Captayne of Horſe.

THe Captaine of a Troupe of Horſe, muſt take pleaſure to bee neatly Armed and well mounted, to giue thereby an example to his Souldiers to doe the like: hee muſt take care that his Souldiers bee practuall in performing their Duties, and obſeruing Military Diſcipline, as hee himſelfe muſt be in obſeruing Orders, and executing the directions that are giuen or ſent him from his Superiours; not fayling of the houre appointed him to be at the place aſſigned, with his Company.

He ſhall take care to teach his Souldiers the vſe of their Armes, and ſee them perfect therein, and alſo that they keepe their orders in Marching or Imbattelling; that they vnderſtand all motions which the Horſe are commanded to learne, as alſo the ſound of the Trumpet, to which end, hee ſhall haue his times of exerciſing his men whilſt he is in Garriſon.

In all occaſions he is to be firſt on Horſebacke, to ſee his Company kept vp in their full number, and repleniſhed with all able Souldiers, to bee able to diſtinguiſh from the reſt, that are of moſt valour and courage, as alſo to bee ready to aſſiſt and aduance them in all occaſions: ſo alſo is he to caſhere and diſmiſſe from the Company, ſuch Souldiers as hee findes fearefull, lazie, and vnfit for Seruice.

Furthermore, he is to haue (if it be poſſible) two or three Souldiers in his Company, that are expert in the Countrey and wayes thereof eſpecially being in a frontier place, that vpon all occaſions hee may haue Guides of his owne at hand, and ready to ſerue him; to which men, he ought to giue ſomthing extraordinary aboue the reſt.

In Marching to his Guard or though any place, hee is to be in the head of his Company before the Cornet, as alſo going towards an Enemie.

In Lodging, hee is to lodge in the head of the Troupe.

In Imbattelling, with other Troupes, he is to take ſuch place, as his ſuperiour Officer doe aſſigne him.

When the Lances are joyned with Curaſiers, or Harquebuſiers, the Captaine of the Lances commands the other, and in his abſence, the Captaine of the Curaſiers; in both their abſence, the Captaine of the Harquebuſiers.

The Lieutenant of Horſe.

IT is neceſſary, that the Lieutenants of Horſe, ſhould bee men of great experience, abilitie and valour, ſuch as haue beene nourished & brought vp amongſt the Cauolery: ordinarily thoſe that are aduanced to theſe places, are ſuch Souldiers, that in occaſion haue giuen better proofe of their owne perſons and valour, then the reſt; that haue paſſed through the other inferiour degrees to that charge, hauing beene Corporals or Cornets.

Hee is to be aſſiſtant to the Captaine, in the execution of all directions and orders; and in the abſence of the Captaine, to command the Troupe, many times hauing all the difficulties of affaires and occaſions laid vpon him, in regard that the Horſe troupes, are often giuen to young Genetletlemen of Noble houſes, that of themſelues haue ſmall experience.

The Lieftenant muſt be ſtrict and ſeuere to his Souldiers, making them doe their duties, and whatſoeuer elſe is neceſſary (preciſely and punctually) and alſo to take care, that they looke diligently to their Horſes, and to their Armes.

He marcheth alwayes in the Reere of the Troupe, taking care that the Souldiers follow the Captaine in their order and due diſtances, and that they diſband not from the Troupe.

In occaſions of Fight, the Leiftenant is to keepe himſelfe firme in the Reere of his Troupe with his Sword in his hand, to incourage the Souldiers to doe their duties: and ſeeing any of them turning or ſhrinking, to flye from the Troupe, let him kill him, to giue incouragement to the reſt.

But if in the abſence of his Captaine there be preſented any occaſion of fight, or that he be to march through ſuſpected places, the Leiftenant muſt aduance vp to the Front into the Captaines place, leauing in his place behinde ſome Officer reformed, or ſome other perſon of valour in whom he hath confidence, which may diſcharge the duty of a Leiftenant.

The Troupe marching ordinarily, or paſſing through any place, or going to the place of Armes to the Parado, the Leiftenant muſt in no ſort take the place of the Captaine, but remaine alwaies behinde as aforeſaid, becauſe the Lances and Caraſiers haue their Cornets, who alwayes march in the head, and lead the Troupes.

But in Troups of Harquebuſiers that haue no Cornets; the Leiftenant in abſence of his Captaine, is to take his Captaines place in the head of the Troupes, be it in marching, fighting, or drawing to the place of Armes, as to al other places, ſending to the Reere two of his beſt Corporalls, to doe the office of the Leiftenant; himſelfe now and then notwithſtanding turning towards the Reere, to ſee if the Souldiers march in order as they ſhould.

He muſt reade and write, that he may keepe a Liſt of the names and ſurnames of the Souldiers of his Troupe, ſo as any order being ſent him by writing, or receiuing Letters from his ſuperiours, he be not conſtrained to ſhew them to others: he muſt alſo know the abilitie and ſufficiency of each Souldier, to the end, that there being any occaſion to ſend them out to any place, he may know whom he may beſt vſe and imploy.

The Troupe marching to the guard, and being approched neere vnto the place, the Leiftenant is to goe before to view the court of Guard; and by the Leiftenant, who is to be releeued; be informed of the place of Centinels, both of the day, and of the night, what the wayes are he muſt beate: and of all other things that by order he is to doe it in that place.

The Leiftenant is bound to place the Centinels himſelfe, and to viſit them oftentimes, ſparing no diligence, keeping himſelfe in particuler, continually armed, and his Horſe bridled.

The Troupe being lodged in any village, the Leiftenant muſt take the Billets of the quarter-Maſter of the Troupe, and afterwards diſtribute them himſelfe to the Souldiers, with as much order and contentment to them as he can before the Cornets lodging, who is to make an halt or ſtand there with the Troupe, and attend the foreſaid diſtribution of the Billets, to the end that vpon any occaſion, or when any Alarme happens, the Souldiers may know whereto come together, and ioyne themſelues to their Cornet: if they ſhall tarry longer then one day in a place, the Leiftenant is to viſit the Horſes, to ſee how the Souldiers gouerne themſelues, and that they indamage not their Hoſtes; which if he finde, to remedy, making the Captaine acquainted with euery thing: and when afterwards they doe diſlodge, the Leiftenant muſt command their fires to be put out, and ſee it performed.

