into the field there causing them to run to leape to iumpe to wrastle to throw the sledge to pitch the barre and such like exercises and sometimes also to learne to swim as a qualitie very befitting a souldier Moreouer they did many times cause their souldiers as well foote as horse to march armed at all points euen as it were to serue against their enemie once or twise in a moneth euery man carrying his owne prouision and victuals and giuing and receiuing the charge euen as in hostile fight and this did they for the space of ten miles fiue out and fiue home Thus with these exercises they brought their people to be able quicke and ready to serue vpon all occasions and did more good seruice with twentie thousand of such so trained and practised then with thirtie or fortie thousand of raw and vntrained men But to haue a souldier to be very perfect and a good executioner indeede it is needfull to haue bin in some good peeces of seruice to haue seene men to fall on both sides which doth flesh harden a souldier very much Finally the good Picquier ought to learne to tosse his pike well with the due handling of the same and to be skilfull therein sith it is the weapon he professeth for 100 of ready pikemen are better then 200 that know not the vse of the weapon Now the halbarders ought to be fully armed with a corslet as is the Picquier but in marching he is alwayes to beare the same on the right shoulder holding the lower end thereof with his right hand almost close to his right thigh and knee Gent. You haue well discoursed touching the caryage and handling of the calliuer musket pike and halbard But now I pray what meane you by doubling your ranke and file Capt. By ranke I meane euery row or order of men standing shoulder by shoulder either in march or squadron reaching a long from the one side of the squadron vnto the other And by file I vnderstand all the line order or row of all the souldiers standing consequently one after another from front to the traine either in march or squadron Now the doubling of ranke or file is thus First suppose your company to be of 100 pikes as for the shot we will speake of hereafter and you would bring them into a iust square of men first search out the Cubike roote of your number and it is 10 then after the first order you shall cause them by the sound of the drum to embattell to march vp in single files at 10 men in euery file the head man of euery 10 to be a Caporal or Cabo de Camera and as the first 10 is come vp vnto the place where you meane to frame your squadrō cause them to make Alto then cal vp the second file at 10 per file causing them to march vp close pouldron to pouldron of the first tē and there to firme stand then the third file then the fourth and so consequently the rest vntill your squadron be formed your ensigne marching vp in the middle file as in this figure may appeare Here you see them drawne vp in single files at 10 men in euery file and so your squadron is framed 10 files and 10 rankes or 10 in flanke and 10 in front An other order is thus you may march them vp in 2 3 4 or 5 files at once and 10 rankes for the number euen or od importeth nothing if at 2 files at once then are they marched vp and framed at fiue commings vp if at 3 files at once then at three marchings vp at 3 files per Maniple which make 9 files and 1 single file at 10 men per file which maketh your iust square of men Now if you will march them vp by 4 files at once they are 2 marchings or Maniples at 4 files 10 rankes and one Maniple at 2 files per Maniple and so againe is your squadron formed And againe if you would march them vp by 5 files at once and 10 rankes they come vp in 2 Maniples and so is your squadron iustly framed Your squadron being thus framed set at 10 rankes 10 files thē to double the rankes you shall cause vpon an other sound of the drum those of the second ranke to step in betwixt them of the first ranke beginning either vpon the left or right hand first as you will and the 4 ranke to double the 3 and againe the 6 ranke to double the 5 and the 8 ranke to double the 7 and finally the 10 to double the 9 so shall your battell or squadron come to be 20 in breadth and 5 in length or depth or 20 files and 5 rankes which is in forme of a battell of double front as by these figures appeareth Here you see the rankes doubled into 20 files and 5 rankes Then cause them vpon another sound of the drumme to fall of or backe againe into their former places and so to double againe vpon the other hand and fall off againe Now to double the file cause the second file to double the first either vpon the left or right hand as it shall please you to begin and the fourth file to double the third and the sixt the fift and the eight the seuenth and the tenth file to double the ninth as in these figures following may appeare And here you may see the file doubled reduced into fiue files at 20 men per file vpon the right hand the like you shal cause them to do vpon the left hand hauing first caused them to fall off from their file bringing them into their former square againe Then shall you go vnto the traine of your battell or squadron and vpon another sound of the drumme you shall command all your souldiers to turne their faces vpon a sudden towards you then causing them to double both ranke file that way as you did the other way before thus with a litle paines taking and practise you shall soone bring your souldiers to be ready and skilfull in these alterations of formes and many more The like may be done with any other greater numbers either in battels or battallion or by making the front of any flanke Gent. But to what end serueth all this Capt. Marie to many good purposes For the first order of doubling the ranks besides the readinesse it breedeth in the souldiers doth serue to alter vpon a sudden your grand square of men into a square of ground or into a battell of double front and to many other purposes in framing of many small battallions one grand square And againe the second order in doubling of the files doth serue to many such other purposes as if vpon a sudden your foot enemy shall come to charge you vpon the flanke then by doubling their files and suddenly turning their faces vpon the enemie they shall make of flanke the front and so bee ready with double hands either to receiue or giue the charge For those battels of square of ground or battels of double fronts do
it is his part to apprehēd the offenders yet in such sort that he dismeasure himselfe with none but execute the same with great moderation It is also his office to set remoue the watches conducting them to the place where they are to remain counselling the Caporals what they are to do communicating his opinion in placing the Sentinels and to giue them the Word with all circumspection and secrecie as was deliuered to him by the Sergeant Maior And although it toucheth the Caporals to knowe the prouisions which the Souldiers haue of powder shot and match and other munitions and armes yet the Superintendencie thereof resteth in him for besides that it importeth the Princes commodity the bad distribution thereof doth hazard manie times the safetie of the whole Armie comming to faile and want in time of necessitie When occasion is offered he is to fight as well as the rest chusing his place which shall seeme him fit to returne to his office and accomplish the dutie of a true and perfect Souldier therefore hee shall go alwayes gallantly armed with a faire Millan Corslet and Burgonet and his weapon a Halbard or Partizan but by reason of his continuall motion not ouer heauie his Halbard borne after him vnto his lodging thereby to be the better respected and knowne If there want victuals to bee sould in the Campe it toucheth him to procure from the Armies store to the end that his Companie fall not into want the which being procured he shall distribute the same vnto the Caporals who are especially to diuide it amongst the Camaradas The like he is to do for match powder and shot and other conuenient things that his Companie may bee well ordered and well prouided In