rehearsed or any other that may occurre ought to be men of vnderstanding and souldiours albeit they cary no such shewe Of What quality persōs ought to bee that are imployed in conquestes to be able to viewe in the entries and salies of the kingdome the qualitie and commoditie of the countrey and what for the better assurance of foraine forces may be found therein and that they be not to light in beleeuing their offers with whom they practize which commonly bragge more then is cause of their power kindred account they holde in the kingdome despising and setting their owne princes at nought with which they make them beleeue to the end the Prince by whom they seeke to be releeued should more feruentlie imbrace the matter that his desseine may be easilie compassed through the ill satisfaction of the subiectes in generall wherein great difference is to be made betweene men desperate and male content The firste whotly pursue the ruine of the Prince endangering to bring it to passe Difference betwene desperate and malcontent both substance and life the other wishe innovations but without hazarding their owne more satisfying thēselues with the present mischiefe knowen then the future good that is doubtfull In such sorte as both the one and the other serue as tynder for the fire of a ciuill warr which to the desperate bringeth reuenge and encrease and to the male-contents comoditie ease which quickly maketh them to agree with the Prince when soeuer he will but vouchsafe and yeeld anie authoritie vnto them Notwithstanding that they haue before taken armes which hardly can be nourished in a kingdome or a ciuill warre mainteyned without great succours of money and forraine ayde by reason that you may by negotiation corrupt a kingdome but not maintayne a warre within it without force of armes and much celeritie for that the naturall Prince will with time euer gaine to be better followed strengthning him selfe by his owne authoritie and partie It is likewise to be noted in this matter of malcontents that they are to bee founde in all Kingdomes Prouinces and Courtes of Princes it being annexed to humane nature that men are neuer satisfied with those things which our Lord ordayneth and with the gouuernement wherewith he guideth And also it is not to be marueyled at that they be ordinarilie discontented with what contentement Kinges and Princes cary being men albeit in some actions wise and confident which is occasioned by the conceite that euery one hath of him selfe bringing him to imagine that hee could gouuerne better then he that is in place and vnder this to condemne the proceeding of any other And there is another sort of male contents in not seeing thēselues aduanced and promoted to rule which though they bee many in a kingdome and of the principall sorte yet verie seldome can they alone be able to make a sufficient partie for to stirre vp a ciuill warre therein with a foundation in maner that it may endure notwithstandinge that another Prince yeeld them assistance therein except the commons and people as well estraunge their affection from the Prince for some cause which may mooue all to a generall distaste which is the surest foundation to frame a ciuill warre vpon and then not onely the principall men and great personages but anie one whosoeuer that hath valor or hardines may be fitt to serue as Aulaquida sulfer for the nourishing of a fier of warr with facilitie through the disposition of the matter and detestations whiche the commons and people conceyue desirous of Nouelties wherby to better their owne estate with which it commeth to be mainteyned to take roote in like maner as stormes doe in gulfes euery winde altering them for beeing so prone to mooue them selues whiche is not seene on the lande though they be very boysterous furious for the hardnes thereof and on the sea in that it is a licquide bodie a small blast swelleth and puffeth it vp taking a motion in it selfe thorough the qualitie of the disposition thereof which being once conceyued the furie lasteth for a long time albeit the first moouer cease and the rebellions of kingdomes in like maner when they shal be nourished by commons and the people will last many yeares though the heads which began them may happen to fall fayle A reason which byndeth very diligently to consider of what qualitie the discontentment of a Kingdome or Prouince may be whereby a ciuill warre may the better bee mainteyned therin whether it be occasioned by any matter which breedeth a generall offence or no. In all the prouisions or levies of men Preparations of warr are to bee colored alwayes with some contrary end to the true meaning which are made for any maner of warre by sea or lande it is ordinarilie to be vnderstood that they be coloured with some different motiue from what is meant whereby no time may be giuen to the enimie to perceyue it by preuenting disseins with the contrarie An aduise verie necessarie especiallie in conquestes for many respectes not being the least that albeit that kings loue not to be vnsauorie to their subiects thinking that they holde all sortes of money to content them with when they please yet at the verie houre that they discouer their disposition to take armes there is no meanes nor negotiatiō which they will leaue vnpractized to reduce them to their trayne and affection the thought hereof being able to bynde them to be more liberall then gratefull for their victories and seruices done A meanes which bringeth them to be reconciled with those whom before they feared and to make the other leaue off their treaties with forraine Princes which before they had declaring them selues enimies to them and assured to their owne A matter which is fitt to be auoyded by concealing the causes of suspition What humor ordinarily raigneth in the blood royall of Princes and that other Kings and Potentates may not linke themselues to assist him which assayleth caried with an humor which naturally a Royall blood is cōpounded of in waxing fierce against any other King whō they see growe in power and force imagining that that his greatnes will ouerwaye the ballance for that the one came not vp without the going downe of the other And by reason that it is as easie a matter to Princes to deceyue men by their deuises and negotiations which passe by paper as it is harde in matters of publike actions It is fitt to couer their disseins and preparations by seeking out of some notable apparant reasons and as much as may lye in them to remoue such shadowes as are setled in their iudgment which thinke them selues of greatest reach most pearcing vnderstanding Meanes for Princes to disguise their intended conquestes By no better meanes may this be effected then in sending vpon such occasions Embassadours to those Kinges who are most suspected would oppose thēselues to your disseins plotting
finding not they shall set vp the ladders in the securest place against the wall clyminge vp by them so as it may bee done with greatest diligence and facilitie and least noyse The walls being gayned they shall goe to the next gate to the place where they first gaue the scaladoe carrying with them pincers files hammers crowes of yron and other instruments to open the gates with a busines which is to bee done with diligence that the cauallerie or fanterie may enter into the town which for this purpose taryed in the rereguard of all and stoode in squadron in the field that vpon any ill successe they might be able to helpe the soldiers running backe who continually must followe on without loosing ranke to get vp by the ladders and in case there bee any Citadell or Castell within the town they must repaire to that place stopping that none of their men retyre themselues in and when there is no Castle in the towne or place appointed to ioyne themselues together in cordeguards becomming entirely Lords of the town then are they to giue it to sacke to fortifie it placing a good garrison and when the Castle or Catadell if there bee any hath not yeelded then to preuente that no succour enter in at those gates vnto them which Castles commonly haue towards the countrey for that purpose placing good watch at the entrance of the streets which lead thither fortifying them with trauesses and other things conuenient as to make loop-holes out of houses rampyring if it necessare to defende the shot of the artillerie whereby they of the Castle will growe cleane out of the harte from thinking to bee able to recouer the towne againe and by that distrust will hold it a farre better course to yeeld themselues Those cōquests which Kings Princes attempt by sea happen at such time as they haue shippes Consideration touching sea seruice mariners and other necessarie thinges for it much more easie then by land for the commoditie which they haue in carying in a small time great number of soldiers munitions and artillerie from sundrie countries farr distant By this meanes our Lord God doth open the way to such Kingdomes states as possesseth anie sea coastes to expect their greatnes and encrease which in our times hath bene sufficiently proued by that the Crownes of Castile and Portingall hath done which the K. our Soueraigne Lorde father vnto Y.H. possesseth spredding out his empire rule through the East and West Indies with such a multitude of conquests though ther were no more examples of the time past a matter which the Castilian prouerbe amed at saing Reyno sin puerto chimenea sin fuego A consideration which bindeth Y.H. to fauor and honor the sea soldiers Hernan Nunez lib. de refr L. C rewarding them and the Pilotts and mariners and to entertaine great Armies in ordinarie proportioning the forces of them with those of the lande How much it importeth to maintain armies by sea which is that by which conseruation of Empires standeth assured being Lordes of the sea and the foundatiō according to mans reason of their greatnes enduring thorough the necessitie which most Prouinces holde to respect them for maintenance of their trades and traficques facilitie with which he that is powerfull on the sea may offende in sundrie partes at one instant And albeit this in generall will not binde Y.H. yet the monarchie which you are to possesse and qualitie of your Crownes and estates requireth for their scituatiō sake to hold Armes by sea wherby to succour them vpon anie distres and offend the enimie since of their verie selues euery one holdeth by him selfe forces sufficient to holde out attending succor which is one of the reasons that causeth many to iudge Empires deuided into sundry Prouinces to be more firme then in one bodie where corruption once entring causeth a farr greater ruyne then in the deuided and