A Treatise of ARMS, Of Engines, Artificial Fires, Ensignes; and of all Military Instruments.
The First Book.
Of the ARMS of A SOULDIER.
CHAP. I.
Of Sharp Weapons.
Sect. 1.
Of the Sword.
THE Sword, whereof the Invention comes to us from Tubal-Cain, the Son of Lamech and Zilla, is the first of all Weapons, [Page 10] without which a Souldier should never appear in publick; because it serves him for Ornament as well as Defence. It is not necessary it should be too long, for it becomes thereby cumbersome in a Battallion; especially during the time of the Motions: nor must it be too short neither, but of an indifferent length; the Blade must be good, and about an inch broad The most common length of Blades is two foot and a half and two inches, and the Handles three inches and a half. All Blades are kept in Scabberds, made of Wood covered with Cloath or Leather, having a chape at the end of Iron, Steel, Copper or Silver.
The Sword is carried in a Shoulder Belt of Buff or other Leather, and hangs down from the right Shoulder upon the left Thigh; in the same manner as was heretofore in use, according to the report of Virgil.
[Page 11] And of Silvius in his Tenth Book.
Nevertheless we find by the words of the Royal Prophet, that the Belts which we have since called Waste-belts, are more ancient than those we call Shoulder-belts, when he says, Gird your Sword on your Thigh, &c.
When a man would stand right to his Guard, he ought to keep his Body straight, bending a little on the left Thigh; his Legs not too far asunder, his Feet on a strait Line one after another, the Handle of the Sword off of the Haunch, the point just opposite to the Shoulder, the Arm stretched half out; and the left Hand as high as the Eye. The Enemies Sword may be put by the line of the Body by a little motion of the Handle either inward or outward.
Souldiers in a Battel or Attack, do not regularly alwayes observe this [Page 12] Method; and most part thrust on any way, without troubling themselves much with the Tierce, Guart, or Feint; but make use of their Swords to attack or to defend themselves, according to the small talent that God Almighty has given them.
The Figure of a Souldier on his Guard.
Sect. 2.
Of the Shable and Cimeter.
THe Shable is more in use amongst the Horse, than other. Bodies of Men, it is not altogether so long as the Sword; but to make amends for that, the Blade is twice so broad and edged on one side; and therefore it is more used for cutting than thrusting.
The usual length of Shables is two foot and four inches, taking it from the guard, and two foot and a half and three inches, from the button of the Pommel to the point.
The Cimeter is a kind of Fauchin, broader and more crooked than the Shable; used more by the Turks, Persians and Hungarians, than others.
Sect. 3.
Of the Bayonet and Poniard, or Dagger.
THe Bayonet is much of the same length as the Poniard; it hath neither Guard nor Handle, but onely a Haft of Wood Eight or Nine Inches long. The Blade is Sharp-pointed, and two edged, a foot in length, and a large inch in breadth.
The Bayonet is very useful to Dragoons, Fufiliers, and Souldiers, that are often commanded out on Parties; because that when they have fired their Discharges, and want Powder and Shot, they put the Haft of it into the mouth of the Barrel of their Pieces, and defend themselves therewith as well as with a Partizan.
The Poniard or Dagger is a little Sword, in length but about Twelve or Thirteen Inches, which is carried at the Girdle. It is nor long ago since Duelists fought with Sword and Dagger.
Sect. 4.
Of the Espadon or Two-handed Sword.
THe Espadon is a kind of a Sword, whose Two-edged Blade is very long and broad, and whereof the Haft, which I dare not call Handle, because it is a foot and a half long, is made cross-wayes. It cannot be used but with both Hands, in a Breach or behind a Palissadoe.
I never saw so many Espadons, as among the Hollanders. The Ramparts of all their Towns were furnished with them, each distant from the other six paces; with a like number of Clubs or Maces: and indeed to consider such preparatives, one would have thought their designs had been furious, and that they had had a great mind to defend themselves stoutly. But there is great appearance, that they onely placed these Arms there to adorn their Parapets.
Swords of all Fashions.
- [Page 15]A, A Stick-Sword, called by the Ancients Sica.
- B, A Sword for a Rancounter, after the French mode.
- C, A Swisser's Sword.
- D, A Tuck, or long Sword with a narrow Blade, such as were in use not thirty years ago.
- E, A Spanish Sword.
- F, A Braquemart Fauchin, or short Sword.
- G, A Hunting Cutlass, with a Handle of Horn.
CHAP. II.
Of Fire-Arms.
Sect. 1.
Of the Musket.
THe usual Arms of Souldiers, are not onely the Sword, Shable, Dagger and Bayonet, but also the [Page 16] Musket, Fire-lock, Mousqueton, Pistol, and many others: and the first thing they should learn, is to make the right use of such as their Officers have given them.
The Musket is a Weapon for Foot, the Barrel of which is three foot and eight inches long, mounted on a Stock of four foot and eight inches in length. It was not invented till long after the Canon.
The Bullet of Size contains in diameter eight Lignes and a half (every Ligne a third part of a Barley Corn) and the charge of Powder should weigh half an Ounce and a Dram of Magazin Powder.
A Musket carries commonly six score Fathoms, and if it be re-inforced, a hundred and forty, or an hundred and fifty fathoms.
The half of this distance or less, is sufficient for a good Discharge; for it is by chance if they hit and do execution at the full distance.
The Priming should be of a finer Powder than the Charge, and the Match dry and hard.
[Page 17] For the Musket may be used double-headed Shot, which are two Bullets fastned together, by a little piece of Iron, about half an inch long; as may be seen by the Figure.
To present aright to fire, according to the Rules of exercising of Arms; the Butt of the Musket must be put to the Breast, half a foot below the Chin; the left hand under the Stock, or upon the Scouring Stick, if it be in its place; the right Hand-Thumb, four or five Fingers breadth behind the Breech, and the other Fingers of the same Hand under the Tricker, to draw and make the Cock play, when one has a mind to Fire: The Muzzel of the Musket must always be as high as the Chest of the Body of the Enemy: Skilful Souldiers never aim at the Head, because that part being too small, the least motion of either of the two is enough to make the Bullet miss▪ but when one Fires at the Body, whether the motion make the Shot rise too high, or fall too low, or decline too much to one side, the execution is [Page 18] always good, and puts him who hath received the Shot out of condition of Fighting.
Bandeliers are a kind of Portable Magazine, which contains all the Ammunition necessary to a Soulder.
The usual breadth of their Belt is four inches, and the length four foot. All Bandeliers are furnished with a dozen of little Flasks, commonly called Charges, and a little Bag or Purse of Sheeps Leather. The Flasks serve to keep the Powder, and the Bag or Purse the Bullets.
The Horse make use of Carabin or Mousketon-Belts, in bigness much like that of the Bandeliers, but without any Charges.
- A, The Musket.
- B, The Sword.
- C, The Bandeliers.
- D, The Souldiers Belt.
- E, The Bag or Purse.
- F, The Flasks or Charges.
- G, The Match.
- [Page 19]1. The Lock.
- 2. The Pan.
- 3. The Cock. 4. The Tricker.
- 5. The Barrel.
- 6. The Breech.
- 7. The Stock.
- 8. The Butt.
- 9. The Scouring-stick.
Sect. 2.
Of the Fusil, or Fire-Lock.
THe Fusils or Fire-Locks which we at present use in the Army, especially amongst the Fusiliers and Granadiers, are of the same size, and carry as far as Muskets.
With a Fire-Lock one may shoot juster than what a Musket, because it is presented in a quite different way; that is to say, the end of the Butt to the Shoulder, the side to the Cheek, shutting the left Eye, and aiming with the other through the Sight-hole, which answers to the little Button on the Muzzel of the Barrel.
[Page 20] When one would shoot on a level, he must aim streight at the Mark; and if a Man shoot from a low place to a higher, he is to take his aim four fingers breadth underneath the Mark.
Fire-Locks are apter to mis-give than Muskets, through the defect of the Flints and Springs.
Sect. 3.
Of the Mousqueton.
THe Mousqueton is not so long as the Fusil or Fire-Lock; nor does it by a third part carry so far, unless the Barrel be screwed and rifled; its usual Charge is an Ounce of Powder, and it is presented in the same manner as a Fire-Lock.
Sect. 4.
Of the Pistol.
PIstols are not all of the same length nor size. The usual length of the Barrels of those which are at present used among the Horse is a Foot, and [Page 21] of Stock and all a Foot and a half, or thereabouts.
The Bullet sized for the Bore is five Lignes in diameter, the Charge a dram of Powder; and it will carry forty paces, more or less, according to the goodness of the Powder.
Pistols are fired with one hand.
Sect. 5.
Of Carabins.
CArabins are a kind of Fire-Arms, which take their Name from those ancient Souldiers, called Carabins, who commonly made use of them in the Wars. They are of two kinds, the Common, and the Extraordinary. The Common are those which were used by the Kings Guards not long ago, and are usually called Carabins with great Locks; which differ in nothing as to length, size, and carrying, from Fusils and Mousquetons, but oneIy that they had Wheel-works. The Extraordinary are those which the French call Arquebusses [Page 22] Guttieres: such as are those which are still used by all the Arquebusiers, whose little wheel-work is provided of a double spring for facilitating and speeding the discharge; and whose Barrel being thicker than that of Common Carabins, can carry blank about a thousand paces, with the same proportion of Powder as is necessary for a Fusil; because it is screwed and rifled: that is to say, wrought and crevassed in the inside from the Muzzel to the Breech, in form of a Screw; and from thence proceeds the justness of Arquebusses.
All Carabins or Arquebusses have wheel-works, as well those of great as small Locks, which are bent with a Spanner proportionated to the thickness of the Axel-tree of the Wheel; upon which, when one intends to fire, he puts down the Snaphaunce, which in stead of a Flint, ought to be provided with a true Mine-stone.
Heretofore were used Arquebusses, which fired with a Match, in the same manner as Muskets; but these Arms are now out of use.
[Page 23] The King commands at present that in every Troop of his Guards be carried eight rifled or screwed Carabins, with Locks like to those of Fusils, Mousquetons and Pistols.
Heretofore Wheel-Locks, Arquebusses with Match Locks, Choques, and Carabins, that bend with a Spanner, were in use; and strangers use them still. It is true, they are surer than others, but they are far more cumbersome. All sorts of Arms may be charged, without any other way of Measuring the Powder, than by the following Rule; Put the Bullet into the hollow of your Hand, and pour Powder thereon, until it be covered and appear no more. This is the natural measure of all Small Fire-arms. I saw in a Gentlemans House of Picardy near St. Quentin, an Arquebusse or Wind Gun, that was charged with the Wind, whose Bullet at thirty paces distance pierced a Door two inches thick.
- [Page 24]A, The Buffe Coat with Elk-skin-sleeves.
- B, The Buffe Belt.
- C, The Shable.
- D, The Scarffe.
- E, The Carabin-belt of Buff.
- F, The Holster Pistol.
- G, The Mousqueton or Carabin.
- H, The Boots.
- I, The Spurs.
- K, The Spur-leathers.
Of Staffe-Arms.
Sect. 1.
Of the Pike.
THE Pike is a Weapon wherewith Foot defend themselves against Horse in an open Field.
The Pikes environ the Batallions on all sides, and present the Pike to the [Page]
[Page 25] height of the Horses Counters, whilst the Musketiers fire. A Horse wounded by a Shot, is but thereby the more animated, but when he feels himself pricked with a Pike, all the Spurs in the World cannot make him advance.
This Figure will shew the way of Pikes charging to the Horse.
The Armature of Pike-man of the Guards.
- A, The Helmet, which the French call Pot on Head.
- B, The Corcelet.
- C, The Vambraces.
- D, The Tassets or Thigh Pieces.
- E, The Sword.
- F, The Pike.
