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
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
and battleaxes when they are in skirmish with their enemies in the field pag. 133 Briefe speeches to be vsed by Captaines or leaders of harquebuziers when they would reduce them into abroad square with distaunces oblique pag. 145 Speeches to be vsed to a broad squaâ—e or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduauntage where horsemen cannot charge them pag. 146 Briefe speeches to be vsed to mosquetiers being in a broad square pag. 147 Certen orders directions and briefe speeches to be obserued by a Sergeant maior and Captaines and leaders of archers in the field pag. 150 A comparison betwixt Archers and mosquetiers and archers and harquebuziers pag. 154 A comparison betwixt harquebuziers and mosquetiers pag. 155 Instructions to be giuen by captaines and officers to their bandes for the passing of any briefe speeches or word pag. 157 The dutie of trompettors and dromâ—ers pag. 158 Certen instructions and obseruations concerning the ordering and exeâ—câ—sing of men at Armes of dimilaunces and also of light horsmen Stradiots incorporated with archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke for diuers purpoâ—es and seruices pag. 159 Why launces are rather to be reduced into squadron then into troupe pag. 165 How and in what distaunces men at Armes or dimilaunces are to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies pag. 167 Diuers exercises for horsmen to be instructed and taught pag. 168 Into what formes light horsmen borderers or Stradiots are to reduce themselues with the waies how they should be reduced into the forme of a semicicle pag. 171 How stradiots archers on horseback and Crosbowers on horseback incorporated in bands are to behaue themselues in the field pag. 174 Certen proceedings and obseruations that I would wish to bee obserued in the first election enrolling arming and weaponing of souldiors for the defence of the Realme pag 179 Three principal thinges to be obserued in al right and true elections of souldiors pag. 180 Concerning the election apparelling arming and weaponing of 〈◊〉 of footmen pag. 1â—7 How all fortes of horsmen should be apparelled armed horsed and weaponed pag. 1â—8 Of what calling the mustermaisters of euâ—ry shiere should be pag 205 The curious order that al mustermaisters are to vse in mustering of their ban is of horsmen pag. 206 The order that is to be vsed for the supplying of souldiors maâ—med or 〈◊〉 or otherwaies decaied or departing from their â—â—bitation into 〈◊〉 other Towne or hundred or out of their maisters seâ—uice pag 210 The different placing of the souldiors armors and wâ—â—â—ons in all the shires of England with the Authors opinion where he would haue them â—laced and certen other necessarie aduertisements pag. 211 Where and how souldiors that are inrolled to any kind of weapon ought to â—xercise themselues pag. 217 The cause wherefore the Author hath compose◠〈◊〉 Booke pag. 220 Faults happened in the printing of this Booke by reason that for Iohn Smythe was absent from London at the time of the imprinting thereof And they are tobe corrected and read as followeth Page line  5 23 Put out And march 7 18 for Armour read Armours 9 32 for the left feet read their left feet 21 16 for Captain Lieutenant read Captaine or Lieutenant 31 26 for opinions read opinion 36 31 for in aâ—ank read in rankes 39 18 for therein make read there make 43 3 for which like number read which little number 48 9 for forpart corner read forpart and corner 48 16 for sort and weapon read sort of weapon 56 26 for substance of the powder read substance body of y â— powder 62 11 for 145. Read 143. 63 18 for 5. in frunt read 50. in frunt 63 33 for the flanke read the left flanke 74 1 for but one kind read but of one kind 87 33 for that their in encountring read that in their encountring 88  In the margent for 3000. read 5000. 93 30 for piquers read piques 94 4 for ranke read rankes 106 27 for flankes read flanke 111 14 for 18000. read 1800. 126 35 for like read little 134 3 for double read doubt 143 2 for sortes read sort 148 33 for and without read and not without 150 35 for narrow or short read narrow and short 156 17 for motions read motion 189 25 for stocks read cocks 194 10 for the piques of such sagging read the points of such sagging 197 29 for septrionall Read septentrionall 203 16 for into their bands read into bands 218 3 for at a great But discharge read at a great white in the midst of a great But. Certen Instructions obseruations and orders military requisit for al Chieftains Captains and higher and lower men of charge officers to vnderstand know and obserue Composed by sir Iohn Smythe knight 1591. THE first thing belonging to the Art and Science Militarie practised by all Warlike Nations in all ages hath bin that al Captains after they haue receiued the charge of bands or companies of horsmen or footmen armed weaponed according to the discipline and vse of the Nation that they are of haue first instructed and taught their souldiors to reduce themselues into their simple and single order of ranks and to weare carry and vse all their weapons in soldior-like manner according to the nature and effect of euery different sort of them without which readilie and orderlie performed and dulie obserued with all obedience neyther Captains officers nor their soldiors can in right vnderstanding be accounted worthy to beare the name of men of warre and therfore I will first begin with the orderlie reducing of a band into forme to march in their rankes as followeth All Captaines Lieutenants and Sergeants of bands are first to consider before they do reduce their bands of souldiors into their simple and single order of ranks how many different sorts of weapons they haue in their bands with the number of euery different sort of weapon which done then are they to consider what