distant being seldome times all infected at once with one morion as it may fall out where they stande vnited The preparation of your Y.H. fleete in the number of shippes soldiors and artillery is to be according to the enterprise you purpose to vndertake to consider therin the season the power of the enimie what cōfederates he may haue and the rest of the considerations which I haue set downe in common to bee obserued in forming of armes by lande the which will tell you of what burthen shippes wil be most conuenient for nauigation whether they are to vse Gallyes or Boates of ores only or carying likewise of higher caruing if they bee to carrie cauallerie which will require conuenient shipps for this purpose by consequence for the carriadg of munitiōs victuals the rest of the prouisions Prouided that when it is an armie of round ships and that the winde which serueth you to sayle will bringe with it as mariners terme it growne seas the nauigation when the armie is great must needes be much longer then with an other wind which maketh faire weather or that there were but a few shipps which bindeth you to cōsider that albeit light Pinishes may in so many days performe the voyage a great armie must be fain with the very same wind to spend many more therin in which care must be giuē to mariners which are of experience practise in the same trade folowing their opinion for the time which shal be best to sayle and in particuler the * Office of Admiral it is aswel taken for a chiefe cōmaunder vpon the land therfore from auncient time there hath bene an Admiral in Castilla though the Kingedome bee without any port far distant frō the sea Admiralls who is Y.H. Lieuetenant at the sea An office which holdeth more or lesse preheminence in some prouinces then in an other according vnto the authoritie which it hath pleaced Princes to giue vnto them And whē he doth not exercise his office Y.H. is to name a generall at the sea and sometimes he is the same which is on land and at other times no whose office is to ioyne together and compound the armie and to fit the shippes with artillerie arming them with * Raretas which they vse in steade of our cariges with trucks their wheles like fielde cariages carriges and other preparations according to the burthen and men which are to fight in them and forme which euery nation caryeth accōmodating things more carefully in that then in an other Furnishing likewise with victualls placing in the office of a generall victuler a person of trust much diligence litle couetousnesse considering that by stincking victuals fleets armies haue many times receyued more losse thē they needed to haue feared by tempests or enimies the couetousnes of officers haue bin the only cause who looking only into their own profit haue procured vnto their Princes the destruction of their armies and men of warre Your shippes and men standing readie for the
S. me incito estudiasse y pues a su Ruego la he aprendido me atreuo a dedicarle este mi trabajo poniendole en sus manos para que me ampare y defienda de las calumnias y desdeñes del comun De que no tengo duda considerando su gran valor y discrecion no solo por auer descendido de la Illustrissima y antiquissima casa del Marquese de Corcke Vicecondes Durseys y Varones de Odrone y de Carew pero por los señalados seruicios hechos a su SCCRM en Irlandia donde fue Consejero y General de la Artilleria tantos años y continuando el mismo officio en la vltima victoria de Cadiz Nuestro Señor guarde a V. S. Del Castillo Real de Queenborowe vltimo de Março y de mil y quinientos y nouenta y sieta años EDWARD HOBY ⧠The Autors epistle to Don Philip Prince of Castill My Lorde IF the olde Castilian proverbe doe affirme That by a nayle is lost a shooe and by a shooe a horse and by a horse a Cauallero and by a Cauallero a Cornet and by a Cornet an Hoste by an Hoste a Battaile and by the Battaile a Kingdome and not onely the succession of Kinges therein but many times religion a losse inestimable you may wel iudge howe much more speedlie manie other incōueniences may bring like losses which by carelesnesse and small heede taking may succeede in warre if that which to looke too is of so small moment may come to bee cause thereof The consideration of which hath moued me to write vnto Your Highnes a briefe Theorique and practise of Warre refreshing thereby the memorie with what I haue read and experimented in thirtie and so many yeares which I haue folowed seruing in that and Embassages the King our Soueraine father to Y.H. since that my ouertymelie blindnesse hath kept me from being able to occupie any roome fit to serue Y.H. in but only as a dumme Councellor the office of bookes and paper because they speake not but when they are sought nor replie vpon ought they haue reported which ought to binde Princes to spende some parte of their time in good letters since besides tillinge of their wittes with them and opening their eyes to order things present by example and warninge of the passed which maketh able to foresee thinges to come Bookes and writings deliuer vnto Princes many truthes which they that are liuing dare not presume to doe And although many will holde it for a harde matter to make a Theorique of knowledge which consisteth entierly in practise as the exercise of warre experience being the principall foundation therof Phisicke holdeth the same qualitie by seeing in mens bodies after the same manner as in warre so diuers and vnlooked for euentes A particular which causeth experimented Phisitians to bee of more estimation then those that are onely Theoricall This hath not bin any cause why the most learned in science should forget the Theorique which is in all applying practise with it Neither in the Mathematiques and Geometrie doth it leaue to bee of much profit since that except the reason and composition of lines and figures had bin first knowne Architectistes could hardlie haue traced out edifices for the building whereof this is not sufficient alone except the maister workemen knowe what the nature of the deapth of the soyle is by longe vse and experience the qualitie of the stuffe for the building what sorte of stones endure longest the iniurie of the weather and if it incorporate it selfe better with morter and plaster In the game of Chesse the liuelie paterne of warre which consisteth really in vse those bookes leaue not to bee verie fruitefull which are written of the Theorique thereof aduantaging such as reade them greatly in their playe Likewise it may seeme to some that I haue writtē many things which such as are soldiors alreadie knowe and some which are to bee founde in sundrie bookes To satisfie the first if reason of offending and defending had not been from the first creation of the worlde vntill nowe the verie same the disposition of the people onely varying in the difference of weapons engins and instrumentes which haue bin inuented for to obteyne which soeuer of the two effectes I mought be able to tell nouelties the matter it self ministring me occasion and God giuing to all men the powers of vnderstanding memorie and will wherewith to dispose the discourse reasoning no wonder is it if for all this sundrie wittes doe meete in one thought when to doe it is grounding them selues on one selfe same cause The which doth not hinder that some vnderstandinges may not surpasse more then others in finding the reasons and effectes of it nor breede in mee any discontent when myne shall goe after others who haue passed before better then my selfe To the second although Bees doe not frame or make the flowers yet the liquor that they drawe from them doth not leaue to be profitable the coppwebbes abhorred notwithstanding they are wouen of their proper substance Nowe if Y.H. vouchsafe to looke vpō these my papers rather like a bee then a spider I shall thinke the labor I haue spent in them well bestowed for the desire I haue to accomplish that duetie wherein God hath placed me making me your subiect to offer in reknowledging of this the litle might that is left me In which Y.H. is more to respect the carrectes of the affection in presentinge it then of the talent Our Lorde preserue your Highnes From Madrid the last of August 1594. Don BERNARDINO de Mendoza ⧠THE ORICQVE AND PRACTISE OF WARRE GOD hauing made your Highnes heire apparant to the multitude of Crownes Estates and Countries which the K. our soueraigne Lord Y.H. father possesseth so diuersly occupying a good parte in Europe and so mighty in America East Indies the new world it is very likely and forceable in mans reason that Y.H. shall enter into many Warrs by sea and land either in conquering * Guiltilio foreseene most being in deed vniustlie vsurped and all tyrannicallie ouerruled or defending Togeather with which the successes and chaunces of the world breeding differences which ordinarily falleth out beetwene Kings Cōmon wealths and Catholike Potentates muste needes lye awakened And albeit your qualitie may require to appease them with armes yet is Y.H. carefully to looke that you make no vse of them before you stand desperate of anie other meanes of negotiation or agreement in respect of the great damage which in imbrewing your sword in blood among Christian Kings may redound to the * A Christiā consideration if you meane it as the Apostle doth Rom. 1. ver 8. Romane Apostolike Church hindring thereby the increase of our Catholicque faith besides giuing occasion to infidells and hereticques by not seeing the Catholicque forces vnited to inuade their kingdomes and territories This consideration is accompanied with another fit for
