Ranke may consist of as many men as you please but a File how euer the Spaniards and Italians vse it vncertaine ought neuer to bee aboue ten persons deepe except it be in marching or especiall seruice where aduantage of the ground requireth the contrary for the first man hauing discharged his Peece may in the space that nine other men shal discharge their Peeces one after another be againe in readynes and make his first place good there to discharge his Peece againe besides it is the readiest and best way for the drawing of Groses and great numbers into any forme whatsoeuer Next hee shall teach them the carriage and vse of their armes especially the Pike for the Musquet is in the Office of the Serieant the manage wherof he shall deuide into these Postures first three standing that is Lay downe your Pike Take vp your pike Order your pike Then sixe marching as Aduance your pike Shoulder your pike Leuell your pike Slope your Pike Checke your pike and Traile your pike and lastly seauen charging as Port ouer hand Port vnder hand Charge ouer hand Charge vnder hand Coutch ouer hand Couch vnder hand Charge against the right foote and draw your Sword ouer arme When these are perfect he shall teach them distance of place in Files and Rankes as when he would haue the Files to march Closest then the distance is pouldron to pouldron or shoulder to shoulder if but Close then the distance is a foote and a halfe man from man If at their Order then the distance is three foote betweene man and man and if at open-Open-Order then the distance sixe foote betweene man and man so likewise in Rankes Closest is at the Swords point Close is at three foote Order at sixe foote and Open-Order at twelue foote Now there be some that vary in the tearmes but not in the distance for they wil haue Close Order open-Open-Order and Double Distance and not the word Closest at all but the scruple is small and may be left to euery Commanders discretion After this he shall teach them March and Motions In the first whereof is little art more then in obseruing truly their Rankes and Files and distance in places For Motions they vary diuersly and some are no Marches as when The Souldier turnes but his face on one hand or other or about Some Motions change place yet no more then a remoouing from one ranke to another or from one File to another in which though some remoue yet others stand stil as in doubling of Rankes or doubling of Files and in this Motion is to be obserued that Rankes when they double to the right hand must euer turne on the left to come to their place againe and if they be doubled to the left hand they must turne on the right hand to come to their pltces againe so likewise Files when they are doubled to any hand by the doubling of Rankes to the contrary hand they are brought to their first place againe and so of Rankes in the same nature To conclude there is another Motion to be taught in which all doe moue and yet none doe March and that is the opening or closing either of Ranks or Files is of great vse when one Ranke should passe through another or the whole body of the Battalion make a Countermarch or when the Battell should bee drawne speedily more of one hand or another Lastly the Lieutenant shall teach his Souldier how to know all the sounds or beatings of the Drumme in which he shall make him obserue not only what the Drumme doth beate but also what time and measure hee keepeth and according to that time and measure so to march slower or faster to charge with greater violence or to come of with more speede also he shall teach them to know when by the Drumme to attend the Captaines directions when to repaire to their Colours and when to doe other duties and as thus by the Drumme in seruice so by his voyce and the words of directions in Trayning he shall make them doe whatsoeuer hee pleaseth and therefore the Liuetenant shall haue perfecttly in his memory all the words of directions which are accustomably spoken As Close your Files To the right hand To the left hand and all these shall be done either Closest Close to Order or open Order Then Open your Files to the right hand To the left hand and these to any order And thus to open or close Rankes and to any Order with this obseruation that Rankes when they open ought to turne to the Reare and open downeward and when they close to close vpward then Files and Rrankes close Files and Rankes open and these to any order also then Double your Files To the right hand To the left Aduance your Files to the right hand to the left Aduance by deuision to right hand or left Files ranke by conuersion to the right hand to the left Files ranke 3. 5. 7. c. Shorten your Files to 5. 8. c. Lengthen your Files to 10. 12. 16. c. Files countermarch to the right hand to the left Double your Rankes to the right hand to the left Rankes file by conuersion to the right hand to the left Rankes ranke 5. 7. c. Middle men double your front to the right hand to the left Double to both by deuision Rankes countermarch c. as in Files Then faces to the right hand to the left to both by deuision Faces about Wheele by conuersion to the right hand to the left to both by deuision Charge to the right hand to the left to both by deuision Charge to the Front Charge to the Reare Charge to both by deuision then to reduce any of these words to the same Order or Station in which the Souldier stood before they were spoken the word is As you were And herein is to be obserued that in Charging with Pikes halfe the Rankes are but to Charge and the other halfe to carry them aduanced or ported so neare the heads of the formost as they may doe them no anoyance either in Charging or Retiring and they must also obserue when they doe Charge standing to fall backe with the right foote and marching to step forward with the left Thus I haue shewed in a briefe Epistle the large extent of the Liuetenants Office in which if I be either obscure by reason of the compendiousnes thereof or a little confused in snatching here and there at his duties without setling constantly vpon any one I hope your Lordship will call to minde it is an Epistle the lawes whereof alowes me the libertie of familiar speech not of subtill argument and for mine owne part I had rather leaue many nice wits vnsatisfied then your minde cloyed or tyred The end of the Second Decad. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE WILLIAM LORD EVERS THE ARGVMENT Of the Officers of Caualarie IF I could loue Fortune in any thing my worthie Lord I should surely loue her in
