al the ensignebearers of priuate bandes are to receiue their orders directions from the Standerbearer of the same Emperor or King whether they shall carrie their ensignes woonde vp or any waies open with all other directions And also it is to be noted that the said standardbearer with his standard or his deputy standardbearer when the standardbearer is disposed to ease himselfe is alwaies to hold the middle and chiefe place of the ranke of ensigns and therewithall that hee should neuer display his Standard as other ensignebearers of priuate bandes doo but onely vpon the assured doubt and expectation of battle the enemies Armie being in sight in the field or else vpon some other great and principall occasion and yet not then neither without the speciall commandment of the prince or his Lieutenant Generall which said displaying of the Princes standard ought to be performed with certen notable respects praiers and ceremonies which because I do not certenlie know them all I omitte And therwithal it is to be furder noted that the standardbearer of an Emperour or King being alwaies either a Nobleman or a Knight doth seldome himselfe carrie the standard but vpon certen great occasions and therefore he hath alwaies 2. or 3. esquiers of great reputation and valot to supplie his place in carring the standard the enemie being not in sight in the field but the enemie being in sight he is presentlie to leaue his horse and to retire himselfe into the squadron and ranke of ensignes readie to take his standard into his owne handes vpon any important occasion And besides when he commeth neare to the place where he shall lodge be it in Campe or Towne which ough to be in the Lieutennante generalls lodging or at leaâ—t very neare vnto the same he then being on foot must himselfe with great respect reuerence take and carrie the standard be it imperiall or roiall and place it in his lodging vnder a strong and verie conuenient guarde of soldiors and so likewise in the morning vpon the occasion of dislodging he himselfe being stronglie accompanied ought to take the standard into his own hands and to march and take his place according to the directioÌ„ of the Prince or his Lieutennant general which being by him performed he may then deliuer the standard vnto one of his deputies giuing vnto him a great charge therewith and so march out of the battle then take his horse and ride a little either before the squadron to ease himselfe or else to accompanie the Prince or the Lieutenant Generall if any of them both bee neare vnto the same battle or else not And these particularities concerning these matters aforesaid are such as I doo at this present remember although there be others that I haue in times past obserued which with length of time I haue forgotten Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be vsed vnto Harquebâ—ziers Piquers and battleaxes when they are in skirmish with their enemies in the field SKirmishes both on horsebacke and on foot doo begin vpon such and so many diuers and infinite occasions when two puissant Armies that are enemies one to y e other are in the field as no man is able to particular the number of them And therfore I will as not requisite ouerpasse them But because hithervnto I haue handled the ordering reducing and forming more particularlie of footmen then of horsmen I will by the help of Almighty God in this place proceed to certen orders directions and briefe speeches that are to be vsed vnto bands of harquebuziers entring into skirmish or being in sâ—irmish as also how they should bee reduced into diuers orders and formes for diuers effectes and purposes which when I haue performed I wil then proceed to the reducing and ordering of other weapons of volee as of mosquetiers and archers into their conuenient formes And therefore it is first to be noted y t there be 4. different and principal waies for bandes of harquebuziers to enter into skirmish and to maintaine themselues being in skirmish which although they seeme not much to differ yet their differences are so great as they are to be obserued by al skilfull leaders and conductors of harquebuziers and by the soldiors themselues Of the which 4. the first is vpon some occasions to skirmish only with loose shot backt some good conuenient distance behind them with light armed halbardiers yea and of piquers also incase they doubte y e charge of horsmen but then those loose shot must deuide them selues into small societies either of 3. or else of 4. harquebuziers to second and supplie one anothers place and that is to be vnderstood in this sort Incase that they doo deuide themselues into societies of threes then haue they but onely three dischargings and that is when the formost soldior hath in trauessing his grouÌ„d with good aduisement discharged at the enemy and trauessing his grouÌ„d doth retire behind his fellowes to charge again y â— then y e second harquebuzier should aduance forward to espie som aduantage to discharge his harquebuze not in hast at the aire but with leisure at his enemie that hee espieth standing still or in slow motion which when hee hath performed and trauessing his ground he dooth retire then the third harquebuzier aduauncing forward and trauessing his ground should with good aduisement discharge his peece at the enemie that he espieth standing still or in slow motion whilest the other two harquebuziers his companions before retired doo charge againe which by him performed then he is to trauesse his ground and to begin againe to charge retiring beehind and somthing wide of the hindermost of the three And by this kind of loose skirmishing of many societies of threes dispersed in the field the formost of euery three next vnto the enemie with his peece charged trauessing his ground and espying when to discharge his peece effectuallie as aforesaid dooth giue time and leisure to the other two of his societie retired behind to charge their peeces againe But because that the chiefe effect of harquebuziers in skirmish dooth consist principallie in three thinges that is in the well charging of their peeces which cannot be well performed without conuenient time and leisure the second in leisurely discharging although not from steady and firm point at blank which can be seldome performed at men or by men in motion and therefore they are to take their sights at the endes of their peeces at such their enemies as are in slowest motion and so make the best point and blanke that they may by guesse from the endes of their peeces And the third which is of no lesse importance then the former two is that harquebuziers doo not discharge their peeces at the enemy out of conuenient distances for if they doo then how well soeuer they haue charged their peeces and with what leisure and aduisement soeuer they doo discharge the same at
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
different and effectuall seruices to worke great effectes then any great diuisions of shot can bee Which if it be so as most certen it is by all experience Militarie then the 3. battles of 5000. to euery battle hauing 10000. weapons of volee of diuers sortes to be reduced vnder their safeguard must diuide those 10000. into so many compertimentes and diuisions of sleeues winges and troupes as are requisite to guard 3. such battles As also the diuisions of weapons of volee themselues to bee protected and defended vnder the safeguard of those 3. squadrons and so likewise the 15000. armed men beeing reduced into 6. little battles as aforesaid hauing the like number of weapons of volee of diuers sorts to aide them and to be by them protected must by all order militarie diuide those 10000. weapons of volee into double as many or more diuisions of sleeues wings and troups then the 3. great battles haue diuided theirs for their aide From all which experienced reasons and examples I come to conclude that as 15000. armed footemen reduced but onely into 3. great battles cannot by any reason militarie haue so manie sleeues winge troupes other diuisions of diuers sorts of shot vnder their safegard as 15000. armed men reduced into 6. smaller battles may haue Euen so that the 3. great squadrons of armed men with their few great diuisioÌ„s of shot cannot possibly by any reason or experience worke so great effects as the 6. smaller battles their Enemies with their many and more conuenient diuisions of diuers sorts of weapons of volee may worke And now whereas I haue before fourmed a squadron and diuers squadrons all of halbardiers or battleaxes enuironed or empaled about with 5. rankes of piquers in frunt flankes and backe and that the short weapons are in greater number then y e piques therfore by some in these daies that doo more regard the new fashions and fancies of the disordered and corrupted Militia that of very late yeares in diuers ciuill warres haue crept into Christendome then the true discipline art and science militarie which hath beene practised and vsed from age to age of all antiquitie in the warres betwixt Emperors Kinges and puissant Common wealthes it may peraduenture be thought that such a squadron is no waies coÌ„parable for all great effects and purposes to a squadron of the like number al of piquers without any short weapons sauing onely a very fewe for the guard of the Ensignes Thervnto I say that I doo thinke this squadron of short weapons enuironed with 5. ranks of piques as aforesaid to be of a great deale more aduantage strength and effect aswell against horsmen as footmen then any squadron of the like number all of piquers can be And because it shall be apparant that I am not carried with new fashions and fancies but with the obseruation of that which I haue read hath been in vse and obserued by diuers braue Nations in many ages as also by mine owne hearing the opinions of diuers great Captaines Coronels and Sergeants Maiors of diuers warrelike Nations some of late yeares dead and some yet aliue And therwithall by that which I haue seene and obserued my selfe in the squadrons of diuers Nations some of the which haue vsed squadrons all of piquers as aforesaid and other Nations squadrons of piquers with some rankes of halbards with in their piques which different vses of Nations haue giuen me occasion not onely to enter into imagination of the different or contrarie causes of the forming of such squadrons but also the more curiouslie to aske inquire of diuers men of great sufficiencie of those Nations the different reasons and causes of the forming of such squadrons some all of piques and others of piques and short weapons as aforesaid I therfore will set down that which I haue gathered and obserued by the diuersitie of their opinions concerning the same as also by mine own sight and consideration and will here by the helpe of Almightie God giue sufficient causes and reasons to proue that my foresaid squadron formed with short weapons enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers as aforesaid is of farre greater force and effect then if the squadron were all of piquers And the reasons are these First when a squadron of men at armes or dimilaunces or diuers squadrons seconding one another shoulde charge the squadron of footemen all of piquers in frunt all men of consideration may consider and know that all the whole squadron consisting only of piquers according as I haue before formed diuers squadrons in this discourse that not aboue 5. rankes of the foremost piques at the most beeing closed in frunt flankes and backe or rather but 4. rankes can make head with the pointes of their piques to hurt or reach the horses or men of the formost ranks of the Launces charging that because the longest piques that are in these daies vsed by any Nation are not aboue 18. foot long of which length of 18. foot the formost ranke of piquers either clapping the butendes of their piques vnder their right feete or carrying them breast high to resist and repulse the Launces both which waies are in the beginning of this booke very particularlie declared I say that from their right handes that they hold the butendes of their piques withall to theirleft and forehands that doo beare their piques incase they carry them abouehand breast high doo occupie and therefore shorten 3. foot at least of the length of their piques towards the foremost ranke of their Enemies then there doo remaine 15. foot beyond their left and forehandes more for them to reach and annoy their enemies withall then the second ranke closing themselues to y â— first rank and carying their piques breast high ouer the shoulders of the first rank do leese 3. foot more of â—y length of their piques by that which they hold betwixt their hinder and forehands as aforsaid so as there remaineth but 12. foot of the length of their piques beyond the foremost rankes towardes the annoiance of their Enemies then the third ranke closing themselues to the shoulders of the second ranke doo come likewise to loose three foote more by so much of their piques as they hold betwixt both their handes as aforesaid which with the thicknesse and distance of the two rankes before them dooth come to make them to leese 9. foote of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 9. foot of the length of their piques at the most beyond the foremost ranke towards the annoiance of the Enemie then the fourth ranke by the like cause and reason commeth to leese 3. foot more of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 6. foot of the length of their piques with the pointes of them before the formost ranke to annoy the Enemie then the fifth ranke of the squadron of piquers commeth by the like causes and reasons as aforesaide to leese 3. foote
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
neither in frunt nor by flankes whereas otherwise by entring and doubling their rankes one into another by right line they come to disorder their proportionate distaunces which they must again with all speed reforme Aduertising furder that as this squadron hath beene formed by the aforesaid two waies so may the same or any other euen at the first be as well reduced by any of those 2. waies into form in vaungard and frunt without making of flank frunt so as the Coronell Sergeant Maior or Captain that hath the forming of the said squadron haue good regard aswel to the ground and number that he wil make his frunt of as to the number of y e ranks by flanks and therwithal to place and accomodat the broken rank or ranks if there be any with the standard ensigne or Guidon Now because in these daies new opinions and fancies in matters of armes grounded vpon very weake or rather no reasons at all do beare a very great swaie and that amongst other errors militarie there be some that doo hold allow that launces should be rather reduced into troup to charge or receiue a charge then into squadron formed I for diuers reasons of the which some I will after alledge would that when any Coronell or Captaines of men at armes or dimilaunces shal haue occasion to reduce their bands into form either to march or fight that then they doo in any wise reduce them into forme of squadron according to the ancient-vse and not into troupe according to the newe fancies incase that time and leisure wil serue And therwithall that they do form them with a triple frunt that is three times as many in frunt as by flanks and somtimes more As for example if the frunt be of 24. or 25. Launces then the flanke should be of 8. launces And somtimes also with a quatriple frunt that is 4. times more in frunt then by flankes as also at other times and vpon other occasions into farre broader frunts then quadruple although by flankes not aboue 10. or 12. rankes at the most as aforesaide and that the Standardes or Ensignes if they bee men at Armes or the Guidons if they bee dimilaunces bee placed in the midst of the squadron And y e those horsmen be instructed how to inlarge themselues in their rankes when they march in squadron and how presentlie vpon the sight of the enemie approching to straighten themselues by frunt and flankes with their iust proportionate distances in such sort as they may charge or receiue a charge of the enemie without disordering their horses or Launces or confounding their ranks But incase that vpon a sudden Alarm giuen vppon the approch of the Enemie the Launces being in Campe Towne or Village be not reduced into their single order vnder their Ensignes or Guidons but that they are then assembling themselues and the enemie neere at hand then they must make of necessitie vertue that is to reduce themselues into troupe making as neere as they can a triple or quatriple frunt or more that they may somewhat resemble a squadron hauing regard to their distances that they may vse their Launces without disordering the one the other as neere as they may And whereas there be some professing armes in this time that doo holde an opinion that Launces haue a greater aduantage to charge or receiue a charge in troupe then in squadron as aforesaid they therein doo shew that for lacke of vnderstanding and consideration they doo greatlie erre in the ordering of horsemen Launces For the Almaines Italians English and diuers other Nations haue of great antiquitie vsed both squadron of men at Armes and dimilaunces and also troupes But it was neuer heard of before these disordered ciuill wars of France and the Lowcountries that Launces in troupes confused should be preferred and iudged to be of greater aduantage then launces in squadron formed considering that the reducing of Launces into troupe dooth amongest men of war proceed of nothing else but of lacke of time to reduce them into squadron vpon some sudden Alarme and approch of the Enemie So as such as doo hold that opinion might aswell say that two or three thousand piquers and short weapons haue more aduantage to fight in a battle of necessitie then in a Squadron formed which battle of necessitie or extreamitie terme it as you list is neuer vsed but vpon some great and sudden accident as when a puissant enemie dooth make a sudden approch vpon your Campe most commonlie by night or at the breake of day with a Canuesada killing both scoutes Centinels and watches through their negligent watching or discouering and therevpon an alarme giuen for lacke of time to reduce your piquers into squadron formed you are faine in the place of assemblie to make them to runne togither into rankes confused closing themselues as close as they can to defende the Ring or entrie of the Campe. By the which comparisons reasons and examples of footmen piquers before alledged such new fancies and lacke of vnderstanding in the ordering or rather disordering of launces may be easilie discerned by men of reason and iudgement And now to the intent that your men at Armes or dimilances may be the better able to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies it is verie meete and conuenient that their Captaines and officers should reduce them some time into squadron with a triple or quatriple frunt And being so reduced that they should be taught how to straighten and close themselues in frunt and flankes and how presently vpon the sound of a charge they should almost all at one instant put spurres to their horses galloping vpon the hand about 8. or 10. paces and then charge their Launces from their tasses or long Cuisses and thighes presentlie into their restes and not to carrie their Launces at the Armes ende as they do commonlie vse at Tilt to make the fairer shew and then imagining the squadron of the enemies Launces to be within 15. or 20 paces directly before them they should altogither put their horses into their Carrires to the intent to giue the greater blowe and shocke to the ouerthrowing or breaking of their enemies Then I would wish them to be taught how they should receiue a charge if another squadron of launces should charge them and that they should doo in this sort First when they shall see the squadron of their enemies comming to charge them either galloping vpon the hand or in their full Carrire then they being straightned closed in their rankes by frunt and flankes should stand firme all the Launces of the three formost rankes ready charged in their restes but yet the pointes of their launces something high vntil they do see the enemies squadron within 15. or 20. paces of them at which time they should with a terrible shout altogither in an instant as if they were one entire bodie put spurres to their horses and fall into their
