CHAP. I. And first what is to be required , and necessarie to be obserued in a priuate SOVLDIER .

THE plat-forme of a Fortresse , by how much more it is planted vpon a sure foundation , by so much more it is participant of a firme and forcible perfection : which reason duly considered it ought to lead euery man so to rule himselfe in all his affaires , as he may be both apt to receiue , and able to performe all vertuous and valorous actions . Therefor he that desires to become a Souldier of assured good qualitie , to the intent he may be able to perseuer in each enterprise , beare out euery brunt stoutly , and serue sufficiently , he ought to haue a strong body , sound , free from sicknesse , and of a good complexion : So shall he be able to resist the continuall toile and trauell , which of necessitie he must daily take , as continuall and extreame cold in the winter , immoderate heate in the summer , in marching in the day , keeping sentinell in the night , and in his cold cabben , in secret ambushes , and in trenches , where perchance he shall stand a number of houres in the water and mire vp to the knees : and besides vpon bulwarkes , breaches in espialls , in sentinels , perdues , and such like , when occasion requires and necessitie constraines : of all which exploites and discommodities hee must perforce be partaker .

Wherefore that man which is not of such sufficiencie in body ( to the end he spend not his time in vaine ) it is very requisite he resolue himselfe to exercise some other profession , for although some doe hold that few men be strong by nature , but many by exercise and industrie : yet that notwithstanding strength of body is first to be required , in respect that a Souldier must be aswell acquainted , and as able to beare continuall trauell , as a bird can endure to flie , yea and to put on a resolute minde , to beare all the miseries and hazardes of warlike affaires . A Souldier is generally to be chosen betwixt 18. and 46. yeares .

Moreouer , I suppose it most necessarie , that euery man according to the nature of his body , and inclined motion of his minde , make election of his armes and weapons , as of pike , halbert , or hargabuse : Neuerthelesse respect ought to be had to the proportion of his person , and to take such armes as doth best agree with the same : to a tall man a pike , to a meane stature a halberd , and to a little nimble person a peece . But if he preferre his proper disposition before the qualitie of his person , it is very necessarie he exercise that weapon he makes choise of , to the intent he may attaine vnto a most perfect practise of the same , for as no man at the first time when he takes any toole or instrument in his hand , growes immediately at that instant to be a perfect artificer : euen so it is with a Souldier , vntill experience hath instructed him : touching which I meane to say somewhat .

He which seekes to attaine and attribute to himselfe the honourable name of a Souldier , must first employ his time in practise of those armes wherewith he meanes to serue , and so apply his time , that when any enterprise shall call him forth to make proofe thereof , he may be able to handle his peece with due dexterity , and his pike with an assured agilitie : since those be the weapons wherwith now Mars doth most commonly arme his warlike troupe , and trie each doubtfull fight of bloudy battaile : for in this our age experience and practise makes apparant that Archers amongst forreine Nations be neuer vsed , and the halberd but either amongst few or few in number . The Archer serues to small purpose , but when he is shadowed with some trench or bulwarke free from hargabuse or musket-shot : Or that lyning a band of Hargabusiers , hee doth second them in any inuading onset , and then a whole flight of arrowes , so that they be light and able to flie aboue tweluescore , will maruellously gaule any maine battell of footemen or Squadron of Horsemen . The Halberd likewise doth onely serue in the sacke of a towne , in a breach , in a sally , or canuisado , to enter a house , or in the throng of a stroken battell to execute slaughter ; wherefore touching these two weapons , vnlesse necessitie constraine , and that Hargabusiers be wanting , Archers may well be spared : and these great numbers of Halberdiers and Bill-men , which are and haue beene in times past vsed in England , may well be left off , saue a few to guard euery Ensigne , and to attend vpon the Colonell , or Captaine , which in an armie will amount to a sufficient number to depresse the ouercome and flying enemy .

Therefore a Souldier must either accustome himselfe to beare a peece or Pike : if he beare a peece , then must he first learne to hold the same , to accommodate his match betweene his two formost fingers and his thombe , and to plant the great end on his breast with a gallant Souldier-like grace : and being ignorant , to the intent he may bee more encouraged , let him acquaint himselfe first with the firing of touch-pouder in his panne , and so by degrees both to shoote off , to bow and beare vp his body , and so consequently to attaine to the leuell and practise of an assured and seruiceable shot , readily charge , and with a comely couch discharge , making choise at the same instant of his marke with a quicke and vigilant eie .

His flaske and touch-box must keepe his pouder , his purse and mouth his bullets : in skirmish his left hand must hold his match and peece , and the right hand vse the office of charging and discharging .

Being against the enemie , whilst with an indented course he doth trauell his plaine ground , or else takes aduantage of his place and inuasion , as vnder the safegard of a trench , the backe of a ditch , old-wall , tree or such like : let him euer first load his peece with pouder out of his flaske , then with her bullet , and last with amuring , and touch-pouder , foreseeing euer that the panne bee cleane , the couer close , and the tutch-hole wide , or else well proind : so that still obseruing modest order in his trauerse , neither ouerslow , nor ouer-speedy , to the entent he become not each mans marke through his sluggishnesse , nor runne himselfe out of breath through his owne rashnesse , for the most part keeping his side towards his enemie : let him discharge going , but neuer standing : so shall he the better shunne the enemies shot and chuse his assured aduantage .

A souldier ought to be carefull that his furniture bee good , substantiall and staunch from raine , the charge of his flaske iust for his peece , and the spring quicke and sharpe : The pipe of his touch-box somewhat wide , that the pouder may haue free passage , which otherwise would choake vp .

