their Rankes at six foot distance and commanded silence that so euery one may heare the words of Command and to be ready to execute the same c. Front Reare To the right hand double your files BEcause there may be occasion of strengthning the Flankes as also for other purposes these words of Command are vsed To the right hand double your Files which is thus performed All the second file from the right hand march euery one behinde his side-man into the first or right hand File and so the fourth File into the third and the sixt into the fift c. which is done of all at one instant after the command is giuen The order whereof is plainely demonstrated in the Figure marked with 177. In which you may perceiue by the Starres from and to what place each man marcheth The Stars are onely set downe in the first and second Files but you are to vnderstand the same order in the third and fourth Files and so of all the rest c. Files as you were HAuing performed the former Motion the Captaine commands them Files as you were and then all those which doubled returne vnto their owne proper places the which is plainely demonstrated in the Figure marked with 179. by the Starres in the first and second Files the which order you must conceiue in the third and fourth fift and sixt c. To the left hand double your files THis Motion differeth little from that marked with 177. but that here the Motion is to the left hand as there it was to the right hand so that those Files which moued then stand still now and those which stood still then moue now all which is so plainly demonstrated by the Starres in the figure marked with 181. that it needs no further explanation Files as you were THe former Motion orderly performed the Captaine commands Files as you were and then those which doubled returne into their proper places according as you may plainely vnderstand by the figure pag 183. in which the Starres demonstrate both from what place they come and whither they march HAuing performed the doubling of Files in all points and orders demonstrated in my figures before this which was done with the shot in the right hand flanke of the pikes hereafter followeth the exercise in the very same forme and station of the Company where with I began the exercise of training the which Musketiers are diuided and placed in both the flankes of the pikes according to the figure in the next side pag. 185. Halfe Files to the right hand double your Ranckes IN the figure pag. 166. was shewed one way how that vpon occasion the Front might be strengthned here is another forme of strengthning the same which requireth two demonstrations or Figures for explanation In the first marked with D. is shewed the manner of acting this Motion and in the second marked with E. is demonstrated the action performed wherein you may perceiue how the sixt Rancke or as some improperly call them middle men doubleth the first Rancke the seuenth the second Rancke the eight the third Rancke the ninth the fourth Rancke and the tenth the fift Rancke Note that in performing this motion the halfe files of Pikes that doubled aduance their Pikes till they haue doubled and then order them D E Halfe Files as you were WHen they haue performed the former Motion according to the direction the Captaine commands Halfe Files as you were and then the halfe Files aduance their Pikes and fall backe with their right legge and so march into their proper places and then they are againe ten deepe at six foote distance according to the demonstration pag. 189. Note that in turning into their places euery one ought to turne to the right hand which is both easier and more pleasing to the eye then turning to the left hand Halfe Files to the left hand double your Ranckes THis Motion differeth nothing in effect from that before demonstrated in the 187. Figure the difference onely is that here the halfe Files which moue march vp to the left hand of the halfe Files that stand whereas according to those Figures they marched vp to the right hand of them The Figures marked pag. 191. make this very plaine Halfe Files as you were HAuing performed the former Motion the Captaine commands Halfe Files as you were and then the Halfe Files which doubled aduance their Pikes and fall backe with their right leg to be cleare of their Side-men and so march into their proper places turning into the same towards the left hand which done they will be in the forme marked with 193. Files to the Right hand Countermarch WHen a charge is expected in the Reare and it being thought conuenient to haue the Leaders of files to be in the places of the bringers vp because they are men best able to receiue the enemie it may be performed in this manner The Captaine commands Files to the right hand Counter-march and then the Leaders of Files aduancing with their right legge turne to the right hand and march downe towards the Reare all the body of the company mouing together and so the second rancke turning as the Front or Leaders of the files did when they haue marched vp to the place where the front was and so doth the third fourth and fift rankes c. The manner whereof is plainely demonstrated in the figure marked with B. and the figure marked with C. sheweth the motion performed B C Files to the left hand Counter-march THis Motion differeth nothing in vse from the former the difference of acting it is onely that there they aduance with the right legge and turne to the right hand and here they aduance with the left legge and turne to the left hand The manner of doing this is demonstrated in the next page marked with G. And the thing done in that marked with H. And therefore needs no further explanation G H The Postures of the Pike HAndle your Pike Aduance your Pike Shoulder your Pike To the right hand charge As you were To the left hand charge As you were To the Front charge As you were To the Reare charge As you were Aduance your Pike Porte your Pike Comport your Pike Traile your Pike Cheeke your Pike Aduance your Pike To your funerall posture traile your Pike Recouer your Pike Order your Pike Your open order at foote Your close order at foote To the Front charge To the right hand charge To the right hand charge To the right hand charge To the right hand charge Order your Pike Aduance your Pike Lay downe your Pike Take vp your Pike Shoulder your Pike Slope your Pike Leuell your Pike Traile your Pike Recouer your Pike Charge your Pike and aduance your ground Retreat charging Aduance your Pike Lay downe your Pike The Postures of the Musket HAndle your Musket Lay downe your Musket Lay downe your bandeleers Hold your Rest in your left hand Take vp your bandeleers with
your right hand Put on your bandeleers Take vp your Musket Bring your Rest to your Musket Open your pann Prime your pann Shut your pann Cast off your loose powder Beare ouer your Musket into your left hand Traile your Rest Charge your Musket Draw forth your skowring stick Short your scowring flick against your right side Ram downe your powder Draw forth your skowring stick Short your skowring sticke Returne your skowring sticke Bring forward your Musket into your right hand Recouer your Rest Poyse your Musket Bring your Rest to the right side of your Musket Beare your Rest and Musket in your left hand Draw your match Blow your match Cock your match Try your match Guard your pann Blow your match Present to the Front Giue fire Take downe your Musket Vncock your match Returne your match Blow your pann Prime your pann Shut your pann Shoulder your Musket carrying your Rest in your left hand Slope your Musket Vnshoulder your Musket Rest your Musket Stand to your saluting Posture Lay downe your Musket The first order of exercising Musketiers FIrst vnderstand that they are three foote in File and three foote in Rancke hauing a diuision in the middest of six foote then the Captaine bids the two first Ranckes Make ready and marcheth with them some fiue or six paces before the rest of the Company and bids the first Rancke Giue fire which it doth and then marcheth away turning to the right hand the one halfe marching by the right hand Flancke and the other halfe through the middest of the body and so fall euery one into his owne File in the Reare and then the Captaine commands the second Rancke to giue fire which performes all as aforesaid and then two Ranckes more aduance in the former order and so they may continue discharging with ten Ranckes a long time The Demonstration pag. 201. makes this very plaine to which I refer you for speculation This order is of great vse to winne ground vpon an enemie The second Order of Exercising Musketiers