Going to lodge in any Village or Fort, or to be in Garriſon, that the Leiftenant ought ſo to accommo date the extraordinary reformed Officers, and others according to their merits: In all places where they lodge more then once aday; the Leiftenant ſhall write the names of the Souldiers vpon the Billets, and ſhall keepe a Regiſter of thoſe Billets, that when their Hoſts ſhall come to make any complaint, he may readily finde their names, and chaſtiſe them as he ſees cauſe.

When the Troupe is to march, and that the Trumpets ſound to horſe, the Leiftenant muſt bee firſt in order and on horſe-backe, taking care that all the Souldiers doe the like with diligence: and if he finde any of them negligent in this point, be it either through an ill cuſtome, or of purpoſe to loyter behinde and pillage the houſes, he muſt puniſh them preſently with all ſeuerity, for an axample to others.

It is neceſſary for the Leiftenant to haue knowledge of the country and of the waies, there happening many occaſions that he is to ſend out to diſcouer, and beate the coaſts about; the commodity of Guides not being at all times found.

In caſe the Troupe be charged by the Enemie, the Leiftenant with ſome few Souldiers, being beſt mounted, muſt ſtay behinde.

Cornet.

THe Cornet in the abſence of the Captaine and Leiftenant, commaunds the Troupe.

In marching, he goes alwayes in the head of the Troupe (yet behinde the Captaine) who muſt ſuffer no man to march beyond the Standard, or to be equall with him.

In occaſion of fight, the Cornet of a company of Lances ſhall take his place on the left hand of the Captaine, and equall in front with him, and going to the Shocke together with him, muſt indeuour to breake his Cornet or Standerd vpon the Enemy: which Standard falling ſo to the ground, he is not to take care to take it vp; and if any man ſhall take it vp and reſtore it him againe, he muſt not put it againe vpon his Staffe: nor no new in the place, without the permiſſion of the Generall.

In occaſion of fight with foote, the Cornet of Lances muſt likewiſe breake his Standard vpon the ſame foote, but neither vpon Foote nor Horſe that is turned and running away.

The Cornet of Curaſiers in marching goes before the troupe with his Cornet, as alſo when hee preſenteth himſelfe in the place of Armes, and when hee is to ſalute, he is to doe it in the ſame manner as the Cornet of Lances doth.

In the time of fight, the Cornet of Curaſiers, is to take his place in the middle of the Troupe, leaning behinde him the two third parts of the Troupe, and the other part that is before, muſt bee thoſe that be beſt armed, and the beſt men.

The Cornet ought to keepe a Liſt of the names of the Souldiers of the Troupe.

In all occaſions of Mutiny, diſcord, and diſputes, he is preſently to informe his Captaine and Leiftenant, and to be aſſiſtant to the Captaine and Leiftenant, or either of them, in ſeeing all directions performed, that are commanded by a ſuperiour Officer; as alſo, all ſuch as the Captaine hath authority to command.

The Quarter Maſter his Office.

THe Quarter Maſter is to fetch the word euery night, and the directions from the Sergeant Maior of the Horſe: he is to diſtribute the Billets among the Souldiers, and was wont to dedeliuer out their pay vnto them, which now is giuen out by the Leiftenant of the Troupe, though in my opinion not ſo well; for it were much better, that the Captaine or Leiftenant ſhould call the Quarter Maſter apart, appointing him the manner how he ſhould pay the Souldiers, to leaue the diſcharge of it to him; which without doubt would giue greater contentment, becauſe the Souldier in this point of his accompt, may ſpeake more freely with the Quarter Maſter, then the other Officers; who by this meanes alſo, are deliuered from a great many harſh replyes, which they muſt ordinarily receiue from the Souldiers, to the diminiſhing the reſpect they ought to beare them.

He is to attend the Quarter Maſter Generall, and to take his orders from him of lodging the Troupe, carrying with him one or two Souldiers, appointed him by the Leiftenant, that he may the better aduertiſe the Troupe where they ſhall lodge.

In the abſence of the Cornet, Leiftenant, and Captaine, he is to command the Company.

Trumpet.

THere ought to be two Trumpets in euery Troupe of Horſe, who ought to be diligent to ſound preciſely at the times appointed: one of them is to be euer with the Cornet vpon all occaſions.

When the Troupe doth march, they goe before the Captaine in the head of the Troupe, and in fight in the flancke of the Troups.

In Lodging, the one lodgeth with the Captaine, the other with the Cornet.

Going out of their lodging, either on foot or on Horſe-backe, they are neuer to leaue off their Trumpets, but alwayes to haue it by them.

They are imployed in Meſſages for Priſoners, and other occaſions to the Enemie, and therefore ought to bee intelligent men and well gouerned, that they may be able to diſcouer, and at their returne to giue an accompt of any aduantage of diſorder or important things, they are able to learne among the Enemies; as alſo to keepe themſelues ſo as they diſcouer nothing that may offend their own party.

Briefly, many important ſeruices may be drawne from them, and good vſe made; prouided they bee diſcreet.

Corporall of Horſe.

THough there haue beene ſome, who are of opinion, that it is not neceſſary to haue a Corporall in a Troupe of Lances and Curaſiers, notwithſtanding I finde this Officer neceſſary; for by the meanes of a Corporall, the duties are better diſtributed; and they themſelues goe forth with the Leiftenant to aſſiſt him to place his Centinels, when it is the Souldiers turne of their Squadron to doe it: and in ſudden occaſion of ſending out a number of Souldiers, the eaſieſt way is to command a whole Squadron to the ſeruice: their lodgings alſo are made, and diſtributed with more facility: eſpecially when the Troupe is not lodged altogether in one place, and when there are few houſes to be diſtributed; the houſes being diſtributed, ſo many to a Squadron, the Leiftenant giues the Billets thereof to each Squadron, whereby he is to lodge his Souldiers.