In time of marching , and trauelling by the way let him keepe a paper in the panne and tutch-hole , and in wet weather haue a case for his peece somewhat portable , or else of necessitie he must keepe the same from wet vnder his arme-hole or cassocke , or by some other inuention free from damage of the weather , and his match in his pocket , onely that except which he burnes : and that likewise so close in the hollow of his hand , or some artificiall pipe of pewter hanging at his girdle , as the coale by wet or water go not out .

It is moreouer requisite , that a souldier keepe his cocke with oyle free in falling , and his peece bright without rusting , neither must he want his necessarie tooles , as a scowrer , tirebale and worme , hauing euery one a vice to turne into the end of the scouring sticke , so that if through wet weather or any other accident , his peece will not be discharged , the skilfull Souldier may with his tireball pull out his bullet , with the worme , the paper and wet pouder , and with his scourer make his peece cleane within : His scourer must be trimmed on the end with a linnen-cloth of a sufficient substance , therewith to make cleane the cannon of his peece within . The one end of his scouring sticke ought to haue a round end of bone of iust bignesse with the mouth of his peece , therewithall at his pleasure to ramme in pouder and paper , or in steed of paper , such soft haire as they stuffe saddles withall , the danger whereof is not like : but this the Souldier must vse when time permits . During the time of his seruice let him euer haue a diligent care to keepe his peece cleane and bright within , and once a fortnight , or at the least once a month take out the breech and throroughly view and wash the barrell within , to see whether it hath any flawes , brackes , chambers , frettings , or ruptures , which would endanger the breaking thereof , especially if before hand the end of his bare scourer haue giuen him any cause to suspect such faults , to the intent he may change the same for a new for feare of spoiling himselfe .

He that loues the saftie of his owne person , and delights in the goodnesse and beauty of a peece , let him alwaies make choise of one that is double breeched , and if it be possible a myllan peece , for they be of a tough and perfect temper , light , square , and bigge of breech , and very strong where the pouder doth lie , and where the violent force of the fire doth consist , and notwithstanding thinne at the end .

Our English peeces approach very neere vnto them in goodnesse and beautie ( their heauinesse only excepted ) so that they be made of purpose , and not one of these common sale peeces with round barrells , whereunto a beaten souldier will haue great respect , and choose rather to pay double money for a good peece , then to spare his purse and endanger himselfe .

But to returne to my matter , let a souldier haue hanging euer at the strings of his tutch-box , or some other readie part of his garment , a couple of proyning pinnes at the least , that if by fortune the tutch-hole of his peece be stopped or furred vp , hee may therewith both make his pan cleane , and yeeld a ready passage that the fire may haue her course , by incorporating both the tutch-pouder without , and the corne-pouder within together . But a ready Souldier will alwaies fore-see that the tutch hole be so wide , as the pouder without in the pan may haue free concourse to that within the peece , thereby to hasten more speedy discharge , considering a souldier cannot haue leasure and commoditie to proine his peece at all times , but must of necessitie vse a great dexterity .

But since I am falne into the speech of a quicke charge , and nimble discharge , I will by the way declare the opinion of certaine nations therein .

Experience of late daies hath taught vs , that those Nations which follow the warres , inuent euery way how they may endomage the enemie in all their enterprises , but especially in skirmish , which for the most part consists in shot , and by such as can with the eye of his minde make an assured leuell , and with a nimble discharge , both choose out and kill his enemie .

And therefore those souldiers which in our time haue beene for the most part leuied in the Low-countries , especially , those of Artoyes and Henault , called by the generall name of Wallownes haue vsed to hang about their neckes , vpon a baudricke or border , or at their girdles certaine pipes which they call charges , of copper and tin made with couers , which they thinke in skirmish to bee the most readie way . But the Spaniard dispising that order , doth altogether vse his flaske .

The French-man , both charge and flaske . But some of our English-nation , their pocket , which in respect of the danger of the sparkes of their match , the vncertaine charge , the expence and spoile of pouder , the discommoditie of wet , I account more apt for the show of a triumph and wanton skirmish before Ladies and Gentlewomen , then fit for the field , in a day of seruice in the face of the enemy : and in like sort the charge which either doth shed and loose his pouder whilst a Souldier doth trauerse his ground , or else is so cloddered and rammed together , that he shall be forced sometimes to faile of halfe his charge . Therefore I conclude with the Spaniard , that a good flaske is that which is most warlike and ready in seruice without the curious helpe of any extraordinary inuention .

One of the greatest helpes consists in pouder and match : for a Souldier must euer buy his pouder sharpe in taste , well incorporate with salt-peter , and not full of coole-dust . Let him accustome to drie his pouder if hee can in the sunne , first sprinkled ouer with Aqua-vitae or strong Claret-wine &c. Let him make his tutch-pouder , being finely sarsed and sifted , with quick-pale , which is to be bought at the Pouder-makers or Apothecaries : and let his match be so boiled in ashes , lye and pouder , that it will both burne well , carrie a long coale , and that will not breake off with the touch of your finger . The preparations will at the first touch giue fire , and procure a violent , speedy , and thundering discharge . Some vse brimstone finely poudered in their tutch-pouder , but that furs and stops vp your breech and tutch-hole .

The bullet of a souldiers peece must be of a iust bignesse with the mouth of the same , so that falling in smoothly , it may driue downe , and close vp the mouth of the pouder . Some contrary to the lawes of the field vse chaine-shot , and quarter-shot , which is good in the defence of a breach , to keepe a fortresse , or vpon shipboard : but being daily vsed , it will gaule a peece within , and put it in hazard to breake , specially in a long skirmish when the barrell is hot .