IN the former Demonstration was shewed an Order of winning ground vpon an enemy in this the contrary of loosing ground or retraiting is shewed and yet to offend the enemy The distances and diuision being obserued as in the former Figure the Captaine in the Reare commands To the right hand about and giue fire and then the Rancke in the Reare performes the same and presently after they march into the Front euery man into his owne File the one halfe march on the left hand File and the other halfe through the middest of the body Then the Captaine commands againe To the right hand about and giue fire which the Rancke then in the Reare performes as aforesaid and so forth infinitely all which in the Demonstration pag. 203. is made plaine and easie The thrid Order of exercising Musketiers THe whole Company being three foote distant in Files and Ranckes without any diuision as aforesaid the Captaine marching in the Front commands Right Flanck to the right hand giue fire then the right hand File turneth towards the right hand and performes the same and the rest of the body continues marching till they be cleare of that File which gaue fire and then the Captaine commands againe as before which the then right File performes the rest of the body marching and so in like manner till all the Files haue discharged The order hereof is demonstrated pag. 205. If there be occasion to discharge on the left hand Flancke the same order is to be obserued as on the right hand Flancke Note that when the second File hath discharged that then the first File marcheth vp to Front with it and both those with the third File when it hath discharged and so forth till all front with the last File and then they are ready to discharge againe if occasion require The fourth Order of Exercising Muskettieres THis fourth way in vse is all one with the third order the difference is onely in the manner of performing the same for according to this order the depth of the Company is diuided by making the fift and sixt Ranckes sixe foote distance each from other The Captaine marching in the Front commands Right Flancke to the right hand and giue fire which the right File doth and then halfe thereof march through the Diuision and the other halfe in the Reare and so march on the left hand of the left hand Flancke euery man into his owne Rancke the order whereof is plainly demonstrated in the Figure marked pag. 207. The fift Order of Exercising Muskettieres THis Order is another kinde of loosing ground the Captaine in the Front commands Make ready altogether and then saith to the first Rancke giue fire which done the one halfe of that Rancke marcheth downe into the Reare on the right hand of the right hand Flancke and the other halfe through the midst of the body which for that end is diuided euery man falling into his owne File Then the Captaine saith likewise to the second Rancke Giue fire which it doth and fals into the Reare as the first did and so the third fourth fift c. The manner whereof is demonstrated in the Figure marked with 209. Note that here the whole body stands still and are onely in motion by particular Ranckes when they haue discharged till they come againe into their proper Files in the Reare and then stand still againe till they haue redischarged Close your Files both waies at a foote and halfe IF a charge of Horse be expected then the foote are to be in the closest order which is one foote and a halfe in Rancke and three foote in File The words of command for closing Files are diuers as Close your Files to the right hand or Close your Files to the left hand or Close your Files both waies the last whereof is most commonly vsed and therefore I haue demonstrated that order as you may perceiue in the Figure marked pag. 211. Note also that because I desired to obserue the distances precisely in all the Figures that therefore the Printer was forced to change the Letters in this and some other Figures and in steed of M. for Muskettiere hath placed S. for Shot which I thought good to giue notice of for thy better vnderstanding Close your Ranckes at three foote THe Files being closed at a foote and halfe demonstrated in the Figure marked in pag. 211 the Captaine then commands Close your Ranckes at three foote or at Swords point which is the closest order for Ranckes the which is plainly demonstrated in the Figure marked in pag. 213. To the right hand wheele VPon occasion of the Enemies charge on the right hand Flancke to receiue him with the most able men which are vsually in the Front it may be performed by commanding them To the right hand wheele and then the Leader of the right hand File standeth fixed onely turning his body and all the rest moue vpon him as the centre according to the Demonstration pag. 215. Note that the Officers must be very carefull to command and see them to keepe their distances in Rancke and File without which this Motion will not bee gracefully acted To the left hand wheele THis Motion differeth from the former pag. 215 only in this that here the Leader of the left hand File standeth fixed as there the Leader of the right hand File did which by the forme of the Demonstration marked with A. you may easily vnderstand THere is another way which I haue seene Graue Maurice his guard to wheele viz. to moue vpon the middle of the Front and then if they wheele to the right hand All to the right hand of the middle of the Front go backwards and the rest forward and if they wheele to the left hand then all to the left hand of the middle of the Front goe backwards and the rest forwards All which is most plainely vnderstood by obseruing the Demonstration marked with B. In which and the two former Figures is a Starre placed neere the centre on which the Company moues A B Open your Ranckes backwards TO open the Ranckes vnderstand that the Front or first Rancke standeth still and the other nine Rancks fall backwards altogither till the second Rancke be six foote distant from the Front and then it stands still and the rest of the body moues till the third Rancke be six foote distant from the second Rancke and so till the fourth Rancke be distant six foote from the third and all the rest of the Ranckes in order The manner whereof I haue demonstrated in the Figure marked M. and the thing done in the Figure marked N. M N Open your Files both wayes IN opening the Files halfe the body moues towards the right hand and the other halfe towards the left hand in grosse and then the two middle-most Files when they are 6 foote distant stand still the rest of the body continues mouing both wayes till the next two Files are distant six foote from the former which stood still and so the Motion continues in this order till all the Files haue taken their distance of six foote each from other The manner whereof is demonstrated in the Figure marked with E. and the thing done in the Figure marked with F. Thus much for the manner of exercising footemen fully performed after the right order and moderne vse of Theoricke Rules accustomed in these dayes Now lastly you are to lead forth your souldiers by fiue and fiue in Rancke in like order as is set downe in the Figure of the order how a Company should march Note that the Captaine marching out of the field most commonly doth march in the Reare of his Company and his Lieutenant in the Front the rest of the Officers are to march in like order as is demonstrated in the order of march except you do troope out of the Field for then you are to alter c. howsoeuer you are to conduct the Colours to the place where they are to be laid vp where hauing made a guard the Captaine and his Officers repairing to the Colours being within the said guard and towards the Front he saith to the Drum or Drums Beat vp a discharge which being done with sometimes a volley of shot giuen and the Colours wrapped and folded vp euery man departs to his home c. E F FINIS
