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
more at the least of the length of their piques which with the thicknesse of all the 4. ranks before them doo come to make them to leese 15. foot or more of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 3. foot of y â— length of their piques beyond y â— formost and first ranke the which 3. foot of their piques towards the Enemie reaching too short to annoy either horses or men doo rather through the shortnesse of the same reaching so little a waie beyond the first ranke trouble the foremost rankes of their fellowes then worke any other good effect and therefore those piques of the fifth ranke are rather to be kept still vprighted with the points some thing bent towardes the Enemie then any waies to bee couched as the piques of the 4. foremost rankes are and so likewise the piquers of the sixth seuenth and eighth rankes and subsequently of all the rest hauing no possibilitie at the first charge either of horsemen or footmen to annoy them they are to keepe their piques still vprighted the pointes something bent forward towardes the enemie to shew themselues in the sight of the enemy ready to succour the formost rankes rather then any waies to beare the pointes of their piques any lower But if any man will say that all the backer rankes of piquers may orderlie and easilie succour and supplie the places of such piquers of the fore rankes as come to be slaine wounded or ouerthrowne and so resist or repulse either horsemen or footmen entring as I my selfe in the beginning of this booke haue particularly set downe Therevnto I answere that the piques that are in the backer rankes vppon the accidentall breaking in of any men at Armes into the foremost ranks of piquers or vpon the entring of any of the formost ranks of the contrarie squadron of footmen are through the hauing of so many other ranks of piquers before them with the great length of those weapons in a presse so vnmaniable and therefore of so little effect when battles come to ioine that most of the piques of the inner rankes I meane of the sixt seuenth and eighth and so consequentlie of the rest of the middle rankes through the letting fall of the pointes of their piques forward how leisurely soeuer to couch and bend the points of them to the annoiance of the enemies do through their great length so intermingle and intricate with the piqueâ—â— of the former rankes that euery sudden touch of the piques that are in the ranks before one another do so disorder beat and turne aside the points of the piques from their intended thrusts at their enemies as that they rather turne them through their great length to the trouble of the ranks before them then any waies to resist repulse or annoie the Enemie But now it may be demanded of me wherfore the sixt seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes should not as orderlie one after another let fal and couch their piques to the resistance and mischiefe of their enemies as the 5. formost and first rankâ— of piquers may Wherevnto I answer that the 4. or 5. first rankes hauing apparant and cleare in their eies and sights the comming of their Enemies in squadron be they horsemen or footmen may with greater order and leisure all one after another couch their piques and charge a contrary squadron of footmen or receiue a charge of horsemen then the other inner rankes of piquers can who vpon the breaking in and entring of some of the men at armes in one place or other or y â— entring of some part of the squadron of their enemies footmen more in one place then in another as sometimes it happeneth cannot so well and clearely see the comming and entring of their Enemies by reason of so many ranks of their fellowes before them as that they may so wel in iust and conuenient times moments and distances orderlie and effectually let fall and couch their piques as the 4. or 5. foremost rankes haue doone Vpon which accidentes it dooth ordinarilie happen that such inner ranks are driuen to let fall and couch their piques vpon suddens least y â— by their not couching them they should by their enemies approching them too neer leese the vse of the points of their piques Which sudden letting fall and couching of their piques dooth cause the aforesaid intermingling and intricating and confused ouerthwarting of piques with piques a great deale more in the inner rankes then any waies in the formost 4. or 5. rankes as aforesaid By all which it is to bee considered and noted that neither horsmen Launces nor footmen piquers can enter vnder the points of my squadron of battleaxes empaled and inuironed in frunt flanks and back with 5. ranks of piques as aforesaid but that they must of necessitie abide the first violence of the pointes of them 〈◊〉 they find them already in great order and leisure couched to resist and repulse them Whereas farre otherwise it doth behooue the inner ranks of a squadron consisting all of piquers to obserue the entring of their Enemies be they horsemen or footmen in such moments iust distances as that they may be sure to let fall and couch their piques when their Enemies are entred and do come within 4. or 5. ranks of them which if they should faile to performe then it were too late for such inner rankes to couch their piques either againste horsemen or footmen now entred and comne within and vnder the length of their piques But vnto this some vnskilfull soldior may obiect and say that the inner rankes may still carrie their piques couched readie to resist or repulse their Enemies entering Or otherwise that they letting fal and couching their piques after that their Enemies be entered within lesse then 5. or 4. rankes of them may so farre retire and pull them backe as that they may recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies to their great annoiance Vnto which obiections I say that it is not in the force and strength of the most puissant soldiors of any Nation that liue still to carrie their piques couched no nor yet to beare them abouehand ouer their fellowes heades but a verie little while considering the great length and heaueth of them And therefore they must neuer let fall and couch them vntill such instant needfull times as their Enemies do approach them in so neare distances as they must presently either with one entire thrush if they bee the formost 4 or 5. rankes or with diuers thrusts in iust instantes and times if they be the inner rankes vpon the entering of the Enemie be driuen to make head and succor the rankes before them for if the inner rankes should through lacke of skill thrust at their Euemies before they come within the reach of their piques then they should worke no other effect but thrust their owne fellowes that are betwixt
them and their Enemies to their trouble or mischiefe in their heads necks or backs And for aunswer to the other obiection that the ynner rankes of piquers letting fall and couching their piques may pul and retire them so farre backe as that they may againe recouer the vse of the points of them against their Enemies entered I say that if the enemies be they either horsemen or footmen be entered but only .7 6. 5. 