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
and fore finger of his right hand and with his middle finger to measure at what length to cocke the same to fall with a proportioned length into the pan The which being done let him retire his right foote somwhat backe and stand firme vpon the same and holding fast both the musket and rest with his left hand to raise the but end of his musket from his thigh vnto his breast and to fasten the same firme and close vnto his right shoulder and brest holding fast the sayd hinder part of the stocke betwixt his right thombe and fore finger drawing downe the serre with the other three fingers and so taking due leuell to discharge Hauing performed the which let him vncocke his match clap his musket vpon his shoulder with a halfe turne and so retire trailing his rest or forke by the stringe and giuing place to others go charge again finally for other armes a reasonable short sword a meane dagger with no morion but a faire hat and feather Gent. Thus I perceiue your fiery shot haue many busie skils without knowledge of all the which it is hard to become a perfect shot Capt. True and therefore often to be practised But here let the muster-maister and trayning Captaine be well aduised not to suffer their shot to cary any bullet about them in time of their trainings and fained skirmishes for feare of danger that might thereby ensue among themselues But now and then after their training to take euery shot single and to see him charge his peece orderly with pouder and bullet as aforesaid and hauing a great but erected to that purpose the which ought to be in euery hundred or Baily-wicke to cause them to leuell and discharge at the blancke thereof orderly one after another encouraging those which do make the fairest shot Now for the Pike which the Spaniards do tearme SenÌ„ora y Reyna de las armas the Queene and mistresse of weapons The souldier which carieth the same is to bee well armed with a good corslet furnished with his gorget Morion tasses pouldrons vambraces and gauntlets also to be armed as he ought to be whatsoeuer opinion other men may hold to the contrary supposing a bare payre of Cuyrasses onely sufficient but I am of opinion that the armed Picquier ought to bee armed in all points as I haue said for defence and then to offend to be weaponed with a good Pike of ground Ashe of seuenteen or eighteen foote long at the least well and strongly headed with the cheekes three foote long or there about and for other weapon to weare a good short sword and dagger for the dagger is a weapon of great aduantage in Pell mell And if it be replied that the souldier so heauie armed is not for any great march or speedy execution I say that among well ordered Regiments there are also yet some vnarmed pikes that is without any corslet or at the most the bare cuyrats onely and morion the which the Italians do call Picche secche Now these are reserued imployed in such peeces of light seruice And the Picquier either armed or vnarmed is to be shewed and taught the carriage and vse of his pike as first to tertiar or carry the same orderly vpon his shoulder holding the same with his foure fingers vpon the vpper part of the staffe his thombe vnder the staffe neare vnto his shoulder basing downe the blunt end thereof to aduaunce the point and poizing the pike with an equall poize vpon his thombe and shoulder alwayes in march keeping the lower end of his pike on the one side of his foremans legge still aduertising that in march the pike is to be carried vpon the right shoulder of euery souldier throughout euery file sauing the vtmost file on the left side of the arrayes or ordinances which are to carry their pikes vpon their left shoulders onely alwayes regarding how those of the foremost rankes doe carry their weapon the rest to do the same throughout euery ranke and file following for order and forme do require the same Next hee is to be taught how to plant his pike on the ground at any stand or Alto then how to arbolare or aduaunce his pike that is to reare his pike vpright against his right shoulder and with his right hand stretched downe vnto his thigh to hold the same neare vnto the butt-but-end betwixt his foure fingers and his thombe stretching his forefinger downeward vnto the butt-but-end of his pike and so aduaunce the same vpright high against his right shoulder resting and staying the same with his right hand against his right thigh and knee as before is sayd Now this is to be done at such times as being brought into a Ring and serreyng close shoulder to shoulder then to aduaunce their piks in this sort at the enclosing thereof so to continue vntill they fall out of the ring againe into a larger march Also the same is vsed by some at their arriuing vnto the corps de guard at the setting of the watch before their chief Commander or officer euen as the first ranke shall arriue into the corps de guard some ten or twelue pases from the place of their stand to arbolare their pikes and so rancke after ranck carrying them in the same order vntill they come vnto their place of station there to make Alto and to plant their pikes vpon the ground as the squadron is formed But principally the souldiers marching in squadron and vpon point to come to the push of the pike with their foote enemy then are they first to aduaunce their pikes as is said