sort kind of weapon shall march in the first compertiment or deuision and what other sort of weapon in the second compertiment and so subsequentlie in all the rest so as alwaies the compertiment of armed men piquers doo march in the midst of all the rest of the compertiments All which being by them and their officers considered then they are to resolue how many souldiers of euery sort of weapon they will command to march in a rancke as of 5. of 6. or of 7. or more or fewer so as they be not fewer then 3. nor more then 10. or 11 at the most in their simple and single order of rankes although their bandes be verie great And these numbers of 10. or 11. in a ranke at the most and 3. soldiors in a ranke at the fewest for single bands to march in hath beene obserued by all men of warre of iudgement amongst all Warlike Nations in all ages and that in respect that the rankes of souldiors that doe not
exceed the number of 10. or 11. may in an instant bee numbred by the Captaines or officers sudden casting their eies vpon such ranks as also by the souldiors that are to reduce themselues into their rankes wheras if they were of greater numbers the captaine lieutenant or sergeants may quicklie mistake the number of soldiors in ranke and so to their reproach faile in their intended reducements Besides that squadrons how great and of what forme soeuer they are formed the compertiments of diuers or many bands are more conueniently and certeinlie brought into their proportions and formes with the compertiments of bands that doe not exceed the number of 10. or 11. in a ranke at the vttermost or rather fewer then if they were of greater numbers with other causes and reasons also which for breuities sake in this place I omit And now all this beeing as aforesaid by a Captaine considered and he hauing with himselfe concluded that all the compertiments of different weapons throughout his band shall march 5. in a rank or any other number as aforesaid he is presently to giue order to his officers to reduce them into that number in euerie ranke which to performe some one of them is first to saie vnto the harquebuziers who are to be the first compertiment Ranke your selues harquebuziers fiue in a ranke appointing them the ground where the soldiors of the first ranke shall reduce themselues and so likewise the like briefe wordes and orders are to bee pronounced to the Archers to the Musquetiers and to the armed men which being by them heard euery different sort of those weapons ought with all celeritie to reduce themselues throughout their compertiments into the foresaid number of 5. in a ranke all the backer rankes of euery compertiment obseruing the proportionate distances of the two first rankes of their owne compertiment in frunt and by flanks But because when soldiors doo begin to reduce themselues into ranks after the number pronounced by their Captains or Sergeants that in the first second or third ranke or else in some of the rest of the rankes there happen sometimes more soldiors to faâ—l into some of those rankes then there should be by the number pronounced as aforesaid and that those soldiors that came last into that ranke or those ranks are vpon pride or wilfulnesse lothe to put themselues out of that ranke or rankes and to retire themselues to find out some ranke or ranks that doe lacke the number pronounced the Captains therefore and the officers of bands ought to instruct their soldiors at such times as they are to reduce themselues into their simple or single order of rankes according vnto the number by their Captains or officers pronounced that if in the first second or third ranke or in any of the rest of the former ranks that disorder doe happen that then the ouerplus of the number of the soldiors by the Captaine or officers pronounced that doe find themselues on the left flanke or side of that ranke or rankes shall presently put themselues out of the same ranke or ranks and retire vntill they find a ranke or rankes that doe lacke the number of soldiors by their Captain or officers pronounced And to the intent that this order may be the better performed the Captaines Lieutenants and sergeants ought to instruct their soldiors that in the reducing of themselues into ranks the first soldior that is to begin in the first ranke being placed by the Sergeant in the place where the first ranke should begin the rest of the soldiors of the same armor and weapon that are next vnto that first soldior by the seargeant placed shall presently fall into ranke by the left side or flanke the one of th' other vntill that ranke be compleat according to the number by the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeant pronounced And so likewise the second third fourth and consequentlie al the rest of the ranks are to reduce themselues into theyr ranks by the left flankes or sides the one of the other and not to enter into ranke disorderlie th' one betwixt the other So that by the performance of this prescribed order any ouerplus of soldiors that shall happen to fall into any of those rankes shall find themselues to be on the left flanke or side of those ranks and therfore shall know that it is their duties presently to retire out of those ranks vntill they find some other ranke or rankes that doo lack the number by their Captains or Sergeants pronounced Al which different weapons being reduced into their compertiments by the orders aforesaide then the Captaine may command his lieutenant and Sergeants of the band to draw the one halfe of euery different sort of weapon of volee behind the compertiment of armed men there to place them in the same like order as the other halfe of those weapons of volee are before the armed men so as the armed piquers shall hold the middle place of the band according to all discipline And the like briefe speeches and prescribed orders of reducements by the left flanke the one of th'other may serue for horsmen be they