warlicke eyes to ayme at leauing the one for the other as occasions and successes of times which draw with them the vnconstancie of matters of this life shall afoord The first thing which Y.H. is to looke vnto is to commaund your Councellers officers of your excheker that they certifie you the estate thereof what readie money you haue and the places where your rentes be to be paide to knowe if it be possible necessitie so requiring it howe you may take them vp * A Councelor at wars in Spaine an Embassador of sundrie employmentes settinge this downe for aduise to his Prince belike beleeueth not ouer much in the Indian treasure before hand consigning them to Marchants the meanes which may be to rayse a greater summe without greeuing your subiects so as the Countries be able with their substance and they with their wealth to doe greater seruice to their Prince then ordinarie for which Y.H. is to yeelde manie thanks to our Lord holding yours so affectionate your kingdomes and estates so * More barenes then in the kingdōs which the k. of Castill doth holde by right cā hardly bee foūd in Europe or few or soldados de pecho at his owne home fruitfull and powerfull as that you need not stand in feare of what other kings doe in respect of the barenes and pouertie of their landes who cōfort them selues that they are only able to defend at home their owne houses if they be sought out liue in the same scantnes in which they were first nourished * Belike somwhat sticketh in your mawe since you solemlie gaue thankes to our Lady and saint Christo in nostre Dame church in Paris for a mistaken victorie 1588. and shameles vntrueth told by you to the late worthie K. H. 3. who bid you returne againe the next day without yeelding any credit to the reporte babtizing it for a greatnes if they can holde a title to haue preserued them selues a while Of all the meanes and expedients which Princes haue to furnish thēselues with mony I find none in my iudgment of more efficacie or mildnesse then to haue helde before a forme of gouuernement in such sort as for pure honor opinion thereof the vassals may be brought to spend their wealth in the seruice of their prince and not altogither vppon their owne profit Because men to attaine to that will naturally plucke out their owne bowells and will not advēture themselues in the other except they may see a present gaine before their eyes for that honour stirreth them vp to a kinde of envie and Competitorship one against an other who shall attaine to it and so doeth litle or nothinge at all profit This will be compassed with greater facilitie if you doe but marke that the care is not lesse which men take in getting of wealth then it is in studying to imploy it as soone as it is gotten In respect of which it were to bee wished the old custome mought be kept a matter of great estimatiō that subiects in their provinces should be drawn to employe the substance of their wealth in that which mought proue geatest seruice to the Prince benefite of the publike weale of the Realme as that such as haue wher with should finde armor men and horsse accustoming them selues in the exercise thereof out of which there redoundeth a greater interest to the cōseruation of the state then out of riche furniture and moveables A Princes greatnes to haue their subiects trained furnished for the wars Albeit sundrie are of opinion that it may breede much inconuenience to Princes to trayne their vassalls in readinesse of warre I answere that if they be loyall it is a much more greatnes and power in Princes to commaund ouer such subiectes other Princes and Potentates standing in feare of the like qualitie and when God shall withdrawe his hande and blinde them for their sinnes not to become such yet traytors leaue not to be powerfull albeit they be not armed able to force if altogither agree in the same attempte A right Spanish similie out of their theorique practise deriued As in a monasterie where are thirtie Friars and one Warden or Prior albeit they haue not Harquebuzes Caliuers or pykes yet as often as they wil ioyne togither or the maior part of them to force their superior that hee binde them not to goe to matynes or deliuer thē the key of the gate they wil be able to execute it without being anie impediment at all vnto them their being vnarmed But if kinges administer iustice to their vassalls preseruing them in reast quiet Securitie of Princes and libertie of vassalls this is the greatest securitie that can arise to princes and libertie to vassalls whereby no change can be occasioned among the well disposed the contrarie being ordinarilie coueted by all the rest which are not cōtented with their owne estate Whereas I haue touched armes and horsses Consideration for augmentation of things accordinge to the qualitie of the kingdome I meane it not as a generall rule in all prouinces for that in each one the qualitie thereof is to be considered and what the inclination of the people and common wealth requireth most and in this sorte it shal be fitt in some one to increase nauigatiō if they be prouinces bordering on the sea coste occupation traficke and trade of marchandize in other in other husbandrie and heards of cattell Whereby the prince may be able to keepe his ordinarie garisons men of warre with the pay and entertaynement arising out of the rentes thereof And the people of the prouince thorough their occupations in being set aworke in some of these things shall thereby augment their substance in particular which is to mainteyne a publique and generall besides that thereby redoundeth a great ritches vnto princes whē their vassalls be thus possessed Point of gouernement Of whom if they be to require extraordinarie seruices they must looke that they rayse it out of that which each citie or prouince hath in most aboundance because not feelinge the want thereof so much as of other things it will be graunted with much more will and readines Y.H. is to take great heede How much ready mony importeth that you be well assured of a good banke of money being that which giueth moouing to armes and feates of warre as sinowes doe to liuing bodies whereby such as holde much brawne and flesh are accounted sluggie and slothfull and contrariewise the sinewie ones most light and nimble wherevppon the olde auncientes were wont to say Why money is called the sinewe of warre El dinero el nieruo de la guerra which continuall experience proueth as albeit we see at home multitudes of people which ioyned togither will make the body of an armie yet when of force they must be diuided to vse them abroad in a moment they dissolue except there be money ready without being
possible to vnite them againe togither their force otherwise beeing only in appearance in effect nothing This maketh me say that the last crowne will alwayes be the cōqueror because he which hath money to pay wil alwayes be able to holde togither his Armie his souldiors being in such sorte thereby relieued is that onely which so easilie bringeth to passe good succes and enterprises howe soeuer the vndertaking of them out of season may breed difficultie A point which bindeth to frame your forces accordinge to your money as often as you shall haue occasion to warre with them and to thinke that kinges in theirs are limited howe powerfull so euer they be and God only without Y.H. holding your prouision of money assuredly in readines to pay your men which I thinke wil be sufficient hauing euer one yeares leuie in which time a princes force in warres may very well be perceyued must ioyne therevnto your Generall Captaines and Councelours such as may be souldiors Who are to manage matters of warre without suffering this matter to be managed by any other then such as hath followed the warrs moued with this reason which is that howe considerate skilfull or wise soeuer a man be if he would haue a paire of hose made him of Karsey he will not goe about to cut it vntill the Taylor come and bringeth his sheres because it is his office to cutt out the stuffe with least wast so as well in warre for want of some litle matter of mony there may depende a no lesse consequence thereof a kingdome men honor and life of all And albeit that most persons will talke of warr although they neuer practized it I finde no better reason so fitt to excuse them as that the exercise of it is only proper to mē who think they degenerate out of their kinde except they be able to discourse thereof which firste occasioned the prouerbe howe Armes bred Nobilitie as peace sciences Armes bred nobilitie remembring the mariadge betwene Iupiter Sauior Mariadg of Iupiter Sauior and Pitarchia which signifieth obedience out of which mach Felicitie was borne as out of the mother of Mars were Ignorance Famine and Pestilence which were giuen to him for sisters For that it is requisite in all things The councelors are to be made acquainted with the motiue of the warre first to set downe the principall end and afterwards the meanes which maketh it feazable to be attained which can hardly be done without the knowledge thereof firste Y.H. is to signifie vnto those personages which I haue mocioned the disseyne which you purpose for your taking armes by sea or lande cōmanding them to aduise of the number of your shipps artillerie munition foote horsse which you are to presse out of your aydes garisons or to leauy a new for the cōpositiō of your Armie which before they frame or lodge they are to set down in comon the considerations which they suppose necessarie according to the manner of the warres to doe it with more exquisitnes being able with them as generall rules to come more distinctly to intreate of what is fit particularlie to be handled as cause shal be offered and the present time require Y.H. going about to conquere * General considerations for to moue warr a kingdome state countrey or part of any such which is the * Better teach him by clemencie and pietie to recouer such his graundfathers territories as his father hath loste before he ouerbusie himself with other most secure warre for Princes being voluntarie and not of force as a defensiue is * Especially where treasure is still exhasted vpon false alaromes which proueth onely action and charge to defendants to preuent what was neuer ment of whiche none can haue greater proofe then her sacred Maje whose powerfull generals found 6000. of your Gallāts at your owne home but Galinas giuing respite for your prouisions to be made in time and layd in at the best season is to be held a naturall matter in all sort of men how much more in kings the desire of a conquest which a Prince vndertaking is worthie of much commendation though not to be reprehended if he attempt not like enterprises for many reasons which they ordinarilie haue wherwith to be able to excuse them selues when a conquest is vndertaken without cōuenient force to performe it not only the people blameth him but he committeth besides sundrie errors which causeth great inconueniences * As to your cost your experience of 1588. tried when the councel of Pedro de Valdes was of more credit then the Marquise of Santacruz and who so coūcelleth him thereto vnder colour to make him more powerfull procureth his ruine that coūcell is a prince to holde suspitious where the conquest is not accommodated to the proportion of his forces which althogh he hold great such as the season and time may thinke conuenient for the entreprise yet is it to be considered whether it be fitter to mooue warre to another king or to stay vntill he breake first comparing the enimies forces with his owne whether it be better to haue many ioyne in league with him in making of the warre or to vndertake it alone Prouided that Kinges alwayes carrie them selues in like occasions without being ouerled