4. or 3. feete within and vnder the length of any of the piques of the inner ranks that it is not possible for such piquers in respect of the ranke and rankes that are so neare and close behind them to pull their piques with their armes so farre backe as any waies to recouer y ◠vse of the pyonts of them against such Enemies as are comne within and vnder their piques as aforsaid whereof insueth that those inner rankes haue vtterly lost the vse of their piques and therefore must let them fall to the great trouble of the leggs and feete of the rankes of their fellowes aduauncing forward and betake themselues to their swords and daggars which are not weapons any waies able to repulse or resist armed men with battleaxes or halbards By all which before alleaged I thinke it is most apparant that the 5. rankes of piquers that do empale enuiron my squadron of battleaxes by frunt flanks and backe are ranks enough to restist any Charge or Charges of Launces aswell and a great deale better then if the same squadron were all of piques because that the 4. or 5. first rankes only are those that do worke al the effects to the resisting repulsing of Launces charging or that are with their thrush to resist and repulse any charge of a squadron of footmen piquers their Enemies and if any Launces by chaunce should breake through those 5. rankes then the battleaxes and short staued and long edged and short and strong pointed halbards in the handes of well armed men are readie at the heeles of the 5. rankes of their piquers and do wonderfully both with blow and thrust at the heads and faces of horses or men kill wound ouerthrow or repulse either horsemen Launces or footmen piquers whose first charges and furies haue bene before greatly staied and weakened by y ◠resistance of the first 5. ranks of piquers as aforsaid For it is to all men of vnderstanding in matters Militarie most euident that short staued battleaxes or halbards of not aboue 6. foot long in their whole length do no waies in their blowes nor thrusts either against horsmen or footmen trouble entermingle nor intricate one with another by reason of their shortnesse as the rankes of piques do through their great lengthes which piques doo no waies kill nor hurt but only with their pointes as is before at large declared By all which I come to conclude that 4. or 5. of the first rankes be it in frunt flanks or backe I meane which of them soeuer vpon the comming of the enemie be made frunt doo worke far greater effectes then all the rest of the inner rankes of piquers can possibly do for in troth all y ◠inner ranks of piquers besides the 5. first ranks doo neither against horsemen and chieflie against footemen halbarders or battleaxes well armed no nor yet against armed men with swordes and targets vsing their targets only to defend their faces from the points of the piques worke any important effect as it is most manifest by the reasons causes and accidents by me before alledged And thus hauing at large shewed by diuers reasons the imperfections of squadrons that doo consist onelie of piques with the great perfections and effects of squadrons of battleaxes enuironed onely with 5. rankes of piquers as also howe all sortes of squadrons that are commonlie in vse in the open fieldes in these daies and also in al former ages ought to be reduced into form with many other different particularities I will omit diuers other sorts forms of little battles that are conteined in som printed books of diuers languages as of Crossebattles of battles in triangle battles in form of stars with many other such battles of diuers shapes fashiōs extraordinary y ◠are rather set forth to fill vp books to please y ◠curious then for any great vse of them by reason y ◠such phantastical battles are no waies able in the open fields to march encoūter with such squadrons as I haue before described and set down And yet somtimes armies may march vpon such strange extraordinary grounds as in marching ouer mountains or high hils y ◠haue varietie of forms of rising descending grounds y ◠it is not possible to form such great squadrons in such forms as I haue before declared and described but that vpon the comming of the enemie they must bee forced to deuide their three battles of vauntguard battle and Rereward that they marched withall in the plaine and open fieldes into as many varieties of little battles and formes as the aduantages and formes of the varietie of groundes where they presently find themselues doo present vnto them and therewithall to flank their armed men on euery side with weapons of volee All which a Lord Marshall or sergeant Maior may with a great deale more facilitie perform then to forme such great squadrons as I haue before described reduced and formed But heere I thinke it good to aduertise the Reader that I haue heard verie crediblie reported that there is another kind of forming of a battle amongst some of the Sergeants Maiors of our Nation in these daies greatly in vse and that is That they place foure piquers with their piques aduaunced in square according to the greatnesse of the squadron that they meane by guesse to form with the number of piquers that they haue for that purpose And somtimes they place in the middest of the frunt betwixt the two formost piquers a third piquer and so likewise they place two other piquers vpon the midst of ech flanke one betwixt the said piquers that are in flanke with a fourth piquer also in the midst betwixt the two hindermost piquers which 8. piquers when they haue placed in as iust square in their distaunces as they can then they command al the piquers that they meane by guesse to reduce into squadron beeing all behind and in Rereward of the 8. piquers in square presentlie to run into the void place within the square of the 8. piquers and there to fall into their rankes with hubbledeshuf as well as they can vntill they haue filled vp all the distances and empty place within y ◠square of the said 8 piquers which being performed they hold this way not only for a verie ready forming of a squadron but also for a most excellent waie of reducement because that there is not any Sergeant Maior so vnskilfull although hee be vtterly ignorant in Arithmetique nor that he
and aduising all leaders of mosquetiers that will worke good effect and winne reputation with that kinde of weapon in the field that they do not permitt their mosquetiers to discharge their peeces at their enemies aboue 8. 9. 10. or 12. skores at the furdest and therewithall to take their sightes at point and blanke from their rests and without their rests Also I would that some conuenient numbers of mosquetiers should be commaunded to charge their peeces with conuenient charges of powder and with 5. pistoll bullets of a meane Caliuer and height with some quantitie of soft browne paper or something else both betwixt the powder and haile shot of war as also after the haileshot to restraine both powder and bullets to the intent that the same may worke the more forcible and terrible effectes And that the same mosquetiers should be commanded not to discharge their peeces when their companies do discharge theirs with single bullets but that they should reserue their shot vntill some squardron of footmen or square or troupe of horsemen should approch within 10. 15. or 20. paces to charge them At which time I would haue them to giue their volee of hailshot of warre from their rests at their Enemies approching within the aforesaid distances and not any furder because they may be the more sure to hit either horsmen or footmen which in greater distances they cannot so certenlie performe And heere it is to be furder noted that such as doo talke of giuing volees of mosquet shot 30. 24. or 20. skores off at squares or troupes of horsemen or footmen that are in march or in any motion of the field do greatlie erre as men that neuer had any good experience of that weapon in actions of the field vnlesse peraduenture it hath been to their owne mischiefe incountring with olde bandes Italians Wallouns or Spaniards who were neuer so ill aduised as in vaine to giue their volees so great distances off and therfore doo reserue their shot to discharge at the enemie not aboue 8. 9. or 10. skores off at the vttermost although it bee at a whole square or troupe of horsemen or footmen vnlesse it were out of some fortification from whence they may discharge their peeces with full bullets and Demain puesto as the Spaniards call it For although the mosquet ranforced and well charged with good powder woulde carrie a bullet point and blanke 24. or 30. scores doth it therefore follow that they should giue Volees of mosquet shotte 24. or 20. skores off when that in failing to take their iuste point and blanke no more but the length of a Corne their bullettes doo worke as much effect at the starres as against the enemie that they shoot at Besides that in so great a distance of ground how truly soeuer they take their sights at point and blanke the aire dooth worke verie great effect with their bullets that are lower by 4. or 5. bores then the heigth of their peeces to carrie them by mounting or otherwise from the marke or markes that they are shot at Certen Orders directions and briefe speeches to be obserued by a Sergeant Maior and Captaines and leaders of Archers in the field ALl the most notable and excellent kinges and their great captaines of our English nation in times past who as it is most manifest by many notable histories both auncient and moderne were not any wayes inferior in knowledge and skill in the Arte and science military to the greatest kinges and captaines