out of it which is according as euery natioÌ„ is accustomed to fight and the scituation permitteth it is to be considered that when you would haue a squadron to bee in all partes reenforced with equal proportion you must forme a square of men if you will reenforce the front or rereguarde by putting more souldiors to fight you must make a square of ground and to this ende they make the squadrons large in fronte and litle in flanke coueting to haue most men fight in fronte holding confidence in their dexteritie and when there is made a great depth it is to the ende that the same weight of the squadron mought effect a breaking in vpon the enimie the light horse fighting in troupes men at armes and swart rutters in rankes and the Gynettes which albeit they keepe in rankes yet ioyned with the foote vpon the charge in grosse the men and squadrons for a battayle being to bee disposed Correspondencie betweene an armie and mans body with like correspondencie as the members in the bodie of a man proportion the armes which are at this day vsed in armies like vnto them the feete and handes being the harquebusiers on horse the legges and armes the light horse the thighes the men at armes the squadrons of infanterie the breastes the head the Prince or generall and the belly the bagage And if you would set forth the body of a man to most shewe the ground being well looked into where his feete stande the members may be so disposed as he shall seeme greater By consequent if one man come to fight with an other he will first set his right foote forward stretching out his right arme turning sidelong his body to couer the rest of his members shewing lesse marke to be hitt but if he be disposed to wrastell with an other he then seeketh to helpe him selfe with all his members equallie being to graple with the enimie and to serue his turne by them vniting in that standing his whole force to labor at one instant The like is to be done in setting an armie in battaile and if it be for representation to giue it forme according to the scituation and to the squadrons so as they may seeme greater but if it be to attempt the enimie then to doe it with harquebuzes on horsebacke light horsse foote men and some slight horse beginning the skirmish with discretion that when they come with greater liuelines to ioyne they doe not so hastelie charge as to be faine to come to close with the rest of the squadrons which if they be forced to doe and to giue battayle then to dispose it so as all may fight at once euery man graple with an other of the enimie when the battayle serueth for it The circumstances aboue written are to giue lawe vnto Y.H. for the forming of those squadrons of which the battaile is compounded and hauing launces and argoletiers in the armie it is a very good way to mingle them to put in the left flanke of the lances a Cornet of swart Rutters which commeth to serue as a winge the which is to ioyne a litle before the lances Forme of fight in coÌ„panie of swart rutters that their companie may serue for some profit and purpose and that the pistoliers doe as much giuing their voley as they vse to charge when they are in forme of a halfe moone It is helde as well for a good order of battaile to drawe to the right side of the squadrons Manner of fight vpon a day of battaile a troupe of pykes and lances conteyning a fift parte of the squadron to set vpon the flanke of the enimie at the time of close who if hee turne fronte to the troupe leaueth the flanke to the squadron and if he fronte with it forceablie he must discouer his side to the troupe A practise which hitherto I haue not knowen vsed in the fighte of the infanterie and which my selfe haue done vpon a day of seruice in the cauallerie disposing the squadrons of light horse which were vnder my charge in this manner and found it by experience of much effect for that which these troupes performed when not being fiue and twentie horsse at the chocke with the enimies squadrons it pleased God that we brake them giuing the victorie to the King our Lord Y.H. father Iointlie we finde by experience in this occasion of howe much more worth lances are in fight Forme of fightinge with â—warâ—â— rutters then pistoleteres and the maner with which they are to combat with swarte ruyters The squadrons of lances may not exceede one hundred or one hundred and twentie at the most albeit they be to sett vppon a squadron of foure or fiue hundred argoleteres and of this number to make manie diuiding the lances and to charge with furie which is that which soonest putteth the swarte Rutters to flight in that the pistolls be but of very small seruice mingled with them So they vse to haue one or two squadrons volante Squadron volante and that to vpholde a skirmishe in grosse mainteyning it with purpose to allure the enimie to fight and to preuent anie charge shall be made with multitude of horsse being superior to them in shott cauallerie which accompanie them able with a squadron volante to succour with such dexteritie as shall neuer neede to put in daunger the rest of the battaile When Y.H. holdeth the squadrons devided plotted out by those of your councell in one two or more formes in which they may be sett in battaile standing therewith prepared to compound it according to the demonstration of the enimie and scituation with greater readines and facilitie you must commaund them to aduise in what sorte they will diuide the armie to march the maner in which the warre is to be made whether according to the motiue of Y.H. and ende of the iourney it be to be done in resting in a place or encamping Of these and other things noted Y.H. is to commaund that in way of conuersation they treate of them with some particular headdes of the armie which bee personages of experience and discourse and charge them to doe the like with the olde soldiors of whose iudgement and reasoning they may hold some satisfaction for that they know what they speake because many times matters of importance come to be moued on which councellours doe not putt their eyes being clogged with businesses which doth not giue them leaue to thinke thoroughlie of matters nor to be able thereby to direct them not being possible for a man to consider all things which is required for the guyding of one well and that it greatly furthereth though it be much considered of to heare the opinions of manie to resolue of what is best a point which bindeth Kinges to holde Councellors about them affirming to those which are most coÌ„fident that Princes in their particulars of warr are to heare all and resolue with fewe That
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
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.