All Pikes now adayes are of the same length, made of strong Ashe, and very streight; about fourteen or fifteen foot long between the Head and the Foot. The Head is four inches [Page 26] long, and two and a half broad at the largest place. The Iron Bands at the Head must be long and strong, otherwayes it would be an easie matter for the Horse to cut off the ends of the Pikes with their Shables.
The French, according to Diodorus, were the first that made use of the Pike;
And from thence the People of the Chief Province of France, have the Name of Picars; but their Pikes were more like Spanish Lances than Grecian Pikes, which were twenty four foot long between the Head and Foot.
Sect. 2.
Of Spontons or Half Pikes.
THe Spontons or Half Pikes, are made of the same Wood as Pikes are, and have Heads alike; their [Page] [Page]
[Page 27] length is much the same as that of Partisans, and we have the use of them from the Ancients; who carried Pikes six Cubits long, as Arrianus testifies.
These Arms are much used amongst the Venetians and the Knights of Malta.
Sect. 3.
Of the Partisan.
A Partisan is an excellent Weapon in a Trench, in a Sally, to force and defend a Lodging, to mount a Breach; and in many other occasions, where the Pike would be but cumbersome.
The Staffe of a Partisan is much of the bigness of a Pike, and is seven or eight foot long between the Head and Foot. The Iron Head is a foot in length, and four inches broad at the largest place; the Exercise of the [Page 28] Partisan differs in nothing from that of the Pike.
Sect. 4.
Of the Halbard.
THE Halbard is likewise a very convenient Weapon, especially when Men come to blows. Its Staff is neither so big nor high as that of a Partisan, and the Head of it both narrower and shorter, but it is armed with little Hooks, which serve to pull out Fagots, Paniers, and Gabions, and to take hold of any thing, when one mounts an Assault or Sca-Lado.
Sect. 5.
Of Sythes, Forkes, Axes, and Clubs, or Maces.
SYthes, Forks, and Clubs, are likewise used in a Sally, or in the defence of a Breach or hindering a Storm. The Sythes are not altogether like those of Mowers, for their Staff or Handle [Page]
[Page] [Page 29] is somewhat longer, and the Blades streighter, or bending a little, after the manner of those which the Trojans used of old.
—Quo turbine cestum Sauromates, falcemque Getes.
The Forks are the same with the common Forks, but they have little Hooks.
There are two sorts of Clubs: The first is, as it were the Staff of a Partisan, at the end whereof there is a Wooden Ball of the bigness of an Eight pound Bullet; stuck full of Iron Pikes a Finger long.
The other has a Boul like to the first, hanging at the end of the Staff by an Iron Chain, two foot and a half long; and is used as a Flail for Threshing.
In Salleys, or in the defence of a Breach, Axes are likewise used, such as not long ago were used by the Regiment of Clerambaud, or Sourches, [Page 30] whose Heads are very broad, an [...] their Handles or Staves, longer an [...] stronger than those of Partisans, [...] may be seen in the Figure.
The Turks have another kind o [...] Club or Mace of Arms, which the [...] carry at the Pommel of their Saddle to make use of in a Fight, like [...] that which the Poets bestow on Hercules, called by the Latines, Militaris clava. Maces are no more in use.
Sect. 6.
Of the Quarter-Staff with a Pike a
[...] each end.
WE may also reckon among Weapons the Staff, commonly called the Piked Quarter-staff, and by the French, the Staff with two ends [...] because of the Pikes of Iron which i [...] has at each end: It is made of a very strong and eaven Wood, somewhat bigger and heavier than the Wood of a Pike, six foot and a half in length between the Verrils, that keep fast the two pikes of Iron stuck [Page 31] into the ends of the Staff, which are in length four inches and a half. It is carried on the Haunch like the Halbard, but handled in a different manner, because a man may stand to his Guard with it by turning and flourishing it, and making the half moulinets every way, and in approaches make use either of the point thereof, or in giving a down right blow therewith.
CHAP. IV.
Of the Arms of the Ancients.
Sect. 1.
Of the Swords, Shables, and Cutlasses.
THe Romans of old made use of short, stiff, sharp-pointed, and two-edged Spanish Blades.
Polibius says, That the Roman Souldiers carried their Swords on the right side, and that they only made use of it for thrusting, in distinction [Page 32] from the Gauls, who used flat-pointed two-edged Swords, only to cut with▪ Proprium Gallicani usus pugnare, coesim.
The Medes, Parthians, and Persians, used a kind of Cutlass, which they called Cinacis, and in English Cimeter. Cateia is a Shable in form of a Sickle, in great use among the Germans.
Quintus Curtius makes mention of a kind of Sword, which he calls Copidas, which was a little crooked like to a Syth, wherewith the Ancients cut to pieces Wild Beasts.
The Knife which the Latines call Cultrum, and the Grecians Machaera, was properly the Sword which the Priests used in their Sacrifices, to cut up the Victims; as well as that other which they named Cluna culum, because therewith they cut the Buttocks of Beasts: they had also a pretty long Iron Knife with an Ivory Haft, which they called Secespita a Secundo.
Pa-tazonium was a Shable carried by the Tribunes in a Girdle. The Poniard [Page 33] which the Latines termed Pugio a Pungendo, is a little Sword Thirteen or fourteen inches long, which was invented in Spain. Pugiunculus is a diminutive Poniard, which the Spaniards and Catalonians use still to this day.
Sica with the Romans, was a Sword hid in a Staff or Stick, wherewith Men walk, as most of the Peasants of France do at this time. Lingula was a little Sword made in the shape of a Tongue. Spatha was likewise a Sword of the Ancients, whereof Julius Capitolinus speaks, upon occasion of the Emperour Maximinus, Fecit & spathas argenteas, fecit & aureas. Hence comes the Italian Sword Spada, and the Spanish Espada.
Sect. 2.
Of the Pike.
THE Hastarii or Roman Pikeman, had Pikes for Arms, which were afterward taken from them and given to the Triarii, instead of the Pili, [Page 34] which they were wont to carry. And though their Pikes were not so long as those of the Grecians or of Souldiers now adays; yet they defended themselves therewith against the Horse and fraized their Cohortes or Companies with them, as we at present fraize our Battaillions: Quibus acies velut vallo septa inhorrebat.
They carried likewise Javelins, six Cubits long, which were not armed with Iron at the Head, but had onely a point burnt and hardened in the Fire, as Arrianus reports. Mucro autem illis ferrrea non erat, sed caput igne duratum eundem usum dabat. These Pikes were called Hastae Purae, and were used by the strongest Souldiers.
The Germans carried Pikes, which they called Trameae, with a very short and narrow Head; but so fine and commodious, that they used to Fight with them at distance, and near at hand.
The Macedonians carried long Pikes called Sarissae, and from that it is [Page] [Page]
[Page 35] that Quintus Curtius calls the Souldiers of Alexanders Guard Sarissophori.
Sect. 3.
Of the Lance.
THE Lance was a kind of Half-Pike, like to that of our Standards, which was invented in Spain, and only used among the Horses. It is not a hundred years ago, since in France we had Troops of Lancers. Polybius saith, That these Lances were useless, because being too slender, they broke to pieces by their own motion before they could do execution; and left no more in the Hand but a short Truncheon, which could do no more service.
Sect. 4.
Of the Javelot or Dart.
THe Ancients called every thing that may be thrown, Javelot Jaculum a jaciendo.
[Page 36] The Dart or Pilum was the Weapon which the Romans gave to their Velites or Skirmishers; it was in length two Cubits, and a fingers breadth in thickness: the Head of it was of Iron, a foot long, but so thin and sharp-pointed, that being once thrown, it bowed and became crooked; so that the Enemies could not use it any more.
They had likewise other Javelots or Darts, with Three Feathers at the lower end, like to the Arrows and Darts which the Polonians and many others still use, especially the Moors, who call them Zogayes.
Aelicles was the Ancientest of Darts, a Cubit and a half long, with a double point, which was tied to the Wrist with a Leather Strap or Cord, to pull it back with when the blow was given.
Aeganea, was a very light Javelot or Dart.
Ancyle, was a Dart which gave the name of Ancilista, to those that used it.
Ansatae, were Darts thrown by Handles.
[Page 37] Dolones, Were Javelots, which had their name from the Greek word Dolos, which signifies hurt.
Geum, Was a Javelot wholly of Iron.
Manobarbulus, Was a Javelot or Dart, like to the Leaden Piles, and the Souldiers that used them were called Manobarbuli.
Materis, Was a Javelot not fully so long as a Lance.
The Pile was a kind of half Pike, about five foot long. The Roman Pile was but three foot long, with a Head barb'd, like a Serpents Tongue, which weighed nine ounces.
Romphea, Was the Thracian Javelot.
Runa, Was a Javelot with a very large broad Head.
Spara, Was a very little Dart, called so Aspargendo.
Tragula, Was a Javelot or Screw, with which they drew towards them the enemies Buckler.
Triphorum, VVas a Shaft three Cubits long, which the French call Materas, [Page 38] in English a Quarel, and was shot out of a Cross-bow. The Ancients had also other Javelots or Darts, which they variously named according to their different Figures; as Sibina, Gesa, Sigimnum, Ʋrbina, Vervina, Verutum, and Venabulum. The latter was used by Hunts-men, and Gesa by the Gauls.
Sect. 5.
Of the Sling.
THe Romans had in their Armies Companies of Slingers, whom they called Funditores a funda, quod ex ea fundantur lapides; because the Sling served to cast Stones and Bullets of Lead, which at that time did the same execution as our Mukets do now-a-days.
The Sling was made of Thread, larger in the middle than elsewhere, its Figure was oval, and insensibly diminished; it would cast a Stone or Bullet Six hundred paces.
The Islanders of Majorca and Minorca, [Page] [Page]
[Page 39] were the Inventers of Slings, and the most expert in throwing of Stones; for they were bred to that Exercise from their Infancy; and the Mothers never gave their Children any thing to eat but what they had beaten down before. There is mention made of Slings in Holy Scripture, and David made use of one when, he Fought against the Gyant Goliah.
Sect. 6.
Of Bows and Arrows.
THe use of Bows and Arrows is not in all places abolished. The Turks retain them still in their Armies, as well as the Affricans, Americans, and most part of the People of Asia; but none are so skilful as the Tartars, in shooting with a Bow backwards and forwards. The Wounds made by Arrows are more dangerous and harder to be cured than those that are made by Musket Bullets, because their Heads being [Page 40] barbed, it is difficult to pull them out of the Body, without tearing the parts about the Wound, and danger of breaking the Shaft.
The original of Bows and Arrows is uncertain, some attribute the invention of them to the Candiots; others to the Scythians and Persians: but there is no doubt but that the Arabians have been always esteemed the most skilful in the exercise of the Bow, and those who have used the greatest.
The Goths carried hardly any other Arms but Bows and Arrows; yet the Romans had no Bow-men in their Armies, but such as came with the Auxiliary Forces.
The Quiver was a little Magazine of Arrows, which the Archers carried on the left Shoulder.
Sect. 7.
Of Cross-bows.
THE Ancients had two kinds of Cross-bows, the one which shot [Page]
[Page] [Page 41] Darts or Quarrels, and the other which threw Stones: These were called Balistae, and the other Catapultae.
It would nevertheless seem (according to Appius) that the Catapulta served to shoot both Darts and Stones; for he saith Catapultae turribus impositae & quae spicula milterent, & quae saxa.
The invention of Cross-bows came from the Sicilians, as Diodorus reports. They made both great and little Cross-bows: the great were drawn on Wheels, as our Canon are, and threw Darts three Cubits long. The little ones were carried by Foot Souldiers, who were called Cross-bow-men, but their Quarrels were not half so long as the Darts of the other; which were of such a greatness that they could throw Stones six score pound weight.
There were an other kind of Cross-bows of a middle size, that were carried on Wagons, and were called Orcubalistae, and Carobalistae.
