neither in frunt nor by flankes whereas otherwise by entring and doubling their rankes one into another by right line they come to disorder their proportionate distaunces which they must again with all speed reforme Aduertising furder that as this squadron hath beene formed by the aforesaid two waies so may the same or any other euen at the first be as well reduced by any of those 2. waies into form in vaungard and frunt without making of flank frunt so as the Coronell Sergeant Maior or Captain that hath the forming of the said squadron haue good regard aswel to the ground and number that he wil make his frunt of as to the number of y e ranks by flanks and therwithal to place and accomodat the broken rank or ranks if there be any with the standard ensigne or Guidon Now because in these daies new opinions and fancies in matters of armes grounded vpon very weake or rather no reasons at all do beare a very great swaie and that amongst other errors militarie there be some that doo hold allow that launces should be rather reduced into troup to charge or receiue a charge then into squadron formed I for diuers reasons of the which some I will after alledge would that when any Coronell or Captaines of men at armes or dimilaunces shal haue occasion to reduce their bands into form either to march or fight that then they doo in any wise reduce them into forme of squadron according to the ancient-vse and not into troupe according to the newe fancies incase that time and leisure wil serue And therwithall that they do form them with a triple frunt that is three times as many in frunt as by flanks and somtimes more As for example if the frunt be of 24. or 25. Launces then the flanke should be of 8. launces And somtimes also with a quatriple frunt that is 4. times more in frunt then by flankes as also at other times and vpon other occasions into farre broader frunts then quadruple although by flankes not aboue 10. or 12. rankes at the most as aforesaide and that the Standardes or Ensignes if they bee men at Armes or the Guidons if they bee dimilaunces bee placed in the midst of the squadron And y e those horsmen be instructed how to inlarge themselues in their rankes when they march in squadron and how presentlie vpon the sight of the enemie approching to straighten themselues by frunt and flankes with their iust proportionate distances in such sort as they may charge or receiue a charge of the enemie without disordering their horses or Launces or confounding their ranks But incase that vpon a sudden Alarm giuen vppon the approch of the Enemie the Launces being in Campe Towne or Village be not reduced into their single order vnder their Ensignes or Guidons but that they are then assembling themselues and the enemie neere at hand then they must make of necessitie vertue that is to reduce themselues into troupe making as neere as they can a triple or quatriple frunt or more that they may somewhat resemble a squadron hauing regard to their distances that they may vse their Launces without disordering the one the other as neere as they may And whereas there be some professing armes in this time that doo holde an opinion that Launces haue a greater aduantage to charge or receiue a charge in troupe then in squadron as aforesaid they therein doo shew that for lacke of vnderstanding and consideration they doo greatlie erre in the ordering of horsemen Launces For the Almaines Italians English and diuers other Nations haue of great antiquitie vsed both squadron of men at Armes and dimilaunces and also troupes But it was neuer heard of before these disordered ciuill wars of France and the Lowcountries that Launces in troupes confused should be preferred and iudged to be of greater aduantage then launces in squadron formed considering that the reducing of Launces into troupe dooth amongest men of war proceed of nothing else but of lacke of time to reduce them into squadron vpon some sudden Alarme and approch of the Enemie So as such as doo hold that opinion might aswell say that two or three thousand piquers and short weapons haue more aduantage to fight in a battle of necessitie then in a Squadron formed which battle of necessitie or extreamitie terme it as you list is neuer vsed but vpon some great and sudden accident as when a puissant enemie dooth make a sudden approch vpon your Campe most commonlie by night or at the breake of day with a Canuesada killing both scoutes Centinels and watches through their negligent watching or discouering and therevpon an alarme giuen for lacke of time to reduce your piquers into squadron formed you are faine in the place of assemblie to make them to runne togither into rankes confused closing themselues as close as they can to defende the Ring or entrie of the Campe. By the which comparisons reasons and examples of footmen piquers before alledged such new fancies and lacke of vnderstanding in the ordering or rather disordering of launces may be easilie discerned by men of reason and iudgement And now to the intent that your men at Armes or dimilances may be the better able to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies it is verie meete and conuenient that their Captaines and officers should reduce them some time into squadron with a triple or quatriple frunt And being so reduced that they should be taught how to straighten and close themselues in frunt and flankes and how presently vpon the sound of a charge they should almost all at one instant put spurres to their horses galloping vpon the hand about 8. or 10. paces and then charge their Launces from their tasses or long Cuisses and thighes presentlie into their restes and not to carrie their Launces at the Armes ende as they do commonlie vse at Tilt to make the fairer shew and then imagining the squadron of the enemies Launces to be within 15. or 20 paces directly before them they should altogither put their horses into their Carrires to the intent to giue the greater blowe and shocke to the ouerthrowing or breaking of their enemies Then I would wish them to be taught how they should receiue a charge if another squadron of launces should charge them and that they should doo in this sort First when they shall see the squadron of their enemies comming to charge them either galloping vpon the hand or in their full Carrire then they being straightned closed in their rankes by frunt and flankes should stand firme all the Launces of the three formost rankes ready charged in their restes but yet the pointes of their launces something high vntil they do see the enemies squadron within 15. or 20. paces of them at which time they should with a terrible shout altogither in an instant as if they were one entire bodie put spurres to their horses and fall into their
Carrire and so charge and shock with their enemies to the disordering or breaking of them All which being by them performed they should then stop their horses and discharge their launces setting them againe vppon their thighes And then they should be instructed how with al celeritie to make of flank frunt by turning al their horses faces that waie and by inlarging themselues and doubling and redoubling their rankes to reduce their squadron againe into a triple or quatriple frunt Then I would wish that all the squadron of Launces should disorder themselues pelle melle out of their rankes and that they should be instructed either vppon the sound of the Trompet or vpon the pronouncing of these wordes Troup troup Launces presentlie to fall into troupe making their frunt triple or quatriple or more in respect of the flankes as neere as their Captaines or officers can guesse And being thus fallen into troup they should be taught how to charge or receiue a charge of their Enemies without disordering themselues or their launces Then I would haue them againe reduced out of troupe into squadron and taught how they should charge y e flank or corner of a squadron of piques and how incase they doe not disorder nor breake the piquers that they should retire againe and then falling into troupe they should with a terrible shout offer a false charge by making a point casting about when they come within 10. or 15. paces of the squadron of piques incase that the piquers making head with their piques doo not disorder themselues But if they should perceiue the squadron of piquers to waâ—er or swaie as commonly they do a little before they break that then they should giue in vpon the piquers with a full charge to the vtter ouerthrowing of them And thus with these and such like exercises they should be made skilfull able with all aduantages to charge any squadron of horsmen or footmen with great art and deâ—teritie Now peraduenture some not skilful in matters of armes may say that I haue made in a maner no difference betwixt the charging of a fquadron of men at Armes or Dimilaunces and the receiuing of a charge of another squadron of the like Weapons because I doo allow to the squadron that should charge but 30. paces that is 20. galloping vpon the hand and 10. for their full Carrire to giue the greater blow and shocke Wherevnto I answer that such as are leaders of any squadron of Launces that will fall into their gallop 12. skores or 15. skores distant or more to the intent to charge another squadron of Launces shall finde themselues in so great a distance greatly disordered confounded in their rankes and their horses out of breath and thereby the force of their blow and shocke greatlie weakened when they shall come to encounter with the squadron of their enemies freshe and not disordered â—ho haue put forward their Horses into their Carrire not aboue 10. paces Now if it should bee said vnto me that it were more meet that a squadron of launces that is disposed to receaue a charge should keepe their ground and stand firme with their launces in their rests rather then to fall into their carrire of 10. paces as aforesaid I say that their receauing of a charge in standing still should be greatly to their disaduauntage because that force and violence in this action must be repulsed with the like or greater force violence For any man of iudgement by reason may consider that a squadron of launces straightned and closed in frunt and flanks with their iust and proportionate distances coÌ„ming to charge their enemies squadron but 30. paces that is 20. galloping vpon the hand and. 10. with a terrible shoute in their full carrire will worke a wonderfull effect to the breaking of the squadron of launces standing still without mouing forward with any force Besides that the disaduauntage of such a squadron as receaueth a charge standing still without mouing forward with force is greatly augmented by the terror and thundering of their enemies horses feete vpon the ground comming in their full cartire as also by the noise of the armors of the horsemen and with the furious comming of the horses in squadron with the pointes of so many launces in the eyes and sights of both horses men standing still in colde blood whereas contrariwise the squadron comming but. 30. or 40. paces in hoat blood to charge them first galloping vpon the hand after in their full carrire as is aforesaid doe gather heate furie and force in such sorte as their blowe and shocke becommeth so violent that it doth amaze disorder and breake the contrary squadron with great facilitie But a squadron of Launces standing firme vpon their ground vntill they see their enemies within 20. paces of them then putting themselues into their full carrire and meeting with their Enemies 10. paces of it is distance enough to receaue and encounter them with as great force as if they had begun their carrire when the squadron of their Enemies was a greater distance of But now in this place it is to be noted and obserued that the Ensignebearer if he be of men at Armes or the Guidon bearer if he be of light horsemen be euer lodged both in Campe and Towne in the Captaines Tent or lodging or very neer vnto the same euer accompanied with the trumpetor of the same band to the intent that they may receaue all orders and sudden directions and hauing receaued the same may signifie them by the soundes of the trumpet Light horsemen borderers I will not take vpon me to set downe any thing for their instructions how they should vse their speares in the field because that they themselues by their continuall exercise are so skilful with al such weapons as they do vse in the seruice of the borders But yet I would wish them to learne to reduce themselues into semicircles or halfe moones into two rankes either by right line or else oblique after the manner of the Turkes and Hongarians Because I thinke that the same would be of great aduauntage for them for diuerse purposes as I haue shewed by diuers demonstrations and formes in a Booke by me Composed 1585. and not yet printed entituled Certen Military discourses Arithmeticall Tables formes and demonstrations to reduce both horsemen and footmen into many formes of squadrons c. But because that in my forementioned Booke I haue but only sett downe the formes and demonstrations of those semicircles by figures of little horsemen and not how nor in what sort they should be reduced into those formes I will here briefely set downe concerning those reducements as also of the aduauntages that such light horsemen haue in such semicircles against a squadron of Launces And therefore to reduce them into the aforesaid formes I say that if therebe for examples sake 200. light horsemen they are to march 2. in a