by the enimies sending some men in difguised habits not only to viewe but to fire the pouder as some times it hath fallen out The fortification of the camp ought to be especially in the entries therof well prouided in such manner as the men may salie speedlie in rankes if occasion require it and the way by which they fett their water to be very broade if their be none within the lodging assigning some to kepe the waters which they are to drinke from being troubled a particular which is to be accompted of as in the cleanlines and neatnes of a campe especially if they bee to tarrie dayes in one lodging and that the scituatiō be not durtie by the fall of rayne-water and to appoint a conuenient place in euery quarter for the vivanders which follow it Whom the gardes of day night concerneth The Serieants Maior Commissaries of the light horse and the rest of the Officers whom it concerneth to knowe the number of men whiche are to keepe watch euerie one within his charge ought to come to the Camp maister generall to take order for the colors standars which are to enterguard that might and for the places wher they are to set their Corps-de-guarde being men at armes swart ruyters and companies of pykes for the night and light horse and harquebusiers by daye to whom apperteyneth the scowts when it is not so daungerous to be enforced to reenforce them with pykes men at armes swart rutters And for the guards of like lodginges hauing no suspition of the enimie Y.H. must commaunde that your men trauaile no more then is fit to exercise them in guardes continuing in the custome therof cōsidering that with ouertyring the men An armie a most tender bodie horses and the rest of the members which an armie is cōpounded of there is no one bodie so tender as that is being formed of such a fashion as a corrupt ayre will soone throwe it downe foure dayes hunger or foule weather dissoluinge it without the enimie euer vsinge sworde which they feare most which haue not had experience of the rest And likewise heed is to be taken that the armies and men of warr be not wearied in their guards and marche more then necessitie requireth to preserue them and to hold them in exercise This diuision of the guards in the forme set down will serue for the lists which shal be made of the colors and standarts of the armie deuiding thē into foure partes whereof one is euerie night to keepe the guarde so three still to rest which is no great trauail exercise sufficiēt to accustome them to the field The guardes are to be set at twielight Houre of setting the guardes withdrawing those which stood all daye to the end no place bee giuen to the enimie to view the standes of the guardes and centinells which ordinarilie in these fortified lodgings requireth the distance of a Corp-de-guard to bee thirtie paces from the trenches the centinells being so set as the one may see the other not being necessarie except the enimie be at hand to double thē The corp-de-gards of the Cauallerie must be without the trenches and fortification of the camp and the centinells disposed alongest the wayes and placed in such manner as none shal be able to passe to the campe without being perceyued and as well to the centinels of horse as foote the word is not to be giuen vntill they be set in their stands whereby none may passe When the worde is to be giuen to the centinels enter or goe out of the Camp without order from Y.H. or the word giuen I will not be tedious to handle the manner which the Seriants Maior and officers of the Cauallerie must hold in apointing such standers colors as are to serue that night for the guard which are to haue warning from the morning before because it is a matter which in particular teacheth thē folowing the forme of a discipline which euery nation vseth in changing the centinells either with sound of drumme or without and to make rounds and counter-rounds nor likewise what care the Captains Lieuetenants and Alpheres of cauallerie are to take in viewing as soone as the standarts are lodged the way which is from their quarter to the market place that vpon any alarom by day or night they may repaire readilie thither euery souldior to the standard which is to guyde him Publishing of orders In this lodging Y.H. is to commaund that those orders which you shall haue set downe be published which is to be done by the gran Prouost Kinges at armes Trompets drummes * Atabales made of brasse like a round kettel without a haile with two hādles the ancientest kinde of instrument whiche Spaine vseth and is vsed in solemne feasts as we doe Hoboies instruments that throughout the places most conuenient as the market place and victuallers and distinctlie in all the quarters Iointlie Y.H. is to commaunde your councell to debate whether it be fit to take a generall muster of the armie or a particular in euery regimēt standard or nation a matter to be resolued of if it bee well considered whether it be necessarie to make aparance and demonstration of the armie or to couer the number of your men and power though it be verie great They are likewise to consulte in what forme the battayle is to be set guyding themselues in this by the lystes of the musters of cauallerie and fanterie Consideration of the number of squadrons which are to be formed to forme the squadrons which are to serue for the right horne or left battaile or guarde of the artillerie a matter in which you can not further particularise when the case and occasions are not present then in considering the qualitie of the cornets of cauallerie and with what sorte of armes they fight in the fantarie the number of pykes and harquebusiers accommodating to this the squadrons which shal be well to bee framed according to the scituation and disposition which the enimie shall shewe which ought to be cōsidered whether it must be a square of people or groūd of great front or in lēgth with much depth or of other fashion A thing which is to be ordered according to the stand custome which euerie nation vseth in fight more in one sorte of squadron and battaile formed then in another the Serieants being perfite in framing thē which obserue certaine measure to make them holde great fronte or depth that the depth be not more thē three partes the number of soldiors which the fronte of the squadron holdeth and those in the great fronte the thirde parte of the flanke so as if three score be in fronte twentie ought to be in flanke and if three score in depth at least twentie in fronte rules by which they shall stande proportioned and garnishe the flankes of the shott and if they drawe one or two winges
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