Note that after his peece is very hoate , let the Souldier if he can , giue somewhat a lesse charge for feare of bursting his peece , vnlesse he haue good triall thereof . If the stocke of his peece be crooked , he ought to place the end iust before aboue his left pappe : if long and straight , as the Spaniards vse them , then vpon the point of his right shoulder , vsing a stately vpright pace in discharge .

It is not in vaine to aduertise him , that in skirmish hee must hold his peece betwixt his thombe and the ends of his fingers , which I account a sure meane , betwixt griping of the barrell , and laying the same onely vpon his foremost finger and thombe , for the one is ouer dangerous , and the other altogether vnsteedy .

I iudge it likewise most conuenient for him , to take hold of his peece with his left hand in that part of the wood ( wherein the barrell lies ) there as the peece is of most equall ballance . Although some accustome themselues to hold it iust vnder the cocke , by reason whereof he shall be enforced to change his hand if he charge out of a flaske , into the midst of the peece , to bring downe the mouth to his flaske which is great delay and hinderance in skirmish . So to conclude , he that meanes to be accompted a forward and perfect good shot , by continuall exercise must be so ready , that in all particular points touching his peece , pouder , match , bullets , and the vse of them , that he neither be to seeke , nor grow amazed in the furious rage of Bellonas fiery skirmishes , her suddaine surprises , and bloody slaughter of dangerous assaults of cruell battailes .

The Musket is to be vsed in all respects like vnto the Hargabuse , saue that in respect he carries a double bullet , and is much more weightie . He vseth a staffe breast-high , in the one end a pike to pitch in the ground , and in the other an iron forke to rest his peece vpon , and a hoale a little beneath the same in the staffe : whereunto he doth adde a string , which tied and wrapped about his wrest , yeelds him commodity to traine his forke or staffe after him whilst he in skirmish doth charge his Musket afresh with pouder and bullet .

Now to speake somewhat of a Pike-mans charge , a few words shall suffice , because I will not be ouer-tedious . Let him learne to tosse his pike , couch and crosse the same , to receiue the violent charge of Horse-men , to front the furious shocke of foote-men , and be able to furnish out his fight both afarre-off and neere hand : Which Notes with the like will be sufficient , by reason that he is for the most part put to stand in a maine and square-battaile . Both the Hargabusier and Pike-man must weare a short rapier and a small poinado : for if in the middest of Encounters and Skirmishes , they be driuen to vse them , their length is an occasion they cannot be drawne , vnlesse he abandon his peece or pike , whereby he shall either loose his pike , or want his rapier , which at the Sera and close is very necessarie both for defence and offence : contrary to the carelesse custome of some , whom I haue seene come into the field without rapier or dagger , which was an assured argument , that their heeles should be their target , and their shamefull flight their safety , when their pouder was spent .

Now as these carelesse persons farre misse the marke with ouer great securitie , so some bring in a custome of too much curiositie in arming Hargabusiers , for besides a peece , flaske , tutch-box , rapier and dagger : they loade them with a heauie shirt of male , and a Burganet : so that by that time they haue marched in the heat of the sommer or deepe of the winter ten or twelue English-miles , they are more apt to rest , then ready to fight , whereby it comes to passe that either the enterprise they go about , which requires celerity , shall become frustrate by reason of the stay they make in refreshing themselues , or else they are in danger to be repulsed for want of lustinesse , breath , and agilitie .

Wherefore in mine opinion it is not necessarie , that this extraordinarie arming of shot should be vsed , but in surprises of Townes , Escalades , and assaults of breaches , to defend the Souldiers heads from stones , and such stuffe as they besieged haue prepared to driue them from their enterprise : Or else in some speciall set battaile against the cut and thrust of weapons : which exploits , for that they be not so ordinary as is the skirmish , so are these armes nothing so necessarie , but rather a burthen more beautifull then beneficiall , and of greater charge then commoditie ; specially a shirt of male , which is very dangerous , for shot , if a number of those small peeces should bee driuen into a mans body by a bullet .

The furniture due to a Pike-man besides his pike , rapier and dagger , consisting of a common corselet , hauing a coller , curiat , tases , back-part , poldrowes , wambrasses , and burganets for the head , for that they be sufficiently knowne , because I will not be ouer prolixe vpon euery particular point , I will onely say thus much more touching the Pike-man , that he ought to haue his pike at the point and middest trimmed with handsome tassels , and a handle , not so much for ornament as to defend the Souldiers body from water , which in raine doth runne downe alongst the wood .

Euery Souldier ought to carry his Hargabuse , Pike or Halberd , vpon that shoulder and side , which is outward in ranke , for that side which is discouered inward is more defended by the generall order that is kept , then any of the other . Which order of carrying armes , is not onely ready and commodious to vse at all occasions , but also doth make a gallant shew , and a generall forme of good proportion , and true prospect : a thing most necessarie for a man of valour to vse in all his doings .

He ought likewise euer to haue good regard to weare his weapon of like length the other Souldiers vse , which in marching doth make the rankes to be of one iust line , and in shew of a seemely and streight proportion , causing the whole band to carry a braue and singular grace .