Crosbowers and al those with their Cemeteries and straight or crooked daggers and other weapons in vse with them Now these light horsemen stradiots that haue been vsed by so many Nations are of great execution and seruice in the fielde both against horsemen and footmen disordered and very excellent to enter into and maintaine skirmishe chieflie if they be incorporated with Archers on horsback and Crosbowers on horsebacke The difference of which armors weapons horses and other furniture belonging to those three sorts of weapons I omit because I haue verie particularlie set down mine opinion of those matters in my forementioned book entituled Certen Military discourses Arithmeticall Tables formes and demonstrations c. by me Composed 1585. not yet printed Now therefore I will make mention of nothing else but how they shoulde behaue themselues in the field against their enemies and that I would haue them to performe in this sort Stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horseback being incorporated into bandes euery band of 100. of the which I would haue 40. stradiots 30. archers and 30. Crosbowers all on horseback and all those reduced into Cameradas or societies of tennes or fifteenes I would wish that they should not fight in squadrons nor in great troupes as men at armes and dimilaunces should do but that they should fight in many little troupes of tennes or fifteens or twenties and not aboue and that they should charge a squadron or troupe or diuers squadrons or troups of Launces in frunt flanks and backe in many little troups some aduanced and some retired in such sort as all the troupes next vnto the squadron of their enemies horse might haue other troupes in wing more retired to second and succour them and that the troupes of archers Crosbowers should giue their volees of arrowes and quarrels at the squadrons or troupes of their Enemies both in frunt flankes and backe all at one time and that the little troups of Stradiots should remaine in winges somewhat retired readie vppon all occasions of any disorder of their enemies to giue in by flankes and backe and to kill or wound the horses of their enemies and that incase the Launces being in great squadrons or troupes should charge them that then they should presentlie cast about and flie in their little troupes and that they should disperse their troupes all ouer the large fieldes in such sort that the squadrons of launces should not well know which troupes to followe and that vpon the Launces pursuing of those troupes that other little troupes and societies should charge them againe both in backe and flankes and that with terrible shoutes and volees of quarrels and arrowes the Stradiots at the same time galloping in their troups by the hinder corners of the squadron should wound their horses with their Launcezagayas and giue them occasion to stay their pursuit to make head against them which if the Launces doo without disordering themselues then I would wish those troupes that charged the backe and flankes presently likewise to disperse and flie and that the other little troupes that they had followed before should vppon some extraordinarie shoute or hubabub whereto they should bee inured returne againe vppon them with new charges and volees both in backe and flankes with terrible shoutes and cries as aforesaid In such sort that although all the little troupes of Stradiots and shot doo not exceed the number of the launces in their great squadrons yet that their false charges should be such so many and so continuall in giuing their volees in frunt flankes and backe as that by continuall molesting of them they should put them in hazard to disorder themselues and disperse which if it shoulde happen then that the Stradiots should enter pelle melle amongest the Launces and striking both forwarde and backwarde with their Launces that haue double heades should kill or wounde their horses and so by the aduauntage of their weapons should doo execution vppon their Enemies to their vtter ouerthrow Now peraduenture some wil saie that there are no squadrons of Launces that wilbee without some companies of Carabins and Argolettiers or else of Reistres to succour them which should greatlie trouble the archers and Crosbowers to worke the effect before declared To the which I answer that I am perswaded that if the Stradiots archers and Crosbowers bee as many in number as the Launces and Argolettiers or Reistres that the Argolettiers or Reistres will bee of small succour to the Launces against those kindes of weapons but that they would vpon three or fower volees of quarrels and arrowes turne their backes and leaue the launces to defend themselues For Argolettiers or Reistres in true experience are not to discharge their peeces and work any effect aboue 6. 8. or 10. paces distant and yet that too farre considering the vncertentie of those weapons caused through the motion of their horses wheras Crosbowers and chiefelie archers may worke very certen and great effect to the mischiefe both of men and horses a great deale greater distance off which with diuers other reasons that for breuities sake I omit do perswade me to thinke that 2000. Carabins or Reistres are not able in the fielde to abide the charge and volee of 1000. stradiots Archers and Crosbowers Now the effectes that bandes of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke may worke against footmen vpon diuers opportunities are that they may giue their volees of quarrels and arrowes at randon into the squadron of piquers or into the winges or sleeues of shot to the disturbing and molesting of their orders and vpon the ouerthrow of horsmen or footmen be they armed men or shot the stradiots in following the chase may doo great execution and slaughter by striking both forward and backewarde with their double headed launces And these actions before declared are in mine opinion the chiefe effectes of those three sortes of weapons in corporated in bandes as aforesaid And thus hauing now finished all such instructions and aduertisements militarie as haue at this time fallen into my remembrance that doo concern the ordering forming and exercising of single bandes and companies aswell of horsemen as of footmen as also of reducing and sorming of squadrons into al the chiefe formes of battles â—y are requisit for armies to march or fight withal in the open fields with manie other important particularities I wil now with the helpe of Almightie God proceed to the setting downe of mine opinion how new bands and companies that should be elected and enrolled for defence of the Realme or for forren inuasion are to be elected inrolled armed and weaponed with diuers other particularities For as for the mustering of olde bandes that haue either serued long in Armies or in Garrisons they are matters so coÌ„mon in vse as it might be holden but for superfluous to set downe the orders and proceedings concerning the same considering that the most of all Warrelike Nations doo obserue
certen narrow stripes of serecloth or of maile to defend the Cutt of a sword and if that some of those extraordinarie battleaxes or halbarders were armed but only with burgonets and with short skirted Ierkins of buffe with a double buffe vpon their brests and the sleeues of their dou blets with stripes of maile or serecloth as aforesaid and their swordes and daggers worne after thâ—same sort as the piquers before mentioned I thinke it allowable But the staues of the halbards of such halbarders extraordinarie I would wish to be longer by a foote or a foote and a halfe or more then the armed and ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron that is of 7. foote and a halfe long or more because that they being to succor troupes and societies of loose shot or to do execution vppon diuers accidents as aforesaid and often times to fight with the enemy hand to hand and sometimes to encounter with two or three against one it is requisite that their halbards for their aduauntage in figâ—t should be longer then the ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron And incase that those halbards were lighter also theÌ„ the others that are for the squadron being of good strength it weare not amisse But whereas I haue before armed all the piquers and battleaxes ordinarie I meane that are to enter into squadron in Corslets complete and that contrariwise I do vnderstand that diuers of our Captaines of this time when they receaue any English bandes readie armed and furnished to serue withall either in Fraunce or the Lowe Countries and that the piquers of those bandes are deliuered vnto them armed in corslets complet all sauing gauntlets they presentlie giue or throw awaie all their pouldrons vambraces and tasses in such sorte as the soldiors doo remaine armed only with burgonets Collers Cuirasses and backes contrarie to all true discipline Certenly it seemeth vnto me verie strange that the lacke of Iudgement or rather the ignorance of this time in matters Militarie should be so great that they should contemne the arming of their shoulders armes handes and thighes and only seeke to guarde their brests bellies and backes in respect as I doo thinke that they would preserue only those their vital parts when it is verie well knowne by all experience Militarie that such as come to be wounded in their shoulders armes hands or thighes do oftentimes by such woundes come to be in their Enemies handes and mercie who many times vpon such aduauntages do put them to the sworde Besides that it is more then strange that such Captains do not censider that soldiors with their legges and thighes do march forward to incounter with their Enemies and with their shoulders armes and hands they do vse their weapons and fight with their Enemies whereas cotrariwise with their bellies and backs which they altogether seeke to guarde they do neither march forward against the enemies nor fight which is a great skorne and mockerie that some of the men of warre of this time should so imitate the French and Flemish fashions who of late yeares haue scarce remained one whole yeare in one order and manner of arming but haue still chaunged from fashion to fashion Howbeit such of our Captaines as do contemne the wearing of pouldrons vambraces gauntlets and tasses doo vainelie alledge for the reason and excuse of their so dooing that battles now a daies doo neuer come to ioine but that they doo onely fight in skirmish which is a verie vaine conceit and a friuolous excuse and contrarie to all reason and true experience of diuers battles that themselues may remember haue beene fought in France and in diuers other Countries within these few yeares considering that whensoeuer there are two Armies of Enemies in the field or two puissant powers of horsemen and footmen and that the one armie or power of them vpon any aduantage or conueniencie of ground espied shal resolue to giue battle or fight that the contrarie power or armie shall not be able to refuse the battle vnlesse they will turne their backs and betake themselues to their heeles and that by reason that armies when they are in march cannot assure themselues alwaies to find grounds of such aduantage and strength wherevpon the enemies resolution to fight they may suddenly intrench or incampe fortifie themselues Besides al which it is to be noted as Vigetius and diuers other ancient and more moderne notable historiographers do write that so long as the Romanes did obserue their ancient orders and discipline militarie they did preuaile against all other Nations but that assoone as they began through effeminacie to neglect the same and to leaue the couering and guarding of diuers partes of their bodies with armour in respect of the poise and heueth therof and other suâ—h important matters that presently their Empire began to decline in such sort as y e Gothes Vandals Hunnes other septrional Nations as also of later years the Arabians and the Sarasins did chieflie with weapons of volee ouerthrow them in many and manie battles wherof and of the contempt of their archery insued the losse of a great part of the Romain Empire and finallie vpon y e neglecting forgetting of the like discipline did likwise ensue y e vtter ruine of y e two notable christian Empires of Constantinople Trepisonda with diuers other christian Kingdoms And thus far concerning the apparelling arming weaponing of halbarders or battleaxes So as I haue now finished the apparelling arming and weaponing of all sortes of footemen by our Nation in these daies vsed and therfore I will God willing proceed to the apparelling arming weaponing and horsing of all such different sorts of horsmen as we now a daies doo vse with some other such sortes of horsemen also as I would wish should be in vse and exercise for the defence of the Crowne and Realme as also for any forren inuasion And therfore to begin with light horsmen such as in diuers shires of england we doo now vse armed with red or pied cappes and steele sculles within them and with Iackes and speares by some called Gads in stead of this rude kinde of arming as I account it ` I would wish that they should bee armed with burgonets or else with vpright morrions after the Spanish manner with collers cuirasses and backs and short tasses and with sleeues of maile and gauntlets or else gloues of maile in stead of gauntlets And to the intent they should bee the more easely fitly armed I would wish that they should be apparelled I mean in doublets Greigescoes in the very same sort as is before for armed men declared And as for their speares I would wish them to be of 18. foot long and those I would wish to bee so long because they might not only vse them to charge vpon their thighes but also that they might by taking and houlding them in the midst vse them in
both my worke and my selfe according to their Mydaslie iudgement But as Pindarus answered a king of Sparta it is one of the easiest things in the world to find fault Sed ecquid habent melius let them beware least in passing aboue the slipper and in correcting the shadowes of Apelles picture the boies that grinde collours laugh them not to scorne who so long as they hold their peace thinke them by their gaie and golden garmentes to be goodlie fellowes But leauing enuie to worke vpon hir owne intrailes setting light of the malice of detractors to you the honourable gentlemen of my Countrey for whose good I composed and imprinted these discourses and to whom with a sincere affection deuotion I coÌ„mend and present it I say and protest that if it may find at your handes that fauorable acceptance and friendlie allowance that I expect it shall and worke withal that desired effect that I hope it will I shal eesteeme my labours and trauels well imploied and my selfe for the same euerie waies abundantlie satisfied From my house at Badewe in Essex this first of May. 1594. Your louing friend Io. Smithe The Table of the chiefe matters that are conteined in this Booke HOw Captaines and their officers aswell of horsemen as of foâ—â—emeâ— should reduce their bands into their simple single order of ranks with diuers aduertisements concerning the same pag. 3. How the Captaines and officers are to teach their piquers to shoulder their piques pag. 5 How piquers should be taught by their captains and officers to aduaunce their piques and make a stand page 9 How all the piquers of a single band or squadron should carie all their piques vpon their right shoulder and not vpon their left page 10. How to forme a single band of 5. different sorts of weapons to march in the fieldes page 11 How Captains marching in their single order of rankes should double or triple all their rankes by right line or increase them by flaâ—kes with diuers other particularities pag 13. Where the ensignebearer droÌ„mers and phifers of a single band marching in their single order of rankes are to be placed pa. 18 How Ensignebearers ought to carrie their ensignes marching through a great Cittie or Towne pa. 19. How Ensignebearers should be armed pa. 19. Certaine particularities concerning a deputie Ensignebearer pa. 20 How Sergeants of bands should be armed and weaponed pa. 20 Vpon what licence a priuate band or squadron of horsmen and footmen being reduced into any forme are to disorder and breakâ— their rankes to go into their quarters to lodge pa. 22 How soldiors are to be taught by their Captains and officers to vpright their piques pa. 22 How piquers are to bee instructed by their Captains and officers to charge or receaue a charge of an other squadron of piquers pa. 23 How piquers should resist a charge of launces pa. 28 How piquers should receaue a charge of launces incase the Sergeant Maior or Captaines should thinke good to place any weapones of volâ—e before them pa. 29 In what sort harquebuziers or mosquâ—tiers are to discharge their peeces from vnder a squadron of piques pag. 29 A contrarie opinion to Mounseur de le Noüe pag. 32 How Captaines should cause their souldiors to make of flanke or of backe frunt pag. 35 The different waies and orders that are to bee vsed by Coronelâ— or Seargeant Maiors to forme squadrons al of piquers double as broad or a third part broder in frunt than by flankes pag 36 How a Sergeant Maior hauing reduced his squadron into forme should vppon any occasion make it broader in frunt and shorter by flanks pag. 42 Diuers waies and meanes for a Sergeant maior to place any ouerplus of broken rankes in pag. 42 How a Lord Marshal or Sergeant Maior their squadron beeing in fight should draw vp a sleeue of piquers to assaâ—le their enemies in flanke pag. 43 The squadron being formed how a Sergeant Maior shoulde make of either of the flankes frunt obseruing the same proportion in frunt number of ranks by flankes that they were before he made of flanke frunt pag. 44 The order that is to be taken by a Coronel if his squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of weapons of volee should happen in their march to come to a straight how they should march and passe through the same pag. 47 Where the Drommers and phifers are to bee placed the squadron marching forwards in the enemies Countrie the enemie beeing not in sight as also vpon the doubt of battle pag. 50 Wherevpon the squadron formed and marching forward the field peeces are to be placed and drawne pag. 54 Where the field peeces with their munitions are to be placed in marching thorough a straight pag. 55 Concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the caâ—iages and baggages in passing through a straight pag. 56 How to form a squadron of piquers iust square in number of men both by frunt and flankes with diuers particularities concerning the same pag. 57 How a sergeant maior hauing formed a iust square may vpon any occasion shorâ—en the same by flanke and inlarge them in frunt pag. 59 How a squadron of halbardes enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into foâ—me pag. 63 How to reduce an English armie of 28000. or 30000. horsmen and â—ootmen into forme of battle readie in all points to fight with the enemie pag. 65 The placing of the seuerall battles of the Arâ—ie pag. 67 Vpon what parts of the squadrons the men at Armes Dimilaunces Straâ—iots Archers and Crosbowers on horsbacke are to be placed pag. 71 How and where to arme the battels with field peeces pag. 74 How all the Cariages and baggages of the Armie should be placed in forme of a semicircle to guard the backe and Rereward of the whole Armie pa. 79 Where to reduce appoint and place the pioners of the whole Armâ—e pag. 81 Certen reasons alledged to prooue that a puâ—ssiant Armie that dooth consist of many thousands of armed footmen is of greater force being reduced into 5. 6. 7. or 8. battles then only into 3. great battles of vaunguard battle and Reregard according to the common vse pag. 86 The great aduauntages of a squadron of battleaxes enuironed about with 5. ranks of piquers against a squadron consisting altogither of piquers pa. 91 How to reduce and forme a battle of necessitie or extremitie betwixt 4. or 8 piques placed in square pag. 99 Diueâ—s causes and reasons to prooue that great bands of 500. vnder an ensigne are more conuenient for all seruices in the fielde then smal bandes of 150. pag. 100 An Example to prooue that great bandes of footmen are more requisite then small pag. 104 Concerning Ensignes and Ensignebearers of priuate bandes and squadrons of footmen as also concerning the Standard and Standardbearer of an Emperor or of a king pag. 128 Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be vsed vnto harquebuziers pâ—quers