extremities When the Corporals Squadron goes forth to serue vpon the face of the enemy he shall himselfe leade the principall Fyle and by his example both make them come on with all brauery and by his obseruations make them most diligently obserue all the commands of their Superiours he must not allow any to set his foot before him or to outstrip him in courage prouided he exceed not the bounds of discretion neither must any expresse the knowledge of command more then himselfe for he must equally vnderstand both how to obey how to command therwithal it must be mixt with such a tēperance that he must neither ouerdoe nor vnderdoe lest he vtterly vndoe for the one shewes Rashnes and the other Basenesse both which are faults of that extremitie as they neuer haue power to issue forth but still punishment ouertakes them It is likewise a part of his dutie if he be a Shot to obserue that none of his Squadron discharge too soone or amazedly without aduise for then they seldome hit and men are naturally so prone to come to an end of their feare and trouble that the fault of leisure is seldome perceiued besides when they discharge before the enemy be come within the distance of point-blank they not onely lose their labour but giue the enemy leaue to approch without danger and so are either put to rout or else performe some greater inconuenience for this manner of too early discharging discouers an vnnaturall feare and where that is neither can Aduise nor true Leuell be taken but as it is the child of Confusion so confused are all things which either mixe or come neere it To conclude when men discharge their shot with leisure and discretion and that the volley goes wholly and entirely together when leuell is truly taken and the Obiect not supposed but constantly perceiued then doth ten Shot more good then an hundred and the example and wounds which proceed from so strong a Resolution more shakes the hearts of the enemy then all the fires affrights or noises that Gunns Arts or mens voices can vtter and that this may be performed with better perfection the Corporall shall teach his Squadron how to giue their peeces their full lading and how to ramme in their Bullets to the best aduantage of the blow so that all things concurring in a decent and artificiall forme together the Discipline may be so absolute that no newe Curiositie or Inuention can start vp to amend it Infinite much might a knowing Experience write of this mans Place and Office and of the variation of opinions touching the same but my desire is to draw as neere as I can to our best moderne Practise and to that discipline which is most frequent in our Nation that whosoeuer shall come to apparell his mind in these Instructions may not walk forth py-bald and Antiquely suited but in such an habit as all his Countrey-men may know him allow him and indeed imitate him all other I account but gaudie Boskage or idle Crotesco worke on which whensoeuer a man fixes his eye though he finde Art and Proportion in the knots trayles and deuices yet if hee gaze on the Faces and Figures he shall find them gastly vgly halfe maimed and out of all comely proportion TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD VVENTVVORTH of Nettlesteed THE ARGVMENT The Office of a Serieant I Could wish my good Lord that this Epistle which I dedicate to the name and honor of your noble House had in it as great a hope of eternity as your vertues for then I know not so much as enuy would rise vp against it but it would last beyond all Times find no end or period either in Age Rust or the worlds Consumption but all humaine writings are mortall mine I know is borne weake and sickly therefore since it cannot liue as it would yet shall it last as longe as it can and euen to the last gaspe affirme that your owne worth hath cald me and the honor of your house bound me to the dedication of this seruice To discribe then the Office of an ordinary Serieant of a Band it is to be allowed that he is one of the most needfull and ought to be one of the most heedfull instruments in the whole Armie and indeed his name Importeth no lesse which I take to be Seruians He hath in the body of the company no Raunge at all but is extrauagant and going vp and downe to ouersee all Raunges his command how euer it be generally disposed would in perticular consist of two Squadrons which are fifty men or more at discretion and may propperly bee called a Serieancie which though it be a new tearme yet it is not vnfit They ought for their election and qualities of minde to be valiant expert vigilant and diligent For his armes howsoeuer some allow him a Corslet the apurtenances yet with vs except in assaults a Scalados he hath only a good Sword and a faire Halbert which is a short and ready weapon apt for him to mannage and handle in any place of straitenes or other inconuenience with it he keepeth all the Band in order and maketh them in Marching Standing and all motions to keepe their Rankes and Files in an euen comely and true proportion and if any be so incorrigible or absurd that admonition will not reclaime him then with that weapon hee may enforce him and by turning the blunt end towards him shew hee might strike yet forbeares for but in fatall cases should a Souldier bee stricken as in the face of the enemie when one mans disorder might hazard the whole Battaile in that case the Seriant may kill him for one may put in Rout tenne ten an hundred and an hundred ten thousand he is when the the Drumms beate the Colours flie the Souldiers are gathered together to see euery man raunged in his true place according to the nature of his weapon drawing vp the Files and placing them in square or other proportion according to the direction of his Captaine If any loose Files of shot goe forth to serue the Serieant is to be their leader except by an especiall commandment a superior Officer be appointed He is the Herauld or Pursuiuant belonging to the Captaine for he carrieth all his messages directions and commandments to the company and assoone as the word is giuen sees it effected and performed he must carry of and on in all Skirmishes according to directions men that are spent or hurt and hee bringeth in new supplies to releiue them He must be Hic et vbique ready vpon any matter of consequence to goe euen to the Generall and to declare vnto him all proceedings and hee ought to haue that vnderstanding to giue a good account vpon demaund of perticultars he is to fetch the watchword from the Serieant Maior or other supreame Officer and to carry it to the Captaine he is also to deliuer it to the Corporalls and that with
