the sound of the drums for that purpose all the souldiors of flanke are presently to make frunt and are therewithall presently to reforme their distances as well in frunt as by flankes which by this making of flank frunt is growne into great disproportion which reforming of their distances as well by frunt as flanke is to bee performed by straightning their ranks in frunt and enlarging them by flanks into their conuenient and proportionate distances either to march or fight Which being performed then the Sergeant Maior to the intent to giue the more ground and roome to the other part of the squadron of 5. compertiments to reduce themselues by flanke is to command the Coronelles Drummer and so the rest to strike a march which doone then the Captaines and all that part of the squadron that haue made flanke frunt are orderlie one ranke after another to shoulder their piques and march after their Captaines but 50. or 60. paces where the Drummers againe striking and sounding a pause all that foresaid part of the squadron are presentlie one ranke after another to aduance their piques and make a stand which being performed then the sergeant Maiors Lieutenant is presently to command the drummers that doo remaine vppon the frunt of the 5. compertiments that haue not altered their frunt nor flankes to strike a march which being performed he and all their captaines must with that part of y e squadron march certen paces straight forward thereby to take the more compasse of ground and then turning vpon the left hand must draw them vp almost close by the left flanke to the frunt of that part of the squadron that haue alreadie made of flanke frunt Al which being performed according to the orders before set downe the whole squadron is now come againe to be in the same proportion both in number of souldiors in euery rank as also of number of ranks by flanks that they were at the first that is of 60. in euery rank 35. ranks But heere it is to be noted that the ranke of Ensigne-bearers of the first part of the squadron that made flanke frunt with their guardes of halbarders by this making of flanke frunt being brought into disorder by reason that now they are not in ranke as they were before must presentlie vpon the stroke of the drummer commanded by the Coronels Ensignebearer march vp not betwixt the rankes but through the rankes of the souldiors till they al come betwixt the seuenteenth ranke before them and the eighteenth ranke behinde them and there betwixt those two rankes they must reduce themselues into order and ranke which being by them done then both they and the rest of the other Ensignebearers of that part of the squadron that marched vppe and reduced themselues by flanke as aforesaid being in one ranke haue before them iust 17. rankes and behind them 18. which in all are 35. ranks All which performed then the sleeues winges and troupes of the different weapons of volee that did before arme the right and left flankes and all 4. corners of the squadron are againe by their officers to be lead and reduced into the same forms vpon the right and left flanks that they were before that the squadron did make of flanke frunt or else may be reduced into any other varietie of formes that the Coronell or Sergeant Maior shall thinke most conuenient And so march forward if the plainnesse of the Countrie and other requisite causes do cause and permit them so to do But now it is furder to be noted that if the same squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of diuers sorts of weapons of volee as aforesaid not hauing the enemie in sight nor neare should happen in their march to come to a straight passage where betwixt rocks mountaines and hilles or any such like there could not passe aboue .5 soldiors in a ranke and that there were no other open way neare by many miles for the Regiment to passe but only the same then the Coronell if he be alone with his Regiment of .4000 men as aforesaid is presently to take order that the highest partes and sides of the mountaines rockes hilles be possessed of both sides of the passage with certen numbers of harquebuziers and some mosquetiers as also of some light armed halbarders to backe them that thereby the rest of the shott and squadron of armed men may the more safelie passe through the straight which being perfomed then he is to send the one halfe of the shott of all the diuers sorts of volee y t did arme the right and left flanks of the squadron to march before through the straight I meane all such weapons of volee as did arme the foreparts of both the flankes and frunt of the squadron and not the other halfe of shott that did arme the hinder parts of the flankes and backe of the squadron who are for the guard of the backe or Rereward of the squadron and for diuers other causes and accidental employments to remaine hindermost and to march .5 in a ranke and to follow the last compertiment of piquers into the straight and that I would wish to be performed in this order and sort following First I would send the compertiments of mosquetiers of the right flank marching according to the narrownes of the straight .5 in a ranke and the harquebuziers of the same flanke after them backt with some light armed piquers and halbarders then I would send the compertiments of archers likewise of the right flank marching .5 in a ranke then I would that the compertiments of mosquetiers and harquebuziers that were for the guard of the left flanke marching 5. in a ranke backt likewise with some number of light armed piquers and halbardars should follow the archers of the right flanke and that after them should follow the archers of the forepart corner of the left flank which different compertiments of weapons of volee of the forepart of the right flanke being marcht through y e straight into the plaine should march so far on the right hand as there should be space and roome enough for the compertiments of the piquers of the right flanke to reduce themselues into forme vpon their lefte flanke and that then euerie sort and weapon of volee should reduce themselues into the same formes of sleeues winges and troupes and other such like as they were vpon the right corner and flanke of the squadron before that they marched into the straight Then would I that the different Compertiments of the like weapons of volee of the foreparte of the left flanke of the squadron that haue followed the first compertiments and are now likewise come through the straight should march so much on the left hand of the plaine as they may leaue ground and space enough for the squadron of piquers to reduce themselues into their forme betwixt them and the weapons of volee of the right flank that they there should