In Troups of Harquebufiers, we vſe no Corporalls; and they are of better eſteeme, becauſe they haue euer beene there: and the Hargubuſiers going many times in ſmall Troups; the Corporals haue therefore ordinarily more imployment then the Launces or Curaſiers.

The Troupes of Harquebuſiers doe ordinarily battle (leaſt rude) and ſerue for the Vandguard, it belonging to them to ſend forth their Auant Curriers; which charge is giuen to one of the Corporalls, which muſt bee a man of good experience; that he muſt be able to know how to acquit himſelfe in a charge of that importance.

If it be neceſſary to guard a Paſſage or place of importance, the cuſtome is to ſend a Corporall with his Squadron thither.

In occaſions of fight, we are wont to ſend out Corporals with their whole Squadrons to the skirmiſh, after the Lieutenant is firſt gone out for that purpoſe: for hee is alwayes the firſt.

The Corporals ought to reade and write, becauſe they are to keepe a liſt of the Souldiers of their Squadrons, to the end hee may diſtribute vnto them equally their Duties.

The Captaines are conformable to allow vnto the Corporals, an halfe part of the forrage; and giue them the tenth part in a hundred.

Of the Ordering of a Foot Company, and of the Dignitie of each Souldier in their Fyle: With the manner of Exerciſing now vſed.

FIrſt, it is meete for diuers good reſpects, that your men bee deuided into Companies, and the Soldiers of theſe Companies, into their Fyles.

Now a Fyle conſiſteth of ten Souldiers armed alike, whereof euery one knoweth his place, all of them ſtanding in a direct line downeward, and behind one another, and comprehended betweene the Leader and the bringer vp.

It is likewiſe neceſſary, for the giuing of due ſtrength and reciprocall proportion, that the men of each ſort of Armes bee ſo indifferently deuided, both for the number and qualitie of the men, that in euery of the ſaid Fyles there may be an equall diſtribution, both of the better and worſer ſort.

This may be done, (the number of men being firſt knowne, and how many of each ſort of Armes you haue) by chooſing firſt out of euery of the ſaid ſorts, ſo many of the beſt men as the whole number will make Fyles through, ſo many ſecond, and ſo onwards, ſtill chooſing of the better ſort, till the tenth man bee choſen.

The men thus choſen ſhall be deuided in manner as followeth:

The firſt choiſe, becauſe they are men of beſt worth, ſhall ſtand in the Front, and command the reſt of the Fyle, and theſe men are to be knowne by the name of Leaders.

Thoſe of the ſecond choiſe, becauſe they are next in account, are to ſtand in the Reere or laſt place of the tenne, and are to bee knowne by the name of Bringers vp.

Thoſe of the third and fourth choiſe, are to take the fifth and ſixth places in the Fyle, and are to bee knowne by the names of Middlemen; to wit, the fifth, the Leaders middle-man, the ſixth, the Bringers vp middle-man.

The fifth, ſixth, and ſeauenth choiſe, to be ranged in the ſecond, third, and fourth places.

The eighth, ninth, and tenth choiſe, to bee in the ſeauenth, eight, and ninth places: by which diſcription it falls out, that the tenth and laſt place of men (reckoning from the firſt downeward) taketh the ninth place of the Fyle.

Theſe men thus deuided into Fyles, it will be neceſſary for the effecting of theſe thinges, that be required by this Diſcipline; That as the Souldiers haue their places in the Fyles according to the worth of each man, ſo the Fyles themſelues ſhould haue their particuler degrees and places; to which end, the Companies ſhall likewiſe conſiſt of tenne Fyles, which ſhall take their places one by the other in Front and Rancke, as the Souldiers in euery Fyle did before in Depth.

Following which courſe, the firſt Fyle ſhall ſtand on the right hand of the reſt; the ſecond Fyle in Dignitie, ſhall ſtand on the left hand, outermoſt of the tenth.

To bee conſidered, whether it were not better to reckon your degrees at the 8. th, 9. th, and tenth Fyle.The third, and fourth in Dignitie, ſhall take the fifth, and ſixth places, being in the middle places of the tenne.

The fifth, ſixth, and ſeauenth, ſhall ſtand in the ſecond, third, and fourth places, reckoning from the right hand toward the middle Fyle.

The eight, ninth, and tenth Fyle, in the ſeaunth, eighth, and ninth places, from the left hand Fyle to the middle Fyle; So that in euery Fyle, the tenth and laſt man in Dignitie ſtandeth in the ninth place, reckoning from the Leaders downward: & the ſecond in value, the tenth and laſt place. So among the Fyles, the tenth, which is the Fyle of leaſt account, taketh the ninth place, reckoning from the right hand Fyle, which is the firſt in Dignitie and account; and the ſecond in Dignitie holds the tenth place, being the outermoſt on the left hand, as the firſt is on the right.

Theſe tenne Fyles, I would haue knowne ſtill by their degrees of Value: as firſt, ſecond, third, fourth, fifth, ſixth, ſeauenth, eighth, ninth, and tenth, and not by the places they ſtand in when they are ranged, which notwithſtanding may ſerue guide the men to their places, becauſe they neuer change their ſtandings.

The Dignitie of Leaders.

ANd as the Soldiers in euery Fyle ſhall take no place till their Leaders ſet forward, at which time they are all to follow ſucceſſiuely, as they are to ſtand in the fyle that the laſt man may fall hindermoſt; ſo none of the fyles ſhall take place till the firſt fyle hath taken his, and then the reſt as they are to ſtand the one by another to take their places, ſo that ſtill the outermoſt fyle to the left hand, is to take his place laſt: which mā ner being obſerued and duely executed, 2. 6. 10. 8. 4. 3. 7. 9. 5. 1. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. Front Leaders. men are ranged in an inſtant, without any confuſion or helpe of Officers.

Now as in Fyles the dutie of the Middle-man is to keepe thoſe before him in a right line, 1 0. 5 0. 9 0. 7 0. 3 0. 4 0. 8 0. 10 0. 0 6. 2 0. The Dignity of men in their Fyle. and for the Bringer vp to doe the like, to the middle-men and thoſe before them; As alſo, if diuers fyles bee joyned in one body together to keepe in euen rancke with the others; ſo are the Leaders of the Fyles alſo, in the Front to keepe euen with themſelues, and with the other Troupes when any march in or Front with them, and to obſerue like diſtances in their fyles, and to take care either Marching or going to Charge, to keepe ſuch Diſtances in the body they make; as may bee beſt for eaſe, and for the ſafetie of the men, wherein the two outmoſt fyles are to vſe the greateſt obſeruance.

