometime of leather that they may be light Maner of boates and other of timber parted into fower quarters or more ioyning them afterwards together with vices of yron which some annoint with oyle to kepe them from taking ruste although they lye many dayes in the water closing the pieces in such order together with the vices as the boate remayneth tyte calking with speede the ioynts thereof The leaders being set down order is to be giuen for their marche and for those rancks which are first to set vp the ladders or cast the boats or timbers of the bridge into the water that they make no confusion or noyse in doing it being among all the rest of the orders which are to bee made most preciselie enioyned that whē they shall haue gottē the walls no soldior be so hardie as to go to sacke vntill they be assured of the town because then they shall haue time enough This being done they are to sende corriers out of the towne who are to goe discouering before the cartes or moyles following with the ladders and boates in case the way be so farr as that it is not good for the souldiours to carrie them who are to marche according to such order as their heades shall enioyne them euer carrying the ladders and boates before Being arriued neare vnto the town which they are to scale they shall vnlade the ladders barkes bridges in such places as no noyse may be heard he that is appointed giuing order for euery thing they which carie the barkes shall put them into the water taking halters and ropes to drawe the tymbers of the bridge for to frame it which are to be cast into the water by such as carrie them The bridge being framed the leader of those which hold the ladders who should be he which had viewed all or to haue him in his companie which had done it is to goe before to assure himselfe of the entry and if it bee arising to carry with him a small ladder of cordes with a staffe or halfe pike to fasten them to and then to clime vp on high to viewe whether they are perceyued or no
the greatest and of most bulcke one lying as neare the other as may be Prouided that they come not so to meete togither as to waxe fowle with their shrowdes as it sometimes happeneth and causeth verie much trouble And the Armie being great others compounde the battaile of one fronte the shippes of euerie squadron following their head deuiding them as they iudge most conuenient according to the qualitie of the shippes and at other times for this consideration the greatnes of the shippes without caring to haue them of any squadron in sayling they mingle one with another appointing them what place they are to holde when they come to fight and this cōsidering that the Armie being great and by cōsequent the front great which is to be made vpon putting them selues in battaile it is necessarie the Capitana being in the middest to disperse those persons which carrie the greatest shipps through the whole battaile and front garnishing the horne to windeward with the greatest and strongest to the end they may defende the smaller ships which are to fight on the lee on the contrarie horne and be able hereby to animate the rest and guyde them to borde for that the Capitana by reason of the great distaunce which a great Armie must of necessitie occupie can not attende at such a time vpon all with such readines as is to bee required In one of these formes they saile in the best order that can be without anie one shipp going before an other And if the weather will suffer it so farre a sunder as two or three shippes may be able to goe betweene euery one For which cause those which are best of saile doe fitt their sayles in striking thē lower wherby they come to make no more way the sluggie seeking to gaine the winde on both sides to fight to come in order of battailes before written to borde which is that which most importeth at sea he which hath gottē the winde being able to giue a greater thrust at bording and to cast the smoke of his artillerie vpon the contrarie shipp and to helpe him with more advantage by the fires anoying the other thereby and in case he list to shoote at the enimie before bording he may commodiouslie doe it by reason of the winde discharging both his brode sides at the time of his bordinge which is where the shippes carry most pieces and to preuent this he which findeth him selfe able in the burthen of his shippes and number of men to borde goeth assoone as euer he hath gotten the winde with the greatest speed he can in a fronte to doe it and if he be desirous to shunne bording by reason his shippes be lower he entertayneth time shooting of still his Tyres by making Bordes which is to annoy the enimie without aduenturing to come to hande strokes with him for the disaduantage which he knoweth he shall gett by it not hauing so high shippes nor multitude of souldiours whose handes and force vpon bording getteth the victorie because they discharge no other artillerie then Cannons periall and smal pieces in their vpper works where they vse not alreadie slinges shooting of all the artillerie he can at such time as he is readie to