deuided into partes and corporalates vnder their Corporals and Sergeants for watches bodies of watches Centinels and all other ordinarie and extraordinary emploiments and actions militarie in Campe Towne or field then any smal bands are For it is most euident that smal bands of 150. to an Ensigne consisting of 5. different sortes of weapons viz piques battleaxes mosquets harquebuzes and longbowes and that therefore euery one sort of those weapons is to be reduced into diuers little diuisions by themselues which besides the vncomely sight to see so many small compertimentes in euery such little band it would require a much longer time vpon the dailie and ordinarie dislodging of an Armie reduced into a vaungard battle and rereward to draw so great numbers of compertiments out of such a number of little bandes then out of a few bands of 500. to draw a few great compertiments and to incorporate and reduce them into any forme or formes And this before written I thinke might suffice to perswade any that do professe Armes that are of any discretion although but of meane iudgement in matters Militarie that such great bands as aforesaid are a great deale more fitt and conuenient to forme battles and squadrons withall then such small bands as aforesaid are Howbeit because there be some 3. or 4. of our Nation y t haue written in certen lewde and false pamphlets and libells against me as is before mentioned that haue not bene ashamed to name themselues the inuentors and deuisers of a new discipline Militarie who how farre wide they are from the vnderstanding of all true discipline all men of right consideration may euidently see by their writinges speakings vaine opinions and actions that they I say in their malitious and friuolous libels do write as aforesaid that small bands of 150. are as readie to be reduced into any squadron as great bands of .500 are I therefore to make that which I haue before written more apparant and vtterlie to conuince their obstinate ignorances will by comparing the best orders and waies of fourming of squadrons both with great and with small bandes shewe with what great readines and facilitie squadrons may be formed with a few great Compertiments out of great bandes of 500. to an Ensigne and with what difficultie great squadrons are reduced into forme with many little Compertiments out of small bandes of .150 to an Ensigne that therby all men of consideration may euidentlie see the erronious and vnskilfull opinions Militarie that those our such men of warre do hold And therefore I do for example alledge That admit that a generall of an Army of .18000 footmen reduced into .6 Regiments of .3000 to euerie Regiment and .8000 10000. or .12000 horsemen of diuers armors and weapons with all other prouision and furniture belonging to such an Armie to inuade some forren dominions that the whole 18000 footmen being deuided into 5. partes he had concluded according to the commendable opinion of some notable men of warre that I haue knowne in my time that 3. parts of the 5. should be all piquers and short weapons or all piquers without any short weapons to forme a vaungard battle and Rereward according to the manner and vse of the Italians and Spaniards of this time and that the other two parts should be all weapons of volee weare I say determined to make a proofe whether little bandes of 150. or great bands of 500. were most apte and ready to forme squadrons withal and therefore hauing reduced 3. of the 6. Regiments into little bands of 150. that is 20. bandes of 150. to euerie Regiment of 3000. and the other 3. Regiments into great bandes of .500 that is .6 bandes of 500. to euerie Regiment of 3000. he then geuing these or the like directiōs hereafter set down should most manifestly see the great aptnes dexteritie and readinesse of great bandes of .500 to reduce squadrons into with the wonderfull vnreadinesse great disorders and imperfections in reducing of squadrons into forme by little bandes of 150. consisting of .5 different weapons as aforesaid The Lieutennant general therfore first to make proofe whether the piquers of one of the regiments of the small bands or the piquers of one of the Regiments of the great bands were more readie to be reduced into squadron is to commaund that at a certen houre vpon a sound and warning giuen by his trompettor two Coronells with their two Regiments the one consisting all of small bands of .150 and the other all of great bands of .500 should with all celeritie reduce themselues into their simple and single order of rankes which reducement of bandes into their simple and single order is euer to be performed before squadrons can with order and reason Militarie be formed and that either in the place of Armes if the Generall shal appoint that place or otherwise if it shal please him to commaund both the Coronells at one time to march out of the Camp to two seuerall places grounds appointed both of like distance from the fortifications of the Campe there to reduce .3 parts of their Regiments which do consist of piquers the other two parts