feet And so in like maner the second third and fourth ranks so subsequentlie al the rest of the ranks must in al points perform the like shoulder their pikes one after another carry the butends of their piques 3. foot or more from the ground straight in discent towardes the right hams of the souldiors piquers marching before them euerie ranke beeing so euen in frunt that the butend of no piquers pique may preceed the one the other in the same ranke and so euen and straight by flanks that the butend of euerie piquers pique may be iust point and blanke towards the right hamme of the piquer preceding in the ranke before him And so they must al with great silence and with a graue and soldiorlike grace march But whereas in this place I doe instruct that all the soldiors of the first ranke and so subsequentlie of all the rest of the rankes one after another should first fall back with their right feet almost a foot behind their left to the intent that their piques should fall the more leisurely to their shoulders and that then all the soldiors of the first ranke at one instant should raise and lift vp their left feet about a handfull from the ground and letting them fall againe to the ground should march forward first with their right feet that instruction I doe giue partlie in respect that the same being orderlie performed as aforsaid it dooth giue a very comelie grace vnto the soldiors in their first beginning to march but chiefelie because that the leisurely falling backe of all the soldiors of the first ranke with their right feet to shoulder their piques and so subsequentlie of all the rest of the rankes one after another with the lifting vp also of their left feet about a hand full from the ground is a warning to euery hinder ranke presently to prepare themselues to march whereas by not performing the same or the like leisurely and soldiorlike warning vpon the stroke of the drum or briefe speeches pronounced as aforesaid it often commeth to passe that the soldiors of the second ranke are suddenlie and disorderly cast too great a distance behind the first ranke and so consequentlie all the rest of the rankes by the sudden shouldering of their piques and stepping forward of the first ranke And I doe further aduertise that the soldiors piquers of any priuate band marching in their single order of rankes doe in any wise obserue the distances of 16. or else 18. feet betwixt euerie rank ranke by flankes and 6. or else 7. feet betwixt euery soldior and soldior in frunt that is betwixt soldior and soldior in euery ranke And this in case the ground will permit them or otherwise that they do march in conuenient distances in frunt and by flanks according to the ground and occasion And in this place because I haue mentioned and touched the distances that ought to be obserued by a single band of piquers and other weapons marching in their simple and single order of ranks I thought it were a conuenient place also to handle and write at large of the many and different distances that ought to be obserued as well in frunt that is in euery ranke from frunt to backe as by flanks that is betwixt euery ranke and ranke not only by single bands but also by squadrons and battels for many purposes and that not onelie by footmen but also by horsmen of diuers different sortes of armour and weapons Howbeit considering that the same hath been briefelie touched although to no great purpose by some other writers of forreigne Nations And that if I should enter to write and discourse of those matters effectuallie it would require manie sheetes of paper and therefore would be very long and tedious to the Reader I thought good to ouerpasse those particularities as thinges very well knowne to all skilfull men of warre of all warlike nations and to proceed to other matters that doe require more particular instruction And that the rather because the many and different distances that are vppon diuers different causes and occasions to be obserued by horsemen as also by footmen are such and so many as they cannot bee expressed by writing but with verie great difficultie for that the same cannot bee particularlye set downe but by the measures of paces and halfe paces and by the measures of more and fewer feet of halfe feet and quarters of feet and other such measures which I thinke no man of any experience can possibly by writing rightlie expresse without failing or erring more or lesse And that by reason that sometimes single bandes are to march in open places where they haue roome inough to inlarge their ranks both in frunt and by flankes thereby to beautifie and giue grace vnto such companies And at other times they are to march thorow Citties and Townes where the narrownesse of the streats doe not giue them roome to inlarge themselues in their distances thereby to make the greater show at other times also bands are to march in the field readie to be reduced incorporated with other bands at which time they are to march more close in neerer distances both in frunt and by flanks And so likewise being incorporated into squadrons they are for diuers different purposes as somtimes for their greater ease to march to giue the greater show and to bewtifie the squadron they are to march in the rankes inlarged and at other times vpon the expecting of the enimie being not yet in sight or beeing in sight they are to straighten their rankes more or lesse or that vpon the neare approch of the Enemies squadrons of both horsmen and footmen they expect and doubt a charge of horsmen in frunt or flankes or both or that they themselues are with their piques to charge a contrarie squadron of footmen For al which and diuers other occasions and purposes they are to reforme themselues into diuers different distances And as piquers and short weapons either in single bands or reduced into squadrons are for diuers purposes to reforme themselues into such varietie of distances Euen so weapons of volee reduced into sleeues wings and other formes are to vse some of the like and other sorts of distances And as footmen are for such different causes and occasions to obserue such varietie of distances as aforesaid Euen so horsmen of diuers armors and weapons as men at Armes Dimilaunces Stradiots Reistres and other sorts of light horsemen are to reduce themselues into diuers different distances according to the effects and nature of their armors and weapons and are again to reforme themselues into other distances according to new occasions and directions sometimes for one purpose and sometimes for others All which variety different sorts of distances and many others are of very great difficulty to bee by writing rightly expressed in their iust and proportionate measures and yet y â— notwithstanding it is
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
in their rankes both in frunt and by flankes as close as they can possiblie march pace with pace and step with step as if they were one entire body carrying their piques with both their hands breasthigh all the points of the piques of the first rank of one euennesse equality not any one preceeding the other And so likewise the points of al the piques of the second third and fourth ranks carrying the like equalitie and euennesse but yet the points of euerie ranke of piques shorter and further distant almost by a yard from their enemies faces then the pointes of the ranke that doo preceed them And all those fower ranks marching or moouing forward together pace with pace and step with step carrying their piques firmly with both their hands brest high as aforsaid their points full in their enemies faces they doe altogether giue a puissant thrush the points of the first ranke of piques first lighting vpon the faces of the first ranke or rankes of their enemies and the points of the second third and fourth rankes subsequently in a manner all in an instant doe all one after another in such terrible sort light vpon the faces breasts and bodies of the formost rankes of the enimies that do stand still pushing and foining with their piques in their rankes opened and inlarged that they neuer giue them any leysure any waies to pull backe and recouer the vse of their piques to giue any new thrustes nor yet to close their ranks inlarged but doo ouerthrow disorder and breake them with as great facilitie as if they were but a flocke of geese as all men of right consideration and iudgement may easilie consider and see But after all this it may be that some very curious and not skilfull in actions of Armes may demand what the formost rankes of this well ordered and practised squadron before mentioned shall doo after they haue giuen their aforesaid puissant blows thrusts with their piques incase that they doo not at the first incountry ouerthrow and breake the contrary squadron of their enemies thervnto I say that the foremost rankes of the squadron hauing with the points of their piques lighted vppon the bare faces of the formost ranks of their enemies or vpon their Collers pouldrons quirasses tasses or disarmed parts of their thighes by which blowes giuen they haue either slaine ouerthrown or wounded those that they haue lighted vpon or that the points of their piques lighting vppon their armours haue glanced off and beyond them in such sort as by the nearnes of the formost ranks of their enemies before them they haue not spaceenough againe to thrust nor that by the nearnes of their fellowes ranks next behind them they haue any conuenient elbowe roome to pull backe their piques to giue a new thrust by meanes whereof they haue vtterly loste the vse of their piques they therfore must either presentlie let them fall to the ground as vnprofitable or else may with both their hands dart and throw them as farre forward into amongst the ranks of their enemies as they can to the intent by the length of them to trouble their ranks and presently in the twinkling of an eie or instant must draw their short arming swordes and daggers and giue a blow and thrust tearmed a halfe reuerse thrust all at and in one time at their faces And therewithall must presentlie in an instant with their daggers in their left hands thrust at the bottome of their enemies bellies vnder the lammes of their Cuyrasses or at any other disarmed parts In such sort as then al the ranks of the whol squadron one at the heeles of the other pressing in order forward doo with short weapons and with the force of their ranks closed seeke to wound open or beare ouer the rankes of their enemies to their vtter ruine At which time and action all the inner rankes of piques sauing the first 4. or 5. ranks can with their piques worke no effect by reason that the said 4. or 5. rankes before them being next to their enemies are so neare and close together that they cannot with any thrust vse the pointes of their piques against their said enemies without endangering or disordering their fellowes before them For which causes by al reason and experience militarie short staued long edged and short and strong pointed battleaxes or halbards of the length of 5. foot or 5. foot and a halfe in all their lengths at the vttermost in the hands of lustie and well armed soldiors that doo follow the first 5. rankes of piquers at the heeles doo both with blow at the head and thrust at the face worke wonderfull effects and doo carrie all to the ground By all which particularities before alleaged and declared I thinke it may be apparant to all such as are not obstinatelie ignorant that Battles and squadrons of piquers in the field when they doo incounter and charge one another are not by any reason or experience mylitarie to stand al day thrusting pushing and foining one at another as some doo most vainelie imagine but ought according to all experience with one puissant charge and thrush to enter and disorder wound open and break the one the other as is before at large declared And if all the piquers of a band or of diuers bands beeing reduced into any forme of squadron should be charged with a square or troupe of horsemen hauing their piques vprighted in the palâ—â—s of their hands and boults of their arms as abouesaid and the sergeant Maiors and Captains seeing the Launces ready to charge them they shuld then say vnto their piquers Straighten and close your ranks close couch your piques and make head which beeing by them pronounced al the soldiors in the first rank shuld close themselues in an instant in frunt and setting the but-ends of their piques vnder their right feet firmely to stay the endes of them from sliding they should hold their piques with their left hands about a yard and a quarter from the butends leaning their right knees strongly vpon their piques to keepe them the more firme should direct the points verie lowe towards the breasts of their enemies horses hauing all their short arming swords redie drawne in their right hands the points forward readie to kill or hogh any barbed horse or horses that by chance may breake the piques and enter And then the second ranke of piquers straightning and closing themselues in frunt should let fall the pointes of their piques towards their enemies and should ioine themselues close to the backe of the first ranke bearing their piques firmely with both their hands almost close to the vpper part of their breasts ouer the shoulders of the first ranke at all the conuenient length they may with the pointes towardes the faces of the enemies horses And the thirde fourth and fift rankes of piquers in the same sort should close and ioyne themselues close each one to the
backe and shoulders of the rankes before them And each one of those rankes should carrie their piques firmelie with both their handes ouer the shoulders of the ranks before them with the pointes of their piques full in the eies and faces of the horses and bodies of the horsemen And the sixth seuenth and all the rest of the backer rankes straightning and closing themselues as aforesaid should carry their piques vpright in the boultes of their armes but yet the pointes somewhat bending forward towards the enemie readie alwaies to fauour and succour the rankes before them And thus all the ranks of the whole squadron being vnited closed and in corporated as it were into one entire bodie should with mightie hand resist repulse any furious charge of horsemen But it is to be noted that in case the Sergeant Maior be disposed to reduce three rankes of Harquebâ—ziers or else two rankes of mosquetiers and those not too thicke before the frunt of the squadron of piques to the intent to giue a volee of shorte at the Launces approching then the piquers of the first ranke must not sette their piques vnder their right feet with their swords drawne as aforesaid but the saide two rankes of mosquetiers or the three rankes of harquebuziers seeing the Launces ready to charge them must very orderlie retire themselues almost close to the forefeete of the firste ranke of piquers and there falling vpon their right knees they must set their left elbowes vpon their left knees the more firmelie and steadilie to beare and discharge their mosquets or harguebuzes as from very steadie restes at the horses or horsemen comming in their Carrire within 10. or 12. or 15. paces And then the first ranke of piquers as also the second third and fourth must beare all their piques firmly abouehand close to the vpper parts of their breasts the pointes of their piques full in the breasts and faces of the horses and so must encouer and guard the shot vnder their piques and brauely repulse disorder the Launces Aduising all Conductors and leaders of mosquet shot that in this or the like action of arms before declared they do instruct giue order to al their mosquetiers to charge their mosquets with 5. or 6. round hailshot of war of the heigth of Reistres pistoll bullets which are called by the Spaniards Perdigones de guerra and that they do thrust betweene the powder and the hailshot some conuenient quantitie of browne or soft paper or something else to restraine and keepe the powder close together and then to put in the round haileshot of warre againe to thrust after the same a conuenient quantity of browne paper or something else to keepe the haileshot close together and to restraine both powder and shot in such sort as therby the powder may carry the haileshot the further and giue the greater blow which within 10. 15. or 20. paces is of great effect But in this case the mosquetiers must take great heed that they do not ouercharge their peeces with powder nor with aboue the nomber of .5 or .6 haileshott of warre at the most as aforesaid least that their peeces should break or recoile and so ouerthrow them to the trouble of the piquers from vnder whose piques they are to discharge their peeces And this manner of discharging of haileshot of warre by mosquetiers is for diuers times and places of seruice of great effect so as they giue no volee at the enemie aboue .20 paces at the furthest And I do furder aduertise that no musquetiers nor harquebuziers reduced vnder the guarde of a sqadron of piquers should giue any volee or volees of shot neither with full bullets nor with any haileshot of warre at anysquadron or troupe of Launces charging or approaching to charge neither .300 .200 nor yet .100 paces with intent to recharge againe and to giue a new volee Because that both by reason and experience the first volee either of mosquets or harquebuezes being charged as they ought to be either with haileshott of warre or full bullets and being giuen within .10 15. or 20. paces at the Launces comming in their Carrire to charge doth terrefie wound and kill more horses and men then 10. volees of musquets or harquebuzes giuen 300. 200. or 100 paces distant can do And this encouering of shot with piques abouesayd at my trayning of Maister Barringtons Maister Westons and Maister Maxeies bandes at Chelmesford this last sommer 1588. I did shewe vnto them and to their officers both by actuall demonstrations and reasons with diuers other perticularities appertaining both to horsemen and footmen But now whereas there be diuers that haue conceiued an opinion from the discourse of Mounser de la Noüe that incase there be any great ouerplus of harquebuze or mosquet shott more then a squadron of piquers that is without horsmen can encouer and guarde vnder their piques from the charge of a squadron or diuers squadroÌ„s of Launces that vpon that occasion they should be reduced into square and enuironed or empaâ—ed in frunt flanks and back with 6. or 7. rankes of piquers and that y â— Launces coÌ„ming in their squadrons to charge them in frunt in flanks or back y â— piquers closing themselues close in frunt flanks and backe and bending themselues forward with their piques to encouer and guarde certen musquetiers and harquebuziers placed before them as also to resist repulse a charge of horsemen that then the rankes of the aforsaid harquebuziers placed within the ranks of piques may giue a volee of shot ouer the piquers heads before them at so much of the bodies of the horsmen as do appeare aboue the heads of the piquers greatly to the danger and mischiefe of the Launces charging Certenlie I doo thinke that the opinionâ— of so sufficient a man of war and old soldior is no waies to be contemned but greatly to be regarded Howbeit when I come to consider that the same was neuer yet put in practise in any seruice of the field and therefore dooth rest but only in imagination I will with the helpe of almightie God to the intent that the true effect and effects of the same may be y â— more apparant alâ—edge diuers reasons wherefore in mine opinion the same can be no waies profitable but very dangerous to the whole squadron and of verie small or no annoiance to the Launces and my reasons are these First when a squadron of piques are to make head and resist a squadron of Launces comming in their Carrire to charge them they are to straighten and close themselues by frunt and flankes as close as they can making themselues as it were one entire body to y â— intent that they may the more fiâ—mely and strongly stand together with their piques bent to the encouering and guarding of the mosquetiers before them and to the resisting and repulsing of the horsmen which when the formost 7. rankes haue performed