foure Corporals of the Field THe weakest knowledge my Lord that one man can get of another is that of the Eye for it is shallow and can sinke no deeper then the vtmost skin vncertaine and apt to change with euery infirmitie and imperfect being swayed by the violence and furie of passion the Eare is a much better Intelligencer and doth more truely declare our minds to others and others to our selues so that being the principall Sence both of Instruction and Friendship wee ought in all our designes to labour for its greatest satisfaction I am my Lord a stranger to your Eye with your Eare I would faine Insinuate and though I can bring you but a plaine and dull sound yet questionlesse if you please to examine the notes aright how euer you find little Musicke yet you shall relish a great deale of concord of which the latter is more sweet though the other be more cunning but whatsoeuer it be yours it must now be for so my vow hath made it so doth the Range and Ranke of your noble place commaund it The next great Officers preceding the former and vpon whose Range I am in this place hapned are the Foure Corporals of the Field who haue their dependance only vpon the Serieant-maior and are called his Coadiutors or Assistants being according to the manner custome of our late moderne warres in number but foure and no more who for their election ought to bee Gentlemen of great Dexteritie Knowledge and Iudgement such as haue at least been Captaines in other times and for their preferments are aduanced to these places wherein they haue no particular commands of any particular Companies which doe peculiarly belong to themselues but haue a generall charge and care of the whole Army they ought to bee men of great respect and estimation hauing gotten that authoritie of Trust and Beliefe amongst the common Souldiers through the prosperity of their affaires that whatsoeuer they command or direct may bee performed with a kind of religious seueritie as matters of high worth and importance for in an Army there cannot be a greater blemish then when these men shall come within the compasse of contempt or misdoubting Besides if these noble parts should be absent which are required in men of this high place and qualitie the disrepute not only seazeth vpon them but vpon the Serieant-maior also whēce it commeth that although the Generall himselfe doth many times take vpon him the nomination and election of these Officers yet particularly they doe belong only to the Serieant-maior for as the whole Army is to him but one entire and full Company so are these Corporal 's his inferiour Officers by whose skill and conduct he gouerneth and disposeth of the whole Bodie Touching the particular duties belonging to their place they are continually in all occasions of Action to accompany and attend vpon the Serieant-maior who being a man of infinit imployment as hauing a body that must bee almost in all places and that at one instant and a voyce which like thunder must bee heard neere farre off and indeed through euery corner yet for as much as his materiall body cannot be so transported therefore he hath these foure Gentlemen his Coadiutors or Substitutes who being dispersed at the foure corners of the Army doe as the foure winds ouer the world carry and conuay his directions ouer all the Army which that it may be done with more fulnesse of perfection the Serieant maior shall with these foure Corporals of the field from time to time continually consult communicat both his proper Authoritie and also the greatnesse of his affaires and making them as his especiall Counsellors by whose experience and skill all his endeauors are to be assisted neither shall he alone doe them this particular honor in himselfe but also make all Captaines and inferior Officers in the Army both to hold their persons in reuerence and also to performe their commaundements with care respect and diligence These Corporals of the field then being knowne Officers of this eminence in the fild are to carry the directions of the Serieant-maior ouerall the Army and whether it march stand still or fight they are to passe from place to place and see performed whatsoeuer shall proceed either from him or the Lord Marshall sometimes bringing vp Regiments and ioyning them into greater bodies somtimes deuiding and lessening them into smaller parts sometimes sorting and drawing one weapon from another disposing the Pikes one way and the Shot another sometimes culling out speciall Bands for speciall purposes either for Wings Forlornes or else to entertaine or relieue Skirmishes and sometimes disposing of Guards for the safetie of the Munition and Baggage all which as they are to performe them onely by directions and not the authority of their owne iudgements so likewise they shal doe them speedily faithfully and valiantly And as thus they are vpon the dayes of battell or when any necessary preparation is to be made continuall drummes in the eares of the Foot-companies so vpon commandement likewise they must bee shrill Trumpets to sound to the Horse-troups also drawing them either one way or other according as they shall be commanded whether it bee in framing any great Body or battel or in separating Regiments sending some to guard the great Ordnance some to answere the enemies Horsemen some to charge vpon the Pikes and some to scowre off on round about the field to spie all aduantages and see in what part the enemy is most weakened And that all these things may be done almost as soone as spoken it is meet that all these foure Corporals of the Field bee exceeding well mounted of most nimble swift tough and well winded horses by the assistance of which in a trice they may passe from one place to another seeing euery one of their cōmandments put in execution before they passe to another direction and heerein is to be obserued that these foure Corporals are to bee obeyed in all their commandements with as great feruency and respect as any other superior Officer whatsoeuer for indeed they are no other then their voices nay sometimes the voyce of the Generall or the King himselfe These Corporals haue the raunging of Battels and the shaping or proportioning of the figure according to the Serieant-maiors demonstration distributing themselues as it shal please the Serieant-maior or Lord Marshall to appoint to sundry weapons one bringing vp Pikes another Shot a third the great Ordnance and the fourth the Pioners or Myners one shall send the Men at Armes one way another shall send the Pistoliers another way a third shall giue directions to the Carbines and a fourth shall place the Dragoones where their seruice may be most conuenient Thus shall euery man haue his hands full the enemy continually bee assailed and offended and Order at no time either shooke or broken Neither shall these Officers alone in the action and heat of Battell haue only regard to the