the absence of his Captaine he is to vse the like obedience vnto his Lieutenant or Ensigne who remaine in his roome to gouerne the Companie and particularlie he ought to carie great respect vnto the Sergeant Maior readilie accomplishing all his orders and commaunds and verie often to come in his presence reknowledging him for his superiour officer well remembring and marking what he shall ordaine and command in all occasions offered considering the desseignes and courses that are taken to the end that by such semblable instructions and examples and by his good diligence and valour he may deserue and ascend to higher degree and place The Ensigne-bearer or Alferes his election and office In the choise of the Ensigne bearer the Captaine is to haue manie great considerations for that it is not onlie enough for such a one to be a good Souldier bolde and valiant but to be his equall if it may be in valour discretion counsell because many times in his and his Lieutenants absence the gouernement of the Companie doth belong to this Officer And for as much as the Ensigne is the verie foundation of the Companie and therein consisteth the honour his his souldiers reputation it is necessarie that he vnto whō this office is incommended committed haue in him the parts of a perfect Castellano or Captaine of a castle in noblenesse estimatiō of honor to know how to keepe it and die in the defence thereof neuer abandoning the same as many valiant honourable Ensigne-bearers haue done to their immortall praise and fame When a Companie is newly leuied and erected the Captaine causeth his Ensigne to be made of what colour it seemeth him best and if the seruice be for the field he maketh it somewhat lesse the lighter and easier to be handled but in Garrisons it is made somewhat larger because it is most often camped vpon the wall Gent. Why are they called Ensignes and from whence came that name Cap. The ancient Romanes reparted the people of their Armies into Legions Cohorts Centuries and Maniples and to be seuerallie knowne they caried vpon speares or pikes ends the figures of Eagles Dragons and such like and some the pictures of their Emperour and called the same Signa whereupon the Italian and French calleth them Insignes but the Spaniard nameth them Vanderas from the Almaine word Vanderen and we English-men do call them of late Colours by reason of the variety of colours they be made of whereby they bee the better noted and knowne to the companie Now the Ensigne made and finished fastened vnto a speare-headed staffe sharpe pointed with iron the Captaine with his own hands deliuereth it vnto his Ensigne-bearer encharging him the custodie defence therof with a solemne oth to be true to his Prince and Captaine accompanied with manie honourable words the which he is bound to returne to the Captaine if the Companie be dissolued or casht before any notable peece of seruice perfourmed either at breach batterie encounter or battell wherein he hath valiantly fought and honourably defended the same for from thence forward it is the Alferes due as deserued for his manhood valour but yet to receiue the same from the Captaine as an honourable gift He shall alwaies go gallant well armed with a faire Corslet Burgonet short sword and meane dagger which are his proper arming with a faire Halberd when he beareth not his Colours borne after him to his lodging or elsewhere thereby to be the better respected and knowne He must shew himselfe dreadfull and terrible to the Enemie with his drawne sword in his right hande and in his left the Ensigne brauely displayed and vaunced In cases where he is obliged and bound to fight and to follow with the souldiers as when the Enemie shall haue broken the Squadron euen vnto his Front and ranke or if to run in array and in the scaling assaults of batteries or walles or in such other conflicts he must push and thrust with the point of his Ensigne and therefore let him procure to haue to his Camaradas most valiant and expert Souldiers for although that euerie Souldier of the companie be bound to his succour defence and aide for their common honour yet those that are most obliged will most aduenture themselues therein as well appeared at the assault of the citie of Aphrica in Barbarie in Charles the fift his time when Iohn de Vega Viceroy of Sicilia and the Lord Garcia de Toledo gained it where the Ensigne-bearer of Captaine Moreruela being his brother being ouerthrowne and sore wounded was by the Sergeant who was also brother vnto them seconded and succoured causing him to retire himselfe remaining with the Ensigne and passing forward with the same like a valiant souldier was slaine the Captaine seeing him fall tooke vp the Ensigne perfourming the Ensigne-bearers office dutie vntill the place was entred wherein he was so sore hurt and wounded that few dayes after he died thereof and his Alferes also so three braue brethren valiantly died in the defence of one Ensigne Some such examples haue we had amongst the braue souldiers of our Nation to their
some most conuenient place together then and there to be instructed in the orders how to march how to encampe and how to fight deuiding them into so many parts or battaillions as vnto their chiefe Officer shall seeme good Gent. What course would you wish the Captaine of a single companie to obserue in the trayning of his souldiers Capt. First hauing his companie leauied and chosen of the better sort of people as is said let your rawe Captaine for so I terme those which neuer were in action prouide himselfe if possible he may of a good Lieutenant and a sufficient Sergeant and a skilfull Drummer Then let his people be suted with such sort of weapon as is appointed The which I would wish to be as I haue said before to euery hundred of men 25. muskets 25. Calliuers and 40. or more of pikes and corslets and the rest short weapon as halberds swordes and targets and such like Now hauing suted euery man with a conuenient weapon I would wish your Muster-maister if your Captaine haue not the skil for your Muster-master ought to be a man of experience first to declare vnto them the partes that ought to be in a souldier in generall as before is declared then to ensigne them the right carriage of their armes and weapon then to knowe the seuerall soundes of the Drumme next to learne to keepe his ranke and file orderly and so to march eyther swift or slowe step by step with the sound of the Drumme then how to keep their array being cast into a ring or any other forme with the comming out againe and returning into a counter-ring and out of the same into a march and counter-march then how to make their Alto or stand and how to double their rankes vntill they bring themselues into a iust square of men if their numbers will permit it and how to double their â—â—les eyther vpon the left or right hand and so to fall off againe both from file and ranke and being in squadron how to turne their faces on either or any part making front on any flank or traine as occasion shall be offered Then the perfect vse and managing of euerie weapon in his due nature and kind and so by a continuall vse they may by good instructers become soone to be ready souldiers Gent. Here be manie good parts vnder a few words but they are too briefe for me to vnderstand wherefore I pray dilate more at large thereof and first what meane you by the cariage of his weapon Cap. To discourse vpoÌ„ al these points particularly it wold be ouer long might better be shewed in act theÌ„ in words yet to satisfie you somewhat herein I will speak of the particulars here there as I shal be occasioned shal cal theÌ„ to memory First therfore the soldier that is appointed to cary a calliuer is first to be ensigned how to cary his peece vpon his left shoulder with his flaske at his girdle or haÌ„ging by at Port-flask or Flask-leather vpoÌ„ the right thigh vpoÌ„ the left side of his girdle to haue his touchboxe fastened by the string hanging downe somwhat long by the strings sufficient to be taken and to prime his peece with touch-powder and on his right side a Bullet bagge