of our age deceased but did also farre exceed and excell all the Princes and Captaines of this obscure time of Ignorance in christendome nowe liuing in all proceedings and actions militarie as it is most apparant by the many battâ—les great victories by them in diuers ages and against many warlike nations obtained did contrarie to the vaine and friuolous opinions of our newe English men of warre of this time so greatly esteeme of our archers through the continuall and great experience they had of their woÌ„derful miraculous effects in all battles and great in countryes that vpon the composing forming of any Armie the same being deuided into fiue partes alwaies three partes of the fiue did consist of archers And because archers in all actions militarie were so continually greatly emploied they vsed to reduce them into the most conuenient orders and formes that they could deuise for them with their arrows to work their greatest effects against both horsemen and footmen their Enemies which was into the forme of hearses which hearses were broad in frunt and narrow short by flankes which is to be vnderstood of many soldiors in euery ranke and but of fewe rankes by flankes in such sorte as what nombers soeuer of archers they placed in frunte that is in euery ranke the archers by flanke did neuer exceed the nomber of 7. or 8. rankes at the most And the causes and reasons were these that the archers being reduced into their hearse or hearses as also into their conuenient distaunces in frunt and by flankes euery one of them without any trouble through the too much nearenes of their fellowes in the same ranke or by the ouermuch nearenes of the ranke ranks before them might without any impediment shoot and roue of any mean height at their enemies being either horsemen or footmen ouer the heads of the rank or ranks before them and therewithall that the hindersmost ranks being so few by flanks as aforesaid might the more easily see their Enemies that they shoot at As also that by the fewnesse of their rankes the hindermost ranke and rankes being the nearer to their Enemies should the more easilie reach their Enemies with their volees of arrowes whereas otherwise if the rankes were many then by the ouerpluralitie of rankes the hinder rankes should be depriued of the sight of their Enemies that they should shoot at and also should be driuen to shoot their arrows at their enemies too high a compasse and by such meanes worke the lesse effect against their enemies All which considered I thought good in this place to shew how any number of archers should be reduced into the forme of a hearse or diuers hearses which is a thing of great facilitie to be performed because that the Captaine or Captaines of archers haue no more to do but to say vnto their archers Ranke your selues archers 7. in a ranke or if they will make a hearse of 8. rankes then ranke your selues 8 in a ranke as in the first part of this my booke concerning the reducing of single bandes into rankes is verie particulerly contained which being by the archers performed thrughout the whole band or as manie bands of archers as they will bring into a hearse then their Captaines and conductors are to lead them by the flanke and corner of the squadron where those archers shall be reduced into winge and there drawing those archers as far out and
large from the corner of the squadron as they shal think requisite and finding the hindermost ranke of 7. soldiors or of 8. if they be disposed to make their flanke of 8. archers to be of such cōuenient distance from the corner of the squadron as they shal think meet then the chiefe Commander of those Archers is presentlie to goe to the midst of that flanke where they are to make of flanke frunt and then being a conuenient distance from them he ought to say vnto them Frunt to mee Archers and let this worde passe throughout from flanke to flanke Vppon which his wordes pronounced all the souldiors in flanke throughout next vnto him are presentlie to turne their faces and weapons towardes him and make of flanke frunt and so subsequentlie all the rest of the archers throughout al the rankes must performe the like And this making of flank frunt may be performed aswel by the stroke of the drumme as by the briefe speeches of the commander which being by them performed then they must presently reforme themselues into their conuenient distances both by frunt and flanks that thereby they may without any impediment giue their volees as aforsaid And thus of a great number of ranks that they were before when they marched in their simple or single order of rankes as of 7. or else of 8. in a ranke from frunt to backe they are now become a great number of Archers in frunt that is in euerie ranke and but onelie of 7. or else 8 rankes by flankes which order and forme is to be vnderstood and tearmed a hearse of Archers and as this hearse is now reduced into a wing either from the right or left corners of the squadron so may the like winges be drawen from all 4. corners as also vpon the frunt or flankes of the squadron or any other place or places where it shal please the General of the field or the Lord Marshall to direct or command But heere it is to be furder noted that such hearses are not to giue any volees of arrowes at their Enemies but onlie vppon a token or signe giuen vnto them by some chiefe Commaunder of the hearse who by his officers is to make all the souldiors of the hearse priuie to the same signe and token And therefore the same Commaunder and signe giuer is to be of good vnderstanding in archerie as also of the distances of groundes that thereby he may not faile to giue his signe when the hindermost archers are within the reach of the former rankes of the enemies bee they horsemen or footmen for if hee should faile in the same whereby the Archers through the too great distance of ground shoulde shoot short hee should then commit a very grose error Also it is to bee noted that if the commander of the archers doo thinke it requisite he may deuide the deliuerie of his archers arrowes into two volees that is that hee may if the hearse doo consist of 8. rankes by flankes take order that fower of the formost rankes shal giue their first volees and as the enemies doo approch neerer to giue order that the other 4. hindermost rankes shall likewise giue their volees altogither with the rankes before them And as the reducing of Archers into these aforesaide formes of hearses are verie conuenient and of great effect for battles euen so they may bee brought into diuers other formes according to the scituation of the ground or grounds and diuers other occasions and likewise worke verie great effectes But now whereas there be diuers in this time professing Armes that doo greatly disesteeme archers thinking that a farre greater number of Archers were not able to encounter with a smaller number of mosquetiers Thereunto I say that that their opinion doth proceede of nothing else but of their lacke of vnderstanding and knowing the wonderfull imperfections and failinges that do belong to musquets and mosquetiers in the field as also of the strange and incredible effects of archers arrowes and therewithall that they did neuer enter into the consideration that mosquetiers are not to worke any effect in the open fieldes but from their restes fixed in the ground or some other accidentall or naturall rests and themselues standing still to take some sight from point at blanke at their enemies when they discharge which at men in motion with any certentie it is not possible for them to performe and if they faile in taking their sightes at point and blanke then their bullets do flie straight at the Cloudes without doing any other hurt besides that when they haue once discharged their first charges of full bullets or haileshot of warre from their rests incase they be forced vpon the vncerten comming of the Enemie to remoue and new place their rests and charge againe their peeces are so exceeding heauie and they therewithall so troubled with their rests hanging vpon their fingers that they are driuen to a verie long recharging of their mosquets againe which recharging if it be not in such particuler sort and perfection as I haue before set downe the bullets of their second volee will scarce go within the compasse of the height of piques vprighted or rather of younge trees as all skilfull soldiors