bearing the same orderly with the right hand against the right thigh and the left hand aboue neare about the shoulder and so to charge vpon the left hand and push standing firme and sure vpon the left foote But if the squadron be charged with any troupes of the enemies horse then must the Picquiers cowch their pikes fast vnder the right foote holding the same 〈…〉 the left hand and bow downe the point thereof against the breast of the horâ—e hauing his right hand ready to draw his sword if occasion shall be offered Now how necessary and auayleable this continuall vse and practise is may easily be gathered from the sundry victories of the auncient Romanes Who both in their Campes and Garrisons had their Tesserarios which were as our Sergeant Maiors to ensigne and teach their people of warre the vse and managing of their armes at all idle and vacant times The old souldier sometimes once in a day and the Tirones which we terme Bisognios or new souldiers twise in the day or as occasion serued so were their people alwayes ready and perfect And againe they did not onely practise them in the knowledge of their weapons but many times also did conduct their Companies for their recreation
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
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
moores meddowes fields open or enclosed forests woods thickets or whether the countrey be stony plaine field or ditched and all difference of situations of grounds as well of the hils and high mountaines as of the plaine and champain to the end that he may consider foresee preuent and prepare for euery place where the enemy may annoy him For many times one regiment is to march alone and then doth it touch the Sergeant Maior to haue the care and speculation hereof as it doth the Campe-Maister Generall when the whole army marcheth for that it befall him not as it did vnto the Romaines in the Furcas Caudinas and vnto many other through the like misregard And for more security hereof they are to procure faithful and trusty guides and skilful way leaders to the end not to be beguiled and abused as Hannibal was when he warred in Italy against the Romaines who willing to leade his army vnto Cassinum was led and guided vnto Casilinum to be put into the hands of Quintus Fabius Maximus Generall of the Romaines his enemies Now the order being knowne and the way reknowledged and the houre of remouing at hand he is to commaunde the drumme maior to sound the call Recoia or assembling and euery Captaine of infantery to cause their baggage to be trussed vp and laden and shall straight wayes draw foorth his ensignes out of their quarter into the place of armes and there shall frame his battell or squadron reparting their Captaines into such places as concerneth them that day and shall dispose and appoint the Sergeants of ordinary bandes in such sort that euery one may know what part he hath to gouerne and set in order And for as much as it is seldome seene that the wayes fieldes and passages be so large that the whole battell may march all in front he is to frame his ordinances arraies or Maniples no greater then that the same may march commodiously and at ease thorough the same the order whereof I haue at large declared in folio 62 67 68 and 92 alwayes prouided that he quarter or deuide not his battell if the passage will so permit into no lesse then the third part of the front thereof as thus if the front be of 27 pikes the Maniples or ordinance shall be of 9 and if 21 in front then the deuision or quartering shall be of 7 in front and so of other numbers for he is to conduct his companies so well disciplined and ordered that occasion being offered hee may with speede and readinesse frame and set his battell or battallions reparting the Captaines and officers in places most conuenient as before is sayd Gent. But tell vs how is he to repart them and who shall go in the vantgard which in the battell and who in the reareward and in what part shall the Colours be placed that this readinesse and quicke dispatch might be performed in setting the battell as you speake of Capt. The order I haue partly spoken of before but to giue you content I will repeate it againe therefore me thinkes that the order to be obserued therein is thus That the shot of the forlorne hope and the shot of the right flanke being deuided into many small troupes as I said should march before then next the girdling shot of the said right side after them should follow the ordinances and Maniples of pikes in such sort order as before is declared to the end that the ensignes go not crossed either in one sort or other he is to place them alone after another within so many rankes of pikes so that when soeuer he brings his Maniples vp together pouldron to pouldron to the framing of his battell they may still remaine in their conuenient places which is in the center Then after the pikes shall follow the girdling shot of the left flanke and last of all in the reareward shall follow the troupes of shot belonging to the left flanke and reareward and hauing passed the straight and the squadron formed then may they repaire each girdling shot and troupes to their due and conuenient roomes as before of which orders of Maniples and quartering of battels I haue before declared at large Gent. Is there any meaning or misterie in marching the left or