place in Scouts Forragings and vpon all needfull discoueries and the effect of their principall Seruice is to defend and make good all passages ouer Riuers as Foards Bridges Mill-dames and the like all Strait wayes Hills Valleyes and other places of Retraite they may vpon occasion alight from their horses and serue on foot spoyling all Forragers and Pillagers assayling Troupes in their lodgings and when they finde themselues drawing into any inconuenience they may presently mount againe and retyre into their safety But if they be so farre engaged that they cannot well come off then must the armed Pistoleirs come in and assist them and therefore in this case the Colonell is to foresee that in the composion of his Regiment the Dragoones be chosen from the ablest nimblest and most actiue men that can be got being of that dexteritie and quicknes of spirit that they may be able to vault to and from their Horses at pleasure and to carry their Pieces so close guarded in their left hands that in performing of any of these suddaine actions there may bee found neither trouble nor hinderance lasty when they haue performed their duties they shall then retyre behind the Pistoliers and there prepare themselues againe for a new onset It is also a speciall care belonging to this Colonel to giue directions for the daily trayning and teaching of his Regiment especially if they serue with fire on Horsebacke for if a man be neuer so good a Horseman and yet but an ill Shot or if he be neuer so good a Shot and yet but an ill Horseman there will be such disparity and vntowardnesse in his actions that all his labour will be to little and no purpose let therefore diligence and practise good opportunity and good instructions make the Souldier exquisite in what he vndertaketh and it will bring honor to the Colonell and benefit to the generall Seruice And that the Seruice may be the more effectually performed it is requisite that the Colonell haue euer attending vpon his person as his dayly and houshold seruants an excellent Smith or Farryer who shall euer be furnished with Horse-shooes nayles and drugges both for inward and outward applycations a very good Sadler and all things belonging to his occupation and a skilfull rough Rider that may tame and reclayme stubborne Iades and instruct the Souldier how and in what manner to become a resonable Horseman Last of all it is the Colonels duty to haue a perfect Rolle of all the Bands within his Regiment as well Officers as others seeing them mounted and armed and then giuing allowance to their sufficiency hee shall giue directions for the disposing of the Troopes From him or his Substitute the Trumpets shall take all commandements and whensoeuer the Regiment riseth the Colonels Cornet shall first flie abrord to which all the rest shall repaire and from him shall receiue order for their imployment whether it be to Watch to Scour to discouer or else to relieue others He shall appoint such as shall guard the Lord Marshall the Forrage-Master and the Victuallers He shall dispose the manner of all Skirmishes and so place his Troupes that one may second the other in such wise that if any be repulst yet being relieued they may haue time to regather themselues into order and either mainetaine a second onset or retire backe againe into their owne strength This is the full effect of the Colonels Office that commandeth Horse and these things with the rest which belong to the Colonell of Foote being seriously obserued his place shall be fulfilled with much renowne and his person adorned with vndying Honor. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD ARVNDEL of WARDER THE ARGVMENT Of the Serieant-Maior Generall THe affaires my Lord of my poore Fortunes haue euer been hindrances to my Studie so that howsoeuer I might in my nature affect it yet still by Fortune I haue been debarred that happie felicitie so that your Lordship can expect from me but rude and vnpolisht Gatherings yet such as they are I tender them freely boldly All men speake you Noble that perswades mee and you are an owner of Willoughbies Blood of which my poore selfe am also a sharer and that almost seales vnto mee a deed of assurance and you are the much honoured kinsman of my dearest respected kinsman worthy Sir Perciual Willoughbie to whose loue I am so much bound that I cannot study a better Rent then to doe you seruice all these together bring this Epistle vnto you which great Sir I beseech you be pleased to reade the little I can get I am no niggard of nor was I euer more desirous to gather then willing to distribute to the good of my Countrey Many I know this way might Alexander-like giue talents but they thinke the World not worthy so much and if the World would imbrace their Mites it is an almes too poore for rich Reputations so that hence they are silent yet still I keepe on my Pilgrimage you are one of the Saints to whose Altar I am vowed and though I haue but a poore Root to offer thereon yet I will lay it downe with as great confidence as if it were a Snow-white Bull crown'd with Garlands knowing that nothing makes Giftes great but good mens Acceptations This great and renowned Office of the Serieant-maior Generall is so large spacious that to lend but one word to euery great article which necessarily depends vpon his knowledge would aske more paper then I haue bestowed on all which haue gone before him and therfore as Geographers doe I must intreat your Lordship in a little pricke to suruey a great kingdome To speake then first of his election the power thereof commonly remaineth in the Generall and the care therof ought to be more then of any of the former for being the generall Minister of an entire Armie and hauing his authoritie and vse extending it selfe into all manner of Marchings Imbattellings and Encampings we need say no more of his person but this he should bee a man both inward and outward of a most absolute perfection His place is before all Captaines and Colonels except the Colonell Generall for they receiue their directions from him he from the other his Actions and Imployments are euer for the most part in the face of the enemy and the greatest vse or necessitie of his person is euer in the places of most certaine danger It behoueth him to be exceeding Skilfull in the framing of Battalions which some define to be a congregation or multitude of men placed in such an orderly forme that they may come to fight without hindring one another whereby euery hand being necessarily imployed they may attaine to the end of their purpose which is glory and conquest so that to his charge is left the framing of the proportion the gouerment in marching and the order in fighting In his Brayne there ought to be at least in his bosome or some other conuenient place must be a
