A bibliography of English military books up to 1642 and of ...
A bibliography of English military books up to 1642 and of ...
A bibliography of English military books up to 1642 and of ...
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comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Henry Kanyon, Lord <strong>of</strong> Bredenberg, Councillor <strong>to</strong> Christian III.,<br />
King <strong>of</strong> Denmark. The translation, being published just before the expedition<br />
<strong>of</strong> Drake <strong>and</strong> Norris <strong>to</strong> Lisbon, was dedicated <strong>to</strong> the former at the<br />
suggestion <strong>of</strong> Hakluyt. It has been considerably amplified from the original.<br />
Of the twelve se6lions, the fifth, entitled " Topographie, or the portraiture <strong>of</strong><br />
particular places," is for the use <strong>of</strong> soldiers, <strong>and</strong> contains a full list <strong>of</strong> points<br />
<strong>to</strong> be noted in making a reconnaissance.<br />
[V. Orig. 561.]<br />
45. Fifteen-ninety. Williams, Sir Roger.<br />
A<br />
I<br />
|<br />
Briefe discourse <strong>of</strong> Warre. Written<br />
|<br />
Williams Knight<br />
| ; With his opinion concer-<br />
|<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the<br />
|<br />
Martiall Disci-<br />
|<br />
by Sir Roger<br />
ning some<br />
pline.<br />
|<br />
Imprinted at London^ by<br />
Thomas Orwin^ dwelling in Paternoster Row, ouer a~ gainst<br />
|<br />
|<br />
the Signe <strong>of</strong> the Checker.<br />
| 1590.<br />
|<br />
Quar<strong>to</strong>.<br />
Collation. Tp., Ai.—Ded. <strong>to</strong> Robert, Earl <strong>of</strong> Essex, A2.—Pref., A3-4.<br />
—Err., I4.—No R.H.— Sigs. in 4", A-I.<br />
Copies. B.M.<br />
Another edition: "Two editions <strong>of</strong> this year."—Arber, v. 158.<br />
Contents. An account <strong>of</strong> the Spanish discipline as pradlised during the<br />
wars in the Low Countries <strong>up</strong> <strong>to</strong> 1590 ; describing the divisions <strong>of</strong> the<br />
cavalry <strong>and</strong> infantry, order <strong>of</strong> marching, conduct <strong>of</strong> sieges, <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong>uching on<br />
the system <strong>of</strong> fortification. Williams had a great opinion <strong>of</strong> the value <strong>of</strong><br />
Light Horse, <strong>and</strong> he draws three comparisons : one between Lancers <strong>and</strong><br />
Men-at-arms, or Heavy Cavalry, one between Lancers <strong>and</strong> Argoletiers, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
third between Lancers <strong>and</strong> Pis<strong>to</strong>liers. Lancers, he says, in charging "should<br />
enter resolutely <strong>and</strong> keep close <strong>to</strong>gether," not heeding the breaking <strong>of</strong> their<br />
lances. The work, though short, contains much information that at the<br />
time <strong>of</strong> publication was new in Engl<strong>and</strong> j it succeeded in establishing a case<br />
for the new system <strong>of</strong> warfare against that advocated in Engl<strong>and</strong> by the<br />
elder generation <strong>of</strong> <strong>military</strong> men, headed by Sir John Smythe, who maintained<br />
that the bow was at least as good, if not better, than any fire-arm, <strong>and</strong><br />
that the adoption <strong>of</strong> the system <strong>of</strong> Williams <strong>and</strong> his school could end only in<br />
disaster <strong>to</strong> the country.*<br />
[V. No. 46 <strong>and</strong> 93.]<br />
*<br />
Mr. Julian Corbett has pointed out <strong>to</strong> me that it was this book <strong>of</strong> Williams'<br />
that finally put an end <strong>to</strong> the use <strong>of</strong> the long-bow in the <strong>English</strong> service. In working<br />
on the sequel <strong>to</strong> his " Drake <strong>and</strong> the Tudor Navy " (London, 1898, 8°), he has, he<br />
says, found clear evidence that this was so. In corroboration <strong>of</strong> this, I may add the<br />
39