consisting weapons of volee as aforesaid into two seuerall squadrons each of them 60. piquers in frunt 30. by flanks which are in each Regiment .1800 piquers Then I say that the 3. partes of piquers of euerie great band of .500 being .300 and the other two parts of weapons of volee in number 200. marching out of their quarters into the place of Armes which is betwixte their quarter and the fortifications of the Campe and there reducing themselues into their simple and single order of 100. rankes 5. in euerie ranke or rather into 50. rankes of 10. in euerie ranke I mean the one halfe of the weapons of volee that doconsist of 100. marching before the ranks of y ◠piquers and the other halfe of y ◠like number of weapons of volee behinde the hindermost ranke of all the piquers with the Ensigne according to all discipline in the middest of the piquers And so all those 6. bandes of 500. vnder euerie Ensigne marching 10. in a ranke one after another out of the Campe towardes the ground where they are to forme their squadron whither being comne the weapons of volee that are in frunt of the first band marching a conuenient distance to the right hand from before the piquers to the intent to giue the piquers place and to be readie to arme the forepart of the right flanke of the squadron And the compertiment of piquers of this formost and first band being comne to the ground wheras they are to aduaunce their piques and make a stande and hauing perfourmed the same the other halfe of the weapons of volee of the same band that marcht behind who are to arme the forepart of the left flank of the squadron being drawne vp by their Conductors so large a distance on the left hand from their
are incident and doo ordinarilie ensue in reducing of little compertiments of small bandes into diuers formes of squadrons with sleeues winges forlorne hopes c with the great perfections and easinesse of reducing the great compertimentes of great bandes into all sortes of formes with great facilitie as is before declared considered I come to conclude that the aforesaid Lieutenant Generall or any other Chiefetaine of right vnderstanding obseruation and iudgement would forme the footmen of his Armie into great bandes and not into such small bandes as are before mentioned And thus farre concerning the proouing that great bandes of 500. are more conuenient for all purposes and emploiments then small bands of 150. or 200. are Concerning Ensignes and Ensignebearers of priuate bandes of footmen as also concerning the Standard and Standard bearer of an Emperour or of a King HEere it is to be noted because Ensignebearers of footmen are to march in the midst of the armed men aswell in squadrons as in priuate bands and therewithall to be euer ready to take their places vppon the assembling reducing or marching of such bandes that they with their Ensignes ought to be lodged in their Captaines tents or lodginges or verie neere vnto their Captains alwaies accompanied with one of the drummers and the phiâ—er of the band the other to accompanie the Captaine And incase there be but onely one drummer and a phiser then they are alwaies to accompanie and lodge where the Lieutenant and ensignebearer with his Ensigne in their soldiors quarter doo lodge and that in respect that they may with al celeritie by the stroke and sound of the drum assemble their band vppon al sudden Alarmes or mutinies or other accidents Also it is to bee noted that an Ensignebearer in the field carrieng his Ensigne displayed ought 〈◊〉 carrie the same vpright and neuer neither in towne nor field nor in sport nor earnest to fetche florishes about his head with his Ensign staffe taffata of his Enâ—igne as the Enâ—ignebearers of London do vpon midsommer night because that such florishes in all true discipline are houlden for mockeries Howbeit sometimes to aduaunce lift vp and raise his Ensigne higher vpon certen occasions it it verie allowable Also an Ensignebearer carying his Ensigne woond vp about the Ensigne staffe or else he carrying the same open leaning it to his shoulder ought marching doune a hill to gather together the lower parte of the taffata of his Ensigne in such sort as it may not touch the ground And therfore Ensignes of a conuenient size and not too large and great are far better and more conuenient then Ensignes that are very large Also the halbarders that do march in the ranke of the Ensignes and are for the gard of them ought to carrie their halbards with such respect as they ought not to teare nor touch any part of the Ensignes as neare as they can possible Also all Ensignebearers marching in the field either amongst their single companies or being reduced into squadron vpon the discouerie of the Enemy are presently to vnwind open display their Ensigns but yet if the wind be great they may gather together the lower parte or taffata of their Ensignes and leane the Ensignestaffe and Ensigne to their shoulders vntill they approch neerer to the enemie at which time all Ensignebearers ought to display and aduance their ensignes carrying them in their left hands to the intent that they may bee the more ready vpon the neer approch and encountring with the enemie with their right handes to drawe their swordes and defend their Ensignes by reason that they ought not to fight nor thrust with the points of their ensigne staues but only in assaults of Towns or vpon some other great extremitie but to carry them vpright and sometimes aduanced to the intent that they may be still in the sight of their souldiors Also if any Ensignebearer or ensignebearers in their band or bandes happen to march by an Emperour or King or by the Lieutenant Generall they ought to carrie them displaied and aduaunced and when they come almost ouer against such a Prince or his Lieutenant Generall they ought to pull downe their ensignes lower bow downe forward the point and taffeta of their ensign