cattalogue of the iust number of the Army together with the true sortment and diuision of euery weapon and in his memory he must euer carry ready framed the formes and proportions of sundry Battailes as quadrats or squares the equall or vnequall Tryangles diamunds and the like any of which he is to sorte fashion to the Grounde according as the necessity of the place requireth euer regarding to giue those Formes the greatest preheminence which are able still to bring the most hands to fight at one instant without disorder or trouble as in the champayne the broade Square is best the bastard or base square where there is aduantage of hedge diche water wood or marrish and the vnequall and imperfect proportion in Straytes amongst Hylls and Mountaines or in craggie or rockie places It is his place to take away all disorder from vnruly and Ignorant souldiers by letting them vnderstand the constant and true place of euery Ensigne as which shall make vp the first rankes Square or diuision which the second which the third and so of the rest wherein although some doe alow a constant rule yet many times it varieth vppon lot and may better be referred to the Serieant-maiors discretion who is to prouide that not the companies which challenge it by right but the companies which are euer best armed be still put into the vangard he shall after he hath framed his Battaile of pykes lyne them with shot on eytherside and not so onely but he shall also haue sundry loose wings of Short trouping by them in a pretty distance remote which shall euer be ready to entertayne any skirmish and keepe the Battayle from disquiet also he shall seriously prouide for the safety of his shot when the enemies horse aboundeth much by drawing out certaine ranks of pykes proportionable to the loose vnguarded shot vnder whose safety vpon euery extremity they shall retyer and then againe make good their places till the seruice be finished It is the Serieant-maior Generals office vpon any day of Battayle to goe to the Generall or Colonell Generall and from one of them to take his directions knowing whether the Generall will haue his owne Regiment to haue the vant-guard or no or otherwise the Battayle or reare which resolued he shall then atend the Lord Marshall to the ellection of the field In which it behotueth the Serieant-maior to be very skilfull in the situation of the Country and to know the distance of places and the difficulties of euery passage with all the seuerall circumstances which shall depend vppon the same as well for the guard and safety of his owne as for the hindrance and anoyance of the enemy so that althings being assured he may then cause the Drumme-maior to beate a remoue and all the Captaines being assembled to the place of armes he shall thence by the directions of the Lord Marshall draw forth the Battayle disposing euery Commander into the places which are most conuenient and framing his Maniples and diuisions sutable to the passages through which they are to march yet by no meanes into a lesse then a third or else fourth part of the front and keeping euery diuision iust tenne deepe and neither more nor lesse and herein he shall haue respect that in drawing vp the Maniples to make an entyre Battayle the Ensignes may fall into their due places as namely the Generalls vppon the head the Lieutenant generall the Lord Marshall the Master of the Ordnance the Treasurer the Colonell general and the Serieant-maior Generall one ranke within the Battell the Colonels of the Infantiue a ranke behinde them and the Captaines a rank behind them He shall haue an especiall care for the safe garding of the munition baggage placing it either before behind or on any side where the enemy is least suspected It is at his discretion to make stands which some call Altoes or Hallts when and at what time he please whereby the souldier may be refresht when he is weary with trauell and it must be done in places fit and commodious for the same as where there is cleane running water some shelter yet a large prospect so as no souldier may offer to straggle but the Officers may both perceiue him reprehend him Now that all these duties may be the better performed this Officer is intended to be euer on Horsebacke yet not vpon a horse of warre but rather vpon a comely and nimble Hackney on which he may ride in amongst the Ranks passe from File to File seeing euery man to performe his dutie in a carefull and modest manner and herein is to be obserued that if in his passages to fro he doe happen to encounter or meet with the Generall although on foot yet shall not the Serieant-maior alight from his Horse but keepe his seat for it is his particular preheminence neither shall he dismount at any time in the day of battel for any such errour is a cloud betwixt him and glory for being on foot he is no more then one man but mounted on horsebacke and assisting with directions he supplieth the places of many hundreds his Armour must be light and nimble being the same pieces which belong to a Foot-Captaine and in his right hand he shall beare a Trunchion with which hee may correct any man that wilfully offendeth as also with it to seperate vnruly horses carriage or baggage which troubles the Battalions or to demonstrat and point out to any thing which he commandeth his ordinary place is neere the person of the Generall or the Colonell generall for from them hee must take many instructions if any Squadrons or maine Bodies be broken hee is to bring Supplies and sawder them vp againe he is called the Guide of the Battel and therfore to looke that all things succeed rightly When the Army is encampt hee giueth the first directions for the Corps de guards charge for the Sentinels it is he that reacknowledgeth the Quarters and taking his orders from the Lord Marshall prouideth for the generall safty of all the Armie as the Watch the Ward the Scout Guard for the Munition Entrenchments and the like of all which I haue entreated something in the former Offices The Serieant-maior is first to take notice of alarmes of all kinds and to examine the causes then to giue information to the Generall and Lord Marshall and so to proceed according to order It is a very landable dutie in the Serieant-maior Generall if in the day of Battell he select and appoint a certaine number of Souldiers who from time to time shall draw forth the hurt maimed and slaine parties which else would trouble the Squadrons and to conuey them to cure or other place for other purpose It is his office to appoint the orders and formes of Camisados and Ambuscados to direct the place where the order how and the manner and forme of Silence he ought to awaken and stirre vp the Generall to the prouision of