borde when bullets worke most effect and almost none at all before the rest being but short into the ayre of which great consideration is to be had For this cause some are of opinion if the winde serue that the Capitana should delay bording him selfe vntill the rest of the shippes had done and in the meane time to be able to succour wher need should most require gouerning him self therin as they doe vpon the lande in dayes of battayle where the Generalls squadron is the last which commeth to shocke A particular in which a great inconuenience ceasseth not to offer it selfe and that is that at sea euery shippe is to fight by it selfe and to be a matter of greatest moment for obtayning of the victory to get some one of the enimies in as short time as may be for which of force they are to gage their greatest and strongest shippes at first to come to hande strokes and to seeke out the Capitanas which by reason ought to be the best shippes on both sides and in shippes it is not the harte of the Captaine which goeth in them that gouerneth them but the Maister or Pilote taketh many times occasion thorough their owne cowardise to put of the Capitana from bording with that resolution which the Generall desireth And likewise that whiche is most conuenient is to haue the Capitana of the firste shippes to borde the Capitana of the enimies armie appointing some other to succour her if neede should bee In the iudgement of the greatest Mariners and soldiers at sea when there is an vnequalitie in the number of shippes they esteme it a matter ouer daungerous to fight with them groundinge them selues vpon this that one ship is but to fight with another and the aduantage in number doth easilie make them to fight two against one and if they chaunce to yeelde yet shee must be faine to come to helpe the rest and therfore they neuer blame any that shall refuse to fight with like disaduātage and if one doe it and winne yet doe they holde him for oueruenturous and of no great gouernement when the qualitie of his shipps men be not answerable to the number of the rest These the mariners affirme to be the cōsiderations of greatest importāce in giuing of battaile disposing it so as one shippe may borde another without pusling two against one except they be more in number looking into the qualitie of the pieces of artillerie which the enimie carieth and whether his shippes be buylded to be able to serue with it or no with two or three tyres on the sides according to the burthen of such ships and whether they be of brasse or the greater parte of cast yron which reacheth nothing so farr * This is verie doubtful I thinke he is deceyued and is sooner heated In time past they kept a great sturr in arming the topps for the mischief which was done to the enimie therby and now they doe not hold it to be of so great moment since musketerie is growne in vse against which they which stande in the tops can hardlie defend themselfes and as men which stand naked are hurt easelie For this cause they fit them selues better by placing blinders to couer their men saue such onlie as are necessarie for the gouernement of the shippe and the rest to abyde in their places preseruing them selues as long as they can before they come to the push of the pike This same to procure that the poope and prowe may be reared for to combat and defend the entrie hath made to heythen them with bords on both sides making them hollow a little lesse then a geometrical foot filling vp the hollow with ould netts of fishermen that may serue to be of
muskett prooffe without clogging the ship much with carging when ships haue a long time grapeled seeing themselues run a ground and not able to enter to make her yeeld by reason that her poope is so high they vse to cast out of them vpon the other shippe ashes scalding oyle and molten lead to anoy those which stande defending vpon the decke and running thorough the shrowdes to offende the rest They likewise defend with woolbeds bolsters or wolsackes if there be anie those places in the shippes which are most conuenient at such time as they goe to fight ordayning after that the men stande bestowed in the fower principall places that they fight in order and not running them selues out of breath for that it hath fallen out after grapeling that shippes haue fought without being able to iudge which was likeliest to haue the victorie a whole day and a night more time too serued their turne with wildefire vpon good occasion because if one haue not the winde it is a most dangerous mischiefe to fling fier into his enimie his owne shippe being likelie to take it and very hardlie able to lose him selfe It may sometime fall out to be in an harbor and that a more powerfull enemie commeth to fight in this case it falleth into consideration according as the harbor is in which he findeth you whether it be friend or enimie Being enimie they must in reason ancker where they are likeliest to receiue least annoyance from the lande and make them selues readie to fight at sea one shipp comming as neare to the other as is possible to be ioyned