make his frunt of pointing or directing with his warder March to yonder ground there auaunce your piques and make a pause and make of your right flanke frunt and reforme your distances according to discipline both by frunt and flankes or if he hath determined to make his frunt of the left flanke he may then say Make of your left flanke frunte and reforme your distances both by frunte and flankes according as he hath before determined either the one waies or the other to make his frunt which making of frunt either of the right or of the left flanke is to be vnderstood that they should turne their faces and weapons one of those waies which being by them performed then if they were 55. rankes and. 5. in euerie ranke in their marching they are now by making of their flanke frunt become 55. in frunt that is so many in euery ranke and by flanke only 5. rankes which aduancing of their piques and pause and making of flanke frunt by the first company or compertiment performed then he is to say to another compertiment of the like number of rankes by flanke be they of euen or od numbers it is importeth not so as he faile not in his great and generall account of the number of the rankes of the whole squadron by flanke or flankes March and double your selues by the backe of yonder conpertiment or companie and there 〈◊〉 make of flanke frunt as that companie hath done Which being by them preformed then persentlie but rather at the first the Coronelles Trompetter is to sound the doubling of their Companies into squadroÌ„ by back which being by all the companies or compertiments performed and reduced into their conuenient distances both by frunt and flankes according to discipline either to march or to fight then the Sergeant Maior may giue order and reduce vpon the flanks and corners of the squadron all the different sortes of weapons of volee into as many formes as he listeth of sleeues winges hearses troups c and may backe as many of them with light armed piquers and halbarders or battleaxes as the number or remnante of those weapons will giue them leaue And yet there is another order of forming of a Squadron by doubling and redoubling of the compertiments vpon the backe of the first compertiment which with diuers others because I do not allowe them for so good as these before sett downe I omitt and therefore proceeding to the third order of forming of a squadron by doubling the compertiments only by one flanke that is only either vpon the right or vpon the lefte flanke with diuers and sundrie particularities concerning the same I say that incase I had a regiment of 4000. footmen of diuers sorts of weapons as abouesayd and that I were disposed to reduce 2100. piquers into squadron of 55. in frunt 38. by flanks and that I thought good to make my compertiments altogether of like od nuÌ„bers as of 5. soldiors in euerie ranke from frunt to backe and the same of 38. rankes by flankes I would then deuide them into 11. compertiments of 5. in euery ranke throughout euery compertiment which vnited are 55. piquers in euery ranke and in number of rankes by flanks 38. euery which compertiment of 5. from frunt to backe coÌ„teining 190. soldiors the whole squadron consisting of 11. compertiments as aforesaid doth come to consist of 2090. soldiors the ouerplus which lacketh nomber to make a ranke and therefore to be tearmed a broken ranke 10. soldiors who are either to march and place themselues with the ranke of Ensignes or otherwise readie to be emploied as the Sergeant Maior shall thinke most conuenient Now hauing all these 11. compertiments in the field seperated from all the rest of the weapons and being disposed to reduce them presently into forme the Coronell or Sergeant Maior either leading them himselfe or pointing with his warder in his hand to the ground to y â— which they shal march vnto is to vse these briefe speaches or the like to the Captain that dooth lead the first band or compertimeÌ„t March vp to that ground there aduaÌ„ce your piques make a pause then presently after he is to say to the second band or compertiment March vp and double your selues by the left flanke of the first compertiment and so subsequently he is to commauÌ„d his trumpettor to sound as also otherwise to giue direction to the rest of the compertiments that they shall double themselues euery one vpon the left flanke of the other but after that he hath vsed the briefe speaches aforesaid to the two first compertiments then besides the sounds of the trompettor for the forming of the squadroÌ„ if he be not disposed to gallop with his horse by y e flank of the rest of y e compertiments y t are furder off behind and to vse the like speaches of doubling by flanks as aforesaid he may by certen signes that hee may vse to accustome his Captaines and officers vnto either with his hand or with his warder direct them to the doubling of their rankes by flankes as aforesaid which squadron with all the Ensignes guarded with their halbardes or battleaxes placed in the Centre or betwixt the 2. middle rankes of the same beeing by the Coronell or Sergeant Maior with so great facilitie perfourmed and by him and his officers straightlie lookt into that all their rankes as well in frunt as by flanke doo obserue their most conuenient and proportionate distaunces either to march or to fight he then may forme his sleeues wings squares hearsses and troups of harquebuziers Archers and mosquetiers and backe as many of them with the rest of the piques and battleaxes as the ground and the sayde remnant of those weapons wil giue them leaue or as the approching and coÌ„ming of the enemies shall giue them occasion Now as this squadron is formed altogether of compertiments of like od numbers so may the Sergeant Maior forme the very same squadron with compertiments of different odde numbers as with compertiments of â— and 7. or with compertiments of different euen and odde numbers as of 4. 5. and 6. so as they all vnited in frunt doo come to make 55. souldiors and by flanâ—e 38. ranks as is before declared which different particularities with many others concerning aswell the ordering of horsmen as footmen I haue set down by demonstration in a booke which I mean shortly to put in print entituled Certen military discourses and Arithmetical tables with diuers formes and demonstrations for a Lord Martiall or for a sergeant Maior to form squadrons and to reduce both horsmen and footmen into diuers and many forms of battles by me Composed 1585. or rather 1580. But now this foresaid squadron being reduced into the forme of 55. by frunt and 38. by flankes ouerplus a broken ranke of 10. souldiors as aforesaid if the Sergeant Maior vpon the comming of the enemie or vpon any other occasion shall thinke
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
again reduce themselues into the like formes of sleeues winges and troupes that they were vpon the forepart of the left flanke before they marched through the straight But it is to be noted that presently vpon the entring of the last compertiments of the forepart of the weapons of volee of the left flanke into the straight that the Sergeant Maior is to come to the frunt of the right flanke of the squadron if the same flanke be next vnto the passage and he is in briefe words to say Single 5. in a ranke throughout from frunt to backe and march after the last compertiment of shot through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine Auaunce your piques and make a pause Vppon which his direction the Captaine with his whole compertiment of 5. in a ranke from frunt to backe is to single the same from the rest of the squadron and to followe the shot and march into the straight vppon the separation and marching of which compertiment then the Sergeant Maior is to say to the Captain of the next compertiment Single your compertiments of 5. throughout and follow and march straight after the first compertiment through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine double your compertiment by the left flanke of the formost compertiment of piquers which compertiment being something separated and marching into the straight then vppon the same direction receaued by all the Captaines that are before the frunt of the rest of the compertiments as well by such briefe speaches as aforesaid as by the sound of the trompettor and drummes they are all subsequentlie and orderlie with their compertimentes to separate them and to followe one another by right line and as euerie one of those Captaines with their compertimentes haue marched one after another thorough the straight into the plaine so they are with all celeritie to reduce themselues by the left flanke the one of the other into the same form of squadron that they were before they entred into the straight and that is that the Captaine of the thirde compertiment of 5. in a ranke throughout as aforesaid seeing the seconde compertiment reduced and doubled by the lefte flanke of the firste Compertiment hee likewise is to reduce his compertiment by the lefte flanke of the seconde and so consequentlie the fourth fifth and all the reste of the compertiments are by their Captaines to bee lead and reduced by the left flanks the one of the other which being by them performed and the squadron reduced into the same forme of number of ranks of soldiors in euery ranke that it was before they entered into the straight then all the shot of the different weapons of volee that did march through the straight before the first compertiment of piquers I meane the one halfe of those that before they came to the straight did arme the forepartes of the right and left flankes of the squadron and now againe already before the squadron is altogether againe formed by their Captaines and officers reduced into the same formes vpon the foreparts of the right and left flankes of the squadron that they were before that they first separated themselues from the squadron and entred into the straight And euen as those different compertiments of shot did one after another orderly march through the straight and are now againe reduced and come into their first order as aforesaid So the different compertimentes of sleeues winges troups and other such like of different sorts of weapons of volee that did arme the right and left hinder flanks and corners of the squadron in the like order immediatly following the last compertiments of piquers through the straight are presentlie againe by their officers to be reduced into the like compertimentes and formes for the guard of both the hinder flanks and backe of the squadron that they were before the squadron did enter into the passage All which being performed and al the harquebuziers mosquetiers and halbarders that were sent to possesse the tops of both the sides of the passage being come downe into the plaine and reduced into such formes or otherwise employed as the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke most meet they may then begin againe to march forward Howbeit in this place it is further to be noted that the squadron marching forwarde in the enemies countrie the one halfe of the drummers are to bee placed vpon the frunt and the other halfe vpon the backe of the squadron and that during the time they march the enemie being not in sight but vpon the sight and approch of the enemy and doubt of battle then vpon that occasion all the drummers phifers y ◠did march in the frunt back of the squadrō must presently reduce themselues the one halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of the right flank of y ◠squadron the other halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of y ◠left flank of the squadron I meane more towards al the 4. corners of the squadrō vpon both flanks then towards the midst of those flankes because that all their different strokes of direction may bee the better heard and vnderstood aswell in frunt and backe as flanks And the cause wherefore I woulde haue no drummers placed in the frunt of a squadron vppon the occasion of battle is that they should bee no impediment to the piquers through the greatnesse of those instruments to vse their piques nor vnto mosquetiers nor harguebuziers in case that any vpon any occasion should be reduced vnder the guard of the frunt of the piques to vse their mosquets or harquebuzes Besides that I would neuer permit vpon any occasion that any drummes or at the most aboue one drummer and a phifer should march in the midst of the squadron with the rank of Ensignes because that the greatnesse of them would be an impediment to the ranks to close themselues by frunt and flankes as vppon some occasions they ought to doo But heere it is furder to be noted that the squadron being againe reduced into forme and marching forward in the enemies Countrie and finding the ground in diuers partes as they march of that nature y t they cannot march in squadron formed and hauing great intelligence by discouerers and espialles that the enemie is not so neere hand as that by reason and discipline military they ought to keepe themselues in squadron then they ought according to the bredth or frunt of their squadron to deuide the whole squadron into as few and as great compertiments of number of soldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe as the grounds or passages will giue them leaue that by the greatnesse of their compertiments they may a great deale the sooner reduce and forme their squadron againe vpon any sudden or great Alarum As for example If the squadron were double as broad in frunt as by flankes as of 60. in frunt and 30. by flankes then the Coronell
or Sergeant Maior may presentlie command the whole squadron to be deuided into 6. compertiments of 10. souldiors in euery ranke from frunt to back throughout euery compertiment or if the ground be of that nature that in some places there cannot passe aboue 7. or 8. souldiors in frunt then he may deuide his whole squadron into â— compertiments that is of 4. compertiments of 7. in euery ranke and the other 4. compertiments of 8. souldiors in euery ranke throughout euery compertiment and by flanks that is in length from frunt to backe euery compertiment of 30. ranks the Ensigns alwaies placed betwixt two of the middlemost ranks of euerie compertiment or of so many of the compertiments as shalbe requisit All which compertiments vpon intelligence or discouery of the enemies approching may in any conuenient ground be presently incorporated and reduced by flank or flanks into the same form of squadron that it was at the first forming of the same or into any other forme that the Coronell or Sergeant Maior shall thinke most requisit by any one of the same orders of reducementes that I haue before very particularly set downe And it is furder to be obserued that the said squadron marching in the open fields with sleeues wings troups of weapons of volee belonging to the same should euer at certen times make certen pauses aswel to the intent to ease themselues and take breath because that armed men or mosquetiers with their heauy furniture or the soldiors of any other weapon cannot possibly continue any long march without such pauses and staies as also that if anie dismarch or disorder hath hapned in their ranks forms or orders the same may be presently againe reformed and redressed And the like pauses and staies are to bee made by bands of horsmen for the same coÌ„sideration causes But now peraduenture some that may read this place of my booke may say that I forgot in this place to write of horsmen aswell where they should be placed in the field either vpon the flankes or corners of the compertiments of diuers sortes of weapons of volee reduced into their orders as also in marching through the straight whether they should march halfe before and halfe behind or otherwise Wherevnto I answer that it were impertinent to this place considering that here I doo but only shew how a Regiment of 4000. footmen vnder their coronels Captaines and officers without any bandes of horsmen should be reduced into diuers formes aswell to march as to fight as also to passe through a passage or straight and being passed through the same howe againe to reduce themselues into forme that by the ordering forming and marching of this squadron and regiment as aforsaid all such as doo professe armes and that doo not knowe how squadrons of footmen should bee formed may by that which I haue before set downe see consider and obserue how any squadron of a great deale greater or smaller numbers may diuers waies be reduced into form although in troth bands and squadrons of horsemen are to bee reduced into forme or diuers formes euen after the verie same order and sort that bandes and squadrons of footmen are But yet something to satisfie such as shall reade this my booke I will by the helpe of Almightie God in some places more conuenient of these discourses make mention and set downe diuers verie important particularities concerning the ordering fourming and employing of bandes squadrons and diuers other formes of horsemen of sundrie sortes of armous and weapons But now peraduenture some will with more reason furder demand where the baggages and carriages of the Regiment that I haue not hithervnto mentioned shoulde bee placed in marching through the straight and how the same should be guarded as also where the field peeces of the same regiment if there be any shuld be placed vpon the squadron formed and in what conuenient place or places they should be with their horâ—es or oxen drawne and go through the said straights Whervnto I say that incase there were 8. field peeces belonging to the Regiment that is 4. fawcons of the Caliuer of 5. pound the bullet and 4. fawconets of the Caliuer of 3. pound the bullet I would then vpon the squadron formed and marching forward that 2. peeces viz one fawcon and one fawconet should with their horses be drawn vppon the flanke or side of the squadron betwixt the sleeues of the weapons of volee and the squadron I mean vpon the forepart of the right flanke and so likewise another fawcon and fawconet to be drawne by the hinder part of the same flanke likewise betwixt the weapons of volee and the squadron and euen in the same manner in the like places order and sort I would haue the other 4. fawcons and fawconets to be drawn vpon the left flanks of the squadron ready vppon all occasions to be drawne forward and placed the 4. formost that were vppon the formost right and left flanke of the squadron somewhat distant or wide from the 2. forecorners of the squadron or vpon some occasions vpon the very frunt of the same squadron readie to be discharged at the enemie approching and so likewise the 4. peeces that are drawne by the hinder flankes of the squadron are readie likewise to be placed vpon the frunt or both the corners of the back or rereward of the same square incase that the squadron vpon any accident or comming of the Enemie should make of back frunt And heere it is to bee noted that all these 8. field peeces must bee accompanied with their gonners officers and all other their assistants with some numbers of pioners and with all kind of thinges and Instruments belonging to them as bullets ladles rammers and other such like as also with a large and sufficient quantitie of good powder well guarded by some number of halbarders and archers from the danger of fire Howbeit vpon the occasion of marching through a straight as aforesaid then I would that 4. of these field peeces with their powder bullets and all other thinges requisite should vpoÌ„ their carriages be drawen with their horses conducted by their Carters gonners and pioners and guarded and accompanied as aforesaid iust betwixte the last troupes and compertiments of weapons of volee and the first compertiment of piques and so likewise that the other 4. field peeces that did before march vpon both the hinder flankes of the squadron should vnder the conduction of their gonners and assistants as aforesaid with their powder bullets and al other things necessarie march through the straight in Rereward iust betwixt the hindermost compertiment of piquers and before the formost troupe or compertiment of the weapons of volee that did and are againe to arme the hinder partes of both the flankes of the said squadron and those 8. peeces marching in the order and sort as aforesaid are most readie againe vpon the whole Regiment being past through the straightes and the
reducing againe of the same into the forme of squadron first aboue set downe to be placed and drawne as they were at the first before the regiment entered into the straights But incase that the Coronell being entered into the straights should doubte to be assailed by the enemie either in vauntguard or in Rereward then hee ought to place a couple of fawcons or of fawconets either in frunt or in backe as he doubteth to be assailed with some conuenient quantitie of powder and bullets and other thinges necessarie strongly guarded and accompanied with some numbers of archers light armed piquers and halbarders as also some mosequtiers so that those soldiors of weapons of fire do not come too neare the powder belonging to those field peeces and in y ◠sort those 2. field peeces are to be drawne by their horses and accompanied with their gonners pioners and guardes of diuers sorts of weapons as aforesaid in frunt and backe according to the occasion And now concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the cariages and baggages of the Regiment I meane for the passing through the straight for the placing and marching whereof it is first to be considered whether they expect or doubt the enemie more in frunt and vauntgard when they shall be passing or passed through the straight or in backe and Rereward when they are entring entered into the straight or that they doubt to be assailed both in vauntgard and Rereward Now if in case they doubt to be assailed by the enemie in Rereward then the Coronell is to commande all the carriages and baggages to be placed in the midst of the weapons of volee y ◠are in vauntgard with some conuenient numbers of light armed piquers and halbarders for y e better guard of the same but in case that they doubt to be assailed in vauntgard and not in Rereward then they are to place the cariages in the midst of the short of the Rereward accompanied with some light armed piquers and halbarders as aforesaid But if they doubt to be assailed both in vauntguard and Rereward then the Coronell is to commaund all the cariages and baggages to be placed in the midst betwixte al the compertiments of piquers I meane the one halfe of the piquers before and y ◠other halfe behind the carriages euerie Carre or waggon hauing two harquebuziers or archers for y ◠guard of them Howbeit here it is to be noted that the carriages of the chiefe substance of the powder that doth belong to the Regiment be they waggons or Carres that do carrie the same do with their officers Carters and pyoners march either formost of all the rest of the Carriages or else hindermost of them all or else vpon some occasions halfe before and halfe behind as the Coronell vpon any occasion shall thinke most conuenient but in any wise a conuenient waie distant from all the rest of the carriages and that the same carriages of powder be well accompanied with some good numbers of archers and halbarders but with no harquebuziers nor mosquetiers thereby to auoid all accidents of fire Also euerie Wagō or Carre ought to haue a couer of the hides or skinnes of buffes made of such largenesse that the same may couer all the barrels of powder from wet as also that such couers of buffe wil resist the force and furie of all kind of bals and other inuentions of artificiall fires and wilde fire which peculiar property the skins of those beasts haue aboue all others And now as I haue very particularly shewed howe a squadron of 2100. should be reduced into form in diuers different sortes and that the same squadron consisting of 2100. armed men piquers is now last of all reduced into 60. souldiors in frunt which is intended in euery rank frō frunt to back and 35. soldiors by flank which is to be vnderstood 35. ranks which proportion of squadron is broder in number of piquers in frunt then long by flanks by more then a third part which by most Sergeants Maiors is esteemed to bee of a great deale greater aduauntage to fight for diuers causes and reasons which heere I omit then any iust squadrons of armed men are by reason that squadrons that are iust square in number of men that is as many piquers by flank as in frunt are accounted to bee out of proportion and that in respect that such squadrons are a great deale longer by flankes then broade in frunt because that the distaunces betwixt ranke and ranke bee it either to march or fight are a great deale more then they are betwixt euery soldior and soldior in frunt which is to bee vnderstood in euerie ranke So to satisfie such as would vnderstand of the forming of a iust squadron of piquers I meane a iust square of like numbers of men in frunt flankes and backe as aforesaid and not a iust square in ground I would take 6600. piquers which number I would command y ◠sergeant Maior Maior to draw out of 4. of 5. regiments to reduce them into 12. compertiments euery cōpertiment of 5. in frunt 60. by flanks which maketh iust 300. piquers in euery compertiment al which 12. cōpertiments of 300. piquers in euery compertiment beeing reduced into squadron either by doubling those compertiments by back or by flank or flanks or any other waies as I haue before very particularlie set downe doo come to be a iust squadron of 60. piquers by frunt flankes and backe ouerplus not any one souldior And this kind of iust square of armed men by frunt flankes and backe hath beene holden by some men of warre and yet is to be the most strong and puissant kind of squadron of all others in respect that the number of rankes by flanks are equall with the number of souldiors in frunt and backe whereof ensueth say they vppon the ioyning of two squadrons and a battle well fought that commonlie many of the souldiors of the first rankes are either ouerthrowne wounded or slain in the place vpon which accidents the souldiors that are in the next rankes directlie behind them are presently to bestride them I meane to stand ouer and defend them if they be but wounded and if they be slaine then to take their places and so subsequentlie euery hinder ranke to fill vp the ranke before them so as only the hinder ranks shal come to diminish and lacke number by the supplying and filling vp of the former ranks By meanes of which entring of souldiors out of the hinder rankes still to fill vppe the formost rankes for the causes aforesaid the opinion of some men of warre hath been and is that a iust squadron of armed men is of more resistance and annoyance against the enemie then a broad squadron in frunt and shorter by flankes is I meane both the one squadron and the other being neere about one number of souldiors Besides all