or purse of canuas or leather for bullets Also some three or foure yards of match in seuerall peeces hanging at his girdle with one peece of match of a yard long in his left hand holden fast by the third finger of the same hand hauing the one or both the endes of the same lighted or fired Also to be prouided of a priming iron or wyer of a steele and flint stone to strike fire vpon any suddaine occasion either to spare the burning of match or to fire their matches if the same do chance to go out Then how to charge his peece either with his flask or bandelier theÌ„ to let slip the bullet down into the barrell after the powder and to ramme the same with paper tow or such like thrusting the same downe with the scouring stick if time will permit or else a more readier way thus After that the bullet is slipped downe vnto the powder to put after the same some two or three cornes of powder which will wedge fast the bullet This being done let him hold his Calliuer with his left hand as in his charging hee ought to do the like griping the same by the stocke somewhat neare vnder the cock betwixt his thombe and foure fingers then holding the nose of his peece somwhat vpward for not to endaÌ„ger his fellows to take the one end of his lighted match with his forefinger midle finger thoÌ„be of his right haÌ„d so to cock the same hauing a regard that it may fall due within the pan finally if it be a crooked stock peece to set the same vnto the left side of his breast retiring his right foot some halfe step behind the left or aduancing the left foot some halfe pace before the right and so to take his due leuel holding the hindermost part of the stocke betwixt the thombe and fore-finger of his right hand with the other three fingers to draw to the serre so to discharge his peece with agility hauing done the which to retire souldier-like and charge againe giuing place to his next fellow or seconder But being a straight stocked peece the which I hold for the better he is to place the same vpon the right side of his breast fast against his shoulder leuelling and discharging as aforesaid And for other armes he is to be fitted with a short sword and meane dagger and a Spanish morion Now the musketier is to cary his musket vpon his left or right shoulder for it importeth not much on whether so they obserue the order of the first rancke with his Forke or rest in his left hand fastned about his hand wrest or little finger by a string hauing his flask and touchbox fitted as before is sayd or hauing a bandalier the same to be ouer the left shoulder and vnder the right arme Now to charge the same he must hold his musket with his left hand hauing his rest trayling by the string and put the but end of the stocke vpon the ground then with his flaske or bandalier to charge his peece with powder slipping downe the bullet into the barrell after the same and to fasten it with two or three cornes of powder as is aforesayd then to clappe the musket into his forke planting the lower end or pike of the rest into the ground neare vnto his left foote and resting the but ende of the stocke vpon his left thigh then to prime his pan with touch powder And hauing his match ready as before is sayd to take the peece of match that hangeth by the midle or third finger of his left hand betwixt the thombe
bring many hands to fight at once being verie aduantagious for footmen against footmen as reason and experience proueth and sheweth And againe if you draw or diuide your battell or battallions into maniples to march through straights or narrow passages this order of doubling the files is verie ready and auaileable as thus If your battel or squadron be of 5184 pikes whose square roote is 72 now your passage will permit but 8 men to march in front then must you diuide your square root 72 by 8 so commeth it to be 9 maniples of 8 men in rank or breadth And say yet againe that the straight or passage doth fall yet more narrow or straighten lesse then to containe 8 men in front thē cause euery maniple at the verie entring of the straight to double their files and so of 8 you shall make 4 files per maniple the which being shouldred vp close together will containe no more roome in breadth then the 8 did before And hauing passed the straight cause them to fall into their former proportion and so maniple after maniple in passing the straight Gen. But if the squadron or maniple were of od nūbers it wold not so fal out Capt. That importeth not for the od file or rank which resteth vndoubled may in passing of the straight close vp shoulder to shoulder vnto the rest obseruing their proper stations in files and if the passage will not permit that then to fall backe after the traine of their maniple hauing passed the straight to sleeue vp in file pouldron to pouldron of their fellowes and so to fall into their former proportion The like of any other od numbers may be done with very great facility Now for as much as I entend to frame both figures and tables of sundry sorts of battels and battallions in our discourse following I will at this instant bee the more briefe supposing this at this present to suffice For he which conceiueth and vnderstandeth this well may do the like with any other numbers great or small Gent. And what course do you appoint the shot belonging to those numbers of pikes to obserue in these alterations of proportion Capt. The shot appertaining vnto euerie such number may be practised in the like or semblable sort either alone by themselues or placed in two grand sleeues along by the flanks of their squadron or battallions As for example If vnto the former number of 100 pikes there were proportioned suted 100 shot calliuer and musket these would I draw out into 5 per rank which would make 20 ranks Those 20 ranks would I cut off or deuide in the middest so should I haue 10 ranks for to sleeue the one flanke of the battallion and 10 ranks for the other flanke at 5 men per ranke or 5 files in euery ranke which is all one These 2 sleeues being placed may be doubled with the pikes by ranke or file for practise sake only But if you were engaged to fight with the enemie I would wish all great sleeues of shot to be deuided into many small troupes the one still to second another as hereafter shall be declared shewed And lo here another order the 2 grand sleeues being al musketiers as the battell or battalliō doth aduance march on toward the enemy comming once within reach of the musket then the first ranks of these sleeues of muskets many discharge in marching in this sort The first ranks stepping some two or three paces forward there those of the right sleeue to step one halfe pace toward the right hād those of the left sleeue one half pase toward the left hand hauing in the meane space made themselues ready and cocked their matches then with readinesse expedition all those of thē first ranks their muskets being vpon their rests or forks to discharge at once and keep their station charge againe permitting other rankes to proceed before them Then presently those of the second ranke to step vp iust before the first rank as the battell or battallion marcheth and so to discharge as their former fellowes had done before then the 3. rank before the 2. the 4. before the 3. and so all the other ranks consequently with this kind of double march and at the traine of the last rank those of the first to follow vp againe and so consequently the rest But if it chance their squadron of pikes to be distressed forced to retire they are to discharge at the enemy retiring backe vpon a countermarch as these figures following shal plainlie denote vnto you the maner and order The First Figure The second Figure with the Muskets discharging in marchings The third Figure vpon the retrait the shot discharging vpon a Counter-march There is yet another order of discharging of troupes of Muskets in vollie the which I haue seene vsed by the Italian and Spaniard thus Your Musketiers being deuided into sundrie troupes of 30 40 or 50 in a troupe the one to second the other then the two first troupes standing vpon the two angles