with their owne liking and passion which seldom times councellors can temper besides that when for their owne sake they will not tell any lyes vnto their prince yet will they all shun to discontent him euery one mooued with care of him selfe which causeth many truthes to bee kept silent Moreouer they must consider the qualitie of the kingdome which you attempt what is the temperature climate and distance thereof whether mountaynous or playne dry or many riuers and woods fertill abundant well peopled or not any store of townes or Cities whether those they haue be compassed about with any better defence then ordinarie walles which they call Casamuros what * Of sundrie Englishe subiects before they knew you of good worth vertue haue you ben cause of cast away thorough your exquisitnes of traiterous espials and practises whose blood will one day lie heauie on your soule whē no mortuary nor dirge shall or can help you entries or hauens they haue able to lande an hoste or armie with great exquisitenes still searchinge out the disposition therof and whether they be fortified in what maner whether onely the crabbednes of the stite bread difficultie or sterilitie of the countrey about a meanes which some haue vsed to stopp inuasions into their kingdomes and Prouinces not manuring the frontieres thereof but making them lye wast whether it be a nation giuen to warr able to endure all kinde of labor or louers of their owne ease and quiet which many times the composition of their bodies may occasion for the smal vigor is in them enclining of them selues to ease other through their euill education liuing in ydelnes whether they
by like defects marred themselues and fallen in fewe monethes And let not Y.H. suffer your self to bee perswaded that you shal be able to make warre although you haue no experimented Captains in respect that you are a most ritch Prince and Lord of so great Kingdomes in which all sorte of armes and instruments of warre can be forged without help from ells where two things being most certain as the Castillian prouerbe goeth El comendado H 〈…〉 nan Nunes en el lib. de lo◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a A Armas y dineros buenas manos quieren both which require to be put into their hands which know how to mannage them and hold experience how to exercise them both to good purpose Y.H. hauing named the generall and heads of the armie is to aduise with him and the rest in what manner you are to make your warre in which you are to harken to and folow their opinion which offer to execute the councells more then theirs which giue them not being themselues to put any hande thereto in case the resolution bee not ouerrash nor any euident perill therein since that both honor and life in their owne opinion lying on it they will looke into it with more open eyes thē others with greater affection and will putting that in execution which themselues first counceled Likewise Y.H. hauing your leuies and prouisions in a readines and your armie compounded is to consider Whē instructions ar to be giuen calling in like manner vnto you the heads thereof and the other of your Councell what proclamations instructions are fittest to bee published as well to hold the people in good discipline as in respect of the publicque good when as the heads of the nations which are in the armie haue not bene at such your councells being better that they were present you are to cōmunicate them vnto thē wherby they approuing them may with greater care procure the accomplishing thereof This being done and resolution taken vpon them Y.H. shall commaunde them to be ordayned and that they be giuen to the Prouoste generall that he may cause them to be published in their tyme and that to be done in so many languages as there are nations in the armie to the end none may plead ignorance imposing conuenient punishments for those which break them commaunding them to bee executed with all precisenes without the request or intercession of any hindering it since that otherwise you shal neuer haue obedience in warre because that in the heads of armies softnesse and mildnesse without consideration is more hurtfull then sharpnesse and rigor in punishing and therefore a forbidding or prohibition in matter of lawes and statutes is altogeather vnprofitable except a penaltie bee annexed and a penaltie but a scarcrow except it be put in execution and albeit that the discipline of warre ought to be more seuere then the ciuill or politicque for that ordinarily the penalties are losse of hand or life yet are they not to be imposed to so manie things as that the rigor of them should come to a bloodie crueltie but a meanes whereby the soldiors may stand in awe of the seueritie of their Captaine without abhorring him for his crueltie When Y.H. shall haue in readines your cauallerie and infantery munitions artillery and necessaries fit for them and that you haue caused them to be raysed for the enterprise preciselie knowne the whole number of the men by the musters which haue been taken in diuers places not ouercharging one countrie with the whole Y.H. may in the same respect order their march causing it to be done by sundrie wayes alongest the frontires and confines of the Kingdome to the place where Y.H. shall hold it most conuenient to ioyne your campe togither prouided that you choose the scituation thereof in good grounde Qualities of the first lodging with commoditie of wood water and forage to lodge the armie not being a matter necessarie as then to looke into such other particularities as I will hereafter handle which are to be required in their lodgings and that this be done onely with an ende to ioyne the armie in one bodie so as the disposing of the market place quarters and fortification of the whole armie may be able to serue for viewe and paterne in these generall matters of the rest of the lodgings which must be accommodated accordinge to the qualitie of the scituation demonstration of the enimie maner which you holde in warr the circular forme in lodging not being of any importance nor the quadrangle triangle or in length which is most ordinarilie vsed And here you must chuse such a * Plaza de armas market place as may be large enough to cōteyne all your men in battaile vpon any alarom by day or night in such sorte as a distance be lefte betweene one squadron and an other as well of fanterie as cauallerie that men may passe commodiouslie if occasion require being able with facilitie to close one within another as shal be necessarie neare vnto the market place the quarters are to be appointed euery one setting out their colors in fronte whereby the mē may with more readines gathering them selues togither come out vpon the alarom to forme the esquadrons Some alowe to euery colors tenn pace to lodge in frunt and in depth thirtie or more according as the companies are of greatnes of distance from the front of the colors to the place where they are to stande in squadrō the space of thirtie or fourtie paces and from the front of the squadrons to the fortificatiō of the trenches betweene fifteene and twentie considering that when men come to fight and close they occupie farre lesse space place of groūd then when the esquadron standeth stretched forth measures which serue in maner of compasse that the market-place be not disproportioned wherein there is to be considered that when the men shall stand in battaile a conuenient place be lefte If necessitie require for any squadron what soeuer of Cauallerie or infanterie to passe betweene the backe of the squadrons and the fronte of the quarters without disordering them selues entring by the quarters nor to cause shunning this inconuenience the rest of the squadrons to breake their owne and likewise that at the fronte of the squadrons there be a space left for a squadrō of cauallerie or fanterie to passe without altering the order of the reste or salying forth of the trenches and that it bee not so great as to haue thereby the harquebusrie pieces of the fielde to remaine vnfurnished or other which are placed in the trenches or their trauesses Place for the cordegarde In this market place where none ought to come to trouble it the guarde is to be placed with an ordinarie fire some foure score paces more or lesse from the colors and in some places I haue my selfe serued where they were fayne to pitche tentes to defend the soldiors from terrible coldes
soldiers retiring from the last ranks the pykes to crosse one another and the colours to moue with disorder and that such a squadron of cauallerie or fanterie goe on such parte as it can not be able to yeeld any helpe to the reste or be relieued by them albeit that euerie one of these demonstrations shewe the small strength and courage they haue to keepe the place giuing occasion thereby to charge them yet must you doe it with the loose men that goe in the skirmishe assisted with some good squadrō of cauallerie the rest bettering thēselues at the same instant a motiue which will discouer the enimie and his weaknes with the demonstration before said which although it put him in route yet is it not to be followed by any way disordering the principall squadrons of the battayle for that were to venter it not hauing bodyes readie formed to followe the pursuite in such manner as the enimie might be kept from renewing him self therein For that an armie cannot be said to be vanquished and defeated vntil all the squadrons come to be disordered least forming them selues of newe they may come to holde their former vigour Which bindeth not to vndoe your own squadrons vpō any demōstration of good successe the heads which take charge thereof vsing great diligence and care therein and vpon any appearance of harme all the strēgth they can that they disorder not them selues opening the way to bee put in route a point in which the safetie of courage and soundnes of a Generall is of great importance considering thereby the proceding of the enimie without euer altering in charging of him or drawing togither to resiste him ordeyning that the squadrons of the fanterie bettering of them selues be done with a leaden foote and the cauallerie charge them with the raynes in hande for that in no one thing of this life is there seene a greater change of fortune then in matters of warre where a commandement ill vnderstood or ordinance ill executed a rashenes without order a light voyce or a false fancie may cause those to recouer the victorie which were before helde for loste Y.H. hauing gained the battaile What a Prince is to doe after a battaile gayned is instantlie to giue thanks to our Lord for such a benefit receyued and to honor such as liue who haue serued