of Countries the degrees of Honor and the distributions of Bloods places and imployments and that he may the better proceed in these affaires he is to bee assisted with diuers learned and experienc't Officers vnder him as the Iudge Marshall and Prouost-Marshall of whose Offices I haue already written an Auditor and two Clerkes the vnder Prouosts Gaoylers and Executioners Corigidors or Beadles to punnish the Infragantie or vnruly and twenty or thirty Gentlemen for a continuall Guard about him The Iudge-Marshall is to assist him in all difficult curious interpretations of the lawes and in deciding such controuersies as shall happen in the taking of prisoners in the flying of Colours and in sitting in Marshall Courts according to the dignity of places he is to direct the Scout-Master in all his proceeding and to receiue from him all the Intelligences and obseruations which he hath found out in his discoueries and to deliuer vnto him any other instructions which had formerly beene neglected It is the Office of the Lord Marshall to giue order to the Master of the Ordnance both for his march and for his passage both where when and which way all his prouisions shall goe for the best aduantage and safetie and at the planting of Artillerie or making of Batteries the Marshall is to ouersee the proceedings and to giue directions vpon any doubt or misaduenture he is to giue order vnto the Victuall-master Waggon-master and all Officers of their natures both for their allodgments Stores and all other necessarie accomodations and against all violences or iniuries which shall bee offerd them hee is to see a carefull and speedy Reformation When the Armie is to bee incamped in any new place the Serieant-maior-generall the Quarter-master-generall the Serieant-maiors of Regiments the Scout-master and all inferior Quarter-masters with a sufficient Guard of the best Horsemen are to attend him and hee out of his owne power with the modest aduise of the Serieant-maior-generall the Quarter-master-generall and the Scout-master-generall shall assigne the place wherein the Campe shall be pitched the manner forme and proportion it shall carry the bounds it shall containe and the distinction of euery place and commoditie aduantage strength or discommoditie which it shall please him to annexe vnto the same and according to his pleasure and demonstration so shall the Quarter-master-generall see it deuided leauing the intrenchment to the Trench-master and the other Inferior deuisions to the Serieant-maior-generall the Serieant-maiors of Regiments and to their Quarter-masters It is in the power of his Office also after the Armie is incamped hauing taken a view of all the Posts and Guards of the Campe to appoint all the Regiments in what manner they shall place their Corps de Guards the Scouts Sentinels so as no man may passe either in or out but to be continually vpon their discouery and likewise to prouide for all other Reparations Fortifications and Srengths which are to be made for the safetie of the whole Armie And as thus in the constant setling of the Armie so in the Marching and remouing thereof the Lord Marshall is to haue an especiall regard to his strength and abilitie to encounter with the Enemie whether it be meete to enter into the face of Battell or no or whether the times be ripe for matters of execution or else to deferre and keepe of all occasions of encounters In which if he find himselfe the weaker Hee shall then order his Marches through Rockie Mountanous and as ill accessible places as he can finde out thereby to adde a naturall strength to his Armie so as the Enemie may in no wise assault him and still to haue the lighter sort of Horsemen to March so neare vnto the Enemie that continually vpon euery alteration hee may haue a speedy notice of any particuler preparation but if the necessitie of the march be through Champains Plaines where the nature of the ground affoardeth no assistance then the Lord Marshall must by all politique deuises make his Caualrie or Horse Armie appeare so great and innumerable as is possible which being the greatest executioners in such Victories will not a little amaze and distract the Enemie in his approaches and so of the contrary part reputing himselfe the stronger he is to obserue all aduantages and by the discouerie of his Scouts to take oportunitie and to charge at the best aduantage Lastly as in Encamping and Marching so he is to hold especiall regards in the remouing of the Campe whether it be by night or day In which as the day remoue is audacious and bold without any respect of ceremonie so must the night Remoue be full of Policie Silence and great Diligence and the march or good array to be held with all care and Industry for this manner of Remoue is but one haire difference from flight and therefore it requireth all the skill and art of the Marshall and all the care and obedience that can be required in the Souldier for it is a Rule in Martiall Discipline that no Remoue by night can be absolutely secure and then being done without securitie it must needs Inferre necessitie and that necessitie requireth all the strength which can bee comprehended either in Art or Valour Into a world of other accourrens I could runne in this vnlimited Office but I imagine I haue already touched the most materiall and therefore he that shall applie the strength of his endeauours to performe as much as is already deliuered though he cannot asscence to the highest Spheare in euery curious apprehension yet beleeue it he shall rest in such an excellent middle which indeed is the best path that none can or shall receiue more scorne then those which dare to be his Scorners TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE FVLKE GREVILE LORD BROOKE Chancellor of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer and of his Maiesties most houourable Priuie Councell THE ARGVMENT Of the Lieutenant-Generall AFter so long a progresse my Lord as I haue held in these Discourses of the nature of the Warres no maruell though my minde bee taken vp with Wearinesse with Dulnesse but the first is an offence and I ought not to entertaine it the latter is a benefit and so agreeing with my nature that I see not how I can refuse it for howsoeuer we call it a Disease yet I find it still taketh vp its lodging in a retired Imagination where vanities are expulst or at least contemned If therefore that sollid humour shall take any thing from the cheerefulnesse which I ought to expresse in these substantiall and high places be your Lordship pleased to conceiue it is no sencelesse dowsinesse but rather a painfulnesse in my nature which though I cannot euery way resist yet I will striue as much as I can to adorne both to giue your Lordship and also the world that debt of contentment which I know I am owing This high place of which I am to entreat being the of Lieutenant-Generall is diuersly vnderstood as when