of your squadron or battell may bee drawne vp by two officers by three foure or fiue at the most in a ranke and the said officers being at a sufficient distance to discharge shall cause the Musketiers to close somewhat neere shoulder to shoulder and so wheeling them about in figure of a halfe Moone shall at their due semi-circle or halfe compasse cause the Musketiers to make Alto and clapping their muskets on their rests close one by an others shoulder and each one hauing a care to his forefellowes they shall at one instant discharge altogether at one vollie vpon the enemy and so retire giuing place to other troupes the maner and forme whereof shall by these figures following appeare Troupes or squadras of muskets at 50. per troupe 5. in ranke Gent. Your calliuers or small shot would you haue them to discharge in these maners and orders before spoken of and figured Capt. No but I would with the calliuers or small shot to be deuided into sundry small troupes of 20 30 40 or 50 in a troupe and by their seuerall officers to be led vp and to skirmish in single file discharging readily one after another in file and so wheeling about vpon the left hand to retire giuing place vnto others to second them and to fall into their forme of troupe againe and then recharging aduisedly to be ready to come vp to second others as their turne commeth of which maner of small troupes shall often in our discourses following be denoted and shewed Now to conclude these orders of training I will set downe one point more to be obserued by one single company or two or three companies ioyntly comming into the Corps de
gard to their watch reseruing many other particular matters vntil I come to treat of the office of the Sergeant Maior where many Militarie points shall be at large discoursed You must note that euery single company marching training alone their pikes are first ranked by 3 4 5 6 or 7 or more in a rancke according to their number the number of euen or od in ranke importeth nothing as I sayd before hauing their ensigne and halbards contained within the center or middle ranke of their pikes Then the shot is to be ranked altogether with the like number of men in a ranke and then to cut them off or deuide them at the middle ranke leading the one halfe of them vnto the forefront of the pikes and there to place them in euen files with the pikes and the other halfe is to be brought vnto the traine of the pikes and there filed in like maner alwayes regarding to place the muskets of the first halfe of your shot in the formost rankes and those of the other halfe in the hindermost ranke Now thus marching on and comming to the place of Corps de gard the shot of the vantgard are to make Alto or stand then the pikes to march vp by them and the first ranke of pikes comming vnto the formost ranke of the shot to make Alto also and then the pikes to double their rankes as before is declared to bring themselues into squadron euen ranke for ranke with the shot This being done then the other shot of the rereward is to march vp vpō the other hand of the pikes ranke for ranke with the said square of pikes and so is your squadron or battallion formed as by these figures following may appeare where I suppose one or two companies together in march containing in all 100 pikes and halberds 100 shot they march on 5 per ranke the shot of the vantgard makes their stand then do the pikes march vp by them comming vnto their formost ranke of the shot do stand also and there double their rankes so are they 10 rankes and ten files lastly commeth vp the shot of the arereward garnisheth the other flanke euen ranke with ranke and so is the squadron framed and garnished with shot Thus me thinks that I haue sufficiently intreated of this order of training as for other sortes of imbattailing we will hereafter speake of as occasion shall be offered THE SECOND DIALOGVE VVherein is declared of quadrat battels both of men and ground opinions tocuhing the mingling of short weapons with the pikes and lyning of battells with the same confuted the framing of battels of pikes in three sorts the placing of shot about the batell with the places of the horse and artillery Gentleman TThen I pray passe to your other officers of warre Capt. There be many petie officers vsed amongst vs as Clarke of the band Drummer Forrage maister Scout maister Trench maister Quarter maister Caporals of the field such like of whom I will speake particularly nothing but including them vnder the charge of other superior officers of the which I will begin with the duty of a Sergeant Maior whose office is of such importance care industry and skill especially in day of battell that I must be constrained before I enter into the parts of his office to describe the orders of fights and battels most vsed in these our moderne wars as a thing most pertinent vnto the aforesaid officer touching the sundry formes of battels vsed by antiquity wherein in mine opinion the Romaines did most excell I will speake at this instant litle more then what is sayd before considering that ages times occurrents inuentions and customes haue altred and dayly doth what antiquity thought best and best assured The formes of battels in our time are not many yet euery man almost hath a seuerall opinion thereof but common reason and experience hath made most men confesse and agree that of all formes the square battell be it either of square of men or square of ground is the most assured most strong and most apt to bee reduced into any other forme Gent. What meane you by this word Battell Cap. By the word Battell I vnderstand in this place a whole vnited body of souldiers well disciplined all armed with pikes to fight in day of battell an act of armes with good hope of victory the which for more security hath the front the traine and the two flankes of complet corslets to the end that being assayled or charged they may make the face or front of any or euery side or part and valiantly receiue the charge and may also charge and breake the enemy and attaine the victory Now in this body I vnderstand neither the shot nor cauallery the which are to haue an other order to another end Gent. Are these battels framed in one sort onely or in more or in many or in how many or what maner I pray are they made Capt Your curious demand deserueth answer I tolde you before that many sorts of battels haue beene framed by valiant and expert Captaines but the best approued and most vsed now is the square battell be it either of men or ground Gent. I would gladly know the reason why they make their battels square and what is meant by square of men and square of ground Capt. Battels are made square so vsed for that they are apt to frame the Front of euery side or part which could not be if they were Triangles or of any other forme vsed by antiquitie And it doth much import that the Front be gaillard and strong for the front once broken the battell stands in hazard And againe to serrie or close Pouldron to Pouldron the square forme is best for that they close equallie together strengthen the front to the victorie And this shall suffice touching the Quadrat Now concerning the difference of square of men and square of ground I say that the square of men is when there be so many men in front as in flanke or so many in length as in breadth and this sort of battell commeth to bee in ground two times and one third more long then broade and a Quadrat of ground will bee of men two times and one third more broade then long Gent. In how many maners may these square battels be made Capt. Were the Companies all of pikes with corslets complet and not mixt with bare pikes which is not lightly to bee found the framing of any of these sorts of battels would be very ready and easie and might be soone brought into any proportion without confusion the which being of pikes armed and vnarmed will require more care labour and paines to the framing thereof Now therefore I say in three sorts or maners most auaileable and most commodiously are battels framed in these dayes consisting of armed and vnarmed pikes 1 The first manner is when an army doth march with the