right side shot before in the vantgard Capt. None truly that I know of more then that in all our actions we ought to incline what we can vnto perfection and as the right hand is the more perfect and noble from thence it is reason that wee begin to frame our battels and in that place also to begin to disseuer them Gent. The munition and baggage belonging to the Companies where are they to goe to cause least hinderance and to passe in most security Capt. The consideration that is to bee had when an army doth march is that if the enemy be knowne to be on head the vantgard vpon the way you are to passe then let the munition and baggage be placed in the reareward and per contra if the enemy be found to be in the reareward then passe your baggage to the forward and if on the right side then conuay it to the left and if on the left side then transport it vnto the right with the like consideration and in this sort shall the campe be alwayes a wall and defence vnto the munition and baggage And if in marching the enemy do offer to fight the munition by this meanes shall be no let or hinderance at all And besides all this there ought to be sent abroade certaine Hargulutiers or light horse to scoute before the munition and carriage to preuent the suddain incursions of the enemies stragling horse The same order ought also to be obserued in the marching of one regiment alone But in case that there were no enemy and they might march through places plaine safe and secure the munition and cariage ought alwayes to passe in the foreward with a sufficiēt gard of pikes shot and short weapons that for good respect because it is very commodious for the souldiers that when they come well wearied to their quarter they may find their tents ready pitched and many times their forrage prouided and not to stay attending and expecting the same comming many times wet dirtie ouer tired and halfe dead with hunger and again if by hap any of the cariages do fal the owners of the baggage may help to redresse wherby to saue their baggage and furniture which could not be done if it marched in the reareward Gent. But if it should happen that in none of these sayd parts the baggage might march in safety as in Barbarie or other Champaine countrey where the enemies number consisteth most of horse we not hauing sufficient numbers to answer them what is then to be done where the enemy may charge on euery side Cap. Then in the center of the battell or betwixt the squadrons with
in the tauerns and victualing houses in the butchery in the bakery among the Gun-makers the Gun-powder-makers Armourers and such like And of all such as he findeth there he giueth account and notice vnto the Captaine or Alferez or Sergeant and these againe do aduertise the Castellane and in his absence the Lieutenant And in the day time a Gunner with an other officer goeth to reknowledge and view all the Artillery of the Castell as wel those within as those without in the Rauelines In the morning after that the drumme hath striken the Aluarado or breaking vp or discharging of the watch the Alferes with twenty souldiers and foure Caporals goeth vnto the lodging of the Castellane to receiue the keyes and then goeth to open the Tenaza and Rauelines and then commeth the Corps de guard of the principall gate and ringeth a little bell to call together and assemble those that are at the watch and after being together they do open the Castell gates with all the watch and other officers present in this maner The Castellanes Lieutenant remaineth at the first gate in the inner part thereof with one troupe or part of the souldiers and the rest of the guard being issued out they shut the same againe and goe to open the second gate where a Captaine and Sergeant with another troupe of souldiers do stay and remaine and then the guard of the third gate being issued out with the Alferez they shut also the second and doe open none of these neither do the souldiers disarme themselues vntill the place of the Castell be very well reknowledged and thoroughly viewed In the first gate of the principall bridge there remaines in the day time 50 souldiers at the ward with a Caporall who taketh account and charge of the opening and shutting thereof and there is ioyntly with them the Alferez who keepeth account and reckening with those which enter in from abrode and if it be any stranger that commeth for some affaires or businesse into the Castel there goeth with euery such one souldier of the guard notwithstanding that they haue passed thorough the hands of the Lieutenant or in his absence through the hands of the Captaine of Infantery At the middle gate there is another Corps de guard containing other 30 souldiers with two Caporals and with these doth continually assist the Lieutenant of the Castell a Captaine of infantery and a Sergeant And there is the assembly and concourse of all the souldiers so that besides those which be of the watch there is continually 70 or 80 other souldiers or more At the gate within the Castell there is 16 souldiers and with them one Capoporall Betwixt ten and eleuen of the clocke in the day time they shut the gates to go vnto their dinner and then there goeth vpon the walles eight souldiers with an officer which do go the Round and Contra Round whilest the rest bee at dinner The souldiers do remaine at their dinner time one houre and