stead of punching staues And as for their geldings I would haue them to be of good life and size and swift of caâ—rire and that they should ride them with light short cheeked bittes according to their horses mouthes that their sadles should not bee so little and ill fashioned as those which we commonly call scottish sadles but rather that they should bee of that fashion which wee call nowe a daies Morocco sadles with pommells of suche conuenient heigth as one single pistoll in a case might bee buckled and set fast to the same as also that the same should be made fast and buckled athwarte the lower end vpon a little boulster to make it to sit the more firme and fitly vpon all occasions to be vsed according to the manner of the Reistres Also I would that no saddle should be without 3. girthes and ther withal should haue Patrells and croupers with the raines and headstalles light and of very good fashion Besides al this I would haue those kind of light horsmen to bee verie wel practised in the wel riding and vsing of their horses and handling of their weapons in euery kind and sort And thus far concerning that kind of light horsmen And now to the apparelling arming weaponing of stradiots by me mencioned in my former instructions and discourses Stradiots are a kind of light horsmen that haue been vsed by manie Nations aswell Pagans as Christians and haue beene armed and weaponed in diuers different sorts according to the liking of such different Nations Howbe it according to my opinion and best liking I would wish those kind of souldiors to be verie well elected and chosen of such men as haue dispositions of bodies and mindes to learne very well to ride as also to diet vse and keepe their horses therwithall to learne to handle al their weapons with great dexteritie And as for their apparel I meane their arming doublets hosen I would haue them to be after the verie same sort as I haue appointed vnto other armed men And I would wish them all to bee armed with good burgonets and buffes with Collers with Cuirasses with backs and with long Cuisses from vnder the lowest lam or skirt of their Cuirasâ—es to vnder the knee and in stead of pouldrons and vambrases â—leeues of maile compleat with gloues of maile also or gauntlets with all the vpper parts of their thums and forefingers of their right handed gauntâ—ets couered with maile thereby the better to vse their pistols and other weapons with such good swordes daggers and girdles as I haue before appointed to other armed men and in stead of Launces or speares I woulde wish them to haue Launces commonlie called Launâ—ezagayas of good tite and stiffe ash coloured black with double heads of good and hard temper according to the vse of the Moores of 18. or 20. footlong to the intent that taking them in the midst they may strike both forward and backewarde I meane aswell their enemies that they haue in frunt or in flanks as also their enimies their horses that may vppon any retrait pursue them I woulde wish them also to haue horses or geldings strong of good size and Carrire with saddles of the fashion of the Reistres of Saxony with Croupers patâ—els good headstalles and raines with small chaines to the intent that if their raines should happen to be cut they should not be straight at the mercie of their horses or of their enemies And I would wish them to haue at their saddle poâ—mels very good single pistolles in good cases well and firmelie sette at their saddles as I haue before mentioned with touch boxes full of fine powder in some conuenient places about them caried and with a Cartage boxe of Iron of 7. or 8. cartages fast set vpon euerie pistoll case and the Cannons of the pistolles ranforced backeward and of small bullet and of the length of 12. inches with good firelocks and no snap-haunces because in true vnderstanding for diuers causes that I could alledge firelocks are a great deale more certen and of lesse failing then snaphaunces are Also I woulde that they should haue at their saddle pommels of the contrarie side to the pistolles men at armes axes which besides that they are good to fight withall are verie commodious for horsemen to vse for manie requisit purposes and vses which because they are thinges so well knowne to all men of Warre of experience I omit And these kind of light horsemen Stradiots thus horsed armed and weaponed are meet for all sorts of skirmishes and incountries and also are of great execution against harquebuziers and mosquetiers and to bee briefe against al sortes of horsemen and footmen But because their so many weapons as are before mentioned for one horseman to vse may seeme strange to such of this time as do not loue to trouble themselues but with very few weapons I say it is no strange matter considering that such as doo meane to fight wel do like to haue store of weapons that incase one or two should faile they may presentlie betake themselues to the choise and vse of others according to the time and occasion But such as would thinke those weapons by me before mentioned to be too many for one man to vse woulde thinke it a great deale more strange to see a Turky horsman that trauelling by the way doth besides his Cemeterie and his crooked dagger voluntarily carrie his Launce his harquebuze and his Turkie bowe with his sheafe of arrowes with another weapon which now I haue forgot and all those weapons they doo weare and carie so conuenientlie and aptlie as they may vse euery one of them in his most conuenient time and place And thus far concerning Stradiots And now concerning dimilaunces Dimilaunces are horsemen next in degree and account vnto men at armes as well in greatnesse and puissance of horses as in strong and sure arming and they ought to be apparelled as I haue in diuers partes before mentioned They ought to be armed also with their helmettes with their beauers with their sights not too high nor too lowe with collers cuirasses with rests verie conueniently set not too high nor too low backs tasses short cuisses too vnder the knee or else with long Cuisses from vnder the lowest lam of their Cuyrasses to vnder the knee without tasses Also they ought to haue good and well compassed pouldrons vambrases and gauntlets and gussets of maile well set for the defence of their armeholes and their weapons ought to be arming swords and daggers worne in good and strong girdles long and strong launces with a curtilace of the one side of the saddle pommell or a steele mace or a man at armes axe on the other side as aforsaid Howbeit I haue seene some both men at armes and dimilaunces vse tocks very conueniently worne after the Hongarian Turkie manner vnder their thighs which Tocks are long narrow stiffe swords onlie for
assembly within their Campe they must neuer breake their rankes to go to lodge vntill by the commandment of the Coronell or Sergeant Maior to the Ensignbearers giuen they vnderstand or see that the Ensignebearers with their Ensignes in their hands pronouncing licence to lodge are departed or departing out of the Centre of the squadron And therewithall it is further to be noted that all the Ensigne-bearers of euery regiment must fixe their Ensignes vpright in the ground all in one rank a conuenient distance from and before their quarters euery Ensigne directlie before the band that it doth belong vnto I meane in the frunt of euery one of their quarters and bands towardes the place of armes and assembly And thus farre concerning the aforesaid different particularities And now againe I reuert to other briefe speaches and wordes and other orders proceedinges and particularities militarie to be performed by Captaines and officers in the field And if a Captain or diuers Captains or their officers would haue their piquers staÌ„ding at their piques auanced as is before written to take their piques into the boultes of their armes as soldiors do vse when they approach verie neare the place of their watch or as piquers ought to do when they are to charge another square of piques or to make head and resist a charge of horsemen then are they to saie to the first ranke Vpright your piques which is asmuch to say take the butends of your piques into the palmes of your right hands carry them in the boultes of your armes with the pointes vpright towards the heauens which being performed by the first ranke then the second third fourth and fift rankes and so consequentlie all the rest of the rankes one after another ought to vpright their piques as aforesaid And if all the piquers of a band or diuers bandes being reduced into any forme of squadron in the field hauing vprighted their piques in the boultes of their armes as aforesaid and that the Sergeant Maior or Captaines would haue their piquers to charge or to receaue a charge of another square of piquers their Enemies then are they to say to the first rankes of piquers Straighten and close your rankes couch your piques and charge which being pronounced all the piquers of the first ranke must ioine and close themselues close in frunt letting fall the points of their piques and carying them close breasthigh with both their hands steadilie and firmely the points full in the faces of their Enemies And the second ranke likewise straightning and closing themselues by flanke and frunt and ioyning themselues to the backe of the first ranke and following them steppe with steppe carrying their piques abouehand ouer the shoulders of the first ranke the points of their piques likewise towards the faces of their Enemies And the third ranke closing and straightning themselues in flanke and frunt and ioyning themselues to the backe of the second ranke And the fourth ranke likewise straightning closing themselues to the backes and shoulders of the third ranâ—e and carrying their piques firmelie with both their hands ouer â—y shoulders of all the ranks before them the points of their piques likewise towards the faces of their enemies approching And all the rest of the ranks of piquers following step with step each one at the heeles of the other must carry their piques still vpright in the palmes of their handes and in the boults of their armes as abouesaid but yet bending the poinâ—es of them somewhat towards their enemies that they may be seen ready in an instant to let fal the points of their piques towards their enemies and to succor the ranke before them vpon any necessitie or heard incounter of their Enemies Aduising therwithall that no Captaines nor officers of bandes do in any wise teach nor suffer their piquers when they shall approch their Enemies to charge them to shake and clatter their piques as some newe phantastical Captaines and officers of this time do teach their soldiors to do as though they would make their enemies afraid before they come at them which is more like vnto such as do plaie the Soldans and Sarazins vpon a Stage then like soldiors piquers in the field who should at an approach and charge carie their piques as steadie and firme as they can possiblie the points full in the faces of their enemies as is aforesaid But in this place I thinke good further to notefie vnto the Readers of these mine instructions that in the yeare 1588. I did heare some two or three of our Nation of principall offices and charge Militarie hold an opinion that when two squadrons of Enemies all piquers should come to incounter and confrunt the one with the other that then the â—ormost ranks of them should lie at the push of the pique and so should annoie the one the other with thrusts and foines as they terme it at all the length of their Armes and piques according to the vse of single Combattes either in sport or earnest betwixt piquer and piquer By which kinde of fighting of squadrons at the push of the pique I say that none of the rankes can fight but only the first ranke because that if they obserue their proportionate distances according to order and discipline the piques of the second rank are too short to reach with their points the first rank of their enemies squadron likewise standing still foining at all the length of their Armes and piques as they vainelie imagine Yea although to the trouble and disorder of the first ranke before them they do thrust and foine ouer their shoulders During which time of the pushing and foyning of the two first rankes of the two squadrons of enemies all the rest of the rankes of both the squadrons must by such an vnskilfull kind of fighting stand still and lookeâ— on and crâ— aime vntill the first ranke of each squadron hath fought their bellies full or vntill they can fight no longer which is a very scorne and mockerie mylitarie to be either spoken or thought of by any men of warre that doo pretend to haue â—eene any action effectuallie performed betwixt any great numbers of piquers reduced into form of squadrons in the field For in troth according to all reason and true experience such a squadron as should thinke it their greatest aduantage to fight in that sort must contrarie to discipline inlarge themselues in their ranks and distaunces both in frunt and by flankes to the intent that they may haue elbow roome enough without any impediment by the nearnesse of the ranks behind them to pul backe their armes and to thrust at their enemies approching them at all the length they can of their armes and piques and againe with dexteritie to pull backe retire them to giue new thrusts which opening enlargment of ranks being perceiued by the contrarie squadron who if they be skilful men of warre doe come closed