that do know their wonderfull vncerten effects in seruices of the field will confesse so as I com to conclude if the trial were to be made in the open plaine fields betwixt 1500. archers and 3000. mosquetiers without any other weapon of succor either for the one side or for y e other y e mosquetiers being reduced into anyformes of greatest aduauntage and conueniencie for mosquetiers y t can be deuised those 1500. archers being reduced into many many troupes of fifteenes of twenties of fiue twenties of thirties more or fewer and they approching assailing the mosquetiers both in frunt and by flanks giuing their volees of arrowes in continuall motions at the mosquetiers who if they meane to worke any effect of necessitie must stand still to discharge their peeces as aforesaid during which time of their standing still they shall to their great error and mischiefe receaue the continuall volees of the archers arrowes vpon all parts of their bodies in such sort as the archers there is no doubt being well instructed and led in their troupes by their Captaines and other officers would with great facilitie with a verie few volees of arrowes breake all the mosquetiers although they were of a farre greater number For although mosquets will carrie their bullets point and blanke a great deale furder distance then archers are able to work any effect with their arrowes yet their wonderfull vncertenties many of the particularities whereof I haue in other my bookes very particulerlie set downe are such and so manie as against archers reduced into great numbers of troups as aforesaid and assailing them in motion with infinite volees of arrowes they would be found to be of a wonderful
ranke either by right line or oblique And incase they march 2. in a ranke by right line then euerie 2. horsemen are of equal frunt throughout from frunt to back as all other sortes of horsemen in their rankes are But if they march in ranks oblique then euerie second light horsman doth march retyred and a good distance wide from the first in such sort as he may march and haue in flanke the midst of the voide ground that is betwixt his fellow formost horseman of his owne ranke and the formost horseman of the second ranke that followeth the first and so likewise the second souldior of the second ranâ—e is to follow him in the like sort but marching and hauing on his flanke likewise the midst of the distance or voide ground that is betwixt his formost fellow of his owne ranke and the formost light horsman of the third ranke And so subsequentlie all the rest of the light horsemen must march in rankes oblique the one to the other Now all this band of 200. light horsemen reduced into 100. rankes marching by right line straight forward are to be reduced into a semicircle in this sort following that is that one Conductor ought to march before all the rankes And another last of all behinde all the rankes Then after two other Conductors are to be placed in the verie midst the one to take care and to see order obserued by the one halfe of the semicircle that is of his right hand and the other to see order obserued by the other halfe of the semicircle that is of his left hand which conductors being so placed and the Cornet either in the midst of the rankes of the light horsemen or else in one of the formost rankes then to reduce these 100. rankes into a semicircle either the Captaine or formost Conductor must march with his band fetch a great and a large compasse and circuite of ground either vpon the right or left hand according as he intendeth to make the frunt of his semicircle And thus he must leade his band in compasse and halfe circle vntill he seeth the hindermost ranke right ouer and against in semicircle to the formost ranke of all the bande which he himselfe leadeth which he perceiuing then he must commaund his trompettor to sound a stay or pause which done the trumpettor must gallop towards the midst of the semicircle I meane of the inner or compasse side and there must againe sound to make of flanke frunt which being performed then of 100. ranks of 2. in a ranke that they were before they are now becomne to be only 2. rankes of 100. in each ranke which being performed then may they march in this forme of semicircle in their rankes either by right line or oblique if the fields be large and open as they are most commonly in Fraunce and many other Countries with great facilitie And incase there were a squadron of 150. Launces that would thinke to breake that semicircle by a charge giuen in the midst of the same semicircle then the aduauntage of the semicircle is vpon the instant and verie beginning of the charge of the launces to open themselues in the midst the formost Conductor of the Corner of the right hand galloping large and something in compasse and leading the one halfe of the semicircle of light horsemen vpon the one flanke of the squadron of Launces and the other Conductor of the other ende or corner of the semicircle to galloppe likewise somewhat large in compasse and lead the other halfe of the semicircle to charge vppon the other flanke of the squadron of Launces and with terrible noises and shoutes to charge both the flankes as also the backe of the squadron with their speares al at one time Or if the Semicircle bee all of stradiots with their zagaias which are double headed Launces then that they beeing lead by their Conductors and opening in the midste as aforesaid doo charge both the flanks and backe of the squadron with their zagaias striking both forwarde and backeward killing and wounding both horses and men By which new extraordinarie and vnexpected kinde of charge the squadron of Launces that thought by right line to haue charged and broken the semicircle in the midst finding nothing there before them to charge but onely the ayre are forced to make a stay or stand and to defend them selues with great disaduantage of Weapon and are compelled to make frunt of both their flankes and backe all at one time which they can no waies performe without disordering themselues out of all forme whereof and by the neernesse of the light horsmen bee they speares or zagaias that haue charged them as aforesaid it commeth to passe that they haue not any ground nor roome to put their horses into any Carrire nor to charge their launces into their restes thereby to giue the greater blow and shocke or anie other waies to annoy the light horsmen that haue charged do with their zagaias or speares vsed as punching staues wounde and kill them and their horses both in flanks and backe as aforesaid by meanes whereof they haue not onelie vtterlie lost the vse of their Launces but are driuen with many wounds alreadie receiued to disorder all their ranks squadron in tumultuarie and disordred sort to fight with their swords and other such short weapons against the said light horsemen with their punching staues to the g 〈◊〉 disaduantage and vtter ruine of the Launces And whereas I haue shewed this order of marching of a semicircle of two rankes oblique according to the Hongarian and Turkie manner I say that it hath beene and is in respect that if any other such light horsemen in rankes by right line should charge them that the hindermost light horsemen of the second ranke that are oblique in ranke to their fellowes before them may at the same instant haue more open and conueniencie of ground to succour their fellowes in the formost ranke and to charge their enemies then they otherwise could haue if they were by right line directly behind the first ranke The great effects that Stradiots Archers on horsbacke and Crosbowers on horsback are to performe in the field both against horsmen and footmen with also the great adâ—antage that they haue against Carabins and against Reistres and all other weapons of fire on horsebacke in seruices of the field STradiots before mentioned are a kinde of light horsemen that haue beene vsed of many yeares both in Italie Fraunce Spaine and Germanie although in their weapons manner of arming euery Nation hath differd one from another more or lesse Amongst the Pagans the Arabians and Persians the Turks and the Tartars in such ages as they conquered the greatest part of Europe Affricke and Asia vsed almost no other souldiors and weapons on horsebacke but light horsemen Launciers with long launces Stradiots with Launcezagaias headed with two steeled heades Archers with their bowes and