men at Armes Launces borderers or Stradiots or of any other kinde of armor and weapon on horsebacke As for example If a Captaine or Lieutenant of men at Armes or Dimilances would reduce his companie into their simple or single order of rankes he is to say vnto those that are to begin the first ranke Ranke your selues Launces three in a ranke or 4 or 5 in a ranke or as it shal please him Vpon which speaches pronounced all his whole band or companie is to performe his commandement and words pronounced with the like obseruations as are before prescribed vnto the bands of footmen hauing alwaies speciall regard to their proportionate distances in frunt and by flanks And these prescribed orders before set downe al soldiors bee they horsmen or footmen ought to know performe with all celerity quietnes silence vpoÌ„ very seuere punishment Now the Captain or Captains hauing reduced their soldiors into their simple or single order of ranks or into any forme of square that the soldiors piquers do stand at their piques the butends on the ground and the points vpright and that the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeants would haue them to march they are then to say to the first ranke Shoulder your piques and march which is as much to say Lay your piques vpon your right shoulders and march which shouldering of piques must be doone with a comely and soldiorlike grace all the piquers of the first ranke falling backe with their right feet almost a foot behind their left that their piques may the more leisurely and comelie fall to their shoulders and then raising vp their left feet about a handfull from the ground letting them fall againe they must all in an instant aduance forward so fal into their march first with their right
feet And so in like maner the second third and fourth ranks so subsequentlie al the rest of the ranks must in al points perform the like shoulder their pikes one after another carry the butends of their piques 3. foot or more from the ground straight in discent towardes the right hams of the souldiors piquers marching before them euerie ranke beeing so euen in frunt that the butend of no piquers pique may preceed the one the other in the same ranke and so euen and straight by flanks that the butend of euerie piquers pique may be iust point and blanke towards the right hamme of the piquer preceding in the ranke before him And so they must al with great silence and with a graue and soldiorlike grace march But whereas in this place I doe instruct that all the soldiors of the first ranke and so subsequentlie of all the rest of the rankes one after another should first fall back with their right feet almost a foot behind their left to the intent that their piques should fall the more leisurely to their shoulders and that then all the soldiors of the first ranke at one instant should raise and lift vp their left feet about a handfull from the ground and letting them fall againe to the ground should march forward first with their right feet that instruction I doe giue partlie in respect that the same being orderlie performed as aforsaid it dooth giue a very comelie grace vnto the soldiors in their first beginning to march but chiefelie because that the leisurely falling backe of all the soldiors of the first ranke with their right feet to shoulder their piques and so subsequentlie of all the rest of the rankes one after another with the lifting vp also of their left feet about a hand full from the ground is a warning to euery hinder ranke presently to prepare themselues to march whereas by not performing the same or the like leisurely and soldiorlike warning vpon the stroke of the drum or briefe speeches pronounced as aforesaid it often commeth to passe that the soldiors of the second ranke are suddenlie and disorderly cast too great a distance behind the first ranke and so consequentlie all the rest of the rankes by the sudden shouldering of their piques and stepping forward of the first ranke And I doe further aduertise that the soldiors piquers of any priuate band marching in their single order of rankes doe in any wise obserue the distances of 16. or else 18. feet betwixt euerie rank ranke by flankes and 6. or else 7. feet betwixt euery soldior and soldior in frunt that is betwixt soldior and soldior in euery ranke And this in case the ground will permit them or otherwise that they do march in conuenient distances in frunt and by flanks according to the ground and occasion And in this place because I haue mentioned and touched the distances that ought to be obserued by a single band of piquers and other weapons marching in their simple and single order of ranks I thought it were a conuenient place also to handle and write at large of the many and different distances that ought to be obserued as well in frunt that is in euery ranke from frunt to backe as by flanks that is betwixt euery ranke and ranke not only by single bands but also by squadrons and battels for many purposes and that not onelie by footmen but also by horsmen of diuers different sortes of armour and weapons Howbeit considering that the same hath been briefelie touched although to no great purpose by some other writers of forreigne Nations And that if I should enter to write and discourse of those matters effectuallie it would require manie sheetes of paper and therefore would be very long and tedious to the Reader I thought good to ouerpasse those particularities as thinges very well knowne to all skilfull men of warre of all warlike nations and to proceed to other matters that doe require more particular instruction And that the rather because the many and different distances that are vppon diuers different causes and occasions to be obserued by horsemen as also by footmen are such and so many as they cannot bee expressed by writing but with verie great difficultie for that the same cannot bee particularlye set downe but by the measures of