all kind of Armes and is to see the necessitie of euery Regiment supplied To conclude he must be a generall Father ouer all the Armie and to prouide the good of the Souldiers as for his naturall children he is to heare the complaints of all the inferior Serieant-maiors of Regiments and to see that they may haue speedy dispatches This is the greatest substance and the most materiall parts which depend vpon this great Officer which his owne vnderstanding may amplifie according to the administration of occasions so that fixing knowledge and vse together the world will become rich by his help and others much fortified by his encouragements TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THOMAS LORD KNIVET OF ESGRIG THE ARGVMENT Of the Colonell Generall DAnger euer my good Lord stands at the doore where Intermedling enters and hardly shal a man either tarry or returne but some mischeife still will bee tripping at his heeles especially when men meddle with great mens businesses which is like the paring of a Lyons claw where if the least cut procure paine it is ten to one but the cutter is made guilty of his owne distruction I confesse I am ascended into a Subiect beyond mine experience yet on this side my reading so that as it may bee dangerous for me to resolue any thing in them from mine owne Iudgment yet it shal be thanks worthy in me to write their owne their equal Authority Necessities require hazard sometimes and since it is needfull that I speake something both of this and the other subiects following let me not be blamed if modestly I tempt reprehension your Lordship is one of the oldest fixed Starres within the Spheare of our Court to a better experience I cannot flie vnder a nobler Nature I cannot suffer be pleased then to reade this poore Briefe and how euer in low words it treat of high things yet when the meaning shall be truely expounded nothing shall bee found but an honest admiration fixt vpon all Heroicall vertue The Colonell-generall of the Infantrie or as some call him the Liuetenant-Generall of the Foote ought to bee a man of noble descent high place and great authority both in vertue and prudence for hee hath a Supreame and especiall commandment ouer all the Foote Bands which are contained within the whole Armie and when he is chosen according to desert and merit he is then presupposed to be a man of Infinite experience and iudgement being the eldest and principallest Souldier in all the armie which hath not a place of greater precedence except by some extraodinary merit which is almost gotten within the Ranke of miracles he be out gone by some of his latter and much younger Companions for it is certaine that no Generall can without the Cloud of much enuy giue a precedency away from so many worthy and renowned Colonels but vpon rare desert or in case of some superexcellent perfection This doubtlesse was the rule of the first World when men imagined that Honour lay in the hands and not in the Bloud and when such as had the bestowing of these places being mearely men without any other addition could looke no way but forward that is to the obiect on which they had fixed their contentments or downeward to the meanes wherby they might compasse their Ambitions euen then when Honour was so temporary and mortall that any Frowne Thunder or Lightening of Greatnesse could kill split and vtterly consume it But in these latter Times since Wisdome maryed to Diuinitie began to build vp this goodly Temple of true Honor whose eies are so cleere and truly set that she can locke backward to see what she was vpward to finde the cause from whence true glory proceedeth since men came to know on whom to depend and whom to thanke since Honor came to gaine the eternitie of an hereditary right and that all tittles and tenures were false and sophisticate but such as mearely depended on heauen since this I say was knowne and approued all these great and materiall Offices haue had another manner of disposing and this place of a Colonell-Generall of a Foote Armie hath beene and is many times bestowed vpon younge Princes and Noble men who inuited by the powerfulnesse of their vertues haue betaken themselues vnto the warres and euen at their first entrances haue had these places conferred vpon them as in the occurrents of all estates we may see many present examples sometimes for a protection and countenance to the cause taken in hand and an inciting and stirring vp other men which haue dependance on those great persons to aspeedy immitation and following of their courses and sometimes to gratefie the great deeds and beneficences of their famous progenitors or else as a Schoole or Accademie wherein Nobilitie being to be brought vp in all the waies of perfection they haue these formes or Rankes of proceedings allowed for their exhaltation nor is it without good Ground of Reason for howsoeuer the Office carry in it a great preheminence or supreame authority yet in the execution thereof there is little expected from the person more then countenance of the place and a noble ciuill Gouernment the sway and effect thereof being fully and in all perfection to be discharged by the Serieant-maior generall the Colonels and the vnder Officers belonging to their Regiments So that I inferre although this place for honors sake and the aduancememt of a braue deseruer might properly apertaine to an ancient graue and well deseruing Souldier yet also to giue merit to a fresh and faire springing hope and to keepe the Flowers of true honor in their nature luster it may with as good right be bestowed vpon Princely and Noble personages in whom there is a liuing hope of many forme great actions though at the beginning they be punies in the warres and haue nothing but the Theoricke knowledge to commend their fortunes To this Colonell-generall the Serieant-Maior of the Armie all Colonels of Foote and with them all priuate Captaines of Foote and their Inferior Officers must continually bee obedient for they are as it were Liuetenants and Substitutes vnder him taking at his hands all orders and directions by which to mannage the whole Armie and therefore it is the Office and duty of the Colonell-generall daily and at speciall appointed times to call the Serieant-maior and the Colonels of the Foote companies vnto him and with them as with the best Councellors of estate to confer and reason of all matters appertaining to his place and Office taking from them that sound aduice and instruction which coopling and mixing with his owne noble determinations may make all his directions most sound and perfect And that he may imploy nothing more then his noble countenance and fauour to euery warlike proceeding the Serieant-maior is pleased to take vpon him all bodily labors and to ride vp and downe the Army with his directions and to see all things performed which any way appertaines to his great Place and
