incredible small resistance against the blowes of such innumerable arrowes as aforesaid Howbeit peraduenture some professing armes will saie that harquebuziers may with a great deale more aduantage encounter with Archers then mosquetiers because that harquebuziers may incounter with Archers deuided into great numbers of societies and troupes and therewithall may giue their volees of bullets in motion at the archers aswell as the archers their volees of arrowes in motion at them Wherevnto I answer that if the volees of mosquetiers bullets from their rests be so vncerten at men in motion as I haue before mentioned then of necessitie the volees of harquebuziers themselues discharging in motion at the archers likewise in motion must needs be a great deale more vncerten besides that if harquebuziers do discharge 9. 10. 11. or 12. skores distant at the archers as the archers may doo at them it will bee found that in 10000. of their shot they will not hit so many as 10. archers so wonderful vncerten by all true experience of all wel practised and skilfull souldiors are those weapons of fire So as I come to conclude also that a farre greater number of harquebuziers are no waies able to abide the terror of a much smaller number of archers I meane if the archers bee of a thousand or any greater number whereby they may reduce themselues into many formes and troupes And now as I haue alledged diuers reasons to shew and proue that a smaller number of archers reduced into many greater and smaller troupes haue great aduauntage to ouerthrow and breake a great deale greater nomber of mosquetiers in the plaine open fields euen so am I perswaded by the like causes and reasons that 500. harquebuziers in the plaine and open fields reducing themselues into many societies of loose shot as also into greater troupes as I haue before in other places whereas I haue shewed in what sort harquebuziers should skirmish declared were able with great facilitie to ouerthrow and driue out of the fieldes 500 mosquetiers I meane if neither the harquebuziers nor the mosquetiers had any other weapon to succor them but themselues by reason that the harquebuziers being dispersed into many societies of loose shot and into greater and lesser troupes may trauesse their grounds and inlarge themselues and giue their volees in continuall motion Iauing only at the instant when they take their sights and discharge their peeces at the frunt flankes and backe of the mosquetiers standing still like buttes without motion at their rests whereas mosquetiers reducing themselues into diuers broad squares or troupes according vnto their most conuenient orders of aduauntage to discharge their peeces from their rests cannot discharge their peeces although with haileshot of warre at the harquebuziers to any effect by reason that they are dispersed and in continuall motion Howbeit if any man will saie that mosquetiers might without their rests likewise reduce themselues into many little societies and greater and smaller troupes and so with great aduauntage in respect that their peeces wil carrie point and blanke a great deale surder then harquebuzes skirmish with the harquebuziers Thereunto it is to be aunswered that it is not possible that mosquitiers although they were al men of great force and strength should be able with their forehandes to support and beare their so heauie peeces to discharge and shoote with any steadines or certentie Considering that for any man to discharge any peece either harquebuze Currier or mosquet without a rest effectualâ—lie it doth behooue him to haue his peece of such lightnesse as he may be Maister of his peece and not his peece through the great heueth thereof maister of him that is that hee may with dexterity discharge it steadily and with ease from his forehand taking his sight either from point at blanke or at least from the end of his peece with some kind of certentie which if his peece be any thing too heauie for him with facilitie ease to mannage it is not possible for him to performe although it were at a firme and steadie marke by reason that he striuing with all his force to beare the end of his peece to discharge the same with some steadinesse and certentie the same ouermaistring his forces with extreame heueth doth make him to shoot iust either at the centre of the earth or else at the seuen stars without dooing any hurt to the enemie Besides that when he hath once or twise discharged to recharge againe it dooth not onlie through the great length and heueth of his peece require a much longer time then for a harquebuzier to recharge his harquebuze but also doth so weary the mosquetier that it doth bereaue him of his forces in such sort as he is to work in a maÌ„ner no effect other then by his seldom discharging to make a great noise So as in this matter I come to conclude that as mosquetiers as I haue in certen other places before men tioned through the great distance that their peeces wil carie and the great blowes that they will giue aswel with hail-shot of war as with single bullets haue in their conuenient and due times and places great aduantage against harquebuziers Euen so for skirmishes harquebuziers for the causes and reasons before alledged do in their effects farre exceed and excel mosquetiers And thus farre concerning these matters before handled All Captaines both of horsemen and footemenne and their officers shoulde instruct and teach their bandes that when they are reduced into their simple or single order or into any forme of squadron or into any other form that when any briefe speeches or words are spoken either by y â— coronel or sergeant Maior or by their Captains to y â— intent that the same should passe from the hindermost rank to the formost rank or from the formost to the hindermost or from flank to flanke y â— then they do in no wise faile with all celerity to passe that speech or worde without stop or stay vppon seuere punishment of euerie ranke that shall be found not to passe the same euen to the verie first or last ranke and so likewise from flanke to flanke And the commandement of the passing of those briefe speeches or wordes in bandes single doo appertaine to the Captaine his Lieutenant or Sergeants and if it be in diuers bandes reduced into forms either to march or fight then those commandements of briefe speeches or wordes doo apperteine chieflie to the coronell or Sergeant Maior or to his deputie Lieutenant and not to any Captaine or Captains or their officers without the speciall commandement of one of the three aforesaid officers All drummers should bee very skilfull and perfect in all the different strokes that are to direct and command al captaines and their souldiors be they either in Campe field or Towne All trompettors also aswell such as doo belong to bands of horsemen as others that doo belong
ranforced backward and conuenientlie thinne forward and that the sights of their harquebuzes should be all open sights I meane without any pipes or couers vpon them because they might the more readilie take their sightes either from point at blanke if time will serue or else from the endes of their peeces I would also that all those sights as also the pins of their peeces should be very euen and straight set and filed to a iust and conuenient height and their peeces chosen without any cracks or flawes within verie well boared and drawbored and therewithal their vices at the hinder ends of their peeces of such conuenient length so well made and filed that their harquebuzes should not recoile besides all which I would that all their bullettes should be of one Caliuer and heigth and that of a meane size for diuers causes reasons that I haue before in mine instructions alledged All the stocks of their harquebuzes I would haue them to be crooked as we call them and of good forme and not straight stocks because that being crooked and compassed stocks they doo more readily counterpoise the fore end of their peeces and more readilie fall into leuell when they are in skirmish and haue no leisure to take any sight from point at blanke but from the fore ends of their peeces then straight stockes doe Besides that considering the lightnesse of their peeces they may aswell and as readilie without rests at any time take their sights from point at blanke with crooked stockes of good forme as if they were straight The Cockes or serpentines I would haue to be of conuenient compasse and able to receiue any conuenient match and that the feathers and springs that doo belong vnto them should be of so hard and good temper that they shoulde cause the â—ockes or serpentines to fall and rise so strong and quicke as by their strong falling with the matches into the pannes they may make the fire to sparcle thereby in an instant to make the powder to take fire Then I would that euery harquebuzier should haue a good and a faire flaske and touchbox with strings to them of conuenient length and that they should bee taught by their Corporalles very souldiorlie to weare them and to keep their powder in their flaskes and touchboxes very drie And I would that the pipes or mouths of their flaskes should be a iust charge for their harquebuzes according to the vse of the Spaniardes and Wallouns and that the feathers and springs that doo make the plate or couer of the lower part of the mouthes of their flaskes to open and couer againe should be of so good temper as they might open and couer quicke and close that the souldiors thereby might bee assured not to ouercharge their peeces to their daunger Then I would that euerie harquebuzier should haue in a little purse or in a little bagge in his pocket a little steele with a flint and a little peece of a certen kind of tinder like a spunge such as the harquebuziers Spaniards doo vse to strike fire to light their matches with scourers skrues prining irons and mouldes and all other things requisite for the well charging and keeping of their harquebuzes clean and neat Swordes also the blads of the length of a yard with hiltes of the fashion before mentioned with strong leather girdles able to beare their swordes flaskes and touchboxes I would wish