Chapter 19, Item 19a
Ensigns office
Office of an Ensigne.
1. When the captaine or Lieutenant be present, he shalbe assistant to them or either of them, and in their absence, he hath the same authority the captaine hath.
2. In case of Alarum he must repaire, with the company, without expecting any command, to the place of Armes, which is the place where the ensigne is lodged: and the place of Armes for the Regiment, it is before the Colonell lodging, where all the souldiers must assemble in Armes, [at the] head of the diuision of pikes and carry his colours shouldred and flying.
3. If he march in the regiment, or in Battalia, he is to take his place as the serjeant Major shall appoint, and he and all other ensignes of the Regiment shall doe as the colonells Ensigne doth:
4. But if his company be alone, he shall vpon the entring of his quarter furle vp his ensigne and goeing out of his quarter display them: the like he shall doe goeing on the Guard and coming off. But vpon the sight of an enimy he shall carry his ensigne advanced and flying: and shall neuer turne his face, or start from any danger, or forsake his ensigne, but rather die then aboundon it, for by Losing it he dishonors both himselfe and his company.
5. In fight he shall euer carry his ensigne advanced and flying without offering to use it in any kind of offence, but still bearing it vp, being a signe for a company to gather by, and therefore to be preserued; for which cause he may use his sword and pistoll, and if he plant his colours, he is to defend it with a pike or halfe pike.
6. Marching in Battalia, he is to march courageously without Bowing himselfe to any vnlesse it be to his cheife commander before whom he is to incline the head of the colours, more or lesse according to their degree: without making any shew of putting his hand to his hat, or bowing his body. Nay it is fit so to do to any gentleman that is your familiar: for it is no more than giueing a friend a courtesie.
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Chapter 19, Item 19b
Ensigns terms
Termes used about the displaying or florishing of an ensigne.
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Chapter 19, Item 19c
Ensigns honours
The Honors and dignities due vnto an Ensigne.
The esteeme and dignitie of Ensignes in all ages hath bine most venerable, they haue bine the glory of the captaine and his company and indeed they are no lesse, for where they perish with disgrace, there the captaines honor faileth and the souldiers in Hazzard of Ruine. For if the losse proceed from their cowardize or misgouenment, it hath bine death by the law of Armes to all that survive, or euery souldier one in a file draw a lot, file by file, who should perish for it.
Every souldier as soone as he was enrolled tooke an oath to be faithfull to his colours to attend them carefully, and to defend them valliantly and vpon all summons of Trumpet or drum to repaire to them, and not to depart from them without orders.
The Ensigne entering into a citty, towne, Garrisone, campe or other randesvouze of aboad, is to be first Lodged, before either officer or souldier, and not in any meane place, but in the best and most spatious for the drawing vp of the souldiers vpon any alarme: and his quarters ought to be the most secure from danger.
The Ensigne hath dignitie of place according to the antiquitie of the captaine: but some tyme greater then the captaine, and lendeth place to him: because no captaine can receiue his antiquitie from his enrollment but from the first houre in which his colours flew, for if two or three be enrolled in one day he that first marcheth before the face of his enimy with his colours flying, shalbe the first captaine and haue precedency before the others.
The ensigne hath a guard ouer it or about it, not be be disenbogued or vnlodged without a speciall guard attending vpon it both of musketts and pikes, (and so for a cornett with his owne squadron of horse). Also if it be in a field in perticular discipline, or otherwise in March vpon an Alt, or stand, for a company to refresh themselues: the ensigne shall not lay his colours on the ground but furle them, and set the butt end in the ground, and the sergeants halberts about it as a Guard, and the ensigne himselfe not fare of it.
The Ensigne is to be at the captaines command, yet in Justice no captaine or other commander, can command the ensigne bearer from his colours, nor commanded with his ensigne to any base dishonorable place or action.
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Chapter 19, Item 19d
Ensigns disgrace
The disgraces of the ensigne.
As there are dignities, so there are dishonors attending the ensigne: I shall mention but some few.
As it is a disgrace to haue any ensigne vnskilfully composed, that is either in false making, or bearing of ensignes, for there are in military honor nyne seuerall faces or complexions, viz. Two mettells yellow and white representing gold and siluer, and seauen which are called proper, or simple colours: not haueing mixtures as, black, Blew, Red, Green, purple, Tawny and sanguine. Now here it is to be noted that noe ensigne made of a Mettell colour, is to carry vpon it any token signe or devise to distinguish it, that is mettell: and so on the contrary, not vpon a colour ensigne, to put a devise of colour, is a blemish and dishonorable.
All mixt colours, or compound colours as carnation, Oreng-tawny, Sky colour, Popengie, Russett, are bastard and dishonorable colours so that all commanders are left to theire owne choise what colours and mettells they will frame their ensignes off, but with these conditions: not to ouer charge his ensigne with many things, or put his full coat on it, because those things are not easily distinguished. Also in his ensignes or colours not to bear a devise without motto or words, nor a Motto without a devise, and the words not to exceed foure in number: if there be more it signifies Imperfection which is a disgrace to the colours. And not to carry in the ensigne more colours then two, (except it be for some speciall note, or the ensigne of seuerall kingdomes) for that is looked vpon as a surcharg and esteemed a folly.
There is a disgrace riseth to the ensigne, throwe negligence in the gouerment of it, as to carry the colours furled when they should be flying: or to let them fly when they should be furled or folded vp; or to florish them when they should be carryed without any motion; or to carry them without motion when they should be displayed: and also to vaile them when they should be advanced, or advanced when they should be vailed, also to lodge, or dislodge colours without a guard; or suffer any man to handle them that hath not a lawfull authority, it is scandelous and disgracefull.
The last disgrace ariseth from Rashnesse and vnadvisednesse of Actions: as when he is safe out of a phantasticall bravado, to thrust himselfe into danger: to charg enimy when he should stand still; is not onely a disgrace, but the offence hath bine adiudged worthy of death, although he may obtaine victory by that forward action, also if in a march, a Battalia, or seting of a Parad, or any other military Imployment, to misplace himselfe, it is a disgrace.
If in a Battell or Skirmish, where the ensigne is put to a retreit, his colours shalbe furled or shouldred, and not flying and held forth with his left Arme and his sword advanced in his right hand, his colours are disgraced, and his retreit is base and vnworthy. If the ensigne shall be slaine and so the colours fall to the ground, if the next therevnto do not recouer then and advance them, it is not onely a disgrace to the ensigne, but a dishonor to the whole company: and indeed a greater act of cowardize cannot be found, then to suffer the colours to be lost. And lastly if any man that shall recouer the lost ensigne and bring it away flying; no matter how low in condition the man is, if the captaine vpon any after consideration bestow those colours vpon any other person; it is a disgrace both to the captaine and his ensigne, for he doth an Injury to vertue, and discourage valour.
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Chapter 19, Item 19e
Sergeant at war
A Serjeant of Warre.
He beareth a serjeant of a traine band, or foot company with his Halbert on his shoulder, a Grey coat, scarlet breech, hat and feather. Se ca.5. numb.62.
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Chapter 19, Item 19f
Sergeants office
The office of a Sergeant.
1. The Sergeant is next in the degree to an ensigne, who is generally armed for fight with an head peece, corslett, sword, and belt and a strong Halbert. Of these there are two or three in each foote company, distinguished by the eldest, second and third sergeant. And if all the officers be out of the way by any accident, the eldest sergeant is to command the company next.
2. In assembling he is to set euery man in his place, ranks, and files and in the march shalbe on the outside where he may best see the order of the march.
3. He is to instruct the souldiers in the managing of their Armes to know the words and motions of command, to lead the musketeers to fight, by making euery man to come vp close to him, to se that they take right Levell, and discharg their guns to good purpose, and se they keep their order as well in their going off, or retireing, as in their comeing on.
4. The eldest sergeant is to lodge in the skirt of the quarters behind the captaine; the second behind the Lieutenant; and the othere behind the ensigne; and in their quarters they are to se and visit the souldiers and their lodgings, and that they be orderly and quiet. The sergeant is to fetch the watchword from the sergeant Maior of the Regiment, and to deliuer it to his captaine, Lieutenant, ensign, and corporalls, that are vpon the watch: and if the whole company watch he is to attend and set the sentinells, and visit them all, make frequent rounds, se to the deliuery of ammunition to the corporalls as the sergeant Maior of the regiment shall giue out for the use of the company.
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Chapter 19, Item 22a
Sword play terms
Terms of Art for the Rapier and sword play.
First of all we are to vnderstand that the Rapier and the sword is diuided into two parts, namely into the Prime and the Secunde.
The Prime is measured from the hilt to the Midle of the Rapier; in the sword is is termed the prime or halfe sword, which part being the strongest part, is therefore to be made use of, in putting by thrusts and blowes.
The Secunde, is from the midle of the weapon to the point, which being the weakest part is only used to thrust or cut.
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Chapter 19, Item 22b
Art of defence
Things necessary to be knowne in the art of defence.
In the posture or carriage of the body, handling of thy weapons and for the making of thrusts or blows at the Adversary obserue these following things.
1. The sword or rapier is to be held with a bent Arme. The point of the first not to be too high; and of the later, to be euen to the elbow.
2. The left hand to be ouer the left eye, or neere thereto to put by a sudden thrust withall, that may be directed to either of the eyes.
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Chapter 19, Item 22c
Fencers weapons
Fencers weapons by which they fight for prises.
Single sword or back sword.
Sword and dagger.
Files or single rapier, or at sharpe if they haue no balls.
Rapier or File and Punniard.
Sword and gauntlett, that is a left hand arme gauntlett.
Sword and Buckler, or Targett.
Fauchion.
Two handed sword.
Quarter staffe.
Halberts.
Flaile or threshall.
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Chapter 19, Item 23b
Greek officers
Officers of the Greek Army of the Heavy Armed foot souldiers called Hoplites.
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Officers of the light armed foot souldiers, called Psyllagi
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Chapter 19, Item 23c
Officers' pay
Officers in our moderne Armyes of foot and their dayly pay.
The Generall 50 li. per diem but generally now but 10 li. the day. It is his duty to take care for to haue all things necessary for an Army, as money men Armes vitualls Ammunition, a goode traine of Artillery, and all things belonging.
He ought to be carefull in three things, to recompence commandable actions, to punish the bad: and constantly to exercise military discipline, for of the souldiers be not employed, will busie themselues in that which is nought.
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The Marshall of the field, receiues Orders from the Generall, who giues the same to the Maior generall of Horse and foot; to the quarter master of Artillery, and the victualls. His pay is 2 li. per diem.
Serieant Maior Generall of foot hath 1 li. 10s. per diem.
Treasurer of the Army 2 li.
Advocate of the Army 1 li.
Quarter master generall 1 li. per diem.
