backe and shoulders of the rankes before them And each one of those rankes should carrie their piques firmelie with both their handes ouer the shoulders of the ranks before them with the pointes of their piques full in the eies and faces of the horses and bodies of the horsemen And the sixth seuenth and all the rest of the backer rankes straightning and closing themselues as aforesaid should carry their piques vpright in the boultes of their armes but yet the pointes somewhat bending forward towards the enemie readie alwaies to fauour and succour the rankes before them And thus all the ranks of the whole squadron being vnited closed and in corporated as it were into one entire bodie should with mightie hand resist repulse any furious charge of horsemen But it is to be noted that in case the Sergeant Maior be disposed to reduce three rankes of Harquebâ—ziers or else two rankes of mosquetiers and those not too thicke before the frunt of the squadron of piques to the intent to giue a volee of shorte at the Launces approching then the piquers of the first ranke must not sette their piques vnder their right feet with their swords drawne as aforesaid but the saide two rankes of mosquetiers or the three rankes of harquebuziers seeing the Launces ready to charge them must very orderlie retire themselues almost close to the forefeete of the firste ranke of piquers and there falling vpon their right knees they must set their left elbowes vpon their left knees the more firmelie and steadilie to beare and discharge their mosquets or harguebuzes as from very steadie restes at the horses or horsemen comming in their Carrire within 10. or 12. or 15. paces And then the first ranke of piquers as also the second third and fourth must beare all their piques firmly abouehand close to the vpper parts of their breasts the pointes of their piques full in the breasts and faces of the horses and so must encouer and guard the shot vnder their piques and brauely repulse disorder the Launces Aduising all Conductors and leaders of mosquet shot that in this or the like action of arms before declared they do instruct giue order to al their mosquetiers to charge their mosquets with 5. or 6. round hailshot of war of the heigth of Reistres pistoll bullets which are called by the Spaniards Perdigones de guerra and that they do thrust betweene the powder and the hailshot some conuenient quantitie of browne or soft paper or something else to restraine and keepe the powder close together and then to put in the round haileshot of warre againe to thrust after the same a conuenient quantity of browne paper or something else to keepe the haileshot close together and to restraine both powder and shot in such sort as therby the powder may carry the haileshot the further and giue the greater blow which within 10. 15. or 20. paces is of great effect But in this case the mosquetiers must take great heed that they do not ouercharge their peeces with powder nor with aboue the nomber of .5 or .6 haileshott of warre at the most as aforesaid least that their peeces should break or recoile and so ouerthrow them to the trouble of the piquers from vnder whose piques they are to discharge their peeces And this manner of discharging of haileshot of warre by mosquetiers is for diuers times and places of seruice of great effect so as they giue no volee at the enemie aboue .20 paces at the furthest And I do furder aduertise that no musquetiers nor harquebuziers reduced vnder the guarde of a sqadron of piquers should giue any volee or volees of shot neither with full bullets nor with any haileshot of warre at anysquadron or troupe of Launces charging or approaching to charge neither .300 .200 nor yet .100 paces with intent to recharge againe and to giue a new volee Because that both by reason and experience the first volee either of mosquets or harquebuezes being charged as they ought to be either with haileshott of warre or full bullets and being giuen within .10 15. or 20. paces at the Launces comming in their Carrire to charge doth terrefie wound and kill more horses and men then 10. volees of musquets or harquebuzes giuen 300. 200. or 100 paces distant can do And this encouering of shot with piques abouesayd at my trayning of Maister Barringtons Maister Westons and Maister Maxeies bandes at Chelmesford this last sommer 1588. I did shewe vnto them and to their officers both by actuall demonstrations and reasons with diuers other perticularities appertaining both to horsemen and footmen But now whereas there be diuers that haue conceiued an opinion from the discourse of Mounser de la Noüe that incase there be any great ouerplus of harquebuze or mosquet shott more then a squadron of piquers that is without horsmen can encouer and guarde vnder their piques from the charge of a squadron or diuers squadroÌ„s of Launces that vpon that occasion they should be reduced into square and enuironed or empaâ—ed in frunt flanks and back with 6. or 7. rankes of piquers and that y â— Launces coÌ„ming in their squadrons to charge them in frunt in flanks or back y â— piquers closing themselues close in frunt flanks and backe and bending themselues forward with their piques to encouer and guarde certen musquetiers and harquebuziers placed before them as also to resist repulse a charge of horsemen that then the rankes of the aforsaid harquebuziers placed within the ranks of piques may giue a volee of shot ouer the piquers heads before them at so much of the bodies of the horsmen as do appeare aboue the heads of the piquers greatly to the danger and mischiefe of the Launces charging Certenlie I doo thinke that the opinionâ— of so sufficient a man of war and old soldior is no waies to be contemned but greatly to be regarded Howbeit when I come to consider that the same was neuer yet put in practise in any seruice of the field and therefore dooth rest but only in imagination I will with the helpe of almightie God to the intent that the true effect and effects of the same may be y â— more apparant alâ—edge diuers reasons wherefore in mine opinion the same can be no waies profitable but very dangerous to the whole squadron and of verie small or no annoiance to the Launces and my reasons are these First when a squadron of piques are to make head and resist a squadron of Launces comming in their Carrire to charge them they are to straighten and close themselues by frunt and flankes as close as they can making themselues as it were one entire body to y â— intent that they may the more fiâ—mely and strongly stand together with their piques bent to the encouering and guarding of the mosquetiers before them and to the resisting and repulsing of the horsmen which when the formost 7. rankes haue performed
place the like numbers of 3. fawcons and one fawconet in the like distances wide and aduanced furder forwarde then the left corner of the same battle by thâ— like number of paces with their gonners and all their aides and other thinges appertaining vnto those peeces well guarded also with conuenient numbers of halbardiers And as I haue now armed the frunt of the said vaungard with the number of field peeces before planted so would I arme the fruntes of the other 3. battles of Reregard of maine battle and of a Rereregardrereward before placed and described each battle with the like numbers of field peeces planted in like distaunces from the frunt and corners of them well guarded also with Halbardiers as aforesaid And although the backs and Reregards of all those 4 battles should not need to bee armed with any fielde peeces as it shall bee within fewe lines heereafter apparant by the rest which I will set downe concerning those matters yet to arme those 4. battles in the greatest perfection that I can I would place vpon euery corner of the backs and Reregards of all the aforesaid 4. battles two fawcons and one fawconet in like distaunces of paces that I haue before placed the field peeces from the corners of the frunt of the aforesaid 4. battles But heere it is to bee noted that although diuers great Captaines that haue bin commanders and leaders of armies haue alwaies accouÌ„ted Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds their bullets and other peeces from 10. poundes downewards to Robinets of one pound to bee in the number of fielde peeces yet I to arme any battle with field peeces in the open fieldes would vse no peeces aboue the heigth of fawcons of 6. pounds the bullets and no smaller peeces then fawconets of 3. pounds the bullets vnlesse it were some Robinets of one pound the bullet and those mounted vpon carriages after the manner of Germanie light and easie to be drawne and readie vpon the suddaine by the Gonners to bee turned euery waies And the causes wherefore I would vse no peeces of any greater heigth for the field are that to vse Sakers of 10. or 12. pounds the bullets in the fielde such peeces I say doo require more Horses or Oxen to drawe them and men to manage them then Fawconets of 3. poundes or Fawcons of 6. poundes doo which ouerplus and greater numbers of Horses or Oxen of draught doo vpon the remoouing of those horses or oxen and drawing them backe when the peeces are planted giue a great deale more impediment and trouble not onely to the Gonners and their aydes but also to â—he sleeues winges and troupes of the weapons of Volee that are reduced on the flankes and Corners of squadrons then the small number of horses belonging to fawconets of three pounds or Fawcons of 6. pounds doo Also Armies sometimes in marching in the open and plaine fieldes doo light vpon sandie and such other softish and yeelding groundes where either vppon the drawing or discharging of Sakers of 10. or 12. poundes the bullets their Wheeles doo sinke so deepe into the ground that oftentimes they giue great impediment and let to the Gonners and their aides to manage and vse them vpon diuers needefull occasions besides that vppon their discharginges theâ— worke no greater effect against the Enemie then such Fawcons and fawconets as aforesaid doo Also it is further to be noted that I would neuer place aboue the number of 8. field peeces by the flanks or corners of any battle nor vnder the number of 4. I meane that I woulde neuer place aboue 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet and those in conuenient distances wide from the right Corner of the Battle and 3. