Lawes and ordinances militarie sett downe and established by the right excellente Robert Earle of Leycester ... ; to be obserued by all suche as shall serue in Her Maiest. Armie vnder him in the saide countries.

FOrasmuche as there is not any Estate , which in peace or warre can be accounted sure , or preserued from dishonour & ruine , vnlesse it bee supported and borne vp by Iustice duely administred , and discipline orderly obserued : And for that no man can be so ignorant as not to knowe , that honor , fame and prosperitie , doe duely follow that common Wealth or Nation , wherein good lawes are established , the Magistrate ministring Iustice is duely regarded , and the people fearing to offende , are drawen vnder the rules of Iustice and obedience : And seeing that martiall discipline aboue al things ( proper to men of warre ) is by vs at this time most to be folowed , aswell for the aduancement of Gods glorie , as honourablie to gouerne this Armie in good order : And least that the euill inclined ( pleading simplicicie ) should couer any wicked facte by ignorance : Therefore these martiall Ordinances and Lawes followinge are established and published , whereby all good mindes endeuouringe to attaine honour , may stand armed , and receiue encouragement to perseuere in well doing , & such as are inclined to lewdenesse , be warned from committing offences punishable . which being embraced with carefull respect , and followed with obedience , doe promise good order and agreement amongst our selues , with victorie and good euents against our enemies .

1 First , Blasphencers . Forsomuch as the holy Name of our most mightie and inuincible God , with all reuerence ought to be regarded , and that destruction is pronounced to suche as blaspheme or abuse the same : it is therefore ordeined and commanded , that no person whatsoeuer , either in common conference or communication , or for any cause whatsoeuer , shall blaspheme , or take his Name in vaine , vpon paine of losse of v.s. to the releefe of the poore for the first offence : for the seconde , fiue dayes inprisonment : for the third , losse of his place and wages .

2 And because the continuall and vnspeakeable fauours of our Almightie God , Diuine seruice . by our vnthankfulnesse may be taken from vs , and that no good euent of any action can be expected , wherein God is not first and principally honored and serued : It is therefore especially ordeyned and commaunded , that all persons whatsoeuer , shall vpon general warning giuen either by sound of Trompet or Drum , repaire to the place appointed , where the Diuine sernice is to be vsed , there to heare the same read and preached , vnlesse for the present by sicknesse or other seruice he be impeached , vpon paine to lose his dayes wages for the first , two danes wages for the second , and so to be encreased by the discretion of the Iudge , and for euery such default in the Souldier , aswell the Captaine as his inferiour officers , to be punished with like penaltie .

3 And seeing it well beseemeth all Christians , Vnlat full games . especially such as professe the militarie seruice , to passe away the time in matters requisite for their profession : And because no time can be more vainely spent , then that which is consumed in vnlawfull games , besides the breeding of much contention and quarrelles : And for that there be many allowable and commendable exercises for all fortes of men to vse : Therefore it is streightly commanded , that no priuate Souldiouror inferiour Officer shal play at Dice and Cardes , nor any other vnlawfull games , vpon paine of two dayes imprisonment for the first time , and for after committing the like , to bee further punished by the Iudges discretion .

4 And for that it often happeneth , Vagrant woemen . that by permitting of many vagrant & idle women in an armie , sundry disorders and horrible abuses are committed : Therefore it is ordeined that no man shall carrie into the fielde , or deteine with him in the place of his garrison , any woman whatsoeuer , other then such as be knowen to be his lawful wife , or such other women to tende the sicke and to serue for launders , as shall be thought meete vp the Marshall , vpon paine of whipping and banishment .

5 And insomuch as clemencie amongst men of warre in some respectes is a singuler vertue : Woemen with Childe . Aged persons . Midowes . Dirgins . Babes . It is ordeined that no man in any part of this seruice that he shall doe , shal lay violent handes vpon any woman with childe , or lying in childebed , olde persons , widowes , yong virgins , or babes , without especiall order from the Magistrate , vpon paine of death .

6. Noe man of what degree so euer he be , Violent defyling of women . shall enforce any wife , widowe , maide or virgin , and by violence defile anie of them vppon paine of death .