Others there were which served to [Page 42] throw Artificial Fire, and Darts called Phalaricae, or Fire-brands, because they were covered with Sulpher, Pitch, Tar, and Tow dipped in Oyl.
The Scorpion was likewise a kind of Hand-cross-bow, invented by the Grecians, which they used in Shooting of little Shafts, whose Heads were extreamly small and pointed.
CHAP. V.
Of Defensive Arms.
Sect. 1.
ALL Weapons are both offensive and defensive, because with the same one may both attack and defend; but there are some Arms which are meerly defensive; as for instance, The Head-piece, termed the Cask or Casket, Morions, Cuirasses, Corcelets, Gorgets, Vambraces, Tassets, or Thigh-pieces, Knee-pieces, Guard-reins or Rein-pieces, Gantlets, and round Targets or Bucklers, which [Page 43] were used in times past, and which are still in use in many remote Countries, especially among the Turks and Moors.
The Romans armed part of their Cavalry Cap-a-Pie, in imitation of the Grecians; the French retained the same Custom, and from that comes the name of Gens-d'arms: That Armour was onely good to resist Swords, Stones, Pikes, Arrows, and Javelots or Darts. The Armour which is made now-a-days, is proof against Musket and Pistol-shot; but none but the Officers carry them on the most dangerous occasions.
The Head-pieces, and the fore part of Cuirasses, are Musket-proof, and the other parts Pistol or Carabine-proof; but that such Armour may prove good, it is needful they be beaten out of cold Iron.
Head Armour has different names, as Cask or Casket, Helmet, Head-Piece, Burgonet or Spanish Marron, Salade, Morion, Cabasset, Pot, Hat, and Steel-bonnet. Of all these Pieces of Armour [Page 44] some have Visieres, and are Musket-proof: others are plain and onely proof against a Cut or Blow.
The Cuirass is Musket-proof, and heavier than the Breast-plate, the Corslet which is of the same shape as the Cuirass, serves to defend the noble parts.
The Neck is defended by the Gorget, the Arms by the Vambraces, the Shoulder-pieces, Fore-arm-pieces, Gossets, and Gantlets; the Thighs and Legs, by Tassets, Cuissots or Thigh-pieces, Greves, or Shin-pieces, Knee-pieces, and Supeters or Foot-pieces.
Sect. 2.
Of the Coat of Mail.
THE Coat of Mail, by the Romans called Hamatus Thorax, was a kind of Steel Jacket; made of little Rings and Links of Mail, interwoven together, wherewith their Gend'arms defended themselves against Arrows, Darts and Swords.
[Page 45] The Light Horse, in time of Lovis the Eleventh, made Vambraces and Gantlets of the same, and therewith guarded the void spaces betwixt their Armour.
Though these Jackets be now no more in publick use, yet there are some who still carry them under their Shirts, especially such as are in fear of Fighting Duels, or of being set upon.
None at this time in France are armed Cap-a-Pie, except the Pikes of the Kings Regiments of Guards; but their Armour is onely proof against a Cut.
Sect. 3.
Of the Buff-Coat.
THough to speak properly, Buff-Coats be but an Apparel of Horsemen, yet we may reckon them among their defensive Arms, seeing they may easily resist a Sword, if they be made of a good Skin.
They are of the same use to our [Page 46] Horse, that these hard Skins, whereof they made Breast-plates or Stomachers, were to the Roman Souldiers; of which Varo makes mention.
Buffe-Coats are made in form of a Just au Corps, or Close Bodied Coat, with four Skirts reaching down to the Knee.
There is no Trooper in the French Army but has his Buffe-Coat, since Harnass has been laid aside; and from thence comes the name of Light-Horse, in imitation of the Ancient Horse, who never carried Cuirass, but Fought always in Light-Cloaths; as Polibus saith, Antiquit: us equites loricas non habebant, sed in veste succincta pugnabant.
Sect. 4.
Of Casks or Head-pieces.
THe Romans wore Head-pieces of Brass or Iron, Proof against the Cuts of Shables; which they delighted to adorn with Feathers and Plumaches of several Colours, two foot high. The Souldiers thereby appeared half [Page]
[Page] [Page 47] as high again, and struck the enemy with greater fear; as Polibius affirms. Vir auplo major apparet, & pulchra ea species fit, hostiq formidolosa.
The Generals and principal Officers, wore Head-pieces guilt and set with precious Stones; the top whereof was adorned with Feathers and rich Plumaches, which made them conspicuous among the rest.
The original of Head-pieces came from the Lacedemonians, and Cares was the first that beautified them with Plumaches.
Sect. 5.
Of Cuirasses.
THe Souldiers of the Roman Militia, made to themselves at first Stomachers or Breast-plates of unwrought Leather; according to Varro de corio crudo pectoralia faciebant. They had them afterward of Iron or [Page 48] Brass; but these half Cuirasses were onely invented to hinder them from turning their Backs in Battel. The Generals made use of Corslets of Guilt Leather, which covered them on all sides. Some wore Coats of Mail, Loricae homatae, like to the Shirts which are still in use; others had them of Iron or Brass, which I cannot better compare than to the Shells of Fish. Loricae squammeae; for so Isidorus calls them. Squammea est lorica, ex laminis aereis vel fereis concatenata in modum squammarum piscis.
None of all the Roman Infantrie, but the Hastarii, the Principes and Triarii; were armed with Head-pieces, Cuirasses and Bucklers. The Velites, of whom some were Slingers, and others Archers, were onely lightly armed, that is to say, with a Buckler and Helmet of Leather.
The Cavalry was divided into the Light-Horse; Levis Armatura, and the Gen-d'armes, who were called, Equites Cataphracti, because they were armed from Head to Foot; and [Page] [Page]
[Page 49] rode on Barded and Caparissoned Horses, after the manner of the Parthian Cavalry, whose Armature is by Suidas described in this manner: Lorica parthi equitis est talis prior ejus pars pectus, & femora, & manus extremas & crura tegit, posterior tergum & cervicem & totum caput, &c. That is the true description of our Cuirasses, Head-pieces, Vambraces, Gantlets and Tasses. Armant autem equum similiter ferro, totum quidem & vs (que) ad ungulas. In my opinion they did not do much amiss so to equippe their Horses; because a Trooper in Armour is no more fit for any thing when once he is dismounted.
Sect. 6.
Of Bucklers and Shields.
THe Shields and Targets which the Ancients carried on the left Arm to defend and parie blows, in imitation of the Samnites, who invented them, were convex, two foot and a half broad, and four foot long; some [Page 50] with Angles, and others of an Oval Figure; but were all made of Willow or Fig-tree strengthened with the Nerves and Sinews of an Oxe, on which was streatched Linnen Cloath, and that afterward covered with a Bullock or Calf's Hide: the top, middle, and lower part were guarded with Plates of Iron, to resist the Cuts of Shables, Stones, and Shafts that were darted or shot with violence.
Ovid in his Metamorphosis tells us, that General Ajax had a Buckler covered with seven Skins.
The Grecian Pikes covered themselves with Rondaches or round Bucklers of Brass, and the Bow-men had onely Bucklers made of Osier.
The Moors make use of Shields of the height of their Bodies, which they imbellish with warious painting.
The Bucklers which the Ancients called Clipei, differed onely from the Shield in that they were compleatly [Page 51] round, and therefore the French have given them the name of Rondach.
The Spaniards and Affricans wore Bucklers of Thongs of Leather, interwoven together, which they called Caetrae, as Lucan reports.
The Amazonians made use of a Buckler in form of a Cressant, which they called Pelta. Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis. Virgil. In the Reign of Numa Pompilius, the Romans used little narrow and long Shields, which they named Ancylia. Heretofore, such as began the profession of War, carried only Parmis, or little White Bucklers, without any imbellishment; until that by some brave action they had signalized themselves; then were they permitted to use greater, and to adorn them with the marks of their glorious exploits; from thence we have the Custom of Arms which we commonly call Scutcheons or Shields [Page 52] a Scuto, because they are in reallity the Shields or Bucklers of Gentlemen, whereon they usually carry a representation of the brave Deeds of their Illustrious Progenitours.
The whole Armature of a Roman Souldier weighed no more than a Talent.
The Second Book. OF POWDER AND Artificial Fires.
CHAP. 1.
Of Powder.
WE have had the Invention of Gun-powder from China, by means of the communication that a Monk named Bertoldus, had with the Tartars, in his Travels in Moscovy, about the year 1380. And therefore the Portugese were never so much surprized as when upon their accosting these unknown [Page 54] Countreys, they saw a great many Ships equipped and ranked in Bataillia, adorned with Streamers, Penons, and Ropes of several Colours of Silk; but their surprize augmented when they heard the Guns Fire: when they expected no such thing. So that it is not true that the Monk was the first inventer of Gun-powder; he was no more but the publisher of a Secret which he learnt from the Tartars, and which he had better kept to himself, without trying an experiment of it, that cost him so dear, and which buried him in the Furnace which he himself contrived.
The Royal Prophet had reason to say, That we fall commonly into the snares which we have laid for others; the Authors of pernicious things, which tend onely to the destruction of their fellow Creatures, have always miserably perished by the very same things whereof they have been the Inventers. We have besides the example of that poor Monk, the instance [Page 55] likewise of Perillus the Ingeneer of King Phalaris, who was the first that was burnt in the Brazen Bull which he had made for the punishment of Malefactors. Arantius Paterculus, was the first that was put into the Burning Horse which he invented, by the order of Aemilius Censorinus, Governour of Aegesta in Scicily; and Engueran-de Marigny, was the first man that was hanged in the Gibbet of Mount-faucon, which he caused to be erected at the Gates of Paris. History is full of such examples; but that I may return to my Subject, there is no doubt but that Powder hath been a diabolical invention, the effects whereof are no less dangerous than terrible, and thunder-claps are not more to be feared. Nevertheless, all that havock, all that noise, and all these overturnings, are onely caused by small grains, whereof this is the composition.
The Composition of Gun-powder.
Take eight parts of Salt-peter, one part of Sulphur, one part and a fifth of Char-cole; pound them well together in a Mortar, with a Wooden Pestle, sprinkle thereon excellent Vinager or Brandy, and then reduce the mass to a powder.
CHAP. II.
Of a Mine.
HAving spoken of Powder, I thought fit next to discourse of its effects, and of the way how it is to be used for Mines and Artificial Fires.
When there is a design of blowing up the Bastions of a Place besieged, by means of Mines and Fourneaus, there is first a Gallery made over the Foss or Ditch, thereby to communicate [Page]
[Page] [Page 57] with the Bastion, to which the Miner is to be set at work. The first thing a Miner does, is to cover the place where he designs to make his hole, with two strong Planks, guarded with Plates of Iron to secure himself against every thing that may be thrown down upon him from the Ramparts. Next he makes his lodging upon one of the Faces of the Bastion towards the point, three foot high, and about two foot broad. He digs and chambers, untill he reach the middle or farther into the Wall, to the end the Mine may work the greater effect; he digs and chambers also to the right and left in the thickness of the Wall, at least six foot on each side, with the greatest skill he can; and at the end of each Chamber he shall make a Fourneau or little Oven, according to the knowledge he has of the strength of the Wall, in each whereof he puts between two and three hundred weight of Powder in Bags or Barrels, laying it as dry as he can upon Beds of Straw; afterward he [Page 58] places his Saucissons, which are a kind of Stockings or Cases of Linnen Cloath, an inch in diameter, filled with Powder, and whereof the end reaches to the Mouth or Entry of the Mine, and because by these Saucissons the Fire is to be given to the Powder of the Fourneaus, the Miner should cover them with Tiles or Planks of Wood to save them from being smothered: Next he is to shut the hole with good pieces of Wood, well propt and supported, to hinder the flashing out of the Fire, he is likewise to fasten all with a great many Flints and hard Stones, made in form of a Swallous-Tail, that they may stick close and not easily give way, when the Powder shall do its effect▪ if by chance he meet with countermines, which are to be found in many Bastions, he must chamber over them, and leave between them and his Mine a sufficient thickness to keep them from venting, and being made useless by the countermines.