or ensignes not directlie towards the prince or Lieutenant Generall but directly towardes the waie that they are marching and at the same instant they ought also to bow something forward their heads and bodies in token of respect and reuerence without any waies moouing or touching their burgonets which ought to be alwaies fast tied with a taffeta vnder their chinnes Also when a single band or companie of soldiors or a squadron of diuers bandes marching in the fieldes shall come to aduaunce their piques and make a stay or pause then the Ensignebearer of that single band if it be alone or all the Ensignebearers of a whole squadroÌ„ must display and aduance their Ensignes Also a squadron of diuers bands marching in the fields it is lawfull for all the Ensignebearers in their ranke or rankes of Ensignes to carrie their Ensignes woond vp about their Ensignestaues rested or leaned to their shoulders so as in the ranke of Ensignes or in each ranke of Ensignes if the squadron be so great that there be more then one ranke of Ensignes that one Ensignebearer in eache ranke must carrie his Ensigne open and displayed and he during the time that he so carrieth his Ensigne ought to be in the midst of the ranke of the Ensignes vntill such time as he to ease himselfe doth wind vp his Ensigne and retire againe to his owne place be it on the right or left hand leauing the middle place to the Ensignebearer that doth succeede and supplie his place with his banner or Ensigne displayed But it is to be noted that in a squadron whereas there be diuers Ensignes for some of them to carrie their ensignes woonde vp and leaned against their shoulders others displaied vprighted and aduaunced and other ensignebearers also their ensignes opened and leaned to their shoulders it is verie vnsoldiorlike and vncomely to see such varietie of carrying of ensignes in one squadron therefore either they ought all to carry their ensignes woond vp and leaned against their shoulders sauing only one ensignebearer with his ensigne displayed vprighted or aduaunced as aforesaid or incase in calme weather or vpon any other occasion the ensignebearers like not so to do then they may carrie them al opened displaied but in any wise all after one sort sauing only he that is the chiefe ensignebearer for the time who ought to cary his ensigne vpright opened displaied although all â—y other ensignebearers do carry their ensignes woond vp as aforesaid But all this before notwithstanding here it is to be noted that in case an Emperor or a Kinges Standard be in any battle or squadron of footmen in the field that then
a thing of so great facilitie for all good and diligent Captaines and officers aswell of horsemen as of footmen only by sight of eye and ordinarie practise to instruct and reduce their souldiors vpon any different occasions into all sorts of distances either in Towne Campe or field according to the Art and scyence Militarie as that there is not any Captaine Lieutenant nor Sergeants of band that are any waies worthie to haue the charge or mannaging of a band of footemen nor any Captaine Lieutenant Conductor nor Decurion of horsmen that are any waies worthy to haue the ordering managing of any sorts of horsemen vnder their charges if they doo not very well know all different sortes of distances according to discipline that they are to reduce their soldiors into And if the Captaine or officers aforesaid would haue their souldiors to stay their march and make a stand then the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeant is to say to the first ranke of piquers Auance your piques which words being pronounced al the soldiors piquers of the first rank must in an instant lay their left hands vpon the forpart of their piques about a foot or more before their right handes auancing themselues forward two steps the first with their left feet and the laste steppe with their right feet and therewithall raising their piques vpright with both their hands they must set the butends of them vpon the grouÌ„d with the pointes towards the Element which being by the first rank performed with a comly soldiorlik grace then the second ranke the third fourth so subsequently all the rest of the ranks one after another must after the same sort auance their piques And whereas it hath beene of long time vsed and stil is by many Italian Walloun and French Captains and so likewise by some other Captaines of other Nations that they doo instruct their soldiors marching in their simple or single order of rankes of 5. or 6. or 7. or other such numbers as also when they are reduced into squadron that all the piquers that doo march of the left flank or side of the band or squadron should carrie all their piques vpon their left shoulders as â—y piquers marching vpon the right flanke doo carry theirs vpon their right shoulders and this to the intent as they say that the piquers of the left flanke or side of the band or squadron carrying their piques vpon their left shoulders doo in the same carrying of their piques greatly beautifie the band or squadron in the eies of the beholders whereas if otherwise all the piquers of the left flank should carrie their piques vpon their right shoulders as those of the right flanke doo that it would not make so good a shew as by carrying their piques vpon their left shoulders Thervnto I say that I haue knowne diuers Italians and namelie Marco Antonio ColoÌ„na Ascanio de la Corna Chapin Vitelli all which three were very notable gentlemen and great Captains that did greatlie mislike that the piquers of the left flanke of a band or squadron should carry their piques vpon their left shoulders vtterly condemning the cause before alledged saying that the left flank or side of piquers marching in their simple or single order of ranks or in squadron could not be more bewtified then by the wearing of their swords vpon their left sides