you therein with their strength and stoutnes and those that are dead with their boldnes valor whom you are to burie with all honor and solemnitie rewarding their sonnes heires according to the qualitie of their seruice done shewing a feeling that Y.H. hath had a losse by the miscarrying of any head of the armie when he was a person of valour and experience for that it is one of the greatest losses that can fall to a King or Prince to whom GOD hath giuen meanes to be able to make men ritche to be followed but not to be wise and experienced in warre except hee haue framed the course of his life to follow it had the fortune to see many fashions in it which is the thing of greatest aduantage for a man to better him selfe by in an armie Men in auncient time neuer esteemed battayles after they were summoned to be gayned except the conquerour held him selfe three dayes in the lodging giuing therby to vnderstande that the field remayned for them and that the enimie was ouercome a matter not greatlie regarded now holding it for a battaile when all the enimies squadrons are broken that no one remayneth entire gayning therein the artillerie and colours and when any squadron is left entyre although some artillerie ensignes be gottē it is called a route a name which is vsed this day as well when they kill and breake anie great number of men although they carie no artillerie nor many colours or ensignes The artillerie munitions which are gotten must be to Y.H. and the colours and ensignes the Generalls giuing tenne crownes to the souldiour that got it when he bringeth it According to mans iudgement it can not bee probablie thought that euer Y.H. will come to bee besieged being a Prince so powerfull for that it is a chastisement to those whiche are wherewith our Lord afflicteth Kinges when by his secrete iudgments he will wrap them in all sortes of miseries but it may so fall out as some generall of Y.H. may loose a batayle and by gathering togither the reliques thereof which is that which must be done as soone as they see the principal squadrons routed to saue one and when not to geather the more parte of the soldiours routed making one body wherwith to be able to defende the reste which come in from slying and to hinder the enimie by this meanes that he doe not followe the pursuite at his pleasure Causes whiche may enforce a man to defende a place Euen so may it fall out that he may receiue so great a route as that he be enforced through the losse thereof to quitt the fielde putting in one or two places such forces as are lefte him to keepe the enimie from being maister of the fielde or making a free progresse through the Kingdome or Prouince as he listeth bynding him not to leaue them behinde him in case he would haue them rendred to resolue to besiege them by this meanes when the mischief exceedeth the forces gayning of time the whilste that matters may chaunge therewith It may likewise bee that some Prince or Potentate may breake into a warre against Y.H. so sodenlie finding him self armed as that he will giue no time to compounde an armie or to warre with him seruing your turne vpon any such occasion best by well furnishing of places in such sorte as they may be able to endure a siege giuing them in this time matter enough to occupie them selues vntil you may be armed and make front against the enimie Vpon these considerations and such as the chang of humane things doth cōmonly carry with it it is verie probable that Y.H. Capteins are to defend many places and therfore I am in reason to write among other actions in the warrs after what manner a place is to be defended being that which refineth a soldier and serueth as a touchstone shewing the quintecence of his valor and industrie when he holdeth the parts of wisedome and sufferaunce in those trauailes which daylie passe in a siege or enclosed streight caryinge them with ioyfulnes and content which animateth the soldiers which are with him to make them seeme not to be great causeth the fearfuller sort to hold them for lesse then the chastisement of death if they should shewe their cowardise much soundnes and resolution being very necessarie for this purpose Besides the head considereth better then any other those inconueniences which are to bee preuented by feeling them and the weight which he carieth vpon his own shoulders Particulars which naturally would cause men to bee discouraged in defending by reason that
blowe is of great force at full a matter which the verie reason of shooting proueth through the motion whiche the violence of powder giueth to the bullet a manner in which the artillerie is mounted in the gallies And if in assaultes by lande they staie shooting anie piece out of the trauesses vntill the men be clambered vnto the toppe of the breach that they may do the more hurte by the certeintie of the shott two gallies being borded which is to come to assalte one another without all doubt shee shall haue most aduātage which in that season and instance is able to helpe her selfe with her full Artillerie a particular of which great consideration is to be had and to be esteemed of great moment at that instant to vse artillerie then before with shooting off great shott which come all to be lost and none of that force they are when they come to borde If the Armie be compounded of galliasses Aduertisement for to fight the armie beeing cōpounded both of round ships and shippes of ores high round shippes you must frame the battayle according to the disposition which the enimie carieth Prouided that the galiasses and rounde shippes in case the weather serue them shoote first off their Artillerie because necessarilie it must doe much hurte and when they shall come to borde such shippes with their gallies it shall tende much to their aduantage by the nature of the boording and likewise the same occasion is to giue lawe in what maner the battayle shall be disposed and without doubt the shippes of high building will put the enimies to flight if some gallies or rowing vessells goe in the vanguarde and when not it prouoketh the enimie to borde them The Armie being arriued in harbour Forme of landinge men or place where you would lande your men the Capitana is to giue order to all the shippes that as soone as they see a flagge put forth of such a colour they lanche their squiffes and long boates embarque such men in them as the Generall shall appointe in which consideration is to be had of the qualitie of the countrye whether it aske a great quantitie of harquebuserie and fewer pikes or more of them a squadron being presentlie to be made for feare of the enimies cauallerie or a golpe of men ioyned togither the number being cast which euery skiffe can carrie a shoare then is it to bee ordered that in euerie squiffe or long boat a thirde parte of pykes and two of harquebusiers in such sorte as being tenne pikes there may bee twentie harquebusiers The Capitana lanching her owne squiffe or longe boate and therein such soldiours putt as are to goe an ensigne is to be caried in the prowe of that squiffe onely which all the rest are to followe and comming neare vnto the shoare they holde water turning their poopes vnto it to vse such little pieces as goe in them shooting them off if neede be giuing a tire vpon the enimie to make him stande further from the sea side and when he will not then to thrust them a shoare where a squadron is instantlie to be made the harquebuserie gayning the most conuenient stand and with this order the squiffes returne againe to sea to fetche the rest which are to desembarke an effect which he that is on lande cannot withstand the inuador being the more powerfull when he holdeth no place fortified or furnished with artillerie nor that it bee inaccessible for that he which commeth to land carieth litle pieces and they on lande being to remoue theirs from one place to another cannot weilde them with that readines that they are caryed vpon the water and when their is a place fortified where the men must needs land then doe they arme their boats with blinders which couereth the fore parte and serued for a defence and then letting it to fall when they come to land it serueth for a bridge helping them selues with this and such other maner of barkes which they defend with sundrie sortes of instruments Epiloge referring him selfe to better iudgements Albeit that I haue made no profession of a Mariner the hauing bene a soldiour in some voyages by sea and present where I haue seene armies inough ioyne sundry sortes of shippes hauing bene prepared for them shall excuse mee for entreating of the gouerment thereof and maner of fight without writing more at large of marinershippe for that it is not my profession referring my selfe as well in this as in that of the lande seruice to those whose iudgement is better and knowe more thorough their great experience of which I for those yeres I followed the warre in haue signified vnto Y.H. in seruice of lande and sea my iudgement to be most conuenient for a Prince like Y.H. to haue the Theorique and practise thereof and to aduantage more by this the experience which occasions may bring the which hath bene my ende in scribling of these papers ledde with the desire I holde that not onelie your souldiors should admire in Y.H. your wisedome and consideration in vndertaking enterprises liuelines and diligence in executing of them dexteritie in camping and forme of gouerning your Armies and forces but that it may be an example to the rest of the Princes and Kings for to come to be called renowmed Captaines of warre which Y.H. will attaine vnto and manie other things worthie of so great a Prince if you will fixe the ende of your Actions in the seruice of our Lord God What ought to bee the last end of our actions offering vnto him the greatnes of forces who hath put them into your handes for the augmētation of his glorie and honor and maintenance of peace and Iustice within your Kingdomes with which he will be least offended and most praysed A blanke on which all men are to looke euerie one following the vocation of his estate Laus Deo Vni soli semper Censure BY order from the Lordes of the Royall Councell I haue seene this booke intituled Theorique and practise of warre directed to the Prince our Lorde composed by Don Bernardino de Mendoza And by the experience which I haue of two and thirtie yeares which I haue serued the K. our Soueraigne in the warres Captaine of light horsse and Infanterie and Campemaister and Campemaister generall and hauing read all whatsoeuer with the best diligence I could gather written thereof antique or moderne in that profession and such histories as sett downe the reasons of their losse or victorie which haue had the commaunde or rule ouer armies which is the height of the arte militar holding experience to vnderstand them I say that this worke is verie worthie of His Highnes because firste hee proposeth such principall aduertisements as are to bee considered and vnderstood in the managing of a warre preuenting in the beginning excuses for taking armes as one that hath had experience howe vncerten the euentes are and laying down the matter of state with much christian zeale in which hee sheweth well the much Theorique and practise which he hath and after hauing done great and worthie seruices to the K. our Soueraigne it is not the least to haue made such a booke for the profitt which as wel the Prince our Lo. may drawe out thereof as the generals of his armie and leaders and soldiors which are to folowe them Therefore is it fit that it bee printed so great profit redounding thereby At Madrid the 12. of May 1595. Don Francisco Arias de Bobadilla