Provost marshall generall 6s. 8d.
Wagonmaster generall 10s. per diem.
Mustermaster generall 15s., his deputies each 5s.
Colonells of Brigades, either of horse or foot 2 li. 10s.
Seriants Maiors of Brigades 2 li.
Phisician of the Army 6s. 8d.
Chaplaine of the Army 8s.
Apothecary 10s.
Chyrurgion 4s., his mates each 2s. 6d.
The Comissary generall of the victualls 16s. per diem.
Scout master generall 10s.
Colonell of a regiment of foot 45s. by the day now reduced to 30s. per diem.
Leiutenant colonell of a regiment of foot, 30s. per diem now but 15s.
Seriant Maior of a regiment, or Maior of a foot company in a regiment, 27s. by the day, now but 9s.
Quarter Maister Generall 5s. per diem.
Provost marshall 5s. per diem.
Captaine 15s. by the day.
Captaine Leiutenant or Leiutenant to the colonels company - - -
[ MS damaged; the rest of the entry and the wages for the next entries are unreadable or missing.]
Lieutenant - - -
Ensign - - -
Sergeant - - -
Corporal - - -
Chirurgion 4s by the day.
Chirurgions mate 2s. 6d.
Carriage master 3s. per diem.
Chapplaine 8s. per diem.
Drum maior 18d. per diem.
Drum beater 1s. per diem.
Souldier 8d. per diem.
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Chapter 19, Item 23d
Artillery officers
Officers and Attendants of the train of Artillery.
Generall of the Ordinance 4 li.
Leiutenant Generall 30s.
Assistance 6s.
Clerk 2s. 6d.
Survey or controller 10s.
Chief engineer 10s.
Engineers each 6s.
The Waggon maister 5s.
Waggoners each 2s.
Guides or conductors 2s. 6d.
Principall conductor of the Artillery 4s.
Pay master 5s.
His clerks each 2s.
Commissary of ordinance 5s.
Commissary of Ammunition 5s.
Their clerks 2s.
Commissary for victualls 6s.
His clerks each 2s.
Purveyor generall for ammunition 2s. 6d.
Quarter master of the artillery 6s.
Master of the Miners 4s.
Miners each 1s.
Captaine of Pioners 5s.
Lieuetenant of Pioners 3s.
Ouerseers of Pioners 2s.
Petarders or fireworkers 4s.
Assistants of fireworkers each 2s. 6d.
Master Guner 6s. 8d.
Guners mates 2s. 6d.
Guner each 2s. some 18d.
Labourers 1s.
Provost Marshall of the Artillery 3s.
Under Jaylors each 1s.
A Battery master 5s.
A Bridge Master 6s. His Assistants 1s.
Chaplaine 4s.
An Ensigne 5s.
Drum beater 18d.
Trumpeter 3s.
Chirurgion 4s.
Under chirurgions each 18d.
Master Carpenter 4s. His mate 2s.
Carpenters each 18d.
Master Blacksmith 4s.
Under smiths 18d.
Master Wheelwright 3s. His servants each 18d.
Pioners each 1s.
Tent Keepers each 18d. Their Assistants each 1s.
An Armourer 3s. His servants each 2s.
Baskett maker 2s. 6d. His servants each 18d.
Collar maker 2s. 6d. His workmen each 18d.
Ladle maker 2s. 6d. His assistants each 18d.
Gun-smith 3s. 6d. His servants each 2s.
Cooper 2s. 6d. His servants each 18d.
Rope maker 2s. 6d. His servants each 18d.
Sadler 3s. 6d.
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Chapter 19, Item 23e
Army orders
How orders are giuen through an Army.
The Marshall of the field receiues orders from the Generall of the Army.
The Majors generalls of the Horse and foot receiue their orders from the Marshall of the field.
The Serieants Majors of the Brigades receiue their orders from the Sereiant Maior Generall.
The Sereiant Maiors or Majors of Regements receiue their orders from the sereiant Maiors of their Brigades.
The Quarter Masters of Horse troops, and the sereiants of foot companyes, giue the word and such orders as they do receiue from the sereiant Maior or the Regiment to all the officers of their companies.
Againe the Quarter Master of the Artillery and the Quarter Maister of the victualls receiue their orders from the Marshall of the field. Or else the Marshall of the field speaking with the sereiant-Maiors-generalls of the horse and foot, the quarter Master of the Artillery and the Quarter Master of the Victualls, accordingly giueth Orders to the whole Army
All order and command ought to be giuen in writing, if there be tyme for the same.
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Chapter 19, Item 26a
Men of arms
These are termed men of Armes ... the furniture of whose horses, as their barding and caprison were made of linnen artificially wroght with Barrs of Iron after the manner of feathers, and both of them so curiously intermixt and patted together, as that it became a defence of resistance against any sort of weapons: which kind of Armeing horses was in use by the Romans, and hath so continued all along (till the divellish inuention of Guns, vpon which all manhood ceased) by such who prepared their horses for Tilts and Tounements, in the Joyfull tymes of Peace, and Triumphs at Marriages ...
But in more moderne tymes there were and are in use fiue seuerall kinds of men at Armes, Cavaliers, or Horsmen, for horse service, First and the most auncient are Lanciers: the second Cuirasiers: the third Harquebuziers: the fourth Carabiniers, and the last Dragoniers: the maner of their armeing both for their horses and themselues, I shall describe in perticuler.
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Chapter 19, Item 26b
Lancers arms
The Armoure belonging to a Lancier
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But in our more moderne tymes there were and are in use fiue seuerall kinds of men at Armes, cavaliers, or Horsmen, for horse service. First and the most auncient, are Lanceirs: the second Cuirasiers: the third Harquebuziers: the fourth Carabiniers: and the last Dragoniers: the maner of their armeing both of their horses and themselues I shall describe in perticuler.
The armes belonging to a Lanceire, both for man and Horse.
An Habergion, which is either a coat of Maile or plate, some call it a Shirt of Male.
Bassanet, Pott, or Scull, caps of Iron: to haue the crown of the hed onely: sometymes is Joyned to them Iron eares, and that as the Spanish call Barbote, a peece of Armor to couer the chin. The Italians call such caps, a Morion, and we from them a Murrian. And a casquets, cake, a casket or head peece.
A Sallad or Head peece, or Helmett with a crest, and Bever, to preserue the head and face, in which is set a plume.
A Brigandine, or curasses, cuirasses, are the back and brest plates from the Italians called a corslet or corsellette, and the French curats, or cuirats, the Latines terme the same Pectorale. Body Armor. Culets or Gard Reine, the skirts of the Brest plate, which hang before the thighs of a Pickman.
Joynted straps, those plated Leathers which hold the Breast and Back peeces together at the shoulders.
Zona, the Girdle or Belt, which holds them together about the middle.
The Vambraces, armour for the Armes, of the Laine Armatura Brachij.
The Pouldrones, armour for the shoulders. The Spanish call these Bracales, and Bracoles.
Bracats, or Brasses, Armour for the bending of the Elbow.
Tachettes, the buttons or round naile heads which are set about the skirts or the Armour to adorn and set it out, resembling little spotts.
The Culliers, Armour for the thighes, of the French called Cuissets, and Taces or Tasses, because they are tached or tacked on with straps of Leather to the corslett. The Italians, cuisses and cuissats, and the Spaniards, cuxote.
Pullie peeces or Pulley-pies, Armour for the Knees, of the Spanish termed Genovilleres, and the Latines Armatura genuum. The French call them valves and claves, from their foulding like a doore or window that opens and shuts.
Commissures, are the Joynts or closures of any part of Armour, which opening and closeing of the Joynts the French term le Fermeur or fermeture.
The Greaves, armour for the leggs. Armor Boots.
The - - - - [sic] armour for the feete, calceus Militaris.
The Gauntletts, armour for the hands. Vamp-plates. Chirotheca militaris.
A Sheild to keep of the blows of an enimy. A Rondelle, a Target.
A Launce, to vnhorse, or run an enimy throwe: 16 or 18 foot.
A Sword, to cut, wound and slay the enimy.
A Good paire of spurrs, with long pointed rowells.
A Hanger and Girdle, or dagger.
A rest for the Launce, which in Spaine they terme Cuxa.
The Caparison of a horse is a generall terme for a horse fitted out for the warre with all it furniture, as a horse with all it furniture: a horse Barded: or
A Barded horse, haueing it armour cloath, and other horse abilments put vpon it.
A Shafferon with an Iron pin in the midle of it, to couer the horse face, and forehead. Some terme it Chiefron.
The Cranett is the pine as stands out of the shaffron.
A Pectorall, a plate or Brest plate.
A - - - - [sic] armour for the horse neck.
Cullottes, Armor for the hinder parts, or taile of a horse.
A Pettrell, or Horse cloth which we now call a Housing cloth, or Harness for Horses, which anciently rought to the horse knees.
A foot cloth, a cloth of state for an Horse, but this is only used in triumphs and reach down almost to the horse feet.
Trappings with their bosses and studds, for triumphs.
A sadle for warre with girths and stirrups.
A strong Bitt, and Bridle made of an Iron chaine to prevent cutting.
Harnish, all the accoutraments, or furniture belonging to an horse of war.
A man and horse thus armed, cap a pee, the Spanish term Catafractes and Gendarm. A Man at Armes, Armed at all points. An Harnessed man.
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Chapter 19, Item 26c
Cuirassiers armour
The Armoure belonging to a Cuirasiere.
These are armed in all parts like to the former the Lance and Sheild excepted, for they are armed cap a pee and haue vnder their Armour a good Buffe coate, or a Placcate or an under brest plate to make them caliver proofe.
A Case of Peternells or Petrinells, which are somewhat longer then our ordinary pistols.
A Belt and sword, whose point must be stiffe and strong, called of some a wood knife.
A Sadle for warre well furnished with its accutriments as girths and sturrups; Brest plate and crupper.
A strong bitt, with a Bridle made of an Iron chaine, to prevent cutting.
These horse men are not only offencive, but cheifely defensive, standing as a wall against the shott of an enimy. These are heavy armed for horse service, which are not now used by us.
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Chapter 19, Item 26d
Harquebuziers armour
The Armour of an Harquebuzier.
A Buffe coate.
A Back and Brest and Pot or head peece with crosse barrs to defend the face, or with a Barbote, Armor to couer the chin.
An Harquebuz hanging in a belt with a swivell.
A Case of pistalls, and Holsters to put them in.
A Good cutting sword or a Tuck, Rapier, Curtelass, Fauchion, Hanger, Scimiter, Whinyard with a scaberd and belt.
A strong warre Sadle with its furniture of brest plate crupper, Girths, and stirrups.
A Bitt, to be made with a chaine to prevent cutting.
Good Jack Boots and spurrs.