requisite to make the said squadron broader in frunt that is of more souldiors in euerie ranke and shorter by flanke that is to bee vnderstood of fewer rankes then he may drawe vp by flanke from the backe or rereward as some termeth it as many ranks as he thinketh conuenient As for example If he be disposed to draw vp 4. rankes of piquers by flanke to frunt he is then to say vnto his deputie Sergeant Maior or to any other such Captaine or officer that dooth accompany him Draw vp 4. rankes from the backe of the squadron by flanke which briefe speach or the like being by him pronounced his said Lieutenant Sergeant Maior or other Captaine or officer by him appointed is presently to goe to the left flanke of the last 4. rankes in backe and to saie vnto them Frunt vnto me yee 4. last rankes and let this word frunt from the left flanke passe throughout to the right flanke and that incase hee doo pronounce those wordes vpon the left flanke Vppon which wordes pronounced and the wordes passed from the one flanke to the other and their faces and weapons turned towardes him then he is to lead them vppe by the left flanke vntill they come to make euen frunt with the formost ranke of the squadron which being performed then of 55. that the squadron was before in euery rank from frunt to back it is now come to be 59. throughout all the rankes from frunt to backe But heere it is to be noted that this addition of 4. piquers in euery ranke being drawne vp by the flanke of the squadron as aforesaid there doo remaine ouerplus 21. rankes of 4. in euery ranke which doo in all make 84. piquers of the which number the sergeant maior may if he dooth so thinke it requisite draw vppe 34. rankes more of 2 in euery ranke by the flanke of the squadron which performed then the squadron doth consist in frunt of 61. souldiors and by flank of 34. rankes but then there doth remaine an ouerplus of 16. souldiors which liâ—â—e number he may reserue to employ in any place of seruice where he shall thinke most requisite but if the Sergeant Maior shall not thinke it conuenient to inlarge his whole squadron from frunt to backe with 2. souldiors in euery ranke as aforesaid then he may with 59. souldiors taken out of the number of 84. that did before remaine in which number of 84. souldiors the 16. souldiors ouerplus before remaining are conteined increase his squadron in number of one ranke by backe as by drawing those 59. piquers in one ranke by the backe of the squadron then the squadron from 34. that it was before is now come to be of 35. rankes ouerplus 25. souldiors with which 25. souldiors and with the 10. souldiors that did first remaine of the 2100. that were reduced into the squadron who were to be placed in the ranke of Ensignes as aforesaid those 10. souldiors being drawn againe from thence and annexed vnto the 25. doo in all make 35. which 35. souldiors being drawne vp in length by the flanke of the squadron doo increase euery one of the 35. ranks 1. souldior in euerie ranke so as of 59. souldiors that euery rank did consist before they are now by this increase come to be iust 60. souldiors in euery ranke and in rankes by flankes 35. rankes besides the rank of Ensignes with their guard of Halbarders that are pâ—aced in the midst or Centre of the squadron by which kinde of reducement the whole squadron commeth to contein iust 2100. soldiors ouerplus 0. that is to be vnderstood not so much as one souldiour And it is further to be noted that if another squadron of like number in frunt should come to confrunt and ioin in battle with this squadron and being entred into fight and that the Coronell or Sergeant Maior or the Lord Marshall of the field should thinke it their aduantage to charge and assaile the contrary squadron with a sleeue of piquers in flanke then the Sergeant Maior may drawe 5. or 6. rankes or more as hee thinketh good from the backe of the squadron vppe by any of both the flankes of the same squadron but distant the length of 2. piques or more to the intent that by that little distance of the length of 2. piques as aforesaid when they haue marcht vp and doo finde themselues right against the flanke of their enemies squadron they may haue space to turne themselues and make frunt towards their enemies flank and to close their rankes by frunt and flankes and with y â— points of their piques to charge their enemies in flanke And thus farre concerning the ordering and forming of squadrons in diuers sorts as is before set downe But now further this squadron being thus formed into 60. souldiors in frunt and of 35. souldiors by flanke which is by flanke 35. rankes then if vpon any occasion of the comming of the enemie or vpon any other cause the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke requisite to make of one of the flanks frunt As for example of the left flanke frunt and that he would reduce them into the verie same forme of squadron both in number of rankes by flanke as also of number of souldiors in euery ranke that they were before then the sergeant Maior ought himselfe on horsebacke if he thinke it requisite or else to command his Lieutenant Sergeant on foot presently to goe athwart 25. ranks not from flanke to flank but from frunt to backe that is to goe downe by right line betwixt the fiue and thirtith soldior of his right hand the fiue twentith souldior of his left hand from frunt straight to backe and passing through them he is to say to the souldiors that are vpon his left hand Keepe your selues in frunt as you are notwithstanding that the souldiors of my right hand doo make flank frunt the effect of which his words being throughout signified to the souldiors that are next vnto him of his left hand presentlie the Captaines and their drummers that did marche in frunt before the 7. compertiments of 5. in euery compertiment as aboue is set downe are to march and goe to the left flanke which now shall be made frunt but the other Captaines and drummers that are in frunt before the other 5. compertiments are still to keepe their places vntill they receiue further direction And now the Captains and their drummers of the compertimentes aforesaid beeing come before the left flanke the Coronels drummer is first to begin to strike and the rest immediatlie to doo the like that all the souldiors of that left flanke are to make frunt towardes the Captaines and drummers that is to turne their faces and weapons towards them Or else the Sergeant Maior may command the Captaines or in galloping or passing on horsebacke by the flanke may himselfe say with a loud voice Frunt to me souldiors vpon which words pronounced or vpon
all celeritie reduce their bandes into order and march into the field where the Lord Lieutenant Generall with the Lord Marshall and Sergeant Maior generall do ouersee and direct the Coronels Sergeant Maiors and Captains in the ordering and forming of their battles troupes and other formes And thus by this ordinarie proceeding of all skilfull Chieftaines of Armies in their reducementes and formings of battles and Campes those and all other matters militarie of any great importance are with great facility and in very short time performed And now hauing shewed all the most coâ—uenient waies of reducing and forming of all sortes of squadrons aswell great as small and where in the field to their most aduantage they may be placed and therewithal how and where horsemen of diuers different sortes of armors and weapons ought to bee placed in their most conuenient places with many other particularities I think good before I goe any further to giue an aduertisement that although it hath beene the vse of all antiquitie amongest many Nations according to good discipline to reduce the chiefe force of their armed footmen into three squadrons or battles terming the first vaunguard the second battle and the third Reregard and that oftentimes they haue vsed to forme very great battles of 8000. or 10000. or more into one body of squadron yet I for diuers causes and reasons would wish a Lieutenant generall or lord Marshall of a puissant Armie rather to forme 6. 7. or 8. smaller battles incase the number of the Armie bee so great that the same by reason militarie may bee perfourmed then onely into three great battles as aforesaid As for example if there were an Army of 30000. horsmen and footmen and that there were of those 15000. armed men piquers and short weapons to be reduced into diuers battles that I would not only of those 15000. according to the ordinary vse forme a vauntgard battle and Rereward but also 3. other smaller battles vnto the which I would giue 3. different names would call the first by the name of a vauntregard Rereward the second the batle of succor and the third by the name of a Rereregard Reregard and the firste 3. battles of vaungard battle and Reregard I would should consist of 3000. piquers and short weapons to euery battle and that each one of those battles being reduced into squadron should consist of 75. piquers in frunt and. 40. by flankes ouerplus of broken rankes not so much as one soldior and the last 3. mentioned battles I would should consist of 2000. to euery battle and that euery one of them being reduced in to squadrons should consist in frunt that is in euery ranke from frunt to backe of 50. piquers and by flankes of 40. rankes ouerplus of broken rankes not any one soldior And these 6. foresaid battles reduced into the formes aforesaid and flankt and wing'd with weapons of volee of diuers sorts according to discipline and the comming of the enemy in mine opinion should be of great aduantage to encounter with 15000. armed men their enemies reduced but only into 3. batles of 5000. to euery battle by reason that whilest the 3. formost battles each of them consisting of 3000. as aforesaid do confrunt with the. 3. great batles of 5000. in each battle the other 3. battles of a vauntregard Rereward and of the battle of succor and of a Rereregard Rereward that doo march in winges in Rereward retired as aforesaid may with great celeritie and dexteritie by marching and auauncing themselues forward charge the flankes of their enemies 3. battles and put them in great hazard of disordering breaking Howbeit here it may be obiected against mine opinion that in case the 3. great battles of the enemy of 5000. to euery battle were each one of them reduced into 125. armed men in frunt of 40. rankes by flankes that their 〈◊〉 encountting ioining with the formost 3. small batles of vaungard battle and Reregard they might euerie one of them in ioyning frunt to frunt with them in respect that euery one of the great battles of 5000. to euery batle doth beare a greater bredth by the nuÌ„ber of 28. soldiors in frunt then any of the formost 3. squadroÌ„s of 3000 in euery squadron do with great aduantage draw vp a sleeue of 28. in euery ranke and of 40. rankes by flankes and finding themselues full against the flanke of their Enemies squadron they may suddenly make of flanke frunt by tourning their faces and weapons towards the flanke of the foresaid littlesquadrons and then reforming themselues in their distances and closing themselues in frunt and flanks may bend their piques and charge the flankes of the little squadrons to their most assured ruine Or otherwise vpon the inconsiderate ioining of any one of the small squadrons of 3000. being in frunt but. 75. with the verie midst of the frunt of the great battles of 5000. that do consist of 125. piquers in frunt the foresaid great squadrons vpon such an aduantage offered may drawe vp each of them two sleeues from each side or flanke of their squadron one of 14. piquers in euery ranke and finding themselues euen vpon both the flankes of the little squadron they may of their flankes make frunt and so of 14. that they were before in euery ranke they are now by making of flanke frunt become to be 40. in euerie ranke and in length by flankes 14. soldiors and so by reforming their distances and straightning and closing themselues in frunt and by flanks as aforesaid may with their piques charge both the flankes of the little squadron to their vtter disorder and ouerthrow To which obiection I say that those foresaid aduauntages and others might be very well taken against the 3. little squadrons of vaungard battle and Reregard if it were not that the other 3. little battles of succor of 2000. to euery squadron euery of them of 50. piquers in frunt marching in Rereward in distincte battles by them selues were not alwaies ready vpon the drawing vp of all such sleeues or winges from the bodies of the great squadrons suddenly with great dexteritie to charge them either in frunt flanks or backe to their most assured ruine and ouerthrow But againe it may be further alledged in fauor of the great battles that al squadrons of armed men piquers doo alwaies march wing'd flankt with conuenient numbers of weapons of volee in such sort as those weapons of volee should be a great impediment to the forsaid little squadrons to charge the sleeues and wings as aforesaid Vnto the which I say that true it is that all well ordered battles are wing'd and flankt with shot of diuers sorts and that it hath beene and is a maxime amongest al men of warre of great experience and Iudgement that hearses sleeues winges and troupes of shot beeing deuided into many small diuisions are a great deale more apt and ready to bee emploied at one time into more