and their piques vpon their right shoulders in soldiorlike manner besides that for right handed soldiors to carrie their piques vpon their left shoulders when they are to aduance or vpright or shoulder their piques it dooth giue a greater disequalitie and disgrace in the performance of those and diuers other effects and therewithal is a great deale more vnready for right handed souldiors for diuers other purposes to performe and vse then if they carried al their piques after one sorâ— vpon their right shoulders And as the opinions of diuers Captaines are as aforesaid that the carrying of their piques vpon their left shoulders doth bewtifie the left flanke because it dooth resemble the right So contrariwise I say that such as doo behold either the frunt or the backe of such a band or squadron shall see a disproportion and disequalitie in the partition where the piquers of the left flank do carry their piques in a different sort from al the rest of the piquers of the right flanke For all which causes before alledged with others which for breuities sake I omit I would wish that all piquers should aswell in squadrons as in their single order of rankes carry all their piques vpon their right shoulders not vpon their left except some times when they are in march in the field to ease themselues they may change their piques to their left shoulders Also if there were any piquers that were left handed from their youth I wold wish them to carrie their piques vpon their right shoulders and to practise and vse their piques with their right hands in couching and making head with them against either horsmen or footmen and in all other militarie exercises and actions And because such left handed soldiors doo weare their swordes vpon their right sides I would wish that they should not be placed neither in single bandes nor in squadrons vpon the vttermost flankes or sides of them but in some other of the inner ranks And here it is to be noted that in reducing of a single band or companie of soldiors into their simple or single order the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeants of the band must haue great consideration in forming of their bands and chiefely consisting as our English bands doe of 5. different weapons that is of piques batleaxes musquetiers harquebuziers and archers and that they ought to performe in this sort following First that they should place the one halfe of the harquebuziers in frunt and immediatlie after them should march the one halfe of the archers and after the archers the one halfe of the musquetiers and after the musquetiers al the ranks of the piquers with the Ensigne in the midst or centre of them guarded with halbarders or battleaxers and after the piquers the other halfe of the musquetiers and after the musquetiers the other half of the archers and after them last of al the other halfe of the harquebuziers which band marching in this sort the one half of the different sorts of weapons of volee marching before the piques and the other halfe behind both in like numbers of ranks in one order they are by that means alwaies ready vpon all occasions to be reduced into any forme or different forms to arme aswell the back of the piquers by some called Rereward as also the frunt flanks al four corners of the said piques as for example If the Captain of the band be disposed to arme and draw two sleeues of any one sort of those weapons of volee by the flanks of the armed men he may then with great celerity
requisite to make the said squadron broader in frunt that is of more souldiors in euerie ranke and shorter by flanke that is to bee vnderstood of fewer rankes then he may drawe vp by flanke from the backe or rereward as some termeth it as many ranks as he thinketh conuenient As for example If he be disposed to draw vp 4. rankes of piquers by flanke to frunt he is then to say vnto his deputie Sergeant Maior or to any other such Captaine or officer that dooth accompany him Draw vp 4. rankes from the backe of the squadron by flanke which briefe speach or the like being by him pronounced his said Lieutenant Sergeant Maior or other Captaine or officer by him appointed is presently to goe to the left flanke of the last 4. rankes in backe and to saie vnto them Frunt vnto me yee 4. last rankes and let this word frunt from the left flanke passe throughout to the right flanke and that incase hee doo pronounce those wordes vpon the left flanke Vppon which wordes pronounced and the wordes passed from the one flanke to the other and their faces and weapons turned towardes him then he is to lead them vppe by the left flanke vntill they come to make euen frunt with the formost ranke of the squadron which being performed then of 55. that the squadron was before in euery rank from frunt to back it is now come to be 59. throughout all the rankes from frunt to backe But heere it is to be noted that this addition of 4. piquers in euery ranke being drawne vp by the flanke of the squadron as aforesaid there doo remaine ouerplus 21. rankes of 4. in euery ranke which doo in all make 84. piquers of the which number the sergeant maior may if he dooth so thinke it requisite draw vppe 34. rankes more of 2 in euery ranke by the flanke of the squadron which performed then the squadron doth consist in frunt of 61. souldiors and by flank of 34. rankes but then there doth remaine an ouerplus of 16. souldiors which liâ—â—e number he may reserue to employ in any place of seruice where he shall thinke most requisite but if the Sergeant Maior shall not thinke it conuenient to inlarge his whole squadron from frunt to backe with 2. souldiors in euery ranke as aforesaid then he may with 59. souldiors taken out of the number of 84. that did before remaine in which number of 84. souldiors the 16. souldiors ouerplus before remaining are conteined increase his squadron in number of one ranke by backe as by