When a Mine is made in a place [Page 59] where the earth is soft and yielding, the Ground is to be supported by Planks underpropt with little Posts or Girders, as fast as the Chambers are wrought.
The Ancients made use of Mines or Subterranean wayes, but their designe was very different from ours; they made them onely for a passage to go to the Sap, or to enter Towns, when our Mines are intended to bow up and overturn the face of the Bastion.
CHAP. III.
Of Artifical Fire-Works.
Sect. 1.
Of the Fuse.
THe Fuses that are made for Petards, Bombes, hollow Bullets and Granado's, ought to be slow, otherwayes these Pieces would do their effects before the time. This is the manner of the composition of [Page 60] Fuses. Take three parts of Powder: six of Sulphur, and nine of Salt-peter, beat them apart into a subtile Powder, then mingle them altogether with a small Stick in a Platter or Charger, pouring thereon by degrees the Oyl of Peter, until all be made into a Paste; let it be dried in the shade, and the Fuses charged therewith.
Sect. 2.
Of the Sulphur Match.
THe Sulphur Match is no more but Cotton made into Wieks, which are first steeped in Brandy, and then in molten Sulphur, and afterward dried in the shade.
Sect. 3.
How to make the Quick-match.
TAke half a quartern of Powder, a quartern of Salt-peter, two ounces of Brandy, half a septier or the fourth part of a French pint of Vinegar, and a French pint of Urine, [Page 61] melt all these together, and when they are dissolved, put therein Cotton drawn out into gross Threads: when the Cotton has drank up all the warm Matter, take it out whilst it is moist, and role it up into little Matches or Cords two, three, or four foot long, with the hand upon a Table besprinkled with the dust of fine Powder; then stretch them out to dry in the shade; and keep them in a dry place: that Quick-match is very violent.
Sect. 4.
How to prepare the matter of Fire-Rockets.
TAke one part of Common Sulphur, melt it in an Earthen Pot, when it is dissolved put thereunto half a part of gross Powder very dry, three fourth parts of a part of Salt-peter, and half a fourth part of the Powder of Char-cole; mingle all these materials together leisurely, and when they are well mingled, pour them on the [Page 62] Floor, and this is the matter of Fire-Rockets.
Sect. 5.
How to charge Fire-Balls.
WHen one has a mind to charge Bombes, hollow Bullets, Fire-pots, and all sorts of Fire-balls; let him take one part of the matter of Fire-rockets, one part of Salt-peter, the eight part of a part of Camphire, and as much fine Powdet, mingled therewith with the hand, and put all into a hollow Bullet with quick Match.
Sect. 6.
How to make a Fire-Lance.
TAke a piece of light Wood three foot and a half or four foot long, bore it from one end to the other, and let the bore be an inch in diameter; make the Wood very smooth, both in the inside and out-side, which ought to be an inch thick in all [Page 63] parts: Place into one of the ends a half Pike, which must enter half a foot into the Trunck, and be very well fastned. The Trunck of the Lance must be wooped round with strong Pack-thread, well waxed with Rosin and melted Wax to defend it against Water. The proportion of the mixture of the Powders is twelve parts of Salt-peter, six of Sulphur, six of Canon-powder, six of the dust of Lead, two of Glass beaten but indefferently small, two of Quick-silver, and one of Salarmoniac; when all these Materials have been beaten a-part, they are to be mingled together, and made into a Paste, with the Oyl of Peter rather hard than soft: Put afterwards Hards into that Composition, and incorporate them therewith, and make thereof Pellets, or small Balls suited to the bigness of the bore of the Lance, which aro to be dried and tied up with fine Wire. To charge the Lance, put into the bottom of the Trunck a charge of beaten Powder; without ramming it, but very little; over [Page 64] that put a Pellet, with a little of the Composition, renew that until the Wood be full, still encreasing the Charges of the Powder; so that the last Lay contain two Charges. Fire is to be set to this Lance, with a quick Match at the mouth.
Sect. 7.
How to make Tourteaus to shew Light, or Port-Lights.
TAke twelve pounds of black Pitch, six pounds of Suet, six pounds of Linseed Oyl, six pounds of Colophonia, and two pounds of Turpentine, in which steep Arquebush Match until it have drank up all the Matter, and be incorporated therewith, then make it in Tourteaus.
Sect. 8.
Of Burning Fagots.
TAke Fagots and rub them with the matter of the Fire-rockets, or otherways with Turpentine, or steep [Page 65] them if you please in melted Pitch; afterwards put Fire to them, they not onely give light in the Ditches, but serve likewise to burn the Galleries, that the Enemies may have made there.
To make stuffed Fagots for burning the Cross Works, take Fagots steeped in Liquid Pitch, and stuff them with Granadoes; let them be lighted and thrown down from the Ramparts upon the Galleries, and the Granadoes take Fire instantly, and give such claps on all hands as suffer not any man to come near to quench the Fire.
Sect. 9.
Of Fire-Hoops.
FIre-hoops are very proper for the defence of a Breach, by rolling them down upon the Enemies when they mount the Assault. This is the way of making them, which I have learnt of a very skilful Artist.
Take three large Hoops, tie them together, furnish them with Artificial Fires, and with a dozen [Page 66] and half of Common Granadoes, which you are to tie to the in-side of the Hoops, with good Wire, that those which play first may not break off the others; put Fire to the Wild-fire, just as you role down the Hoop, the Granadoes will take Fire of themselves and do cruel execution.
Sect. 10.
How to charge Granadoes.
TAke a pound of Salt-peter, ten ounces of Sulphur, six ounces of fine Gun-powder; pound them together, with two or three spoonfulls of Brandy, and a little Camphire; and Granadoes that are so made are excellent.
Sect. 11.
How to make Artificial Fire-works, that burn under Water.
TAke Tar, Sulphur, Camphire, Colophonia, Turpentine, Rosin, Quick-lime, Lintseed Oyl, of each a pound, incorporate them together [Page 67] with a French pint of Brandy, and half a Septier of Aqua Fortis; put them into a Barrel, to which add if you please, charged Granadoes, Pommels of Swords, Pistol-Barrels, charged with Powder and Shot; set Fire to all at the Bung-hole, with a slow fuse; throw that Engine upon what you please, you will see it burn, even under water, and no man dares approach it to quench the Fire. The Carcasses which have been lately invented produce the same effect.
Sect. 12.
Of Provision for Artificial Fire-works.
THe Arsenals and Magazines of Frontier places, should not onely be provided of Arms and necessary Instruments for the defence and attacking of Towns, but likewise of all Ingredients fit for the Composition of Fire-works, and therefore Provision should be made of Salt-peter, Charcole, [Page 68] Camphire, Sulphur, Pine Rosin, Oyl of Peter, Lintseed Oyl, Oyl of Aspick, Tar, Venice Turpentine, Aliquitran of Spain, Black Pitch, Grecian Pitch, or Colophonia, Spanish Pitch, Wax, Tallow, Varnish in Grain, Mastick, Salarmoniac, Common Salt, Quick-Silver, Vitriol, Brandy, Aqua Fortis, Vinegar, Frankincense, Dust of Lead, pounded Glass, of all sorts of fat and dry Woods, Hemp, Ship-Pitch, Burning Balls, Granado's-Burning or Fire-Hoops, Lances and Fire-Trunks.
CHAP. IV.
Of the Roman Fire-works.
THe Romans, as well as We, made use of Fire-works, and amongst others of those they called Malleoloi, which were Arrows of Canes, encompassed with Pitched-Tow, [Page 69] to those they put Fire, and instantly threw them against the Engines of the Enemies, which they quickly burnt, unless the Fire was put out with Dust, there being no other way to quench it; and our Fire-Lances or Trunks do very much resemble them both in shape and operation. They were besides accustomed to fill Earthen Pots with Pitch, Sulphur and Tow, to which having set Fire, they threw them with Slings into besieged places: The flame of these spread on all hands and consumed every thing it met with.
They made use also of Torches of Rosin, at the end whereof they had shard-pointed Iron-Heads, like to the Rowels of Spurs, which fastned in the Engines, that the Fire of the Torches might the more easily consume them. Infixae inhaerentesque Machinis facile eas concremabant.
[Page 70] Besides the Fire-Works which they shot out of Cross-Bows, they likewise threw upon those who mounted an Assault, Boyling-hot Oyl, Pitch, Melted Lead, Hot Water, Godrons or Ship-Pitch, Lighted Torches, and several other burning materials, as Caesar affirms. Picem re liquasque res, quibus ignis excitari potest fundabant.
The Third Book OF VVar-Engines.
AMongst War-Engines, we reckon all Pieces that serve to overthrow and ruine the Enemies Works, and facilitate the taking of their Places. It is my design to speak of every Piece particularly; yet I have thought that I should not swerve much from my Subject, if I began this third Book by a Chapter of the Casting and Framing of Pieces of Artillery.
CHAP. I.
Of the Casting and Framing of Pieces of Artillery.
IN casting of Pieces of Artillery, there is commonly allowed for every hundred weight of fine Copper, Twenty pound of Metal; by Metal I understand Bell-Metal.
In defect of this Metal the finest Tin is used; and then for every hundred weight of fine Copper, there must Ten pound of the best Tin be allowed; or otherwayes Ten pound of Lattin, and Eight of the finest Tin; but because the Casting of Pieces cannot be without some loss; for every Six pounds of Metal, there is a pound allowed in over-plus.
Founders should have a special care of the preparing and mixing of the Metals, as well as of the internal smoothness and neatness of the Pieces, and therefore they ought to chuse the [Page 73] most proper Materials, and take heed that the Clay of the Moulds be good, well beaten and wrought as they ought to be with Flocks and Hair, that the Moulds and all that the Piece is cast upon, be well greased with Tallow, well bound and banded with Iron, well baked and prepared, well placed and laid, that the Tronions be so exactly set, that the Piece may be almost in an equal balance, weighing as much in the Chase as in the charged Cilinder and Breech; so that a single Man may easily either raise or let her down in her Carriage.
A Piece must be alwayes strong at the place of the Tronions, because there is the greatest stress, and the beginning of motion.
A Piece must be well repaired, tryed, and proved before she be mounted on her Carriage; and care must be had that there be no Cracks, Flaws, Crevasses, nor Honey-combs in her Cylender or Chace, which commonly happens when the Metal is run too cold, when the Mould is not well [Page 74] tempered, or when the Tin is not well mingled and incorporated as it ought to be.
CHAP. II.
Of a Canon, its Carriage, its Ʋtensils and Service.
Sect. 1.
Of a Canon.
THere are six sizes of Artillery, to wit, The Canon, the Culverin, the Bastard, the Minion, the Faucon, and the Fauconet. I intend to speak particularly of each Piece, and to explain their Size, their Range, or Carrying, their Length and Weight; but I judged it not amiss first to give a representation of a Canon, and its Carriage, with an explication of theirs parts both internal and external.
- [Page 75]AB, The diameter of the Bore or Mouth of a Canon is six inches and two lignes.
- CD, The thickness of the Sides and Metal, two inches.
- EG, The thickness of the Metal at the Breech, six inches.
- EB, The whole Chase nine foot long, and the Cylinder all of the same largeness.
- RS, The Tronions six inches in diameter.
- K, The Murrion or Moulding of the Muzzel.
- NA, The Chace of the Gun five foot and a half long.
- NX, The Chamber or charged Cylinder in length four foot and a half and three lignes.
- L, The Base Ring.
- EX, The Breech.
- TT, The Cornish Ring.