The Fyles being ranged, the foure chiefe Leaders (to wit) the right, leſt, and the two middle Leaders, are to take care that the Front bee kept euen, and that the Diſtances in all motions, together with the Motions themſelues, bee duly obſerued; which is eaſily performed when theſe ſoure keepe euen: for the right Leader and his middle Leader, may ſee that the three Leaders betwixt them doe their duties, and the left hand Leader with his middle Leader, the other three betwixt them.

Now reſteth to teach, what bee the other particuler Duties of the Leaders, Bringers vp, and Middle-men of the Fyles; as alſo what the Duties of thoſe Leaders, who in the Body of the tenne Fyles are to doe their Office to the Body, as the others are to euery fyle apart. The Leaders of the fyle ought to be as followeth: As he is the Chiefe of the ten, ſo is he to be reſpected and obeyed by them in theſe thinges: they are to ſhew themſelues in their Armes when bee requireth it; aſwell becauſe it is his Office to ſee them kept cleane, as to teach them the true vſe of their Armes: to acquaint them how euery one is to take his place in the fyle, to make them perfect in all manner of Duties, as March, Motions, Fight, Workes, Diſtances, and Meaſures: as alſo to inſtruct them in the vnderſtanding of all Commandements, by Drum or by voyce, or by any other Signall appointed: as alſo how to behaue themſelues in making their Quarter, and making their Cabbins, wherein hee himſelfe when he is joyned with other fyles, is by his owne due obſeruance of the Directions giuen, to ſhew them the way, and make himſelfe their example.

The Bringer vp, as hee is the ſecond in worth, ſo ought hee to be the ſecond in eſtimation, and to be held as the Lieutenant of the Fyle (not onely to aſſiſt the Leader in euery thing of his Dutie, and in his ſickneſſe or abſence to execute his Office) but to take care alſo, his fyle being ranged with a Body of Fyles, that his fyle keepe his order duely, eſpecially, that halfe that is next him: for the Bringers vp are of ſpeciall vſe in March, Motion, and Fight, as alſo the Middle-men; in part becauſe they ſtand aptly for the gouerning of the Fyle, hauing euery diſorder in their eye: And if by the turning the Front to the Reere, there be occaſion to reſiſt in the Reere, or by Deuiding the one halfe (as it falls out many times) both in Front and Reere, then is hee in all thinges to demeane himſelfe, as is before mentioned in the Dutie of Leaders.

As for the Middle-men, they are not onely for Diſtinction ſake, (though it bee the chiefe end) but are vpon the Deuiding of the body, ſometimes to doe the dutie of Leaders, more often of Bringers vp, becauſe they cloſe the Reere of each Deuiſion, and are to ſee thoſe of their fyles before them doe their Duties; But if the Body bee to bend all his force forwards, then is the Middle-man of the fiſt place to Diſcharge himſelfe, as is before mentioned, and to ſee that the three Souldiers before him doe their Duties by keeping their Orders, filling and ſupplying the places of the ſlaine Souldiers before them, and the Enemy being broken, it is their Duties to ſtirre them vp to follow the chaſe ſharply.

The Middle-man of the ſixt place, is vpon the time of a Charge, to leaue a little ſpace betwixt the other Middle man and himſelfe, vnleſſe it bee thought neceſſary to ſupport the firſt Shocke of the Enemy, by ſtanding cloſely joyned.

In Fight, both Leaders, Bringers vp, Middlemen, and all the reſt in generall, are to keepe their Diſtances in Fyle and Rancke, diligently to bee ſilent; and attentiue to the voyce of the Commander, to obſerue the meaſures of March and Skirmiſh duly, not to bend their Weapons or offer Fight before they may well do it, as alſo not to forbeare it or performe it lazily when time ſerueth, not to leaue his place through Cowardiſe or ſence of ſlight hurts, to ſucceed willingly and readily in the emptie place before him, the Souldier that poſſeſſed it being ſlaine, or grieuoſly hurt, and no longer able to reſiſt: not to leaue their places for the carrying away of their fellowes that are hurt; not to ſtep vntimely, or preſſe ouer haſtily to the Fight, either exceeding the meaſure of the March, or before the Souldier before him, by giuing backe, ſhew that hee cannot make his place good any longer.

This ſhall ſatisfie at this time for the Duties of the Leaders, Bringers vp, and Middle-men, with the reſt of the Fyles in a Company; wee will now goe forwards to the Diſtances and Motions, with which they are to be acquainted.

Of Diſtances.

The diſtances are all to be reckned from the Centinels of the ſouldiers: that is, from the midſt of the ſpace betweene the one mans feet, to the midſt betweene the other mans feet, that orders with him.FOr auoyding of confuſion, it ſhall be good to ſet downe before we goe any further, what Diſtances you are to obſerue betweene the Ranks & the Fyles; which I would haue only three (to wit) open order; order, & cloſe order: your firſt Diſtance is your open order, when your men both in Ranke and Fyle, ſtand remoued ſixe foot in ſquare from one another; which Diſtance you are alwaies to range your Troupe, when you will exerciſe your Motions.

Your ſecond diſtances is your order, which is, when the Souldiers in their rankes and Fyles, ſtand three foot remoued aſunder, which is vſed when you will imbattaile your Troups, and lead them againſt the Enemie, or when you come to ſtand, or meane to wheele the Body: For when you march, you are to obſerue three foot betweene the Fyles, and ſixe betweene the Ranks, vnleſſe you march with your Pikes aduanced, in which caſe you may keepe your meaner order of fixe foot in ſquare.

