A bibliography of English military books up to 1642 and of ...

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