more at the least of the length of their piques which with the thicknesse of all the 4. ranks before them doo come to make them to leese 15. foot or more of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 3. foot of y â— length of their piques beyond y â— formost and first ranke the which 3. foot of their piques towards the Enemie reaching too short to annoy either horses or men doo rather through the shortnesse of the same reaching so little a waie beyond the first ranke trouble the foremost rankes of their fellowes then worke any other good effect and therefore those piques of the fifth ranke are rather to be kept still vprighted with the points some thing bent towardes the Enemie then any waies to bee couched as the piques of the 4. foremost rankes are and so likewise the piquers of the sixth seuenth and eighth rankes and subsequently of all the rest hauing no possibilitie at the first charge either of horsemen or footmen to annoy them they are to keepe their piques still vprighted the pointes something bent forward towardes the enemie to shew themselues in the sight of the enemy ready to succour the formost rankes rather then any waies to beare the pointes of their piques any lower But if any man will say that all the backer rankes of piquers may orderlie and easilie succour and supplie the places of such piquers of the fore rankes as come to be slaine wounded or ouerthrowne and so resist or repulse either horsemen or footmen entring as I my selfe in the beginning of this booke haue particularly set downe Therevnto I answere that the piques that are in the backer rankes vppon the accidentall breaking in of any men at Armes into the foremost ranks of piquers or vpon the entring of any of the formost ranks of the contrarie squadron of footmen are through the hauing of so many other ranks of piquers before them with the great length of those weapons in a presse so vnmaniable and therefore of so little effect when battles come to ioine that most of the piques of the inner rankes I meane of the sixt seuenth and eighth and so consequentlie of the rest of the middle rankes through the letting fall of the pointes of their piques forward how leisurely soeuer to couch and bend the points of them to the annoiance of the enemies do through their great length so intermingle and intricate with the piqueâ—â— of the former rankes that euery sudden touch of the piques that are in the ranks before one another do so disorder beat and turne aside the points of the piques from their intended thrusts at their enemies as that they rather turne them through their great length to the trouble of the ranks before them then any waies to resist repulse or annoie the Enemie But now it may be demanded of me wherfore the sixt seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes should not as orderlie one after another let fal and couch their piques to the resistance and mischiefe of their enemies as the 5. formost and first rankâ— of piquers may Wherevnto I answer that the 4. or 5. first rankes hauing apparant and cleare in their eies and sights the comming of their Enemies in squadron be they horsemen or footmen may with greater order and leisure all one after another couch their piques and charge a contrary squadron of footmen or receiue a charge of horsemen then the other inner rankes of piquers can who vpon the breaking in and entring of some of the men at armes in one place or other or y â— entring of some part of the squadron of their enemies footmen more in one place then in another as sometimes it happeneth cannot so well and clearely see the comming and entring of their Enemies by reason of so many ranks of their fellowes before them as that they may so wel in iust and conuenient times moments and distances orderlie and effectually let fall and couch their piques as the 4. or 5. foremost rankes haue doone Vpon which accidentes it dooth ordinarilie happen that such inner ranks are driuen to let fall and couch their piques vpon suddens least y â— by their not couching them they should by their enemies approching them too neer leese the vse of the points of their piques Which sudden letting fall and couching of their piques dooth cause the aforesaid intermingling and intricating and confused ouerthwarting of piques with piques a great deale more in the inner rankes then any waies in the formost 4. or 5. rankes as aforesaid By all which it is to bee considered and noted that neither horsmen Launces nor footmen piquers can enter vnder the points of my squadron of battleaxes empaled and inuironed in frunt flanks and back with 5. ranks of piques as aforesaid but that they must of necessitie abide the first violence of the pointes of them 〈◊〉 they find them already in great order and leisure couched to resist and repulse them Whereas farre otherwise it doth behooue the inner ranks of a squadron consisting all of piquers to obserue the entring of their Enemies be they horsemen or footmen in such moments iust distances as that they may be sure to let fall and couch their piques when their Enemies are entred and do come within 4. or 5. ranks of them which if they should faile to performe then it were too late for such inner rankes to couch their piques either againste horsemen or footmen now entred and comne within and vnder the length of their piques But vnto this some vnskilfull soldior may obiect and say that the inner rankes may still carrie their piques couched readie to resist or repulse their Enemies entering Or otherwise that they letting fal and couching their piques after that their Enemies be entered within lesse then 5. or 4. rankes of them may so farre retire and pull them backe as that they may recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies to their great annoiance Vnto which obiections I say that it is not in the force and strength of the most puissant soldiors of any Nation that liue still to carrie their piques couched no nor yet to beare them abouehand ouer their fellowes heades but a verie little while considering the great length and heaueth of them And therefore they must neuer let fall and couch them vntill such instant needfull times as their Enemies do approach them in so neare distances as they must presently either with one entire thrush if they bee the formost 4 or 5. rankes or with diuers thrusts in iust instantes and times if they be the inner rankes vpon the entering of the Enemie be driuen to make head and succor the rankes before them for if the inner rankes should through lacke of skill thrust at their Euemies before they come within the reach of their piques then they should worke no other effect but thrust their owne fellowes that are betwixt
them and their Enemies to their trouble or mischiefe in their heads necks or backs And for aunswer to the other obiection that the ynner rankes of piquers letting fall and couching their piques may pul and retire them so farre backe as that they may againe recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies entered I say that if the enemies be they either horsemen or footmen be entered but only .7 6. 5. 4. or 3. feete within and vnder the length of any of the piques of the inner ranks that it is not possible for such piquers in respect of the ranke and rankes that are so neare and close behind them to pull their piques with their armes so farre backe as any waies to recouer y ◠vse of the pyonts of them against such Enemies as are comne within and vnder their piques as aforsaid whereof insueth that those inner rankes haue vtterly lost the vse of their piques and therefore must let them fall to the great trouble of the leggs and feete of the rankes of their fellowes aduauncing forward and betake themselues to their swords and daggars which are not weapons any waies able to repulse or resist armed men with battleaxes or halbards By all which before alleaged I thinke it is most apparant that the 5. rankes of piquers that do empale enuiron my squadron of battleaxes by frunt flanks and backe are ranks enough to restist any Charge or Charges of Launces aswell and a great deale better then if the same squadron were all of piques because that the 4. or 5. first rankes only are those that do worke al the effects to the resisting repulsing of Launces charging or that are with their thrush to resist and repulse any charge of a squadron of footmen piquers their Enemies and if any Launces by chaunce should breake through those 5. rankes then the battleaxes and short staued and long edged and short and strong pointed halbards in the handes of well armed men are readie at the heeles of the 5. rankes of their piquers and do wonderfully both with blow and thrust at the heads and faces of horses or men kill wound ouerthrow or repulse either horsemen Launces or footmen piquers whose first charges and furies haue bene before greatly staied and weakened by y ◠resistance of the first 5. ranks of piquers as aforsaid For it is to all men of vnderstanding in matters Militarie most euident that short staued battleaxes or halbards of not aboue 6. foot long in their whole length do no waies in their blowes nor thrusts either against horsmen or footmen trouble entermingle nor intricate one with another by reason of their shortnesse as the rankes of piques do through their great lengthes which piques doo no waies kill nor hurt but only with their pointes as is before at large declared By all which I come to conclude that 4. or 5. of the first rankes be it in frunt flanks or backe I meane which of them soeuer vpon the comming of the enemie be made frunt doo worke far greater effectes then all the rest of the inner rankes of piquers can possibly do for in troth all y ◠inner ranks of piquers besides the 5. first ranks doo neither against horsemen and chieflie against footemen halbarders or battleaxes well armed no nor yet against armed men with swordes and targets vsing their targets only to defend their faces from the points of the piques worke any important effect as it is most manifest by the reasons causes and accidents by me before alledged And thus hauing at large shewed by diuers reasons the imperfections of squadrons that doo consist onelie of piques with the great perfections and effects of squadrons of battleaxes enuironed onely with 5. rankes of piquers as also howe all sortes of squadrons that are commonlie in vse in the open fieldes in these daies and also in al former ages ought to be reduced into form with many other different particularities I will omit diuers other sorts forms of little battles that are conteined in som printed books of diuers languages as of Crossebattles of battles in triangle battles in form of stars with many other such battles of diuers shapes fashiōs extraordinary y ◠are rather set forth to fill vp books to please y ◠curious then for any great vse of them by reason y ◠such phantastical battles are no waies able in the open fields to march encoūter with such squadrons as I haue before described and set down And yet somtimes armies may march vpon such strange extraordinary grounds as in marching ouer mountains or high hils y ◠haue varietie of forms of rising descending grounds y ◠it is not possible to form such great squadrons in such forms as I haue before declared and described but that vpon the comming of the enemie they must bee forced to deuide their three battles of vauntguard battle and Rereward that they marched withall in the plaine and open fieldes into as many varieties of little battles and formes as the aduantages and formes of the varietie of groundes where they presently find themselues doo present vnto them and therewithall to flank their armed men on euery side with weapons of volee All which a Lord Marshall or sergeant Maior may with a great deale more facilitie perform then to forme such great squadrons as I haue before described reduced and formed But heere I thinke it good to aduertise the Reader that I haue heard verie crediblie reported that there is another kind of forming of a battle amongst some of the Sergeants Maiors of our Nation in these daies greatly in vse and that is That they place foure piquers with their piques aduaunced in square according to the greatnesse of the squadron that they meane by guesse to form with the number of piquers that they haue for that purpose And somtimes they place in the middest of the frunt betwixt the two formost piquers a third piquer and so likewise they place two other piquers vpon the midst of ech flanke one betwixt the said piquers that are in flanke with a fourth piquer also in the midst betwixt the two hindermost piquers which 8. piquers when they haue placed in as iust square in their distaunces as they can then they command al the piquers that they meane by guesse to reduce into squadron beeing all behind and in Rereward of the 8. piquers in square presentlie to run into the void place within the square of the 8. piquers and there to fall into their rankes with hubbledeshuf as well as they can vntill they haue filled vp all the distances and empty place within y ◠square of the said 8 piquers which being performed they hold this way not only for a verie ready forming of a squadron but also for a most excellent waie of reducement because that there is not any Sergeant Maior so vnskilfull although hee be vtterly ignorant in Arithmetique nor that he