Office ranging euery Battalion euen that of the Liuetenant-generall or Colonell-generall of the Foote himselfe in such marshall order as shall be fit for any warlike imployment whether it be marching fighting incamping beseigeing assaulting or retiring all which paine the Colonell-generall taketh both for a fauor and a debt and returneth him for requitall all his best fauours and endeuors for the aduancement of any serious occasion which concerneth his person This Colonell-generall hath the mannage and gouernment of all publique and priuate affaires of the whole Army on foote whether it be in Battle Campe Ranging and disposing of all manner of persons according to his will and pleasure giuing the honor and dignitie of places in all dangerous seruices as he thinketh to be most conuenient he sendeth foorth great or small parties for Skirmishes or other publique encounters as seemeth best liking to himselfe and grants vnto them reliefes and seconds when he thinkes occasion fit and what numbers he holdeth best proportionable for the effect of the seruice It is in his power to regard and prouide for all the necessary and fit accomodations which belong vnto the Foote Armie whether it be Munition Victualls Apparrell or any necessarie thing belonging either to the nourishment of life or the generall defence of the persons as intrenchments fortifications places of approach sallies and all other aduantages or disaduantages which may either be defensiue or offensiue to his party or in the like case much auailing or much annoying the enemie and in any of these designes where either he shall heare complaint for slacknesse of duty or the performance of true care he is to call the offenders before him and to giue reprehension or punishment by imprisonment or other defaulâ—ation of pay as shall seeme best to his discretion but if the offence be capitall and of any extreame nature then he is to referre the partyes to a Martiall Court which Court he hath power to call at his best pleasure and there see all Delinquents punished according to the nature of their offences As thus he hath the generall punishment of crimes and calling in question of all iniuries within the Foote Armie so is he likewise to bee the author of all concord tranquillitie within the circuiets of his commands and to that end if any differences or deuisions shall fall out betweene any of the great and supreame Officers in the Armie or between Captaine and Captaine or Captaine and priuate Gentleman whether it concerne place matter of Honor vsurpation of Office disobedience or any other crime he shall out of his authority so it bee before the Generall taketh notice thereof call the parties before him and iudicially heare the whole proceedings either reconciling and making euen the controuersie or else referring it vnto the Generall or a Marshall Court according as the nature of the Busines requireth These are the most materiall things belonging to this great and eminent place which being honorably pursued there is no doubt but he shall gaine the loue of all good men and raise vnto himselfe pillars of glorious report which shall keepe his name to eternitie TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE ROBERT LORD DORMIR of WING THE ARGVMENT Of the Lieutenant Generall of Horse THis Discourse my Lord which I am enioyned to tender to your Goodnesse to your hopes is but a due Rent belonging to the great place to which God and your Birth hath called you and therefore I send it for your Reading for your disposing yet for the vse of all men especially those which stand affected to the imitation of noble and most heroicall designes your Lordship is young your Lordship is hopefull beleeue it Youth and Hope or hopefull youth cannot spend houres that are free for Recreation in a more wholsome or truely delightfull Study for mine owne part I can ascribe little merit in the workmanship it is the matter it selfe which must commend the building Breuitie I know will a little deface it for indeed a volume were too scant a Map for so worthy a Subiect but as it is it must now bee your Lordships yet for your noble fathers sake with whom I was much acquainted beleeue it hopefull Sir no more it then the Authour which hopes he shall euer loue you As the Colonell-generall hath a principall and supreame command ouer all the Infantrie or Foot-companies disposing and gouerning them in all proceedings according to the strict rule of true Marshall Discipline so the Lieutenant-Generall of the Horse hath the eminent controll and commandement of all the Cauallerie or Horse-Regiments of what nature or composition soeuer This great Officer ought to bee touching the election of his particular person no lesse then the former great Commaunder of the Foot that is to say a noble man both of Blood and Vertue truely descended from great and Heroicall parents the memory of whose former actions may as in a liuing Chronicle suruiue and continue to succeeding times in the hopes and forward promises of the sonnes most flourishing vertues neither is this Blood and Vertue to bee vnaccompanied with excellent parts as Valour Wisedome Temperance and Experience nay indeed in this mans nature may bee required as much and as many vertues as in the Generall himselfe onely in the matter of Experience if Blood Honour and the Princes fauour fortifie and giue countenance to the commandment there may be some dispensation for we haue beheld in our owne times not one but diuers examples thereof as if we looke but vpon the very first leafe of the History which speakes the life of the noble Earle of Essex for in my conscience hee did not imagine hee liued vntill hee entred into the warres we shall find that euen at his first approch to the warres when he went vnder the Earle of Leicester into the Low Countreys he discharged this place with all honour all admiration and was without doubt Infinitely worthy of the same for he was sonne in law to the Generall highly recommended by the Queenes Maiestie and a man borne of a Millitary noble and renowned father and although he were at that time but twenty yeeres of age yet he was of that Infinite greatnesse of spirit and had a minde so excellently compounded of all maner of vertuous inclinations was so great a louer of Iustice and in him selfe so much bound to the perfections of Temperance and Iudgement that neuer man ruld in a place or came off from a place with more honour and lesse enuie for he held as it were a continuall trading with the elder and more experienst Souldiers framing all his affrayres by their aduices and by his Affabilitie and Bounty though his estate could neuer boast of Infinites wanne such respect and loue amongst all men that neither time nor the powerfulnesse of any great wrath was euer able to find a tombe in which to inclose his memorie But some will say this president is rare and may not inferre an authoritie but I say no