of the rest of the cariages a matter which is fit to be preuented by the generall thereof Such leader as shal be in the vanguarde must leaue behinde all a companie of lances or harquebusiers on horse with an experimented Captaine who is to drawe out curriers which are to marche farre from his companie or rereguarde but not so farre as to loose sight thereof and this to be done in case the countrie be plaine and if hillie then are the curriers to get vp to the highest places and mountaines to the end the enimie occupie them not and from thence to discouer the order of the marche retyring them selues in this sorte from mountayne to moūtayne In case that the enimies folowe the armie with a greater troupe of men then the companie of curriers and vanguarde and that they be enforced to retire them selues more then the scituation where they marche requireth or is fit for to discouer thē the Leader of the rereguarde shall enforce them to maintaine their standes giuing order that they charge not with greater furie then is necessarie to conserue them without losse of the marche nor to suffer the watchworde or Alarom to passe except there be occasion for it giuing euerie moment intelligence vnto Y.H. howe things passe And if the enimies straine vpon the curriers with such gallantnes and force as that they must be constrayned to retire as farre home as the rereguarde then is he to sustayne them by turning face with making a halte of which hee must aduertise Y.H. to the ende you may renforce or succour them as necessitie shall require since it may bee so great as putting them selues in battayle they may come to hande-stroakes a matter which they are to forbeare except they be forced therevnto attending to followe the Campe which ought to be their ende When armies marche thorough an open countrie the enimie being a Captaine of experience is wont to sende a troupe of loose cauallery to marke the order which they carrie viewing the nūber of the men by the body of their squadrons To attaine to this as soone as they discouer the curriers in vanguarde or rereguarde they charge thē with resolution who must be enforced being so much inferior to retyre them selues and the enimies horse thereby approch neare the armie to take the fuller viewe thereof On this occasion if Y.H. carrie a purpose to occupie forceablie any lodging or passage which may be of much importance and not to loose time in marching you must entertayne them by putting squadrons of cauallerie in fronte which may skirmish coldlie with them whereby the armie shal be able to marche without annoyance Y.H. not holding any particular purpose being willing to breake vpon the horse which after the manner of warre carie no more succours behinde them then are discouered being loose men must commaund the Cauallerie which shall stande nearest hande vnto them to close resolutelie mingling them selues among them a matter which you are to giue in charge to the captaine of those whom they terme * Horsemen about the Prince so called Despepitados because by this meanes they shal be enforced to entertayne them giuing time to charge vpō them with the rest of the squadrons which shall come to better their partie and the enimies horse hauing none to retire themselues too when they shall haue done a matter which the cauallerie doth at pleasure through their much dexteritie though very litle time be giuen vnto them To close vp the first horse can not be done without danger a mischiefe which must be recōpensed with what the enimies vndoubtedlie may receiue by entertayning time to mingle with them alwayes when it may be done with readines and determinatiō which is that which Y.H. must order vpon like occasions Likewise at other times they sende some horse to discouer who for not being of anie great number are to occupie some highe place or mountaine shewing them selues thereon with great front so they make a greater appearance of men then they are in deed whereby they can not be readilie discouered Aduise to discouer horsemen A case in which is to be noted that such as are sent to discouer must looke well to the horsse feete if they can clearelie discerne them for that thereby may be perceiued whether the front be of any thicknes or no or haue anie troupe of horse notwithstāding any shew they make The better to vnderstande the certain number of horse or fanterie which a squadron may holde more or lesse you must cause them to marke from on highe downward for thē the forme is discouered of all partes not making more appearance thereof then is in deede Manner of marching through a streyght contry In marching thorough a straight of anie Countrie the vanguard must goe renforced with the infanterie and that according as you holde anie suspitiō of the enimie in that parte accompanying it with some fielde pieces if the way permitt And in case the enimie be able to charge you shal as well reenforce the vanguarde diuiding the battaile in such sorte as the Artillerie and baggage bee placed in the middest since it is not of anie effect carrying in the vanguard and rereguarde fielde pieces and harquebusiers on horse or launces such as the disposition of the Countrie shal be capable of if the way be so straigth that the cariadge must be faine to goe so much in ranke as hardlie the rereguarde can succour the vanguarde troupes of infanterie must marche on the two sides of the baggage in such sorte as they may giue hande one to another makinge by this order an easie way for to repayre to that parte where most neede requireth It is as well to be considered in this disposition of the Countries and straightnes of wayes that other crosse the vallies breaches where for that the enimie may come out of them for a gulpe of infanterie to make halte to assure them vntill all the bagage and cauallerie may be passed the infanterie retiring them selues then with the rereguarde Being of necessitie to marche thorough woods which may be great In what manner to march thorough woods Y.H. must commaund to put a golpe of harquebuserie in order with which they must take the wood and this harquebuserie is to marche along the sides of the way which the Armie is to passe seruing as wings to couer it with spredding them selues vppon the flankes of their owne Armie when there be founde anie planes in such woodes as sometimes it falleth out the cauallerie is in thē to make a halte the better to assure the waye the baggage folowing assoone as they haue passed the plane and at the tayle thereof the infanterie which necessarilie is to rest with the rereguard and at the cōming forth of the wood if the fielde be open the harquebuserie is to stande at the skirte of the same wood making halte vntill the Cauallerie gaine the fielde with their
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
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
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