7 What person soeuer that shall be commonly giuen to drunkennesse , Dronkenes and riotuousurs . or riotously behaue himselfe , shall be banished the Armie .

8 Whosoeuer shall conceale , or in any sort kepe secrete , Concealement of treason . Conspiracie . Treason , any dangerous conspiracie , or other practise which may be hurtfull , and may concerne the peril of her Maiesties person and realme , or of her General , or the estate of this Armie , and shall not with all diligence reueale the same either vnto the Generall , or some other Officer of especiall trust , shal incurre the paines of death with torments .

9 If anie man whatsoeuer shall practice and conspire anie thinge to the hurte or perill of her Maicsties person , Treason and Conspiracy . and realme or of her Generall , or the estate of this Armie , and be therof laufullie convinced , shall suffer death with torments .

10 No man shall haue speeche or conference , send message , Conference / or writinge with or to the Ennemie . deliuer or receiue letters to or from the enemie , or any his confederates , either secretly or openly , without manifesting the same presently vnto the Generall or Marshall , or hauing former authoritie so to doe , vpon paine of death .

11 No man being in this seruice shal depart the Campe or place of Garrison for any cause whatsoeuer , Departinge from the Camp or the Garrison without leaue . without the Generals especiall Pasport , or other head Officer authorised , vpon paine of death .

12 No man shall breake out , Breakinge order of the ranke . or leaue the order of his ranke , being once ordered in the fielde by the Marshall or Sergeant Maior , without some great occasion first made knowen vnto the saide Officer , vpon paine of losse either of life or limne , at the discretion of the Generall or of the Marshall .

13 No man appointed to watch or warde , shall shun or depart the place , Watch worde neglected . neither shall sleepe , or neglect his duetie therein , especially after the watch is set and the woorde giuen , vnlesse he be orderly relieued , or for some great occasion enforced , with licence of his Captaine or Officer , vpon paine of death .

14 No man shall bewray the watchworde to the enemie or to any other , Watchworde bewrated . or giue any other worde then is deliuered by the Officer , vpon paine of death with torment .

15 No man shal raise any mutinie , Mutynie / or unlauful affemblies or procure vnlawfull assemblies vpon priuate , secrete , or hidden purpose , whereby to disturbe the peace and quiet of the Armie , vpon paine of death .

16 Noe man shall lift vp his weapon against the Magistrate , Weapon against Magistrats . his Captaine or Officer , vpon paine of death .

17 No man shall quarell , Quarrelinge or fraiemakinge in Campe / or Towne of garrison . brauwle , or make any fray within the Campe or Towne of garrison , vpon olde malice , or newe occasion whatsoeuer , but shall complaine to the Officer , who is to decide the cause and punish the partie offending , vpon paine of losse of life or limme , at the discretion of the Generall or Marshall .

18 And whereas sundrie nations are to serue with vs in these warres , Forreiner abused vp English men . so as through diuersitie of languages occasion of many controuersies may arise or happen to growe : It is therefore ordeined , that if any person of English nation shall finde him selfe agrieued with any wrong profered him by any forreiner , that then without profering further reuenge hee shall signifie the same vnto his Captaine or other officer , whereby order man be taken so , as no further quarrell growe thereof , but that quietnesse in all respectes may be preserued , vpon paine of such punishment as the head officers shall thinke meete , either by losse of life or limme .

19 No man appointed to the defence of any Breach , Trench , or Streight , Leavinge breach / trench or streight vppon fained excuse . either Captaine or Souldiour , shall willingly leaue it , or vpon any false or imagined cause or excuse shall absent himselfe from the place , without sufficient warrant , vpon paine of death .

20 No man shail enrolle his name vnder two Captaines , Souldier enrolled vnder two Captaines . nor muster in seuerall companies at one time , or otherwise passe in an other mans name , or lende armour , weapon , or other furniture vpon the muster day , whereby to abuse her Maiestie , and weaken the present seruice , vpon paine of a moneths imprisonment , and banishment .