paces and halfe paces and by the measures of more and fewer feet of halfe feet and quarters of feet and other such measures which I thinke no man of any experience can possibly by writing rightlie expresse without failing or erring more or lesse And that by reason that sometimes single bandes are to march in open places where they haue roome inough to inlarge their ranks both in frunt and by flankes thereby to beautifie and giue grace vnto such companies And at other times they are to march thorow Citties and Townes where the narrownesse of the streats doe not giue them roome to inlarge themselues in their distances thereby to make the greater show at other times also bands are to march in the field readie to be reduced incorporated with other bands at which time they are to march more close in neerer distances both in frunt and by flanks And so likewise being incorporated into squadrons they are for diuers different purposes as somtimes for their greater ease to march to giue the greater show and to bewtifie the squadron they are to march in the rankes inlarged and at other times vpon the expecting of the enimie being not yet in sight or beeing in sight they are to straighten their rankes more or lesse or that vpon the neare approch of the Enemies squadrons of both horsmen and footmen they expect and doubt a charge of horsmen in frunt or flankes or both or that they themselues are with their piques to charge a contrarie squadron of footmen For al which and diuers other occasions and purposes they are to reforme themselues into diuers different distances And as piquers and short weapons either in single bands or reduced into squadrons are for diuers purposes to reforme themselues into such varietie of distances Euen so weapons of volee reduced into sleeues wings and other formes are to vse some of the like and other sorts of distances And as footmen are for such different causes and occasions to obserue such varietie of distances as aforesaid Euen so horsmen of diuers armors and weapons as men at Armes Dimilaunces Stradiots Reistres and other sorts of light horsemen are to reduce themselues into diuers different distances according to the effects and nature of their armors and weapons and are again to reforme themselues into other distances according to new occasions and directions sometimes for one purpose and sometimes for others All which variety different sorts of distances and many others are of very great difficulty to bee by writing rightly expressed in their iust and proportionate measures and yet y â— notwithstanding it is
a thing of so great facilitie for all good and diligent Captaines and officers aswell of horsemen as of footmen only by sight of eye and ordinarie practise to instruct and reduce their souldiors vpon any different occasions into all sorts of distances either in Towne Campe or field according to the Art and scyence Militarie as that there is not any Captaine Lieutenant nor Sergeants of band that are any waies worthie to haue the charge or mannaging of a band of footemen nor any Captaine Lieutenant Conductor nor Decurion of horsmen that are any waies worthy to haue the ordering managing of any sorts of horsemen vnder their charges if they doo not very well know all different sortes of distances according to discipline that they are to reduce their soldiors into And if the Captaine or officers aforesaid would haue their souldiors to stay their march and make a stand then the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeant is to say to the first ranke of piquers Auance your piques which words being pronounced al the soldiors piquers of the first rank must in an instant lay their left hands vpon the forpart of their piques about a foot or more before their right handes auancing themselues forward two steps the first with their left feet and the laste steppe with their right feet and therewithall raising their piques vpright with both their hands they must set the butends of them vpon the grouÌ„d with the pointes towards the Element which being by the first rank performed with a comly soldiorlik grace then the second ranke the third fourth so subsequently all the rest of the ranks one after another must after the same sort auance their piques And whereas it hath beene of long time vsed and stil is by many Italian Walloun and French Captains and so likewise by some other Captaines of other Nations that they doo instruct their soldiors marching in their simple or single order of rankes of 5. or 6. or 7. or other such numbers as also when they are reduced into squadron that all the piquers that doo march of the left flank or side of the band or squadron should carrie all their piques vpon their left shoulders as â—y piquers marching vpon the right flanke doo carry theirs vpon their right shoulders and this to the intent as they say that the piquers of the left flanke or side of the band or squadron carrying their piques vpon their left shoulders doo in the same carrying of their piques greatly beautifie the band or squadron in the eies of the beholders whereas if otherwise all the piquers of the left flank should carrie their piques vpon their right shoulders as those of the right flanke doo that it would not make so good a shew as by carrying their piques vpon their left shoulders Thervnto I say that I haue knowne diuers Italians and namelie Marco Antonio ColoÌ„na Ascanio de la Corna Chapin Vitelli all which three were very notable gentlemen and great Captains that did greatlie mislike that the piquers of the left flanke of a band or squadron should carry their piques vpon their left shoulders vtterly condemning the cause before alledged saying that the left flank or side of piquers marching in their simple or single order of ranks or in squadron could not be more bewtified then by the wearing of their swords vpon their left sides and their piques vpon their right shoulders in soldiorlike manner