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
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
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
headdes without any Iackes of mayle or corselettes and some carying light horse staues leading staues and Targuettes other with Pistolls or long Petrionells which difference of armes is as well required to be considered as the horsses may be able to beare out therewith in combat best The verie reason which at the first moued men to inuent them proportioning them according to the fitnesse of such horse as the Prouince or Climate did breede affirming iointlie that it is a very hard matter at this time to be able to frame an armie of one entiere nation when it is not for the defence of the same kingdome vpon the invasion of any stranger for the diuersitie of considerations which may therein be offred And in particular whether the Prouince be so well peopled as that it may yeelde so great a nūber of men as is necessarie for the maintenance of a warre abroad the which euery day consumeth men and to breede souldiers it is necessarie to employ youthes which haue passed sixteene yeares at the least and in case so much people may be drawne out of the Countrie The best cōposition of one entire nation if it may be and so many men trayned among them as is fit for the diuersitie of armes vndoubtedly an armie of one entiere nation is much more to be esteemed which cōforme them selues in customes and language then of diuers which ought to beare parte and all to depend of one selfe same cause thereby to be the more vnited in their conseruation and by consequent their force of greater vigour Of this there are not onely probable reasons but effectes consideringe that the greatest Empires which haue bene haue augmented and preserued them selues by warring with the Souldiors of their owne nation onely with whom they made an entier body of their armie lodging such of other nations as came to their ayde a parte thereby giuing to vnderstande that they depended not of them In this case hath our Lorde made Y.H. so powerfull a Prince as that you possesse kingdomes and many Prouinces out of which you may forme great armies of one entiere nation or diuers being all your vassalls or such countries assisting you where you haue Coronells in paye for the same effecte and so may Y.H. chuse the partie most conuenient according as your generall Captaines shall be of opinion the forme of warre may require which you vndertake and in what Prouince or state particularities which will giue light to the resolution of your leauies and places of musters which are to be assigned accordinge to their order and securitie Some are of opinion that in those Councells which Princes holde for giuing of order to leauie men Consideration for the not naming of a general it should be verie cōuenient the Princes person not being in place present not to name any general at all vntill all prouisions were at an end presupposing that there would be foūd so many persons fitt for the same charge as that the findinge of anie one to be named would bee an occasion for the more parte to backward the seruice encreasing the other inconueniences which mought be founde therein mooued by the competitorshipp which is naturallie founde among men of one profession I will assure Y.H. that this is a consideration of much moment not able to be kept with puntilio for many occasions which offer thē selues wherein necessarilie a Captaine must be declared before the leuies being the best meanes for the easie dispatche of them and the enterprise and that which is most troublesome to a souldior is that the circumstance of euery particular case is of that importance that he is bound to hold such rules as in generall he may finde to guyde him by worthying him selfe herein by his owne estimation as the principall parte which a souldior is to obserue Qualitie of a Generall All your leuies and preparations being once in a readines Y.H. may if it be not already done nominate the generall of the enterprise and the most headdes of the armie which ought to be soldiors considering that manie haue courage enough to fight which wante wisedome to be able to commaunde and combat in the fielde it being the greatest matter of importance to be required at a gouuernours handes and in particular the Campe maister generall ought to haue good skill in soulderie Qualitie of Campe-maister generall for that the executiō of his office is no wayes permissiue to any other person then a soldior of many yeares and experience being the liuely voice and spirit of the generall which hee participateth to the armie if he be a souldior and in case he be not one the actions of the Campe maister generall in respect he is so necessarie giueth spirit life to the Generalls in such sorte as he commeth to be helde a souldior though in deed he be none The which hath made mee discoursing vpon this matter to affirme sundrie times that men may be borne generalls but not Campe maisters generalls which is the second person of the armie since that the Generall thereof fayling howe great personages so euer carie any other charge it apperteyneth to the Campe-maister generall to giue the worde and likewise to administer ciuill and criminall iustice throughout the armie in the name of the Prince or his Lieuetenant generall and to this effecte he holdeth about him men of learning and the great Prouost I speake not of a Campe maister generall where there is a Conestable in an armie that being no office nowe in vse with like preheminences as they were wont to haue in former times being more or lesse in one Prouince thē in an other Office of Constable but in deed the charge of a Constable is a Lieutenant of the Kings person in peace or war in all matters depending theron within the kingdome Men in olde time esteemed it sufficient for the warre to haue some good partes in those which commanded as to guyde order armies to vanquishe the enimie which they perferred before most morall vertues which ought to be wished in a Captaine to be able with his wisedome and sharpnes of witte to compasse such matters by the helpe of some naturall giftes as courage quicknes affabilitie endurance of travailles and like qualities which hold affinitie with moral vertues though they be none and verie necessarie in the exercise of warre I haue handled with like precisenes of what condicion the person of the Campe maister generall ought to be by hauing sundrie times considered that there seldome happeneth a generall which is a souldior of experience albeit that wisedome and excellent partes are in no charge more to be desired then in persons which are to gouuerne armies for that the matters are innumerable which they are to prouide for and to commaunde carying withall a wauering common wealth of men vpon their shoulders besides a multitude of accidentes presenting them selues euerie moment and varietie of cases vpon 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