A Souldier ought euer to retaine and keepe his armes in saftie and forth comming , for he is more to be detested then a Coward , that will loose or play away any part thereof , or refuse it for his ease , or to auoide paines : Wherefore such a one is to be dismissed with punishment , or made some abiect Pioner . Therefore during his seruice and after his returne home , let him still bee wedded to his weapons and armour , that when he is called vpon againe to serue his Prince , he be not enforced to furnish himselfe againe with new Armes , sometimes old , of little value , and lesse goodnesse : as some souldiers now adaies to their great discommendation doe vse . A custome altogether different from the true exercise of armes , and varying from the rule of other warlike-nations , which make true profession of armes : amongst the which the Spaniards and Zuitzers at this day are to bee commended ; the one for obseruing an apt , sumptuous , and warlike choise therein , and the other for that they beare all sorts of armes with great aduantage , both in length and strength , the which vnto them becomes very familiar through the abilitie of body they possesse .

Those Souldiers which cannot endure the toile and trauell to beare armes of defence , namely the Pikeman and Halberdier are made subiect to receiue both blowes and death by the hands of their enemies , or through their disaduantage to take a shamefull flight , or at the first encounter to remaine their prisoners .

Therefore it is very necessarie for a Souldier to take paines in daily practise , & to acquaint himselfe throughly in the exercise and carriage of armes , whereof hee ought to vse practise , specially of those that be offensiue , and in those which ordinarily we are accustomed to carrie , as the Rapier , and Dagger , Pike , and Halberd and such like , without making open and apparent profession of the practise thereof , but secret and seuerall from the wide sight of the world , that afterwards he may put the same in practise to his greater aduantage and commendation .

Finally the Halberdier , who is armed either with brigandine or corslet , ought of duty to attend with his halberd when his turne comes about his Ensigne , in marching , and set squares , in the Captaines lodging and tent for his guard , and at the entrance of a house &c. to be the foremost person to force the passage .

But in a day of battaile the old Romane shield and a short sharpe-pointed sword , to execute in a throng of men , exceedes the Halberd and browne-bill .

Besides the Pikeman which is armed all ouer with a corslet , and is to performe his duty in a maine square , stand , or battaile , to receiue the shocke of horsemen , or charge of the enemies infantery ;

There be yet another sort of light-armed Pikes , which onely haue the fore-part of a corslet , and a head-peece , as is the Almaine riuet , or good light-iacke , or plate-coate : these sometimes may be sent amongst the forlorne-hope of Hargabusiers , to defend them from the inuasions of Horse-men .

But touching shot , I would wish our Nation , being men of strong constitution of body , to beare a Peece betwixt the boare of a Caliuer and a Musket , the which with small vse they would be able to weeld very well at the armes end ; which would cary a great aduantage in skirmish : the which like vnto the Hargabuse , they might ( as I said before ) exercise , and with a gallant and assured raising-vp the crooked end of the stocke , to his breast , hauing before-hand fitted the coale of his match to giue quicke and iust fire , whereof euer he must take the certaine measure , must then discharge amidst his modest trauerse , to his greatest aduantage , and to endomage his enemies : Which done he must first fold-vp againe the falne match in a ready and conuenient sort betwixt his fingers , hauing both the ends of his match light at once , that whilst the one is spent , and in kindling againe , the other may serue his turne .

Besides these foresaid weapons I would not thinke it inconuenient , to haue in a Band certain targets of proofe to march in the front , which were very necessarie to defend a ranke of men in a streight-lane , passage , breach or other place from the enemies shot , they all closely and in a low order marching vnder the fauour and shade of them : as in a skirmish I saw put in practise , when Cassimire did march with the STATES armie vnder Louaine , 1578.

The Captaine is to set downe by the Generals appointment , the summe of all their paies , and the difference therein , according to euery mans weapon and qualitie . But to speake of other directions and militarie obseruations ;

A foot-man that is a Souldier , ought aboue all things to be obedient to his Captaine and officers , and neuer abandon his Ensigne , nor be absent from his companie without leaue or speciall let . In his march hee ought to be modest , ready in his ranke , obserue a long distance in his Laumband , and keepe an equall stay in his Alta.

If words of aduertisement doe passe ouer from ranke to ranke alongst the marching band , let him deliuer those words plainely and with diligence , which the Captaine giues ouer to be pronounced from mouth to mouth , as to passe Parole appertaines .

If the enemie cause sodaine Arme , let his bale en bouche and his match in the cocke shew his ready good-will either to receiue repulse , or giue charge .

If either for pleasure in a muster , or in any other shew in sport or earnest , his Company be commanded to discharge certaine volies of shot , or a Salua , he must either hold his peece sidelong the rankes , whilst he doth prepare the same , or with the end higher then their heades , and discharge ouer the toppes of the formost rankes , for feare of hurting his Companions : which rule they ought to obserue , and thereunto be constrained , vpon paine of seuere punishment .

If any enterprise be made in the night , let him not only keepe his match close from open shew , or falling sparkes , but be vigilant and keepe silence , to the intent that through his negligence and noise their actions be not discouered .

If he keepe Sentinell , and haue the watch-word , let him giue eare diligently to all rumours , noises , and view warily all suspected places , to the intent if he heare any trampling , neying of horses , or approaching enemie ( which he may the more easily heare by making a hole in the ground , and laying his eare to the same ) or that he doth see the twinkling light of matches , or perceiue any other presumption of the enemie , hee may either by discharging his peece , and crying Saint George , arme , arme , giue warning to the next Corpes of guard , that the enemie doth approach , or else if his suddaine inuasion require not present aduertisement , he may deferre the report thereof vntill the comming of the next round , vnto whom he must from point to point declare what he hath seene and heard .