which it may bee alleaged that such iust squadrons in frunt flankes and backe are more ready vppon any sudden vnlooked for occasion and comming of the Enemie to make of any of both the flankes frunt with a conuenient breadth then a squadron that is broad in frunt and narrow by flankes is able to performe by reason that the iust squadron hath no more to doo but to make of one of the flanks frunt by turning their faces and weapons that waies and to reforme their distaunces by frunt and flankes whereas the broad squadron to make of flanke frunt must not onely doo the like but also must draw out a great sort of rankes from the contrary flanke and draw them vp to the head of that flanke that is nowe made frunt and also reforme themselues in their distances by frunt and flanke with diuers other particularities by me at large before set downe But incase that the sergeant Maior when he hath fourmed this iust square of men and not of ground as aforesaid shall vpon any occasion thinke it requisite to inlarge the same squadron in frunt that is to increase euery rank from frunt to back with some conuenient number of soldiors and to shorten the same squadron by flanke that is to make fewer rankes then hee may with great celeritie and dexteritie draw out as many rankes from the back or rereward as hee shall see requisite to inlarge the frunt withall and draw them vp by one of the flankes But because the squadron commeth to be shortned by flanks by so many rankes as the Sergeant Maior hath drawne out from the backe or Rereward and therfore that there shal remaine an ouerplus of broken rankes more then at one time can be drawne vp by flankes as aforesaid the sergeant Maior then must consider whether the numbers of the piquers of those broken ranks be sufficient to increase one ranke more by backe And incase there doo lacke number to performe the same then hee is to consider whether the numbers of the piquers of those broken rankes will serue to increase euery ranke one souldior or more by flanke which is to be vnderstood from frunt to backe and as he may with those broken rankes best performe either the one or the other he is to doo the same But incase that the Sergeant Maior shall see that the armed men of those broken ranks doo lacke number to performe as well that by flanke as the other by backe as aforesaid hee then is to place them in the ranke of Ensignes or otherwise to employ them in other seruices as he shall thinke most requisite The particularities of all which with many more I haue before set downe at large and therefore it were superfluous to particular the same againe And now as I haue formed this foresaid battle and iust square of 60. piquers in frunt flanks and backe which in all do amount to 6600. men with diuers other requisite matters Euen so by the like orders of reducement If a Lord Marshall or a Sergeant Maior Maior haue 4000. or 5000. yea or 10000. or more or fewer piquers to reduce into one bodie of squadron hee may reduce them into a battle of a thirde part broader in frunt then by flanks or double as broad or more in frunt then by flankes or otherwise as he thinketh most conuenient As for example If he haue 5355. piquers and that hee woulde reduce them all into one squadron double as broad or more by frunt then by flankes as of 105. piquers in frunt and but of 51. rankes by flankes and that hee would reduce his squadron into form by compertiments throughout of 5. in a ranke he shall then finde that 21. compertimentes reduced into squadron by flanke or flankes as aforesaid will forme that squadron of 105. piquers in euerie rank from frunt to backe and of 51. ranks by flankes Or if the Sergeant Maior be disposed to forme the same squadron of the like number of 5355. piquers with greater compertiments as of 7. in euery compertiment throughout from frunt to back that thereby he may form his squadron with the fewer compertimentes hee may then command all the Captains or leaders of the piquers to reduce euery one of their compertimentes into 7. in a rank throughout from frunt to back and then he shal find that 15. such compertiments or diuisions of 7. in a ranke throughout euery compertiment reduced into squadron either by the flanks the one of the other or by both flanks subsequently al at one time as I haue in the beginning of this proiect of squadrons very particularlie declared doo make iust 105. piquers in frunt and 51. rankes by flanke which is more then double as broad in frunt then long by flankes But because peraduenture there are some professing armes not knowing how squadrons should be fourmed that will imagine that it is a matter of farre greater difficultie to forme a squadron of 10000. or 12000. piquers or of greater numbers then of 3000. or 4000. Therevnto I say that the orders and waies of reducing of 3000. or 4000. or of 10000. or any greater numbers into one bodie of squadron is all one sauing that the compertimentes or diuisions of piquers or of piquers and short weapons to forme great squadrons must be longer by flankes then the compertimentes of small squadrons are and therefore whereas the number of piquers of one bande or companie are sufficient to make a compleat compertiment of number of piquers by frunt as of 5. 6. 7. or any such euen or odde numbers not exceding 10. or 11. as also of numbers of rankes conuenient by flanks to beginne the squadron withall and that so likewise the piquers of other such single bandes are able to performe the like beeing reduced by the flankes the one of the other as aforesaid whereof it shoulde come to passe that such small squadrons should bee composed of the compertiments of single bands by themselues yet great squadrons or battles double as broad in frunt as long by flankes or iust squares or any other formes must bee composed of compertimentes although of like numbers in frunt as aforesaide yet much longer by flankes which to performe because no one band haue piquers enough to maâ—e a compertiment of so great a number as is requisite with celeritie to forme so great a squadron the Sergeant Maior in that case is to commaund the piquers of 2. bandes presentlie to bee reduced into one compertiment and so likewise of other bandes to the intent that by such great compertiments he may with the more celeritie forme his squadron in such sort as if a Lorde Marshall or a Sergeant Maior Maior were disposed to forme and reduce his squadron of 10000. or 12000. piquers or any greater or smaller numbers into one squadron or battle and that hee would forme the same double as broad by frunt as long by flankes hee may by the like order of reducing of compertimentes of greater numbers
by flanks performe the same with as great facilitie as hee did in the reducing of the other squadrons of smaller numbers with the compertiments of single bands into forme And therfore if a Sergeant Maior Maior would forme one battle of aboue 10000. piquers and that hee would make them double as broad or more in frunt then long by flankes As for example of 143. in frunt and of 71. rankes by flankes he is first to consider how many compertiments of euen and od numbers wil make that frunt and he shall find that 17. compertiments of 8. souldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe and of 71. rankes by flankes in euery compertiment reduced into squadron by flanke or flankes as I haue verie particularlie in my first forming of squadrons before declared doo make y ◠squadron in frunt 136. souldiors and then drawing vppe another compertiment of odde number as of 7. souldiors in euerie ranke throughout the whole compertimente from frunt to back in all are 17. compertiments of euen numbers of 8. and one of 7. which are odde which in all are 18. compertiments All which diuisions reduced into squadron by flankes as aforesaid the whole squadron so formed dooth come to be of 143. souldiors in frunt and 71. rankes by flankes which in all doo make 10153. souldiors But now whereas all these squadrons before reduced and described do consist only of piquers with a few halbardiers for the guard of the Ensignes which hath bene altogeather vsed of late yeares by the Italians Spanyards in respect as I haue heard them say that such squadrons all of one weapon are mor readilie reduced into squadron then of two different weapons and therewithall more beawtifull and terrible in the sight of the Enemie in shewe through the equalitie of the length of the piques then if there were many rankes of short weapons within the piques which through the shortnes of the weapons would make the squadron to shewe vnto the Enemie as though there were a voide place without any soldiors in the midst of the piques Yet because many yeares past I haue in Fraunce seene the Sergeants Maiors of the Suissers reduce certen rankes of halbardiers within their piques thereby according to discipline to strengthen their battles aswell against the charges of horsmen as against squadrons of footmen piquers I will here with the helpe of Almightie God sett downe and shew how a squadron of halbardiers or battleaxes inuironed or impaled about with 5. rankes of piquiers in frunt flanks and backe should be reduced into a squadron broader by a third parte in frunt and backe then long by flankes which is to be performed in this sort following that is Incase that I haue .1500 armed battleaxes or halbardiers and that I were disposed to reduce them into .50 in frunt and .30 by flankes and that I would deuide that whole number into .10 compertiments of .5 battleaxes in euery ranke throughout euery compertiment so as euery compertiment from frunt to backe should containe 150. battleaxes Or that I were disposed to commaund the .1500 battleaxes to be reduced into .5 compertiments of 10. souldiors in euery ranke throughout euerie compertiment from frunt to backe that is of 300. souldiors in euery compertiment the same being by the captaines and officers performed I then appointing the ground where I would make the frunt of the squadron would command the Captaines or leaders of euery compertiment either of .5 if the compertiments be all of .5 or of .10 if they be of .10 soldiors throughout euerie compertiment to march vp the one by the flanke of the other vntill they come all to make one equall frunt in their iust proportionate distances from frunt to backe which being performed then I would commaund two compertiments all of piquers each one of them of .150 marching .5 in a ranke to be drawne vp the one compertiment of .150 close by the right flanke of the battleaxes and the other compertiment of the like number in like sort close by the left flanke of the battleaxes vntill the formost rankes of both those compertiments of piquers vpō both flanks be of equal frunt with the frunt of the battleaxes and their last ranke equall with the last ranke of the battleaxes which being performed then of 50. battleaxes that they were in frunt before now by the conioining and reducing of those 2. compertiments of piquers vpon the two flankes as aforesaid the squadron is come to be of 60. soldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe which performed then would I commaund 300. piquers reduced into 60. rankes of 5. in euery ranke to be drawne close by the frunt of the squadron of battleaxes piquers before reduced euen from the one flanke and corner to the other And at the very same instant I would command 60 ranks of piquers more of 5. in euery ranke to be drawne close by the backe and Rereward of the same squadron which being performed then aswell the 60. ranks of piquers 5. in a ranke in frunt as the 60. ranks of piquers 5. in a ranke in backe are either vpon the sound of the trumpet or the stroake of drummes to tourne their faces and weapons and to make of flanke frunt I meane that waies that the squadron of battleaxes and the piquers on the flankes do make frunt and therewithall presently to reforme themselues in their distances so as of 60. rankes of 5. in euerie ranke that the same compertiment of piquers that was reduced in frunt was before it is now by making of flanke frunt as aforsaid become to be of 5. rankes of 60. soldiors in euery ranke And so likewise the aforesaid compertiments of the like number of 300. piquers of 5. in euery ranke reduced vpon the backe of the squadron by making of flanke frunt towards the squadron of battleaxes and piquers are now likewise become to be 5. rankes by flanke and 60. in euerie ranke All which being performed the squadron of battleaxes dooth come to be enuironed or empaled with 5. rankes of piquers in frunt flankes and back the whole squadron conteining in frunt 60. soldiors by flanks 40. rankes And now this squadron being thus formed then would I reduce all the different sortes of weapons of volee into their most conuenient forms of forlorn hopes of sleeues of winges of hearses of troupes and other formes according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of weapon and as the comming of the enemie should require or as the ground or groundes woulde permit hauing therewithall regard as wel to arme the backe or rereward of the squadron with weapons of volee as to arme the frunt and flanks And as I haue very particularly shewed how a squadron of Halbardiers or battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into the forme aboue described and therewithall said that the same should be armed in frunt flankes and back with weapons of volee of diuers sorts so
would I if I had conuenient numbers of horsemen of diuers armors and weapons arme the same squadron and sleeues wings of weapons of volee with horsemen in their due most conuenient places and formes But because I doo thinke that it shall be a farre greater instruction for such Gentlemen of our Nation as doo not know and yet are willing and desirous to learne how diuers squadrons or battles of footemen with their weapons of volee and field peeces ought to bee armed with many hearses squares and troupes of horsemen of diuers sorts of armors and weapons and those conueniently placed in the large and open fieldes to giue battle and fight with the Enemie with their moste aduauntage then to place onelye one squadron of footemen with their Weapons of volee and to arme the same with horsemen of diuers sortes I doo for example say that if there were in the enemies Countrey 28000. or 30000. horsmen footmen of our English Nation well sorted armed weaponed and exercised according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of weapon And that the same Armie of 28000. did consist of the different weapons and numbers vnder written that is of 4500 piquers 8500. battleaxes or halbardiers of 10000. weapons of volee of the which I would haue 7000. good archers 1500. mosquetiers and 1500. harquebuziers Of horsemen also I woulde haue 5000. of the which there should be 240. men at Armes 480. Dimilaunces 1680. Stradiots 1300. archers on horsebacke and 1300. crosbowers on horsebacke and all those aswell horsemen as footmen sorted and deuided into their different proportions and numbers vnder their standards Enâ—ignes pennons and Guydons as also vnder their Coronels Captaines Conductors and other higher and lower men of charge and officers and that I were by the commandement and appointment of the Lord Lieutenant Generall to giue order and reduce the said Armie into a forme of battle as if it were presentlie to fight with the enemie I would then take of those 8500. battleaxes or halbardiers 6000. and out of the 4500. piquers I would take 3600. and would deuide and reduce all those numbers of piquers and battleaxes into 3. battles that is into a vauntguard a battle a Reregard or rather into foure battles that is into a vauntgard a battle and a Reregard and into a fourth which I would tearme and call by the name of an a Rereregardrereward euery one of which foure battles should consist of 1500. armed halbardiers or battleaxes and of 900. armed piquers which are iust 2400. piquers and battleaxes in each battle And as for the ouerplus of the whole number of the halbardiers or battleaxes which in all doo amount to 2500. as also the ouerplus of the piquers which are 900. none of both which numbers are to enter into the squadrons afore mentioned I would reserue to be employed in such other seruices as heereafter shall be mentioned And I would that each one of the said 4. battles should conteine 60. souldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe and 40. rankes by flanks And that all the battleaxes should bee enuironed and empaled in frunt flankes and backe with 5. rankes of piquers euen in the very same forme and sort that I haue before particulerlie reduced and formed the laste squadron before described But because diuers squadrons being reduced into form in the open fields where battles most conueniently are to be fought are to be placed in diuers sorts as sometimes all in a manner of one equall frunt with their sleeues and winges and other formes of weapons of volee and sometimes also the vauntgard aduaunced a good distance before and nearer to the enemie then the battle and Reregard who are in winges more retired ready vppon all needfull occasions to succour and aide the foremost battle And at other times the vauntgard and Reregard aduaunced beyond and nearer to the enemie then the principall battle which remaineth either in wing retired or otherwise placed according to the nature of the ground and comming of the enemy or according to some other order and commandement of the Generall readie vpon all occasions to succour the other two battles that are ready to enter into fight So would I place those foresaid 4. battles in this sort following First I would place the vauntgard and Reregard both of one equall frunt but yet so farre distant the one from the other as that there might be ground place enough betwixt them to reduce so many troupes sleeues wings and other formes of all the different sorts of weapons of volee footmen belonging to those two battles as ought to bee according to the disposition of the ground and comming of the Enemie reduced and placed vppon the outer flanks and corners of those 2. battles And I would that of the 2500. halbardiers before reserued and not placed one thousand deuided into 2. partes of 500. halbardiers in each part should be placed in many little societies and troupes of ten halbardiers in euery societie some in guard of the field peeces belonging to those two battles and all the rest behind in Rereward at the backes of the troupes and winges of the weapons of volee ready vpon any occasion to succour them and to annoy the enemie I meane that the said 1000. halbarders deuided into 2. parts of 500. in each part that the one 500. deuided and placed in their little troupes as aforesaid should bee for the succour and guard of the weapons of volee of the vaungard and the other 500. should be for the succor guard of the weapons of volee of the Rereguard which performed then would I place the other two squadrons of battle and a Rereregardrereward in two wings but not so farre forward as the hindermost rankes of the two formost battles by 150. paces or more with all theyr different sortes of weapons of volee reduced into their most conuenient formes with one thousand Halbardiers also taken out of the 1500. yet remaining vnplaced equallie deuided 500. to each battle for the guard of the field peeces and succor of the weapons of volee as is before more at large set downe And those twoe hindermost battles I would also place of one equall frunt that is the one as farre forward as the other but so farre seperated and distant the one from the other and so farre without and in winge the one on the right hande and the other on the lefte hand of the two foremost battles as that all the different sortes of weapons of volee belonging to the two inner flankes of those two hindermost squadrons might not onelie haue roome inough to bee reduced into their most conuenient formes according to the nature different dispositions and effects of euery sort of them but also in such sort as that both those two hindermost battles with all their weapons of volee might without any impediment of the two formost battles and their wepons of volee or of any their hearses