earnestlie you are to wishe the vndertaking thereof vpon the infidells since finding your selfe busied with other warres for the conseruation of your kingdomes you ought euery day instantlie to beseeche our Lorde to ryd you out of the trouble of them whereby you may employe the greatnes of those forces which it hath pleased him to giue vnto you with so many Crownes against the enimies of our holy catholike faith settinge at libertie the multitude of slaues which the infidells holde in harde oppression and captiuitie An enterprise worthie of Y.H. and of the Kinges of Spaine to busie them selues in as alwayes your auncestors haue done encreasing by seruing our Lord in this great proffites to their Crownes A matter which moueth me iointlie to handle the manner which I am acquainted with In what maner they ought to marche which vndertake conquests vpon the infidels or in countrie vnpeopled howe they are to lodge and martch in conquestes vpon the infidells The Countrie being vnpeopled in respect of the drienesse thereof and wante of riuers will aske that Y.H. bring store of Cauallerie especiallie if the enimies force of his warrfare consist therein as the Kings of Africa and other partes the better to assure the lodgings and to fetch water and to bee able to couer the bagage munitions droues or cariadge of victualles which necessarilie are to bee caried and when this may not be possible and that you are forced to execute the enterprise it will be fit to make litle iourneys occupyinge the lodging in no further distance then that it may finde water the squadrons well formed to martche by litle and litle in such sorte as they may be at hande one of another the which will cherishe the small number of Cauallerie which is caried assisted with the winges of the harquebuses muskettes the bodie of the Armie couering the munitions baggag which ought to go close togither within it and in case that the troupes of the enimies cauallerie set vpon thē with the heate of his harquebusiers on horsebacke they may fray them away with fielde pieces and instrumentes whereof foure may be caried in a wagon and muskett shott which wil be the most certen being able to discharge their voleis more speedilie and with more nimblenes then the artillerie a muskett reaching much further off then a harquebus on horsebacke although the petronells be neuer so longe which they cary comming to loose them selues hereby without their shott seruing to anie effecte Iointlie it is to be noted warring in Barbarie Forme in which the Alarabos Africanes fight that the Africanes Alarabes and Barbarians keepe no order in their fight onelie running in troupes huddle togither for the execution thereof but we keepe order in defending the enimies on sett and disorder our selues at the close the which requireth that no voley of shott bee bestowed on them vntill you see them ioyned togither and to entertayne them in skirmishes with shot of the artillerie and some muskett for they are almost all lost in respect that these nations doe very much scatter them selues in skirmishe and not to charge them without a body of formed squadrons By marching in this forme you shal haue time to fortifie the lodging by day standing with greater securitie in the nightes whereby the enimies Cauallerie can hardlie breake in vpon you and be able to enlarge your selfe much to repose with ease for that it is not possible being alwayes on horsebacke to be maister of the fielde This will giue time to put in order at a good houre the armie and baggage to martche without any impediment of the enimie standing within viewe in battaile being of necessitie except he holde some walled Townes neare hande enforced to come from farre of In Barbarie you must be forced to lodge in such scituation as the nature of the Coūtrie affordeth neare vnto the water without being able to chuse anie other more strōg an inconvenience which sometimes our forefathers preuēted carying emptie sackes which they filled with sande to fortifie the lodgings withall Engines to fortifie lodgings with And because this may fall out in such iourneys as the King our Lord may make into those partes and prouinces I presented in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred eightie foure when I returned frō my embassage * or rather for your practises banished in England a forme of engine of tymber and certayne vices with which they mought arme in verie short space a caualier of the height of thirtie geometricall feete more broade of three score foote square vpon which might stande store of muskett shott wherewith to defende the lodging placing foure of these caualeres at the corners thereof the which will come to serue as trauesses to keepe the entrie thereof and platformes for the fielde being framed of little pieces of timber whiche may wel be caried vpon a beast and be not of much cumber and trouble in arming and disarming them which is that which maketh engines and instruments to be of greatest profit Of these tymbers there might be likewise made an other engine of fiftie foote high or more which a man mought easilie goe vp and down by discouering the field as farre as the height of the place will giue leaue seruing as a watch towre to giue the alarom in case anie men come neare perceyuing them from farre off Newe maner of pieces of artillerie Iointlie I presented to his Maiestie for the effecte of the same iourneys a sorte of pieces of artillerie of metal which mought cost some fortie crownes weigh thirtie poūds shooting a bullett of one pounde with that furie that it would peierce through a bricke wall of two foote geometricall thicke notwithstanding the small weight of the bodie of the piece and in respect thereof the greatnes of the diameter of the bullet and not being heated verie soone which is as well of momēt being able to put them aborde shipps although they be small and shooting like slynges for their litle weight which are qualities of very good seruice Likewise I presented to his Maiestie Bridges to passe ouer riuers a forme of bridges of litle pieces of tymber to passe ouer riuers withal which are verie easilie made vp being stronge euerie piece by it selfe of that bignesse that it might bee caried vppon any beast and the truncheons of the model being not longer then halfe a foote geometricall of the bignes of ones little finger and three broad the bridge being fiue geometrical feete in depth a man may verie securily passe ouer it for the strength thereof whereby you may imagine what might be done by increasing the proportion of the Truncheons When you finde a Countrie craggie mountainous the cauallerie wil be of small auayle the infanterie more profitable especiallie if there be good Harquebusieres among thē which serue best to fight in a fielde of the foresaide conditions finding in most partes a defence to be able