During the time of his Sentinell , hee ought to keepe himselfe very close , wakefull , secret , and without noise or rumour , his match close and sure from seeing , and his peece ready charged , loaden with her bullet , and proind with tutch-pouder .

If the Round or any other Officer come to search to watch and Sentinels , when he doth first heare or see them approach , let him so soone as he doth perceiue them , demaund with a loud voice , Qui va la ? Who goes there ? to which when answere is made , Friends , and that they draw neerer , then let him call to them and commaund that all the whole troupe , but onely one with the watch-word , to make present stay , vntill the word be giuen . And if at the same instant another Round should come another way , let him cause the one of them to pause and abide still , vntill he haue receiued the word of the other , that thereby he may auoide the inuironing snares of forraine or priuie enemies , which might by that meanes surprise him .

Therefore in this respect let him take great care , especially before a Towne besieged , or about the circuit of a Campe , and that he alwaies remember to receiue him that giues the word at the end of his peece or pike , and out of danger , hauing his match ready in his Cocke , ready to giue fire , thereby to reward him with a bullet as an enemie , if he giue a wrong word , or entertaine him as a friend if he giue the right : for vnder colour of giuing the word , many Sentinels haue lost their liues , and suddaine surprises and canuisados haue beene giuen .

If in the night Arme be giuen in the Campe , he must make repaire immediately with his peece and furniture to his Ensigne , where he shall be employed as occasion doth offer .

That he may be the more ready at any suddaine Arme , lying in a towne in Garrison , and being furried and lodged in a house , he ought to haue all the night burning in his chamber by him a candle or lampe , or at the least his fire so well raked vp as he may light a candle at the coales with a match of brimstone , or otherwise : that thereby hee may the more speedily not onely finde his armes ( which of purpose he ought to lay readily in an ordinarie place ) but also be better able to prepare himselfe , and kindle his match with all speede .

Note that a Souldier in Garrison being furried in a house , is allowed the best bed and chamber saue one , faire sheetes , board-clothes , plates , napkins , towels , dressing of his meate , seruice at the table , oile , vineger , salt , mustard , candle-light , fire , &c.

Whilest a Souldier is in the Campe , he ought neuer to lie out-of his clothes , his peece ready charged must lye by his side , his furniture at his girdle , which is his flaske , match and tutch-boxe , his rapier very ready , and his poinado likewise at his girdle , which if they should be so monstrous daggers , or such a Cutlers shoppe as our English Fencers are accustomed to weare , they would be both combrous in cariage , and troublesome to his Companions , and to himselfe , especially when they lye in their Cabbins .

A Souldier in Campe must make choise of two or three or more Camerades , such as for experience , fidelitie , and conditions , doe best agree with his nature , that be tried Souldiers and trustie friends , to the intent that like louing brethren , they may support one another in all aduerse fortune , and supply each others wants . As for example , hauing marched all day , and comming at night to the place where they must encampe , one of them chooseth out the driest and warmest plot of ground he can get in the quarter , which is appointed to his band for lodging place , doth keepe all their Clokes , Armes , and Baggage , whilest another makes prouision with one of their boies , in some adioyning village ( if time and safety from the enemie doth permit ) for long straw , both to couer their cabbin , and make their bed of : during the time that an other with a little hatchet ( which with a lether bottle for drinke , a little kettle to seeth meate in , and a bagge of salt , which are to be borne of the boyes amongst other Baggage , and are most necessarie things for encamping ) doth cut downe forked bowes and long poales to frame and reare vp their cabbin withall , and prouide timber , or firewood , if it be in winter , or when need requires , whilst another doth visite vniandiers and victualers ( if any follow the campe ) for bread , drinke , and other cates , if otherwise they be not prouided by forrage or picoree , and makes a hole in the earth , wherein hauing made a fire , stroken two forked stakes at either side , and hanged his kettle to seath vpon a cudgell of wood vpon the same , or that for rost-meate hee makes a spit , wodden gauberds , &c. And whilst thus euery one is occupied about their necessarie occasions at one instant , they may in due time make prouision for all their wants , and by meanes of this league of amitie amongst them , enioy a sufficient time to rest their wearied bodies , which otherwise would be hard to be done .

Therefore I iudge it very requisite that the whole number vnder the charge of a Desnier or cheife of a chamber , should linke themselues together in perfect friendshippe , and aswell in skirmish and fight aide one another , as in all other actions , by which inuincible knot they should receiue wonderfull commoditie .

It imports much that a Souldier should be tractable , for a man cannot imagine a thing either more ingenuous or better , then due and conuenient ciuility . Therefore let him accustome himselfe rather to be of a Saturnine and seuere condition then a common Skoffer , and an ordinarie make-sport , that he may continue in friendship with his companions , and continually remaine in their amitie .

Moreouer , he is much to be commended , which aptly with facilitie and great dexterity can be conuersant with euery one : wherein if a man doe not with great iudgement very circumspectly gouerne himselfe , hee shall for the most part incurre the euill will of those in whose companie hee remaines . The which dealing is of great importance , aswell for the interest of his life , and proper honour and credite , by which meanes the one and the other doth hang in ballance , as also for that he cannot , being drawne away with debates , apply himselfe diligently to follow the warres and seruice of his Captaine : the which ought to be his chiefest obiect and end . For discord amongst men of this Honourable profession , doth hasten , and occasion very much the destruction of their well doing ; and altogether hinder whatsoeuer they take in hand , by reason of the suspicions , discordes , despite , and other respects which of necessitie are commonly accustomed to grow and ensue .