with the Superiours or being thy enemies for feare doe forsake his owne power and resort to thee let such secretly be conueied to the Lord chiefe Generall regarding that they view no secrets least they be double spies vpon paine of the losse of their liues 43 Item Captaines and Officers must oft frequent and resort vnto the Souldiers lodging to see in what state their armour and munitions be and to giue great charge that their furniture be alwaies in a readinesse the r corslets with all peices belonging to the same and their caliuers to be made cleane and oiled to haue match and pouder drie bullets fit for their peeces strings whipped for their bowes their billes and halberds to be kept sharpe And often to view euery particular vpon paine 44 Item he that shall depart out of the place where he shall be put by his Head or any Officer whatsoeuer for a lost Sentinell Spie Watchman Scout or Warder aswell by day as by night as it often happeneth to discouer some dealings of the enemie without attending and staying for him that placed him there to take him away except he should remoue in hast to aduertise his head of the successe of the enemies assaulting or doing any outrage shall be punished with death 45 Item whosoeuer should rashly offend or hurt either in word or deeds any man belonging to the Deputies or head Officers of iustice or Captaine there being in pay for Sergeants And they being appointed to carrie no other weapon with steles or staues but bills or halberds they may be knowne for men of iustice and not for Souldiers 46 Item whosoeuer standeth within or without the campe or barres to watch or scout and doth his dutie so euill that thorow his negligence the enemie setteth vpon the campe at vnawares he shall die 47 Item he that vnder colour of doing the dutie of a Scout or Spie perceiuing the enemies haue assaulted the campe and he with such faining lieth still shall die for it 48 Item he that shall forsake the defence in generall or particular of the batterie of the breach of the passage of a bridge or other like to him committed but lightly not forced goeth away shall be for so offending punished with death 49 Item whosoeuer entring into a Citie taken by force followeth not his Ensigne whither soeuer it shall go vntill the Generall make Proclamation that euery man shall take booties And if the Generall cause no such Proclamation to be made and that souldiers make spoile he shall incurre the paine of death and if proclamation be made that they shall cease from taking preies and booties and after licence giuen if they giue not ouer they shall fall into the same punishment 50 Item whosoeuer seeing the Ensigne vnder the which he warreth in fraies or fight by chance be falne in the handes of the enemies if he be there present and doe not his indeauour to recouer it and when it is cowardly lost to punish the Souldiers which haue suffered it to be cowardly lost with death 51 Item he that shall flee from the battaile being in the face and front of the enemies or shall go slowly and slackly to ioyne and afront with them in case it be to fight a field battaile or in any skirmish whatsoeuer shall be punished with death 52 Item he that shall faine himselfe sicke to auoid the fighting of the enemie or because he would not go to any other enterprise to vse his hands but I meane there for to rob for to such affaires they will bee ready enough shall be cruelly punished 53 Item whosoeuer seeing his Generall or his Captaine or other Coronell and Officer of the campe in the hand of the enemies and succoureth him not with all his power and may doe it not respecting any danger shall suffer death 54 Item he that shall rob or spoile the people of the Countrie or Subiects or Vassels of the Prince he serueth shal die 55 Item he that by theft should steale or rob the armour weapons or horses or other thing from any other seruing against the enemies shall die 56 Item he that should ransome or taxe or otherwise mis-vse the people of the Countrie except they should be enemies or rebels to the Prince shall bee greatly punished 57 Item he that shall play at any game for his armor weapons or horses which are written vpon the roll or through his negligence shall lose them or lend giue away or lay them to pawne let him die 58 Item he that goeth further then two hundred steppes or paces from his quarter without licence of his Captaine specially when the campe looketh or staieth to be assaulted by the enemies except he should be sent for by his Heads shall be punished with death 59 Item he that shall go longer then the houre appointed in the night abroad in the campe wandring except he should be sent by his Superiours for a matter of weight from head Captaine to head Captaine by a counter-token shall be cruelly punished 60 Item he that shall lodge strangers whether he be of the campe or not without licence of the Generall or of his Captaine either in his lodging or vnder a tent except he be of his chamber or squadron or by the Captaine appointed for seruice forth of the campe shall bee punished But euery one ought to be in the night with their Camerads and chamber-fellowes and not to be diuided from their lodgings that occasion seruing they may be ready with their weapons in their hands neither ought they to lodge watch or scoutes or of the search for that the Spies hauing no lodging any excuse being found out may the better be apprehended Also if the Scout-watch be taken from their quarter faining to be a souldier of the campe when they are to spie in the night they for so offending shal be cruelly punished with death 61 Item whosoeuer shall make any words deedes or questions in the ward or in an ambush or in other place where respect and silence is needfull shall be punished 62 Item he that should be reuenged of any iniurie receiued either newly or before time done by any indirect way that is traiterously and not by way of reason or by way of combate body to body by the licence of his Generall shall suffer death 63 Item he that should dare be so bold as to play with false cardes and dice or should vse in play any priuie falshood theft or deceit in any wise shall be punished 64 Item he that of presumption should passe out of his place into another either before the bartell or in marching should out of order make hast to go before to be the first that should come to the lodging of the campe or in marching should go out of his ranke from one battaile to another or hee that doth not obserue the order of marching shall die 65 Item he that shall taske or ransome vpon his Host or Lodger or vpon any other that is
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 ranke to hold it alwaies vpon the left shoulder those that be in the midst of the rankes 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 rankes is to hold it vpon the left shoulder and 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 rankes are to obserue this order to carie that hand which is at libertie behinde them or vpon their sides Let him march then with a good grace holding vp his head gallantly his pace full of grauitie and state and such as is fit for his person and let his body bee straight and as much vpright as is possible and that which most imports is that they haue alwaies their eies vpon their companions which are in ranke with them and before them going iust one with the other and keeping perfit distance without committing error in the least pace or step and euery pace and motion with one accord and consent they ought to make at one instant time And in this sort all the rankes entirely are to go sometimes softly somtimes fast according to the stroke of the drumme The heele and tippe of their pikes would bee equally holden both of length and height as neere as is possible to auoide that they fall not out to be by bearing them otherwise like vnto organ-pipes some long some short The measure and proportion thereof to hold the heel of the Pike is this It is necessarie for him to haue an eye to the ranke that doth march before him and so carie the Butt-end or heele of his pike that it may bee iust ouer against the ioynt of the hamme of the souldier that in march shall be straight before him and so euery one from hand to hand must obserue the proportion of that height that is right behind vpon the ioynt of the knee for by doing so they cannot commit error carying in their march that legge that is vnder that arme that sustaines and caries 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 gallant and stately and sumptuous pace for by doing so they shall be esteemed honoured and commended of the Lookers on who shall take wonderfull delight to behold them march in that order THE SECOND BOOKE OF MILITARY Directions Wherein is set downe the office of a Sergeant Ensigne-bearer Lieutenant the Gentlemen of a band and how to skirmish and discouer CHAP. I. And first the Office of the Sergeant of a Band. SInce euery Officer through his continuall exercise and daily diligence in executing his charge doth attaine vnto perfit experience by daily practise which is as it were conuerted into nature therefore hee 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 be thorowly instructed ought first to be a Souldier that hath seene much and a Corporall of good experience according to the directions of my first booke In