euerie harquebuzier to haue that they should weare their swordes of such conuenient heigth as I haue before declared that archers and armed men ought to doo But as for daggers I would wish no harquebuzier to weare any because they haue so seldome occasion to vse them and therefore doo rather increase heueth and burthen then serue for any other purpose the experience whereof hath taught the harquebuziers of all Nations to weare no daggers Besides all which I would haue the harquebuziers to be taught as also the mosquetiers to know the differences of powder and of match that they may bee the better able to know what charges they shall giue to their peeces according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the powder and therewithall alwaies in skirmish or otherwise to charge their peeces with some softe paper or something else betwixt their powder and their bullets and after their bullets to restraine the same and to haue their flaskes full of good and drie powder well corned and their touchboxes full of fine and drie touchpowder with al other thinges requisit to the well vsing of their peeces and thus farre concerning harquebuziers Mosquetiers I would wish to be elected of such men as are of good force strength of bodie although they were but of meane statures for the tallest and best formed men I would haue reserued for armed men piquers and battleaxes or halbarders to be reduced into squadrons or battles and yet I would not as aforesaid that any good or strong archers should be enrolled to any other kind of weapon but onely to the longbowe for the causes before mentioned But it is conuenient that mosquetiers should bee of good force and strength in respect of the heauines of their weapons and furniture that by their strength and agilitie they may the better cary handle and mannage their mosquets And I would wish that they should be euerie waies apparelled and that they should weare their swordes in strong girdles without any daggers as the harquebuziers aforsaid and that they should be armed with the like morrions to the harquebuziers before mentioned Then I would wish that all their mosquets should be of one length well ranforced backward and of conuenient thinnesse forward and of one heigth or caliuer of bullet with open sights and in all other thinges and particularities of the like perfection to the harquebuzes that I haue before mentioned But all the mosquets I would haue them to bee with straight stocks because that considering their rests with the great heueth of their peeces they may the better sett the straight stocks to their shoulders and take their sights more readily certainly from point at blank then if their stocks were crooked Their iron forkes or rests I would haue them to be well and euen formed that when the staues are fixed in the ground their mosquets might ly iust and euen in their rests which they cannot do if they be made higher on the one side then of the other as many are The staues of their rests I would wishe to be of iust and conuenient length and strength with piques of a good length that they may enter a good waie in and stand the more firme in the ground Their flaskes touchboxes and stringes I would haue to be of as great perfection as the flaske and touchboxes of y e harquebuziers before mentioned And I would wish that they should charge their mosquets with powder out of the pipes or charges of the flaskes as the harquebuziers aforsaid and not out of
dominions in the continent and Ilands that doo belong to that seniorie which haue beene euer in many ages so well armed as in Venice itselfe the common multitude of the Citizens and people who neuer beare any office in the common wealth but certen base offices doo so well content themselues with the gouernment and great and equal iustice of the Magistrates and their superiors that although they haue all sortes of armors and weapons of warre for footmen in all their houses yet it is not to be found in any Chronicles or histories of Venice that euer they did take armes or reuolt against their Duke Senate nor Nobilitie And that in like sort al the dominions that do belong vnto Venice that are in the continent of Italie and elsewhere although all the common people of those dominions bee armed and weaponed yet through the great care had by the state of Venice of their prosperitie with equall great iustice ministred euen to the very least of them they finde themselues so well contented to liue vnder the quiet and happie gouernment of the Venetians that they haue not in many and many yeares once offred any kinde of reuolt against them but haue rather at such times as some parts of those dominions haue beene by force wonne and possessed sometimes by the Imperiall and somtimes by the French and other Princes at one time or other reuolted from the gouernment of such straungers and returned againe to the obedience of the Venetians Besides which it is to be noted that the Cantonnes and confederate people of Suitzerland since they through the great extortions and iniustices of the Dukes of Austridge and their officers and substitutes did take armes and by battle and victorie with the death of the Duke Lupold and slaughter of a great part of his Nobilitie redeeme and reduce themselues into a ciuill and popular State haue neuer reuolted nor that the people of certen principalities of Germanie through the great iustice by their princes and Magistrats equallie ministred and the well ordering vsing of the people haue at any time rebelled I mean the Suissers against their Magistrates nor those Almaines against their princes By which examples with manie others which for breuities sake I omit this old prouerbe is verefied Opus Iustitiae pax which may be interpreted that the effect of iustice is peace From all which I come to conclude that no Emperor King nor Common wealth that doo gouerne their Subiectes with great and equall iustice and therewithall doo effectuallie shew to haue great care of their increase prosperity and happinesse need any waies to doubt any reuol◠or Rebellion against them by their subiectes and people although they haue al sorts of armors and weapons of war in their houses but that it is rather verie requisite needfull for all great Princes and Common Wealthes that wil maintaine and defend themselues and their dominions against forren Nations to well arme weapon and exercise their people in matters militarie and that they doo establish good Lawes for the good and orderlie perfourmance of the same All which before considered mine opinion clearelie is that of all other places it is most conuenient that the armours and Weapons of all Shieres should be kept by such rich men as doo finde those armors and weapons in their owne houses and such as are found by the common purse of parishes that they should be kept in the chiefe mens houses of those parishes where the soldiors dwell that vppon occasion of those seruices should weare and vse them aswell in respect that all men by all reason will be more carefull to keepe and maintain in good order such apparell armor and weapons as were bought at their owne charges then great Townes or Gentlemen or Corporalles that neuer bought the same Besides that vpon any sudden alarum or giuing of fire to the beacons vpon the enemies comming to inuade or other occasion of seruice when the souldiors of the whole shire shoulde with al celeritie arme themselues march to the place of assembly generall there to reduce themselues vnder their Ensignes and Captains and vnder their higher and lower officers I say that all sortes of souldiours may presentlie and with a great deale more celeritie apparell arme and weapon themselues in warrelike manner the same beeing in their owne houses if they be owners of the same or otherwise presentlie to apparell arme and weapon themselues in such houses of the same Towne whereas the furniture is kept and themselues doo dwell then to runne to Gentlemens or Corporalles houses or to great townes 3. or 4. miles off where their armors furniture are kept there in hubbledeshuffe disorderlie to arme themselues wherof besides diuers other disorders that do ensue often times vpon such sudden Alarmes and armings little men doo put on great or tall mens armors and leaue little armors vnfit for great men to put on according to the olde saying first come first serued And so likewise they do mistake the right choosing of their apparell and Weapons whereof inseweth great disorder and confusion And these sudden disorders with others that I omit cannot vpō such sudden alarmes be possiblie preuented the armors weapon◠being so placed although al the particuler names of the soldiors were written vpon the apparel armor weapons And now as I haue set downe mine opinion concerning y e election and enrolling aswel of diuers sorts of horsmen as of footmen to diuers different sorts of armors and weapons with many other particularities So would I now wish al matters military being brought into the perfectiō aforsaid that all the souldiors aswell horsemen as footmen should in som conuenient place appointed for y e purpose vpon the holidaies during certen moneths in y e summer in the afternoone after they come from church exercise themselues with such weapons as they are inrolled vnto as archers to shooting game at Rouers long buts with their long bowes according to the ancient vse of England and that the harquebuziers in the presence of the chiefe men or officers of y ◠parish in trauessing their grounds as if they were in skirmish should with their peeces well and orderly charged as I haue in my instructions and discourses before particularly declared at a great But discharge 4. shot and so likewise that the mosquetiers should with their mosquets well charged with full bullets from their restes discharge 3. or 4. other shot And this at the charge either of the parishes or of such rich men as doo find such souldiors or otherwise as it may be better considered of and deuised Also I would that such soldiors as are piquers being disarmed should with blunt piques learne to march soldiorly as also with dexeritie to handle and manage them thereby the better to know how in seruice to handle their sharpe piques as also the halbarders with blunt halbardes made for the purpose should learne
