skirmish diligently to execute such like enterprises and finally to pursue the enimy defending or expugning some strong place fortresse passage or breach or what other condition soeuer When he hath put the ordenance and march in this foresaid forme and maner that he doth carry in mind the Theorick Rules which before are mentioned he may so ingrosse and double the ranks specially when he aspects and stayes for the enimie that he may frame the square battaile of ground or of number aâ—…d of men both the one and the other without any difficultie He may likewise cause euerie particular Sergeant place all the Pikes armed and disarmed with the other weapons they haue in charge and also the Ensigne in so many liâ—…es rankes as the people of the other bands likewise armed by their Sergeant are formed and fashioned Besides it would be very good for the Sergeant Maior first of all aduisedly to consider with the Sergeants how many lines or ranks they are to be by companie prouided alwayes that one band be like vnto another in quantitie of lines rankes that their proportion may answere and be correspondent These bodies so ordained are of many called maniples or scales as thus Marching in this order he may cause al the Alfieres of euerie Regiment to march in ranke vnited togither without mixing themselues with others that pertain to other Collonels or with other priuate captains and when the maniple be doubled the battel is complet engrossed euery Alfierus may go to his own band and remain with the same for the more satisfaction of his company and his greater saftie And returning with the said order of maniples to march in long ordinance as before euery Alfierus shal turne amongst the other Alfierus or Ensigne bearers where he remained first The Hargabusiers must march disseuered from the battaile the one halfe in Uantgard and the other half in reargard or somwhat distant of vpon the right hand vpon the left hand as the way shall serue with most commoditie or as shall be thought most necessarie if suspect be had of the enimie so that according as néede doth require redoubling the rankes and causing one to enter into another or knit and ioyne togither he may engrosse them and put them in order with good aduisement to flanke this foresaid principall battaile in as good forme as he possible may It is a most necessarie note to be had in memorie that as wel the two wings or sléeues of Hargabusiers as also the front or backe part of the ordained battaile or generall square are alwayes recommended as before I said to the worthy Collonels and Captaines and honorable officers and souldiers to the intent they may alwayes giue remedie by discourse consider and by courage determine of al matters making choise of the chiefest part in those affaires of importance without attending or aspecting for counsell if in case such counsell be not present and readie at hand Neither is it to be misliked or out of course but as I iudge a thing verie necessarie to send for Uantgard and Reargard and on both sides some what farre off from the battaile squadrons troopes or hornes of Hargabusiers out of the forlorne hope the which without mouing the souldiers of the battaile the ordained square and flankes may verie sufficiently performe all enterprises discoueries and do great seruice of maruellous importance and profite and in effect may assure the way and passage to the squadrons that come behind or go before from surprises c. Marching out of danger or suspicion of the enimy the Sergeant Maior deuiding euerie armes by themselues must forme the accustomed ordinance and marching with this hée may accept the companies which ariue as they come and send the Hargabusiers of the front of this companie to the Uantgard of the Hargabusiers of the foresaid formed rankes and those of the backe to the reargard the Ensignes to the place of the Ensignes and the forepart of the Pikes and Halberds to the front and the hindermost part to the backe of this square battaile and ordinance in the midst of the day when the Armie makes Alâ—… to rest in the morning when they dislodge and at night when they encampe let the Sergeant Maior accompanied with the Marshall of the fielde range the armie into sundrie formes of battailes and squares that ech one may be well acquainted with euerie sort of battaile the which although part of them be not to march withall and not in vse yet for exercise sake and for that sometimes they are found to be profitable when they are diligeÌ„tly ordained and disposed being conformable to the situation of the ground and correspondent to that present enterprise specially when they be contained and framed of a great number of people I haue thought good in my figures hereunto annexed to set downe some of old and some of newe inuentions hoping that some of them may satisfie our curious conceited Captaines But to delate further of these foresaid particulars the Sergeant Maior must euerie day repaire to the Lord high marshal or the Lieutenant generall to receiue direction in what sort that day the armie is to march whose pleasures knowne he must as â—… said before sort euery kind of weapon by it selfe and then draâ—… them forth in maniples or sléeues in 3. 5. 02 7. in a ranke or morâ—… as occasion serues and so to place euerie band that their Cap taines may be with them to direct and animate them which iâ—… these our dayes is almost impossible to be done euery smal banâ—… being deuided into seuerall weapons so that he cannot in time of such generall seruice accompanie his owne band which surely is repugnant to antique Discipline Some hold opinion vnlesse the souldiers bee rawe and vntrained men that it is not good to aduenture the brunt in one maine square battaile but rather in diuers squadrons and sundrie battillions specially if by the continuance of many yeares seruice they be trained in such sort as in the furie of the fight they can both march forward if they preuaile or retyre vpon disaduantage and yet maintaine perfectly their arayes then by no meanes the battaile is to be committed to one hazard of fortune but imitating the Romaines ancient warlike discipline to place themselues in thrée or foure seuerall fronts with conuenient spaces for the first to retire and vnite himselfe with the second both these if occasion néede to serue with the 3. the shot hauing conuenient issues and lanes continually during the fight to discharge their péeces which will make an incredible spoile of the enimie so that vpon the charge of horsemen retyring within the squadrons who ioyning togither may bend and crosse their pikes to receiue the shocke and repulse them vpon whose retyre vnclosing their thorowfares lanes and galleries againe the shot and musketeares may issue out vpon their backes and either follow with the heat shore of their bullets or he imployed vpon