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Chapter 19, Item 26e
Carabiniers arms
The Armes for a Carabinere.
They are armed in all parts as the Harquebuzier, their Horses may be something lesse: but for their offensive Armes instead of a Harquebuz, they have a good Carabine, hanging in a Belt with a swevell, by the ring of the carbine, and pistalls and holsters and hanger.
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Chapter 19, Item 26f
Dragoniers arms
The Armes of a Dragonier.
The Dragonnes are but foot souldiers, pikes, and musketts: set on horse back, and are soe mounted for the expedition of their march, who are to haue large Leather belt, for the more easie carriage of their pikes and musketts, in some extraordinary service, as for the making good of Passes and Bridges, Lineing of hedges, and other Ambushments. Their musketts are to be somewhat wider then the bore of a field muskett and about 2 foot, 9 Inches long, and the Pikes 12 foot in length. The horse must be of good mettle and nimble but of lesse price and stature.
In the execution of their service, they are to be light, and to euery ten souldiers, there is one allowed to hold their horses.
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Chapter 19, Item 26g
Trooper and trumpet calls
The Office of a Trooper or horse man.
It is requisite that they should vnderstand all military signes and directions, else they are in a wood and know not how to behaue themselues. Now there are three signes which the horse are to take notise; Vocall, Semivocall and Mute.
The Vocall signe, is that when a captaine or else some other inferiour officer, shall so Immediately command, as that euery souldier shall hear him distinctly with his own eares.
A Semivocall signe, is that which is distinguished by the Trumpett, or other warlike Instrument: In which as to the horse service: he is to take notice, (the which are commands to the eare) and ought to be performed with care and diligence. Those that the Trumpett sounds forth are such as follow.
The six points of warre with a Trumpett.
1. A Butte sella, or Boutez-selle, when sounded, is clap on your sadles ...
2. A Mount Chavallo, or a chevall: ...
3. A la standardo, or a standart: ...
4. A Tucquett, or March: ...
5. A charga, charg: ...
6. An Auquett, or Watch: ...
There are other sounds of the Trumpett but as they belong not to warre only, but to other purposes, I shall giue you here the names or termes of them.
1. An Attende, Hoe, a call for summons, or a thing to be listened vnto, or a senate of state, and the like. This when sounded, both the souldiers and others are to hearken vnto it, that he may the better be able to performe those edict that shall then be commanded.
2. A Levett, a pastime or pleasant recreative sound of which there are many answerable to other wind musick.
3. A Funerall sound, which is sad and dolefull sound.
The Mute signe, are signes by the eye, by the motion of the hand of the commander, or by the cornett colours and therefore it behoveth all souldiers to be carefull, that by silence he may heare all commands or signes giuen: and by vigilancy of the eye may obserue euery signe that is giuen. For Vegetius lib.5. saith that nothing profiteth more to victory then to obey the admonitions of signes: for to be carelesse therein victory itselfe is often lost.
In a word a souldiers duty is to be ready at all commands for service, to be sober and patient, to endure all hardships and travells, to know and obserue all orders military, to be completely armed, and expert in the use of them. It becometh a souldier best to appeare terrible, not to be garnished with gold and siluer, but with Iron and steele, and souldiers ought not onely to be obedient to their captaine; but cheifly to loue God and honor their King. Thus in generall there are two particular duties belonging to him, that is, as to a sentinell, and a scout. Of the first I haue spoken before numb:16.
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Chapter 19, Item 26h
Scouts duty
The duty of a Scout or Scouts.
They are not onely to discouer the high wayes, but also to scoure them; they are to be of a number answerable to the danger of the guard; for the hazzard of them may prove dangerous, both to private guards, or an Army in generall.
They are to giue notice of the enimies motion, of his approach, and of the number of them, that all sudden surprizes may be prevented.
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Chapter 19, Item 26i
Provost marshals office
Office of a Provost Marshall.
For the badge of his office he is to haue in his hand a staffe or truncheon: and haueing the same in his hand it is death to any souldier to lay violent hands on him.
All delinquents are to be deliuered to him by the cheife commander to be punished according to their faults: he is not to enter any quarters without the leaue of the cheife officer there for any prisoner.
He is to cleare all by-wayes of souldiers, that noe prejudice be done by them in their march: and is to se all orders published and duely executed.
He must be an honest man and take no bribes.
He shall ouerse all the victuallers of the regement that they shall not sell their victualls at vnreasonable prices, or vnseasonable hours.
He shall when preys or booties are brought in, after the Provost-Martiall-generall hath diuided them to the Regements, diuide them to the seuerall companyes he is Provost off.
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Chapter 19, Item 26j
Trumpeters office
The Office of a Trumpeter.
He is to be a man skillfull in all sounds of the Trumpett distinctly: he is to deliuer all embassies and messages betweene enimyes armyes.
To obserue the enimyes works, guards, souldiers, and other circumstances, that he may giue a good account thereof, at his returne from parleing, therefore ought to be witty, subtle, and to manage his businesse discreetly.
He is not to discouer any thing, as may prejudice his own partie. He must not faile to sound the hours commanded, and haue his Trumpet alwayes with him to sound at a sudden alarum.
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Chapter 19, Item 26k
Horse corporals office
The Office of a Corporall of Horse.
In a troop of horse there is to be three corporalls; they are of great use in assisting the Lieutenant in placeing sentinells, each in his seuerall squadron, when they are to performe duty.
If any parties are to be sent abroad either for discouery or for to scout the high wayes, a Corporall is to be sent with them.
He is bound to keep a list of his squadron, to be of a civill carriage and stout spirit.
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Chapter 19, Item 26l
Quarter masters office
The Office of a Quarter Master of a Troope.
He ought to be a man of much fidelity in regard of distributing of the word and billets: he is to command the troop in the absence of the superiour officer: who in going to make his Billetts for quartering, is to haue a souldier along with him, by the appointment of the Lieutenant; who is to returne to the troop, to conduct them to their quarters.
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Chapter 19, Item 26m
Cornets office
The Office of a Cornet.
He is to be a man of gallant behaviour and vndaunted courage, his place in a March is on the front of his owne squadron, and to take the standard himselfe marching through any greate towne or citty, or vnto the field with it flying.
...
In danger it is more honor to break his Lance or staffe himselfe then to suffer his standard to be broken or taken from him.
He is to keep a list of the troop, waite euery day on his superiour officers to receiue commands, to send such to the guard which the captaine or Lieutenant shall appoint. In their absence he is to command the troop.
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Chapter 19, Item 26n
Lieutenants office
The Office of the Lieutenant.
The reare is assigned him for his place. In the captaines absence commands the troop. He ought to be well educated in cavalry and in the other parts of the Art Military.
He must be strict to se the souldiers do their duty: and to haue a care of their horses in field and fight.
He being in the reare is to encourage is souldiers; but to haue his sword drawn, and to kill any that shall endeavour to flee and not to fight.
...
He is to visit the quarters and se the souldier be of civil behaviour, and if complaints be, he is to remedy it and punish offenders.
When the trumpett sounds, he is to be the first mounted, and cause the others to doe the same; punishing all lazie and lingring souldiers that doe not presently mount.
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Chapter 19, Item 26p
Office of captain of horse
The office of a Captaine of Horse.
Every Captiane ought to be observant valliant and resolute in the execution of all commands with Judgment, discretion and valour: that with vertuous noblenesse and generosity he may win the loue of his souldiers to their King, countrey and himselfe: and that by his own experience and knowledge in military discipline he may be able to gouerne his souldiers accordingly.
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Chapter 19, Item 26q
Office of colonel of horse
The Colonells office and duty for horse.
They ought to haue a high respect, with all observance to their higher officers, faithfully to performe their commands; and that with care, valour, affection, and diligence they rule and gouerne their Regements, and be valiant and coragious in fight.
Serieant Maior generall of the horse, or also termed the Comissary Generall he commandeth in the absence of the Lieuetenant Generall, and therefore must be experienced in warre affaires, he must be vigilant and carefull to appease discentions amongst souldiers. He is to recieue orders and the word, and giue it to the Quarter master generall, that he may distribute it.
Lieutenant generall of horse; in the Generall's absence the whole charge of the Army lieth on him, and he heares the reports of all occurance. He ought to obserue the motion of the enimie; to choose commodious places to quarter, provide good gards, and se to the sending out of Rounds. He must also procure spies euen in the enimies Army, se that captaine wrong not their souldiers, that they keep them in good state and well armed. Be affable and ready to heare all Just complaints and help them in necessity; and not be himselfe giuen to couetousness for that is the Bane and ruine of the souldiers.
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Chapter 19, Item 26r
Office of general of horse
The Office of a Generall of Horse.
Euery Generall ought to make his Army feare and serue God, and gouerne them with prudence, care, order and Justice: and that he know how to prevent remedy, and execute, as occasion shall offer themselues, with great skill and dexterity; this will make him no lesse loued than feared.
The Generall of the Horse doth supply the Lieutenant generall of the Army, and to take notice of those captaines and officers, and those private souldiers which are carefull in their service, Honoring and rewarding them, when they perform some signall act: advanceing them to higher offices and places, on the other side chastiseing delinquents and such as are wanting in their endeavours. &c.
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Chapter 19, Item 26s
Books on military duties
He that desires a fuller relation of the seuerall offices and dutyes belonging to these foresaid commanders of Horse let them peruse
Onosandro Platonico, of the Generall captaine and his office printed, 1563.
Military Instructions for the cavallrie, by J.C. printed 1644.
Observations on Military and Politicall affairs, written by Geo: duke of Albermarle, printed 1671.
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Chapter 19, Item 26t
Carbine commands
The Words of command for a Carabine.
All the carebines being dropt, or let fall, or hanging by their swivells the posture are as followeth.
Silence being commanded.
1. Handle your carabine.
2. Mount, or order your carabine, placeing the but end vpon your thigh.
3. Rest your carabine in your bridle hand
4. Bend your cock to it halfe bent.
5. Guard, or secure your cock.
6. Prime your pan.
7. Shut your pan, or fix your hammer.
8. Sink your carabine on your left side.
9. Gage your flask.
10. Loade your carabine.
11. Draw forth your scourer, or Rammer, or scouring stick.
12. Shorten your Rammer.
13. Loade with bullett and rame home.
14. With draw your Rammer.
15. Returne your Rammer.
16. Recouer your carabine and rest it on the bridle hand.
17. Fix your hammer, or steele.
18. Free your cock.
19. Present your carabine, is to rest it on the bridle Arme, placeing the butt end to the right side neere the shoulder.
20. Giue fire. Note the carabine is to be fired about 12 foot distance, and to be levelled at the knees of the enimys horse.
21. Drop or let fall your carabine.
These postures may serue also for the Harquebuz, but obserue that at any tyme you approach towards your enimy your carabine is to be mounted, with the but end vpon your thigh, with your hand aboue the lock: and so to carry it through any towne or citty, otherwise to be dropt.