I would that the treasure should be caried either vpon mulets or horses or rather vpon close couered waggons after the manner of Germanie and those carriages placed towardes the midst of the square on the right hande and that the waggons or Carts that do carrie the cheife substance of the powder should be placed also towardes the midst of the square on the left hand and that both those sorts of carriages should bee very strongly guarded with good numbers of halbardiers and that all the great ordinance of batterie and artillery with powder and bullets and all other things belonging vnto them should be placed and drawen with their horses or oxen aswell vpon the frunt and backe as vpon the outer flankes and sides of the same square And I would that all the rest of the carriages should be reduced into 2. 3. or 4. ranks in the forme of a Rainebow a semicircle or halfe round at the back of the most important publique cariages which are beâ—ore reduced into square in such sort as that the midst of the halfe round should be directly behind and verie neere the foresaid square of Cariages and that both the endes of the semicircle should be so farre extended and drawn into a great Compasse circular that the right ende thereof should haue right ouer against the left flanke corner of the same but a good distance wide the hinder part of the right flanke of the principall battle and that the lefte end of the same halfe round should aâ—so haue right ouer against the right flanke and corner but a good distance wide the hinder part of the left flank of the a Rereregardrereward and that in such sort as that semicircle or halfe round of Cariages might seeme as it were to halfe compasse and embrace the backes and Rerewards of all the 4 battles and their weapons of volee which Reducement of Cariages being performed I would then take the 500. halbardiers and the 900. piquers which at the first forming of the 4. battles were reserued and not any where placed and would also either from the beginning reserue vnplaced or at least would drawe 400. archers 400. harquebuziers and. 400. mosquetiers out of the 7000. archers and the. 3000. harquebuziers and mosquetiers which are reduced and placed in many sleeues winges troupes and other formes vpon the flankes Corners and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles and would deuide all the aforesaid 900. piquers 500. halbadiers and 12000. wepons of volee of different sorts into 4. parts 3. parts of the which being reduced into diuers squares and troupes I would should be reduced vpon the backe and both the Corners of the semicircle with certen fawconetts and Robynets for the guard of the backe and ends of the semicircle of Cariages and therewithall would also place many of 〈◊〉 the harquebuziers and mosquetiers aforesaid vpon diuers of the Carriages themselues that from thence vpon any approach of the Enemie they might discharge their peeces at them to their terror and mischiefe Now as for the fourth part and diuision of the weapons aforesaid I would they should be placed in many hearses and troupes vpon the frunts and flankes of the aforesaid square of carriages as also vpon the ynner parts and corners of the halfe round And as for the 140. stradiots archers on horsebacke and Crosbowers on horsebacke I would that 100. of them should be placed vnder their Conductors in diuers little troupes societies vpon the backe and Rereward of the halfe round for the more sure guarde of the same and the rest which are 40. light hor-men I would that they being deuided in their litle troups and societies should be for the guarde of the inner parte of the semicircle or else that the Enemies Army being in frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles that 20. of those light horsmen vnder a sufficient Conductor should serue for discouerers on the right hand of the whole Armie and that the other 20. light horsmen vnder the like Conductor should discouer on the left hand whether there were any vnlooked for troupes of the enemie approching and thereof to giue aduertisement to the Generall of the Armie or to the Lord Marshall And now all these reducements before set downe being performed It is to be noted that for so puissant an Armie as this of 28000. horsemen and footmen of our English Nation is there cannot be fewer then 4000. pioners and labourers besides the waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe aswel for the leuelling plaining of groundes where the Armie and artillerie shal passe as also for the fortefying of Campes and approching of places fortefied with trenches Crosse trenches and gabions and for the making of mounts and working in mines and infinite other thinges appertaining to the Armie and Campe which 4000. labourers and pioners I would vpon the day of battle appoint and place in this sort following First I would that besides their spades shouelles and mattocks which they should haue alwaies by them readie to performe any labour or worke to them appointed by their Captaines and Conductors that euerie one of them should haue a good halbard or blacke bill with a good dagger either hanging before them or vppon their Girdles at their backes And so I would likewise that all the Waggoners Carters and other baggagers of the Campe should bee appointed with the like weapons alwaies vppon their cariages readie vppon any occasion for them to take and vse or else that euery sort of them should haue such other weapons as they haue most skill to handle And of the pioners and labourers I would appoint some conuenient numbers to bee with the field peeces that were placed vppon the fruntes and corners of all the 4. battles to helpe to remoue turne and mannage them Also I would take 1600. more of those pioners and labourers and would deuide them into 4. diuisions or parts of 400. in euery diuision vnder their Captaines Leaders and would appoint euery one of those 4. partes deuided into their societies of tens to attend vpon the aforesaid 4. battles and that they should be placed at the backs and in Rereward of the societies of halbardiers that are in Rereward of the weapons of volee of the 4. battles readie to cut any trenches or to perform any other commandment vnto them giuen as also vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie with their blacke Bils or other weapons to follow the Chase and doo execution vpon the Enemie flying as the souldiors halbardiers placed at the backes of the weapons of volee ought to doo because that according to right discipline vpon the ouerthrow of the Enemie it is not any waies lawfull for battles and squadrons of footmen to breake their rankes and orders to the intent to follow the Chase And as for all the rest of the 4000. labourers and pioners I would place them deuided vnder their Captaines and leaders aswel for the gard of the aforesaid square and
men in motion they doo worke verie little or no effect as well in respect that no harquebuziers howe good soeuer they bee can take their sightes so certenlie from point at blanke in a great distance as they may in a much nearer distance as also that they can a great deale lesse take their sights from the ends of their peeces at their enemies in motion a great distance off although it be within the points and blankes of their peeces besides many other causes and particularities concerning the same in my booke of discourses by me set forth 1590. conteined All which well considered it dooth behoue all good and skilfull harquebuziers not to discharge their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40. paces at the vttermost although their peeces will carrie point and blanke a much greater distance But here it is to be noted that this kind of skirmishing of lose shot of societies of threes is not so good by a great deale as to skirmish in societies of 4. in euery societie and that by reason that euery formost harquebuzier of 4. next to the enimie discharging his peece as effectually as he may and retiring behind the hindermost of his societie to charge againe whilest the second aduauncing forward and trauersing his ground doth supplie the place of the first harquebuzier that did first discharge and is now retired as aforsaid and so consequently the third harquebuzier vpon the discharging of his fellowe before him that at the first was the second to aduance and supply his place and then againe the fourth that did first of all discharge and hath now againe very well charged hiâ— peece doth vpon the dischargeing and retiring of his fellowe before him aduaunce forward and trauessing his ground supplie his place which orderly discharging recharging againe and discharging recharging againe and againe with good aduisement doth by the societies of 4. giue more time and leisure to euerie harquebuzier that hath discharged his peece to retire and charge verie well againe without heating of his peece then societies of threes aforesaid can doo considering that in those skirmishes of loose shot it is conuenient that onelie one of euerie societie of 4. should bee formost and should discharge alone to the intent aswel to giue leisure to their fellowes one after another to recharge againe as also to haue 2. or 3. harquebuziers continuallie ready with their peeces charged one after another stil to aduance forward and supply the others place ready to discharge at the enemy For if they should discharge 2. or 3. or al at one time then vpon their error espied by the enemies and taking the aduantage thereof by a sudden approch they should find themselues vnsupplied and vnsuccoured the one of the other to their great danger and mischiefe But here it may be demanded what I doo call the well charging of peeces of weapons of fire Whervnto I answer That I doo allow neither harquebuze nor mosquet for well charged in seruices of the fielde vnlesse they bee charged with conuenient charges of powder and with softe browne paper or the refuge endes of matches or something else with their skowring stickes thrust close to the powder to restraine the same and likewise vppon the bullet the like or a more quanâ—â—â—â—â— to keepe close and restraine the bullet or when at the least I would that some such thing should be thrust vpon the bullet with the skowring stick to keep the same close to the powder therewithall to the intent that euerie souldior vppon his lacke of bullets might vse his fellowes bullets I woulde that all the harquebuzes throughout the field should be of one Caliuer and heigth and that all the ordinarie bullettes for the field I meane not the full bullets that first with great leisure they charge their peeces withall before they march out of the Campe which are or ought to be of the iust Caliuer and heigth of their harquebuzes but the ordinarie bullets for skirmish that those bullets I say should not be aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces whereas farre otherwise the most bullettes for the field heere in England as well of Mosquets as of harquebuzes are 4. 