which two roomes it is very conuenient that he haue tasted and beene present at great diuersitie of seruice and warlike enterprises and to carie a resolute minde to delight in the exercise of this office to the end he be not found therein irresolute and ignorant and that likewise he faile not in the ready performing of any enterprise when Martiall affaires do call him forth to put the same in execution First of all it is very requisite that he haue most perfitly in memorie the number of all the souldiers of the band and distinctly with what weapons they are armed what quantity of Corslets and Pikes how many armed and disarmed carie 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 and more readily vpon a sodaine hee 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 ranke in ordinarie long marching the targets of proofe must go in as a ready couer and bulwarke against the enemies shot next to them the musket-eares then the Hargabusiers and after them the armed and light pikes amidst whose rankes he must at all times place the Ensigne garded with Halberds or bils and then againe the light armed and armed pikes hargabuse and musket-eares and last of all targets of proofe by this equality of diuision the whole band at one instant shall be ready to receiue any suddaine surprise of the enemie The Sergeant carrying these things in his minde hauing laid a distinct plat he may very easily vary their forme and order as he shall be appointed and as the situation of the place doth require or the accidents of warre doe constraine He must neuer worke vnwarily or at all aduentures and tending to no determined purpose as those that doe not remember the perfit rules and reckonings of their office whereof there be now adaies ouer many for when it is necessary for them to alter their order and that perforce they must quite change the forme and fashion that then they obserue they know not which way to beginne Therefore to the end his order and rankes may be to the purpose duely and directly changed and with facilitie disposed let him euer disseuer and diuide one part of his weapons from an other causing euery one to turne and enter into their rankes and order by themselues so shall hee proceed in taking away setting forward and intermixing one sort of rankes within another very orderly And thereby the full proportion of his band shall be framed as he hath determined or as it is deuised by him that commands either in marching forward and backward or in turning without disorder by 3. 5. 7. or 9. in a ranke as the Lieutenant Captaine or Sergeant maior appoints He ought euer to beware that in ordering the rankes and appointing the soldiers their places that they begin not to make debate or stomacke one another for dignitie of place the which doth oftentimes fall out to their great annoy and damage and the Officers tedious toile For in enterprises of great importance euen in the presence of the invading enemy some vaine-glorious fellowes are accustomed to striue for the chiefest places the which roomes by all reason and of dutie appertaine to the best
armed and not to any others whose vnruly rashnes may be the ruine of the whole band Therefore fit and conuenient places are to be obserued with humilitie the naked in their places and the armed in theirs But to touch one point which we haue already spoken of I iudge it most conuenient that the armed those for skirmish excepted must remaine in maine stands and battailes as some say to abide by the stake who ought to be so well armed as they may beare and support the blowes of their enemies and resist any furious charge either of horsemen or footmen whereas beside their well ordered ranks by reason they be armed they make a more gallant show giuing courage to thy owne people and discourage to the enemie and in proofe are more profitable than the disarmed who remaining in their roomes the contrary succeeds The Sargeant of the Company must haue speciall regard when victuals cannot be had for money by forrage or otherwise to make repaire togither with the Clarke of the Band to the principall munitions that his company taste not of famine and from thence procure to haue so much as he well can or as is conuenient and according to his receiued order so must he depart and distribute all manner of munitions amongst the Corporals that euery one of them may giue to their soldiers their portions The like ought he to vse touching powder for the Harquebusiers and musketiers lead for bullets match for them to burne and ech thing else whereof they haue neede to the end they may alwaies remaine in order and be very well prouided and stored as neere as is possible and as is most conuenient and to perswade the soldier that to gaine a place of more account he will spare his pay to arme himselfe the more brauely He must likewise haue diligent eye that the said munition of match and powder be conserued warily from wetting and kept with a speciall spare from vntimely spending for this prouident precept doth import very much in all enterprises by reason that the negligence of the Sargeant touching this necessarie fore-sight and care hath bin the cause that the shot haue not bin able readily to performe their duties according to the appointed determinations or as necessitie did require by reason of their vnwary keeping their munition in wet weather or their generall want through vaine mispence by which meanes many and most notable errors haue succeeded of great losse moment and to the hinderance shame and totall ruine of a whole company or campe Therefore it is most expedient that the Sargeant togither with the seuerall Corporals do diligently and narrowly examine visit search and view the proper flaskes tuch-boxes pockets and other places where the soldiers are accustomed to carry and keepe their powder and match and peruse diligently all those things without negligence fayning or fauouring diuers haue receiued great ignominie and shame in their office for want of the performance thereof whereas by carrying a contrary care they haue bin vniuersally well thought of and commended of all good soldiers and valiant Captaines Therefore as occasion doth serue and offer he may admonish put in minde and reprehend with dexteritie the soldiers vnder his charge and guiding To him it appertaines to lay his helping hands about all things necessarie for his company as well in prouiding for them as dispencing or deferring necessary charges except for the prouision and diuiding of lodgings which is the office of the Furrier or Harbinger who ought to be very tractable diligent and altogether officious not being partiall to any one for peculiar profit or pleasure and therefore it is necessary a Sargeant should know how to write for it is hard by memory to discharge his charge The Sargeant must be carefull to accompanie at the houre appointed the guard to the place of the watch in going vp and downe alongst their flanks when he hath placed them in order to see them keepe due distance make the Laumband march in straight line with their ranks carry their armes in conformable proportion and if vpon pleasure they giue a volee of shot in passing to aduertise them to doe it orderly with due forme one ranke after another as they passe ouer against the Generall or other great officer or personage and not in a confused sort altogither or by peeces When he is arriued at the Corps of guard and hath placed euery one in order and prouided for all things necessarie for the watch of that night he must then giue his aduise and counsell to the Corporalls that they keepe good order in their Sentinels yea sometimes and very often it is good that he himselfe aide them to chose out the most fit places for them to stand in to the end that the circuit of ground which for all their safeties is to be kept may be conueniently guarded At the ioyning of the day and the night or somwhat later he shall secretly giue the Corporalls the watch-word with the which they are to gouerne the guard as well by night as day the which word by the commandment of his Captaine hee must procure the Sargeant maior to giue him or of some other that shall haue the charge to giue the same for want of his presence or in place of this great officer He must arme himselfe in such sort that he be no lesse apt than any other soldier to be able at time of neede both to defend himselfe and offend the enemie touching which effect Duke Octauio Farnese in the expedition of 12000 footmen and 600 horsemen which Paul the third Pope of Rome sent into Germanie against the Religion did dispose that all the Sargeants of his bands should arme themselues with Harquebuses and murrians saying that so great a number of valiant men being Sargeants as was in so great an assembly and expedition of such importance it was neither good nor commendable that they should onely be armed with their Halberds and therefore he ought to haue his page or Muchacho second him with those furnitures neither seems it inconuenient but hauing placed in order all things pertaining to his office that he place himselfe in ranke with the rest of the soldiers yet in such a place as he may easily depart from thence when necessitie cals him away to reforme or vse remedie to any disorder he vnderstands of He must with dexteritie proceed in reprehending and exhorting the soldiers to keep their due order and not to disband and stray abroad but vpon needfull and lawfull occasions and to take order in all other particular points which are requisite to be obserued for the honor and profit of the Company which things are chiefly to be procured and obserued by other officers Let him beware and abstaine from beating of soldiers at any time that thereby he grow not odious for it is not conuenient nor comely for an officer to strike a soldier for thereby he so offends that he doth incurre the paine to