where they shall ride amongst the souldiers on white horses clothed in white and pure silke crowned with bright triumphant garlands as the scriptures do witnesse This and such like belongs vnto such personages as take care of the souldiers in a warlike band Now then to conclude to make an end of my first discourse I would wish all valiant minded souldiers carefully to carrie in mind those precepts which are proper and due vnto a priuate souldier which I partly haue collected and set downe in this short pamphlet that when he shal be called vnto a hyer office he may deseruedly ascend the third steppe of martiall office and so by degrées rise to the height of supreme gouernment How pikes are to be carried in aray march or battaile THose that are appointed to carrie pikes in aray of rankes or battell must know that pikes amongst all other weapons that belongs to souldiers is of greatest honor and credite and truely whosoeuer doth carie and manage the same weapon wel and with good grace doth make a verie beautifull and pleasant shew to the beholders and chiefly when it is caried vpon the shoulder sustained and supported with a good grace and the hand that doth sustaine it be on that side the shoulder where it is placed and with il Gombedo alto They must likewise be aduertised which march in the formost ranckes if they be vpon the right side to hold their pikes continually in marching in the right hand and vpon the right shoulder without euer changing it and so likewise being vpon the left side of the ranck to hold it alwayes vpon the left shoulder those that be in the midst of the ranckes haue libertie to vse that side that is best for their commoditie either vpon the right or left hand and to moue their pikes from shoulder to shoulder at their choise and pleasure It is true that the iust carying of the pike of those that march in the midst of the ranckes is to hold it vpon the left shoulder to carie their right hand behind vpon their dagger or vpon their side and so generally all as well they that be in the midst as those that be in the head of the ranckes are to obserue this order to carie that hand which is at libertie behind them or vpon their sides Let him march then with a good grace holding vp his head galantly his pace full of grauitie and state and such as is fit for his person and let his bodie be straight and as much vpright as is possible and that which most imports is that they haue alwayes their eyes vpon their companions which are in rancke with them and before them going iust one with the other kéeping perfite distance without committing error in the least pace or step and euerie pace and motion with one accord and consent they ought to make at one instant time And in this sort all the ranckes entyrely are to go sometimes softly sometimes fast according to the stroke of the drum The héele and tippe of their pikes would be equally holden both of length and height as néere as is possible to auoid that they fall not out to be by bearing them otherwise like vnto Organ pipes some long some short The measure proportion thereof to hold the héele of the pike is this It is necessarie for him to haue an eye to the rancke that doth march before him and so carrie the butte end or héele of his pike that it may be iust ouer against the ioynt of the ham of the souldier that in march shall be straight before him and so euerie one from hand to hand must obserue the proportion of that height that is right behind vpon the ioynt of the knée for by doing so they cannot commit errour carying in their march that legge that is vnder that arme that sustaines and carries the pike of iust and euen proportion by mouing their pace right vnder the staffe of the pike going in their march as I haue said before iust and euen with a galant stately and sumpteous pace for by doing so they shal be estéemed honored aâ—…d commended of the lookers on who shall take wonderfull delight to behold them march in that order THE SECOND BOOK OF MILITARIE DIRECTIONS WHEREIN IS SET DOWNE THE office of a Sergeant Ensigne bearer Lieutenant and the Gentlemen of a band how to traine skirmish and discouer And first the Office of the Sergeant of a Band. SInce euerie officer through his continuall exercise and dayly diligence in executing his charge doth attaine vnto perfite experience by dayly practise which is as it were conuerted into nature therefore he which determines with himselfe to be accounted sufficient and of abilitie to discharge the place of a good Sergeant of a band with a forward intent to learne and bée thorowly instructed ought first to be a souldier that hath séene much and a Corporall of good experience according to the direrections of my first booke In which two roomes it is verie conuenient that he haue tasted and bene present at great diuersitie of seruice warlike enterprises and to carrie a resolute mind to delight in the exercise of this office to the end he be not found therin irresolute and ignorant and that likewise he faile not in the readie performing of any enterprise when martiall affaires do call him forth to put the same in execution First of all it is verie requisite that he haue most perfitely in memorie the number of all the souldiers of the band and distinctly with what weapons they are armed what quantitie of Corsâ—…ets and pikes how many armed and disarmed carrie short weapons what number of hargabusiers with murrians and without how many musket-eares how many light armed pikes and targets of proofe that the better more redily vpon a sodaine he may put the company in order He must euer plant the best armed in places most necessarie as at the front and backe the right and left side of a square The first ranck in ordinarie long marching the targets of proofe must go in as a readie rouer and bulwarke against the enimies shot next to them the musketyres then the hargabuziers and after them the armed light armed pykes amidst whose ranckes he must at al times place the Ensigne garded with halberds or bils then againe the light armed and armed pikes hargabuse and musket-eares and last of all targets of proofe by this equalitie of deuision the whole band at one instant shal be readie to receiue any suddain surprise of the enimy The sergeant carrying these things in his mind hauing laid a distinct plat he may verie easily varie their forme and order as he shall be appointed and as the situation of the place doth require or the accidents of warre do constraine He must neuer worke vnwarily or at al aduentures and tending to no determined purpose as those that doe not remember the perfite rules and reckonings of their