5. and many 6. bores lower then the height of the peeces which with the souldiors not restraining the powder nor bullettes as aforesaid is the cause that the powder how good soeuer dooth neither carrie the bullets so farre point and blanke nor yet doo giue so violent blowes as beeing otherwise well charged with more full bullets they would doo nor yet can possiblie shoot with any certentie although it were from a steadie rest either at horses or men standing still within point and blanke by reason that such bullets doo naturallie mount and flie wide howe true soeuer the peeces are besides that the powder for lacke of restraining as aforesaid dooth lie in the Cannon of the peece loose and the bullet through the too much smalnesse thereof in comparison of the peece doth vpon euerie little accident fall out and droppe to the ground where as ordinarie bullets for the field that are not aboue two bores lower then the heigth of their peeces doo carry the bullets the peeces being otherwise true and well charged as aforesaide further point and blanke and with a great deale more certentie and besides doo giue a more forcible blow as aforesaid then such ouer small bullets can doo But now the second way of skirmishing is that such little societies of threes and of fowers may skirmish by discharging their peeces almost or neere about one time but that must be performed by the discharging and retiring to charge again of such little troupes other such little societies of like numbers that are a conuenient waie distant vpon both their flankes but something retired and therefore haue kept their shot aduancing forward as well to espy some aduantage to giue their volees at their enemies effectuallie as to giue time and leisure to other little troupes that haue discharged and therfore retired to recharge and aduance forward againe The third waie of skirmishing is of greater troupes as of 6. of 9. of 12. of 15. of 18. or of 21. And this kind of skirmishing in so great troupes doth resemble the first mentioned skirmishing of loose shot of 3. souldiors in euerie societie and that in this sort that euen as the societies of 3. did deuide themselues into 3. single discharginges as aforesaid so must these greater troupes deuide their dischargings into 3. volees as for example if the troupe be of 6. then the 2. foremost may discharge at or neere about one time and then trauessing their grounds retire behind the hindermost two to charge againe whilest the two second being now formost doo aduance forward to espie their aduantage to discharge effectuallie which when they haue perfourmed then they likewise are to retire againe recharging vntil they be hindermost giuing place vnto their next two
and aduising all leaders of mosquetiers that will worke good effect and winne reputation with that kinde of weapon in the field that they do not permitt their mosquetiers to discharge their peeces at their enemies aboue 8. 9. 10. or 12. skores at the furdest and therewithall to take their sightes at point and blanke from their rests and without their rests Also I would that some conuenient numbers of mosquetiers should be commaunded to charge their peeces with conuenient charges of powder and with 5. pistoll bullets of a meane Caliuer and height with some quantitie of soft browne paper or something else both betwixt the powder and haile shot of war as also after the haileshot to restraine both powder and bullets to the intent that the same may worke the more forcible and terrible effectes And that the same mosquetiers should be commanded not to discharge their peeces when their companies do discharge theirs with single bullets but that they should reserue their shot vntill some squardron of footmen or square or troupe of horsemen should approch within 10. 15. or 20. paces to charge them At which time I would haue them to giue their volee of hailshot of warre from their rests at their Enemies approching within the aforesaid distances and not any furder because they may be the more sure to hit either horsmen or footmen which in greater distances they cannot so certenlie performe And heere it is to be furder noted that such as doo talke of giuing volees of mosquet shot 30. 24. or 20. skores off at squares or troupes of horsemen or footmen that are in march or in any motion of the field do greatlie erre as men that neuer had any good experience of that weapon in actions of the field vnlesse peraduenture it hath been to their owne mischiefe incountring with olde bandes Italians Wallouns or Spaniards who were neuer so ill aduised as in vaine to giue their volees so great distances off and therfore doo reserue their shot to discharge at the enemie not aboue 8. 9. or 10. skores off at the vttermost although it bee at a whole square or troupe of horsemen or footmen vnlesse it were out of some fortification from whence they may discharge their peeces with full bullets and Demain puesto as the Spaniards call it For although the mosquet ranforced and well charged with good powder woulde carrie a bullet point and blanke 24. or 30. scores doth it therefore follow that they should giue Volees of mosquet shotte 24. or 20. skores off when that in failing to take their iuste point and blanke no more but the length of a Corne their bullettes doo worke as much effect at the starres as against the enemie that they shoot at Besides that in so great a distance of ground how truly soeuer they take their sights at point and blanke the aire dooth worke verie great effect with their bullets that are lower by 4. or 5. bores then the heigth of their peeces to carrie them by mounting or otherwise from the marke or markes that they are shot at Certen Orders directions and briefe speeches to be obserued by a Sergeant Maior and Captaines and leaders of Archers in the field ALl the most notable and excellent kinges and their great captaines of our English nation in times past who as it is most manifest by many notable histories both auncient and moderne were not any wayes inferior in knowledge and skill in the Arte and science military to the greatest kinges and captaines of our age deceased but did also farre exceed and excell all the Princes and Captaines of this obscure time of Ignorance in christendome nowe liuing in all proceedings and actions militarie as it is most apparant by the many battâ—les great victories by them in diuers ages and against many warlike nations obtained did contrarie to the vaine and friuolous opinions of our newe English men of warre of this time so greatly esteeme of our archers through the continuall and great experience they had of their woÌ„derful miraculous effects in all battles and great in countryes that vpon the composing forming of any Armie the same being deuided into fiue partes alwaies three partes of the fiue did consist of archers And because archers in all actions militarie were so continually greatly emploied they vsed to reduce them into the most conuenient orders and formes that they could deuise for them with their arrows to work their greatest effects against both horsemen and footmen their Enemies which was into the forme of hearses which hearses were broad in frunt and narrow short by flankes which is to be vnderstood of many soldiors in euery ranke and but of fewe rankes by flankes in such sorte as what nombers soeuer of archers they placed in frunte that is in euery ranke the archers by flanke did neuer exceed the nomber of 7. or 8. rankes at the most And the causes and reasons were these that the archers being reduced into their hearse or hearses as also into their conuenient distaunces in frunt and by flankes euery one of them without any trouble through the too much nearenes of their fellowes in the same ranke or by the ouermuch nearenes of the ranke ranks before them might without any impediment shoot and roue of any mean height at their enemies being either horsemen or footmen ouer the heads of the rank or ranks before them and therewithall that the hindersmost ranks being so few by flanks as aforesaid might the more easily see their Enemies that they shoot at As also that by the fewnesse of their rankes the hindermost ranke and rankes being the nearer to their Enemies should the more easilie reach their Enemies with their volees of arrowes whereas otherwise if the rankes were many then by the ouerpluralitie of rankes the hinder rankes should be depriued of the sight of their Enemies that they should shoot at and also should be driuen to shoot their arrows at their enemies too high a compasse and by such meanes worke the lesse effect against their enemies All which considered I thought good in this place to shew how any number of archers should be reduced into the forme of a hearse or diuers hearses which is a thing of great facilitie to be performed because that the Captaine or Captaines of archers haue no more to do but to say vnto their archers Ranke your selues archers 7. in a ranke or if they will make a hearse of 8. rankes then ranke your selues 8 in a ranke as in the first part of this my booke concerning the reducing of single bandes into rankes is verie particulerly contained which being by the archers performed thrughout the whole band or as manie bands of archers as they will bring into a hearse then their Captaines and conductors are to lead them by the flanke and corner of the squadron where those archers shall be reduced into winge and there drawing those archers as far out and