one halfe of the armed pikes in the foreward and the other halfe in the reareward of the vnarmed pikes Now in the body of this battell I vnderstand no short weapon but reserue them to another place and vnto another purpose as before I haue sayd and will heareafter speake more thereof but all pikes for the battell thereby wold be more readily framed more brauer in sight and more stronger to fight in mine opinion 2 The second fashion is when the army marcheth company by company with their armed pikes in the foreward and reareward of euerie particular companie 3 The third order is when an armie marcheth Maniple by Maniple with the armed pikes in the Front and traine of euery particular Maniple And besides this when the armed pikes which do serue to arme the two flankes do march the one part before the other part behind and these also are called Maniples for a Maniple is here called so many rankes throughout the battell as the battell is in length at so many per ranke as they march in ordinance or array And although the armed pikes which doe march at the head or taile of the arrayes of Maniples to arme the two sides if it happen at any time that they march not to the full length of the battell yet neuerthelesse when they be put vnto their office to arme the two sides although they be not in length to the length of the battell at so many in rank as is appointed to arme the two flankes yet are they called Maniples also And againe any part of shot or pikes that be drawne a part to be set to defend any straight or to scarmush may also bee called a Maniple but being shot are fitter called troupes after the french word Now of these sundry sorts of imbattailling of men as well of proportions of equality as of inequality and of battallions of the same nature as well euen as odde battallions seruing to the framing of crosse battels with such other like I will frame certaine calculations or tables the which shall serue to sundry numbers of men orders according to the iudgement of the skilfull souldier which shall be in the last booke of these discourses Gent. But me thinkes you are not much affected to haue any halberdes or billes in your battell which is contrary to our opinion and custome for we call them the gard of the ensignes and slaughter of the field Capt. Truly I would not wish any such weapon in the body of a standing battell if we might be prouided otherwise of pikes my reasons are these For the pikes being Terciard or charged ouer hand to encounter a battell of footmen or couched vnder the foote to receiue any troupes of horse do one of them fall so proportionally within or after another euen as their rankes of men are distant in their seuerall stations the second following the first the third the second and the fourth following the third and so consequently euery ranke seconding one another that it seemeth it were as good for a man to come vpon a brasen wall if they stand resolute as vpon such a battell of pikes except they should be marched or encountred with the like weapons and proportions Now if this be the best course to receiue or charge footmen then no doubt not being thus mingled with short weapons it must needes be the best battell to receiue a charge of horse Gent. Although you disalow and disproue to haue your battell of pikes mingled with short weapon yet would you not alow them about the ensignes in the center of the battell Capt For what purpose in the center of the battell Gent. To defend the ensignes with hand blowes Cap. I suppose it an error For who doth not know that if the enemy be like to be victor the armed pikes will yeeld backward as they feele themselues distressed so as when the pikes are in such maner crashed and clustred together that they can no longer charge and push with their pikes then will the throng or presse in the center be so great that the halberds and bils shall haue little roome to strike nay short swords will hardly haue rome at that instant either to thrust or to strike I would thinke daggers would do more execution at that time and in that presse vntill one side fall to flight so I see no reason at all for halberds or bills to haue place in a battell or stand of pikes Besides the vnseemely shew they make either by themselues in the center or mingled among pikes Gent. So I perceiue you would quight exclude all halberds and bils out of your battell and so not at all to be vsed Capt. Conclude not so short vpon me because I giue them no place within the body of the battell For if you remember in our former discourses at the equall sortment of weapons I allowed to euery hundred of men 8 or 10 halberds The which bils and halberds with other short weapons as swords and targets and long swords and such like shall serue as in a place of best seruice for them to mingle with your naked troupes of shot and also placed with some pikes for the gard of the cariage and munition and ordinance or for execution if the enemy begin to breake and slye with sundry such seruices not contained in the body of the battell Gent. Well you haue satisfied vs herein but what thinke you of sundry other opinions touching the lining of battels with shot or bowes Capt. Touching such lining I will shew you mine opinion against them Now first for that kind of lining which is vsed in placing a pike and a shot I am sure that the shot cannot be so hurtfull to the enemy as they will weaken the battell my reason is this No army I am certaine shall be so ordered that the battell shall be left bare without his troupes of shot before to keepe the enemy doing in skirmish vntill the battels be ready to ioyne and charge or couch their pikes at that instant haue the shot that line the battell their time to serue euen as the pikes are couched and not before Now let men of consideration and experience iudge whether it be possible for them to discharge aboue one shot a peece and that not aboue three rankes of them and thereupon whether those shot can at that time of seruice be such a strength to the battel as if an armed pike were in the roome I do suppose the battell would be much stronger if the shot were rid from thence and pikes in their places Then it falleth out that this kind of lining is not good Now touching another kind of lining with shot which is 3 4 5 6 or 7 rankes of pikes and then 3 4 or 5 rankes of shot and then pikes and then shot againe In deede this kind of lining is the most tollerable and yet not without his discommodities for if such
corslets and I set that there be 2000 as before is said in arming the Quadrat battell of number of men Now shall you part these 2000 armed pikes into two proportionall parts as 10 to 3 the one part to arme the two flanks the other to arme the vaward and rereward of the battell then place downe your rule in this sort If 10 require ⅔ what 3 2000. Now multiplie 3 the second with 2000 the third and it resulteth 6000 and this 6000 deuide by 10 the first so will there come 600 armed men and these 600 armed men shal be to arme the two sides and deducting 600 out of 2000 there resteth 1400 armed men the which are to arme the front and reregard of the battell Now must these 600 armed men be reparted by the length of the battell that is by 46. so will there come 13 in ranke for the length And of these 13 rankes you shall place 7 per ranke on the one side 6 per ranke on the other side of the battel in length as in the figure on the next page appeareth Now the 72 men remaining I haue placed in the 4 angles as in this 8 figure aboue appeareth Gen. I perceiue how to arme a battell of proportiō of inequalitie the vaward the reareward the two sides But I pray tell me the battell being thus framed how I may know whether this battell hath this proportion of his breadth to his length that is 2 times and ⅓ more broade then long or as 7 to 3. Capt. To know if the length to the breadth of the battell hath his proportion as 7 to 3 you shall deuide 108 the breadth by 46 the length the product wil be 2 and 16 remaining which is about ⅓ of 46 a litle more Gent. But how shall I proue