the top of the staffe or anie other place lesse necessarie aswell thereby to flée affectation which in carying thereof is made manifest as also to conduct the same with more assured courage Moreouer note that the most honourable place of the threde or rancke is the right hand and the second the left hand which degrees likewise be obserued in all the rancks of other souldiers aâ—…wel as when diuers ensignes do march togâ—…ther in one ranck for amongest the handes and squares of souldiers the fiankes dâ—…e alwaies resist the assaultes and furie of the enemie as the sides which be néerest to them be alwaies garded of those that be most practised and the middle part not onely except the first and last rancke of the ordinance or battaâ—…le whâ—… the middest is the place of greatest estimation for the head or backe of the square being assaulted they then withstand the greatest furie And by good reason for this place of the midst is euer much more broken and endomaged of the enemies armes and force then anie other part wherefore amongest expert and valiant souldiers this roome is of greatest honour and of most estimation as the place that hath greatest néed of defence which being subiect to more open and manifest perill then the rest be is of greatest dignitie For Captaines are accustomed to shew notable and singular fauor to that souldier which they preferre to an enterprise of perill and danger so that it be capeable of issue and altogither desperate Neither is this to be accounted for a maruell for as this profession is altogither different from others so likewise the orders and ceremonies are diuersly managed if a man may terme those things ceremonies which of necessitie ought with diligence to be gouerned with great care art and industrie It behooues the Alfierus whilest he doth march in ordinance amidst the band to go with a graue and stately pace aduisedly and couragiously ioyned with modesty and without affectation or vain brauerie neither eught he to bew or decline his bodie at any time to anie person that thereby he may represent and maintaine the reputation and excellencie of armes and the ensigne before his Prince chiefe ruler Lord Generall Coronell Captaine Gouernour c. As he passeth before them he ought to abase the point and tip of the ensigne or rather with his arme bow down néer-hand all the rest of the ensigne so much more by how much he is of greater dignitie authoritie In this sort shall he make signe of reuerence and not pull off his cap or hat neither bend his knée nor moue anie one part of his person thereby to retaine that dignitie due to the ensigne his office The Alfierus being in square rancke or ordinance with the ensigne displaid doth change almost neuer the place where he is planted to march which is in the midst of the footmen as a place most safe and best defended Therefore those that otherwise would vse it doe ground their opinion vpon some ancient order of the Romaines or Grecians wherein they are deceiued because at this day we are constrained to varie our order considering our armes be varied which do now fetch and vound much more and further off and are more pearcing then those of antient time Neither is it expedient to put this officer which is of such great respect alwaies in hazard aswell for the good qualitie of his person the which we must alwaies presuppose him to be of as also for the office of great importance he supplyes siâ—…ce he doth sustaine the displaid ensigne wherein the reputation and honor of all the companie consists But at such times as he shal march to a Scalade breach and batterie the valiant Alfierus with his ensigne in one hand and his sword in another as is before said ought to enforce himselfe to be the first and by all meanes to mount vp to enter amongest the enemies and to aduance and inuite the rest forward both his inferiours companions betters for in effect at such times the particular guiding of the band appertains to him Now to the intent that the souldiers at the instaÌ„t time of a dangerous enterprise andin a combersome perilous time and place may be inuited feruently stirred vp to follow the ensigne He must therfore vse such courtesie to all men that in all hazardes and great exployts he being beloued of the Souldiers may be verie much ayded and defended by them where as otherwise they doe either suffer open ignomie or danger of death when as they be either abandoned at the point of extremitie or traiterously staine or wounded by their owne companions and followers as at the assault of Dalahani and a skirmish of brauerie at Louaine chanced vnto two seuerall Ensigne-bearers of the Baron of Sheueran Coronell ouer teâ—…ne Ensignes of shot Therefore since he is the shadow of the valor and good condition of his captaine and companie let him be carfull of his dutie The Ensigne bearer may of his discretion and authoritie espying the companie trauaile or follow enemies to their discommoditie and perill loosing the wind hill or ground of aduantage disordering the aray may stand still and cause the drums and fifes to stand and sound the retreat that the companie may resort and come to the Ensigne and order the aray by the aduantage of the ground rather then abide the comming of the enemy He ought alwaies to haue about him and to lodge where hée doth himselfe so manie good Drums as there be hundreth in his band that at all times he may make Raccolte and gather his souldiers togither and for such like necessarie respects He ought neuer craue licence to go to anie enteprise whatsoeuer for anie desire he hath to make himselfe known or to win fame but ought to remaine stedfast and firme when his turne of seruice comes in respect of the great charge he doth carie in the manage of the ensigne It is necssarie he haue a horse for his owne vse the which whilest he marcheth ought to go neere the Ensigne whether he be in square vattaile or long march for by taking his ease on horse-backe he may kéepe himselfe continually lusâ—…y and fresh and therewithall may accomodate his cariage or bagage as some souldiers may likewise doe among the ordinarie cariage prouided for by the captaine Note that the Ensigne which he receiued of his Captaine must by him be resâ—…ored again at such times as he is discharged out of the company if during the time of his seruice there hath not chanced a battaile assault or other enterprise wherein the Alfierus being present he hath not made manifest apparance that he hath merited and deserued the same For in such cases it is to be vnderstood that he hath wonne and gained the same and not otherwise vnlesse the captaine of his free will doth not giue it him which is a verie ancient custome specally amongst the Italians It is verie requisite the Alfierus