large from the corner of the squadron as they shal think requisite and finding the hindermost ranke of 7. soldiors or of 8. if they be disposed to make their flanke of 8. archers to be of such cōuenient distance from the corner of the squadron as they shal think meet then the chiefe Commander of those Archers is presentlie to goe to the midst of that flanke where they are to make of flanke frunt and then being a conuenient distance from them he ought to say vnto them Frunt to mee Archers and let this worde passe throughout from flanke to flanke Vppon which his wordes pronounced all the souldiors in flanke throughout next vnto him are presentlie to turne their faces and weapons towardes him and make of flanke frunt and so subsequentlie all the rest of the archers throughout al the rankes must performe the like And this making of flank frunt may be performed aswel by the stroke of the drumme as by the briefe speeches of the commander which being by them performed then they must presently reforme themselues into their conuenient distances both by frunt and flanks that thereby they may without any impediment giue their volees as aforsaid And thus of a great number of ranks that they were before when they marched in their simple or single order of rankes as of 7. or else of 8. in a ranke from frunt to backe they are now become a great number of Archers in frunt that is in euerie ranke and but onelie of 7. or else 8 rankes by flankes which order and forme is to be vnderstood and tearmed a hearse of Archers and as this hearse is now reduced into a wing either from the right or left corners of the squadron so may the like winges be drawen from all 4. corners as also vpon the frunt or flankes of the squadron or any other place or places where it shal please the General of the field or the Lord Marshall to direct or command But heere it is to be furder noted that such hearses are not to giue any volees of arrowes at their Enemies but onlie vppon a token or signe giuen vnto them by some chiefe Commaunder of the hearse who by his officers is to make all the souldiors of the hearse priuie to the same signe and token And therefore the same Commaunder and signe giuer is to be of good vnderstanding in archerie as also of the distances of groundes that thereby he may not faile to giue his signe when the hindermost archers are within the reach of the former rankes of the enemies bee they horsemen or footmen for if hee should faile in the same whereby the Archers through the too great distance of ground shoulde shoot short hee should then commit a very grose error Also it is to bee noted that if the commander of the archers doo thinke it requisite he may deuide the deliuerie of his archers arrowes into two volees that is that hee may if the hearse doo consist of 8. rankes by flankes take order that fower of the formost rankes shal giue their first volees and as the enemies doo approch neerer to giue order that the other 4. hindermost rankes shall likewise giue their volees altogither with the rankes before them And as the reducing of Archers into these aforesaide formes of hearses are verie conuenient and of great effect for battles euen so they may bee brought into diuers other formes according to the scituation of the ground or grounds and diuers other occasions and likewise worke verie great effectes But now whereas there be diuers in this time professing Armes that doo greatly disesteeme archers thinking that a farre greater number of Archers were not able to encounter with a smaller number of mosquetiers Thereunto I say that that their opinion doth proceede of nothing else but of their lacke of vnderstanding and knowing the wonderfull imperfections and failinges that do belong to musquets and mosquetiers in the field as also of the strange and incredible effects of archers arrowes and therewithall that they did neuer enter into the consideration that mosquetiers are not to worke any effect in the open fieldes but from their restes fixed in the ground or some other accidentall or naturall rests and themselues standing still to take some sight from point at blanke at their enemies when they discharge which at men in motion with any certentie it is not possible for them to performe and if they faile in taking their sightes at point and blanke then their bullets do flie straight at the Cloudes without doing any other hurt besides that when they haue once discharged their first charges of full bullets or haileshot of warre from their rests incase they be forced vpon the vncerten comming of the Enemie to remoue and new place their rests and charge againe their peeces are so exceeding heauie and they therewithall so troubled with their rests hanging vpon their fingers that they are driuen to a verie long recharging of their mosquets againe which recharging if it be not in such particuler sort and perfection as I haue before set downe the bullets of their second volee will scarce go within the compasse of the height of piques vprighted or rather of younge trees as all skilfull soldiors that do know their wonderfull vncerten effects in seruices of the field will confesse so as I com to conclude if the trial were to be made in the open plaine fields betwixt 1500. archers and 3000. mosquetiers without any other weapon of succor either for the one side or for y e other y e mosquetiers being reduced into anyformes of greatest aduauntage and conueniencie for mosquetiers y t can be deuised those 1500. archers being reduced into many many troupes of fifteenes of twenties of fiue twenties of thirties more or fewer and they approching assailing the mosquetiers both in frunt and by flanks giuing their volees of arrowes in continuall motions at the mosquetiers who if they meane to worke any effect of necessitie must stand still to discharge their peeces as aforesaid during which time of their standing still they shall to their great error and mischiefe receaue the continuall volees of the archers arrowes vpon all parts of their bodies in such sort as the archers there is no doubt being well instructed and led in their troupes by their Captaines and other officers would with great facilitie with a verie few volees of arrowes breake all the mosquetiers although they were of a farre greater number For although mosquets will carrie their bullets point and blanke a great deale furder distance then archers are able to work any effect with their arrowes yet their wonderfull vncertenties many of the particularities whereof I haue in other my bookes very particulerlie set downe are such and so manie as against archers reduced into great numbers of troups as aforesaid and assailing them in motion with infinite volees of arrowes they would be found to be of a wonderful
the troupes of stradiots Crosbowers and archers on horsebacke should be placed and aduanced in winge more furder forward towards the Enemy then the hearse or winge of dimilaunces And I would also that all the societies of the weapons of volee I meane the archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be placed aduanced before and nearer to the Enemie by some 10. 15. or 20. paces then the troupes and societies of stradiots and that the troupes of archers should not march altogether by themselues without any troupes of Crosbowers amoÌ„gst or betwixt them in respect that they are different kindes of weapons but I would that the troupes of archers and Crosbowers should march in their troupes seperated but yet in their troupes intermingled about 15. or 20. paces distant one troupes from another which is to be vnderstood a troupe of archers and a troupe of Crosbowers and a troupe of archers a troupe of Crosbowers and so the rest some troupes fifteene some twentie paces one from another and those not all of one equal frunt but oblique the one to the other I meane some aduaunced furder forward towards the Enemie and others more backward in winge and Reregard Retired And that I would to the intent that when the formost societies and troupes of weapons of volee had giuen their volees of quarrels and arrowes either at horsemen or footmen their Enemies and that they were casting about againe and retiring to giue place to other troupes of weapons of volee to second and succeed them that then some other troupes of weapons of volee that are in winge Reregard of them should in their troupes put spurres to their horses and aduaunce themselues forward and seconde and supplie their fellowes places retired with new volees And I woulde also that euerie three societies of Crosbowers and Archers on horsebacke should haue one troupe of 10. of 15. of 20. or 25. stradiots with their double headed Launces continuallie vppon all charges and other seruices to attend vppon them in Reregard some 15. or 20. paces distaunt ready vpon any occasion to aduaunce themselues forwarde and succour them as also vpon the disordering or ouerthrowe of the Enemie to followe the Chace and doo execution vppon their Enemies disordered or broken bee they horsemen or footmen And I would that no societie nor troupe of Archers nor Crosbowers on horseback should be vnder the number of 10. nor aboue the number of 15. nor that any troupe of Stradiots shoulde exceed the number of 25. nor be vnder the number of 10. And to the intent that euerie troupe of Stradiots should knowe vppon which 3. troupes of Crosbowers and Archers they should attend as alâ—o that euery 3. troupes of Archers and Crosbowers should giue their charges and volees and make their Retraites and worke all other effectes in the fielde together it were conuenient that euery 4. troups of stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback and their Conductors should alwaies lodge in their quarters in Campe together but I meane not that the soeieties of archers of Crosbowers and stradiots should lodge all in one hale or tent together but that the hales and tents of euerie different sort of weapon of euery such 4. troups should be placed one next vnto another and that al their Cariages vpon any remoue of campe should march together and that all the Conductors and the chiefs of the societies of tennes as also all their soldiors of euery different sort of weapon shuld know frequent keep company one with another in Campe should vow to liue and die together as if they were but one â—ind 〈…〉 societie and Camerada And as I haue placed this first 1300. light â—â—â—smen of different weapons in the order before described so would I in the very same sort and form reduce the second number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsbacke vppon the left side and flanke of the dimilaunces that are vpon the left flanke of the men at armes which are in wing of the left side of the Reregard which performed I would then giue order that the third diuision and number of 1300. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke should be deuided into 2. diuisions or parts that is into 650. in each diuision and that the first 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should in the like order as abouesaid bee reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the right flanke of the dimilaunces that are reduced on the right flanke of the men at armes that are in wing on the right side of the principall battle And that the other diuision and number of 650. stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should bee likewise reduced in their societies and troupes vpon the left flanke and side of the broad square of dimilaunces that are on the left flanke of the men at armes that doo arme the left side of the a Rereregardrereward And I would that all those 4. winges of light horsmen stradiots archers and Crosbowers on horseback should vppon any occasion of battle great incountrie or skirmish behaue themselues in fight according to the instructions that are heereafter described and set downe where amongst other matters I make speciall mention of those 3. different sorts of light horsmen And now as I haue reduced and placed these 4. battles of footmen and armed them and their weapons of volee with many squares and troupes of horsmen of diuers different sorts of armors and weapons so would I in this sort following arme those 4. squadrons with certen field peeces according to the ordinarie vse of this time for the greater annoiance of the Enemie and for the more sure guard of the battles First incase there were any little hil or high ground of aduantage of any conuenient neerenesse vnto the two formost battles that might command the open fieldes and plaines where the Enemies battles should march and approch then I would there place so many field peeces as should bee requisite for that ground of aduauntage with some trench or trenches by good numbers of laborers and pioners vppon the sudden cast and those peeces well and stronglie guarded with conuenient numbers of piquers halbardiers and archers and would place the rest of the field peeces vpon the flanks of the battles in their most conuenient places with their powder bullets and all other thinges that do appertaine to the vse of them for the annoiance of the Enemie But incase there were no such grounds nor ground of aduantage as aforesaid where to plant such peeces of artillerie then would I place 3. fawcons ranforced of 6 poundes the bullet and one fawconet ranforced of 3. pounds the bullet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the right corner of the vaungard and aduaunced furder forward then y â— frunt and Corner of that battle by the like number of paces with their gunners and all their aides and thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And so likewise would
compertiments by flanks therby to make them to come to the iust number in frunt of 108. piquers but also must peece and patch euery one of those Compertiments with the peeces of other little Compertiments in backe or Rereward thereby after to reduce forme and being their squadron by flankes to haue the iust length of 50. rankes which to performe dooth cause so great a disorder and confusion in the officers executing of the directions of the Coronelles and Sergeants Maiors as it is neuer to make an end whereof insueth great noises and rumors by calling by swearing by commaunding and countermaunding and by this and by that Wheras contrariwise the compertiments of piquers of the other three Regiments of great bandes of 500. as aforsaid consisting of 300. piquers to euerie compertiment may with great dexteritie quietnesse and facilitie without the aforesaid peecing and patching of compertiments with compertiments form the aforesaid squadron of 108. in frunt and 50. by flanks with their single compertiments without any one band or compertiment borowing the one of the other As for example to form the aforesaide squadron of 108. piquers in frunt and 50. rankes by flankes the three Regimentes of 3000. to euerie Regiment consisting of 18 bandes 500. to euerie ensigne which of piquers and weapons of volee are in all 9000. Of the which there are 3. partes piquers and two partes weapons of volee as aforesaide that is 5400. piquers and 3600. souldiours of weapons of volee the compertimentes of piquers of all those 18. bandes consisting euery one of 300. piquers and euery one of those compertimentes of 300. beeing reduced into their simple and single order of 6. in euerie ranke from frunt to backe are iust in number 50. ranâ—es of 6. souldiours in euery ranke All which 18. compertimentes of 300. piquers to euerie compertiment marching euery one of them 6. in a ranke as aforesaid beeing led and drawne vp by their Captains by the flanke or flankes the one of the other according vnto any of the orders that I haue before very particularly set down for y e forming of squadrons and battles are without any kinde of trouble disorder or rumor with great facility reduced into y e aforsaid battle and squadron of 108. piquers in euery ranke from frunt to backe and of 50. rankes by flankes which squadron in al consisteth of 5400. piquers as aforesaid And this dexteritie and facilitie of forming of great squadroÌ„s without any disorder or confusioÌ„ doth proceed of the great compertiments that are drawne out of great bands whereas farre otherwise to forme the same saide squadron with 60. compertiments of 90 piquers 3. in a ranke in euery compertiment drawne out of 60. little bandes of 150. to euery Ensigne to the intent to forme the said squadron the Captaines and officers after that they haue reduced euery one of their bandes into their simple and single order of ranks which is the first thing for all seruices in the field that according to al discipline ought to be performed must then because their litle compertiments of 90. piquers doo consist but of 30. ranks 3. in a ranke go and find another compertiment of the like number of another band to ioine with them by flanke thereby to make their compertiment of 6. in euery rank But because their two compertiments incorporated by flankes as aforesaid doo lacke 20. rankes of 6. in euerie ranke to make the iust length of the squadron by flanke that consisteth of 50. rankes Another Captaine must bring his whole compertiment of 90. piquers which do consist of 15. rankes 6. in a ranke and ioine them at the backe of the other two compertiments and yet those 3. Captaines must borrowe out of another compertiment of a fourth band 5. rankes more of 6. in a ranke which are 30. piquers to make out the full number of 50. ranks 6. in euery ranke so as the fourth Captain that hath lent 30. piquers dooth remaine but with a peece of his compertiment of 60. piquers with the which he must after incorporate and peece and patch other compertiments either to make length by flanke or bredth in frunt And in this sort or in the like with small difference all the 〈◊〉 compertiments of 90. piquers in each compertiment as aforesaid must in corporate peece and patch by flankes and backe all the rest of their compertiments and peeces of compertimentes vntill they haue formed their squadron which kind of reducing peecing and patching to forme a squadron dooth breed such a wonderfull confusion in such a number of little compertiments dispersed in the fieldes as the Sergeants Maiors and other chiefe commanders wil finde themselues wonderfullie confused and confounded in their directions for the forming of their squadron and the Captaines and other inferior officers in the performing and executing of the same And as these before alledged confusions and disorders doo insue in forming of a squadron of piquers with such little compertiments euen so dooth there ensue as great or greater confusions in reducing a farre greater number of little compertimentes of weapons of volee that do consist of three different sorts of weapons as of Archers mosquetiers and harquebuziers into diuers formes and emploiments All which reducementes of squadrons into forme with sleeues winges troups and forlorne hopes of weapons of volee and other such like doo require fower or fiue times longer time to performe then with a few great compertiments of piquers weapons of volee out of bandes of 500. to reduce such great squadrons into forme as aforesaid with sleeues winges forlorne hopes c. of weapons of volee as all men that are not obstinatelie ignorant may by that which I haue before declared most manifestlie see The testimonie and proofe whereof was euidentlie seene at such time as there were certen great squadrons formed or rather with great disorder trouble and confusion wonderfullie deformed heere in Essex the yeare 1588. Which proceeded of nothing so much as of the lacke of vnderstanding of such as should haue reduced the whole Armie into great bandes of 500. to euery Ensigne with conuenient and well sorted compertimentes or of 400. or of 300. to euerie Ensigne at the fewest Whereas farre otherwise the bands of the whole Armie did consist of diuers different numbers as of 150. of 200 of 300. of 400. of 500. and of 600. to an ensigne and in all those bands the compertimentes of the different sorts of weapons were so ill sorted and in so great disproportion as the same with the lacke of skill of such as should haue reformed those imperfections were the very causes that when they went about to reduce and forme any squadron with sleeues wingâ—s c they fell into manie errors and confusions as all those that were there of any vnderstanding in matters militarie might euidentlie see Vppon all which reasons and examples of reducing of great and small bands into squadrons with so many imperfections confusions and failings as