besides that for right handed soldiors to carrie their piques vpon their left shoulders when they are to aduance or vpright or shoulder their piques it dooth giue a greater disequalitie and disgrace in the performance of those and diuers other effects and therewithal is a great deale more vnready for right handed souldiors for diuers other purposes to performe and vse then if they carried al their piques after one sorâ— vpon their right shoulders And as the opinions of diuers Captaines are as aforesaid that the carrying of their piques vpon their left shoulders doth bewtifie the left flanke because it dooth resemble the right So contrariwise I say that such as doo behold either the frunt or the backe of such a band or squadron shall see a disproportion and disequalitie in the partition where the piquers of the left flank do carry their piques in a different sort from al the rest of the piquers of the right flanke For all which causes before alledged with others which for breuities sake I omit I would wish that all piquers should aswell in squadrons as in their single order of rankes carry all their piques vpon their right shoulders not vpon their left except some times when they are in march in the field to ease themselues they may change their piques to their left shoulders Also if there were any piquers that were left handed from their youth I wold wish them to carrie their piques vpon their right shoulders and to practise and vse their piques with their right hands in couching and making head with them against either horsmen or footmen and in all other militarie exercises and actions And because such left handed soldiors doo weare their swordes vpon their right sides I would wish that they should not be placed neither in single bandes nor in squadrons vpon the vttermost flankes or sides of them but in some other of the inner ranks And here it is to be noted that in reducing of a single band or companie of soldiors into their simple or single order the Captain Lieutenant or Sergeants of the band must haue great consideration in forming of their bands and chiefely consisting as our English bands doe of 5. different weapons that is of piques batleaxes musquetiers harquebuziers and archers and that they ought to performe in this sort following First that they should place the one halfe of the harquebuziers in frunt and immediatlie after them should march the one halfe of the archers and after the archers the one halfe of the musquetiers and after the musquetiers al the ranks of the piquers with the Ensigne in the midst or centre of them guarded with halbarders or battleaxers and after the piquers the other halfe of the musquetiers and after the musquetiers the other half of the archers and after them last of al the other halfe of the harquebuziers which band marching in this sort the one half of the different sorts of weapons of volee marching before the piques and the other halfe behind both in like numbers of ranks in one order they are by that means alwaies ready vpon all occasions to be reduced into any forme or different forms to arme aswell the back of the piquers by some called Rereward as also the frunt flanks al four corners of the said piques as for example If the Captain of the band be disposed to arme and draw two sleeues of any one sort of those weapons of volee by the flanks of the armed men he may then with great celerity
requisite to make the said squadron broader in frunt that is of more souldiors in euerie ranke and shorter by flanke that is to bee vnderstood of fewer rankes then he may drawe vp by flanke from the backe or rereward as some termeth it as many ranks as he thinketh conuenient As for example If he be disposed to draw vp 4. rankes of piquers by flanke to frunt he is then to say vnto his deputie Sergeant Maior or to any other such Captaine or officer that dooth accompany him Draw vp 4. rankes from the backe of the squadron by flanke which briefe speach or the like being by him pronounced his said Lieutenant Sergeant Maior or other Captaine or officer by him appointed is presently to goe to the left flanke of the last 4. rankes in backe and to saie vnto them Frunt vnto me yee 4. last rankes and let this word frunt from the left flanke passe throughout to the right flanke and that incase hee doo pronounce those wordes vpon the left flanke Vppon which wordes pronounced and the wordes passed from the one flanke to the other and their faces and weapons turned towardes him then he is to lead them vppe by the left flanke vntill they come to make euen frunt with the formost ranke of the squadron which being performed then of 55. that the squadron was before in euery rank from frunt to back it is now come to be 59. throughout all the rankes from frunt to backe But heere it is to be noted that this addition of 4. piquers in euery ranke being drawne vp by the flanke of the squadron as aforesaid there doo remaine ouerplus 21. rankes of 4. in euery ranke which doo in all make 84. piquers of the which number the sergeant maior may if he dooth so thinke it requisite draw vppe 34. rankes more of 2 in euery ranke by the flanke of the squadron which performed then the squadron doth consist in frunt of 61. souldiors and by flank of 34. rankes but then there doth remaine an ouerplus of 16. souldiors which liâ—â—e number he may reserue to employ in any place of seruice where he shall thinke most requisite but if the Sergeant Maior shall not thinke it conuenient to inlarge his whole squadron from frunt to backe with 2. souldiors in euery ranke as aforesaid then he may with 59. souldiors taken out of the number of 84. that did before remaine in which number of 84. souldiors the 16. souldiors ouerplus before remaining are conteined increase his squadron in number of one ranke by backe as by drawing those 59. piquers in one ranke by the backe of the squadron then the squadron from 34. that it was before is now come to be of 