receiue punishment for so doing of his Captaine or the Master of the Campe. He must be diligent carefull and vigilant in all his affaires for in this office diligence and dexteritie is both to the purpose and most necessarie It is necessarie he be alwaies conformable vnto the Sargeant maior by imitation and obedience in action and like his shadow to second him in all his doings of whom he may alwaies receiue information and order of all such things as be necessarie for seruice of his band and of him he may learne to proceed by conformitie in that which is conuenient for his office For he that is in company with men of vertue and valour that be of more excellent qualitie than he himselfe shall euer reape some profit and the rather for that he is bound to be in the sight and neere about the Sargeant maior at all such times as any thing is to be done where he ought with a good eare and diligent eye giue ready attendance to execute such commission as shall be giuen him especially those which appertaines to the ordering of the rankes and euery thing else whatsoeuer without doing any thing vpon his owne iudgment but conferre with that great officer towards whom he must alwaies be courteous and conformable and with an obedient and beneuolent minde diligently imitate him I suppose it moreouer necessarie as I said before that he be able to write and read considering the infinite number of things which are to passe through his hands and which he ought to execute for the benefit of his company which cannot be alwaies ordered disposed and guided only by memory So consequently the Sargeant is to take diligent heed and care of all the foresaid things to execute the points of his office speedily and to rebuke and teach such as do amisse with lenitie and although he cannot violently strike and hurt any man yet neuerthelesse no man can resist his authoritie but obserue the same as to the Captaines owne person if he were present He is not to heare any mutinous or rebellious words amongst the company but immediatly to reueale the same that speedy reformation may be had and faults amended And thus must he be still occupied to reform mens manners mispence of munition broken araies and to be ready day and night to seruice by the Captaine or Lieutenants commandment and to instruct the Company to march traine and trauaile as well by signes from him framed as otherwise by words spoken and to haue speciall regard to the company to see that their armour and weapons be in a readinesse alwaies for seruice for the diligent and skilfull vsage of this office is of no small moment to any good order throughout the whole band no lesse than the Centurion amongst the Romanes who was Captaine ouer a hundreth and so likewise euery hundreth in each band ought to haue a seueral Sargeant to direct and gouerne CHAP. II. The Office of an Alfierus or Ensigne-bearer IF it be a thing most requisite that a priuate soldier should haue a speciall zeale ouer his proper honor and credit how much more is the same necessarie for a valiant Alfierus or Ensigne-bearer Therefore he must with all carefull diligence due discretion ascend the 4th degree of this honorable discipline being already trained vp in the three first degrees which is of a priuate soldier a Corporall and a Sargeant whereby to his great commendation he may sufficiently merit the sway of this office Hauing solemnly receiued the Ensigne of his Captaine like a noble and expert soldier he ought carefully to keepe the same and beare a certaine reuerent respect to it as to a holy thing yea to be iealous ouer the safetie thereof no lesse than an amorous person ouer his louing mistresse since that onely with the sacred shade of the Ensigne being well guided the generall reputation of all the band and company is conserued Therefore the Alfierus ought to be endowed with such custome and vse himselfe with such curtesie and ciuilitie that he may not only procure the loue of his confederates and friends but of all the entire company Besides it is necessarie to haue neere vnto him a couple of assistants at the least that be practised and good soldiers which may be of the number of the Halberdiers that go next his Ensigne to the end that when he is constrained to absent himselfe from the same through some vrgent and necessarie occasion for otherwise it is not to be permitted he may cause one of them take care and charge of his Ensigne in what accident soeuer might fall out during that time for that thing ought neuer to be left alone or abandoned to a slender and loose guard which is of such a great importance whereupon euery mans honor and estimation dependeth wherefore it ought of all to be carefully kept and well accompanied Note that the Alfierus to defend his Ensigne and himselfe at one instant must haue in his one hand his drawne sword and in the other the Ensigne which thing is conuenient of him particularly to be performed when it is time to assault the enemies vpon a wall Trench Scalade Bulwarke Breach or in any strait passage or enterprise since that with the point of yron of the Ensigne staffe small defence can be made as well for the weaknes of the staffe as through the trouble and continuall wauering of the silke which is about it so that in bearing the same displayed he ought rather to haue regard where he shall set his foote than to the top of the staffe or any other place lesse necessarie as well thereby to flie affectation which in carying thereof is made manifest as also to conduct the same with more assured courage Moreouer note that the most honorable place of the threde or ranke is the right hand and the second the left hand which degrees likewise be obserued in all the rankes of other soldiers aswell as when diuers Ensignes do march togither in one ranke for amongst the bands and squares of soldiers the flanks do alwaies resist the assaults and furie of the enemie as the sides which be neerest to them be alwaies guarded of those that be most practised and the middle part not only except the first and last ranke of the ordinance or battaile where 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 than any other part wherefore amongst expert and valiant soldiers this roome is of greatest honor and of most estimation as the place that hath greatest neede of defence which being subiect to more open and manifest perill than the rest be is of greatest dignitie For Captaines are accustomed to shew notable and singular fauor to that soldier which they prefer to an enterprise of perill and danger