Becauſe the meaſure of this Diſtance cannot be taken ſo iuſtly by the Eye, we take the diſtance of ſixe foot betweene Fyle and Fyle, by commanding the Souldiers to ſtretch forth their armes, and ſtand ſo remoued one from another, that their hands may touch, and for the Rankes we make account, we take the ſame Diſtance of ſixe foot, when the butt end of the Pikes doe almoſt reach the heeles of thoſe that march before them.Your third and laſt diſtance, is your cloſe order, when the Fyles ioyne ſhoulder to ſhoulder; and the rancks come vp to the Swords point, which is of vſe in ſome kindes of motion; but chiefly when you will make the Troups ſeeme leſſe, or in the paſſage of ſome ſtraight, or when of neceſ forced to breake through an Enemy, or when you receaue a charge of Horſe, or of Foot, that purpoſeth to breake through you.

We take the ſecond order or diſtance of 3. foote from Fyle to Fyle, by bidding the Souldiers to ſet their armes akenbowe, and ioyne themſelues ſo cloſe, that their Elbows meet together; and the Ranks when they come vp almoſt to the ſwords point.When you meane to charge, you muſt aduance your Pikes, and cloſe your rankes, to the diſtance of three foot; and when the ſignall or word to charge is giuen; then the rankes muſt cloſe to the Swords point; but this cloſing of the Swordes point, is to bee vnderſtood, of the fiue firſt rankes, which makes vp halfe the depth of the body; for though the whole body doc aduance their Pikes, and cloſe their rankes, to the diſtance three foot; yet vpon the ſignall of charge, the fiue laſt rankes ſhall neither couch, or charge their Pikes; nor cloaſe to their cloſe order, vnleſſe there be an expreſſe command for it, which command, as I ſaid before, is neuer to be deliuered, but when a great Shocke is giuen or ſuſtained; and then it is of vſe, for the holding and ſholdring forward of the formoſt fiue rankes: and as I take it, will be performed with eaſe and ſtrength, whilſt their Pikes are aduanced; for it were bootleſſe for thoſe to bend, that are without reach of an Enemy, beſides the aduantage in the vſe of theſe fiue rankes: if you ſhould be charged in the Reere, or vpon any other occaſion, and therefore in this ſort would I haue the laſt fiue rankes, with their Pikes aduanced, to attend the opportunity of fighting.

Both the heauy Armed, and the light Armed, are to bee made acquainted with theſe diſtances; there are alſo other Diſtances, which I would haue the light Armed accuſtomed to: and thoſe likewiſe are of three ſorts, as the former, which I would haue diſtinguiſhed by the great, the meane, and the leſſe: of your open orders, the great thirtie foot betweene Fyle and Fyle, the meane twentie foot, and the leſſe fifteene foot: but though the rankes alwayes obſerue three foot; onely the men in the Fyles are to ſide, or ſtand ſtooping, either to the right or left hand Diaginall to the diſtance: the Fyles are ranged, in either 3. feet, 2. feet, or 1 ½ feet to the hand required, or ſhall be demonſtrated in his place, where I purpoſe to declare the vſe of theſe Diſtances, and my meaning herein: your Musketiers are neuer to be cloſer, then your meane order of three foot in ſquare, becauſe they are to haue a free vſe of their Armes.

The Generall motions which the Company or Troupes are to obſerue.

NOw that I haue framed the Body, in manner as you haue ſeene, & particularly inlarged euery part thereof, with the diſtances to be vſed and obſerued in all occaſions; I may boldly proceed to the orderly mouing of the ſame, which I would gladly ſo effect, that the whole Body or Troupe ſhould moue as nimbly, and with as ſmall confuſion, as the body of man: which by the due execution of that which followes, may be in many performed. But before I proceed to deliuer the Motions themſelues: I finde it requiſite to giue theſe three rules, which you are euer to obſerue.

1. All commands are to bee deliuered in the Front whereſoeuer it be.

2. Whenſoeuer the Flanck is made the Front; the ſhott that are now in the Front, and the Reere, ſhall remoue and fall vpon the Flancks, the right to the right, and the left to the left.

3. Whenſoeuer theſe words of direction (as you were) are propounded: it is meant thereby, that you are to returne by the contrary hand, to the place from whence you came; as for example: if you did turne to the right hand, you are to returne as you were to the left hand, and ſo in all other motions.

The motions of Troupes are two-fold, of the whole, or of part; of the perſon of a Souldier in his ſtation, or of the limmes of the body, conſtituted into Rankes or Fyles; and theſe either of keeping or leauing the place they ſtand in: In that of keeping their places, the men only turne their bodyes, the way which is commanded them: in that of leauing their places, the whole body moueth into an other place or a part thereof: which motions for the better vnderſtanding, wee will diſtinguiſh the Rankes and Fyles.

By Ranks, the body changing his place, but ſo as the Leader of the corner Fyle of that hand, to which the body wheeleth, turnes his body only that way the Manaple moueth, vnleſſe in doubling of Rankes wherein it is changed but in part, or by countermarching, which may be done, and the place kept: This is mouing by ranckes, which is to be vſed, when we deſire to keepe neere to our firſt ſtation.

By Fyles, howſoeuer each man in his owne place may alter, or the men in their Fyles may change their places; the Body or maine, keepeth the proportion ſtill, vnleſſe you make of the Flanke the Front, wherein though the Maniple retayneth his order and ſo much ground, yet not the ſame ground.

The motions of the perſon in his proper place are commanded by theſe termes of direction: (to wit) to the right hand: to the left hand: and to the right or left hand about, or to the Reere.

The motions of the lymbes, is properly ſo termed, when only ſome of them doe moue, and the reſt doe ſtand: as in theſe words of commaund; Rankes to the right or left hand double: Fyles to the right or left hand double, Ranks cloſe forward; Ranks open backwards, Fyles to the right or left hand cloſe, or open to the diſtance you will haue them.

To the Right hand.If you will make the right Flanke the Front, then are you to ſay, To the right hand: at the deliuery of which words, the Souldiers are preſently to turne their faces that way; and ſo your command will be performed.

To the Left hand.In like ſort, if you will haue your left Flanke the Front, you muſt ſay: To the left hand; and preſently they will all turne their faces towards the left flancke: When you will reſtore them backe againe to their firſt aſpect, you muſt ſay; As you were.