the thrust And others I haue seene that in stead of Curtilaces tocks haue worn single pistols which pistols bicause men at armes or dimilances are to giue their charge in squadron with the pointes of their Launces and shocke of their horses they cannot haue so much leisure to pull out and to pul downâ— their cocks as stradiots and other light horsemen that do fight loose in skirmish or in other little troupes may Besides that the gauntlets of men at Armes and dimilaunces are not fitlie made to handle pistols in as all men may see that list to prooue them and those dimilaunces ought to be all horsed vppon puissant horses for the shocke and not vpon geldings vnlesse they be very puissant And their furniture for their horses ought to bee steele saddles of good forme and of a conuenient bignesse and as light as they conuenientlie may bee made with good headstalles and raines with chaines as aforesaid with good patrells and croupers Also if there were any gentlemen in those bands of dimilaunces I would wish them not to bee without the forepart of steele barbes to the intent that vppon any day that were likelie to be of great seruice against the enemie they should arme and barbe the forepart of their horses because that they being placed in the first rank or two rankes should bee the better able to giue and receiue the charge and shocke with the lesse daunger to their horses And thus far for dimilaunces Now as for men at Armes because all men that are of any experience and vnderstanding in matters militarie doo well know that they must bee all armed cap a pie and their horses verie puissant and all barbed aswell behind as before with the number of weapons that they ought of ordinary to weare and vse And because that in these daies partlie in respect of their great pay but chiefly because the art and science militarie hath beene of late years and presentlâ—e is in great declination and decaie they are not in vse in England nor in any part of Christendome as they haue beene I ouerpasse them But now it is likely enough that some Gentlemen that haue beene trained vp in these late Ciuill wars of the Low Countries or France may thinke that I haue forgotten my selfe in not making mention in these aforesaid musters of Carabins or Argolettiers vnto which kinde of horsemen they are greatly affected Whereunto I say that for the smalle effect that by experience I haue seene those Carabins in seruices worke through their great and manie failings which I haue sufficientlie proued in the latter end of my booke of discourses that I did set forth and cause to be printed the yeare 1590. as also in the former discourses of this booke where I haue written of them I doo not any waies hold them worthie to be compared in their effects neither to archers on horsebacke nor Crosbowers on horsebacke and therefore will in this place make but very small mention of them but do in stead of them wish that there should be an election and inrollement made of certen archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke in euery shire who should be armed weaponed and horsed and reduced into 〈◊〉 bands vnder their Captains and leaders as here in this place I will out of my former booke sette downe againe and that is in this sorte following All the Crosbowers on horsbacke vnder sufficient Conductors well skilled in the weapon I would they should haue Crosbowes of two pound and a halfe of the best sort with crooked gaffles hanging at their strong girdles after the manner of Germanie that they might on horsebacke bend their Crosbowes the more easelie and readilie with 24. quarrels in a case well fitlie and firmelie sette at their saddle pommels and mounted vpon good colde geldings of meane size theâ—selues armed with good morrions of the spanish fashion vpon their heads Collers light and short wasted Cuirasses and backes with sleeues of maile or their doublet sleeues chained with maâ—le betwixt the lining and outside of their said sleeues or with certen narrow stripes of serecloth within their sleeues as aforesaid or else chat they should be armed with morrions light and easie brigandines and sleeues chained with maile with broade short swordes by their sides of not aboue a yard in length and short daggers The archers on hâ—rsebacke vnder their Captaines or conductors skilfull in archerie I would likewise haue mounted vpon good quiet geldings of mean size with deepe steele sculles in very narrow brimd hattes well stuffed for the easines of their heades or rather with certen light morrions of some gallant fashion inuented and deuised for them and either Iacks of maile according to the auncient manner when they were called Loricati Sagittarâ— or else light and easie brigandines or at least Ilet holed doublets verie easie and well fitted to their bodies their sleeues chained within with maile or else with certen narrow stripes of serecloth betwixt the lining and outside of their sleeues for the easines of their armes with broade short swordes and short daggers their bowes of good yewgh long and well nocked and backed and all their stringes well whipt with sheafes of .24 arrowes â— peece in cases with shooting gloues and bracers after the manner of our archers in times past And all these both archers crosbowers I would haue them to be well practised that they might know how to discharge their arrowes and quarrells galloping vpon the hand and in al other motions of their horses and the Crosbowers to bend againe with great readines and diuers bands being thus horsed armed weaponed and exercised as also reduced into bands of fifties vnder sufficient conductors and other officers skilfull in those weapons should in mine opinioÌ„ be able to performe far greater seruice in y e field either against horsemen or footmen then any of the forenamed weapons offire on horsebacke Considering that both archers and Crosbowers may with their arrowes and quarrels verie certenlie wound or kill in their points and blanks either horsemen or footmen that are in squadron or troupe 2. or 3. skores of and rouing 6. 7. or 8. skores or a great deale furder may greatlie mischiefe and annoie any squadron either of horsemen or footmen where as the Argolettiers or Pistolettiers are not to worke any effect against squadrons or troupes of horsmen or footmen aboue 10 or 15. yardes off at the furdest and if it be enemie to enemie single then they are not to discharge their peeces aboue 4. or 5. yardes off vnles they wil faile 5. times before they hit once so vncertaine are those weapons of fire The iudgement wherof because this mine opinion may seeme strange to such as doo not know the imperfections of those weapons of fire on horsebacke I refer vnto any Captaines or conductors of those weapons either Italians Spaniards Wallouns or French that are souldiors of experience and iudgement But now because I
to giue both blow and thrusts at their enemies with their greatest aduauntage Howbeit as for halbarders and piquers there is no neede that they should be so often exercised to the vse of their weapons as the soldiors with weapons of volee because that soldiors with weapons of volee be they horsemen or footmen shal neuer be able effectually to performe the vse and effects of their weapons in seruices of the field in earnest if they be not often and long before exercised in sporte with dexteritie to mannage and vse those weapons And so likewise vpon such aforesaid holydaies I would wish that all sorts of horsemen of what weapon soeuer should either before their maisters or some other principall men where they dwel appointed for that purpose ride their horses and exercise themselues on horbacke with such weapons as they are inrolled vnto And all these aforesaid priuate exercises vpon holidaies I would wish to be performed to the intent to make all the soldiors of all sorts of armors and weapons as well on horsback as on foote to be the more apte ready to performe the effects of soldiors vpon all important emploiments and seruices Militarie as also at such generall musters and trainings as should be appointed thought requisite vpon some two speciall times in the sommer when the people might haue best leisure to be absent from their moâ— needefull and necessarie Countrie affaires Also I would that no horsemen nor footmen to what armor and weapon soeuer they bee inrolled should alter or chaunge themselues from the