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide and in like distaunces from the left frunt and corner of the same Battle or at the fewest 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet some 8. or 10. paces wide from the one Corner and 2. Fawcons and one Fawconet wide in the like distaunce from the other Corner of the fame Battle and that in respect that too manie fielde peeces beeing drawen and marching vppon the flankes of squadrons to the intent to bee planted as abouesaid vppon the day of battle are for diuers causes and vppon diuers accidentes of farre greater impedimentes and trouble then any waies profitable to their owne Squadrons Also it is further to bee noted that I woulde neuer place any Fielde peeces directlie before the frunt of anie Squadrons or Battailes vnlesse I thought our forces in the field to bee much inferiour in strength to the Enemy because that peeces so planted would be a great impediment vnto the battles marching forwarde to incounter with the enemie by reason that such squadrons should be compelled by such peeces so planted to open break their rankes and to disorder themselues which is a matter of great danger the Enemie being in sight or neere at hand And now hauing armed all the aforesaid 4. battles with field peeces in their most fitte and conuenient places there resteth to shew what should become of the Cariages and baggages of the Campe as also where the ouerplus of the horsemen and footmen that are not yet placed ought to be emploied The Carriages of all Armies and Camps do consist of two sorts the one sorte that are publique as of treasure and pay for the Armie of great quantitie of powder both for great and small shot of armor and weapon of Artillerie as of Cannons Culuerings demy Cannons demy Culuerings Sakers and other smaller pieces with all things belonging vnto them of diuers sorts of victuall of prouision of pieces maniable also as of Curriers of warre of mosquets harquebuzes and other such pieces with all things belonging vnto them of bowes sheafes of arrowes and Crosbowes gaffles and quarrells with piques halbardes targets Launces Launcezagaies and all other sorts of armors and weapons both offensiue and defensiue with boates also to make bridges ouer riuers all thinges appertaining vnto them And to be briefe of many other munitions prouisions al which being publique for the vse of the whole Armie or Campe are vnder the charge of the Maister of the Ordinaunce And as for the other Carriages and baggages that are priuate they are such as do belong vnto Cheistaines Coronells Captaines and other higher and lower men of charge and officers and to be short to all the soldiors of the Army that haue any thing to be caried All which priuate Cariages also are vnder the Maister of the Ordinance his commaundement and Order Now all the aforesaid most important publique Carriages that do belong to the Army and Campe I would that the Maister of the Ordinaunce and his officers and substitutes should reduce as neare as he can possiblie into a square with such coÌ„uenient distances betwixt euerie rowe of carriages carriages as they might not be any impedimeÌ„t nor let the one to the other neither in marching nor in staing and pawsing And
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
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
〈◊〉 â—nstrucâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 and orders Militarie requisit for all Chieftaines Captaines 〈◊〉 higher and lower men of charâ—◠〈…〉 to vnderstand 〈…〉 Composed by sir 〈◊〉 â—mythe knight 1591. And now first imprinted 1594. Imprinted at London by Richard Iohnes dwelling at the signe of 〈◊〉 and Crowne neer to Saiâ—â—â—â—drewes church in Holborne 1594. To the Knights Esquiers â—nd Gentlemen of the English Nation that are honourably delighted in the Art and Science Militarie THE chiefe cause and principall end of the first association of men dispersed from a solitary sauage life into Citties Common wealths or other ciuill societies was that by meanes thereof they might enioy a certain coÌ„mon good tranquility happines whervnto al humane kind how barbarous soeuer is naturallie inclined and the speciall waies or meanes to preserue and continue those ciuil societies thus assembled vnited in their desired quiet prosperous estate and to defend them from the vnnatural rapines violence and oppressions of their domesticall wicked neighbors and from the incursions and inuasions of forren Enemies is Religion pollicie and discipline militarie Religion saith Plato is the foundation of al CoÌ„mon wealths and of humane societie execution of good lawes and administration of Iustice which is rightly to be called pollicie is the fountaine of felicitie And the exercise of Armes and of the Art and discipline militarie is the maintainer of peace and ground of securitie without these and euery one of these no kingdome can continue and the Common wealth where they are with good order established doth prosper and flourish For ouerpassing the commoditie and necessitie of Religion and pollicie to be dilated of by Diuines and states-men as more agreeable to their profession and impertinent to my present purpose Concerning the Art and science Militarie this may I boldly trulie write and affirme that by the exercise therof all Empires kingdomes and Common wealthes haue come to their height and soueraintie and haue maintained their happy state and prosperitie And by neglecting the same they haue declined decaied and finally been made praies to their Enemies The Art Militarie it was that established the Empires of the Egyptians Assirians Medes Persians Grecians and that inlarged the dominions of the Romains to so wonderful greatnesse This Art it was by the which great Alexander with a handful of souldiors as they may be tearmed did vanquish infinit Armies and did conquer a great part of the world and beyond the hope expectation of almen did march vnto the vâ—most parts of the Earth then known And the neglecting thereof againe hath beene the decay and ruine both of those and many other most noble Empires and Kingdomes and hath caused the losse of all Greece and a great part of the Romaine Empire and without the great grace especiall goodnesse of Almighty God wil be the ruine of the rest By men of Warre saith Aristotle Common wealths are conserued and that the Art Militarie should be alwaies practised in any well ordered kingdome it is both profitable and necessarie which Gelon king of Scicilie wel knowing and considering that people vnpractised in Armes through idlenesse and want of experience incur danger to be subdued He caused often in his kingdome rumors of warres and inuasions of Enemies to bee raised and therevpon made present preparation of resistance leuied souldiors trained and exercised them in al points of militarie discipline and led them foorth in warlike order some certen daies march towards the sea coast as though hee intended presentlie to giue battle to his enemies inuauding but his souldiors expecting the enemies and when they should fight he emploied them in certaine labors and trauailes such as he thought conuenient saying that in performing the same they should both ouercome sloth and Idlenesse two mortal Enemies of the common wealth and that their enemies besides vnderstanding how they were void of Idlenesse and exercised in Armes would neuer haue the boldnesse to inuade them The like prouident care haue diuers other noble kings Emperors and gouernors of Common wealthes had for the continual exercise of their people in matters militarie both for the continuance of their owne estates and to the terror of their enemies vpon iust occasions of iniuries offred But seeing at this present day the contrarie and that the aâ—ncient and true knowledge of discipline militarie is in most parts of Christendome by ciuil Warres corrupted and greatly decaied I for the benefit of my Countrie and Nation wherevnto I wish aâ—prosperitie and happinesse and for the commoditie of you Gentlemen vnto whom matiers and affaires of Armes and also of Iustice do most properlie appertaine haue with some labour and pains collected and set downe in this treatise Certen orders instructions and obseruations Militarie the most of which in seruices of diuers warres vnder notable Captaines of diuers Nations I haue seen practised the rest by reading of diuers histories I haue other wise obserued giuing you therewithal to vnderstand that my intent purpose is not to treat in this booke generally of all matters militarie by lande which are inâ—inite for I handle not therein the approching and besieging of Citties and places forâ—ified nor the forming and fortifieng of Campes nor the lodging and dislâ—dging of armies nor the making of Bridges ouer riuers to passe ouer Armies nor inâ—inite other maâ—ters and stratagems militarie Al which some at one time and some at another haue beene very wel written off by many principall Captaines and gentlemen of diuers Nations and some of them also handled by me in some other Books of mine that I haue composed which I haue not as yet put in print But in this booke I haue begun and chieflie handled as the Reader may see the reducing of footmen and horsemen into their simple and single order of rankes from point to point and after how to reduce them into many forms of troups squadroÌ„s battles in the field that chieflie to the intent to enter into skirmish to giue battle with the most aduantage which of al other matters military are of greatest importance to work the highest effects in the field by reason that thereby great victories are atchieued and sometimes Empires Kingdomes and dominions conquered And for most of al those matters that I haue written of I haue alledgâ—d manie reasons to fortifie and prooue the same All which not withstanding I doubt not but that in reading aâ—d perusing of this my treatise in this malicious time there â—ill bee some found cast in the mould of that good fellow who going to another mans house vsed to carie both his eies in his head and returning home to his owne put them vp in his pocket Many I meane that will find fault for one that will commend and some as saint Ierome writeth vpon the like occasion that wil curiouslie search and sift euery sentence clause word and sillable yea and the very letters of my writing and then censure