21 No man shall embezill or deminish any of his Armour , weapon and furniture , Armour embezilled / dyminished / or pawned . which is appointed him by his Captaine , vnlesse he can prooue that he lost the same in seruice . And that no man shall take in pawne any Souldiours weapon or furniture , vpon paine to the Souldiour of losse of his place , and to the other that shall take it in pawne , the losse of the double value .

22 No man shall play away , engage , Playing awaie of Armour . or lende away his furniture , but shall alwayes keepe his Armour and weapon cleane and seruiceable , vpon paine of being discharged .

23 No man shall deceitfully take away his companions prouision , Pilfering of his fellowes victuals victuals , or furniture , vpon paine of imprisonment .

24 No person trancyling , Forceable traction of victuals or goodes . lodging , or abiding in any the Townes or Contreis of her Maiesties friendes or Allies , shall in any wise exact or take by force from the people either victual or other their goods whatsoeuer , without present payment , or other sufficient order to the iust satisfaction of the partie , vpon paine of death .

25 No man shall forestall any victuals brought for the Campe or place of garrison , Victuals forestalled . but suffer the same peaceably to come into the Market place , there to bee rated and priced by the Marshall or his officer , before he buy the same , vpon paine of death .

26 No man shall robbe or spoyle any Shop or Tent , Robbing or spoilinge of vitler or Marchant . or any victualler or Marchant comming for reliefe of the Campe or garrison , but in all good sort shall entertaine and defend them , vpon paine of death .

27 No Souldiour commaunded at any time to take victuals for certaine dayes , Excrabing the dates for takinge of victuals . shall exceede the same dayes , or spend the same other wise then according to the proportions and time allowed him ; vpon paine of imprisonment , or other such punishment as the lawfull officers shal appoint . None to be spoiled beinge of the Generalls protection .

28 No man shall distresse or spoyle any person standing on her Maiesties partie , or beinge vnder the Generals protection , vpon paine of death .

29 No man shall disobey or transgresse any Proclamation made by Drumnie or Trumpet , set foorth by the Generall , Proclamation transgressed . vppon such paine as he shall set foorth .

30 No man shall resist the Prouost or his other officer in apprehending of any malefactour , but if neede require , Resistinge the apprehension of Malefactor● . shall ayde and assist him therein , or otherwise if by suche occasion any escape be made , it is ordeined that euery person by whose defaulte the escape was committed , shall suffer like punishment that the parties so escaped shoulde haue endured .

31 No man shall molest or trouble any person being vnder his owne regiment , Disturbance of any there lodginges . or the leading of any other , once placed by the Marshall , forrier , or Herbinger in the Campe or Towne , but quietly to permit and suffer euery one to enioye his seuerall roome or lodging , vnlesse it be by mutuall consent and agreement , neither shall any man lodge out of his Captaines quarter without licence , vppon paine of imprisonment .

32 No man shall ouerthrowe or destroye any water Milles or water workes without speciall commaundement of the Generall , Water Milles. or other heade Officer vppon paine of death .

33 No man contrarie to order shall set on fire or burne any house , Burnynge vp fyre . milne , or corne , nor at dislodging or remoouing shall set the Campe on fire , without speciall commaundement from the General or other head Officer present , vpon paine of death .

34 No man shall make anie owterie or noise in any watch , Silence in match warde or Ambush . warde , Ambushe , or anie other place where silence is requisite and necessarie , vppon paine of losse of use or lymme , at the generals discretion .

35 No man without great occasion shall make any Alarme , Alarme . but if any chance to arise , then shall euery man presently repaire in all haste vnto his appointed place , vnlesse some true excusable cause doe hinder him , vpon paine of death .

36 No man shall harbour or receiue into his lodging any person being a stranger , Harboring of Strangers not in paie . or of our owne nation not being enrolled in her Maiesties paye , but shall presently acquaint the Generall or Marshall with his name , countrey , the time of his comming , and busines , vpon paine of imprisonment , and losse of his place and wages .

37 No man shall talke or haue conuersation with any Trumpetter or Druminer of the enemies , Talkinge with the Enemies Trumpeters . or other sent in message , but such as bee appointed by the Generall , vpon paine of death . Attendance vppon Cariagies .