same kinde of armors and weapons that he or they are inrolled vnto vpon verie seuere punishment without the special appointment of their Captain or Captaines and therefore it is verie conuenient that al Captains aswell of horsmen as footmen should euer haue all their officers of their bandes alwaies ready wel known to their whole bands as also the whole baÌ„ds vnto them as their Lieutenantes their Ensignebearers their Sergeants And that all those officers should be men of credite and account and inhabiters in the same shires and that al those officers should haue the muster Rolles of the names of all the souldiors with their different wepons that they are inrolled vnto in as great perfections as the Captaines that thereby as also for diuers other causes they should haue a continual eie that the souldiors of their bands should not through any kinde of negligence grow into any imperfections or disorders And therewithall that the Corporals of the footmen who should haue 50. souldiors vnder their seuerall charges their own persons in that number conteined should neuer be without a perfect Roll of the particular names of the souldiors of their Corporalates and to what armor and weapons euery soldior is inrolled and where they dwell And therewithall that they should haue speciall care to see and diligently to inquire whether the souldiors of their charge and Corporalates do vpon such holidaies as aforesaid exercise themselues with their weapons in the Townes parishes hamlets or plaâ—es where they are ordinarilie resident as also that at conuenient times they should see whether their arming apâ—arell armors and weapons be well and orderlie kept without any thing lacking And for the orderlie obseruation and performance of all the most requisit matters by me before set downe as also others that haue no◠〈◊〉 present fallen into my remembrance or that may 〈◊〉 better considered of and deuised by others of greater memorie and consideration then I am of I would wish they should be with great consideration aduise of counsell propounded considered of and established by Act of Parliament with certen different penalties for the refourming of the neglecters of such requisite matters militarie as also certen priuiledges preheminences or other aduancements aâ— rewards for vertue to be bestowed vppon such as doo best or verie well behaue themselues in their vocations and â—egrees militarie And thus hauing for the great loue that I beare to the continuall safetie and prosperity of the Crowne Realme of England aâ—d English Nation performed and finished my intended propositions and proiects militarie I cease attributing all such matters as I haue rightly fallen into the reckoning of to the most high praise honor and glorie of Almightie God as the only giuer of all right vnderstanding wisdome and science and all my failinges and errors vnto mine owne great lacke and fault in that I haue not giuen and yeeldeâ— my selfe as I ought to haue doon to his deuine grace and direction thereby to haue considered learned and obserued more of the Art and scienâ—e Militarie and of all other good thinges then my simple capacitie and power by seeing reading and hearing hath been any waies able to attaine vnto Honor et gloria in excelsis Deo omnipotenti sempiterno et incomprehensibili Amen Li. 4. de legib Li. 1. de Repub Li. 7. polit Cap. â— Certen matters to be considered of and obserued by all Captaines before y â— reducement of their bands into their simple single order of rankes A compertiment of a band of Soldiors is to bee vnderstood the number of soldiors of any one sort of weapon as of Harquebuziers of archers of musquetiers of piquers or of halbardiers reduced into their simple or single order of rankes as of 3. 4. 5. 6. or 7. so vppe to 10. or 11. in a rank at the most readie to be reduced into squadron or to be any other waies imploied Single bandes are not to march aboue 10. or 11. in a ranke at the most for diuers causes and reasoâ—s Certen orders and briefe speaches to be obserued vsed by Captains their officers when they would reduce their bandes into their simple and single order of raÌ„kes In all reducementes either of horsemen or footmen al the backer rankes must obserue the proportionate distances in frunt and by flanks of the two formost rankes Two speciall generall rules to be obserued by all soldiors when they are to reduce them selues into rankes This kind of reducement of a single band of horsemen or footmen into rankes euery soldior by the left flanke of the other hath not bene according to true discipline vsed by our English nation of a long time Briefe speaches to be vsed by Captains of horsemen when they are to reduce their companies into their simple and single order of rankes Brief speaches to be vsed by the Captain his officers to piquers standing at their piques How piquers should shoulder their piques and march Distances to be obserued by piquers marching in their single order of rankes That it is a thing of verie great difficulty to set downe by writing all the iust and proportionate distances that Horsemen and footemen are to obserue in frunt and by flanks vpon diuers occasions Brief speaches to be vsed to piquers when they shoulde make a stand or pause How piquers should aduaÌ„ce their piques and make a stand No
the troupes of stradiots Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke should be placed and aduanced in winge more furder forward towards the Enemy then the hearse or winge of dimilaunces And I would also that all the societies of the weapons of volee I meane the archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be placed aduanced before and nearer to the Enemie by some 10. 15. or 20. paces then the troupes and societies of stradiots and that the troupes of archers should not march altogether by themselues without any troupes of Crosbowers amoÌ„gst or betwixt them in respect that they are different kindes of weapons but I would that the troupes of archers and Crosbowers should march in their troupes seperated but yet in their troupes intermingled about 15. or 20. paces distant one troupes from another which is to be vnderstood a troupe of archers and a troupe of Crosbowers and a troupe of archers a troupe of Crosbowers and so the rest some troupes fifteene some twentie paces one from another and those not all of one equal frunt but oblique the one to the other I meane some aduaunced furder forward towards the Enemie and others more backward in winge and Reregard Retired And that I would to the intent that when the formost societies and troupes of weapons of volee had giuen their volees of quarrels and arrowes either at horsemen or footmen their Enemies and that they were casting about againe and retiring to giue place to other troupes of weapons of volee to second and succeed them that then some other troupes of weapons of volee that are in winge Reregard of them should in their troupes put spurres to their horses and aduaunce themselues forward and seconde and supplie their fellowes places retired with new volees And I woulde also that euerie three societies of Crosbowers and Archers on horsebacke should haue one troupe of 10. of 15. of 20. or 25. stradiots with their double headed Launces continuallie vppon all charges and other seruices to attend vppon them in Reregard some 15. or 20. paces distaunt ready vpon any occasion to aduaunce themselues forwarde and succour them as also vpon the disordering or ouerthrowe of the Enemie to followe the Chace and doo execution vppon their Enemies disordered or broken bee they horsemen or footmen And I would that no societie nor troupe of Archers nor Crosbowers on horseback should be vnder the number of 10. nor aboue the number of 15. nor that any troupe of Stradiots shoulde exceed the number of 25. nor be vnder the number of 10. And to the intent that euerie troupe of Stradiots should knowe vppon which 3. troupes of Crosbowers and Archers they should attend as alâ—o that euery 3. troupes of Archers and Crosbowers should giue their charges and volees and make their Retraites and worke all other effectes in the fielde together it were conuenient that euery 4. troups of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback and their Conductors should alwaies lodge in their quarters in Campe together but I meane not that the soeieties of archers of Crosbowers and stradiots should lodge