men in motion they doo worke verie little or no effect as well in respect that no harquebuziers howe good soeuer they bee can take their sightes so certenlie from point at blanke in a great distance as they may in a much nearer distance as also that they can a great deale lesse take their sights from the ends of their peeces at their enemies in motion a great distance off although it be within the points and blankes of their peeces besides many other causes and particularities concerning the same in my booke of discourses by me set forth 1590. conteined All which well considered it dooth behoue all good and skilfull harquebuziers not to discharge their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40. paces at the vttermost although their peeces will carrie point and blanke a much greater distance But here it is to be noted that this kind of skirmishing of lose shot of societies of threes is not so good by a great deale as to skirmish in societies of 4. in euery societie and that by reason that euery formost harquebuzier of 4. next to the enimie discharging his peece as effectually as he may and retiring behind the hindermost of his societie to charge againe whilest the second aduauncing forward and trauersing his ground doth supplie the place of the first harquebuzier that did first discharge and is now retired as aforsaid and so consequently the third harquebuzier vpon the discharging of his fellowe before him that at the first was the second to aduance and supply his place and then againe the fourth that did first of all discharge and hath now againe very well charged hiâ— peece doth vpon the dischargeing and retiring of his fellowe before him aduaunce forward and trauessing his ground supplie his place which orderly discharging recharging againe and discharging recharging againe and againe with good aduisement doth by the societies of 4. giue more time and leisure to euerie harquebuzier that hath discharged his peece to retire and charge verie well againe without heating of his peece then societies of threes aforesaid can doo considering that in those skirmishes of loose shot it is conuenient that onelie one of euerie societie of 4. should bee formost and should discharge alone to the intent aswel to giue leisure to their fellowes one after another to recharge againe as also to haue 2. or 3. harquebuziers continuallie ready with their peeces charged one after another stil to aduance forward and supply the others place ready to discharge at the enemy For if they should discharge 2. or 3. or al at one time then vpon their error espied by the enemies and taking the aduantage thereof by a sudden approch they should find themselues vnsupplied and vnsuccoured the one of the other to their great danger and mischiefe But here it may be demanded what I doo call the well charging of peeces of weapons of fire Whervnto I answer That I doo allow neither harquebuze nor mosquet for well charged in seruices of the fielde vnlesse they bee charged with conuenient charges of powder and with softe browne paper or the refuge endes of matches or something else with their skowring stickes thrust close to the powder to restraine the same and likewise vppon the bullet the like or a more quanâ—â—â—â—â— to keepe close and restraine the bullet or when at the least I would that some such thing should be thrust vpon the bullet with the skowring stick to keep the same close to the powder therewithall to the intent that euerie souldior vppon his lacke of bullets might vse his fellowes bullets I woulde that all the harquebuzes throughout the field should be of one Caliuer and heigth and that all the ordinarie bullettes for the field I meane not the full bullets that first with great leisure they charge their peeces withall before they march out of the Campe which are or ought to be of the iust Caliuer and heigth of their harquebuzes but the ordinarie bullets for skirmish that those bullets I say should not be aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces whereas farre otherwise the most bullettes for the field heere in England as well of Mosquets as of harquebuzes are 4. 5. and many 6. bores lower then the height of the peeces which with the souldiors not restraining the powder nor bullettes as aforesaid is the cause that the powder how good soeuer dooth neither carrie the bullets so farre point and blanke nor yet doo giue so violent blowes as beeing otherwise well charged with more full bullets they would doo nor yet can possiblie shoot with any certentie although it were from a steadie rest either at horses or men standing still within point and blanke by reason that such bullets doo naturallie mount and flie wide howe true soeuer the peeces are besides that the powder for lacke of restraining as aforesaid dooth lie in the Cannon of the peece loose and the bullet through the too much smalnesse thereof in comparison of the peece doth vpon euerie little accident fall out and droppe to the ground where as ordinarie bullets for the field that are not aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces doo carry the bullets the peeces being otherwise true and well charged as aforesaide further point and blanke and with a great deale more certentie and besides doo giue a more forcible blow as aforesaid then such ouer small bullets can doo But now the second way of skirmishing is that such little societies of threes and of fowers may skirmish by discharging their peeces almost or neere about one time but that must be performed by the discharging and retiring to charge again of such little troupes other such little societies of like numbers that are a conuenient waie distant vpon both their flankes but something retired and therefore haue kept their shot aduancing forward as well to espy some aduantage to giue their volees at their enemies effectuallie as to giue time and leisure to other little troupes that haue discharged and therfore retired to recharge and aduance forward againe The third waie of skirmishing is of greater troupes as of 6. of 9. of 12. of 15. of 18. or of 21. And this kind of skirmishing in so great troupes doth resemble the first mentioned skirmishing of loose shot of 3. souldiors in euerie societie and that in this sort that euen as the societies of 3. did deuide themselues into 3. single discharginges as aforesaid so must these greater troupes deuide their dischargings into 3. volees as for example if the troupe be of 6. then the 2. foremost may discharge at or neere about one time and then trauessing their grounds retire behind the hindermost two to charge againe whilest the two second being now formost doo aduance forward to espie their aduantage to discharge effectuallie which when they haue perfourmed then they likewise are to retire againe recharging vntil they be hindermost giuing place vnto their next two
or receaue the greater annoiance from the shot of their Enemies being more thinne and dispersed in their distaÌ„ces then he is to say vnto such societies or troups Inlarge souldiors inlarge which being by the harquebuziers heard they then should presentlie inlarge themselues more thinner and into greater but yet conuenient disâ—â—â—ces as wel the societies of the loose shot of threes and foures as also such troupes of shot as are before mentioned thereby to discharge with great order and dexteritie seconding supplying the one the others place as also each one to succour the one the other incase of any wounds or hurts receiued according to the directions by me before very particulerlie set downe And if it happen as your souldiors are in skirmish or marching towardes or entring into skirmish or retiring that you doo perceiue and espie any ground or grounds of aduantage for your harquebuze or mosquet shot to worke any good effect against your enimies either by ambush or otherwise as of hilles bankes trenches caues wooddes shrubs vines or any other thing to encouer your shot then you are to say to so many societies or troupes of your souldiors as you shall think meet for that effect To your aduantage souldiors to your aduantage and therewithall you must name the aduantage and strength that they should preuent the enimies of be they bankes hedges trenches hilles or any other strength which being by them heard they must presently performe the same And incase that you beeing in skirmish doo see any reason of aduantage to drawe the loose shot of societies or troupes or both more on the one side then on the other that is more to the right hand then to the left then you are to say vnto them Wing Wing souldiors to the right And if to the left hand then you may say Wing Wing souldiors to the left And if you see that the enemies haue spent their powder and heated their peeces and that your aduantage is to approch them with more furie then you are to say Auaunce Auaunce forward souldiors And incase your souldiors being in skirmish you shall see your aduantage to reduce some of your loose shot into troupes of 6. of 9. of 12 or of 15. or more be the numbers euen or odde it importeth not so as the particularities by me before set down be alwaies obserued in such sort that the one troupe may fauour and flanke the other then in passing amongest them you are to say to your Corporals and souldiors Troupe troupe and flanke souldiors And if you find your souldiors ouerpressed with number of shot or that your souldiors with long skirmish haue almost spent their powder or heated their peeces then you are to say Retire retire and frunt souldiors which beeing by them heard they must retire stil with their faces towards their Enemies discharging their peeces not too fast least that they should find themselues to their own mischiefe altogither without powder And incase that you haue piquers or halbarders to backe your shot which you should neuer be without and that you see that your Enemies as also your owne soldiors by long skirmish haue spent much of their powder and heated their peeces and that your shott with the shot of your enemies are readie to enter pellemelle then you are to say to your piquers and halbarders Charge charge and execute soldiors which being by you pronounced they are to enter with all furie vpon their enemies and with puissant hand to do execution vpon them And here it is to be noted that harquebuzes of a yard long the Cannons at the most well ranforced backward of a conuenient thinnesse forward and the bullets of a conuenient Caliuer or heigth not too great are a great deale more maniable and therefore better for soldiors to vse in the field then such heauie harquebuzes as we in these daies do miscall Caliuers that are of great bullets and the Cannons long and heauie with deformed stockes which said harquebuzes ranforced of conuenient heueth lightnes will wound or kill as well 50. or 60. paces off which is distance enough as any such heauie mistearmed Caliuers therewithall they do not so soone wearie the soldiors in handling and vsing them in seruices of the fielde as such foresaid heauie peeces do besides that they haue this commoditie that when in skirmish soldiors do grow very neere together and so sometimes pelle melle that they haue no more leisure to recharge their peeces but that they are forced to betake themselues to their swordes they may then I say take their peeces being of such conuenient heueth lightnesse in the midst with their left hands and drawing their swordes may beare a blow either at the head or legges or beat by any thrust of sword halbard or pique either with the vpper or lower part of their harquebuze and may therewithall at that instant enter and run in with the points of their swordes to the mischiefe or endangering of their enemies which cannot be performed with our such heauie mistearmed Caliuers which most commonlie vpon such accidents through the too much heueth of them are throwne awaie by the souldiors that vse them Aduertising furder that whensoeuer your souldiors bee in skirmish with the enemie in the plaine and open fields that your harquebuziers be alwais instructed neuer to discharge their peeces nor giue any volee of shot at their euemies aboue 20. 30. or 40. paces distant or 50. at the vttermost For it is to bee noted that to discharge or giue any volee or volees of shot at the enemie in skirmish any greater distance then 50. paces the same dooth worke but very little effect by reason that such weapons of fire are in those actions so vncerten as all Captaines and souldiors that are of experience in matters of Armes doo verie well knowe although I haue diuers times heard some talke and tell how they haue seene skirmishes wheras the harquebuziers haue discharged their peeces at their enemies 10. 12. or 14. skores of which considering the verie small effect that such discharginges and volees doo worke against the enemie is to be holden for a verie great skorne and error militarie for such harquebuzes as doo vse to skirmish so farre off are more meet by al reason and true experience to skare Crowes in a corne field then to worke any good effect against their enemies in the field Briefe speeches to be vsed by Captaines or leaders of Harquebuziers when they would reduce them into a broad square with distances oblique IF a Captaine or leader of harquebuziers would vpon any occasion or aduantage of ground reduce any number of harquebuziers into a broad square or hearse oblique of 7. rankes with intent that they may haue the more conuenient distances for the discharging of their volees then they are to say vnto them Oblique your selues harquebuziers 21. and 20. in rankes or any other numbers greater or fewer so as