togither by this meanes standing prepared to defende them selues on all partes keeping a shipp or pynnes at sea for watch to giue notice of such as they should descrie if it be friend then doe they put the poopes of their shippes as neare shoare as they can and as close one by another the weather seruing for it because by doing thus the enimie shall not dare to come neare them for feare least their shippes runne a ground for that they can not be able to staie them comming vnder sayle so neare the shoare without striking or casting Anchor and the dispositiō of the place so seruing they drawe Artillerie a shoare to defende the shippes withall frō whence it reacheth further with better marke Being a calme if the shippes can stande very close togither they put bridges ouer one another to succor them selues by and lanche their squiffes and barkes into the sea to stopp that no enimie come to cutt the cables of their anchors nor to set their shipps on fire and when the tyde and winde serueth to keepe anie from sending shipps with artificiall fiers mynes wrought in them which when the fire cōmeth to the mynes should blow vp huge stones and other like things put vppon the topp of the worke thereof with which it doeth not only great annoyance but burning it selfe setteth all the rest on fier that commeth neare These boates are to carrie artillerie and some bring blinders to fight the better with them and to keepe away shippes of such fyres and inuentions where no bodie goeth in them they carrie in their boates long ropes and at the end of them pieces of yron chaines with great graples to fasten to the ship of fiers which after the yron graples haue taken holde on they may easilie toe whether they list So doeth an Armie of shippes fall out to sayle Meanes to ioyne round shipps together in time of calme standing in feare least the enimie sett vpon them in time of calme with a number of gallies then the best meanes they can vse if with the calme they be distant one from another is to lanche out the squiffes and long boats into the water and giuing a towe with them to bring the shippes togither putting them in the best order they can and the gallies cōming to shoot at them they serue their turne with the Artillerie one helping another by standing neare togither procuring in this manner to equall the aduātage which the gallies haue in shooting lowe almost leuell with the water by discharging so great store of pieces as the gallies must be enforced to loofe of not able to come to close The armie being all of gallies and shipps of oares they vse to place their wast bordes to fight with them garnishing well the * Wee haue not the vse of gallies therefore wee can not properlie englishe their words of arte rombadas and to repaire with trauesses bolsters and beds the boate and mast for that in case the enimie should gaine the foreparte yet he should finde fightes able to turne him out againe the poope being well renforced with men and the ladders pulled vp where they putt some litle pieces the Captain of the gallie standing at the standeroll which is his place to gouerne the soldiours keeping their balesteras with their harquebuses in the spaces betweene the bankes they are wont to putt trunkes or balls of fire lighted to vse them if occasion require and pikes targetts and halbardes vpon the Cruzia for the same purpose the men which are not to fight standing in holde and the Surgions to cure those that are hurte and the Carpenters with their instruments to remedie anie hurte which might happen on that parte by the fall of anie shott Forme of ordayning battayles with ships of ores To order Battayles of shipps of ores is done in a front or in forme of a halfe moone The Capitana standinge in the middest garnishing the hornes or wings as they terme thē with some gallies of the most strength In this manner they goe hauing gotten the weather by ores in the handes one as near vnto another as they can be permitted for to saile with hastening way according to the motiue which the enimie discouereth and when there are a great number of gallies they leaue squadrons at the sterne of the Capitana and so at the gallies of most strength others wherewith to bee able to succour them In case the enimie should borde them with more gallies and carrie as they terme it the winde in his handes by the ores there can not be a matter of greater moment to annoy him thē to blinde him with the smoke of the Artillerie all the while it lasteth to helpe them selues with fires if occasion serue to borde a matter which round shipps doe as they can but those with ores when they liste and hee which refuseth it must of force receyue the chase puttinge him selfe in flight with which they come to borde one another if there be a disequalitie in number two against one In shooting of the Artillerie before bording it is to bee considered that it be at such a distance as to be able to charge the seconde time because that discharging the Artillerie after bording it doth not onely come to hurt with more certeintie but with a farre greater losse for that a