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
all celeritie reduce their bandes into order and march into the field where the Lord Lieutenant Generall with the Lord Marshall and Sergeant Maior generall do ouersee and direct the Coronels Sergeant Maiors and Captains in the ordering and forming of their battles troupes and other formes And thus by this ordinarie proceeding of all skilfull Chieftaines of Armies in their reducementes and formings of battles and Campes those and all other matters militarie of any great importance are with great facility and in very short time performed And now hauing shewed all the most coâ—uenient waies of reducing and forming of all sortes of squadrons aswell great as small and where in the field to their most aduantage they may be placed and therewithal how and where horsemen of diuers different sortes of armors and weapons ought to bee placed in their most conuenient places with many other particularities I think good before I goe any further to giue an aduertisement that although it hath beene the vse of all antiquitie amongest many Nations according to good discipline to reduce the chiefe force of their armed footmen into three squadrons or battles terming the first vaunguard the second battle and the third Reregard and that oftentimes they haue vsed to forme very great battles of 8000. or 10000. or more into one body of squadron yet I for diuers causes and reasons would wish a Lieutenant generall or lord Marshall of a puissant Armie rather to forme 6. 7. or 8. smaller battles incase the number of the Armie bee so great that the same by reason militarie may bee perfourmed then onely into three great battles as aforesaid As for example if there were an Army of 30000. horsmen and footmen and that there were of those 15000. armed men piquers and short weapons to be reduced into diuers battles that I would not only of those 15000. according to the ordinary vse forme a vauntgard battle and Rereward but also 3. other smaller battles vnto the which I would giue 3. different names would call the first by the name of a vauntregard Rereward the second the batle of succor and the third by the name of a Rereregard Reregard and the firste 3. battles of vaungard battle and Reregard I would should consist of 3000. piquers and short weapons to euery battle and that each one of those battles being reduced into squadron should consist of 75. piquers in frunt and. 40. by flankes ouerplus of broken rankes not so much as one soldior and the last 3. mentioned battles I would should consist of 2000. to euery battle and that euery one of them being reduced in to squadrons should consist in frunt that is in euery ranke from frunt to backe of 50. piquers and by flankes of 40. rankes ouerplus of broken rankes not any one soldior And these 6. foresaid battles reduced into the formes aforesaid and flankt and wing'd with weapons of volee of diuers sorts according to discipline and the comming of the enemy in mine opinion should be of great aduantage to encounter with 15000. armed men their enemies reduced but only into 3. batles of 5000. to euery battle by reason that whilest the 3. formost battles each of them consisting of 3000. as aforesaid do confrunt with the. 3. great batles of 5000. in each battle the other 3. battles of a vauntregard Rereward and of the battle of succor and of a Rereregard Rereward that doo march in winges in Rereward retired as aforesaid may with great celeritie and dexteritie by marching and auauncing themselues forward charge the flankes of their enemies 3. battles and put them in great hazard of disordering breaking Howbeit here it may be obiected against mine opinion that in case the 3. great battles of the enemy of 5000. to euery battle were each one of them reduced into 125. armed men in frunt of 40. rankes by flankes that their 〈◊〉 encountting ioining with the formost 3. small batles of vaungard battle and Reregard they might euerie one of them in ioyning frunt to frunt with them in respect that euery one of the great battles of 5000. to euery batle doth beare a greater bredth by the nuÌ„ber of 28. soldiors in frunt then any of the formost 3. squadroÌ„s of 3000 in euery squadron do with great aduantage draw vp a sleeue of 28. in euery ranke and of 40. rankes by flankes and finding themselues full against the flanke of their Enemies squadron they may suddenly make of flanke frunt by tourning their faces and weapons towards the flanke of the foresaid littlesquadrons and then reforming themselues in their distances and closing themselues in frunt and flanks may bend their piques and charge the flankes of the little squadrons to their most assured ruine Or otherwise vpon the inconsiderate ioining of any one of the small squadrons of 3000. being in frunt but. 75. with the verie midst of the frunt of the great battles of 5000. that do consist of 125. piquers in frunt the foresaid great squadrons vpon such an aduantage offered may drawe vp each of them two sleeues from each side or flanke of their squadron one of 14. piquers in euery ranke and finding themselues euen vpon both the flankes of the little squadron they may of their flankes make frunt and so of 14. that they were before in euery ranke they are now by making of flanke frunt become to be 40. in euerie ranke and in length by flankes 14. soldiors and so by reforming their distances and straightning and closing themselues in frunt and by flanks as aforesaid may with their piques charge both the flankes of the little squadron to their vtter disorder and ouerthrow To which obiection I say that those foresaid aduauntages and others might be very well taken against the 3. little squadrons of vaungard battle and Reregard if it were not that the other 3. little battles of succor of 2000. to euery squadron euery of them of 50. piquers in frunt marching in Rereward in distincte battles by them selues were not alwaies ready vpon the drawing vp of all such sleeues or winges from the bodies of the great squadrons suddenly with great dexteritie to charge them either in frunt flanks or backe to their most assured ruine and ouerthrow But againe it may be further alledged in fauor of the great battles that al squadrons of armed men piquers doo alwaies march wing'd flankt with conuenient numbers of weapons of volee in such sort as those weapons of volee should be a great impediment to the forsaid little squadrons to charge the sleeues and wings as aforesaid Vnto the which I say that true it is that all well ordered battles are wing'd and flankt with shot of diuers sorts and that it hath beene and is a maxime amongest al men of warre of great experience and Iudgement that hearses sleeues winges and troupes of shot beeing deuided into many small diuisions are a great deale more apt and ready to bee emploied at one time into more
different and effectuall seruices to worke great effectes then any great diuisions of shot can bee Which if it be so as most certen it is by all experience Militarie then the 3. battles of 5000. to euery battle hauing 10000. weapons of volee of diuers sortes to be reduced vnder their safeguard must diuide those 10000. into so many compertimentes and diuisions of sleeues winges and troupes as are requisite to guard 3. such battles As also the diuisions of weapons of volee themselues to bee protected and defended vnder the safeguard of those 3. squadrons and so likewise the 15000. armed men beeing reduced into 6. little battles as aforesaid hauing the like number of weapons of volee of diuers sorts to aide them and to be by them protected must by all order militarie diuide those 10000. weapons of volee into double as many or more diuisions of sleeues wings and troups then the 3. great battles haue diuided theirs for their aide From all which experienced reasons and examples I come to conclude that as 15000. armed footemen reduced but onely into 3. great battles cannot by any reason militarie haue so manie sleeues winge troupes other diuisions of diuers sorts of shot vnder their safegard as 15000. armed men reduced into 6. smaller battles may haue Euen so that the 3. great squadrons of armed men with their few great diuisioÌ„s of shot cannot possibly by any reason or experience worke so great effects as the 6. smaller battles their Enemies with their many and more conuenient diuisions of diuers sorts of weapons of volee may worke And now whereas I haue before fourmed a squadron and diuers squadrons all of halbardiers or battleaxes enuironed or empaled about with 5. rankes of piquers in frunt flankes and backe and that the short weapons are in greater number then y e piques therfore by some in these daies that doo more regard the new fashions and fancies of the disordered and corrupted Militia that of very late yeares in diuers ciuill warres haue crept into Christendome then the true discipline art and science militarie which hath beene practised and vsed from age to age of all antiquitie in the warres betwixt Emperors Kinges and puissant Common wealthes it may peraduenture be thought that such a squadron is no waies coÌ„parable for all great effects and purposes to a squadron of the like number al of piquers without any short weapons sauing onely a very fewe for the guard of the Ensignes Thervnto I say that I doo thinke this squadron of short weapons enuironed with 5. ranks of piques as aforesaid to be of a great deale more aduantage strength and effect aswell against horsmen as footmen then any squadron of the like number all of piquers can be And because it shall be apparant