drawing those 59. piquers in one ranke by the backe of the squadron then the squadron from 34. that it was before is now come to be of 35. rankes ouerplus 25. souldiors with which 25. souldiors and with the 10. souldiors that did first remaine of the 2100. that were reduced into the squadron who were to be placed in the ranke of Ensignes as aforesaid those 10. souldiors being drawn againe from thence and annexed vnto the 25. doo in all make 35. which 35. souldiors being drawne vp in length by the flanke of the squadron doo increase euery one of the 35. ranks 1. souldior in euerie ranke so as of 59. souldiors that euery rank did consist before they are now by this increase come to be iust 60. souldiors in euery ranke and in rankes by flankes 35. rankes besides the rank of Ensignes with their guard of Halbarders that are pâ—aced in the midst or Centre of the squadron by which kinde of reducement the whole squadron commeth to contein iust 2100. soldiors ouerplus 0. that is to be vnderstood not so much as one souldiour And it is further to be noted that if another squadron of like number in frunt should come to confrunt and ioin in battle with this squadron and being entred into fight and that the Coronell or Sergeant Maior or the Lord Marshall of the field should thinke it their aduantage to charge and assaile the contrary squadron with a sleeue of piquers in flanke then the Sergeant Maior may drawe 5. or 6. rankes or more as hee thinketh good from the backe of the squadron vppe by any of both the flankes of the same squadron but distant the length of 2. piques or more to the intent that by that little distance of the length of 2. piques as aforesaid when they haue marcht vp and doo finde themselues right against the flanke of their enemies squadron they may haue space to turne themselues and make frunt towards their enemies flank and to close their rankes by frunt and flankes and with y â— points of their piques to charge their enemies in flanke And thus farre concerning the ordering and forming of squadrons in diuers sorts as is before set downe But now further this squadron being thus formed into 60. souldiors in frunt and of 35. souldiors by flanke which is by flanke 35. rankes then if vpon any occasion of the comming of the enemie or vpon any other cause the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke requisite to make of one of the flanks frunt As for example of the left flanke frunt and that he would reduce them into the verie same forme of squadron both in number of rankes by flanke as also of number of souldiors in euery ranke that they were before then the sergeant Maior ought himselfe on horsebacke if he thinke it requisite or else to command his Lieutenant Sergeant on foot presently to goe athwart 25. ranks not from flanke to flank but from frunt to backe that is to goe downe by right line betwixt the fiue and thirtith soldior of his right hand the fiue twentith souldior of his left hand from frunt straight to backe and passing through them he is to say to the souldiors that are vpon his left hand Keepe your selues in frunt as you are notwithstanding that the souldiors of my right hand doo make flank frunt the effect of which his words being throughout signified to the souldiors that are next vnto him of his left hand presentlie the Captaines and their drummers that did marche in frunt before the 7. compertiments of 5. in euery compertiment as aboue is set downe are to march and goe to the left flanke which now shall be made frunt but the other Captaines and drummers that are in frunt before the other 5. compertiments are still to keepe their places vntill they receiue further direction And now the Captains and their drummers of the compertimentes aforesaid beeing come before the left flanke the Coronels drummer is first to begin to strike and the rest immediatlie to doo the like that all the souldiors of that left flanke are to make frunt towardes the Captaines and drummers that is to turne their faces and weapons towards them Or else the Sergeant Maior may command the Captaines or in galloping or passing on horsebacke by the flanke may himselfe say with a loud voice Frunt to me souldiors vpon which words pronounced or vpon
in their rankes both in frunt and by flankes as close as they can possiblie march pace with pace and step with step as if they were one entire body carrying their piques with both their hands breasthigh all the points of the piques of the first rank of one euennesse equality not any one preceeding the other And so likewise the points of al the piques of the second third and fourth ranks carrying the like equalitie and euennesse but yet the points of euerie ranke of piques shorter and further distant almost by a yard from their enemies faces then the pointes of the ranke that doo preceed them And all those fower ranks marching or moouing forward together pace with pace and step with step carrying their piques firmly with both their hands brest high as aforsaid their points full in their enemies faces they doe altogether giue a puissant thrush the points of the first ranke of piques first lighting vpon the faces of the first ranke or rankes of their enemies and the points of the second third and fourth rankes subsequently in a manner all in an instant doe all one after another in such terrible sort light vpon the faces breasts and bodies of the formost rankes of the enimies that do stand still pushing and foining with their piques in their rankes opened and inlarged that they neuer giue them any leysure any waies to pull backe and recouer the vse of their piques to giue any new thrustes nor yet to close their ranks inlarged but doo ouerthrow disorder and breake them with as great facilitie as if they were but a flocke of geese as all men of right consideration and iudgement may easilie consider and see But after all this it may be that some very curious