Besides , he must be so moderate in spending his wages , that he be not constrained before the midst of his pay , either to follow the spoile , or borrow of others : whereof springeth a naughtie reputation and a great discredit : yet notwithstanding he must not suffer himselfe to be noted for a couetous person , or as some say , the enemie of himselfe : that is , by sparing nigardly , to finde a great want and extremitie in necessarie things appertaining to his apparell and victuals , whose expences ought cheifly to be in galant Armor and furniture .

Note that the pay and wages which he receiues of his Captaine and Treasurer , must not be taken or thought to serue or supply for any other vse , but to sustaine life with victuals , keepe him apparelled , and maintaine his armes . Therefore ought it to be gouerned discreetly and orderly at all times , in what place soeuer he shall remaine , either in the campe , ciuill cities , or in his proper house , as well to keepe himselfe in health , as cheifly to make apparant to his Captaine the noble motion of his minde : So that pricked forward by this spurre of honour , and not for any other extraordinarie and base occasion , a good souldier is continually constrained to win credite , despising all other dealing which ariseth from hope of commodity and greedy gaine , the way to make a man esteemed to carrie a base minde , and almost not disagreeing from brute breasts without reason . For these priuate Souldiers which seeke by such meanes as be extraordinarie , to aduance themselues aboue their proper pay , without doubt giue an euill presage of themselues , and so euill that it should be better for them to apply their time in some other sort , as about merchandise and other occupations , rather then follow the honourable exercise of Armes , which is altogether grounded vpon a noble minde , valiant courage , and extreame trauell of body .

He must dispose himselfe to be very diligent in what exercise or enterprise soeuer he shall be put vnto , as to make Sentinell : wherein it is conuenient , as I haue touched before , that he be very vigilant when it is his lot to be commanded thereunto , that in doing the contrarie , there succeed not a most rigorous chastisement by leauing his body dead behind him , as it may very well fall out , and to whom it may be said , I left him as I found him , since sleepe is the image of death .

A good Souldier ought continually to accompany the Ensigne , and haue speciall regard , that the same fall not in danger of surprising by the enemie , and that he endeauour himselfe by all meanes without any respect of danger to preserue and recouer the same : for the losse thereof is a perpetuall shame to the whole band . And therefore he ought at no time to abandon the same for any occasion , but lodge himselfe so neere it as he can , to the intent that amongst the rest , if it be possible , he may be one of the first at all rumours of armes , and sodaine alarums , aswell by day as night . And being armed with the weapon he caries , hauing conducted his Ensigne to the place appointed , by the head Officers , he may in the sight of his Captaine ( shewing a moderate forwardnesse and desire ) breed an opinion of his courage and valor : so that when occasion doth offer , his Captaine amongst the rest may make speciall choise of him .

He must for no occasion absent himselfe , or go to any far distant place about any enterprise or booty of picoree , without the expresse licence of his Captaine : for he that is once become a Souldier is now no more his own man , but his vnder whose gouernment he is paide : who desiring to serue his turne when occasions be ministred in time of warres , not hauing his valiant and best Souldiers present and ready about him , shall not onely be made frustrate of that he would performe , but sometimes also suffer and sustaine damage , and onely in respect of those which be absent abroad at their owne pleasure , contrary to the consent and knowledge of the Captaine .

He ought sufficiently to eate , rest and sleepe , whilest time doth permit , to the end he be not called for vnprouided , and that he may the more readily performe all enterprises needfull , without any discommodity or want of abilitie , which commonly doe fall out vnlooked for , and vpon the sodaine , for in ordinary and accustomed enterprises , it is an easie thing to finde euery souldier prouided , but in sodaine surprises not . Besides , I thinke it appertaines and is proper to a good Souldier , to follow the warres so long as he possibly can , for the increase of his experience . But being constrained to returne into his Countrey , or into any Citie , fortresse or other place of defence , by reason of some truce , seconded by peace , or through any other accident , which doth constraine him to abandon the warres : then it is necessary he fall to exercise that Art , wherein he chiefly hath been brought vp , either in merchandise , handicraft , or husbandrie , or else whatsoeuer , thereby to supply his necessities , to exercise his body , and to liue honestly : and by that meanes flie idlenesse , a thing most incident to youth : who being altogether ignorant in treading the steppes of a staied life ( through the small experience hee hath of the world , which by tract of time is obtained , and by long practise , specially in the exercise of armes ) perswades himselfe he shall winne credit and commodity through the meanes of insolent actions , which altogether ought to be abhorred : through rash and prodigall brauerie , which oftentimes torments innocent Families and poore Parents : and through galant garments and sumptuous attire , whereby they grow Bankerout : so that they are brought in time ( being intangled in those sweete traps sauest and sharpe showers ) to runne headlong into a thousand and most miserable ruines . Therefore good Souldiers ought specially to endeauour themselues by some commendable industrie to gaine the good grace of valorous and valiant Captaines , and mightie Princes , the true Possessors and fathers of warre , through whose authoritie and commendation they may be preferred : for the faith and assured credit of all warlike and worthy Souldiers doth depend vpon men of valour , and not of weake authoritie , small valor ; and great abuse of the ignorant and common-people , called the beast with many heades . Therefore let them euer obserue the honor of the good and vertuous : for since that in time of warres euery souldier of good conditions doth sharpen his wit , and willingly aduenture his life , not respecting toyles or trauell , expences or danger , but doth imploy his industrie to preferre his Princes profite , by great reason in time of peace he ought to be aduanced and maintained by them : and much the more for himselfe , is to vse all his indeauour to compasse his owne commoditie , and thereby make manifest his proper vertue , the which doth not consist in outward appearance of valour and discretion : but in the true action thereof , agreeable to his honourable profession .