By the right or left hand to the Reere.When you will make the Reere the Front, then are you to ſay; By the right hand about: or, by the left hand about, or to the Reere: at which words euery Souldier is to turne his face to his backſide.

Ranks cloſe.When you will cloſe your Rankes, you muſt ſay, Ranks cloſe, which is alwayes to be vnderſtood, that all the Rankes moue at one inſtant cloſe forwards, to the firſt ranke of Leaders, which is, to ſtand firme.

Ranks open.When you will open your ranks, you muſt ſay, Ranks open; by which is alwaies vnderſtood, they are to open backward, vnleſſe an expreſſe commandement to the contrary.

Fyles to the right or left hand cloſe.So likewiſe, if you will cloſe the Fyles to any diſtance, you muſt ſay, Fyles to the right or left hand cloſe, to what order you pleaſe, and then all of them turning their faces to that hand giuen, moue ioyntly and wholly togeather, ſauing the outmoſt Fyle to that hand you cloſe, which is to ſtand firme till the Troupe haue gotten his diſtance, and if you will reſtore them, then you are to ſay; As you were.

When the commandement is giuen for the altering any of the Diſtances by Fyles,Fyles cloſe. without any expreſſe mention, to which hand they ſhould open or cloſe, Then the whole Troupe is to edge indifferently, and at an inſtant to both hands, towards or from the middle ſpace betweene the two middlemoſt Leaders. The words of commandment are Fyles cloſe,Fyles open. Fyles open.

There be two ſorts of doubling: The one by Ranks, the other by Fyles, and both theſe are performed diuers wayes as ſhall be ſhewed.

When an Enemie goeth about to diſcloſe you with the ouer-breadth of his body, it will bee neceſſary for you then to increaſe or double your Front, which may be done either by Rankes, when euery ſecond ranke commeth betweene the diſtances of the Ranke before it, and that either to the right, or to the left hand:Doubling of Ranks to the right or left hand. The word of Directions are: Ranks to the right or left hand double.

Middle-men to double their Ranks, or Front to right or left hand.Or by the Middle-man when the laſt fiue Rankes doe march vp through the ſpaces betweene the Fyles, till the bringers vp, middle-men be euen in front with the Leaders: The words of command are; Middle-men to the right or left hand: Double your front.

Or by the bringers vp by Induction, which is, when the bringers vp doe aduance through the diſtances betweene the Fyles; and next after them, the next laſt Ranke, and ſo the reſt ſucceſſiuely, till the bringers vp bee in the ranke with the Leaders, and their Middle-men with the Leaders middlemen, and ſo the ſecond, third,Bringers vp to double their Rankes on the Fronts. and fourth ranks from the front. The words of direction are; Bringers vp to the right or left hand, double the front.

Or by deuiſion, when the laſt fiue Rankes doe turne their faces, the one halfe in their fyles to the right hand, and the other halfe to the left hand, and ſo march forth from both the flancks, till they haue gotten ſuch a proportion of ground or diſtance, as is anſwerable to the order the firſt fiue Ranks doe ſtand in; and then preſently without attending any further commandement, they turne their faces againe towards the front, and march vpon both flanckes, till they come euen with the front;Middle-men by Deuiſion double the Front. The words of command; Middle-men by deuiſion, double the front.

Middle-men double the body.This alſo may be performed to either hand without deuiding of the ranks, by the marching forth onely of the whole fiue rankes together: But in this caſe, the Shott on both flanks, or on either, muſt edge outward, till they haue giuen the Pikes a full diſtance to come vp betweene them and the formoſt fiue rankes of Pykes: The words are, Middlemen double the body.

Double the Front by the Hankes.Or by ranke to either flanke, which is, when the ſecond ranke is drawne out euen with the ranke before it: The words are; Double the front by the flanks.

Or by halfe rankes, when euery ſecond ranke diuideth it ſelfe, and increaſeth the former vpon each ſide.

Doubling of Fyles.When you will haue the Body of greater depth; then you muſt cauſe the one fyle to mingle with the fiue other, either to the righ hand or to the left; which is termed doubling of fyles; and is performed after this manner.

Doubling of Fyles to the right or left hand.If to the right hand, then is the outermoſt fyle to the right hand to ſtand, and the Leader of the ſecond fyle, ſhall ſide behinde the Leader of the firſt fyle: and ſo of all the reſt of the ſecond fyle, behinde thoſe of the outmoſt fyle ſucceſſiuely: ſo as the bringer vp of the ſecond fyle, ſhall come to ſtand behinde the bringer vp of the firſt fyle, and ſo likewiſe all the other fyles, by euery ſecond fyle: So that the ſecond, fourth, ſixt, eigth, and tenth, ſhall ſtand within, or goe into the firſt, third, fifth, ſeauenth and ninth: all which in a knowne number of fyles may be done at once without confuſion or diſorder.

But becauſe this manner of Doubling, in the very orderlieſt & beſt performance, cannot but breake the Body, by reaſon of the diſioyning of Fyles: I would rather put the one halfe of the Fyles behinde the other halfe, which may bee ſpeedily performed, either by the aduancing of falling backe of the one halfe part of the Fyles: the wordes of Direction are; Fyle vpon fyle.

But if you deſire to keepe the ſame ground, then let the one halfe part of the fyle in the Body which is to Double, cloſe their Ranckes forwards towards the Leaders, to halfe the Diſtance they were in before the Commandement was giuen: And the other halfe part of the fyles in the Body, to ſhorten their Diſtances toward the Reere, or Bringers vp, to halfe that they held backwards: By which meanes it will fall out, that the Leaders of the halfe which is to double, will ſtand a little beyond the Bringers vp of the other halfe: and by Edging of their fyles behind the other halfe, may eaſily performe your Direction; The wordes of Command are theſe, Fyles double the Body to the right or left hand.

Counter-March.

COunter-Marches are two-fold, for either wee Counter-march the Ranckes, or the Fyles: and theſe either by changing your ground, or keeping ſtill the ſame ground. But though to ſhew the diuerſitie of them, the kindes are diſtinguiſhed by Rankes and Fyles; yet in the practice you are to nominate neither, but are to ſay: To the right or to the left hand Counter-march.