38 No man shal attende vpon the cariages , but such as are appointed to that charge , neither linger , or loyter behinde with them to ride or ease themselues , vnlesse it be such as by sickenesse , hurtes , or other infirmities knowen to the officers , to be permitted so , vpon paine of imprisonment , & losse of wages .

39 No man shall attempt to goe a forraging , Foraginge . without the officer appointed for that purpose deliuer them a sufficient guarde for their defence , vpon paine of death .

40 Euery Souldier shall present such prisoners as are taken , Souldiers prisoner . to their Captaine immediatly at their returne to the Campe , and none shall either kill them , or license them to depart , without commaundement or leaue from the Generall , or other head Officer thereunto appointed , vpon paine of being disarmed , and banished the Campe .

41 Euery Souldier at all times in seruice shal be obedient and faithfull , Obedience of the Souldier to his Captaine or his deputie . aswell to their Captaines as other inferiour Officers , & not to refuse direction of any , vnder whom they are appointed to serue , vpon paine of imprisonment , and losse of a moneths wages . And whensoeuer anie Captaine of anie bande shall vppon vrgent causes appointe in his absence anie other whome he shall thinke good to supplie and execute his roome of captainship , euery man owght to followe and oven the saide deputie with noe lesse care and diligence , then they woulde the Captaine him self vppon the same paine .

42 Euery man shall support and defende his owne Ensigne both night and day , Supporting the Ensigne . and shall resort vnto the same vpon the first warning , and not depart vntill it be brought into safetie , vpon paine of death .

43 Euery souldier shal diligently obserue and learne the sound of Drums , Sounde of Drum● Fifte● or Trumpet to be learned . Fiftes , and Trumpets , to the end he may knowe howe to answere the same in his seruice .

44 No man shall slaughter or kill any beast of what nature soeuer within the Campe or Garrison , Slawghter of beastes . Garbage . but in such places as are appoynted for that purpose , Waters vndefiled . nor shall suffer the garbage to remaine vnburied , neither shall any man trouble or defile the waters adioyning , but in the lower part of the streame some good distance from the Campe , vpon paine of imprisonment .

45 No man shall ease himselfe or defile the Campe or Towne of Garrison , Easementes . saue in such places as is appointed for that purpose , vpon paine of imprisonment , and such further punishment , as shall be thought meete by the chiefe Officers .

46 If any man doe take a prisoner or bootie , Prisoners and booties certified . he shall immediately after hee is returned vnto the Campe or Towne of Garrison , make his Captaine or Gouernour acquainted therewith , and the Captaine shall declare the same vnto the Marshall , who euery eight dayes shall make certificate thereof vnto the Generall , vpon paine of imprisonment , and further punishment as the Generall shall set downe .

47 In Marching by the fieldes , Crie● att the puttinge vp of any hare . no man at the putting vp of any Hare , or any other beast shal make any shout or crie , whereby to disquiet or stay the rest of the hands , but to vse all quietnesse and silence in their march , vpon paine of imprisonment .

48 No man shall giue vp or deliuer vnto the enemies any place left to his charge or keeping , vpon paine of death . Place of charge / geuen to the Enemie .

49 If any man flie to the enemies , Flyinge / to the Enemie . or be taken vpon his departure towards them , he shall suffer death .

50 That no person whatsoeuer shall passe by any other way either in Towne or Campe , Passage by ordynarie waie . but at the ordinarie gates and passages , vpon paine of death .

51 That all heraults of Armes shall doe there messagies , Heraults . and make proclamation at such times and places and in such order without addicion , dymynucion or alteracion , accordinge vnto there direction and commission from the generall , vppon paine to be inflicted at the generals discretion , accordinge to the qualitie of there faulte .

Captaynes ,

52 No Captaine , Entricinge of a Souldire from his Captaine . Officer , or other person , shal receiue or entertaine any other mans Souldiour or seruant , without consent of his former Captaine or Mayster , neither shall entice an other mans Souldiour from him , vpon paine of losse of a Monethes wages , and to restore the partie to his former Captaine or Maister .