in opening the Castell gates againe they chaunge the postes or wardes vntill three of the clocke and at that houre againe they go and chaunge them a fresh vntill it bee night And in the opening of the gates after dinner they obserue the same order as they did in the morning They haue a consideration and reguard if the day do increase or diminish as concerning the deuiding of the houres and in opening and shutting the gates according to the same order There hangeth at euery post or watch turret vpon the walles a little bell at each of seuerall soundes wherewith the Sentinels do answer one another euery quarter or halfe houre All the day there goeth continually two souldiers the Round and Contra â—ound the which do chaunge and are relieued by their quarters as are in like sort the Sentinels vpon the walles hauing a care and reguard vnto the Artillery and to see if any persons not belonging to the Castell doth come vp vpon the same without licence of the Castellane or his Lieutenant and finding any such person in such manner they giue knowledge thereof vnto the Castellane or vnto his officers to the end that the cause might be knowne why any such doth mount vp vnto the walles Euery one of the Caporals that are within the Castell hath his quarter assigned him with his squadra and euery night doth visite the souldiers in the same and see whether they haue their bullets powder match and all other armes in a readinesse and whether any souldier do lodge or sleepe without the Castell by night without leaue and licence of his superior officer And euery morning before the opening of the gates the said Caporals do giue an account particularly vnto the Captaine of al the faults in this sort committed the which are punished according to the orders that be prouided and made for euery matter concerning the sayd Castell Also the higher officers and Caporals haue their quarters deuided appointed where euery one doth know whither to repaire with the soldiers of his charge if the Alarme be giuen Euery Saturday doth an officer with sixe souldiers go and visite and reknowledge all the Contra Mines The Castellane hath one key of the chest where all the keyes are locked and the Lieutenant keepeth another to the end that if any suddaine occasion be offered repaire might be made vnto him which is next at hand these keyes are not the ordinary keyes And thus all these things being knowne and well considered any Castellane or Captaine of any Fortresse or place of defence may alter adde or diminish that which vnto him shall seeme good for the good gouernement and defence of his place of charge The Conclusion Thus hauing finished in fine these Military discourses wherein I haue marched farther then I meant at the first drawne on Gentlemen by your diuerse and curious demaundes and what reformations I haue herein desired or what amisses errors I haue herein committed I yeelde the same to be considered and reformed by the wisedome of those whose experience authority and good indeuour may be answerable to the performance therof desiring that the same may be deemed as proceeding from a soldier who more of zeale then of any desire to offend hath penned these rough discourses wishing that himselfe and all others may take occasion thereby to amend what is in euery of vs amisse Beseeching our heauenly Chieftaine Iehouah thas as herein so in all other inconueniences any waie hindering the florishing state of our Noble Common-weale the necessitie of this euery other action may take such roote in the beholders thereof as that with such conuenient regard as they ought they will endeuour euery man in his degree the redresse and wished reformation of the same with the due regard of our daungerous times each honest man of what degree soeuer inuesting himselfe with the honourable habite of the true feare of God
Excesse of lechery breeds cowards minds and diseased bodies Examples Decent in apparel Ouer curious in attire is signe of a Carpet knight a humour vnfit for warre Yet places and times vnmeete to be respected Louing and obedient vnto his Captaine Iustice loyaltie constanâ—â—â— patience silence and obedience Not subiect vnto passions DisobedieÌ„ce breedeth many mischiefes Not to attempt any thing without his Captaines consent Example of rigorous punishment for disobedience The souldier is bound to obey his Prince without examining the cause of the war PatieÌ„tly to suffer the aduersities of warre Carefull execution ere he fall to the spoile An vnsouldierly part to be scraping and spoiling To pursue the victorie throughly Not cruell vpon cold bloud Fauourable and mercifull to the humble vanquished To chuse the weapon wherein be most dâ—lighteth The pike and corslet most honoraâ—le weapon for the footman The muskâ—t of most execution of any fury manuall weapon To practise all weapons The sword and target important to many effects To learne the seuerâ—ll sound of the drumme To be skilfull in swimming Couragious and resolute in encouÌ„ters Vigilant and carefull at sentinell Not to disâ—rme himselfe vntill he see his ensigne vnarmed in corps de gard Loyall to his Prince No shifter from Company to Company Not curious of houres for eating but to preuent time To practise warlike exercises in vacant time To delight in reading of histories The profits proceeding thereof Carefull to marke the courses kept by his superior