that I am not carried with new fashions and fancies but with the obseruation of that which I haue read hath been in vse and obserued by diuers braue Nations in many ages as also by mine owne hearing the opinions of diuers great Captaines Coronels and Sergeants Maiors of diuers warrelike Nations some of late yeares dead and some yet aliue And therwithall by that which I haue seene and obserued my selfe in the squadrons of diuers Nations some of the which haue vsed squadrons all of piquers as aforesaid and other Nations squadrons of piquers with some rankes of halbards with in their piques which different vses of Nations haue giuen me occasion not onely to enter into imagination of the different or contrarie causes of the forming of such squadrons but also the more curiouslie to aske inquire of diuers men of great sufficiencie of those Nations the different reasons and causes of the forming of such squadrons some all of piques and others of piques and short weapons as aforesaid I therfore will set down that which I haue gathered and obserued by the diuersitie of their opinions concerning the same as also by mine own sight and consideration and will here by the helpe of Almightie God giue sufficient causes and reasons to proue that my foresaid squadron formed with short weapons enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers as aforesaid is of farre greater force and effect then if the squadron were all of piquers And the reasons are these First when a squadron of men at armes or dimilaunces or diuers squadrons seconding one another shoulde charge the squadron of footemen all of piquers in frunt all men of consideration may consider and know that all the whole squadron consisting only of piquers according as I haue before formed diuers squadrons in this discourse that not aboue 5. rankes of the foremost piques at the most beeing closed in frunt flankes and backe or rather but 4. rankes can make head with the pointes of their piques to hurt or reach the horses or men of the formost ranks of the Launces charging that because the longest piques that are in these daies vsed by any Nation are not aboue 18. foot long of which length of 18. foot the formost ranke of piquers either clapping the butendes of their piques vnder their right feete or carrying them breast high to resist and repulse the Launces both which waies are in the beginning of this booke very particularlie declared I say that from their right handes that they hold the butendes of their piques withall to theirleft and forehands that doo beare their piques incase they carry them abouehand breast high doo occupie and therefore shorten 3. foot at least of the length of their piques towards the foremost ranke of their Enemies then there doo remaine 15. foot beyond their left and forehandes more for them to reach and annoy their enemies withall then the second ranke closing themselues to y â— first rank and carying their piques breast high ouer the shoulders of the first rank do leese 3. foot more of â—y length of their piques by that which they hold betwixt their hinder and forehands as aforsaid so as there remaineth but 12. foot of the length of their piques beyond the foremost rankes towardes the annoiance of their Enemies then the third ranke closing themselues to the shoulders of the second ranke doo come likewise to loose three foote more by so much of their piques as they hold betwixt both their handes as aforesaid which with the thicknesse and distance of the two rankes before them dooth come to make them to leese 9. foote of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 9. foot of the length of their piques at the most beyond the foremost ranke towards the annoiance of the Enemie then the fourth ranke by the like cause and reason commeth to leese 3. foot more of the length of their piques so as there remaineth only 6. foot of the length of their piques with the pointes of them before the formost ranke to annoy the Enemie then the fifth ranke of the squadron of piquers commeth by the like causes and reasons as aforesaide to leese 3. foote
do know so much as one letter vpon the book but that he may by guesse forme such a squadron which kind of forming or rather deforming of squadrons in troth is called of all antiquitie to make a squadron or battle of extremitie and necessity when vpon the sudden and vnlooked for approch and neare comming of the enemie through the fault and negligence of the scouts discouerers they are forced in the place of assemblie in their Campe to make of necessitie vertue that is for lacke of time to reduce their squadrons into forme of like numbers of souldiors in euery ranke and into their iust and proportionate distances both by frunt flanks according to discipline to form a confused squadron of different numbers of soldiors into crooked ranks and vncerten and confused distances into the void ground or place that is within 4. 8. or 12. or more piquers placed in square as abouesaid in the place of assembly of their Campe which kind of disordered battles of extremitie are no waies able by any reason Military to encounter and abide the charge of a squadron of the like number of piquers reduced into forme according to discipline that is of like numbers of soldiors in euerie ranke from frunt to backe and in their euen and proportionate distances in frunt and by flankes and therefore being alwaies ready with great order and facilitie to incorporate and close themselues by frunt and flankes may without any waies troubling the one the other nor intricating their piques nor rankes mannage and vse their piques with great dexteritie and charge and ouerthrow such a confused multitude or battle of extremitie that are in vncerten numbers in their ranks and in as vncerten and confused distances which causeth disequality and crookednesse of rankes and therefore cannot possibly close themselues in frunt and by flankes in any order forme and strength nor mannage and vse their piques without confounding and intricating their piques with their fellowes piques to the great aduantage of their enemies well formed squadron and their own most certen ruine Besides all which it is not possible for such a disordered squadron to march in the fields with any order nor according to discipline to performe diuers other effectes belonging to well ordered squadrons in the fielde as all skilful and expert Sergeants Maiors and men of warre of experience and iudgement doo verie well know Wherfore I come to conclude that such disordered battles of necessitie and extremitie are neuer to bee vsed but vppon a suddaine and vnlooked for comming of the enemie through the negligence of the scoutes discouerers or Centinelles as aforesaid And therefore now I proceed to diuers other very important and requisit matters Militarie That great bands of 500. vnder an Ensigne are mor◠connenient for al seruices in the field then smal bands of 150. IN this place before I proceede any further I thought good to notifie vnto all such as shall read these my instructions that my opinion is y ◠great bands of footmen of 500. souldiours to euery Ensigne according to the ancient and moderne vse of Germany when they doo inuade or resist and make head against y ◠Turk are more conuenient and a great deale better as well for the princes sauing of many paies of Captaines and officers as also for the more speedie forming of great battles or squadrons with dexteritie celeritie then smal bands of 150. are who in respect of the many Captaines and officers are a farre greater charge vnto the prince as aforesaid as also through the smalnesse and great number of their compertiments or diuisions of diuers different sorts of weapons a great deale more slow and vnfit to be reduced into great battles or squadrons then great bāds are which mine opinion because I haue fortified and proued the same with certen examples many reasons in my booke of discourses which I set foorth and caused to be printed 1590. and yet that the same hath beene by certen apassionate Gentlemen with many malicious and vaine words void of all reason militarie denied in certen malicious libelling pamphlets by them in written hande in many places dispersed contrary to all ciuilitie and profession militarie I wil againe in this place rehearse set downe a part of that which is conteined in my foresaid booke of discourses and wil fortefie the same with such reasons and examples as any man that is of any discretion may manifestlie see the great ignorance and lacke of skill of those that doo thinke that many small compertiments of piquers and of weapons of volee may be assoon brought into any forme of battle with sleeues winges forlorne hopes c as great bandes of 500. that do consist of great compertiments of different sorts of weapons may And therefore the words of my booke of discourses to proue my foresaid proiect are in a manner verbatim these following When the great Princes of Germanie vppon any occasion or iniury offred are disposed to make Warre one against another or vpon an imperiall army assembled to inuade or resist the Turk beeing bounde as they are by their Tenures Militarie to the Empire some to finde Horsemen and others to finde footemen at their owne charges they then vppon such occasions haue alwaies vsed and doo still vse to forme their Regiments of footmen into great bands of 500. to an Ensigne that they vse especiallie for two causes the one thereby in their regimentes and so consequentlie in their whole Armies to saue the pay of a great sort of Captaines Lieutenantes of bands Ensignbearers and other officers which would be greatly increased so amount to a far greater charge and pay incase they should compose smaller bandes of 200. or 150. or vnder that number The other cause that doth moue them to forme their bands so great is that their Militia consisting of harquebuziers mosquetiers piquers and some halbarders with a few slathe swords for the guard of their Ensignes that those sorts of weapons by reason of the greatnesse of the bands being in great compertiments and diuisions may be the more readilie and easilie drawne out and seperated and with a great deale more celeritie incorporated with the other great compertimentes of like weapons of other great bands to forme their squadrons with sleeues winges troupes and forlorne hopes according to the order and direction of their Coronels and Sergeantes Maiors then if their bands were smaller either of 200. or 150. or vnder that number whereby the Compertiments of weapons should be also the smaller and therby in number the greater and so consequently would require a much longer time not only to drawe out but also to incorporate compertimentes with compertimentes for the forming of battles with sleeues winges and forlorne hopes as aforesaid Besides that such great bands both by reason and experience are as readie and a great deale more ready to bee emploied either in whole companies vnder their Captains and Lieutenants or