53 No Captaine shall sende foorth any men to doe any enterprise , Doinge any Entreprice without the generals knowledg . without knowledge of the Generall , or chiefe officer appointed thereunto , vpon paine of losse of his place .

54 All priuate Captaines , Watch and ward vp priuate Captaines . being no head Officers , shal watch and warde with their Ensignes , vnlesse it be by speciall leaue , vpon paine of the losse of a monethes paye , and for the second time , losse of his place .

55 No Captaine shall sell or caunsome his prisoner without license of the Generall , Prisoner caunsomed or solde . and shall not suffer them to depart without making the high Marshall prime to the same , vpon paine of losse of his prisoner , and imprisonment .

56 Any Captaine finding any Souldier of what band or company so euer , Souldier transgressing to be taken vp any Captaine . which hath transgressed any of these Lawes and Ordinances , may take him and bring him vnto the Marshall to be punished .

57 That no Captaine shall receine or enroll any person into his paye vnder him , Souldier sworne before he be receaued . but that he cause the sayde Souldier to receiue the othe , vpon paine to the Captaine for not obseruinge the same , of losse of a moneths pane .

58 Noe inferior Captaine shall for corruption , Captaine not to license any souldier to departe the Campe . or any other cause license any of his souldiers to departe the Campe , or Garrison without speciall license of the Generall , or other hedde Officer , vppon paine of losse of his monethes paie , and expulsion out of his office .

59 If any Captaine hereafter receauinge his souldiers paie , Souldiers paie . doe not paie the same vnto them within 8. daies after , and beinge demaunded , Then vppon complainte made , and the Captaine therof convicted , he shall lose his monethes paie , and be deprived of his office , banished the Campe , and disabled from thensforth to serue in this Armie .

60 Captaines and Officers shall frequent & reforte vnto the Souldiers lodgings to see in what state there Armour and Munitions be in , Disiringe the souldiers furniture . And to geue greate charge that there furniture be alwaies in a rediues , there corstlets with all peeces belonginge to the same , and there Caliuers to be made cleane and onled , to haue match and powder drie , and Stringes for there Bowes , there bylls and halberts to be kepte cleane and sharpe , vppon paines and punishment arbitrarie , accordinge to the qualitie of there necligence .

61 All other offences and Actes that may tende to disorder , Punishment of all other Offencies . not comprised within these Articles , shal be subiect to such maner of punishment , as the Lieutenant Generall shall inflict vpon them , as if it had bene specially expressed and set downe .

62 And to the intente that no man maie pretende and alleage any iuste cause of ignorance of the afore recited lawes and Ordinanceis , Publishinge of the Articles . or anie of them , the said lord Generall dothe ordaine , That all chief Officers , and Captaines of this Armie shall cause the same to be red and published with in there Bande euerie xx . daies , to all those whitch be vnder there charge respectiuelie accordinge to there quarters , especiallie in all those placeis where then shall lie in Garrison , aswell horsemen , as footemen , and to cause the same to he kepte and obserued inuiolablie asmuch as in them lieth in euery branche & article of the same , accordinge , to the tenor , forme and effecte therof .

The forme of the Othe Whiche all Officers , Captaines , Souldiers , and all other seruinge in this Armie shall take and performe .

I. A. B. doe sweare and promise to doe all loyall , Othe . true and faithfull seruice vnto the Quene of England her moste excellente Maiestie , and vnto the Prouinces and Cities vnited in these Countries , and there associats vnder the charge and obedience of the right excellente the Earle of LEYCESTER , Gouernour generall of the saide Prouinces and Cities , & there associats , and of her Maiesties armie and forces within the same . And all laufull and due obedience vnto the saide Gouernour , and to any other superior , that shall haue charge vnder him for gouerment in this Armie . And farther I do promise to endeuour my self to fulfill and kepe all suche laufull Ordinances as his Excellencie hath or shall sette forth and establishe for the better ordering of this Armie , as muche as concerne me , so longe as I shall serue in the same vnder him . So helpe me God , by Iesus Christe .