officers The profession of armes foundation of Nobilitie So many good parts hardly to be found in one 〈◊〉 Euery honourable souldier ought to endeuour himselfe to attainâ— whaâ— he can Some better then few few better then none at all Many good parts 〈◊〉 a souldier gotten by experience and perfected with learning Most famous Commaunders were learned All Campes formed of men weapons munition and good Chiefes The CoÌ„maunders of a campe in degrees Armie is deuided into sundry Regiments The RegimeÌ„t into sundry bandes The officers of a Regiment The number of a Band. The Captaine and his officers of a Companie The parts to be in a Caporall To be with his souldiers as a father with his children To cause them to keepe their armes neat and cleane and to shew them the vse thereof The glittering shew of armors is the reioycing of a campe He shal perswade them to all cleanlinesse and honestie disswade them from vice To be obedient vnto his superior officers Being at any peace of seruice with his Squadra alone his care and authoritie great His care at the Corps de guard His care office duty in ward watch and Sentinell The care order and regard in placing watch and Sentinell In places of suspition and danger to place men of best importance To visite and reuisite often the watch To repart the victuall with equitie and right The word not to be trusted vnto raw souldiers bisognios The order how the Sentinell is to receiue the word of such as come neare him Camarada what Capo de Camara In the Sergeant of a Band there ought to be militarie discipline Skilfull valiant quicke Requisite that â—e be somewhat learned and seene in Arithmetike to know how to sort his weapons and to frame his squadron the sooner To draw each sort of weapon by themselues The best armed in front flankes and rereward To instruct the drumme the seuerall sounds The manner to ranke a seuerall Band. To deuide the squadron for seuerall seruices To appoint them to their seuerall seruice To set remoue the watches To giue the word with all secrecy circumspectioÌ„ To be careful for the souldiers prouision The proper arming of a Sergâ—aÌ„t His care is to prouide and call for victuals fâ—r the souldiers In absence of the Captaine to be obedient to the Lieutenant By diligeÌ„ce pains industry to climbe to higher degree The parts required to be in an Ensigne-bearer The Ensign is the foundatioÌ„ of the company and in whom consisteth the honour and reputatioÌ„ of Captaine soldiers The Ensign-bearer to die in defence of his Ensigne The Ensigne for the field the smaller for garrison then the bigger Wherfore called Ensignes Why called Banners why called Colours The Ensignes deliuered to the Ensigne-bearer by the Captaine with great solemnity and oath After any singular peece of seruice it is the Ensigne bearers due yet by gift of the Captaine The Ensigne bearer to go gallantly armed To shew himself terrible to the Enemie The times and cases when the Ensigne-bearer is to fight Examples The Ensigne broken or torne in fight no dishonor to the Ensigne bearer if he retaine the truncke in his hand In march how he is to behaue himselfe In fights in encounter in musters and in his Generals presence how he is to behaue himselfe In presence of the Prince how The Ensignes place in a squadron or battell the right â—and is the place of preheminence The Abanderados Not lawfull for the Ensigne-bearer to enter into fight but with the Ensigne in his hand The Ensigne to be accompanied with a Corps dâ—garde in his lodging The veneration and respect of the Ensigne The souldiers not to disarme themselues vntill the Ensigne-bearer be first vnarmed and Ensigne placed vp When the Ensign-bearer is to disarme The parts that â—ught to be in a Lieutenant Not to arrogate ouer much authoritie to himselfe To pacifie and determine the souldiers brables with grauity and good speeches To cause offenders to bee apprehended To see the company furnished with all necessaries To counsell ayde assist the Sergeant in his office To passe with the company to the Corps de gard To visite and reuisite the watch To see the souldiers appointed to their lodgings His place of march Captaines chosen by the counsell of warre state or by Vize-royes of prouinces Litle consideration vsed many times in bestowing their charges Inconueniences arising from fauorite elections The expert souldier loth to obey the vnexpert Captaine Good order for reformation Captaines to be chosen out of the best approued Lieutenants None to be captaines except first a Lieutenant None Lieutenant but first an Ensigne None Ensigne but first a Sergeant Hope of preferment makes men obedient diligent Many haue spent their patrimony in wars but few enriched therby Fauorite election is a crosse to olde souldiers A fond conceit of some seruitours A worse mind of some common souldiers The first to be disliked as men inconsiderate The second as meÌ„ nâ—ither fit for peace nor warre The more honest minds lesse apt to beg or craue The wars ended the Princes purse not to maintaine all idle Men hauing long followed the warres of good proof in the same most fit to bee chosen for Captaines Muster-maisters what they ought to be In stead of bowâ—â— and bills good pikes muskets A caneat for Captaines and Muster-maisters What order for conuerting billes and bowes into pikes muskets A good consideration A bad sort of people