troupes or squares of horsmen haue the comming of the enemies battles and squares and troupes of horsmen so apparant and cleare in their sightes as that they might succour and aide the said two formost battles vpon all needfull and requisit occasions and causes All which reducements of those foresaid 4. battles being by the Coronels Sergeant Maiors Captaines and other officers with great order and celeritie perfourmed then I hauing such conuenient numbers of men at arms of dimilaunces of Stradiots of Archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke as are before particularlie set downe to arme the flankes of the aforesaid foure battles I would first giue order that the 240. men at Armes shoulde bee deuided into 4. winges that is into 60. men at Armes in each wing euery which number of 60. men at Armes I would reduce either into 3. rankes of 20. in euery ranke or else into 4. rankes of 15. in euerie ranke and woulde place two of those hearses or broade squares of men at Armes the one euen by flanke and right ouer againste the middest of the right flanke of the vauntguarde and the other broad square or hearse of men at Armes in like sort euen by flanke and right ouer against the middest of the lefte flanke of the Reregard And so likewise in the very same order I would place the other two broad squares of men at Armes the one by flanke right ouer against the midst of the right flanke of the principall battle and the other broad square by flanke right ouer against the middest of the left flanke of the a Rereregardrereward But yet it is to be vnderstood by this before written that I would place all those 4. hearses or broad squares of men at Armes so farre distaunt in winge from all the flankes of those foresaid 4. Battles and so farre wide and cleare from all the Sleeues Winges and Troupes of the Weapons of Volee footemen as that those hearses of men at Armes might vppon all good occasions offered giue a charge vppon the Enemie bee they horsemen or footmen without any waies troubling the Weapons of volee or receiuing any trouble or let by the Weapons of Volee to giue their charges with great order And therewithal that vpon their charges giuen they may retire to giue new charges without disordering their owne weapons of volee or any waies troubling the rankes of their owne squadrons of armed footmen The dimilaunces also belonging to those men at Arms which according to discipline ought to bee in number double as manie as the men at Armes which is that the men at Armes being 240. the dimilaunces ought to bee 480. which number 480. Launces I would deuide into 4. broad squares or hearses of 120. in euerie hearse euerie which number of 120. dimilaunces I woulde reduce either â—nto 4. rankes of 30. in euery ranke or else into 5. rankes of 24. Launces in euery ranke and woulde place two of those winges the one by flanke in a manner euen with the right flank of the hearse or wing of the men at Armes reduced vpon the right flank of the vauntgard and the other wing of dimilaunces in a manner euen by flanke with the left flanke of the wing of the men at armes that are reduced vpon the left flanke of the reregard But yet both those two winges of dimilaunces I would place a little aduaunced more forward then the winges of the men at Armes and so farre distant by flanke from both the foresaide winges of the men at Armes as that there might be ground and roome enough betwixt them for sixe little troupes or societies I meane two troupes or societies of archers on horsebacke and 4. troupes of Crosbowers on horsebacke of 10. in euerie societie to place themselues in their troups in conuenient distances separated and oblique each one troupe from the other readie vpon any charge by the Launces or men at Armes giuen or vnto them by the Enemie offered to galloppe by the flankes of the Launces or of the men at Armes but somthing more backe and in Rereward of them and to giue their volees of quarrels and arrowes at the enemie before the Launces or men at Armes should come to ioine and shocke with the enemies horsmen or charge their footmen or otherwise to giue their volees at any squadrons or troupes of horsmen or footmen according to any other order and commandement vnto them by their superiors giuen And in like sort as I haue placed those 2. winges of dimilaunces with their troupes of Crosbowers and archers on horsbacke betwixt them and the flankes of the 2. formoste winges of men at Armes as aforesaid Euen so would I in the verie same sort place the other two winges of dimilaunces of 120. in each winge reduced either into 4 rankes of 30. in euerie ranke or else into 5. rankes of 24 in euery ranke almost euen and right ouer against sauing a little more aduanced forward then the flankes of the two hindermost winges of the men at Armes that are reduced the one vpon the right flanke of the principall battle and the other vpon the left flanke of the a Rereregard-Rereward with the like numbers of troupes or societies of Crosbowers archers on horsbacke betwixt them euerie little troupe of those weapons of volee seperated and oblique in distances the one from the other as are reduced and placed betwixt the flankes of the. 4. â—ormost winges of men at armes and dimilaunces All which with great order being performed then of al y â— rest of the numbers of Stradiots of archers on horsbake and Crosbowers on horsbacke which in all do amount to 4040. I would take out 60. stradiots 40. Crosbowers 40. archers on horsebacke which are in all 140. horsemen which numbers I would reserue for such other employments as hereafter shalbe mentioned and would deuide the rest which in all are 3900. stradiots Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke into 3. diuisions or parts that is into 1300. in each diuision in euerie which 1300. I would there should be like numbers of euery one of those 3. foresaid different sorts of weapons or as neare thereabouts as they could be deuided which done then would I appoint one of those 3. partes of different sorts of light horsemen which are in number 1300. to arme the right flanke of the winge of dimilaunces that are vpoÌ„ the right flanke of the men at Armes which do arme the righte flanke of the vauntgard And I would giue order to all the Captaines Conductors of al the aforesaid light horsemen men of the first 1300. that they should deuide and reduce all the numbers of their stradiots of Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke into little troupes and societies of tennes fifteens in euerie troupe and that euerie societie and troupe should be of distincte and like weapons by themselues and that euerie one of those societies should be lead by the heads and chiefe of their societies that all
place the like numbers of 3. fawcons and one fawconet in the like distances wide and aduanced furder forwarde then the left corner of the same battle by thâ— like number of paces with their gonners and all their aides and other thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded also with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And as I haue now armed the frunt of the said vaungard with the number of field peeces before planted so would I arme the fruntes of the other 3. battles of Reregard of maine battle and of a Rereregardrereward before placed and described each battle with the like numbers of field peeces planted in like distaunces from the frunt and corners of them well guarded also with Halbardiers as aforesaid And although the backs and Reregards of all those 4 battles should not need to bee armed with any fielde peeces as it shall bee within fewe lines heereafter apparant by the rest which I will set downe concerning those matters yet to arme those 4. battles in the greatest perfection that I can I would place vpon euery corner of the backs and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles two fawcons and one fawconet in like distaunces of paces that I haue before placed the field peeces from the corners of the frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles But heere it is to bee noted that although diuers great Captaines that haue bin commanders and leaders of armies haue alwaies accouÌ„ted Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds their bullets and other peeces from 10. poundes downewards to Robinets of one pound to bee in the number of fielde peeces yet I to arme any battle with field peeces in the open fieldes would vse no peeces aboue the heigth of fawcons of 6. pounds the bullets and no smaller peeces then fawconets of 3. pounds the bullets vnlesse it were some Robinets of one pound the bullet and those mounted vpon carriages after the manner of Germanie light and easie to be drawne and readie vpon the suddaine by the Gonners to bee turned euery waies And the causes wherefore I would vse no peeces of any greater heigth for the field are that to vse Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds the bullets in the fielde such peeces I say doo require more Horses or Oxen to drawe them and men to manage them then Fawconets of 3. poundes or Fawcons of 6. poundes doo which ouerplus and greater numbers of Horses or Oxen of draught doo vpon the remoouing of those horses or oxen and drawing them backe when the peeces are planted giue a great deale more impediment and trouble not onely to the Gonners and their aydes but also to â—he sleeues winges and troupes of the weapons of Volee that are reduced on the flankes and Corners of squadrons then the small number of horses belonging to fawconets of three pounds or Fawcons of 6. pounds doo Also Armies sometimes in marching in the open and plaine fieldes doo light vpon sandie and such other softish and yeelding groundes where either vppon the drawing or discharging of Sakers of 10. or 12. poundes the bullets their Wheeles doo sinke so deepe into the ground that oftentimes they giue great impediment and let to the Gonners and their aides to manage and vse them vpon diuers needefull occasions besides that vppon their discharginges theâ— worke no greater effect against the Enemie then such Fawcons and fawconets as aforesaid doo Also it is further to be noted that I would neuer place aboue the number of 8. field peeces by the flanks or corners of any battle nor vnder the number of 4. I meane that I woulde neuer place aboue 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet and those in conuenient distances wide from the right Corner of the Battle and 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide and in like distaunces from the left frunt and corner of the same Battle or at the fewest 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the one Corner and 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide in the like distaunce from the other Corner of the fame Battle and that in respect that too manie fielde peeces beeing drawen and marching vppon the flankes of squadrons to the intent to bee planted as abouesaid vppon the day of battle are for diuers causes and vppon diuers accidentes of farre greater impedimentes and trouble then any waies profitable to their owne Squadrons Also it is further to bee noted that I woulde neuer place any Fielde peeces directlie before the frunt of anie Squadrons or Battailes vnlesse I thought our forces in the field to bee much inferiour in strength to the Enemy because that peeces so planted would be a great impediment vnto the battles marching forwarde to incounter with the enemie by reason that such squadrons should be compelled by such peeces so planted to open break their rankes and to disorder themselues which is a matter of great danger the Enemie being in sight or neere at hand And now hauing armed all the aforesaid 4. battles with field peeces in their most fitte and conuenient places there resteth to shew what should become of the Cariages and baggages of the Campe as also where the ouerplus of the horsemen and footmen that are not yet placed ought to be emploied The Carriages of all Armies and Camps do consist of two sorts the one sorte that are publique as of treasure and pay for the Armie of great quantitie of powder both for great and small shot of armor and weapon of Artillerie as of Cannons Culuerings demy Cannons demy Culuerings Sakers and other smaller pieces with all things belonging vnto them of diuers sorts of victuall of prouision of pieces maniable also as of Curriers of warre of mosquets harquebuzes and other such pieces with all things belonging vnto them of bowes sheafes of arrowes and Crosbowes gaffles and quarrells with piques halbardes targets Launces Launcezagaies and all other sorts of armors and weapons both offensiue and defensiue with boates also to make bridges ouer riuers all thinges appertaining vnto them And to be briefe of many other munitions prouisions al which being publique for the vse of the whole Armie or Campe are vnder the charge of the Maister of the Ordinaunce And as for the other Carriages and baggages that are priuate they are such as do belong vnto Cheistaines Coronells Captaines and other higher and lower men of charge and officers and to be short to all the soldiors of the Army that haue any thing to be caried All which priuate Cariages also are vnder the Maister of the Ordinance his commaundement and Order Now all the aforesaid most important publique Carriages that do belong to the Army and Campe I would that the Maister of the Ordinaunce and his officers and substitutes should reduce as neare as he can possiblie into a square with such coÌ„uenient distances betwixt euerie rowe of carriages carriages as they might not be any impedimeÌ„t nor let the one to the other neither in marching nor in staing and pawsing And
I would that the treasure should be caried either vpon mulets or horses or rather vpon close couered waggons after the manner of Germanie and those carriages placed towardes the midst of the square on the right hande and that the waggons or Carts that do carrie the cheife substance of the powder should be placed also towardes the midst of the square on the left hand and that both those sorts of carriages should bee very strongly guarded with good numbers of halbardiers and that all the great ordinance of batterie and artillery with powder and bullets and all other things belonging vnto them should be placed and drawen with their horses or oxen aswell vpon the frunt and backe as vpon the outer flankes and sides of the same square And I would that all the rest of the carriages should be reduced into 2. 3. or 4. ranks in the forme of a Rainebow a semicircle or halfe round at the back of the most important publique cariages which are beâ—ore reduced into square in such sort as that the midst of the halfe round should be directly behind and verie neere the foresaid square of Cariages and that both the endes of the semicircle should be so farre extended and drawn into a great Compasse circular that the right ende thereof should haue right ouer against the left flanke corner of the same but a good distance wide the hinder part of the right flanke of the principall battle and that the lefte end of the same halfe round should aâ—so haue right ouer against the right flanke and corner but a good distance wide the hinder part of the left flank of the a Rereregardrereward and that in such sort as that semicircle or halfe round of Cariages might seeme as it were to halfe compasse and embrace the backes and Rerewards of all the 4 battles and their weapons of volee which Reducement of Cariages being performed I would then take the 500. halbardiers and the 900. piquers which at the first forming of the 4. battles were reserued and not any where placed and would also either from the beginning reserue vnplaced or at least would drawe 400. archers 400. harquebuziers and. 400. mosquetiers out of the 7000. archers and the. 3000. harquebuziers and mosquetiers which are reduced and placed in many sleeues winges troupes and other formes vpon the flankes Corners and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles and would deuide all the aforesaid 900. piquers 500. halbadiers and 12000. wepons of volee of different sorts into 4. parts 3. parts of the which being reduced into diuers squares and troupes I would should be reduced vpon the backe and both the Corners of the semicircle with certen fawconetts and Robynets for the guard of the backe and ends of the semicircle of Cariages and therewithall would also place many of 〈◊〉 the harquebuziers and mosquetiers aforesaid vpon diuers of the Carriages themselues that from thence vpon any approach of the Enemie they might discharge their peeces at them to their terror and mischiefe Now as for the fourth part and diuision of the weapons aforesaid I would they should be placed in many hearses and troupes vpon the frunts and flankes of the aforesaid square of carriages as also vpon the ynner parts and corners of the halfe round And as for the 140. stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horsebacke I would that 100. of them should be placed vnder their Conductors in diuers little troupes societies vpon the backe and Rereward of the halfe round for the more sure guarde of the same and the rest which are 40. light hor-men I would that they being deuided in their litle troups and societies should be for the guarde of the inner parte of the semicircle or else that the Enemies Army being in frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles that 20. of those light horsmen vnder a sufficient Conductor should serue for discouerers on the right hand of the whole Armie and that the other 20. light horsmen vnder the like Conductor should discouer on the left hand whether there were any vnlooked for troupes of the enemie approching and thereof to giue aduertisement to the Generall of the Armie or to the Lord Marshall And now all these reducements before set downe being performed It is to be noted that for so puissant an Armie as this of 28000. horsemen and footmen of our English Nation is there cannot be fewer then 4000. pioners and labourers besides the waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe aswel for the leuelling plaining of groundes where the Armie and artillerie shal passe as also for the fortefying of Campes and approching of places fortefied with trenches Crosse trenches and gabions and for the making of mounts and working in mines and infinite other thinges appertaining to the Armie and Campe which 4000. labourers and pioners I would vpon the day of battle appoint and place in this sort following First I would that besides their spades shouelles and mattocks which they should haue alwaies by them readie to performe any labour or worke to them appointed by their Captaines and Conductors that euerie one of them should haue a good halbard or blacke bill with a good dagger either hanging before them or vppon their Girdles at their backes And so I would likewise that all the Waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe should bee appointed with the like weapons alwaies vppon their cariages readie vppon any occasion for them to take and vse or else that euery sort of them should haue such other weapons as they haue most skill to handle And of the pioners and labourers I would appoint some conuenient numbers to bee with the field peeces that were placed vppon the fruntes and corners of all the 4. battles to helpe to remoue turne and mannage them Also I would take 1600. more of those pioners and labourers and would deuide them into 4. diuisions or parts of 400. in euery diuision vnder their Captaines Leaders and would appoint euery one of those 4. partes deuided into their societies of tens to attend vpon the aforesaid 4. battles and that they should be placed at the backs and in Rereward of the societies of halbardiers that are in Rereward of the weapons of volee of the 4. battles readie to cut any trenches or to perform any other commandment vnto them giuen as also vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie with their blacke Bils or other weapons to follow the Chase and doo execution vpon the Enemie flying as the souldiors halbardiers placed at the backes of the weapons of volee ought to doo because that according to right discipline vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie it is not any waies lawfull for battles and squadrons of footmen to breake their rankes and orders to the intent to follow the Chase And as for all the rest of the 4000. labourers and pioners I would place them deuided vnder their Captaines and leaders aswel for the gard of the aforesaid square and