- ee, The Re-inforce Ring, distant from the Mouth four foot and a half, and from the Trunions half a foot..
- I, The Touch-hole.
Sect. 2.
Of the Charge of a Piece.
THe Powder for the Charge of any Piece whatsoever, is a third part of the weight of the Bullet, and the Ladle of each Piece ought to be made in such a manner, that it contain exactly the quantity of Powder that is necessary for the Charge. A Piece that has just fired should never be charged again, untill it be first cooled with Water, which does as well as Vinegar, which was heretofore used, and which is at present thought fitter for Sallades.
Sect. 3.
How to level, or bring a Gun to pass.
EVery Piece in a Battery must have its necessary Utensils, its Magazine, Men to traverse and serve it, and a Gunner to level it, guiding his sight from the Breech to the Muzzel, which he causes to be raised or made [Page 77] lower, according as he judges convenient, by advancing or drawing back the Coins that are under the Breech.
Sect. 4.
Of the Ammunition and Ʋtensils of a Canon.
WHen Pieces of Artillery go into the Field, they are always attended with Wagons which carry their Ammunition.
Wagons drawn by four Horses carry each a thousand or twelve hundred weight; one Wagon carries Thirty three Canon Bullets, there are therefore required six Wagons and twenty four Horses for the Carriage of the Ammunition that a Canon may spend in a day, which is a hundred Bullets, and two thousand four hundred weight of Powder.
A Canon must likewise have its Ropes and Tackling, a Cable fifteen fadom long, four inches and a half about, threescore ten pound in weight, and other smaller Ropes and Tackling [Page 78] which are known to all Artists, and those that belong to the Artillery.
The Utensils belonging to Pieces, are the Spunge, which is a long Staff, the end whereof is covered with Wooll, and serves to cool the Guns; an Iron Ladle to put the powder into the Piece, the Rammer to ram down the Charge, and Leavers or Handspakes to re-place the Gun into the Port-holes or Gaps after she hath fired.
The Linkstock, which is a Staff of the length of a Cane, the end whereof is furnished with a kind of double Musket-lock; wherein is put a Match lighted at both ends.
The Coins or Quoins, which are properly great Wedges of Wood, with a peg or pin that serves them for an handle to thrust them forward or pull them back, according as the Gunner shall direct. The Figure will represent all more intelligibly.
Sect. 5.
Of the Carriage of a Gun.
THe Carriage of a Canon consists of two sides, in length fourteen foot and a half, half a foot thick, and a foot and eight inches broad, the Carriage in the Timber towards the head, is thirteen inches broad, and at the end eighteen.
The Axel-tree is seven foot long, and the Wheels, if they be shod, are five foot high.
- A A, The Sides of the Carriage.
- B B, The Length of the Carriage.
- C C, The Body of the Carriage.
- D, The Axel-tree.
- E E, The Drought-Hooks.
- F F, The Cape-squares.
- G G, The Iron Bands at the end of the Carriage.
- H H, The Ends of the Axel-tree.
- I, The Wheel of the Carriage.
CHAP. III.
Of Pieces of Calibre or Size.
Sect. 1.
Of the Canon.
THe Canon of France is in length about ten foot, its Carriage fourteen, and being mounted on its Carriage nineteen. The breadth on the Axel-tree is seven foot, its Metal weighs Four thousand eight hundred weight, the Bullet thereof is six inches in diameter, and weighs thirty three pound and a third part; it carries blank about seven hundred common paces, three foot a pace, or three hundred and fifty fathom. The same piece may be fired an hundred times in one day.
The Bed of a Canon ought to be fifteen foot broad, and twenty in length, for its recoiling; for that end there is usually made a strong Floor of good [Page 81] Oaken Boards, which sloaps a little towards the Parapet, that the Canon may not recoil too much, and that it may be the more easily again traversed into its place.
Sect. 2.
Of the Culverin.
THe Culverin is a foot longer than the Canon, and being mounted on its Carriage, is nineteen foot long, and on the Axel-tree seven foot broad. The weight of its Metal is Three thousand seven hundred weight, the Bullet of it is four inches and ten lignes in diameter, and weighs sixteen pound and a half. Its reach is three hundred and fifty fathom, and may be fired an hundred times a day.
Sect. 3.
Of the Bastard Canon.
THe Bastard is nine foot long, mounted on its Carriage sixteen, and on the Axel-tree six foot broad; it weighs [Page 82] two thousand five hundred weight; its Bullet is three inches and eight lignes in diameter, and weighs seven pound and a half: It carries about a thousand paces, and may be in one day fired an hundred and twenty five times.
Sect. 4.
Of the Minion.
THe Minion is eight foot in length, mounted on its Carriage sixteen, and six foot in breadth; the Bullet is in diameter three inches and three lignes, and weighs two pounds three quarters: it carries not so far as the Bastard, but may be fired in one day and hundred and fifty times.
Sect. 5.
Of the Faucon.
THe Faucon is near seven foot long, on its Carriage eleven, and five and a half broad. It weighs eight hundred weight. The Bullet of it is [Page 83] two inches and ten lignes in diameter, and weighs a pound and a half; it may be fired in one day an hundred and fourscore times.
Sect. 6.
Of the Fauconet.
THe Fauconet is near five foot long, mounted on its Carriage nine and a half, and four foot and a half in breadth. The Metal thereof weighs seven hundred and forty weight. Its Bullet is an inch and ten lignes in diameter, and weighs three quarters of a pound and a half. It carries two hundred and fifty fathom, and in one day may be fired two hundred times.
Fauconets are commonly planted in low places, or on the Flancks of Bastions, for scouring the Ditches and ruining the Galleries. A low place whereon are two Canons planted, is commonly six fathom square.
Sect. 7.
The Effect and Execution of the Canon.
THe Pieces of Artillery which are most frequently used to ruin and demolish the Works, are such as carry Shot from thirty to forty five pound weight.
A Canon Shot at two hundred paces, or a hundred fathom distance, may pierce between fifteen and seventeen foot into ground that is but indifferently setled, ten or twelve foot into ground long setled and well fastened; two or three and twenty foot into sand or loose ground; and a Canon fired to purpose against a Ground-work, within the distance that I have been speaking of, will ruin more than can be repaired with fifty Baskets full of Earth.
The force of a Canon Shot from low to high, or from high to low, or on a level, is equal, as to the Canon; but in respect of the Body which [Page 85] receives the Shot, that which is fired from a low ground to a higher, shakes and over-turns more.
Sect. 8.
The Way of Nailing up a Canon.
BEsieged make sometimes Salleys out to Nail up the Canon, and attempt the Batteries; and whilst some throw down the Parapets, others break or burn the Carriages, some drive in a Nail of Steel which is hacked and notched, and break it in the Touch-holes of the Pieces, which afterward are good for nothing but to be cast again.
CHAP. IV.
Of Mortar-Pieces, Arquebusses a Crock, Bombes, Bullets, the Carcass, &c.
Sect. 1.
Of Stone Guns.
STone Guns are for most part of Iron, much of the shape of Mortar-pieces that shoot Bombes. They carry not far, and therefore are not used but in fortified places, to incommode the Besiegers when they make their approaches; the powder for the Charge is regulated according to the number of stones and pieces of Iron that are put into them; and they are commonly filled up to the Mouth.
Sect. 2.
Of the Arquebuss a Crock.
THe Arquebuss a Crock is made of Iron, in form of a great Musket. It may be fired three hundred times a day; which comes to five and twenty shot an hour. The Bullet of it weighs three ounces, and the Charge of Powder an ounce and a half.
Sect. 3.
Of Mortar Pieces.
MOrtar-Pieces are of Iron or of Cast Metal, and serve to shoot Bombes, they are not so long as Stone-Guns, and their Bore is wider or narrower, according to the bigness of the Bombes which they are to contain; their Carriages have no Wheels, and are quite otherwayes shaped than those of a Canon; as may be seen in the Figure.
Sect. 4.
Of Bombes.
BOmbes are of a late Invention, and were never used in France before the year 1635 at the Siege of Dole. They are made all of Iron, and are hollow, with two handles to carry them by; but they are not all of the same size, nor of the same shape: some are round and others long. The first are called Bombes and the other Fire-pots. They are filled with Fire-works and Powder, and then are stopped with a Bung or Stopple well closed; in the middle of which is left a hole to apply the Fuse to.
When Bombes are to be shot, a convenient ground is chosen, not too far distant from the place which is intended to be galled; and there, a Platform is erected, which is provided with Plancks of Timber, on which the Mortar-pieces are planted.
Before a Bombe be put into the Mortar-piece, there is thrown into the [Page 89] bottom of it a Charge of Powder proportioned to the weight of the Bombe, which is laid above the Bunghole aloft.
So soon as the Mortar-piece is charged, the Artist takes his heights and measures, that the Bombe may directly fall into the place that he intends; that is to say, he gives less or more elevation to his Mortar-piece, according as he is near or distant from the place and stops it either with a Coin, or with an Iron Pin, which he thrusts cross the Carriage; that being done, he sets fire to the Fuse of the Bombe, and then to the Powder of the Mortar-piece, which forces out the Bombe and carries it up in the Air: when it is come to its full reach, it falls and breaks in a thousand pieces. The shivers and pieces of it break and bruise every thing they meet with, and the Fire-works that are within it, set fire in all places where it chances to fall. Nothing gives greater terror to the Towns-people of a Besieged Town, than Bombes; and the ravage that [Page 90] there they do is so extraordinary, and so gall Men, Women, and Children, that they know not where to be in safety.
Sect. 5.
Of the Carcass.
THe Carcass is a Warlike Engine of very late Invention, or rather it is a late Imitation of these Burning Barrels, that keep fire under water; whereof I have spoken before, in the Book of Powder and Chapter of Artificial Fire or Fire-works, and which takes its name from the Figure, because it is made of two hoops of Iron two inches broad, and two lignes thick, crossed oval▪wayes, and is filled with a Bag of Pitched Canvas, stuffed with Granadoes, and ends of Musket Barrels charged with small Iron shot.
Carcasses are shot out of Mortar-pieces, in the same manner as Bombes, and the Fire they make lasts above half an hour, no body daring to put it out.
Sect. 6.
Of the Granadoe.
THere are Granadoes of all sizes, but those which are used by our Granadiers are all almost alike, and are commonly two inches and a half and two lignes in diameter. They are charged with Powder within a finger of the Hole, the rest is filled with hard pressed Tow, and then the Hole is stopped with a Bung of Wood made very close; in the middle whereof is left a little hole or vent, through which is put a Fuse or Wild-fire of Fine Powder mingled with Aqua vitae or Brandy. Granadoes are thrown with the hand, and must not be held long after they are fired. They are commonly used to drive Enemies from Trenches, in a Covered Way and in a Lodging.
The Granadoes break so soon as the Train is spent, and their shivers and pieces wound all they hit.
Sect. 7.
Of Hollow Bullets.
WE have at present long and hollow Bullets, which are filled with Powder, and put into Guns as the others are; all the difference betwixt them is, that they work a double effect; they perform in the first place that which Plain Bullets might do, and besides they burst and break in the hole that they have made, either in a Wall or in a Ground, and blow up as much earth or as many stones as a small Fourneau might; and in this manner they are charged: When these Bullets are filled with Powder, their Vent or opening is stopped with a Bung, wherein is left a passage for a Fuse; to which afterward is put a Sulpher Match, by which the fire of the Gun is communicated to the Train of the hollow Bullet at the same time that it is forced out of the Piece.
Sect. 8.
Of Red Bullets.
OTher Bullets are likewise made use of, which the French call Red Bullets, because they are made red hot, before they are put into the Canon. Their effect is to burn what they meet with, but that succeeds not alwayes.
Sect. 9.
Of Cartouches.