to discharge with securitie The most dayes that Y.H. shall stande in this firste lodging you are to goe out and walke Fit that the Prince shew him selfe many times to the souldiors that the people may of ordinarie see you encreasing loue in vassalls when they shall many times beholde the face of their King and in soldiors a liuelines gallantnes and affection with the sight of their Captaine whose person and partes euery one admireth according to the caractes of his vnderstāding and the most his pompe and trayne from whēce it riseth that by seeing Kinges with that maiestie and greatnes whiche they shewe them selues withall in publike composition then of their actions euery vassall accompteth of him self moued thereto in that God hath giuen him a king so powerfull promising to him self to gouerne guyde his verie secret actions with like discretion and consideration as his publique This maketh all men in cōmon to be able to see things but very fewe to haue vnderstanding to vnripp the reason of them the which causeth outward demonstrations to be of greatest effect when magnificence and garbe giueth helpe vnto them Y.H. is to goe abroad a litle before the guardes be set to viewe the lodging Much experience in matter of scituations is gayned by seeing of the guardes enter see them enter in an houre in which Y.H. may gayne much experience in the knowledge of the scituations by the reasons which the Campe-maister generall and headdes of experience shall deliuer which accompanie Your Honour in placing the Corps de guarde and the Centinelles more in one parte then in an other and what is necessarie to bee marked in the chusinge of them And if Your Honor will be a famous Captaine a qualitie of so great estimation for any the most powerfull Monarche you must knowe howe to emcampe well whence ensueth to bee able to combatt in season the head corner stone of a Generall for that to fight alone there is none so base as doeth it not Howe to aduantage your selfe in encamping Your Ho. shall learne much by being sometimes present at the chusing out of the lodgings in hearing vpon such occasion as shall fall out before your owne eyes the opinions of the Campe maister generall and the rest of the Councelours vpon the disposing of them what parte wil serue best for the Cauallerie and fanterie and the difficulties which other offer in being fitt to change them or no and to occupie an other scituation A matter of which Y.H. albeit you bee not present at the instant in the fielde with an armie may be able to take a generall notice The ende Which is to be helde in hawking hunting by commaunding such as accompanie you in hawkeninges and huntings to make reporte vnto you if they be souldiours of the qualitie of the countrie where it may serue your best turne to assure the infanterie as also for the cauallerie to fight where the artillerie may be scituated and the markett place appointed discoursing in this manner of the rest of the particularities considering that in your recreation of hawking and hunting it be done to the ende to take knowledge of the fielde scituation of the standes and to preserue in good estate the health of the armie that for anie other ende then these two it is not fitt that Kings should consume their time in a matter whence there is no more honor to begotten then that he which guydeth him selfe with reason shal haue deceyued or hurte a poore beast which is voyde thereof And likewise it is conuenient that where Kings take their recreation it be done in such things as some profit may arise therby for to exercise the ministerie in which God hath placed them reducing all their actions to this ende From this firste lodging Yaur Honor is not to departe before you haue ioyned togither all your men artillerie munitions and victualls being necessarie for the iorney and if it be a conquest to commaunde that forces bee prepared of newe for to succour the armie since that obteyning good successe you may fend them away in case it be not necessarie to reenforce it least otherwise you cōsume occasions and time which is a great enimie to armies and which finisheth all matters in the world preuenting hereby if disgrace succeede that you stande prepared so as no occasion be giuen to other Princes to inuade Y.H. estates by seeing your forces putt to route and disarmed whilest that the enimie remayneth gallante and victorious which causeth reputation to be lost and the liuelines and courage of the soldiors to abate cooling thereby the faith and affection of the rest of friendes confederates wherby most times thorough the spoile made in warre rentes come to be diminished thinges which breede ill successe and losse of reputation The day being set downe in which Y.H. purposeth to dislodge Order in dislodging you must commaunde that warning be giuen ouernight to departe wherby all may prepare them selues except it be necessarie to watch the night and couer your departure giuing order then by mouth must bee done without the infanteries stricking vp of any drumme and the Cauallerie sounding their Trumpetts with a suddeine Y.H. must commaunde to sounde a bote sela when your men are geathered togither at the morning watch then to sounde A Cauallo at which time there ought to be present in the market place the cāpe maister generall Quarter maister Captaines of guides officers of their traine In olde time the Cāpe maister generall when the armie marched was wonte to carie an ensigne differing in forme frō the Princes the Quarter maister a square bāner to make so manie persons the more easilie finde him out as are to seeke him and to the Quarter maisters banner the Princes harbengers repayre personages and Caualiroes of his Court and those of the rest of the Regimentes and Companies of horse which they call Furriers The like is done nowe although without banner when there is no suspition of the enimie there is a troupe of soldiors giuen to the Quarter maister to keepe the furriers from runninge abroade to commit disorder The Campe maister generall hath for many yeares since caried no guidon and in some armies Princes haue alowed him a companie of horse to the ende he should haue men stil at hande to accompanie him without losing time in sending for the Cauallerie from their quarters and to haue the infanterie at a moment when he should require them As soone as the greater parte of the armie is come togither within the market place the campe maister is to giue order for the playning of the trenches and fortification of the lodging whereby the men may salie out in squadron with greater commoditie and readines and euen so doe armies vse to plane the trenches when they goe to combat with the enimie giuing to vnderstand by like demonstration howe they contemne the strength of their defences in