halfe round of cariages as for the keeping of the Cariages in order and repairing and mending of the wheeles and other thinges of the Ordinance or of Carts and waggons broken And now hauing reduced and placed all the aforesaid 4. battles with their forlorn hopes sleeues wings troups and other formes of weapons of volee in their most conuenient places and therewithall armed them with conuenient numbers of field peeces and reduced and placed all the horsmen of diuers different sortes of armors and weapons in their most conuenient formes for the annoiance of the Enemie and for the aiding and succouring the one of the other vppon all needefull occasions and accidents and therewithall placed all the Cariages of the Armie and Campe in the forme of a halfe round and semicircle with a square of cariages in the midst or bosome thereof for the guard of the Rerewards and backs of all the 4. battles and all those cariages in their forms guarded with diuers different sorts of weapons both of horsemen and footmen accompanied with small field peeces to make head against and resist al attempts either of horsmen or footmen And all this to the intent presently vpon the approach of the Enemy that is now in sight to giue battle Then I would wish according to the auncient vse of many Warlike Nations to the intent that it might please Almightie God to prosper this Armie with victorie that vpon the sound of the Lord Lieutenants trompet for the displaieng of the standard Royall of the Army to the intent to giue battle the Enemie being in sight and approching all the souldiors should be instructed and taught long before to say this short praier following or some other to the like effect O Almightie Eternall and incomprehensible God we most humblie beseech thy diuine Maiestie to giue vnto vs all courage force and victorie to the glorie of thy holy Name And this said praier I would wish to be said vpon the sight of the Enemies battles by all the squadrons of armed footmen and by all the sleeues and winges of the souldiors of weapons of volee vpon their knees in their Rankes as they stand And that all the horsmen of euery sort of weapon should on horseback vse the same or the like short praier And therewithall I thought good furder to aduertise that those squadrons being so formed or in any other sort to the intent to giue battle to the Enemie all the soldiors piquers and halbardiers should be instructed and taught long before that it is not lawfull nor sufferable for any of the souldiors of any ranke reduced into forme of battle when vpon the very neere approch of the enemies squadron they haue vprighted their piques to the intent with the points of them to charge or receiue a charge of their Enemies be they either horsemen or footmen so much as once to turne their faces to looke behind them And to the intent that they may bee the more terrified from any waies turning their faces to look backe which doth argue feare they are to be instructed according to discipline that it shall bee lawfull for the souldiors of euerie Ranke to wound or kill any souldior or souldiors of the ranke before them vppon the turning of their faces and bodies to looke backe and the same is to bee performed euen from the verie first to the last rankes And this instruction is to be obserued to y e intent to make all the soldiors of a squadron formed to keepe their weapons faces eies and braue countinaunces towardes their Enemies without shewing any suspicion or so much as one tittle of feare But now after my describing verie particularlie and at large this said Armie reduced into the forme formes aforesaid to the intent that thereby all Gentlemen affected to matters of armes and souldiors may with great facilitie vnderstand mine intention and meaning it may bee that some gentlemen not experienced in matters of armes will in reading this my proiect imagine that the reducement and forming of an armie into diuers battles and other formes dooth appertaine onely to the Lorde Lieutenant Generall or to the Lord high Marshall of the armie and that the same should be performed onley by one of them one peece after another And that they peraduenture may imagine the rather because I in my foresaid reducing and forming of y e armie by way of discourse doe write and say that first I would reduce and place the vaungard then the Reregard and then the other two battles and the Weapons of volee and after the horsemen of diuers sorts of armors and Weapons in this sort and in that sort with many other particularities and circumstances Vnto which their misimaginations I say that it is not one mans worke although it were Iulius Caesar himselfe to reduce a whole armie into diuers forms of battle with celeritie when they are to march in the enimies Countrey or to fight with the Enemie but that the same must be of necessitie perfourmed by diuers Chiefetains and higher and lower officers of the armie And yet that notwithstanding it is not possible to perfourme the same with art celeritie and Discipline vnlesse the direction and order thereof doo proceede either from the onely mouth of the Chiefetaine of the armie or from the Lorde high Marshall or some other chiefe Officer by them appointed And therefore it dooth behooue which of them soeuer dooth giue the order to haue the forme and formes of all the battles squares and troupes as well of horsemen as of footemen with the scituation and nature of the ground and groundes and many other particularities in his memorie and head and that in so great perfection as if hee with his eies did at that instant behold and see the whole armie in the field reduced into all his intended formes And therefore to perfourme the same it is the ordinarie vse of all skilfull Chieftaines of armies and Lorde Marshals when they haue concluded and resolued with themselues by the aduise of their Councell into what forme and formes the whole armie shall bee reduced to march or to fight to call and assemble before them the Chiefetaines of all the horsemen and footmen the maister of the Ordinance the Sergeant Maior generall the maister of the Campe and such other men of office and charge as hee thinketh requisite and there giueth order vnto them from point to point concerning y â— dislodging and ordering of al those most important affaires which being by him performed they presently do resort euerie one to their owne charges and doo giue order to their Lieutenants to their Sergeant Maiors Captaines and all other officers vnto whom the execution of those affaires and actions doo appertain for the performance of al those reducements and orders that they haue receiued of the Chiefetaine of the armie or from the Lord Marshall which doone then all the Captaines both of horsmen and footmen and all their officers doo with
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
do know so much as one letter vpon the book but that he may by guesse forme such a squadron which kind of forming or rather deforming of squadrons in troth is called of all antiquitie to make a squadron or battle of extremitie and necessity when vpon the sudden and vnlooked for approch and neare comming of the enemie through the fault and negligence of the scouts discouerers they are forced in the place of assemblie in their Campe to make of necessitie vertue that is for lacke of time to reduce their squadrons into forme of like numbers of souldiors in euery ranke and into their iust and proportionate distances both by frunt flanks according to discipline to form a confused squadron of different numbers of soldiors into crooked ranks and vncerten and confused distances into the void ground or place that is within 4. 8. or 12. or more piquers placed in square as abouesaid in the place of assembly of their Campe which kind of disordered battles of extremitie are no waies able by any reason Military to encounter and abide the charge of a squadron of the like number of piquers reduced into forme according to discipline that is of like numbers of soldiors in euerie ranke from frunt to backe and in their euen and proportionate distances in frunt and by flankes and therefore being alwaies ready with great order and facilitie to incorporate and close themselues by frunt and flankes may without any waies troubling the one the other nor intricating their piques nor rankes mannage and vse their piques with great dexteritie and charge and ouerthrow such a confused multitude or battle of extremitie that are in vncerten numbers in their ranks and in as vncerten and confused distances which causeth disequality and crookednesse of rankes and therefore cannot possibly close themselues in frunt and by flankes in any order forme and strength nor mannage and vse their piques without confounding and intricating their piques with their fellowes piques to the great aduantage of their enemies well formed squadron and their own most certen ruine Besides all which it is not possible for such a disordered squadron to march in the fields with any order nor according to discipline to performe diuers other effectes belonging to well ordered squadrons in the fielde as all skilful and expert Sergeants Maiors and men of warre of experience and iudgement doo verie well know Wherfore I come to conclude that such disordered battles of necessitie and extremitie are neuer to bee vsed but vppon a suddaine and vnlooked for comming of the enemie through the negligence of the scoutes discouerers or Centinelles as aforesaid And therefore now I proceed to diuers other very important and requisit matters Militarie That great bands of 500. vnder an Ensigne are mor◠connenient for al seruices in the field then smal bands of 150. IN this place before I proceede any further I thought good to notifie vnto all such as shall read these my instructions that my opinion is y ◠great bands of footmen of 500. souldiours to euery Ensigne according to the ancient and moderne vse of Germany when they doo inuade or resist and make head against y ◠Turk are more conuenient and a great deale better as well for the princes sauing of many paies of Captaines and officers as also for the more speedie forming of great battles or squadrons with dexteritie celeritie then smal bands of 150. are who in respect of the many Captaines and officers are a farre greater charge vnto the prince as aforesaid as also through the smalnesse and great number of their compertiments or diuisions of diuers different sorts of weapons a great deale more slow and vnfit to be reduced into great battles or squadrons then great bāds are which mine opinion because I haue fortified and proued the same with certen examples many reasons in my booke of discourses which I set foorth and caused to be printed 1590. and yet that the same hath beene by certen apassionate Gentlemen with many malicious and vaine words void of all reason militarie denied in certen malicious libelling pamphlets by them in written hande in many places dispersed contrary to all ciuilitie and profession militarie I wil againe in this place rehearse set downe a part of that which is conteined in my foresaid booke of discourses and wil fortefie the same with such reasons and examples as any man that is of any discretion may manifestlie see the great ignorance and lacke of skill of those that doo thinke that many small compertiments of piquers and of weapons of volee may be assoon brought into any forme of battle with sleeues winges forlorne hopes c as great bandes of 500. that do consist of great compertiments of different sorts of weapons may And therefore the words of my booke of discourses to proue my foresaid proiect are in a manner verbatim these following When the great Princes of Germanie vppon any occasion or iniury offred are disposed to make Warre one against another or vpon an imperiall army assembled to inuade or resist the Turk beeing bounde as they are by their Tenures Militarie to the Empire some to finde Horsemen and others to finde footemen at their owne charges they then vppon such occasions haue alwaies vsed and doo still vse to forme their Regiments of footmen into great bands of 500. to an Ensigne that they vse especiallie for two causes the one thereby in their regimentes and so consequentlie in their whole Armies to saue the pay of a great sort of Captaines Lieutenantes of bands Ensignbearers and other officers which would be greatly increased so amount to a far greater charge and pay incase they should compose smaller bandes of 200. or 150. or vnder that number The other cause that doth moue them to forme their bands so great is that their Militia consisting of harquebuziers mosquetiers piquers and some halbarders with a few slathe swords for the guard of their Ensignes that those sorts of weapons by reason of the greatnesse of the bands being in great compertiments and diuisions may be the more readilie and easilie drawne out and seperated and with a great deale more celeritie incorporated with the other great compertimentes of like weapons of other great bands to forme their squadrons with sleeues winges troupes and forlorne hopes according to the order and direction of their Coronels and Sergeantes Maiors then if their bands were smaller either of 200. or 150. or vnder that number whereby the Compertiments of weapons should be also the smaller and therby in number the greater and so consequently would require a much longer time not only to drawe out but also to incorporate compertimentes with compertimentes for the forming of battles with sleeues winges and forlorne hopes as aforesaid Besides that such great bands both by reason and experience are as readie and a great deale more ready to bee emploied either in whole companies vnder their Captains and Lieutenants or
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
charges that hang vpon band rolles as many doo vse Because that oftetimes the couers of such charges doo flie off and shed the powder in such sort as the mosquetiers if they be not olde souldiors or wel practised doo sometimes thinke that they charge their peeces out of such bandrol charges when the powder was spilt before so as sometimes they put in their bullets into their peeces without any powder And I would that euerie societie or fellowship of 10. mosquetiers should haue one great mould to cast 2. sortes of bullets the one full bullets and the other 2. or 3. bores smaller to charge vpon some occasion with the more celeritie Also that the same mould should bee so long and bigge as it should be able to cast at one time 8. haileshot of warre besides the bullettes which haileshot of Warre should be of the heigth and Caliuer of small pistoll bullets And this great moulde with a melting pan and lead and all other thinges belonging to the same should be for the common vse of the whole societie of 10. mosquetiers as the like pan and mould and other thinges which I for breuities sake did omit should be for the common vse of euerie societie of 10. harquebuziers And yet it doth behooue the societies aswell of mosquetiers as of harquebuziers to haue some priuate mouldes for bullets besides their common and publike mould And thus far concerning mosquetiers And now to armed men piquers The arming doublets and greygescâ—es for armed men piquers I haue before described and therefore I proceed to the arming and weaponing of them as followeth I would haue all the piquers armed with burgonets of good depth wel lined and stuffed for the easinesse of their heads and tied with a red skarfe vnder their chinnes and that they should not wear them flapping open vntied as I haue seene many of our Mosquetiers and armed men heere at home doo Also I would haue them armed with collers of a good size with backes and with cuyrats not too flat but somthing high vpon the stomachs that they may easily in any hastie march fetch their breaths the belly or lower part of the Cuirasses I would haue to bee lowe and rather somthing flat then any thing riâ—ing or high because they may hauing their vambraces on the more easily put their hands to their swords without any impediment of y e ouermuch heigth of the lower parts or bellies of their Cuirasses Also I would haue them to haue tasses to y e mid thigh not too broad but of conuenient length and breadth comely and fit for their greygescoes Also I would haue them to haue pouldrons of a good compasse and size and vambraces both ioined together and not asunder because that the poise of the pouldrons and vambraces hanging vpon the pinnes and springes of their collars they doo not weigh so much nor are not so wearisom as when they are separated and that they weare their vambrases tied with pointes to their doublets vnder their pouldrons Also I would that al armed men should weare gauntlets as the armed men piquers Italians and Spaniards doo and not to be bare and disarmed handed as our English and some other Nations of late years haue vsed because that any smal wound receiued vpon y e hands doth presently make such souldiors impotent and vnable to vse their weapons that haue receiued such woundes although they be but small Their swords their daggers and their girdles I haue before particularlie set down how and in what sort I would haue them to weare them Their piques also I would wish them all to bee of the length of 18. foote and neither longer nor shorter for the causes in my former instructions and discourses mentioned as also conteined in my Booke of certen Discourses printed 1590. and that they shoulde haue verie good and foure square heads of good temper and lowe armed with long cheeks and in y e midst couered or armed with black lether or black vellure or with some other such thing and y e they should not be too great nor heauie in wood that thereby the souldiors may carrie them and mannage them with ease Also I would that the staues of the piques should bee of a tite and stiffe ashe and not of ashe that dooth sagge and bend when the piquers doo carrie their piques breast high before hand couched because that such sagging and bending ashe although it be verie tough yet it is more heauie then the other ashe besides that the piquers cannot carry the 〈◊〉 of such sagging and bending piques so euen and straight in their Enemies faces as they may carrie the other piques that doo not bend nor sagge but are tite and straight And thus farre concerning armed men piquers And now to batâ—leaxes or halbarders The election choice and inrolment of souldiors with battleaxes or halbarders I would wish to bee of the taller and stronger sort of men and that al the halbarders or battleaxes that should be to enter into squadron should bee apparelled and armed in Corslets in all points and peeces of armour like vnto the piquers before mentioned and yet if those halbarders or battleaxes in stead of pouldrons and vambraces did weare sleeues of good reueted maile that might couer all their shoulders and armes euen from vnder their Collers breasts and backes to the verie Gauntlets considering that by the good defence and easinesse of such sleeues of maile they might mannage their halbards the better I would for my part allowe them for verie well armed although I woulde that the piquers because they are the formost rankes should bee in any wise armed with pouldrons vambraces and gauntlets as aforesaid and not with any sleeues of maile Also I would that the halbarders should weare their swords and daggers of the same length and in the verie same sort that I haue appointed the armed men piquers But their halbardes or battleaxes I would haue to be strong and of good waight with long straight edges with good piques backward and strong pointes of conuenient length but in no wise too long forward and that they should for the strengthning of them be armed with two cheekes downe the staffe of a soote and more long and that such battleaxes or halbardes for the squadron should not be aboue 6. foot long from the top of the points to the lowest end of the little iron hoopes commonly called the Feralles of their staues Also I would haue certen other halbardes that should be incorporated in euerie band of archers and likewise of harquebuziers who should serâ—e vpon diuers occasions to doo execution vpon the enemie And those Halbarders I would haue them called extraordinarie because they are not for the squadron And those I would haue to be armed only with burgonets with collers verie light Cuirasses and backes and without any tasses and in stead of pouldrons vambrases and gauntlets the sleeues of their doublets I meane within the fustian striped with