Kings Princes and Gouernours A consideration for Kings often to laye before their eies which is that our Lord cannot bee better serued then in time of peace nor contrariwise more offended then in warre A matter which with my self oftentimes meditating hath made me to knowe howe artificially the deuill hath practised to make Kinges beleeue that it best beseemeth their greatnes and power to make warr vpon credit perswading them howe easily by that course they may vndertake many whereby increaseth sinnes and offences when the souldier is left vnpaide A pointe which spoyleth Generals and Heades of Armies causing them cleane to losen the raine of obedience good discipline in yeelding liberty to extortions robberies forces and mutines which is to multiplie sinnes besides those which a warre necessarily draweth with it through the freedome which they giue to such as follow them In case that such differences among Kings and catholike Potentates shal fall out betwene any Princes about whom Y.H. shall hold any resident Embassador A point to be obserued by Embassadours he is to obserue acquainting himself with the demaundes answeres the treaties if the Embassador runne not only a course for manage of his affaires but be besides a souldior of courage for that question beeing of matters out of which breach of armes is likely to arise it is very conuenient they should passe through the handes of such as will not bee moued with ambiguous speches which Princes their ministers vse in like occasions to aduantage their partie and negotiation nor yet with the demonstrations which they make of the leauies of men to countenance themselues with esteeming it the surest foundation they haue And likewise if he haue followed the warres that he be able to ballance matters in such a maner as he may aduise Y.H. at an inch of all such preuentions as are fit to bee vsed and not to abridge him in the end of his instructions without sending speedily vnto him which onlie serueth to leauie men to your expence and hinderance Neither must hee yeeld credit too much to the faire wordes giuen him when by workes they are not confirmed least Y.H. growe careles and at such time as necessitie shall require stand vnprouided In respect whereof Y.H. is to giue order your Embassador not being such a one as hath followed the warrs that some such as hath may be sent in his companie to assist him ioyntly in this his negotiation seeking if it shal-bee necessarie otherwise to color him wherof there will neuer bee cause wanting among Kings nor to withdrawe an Embassador when matters shall affoord to be handled but in the handes of one all such as by coniecture are to entreate of their affaires wel hauing to vnderstand that by no meanes they binde their Kinge or make shewe of his power force if it be not that occasion require it wherby they preserue reputation whose foundation is workes not wordes with which is very small maintenance Qualitie incident to kings And for that it is a qualitie incident to Kings that they cannot bee forced either to affect or dislike and so not to suffer themselues oftentimes to bee perswaded to that which is conuenient for them therby running headlong into all sortes of miseries which may be seene Y.H. must lende eares of obedience to the * Surely men of rare iudgment and profitable to the k. seruice if their manor and successe of councels be looked into Diuines who are to approue whether your cause bee iust or no so that they bee such personages for their much learning and example of life as Y.H. is to chuse for the resolution of a matter of so great moment it beeing one of the greatest pledges of a Kings wisdome to be able to knowe such among his vassalls and seruantes as may be fittest for him to harken to their iudgement and opinion according to such matters as they knowe and profession which they haue made therein Y.H. is in like sorte to giue hearing voide of passion to your Councellours of Cape and sworde when they shall represent vnto you that for the defence of your Kingdomes an estimation of greatnes and reputation it is requisite to take armes without leauing only to your owne opinion caried with the heate of age greatnes of minde which is to bee thought God gaue vnto Kinges the day when he sent them into the world with like vocation for that the only tearme of their bringing vp could not bee sufficient to inlarge them or to make them confidently imbrace some glorious enterprise or other notwitstāding that it carrie multitudes of difficulties therewith Y.H. standing fully assured by the Diuines that your demaunde is iust according to the lawe of God man and that it is wisedome to mainteyne it by armes and stronge hand may then vnder those two pointes hope for a good succor and victorie and euill in any other sort But say that God hath graunted victory to many which haue vniustly fought it hath bin through his secrete iudgments and as far as mans reason may cōceyue to serue himself of them as of a scourge chastning those which forget to serue him to glorifie him in paiement of benefites receyued such as to bestowe the light of faith knowledge of his inuincible veritie and promise of the greatnes of rewardes which may be expected of his bountifull and powerfull hand to all those which keepe his commaundements How much more are you which knowe this and do contrary to bee beaten c. which for no cause in the earth ought to be broke howe much more then to be obserued in warre being a flashe of lightning of our Lordes wrath and the charge not able to bee expressed which a King taketh vpon himself if he make it for any other motiue or end then the pure honor and glory of God What obligatiō Kings doe enter into defence of his Kingdomes and conseruation in them of our holy Catholicque faith fulfillinge in this the obligation which God hath laide vpon them that those soules should not be lost ouer whom he hath made them * Caudillo your self by this acknowledgeth the Supremacie which Kinges vnder God hold in the church Captaines on the earth and administrators of his Iustice which is not enough although they haue all they can desire in the world to make Kings know when a warre shall end though they stand sure of the beginning thereof I do not leaue to knowe that I haue bin tedious in the points which I haue touched but the greatnes of the profit which may be taken out thereof will make me blameles with Y. H. Christian pietie beeing as great a pledge and assurance of our actions in this life as is in buildinges the firmenes of a sure foundation Y.H. standing resolued to take armes making warres by lande or sea it must of force be offensiue or defensiue Two manors of war being the two blankes for all
holde military forme in generall or some garisons and ordinarie bandes of more power in cauallerie or fanterie or contrariwise Likewise whether they haue any quantitie of Shipps readie armed for defence thereof if it be an Yland or border much along the sea coste whether the gouernement therof be caried in forme of a Democracie which is Definicion of Democracie Aristocracie whē all the people in common or the maior part of them hold souueraingtie and commaund or Aristocracie when a lesser part of the people holde of one bodie within it selfe empire power giuing lawes to the more sorte of the rest in generall or particular or Monarchie which they tearme Royal Senorie the Prince hauing iustlie conquered it Monarchie becōming Lord of their persons and goods vnder which he may be able to gouerne them with equitie yeelding vnto them libertie with putting them in possession and proprietie of their goods from an absolute Lorde establisheth then to him selfe the gouuernement of a Royal Monarchie whether the Monarch or king be electiue and if his authoritie consiste more in the body and voice of his Prelates Nobles cities of the kingdome then of his royal person not being able to vse discipline enacte lawes or impose tributes or fynes without consent of the members of his kingdome remayning in the Court whether it come to him by succession or gayned by mariadge or right of inheritance what the age of the king is in possession what talent and partes God hath giuen vnto him howe he vseth them what heires he hath and whether he bring them vp alowing them a hande in gouernement or farre from him for suspition of what qualitie his officers be which he retayneth about his person to assist him in gouuernement and howe farre he yeeldeth vnto them whether he accounte of Souldiers and men of warre for affection hee beareth therevnto or onely for necessitie hauing among them any personages of experience and valour whether he be more beloued or feared of his vassalls in what sorte his rentes ariseth the summe and quantitie thereof whether hee bee able to augment them more if he holde them free or charged with such assignations as he shall haue giuen or solde vpon them if he be gouerned by any Tutor or protector through the minoritie of his age or want of vnderstāding whether there be any Gouernor either through the kings being taken prisoner or for distancie from the state where the Prince Gouernor or Captaine general resideth whether that Kingdome or Countrey be frō before time with other fallen vnto him or since the King or Prince enioyed it whether the leagues he holdeth be onely personall or successiue to his heires finally whether the disposition of that kingdome or state be of such a sorte as draweth the bordering Princes albeit they are not confederate with it not to suffer that any more powerfull shall enioy it for the difficultie and feare of greatnes looking the more narrowlie thereinto A naturall born Prince alwayes better beloued then a stranger for the