CArtouches may be called Boxes of White Lattin, half a foot deep, and sized to the Bore of the Piece, which are filled with great Musket Bullets, that scatter as they come out and spread abroad on all hands.
Canons are sometimes charged with Nails, Pieces of Old Iron, and Chains with Bullets fastened to their ends.
Canons charged with Cartouches carry not so far, as when they are [Page 94] charged with Bullets; but they do greater havock, especially in Approaches.
CHAP. V.
Of Petards, and of the Way how they are to be used.
Sect. 1.
Of Petards.
THE Petard is a kind of Fire-pot, made of Red Copper, with a tenth part of Brass, which is filled with powder, and is applied to the Gates of Places upon a Surprise, to break them and throw them back; as may be seen in the Figure.
The Petard of a Bridge ought to be twelve inches long, and without the Breech seven inches and a half wide, and within five. The Metal at the
[Page] [Page 95] Breech ought ro be fifteen lignes thick, and six at the Muzzel, without reckoning the Murrion or Moulding; it hath ten inches in Bore at the Mouth, three Handles, and the Fuse joyning to the Breech. The Metal of it weighs from threescore to threescore and ten pound weight, and is charged with five or six pound of Powder.
Petards of Gates with Cross-bars, ought to be nine inches long, five lignes thick at the Muzzel, and an inch at the Breech; having seven inches in Bore, six without the Breech and four within; it weighs forty pound weight, and its Charge is from three to four pound of Powder.
The Petard for Gates with Plain Bars or Palissadoes, ought to be seven inches long, at the Muzzel four lignes thick, and at the Breech nine▪ the Mouth four inches wide, without the Breech three inches and a half, and within two; it weighs about fifteen pound weight, and from one pound and a half to two pound of Powder, is the Charge of it.
[Page 96] Between the Petard and Bridge is put a Madrier or Plank of Wood a foot and a half broad, two foot long, and three inches thick; when the Wood is not strong, it is covered with Plates of Iron laid on the one side Cross-wayes, and on the other in length.
Petards are to be charged with the finest Powder that can be had, knocked hard down into the Petard, which must be stopped with a Woodden Trencher or Woodden Roler an inch thick; which must be exactly applied, and whereon a little Waxe is to be melted for stopping the chinks, and hindering the water to enter.
A Petard is charged within three fingers of the Mouth, the rest is filled up with Tow pressed very hard; afterward a Canvas Cloth is put before the Mouth of the Petard, which is to be tied very fast with a cord about the Muzzel, least the Charge drop out.
The Fuse ought to be slow, that the Petardier may have time to withdraw [Page] [Page]
[Page 97] before the Petard plays. The manner of the composition of the Fuse is to be found in the Chapter of Fire-works, Book 2. Chap. 3. Sect. 1.
Sect. 2.
Of the Arrow and Flying-Bridge.
PEtards are applied to a Bridge with an Arrow made in the manner following:
The Arrow ought to have a weight or counterpoise behind, it is mounted on two Wheels three foot and a half high, and two foot and a half thick. The point of the Arrow should be at least a foot wide, that it may contain the Petard.
The Arrow is composed of three Planks twenty six foot in length, each Plank made up of four Pieces, which are fastened together with Iron Rings, and are taken a sunder that they may be portable, and are joyned again with an Iron Pin. These three Planks are made fast together by Barrs an inch thick, two inches broad, and a foot distant from one another. On [Page 98] one of the Planks is made a hollow Crany to lay a Train in, to give Fire to the Petard.
The Flying or Roling Bridge is made in the same manner as the Arrow, except that it is as broad at one end as at the other, and that it is covered with Planks; as may be seen by the Figure.
Sect. 3.
The Way of Vsing and Applying a Petard.
WHen there is a design to petard a Gate; the Scituation of it is first to be viewed, and when a day is pitched upon for the execution, the Petards, Instruments and necessary Utensils are loaded on Mules; Detachments are made, and every one is ordered what to do; all things being well disposed, they march out in good order about the evening, that by mid-night they may arrive in the neighbour-hood of the place which is intended to be surprized. The Mules are [Page 99] unloaded half a quarter of a league from the Gate, and every one takes hold of the Tools whereof they are to make use. The Petardier makes him that carries the Madrier march first; afterward he calls three for the Petard, two to carry it, and the third to help, if need be. If the Petard be fastened to the Madrier, the four ease one another two and two by turns, and the two who carry not the Petard, have each of them a Smiths great Hammer: after them the Petardier commands two others to march, carrying each of them a great Hatchet; then another with a Goats-foot (or Fearn) another with a dark Lanthorn, another with three or four Pieces of lighted Match; and another with a Turrel or good Nails, and a Club, so that every Petard to be rightly served, requires at least ten men.
When a Petard is to be applied to a Draw-bridge, the Petardier makes the Flying-Bridge march first, or the Arrow with seven or eight Men, as well to carry as to push them. Next he [Page 100] makes the Madrier and the Petard advance in the same order as I have said before; after follow those who carry the Ladders, and the floor of Planks, to be thrown upon the Breach which the Petard may have made, who are followed by those who carry the Hammers, Hatchets, Pinsers, and other Instruments to pull out the Barrs, and cut the Chains. There is need rather of too many Instruments, than that any one should be wanting; and when the Petardier asks any thing, he that carries it should be ready at hand to give it without making the least noise.
All things being thus disposed, the Petardier covers himself with a round Buckler, or some Planks made on purpose to secure him from Musket-shot, or Fire-works that may be thrown upon him; he applies his Petard, commands those that are to fall on to be in readiness, sets Fire to the Fuse, and with-draws whilst the Petard is playing; so soon as a Breach is made, those that are commanded for the [Page 101] first brush, enter the place, and force all that resists them; they who are to back them, do as much, and so successively do all who have any thing to put in execution.
Sect. 4.
Of Tortoises.
WHen a Bridge joyns ill to a Wall, it may be beaten down without a Petard, with a Brazen Tortoise placed between the Wall and the Bridge, which by its shivers and pieces breaks it. This is the way of making it: Take two shells of Brass five inches deep, a foot wide, and two inches thick; place the one upon the other, and fill them with powder, putting thereto a Fuse.
We may reckon among our Engines of War, the Herses, Sarrasins, or Cataracts, and the Orgues, which are great Pieces of Hanging Wood, and are let fall down thorow holes, when there is any fear of a Surprise, or of the effort of a Petard.
[Page 102] Turn-pikes, which are Beam stuck full of sharp-pointed Piles, which roles upon a Pivot to stop a Passage.
The Crow-foot, or Casting Caltrop, are Iron Pricks, made in such manner, that what way soever they be turned they have alwayes the point upwards.
CHAP. VI.
Of the Warlike Engines of the Romans.
Sect. 1.
Of Machines or Engines in general.
WE call all things Engines, whereof the Art and Contrivance surpasses the matter, Materiam superabat opus, says Ovid. From thence comes the [Page 103] Name of Ingeneer. The Ancients called all things that serve to attaque or defend places, Warlike Engines; so does Moses call them in the 20th Chapter of Deuteronomy, the last Verse. Onely those Trees which thou knowest are not for meat, those shalt thou destroy and cut down, and make Forts against the City that maketh War with thee, until thou subdue it. All these ancient Engines were onely made of Wood pieced together and made fast with Iron; which were placed upon the Turrets and Corners of the Walls, to throw Darts and Stones of an extraordinary bigness: Others there were onely for beating down of Walls, and others for Mounting an Assault, and for a Scalado.
Sect. 2.
Of the Tortoise or Testudo.
THe Tortoise of the Ancient Gauls which the Romans used, and called Testudo, was nothing else but the [Page 104] crouding together of many Souldiers, who covered themselves on the Head and Sides with a great many Bucklers. The former Ranks carried them higher than the following in manner of the Tiles of a House; that so whatever might be thrown upon them from the Walls, might not stick, but more easily slide to the ground. Homer speaks of these Tortoises in this manner:
They made use of that Invention for Scaling of Walls, by mounting one upon another; as Titus Liviusdescribes it. Testudine parti muri ad mota, cum armati spuerstantes subissent propugnatoribus, muri fastigio altitudinis aequabantur. Tacituscalls that Engine a reiterated Tortoise. Super iteratum testudinem scandentes.
They not only made use of these Tortoises in attacking of Places, but also in Battels; breaking through the Legions of the Enemy.
[Page 105] All these Tortoises were not in this manner composed of Men and Bucklers; they had besides certain Sheds of Wood twenty five foot square, and covered with a Shelving Roof, which they called Tortoises, whereof some served to cover the Lodgings, others to shelter the Workmen against Stones and Arrows from the Town, and others to hang the Battering-Ram, and cover those who were to swing it; these were called Testudines Arictariae.
Sect. 3.
Of Ladders.
THe Romans had Ladders of all Fashions, which were alwayes two foot higher than the Walls they intended to scale. Some folded, and could with little inconvenience be carried any whither; these were called Scalae compactiles. Others were called Reticulatae aut Stupeae, because they were made with Cords [Page 106] provided at the ends with strong Hooks, to fasten them with to the Walls. They had others that opened and shut in manner of Zizack. And others at the end of which was a kind of a little Watch-House; whereinto they put some body to spie what was doing on the Ramparts.
They had besides another kind of Ladder, which they termed Rolling Ladders; at the end of which were Bridges: and others which they called Sambucae, which were carried in Boats, to scale Walls that were encompassed with Water.
Sect. 4.
Of Bulwarks.
WHen the Romans intended to attaque a place they caused Bulwarks to be raised round the Walls, which were in height twenty four foot, and in breadth three hundred; upon which they built Towers of VVood armed with Iron on all sides; [Page 107] which commanded the Ramparts, and from which the Besiegers threw upon the People of the Town Stones, Darts, Artificial Fire, that they might thereby facilitate the approach of the Battering Rams and other Engines for taking of Places.
Sect. 5.
Of Towers.
THe Towers which were used by the Romans in the attacking of Places, went on VVheels, were very high, and on all sides covered with Plates of Iron, which rendered them more weighty, more difficult to be overthrown, and less obnoxious to the danger of Fire. These Towers were invented by one Diades a Souldier under Alexander the Great; they had also other Towers which carried Bridges and Battering Rams. Caesar caused to be built before Marseillis Towers of Masons Work five foot [Page 108] thick, and near the Towers of the Enemies, from whence he might incommode them, he caused moveable Roofs to be made for them, from which hung Skreens made of Cables or other Ship-ropes, behind which the Workmen might under covert labour in the raising of the Towers.
Sect. 6.
Of the Battering Ram.
THe original of Battering Rams which Paulus Diaconus calls, Exterminatorium Iustrumentum, is very Ancient; some attribute the invention of them to the Greeks, and others to the Carthaginians. However it be, they performed in those days what our Canon and Mines do at present, seing the onely use they were put to was to beat down the Walls of Towns which they intended to take.
The Battering Ram was made of a large Tree, like to the Mast of a Ship, which was in length six and twenty [Page 109] cubits, and five hand breadths in diameter, and within six cubits of the head was guarded with Iron Rings; the head was of a knotty Wood covered with Iron, and represented the Head of a Ram with Horns, and therefore the name of Battering Ram was given to that Engine. The Battering Ram hung betwixt great Beams of Wood, by Massive Iron Chains, and required a hundred men to swing and push it violently against the Walls. Repulsus magna virorum manu; says Flavius, The shape of it may be seen in the Figure.
Sect. 7.
Of Counter-Engines.
TO hinder Assaults and Storms, the besieged made use of huge Stones, Wheels, Wagons with four Wheels filled with weighty Matters, Columns, Cylinders, Mill-stones, Tuns, and Artificial Fire, which they threw upon the Besiegers and their Engines, [Page 110] with purpose to break them, or to reduce them to Ashes. They hindered the effects of the Battering Rams, by opposing to them Packs of Wooll, or by catching hold of them with Snares, or Iron Engines made in form of Pinsers, which they called Woolves, meaning that such Woolves could catch the Ram, because with these Engines they drew the Battering Rams up, or broke them in the middle.