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Chapter 19, Item 26u
Pistol commands
The Words of command for the pistolls.
1. Vncape your pistolls.
2. Draw forth your pistoll. This is done with the right hand, the left pistoll draw out first, then mount the Muzzell.
3. Order your pistol, rest it in the bridle hand, and then take it neere the midle part, and place the but end vpon your thigh.
4. Sink, and rest your pistoll in your bridle hand.
[The rest of the orders are similar to those for the carabine, and are not repeated.]
23. Present your pistol.
24. Giue fire. In fireing you are not to do it streight forward, to the enimyes horsehead; but towards the right hand with the lock of the pistol vpwards.
25. Returne your pistol, put it in the holster.
The pistol fired and returned, then he is to betake himselfe to his sword, which was drawne and placed at the wrist of his bridle hand, which recouering into his weapon hand, he is to behave himselfe as valiantly as he may.
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Chapter 19, Item 28b
Combat causes
The causes of Combats.
The causes and events of combats heretofore performed by persons of all conditions and qualities were chiefely these.
For a man to be accused of Treason.
For a reconciled enimy that hath falsified his word, vow and promise.
For a man throw desire of the inheritance, goeth about to kill his father.
For a man to be accused of Adultery: or a woman accused to procure her husbands death.
For persons Jealous of their Ladys loue or favour.
For a person committing an act so secretly, closely, and cunningly that no man can proue it by witnesses.
For a person to beare or vsrpe a coate of Armes of right and antiquity belonging to another.
For gentlemen and Knights and bearers of Armes, may haue combat, for Iniurious word, as to be termed a coward, and that he fled from his banner, defloured a virgin, or told his Soueraigne false tales, &c.
For a person that hath receiued Iniurious actions, as by assuming that honor which is not due to them in battle, assaults; doeing outrage to his coate of Armes, or remoueing his banner, or casting it downe.
Nay so frequent was the use of them in elder tymes, that it was accounted a point of dishonor if a champion or Knight, did not answere combat or challeng the defendant vpon very light occasions, and almost for euery lye; and so Jealous were they of their honor, that they resorted vnto the Prince for security, and licence so to doe.
But the Issue proued in the end so dangerous, and of such bad consequence, that in the yeare 1303, the King in France prohibited duells and combats to his subiects, vpon paine of being punished as in the case of high treason: And in England in the raigne of Richard the second by a statute for limitation of combats, all combats were forbidden saue in iniuries touching Armes and the honor of Generositie whereof the laws of the realme do giue noe remedie nor action
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Chapter 19, Item 28e
Ancient challenging
Auncient way of challenging to combate. ...
Such is the law of Armes in case of single combat, the party defendant shall apoint the tyme and place for the performance thereof, as witnesseth Spigellius ...
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Chapter 19, Item 28f
Combat denied
In what causes combats are denyed to persons.
All Infamous persons as rebell and Traytours against the King.
All such as forsake their colours and turne to the enimy.
All such as forsake the captaine in the field, or flee from him after their names are enrolled.
All such who haue bine cashared the Army or host for their vngentlemanlynesse.
Likewise with these are ranked, all theiues, robbers, ruffians, vittuallers, taverners, excommunicants, Hereticks, vsurers, pandars, histrions, or stage players.
Finally euery other person defamed with any notorious and detestable crime, whom the civill laws haue Judged vnable to beare witnesse, and also the vnnoble such as beare no coat of Armes as Peazants, Carters, Burgesses, or Artificers, or any trade of life, Misterie or faculty which is not resortible to the quality of gentility.
...
Againe there be two conditions of men, whom it is not lawfull to call or prouoke to combat, the first whereof be church men as Primates, Archbishops, Bishops and all sorts of Ministers, preachers and other Ecclesiasticall persons.
The second sort are Schollers and States men, as Doctours, Chancellors Graduates, Schoolmasters, and such as professe any other faculty of literature or schoole learnings.
...
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Chapter 19, Item 28o
Combat rules
The lawes of duells and combats
...
Thus much for the auncient maner and law of combats or duells at sharp, and extremity of life: the next to that is the noble exercise of Justs, Tourneys and tournements called also tilting; of which we now speake.
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Chapter 19, Item 28u
Fighting on the barrier
Of the manly exercise or fighting at the Barriers. ...
now concerning the Knights club, or Battle Axe ... Justus Lipsius In his Saturnalium Sermonum, lib. 2. cap. 19 describes it to be a staffe of cuggell with an handle to hold it the more firmly (such a one as is figured cha. 2. numb. 62, 68 of this booke) giueing it the name of Pilarius and Quinctilianus, and by Seneca lib. 2. termed Arma Lusoria, Blunt weapons for exercise; Harmless Armes, and the play itself pugna versis (or Inversis) Armis, a Fight with inverted or round Armes: and Tertullius calles them Lusoria Tela, enterprizes in which there is no wounds.
But the Monk of St Gall in Swetia, tells us in the life of the Emperour Charlemaigne, that their club or battle Axe was a staffe of crab tree heavy and very knotty.
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Chapter 19, Item 30a
Horse riding terms
Terms of art for the ordering and Rideing the war horse, or any other sadle horse.
As an Introduction to the art of Riding let me informe the reader there is onely three sorts of horses that need any teaching, after they are broken and backed, and they are these. The Warre or great horse: of some termed the horse for the great sadle; the Horse for pleasure or the Riding or travelling horse, called the Hackney; And the Race horse, or courser, In the teaching and traineing then vp for their seuerall uses and Imployments there is, first their Tameing.
...
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Chapter 19, Item 30b
Horse racing rules
Rules to be obserued in horse Raceing.
1. Course not your horse hard at least 4 or 5 dayes before you run your match, lest the soarnesse of his limbs abate his speed.
2. Except your horse be a foul feeder, muzzle him not aboue 2 or 3 nights before his match, and the night before his bloody courses.
3. As you giue your horse gentle courses, giue him sharp ones too, that he may as well find comfort as displeasure thereon.
4. Vpon the match day let your horse be empty, and that he take his rest vndisturbed till you lead him out.
5. Shoo your horse euer a day before you run him, then the paine of the hammer knocks may be out of his feet.
6. Sadle your horse on the Race day in the stable before you lead him forth, and fix both the sadle panell and the girth to his back and sides, with shoomakers wax, to prevent all danger.
7. Lead your horse to his course with all gentlenesse, and giue him leaue to smell to other horses dung, that thereby he may be enticed to stole and empty his body as he goes.
8. When you come to the place where you must start, first rub his limbs well, then vncloath him, then take his back, and the word giuen, start him with all gentlenesse and quietness that may be, lest doeing any thing rashly, he be choaked in his owne wind.
Lastly a race horse of neuer so fine shapes, though he be nimble, quick, and fiery, apt to fly with the least motion, yea though long shaped, of the Arabian, Barbary, Gennett, Turkey, or other of their bastard kindes, all which are accounted off as full of speed: yet lett not their owner or horse race betters wage more then their estates will beare: for horse courses hath brought many a good familey to a course estate, by being ouer confident; when they neuer consider how oft such persons haue bine crossed by some vnexpected accident, or casualty: that we may not therefore be confident of any such things, God tell vs plainly that the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift: but tyme and chance comes to them all.
I must here also insert the many subtilties and tricks used in making of matches, the craft of Betters, with the Knavery of the riders; but that they are generally knowne, to the wofull experience of too many Race-losers.
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Chapter 19, Item 30c
Horse dressing terms
Termes used about dressing and feeding of horses.
Take vp your horse, is to take him from grasse to be kept in the stable.
Take vp his belly, is to feed him awhile with straw.
Empty his belly, is to let him stand a night and day without meate.
Dressing of an horse, is a generall terme for all things to be done about him, as
Curry him, is to first combe him with an Iron curry combe, from the tip of the eare, to the setting of the taile, and all his body entirely ouer, except his leggs and cambrels vnder the knees.
Dust him, is to wipe the dust of him with a woolen cloath.
Curry him with a Brush (called brush currying) it is to rub him all ouer with a round brush made of short and stiffe Bristles.
Dust him the second tyme.
Cleanse him from his loose haires.
Rub him with an haire cloath.
Pick him clean, is to pick dust, filth or gravell out of his eyes, nostrells, sheath, cods, tuell and feet, and make them clean.
Cloath him.
Wad or wash him round.
Water him.
Scop or aire him.
Provander, or feed him: giue him oats after he comes from water.
Breat him, diet him.
Exercise him, aire him: run him before sunrise, and after it is set.
Coole him, walke him a little abroad before you bring him home.
House him, put him into the stall in the stable.
Litter him well.
All these terms so commonly knowne that I need not to explaine them: to be short, all that an horse Keeper hath to doe is to be carefull when he take him vp, how to curry, dresse and cloth him: when and how to feed, and water him: what and how to exercise, either by aireing or coursing; and his ordering after exercise; and what scourings are most requisite &c: of all these things those that desire further instructions let them peruse, The Compleat Gamester in 8vo.
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Chapter 19, Item 31a
Military discipline
It cannot be denyed but warlike discipline and good fortune were the raisers of the Roman Empire: and it is not length of life, that teacheth the art of war, but continuall discipline or exercise, and meditation of Armes, that makes good souldiers. Every troope is diuied into three (or foure) equall parts according to the quantity of souldiers, each part is called a squadron, and are seuerally knowne by the captains squadron, which is in the front; the cornetts squadron, in the midle; and the Lieuetenants squadron, which brings vp the reare.
For euery troope must be furnished with a Captaine, Leiuetenant, Cornett, quartermaister, two Trumpetts, three corporall, a cleark, sadler, Farrier, Gunsmith and a Chirurgion.
A Ranke in Horse consists of foure or fiue, which it doth seldome exceed: and in File six deepe, which is three score the number of a Troope, according to the present mode of English discipline. ...
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Chapter 19, Item 31b
Battle distances
Of distance in Ranks and Files of horsmen.
A File, is a sequent number certaine, standing head to crupper in a straight line from the front to the reer, and according to our mode of discipline, is either three or six persons.
A Rank, is a row of men vncertaine in number euen in breast, and shoulder to shoulder: be the more or lesse, according to the quantity of souldiers, as it falls out to make a rank.
Now there are two sorts of distances, which are called Orders, in these said ranks and files.
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Chapter 19, Item 31c
Battle order
Of the Orders.
Close order in Files, is 3 foot or a yard distance: or as occasion serveth, closing knee to knee.
Open order in Files, is six foot distance file from file.
Closse Order in Ranks, is three foot, or as occasion serveth closeing the ranks to the horse cruppers.
Open order in rankes, is six foot rank from ranke.