the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one and the third the fourth likewise by the number of one and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal number to the first Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique all the harquebuziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them that is they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide must be of equall number to the first ranke to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and proportioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distances may through those distances oblique giue gallant volees to the great mischiefe of their enimies without hurting or endamaging the one the other And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Turks the harquebuziers Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes yet their distances were most commonlie oblique which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks Tartars and other such orientall Nations because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses barbed as also light horsemen And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares as the Hongarians doo in sockets made fast to their Saddles or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores vse double headed Launces or zagayas by some called punching staues for diuers causes and reasons that I am able by the helpe of Almightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field vnto diuers Captaines and Gentlemen of the shire of Essex Speaches to be vsed to a broad square or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduantage where horsmen cannot charge them WHen a good number of harquebuziers are reduced into a square or troupe formed not in rankes oblique but by right line to flanke a breach or to make head against the enemie in some straight or passage or that the place is such and of that strength for the guard of the harquebuziers that it is more requisit that they should make resistance against the enemie in some square or troupe formed then any waies disseuered or in troupes confused then the leaders vppon the approch of the enemie are to say vnto them Discharge soldiors to your knees and charge againe volee after volee which beeing by them heard the first and second ranke being in rankes of conuenient distances are at one instant to giue a volee as neere as they can taking their sightes at point and blank which being doone they ought in an instant to fall vppon one of their knees and to charge againe while the third and fourth rankes doo likewise giue their volees which being by them performed they ought in like manner to kneele downe and charge their peeces giuing place to the fist and sixt ranks to discharge their peeces ouer all their heads which being performed throughout the whole hearse or troupe sauing that the two hinder rankes shall not need to kneele bicause there are none behind them to shoot ouer their heads then all the first rankes that haue charged their peeces againe are to stand vp to giue volee after volee and so to their knees againe and to giue place to the hindermost rankes to discharge their peeces ouer their heads according to the former prescribed order But to the intent that two ranks may the better giue a volee both at one instant without daungering the one the other as aforesaid it were requisit that euery second ranke should be reduced oblique as aforesaid to the ranke preceeding for otherwise there can but only one ranke discharge at a time vnlesse their rankes be very thin Briefe speaches to be vsed to Mosquetiers beeing in a broad square WHen a conuenient company of mosquetiers well guarded with armed men are reduced into a broad square of 15. or 20. in frunt and 6. by flankes more or fewer and that all their restes be fixed in the ground in conuenient distances and that their conductors vpon the approach of the enemie would haue them to giue volee after volee from their rests taking their certen sights from pointe at blanke and that euerie ranke should orderlie succeede the one the other in discharging their peeces then they are to say vnto them Discharge retire and aduance which being by the mosquetiers heard then the first whole ranke taking their sights at pointe and blanke are all at one time to discharge their peeces at the squadron or troupe of horsemen or footmen approching which being by them performed they are presently to retire to the last ranke of rests there to charge againe leauing their owne ranke of rests still fixed in the ground Then the second ranke are to aduaunce themselues and to clappe their peeces vpon the first ranke of rests as they do stand directly before them and the third ranke are to aduaunce themselues to the second ranke of rests the fourth ranke to the third ranke of rests and the fifth ranke to the fourth ranke of rests and the sixte ranke to the fifth ranke of rests whilest the first that hath discharged and is now retired to the sixte or last ranke of rests do charge their peeces againe so geuing continual volees of bullets by discharging retiring and aduauncing as aforesaid they may annoie the enemy be they horsemen or footmen in terrible sorte without falling into any disorder or cōfusion And the verie like speaches may be vsed to little squares or troupes of harquebuziers in the field when they are to retire hauing discharged and other troupes to aduaunce and supply their places geuing them time to charge again and so by retiring aduauncing and succeeding euery one the other they may giue continuall volees of shot at the enemies Aduertising
of the like nomber all of Piques Not aboue 5. ranks of Piquers closed in frunt flanke backe are able to make heade with their Piques to reache or hitt the first ranke of Launces charginge for diuers reasons An Obiection answered Why the sixth seuenth and so consequentlie the rest of the inner rankes can not as orderly let fall couch their Piques to the mis chiefe of the Enemies as the 5 formost rankes An obiection aunswered The great effects that a squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piquers do work Some Sergeants Maâ—ors of this time doe through lacke of vnderstanding and skill thinke a battell of extremitie and necessitiâ— to be better then a battell according to art and discipline formed Great bandes of footmen of 500 to euerie Ensigne are a great deale better then bands of 150. or 200. for diuers causes and reasons The causes and reasons wherefore y â— Princes of Germanie doe vse great bandes of 500 in their seruice of the Empire An example to proue that great bands of Souldiers are more requisite then small bands Soldiors are to be ruduced into their simple and single order of ranks be fore they are to be broug to any forme of squadron The great readinesse and dexteritie in forming of squadâ—ons with great compertiments out of bands of 500. Diuers disorders and confusions that doe ensue in forming of squadrons with litle compertiments out of bands of 150. Diuers confusions that doe ensue of many little compertiments of piquers Hâ—ere it is to be noted thaâ— although the Author doth praise allowe great bands of 500 in the which diuers different sorts of weapons are incorporated to be more conuenient for the forming of squadrons then small bands of 150. or 200. of the like different â—orâ—es of weapons yet he doth not disallow that in a puisant army there shuld be some small bands of 1â—0 or 150. amoÌ„gst the great but those onely of weapons of volee as of Archers or harquebuziers incorporated with some conuenient nombers of halberdiers or battle axes for diuers purposes Where Ensigâ—bearers footmâ— are â—o be loâ—ged How an Ensignebâ—arer in seruice in the fielde ought to carrie his Ensigne Ensignes of â— conuenient bredthe and lengthe more better then Ensignes that are verie large With what respecte the halâ—ards that are for the guard of the Ensignes are to march How Ensigne-bearers vpon the sight and nere approach of the enemie are to mannage their â—â—signes How an Ensignebearer marching by an Emperor or king or their Lieutenant generall is to behaue himselfe How Ensigne-bearers are to vse their ensignes when the squadron maketh a pausâ— How all the ensignebearers of a squadron marching in the field are 〈◊〉 carrie their Ensignes All Ensigne-bearers are to receaue their directions from the Standard bearer of the Emporor or king 〈◊〉 he be in the field Where the Standeardbearer of an Empep or king should be plaâ—eâ— When the Standardbeaerr of an Emperor or of a king is to display his standdard Cerren other parâ—icularities concerning the Standard and Standdardbearer of an Emperor or of a Kinge 4 different â—nd principall wâ—iâ—s for harquebuziers to enter into skirmisâ—e The first way for harquebuzers to enter into skirmish The commodities that ensue to harquebuziers by this first way of skirmishing Three principall waies wherein the chiefe effects of harquebuziers in skirmish do consist Harquebuzieâ—â— in skimish are not to discharg their peeces aboue 20. 30. or 40 paces in distance Societies of threes not so good by a great deale for harquebuziers to skirâ—ish in as societies of foures Now harquebuzes and mosquets ought to bee charged All the harqâ—â— buzes through out the field ought to be of one Caliuer â— height All the ordinarie bullets for the field ought not to bee aboue 2. bores lower then the heigth of their pecees The discommodities of bullets that are 4. 