all in one hale or tent together but that the hales and tents of euerie different sort of weapon of euery such 4. troups should be placed one next vnto another and that al their Cariages vpon any remoue of campe should march together and that all the Conductors and the chiefs of the societies of tennes as also all their soldiors of euery different sort of weapon shuld know frequent keep company one with another in Campe should vow to liue and die together as if they were but one â—ind 〈…〉 societie and Camerada And as I haue placed this first 1300. light â—â—â—smen of different weapons in the order before described so would I in the very same sort and form reduce the second number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsbacke vppon the left side and flanke of the dimilaunces that are vpon the left flanke of the men at armes which are in wing of the left side of the Reregard which performed I would then giue order that the third diuision and number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be deuided into 2. diuisions or parts that is into 650. in each diuision and that the first 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should in the like order as abouesaid bee reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the right flanke of the dimilaunces that are reduced on the right flanke of the men at armes that are in wing on the right side of the principall battle And that the other diuision and number of 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should bee likewise reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the left flanke and side of the broad square of dimilaunces that are on the left flanke of the men at armes that doo arme the left side of the a Rereregardrereward And I would that all those 4. winges of light horsmen stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should vppon any occasion of battle great incountrie or skirmish behaue themselues in fight according to the instructions that are heereafter described and set downe where amongst other matters I make speciall mention of those 3. different sorts of light horsmen And now as I haue reduced and placed these 4. battles of footmen and armed them and their weapons of volee with many squares and troupes of horsmen of diuers different sorts of armors and weapons so would I in this sort following arme those 4. squadrons with certen field peeces according to the ordinarie vse of this time for the greater annoiance of the Enemie and for the more sure guard of the battles First incase there were any little hil or high ground of aduantage of any conuenient neerenesse vnto the two formost battles that might command the open fieldes and plaines where the Enemies battles should march and approch then I would there place so many field peeces as should bee requisite for that ground of aduauntage with some trench or trenches by good numbers of laborers and pioners vppon the sudden cast and those peeces well and stronglie guarded with conuenient numbers of piquers halbardiers and archers and would place the rest of the field peeces vpon the flanks of the battles in their most conuenient places with their powder bullets and all other thinges that do appertaine to the vse of them for the annoiance of the Enemie But incase there were no such grounds nor ground of aduantage as aforesaid where to plant such peeces of artillerie then would I place 3. fawcons ranforced of 6 poundes the bullet and one fawconet ranforced of 3. pounds the bullet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the right corner of the vaungard and aduaunced furder forward then y â— frunt and Corner of that battle by the like number of paces with their gunners and all their aides and thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And so likewise would
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
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
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
and battleaxes when they are in skirmish with their enemies in the field pag. 133 Briefe speeches to be vsed by Captaines or leaders of harquebuziers when they would reduce them into abroad square with distaunces oblique pag. 145 Speeches to be vsed to a broad squaâ—e or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduauntage where horsemen cannot charge them pag. 146 Briefe speeches to be vsed to mosquetiers being in a broad square pag. 147 Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be obserued by a Sergeant maior and Captaines and leaders of archers in the field pag. 150 A comparison betwixt Archers and mosquetiers and archers and harquebuziers pag. 154 A comparison betwixt harquebuziers and mosquetiers pag. 155 Instructions to be giuen by captaines and officers to their bandes for the passing of any briefe speeches or word pag. 157 The dutie of trompettors and dromâ—ers pag. 158 Certen instructions and obseruations concerning the ordering and exeâ—câ—sing of men at Armes of dimilaunces and also of light horsmen Stradiots incorporated with archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke for diuers purpoâ—es and seruices pag. 159 Why launces are rather to be reduced into squadron then into troupe pag. 165 How and in what distaunces men at Armes or dimilaunces are to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies pag. 167 Diuers exercises for horsmen to be instructed and taught pag. 168 Into what formes light horsmen borderers or Stradiots are to reduce themselues with the waies how they should be reduced into the forme of a semicicle pag. 171 How stradiots archers on horseback and Crosbowers on horseback incorporated in bands are to behaue themselues in the field pag. 174 Certen proceedings and obseruations that I would wish to bee obserued in the first election enrolling arming and weaponing of souldiors for the defence of the Realme pag 179 Three principal thinges to be obserued in al right and true elections of souldiors pag. 180 Concerning the election apparelling arming and weaponing of 〈◊〉 of footmen pag. 1â—7 How all fortes of horsmen should be apparelled armed horsed and weaponed pag. 1â—8 Of what calling the mustermaisters of euâ—ry shiere should be pag 205 The curious order that al mustermaisters are to vse in mustering of their ban is of horsmen pag. 206 The order that is to be vsed for the supplying of souldiors maâ—med or 〈◊〉 or otherwaies decaied or departing from their â—â—bitation into 〈◊〉 other Towne or hundred or out of their maisters seâ—uice pag 210 The different placing of the souldiors armors and wâ—â—â—ons in all the shires of England with the Authors opinion where he would haue them â—laced and certen other necessarie aduertisements pag. 211 Where and how souldiors that are inrolled to any kind of weapon ought to â—xercise themselues pag. 217 The cause wherefore the Author hath compose◠〈◊〉 Booke pag. 220 Faults happened in the printing of this Booke by reason that for Iohn Smythe was absent from London at the time of the imprinting thereof And they are tobe corrected and read as followeth Page line  5 23 Put out And march 7 18 for Armour read Armours 9 32 for the left feet read their left feet 21 16 for Captain Lieutenant read Captaine or Lieutenant 31 26 for opinions read opinion 36 31 for in aâ—ank read in rankes 39 18 for therein make read there make 43 3 for which like number read which little number 48 9 for forpart corner read forpart and corner 48 16 for sort and weapon read sort of weapon 56 26 for substance of the powder read substance body of y â— powder 62 11 for 145. Read 143. 63 18 for 5. in frunt read 50. in frunt 63 33 for the flanke read the left flanke 74 1 for but one kind read but of one kind 87 33 for that their in encountring read that in their encountring 88  In the margent for 3000. read 5000. 93 30 for piquers read piques 94 4 for ranke read rankes 106 27 for flankes read flanke 111 14 for 18000. read 1800. 