35. rankes ouerplus 25. souldiors with which 25. souldiors and with the 10. souldiors that did first remaine of the 2100. that were reduced into the squadron who were to be placed in the ranke of Ensignes as aforesaid those 10. souldiors being drawn againe from thence and annexed vnto the 25. doo in all make 35. which 35. souldiors being drawne vp in length by the flanke of the squadron doo increase euery one of the 35. ranks 1. souldior in euerie ranke so as of 59. souldiors that euery rank did consist before they are now by this increase come to be iust 60. souldiors in euery ranke and in rankes by flankes 35. rankes besides the rank of Ensignes with their guard of Halbarders that are pâ—aced in the midst or Centre of the squadron by which kinde of reducement the whole squadron commeth to contein iust 2100. soldiors ouerplus 0. that is to be vnderstood not so much as one souldiour And it is further to be noted that if another squadron of like number in frunt should come to confrunt and ioin in battle with this squadron and being entred into fight and that the Coronell or Sergeant Maior or the Lord Marshall of the field should thinke it their aduantage to charge and assaile the contrary squadron with a sleeue of piquers in flanke then the Sergeant Maior may drawe 5. or 6. rankes or more as hee thinketh good from the backe of the squadron vppe by any of both the flankes of the same squadron but distant the length of 2. piques or more to the intent that by that little distance of the length of 2. piques as aforesaid when they haue marcht vp and doo finde themselues right against the flanke of their enemies squadron they may haue space to turne themselues and make frunt towards their enemies flank and to close their rankes by frunt and flankes and with y â— points of their piques to charge their enemies in flanke And thus farre concerning the ordering and forming of squadrons in diuers sorts as is before set downe But now further this squadron being thus formed into 60. souldiors in frunt and of 35. souldiors by flanke which is by flanke 35. rankes then if vpon any occasion of the comming of the enemie or vpon any other cause the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke requisite to make of one of the flanks frunt As for example of the left flanke frunt and that he would reduce them into the verie same forme of squadron both in number of rankes by flanke as also of number of souldiors in euery ranke that they were before then the sergeant Maior ought himselfe on horsebacke if he thinke it requisite or else to command his Lieutenant Sergeant on foot presently to goe athwart 25. ranks not from flanke to flank but from frunt to backe that is to goe downe by right line betwixt the fiue and thirtith soldior of his right hand the fiue twentith souldior of his left hand from frunt straight to backe and passing through them he is to say to the souldiors that are vpon his left hand Keepe your selues in frunt as you are notwithstanding that the souldiors of my right hand doo make flank frunt the effect of which his words being throughout signified to the souldiors that are next vnto him of his left hand presentlie the Captaines and their drummers that did marche in frunt before the 7. compertiments of 5. in euery compertiment as aboue is set downe are to march and goe to the left flanke which now shall be made frunt but the other Captaines and drummers that are in frunt before the other 5. compertiments are still to keepe their places vntill they receiue further direction And now the Captains and their drummers of the compertimentes aforesaid beeing come before the left flanke the Coronels drummer is first to begin to strike and the rest immediatlie to doo the like that all the souldiors of that left flanke are to make frunt towardes the Captaines and drummers that is to turne their faces and weapons towards them Or else the Sergeant Maior may command the Captaines or in galloping or passing on horsebacke by the flanke may himselfe say with a loud voice Frunt to me souldiors vpon which words pronounced or vpon
again reduce themselues into the like formes of sleeues winges and troupes that they were vpon the forepart of the left flanke before they marched through the straight But it is to be noted that presently vpon the entring of the last compertiments of the forepart of the weapons of volee of the left flanke into the straight that the Sergeant Maior is to come to the frunt of the right flanke of the squadron if the same flanke be next vnto the passage and he is in briefe words to say Single 5. in a ranke throughout from frunt to backe and march after the last compertiment of shot through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine Auaunce your piques and make a pause Vppon which his direction the Captaine with his whole compertiment of 5. in a ranke from frunt to backe is to single the same from the rest of the squadron and to followe the shot and march into the straight vppon the separation and marching of which compertiment then the Sergeant Maior is to say to the Captain of the next compertiment Single your compertiments of 5. throughout and follow and march straight after the first compertiment through the straight and being marched thorough into the plaine double your compertiment by the left flanke of the formost compertiment of piquers which compertiment being something separated and marching into the straight then vppon the same direction receaued by all the Captaines that are before the frunt of the rest of the compertiments as well by such briefe speaches as aforesaid as by the sound of the trompettor and drummes they are all subsequentlie and orderlie with their compertimentes to separate them and to followe one another by right line and as euerie one of those Captaines with their compertimentes haue marched one after another thorough the straight into the plaine so they are with all celeritie to reduce