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Chapter 19, Item 31d
Movements of horsemen
Of Motion on Horsmen.
The exercise of a Troop of horse, consists in foure kind of motions which are these.
Faceings, which are used to make the company perfect and to be suddenly prepared for a charge on either flank or Reare.
Doublings, are used in the horse service to strengthen the front and the Flanks.
Countermarches, is but to reduce file leader in to the place or Bringers vp, or one flank into the place of another.
Wheelings, are used in horse service, to execute that which is to be performed by countermarches; which is to bring frontiers either into the flank or Reare.
According to which motions I shall giue you the words of command with the explainations of them.
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Chapter 19, Item 31e
Horsemen facing
Word of command used in Faceings of horsmen.
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Chapter 19, Item 31f
Horsemen doubling
Words of command used in doubleings of Horsmen.
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Chapter 19, Item 31g
Horsemen countermarching
Words of command used in Horsmens countermarch.
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Chapter 19, Item 31h
Horsemen wheeling
Words of command about wheelings of Horsmen.
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Chapter 19, Item 31i
Horsemen firing
Of Fireing, and the Maner of Horsmens fighting with Fire Armes.
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Chapter 19, Item 36a
Army exercise
Exercise and disapline, is the life of an Army, without which the most potent ( and Judged Invinciblest) force of men have been scattered and confounded by a Handfull of people; and this experience hath taught vs, that want of skill hath made cowards when as on the other side, a noble captaine said, let me have but able men, Ile make the souldiers, intimating thereby that vpon his good disciplineing them, they should not turne back from the most dreadfull enimy: for it is not power, but policy that makes a victor, 2 Kings 24. 24. And what makes a man more confidently coragious, than Knowledge?
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Chapter 19, Item 36b
Foot soldiers
Now haueing passed some few collectiues, as to the service of the horse, I am desirous to do the like for the foot: figuring out each command, or platforme after the proportion of six in file, which is according to our late mode of discipline.
A file, is a sequent number of men standing one behind an other from the front to the reer.
A Ranke, is a row of men (be they more or lesse) standing or marching shoulder to shoulder in a direct line, from the right hand to the left, (and from the left to the right) euen in a breast.
And by the way obserue that in all preparations to exercise, files must be made vp first and then being drawne forth, and the files Joyned togather, Ranks are made. Some call them lines.
[Section on the Greeks and the Romans]
But according to our moderne way of discipline in a company drawne vp, we use to make our file six deepe, and 8, 10, or 12 in Rank as the following wayes of exercise doth manifest.
...
In Marching the files are to be at their order, and the Ranks at their open order, with the musketts, and pikes shouldred.
In trooping or drawing vp into a body or Battalia, the drum is to beat a Troop, and the pikes to be advanced, and the musketts to be poised.
In an Alt or stand, the pikes are to be ordered most commonly, and the But end of the muskets set to the ground, and in all other motions or Marchings, when the pikes are ported the musketts are to be rested: In trailing of the Pikes, the musketts are to be reuersed, and carried vnder the left Arme, with the right hand backwards on the mussell of the gun, this is a funerall marching posture, when the Pikes are cheeked, the Musketts are to be rested as the sentinell posture.
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Chapter 19, Item 36c
Battle parts
The seuerall parts of a Body or Battalia.
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Chapter 19, Item 36d
Closing and opening
Observations in closing and opening.
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Chapter 19, Item 36e
Distances
Of distances in orders.
...
In our moderne discipline there are these four orders or distances in use.
1. The close order; which is both in Ranks and files one foot and halfe distance.
2. The Order; which is three foot in distance.
3. The open order; which is six foot in distance.
4. The open order to double distance, which is twelfe foot distance.
Ther are likewise seuerall distances to be observed according to the actions the souldiers are in, as march, exerciseing and skirmish.
1. The distance for marching, is three foot to be betweene file and file, and six foot to be betweene rank and rank.
2. The distance for exercise, or the motion of doubling of files Ranks, for faceings and countermarches, there is to be six foot betweene file and rank.
3. Distances for intire doublings, and skirmishes, betweene rank and file is three foot.
4. The distance for the prevention of cannon shot is twelfe foot: or 24 foot, which is the double double distance: or twice double distance.
Note that as these open orders are usefull, so are the close orders likewise, for by them the files of pikes charge the horse with more strength, also it is needfull in wheelings: and especially usefull when the commander is to deliuer somewhat to the souldiers that all may heare.
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Chapter 19, Item 36f
Facing
Of Faceings.
The Faceing of a company is the turning and altering of the aspect of it to either hand ...
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Chapter 19, Item 36g
Doubling
Of Doublings.
Doublings of ranks, and files, are Judged most usefull for the strengthening of any part of a Battle, as occasion and discretion shall command... .
Of Doubling by Wheeling
Wheelings do very often strengthen both the Flanks, and that to them belongs these words of command...
Observations in Doublings.
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Chapter 19, Item 36h
Conversion and inversion
Of Inversion and Conversion.
For Inversion it is a command that produceth a file or files, that is either by Files fileing, or of Ranks fileing.
Conversion, it produceth a Rank or Ranks: and that is either by encrease of files ranking by euen or vneuen parts: or of Ranks ranking to the right or left: or else of Ranks wheeling to the right or left flank: now all these haue these seuerall words of command.
... Conversion.
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Chapter 19, Item 36i
Counter marching
Of counter Marches.
There are three kinds of counter marches; in all which there are counter marching of files, Ranks Front, Reer halfe files and halfe ranks: and these are the Chorean, the Lacedemonian, and the Macedonian countermarches, to which some add a fourth called the Bastard countermarch, of all which take these rules of commands.
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Chapter 19, Item 36j
Maintaining or losing ground
Maintaining ground.
1. The Chorean or Cretan countermarch; is such as doth maintaine the ground: ...
Looseing Ground.
2. The Lacedemonian countermarch is for loosing of the ground: that is when the souldier is to loose it in the front and fall back after the maner of a retreat, which hath these words of command ...
Gaineing of ground.
3. The Macedonian countermarch is for the gaining of ground; that is a takeing of ground next before the front, and forsaking the ground the body first stood on. And that is performed by these words of command. ...
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Chapter 19, Item 36k
Counter marching
Observations in counter Marches.
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Chapter 19, Item 36l
Wheeling
Of Wheelings.
Those motions of Wheelings, and the seuerall uses of them, as they strengthen the front, reer, and both flanks, may be usefull.
There are two sorts of wheelings:
1. Angular wheelings.
2. Wheelings on the midst: which in their Motions are performed intire or divisionall.
Angular wheelings. Diuisionall Wheelings. Obseruations about Wheelings.
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Chapter 19, Item 36m
Marching to battle
Of the Marching of an Army to Battle.
An Army is one gross body of many Battalions, consisting of horse and foot: which ought to be ordered into so many ranks as the flanks of the battle shalbe intended to containe.
Haueing made all things in a readynesse and filled the Magazines, there must be choise made of some place, citty or Towne, to make the Staple of Ammunition, to put the traine of Artillery in equipage, and there to take the muster of the Army, as well of the Infanterie (or foot) and cavallry (or horse) as of the Artillery: there alsoe to put the Army in forme of Battalia (or in Battle Aray) euen as if they were that day to fight with their enimy.
The maner of ordering the Army for combat is according to that which the generall shall intend to execut, and for that end battles are drawne vp in verious forme, according to the designes they are about: which are principally these; to goe and conquer a countrey; or to relieue a place besieged: or to giue Battaile to an enimy in large and champion ground, or amongst inclosures: or to march throw an enimyes countrey, whether it be plaine and euen or contrary; and to retreat his Army, by all which he is to judge the capacities of places, what front he may giue to his army.
In all these designes, a generall ought not to spread out the wings of his army, but to keepe them close and to march in battalia, making choise of open places, free from woods, and such as are plaine and euen: else to be made so by Pioneers, who are to pull downe, and full vp all places which hinder their passage in Battalia.
But after what maner so euer your army be Imbattailed, a care must be taken that all hands may be brought to fight, and that the Army may deliuer combat at least three tymes, which it may doe if it be diuided into Van, Battle, and rear: In which three seuerall diuisions the horse ought so to be disposed, as they may alwayes second the foot, and that in such sort as finding them disordered, they may find place to rally themselues vnder their shelter; haueing no Battalion behind them so neere, whereby they might be againe routed, after such a disorder.
The Artillery ought to be so placed, that it hinder not the passage of the Battalions, and that it may easily discouer and annoy the enimy: for the most part the Infantry or Foot companyes, is within the body of the Army, in seuerall Battalions, disposed chequerwise in length double fronted, or as the Persians and Sicilians disposed their companyes into square bodyes, as the English and French doe use in these days: ...
And the Artillerie according to the conveniency of the place, in the front of the Army or on the flanks of the Battalions.
The Army thus ranged, and placed in Battle aray at the place of Rendez-vous, where the army all meets togather, it doth march away in Battalia to the place of their encamping that night, that so they may be taught how to march in Order of Battaile. Now in the March the Artillerie Ammunition and Baggage are drawne as a guard to them, one part of the foot is to march in their long order, either three or fiue in a rank, on the flank of these foot, some troops of carabines: two squadrons of cuirasseirs at the head of the Army, and as many in the reer; the Harquebusiers do march in the front before the cuirassiers, in the front with the carabines and dragons and the like in the rear: the maine Bodies of foot march in the Midle, in forme of double Battalions, as much as may be. I shall for further satisfaction giue some set formes of Battles as are both auncient and moderne.
[Greek methods]
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Chapter 19, Item 36n
Roman battle order
Romans way of embattailing their Armyes.
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Chapter 19, Item 36p
Modern battle order
Of the moderne wayes of Imbattelling especially since the invention of fire Arms.
Since the Invention of Guns, the ranging of Armyes and the maner of fighting is quite contrary to former ages, for that generall as intends to deliuer battle to his enimy (the occasion offering itselfe, and the countrey being fit for it) he ought to extend the front of his Army as much as may be, (yet not so much that it be not strong enough in the depth to sustaine the enimyes charg, but to haue the van-guard Battaile and rear-guard of sufficient thicknesse) the reason of which extension, is to hinder a surprisall on the flanks, and to the end that euery man may fight (which is one of the most important considerations) and to attempt to enclose the enimy within a halfe moone, and so to charg him in the front, flanks, and Rear, if it may be.
Walhauson makes six sorts of Battles now in use, 1, the Lunary Battle as he makes it and the figure shews. Numb.X. shews which is a good figure, but is improperly called the Lunary form; being rather an hollow or open front.
2. The chequer form is the Better, and is most allowed and most followed by our modern Warriors as numb.XI.
3. The Broad is also much approued and not rejected by most expert generalls as numb.XII.
4. The embowed, which should rather be termed a convex, or half moon; the form is not the worst, though the name he giue it be improper as numb.XIII.