conseruation of their owne estate Out of these considerations which I haue set downe Y. H. may be able to serue your turne in cōpassing such forces as your armie shall neede marking that alwayes a naturall Prince holdeth a greater pledge of beeing beloued then a straunger if his extremitie of vice doe not cause his vassalls to abhorre him Therefore in the continuance of a long gouuernement many occasions causes of noueltie are withdrawne and remoued which the chance of an Empire draweth with it the one opening the dore to the other as one building the frame and workemanship of an other for this cause a conquest is seldom times effected without hauing some intelligence with them of the kingdome or state being an enterprise of greatest daunger to enter warre within a countrie of which you shall hold no further knowledge then what you must be fayne to take by force and armes the which extreemely delayeth the proceeding thereof a matter which can not be auoyded vntill you finde your selfe so farre within the Countrey as the people for loue of their owne houses and impossibilitie which they see in maintayning of their wifes and children without them constrayne them selues to suffer the yoke in seeking to please those which impose it vpon thē And likewise the most ordinarie way is to entertayne speach before with some whō you may perceyue discontented with the Prince Causes breeding discōtēt towards Kinges and Princes through his want of vnderstanding vicious customes euill gouuernement naughtie administration of iustice and choise of ministers which engendereth partialities losse of wealth or couetousnesse in procuring of it oppressions and greeuances without reason which maketh honorable heartes to growe desperate resenting more an iniurie then death except the feare of God The loyalty of subiects admitteth of no conditions and obligation of a subiect which is not in any wise to admitt of any condition to make him faltar in the loyaltie which he oweth restrayne them or that Kinges refrayne their appetites and passions considering it is with their owne subiectes Besides this another cause manie times stirreth vp subiectes to intend nouelties * Yow put a good and a fit case for their owne home to be instance where to your vsurped estates a right heire can not be and to your hereditarie Su Alteza may not think to run so cleare away with that priests dispensations being but a mockery to contradict the direct ordinance of Iehoua according to your owne cēsure pag. your Princes like Conies still incestuously counterlyuinge with their nearest of tribe and consanguinitie and that is when their Prince hath no heire and there be diuers pretendours to the succession which some will aspire making great shewe of the sufficiencie of their partie to obteyne it and other more ambitious founding them selues vpon the authoritie and trayne they cary assay the ayde of neighbour Princes to be able to possesse them selues of the commaunde vnder such profites or Townes as they can offer vnto them diuers likewise are the readier finding them selues in necessitie hauing prodigallie wasted their substance imagining that through want therof they must needes decay in their credite and opinion and then necessitie so mouing them couer their ambition vnder the title of libertie vnder colour to remedy the publicke weale their owen particuler being their principall end to destroy the generall that with change they may bring their purpose about Sometimes in like maner it falleth out that there is either an estate or cities adioyning vnto the place attempted whiche albeit they depend not thereon the euill entreatie they haue receyued may make them wishe that other might occupie the roome offering thēselues to their ayde which is eftsoones also occasioned through feare and a forced good will for that they are not able to giue anie impediment therevnto Those persons which Y.H. is to vse in this negociation for the causes
reliques thereof if there haue bin any losse turning face to the enimie which seldome times although he gayne a victorie or route leaueth to be brokeÌ„ in his owne force strength if the fight haue bin against olde souldiors In the seconde maner you are to consider ConsideratioÌ„s for the second maner of defence whether to keepe the passages and entries may be done with few people through the strength of the scituatioÌ„ or with so many as it must aske a principal parte of the armie for then commeth it to be diuided and consequentlie the first forces by the inferioritie hereof remayning broken and the passage being lost it is impossible to fight with the seconde or to be able in a long time to succour the Frontiers or Cities when the enimie shall giue vpoÌ„ them maistering the field and if he chaunce to seeke out that parte of the rest of the armie which hath remayned entiere there is no other helpe lefte then to sticke close to some Towne or stronge place to defende it selfe attending succour if there be any hope thereof so as the roome and place which they occupie be able to receyue it and to holde victualls for otherwise they shall finde them selues but in harde estate Considerations for the third manor of defence The third manner is of a greater securitie by giuing time to time with it which is the foundation to preserue enioyinge the benefit thereof and may alwayes bee helde for such when they suffer not much causing then no lesse damage Besides that seldome times is any kingdome or estate attempted which holdeth all the entries thereof in such wise as the very scituatioÌ„ by nature maketh theÌ„ harde but that when they are such always some intelligence is had in them or hope to gayne them by some cunning stratageme and if it be to inuade by Sea euer to seeke out a porte or landinge place where the artillery of Castells and plotformes may not reach the shipping at the landing of the men on shoare ConsideratioÌ„s for the first forme of the third manner of defence It shal be verie conuenient in the first forme of the third manner of defence to consider whether the fortification of the places or any of theÌ„ be so well vnderstoode as that probablie they may hope to defend it some monethes what number of people such frontire is capable of holding munitions and victualls for it for that the muchnes of soldiors is that which mainteyneth places for many dayes albeit they be weake of them selues and by consequent will prolonge the defence of a fourth monethes if there be a head of valor and courage to mainteyne it and Soldiours that conceyue the same opinion of him with which vndoubtedlie the enimie must needes spende and weaken his forces albeit the besieged consume them not either in salies trenches or bateries the time being the greatest enimie that may be to those which besiege to whom in his degree it offreth no lesse difficulties prolonging theÌ„ from fight then to be besieged besides thorough pestilence want of victual munition paye fowle weather and other successes he which besiegeth coÌ„meth very often to diminish his forces the contrarie parte resting with equalitie to succor the place albeit they before held them selues inferior in number not hazarding in consideration hereof the whole for a parte which ordinarilie falleth out when they will succour a place within their owne estate with the body of an armie a reason which bindeth to prouide in this sorte of defence for the frontires and townes of soldiors as if they should not need any after succours yet still to prouide a new as if they were not already prouided for at the instant that any occasion shoulde be offred In the second forme of the third manner of defence Consideratâ—ons for the 2. forme of the thirde manor of defence it is to be considered wether the scituation where the armie lieth for the defence of the places and frontires be in such a disposition as that one towne may be at hand to releaue an other and that garrison be put with coÌ„modite of well knowing the countrie and euerie sorte of wayes and passages with which the enimie may not be so well acquainted whereby he shall no sooner giue vpon the place then finde it furnished with souldiors and an armie at hande which may be able to put him to his trompes and cut off victualls causing for the preuention thereof euerie one to retire into the mayne to breake downe mills and bridges ouer riuers and to cut downe quantities of trees acrosse the wayes of the woods to stop them preuentions which cause much toyle to an armie for that there is fewe or none as it is vsed nowe a dayes which can cary all necessarie coÌ„modities with it self not presupposing to finde some within the Countrie when they shall preuent them but for a fewe dayes by reason of the barrenes or depopulation of the place many must finde them selues much annoyed By this forme of defence and dispersing of the armie alongest the townes and frontires which is almost all one whilest that the enimy consumeth himselfe thorough want of victualls and other discoÌ„modities although he be Maister of the fielde which causeth great trauaile to his armie not holding inhabitation wherewith to refreshe it you are to consider that if the Prince which defendeth himselfe holde not on his parte the affection of his vassalls this kinde of defence will neuer come to any good for that he shall not bee able to place within the townes so many soldiors as may commaund the neighbours who wil be readie to giue passage to the enimie to free them of their oppression yeelding theÌ„ selues as soone as they shall see him neare their Townes which is to confirme footing to the Conqueror an incoÌ„uenience which can not be remedied without shewing a boldnes with it to resolue to fight and to lodge so neare the enimie as that the very thought thereof may make him not to let goe much of his people froÌ„ their lodging looking to fight the countries to stand in suspence without daring to declare theÌ„ selues vntill they see the end of the iorney In lodging so neare you must alwayes choose out a strong scituation when you can not you must by arte cause such a one especially if you be fewer in cauallerie or fanterie theÌ„ the enimie to be able to equall the inferioritie thereof with the aduantage which a good lodging and scituation may yeeld to fight for which there needeth no lesse trauayle then the busines requireth which is so hard a matter to emcampe nor lesse experience in the generall being one of the greatest actes that are in warre and which seldome hath bene seene Y.H. may in like sorte prepare your men in readines to defend your selfe by preuenting such King or common wealth as you may haue warr with or any suspition of his breaking with you on that parte where Y.H.