deuided into partes and corporalates vnder their Corporals and Sergeants for watches bodies of watches Centinels and all other ordinarie and extraordinary emploiments and actions militarie in Campe Towne or field then any smal bands are For it is most euident that smal bands of 150. to an Ensigne consisting of 5. different sortes of weapons viz piques battleaxes mosquets harquebuzes and longbowes and that therefore euery one sort of those weapons is to be reduced into diuers little diuisions by themselues which besides the vncomely sight to see so many small compertimentes in euery such little band it would require a much longer time vpon the dailie and ordinarie dislodging of an Armie reduced into a vaungard battle and rereward to draw so great numbers of compertiments out of such a number of little bandes then out of a few bands of 500. to draw a few great compertiments and to incorporate and reduce them into any forme or formes And this before written I thinke might suffice to perswade any that do professe Armes that are of any discretion although but of meane iudgement in matters Militarie that such great bands as aforesaid are a great deale more fitt and conuenient to forme battles and squadrons withall then such small bands as aforesaid are Howbeit because there be some 3. or 4. of our Nation y t haue written in certen lewde and false pamphlets and libells against me as is before mentioned that haue not bene ashamed to name themselues the inuentors and deuisers of a new discipline Militarie who how farre wide they are from the vnderstanding of all true discipline all men of right consideration may euidently see by their writinges speakings vaine opinions and actions that they I say in their malitious and friuolous libels do write as aforesaid that small bands of 150. are as readie to be reduced into any squadron as great bands of .500 are I therefore to make that which I haue before written more apparant and vtterlie to conuince their obstinate ignorances will by comparing the best orders and waies of fourming of squadrons both with great and with small bandes shewe with what great readines and facilitie squadrons may be formed with a few great Compertiments out of great bandes of 500. to an Ensigne and with what difficultie great squadrons are reduced into forme with many little Compertiments out of small bandes of .150 to an Ensigne that therby all men of consideration may euidentlie see the erronious and vnskilfull opinions Militarie that those our such men of warre do hold And therefore I do for example alledge That admit that a generall of an Army of .18000 footmen reduced into .6 Regiments of .3000 to euerie Regiment and .8000 10000. or .12000 horsemen of diuers armors and weapons with all other prouision and furniture belonging to such an Armie to inuade some forren dominions that the whole 18000 footmen being deuided into 5. partes he had concluded according to the commendable opinion of some notable men of warre that I haue knowne in my time that 3. parts of the 5. should be all piquers and short weapons or all piquers without any short weapons to forme a vaungard battle and Rereward according to the manner and vse of the Italians and Spaniards of this time and that the other two parts should be all weapons of volee weare I say determined to make a proofe whether little bandes of 150. or great bands of 500. were most apte and ready to forme squadrons withal and therefore hauing reduced 3. of the 6. Regiments into little bands of 150. that is 20. bandes of 150. to euerie Regiment of 3000. and the other 3. Regiments into great bandes of .500 that is .6 bandes of 500. to euerie Regiment of 3000. he then geuing these or the like directiōs hereafter set down should most manifestly see the great aptnes dexteritie and readinesse of great bandes of .500 to reduce squadrons into with the wonderfull vnreadinesse great disorders and imperfections in reducing of squadrons into forme by little bandes of 150. consisting of .5 different weapons as aforesaid The Lieutennant general therfore first to make proofe whether the piquers of one of the regiments of the small bands or the piquers of one of the Regiments of the great bands were more readie to be reduced into squadron is to commaund that at a certen houre vpon a sound and warning giuen by his trompettor two Coronells with their two Regiments the one consisting all of small bands of .150 and the other all of great bands of .500 should with all celeritie reduce themselues into their simple and single order of rankes which reducement of bandes into their simple and single order is euer to be performed before squadrons can with order and reason Militarie be formed and that either in the place of Armes if the Generall shal appoint that place or otherwise if it shal please him to commaund both the Coronells at one time to march out of the Camp to two seuerall places grounds appointed both of like distance from the fortifications of the Campe there to reduce .3 parts of their Regiments which do consist of piquers the other two parts consisting weapons of volee as aforesaid into two seuerall squadrons each of them 60. piquers in frunt 30. by flanks which are in each Regiment .1800 piquers Then I say that the 3. partes of piquers of euerie great band of .500 being .300 and the other two parts of weapons of volee in number 200. marching out of their quarters into the place of Armes which is betwixte their quarter and the fortifications of the Campe and there reducing themselues into their simple and single order of 100. rankes 5. in euerie ranke or rather into 50. rankes of 10. in euerie ranke I mean the one halfe of the weapons of volee that doconsist of 100. marching before the ranks of y ◠piquers and the other halfe of y ◠like number of weapons of volee behinde the hindermost ranke of all the piquers with the Ensigne according to all discipline in the middest of the piquers And so all those 6. bandes of 500. vnder euerie Ensigne marching 10. in a ranke one after another out of the Campe towardes the ground where they are to forme their squadron whither being comne the weapons of volee that are in frunt of the first band marching a conuenient distance to the right hand from before the piquers to the intent to giue the piquers place and to be readie to arme the forepart of the right flanke of the squadron And the compertiment of piquers of this formost and first band being comne to the ground wheras they are to aduaunce their piques and make a stande and hauing perfourmed the same the other halfe of the weapons of volee of the same band that marcht behind who are to arme the forepart of the left flank of the squadron being drawne vp by their Conductors so large a distance on the left hand from their
the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one and the third the fourth likewise by the number of one and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal number to the first Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique all the harquebuziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them that is they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide must be of equall number to the first ranke to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and proportioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distances may through those distances oblique giue gallant volees to the great mischiefe of their enimies without hurting or endamaging the one the other And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Turks the harquebuziers Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes yet their distances were most commonlie oblique which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks Tartars and other such orientall Nations because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses barbed as also light horsemen And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares as the Hongarians doo in sockets made fast to their Saddles or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores vse double headed Launces or zagayas by some called punching staues for diuers causes and reasons that I am able by the helpe of Almightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field vnto diuers Captaines and Gentlemen of the shire of Essex Speaches to be vsed to a broad square or to any ordered troupe of harquebuziers being in a straight or ground of aduantage where horsmen cannot charge them WHen a good number of harquebuziers are reduced into a square or troupe formed not in rankes oblique but by right line to flanke a breach or to make head against the enemie in some straight or passage or that the place is such and of that strength for the guard of the harquebuziers that it is more requisit that they should make resistance against the enemie in some square or troupe formed then any waies disseuered or in troupes confused then the leaders vppon the approch of the enemie are to say vnto them Discharge soldiors to your knees and charge againe volee after volee which beeing by them heard the first and second ranke being in rankes of conuenient distances are at one instant to giue a volee as neere as they can taking their sightes at