and not skilfull in actions of Armes may demand what the formost rankes of this well ordered and practised squadron before mentioned shall doo after they haue giuen their aforesaid puissant blows thrusts with their piques incase that they doo not at the first incountry ouerthrow and breake the contrary squadron of their enemies thervnto I say that the foremost rankes of the squadron hauing with the points of their piques lighted vppon the bare faces of the formost ranks of their enemies or vpon their Collers pouldrons quirasses tasses or disarmed parts of their thighes by which blowes giuen they haue either slaine ouerthrown or wounded those that they haue lighted vpon or that the points of their piques lighting vppon their armours haue glanced off and beyond them in such sort as by the nearnes of the formost ranks of their enemies before them they haue not spaceenough againe to thrust nor that by the nearnes of their fellowes ranks next behind them they haue any conuenient elbowe roome to pull backe their piques to giue a new thrust by meanes whereof they haue vtterly loste the vse of their piques they therfore must either presentlie let them fall to the ground as vnprofitable or else may with both their hands dart and throw them as farre forward into amongst the ranks of their enemies as they can to the intent by the length of them to trouble their ranks and presently in the twinkling of an eie or instant must draw their short arming swordes and daggers and giue a blow and thrust tearmed a halfe reuerse thrust all at and in one time at their faces And therewithall must presentlie in an instant with their daggers in their left hands thrust at the bottome of their enemies bellies vnder the lammes of their Cuyrasses or at any other disarmed parts In such sort as then al the ranks of the whol squadron one at the heeles of the other pressing in order forward doo with short weapons and with the force of their ranks closed seeke to wound open or beare ouer the rankes of their enemies to their vtter ruine At which time and action all the inner rankes of piques sauing the first 4. or 5. ranks can with their piques worke no effect by reason that the said 4. or 5. rankes before them being next to their enemies are so neare and close together that they cannot with any thrust vse the pointes of their piques against their said enemies without endangering or disordering their fellowes before them For which causes by al reason and experience militarie short staued long edged and short and strong pointed battleaxes or halbards of the length of 5. foot or 5. foot and a halfe in all their lengths at the vttermost in the hands of lustie and well armed soldiors that doo follow the first 5. rankes of piquers at the heeles doo both with blow at the head and thrust at the face worke wonderfull effects and doo carrie all to the ground By all which particularities before alleaged and declared I thinke it may be apparant to all such as are not obstinatelie ignorant that Battles and squadrons of piquers in the field when they doo incounter and charge one another are not by any reason or experience mylitarie to stand al day thrusting pushing and foining one at another as some doo most vainelie imagine but ought according to all experience with one puissant charge and thrush to enter and disorder wound open and break the one the other as is before at large declared And if all the piquers of a band or of diuers bands beeing reduced into any forme of squadron should be charged with a square or troupe of horsemen hauing their piques vprighted in the palâ—â—s of their hands and boults of their arms as abouesaid and the sergeant Maiors and Captains seeing the Launces ready to charge them they shuld then say vnto their piquers Straighten and close your ranks close couch your piques and make head which beeing by them pronounced al the soldiors in the first rank shuld close themselues in an instant in frunt and setting the but-ends of their piques vnder their right feet firmely to stay the endes of them from sliding they should hold their piques with their left hands about a yard and a quarter from the butends leaning their right knees strongly vpon their piques to keepe them the more firme should direct the points verie lowe towards the breasts of their enemies horses hauing all their short arming swords redie drawne in their right hands the points forward readie to kill or hogh any barbed horse or horses that by chance may breake the piques and enter And then the second ranke of piquers straightning and closing themselues in frunt should let fall the pointes of their piques towards their enemies and should ioine themselues close to the backe of the first ranke bearing their piques firmely with both their hands almost close to the vpper part of their breasts ouer the shoulders of the first ranke at all the conuenient length they may with the pointes towardes the faces of the enemies horses And the thirde fourth and fift rankes of piquers in the same sort should close and ioyne themselues close each one to the
