Briefe speeches to be vsed by Captaines or leaders, of Harque∣buziers when they would reduce them into a broad square with distances oblique.

IF a Captaine or leader of harquebuziers would vp∣on any occasion or aduantage of ground reduce a∣ny number of harquebuziers into a broad square or hearse oblique of 7. rankes, with intent that they may haue the more conuenient distances for the discharging of their volees, then they are to say vnto them: Oblique your selues harquebuziers 21. and 20. in rankes, or any other numbers greater or fewer, so as the first ranke doo exceed the second ranke by the number of one, and the third, the fourth like∣wise by the number of one, and so consequently in the same sort to the last seuenth ranke which should be of equal num∣ber to the first: Then the harquebuziers presentlie are to reduce themselues into the forme oblique,* all the harque∣buziers of euerie second ranke being fewer in number then the greater ranke preceeding them by the number of one should place themselues oblique to the ranke before them, that is, they shoulde place euerie one of themselues with their faces directlie towards the voide places or distaunces of the greater ranke before them sauing that the last ranke as aforesaide, must be of equall number to the first ranke, to the intent that the same may bee a fourmed and pro∣portioned hearse that is broad in frunt and narrowe by flankes.

And all those harquebuziers beeing reduced into this forme oblique with conuenient and proportionate distan∣ces, may through those distances oblique giue gallant vo∣lees to the great mischiefe of their enimies, without hurting or endamaging the one the other: And because that these distances oblique may seeme strange to such as neuer sawe horsemen or footemen reduced into that fourme: So it is that I haue manie times seene in Hongarie in the Warres of Emperour MAXI MILIAN against the Page  146 Turks, the harquebuziers,* Hongarians called by the name of Heydukes march and serue in those orders and distances oblique: And so in like manner the horsemen Hongarians being all light horsemen and called by the name of Vssarons although I haue seene them in the field in many and diuers orders and formes, yet their distances were most common∣lie oblique; which order oblique is also vsed by the Turks, Tartars, and other such orientall Nations: because that all their horsemen are light horsemen and not men at Armes,* sauing that the Persians onely of all the rest of the orientall Nations doo vse both men at armes with their horses bar∣bed, as also light horsemen. And this aforsaid order oblique is of great aduantage for all light horsmen in the field, and chiefelie for such as doo vse to charge their speares,* as the Hongarians doo, in sockets made fast to their Saddles, or as our light horsmen borderers that doo charge their speares vpon their thighs, as also for such light horsmen Stradiots as will after the maner of the Moores, vse double headed Launces, or zagayas by some called punching staues for di∣uers causes and reasons, that I am able by the helpe of Al∣mightie God to shewe by effectuall demonstrations in the field, Of the which some I did shew this Iast Summer 1588 in exercises of the field, vnto diuers Captaines and Gentle∣men of the shire of Essex.