point and blank which being doone they ought in an instant to fall vppon one of their knees and to charge againe while the third and fourth rankes doo likewise giue their volees which being by them performed they ought in like manner to kneele downe and charge their peeces giuing place to the fist and sixt ranks to discharge their peeces ouer all their heads which being performed throughout the whole hearse or troupe sauing that the two hinder rankes shall not need to kneele bicause there are none behind them to shoot ouer their heads then all the first rankes that haue charged their peeces againe are to stand vp to giue volee after volee and so to their knees againe and to giue place to the hindermost rankes to discharge their peeces ouer their heads according to the former prescribed order But to the intent that two ranks may the better giue a volee both at one instant without daungering the one the other as aforesaid it were requisit that euery second ranke should be reduced oblique as aforesaid to the ranke preceeding for otherwise there can but only one ranke discharge at a time vnlesse their rankes be very thin Briefe speaches to be vsed to Mosquetiers beeing in a broad square WHen a conuenient company of mosquetiers well guarded with armed men are reduced into a broad square of 15. or 20. in frunt and 6. by flankes more or fewer and that all their restes be fixed in the ground in conuenient distances and that their conductors vpon the approach of the enemie would haue them to giue volee after volee from their rests taking their certen sights from pointe at blanke and that euerie ranke should orderlie succeede the one the other in discharging their peeces then they are to say vnto them Discharge retire and aduance which being by the mosquetiers heard then the first whole ranke taking their sights at pointe and blanke are all at one time to discharge their peeces at the squadron or troupe of horsemen or footmen approching which being by them performed they are presently to retire to the last ranke of rests there to charge againe leauing their owne ranke of rests still fixed in the ground Then the second ranke are to aduaunce themselues and to clappe their peeces vpon the first ranke of rests as they do stand directly before them and the third ranke are to aduaunce themselues to the second ranke of rests the fourth ranke to the third ranke of rests and the fifth ranke to the fourth ranke of rests and the sixte ranke to the fifth ranke of rests whilest the first that hath discharged and is now retired to the sixte or last ranke of rests do charge their peeces againe so geuing continual volees of bullets by discharging retiring and aduauncing as aforesaid they may annoie the enemy be they horsemen or footmen in terrible sorte without falling into any disorder or cōfusion And the verie like speaches may be vsed to little squares or troupes of harquebuziers in the field when they are to retire hauing discharged and other troupes to aduaunce and supply their places geuing them time to charge again and so by retiring aduauncing and succeeding euery one the other they may giue continuall volees of shot at the enemies Aduertising
neither in frunt nor by flankes whereas otherwise by entring and doubling their rankes one into another by right line they come to disorder their proportionate distaunces which they must again with all speed reforme Aduertising furder that as this squadron hath beene formed by the aforesaid two waies so may the same or any other euen at the first be as well reduced by any of those 2. waies into form in vaungard and frunt without making of flank frunt so as the Coronell Sergeant Maior or Captain that hath the forming of the said squadron haue good regard aswel to the ground and number that he wil make his frunt of as to the number of y e ranks by flanks and therwithal to place and accomodat the broken rank or ranks if there be any with the standard ensigne or Guidon Now because in these daies new opinions and fancies in matters of armes grounded vpon very weake or rather no reasons at all do beare a very great swaie and that amongst other errors militarie there be some that doo hold allow that launces should be rather reduced into troup to charge or receiue a charge then into squadron formed I for diuers reasons of the which some I will after alledge would that when any Coronell or Captaines of men at armes or dimilaunces shal haue occasion to reduce their bands into form either to march or fight that then they doo in any wise reduce them into forme of squadron according to the ancient-vse and not into troupe according to the newe fancies incase that time and leisure wil serue And therwithall that they do form them with a triple frunt that is three times as many in frunt as by flanks and somtimes more As for example if the frunt be of 24. or 25. Launces then the flanke should be of 8. launces And somtimes also with a quatriple frunt that is 4. times more in frunt then by flankes as also at other times and vpon other occasions into farre broader frunts then quadruple although by flankes not aboue 10. or 12. rankes at the most as aforesaide and that the Standardes or Ensignes if they bee men at Armes or the Guidons if they bee dimilaunces bee placed in the midst of the squadron And y e those horsmen be instructed how to inlarge themselues in their rankes when they march in squadron and how presentlie vpon the sight of the enemie approching to straighten themselues by frunt and flankes with their iust proportionate distances in such sort as they may charge or receiue a charge of the enemie without disordering their horses or Launces or confounding their ranks But incase that vpon a sudden Alarm giuen vppon the approch of the Enemie the Launces being in Campe Towne or Village be not reduced into their single order vnder their Ensignes or Guidons but that they are then assembling themselues and the enemie neere at hand then they must make of necessitie vertue that is to reduce themselues into troupe making as neere as they can a triple or quatriple frunt or more that they may somewhat resemble a squadron hauing regard to their distances that they may vse their Launces without disordering the one the other as neere as they may And whereas there be some professing armes in this time that doo holde an opinion that Launces haue a greater aduantage to charge or receiue a charge in troupe then in squadron as aforesaid they therein doo shew that for lacke of vnderstanding and consideration they doo greatlie erre in the ordering of horsemen Launces For the Almaines Italians English and diuers other Nations haue of great antiquitie vsed both squadron of men at Armes and dimilaunces and also troupes But it was neuer heard of before these disordered ciuill wars of France and the Lowcountries that Launces in troupes confused should be preferred and iudged to be of greater aduantage then launces in squadron formed considering that the reducing of Launces into troupe dooth amongest men of war proceed of nothing else but of lacke of time to reduce them into squadron vpon some sudden Alarme and approch of the Enemie So as such as doo hold that opinion might aswell say that two or three thousand piquers and short weapons haue more aduantage to fight in a battle of necessitie then in a Squadron formed which battle of necessitie or extreamitie terme it as you list is neuer vsed but vpon some great and sudden accident as when a puissant enemie dooth make a sudden approch vpon your Campe most commonlie by night or at the breake of day with a Canuesada killing both scoutes Centinels and watches through their negligent watching or discouering and therevpon an alarme giuen for lacke of time to reduce your piquers into squadron formed you are faine in the place of assemblie to make them to runne togither into rankes confused closing themselues as close as they can to defende the Ring or entrie of the Campe. By the which comparisons reasons and examples of footmen piquers before alledged such new fancies and lacke of vnderstanding in the ordering or rather disordering of launces may be easilie discerned by men of reason and iudgement And now to the intent that your men at Armes or dimilances may be the better able to charge or receiue a charge of their enemies it is verie meete and conuenient that their Captaines and officers should reduce them some time into squadron with a triple or quatriple frunt And being so reduced that they should be taught how to straighten and close themselues in frunt and flankes and how presently vpon the sound of a charge they should almost all at one instant put spurres to their horses galloping vpon the hand about 8. or 10. paces and then charge their Launces from their tasses or long Cuisses and thighes presentlie into their restes and not to carrie their Launces at the Armes ende as they do commonlie vse at Tilt to make the fairer shew and then imagining the squadron of the enemies Launces to be within 15. or 20 paces directly before them they should altogither put their horses into their Carrires to the intent to giue the greater blowe and shocke to the ouerthrowing or breaking of their enemies Then I would wish them to be taught how they should receiue a charge if another squadron of launces should charge them and that they should doo in this sort First when they shall see the squadron of their enemies comming to charge them either galloping vpon the hand or in their full Carrire then they being straightned closed in their rankes by frunt and flankes should stand firme all the Launces of the three formost rankes ready charged in their restes but yet the pointes of their launces something high vntil they do see the enemies squadron within 15. or 20. paces of them at which time they should with a terrible shout altogither in an instant as if they were one entire bodie put spurres to their horses and fall into their