remember you of the manner that is obserued in the distance and measure in the circumference of the battell And now returning to my discourse of one ranke from another when the Souldiours are ioined closed in battell with their pikes when they stand in terme to fight to me it séemes that then in that accident the battell is to close and ioyne as straight together as is possible in such sort as they may manage and bestir themselues with their weapons without being an impediment one to another to the intent that the rankes being straite in fighting or that the souldiors be inuaded by their enemies or that they recoile by force of an onset they néed not to fal to the ground but rather that they may by those ranks that bee behinde their backes receiue helpe that vndersetting them with their brests they may hold them straight vp vpon their féete And this is not onely my opinion but of diuers other mosâ—… excellent wits The other rule of the distance of seauen foote from ranke to â—…anke which we haue spoken of is meant of marching and the managing and exercising of a battell to the intent the soldiors may receiue exercise discipline in the said battell in the which alwaies the foresaid order of measure distance is to be obserued to the intent that the Sergeant the other heads which do gouerne them may the more comodiously manage and enter in and out through the space of the said ranks How battels of euery number of footmen are compounded and placed together in order MAny sundry be the waies which be obserued in compounding together the battels of footmeÌ„ but I verely thinke that the most expedient short way amongst practised soldiors is in these two sorts that is the one to ioyne together the battel with diuided maniples and the other to double the ranks of the aray The sergeant Maior Captaine or other Sergeant hauing first determined in his minde of how many men in a ranke he will make his battell knowing first the number of the pikes that are to be had so making of one company as he may do of many one onely battell procéeding to make the battell in which of the â—… waies he list either by parting it into maniples or by doubling the ranks It is therefore first requisite to set the footmen in aray that are to be found there present numbring all the pikes and accomodating the araye in such sort that the battell may afterwards be made withall spéed and that it may serue the turne for either of those two waies as I haue said It is necessarie therefore to know the place where the battell is to be set and to take care that there be so much space as may be capable thereof knowing the rules of distance which is vsed in warfare that is how much ground the Souldiours hold from shoulder to shoulder and how much distance is left betwixt ranke and ranke of pikes But touching the measure I néed to speake no more for that the officer may measure the ground by pases yet I would commend a Souldiour that is of such discretion that of himselfe can accomodate those things by racke of eye without such precise trouble in measuring the grounde And if a battell require 300. paces in circumference hee by racke of his eye maye sée whether the place bee capable or no noting that the rules to put the distance of ranckes is made for this other respect which is of much more importance that the rankes of the battell may fight without any impediment of the Souldiers foreséeing that euerie third ranke may succour the first with their pikes and speaking of battels you must euer thinke that I speake of pikes for battels are neuer made of hargabusiers it is verie true that hauing made the battels of pikes you may accommodate them afterwards as you list about the battels by the flankes in the corners hornes or betwixt one pike and another of the formost rankes of the battell or in such other sundry wayes as may best aid and helpe the battell let iâ—… suffice that of Hargabusiers there is neuer any certaine rule set downe but euer is to be vnderstood of the order of pikes in battell of the which two wayes where I speake how a battell must be made wel and spéedily I will endeuour my selfe to let you vnderstand the way the best I can Desiring therefore to worke by the first way I haue spoken of that is to make any battell by maniples if it be to be made of any one company alone let it be of what number soeuer of footmen it is first requisite to set the aray with intent to diuide it into thrée parts that is to say into 3. maniples which may be iust of as many rankes one as another in the which maniples you ought by numbring the rankes of the pikes cause the Ensignes of the said aray to kéepe one ranke like vnto the pikes and this is obserued when the thrée maniples be vneuen that is to say that two of them should chance to be of 20. ranks and the 3. of 19. or 18. rankes and then the Ensignes shal be numbred for one ranke but alwayes the other two maniples are to be of iust number as for example There is a company of 300. pikes the which if you desire to put in aray before you make your battell consider how many ranks they will be 5. in a rank and you shal finde them to be 60. ranks diuide the aray into 3. parts cutting them off at euery 20. ranks and after draw vp to the first ranke the second part that is the maniple of the middest and ioyne in order the first ranke to the head of the first maniple the which being on the right hand of the maniple with the Ensignes you shal draw then the 3. maniple to the left side ioyning the first rankes to the head of the other two maniples so that the aray hauing bene of fiue for a ranke the battel shal be one way 15. and the other way of 20. pikes Now desiring to haue the battell to be more large in the front then in the flankes the which I commend of what number soeuer the pikes are of he shall cause the Sergeant to go to yâ— flank where he would make the front and standing still a little distance forth of the battel he shal crie aloud Turne your faces this way the which being heard of the souldiers sodainly they shall turne them selues towards that side which he shall giue them notice of Obserue then this order at all times when you haue made a battell let the pikes be of what number soeuer let it suffice that I aduertise you that at al times when you list to make the front where the flanke is so that the place where you would make it be capable and commodious that you may frame and make the battell according to your determination you