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
odd numbers as also of like euen numbers How a SergeaÌ„t Maior hauing reduced his squadron into forme should vpon any occasion make it broder in frunt and shorter by flanke Diuers wayes and means for a Sergeant Maior to place anie ouerplus of broken rankes How a Loâ— Marshall or a Sergeant Maior their squadron being in fight should draw vp a sleeue of Piquers to assaile their enemies in flanke The squadron being formed how a Sergeant Maior should make of either of the flankes frunt obseruing the same proportion in frunt and nomber of ranks by flanks that they were before he made of flanke frunt It is not lawfull for any other officers of the fielde to passe on horsebacke athwart the ranks of a squadron reduced into any forme but onely the Lieutenant General the Lord Marshall or the sergeant Maior maior of an Armie but yet it is lawfull â—or a Corâ—nel or Sergeant Maior to passe on horsebacke a thwart y â— rankes of any band or squadrâ—n that is of their owne Regiment not any other Captain nor officer How the Ensigne bearers of the first part of the squadroÌ„ that made of flank frunt are to bring themselues againe into order The order that is to be taken by a Coronell if his squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of diuers sortes of weapons of volee should happen in their march to come to a straight how they should march and passe through the same Wher the compertiments of the weapons of weapons of volee of the forepart of the right and left flankes of the Squadron beeing marched through the straight should reduce themselues into forme Brief speaches to be vsed by the Sergeant Maior to the piquers before they enter into the passage How y e piquers being marched through the straight are to reduce themselues againe into their former squadron Where the drommers and phifers are to be placed the squadron marching forward in the Enimies Countrie the Enemie being not in sight as also vpoÌ„ doubt of battle The cause wherfore no Drummers should bee placed in the frunt of the squadroÌ„ vpon the occasion of a battle Not aboue one DroÌ„me and a Phifer are to march in the midst of a squadron with the rank of ensigne An obiection aunswered Bands and squadrons of horsemen are to be reduced into forme after the verie same order and sorte that footmen are Wherevpon y e squadron formed and marching forward y â— field peeces are to be placed drawen Officers and other necessarie prouision belonging to the field peeces Where the field peeces with their munitions and other things belonging vnto them are to be placed in marching through the straight How the Coronell is to place the field peeces incase he doubt to be assailed either in vaunt guard or Râ—â—eward Concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the carriages and baggages in passing through the straight Diuers things to be considered of for the sure placing of the cariages baggages Where the Coronell is to place the carriages and baggages incase he doubt to be assailed by the enemy in Rereward or in Vauntgard or in both Where the carriages of the chief substance of pouder are to marche Euerie waggon or Carre ought to be couered with Buff hides A peculiar propertie of the skins of Buffes Squadrons by more then a third part broader in frunt then longe by flankes are of a far greater aduauntage to fight then iust Squadrons Why squadroÌ„s that are iust square in number of men are thought to be out of proportion How to forme a squadron of piquers iust square in number of men both by frunt and flankes The reasons that diuers meÌ„ of warre do alleage to proue a iust squadron to be of greatest aduauntage to fight How a Sergeant Maior hauing formed a iust square may vpoÌ„ any occasion shorten the same by flankes and inlarge them in frunt The orders and waies of reducing of 3000. or 4000. or of 10000. or of any greater number of piquers into one bodie of squadron are all one sauing that the compertiments are to be made longer by flanks The chiefe causes why the Italians and Spaniards haue of late vsed squadrons altogither of piques How a squadroÌ„ of halbardiers enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into forme How to reduce an English Armie of 28000. or .3000 horsemen and footmen into form of batle readie in all points to fight with the Enemie Howe many battles y e whole Armie should be deuided and reduced into The placing of the seuerall battles of the Armie How where the men at Armes should be ordered and placed The ordering and placing of the Dimilaunces The ordering and placing of the Stradiots and Archers Crosbowers on horsebacke How wherâ— to arme the foresaid 4 squadrons with field peeces Of what height the field pieces ought to bee How the Cariâ—ages and baggages of the Armie should bee placed and guarded How to reduce appoint and place the Pioners of the whole Armie Squadrons and battles vpon y â— ouerthrow of the enemie are in no wise to breake their rankes and order to follow the chace and that in respect of the many great inconueniences that vpon diuers occasions and accidents doe often happen A short prayer to be saide by soldiors vpon the approaching and sight of the Enemies battle It is not lawful nor sufferable for any soldior vppon the near approach of the Enemie to turne his face The ordinarie proceedinge of al skilful Chieftainsof Armies in their reducements and forming of batles Certen reasons alleaged to proue that it is more conuenient and of greater force for the generall of a puissant Armie that doth consist of many thousands of armed footmen to reduce them into 5. 6. 7. or 8. batles than onely into 3. great battles of vaungard battle reregard according to the common vse It is here to be noted that the whole frunt of 15000. men reduced into 3. great battles of 5000. to each battle doth consist of 3. times 125. armed meÌ„ which being nombred as if they were all in one frunt doe make iust 375. piquers by flanke 40. ranks ourplus of broken ranks not any one soldior And so likewise the frunts of the 15000. men reduced into 6. smaller batâ—les 3. of the. which being of 3000. to each battle doe consist euery one of them of 75. piquers in frunt And the frunt also of eache one of the other 3. smallest squadrons of 2000. to euery batle consisting of 50. piquers in each frunt being all 6. frunts nombred togeather as if they were all 〈◊〉 one frunt doe likewise make the iust nomber of 375. piquers in frunt as the 3. great squadrons of â—000 to euery batle doe and by flanke 40. ranks ouerplus not any one sodior Reasons to prooue a Squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piques to be a far greater aduantage strength and effect against horsemeÌ„ 〈◊〉 footmen theÌ„ any squadron
of the like nomber all of Piques Not aboue 5. ranks of Piquers closed in frunt flanke backe are able to make heade with their Piques to reache or hitt the first ranke of Launces charginge for diuers reasons An Obiection answered Why the sixth seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes can not as orderly let fall couch their Piques to the mis chiefe of the Enemies as the 5 formost rankes An obiection aunswered The great effects that a squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piquers do work Some Sergeants Maâ—ors of this time doe through lacke of vnderstanding and skill thinke a battell of extremitie and necessitiâ— to be better then a battell according to art and discipline formed Great bandes of footmen of 500 to euerie Ensigne are a great deale better then bands of 150. or 200. for diuers causes and reasons The causes and reasons wherefore y â— Princes of Germanie doe vse great bandes of 500 in their seruice of the Empire An example to proue that great bands of Souldiers are more requisite then small bands Soldiors are to be ruduced into their simple and single order of ranks be fore they are to be broug to any forme of squadron The great readinesse and dexteritie in forming of squadâ—ons with great compertiments out of bands of 500. Diuers disorders and confusions that doe ensue in forming of squadrons with litle compertiments out of bands of 150. Diuers confusions that doe ensue of many little compertiments of piquers Hâ—ere it is to be noted thaâ— although the Author doth praise allowe great bands of 500 in the which diuers different sorts of weapons are incorporated to be more conuenient for the forming of squadrons then small bands of 150. or 200. of the like different â—orâ—es of weapons yet he doth not disallow that in a puisant army there shuld be some small bands of 1â—0 or 150. amoÌ„gst the great but those onely of weapons of volee as of Archers or harquebuziers incorporated with some conuenient nombers of halberdiers or battle axes for diuers purposes Where Ensigâ—bearers footmâ— are â—o be loâ—ged How an Ensignebâ—arer in seruice in the fielde ought to carrie his Ensigne Ensignes of â— conuenient bredthe and lengthe more better then Ensignes that are verie large With what respecte the halâ—ards that are for the guard of the Ensignes are to march How Ensigne-bearers vpon the sight and nere approach of the enemie are to mannage their â—â—signes How an Ensignebearer marching by an Emperor or king or their Lieutenant generall is to behaue himselfe How Ensigne-bearers are to vse their ensignes when the squadron maketh a pausâ— How all the ensignebearers of a squadron marching in the field are 〈◊〉 carrie their Ensignes All Ensigne-bearers are to receaue their directions from the Standard bearer of the Emporor or king 〈◊〉 he be in the field Where the Standeardbearer of an Empep or king should be plaâ—eâ— When the Standardbeaerr of an Emperor or of a king is to display his standdard Cerren other parâ—icularities concerning the Standard and Standdardbearer of an Emperor or of a Kinge 4 different â—nd principall wâ—iâ—s for harquebuziers to enter into skirmisâ—e The first way for harquebuzers to enter into skirmish The commodities that ensue to harquebuziers by this first way of skirmishing Three principall waies wherein the chiefe effects of harquebuziers in skirmish do consist Harquebuzieâ—â— in skimish are not to discharg their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40 paces in distance Societies of threes not so good by a great deale for harquebuziers to skirâ—ish in as societies of foures Now harquebuzes and mosquets ought to bee charged All the harqâ—â— buzes through out the field ought to be of one Caliuer â— height All the ordinarie bullets for the field ought not to bee aboue 2. bores lower then the heigth of their pecees The discommodities of bullets that are 4. 5. or 6. bores lower then the heigth of their peeces The second way for harquâ—buziers to skirmish in The third way of skirmish No trâ—â—ps of shott are to giue their volees in diuisions aboue the numberof â—1 The fourth way of skirmishing The skirmishing of loose shot in hubbledeshuâ—â—e Discommoâ—â—â—ies ensuing by this manner of skirmishing â—riefe speaâ—es to be vsed â—hot when â—â—y are too â—â—cke in skirâ—ish by their â—aders â—riefe speaches 〈◊〉 be vsed to â—ot vpon any rounde or rounds of adauntage eâ—â—ied â—erten other â—lefe speaches â— be vsed vnto ot for diuers â—rposes The harquebuzes of a yard long the Cannon and â—anfor ced backward of as great and greater effectâ— then the heauy Caliuers that are nowadaies in vse But small effect â—rought by harquebuzes in skirmishe aboue 50. paces off A very skorne â—o giue volees of harquebuze shot at the enemy 10. 12. or 14 â—kores of What distanâ—â— oblique doâ— means 〈…〉 lique altogither vsed by the harquebuzes and light horsemen Hongarians and other oriâ—ntall nations The Persians only of all the orientall nations doe vse men at Armes Distances oblique in the field of great aduauntage for all light horsemen How harquebuziers are to giue their volees being reduced into a square in some ground of aduauntage How mosquetiers are to discharge their peeces being reduced into a â—â—oade square Mosquetiers are not to discharge their peeces at the enemie aboue 10. or 12. skores 〈◊〉 the furthest Mosquets charged with haile-shot of warre within 10. 15. or 20. paces doe worke great effecte It argueth but small experience in those that would haue mosquetiers in the field to giue their volees of shot 30 24. or 20. scores off Why mosquetiers are not in the field to giue their volees of shotte 20 24. or 30. scores off The account made of archers in times past The auncient â—orme of reduâ—ing of archers â—ere into hearâ—es How to reduce archers into Hearses Archers reduced into hearses are neuer â—o giue their volees but vpon a signe giuen An aunswer to such as doe thinke archers inferior to mosquetiers in the plaine field 1500. archers able to breake 3000 mosqueters The aduauntage that archers haue of mosquetiers Their oppinion that thinke harquebuziers of greater aduauntage to encounter with archers then mosquetiers refuted The aduauntages y â— archers haue of harque buziers Reasons to proue that 500. harquebuziers are in skirmish able to ouerthrow as many mosquetiers Mosquetiers are not able in skirmish to vse their peeces without rests to any effect with restes they cannot skirmishe For any man to discharge his peece effectual ly it behoueth him to be maister of his peece and not his peece maister of him Instructions to be giuen by Captains and officers to their bands for the passing of any briefe speâ— ches or word To whome the commaundement of passing of briefe spea ches doth appertaine The duetie of trompettors drummers The care that all Captains officers of â—andes are to â—aue to instruct â—heir bandes To reduce men at aâ—mes or dimilaunces into their simple or single order of
rankes Squadrons of men at armes how many soeuer they be in frunt ought not to be aboue 10. or 12. by flanks Why 500. 〈◊〉 are rather to be reduced into 3. 4. or 5. litlâ— squadrons then into onâ— entier squadron Two waies whereby to reâ—duce a squadron of launces of fewe or many ranks into forme Wher the standard of men at armes or the guydon of diâ—â—il aunces is to be placed Launces are alwaies rather to be reduced into squadron then into troupes Launces are alwaies to bee 3. times and somtimes 4. or 5. times or more in frunt theÌ„ by flankes wherupon the â—educing of aunces into roupe doth amongst men of warre proceed â— batle of necesâ—â—tie is a nomâ—er of piquers 〈◊〉 horsemen â—unces out of â—â—nks in â—roup How and in what distances men at Armes or dimilaunces are to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies Diuers exercises for horsmen to be instructed and taught in An obiectioâ— aunswered The opinion of such as hold it best for launceâ— to receiue a charge staÌ„ding still answered The disaduantage of a Squâ—dron that receueth a charge standing still Where the Enâ—ignebearer of men at Armes or the Guydon beareâ— of light horsmen are to â—e lodged Into what formes light horsâ— men borderers are to reduce themselues How to reducâ— light horsemen or Stradiots in to the forme of a Semicircle The aduantage of a semicircle of light horsemen or Stradioâ—s against a squadron of launces Stradiots much vsed in times past Stradiots of great execution and effect in the field How stradiots Archers on horsebacke Crosbowers on horsebacke incorporated in bands are to behaue themselues in the field Argolettiers Carabins or Reistres are of small succor to a squadron of launces against stradiots archers and crosbowers The distances wherein Argolettiers or Reistres are to discharge their peeces Theeffects of bands of stradiots archers crosbowers on horsbacke against foot men in the field The first and cheife thing 〈◊〉 all others thaâ— doth belong 〈◊〉 anie perfect Militia is gooâ— election and choice Two principal causes of elections inrollements and leuies of men of warre The first The second Three principall things to be obserued in all right and â—rue elections of soldiors by coronells captains and muster maisters Concerning the conueniâ—ncy of yeares â—f such as are to â—e elected and â—nrolled for â—oldiors Concerning the good and conuenient corporall disposition of bodie of such as are to bee elected and inrolled for soldiors Archers shooâ—ing with two fingers are not to be allowed for soldiors arâ—hers Concerning the honestie of such as are to be elected â—hosen and inâ—olled All soldiors officers of bands are at their first electiâ—on and enrolment to take their othes of fidelitie to the crowne and Realme of England and obedience to their captains and superior officers No man can be conueniently armed vnlesse he be first fitly apparelled Concerning the conuenient apparelling of all sorts of soldiors How archerâ— should be armed and weaponed Concerning the election apparelling arming and we aponing of harquebuziers How mosquetiers should be elected apparelled armed and weaponed The Author would that all mosquets curriers of warre and other such peâ—ces as are to be vsed in the field with restes or in places fortifiâ—d or against places fortified should haue straight stocks and thaâ—â—ll other lighter peeces that are for the skirmish and therefore to be vsed without rests should haue crooked stocks How piquers should be apparelled armed weaponed Concerning the election apparelling arming and weaponing of soldiors with battleâ—kes It is contrary to altrue discipline militarie for soldiors to leaue of their pouldrons vambrases and tasses The greateâ—illes ensuing to soldiors by leauing of their pouldrons vambraces and tasses A verie valâ—e opinion and friuolous excuse The Romaines obseruing their auncient orders and discipline militarie preuailed but neglecting the same came to vtter ruine and destruction The neglecting of the well arming of themselues with the contempte of archerie were the vtter ruine of the two notable Christian Empires of constantinople Trâ—pisonda How light horsmen should be apparelled armed horsed weaponed Concerning the appareling arming horsing and weaponing of stradiots Concerning the apparelling arming hoâ—sing and weaponing of dimilaunces Men at armes out of vse in Christendome An obiection aâ—nswered How Crosbowers on hors backe should be horsed armed and weaponed Crosbowers archers on hors back of greater seruice then weapons of sire on horsebacke With what curâ— osâ—tie musters of bands of horsmen and footmen ought to be taken Of what calling the muster-maister of euery shire should bee The order that all muster maisters are to vse in mustering oâ— their bands of horsmen Muster maisters are to see that the horsemen can well vse their horses and weapons The reducing of bands into one or diuers formes appertaineth to the Captaine and not to the mustermaister When mustermaisters are to take their muster Mustermaisters finding any abuses lackes or imperfections are to giue order that the same be remedied vpoÌ„ some seuere penaltie to be imposed vpon the partâ— vnto whome the same doth appertaine The order that is to be vsed for the suppliyng of soldiors maimed or mischieued or otheâ— wise decaied The order that is to be vsed for the supplying of any soldiors deceased or departing from their habitation into some other toune or hundred or out of their maisters serâ—ice The diâ—ersitie of the placing of the soldiors armors and weapons in all the shiers of England Not the placing of armors nor weapons here nor there that can keepe a people disposed to rebell from rebellion Rebellions begin sometimes vpon the ambition or discontentacion of some nobleman or 〈◊〉 â—en Armors placed in great tounes are more ready to arme an vntuly multitude then if they were dispersed in the soldiors houses Rebellions do often happen vpon the discontentation of the ignobile vulgus Bellum seruile that happened tâ— the romains when they flou rished most begon and maintained by Spartacus other fencers The daungerous rebellion of the peasants of hongary and â—raunce who at the first had litle or no armors The rebellions of the common people of England and specially the rebellion vnder Keâ— in Norffolkâ— that had at the first little or no armor The reuolt of the disarmed mores of granada against king Philip of spaine in al his greatnes which was in the yeare 1568. Iustice dulie equally ministred doth take â—way al occasioÌ„â— and intentions of rebellion The quiet and happie state of the Venetians these many hundred years caused by Iustice. The force of Iustice duly equally ministred amoÌ„gst the Suissers and diuers other principalities of Germaniâ— Princes that do duely equaly minister Iustice need not to doubte any rebellion A thing most requisite for all Emperors kings and common wealthes to well arme weapon and exercise their subiects Where all the armors and weapons of all shires should be kept When and hoâ— soldiors that are enrolled to any kind of wâ—apon ought to exercise themselues No foot alter their 〈◊〉 vpon 〈…〉 The office al bands 〈◊〉 to be well knowne to soldiors of 〈◊〉 bands theâ— bands to the 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