certen narrow stripes of serecloth or of maile to defend the Cutt of a sword and if that some of those extraordinarie battleaxes or halbarders were armed but only with burgonets and with short skirted Ierkins of buffe with a double buffe vpon their brests and the sleeues of their dou blets with stripes of maile or serecloth as aforesaid and their swordes and daggers worne after thâ—same sort as the piquers before mentioned I thinke it allowable But the staues of the halbards of such halbarders extraordinarie I would wish to be longer by a foote or a foote and a halfe or more then the armed and ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron that is of 7. foote and a halfe long or more because that they being to succor troupes and societies of loose shot or to do execution vppon diuers accidents as aforesaid and often times to fight with the enemy hand to hand and sometimes to encounter with two or three against one it is requisite that their halbards for their aduauntage in figâ—t should be longer then the ordinarie halbardes that are to enter into squadron And incase that those halbards were lighter also theÌ„ the others that are for the squadron being of good strength it weare not amisse But whereas I haue before armed all the piquers and battleaxes ordinarie I meane that are to enter into squadron in Corslets complete and that contrariwise I do vnderstand that diuers of our Captaines of this time when they receaue any English bandes readie armed and furnished to serue withall either in Fraunce or the Lowe Countries and that the piquers of those bandes are deliuered vnto them armed in corslets complet all sauing gauntlets they presentlie giue or throw awaie all their pouldrons vambraces and tasses in such sorte as the soldiors doo remaine armed only with burgonets Collers Cuirasses and backes contrarie to all true discipline Certenly it seemeth vnto me verie strange that the lacke of Iudgement or rather the ignorance of this time in matters Militarie should be so great that they should contemne the arming of their shoulders armes handes and thighes and only seeke to guarde their brests bellies and backes in respect as I doo thinke that they would preserue only those their vital parts when it is verie well knowne by all experience Militarie that such as come to be wounded in their shoulders armes hands or thighes do oftentimes by such woundes come to be in their Enemies handes and mercie who many times vpon such aduauntages do put them to the sworde Besides that it is more then strange that such Captains do not censider that soldiors with their legges and thighes do march forward to incounter with their Enemies and with their shoulders armes and hands they do vse their weapons and fight with their Enemies whereas cotrariwise with their bellies and backs which they altogether seeke to guarde they do neither march forward against the enemies nor fight which is a great skorne and mockerie that some of the men of warre of this time should so imitate the French and Flemish fashions who of late yeares haue scarce remained one whole yeare in one order and manner of arming but haue still chaunged from fashion to fashion Howbeit such of our Captaines as do contemne the wearing of pouldrons vambraces gauntlets and tasses doo vainelie alledge for the reason and excuse of their so dooing that battles now a daies doo neuer come to ioine but that they doo onely fight in skirmish which is a verie vaine conceit and a friuolous excuse and contrarie to all reason and true experience of diuers battles that themselues may remember haue beene fought in France and in diuers other Countries within these few yeares considering that whensoeuer there are two Armies of Enemies in the field or two puissant powers of horsemen and footmen and that the one armie or power of them vpon any aduantage or conueniencie of ground espied shal resolue to giue battle or fight that the contrarie power or armie shall not be able to refuse the battle vnlesse they will turne their backs and betake themselues to their heeles and that by reason that armies when they are in march cannot assure themselues alwaies to find grounds of such aduantage and strength wherevpon the enemies resolution to fight they may suddenly intrench or incampe fortifie themselues Besides al which it is to be noted as Vigetius and diuers other ancient and more moderne notable historiographers do write that so long as the Romanes did obserue their ancient orders and discipline militarie they did preuaile against all other Nations but that assoone as they began through effeminacie to neglect the same and to leaue the couering and guarding of diuers partes of their bodies with armour in respect of the poise and heueth therof and other suâ—h important matters that presently their Empire began to decline in such sort as y e Gothes Vandals Hunnes other septrional Nations as also of later years the Arabians and the Sarasins did chieflie with weapons of volee ouerthrow them in many and manie battles wherof and of the contempt of their archery insued the losse of a great part of the Romain Empire and finallie vpon y e neglecting forgetting of the like discipline did likwise ensue y e vtter ruine of y e two notable christian Empires of Constantinople Trepisonda with diuers other christian Kingdoms And thus far concerning the apparelling arming weaponing of halbarders or battleaxes So as I haue now finished the apparelling arming and weaponing of all sortes of footemen by our Nation in these daies vsed and therfore I will God willing proceed to the apparelling arming weaponing and horsing of all such different sorts of horsmen as we now a daies doo vse with some other such sortes of horsemen also as I would wish should be in vse and exercise for the defence of the Crowne and Realme as also for any forren inuasion And therfore to begin with light horsmen such as in diuers shires of england we doo now vse armed with red or pied cappes and steele sculles within them and with Iackes and speares by some called Gads in stead of this rude kinde of arming as I account it ` I would wish that they should bee armed with burgonets or else with vpright morrions after the Spanish manner with collers cuirasses and backs and short tasses and with sleeues of maile and gauntlets or else gloues of maile in stead of gauntlets And to the intent they should bee the more easely fitly armed I would wish that they should be apparelled I mean in doublets Greigescoes in the very same sort as is before for armed men declared And as for their speares I would wish them to be of 18. foot long and those I would wish to bee so long because they might not only vse them to charge vpon their thighes but also that they might by taking and houlding them in the midst vse them in
the thrust And others I haue seene that in stead of Curtilaces tocks haue worn single pistols which pistols bicause men at armes or dimilances are to giue their charge in squadron with the pointes of their Launces and shocke of their horses they cannot haue so much leisure to pull out and to pul downâ— their cocks as stradiots and other light horsemen that do fight loose in skirmish or in other little troupes may Besides that the gauntlets of men at Armes and dimilaunces are not fitlie made to handle pistols in as all men may see that list to prooue them and those dimilaunces ought to be all horsed vppon puissant horses for the shocke and not vpon geldings vnlesse they be very puissant And their furniture for their horses ought to bee steele saddles of good forme and of a conuenient bignesse and as light as they conuenientlie may bee made with good headstalles and raines with chaines as aforesaid with good patrells and croupers Also if there were any gentlemen in those bands of dimilaunces I would wish them not to bee without the forepart of steele barbes to the intent that vppon any day that were likelie to be of great seruice against the enemie they should arme and barbe the forepart of their horses because that they being placed in the first rank or two rankes should bee the better able to giue and receiue the charge and shocke with the lesse daunger to their horses And thus far for dimilaunces Now as for men at Armes because all men that are of any experience and vnderstanding in matters militarie doo well know that they must bee all armed cap a pie and their horses verie puissant and all barbed aswell behind as before with the number of weapons that they ought of ordinary to weare and vse And because that in these daies partlie in respect of their great pay but chiefly because the art and science militarie hath beene of late years and presentlâ—e is in great declination and decaie they are not in vse in England nor in any part of Christendome as they haue beene I ouerpasse them But now it is likely enough that some Gentlemen that haue beene trained vp in these late Ciuill wars of the Low Countries or France may thinke that I haue forgotten my selfe in not making mention in these aforesaid musters of Carabins or Argolettiers vnto which kinde of horsemen they are greatly affected Whereunto I say that for the smalle effect that by experience I haue seene those Carabins in seruices worke through their great and manie failings which I haue sufficientlie proued in the latter end of my booke of discourses that I did set forth and cause to be printed the yeare 1590. as also in the former discourses of this booke where I haue written of them I doo not any waies hold them worthie to be compared in their effects neither to archers on horsebacke nor Crosbowers on horsebacke and therefore will in this place make but very small mention of them but do in stead of them wish that there should be an election and inrollement made of certen archers and Crosbowers on horsebacke in euery shire who should be armed weaponed and horsed and reduced into 〈◊〉 bands vnder their Captains and leaders as here in this place I will out of my former booke sette downe againe and that is in this sorte following All the Crosbowers on horsbacke vnder sufficient Conductors well skilled in the weapon I would they should haue Crosbowes of two pound and a halfe of the best sort with crooked gaffles hanging at their strong girdles after the manner of