themselues in such quarrels should indeauour and aduenture their bodies to ouerthrow and kill the enemie thereby to procure his owne proper praise and peculiar profite Alwaies prouided that the occasion of the warres be concluded and published to be lawfull and honest which easily in this respect doth remoue all difficulties whilst a man doth place himselfe in the seruice of a Prince that is religious prudent and iust and that haue expresse and lawfull power to leuie armes and not with those which are of small authoritie or tiranous Vsurpers of other mens states and wicked bloud suckers Therefore when the Lieutenant cannot by his owne dealings supply these wants or pacifie and accord them in such causes he may remit the care thereof vnto his Superiour and Captaine And thus let him haue speciall care that by his meanes no quarrels do grow neither that he suffer any faction or discention to take deepe roote for feare of banding and mutinies He ought to haue speciall respect that the Corporals and Sergeants be able duly to execute their office with due diligence for the better performance of seruice and personally aide them in setting the watch Likewise to the intent that the Sergeant persist not ignorantly or faile in any one point of his office it behoues the Lieutenant in many particular points to aide him both in respect of his owne credite and for the generall benefit of the whole band as in vsing diuers directions disciplines inuentions putting the band in order ranke square in accompanying them to the watch and in executing such like enterprises which commonly are to be performed So ought he likewise to delight himselfe extraordinarily besides the other necessary parts of his office in taking view of the Corps de gard and the Sentinels of his proper company to the intent they may remaine continually vigilant and ready and each mans duty duely executed the martiall lawes read and examined and a solemne silence generally maintained He must obserue great affabilitie and fraternitie with the Alfierus and friendly consult with him specially if the Lieutenant doth not manage both the one and the other office as the Spaniards and other nations doe vse and might very well be vsed of vs if the Generall or Coronell thinke good both for auoiding of emulation and charge of pay but if they be two particular Officers and beare distinct sway in the band then let the Lieutenant be very carefull as he that is the chiefe to auoide all stomaking and strife that might arise betwixt him and the Alfierus for thereby oftentimes great scandales haue falne out and the diuision of the company a thing aboue all other to be carefully foreseene and shunned Hee ought to vse a gratious gesture and a curteous entertainment to all his souldiers countenance euery one ioyfully and solicite their causes carefully towards the Captaine and the other Officers as the Treasurers Pay-masters Commissaries and such like yet euer by the Captaines consent yea and to the Captaine himselfe by whose friendly fauour inferiour Officers may be relieued for their pay or other wants Besides he ought to giue order and direction to all the company diuiding and distributing the squadres indifferently and discretly to the intent the Corporals and other Officers may be obeyed and that each enterprise may be performed without reply or contradiction It is necessarie that he put in euery Squadre an equall number of euery sort of armes and that each weapon be sorted in a readinesse to the intent that in what place and time soeuer occasion doth require euery one of them may to his great aduantage proceed and front the inuading enemie with a forceable strength Likewise it is good sometimes not to suffer a squadre or rather a whole Corps de gard to consist of souldiers all of one Countrey and nation but ought rather to bee artificially mixed and to separate them thereby to auoid quarrell and generalitie of factions which by reason of their being together may the rather arise amongst consorts of one natiue Countrie and that more commodiously then if they were separated The Captaine being absent the Lieutenant possesseth the principall and chiefe place and ought to be obeyed as Captaine Neuerthelesse in his presence it is requisite he vse a certaine brotherly friendship and familiaritie towards all yet that notwithstanding he must proceede in all things with such modestie and grauity as he may retaine such authoritie and reputation as the office he doth hold doth most worthily inuest him withall There ought to be in him a reasonable good knowledge and facilitie in expressing his conceit and meaning sensibly that the souldiers may vnderstand what they haue to doe to the intent he may the more easily imprint in the hearts and mindes of his Souldiers all such things as hee determines and that be necessarie for the better seruice of his Prince and the benefit of his Countrey and company whereunto hee ought to apply himselfe with all possible diligence since that of the Prince he is liberally paid hath his being of his Countrey and is diligently obeyed of his Band where he swaies his present office and charge which is truely of great credit and no lesse commoditie Let him prouide himselfe of a horse to beare him to the intent he may be lusty and fresh in all enterprises and that he may continually take the view and diligently suruey the order which they are to keepe in marching or in making Alta and at all other times besides in what enterprise soeuer He must take order that his baggage or carriage which ought to be as little as may be which rule the common Souldiers ought likewise obserue be borne and conuaide amongst the common cariage which the Captaine hath ordained and prouided for the vse of the whole band He must take diligent care to the redeeming of prest or lent money which the Captaine shall make according to occasion or neede amongst the company and to distribute the same conueniently amongst the Souldiers and thereof to render and yeeld good account to the Captaine by doing whereof he shall pleasure the Souldiers much in which time of pay he hath very good oportunitie to put the Souldiers in minde and to teach them to proceed in well doing and to desist from euill It appertaines generally to euery Lieutenant of a band to be of great experience and ripenesse of seruice whose authoritie in the absence of the Captaine as partly I touched before extendeth to examine trie reforme correct and amend any offence committed within the band and also day and night to bring the company with the Ensigne to the place of assembly there in order traine and exercise the same as to the necessity of seruice doth appertaine and being commanded by the higher powers to march towards the enemie must encounter and fight with them as if the Captaine were in presence who vpon impediment must sometimes be absent Finally it appertaines to the Lieutenant to watch ward
as are like to fall out that he may with discreete modesty vse either good or euill fortune whether soeuer shall arise for the life of man is to be compared to the play at Tables in the which the player may desire and deuise which is the best cast but yet which way soeuer the dice turne either good or euill he ought with as great discretion and arte as he can accommodate himselfe and serue his turne withall He should possesse and be indued with a noble minde that he may alwaies haue the same inclined to discreet liberalitie and not to nigardly couetousnes by which vice we see many incurre and fall into most opprobrious chances into treasons and pernicious rebellions which are men worthy of most shamefull corrections I iudge it likewise very necessarie for him to be eloquent since that qualitie hath great efficacie in perswading of mens mindes which oftentimes haue much need to be wakened and pricked forward with a spurre specially in those terrible accidents that fall out in the exercise of armes which in painfull perilous actions would otherwise languish faint and become fearefull Therefore let the loue towards God the care of their Country their present perill the example of magnanimitie in their forefathers the quarrell cause and benefits to soule body be meanes to make them valiantly accomplish their acts He ought neuer to make conference concerning that which he is to put in execution neither of any one thoght imagination or inuention appertaining to the state of those warlike attempts and affaires but with those persons of whom he may assuredly reserue faithfull and friendly counsell for that the importance of such and so great dealings ought euer to be had in suspition of discouerie Therefore a wise and carefull man will euer haue a warie and iealous eye ouer such weighty affaires Now the order for him to punish his soldiers in cases wherein they are not guilty of death I thinke the most important punishment which appertaines to the Captaine to giue them is openly amidst the whole company and band shamefully to disarme them to take away their money and chiefest garments and so to banish them and send them packing for to put them to death or furiously to beat them belongs to the office of the Master of the Campe and Marshall of the field and not to the Captaine for if he should beat his soldiers he should make himselfe hated and embase himselfe and bring his soldiers either to become mutinous or abiects Note that it is not sufficient onely for a Captaine to haue ordained