Counter-march and looſe ground.Counter-marching of Ranckes and altering of Ground are thus affected: When the Command is deliuered, the Leaders turne, and paſſe through the Diſtances betweene thc fyles; and when they are paſſed as farre beyond, the next Ranke turnes after them, and ſo ſucceſſiuely the reſt in due diſtance Marching out after their Leaders, till they haue taken another like place from the Bringers vp, equall to that they did poſſeſſe, or otherwiſe paſſe on further at the diſcretion of the Commander.

The vſe is, when the Enemy ſhewes himſelfe vpon your Reere, and you deſire to confront him with your beſt men; the wordes of Direction are: To the right or left hand Counter-march and paſſe: if you will keepe the ſame Ground, then thus: The Leaders vpon the Word giuen muſt turne as before and March through the Diſtances of the fyles, till they come betweene thc Diſtances where the Bringers vp ſtand; and ſo the reſt ſucceſſiuely. After them the Middle-men, the ranckes of the ſecond Middle-men ſtanding firme, till the fiue firſt Ranckes haue poſſeſſed the place betweene the laſt fiue, and doe by that meanes double them. Then the Middle-men to the Bringers vp without attending any further Command, ſhall march till they haue gotten the diſtance of the Rancks, which done, they ſhall take their place right behind the Leaders Middle-men: ſo the reſt likewiſe ſucceſſiuely, Marching out after one another to the ſame diſtance, & ſhal turne & take their places till the Bringers vp get the places the Leaders marched from, & the Leaders the places where the Bringers vp ſtood: The words of direction; To the right or left hand Coūtermarch and ſtand: The very ſame is done otherwiſe thus:

Aſſoone, as you haue giuen the word Countermarch, and the Leaders begin to turne; at the ſame time and inſtant all the Body ſhall mooue forward, and the Ranckes aduance ſucceſſiuely one after another, ſtill turning after their Leaders as they come vp to the place from whence they mooued, and following them till the Leaders haue taken the place of the Bringers vp, and the Bringers vp bee come into the places of the Leaders; The words are: to the right or left hand Counter-march.

Counter-march by Fyles.The Counter-marching of Fyles, for the manner of it is nothing different from the former of Rankes; Onely, when you will Counter-march your Fyles, you muſt firſt bid them, to the right hand or left hand, and when they are turned towards that flancke from whence you meant to Counter-march, you muſt ſay; To the right or left hand Counter-march.

The vſe is, when you will paſſe your Muſquetiers all to one flancke, or any Maniple or Maniples to any other Quarter of the Army, either from the right hand to the left, or to the middle Battell, or any contrary.

When you will Wheele the body or Maniple to the right hand, you muſt command the right hand Fyle to ſtand firme:Wheeling the Body. then Command them to the right hand; and all of them ſhall turne their faces that way, ſo as the whole Body will front towards the right flancke. Then ſay, Fyles to your order: and all of them ſhall cloſe forward toward the right fyle, at the diſtance of 3. foot, and this perforformed, bid them; Front as they were: Then ſay, Rankes to your Order: and all the Rankes ſhall cloſe forward to 3. foot. And this being effected, Command the right Leader to ſtand firme like the fixed foot of a Compaſſe; and all the reſt plumpe together, to Wheele to the right hand about him, as the Center, which will bring the Front from the vſuall aſpect to the right flanke. Now as the body Wheeles, ſo the right Leader muſt obſerue to turne his body by Diſcretion in his place, keeping his aſpect euen with the aſpect of the reſt of the Leaders as they winde themſelues: and thus your Directions will bee accompliſhed. The ſame thinges to the contrary muſt bee likewiſe obſerued; when you will wheele to the beſt Flancke; If you will bring the aſpect of the Front towards the Reere, then you muſt giue them the halfe turne, by wheeling one quarter turne more then you did before.

If you will returne the Body into his place againe, you may wheele it round, by giuing it one halfe turne more, hauing once already had an halfe turne; which will bring that Aſpect backe againe that way from whence it was firſt mooued: But if the Body haue made but a quarter turne to the right hand, then before you wheele them backe, you muſt ſay; To the right hand. And all of them will turne their faces that way: then bid the Leader who was the right hand Leader, and is now become the left, to ſtand firme; And the reſt to wheele backe againe about him the quarter turne: then let them Front as they were, and ſo your firſt Ranke of Leaders hath gotten the place, from whence at firſt it wheeled; Then ſay, Rankes open backward. And when the Rankes haue taken their firſt places and Diſtances, then ſay; Fyles to the left hand open: ſo all the Fyles turning their Aſpect towards the left flanke, march from the right hand Leader (who hath his place already, and therefore is to ſtand firme) till they haue taken all the firſt places and Diſtances, and then they muſt Front againe as they were: And thus they are reſtored to their firſt Ground and Order.

When you intend to wheele a ſingle Company, you muſt Double their Rankes before they wheele, in regard the Body is but ſmall; but in a Diuiſion or greater Body, you cloſe both Ranke and Fyle to the Order of three foot, omitting to Double.

The ſame Precepts are to bee vſed to the contrary hand, if you bee wheeled to the left flanke.

Now wee will ſay ſomewhat of Exerciſing the Pyke, before we come to the Muſquetier: The punctuall handling of the Pyke which euery man is to bee practiſed in, becauſe it is common, wee will omit, and proceed to the tearmes of Direction; which are theſe: viz.

Aduance your Pykes. Order your Pykes. Shoulder your Pykes, and ſlope them. Charge your Pykes. Order your Pykes. Trayle your Pykes. Cheeke your Pykes.

Theſe following Motions are to bee performed, both Standing and Marching. When you Charge and March, your Body muſt ſtand ſtill a while till you ſee your Pykes are all couched ouer their Leaders ſhoulders, then March forwards. CHarge your Pykes. Shoulder your Pykes. To the right hand Charge. Shoulder your Pykes. To the left hand Charge. Shoulder your Pykes. To the Reere Charge. Shoulder your Pykes. Stand. Order your Pykes.