Argolateares a pretie distance off In this sort if one squadron happen to be broken yet shal another make head vpon the enimie while they may retyre troupe againe which is the only safetie as wel of Horsemen as footmen And albeit in the day of seruice it is the part of the high marshall himselfe to giue order in what sort and with what troupes the charges shal be giuen or receiued it is also the Lieutenants part as well to giue his aduise as also to be a leader in all these actions He ought therefore to take great regard to the ground where he meaneth to giue the charge for if he charge in troupe the falling of a few horse in the for most rankes may disorder and foile the whole troupe Before the front of his owne footmen let him neuer giue charge for it hath bin séene that horsemen being repulsed haue bene foreed in vpon their own footmen disordered them Let the horse therefore charge vpon the flanke of the enimie and diligently attend if by any accident they can perceiue any breaking or opening in the side of his enimies battell and then sodainly to charge that breach for as horsemen are inferiours to wel ordered footmen so vpon any smal disorder they carrie with them victory And for that in our age there hath arisen diuers fodaine effects not looked for wrought by the good and well guiding of horsemen I thinke it good somewhat more amplie to delate vpon this point specially as I said before in appointing out a place apart from the battel ranks wherin the Cauallarie may be ranged to the intent they may with good scope fréely and fitly turne and run with their squadrons and ranks in charging the enimy in taking charge likewise of them and in all other enterprises considering that the troopes of horsemen in retyring or turning round do often disorder and break their own infanterie either through the discommoditie of the place or through the want of the good and warie guiding of them Contrariwise at other times by their aduised and spéedie serâ—… a small number of horsemen well bent and better guided haue bêene séene to enter very couragiously into a great battaite of the enimies footemen and either for that they were slenderly flanked with Hargabuziers or by the disaduantage of the grouÌ„d or being disordered by meanes of some errour or through some other sinister chance or by meanes the said battaile was guided by vnequall or vncertaine pase or through the naughtie indeuor and diligence of rawe and vnpractised souldiers or in going through a streight place or passage of water or otherwise horsemen haue easilie disordered and broken their battailes and all the rest of a whole armie But yet are they not able to encounter with a well ordered square battell of pikes if their couragious and well ranged rankes keepe their araie and when the horsemen charge doe clinge and sarrie verie néere together in the fore rancke and set shoulder to shoulder with their pikes well couched and crossed bending them in both their handes straight before them and their followers at their backes laying theyr pikes ouer their foregoers shouldiers and so stand at the push besides the shouldering of the foreranks together hauing pitched their pikes vnder one of their feete in the ground they stoope and bow downe so loe with their bodies that their followers may easilie come to seruice behinde their backes where some doe vse to place the light armed pikes who amongst some nations for want of brest plates of Iron vse tand lether paper platecoates iackets c. For a gorget thicke folded kerchefes about their neck a scull of Iron for a head péece and a Uenetian or lether Shéeld and Target at their backes to vse with their short Swordes at the close of a battaile and in a throng The squadron of pikemen hauing couched and crossed their pikes brest high closely sarred together are as hard to be pearst with horsemen as an angrie Porcapine or Hedgehog with the end of a bare finger Wherefore to ouerthrowe a maine square battaile planted in that order it is good to vse the aide of Hargolateares who must first scale the fronte and ranks of the battels and then being seconded by the lances men at armes breake their araie and whole battaile In the erecution whereof it is good to vse the Rutters order which somewhat differs from the French mans fight for he encountring the enemie cannot indure any troope to be néere his long stretched ranckes because of breaking his course but the retire fighteth in this sort When the retire is approched néere enough vnto the enemie the first ranke dooth aduance vpon them and when he hath discharged his Pistolet he doth run still in forward as dooth the French who doth still pursue his point but more short on the right hand or on the left according vnto the place where he is and so is also spéedely followed by the second ranke which dooth the same Then the third followeth the second to giue the charge as soone as euer he séeth him departed that stood before him all the rankes following one another in such maner euen vnto the last the hindermost runneth they fighting with Pistolets onely for to come vnto their foreriders they standing all along one at anothers backe And for so much as it is impossible but that when they do present themselues some of them or else their horses be slaine Therefore so soone as euer one of the formost ranke is séene to fall downe he that is in the second ranke directly behinde him that is departed or else disabled must take his place and the next behind him in the third ranke must furnish the same voide ranke wherein he was in the second and so the rest in like order so that they alwaies make their formost rankes of the most assured for in all things namely in â—…eates of armes the beginning is of greatest moment some to break the front of armed pikes do vse to cause the men at armes dismount and in their complet armor to charge them with their launces Some others hold an opinion that the maner of the Germans is best who kéepe alwaies their maine troopes standing cause only one ranke from the front to charge the same being repulsed to retire to the taile and backe of the standing troope then an other to charge and retire to the taile backe as the former whereby they maintaine the whole troope in full strength vntil they sée the footmen sway or breake that their horsemen enter Then presently they back them with an other ranke those againe with an other vntill they sée cause either to follow with the whole troope or to staie this is thought to be the surest and most orderly forme of charging of all others notwithstanding the accustomed whéeling about of the rutters which they vse with their whole troopes euery one after an other giuing the enemie