compertiment of piquers as they may leaue ground enough betwixt them and their piquers to forme all the rest of the squadron which whilst the first band of 500. is a performing then the one halfe of the weapons of volee of the second band that dooth follow the first band being by their Conductors drawn from before their compertiment of piques and marching vppe by the right flanke of the compertiment of the first bande of piquers that haue alreadie made their stand vntill they come to the formost compertiment of the weapons of volee y ◠second compertiment of 30. ranks of piquers 10. in a rank of y ◠said secōd band marching vp by y ◠left flank of the first cōpertiment of that weapon vntill they find their first and last ranks equall in frunt and backe with the first and last ranks of the first compertiment and then the other halfe of the weapons of volee that marched behind the second compertiment of piquers being by their Conductors drawne so farre to the left hand vntill they come to find the hindermost rankes of the other compertiment of weapons of volee that was marched thither before And so subsequently the formost compertiments of the weapons of volee of the third band of 500. marching vp by the right flanke of the piquers that they find alreadie reduced as the other two foremost compertimentes of the former bands haue doone And the third compertiment of piquers marching vppe by the left flanke of the other two Compertiments before reduced vntill they finde themselues of equal frunt with them And then the other that is the last compertiment of weapons of volee of the same band being drawne from behind their piquers to the other two compertiments that are already of the left hand And so subsequentlie the three formost compertiments of weapons of volee of the three last bands marching vp by the right flanke of the piquers before them to the intent to arme aswell the hinder part of the right flanke as the backe or Rereward of the squadron And the three compertimentes of piquers of the said three last bands marching vp by the left flanke of the other 3. compertiments already reduced as also by the left flanks orderlie the one of the other vntill they find themselues all of one equal frunt the whole squadron by this means is now reduced in a very short time into forme of battle hauing in frunt 60. piquers and by flankes 30. rankes which whole squadron being reduced thus into forme of 60. piquers in frunt and 30. rankes by flankes doth conteine 1800. piquers as aforesaid the hindermost last three compertiments of weapons of volee marching to the left flanke of the squadron readie to arme the same according to the direction of the Coronell or Sergeant Maior Or otherwise if the same said Regiment of 3000. beeing ready to dislodge and march out of their quarter will vse a more short waie of reducement into squadron and to arme the same with weapons of volee Then the Sergeant Maior may giue order that euerie one of the 6. bands of 500. to euery Ensign be reduced into their simple and single order of rankes in this sort following that is that the Captains and officers of the 3. first bands that he will reduce into forme and begin his squadron withal doo reduce all their weapons of volee that are to 〈◊〉 the frunt and right flanke of the squadron into compertiments of 10. in a ranke or fewer as he shall think most meet And that the said seuerall compertiments of euerie one of those three bands being led by their Conductors shall march and follow one another And that al the piquers of the 6. whole bandes be reduced into 6. compertiments of 10. in euery ranke from frunt to back readie vpon the sound of the drums to follow the compertiments of weapons of volee As also beeing distinctlie led by their Captaines to march and follow one another And then that the three compertiments of weapons of volee that do belong to the three last compertiments of piquers y ◠are to arme the left flank and back of the squadron shall reduce themselues into 10. in a rank throughout or any smaller number in like sort as he hath before giuen direction to the three first compertiments of weapons of volee Al which reducementes into their simple or single order beeing performed then vppon the strokes and sounds of the drummes or of the Coronels trompettor they are presentlie to march out at that Sallie turnpique or barriers of the camp that it hath before pleased y ◠General or L. Marshal to giue direction And the three formost compertiments of weapons of volee being comne neere to the place where the squadron is to bee formed they are presently to march to the right flanke and side of the same place there to reduce themselues into as many different forms as the sergeant Maior hath before giuen direction At which instant the first compertiment of 30. ranks of piquers 10. in a rank doo march vp to the place of reducement whither being comn vpon y ◠sound of the drums for that purpose they are presently to aduance their piques and make a pause At which time instant the second compertiment and the third compertiment both of like numbers of 10. piquers in euery one ranke from frunt to back do march vp the second by the right flanke of the first compertiment that hath alreadie made a pause or stand and the thirde by the left flanke of the said first compertiment At which time and instant also the fourth compertiment dooth march vppe by the right flanke of the second compertiment and the fifth by the left flanke of the third compertiment And the sixt or last compertiment by the right flanke of the fourth compertiment vntill all those 5. compertiments doo finde their first rankes equall in frunt and their last rankes equall in backe or rereward with the first and last rankes of the said first compertiment During which time and instant of the reducement of the said 6. compertiments of piquers into squadron the three last compertimentes of weapons of volee doo march vp by the left flanke of the squadron of piquers now alreadie fourmed and there are to reduce themselues into the like formes that the foremost 3. compertiments of weapons of volee haue doone vpon the right flanke of the squadron Or otherwise as it shall please the Coronell or Sergeant Maior to giue direction for the arming of the said left flanke and back of the aforesaid piquers And now this squadron being by this kind of reducement reduced into forme with sleeues winges troups and other formes of weapons of volee with great readiness and celeritie al men of consideration may euidentlie see with what great facilitie and dexteritie a few great compertiments of piquers and halbardiers for the guard of the Ensignes out of great bands of 500. are reduced into squadron of 60. souldiors in