126 35 for like read little 134 3 for double read doubt 143 2 for sortes read sort 148 33 for and without read and not without 150 35 for narrow or short read narrow and short 156 17 for motions read motion 189 25 for stocks read cocks 194 10 for the piques of such sagging read the points of such sagging 197 29 for septrionall Read septentrionall 203 16 for into their bands read into bands 218 3 for at a great But discharge read at a great white in the midst of a great But. Certen Instructions obseruations and orders military requisit for al Chieftains Captains and higher and lower men of charge officers to vnderstand know and obserue Composed by sir Iohn Smythe knight 1591. THE first thing belonging to the Art and Science Militarie practised by all Warlike Nations in all ages hath bin that al Captains after they haue receiued the charge of bands or companies of horsmen or footmen armed weaponed according to the discipline and vse of the Nation that they are of haue first instructed and taught their souldiors to reduce themselues into their simple and single order of ranks and to weare carry and vse all their weapons in soldior-like manner according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of them without which readilie and orderlie performed and dulie obserued with all obedience neyther Captains officers nor their soldiors can in right vnderstanding be accounted worthy to beare the name of men of warre and therfore I will first begin with the orderlie reducing of a band into forme to march in their rankes as followeth All Captaines Lieutenants and Sergeants of bands are first to consider before they do reduce their bands of souldiors into their simple and single order of ranks how many different sorts of weapons they haue in their bands with the number of euery different sort of weapon which done then are they to consider what sort kind of weapon shall march in the first compertiment or deuision and what other sort of weapon in the second compertiment and so subsequentlie in all the rest so as alwaies the compertiment of armed men piquers doo march in the midst of all the rest of the compertiments All which being by them and their officers considered then they are to resolue how many souldiers of euery sort of weapon they will command to march in a rancke as of 5. of 6. or of 7. or more or fewer so as they be not fewer then 3. nor more then 10. or 11 at the most in their simple and single order of rankes although their bandes be verie great And these numbers of 10. or 11. in a ranke at the most and 3. soldiors in a ranke at the fewest for single bands to march in hath beene obserued by all men of warre of iudgement amongst all Warlike Nations in all ages and that in respect that the rankes of souldiors that doe not
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
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
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
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
the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one and the third the fourth likewise by the number of one and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal number to the first Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique all the harquebuziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them that is they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide must be of equall number to the first ranke to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and proportioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distances may through those distances oblique giue gallant volees to the great mischiefe of their enimies without hurting or endamaging the one the other And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Turks the harquebuziers Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes yet their distances were most commonlie oblique which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks Tartars and other such orientall Nations because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses barbed as also light horsemen And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares as the Hongarians doo in sockets made fast to their Saddles or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores vse double headed Launces or zagayas by some called punching staues for diuers causes and reasons that I am able by the helpe of Almightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field vnto diuers Captaines and Gentlemen of the shire of Essex Speaches to be vsed to a broad square or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduantage where horsmen cannot charge them WHen a good number of harquebuziers are reduced into a square or troupe formed not in rankes oblique but by right line to flanke a breach or to make head against the enemie in some straight or passage or that the place is such and of that strength for the guard of the harquebuziers that it is more requisit that they should make resistance against the enemie in some square or troupe formed then any waies disseuered or in troupes confused then the leaders vppon the approch of the enemie are to say vnto them Discharge soldiors to your knees and charge againe volee after volee which beeing by them heard the first and second ranke being in rankes of conuenient distances are at one instant to giue a volee as neere as they can taking their sightes at point and blank which being doone they ought in an instant to fall vppon one of their knees and to charge againe while the third and fourth rankes doo likewise giue their volees which being by them performed they ought in like manner to kneele downe and charge their peeces giuing place to the fist and sixt ranks to discharge their peeces ouer all their heads which being performed throughout the whole hearse or troupe sauing that the two hinder rankes shall not need to kneele bicause there are none behind them to shoot ouer their heads then all the first rankes that haue charged their peeces againe are to stand vp to giue volee after volee and so to their knees againe and to giue place to the hindermost rankes to discharge their peeces ouer their heads according to the former prescribed order But to the intent that two ranks may the better giue a volee both at one instant without daungering the one the other as aforesaid it were requisit that euery second ranke should be reduced oblique as aforesaid to the ranke preceeding for otherwise there can but only one ranke discharge at a time vnlesse their rankes be very thin Briefe speaches to be vsed to Mosquetiers beeing in a broad square WHen a conuenient company of mosquetiers well guarded with armed men are reduced into a broad square of 15. or 20. in frunt and 6. by flankes more or fewer and that all their restes be fixed in the ground in conuenient distances and that their conductors vpon the approach of the enemie would haue them to giue volee after volee from their rests taking their certen sights from pointe at blanke and that euerie ranke should orderlie succeede the one the other in discharging their peeces then they are to say vnto them Discharge retire and aduance which being by the mosquetiers heard then the first whole ranke taking their sights at pointe and blanke are all at one time to discharge their peeces at the squadron or troupe of horsemen or footmen approching which being by them performed they are presently to retire to the last ranke of rests there to charge againe leauing their owne ranke of rests still fixed in the ground Then the second ranke are to aduaunce themselues and to clappe their peeces vpon the first ranke of rests as they do stand directly before them and the third ranke are to aduaunce themselues to the second ranke of rests the fourth ranke to the third ranke of rests and the fifth ranke to the fourth ranke of rests and the sixte ranke to the fifth ranke of rests whilest the first that hath discharged and is now retired to the sixte or last ranke of rests do charge their peeces againe so geuing continual volees of bullets by discharging retiring and aduauncing as aforesaid they may annoie the enemy be they horsemen or footmen in terrible sorte without falling into any disorder or cōfusion And the verie like speaches may be vsed to little squares or troupes of harquebuziers in the field when they are to retire hauing discharged and other troupes to aduaunce and supply their places geuing them time to charge again and so by retiring aduauncing and succeeding euery one the other they may giue continuall volees of shot at the enemies Aduertising
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
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
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 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉
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