that and do replie in contraries wheras they ought to employ themselues to nothing more then obedience without hauing respect to any other particular profit or commoditie Hée must take order and command expresly al Collonels Captaines and Officers that continually they remain firme kéep their appointed places the which places ought to be such as bée feared to bée of greatest danger importance as the front the backe the flank the sléeues wings of the Hargabuziers the like wherof may bée obserued in the other battailes when it is necessary to forme more then one as oftentimes it fals out Let him obserue diligently to procéede in all these respectes with a modest low voice not with rough woords to souldiers but with swéet smooth spéech if it bée possible with signes and tokens rather then with words for by that maner of procéeding souldiers remain more attentiue better instructed then with crying calling which for the most part procures disobedience causeth contempt of aucthority moreouer in matters of importance procures smal effect And so euery Captain hauing his place some in the front some in the rereward some to lead shot in the winges others to guide the forlorne hope ech one must carefully as I haue said execute obey the Sergeant Maiors commandement whether it be by signe or by voice by Drum or trumpet or by any other manifest token aduertisement These obseruations bée of great force wherwithall amongst other his good qualities in nature custome requisite for this person to possesse it is most necessarie that hée bee well giuen to Religion that hée be charitable courteous louing towards the souldiers vse exquisite example for their better instruction which aboue all things must not bee villanously entreated neither otherwise dispised but as much as may be corrected with a gentle hand and alwaies with lenitie fauored If in the night by reason of Alarums he bée to set the armie in order hee must before hand haue appointed the Captaines that their lanternes quarieres torches or cressets bee in a readines vpon any suddaine to bée light vp the which they must doe prouided alwaies that it bée necessarie and expedient and that particularly it hath bin of purpose ordained and commaunded that then they guide behind them euery band by themselues into the place of Armes but the Hargabuziers of euery company disseuered from the Pikes and other weapons which Pikemen shall gather within them their Ensignes in safetie and the Hargabuziers shal march iust after them and before them as shal bée appointed or séeme most expedient And to the intent the same may bée more spéedely performed the fower Corporats and Sergeant Maiors of the regiments shall verie aduisedly go to the assigned places quarters of the lodgings for this respect if it bée possible that al the people may arise may arme themselues may ioine in one ariue at the same instant at the place of armes where they are of this worthy Officer to bée receiued and put in squadre in the forme of a halfe Moone or cressant within the compasse of the hornes of the said Moone euery Alfierus as hée ariueth must compasse plant himselfe in the forme of a crowne one by one with their Ensignes in their hands amongst them those that be armed with rondels targets if there bée any as for a small competent number it is requisite ther should bée vnlesse those of proofe which must lead the shot then behind them the armed with halberds after these that bée light armed pikes and about the vtmost compasse of the said circle in both the tippes hornes of the moone the armed pikes are to be planted and the Sergeants Lieutenants must attend to apply themselues for the conseruation kéeping of the order of these last Kinges without Now the rest of the Collonels Captaines with the person of the Captain general the Cauallieres of his owne squadre and a great part of the lightes Drums must stand in the void place betwixt both the hornes before the Ensignes where reseruing the messages ambassages of aduertisements that go and come in such cases they may consult and determin vpon such things as are to bée done The entrance of this void place ought to bée turned towards the strongest situation of the said ground if it bée conuenient and the ground wil permit let it be garded with certain field péeces and shot The hargabuziers in the self same time are to be disposed placed by the Sergeant Maior so far distant from the foresaid squadre in so many places so many proportions as the situation of the ground parts and qualities doth require being conformable to that present seruice therby the better to flank fortifie assure the foresaid principal battail And to euery troupe of hargabuziers hée shal appoint the other halfe and moity of the Officers Drums lights if it bée conuenient to the intent that in fight or otherwise in all causes they may readily worke and performe exploits neither do I thinke it good that in these affaires of the night Geometricall measures be necessarie and much lesse Arithmetical numbers but the carefull diligence of valiant and discréete officers is most expedient and necessarie who must euer frame themselues conformable and be in these actions altogither obedient to the Sergeant Maior particularly putting in execution his order and pleasure The proportion of this foresaid Cressant was vsed of Alexander Vitellus in the night vpon the toppe of a mountaine against the mightis Lutheran League In the day time the armie rising and setting forward to march and standing in doubt of the enimie the Sergeant Maior must forme the ordinance and battaile of the armed and disarmed Pikes of the Halberds and other weapons in such sort that hauing to double the rankes to make them greater the battails may fall out in due proportion that is to say that the front and the backe way deuide equally the armed Corslets and. Pikes alwayes prouided that the flankes be not left disarmed and void of Pikes so shall he bring to passe that the short weapons shal enclose the Ensignes iust in the midst amongst them kéeping defended betwixt them and the armed Corslets and Pikes as well on the front as on the backe the disarmed Pikes the which to make number and to fill vp roome ought not to be refused amongst a great number of footemen in the field since it is verie hard for all men to arme themselues they being armed onely with a brest plate and burganet or with a coate of plate or iack a scul are good to turne on amongst shot And as the quantitie number of Pikes principally togither with other short weapons is the verie strength force of the armed footemen So the musketeares hargabusiers serue to no other end but to flank to raise ruine deface all defences to make imbuscades to