his Company discreetly and therein to haue great numbers of good men which is to say in warlike affaires valiant men but aboue all things it is very necessarie when he shall come to blowes and fight he should aduenture and performe the same to his manifest aduantage or else constrained thereunto by pure necessitie although he ought to flie the last so much as he is able obseruing this for a generall rule not to fight either by chance either for pleasure or for ambition as many times we see done by rash and ambitious Chiefes and Captaines Moreouer he must worke in such sort that his soldiers haue very good occasion and apt means to win the victory and that they be fresh and lustie to the intent that in fighting they may ouercome for without these and like aduertisements by tempting fortune men for the most part both loose and are ouerthrowne It is very conuenient he procure the hauing of an ample and autentike Patent of his Colonell with as large words of fauour as may be wherein must be declared at the instance and appointment of what Prince the expedition is made and so with modestie and prudence he shall vse the authoritie that is giuen him but neuerthelesse there as it behoues him so to doe It is not requisite that in all places he suffer his Ensigne to be displayed the manner and doing whereof shewes force and authoritie the which many times is not to be vsed neither in each place when a man is inferior to others he ought to vse great dexteritie and modestie which euer fals out both to be commodious and commendable And moreouer according to the order of Passa parole of aduertisements from mouth to mouth he ought euer to obserue a silent and assured plaine information to his whole band whereby they may vpon the sodaine alter aray make alta march slow or fast close or in wide ranks or prepare their peece match and bullet for a suddaine Alarme inuasion skirmish or defence A Captaine that must leuie a band is to make his election and choise of his officers and soldiers not only approued and sufficiently experienced but also vse such speedy march in his expedition and iourney that he may ioyne his company to the rest of the Armie at or before the appointed day and place When he may march by land with his company let him neuer desire to goe by sea hoping to spare cost and shorten time for by becomming subiect to the indiscretion of the winde either through long abode or some accident by shipwrack or tempests there hath risen many times great disturbance and ruine without remedie since by this defect many good occasions and of great importance haue bin lost and made frustrate He ought neuer to take iourney in hand without a guide the which he must procure to be giuen him by the Chiefe that doth command him to the intent he may alwaies remaine excused and faultlesse from those errors that by such defects may or do commonly arise which diligence is not onely particularly to be vsed when any iourney of small length is to be guided but if any long iourney is to be made not being able to do better he must circumspectly haue him alwaies by his side neither ought to haue him slip away from him or absent since that euery small error or going out of the way in a iourney and marching doth displease soldiers and warlike persons and yeelds lesse reputation to the Captaine who ought alwaies to march with them and to prouide and procure through his authoritie all things necessarie with the greatest fauour and aduantage possible He ought alwaies to keepe his soldiers exercised by often view and muster of them marching sometimes along in rankes by 3.5.7 and 9. c. in a ranke sometime in trayning them in Rings Esses Dees Battailes Squadrons turning one rank through an other in leading them to skirmish in such sort practise them daily And also he must cause his soldiers to shoot vollees of shot sometimes all at once sometimes by rankes and sometimes mixed the which vollees vpon the signe or sound of drum or word of mouth by the Captaine must be accomplished with celeritie and closely togither and cunningly and not out of disorder or by peeces a great while one after another but vpon their discharge ioyntly togither without rumor noise or tumult they must all
that all Pikes of the same company ought to be of one length otherwise if they disagree they will be vncomely and seeme to the beholders like vnto Organ-pipes which be of different lengths Moreouer they are very vnprofitable for seruice for they will greatly trouble each other and especially the huge and long pikes and therefore are to be refused Likewise a short pike is not good in a maine square neither in campe or battell except it be in strait and narrow places Secondly for the ordering and arming of a Musketeere IT is conuenient that the barrell or canon of his peece be in length foure foote at the least cleane and sound with a straight and right bore hauing a close stocke and well ioyned thereunto of a right Spanish making Then that the cocke of his peece be swift and well oyled bearing a true deliuerance to the middest of the pan the touch-hole neither too great or too narrow the pan close the eye-sight true and then hauing a strong breech-peece looke that all these instruments be well scrued and especially the breech-peece A charging rod or sticke of a meete length to the barrell of the peece the same to haue a worme or a scowrer at the one end the other end thereof tipped with a horne Then fore-see that he haue a Bandeleere with 16 or 18 chargers or mates at the least hanged thereunto with strong laces with a priming charger or mate and also a bullet bag and priming wyre then a Rest of a fit size and length breast or chin high with a trayle lace fastned thereat togither with a head-peece or murren and sword in all points prouided as is aforesaid CHAP. II. The Office of the Muster-Master both necessarie and profitable when a Prince or his Generall haue diuers Regiments of seuerall Nations vnder pay THe Muster-Master also may be accounted an Officer as it were dependant on the Treasurer for that his dutie is nothing else but by often reviewing of the bands to see how euery Captaines band is furnished according to my former directions for the arming both pike and musket noting the defaults from time to time and the supplies and thereof to make a perfect booke exhibiting the same at the pay day to the Treasurer that allowance may be made to the Colonels and Captaines accordingly When he first takes the view and muster of any band he must not onely write downe the name of the soldier and his weapon but also of what Country he is the townes name where he was borne and his fathers name and what yeeres he is of and finally shall take speciall care to set downe some speciall marke or cicatrice vpon his face togither with the colour of his haire and beard to the intent his Prince be not charged with paying of dead payes to such as be hyred but for that day as many Captaines vse to fill their purses with vnlawfull gaines CHAP. III. A Rule to set Souldiers in aray THe Footmen being assembled at the place where they are to be set in aray First you must foresee that the ground be fit and capable for the purpose that the aray may commodiously turne to the right or left hand as much as may be neuerthelesse according to the number of soldiers you haue you are to proceed in this sort as followeth First to wit that all the soldiers of a band of footmen are bound by the law of Armes forthwith and as soone as they shall heare the Drum beat a Call to repaire to the Colours vnder paine c. except that sicknes be the cause thereof or that hauing a licence or forelofe they may thereby excuse themselues But to returne you are to begin in this order following First you are to draw the pikes by themselues on the one side togither with the Ensigne and vpon the other side all the musketiers somewhat aloofe distant from the pikes beginning to make the musketiers march so many in a ranke as you list parting them neuerthelesse according to their number you may put them from 3 to 12 in a ranke for it is not often seene that more than 11 is put in a ranke how great soeuer the number of the footmen be neither in troth ought they to be any more than 11 in a ranke for when they passe 11 or 12 they are not to be accounted an array but rather a battaile I haue omitted to write herein of the placing of my officers belonging to a company of footmen you shall finde it plainely set downe in the march and at the beginning of the exercise of training so to returne hauing then placed the number of musketiers you shall thinke good of to be in a ranke you