5. or 6. bores lower then the heigth of their peeces The second way for harquâ—buziers to skirmish in The third way of skirmish No trâ—â—ps of shott are to giue their volees in diuisions aboue the numberof â—1 The fourth way of skirmishing The skirmishing of loose shot in hubbledeshuâ—â—e Discommoâ—â—â—ies ensuing by this manner of skirmishing â—riefe speaâ—es to be vsed â—hot when â—â—y are too â—â—cke in skirâ—ish by their â—aders â—riefe speaches 〈◊〉 be vsed to â—ot vpon any rounde or rounds of adauntage eâ—â—ied â—erten other â—lefe speaches â— be vsed vnto ot for diuers â—rposes The harquebuzes of a yard long the Cannon and â—anfor ced backward of as great and greater effectâ— then the heauy Caliuers that are nowadaies in vse But small effect â—rought by harquebuzes in skirmishe aboue 50. paces off A very skorne â—o giue volees of harquebuze shot at the enemy 10. 12. or 14 â—kores of What distanâ—â— oblique doâ— means 〈…〉 lique altogither vsed by the harquebuzes and light horsemen Hongarians and other oriâ—ntall nations The Persians only of all the orientall nations doe vse men at Armes Distances oblique in the field of great aduauntage for all light horsemen How harquebuziers are to giue their volees being reduced into a square in some ground of aduauntage How mosquetiers are to discharge their peeces being reduced into a â—â—oade square Mosquetiers are not to discharge their peeces at the enemie aboue 10. or 12. skores 〈◊〉 the furthest Mosquets charged with haile-shot of warre within 10. 15. or 20. paces doe worke great effecte It argueth but small experience in those that would haue mosquetiers in the field to giue their volees of shot 30 24. or 20. scores off Why mosquetiers are not in the field to giue their volees of shotte 20 24. or 30. scores off The account made of archers in times past The auncient â—orme of reduâ—ing of archers â—ere into hearâ—es How to reduce archers into Hearses Archers reduced into hearses are neuer â—o giue their volees but vpon a signe giuen An aunswer to such as doe thinke archers inferior to mosquetiers in the plaine field 1500. archers able to breake 3000 mosqueters The aduauntage that archers haue of mosquetiers Their oppinion that thinke harquebuziers of greater aduauntage to encounter with archers then mosquetiers refuted The aduauntages y â— archers haue of harque buziers Reasons to proue that 500. harquebuziers are in skirmish able to ouerthrow as many mosquetiers Mosquetiers are not able in skirmish to vse their peeces without rests to any effect with restes they cannot skirmishe For any man to discharge his peece effectual ly it behoueth him to be maister of his peece and not his peece maister of him Instructions to be giuen by Captains and officers to their bands for the passing of any briefe speâ— ches or word To whome the commaundement of passing of briefe spea ches doth appertaine The duetie of trompettors drummers The care that all Captains officers of â—andes are to â—aue to instruct â—heir bandes To reduce men at aâ—mes or dimilaunces into their simple or single order of
rankes Squadrons of men at armes how many soeuer they be in frunt ought not to be aboue 10. or 12. by flanks Why 500. 〈◊〉 are rather to be reduced into 3. 4. or 5. litlâ— squadrons then into onâ— entier squadron Two waies whereby to reâ—duce a squadron of launces of fewe or many ranks into forme Wher the standard of men at armes or the guydon of diâ—â—il aunces is to be placed Launces are alwaies rather to be reduced into squadron then into troupes Launces are alwaies to bee 3. times and somtimes 4. or 5. times or more in frunt theÌ„ by flankes wherupon the â—educing of aunces into roupe doth amongst men of warre proceed â— batle of necesâ—â—tie is a nomâ—er of piquers 〈◊〉 horsemen â—unces out of â—â—nks in â—roup How and in what distances men at Armes or dimilaunces are to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies Diuers exercises for horsmen to be instructed and taught in An obiectioâ— aunswered The opinion of such as hold it best for launceâ— to receiue a charge staÌ„ding still answered The disaduantage of a Squâ—dron that receueth a charge standing still Where the Enâ—ignebearer of men at Armes or the Guydon beareâ— of light horsmen are to â—e lodged Into what formes light horsâ— men borderers are to reduce themselues How to reducâ— light horsemen or Stradiots in to the forme of a Semicircle The aduantage of a semicircle of light horsemen or Stradioâ—s against a squadron of launces Stradiots much vsed in times past Stradiots of great execution and effect in the field How stradiots Archers on horsebacke Crosbowers on horsebacke incorporated in bands are to behaue themselues in the field Argolettiers Carabins or Reistres are of small succor to a squadron of launces against stradiots archers and crosbowers The distances wherein Argolettiers or Reistres are to discharge their peeces Theeffects of bands of stradiots archers crosbowers on horsbacke against foot men in the field The first and cheife thing 〈◊〉 all others thaâ— doth belong 〈◊〉 anie perfect Militia is gooâ— election and choice Two principal causes of elections inrollements and leuies of men of warre The first The second Three principall things to be obserued in all right and â—rue elections of soldiors by coronells captains and muster maisters Concerning the conueniâ—ncy of yeares â—f such as are to â—e elected and â—nrolled for â—oldiors Concerning the good and conuenient corporall disposition of bodie of such as are to bee elected and inrolled for soldiors Archers shooâ—ing with two fingers are not to be allowed for soldiors arâ—hers Concerning the honestie of such as are to be elected â—hosen and inâ—olled All soldiors officers of bands are at their first electiâ—on and enrolment to take their othes of fidelitie to the crowne and Realme of England and obedience to their captains and superior officers No man can be conueniently armed vnlesse he be first fitly apparelled Concerning the conuenient apparelling of all sorts of soldiors How archerâ— should be armed and weaponed Concerning the election apparelling arming and we aponing of harquebuziers How mosquetiers should be elected apparelled armed and weaponed The Author would that all mosquets curriers of warre and other such peâ—ces as are to be vsed in the field with restes or in places fortifiâ—d or against places fortified should haue straight stocks and thaâ—â—ll other lighter peeces that are for the skirmish and therefore to be vsed without rests should haue crooked stocks How piquers should be apparelled armed weaponed Concerning the election apparelling arming and weaponing of soldiors with battleâ—kes It is contrary to altrue discipline militarie for soldiors to leaue of their pouldrons vambrases and tasses The greateâ—illes ensuing to soldiors by leauing of their pouldrons vambraces and tasses A verie valâ—e opinion and friuolous excuse The Romaines obseruing their auncient orders and discipline militarie preuailed but neglecting the same came to vtter ruine and destruction The neglecting of the well arming of themselues with the contempte of archerie were the vtter ruine of the two notable Christian Empires of constantinople Trâ—pisonda How light horsmen should be apparelled armed horsed weaponed Concerning the appareling arming horsing and weaponing of stradiots Concerning the apparelling arming hoâ—sing and weaponing of dimilaunces Men at armes out of vse in Christendome An obiection aâ—nswered How Crosbowers on hors backe should be horsed armed and weaponed Crosbowers archers on hors back of greater seruice then weapons of sire on horsebacke With what curâ— osâ—tie musters of bands of horsmen and footmen ought to be taken Of what calling the muster-maister of euery shire should bee The order that all muster maisters are to vse in mustering oâ— their bands of horsmen Muster maisters are to see that the horsemen can well vse their horses and weapons The reducing of bands into one or diuers formes appertaineth to the Captaine and not to the mustermaister When mustermaisters are to take their muster Mustermaisters finding any abuses lackes or imperfections are to giue order that the same be remedied vpoÌ„ some seuere penaltie to be imposed vpon the partâ— vnto whome the same doth appertaine The order that is to be vsed for the suppliyng of soldiors maimed or mischieued or otheâ— wise decaied The order that is to be vsed for the supplying of any soldiors deceased or departing from their habitation into some other toune or hundred or out of their maisters serâ—ice The diâ—ersitie of the placing of the soldiors armors and weapons in all the shiers of England Not the placing of armors nor weapons here nor there that can keepe a people disposed to rebell from rebellion Rebellions begin sometimes vpon the ambition or discontentacion of some nobleman or 〈◊〉 â—en Armors placed in great tounes are more ready to arme an vntuly multitude then if they were dispersed in the soldiors houses Rebellions do often happen vpon the discontentation of the ignobile vulgus Bellum seruile that happened tâ— the romains when they flou rished most begon and maintained by Spartacus other fencers The daungerous rebellion of the peasants of hongary and â—raunce who at the first had litle or no armors The rebellions of the common people of England and specially the rebellion vnder Keâ— in Norffolkâ— that had at the first little or no armor The reuolt of the disarmed mores of granada against king Philip of spaine in al his greatnes which was in the yeare 1568. Iustice dulie equally ministred doth take â—way al occasioÌ„â— and intentions of rebellion The quiet and happie state of the Venetians these many hundred years caused by Iustice. The force of Iustice duly equally ministred amoÌ„gst the Suissers and diuers other principalities of Germaniâ— Princes that do duely equaly minister Iustice need not to doubte any rebellion A thing most requisite for all Emperors kings and common wealthes to well arme weapon and exercise their subiects Where all the armors and weapons of all shires should be kept When and hoâ— soldiors that are enrolled to any kind of wâ—apon ought to exercise themselues No foot alter their 〈◊〉 vpon 〈…〉 The office al bands 〈◊〉 to be well knowne to soldiors of 〈◊〉 bands theâ— bands to the 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