some other enterprises but these things cannot be accomplished without long abode in warres 7. yeares seruice at the least of an armie in sundrie hazards of fights and battailes Therefore it is necessarie for the Sergeant Maior in time of rest when the enimie is absent to cause the bands to assemble and to put them in sundrie sorts of standing and marching battailes to reduce them sometimes into small squadrons of 400. 500. 600. 700. 800. 900. 1000. in a battaile more or lesse at his pleasure and to cause these battailes to march forwards swiftly or slowly to sarrie open shut close and disclose their squadrons some times in sundrie battaillons reduce themselues vpon a sodaine into one maine square and from that againe to haue passages galleries for the shot through diuers places of the same marching forwards and backward according to the stroke of the drumme to stay and retyre in perfite measore with no lesse facilitie then Gentlemen dance their Measures by a noyse of vyolens as hereafter ensueth When the army can perfitely do this then cause them sodainly to make any flacke or front or turne entirely togither as if it were one bodie without breaking aray for it is a cunning point to make a squadre to march vpon one corner maintaining his square forme This and such like varietie in marching brings the souldier to be verie readie so that although he neuer saw the enimy in the face yet he may be rather accounted a trained souldier then he which hath bene 20 yeares in seruice and in 20. battailes if this skil be wanting in him and merites the name of a raw souldier and Bisognia Note that there is no battaile apt to march but only the square battaile or the compound of squares all others as the Lunule the Triangle the Pentagonall and the Hexagonall the circular and ouall battailes and others which easily may be inuented neuer serue to any vse but onely in fixed and immoueable battailes for presently and by and by in marching they disorder Therefore great consideration is to be had betwixt a marching and standing battaile which kinde of immoueable battailes though of themselues they are smally seruiceable considering that in all encounters continuall motion is required it being vnpossible to train men to that perfection but that in marching they shall breake their aray yet for exercise sake and for some speciall seruice it is most conuenient for the Sergeant Maior oftentimes to plant his souldiers into those fashions of imbattelling that appeare hereafter by figures sodainely changing them from a triangle to a square and from one shape to another and thereby bring them into such perfection in these lesse necessarie and hard cunning toyes that the other plaine seruiceable formes may séeme most plaine and easie He must beforehand premeditate as partly I haue touched and cast in his minde in what sort with most facilitie he may bring his men to order of battaile committing to the peculiar Sergeant of euery band the charge to draw theÌ„ forth in sléeues and maniples and so cause one to march close vp by another till al the battailes be furnished placing alwaies the Ensignes and drums in the middle rankes of the battaile There néede no such curious order to be vsed in placing the shot in any forme of battaile but only to put them into certaine wings and flankes for the battailes and if he thinke good euery wing to be deuided into sundrie pettie troopes of 25. 50. or 100. men a péece and euerie of these troopes to haue a leader which is either Corporall Sergeant or Cauallier of Saint Georges squadre so that to maintaine a skirmish first one Corporall or leader marcheth forth and bringeth to the face of the enimie his troope who presently discharging retyre themselues and in his place another leader with his companie presents himselfe continuing this order of supply succouring seconding shadowing and encreasing the skirmish continually maintaining the same without any intermission either inuading retyring or in any charge or enterprise a requisite obseruation for the forlorne hope But the place being large it shall be requisite to present oftentimes many of these troopes at once to the face of the enimie who hauing deliuered their volée of shot may if it be thought good march about and giue place to those that shall supply their place so relieue succour one another by turnes And this kind of discharging and supplying may in the open field be verie well maintained in the ring march as the rutters do so that in whéeling about the head shall be sure alwayes to haue charged before the taile haue discharged and thus in a circular march the skirmish all day shall continue In plaine ground he shall neuer turne out any shot to the skirmish without certaine sléeues of pikes to gard them vpon the retraite from the charge of horses and also troopes of short weapons as swords and targets Halberds or such like to backe them if at any time they should come to the sword or ioyne pell mell with the enimie and such were called of the Romaines vindices but if euery shot had likewise at his backe a light leather or Uenecian target to vse with his sword when he saw occasion they would doe great good seruice Our English bowes for want of shot and fornecessitie to gall and disorder a troope of horsemen drawing néere to them may â—…erue to verie good purpose but they must be garded with Pikes or shadowed with shot c. The Sergeant Maior must likewise haue knowledge in Arithmetike Algebra of those proportions which are set out by M. Digges in his Stratioticos whereby he may sodainely for all forme of battailes resolue how many ranks and how many in a ranke to frame battailes what number of Pikes of Halberds of Musket and Hargabuse shot is requisite how manie maniples or sléeues euerie battaile may be resolued into how many rankes of pikes in the front backe and flankes how many rankes of Halberds to gard the Ensigne vpon sight of the ground to iudge whether it be capable of such a multitude and what forme of imbattelling may best agrée vnto it c. When he doth cause any squadron or battaile to turne his face or front he must take order that the souldiers turne onely their bodie and face but not their armes and weapons whose points they ought to kéepe in their hands thereby to shunne the noyse that by linking and striking togither they will make and to auoid confusion which oftentimes in such cases doth fallow since that in this sort more readily and with greater silence this act is executed all the weapons remaine readie and fast in the souldiers hands the which order makes a verie stately shew and after brings great commoditie when they must of new accommodate themselues and make large in the flanckes to march at large Let al that which he determines and appoints to be done be commanded and ordained from the