that in this battell of inequalitie there be the 5000 men conteined Capt. Thus multiplie the breadth of the battell 108 by 46 the length and they will amount 4968 vnto the which adde the 32 men which remained and the summe is 5000. Gent. Now I beseech you to declare vnto me the length breadth of ground that the battell of inequalitie doth occupie Capt. Marrie thus It shall be supposed to allow 3 foote in breadth and 7 foote in length for euery souldier or litle more or lesse as shall be thought good Now multiplying 3 foote with 108 men the breadth of the battell it will amount 324 foote and 324 foote shall be deuided by 5 accounting 5 foote to a pase thereof will come 64 pases and ⅘ which is 4 foote and that is the breadth of the battell And to know the length of the battell multiplie 46 rankes of length by 7 foote there will come 322 foote and deuide the sayd 322 by 5 there will come 64 pases and ⅖ which is 2 foote for the length of the battell which will bee neare about the length of proportion and this is the perfect battell of ground Gent. I pray let me aske you In what manner might I accommodate the calculation of the battell to the end that it might be done with dispatch and readinesse as you haue shewed me before in the Quadrate battell of number of men Capt. To doe this deduct 13 rankes of armed men which are in the two flankes in length out of 108 men in breadth there will rest 95 per ranke in breadth of the battell Then shall be sought in 13 men by ranke in length how many armed men by multiplying 46 of length by 13 rankes will amount 598 and 598 shall be deuided by 95 the product will be 6 rankes of men at 95 per ranke of armed men and 28 armed men remaining And of these 6 rankes of armed men there shall be put 3 at the head and 3 at the taile of the battell with the other 7 rankes which were there before And so the battell shall conteine in length 52 rankes at 95 men per ranke in breadth with 10 rankes at the head and 10 rankes at the taile of armed men as I will shew you in this 9 figure following and there remaines 28 armed men the which at the time that this battell is made shalbe placed in one of the flankes for there they want as before is said in the account of the 5 figure of the Square battell of men Gent. I rest so well satisfied with your good discourses and demonstrations that I finde my selfe more and more desirous to demaund of you other particularities wherefore I pray you to shewe mee the manner to march and set a battell with speed occasiō offering to fight Capt. Willingly as farre as my small skill wil extend Therfore touching the order of marching and out of the order of the said marching to set a battell with speed I say that there are three manners obserued in the making therof of the which before that I declare their orders one by one I will with breuitie repeate all that which before I shewed you I haue told you before how to make the Calculation of battels as well of the squares of men as of Proportiōs of inequalitie containing more men in breadth then length termed by vs Englishmen Bastard squares Broade squares and Base squares And I haue told you of the proportion of the breadth vnto the length and moreouer how brode and long will the said battels containe in ground the which instructions will serue to frame any other battell that may be more brode then long in any other proportion with the helpe of the Tables which before I haue shewed you for in the same may be found euerie proportion that shall be needfull to frame any battell which may be more brode then long in number of men or equall Now wil I shew you the maner how to frame a battell with speed and this shal be by the instructions of the tables before giuen And this battell shal be speedily set after the order of the three maners of marching as at the beginning I told you The first maner is when the companies do march with one part of the armed Pikes at the foreward and an other part at the rereward of the vnarmed Pikes as I will shew you in the tenth figure In this case hauing the Table in memorie onely there resteth to commit vnto two expert officers as Caporals of the field or such like at the time of setting the battell that the one go vnto the head and the other vnto the traine of the Ordenances or Arrayes and let him that stands at the head cause or commaund to turne or wheele either from the right hand or from the left as shal be most conuenient 95 rankes at 10 armed men per ranke and hauing finished to set the 95 rankes at 10 armed men per ranke he shall cause them to turne their faces from that part whither the Ordinances or Arrayes do looke as you shal see designed in the eleuenth figure on the page next
following Then besides this let him place 32 rankes of the arraies of the vnarmed pikes at the backes of the armed pikes so many as they be rankes in length in the battell of the vnarmed pikes as in the 8 table before figured appeareth afterward let him go from hand to hand drawing out of the arraies 32 rankes of vnarmed pikes and set them one by another shoulder to shoulder as I haue demonstrated in the 12 figure and as I will shew you in this 13 figure And there will yet remaine 8 armed men to place where you shall thinke good Aduertising you that if you should haue set the 72 armed men which before remained at the head or tayle of the battell it would not haue reached vnto one whole or full ranke vnto the breadth of the battell for an intire ranke of the inner part of the battell in breadth is 95 men that is so many as the breadth of the vnarmed pikes do containe Thus the battell declared by the aforesayd 17 figure will be in length 46 rankes at 108 men per ranke in breadth with the 7 rankes of armed pikes in the front and 7 rankes in the reareward and with 8 men per ranke of armed pikes on the one flanke and 7 men by ranke of armed pikes on the other flanke as in the aforesayd 17 figure appeareth with the 8 men which remained placed in the body of the battell Gent. Assuredly Captaine this order seemeth wonderfull good But now vnto the other two orders which you spake of Cap. Touching the second maner of framing of battels First the calculation or table of the battell must be had in memory as before is sayd in what proportion the said battell would be framed and the army marching company by company as I will shew you in the 18 figure euery captaine shall be commanded by the Sergeant maior to make so many rankes of their pikes as the length of the battell shall containe as in the 18 and 19 figures shall appeare Now let vs suppose the sayd battell to containe in length 52 rankes with 10 rankes of armed pikes at the head and as many at the trayne as is shewed in the declaration of the ninth and 14 figures and that euery Captaine doe make 52 rankes with 10 armed pikes before and 10 behind as in the 18 figure is shewed And if any Captaine be found which hath not to accomplish that number let him ioyne with another Captaine and betwixt them both let them make vp that number of 52 rankes This being done Captaine by Captaine shall set their rankes shoulder to shoulder the one of the other and shall so frame the battell 52 rankes in length with 10 armed pikes by ranke before and 10 behind After that shall bee framed the battell as I will shew you in this 20 figure following This being done one of the 4 Caporals of the field shall go vnto the head and another vnto the reareward then he which is at the head shall take away from the front of the battell 3 rankes of armed pikes and arme therewith one of the flankes at 7 men per ranke in length adioyning vnto them the 28 armed pikes which he lacketh to furnish out the length of 46 rankes at 7 men per ranke as is said in the declaration of the 9 figure And the other Caporall or officer which is at the traine of the battell He also shall take away or draw foorth from the traine 3 rankes of armed pikes and arme with them the other side or flanke at 6 men per ranke in length of 46 rankes So shall the battell bee formed 46 rankes long at 108 men per ranke in front or breadth with 7 ranks of armed pikes