5. The sharp pointed, which seems not to be so good as the former because it brings but few hands to fight, and is subiect to be ouer winged and ouer fronted by the enimy as numb.XIV.
6. The diuided Battalia, especially at a large distance, is held to be dangerous, being so far assunder that they cannot relieve one an other: and therefore rearly used.
This was the maner of Prince Maurice ordering his Battalias when he went to beseige Gulick. The Black squares are the squadrons of horse, and the white ones are the battalions of foot wherein musketts and pikes are Joyned togather. See the figure above numb: 15.
These two Battles arayed were thus ordered by Prince Maurice neer Vorstenburgh in his march to Gulick anno 1610; the one a chequer form the other a broad fronted Battle.
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Chapter 19, Item 36q
Army encampment
Of the encamping of an Army.
Haueing giuen seuerall orders of Battailes and how they are set in their seuerall diuisions and Brigads: I shall now giue you the Maner of their camping and how the souldiers are quartered in their tents, huts, and cabines: and how fortified to secure them from an approaching enimy ...
[Roman examples]
But the encamping of an Army in after tymes was after other formes some square, some in breadth, and others in depth: &. And in such figures as the generall thinks best and the Ground and places will afford rome. I shall only describe the maner of a modern compaine in a square figure ...
A Campe fronting euery way.
A. The open passage to the Generalls tent.
B. The alarme place.
C. The quarters.
D. The streets betweene the quarters.
E. The regiments of Foot.
F. The Regiments of Horse.
FF. The Generall of the Horse.
G. The Generall of the Army.
H. The Quarters, of the Artillery and the generall thereof.
The Quarter of the commissarie Generall for the victuall and his traine.
K Lodgings for strangers.
L. The Market and shambles.
M. The retrenchment of the camp, or the outworks for the security of the souldiers, at euery Redoubt was placed a peece or Ordinance.
[There is no obvious picture to which this list refers.].
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Chapter 19, Item 36r
Army fighting order
Of the seuerall parts of an Army as they are set to fight.
A company is an hundred men diuided in musketeer and pikes.
A Regement are somtyme more or lesse as 6. 8. 10. or 12 companyes vnder the command of a collonell.
A Brigade are seuerall regiment of Horse and foot ranged togather in order for Battle.
A Forlorn, or Forlorn hope, that part of the Army as giues the first onsett in the fight.
A Van or Vanguard, or front of the Battle.
The Maine Battle, or Body of the Army.
The Rear guard, the Battalia's set in the rear for reserues.
A Squadron is one diuision in a company; but in an Army it may be seuerall companyes Joyned into one Battalia.
The right wing, are the Horse on the right hand of the body of foot.
The left winge, the Battalions of horse on the left hand of the foot.
The Battaile ranged, or set in Battle Aray, is when they are set in Order to fight, and so placed as one part may help and relieue an other.
An Army is the generall term for an Hoast of Men gathered together with all things belonging therevnto.
The suceeding forme of Battle array, was the maner of King Charles the first, his Battle at Edgehill in the yeare 1642, fought against the rebellious crew, maintained by a wicked parliament, the Earle of Essex being their ring leader.
The Battle was diuided into three parts which they termed three Tertia's; in each Tertia there was two Brigades, each Brigade consisted of eight Battalia's of horse and foot: onely the first Tertia which was the front of the Battle, contained three Brigades being the King's guard, all the right hand squadrons, being Gentlemen of quality, se the forme of the Battle Arayed above, numb.XVI.
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Chapter 19, Item 36s
Firing
Of Fireings and Army fights.
Having giuen seuerall figures of Battalia's both auncient and moderne, I proceed to the executive part of Battle, that is of the maner of fireing at an enimy: of which there is diuerse ways and methods. For none can possitively say this or that figure shalbe, or serve this day, or tyme or place, and because to the diuersities of forme occasioned by situation of ground: the number of men, or order of the enimy; with many other observable strategems for the obtaineing both of wind and sun, which accidents procure veriaties of verious fireing especially at distances.
The signe of Battle being giuen, which generally are noted vnder these tittles: first the hanging out of a flag, or the Advanceing of the generall Standard: or secondly by the fireing of seuerall peeces of Ordinance, the sounding of trumpett and beating of drumes, or thirdly by encourageing of souldiers to be valiant and couragious, to stand in noe feare of their enimy, but remember the worthy acts of their noble predecessors: or in the last place, by giueing them the worde, by which they might know and distinguish themselues from their enimyes.
These things done, and the Armies faceing each other, the forlorne are drawne out which begin the battle at distance, fireing by parties and that either direct forwards or oblique: and the maner how they fire, it is performed either advanceing, receiueing, or retreating: other wise there may be fireing in the rear, marching from the enimy or in the flanks, marching by an enimy: And also at seuerall places for an enimy may at one and the same tyme, charge either in the front, or reer: or both togather: also in front and reer and flank and of these I shal demonstrate.
Fireing by forlorne.
The two out files are to be drawn out from the body and to march with two serieants so far as shalbe commanded, and there to stand, and the formost are to fire, and fall into the rear of themselues: when they haue all fired they are to fall into the body placeing themselues next the pikes, the other two files in like maner moveing out and fire, and fall in next the pikes.
Fireing by Ranks.
The two squadrons each side the pikes are to fire and wheele off into the reare of their owne diuisions the next ranks marching vp into the front and fire, by wheeleing of into the rear, and so the third, &c.
Fireing by ranks advanceing.
The Musketeers moue forwards and place themselues before the front of the pikes, closing their diuisions, then the seriants are to draw out the first file to a distance from the body of Musketeers and then to stand, present, and giue fire, then retreat to the right and left hand, and place them self in the reer of the muskets, then the second file is to advance and fire and retreat to the reer; and then the third, &c.
Ranks may fire thus advanceing in a standing Battalia where the musketts flank the pikes, as the foresaid figure.
Ranks fireing euen with the halfe file.
As euery file hath fired they are successively to retreat and place themselues in the rear of their owne file, And thus either one or two files or more may file togather according to the discretion of the commander, the first rank kneeling, the second stooping and the third vpright, being in their close order.
Triple fireing from the body.
The front halfe files do advance and cleare the body of the pikes and soe close their divisions. The halfe files take their places and march into the front of pikes, so these three fronts of muskets fire togather. Those of the front, retreat into the rear, betweene the intervals and place them selues in the reer of the reare diuisions and the muskets that fired in the flanks do march directly downe and place themselues euen in breast with the reer of pikes.
In this fireing you may keep the pikes shoulder still moueing slowly forwards keeping euen with the front of muskets.
A second way of fireing by Introduction, is for the first Rank to fire and stand, then the bringers vp (or last rank) while the first file is fireing shall march vp and place them selues euen with the second rank and when they haue fired, to place themselues before the first file, and present and fire: after the same maner are the last ranks successively to march vp and fire, till they haue fired, all ouer the first rank fireing twice reduceth them all to their owne place againe: and the pikes are to march slowly vp euen with the front of musketeers.
Fireing by extraduction.
In this kind of fireing the pikes are to double their ranks and march forth of the body, then the muskett are to close their diuisions in the reer of the pikes, then the first rank of musketts are to file out on the right hand close vp by the right flank of pikes and so to the front of the pikes, where they are to stand, present and giue fire: haueing fired to wheele off on the left, and fall into the reer of the musketts. And whilst the first rank is fireing, the second is to be marching soe as to be ready to fall into their places.
Fireing into the Front and Rear.
The Battalia being brought into this forme, by marching of the body of pikes by their diuisions, and the reer halfe files of pikes faceing about, then the front of each diuision is to fire, and turne off placeing them selues in the rear of their owne diuision, they still takeing their places as the front Ranks are wheeled off.
Fireing in the Reer of a March.
This is done by the last Rank faceing about and so to giue fire vpon any reer assailant, who are vpon their fireing to wheele off towards the front, and place themselues before their file leaders, so the next last Rank faceing about fireth and marcheth into the front, &c.
Fireing in the flanks.
The musketteers of the left flank being ioyned to the right flank by passing throw the intervalls of the pikes and a distance set betweene the two bodies of pikes and musketts then the musketters on the right flank face to the right and present fire; so turne off after the bringer vp between the diuision of pikes and musketts, and so euery file is successiuely to fire and wheele off, the ranks still opening their order to the right taking the places of the firemen, that there may be roome for them to place themselues between the diuisions.
An other way of fireing in this figure is to fire in the right flank and to be lead of by the file leader into their places betweene the same diuisions.
Or else to giue fire and place themselues on the outside of the left flank of pikes.
After the same maner is the fireing of the left flank performed and the fireings in both flanks, by haueing the company drawne vp and so fireing on the right and left falling off into the right and left flanks of the pikes, in their owne diuisions.
Fireing in the flank and reer.
This is done by placeing that flank of musketteers into the reer which are farthest off from the enimy: then the out file of the flank is to fire and fall off betweene the diuision of Muskets and pikes: and the last rank of Musketteers in the rear are to face about and fire, wheeling off into the reer of Pikes.
Fireings in the from flank and rear.
The left halfe Ranks doubling the right flank by diuision puts them into this figure where the front, the reer and the flank may fire all at a tyme, wheeling off into their owne diuisions, euery Rank moueing into his leaders ground.
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Chapter 19, Item 36t
Battle dispositions and textbooks
Battle
...
There are many more wayes of fireings both to the front reer and flank; also seuerall diuisionall fireings of which there is many brave figures produceable, which I might make mention off; but what is solid and serviceable here accept off; the rest I am of opinion are more fite for private exercises, and are used more for delight, and shew, then publick Marshall affaires, and open hostillity: of which and more you may peruse the workes of these authors who haue written largly on such Plinthium and diuisional battailes, as
Captaine Bingham.
Cap: Barrif, Military discipline. 1643, printed
Cap: Wards Art of Warre, or Animadversions of War. London, printed 1630.
Cap: Tho: Venn, Military obseruations.
Hexam, Art Military in three parts. London, printed 1637.
Mathew Dogen his Architectural Militaris. 1647.
Anth. De Villa his fortifications. Anno 1641.
Flavii Vegetii de re Militari, 1616.
Norwood his fortifications. Printed 1639.
Smith his art of Gunnery.
The compleat Cannonier, Eng. 1663.
Art of War by the Lord Prassiac. 1639.
N. Nye, Art of Gunnery, 1647.
Cap: J.S. his fortifications and Military discipline. 1688.
Modern fortifications or Elements of Military architecture by Sir Jonas Moore 1689.
Cap: Leake works of Gunery and Armory printed about 1675 or 76 at Mr Crouch in the Poultrey.