They muſt obſerue when they Charge ſtanding, to fall backe with the right leg, and Marching, to ſet forward the left: When you Charge to the left hand ſtand firme with the right leg, & only turne a litle on your left heele.

Now for the Muſquetiers, becauſe ſome Motions there are proper and belonging to them onely For the handling the Muſquet and the Poſtures: wee will omit them, and onely tye you in the Exerciſe to theſe three tearmes of Directions, which include all the other particularities.

Make ready, Preſent, Giue Fire.

Your Muſquetiers muſt obſerue in all their Actions to turne to the Right hand; and that they carry the mouthes of their Muſquets high, as well when they are Shouldered as in Priming; as alſo when they hold their Pannes guarded, and come vp to giue fire.

All Skirmiſhes and Fights, are performed one of theſe three wayes: either by Aduancing, or Retiring, or by the Flanke.

In Aduancing towards an Enemy (if they Skirmiſh not disbanded) they giue fire by Ranke, after this manner.

Two Rankes muſt alwayes make ready together, and aduance tenne paces before the Body; at which diſtance a Sergeant (or when the body is great) ſome better quallified Officer is to ſtand, euen with whom the Muſquetiers are to come vp, which they are to performe, one Ranke ſtill one after another; the ſecond Ranke obſeruing ſtill to keepe their Muſquets vpon their Reſts, and to guard their Pannes till the firſt haue diſcharged and be fallen away; & then preſently after them, the ſecond Ranke is to giue fire and fall away after the firſt Ranke, falling euen behind the other Rankes in the Reere, and falling vp after them: whileſt the firſt two Rankes come vp and giue Fire, the two next are to make ready, and to aduance forwards as farre as the afore mentioned Officer, and no further, aſſoone as euer the two firſt are falne away; and they are to doe all thinges in the ſame manner they did before them, and ſo all the other Rankes by twoes, one after another.

When they haue preſented, no man muſt be ſuffered to Diſcharge his Muſquet, till the word (Giue Fire) bee giuen, and then the whole Ranke muſt be taught to Diſcharge hanſomely and altogether, no man being permitted to take his ayme higher then the Girdle or the Middle of a man.

When you will acquaint them to giue Fire, retyring from an Enemy, you muſt do it in this manner:

As the Troupe marcheth, the laſt Ranke makes ready; and beeing ready, turneth at an inſtant to the right hand, Preſents and giues Fire; which being performed, they March one after another, a good round pace towards the Front; and there place themſelues together before the Souldiers; as ſoone as the aforeſaid firſt Ranke is turned to Diſcharge, the Ranke next it makes ready; and when the formoſt is Marched away, the ſecond comes vp after the ſame manner the former did, Preſenting, giuing Fire, falling away, and performing all thinges in the ſame ſort the former did, ſo ſucceſſiuely the reſt one after another.

We giue fire by Flankes, thus; The outmoſt Fyle next you muſt be Cōmanded to make ready, Marching ſtill along with the body till ſuch time as they be ready; & then they are to turne at the Signall giuen vpon the Enemy, & giue Fire altogether at one time: when they haue Diſcharged, they ſtirre not but ſtand firme, keeping their Ground, and Charging their Muſquets againe. Now aſſoone as the foreſaid Fyle turnes to giue Fire, the outmoſt next it muſt make ready, alwayes Marching along with the Body, till the Bringer vp bee paſt a little beyond the Leader of the Fyle that gaue fire laſt, and then the ſecond outmoſt Fyle, muſt turne altogether and giue fire, doing as the firſt did; and ſo all the reſt of the Fyles ſucceſſiuely one after another. A Sergeant, or if the Troupe bee great, ſome better qualified Officer, ſhall ſtand at the head of the firſt fyle, and as ſoone as the ſecond fyle hath giuen fire, he is to lead forwards the firſt fyle, and ſo the reſt one after another, till he hath gathered vp the whole wing of Shotte; and then hee ſhall ioyne them againe in equall front with the Pykes.

Another way of skirmiſhing is this; all the whole wing of Musketiers makes ready altogether, and the firſt ranke without aduancing, giues fire in the place it ſtands in, and ſpeedily as it may; yet orderly falls away, all the ranks doing the ſame, one after another ſucceſſiuely.

Now laſt of all, we will repeate the termes of directions, which are theſe:

Motions ſtanding and Marching. Fyles right your Selues. Ranks right your Selues. Silence. To the right hand: As you were. To the left hand, As you were. By the right hand to the Reere, As you were. By the left hand to the Reere, As you were. Rankes to the right hand Double, As you were. Ranks to the left hand Double, As you were. Middle-men to the right hand Double the Front. As you were. Middle-men to the Left hand, double the Front. As you were. Bringers vp to the Right hand, Double your Front. As you were. Bringers vp to the Left hand, Double your Front. As you were. Middle-men by Deuiſion, Double your Front to the right hand. As you were. Middle-men by Deuiſion, Double the Front to the left hand. As you were. Middle-men to the Pyke or to the Sword, Double the Body. As you were. Ranks by the Flankes, Double the Body to the right hand. to the left hand. As you were. Halfe Ranks by the Flanks, Double the Front. As you were. To the right or left hand, Counter-march. As you were.

This is for the Ranks; but when you will Counter-march your Flanks or Fyles, you muſt firſt bid them to the right or left hand; vpon which directions, they will turne their faces to the flanke you deſire to haue them turned; and then ſay as you did before in the Countermarching the Ranks.

To the right, or to the left hand Counter-march. The ſame alſo is to be loſed in the other Counter-marches, which are theſe; viz. To the right hand Countermarch and ſtand. As you were. Before you wheele the Body, you ſhall vſe theſe words; Fyles, cloſe to your meane order, or to 3. foot. Ranks cloſe to your meane order, or to 3. foot. Aduance your Pykes. Slope your Musquets. To the right hand, Whele. To the left hand, Whele. To the Reere Whele.

After you haue wheeled to the right hand, to wheele backe againe, muſt be euer to the contrary hand you wheeled firſt.

Front as you were. Ranks open backward. Fyles open.

If before the firſt wheeling, they cloſed co the right hand, then they muſt open to the left hand: and ſo the contrary.

Front as you were.

FJNIS.