headdes without any Iackes of mayle or corselettes and some carying light horse staues leading staues and Targuettes other with Pistolls or long Petrionells which difference of armes is as well required to be considered as the horsses may be able to beare out therewith in combat best The verie reason which at the first moued men to inuent them proportioning them according to the fitnesse of such horse as the Prouince or Climate did breede affirming iointlie that it is a very hard matter at this time to be able to frame an armie of one entiere nation when it is not for the defence of the same kingdome vpon the invasion of any stranger for the diuersitie of considerations which may therein be offred And in particular whether the Prouince be so well peopled as that it may yeelde so great a nūber of men as is necessarie for the maintenance of a warre abroad the which euery day consumeth men and to breede souldiers it is necessarie to employ youthes which haue passed sixteene yeares at the least and in case so much people may be drawne out of the Countrie The best cōposition of one entire nation if it may be and so many men trayned among them as is fit for the diuersitie of armes vndoubtedly an armie of one entiere nation is much more to be esteemed which cōforme them selues in customes and language then of diuers which ought to beare parte and all to depend of one selfe same cause thereby to be the more vnited in their conseruation and by consequent their force of greater vigour Of this there are not onely probable reasons but effectes consideringe that the greatest Empires which haue bene haue augmented and preserued them selues by warring with the Souldiors of their owne nation onely with whom they made an entier body of their armie lodging such of other nations as came to their ayde a parte thereby giuing to vnderstande that they depended not of them In this case hath our Lorde made Y.H. so powerfull a Prince as that you possesse kingdomes and many Prouinces out of which you may forme great armies of one entiere nation or diuers being all your vassalls or such countries assisting you where you haue Coronells in paye for the same effecte and so may Y.H. chuse the partie most conuenient according as your generall Captaines shall be of opinion the forme of warre may require which you vndertake and in what Prouince or state particularities which will giue light to the resolution of your leauies and places of musters which are to be assigned accordinge to their order and securitie Some are of opinion that in those Councells which Princes holde for giuing of order to leauie men Consideration for the not naming of a general it should be verie cōuenient the Princes person not being in place present not to name any general at all vntill all prouisions were at an end presupposing that there would be foūd so many persons fitt for the same charge as that the findinge of anie one to be named would bee an occasion for the more parte to backward the seruice encreasing the other inconueniences which mought be founde therein mooued by the competitorshipp which is naturallie founde among men of one profession I will assure Y.H. that this is a consideration of much moment not able to be kept with puntilio for many occasions which offer thē selues wherein necessarilie a Captaine must be declared before the leuies being the best meanes for the easie dispatche of them and the enterprise and that which is most troublesome to a souldior is that the circumstance of euery particular case is of that importance that he is bound to hold such rules as in generall he may finde to guyde him by worthying him selfe herein by his owne estimation as the principall parte which a souldior is to obserue Qualitie of a Generall All your leuies and preparations being once in a readines Y.H. may if it be not already done nominate the generall of the enterprise and the most headdes of the armie which ought to be soldiors considering that manie haue courage enough to fight which wante wisedome to be able to commaunde and combat in the fielde it being the greatest matter of importance to be required at a gouuernours handes and in particular the Campe maister generall ought to haue good skill in soulderie Qualitie of Campe-maister generall for that the executiō of his office is no wayes permissiue to any other person then a soldior of many yeares and experience being the liuely voice and spirit of the generall which hee participateth to the armie if he be a souldior and in case he be not one the actions of the Campe maister generall in respect he is so necessarie giueth spirit life to the Generalls in such sorte as he commeth to be helde a souldior though in deed he be none The which hath made mee discoursing vpon this matter to affirme sundrie times that men may be borne generalls but not Campe maisters generalls which is the second person of the armie since that the Generall thereof fayling howe great personages so euer carie any other charge it apperteyneth to the Campe-maister generall to giue the worde and likewise to administer ciuill and criminall iustice throughout the armie in the name of the Prince or his Lieuetenant generall and to this effecte he holdeth about him men of learning and the great Prouost I speake not of a Campe maister generall where there is a Conestable in an armie that being no office nowe in vse with like preheminences as they were wont to haue in former times being more or lesse in one Prouince thē in an other Office of Constable but in deed the charge of a Constable is a Lieutenant of the Kings person in peace or war in all matters depending theron within the kingdome Men in olde time esteemed it sufficient for the warre to haue some good partes in those which commanded as to guyde order armies to vanquishe the enimie which they perferred before most morall vertues which ought to be wished in a Captaine to be able with his wisedome and sharpnes of witte to compasse such matters by the helpe of some naturall giftes as courage quicknes affabilitie endurance of travailles and like qualities which hold affinitie with moral vertues though they be none and verie necessarie in the exercise of warre I haue handled with like precisenes of what condicion the person of the Campe maister generall ought to be by hauing sundrie times considered that there seldome happeneth a generall which is a souldior of experience albeit that wisedome and excellent partes are in no charge more to be desired then in persons which are to gouuerne armies for that the matters are innumerable which they are to prouide for and to commaunde carying withall a wauering common wealth of men vpon their shoulders besides a multitude of accidentes presenting them selues euerie moment and varietie of cases vpon which
entred within the towne you are to goe to the principall Church to giue thankes vnto our Lo for the victorie This done the Campe maister generall viewed the town to giue order for the lodging of the men which Y.H. is to command to enter in when the daies and howers of sacke are ended in which is to be considered that one nation enfect not them selues with an other coming to blowes in respect of pendences questions which may arise betweene one soldior and another about their booties And such as haue shewed them selues remarqueable in the assault as wel souldiours as Alferezes by putting first the coulers vppon the wall you are to giue thankes vnto advauncing them in the Acknowledgement of their valour that the rest may see them preferred for it then for such pieces of Artillerie sortes of engines fires and qualitie of armes as they which were besieged held they are to be bestowed vppon those which first lighteth vpon them The Towne such Artillerie as is mounted and the munitions is to appertayne only to Y.H. such as are vnmounted in some Prouinces to the generall of the Artillerie them that are broken by batterie to the gunners and the victualls which shal be found in store to such generall as Y.H. hath appointed for the enterprise Y.H. lodging of the armie within the town after it is gayned Considerations for the raysing of a siege ought to be according to the greatnes and commoditie thereof and such end as is helde in the warre being the best if the enimie be not so puissant as to be able to come to coÌ„bat the quarters to conserue them putting garrison within the towne In case any occasion should be to raise the siege thorough mutinie of the soldiors want of pay vnseasonable weather which vndoeth an armie or thorough suspicion of the enimies being renforced and their owne fortes diminished or other considerations which may induce it it is to be vnderstood that it be first done in retiring the artillerie and munitions marching with that the baggage according to such newes as may be learned from the enimie and this to bee done by leauing the rereguard renforced to stop anie salie that the besieged should make to charge them and in such maner as they dislodge not with confusion disorder making their retreat seeme a flight and in all other thinges which they are to doe it is to be noted that ther be alwayes left to the front of the enimie in the rereguard squadrons of cauallerie and fanterie giuing hande one to the other if the field permit it because it there should be only left either cauallerie or fanterie the enimie which coÌ„meth with both to fight against them hath greater advantage and more easilie breaketh them then when they find cauallerie to oppose against theirs and by consequence the infanterie marching in such sort as I haue rehearsed according to the qualitie of the countrey in one of those maners aboue written I haue not prescribed vnto Y.H. in case the enimie come with a powerfull armie to rayse the siege Considerations vpon the enimies comming for raysing of an armie in what maner Y. H. is to gouerne your self for that it is necessarie to doe it as the Captains councelors which Y.H. holdeth about you shall think most conuenient and according to the number of men in your armie state in which it standeth chusing vpon the consideration of these things whether it be better to attend him in the quarters or leauing theÌ„ the lodging to goe to coÌ„bat him with the whole armie or parte therof the rest tarying vpon the guard of the trenches artillerie quarters or to resolue to rayse the siege altogither VpoÌ„ this occasion it is to be considered if the enimie be able to take lodging wherby to hinder the victuals or be so well aduantaged neare his own as that he may batter the market place and squadrons for that vpon any such chaunce it is not fitt to mainteine the siege atteÌ„ding him in the quarters nor yet to diuide the armie to fight with him leauing part thereof for the guard for that it is much better to seek him out with the whole armie before he shal be able to worke any of both effects either to hinder the victuals or batter the squadrons Then gayning the battaile the town is gotten if it be lost that part of the armie which is left vpon the treÌ„ches quarters standing diuided runneth the same fortune and when the whole armie shal be founde readie to fight the victorie may very well be gayned thereby When Y.H. is resolued to go to encampe with the enimie seeking him out and to giue the battaile I wrote in coÌ„mon of such coÌ„siderations as are to be had in forming of the squadrons and putting them in battaile and seldome times men come to fight without hauing before made themselues lodgings and viewed the armies of which newes is gotten by spies other intelligences besides those which are sent to learne wherwith the Princes and generall Capteines advaÌ„tage themselues procuring to stand certified whether their campe be greater then the enimies standing superior in cauallerie or infanterie or both or contrariwise if there be an equalitie in both campes and in the trayning of the souldiors acquainting them selues precisely with this for that it is a verie harde matter to ouercome any Capteine who well knoweth both his own forces and his enimies particulars vpon which they are to found theÌ„ selues before they ioyne togither and giue battaile ruling them selues according as necessitie bindeth to salue a greater incoÌ„uenience considering when they stand vpon defence that a kingdome is not to be aduentured vpon one battaile except it be vpon great aduantage of place and in tarying vntil the enimie come to seek you out of which it is good to stand suspitious as a wise and watchfull soldior which way he may doe damage to preuent him looking circumspectly into all but not with so great an assurance as that though the coÌ„trarie Captain hold like partes he could not erre chuse the worse of the two partes esteming it for the best a thing which he would neuer doe if he were as certainlie acquainted with the state of the enimies armie as his owne Vpon this runneth the Castilian prouerb Si sispiesse la hueste que haze la hueste Hernan Nunaâ— en el lib. de los refr lâ—â— S. mal para la hueste When they encampe they sende ordinarilie and in particular when they stand somwhat far distant What order is held in encamping great troupes of cauallerie to view from one field to another recommeÌ„ding the seruice to men of courage valor and herevpon they come to make skirmishes which they terme Rencounters In which the leader is to carrie him selfe when he meeteth with the enimie according to the countrey and men which he discouereth and his own which he bringeth to marke whether a large