As these kind of fireing are thus used in smaller bodyes, so the same as occasion is offered by an enimy are put in practice by great Armyes onely with this difference, that in grand Battalia's or field service the souldier fires by Vollies or as some terme it, by Salves of shot: that is, when Bodys of a great breadth are to fire intirely by ranks, two or three together as the number will permitt, and occasion require; thereby powring showers of Lead vpon the enimy; It is presupposed ere one fireing of the files be ouer, that is all discharged round, nay before one halfe file hath performed their fireings, the bodyes are almost close; then the pikes are at their port, and at length to be at their absolut charge and push home. Now being so neer there is so great execution done on one side or other, that the Brunt cannot be long but one side or other must yeeld by flight: for fire and smoake who can long abide it.
They that desire further instructions in these military exercises may please to peruse these seuerall authors.
The compleat souldier or Artillery man, by E. Rawlins.
The Duke of Albermarle his observations, in the English Wars.
The Treasury of the Mathematicks by John Taylor. Printed 1687.
But all these orders and rules of Battalying and preparations for fight and combats is of noe force, where there is not true valour and good conduct in the case, therefore it is and may be usefull to giue the reader a glance of Valour and its parts.
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Chapter 19, Item 36u
Valour
Valour what it is and in what it consists.
Valour is two fold, Active and passive: active valour consists of doing hardy and difficult thing, like a stout and great man; Passive Valour consists in suffering and endureing hardship courageously, like a pious and good man.
Now active Valour is mad up of three ingredients: first a good courage, and that is three fould, supernaturall, Naturall and additionall.
1. Courage Supernaturall, which appears when God makes them more then men, by infusing his spirit of courage into them, which has bine giuen both to good and bad men, Jew, Christians, and heathens ...
2. Courage Naturall, is the bounty of nature, for which a man is indebted to the happy stars (the work of God) that made him Martiall strong and of a good courage, . . . Therefore such men as were born under a faint and Timerous Planet are not fit for souldiers and heroick feates of Armes, but will serue for the plow, or to wrap themselues in a gown or preach in a Pulpit, or make a noise at the Bar; for the thundering of Guns and Drums will strick them into a fitt of an Ague and put them in a trembling.
3. Courage Additionall, and herein there be many causes that doth and will put valour into a coward and make him fight, as first a good cause, it will make a faint heart to play the man in defence of their countrey, wives, and children against usurping Invaders, and secondly a good conscience, or a good life and conversation. Vertue and valour are neere of kind: therefore it is that many a good cause of war hath bine ruined by debauchery and want of good discipline, for how can a man be faithfull to his Prince and countrey, that is treacherous to his God and his own soul. Can a man be a Saviour of his countrey, that sweares and damnes at euery word, can he be valiant that fears to dye? Yea all men feare to dy, that liue in the open defiance to the God of heauen. And a 3rd cause of additionall valour, is Valiant Leaders, such by their coragious words and conduct, animate the spirits of their souldiers that there is none so timerous but wilbe ready to follow their Leader, if a brave man at Armes. It was once sayd by a Generall, I would rather haue my souldiers sheep, and Lead by a Lion; then Lions to be lead by a sheep. And the fourth cause of Additionall courage is good accutriments for war, that is good Armes and good Armour, these will put courage into a coward, and those daunt the bravest enimy that fights unarmed. Can a workman work without Tooles, or is he ashamed to carry them on his back, noe more should a souldier be weary or ashamed of his warlike abiliments, by which alone he stands faire for victory: rather then be beaten, or captivated or shamefully run away, yet some are of such dastardly spirits, that all the Armour in London Tower would not fortifie or incourage their hearts to fight.
The second generall part of a souldier is his passive valour, it is the most difficult and divine part of valour: It is not to feare what shall come to pass: yet hath this fore cast in it, as to endevour to prevent with all might and courage what we call euills, but when all that can be done, will not doe; then what comes is welcome, with life or death, liberty or captivity, victory or defeat, soundness or loss of limbs, euen as best pleaseth Divine providence: Not my will but his be done: let the Lord doe what seemeth to him good. Luke 22. 42. And 2 Sam 10.12. This is a good and pious resolution of a valiant souldier, and I could wish all souldiers were so resolute.
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Chapter 19, Item 36v
Triumph
Of Triumphs after Victory
[Descriptions of Roman triumphs]
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Chapter 19, Item 36w
Military rewards for services
Of Donatiues or Rewards giuen for service done.
[Descriptions of ancient practices]
And great reason that men ventureing their liues and coming off with victory should be thus rewards, to incite others to attempt the like, that they may be the like rewarded for these favours; and donations did not onely encourage men to valour but also made them much honored at home: for besides glory and fame, they were also recieued into the countrey with much pompe and applause.
...
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Chapter 19, Item 36x
Bad soldiers
Character of bad souldiers.
There are three sorts of fighters, whose service deserues shame rather then rewards, except the reward of punishments.
1. Souldiers of Fortune, or Hired souldiers ... These are called Hackney souldiers, Imployed for such a work, such an expedition, and here is your money: they are for the first chapman, and fight without any examination of the cause. All is what will you giue me, saith this souldier of Fortune, and I will kill, ravish, burn, and Murther the Innocent blood. Now note that these fellowes are seldome either faithfull or truly valiant, when they are put to the push; for he that will sell his soul or his life for money, will not feare for money to betray and sell his prince.
And generally these are the men that nourish and foment Wars: for plow they cannot, work they will not, and fight they dare not, for they are always vnfit to dy, therefore afraid to dy.
2. The duelist, this is an Hector that loues killing and fighting in a bad cause, and thinks himselfe a tall fellow if he haue killd his man, though hereby he be guilty of a double Murther, first of his Adversary, secondly of himselfe; for it is odds but he is hanged for it, if he be taken. Againe these Duells or Challenges are so vnsouldier-like, that the Brave Romans abominated it, so that if they did shew their courage it was against the common enimy, for with all sober modest men, Duells were accounted sans reason or Honesty, because it is a defiance and breach of the laws of God and the King.
3. The Jesuites, these are religious fighters, right rogues, slaughter men, that under pretence of a good cause fight couragiously and play the devil for Gods sake; killing all that are not of their sect, thinking thereby they do God good service, and to promote their faith. Thus the Papists and Mahometans preach with their traditions, counsills, and the Alcoran, in one hand; and the sword in the other; take this faith, or feel the keeness of the fire and sword, a sad choise and a worse cure, of these religious villains and blood Murtherers, may be said as Jacob of his two sons Simeon and Levi, Instruments of cruelty are in their Habitation, &c. Gen 49. 5,6. in so much that at the councill of Constance it was decreed that noe faith was to be kept with an Heretick or one of a contrary religion to them: this makes them all murtherers for religions sake.
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Chapter 19, Item 36y
Military discipline
Of Criminall Souldiers and their punishments.
The crimes peculiar to souldiers are such only as are committed contrary to military discipline, which are excusable in others not being souldiers: and here a certaine difference betweene an errour, and a crime, is to be noted. The first is a thing done contrary to common disciple as to be slothfull, vnwilling, disobedient: but the latter is a fault accompanied with an intent to do hurt, for without that intent the act may be imputed to chance, or to a thing happening vnawares. But as the humours of men are diuerse, so are their crimes of diuerse qualities, to which punishments according to the law of Armes, called Marshall law, are appointed as are here after set downe.
Treason and Traytors.
All that fly from their princes service, and colours, to an enimy, or that haueing a charge shall yeeld the same vp to an enimy, or that are explorators or spies to giue the enimy ineligence; or to furnish the enimy with weapons or ammunition all which are diuersely punished according to the custome of the countrey and discretion of the prince ... in most countreys punished with loss of life, for Traytors of all men are hated, nay those that first elewer and entice them to it for rewards, in the end giues them the reward of traytors as historyes in all ages maketh manifest ...
Disobedience and Punishment.
Who so refuseth or omitteth to execute that which the Generall commandeth, or doth what he forbideth: not to goe into the Army being called, or to depart from it without Licence, is a capitall crime, is punished with death. All Mutiners according to the danger of the sedition should loose his life, or be cassed if of lesse moment.
Cowardice and its Punishment.
To forsake the ranks, or to aboundon the ensigne, or faine sicknesse; to leaue his standing on the wall or forsake the trench in tyme of assults, to goe from the watch or office of scout, is by most nations punished with death and the greatest favour to run the pikes (of some termed running the gauntlett) that is to be slashed and whipt throwe two files of men, 60 or 100 deepe. But here is to be noted that of flying there is two sorts, one proceeding from a sudden and vnlooked for terrour, which is least blamable: the other is voluntary with a determined intention to giue place to an enimy, this is a fault nor excusable. The like penaltie do they incurre that sleep or depart from the place of watch; ...
To sell, pawne, or loose his armes, shalbe beaten or punished as a desertor of the army; because it is argueth noe Magnanimity, courage, or care of a souldier; but is rather a signe of sloth and pusillanimitie, and of a base, or abject spirit.
Counterfeits and their punishment.
To counterfeit false letters or passes, or raise any writing in Egypt had his both hands cut off. Of this crime, are they guilty that counterfeit money and forge false Keys, to escape out of prison: the former was punished by death: the Later was referred to the discretion of the Judges.
Theft and Robbery and their punishment.
It was a fault very infamous to committ either any secret theft or open Robbery, either in fields or towne ... Marshall law is very severe against this fact in a souldier, and is generally punished with death.
Fornication and adultery how punished.
For many respects also these vices ought to be seuerely punished as well in war as in Peace: [Roman punishments]
Diuerse other military offences and punishments there were in auncient dayes: But to conclud this matter of crimes military, we say that the Romans and seuerall other nations practized their punishments under seuerall heads ...
A Pecuniary Taxation.
A dismission or putting out of service or office.
Degradation and Dishonour.
Ignominious castigation or Beating.
Moderne punishments used among the Souldiery.
A souldier for his offence, if he escape commitment into the hands, and custody of the Marshall of the Army: and so be tried by counsell of warre for his offence: yet it is in the captaines power to correct his souldier these wayes.
With the Bastonado, that is by striking him with his staffe or cane.
With ridding the wooden horse; setting him on an horse made of wood with a sharp rigged back, his hands tyed behind him, and Musketts or weights hung at his feet.
With tying neck and heels together; that is with a Match or rope to tye the armes and hands behind him; and then with the like to draw his head betweene his knees, and so let him remaine for an houre two or more according to the degree of his offence. This is a cruell punishment and causeth great torture in the ioynts, in so much that when the souldier is loosed, he is not for a certaine tyme either able to stand or goe.
But if through commitment, and by councill of war, a greater punishment is to be inflicted; then there are these punishments.
Burning with Match betweene the finger.
The Rack, which is by a certaine Instrument to stretch out of the lymes and ioynts, and to draw each ioynt out of its place.