in frōt as many in traine with 7 armed men per ranke on the one flanke with 6 men by ranke on the other flanke armed pikes as I shewed in the 8 figure of the table and also in the 21 figure following And there will remaine out of the body of the battell 32 men and they shall bee placed as I sayd in the last of the third order at the beginning moreouer there remaines 72 armed men You must note and conceiue that in the 18 figure where the companies do march one after another by fiue in a ranke and in the 19 figure where they do come vp shoulder to shoulder to the framing of the battell as may appeare although the full number of companies do not there appeare as is requisit yet it is to be conceiued that they do consequently one follow another but want of rome in paper cutteth them off And the 72 armed pikes remaining which are of the number contained within the body of the battell shall be placed either in the foure corners of the vnarmed pikes as in the 16 figure may be seene or else in each of the two sides or flankes as in the 17 figure appeareth where there is one ranke adioyned vnto the one flanke and another vnto the other flanke or else you may arme and strength with the same 72 armed pikes any one of the flankes as neede or occasion shall require Gent. You haue described the first and second order of imbattailing excellent well in mine opinion therefore I pray proceede to the third Capt. The maner of the third order is thus When the armie is caused to march Maniple by Maniple with their armed pikes in vantgard and rearegard of euery particular Maniples and with one Maniple all of armed pikes which marcheth in the vantgard of the Maniples which haue their vnarmed pikes in their middle or center the which Maniples of all armed pikes is that which serueth to arme the one flanke of the battell Besides this there marcheth another Maniple of all armed pikes after all the Maniples and this Maniple serueth to arme the other flanke of the battell And the Maniples must march the one after the other as in the figure appeareth Now there resteth how to bring those into Maniples of this last order which do march in the full length of the battell with their armed pikes in front and traine the which shalbe done in this sort Let it be supposed as the 17 figure of the second order doth shew that there shall be drawne foorth 15 men in ranke of armed pikes in length of the battel which serue to arme the two flanks out of 108 men per ranke the breadth of the battell there resteth 93 men per ranke for breadth or front And these 93 must be diuided into so manie parts as one would that the Maniples should march in ordinance or arraies the one after another as the way will permit Aduertising you that although I haue giuen order and examples to arme the front traine and both flankes of the battell in forme and manner as I haue set downe in the 24 and 25 figures with placing the armed pikes which remained out of them which armed the front traine and both the flankes of
vpon our ioyning with the enemie quite altered and chaunged and so changing dayly as occasions were offered And in land seruice more occurrantes do befall hourely which hereafter we will speake of But now partly to answere your demaund First the enemie discouered approching and engaging vs to fight happely some skirmishes may be begun by the hargoletiers and light horse but the battels approching and comming within shot the field ordinance on both sides if there be any begin to go off at which artillerie the first puzzelling doth commonly begin each part attempting to surprise the others ordinance then the loose shot in the forelorne hope on both sides begin to disband and fall to flat skirmish their office performed hauing bene well bearded they retire to the flankes and reareward of the battell from whence they are supplied and continually seconded with other fresh troupes so still maintaining fight till the horse do offer to charge the which are commonly encountred with horse againe if not then the shot retire behind their stand of pikes and are then also aided with their halberdes and short weapon and some halfe pikes mingled among them vpon whose charging the Muskets of impaling and the squadrons at the angles doe roundly bestow their vollie in the face of the enemie then the pikes are couched fast vnder the right foote guarding the girdling shot vnder their succour the which girdling shot are to kneele vpon their right knee vnder the couched pikes closing close together do stād with resolute hart hand and body holding the pike at a reasonable distance in the left hand their swordes ready drawen in their right hand of the first 3 or 4 rankes being sure to stand firme and couching their pikes point to the breast of the horse for that is the place of most aduantage A squadron of pikes thus couched and handled by resolute and honest men I cannot see how any troupe of horse dare venture vpon them and if they do yet not able to breake farre in if men stand resolute so of force must they retire with losse and disaduantage But if they be encountred with equall numbers proportions and force of pikemen then if they will they aduance their pikes vntill they come to the push then with charging ouer hand to thrust and push couragious and valiantly at which time valour and skill is shewed as second meanes of victorie but God the first cause and giuer of all Gent. In few wordes you haue finished a battell But your leaders and Commanders how are they this while employed Capt. Euery one according to his office place to encourage animate the souldiers to redresse with speed any disorders happening in their own troupes to espie the disorders or negligence of the enemy taking aduantage vpō such occasion with sundry other points which in their seuerall duties shall be declared The second Dialogue wherein is declared the order of many ancient formes of imbattailing Gentleman YOu spake of more sortes of battels I pray therefore declare vnto vs their orders how many in what formes and to what vses Capt. Although I haue before somwhat touched the same not minding to medle farther then with our fights now most accustomed yet neuerthelesse drawen on by your good and curious demaundes I will the best I can particularly describe them Therefore as I haue before declared of all formes of battels now in our age most in vse best approued and best allowed of is the iust square of men as equally strong on euery side and most fit and best assured for the open field and out of which quadrate all other formes may easily be reduced Next vnto that and most aduantagious indeede to fight is the quadrate of ground by good regard had wherein many hands are brought at one time to fight Of both the which formes I haue before largely discoursed as well the manner how to frame them as their due sortement with weapons and shot to the same I will now speake somewhat of the rest of the which there are many sorts seruing in old time vnto many purposes but now with vs quite out of vse as the Diamant battell the VVedge battell or Triangle the Sheers battell the Saw battell the Moone battell the SDG battels and the Crosse battell with such like and chiefly the battell compounded of sundrie battallions the which last recited of all others I thinke to be the most strong and aduantagious were men expert skilfull and ready but raw as in our dayes they be very difficult and dangerous to be handled The nearest therefore vnto the square of men is the Diamant battell vnto the framing whereof out of the said square there needeth no more but whereas the leader stood before on the square of the battell let him appoint another to go to the next corner or angle thereof and willing the pikes to turne their faces vpon him and they shall straight out of the square march into a Diamant proportion which forme when you are disposed to alter do no more but appoint the leader to the square where he first stood commaunding the pikes to turne their faces vpon him and they shall forthwith march into a square battell againe The facilitie is great both herein and in all