the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one and the third the fourth likewise by the number of one and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal number to the first Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique all the harquebuziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them that is they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide must be of equall number to the first ranke to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and proportioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distances may through those distances oblique giue gallant volees to the great mischiefe of their enimies without hurting or endamaging the one the other And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Turks the harquebuziers Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes yet their distances were most commonlie oblique which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks Tartars and other such orientall Nations because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses barbed as also light horsemen And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares as the Hongarians doo in sockets made fast to their Saddles or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores vse double headed Launces or zagayas by some called punching staues for diuers causes and reasons that I am able by the helpe of Almightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field vnto diuers Captaines and Gentlemen of the shire of Essex Speaches to be vsed to a broad square or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduantage where horsmen cannot charge them WHen a good number of harquebuziers are reduced into a square or troupe formed not in rankes oblique but by right line to flanke a breach or to make head against the enemie in some straight or passage or that the place is such and of that strength for the guard of the harquebuziers that it is more requisit that they should make resistance against the enemie in some square or troupe formed then any waies disseuered or in troupes confused then the leaders vppon the approch of the enemie are to say vnto them Discharge soldiors to your knees and charge againe volee after volee which beeing by them heard the first and second ranke being in rankes of conuenient distances are at one instant to giue a volee as neere as they can taking their sightes at point and blank which being doone they ought in an instant to fall vppon one of their knees and to charge againe while the third and fourth rankes doo likewise giue their volees which being by them performed they ought in like manner to kneele downe and charge their peeces giuing place to the fist and sixt ranks to discharge their peeces ouer all their heads which being performed throughout the whole hearse or troupe sauing that the two hinder rankes shall not need to kneele bicause there are none behind them to shoot ouer their heads then all the first rankes that haue charged their peeces againe are to stand vp to giue volee after volee and so to their knees againe and to giue place to the hindermost rankes to discharge their peeces ouer their heads according to the former prescribed order But to the intent that two ranks may the better giue a volee both at one instant without daungering the one the other as aforesaid it were requisit that euery second ranke should be reduced oblique as aforesaid to the ranke preceeding for otherwise there can but only one ranke discharge at a time vnlesse their rankes be very thin Briefe speaches to be vsed to Mosquetiers beeing in a broad square WHen a conuenient company of mosquetiers well guarded with armed men are reduced into a broad square of 15. or 20. in frunt and 6. by flankes more or fewer and that all their restes be fixed in the ground in conuenient distances and that their conductors vpon the approach of the enemie would haue them to giue volee after volee from their rests taking their certen sights from pointe at blanke and that euerie ranke should orderlie succeede the one the other in discharging their peeces then they are to say vnto them Discharge retire and aduance which being by the mosquetiers heard then the first whole ranke taking their sights at pointe and blanke are all at one time to discharge their peeces at the squadron or troupe of horsemen or footmen approching which being by them performed they are presently to retire to the last ranke of rests there to charge againe leauing their owne ranke of rests still fixed in the ground Then the second ranke are to aduaunce themselues and to clappe their peeces vpon the first ranke of rests as they do stand directly before them and the third ranke are to aduaunce themselues to the second ranke of rests the fourth ranke to the third ranke of rests and the fifth ranke to the fourth ranke of rests and the sixte ranke to the fifth ranke of rests whilest the first that hath discharged and is now retired to the sixte or last ranke of rests do charge their peeces againe so geuing continual volees of bullets by discharging retiring and aduauncing as aforesaid they may annoie the enemy be they horsemen or footmen in terrible sorte without falling into any disorder or cōfusion And the verie like speaches may be vsed to little squares or troupes of harquebuziers in the field when they are to retire hauing discharged and other troupes to aduaunce and supply their places geuing them time to charge again and so by retiring aduauncing and succeeding euery one the other they may giue continuall volees of shot at the enemies Aduertising
and aduising all leaders of mosquetiers that will worke good effect and winne reputation with that kinde of weapon in the field that they do not permitt their mosquetiers to discharge their peeces at their enemies aboue 8. 9. 10. or 12. skores at the furdest and therewithall to take their sightes at point and blanke from their rests and without their rests Also I would that some conuenient numbers of mosquetiers should be commaunded to charge their peeces with conuenient charges of powder and with 5. pistoll bullets of a meane Caliuer and height with some quantitie of soft browne paper or something else both betwixt the powder and haile shot of war as also after the haileshot to restraine both powder and bullets to the intent that the same may worke the more forcible and terrible effectes And that the same mosquetiers should be commanded not to discharge their peeces when their companies do discharge theirs with single bullets but that they should reserue their shot vntill some squardron of footmen or square or troupe of horsemen should approch within 10. 15. or 20. paces to charge them At which time I would haue them to giue their volee of hailshot of warre from their rests at their Enemies approching within the aforesaid distances and not any furder because they may be the more sure to hit either horsmen or footmen which in greater distances they cannot so certenlie performe And heere it is to be furder noted that such as doo talke of giuing volees of mosquet shot 30. 24. or 20. skores off at squares or troupes of horsemen or footmen that are in march or in any motion of the field do greatlie erre as men that neuer had any good experience of that weapon in actions of the field vnlesse peraduenture it hath been to their owne mischiefe incountring with olde bandes Italians Wallouns or Spaniards who were neuer so ill aduised as in vaine to giue their volees so great distances off and therfore doo reserue their shot to discharge at the enemie not aboue 8. 9. or 10. skores off at the vttermost although it bee at a whole square or troupe of horsemen or footmen vnlesse it were out of some fortification from whence they may discharge their peeces with full bullets and Demain puesto as the Spaniards call it For although the mosquet ranforced and well charged with good powder woulde carrie a bullet point and blanke 24. or 30. scores doth it therefore follow that they should giue Volees of mosquet shotte 24. or 20. skores off when that in failing to take their iuste point and blanke no more but the length of a Corne their bullettes doo worke as much effect at the starres as against the enemie that they shoot at Besides that in so great a distance of ground how truly soeuer they take their sights at point and blanke the aire dooth worke verie great effect with their bullets that are lower by 4. or 5. bores then the heigth of their peeces to carrie them by mounting or otherwise from the marke or markes that they are shot at Certen Orders directions and briefe speeches to be obserued by a Sergeant Maior and Captaines and leaders of Archers in the field ALl the most notable and excellent kinges and their great captaines of our English nation in times past who as it is most manifest by many notable histories both auncient and moderne were not any wayes inferior in knowledge and skill in the Arte and science military to the greatest kinges and captaines of our age deceased but did also farre exceed and excell all the Princes and Captaines of this obscure time of Ignorance in christendome nowe liuing in all proceedings and actions militarie as it is most apparant by the many battâ—les great victories by them in diuers ages and against many warlike nations obtained did contrarie to the vaine and friuolous opinions of our newe English men of warre of this time so greatly esteeme of our archers through the continuall and great experience they had of their woÌ„derful miraculous effects in all battles and great in countryes that vpon the composing forming of any Armie the same being deuided into fiue partes alwaies three partes of the fiue did consist of archers And because archers in all actions militarie were so continually greatly emploied they vsed to reduce them into the most conuenient orders and formes that they could deuise for them with their arrows to work their greatest effects against both horsemen and footmen their Enemies which was into the forme of hearses which hearses were broad in frunt and narrow short by flankes which is to be vnderstood of many soldiors in euery ranke and but of fewe rankes by flankes in such sorte as what nombers soeuer of archers they placed in frunte that is in euery ranke the archers by flanke did neuer exceed the nomber of 7. or 8. rankes at the most And the causes and reasons were these that the archers being reduced into their hearse or hearses as also into their conuenient distaunces in frunt and by flankes euery one of them without any trouble through the too much nearenes of their fellowes in the same ranke or by the ouermuch nearenes of the ranke ranks before them might without any impediment shoot and roue of any mean height at their enemies being either horsemen or footmen ouer the heads of the rank or ranks before them and therewithall that the hindersmost ranks being so few by flanks as aforesaid might the more easily see their Enemies that they shoot at As also that by the fewnesse of their rankes the hindermost ranke and rankes being the nearer to their Enemies should the more easilie reach their Enemies with their volees of arrowes whereas otherwise if the rankes were many then by the ouerpluralitie of rankes the hinder rankes should be depriued of the sight of their Enemies that they should shoot at and also should be driuen to shoot their arrows at their enemies too high a compasse and by such meanes worke the lesse effect against their enemies All which considered I thought good in this place to shew how any number of archers should be reduced into the forme of a hearse or diuers hearses which is a thing of great facilitie to be performed because that the Captaine or Captaines of archers haue no more to do but to say vnto their archers Ranke your selues archers 7. in a ranke or if they will make a hearse of 8. rankes then ranke your selues 8 in a ranke as in the first part of this my booke concerning the reducing of single bandes into rankes is verie particulerly contained which being by the archers performed thrughout the whole band or as manie bands of archers as they will bring into a hearse then their Captaines and conductors are to lead them by the flanke and corner of the squadron where those archers shall be reduced into winge and there drawing those archers as far out and