The Fourth Book OF ENSIGNS, TRUMPETS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF WAR.
IT may perhaps seem strange, that I have comprehended in one and th [...] same Book, and under one sole Title, Ensings, Trumpets, and other Instruments of War, considering the small Analogy they have to one another. I frankly confess, that as to the Form there is none at all; but as to the Use and Property, I maintain there is a great deal. We call that a Sign whichmarks any thing to us, Signum a significatione. Now Ensigns have onely been so called because they signified to Souldiers their Camps, Marches, their Fields of Batrel, [Page 112] and the Places of their gathering together and rallying. Are not Drums and Trumpets the signs of notice and advertisement? Do not the different Sounds of both the one and other signifie the different Commands which the Souldiers are to put in Execution, As to take Arms, come to their Colours, draw out into the Field, Charge, Retreat, and many other things which they understand by the sound of those Instruments: and therefore I thought it unnecessary to separate them from Colours, Standards, Ensignes and Guidons; whereof I shall trea [...] in the following Chapters.
CHAP. I.
Of Ensigns.
THe Trojans were the first that made use of Ensigns in their Armies, that they might accustom Young Souldiers to know their Companies, and facilitate their [Page 113] Rallying, when they happened to be in a Fight. Ʋt tyrones assuescerent signa sequi, & in acie cognoscere ordines suos. Says Livie.
The Ancients in the beginning had no other Ensigns but Bundles of Hay which they fastened on long Poles: from whence comes the word Manipule, a Manipulis Foeni, by the report of Ovid.
But the mode of the Rustick and Wild Ancients lasted not long, the Roman Custom came in place of it; and then succeded ours which we at present carry, and which are different from the former; both in form and matter. We give them several names according to their various shapes: to wit, Colours, Standards, Ensigns, and Guidons.
The Foot carry Colours, which are of Taffata, an Ell and a half square, fastened to a half Pike eight or nine foot long.
[Page 114] Every Regiment has a particular Colour to it self, except the Crosses and the Collonels Colours, which are always White, because White is the Colour of France, as the Black Eagles shew us the Colour of the Empire; the Red that of Spain, and the Orange that of Holland.
The Horse carry Ensigns, Guidons, and Standards.
The first two are for the Troops of the Gens-d'arms.
Ensigns are above a foot and a half square, and are made of Stuff embroidered with Gold and Silver, adorned with Ciphers and Devises, and fastened to a Lance eight or nine foot long.
Guidons are longer than broad, of a Stuff like to that of Ensigns, divided in two points at the end, which are made a little round; their Lances are eight or nine foot long.
Standards are for the Troops of the Light Horse, but a foot and a half square, and of a stuff embroidered, furnished with the Arms and Devises [Page 115] of the Masters de Camp of the Regiments, and their Lances a like to those of Ensigns and Guidons. The Figures will more easily give you the meaning of what I say.
Sect. 1.
Of the Oriflamme.
THE Royal Banner of France, to which the Flames of Gold, wherewith it was bespangled, have given the name of Oriflamme, was properly the Ensign General of the Kingdom, which never came out of the Church of St. Denis, where it lay in Custody; but when the Kings marched out to the Wars: It was made of a Red Stuff, about two foot long, pointed and cloven, like the Banderolle or Penon of a Ship, which was fastened to a Lance, in the manner of the Banners of the Church.
It was left off to be carried in the Reign of Charles the Seventh; and since that time, the Oriflamme-bearer, which was one of the Chief Officers [Page 116] of the Kingdom, has remained extinct.
He that wrote the Life of Lowis the Young, distinguishes the Royal Banner, from the Banner of St. Denis; when he says, That Geoffry of Ranconay, one of the noblest Barons of Poictou, carried the Kings Banner, which according to custom came after that of St. Denis, which was commonly called Oriflamme. They who make a distinction between these two Banners, call the Kings Oriflor, Oriflour, Oriflamme, Karlir, and make it of Azure Taffeta, spangled with Golden Flowers de Luce. It is the common opinion that it was presented to Charlemain by Pope Leo the Third, when he made him Protector and Defender of the Church of Saint Peter.
Sect. 2.
Of the Gonfanon.
THe Gonfanon is in the Church, what the Oriflamme was heretofore in France, and the Office of great Gonfanonier, is one of the most honourable charges of the Ecclesiastick State.
The Colour of the Gonfanon is Red, and differs not in shape from the Banners of the Ancient Cavalry, but that it is cloven into three ends a little rounded.
Most Kingdoms have their Ensigns or Standards General in imitation of the Romans, who had the Banner of the Consul, or of the General of the Army, which they called Labrum, of a Purple Coloured Stuff, enriched with Fringes of Gold and precious Stones.
Sect. 3.
Of the Banner and Penon.
THe difference between the Banner and Penon was, that the Banner was square, fastened to a Lance like Colours and Cornets; and the Penon had a long Tail, which might be easily made a Banner, by cutting off the Tail. From these Penons is derived the name of Penonages, which has been given to the Companies of the Quarters of the City of Lyons, whose Captains are called Captains Penons. In England the Penon of St. George was the chief Banner of the Kingdom.
Every Lord carried his Arms in his Banner, or in his Penon; but none but Lords Banerets, were suffered to carry a Banner to the Wars. When a Lord having for many years carried Arms, had Estate enough to entertain a Troop of Gentlemen to accompany a Banner, he [Page 119] was allowed to raise a Banner; for that end he carried at the first Battel where he was, a Penon of his Arms, and presented himself before the Constable, or him who commanded the Army for the Prince; from whom he asked leave to carry a Banner; and that being granted him, he took the Heraulds at Arms Witnesses of it, who cut off the Tail of his Penon, and made a Banner thereof.
Princes, Mareshals, and Barons, had their Banners having their Coats of Arms quartered on them, carried before them by Squires, to assemble their Men about them in day of Battel.
Sect. 4.
Of Banderolles, Pannonceaux, and Faillions.
THe Banderoll was a kind of little Banner; carried by Knights in Turnements, with which they made the sign of the Cross, when they [Page 120] entered the Lists, before they began to Fight; as Oliver de la March reports in the Eighteen Chapter of his Memoires. When the King gives Holy Bread, the Swisses and Officers that serve at these Ceremonies, carry these Banderolls with the Kings Arms quartered on them.
Panronceaux were little Pennons, wherewith Ships, the Tops of Towers, and the Houses of Gentlemen of Quality, were beautified.
The Faillion, is a kind of Standard made use of in the Army, for assembling the Baggage, and every Regiment ought to have one of its Colour, which conducts the Baggage to the Faillion General.
CHAP. II.
Of the Roman Ensigns.
THE Romans had one kind of Ensigns for foot, and another for Horse. Every Legion had its Ensign General, which was the Roman Eagle, as we have a Collonels Colours in every Regiment of foot, which is always of White Taffeta; besides that the Manipules or Companies had their particular Ensigns, which were silvered Pikes, at whose end was a little piece of Wood laid a thwart, in form of a Cross, with little Globes fastened down along to the Pikes, on which was the Names of the Emperours, as Suetonius reports.
The Armies were reckoned by Eagles; [Page 122] as Hirtius says. Erat Pompeii acies tredecem aquilis constituta. To intimate that the Army of Pompey was composed of thirteen Legions. We have retained the same way of expressing the number of the Horse, which we have in our Armies; for instance we say, The King hath detached or sent into the Field, two hundred Cornets, to signifie two hundred Troops.
The Ensigns of the Cavalry were of a shape different from those of the Infantry. The Romans named them Vexilla, which to speak properly were little square Sails, almost of the bigness of our Standards, which were carried hanging at a Pike, like to the Banners of our Churches. These Sails were for most part of a Purple Stuff embroidered, whereon were set in Golden Letters, the Names of their Emperours, or of their Commanders.
[Page 123] The same is in use amongst our Horse, whereof most part of the Masters de Camp cause their Arms or Devises to be put upon the Standards of the Troops of their Regiments.
The Persians had Eagles for Ensigns, and the Ancient Germans carried the Figures of Wild Beasts.
CHAP. III.
Of Trumpets, Drums, and other Instruments of War.
THE Instruments of Military Symphony are not onely proper to give the Souldiers the signal of what they are to do; but likewise to animate them to Fight after the manner of the Lacedemonians. The Cavalry make use of Trumpets and Kettle Drums.
The Trumpet is an Instrument of Brass doubly crooked, which Heginus [Page 124] says, was invented by Thireime Son of Hercules. This definition Vegetius gives of it: Buccina quae in semetipso aereo circulo reflectitur. Ovid in this manner describes it to us.
There is no Troop of our Gend'arms, nor Light Horse, which has not at least one Trumpet, to sound to Boots and Saddle, to the Standard, to Horse, the Charge, the Challenge, and the Retreat.
Kettle-Drums are two Brazen Vessels, round at the bottom, and covered above with Goat-Skin, which is made to sound by beating on it with Sticks.
Kettle-Drums were more in use among the Germans and Spaniards, than among the French, who heretofore never carried any but when they won them from their Enemies. That Ancient formality is now out of date, and the King bestows them on whom he thinks fit; especially on the Troops of his Houshold.
Drums, Fifes, Bagpipes and Hautbois, [Page 125] are for Foot, Musketeers, Dragoons, Fusiliers, and Horse-grandaiers. Drums are made of a Chesnut Wood, hollow and covered at both ends with Skins of Parchment, which are braced with Cords, and with Snares underneath. These Instruments serve to beat the Reveilly, the General, the Call, the March, the Charge, the Parley, the Retreat, the Banks or Proclamations, and all the Commands. The Invention of them is not late; as may be seen in the following Chapter.
CHAP. IV.
Of the Instruments of War used by the Romans.
THE Instruments of the Roman Militia, whereof they made use to signifie all the Orders to the Souldiers, were Trumpets, Horns, Cornets, and Hautbois, [Page 126] as well for Horse as Foot; and the Legions, Cohortes and Manipules, had each their several Instruments. Cohortium, turmarum, & legionum tubicines simul omnes canere jubet; says Salust. Though Drums and Kettle-Drums were not in use among the Romans, yet other Nations, and especially the Indians, used them. Indi tympana suo more pulsantes. Curtius lib. 8. and Suidas, Tubis Indi non utuntur, sed pro iis sunt flagella & tympana horribilem quendam bombum emittentia.
The Parthians made use of them also, but in all appearance (according to the Description that we have of them in Suidas and Plutarch) the Instruments of these People were rather Kettle-Drums than Drums, because they were made of Plam-tree Wood, hollow and filled with little Brazen Bells, the mouth whereof was covered with a Bulls-hide. Isidorus defines the word ( tympanum) in these terms: Tympanum est pellis vel corium ligno ex una parte extensum. And [Page 127] that is the very shape and figure of our Kettle-Drums.
He describes also another Instrument which he calls Symphony, which can be nothing else but our Drums. Symphonia, says he, vulgo appellatur lignum cavum ex utraque parte pelle extensa, quam virgulis hinc & inde musici feriunt. That Instrument resembles the little Tabers or Drums which the Turks carry before them, and which they beat on both sides with Sticks. However it be, there is no doubt but that the Invention of Drums is as Ancient as that of Trumpets: I build not onely on the Authority of prophane History, but on the Testimony of the Royal Prophet, who says, Let them praise his Name with the Flute; let them sing praises to him with the Timbrel and Harp, Psal. 149. Praise him Timbrel and Flute, &c. Psal. 150.
A particular Chapter of the Arms which are at present in use, as well among the French as other Nations.