shall cause them to march in good proportion sending forth one ranke after an other the Sargeant standing still on the one side causing them to passe before him iudging by the eye-sight from Ranke to Ranke of all the soldiers one by one whether they be right in line obseruing true distance and also that they carry their Armes in warlike order for this is the beauty of an aray Moreouer the Sargeant hauing speciall respect to accommodate and place at the head of the array the Gentlemen of the company and also the Corporals which carry muskets placing next vnto them the best men and the best furnished soldiers and placing also at the Reare of the battell your best men and the rest of your best armed to the intent the aray may shew the better forasmuch as when they are diuided into aray the musketiers from the pikemen and that they turne their faces then the backe part or Reare is made the front therefore the Reare ought to be as well furnished as the front as I haue said before in the dutie of a Sargeant the which if you desire to doe it is necessarie you put in the midst of the Rankes the weakest and worst furnished aduertising the Sargeant that the soldiers are best furnished when they haue all sorts of Armes and furniture that be necessarie for them and there appertaines to a musketier good match fire-cole powder and bullet and moreouer l'assine And this is to be obserued with all speed and diligence that the time or occasion doth carry and the suspition of the enemy doth import Here next is demonstrated the distance obserued betwixt Ranke and Ranke man and man both in marching and also in maine battaile FIrst both pikes and muskets are to be ordered into files of 10 deepe the musketiers in marching are sometimes placed in the front sometimes in the front and sometimes in the Reare of the pikes but most commonly being in single aray they are to march both in the Front and Reare In maine battell the soldiers are placed sometimes in the right flanke sometimes in both the flankes and sometimes it will be commanded that they be brought in the Front of the battaile and also in the Reare In exercising the motions there are two distances to be kept
The first is when euery one is distant from his fellow 6 foote square that is in File and Ranke 6 foote The second is when euery soldier is 3 foote distant one from another as well in File as in Ranke And in respect the measure of such distances cannot alwaies be taken euenly by the racke of the eye the distance of 6 foote betweene the files is measured when the soldiers stretching out their armes doe touch one anothers hands and betwixt the Rankes when that the ends of their pikes come very neere to the hams of them that march before them And the distance of 3 foot betwixt the Files is when their elbowes touch one another and betwixt their Rankes when they come to touch the ends of one anothers Rapiers or swords In marching in the field the distance of 3 foote from File to File is kept and of 6 foote from Ranke to Ranke when the soldiers order themselues in battell and also when they march towards the enemie the distance of 3 foote both in File and Ranke is to be obserued And likewise in conuersion or wheeling The musketiers making ready to shoote by rankes keepe the same distance of 3 foote but going to skirmish they goe a la disabande that is out of order There is also vsed another order of distance which is seldome obserued but for to receiue the enemie with a firme stand and serueth for the pikes onely for the musketiers cannot stand so close in files because they must haue their armes at liberty and that is when euery distance from file to file is a foote and a halfe and 3 foote from Ranke to Ranke and this last distance is thus commanded Close your selues throughly But it is not to be taught the soldiers for that when necessitie shall require it they will close themselues too much of their owne accord without command How Pikes are to be raised vp and abased in closing and opening of a battaile I Will not omit to put in memorie vnto them that know not of the particulars of those things and order that are required in making a battell of footmen Therefore those which would make a battell of footmen must be aduertised that in shutting vp the said battell the ranks of pikes as well armed as vnarmed must not raise vp confusedly but with order that is when the Sargeant maior Captaine or Lieutenant shall say Raise or right vp your Pikes then it is requisite that the first and formost Ranke must begin to raise vp it selfe and that the second doe not moue to raise vp it selfe till the first be raised vp and so the third and fourth the same order is to be obserued in all the other Rankes from one Ranke to an other The like Rule is to be obserued by them in laying downe of their pikes vpon their shoulders for so much as Ranke by Ranke in order and without confusion they ought to let fall their pikes appointing the first Ranke to fall after the second the third after the fourth and so is all the rest of the Rankes to follow the same order till the hindermost Ranke of all And by obseruing that order they cannot commit disorder but rather make a gallant shew and preuent many confusions How Pikes are to be carried in aray march or battell with also other necessarie notes THose that are appointed to carry pikes in array of Rankes or battell must know that pikes amongst all other weapons that belong to soldiers is of greatest honor and credit And truely whosoeuer doth carry and manage the same weapon well and with good grace doth make a very beautifull and pleasant shew to the beholders and chiefly when it is caried with a good grace as I haue said before and with il combedo alto And as touching the obseruation of shouldring of pikes to wit that there is a new order obserued in the Low Countries now of late the Commanders there will haue the pikes to be carried vpon the right shoulder and not to remoue or change to the left shoulder at all Note also that the Pike-man doe march then with a good grace holding vp his head gallantly his pace full of grauitie and estate and such as is fit for his person And let his body be straight and as much vpright as is possible And that which most imports is that they haue alwaies their eyes vpon their companions which are in ranke with them and before them going iust one with the other and keeping perfit distance without committing error in the least pace or step and euery pace and motion with one accord and consent they ought to make at one instant time And in this sort all the rankes intirely are to march sometimes softly sometimes fast according to the strokes of the drumme the heele and the tippe of their pikes would be equally holden both of length and height as neere as is possible to auoid that they fall not out to be seeme by bearing them otherwise like vnto Organ-pipes some long some short The measure and propertie thereof to hold the heele of the pike is this it is necessarie for him to haue an eie to the ranke that doth march before him and so carrie the Butt-end or heele of his pike that it may be iust ouer against the ioynt of the hamme of the souldier that in march shall be straight before him And so euery one from hand to hand must obserue the proportion of that height And that is right behind vpon the ioynt of the knee for by doing so they cannot commit errour carying in their march that legge that is vnder that arme that sustaines and caries 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 stately and sumptuous pace for by doing so they shall be esteemed honoured and commended of all the Lookers on and they will take wonderfull delight to behold them march in that order And whereas I haue said before that the Souldiers should march forward with one consent I meane not onely that the Pike men ought to obserue that order but also that the musketeares are to follow the same rule of order because that the whole company must be ready to march forward at one instant time obseruing the true strokes or battery of the drumme which actiue obseruation may well be compared to a Dancer for the one by hearing his musicke is prepared to tread the measure answerable to the time And the other by hearing the warlike and comfortable stroke of the drum is ready to aduance his pace and march forward The Officer is to pace towards his people so to giue the word and so to lead march and also obseruing the strokes of the drum the first ranke being the file leaders it to follow their Leader The second ranke euery one to follow his pile-leader also The third fourth and fift rankes and so the