others and that without any confusion as by their seuerall figures following shall appeare the which I haue framed of 25 letters the better to giue you to vnderstand And againe out of the Diamant forme may be reduced two triangles by cutting or diuiding the same in the middest at the two flat angles as in this figure of a Diamant forme may appeare by the prickes running along of 2 triangles may be framed a Sheeres battell and of 3 or 4 triangles may in like sort be framed the Saw battell by ioyning the angles together as in their figures following shall appeare Here you see the square reduced into a Diamant forme with onely turning their faces vnto the right angle E as aboue appeareth so marching on do fall into a perfect Diamant forme with two sharpe angles and two flat But in their march they will stretch ouer-long each man from his leadesman so will it be of no force to fight by reason of their raritie thin standing as in the former figure may appeare by F.B. by L.G.C. by G.M.H.D. by VV. R.N.N.E the two sharp angles and so of the rest To reforme the which fault First commaund your men to stand in the forme they are then causing the two sides of the first angle E to stand yet firme and commaund euery one of the rest except the said two sides to march on one after another vntill he come to finde himselfe in a due distance each after his leadsman thus F. shall march vp towardes B. vntill he finde A. to be his left-side fellow thē there to rest thē againe G. shall proceede towards C. vntill B. be his side
opening of the same and the souldiers alwayes to betake them to their armes not suffering anie to carrie cloake mantle or such like thing to trouble them at that instant and that there first passe foorth at the wicket which serueth for that purpose fiue or sixe souldiers who shall discouer take knowledge and viewe seuentie or eightie pases out abroad into the fields and finding all things safe and secure the gates shall be opened first suffering the in-people to passe foorth and that not by throngs as commonly is vsed but by litle and litle orderly especially if there be cariages cartes or baggage and vntill all those be passed out he shall suffer none to enter in neither permit them to approch nigh vnto the gates And the issuing out of the people being ended with the like regard and order ought the out-people to enter alwayes hauing in the Corps de guard of the gate both by day and night two Sentinels one at the weapons and the other in the field and that euerie one of these should haue a Spontone or a long sharpe iron to the end that when any waine wagon or cart laden with hay or such like doe passe by he may therewith thrust the same thorough to know if there be any deceipt therein hidden For a Garrison may easily be deceiued by such guiles and stratagemes Like as Caesar de Napolie did attempt at Turine although he effected it not being preuented by the aduise and diligence of a Smith an inhabiter of that place He is to cause wood to be prouided for all the guardes although that cold weather constraine it not for that to light their matches it is alwayes needfull to haue fire And that in the Corps de guard there be place commodious to hang vp their Corslets and to accommodate their peeces in good order seeing not onely that it is necessarie that the souldiers may with speede and readinesse betake them to their Armes if in case the Alarme be striken but also to auoyd all confusion and also for the adorning of the Corps de guard And when the Ensignes or companies shall enter for guard or watch into the place the Sergeant Maior is to be present and he ought not to suffer then anie gaming Tables but the souldiers to receiue in their Colours with great respect and reuerence sith they represent the authoritie Royall and in doing the contrarie it repugneth all good Militarie discipline And he is to keepe a good account and reckening with the souldiers that serue in euerie Companie according to the muster that they made whereof he is to haue fede and certificate from the Pay-maister or Treasurer and knowing thereby that they bring to the guard and watch much lesser number of people then they receiue pay for he ought to take a reckening of the officers of the Companies and for being carelesse herein manie souldiers do serue manie times but badly And he ought not to suffer that in their entring in or going out from the watch there want anie peece of their Corslets or Morian to the shot neither that they serue with rustie armour nor of the antique fashion neither that anie Pike do want his head cheekes or arming for that in hauing them it doth not onely beautifie the squadron but it maketh it to seeme more then it is which is a circumstance of great importance sith all the apparitions which may yeeld terror to the enemie are to be esteemed and much accounted of Gent. In what order do the Ensignes enter into the place Capt. Vnto the Corps de guard the shot goeth alwayes in the Vantgard and there arriuing do open making a lane or streete betwixt the which the Pikes do enter and march in their Arrayes and in mine opinion they should not carrie them aduanced vp as I haue many times seene vsed but they should passe in betwixt the shot with their pikes on their shoulders marching as they come and at their ariuing vnto the head of the shot where the Captaine standeth without opening or disaraying and then aduance their pikes abiding in their rankes and so from hand to hand each ranke to do the like and then the shot at that arriuing and rearing of their pikes shall draw neare and empale the first rankes on each side and so consequently the rest vnto the end of this order in such sort that the squadron may remaine formed and garnished And if by chance two companies do come at once into the place as many times it chanceth then ought they ioyntly to forme the squadron with their shot on each flanke and the corslets not to breake their arrayes aduertising that alwayes the ensignes be in the center thereof Gent. And the companies which stand at the ward what are they to do when the others do enter Capt. They must attend ready armed and armes in hand standing vpon one side of the Corps de guard vntill that those companies which do enter haue finished their squadron and then do they march in order towards their lodging accompanying first their Coulours home And the Sergeant Maior is to bee carefull to visite euery day the Corps de guards whereby he shall cause that neither the souldiers nor officers do absent themselues from their watch and that there be no brawles nor brables therein And it doth import much that hee doe the like in the Roundes and counter Roundes And if any should dismeanor himselfe breeding question or braule either in word or deede he is seuerely to be punished for the great inconueniences that may ensue thereupon being so many men together with weapon in hand And he is to prouide that the Roundes and counter Roundes be of more or lesse men or more or lesse continued according as neede shall require but they neuer should returne to their Colours from whence they departed vntill they haue furnished their quarter the which they ought to bestow and spend in giuing turnes about the wals veiwing the vigilance and carefulnesse of the Sentinels and the like ought those to doe which doe goe their Roundes in the towne Gent. When the Roundes and counter Roundes do meete as well in the campe as in a Castle who is to giue the Word one to the other first Capt. The counter Roundes are most commonly of officers and therefore by reason and dutie the Round is to giue place and to giue the Word first vnto the counter Round But for as much as Captaines themselues do vse to round in the ordenary quarters it is conuenient to the end that none may iustly be agrieued and to disbarre all oddes and inconueniences that the Sergeant Maior as a person vnto whose charge and office is the disposing and appointing of the guards Roundes and counter Roundes do giue order vnto the companies in what manner they are to behaue themselues in this particular point which shall be that