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
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
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
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
finding not they shall set vp the ladders in the securest place against the wall clyminge vp by them so as it may bee done with greatest diligence and facilitie and least noyse The walls being gayned they shall goe to the next gate to the place where they first gaue the scaladoe carrying with them pincers files hammers crowes of yron and other instruments to open the gates with a busines which is to bee done with diligence that the cauallerie or fanterie may enter into the town which for this purpose taryed in the rereguard of all and stoode in squadron in the field that vpon any ill successe they might be able to helpe the soldiers running backe who continually must followe on without loosing ranke to get vp by the ladders and in case there bee any Citadell or Castell within the town they must repaire to that place stopping that none of their men retyre themselues in and when there is no Castle in the towne or place appointed to ioyne themselues together in cordeguards becomming entirely Lords of the town then are they to giue it to sacke to fortifie it placing a good garrison and when the Castle or Catadell if there bee any hath not yeelded then to preuente that no succour enter in at those gates vnto them which Castles commonly haue towards the countrey for that purpose placing good watch at the entrance of the streets which lead thither fortifying them with trauesses and other things conuenient as to make loop-holes out of houses rampyring if it necessare to defende the shot of the artillerie whereby they of the Castle will growe cleane out of the harte from thinking to bee able to recouer the towne againe and by that distrust will hold it a farre better course to yeeld themselues Those cōquests which Kings Princes attempt by sea happen at such time as they haue shippes Consideration touching sea seruice mariners and other necessarie thinges for it much more easie then by land for the commoditie which they haue in carying in a small time great number of soldiers munitions and artillerie from sundrie countries farr distant By this meanes our Lord God doth open the way to such Kingdomes states as possesseth anie sea coastes to expect their greatnes and encrease which in our times hath bene sufficiently proued by that the Crownes of Castile and Portingall hath done which the K. our Soueraigne Lorde father vnto Y.H. possesseth spredding out his empire rule through the East and West Indies with such a multitude of conquests though ther were no more examples of the time past a matter which the Castilian prouerbe amed at saing Reyno sin puerto chimenea sin fuego A consideration which bindeth Y.H. to fauor and honor the sea soldiers Hernan Nunez lib. de refr L. C rewarding them and the Pilotts and mariners and to entertaine great Armies in ordinarie proportioning the forces of them with those of the lande How much it importeth to maintain armies by sea which is that by which conseruation of Empires standeth assured being Lordes of the sea and the foundatiō according to mans reason of their greatnes enduring thorough the necessitie which most Prouinces holde to respect them for maintenance of their trades and traficques facilitie with which he that is powerfull on the sea may offende in sundrie partes at one instant And albeit this in generall will not binde Y.H. yet the monarchie which you are to possesse and qualitie of your Crownes and estates requireth for their scituatiō sake to hold Armes by sea wherby to succour them vpon anie distres and offend the enimie since of their verie selues euery one holdeth by him selfe forces sufficient to holde out attending succor which is one of the reasons that causeth many to iudge Empires deuided into sundry Prouinces to be more firme then in one bodie where corruption once entring causeth a farr greater ruyne then in the deuided and distant being seldome times all infected at once with one morion as it may fall out where they stande vnited The preparation of your Y.H. fleete in the number of shippes soldiors and artillery is to be according to the enterprise you purpose to vndertake to consider therin the season the power of the enimie what cōfederates he may haue and the rest of the considerations which I haue set downe in common to bee obserued in forming of armes by lande the which will tell you of what burthen shippes wil be most conuenient for nauigation whether they are to vse Gallyes or Boates of ores only or carying likewise of higher caruing if they bee to carrie cauallerie which will require conuenient shipps for this purpose by consequence for the carriadg of munitiōs victuals the rest of the prouisions Prouided that when it is an armie of round ships and that the winde which serueth you to sayle will bringe with it as mariners terme it growne seas the nauigation when the armie is great must needes be much longer then with an other wind which maketh faire weather or that there were but a few shipps which bindeth you to cōsider that albeit light Pinishes may in so many days performe the voyage a great armie must be fain with the very same wind to spend many more therin in which care must be giuē to mariners which are of experience practise in the same trade folowing their opinion for the time which shal be best to sayle and in particuler the * Office of Admiral it is aswel taken for a chiefe cōmaunder vpon the land therfore from auncient time there hath bene an Admiral in Castilla though the Kingedome bee without any port far distant frō the sea Admiralls who is Y.H. Lieuetenant at the sea An office which holdeth more or lesse preheminence in some prouinces then in an other according vnto the authoritie which it hath pleaced Princes to giue vnto them And whē he doth not exercise his office Y.H. is to name a generall at the sea and sometimes he is the same which is on land and at other times no whose office is to ioyne together and compound the armie and to fit the shippes with artillerie arming them with * Raretas which they vse in steade of our cariges with trucks their wheles like fielde cariages carriges and other preparations according to the burthen and men which are to fight in them and forme which euery nation caryeth accōmodating things more carefully in that then in an other Furnishing likewise with victualls placing in the office of a generall victuler a person of trust much diligence litle couetousnesse considering that by stincking victuals fleets armies haue many times receyued more losse thē they needed to haue feared by tempests or enimies the couetousnes of officers haue bin the only cause who looking only into their own profit haue procured vnto their Princes the destruction of their armies and men of warre Your shippes and men standing readie for the