Germanie that they might on horsebacke bend their Crosbowes the more easelie and readilie with 24. quarrels in a case well fitlie and firmelie sette at their saddle pommels and mounted vpon good colde geldings of meane size theâ—selues armed with good morrions of the spanish fashion vpon their heads Collers light and short wasted Cuirasses and backes with sleeues of maile or their doublet sleeues chained with maâ—le betwixt the lining and outside of their said sleeues or with certen narrow stripes of serecloth within their sleeues as aforesaid or else chat they should be armed with morrions light and easie brigandines and sleeues chained with maile with broade short swordes by their sides of not aboue a yard in length and short daggers The archers on hâ—rsebacke vnder their Captaines or conductors skilfull in archerie I would likewise haue mounted vpon good quiet geldings of mean size with deepe steele sculles in very narrow brimd hattes well stuffed for the easines of their heades or rather with certen light morrions of some gallant fashion inuented and deuised for them and either Iacks of maile according to the auncient manner when they were called Loricati Sagittarâ— or else light and easie brigandines or at least Ilet holed doublets verie easie and well fitted to their bodies their sleeues chained within with maile or else with certen narrow stripes of serecloth betwixt the lining and outside of their sleeues for the easines of their armes with broade short swordes and short daggers their bowes of good yewgh long and well nocked and backed and all their stringes well whipt with sheafes of .24 arrowes â— peece in cases with shooting gloues and bracers after the manner of our archers in times past And all these both archers crosbowers I would haue them to be well practised that they might know how to discharge their arrowes and quarrells galloping vpon the hand and in al other motions of their horses and the Crosbowers to bend againe with great readines and diuers bands being thus horsed armed weaponed and exercised as also reduced into bands of fifties vnder sufficient conductors and other officers skilfull in those weapons should in mine opinioÌ„ be able to performe far greater seruice in y e field either against horsemen or footmen then any of the forenamed weapons offire on horsebacke Considering that both archers and Crosbowers may with their arrowes and quarrels verie certenlie wound or kill in their points and blanks either horsemen or footmen that are in squadron or troupe 2. or 3. skores of and rouing 6. 7. or 8. skores or a great deale furder may greatlie mischiefe and annoie any squadron either of horsemen or footmen where as the Argolettiers or Pistolettiers are not to worke any effect against squadrons or troupes of horsmen or footmen aboue 10 or 15. yardes off at the furdest and if it be enemie to enemie single then they are not to discharge their peeces aboue 4. or 5. yardes off vnles they wil faile 5. times before they hit once so vncertaine are those weapons of fire The iudgement wherof because this mine opinion may seeme strange to such as doo not know the imperfections of those weapons of fire on horsebacke I refer vnto any Captaines or conductors of those weapons either Italians Spaniards Wallouns or French that are souldiors of experience and iudgement But now because I
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
odd numbers as also of like euen numbers How a SergeaÌ„t Maior hauing reduced his squadron into forme should vpon any occasion make it broder in frunt and shorter by flanke Diuers wayes and means for a Sergeant Maior to place anie ouerplus of broken rankes How a Loâ— Marshall or a Sergeant Maior their squadron being in fight should draw vp a sleeue of Piquers to assaile their enemies in flanke The squadron being formed how a Sergeant Maior should make of either of the flankes frunt obseruing the same proportion in frunt and nomber of ranks by flanks that they were before he made of flanke frunt It is not lawfull for any other officers of the fielde to passe on horsebacke athwart the ranks of a squadron reduced into any forme but onely the Lieutenant General the Lord Marshall or the sergeant Maior maior of an Armie but yet it is lawfull â—or a Corâ—nel or Sergeant Maior to passe on horsebacke a thwart y â— rankes of any band or squadrâ—n that is of their owne Regiment not any other Captain nor officer How the Ensigne bearers of the first part of the squadroÌ„ that made of flank frunt are to bring themselues againe into order The order that is to be taken by a Coronell if his squadron accompanied with sleeues winges and troupes of diuers sortes of weapons of volee should happen in their march to come to a straight how they should march and passe through the same Wher the compertiments of the weapons of weapons of volee of the forepart of the right and left flankes of the Squadron beeing marched through the straight should reduce themselues into forme Brief speaches to be vsed by the Sergeant Maior to the piquers before they enter into the passage How y e piquers being marched through the straight are to reduce themselues againe into their former squadron Where the drommers and phifers are to be placed the squadron marching forward in the Enimies Countrie the Enemie being not in sight as also vpoÌ„ doubt of battle The cause wherfore no Drummers should bee placed in the frunt of the squadroÌ„ vpon the occasion of a battle Not aboue one DroÌ„me and a Phifer are to march in the midst of a squadron with the rank of ensigne An obiection aunswered Bands and squadrons of horsemen are to be reduced into forme after the verie same order and sorte that footmen are Wherevpon y e squadron formed and marching forward y â— field peeces are to be placed drawen Officers and other necessarie prouision belonging to the field peeces Where the field peeces with their munitions and other things belonging vnto them are to be placed in marching through the straight How the Coronell is to place the field peeces incase he doubt to be assailed either in vaunt guard or Râ—â—eward Concerning the most conuenient and sure placing of the carriages and baggages in passing through the straight Diuers things to be considered of for the sure placing of the cariages baggages Where the Coronell is to place the carriages and baggages incase he doubt to be assailed by the enemy in Rereward or in Vauntgard or in both Where the carriages of the chief substance of pouder are to marche Euerie waggon or Carre ought to be couered with Buff hides A peculiar propertie of the skins of Buffes Squadrons by more then a third part broader in frunt then longe by flankes are of a far greater aduauntage to fight then iust Squadrons Why squadroÌ„s that are iust square in number of men are thought to be out of proportion How to forme a squadron of piquers iust square in number of men both by frunt and flankes The reasons that diuers meÌ„ of warre do alleage to proue a iust squadron to be of greatest aduauntage to fight How a Sergeant Maior hauing formed a iust square may vpoÌ„ any occasion shorten the same by flankes and inlarge them in frunt The orders and waies of reducing of 3000. or 4000. or of 10000. or of any greater number of piquers into one bodie of squadron are all one sauing that the compertiments are to be made longer by flanks The chiefe causes why the Italians and Spaniards haue of late vsed squadrons altogither of piques How a squadroÌ„ of halbardiers enuironed about with 5. rankes of piquers should be reduced into forme How to reduce an English Armie of 28000. or .3000 horsemen and footmen into form of batle readie in all points to fight with the Enemie Howe many battles y e whole Armie should be deuided and reduced into The placing of the seuerall battles of the Armie How where the men at Armes should be ordered and placed The ordering and placing of the Dimilaunces The ordering and placing of the Stradiots and Archers Crosbowers on horsebacke How wherâ— to arme the foresaid 4 squadrons with field peeces Of what height the field pieces ought to bee How the Cariâ—ages and baggages of the Armie should bee placed and guarded How to reduce appoint and place the Pioners of the whole Armie Squadrons and battles vpon y â— ouerthrow of the enemie are in no wise to breake their rankes and order to follow the chace and that in respect of the many great inconueniences that vpon diuers occasions and accidents doe often happen A short prayer to be saide by soldiors vpon the approaching and sight of the Enemies battle It is not lawful nor sufferable for any soldior vppon the near approach of the Enemie to turne his face The ordinarie proceedinge of al skilful Chieftainsof Armies in their reducements and forming of batles Certen reasons alleaged to proue that it is more conuenient and of greater force for the generall of a puissant Armie that doth consist of many thousands of armed footmen to reduce them into 5. 6. 7. or 8. batles than onely into 3. great battles of vaungard battle reregard according to the common vse It is here to be noted that the whole frunt of 15000. men reduced into 3. great battles of 5000. to each battle doth consist of 3. times 125. armed meÌ„ which being nombred as if they were all in one frunt doe make iust 375. piquers by flanke 40. ranks ourplus of broken ranks not any one soldior And so likewise the frunts of the 15000. men reduced into 6. smaller batâ—les 3. of the. which being of 3000. to each battle doe consist euery one of them of 75. piquers in frunt And the frunt also of eache one of the other 3. smallest squadrons of 2000. to euery batle consisting of 50. piquers in each frunt being all 6. frunts nombred togeather as if they were all 〈◊〉 one frunt doe likewise make the iust nomber of 375. piquers in frunt as the 3. great squadrons of â—000 to euery batle doe and by flanke 40. ranks ouerplus not any one sodior Reasons to prooue a Squadron of Battleaxes enuironed about with 5. rankes of Piques to be a far greater aduantage strength and effect against horsemeÌ„ 〈◊〉 footmen theÌ„ any squadron