piquers at one time and the other 2. squadrons of 100. a peece being each one of them reduced into 4. ranks of 25. in euerie rank to the intent to beare the greater breadth or into 5. rankes of 20. in euerie ranke as the other 3. were may immediatlie vppon the Retraite of those 3. Squadrons giue a newe Charge vppon the frunt and corner of the Squadron of piquers to the indaungering of the disordering and breaking of the saide Squadron whereas if the whole number of 500. Launces were reduced into 100. rankes 5. in a ranke or into 8 rankes that is 62. in a ranke ouerplus 4 or into 10. rankes that is 50. in euerie ranke or more or fewer I say that in mine opinion one charge of the squadron of 500. launces should not be able to worke so great an effect to the endaungering of the squadron of piquers as those 5. little squadrons or hundreds should be able to doo seconding one another and charging at different times and thereby the two last squadrons finding the squadron of piques in some disorder through the charge of the. 3. first squadrons should with great facilitie giue in amongst them ouerthrow them or at least put them in great hazard of breking ouerthrowing And so likewise 500. launces or stradiots or any greater number haue a great deale greater aduauntage to charge disorder break in the open fields any number or numbers of harquebuziers or mosquetiers incase they be without any succor of piques or aduauntage of ground in troupes of hundreds and fifties or many other smaller troupes then if they were reduced into any 2. or 3. great bodies of squadron or troupes But yet because I haue said before that a squadrō of Launces of 10. or 12. rankes are to be reduced into forme with a great deale greater facility then a squadron of footmen that doth consist of many rankes and peraduenture of diuersitie of weapons and that all Captaines that do leade Launces do not well knowe how to forme such a squadron although but of a few ranks as aforesaid I will therefore here briefely set downe how they shall presently reduce such a squadron of few or of many rankes into forme with great facilitie and that is by any one of two waies the first to reduce them by flanke or flankes the other by right line As for example the Captaine or Captaines of such a band or bands of men at Armes or dimilaunces commanding their officers to reduce their band or bandes into their simple or single order of 6. Launces in a rank throughout and then considering the one halfe of the full number of the rankes they are vpon the sounde of the Trompette or else by briefe speaches pronounced to commaund the formost one halfe of the launces to marche some 20. or 30. paces and the other halfe of the launces to stay and kepe their ground which marching forward of 20. or 30. paces by the first halfe to giue conuenient ground and place to the other halfe to reduce themselues into squadron by flanke being performed and they there in their rankes making a stay and pause then some captain or captains or other leaders for that purpose appointed placing themselues vpon the frunt of the hinder halfe of the launces that haue not yet moued they vpon the sounde of the trompet are to march vp either by the right or left flanke of the formost halfe of the launces now making their pause and standing still vntill that the formost ranke of the hinder halfe of launces doe make equall frunte with the formost ranke of the formost halfe of launces and so likewise that the hindermost ranke of the same one halfe of launces bee equall with the hindermost ranke of the formost one halfe of the launces and so consequently all the rest of the ranks be euen and straight by flankes one with another which being performed then of 6. in a rank that the same band or bandes of launces were before throughout they are nowe comne to be 12. in a ranke throughout which being done then to make them a broade square of many in frunte that is in euery ranke and but only of 12. rankes the captain or captains that doe lead them are to lead and draw the flanke of their band or bandes to the ground whereas they will make of flanke frunt where being comne they are to make a stay and pause and then either by the sound of the troumpet vpon that flanke that shall be made frunt or else vpon some of the captains galloping to the midst of the same flanke and being something distant from the flanke and pronouncing with a loud voyce Frunt vnto me men at Armes or frunt vnto me Launces then presently all the horsemen that are nexte vnto them are to tourne their horses faces and make frunt that waies and so subsequetnly al the rest of the ranks of the launces one after another which being performed then of how many rankes soeuer they were before by flankes now they are becomne to be only of 12. rankes by flankes and in frunt of the like number that they were by flanke or flanks And as the first forming of this squadron was performed by doubling of the hinder halfe of the Launces by the flanke of the formost halfe of the Launces as aforesaid Euen so may the Captaines either by the sound of the trompette or by brief speaches commaund their Launces to double themselues by right line that is that the second ranke of 6. should enter into y e formost rank likewise of 6. and that the fourth ranke should enter into the third ranke and so consequentlie euerie second ranke throughout to the verie backe or Rereward to enter into the ranke before him in such sort that of 6. that euery ranke was before they are now by this doubling by right line becomne 12. in euerie ranke from frunt to backe which being performed and all the ranks reformed in their distances as well by frunt as flankes then the Captaine or Captaines may presentlie make of flanke frunt according as I haue before verie particulerlie declared and then the standard or Ensigne or Ensignes if they be men at Armes or the Guidons if they be dimilaunces being placed in the midst of the same squadron the whole broade square is readie to straighten and close their rankes by frunt and flankes and either to charge their enemies or to receaue a charge And as this broad square of many Launces in frunt and but of 12. Launces by flankes hath bene reduced into forme by two different waies as aforsaid so may any other squadrō or squadrons of launces be reduced by any of those two waies of how many rankes by flankes soeuer they are But yet as the reducing of horsemen by right line is verie good and ready so the reducing of them into squadron by flankes as aforesaid is better because they do no waies alter nor disorder themselues in their distances
ranke either by right line or oblique And incase they march 2. in a ranke by right line then euerie 2. horsemen are of equal frunt throughout from frunt to back as all other sortes of horsemen in their rankes are But if they march in ranks oblique then euerie second light horsman doth march retyred and a good distance wide from the first in such sort as he may march and haue in flanke the midst of the voide ground that is betwixt his fellow formost horseman of his owne ranke and the formost horseman of the second ranke that followeth the first and so likewise the second souldior of the second ranâ—e is to follow him in the like sort but marching and hauing on his flanke likewise the midst of the distance or voide ground that is betwixt his formost fellow of his owne ranke and the formost light horsman of the third ranke And so subsequentlie all the rest of the light horsemen must march in rankes oblique the one to the other Now all this band of 200. light horsemen reduced into 100. rankes marching by right line straight forward are to be reduced into a semicircle in this sort following that is that one Conductor ought to march before all the rankes And another last of all behinde all the rankes Then after two other Conductors are to be placed in the verie midst the one to take care and to see order obserued by the one halfe of the semicircle that is of his right hand and the other to see order obserued by the other halfe of the semicircle that is of his left hand which conductors being so placed and the Cornet either in the midst of the rankes of the light horsemen or else in one of the formost rankes then to reduce these 100. rankes into a semicircle either the Captaine or formost Conductor must march with his band fetch a great and a large compasse and circuite of ground either vpon the right or left hand according as he intendeth to make the frunt of his semicircle And thus he must leade his band in compasse and halfe circle vntill he seeth the hindermost ranke right ouer and against in semicircle to the formost ranke of all the bande which he himselfe leadeth which he perceiuing then he must commaund his trompettor to sound a stay or pause which done the trumpettor must gallop towards the midst of the semicircle I meane of the inner or compasse side and there must againe sound to make of flanke frunt which being performed then of 100. ranks of 2. in a ranke that they were before they are now becomne to be only 2. rankes of 100. in each ranke which being performed then may they march in this forme of semicircle in their rankes either by right line or oblique if the fields be large and open as they are most commonly in Fraunce and many other Countries with great facilitie And incase there were a squadron of 150. Launces that would thinke to breake that semicircle by a charge giuen in the midst of the same semicircle then the aduauntage of the semicircle is vpon the instant and verie beginning of the charge of the launces to open themselues in the midst the formost Conductor of the Corner of the right hand galloping large and something in compasse and leading the one halfe of the semicircle of light horsemen vpon the one flanke of the squadron of Launces and the other Conductor of the other ende or corner of the semicircle to galloppe likewise somewhat large in compasse and lead the other halfe of the semicircle to charge vppon the other flanke of the squadron of Launces and with terrible noises and shoutes to charge both the flankes as also the backe of the squadron with their speares al at one time Or if the Semicircle bee all of stradiots with their zagaias which are double headed Launces then that they beeing lead by their Conductors and opening in the midste as aforesaid doo charge both the flanks and backe of the squadron with their zagaias striking both forwarde and backeward killing and wounding both horses and men By which new extraordinarie and vnexpected kinde of charge the squadron of Launces that thought by right line to haue charged and broken the semicircle in the midst finding nothing there before them to charge but onely the ayre are forced to make a stay or stand and to defend them selues with great disaduantage of Weapon and are compelled to make frunt of both their flankes and backe all at one time which they can no waies performe without disordering themselues out of all forme whereof and by the neernesse of the light horsmen bee they speares or zagaias that haue charged them as aforesaid it commeth to passe that they haue not any ground nor roome to put their horses into any Carrire nor to charge their launces into their restes thereby to giue the greater blow and shocke or anie other waies to annoy the light horsmen that haue charged do with their zagaias or speares vsed as punching staues wounde and kill them and their horses both in flanks and backe as aforesaid by meanes whereof they haue not onelie vtterlie lost the vse of their Launces but are driuen with many wounds alreadie receiued to disorder all their ranks squadron in tumultuarie and disordred sort to fight with their swords and other such short weapons against the said light horsemen with their punching staues to the g 〈◊〉 disaduantage and vtter ruine of the Launces And whereas I haue shewed this order of marching of a semicircle of two rankes oblique according to the Hongarian and Turkie manner I say that it hath beene and is in respect that if any other such light horsemen in rankes by right line should charge them that the hindermost light horsemen of the second ranke that are oblique in ranke to their fellowes before them may at the same instant haue more open and conueniencie of ground to succour their fellowes in the formost ranke and to charge their enemies then they otherwise could haue if they were by right line directly behind the first ranke The great effects that Stradiots Archers on horsbacke and Crosbowers on horsback are to performe in the field both against horsmen and footmen with also the great adâ—antage that they haue against Carabins and against Reistres and all other weapons of fire on horsebacke in seruices of the field STradiots before mentioned are a kinde of light horsemen that haue beene vsed of many yeares both in Italie Fraunce Spaine and Germanie although in their weapons manner of arming euery Nation hath differd one from another more or lesse Amongst the Pagans the Arabians and Persians the Turks and the Tartars in such ages as they conquered the greatest part of Europe Affricke and Asia vsed almost no other souldiors and weapons on horsebacke but light horsemen Launciers with long launces Stradiots with Launcezagaias headed with two steeled heades Archers with their bowes and