SInce Gun-powder hath been invented, there is no People in Europe but makes use of Fire-Arms, to which they have given several names, according to their different shapes, as Muskets, Arquebusses with Match-Lock, Arquebusses with Wheel-Lock, Carabines, Choques, Pistols with Wheel-Locks, Holster or Pocket Pistols, Musketons, and Fusils or Fire-locks; as the Ancients changed the names of their Shields, Pikes, Swords, and Darts, according to the divers alterations that happened, either in the form or matter: for instance, They called A [...]lides a kind of Ancient Dart, which they carried [Page 129] tied to the Wrist with a long Strap or Thong, that thereby they might more easily draw it back when they wounded any therewith; and they called Gevum a Dart that was intirely of Iron: Nevertheless these Arms were still Darts: as Muskets, Musketons, Carabins, Choques, and Fusils or Fire-locks, are all of them kinds of Arquebusse of different lengths; of which some fire with a Match, others with a Flint, and others with the Wheel. Arms with Wheels are now no in use in use in France, the King hath not long ago taken them from the Gardes du corps, and given them Musketons; and at present in the Wars, are onely used the Musket, Fire-lock, Musketon, and Pistol; as may be seen in the sequel of this Chapter.
The Arms of the French Cavalry.
The Kings Guards du Corps, the Gens-d'Armes, Light-Horse, Cravats, [Page 130] the Troops of Light-Horse, are armed with Shables, Musketons, Snap-lock Pistols; and for Instruments of War, have Trumpets and Kettle-Drums. The Guards du Corps carry Ensigns, the Gens-d' Armes Ensigns and Guidons, and the Light-Horse Standards.
The Kings Musketeers, who fight sometime on Foot, and sometime on Horse-back (like the Dragoons of Alexander called Dimachae) have for Arms the Half-Shable, the Bandeliers, the Musket and Pistols; and for Instruments, Drums, and Haut-bois, with an Ensign and Guidon; and when they are on Foot the Officers march with the Sword, the Pike, and the Gorget; the Ensign with the Colours, and the Quarter-masters with the Halbard.
The Dragoons who fight on Foot and on Horseback, have for Arms the Sword, the Fire-lock, and the Bayonet; for Ensign the Standard somewhat larger than that of the Light Horse, and for Instruments of [Page 131] War, Drums, Bag-pipes, and Hautbois: And when they march on foot, the Officers carry the Partisan, and the Sergeants the Halberd. None of the Cavalry but the Officers and the Troopers of the Regiment of the Kings Cuirassiers, now carry Cuirasses.
The Horse-Granadiers of the Kings Houshold, have for Arms the Cimeter, the Battle-Axe, the Fire-lock, and the Pouch or Budget filled with Granadoes; and for Instruments Drums and Haut-bois.
The Arms of the French Infantry.
The Arms of the Officers of Foot, are the Sword, the Pike, and the Gorget. The Arms of the Sergeants, the Sword and the Halberd; and of the Souldiers, the Sword, the Bandelier, the Musket, and the Pike. The Instruments are Drums, Fifes, and Haut-bois.
[Page 132] The Pikes of the Kings Guards carry the Burgonet, Corslet, Vambraces, and Tassets, or Thigh Pieces.
The Granadiers have for Arms the Sword and Fire-lock, with a Budget stuffed with Granadoes, and a little Battle-Axe; and the Officers the Partisan and Gorget.
The Fusiliers have for Arms the Sword, the Bayonet, and Fusil or Fire-lock, and the Officers the Pike and Gorget.
The Suissers have no need of Horse, because they live in a hilly Countrey; and therefore they make onely use of the Sword with a great Branched Hilt, the Bandeliers, Musket, Halbard, and Partisan, and carry hardly any Pikes, but when they serve Foreign Princes. Their Instruments of War are Drums and Fifes; and their Officers carry the Pike and Gorget.
The Pikes in the Suisse-guards are armed with Murrions, Gorget, Corslets, Vambraces and Tassets; and the Officers with the Pike, Gorget, Cuirasse, Tassets, and no more.
The Spanish Cavalry.
The Spanish Horse have for Arms the Shable, Pistol, and Musketon, or Choque; for Ensign the Standard, and for Instruments, Trumpets and Kettle-Drums.
They have also some Troops of Lancers armed Cap-a-pied, which they have retained for ostentation and to serve near the Kings Person. They have also Troops of Dragoons armed in the same manner as ours are.
The Spanish Foot.
The Foot have for Arms the Sword, with a Hilt so extreamly wide and deep, that it might very well serve for a Drinking Cup; Bandeliers which are none of the largest, the Musket as heavy again as ours, and of a bigger size, which they cannot fire without leaning it on a Rest; and the Pike longer and bigger than ours: [Page 134] and for Instruments, Drums and Fifes.
The Officers carry no Gorgets, but onely the Pike, and the Sergeants the Halbard.
The Officers of the Regiments of Guards, mount the Kings Guard on Horse-back, armed cap-a-pied, with a Rondache or Round Buckler on the Left Arm.
English Forces.
The English Cavalry have for Arms the Shable, Musketon, or Carabin and Pistol: And the Infantry the Musket and Pike. The Foot make but little use of their Swords; for when they have discharged, they fall on with the Buts of their Muskets. The Officers carry the Sword, Pike, and Gorget, and the Serjeants the Halbard and Partisan.
German Forces.
The German Horse have for Arms [Page 135] the Shable, Carabine, and Wheel-lock Pistol, with a Shable hanging at the Pommel of their Saddles; some of their Troopers are armed with Cuirasses and Head-pieces. The Foot carry the Sword, Musket, Espadon, or two-handed Sword, and the Pike. The Officers make use of Swords, Pikes, and Gorgets, and some of Partisans or Half-pikes.
Hungarian Forces.
The Hungarians, besides Fire-Arms, carry likewise Shables, Battle Axes, Partisans, Half-pikes, &c.
Polonian Troops.
The Polonians use Fire-Arms, Pikes, Partisans, the Axes (whereof we have spoken in the First Chapter of Staff-Arms, the Fifth Sect. of the First Book) and Darts or Javelots.
Turkish Cavalry.
The Turkish Cavalry have no other Arms but the Damask Shable, and some of them carry Clubs or Maces at the Pommel of the Saddle. They have some Troops of Lancers, whom they call Fool-hardy; these make use of Shables, Lances and Bucklers: their Ensigns are small Guidons which they carry tied on their Backs.
Turkish Infantry.
The Infantry carry Shables, long Knives at their Girdle, great Muskets, Bows, Arrows, and Darts, and their Instruments are little Tabors or Drums; on both sides of which they beat: Haut-bois, Bag-pipes, and Musical Cornets.
Persians, Moors, and Arabians.
The Persians, Moors, and Arabians, besides Fire-Arms, make use of [Page 137] Zagayes, Arrows and Darts; and most part of the People who have been lately discovered, used no other Arms, but Arrows, Darts, and Half-Pikes.
Of the Arms of the Ancient French Militia.
Infantry.
THE Regiments of French Infantry were divided into Companies of Arquebussiers, Musketons and Pikes.
The Companies of Arquebussiers consisted of three hundred men a piece, whereof fifty were armed with the Breast-plate, Murrion that was proof, with Sleeves of Mail, the Sword hanging at the Girdle and Halbards; fifty were armed with Swords, Muskets, Bandeliers, and Musket Rests, and two hundred were armed with [Page 138] Swords, Match-lock Arquebusses, and a Case, such as Huntsmen carry, the Charge whereof held half an Ounce of Powder. The Captains of the Arquebussiers, mounting the Guard, or passing before the King or the General at a Muster, carried the Arquebuss, the Case and Murrion, with a great Plume of Feathers. The Pikemen were armed with Swords, Pikes eighteen foot long, Murrions, Corslets, Vambraces, and Tassets; and the Captains were armed with compleat Armor, a Pike and Murrion after the Milanese-fashion, adorned with Feathers, and caused their Lackeys carry Rondaches or Round Bucklers before them. The Lieutenants and Ensigns Arms were the same with the Arms of the Captains, and the Serjeants carried the Cuirasse Proof, with Sleeves of Mail, the Plain Murrion, and the Halbards without Swords.
Cavalry.
From the Reign of Lowis the Eleventh, to the time of Henry the Second, the Cavalry was divided into Men of Arms, Light Horse, Argolets and Estradiots or Albanian Horsemen.
The Men of Arms had for Armature the Corslet with the Breast-plate, the Cuirasse with Tassets, the Gorget of Mail, Supeters, whole Greaves, Tasses, Gantlets, Helmet with Banners, Arm-pieces, Gossets, Poldrons, all guarded with Mail in the void spaces or Intervals. Their Horses were barded and caparisoned, with the Crannet and Frontstall. For Offensive Arms they had, the Sword by the side, the Tuck at one side of the Pommel of the Saddle, and the Battle-Axe at the other, a long and great Lance in hand; a Cassock which they called the Souldiers Coat, which was of the Colour of their Ensign, [Page 140] and Guidon of the Troop, and bigger than that of the Light Horse.
The Light-Horse were armed with Gorgets, Corslet with Tassets below the Knee, Gantlets, Arm-pieces, great Shoulder-pieces, Head-pieces, with open Visers, and the Cassock of the Colour of the Standard. And for Offensive Arms, a large broad Sword by the side, the Battle-Axe at the Pommel of the Saddle, and the Lance in hand.
The Estradiots were armed in the same manner as the Light-horse, and and instead of Arm-pieces and Gantlets, had Sleeves and Gloves of Mail, a broad Sword by the side, the Battle-Axe at the Pommel of the Saddle, and the Zagaye in hand, which they called Arzegaye, ten or twelve foot long, and headed with Iron at the two ends. Their Coat over their Arms was short, and instead of a Cornet, they had a great Banderoll hanging at the end of a Lance.
The Argolets were armed in the same way as the Estradiots, except [Page 141] the Head; which they covercd with a Cabasset or Casket, that hindered them not to take aim: Their offensive Arms were the Sword by the Side, the Battle-Axe at the left side of the Pommel of the Saddle, and at the right an Arquebuss two foot and a half long, in a Case of Tanned Leather, over their Arms a short Coat, like to that of the Estradiots, and a long Banderoll (as they had) to rally by.
The Cavalry under Henry the Fourth, and Lowis the Thirteenth.
IN the Reigns of Henry the Fourth and Lowis the Thirteenth, the Cavalry were divided into Gens-d'armes, Light-Horse and Carabins.
The Gens-d'armes were armed with compleat Armour, and carried Greaves and Knee-pieces under or over the Boots, the Cuirasse Carabin-proof [Page 142] before and behind; and instead of a Lance an Escopette or Petronel, which carried five hundred paces; the Holster Pistols charged with a Slugg of Steel, a long and stiff Tuck without an edge. Their Horses were armed with the Frontstall and Petrel.
The Light-Horse were armed with compleat Armour, a Cuirass, that was proof, and the rest but slight; they carried the Pistol at the Pommel of the Saddle, under the Bridle-hand, and on the other side the Salade or Head-piece.
The Carabins had for Arms a Cuirass voided and cut in the Right Shoulder, that they might the better present and take aim; a Gantlet reaching the Elbow for the Bridlehand, a Casket on Head: and for Defensive Arms, a long Sword, a long Escopett or Carabin, three foot and a half in length, a Pistol at the Pommel of the Saddle, and two Cartouches, after the manner of the Reistres.
[Page 143] The Word ( Carabin) comes from the Spanish Word Cara ▪ which signifies the Visage or Face, and the Latine Word Binus, which signifies double; as if one should say, Men of double Faces, because of their way of fighting. Sometimes flying, and sometimes facing about.
We have changed the Carabins into Souldiers that fight, both on Foot and Horse, whom we have called Dragoons, in imitation of the Dimachae of Alexander the Great; which Name comes from the Greek Word Dimas, that signifies terror and fear; because they carried Dragons for their Ensigns.