themselues by the left flanke the one of the other into the same form of squadron that they were before they entred into the straight and that is that the Captaine of the thirde compertiment of 5. in a ranke throughout as aforesaid seeing the seconde compertiment reduced and doubled by the lefte flanke of the firste Compertiment hee likewise is to reduce his compertiment by the lefte flanke of the seconde and so consequentlie the fourth fifth and all the reste of the compertiments are by their Captaines to bee lead and reduced by the left flanks the one of the other which being by them performed and the squadron reduced into the same forme of number of ranks of soldiors in euery ranke that it was before they entered into the straight then all the shot of the different weapons of volee that did march through the straight before the first compertiment of piquers I meane the one halfe of those that before they came to the straight did arme the forepartes of the right and left flankes of the squadron and now againe already before the squadron is altogether againe formed by their Captaines and officers reduced into the same formes vpon the foreparts of the right and left flankes of the squadron that they were before that they first separated themselues from the squadron and entred into the straight And euen as those different compertiments of shot did one after another orderly march through the straight and are now againe reduced and come into their first order as aforesaid So the different compertimentes of sleeues winges troups and other such like of different sorts of weapons of volee that did arme the right and left hinder flanks and corners of the squadron in the like order immediatly following the last compertiments of piquers through the straight are presentlie againe by their officers to be reduced into the like compertimentes and formes for the guard of both the hinder flanks and backe of the squadron that they were before the squadron did enter into the passage All which being performed and al the harquebuziers mosquetiers and halbarders that were sent to possesse the tops of both the sides of the passage being come downe into the plaine and reduced into such formes or otherwise employed as the Coronell and Sergeant Maior shall thinke most meet they may then begin againe to march forward Howbeit in this place it is further to be noted that the squadron marching forwarde in the enemies countrie the one halfe of the drummers are to bee placed vpon the frunt and the other halfe vpon the backe of the squadron and that during the time they march the enemie being not in sight but vpon the sight and approch of the enemy and doubt of battle then vpon that occasion all the drummers phifers y ◠did march in the frunt back of the squadrō must presently reduce themselues the one halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of the right flank of y ◠squadron the other halfe vpon the forpart hinder part of y ◠left flank of the squadron I meane more towards al the 4. corners of the squadrō vpon both flanks then towards the midst of those flankes because that all their different strokes of direction may bee the better heard and vnderstood aswell in frunt and backe as flanks And the cause wherefore I woulde haue no drummers placed in the frunt of a squadron vppon the occasion of battle is that they should bee no impediment to the piquers through the greatnesse of those instruments to vse their piques nor vnto mosquetiers nor harguebuziers in case that any vpon any occasion should be reduced vnder the guard of the frunt of the piques to vse their mosquets or harquebuzes Besides that I would neuer permit vpon any occasion that any drummes or at the most aboue one drummer and a phifer should march in the midst of the squadron with the rank of Ensignes because that the greatnesse of them would be an impediment to the ranks to close themselues by frunt and flankes as vppon some occasions they ought to doo But heere it is furder to be noted that the squadron being againe reduced into forme and marching forward in the enemies Countrie and finding the ground in diuers partes as they march of that nature y t they cannot march in squadron formed and hauing great intelligence by discouerers and espialles that the enemie is not so neere hand as that by reason and discipline military they ought to keepe themselues in squadron then they ought according to the bredth or frunt of their squadron to deuide the whole squadron into as few and as great compertiments of number of soldiors in euery ranke from frunt to backe as the grounds or passages will giue them leaue that by the greatnesse of their compertiments they may a great deale the sooner reduce and forme their squadron againe vpon any sudden or great Alarum As for example If the squadron were double as broad in frunt as by flankes as of 60. in frunt and 30. by flankes then the Coronell
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
draw his arrow with three fingers and not with two according to the new fashion to the head of which shooters with two fingers I would haue none to be alowed for archers how faire soeuer they shoot vnlesse they could verie well reforme themselues from that fond new fashion because that in their so shooting they loose a great deale of the strength of their draught And thus farre in this place concerning corporall disposition of bodie And now to the third sufficiencie of such as are to be elected chosen inrolled which is honestie I would that all such as should be elected and inrolled should be of honest parentage and that their education and course of life had bene such as there were no notable vice to be noted in them and chiefly of dronkennesse theft blaspheming common swearing or brawling Al which vices are such as they cause al such as are possessed of them to be disordered mutinous and disobedient which are things most contrary to all true discipline