Crosbowers and al those with their Cemeteries and straight or crooked daggers and other weapons in vse with them Now these light horsemen stradiots that haue been vsed by so many Nations are of great execution and seruice in the fielde both against horsemen and footmen disordered and very excellent to enter into and maintaine skirmishe chieflie if they be incorporated with Archers on horsback and Crosbowers on horsebacke The difference of which armors weapons horses and other furniture belonging to those three sorts of weapons I omit because I haue verie particularlie set down mine opinion of those matters in my forementioned book entituled Certen Military discourses Arithmeticall Tables formes and demonstrations c. by me Composed 1585. not yet printed Now therefore I will make mention of nothing else but how they shoulde behaue themselues in the field against their enemies and that I would haue them to performe in this sort Stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horseback being incorporated into bandes euery band of 100. of the which I would haue 40. stradiots 30. archers and 30. Crosbowers all on horseback and all those reduced into Cameradas or societies of tennes or fifteenes I would wish that they should not fight in squadrons nor in great troupes as men at armes and dimilaunces should do but that they should fight in many little troupes of tennes or fifteens or twenties and not aboue and that they should charge a squadron or troupe or diuers squadrons or troups of Launces in frunt flanks and backe in many little troups some aduanced and some retired in such sort as all the troupes next vnto the squadron of their enemies horse might haue other troupes in wing more retired to second and succour them and that the troupes of archers Crosbowers should giue their volees of arrowes and quarrels at the squadrons or troupes of their Enemies both in frunt flankes and backe all at one time and that the little troups of Stradiots should remaine in winges somewhat retired readie vppon all occasions of any disorder of their enemies to giue in by flankes and backe and to kill or wound the horses of their enemies and that incase the Launces being in great squadrons or troupes should charge them that then they should presentlie cast about and flie in their little troupes and that they should disperse their troupes all ouer the large fieldes in such sort that the squadrons of launces should not well know which troupes to followe and that vpon the Launces pursuing of those troupes that other little troupes and societies should charge them againe both in backe and flankes and that with terrible shoutes and volees of quarrels and arrowes the Stradiots at the same time galloping in their troups by the hinder corners of the squadron should wound their horses with their Launcezagayas and giue them occasion to stay their pursuit to make head against them which if the Launces doo without disordering themselues then I would wish those troupes that charged the backe and flankes presently likewise to disperse and flie and that the other little troupes that they had followed before should vppon some extraordinarie shoute or hubabub whereto they should bee inured returne againe vppon them with new charges and volees both in backe and flankes with terrible shoutes and cries as aforesaid In such sort that although all the little troupes of Stradiots and shot doo not exceed the number of the launces in their great squadrons yet that their false charges should be such so many and so continuall in giuing their volees in frunt flankes and backe as that by continuall molesting of them they should put them in hazard to disorder themselues and disperse which if it shoulde happen then that the Stradiots should enter pelle melle amongest the Launces and striking both forwarde and backwarde with their Launces that haue double heades should kill or wounde their horses and so by the aduauntage of their weapons should doo execution vppon their Enemies to their vtter ouerthrow Now peraduenture some wil saie that there are no squadrons of Launces that wilbee without some companies of Carabins and Argolettiers or else of Reistres to succour them which should greatlie trouble the archers and Crosbowers to worke the effect before declared To the which I answer that I am perswaded that if the Stradiots archers and Crosbowers bee as many in number as the Launces and Argolettiers or Reistres that the Argolettiers or Reistres will bee of small succour to the Launces against those kindes of weapons but that they would vpon three or fower volees of quarrels and arrowes turne their backes and leaue the launces to defend themselues For Argolettiers or Reistres in true experience are not to discharge their peeces and work any effect aboue 6. 8. or 10. paces distant and yet that too farre considering the vncertentie of those weapons caused through the motion of their horses wheras Crosbowers and chiefelie archers may worke very certen and great effect to the mischiefe both of men and horses a great deale greater distance off which with diuers other reasons that for breuities sake I omit do perswade me to thinke that 2000. Carabins or Reistres are not able in the fielde to abide the charge and volee of 1000. stradiots Archers and Crosbowers Now the effectes that bandes of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke may worke against footmen vpon diuers opportunities are that they may giue their volees of quarrels and arrowes at randon into the squadron of piquers or into the winges or sleeues of shot to the disturbing and molesting of their orders and vpon the ouerthrow of horsmen or footmen be they armed men or shot the stradiots in following the chase may doo great execution and slaughter by striking both forward and backewarde with their double headed launces And these actions before declared are in mine opinion the chiefe effectes of those three sortes of weapons in corporated in bandes as aforesaid And thus hauing now finished all such instructions and aduertisements militarie as haue at this time fallen into my remembrance that doo concern the ordering forming and exercising of single bandes and companies aswell of horsemen as of footmen as also of reducing and sorming of squadrons into al the chiefe formes of battles â—y are requisit for armies to march or fight withal in the open fields with manie other important particularities I wil now with the helpe of Almightie God proceed to the setting downe of mine opinion how new bands and companies that should be elected and enrolled for defence of the Realme or for forren inuasion are to be elected inrolled armed and weaponed with diuers other particularities For as for the mustering of olde bandes that haue either serued long in Armies or in Garrisons they are matters so coÌ„mon in vse as it might be holden but for superfluous to set downe the orders and proceedings concerning the same considering that the most of all Warrelike Nations doo obserue
piquers of a single band or squadron ought to carie their piques vpon their left shoulders How a single band coÌ„sisting of 5 different sortes of weapons should be formed to march in the plaine and open fields A great aduauntage and readines for bands marching in this sort to be reduced into other forâ—es How Captains marching with their bandes in their simple and single order of rankes should double all their rankes by right line How Captains should double the ir rankes by flankes How Captains should triple their rankes by right line How Captains should triple their rankes by flanks It is to be noted that in all reducements of squadrons into forme with the compertiments of bands that the middle most part of the frunte is the highest place in estimation and that the right hand of the same frunt is the second in degree and that the left hand same frunt 〈◊〉 the lowest place in degree And that the first second and thirde rankes but chiefely the first are the places of greatest estimation for the gentlemen of the bands if there be any to bee placed in the presence of their Captains to shewe their valours How where any ouerplus of broken rankes of piquers should place themselues It is contrary to discipline that any ranke of disequall number to the rest of the rankes should march either in frunt oâ— backe How Captains hauingâ—by tripling their rankes brought their bandes into disproportion may and ought to remedie the same Another speciall point to be lookt vnto by Captaines in doubling oâ— tripling their rankes by right line or encreasing them by flankes The causes and reasons why in reducing this band into their simple single order of ranks euery sort of weapon is placed in the order aforesaid Harquebuziers emplâ—ied in skirmish or for ambushes or som other like causes ought to be backt with halâ—ards Archers and musquetiers are not to depart from the bodie of the squadron Where the Drommers Phifers of a sin gle bande marching in their single order of â—ankes ought to be placed Where the En signebearer is alwaies placed The pique the most honourable weapon for soldiors on foote How Ensigne-bearers ought to cariâ— their Ensignes marching through a great Citie or Towne How Ensigne-bearers should be armed Euerie Ensign-bearer is to haue a deputie Ensignebearer What manner of men I would wish the Ensignebearers and their deputies to be The deputie Ensignebearer how he should be armed and what weapon he should caâ—y The deputie Ensignebearer is to take the like oathe for the guard of the Ensigne that the Ensignebearer hath taken Prehâ—minences of right due to the deputie Ensigne-bearer How Sergeants of baÌ„ds should be armed The office of Sergeants in marching with their bands How a Captain leading his band through any Citie or great Towne ought to marche A great shame for any Captaine or Lieutennant to lead his band in the field vpon a swift running horse No priuate band neither of horsemen nor footmen being reduced into their single order of rankes or into any square ought to disorder and breake their rankes vntill the Captaine hath geuen coÌ„maund ment or licence to the Ensignebearer to lodge c. No squadron consisting of diuers bands ought to disorder and breake their rankes vntill the Coronell or Coronells or Sergeants Maiors do come to the ranke of Ensignes and licence them to departe and lodge The Ensigne-bearers of euery Regiment must at the time of their lodging fixe their Ensignes vpright in the ground in the place of assembly in the frunt of their quarters Brief speaches to be vsed by Captains to their soldiors when they would haue them to vpright their piques Brief speaches to be vsed by Sergeant Maiors or Captaiâ—es to their soldiors when they would haue them to charge or receaue a charge of another squadron of piquers How piquers should charge or receaue a charge of an other squadron of piquers Piquers when they approch their enemies ar not to shake clatter their piques but are to carry them firme steady The opinion of such as do vain ly hold that piquers in squadron should lie at the push of â—y pique thereby with thrusts and foines to annoy their enemies answered Briefe speaches to be vsed by a Sergeant Maior or a Captaine to their soldiours piquers when they are readie to be charged by a squadron of Launces How piquers should resist a charge of Launces How piquers should receiue a charge of Launces in case the Sergeant Maior or Captains should thinke good to place any weapons of volee before them The formost ranks of a squadroÌ„ of piquers cannot conâ—eniently and aptly encouer guard aboue 3 rankes of Harquebuziers nor aboue 2 rankes of musqueâ—â—â—rs against the charge of Launces a Euerie Geometricall pace doth consist of 5 foot euerie foot doth consist of 12 Geometrical inches or inches as we terme them by the Rule so it is to be vnderstoode by the Reader in all my writinges where I speake of paces How and in what distances harquâ—buziers or mosquetiers are to discharg their peeces from vnder a squadron of piques b The order that mosquetiers should obserue in charging their peeces in the foresaid action The oppinion of Mounsieur de la Noue The opinion of the author fortified with reasons coÌ„trary to the opinion of Mounsieur de la Noue An obiection answered Weapons of fire are no waies to be placed nor yer to be suffred to enter within the bodie of a squadron of piques Brief speaches to be vsed by Captains to their soldiors when they should make of flanke 〈◊〉 How a Sargâ—ant Maior or Captain in making of flankâ— frunt is to reduce their piquers into their due proportion are distances How to make of backe frunt How Captains or Coronells of horsemen aâ— to make of flanke frunt â— doth behoue the Generall and the â—ord Marshal of an Armie as also the â—ergeante Maior generall alwaies to â—aue about them a â—erfite roll of all the Coronells and Capâ—ains names with the â—umber of euery â—ne of their Regiâ—ents and what â—umber of soldiors also doe appertaine â—o euerie â—nsigne â—and aswell of horse men as of footmen â—hroughout the whole armie that â—hereby vpon all occasions they may giue present orders and directions The waie and order â—ow a squadron â—hould bere duced â—nto forme in the oâ—en fields either to marche or fight All Coronells and Sergeants Maiors of Regiments aswell of â—orâ—emen as of footâ—en ought to haue â—ontinually about them a Roll of all â—he Captains and â—heir Lieutenants names that are in â—heir Regimentes â—ith the nomber of soldiors and diffeâ—ent armors and â—eapons that do beâ—ong to euery band â—r companie therby â—o giue present diâ—ections Three different formings of squadrons The firste The second waie to forme squadrones The third order of forming of squadron Squadrons may be formed of compeâ—timents of like odd numbers or of diffeâ—ent odd numbers or oâ— diâ—â—eâ—ent euen and