backe of the rankes and squadron and not from the front or from any other place for in marching more attentiuely and with lesse occasion of tumult and turning those things be better vnderstood and are more capable which are spoken and proceede from behind the backe then from the front and flankes and with greater facilitie doth runne all along the rankes and as they say according to the word Passa Parola aduanâ—… the word The Sergeant Maior when his squadrons ariue at any strait passage or bridge or other narrow or diâ—…icile place that might disorder him must cause them passe ranke by ranke one after another so that the ranke being a little disseuered or broken let him frame the ranke a new so taking like order in euery rank he shal immediatly forme behind the strait and bridge in the fashion of the first appointed squadron and in this â—…ort may hée procéed with good consideration with as manie squadrons battailes as there be When he giues a volée of shot or makes a Salua of Musket Hargabussers it is much better for him to begin at the head theÌ„ in any other place that he may in due order ranke by ranke cause one to follow another euen to the backe and last ranke so that how much more it yéelds a gallant readie grace so much more makes it shew that those souldiers be practised and argues the sufficiencie of him that guides them When nothing eâ—…e of importance remains behind to be done and that the forward and maine battaile hath stood in squadrons to attend and receiue the reregard leâ—… him the same being ariâ—…ed disband the battaile hauing beforehand taken order with the Herbingers of the bands that euerie one guide the Alfierus of his owne companie to his proper quarter In disbanding the battaile let him guide the Ensignes into such a place of aduantage in height as from thence all the squadron consisting of the vantgard battaile and Rereward may with commoditie behold and sée them to the intent that euery souldier following his proper Ensigne may go therewith to his lodging and appointed quarter The order which is accustomed to bée obserued in assaulting the enemie aswell in the day as in the night I suppose it cannot expresly and particularly from point to point bee declared considering it must bée conformable to the stratagemes of the Prince or Captain generall that gouernes But I haue oftentimes séene them pâ—…t in practise and resolutely wrought with Incamisados with assured and secreat rootes and with imbuscades placed in a conuenient and apt couert such as growes to bée of aduantage to them that lies in ambush who ought to attend the time to assault silently and secretely hauing his Sentinels vedettes countersignes and voices such as bée plaine manifest able to bée vnderstood not double doubtfull and obscure The which sometimes with greaâ—… error and infinite losse hath caused one thing to bée taken for an other And this is to be done to the end that with good order in perfect sort ech thing that is hurtfull to the enimie may bée performed and put in practise Likewise the Sergeant Maior by his office must take â—…are to prouide for the munition principally al sortes of armes and armour victuals and other munition necessarie for his people Likewise to distribute the same to performe his office alwaies in the companie of the Master of the campe or Marshall of the field in planting the gard round about the campe and euer to procure the watchword with the which the said gards are to bée gouerned and after discharged if such like causes still procéede in gouernment in one selfe order but because they varie according to the custome of him that gouernes principally and sometimes as occasion â—…oth best require therefore I passe ouer the same with silence and it is sufficient that at this time I haue inferred that such like actions and operations appâ—…rtain to his office to the intent hée may alwaies remaine in a readines to accompâ—… them gallantly and according to the rules and obseruations that shalbée appointed him by his Prince Hée must take order that the bodies of the watch or Corps dâ—…gard bée ful stoared with souldiers according to the proportion of their capacitie and that at the least there hée as many for euerie Corps de gard as may commodiously supplie and maintain all the Sentinels necessary to bée made during the night allotting at the least one hower of the clocke to euery Sentinel and chiefly in the vnseasonable time of winter an hower a halfe at such time as the season is mean betwixt two two howers at the most at any other time that is serene and hoat time of the Summer forséeing alwaies the Corps de gard consist of so manie souldiers that they may bée able together with the commodious situation of the ground by the perfect proportion and placing of the Corps de gard or by meanes of the trenches or other defences already made they may in such sort sustaine the furie of any surprise at vnwares that the enimie is able to come or assault him withall Those Commissions of any importance that depend vpon his charge and are of other Officers to bée performed ought to bée committed to writing whereof they must haue a copie to the intent that they bée made void of vsing contradictions if in case they do not obey If there should arise any error of moment by this meanes he shall not be charged to faile in his duetie or be occasion of such casualties He must take order with the Sergeants with ech Alfierus with the Lieutenants with all leaders Captaines and Collonels to the intent that al that which is to be done of them may be willingly executed thereby with facilitie to shun the strife and emulation which oftentimes doth arise amongst them and that euery one of them may enioy that which iustly appertains vnto him But when for any occasion he cannot in like causes orderly gouerne them and that it shall not be good absolutely to command them let him then permit that there may be lots cast amongst them and this manner is to be vsed in case of verie extraordinarie seruice which sorte of procéeding doth not diminish or plucke away any of his aucthoritie since he commits to chaunce that which was in his choyse expresly to commaunde Finally it is requisite for a Sergeant Maior to be so studious in theorik reading practise and inuention that through his industrie he may inuent new Artificiall formes of Battels squadrons marching such thinges as appertayne to this important office For no man without inuention can be accounted excellent in his arte and profession Necessarie practises set out in proportions and figures for Captaines Collonels and Sergeant Maiors to vse in squadrons battailes and maine exploits in marching skirmishing retyring rescewing and such like THe curious conceits of sundrie ouerweening warriours and superficiall Captaines is such at these dayes as