A souldier must apparell himselfe in the warres with cloth of fresh colour , profitable and commodious : amongst the rest , red , murry , tauny and scarlet makes a galant shew in the field , which he must weare to honour the militarie profession , and for his most fit and apt wearing , and not to hinder the disposition of his members , as doth our great bumbasted and bolstered hose , which not many yeeres since hath beene vsed : but in steed of them a straite brabantie and gascaine is to bee worne , together with a close cassocke , which may shield both his flaske , tutch-box , his match and peece from raine if need be , whereby he may be ready to execute any enterprise he is commanded to performe , and that of necessitie he ought to doe : and so arme himselfe in other respects , that he may readily doe any seruice hee is assigned vnto .

He must be willing to put in proofe all things commanded , without making reply , or denying any one thing , or deferring the matter from one time to another , either for feare of spoiling or spotting his apparell in foule-way , or foule-weather , or that he shall not be able to inioy commodious lodging , store of victuals , and such other respects , not to be esteemed of , but worthy great reprehension . Therefore it is requisite he practise himselfe first of all to be a perfect priuate Souldier , before he be drawne to the desire of bearing office , which were to set the cart before the horses , and worke by contraries : for first wee must learne to obey , and then it is lawfull to gouerne . But it is no new thing , nor to be maruelled at , that some men are accustomed to obtaine charges by vnlawfull and indirect meanes , I will not say , that they vse them accordingly . Therefore to merite a charge , it is alwaies farre more excellent and more conuenient to winne them by desert , then to enter theteinto by intrusion : for those that doe not begge them doe feele in themselues their proper sufficiencie : where contrariewise they are a heauie burthen to those that know them not , although with great instance they haue procured and sought for them . Which want and vnwarie dealing in this our age , peraduenture proceedes of the small neede the world seemes to haue of good Souldiers at this day , and of the little experience most men in our time haue of the Art of warre or at leastwise our Superiours are blinded with the sweete baites of couetousnesse , cheife cause of such elections . Yet this notwithstanding we ought to retaine with all reuerence , the honour and credite due to an expert and good Souldier , who with diligence being sought for and selected , as neere as is possible , ought to haue the most chosen charges , and expeditions giuen to their gouernment . To the end those affaires may fall out happily , to the honour of their Nation and profit of their Prince . Whilst he doth follow the warres , or is in Campe : let him carrie as little baggage with him as is possible , that he may be the more nimble and light of body , speedy in his iourney or marching , and the more apt for all enterprises .

During the warres ( or else not ) he ought to weare in some conuenient place of his garments , that is most apparant to the view of the band , a token , red crosse , or scarfe , whereby in skirmishes and other attempts he is to be knowne of what part he is ( the Emperials vse a red scarfe , Englishmen Saint Georges Crosse , the French the White-crosse , &c. ) or such a signe as the Generall of the field shall make choise of , which he ought to do willingly , thereby to remoue suspition out of the minde of his Captaine and Cheifteines , that they need not to stand in doubt of him : and for diuers other worthy respects , since that by these and like manifest meanes , the Souldier shewes inward faith and loialty to the Officers and Captaines which gouerne . But if otherwise they carrie the said token and marke loose at their necke , breast , armes , or any other place , it giues matter and occasion of doubt touching their fidelitie : specially being but newly entertained , since that being not made fast , they may easily cast away or hide the same in time of perill or doubtfull fight : Which suspition ought diligently to be remoued by him which carrieth an entire desire and full intent to deale truely and loially .

He ought likewise to beware , vnder paine of great punishment , for running from one campe to another , for what occasion soeuer shall vrge him to it , but is bound to serue that partie with which hee doth first place himselfe , euen vntill the end of the wars .

I haue seene it likewise not lawfull , that a Captaine should receiue into his seruice a Souldier that is departed from another Captaine of the same faction , and this was obserued , to the end that Souldiers should be kept obedient and stedfast vnder their Ensigne , where first they haue placed themselues . Prouided alwaies , that their Captaines intreat them honestly and well , which is to be decided by the Marshall of the field . Neuerthelesse , so often as a Souldier is forced of necessitie to leaue the warres , he ought not to depart out of his seruice , but by the speciall licence of his Captaine , accompanied with an autentike pasport of his good seruice , so shall he shun many confusions which are great occasions of scandals and infinite troubles , by meanes whereof he may freely make relation of the good seruice he hath done , and boldly shew himselfe before any mans face .

He ought to take speciall care , that he be not the beginner and occasion of any discords and mutinies , neither consent thereunto , what reason soeuer should lead him thereunto , since that such peruerse proceeding doth not agree with the worthy , noble , and famous Art of warre , which is a dangerous discredite to such malefactors , and for the most part without any recouery doth procure the generall ruine of many valiant Captaines and mighty armies . And therefore Ruffians and common Hackers that liue idle in the streetes at home , and follow the wars onely for spoile , are most vnfit to make Souldiers , for experience makes manifest , that they are the onely cause of mutinies , so that one such is able to corrupt and disorder a whole band . Wherefore a good Souldier ought rather to apply himselfe to suffer things impossible , then commit so great an error , for by the one great honour and praise shall redound vnto him , and by the other vile act , he shall gaine manifest blame and assured death : for such notable errors , without any remission , or any pitie ( as in part I haue before touched , and hereafter in the marshall lawes shall set downe ) are seuerely to be chastised .