enterprise a fewe daies before their departure Y.H. is to commaund that your Standart be arboled which some * I can not blame you you had so good succesâ— with your standart halowed at Lasbone in presence of the Cardinall 1588 Prelate is before to haue for to hallow and at the doing of it order is to be giuen to all the shipps in what maner they shall giue the Salue at the aâ—boling of it which ordinarilie is that it may make the more shewe to discharg the harquebuserie the musketerie folowing then the smal pieces after in proportion the greater I will not be tedious to set downe in what maner the shipp is to be dressed vp in which Y.H. person goeth nor what fashioÌ„ of streamers or flagges it is to carrie being to be more or lesse and according to the ostentation magnificeÌ„ce which Y.H. meaneth to vse in the iorney particulars which * Their vse at sea is different from ours for what we cal Admirall in which the Generall goeth they terme Capitana and the Admiral with them is Vice admiral with vs. Admiralls and Generalls are to looke vnto according to the pleasure motiue of the Prince whether him selfe be present or no in the enterprise which causeth to adde or diminish froÌ„ the relations which are made of other Armies in respect of this of the maner how the Prince is to be saluted embarking him selfe or no or going to visite the armie and at his departure from the Porte if he goe him selfe in person The Captana is to carrie besides the * The standert is vsed to stand always in the poop neare the general Royall Standart an other flagg on the top of the maine maste the Admirall an other in the top of the foremaste flaggs which no other ship may carrie and before they goe out of harbor the squadrons must be diuided to the end they may be known the Armie being great the shipps of euery squadron are to carrie a streamer of such colour as his squadron carieth and that is to bee hanged on the maine yarde Arme of the Starbord side Likewise an order of fight must be agreed vpon that euerie ship may know his place giuing the same to all the Captains of the ships in writing shewing in what maner thei are to gouerne theÌ„selues as things fall out to be able to vnderstand by such signes as the Capitana shall make what they are to doe in which I will write downe the most principal pointes General orders for saylinge When Y.H. would haue the Armie weather seruing for it to be put in battaile there shal be hung out in such a place of the Capitana as hath ben appointed before a flagge of such colour And if you would haue the Captaines of the shipps to come abord you theÌ„ another flagge is hanged vpon some maste of a different colour vpon which they will lanch their Skiffes and come to the Capitana bringing along with them the Pillotes and Mariners of most experience In case a schip of the armie should discrie another they are wonte to put vp a flagg hanging it on that side of the ship on which he discouereth her to lye being more then one two flagges the one higher then the other by which it shall giue notice not only to the Capitana but to the rest of the fleete At other times with this signe they are wont to shoote of a piece when the armie is very great and that they can hardlie perceyue the flags by the distance that they make in sayling If any small Barks sent out at any time by the Capitana to discouer make shewe that they haue discried some and that you would haue them to passe onwards to viewe them better they are wont to put a colored flagg on the forecastle by which meanes they shall vnderstande what they are coÌ„manded to doe and if Y.H. pleasure bee that all the shippes shall make way and doe their best a square flag is wont to be hanged betweene the main top and the foretop at other times the same flag is put on the top of the foretopmast that it may be seene further being an armie of many ships that all may decerne it although they be far a sunder whereby they shall know that they are to make way and to vse all diligence Likewise the first ship which discry the land ought to put on that side of his ship which he seeth it a square flagg vpon the main topmast enclining it alitle towards that part wher he saw the land and to discharge a great shott or two If any ship be in danger of splitting by running a ground or knocked vpon any rocke or other misfortune she shall discharge three great shott one after an other cause a man to goe vp to the main top and to goe rouÌ„d about with a flagg in his hand by which they may vnderstand shee is in danger demandeth succor And if any shipp of the enimies should fortune to come among the great armadas to view them and that they are willing to see whether it be one or no the Capitana vseth to hang vp a flag of a different colour in some part of the ship then all the rest of the armie doe the like wherby the enimie is discouered For sailing by night they likewise giue instructioÌ„ for whatsoeuer should happeÌ„ the Capitana carying one laÌ„terne alone and if the Admiral cary any theÌ„ is the Capitana to cary two that she may be known and if the weather waxe boysterous in such sorte as it may proue dangerous that any fire should chaunce to light out of the lanterne vpon the poope they change it to the foremast and any storme growing the Capitana lighteth two or three which serued for a signe that euery ship should light his especially if they be Gallies or shipps of ores preuenting that they doe not grow fowle one of another by the darknes and hausines of the weather and any tempest growing vpoÌ„ the storme the Capitana is to discharg one or to cannon shott to giue warning that euerie Gallie shift the best she can for her self without following of her hauing instruction in writing if the iourney bee resolutelie appointed in what place or hight they are to returne to ioyne in case that by stormes the shipps should come to be seuered and dispersed The Capitana making another bord in the night or chaunging her course they vse to hang a lantern in the shroudes shake of her bonets or take in her topsayles and when she taketh in all her sailes and meaneth to hull they put in the shrowds tree lanternes in case a leake be in any ship of the armie or that a maste or yard be sprong they vse to discharge a great shot and being in great extremitie three In discouering any ship of the enimies they fling fire into the sea or set vp a lantern in such part of