The halfe Strappadon, which is by tyeing two hands behind the back, and so by the hands to draw a man a yard two of three and then let him downe; This is a cruelty by which the two shoulders are drawne out of their places so that that souldier shall be lame all his life tyme.
The whole Strappaddo, is the drawing of a souldier as before said to a great height, and then to let him fall suddenly yet not touch the ground but hang by the armes, this doth not only break his armes and shoulders; but with the sudden Jerk with the weight of his body, doth shake all his ioynts of his body out of ioynt. So that he shall neuer be able to goe all the dayes of his life. It is better to die a cruell death then vndergoe this torture and liue, yet ther is an other punishment as ill as this, if not worse (as I haue bine informed by an ould souldier) which is to punish a man with a miserable life, because death is a thing too good, and this is termed Ridding of the Great Gun or Great Horse: and that is to set him astrid vpon the midle of a Gun when it is fired, a thing so terrible that it shaketh out of ioynt all the ioynts of his body, till is come to his very fingers: and in that condition is to ly and endure a miserable life, where death is to be wished before such a being.
Punishment by death.
The souldiers offence meriting death, it is inflicted on the offender these wayes; either by hanging him by the head with a rope to a tree, by which he is choaked. Or by shotting to death wich is setting a muskett or a pistall to his head, or breast, and so fireing it, haueing a charge with a brace of Bulletts.
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Chapter 19, Item 36z
Immunity and priveleges
Immunities and priuiledges of a souldier.
Souldiers were not constrained to pay subsidies, or taxes out of the lands confining or fronting vpon an enimyes countrey: and dureing their service in the field were excused from all Impositions and bestowing of gifts or giueing rewards.
Souldiers accused of any crime, ought not to be tortured, or being found guilty might not be hanged vpon a gallows, or Gibbet, before Judgment were lawfully pronounced.
Souldiers ought to receiue restitution of all things taken from them or their wiues.
Souldiers were exempt from prevention of Justice; and permitted to use priuiledges.
Souldiers were not retained in prison, or forced to pay aboue their power; and were set free, vpon the bond of those that were sutors for them.
Souldiers might not be punished haueing about them the badges or ensignes of honor, but before punishment were inflicted those badges were taken away.
Any souldiers attorney that did make a contract or bargaine for him, he was bound to performe it.
Wages or pay are receiued by souldiers dureing the tyme they are in the King and countreys service; as a due yearely or Mounthly for entertainment, nay though they be sick, because they are supposed to serue.
Souldiers pay is not to be arested to the use of his creditor: if other meanes of satisfaction may be found: because the law compells a souldier to pay noe more than he hath, being a debt Incurred dureing the tyme of war.
Noe gift bestowed vpon a man for service can for any privet contract be pawned; and if the creditor can be otherwayes satisfied, no execution can be taken vpon gifts, or goods bestowed for service, which were aunciently reputed sacred.
Also it was forbidden that the Armes of souldiers should be sould to pay creditors, or satisfying of any debt, and that no Artificer appertaineing to the war should be imprisoned for debt yet it was lawfull to extend his goods.
Rewards or donations, were allowed to old and maimed souldiers, or such as had performed their full tyme of service, for donatiues bestowed on captaines and souldiers did encourage them to serue well: and was likewise an applause, glory and fame to them at home, for it was and is the care of all princes to reward and honour their souldiers for their great services both with land, money, and habiliments and tokens of worship and renowne, as crownes, Lances, swords and sheilds, Furniture for horses, Braceletts, Rings, and scarffes of great value.
Apparell is a souldiers fee and priueldge to haue and money for that end was giuen him for the prouision of his coate and other necessaries; by which meanes souldiers were honestly clothed and comely furnished both on horsback and on foot, for fit and decent apparell and ornaments of body do become all military souldiers and commanders according to their rank: as well to make them venerable in sight, as also to giue beholders occasion to think, they are persons of respect and honor.
Hostages or pledges in ware, are persons of worth and quality put in pawne, or are sureties and pledges for the performance of Articles and capitulations of truce or peace betweene Princes and common weales. To the end that if promises were broken, then the liues and goods of such persons were forfeit and consfiscated: I meane such goods as the hostage had there gotten: but the conditions being performed, they ought to returne home...
Prisoners whether they be souldiers or officers in the warre if they be taken and deteined by the enimy haueing endured the fortune of warre, and therein Hazzard his owne life, vpon his enlargement ought to be restored and participate of euery donative, or other liberality the prince shall please to bestowe: ... A prisoner taken and afterward in cold blood to be slaine or cruelly used, is contrary to the law of armes; only is captiuated, and all that he hath taken as prey from him, though there are many presidents of after cruelty declearing the contrary.
Ransome or redemption of captiues or souldiers taken prisoners in war or peace, is a reward giuen to the enimy which so detaines him, as the condition of the person is, so is the mult set vpon him, for it is no strange thing, that a part or an whole inheritance belonging to a captiue, ought and hath bine giuen to redeeme him; because nothing should be witholden from redeemeing men that haue indured the fortune of war in defence of the countrey. If a stranger redeeme a prisoner taken by the enimy; he shall not remaine his prisoner but abide with him till the ransome be payd.
Rescues and Rescuing of Souldiers, is when any souldier is ouer come and taken by an enimy, yet by the aid of others is deliuered from his enimy: now he that rescues a person, the same ought not to remaine prisoner to the rescuer, but shall forth with be set at libertie, and enjoye his former estate.
Parolles, Pasports or Licences, granted to Prisoners at warre is when they obtaine leaue from an enimy to goe amongst his owne friends to procure a Ransome; if not, to returne a prisoner to his enimy. He that makes not good his parroll by sending his ransome or exchange of a prisoner for himselfe, or return as a prisoner himselfe, vpon his next captivating doth for his falshood loose his life, by an Ignominious death.
Passes and Licences or furloungs are and were by all generalls and other commanders in the war granted to their souldiers that is, that they may be absent from the Army, or other places of service, with allowance of tyme convenient for their goeing and returne. Yet such ought not be giuen without earnest occasion, and good respects, otherwise neither man nor horse but they are restrained and seldome suffered to passe out of the Army, and for this end euery souldier did aske leaue of his captaine, and the captaine of his Generall, before he had any licence to depart, and that he should leaue a man to supplie his place, and to returne by the tyme prefixt, which done he receiueth his whole pay without diminution, as though he had neuer bine absent: but if he stay aboue his tyme he is in danger to be checked of his whole wages.
Enimyes are such people that publickly doe make warre vpon vs, or we vpon them.
Allies and friends are such Princes, Kingdomes, and potentates which are in confederacy and legue one with another, and to saue and defend one another both at home and abroad.
Ambassadours. Legats, Envoyes: both ordinary and extraordinery; these are messengers sent from some Prince to Prince to treat of Peace or denounce warr for wrongs or iniuries offered and done and these are such persons of the Nobility and Gentry as are found most meet, and are indeed the most sagacious and haue the greatest skill how to discover the counsels and designes of the enimy. Ambassadours ought to be inviolable in all countreys and whosoeuer offered them violence, was thought to haue done contrary to the law of nations: and such persons as strike them, were deliuered vnto that enimy from whence that Ambassadour was sent.
Treaties and Leagues are made, betweene princes and common weales, whether friends or enimyes, or such as stand as Newters, of which there are three kinds: the first was, where the victor made his owne termes, giueing laws to the vanquished: for he that is most potent in armes, may euer dispose of all things at his discretion. The second is when the Adversaries are of equal force, the peace is concluded vpon equall conditions, all things restored as had bine taken; and that he whose possession by warre was disturbed should be restored, and the third kind of treatie is betweene those that neuer were enemyes yet notwithstanding do ioyne in league and amitie. For the performance of these Leagues and couenants, some require writtings, others protestations or oathes, others demand Hostages: some wilbe possessed of Townes and strong places, and others will haue the enimy utterly disarmed: some hold that that league is best, which is ratified by Alliance and consanguinitie.
Truce or cessation of Armes; is a peace for a short tyme, to the end the enimy may take breath and be aduised. Varro calls Truce an Abstinence of Arms, and the holy day of warre: for albeit the fight ceaseth, yet the warre continueth: the terme of Truce is neither more nor lesse, but as the enimyes shall agree. A Truce hath bine desired for 6 or 8 hours, for 6, 8 or 10 dayes, or a mounth or more: dureing the continuance thereof, the enimy without offence may meet and speak togather and euery soldier is to goe and come safe, at his pleasure, who soe doth to the contrary, violates the law of Armes, and is esteemed vnfaithfull. Therefore Cleomenes, King of Lacedamonia, was much disallowed, who haueing concluded a Truce for 130 dayes, did neuertheless (in the night) spoile his enimyes countrey, alleaging the truce was made for dayes but not for nights: but such crafty constructions are to be misliked.
Offensiue warre, is when a people nation or Kingdome is not content with their owne territories, but out of pride, haughtinesse and to make themselues greater and more famous in the world; or either through a violent selfe loue, or a certaine vnsatiable desire to possesse more than cometh to his share: makes tyrants and oppressors so easie enclined to Iniury and violence, and make warre and create troubles where they haue noe right, or tittle. For noe ware is Just in it selfe; therefore to make an offensiue war for a humour, is to exchange tranquilitie for trouble, seeing the successe of warres are doubtfull; for he that begins it, cannot end it at his owne pleasure, neither worke alwayes his owne designes, but in the end come off with the worst. Therefore no offensiue warre ought to be taken in hand but with mature deliberation, and that the enimy are conscientious in them selues that there is Just cause or quarrell against them: and that is to be on these grounds, to Recouer things unjustly deteined, and to force the authors of the Iniury to be deliuered: or for reuenge of Iniurious enterprices against vs without cause: or for recouery of passage into a forraine countrey and such like.
Deffensive warre, is when a people stand vpon their owne defence and resist the violences imposed and inflicted vpon them: in such cases two wayes there are whereby we are to defend our selues, the one by reason, which is proper to men, as Mat. 25. 23. the other by force, which is common to bruit beasts. So then no warre can be called defensiue, but that onely which is made for defence of ourselues, and to resist invasions; thereby also to assure not onely us and oures, but also to protect and defend Allies, and neighbours vnjustly assaulted, and oppressed, when soeuer they desire aide against those that come to destroy them, as to take from vs those things without which we cannot liue: to assaile vs with dayly dangerous incursions; to take from vs and ours the comforts of our being, as religion, liberty and Justice: to depriue vs of our delights, as children, kindsfolkes and friends, in all which princes are to defend their subiects, and to giue to their Allies, and friends aid and protection.
Cassations or dismission of souldiers, of which the Romans used diuerse kinds, calling one honorable, an othere casuall, and a third Ignominious: ...
Of these matters se more larger discourses in the Souldiers Guide printed Anno 1686.
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