When the Companie doth disband , and euery souldier is to go to his lodging or cabbin , it is very requisite hee stay vntill such time as he see the Ensigne lapt vp and lodged , to the intent , if he be of the gard about the same , that night he may attend to doe his dutie , otherwise hee may lawfully depart , and thereby shunne the shamefull name of a stubborne , licentious and disobedient person . He must learne to vnderstand the assured sound of the drumme , thereby to know alwaies whereunto he is appointed , and what thing is to be done and obeied , which of duty is accustomed to be done , since that with this instrument Souldiers are giuen to vnderstand , during the warres , what things be necessarie to be executed : One thing besides is most necessarie for a Souldier , which is , that he learne perfitly to swimme , both for that waters cannot alwaies be passed with wading , neither at all times boates and bridges can be conueied with the campe , by reason of naughtie passages , as also in diuers enterprises a man is both more safe and more bold , knowing what he can doe : whereof young Shelley made a most famous proofe , who at the victualing of Midleborow , when their nauie was assaulted by the Flushingers , hauing all his companie slaine , swam a shore with his armes , being the last man left aliue a shipbord : and as the Spaniards at the passage of the arme of the sea , when they went to besiege Siricke-sea . Besides the notable attempt made at the great riuer of Alba in Saxonie , the yeere 1547. where the Imperialists had so famous a victorie .

Now therefore let no man perswade himselfe , that the seuerall and particular experience which belongs to a perfect good Souldier , can be perfectly and duely obtained by any other way , but by a continuall delight , exercise , and obseruation . For no man doth bring any worke to perfection , whereof he hath not the Art : euery Art doth spring of experience and knowledge , and knowledge doth arise by meanes of studie and continuall practise . Military profession being then more perfect and aboue all other Arts , consequently it is necessarie wee vse in the same greater studie , and more continuall exercise then is to be vsed in any other Art : for so much as it is a most auncient and prudent sentence : All arts doe consist in exercise : and therefore continually at idle times it is very fit and necessarie for a souldier , to practise and exercise himselfe amongst his Companions in the campe , in running , leaping , throwing the barre , or such like , to make him actiue , and to auoide such idle pastimes as Souldiers commonly now adaies vse , contrarie to all good order .

Besides which , as I haue partly touched before , euery priuate Souldier ought not onely to be well able to vse the weapon hee serueth withall , but also suddainely to vnderstand all commandements of his Gouernors , whether it be by voice or sound of drumme or otherwise , and to know how to maintaine himselfe in order without breaking aray , not onely marching , but also turning in a troupe or retiring . For that Souldier which knoweth his dutie how to behaue himselfe in the campe , in watch , scout &c. and likewise in marching , turning , retiring , and fighting or skirmishing to obserue the order prescribed by his Captaiue , may be called a trained and old Souldier : Whereof if he be ignorant , although he haue beene twentie yeares in the warres , he is not to be esteemed a Souldier . But in these exercises the Sergeants and Officers are daily and duely to instruct generally and priuately each souldier , which Officers ought of necessity to haue knowledge in reading , that both what is written before , and shall be written after in this booke , specially touching the Marshall lawes of the fielde , they may euer read as a Lecture to their souldiers , being in corps de gard , or at other sit and conuenient times . For these be things so necessarie to be knowne and obserued , that it doth both import very much that each souldier should haue them by heart , and if it were possible , sowed vpon their garments to be a perpetuall glasse to looke into , whereby they might guide all their actions , that thereby they might see what they ought to shunne for feare of punishment , and what to imbrace to increase credit .

To knit vp this our first discourse , he that findes himselfe sufficient and well inclined to exercise this most excellent profession , ought with all modest humilitie , and good intention , frame himselfe to a perfect obedience , aswell to obserue order , a thing so conuenient and necessarie in this exercise , as also to execute that which shall be commanded him by his Captaine .

Before a Souldier binde himselfe to serue in a band , he ought aduisedly to consider , and expresly to perswade himselfe , that vnder an expert , valorous , and worthy Captaine , seldome or neuer our trauaile in well doing is forgotten or lost : when as the contrarie doth chance vnder those that be vaine , vicious , and of small experience , who through want of perfection and practise , doe not know the merit of the valiant and valorous acts of a good Souldier : so that consequently they neglect all toile and trauell done in any honourable enterprise . Therefore it behoues a Souldier to make a good choise at the first , for after whatsoeuer he be , he must still obey him : and likewise alwaies haue respect , and carrie a reuerence to the iustice of Marshall law , and the Ministers of the same , though they be of base condition , since both by the law of Nature and Nations , they ought to be obeyed and obserued , and particularly knowne , and had in memory of euery priuate souldier : for thereby both horsemen and footemen are kept in perfect order .

But aboue all things a souldier ought not to forget his dutie and deuotion towards the goodnesse of our Lord God , and our sacred Christian religion , by which the true gift of vertue , valour and fortitude , and all good things beside , we most certainely receiue , and are assured to attaine whilst our determinations be lawfull and honest . And for that a souldier being subiect to a thousand daily dangers , it behoues him continually to liue as he dare die , and oftentimes to reconcile himselfe to God by confession of his sinnes , and receiue the benefit of the most blessed Sacrament .

I haue beene somewhat more copious in this first discourse touching a souldier , then perchance I meane to be in any of the rest , by reason this is the first steppe and degree a man ought to set his feete vpon , before he mount the throne of perfect gouernment in Marshall affaires : for if a souldier can obtaine tried experience in this first point , he may with more ease ascend the other , since this is onely the ground worke of all the rest .