Also I would if it might be that all such as should be elected and chosen to be soldiors should be of themselues of some abilitie and substance either in landes or goods or both or else that from their parentes they should be in possibilitie after their deceases to enioye some lands or goods or both And I would that they should be of those two conditions before mentioned I meane of good parentage present hauiour or in possibilitie by the death of their parents as aforsaid because y e same should be a kind of obligation to their captains as also to y e common wealth for their good and obedient behauior in their vocation and degrees of soldiorie Besides all which I would haue all soldiors and officers of bands at their first election and enrolment to take their oathes of fidelitie and loyaltie to the crowne and Realme of England as also of obedience to their captains and officers in such matters as doo concerne the arte science and discipline militarie for the defence of the Crowne and Realme of England Now the election and inrollment of the archers as also of all the rest of the soldiors of other weapons being taken with such regard and respect as aforsaid I would then haue them to be armed verie fitly and conueniently according to euerie different sorte of weapon And because that no man can be conueniently and fitly armed vnlesse he be first fitly apparelled for his armor and also for the vse of his weapon and that in the campe and armie at Tilburie 1588. wheras there were the regiments of diuers shieres with diuers bands both of dimilaunces and light hormen I did see and obserue so great disorder and deformitie in their apparrell to arme withall as I saw but a very few of that Army that had any conueniencie of apparel and chieflie of doublets to arme vpon whereof it came to passe that the most of them did weare their armors verie vncomelie and vneasilie which foresaid doublets if they bee not conuenientlie made and of purpose to arme vpon according to the vse of all antiquitie it is not possible that armed men horsemen nor footemen should finde themselues in their armors at ease nor that they should vse their weapons with such dexteritie as they may doo if their garments be purposelie and fitlie made to arme vppon nor yet that there can bee any comlinesse in wearing their armors vppon such deformed doublets I would first therefore that there should be speciall regard had to the fit and conuenient apparelling of all sortes of souldiors and therefore to begin with souldiors doublets I would that their doublets should bee made of Fustian according to the vse of all antiquitie or of chamoise skinnes aswel in respect of lasting as that a man may arme better vppon any of both those thinges then vppon Canuas or any thinge that is more smooth and lesse woollie Then concerning the form and fashion of their doublets I would that they should be of a conuenient heigth in the Collers aswell to defend their necks from cold in winter as from heate in Summer Then I woulde that they should be narrow in the shoulders so smal in the sleeues and with so little bumbast that the vambrases of armed men might easilie close togither and that archers vsing no vambrases but certen stripes of serecloth or maile within their sleeues to defend the cut of a sworde might through the smalnesse of their sleeues easilie draw and shoot without the string hitting vpon any part of the sleeue but onelie vpon their bracers Then I would that their doublets should be made easie and wide vpon the stomacks and breastes that the souldiors being not pent by the straightnesse of their doublets vpon their breastes might the easlier fetch their breath either in fighting or in any hastie march and therewithall that their doublets be cutte flat vpon the bellie and wasted of like length to the Cuirasses of their armors to the intent that armed mens armors might sit the more iust and flat to their bodies But because the collars of armors doo beare the chiefe waight of all the rest of the armour I would wish that the souldiors armed men horsmen or footmen should either haue vnder Collars of Fustian conuenientlie bombasted to defende the heueth and poise of their armours from the paining or hurting of their shoulders and necks or else that their doublets should be verie well bombasted in all that part vnder their Collars both before and behind according to the depth of the same which will bee a great ease to all armed men horsmen or footmen for their often and long continuing armed Also I would that no armed men should weare any cut doublets as well in respect that the wearing of armour doth quicklie fret them out and also by reason that the corners and edges of the lammes and iointes of the armours doo take such holde vppon such cuttes as they doo hinder the quicke and sudden arming of men as also that they are of more impediment to harquebuziers mosquetiers and archers for diuers respects to all skilfull soldiors wel knowne then doublets vncut are Then I would wishe that there should bee regard had to their hosen that they might bee easie for them to march and fight in which the new fashion straight hosen are not and therefore I would that they should rather weare Greygescoes too vnder the knee that shoulde bee large wide and easie lined with a Cotton lining without any bombast and next to the thigh with a strong Canuas lining or false sloppe wherevnto the nether stockinges should be set and sowed and gartered vnder the knee then either these new fashioned little round hose or newe fashion'd bombasted Greygescoes that are very straight to the thighs and vpper parts which in summer besides the vneasinesse of them doo with so much bombast keep armed men exceeding hot whereas the other beeing large and wide as aforesaid
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
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 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